Blue-gowns

Blue-gowns, the name commonly given to a class of privileged mendicants in Scotland. The proper designation of these paupers was the King's Bedesmen, or Beadsmen. In ancient times, a beadsman was a person employed to pray for another (see BEAD). From practices of this kind, there sprang up a custom in Scotland of appointing beadsmen with a small royal bounty, who ultimately degenerated into a class of authorised mendicants. Each of the beadsmen on his majesty's birthday received a gown or cloak of blue cloth, with a loaf of bread, a bottle of ale, and a leather purse containing a penny for every year of the king's life. Every birthday, another beadsman was added to the number, as a penny was added to each man's purse. The most important part of the privilege was a large pewter badge, attached to the breast of the gown, which, besides the name of the bearer, had the inscription, 'Pass and Repass.' This inferred the privilege of begging, and bespoke the kindly consideration of all to whom the beadsman appealed for an alms or a night's lodging. The fictitious character of Edie Ochiltree, in Sir Walter Scott's tale of the Antiquary, is a fair sample of this ancient and picturesque fraternity. The practice of appointing beadsmen was discontinued in 1833, at which time there were sixty on the roll. The whole have since died out. The last beadsman drew from the Exchequer in Edinburgh his last allowance in May 1863.