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By 1603 the ‘management’ of the Company consisted of the Master, Wardens and Assistants.  Many, if not most, of the livery were unable to read or write and responsibility for documentation lay with the Clerk.

He in his turn was assisted in practical matters by the Beadle, who was himself a member of the Company. The clerks were somewhat shadowy historical personages and presumably they saw no reason to commit themselves personally in writing. One is typically recorded as having been paid 2s 4d for three days attendance to Company business. The Beadles on the other hand, were very much flesh and blood: one Matthew Reynolls, or Reynolds, being involved after relinquishing his office, in "controversie and recrimination". Reynolls was duly fined 13s 4d, paid off at the rate of seven pence per week on Saturdays. He was in further trouble for not attending the admission of the new Warden at Guildhall, being fined 2shillings and appeared on later fine lists, before eventually receiving a charitable grant from the Company in his old age many years later.

On appointment, it was customary for the Beadle, whose role was nearer that of a fourth Warden than a Company servant, to make a declaration. That of Nicholas Richardson, which was made on January 28, 1613 read:

"M. that I Nicholas Richardson the day and year above written do firmly bind myself in the sum of XL (£ 10) to perform all dyutyes belonging to the Company of Pavyours myself being one of the brethren of the same Company in all poynts as a Beadle ought. So do I the said Richardson receave from the wardens of the sayd company the year and the day aforesaid the sum of XS (10 shillings) & betwixt the daye aforesaid and Christmas next ensuing the sum of XS more to be payd for the serving out of the tyme of John Wright being Beadle & for ev after to stand to the curtesye of the wardens of the Company of Paviours & still so searve the said Company as Beadle & the said Richardson to receave of the said Company for his Beadleshipp the sum of iiijs the Qr. In witness whereofl have set this my hand the daye & yeare above wrytten".