† ˈwardcorn Feudal Law. Obs.
[f. ward n.2 + corn n.1]
A periodical payment in corn to the superior in commutation of military service. Cf. wardpenny.
| 1415 Foundation Charter, Shene, Surrey in Dugdale Monast. (1830) VI. i. 33/1 Et quod omnia bona..hominum..prædictorum quorumcunque, sint..quieta de omnimodo pavagio, passagio,..&c. et de omni scotto et geldo,..et wardepeny, wardecorne, averpeny, hundredpeny, et borthalpeny, [etc.]. 1441 Court Rolls (P.R.O.) 1/3 Decennarius..presentat..j quarterium drageti vocati Wardecorne. |
¶ Du Cange wrongly identified wardcorn with cornagium, to which he gave an erroneous explanation: see cornage ¶ . His error has been adopted in many Eng. Dicts.
| 1701 Cowel's Interpr. (ed. Kennett), Wardecorn, the Duty of keeping Watch and Ward with a Horn to blow, upon any occasion of surprize. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey). 1721–1800 in Bailey. In recent Dicts. |