[f. ALDERMAN + -SHIP; this is the most legitimate term for the office.] The office, position or quality of an alderman; a. municipal.
1494. Fabyan, VII. 331. He was dyschargyd of his aldermanshyp.
1502. Arnold, Chron., 37, an. 1384. They owe not to be remeued fro the office of aldyrmanshyp wythout certayn cause.
1714. Fortescue-Aland, in Fortescue’s Abs. & Lim. Mon., 37. Our English termination, ship, as in Stewardship, Aldermanship, Worship.
1772. Wilkes, Corr. (1805), IV. 139. Mr. Martin does not accept the aldermanship.
1871. Daily News, 6 Nov. The Vacant Aldermanship.
2. Old Eng. (Recent writers have used the late West Saxon ealdorman.)
1861. Pearson, Early & Mid. Ages Eng., 251. Ealdormanships of counties and towns.
1875. Stubbs, Const. Hist., I. vi. 160. The original idea of the ealdormanship is, magistracy or jurisdiction, as implied in the attribute of age.
1876. Freeman, Norm. Conq., I. iii. 80. Their progress from the ealdormanship of a corner of Hampshire to the Imperial crown.
