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7
THE ROLE OF
THE BEADLE
SALAMANDER
LAPEL PIN
John was
the
Founding Beadle when
the Guild
was
formed
in 1988
and
he officiated
and
acted
as Master of Ceremonies
at Court meetings,
and
assisting
the Clerk
and Assistant Clerk
in
the
organisation
and delivery of
the
functions. He
was
aided
in
those
early days by
a Constable
(another Member
– Paul
St.
J Byles)
and
a band of
The office of Beadle
is
probably
Stewards. All were
suitably
attired with
neck
and
wrist
ruffles of
lace on
the more
formal
the oldest of
all
‘Civic’ offices.
In
occasions. The Constable
and
Stewards were
ancient Rome,
‘Bedellus’
dispensed with
in
the
early 1990’s
and
John
relinquished
his position
to
jobbing beadles
in
marched
in
front of
the
legions,
order
that
he
could
enjoy
functions
as
a Member.
carrying
the
standards,
banners
However, Past Master Colin Livett,
using
his well-
and
trophies of
the
conquered
known
enthusiasm, persuaded
John
to
re-assume
his
role
as Honorary Beadle
to
take
us
through
nation,
as
the
victorious
army
the Grant of Livery
in 2001,
a position
that
John
still occupies
today.
John
is
unique
in being
the
entered Rome.
only beadle of
a Livery Company
in office who
is
In peacetime
their
role became
that of City
both
a
founding Beadle
and
a
founding Member,
a
policemen,
carrying
a bundle of
sticks
and
an
axe,
fact
that
John
is
rightly
very proud of.
collectively
known
as
the
‘fasces’, which were
John obviously
enjoys
the
role of Beadle
very
used
to punish miscreants
under
the direction of
much
and
it
is one
that we
sincerely
hope
that
he
the
consul or magistrate.
In
this
alternative
role
will
long
continue
in. He
is
a member of
the City
they were
known
as
‘Lictor’
and
the
fasces
of London Beadles Group,
to which
the majority
became
a
symbol of
the magistrate’s powers.
of City Beadles belong.
Later on
in
the 20th
century,
the
symbol was
adopted
for
the
fascist movement, which
is
where
the
name
fascist
is derived
from.
Before Peelers
and Bow
Street Runners
came
about, Beadles
acted
as parish policemen
under
the
instructions of magistrates
and were
responsible
for
the
arrest of
felons, placing
them
in
the
stocks or delivering
them
to
the
A
second
edition of
the Company's
highly
magistrates. The most well-known Beadle
is, of
successful
Salamander Lapel Pin
is
now
available
course,
the
fictitious Mr Bumble,
created by
to members of
the Worshipful Company of
Charles Dickens
for
the
novel Oliver Twist
and
Firefighters. Made of
solid
silver
gilt
these
famously portrayed
in
the 1970’s
film by Harry
attractive
lapel pins
can be purchased
from
the
Secombe of
‘Goon’
fame.
Clerk
for £80.
Our own Beadle,
John Norris,
has
a purely
ceremonial
role, with
an
eye
to
ensuring
that
members,
Freemen
and Liverymen of
the
Company
are
kept
in order. He
has
requested
a
set of
stocks
for
use
at our more
rumbustious
gatherings, but
to date,
the Court
has
not been
minded
to
authorise
the purchase of
a
set,
although
it
is
understood
that
they may be
considering
the purchase of
a bundle of
sticks
providing
John brings
his
firemen’s
axe out of
retirement!