fyrd

American  

[furd] / fɜrd /

noun

1. the militia in Anglo-Saxon England.

2. the duty to serve in this militia.

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fyrd British  

/ faɪəd, fɪəd /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of fyrd

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

fyrd

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 F. J. C. (Fossey John Cobb) Hearnshaw

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

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

The other, a smaller and older man, stood entranced while I recited to him that passage of the Saxon Chronicle which begins, “Then came Leija with longships forty-four, and the fyrd went out against him.”

From Danger! and Other Stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

All autumn the West Saxon fyrd waited for the enemy, but in the end "it came to naught more than it had oft erst done."

From Early Britain Anglo-Saxon Britain by Grant Allen

The forces of the kingdom were composed of local contingents similar to the English fyrd, professional soldiers who were paid followers of the great lords, and the heavy cavalry of the military orders.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 6 "Armour Plates" to "Arundel, Earls of" by Various