Also 6 vydam(e, visdamme, 7 vidam. [a. F. vidame, OF. visdame, ad. med.L. vicedominus, f. vice- VICE- + dominus lord.] Formerly in France, one who held lands from a bishop as his representative and defender in temporal matters.
1523. Ld. Berners, Froiss., I. xlv. 25 b/2. The Vydame of Calons dyd marueyles.
1550. Acts Privy Council, III. 121. Ordre … for the sending of … oone of the Gromes of the Chambre, to be furrer or harbenger to the saide Visdamme.
1614. Selden, Titles Honor, 252. Neither is there in France any Vidame which holds not of some Bishoprik, vnlesse that of Beauuais,… and from the chief Town of the Bishoprique are the Vidames denominated.
1635. R. N., trans. Camden’s Hist. Eliz., I. 47. The French Embassadour in England solicited her that the Vidame of Chartres … might be delivered to the King.
1680. Mackenzie, Sci. Her., 87. To Counts, Vidames, and Viscounts [they allow] a direct standing Helmet, with 9 Barrs.
1725. trans. Dupin’s Eccl. Hist. 17th C., I. V. 179. The Advocates and Vidames succeeded the Defenders, and by little and little these last Offices were abolish’d.
1801. Ranken, Hist. France, I. 334. They employed a vidame, vice-dominus or commissary. Ibid. (1802), II. 259. They commissioned generally their avoués, or vidames, or some superior vassal, to levy and head the troops of their barony.
1852. Sir J. Stephen, Lect. Hist. France, I. 131. The advocate or vidame of an ecclesiastical corporation was usually some powerful count.
transf. 1622. in Birch, Crt. & Times Jas. I. (1849), II. 346. Here is a speech of a new dignity of vidams to be created, which should wedge in ’twixt knights and baronets.
Hence † Vidameship. Obs.
a. 1641. Spelman, Ant. Deeds, Eng. Wks. (1723), II. 242. These Officers obteyned likewise of their Lords the Bishops to have the Office of Vidameship in Fee.
