Mid 19th century; earliest use found in Benjamin Thorpe (c1782–1870), Old English scholar. From ealdorman + -ship, originally after German Ealdormanschaft.
Definition of ealdormanship in US English:
ealdormanship
noun
Anglo-Saxon History
The position or rank of an ealdorman.
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in Benjamin Thorpe (c1782–1870), Old English scholar. From ealdorman + -ship, originally after German Ealdormanschaft.