By T. H. Baker. 269 
Cuurcu ALES. 
The Church ales are continued yearly to 1614, after which there 
is no mention of them. They were suppressed in 1633. 
The presiding officer at Mere was called the “ Cuckowe King,” 
and the vice-chairman the “ Prince.” In 1566 is a note :— 
“Thomas Sheppard Rem’ Cuckowe King this yeare for that he was Prince the 
last yeare According to the Custome. And at this daie John Watts the sonne 
of Thomas Watts is Chosen Prynce for the next yeare.” 
These appointments are noted at the foot of the accounts, together 
with those of the churchwardens and other parish officers, annually 
for many years. 
In vol. ii., p. 194, of this Magazine is an article on “‘ The Church 
Ale,” and it may be advisable to reprint an extract there quoted 
from “ Survey of Cornwall” by Richard Carew, Esq., as the account 
there given of a “Church Ale” appears to accurately describe the 
doings at Mere: — 
“or the ‘Church Ale’ two young men of the parish are yerely chosen by 
their last pregoers to be wardens, who deuiding the task make collections among 
the parishioners of whatsouever prouision it pleaseth them voluntarily to bestow. 
This they imploy in brewing, baking and other achates' against Whitsuntide, 
upon which holydayes the neighbours meet at the church-house and there meetly 
feed on their owne victuals, contributing some petty portion to the stock which 
by many smalls groweth to a meetly greatness, for there is entertayned a kind 
of emulation betweene these wardens, who by his graciousness in gathering and 
good husbandry in expending can best aduance the churches profit. Besides the 
neighbour parishes at those times louingly visit one another and this way frankely 
spend their money together. The afternoones are consumed in such exercises as 
olde and yonge folke (hauing leysure) doe accustomally weare out the time 
 withall. 
“ When the feast is ended the wardens yeeld in their account to the parishioners 
and such money as exceedeth the disbursments is layd up in store to defray any 
extraordinary charges arising in the parish or imposed on them for the good of 
the countrey or the Prince’s service, neither of which commonly gripe so much 
but that somewhat stil remayneth to cover the purse’s bottome.” 
The entries relating to the Church ales are :— 
1556. Itm payed to Robert Cowherd for the Redemynge of 
certeyne sylv’ Spones of the Church stock / which he had 
in gage by the delyu’ of the Churchwardeyns for xl’. of 
money borowed of hym to thuse of the Churche. x 
1 Z.e., provisions. 
VOL. XXIX.—NO. LXXXVIII. ; U 
