wapentake etymology

Etymology:

The word "wapentake" is derived from two Old English words:

• Weapon (weapon)
• Take (to seize, grasp)

Meaning:

A wapentake is a historical administrative division in England, similar to a hundred. It is a subdivision of a county and is equivalent to a rural district.

Origin:

The origin of the term "wapentake" is uncertain, but there are several theories:

• Symbolic Ceremony: It is believed that new freemen in a shire were required to place their weapons in the hands of the sheriff as a token of submission. The sheriff would then "take their weapons" (wapentake), signifying their acceptance into the community.
• Military Muster: Wapentakes may have been used for military purposes, such as mustering and training men. The sheriff would "take their weapons" (wapentake) before sending them into battle.
• Land Division: Wapentakes may have been used to divide land for administrative or taxation purposes. The sheriff would "take" (seize) a certain area of land (weapon) for this purpose.

Regardless of its exact origin, the term "wapentake" has been used to describe administrative divisions in England since the Anglo-Saxon period. Today, wapentakes are still used in some parts of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

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