University of Glasgow | Bedellus

The office of Bedellus or Beadle dates from the foundation of the University in 1451.

The function of the Bedellus was to keep the students in order, and on the days of public functions he arranged the seats for dignitaries. He posted notices of academic and public nature and proclaimed masses, festivals and holidays. He administered the oaths to licentiates, and himself took oath on appointment to be obedient to the Dean of Faculties and mindful of the welfare of the University. He also attended the Rector and on ceremonial occasions carried the mace. The statutes required the Bedellus to serve any student of the Faculty of Arts who paid him sixpence at the feast of All Saints. He was also allowed eight pence from each student before admission to trial for the BA and eighteen pence at graduation.

The duties of the Bedellus have varied greatly over the centuries and the post has on occasion been merged with that of Janitor. For example, in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries the incumbent was required to regulate bonfire setting, purchase college supplies and keep time during the Blackstone Chair examinations.

The work of the modern Bedellus includes the planning of day-to-day janitorial duties which involves liaising with many departments such as Registry and Central Room Booking. The Bedellus also administers the examination venues. The most prominent role continues to be on ceremonial occasions, leading the academic procession carrying the fifteenth century University mace. At commemmoration day and graduations, the Bedellus places the hood over each graduand's head after they have been capped.

A Depute Bedellus assists the Bedellus and on ceremonial occasions carries the Rector's mace.

Authority record created according to the National Council on ArchivesRules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names (NCA Rules)1997 and International Council on Archives: Ad Hoc Committee on Descriptive StandardsInternational Standard Archival Authority Record for Corporate Bodies, Persons and Families (ISAAR) CPF1995.

Corporate name authority record compiled for the GASHE project by Victoria Peters, research archivist, 22 April 2004, from Moss, M., Rankin, M. and Richmond, L.Who, Where and When: The History and Constitution of the University of Glasgow.