lordship
/ˈlɔːdʃɪp
/noun
1 [mass noun] Supreme power or rule: his lordship over the other gods...
- The Count was ‘a master of the gestures and manners required to affirm lordship over his inferiors.’
- But the power of Carolo Augosto did not hail from the Pope, but instead from his lordship over the Franks, and, to a lesser extent, the Lombards.
- Bede and other sources mention a series of over-kings, originating from various kingdoms but successively wielding some sort of lordship over all or most of the Anglo-Saxon peoples.
1.1 archaic The authority or state of being a lord: Durham had become another sphere in which he could exercise his good lordship...
- Earthly rulers wield lordship and exercise authority over those whom they rule.
- In 1171 King Henry II successfully asserted his lordship over his subjects who had gone to Ireland and also many of the Irish kings, thus adding Ireland to the lands of the English king.
- Edward I was equally intent on exerting his superior lordship over Scotland.
1.2 [count noun] historical A piece of land belonging to or under the jurisdiction of a lord: lands including the lordship of Denbigh...
- Upon the death of Walter de Lacy in 1241 his two granddaughters became heiresses to his lands and lordships in England, the Welsh Marches, and Ireland.
- At the same time Wales was divided into counties or shires, some of which were based on and named after the ancient lordships.
- Thereafter Wales was divided between the Principality, royal lands, and virtually independent marcher lordships.
2 (His/Your etc. Lordship) (In the UK) a respectful form of reference or address to a judge, a bishop, or a man with a title: if Your Lordship pleases...
- At 4.00 p.m. on Sunday there will be a public meeting at which His Lordship, Bishop Lee will speak.
- All these matters were outside His Lordship's terms of reference.
- Michel went on for fear that Jean would speak anyway, ‘I've interviewed His Lordship and heard quite the tale of betrayal and at times loyalty on his part.’
2.1British ironic A form of address or reference to a man thought to be acting in a pretentious way.
Origin
Old English hlāfordscipe (see lord, -ship).