What is a wapentake?

Answer 1

A wapentake is a historical administrative division that originated in England, particularly in the northern counties. It was traditionally used as a subdivision of a hundred, serving as a jurisdiction for local governance and justice. The term is believed to derive from Old Norse, meaning a "weapon take," reflecting the practice of gathering and mustering men for military service. Wapentakes were significant in the context of local assemblies and law enforcement during the medieval period.