Beadsman

People employed to make special prayers in Medieval Britain
the racehorse

Bedesman, or beadsman (Middle English bede, , from the Old English biddan, ; ; and from the Anglo Saxon bed), was generally a pensioner or almsman whose duty was to pray for his benefactor.

A beadsman (or beadswoman) in Medieval times occupied their position as attached to the crown and churches in Scotland and England. In general, the task was to pray for souls listed on a bede roll represented by small items on a string called 'bedes' (i. e. "prayers"). Souls who wished to be prayed for, secured their listing by giving alms, donations, or gifts.

Beadsmen were sometimes accommodated in a Bedehouse (an alms house), some of which have survived into modern times. These are generally considered to be buildings of special interest and are often listed.

In Scotland, there were public almsmen which were supported by the king who were expected to pray for his welfare and that of the state in return. These men wore long blue gowns with a pewter badge on the right arm, and were nicknamed Blue Gowns. Their number corresponded to the king's years, an extra one being added each royal birthday. They were privileged to ask alms throughout Scotland. On the king's birthday, each bedesman received a new blue gown, a loaf, a bottle of ale, and a leathern purse containing a penny for every year of the king's life. On the pewter badge which they wore were their name and the words "pass and repass," which authorised them to ask alms. No more Blue Gown bedesmen were appointed after 1833, and the last recorded payment under these arrangements was made in 1863. Bedesmen existed in Scotland until the late 1990s. The last beadsman in Aberdeen died in 1988.