LL-L "History" 2006.02.16 (02) [E]

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16 February 2006 * Volume 02
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From: Paul Finlow-Bates <wolf_thunder51 at yahoo.co.uk>
Subject: LL-L "History" 2006.02.15 (05) [E]


  From: R. F. Hahn
  Subject: History

  Thanks, Paul!

  .....
  So let me rephrase it by saying that Saxons *elected" local and regional
  chiefs (_oƀarhôƀdio_), not necessarily for life, mostly as 
representatives
  at regional and all-Saxon meetings at the þing in Markelohe (now Markloh 
on
  Weser). These chiefs are said to have been of the rural and merchant types
  rather than of the regal type.

  In the 8th century, Continental Saxons began to elect dukes. However, as
  far as I know there were no actual kings (unless you call the chiefs that)
  and no hereditary titles.

  Yes, Continental Saxons had the word _kuning_, but I don't know if this
  predates Christianization and Frankicization.

  ........
  When did hereditary titles begin among Germanic-speakers in Britain?

  Regards,
  Reinhard/Ron
Ron,
The English were still electing kings up to the Conquest; the king was 
chosen by the Witan, normally from the "Royal Family" i.e. the *Cyn* of the 
name. But not necessarily; Harold Godwinsson had no real descent claim to 
the throne, but the Witan didn't want William, and the "legitimate heir", 
The Aetheling, was considered too young to rule.  They wanted a Hard Man for 
hard times.

Subsequent ages inherited the name "King", which is very ancient, and 
applied a much more rigid hereditary descent to it that it never originally 
had.  "The King is dead, long live the King" i.e. the succession is known 
and fixed at any given time, only emerged as a concept in post Norman times.

So to your original comment about the early Germanic immigrants to Britain 
changing to a hereditary absolute monarchy, I would say they didn't.

Paul
! 

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