Vidame

In French feudal law. Originally, an officer who represented the bishop as the viscount did the count In process of time, these dignitaries erected their offices into fiefs, and became feudal nobles, such as the vidame of Chartres, Rheims, etc., continuing to take their titles from the seat of the bishop whom they represented, although the lands held by virtue of their fiefs might be situated elsewhere. Brande; Burrill.