Obs. Also 3 vantwarde, 4–5 vauntward(e. [Aphetic form of AVANTWARD; cf. VANTGUARD. See also next, and VAMWARD, VAWARD.] The vanguard of an army.
1297. R. Glouc. (Rolls), 7478. Hor vantwarde was to broke, þat me miȝte wiþinne hom wende. Ibid., 9006. Þe vantwardes hom mette verst, as riȝt was to done.
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. XX. 94. Elde þe hore he was in þe vauntwarde, And bare þe banere bifor deth, by riȝte he it claymed.
c. 1450. Contin. Brut, II. (1908), 320. Sere Bertram Cleykyn, þat was … chyueteyn of þe vauntward of þe bataill.
1480. Caxton, Chron. Eng., VIII. xiii. He sette … the duc of York in the vauntward.
1557. K. Arthur (Copland), I. xv. Lyonses and Phariaunce had the vaunt warde.
1610. Holland, Camden’s Brit., I. 794. They marched forth in the Vantward: they returned home in the Rereward.
