In England, what word refers to a parish constable of the Anglican Church, often charged with duties of charity?
Beadle "bedellus". The Domesday Book refers to Beadles as "bedelli" or under-sheriffs of manors. In England, the word came to refer to a parish constable of the Anglican Church, one often charged with duties of charity. A famous fictional constabulary beadle is Mr. Bumble from Charles Dickens's classic novel "Oliver Twist", who oversees the parish workhouse and orphanage of a country town more than 75 miles from London. The work of a real constabulary beadle of Whitechapel in that period may be exemplified by Richard Plunkett. In the Church of Scotland, the title is used for one who attends the minister
Parish (Church of England) charge of a single vicar who takes services at them by rotation, with additional services being provided by lay readers or other non-ordained members of the church community. In the Church of England, part of the Anglican Communion, the legal right to appoint or recommend a parish priest is called an advowson, and its possessor is known as a patron. The patron can be an individual (or jointly or by rotation), the Crown, a bishop, a college, a charity or other religious body. Appointment as a parish priest gives the incumbent the privilege of a benefice or living. Appointment by