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

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)

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 king and his witan resolved to send against them a land fyrd and a ship fyrd or raw levy.

From Early Britain Anglo-Saxon Britain by Allen, Grant

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

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 Allen, Grant