The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Tutelage \Tu"te*lage\ (t[=u]"t[-e]*l[asl]j; 48), n. [L. tutela
   protection, fr. tutus safe, fr. tueri to watch, defend. Cf.
   Tuition.]
   [1913 Webster]
   1. The act of guarding or protecting; guardianship;
      protection; as, the king's right of seigniory and
      tutelage.
      [1913 Webster]

            The childhood of the European nations was passed
            under the tutelage of the clergy.     --Macaulay.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. The state of being under a guardian; care or protection
      enjoyed. --V. Knox.
      [1913 Webster] Tutelar

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

tutelage
    n 1: teaching pupils individually (usually by a tutor hired
         privately) [syn: tutelage, tuition, tutorship]
    2: attention and management implying responsibility for safety;
       "he is in the care of a bodyguard" [syn: care, charge,
       tutelage, guardianship]