[246] In 1564 the parishioners of Chagford, Devon, bought from the lord of the manor for £10 the local markets and fairs, subject to a yearly rent of 16s., which they had always paid as tenants. They then repaired and enlarged the market house. Presumably their venture was a profitable one, for in 1595 the revenue from these markets and fairs was £3 10s. G.W. Ormerod in Devon Assoc. for Adv. of Science, etc., viii (1876), 72. Same, Local Information reprinted from the Chagford Parish Mag. (1867) in Topographical Tracts in Brit. Mus. As it was sometimes hard for the authorities to prevent the churchwardens from utilizing the church for plays, so it was hard for them to keep the wardens from giving up the churchyard or outlying portions of the church structure for fairs and stall-holders. In Herts Co. Rec. Quarter Sess. Rolls (ed. W.J. Hardy, 1905), p. 13, we read, s. a. 1591-2, that a presentment was made that some part of the "fayer of Starford has usually been kept within the compase of the churchyard." See also St. Edmund and St. Thomas, Sarum, Acc'ts (ed. H.J.F. Swayne, Wilts Rec. Soc. 1896), introd., p. xxiii (St. Edmund's fair held within and without the churchyard. Wardens receipts from cheesesellers, butchers, etc., for stalls and standings).
[247] As late as 1633 the bishop of Bath and Wells could write to Archbishop Laud: "I finde that by Church-ales hertofore many poore Parishes have cast their Bells, repaired their Towers, beautified their Churches, and raised stocks for the poore." Wm. Prynne, Canterburies' Doome, etc. (1646), 151. Cf. Philip Stubbes, Anatomie of Abuses (4th ed., 1595), 110-11. Spudeus: "But, I pray you, how do they bestow that money which is got thereby?" [i.e., by church-ales]. Philopomus: "Oh well, I warrant you, if all be true which they say; for they repaire their Churches and Chappels with it; they buy bookes for service, Cuppes for the celebration of the Sacrament, Surplesses for Sir John [i.e., the parson], and such other necessaries. And they maintaine other extraordinarie charges in their Parishes besides."
[248] Bath and Wells to Canterbury, Prynne, supra, loc. cit. In 1536 at Morebath, Devon, the parish agreed that the clerk should gather his "hire meat" (i.e., so much corn of each one) at Easter, "& then ye p[a]rysse schall helpe to drenke him a coste of ale yn ye churche howse." J.E. Binney, Morebath Acc'ts (1904), 86. When in 1651 at St. Thomas', Salisbury, clerk-ales were abolished, "both the clerk and sexton claimed compensation for the loss of income sustained." The same was true of St. Edmunds' (in the same city) in 1697. Swayne, St. Edmund and St. Thomas Acc'ts, introd., p. xvii.
[249] Stubbes, Anatomie, etc., 110. The above account of church-ales has been derived partly from Stubbes and from a curious little pamphlet, edited by Rev. Fredk. Brown in 1883, entitled On some Star Chamber Proceedings, 34 Eliz. 1592; partly, also, from many churchwardens acc'ts, in particular the Seal Acc'ts in Surrey Arch. Coll., ii (1864), 34-6 (See items in detail for the ale of 1592, and especially the ale of 1611. Expenses for all manner of provisions and delicacies, for minstrels and evidently, too, for a play occur. In 1611 the festivities lasted at least 5 days). Cf., too, the Expenses of the Maye Feast at Dunmow in 1538 (Cooks, minstrels and players mentioned), Essex Arch. Soc., ii, 230. Also Kitchen, Manor of Manydown, 172-3 (Lists of delicacies provided at the Wootton ale in 1600. Expense items for lords' and ladies' liveries, players, etc.)
[250] The Parish of Chagford in Devon Ass. for Adv. of Science, viii, 74.
[251] Wilts Arch. Mag., xxxv (1907), Mere Acc'ts, 30. These have been transcribed verbatim by Mr. T.H. Baker.
[252] Op. cit. Because of greatly increased expenses the wardens here thenceforth resorted to collections according to a book of rates. They also devised other means of income, such as parish burial fees, collections for the holy loaf (i.e., blessed but not consecrated bread), etc. This casting about for new sources of revenue was characteristic of all parishes as the reign advanced.
[253] Op. cit., 26.
[254] Op. cit., 92.
[255] In 1605 and 1606, doubtless to meet some extraordinary expenses, the Mere wardens roused themselves to great efforts at their church-ale, and netted £15 6s., and £20 respectively. Sir Rich. Colt Hoare, Hist. of Modern Wiltshire (1822), i, 21.