ale-bench
English
Noun
ale-bench (plural ale-benches)
- Alternative form of alebench
- 1600, Sir John Oldcastle, The First Part of the True and Honorable Historie of the Life of Sir John Old-castle, the good Lord Cobham:
- When the vulgar sort Sit on their Ale-bench, with their cups and kannes, Matters of state be not their common talke, Nor pure religion by their lips prophande.
- 1821, Leonard Jasper Hobson, A friendly remonstrance addressed by a clergyman to his parishoners on the state of their church and parish, page 8:
- While they are so indifferent about their reputation, as to be the first and the last at the ale-bench, and even to glory in the many cups they have drunk, it ought to create no surprise, if servants are like their masters, and children their parents.
- 1889, John Bickerdyke, The Curiosities of Ale & Beer: An Entertaining History, page 190:
- Another feature peculiar to old country inns was the ale-bench, a seat in front of the house where the thirsty wayfarer might rest and take his modest quencher.
- 2014, R. B. Morgan, Readings in English Social History:
- Beowulf tasted the beaker on the hall-floor; no need had he to be ashamed of that bounty giving before the archers. There are not many instances of men giving to others at ale-bench four treasures gold bedight in friendlier wise.
- 2015, Baird Tipson, Hartford Puritanism:
- “There are many,” preached Hooker, “that sit upon the ale-bench, and sweare, and drinke, and raile against Gods servants.”