Bede

The Venerable Bede is regarded as one of the most important chroniclers of the early Middle Ages.

Thus originated the alms-(or bede-) houses so frequently met with in the retired villages of England.

By Allah thy bede is good indeed and right is thy rede!

[…] because miracles had frequently been done at his burial-place, even at the bede-house where he was buried.

Because of the length of the original rosary, it became customary to pay someone, usually a resident of an almshouse, to recite the prayers. These people were referred to as bede women or men, and it was they who made the first bead flowers.

In Pilgrimage from towne to towne: With offring and with Drilon: To them they bable on their bedes: That they may helpe them in their nedes.

Or doe they use their Bedes alone to finde That tale of Paters which they seldome minde?

Towards a rude hermitage he made To fetch the priest unto his need, To bury her and say her bede

Then the Little Serving Maid She went and laid her down, With her cross and her bede, In her new courting gown.

Sir, a bargan bede I you, / by it if ye will