Correspondence. 341
Then in 1566 comes the only authority for the interpretation of the term "Cuckovve King."
"John Watts the sonne of Thomas Watts is appointed to be Cuckowe King this next yeare according to the old order, because hee was Prince the last yeare. And Thomas Barnerd thunger is elected Prince for this next yeare. And because John Watts hath ben long sick hit is agreed that if hee be not able to srve at the tyme of the Churche ale. That then John Coward the sonne of Robte Coward shall srve and be king in his place for this yeare."
This Church-ale seems to have been held at Easter. The season may account for the " Cuckoo " title of the leader of the revels (or head-barman ?) ; or it may allude to the ephemeral nature of his office ; or to the custom of the " prince " elected heir-apparent turning the sovereign out of his " little brief authority" the next year.
C. F. H. Johnston.
The subjoined extracts from the English Dialect Dictionary seem to bear on the subject : —
" Cuckoo-ale, the ale drunk by colliers, etc., on first hear- ing the cuckoo's note. Shrop. Folk-Lore (1879), ii. 84. Bou7id Frovinc, 1876. 'The time is devoted to mirth and jollity over what is called cuckoo-ale.'
"Cuckoo Foot-ale. Burne, Folk-Lore (1883), 221. 'The colliers have a way of their own of celebrating the cuckoo's coming. They say the cuckoo must pay his foot-ale, so they club their money together and send for a ' fetching ' of ale, and spend the day on the 'pit-bank' drinking instead of working.' Shrop. Word- book. Salopia Antiqua. ' The custom is invariably celebrated out of doors, and a fine levied on the person who proposes to deviate from the usual practice and drink within.'
" Cuckoo Feast. A feast held on the nearest Sunday to April 28th."
