THE CHURCH BELLS OF THE COUNTY AND CITY OF LINCOLN: Their Founders, Inscriptions, Traditions, and Peculiar Uses ; ' WITH A BRIEF HISTORY OF CHURCH ^ELLS IN LINCOLNSHIRE: Chiefly from Original and Contemporaneous Records. BY THOMAS NORTH, F.S.A., Hon. Member and Hon. Secretary of the Leicestershire Architectural 'and Arch.^ological Society. Hon. Member of the Derbyshire Arch^ological Society, &c., &c. with illustrations. LEICESTER: PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR BY SAMUEL CLARKE. 1882. Printed by Samuel Clarke. 5, Gal'owtree Gate. Leicester. cc WS TO 5^ THE RIGHT ^ REVEREND CHRISTOPHER WORDSWORTH, D.D., F.S.A., ^ LORD BISHOP OF LINCOLN, -^ THIS VOLUME, DESCRIPTIVE OF THE CHURCH BELLS IN THE LARGER PORTION OF HIS DIOCESE, IS, BY HIS LORDSHIPS SPECIAL PERMISSION, MOST RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED BY HIS OBEDIENT AND FAITHFUL SERVANT, THE AUTHOR. 731889 2IO Copies printed, viz. : — 200 Copies for Subscribers. 10 Copies for Presentation. SUBSCRIBERS. HER MOST GRACIOUS MAJESTY THE QUEEN. (For the Royal Library, Windsor Castle.) The Right Honourable the EARL BROWNLOW, Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire. The Right Reverend the LORD BISHOP OF LINCOLN, D.D., F.S.A. NATHANIEL CLAYTON, Esq., High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, (1881). His Grace the DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE, K.G., Devonshire House, Piccadilly. The Right Honourable the EARL OF YARBOROUGH, Brocklesby Park. Ulceby. The Very Reverend the LORD ALWYNE COMPTON, M7A., the Deanery, Worcester. Sir Charles H. J. Anderson, Bart., Lea, Gainsborough. Sir John Dugdale Astley, Bart., Elsham Hall, Brigg. Sir William E. Welby-Gregory, Bart.. M.P., Denton Hall, Grantham. Sir William H. Salt, Bart., Maplewell, Loughborough. The Honourable Edward Stanhope, M.P., 3, West Eaton Place, S.W. The Right Reverend the Bishop of Nottingham, D.D,, Leasingham Rectory. Sleaford. The Venerable Archdeacon Maltby, M.A., Farndon Vicarage, Newark. The Venerable Archdeacon Thicknesse, M.iV., Prebendal House, Peter- borough. The Library of the Dean and Chapter of Lincoln. The Stock Library, Lincoln. The Society of Antiquaries of London. The Library of the Corporation of the City of London, Guildhall. VI Church Bells of Lincolnshire. The Librarj' of Science and Art Department, South Kensington, S.W. The Bodleian Library, Oxford. The Library of Queen's College, Oxford. The Library of Magdalen College, Oxford. The Lincoln Diocesan Architectural Society. The Leicestershire Architectural and Archoeological Society. The Bedfordshire Architectural and Archa2ological Society. The Worcester Diocesan Architectural and Archaeological Society. The Architectural Society of the Archdeaconries of Northampton and Oakham. The Liverpool Free Public Library. The Free Public Library, University College, Nottingham. Adcock, Captain, North Lodge, Melton- Mowbray. Alington, the Rev. Chas. A., Muckton Rector)', Louth. Amcotts, Weston Cracroft, Esq., Hackthorn Hall, Lincoln. Amherst, W. Amherst Tyssen, Esq., M.P., F.S.A., Didlington Hall, Norfolk. Andrews, the Rev. S. W., M.A., Claxby Rector)-, Market Rasen. Bailey, J. E., Esq., F.S.A., Egerton Villa, Stretford, Manchester. Baker, Charles, Esq., i8. Friar Lane, Leicester. Barber, PL, Esq., Bangor, North Wales. Baxter, the Rev. Thomas P. N., R.D., Hawerby Rector>', Great Grimsby. Beedham, B. H., Esq., Ashfield House, near Kimbolton. Bellairs, Major, The Newarke, Leicester. Binns, R. W., Esq., F.S.A., Worcester. Blenkin, the Rev. Canon, The Vicarage, Boston. Brooke, Thomas, Esq., F.S.A., Armitage Bridge, Huddersfield. Burton, John Francis, Esq., Eastgate, Lincoln. Carpenter, Alfred, Esq., M.D., Croydon, Surrey. Chambers, the Rev. W. F., M.A., North Kelsey Vicarage, Brigg. Clarence, Mr. Justice, Coaxdon, Axmin- ster. Clarke, the Rev. Canon J. Erskine, M.A., 6, Altenburg Gardens, Clapham Common, S.W. Clephan, Edwin, Esq., Southfields, Lei- cester. Constable, J. Goulton, Esq., Walcot, Brigg, Cooke, the Rev. Canon, M.A., F.S.A., the Hill House, Wimbledon, Surrey. Cooper, the Rev. Wm., M.A., R.D., Rippin- gale Rectory, Bourn. Cooper, Thomas, Esq., Mossley House, Congleton, Cheshire. Cracroft, the Rev. R. W., M.A., Harrington Vicarage, Spilsby. Cripps, Wilfred J., Esq., M.A., F.S.A., Cirencester. Crofts, the Rev. Charles D., M.A., Cay- thorpe Rectory, Grantham. Cross, the Rev. Canon, M.A., Appleby Vicarage, Brigg. Cruickshank, the Rev. Edward R., M.A., S. Augustine's Vicarage, South Hackney. Subscribers. Vll Day, William Rawson, Esq., 2, Hill Side, Bengeo, Hertford. Dickson, Thomas, Esq., General Register House, Edinburgh. Donisthorpe, Alfred Russell, Esq., Knighton House, Leicester. Downing, William, Esq., 74, New Street, Birmingham. Dunkin, E. H. W., Esq., 14, Kidbrook Park Road, Blackheath, S.E. Edmond, George, Esq., Spring Vale, Niton, Isle of Wight. Edmonds, J. R., Esq., Charnwood House, Sileby, Loughborough. Edmonds, Temple, Esq., 39, Jackson Street, North Shields. Edwards, Samuel, Esq., Lewisham, Kent. Ellacombe, the Rev. H. T., M.A., F.S.A., Clyst S. George, Topsham, Devon. Elwes, Dudley George Gary, Esq., F.S.A., 5, The Crescent, Bedford. Elwes, Valentine Dudley Henry Carey, Esq., F.S.A., Billing Hall, Northampton- shire. Evans, John, Esq., D.C.L., LL.D., F.R.S., F.S.A., 65, Old Bailey, E.G. Fawssett, the Rev. R., M.A., Smeeton Westerby, Leicester. Fenwicke, the Rev. G. C, B.A., Blaston Manor, Uppingham. Ffytche, Lewis, Esq., F.S.A., Thorpe Hall, Elkington, Louth. Field, the Rev. Thomas, B.D., Bigby Rectory, Brigg. Fisher, Edward, Esq., Blackmore Hall, Sidmouth. Fisher, Saml. T., Esq , i. Queen Victoria Street, London, E.G. Fitz-Herbert, the Rev. Reginald IL C, M.A., Somersal Herbert, Derby. Foster, Richard, Esq., Lanwithan, Lost- withiel. Foster, William Edward, Esq., F.S.A., Aldershot. Fowler, the Rev. J. T., M.A., M.R.C.S., F.S.A., Vice-Principal of Bishop Hat- field's Hall, Durham. Fox, Francis F., Esq., 72, Pembroke Road, Clifton, Bristol. Freeth, George, Esq., Duporth, Saint Austell, Cornwall. Garfit, Thomas, Esq., Kenwick Hall, Louth. Garvey, Henry S., Esq., 11, Clarence Terrace, Great Grimsby. Gill, Miss, 19, Princess Street, Leicester. Gill, Miss Alice J., 19, Princess Street, Leicester. Gillett, the Rev. E. A., M.A., Woolsthorpe Rectory, Grantham. Grayling, Francis, Esq., Sittingbourne, Kent. Griffiths, the Rev. John, M.A., Belton Rectory, Grantham. Grimsey, B. P., Esq., Stoke Lodge, Ipswich. Hacket, Miss, Langdale Lodge, Adkins Road, Clapham Park, Surrey. Hanbury, the Rev. Thomas, M.A., Church Langton Rectory, Market Harborough. Harris, Joseph, Esq. (the late), Westcotes, near Leicester (2 copies). Harting, J. Vincent, Esq., F.S.A., 24, Lin- coln Inn Fields, London, W.C. Harvey, the Rev. G. T., M.A., Vicars' Court, Lincoln. Vlll Church Bells of Lincolnshire. Haworth, Jesse, Esq., Fair Lea, Bowden, Cheshire. Hebb, Wm., Esq., SoHcitor, Ross, Here- fordshire. Hervey, George H. W., Esq., The Old Place. Sleaford. Hilton, James, Esq., 60, Montague Square, London. Hodgson, the Rev. S. E., M.A., Scawby Vicarage, Brigg. Hodgson, the Rev. J. F., M.A., Witton-on- Wear Vicarage, Darlington. Holdich, the Rev. T. P., M.A.. Linwood Rectory, Market Rasen. Holmes, Gervas, Esq., M.A., Redenhall Bellfoundry, Harleston, Norfolk (2 copies). Hope, Robert Charles, Esq., Albion Crescent Villa, Scarborough. Howorth, Henrj' Hoyle, Esq., F.S.A., Derby House, Eccles, Manchester. Hewlett, W. E., Esq., F.S.A., Kirton-in- Lindsey. Hudson, the Rev. John Clare, M.A., Thorn- ton Vicarage, Homcastle. Hutton, the Rev. Prebendary H. W., Vicars' Court, Lincoln. Ingram, Thomas, Esq., Hawthornfield, Wigston Magna, Leicester. James, Francis, Esq., F.S.A., 190, Crom- well road, London, S.W. Kirk, Herbert, Esq., Sleaford. Knowles, the Rev. C, M.A., Winteringham Rector}', Brigg. Langton, Mr. Robert, Albert Chambers, Manchester. Latham, William, Esq., Melton Mowbray. Lewis, the Rev. Samuel Savage, M.A.,F.S.A., Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. Linley, F. F., Esq., 11, Lea Road, Gains- borough. Luck, Richard, Esq., Plas Llanfair, Llan- fairfechan, North Wales. Maclean, the Rev. Canon, M.A., the Vicarage, Caistor, Lincolnshire. Massingberd, the Rev. W. O., M.A., Ormsby Rectory, Alford, Lincolnshire. Mears, John, Esq., 47, Burgate, Canter- bury, Kent. Mellor, John W., Esq., M.P., 68, S. George's Square, London, S.W. Moore, Colonel Charles Thomas John, F.S.A., Frampton Hall, Boston. Moore, the Rev. Canon, M.A., F.S.A., Spalding. Moore, the Misses, the Cedars, Evington, Leicester. Morley, Frederick Richard, Esq., Stonesby House, De Montfort Square, Leicester. Nesbitt, C. M., Esq., Louth. Niblett, J. D.Thomas, Esq., F.S.A., Hares- field Court, Stonehouse, Gloucestershire. Nichols, Mrs., Holmwood Park, Dorking. Nicholson, James Gamson, Esq., London Road Station, Manchester. Oakey, John, jun., Esq. (the late), West- minster Bridge Road, London, S.E. Owen, the Rev. T. M. N., M.A., F.G.H.S., Rhodes Vicarage, Manchester. Paget, Thomas Tertius, Esq., M.P., Hum- berstone, Leicester. Peake, Henry, Esq., Sleaford. Peake, Henry Arthur, Esq., Sleaford (2 copies). Subscribers. IX Pearce, William, Esq., Solihull, Warwick shire. Perry- H err ick, Mrs., Beaumanor Park, Loughborough. Phillips, Joseph, Esq., Stamford. Poole, Henry Davis, Esq., Sherborne House, Hoddesdon, Herts. Potts, Messrs. W. and Sons, Guildford Street, Leeds. Ramsey, R. W. F., Esq., 27, Greendyke Street, Glasgow. Raven, the Rev. J. J., D.D., School House, Great Yarmouth. Reynardson, the Rev. John Birch, M.A., Careby Rectory, Stamford. Ridgway, E., Esq., Huyton, Liverpool. Robinson, Thomas, W. U., Esq., F.S.A., Houghton-le-Spring, Durham. Roundell. Charles S., Esq., M.P., 16, Curzon Street, May Fair, London. Rowe, R. Reynolds, Esq., F.S.A., Park House, Cambridge. Royce, the Rev. David, M.A., Nether Swell Vicarage, Stow-on-Wold. Seely, Mrs., Brooke House, Isle of Wight. Shuttleworth, Alfred, Esq., Minster Yard, Lincoln. Sibthorp, H. A. M.Waldo, Esq., 57, Chester Square, London, S.W. Sibthorp, Coningsby, Esq., Canwick Hall, Lincoln. Sidebotham, Joseph, Esq., F.R.A.S., F.S.A., Bowdon, Cheshire. Solly, Edward, Esq., F.R.S., F.S.A., Cam- den House, Sutton, Surrey. Stahlschmidt, J. C. L., Esq., Master of the Worshipful Company of Founders, Fren- shaw House, Fontenay Road, Balham. Stainbank, Robert, Esq., Spring Lodge, Lawrie Park, Sydenham. Stephenson, Mill, Esq., Molescroft Cottage, Beverley, East Yorkshire. Stretton, Miss, Danes' Hill House, Lei- cester. Sutton, the Rev. Canon, M.A., West Tofts Rectory, Mundford, Norfolk. Swithinbank, George Edwin, Esq., M.D., Ormleigh, Anerley Park, Surrey. Taylor, Messrs. John, and Co., Bell- foundry, Loughborough. Tilley, the Rev. H. T., M.A., Moseley, Birmingham. Timmins, Samuel, Esq., F.S.A., Elvetham Lodge, Birmingham. Tinkler, the Rev. John, M.A., Arkengarth- Dale Vicarage, near Richmond, Yorkshire. Tomline, George, Esq., F.S.A., Riby Grove, Great Grimsby. Tyssen, John Robert Daniel, Esq., F.S.A. , 9, Lower Rock Gardens, Brighton (3 copies). Tyssen, Amherst Daniel, Esq., D.C.L., 40, Chancery Lane, London, W.C. Tyssen, the Rev. Ridley Daniel, M.A., the Rectory, South Hackney, UssHER, Richard, Esq., 10, Augusta Gardens, Folkestone, Kent. Walford, E., Esq., M.A., 17, Church Row, Hampstead, London. Walker, J. L., Esq., 6, Albany Court-yard, London, W. Warner, Robert, Esq., The Crescent Foundry, Cripplegate, London, E.G. Wartnaby, Mrs. (the late), Market Har- borough. Chuych Bells of Lincolnshire. Waterton, Edmund, Esq., F.S.A., Deeping Waterton Hall, Market Deeping. Webster, Mrs., Raven Holt, Scalford, Melton Mowbray. Welby, the Rev. G. E., M.A., R.D., Barrow- by Rectory, Grantham. Whitelegge, the Rev. Canon, M.A., Farns- field Vicarage, Southwell, Notts. Wild, the Rev. J., M.A., Tetney Vicarage, Great Grimsby. Willan, the Rev. W. W., M.A., Ventnor Vicarage, Isle of Wight. Williams, J. H., Esq., Stoneygate, Leicester. Williamson, Mr. James, 290, High Street, Lincoln (2 copies). Wilson, the Rev. Edward S., M.A., Winter- ton Rectory, Brigg. Winn, Mr. Henry, FuUetby, Horncastle. Wood, R. H., Esq., F.S.A., Penrhos Hou.se, Rugby. Wood, Willoughby, Esq., Hollyhurst, Bur- ton-on-Trent. Wood, James, Esq., Louth. Wordsworth, the Rev. Canon, M.A., i, Keble Terrace, Oxford. Wright, the Rev. T. B., M.A., Broughton Rectory, Brigg. Young, Thomas Arthur, Esq., K.S.G., Kingerby Manor, Market Rasen. PREFACE. Having already, in a Paper read at the Lincoln (1880) Congress of the Royal Archaeological Institute, explained the circumstances under which the labour of collecting material for the following pages was commenced, I need not repeat them here. It is, however, due to the Rev. J. T. Fowler, F.S.A., to again say that without the inducement held out to me by him, in the placing at my disposal his valuable collection of notes, sketches and casts, I should, probably, not have attempted a work involving so much labour, and calling for so much patience and perseverance. During the prosecution of my enquiries I had no reason to regret my decision to do my best to complete what Mr. Fowler began, and so to place on record as full an account as possible of the Campanology of Lincoln- shire, the interest of which is becoming every year less, as the ancient bells gradually, from various causes, disappear. For I have received from very many of the clergy and laity of the County information often obtained with much difficulty, and, I may add from all to whom I applied — where nothing more was, or could be given, — uniform courtesy. xii Church Bells of Lincolnshire. My thanks are due, and are heartily tendered to the Rev. j. T. Fowler, F.S.A., and to Mr. Jerram for placing their collections, illustrative of the Lincolnshire Bells, at my disposal; to J. J. Creswell, Esq., and again to the Rev. J. T. Fowler, F.S.A., and through him to some unknown friends, for very careful and exact drawings of many Bellfounders' stamps to illustrate this volume ; to J. R. Daniel Tyssen, Esq., F.S.A., W. Amherst Tyssen Amherst, Esq., M.P., F.S.A., and to LI. Jewitt, Esq., F.S.A., for the use of wood blocks ; to the Dean and Chapter of Lincoln for permission to make extracts from their muniments, and to the Rev. Canon Wickenden for very courteously and efficiently making searches for me, and for directing and superintending the transcriber employed ; to W. P. W. Phillimore, Esq., for help most kindly given in the Public Record Office, London, (where Mr. Vincent rendered me careful and valuable professional services) ; to the Rev. W. G. Dimock Fletcher, for (as on former occasions) kindly searching, and making extracts, for me in the Bodleian Library, Oxford ; to Mr. Justin Simpson for giving much time amongst, and making extracts from, the Records belonging to the different Parishes, and to the Municipality, of Stamford; and to the Rev. Reginald H. C. Fitz-Herbert, W. H. Jones, Esq., and other gentlemen, who made long journies, and spent many hours amongst dusty and musty Parish Papers, preserved in Church chests, in searching — sometimes with the most meagre result to cheer them — for information about the bells hanging over their heads. Preface. Xlll And, whilst I append to this Preface a list of the ladies and gentlemen to whom I am specially indebted, and to whom I here specially offer my thanks, for Rubbings or Casts taken from the bells of the parishes placed opposite to their names, I beg all others who have aided me in a variety of ways, by procuring measurements of their bells, sending me notes on their " Uses," hunting up Traditions, searching the Registers and other Records of their parishes, &c., &c., to accept my best thanks for their valuable assistance so freely and ungrudgingly given. Alington, Rev. A. M. Alington, Rev. C. A., R.D. Alington, Rev, R. P. . . Andrews, Rev. C. R. Andrews, Rev. W. Armstrong, H. W., Esq. Ranby. Burwell, Cawthorpe Little, Louth S. Michael, Muckton. Swinhope. Hough-on-the-Hill. Carlton Scroop, Normanton. Covenham (S. Bartholomew and S. Mary), Grainsby, Holton-le-Clay, Marsh Chapel, Scartho, Thoresby North, Waith. Baldock, Rev. W. H. . . Barker, Rev. Thomas Bashforth, Rev. F. Baxter, Rev. T. P. N., R.D, Baylay, Rev. C. F. R. . . Beale, Mr. J. Bell, Rev. J. ; Kirk, Herbert, Esq. ; and Snow, Rev. Benjamin Carlton-le-Moorland, Stapleford. Moorhouses, Revesby, Wilksby. Minting. Hawerby. Kirkby-on-Bain. Grantham. Anwick, Asgarby, Aslackby, Aswarby, Aunsby, Blankney, Bloxholm, Braceby, Branston, Brauncewell, Burton Pedwar- dine, Cranwell, Dembleby, Digby, Dor- rington, Evedon, Ewerby, Fillingham, Haceby, Hagnaby, Hale Magna, Hecking- ton, Helpringham, Howell, Kirkby-Lay- XIV CJiiircli Bells of Lincolnshire. Bell, Rev. ]., Sec— Continued. Bengough, Rev. E. S. . . Benson, Rev. Percy G. Benwell, Rev. H. Bigland, Rev. J. E. Binder. Rev. W. J. Bosanquet, Rev. E. S. Browne, Rev. H. A. Buddicom, Rev. R. J. Bury. Rev. T. W. thorpe, Kyme (North and South), Mether- ingham, Potterhan worth, Quarrington, Rauceby.Rowston.Ruskington.Sapperton, Scredington, Sleaford, Spanby, Swaby, Svvaton, Tattershall, Willoughby Silk. Hemingby. New Bolingbroke. Langtonby-Horncastle. Wickenby. Leadenham. Hareby. Newton-by-Toft, Toft-next-Newton. Morton-by-Gainsborough. Aisthorpe. Calverley, Rev. H. C. Campbell, Rev. Thomas . Child, Rev. C. Clements, Rev. E. M. Cochrane, Rev. W. Rupert Cole, Rev. R. E. . . Cooper. Rev. W., R.D. Cracroft. Rev. R. W. Cresswell, J. J., Esq. . . Crofts, Rev. C. D. Cumming, Rev. S. Curtis, Mr. (Lincoln) Deedes. Rev. Canon, R.D. Disbrowe, Rev. Canon H. S. Dundas, Hon. and Rev. Canon C. Dunning, Rev. \V. H. Bassingham. Brothertoft. Ashby-de-la-Launde. Syston. Langton-by-Partney. Doddington. Rippingale. Brinkhill. Aswardby, Beesby, Driby, Farforth, Han- nay, Haugh, Maltby-le-Marsh, Manby, Oxcombe. Rigsby, Ruckland, Sausthorpe, Steeping Great, Sutton-le-Marsh, Well, Worlabye near Louth. Caythorpe. Carlton Castle, Carlton Parva. Boultham, Bracebridge, Branston, Greet- well, Heighington, Lincoln (Guild Hall, S.Martin, S.Michael, S. Nicolas, S. Paul, S. Peter in Eastgate, S. Peter-at-Gowts, and S. Andrew), Sudbrooke, Willingham Cherry. Heydour. Benington. Epw^orth. Mumby Chapel. Preface. XV Earle, Rev. L. H. Elsee, H. J., Esq. .. Faulkner, Rev. W. E. Fawssett, H. F., Esq. Fernie, Rev. John Ferrall, Rev. C. W. Fitz-Herbert, Rev. Reginald H. C. Foster, Rev. James Foster, Rev. H. K. Fowler, Rev. J. T., F.S.A. Conisholme. Anderby and Ingoldmells. Wainfleet (S. Mary). Baumber, Edlington, Gautby, Sturton Magna, Waddingworth, Wragby. Wellingore. Langtoft. Blyborough, East Ferry, Gainsborough (Holy Trinity), Kirton-in-Lindsey, Knaith, Messingham, Northorpe, Pilham, Red- bourne, Wildsworth,Willough ton, Wrawby. Alford, Authorpe, Belleau, Bilsby, Gayton- le-Marsh, Markby, Reston (North and South), Saleby, Strubby, Thoresby (South) , Tothill, Trusthorpe, Willoughby, Withern. Dowsby. Alkborough, Althorpe, Alvingham, Amcotts, Ancaster, Appleby, Ashby-cum-Fenby, Barkston, Barnoldby-le-Beck, Barrow-on- Humber, Barrowby, Barton-on-Humber, Belton (Isle of Axholme), Bigby, Bin- brook, Blyton, Bonby, Bottesford, Brattleby, Brigsley, Broughton, Burton- by-Lincoln, Burton Gate, Burton-on- Stather, Cadney-cum-Howsham, Carlton North, Carlton South, Cockerington North, Cockerington South, Crowle, Croxton, Denton, Dunholme, Elsham, Faldingworth, Ferriby South, Fisker- ton, Flixborough, Friesthorp, Froding- ham, Gainsborough, Glentworth, Gonerby Great, Goxhill, Grainthorpe, Graying- ham, Grimoldby, Grimsby Great, Gun- ness, Habrough, Hackthorne, Halton East, Halton West, Harlaxton, Hatcliffe, Haxey, Heapham, Hibaldstow, Holton-le- Moor, Honington, Horkstow, Immingham, Keelby, Kelby, Kelsey South, Kettlethorpe, Killingholme, Kingerby, Kirkbycum- V XVI Church Bells of Lincolnshire. Fowler, Rev. J. T., F.S.A. — CoutiuueJ. Fowler, James. Esq. Freeth, Rev. Dr. Frith, Rev. W. A. Osgodby, Kirkby East, Kirmington, Laugh- ton, Lea, Limber Magna, Lincoln Cathedral, Lincoln (S. Botolph, S. Mark, S. Mary-le-Wigford, and S. Swithin), Londonthorpe, Luddington, Mablethorpe (S. Mary), Manthorpe, Manton, Marston, Marton, Melton Ross, Nettleham, Nettleton, Newton-on-Trent, Normanby- near-Spital, Normanby-on-the-Wolds, Norton Bishop's, Owersby North, Owmby, Owston, Rand, Rasen (Middle and West), Reepham, Riby, Roxby-cum- Risby, Saltfleetby (All Saints, S. Clement, and S. Peter), Saxby (All Saints), Saxilby, Scampton, Scothorne, Scotter, Scotton, Searby, Sedgebrooke, Skidbrook, Snarford, Snitterby, Somercotes North, Spridlington, Springthorpe, Stallingborough, Stickford, Swallow, Tetney, Thoresway, Thorganby, Thornton Curtis, Thornton-le-Moor, Tork- sey, Ulceby, Upton, Usselby, Wadingham, Waltham, Washingborough, Welby, Wei- ton, Whitton, Willingham-by-Stow, Wils- ford, Winteringham, Winterton, Wootton, Worlabye. Bratoft, Burgh, Candlesby, Claxby (S. An- drew), Cumberworth, Elkington North, Farlsthorpe, Fulstow, Gayton-le-Wold, Grimsby Little, Gunby (S. Peter), Har- rington, Irbyin-the-Marsh, Keddington, Kelstern, Ludborough, Ludford Magna, Lusby, Orby, Ormsby Nun, Scremby, Skegness, Skendleby, Somercotes South , Steeping Little, Stewton, Thorpe (S. Peter), Toynton (S. Peter), Utterby, Welton-le - Wold, Winthorpe, Wyham. Fotherby, Yarburgh. Welby. Garstin, Rev. A. Ropsley. Preface. xvii Gerrish, W., Esq. . . Gilbert, Miss Amy Gillett, Rev. E. A. Goodacre, Rev. F. W. , Greenside, Rev. J. D. Greenwood, Rev. H. J. Gurnhill, Rev. James Wainfleet School. Hogsthorpe, Mumby. Woolsthorpe. Eagle, Norton Disney, Scarle North, Swinderby. Donington. Beelsby. Stockwith East. Hackford, Mr. E. C... (per Rev. F. Besant.) Hall, Rev. Charles Hanson, Rev. W. H. . . Hayes, Rev. J. Hensley, Rev. C. Hodgson, Rev. S. E. Holdich, Rev. T. P. . . Holmes, Rev. Joseph Hudson, Rev. J. Clare Jackson, Rev. J. Russell Jackson, Rev. C. B. Jarvis, Rev. C. E. Jerram, Mr. Jones, W. H., Esq. Skirbeck. Dunston, Kirkby Green, Scopwick. Kirmond-le-Mire, Stanton-le-Vale. Navenby. Cabourn. Scawby. Linwood. Swineshead. Martin, Thornton. Moulton Seas' End. Wold Newton. Hatton. Baston, Bicker, Bolingbroke, Boston, Butterwick, Clixby, Cowbit, Croft, Croy- land, Dawsmere, Deeping (S. James), Deeping Fen, Fleet, Fosdyke, Gedney, Gedney Hill, Gosberton, Hacconby, Hol- beach (All Saints and S. John), Holbeach Hurn, Holbeach Fen (Mission), Huttoft, Miningsby, Moulton, Moulton Chapel, Pinchbeck East, Quadring, Saxby, Skir- beck, Spalding, Stainton-by-Langworth, Surfleet, Sutterton, Sutton Long, Sutton (S. Nicolas, S. James, S. Matthew), Tydd (S. Mary), Wainfleet (All Saints), Welton- le-Marsh, Wigtoft, Wrangle, Wyberton. Barholm, Bassingthorpe, Bitchfield, Booth- by Pagnell, Bourn, Braceborough, Burton Goggles, Bytham Castle, Careby, Carlby, XVlll Church Bells of Lincolnshire. Jones, W. H., Esq. — Continued. Jones, Rev. W. P. Jones, Rev. J. G. Colsteru-orth, Corby, Deeping Market, Deeping West, Gunby, Irnham, Ponton Great, Skillington, Stainby, Stamford (All Saints, S. George, S. John Baptist, S. Mary, S. Michael, Roman Catholic Chapel, Cemetery Chapel), Swayfield, Swinstead, Tallington, Thurlby, (near Bourn), Uffington, Whaplode Drove, Witham North, Witham-on-the-Hill. Clee, Cleethorpes. Somerby, near Brigg. Keightley, Rev. G. J. Kirk, Herbert, Esq. [see Messrs. Bell, Kirk, and Snow.] Dunsby. Lane, Rev. G. P. Lawrence, Rev. Percival Lewin, Rev. Samuel . . Llewellyn, Rev. P. Lloyd, Rev. C. A. Lodge, Rev. Canon S. Loft, Rev. James E. W. Lutt, Rev. E. K. . . Lynde, Rev. T. G. Mackay, Rev. S. M. . . Mackdonald, Rev. Grant W. Mackean, Rev. W. S. . . Maclean, Rev. Canon Mantell, Very Rev. Dean Mason, Rev. W. W. Massingberd, Rev. W. O. Melville, Rev. F. A. L. Moore, Rev. Canon, R.D. Moore, Rev. H. Dodwell, R.D. Morgan, Rev. John Mossman, Rev. T. W. Mowbray, Rev. J. H. AL De Stowe. Walesby. Tealby. Lincoln (S. Mary Magdalen). Goltho. Scrivelsby. Healing. Harmston. Harpswell, Hemswell. Langton-by-Wragby. Holbeach Marsh. Buslingthorpe. Kelsey North. Gretford, Wilsthorpe. Leverton. Ormsby South. Welbourn. Spalding (S. John Baptist, S. Peter, and S. Paul). Honington. Humberstone. Torrington (East and West). Barnetby-le-Wold, Caistor, Claxby. Preface. XIX Nash, Rev. W. Nelson, Rev. Canon Nottingham, Right Reverend Bishop of Overton, Rev. Canon . . Peacock, Rev. J. Peacock, Rev. W. G. Penny, Rev. J. Potter, Rev. C. A. . . Priestley, Mr. Joseph... QUARRINGTON, Rcv. E. F. Quirk. Rev. J. F. . . Rabbetts, Rev. J. D. . . Raven, Rev. J. J., D.D. Rawnsley, A. E., Esq. (the late) Reynardson, Rev. J. B. Reynolds, Rev. J. J., R.D. Robinson, Rev. G. A. Sammons, Rev. R. T. . . Scrivenor, Rev. A. Sharp, Rev. J. P. Sharp, Rev. W. . . Shelley, Rev. J. B. Sladen, Rev. Ed. . . Smith, Rev. Francis . . Snow, Rev. Benjamin, [see Messrs. Bell, Kirk, and Snow.] Somerby. Lincoln (S. Peter-at-Arches). Leasingham. Legbourne. Fulbeck. Ulceby-cum-Fordington. Cuxwold. Asgardby, Bucknall, Hagworthingham, Thimbleby, Wispington, Woodhall. Haltham-on-Bain, Roughton. Stroxton. Grasby. Stoke (North and South), Witham South, Wyvill. Addlethorpe, Algarkirk, Boston, Fishtoft, Frampton, Frieston, Horkestow, Kirton- in-Holland, Ponton Little, Sibsey, Weston (S. Mary), Whaplode. Ashby-by-Partney, Benniworth, Donington- on-Bain, Friskney, Halton Holgate, Haugham, Hundleby.Keal (EastandWest), Partney, Raithby-by-Louth, Raithby-b)-- Spilsby, Spilsby, Stenigot, Tathwell, Toynton (All Saints), Withcall. Holywell. Hykeham South. Irby-on-Humber, Wroot. Horncastle. Edenham. Mareham-le-Fen. Theddlethorpe (S. Helen). Theddlethorpe (All Saints). Moorby. XX Church Bells of Lincolnshire. Southwell, Rev. H. G. Stanley, Rev. Richard . . Stockdale, Rev. Walter Streathfeild, Rev. G. S. Sutton, Rev. F. H. Swallow, Rev. H.J. Sweeting, Rev. W. D. Taylor, Rev. T. W. V. Taylor, Messrs. . . Turner, Rev. W. V. . . Tweed, Rev. H. E. Tyrrell, Rev. Walter . . Rothwell. Apley, Barlings. Morton. Louth (Holy Trinity). Brant Broughton. Biscathorpe, Burgh-on-Bain, Leake, Six- hills, Willingham North. Bardney, Barkwith (East and West), Holton- le-Beckering, Lissington, Stixwold. Sixhills. Carlton Magna. Bardney. Coleby. Asterby, Calkwell, Goulceby, Hainton, Stainton Market. Usher, Rev. W. N. Ussher, Richard, Esq. Cammeringham, Coates, Saxilby(S. Andrew), Stow, Sturton-by-Stow. Allington (East and West), Beckingham, Bennington Long, Boothby Graffoe, Clay- pole, Doddington Dry, Eagle, Fenton, Hougham, Norton Disney, Potterhan- worth, Scarle North, Skellingthorpe, Snelland, Stragglethorpe, Swinderby, Thorpe-on-the-Hill, Thurlby near Newark, Waddington, Westborough. Walker, Rev. E. R. . . Wallace, Rev. J. D. C. Walter, Rev. J. C. Ward, Rev. J. Warner and Sons, Messrs. Warren, Rev. C. . . Watkins, Rev. G. E. . . Watney, Rev. James Westbrooke, Rev. W. F. W. Wheat, Rev. C. G. White, Rev. D.J. Billinghay. Ravendale East. Kirkstead, Langton (S. Andrew). Stickney. Brigg, Coates North. Aylesby, Bradley, New Clee, Laceby. Billingborough, Coates Great, Folkingham, Newton, Osbournby, Pickworth, Threck- ingham, Walcot. Canwick. Corringham. Martin, Timberland. West Butterwick. Preface. XXI Wilkinson, Rev. C. A. Willan, Rev. F. M. Wilson, Rev. P. S. Wilson, Rev. A. C. Windle, Rev. Allen Winn, Mr. Henry Wood, James, Esq. Worsley, Rev. P. R. Wright, Rev. Canon Wylde, Rev. Robert Llanfairfechan. North Wales. Willingham South. Aubourn. Horbling. Nocton. Rasen Market. Ashby Puerorum, Ashby West, Belshford, Enderby Bag, Fulletby, Greetham, Ham- meringham, Salmonby, Somersby, Tetford, Toynton Low, Winceby. Louth. Stubton. Coningsby. Enderby Mavis. T. N. CONTENTS. PAGE Church Bells (with special reference to those in Lincolnshire) . 1-40 The Church Bells of Lincolnshire .... 41-49 The Lincolnshire Bellfounders (IllnstvaUd) . . . 50-67 Other Founders of Lincolnshire Bells (Illustrated) . . 68-146 Peculiar Uses of the Lincolnshire Bells . . . 147-262 Latin Inscriptions on Lincolnshire Bells (with Translations) . 263-274 A Table of Diameters of Bells with the approximate weights . 275 The Inscriptions on the Church Bells of Lincolnshire with the Diameter at the mouth of each Bell, from which its approximate weight may be ascertained. To which are added Extracts, where procurable, from the Commissioners' Returns temp. Ed. VI., and from Parochial and other Records, together with Local Traditions, Notices of Donors, &c., &c. ...... 277-764 Index ........ 767 CHURCH BELLS, BELLS do not appear to have been introduced into the Christian Church until the fifth century. Prior to that date the Early Christians, so soon as they were able to meet publicly without fear, used, like the Jews of old,* trumpets as a summons to prayer and praise. S. Ephrem {circa a.d. 370) further mentions the Signum — a clapper or tablet — as the call then used to Holy Communion. f The earliest Christian writer who refers to bells is thought to be Saint Jerome, who in the Regula Monachorum {circa a.d. 422) mentions their use as a call to matins, &c.J Paulinus, bishop of Nola, in Campania (a.d. 400), has been generally credited with their invention, § but inasmuch as there is extant an epistle from him to Severus, in which he minutely describes his church, but makes no mention of either tower or bells, we must consider he was ignorant, at least at that * Bingham's Antiq., Bk. viii., c. 7. f Paycenesi xliii. The late Rev. Mac- | QuoieAhy Rocca, De Campanis. Opera, kenzie E. C. Walcott, F.S.A., to whom I Romse, 1719. Vol. i. p. 156. was indebted for this reference, so in- § Dupin's Eccl. Hist. Ninth Cent., terpreted the " sign." p. 166. B 2 Church Bells. time, of their use,* From this tradition, however, we have the mediaeval Latin name, Nola, for a small hand-bell, and Campana for the larger bell hanging in the church tower or turret. Church Bells are also called Signa in mediaeval documents. It is not proposed — as being foreign to this work — to attempt a description of the Nola or Tintinnabulum, as the early portable hand-bell was called. Several of these, of great antiquity, are still extant in Ireland, North Wales, and Scotland. Some of them are very elaborately orna- mented, and are accompanied by covers of exquisite work- manship. They are frequently formed of a sheet of metal hammered into shape, and rivetted at the side. There does not appear to be any clue as to the precise original use of these curious bells, which in many instances were, until recently, held in high reverence, and even in superstitious dread, by the ignorant peasantry. Some antiquaries think they are relics of the early founders of Christianity in these Islands, and have been, as such, carefully preserved in Religious Houses founded at the time by the saints them- selves. f * The Bell, by Rev. Alfred Gatty, p. 13. by my venerable friend The Rev. H. T. The Rev. H. T. EUacombe in his Bells of Ellacombe, F.S.A. In the year 1833 Dr. the Chunh, p. 33S, gives an engraving of an Petrie read before the Royal Irish Academy ancient bell "supposed to have been in- an Essay on the Ancient Consecrated Bells vented or adopted by Paulinus, circa 420, of Ireland. This Essay has never been for church purposes." published, but interesting extracts are f Avery full and profusely illustrated given in Stokes Life of George Petrie, LL.D., account of these bells will be found in TJie pp. 277-280. Bells of the Church, a Tome lately put forth Church Bells. 3 Pope Sabinian (a.d. 604) having ordered the hours to be sounded on the bells,* is thought by others to have intro- duced the use of the CampancB or Signa, as the large bells were called, into churches. He, however, more probably found bells in partial use, and recognizing their beauty and value, encouraged their general adoption, as it is soon after his time that we read of their use in this country. They are mentioned in the Ordo Romanus about that date, as being used to announce Tierce, Mass, and Processions, and S. Owen in the life of S. Eloy [circa a.d. 650) speaks of the Campmia.'\ Legend tells of S. Columba hearing the midnight bell which called the brethren to matins in his church in lona, and of his hurrying thither with feeble steps, and there dying before the altar, on June the gth, a.d. 597. It is, however, nearly a century later before we meet with an authentic record of the church bell as being in use in this country. Bede mentions the existence of one at Streanseshalch (Whitby) in the year 680, which was used to awake, and to call the nuns to prayer. J The second excerp- tion of Egbert, issued about the year 750, commands every priest, at the proper hours, to sound the bells of his church, and then to go through the sacred ofihces of God. In the year 816 the Canons of Wulfred gave directions as to the sounding of the Signinn in every church upon the death of a bishop. § In the tenth century we trace the existence of » Walcott's Sac. Arch., p. 96. % Eccl. Hist., Book iv., c. xxiv. (Gidley's f Walcott's Sac. Arch. p. 66. Translation). § Johnson's English Canons, Part i., p. 306. 4 Church Bells. bells in one of the illuminations in S. i^thelwold's Bene- dictional, a gorgeous manuscript, certainly executed before the close of that century : an open campanile appears in which are suspended four bells.* The building of churches, and the founding of bells, were much encouraged at that time by a decree which provided that a Thane's rank might be obtained by a Saxon churl or franklin if he were rich enough to possess about five hundred acres of land, and had a church with a bell tower on his estate. t About that time too, if we may trust Ingulph, we find a ring of bells at Croyland Abbey in this county, which will be more particularly described hereafter. From Ingulph's remarks we may infer that single bells, if not rings, were then well known in this country. Neither were the abbots of Croyland the only ecclesiastics of that period whose names are handed down to us as founders of bells. S. Dunstan, "the chief of monks," an expert worker in metals, cast a bell, which for many ages after his death hung in Canterbury Cathedral ; two bells cast under his direction were at Abingdon, where also were other two the work of its founder S. ^thelwold.J In the year a.d. 1035 King Canute gave two bells, amongst other rich gifts, to Winchester Cathedral, and in the same century gifts of pairs of bells were made to Southwell and to Beverley, as well as to Stow S. Mary in this county. S. Dunstan also drew up Rules for the ringing of the Bells, as did Lanfranc, » Archaologia, xxiv., plate 32. % Rock's Church of oiir Fathers, iii, f Chnxion 5 Early English Church, p. 230. Part 2, p. 57. Church Bells. 5 Archbishop of Canterbury.* It will thus be seen that bells were well known to the Anglo-Saxon Church ; and our word bell is said to be derived from the Saxon bellan, to roar or bellow, so Chaucer "as loud as belleth wind in hell."f So too there is every reason for believing that at the Norman Conquest the art of bellfounding was well understood, and carried to great perfection in this country : the law of Curfew could not have been carried into effect if bells had not then been in general use. The grand old Norman — if not Saxon — towers of our churches (witness Brigstock and Brixworth in Northamptonshire) clearly point to the large and heavy bells which they were built to contain. The first Englishman who followed bellfounding as a trade at present known by name, was Roger de Ropeforde of Paignton, who, in 1284, was employed to make four bells for the north tower of Exeter Cathedral, J and about the same time Michael de Lichfield, bellfounder, was plying * See these Rules in Church Bells of gave in kind : — " Metal for the bell. They Somerset, pp. 113 and 114. answer for 180 pounds of brass received f The Rev. J. T. Fowler on Bells and as gifts, as in pots, platters, basons, lavers, Bellringing. kettles, brass mortars, and mill-pots. Also + Ellacombe's Bells of Exeter Cathedral, for 425 pounds received from one old bell, p 3. See also Notes and Queries, 5th s. iii., Also, for 40 pounds of brass, received by p. 77, for an interesting account of the purchase. Also, for 896 pounds of copper casting of a bell in the same year (1284). received by purchase. Also, for 320 An endorsement on the parchment upon pounds of tin received by purchase, which this account is written shows not " Sum 1861 pounds, of which there has only the constituent parts of the bell-metal, been melted in making the new bell 1781 but also proves the fact that those who pounds; and there are 8t pounds remain- could not subscribe to the cost in money, ing over." 6 Church Bells. his craft in that city.* It is doubtful whether Fergus of Boston — circa iioo — who will be mentioned hereafter, cast large bells. In the thirteenth century we meet with constant mention of bells as of things not in the least extraordinary or rare : indeed Matthew Paris writes as if, at least, every church of note, possessed one bell or more if and in what are supposed to be the earliest complete lists of the necessary furniture of an English Parish Church contained in the decrees of Walter Grey, Archbishop of York, 1216-1255, and of Robert Winchelsey, Archbishop of Canterbury, 1293-1313, are found — in the former — " campanse magnae cum chordis suis," and— in the latter — " magnae campanae campanilis & cordae ad easdem."J In the middle ages, when roads were bad, and locomo- tion difficult, bells were frequently cast within the precincts of Religious Houses, and in churchyards, the clergy or monks standing round, reciting prayers and chanting psalms. An instance of this occurred at S. Albans in the early part of the fourteenth century when the great bell called '' Amphibalus," being broken, was recast in the hall of the sacristy. § During excavations in the churchyard of Scalford, Leicestershire, some years ago, indications of the former existence of a furnace for the casting of the church bells there were discovered, and a mass of bell-metal was * Hewitt's Handbook of Lichfield % Peacock's Chuirh Furniture, p. 177-9. Cathedral. § Lloyd's Altars of S. Albans Abbey, f Bohn's Ed., vol. iii. p. 51. p. 45. ChurcJi Bells. 7 found, which had clearly been in a state of fusion on the spot ; and a similar discovery was made a few years ago in the churchyard of Empingham, Rutland. Until quite recently the bellfounders occasionally acted in the same manner. " Great Tom " of Lincoln was cast in the minster yard in 1610; and the great bell of Canterbury was cast in the cathedral yard in 1762.* We also find instances (at Kirby Malzeard, Yorkshire, and Haddenham, in the Isle of Ely,) where a furnace was erected, and bells recast within the walls of the church itself.f The founders, too, sometimes itinerated with the implements of their craft to a central spot, where they set up their furnace, and did what business they could with the neighbourhood around. This was done at Winterton, in this county, by Daniel Hedderly, of Bawtry, in 1734; and by Henry Penn, of Peterborough, at Horncastle in 1717 ; Henry Bagley (formerly of Chacombe, Northamptonshire), then of Witney, Oxon, also says, in an advertisement issued in 1732, that he would if desired " cast any Ring or Rings of Bells in the town [to which] they belong." It may be well to state here that the composition of bell-metal may be roughly said to be one portion of tin to three of copper. The popular belief that silver entered into the composition of the metal of our ancient bells, and that it is to its presence they are indebted for the beauty and purity of their tone is a great error. It was a custom to * Bells and, Bellringing, by Rev. J. T. f Bells of the Church, p. 2S7. Notes and Fowler, F.S.A. Quevies, 5th, s. ii. 147. 8 Church Bells. cast a few coins into the furnace, but silver in any appreci- able quantity would tend to injure, and not to improve, the tone. Age, no doubt, which changes the colour and roughens the surface of a bell, also improves in some manner — it has been suggested that it is by a very gradual process of oxidation — the character of its tone. After the bell was cast, and was made ready for its high and airy chamber, it was set apart for its future use by a solemn ceremonial, and by the recitation of an Office which has been variously termed the Benediction, the Consecration, and the Baptism of the Bell. The use of this Office, if not coeval with the introduction of the church bell, is certainly of great antiquity. " It appears from a Pontifical preserved in the British Museum (Cottonian MS. Vespasian D. i.p. i2y) that the service commenced with the recital of the Litany, and that whilst the choir sang the antiphon Asperges me, the psalm Miserere and psalm 145, with the five following psalms, and the antiphon In civitate Domini dare sonant, the bell about to be blessed was washed with holy water, wiped with a towel, and anointed by the bishop with the holy oil."* The Pontifical of Egbert, Archbishop of York, and other early Office books, have similar Services. The De Benedictione Signi vel CampancE of the more modern Roman Pontifical enjoins the same ceremonies interspersed with prayers, psalms, and antiphons. The bell is washed by the bishop with water, into which salt has * Church Bells of Norfolk, p. 17. Church Bells. g previously been cast ; it is then dried by his attendants with clean linen ; the bishop next dips the thumb of his right hand in the holy oil for the sick, and makes the sign of the cross on the top of the bell, he then anoints the bell again both with the holy oil for the sick and with chrism, saying the words : — ' ' Saudi + ficetur, et conse + cretur, Domine signum istud : in nomine Pa + tris et Fi + ^^h ^i Spirittls + Sancti : in honorem Sancti N . Pax tibi.'" after which the inside of the bell is censed.* This Office bore a close resemblance to that of Holy Baptism, both in the ceremonial used, and in the giving of a name to the bell. That was probably the reason why Charlemagne issued, in the year 789, an express injunction against the baptism of bells. Learned liturgical writers of the Roman Church maintain that the baptism of bells was not in ancient times, and is not now, as used by them, such as confers remission of sins — Southey quaintly observes "the original sin of a bell would be a flaw in the metal^ or a defect in the tone, neither of which the priest undertakes to remove" — but the bells are thereby set apart from all secular uses, and blessed or consecrated ; and the hope is that (in accordance with the prayers offered) by their sound the powers of demons may be restrained, and the sources ♦ See a full copy of this service from the Pontifical (Antwerp, 1627) in Bells of the Church, p. 83. C ^ lO Church Bells. of storm, tempest, and contagion, kept away.* Whilst this no doubt is quite true, it must, nevertheless, be evident that the ceremony did frequently, in mediaeval times, surpass that of a benediction, and, by an addition of other ceremonies to those enjoined in the Pontificals just quoted, bore so close a resemblance to baptism, as to present, at least to the eyes of the vulgar, a too close and irreverent resemblance to that Holy Sacrament. Le Sueur, an old French writer, shows this to have been the case. He says " that the imposition of the name, the godfathers and god- mothers, the aspersion with holy-water, the unction, and the solemn consecration in the names of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, exceed in ceremonial splendour what is common at baptism, in order to make the blessing of bells more highly regarded by the people. Real baptism," he remarks, "may be administered by all kinds of persons, and the rite is simple, but in what is done to the bells there is much pomp. The service is long, the ceremonies are numerous, the sponsors are persons of quality, and the most considerable priest in the place, or even a bishop or archbishop officiates. "f That this was the case in England, • Lawrence Beyerlink, Canon of Ant- to a bell, not as if it were a living thing, werp, &c., &c., in his "Select Sermons of but just as names are given to gates, har- various Subjects" (Cologne 1627) says: — hours, and fortifications, or rather it should " Hence the custom of sponsors is free not so much be said that a name is given from all impiety, although the Roman to it, as that it is consecrated in honour of Pontifical orders no such thing. For why some saint whose name afterwards con- cannot special persons be appointed to tinues with it." Quoted in Bells of the have care of the bell and contribute to its Church, p. 93. expenses A name is given f Quoted by Gatty, The Bell, p. 22. Church Bells. ii as well as in France, we learn from a curious entry made by the churchwardens of S. Lawrence, Reading, in their Accounts for the year 1499 : — s. d. " Itm. payed for haloweng of the grete bell namyd Harry vj. viij. And mem. that Sir Willm. Symys, Richard Clech andmaistres Smyth beynggodfaders andgodmoder at the consecracyon of the same bell, and beryng all o^ costs to the suffrygan."* This custom of blessing bells before raising them to their place in the church tower points to the origin of bell inscriptions ; the earliest inscriptions being simply the name of the saint placed upon the bell when it was cast, and ratified at its consecration. f There is a singular proof of this in an unique inscription on a bell at Crostwight, Norfolk :— ASLAK JOH'ES JOH'EM ME NOI'AVIT John Aslak being clearly the godfather at the benediction or baptism of the bell.J It may here be worth noting that by a Commission from William, Bishop of Lincoln, dated the 21st of April, 1501, his suffragan, "Thomas Bishop Achaden," was empowered to consecrate moveable and fixed altars, bells, &c., &c., in • Notes and Queries, 3rd s. vii. p. 90. tion : indeed some ancient bells have no f It does not follow that the name inscription at all. given was always indicated in the inscrip- % Church Bells of Norfolk, p. 17. 12 Church Bells. the Archdeaconries of Lincoln, Stow, Leicester, and Huntingdon.* When the mediaeval form of benediction was done away with in this country at the Reformation, English church- men, unfortunately, were not furnished with any form of dedication to supply its place. Consequently, the people in getting rid of the superstitious rite of their fathers, substituted, upon the advent of a new bell, or ring of bells, t indecorous conviviality similar to that which is described by White of Selborne, who tells us that when new bells were brought to his parish in 1735, the event was celebrated by fixing the treble bottom upwards, and filling it with punch. It is a matter for thankfulness that this profane " christening " is becoming a thing of the past, and that the church is again receiving bells within her towers with a dedication service, sanctioned and used by her bishops, which is joyous and reverent in tone, and calculated to give all, clergy and people, a fitting impression of the uses to which the Bells of the Church are intended to be put. After such a dedication they can scarcely be used, as they frequently have been in times past, upon most improper occasions — occasions when things had been enacted com- pletely opposed to the honour of God, and utterly alien to the teaching of the church, whose fast and festival the bells are to mark, and whose summons to prayer and praise they are day by day to sound. ♦ Harl. MSS. 7048, p. 499. + A bell is spoken of by ringers in the called "a ring;" a performance upon feminine gender ; a set of bells is properly them " a peal." Church Bells. 13 It is now time to turn to the bell itself, and to see what it has to say in elucidation of its past history. To do this we must ascend to the bell chamber in the church tower, or to the bell turret on the roof. This is not always, by any means, an easy, pleasant, or even a safe, thing to do. Some of the stone staircases in our church towers are so much worn that only a scant and precarious foothold is left, and some of the long ladders by which the bells are reached are almost perpendicular, and, occasionally, so decaying with age, as to render a climb up them a proceeding requiring great care and some nerve. The floor of the bell chamber, too, is occasionally found rotten and covered with filth. Once up, however, the difficulty or danger attending the ascent is forgotten ; the ancient bells, so often heard, never, perhaps, before seen, are looked upon with reverence, almost with awe. We think of the many changes which have taken place in all around — many of which they have noted with their solemn tolls or their joyous peals — since they were first placed there. Our reverie, however, is broken by the cold wind rushing through the louvre boards in the windows, so we hasten to complete our work — take our "rubbing" or our "squeeze," give one hasty glance through the openings at the grand peeps of the surrounding country, so well obtained in our elevated position, and then descend with greater ease, and with much less trepidation, than we ascended. The earliest bells do not generally tell us anything as to the date when, or the locality in which, they were cast. They usually bear nothing more than the names of the 14 Church Bells. saints in whose honour they were dedicated. Upon the tenor, or largest, bell was frequently placed the name of the patron saint of the church ; upon the smaller ones, perhaps, the namics of the saints whose altars were formerly in the church below, or who were the patrons of ancient Guilds or Confraternities in the parish.* We shall see that the ancient bells at Croyland Abbey bore names ; and from an ancient Roll at Ely we learn that when they cast four new bells for the Cathedral in the year 1346-7 they gave them the names of Jesus, John, Mary, and Walsyngham.f Bells of this class (though not necessarily of this early date) are found in this county. We may mention now at Hacconby : at South Somercotes : at Ingoldsby : at Aswarby : at Branston. * Inscriptions are usually placed upon of the bell; on old bells they are some- the haunch, or, as some call it the shoulder, times found nearer the canons, f Church Bells of Cambridgeshire, p. 6. Church Bells. 15 A few early dated English bells have, however, been discovered. One (supposed to be the oldest dated bell in the kingdom) is at S. Chad's Church, Claughton, Lanca- shire, and is dated 1296, thus: — ^o + ANNO DNI • M • CC • NONO • AI . the letter V being reversed. At Cold Ashby, Northamptonshire, there hangs an interesting bell dated 13 17; and in this county two richly ornamented bells, dated 1423, are at South Somercotes, and another pair, cast eight years later, are still in existence at Somerby, near Brigg. These early inscriptions are usually in stately Gothic capital letters, and in Latin — the language of the mediaeval church. We soon meet with a slight extension of the inscriptions such as — to quote Lincolnshire examples : — at Claxby S. Mary : at Laceby, and at Whitton. 1 6 Church Bells. Bells cast in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries though undated, have generally founders' marks, initial crosses, and other means of recognition by which they can be classified, and, in many cases, assigned to their respective dates and foundries. These trade marks, taken by themselves, are, however, by no means infallible guides as to the date of the bell upon which they are found ; for as foundries often went on for generations, and even for centuries, so the marks and stamps were, no doubt, handed down from one founder to another, and so were used for a long period. They also not unfrequently passed from one foundry to another. On bells of this date, and on to the period of the Reformation, we frequently find the invocation ^^ Ora pro nobis " added to the name of the saint, thus : — as at Enderby Bag, and + mpa^ii^M ^M.'MmmJ. m'MM.mM :iPM<&> as at Laughton. These invocations were taken from the Litany ; and many of the other inscriptions found on ancient bells in this and other counties doubtless owe their origin to the various Offices of the mediaeval church. Very many have, in whole or in part, the angelic salutation : — AVE MARIA GRACIA PLENA DOMINVS TECVM Church Bells. 17 and many have, as will be seen hereafter, inscriptions in rhyming verse, often of a precatory character. Occasionally we find figures of the Blessed Virgin and Child, of men and of angels on bells of this date. Examples of such are found in Leicestershire and Northamptonshire. Figures of the Virgin and Child are upon bells at Haxey and Wellingore in this county. English inscriptions, though rare as early as the four- teenth and fifteenth centuries, were sometimes used. At Long Sutton, near Odiham, Hants, and at East Dean, near Chichester, are bells inscribed : — at Gainford, Durham, is another with : — .-MMMO^ miM-^^'M. (^\^m:m :EiM._ X^Elaria 1. jj^fatbs^t X3^ana 2. jEit ^yh.a\t %'MM. XiEl;tn:x I. "yiTotor X^Elaria 1. Tlin amore ^ca Xllana 9. „^6e Xllana 10. J^bt X^Elaria gratia plena 2. ,^b£ [XHaria] gratia pkita ^IDominus t«um 1. ^,tt£ antilla ^XDomini 2. X^^'i''^ mater gratie 1. X^Elaria X^^to ^J^zx est nomtit meum 2. ^Bitt tampana pie rausa sit fatta X^Elarie 3. ^Bict pro laabe pie resonat tampana X^Elarie I. X3Q,aria "^irgo assumpta est in tclum I. \L irgo eoionata but nos ab rcgna beata I. ^nra pubiea pia miseris miserere Xllaria 8. ^ta X^aria era pro nobis I. .CElarg of ^afoarbbg of bs Ijabe mertg 7. j©um rcisa pulsata munbi X^Elana bocata !• !I?ios tb prole pia bnbitat " \/ irgo X3Q.aria I. (Theddiethorpe S. Helen's ist) is unintelligible. 72 Nineteen bells are dedicated to the Archangel Gabriel, and six to the Archangel Michael, one is dedicated to The Church Bells of Lincolnshire. 45 S. Anne the mother of the B. V. Mary, five to S. Andrew, one to S. Anthony, three to S. Augustine, one to S. Barbara, one to S. Benedict, two to S. Botolph, one to S. Clement, one to S. Cuthbert, one to S. Denis, two to S. Edmund, four to S. George, three to the Holy Innocents, three to S. James, fifteen to S. John (one being specially designated the Evangelist and two the Baptist), twelve to S. Katharine (a popular dedication), one to S. Laurence, one to S. Leonard, one to S. Luke, one to S. Mark, five to S. Margaret, four to S. Martin (on one of which the bell is described as " Sci Martini Epi"), three to S. Mary Magdalene (on two of which she is styled simply "Magdalene"), one to S. Matthew, four to S. Nicolas, one to S. Paul, fourteen to S. Peter, (one of which, the 2nd bell at Claxby S. Mary, has an unusual form of inscription), one to S. Thomas, one to S. Wilfrid, and three to All Saints, not including two bells— Canwick ist, and Killing- holme 4th — which have double dedications. Eleven ancient bells in Lincolnshire are inscribed : — M'li J?iomcn ^omiui ^tueirlctum and eight bear : — ©"tlorum ^\t plateat libi xt^ sonus iste Two (Corby 4th and South Willingham 2nd, the latter not quite complete) have the text : — 3Eu no£ ilju ^^ amz gettu flectat' alcsim tcrslriu i infrovu 46 Tlie Church Bells of Lincolnshire. and two others (Fleet 5th and Irby-on-the-Humber 2nd) have the prayer : — The third bell at Thornton Curtis bears the beautiful and, I believe, unique inscription : — and the single bell at Bracebridge quotes the last verse in the Psalter : — Many of these 353 ancient bells bear English inscriptions : three have been already referred to, namely Alkborough 2nd : — m.^ ^M-Mm miM-M.^ m^p^^m Laceby ist : — and Semperingham ist: — Tlie Church Bells of Lincolnshire. 47 No less than twenty others are inscribed : — all of which (excepting East Barkwith ist and Lavington 3rd) are dated. The 4th at Moulton has : — ■ The 2nd at Newton, near Folkingham, says : — On the single bell at Northope is the aspiration : — On three bells, all dated, is the loyal prayer : — On five, also all dated : — and on two (Lincoln Cathedral tenor, and Ruskington ist) we have the prayers for Church and Queen combined : — On two other of these old bells, both dated, we are exhorted to 48 The Church Bells of Lincolnshire. and on another (Hacconby ist) to On the 2nd bell at North Witham we have the encouraging aphorism : — :^ci>^:^ -^Mi^:^ -mmtwi^. ^w^[^M^::^ on the tenor at Winteringham (the bell with the previous portion of the motto is now lost) : — and the tenor at Silk Willoughby (apparently a late sixteenth century bell) calls upon all to On a large number (eighteen) of these ancient bells still remaining in Lincolnshire there is no inscription beyond the letter ;© repeated several times (probably for Sanchis) with an intervening cross. On other eighteen bells there are founders' stamps only. On nine there are portions of the alphabet. On two (Grasby ist and Saltfleetby S. Clement 2nd) appear the donors' names only. Donors' names appear on other bells, but not alone. Upon six bells the date only (or the date and initials only) is given. The Church Bells of Lincolnshire. 49 Upon four interesting bells the founders' names form the inscriptions. On three others (South Ormsby 3rd, Pilham single, and Saxilby 3rd) are initials only. And on other three (Stamford S. John Baptist ist and 4th and Little Steeping ist) appear the names of Parson, Churchwardens, or Benefactors. Of the remaining ten ancient bells three (West Allington 1st, and the Priests' bells at Tallington and North Witham) are devoid of inscription or stamp of any kind : five (Bitchfield 2nd, South Ormsby 5th, Rowston ist, Sedgebrook 3rd, and Syston 3rd) have imperfect inscriptions, and one is the highly curious bell hanging at the Town Hall, Lincoln. The earliest dated bells in Lincolnshire are the fine pair at South Somercotes, cast in 1423. H THE LINCOLNSHIRE BELLFOUNDERS. THE earliest casting of bells in Lincolnshire at present known to us occurred at BOSTON late in the eleventh century. After the great fire at Croyland Abbey in the year logi we read of Fergus the Coppersmith of Botolph's Town present- ing two small bells to that Abbey, which the monks placed within a. ''humble belfry" which they had erected as a substitute for the tower which had fallen down.* There is no evidence to show that Fergus cast large bells. Four hundred years later we find two other founders at Boston. John Red and Leonard Pynchbeck, about whom I know nothing beyond their names as given in the Accounts of the Churchwardens of Leverton in this county thus : — * Ingulgph's Cliron. Bohn's Ed. p. 208. The Lincolnshire Bellfounders. 51 1503. Itm payd to John Red bellgedar of boston for schotyng of a bell iij//. vj5. viiji. 1506. Itm payd to lenard pynchbec of boston in payrt payment for hour belle gyddynge [yetting i.e. casting] vij7z. ix5. There is neither documentary notice nor tradition to guide us to the site of any bellfoundry in Boston.* We know indeed that as early as 1489, f and until quite recently, there was a Lane called Bell Lane, but it was, as a friend writes to me, " such a mere angiportus through a little mass of houses under the Stump that I think if you saw the spot you would feel that the name originated in some tavern rather than in a foundry." STAMFORD. The first Stamford bell-founder at present known is Tobias (or Tobie) Norris, who took up his freedom on the 4th of June, 1607. ^^ was one of the '' Capital Constables" in that year, and again in 162 1-2, and warden * Although a diligent search extending the goodes of the Crafte of ffounders of over several days has been made in the London at Cristmas in the yere of our Will Office, Somerset House, and in the Lord 1497" is " Item a grete maser har- District Probate Registry at Lincoln, nessed with Silver gilte of the gifte of neither the wills of these two founders, John Pynchbeck." Annals of Founders' nor those of Wilkinson of Lincoln, George Company, p. 44. Lee or Richard Sanders can be found. It f Thompson's Boston, p. 129. may be noted that in an " Inventory of 52 The Lincolnshire Bellfounders. of S. George's church in 1613-14. His name also occurs in connection with charities belonging to S. George's parish in 1609. He died on the 2nd of November 1626, and was buried in the north aisle of S. George's Church, Stamford, where a small brass thus records the fact : — HERE LIETH THE BO DY OF TOBIE I^ORRIS BELFOVM : WHO DEC EA : THE Z OF ^O 1626 and the Register of the parish says : — 1626 Tobye Norris Bell-founder was buryed the iiij daye of November His earliest bell in Lincolnshire appears to be the 3rd of the ring at Sutton S. James, dated 1603, and his latest the 2nd at Moulton, dated 1626. He did not always place his name as founder upon the bells from his foundry, but he used the several initial crosses figs, i, 2, and 3, and for The Lincolnshire Bellfoiinders. 53 intervening stops, figs. 4, 5, and 6. Upon bells cast by him at Gosberton (3rd), Pinchbeck East (3rd), and Stamford S. Mary (7th), he placed the Royal Arms — of James I. on the two first mentioned bells and of Charles I. on the other — similar in style to the stamp (fig. 114) used occasionally by the Nottingham founders, and given further on. Another ToBYAS NoRRis, also a bell- founder (probably a son of the above Tobias), took up his freedom on the 4th of June, 1628, and we find his name as *' Toby Norris of Staunford bellfounder" mentioned in a document relating to the church estate in 1638. He apparently occupied a subordinate position in the foundry. Thomas Norris — who, upon the death of Tobias the elder, suc- ceeded to the business — took up his freedom as a bellfounder on the 31st of December, 1625. He was warden of S. George's Church from 1630 to 1632, spelling his name as Norys and Norris. He was constable for the parish of S. George 9 and 10 Car. I. ; elected a "capital burgess" (that is, a 54 The Lincolnshire Bellfounders. member of the body corporate) on the 25th of September, 1638 ; Chamberlain in 1641-2 ; and Com-burgess (or, as would now be said, Alderman) on the 27th of January, 1652-3. He was also one of the "Conduit Masters" for several years. While he sat in the Council Chamber it is recorded of him that he was upon several occasions fined ij« vj*^ for non-attendance at meetings. In 1656-7 he served the office of chief magistrate as "Alderman" — the title of "Mayor" was not then adopted at Stamford — for his native town.* Besides being a member of the borough senate, Thomas Norris was also a useful parochial officer of S. George's parish, filling several offices of trust and con- sideration. At a meeting of the Hall, held on the loth of May, 1663, it being agreed that the sum of ;/^200 should be borrowed towards defraying the expenses of a new Charter from the King, Thomas Norris was one of the sureties. His career in the Corporate Chamber was not always a pleasant one, for we find that at a Common Hall held on the 13th July, 1665, "Thomas Norris and Robert Whatton two of y® Aldermen " had notice " to appeare at y« next hall, and in the interim shall doe and p'forme their duty as is injoyned on y'' rest of y^ Aldermen, or others to be chosen in their place." The duty alluded to as being shirked, consisted in carrying out a previous order made by the • During his tenure of office his ap- the Corporation records of Wm. Saunders, prentice William Saunders "because he It may be worth noting that at a meeting hath served seven years apprenticeship in of the Council held 25th April, 1664, the this Corporation is freely admitted to scott Fee for taking up the Freedom of Stamford and lott." No further mention is found in by a bellfounder was fixed at £1^. The Lincolnshire Bellfounders. 55 Hall, that in consequence of the plague raging very severely at Peterborough and adjacent places, a strict watch was to be kept day and night to prevent any person entering Stamford without a pass : and in order to see that the guard did their duty, one of the first company (Aldermen) was to be with the guard, one every night in his turn. From some cause, not recorded in the municipal books, Thomas Norris appears, some years later, to have taken umbrage, for at a meeting of the Hall, held on the 2gth of August, 1678, the following letter from him, resigning his seat, was read by the Mayor : — M' Mayor I have not of late received soe much content and satisfaction in my residence in Stamford as formerly, so am resolved to retire myselfe amongst other my relations in y^ countrey, soe y* I shall not bee capacitated to doe y^ Corporacon any further service, and am desirous to resigne up my office of Alderman, and my requests are y' you will bee pleased to accquaint y^ rest of y" brethren therew*", and accept of this my resignation, and although I cannot bee ffurther serviceable to y' Corporacon, yet I shall alwaise pray for y^ p'spitye thereof, & am, Yo' most humble serv', Thomas Norris. Stamford Aug. y^ 6, 1678. The resignation was accepted, but to what place Thomas Norris retired is unknown : perhaps to Barrowden in Rutland, where, as the Registers show, a family of his name was living from 1610 to 1699.* ♦ Edith the wife of Thomas Norris George, Stamford) was buried 28th July, (according to the parish registers of S. 1673. ^6 The Lincolnshire BcUfoiinders. Although there are many single bells in Lincolnshire cast by Thomas Norris, there is only one complete ring from his foundry — that of Algarkirk, cast in 1662. His bells date from 1628 at Burton Goggles (ist) and other churches, to 1674 at Croyland (ist). A bell of his hangs at Fakenham, Norfolk, dated 1678, the year when, accord- ing to the above letter, he resolved to leave Stamford. He used the same stamps as his predecessor, placing the Royal Arms on one bell only in this county — the 4th at Holbeach. His son and successor Tobias Norris (who occasionally placed his own name upon bells during his father's life time as at Belleau (3rd) Haltham-on-Bain (ist and 2nd) and other places) was baptized at S. George's Ghurch, Stamford, on the 25th of April, 1634. He was Overseer of the Highways in 1660-7, of the Poor 1678-9, and Ghurchwarden in 1685-6; his name also occurs in connection with parish charities in 1693. He was buried, as appears by the register of S. George's parish, on the 19th of January 1698-9. His bells in this county, of which there is no complete ring, range in date from 1664 at Haltham-on-Bain (ist and 2nd) to 1695 at Alford (5th), but he continued casting until his death. He occasionally used figs, i and 2, as initial crosses, and in two cases — Enderby Mavis ist, and Tattershall 4th and 5th — a rude S. Andrew's cross, but frequently placed his name, as founder, without any cross or stamp. The favourite inscriptions of the Norris family were " Mvlti vocati pavci electi " — " Cvm voco ad ecclesiam venite" — " Omnia fiant ad gloriam Dei" — and, occasionally, TJie Lmcolnshire Bellfounders. 57 on the tenor bell, as at Deeping S. James and at Swayfield, " Non sono animabvs mortvorvm sed avribus viventivm," which, as has been said, was perhaps "a fling" at the old faith. Mr. Justin Simpson of Stamford, to whom I am indebted for much of the above information respecting the Stamford bellfounders, tells me that there is, unfortunately, no known record pointing out the precise site of the foundry, but that it is generally believed to have been in the vicinity of the present Gas Works, or of Mr. Blashfield'sTerra-cotta Works. Alexander Rigby appears to have been connected — perhaps as foreman — with the Stamford foundry for some years before the death of Tobias Norris in 1698-g, for at Great Billing in Northamptonshire the ist bell there, cast by him, is dated as early as 1684. There are only four bells by Rigby, or as he sometimes spelt his name "Rigbe" in Lincolnshire, but those are sufhcient to show that he carried on the foundry for a few years — until his own death — after the decease of the last Norris. Rigby's bells extend from 1704 at Deeping S. James (ist) and Swinestead (2nd) to 1707 at Kirkby Laythorpe (2nd and 3rd) : upon the last mentioned bell he placed the initial cross fig. 3, used, as we have seen (see p. 52) by the Norris family. He died at Stamford in the year 1708, and was buried at S. Martin's as appears from the Register : — 1708 Alexander Rigby, bellfounder, bur. Oct% 29. He is referred to, in a not very complimentary manner, on the treble bell at Badgworth, Gloucestershire : — ^8 The Lincolnshire Bellfoiindcvs. Badgworth ringers they were mad Because Rigbe made me bad ; But Abel Rudhall you may see Hath made me better than Rigbe. At his death the Stamford foundry was closed. LINCOLN. That there was a Foundry at work here as early as 1641 is evident from the Churchwardens' Accounts of S. Mary's Barton-on-Humber for that year, in which is a minute record of the cost of taking a bell, drawn by six horses and two oxen, and attended by four men, to Lincoln for the purpose of being recast, but the name of the founder is not preserved.* A few years later — in 1676 — " Humphrey Wilkinson of Lincoln Bellfounder" en- tered into an engagement to cast the 3rd bell of Kirton- in-Lindsey, the Bond for the due performance of which is still extant. In 1689 the same founder was casting the new " Cutlers' Bell," by order of Robert Breilsforth, the Master of the Cutlers' Company in Sheffield. It is somewhat curious that his bells do not appear in Lincolnshire churches until the year 1695, when he sent the Priest's bell to Winthorpe : from that date until 17 18, the date of the 1st bell at S. Peter-at-Gowts, Lincoln, recently recast, he sent a few bells to different churches in this county ; in all * Mr. R. Brown, jun., F.S.A., of Barton, without being able to discover any docu- very kindly made a diligent search for me ment giving this founder's name, amongst the parochial muniments, but The Lincolnshire Bellfoiinders. 59 cases however — excepting Ingoldmells and Middle Rasen where are two — only single bells of his are hanging, showing that his business was a small one. He used a good bold trade mark, fig. 7, 7 which he appears to have copied from that used by Quernbie and Oldfield a century earlier. BRIGG. The Parish Register of Scotter records that the second bell there was new cast by " one 6o TJie Lincolnshire Bcllfounders. , Richard Sanders of Brigg " on the 3rd of May, 1673. Unfortunately all the old Parish Records of Wrawby, of which parish Brigg was until recently a hamlet, were destroyed by fire some years ago ; so nothing can be learned from them as to Sanders, who was, probably, not a regular bellfounder, but simply a blacksmith. ]rriL^