When wooden ship-building was the staple trade of the river
Wear, in England, says an English exchange, when an extra-sized
ship was launched all the day-schools in the town got a holiday.
It was on these occasions that the ship-builders provided an
unlimited supply of beer to all comers, and it was a recognized
rule of Wearside that members of the churches or chapel were
privileged to get drunk without losing their membership.
(1654)
* * * * *
In medieval times the farmers brewed good brown ale and took it
to the churchyard in barrels, which were tapped on the spot.
The neighbors then said to one another: “Come hither; there
be a church-ale toward yonder.” They paid for the beer, and
the rector’s churchwarden kept the tale of incoming moneys.
Easter-ales, Whitsun-ales, church-ales, even bride-ales
to help a penniless marriage--all were merry meetings in
churchyard or church which all the inhabitants were bidden to
attend at a charge of one penny. Tho they had grown to unruly
revels, they were not finally supprest till the time of the
Commonwealth.--EDWARD GILLIAT, “Heroes of Modern
Crusades.”
(1655)