WARDEN, a word frequently employed in the ordinary sense of a watchman or guardian, but more usually in England in the sense of a chief or head official. The lords wardens of the marches, for example, were powerful nobles appointed to guard the borders of Scotland and of Wales; they held their lands per baroniam, the king's writ not running against them, and they had extensive rights of administrating justice. The chief officer of the ancient stan
naries of Cornwall has the title of lord warden (see STANNARIES) as has also the governor of Dover castle (see CINQUE PORTS).