the witan

• a council that advised the king on issues of government
• made up of the most important aristocrats (high social rank) of the kingdom, eg earl and archbishops
• discussed;

  • possible threats from foreign powers
  • religious affairs
  • land disputes and how to settle them
• had an important role in appointing the new king
• the king did not have to follow the witans advice
• the king decided who was appointed to the witan and when it was to meet