beadle

Beadle is a historical title for a minor official in parishes, towns, and some institutions, acting as an attendant and enforcer of rules issued by church or secular authorities. The role existed from the Middle Ages into the 19th century, particularly in England and parts of Europe. The etymology is medieval and is generally linked to words meaning messenger or attendant, though the precise origin is uncertain.

Beadles performed a variety of duties depending on context. In a parish, they might summon residents to church or court, supervise religious services, guard church property, deliver notices, collect dues, and assist magistrates or justices of the peace. They often served as the day-to-day link between authorities and the public, and they sometimes carried a staff or wand as a symbol of office. In urban settings, beadles enforced local ordinances and presided at public gatherings in a limited capacity. In some universities, notably Cambridge and others, beadles are ceremonial officers who participate in processions, open convocations, and supervise exams.

Today the office has largely disappeared, with duties absorbed by police, marshals, or municipal staff. The term survives in historical accounts and ceremonial use, and it appears as a literary stock figure representing minor officialdom, notably in 19th-century fiction.