Obs. Also 5 bede-ale. [See BID v. 8 and ALE.] An ‘ale’ or entertainment for the benefit of some person, to which a general bidding or invitation was given.
c. 1462. in N. & Q. (1865), VIII. 436/1. None hereafter … shall make or procure to be made, any Ale commonly called ‘Bede Ale’ within the libty nor within this Towne.
1534. Act 26 Hen. VIII., vi. (§ 5). No person … shall … within Wales … gather or leuie any Commorth, Bydalle, tenauntes ale, or other collection or exactions.
1656. Blount, Bid-ale is when an honest man decayed in his estate is set up again by the liberal benevolence and contribution of friends at a Feast, to which those friends are bid or invited.
1733. Neal, Hist. Purit., II. 246. The Justices assembled at Bridgwater ordered That no Church Ale, Clerk Ale, or Bid Ale be suffered.
1857. Toulmin Smith, Parish, 504. There was … the thorough kindly Bid-Ale.
