ale bench

English

Noun

ale bench (plural ale benches)

1. Alternative form of alebench
   • 1824, Walter Scott, Peveril of the Peak: In Five Volumes - Volume 3, page 72:

     As he spoke thus, they alighted under the great broad-branched oak tree, which served to canopy the ale bench, which, at an earlier hour, had groaned under the weight of a frequent conclave of rustic politicians.

   • 1836, Moyle Sherer, The Broken Font: A Story of the Civil War:

     “And let us have no brawls on the ale bench,” said the old parson,—“let our Maypole be the rod of peace; so that none may rail at our sports and dances, but rather take note of us as merry folk and honest neighbours.”

   • 2011, Jane Feather -, All the Queen's Players, page 353:

     He found Will on the ale bench outside the Devereux Arms nursing a cup of canary wine, tracing patterns in the dust with the toe of his boot.