fyrd

American  

[furd] / fɜrd /

noun

1. the militia in Anglo-Saxon England.

2. the duty to serve in this militia.

---

fyrd British  

/ faɪəd, fɪəd /

noun

1. history the local militia of an Anglo-Saxon shire, in which all freemen had to serve

---

Etymology

Origin of fyrd

< Old English fyrd, fierd, akin to faran to go, fare

Example Sentences

The Old English "fyrd," or militia, was the nation in arms.

From Freedom In Service Six Essays on Matters Concerning Britain's Safety and Good Government by Hearnshaw, F. J. C. (Fossey John Cobb)

There rode the king with his fyrd till he reached Badbury against Winburne.

From Early Britain Anglo-Saxon Britain by Allen, Grant

We find, as early as 1181, the Assize of Arms, which revives the ancient fyrd or militia.

From Popular Law-making by Stimson, Frederic Jesup

The army consisted of a national militia, or "fyrd," and a feudal militia.

From The Leading Facts of English History by Montgomery, D. H. (David Henry)

Hence, as English kings, they assiduously maintained and fostered Anglo-Saxon institutions, and particularly the "fyrd," which they used as a counterpoise to the feudal levy.

From Freedom In Service Six Essays on Matters Concerning Britain's Safety and Good Government by Hearnshaw, F. J. C. (Fossey John Cobb)