The Prince and the Pauper – Chapter Thirty-Three – Historical Tidbit

In Chapter 33 of The Prince and the Pauper, we hear about a special title that is given to Tom. Edward wants others to know about the service that Tom had done for their country. Our Chapter 33 Historical Tidbit focuses on…

THE KING’S WARD

Keep reading or watch the video below to learn more.

Here we see Edward’s explanation of the title he gives Tom:

“‘…And for that he hath been a king, it is meet that other than common observance shall be his due; wherefore note this his dress of state, for by it he shall be known, and none shall copy it; and wheresoever he shall come, it shall remind the people that he hath been royal, in his time, and none shall deny him his due of reverence or fail to give him salutation. He hath the throne’s protection, he hath the crown’s support, he shall be known and called by the honourable title
of the King’s Ward.’” (p. 204-205)

A History of Wardship

Wardship allowed the monarch (or lord in feudal law) to take control of a minor heir until they came of age if a tenant died
The rights of wardship were originally put in place to protect a minor heir/widow from relatives who wanted to get the property
A Court of Wards and Liveries established by Henry VIII – established to administer dues owed to king

Modern-Day Wards

In law
Ward = minor or incapacitated adult placed under the protection of a legal guardian or government entity
Children in foster care are wards of the states where they reside
For a time, native people in the U.S. were considered wards of the state (this ended in 1871)

Modern-Day Wards

Child Act of 1989
Wardship jurisdiction only used in rare circumstances
Takes effect immediately
Making a child a ward of court might be necessary if a child requires emergency medical treatment, if they are under threat of forced marriage, or if they are at risk of parental child abduction, for example

Check us out on social media!