‘For a Quart of Ale is a Dish for a King.’ (Shakespeare, The Winter’s Tale IV: ii).

For centuries, drinking ale has always been a part of life for many people. For the working class it was perhaps seen as a way of coping with the toils of life. However there was always public concern, not least in Southam, over much of the ‘drinking culture’ and its threat to public order.

In 1552, during the reign of Edward VI, legislation was imposed to, ‘…suppress drunkenness and social disorder’ and ‘…for keepers of alehouses and tipling houses to be bound by Recognisance…’  This ‘Alehouse Act’ required inns to be licensed by the local Justice of the Peace. Innkeepers or victuallers had to enter into a bond or ‘recognisance’ pledging to maintain good behaviour on their premises.

Under the Licensing Act, 1753, innkeepers needed a certificate confirming their ‘good character’ supported by a parish ‘notable’ or ‘bondsman’. In Southam in 1801, of the fifteen inns in the town, all notables were, in fact, local victuallers, particularly John Archer of the Bull and Butcher (modern Bull), who supported nine of the other innkeepers and John Burton who supported four.

When Southam became a division of the newly created Knightlow Constabulary in the early 1840s, the professional approach to policing was a positive move resulting in continuous records of typical drink related problems, such as in September 1844: ‘… John Bennett drunk, fined 5s 6d with costs…’

Countless examples of such evidence were recorded, as were occasions when those who thought they had evaded fines and costs had to face other penalties. For example, in 1845 ‘…Thomas Oldham made on oath that George Bicknall had neglected to pay the fine of which he was convicted for being drunk, committed to the stocks…’

A later example in 1853 condemned both Henry Jasper and James Case to be committed to the stocks for six hours (the maximum time penalty) for being drunk. Of course, it was often the licensed innkeeper who was convicted for transgressions, such as in January 1857, when Inspector George Smallbones charged George Hunt, licensee of the Black Dog, with: ‘… an offence against his license in allowing drunkenness and disorderly conduct on his premises, convicted … fined £1 with 11s costs… ’

Over these years the influence of the church proved significant, such as in October 1845 when: ‘… John Hayes victualler convicted for keeping open his house during the hours of divine service … fined 2s 6d with costs 11s 6d …’.  The same applied to William Bicknall, who was also summonsed. William Rainbow, publican of the Old Red Lion, was charged in 1853 with: ‘… opening up and selling beer before half past twelve on a Sunday …’  after being reported by the churchwarden.  A year earlier, in August 1852, the Reverend William Wright brought a charge against Robert Godfrey and James Wheeler, both being drunk and each fined 5s with 10s 6d costs.

Drunkenness was an on-going cause for concern, often of a more serious nature such as with: ‘… Joseph Badger… guilty of riotous behaviour and drunkenness, fined £2…’  The following decades would see more serious crimes related to drinking ale.

The Black Dog, with St James’s Church in the background, 1860s. Reproduced from “Our Warwickshire” website”© WCRO: PH 631/2/124, img:110.

Dr Raffell’s research into the effects of strong liquor continues next month.

Southam Heritage Collection is located in the atrium of Tithe Place opposite the Library entrance.  Opening times: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings from 10am to 12 noon. To find out more about Southam’s history, visit our website www.southamheritage.org  telephone 01926 613503 or email  southamheritage@hotmail.com  You can also follow us on Facebook.