This was an unusual situation in Wessex. Up to this time kings could not pass the kingdom to their sons or designated heirs. The king was selected from among the most eligible chiefs or he became king by conquest.[1] Wessex, like other Anglo-Saxon kingdoms had a witan or witenagemot.[1] This was a group of leading nobles, bishops, ealdormen and thanes who advised the king and who also selected the next king.[3]
This was an unusual situation in Wessex. Up to this time kings could not pass the kingdom to their sons or designated heirs. The king was selected from among the most eligible chiefs or he became king by conquest.[1] Wessex, like other Anglo-Saxon kingdoms had a witan or witenagemot.[1] This was a group of leading nobles, bishops, ealdormen and thanes who advised the king and who also selected the next king.[3]
