ARCHBISHOP NÓÐHELM, A.D. 734-737.—Difficulties having arisen about the possession and patronage of certain monasteries, the case was referred to and decided by a synod, “sancta sacerdotalis concilii synodus,” which must have met between 734-737. It seems to have been purely ecclesiastical, and its acts are signed only by the bishops who were present[[614]]. Yet as its judgment involved a question of property, and title to lands, I presume that the case was laid before a mixed gemót, sitting very possibly in different chambers. If so, the record we have is that of the clerical house only.
ÆÐELBALD OF MERCIA, A.D. 742.—In this year a great council, “magnum concilium,” was held at Clofeshoas, under Æðelbald, and Cúðbeorht, archbishop of Canterbury. It took into consideration the state of the church; but it was clearly a witena gemót, and its acts are signed by clerks and laymen indifferently[[615]].
ÆÐELBALD OF MERCIA, A.D. 749.—A witena gemót was held at Godmundes leáh in this year. Ecclesiastical liberties were again provided for[[616]].
A.D. 755.—A witena gemót in Wessex must have been held in this year, for the deposing of Sigebeorht and election of Cynewulf to the throne[[617]].
OFFA OF MERCIA, A.D. 780.—A gemót called “synodale conciliabulum” was held this year at Brentford. It transacted various business of a secular character[[618]].
A.D. 782.—A gemót was held at Acleáh, now Ockley in Surrey[[619]].
OFFA OF MERCIA, A.D. 785.—In this year was held the stormy synod of Cealchýð, in which the province of Canterbury was partitioned; and the archbishopric of Lichfield founded[[620]]. It was clearly a witena gemót; as Offa caused his son Ecgferhð to be elected king by the meeting.
A.D. 787.—In this year there was another gemót; “synodalis conventus,” at Ockley[[621]].
OFFA OF MERCIA, A.D. 788.—A gemót was held at Cealchýð[[622]]. And in the same year; according to the Chronicle and Florence[[623]]; but one year sooner according to Simeon Dunelmensis[[624]], was held the synod of Pincanhealh in Northumberland.
OFFA OF MERCIA, A.D. 789.—In this year another gemót was held at Cealchýð, where a good deal of secular business was transacted[[625]]. In the second document cited in the note it is called “pontificale conciliabulum,” and this charter is signed only by the king and the bishops.