Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Wittenagemot: A long time ago in England, there was a group of important people called the Wittenagemot. They helped the king run the country and make important decisions. The group was made up of noblemen, religious leaders, and other important people chosen by the king. It was very powerful at first, but its power started to go down over time. It doesn't exist anymore, but it was important because it was a forerunner to the British Parliament.
Definition: Wittenagemot, also spelled witanagemote, was a national assembly of noblemen, high ecclesiastics, and other great thanes of England who advised and aided the king in the general administration of the government. It was a precursor to the British Parliament, but it passed out of existence with the Norman Conquest in 1066.
Example: The Wittenagemot was a powerful assembly in Anglo-Saxon England, and the kings were dependent on appointment to that office by the Witan in the early period before the royal succession became hereditary.
Explanation: The example illustrates how the Wittenagemot was a powerful assembly that had the authority to appoint kings in early Anglo-Saxon England. It shows that the assembly was composed of noblemen, high ecclesiastics, and other great thanes who advised and aided the king in the general administration of the government.