Valvasor
Dictionary of Terms and Phrases Used in American or English Jurisprudence · Benjamin Vaughan Abbott · 1879
Dictionary of Terms and Phrases Used in American or English Jurisprudence
or VAVASOR. The first name of dignity next beneath a peer was anciently that of valvasors, or vavasors, who are mentioned by our ancient lawyers as viri magnas dignitatis. Yet they are now quite out of use; and our legal antiquarians are not agreed upon even their original or ancient office. They appear to have been in dignity next to the barons and king, or, if they held of the king, it was as of an honor or manor, and not in chief.
Tomlins.