Alderman

Equivalent to senator or senior.

Cowell.

In English Law. An associate to the chief civil magistrate of a corporate town or city. The word was formerly of very extended signification. Spelman enumerates eleven classes of aldermen. Their duties among the Saxons embraced both magisterial and executive power, but would seem to have been rather an appellation of honor, originally, than a distinguishing mark of office. Spelman, Gloss. Aldermannus civitatus burgi seu castellce (alderman of a city, borough, or castle).

1 Bla. Com. 475, n.

Aldermannus comitatus (alderman of the county), who is thought by Spelman to have held an intermediate place between an earl and a sheriff; by others, held the same as the earl.

1 Bla. Com. 116.

Aldermannus hundredi seu wapentachii (alderman of a hundred or wapentake).

Spelman.

Aldermannus regis (alderman of the king) was so called, either because he was appointed by the king, or because he gave the judgment of the king in the premises allotted to him. Aldermannus totius Anglice (alderman of all England). An officer of high rank whose duties cannot be precisely determined. See Spelman, Gloss. The aldermen of the city of London were probably originally the chiefs of guilds.

See 1 Spence, Eq. Jur. 54, 56.

For an account of the selection and installation of aldermen of the guild merchant of a borough, see 1 Poll. & Maitl. 648. In American Cities. The aldermen are generally a municipal legislative body; though in many cities they hold separate courts, and have magisterial powers to a considerable extent.

Consult 1 Sharsw.

Bla. Com. 116; Reeve, Hist Eng. Law; Spence, Eq. Jur. ALE-CONNER (also called ale-taster). An officer appointed by the court-leet, sworn to look to the assize and goodness of ale and beer within the precincts of the leet.

Kitchin, Courts 46; Whishaw.

An officer appointed in every court-leet. and sworn to look to the assize of bread, ale, or beer within the precincts of that lordship. though the duties are changed or given up; l Crabb, Real Prop. 501.