Ealdorman

An Ealdorman, or Alderman, was the prior magistrate of a British shire in AD 900 to 1100. Ealdormanship was the highest form of nobility until after 1100, when ranks such as Barons were introduced. The Ealdormen were the commanders of the armies in the surrounding district (the shire). The Old English word for Ealdormen is Ældormenn, meaning, "older men".

An Ealdormancy was an Anglo-Saxon governing body over several shires, made up of more than one Ealdorman.