þættaramma

þættaramma is a term that appears in Old English manuscripts, most notably within the context of law and administration. It refers to a type of organizational division or administrative district, similar to a shire or county in later periods of English history. The precise nature and boundaries of a þættaramma are not fully understood, and their usage likely varied geographically and chronologically within the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms.

Scholarly interpretation suggests that þættaramma were established for purposes of governance, taxation, and military organization. They may have been subdivisions of larger territories or independent administrative units. Evidence for their existence comes from charters, legal texts, and place-name studies. The term itself is derived from Old English words relating to a "part" or "division," further supporting its meaning as an administrative area.

Understanding the þættaramma is crucial for reconstructing the political and social landscape of Anglo-Saxon England. It provides insight into how power was structured and how the land was managed in the centuries before the Norman Conquest. Further research into surviving documents and archaeological evidence continues to refine our understanding of these early administrative structures.