Advising their elected kings, the elders of the Germanic tribes held great sway over the laws and elections among their people. Comprised of both an aristocratic elite and a priestly class, the latter being the moderators at election time, in theory councils prevented abuse of power by putting important matters to the vote. Standing before the seated council, the elected king or war-leader’s argument would be heard in silence. A decision would then be given, either being dismissed via murmuring or accepted by the brandishing of weapons.
