fyrd

[ furd ]

noun

1. the militia in Anglo-Saxon England.
2. the duty to serve in this militia.

fyrd

/ faɪəd; fɪəd /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of fyrd¹

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

Example Sentences

Harold got together a large fleet to guard the Channel, and called out the fyrd of the southern counties to defend the coast.

From Project Gutenberg

By the laws of King Ine161 the gesithcundmen were fined and forfeited their land if they neglected their 'fyrd:'

From Project Gutenberg

If a gesithcund man owning land neglect the fyrd, let him pay cxx.

From Project Gutenberg

To supplement the force thus obtained, the23 fyrd was divided into two halves, one of which was always to be available.

From Project Gutenberg

Nevertheless, the main defence of the country rested with the "fyrd."

From Project Gutenberg