The Collaborative International Dictionary
Wardmote \Ward"mote`\, n.
Anciently, a meeting of the inhabitants of a ward; also, a
court formerly held in each ward of London for trying
defaults in matters relating to the watch, police, and the
like.
--Brande & C. ``Wards and wardmotes.''
--Piers Plowman.
Wiktionary
n. 1 (context now historical English) A meeting of the inhabitants of a ward. 2 (context historical English) A court formerly held in each ward of London, England for trying defaults in matters relating to the watch, police, and the like.
Wikipedia
A wardmote was a meeting of the inhabitants of a ward, or a court held in the ward (e.g. in London) to try defaults in matters relating to the watch, police, and the like.
The term is used in York, London, Faversham, etc., and was also used by the Chartists.
Usage examples of "wardmote".
He sat in the parliament of 1523, and towards the close of that year served on a wardmote inquest for Bread Street Ward.
Southwark had never formed part of the City of London, the charter of Edward VI notwithstanding, and that the holding of wardmotes in the borough would materially interfere with the duties of an ancient officer known as a seneschal or steward of Southwark, the petition could not be complied with, except by application to the legislature, and that such a course would neither be expedient or advisable.
These, with a confirmation of the privileges of their court of hustings, wardmotes, and common halls, and their liberty of hunting in Middlesex and Surrey, are the chief articles of this charter.
Southwark had never formed part of the City of London, the charter of Edward VI notwithstanding, and that the holding of wardmotes in the borough would materially interfere with the duties of an ancient officer known as a seneschal or steward of Southwark, the petition could not be complied with, except by application to the legislature, and that such a course would neither be expedient or advisable.