Runnymede today refers to all the land to the west side of the Thames owned by the National Trust but was originally only one of three individual 'medes', the others being Long Mede and Yard Mede. The name Runnymede may originate from the Anglo-Saxon 'runieg' (regular meeting) and 'mede' (mead or meadow). The pre-Norman form of government, the Witan Council, was held here during the reign of Alfred the Great, whose castle was in Old Windsor.
