a word derived from the Anglo-Saxon ealdorman, compounded of the comparative degree of the word eald (old), and man. The term implies the possession of an office of rank or dignity. Earls and governors of provinces and other persons of distinction received this title among the Anglo-Saxons. Thus we meet with the titles of aldermannus totius Angliae, aldermannus regis, comitatis, Alderney, civitatis, burgi, castelli, hundredirex wapentachii, et novemdecimorum. According to Spelman, the aldermannus totius Angliae seems to have been the same officer who was afterwards styled capitulus justiciarius Angliae, or chief justice of England; the aldermannus regis seems to have been an occasional magistrate, answering to our justice of assize; and the aldermannus comitatus, a magistrate who held a middle rank between what was afterwards called the earl and the sheriff: he sat at the trial of causes with the bishop; the latter proceeding according to ecclesiastical law, and the former declaring and expounding the common law of the land.

In modern times aldermen are office-bearers in the municipal corporations of England and Wales, and Ireland. Before the passing of the Municipal Corporations Act, their functions varied according to the charters of the different burghs. By the statute 5th and 6th Will. IV. c.76, and 3rd and 4th Vict. c.118, the aldermen are elected by the councillors from among themselves (in Ireland, by the burgesses), for six years, one-half going out every three years. The number of councillors in each borough varies from 12 to 48, according to its magnitude. One-fourth of the municipal council consists of aldermen, and three-fourths of councillors. In the municipal corporations of Scotland there is no such title as alderman, the office-bearers of corresponding rank there being termed bailies.

The corporation of London was not included in the Burgh Reform Act; and the antiquated system remains there in full force. The court of aldermen consists of twenty-six, including the lord-mayor; the twenty-five aldermen are elected for life by the freemen of the different wards; when one dies or resigns a wardmote is called, who return two persons, one of whom the Court of Aldermen elect to supply the vacancy. The city is divided into twenty-six wards; twenty-four of these send up one alderman each; the other two between them choose a twenty-fifth; the twenty-sixth serves for the independent borough of Southwark, and is appointed by the other aldermen, who generally select the senior from among themselves when a vacancy occurs.

The lord-mayor is elected from such of the aldermen as have served the office of sheriff; from these the Commonhall, which consists of the freemen of the various wards, elect two; and the aldermen select one of these for the mayoralty.

The Court of Aldermen act as magistrates for the city of London, and also possess authority of a judicial nature in the affairs of the corporation. They are constituent members of the Court of Common Council, which is the legislative body of the corporation; but the other members of the Common Council, which consists of 264 members, are elected annually by the freemen.