[f. WARD sb.2 + FEE sb.1]
† 1. In feudal law, a sum of money paid by a vassal to a superior lord in lieu of military service.
1202. in Cal. Charter Rolls (1903), I. 257. Sint liberi et quieti … de hundredfeh, wardfeh, et fisfeh, et de operatione castellorum.
1765–8. Erskine, Inst. Law Scot., II. iv. § 4. Ward vassals found it their interest to charge the ward fee with a determinate sum, to be paid yearly to the superior.
2. A fee charged in a hospital ward.
1789. J. Howard, Lazarettos, 136. Here are no ward-fees taken.
