Another gemót is also said to have been held at Ockley[[626]]; but the known error of two years in the dates of the Chronicle may make us suspect that this really met in 791.
OFFA OF MERCIA; A.D. 790.—A great gemót was held this year in London; on Whitsunday[[627]].
OFFA OF MERCIA, A.D. 793.—A gemót at Cealchýð, called “conventus synodalis”[[628]]. Also about this time a gemót at Verulam, “concilium episcoporum et optimatum,”[[629]]
OFFA OF MERCIA, A.D. 794.—A gemót at Clofeshoas, called “synodus,” and “concilium synodale”[[630]].
ECGFERHÐ OF MERCIA, A.D. 796.—A gemót at Cealchýð, called probably in consequence of Offa’s death, and for reformation of affairs in the church[[631]].
CÉNWULF OF MERCIA, A.D. 798.—A gemót, called “synodus,” the place of which is not known. The business recorded is merely secular[[632]]. Before the signatures occur the words: “Haec sunt nomina episcoporum ac principum qui hoc mecum in synodo consentientes subscripserunt.” The signatures comprise the names of several laics,—a plain proof that the word synodus is not confined to ecclesiastical meetings. Another, or perhaps the same, at Baccanceld, Bapchild, in Kent, where the clergy made a declaration of liberties[[633]]. Another and very solemn one at Clofeshoas[[634]].
CÉNWULF OF MERCIA, A.D. 799.—A gemót of the witan was held this year at Colleshyl, probably Coleshill in Berkshire[[635]].
CÉNWULF OF MERCIA, A.D. 799-802.—Between these two years there was a gemót, called “synodale conciliabulum,” at Cealchýð, in which secular business was transacted. The signature of the king to one of its acts is double; first at the head of the clergy, and then again at the head of the lay nobles[[636]].
CÉNWULF OF MERCIA, A.D. 803.—In the year 803 was held a memorable synod at Clofeshoas, which lasted from the ninth till the twelfth of October. Affairs of great importance were discussed. The principal object of the meeting was to restore the ancient splendour of Canterbury by the abrogation of the archiepiscopal see at Lichfield, and further to secure the liberties of the church. We have two solemn acts, dated on the twelfth of October[[637]]: the signatures are exclusively those of clerics. The second of those documents deserves the highest attention, as the signatures may be taken to represent the members of a full convocation of the clergy, called for a most important purpose. But it is nevertheless certain that a general meeting of the witan took place at the same time, for on the sixth of October they heard and determined causes relating to landed property, and various laymen signed the acts[[638]]. Moreover an archbishopric established by a witena gemót could only be abrogated by another,—not by a mere assemblage of clergymen, however dignified and influential they might be.
CÉNWULF OF MERCIA, A.D. 804.—There was a “synodus” in this year at Clofeshoas, the nature of the business transacted in which and before whom transacted, appears from these words following[[639]]:—“Anno ab incarnatione Christi 804, indictione duodecima, ego Æðelríc filius Æðelmundi cum conscientia synodali invitatus ad synodum, et in iudicio stare, in loco qui dicitur Clofeshoh, cum libris et ruris, id est, æt Westmynster, quod prius propinqui mei tradiderunt mihi et donaverunt, ibi Æðelheardus archiepiscopus mihi regebat atque iudicaverat, cum testimonio Coenwulfi regis, et optimatibus eius, coram omni synodo, quando scripturas meas perscrutarent, ut liber essem terram meam atque libellos dare quocumque volui.” He had been regularly summoned to appear before the synodus, as a court of justice.