ATTORNEY OF THE WARDS AND LIVERIES Meaning and
Definition
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Attorney of the Wards and Liveries refers to a historical legal office that existed in England during the medieval and early modern periods. This position was created to oversee the care and protection of minors who were entitled to inherited lands and properties, which were held by the Crown until they reached the age of majority.
An Attorney of the Wards and Liveries was appointed by the monarch or a local lord to act as a legal guardian and administrator on behalf of the ward. Their primary responsibility was to manage and safeguard the ward's property until they came of age, ensuring that it was not misappropriated or improperly utilized. The attorney handled various legal matters associated with the ward's estate, such as collecting rents, managing leases, and defending the ward's interests in court.
Moreover, an Attorney of the Wards and Liveries was also involved in the regulation of liveries, which were distinctive uniforms or badges worn by servants and retainers of noble households. They supervised the granting and distribution of liveries, ensuring that they were granted only to deserving individuals and not being misused to assert undue influence or create an unruly following.
Overall, the Attorney of the Wards and Liveries held a crucial role within the legal and administrative systems of medieval and early modern England, acting as a custodian of minors' inherited estates and overseeing the proper use of liveries granted within noble households.
