Westminster Almsmen :

[Iain...]

Hi All…
This post concerns Westminster Abbey and their ‘Blue Gowns.’  I am researching a former CSM, 3rd Regiment of Foot Guards, (Scots Guards) who became a Blue Gown (Beadsman or Almsman) on the 12th January 1841, taking over from William Wilson. (deceased)  Fraser himself died on the 4th February 1862. 
In those days, one new Almsman was elected for every one of the Monarchs’ birthdays, and each Almsman received a new blue gown, a leathern purse with a Penny for every year, plus a bottle of beer.  The older the Monarch…, the more there were Almsmen.  Victoria was Queen for about a couple of years…, but the previous Almsmen at Westminster kept their jobs.  As far as I can make out, Almsmen were legally allowed to beg, and on the sleeve of their gowns were pewter badges with the name at the top, and below were the words ‘Pass and Repass.’

However, try as I may, I am unable to find any modern-day trace of this mysterious group of individuals.  Despite the Internet, while surfing for as long as you have breath, nothing can be found.  No journalistic photos, no information, despite Christine Reynolds of the nearby Westminster library saying that they wore, and still wear their medals. (“hoods down when in the Abbey” she said)
These men, perhaps a few women ‘to keep up with the times,’ should be in the Abbey every day.
 There’s quite a lot of 18th and 19th Century detail that can be found on the Internet concerning the Alms House near the Abbey…, to such an extent that one of their ‘rules and regulations’ was; “if they FARTED too much, they would lose their jobs.” (lol)  Understandable I suppose, in an environment as big as Westminster where echoes are as dominant as the ‘Sound of Music’ in the Swiss Alps.   
Unfortunately, trying to find a ‘farting Almsman’ today and you’ll end up with grey hair…, just like me.

Does anyone know anything about them ? 
Thanks…, Iain.

PS…, to complicate the affair, there’s another group called the Royal Almsmen…, but they are ‘well-to-do’ citizens.  Their gowns are red I believe…, but of no interest to me. 

https://www.westminster-abbey.org/worship-music/services-times/holy-week-and-easter/

[Iain...]

An Almsman badge...

[Andy J2022]

This 2012 PhD thesis by Christine Merie Fox implies that the traditional almsmen who were often ex-soldiers and sailors, morphed into the Queen's/King's Almsmen of today. To be clear I have not read all 325 pages of the thesis, so that may be a misunderstanding on my part. Dr Fox has also published another article in 2015 on the subject, although I suspect (again without reading it all) that this is just a re-hash of her thesis.

Given the amount of searching you say you have done, I can't believe that you aren't already familiar with these two sources, and the wealth of other sources they rely on, so if I am teaching you to suck eggs, please accept my apologies.

[hanes teulu]

I've been finding it difficult to distinguish twixt "King's/Queen's almsmen " and a group associated specifically with Westminster. This includes a quick peep at Merie Fox's tome.
The source of the opening post might be this article - but appears to be confined to Scotland. No specific link to Westminster.
https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/bri/b/bedesman.html

Have found newspaper references to "Almsmen in their quaint blue gowns" at Gladstone's funeral (1898).

[hanes teulu]

London Newspapers, Aug 1822
Marquis of Londonderry's funeral, Westminster-abbey

"... the singers, in white surplices, were formed near the abbey door, as were the Dean's alms-men, wearing their blue gowns and badges, and headed by their beadle and his staff ...".

[hanes teulu]

Westminster Gazette, 8 Sep 1924

[hanes teulu]

The English Chronicle & Whitehall Evening Post, 9 Apr 1839 published a letter from one of its readers about the use of endowments bequeathed to the Abbey. A response appeared in the 9 Apr.of the paper from the "Chapter Clerk, Westminster" which included -

[Iain...]

Thank you everyone for your time...  All very interesting.
Lol..., I obviously must acquaint myself with Andy’s thesis.  However, it does please me that I’m not alone in being unable to find a photo of a 2024 Almsman.

In fact, thanks to one exceptional RootsChat member, (lol..., of course, you are all exception) she found Fraser’s grave in Brompton Cemetery, and I’ve added her images to my Waterloo book due out next week.  She found it under 160 years of turf.
Anyway, this man is an unsung hero, and ‘The Friends of Brompton Cemetery’ have since created a database for him using info taken from the book.  In the meantime, I have it on good authority that his grave may receive a yearly commemoration wreath, as it’s only a stone’s-throw away from Wellington Barracks. 
I have a couple of friends at the Chelsea Hospital, (a Piper and a Pastor) who (crossing my fingers) may attend, and as Fraser prayed in the Abbey for about 20-odd years, I thought it would be only correct if an Almsman or two were also present. 

Looks like I’ll have to contact Christine Reynolds again..., she’s the Assistant Keeper of Muniments.