jan 1, 1632 - ale-taster

Description:

The ale-taster was a manorial official appointed via the court leet to taste or test the quality of the ale within his jurisdiction. 1533 <i>Robert Pewe & Thomas Shyppyn, ayle taiesters for Gowthorp</i>, Selby (SS85/34). In 1332 the man who held the office in Horbury had the surname Goodale, and it seems likely that this was a kind of occupational nickname (WCR3/58): elsewhere in Yorkshire the name <i>De Willelmo Sourale</i> is recorded in 1301 (YRS21/80). John Richardson was the <i>ale-taister</i> in Snainton in 1626 and an alehouse keeper there was indicted for refusing to sell him <i>his ale and beere </i>despite<i> monie being tendered to his wife for the same</i> (NRQS3/269). A Burton Agnes by-law of 1632 states <i>that all Alehouse Keepers and Ale wifes shall make good and sufficient ale ... and the same shall sell att such prices as the Aletasters shall allowe </i>(YRS74/980).

Added to timeline:

Date: