Obs. [f. WARD sb.1 + MAN sb.1 Cf. WARDSMAN2.]
1. In certain boroughs, a member of a select body of burgesses, representing the several wards, and empowered to choose municipal officers.
1444. Maldon (Essex) Liber A, lf. 32 b. The xviii wardemen that day shall chese the newe baylees and other officers of the moste worthi men.
1467. Maldon (Essex) Court-Rolls, Bundle 43 no. 6v. All the wardemen ben acorded that John Parll the elder is put owt of ye ward.
2. In certain boroughs, the designation of an officer employed by the corporation.
1792. Boys, Coll. Hist. Sandwich, 403. When the mayor goes in form to the court-hall,… he is preceded by the common wardman [L. communis serviens] and the two sergeants at mace.
1835. App. Munic. Corpor. Rep., II. 1043 [Officers of the corporation of Sandwich]. Town Clerk. Common Wardman. Serjeants at Mace. Ibid., IV. 2527. The other Officers of the corporation [of Stamford] are a Gaoler…. Collector of Stallage. Beadle and Wardman.
