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

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)

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 The Man from Archangel and Other Tales of Adventure by Doyle, A. Conan

The English army at Hastings consisted of the fyrd and the corps of huscarles.

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

He called out the fyrd, the militia, of all or some of the shires under his obedience. 

From William the Conqueror by Freeman, Edward Augustus

All local expenses, whether for justice or road-making or fortress-building, were paid by local funds; and the national "fyrd" served at its own cost in the field.

From History of the English People, Volume II The Charter, 1216-1307; The Parliament, 1307-1400 by Green, John Richard