watch-and-ward system

European history

Also known as: night watch, nightwatch

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Last updated

July 23, 2026

Quick Summary

The term "watch and ward" refers to continuous, unbroken vigilance and guard. It also historically denoted service as a watchman or sentinel, a duty required of a feudal tenant. This practice dates back to at least the 14th century. "Watching and warding" is a variant of this term.12

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watch and ward
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- bobby
  …themselves taking over activities from night watchmen such as lighting lamps and watching for fires. The original uniform consisted of a blue tailcoat and a top hat and was meant to emphasize that the police were not a military force, as was the fact that the officers did not carry…
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  …themselves taking over activities from night watchmen such as lighting lamps and watching for fires. The original uniform consisted of a blue tailcoat and a top hat and was meant to emphasize that the police were not a military force, as was the fact that the officers did not carry…
  Read More
- wait
  …Ages the waits were night watchmen, who sounded horns or even played tunes to mark the hours. In the 15th and 16th centuries waits developed into bands of itinerant musicians who paraded the streets at night at Christmas time. From the early 16th century, London and all the chief boroughs…
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  …Ages the waits were night watchmen, who sounded horns or even played tunes to mark the hours. In the 15th and 16th centuries waits developed into bands of itinerant musicians who paraded the streets at night at Christmas time. From the early 16th century, London and all the chief boroughs…
  Read More

fire alarm
Originally, watchmen provided the only fire-alarm system, but, with the advent of electric power, boxes wired to fire departments provided a warning system from city streets and such institutional buildings as schools. While some of the latter remain in use, most modern fire-alarm systems are automatic,…
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Originally, watchmen provided the only fire-alarm system, but, with the advent of electric power, boxes wired to fire departments provided a warning system from city streets and such institutional buildings as schools. While some of the latter remain in use, most modern fire-alarm systems are automatic,…
Read More
police
Collective responsibility in early Anglo-Saxon times
…responsible for overseeing the “watch-and-ward” system (the night watch) and for providing security for traveling justices. The primary purpose of the watch and ward was to guard the city gates at night. The duties of watchmen were later expanded to include lighting streetlamps, calling time, watching for fires, and…
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…responsible for overseeing the “watch-and-ward” system (the night watch) and for providing security for traveling justices. The primary purpose of the watch and ward was to guard the city gates at night. The duties of watchmen were later expanded to include lighting streetlamps, calling time, watching for fires, and…
Read More
police
Communication
In England the watch-and-ward system evolved to provide citizens with protection from crime. During times of duress, the men on watch would raise the hue and cry to summon assistance from the citizens of the community or, in the case of a larger community, from others already on…
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In England the watch-and-ward system evolved to provide citizens with protection from crime. During times of duress, the men on watch would raise the hue and cry to summon assistance from the citizens of the community or, in the case of a larger community, from others already on…
Read More