The Letter of the Kentish Men to King Athelstan.
Dr. Lingard makes the following remark on the thankful acknowledgment which the Kentish men sent the King on the promulgation of his Ordinance dated A.D. 627.
“The meaning is evident; in consequence of the King’s admonition, they promised to pay tithes.”[141]
Mr. Freeman makes some very important observations on the above letter.
“As the other kingdoms merged in Wessex, the Witan of the other kingdoms became entitled to seats in the Gemót of Wessex, now become the common Gemót of the Empire. But Gemót of the other kingdoms seem to have gone on as local bodies, dealing with local affairs, and perhaps giving a formal assent to the resolutions of the central body. The letter of the Kentish men to Athelstan reads like an act of acceptance on the part of a local Gemót, of resolutions passed by the general body.”[142]
Mr. Freeman then opposes Dr. Lingard’s theory and also Lord Selborne’s, “for the resolutions of the general body” were those of “the common Gemót of the Empire.” He therefore sides with Selden, Kemble, Stubbs, etc., that the Ordinance passed at Greatanlea was a general law.
But I shall quote the most conclusive evidence to show that the Ordinances passed at Greatanlea were legal enactments, viz., “That they would all hold the frith (peace) as King Athelstan and his Witan had counselled at Greatanlea.”[143]