Vidam

Vidam

(Lat. vice domini [q. v]), was, 1. The bishop's steward in the administration of the Church revenues, as the viscount represented the count. At Rheims and Chartres the vidams raised their office into a fief. 2. The provost or bailiff of the capitular rents, as at Lincoln, Cambrai, Rouen, etc. 3. The term is also applied to the heirs of founders of religious houses who had certain rights over their estates and attached churches.