Also bedel(l)ship. [see -SHIP.] The office of beadle.
1613. Sir H. Finch, Law (1636), 106. The grant of a stewardship, Bedleship, Bailiwicke, or other offices.
1691. Wood, Ath. Oxon., II. /271. He … was turn’d out of his Beadleship in the year following.
1871. Daily News, 1 Feb., 6/3. I should have no objection to the beadleship of any City company which arrays its minion in specially gorgeous attire. Ibid. (1873), 22 Sept., 3/5. Cambridge, Sept. 20. The Esquire Bedellship…. Mr. Miller resigns the office of Junior Esquire Bedell.
