What is a Lord Warden?

   Before the union of England and Scotland the duty of protecting the border counties of the former country from hostile raids was assigned to certain officers called lord wardens of the marches. The lord warden of the Cinque Ports is a dignitary dating from the days of William the Conqueror. He has a peculiar maritime jurisdiction and the nominal guardianship of the S. E. coast of England, but the office is almost a sinecure. It gives right to the use of Walmer Castle as a residence. There is also a lord warden of the stannaries.