A dole is a form of charitable distribution, usually of food or money, traditionally given at fixed times and places in England. It represents a form of almsgiving, typically with an endowment that funds the distribution in perpetuity.
Surviving doles This is a table of traditional doles that are still distributed in England.
Name Location Benefactor Date established Time of year Recipients Items given Royal Maundy Various (England and Wales) English monarch c. 13th century Maundy Thursday Pensioners (traditionally the poor elderly) Maundy coins Ufton Dole Ufton Nervet and Padworth, Berkshire Lady Elizabeth Marvyn 1581 Around the middle of Lent Local parishioners Bread and towels Tichborne Dole Tichborne, Hampshire Lady Mabella Tichborne (traditionally) 12th/13th century Lady Day Local poor Flour Biddenden Dole Biddenden, Kent The Biddenden Maids (traditional attribution) c. 1775 (documented) Easter Monday Local poor and residents Bread, cheese, cakes, biscuits Andrew's Dole Bideford, Devon John Andrew 1605 New Year's Day Poor residents of Bideford Bread and money
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