Legal Definitions - wardpenny

Definition: Wardpenny is a term used in history that refers to:

1. Money paid instead of military service.
2. Money paid to the sheriff or castellains in exchange for watching and guarding a castle.

It is also known as wardage or warth.

1. In medieval times, some people who were unable or unwilling to serve in the military paid a wardpenny instead.

2. The lord of the castle paid a wardpenny to the sheriff or castellains to ensure that the castle was guarded and protected.

These examples illustrate how wardpenny was used in different contexts. In the first example, it was used as a way for people to avoid military service by paying a fee. In the second example, it was used as a way for the lord of the castle to ensure that the castle was protected by paying the sheriff or castellains.