Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Squatter
I don't believe that Things were held by the Anglo-Saxons, whose main assembly was the Witan or witena gemot: 'assembly of the wise'. This was effectively the sort of group which met under the Parliament Oak:
|
That brings up another new avenue to pursue.
witena gemot - assembly of the wise.
Which word in Tolkien's work does this suggest? To me, it's Ent Moot. I'm sure Squatter will know if
gemot is the root of the word
moot, I have the feeling that it is.
thing = Norse
moot = Anglo-Saxon
These are essentially similar in that they are both assemblies, the former being more of a gathering including all, the latter only for 'the wise'. That actually tallies nicely with
thing corresponding to an older age (with Thingol's realm and the community he builds up) and
moot to the Third Age. Of course, the Ents live close by the Rohirrim, a culture reminiscent of early Anglo-Saxon culture.
What about the word
Ent meaning '
giant' in Old English?