Brewer's: Bid-ale

An invitation of friends to assemble at the house of a poor man to drink ale, and thus to raise alms for his relief.

“The ordinary amusements in country parishes (in 1632) were church-ales. clerk-ales, and bid-ales, . . . consisting of drinking and sports, particularly dancing.” —T. V. Short, D. D.: History of the Church of England, p. 392.

“Denham, in 1634, issued an order in the western circuit to put an end to the disorders attending church-ales, bid-ales, clerk-ales, and the like.” —Howitt: History of England (Charles I., chap. iii. p. 159).

Related Content Allusions Foreign Words and Phrases Latin and Greek Word Elements Names: Their Origins and Meanings Old Testament Names Mythology Ancient Greek Literature & Mythology The Bible (King James version) The Koran (translation by J. M. Rodwell) Shakespeare's Plays Tales from Shakespeare (Charles and Mary Lamb) Frequently Misspelled Words Frequently Mispronounced Words Easily Confused Words Writing & Language