The Wayfarer's Dole



The Hospital of St. Cross' most unique and famous charitable endeavor is surely the so-called "Wayfarer's dole".

According to this delightful tradition, every visitor of the almshouse can ask for a free horn of beer and a morsel of bread. As recalled by the organization's website, the custom was started by a monk from Cluny, in France, whose holy order always gave bread and wine to travelers.

After so many centuries, this tradition still continues nowadays as seen in the BBC's program Songs of Praise👇