Also 5–6 aldyrmanry. [f. ALDERMAN + -RY, med. L. 13th c. aldermaneria. Cf. for the form yeomanry, for the sense deanery, archdeaconry.] A district of a borough having its own alderman, a ward; also, the dignity or rank of an alderman.
c. 1229. [Stubbs, Const. Hist., III. 561. ‘Early in the reign of Henry III … the name Aldermaneria seems to be used exchangeably with Warda.’]
1502. Arnold, Chron., 37, an. 1384. From ye office of aldyrmanry vtterly and percysly to cessen.
1608. Dekker, Dead Terme, F iv b. Those Diuisions or Partages [of London], are called Wardes or Aldermanries, being 26 in number.
1698. Stow, London (ed. Strype, 1754), I. II. i. 347/1. The ancient division of this City was into Wards or Aldermanries.
1841. Hor. Smith, Moneyed Man, I. viii. 250. The city assembly, the vulgar, untitled balls of the Aldermanry.
