| Where: | Alcester, Warwickshire- town centre starting at the Town Hall |
| When: | Saturday in late April/May |
| Time: | From 10-10.30 (check as this may vary slightly year-on-year) |
The Assize of Bread and Ale was a thirteenth century statute setting out quality control for those staples of the English diet, in an early form of consumer protection to ensure that customers were given good quality comestibles in fair measures. It was the first law of this type in England and a few courts still exist in England which carry out inspections of vendor’s premises to check the wholesomeness of their wares, and Alcester in Warwickshire has a particularly active Court Leet which performs this function every spring, visiting sellers of bread, leather, fish and flesh to check that the townsfolk are getting a good deal from the traders. A procession of smartly attired dignitaries tour the town, visiting several businesses where they inspect an example of the vendor’s wares before assessing the goods and awarding certificates to the successful candidates and a nosegay to hang above the door (for the benefit of the illiterate, unable to read the certification). All the vendors were successful when we visited so a good time was had by all!
Helpful Hints
It’s held on a Saturday in spring, often the Saturday preceding May Day Bank Holiday Monday. In 2024 it was on Saturday April 27th- 2025 date is yet to be announced.
The Court Leet in Alcester are also active at other times of the year, notably organising regular events in the town such as annual Pancake Races on Shrove Tuesday, tasting tours to assize the ale of the hostelries in the town, and special national events, as well as supporting other festivities and commemorations in the area.
Click here for the Court Leet’s website: https://www.alcestercourtleet.co.uk
and here for their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AlcesterCourtLeet
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