[A conscious retention or restoration of the earlier analytical form of BRIDAL sb. [q.v.] in its early sense.]
1. A wedding-feast of the Old English type, an ale-drinking at a wedding.
1000–1500. [see BRIDAL 1].
1540. Cranmer, Bible, Pref. Neither [is] weepinge convenient at a brideale.
1577. Harrison, England, II. vi. (1877), 150. In feasting [the husbandmen] doo exceed after their maner: especiallie at bridales.
1589. Puttenham, Eng. Poesie (Arb.), 97. For recreation of the common people at Christmasse diners and brideales.
1621. Ainsworth, Annot. Gen. xxix. 22. A banquet named in Hebr. of drinking…. Such we call a Bride-ale.
1762. Hume, Hist. Eng., lii. (1806), IV. 97. Wakes, church-ales, bride-ales, and other cheerful festivals of the common people.
1857. Toulmin Smith, Parish, 503.
1864. Sir F. Palgrave, Norm. & Eng., III. 126. The doleful bridale of Dôle.
1868. Freeman, Norm. Conq. (1876), II. vii. 151. Tostig’s bride, whose bride-ale had been so cruelly interrupted.
2. ‘The warmed, sweetened, and spiced ale, presented to a wedding party on its return from Church (Atkinson, Provinc. Danby, Yorkshire, 1863).
