Legal Definitions - ward-horn

The term ward-horn is a historical legal concept that refers to the specific duty of a watchman or guard to maintain vigilance and, in the event of an unexpected threat or surprise, use a horn to sound an alarm. This duty was an integral part of "watch and ward," the broader obligation to guard a particular area, such as a town, castle, or district, against danger. Essentially, it was the responsibility to be alert and to signal danger using a horn.

Here are some examples illustrating the concept of ward-horn:

• Imagine a medieval town where a designated watchman patrols the ramparts at night. His legal duty of ward-horn would mean he is obligated not only to keep a sharp lookout for approaching raiders or fires but also to immediately blow his horn if he spots any danger, alerting the townspeople and the militia. This demonstrates the duty to both watch and signal an alarm with a horn in a defensive context.

• Consider a historical coastal settlement vulnerable to sea-borne invasions. A sentinel posted on a cliff overlooking the sea would have the ward-horn duty. If he sighted an enemy fleet approaching, his legal responsibility would be to promptly sound his horn, signaling the alarm to the villagers and local defenses to prepare for an attack. This highlights the use of the horn for a specific type of surprise threat from the sea.

• In a historical context, a small frontier outpost guarding a mountain pass might have a guard whose ward-horn duty required him to constantly monitor the surrounding wilderness. Should he observe a large band of hostile forces attempting to bypass the outpost, his obligation would be to use his horn to warn the main garrison further back, allowing them to prepare a defense or send reinforcements. This shows the duty in a more remote, strategic context where early warning was crucial.