noun
also bedes·man ˈbēdzmən ; or bede·man -dmən
( plural beadsmen )
Etymology: Middle English bedeman, from bade prayer, prayer bead + man — more at bead
1. archaic : one who prays for the soul of another — used until the 17th century in England in letters as a complimentary close
your grace's beadsman and servant
2.
a. : an almshouse inmate usually charged with praying for the souls of his benefactors
b. : a licensed beggar in Scotland
a king's beadsman being given a blue gown on the king's birthday