The Dartmoor Ales

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'The Churches much owe, as well we do knowe

For when they be drooping and ready to fall,

By a Whitsun or Church Ale up again they shall go.

And owe their repairing to a pot of good ale.'

Everybody likes a good party where the beer flows as freely as the moorland streams and at one time the moor folk found plenty of excuses to hold such an event. In most cases these celebrations were known as 'Ales' and on the whole their purpose was to raise funds for various causes and whilst doing so have a proper knees' up. The normal venue for the Ales was the ale or church house of which two such buildings still stand at South Tawton and Widecombe in the Moor. But what was an Ale Day?

'A feature of the medieval traditional calendar which lasted well into the 17th century but which at various times became a major focus of religious, moral, and political contention, and has been described as ‘a crude precursor of today's sedate parish fete’. In essence, as the name implies, the ale was originally a local festive gathering involving food, drink, and entertainment, organized, or at least supported, by the church, and held to raise money for the church. These ales were mainly held in spring or summer, and were thus often called May games, Whitsun ales, Summer games... Nevertheless, ales could be held at any time, and there could be a series of them throughout the year, or they could be held for specific fund-raising purposes... They could even be organized as benefits for individuals -‘Bid-ales’, or ‘Clerk-ales’ (for the parish clerk). It is clear that the word ‘ale’ was used for any get-together or feast.', (Simpson and Roud, 2009, on-line source).

The tradition of Ales came to an end thanks to the Puritans who considered these events as totally unacceptable. In 1634 a complaint was brought before Lord Chief Justice Richardson at Exeter assizes which stated that a church ale which was held on a Sunday was a 'profanation of the Sabbath'. His verdict was that they led to drunkenness, riot and immorality and in that light he issued an ordinance that they should be banned throughout the county of Devonshire, (Campbell Campbell, 1853, p.322). Evidence for Ales can often be found in the various church accounts, one such example coming from the moorland village of Dean Prior, (Breton, 1990(a), p.95):

1567 Recieved of the Church Ale - xl. iiijs 0d

1569 Recieved of the Church Ale - iiijl. iijs. iiijd.

Hugh Breton was the Vicar of Dean Prior and in both of his published books he gives account of the more important ale days that occurred throughout the year, (Breton, 1990(a), pp.94 -94 and 1990, p57 - 58):

This event was also known as the 'Whitsun Ale' as it generally took place around Whitsuntide and was considered as one of the main money spinners' of the year. Church Ales were held on a Sunday and  consisted of a period of religious observance which was followed by games and feasting that lasted well into the night. The church wardens were the 'ale givers' and would collect subscriptions from the parishioners with which they would buy the necessary items for the revel. The beer would have been brewed and stored in the church house where the feasting would take place. All the profits would then be used to bolster the church funds and also put towards any costs of repairing the church. The village of South Tawton still holds a Church Ale celebration at their newly restored church house and this year (2009) it will be held on the 6th of June should anyone want to go, for more information see link opposite. The other important celebration for the church was the 'Wake', this was either to mark the day on which the church had been dedicated or on the birthday of a saint. Wakes were usually held the night prior to the significant day and involved the parishioners holding an all night, open-air vigil. In later years less religious observances occurred which encompassed: idleness, drunkenness, lasciviousness, all accompanied according to Richard Carew with, 'vaine disports of minstrelsie dancing and disorderly night-watchings. Even worse there are reports of bastardies that could be traced back to sexual encounters at church ales. Over the centuries the Church Ale progressed, or depending on one's view, regressed into the more sedate church fete, coffee morning or such similar fund raising events.

It can be said that the wages of a parish clerk were not what one could call over generous and so to boost their income a Clerk Ale would be held. Here the profits from the festivities would be given to the parish clerk, quite often these amounted to more than of several year's salaries put together.

This revel was a kind of early national health service insomuch as it would be held in support of some poor soul who had met with hard times. Breton gives a charming description of such an event when he says, 'the bid ale was held when a parishioner had failed in his worldly calling, or to use a Dartmoor expression, gone scat '. Other reasons could be for a person who had met with some accident which left them unable to earn any wages and provide for their family. At a bid ale the profits would be given to the unfortunate subject of the revel who would then be expected to hold a feast of ale of their own. The profits from this could be kept and used to live on until the crisis was over.

This revel would have been funded from a legacy left solely for the purpose by a parishioner and much to the delight of the local population were totally free to attend. It must be said that these events did not occur as often as other ale days as most folk had very little to leave in the first place.

Here was an excellent way of a bride raising some money for her future needs by simply selling some ale on her wedding day. There would be no fixed cost for the drink and people would pay as much as they deemed fit and for friends and family it acted as the modern-day wedding present.

The good reverend Breton describes the foot ale as an event where the, 'liquor flowed freely' which means it was an occasion for the moor folk to go on a bender. This celebration took place when anybody took up a new occupation, 'the newbie' was expected to buy ale for all his new workmates at the end of his first week's employment.

Of all the ale days the Drink Lean was probably the most unpopular as it was an occasion when all the tenants were expected to contribute towards a feast in honour of their lord or his steward. Prior to the event a man and a woman were chosen to be the 'Lord and Lady of the Ale' and who on the actual day would preside over the proceedings. The true Lord and Lady would attend along with their various members of staff and the feasting would begin.

Other such lesser common ales were; Lamb Ales (held after shearing), Soul/Dirge Ales (held at funerals), Help Ales (held after harvests for all who assisted in it) etc.

Reference.

Breton, H. 1990(a), The Forest of Dartmoor, Liverton: Forest Publishing.

Breton, H. 1990, Beautiful Dartmoor, Liverton: Forest Publishing.

Campbell Campbell, J. 1853. The Lives of the Chief Justices of England, Philadelphia: Blanchard & Lea.

Simpson, J. & Roud, S. 2009. Church Ales, A Dictionary of English Folklore, on-line source at:

 <http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t71.e190>