MMwmiisiit^^i',^^£i^.\i>iiiifi:i&ii^ :a;iBis?Si-is.'Assi,- ■■ ■ - i^!]:_MtU;^>:^.jI:^:|:.|-V^:a:L^.:i;iT;. - THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES The Church Bells of Warwickshire Their Founders, Inscriptions, Traditions and Uses By The late Rev. H. T. Tilley, m.a. (Sometime Vicar of Claverdon) and H. B. Walters, m.a., f.s.a. With 26 Plates and 20 Illustrations in the Text Birmingham Cornish Brothers Ltd Publishers to the University ^y New Street igio Oswestry : Woodall, Minshall. Thomas & Co., Caxton Press. College Library DEDICATED TO THE VEN. WILLIAM WALIEKS, M.A., ARCHDEACON OF WORCESTER. PREFACE. THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE, like some other books of the same kind, has been long in process of compilation. But my satisfaction at its final completion and publication can only be tcmpcrc 1 with regn.'t that the original compiler ■of the work has not lived to issue it under his own name alone. Henry Timothy Tille}- was an enthusiastic " bell-hunter " from his undergraduate days, and though I do not know what first attracted him to this pursuit, his notes shew that he began to visit Warwickshire belfries and collect bell-inscriptions in 1874, when he was only about twenty years of age. In the two or three succeeding years before his ordination he visited from his home at Edgbaston a large number (about 120) of the Warwickshire churches, chiefly in his o\\n neighbourhood and round Nuneaton and Kineton. The results of his labours up to 1877 were admirably summarised in a short paper read before the Birmingham and Midland Institute in that year. Parochial duties naturally had the first claim on his time thenceforward, l)ut in 1892 he had visited nearly every church steeple in the county, and a second paper read before the same Societ}' in that year not only formed a useful supplement to the first, but in conjunction with it gave an interesting survey of the cam- panological treasures of Warwickshire. It was then his intention to work up and enlarge his notes into book form, but devotion to parochial work and mtermitteut bieakdovsns in health frustrated his hopes, and although during his last years beneficed almost in the centre of the rount\-, the care of an extensive parish demanded all his time and energies. Thus when he was called to his rest in December, 1905, he left behind him no more than a carefully compiled list of the bell-inscriptions, with occasional interesting notes, the two published jiapers summarising the more valuable results of his labours, and such rubbings and casts of stamps as he had been able to collect from time to time. It was the earnest wish of his widow and family that these notes should not suffer neglect, but should be published in such a form as he had meditated, and when the work of editing and completing them was offered to the present writer, it vas \\ith the greatest satisfaction and gratitude that he undertook to pay this tribute to the memor}- of his friend and fellow-worker. Though the Introduction is necessarily my own work throughout, as well as the actual text of the second part, and though in the necessary process of revising and bringing up to date I have personally visited over sixty of the towers in the county, I could not but feel that my pre- decessor's careful and patient labours (if only embodied in ni\ own) justified the appearance of his name in the chief position on the title-page. My warmest thanks in the first place are due to Mrs. Tilley for the great interest she has shewn in the work, and the generous assistance she has rendered with a view to its completion and publication. I have also to express my gratitude to a long list of helpers in my own labours ; first and foremost to Mr. W. E. Falkner of Stratford-on-A\on, a most diligent and painstaking worker, who has most kindly devoted the greater part of his hard-earned leisure y^ PREFACE. for over a year to examining bells in his own neighhourhood and elsewhere, which I was unable to visit myself. Mr. Falkner has been most enthusiastic and persevering, and his work has been done with the utmost care and accuracy. The bell-founding firms of Messrs. Mears and Stainbank. Taylor. Barwell, and Carr have shewn their usual courtesy and readiness to give information, and to the first-named I am specially indebted for the illustrations of the old bells at Exhall and Combrooke. To name the numerous helpers among the clergy and laity who have sent information about customs or extracts from documents, or have given personal assistance in various ways would be impossible here, but I trust justice has been done to all in the body of the work. I should like, however, to single out by name Rev. J. J. Agar-Ellis of Offchurch, Rev. H. Hanmer of Grendon, Rev. W. Finch of Shustoke, Rev. E. K. Graham of Barston, Rev. J. H. Bloom of Whitchurch, Mr. Adams of St. Mary, Warwick, Mr. A. J. Brookes of Coventry, and Mr. W. Salt Brassington. The Rev. Preb. Deedes of Chichester kindly visited Fenny Compton, Shotteswell, and Warmington for me, and copied the Churchwardens' Accounts of the first- named place. Mr. A. H. Cocks has been good enough to supply casts for Plate XIV and numerous text-blocks, and also many useful hints and suggestions: and for two other blocks (Figs. 5 and 7) I am indebted to Dr. A. D. Tyssen. Though I have personally visited many belfries in different parts of the county, I can only regret th.it I have failed to complete my predecessor's deficient notes in a few difficult cases, viz. Combrooke, Copston, Walton, and Weethle}'. My only apology can be that enough information has been acquired in each case to shew that further efforts would hardly have been rejiaid. The same applies to the modern churches. To include all these would have meant much tune spent ui the grime ot some fift} Birmingham belfries, with little or no result to shew . and I trust future antiquaries will pardon the omission. The plates accompanying the text are all photographs from casts of the original marks or letters, and if not always perfect in detail, give the general appearance better than any process which involves drawing, and the consequent introduction of the personal equation. The special tvpes and ornaments used in the printing of the inscriptions represent as far as possible the general appearance of the original stamps, but a certain amount of convention is unavoid- able. My best thanks arc due to the printers, Messrs. Woodall, Minshall. and Thomas of Oswestry, for all the trouble they have taken in the matter. It only remains to sa\ that I feci the dedication of this work to ha\e a peculiar appropriateness, apart from the ties of filial affection, .\rchdeacon Walters not only gave H. T. Tilley his first title as Curate, but also presented and inducted him to his last incumbency. Moreover, nearly one-third of the bells described in this volume were for twenty years under the jurisdiction of nu- F~ather, who has visited all but one of the churches, and inspected all the more accessible bells in person. He has always been aealous for the welfare and preservation of the bells, and one of his earliest charges after his a[)pointnient dealt w ith this ver\- subject. H. B. WALTERS. London, .\/«y, 19/0. CONTENTS PREFACE ... ... ... ... ... ... V. CONTENTS ... ... ... ... ... ... vii. LIST OF PLATES .. ... ... ... ... ... ... viii. BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTE ... ... ix. ADDENDA ET CORRIGENDA .. ... .. .. .. ... xi. PART L INTRODUCTION: HISTORY OF THE BELLS AND THEIR FOUNDERS i RINGING CUSTOMS AND PECULIAR USES ... ... ... ... 87 PRINCIPAL RINGS IN WARWICKSHIRE ... ... ... . 9,5 PART IL THE INSCRIPTIONS ON THE BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE PARISH CHURCHES, IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER OF THE PARISHES, VMTH OTHER INFORMATION ... ... ... ... ... 97 APPENDIX (Burmington and Coughton) ... .. ... ... ... 273 INDEX ... ... ... ... ... ... ••• ... 27s LIST OF PLATES I. Halford (early 14th century). II. Fourteenth-century bells oi local manufacture. III. Atherstone-on-Stour (John of Gloucester). IV. Do. do. V. Robert Hendley of Gloucester ; Worcester foundry (1410— 14201. \'I. Morton Bagot and Great Packington (Worcester foundry). \II. Monk's Kirbv; Lapworth ; Curdworth ; Johannes de Stafford. VIII. Coventry St. John and Mancetter (Leicester foundry). IX. Mancetter: Johannes de Colsale (Stoke). X. Wolvey (J.de Yorke); Stoneleigh. Wormleighton, Seckington (Nottingham foundry^ XI. Stamps of London founders. 15th century. XII. Brailes old tenor (John Bird). XIII. Stamps of London founders, 15th century. XIV. Baddeslev Clinton (Reading foundry,; Barcheston (Buckingham foundry). XV. Long Compton sanctus ; Little Packington tenor and other Newcombe stamps. XVI. Stamps used by the Newcombes (1560 — 1600). .XVII. Cross at Fenny Compton : Newcombe and Watts stamps XVIII. Brasyer lettering and stamps used by the Wattses. .XI.X. Stamps used by Thomas Hancox of Walsall. XX. Ornamental borders used by Thomas Hancox. XXI. Stamps used by John Martin of Worcester and Clihury of Wellington. XXII. Stamps of the Oldfields, Tobie Norris, and the Bagleys. XXIII. Stamps of Joseph Smith, Richard Sanders, Keene, and Briant ; coat of arms at Henley. XX I \'. — XX\T. Stamps used bv the Cors of Aldbourni' (Sutton-under-Brailes). LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS IN TEXT Fig. 1. Fig. 2. Fig. 3- Fig. 4- Fig. 5- Fig. 6. Fig. 7- Fig. 8. Fig. 9- Fig. 10. Fig. II. Fig. 12. Fig. 13- Fig. 14. Figs. 15 -18. Fig. 19. Fig. 20. Seal of Sandre oi Cjloucester. Inscription on old bell at Lxhall .Mcesten. Do. do. do. Stamps on old bell at Combrooke. Brasyers' cross, used by Newcombe and Watts of Leicester. Lettering used by Newcombe at Little Packington (Biuks, ]i. 155). Brasyers' lion's head stamp, used by Newcombe and Watts. Border used by Thomas Hancox (Bticka, iig. 60). Fleur-de-lys border used bv Henry Baglf\' {Bucks, tig. (jg). l-'loral border do. do. (Bucks, tig. 75). .Arabesques used by the Bagle\s (Bucks, iig. 72). Broken arabesque border used by Matthew BagUs' (Bucks, tig. 73). Interlacing border used by William Bagley (Bucks, tig. 74). Stamp of bell used by the Rudhalls. Ornamental borders used l)y tlie Rudhalls. The Taylors' foundry stainp. Barwell's lountiry staiiif). BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTE. I. MANTSCKIl'T lU-XOKDS Ol' VVAKWICKSII I KK BHI.LS. (i) Practically the earliest written record of bells in the county is to be found in the Inventories of Church Goods, compiled for the Commissioners of Edward VI. in 1552. These have been transcribed at the Record Office, and published in the Warwickshire Antiquarian Magazine (1859 — 1877), pp. I54ff., 24iff. They are remarkably complete as far as this county is concerned, and we are able to ascertain from them virtually the total number of bells existing in the county at that time. The only ancient parishes for which there are no inventories existing, or where the number of bells is not stated, are Alcester, Anstey, Astley, Atherstone, Baddesley Ensor, Barton-on-Heath, Castle Bromwich, Charlcote, Compton Verney, Com[)ton Winyates, Copston, Coventry, Deritend, Exhall (Coventry), Foleshill, Gaydon, Henley, Honily, Knowle, Merevale, Newton Regis, Norton Lindsey, Lower Shuckburgh, Stivichall, Stoke, Temple Balsall, Water Orton, Weethley, Nether Whitacre, Wilnecote, Wolford, and Wyken — a total of thirty-two. References to these inventories are made under the heading ' 1552 ' for each parish in Part II. (2) About 1750 a list of parishes in the various English and Welsh dioceses, with tlie dedications of the churches and number of bells in each, was drawn up by the famous antiquary Browne Willis. These lists are now with his collections in the Bodleian, and transcripts of them are included in the MS. collections of the Cambridgeshire antiquary, William Cole, now in the Department of MSS., British Museum (.\dd. 5827, 5828). They are on the whole very accurate, and are practically complete for the two dioceses, Worcester, and Lichfield and Coventry, in which the countv then lav. References to them are made under the heading ' 1750.' (3) MS. notes made by the late Dr. Raven (Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 37432 — 37439) and Rev. W. D. Sweeting (ibid. 37180), giving inscriptions of a few parishes. Humphrey Wanley's MS. notes on the bells of St. Michael, Coventry, are in Harl. MSS. 6030. Rubbings collected by the late Canon Ellacombe (ibid. Add. 33203) and Rev. J. H. Bloom [ibid. 36S19). 2. PRINTED BOOKS. (a) General Worh. DuGDALE (Sir William), The Antiquities of Warwickshire. Second edition printed from a copy corrected by the author himself, and witii the original copper-plates. The whole revised, augmented, and continued down to this present time by W. Thoma?. 2 vols. -'' London 1730. Fol. [The original edition appeared in 1656.] This well-known and model county history is invaluable for all students of Wanvickshire history or antiquities. The church bells are not often described or even mentioned, but there are some valuable notes, e.g., under Hatton and Kenilworth, and for historical and genealogical records Dugdale's work with Thomas' additions must frequently belaid under contribution. Some MS. notes collected with a view to a third edition will be found in the Brit. Mus. Add. MS.S. 29264. Notices of Warwickshire Churches. 2 vols. Warwick, 1844 — 1858. 8vo. Comprising the Deanery of Warwick and part of Alcester. To full and well-illustrated descriptions of the churches are added in most cases the inscriptions on the bells, but not always accurately reported. This work was partly compiled by the well-known antiquary, Matthew H. Bloxam. X. BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTE. Warwickshire Antiquarian Magazine. Parts i — 8, 1859 — ^877. Warwick. 4°. Useful for heraldry- and pedigrees; also some valuable notes on Solihull bells. The Inventories of Church Goods for the county are here pubiished (see above), as are also the Heraldic Visitations in Part 2. (b) Special parishes and districts. Bartlet (B.). Manduessedum Komanorum, being the history and antiquities of the pari^^h of Mancetter .... and also of the adjacent parish of Ansley in the County of Warwick. Included in J. Nichols" Miscellaneous Antiquities (in continuation of the Bibliotheca Topographica Britannica), Vol. I., No. i. 1791. Brookes (A. J. 1 St. Michaers Church, Coventry ; Past and Present. 3rd edn. Coventry, n.d. BuNCE (]. T^. History of Old St. Martin's, Birmingham. Birmingham, 1875. Fol. Halliwell (f. O.. afterwards Halliwell-Phillips). Extracts taken from the Vestry-Book of the Church of the Holy Trinity, Stratford-on-.\von. 1865. 4°. The Accounts of the Chamberlains of the Borough of Stratford-on-.Avon for the year 1590 to 1597. 1866. 4°. Extracts from the same from the year 1585 to 1608. London, 1866. 4". Do. do. from the \ear 1609 to i6ig. London, 1866. 4"^' (These three were privately printed, and only ten copies of each are now in existence.] A Descriptive Calendar of the ancient manuscripts and records in the possession of the Corporation of Stratford-on-Avon. London, 1863. Fol. (75 copies printed). Hankett (J.) The Forest of Arden, its towns, villages and hamlets. .\ topographical account of the district between and round Henley and Hampton. London and Birmingham. 1863. 8'^ Kenilworth Illustrated, or the History of the Castle, Priory and Church of Kenilworth. Chiswick, 1821. 4°. (Chiefly extracted from Dugdale). Miller (Rev. G.). Rambles Round the Edge Hills and in the Vale of the Red Horse. London, E. Stock, igoo. 8°. [Gives inscriptions on the bells of several churches, mostly inaccurate.] Pemberton (Rev. Robert). .Solihull and its Church. Exeter, 1905. 4°. Savage CR.). The Churchwardens' .'Accounts of the Parish of St. Nicholas, Warwick, 1547 — 1621, transcribed and edited by Richard Savage. (Reprinted from the Parish Magazine . Warwick. H. T. Cooke and Son, 1890. Sharp (T.). Illustrative Payiers on the History and Antiquities of the City of Coventr\-. Edited Ijy W. G. Fretton. Birmingham, 1871. 4°. Wait (Rev. W. O.). Rugby Past and Present, with an historical account of neighbouring jiarishcs. Rugby, 1893. 4'^'. [Good and accurate notes on the bells of Rugby and other places.] (c) Campiinoloi^ical ivorks. Transactions of the Birmingham and Midland Institute, Vol. ix. (1878), p. loff., Vol. xviii. (1892), [). i4ff. Papers by H. I . Tilley on tiie Church Bells of Warwickshire, summarising the chief joints of interest, w ith some useful and original contributions to comparative campanology. These results arc incorporated in the Introduction to the present work. [The books on the bells of the various English counties, by Cocks, Ellacombc, North, Stahlschmidt, and others, need not be given in detail here, and it will suffice to note that they are generally referred to in the course of the work by the name of the author and county, e.g. ' Cocks, Bucks,' etc. See for a detailed list Deedes and Walters, Church Hells of Essex, p. xiii.] ADDENDA ET CORRIGENDA. Page I, foot-note 2. The reference mnnbcr sliould he attached to the figure 1051 in the table above. 5, Hne 4. For Plate II. 9 read Plate II. 14. 5, line 5. „ „ ,. 10-14 read Plate II. 15-18. 5, line 10. ,, „ „ 17 „ ,, ,, 10. 5, line 14. ,, ,, „ 18-19 ,, „ ,, 11.12. 6, Add to list under heading (2): Lea, Hereford, 2nd. Under heading (3) dele Gretton, Gloucs., which is a doubtful e.xample. 7, line 19. Formerly five bells of this type in Wiltshire, now only two. 8, line 30. For 1353 read 1350. 13, foot-note I, page 19 foot-note i,and page 61 foot-note i. The volumes of the Victoria History referred to have not yet been i)ublished (May, 1910). 21, note 10. For p. 28 read p. 29. 27, hne 10. For PI. XVI. i read PI. XV. i. 33, line 4. Dele ' a rubbing . . . 33203 ' and insert ' a note by the late Dr. Raven.' ^7. Under Baginton for LORDE read LORD. 48. The occurrence of the name Richard at Brailes instead of Roger has been unfortunately overlooked, but the discrepancy has been adjusted under that heading in Part II. (p. 124). 56, line 12 from bottom. A Gawin Baker of Henley cast a bell for Solihull about 1600, and is possibly identical with this Godwin. See p. 219. 59, line 29. Dele ' and just over .... Shipston-on-Stour.' The bells here are by Matthew Baglej-. I cannot now trace my authority for stating that they were by Keene. 61, bottom line. Paul Hutton cast a bell for Solihull in 1619 (see p. 219). 66. To list of existing Bagley bells add ' Rutland i.' 71, line 12 from bottom. For ' four ' read ' three.' Add to list ' 1752. Brailes. old 3rd.' For ' dimutive ' read ' diminutive.' In the following list for Wormington read Wormleighton. Add 'p. I33ff.' For 1717 read 1787. Dele ' as at Warwick St. Nicholas.' Dele ' such as Shropshire." Arrow. The border is PI. XXII., Fig. 10. Add 'Thanks to Mr. Falkner.' 102, last line but two. For 1760 read 1750. 107, line 5 from bottom. For 1753 read 1750. Ill, Head-line. For Bedworth read Beaudesert. 72- 80, line 10. 82, foot-note. 84, line 2. Jf line 30. 88, line 3- lOI. ADDENDA ET CORRIGENDA. geii5 „ 125, Head-line. „ 128. „ 141. „ 215. Head-line. „ 215. Binton. Add ' Thanks to Mr. Falkner.' For Brovvnsover read Bromwich. Burmington. See Appendix, p. 273. Coughton. See Appendix. For Shottery read Shotteswell. Lower Shuckburgh. It may be worth mentioning that Canon Ellacombe had the inscription-band cut from a bell said to have been formerly at the Hall here. It was inscribed AVE MARIA in the type used by Robert Norton of Exeter (c. 1380). But there is some doubt as to whether a bell from this foundry would have found its way into Warwickshire. See H. T. Tilley in Truus. Birtn. and Mid. Inst., 1878, p. 18. Under Sutton Coldfield add the new church of All Saints, Streetly, which has one bell by Barwell, put up 27 May, 1909, weighing 2 cwt., diam. 21J in. 242. line 2 (6th bell). For Fig. 14 read Fig. 15. 256. line 14. For .\dd. 37180 read Add. 36819. 232-233. PART I. INTRODUCTION. I. THE FOUNDERS OF WARWICKSHIRE BELLS. I = 12 5 = 50 17 = 136 39 = 234 42 = 210 20 = 80 49 = 147 22 = 44 116 = 116 22 = 22 ( ^Jfc'HE County of Warwick contains 220 ancient parish churches {i.e., of Pre- Reformation fitv o^'g^"^' ^^^ about 90 of more modern foundation, including three or four rebuilt on V^cj'^ the site of ancient edifices fallen into ruin, but not including chapels-of-ease. In these 310 churches^ there are roughly about 1,050 bells, which may be classified as follows : — Rings of twelve bells ... Rings of ten bells Rings of eight bells Rings of six bells Rings of five bells Rings of four bells Rings of three bells Rings of two bells Single bells Sanctus bells, clock bells, etc. Total 105 1 Modern churches are credited with one bell where no information of a larger number has been received. Among these, two (St. Agatha, Sparkbrook, and Christ Church, Leamington), contain the old bells from Christ Church, Birmingham, and Leamington Parish Church respectively ; St. Margaret, Ward End, Birmingham, has a second-hand bell from Greenwich Hospital ; and an old bell from Ullenhall is said to be at a Mission Church in Sparkbrook, Birmingham.^ The churches of St. Bartholomew, St. Mary, and St. Paul, Birmingham, were founded in the eighteenth century, as was also St. James, Aston. At Luddington, Nuthurst, and elsewhere new churches have been erected on the sites of old ones fallen into ruin ; but the churches of Newnham Regis, Pillerton Priors, and others have partially or wholly disappeared. In some cases, as at Baddesley Ensor and Ettington, the bells have been placed in a new church built on a different site from the old one ; but at Ullenhall one old bell remains in the old church, while the modern church contains a new ring. Included in the above category are the Guild Chapel at Stratford-on-Avon and the chapel of Leicester Hospital at Warwick, which though not parochial, may be considered as churches. Of these churches, that of Rugby is unique in the possession of two distinct rings of bells. ' This number includes Sutton-under-Brailes, formerly in Gloucestershire, but not Little Compton or Wibtoft, the tells of which churches are described in the books on Gloucestershire and Leicestershire respectively. Among modern churches, those of Amington and Bolehall-cum-Glascote in the ancient parish of Tamworth, are excluded. - Not including the chimes at Foleshill St. Thomas or the tubulars at Saltley St. Saviour. ^ In the parish of Vardley, and therefore in Worcestershire, not Warwick. THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. It is possible to classify these 1,050 bells in another manner, according to age, as follows ; Pre-Reformation (anterior to 1550) ... ... .•• 46\.t. Other ancient bells but uninscribed ... ... ... 12J-' " Transitional period " (1550 — 1600) ... ... ... i"] Seventeenth century ... ... •■• ■-• •■■ 255 Eighteenth centur\- '8 -/- Nineteenth century and later ... ... ... .■■ 416 Bells of uncertain date or uninscribed ... ... ... 13 Total 105 1 The number of Pre-Reformation bells is therefore 58,1 a surprisingly small proportion, even when compared with neighbouring counties such as Worcestershire (about the same number out of gio) or Staffordshire (40 ancient out of 1,200). The percentage is almost exactly 5^ per cent., as against 8 per cent, in Leicestershire and 6 per cent, in Worcestershire : Northants has rather over 5 per cent, of old bells, and Staffordshire only about 3J per cent. If, however, we reckon in the 37 " Transitional bells," this percentage is largely increased, rising to about 9 per cent. In the adjoining counties of Leicester and Northants the same conditions obtain, due there as here to the remarkable activity of the founders at Leicester and Nottingham during the reign of Queen Elizabeth. Moreover, many of the bells cast during this period have all the characteristics of mediaeval bells, and few of them are dated. ^^'e may further note here that eleven mediaeval bells in the county have been recast during the last fifty }-ears (see below). Of the 58 Pre-Reformation bells 32 are inscribed in Gothic capitals throughout, 14 in black letter minuscules or " mixed Gothic "; twelve are devoid of inscription or only recognisable as ancient from their shape. The tenor at Meriden has only impressions of mediaeval coins stamped upon it. There are no complete mediaeval rings in the county, except " pairs " at Hunningham and Morton Bagot ; but there are three ancient bells at Bilton, and two each at Coventry St. John, Mancetter, Atherstone-on-Stour, Beaudesert, and Offchurch. Uninscribed ancient bells are at Barston, Brailes (sanctus), Gaydon, Haseley, Merevale (2), Norton Lindsey, Over Whitacre, Wixford, and W'olverton : of these Barston dates from the fourteenth century. There was formerly also another at UUenhall, which from its shape may have belonged to the 13th or even 12th century ; this bell is now at Birmingham (see above). The chief interest of Warwickshire bells is derived from the fact that owing to its geographical position in the centre of England, and the absence of any local foundry between 1400 and 1700, the number of foreign foundries represented is remarkably large. Besides the great foundries of London, Leicester, Nottingham, and Worcester, we find bells from such distant places as Wellington (Salop), Bridgwater, Aldbourne (Wilts), and Stamford, during the 17th and i8th centuries ; but the majority of the bells during that period are successively from the Wattses of Leicester and the Bagleys of Chacomb. The mediaeval bells are chiefly from London fnine), Leicester (ten), and Worcester (seven); but one or two groups may have been cast in the county. Not until the eighteenth century did any local star appear on the horizon, and then we shall see that Joseph Smith of Edgbaston acquired a reputation sufficient to keep at bay even such powerful rivals as the Rudhalls of Gloucester, to say nothing of the Bagleys of Chacomb, who had previously held the field. At the present day the old bells are disappearing fast. Mr. Tilley has recorded- the fate of three or four mediaevals which succumbed to the furnace just at the time when he began his labours in the county, including the great tenor at Brailes; and since that time we have to ' I exclude Irom ihis reckoning all bells cast by the Newcombes of Leicester, some of which are .11 le.ist mediaeval in ityle, ihough evidence points to their being of later date. See below, p. 16. ' Birm. and Mid. Inst. Trans. 1878, p. iS. MEDIAEVAL PERIOD. regret the disappearance of interesting bells at Allesley, Halford, and Stoke by Coventry. The total list of mediaeval bells recast within the last fifty years' is as follows : — Allesley Baxterley ... Bearley Brailes (tenor) Combrooke E.xhall by Alcester (two) Halford ... Ladbroke ... Ryton-on-Dunsmore Stoke by Coventry ... To which ma)' be added interesting " transitiona igoi 1875 1875 1877 1867 1864 1883 1S75 1864 1902 bells at Grendon and Withvbrook. I. MEDIAEVAL PERIOD. It is well known to campanists that in most parts of England — more particularly the east and south-east — -the use of Gothic capitals for bell inscriptions was superseded about the vear 1400 by that of " mixed Gothic " or black-letter minuscules with capitals for initials. But in the Midlands we have ample evidence that this was not the case. The important foundries at Gloucester, Worcester, and Leicester, for some unknown reason, appear to have avoided the use of minuscules altogether and continued to use capitals only down to the end of the fifteenth century at least. Of this evidence will be given in succeeding pages. But for the present this fact concerns us in that it increases the difficulty of dating those Warwickshire bells, the founders of which are unknown, and the dates of which are not determinable from other evidence. There are, moreover, no dated mediaeval bells in the county — none, in fact, earlier than 1580. Taken in conjunction with the number of contemporaneous mediaeval foundries represented in the county, these considerations render it difficult to treat of the pre- Reformation bells in anything like chronological order. As, however, the indeterminable bells are mainly of fourteenth-century character, if not actually of that period, it will be more convenient to treat of them first, before discussing the known foundries. I therefore begin by describing two or three groups of bells which on geographical or other grounds I think were probably cast within the county itself, though we have at present little evidence of a local foundry at Warwick, Coventry, or elsewhere. BELLS OF LOCAL MANUFACTURE. First we have to deal with a group of eight bells, four of which are in Warwickshire, and which from their geographical distribution I am inclined to attribute to a founder either at Coventry or (more probably) Warwick. First of all we have in the county itself (i) the treble at Halford, inscribed ^ fiGios : ifi F?ofiopie ; spfisTi ; lof^fififiis : BfiexisTG ; sum : ne^oufiT^ of which Mr. Tilley, with perhaps unnecessary caution, says : — •" I certainly think it must belong to the fourteenth century." - He is, however, undoubtedly right in regarding it as the oldest inscribed bell in the county, and I should be inclined to say positively that it Ijelongs to the earlier years of that century. That being the case, it is interesting to note that the word 1 Other ancient bells, long since gone, are recorded by Dugdale and other writers as existinj; at Coventry, Hatton, Kenilworth. Stoneleigh and Warwick. • Trans. Birm. and Mid. Insl., 1S78, p. 13. 4 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. RENOVATA implies that it had a predecessor. The shape of the bell, the use of the two-dot stop, and the formula IN HONORE (occurring on the 13th century bell at Caversfield, Oxon.), all point to an early date. The use of the word AGIOS (Greek ayios = sanctus) is, so far as I know, unique in bell inscriptions; it is a pity that the founder spoiled the effect by a false concord I The chief points to be noted in the lettering (see Plate I.) are the elongated A, which is larger than the rest, the reversed N, the square Roman T, and the u form of V.' The cross is a plain Maltese one, about an inch high, with diagonal bars between the arms. A slightly enlarged and more ornate version of this cross (Plate II., Fig. i) occurs with a more developed set of lettering (but in some respects of similar character) on the following bells :— (2) Beaudesert ist : (3) Beaudesert 2nd : ^ iF^esus ; Rfizspi^inus ; i^ex ; iudgofjucq^ (4) Whitchurch bell: (5) Dalby Parva, Leicestershire, 2nd : . ^ issp ©pej^np ^ es© ^ (90i?osisfi ^ m ^ nonone ® (the mark of contraction used over four of the words is formed of three lozenges ooo Leics., fig. 66). (6) Wadenhoe, Northants, 2nd : t^ pi?G : fflpFJIfl ; GFJH^IP i eiiGnfl i DOffllHUS ©CSUffl (7) Broughton Hackett, Worcestershire, ist : (8) Broughton Hackett 2nd, an exact duplicate of Beaudesert 2nd. All of these bells bear the cross, Plate II., Fig. i, and at Whitchurch there is also a plain floriated cross (Plate II., Fig. 2) in the middle of the inscription. At Dalby a sort of wheel or star occurs as stop (Leics. fig. 57), which is also found on the sanctus at Preston, Rutland ; but it is doubtful whether the latter bell can be added to our list. It will be noted that this founder only employs two inscriptions (except at Dalby), and further that at Whitchurch he has combined these two in an abbreviated form, the last six letters representing A(i')E M{ari)A G(yaci)A. The lettering on Broughton Hackett ist differs from that on the Warwickshire trio, which is given in Plate II., Figs. 3-8. It is slightly smaller, and the M is of a peculiar narrow form. It is not likely that the Halford bell is by the same founder ; but I should be inclined to regard it as the work of a predecessor, about 1320, placing the other group some thirty years later. Next come a pair of bells, the larger one at Hunnlngham, and the bell in the turret of the old church at Ullenhall, both inscribed ►fi ave msRia grscia pieuR ' This is also found on early bells from the Lynn foundry (Church Bells of Essex, pi. XVL). ' Th; popularity of this inscription with Midland founders, especially those of Leicester, is worth noting. THE GLOUCESTER FOUNDRY. 5 With these we may group, from the identity of the initial cross, the 3rd at Willonghby Waterless, Leicestershire, inscribed "-p iRmze LAVRGQCI ORS PRO nOBlS This cross (Plate II., g) is of peculiar type, being plain, with small St. Andrew's crosses between the arms. The lettering (Plate II., 10-14) is about one inch in height, plain in character, and the bells may be dated about 1350. They were probably cast in the county, but that is all we can say about them. The single bell at Wyken bears the inscription -^ ifjC : nazGRenus ■ rgx : iudgoru*' with an initial cross crosslet something like that at Whitchurch (Plate II., 17). So far as I know it stands alone ; but there was formerly a similar bell at Baxterley inscribed + ffve mARis (with a cross which is only vaguely indicated in the rubbing), which was recast in 1875. Mr. Tilley considered the letters (Plate II., 18-19) to resemble those used by Johannes de Stafford (p. 14), but I do not myself regard the similarity as very marked, except in one or two cases, such as the M and U ; they are smaller than his, about one inch high. But whether these two bells came from a local or from some better known foundry it is hard to say. Recently my attention has been called to a discovery by the Rev. J. H. Bloom -of the name of John Kingston, bellyeter, living in Northgate, Warwick, in 1401. It may perhaps be justifiable to assign to this man the bells at Hunningham and Ullenhall just described; they suit the date and locality better than the others discussed in this section. THE GLOUCESTER FOUNDRY. Of the various non local mediaeval foundries represented in the county I propose to take first that at Gloucester, as not only can it be traced back to the beginning of the fourteenth century, but its earliest representatives in the county may be of that date. These are the ist and ?nd bells at Atherstone-on-Stour, which, though differing in character and probably also in date, must yet be from the same foundry. They are inscribed respectively and t^ ir^esu ; ©Hfflefinfiffl : tibi : S€:ffli?eFj : ©i^oreGe : sfinfim Now the initial crosses on these two bells (Plate II., 15-16) are to be found on a fairlv large group in the Western Midlands, accompanied by two corresponding varieties of lettering, one smaller and apparently earlier than the other. Curiously enough, the lettering on the Atherstone bells does not belong to either alphabet, that on the ist (Plate III.) being somewhat intermediate in size, that on the 2nd larger than the latter set (Plate IV. and upper line. Plate III.). Still in each case it is of similar character. It may be worth while to give a complete list of those known, distinguishing the two groups by the crosses used : — (i) Smaller cross (Ellacombe, Gloucs., No. 52). Gloucestershire ... ... .. Sapperton ... ... ... ... 1st Turkdean ... ... ... ... 2nd Hereford Credenhill Recast 2nd Thruxton .'.. ... ... ... ist Somerset ... ... ... ... Clapton-in-Gordano ... ... ... Sanctus Warwick Atherstone on-Stour ist Worcester ... ... ... ... Besford ... ... ... ... ist ' The M has been cut out and a plain circle is left here.. - Stiatford Herald, 5 June, 1908; from the accounts of John Sherman, Bailiff (Greville Charter 4S2), THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. ISt I St ISt 2nd 2nd ISt and 2nd 2nd 1st 2nd 4th Service Bell Bell Town Hall Bell (2) Larger cross (Ellacombe, Clones., No. 105). Gloucestershire .. Brookthorpe Leonard Stanley Notgrove U'instone Hereford ... . . ... ... Dorstone Stoke Lacy ... Shropshire Clungunford Neen SoUars ... Warwick ... ... ... ... Atherstone-on-Stour ... Worcester ... ... ... ... Broadwas Great Malvern Little Malvern Glamorgan ... ... .. ... Llantwit Major (3) The same lettering appears with a plain cross {Clones. 78) on the following : — Gloucester Gretton Old bell (inscription reproduced) Shropshire ... ... ... ... Acton Scott ... ... ... ... ist and 2nd Broughton ... ... ... ... ist Onibury ... ... ... ... 2nd and 3rd In view of the localities in which these bells are found, it seems a fair conclusion that they were cast at Gloucester ; and it will be noticed that they are commonest in that county. Now, we know that there was an important foundry in that city in the fourteenth century, and we have on record the names of several founders of that period. Of these, the earliest are " Hugh the bell founder " and Christina " la belyutare," his daughter, whose dates are 1260 — 1300.^ But though the names are of interest as showing the early existence of the foundry we cannot assign any known bells to so distant period. Ne.\t we have a seal found in the river Thames about 1850," bearing the legend S' (sigillum) SANDRE-DE-GLOVCETRE (Fig. i), which has been assigned to the year 1300 or thereabouts. The centre of the device is occupied by a laver- pot, surmounted by a bell; and, as we know that laver-pots often occur on bell-founders" trade-marks (see pp. 23, 25 ), we need have no hesitation in regarding this as the seal of a bell-founder. Thirdly, we have in 1346* the name of " John the bell-founder," who is evidently identical with a " Master John of Gloucester," whose name occurs in the Sacrists' Rolls of Ely Cathedral.* In that very year, 1346, a ring of four new bells by Fig- !• this founder was placed in the lantern of the Cathedral, having been brought by water from Northampton, by way of the Nene and Ouse rivers. " Master John " was, doubtless, the son of Sandre, or at any rate, his successor, and, the fact that his fame had reached as far as Ely, shows that it was considerable. The first group of bells, with the small lettering and cross, may then be assigned to Sandre of Gloucester, and therewith, on the strength of the cross, we may place the Atherstone treble, though the lettering, as I have said, does not occur elsewhere. The lettering on the Besford (Worcs.) bell also differs from the others, and, having regard to its more archaic character and to the early form of the inscription,^ I am almost inclined to refer it back to Sandra's predecessor Hugh. ' Gloucester Corporation Records, pp. 251, 299. ' Arch. Journal, xiii. p. 73. ' Gloucester Corporation Records, p. 341. * See Kaven, Church Bells of Cambs., p. 6 IT. ' Cf. Chaldon, Surrey. THE CHUUCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. 7 The second group will then fit in with Master John ; at all events, those bells included in the heading (2), with the possible exception of Atherstone, where there are some differences in the lettering ; the bells in heading (3) are even more doubtful, but on these the lettering, at least, is of the usual type. For about 100 years we lose sight of any bell-founding at Gloucester ; but between the middle of the next century and the middle of the sixteenth, we have four names. Of these one, Robert Hendley, occurs on the 4th at St. Nicholas, Gloucester, with the words TEMPORE CLEMENTLS LICHFILD SACRISTA; the others: William 1 1 enshaw, who was Mayor in 1508-9, and whose brass is to be seen in St. Michael's Church there; Richard Aikyns, whose will exists, dated 1529 ; and Thomas Loveday, who made the chimes for Gloucester Cathedral in 1527;' have not left their names on any bells. The name of Clement Lichfield may throw some light on the date of Hendley, as the last Abbot of Evesham, who built the magnificent bell-tower of that abbey in 1534, bore that name. So far it has not proved possible to connect the two names, but it is not at all unlikely that they were the same person. If that is the case, Robert Hendley's bell may be dated about 1500, or perhaps a few years earlier. The cross and lettering on this bell (Plate V., Figs. 1—9) are found on a fairly large group, comprising no less than eighteen in Gloucestershire, nearly all of which are in the northern half of the county ; there are also several in Herefordshire, one each in .Monmouth, Shropshire, Wiltshire, Worcester, and Montgomery, and three in Warwickshire.- These last are the 3rd at Butler's Marston, inscribed and the ist and 3rd at OPFchurch, respectively inscribed and >h YiR6iNi;s # EGKE6IE ^ Y0C0R ^ mwnw ^ m/irib All these bells bear the same peculiar cross, with one plain and three floriated arms ; some, as Offchurch 3rd, have a crown (PI. V., 10) by way of stop, others a stop of a star between two circles, and others merely three dots. They are thus sufficiently homogeneous to forbid their being distributed into groups ; otherwise it might be tempting to assign some to Henshaw or Atkyns.^* THE WORCESTER FOUNDRY. As we have now discussed all the bells that can with any certainty be attributed to the fourteenth century, and the Gloucester foundry has brought us down into the fifteenth, we will next turn to what appears to have been one of the most important centres of this industry in the Midlands during the latter period. This is the city of Worcester, in which we can find evidence of the duration of a foundry from about 1400 down to the end of the seventeenth century, almost without a break. In point of fact, there is evidence that bell-founding was practised in Worcester at a much earlier date than 1400. The Rev. J. H. Bloom has extracted from the Diocesan Records notices of one Simon, Campanarius, living in Sidbury, between 1226 and 1266. In 1294 we hear of Simon Ic Bellyeter, who died in 1306, and probably succeeded him. The name of Richard ^ See Glouc. Cathedral Records (ed. Bazeley), i., p. 179. - I am not sure whether the 3rd at Priston, somerset, and the tenor at Horton, Gloucs., should be included with these, rhey have the Hendley lettering and crown, but the cross is one used by Robeit Norton, of Exeter. There were formerly two similar bells at Crudwell, ^^*ilts. ^ It is worth noting that the tenor at Aston Ingham, Herefordshire, has the initials I. S., which also occur (in different lettering) at Charlton Abbots, Gloucs. g THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. Bellyeter occurs frequently between 1305 and 1318, and he was several times Bailiff. A lease of lands in Timberdine dated 1305 has his seal affixed, a wide-mouthed bell, with the legend SIGILLVM RICARDI LE BELYETERE. But we cannot assign existing bells to them, unless the treble at Hill Croome, Worcs., is the work of Richard ; it certainly dates from his time. For the present, however, I must confine myself to the later history of the foundry, between 1400 and 1550. Among the various stamps used by English bell-founders none are more familiar to campanists than the heads of Kings and Queens, usually known as the " Royal Heads." Of these there are three known varieties, two of a King and Queen which are closely connected, and from their resemblance to one another have been thought to represent the same pair, viz., Edward HI. and Philippa. These I will call for convenience Sets A and B (Plate V. Fig's. 13-14; Plate X., Fig. 3), noting en passant that some have identified set A as Edu^rd I. and Queen Eleanor. Of set C, which represent Henry VI., Queen Margaret, and Prince Edward, and are quite distinct from the others, I shall have something to say later (p. lo). Meanwhile, two facts are clear, firstly that set B (and probably also A) cannot be earlier than 1327; secondlv, that they were probably first in use during the reign of Edward III. Now we find both sets of heads on a group of bells in the south-east midlands, which have been attributed with some probability to one John Rnfford, who was living about 1367.1 Two or three of these bells are to be found in the adjoining counties of Leicester and Northants, and one at Slapton in the latter county bears the set (B), one at Grafton Regis the set (A). These heads are found in connection with more than one group. In the first instance they appear in East Anglia on a group of bells centring round King's Lynn," one or two of which bear the name of a founder Derby, who probably lived about 1350, and was thus contemporaneous with John Rufford. Next we find them on a group which covers almost the same territory as the John Rufford group, but with the cross and lettering used by Derby (PI. V., 12). One bell in this group (at Westmill, Herts.), bears the name of William Rofforde as founder. Assuming then that the earlier group of bells is John Rufford's we arrive at the following conclusions. (i) John and William Rufford (probably father and son) were successive owners of a foundry which had the privilege of using Royal effigies on their bells, for some reason not now known. Their date is about 1353— 1400. (2) The distribution of the bells in both groups clearly points to the neighbourhood of Bedford as their place of abode, and Mr. Cocks has lately proved that this was Toddington.^ (3) William Ruiford discarded his father's stamps, and introduced new ones derived from Derby of Lynn. The B set of heads went to Nottingham about 1400 with John Rufford's lettering, as we shall see later (p. 19). We next find the Derby-Rufford lettering, or rather an almost identical alphabet, on four bells in the Midlands, none of which, however, bear the Royal Heads. These are found at Beachampton, Bucks.;'' Sherborne, Gloucestershire; Alkerton, Oxfordshire; and Radstone, Northants; each with a plain Maltese cross and a three-dot stop. In this connection we must deal with the 3rd at Monk's Kirby in this county, which is of a somewhat different type. It is inscribed 4^ €CCe S fl6PVS S Cll S €T PVR€ S PR0F€TJ1 ' North, Norlhanis, p. 64 ; Cocks, Bucks, p. 10. ' The Kinu from the A set appears at Chippenham, Cambs., the other King at Ampton, Sutlolk. ' William Rufford dc Tudyngton, belinaker, is mentioned in a license dated S Oct., 1390. He is probably identical with William belmakcr of Toddinijton mentioned in a Patent Roll of I'jgS. See Victoria County Hisl. 0/ Buds, II., p. 118. These dates are important as showing that RulTord's stamps did not migrate to Worcester before 1400. * The cross, stop, and lettering are illustrated by Mr. Cocks, Bucks, I'l. V. He points out (in a letter to me) that the .Monk's Kirby lettering is not the same ; but it is similar in character, and the cross unipiestionably connects it with this group. The .\lkerton cross is more ornate than that at Beachampton, and there is a fleurdelys stop like that at Monoid Bagot (lee later), which may suggest 1 connection with the group to which that bell belongs. " ROYAL HEAD BKLLS. 9 the cross being the Derby-Rufford one (PI. V., 12), with which we are already familiar, while the stop (PI. VII., 2) is in the form of a reversed S with floral terminations, unknown elsewhere. The lettering (PI. VII., i), however, occurs on the late tenor at Brewood, Staffordshire, with a fleur-de-lys (Plate V., 11) also occurring at Alkerton, of which more anon.^ It is not easy to " place " these six bells. They form indeed a connecting link between the Rufford group and that which we are about to describe, but we cannot say certainly whether they are the work of a distinct founder residing at Buckingham, Banbury, or elsewhere in the neighbourhood. It is at least extremely probable. Mr. Cocks, in assigning the group to Leicester or Nottingham, was not then aware that the migration of William Rufford's stamps was at first in another direction. We must then follow the fortunes of these stamps, with the (A) set of Royal Heads, in a westerly direction. Here we find another and larger group of bells with the Derby-Rufford cross (PI. v., 12), the (A) set of Heads, and lettering which in many respects so closely resembles the other set, that there must have been some succession of stamps. These bells are found in the counties of Gloucester (8), Monmouth (i), Montgomery (i), Oxford (2), Radnor (2;, Salop (6), Warwick (3), Wilts (i), and Hereford and Worcester, each of the latter containing not less than ten. Apart from other evidence it is pretty clear that the geographical distribution points to Worcester as their centre, and we shall see not only that other evidence points in the same direction, but that the date of these bells accords with the theory that the stamps came from William Rufford. The key to the situation is a bell at Bitterlcy in Shropshire, which I have discussed fully elsewhere,^ and need only now mention that it bears (in conjunction with the Royal Heads and other stamps) a prayer to Jesus and St. Anne for the soul of Alice Stury. This lady died in 1415, making a bequest to the Rector of Hampton Lovett, near Worcester, of which living she was patroness and benefactress. It may fairly be assumed that the bell which she gave to Bitterley was cast in the locality, and Worcester naturally seems the most likely place. The date of this bell may be put at about 1415 — 1420, at all events, shortly after her death. The whole group of bells is one of considerable interest, more particularly from the variety and originality of the inscriptions, of which Warwickshire yields one good specimen, the treble at Ipsley, inscribed ^ &vr» M TOPiiT a ROC m sienvm m pRece e pecce w\ ROB€RT€ M l»flCI6nVI» Of this there is a variant at Hallow, Worcestershire : 4* DVD) M SOnflT Zi ROC M SiePVD) IJ l>OST€l» S FVGflT S «npn M i»fl£i6nvi» The other examples in the county are Aston Cantlow 4th : 4* flD E tflv^en) s c£HR€ zj micRflecis e do e ResoniiRe and Lighthorne 3rd: 4* lORflDDIS S pR€ce E DV£C€ m SODCT E tT m flm€n€ All these bells are remarkably good specimens of casting ; Mr. Tilley describes that at Lighthorne as " one of the cleanest castings I have ever seen." Peculiarities of lettering that ' See for the Brewood bell Lynam, Staffs., pis. i6, 17, The inference seems to be that the Monk's Kirby and Alkerton bells have note in CDinmon with the Worcestershire group than with the Bucks bell. The fleur-de-lys is also found at Hinton- in-Hedges, Northants, but not haung seen the lettering I can only hazard a guess that this bell belongs to the same group. - See Assoc. Archil. Socs. Reports, xxv. (1901), p. jOaff; Arch. Journal, Ixiii., p. S7. B 10 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. may be noted are for D, the Roman T, and the almost invariably reversed S. See generally Plate v., 15-24. Once located at Worcester the Royal Heads seem to have remained there for man}' years. We find them associated (though not in any Warwickshire examples) with our next group, a group which, like the last, extends over the western Midlands, but concentrates in considerable numbers round Worcester.^ Out of some 35 bells, no less than 16 are or were in that count}-. Here again the stamps employed have a curious history. In the year 1403 a Salisbury bell-founder, by name John Barber, was gathered to his fathers, leaving one Peter Brasier as the inheritor of his stock-in trade ; and further traces of his identity on a bell at Chittcrn in Wiltshire inscribed ^i5on®BAH :: BYR^me^mADG His will, which is of considerable interest, has lately been unearthed, and transcribed by Dr. A. D. Tyssen for the Wilts Archaeological Society.' Of the stamps which he used, the wheel-stop at Chittern became the propert}- of a later Bristol foundry, but the cross and the small, somewhat plain capitals which he affected appear on the above-mentioned Worcester group (see PI. VH., 5-9.) The Worcester founder, however, discards the crowns over the letters (except in the case of initials) and also a rectangular stop which Barber himself often used. In view of the date to be given to the Bitterley-Ipsley group, which must belong to the period 1410 — 1420, we must allow for the lapse of some time before these stamps came to Worcester, and probably the founder acquired them from Peter le Brasier. It is to be noted that the letters often show decided signs of wear, especially the A. On the other hand, we know that they were in the possession of a London founder about 1478 (see below, p. 25), and therefore they cannot have been at Worcester later than about 1475. Their sojourn there must be dated between the years 1425 and 1475. Mr. Bloom finds the name of Richard le Belydcre again occurring in 1464. Very likely he was the founder of this group of bells, and a descendant of the earlier Richard (see p. 8). In Warwickshire there remains now only one bell of this group, the 3rd at Lapworth, inscribed M SAn(JCA KACGRinA ORA PRO DOBIS but there was formerly another at Allesley (the old 2nd) which was exactly similar. We shall, however, meet with the lettering again in this county in somewhat unexpected company, as already noted. I have said that the Royal Heads are found on bells belonging to this group ; this is the case at Spetchley and Stan/ord-on-Teme in Worcestershire,^ and also on one or two bells in Herefordshire. It is interesting to note that at Pembridge in the latter county there is a bell with John Barber's cross in conjunction with the Ipsley lettering, a further instance of the connection between these two groups. We now take leave of the set (A) of Royal Heads for a time and come to speak of another Worcester group, which, in my opinion, is quite the most interesting to be found in the Midlands, and which further has the merit of including two dated examples. It is on this group that we find the third or (C) set of Royal Heads. It includes in all thirteen examples, of which nine are or were in Worcestershire, two in Salop, one in Hereford, and one in ■ See Assoc. Archil. Socs. Reports, xxv. (1901), p. 561. ' Wilts. Arch. Mag. xxxv. p. 351 ff ' They also occurred on a bell at Shelsley Walsh, Worceslershitc, now recast ; on this bell all the leltcrs were crowned. THE WORCESTER FOUNDRY. II Warwickshire. Before toucning on the last-named, I must say something of this group in general.' In 1879 Mr. Tilley lighted on a very remarkable bell at Grimley, near Worcester, of which he has given some account in his second paper on Warwickshire bells,** with the Royal Heads and sundry other stamps, and the date 1482 in small Roman numerals. This discovery the present writer supplemented in 1901 by the investigation of a similar but much more inaccessible bell at St. Michael's, Worcester, bearing the date 1480. Further evidence, if such were needed, as to the date of this group, is afforded by the 2nd at Wichenford in the same county, which bears in small Gothic capitals on its crown the name of the Vicar, Thomas Field, who died in 1489. These small capitals are found on two small sanctus bells, which in each case are of interest as the only relic of the original church: at Lindridge in Worcestershire, and at Grea,t Packington in this county. The latter is inscribed *{* pue ff!fif{ip Gfjpeip gaeuf? s i d with a plain initial cross (PI. VI., 6-7). The initials S.I.D., which cannot represent any personal name, I entirely fail to interpret. But we may safely attribute this bell to the unknown Worcester founder, and place its date between 1475 and 1490 ' 2SK' It is a matter for great regret that in none of these cases has any certain evidence come to light as to the names of the founders of these Worcester bells. Mr. Tilley had a suspicion, and personally I am inclined to agree with him, that some may have been cast under ecclesiastical supervision. We know that monastic communities did reckon bell-founding among the arts which they practised, and the use of scholarly " leonines " on two of these groups, the names of Worcester ecclesiastics occurring on the Grimley bell and others of that group, and other details may point to this explanation, and account for silence as to the names of bell-founders at this period. But we have now reached a time when an actual Worcester bell-founder appears on the scene. This is Nicholas Grene, whose will, proved 28 April, 1542, and now in the Worcester Registry (No. 64) I have given at length elsewhere.^ He was of the parish of St. Nicholas, and among certain parishes the wardens of which owed him money, he mentions that of Lapj'nton, which may be meant for Lapworth. There is, as we have seen, a bell from the Worcester foundry at that church, but it must be at least a century older than Nicholas Grene's time. The question then confronts us : Are there any bells that we can identify as his ? I cannot trace any in Worcestershire, but I think that the clue may be afforded us b\' three Warwickshire bells, one of which is no longer in existence. They are all near the western border of thecount\' : the pair at Morton BagfOt and the former bell at Bearley, of which a rubbing is preserved in the Ellacombe collection in the British Museum (Add. MSS. 33,203) as well as Mr. Tille3''s notes. This bell and the larger one at Morton Bagot were very similar, and unquestionabl)- by the same founder ; but as to the smaller at Morton Bagot I am not so certain, as the stamps thereon do not occur elsewhere. Still it is of the same character as the others, so I give it here. The bell has the inscription •^ giutar trinita^ headed by a Maltese cross, the letters being ill-formed and of a late type; they are set on well- marked paterae, rather far apart, and the two S's and C are reversed. See PI. VI., Fig. 4-5. The larger bell here is inscribed ii< M "iIp marts ^ M marta M "^ maria 'tp >J< maria ' See also Assoc. Archil. Socs. Reporti, xxv. (1901), p. 565. - Trans. Birm. and Mid. Inst., 1S92, p. 24. ' Arch. Journal, Ixiii., p. 189. 12 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. the cross being like that on the ist, but larger and plainer (PI. VI. 4) ; the fleur-de-lys is one we have already met with on some earlier bells (see pp. 8-9). See for these stamps PI. VI., Figs. 1-3. The other stop is also an old friend, the head of King Edward III., which we have seen already in the possession of two ^^'orcester founders. Later in the sixteeen century —but not before 1550 — we find this stamp being used by the Oldfields of Nottingham, and unless any other instance of its use can be traced in the intervening period, it may be assumed to have remained at Worcester until Nicholas Grene's death in 1541, and then have been transferred to Nottingham (see below, p. 20). This being the case, we may regard the Morton Bagot and Bearley bells as Grene's handiwork, and perhaps also the smaller bell at the former church, i'he Bearley bell was inscribed ^ airam "i^ iZIl "'I*' niram iZl *^ niram 'k Wj being thus ver^- similar to the other. The King's head again appears, with the cross and fleur- de-lys; the word inana is placed backwards each time. The lettering is poor and late both here and at Morton Bagot. The Bearley inscription has been reproduced on the new bell, but not very accurately, the black-letter being replaced by capitals. These three bells stand quite by themselves; but if the King's head on the one hand connects them with Worcester, on the other the tleur-de-lys connects them with another group of bells, whose location is not quite certain. Among these is the tenor at Curd worth with the unusual inscription in capitals ►^ sflDCCfl mm\R vmeo inc€RS€De pro coco mvPDO found m a more extended form at Hartlebury, Worcs., where the 6th has following this the Qveyfl Gcpvisci RCGem orbis The cross (PI. VII., 10) is something like that on Morton Bagot 2nd, but the connecting link of the ileur-de-hs is still wanting. That, however, we meet with on a third bell, the 3rd at St. Martin's Worcester, and it is also found on bells of this type in Staffordshire. The lettering is illustrated on PI. VII., Figs. 11-15. The complete list, besides those already given is made up by four bells in Staffordshire : Baswich 2nd, High Offley ist, and Weston-under-L5'ziard ist and 2nd ; two in Salop : Wrockwardine 3rd and 6th ; an old bell in the destroyed church of St. Hilar}-, Denbigh ; and possibly also the 3rd at Barkby, Leicestershire. It should also be noted that there are four or five bells in Shropshire (at Adderley, Middle, Hope Bowdler, Hordley and Shrawardine), and one in Staffordshire (Keele'), with very similar lettering but a different crpss ; the Adderley bell has the same inscription as at Curdworth. These have evidently some connection with the other group but must be by an earlier — or later ^founder, probably residing at Shrewsbury. As to the locality of the Curdworth group, I was at one time inclined to place them at Worcester, where they would fill in a convenient gap previous to Nicholas Grene ; but we have to reckon with the fact that several are to be found in Staffordshire and four others very near its borders, a fact which in my opinion points to Wolverhampton or Stafford as the founder's home. Next as to date. In spite of the occurence of the fleur-de-lys on the two later bells, I am not disposed to put the Curdworth group much later — if at all — than the fourteenth century. They are, so far as I have observed, somewhat archaic in shape, in fact those at Weston-under- Lyziard and Wrockwardine are markedly so, and resemble, in the squareness of their shoulders and long-vvaisted sides, bells known to date from the early part of the fourteenth century. There was a Michael dc Lichfield founding in the fourteenth century in Staffordshire, who may possibly be the man of whom we are in search. ' The Kecle bell has the Royal Heads, which implies a cnnneclion with the Worcetitr louiidr). THE LEICESTER FOUNDRY. I3 TIIK LEICESTER FOUNDRY. ^ With three exceptions, all the remaining mediaeval Warwickshire bells with inscriptions in capitals may be shewn with more or less probability to have been cast at Leicester, and though we have not much information to go upon, we cannot doubt the importance of that foundry in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries as well as in later times. In each case with which we have to deal, I shall hope to shew that- there is good reason for the suggested attribution. Meanwhile our first duty is obviously to investigate the records of Leicester during the period, and see what is known of bell-founders from that source. Since the publication of North's books, which hardly attempted to trace the foundry earlier than the sixteenth century, the late Miss Mary Bateson's three sumptuous volumes of Records of the Borough of Leicester^ have considerably increased our available sources of information. The earliest bell-founder of whom I can find mention— and in fact the earliest with whom we need be concerned — is STEPHEN LE BELLYETER (1328-1348),^ who became a member of the Merchants' Gild in 1328-9, and whose name also appears in a Tallage Roll of 1336. In 1337 he pays is. rent for a chamber near the North gate. In 1346 and 1348 there are records of grants of land, one from Stephen to John of Stafford (see below) and others, another to the same Stephen. Next comes JOHN HOSE (I352-I366),'' whose cottage near All Saint's Church is mentioned in 1352 ; and in the Merchant Gild entries of 1366 : " John Hose belleyeter, heres patris sui, petit libertates ville Leycestrie tanquam heres et filius primogenitus et viratus est secundum usum Leycestrie." To one of the above I am inclined to attribute a group including two Warwickshire bells, in regard to which we have no clue to the founder's name. While, however, geographical evidence clearh- points to Leicester, the fact that the stamps and lettering on these bells were afterwards (about 1560-1600) in the hands of Leicester founders is also in favour of the attribution. But as evidence points to these bells having been cast in the middle of the fourteenth century it is curious that for two hundred years there should be no signs that the stamps were in use. The group is a small one, numbering not more than ten bells ; they all have the same initial cross and stop, and are inscribed in a set of fine and very richly-ornamented capitals (Plate VIII.) The letters are double-lined, and the surfaces are covered \\ith a sort of diapering of various patterns. Among these bells we have in Warwickshire the 3rd at Coventry St. John 1 @ai I loRig and the 4th at Mancetter II DEioo I xn I noxio:^e t a?ie r ' See Miss Hewitt's excellent epitome of the history of this foundry in the second volume of the Victoria Cou7itv Hist, of Leics. " Published in 1901— 1905. Vols. II. and III. cover the period 1327 — 1603. ' Records, II., pp. 4, 27, 36, 391, 392. * Records, II., pp. 143, 396. J. THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE The other examples are at Ashb^'-de-la-Zouch, Fenny Drayton, and Syston in Leicester- shire ; Deene, Northants ; Newton Solney 2nd, Derbyshire ; and three now recast, at Bretby and Taddington (2nd) in Derbyshire, and Beverley St. Mary, Yorkshire. One or two of the later Leicester bells with these stamps {e.g. Cranoe ist and 2nd, Leics.) might possibly be included, but the brevity of the inscriptions points to their being of a later date. The evidence for the date of this group is afforded by the Coventry bell, whose donor, Henry Doddenhale, was Mayor of that City in 1350 ; and though we have no record of Stephen le Bellyeter after 1348, the inference is that they were his work, rather than John Hose's, as the latter's activity probably began later. JOHANNES DE STAFFORD (1338-I354). Contemporary with the two last-named is a founder of this name who was admitted to the Merchant's Gild in 1338-9, and is described as a " Bellyetere " in a Tallage Roll of 1354.^ The name occurs again frequently in the Records of Leicester between 1360 and 1390,- and one John de Stafford was Mayor in 1366 and 1370-72, and Burgess of Parliament for the town in 1384. But in none of these cases is he described as a " Bellyetere." We cannot therefore be certain of his identity with the bell-founder, though it is, to say the least, quite probable. Further we learn from the Fabric Rolls of York Minster that Johannes de Stafford cast a bell there in 1371^; and again we cannot be certain that this is the Leicester man. North records the existence of bells bearing the name of Johannes de Stafford as founder at AU i>'aints\ Leicester, and at Scawby, Lincolnshire, and many similar bells are found in neighbouring counties. The fact that out of nearly thirty bells in this group no less than nine are found in Leicestershire, while no other county has more than five, clearly points to their being cast in that county. We should therefore naturally assume that they may be assigned to the "bellyetere" of 1338-1354. But as regards the date there is some conflicting evidence which must not be overlooked. At Aylestone in Leicestershire there is a bell of this type given by William Resevour, whose date is about 1412 ; and more significant still, two more of these bells, at Morley in Derbyshire, are known to have been given by one John Statham, whose brass in that church is dated 1454. On these grounds Mr. Tilley (without the documentary evidence before him) placed the date of Johannes de Stafford about 1420-1460, declining to accept his identity with the Mayor of Leicester.'' It is of course clear that on the evidence of the Morley brass the bells there must be assigned to the fifteenth century ; and even if we extend the career of John de Stafford to the latest recorded date of 1392, it is still too early for the Morley bells if not for that at Aj'lestone. A career which began in 1338 can hardly be prolonged beyond 1400, if so late. The difficulty therefore remains ; and though the preponderating evidence is in fa\-our of the earlier date for these bells, it can only be accepted by discovering an alternative explanation for the date of those at Morley. Meanwhile we must be content with considering the existing bells which can be attributed to Johannes de Stafford. There, are, as already noted, nine of these in Leicestershire, five each in Derbyshire and Warwickshire, three in Lincolnshire, three (and perhaps more) in Yorkshire, and one in Staffordshire. They are all very similar in character, having the same initial cross (Plate VII., F"ig, 16) and a stop of three dots between the words, but no other ornaments ; the T is of Roman form, and the S invariably reversed. See Plate VII., Figs. 17-19. The Warwickshire five include Atherstone single bell : *^ IF) HAc^ARenue rgx luoeoRvm ' Records, U., pp. 43, 96. • See Index to op cit.. Vol. II. • North, Leics., p. 37. • Trans. Birm. and Mid. Inst., 1S92, p. 19. THE LEICESTER FOURDKY. je Leek Wootton stli : Berkswell 4th: 4* AUG ; mARIA : GRA i PLGOA Coventry St, John (tli : *^^IORee mALLGRI ARD ALiaAnuGR YO UIGA OF KYRKBY and Woiston 2nd, with the unique and interesting inscription ^^ mAR(ju8 mATRii2 ; LU(ZAa ; lo^ee Emblems of the Evangelists arc found on London-cast bells, as at Impington in Cambridgeshire, but nowhere else do their names occur. The order of the names should be noted, with Mark first (as if anticipating the Higher Cricitism !). It may be noted that the Coventry bell appears to afford additional confirmation of the earlier date for John de Stafford, as there was a John Mallory of Winwick, Northants, w^ho married Alice Revel of Newbold Revel about 1360. ^ But the name may be that of his son John who became owner of Fenny Newbold in 1382 and Commissioner for the Peace in 1391. THOMAS DE MELTON (1368-I392). Somewhat later in date than John de Stafford is Thomas de Melton, bellmaker, mentioned in the Merchant Gild Rolls of 1368-69, and subsequently in 1377 and 1392.- Nothing more is known of him or of his works. WILLL'^M NOBLE (1417-I427). Oar next name is that of a man twice described as " bellyettere," viz. : in 1417 and 1423, his name occuring in those years in connection with grants of land ;^ in 1427 he witnesses another grant. One of the grants of 1423 is sealed with several seals, one of which is William Noble's ; it is described by the editor of the Records as a bell-founder's seal, and appears to bear the mark of a bell, but the reproduction is not very clear.* THOMAS INNOCENT (1458-I469). This man, mentioned as a " potter " in 1458,* is also described as a " bellj-etere " in 1469.* I am inclined to assign to him or to William Noble a group of bells described below (p 17.). WILLIAM MELLORS (I497-I508). North mentions a William Millers, Alderman of Leicester as the earliest founder known to him from records,^ but it would seem that the name is more correctly spelled as above. If so, it is an additional support to his suggestion that this William was connected with the Mellers or Mellour family of Nottingham (see p. 21). He is first mentioned in a Subsidy Roll of 1497, and in 1500-1, in the Merchant Gild entries occurs the name of "Will. Mellers bellheyterai." ' See Dugdale, i. , p. 82. = Records, II., pp. 143. 404.^409- ' Records, 11 , pp. 415 — 417. < Ibid , pi. 2, fig. 7. ■ Ibid., p. 266. ' Cal. Pal. Rolls, 9 Ed. IV., pt. i, No. 23, p. 144. 1 owe the reference to .Miss E. M, Hewitl. ■ Leics., p. 39. l6 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARW'CKSHIRE. In 1504 he was chamberlain of the borough, and is also mentioned in that capacity in 1505 and 150S. The latter year gives an entry under date April 5 to this effect : — " Memcrandum that their was founden dewe to Thomas Newcombe for the fete of this accompte of William Mellors chamburleyn, by the town of Leycestre the sum of iiij" xij'' And for the makeynge of the dener {dinnei-) by William Mailers and his wif and hymselff the some of xliij^ iij*.^ The Thomas Newcombe herein mentioned was also a bell-founder, but of him more anon. William Mellors, according to North, died in 1506. THOMAS BETT (1524-I538). The next bell-founder is Thomas Bett, who held several civic offices, being Auditor in 1524 and 1526, Steward in 1525, 1527, and 1531, Coroner in 1526-27, and finally Mayor in 1529-30.- He is not in any case described as a bell-founder ; but his Will is in existence, dated 19 December 1538, in which he makes various bequests to his son-in-law Robert Newcombe (see below). Other details about him are given by North. Neither Mellors nor Bett have been definitely recognised as the makers of any existing bells, and it is curious that there are very few in this district of England which can be assigned to the period 1450-1550. But there are a few bells in the North of England which bear a shield with the letters T B, with black-letter inscriptions, and this shield has been thought to be Thomas Bett's. These bells are at Cubley and Monj-ash, Derbyshire ; Halton and formerly Broughton, Lancashire ; Appleby, Lincolnshire ; Blithfield, Staffordshire ; and Braithwell, Yorkshire. Mr. Cocks also assigns to Bett a bell at Hardmead, Bucks. ,^ but on somewhat conjectural grounds. THOMAS NEWCOMBE I. {1506-I520) ; ROBERT NEWCOMBE L (152O-I561). The last of the mediaeval Leicester founders known to us is Thomas Newcombe, the founder of a successful dynasty, lasting over a hundred years, the history of which must, however, be detailed on a later page, as belonging to the post-mediaeval period. This Thomas \\e have already seen mentioned in connection with William Mellors, whom he succeeded ; he died in 1520, and is described in his will as fusor campanarins.* His name occurs in the Merchant Gild Entries of 1508-og as " Tho. Newcome yeoman," and he was Chamberlain in 1509-10 and also Auditor." It has not been possible to identify any existing bell as his work, but there is a group to be dealt w ith subsequently (p. 28) which, as will be noted, might be the work of this Thomas,^ though we have no evidence. It is at all events clear that any bells he cast would have been purely pre-Reformation in character, which is not the case with those with which we have to deal. He was buried in All Saints Church, and mentions in his will his son Robert, who, as we have already seen, married Thomas Bett's daughter. Robert Newcombe succeeded to his business and kept it on until his death in 1560-61.^ He was Mayor in 1550, held other civic offices,* and seems to have been generally a prosperous man. But though he was undoubtedly a bell-founder wc cannot trace his work anywhere at present, all the known Newcombe bells being apparently of later date. North suggests that the cross (PI. X\'I., 2) used by his son Thoinas (see 1 Record<:, II., pp. 352, 363, 375, 378, 466. - Records, III., pp. 28, 29, 45SIT.; see also North, Leics., p. 44. ' See Bucks, p. 143. * Leics , p. 41. ' See Records, II., pp. 378, 445, 467 ; III., p. 462. • Cf. Owen, Hunts., p. i8. ' Leics,, p. 41. » Records, III., pp. 55, 57, etc. On p. 96 is given " thaccoumpte of Rich, Pralte one of the executoures of the taslanieni ol Roberde Newecomoe of Leicester beilounder deceased," dated April, 1561. He is also recoided as purchasing various bells at the Dissolution. JOHANNES DE YORKE. I7 below, p. 28) was originally his, and that he also used the crown (PI. XVII., 3). But bells with these two marks are of the same character as those bearing Thomas' special trade-mark, and I do not see how any distinction can be drawn, which would enable us to assign any to the earlier founder. If any Warwickshire bells may be regarded as his, the treble at Little Packington (see p. 34) has perhaps the strongest claim. JOHANNES DE YORKE. A group of bells which on the ground of geographical distribution must apparently be associated with Leicester, is that to which the tenor at Wolvey belongs. It is inscribed ^ GLORIA {J, m ill ex(jeLSis 13 oeo in large Gothic capitals (PI. X., i), with a handsome initial cross and an oblong stop of three floral designs in squares one above the other. The founder of this group is revealed on the 2nd at Sproxton, Leicestershire, with the inscription ►p. iBOsnnes -^ oe -h yorkg -Mne -^ fgcic -h in -^ Bonope -FseAce -i- maRie •^ ►J^ iRGsvs III nAZARenv? | rgx | ivoeoRvm Here the second line only is in the Wolvey type ; the upper line has a reduced version of the cross, a small quatrefoil stop, and smaller letters. Of these bells there are no less than ten in Leicestershire, while outside the limits of the county there are two in Notts. (Edingley ist and Rolleston 3rd), one in Northants. (Great Billing 3rd), and there was formerly also one at St. Marj'-the Great, Cambridge. All have inscriptions in capitals except the 2nd at Wanlip, Leicestershire, which is in black-letter, and therefore forbids us dating the group much earlier than 1400 ; it may even be later. Nothing is known of this John of York ; no similar bells are found in Yorkshire or neigh- bourhood ; but that there was an important foundry at York in the fourteenth century is well- known, and John may have learned his business there, and migrated to Leicester. The fact that two-thirds of his bells are found in that county seems to be conclusive evidence that he resided there ; and doubtless there were once more. But we cannot be certain whether he preceded or succeeded Johannes de Stafford ; and it is certainly singular that his name does not occur in the local records. Another group of bells, of which Warwickshire claims one representative, is probabl}- also to be referred to the Leicester foundry, though we have no evidence to go upon beyond geographical distribution. The treble at Mancetter bears in large ornamental capitals (PI. IX., 2-5) the inscription ►^ m^ ^ :m j£ jm. :m preceded by a handsome cross (PI. IX., 1), which is found on four other bells in the Midlands. Of these the treble at Preston, Rutland, is exactly similar to the Mancetter bell ; the treble at Fradswell, Staffordshire, has the inscription 4- lESVS in the same capitals. But at Frowles- u'orth in Leicestershire we find the cross accompanied by a black-letter inscription ; and the same appears to be the case with the 2nd at Water Newton, Hunts., though Mr. Owen's description reads rather as if capitals were used throughout. To this list may be added the 3rd at Stowe, Staffordshire, inscribed 5^os .^ ^nina ./^albct "^irgo ^E^atfrina The cross does not appear in Mr. Lynam's book, but the capital letters seem to be the same as at Mancetter. l8 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WAR'VICKSHIRE. All these bells being clearly from the same founder, the use of black-letter forbids our dating them earlier than 1400, though the first three here named would, if regarded by them- selves, certainly appear to be much earlier. They have nothing in common with any other known bells, but we may hazard the conjecture that they fill in a gap in the history of the Leicester foundry- somewhere about the middle of the fifteenth century, and may perhaps be the work of William Noble or Thomas Innocent, who belong to that time (p. 15). The capitals are not indeed unlike those used by an early Nottingham founder on bells in Notts, and Leicestershire (p. 20), but they are clearly a different alphabet. JOHANNES DE COLSALE. I now come to a founder whose date is the first decade of the fifteenth centur}-, but whom I have placed at this point because I have not yet satisfied myself whether he hailed from Leicester or Nottingham (the next foundry' with which I propose to deal). There are about twenty bells which may be grouped together by means of the initial cross they bear (PI. IX., 6), and by the use of one or both of two alphabets ; but as far as geographical distribution goes, one centre would suit almost as well as the other. The balance is perhaps slightly in favour of Nottingham ; but against this must be urged the fact that so far only one of these bells has turned up in that county. The founder's name we know from a remarkable bell at Milwich, Staffordshire, which bears (in two different alphabets) the inscription ^ ii70f?nnes : oe : (sohsfjue : ©e : pecsis : finao : DOfflini : m : ©scgg : ix ^ mesvs y nflzuRcnvs g r€x iudcorvd) It is thus also a rare instance of a dated mediaeval bell ; and it is curious that there was not only a very similar bell at Beckingham, Notts, also dated 1409, recast in 1848, but that we can date the group almost as certainly by means of another undated bell, the sanctus at Harring- worth, Northants, which bears the name of Philip de Repyngdon, Bishop of Lincoln, 1405 — 1420. This multiplicity of chronological evidence is only paralleled by the Worcester group discussed on p. 11. In reference to the position of the foundry, the name of the owner is worth noting, as Colsale seems more likely to stand for Cossall (a village near Nottingham) than any other place in the Midlands ; but in view of what has been said about the Johns of Stafford and York, we must not lay too much stress on that point. As they have not been previously collected, I give here a full list of Johannes de Colsale's JdcIIs, followed by a description of the two or rather three specimens in Warwickshire : — Derbyshire ... Sutton-on-Hill ... ... 3rd Leicestershire ... Barleston ... ... .. 2nd Fo.xton ... ... ... 3rd Gumley ... ... ... 3rd Hungarton ... ... ... 2nd Rotherby ... ... ... 2nd Walton Isley... ... ... 1st Lincolnshire ... Grayingham ... ... 2nd Lincoln, St. Mary Magdalen ... Bell Northants ... Harringworth ... ... Sanctus VValgrave ... ... ... Sanctus Nottingham ... Beckingham ... ... Recast bell. Similar to that lit Milwich. See L'Estrangi>, Xorjolk, p. 84.' ' L'Eslransje confused this group with one in East Norfollt, having somewhat similar but larger lettering, with a quite distinct cross. THK NOTTINGHAM FOUNDRY. I9 Rutland ... Whitwell ... ... ... 2nd Shropshire ... Stirchley ... ... ... ist Stafford ... Milwich ... ... ... 3rd Weston-on-Trent ... ... 2nd Yorkshire ... Kellington ... ... ... 2nd and in Warwickshire Corley • . ... ... 3rd, inscribed It^l Ghopjfi : 5IHI : Dominc and Stoke-by-Coventry ... 6th, inscribed \t3^\ SIS I nocDea : Docami ; BeneoKSSucQ The old 2nd at Stoke, now represented by the 5th, was exactly similar to this. All tiiree are inscribed in the same small neat Gothic letters (PI. IX., Fig. 7, 8), which occur on the upper line of inscription at Milwich (Lynam, Staffs, pis. 6-8) ; but elsewhere, as at Kellington, Stirchley, and Gra\ingham, we find the other Milwich set. THE NOTTINGHAM FOUNDRY.' Four Warwickshire bells, though all different in type, may be assigned to this important mediaeval foundry, of which unfortunately we know little at present, though we may hope that Mr. W. P. W. Phillimore, when his labours on Nottinghamshire bells are given to the world, will do something by way of further elucidation. I take first the 2nd at Stoneleigh, a bell which has long been known to campanists, though it has never yet been properly considered in relation to others. The inscription in small neat Gothic capitals runs : i mKjRAGLe re pvlsahtg iDYm^ReLevmBAm a FGieriTe Demone ty libra Iq i |k i The lettering (PI. X. 4) appears to be that used b}- John Rufford (see p. 8), and the heads of King and Queen (PI. X. 3) at the end are also his stamps. On the other hand the R K (PI. X. 7) are in a larger type, and seem to belong to an alphabet peculiar to Nottingham. The same capitals occur with this shield {Lines. 137) at Mmton and Kegworth in Leicestershire, on bells cast at Nottingham. The smaller or Rufford lettering is found on a Nottingham bell at Ledsham in the West Riding of Yorkshire." As was long ago pointed out by Ellacombe,^ the bell must obviously have come from Winchcombe Abbey in Gloucestershire, as the inscription shews. This is further borne out by the inscription on the old 4th at Stoneleigh, recast by Briant in 1792,* which was dedicated to Winchcombe's patron saint, St. Kenelm : KGneLme nos Depenoe ne mALiGnr ^eniismv? focvla Ellacombe supposed that R K were the initials of Richard Kidderminster, the last abbot ; but this, says Mr. Cocks,^ is an anachronism. At all events the bell may well be of earlier date than 1488 — 1531, the time of Kidderminster's office. Mr. Cocks (without having seen the lettering) pronounced it " late fourteenth century-." But I am not sure whether it goes quite so far back. The initial to of WYNCHELCVMBAM (PI. X., 5) is of a late type (it is a ' For a useful resumd of this foundry's history, see Miss Hewitt's article in Vicloria County Hist, of Aotts., vol. ii. - Ex inform. J. E. Poppleton. ' Church. Bells of Gloucs.. p. 132. * So Colvile, Stoneleigh Abbey, p. 39 ; but Ellacombe, loc. cit., says it was the treble, recast by Eayre in 1752. '• Bucks, p. 191. 20 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. minuscule or "lower case" letter), and the shield with saltire cross incuse (PL X. 2) at the beginning of the inscription is found on many bells in the north Midlands, which from their black-letter inscriptions cannot be earlier than the fifteenth century. Further, the shield which Ellacombe took to be the Abbot's arms is found without the crown and initials on bells in Leicestershire (as noted above) and Lincolnshire ; one of the latter, formerly at Grasby, is said to have been dated 1500. It is then obvious that if we may accept the Grasby bell as evidence, the Stoneleigh bell might have been cast in Kidderminster's time, and the initials might be his. The ne.xt question is, at what foundry' this bell (and probably the other also) was cast ? The bells on which these two shields (Lines. 124 and 137) occur, are found principalh- in the counties of Derby, Leicester, Lincoln, Northants, Notts, Stafford, and Yorkshire, the majority being found in Yorkshire and Lincoln.' This fact points to Nottingham as their centre. Secondly, we know that the Royal Heads which appear on the Stoneleigh bell were in the hands of Nottingham founders for many years, from the 15th century at least.^ They are not found anywhere else after their original use by the Ruffords in the fourteenth centur\-, and we may presume that they went to Nottingham about 1400, when the other stamps went to Worcester. We thus get, in addition to the probability that this group was cast at Nottingham, a terminus post quem for its date. On the other hand, the evidence of bells at Conway in North Wales and Bolton-by-Bowland in Yorkshire seems to place it much later than 1400. The former bears the name of John Byrchynshaw, Abbot of Chester 1493 — 1537, and the latter can also be dated about 1510.^ But the cross, or rather shield (PI. X. 2), may have been in use for some years. There is, or rather was, another Warwickshire bell which belongs to this class, the old treble at Ryton-on-Dunsmore, recast by George Mears in 1864. Fortunately a drawing of the inscription was made at the time by Mr. W. T. Kimber, which is preserved at Mears and Stainbank's foundry.* The inscription was Sea maria mattr bci M ™ the shield being as at Stoneleigh, the other stamp the Virgin and Child, which occurs on other bells of this class at Stanion, Northants, and elsewhere. We have, however at present no absolute proof that these bells were cast at Nottingham, and in the present state of our knowledge it can only be assumed, though North was quite satisfied on this point, and there seems no reason for doubt. But towards the middle of the fifteenth century we begin to tread on firmer ground in reference to this foundry, for documentary evidence comes to our aid. Whether we can regard John de Colsale (see p. 18) as a Nottingham man or not, it yet seems e.xtremely likely that the Nottingham foundry was flourishing for at least a hundred years before the documents begin. There are bells at Thorpe in Notts, and Croxton Kerrial and Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire which seem to have been cast in Nottingham, and date from the fourteenth century. But we can hardly accept as a Nottingham founder the " William Brasyer of Nottingham " who appears at Norwich in 1376.'' There is, however a William Belyetere of Nottingham, who is mentioned in 1437, and is probably identical with William Langton, mentioned in 1437-38.* Closely connected with the ' Examples also occur in Cheshire, Rutland, Westmoreland, and North Wales. ' Tney are, as already noted, the second or ii set used by the Ruffords (see above, p. 8). The other set, as we know, were at Worcester down to the Reformation. Ten other Nottingham raediaevals have the Stoneleigh heads. ' See Poppleton in Yorks. Arch. Soc. Journ., xvii., p. 198. * I am indebted to Mr. A. Hughes for the loan of the volume containing this and many other interesting records. ' See Raven, Cambs., p. 13. ' Records of the Borough, ii. pp. 160, 162, 166, 172. THE NOTTINGHHAM I'OUNDRY. 21 latter is Richard Redcswell, who was founding in 1433-37.' Mr. Phillimore also mentions a family named Selyoke as casting bells at Nottingham in 1499, and Richard Selyoke occurs 1536-1548; also a John Selioke is frequently mentioned, but not as a bell-founder.* Another name of the same period is John Wolley (1536). A much more important family was that of the Mellours or Mellerses, father and son, about whom much information has been collected by Phillimore and North. The father, Richard, described as " Ric'us Mellour de Notyngham Belyetter " was living in 1488,^ and was first Alderman, then Mayor in 1499 and 1506.^ He died about 1508, his widow, "Dame Agnes Mellers" being executrix of his will. He was succeeded by his son Robert Mellour, also an Alderman, who cast bells for Louth in 1510, and whose will is dated 1525. Robert's daughter Elizabeth married Humphrey Qiiarnbie, Alderman, Ma}'or in 1543, and M.P. for the town, who in due course succeeded to the foundry. The only record that we have of him as a bell-founder is that he recast the bells of Worksop in 1560.' In the Borough Records he is only once spoken of in this capacit}', under date 1547.* Humphrey Quarnbie was succeeded by his son Robert, born about 1540,^ who is mentioned in the Churchwardens' Accounts of St. Mary's, Nottingham, as doing repairs to the bells in 1589.* But before we proceed with the history of this foundry under Robert Quarnbie and his contemporaries, which belong rather to a later page, we may pause to enquire whether any bells can be traced to the Mellours, who were evidently persons of civic importance, and therefore successful craftsmen, or to any other of the known names. In the first place it is not impossible that we may be able to attribute to Richard Redeswell and his contemporary William Langton the group of bells of which those at Stoneleigh and Ryton are e.xamples. They vary sufficiently in character to admit of classifying them in earlier and later groups,® and it is probable, as the Conway and Bolton bells seem to shew, that the stamps were still in use about 1500. The earliest group, with inscriptions in Gothic capitals, of which the Stoneleigh bell is a striking example, may be assigned to Redeswell or Langton, and consequently dated about 1435. Later bells with inscriptions in black-letter smalls, or such as that at Conway, ma}- possibly be the work of Richard Selyoke. There are also in Nottinghamshire and the adjoining counties a number of bells marked by the use of a foundry-shield of the " Merchant-mark " type, on which appears the letter R with a bell (PI. X. 8).^" The majority of these bear the inscription in black-letter (with a Tudor rose, PI. X. 6, by way of a cross) Cfloruin -rte plateat tibi iff sonus istt The initial C, the onl}- capital used, is of decidedly late, sixteenth-century type, and I should be disposed to date the whole group about 1520-1540. They may then be the work of the younger ' Ibid., pp. 142, 145, 15S, 162. * See Briscoe's Old Nottine^hamshire, ist ser. p. 112 ; fuller information in Records of the Borough, vol. ii., p. 198, etc , and see the index, s.vv. ' Reco'ds, iii., p. 200. * Reliquary, xiii. p. 81 ; North, Lines, p. 103 ; see also Records, index to vol. iii. for reff. * R. White, Worksop, p. 329. * Records, iv., p. 395 ; see also vol. iii., pp. 194, 214, 224, 443, 45S, and iv. pa-ssim ( see Index). ' Op. cit. iv. pp. Ill, 156, 166, 243, 398, 399 * Ibid. p. 232. ' The earlier group seems to be that with the shield Lines, 137 as at Stoneleigh, and inscriptions in capitals; the later has the shield, PI. x. 2, (as at Ryton) and inscriptions in black-letter, usually without initial capitals. But the shield 137 is used on a bell of quite late date at Thurcaston, Leicestershire. '" This shield occurs at Morcott in Rutland in company with the stamps of Newcombe of Leicester (p. 28). It would seem therefore to have migrated to that town in the course of the sixteenth century. The Morcott bell must be later than 1560. I have to thank Mr. V. B. Crowther-Beynon for a rubbing. 22 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWTCKSHIRE. Mellour, Robert, for there is no doubt that they were cast at Nottingham, and it seems probable that the R in the shield may represent his Christian name. We have one of this class in Warwickshire, the second at Wormleighton, with the rose, shield, and inscription as above. The same stamps occur on a group of bells of which there are several in Lincolnshire and Notts, merely inscribed in Gothic capitals (PI. X. lo-ii) s s s with the initial cross PI. X. g. North calls them " Bells of S.S." This cross we find on the treble at Seckington, with the inscription *^ I e s V s These brief inscriptions are thoroughly characteristic of the earlier Nottingham founders. Though not an " S.S." bell, the Seckington one clearly ranks with the group. Similar bells occur at Kirklington in Notts and (formerly) Hunmanby in the East Riding of Yorkshire, the latter with a full inscription. I am inclined to think that these bells may be the work of Richard Mellour (1488-1506), as the others are to be attributed to his son. LONDON FIFTEENTH CENTURY FOUNDERS. In the fifteenth century there were in London two main lines of founders, working con- temporaneousl}-, of ^v•hich the less important and shorter-lived is represented by three examples in Warwickshire, the other by nine. Their history has been fully told elsewhere (vide Church Bells of Essex, and Stahlschmidt's works), and I do not propose to enter into much detail here, but merely to give a brief outline in order to shew the places occupied by the Warwickshire examples.^ I begin with three from the less important foundry. The stamps employed by two fourteenth century founders, Robert Burford of London and Stephen Norton of (probably Maidstone in) Kent fell into the hands of one Richard Hille about 1420. This Hille's widow, by name Joanna, after carrying on his business herself for a short time, married one John Sturdy about 1444. Again left a widow, she for a second time kept on business on her own account, and on her death the foundry passed into the hands of a founder named John Kebyll, with whom it appears to have come to an end, about 1485. Of the three Warwickshire bells attributable to the founders of this line we may take first the larger bell at Wolf hamcote a fine bell weighing nearly a ton. It is inscribed {& 5& ^ ?& ^ jf? *^ © ■4<* \n IHultis Aunis Rcsonct (^ampana lohatmis and, while the first cross (PI. XI. 2) is an old Londoner, dating from the fourteenth century, the second one, a cross of four fleurs-de-lys in an octagon (PI. XI. 3) appears to have been first introduced by John Sturdy. The capital letters (PL XI. 6-14) belong to an alphabet originally used by Stephen Norton, with the crowns over them \\hich are found elsewhere. This bell being certainly John Sturdy's, in spite of the absence of initials as elsewhere, may be dated about 1445. Next we have the old treble at Lad broke, inscribed $ancta Katcrina Ora Pro Dobis ►J* l(|?S The initials here (PI. XI. 4-5) might at first sight be taken for those of John Sturdy, were it not for a small detail which renders it certain that they are those of his widow, Joanna. This is the lozenge, the heraldic mark of womanhood, \\hich is placed over the coin between the initials. The cross is the same as the first on the Wolfhamcotc bell, and the capital letters are ' For a specimen of fourteenth century London founding in Warwicksliire, see below, p. 27. MEDIAEVAL LONDON FOUNDERS. 23 also the same, but without the usual crowns over them. About thirteen bells by Joanna Sturdy (marked by the lozenge) are or were recently in existence. About the third bell, the and at Bilton, there is some room for doubt. It is inscribed *^ $iinct;i Kateniut Oni Pro Dobia *^<* with the same crowned ca[)itals as at Wolfhamcote. The initial cross is the same as the second, on the Wolfhamcote bell (Plate XL, Fig. 3) here repeated twice. But there is a small though important difference to be noted. The frame of the cross is not octagonal as before, but lozenge-shaped. Now this alteration appears to be due to Joanna Sturdy's successor John Kebyll, who usually employs this form of the stamp ; and though his almost invariable trade-mark — a shield with a chevron between three stars and a crescent — is absent, yet this small detail is enough to justify the attribution of the bell to Kebyll. It will therefore rank later in date than the two Sturdy bells, and later than its two mediaeval companions in the tower described below (p. 24). I turn now to the longer or main line of London founders, established in Aldgate from 1370 to about 1530, to which belong the great majority of London-made mediaeval bells now existing. First of this line was John Langhorne, who died in 1405. He used small Gothic capitals with a wheel-stop between the words, and his foundry-stamp was a shield with three laver-pots (PI. XII. i.), which however only occurs on one or two of his bells. There are also two or three bells with " mixed Gothic " inscriptions, which may be assigned to the later part of his career, when the new style of lettering was coming into favour. He was succeeded by a founder named William Dawe or William Founder (1385 — 1418), whose bells are distinguished by the use of a medallion as a stop between the words, on which are two birds on a plant surrounded by the words aStiUiam ffonuiior \\n fcrtt. His bells are nearly all inscribed in " Mixed Gothic," the minuscules being somewhat larger than the capitals, which are an enlarged version of Langhorne's. One of these bells has capitals throughout, and there are a few others entirely in these capitals, but without the founder's mark, which may be his earliest productions. He also uses the " laver shield," and a characteristic initial cross. Contemporary w ith him (and possibly in partnership with him) was William Wodewarde (1395 — 1420), who uses another type of initial cross and a still more enlarged set of the Langhorne-Dawe capitals. Dawe in his will left his business to one John Walgrave and his plant to one John Bird, the former of whom we shall come to presently. Meanwhile there is a large group of bells on which we find the stamps used by Dawe and Wodewarde, clearly by a later founder, which I think there are very good grounds for attributing to John Bird. And with one of these bells, the most remarkable of all, we have now to deal. JOHN BIRD. Theold tenor at Brailes was remarkable as being almost the largest mediaeval bell existing to our time in England; it is only surpassed in size by Great Peter of Gloucester, and even attracted the notice of Dugdale or his later editor Dr. Thomas, who gives the inscription in the 1730 edition of the Antiquities of Warwickshire (II. p. 555). For many j-ears this bell hung in the tower cracked and useless, but when it was finally recast in 1877 by Blews of Birmingham, it is a matter for gratitude to be able to record that the old inscription was reproduced in fac-simile with perfect accuracy. It was as follows : 5^ si? ?i' S3 c^ si? ?& £i? 5i? rf? ^ (3aui3c Quob ^QiX Xmx jSninbis 6(t 0ft ^E^onor XdWx (^ranbis In Qcli JPalacio ' "/ m "^^ W W 24 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. The exceedingly beautiful letters (PI. XII. 5-8) are a combination of Wodewarde's large capitals with Dawe's large and elaborate minuscules (which fit these capitals better than his own). At the conclusion of the inscription we find the laver-shield in company with another bearing a chevron between three trefoils slipped (PI. XII. 3) and preceding them seven crowns (PI. XII. 2). The initial cross of peculiar form (PI. XII. 4) and the second shield are both introductions of this founder, who is clearly the successor of Dawe and Wodewarde, and whom I therefore identifv as John Bird. The shield, it may be remarked, bears the arms of the Underbill familv, as obsersed by Dr. Thomas ; but we do not know why it was adopted by Bird. The verv beautiful inscription is said to be from an old Ascension Day hymn ; it also appears on a later bell at Eton College, dated 1777, where the founder doubtless reproduced it from his predecessor.^ JOHN WALGRAVE. Dawe's business being left to a founder of this name in 1418, it has been generally agreed that he ma\- be credited with bells bearing a trade-mark on which are the initials I. W., combined with a cross in the form of a merchant's mark (Plate xii. 10). Of these a considerable number still exist, -all inscribed in " Mixed Gothic," with a new cross fleurie (Plate XIII., Fig. i) and the aforesaid trade-mark ; the capitals are either the large ones used by John Bird, or a smaller set introduced b}' \\'algrave himself and used (together with his cross and the larger set) bv four successive founders (PI. Xlll., Figs 2-6). There are now no bells by Walgrave in Warwickshire; but there was formerly one at Halford, the 2nd, inscribed ♦J* $am-ta Katcviua Ora Pvo Dobts {tj It was cracked in 1876, and has since been recast by Taylor. Walgrave was succeeded by one Robert Crowch, whose bells are not found in Warwickshire, though they occur in the adjoining counties of Northants and ^^'orcester. His date is about 1440, and he was succeeded by two founders ^^■ho appear to have been more or less contemporary, so far as we have evidence. JOHN DANYELL. Of these two John Danj-ell is slightly the earlier. He has been identified as the founder who cast a ring of bells for King's College, Cambridge, in 1460, placing on the treble his initials I. D. His bells are very numerous, about go in all existing, and are found in many counties from Durham to Cornwall. They fall into several distinct groups, according to the stamps he employs, all of which are not found together. Besides the initial cross introduced by Walgrave, he employs a distinctive one of his own, which in fact also occurs on one or two of Walgrave's bells, though it was not regularly employed by him (Plate XIII., Fig. 12). This cross, curiously enough, is never found in conjunction with the initials I. D., but as the other marks are common to both we may divide the bells into two main heads : those with the initials and those with the new cross. This is not to say that the two groups are by different founders, for which supposition we have no apparent grounds ; but it does raise a point which deserves some consideration, supposing that we knew of another London founder of the time. We might then dissociate from Danj^ell all the bells without his initials ; but as the new founder would then have no distinctive mark of his own, it seems safer to ignore the combinations of stamps and assign the whole group to Danyell. The 3rd and 4th bells at Bilton belong to the second group of Danyell's bells, without the initials ; they are not identical in respect of marks, the 3rd being inscribed •J« L_^l ♦l^ UJo.v Agustini %om\. In Auvc Dei ' See Ellacombe, Ch. Bells of Somerset, Suppl. p. 135, and Cocks, Bucks, p. 3S4. - To those already described in various Ijooks should be added the 2nd at Cold Oveiton, Leicestershiie, overlooked by North. MEDIAEVAL LONDON FOUNDERS. 2$ with the two crosses Plate XIII., Fig. i, 12, and the Royal Arms of the period ; the 4th Bcitt.t Katcria.t SM Iffiffi Ora ^ Pio Dobts with a beautiful cross in a medallion (PI. XI. 16) in place of the older London cross, round which are the words iliu mcrct kbi hclpc. The use of the Royal Arms (PI. XIII. 11) is peculiar to Danycll, and they appear on almost all his bells ; they were in fact his trade-mark, and their use may have been granted to him in virtue of his having cast bells for the Royal College at Cambridge. If these bells were cast at the beginning of his career (and we do not know its exact limits), this might account for the few on which they do not occur, as being his earliest productions ; all these bells, it should be noted have the initials. HENRV JORDAN. Danyell's contemporary, Henry Jordan or Jurden, was an even more successful founder, and of his beautiful bells over 100 still remain, covering England from Yorkshire to Cornwall. As with Danyell, the limits of his career are not known, only the fact of his being commissioned to recast some of the former's bells at King's College in 1466.' From the fact that they use two stamps in common it must be supposed that they were more or less in partnership. These two stamps are the cross Plate XIII., Fig. i, derived from Walgrave, and the beautiful " Jesu Mercy " medallion (PL XI. 16.) Jordan had also two trade-marks of his own in the form of a somewhat unheraldic shield and a merchant's mark, in which may lie concealed a subtle rebus (PI. XI. 15, 17.) On the majority of his bells he employs the medallion between the two shields, but in other cases he replaces it b)- the cross aforesaid. In Warwickshire the shields and medallion occur on two bells, the 2nd at Brailes In iDullis 3^nnis j!{,croiut Qam|?:ina la^aititis and the 3rd at Milverton Sancta Katerina Ora pro nobis in the first case with the large capitals used by Bird on the tenor in the same tower, but here uncrowned ; at Milverton we have a smaller set of plain flat capitals (PI. XIII. 7-9), known as " Powdrell's," from their original use by a founder of that name. THOMAS HARRYS. In the year 1478 one Thomas Harrj-s, a London bell-founder, was employed to mark another stage in the chequered career of the King's College bells, one of which he then re-cast A small but widely-scattered group of bells with the initials T. H. has been recognised as this founder's work, including one in Bucks, two in Essex, one in Middlesex, two in Northants, one each in Surrey and Sussex, and one in Warwickshire. He uses none of the well-known London marks, but has two sets of capitals, one of his own invention, the other acquired from other sources and already familiar to us, as will be seen. With both sets he uses a large Maltese cross, a rose, and the impression of a coin ; the new set of letters is found at Nettleden, Bucks. Hampton Court, Middlesex, and Limpsfield, Surrey. But on his other bells the capitals are no others than the crowned initials employed by the Worcester founder of the bells at Allesley, ' For funher details of Henry Jordan see Surrey Bells, p. 56ff., and other works. 26 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. Lapworth, and elsewhere (PI. XIII. 16-17 ; see p. 10 and PI. VII.) Thus they appear on the treble at Lillington, inscribed ^ ^ ^ # ^ ^ ^ 1^ $antta Katcrma Ora Pvo Dobis e C f) Here as elsewhere they are much worn from long ^usage, and it is difficult to get good rubbings or " squeezes," while they have the additional disadvantage of being too small for the accompanying black-letter. So far as I know this is the only instance earlier than the end of the sixteenth centurj' of a London founder acquiring stamps from the provinces. THOMAS BULLISDON. About 1500 — 1510 a founder of the name of Bullisdon was working in London, apparently reviving the business of the Aldgate line which after Jordan had suffered temporary misfortune. He cast bells for the Church of St. Mar}'-at-Hill, London, in 1509. He has been identified with the founder of bells bearing a shield with a bell and the initials T. B. (PI. XIII. 17), some of which can be dated about this time, and though there is no mention of his Christian name in any records, we may assume from the shield that it was Thomas. In Warwickshire this shield is found on a very beautiful bell, the tenor at Wroxhall, inscribed 3^f[it ;pnnd|3io jSca fljarin fDco The capitals are those used by Wodewarde and Bird, and the initial medallion of six fleurs-de-lys (PI. XIII. 14) was also used by those two founders. The inscription is of interest as seeming to imply that it was his first effort^ ; it is generally supposed that this bell was one of the ring of seven at the old Abbey. Another bell that we may attribute to Bullisdon, though contrary to the almost invariable rule of these founders it bears no trade-mark, is the smaller at Hunningrham, inscribed »f» In '^ Dominc •f Ihrsxi "f Uocov ']; §iinrtc -f ITlargarcta The cross is Plate XIII., Fig. i, and the stop (PI. XIII. i5)occurs on undoubted Bullisdon bells at St. Bartholomew-the-Great, London, East Dean, Sussex, and Hoddesdon, Herts. With him we take our leave of the London founders, as his contemporary William Culverden is unfortunately not represented in our county. THE READING FOUNDRY. Theie is only one bell in Warwickshire which can be attributed to this somewhat distant foundr>-, the treble at Baddesley Clinton, inscribed jSactc I^icolac Ora W Bra W X^obis R The initals W. H. enable us to identify this bell as the work of William Hasylwood, who succeeded to the good-will of the important fifteenth-century foundry at Wokingham about the year 1495, but transferred the business to Reading and introduced new stamps and lettering of his own." Mr. Cocks tells how two men from Thame in Oxfordshire journeyed to Wokingham in 1495 to see about the casting of a bell, but found no one there to do it, and a further journey to Reading was entailed. Hasylwood died in 1509, his will being dated 8 March 1507-8, and his parish church was that of St. Lawrence. Mr. Cocks enumerates five bells by him, at Chearsley and Ilmer in Bucks., and at Compton, Farley Chamberlayne, and St. Michael, ' Cf. a bell at Takelcy, Essex, by his contemporary William Culverden, and see Raven, Suffolk, p. 38. » Bucks, p. 58. THE READING FOUNDRY. 27 Winchester in Hants; to which may be added the tenor at Whatley, Somerset, a bell at Broadwell, Oxon., and our Warwickshire example. Possibly the bell at Caldecote, Cambs., is also his work, though Mr. Cocks attributes it to his successor John White (see Bucks., p. 62.) William Hasylwood uses a fine set of well-formed capitals and initials (PI. XIV., i — 5), but his W is of a plain Roman type; his only ornaments are a plain cross patde and a shield with the cross of St. George (PI. XIV., 6) as here, though his successor revived some of the old Wokingham marks. All that we know of him is due to Mr. Cocks' extensive researches, as set forth in his Bucks, book. Our list of existing mediaeval bells closes with the sanctus at Long Compton, which now no longer hangs in its original cot. It bears an unintelligible inscription (PI. XVI., i) of six letters in minuscules, with a fleur-dc-l)'S as stop : ? •iH" The date may be assumed to be the sixteenth century ; possibly as late as Queen Mary's reign ; but in any case the inscription is quite unintelligible. The sanctus bells at Keynsham, Somerset, and Westcote, Gloucestershire (not given in Ellacombe's books) have similar inscriptions, and may be by the same founder. A few words may be added on some of the bells no longer existing, of which a list has been given above (p. 3). Of these the most interesting was the old 2nd at Exhall, near Alcester, inscribed '^^-■"^hiiw^ * rf J, A: ih- ••^- », '^ \ '^ '^\ ■•^ jisEiia The cross and lettering are identical with those on bells at Iwerne Minster, Dorset, and Magdalen Laver, Essex, and the bell must have been cast in London early in the fourteenth century, perhaps by one of the well-known family of Wymbish.^ The other old bell at Exhall was more of the Midland type, with an elaborate cross and handsome floral capitals : ' See Deedes and Walters, Church Bells 0/ Essex, p. 6. THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWI'CKSHIRE, 2^ [CM m ■V -ji: ■**// ii n/1 ^ i.|a. :ilr '^h^^'HW 4^^^-*. 'i\i 't^/tiiUc ^.%.^- ..^'j Fig- J- I cannot identify these with any known founder or group of bells. The old bell at Com brooke had merely three medallions, one with ibC- the other two with ^**WfJ '-ojjj Fig. 4. COMBROOKE. a tour-petalled flower and a double intersecting triangle respectively (see Fig. 4). It probably dated from the sixteenth century.^ I can only note here the three foreign bells formerly at Hatton, of which Dr. Thomas has preserved a record, and the bells at Warwick St. Mary, Kenilworth, and elsewhere, of all of which some description will be found in Part II. II. POST-REFORMATION FOUNDERS. THE LATER LEICESTER FOUNDRY.^ I. THE NEWCOMBES. \\'arwickshire is extremely rich in bells from the Leicester foundry during the period 1560 1640, which are found, to the total of 126, all over the county, and are especially plentiful, as is natural, in the north and east. They fall into two groups, overlapping in date, but more or less clearly defined as the work of two different families during this period, the Newcombes ' For the illustrations of these three bells I am indebted to Mr. Kimber's drawings, kindly lent by Mr. llii(;hes, of Whitechapel, ivho also supplied the photopiaphs from which they ore here reproduced. - See throughout Vict, County History of I.eics.,\o\. ii. THE LATER LEICESTER FOUNDRY. 29 and the Wattses. Both families enjoyed a great reputation, especially the latter ; but it may be noted that their bells are much commoner to the south of Leicester than the north, where the great Nottingham foundry blocked their path. They are comparatively rare in Derbyshire, Notts, and Lincoln, as also in Staffordshire. We have already traced the earlier history of the Newcombe family down to 1561 (p. 16), and have seen that no traces of their work seem to remain. But after the death of Robert Newcombe the foundry appears to have had a new lease of life. He left three sons, Thomas, Robert, and Edward, all of whom certainly practised the bell founders' craft, and of whom the eldest first claims our attention. THOMAS NEWCOMBE H. (1562-I5S0). In 1562 the 5th bell at Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, was cast by Thomas Newcombe,^ and as this bell still exists, though it does not bear his name, it is obviously an important piece of evidence as to the style of his work. It is inscribed in black letter smalls : ^ DC at a ma li a ^ and bears in addition three stamps, a kind of cxoss flenrie and a crown (PI. XV IL, 2, 3), and a shield or trade-mark on which are a bell and the letters © li (PL XVL, 3. Of these, the crown is common on all Leicester bells down to about 1600 (see below, p. 36); the cross will be discussed later on (p. 35) with reference to the dozen or so of bells on which it occurs ; and for the present we will content ourselves with the consideration of the shield, which is obviously to be regarded as Thomas Newcombe's trade-mark. In passing, it may be noted that there is a bell (the 4th) at Elvaston, Derbyshire, dated 1564, and bearing a stamp of a wyvern {Leics. 62) which is also found in conjunction with the crown. This appears to be the earliest existing dated Newcombe bell, and is presumably the work of Thomas. But we may take the bells with the T. N. shield as representing the normal type of Thomas Newcombe XL's bells. They usually have in addition a cross with ornaments between the arms (PI. XVL, 2), which is often found in such an abraded condition that it has been taken for a plainer variety. The inscription almost invariably consists of the name of a saint, with or without a preceding S, in widely-spaced Gothic capitals, some of which, in particular the A, are late in character (see PI. XVL, Figs. 7-10). Mr. Owen in his Hunts book appears to regard these bells as genuine mediaevals, and assigns them to Thomas Newcombe I. (1506-1520), but in spite of the style of the inscriptions, they are, to my mind, distinctly "transitional '' rather than pre-Reformation in character,^ as indeed are all the Leicester bells of this century. Moreover the stamps occur on many other bells with non-religious inscriptions or bearing dates in Elizabeth's reign, and even though it is conceivable that Thomas I. could have used the stamps and handed them on, all evidence seems to point the other way. We cannot definitely distinguish an earlier and a later group, and even in Elizabethan times the mere name of a saint, often without a prefix, might have passed muster in an inscription. It is unfortunate that the few dated bells, such as Elvaston, and Haddon, Hunts. (1568^, do not yield more evidence. In considering the bells of the normal Thomas Newcombe type it will be sufficient to discuss the Warwickshire examples as representative of the whole, and I will take first the four ' Leics. p. 48. He is mentioned in the Borough Records as Bailiff, Steward, Coroner, and in other capacities between 1566 and 1578. - The Om Pro Nobis being invariably omitted, such inscriptions could not greatly offend Puritan susceptibilities, and it may be that Newcombe had Papist leanings, to which he gave as much scope as he dared. 30 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. bells on which we find both the cross and the shield. These are : Ansley ist. Bourton-on-Dunsmore ist. th s 7^ H H Pi i^ Priors Hardwick 2nd. >b ^ S Pi H G T 7^ M Pi H E, 7K Sheldon 3rd. »J< S M 7^ R I 7^ The shield without the cross is found on Baddosley Clinton 3rd: S X O M 7^ On the other hand Wappenbury 2nd has only the cross: ^ SGEORGE And Allesley 2nd merely S 7^ Jst N 7^. without cross or shield. With these we must group three bells bearing portions of the alphabet, together with the cross, PI. XVI., 2, but no shield. Bourton-on-Dunsmore 2nd: ^ T^SeiDEFGHl Kl^iMNOPQRST ►J* Bubbenhall ist: >^ J\ >^ 7K ^ JD G BID SlDe EFG Lower Shuckburgrh 2nd: 1^ T^ISeiDEFGHl None of the five last-named can be definitely attributed to 'Ihomas Newcombe, and some or all may be by his successor, or even predecessor ; but they are conveniently placed here as being of the same character as those which are certainly his. ROBERT NEWCOMBE (1580 — 1598). Thomas Newcombe died in 1580,^ and was succeeded by Robert Newcom be 11., who has left his name on several bells; others again are dated during the period of his activity, and consequently afford additional evidence of his work. I note first the bells bearing his name, which are as follows : — • Leics., p. 53. His name does not occur in the Borough Records. On the other hand, according to the Registers of .\11 Saints, a Thomas Newcombe, bell founder, was buried in 1594 {.\ficl. Count. Hist. Collector, ii., p. 229). I suspect this to be a mistake, afterwards corrected by North. THE NEWCOMBES. 3I In 1585 we have the 4th at Catworth, Hunts, inscribed : ♦1^ ROST^RXE Ik I NEWeOMSE m MT^IDE TVj ME O 1585 The marks on this bell are interesting; besides the crown (PI. XVII., 3), we have the head of Edward III. (Plate X., Fig. 3), which occurs on other Newcombe bells, and seems to have been used at Leicester and Nottingham contemporaneously.^ The initial cross (Leics. 42; see PI. VIII.) is familiar as one used in Pre-Reformation times at Mancetter and St. John, Coventry (p. 13), and we shall meet with it yet again. In 1586, the 4th at All Saints, Leicester : ^ ROBT^RTH NEWeOMBE MT^O ME 1586 Here again we have an unexpected cross (PL XVIII., 6), which was originally in the possession of the Brasyers of Norwich, and which when found on Leicester bells is invariably associated with the Watts' stamps, as at Wootton Wawen (see below, p. 40) ; but towards the end of the sixteenth century, and even later, there is evidence that the two firms worked at times in partnership, or at all events had certain stamps in common. Of undated bells there are three inscribed alike, in the ordinary Newcombe lettering, with the cross, PI. XVT., 2 : ♦f» ROST^RT *-}* NEWeOM3 These are the treble at Arley in this county, and the ist at Little Bowden and 3rd at Pytchley, Northants. There also several dated bells of this period, which are presumably to be assigned to Robert Newcombe, one of the most interesting being the former treble at Withybrook in this county : *^ ^ CHRISTOPHER uli WRGHX VI OF UJ H7=^PPISFORlD i_Kj ESQVIER Below:— 1585. With the cross, PI. XVI., 2, is here associated the head of Edward III. which we have already met at Catworth (a bell of the same year). The other bells are: 1585. Desborough, Northants, 5th. Stamps Leics. 71 and 62. Stamps and lettering as Little Packington ist (see below). Cross, PI. XVI., 2. Cross, PI. XVI., 2. Cross, PI. XVI., 2 ; other stamps as Stanground. Cross, PI. XVI., 2. Cross, PI. XVI., 2. Cross, PI. XVI., 2. We must also include for consideration here a group of bells linked by the use of a small cross fleurie (PL XVI., 4), which may be assigned to Robert Newcombe from the appearance of his name on one of them, the treble at Gloucester Cathedral, dated 1598. The lettering is plain Roman, small and thin, like that on Edward Newcombe's bells at Ettington (see below). Six other dated bells occur in this group, ranging from 1586 (or 1589) to 1596, the earliest of which is a bell formerly existing at Baxterley, inscribed : •^ ABO HOJED AXSH «!l!> A X 1986 The date is probably intended for 1586, but may be 1589. Of the same type is the single bell at Burmington, inscribed : y^ PRAISE ^ THE ^ LORDE 1592 1588. Stanground, Hunts, 4th. 1589. Higham, Leicestershire, 3rd. Clipston, Northants, 4th. 1592. Keystone, Hunts, ist. 159.3- Gretford, Lincolnshire, 2nd. Tong, Shropshire, 3rd. Bushbury, Staffordshire, 7th. 1 Messrs. North and Owen in all cases give the head Leics., fig. 2S (Plate V., Fig. 13), as used on Newcombe's bells, but on all those I have seen it is certainly the other type as at Stoneleigh. Both were at one time or another in use at Nottingham, and I think Newcombe must have got a duplicate of the Stoneleigh variety from the Nottingham foundry. 32 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. Other bells of this class are: Ashby Parva, Leics., ist (1591), Orton, Leics., 3rd, and Fotheringhay, Northants, ist (1595), Aston Flamville, Leics., ist (1596), and Tong, Salop, sanctus, undated. The fleur-de-lys at Burmington (PI. XVI., 5), also occurs at Tong, and the cross is found on a later Newcombe bell at Upton Magna, Salop, dated 1604. Mr. Cocks also notes that Robert Newcombe's name occurs in 1590 on a bell at Hardwick Bucks., with modified copies of the cross, PI. XVIII., 6, and the Brasyer-Watts shield (p. 34), but with the lettering used by Bartholomew Atton (see below). He evidently cast the bell during a temporary partnership with the latter at Buckingham ; but the treble at Tidmington, Worcestershire, is interesting for comparison, as it bears Atton's name with Newcombe's lettering and stamps (PI. XVII., 2, 3). Atton learned his business at Leicester, and the Tidmington bell probably comes from that foundry. EDWARD NEWCOMBE (1570-1616). The name of the third brother, Edward, is found on seven or eight bells in all, and he appears to have been working intermittently between 1570 and 1616, contemporaneously with his brother. We shall see that certain conjunctions of marks seem to indicate that he was the one who entered into partnership with the Wattses. His name frequently occurs in the Borough Records,^ though not as a bell-founder. He was the fourth representative of the craft to become Mayor of Leicester (in 1599). Of the bells with his name three are dated : 1595- 1595- 160: Ettington, Warwickshire, ist: R ►I" M GEORG VNDEREHILL 1595 Ettington, Warwickshire, 2nd: •t" M VMPHERY VNDERHILL 1595 Warmmgton, Warwickshire, 3rd: u/.yA\ng and partly illegible inscription : ^ (doi^) UJ 3 5 (dog) K I (dog) Y^ G (dog) F (dog) e (dog) (^ (^ B A The initial cross appears to be the ordinary PI. XVI., 2, and the inscription is obviously intended for the first ten letters of the alphabet (to K), but the third, fourth and fifth stamps, which I read as UJ 3 5> are very uncertain.' The most interesting feature is the stamp of a dog (PI. XV., 9), which occurs no less than six times, and by its presence affords a clue to the date and founder. It is found on three other bells, the ist at Hannington, Northants, the old 4th at Brewood, Staffordshire," and the 2nd at Haddou, Hunts, which is dated 156S and bears the Leicester cross (PI. XVI. 2). We have therefore good grounds for supposing these four bells to be the work of Thomas Newcombe II. The lettering on the Haseley bell is also found on the 2nd at Little Packing'ton^ inscribed DOG FO Gman GRt nl The words, though not the letters, are reversed throughout; there are no marks of an\- kind, but the lettering is of a mixed type, the £, f) and \ being from the Haseley alphabet, while the rest are decidedly smaller. The latter appear to be from an alphabet which occurs on the 1 / )\ ■ Fij- 2nd at Olncy, Bucks (P'ig. 6=Cocks, p. 153). Mr. Cocks reads the date 1599 on this bell 1 I regret that I cannot accept .Mr. Tilley's reading as 1531 (see Birm. and Mid. Inst. Trans., 1S7S, p. 12). •- The Brewood bell is important for its combination of stamps. The lettering is partly Newcombe's ordinary Gothic, partly the ■' Mancetter " type as on Little 1 ackington 1st (see below, and p. 13 above). The stamps ate the Brasyer shield, the dog, the crown (PI. XVII., 3), and the stops Lfics. 43 and 85. 34 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. (with some hesitation) ; it may at all events afford a clue to the date of Little Fackington 2nd.' It is possible that, as he suggests, this may be the alphabet used by Norwich founders at Eaton and Witton, Norfolk, and at Frostenden, Suffolk. The Olney bell appears to bear also the Brasyer cross (Fig. 5) and lion's head (Fig. 7), the former of which is a Watts stamp (see below, p. 41; used at \\'armington and Lapworth with Watts' lettering), the other, Fig- 7- certainly in use. a Newcombe mark. Mr. Cocks therefore draws the conclusion that the Olney bell was cast at Bedford (see Bucks, p. 154) by a Newcombe and \\'atts in partnership. He is obviously on the right lines: but in view of the distance of the Fackington and other similar bells from Bedford. I hesitate to say that they were cast there, rather than at Leicester, where these stamps were The \\'armington bell (p. 32) is evidence that there was a partnership at this time, and if we may date these bells about 1595— 1600. it is probable that they are the work of Edward Newcombe. Additional confirmation of the partnership 'oetween this founder and the Wattses comes from Stratford-on-Avon, where Edward Newcombe and Francis Watts cast the Guild Chapel bell together in 1591.= The other bells of the Little Fackington type are at Thurlaston, Leicestershire (part of alphabet in the Haseley lettering with stamps Lcics. 71 and 62); Kingstone, Staffordshire, dated 1595, with mixed lettering as at Fackington; and Great Oakley and Duddington, Northants, both with mixed lettering and a variety of stamps. The Olney bell introduces us to another group, linked by the use of certain stamps, of which we may'instance first the 4th at Churchover, inscribed : ^ SIOl'-vT^NNES A- As far as the cross (Fl. XVL, 2), lettering, and style of inscription are concerned, this bell ranks with the group described on p. 30, and assigned to Thomas Newcombe. But at the end of the inscription we find not only the stop Lcics. 43 twice repeated, but the lion's face stamp (Fig. 7), which as noted above occurs at Olney. The stop 43 is the same that accompanies the cross Leics. 42 on the Mancetter and Coventry fourteenth-century bells (p. 13), and links this bell to the next, the treble at Little .Fackington, inscribed : e M. n I n Ji Here the cross, stop, and lettering are all of the .Mancetter-Coventry type (Fl. \TII), though the stamps are very much worn from use. But it is interesting to note the presence of the T. N. shield, which enables us to assign the bell to Thomas Newcombe, and date it previous to 1580." Similar lettering is found on the tenor at Budbrooke, inscribed : 3; a e I o H I The letters here also are much worn and difficult to read ; the stamps are the head of Edward 1 Another clue to the date of th>s bell may be given by the fact that the Olney lettering occurs on a bell by Hu^h Watts at South Luffenham, Rutl:in>i, dated 1595 (see p. 39). Tliis is additional evidence of a partnership at the time. ' See under that heading in Part II. ' There aie similar bells at Hii;hani-on-Hill, Hnughton-on-Hill. and Tliedclint;\vorth, Leicestershire, the last-named with the T. N. shield ; also Brampton, Hunts., 3rd (cross Leics. 42). On the other hand the Stanground bell (p. 31) is by Hobert Newcombe, dated i5iiS Till-: I.l-.ICKSI l-.l\' I'OUXJJKY. 35 III. as at Stoiiclcigli (p. iarallel to the Little Packington treble and Budbrooke tenor, the former having the T. N. shield, the latter the Brasyer- Watts shield. Other Newcombe marks are also found at Paulerspury (Fig. 7), Market Bosworth, and Peatling, and thus the connection of this group with the Newcombes seems attested. The initial cross at Kepton and on .Market Bosworth 5th is a new one, PI. XVII. 2, which we have noticed as used by Thomas Newcombe II. at Melton Mowbray. Further the 4th at Kepton has the Watts-Brasyer shield together with the large Brasyer cross (PI. XVIII. 6) used by Robert Newcombe at Leicester All Saints (p. 31), the crown (PI. XVII. 3) and the lion's face (Fig. 7). The inscription on this bell and the cross on the 5th assist in connecting this group with the ne.xt, of which Warwickshire claims three examples Of these the most important is the 5th at Berkswell, inscribed : % Xlowun rnaatirlrnr Grirt Hirlotiir The initials are plain medium-sized capitals, which I have not been able to identify. Of the two crosses, the one at the end is PI. XVII. 2, that at the beginning apparently Northants 17, a small cross botunncc which occurs at Ilcyford, Northants, on a bell of 1601, probably bv Watts. It is followed by the lion's face (Fig. 7) and the Brasyer- Watts shield (PI. XVIII. 11). The other bells are less instructive. They are the old 3rd and the 4th at Grendon, inscribed respectively : ~"*"^ T"*; B 'ijp ID e F E m. md <*> MELiEID3'J>GHF?IT ' It occurs at Hatdwick, Bucks., in 1590 ; see above, p. 32. '' The Brasyers themselves more commonly u«cd a shield, with the same charges on a lielii irmiiif; see L'Estrange, Norfolk, p. 31. 36 THF. CHURCH BELI.S OF WAKWICKSHIKR. The former has the cross XVII. 2 and a small fleur-de-lys stop (Letcs. 86), the latter the crown XVII. 3 and the same stop, the lettering in both cases being the ordinary Newcombe alphabet. There are ten other bells with the cross PI. XVII. 2 : Leics. Houghton-on -Hill 2nd . .. PI. XVII. 3 ; PI. XVIII. Ti Kegworth 2nd . .. PI. XVII. 3 ; Leics. 70. Market Bosw orth 5th . .. See above. Peatling Parva ist .. ,. PI. XVI. 3; Leics. 70. Northants. Geddington 3rd .. ,. PI. XVII. 3; ; Leics. 42, 43. Tansor ISt .. ,. PI. XVI. 2: PI. XVII. 3. Rutland. Barrowden 4th ., Hunts. Upwood 2nd .. ,. PI. XVI. 2; PI. XVII. 3. Derbyshire. Repton 5th .. . See above. Worcestershire. Tidmington 3rd .. . PI. XVII. 3 ; Bartholomew name in Newcombe's lettering ; see below, p. 46. At Peatling we find the T. N. shield, and elsewhere the cross PI. XVI. 2. The same form of inscription as at Berkswell also occurs at Wanlip, Leics. (isti; .\pethorpe (4th) and Great Billing (2nd\ Northants; Bitchfield, Lines.; North Luffenham, Rutland; and, as already noted, at Repton and Leicester. The occurrence of Thomas Newcombe's own marks again compels us to connect the group with that family, and on the evidence of the Melton Mowbray bell, and of the use of the T. N. shield, it may be possible to assign both groups to Thomas Newcombe. The evidence of the Repton bell? further suggests the contemporaneity of the two groups. In a class by itself, so far as Warwickshire is concerned, stands the tenor at Little Packingfton, inscribed ¥ ■^ X H 4' D: ^ -JBt T n B R Of the stamps, the Roval Head has been noted at Budbrooke, and the fleur-de-lys stop at Grendon ; the other stop is Leics. 43 as at Churchover, and there is also the now familiar Brasver shield. So far the bell may seem to fall into line with those previously described; but the initial cross and lettering are quite of a new type. The former, a large and elaborate floriated cross (PI. XV. z=N orthants, fig. 77) is only to my knowledge found on three other bells: Hicham Ferrers old 4th; Old Weston, Hunts, ist; Overbury, Worcestershire, 3rd. In all cases the inscriptions are of similar character, portions of the alphabet or meaningless collocations of letters, in large capitals of a florid quasi-Gothic type (PI. XV. 3-7). At Higham Ferrers we find the Brasver shield, but no other stamps at Old Weston or Overbury.^ Thus it is clear that all four bells are from the Leicester foundry; and in view of the evidence from Little Packington they must be assigned to the Newcombes rather than the Wattses. It mav be further noted here that the Brasyer-Watts shield is found in conjunction with Newcombe stamps on several other bells besides those already mentioned : Narborough 4th, Leics.; Isham 3rd, Mears Ashby 3rd. and Winwick ist (by E^dward Newcombe). Northants; North Witham, Lincolnshire, 2nd. The same combination occurs on bells at Houghton-on-Hill and Wanlip, Leics., already noted above. The combination of stamps on these bells is at first sight very puzzling ; but I think two solutions are possible. Either the Brasver stamps (the shield and the lion's face, Figs. 5, 7, ' Mr. Owen in Hunts., p. 11, has not done justice to the Old Weston bell. He describes it first as " of early date," then at " probably of the Marian rerlod," nnd finally as " Pre-Rcformation." Till-; Ni;wcnMHES. 37 and the large cross, PI. XVIII. 6) were at first in the Newcombes' possession, i.e. down to about 1590, or there was for a time a partnership between the two firms. The former may be a simpler solution, but the evidence seems to favour the latter. We shall see later that there is not much evidence of the Watts' activity at Leicester previous to 1600, and it is probable that they did not start an independent business there much before 1595 ; it was not much later that the Newcombes discontinued the use of their old stamps and lettering (see below). In any case it should be noted that the P>rasyer lettering, which the Wattses so frequently used, is hardly ever found except on undoubted Watts bells.' The earliest known bell with the name of a Watts is dated 1590, but there are none dated earlier than 1591 which we can unhesitatingly claim as cast at Leicester (see p. 40). On the whole I incline to attribute all the bells described in the preceding section to Thomas or Rohcri Ncwcnmbe (for which in some cases we have definite evidence), though it is impossible to attain to more accuracy in classification or chronology in the present state of our knowledge. There now remains for consideration a group with similar inscriptions which there is some reason for assigning to Edward Xaccomhe. Two of these are of distinctlv "transitional" character, and are probably not later than 1600; but others are dated 1615-16, and indicate a revival of the old style of lettering, discarded about 1600 (as we shall presentlv see) for a simpler style, more in accordance with seventeenth-century feeling. Wc have first the 2nd at Wroxhall., inscribed ►J^ PRT^ES "f THE ►t- LiOHlDE ►f joj la^V 7^ E I S ^ in the usual Newcombe lettering, with the ordinary Newcombe cross (PI. XVI. 2) and the crown (PI. XVII. 3) which occurs on many other bells.- \'ery similar is the 3rd at Burton Hasting-s : >J< PRT^SE 'ill' GOID ONLiI ^ with the same cross and crown, and the stop f.cics. 86, as at Grendon. Of similar type again is the 2nd at Bag^inton. inscribed PRES I THE I LiORlDE the only mark being the stop Leics. 43 (see Plate VIII). After an interval of some years there is a curious revival of this lettering on the latest bells cast by the Newcombes, in 1615-16, of which there are four examples in Warwickshire : — Birdingfbury bell: »J< A3a CEFG HIK 1<315 Warmington 2nd, inscribed : ^-< PRT^ISE THE LkORlD 1©16 and the ist and 2nd at Morton JVIorrell. both inscribed : P R 7^ S E THE La O R ID E ISl© Two similar bells, dated in the same }'ear, are the 2nd and 4th at Church Brampton. Northants. These conclude the list of Newcombe bells of what we may call " transitional " character But there remain nineteen more, with dates ranging between 1602 and 1612, with inscriptions in Roman tvpe, altogether in a severer style than any of the others. The only marks are a plain initial Maltese cross, and a scroll or plait-band following the date, except in a few cases to be dulv noted. The inscription in all but four cases follows the same formula: ►f BE YT . KNOWNE . TO ALL . THAT • DOTH ME . SEE . THAT . NEWCOWIBE . OF LEICESTER ■ MADE MEE 1 Warmington 2nd {p. 32) seems to be the only exception. - There is a similar bell at Higham-on-hill, Leicestershire. 1603. Shiltoii 1605. Bulkington Offchurch 1607. A St ley Frankton i6o8. Stockton 1609. Anslev 1610. Alleslev Haselor 1612. Kinc:5burv 38 THE CHURCH BELLS OF VVAr.WlCKSHIRE. which occurs on tlie following bells: 1602. Pillerton 3rd (with various running borders). 3rd 2nd (with plait-band after date). and (with running borders, and rose and crown on waist), ist — 4th (with running borders). 2nd. ist. 3rd. 5th (with Oldfield's running border). 2nd (with plait-band after date), old 4th. \Vith\'brook old ;^nd. At Offchurch there is a crowned rose (PI. XVI. i) on the waist of the bell ; at AUesley, a running scroll-border (PI. XVI. 6), afterwards used by the Oldfields of Nottingham (see p. 61); at Bulkington and Haselor, a narrow plait-band(Pl. XX., 4). At Offchurch and Pillerton are running borders of a type subsequently found on most of Hugh Watts' bells (see below, p. 44). On the 3rd at Morton Morrell, the 3rd at Rowington (both i6og), and the 2nd at Nether Whitacre (1612) we find only a portion of the formula : NEWCOMBE OF LEICESTER MADE M£E and at Newton Reg^is (ist bell, dated 1602) is the inscription in the same type: ^ RAPHE WOOLLEY CHARLES HOLDEN HARRE SPENCER CHURCH- WARDENS I602 with the crowned rose as at Offchurch four times on the waist. The running borders on this bell are the same as at Pillerton. It will be noted that no Christian name of the founder appears; but we know that Edward Newcombe was still alive in 1616 (in which year his wife died). We also know that his three sons Robert, Thomas, and '^Villiam were working with him '? Robert's name appears at St. Martin's, Leicester, in 1611 ; Thomas" at Hoby, Leics., in 1604 and Sapcot in 161 1, and William cast Great Tom of Lincoln with Oldfield of Nottingham in 1610. The name "Newcombe" in these cases therefore represents a joint-stock company of the father and three sons. With them in 1612, or rather in 1616, ends this important foundry, and hands on its lamp to its former partner's son and present rival Hugh Watts, whose career \\e must now follow." 2. THE WATTSES. (l) I587 — 1615. The first mention we have of this famous bell-founding family is in the person of Francis Watts, who cast bells for St. Peter's, Leicester, in 1564-65, and the tenor at Loughborough in 1585. He was Alderman in 1599, and also filled the offices of Chamberlain, (Coroner, and .Steward.^ His daughter Helen married Robert Newcombe II. (p. 30), and this may bear out the view already expressed that there was for a time (sc. 1590 — 1602) some sort of partnership between the two families. He died in 1600, and his will is given by North.* It has already been noted that he cast the bell at Stratford-on-Avon Guild Chapel together with Edward Newcombe in 1591. ' Nortli, /.f.ics., p. 55. - Kor Newcombe pedigiee and extracts from the Lcicesrer registers see Leics , p. 58. ■' Records of the lioniu^li, iii., p. 361 ff. « Ltks., p. 59. THK KAKMliK WATTSICS. 39 His name occurs on one existinf,' bell, the ^nd at /!iii,i^luun in Nottinghamshire, which is undated, but inscribed in the fine ornamented capitals derived from the Brasyers of Norwich (Plate XVIII.). which were almost invariably used by this firm from 1587 down to about 1615, but only occasionally afterwards. As noted (p. ^y), they practically never occur on the Newcombe bells. It would be natural to attribute to Francis Watts all bells of this type earlier than 1600, Inii two circumstances stand in our way. One is the contemporanfons existence of a founder, William Watts, of whom more anon; the other, the lact of a Hu^H Watts being at work between 1593 and 1605. That this Hugh is not the famous founder of the name, whom we shall discuss in due course, is certain from the fact that he was only born in 1582, and probably, as I shall shew, did not do much till after the extinction of the Newcombe dynasty in 1616. The only clues we have to the existence of an earlier Hugh Watts are two in number. Firstly, there is— or rather was— a bell at South Luffenliam, Rutland, the old treble, recast in 1S86 by Taylor, the original inscription being reproduced : 3951 em 1^1 eoAm ^; siiauj |^ ojeB North read this date as 1563, but it is clearly intended for 1593,' which, if it does not dispose of difficulties, at least lightens them, as it lessens by thirty years the period of the earlier Hugh's career. The interesting feature of this bell is that the lettering is clenrly the same as used at Olney and on Little Packington 2nd (see p. 33), additional confirmation of a partner- ship with the Newcombes at the time (see p. 37). .Moreover the stop is the lion's head (Fig. 7), which we have seen to be common to both founders. The second piece of evidence is an entr\- in the Churchv.-ardens' .\ccounts of St. Martin's Leicester, for 1617-18:- Item for the bells for old M'' W^atts and hurvall in the oiiurch xij- The importance of this entr) is that it shews that "old .Mr. Watts," whom we mav assume to be this Hugh. ma\- have been working as late as 1615 or 1616; and that this was the time when the younger Hugh came on the scene I suggest on the ground that it is just then that we find a great change in the style of inscriptions and use of stamps: new lettering and new inscription-formulae introduced, and used consistently thenceforward. If it is considered necessary to assume an earlier date for the beginning of the younger Hugh's career, it is amply accounted for by supposing that he succeeded William Watts at Bedford (see below). He is described as the second son of Francis Watts, and .Mr. Cocks assumes that William was the elder son.^ But having regard to their known dates, it seems to me much more probable that William and Hugh I. were younger brothers of Francis. We ma\- also assign to Hugh Watts I. bells bearing the name at Bumw-on-tiie-Htll idated 1600), and Evini^ton (dated 1603), both in Leicestershire. The former has long been recast, but the latter is of the ordinary Watts type, with " Brasj-er " lettering. WILLIAM WATTS AND THI-: HEDLORI) I'OUNDRV. We have next to consider the nameless and undated bells of the period 1587 — 1015, during which the Brasyer lettering was in use. W'e cannot say definitely whether these bells down to 1600 are the work of any one ot the three, but William Watts was certainly founding at > I suspect a similar error in regard to the ist and 4th at St. John the B.iptist, Stamford, said by North to be dated 1561. I have to thank .Mr. Crowther-Beynon for a rubbing of the LufTenham bell. ■-• North, C. B. ofRutl., p. 54. ' See pedigree, Bucks, p. 146. ,0 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WAKWICKSH IRK. Bedford between 15S7 and 1597, and we must by preference assign to him bells of that period which are found nearer to that centre than to Leicester, as well as three or four which actually bear his name. It may be convenient to dispose of him first. One of the most interesting of this group is a Warwickshire bell, the 2nd at Ryton-on- Dunsmore, inscribed lulLLAm luACCGS aabi-lirfghilklmncpqir iifi.iJQ.Hiri! itlmnopii .\uiH)s.nrt It closely resembles the 4th at Sherington, Bucks, which is dated 1591,' and it may there- fore be assigned to the same time. But the Bucks bell does not bear the founder's name, which here appears in the Brasyer lettering,^ accompanied by the familiar shield (PL X\'III. 11) with the bottom cut off; the alphabet, which is incomplete, is in very rough black-letter, and several letters, such as the a, are repeated in varying forms. The name occurs again on the 3rd at Fldton, Hunts, inscribed in "enriched" (presumably Brasyer) capitals^: miLLiAm I J mACG5 iZi ^^^e me 1590 with the cross, Plate XVIII. 6, which is consistently used by William Watts. I assume that these three bells were cast at Bedford, round which most of the others concentrate more closely. There are in that county not only two more bells bearing William Watts" name, but also a group of half-a-dozen, dating about 1589 — 1597, all of similar character, with Brasyer capitals, the shield, and the cross PI. XVIII., 6. The name occurs on the 5th at Harlington, and on the 7th at Clifton (1590), where the 6th also has the initials U) to.* Other bells are Clifton 8th, Harlington old ist, Northill 2nd (1589), Thurleigh 2nd (1593), Farndish 3rd (1597).' The Bedford foundry was apparently revived between 1599 and 1603, and agam in 1610-11 ^ and in 1603 we find bells of this type (at Dean and Kempston, Beds.) with the name of Hugh Watts upon them, which I think are quite likely to have been cast by the younger Hugh, who succeeded his uncle William there about 1600, learning the trade which he afterwards brought to such perfection at Leicester. As to bells of this period in other counties than Beds, and Bucks., it is difficult to say whether they were cast at Bedford or Leicester, especially as the bells from both centres are similar in ornamentation and inscriptions. It is however worth noting that we have definite evidence in the parish accounts of a bell at Shillington, Beds., having been cast in 1602 at Leicester, not Bedford. Generally speaking, geographical position is the safest guide; and on this ground, if on no other, I would attribute to Hugh Watts I., working at Leicester, two Warwickshire bells, which are the earliest we can assign to his foundry. The 2nd at Wootton Wawen is inscribed 1591 ABCDG FG51K LmQOPQKS the cross being PL XVIII. 6, as on William Watts' bells; and this, though already met with on some by the Ncwcomes (p. 31), we must regard as a typical Watts stamp. I he capitals ' See Bucks, y. 149. ' The minuscule \o should be noted ; see note on p. 32. •• Owen, Hunts., p. 20. He gives a Gothic capit.il VV here, but I am not sure it should not be a minuscule. * North (Beds., p. 68) says the old 4th and 5th were also by Watts. But one of these was recast by James Keene in 1637, as 1 learn from Kimber's drawings. ' I'"or further details see North's Bedfordshire, p. 58, and Cock's Bucks, p. 147. " There are twenty-five bells of this period in Bedfcrdshirc. WILLIAM WATTS AM) Till-; liliUl-OUI) I-OUN DKV. 4I here are from the larger Brasyer alphabet (Plate XVIII. i — 51, of which this is the only example in the county. Another " alphabet bell " of this date is the 5th at Sherinf(ton, Bucks., which is obviously by William (see above), but in view of the distance from Bedford I hesitate to deprive Hugh or I'rancis of the credit of the Wootton Wawen bell. At Weston-under- Weatherlev the 2nd has iwraA$ Ssi moRGAn & s Ci^ SQiiiep 1592 the cross here being Fig. 5, which we may style the "smaller Brasyer" cross, in contra- distinction to the large one, PI. XVIII. 6; with the exception of the " partnership" bell at Warmington (p. 32) it is never found on Newcombe's bells; the other marks are the lion's face (Fig. 7), and the Brasyer shield, which for some reason here (as also at Ryton) has the bottom cut off.' The lion's face is on the whole more used by Newcombe than by Watts. The shield, which we here meet with first on a genuine Watts bell, now becomes his mark par excellence, appearing almost uni\'cr5ally on all later bells. During the period 1502 — 1615 the Wattses are scantily represented in Warwickshire, though they appear in most of the intervening years in other counties.^ Nor do any of the latter call for special remark at present. \Ve may, however, note that between 1593 and 1599 the Watts" favourite inscription is "Cum Cum and Pray;" from 1599 to 1603, almost invariably "Praise the Lord:" while from 1607 to 1613 we seldom find anything but portions of the alphabet, usually from A to O, though sometimes it runs as far as T. After 1614 a new set of inscription? is adopted by Hugh Watts II. on his promotion to the head of the foundry. From 1590 to 1615, and even later, "God save the Queen," or " King," is found intermittently in almost every year. Two Warwickshire bells belong to the period 1599— 1603, the 4th at Lapworth. dated 1600, and the 3rd at Lower Shuckburgh, dated 1601, both being inscribed ^ PRAlSe im LORDG with the smaller Bras3'er cross (Fig. 5). Both, I think, were clearly cast at Leicester, and as this " Praise the Lord " group only begins in 1599, it must with equal probability be assigned to Hugh Watts I., so far as concerns the Leicester-cast bells. ^ Similar bells occur at Brampton, Hunts.; Frisby-on-Wreake, Leicestershire; and Helpvingham, Lincolnshire. From this time onwards the foundry is unrepresented until 1615, when we find the younger Hugh in sole possession. In summing up the earlier Watts bells a few points may be noted. (i) The Bedford bells form two distinct groups: (a) 1589 — 1597, by William Watts; (b) 1600 — -1603 and 1609 — 1610, by Hugh Watts II. (2) The cross, PI. XN'III. 6, is characteristic of William Watts, though not used by him exclusively. (3) Bells before 1600 may be attributed to Francis Watts or Hugh Watts I., except those in Beds, and Bucks., and others obviously from the Bedford foundry. (4) Francis Watts consistently uses the Brasyer lettering, as does Hugh Watts I. except in the one instance noted (p. 38). ' Oiiery, is this small detail a reason for assigning; the Weston bell also to William Watts ? - They are not represented by any bells in 1594, 1604, 1606, or 1608. 2 After 1599 the foundry at Bedford appears to have been worked only intermittently. I suspect that William Wat:s died in 1598, and that old Hugh Watts worked it through his nephews agency after that date. F 43 THE CHURCH BELLS OI' WAKWICKSHIKE. .,! .j.(s) The "alphabet bells" belong only to the years 1591 and 1607 — 1613. ' .(6) The " Praise the Lord'' bells with the cross, Fig. 5, belong only to the years 1599 to IQ03. _ (7) Bells between 1600 and 1615 were either cast by Hugh Watts I. at Leicester or by Hugh Watts II. at Bedford. (2) HUGH WATTS H. FROM 1615 TO 1643. VVe may now pass to consider the work of Hugh Watts II., who, as we have seen, took sole charge of the Leicester foundry about 1615. By the final retirement of the Newcombe family in the following year he was left in possession of the field, and he signalises his new position by gradually discarding the old lettering and stamps (with the exception of the Brasyer shield! and introducing new letters and ornaments and new styles of inscriptions, as will be duly noted hereafter. North has collected many interesting details about his life,^ which need not be repeated here, and we need only note that he was Chamberlain in 1620-21 and Mayor in 1633-34, being the fifth Leicester bell-founder to fill the latter office. He died in 1643, and was buried in St. Mary's Church, where his epitaph was put up, giving his age as 61.- North gives the text of his will,^ in which his business and plant are left to his son Hugh, who does not, however, appear to have availed himself of his opportunities, and in fact with the death of Hugh Watts II. the foundry came practically to an end for many years. -' We have seen that 1615 is to be regarded as his opening year at Leicester, at least so far as Warwickshire is concerned. There are in point of fact a few bells of the preceding years, 1613-14, which are of the same character as those of the later period, and which point to the probability of his having been actually at work earlier : but they are isolated instances, and it must have been in 1615 that he began regular work. In that year we have the 5th at Leamingrton Hastings, a fine and richly-ornamented bell inscribed GOD SAV3 C53 KIDD 1615 6 with the Brasyer shield and ornamental borders between the words. These borders are double, a row of narrow scrolls above and an acorn-pattern below (Plate XVII., Fig. 8), the latter being generally used alone in this position. In the following year there are two similar bells, the old 3rd at Chiivers Coton and the 2nd at Foleshill, only differing in the date from the one just described. Henceforward he drops the Gothic capitals, which are not revived till about 1633, and adopts a small heavy Roman type. He also reduces his stock of inscriptions to four, from which he rarely afterwards departs. The first of these CELORVM CHRSTE PLATIAT TIBI REX SONVS ISTE only remains in fashion for the two years with which we are dealing; it occurs on the following bells : , 1615. Southam 4th. 1616. Chiivers Coton old ist. Foleshill 3rd. Frankton 4th. Marton 3rd. Over Whitacre 2nd. ' Leic^i., p. 65ff. ' It is given by Nichols, //ixt. of Lticeslcrshire, i. p. 316. ' Leici., p. 70. HUGH WAITS 4i The .second word always has the I omitted, and there are never any borders between the words. In Roman type his original favourite GOD SAVE THE KING still remains in favour, and is found (witii the shield, ami ornamental borders between the woriis) on the following ten bells: 1617. Willey 3rd. 1622. Churchover ist. 1625. W'olvey 1st. 1632. Austrey ist. 1636. Radford Semele ist. 1637. i'.udbrooke ist. 1641. Corley ist. Ma.xstoke 2nd. 164G. Cubbington ist. There are no borders at Willey or.\ustrey; at Corley the old lion's head stamp is revived; but it is very rare to find any stamp except the shield on Hugh Watts' bells- The date at Cubbington is somewhat startling, seeing that Watts died in 1643 ! Either it is an error, or else the bell was cast by his son Hugh, to whom he left his business; but we do not know that the latter ever cast an\' other bells. Eight bells bear the inscription : CVM SONO SI 1623. 1625. 1631. NON VIS VENIRE NVNQVAM Long Itchington, 2nd. Lillington 2nd. AD PRECES CVPIES IRE Hrownsoxer. Former hell. Leamington Hastings 4th. 1632. Austrey 5th. Sherborne 4th. 1633. Rowington 5th (inscription in Hrasyer capitals). 1636. Radford Semele 4th. Borders between the words occur in four instances. We now come to \\'atts' typical inscription, one indeed which was siiecially favoured by the Leicester foundry (cf. pp. 14, 17). and rareK' occurs elsewhere : IHS NAZARENVS REX IVDEORVM FILI DEI MISERERE MEI It was from his frequent use of it that his hells came to be known as Walts" Xazarenes. The S of the first word is always reversed. There are thirty-seven bells in W'arwickshire with this inscription (with or w ithout borders between the words') : I6I7. Wormleighton 3rd. 1623. Grendon 5th. I6I8. Monks Kirby 6th. Monks Kirby 4th. 1620. Fillongley 5th. Marton 2nd. Leamington Hastings 3rd. 1624. Clifton 2nd. Rowington 4th. Marton i.st. Stretton-on-Dunsmore 3rd. Stoke 5th. Stockton 3rd. Weston 1st. 1622. Churchover 2nd. 1625. .\rley 2nd. Stockton 2nd. Stoneleigh 3rd and 5th. 1623. Frankton 3rd. 1625. Shotteswell 5th. ' There nre no borders at Wormieishton, Churcho%-er, Frankton, Grendon, Marton, and Bedworth ; arabesques at Shotteswell, Brownsover, Chilvers Coton, Cubbington (4th), and Mancetter; elsewhere, " acorn-border." 44 THE CHUKCH HELLS OK WARWICKSHIRE. i(>55- Foleshill ist. 1G36. Brownsover bell. Frankton ist. Long Itchington 4th. 1639. Chilvers Cotoii old 2nd. 1640. Cubbington 4th. 1641. Mancetter 3rd. 1646. Cubbington 2nd. 1626. Cubbington 3rd. 1627. Bedworth old ist. 1628. Leamington, Christ Ch.. bell. Lower Shuckburgh ist. 1629. Bedworth 6th. \\'appenbur\- 3rd. 1632. .\ustrey 4th. Loxlej' 2nd. The only one of these which calls for remark is the 2nd at Cubbington, with the impossible date already noted as occurring on the treble in the same tower. It may be noted here that Watts uses on most of these bells two ornamental borders, one which may be called the " Acorn " border (PL XVIL Fig. 7) only between the words of the inscriptions, the other, an effective arabesque pattern (PL XVIL Fig. 9), sometimes between the words, but usually as a band of orrament above or below the inscription. Other inscriptions in the same Roman type occur in three instances : Church Lawford ist: MARKE BREWSTER GAVE THE GREAT BELL OF THIS RINGE 1621 Bedworth old tenor: CVM CVM AND PRAIE 1639 and Austrey jnd, 1632, A\ith church^\ardens' names. The Bedworth inscription occurs on other Watts bells. .About the year 1638 Hugh Watts suddenly introduced a new type of Roman lettering, thin, square, and somewhat ornate. With this he entirely drops the stock inscriptions, and we find either names of churchwardens and donors, as on four interesting bells in Worcestershire {Worcester St. Martin 4th and 6th, Yardlcy ist and 5th, all dated 1638 except the St. Martin's tenor, which is 1640), or else the alphabet, arranged in a somewhat peculiar fashion. The latter style is exemplified b}- three bells in Warw ickshire : — Clifton 3rd : y^"^\ MLKIHG (Acorn-bonier) FEDCBA (border) XWVTS (border) N?^^/ RQPON I border) 1640 (border). iNewton Regis 2nd : FEDCBA Seckington 3r MLKIHG XWVTS RQPON FEDCBA MLKIHG 1642 XW (^'ii^ of arabesque pattern between words). MLKIHG (border) FEDCBA (border) RQPON 1640 (horderi. XWVTS (border) All these bear the Brasyer shield, and have the usual " acorn " border between the words. The N is always reversed. There are similar bells at Barrow-on-Soar, Leicestershire (2nd and 3rd, 1642), Lutterworth (3rd and 4th, 1640), and Norton, Northants (2nd, 3rd, Tin: JJUCKINCIIAM lolNDK^-. 45 4th, 1640). Ii will hi noted that tiiis typt- was not used in 1641, in which year he reverted to his old style, as at Corlcy, Mancetter, and Maxstukc Setting aside the Cnhhington eccentricities of 1646, \\i? may assnnu' that the Newton I\e},'is and Harrow -on-Soar hells re])resent his latest •efforts, as he died I'arK- in I'qj. Alphabet inscriptif)ns were; no new thing with the AN'attses, as we have alreadv' met with •one in the Hrasyer type at Wooton Wawen in 15'ji. I am not certain whether three Shropshire bells of uncertain date should also h(.- ascribed to Hugh Watts. They have no mark or date, but onlv the letters M to S in various combinations, the al]ihabet resemliling the larger set of Brasyer K'tters (IM. XVIII. 1-5). They are found at Child's lircall, Kinnerslcy, and Norton-in- Hales in that county. .\s, however, none of these bells bear Watts' marks, and tht: lettering also e)cciirs on a later bell by William Clibury at Clunbury, Salop CiCso), I am inclined to think that those bells are the wfirk of John ("libury, who was casting at Wellington about 1595 (see p. 49), and max have learned his business at Leicester. Other inscrijitions in Gothic t\pe are found at Rowlngton, where there are three dated i6jj, the old treble ha\ing only churchwardens' nanus; the inscription has been reproduced in facsimile. The tenor has the CVM SONO inscription (see |). 4.)) ; and on the 2nd is a new form of injunction : — CRGoe ResiPisce moRi memenco less Still more noteworth\- is the lull of tlie Guild Chapel, Stratford-on-Avon, cast in the same year, which has an inscription in two lines, each headed with the Brasyer shield. Part of the inscrijjtion is concealed by an iron band, and as the reading of the whole is somewhat doubtful, I will not repeat it here, but refer the reader to Part II., where the bell is fully discussed. It gives the initials and names of sundry Stratford burgesses. In concluding here the history of the Leicester foundry, I am con.scious of many deficiencies in m\- account, of possibly unjustifiable hypotheses and unwarrantable assumptions. But, chiefl}- ow ing to the confusing interchanges and long-continued use of stamps, and the somewhat archaic st\le of the Newcombe inscriptions, there arc many difficulties in the classification and dating of the bells. One can only endeavour to evolve a working hypothesis, and wait for more light from records or comparison of inscriptions. Meanwhile I think there are two main questions which specially demand consideration : (i) What bells, if any, can we attribute to Thomas Newcombe I. and Robert Newcombe I. (covering the jjcriod 1506-1560) ; (2) What was the exact relation of the Newcombes and Wattses between 1590 and 1600. Lasth" we greatlv need more information about the elder Hugh Watts. THE eu(:kin(;h.-\m foundry. I. THK APPOWELLS (155O-157S). For our knowledge of this foundry we are entireh' indebted to the industrious historian of the Buckingham bells, Mr. A. H. Cocks, and I can only give here a resume of his researches on the subject, adding from my ow n investigations a few more specimens of its productions to his list. Mr. Cocks (Bucks., p. 174) quotes various documents to show that one John Appourll was carrying on the trade of a bell-founder in Buckingham between 1550 and 1577, the year in which his death is recorded in the parish registers. He cast a bell for Wing, Bucks., in 1556, another for Thame, O.xon., in 1367, and a third for Shillington, Beds., in 1575. He was succeeded by his son George, w ho died in the following year. The w ills of both men are given in extenso h\ Mr. Cocks. The same writer goes on to point out that there are no existing bells w hich bear direct evidence of being the work of the .\ppow ells ; and he mentions eight bells in 46 THE CHURCH P.F.r.I.S OF WnKWICKSHIRE. the more or less immediate neighbourhood of Buckingham' whicli tnidently date from this period, but bear no founder's name. One or two of the more distant ones may equally well be from the contemporary Reading foundry, but the\- are mostly nearer to Buckingham. The bells in question are mostly inscribed with portions of the alphabet, in curious semi-Gothic, semi-Roman capitals, and some of them, as at Croui^hton, Northants. and Bloxham. Oxon., bear an initial cross (PI. X\"II., Fig. i), which we find on two bells of the same type in Warwickshire. We may then accejit Mr. Cocks' conclusions and attribute these two bells to Appowell of Buckingham. The 2nd at Fenny Compton is inscribed : — ^ M I the letters and cross being those given on Plate XX\1I. of iMr. Cocks" book. Somewhat different in type, but w ith the same cross, is the smaller bell at Loxley : -^n xjL/s Hoa 3 fiicl 3 ?iuj g □ g^ 1 the inscription being here rejiroduced in exact facsimile. B.\RTHOLOME\V ATTO.N ,1582 1610). A few years after George Appoweil's death the foundry at Buckingham was occupied by a man who, as we shall see, had learned his business under the Newcombes at Leicester. This was one Bartholonnew Atton, whose name occurs on a bell at Tidmington in Worcester- shire, just over the border of (and in fact geographically in) Warwickshire, as The lettering is undoubtedly that employed by the Newcombes, and I regard this particular bell as cast by Atton at Leicester, while he was working for the Newcombes before his migration.- But this is not the only evidence of his Leicester connection. The peculiar large florid letters which he afterwards affects (Bitcks., Pis. XXVUI., XXIX.) appear not only on a bell at Hardwick, Bucks,^ with Robert Newcombe's name, but also on bells by one Richard Bentley (1585) who appears to have lived and worked at Leicester. Further, the bell at Hardwick bears a modified version of the familiar Brasyer-Watts shield, together with the large florid Brasyer cross (PI. XVIIL 12), which we have seen so often used both by Newcombe and Watts. .Mr. Cocks therefore thinks that for a time, down to 1592, Robert Newcombe was in partnership with Atton at Buckingham. He enumerates fourteen bells in Bucks with the florid lettering, some of which bear Atton's name, the dates ranging from 1590 to 1609. There are also two or three in Northants, and doubtless more will turn up some day in Oxfordshire. In 1605 Bartholomew took his son Robert into partnership, and after making some changes of stamps retired in 1613, finally dying in 1630. In Warwickshire he has left us one bell, the tenor at Barcheston, which it is interesting to compare with its neighbour across the Stour at Tidmington. It is inscribed in the florid letters (PI. XIV. 7—12) BAETHOLOMHW .i<^ :&TT¥:N; MADS ME i596 with a sort of scroll between the two w ords. The date-figures are very small. ' To this list may be added bells at South HinUsey, IScrks., and VVendlebury, Oxfoidshire. - The cross is PI. XVII. 2, as at Berkswell, and the crown is E'l. .Wll. 3. See above, p. 36. ' See above, pp. 32, 35. Till': GI.OUCI'STKR lOUNIJKV. 47 CliolTKll^' CII.ICS. Except for those from the Leicester foiiiuIrN there are verj- few bells in Warwickshire which can be assigned to the period 1550 — 1600, only some half-do/:en in fact. Of these, three are by a founder who does not occur in any other county, and who therefore may be fairly assumed lo lie a local man. His most i>n)l)alili- /hftj^fli; is Coventr\-. These bells are the .^rd at Berkswell, in-^rrihcd GALFRIDVS o GILES ♦ ME <► FESIT ANNO ♦ DM <► 1584 and tlic 2nd and ird ,ii Weston-under-Weatherley, Ixitli now hopelessly cracked, whicii are inscribed in mucii more elaborate faslnoii : 2nd: GALFRIDVS ♦ GILES <► FECIT <> ME <► ANNO ♦ DM 1583 ♦ *** rantaif Doiio fanticum Nouum Laus Eius In Erclcsia Sanctorum. 3rd: Morgan (coal oj ann-.) Sanbcvs anno bni 1585 **• Laiibatf Domn Quia Bonus Donns Pfallitr Noir Eius riuoniam iwWwt. The three were thus cast in successive years, i5Sj6 it rose to the greatest height of its popularity and importance under the famous Rudhalls. In the first period it appears to have been in three successive hands. Between 1580 and 1608 there was a founder whose initials I. B. are found on bells in Gloucester, Hereford, Salop, and Worcester. He was overlapped by one Henry Farmer, w hose bells range between 1602 and 1622, and who was succeeded hy John Puhncr tidji — ibbi). With the latter was apparently associated a certain T. S., of \\hom we know little beyond finding his initials on bells in Gloucester and Pembroke; but Palmer's bells are fairly common in Gloucestershire and adjoining counties. Of the above the only one represented in Warwickshire is Henr\- Farmer, who cast the 2nd at Alveston in 1616. It is inscribed THOMAS '^ WELLS THOMAS -J- HIGGINS 1616 -'-p GOD ♦ SAVE -*» NOBEL 'k KINGE •4' lAMES -^ ANO THOMAS -tf TOVNSEND in very neat regular letters with a tleur-dedys stop.^ These stamps were afterwards in the possession of Thomas Hancox (p. 53), and I think also the Keenes of Woodstock (see p. 59). He also cast the bell in the gatehouse at Warwick Castle, which is inscribed THIS BELL 'J^ WAS -> FOVNDED -> ANNOQOMINI -> FOR -^ WEDGNOCK 1605 1 Cf PI. XIX., Kigs. 7, 9, 10. 48 THE CHURCH UKILS OF \VAR\\ I-CKSHIRF.. Farmer's name only occurs on one bell, the tenor at 'J'lirockmorton in Worcestershire; his- chief characteristic is his fondness for giving the day of the month as well as the year on his bells. I have failed to find his \\ ill in the extant list of Gloucester wills. 'IHE PURDUES OF BRISTOL. In the seventeenth century there was a famous family of bell-founders working in the West of England, where their hells remain in large numbers. These were the Purdues, of whom no less than six cart be traced, working successiveh- at Taunton, Bristol, Salisbury, and Closworth in Somerset. This famil\- has not hitherto been investigated with the care that its importance demands, and much still remains to be done. But from an examination of the existing bells, in conjunction with documentarv evidence and other published records, I ha\e been able to draw up a brief summar}- of their respective careers. More than this I do not propose to give, as onl}' one is represented in Warwickshire, and it belongs more properly to the second editor of Wiltshire or Somerset bells (both are badh- needed) to discuss them in full detail. I. GKORGE PUKDri'; Ol- TAINTOX (I5S4 1632). The founder of the dxnasty first appears in 1584 at Penselwood, Somerset. His bells are fairly frequent in that county, Dorset, Devon, and Wilts., and there are three in Worcestershire just a few yards from the Warwickshire border, at Trediugtoii. He is frequently associated with the next member of the family, Roger I., who was probably his }Ounger brother. That he lived at Taunton we know from the parish accounts of Nettlecombe in Somerset. His latest bell is at Cothelston, Somerset (1632). 2. ROGER PURIH'I': ol- BRISTOL (160O — 164O). Roger Purdue set up his foundry at I-)ristol, apparently assisted by another brother William, whose initials occur at Winkfield, \\'ilts. (1607) and elsewhere. His earliest bell (1600) is at Horsington, his latest (1640) at Chiselborough, both in Somerset. His bells are both more numerous and more widel\- distributed than George's (with \\hom, as at Tredington) he is often associated. I have traced him in the following counties : Cornwall, Dorset, Gloucester, Northants, Oxford, Somerset, Warwick and Wilts, and there may be others. The Warwickshire examples are two in number, the treble at Brailes : ►!< I ♦ AM ♦ HEE * FOR * KlCHARD ♦ PVRDI * MADE ^ MEE >l^ ANNO ♦ DOMINI 1624 and the 3rd at Ettington : ^ ANNO <^ DO MI ♦ NI * 1624 ♦ R A P On the waist of each bell is a large representation of the arms of Charles I. when Prince of Wales, with the motto ICH DIEN. These are also found at Fovant and Boyton, Wilts. The lettering used by him and the two other earlier Purdues is very thick and clums\-, but flat and in very low relief, and Mr. A. D. Tyssen suggests that it was rejiroduced not from moulds made in the ordinary wa\-, but from flat pieces of metal which were impressed into the coi)e of the bell to make the mould for the letters to be cast. Geoffrey Giles' lettering (sec above) is of this type. The existence of a group of the Purdues' bells within a somewhat confined area, and all about the same date, one in South Nf)rthants (1^24), four in North Oxfordshire (1618 — 1624^), the three in Worcestershire (1622-24). and the two of 1624 in Soutii Warwickshire, seems ' These are at Alkerton, Chipping Norton, Lower Heyford, and Tadmarton. THE WELLINGTON (SALOP) FOUNDRY. 49 to imply that at that time they made a temporary sojourn at Banbury or at some place in the neighbourhood. It is hardly easy otherwise to account for this synchronous and much localised group. 3. ROGER PURDUE II. (1649-1687) AND WILLIAM PURDUE II. (16 57- lG6<)). These two founders, jnobalsly sons of Roger I., worked together at Bristol for the greatest part of their career, and most bells of the time bear the initials of both. They cast many bells for the six South-Western counties, especialh' Wilts, and Somerset, and William is also found in Berks. William's earliest bell is at Stocklinch Ottersay, Somerset 11637), ^is latest at Brislington and Keynsham in the same county (i66g) ; Roger's earliest, Bristol St. John (1649, with William), his latest Mangotsfield (1687). Between 1655 and 1664 we have evidence that William was at Salisbur)-, where he was assisted by Nathaniel Bolter and Francis Foster ; after this he spent the year 1665 at Chichester, supplying several bells to Sussex. He finally migrated to Ireland, and died in 1673 at Limerick, where his tomb is or was to be seen in the Cathedral (see Ellacombe's Church Bells 0} Gloucestershire, p. 200). 4. THOMAS PURDUE OF CLOSWORTH (1656-1697). The last of the line was Thomas Purdue, who set up a new foundr)- at Closworth near Chard about 1656. His bells are chiefly confined to Somerset and Dorset. He died at Closworth in 171 1, aged 90, and was commemorated on his tomb by an epitaph similar to that on W^illiam's. THE WELLINGTON (SALOP) FOUNDRY. WILLIAM CLIBURY (1605-1642). This foundry, of considerable local importance, lasted from the end of the sixteenth centur}- down to about 1700. The earliest representative, John Clibury, Clebery, or Clibberie (from Cleobury in Shropshire), cast bells for Condover and Cheswardine in Shropshire in the years 1591 and 1592 respectively. So much we learn from the accounts of those two parishes, but neither these nor any other bells certainly traceable to this John remain.^ Next we find one William Clibury casting between 1605 and 1642, whose bells can be identified not only by shield with the initials W C, but in two cases by a large foundry-stamp on the waist, with a bell surrounded by the words WILLIAM CLEBRY MADE ME ; these are at Clunbtiry and Kemberton, Salop. It should be noted that at Clunbury he uses the large Brasyer capitals then in the hands of Hugh Watts; but his are not quite identical with Watts', and must be a duplicate set (see p. 45). Of William Clibury, curiously enough, no traces can be found in the Wellington Registers; but they only begin in 1626, which would explain the absence of his birth and marriage. He died about 1642, possibly in some other parish. During the seventeenth centurj' we find a John and at least three Thomas Cliburj-s mentioned in the Registers, and of the latter two can be traced as bell-founders, one contemporary with William, who died in 1637, ^^d another who carried on the business until 1673. These two also use shields with their initials. Finally, Henry Clibury, born to the second Thomas in 1645, carried on the foundry until 1682, when it passed into the hands of a founder whose initials are I. B., and with whom it came to an end about 1700. The evidence yielded by the Wellington Registers is somewhat confusing, and it is difficult to connect the various individuals mentioned, still more so to draw up a proper pedigree ; but as I shall have to treat of the Cliburys more fully in my Church Bells of Shropshire, I do not propose to do more in the present instance than to note their connection with Warwickshire. 1 See, however, p. 45 for a suggestion. 50 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. In this county we have two bells which must be assigned to William Clibury, though they bear neither initials nor trade-mark : the 2nd at Grendon inscribed : ^1 QJ^OI^Ift ±:±±^ IM ^^ EXC£;L,SVS »^»^ DF^O ±^±± 1615 and the 3rd at Wolston, the inscription and cross on which are similar: sj. QLOI^IA ttttt-i-t DEO tttttft IN +tttttt EXCEL^V^ ttttttt 1620 tttttft (with Churchwardens' names below). The inscription is a very favourite one with William Clibury, and he almost invariably makes the mistake EXCELSVS for EXCELSIS ; elsewhere he uses lESVS BE OVR SPEED, GOD SAVE HIS CHVRCH, or CANTATE DOMINO CANTICVM NOVVM. The initial cross (Plate XXI. Fig. 11) is found on many of his bells, but he possessed a large assortment of these, as also of ornamented borders, employed between the words as here (Plate XXL Figs. 8, 12, 13) or above and below the inscription. His letters are thin, but well-formed, with slight elaborations, and with sprigged ornamentation within them ; there appear to be two- sizes employed. THE HANCOXES OF WALSALL (1622— 1640). From the researches of Dr. Wilmore, of Walsall,^ we know that in the seventeenth century there was a foundry in that town, owned first by Thomas Hancox, who was Mayor in 1620 ; it was located at the " Pot-house " in Park Street. This Hancox died in 1631, as we know from the entry in the registers of St. Matthew's Church : Burials. Oct. 25. Thomas Hancox, Alderman. But there are many bells of the same type as his, with dates covering the following ten years, and these must be attributed to his son, Thomas Hancox II., who married Anne Wollaston in 1630. There is no record of his death, but as " Widow Hanco.x " died in 1641,. and his latest bell is dated 1640, it must have been in one of those two years. Some thirty-four bells by the two Hancoxes are known, of which eight are in their own county of Staffordshire, eight also in Warwickshire and in Worcestershire ; Derbyshire has four, Herefordshire and Leicestershire each two, Gloucestershire and Shropshire one apiece. They were founders of decided originality and taste, more particularly the younger one, and not only reproduced mediaeval inscriptions, but adorned their bells with elaborate medallions, borders and impressions of mediaeval seals. The trade-mark of the elder was a shield with an anchor and his initials (Plate XIX. Fig. 4) ; the younger uses the same device, but within a heart- shaped frame (Plate XIX. Fig. 2). Besides the bells mentioned above, Thomas Hancox Least the ring for the old parish church of Liverpool, and his son cast the great bell at St. Mary's,. Lichfield, in 1634, together with Thomas Clibury of Wellington.- As the Hancoxes have not so far had full justice done to them by any previous writer, even, by the historian of Staffordshire bells, I propose to treat them in fuller detail than I have done with other founders of this period who are represented in Warwickshire. I will therefore go through their bells in chronological order, including the examples from this county. I. THOMAS HANCOX I. (1622-1631). 1622. The only bell of this year, Hancox's earliest example, is the priest's bell at St- Mary, Sia^ord, inscribed in plain flat, rather small, letters : — THOMS HANOOX ;j\^ ^^ FISET cj. 1622 •>-^»-<-»-<- ' History of Walsall, p. 275 ; Registers 0/ St. Mary's, Walsall, pp. 230, 245. ' Harwood, Nist. of Lichfield, p. 466. THE HANCOXES OF WALSALL. 51 The Stops are a fleur-de-lys and the crossed keys of St. Peter, the latter of which was also used by Godwin Baker of Worcester (see p. 56), with whom Hancox must have had some connection. Of the device below the date I shall have more to say later on (p. 55). The plait-band (PI. XX. 4) after the date is the same as used by the Newcombes (p. 38). 1626. In this year there are four bells: the 4th and 5th at Holmer, Herefordshire, and the 2nd and 3rd at Aston Cantlow in this county: — Holmer 4th : THO 'B? HANCOX ME EESCIT -> Q 1626 iarabesqves) es GLORIA DEO IN EXCESIS ^ -> •*• 5th: MY ROARING SOVND DOTH WARNING GIVE THAT MEN CANNOT HERE 1626 Below :-1 'ic ^ kV^kYE?> LIVE Aston Cantlow 2nd : ^ lOeiAH FVLLWOOD GENTLEMAN THOMAS ADKINS CHVRCH WARDEN '. Below :— Shield with T H and 1626; nbove and below, arabesques. 3rd: ^ {Rosette) ^ jkW k My\fN ET CHRI^TI PLEB13QVE RELIQIO VAj^A 4 1626 ^ (Vine-pattern). Below.— Heart-shaped mark with T H. Of these, the two Holmer bells have plain lettering like that at Stafford, but on the 2nd at Aston Cantlow he introduces a new set, apparently identical with Henry Farmer's (see p. 47), which he may possibly have acquired. The lettering on the 3rd is of a narrow " spindly " type. The stop at Holmer is* a fleur-de-lys (also Farmer's ; see PI. XIX. 7), which only occurs once on the 5th ; he also introduces on the 4th a crown and arabesques. The N is reversed throughout. We find the last-named pattern (PI. XX. 7) on Aston Cantlow 2nd, with a peculiar kind of cross moline (PI. XIX. S), and the shield trade-mark (PI. XIX. 4), but on the 3rd the ornaments are a bell (PL XIX. 5), a running vine pattern (PL XXII. 3), and the heart-shaped trade-mark (PL XIX. 2) usually associated with his son (see below). 1628. The only bell of this year is South Littleton, Worcestershire, old 2nd : — lESVS BEE OVR SPEED 1628 with type as Aston Cantlow 2nd, fleur-de-lys stop, and a border of ornament in which are set five medallions (PL XX. 1-3; see below). 1629. The treble at Aston Cantlow : JOHN 4' GIBBES ^ WIL -*- BARDSHA {Medallion Border) C ♦ W (border PL XX. 5) 1629 (border). 1630. Four bells belong to this year: Swindon, Gloucestershire, 4th : — ^ GLORIA '*• DEO "i!? I sj i' i' EXCELSIS ♦ 1630 T <' H (Vine-pattem). Acton Trussel, Staffordshire, 3rd: SOM ROSA POL^ATA MONDE fAkF(\k VOCATA the letters as Aston Cantlow 3rd, with vine and medallion borders, and the heart-shaped mark. 52 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. Wliittiiigton, Staffordshire, ist : Type and marks as Aston Cantlow 2nd. Birtsmorton, Worcestershire, 4th : GLORIA QEO IN EXCELSIS lOHN ZANFAN ESQVYER EDWARD -*- COWPER {vme) PARSON 1630 Fleur-de-lys, vine-border, and lettering as before ; the shield with T. H. (PI. XIX. 5) is not the same as at Aston Cantlow. 2. BELLS OF THE YEAR 163I. These may be either by Thomas Hancox I. or II. It does not seem possible to differentiate their stamps, or to say that particular marks were used by one or the other. The bells, five in number, are : — Corley 5th. lESVS BEE OVR SPEED (narrow border) WILLIAM HALLEY FRANCIS MILLER r^on^v-; WARDENS | ) O ■$. ! ~| \Q^\( plaii band ) On wai's/ : w Elmdon ist: lE^V^ (floral border) BE {vine pattern) OVR ^ ^PED (flor^^ border) I6SI (medallion border) Q Maxstoke ist: gloria deo in excelsis lesi '. T H ' On waist : o o All these being in Warwickshire; also Droitwich, St. Andrew, Worcestershire, 4th and 6th. with inscriptions as Elmdon and Maxstoke respectively, type as Aston Cantlow ist, fleur-de-lys stop and vine borders ; on one is an oval medallion, on the other a circular ?)ne, and on both is the shield-shaped trade-mark (PI. XIX. 4) as Aston Cantlow 2nd. The border at Corley (Fig. 8^ PI. XX. 6 ; see below) is a narrow variety of the usual vine ; at Elmdon two new floral borders are introduced.' The type at Corley is a small variety of the usual thick type ; that at Maxstoke is thinner. The Maxstoke medallion is discussed below, p. 54. 3. THOMAS HANCOX II. (1632 164O). 1632. Ibsiock, Leicestershire, ist : i^l SOLI ♦ DEO '^ GLORIA ^1' PAX 4^ HOMINIBVS 1632 ^ ww.«/ (with arabesques and cable-borders above and below the inscription). Do. do. 3rd : >h ^OMF^O^A (^"'^) POL^ATA (vine) fAOl^DE (vine) fA AF{\ A (vine) VOCATA il? 1632 'il' H i{? W 'i' (medallion border); trade-mark and seal as at Maxstoke. Shareshill, Staffordshire, 4th: lettering as Aston Cantlow ist; fleur-de-lys stop; heart- shaped trade-mark ; inscription as Maxstoke. Stafford, St. Chad, ist: inscribed as Acton Trussel, with floral border as Elmdon, stop and trade-mark as last. 1 One is I'l. XX. Fig. 5 ; the other, like others of Hancox's stamps, is derived from Henry Farmer (p. 47) ; see for this. Reliquary, Vol. xxi., Fig. 182. THE HAN'COXES OF WALSAI.L. 53 Stowe, Staffordshire, ist: lettering as Shareshill, with fleur-de-lys and lloral border. 1633. In this year we have the 2nd at Mancetter in this county: ■*• SOLI f/loml border) DEO (vine) GLORIA (floral border) PAX {medallion border) 'J. O HOMINIBVS ^^^ 1633 C V {'>order PI. XX. 5). Below : hearUshapd mark ; above and below, arabesques. The medalhon here is discussed below, p. 54 ; the border before the date (PI. XX. 8) occurs on a bell at Bulkington by John Greene of Worcester (p. 55). Abbot's Morton, Worcestershire, 2nd: inscription as Elmdon, with heart-shaped mark and initial cross. Doveridge, Derbyshire, tenor, the most elaborately-ornamented of all his bells :' *h ^QJV1F?03A ('''>" i^'^'-^''') POL SAT A (^"'^) MONDE (^»«^) jVIARIA ^'^'"'^ VOCATA □ 1633 "^ (medallion border) \~\ Below : heart-mark and two seals. See below, p. 54. 1634. Harlaston, Staffordshire, ist : small type as at Maxstoke ; no marks. 1636. BiCkenhill, Warwickshire, 3rd : IJLI lE^VS BE OVf^ ^PED ^ 1636 (vine and medallion borders). The cross here and on Ibstock ist supra (PI. XXI. 7), was afterwards used by John Martin (P- 57)- Derby, St. Peter, three remaining from the original ring (the ist, 2nd, and 4th),- all with fleur-de-lys stop and borders between words, the ist inscribed as Elmdon, the fourth as Maxstoke, the second GOD SAVE OVR KING. 1638. Wolverhampton, St. Peter, Sanctus; small letters as Maxstoke; fieur-de-lys stop. ■fr ALL l!? PRAISE "t" AND •it? GLORY -i? BE <)J? TO "I? GOD if? FOR EVER 1638 1640. Hartlebury, Worcestershire, 5th and 7th, the latter inscribed : MASTER EYRE THE CORONER GAVE TO THIS BELL THIRTIE POVNDES 1640 The 5th has fleur-de-lys stop and scroll-border, and both have arabesques above and below ; lettering as Aston Cantlow ist. In addition there are two undated bells, the 3rd at Hampton Lovett, Worcestershire, inscribed as Acton Trussel, with cross as Aston Cantlow 2nd ; and the 3rd at Ash/ord Carbonell, Shropshire, which has simply the inscription IHESVS BE OVRE SPEDE in the Maxstoke lettering, without any ornaments. The numerous stamps employed by the Hancoxes demand more detailed description, at least as regards those found in Warwickshire. It will be seen that there is little distinction between those employed by the elder and the younger. In all they use six varieties of lettering, but only one is at all common. On the majority of the bells we find a type (PI. XIX. Figs, g, 10) previously used by Henry Farmer (p. 47), subsequently passing into the hands of Richard 1 See for an account of this bell, Reliquary, xxi. p. 66. - See for these Tranx. Derbyshire Arch, and N. H. Soc., xxi. p. 90. 54 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. Keene (p. 59), as did also a smaller variety of the same, used by Hancox at Corlej'. On others, as at Elmdon and Aston Cantlow (3rd) is a set of thin narrow letters, and at Maxstoke a smaller set of similar type. The bells at St. Mary, Stafford, Holmer, and Ibstock are inscribed in plain thick letters of two sizes. The tleur-de-lys stop, PL XIX. 7, (also used by Farmer and Keene) appears on most of the bells from first to last, with a smaller and plainer version at St. Mary, Stafford, and at Wolverhampton. Of initial crosses we find three varieties : a plain one on Aston Cantlow 3rd (PI. XX. 9) ; a double-lined cross moline (PL XIX. 8) on Aston Cantlow 2nd ; and an elaborate form at Bickenhill and Ibstock {PL XXI. Fig. 7) afterwards used by John Martin (p. 57). There are also some half-dozen varieties of ornamental borders used in the inscriptions: (i) Arabesques like Watts' (PI. XX. 7), on Aston Cantlow 2nd above the inscription ; (2) A running " vine " pattern also used at Leicester and Nottingham (pp. 38, 62) ; (3) A narrow version of the same (at Corley, Fig. 8=P1. XX. 6) ;^ (4) A border (PL XX. 8) also Fig. 8. used by John Greene at Bulkington (p. 55), which occurs at Mancetter; (5) an elegant floral scroll derived from Farmer, found at Elmdon, Mancetter and Doveridge (see p. 52) ; (6) a remarkable t}-pe of scroll-border with busts in medallions at intervals (PL XX. Figs. 1-3), occurring at Aston Cantlow, Bickenhill, and Mancetter ; (7) a variety of type (3) found at Elmdon (PL XX. 5). The foundry-marks have already been noted, as have other marks where they occur, with some exceptions presently to be discussed. Mean\\-hile, it is interesting to see how many of the above stamps were also used by other founders, both earlier and later, as noted in most instances. But of all their stamps the most remarkable are the three impressions of seals which occur in several instances, sometimes also in a mutilated form. At Mancetter, and also at Doveridge and Droitwich St. Andrew, we find thus impressed the seal of the Guild of Corpus Christi and St. Nicholas of Coventry, which was founded in 1348.- The design (PL XIX. Fig. 3) is thus described by Llewellyn Jewitt^: " A full length figure of St. Nicholas, habited as a bishop, with mitre, standing with hands outstretched in an attitude of adoration before an altar, on which stands a chalice with paten. In front of his upturned face, over the altar, is the usual emblem of the Deity — a hand in the act of benediction, issuing from clouds, and surrounded by rays of heavenly light. The entire field is diapered with foliage. The surrounding legion is (Sigillti frateruitatis (SUbc Corp 'is £pi tl* s'c'i mch'i be : CL'olJc't';':." At Maxstoke and Doveridge the bells have similar seals on the waist, in this case the seal of the Premonstratensian Abbey of the B. V. M. and St. Thomas at West Langdon, Kent, founded in 1212. The obverse, as here given (PL XIX. Fig. i), represents "within a richly- decorated and gabled Gothic tabernacle or shrine, elaborately arcaded, a seated figure crowned of the B. V. M., her right arm supporting the Infant Saviour, her left supporting one of her breasts." The legend is SIGIIiLi' ©OffifflyRG fflORpS^flFJII ©e@e BG ffiflFJIfl U DG Iif^HGDOn. The reverse of the seal, not given on the bell, represents the murder of Thomas- i-Becket.* ' Also used by James Keene {Buds, fig. 60). - .See Frettonin Reliquary, XXI. p. 68. » Ibid, p. 66. • Ibid. ; see also Bril. Mus. Cat. of Seals, No. 3396. THE WORCESTER FOUNDRY (1609 — 1693). 55 Thirdly, we find at St. Mary, Stafford, and St. Andrew, Droitwich, a vesica-shaped seal recognisable as that of Edmund Scamblcr, a not very re[)utable Bishop of Peterborough (1560- 1585). The impression is indistinct ; but the arms of the see impaling the Bishop's own may be seen in the exergue. The two central figures, cut out from this seal (PI. XIX. Fig. 7), arc found on the bell at Elmdon. THE WORCESTER FOUNDRY (1609-1693). We have already seen (p. 11) that one Nicholas Grene was founding at Worcester in the first half of the sixteenth century, and the name was not destined to die out for more than 100 years. As we gather from his will, his business passed into the hands of his son Henry, whose works, if any still exist, cannot now be traced; but as early as 1599 we find bells in Worcestershire bearing the initials I. G. These, with one in Gloucestershire, form a group of five; and the clue to the meaning of these initials must be sought in a later group, of which the earliest is dated i6og, the latest 1633. Of these several bear a shield with three bells and the initials I. G. (PI. XXI. Fig. 4), from which we may deduce that the founder was the son and successor of the earlier I. G. On one bell, however, the sanctus at St. John's, Worcester, the founder fortunately reveals his full name as John Greene, and thus we may now consider the family succession of Grenes from Nicholas to be established. Before I was aware of the existence of the Worcester bell, I had arrived at this conclusion from external evidence, and am glad that my theories have thus been proved correct. This John Greene, with whom I deal more fully than the other members of the family, because he was working in Warwickshire, occurs twice in public documents, in one case in a more or less discreditable fashion. In the records of Stratford-on-Avon, under date 26 July, 1627, is the entry, "John Greene, bell-founder, was presented by the minister and churchwardens for working on Sabbath-day, July 13, in y* time of divine service," and probably fined. ^ And in those of Ludlow there is a payment in 1623-24 to Greene the Bell-founder towards his chardges by the appoynttn' of M"" Bayliffs iij' iij'' Although the same accounts for the following year give a most interesting description of the casting of bells for Ludlow Church, it is doubtful if Greene's tender was accepted, as we read of a subsequent payment to a founder named Oldfield, and the facts that the casting took place on the spot, and that Oldfield was an itinerating worker point to his being the successful man. There are, however, a fair number of bells remaining, which from the presence of the shield above mentioned, or the similarity of lettering and initial cross, may bo assigned to this John Greene. Two of these are in Warwickshire, curiously enough, on the far side of the county : Bulkington ist: lESVS ^±±± BE ^^±j^ OVR SPEEDE M±± HSr 1614 with a border between the words also used by Hancox at Mancetter (p. 53), and Shilton4th: >J< lESVS BE OVR SPEED 1614 R W '^J^ Both bells bear the foundr}--shield, and the latter a plain initial cross ; the lettering is neat and well-formed, about one inch high. I have elsewhere given a list of John Greene's bells then 1 North and Stahlschmidt, Herls., p. 33 ; Halliwell, Church-wardcna' Papers, p. 25. 56 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. known to me, ^ but as I can now give a fuller list, I may be pardoned for doing so here. In chronological order they are : — 1609. Herefordshire Holmer ist. 1614. Warwick Bulkington ist. ,, Shilton 4th. 1618. ^^'orcester Upton Warren 3rd. 1620. „ Stoke Prior 7th. 1625. Hereford Stoke Lacy 3rd. 1626. Worcester Grimley 5th. „ „ W^orcester St. John small bell, inscribed -^ ihon gren 1626. 1627. ,, Bockleton ist. 1628. Hereford Little Hereford 2nd. 1632. Worcester Holt 3rd. 1633. „ Cotheridge 2nd and 3rd. ,, „ Pirton 1st and 2nd. 1674.^ „ Naunton Beauchamp old tenor. Of these it may be noted that the Upton Warren bell also bears the initials B. G., perhaps denoting another member of the famih^ who acted as John's foreman. Mention should also be made of a later bell, the 3rd at Lugwardine, near Hereford, cast by "John G. of Wostar," in 1651. This is probably a later John, and the existence of yet a fourth is implied by an entry in the registers of St. Helen's, Worcester, of the baptism of a John Greene in 1650-51. But we can trace no further efforts of the Greene family in the bell-founding line, and they doubtless suffered eclipse by a star which appeared in the horizon in 1644 in the person of one John Martin. Before we come to John Martin however, it should be mentioned that in the interesting accounts of St. Nicholas, Warwick, for 1619 there are two entries which appear to relate to Worcester founders : In primis p"^ to Richard Dawkes in Ernest when he undertooke the Casting of the fourth Bell xij-^ Given to Symon Baker the Belfounder over and above .. ... ... ... ... v'* This bell, apparently the joint production of the two men named, was recast b}- Richard Keene in 1695. The accounts imply that it was actually cast at Stratford, but the existence of Worcestershire bells dated 1613 — 1633 with the initials R. D., and of another of 1615 at Worcester St. Peter with the name of Godwin Baker, seems to imply that they were Worcester founders.^ On the other hand, when the great bell of Stratford Guild Chapel was recast hv Richard Daiikes in 1606, he is spoken of as "the bell-founder at Evesham."* Possibly he was there temporarily ; but the distribution of his bells points to his foundry being at Worcester. JOHN MARTIN (1644-1693). This founder, who enjoyed for some fifty years a long and prosperous business career, would seem to have been born about the year 1620, and to have set up his foundry in Silver Street, in the parish of St. Martin, Worcester, on a site still known as Bell-founder's yard. The well- known practice of giving foundlings a surname from their adopted parish may possibly explain the identity of his surname with that of his locality ; it is at all events significant that the registers do not record his baptism, or any earlier Martin's. If, however, he appeared in Worcester without even the traditional half-crown, he appears to have risen rapidly, as he must 1 Archaeol. Journal, Ixiii., p. 190. = Date probably intended for 1624. The bell was certainly John Greene's. ' See Arch. Journal, Ixiii. p. 191. * See the extracts from the Chamberlains' Accounts, quoted s.v. in Part II. JOHN MARTIN (1644 — ^(>93)- 57 have been under thirty when he cast his first bell, and by the time that the troubles of the Civil War were over he was evidently in a prosperous position, with an extended clientele. His marriage took place under the strictly civil conditions of the Commonwealth in 1655, as the parish registers set forth : — Memor'' that John Martin of y* pish of Martins in y* Cittie of Worcester & Anne Knight of y* pish of Sweathin's [Swithin's] in y' Cittie aforesayd were marled by Mr. John Nash on of y' Justic' of y' peace of y" Cittie of Worcester y" 8th daye of December 1555 being pubhckely proclaimed 3 several Lord dayes in y" pish Church of Martins in y° Cittie of Worcester. Witnesses John Martin & Maria Gallowaye and John Roberts Register. The presence of a John Martin as witness may perhaps run counter to the theory I have put forward above, as one would naturally suppose him to be our founder's father. I have also sometimes thought that a career of fifty years is too long for one man, and that there may have been two John Martins ; but at all events there is no evidence to this effect to be derived from the bells themselves, on which the same stamps are employed throughout. However, if he began his career in 1644 at the age of twenty-five, he would only be 74 when he cast his last bell, and 78 at his death, which is recorded in the registers as follows : — 1697. John Martin was buried April y^ 18. His wife Anne only preceded him by a few days, being buried on the 15th of the same month. We have very few bells from John Martin between 1644 and 1650, which need not be a matter for surprise, and vet}' few again after 1685 ; but between 1650 and 1670 he was in the heyday of his career, and out of 135 Worcestershire bells cast during the whole fifty years no less than 80 are his work. He is also found in the counties of Gloucester, Montgomery, Radnor, Shropshire, Stafford, Hereford and Leicester,' and there are fifteen of his bells in Warwickshire, as follows : — 1650. Bickenhill 4th. 1655. Clifton 5th. Sheldon 4th. 1661. Temple Grafton bell. Wishaw 1st and 2nd. 1663. Curdworth 2nd. 1653. Ryton 3rd. 1664. Ipsley ist and 2nd. Tachbrook ist. 1670. Gt. Alne bell. 1654. Fillongley old and. 1672. Wixford 2nd. Withybrook old 3rd. It will be noted that these only cover a period of some twenty 3'ears. Their distribution is also worth noting. Those of 1650 are all near Birmingham ; those of 1653 — 55 are all on the far side of Warwickshire ; while those of 1661-72 are nearly all close to the Worcestershire border. In connection herewith it is curious that John Martin's bells are ver}^ rare in East Worcestershire, where the Bagleys proved too strong for him. John Martin used two sets of lettering, one thick, the other thin, and a foundry-stamp of which there are three varieties (PI. XXI. Figs. 2, 3, 10). He either employs a large oblong shield- surrounded by mantling, on which are three bells and the initials I. M., or a heart- shaped mark like Hancox's, with the initials and only one bell. A smaller variety of the latter appears on his smaller bells, accompanied by a correspondingly small variety of the thin lettering (as at Temple Grafton, etc.). He sometimes (as at Bickenhill) uses an effective initial cross (PI. XXI. Fig. 7 ; derived from Hancox, see p. 54), and is fond of ornament between the words, usually a series of " palmettes " (PI. XXI. 6) as at Ipsley, and sometimes a narrow running border (PI. XXI. 8) as at Great Alne. In addition he is fond of arabesques like those used by Watts and Hancox (PI. XX. 7) as a lower border to the inscriptions. 1 At Ashby Magna and Thurlaston, not identified by North. - Tiiis shield appears to have come from Buckingham. It is used (without the initials) by R. Atton in 163I on the 4th at Olney, Bucks, (see Cocks, p. 207). H 58 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. His inscriptions do not call for much comment, at least so far as concerns Warwickshire. By far the commonest is the SOLI DEO GLORIA PAX HOMINIBVS which is found at Bickenhill, Sheldon, etc. ; but frequently he merely gives the names of churchwardens. BRYAN ELDRIDGE OF CHERTSEY (164O 1661). The Eldridges, first of Wokingham, Berks., then of Chertsey, Surrey, had a flourishing foundry lasting through four generations, from 1565 to 1715. Their history is full)- detailed in Stahlschmidt's Surrey, p. logff. (see also Bucks, p. 242). As a rule their bells are not found far north of the Thames Valley, but the fourth of the name, Bryan Eldridge IL, who succeeded his father, Brj-an I., in 1640, probably found his business during the period of the Civil War and early Commonwealth in a very unsatisfactory condition. Whether this was so or not, he appears to have attempted a new departure about 1656, in which year we find him settled at Coventry, and casting bells for Warwickshire and adjoining counties. He did not however give up his Chertsey foundry, as he was casting bells there for Wraysbury, Bucks., in 1657, and probably he paid intermittent visits to Coventry, leaving a foreman in charge. In 1658 he left the neighbourhood. Of his bells in the Midlands there are eleven now existing ; others have disappeared more or less recently. There is one at Tamworth (the 5th). t«o in Leicestershire (Shawell and Stoke Golding trebles), and the old 2nd at Crick, Northants, all dated 1656. He is also to be found at Standish in Gloucestershire (1656), but we cannot be certain that these last-named bells were not cast at Chertsey. In Warwickshire we have: 1656. Kenilworth 6th. 1657. Harborough Magna 2nd and 3rd. Lapworth 2nd. Wappenbury ist. Withybrook old 2nd. 1658. Fillongley ist. 1657. Burton Hastings ist. Willey ist. all inscribed alike BRYANVS ELDRIDGE ME FECIT with the date. Stahlschmidt notes that he always used the English version of this formula up to 1648, afterwards always the Latin. There were formerly three of these bells at Kenilworth, each having the initials O P I D after the date, but now only the tenor, a fine bell, remains. In 1656 we read that he cast a bell for St. Mary's, Warwick, which must have perished in the fire of 1693, and it is from the Churchwarden's accounts of that parish that we learn the place of his foundry during these two years. The entries run ■} Paid to Mr. Eldridge for casting three new Bells and making the rest tunable ... ;^28. Paid for going to Coventry to seal the articles with the bell-founder... ... ... 3s. It might also be gathered from the geographical position of these bells that Coventry was the natural centre whence they emanated. WILLIAM ELDRIDGE (1661 — I/IS"!. Bryan Eldridge was succeeded by his younger brother William, who had a fairly prosperous career of some fifty years, finally relinquishing the foundry at Chertsey in 1714, when he retired to West Drayton in Middlesex, and died in 1716, after becoming churchwarden and recasting the bells there. His bells are very like his brother's as regards the style of the inscriptions; only one has penetrated so far as Warwickshire, the single bell at Temple Balsall, which is inscribed WILLIAM ELDRIDGE MADE MEE 1670 *♦♦*♦ in plain but good Roman lettering. 1 Notices of Warwick;)! ire Churches, i., p. 29. THI-: KEENES OK WOODSTOCK. 59 TIIIC KEENES OE WOODSTOCK. In 1612 a founder named James Keene, in conjunction with Edward Newcombe (see p. 38) was carrying on a branch of tiic Leicester foundry at Bedford. He worked here for at least ten years, but some time after the death or retirement of Newcombe in 1622, probably between that year and 1631, migrated to Woodstock in Oxfordshire. He is the maker of a considerable number of bells still existing in Beds., Bucks, and Northants, and of others in Oxfordshire and neighbouring counties, which may be presumed to have been cast at Wood- stock. They date between the years 1626 and 1654, the year of his death, while the bells cast at Bedford go down to 1641. Mr. Cocks notes that there arc none to be traced in the years 1642 — 1647, the cause of which is undoubtedly the Civil War.' James Keene is only represented in Warwickshire by one bell — and that only just within the border — the second at Long: Compton, which was cast by him in 1652. It has merely the names of churchwardens in neat narrow letters, remarkably like those used by Thomas Hancox (p. 51) on the Aston Cantlow treble, with a similar fleur-de-lys as stop (Bucks, pi. 26, fig. 5). I rather suspect that he inherited or bought up some of that founder's plant. It is interesting to note that the treble in the same tower of Long Compton is very similar to the 2nd, having the same lettering, stop, and date ; but the churchwardens' names are different, and the founder's initials are not I K, but R K, letters which obviously stand for Richa.rd Keene, the successor and probably the son of James. His birth does not occur in the Woodstock Registers, and he was probably born at Bedford. The initials on this bell are followed by a sort of double scroll border {Bucks. Fig. 62) which seems to have come from Godwin Baker of Worcester (see p. 56). Richard Keene carried on the foundry at Woodstock from James' death in 1654 until 1698, when he removed to Royston in Cambridgeshire, and set up his foundrj- there for four or five years." A list of his bells in Bucks., Oxon., and elsewhere is given by Mr. Cocks, but his celebrity was more than purely local, and he occurs as far away as Martley in West Worcestershire, where he cast a ring of six in 1673, going down there specially for the purpose, as local records shew. In Warwickshire we can reckon, besides the Long Compton treble, thirteen of his bells, and five others now departed ; and just over the border is a ring of six at Shipston-on-Stour. The first that comes under our notice is the old 4th at Brailes, with its boastful jingle, which has been thoughtfully preserved on its successor of 1900 (by Mears and Stainbank) : — IME NOT THE BELL I WAS BUT QUITE ANOTHER IME NOW AS RITE AS MERRY GEORGE MY BROTHER 1668 RICH : KEENE ME FECIT Three years later Keene tried his hand once more at Brailes, and to the same poetical effect, on the existing 5th : ILE CRACK NO MORE NOW RING YOVR FILL MERRY GEORGE I WAS AND WILL BE STILL ♦ JOHN OKELY RIC CAPELL C W R 1671 K Here at all event his prophecy has been justified. In 1669 we have the inner four of the six at Chadshunt, to which he added a treble and tenor in 1693. The inscriptions on the 2nd, 4th, and 5th are Latin, and all worth quoting : NVMEN INEST NVMERIS, eU. IN MEDIO TVTISSIMVS IBIS AMICI MVSARVM MEI GENITORES 1 See generally, Bucks, p. i62fl. 2 See Raven, Cambs. p. 97 ; Deedes and Walters, Essex, p. llS. 60 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. the 3rd has only churchwardens' names. On the two bells of 1693 he indulges in further flights of ingenuity, as follows : — ist: PROCAROLO NEWSHAM HANC RESVNO MVSAM 6th: VITAM EXHILARO MORTEM CONDOLED, etc. We also find him at Aston CantlOW, where he gives his name on the tenor: RICH KEENE MEDE MEE 1681 ; and at Leamington Hastings, where he supplied a small sanctus bell in 1677. I" 1689-90 he cast the ring of six at Great Wolford, of which the ist, 2nd, and 4th remain, giving in various forms the name of their donor. Major Thomas Kyte, whose "canting" coat-of-arms (a chevron between three kite's heads erased), occurs on each, as also on bells by Keene at Chipping Campden in Gloucestershire. The inscriptions are as follows : ist: MAIOR THOMAS KYTE CAST MEE LEADER OF THIS RINO TO BE 1690 2nd: CAPTAIN THOMAS KEYTE cast MEE 1689 4th: MAYGOR KEYTE CAST THIS RINGE 1690 Finally in 1695 he cast a ring of six for St. Nicholas, Warwick, of which the 2nd and 4th remain (as the present 4th and 6th), inscribed : LAVDATE DOMINVM IN EXCELSIS MD.CXCV RICHARD KEENE CAST THIS RING M D CXCV The 3rd of the ring, recast by Charles and George Mears about 1850, had merely the date 1695. On most of these bells the lettering is of the same type as at Long Compton (cf. PI. XXIL Figs. 5, 8) ; but the 3rd, 4th, and 5th at Chadshunt and the treble and 2nd at Great Wolford are inscribed in a similar but smaller alphabet,^ with the larger date-figures on the last-named bell. Keene seems to have dropped all the crosses and ornaments used by his father. Mr. Cocks- thinks James Keene's bells were superior to his son's ; and both far inferior to " their trade-parents," Newcombe and Watts. He has collected some interesting details about their foundry at Woodstock,^ in which town remains of bell-metal have been dug up in a garden in Oxford Street.* We know from an existing deed that Richard Keene at one time lived in that very street. In the Registers of Woodstock there is an entry of the burial of one Richard Keene in 1704, and as his Royston-cast bells do not go later than 1703, it is possible that he returned to his native town to end his days. TOBY NORRIS OF STAMFORD (l652 — 1698). The Stamford foundry covered the whole of the seventeenth century, lasting just over lOO years (1607 — 1708'. Its first representative was Tobias Norris^ I. (1607 — 1626), its second Thomas Norris, whose name occurs on Northants bells between 1629 and 1671 ; but neither is represented in Warwickshire. Tobias or Toby Norris II., born in 1634, appears to have begun casting during his father's life-time, as he occurs in Northants as early as 1662. He died in 1698, and was succeeded by Alexander Rigby, with whom the foundry came to an end ten years later. ' Also used by Hancox at Corley (see p. 52). ' Bucks, p. 171. ' Ibid. p. 167. * /bid. p. 170. '' The late Dr. Raven informed me that in 1900 he had iret with a schoolmaster named Tobias Norris, to his great satisfaction. THIi NOTTINGHAM I-OUNDRY (155O — I74I;. 6I The only Warwickshire i)ell from this foundry is the 2nd at Wolvey, supplied by Toby Norris II. in 1680 and inscribed : — ♦^ I ASTLEY ESQ. C FITCH GENT T FRASER GENT E PHIPPES GENT (Scroll between wordfi}. I TOONE C W TOBY NORRIS CAST ME 1680 {Plail-band between words). The initial cross (PI. XXII. Fig. 5) was used by his predecessors, but the arabesque ornaments between the words in the first line' are his own ; the plait-border in the second line (PI. XX. Fig. 4) apparently came originally from Newcombe and Hancox, but it was also used by James Keene. His lettering is of a thick type, something like Hugh Watts'. THE NOrriNGHAM FOUNDRY (1530— 1741).! We have seen on an earlier page (p. 21) that previous to 1560 the Nottingham foundry was in the hands of one Humphry Quarnbie, from whom it descended to his son Robert. The latter associated himself with a family of Oldfields, in whose hands it remained for many years. As, however, there are no Nottingham bells in Warwickshire between 1510 (or thereabouts) and 1647, I propose to give only a brief outline of their career down to the period when they are again represented in the county. The first Oldfield of whom we hear is one Thomas who cast the sanctus bell at Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, in 1553, but nothing more is known of him. It may be noted in passing that the earliest dated Nottingham bell known to me is the 4th at North Muskham, Notts., which has an inscription in small Gothic capitals with the Mellourrose and " R " shield (PI. X. Figs. 6, 8), and the date CQDLtUI (1556). But this is more likely to be Humphrey Quarnbie's work, in view of the use of Mellour's stamps. I may also note here that in 1567 four bells were cast for Worksop by Thomas and Michael Reve- ; but there is nothing to indicate that they were Nottingham men. Their names are not otherwise known ; nor do we know more than the name of William Wood, living in 1573.' Next we have Henry Oldfield L, working about 1545 — 1580,^ to whom North assigns certain bells of " transitional " character, bearing the A set of Royal Heads (p. S) and William Rufford's cross (PI. V. 12-14). These stamps, derived from the Worcester founders (p. 12), seem to have come from Nicholas Grene of Worcester about 1540 to Nottingham. They are found with Nottingham lettering at Kemberton, Salop, in 1594, and the cross with the corresponding lettering, on bells at Tattenhall, Cheshire, dated 1595. But as the earliest dated Nottingham bell with these stamps is one of 1585, they are clearly too late for Henn*' Oldfield I., and must be the work of his successor. We know more about the third holder of the name, Henry Oldfield II. (1582 — 1619),* whose bells in Notts, and adjoining counties are very numerous, being recognised by the use of a foundry-stamp with his initials |j 0, a cross, a crescent, and a star (PI. XXII. Fig. i). He had assistants at different times: (1) Robert Quarnbie, whose name appears with his on a circular foundr3'-stamp at Nottingham St. Mary (9th ; 1595), Lincoln Cathedral tenor (1593), and at Ruskington, Lines., with Mellour's rose and shield. (2) Henry Dand,^ whose bells are mostly undated, but marked by the use of Pre-Reformation inscriptions and stamps, and by his initials in very fine large Gothic capitals. (3) Paul Hutton, whose initials occur on a shield at Cromwell, 1 See Vict. County Hist, of Notts., Vol. ii. • R. White, Wotksop, p. 331 ; Eddison, Hist, of Worksop, p. 70. ' Records of the Borough of Nottiiigham, iv., p. 155. ■• See op. cit., iii., p. 445, iv., p. 232. He died in 15S9— 90. =■ See op. cit., iv., pp. 205, 232, 264, 334, 343. " He assisted Oldfield to recast one of the Shrewsbury .^bbey bells in 1591 (North, Lines., p. 124), and in 1587—88 was " presented that he comes not to the churche " (Records of the Borough, iv., p. 2lS). 62 THE CHUROH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. Notts, and elsewhere, and who was also employed by his successor (as was also William Wragg" in 1628I). George Oldfield I., born about 1600, succeeded his father in 1620, and enjoyed a long prosperous career of sixt\- years. His name rarely occurs on his bells, but he either used his father's b stamp with a g fixed over the Ij so as to obliterate it, or a similar one made with his own initials. For the most part he drops all the old Nottingham stamps, and the only other ornaments used by him are running borders of vine-pattern (PI. XXII. Fig 3) between the words, a stamp apparently derived from the Newcombes (cf. the 5th at Allesiey). He had three sons, all of whom died in his life-time ; but his daughter married a Hugh Oldfield, and had a son George, born in 1671, who eventually cairied on his grandfather's business. George Oldfield's bells are verj' numerous in Notts., Derbyshire, and Lincolnshire : but in Warwickshire they number no more than half-a-dozen, all in the north of the county near Atherstone. The earliest is the tenor at Mancetter, dated 1647, with an inscription in a favourite Nottingham style, a verse in black letter followed by churchwardens' names in Roman ; mg roarincj fouub botl; toanung gibe that mfiT tannot bcarc allxiaijs libc RT GOVLD W GOODWEINE R BENTLEY 1647 The same is found at Whatton, Notts., on a bell by Henry Oldfield (1618), and other favourites, more usually found on Henry's bells, are : — I [inectln loling men bo tall to taste on meatc tliat feetftl^c (oulc as at North Collingham and RoUeston, Notts, and Toiig, Shropshire ; all men t^at bcare mn mournful lounb repent before nou lie in grountr as at Caunton, Kelham, and elsewhere in the former county. More typical of George are such inscriptions as GOD SAVE HIS CHVRCH, and others occurring as noted below : — Shuttington bell, dated 1664, has : lESVS BEE OVR SPEED 1664 {vine-pattern between words) s'f The G O stamp is here inverted. Polesworth 5th, dated 1654, has churchwarden's names, the G. O. stamp, and arabesques (PI. XXII. 4) above and below the inscription, the 6th (1664) : ALL GLORY BEE TO GOD ON HIGH 1664 st" {vine-pattern between words). and the 4th (1667): FEARE GOD HONOR THE KING 1667 {vine-pattern between words). Brown Annals of Newark (1904), i., p. 325. THE BAGLEYS OF CHACOMB, NORTHANTS. 63 Ansley 2nd (1G67) 's similar, with the G. O. stamp but no arabesques. At George Oldfield's death in 1680 there must have been an interregnum in the foundry, as his grandson was then only ten years old; at all events there is a drop in the Nottingham bells for ten or twelve years, and it is not certain whether it was kept open at all. Georgfe Oldfield ■■■, when he succeeded, does not appear to have had so good a business. His name is not found on bells, nor does he continue the G. O. stamp, but he alone can be the founder of many bells in Notts and adjoining counties cast between i6go and 1740. He revived the old ornamental lettering and inscriptions employed by Henry Dand over a hundred years previously, and there are not a few bells of this period on which we find the inscription (peculiar to the Nottingham founders) C^riuitiitc jOiUT.i ,tiiitt jT^cc C_>[.>iiip.m,i ,13f.©® QQOQQdQ)®® Q^Q)QQ)Q|QC Fig. 10. From 1649 to 1669, after the complete break caused by the Wars, the bells call for little additional comment ; the inscriptions are almost confined to the two first given above, and the ornamentation is of the same character. Any special features will be found noted on the following list : 1649. Long Itchington 3rd Founder's name only ; letters widely spaced. 1651. Upper Shuckburgh 4th 1652. Whatcote old ist 1656. Ladbroke old and — 4th 1657. Arrow bell 1658. Alveston ist 1661. Barford 3rd 1662. Bilton 5th Butlers Marston 1st, 3rd, 4th Haselor old ist 1663. Fenny Compton 3rd 1664. Wroxhall ist 1665. Snitterfield old 3rd 1668. Pillerton ist i66g. Binton bell (With an unusual but uncertain stamp). Our next group covers the period 1670 — 1679 now tries his hand at Latin, and substitutes previous formula. The list of bells is : — 1670. Bubbenhall 2nd Clifton old 3rd Long Itchington Prior's Hardwick Warwick St. Mary 1672. Pillerton It is marked b\' the fact that Henry Bagley HENRICVS BAGLEY ME FECIT for his I St 1st and 3rd fire bell 2nd (\\'ith initial cross and two new stamps ; see PI. XXII., Figs. 6, 7, 9). THE BAGLEYS OF CHACOMB, NORTHANTS. 69 1674. Shotteswell 2nd 1675. Coventry St. John 5thi Elmdon 2nd Lillington 3rd (With cross, PI. XXII. 7) 1676. Bulkington 3rd (With cross). Coventry St. John ISt Southam 6th 1677. Ratley 2nd 1678. Baddesley Clinton 2nd 1679. Lighthorne 3rd I68I. 1682. 1683. 1685. 1686. 1687. Matthew. Do. Henry. , II. MATTHEW BAGLEY I. AND HENRY BAGLEY II. (1679 — 1690). The year 1680 is marked by the (probable) retirement of Henry Bagley I. and the succession to his business of his son Henry II. and his nephew Matthew I. as partners. The joint occupation of the foundry lasted for eight years, and about 1687 the partners migrated, Henry to Ecton and Matthew to Evesham, leaving the Chacomb business in the hands of Henry's younger brother William, who had probably already been working with them for a few years, as his name occurs on bells in 1681. The bells of this period are as follows^: — 1680. Whitnash 3rd and 4th Offchurch 4th Wellesbourne ist-6th Birmingham St. Martin old ring of six Henry (?). Barston 5th Matthew. Solihull 3rd and 4th Do. Stratford -on-Avon 4th, 7th & former 4th Do. 3rd — 6th Henry and Matthew. 6th, gth, loth Henry. ist-6th ist-6th 2nd-6th 8th 2nd This group of bells introduces us to some more or less pleasing varieties of inscriptions, such as the orthodox FEARE GOD AND HONOVR THE KING of which one example occurs in each of the larger rings here given. At Coug^hton the tenor has a somewhat coarse jest to the effect that CAMPANA GRAVIDA PEPERIT FILIAS Apparently with an allusion to an increase in the number of bells, perhaps by re-casting the old tenor into two trebles. The same is to be found at Dodford, Northants, but there the tenor only is Bagley's, and the joke seems to lose its point. More characteristic of the period is the adoption of the formula beloved of the later Newcombes and John Martin, on the 5th at Burton Dassett . BE IT KNOWNE TO ALL THAT DO MEE SEE THAT BAGLY OF CHARCOM MADE MEE 1686 Edgbaston Solihull Burton Dasset Coughton Packwood Solihull Burton Hastings Henrj- and Matthew. Do. Do. (original ring of five). Henry. Do. 1 This bell and the treble of 1676 are the remains of a ring of eight cast by Henry Bagley sen. and jun. for St. Michael's Church, of which these two were subsequently transferred to St. John's. See Part II. Kr further details. - Where the bells are by Matthew and Henry the fact is usually indicated by giving their names separately on diflferent bells, as at Edgbaston and Pack wood. 70 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. The methods of ornamentation remain the same, except for the introduction of the characteristic 17th century arabesque borders above and below the inscriptions, which are Fig. II. Fig. 12. often cut up into bits and placed between the words (see PI. XXII. Figs. 8, ii^Figs. 11, 12). Matthew Bagley also introduced a curious form of J^ with a hook at the top. The following bells were cast by Matthew alone : — 1687. Honington 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th. Knowle old ist-3rd. 1688. Studley ist-5th. The Honington bells, as he definitely tells us, were cast by " Matthew Bagley of Chacomb " ; but as we have already seen, he probably migrated to Evesham in that year, where he died in i6go, having left the foundry at Chacomb in the hands of William Bagley, the younger son of Henry I. The 2nd bell at Barston, dated 16S9, bears the names of both Matthew and William, but I think it is more likely to have been cast by William at Chacomb, as was the treble of that ring in 1691. On the other hand, the rings at Knowle and Studley were probably cast at Evesham. 3. WILLIAM BAGLEV (l6Sg — 1706). William Bagley's bells in Warwickshire are as follows : — 1689-97. Barston 2nd and ist. 1695. Whichford 4th (also old ist-3rd). 1697. Charlcote ist and 2nd. i6g8. Shustoke 2nd and 3rd. (Originally five). 1 70 1. Oxhill 1st and 3rd (also old 2nd). 1702. Walsgrave 4th and 5th. 1703. Snitterfield old 2nd. 1706. Whichford Priest's bell. His bells are much the same in character as his predecessors', but not marked by the same love of ornament. He introduced a new type of inter-twining scroll-pattern (Fig. i^^^Bucks., THE UAGLEYS OF CHACOMB, NORTHANTS. 7I Fig. 13. fig. 74). Some of his inscriptions are decidedly quaint, as for instance the two at Shustoke: — OF FORE HE CAST VS INTO FIVE REPAIRD OVR CHVRCH AND BELLFREE HERE It is much to be regretted that we have lost the lines on the first (re-cast in 1736), which would have given the donor's name, and those on the 4th and tenor (re-cast in 1768) ; the tenor probably had a couplet. The Bagleys were alway remarkably weak in spelling. WalSg^rave 4th and 5th are somewhat unintelligible, but there can be no doubt that the one signifies a thirst on the part of the ringers rather than of the bells ! In the other Bagley's Latin is hardly a success : — 4th (2nd line) :— HARKEN DO YE HEARE OVR CLAPERES WANT BEERE 5th: — QVANTVM SVFFIIFIT BIBIERE MOLO CLANCVLA VOS MVSICA TONE It only remains to note one departed bell of his of which a record remains ; it hung in the Gosford Gate at Coventry, and was dated i6gi.i It should be noted that at Snitterfield the old 2nd bore in addition to William Bagley's name, the initials H B of Henry Bagley. It is open to question whether this is the second or Ecton Henry, who died in that year. He, at all events, cast the treble at Grendon in 1699 and the 3rd at Corley in 1702 ; these bells may have come either from Ectonor Chacomb. Other bells cast by William and Henry Bagley together have already been noted (p. 65) HENRY BAGLEY III. (J706 — 1746). Between 1703 and 1740 there is a great drop in the Bagley bells, and only two Warwickshire towers illustrate this period. William Bagley died in 1712, and the surviving Henry III. was much on the move. But Henry Bagley "of Buckingham" cast si.x bells for Priors Marston in 1721, of which the tenor has since been re-cast. From Witney or Chacomb came four bells, the 3rd, 5th, and 6th, to Longf Compton in 1731 ; probably, I think, from the former place, as Henry Bagley of Witney, in his fly-sheet of that year (see above), gives such full details of the donors, who were the Earl and Countess of Northampton, Mr. E. S. England, and the Rev. John Brown. The same Henry also cast at Chacomb five bells m 1740-42 : 1740. Barton-on-Heath bell. 1742. Cherington 3rd and 4th. Stratford-on-Avon 3rd. Wootton Wawen ist. He introduced a new style of alphabet, of larger and heavier type, and altogether more of iSth century character, but not at all ineffective. In the use of ornaments he is somewhat sparing. The last year for his bells is 1746, and he seems to have spent at least si.x years at Chacomb. ^ Harleian MS3. 7017, 2go ; Vict. Coutitv History of Warwick, ii., p. 207 72 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. MATTHEW BAGLEY III. (1726 — 1782). The last of the Bagleys is Matthew III. (or IV.), the son of WiUiam, born in 1700, whose long founding life covers a period of no less than 56 years. His last bell is dated 1782, and he died in 17S5. All his bells were cast at Chacomb except for the migration to Wolverhampton in 1747-4S, already noted; and on the whole he did a very fair business. His lettering is an enlarged version of that used by the Witney Bagley, with a stop of three roundlets between the words and occasional arabesque ornaments- There are thirteen of his bells in Warwickshire : 1752. Wolford 5th. 1763. Ratley 3rd. 1766. Whatcote old 3rd. 1773. Warwick St. Nicholas 8th. 1774. Lighthorne old ist. Shotteswell 3rd and old 4th. 1775. Barcheston ist. 1778. Haseley 3rd. (in the smaller type used by Henry III.) 1779. Ufton ist-3rd. 1782. Tysoe 5th. None of these bells call for special comment, the inscriptions being mostly of the orthodox " Vicar and Churchwarden " type. JAMES BAGLEY OF LONDON (17IO — 1719). We have already had occasion to mention this James Bagley, the son of Matthew Bagley of London, who was at work either in partnership with his father or independently down to the time of the latter's death in 1716,^ and for three years longer. The Bagley foundry in London was in the parish of St. Giles', Cripplegate, on Windmill Hill. James' bells are not common, and are confined to the home counties (Essex, Middlesex, Kent, and Surrey). He, however, cast bells for Rochester Cathedral, which implies a certain reputation. He claims our attention somewhat unexpectedly here, as one of his bells has found its way into Warwickshire, and now hangs in the tower of St. Margaret's Church, Ward End (or Little Bromwich), on the outskirts of Birmingham. That the bell is second-hand is implied by its inscription :— THE if: ROYAL t^ HOSPITAL ^;(- AT v- GREEI^WICH il- 1716 which thus leaves no doubt as to its original home. Tradition says that one or more of the bells of this church were given by William Hutton the historian, about 1815, and he must be held responsible for the transaction — -which it is hoped was a perfectly straightforward one — whereby the bell migrated from Greenwich to Birmingham. Though it does not bear James Bagley's name, his lettering is easily recognisable. His or his son's subsequent appearances in the Midlands have already been noted (p. 65). JOSEPH SMITH OF EDGBASTON (1701 — 1732). With the beginning of the eigthteenth century we hail the advent of the first known founder resident in the county. Joseph Smith set up his foundry, according to tradition, in the district known as Chad Valley, Edgbaston, which since his time has probably been greatly transformed.- ' See Stahlschmidt's Kent, p. loi, for the story of his end. - A writer in the Birmingham Daily Gazette, 2i April, 1856, under the initials J. A., says: — "In answer to the enquiries made by ' W. A. J.' in N. and Q. 98 I may state that I was informed thirty years since by an old man that lived at Ilarborne Heath, that his father remembered a bell foundry standing opposite to the Swan, at Good Knaves End, at the bottom of Chad Hill, as it is called now. I have seen three peals of bells that were cast there.'' He goes on to five the inscriptions on Alvechurci', Halesowen and Norlhfield bells. I am indebted to Mr. \V. E. Falkner for this extract. JOSEPH SMITH OF EDGBASTON. 73 His earliest bells that I can trace are dated 1701, his latest, 1732. The majority of these are in Warwickshire, where after the decline of the Bagleys he had a clear field ; but c%'en so they are chiefly confined to the northern part. There are also many in South Staffordshire, a baker's dozen in Shropshire, about twenty in Worcestershire, and two in Leicestershire, ignored by North. .Among the whole rings cast by him are rings of si.\ at Coleshill and Hampton, Madeley (Salop), Alvechurch, Halesowen, and Northfield (Worcs.l, and Alrewas, Handsworth, Pattingham, and Sedgley (Staffs.); of these Coleshill, Hampton, Madeley and Northfield remain intact. There are also rings of five at Castle Bromwich (one re-cast) Brinklow, Dunchurch, Rugby, and Willoughby, Sheriff Hales (Salop), King's Bromley, Forton, and Kushall (Staffs.). In 1 711 he appears to have cast bells for the new church of St. Philip, Birmingham, which were soon replaced. In his inscriptions he mainly follows the lines of seventeenth-century founders, and we find GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO, GOD SAVE HIS CHURCH, etc., with considerable frequency; but his single bells seldom have more than churchwardens' names. At Rugby we have adaptations of the Vulgate text of Eph. iv., 4; Matt, .xviii , ig, and xvi., 18; and 1 John, v. 7. In his larger rings he usually places on the 3rd bell the statement lOSEPH SMITH IN EDGBASTON MADE ME : but in some cases, as at Alvechurch and Madeley, he bursts into rhyme, if not poetry : — IF YOU WOULD KNOW WHEN WE WARE RVNN IT WAS MARCH THE 22 1711 and IN MADELEY ALL THESE BELLS WAS RVNN BY I03EPH SMITH OF EDGBASTON 1726 even higher flights are attempted on the well-known ring at Northfield, which I give here as they have never yet been accurately printed : — 1. HENRY KNOWLES PARISH CLERK 1730 WE NOW ARE SIX THO ONCE BUT FIVE ■ 2. AND AGAINST OUR CASTING SOME DID STRIVE 1730 3. BUT WHEN A DAY FOR MEETING THERE WAS FIXT 1730 lOSEPH SMITH MADE ME 4. APEARD BUT NINE AGAINST TWENTY-SIX 1730 SQUIRE SMITH 5. SAMUEL PALMER AND THOMAS SILK CHURCHWARDENS 1730 6. THOMAS JERVOISE ESR" PATRON WILLIAM WORTH D.D. RECTOR IT WAS WILLIAM KETTLE THAT DID CONTRIVE TO MAKE US 6 THAT WERE BUT FIVE 1730 [The coins and ornaments between the words are omitted]. Another gem of poetry is the treble at Barford : BY MISINFORMATION MADE WAS I • ITS THE FOUNDERS LOS PRAY THINK ON HE. Joseph Smith's bell.~. are usually well ornamented with arabesques like those used by the Bagleys (Fig. 11), and an effective scroll-border between the words (PI. XXIII., Fig. 2); by way of stop he generally uses impressions of various coins, mostly pence and half-pence. His lettering is rather thin and narrow, but neat in appearance. Occasionally, as at Budbrooke and Sheldon, he uses an inverted shield with three bells and the letters I S among foliage (PI. XXIII., Fig. I). The following is a list of his Warwickshire bells :— 1708. Allesley ist and 4th. 1705. Brinklow 1-5. 1707. Anstey 3rd. 1724. Budbrooke 2nd. 1722. Astley 5th. 1717. Castle Bromsvich ist, 2nd, 4th, 5th also old 3rd. 1 706. Baddesley Ensor small 1720. Coleshill 1-6. 1709. Barford ist. 1724. Dunchurch 1-5. K 74 THE CI lURCH BEL 1728. Barston 4th. I7ir. Beaudesert 3rd. 1703- Bickenhill ISt. 1707. Do. 5th. 1728. Binley 1st. 1706. Exhall old. 1706. Grandborough 2nd, 4th. 1725- Hampton 1-6. OF WARWICKSHIRE. 1727. I7II. 17II. 1723- 1705- 1733- 1709. I7I3- Henley ist, 6th. Monk's Kirby 2nd. Rugby 1-5- Sheldon ist. Stretton-on-Dunsmore ist, 2nd. Tanworth Water Orton Willoughby Those in other counties : — Leicestershire — 1711. Ibstock Shropshire — 1726. Madeley 1722. Sheriff Hales Staffordshire — 1711. Alrewas 2nd. 1-6. (tenor 1727) 2-6. 1718. Snarestone 6th. 1st, 2nd. 1-5- ISt. 1726. 1723- Willey Woodcote 5th. bell. 1727. 1709. 1729. 1724. 1701. 1702. 1705- Sedgeley Smethwick Weeford 3-8. 1-5- 3-8. old bell. 1st & 2nd. West Bromwich 2nd, 4th, 6th. ^^'olverhampton St. John 1st. Martin Hussingtree Northfield St. Kenelm's (Romsley) I, 1-6. bell. 1-6. (two re-cast) 1724. Pattingham Armitage 1-3. 1723- Rushall Drayton Bassett 2nd. 1720. Forton 1-5. (two re-cast) 1732. Lower Gornall ist. 17 10. Handsworth 1-6. 171 1. Hints 1-3. 1706. King's Bromley 2-6. Worcestershire — 1711. Alvechurch 3-8. (tenor re-cast) 1725. 1718. Clent ist. 1730. 1707. Halesowen 3-5, 7, 8. '724- His earliest bells are the ring at Handsworth (1701) ; his latest, the old bell of Smethwick Church, 1732 ; the total of thirty-four years' labour is about 150. He does not appear to have left any successor, and Birmingham was not again represented in the church bell-foundry line until about 1868. THE BROMSGROVE FOUNDRY. A dangerous rival to Joseph Smith throughout the whole of his career was Richard Sanders, an inhabitant of the not-far-distant town of Bromsgrove. His bells cover the period 1703 — 1738, occurring in both these years at Upton Snodsbury, near Worcester. He is not, it is true, strongly represented in Warwickshire, but he maintained his reputation against his rival in his own county, where some fifty of his bells remain. Nothing is known of his history except in connection with his bell-founding work,^ but he has left several good rings of bells, notably the famous one at St. Helen's, Worcester, with its couplets celebrating the victories of ^Iarlborough; others at St. Nicholas and (formerly) St. John, Worcester, Eckington, Norton-by-Evesham, and other places. In Warwickshire he cast rings for Salford Priors, Tanworth, and Tysoe, and some half-dozen single bells besides ; he is also found in Cheshire, Gloucestershire, Lancashire and Oxfordshire, and there are the remains of a ring by him at Kettering, Northants. The Warwickshire list is: — 1729. Alveston 3rd. i733- Stratford-on-Avon old 3rd. 1720. Barcheston 2nd. I7i7. Do. 8th. 1722. Bilton ist. 1719. Tachbrook 2nd. ' See Assuc. Archil. Socs. Reports, xxv., p. 587, THE I3R0MSGR0VE FOUNDRY. 75 1715. Kinwarton ist. 1707. Tanworth 1-5. Preston Bagot former bell. 1719. Tysoe 1-6 (4th and 5th re-cast). 1735. Salford Priors 3-8 (tenor re-cast). 1729. Wootton VVawen 6th. His lettering is neat and effective, about an inch high, and he uses a plain cross, and arabesque borders between the words and lines. One of his peculiarities is his fondness for " lower-case" lettering or Roman minuscules, such as we find at Kinwarton : leffery Hopkins Ch w 1715 This peculiarity, so far as I know, is only shared by one founder, Luke Ashton of Wigan, who was a contemporary of Sanders. The latter has two trade-marks, one a plain circle with a bell and the letters R S, the other, a bell surrounded by a band with the words RICHARD SANDERS MADE THIS BELL (PI. XXIII., P'igs. 3, 9). His inscriptions, so far as Warwickshire is concerned, do not call for much comment ; but the second at Tysoe is unique in having a double row of small letters forming the alphabet, with a few odd letters and numerals thrown in at the end to fill up space, thus : uyj I oa ABCDEFCHIKLMNOPQRSTUVWXVZ 1334 Alphabet inscriptions are, of course, common on bells of earlier date, but the use of numerals (unless the Newcombe bell at Haseley can be cited as a parallel) is unique before the days of patent steel bells. Sanders at his death in or about 1735 was succeeded by William Brooke, whose career extends to about 1750. His bells are few in number, and I only know of three in Worcestershire (Elmbridge, Moseley St. Anne, Upton Warren), one in Leicestershire (Snibstone), and five in Warwickshire. The latter include the three smaller ones at Meriden (1740), the old treble at Shustoke (1736), and the 3rd at Tachbrook (1740). In each case we have indications that, like Joseph Smith, he was a bit of a poet. The best specimen is the Shustoke treble (unfortunately damaged in the fire of 1886 and since recast) : — + M« ROBERT MALLERON VICAR AS I DO TELL AND JOSIAS ALLEN CHVRCH WARDEN WHEN I WAS MADE A BELL W B : BROMSGROVE 1736 At Meriden, however, he indulges in an out-and-out pun on the 2nd : — WHEN MY FIRST AND THIRD BEGIN TO RING THEN I WAS BROKE BEFORE WE ALL DID SING W« BROOKE CAST ME 1740 His lettering differs from Sanders', being thicker and narrower; he uses a bell as trade-mark and sundry small ornaments. THE EVESHAM FOUNDRY. I have already noted that one of the Matthew Bagleysd ied, and probably also worked, at Evesham ; but as this is more or less conjectural, I have included this period under the general heading of the Bagleys. But we have more definite evidence of a foundry here at the beginning of the next century, carried on by two founders named William Clark and Michael Bushell. Their bells, indeed, centre more round Stratford than round Evesham ; but the following facts are in favour of the Worcestershire town. In 1706 the great bell of Badsey Church (Worcs.), which bears the name of William Clark, was conveyed thither from Evesham, according to the parish accounts. In 1709 the registers of All Saints, Evesham contain the entry Oct. 18. Michael Bushell married Grace Phipps, per licence. 76 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. I owe the latter fact to the kindness of the Rev. J. H. Bloom, who also tells me that there is in the churchyard of St. Lawrence a tombstone to Hannah, wUe of Michael Bushell, who died 27 April, 1732, aged 43. If it was the same Michael, she must have been a second wife. There is on the other hand an entry in the Churchwardens' Accounts of Beoley (Worcs.), under date 1711 : Pd Mr. Clarke the Bellfounder £1 is. dd. this being apparently for a bell cast at Bromsgrove. As, however, there are bells in that tower cast in 1711 by Richard Sanders of Bromsgrove (see above), it must be assumed that this Clarke was Sanders' foreman. The Warwickshire specimens of these founders' work are the 2nd to 5th at Henley-in- Arden and the ring of four at Newbold Pacey (all dated 1707), on none of which do their names appear. Their characteristic mark is IHS in a square with a cross over the H, and they also use a plain cross. Of the chronograms to which they were much addicted examples occur at Hinton, Gloucs., and Badsey, Worcestershire, but none in this county. ^ The 2nd bell at Whatcote bears the inscription lOHN + CLARK + MED ME 1711 As this bell is later than any known by William Clark, I think it must be by his son or successor, to whom we may probably also assign a bell at Wormington, Gloucs., inscribed merely lOHN CLARK. THE WOOTrON FOUNDRY (BEDFORDSHIRE). THOMAS RUSSELL (I715 — 1744)- In the eighteenth century there was a foundry carried on at Wootton, a v'illage five miles south-west of Bedford, the originator of which was Thomas Russell, a clock-maker. He has supplied two rings of bells to Warwickshire, the five at Hillmorton, dated 1731, which still remain intact, and another five at Napton, cast in the same year, of which the tenor has been re-cast by Warner. He uses two types of lettering, one of medium size, something like the Rudhalls' (p. 78), the other exceedingly small, only | of an inch high ; the latter is employed in part on the Napton treble, and throughout on the 4th and tenor at Hillmorton, the inscriptions being arranged in double lines throughout. In the latter case they are only a list of the contributors to the bells with the amounts they gave, and on the other three bells we have the founder's or churchwardens' names, with a star at intervals. The Napton treble has : — + THOMAS RUSSELL MADE ME (scroll) WILLIAM REYNOLDS ,„ CHURCHWARDENS AND lOHN MARKHAM ''^ with a plain cross, a scroll ornament, and a double triangle or six-point star.- The other three have : — THOMAS RUSSELL OF WOOTTON MADE ME 1731 with scrolls between the words. The extreme limits for Russell's bells appear to be 17 15 and 1739, and he died in 1744. THE ALDBOURNE (WILTS.) FOUNDRY. (l) THE CORS. It is a matter for some surprise that we should find in Warwickshire a ring of bells from so remote a foundry as that of Aldbourne in the North Wiltshire Downs, from which part ' See Assoc. Archit. Socs. Reports, xxv., p. 586. " Oddly described in Bucks,, p. 258, as a pentacle ! THE ALUBOURNE (WILTS) FOUNDRY. 77 communication northwards must have been difficult in former times ; it is hardly less so now.' The parish in question, however, Sutton-under-Brailes, is near the southern extremity of Warwickshire. The Aldbourne foundry was opened about the end of the 17th century by Oliver Cor, whose earhest recorded date is 1696 at Devices St. Mary, his latest, 1727, at Shalbourne, Wilts. Between the years 169S and 1719 we find the names of William and Robert Cor most frequently, and in 1724 Robert appears alone at St. Mary, Marlborough, implying the decease of William before that date. A John Cor occurs between 1728 (Amesbury) and 1750 (Marlborough), and with him the dynasty ends, the foundry passing into other hands. The ring of five at Sutton is dated 1701, and is remarkable for the e.xtremely elaborate character of the ornaments with which the bells are all enriched. The ist in fact has no inscription, only ornament ; the second has merely \N C 1701, the third R C in curious large fancy letters (PI. XXIV., Figs. 4, 5), and the fourth Will Cor 1701, all with ornaments. The tenor has churchwardens' names, the initials in fancy capitals, and c°b. The whole ring is thus the work of William and Robert together. In all there are fourteen different patterns employed on these bells, all of the same style of 17th-century ornament, which it is impossible to reproduce in type, and I must therefore refer the reader to Part II. for further details, and to Plates XXIV. -XXVI. for reproductions of some of them. One of the most interesting is the medallion (i)- with the Adoration of the Magi (PI. XXV. 6) ; (3), (6), (7), (13) are cherubs or other figure subjects (PI. XXIV. 2-3, XXV. 3, 5) ; (4), (5), (8) and (12) are floral or quasi-floral ornaments (PI. XXV., i, 2, 4, XXVI., 2); (10) and (14) are floral or arabesque borders (PI. XXIV. i, XXVI. i) ; and the list is completed by the Royal Arms(2 = Pl. XXVI. 4), a coin of William III. (11), and a monogram (C C ?) within a foliated border (9=P1. XXVI. 3). Mr. J. R. Jerram of Salisbury, to whom I am indebted for careful drawings, has discovered several of these on bells in Wiltshire, at Aldbourne, Malmesbury, and Tisbury, and I have found them at Lydiard Tregooze in the same county. But nowhere, I think, do they occur in such richness and variety as here, and some are peculiar to this ring, Mr. Jerram thinks thai Cor had come into possession of a lot of scraps of brass ornamentation in some way, and thought them suitable for adorning his bells. (2) ROBERT WELLS (1764 — 1794). The foundry at Aldbourne was continued by Edward Read (1751 — 1757), from whom it passed to Robert Wells (1764— 1794). Under him and his son James (17S1 — 1S25) the business for a long time flourished exceedingly, but at last fell on bad times and was finally bought by Mears of Whitechapel. From Robert Wells we have in this county a ring of eight cast for the rebuilt church of St. John, Deritend, Birmingham, in 1776, and the Fire Bell at the Guild Chapel, Stratford-on-Avon. They are inscribed like so many of the Aldbourne bells, on the sound-bow. At Stratford he spells the name of his home Alboukne. It is to be hoped that it may be possible to give a more detailed account of this foundry when the investigation of Wiltshire bells and founders is completed. THOMAS PYKE OF BRIDGEWATER (1776 — 1783). There was a foundry at Bridgewater, Somerset, in the iSth century, which lasted altogether from 1743 to 1831, being held by a succession of different founders : Bayley and Street (1743 — 1773), Thomas Pyke(i776 — 17S3), George Davis (1782— 1799), and the Kingstons (iSoi — 1S31). Their bells are fairly common in Somerset, and also occur in Devon and Dorset ; but it is a surprise to find one so far away as Edgbaston, to which church Thomas Pyke supplied a treble in 1781, recently re-cast. ' Aldbourne is five miles from a railway station, Sutton the same, and even then the railway journey is not very direct. - The numbers in brackets refer to the description in Part II., s.v. Sutton. 78 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. THE LATER GLOUCESTER FOUNDRY. THE RUDHALLS (1684 — 1725). The Gloucester foundry, continued for some years after Henry Farmer (p. 47) by John Palmer, down to about 1665, apparently then came to an end for about twenty years. But it was destined to arise with renewed vigour and establish itself firmly for 150 years, enjoying a reputation never surpassed or even equalled by any English firm, under the guidance of the famous family of Rudhall. Possibly an off-shoot of a well-known family, the Rudhalls of Rudhall, near Ross, Abraham Rudhall I, re-opened the foundry in 1684. His progress was slow at first, and comparatively few bells are found outside the county of Gloucester before 1700. It is curious to note how his reputation spread most quickly up the valleys of the Wye and Severn into Hereford, Salop, and Cheshire, owing to the facilities of water-carriage. The Avon being presumably less navigable, this is not the case with Warwickshire, where his bells and those of his successors are far fewer than in the West. In Gloucestershire alone there are 675 Rudhall bells remaining — more than one third of the total number; in Hereford, Salop, Cheshire, and even Lancashire, as well as in Wales, nearly all the large rings are their work, as well as many smaller ones; and altogether they are said to have cast no fewer than 4,521 church bells. These figures speak for themselves, and there is no need to dwell more on the excellence of of their work. Their inscriptions are much less remarkable. Limited to some ten or twelve sentiments of the kind that we should expect in the age of the Georges, such as GOD SAVE THE KING (or CHURCH), PEACE AND GOOD NEIGHBOURHOOD, PROSPERITY TO OUR BENEFACTORS (or TO THIS PARISH) they do not offer much variety or interest to the campanologist. The last of the line, John Rudhall, drops these pious aspirations almost entirely, and contents himself for the most part with his name alone. The succession of Rudhalls may be briefly noted as follows : — 1. Abraham Rudhall I. (1684— 1718). From him we have the ring of three at Chesterton (1705), the ring of six at Kineton (1703, with treble of 1716 and tenor of 1717), the original six at Nuneaton (1703), the original ten at Warwick, St. Mary (1702, put up after the iire of 1694), and two of 1703 at Leek Wootton. 2. Abraham Rudhall II. {1718 — 1736). His only bells are Honington 4th and the ring of six at Alcester, cast in 1735, just before his death. 3. Abel Rudhall (1736 — 1760). Single bells at Polesworth (1740) and Tysoe (1750). 4. Thomas Rudhall (1760 — 1783). Single bells at Austrey (1779), Wootton Wawen (1760 and 1784), Wolverton (1771). 5. Charles and John Rudhall (1783 — 1785). No bells in Warwickshire. 6. John Rudhall {1787 — 1830). A ring of six at Bidford (1791) ; Dr. Parr's ring of six at Hatton (1809), to which two trebles were added in 1817 ; single bells at Honington, Lea Marston, Wootton Wawen Great Wolford. The Hatton bells have been re-cast, only the clock-bell of 1809 now remaining. Figs. 14 — 18 illustrate Abraham Rudhall 's trade-mark of a bell and the four ornamental patterns which the earlier members of the family placed on their bells; of the latter Fig. 15 is the only one used by Thomas Rudhall. THE KUDHALLS OK GLOUCESTER. im Fig. 14. Fig- 15- Fig. 16. Fig. 17. 79 vj ^ji '^ B w) <^j^ .J sa^ <^ c^a g sa J ^^7 Fig. 18. JOHN BKIANT OF HERTFORD (ijSz — 1S25). This founder was at work at Hertford for over forty years, though the bells which he supplied to Warwickshire only cover a period of twenty. Stahlschmidt has described him as " the Herts, founder /j.ir excellence," though he was not the first founder in the county or even at Hertford. But he was undoubtedly an admirable craftsman, as is proved by the wide 8o THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. distribution of his bells, and the number of large rings which he cast. Stahlschmidt collected much interesting biographical detail about him, illustrative of his mental capacity, technical skill, and conscientiousness.^ It is sad to think that this worthy man ended his days in indigence, dying in an almshouse at St. Albans in 1829, at the age of 81. His business was sold to Mears in 1825. In Warwickshire there are 21 of his bells remaining, including a ring of six and another of four, and in other counties over twenty large rings, including Barnstaple, Devon, Saffron Wal'den and Waltham Abbey, Essex, and St. Alkmund, Shrewsbury.^ He uses a small neat type of lettering, something like Edward Arnold's, of which there are two sizes, and affected a set of curious little ornaments, consisting of a Calvary cross, a cross paionce, a dimutive bell, and a double triangle (PI. XXIH., Figs. 4, 6, 7). At Waltham Abbey he introduces an old friend, the head of Edward III. (p. 8), a stamp which had already been in existence 400 years ! The Warwickshire list is : — 1793. Ashow 1-4- '792- Newbold-on-Avon 1-6. 1803. Churchover 3rd. 1809. Nuneaton 4th. 1805. Coventry St. Michael loth. 1808. Great Packington bell. 1792. Dunchurch 6th. 1808. Shotteswell ist. 1803. Ettington 4th. 1792. Stoneleigh 4th. 1793. Leek Wootton 1-2. 181 1. Wormington ist. The inscriptions do not call for much comment, with the exception of that at Great Packing^ton, which is interesting for its historical allusions: — "I" TRES OLIM CAMPAN.a: E QVIBVS RVPTA QUADAM VICTORIAM AD TRAFALGAR ■ RESONANDO A;D; MDCCV IN UN AM FVSJE A;D MDCCCVIII -^Jc O JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD PEOIP 1808 -^l'- GLORIA DEOIN BXCELSISv ^ "j" J^ "j "j" ^ There is also a curious bit of theology on the tenor at Newbold. On the Churchover and Nuneaton bells we may note the name of J. Over, whom Briant employed as his local agent and bell-hano-er ; he lived at Rugby. For the Ettington bell he simarly employed one Waters of King's Sutton near Banbury. THE EAYRES OF KETTERING. The name of Eayre, says North {Northants, p. 47), is well known in the Kettering Registers of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. One of the family, Thomas Eayre, was a clock- maker, as appears from the 4th bell in the Kettering ring, which was cast by Richard Sanders of Bromsgrove (p. 74) in 1714. From the fact that an outside founder was employed it would be inferred that there was then no foundry in the town, but the initials T. E. appear on the 2nd at East Farndon, Northants, with the date 1710, which seems to suggest that this Thomas Eayre had tried his hand at bell-founding. He died in 1716, leaving two sons, Thomas, born 1691, and Joseph, of whom the latter subsequently opened a foundry at St. Neot's. THOMAS EAYRE (1717— 1757)- Not long after his father's death Thomas Eayre started a bell-foundry in Kettering, at first in partnership with his uncle John (who died about 171 8). His bells, says North, soon became very plentiful in this and neighbouring counties, and there are several examples in Warwickshire. The list is :— 1730. Willey 2nd. 1752- Stoneleigh ist. 1731. Honily i-5- '7S6. Curdworth 2nd. 1741. Monk's Kirby 5th. 1 Herts, p. 56. , , ■ ■' The frequency of Briant's bells in the neighbourhood of Banbury is perhaps worth notinc. EDWARD ARNOLD AND THE TAYLORS. 8l All are inscribed in small very neat lettering, but the inscriptions present no special feature. He sometime uses Calvary crosses, crowns, and other small ornaments like Briant's, and at Monk's Kirby an effective scroll-pattern. North (op. cit. p. 48) contributes other interesting information about Thomas Eayre, who died in December 1757, leaving a son Thomas, who carried on the foundry for a few years longer. EDWARD ARNOLD OF LEICESTER (1784 — 180O). The other Eayre, Joseph, who set up a foundry at St. Neot's about 1735, died in 1771-72, leaving his business to his nephew Edward Arnold, and thereby establishing a dynasty of founders, which, with some changes of name and habitation, has lasted to the present day, with an ever-growing reputation, not only in the Midlands, but it may be said, throughout the world. Edward Arnold kept on the St. Neot's foundry for twelve years, aiid in 1784 migrated to Leicester, where, except for one or two spasmodic efforts, no founding had been done for 140 years, i.e., since Hugh Watts' death in 1643. His bells are not very numerous, and there are only a few stray ones in Warwickshire : — 1790. Arley 3rd. J795' Shilton ist and 2nd. 1791. Fillongley 6th. 1798. Warwick St. Nicholas 7th. He uses the same kind of lettering as the Eayres, and occasional scroll-patterns by way of ornaments (as at Arley). His business at St. Neot's he left in the hands of Robert Taylor, the first of a long series of eminent exponents of the founder's craft. Arnold himself died about 1800, but Robert Taylor kept on the foundry at St. Neot's until 182 1. Mr. Owen has collected much information about him and his famil}-,' and informs us that a fire compelled Taylor's removal from St. Neot's in that year. He thereupon set up a foundry at Oxford, in which on his death he was succeeded by his sons William and John (born 1795 and 1797) respectively. WILLIAM AND JOHN TAYLOR OF OXFORD (182I 1854). The Taylors' bell-founding business seems to have been carried on someuhat intermittenth' for some years. William was more of a clock-maker than a bell-founder, and John in 1825 migrated to Devonshire and set up business at Buckland Brewer, where his son the late John William was born in 1827. He, however, paid occasional visits to Oxford, and returned there finally in 1835, from which time the foundry was continued down to 1S50. The branch at Loughborough appears to have been opened by John about 1840, but few bells were cast there before 1850, and the Oxford foundry was finally closed in 1854 on the death of ^^''illiam Taylor. The fourth bell at Long Compton is one of the earliest products of the Oxford foundr}-, being dated 1823, and the 3rd at Bourton-on-Dunsmore was cast there in 1827. Both are inscribed in the small neat capitals of Eayre and Arnold. Several bells belong to the second period of the Oxford regime: Cherington 1st, 2nd, and 5th (1842); Compton Winyates (1847); Christ Church, Coventry (1851); Farnborough 2nd-4th (1844); Walsgrave ist and 2nd (1843); Whichford 5th (1848). All are in the small Roman alphabet except those at Farnborough, where " Mi.xed Gothic," of a type much affected by the Taylors at this time, occurs ; it is doubtless partly due to the ecclesiastical revival of taste. THE TAYLORS OF LOUGHBOROUGH. As we have seen, it was in 1S40 that John Taylor first settled down at Loughborough, and established the business which under his son John William senior, and his grandson John William junior, has gradually built up such a mighty reputation. John Taylor died in 1858, and Hunts., p. 45. 82 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WAKWICKSHIRE. his son has lately passed to his rest, dying in November 1906 at the age of seventy-nine. The business is now in the hands of Messrs. J. W. Taylor junr. and E. D. Taylor. Of their work it is hardly necessary to speak in much detail. For the first thirty years or so they were but making their way, but since their production of the great ring of twelve for St. Paul's Cathedral in 1877, and of Great Paul in 1881, their reputation has been enormously enhanced, and they are now almost without rivals. In the latest improvements and apphances of the bell-founders' craft they always take the lead. For the most part their bells have been marked by a certain severity of style— since the Gothic outburst in the forties and fifties — but recently they have introduced more — and in some cases very effective — ornamentation, as well as more artistic lettering. Their present trade-mark is illustrated in Fig. 19. As an early specimen of their work the elaborately ornamented tenor at Prior's Marston is worthy of attention. Of their many works in Warwickshire we can only mention a few of the more important. The earliest is the tenor at Prior's Marston (1845), followed by the ring of Fig. 19. five at Kingsbury (1849); other complete rings, mostly of recent date, are Chilvers Coton (8 of 1907), Erdington (8 of 1904), Bishop's Itchington (5 of 1874), Ladbroke (5 of 1873), Warwick, All Saints, Emscote (8 of 1876-85). They have also augmented or partly re-cast the rings at Allesley (1901), Bedworth (1891), Berkswell (1898), Fillongley (1896), Kenilworth (1875), Church Lawford (1872), Oxhill (1878), Stoke (1902-05), Warwick St. Mary (1901), Whichford (1904), Whitnash (1892-96), Stratford (1887), and Sutton Coldfield (1884). THE WHITECHAPEL FOUNDRY (1570 to Present Day). This famous foundry, now perhaps the oldest-established business in England, has enjoyed a consecutive career without a break for over 300 years. Its history I do not propose to dwell on at length, partly because I have told it in greater detail elsewhere,^ partly because it is not represented in Warwickshire before the middle of the eighteenth century. Up to that time its owners were as follows : — 1565 — 1575. Robert Doddes (?) 1640 — 1675. 1575 — 1607. Robert Mot. 1675 — 1700. 1607 — 1616. Joseph and William Carter. 1700 — 1738. 1616 — 1632. Thomas Bartlet. 1738 — 1752. 1632 — 1640. John Clifton. Thomas Lester it was who removed the foundry from its old site in the Whitechapel High Street to that which it now occupies in Whitechapel Road (No. 267, now 34). He does not seem to have been so successful with the business as was his predecessor Phelps, and in 1752 he took into partnership Thomas Pack, who had probably been his foreman. Previously, however, he had been privileged to cast a ring of ten (in 175 1) for St. Philip's, Birmingham, of which six still remain. From this time the business seems to have rapidly improved, and bells with the two names become frequent. In 1757 they cast a ring of six for Claverdon, of which four remain, and the following year they provided the parish church of Birmingham with a ring often bells, of which five still exist. They also supplied two to Shustoke in 1768, the year before Lester died. Up to 1762 they employed the simple yet effective lettering which Anthony Bartlet. James Bartlet. Richard Phelps. Thomas Lester. ' Essex, pp. 66 ff. THK WHITliCHAPEL FOUNDRY (1570 TO I'RESENT DAY). 83 Phelps had introduced, but apparently began to think it old-fashioned, and introduced a new and more up-to-date though commonplace alphabet of two sizes, the larger used for initials. This type was adhered to by their successors for many years, down to 1837. They occasionally employ, as on the tenor at St. Martin's, sundry small ornaments, such as a rose or scallop-shell ; but their inscriptions, if not limited to the simple (if ungrammatical; LESTER & PACK FECIT, are not to be commended either for their good taste or their poetic feeling. Shortly before his death Lester also took his nephew William Chapman into partnership, and from 1769 he and Pack managed the foundry for twelve years, until the latter's death in 1781. Under them the business continued to flourish, and they cast many important rings, such as Aylesbury, St. Mary's, Shrewsbury, and notably the great ring of ten at St. Michael's, Coventry, still intact all but the tenor. They also cast an eight for Holy Trinity, of which the tenor, the sole survivor since 1856, has but recently disappeared. Their Warwickshire list in full is :— 1775. Aston 3—5.7—9 ••• (Original ring of eight). 1772-71. Birmingham St. Martin i — 2 ... 1772. Do. St. Philip 5. 10 ... 1776. Coventry Holy Trinity ... Former eight. 1778. Do. St. John 2nd ... 1774. Do. St. Michael i — 9 ... Also former tenor. 1776. Polesworth 3rd ... 17S0. Wolfhamcote ist ... To which should probably be added the priest's bell at Birdingbury, merely dated 1774, and the single bell at Stivichall, also merely dated, 1778. As e.xamples of the style of inscriptions in which Pack and Chapman delighted, we may quote those at St. Michael's^ Coventry, which occur again and again, usually in the same order: — (1) Al though I AM BOTH LIGHT AND SMALL I WILL BE HEARD ABOVE YOU ALL (2) Ip tou have a Judicious Ear toull own my Voice is sweet & clear (3) Such Wondrous Powr to Musics given it elevates the Soul to heaven (4) Whilst Thus we Join in chbarpull Sound May Love and Loyalty abound (5) To Honour Both op God And King Our Voices shall in consert Ring (7) Ye Ringers all That Prize Your Health And Happiness Be Sober Merry Wise And Youll the same Possess (8) Ye People all who Hear me Ring be Faithful to Your God k King (9) In Wedlock Bands All ye Who join With Hands Your Hearts Unite so shall our Tunbpull Tongues Combine to Laud the Nuptial Rite Pack died in 1781, and for a year William Chapman was founding alone. His name occurs on the tenor atWilloughby, of that year ; but there are only a very few other e.xamples : Durham Cathedral 3rd ; St. Osyth, Esse.x, ist ; Otley, Yorkshire, 8th ; two bells in Kent, and one in Scotland. The story has often been told of Pack's visit to Canterbury in 1762, when he took up a a young man named William Mears, and taught him the business, and we find this Mears, after four years' work on his own account, taken into partnership by Chapman in 1782. The name has continued in the firm ever since, though there has been no Mears in it since 1865. Bells by Chapman and Mears are not common, as the former died in 1784, and there are none in this 84 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. county. Between 1784 and 1787 William Mears was alone, and to this period belong the treble and tenor at Lapworth (1789). In 1717 he took into partnership his son Thomas, and the two cast the 4th at Wolston in 1789, and the 9th at St. Martin's, Birmingham, in 1790. William Mears died in 1791, and his son Thomas took sole charge of the foundry for 15 years. In 1806 he took into partnership his son Thomas, and for four years the formula Thomas Mears & Son appears on the bells. His almost invariable form of inscription is Tho'. Mears of London Fecit, the date being placed before or after. We seldom find any other inscriptions, except on tenors, which have names of incumbents and churchwardens, and occasionally longer inscriptions in prose or verse. He is fond of what is known as " the Whitechapel pattern," introduced by Lester, which consists of alternative loops and lozenges, of varj'ing length, with a horizontal V at each end. His bells are not numerous, comprising only the original ring of si.x at Sutton Coldfield (1795), of which two remain, and one at St. Philip's, Birmingham (1796). His son, Thomas II., who succeeded him in 1810, had a much longer and more prosperous career. Thomas Mears II. enjoyed almost a monopoly in bell-founding during the thirty-three years of his active life, and the prosperity of his business was increased by the requirements of the many new churches springing up in London and elsewhere. His bells differ little in their characteristics from his father's ; up to 1837 he usually describes himself as T. Mears, but from that year onwards he gives his full name, and discards the larger initial letters. Good as his work is, it has hardly any interest, except for the ringer. His Warwickshire list is a fairly long one, including four of 1814 at Aston, five of 181 1 at Harbury, three of 1826 at Middleton, the original six at Leamington (1830), and several single bells' or couples, a total of 23 exclusive of those in modern Birmingham churches. The two trebles at Salford Priors (1836) appear to have been cast by him at Gloucester, whither he went in 1835 to wind up Rudhall's business (p. 78). He appears to have opened a branch there for about six years, whence he supplied a few bells to the Western Midlands, the type of lettering on which is not his own but John Rudhall's. On the death of Thomas Mears in 1844 his sons Charles and George took up his business. They made several changes in the style of inscriptions, dropping the Fecit, dispensing with stops, and sometimes even with the date, as at Warwick St. Nicholas. Most of their bells are simply inscribed C & G mears founders LONDON with the date, in a set of lettering corresponding to their father's smaller set, which their successors have adhered to down to the present day. Sometimes, however, as at Baddesley Ensor, they indulge in Gothic type, or in black-letter inscriptions. Most of their bells in Warwickshire are to be found in modern churches, such as Keresley or Shirley Street; but their names appear on the first seven bells at Holy Trinity, Coventry, a re-casting of their predecessor's work in 1856. Charles Mears died in 1855, but George kept up the style of inscription for two years longer, and in 1858 his initial alone appears, with the addition of a " Co." in 1862. He cast five bells for Sherborne and three for Southam in 1863, in which year he took into partnership Mr. Robert Stainbank. Under the latter the business, which had been declining, again rose to prosperity. With the exception of a few bells of 1868, of which the little ring of five at Radway is an example, with the name of R. Stainbank in Gothic letters, all bells cast by this firm since 1864 have borne the now familiar name Mears and Stainbank. George Mears, however, died in 1873 and Robert Stainbank in 1883, and since the latter year the business has been in the hands, first of Mr. A. S. Lawson, who died in 1904, and then of Mr. A. Hughes. The work of this firm in the county includes the new ring of eight at Rugby (1896), a 1 The most noteworthy of these is the tenor at St. M.ity, Warwick (1814). THE BIRMINGHAM FOUNDRIES. 85 small ring of three at Combrooke (1867) and miscellaneous additions, such as the two trebles at Leamington (igoo) and first three at Warwick St. Nicholas C1887). They are doubtless handicapped in the Midland district by the fame of the great Loughborough and Birmingham firms. THE WARNERS OF CRIPPLEGATE, LONDON. This firm, originally started by " Old John Warner," in the eighteenth century, cast very few church bells down to the year 1853, since which time they have gradually built up a considerable reputation. Their offices are still on the original site in Jewin Crescent, Cripplegate, though the works have lately been removed to Spelman Street, Spitalfields. Like the Whitechapel firm they have never been able to gain much of a footing in the Midlands, as compared with the local foundries, and their connection is chiefiy with their native county of Essex and the South of England. There is no complete ring by them in Warwickshire, except the small ring of eight at Ullenhall new church (1874)' ; otherwise the largest number is five out of the eight at Nuneaton in 1873. Bells by them at Milverton (1863) and W'eethley (1857) are inscribed in the plain block capitals which they affected down to 1867, and which are much more effective than the somewhat feeble variety of Gothic which they have employed for the last forty years. By way of compensation, however, they have dropped the objectionable " PATENT " which, accompanied by the Royal Arms, disfigured their earlier bells. THE BIRMINGHAM FOUNDRIES. WILLIAM BLEWS AND SONS. This firm was established in the 'sixties, and for about twenty years carried on business with much success, turning out some excellent bells. Their masterpiece is certainly the re-casting of the great tenor at Brailes, with its admirable reproduction of the old inscription (see p. 23). There are also a ring of five by them at Avon Uassett ( i86g), and eight of the same date at Bishop Ryder's church, Birmingham.^ Their inscriptions are always in " Modern Gothic" of a very fair type. In 1887 the foundry came to an end with the death of William Blesvs on January 30th, and the business was sold to Mr. Charles Carr. CARR OF SMETHWICK. Mr. Charles Carr, of the Woodlands Foundry, Smethwick, has done much good work since 1887, chiefly in the way of additions to rings, as at Castle Bromwich, Edgbaston and Rowington. BAKWELL OF BIRMINGHAM. The firm of Barwell, of Great Hampton Street, Birmingham, was established in 1784, but does not appear to have taken up bell- founding before 1870, in which year they cast a ring of six for Lydbury North in Shropshire. During the last few years their reputation has been steadily on the increase, and the amount of work they have done m the county is now considerable. It includes rings of eight at St. Michael, Boldmere (1906), six at Hatton (1885) and Knowle (1897), three at Exhall by Coventry (1900), and parts of the rings at Solihull and Withybrook, as well as single bells in Birmingham and elsewhere. Their trade-mark is given in Fig. 20. 20. ' Described as " the lightest ring oi eight in England " {Bell Xews, 21 July, 1SS3). 2 " The first eight ever cast in Birmingham " [Bell News, 19 Feb., 1887). 86 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. LLEWELLYN AND JAMES OF BRISTOL. From this firm, whose reputation is naturallj' more confined to the neighbourhood of Bristol, we have two bells at Lighthorne, cast in iSgo. BOND OF BURFORD, OXON. This foundry supplied a bell to Whatcote in 1897 and another to Shotteswell in 1906. Though not common, even in their own neighbourhood, their work seems to be pretty good. NAYLOR, VICKERS & CO., SHEFFIELD. In the 'sixties steel bells were cast by this firm, examples of which may be seen in several of the Midland Counties, there being three at Caldecote, cast in i858. They all bear a running number and the words " E. Riepe's Patent," and can hardly be described as beautiful objects, owing to the fearful rust which accumulates on them ; as to their tone I cannot speak. The firm is now the well-known one of Vickers, Maxim & Co., which devotes all its energies in another direction. It is, however, worth noting that the combination of gun-founding and bell-founding has historic precedent, there having been a well-known foundry at Bury St. Edmund's in the fifteenth century, which combined both functions. We have now accounted, more or less satisfactorily, for every bell in Warwickshire, with but two exceptions, tor which I am still at a loss to find a founder. These are (i) Ather- stone-on-Stour 3rd, inscribed : — lESUS BE OVR SPEDE 1627 RM HP The lettering is thick and plain ; I have not met with it elsewhere, and cannot assign it to any known founder of the period, in the neighbourhood or elsewhere. (2) Barton-on-Heath sanctus, inscribed : — lOHN KERRY 1672 in thin plain lettering, somewhat rough, It might possibly be the work of John Martin ; but this is exceedingly doubtful, as he seldom succeeded in penetrating into the territory of the Bagleys and Keenes. Failing him, the most likely founder is Richard Keene (see p. 59), but the lettering is not like that which he uses elsewhere. RINGING CUSTOMS AND PECULIAR USES. 87 II. RINGING CUSTOMS AND PECULIAR USES. Of these there are on the whole a very fair number of survivals in Warwickshire, more perhaps than in some more rural counties, such as Shropshire. Considering the rapidity with which old ringing customs are dying out in all parts of the country from various causes, it is a matter for satisfaction that so many remain, as at Allesley, Coleshill, and Kineton ; and that there is sufficient material for a separate chapter on the subject. Into the history and meaning of the older customs I do not propose to enter, and they have been ably discussed by several of my predecessors, such as Messrs. North, Stahlschmidt, and Cocks.^ But although full details arc given under the heading of each parish of the uses retained in each individual case, the student of bell-lore will perhaps be grateful for a summary which will enable him to dispense with the necessity of a prolonged search for the information he may require. Apart from change-ringing and the recognition of secular festivals or anniversaries, all of which are of comparatively modern introduction, it may be laid down that all " uses " of our church bells were originally associated with some religious idea or custom, even though that is not now apparent. The Curfew Bell, which is popularly associated with the well-known enactment of William the Conqueror, and its correlative the early morning bell, are really survivors of the morning and evening " Ave Peals." Similarly the Pancake Bell was originally associated with the preparations for the Lenten Fast. But it is doubtful whether ringing on the 5th of November can fairly be regarded as coming under the same category ! In the case of Sunday uses the connection is more apparent, though the original meaning of many customs has become obscured by time and vicissitudes of religious beliefs and practices. Even the Passing Bell, originally an admonition to prayer for the departing soul, is now deferred till some hours later, usually to suit the Sexton's convenience, or is even combined with the funeral ceremonies. In the succeeding account the reader is warned that it has unfortunately been impossible to obtain complete returns from all the parishes, and that in some cases the information received has been too vaguely expressed for statistical use, or is now out of date. But the present Editor has been fortunate enough to obtain replies from over half of the total number of beneficed clergy in the county, and trusts that enough evidence has been thus obtained to make his statistics fairly representative. I. SUNDAY USES. The normal pre- Reformation arrangement of services was Mattins at 8 a.m. and Mass at 9, though this was not invariable. Traces of either or both of these bells exist in several cases, but the usage has been somewhat obscured by the fairly general introduction of early celebrations at 8 a.m. In many of the returns where the ringing of a bell at that hour is reported, it is not clear whether this refers to the use of a bell for services only or whether one is rung independently. Sometimes several bells are chimed in place of the one. The following sumrnarj' will indicate the various uses of early ringing of which information has been received. ^ Rifiging at 7 a.m. : Marton ; Southam in Summer only. Ringing at 7-45 a,.m. : Dunchurch and Nether Whitacre (? for celebrations).^ Rin'ring at 8 a.m. when there is no service : Coleshill and Kineton. • Tyack's Book on Bells may also be profitably consulted. 2 In all cases one bell only is used except where definitely stated otherwise. ' Cases where the bell is definitely stated to be rung for Celebrations are not includ uded, as it is assumed that it is not runp otherwise. 88 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. Ringing at 8 a.m. (whether for service is not specified) : Ashow, Austrey, Barcheston, Barston, Bickenhili, Bidford, Butler's Marston, Long Compton, Cubbington (2nd bell), Combrooke, Fillongley, Frankton, Henley-in-Arden, Knowle, Offchurch, Rowington, Shotteswell, Snitterfield, Wishaw, Wootton Wawen. Chiming (tiz'o or more bells) at 8 a.m. : Allesley (ist and 2nd), Berkswell, Chilvers Coton, Exhall by Coventry (in Winter 8-30), Farnborough, Wolvey (ist and 2nd), St. Mary, Warwick (for service). Ringing at 8 and at 9 (survival of Mattins and Mass Bells) : Cherington (two bells at 9), Fenny Compton, Hampton-in-Arden (two at 9), Middleton (two at 9), Ratiey formerly, Tachbrook, Whitnash. Ringing at 9 a.m. only : Ansley, Grandborough, Honington, Southam, Stretton-on-Dunsmore ; also Rugby formerl}- (4th and 5th). At Grendon the first or first two bells are rung as Sermon Bell (see below). The following may also be noted as peculiar uses : Ilmington : Ringing at 8, 9, and 10 ; at 9 the bells are chimed on ist Sunday in month. Newbold-on-Avon : Ringing at 7 and 8 a.m. Solihull : Ringing at 6, 7, and 8 formerly. Southam : Ringing at 7. 8, and 9 ; at 7 in Summer only ; at 8 now rung for celebrations. Tanworth : Chiming or tolling at 8 and 10 (Mr. Tilley noted in 1881 " Bells i and 2 rung at 8 a.m. and 2 p.m."). Warwick St. Nicholas : Formerly each bell tolled eight times at 8 a.m., followed by 3x3 strokes on the 7th. For Mattins and Evensong the ordinary usage is ringing or chiming for a period varying from three-quarters of an hour to ten minutes, followed in most cases by " toUing-in '' on a single bell. Ringing on all occasions is reported in nine cases (Berkswell, Dunchurch, Edgbaston, Fillongley, Nuneaton, Rugby, Solihull, Stratford, Warwick St. Mary), chiming in 58; in thirteen the practice is variable or alternating, and at Bedworth, Wellesbourne, and Sherborne ringing is confined to Festivals (see below). In a few cases ringing or chiming is combined with tolling, as at Ettington, Middleton, Salford Priors (each for 30 minutes) and Nether Whitacre. At Warwick St. Nicholas nine strokes are given on the 7th bell before chiming begins. The use of what is known as the Sermon Bell is fairly common, though it takes various forms. Its original purport v/as to announce that a sermon was to be preached, but in many cases it has lost that significance, and has become a mere form of " tolling-in " after chiming. At Allesley, Ilmington, Lapworth, and Tanworth the Sermon Bell is rung as early as 10 a.m., as a " Warning Bell," and at Grendon at 9 (see above). The name of Sermon Bell is e.xpressly given to the tenor when rung just before the beginning of the service in the following instances : Anstey, Avon Dassett, Brinklow (formerly), Coleshili, Coventry Holy Trinity and St. Michael (8th bell used in morning), Cubbington, Fenny Compton, Kenilworth, Nevvbold-on-Avon, Rowington, Rugby (formerly), Sherborne, Shilton, Wappenbury, Warwick St. Nicholas, Weston- under-Weatherley, and Wishaw ; at Warmington the 2nd is used followed by the treble. The tenor and treble are used successively for tolling in at Butler's Marston, Kenilwoith, Kineton, Newbold-on-Avon, and Solihull, the 4th and treble at Farnborough. The Sermon Bell before chiming occurs at Austrey, Barston, and Tachbrook ; at Cherington it is rung from 10-35 to 10-45 after five minutes' chiming, except on " Sacrament Sunday." The treble only is used for tolling in, sometimes called the " ting-tang" or " Priest's bell," at Allesley, Beaudesert, Bidford, Chadshunt, Cherington, Harborough, Haseley, Ipsley, Long Itchington, Offchurch ; the little bell or sanctus at Brailes, Long Compton, Shotteswell and Oxhill formerly. But this bell is rarely found in Warwickshire churches. At Rugby the 2nd bell was formerly used for tolling in when there was no sermon. At Ettington the tolling-in bell is called the " Surplice Bell." The tenor is used alone but not called the Sermon Bell at .\ustrey, Coventry St. John, and RINGING CUSTOMS AND PECULIAR USES. 89 Stcke ; at Bickenhill, Chilvers Coton, Coughton, Curdworth, and Southam the use is not definitely specified. The only reported use of a bell during service is at Aston Cantlow, where the old custom of ringing at the consecration in the Holy Communion service has been revived. But a bell at the conclusion of morning service is more general. At Barcheston it is rung after a mid-day celebration only. The object of such a bell is to indicate service in the afternoon, and is a relic of the slack times of pluralism and non-residence, when services were not only few but uncertain (see also explanation given under Beaudesert, Offchurch, and Tysoe in Part II). It is sometimes (as at Barston and Kineton) known as the Pudding Bell, as it was supposed to be tor warning housewives to prepare the Sunday dinner. This bell is now rung at Ashow (" Rector's Bell "), Austrey, Barston, Beaudesert (2nd bell), Butler's Marston (rst), Cherington, Cubbington, Fenny Compton, Frankton, Grendon (two bells), Haseley, Honington, Ilmington, Long Itchington, Kineton, Offchurch (tenor), Oxhill, Ratley, Tysoe, Ufton, and at Rugby and Wolston formerly. At Haseley it is also rung after Evensong, and at Coventry St. Michael it was formerly rung from I to 2 p.m. At Tanworth and Rugby bells were formerly rung at 2 p.m. ( in the latter case the 4th and 5th). At Tanworth a bell is also rung at 5 and 6 p.m. on Sundays. The only parish with any week-day uses worth noting is Curdworth, where for daily services the bell is tolled 33 times (representing the years of our Lord's life); ordinarily the treble is tolled, the 2nd on Festivals, and the 3rd for celebrations. At Rugby the old bells are chimned for week-day services; at Tysoe the priest's bell is used. At the latter place a bell used to be rung on week-days at 8 a.m, when there was a service during the day. II. CHURCH FESTIVALS, GOOD FRIDAY, AND NEW YEAR'S EVE. Special ringing on the great Festivals is reported in 73 instances, of which 34 specify ringing on Christmas Eve (at midnight or earJier), 10 on Christmas morning (Kineton at 6 a.m., Rugb}- after morning service), and 24 report ringing at Christmas without further detail. Ringing at Easter is definitely specified in 32 instances ; sometimes, as at Coventry St. John and Tachbrook, late on Easter Eve, but more usually early on Easter Day (Fillongley 7 a.m.). Ringing at Whitsuntide is reported in 15 instances ; on Trinit\- Sunday at Allesley, Barston, Bilton, and Hampton ; on Ascension Day at Anstey, Hampton, Oxhill, Shilton, Stratford, and Warwick St. Nicholas ; on Epiphany at Anstey and Shilton. At Coventry St. John there is ringing at 7 30 a.m. and before Mattins and Evensong on all Festivals. The Patronal Festiv^al is observed by ringing at Anstey (St. James, 25 July), Exhall by Coventr}- (St. Giles, i Sept.), Sherborne (St. Michael, 29 Sept.), Shilton (St. Andrew, 30 Nov.), Warwick St. Nicholas (6 Dec.), and Wellesbourne (St. Peter, 29 June) ; at Oxhill on the Sunday after St. Lawrence's Day (10 August). Ringing on St. Thomas' Day is reported in no less than nine instances, usually at 6 a.m. : Bidford, Ettington, Fenn)- Compton, Frankton, Harbury, Kineton, Southam, Tachbrook, and Wellesbourne formerly. This is, or was, in connection with the distribution of local charities which took place on that day. At Solihull ringing formerly took place on All Souls' Day (2 Nov.) when a dole was distributed. At Bidford and Sutton Coldfield there is ringing on Trinity Monday; at Warwick St. Nicholas on Easter Tuesday, known as " Churchwardens' Day ;" at Middleton on St. George's Day, but apparently with a secular reference. The bells are rung for Harvest Festivals at Bedworth, Coleshill, Rowington, Stratford, and Tachbrook ; and at Bedworth also on the first Sunday in August, " Wake Sunday," " Sunday School Sunday," and on the occasion of the Bishop's visit. Ringing once or twice a week is usually indulged in during November and December by way of practice for Christmas, or else during Advent only ; of this 21 instances are reported, that at Tachbrook taking place on the Sundays in .Advent after Evensong. Special Good Friday uses are not common ; at Offchurch the treble is rung at 8 a.m., and at Shotteswell the treble is rung to announce the distribution of a dole. At Stratford the tenor is the only bell used on this day. On New Year's Eve ringing in some form takes place M go THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. in 78 instances. The usual practice is to ring from 11-30 to 12-30, or thereabouts, sometimes with a break at midnight to allow the clock to strike ; this is done at Alveston, Bedworth, Cubbington, Ettington, Solihull and Nether Whitacre. .^t Allesley, Chadshunt, Butler's Marston, and Coventry St. John ringing does not begin till midnight. A much more effective method is to ring a muffled or half-muffled peal before midnight and then an " open " one ; this is done at Aston Cantlow, Bidford, Dunchurch, Farnborough, Fillongley, Lapworth, Oxhill, and Rugbj'. But in the majority of cases the method is not specified. At Kineton and Whitnash the bells are also rung on New Year's Day (Kineton 9 a.m.). III. SECULAR AND SOCIAL FESTIVALS. Under this heading we may include Weddings, though religious functions, the ringing on such occasions being a purely personal matter, according to the desire of the parties concerned, and paid for by them. In 72 parishes ringing is more or less customary, but the only peculiar use specified is at Grandborough, where the peal is repeated at 5 a.m. next day ; nor is there any mstance of ringing when Banns are published. Ringing on the 5th of November (Gunpowder Plot Day) is exceptionally common in Warwickshire ; it is still kept up at Allesley, Ansley, Ashow, Avon Dassett, Barston, Bidford, Bilton, Brinklow, Butler's Marston, Combrooke, Farnborough, Fenny Compton, Frankton, Grendon, Hampton, Ilmington, Lapworth, Middleton, Newbold-on-Avon, Oxhill, Shotteswell, Tachbrook, and Wormleighton — in all, 23 instances. On May 29th (Restoration Day) it is much rarer, only occurring at Ansley, Hampton, and Middleton. At Curdworth both days were formerly observed ; at Ipsley the former. Royal Anniversaries are celebrated by peals as follows : — Birthdays at Ashow, Coventry St. Michael, and Ilmington formerly; Sovereign's Birthday only at Ansley, Bedworth, Butler's Marston, Coleshill, Coventry Holy Trinity, Farnborough, Hampton, Kenilworth, Oxhill, Rugby, Southam, Warwick St. Mary and St. Nicholas, and Wootton Wawen ; also at Curdworth and Solihull formerly. Ringing on Coronation Day (9 Aug.) at Brinklow, Coleshill, and Hampton r at Coleshill and Rugby also on Accession Day (22 Jan.). Empire Day (24 May) is celebrated at Coleshill and Kenilworth ; St. George's Day at Middleton, and at Stratford there is ringing on the same day (23 April) to celebrate Shakespeare's birthday. November 9th is celebrated as Mayor's Day at Coventry St. Michael, Stratford, Sutton Coldfield, and Warwick St. Mary and St. Nicholas. At Coventry Holy Trinity there is also ringing on the occasion of a proclamation of peace (as in June, 1902), at the Bishop's visit, and the annual Bluecoat Sermon ; at Warwick St. Mary and St. Nicholas for the Assizes and for the Meeting of the Chamberlains of St. Nicholas Meadow ; at Coughton on the Squire's birthday. At Rugby the 20th of October is celebrated as Lawrence Sheriff's Day by ringing at 6 a.m., i p.m. and 7 p.m. At Warwick St. Mary there is ringing on the occasion of the Midsummer Sunday School Feast. At Nuneaton, Stoke, and Tysoe the Anniversary uses have not been specified. IV. FUNERAL USES. Of all special ringing customs, ancient and modern, these seem to have been the most universal, and are the most generally kept up, though not always as carefully as the\- might be. The uses include the Passing Bell or Death Knell, rung immediately or at a specified interval not exceeding twenty-four hours after death, which usually comprises tolling at intervals of a minute for a few minutes to an hour, with "tellers" at the beginning and end, or other methods of denoting age and sex. On the day of the funeral itself the uses are practicall}- limited to tolling before (and sometimes after) the ceremony, with occasional quick ringing or chiming on the approach of the procession. Muffled peals are sometimes rung on special occasions. There is an interesting record of the mediaeval custom given in Smjth's Lives of Ihe Bevkeleys} > Edited by Sir John Maclean for the Bristol and Glouc. Arch. See. 1883, ii., p. 175. See alfo Ellacombe, Bells of the- Church, p. 227. RINGING CUSTOMS AND PRCULIAR USES. QI with reference to funeral peals rung in Coventry on the occasion of the death of the Lady Isabel Berkeley in 1516. This may be a convenient place to introduce it. "There was ryngyng daily with all the bells contynually ; that is to say, at St. Michael's xxxiii peles, at Trinitie xxxiii peles, at St. Johns xxxiii, at Babyllake, because hit was so nigh, Ivij peles, and in the mother church .... xxx peles, and every pele xij"*." The varieties in the use of the Passing Bell are very great, but I will endeavour to summarise them as briefly as possible. The method of ringing has not always been clearly specified in the returns which have reached me, but the following statistics may be taken as accurate, so far as they go. In eighteen instances the knell is tolled immediately or as soon as possible, and in twenty others the time given is " on receipt of notification of death," which amounts to much the same thing. Other uses vary between one hour after (Ashow, Butler's Marston, Farnborough, Ilmington, Oxhill, and Sherborne) ; 8 a.m. next day (Chadshunt, Corley, Cubhington, Haseley, Wappenbury, Weston); 9 a.m. next day (Brinklow sometimes, Frankton, Henley, and Wolvey) ; noon next day (Newbold-on-Avon); on the same day before sunset (Atherstone-on-Stour) ; within twelve hours (Barston) ; same or following day (Bulkington, Grandborough (before noon), Shottes- well. Nether Whitacre) ; twelve hours after (Bedvvorth, Coventry St. John); within 24 hours (Bidford) ; between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. (Beaudesert). Sometimes, as at Warwick St. Nicholas, it is deferred till the day of the Funeral. In nineteen instances the time of ringing is not specified. The total number of parishes in which the use of the Passing Bell is reported is 86, and in 26 of these the bell (usually the tenor) is simply tolled, without any tellers. The time as already noted varies from a few minutes (at Beaudesert and Solihull) to one hour ; the tellers, when in use, are generally given at the beginning, and sometimes repeated at the end, as definitely noted in eleven instances. At Coventry Holy Trinity and St. John the bells are first tolled singly in succession and then in pairs (" single and double tolling ") ; at St. Michael's three strokes are given on the tenor, then 60 on the ist and 2nd alternately, ending with twelve on the tenor, and tellers. Sometimes distinctions of sex or age are noted by the bell used' : At Bilton the 4th is used for an adult, the ist for a child ; at Rugby, tenor for adult, treble for child ; at Nuneaton the 6th or 7th for a child ; at Chilvers Coton a large and a small bell ; at Warwick St. Nicholas the 6th, 7th, or 8th for a child, woman, and man respectively. At Rowington only a few strokes are tolled inthe case of a child. At Tanworth this is done when tolling for funerals. The age is indicated by tolling the requisite number of strokes at Aston Cantlow, Barcheston, Barston, Bulkington, Lapworth, Newbold Pacey, Sherborne, Solihull, Warwick St. Nicholas, Nether Whitacre, and Whitnash ; and at Exhall-by-Coventry after the funeral. But the more usual method of distinguishing sex, if not age, is by tellers. The normal custom is 3X3 strokes for a man and 3x2 for a woman, including children, usually before and after tolling. This we find practised in 41 instances. Sometimes 3x1 are given in addition for a child, and this we find done in thirteen instances (at Nether Whitacre only for infants under three). At Barston, Beaudesert, Bidford, Lapworth, Lillington, and Nuneaton the tellers are repeated on each bell; at Exhall-by-Coventry 3 x 3 is sometimes rung for all alike; and at Sherborne and Walton d'Eivile two strokes and 2x2 respectively are rung for a child. At Burton Dassett the tellers are three, two, and one single strokes respectively. Other abnormal uses are as follows : — Allesley : 3x6 on each bell, followed by 15 strokes for male ; 2x6 on each, followed by eleven strokes for female. Bedworth : 12x3 male; 12 x 2 female or child. Bickenhill: 6x6 male; 6x5 female; 6x4 child. Hampton: 3x6 male; 2x6 female; 1x6 child. Leamington Hastings : 1x3 male; 2x3 female; 3x3 child. - 1 This is a very common practice in Essex. - Maintained by some to be the correct version. 92 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. Tolling at funerals is reported, in one form or another, in 57 instances. At Allesiey and Caldecote the bells are occasionally chimed before the ceremony; at Ilmington and Solihull this is done in the case of ringers and their families ; at Kineton regularly ; at Coleshill, Curdworth and Middleton formerly. At Over Whitacre chiming takes place afterwards. Tolling at Curdworth takes place at 7 a.m. (with tellers) as well as before the service ; at Coughton, Oxhill, Tysoe, and Warwick St Mary and St. Nicholas at 8 a.m. ; at Nevvbold Pacey at 9 a.m. ; and at Atherstone-on-Stour every two hours from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. At Tysoe and Cherington tolling take place two hours before the service, known respectively as the " Bearers Bell" and the "Inviting Bell." The time for tolling before the service varies from 15 minutes to an hour, usually at minute intervals (at Henley every five minutes), and often as at Beaudesert and elsewhere, concluding with a few quick strokes. At Kineton tolling continues for two hours followed by chiming, and tolling for thirty seconds. At Brinklow this is known as the " Bidding Bell." At Bilton, Coventry St. John, Fenny Compton, Grendon, and Warwick St. Mary and St Nicholas tellers are given after the service, at Exhall-by-Coventry the age of the deceased ; at Alveston and Chadhunt the bell is rung quickly at this time. Tolling afterwards is definitely reported in twenty-three instances. At Burton Dassett the tenor is merely rung up and down before and after. At Kineton the use is : Tenor tolled for two hours and chime for 15 minutes before ; toll for 30 seconds after. At Tanworth the custom varies- with the age of the deceased. Muffled peals for various personages are rung at Bedworth, Birmingham St. Martin (Sovereign), Butler's Marston and Nuneaton (Royalty), Coventry Holy Trinity (24 Jan. for Thomas Smith) and St. Michael (13 Jan. by bequest), Grendon, Ilmington (Ringers), Kenilworth, Stoke, Stratford, Sutton Coldfield, Warwick St. Nicholas (Royalty,. Warwick family, and Ringers), and Wellesbourne. V. MISCELLANEOUS USES. The Morning Bell and the Curfew I have already noted as survivals of the old " Ave peals." They are now rapidly dying out all over the country, but there are a fair number of survivals in Warwickshire, especially in the case of the Curfew, which is still rung in eighteen instances : Allesiey, Austrey, Brailes, Coleshill, Coventry Holy Trinity, Curdworth, Kenilworth, Kineton, Kingsbury, Knowle, Nuneaton, Offchurch, Solihull, Southam, Stratford (Guild Chapel), Tanworth, and Warwick St. Mary and St. Nicholas. It was also formerly rung at Bickenhill^ Harborough Magna, and Rugby. The usual hour for ringing is 8 p.m., on Saturday at 7, and in most places it is only rung in the winter, beginning at Michaelmas or in October, and continued to Lady-Day. The tenor bell is generally used, but at Holy Trinity, Coventry, the 3rd, at Kenilworth the 5th, at Kineton the 4th, at Nuneaton and Warwick St. Nicholas the 7th, at Solihull the 6th, at Warwick St. Mary the 8th, and at Southam the 4th or 5th are used. The day of the month is tolled in strokes afterwards at Coleshill, Curdworth (on ist) and Solihull. The early morning bell is kept up in five instances: at Allesiey and Nuneaton the 4th at 5 in summer, 6 in winter; at Coleshill the ist or 2nd at 7, at Kineton and Stratford (Guild Chapel) at 6 a.m. At Exhal! by Coventry two bells are rung daily at 9-30 a.m. ; at Brailes a bell is rung at noon; at Coleshill and Southam the ist or 2nd at i p.m., and at Warwick St. Mary the 3rd. At St. Michael, Coventry, a bell was formerly rung at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. (see under St. John's in Part II.) and also at 9 p.m.; and at Warwick St. Nicholas the morning bell at 5 a.m. At Tanworth there were formerly bells daily at 9 a.m., i p.m. and 8 p.m.,' but the two former were discontinued in 1879. There was formerly also a daily bell at Tysoe. There are thirteen instances of ringing the Pancake Bell on Shrove Tuesda\' : at Allesiey (3rd at 11), Bedworth (tenor at 11), Bidford (3rd and 4th at noon). Coleshill (4th and 5th at 11), ' Wanneil, Fores/ of /HrJcn, ]i. Ii6. KINGING CUSTOMS AND PECULIAR USES. 93 Coventry Holy Trinity (4th at 11-30), Grandborough (5th from 11 to 12), Grendon (2nd and 5th at 11-15), Hampton (5th at 11), Solihull (8th at 11), Tachbrook (noon), Tysoe and Warwick St. Mary (6th from 11-30 to 12-30) and St. Nicholas (4th at 11). It was also rung within memory at Ashow, Austrey, Brinklow, Coventry St. Michael, Frankton, Rugby, Sutton Coldfield, and Tanworth. A bell is rung for Easter Vestry Meetings in 25 parishes. The Gleaning Bell, formerly common in many parts of England, has now died out entirely, as the result of the changes in agricultural conditions. It is still kept up in corn-growing districts, as in North Essex, where seventeen instances are recorded. In Warwickshire it was formerly rung at Cubbington, Ettington, Farnborough, Frankton, Harborough, Ilmington, Leamington Hastings, Offchurch, Tysoe, and Wolston, and has only recently been dropped at Tachbrook, and at Ratley, where it was rung at 8 a.m. and i p.m. In cases of Fire the treble and tenor are rung at Coleshill and Kenil worth, and at Ilmington the 4th; at Tysoe the ist and 5th (formerly the sanctus bell); at Stratford-on-Avon the two bells of the Guild Chapel. The little Fire-Bell at Warwick St. Mary, dated 1670, is now disused and unhung. The only " peculiar uses " of Warwickshire bells with which I have met beyond those already noted, are at Bilton and Tysoe (sanctus) for Choir Practices, and at Newbold Pacey for the annual Choir Supper. PRINCIPAL RINGS IN WARWICKSHIRE. ^ _, „ Weight Diam. Diam. Diam. Date and Founder (1) Kings OF IWELVE. of tenor, of tenor, next bell, of treble. of tenor. Cwts. ins. ins. in. Birmingham St. Martin 35 58 53 27J Lester and Pack, 1758 (2) Rings of Ten. Aston 2of 48 43 28^ T. Mears, 1814 Birmingham St. Philip 29 55^ 50 31 Lester and Pack, 1757 Coventry St. Michael 31J 56J 5oi 33 Briant, 1805 Solihull I9i 48I 42I 27 H. Bagley, 1685 Warwick St. Mary .. 24^ 54^ 48 26| T. Mears, 1814 (3) Rings of Eight. Bedworth 14I 42J 38^ 24^ Taylor, 1891 Bir'nghamSt. John, Deritend — — — — R. Wells, 1776 Do. Bishop Ryder _ _ _ _ Blews, 1868 Chilvers Coton 13^ 42^ 37^ 24J Taylor, 1907 Coventry Holy Trinity 23J 51 44 31 Taylor, 1898 Erdington I5i 44^ 39^ 26J Taylor, 1904 Leamington I2| 40^ 38^ 26 Mears and Stainbank, 1902 Nuneaton 14J 44* 40 28^ Warner, 1873 Rugby 24J 52 45 23 Mears and Stainbank, 1896 Salford Priors 15^ 43 38^ 27 Mears and Stainbank, 1867 Stoke-by-Coventry 13J 42J 38^ 25^ Taylor, 1905 Stratford-on Avon 18 44 39I 27^ R. Sanders, 1717 Sutton Coldfield 23J 50J 44^ 29 Taylor, 1SS4 Sutton Coldfield, St. Michael 13I 43f 39I 27^ Barwell, 1906 (Boldmere) Warwick, All Saints(E'scote) i6| 44* 39J 26 Taylor, 1S76 Do. St. Nicholas 15J 43^ 40 28 M. Bagley, 1773 (4) Rings of Six. Brailes 32 58 51 3jh Blews, 1S77 Monk's Kirby 23 53 47 35 Watts, 1618 [These two are included as being of exceptional weight]. Part II. THE INSCRIPTIONS ON THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE, THEIR HISTORY AND USES, ARRANGED ALPHABETICALLY BY PARISHES. PART II. THE INSCRIPTIONS ON THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. ALCESTER. st. Nicholas. Six bells. 1. COD SAVE THE CHURCH & KING A^R \7S5 ^^^^^^^^ (29 in. 2. PROSPERITY TO THIS PARISH aAr ^1S5 %:jt%i^^^%:^^^ (30J in. 3. PROSPERITY TO ALL OUR BENEFACTORS A ^ R 1735 tt+ttttt (31J in. 4. PROSPERITY TO THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND A^R 1735 ^^^^ (34i in. 5. WE WERE ALL CAST ATGLOCESTER BY AB: RU DH ALL \7B5 (border as 3rd.) (36 in. 6. lOHN QUINTON & THOMAS TONG CH WARDENS 1735 (border as 2nd) {^gl in. The ring is by Abraham Rudhall, who died in February 1735-6. Borders on 3rd and 5th, Fig. 18 ; on the others, Fig. 17. Mr. Falkner notes : " Belfry dark ; bells very greasy." Browne Willis' list of bells in Worcester Diocese about 1750 (Cole MSS., Brit. Mus. Add. 5828 fol. 268) gives " Alchester 6 Bells." Inscriptions given in Notices of Warwickshire Churches (1849), ii. p. no. The church (but not the tower) was re-built 1727 — 1734. Best thanks to Mr. W. E. Falkner. H.T. T., 27 July, 1881. ALLESLEY. all saints. Si.x bells. 1. lOHN • STONE • AND • NICHOLAS • RIDER • CHVRCH • WARDENS • 1708^^2^^ Below, double row of arabesques. 2. S 7^ N N 7^ 3. ^ S. flDELE BREE RECAST ME >b 1901 Below, vine-pattern all round and Taylor's trade-mark (Fig. 19). 4. As No. 1 . with a coin after date. 5 >5< BE • YT KNOWNE • TO • ALL THAT ■ DOTH . ME . SEE . THAT . NEWCOMBE • OF • LEICESTER • MADE • MEE ■ 1610 "^-€XK^s^^-.gX>0^ (35I in. 6. ^ I HOPE IN GOD ^ (Scroll ornament) (25i in. (26J in. (30 in. (32 in. g8 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIKE. Below, vine-pattern all round, and (a) Taylor's trade-mark, (b) EUPHEMIA L. L/^NCASTER GAVE ME W. BREE D D. RECTOR t.wrTht} ^" *'^'^"'^^ '''' (40J in. Hung in Taylor's new H-frames, but the arrangement is awkwardly planned, the trap-door being immediately under the tenor, which it is hardly possible to squeeze past ! Up to 1901 there were only five bells ; in that year the then 2nd was re-cast, and a new tenor added, making six. The old bell was inscribed : — mmiR KAceRinA ora pro noBis and was similar in type to the 3rd at Lapworth (see p. 10). The 1st and 4th are by Joseph Smith of Edgbaston,i arabesques like Bagley's (PI. XXII., Fig. 11); the 2nd is probably by Thomas Newcombe of Leicester (see p. 30). Border on 5th: PI. XXII., Fig. 3, afterwards used by Oldfield of Nottingham (see p. 38). cwt. qrs. lbs. cwt. qrs. lbs. Weights:—!) 3 : : 15 4th) 5 : 3 : 27 2) 3 : 3 : 8 5th) 8 : : 21 3) 5 : : 77 6th) 12 : : 1552. iiij'"' belles in the steple." 1750 (Browne Willis) : " Allelsley 5 Bells." Customs : On Sundays, ist and 2nd bells rung at 8 a.m. Tenor as Sermon Bell at lo a.m. Bells chimed for services 10-40 — 10-55, followed by treble for five minutes. Death Knell as soon as convenient ; tellers, for males, three strokes on each bell, followed by 15 ; for females, two stroke on each, followed by eleven. Chiming occasionally at Funerals. Ringing during Advent preparatory for Christmas; on Christmas Eve from 11-30 p.m. to 12-30 a.m. ; on Christmas Day, Easter Sunday, Whit Sunday, and Trinity Sunday at 10 a.m. ; on New Year's Eve from 11-55 p.m. to 12-30 a.m. Also on November 5th. The 4th bell is rung daily at 5 a.m. from March 25th to September 29th, and at 6 a.m. for the rest of the year. Curfew daily throughout the year at 8 p.m. Pancake Bell on Shrove Tuesday at 11 a.m. (3rd bell). Bell formerly rung for Vestry Meetmgs. As will be seen, the customs here are of considerable interest, and all praise is due to those who have ensured their continuance. Many thanks to Rev. W. Bree, Rector. H. T. T., 19 May, 1883 ; H. B. W., Sept., 1907. ALNE, GREAT. st. mary magdalene. One bell. 1. ALL e^^XK^^D PRAYSE ^^gXXSsj AND Z^XX®^ GLORY c^gXKQvi) BE^^ ^-gXXS^ TO ^,€XX&Z GOD ^.-gXX^v . FOR CK»j GOD tXsXKi)^ HONOR j^S^KgKt THE c/SXKa^ KING t^SXKeK^ 1669 ^^SXK^^ st° 3 >J< BE • YT • KNOWNE • TO • ALL • THAT • DOTH • WIE • SEE • THAT • NEWCOMBE OF LEICESTER MADE MEE • 1609 1st : By Thomas Newcombe of Leicester (see p. 30). Cross and shield, Plate XVI. Figs. 2, 3. 2nd : By George Oldfield of Nottingham (p. 63) ; border as AUesley 5th ; trade-mark, Plate XXII., Fig. i (with G for H). 100 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. 1552 : ' Anstley. Itm there iij belles in the staple.' ' M*^ that the p'ishe have solde sithence the last S'vey to the relief of the poore inh'itaunts there this p'cell folowing .... a bell ou' and besyd the iij aforesaide.' 1750 (Browne Willis) : ' Awsley 3 Bells.' Customs : A bell rung on Sundays at 9 a.m. for five minutes (the old mass bell). Bells chimed for services, for ten minutes, ten minutes, and last five. Death-knell with tellers 3x3 and 3x2; as soon as possible after notice given. Ringing on Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve, May 29th, and November 5th, Sovereign's Birthday, and for Weddings. Bartlett in Manduessedum Romanoruin (Nichols, Bibl. Topogr. Brit, ix.. No. i, p. 146), states that " the sum of 6s. ?>d. yearly was charged upon a small cottage and croft late in the occupation of George Izon, to find bell-ropes for the church bells, but by whom is not now known ; which cottage and croft about 1765 was purchased of the parish by the late John Ludford, Esq., for ^30 ; which [together with other bequests] was expended in rebuilding the Poor's houses, and the income is now paid by the Overseers of the Poor." Thus the endowment for the bell-ropes has lapsed, having been diverted to other purposes. Best thanks to Rev. C. Heaton, Vicar. H.T. T., 22 July, 1876. ANSTEY. ST. JAMES. Four bells. 1 J. ■WARNER fis SONS LONDON 1876. (22J in. 2. OAST BT JOHN WASNEB, & . SONS LONDON 1873. On Waist : — Royal Arms and Patent (24I in. 3. DANIEL* PETTIFER«AND IOHN«FARNDON*CHVRCH«WARDINGS 1707«t^^t^^t^^+ (26I in. 4. OAST BY JOHN "WARNER & SONS LONDON 1876 (28J in. Four very small bells, for which there is hardly room in the little octagonal tower ; they are hung in two tiers, the first and third above. Warner's bells have angular cannons. The 3rd is by Joseph Smith (arabesques as PI. XXII., 11) ; previous to 1876 it was the only bell in the tower. The new bells were given by Lady Adams of Anstey Lodge. No Edwardian Inventories. Customs : Bells chimed for Sunday services. Sermon Bell for last five minutes, when there is a sermon. Death Knell at intervals of a minute for an hour, with tellers at beginning and end (3x3 for male, and 3x2 for female). Tolling at Funerals. Ringing on Christmas Day, Epiphany, Easter Sunday, Ascension Day, Whit Sunday, and Patronal Festival (25 July); also for Weddings by request. Best thanks to Rev. T. C. Pyemont, Vicar. H. T. T., 26 Aug., 1876 ; H. B. W., Sept., 1907. ARLEY. ST. WILFRED. Three bells. 1 ♦^-ROBT^RT^NEWeOME (28 in 2. ANSLEY — ASTLEY. lOI IMS: NAZARENVS (border) REX: IVDEORVM (border) FILI : DEI < border J MISERERE MEI (border) I625 (30J in. 3. THO CLARK CHURCH'WARDfiN (SCroU) EDWi' ARNOLD LEICESTER FECIT 1790 C SCrolls) On the waist, arabesques. (3^ in. 1st by Robert Newcombe, dating about 1590 ; a similar bell at Pytchley, Northants ; cross Plate XVI., Fig. 2 ; see p. 31. 2nd by Watts; "Acorn " border (PI. XVII., Fig. 7). The S in IHS i.s reversed here, as invariably elsewhere. 3rd : After Warden and the date are ornamental scrolls, and on the waist arabesques like Bagley's (PI. XXII., 11). The 9 of the date is reversed. The cannons are elaborately ornamented. 1552. ' iij belles and a small bell.' ' M"* that the p'ishe have sold sithens the last sWey ou"' and above the forsaid p'cells their things folowing two hand bells.' H. T. T., 1876 ; H. B. W., Sept., 1907. ARROW. HOLY TRINITY. One bell. 1. HENRY (border) BACLE (border) MADE (borderj MEE (border) 1657 (border) '$»«;!(' (border) 1552. ' Itm there ij bells.' 1750. (Browne Willis): 'i Bell.' H.T. T., 19 Oct., 18S1. AS HOW. ST. MARY. Four bells. \ 3 BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT 1793 2, The same. 3 J BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT 1793 'WM BADAMS C W^ARDEN 4. JOHN BRIANT HARTFORD 1793 H lORONS C VFARDEN Tenor 7 cwt. This ring is mentioned in a list of " entire peals" cast by John Briant (North and Stahlschmidt, Church Bells of Herts., p. 65). John Briant was fond of spelling the name of his native town as above. 1552. ' AsHOO. iij belles and a sacring bell. 1750. ' 4 Bells.' Customs : On Sundays a bell rung at 8 a.m. ; chiming for morning and evening services. " Rector's bell " rung after morning service. Ringing on Christmas Day and New Year's Eve ; on November 5th and Royal birthdays ; and for Weddings. Death Knell one hour after death ; tolling at Funerals when requested. H. T. T., 8 Oct., 1878. ASTLEY. ST. MARY. Five bells. \ ►J< BE • YT • KNOWNE ' TO • ALL • THAT • DOTH • ME ■ SEE • THAT • NEWCOMBE OF LEICESTER MADE MEE • 1607 {border after date and above inscription) 102 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. 2 The same icith border below. 3. As No 1 ; no border above. 4. As No. 2. 5. lOSHVA • MERRY • CHVRCH • WARDEN 1722 • .XsXK'eX. • \x5XKgX , • On sound-bow, border of scrolls all round. 2nd, 3rd, and 5th much chipped at lip; the 4th a maiden bell. 5th : By Joseph Smith of Edgbaston ; scrolls, PL XXIII., 2. H.T. T., 17 July, 1876. ASTON. ss. PETER AND PAUL. Ten bells. 1. THIS Treble Bell was Presented to the Parish of Aston by the Below : — ) Interest op Job Perrens Joshua Short & W¥ Hassal 1814 T. Mears op London Fecit (2SI in. 2. Peace & Unanimity with all the world T. Mears op London Fecit 1814 (30 in. 3. Pack & Chapman op London Fecit ivts (31 in. 4. Our Voices Shall in Consort Ring To Honour Both of God & King Relow : — As on 3rd, with date me (32| in. 5. Ye People all who Hear Us Ring be Faithfull to Your God and Ki>jQ Below, as last (34^ in. 6 PEACE and good NEIGHBOURHOOD T. MeARS OP LoNDON FeCIT 1814. (36^ in. 7. Music is Medicine to the Mind Pack & Chapman of London Fecit me (39 in. 8 James Cooke Esq^ Secretary Pack ^ic. (40 in. 9. Ye Ringers all that Prize Your Health & Happiness Be Sober Merry Wise & Youl the Same Possess • • • • Below, iis on 4th. (43 in- 10 the Rev° B. Spencer L.L.D. Vicar Jos^ Armishaw Tho^ Perrens Jn9 Deykin Church Wardens i814 Below : — Thomas Mears op London Fecit cwt. qrs. Weights:—!) 4 : 3 2) 5 : I 3) 5 : 3 4) 6 : 2 5) 7 : 2 1552 : ' AsTUNE. V belles oon of them broken." 1760 : ' Aston-juxta-Birmingham 5 Bells.' For records of ringing here see Church Bells, 9 May, 1874, and 25 January, 1889. H.T. T., 24 Oct., i88i. (48 in. lbs. cwt. qrs. lbs 6) 8 2 16 7) 10 : ' I • 9 20 8) II • 24 II 9) 14 3 14 21 10) 20 3 3 ASTLEY — ASTON CANTLOW. I03 ASTON. St. James. One bell. Church built 1791. ASTON. St. Mary. One bell. Church built 1863. ASTON CANTLOW. sr. john baptist. Five bells. 1 I0HN}^|GIBBES|^|WILLP^|BARDSHA ».x^.k^ #>x?XK ^)^ |Chj(.iW | | ^/gX.K5X^ | 1|6|2|9 1 l^^x^XK^l |#^^^#^X?XK5v^>^X?X# | | .ygXK"eX>| 2. Above, border of arabesques. ^ lOeiAH FVLLWOOD GENTLEMAN THOMAa ADKINS CHURCHWARDENii Below, shield, and border of arabesques ; below shield, the date 1626. 3. \^ .^..\ ^/KHk MAI^ET CHRI^Tl PLEBI3QVE RELIQIO Vy\NA A i626 A ^^gXK5>C".X5XKe)^ ^X KSn. 4 *f JIJ) i3r, CflVoem ^ CCflRC K miCI>fl€£IS iJ &0 u: R€SOn>lR€ 5. HENERY INGRVM lOHN BARTLAM C=W RICH KEENE MEDE MEE 1681 1st, 2nd, and 3rd by Thomas Hancox of Walsall ; see p. 51. The lettering on the 3rd is thinner and larger than that on the others, with a G in Gothic form. The ist has afleur-de-lys (PI. XIX., 7) as stop and the border PI. XX. i — 3, and a plainer running border (PL XX. 5) before and after the date ; the 2nd arabesques (PI. XX. 7) above and below the inscription, initial cross (PI. XIX., 8), and on the waist a shield with T. H. and anchor (PI. XIX. 4), below which is the date. On the 2nd the S is reversed. On the 3rd : plain initial cross followed by a star (PI. XX., 9) ; a bell (PI. XIX., 5) before and after date ; and running border (PI. XXII., 3) ; below, trade-mark as on 2nd but heart-shaped (PI. XIX. 2). The 3rd is much flattened by chipping. The date on the ist may he intended for 1626 (as 2nd and 3rd), the 6 being inverted. 4th : By a Worcester founder, c. 1400 — 1420, with cross PI. V. 12, and heads of King and Queen as stops (PI. V., 13, 14 ; see p. 9). Lettering, PI. V., 15 — 24. The diameter of this bell is 40J in. 5th : Letters as on ist and 2nd ; Keene was a Woodstock man (see p. 60). 1552 : ' Aston Canntlowe, iij belles one liitle bell.' M"* that the p'ishe have solde sithe the Last S'vey to the maynten^nce of theire churche and the Relief of the poore oon bell. 1750: '5 Bells.' Customs : Passing Bell immediately after death, with tellers, 3 X3 for male and 3x2 for female, the age being tolled on the tenor. At funerals the tenor is raised and lowered after the service. 104 THE CHURCH BELLS OF V'ARVVICKSHIRE. Ringing on New Year's Eve: muffled peal at 11-45, followed by an open one at twelve o'clock. Pancake Bell rung on Shrove Tuesday until about thirty years ago. " Priest's Bell " (? treble) rung at the Consecration in the Communion Service. Best thanks to Rev. F. A. Applewhaite, Vicar, and to Mr. Falkner. Josiah Fulwood, whose name appears on the 2nd bell, must have been one of the well- known local family of that name, some of whom resided here. But his name does not occur in the Warwickshire visitation of 1619 (see pedigree on p. 237 of the Harleian Soc. volume). H.T.T., 27 July, 1 88 1. ATHERSTONE. st. mary. One bell. By Johannes de Stafford (of Leicester); see p. 14 and Plate VII., Figs. 16 — 19. The first N and the S are reversed as is also the Z, which is also on one side. There does not appear ever to have been more than one bell here. H. T. T., 5 July, 1S76. ATHERSTONE-ON-STOUR. St. Mary. Three bells. 2. *^ mesu s (sfifflefinfiffi s ©ibi s secQBeFj s ei^oseGC s sfinfiffl 3. lESVS BE OVR SPEDE 1627 R M H P 1st and 2nd probably both of the 14th century and from the Gloucester foundry. See p. 5 and Pis. III. — IV. The cross on the ist is a small version of that on the 2nd (see PI. II., Figs. 13, 19. The T on the ist is reversed; the letters on the 2nd are ornamented. 3rd : By an unknown founder ; plain thick lettering, about i in. high, unknown elsewhere (see p. 86). The initials are probably those of churchwardens (a Henry Palmer was Church- warden in 161 1 and 1632). The old church had no tower, and the bells hung in a small wooden turret. New church built 1876. The treble is hung above the others, and is noted by Mr. Tilley as a cylindrical bell. 1552 : ' Aderston sup' Stower. iij belles one hande bell.' 1750 : ' Altherston i bell ' (sic). Customs : On Sundays one bell at 8 a.m. (for Holy Communion), three for later services. Ringing on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve ; also for Weddings by request. Death-knell on the day of death, and at funerals tolling every two hours from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Best thanks to Rev. T. A. Lewis, Rector. H. T. T., 22 March, 1875, and 3 March, 1893. ATTLEBOROUGH. Holy Trinity. Three bells. There was an ancient chapel here, in the parish of Nuneaton, which was in existence in in Edward VI.'s reign, as the Inventory of 1552 implies : " Itm there a oon bell in the steple."' This fell into ruins, and the present church was erected in 1842. AUSTREY. aston cantlow — avon dassett. St. Nicholas. 105 Five bells. 2. GOD (border) SAVE (border) THE {border) KING (border) 1632 (border) C31 in. WILLIAM (border) CROSS (^border) THOMAS (border) TAYLOR (border) C '^i!M/ (border) ANNO (border) DM (border) 1682 (border) (32 in. 3. RECAST AT GLOCESTER BY THO-- RU DH ALL 1770 "^i^i^ (34 '"• IHS : NAZARENVS (border) REX : IVDEORVM (border) Fill : DEI (border) MISERERE: MEI 1632 (border) (37i in. CVM • SONO • SI NON VIS (border) VENIRE (border) NVNQVAM • AD • PREGES (border) CVPIES ' IRE (border) 1632 (border) Below, arabesques all round. (41 in. All by Hugh Watts, except the 3rd, which probably originally bore his other stock inscription " Celorum Christe, etc." On the ist the HE are conjoined; "Acorn ' borders (PI. XVII. 7) throughout; arabesques (PI. XVII. 8 on tenor). Treble hung above the rest; said to be cracked in 1876 (H. T. T.), but I could detect nothing wrong. 1552 : ' Alstkey. iiij°'' belles in the steple.' Customs : On Sundays, treble at 8 a.m. and after Morning Service. Before Morning Service treble rung as Sermon Bell 10-30— 10-45, bells chimed for ten minutes, then tenor for five; similarly in the evening. Ringing on Christmas Day, Easter Day, Whit-Sunday, and New Year's Eve, and for Weddings by request. Death Knell on tenor for twenty minutes, with usual tellers at beginning and end. Tenor tolled for an hour at funerals. Curfew at 8 p.m. on tenor. Pancake Bell formerly at 11 a.m. on Shrove Tuesday (2nd and 4th bells). Treble rung for Vestry meetings. Best thanks to Rev. I. J. Rosser, Vicar. H. T. T., 3 Oct., 1876 : H. B. W., May, 1908. AVON DASSETT. St. John Baptist. Five bells. •|_5 tonjiiif^CQ Bheajs pno sons BiFjcQinGfjfim i869 •j _ On waist : — fise ho^D s^e 7)Ono\s^ dug urjso j^is nfjcae 3_ On waist : — bfjiug si^esenss fino (gome inso f?is ©ouFiSs 4. On waist : — o oJoi^sijiB ©F?e Lioi^D in SF>e Befiu©y op Fjoixiuess 5. On waist ;— ues SF?e 05f?oiie epFjSf? sspUD in fiwe. op Y)m ^s^uiQ ge. 7,8.9- o io6 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WA.1WICKSHIRE. Nothing is known of the predecessors of this ring. 1552 : 'iij belles a saunce belle.' 1750 : ' Dasset p'va 3 Bells.' Customs : Bells chimed for services on Sundays, tenor rung as " Sermon Bell." Death Knell for one hour ; tenor tolled for funerals. Ringing on New Year's Eve, 5th of November, and for Weddings. Thanks to the Captain of Ringers. H.T. T., 14 June, 1887. BADDESLEY CLINTON. Sr. Michael. Three bells. 1. jSactt Xt'mht Ora ^ 5?ro W Kobis R 2. HENRY BAGLEY MADE MEE 1673 {border at end) 3. S T O M 7^ Treble : By William Hasylwood of Reading, whose initials appear before and after Nobis ; date about 1500. The black-letter minuscules are very thick and clumsy, but the capitals are well formed, except the Roman W. See p. 26 and Plate XIV., Figs. 1-6. The tower dating from the time of Henry VII., the bell was probably put up at the same time. Tenor : By Thomas Newcombe, with his shield PI. XVI., Fig. 3, as at Ansley. 1552 : ' iij belles a handbelle and a sacring bell.' 1750 : ' Badesley Clinton cap. i bell ' (sic). Bells chimed for half-an-hour before services on Sundays. Death Knell rung when notice is given ; at funerals a bell tolled before and after the service. Thanks to the Rev. H. T. Robson, Rector. H. T. T., 5 Oct., 1874. At the Hall is said to be a chapel-bell of foreign workmanship with the inscription lESVS IS NAME 1546. BADDESLEY ENSOR. St. Matthew. i + i bells. •J -<- BAGLY->"<- AND ^-<- WILLIAM »•<• BAG LY ^-<- MADE •><• MEE 1689 (23^ in. 3. No inscription. (24 in. 4 • MK • ROBERT* BOYSE • MINESTER • 1728 • 58^5^51^'*^ S^^*^ (27 in. 5. WILLIAM t SHAGTHWALL t AND t lOHN t EATON * C W t MATTHEW ♦ BAGLEY t MADE MEE Below : — 1683. On the sound-bow, impression of coin. (3oi in. Border on ist, Fig. 13 ; on 2nd, bits of the same, and on 5th, bits of another ornament between the words. The A has a hooked top throughout. The 3rd is a fourteenth-century bell ; round the top is a plain band. 4th by Joseph Smith ; border PI. XXIII., Fig. 2. Pits for six bells ; rather dirty ; stays broken off. A very light ring, the tenor only about 5 cwt. 1552 : ' Itm there iij belles.' Customs : — On Sundays bells chimed for services, preceded by a Sermon Bell, and followed by another for the last five minutes; also a bell rung at 8 a.m. Until 1894 a bell was rung after Morning Service, known as the Pudding Bell. Ringing on Principal Festivals and New Year's Eve, also for Weddings on payment of fee ; on November 5th in the evening (formerly at 5 a.m., the ringers receiving 5s. from the Churchwardens). Death Knell within 12 hours after death ; each bell tolled three times for male ; twice for female; age on tenor. Many thanks to Rev. E. K. Graham, Vicar. H. T. T., 1876 ; H. B. W., Sept., 1907. BARTON-ON-HEATH. St. Lawrence. i + i bells. 1 lOHN BRA.INE : EDWARD WILLIAMES : CHVRCH : WARDENS : HENRY BAGLEY MADE MEE 1740 i3^ in. S lOHN KERRY 1672 dsi in. Large bell hung in iron frame with cannons off; small bell hung above it ; rung by lever; edges much chipped. Tower very small. Founder of smaller bell doubtful ; perhaps Richard Keene ; see p. 86. The N is reversed. 1750: ' I Bell." H. T. T., 30 May, 1888 ;H. B. W., Apr., 1907. BAXTERLEY. One bell. ■[ w. Hheojs fjrjD sons BifjCQinGi?^© i875 The present bell replaces two old ones, inscribed respectively : + ABO HOHHQ AISH <$• AX 1986 BARFORD — BKAUnRSERT. IO9 Of these the smaller was by Robert Newcombe (see p. 31) ; the cross and fleur-de-lj-s are PI. XVI., Figs. 4, 5. The lettering on the larger (Pi. II., Figs. 18, 19) is found on the bell at Wyken, but the cross there is different ; here it is quite plain. See p. 5. The " rings " with the inscriptions from these two bells were preserved by Canon Ellacombe, and rubbings which he took from them are in his collection at the British Museum, labelled " Kingsbury " (Add. MSS. 33203). See also Trans. Birm. and Mid. Inst. 1878, p. 18. 1552 ■• ' Baksterley, iij belles in the steple.' H. T. T., 9 Sept., 1876. BEARLEY. St. Mary the Virgin. One bell. 1. fflppjifj 'J? 5j ►I^ lZIi •){? ffifif{ifj it? T^i >^ i~iri The two old bells, one mediaeval from the Worcester foundry (probably by Nicholas Grene, c. 1530; see p. 11), were re-cast into one by Blews in 1875, with the old inscription imitated from the larger one. "The two old bells weighed together 2 cwt. i qr. 4 lbs.; the new bell weighs 2 cwt. i qr. 5 lbs., clapper 13 lbs., our work about the bell 25A lbs. ; the two old bells were re-cast into one with devices as near as possible like those of the larger bell." (Information given to H. T. T. by the founders, 28 July, 1881). The inscription on the old mediaeval bell was as follows : — >^ airuin >-f« iTl iji' airam # IZJ 1^ air:im '^ u} the word llliuhl being reversed in each case (K=head of King, Plate V., Fig. 13). It resembled the larger bell at Morton Bagot (Plate VI., Figs, i, 2, and VII., Fig. 4). The letters on the present bell are said by Mr. Tilley to resemble those on Plate II. of Ellacombe's Church Bells of Somerset, i.e., Robert Norton's (of Exeter). It will be seen that they do not reproduce the old inscription at all accurately. The inscription-band of the old bell was preserved by Canon Ellacombe, and a rubbing from it is in the British Museum (Add. MSS. 33,203), but its present whereabouts are unknown. 1552 : ' Itm there . . . . ij belles.' 1760 : ' Brearley 2 Bells.' H. T. T., 27 July, 1881. BEAUDESERT. St. Nicholas. Three bells. -1_ ►J< pue ffipFJIf? : GFJfKsIfl ; BGLinf? (23 in. 2. *b ii?esus ; nfizsfiFjinus : Fjex : luDeoFjuffi (26 in. 3. • THE • THENTH YEAR • OF THE • REIGN • OF QVEEN • ANNE • 1711 • Below, border of scrolls all round. (29 in. 1st and 2nd : probably by a local founder, dating about 1350. The bell at Whitchurch is of similar type, and has the same initial cross. See p. 4 and Plate II., Figs. 1-8. ' Two small cylindrical bells ' (H. T. T.). 3rd : By Joseph Smith of Edgbaston ; the coins between the words are half-pence ; scrolls, PI. XXIIL, Fig. 2. 1553 : ' Bewdeserte. Itm there ... iij bells.' 1750 : ' 3 Bells.' See Notices of Warwickshire Churches, i., p. 155. no THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARV'ICKSHIRE. Customs : Bells chimed for services on Sundays, with tolling in for last five minutes on treble ; the 2nd bell rung after Mattins to announce that there will be Evensong (a relic, says the Rector, of the days when the church was served from Henley-in-Arden, the Rector being non-resident). Death knell as soon as possible, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. ; tellers 3 for man, 2 for woman, one for child, on each bell, followed by tenor for two or three minutes. At Funerals the tenor tolled as " minute bell " for fifteen minutes, followed by a dozen or so quick strokes. The 2nd is rung for about five minutes before Vestry Meetings. Best thanks to Rev. J. S. Turner, Rector. H. T. T., 16 March, 1881, 20 July, 1891. All Saints. LOUGHBOROUGH 1891 3. 4. 5. BEDWORTH. 1. J: TAYLOR & C9 FOUNDERS 2. The same. The same. The same. The same. On waist :—\.H,S. NAZARENUS REX lUOEORUM FILI DEI MISERERE MEI 1627 RECAST 1891 IHS NAZARENVS IVDEORUM FILI DEI MISERERE MEI 6. 7_ As 1 — 4, with band of ornament below inscription. On waist -.—ZUlh CUM AND PRAIE 1639 RECAST 1891 + 1 bells. (24J in. (25 in. (27 in. (29J in. 8. As 1—4. On waist .—GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST 1891 No inscription. cwt. qrs. lbs. cwt. qrs. lbs Weights :— I) 3 I 5 5) 6 3 23 2\ 3 2 14 6) 6 2 14 3) 4 I 14 7) 10 3 23 4) 5 18 ■ 8) 14 18 (32i in. 1629 (33i in. (38^ in. ("42^ in. Formerly three bells, of which the 2nd forms the present 6th. All three were by Watts of Leicester, the old treble being inscribed like the present 6th, except the date (1627), the old tenor as indicated on the present 7th. The small sanctus bell hangs in a turret at the east end of the nave. Mr. Tilley, in 1876, noted that the 2nd and 3rd had been quarter-turned, the one much deepened and the other much sharpened. BEDWORTH — BERKSWELL. Ill 1552 : ' iij bells, a sauncc bell and a handbell.' 1750 : ' 4 Bells.' Customs : On Sundays bells chimed for services (except as below), with a single bell for the last two minutes ; single bell at 8 a.m. (for H. C), and treble for daily services. Ringing on Christmas Day, Fourth Sunday in Lent (Mothering Sunday), Easter Sunday, Whit-Sunday, Sunday before August Bank Holiday, Wake Sunday, Sunday School Sunday, Harvest Festival, or special occasions such as the Bishop's visit, all at mid-day ; on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve 11-30 p.m. to 12-30 a.m. ; also on King's Birthday and for weddings. Death Knell on tenor, twelve hours after death ; tellers 12x3 for man, 12x2 for woman or child. At funerals the tenor is tolled every few seconds for half-an-hour previously ; muffled peals are occasionally rung. The Pancake Bell is rung on Shrove Tuesday at 11 a.m. (tenor used). The small bell in the turret at the E. end of the nave is not used. A full peal of 5020 Grandsire Triples was rung on the completion of the ring of eight in 1892, and a full peal of Steadman Triples in 1907. There is a local distich to this effect : — " Coventry Janglers Bedworth Egg-shells Coton cracked Pancheons, Nuneaton merry Bells." It may be assumed that its inventor hailed from the last-named place ! Many thanks to Rev. Canon F. R. Evans, Vicar. H.T.T., 15 Aug., 1876. BENTLEY. See Shustoke. BERKSWELL. St. John Baptist. 6-f-i bells. 1. CHRISTINA ELIZABETH FEENEY * WIFE OF JOHN FEENEY # 1898 * Below, band of vine-pattern all round {as at Allesley), and Taylor's trade-mark. (30I in. JOHN FEENEY * THE MOAT * BERKSWELL ■^ 1898 * Below, as the last. (3oi in. 3. GALFRIDVS ♦ GILES ♦ ME ♦ FESIT ANNO * DM ♦ 1584 (34 in. 4. 4* Ave ; mARiA ; gra ; plgda (36 m. 5. 6 riomm IBagbcUuc Gcrct IHclobic (3SJ in. TO THE MEMORY OF JOHN FREDERICK FEENEY:^^ DIED IN EDGBASTON 1869 Below, as No. 7. (^5 in. S_ No inscription. Formerly three bells only, the first two and tenor being added by Taylor of Loughborough in 1898 ; each has his trade-mark (Fig. 19) on the waist. 112 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. 3rd : Coarse rough letters ; the only other known bells by this founder are the two broken ones at Weston-under-Weatherley : see p. 47. 4th : By Johannes de Stafford (see p. 14, and PI. VII., Figs. 16-19). 5th : Probably cast by Newcombe and Watts in partnership, about 1600 ; see p. 35. Of the four stamps the first cross appears to be Northants, fig. 17, also found at Heyford in that county, the second is Newcombe's, PI. XVII., 2 ; the two stamps before Nomen are the Brasyer lion's head (Fig. 7) which was used by Newcombe, and Watts' Brasyer shield (PI. XVIII. 11). The word Campana is omitted in the inscription. cwt. qrs. lbs. cwt. qrs. lbs Weights:—:) 5 : 3 : 15 4) 7 2 \ 6 2) 5 : I : 27 ? 5) 9 3 : 9 i) 7 ■■ '^ : 7 6) 16 2 : 7 552 : ' Barkswell, Itm there . . . . . iij belles.' 750 : '5 Bells.' Customs :] On Sundays bells chimed at 8 a.m. ; a peal for morning and evening service. Ringing on New Year's Eve ; also on Sunday after election of new churchwardens. Death Knell as soon as notice given, before sunset ; tellers 3x3 for male, 3x2 for female. A bell rung for Vestry Meetings. The small Priest's bell is not now used. Best thanks to Rev. H. C. A. Back, Vicar. H. T. T., 1876 ; H. B. W., Sept., 1907. BICKENHILL. St. Peter. Five bells. 1. M^ CARVER g?^)««be^?0^ MINISTER ^t^^^^^)^ 1703 €^y^^>S^>^ Two coins on sound-bow . (27I in. 2. WK SAMVEL €^y^^^iS^)^ COX d^)^ AND S^)^ M"^ lOHN SHAW CHVR : WAR : 1 703 &^m^S¥>^S^>^ I28i in. 3. Above, arabesques inverted. 4* IE3V3 BE OVF^ pPED 4^ 1636^^^ #»^#»^#»^#»^# Below. — I T •• /' (30 in. 4 4*^^^^>^S0LI'X-^- DEO^^: GLORIA i^-i^ PAX_±±>^ HOMINIBVS ^^ 1650 C W T D (32 in. 5. M« HENRY KARVER VICAR lOHN HINSHAW AND lOHN BARBONE CHVRCHWARDENS 1707 Bells recently rehung by Barwell. 1st, 2nd, and 5th by Joseph Smith, with arabesque ornaments between words. 3rd by Thomas Hancox (see p. 53) ; letters as Aston Cantlow 3rd ; cross PI. XXI. 7, the same as John Martin's on the 4th ; ileur-de-lys before the date ; heart-shaped trade-mark BERKSWELL — BIDFORD. II3 (PI. XIX. 2) on waist. Border above inscription (arabesques) ; after date narrow running border (PI. XXII. 3), followed by border with medallions (PI. XX. j-3) as on Aston Cantlow ist. 4th: By John Martin of Worcester; thick letters; cross and trade-mark PI. XXL, Figs. 3, 7 ; between the words narrow running border, PI. XXI., Fig. 8. The N is reversed. 1552 : ' Byknkll, iij belles in the staple.' 1750 : ' Bignell 5 bells.' Customs : Curfew rung formerly. Death Knell with tellers, said to be 6 x 6 for man, 6 x 5 for woman, and 6x4 for child. Bell rung every Sunday morning at 8 a.m. ; " ringing in " for last five minutes before services. Ringing for Weddings when paid for. Bell rung for Vestry Meeting (by the Vicar). Thanks to Rev. J. C. B. Walter, Vicar. H. T. T., 4 March, 1876 ; H. B. W., Sept., 1907. BIDFORD. St. Lawrence. Six bells. 1. Come Away Make No Delay 1791. 2 Fear God Honor the King 179l 3. Peace And Good Neighbourhood 1791 4 1791 5. loHN Hurst Henry Biddle & Mark Osborne Churcs Wardens 1791 6. In? Hurst Henry Biddle Mark Osborne & Thos Sale Church "Wardens 1791 (42 i in. The ring is by John Rudhall of Gloucester. Weights : — i) si cwt. Note — D sharp. 4) 8 cwt. Note — A sharp. 2) 6 „ C sharp. 5) gf „ G sharp. i) 7 „ B 6) 13 „ F sharp. Bells hung awkwardly in two tiers, the upper three very difficult to reach. 1552 : ' Bydfforde, iij belles one sance bell.' 1750: '5 Bells.' The late Rev. T. P. Wadley, of Naunton Beauchamp, Worcs., recorded the inscriptions on the old bells as : — (1) " God and King." (2) " Peace Good-will." (3) " Religion Death and Pleasure make we ring." These are obviously inaccurate, but they seem to be Rudhall's bells. Customs : A bell rung at 8 a.m. every Sunday. Treble rung as " Priest's Bell " every Sunday for five minutes before Matins and Evensong. Ringing at Christmas, Easter, and Whitsuntide ; at 6 a.m. on St. Thomas' Day ; on New Year's Eve a muffled peal followed by an open one. Ringing on Trinity Monday, November 5th, and for Weddings. Death Knell within 24 hours, with usual tellers (on each bell).' Pancake Bell on Shrove Tuesday at noon (3rd and 4th bells). p 114 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. The bells were brought to Bidford by water in 1791, and a villa on the banks of the Avon is named " Bell Court " with reference to this. Best thanks to Rev. W. E. Hobbs, Vicar, and Mr. W. E. Falkner. H. T. T., 29 Jan., 1878. One bell. 1 (12 in. BILLESLEY. All Saints. RICHARD SANDERS MADE MEE 1721 A verj' small bell, by R. Sanders of Bromsgrove, hanging in a small turret at W. end ; date very indistinct. The church was erected in 1692, but there was an ancient chapel here before that time. J750 : ' Billsley i bell.' 1. 2. 3. 4. -5. H.T. T., 15 Nov., 1881. BILTON. ^ THE GUIFT OF THE On waist : 1722 St. Mark. Five bells. HONOURABLE COUNTES OF WARWICK $;XUi"til ♦ Bt.itit Katcriiia Katciiua Ova ^ p vo ox o Dohis ♦^ Agustiui $oiut In Aure Dei Ova ^ Pvo riobis (27 in. (29 in. (30^ in. (33 in. (35J in. HENRY •■^x^-'i? BAGLEY 4"!' MADE 'k'^ ME 'jj(>«f"j{p 1662 l{? '!"'■!(' lli' 4"){? 'k 1st : Bv Richard Sanders of Bromsgrove ; trade-mark PI. XXIII., Fig. 9. The Countess of Warwick who gave the bell was the daughter of Sir Thomas Myddleton of Chirk Castle, and wife of the 6th Earl of Warwick and Holland, who died in 1701. She married Joseph Addison (of the Spectator) in 17 16, and died in 1731. 2nd : Probably by John Sturdy or John Kebyll of London (see p. 23) ; cross PI. XL, Fig. 3; crowned capitals, PI. XL, Figs. 6-14. 3rd and 4th : By John Danyell of London, c. 1460 (see p. 24); crosses on 3rd, PI. XIIL, Figs. I, 12 : foundrj' shield = Royal Arms (PI. XIIL, 11). Crosses on 4th, PI. XL, 16, PL XIIL, 12; Royal Arms as on last, but crowned. Capitals on both, PI. XIIL, Figs. 2-6. Weight of tenor, about g cwt. ; borders of interlacing fleurs-de-lys. Fig. 9. 1552 : ' BvLTON, iij belles and oon lytle bell ij handbelles.' [The three existing mediaeval bells thus formed the original ring] 1750 : ' 5 Bells.' See Wait, Rugby Past and Present, p. 285. Customs : On Sundays bells chimed for Morning Service, rung in evening. Ringing at Christmas, on Whit-Sunday, Trinity Sunday, and New Year's Eve ; also on November 5th, and for Weddings occasionally. Death Knell as soon as convenient ; usual tellers, followed by fifteen minutes' tolling ; 4th bell for an adult, treble for a child. At Funerals, 4th bell tolled slowly for ten minutes beforehand, with tellers at conclusion of service. BIDFORU — BIRMINGHAM. II5 A bell rung for Choir Practice. See Bell News, 18 Oct., 1884. Thanks to Rev. W. O. Assheton, Rector. H. T. T., 1875 ; H. B. W., June, 1908. BILTON, NEW. St. Oswald. ■ One bell. Church built 1867 ; jiarish formed out of Bilton. BINLEY. St. Bartholomew. One bell. 1. THOMAS • SHEARES • CHVRCH • WARDEN • 1728 Z^6XK^::6XKK. Beloiv, border of scrolls all round. By Joseph Smith. Present church consecrated 1778. 1552 : ' two belles.' H.T. T., I Sept., 1876. BINTON. St. Peter. One bell. 1. HENRY!:Jl^t^5!3l^^5BAGLEY^^^^MADE'J.Jjl..iI(.ME5^!ilgJ5S;^!»Sj; 1669 - ^gXX^ There are three varieties of borders between the words ; Bucks., PL XXXII. 2, and Fig. 71, and Fig. 9 of this work (p. 68). 1552 : ' Itm there . . . . ij belles.' 1750 : ' 2 Bells.' H.T. T., 15 Nov., 1881. BIRDINGBURY. St. Leonard. i + i bells. \, ^ T^se e3FG HIK 1©1S (32i in. S. 17 7 4 "" Larger bell probably by Edward Newcombe ; cross PI. XVI., Fig. 2 ; cf. Morton Morrell and Warmington, and see p. 37. Smaller by Pack and Chapman of London ; about 18 in. diam. ; hung with lever. 1552 : ' iij belles and a saunce belle.' H. T. T., 10 Oct., 1878 ; H. B. W., June, 1908. BIRMINGHAM. St. Martin. Twelve bells. 1 . Pack & Chapman op London Fecit 1772 (27^ in. 2. RobT Thompson » Jam^ Buttlbr C^ Wardens Pack & Chapman op London Fecit 1771 (29J in. 3 THO^ LESTER & THO^ PACK OF LONDON FECIT 1758 ■^00'C«'-<' (30^ in. 4 «ji3Ililj:lHffl BLieCOS finu SOrjS POURDei^S BIFJCQinGI^flffl Omvaist .—{a) ¥ie(sflS& 1870 (b) FjeU. QJ. Q5IIiI<;inS0n, D.D. I^eSSOFJ. LiflUS Deo (31J in. Il6 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. 5 The same. (izl in. 6. Rich? Dovbt Rector Tho . Faulconbridge & RichP Anderton ch. wardens Below: — Lester Pack & Chapman op London Fecit i769 8-2-12 (35f in. 0~ C LESTER AND PACK FECIT 1758 a| (q 3 Jc PRIZE YOUR HEALTH AND HAPPINESS YE RINGERS ALL THAT 3l IC 8. 9. 10. BE SOBER MERRY WISE AND YOULL THE SAME POSSESS 9—3—12 TO HONOUR BOTH OF GOD AND KING OUR VOICES SHALL IN RING LESTER & PACK FECT 1758 II— 3— 6 (37i in. CONSORT (40^ in. 11. Recast in the year 1790 lOHN DADLEY & HENRY PARKER CH WARDENS -¥■0000^ 15-1-17- (44i in- OUR VOICES WITH JOYFUL SOUND MAKE HILLS AND VALLEYS ECHO ROUND LESTER AND PACK OF LONDON FECIT 1758 17—3—2 rich° dovey rector THO^ PAULCONBRIDGE ^ ANNO DOMINI Below:- (a) 1024 ib) Arms 0/ James I. (c) Arms of Charles I. as Prince 0/ Wales. *^AP (57h in. 2. Ill flQultis 3^nius J^efoiut O'^mpana Io!)annis (39i in- 3 ajmiiififfl BLieras fino sons Founoei^s BH^CQiRGfjp© i877. Below : — (Figure of St. George and the Dragon). Giiofjy so GOD m SF?e i7iGi7ess i^eepss fjs ©f?e expense, op i^ey. eFjness Sf?oy©s a.fi. yiofii^ OP FjonmGSon S. SCQISF? B.fl. Ul©pf{. J ©f?ui^©F?ajppjDens. (^3^ in. 4. IME NOT THE BELL I WAS, BUT QUITE ANOTHER, IME NOW AS RITE AS MERRY GEORGE MY BROTHER. Below:— 1668 RICH: KEENE ME FECIT NATHANIELL HIL WILLIAM POELL C.W. RECAST 1900 F. E. GARRARD, VICAR. G. FINDLAY ^ W. H. BUCKINGHAM CHURCHWARDENS MEARS & STAINBANK FOUNDERS LONDON. On the sound-bow, four impressions of coins from old bell. (46 in. 5. ILE CRACK NO i MORE NOW RING YOVR FILL MERRY GEORGE I WAS AND WILL BE STILL llOHN OKELY RIC CAPELL W Below :- R 1671 K (51 in. 124 ''""^ CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. 6. ^ (iaubt Quotr 3?o^t Ipm jScantis 6t Qft Ronor Sibi ^raniris In Ofli J?:'!:"'" If * ^a"* W V^ On waist .—(a) f?pe©. es. piiSCfjp. ex. i>esis. SFiries©!. ©f?oyss. yisfiFjfjii. oe F^ouiGsa F{euoyp©pe. suri<&. S. SffllSF?. UKSflFJIO. {?■ s. SF^eaDon. es 5. seeaaepj. e(S©ii : GfjFjDipnis. (6) GULlIph : BLieaJS PILiIIg: (SpffigfiniSSpFJII j BirjCQFjpffl ffiD(S©<3ijXxyii. (58 in. Sanctus ; No inscription ; mediaeval. The old 3rd was inscribed : THOMAS TARVER AND THOMAS WILLS CHURCH WARDENS ZACHARIUS RICHARDSON lOHN CLARK MATTHEW BAGLEY MADE ME 1752 The inscription on the old 4th and 6th have been reproduced with admirable accuracy, that on the 6th in exact facsimile of the old tenor. Treble : It will be noted that the name here is Richard Purdue; but the only records we have at this period are of a Roger (cf. Ellacombe, Church Bells of Devon, p. 56). Either we must assume that Roger Purdue forgot or bungled his own name, or else the Brailes bell and others in the neighbourhood (see p. 48) are by an otherwise unknown Richard. The name does not appear in full elsewhere. By a somewhat unpardonable oversight, this discrepancy has been overlooked in the Introduction. The 2nd is by Henry Jordan, of London (p. 25), with capitals as on the old tenor, but not crowned; stamps, PI. XI., 15-17. This bell is hung above the rest. 5th and old 4th by Richard Keene, as indicated. The inscription on the tenor is referred to by Dr. Thomas in his 1730 edition of Dugdale (ii- P- 555) • " ^n ^^^ great bell here are the Arms of Underbill, a chevron between three trefoils, and round it this inscription in Saxon characters, Gaude, etc." See also Introduction, p. 23, and Plate XII. The founder is John Bird, of London, c. 1410. The weight of the tenor is popularly said to be 35 cwt., but is given by Messrs. Blews as 31 cwt. 22 lbs.. Note C ; the 3rd bell as 14 cwt. 2 qrs. 19 lbs , Note F (letter to Mr. Falkner, 4 July, 1889). The present 4th weighs i'j\ cwt. 1552 : Brayllis, vj belles a saunce belle.' 1750 : ' Brayles 6 Bells.' The Sanctus-bell still hangs in its original position, though the present cot only dates from 1877 ; it is still used for " ringing in " before services. Mr. Falkner states that the treble used to be rung on Sunday mornings for Sunday School. It is stated that the Curfew is rung at 8 p.m., and a bell daily at noon. There was also formerly a bell rung daily at 6 a.m. There are or were chimes here playing five tunes, at 12, 4, 6, and 9. BKAILES — BROWNSOVER. 125 The bells are not now regularly rung.' The tenor is said to take three men to raise, and it is also stated that 15 men were required to ring the bells from the ground floor, but they are now rung from the upper stage. The Rev. E. Thoyts fsee 3rd bell) of Oriel Coll., Oxf., M.A., 1877, was Vicar of Honington 1877-79. The Rev. T. Smith, of Corpus Coll., Camb., was Vicar of Brailes 1856-86. Mr. H. A. Evans, in his Highways and Byeways in Oxjord and the Cotswolds, p. 136, records a tradition about the great bell, that it was "dug up " in the neighbourhood of Gallows Hill, on the Banbury road ; he explains this by the fact that when the bell was taken to be recast, the conveyance broke down, and it lay some time by the roadside. But would it have gone to Birmingham via Banbury ? An account of the bells is given in the Evesham Journal, 27 February, 1892 ; see also Bell News, 27 April, 1907, where some curious statements are made. H. T. T., 17 January, 1876, and April, 1887 ; H. B. W., 2 Oct., 1908. At WiNDERTON, a Chapel of -ease to Brailes, are a hour bell and two quarter-bells, put up in 1877, by Messrs. Mears and Stainbank. The hour bell weighs 10 cwt. i qr. 8 lbs. (diam. 39 ins.), the quarters, 5^ and 6| cwt. (diam. 30i ins. and 30 ins.). BRINKLOW. St. John Baptist. Five bells. 1. THOMAS ^^^^^X MVSTON ^^^^ RECTEE 1705 ^yL!k^^^ Below, border all round, coins on sound-bow. 2. M? • JOHN FAIRFAX ^^^^ AND HUMFRY LESTER ^^^^ CHVRCH WARDINGS 1705 3. JOSEPH SMITH ^-S^^ IN ^^ EDGBASTON ^^^^ MADE ^^ ME 1705 ^^"kjL^^ 4. IHS ^^^^ NAZARENVS REX IVDEORVM ^:^^^ FILI DEI ^^^$. MISERERE MEI 1705 5. MY MOVRNFVLL SOVND DOTH WARNING GIVE THAT HEARE MEN CANNOT ALUNk'YES LIVE 1705 • ^^^^^^ • All five by Joseph Smith ; arabesques like Bagley's (Fig. 11) ; said to be out of repair. 1552 : ' Brynklowe, iiij "' bells and a saunce bell.' 1750 : ' 6 Bells.' Customs : — Bells chimed for Services on Sundays ; tenor formerly rung for half-an-hour as ' Sermon Bell.' Ringing at Christmas and other Festivals (not on Ascension Day) ; on New Year's Eve ; also on November 5th, and for Weddings by request. Peals were rung on the recent occasions of Jubilee and Coronation. Death Knell on receipt of notice or ne.xt morning at 9 a.m.; usual tellers formerly (on tenor). At Funerals " Bidding Bell " chimed an hour previously. Pancake Bell formerly at 11 a.m. on Shrove Tuesday (3rd bell) ; now discontinued for over twenty years. Best thanks to Rev. R. P. Watson, Rector. H.T.T., I Sept., 1876. BROMWICH, CASTLE. See Castle Bromwich. BROMWICH, LITTLE. See Ward End. ' See, however, for an account of recent attempts, Sirat/ord Herald, 25 June, 1909 ; Eveskam Journal, 26 June, 1909. 126 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. BROWNSOVER. St. Michael and All Angels. One bell. IHS NAZAR2NVS ^^S"^ REX IVDEORVM ^^ FILI DEI MISERE MEI 1636 By Hugh Watts ; arabesques (PI. XVII., Fig. 9) between the words. Formerly two bells (see below). H. T. T. noted, 25 April, 1876, that the bell was then on the ground, the Chapel being under restoration. 1552 : ' Brounsover, ij small belles.' In the Rev. W. O. Wait's Rugby Past and Present, p. 206, it is stated "that for many years one of the two bells, which was cracked, stood on the north side of the Communion Table ; it was generally thought to have been brought from Clifton. Upon it was the following inscription : CUM SONO SI NON VIS VENIRE NVNQUAM AD PRECES CUPIES IRE 1631. This bell was recast, and is now in a turret, built for the purpose, in the stable yard of Brownsover Hall. The other bell, which hangs in a bracket on the west face of the chapel bears this inscription " [as above]. The old bell was obviously by Hugh Watts (see p. 43), and bore the Brasyer shield, according to a note supplied by Mr. H. J. Elsee to the late Dr. Raven. Best thanks to Rev. F. D. Lane of Chfton. H.T.T., 25 April, 1876. BUBBENHALL. St. Giles. Three bells. \. i^T^^T^miDG BID BlDe EFG On the sound-bow, impressions oj coins. 2. RICHARD GJS^'iiSJS LOVCK t AND t WILLIAM t CLARKE f CHVRCHWARDENS '}' 1670 -^ H 'J' B S^Si«X3 3. T. Mbars op London Fecit isis -HCXiOOOOOOOO"^ (30 in. 1st by one of the Newcombes ; cross, PI. XVI., 2. 2nd by Henry Bagley ; floral scroll, PI. XXII., io = Biuks, PI. XXXII., 2, and bits of ornament between words, the same as on Barston tenor. 1552 : ' Bubnell. iiij °' bells and a saunce bell.' ' Note that oon of the iiij °' bells afore saide is not as yet paid for, as they saie.' H. T. T., 15 May, 1889 ; H. B. W., June, 1908. BUDBROOKE. St. Michael. Three bells. 1. GOD (bordef) SAVE (bon/er) THE (bonW) KING (borJcr) 1637 (border) (24J in. 2. M? THOMAS NORTON VICAR IHON WEBB • lOSEPH • AVERY CHVRCH WA 1724 ^\ Below ;— /.^^ and border oJ scrolls (PI. XXIII., 2). (27 in. I4AI BROWN SOVER — BULKINGTON. 127 33;aiSIOHI (3U in- 1st : By Hugh Watts ; ' Acorn ' borders . PI. XVII., 7) ; HE of THE conjoined. 2nd : By Joseph Smith, with trade-mark PI. XXIII., Fig. i ; coins (half-pence) of Queen Anne. 3rd : By Edward Newcombe and Watts in partnership ; lettering (PI. VIII.) as at Mancetter and St. John, Coventry (very much worn, as on Little Packington ist) ; head of Edward III., as at Stoneleigh, and the Watts-Brasyer shield. Date about 1600. The letters appear to be quite without meaning, and are not easy to read, the last in particular being very doubtful. (See p. 34.) Frames, ladders, and flooring in bad condition. 1552 : ' Itm there . . . . ij belles.' 1750 : ' 3 Bells.' See also Notices 0/ Warwickshire Churches, i., p. no. No customs. Thanks to Rev. O. Hunt, Vicar. H. T. T., 16 June, 1882 ; H. B. W., June, 1908. BULKINGTON. St. James. Four bells. 1. lESVS tt±± BE tttt OVR ttt± SPEEDE t±t 161-t^ (30 in. 2 ^ BE YT KNO'WNE . TO . ALL . THAT . DOTH . ME . SEE . THAT NE'WCOMBE OF LEICESTER . MADE . MEE 1605 ^.^XX^^IZexyr^ (32§ in. 3- ^ ^$. lOHN "]?? GAMMAGE 1^ AND •$? lOHN 1?? LOLE '$? CHVRCH ■',• WARDENS •)!? HENRICVS •!• BAGLEY •',■ ME t FECET t 1676 (36^ in. M.OX tuii ihu ■ xpi bo.v ultaciouis faltttis (41 in. 1st : By John Greene of Worcester (see p. 55) ; border between words (PI. XX., 8) as used by Hancox at Mancetter ; trade-mark PI. XXL, Fig. 4. 3rd : Cross as at Lillington and Pillerton (PL XXII., Fig. 7) ; bits of pattern and fleur-de- lys between words. 4th : Probably by one of the Newcombes ; cf. Butler's Marston, and for the lettering see Plate XVII., figs. 4, 5. See above, p. 35. Bells in good order. 1552 : ' iiij "*■ belles and a saunce belle.' 1750 : ' 4 Bells.' Customs : — Bells chimed or rung for half-an-hour before Sunday services. Ringing on Christmas Eve and several evenings previously; also on New Year's Eve at midnight. 128 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. Death Knell on morning of death or following morning according to time of notice given ; tellers 3x3 and 3x2; age of deceased denoted by tolling. Thanks to Rev. G. S. Brewer, Vicar. H. T. T., 15 July, 1891 ; H. B. W., May, 1908. BURMINGTON- SS. Barnabas and Nicholas. One bell. 1. ^ PRAISE •*• THE "fr LORDE 1592 By Robert Newcombe of Leicester ; see p. 31. Cross and fleur-de-lys : PI. XVI., Figs. 4, 5. Turret dark and dirty, and difficult of access. Diameter of bell about 30 in. 1552 : ' iij belles one little bell.' There is a tradition here of bells being sold in 1692 ; but it is more likely to have been in 1592 when the present one was obtained. H. T. T., 20 April, 1887 ; H. B. W., October, 1908. BURTON DASSETT. All Saints. Six bells. 1. CAMTATE (border) DOMIMO (border) CANTICVM (border) NOVVM (border) 1686 (border) (29I in. 2. HENRY (border) BAGLY MADE (border) MEE (border) 1686 (border) {31 in. 3. ?EkRE{border) GOD (border) AND (border) HONOR (border) THE {border) KING (border) ^686 (border) ' (32| in. 4. MATHEW (border) BAGLY (border) MADE (border) MEE (border) 1686 (border) (35^ in. 5. BE^ITS^KNOWNESJSMToS^ all ij;W THAT i^^ DO SJR* MEE gl^ SEE ^S^ THAT BAGLY OF CHACOM S^ MADE S^ ME ^ 1686 (37! in. 6. Above, a double row 0/ scroll-ornament as before. THOMAS S^ MAKEPEACE (border) AND (border) ROBERT (border) LADBROOKE SJS'S!^ CHVRCHWARDENS ^^ 1686 S^ On waist and sound-bow, five and six coins respectively. (4 if in. One of the latest rings by Henry and Matthew Bagley in partnership (see p. 69) ; all N's reversed ; borders thoughout, the scroll ; fig. 10 (see p. 68). H. T. T. noted in 1875 " ist and 2nd hung above the rest ; " apparently this is not so now, the bells having recently been rehung. 1552 : ' Darset Magna, iiij "' belles a saunce belle.' 1750 : ' Dasset Magna 6 bells.' There is a tradition that Cromwell watched the battle of Edge Hill from this tower, and escaped by slipping down a bell-rope ! Customs : Bells rung or chimed for Sunday services. Ringing on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve; also one night weekly from November 5th to Christmas; for Weddings by request. Death-knell as soon as possible after death, on tenor ; the tellers are merely three strokes before and after for a man, two similarly for a woman, and one for a child. At Funerals the tenor is rung up and then tolled, and also rung up and down after the ceremony. A bell rung for five minutes before Easter Vestry Meetings. Many thanks to Mr. W. E. Falkner ; also to Rev. W. Westacott, Vicar. H. T. T., 18 September, 1875. BURMINGTON — BUTLKR'S MARSTON. I29 BURTON HASTINGS. St. Botolph. Three bells. 1 BRYANVS ELDRIDGE ME FECIT 1657 2. HENRY '^^^^ BAGLEY ^^^^ MADE ^^^^ MEE 1^^^^ 1657 3. *b PR7^S3 'k GOID 'i? ONlal i2? 1st: By Bryan Eldridge of Chertsey ; see p. 58. 2nd: arabesques, Fig. 11. 3rd : By one of the Newcombes ; see p. 37, and cf. Wroxhall 2nd. Marks : PI. XVI. 2 and XVII. 3; Northants 86. 1552 : ' iij belles in the steple.' H. T. T., 19 August, 1876. BUTLER'S MARSTON. SS. Peter and Paul. Five bells. !_ Above, narrow border, Bucks, fig. 71. ^ WILLIAM i" ABRAHAM AND ^ WILLIAM ^ LOGGIN ^ 1662 -t- if?'*' (30^ in. 2. >i^ AnecA ; KACRGRina : om ; pro : noBis (32^ in. 3. HENRY (scroll) BAGLEE (scroll) MADE (scroll) ME (scroll) 1652 .^ ^i. (34§ in. 4 HENRY 4% BAGLEE (border) MADE (bit of border) MEE ( border j 1652 (border) (39 in- 5. ©oj; tini tJ)u ipt boi emltacionis ft faluris \^^\ *^44 in ist, 3rd, and 4th by Henry Bagley. Border on 3rd, Bucks, PI. XXXII. 2; on 4th, narrow floral border as on ist {Bucks, fig. 71). William Loggin died March, 1714 (Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 29264, foi. 220); the Loggins were a well-to-do family in the parish. The Abrahams lived at the Manor House by the church. See Miller, Rambles round Edge Hill, p. 157. 2nd : by Robert Hendley of Gloucester (p. 7);. cross and lettering, PI. V. 1—9. 5th : By Edward Newcombe and Watts in partnership (see p. 35), with the Brasyer- Watts shield ; cf. Bulkington 4th, and see PI. XVII. 4, 5. Bells re-hung by Taylor in i8gi at the cost of the Rev. J. C. Gardner, then Vicar. Weights given as 7, 9, ir, 15, and 20 cwt., but more accurately they are 6, 7, 8, 11, and 15 cwt. 1552 : ' iiij°'' belles one litle bell.' 1750 ; ' 2 bells ' (sic). Customs : On Sundays bells rung or chimed for twenty minutes before services, followed by tenor and treble successively, each for five minutes; treble rung every Sunday at 8 a.m., and also immediately after Morning Service. Ringing on Christmas Eve for half-an-hour after midnight ; also for half-an-hour at midnight on New Year's Eve ; for Weddings occasionally ; on King's Birthday and November 5th. Death-knell about an hour after death ; tenor rung as minute bell for 15 minutes. Muffled peals on burial of any of Royal Family. R 130 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. Treble rung for Vestry Meetings. Best thanks to Rev. A. P. Dodd, Vicar, and to Mr. Falkner. H.T.T., 17 Feb., 1875. CALDECOTE. SS. Theobald and Chad. Three bells. 1. NAYLOR VICKERS & C° 1868 SHEFFIELD RIEPE'S PATENT N° 601 2. The same, with N° 600 3. The same, with N? 628 1552; ' Calcott. ij belles and a handbell.' 1750 : * I Bell.' Customs : On Sundays bells chimed for all services, including Celebrations at 8 and 11-30. Ringing for Weddings ; ringing or chiming at Funerals ; Death-knell tolled. Thanks to Rev. J. K. Fenton, Rector. H.T. T., 5 July, 1876. CASTLE BROMWICH. SS. Mary and Margaret. Six bells. 1. lOHN • THORNTON • THOMAS • SADLER • TRVSTEES •1717 .XF^K^h^KzS- Below, scroll-border all round, and on sound-bow a border of simpler narroiv scrolls. (26 in. 2, lOHN • BANNER • ROLAND • BRAWBRIDGE • TRVSTEES 1717 • MSXKeX»- irascib CfJlL' SBSmCS Below as No. 1. {z-jl in. CELORVM CHRSTE PLATIAF TIBI REX SONVS ISTE 1616 On waist, Taylor's trade-mark as before, and Recast 1907. (29J in. 5. 1^^ IHS : NflZARENVS ^^^^ REX • IVDEORVM ^^^^ FILI : DEI ^^^^ ^^^ MISERERE: MEI ^I^^^ 1639 ^^^^ Below, Watts' arabesque pattern all round ; on waist as last. (32 in. 6. iMll <^^XD (border) ^ M-'Wi'^L (border) W'Mi^^, (border) l^W:SSim'^ (border) ]6l6 On ivaist as No. 4. (34 in. 7. IRilW© ©lac ClbE 3f aXSE : TRjIH© Jin ClbE CTRtlE Beloie as No. 1 . (17 2 in. 8. 1R31H0 ©Uir ClbJE I)ail;1k«ES5 ©ff 5I1bE XHIHI) IRjIR© 31H ClbE CtbTRSSC Clbac 3S CO JGE Below as No. 1. (42^ in. This new ring by Taylor of Loughborough, whose trade-mark occurs on the waist of each, was dedicated on Sunday, February 2nd, 1908, by the Dean of Hereford, the cost having been 134 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. ;f3i2.^ The first peal on them was rung on Saturday the 8th. Previously there were only three bells, all by Hugh Watts of Leicester, of which the 2nd had long been cracked. The inscriptions on these three have been exactly reproduced on the new bells. That on the 6th (old tenor) is in the Brasyer lettering, with the ' acorn' border (PL XVII. 7) between the words; the letters on the old treble were smaller than on the 2nd. The Vicar describes the old ist and 3rd as 'of very poor tone and false harmonies.' The old bell frame, dated 1601, with the inscription 'Anno 1601 tc tc ' has been worked up into a new altar for the church. 2 : 27 F sharp 3 : 14 E sharp 1:70 sharp 3 : 10 C sharp Weights of new bells : — i) 3 2) 3 3) 4 4) 4 5) 6 3 B 6) 7 23 A sharp 7) 9 I 12 G sharp 8) 13 I 24 F sharp The three old bells weighed respectively 4, 5, and 6 cwt. (diams. 27, 29, and 31 in.) 1552 : ' Chilverscotton. Itm there . . . . ij belles in the staple.' ' M"* that the p'ishe have solde sithence the last sH'ey oon broken bell to the mending of highewaies and rep'ac'ons of their church.' 1750 : ' 4 Bells.' Customs : — On Sundays bells chimed for 30 or 40 minutes before services, with single bell for last five minutes ; also chimed at 8 a.m. Death Knell with usual tellers: larger bell for adults, smaller for child. [These refer to the old ring of three ; doubtless ringing will now be regularly practised] . Manv thanks to Rev. R. Chadwick, Vicar, Mr. W. E. F'alkner, and Messrs. Taylor. H. T.T., 18 Sept., 1876. CHURCH LAWFORD. St. Peter. Four bells, MARKE (border) BREWSTER (border) GAVE {border) THE {border) GREAT (border) BELL (border) OF (border) THIS (border) RINGE {border) 1621 (28^ in. 2 J : TAYLOR & C?. FOUNDERS LOUCHBOROUCH 1872 On waist —GLORIA DEO SOLI 3, As No 2. On waist :—OMH\A FIAT (sw) AD CLORIAM DEI 4. JOHN TAYLOR & 0° FOUNDERS LOUCHBOROUCH 1872 On waist :—HMC PETRI CAMPANA SERVA SANCTISSIMI (29I in. (3ii in- {35i in Treble by Watts of Leicester, with Brasyer shield, and bits of ' acorn ' border between words. The inscription on the waist of the 3rd is characteristic of Tobie Norris of Stamford (p. 60), but there is no evidence that it is reproduced from an old bell, and he would not have been guilty of the false concord ! The tenor is even worse in this respect, being an inaccurate version of the old inscription which was also ungrammatical ! (Sec below). Weight of bells:— I) 4 : 3 : 14 3) 5 : 2 : 27 2) 5 : I : 4 4) 8 : I : o Total 24 cwt. 17 lbs. ' 5ee Xunealon Chronicle, 7 Keb. ; Bell News, 22 Feb. CHILVERS COTON — CLAVERDON. 135 1552 : ' Churche Laweforde. Two belles in the Kteple.' 1760: '3 Bells.' Mark Brewster, who gave the 'great bell,' is probably identical with the donor of the tenor at Marston Trussel, Northants, dated 1623 (see North's Northanh, p. 333). He was a wool-merchant of London, and died at Moscow in 1612, leaving a bequest for the bell above- mentioned ; there is a monument to him in Marston Trussel church. From the Rev. W. O. Wait's Rugby Past and Present (p. 237) we learn that previous to 1872 (when the church was rebuilt) there were only three bells, and that they were inscribed as follows : 1. GLORIA DEO SOLI 1741 2. Jftanc ijjftri rainpana srrba Banrtissimf sane 3. Present treble. This will account for the present treble being described as 'the great bell,' if it was formerly the tenor ; but the other two must have been very small. I will not venture any conjecture as to the founder of the first ; the inscription has been reproduced on the present 2nd, as has that on the old 2nd with less success on the present tenor. It is possible that the last-named was really inscribed in Gothic capitals, not black-letter ; but the inscription is not sufficiently characteristic of any foundry to hazard a guess as to where the bell was cast. Mr. Wait also states that a small hand-bell, two inches in diameter, was found in the rebuilding of the church. H. T. T., 8 March, 1887. CHURCHOVER. Holy Trinity. Four bells. GOD (border) SAVE (border) THE (border) KING (border) 1622 (border) ^^M IHS: NAZARENVS (border) REX IVDEORVM FILI: DEI (border) MISERERE MEI (border; 1622 3, J VOILE C: WARDEN J: BRIANT \< (border) (31 in. I MILIKIIIHIGI {border) RIQI PIOIN HENRICVS BACLEY ME FECIT 1670 {border) I F l El DICI Bl Al {border) {border) \ 640 {border) I XIWIViTISI (32^ in. CLAVERDON — COLKSHILL. 137 On waist :—(a) RECAST 1903 (b) Barwcll's mark CHARLES PEAT SHEPPARD M.A. VICAR SIR PHILIP ALBERT MUNTZ BART. MP.) p„„Rp„v>,.p„FM^ THOMAS SUTTON TOWNSEND ESQ. J.P. i CHVRCHWARDENS WILLIAM HARRATT PARISH CLERK (35 in. 5. Ig SOLI f tttf tf DEO f tf -^tf t GLORIA f f f ff ft PAX fffff HOMINIBVS ffff-tf 1655 ffffff | f M t"tf t"f (39 in. Formerly four bells; the old 3rd, which was craclced, recast with inscription reproduced (but not in facsimile, the borders between the words being also omitted), and new treble added 1903. 2nd and 3rd by Hugh Watts, the 3rd in thin medium-sized letters; there are similar bells at Newton Regis and Seckington (see p. 44). The 2nd is of the usual type, with a small cross crosslet in the middle of the border after the date. "Acorn " borders on each bell, and on the 3rd arabesques below the inscription. 5th by John Martin of Worcester; cross and ornament between words, PI. XXL, Figs. 6, 7. ' Poor tone ' (H. T. T.). Frames for eight bells, all of iron, by Harwell, whose name appears on the stock of each bell ; the cannons have all been replaced by ugly circular caps screwed to the stocks. Weight of new treble, 5cwt. 2 qrs. 3 lbs. ; of new 4th, 8 cwt. 1 qr. 17 lbs. The cost of the two new bells was ^227 5s. 3jd., including value of old metal. 1552: ' iiij °^ belles and a saunce belle.' ' M"^ that oon bell is sold to bild their bridge sithe the last s'vey.' See Wait, Rugby Past and Present, p. 194. No Customs. Many thanks to Rev. F. D. Lane, Vicar. H. T. T., 22 Jan., 1892 ; H. B. W., June, 1908. COLESHILL. SS. Peter AND Paul. Six bells. ■J_ Above, border as Plate XXIII., Fig 2. THE • GIFT • OF • HENRY • SMITH • OF • COLESHILL • GENT • 1 720 ,.^@XK®.^ Below, border as before. . (Diam. 28+ in. 2. • GOD • SAVE • HIS • CHURCH • 1720 • °^-<3XXQ^ /^^ Below and on rim, border as before. 3 lOSEPH • SMITH • IN • EDGBASTON • MADE • ME • 1720 • .t^eXKg^ Borders as on last. 4. • lOHN COLE AND THOMAS BRVCE • „,gXKQ^ • CHVRCH • WARDENS • 1720 •< Borders as before. 138 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. 5. M^ DIGBE • COATS • RECTER • ^.JsX.X^^ • 1 720 s^^XXg^^ • .-gXXS^, • • • |<*N Borders as before. 6. MY • MOVRNFVLL • SOVND • ...gXXQ^. DOTH • WARNEING • GIVE o^gX^-.^X THAT HEAR MEN • CAN NOT • ALLWAYS LIVE 1 720 Borders as before. ' ' (Uiam. 40i in. On each bell, Joseph Smith's trade-mark (PI. XXIII. i) as at Sedgele}', Staffs., and Sheriff Hales, Salop. The coins between the words appear to be Charles II. 's. Weight of tenor, i6j|cwt. Bells rehung in 1907 in memory of J. K. D. Wingfield Digb\', M.P., to whom a tablet is placed in the Ringing Chamber. 1552 : ' CoLSHULL. Itm there . . . . iij belles.' ' M'^ that the p'ishe have sold sithence the last S'vey oon of the forsaid belles to repaere their steple.' Dugdale (ii. p. 1014) notes that the spire was injured by lightning about the year 1550. 1750 : ' Colshill 6;;Bells.' Customs : — Bells rung or chimed on Sundays for services, with 'Sermon Bell' for last five minutes. Treble rung at 8 a.m. when no early service. Ringing on Festivals (Easter, Whitsuntide, Christmas) and for Harvest Festival ; on New Year's Eve the new year is rung in with a peal. Also on Accession Day (January 22), Empire Day (24 May), Coronation Day (g August) and King's Birthday; for Weddings by request. Both ringing and chiming formerly customary at Funerals, but now discontinued. Treble or 2nd bell rung daily at 7 a.m. and i p.m. Curfew rung on 5th at 8 p.m., with day of month on tenor. Pancake Bell at 11 a.m. on Shrove Tuesday (4th and 5th bells). \ bell rung for 'Vestry meetings. Treble and tenor rung in cases of Fire. Best thanks to Rev. F. W. Wingfield Digby, Vicar. Mr. Tilley notes that the tower was built in 1412 and eight bells hung in it [this is surely wrong]; they were rehung in 1620, and two sold ; the rest were recast in 1720, which would have reduced the ring to five owing to loss of metal ; but a new treble was given by Henry Smith, of Coleshill. The Rev. D. Coats (5th bell) was Prebendary of Lichfield and Principal of Magdalen Hall, O.xford; he died Jan. 1745. H.T. T.. 14 June, 1882. COM BROOKE. St. Margaret. Three bells. There are here three small bells cast by Meats and Stainbank in 1867, which replace a mediaeval bell, of which a record has been preserved in Mr. Kimber's drawings of bell-inscriptions at the \^'hitechapel foundry. It had no inscription, but three medallions round the shoulder: (i) occuring twice, with i b S, (2) with quatrefoil rosette, (3) with interlacing triangles. See Fig. 4, p. 28. The date was probably about 1500-1530 ; cf. a similar bell at Ford, Shropshire. The present bells hang in a small open turret and are very awkward to reach ; the attempt would hardly appear to be worth making. They weigh respectively i cwt. i qr. 5 lbs., i cwt. 3 qrs. 8 lbs., and 2 cwt. i qr. 16 lbs. (diam. 19, 20, and 22 in.). COLESHILL — COMPTON, LONG. I39 1552: ' CuMBROKE. ij belles one little bell.' On Sundays a bell rung at 8 a.m. ; chiming for services. Death Knell immediately on receiving notice; tellers, 3 male, 2 female, i for child. Tolling at Funerals. Ringing for Weddings and on November 5th. A bell rung for Vestry meetings. Thanks to Rev. T. Lloyd, Vicar. COMPTON, LITTLE. Parish formerly in Gloucestershire; now transferred to Warwickshire, though still in Gloucester diocese. There are five bells by Rudhali, dated 1720 (one re-cast 1810), an account of which is given by Ellacombe in his Church Belh of Gloucestershire, p. 163. COMPTON, LONG. SS. Peter and Paul. 6 + 1 bells. 1. lAMES WALKER t- ANTHONEY RAWLINS -f 1652 t R K {border) 2. THOMAS SHEPPARD t RICHARD BVLLER -J^ C W f I K 1652 f 3 HENKY BAGLEY MADE MEE OCTOBER 1731 lAMES TAPIN BENEFACTOR 4. JOHN FOWLfiR ^ WIL^ <3C J TAYLOR POUNDERS OXFORD 1823 5. ANTHONY NEWMAN : lOHN WALKER CHURCH : WARDENS : lAMES TAPIN BENEFACTOR 1731 . • : 6. lAMES : COMPTON : EARL OF : NORTHAMPTON : ELIZABETH COMPTON : COUNTIS NORTHAMPTON : • : • • • EDWARD SHELDON ESQVIRE lOHN BROWN VICKOR BENEFACTERS HENRY BAGLEY MADE MEE 1731 (40 in. 3. (Unintelligible : six small minuscule letters and a fletir de-lys.) (13! in. Belfry dirty and neglected. Sanctus bell rung by lever. The third bell is cracked. The 1st and 2nd are apparently by Richard and James Keene, of Woodstock, in partnership; the latter died in 1654. See p. 59. The fleur-de-lys is PI. XIX., Fig. 7, also used by Hanco.x ; the border at end of ist is Bucks., p. 164, fig. 62. 4th : the type is like John Briant's. 6th : the stops are dots variously grouped. See p. 71. Bagley's list gives the name Sheldon incorrectly as S. England. Sanctus: inscription unintelligible; probably of the i6th century; see p. 27 and PI. X\"., Fig. I. This formerly hung in its original cot, still e.xisting on the E. end of the nave. 1552 : ' LoNGE CoMPTON. iiij belles a saunce bell a little bell.' 1750 : ' Compton Longa 6 bells.' Passing bell rung at time of death: tolling at Funerals. A bell every Sunday at 8 a.m.; chiming for services; sanctus bell rung for the last five minutes. Ringing on Festivals. James Compton, 5th Earl of Northampton fsee tenor), was summoned to the House of Lords as Baron Compton in J711. He married Elizabeth, Baroness Ferrers, and died 3 October, 1754. 140 THE CHURCH BELLS CF WARWICKSHIRE. Edward Sheldon, of Weston House, was born in 1679, and married Elizabeth Shelley. He was descended from the Sheldons of Beoley and Steeple Barton. See Dugdale, i., p. 5.S4, and Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 29,264, fol. 215. Best thanks to Rev. W. Crompton, formerly Vicar. H. T. T., 20 June, 1S79 ; H. B. W., April, 1907. COMPTON VERNEY. One bell. 1 . W & P TAYLOR POUNDES OXFORD. 1852. (head) >J< (27 in. In a turret on the roof of the church, and very difficult of access, requiring two long ladders. The stamp after the date appears to be the head of a cherub. The P as founder's initial appears to be a mistake for J. Many thanks to Mr. W. E. Falkner. COMPTON WINYATES. One bell. 1. T O WILLIAM & JOHN TAYLOR OXFORD FOUNDERS O On sound-bow : — this bell was recast in the year of ouh lord 1847 from a BELL GIVEN TO THIS CHURCH BY W^ILLIAM COMPTON FIRST EARL OF NORTHAMPTON IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 1628 The original bell was probably by James Keene. 1760 : ' Compton Vineyard i bell.' William Compton, son of Sir Henry Compton, Ki)t., was born about 15S0, and was created Earl of Northampton in i6ig, and Knight of the Garter. He died in 1630, and was buried in this church. See Colvile's Worthies of Warwickshire, p. 133. H.T. T., 17 Jan., 1876. COPSTON MAGNA. St. John. One bell. 1. C & G MEARS FOUNDERS LONDON 185- The bell hangs in an open gable-cot at a considerable height, and would be difficult to reach even if a ladder were available. The last figure of the date, being on the south side of the bell, is unfortunately hidden by the wheel, but the rest of the inscription could be clearly seen with glasses. The date must be between 1850 and 1856. H.B. W., May, 1908. COR LEY. Five bells. 1. g| GOD ^^^^ SAVE &^^^ THE ^^^^ KING ^^^^ 1641 ^^ (22 in. 2. W\ ilJ 151 ^i ~K\ i"^i !~^ 01 \Wy iTl rBj iTj 1'^ i~Dj fol iwi iTL i"^!^ (24 in. 3. %z^jf^ HENRicvs Sr-XSr^ bagley •>^^:^ me ^-^^^ fecit &^&^ 1702 ^^5r^' (24J in. 4. A'o inscription. (28 in. 5. lESVS BEE OVR SPEED .JsXX^ WILLIAM HA.LLEY ^€x><^^ FRANCIS MILLER o jeKX^^ WARDENS |) O^J_[ 1631 5 On waist ;— (t h/ ^^^j j^^^ COMPTON, LONG — COUGHTON. I4I I3t : By Hugh Watts; lion's head (Fig. 7) in place of shield; arabesques (PI. XVII. g) between words ; HE of THE conjoined. 2nd: By Johannes de Colsale, c. 1410 (see p. 18) ; similar bell at Stoke. See Plate IX., Figs. 6-8. 3rd : Cast at Chacomb or Ecton (see p. 71) ; arabesques (Fig. 11) between words. 4th : Three rows of beading in place of an inscription-band ; H. T. T. notes ' probably an ancient bell,' but it looks to me of more recent date. 5th : By Thomas Hancox (see p. 52) ; borders, Plate XX., Fig. 6= Fig. 8 on p. 54, after Speed, Halley, and Miller; after Wardens unintelligible pattern; after date a broad cable-pattern (PI. XX. 4) ; on waist, shield with anchor and T. H. (Plate XIX., Fig. 2). Small letters, a reduced version of the ordinary type (see p. 54). The bells hang in a curious low wooden turret over the east end of the nave, practically invisible from outside, and are approached from the west end along the roof. They are very cramped" in the limited space. \ light ring, the total weight being computed at about one ton. 1552 : ' Itm. . . . two belles.' [Query, the present 2nd and 4th ?] ' M'^ that there was oon bell solde to relyve the poor before the last s've}'.' The bells are rung two or three times a week during Advent. Death-knell for one hour at 8 a.m. on following morning ; tolling at P'unerals. The Churchwardens' Accounts appear to contain nothing of interest except payments for 'ile ' for the bells. Best thanks to Rev. V. K. Fortescue, Rector. H. T. T., 29 July, 1876 ; H. B. W., May, 1908. COUGHTON. St. Peter. Six bells. 1. MATTHEW •• BAGLEY ••• MADE (Fig. Il) MEE (Fig. Il) 1686 Below, border of complete arabesques (Fig. 11) all round. (29 in. 2. CANTATE e?^¥S: DOMINO "^^A CANTICVM 6^)^ ^OVVM Q^^^)^ 1686 efjj^^ (30f in. 3. As No. 1, with border as 2nd throughout and after date. (32J in. 4. HENRY {border as 1st) BAGLEY {border) MADE (border) MEE {border) \ 6 8 6 {border) 9 135 in- 5. FEARE S¥)^ GOD ^^ AND f^)^ HONNOR (M>^ THE e¥}^ KING Q^)^ 1686 {border) i37i '"• g CAMPANA {arabesques) GRAVIDA {arabesques) • PEPRIT {arabesques) FILIAS {arabesques) 1686 (arabesques) {Eight coins on sound -bow.) (42 in. Borders the same throughout (Fig. 11, slightly varied), but on the ist and 4th the upper part has been cut away in each case. A joint ring by the two Bagleys, probably their last production before they separated (see p. 69). The last word on the tenor may be Felias. The jest on this bell, which is perpetrated on another of Bagley's bells at Dodford, Xorthants, implies the recasting of its predecessor into two bells. Probably there were five before 1686. Bells rehung in 1893. 1552 : ' Item there . . . . ij bells.' 1750 : ' 6 bells.' See Notices of Warwickshire Churches, ii., p. 145. Customs : — Bells chimed for Sunday services with tolling in for last five minutes. 142 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. Ringing on greater Festivals, Christmas Eve, and New Year's Eve ; also on the birthday of Sir William Throgmorton, the Squire. A bell tolled at 8 a.m. on the day of a funeral. Best thanks to Rev. C. F. Eagles, Vicar, and to Mr. Falkner. H.T. T., 19 Oct., 1881. Christ Church. One bell. COVENTRY. 1. W & J TAYLOR POUNDERS 1851 Below, figure of ox to left {Jor Oxford ?). The steeple of the church was left standing when the Monastery of the Greyfriars was dissolved ; but no new church was consecrated until 1832. There was probabl)- no beil during the intervening period. H.T. T., 21 July, 1891. COVENTRY. Holy Trinity. ]_ On sound-bow :—C & G MEARS FOUNDERS LONDON 2. The same. 3. The same. 4. The same. 5. The same. 5. The same. ight bells. (31 in. (32 in. (34 in. (36 in. (39 in. (41 in. 7. 8. THESE SEVEN BELLS WERE RECAST On sound-bow, as before. A D ■ 1856 (44 in- J: TAYLOR & C? FOUNDERS LOUGHBOROUGH. On waist .—VOX MEA AD GLORIAM SANCT/E TRINITATIS CLAMAT AOESTE FIDELES RECAST 1898. REV CANON BEAUMONT, VICAR. JOHN POWERS ^ WALTER HEWITT [ CHURCHWARDENS. ALBERT NORTON^ W. P. COLLINGBOURNE ACCOUNT CHURCHWARDEN. (51 in. The old tenor was cracked in 1891 ; a piece broken out of the sound-bow, and the crack sawn off smooth (H.T.T.). It was inscribed : The Rev^ Joseph Rank L.L.B. Vicar William Grant Edward King Joseph Cattell & Robert Jarvis Church Wardens 1776 -^OOOOO"^ Below : — Pack & Chapman of London Fecit Diam. 50 in. ; weight 20 cwt. 18 lbs. Weights of present ring : cwt. qrs. lbs. cwt. qrs. lbs. I) 6 I 6 5) 10 8 2) 6 3 14 6) II 2 21 3) 7 I 20 7) 13 2 17 4) 8 I 3 8) 23 I 15 COUGHTON — COVENTRY. I43 According to Sharp, Hisi. of Coventry (cd. Fretton, 1S71), p. ii3ff., there are no records of the bells before 1563. He quotes the following:— 1563. Pd for mendynge Saunse Bell. '573' [A similar entry.] In the same year the Parish purchased of the May )r and Corporation for £20 a large bell from the dissolved monastery ol the Whitt; Friars: — Item payed for drawynge the bell from the fryers ij" Item payed for mendynge the churche wall, where the bell was broughte in ... Item payed for hangynge the bell ... Item payed for planks to laye over the hole of the steple under y' bells [Sundry other charges for clapper, brasses, ropes, and baldrick.J 1574. Keceyved of Mr. Mair and the reste of yo'r worshyppes forthe of the vestrye towards the payenge for the greate bell ... ... ... ... _. xvj" Item payed to Mr. Maior and his brethren for the grete bell at the p'ler dore.. xx-' 1577. A bell recast at Leicester this year for j£-j. 1579 1588 15^9 1595 16 4- 16 [6. 16 7- 16 20. 16 23- xij'i liXVJ" viij"* ij" vj3.i in. ' The Rev. N.-ithanii;l VVanlcy was Vicar of Holy Trinity 1662- 16S0. He must not be confounded wiiii lliimphrty Wanley the antiquary. COVENTRY. 145 *5^ lORGe mSLLGRI AUD ALieAHCJSR YO UICA OF KYRKBY (33i in. S. I RING ■*• AT <•• SIX i" TO LET MNE KNOW WHEN **■ KNOW WHEN '*' TOO AND rffi THEAIR '*' WORKE TO CO C R 1675 (38 in. Border on 1st. Fig. 9. 3rd: Probably by a Leicester founder (see p. 13); cross, stop, and letters, Plate \'III. We have a clue to the date of this bell in the name of the donor, Henricus Dodenhale, as one Henry Dodenhale was Mayor of Coventry in 1355 (Dugdale, i., p. 147). He came from Doddenhall, in Polesworth parish, the nuns of which place celebrated solemn Masses for his soul (Ibid, ii., p. iiig^ The stamps were afterwards in the hands of the Newcombes (see p. 34). This church was dedicated in 1350.' 4th : By Johannes de Stafford (p. 15. Plate VH., i6-ig). I have not been able to discover anything about .Alexander Yo (? Yeo),- but John Mallery lived about 1360— 1400, which fact may bear on the date of this bell. 5th : By Henry Bagley ; from the old ring at St. Michael's, where it was used, as the inscription shews, as the daily bell for workers (see what is said under that head, p. 150; it is also there noted that the old cracked treble was recast in 1675 for the St. Michael's ring, and probably its place was supplied here by the present treble of 1676). Its weight is gcwt. 3qrs. 2ilbs. (Sharp, History and Antiquities of Coventry, p. 66). Sharp, op. cit. p. 151 (Fretton's edition of 187 1), gives some account of these bells, with sundry extracts from records, here quoted. He notes that while the church was the chapel of the Trinity Guild there were at least three bells, one known as the Trinity Bell, as chimes are mentioned in 1461. 1457. It' p' una corde p' campana misse matutinat' infra Babl' pond' xij tb. pric' xviij"* 1459. It'm p" faccone unius clap' campane apud babl' pond xxiij lb. ... xyj"* It' p' j corda p' le wyndyng up de la payee orilagii ^ apud bablake ... ... ... viij'' 146 1. It' sol' VViir o Melody p' uno Goieon ■• p' le chyme ap'd Babl' ... ... . . ... j"* T463. It' sol' p' ij bawdrykes p' ij campanis apud bablake ... ... ... ... ... xvj'' It' sol' p' belropes usq' ad bablake ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... x.xj'' It' p' j beirope p' li Trynire bells apud bablake pond' X /6. ... .. ... ... xij"^ ob. 1466. It' p' a roppe w^yng xiiij /6. to the chyme at biblake ... ... ... ... .. xxj"' 1466. 5 July. It' p' ij p'ms capa'is p' le churche mynday & Bablake ... ... ... ... v* [Sharp has come to grief over this entry, which I quote as he gives; but I think 'p'ms' should obviously read ' p'uis,' i.e. ' parvis ; ' ' mynday,' which he interprets as Monday, is clearly ' mind-day,' or ' memorial day.'] 1467. It' p' a gogyn & ij stapelys for the bellys at bablake ... ... ... ... .. x"* 146S. It' sol' p' grese ad ca'panas de bablake ... ... ... ... ... ... ... j"* ob. 15 19. It' pd for the mendyng of the whele at the bell for the Rodemasse ... ... ... xij'^ It' pd for a horsse hyde to make Bawdrikks for bablake .. ... ... ... ... ij" iiijd In 1633 Richard Barratt was appointed to ring at 5 a.m. and 7 p.m. Down to 1834 the 4th bell was rung at 4 a.m. every morning ; this was known as the ' Dyers' Bell.' Browne Willis (c. 1750) gives ' Bablack 4 or 5 Bells.' ' Brayley and Britton, Beauties 0/ England and Wales, xv., pt. 2, p. 131. - It is tempting to suppose that he was \'icar of KirUby Mallory, in Leicestershire. Unfortunately the list of vic.ars of the parish about 1350 — 1400 is defective (of. Nichols, Leicestershire, iv., p. 761). ' Clock-weight. ■* Gudgeon. T 1^6 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. Customs :— On Sundays bells rung to within five minutes of service-time, when the tenor is tolled. The bells are rung for first Evensong, Holy Communion, and second Evensong on al. Festivals, after midnight on Christmas Eve, and on New Year's Eve after midnight (tolling up to twelve) ; for one hour on six Saturday evenings before Christmas ; and for Weddings, if paid for. Death-knell 12 hours after death; bells tolled successively and afterwards in pairs, with usual tellers at beginning and end. Tolling on tenor at Funerals, followed by tellers as before. Best thanks to the Rector, Rev. A. G. Robinson. H.T. T., 21 July, 1891. COVENTRY. St Michael. Ten bells. 1 ALTHOUGH I AM BOTH LIGHT & SMALL I WILL BE HEARD ABOVE YOU ALL Pack & Chapman op London Fecit 1774 {53 hi. 2. IF YOU HAVE A JuDICIOUS EaR YoULL OWN MY VoiCB IS SWEET & CLEAR Pack, etc., as last. (34 in. 3. Such Wondrous Powr to Musics given it elevates the Soul to Heaven 2nd line : — Pack, etc. (j6 in. 4. Whilst Thus we Join in chearpull Sound May Love And Loyalty abound Pack, etc. (37 in. 5. To Honour Both op God And King Our Voices shall in consert Ring Pack, etc. (38 in. 6. MusicK is Medicine to the Mind ■^OO"^- Thomas Mears op London Fecit 1799 ■^C^C'C'-<* (4oi in. 7. Ye Ringers all That Prize Your. Health And Happiness Be Sober Merry Wise And Youll the same Possess Pack, etc., as 1st. (42J in. 8. Ye People all who Hear me Ring be Faithpull to Your God & King Pack & Chapman op London Fecit 1774 (46 in. 9. In Wedlock Bands All ye Who joinj With Hands Your Hearts Unite so shall our Tunepull Tongues Combine to Laud the Nuptial Rite Pack, etc. (50* in. 10- STEPHEN CORBET Ac"^ : C; W^ARDBN 1805. I AM AND HAVE BEEN CALL D THE common bell to ring, WHEN PIRB BREAKS OUT TO TELL t t t t t + JOHN RIANT HERTFORD FECIT AN; DOM: MDCCCV f GLORIA DEO IN EXCELSIS +f + ■'"■'■ + + (56i in. The bells now hang in the octagon (see below). COVENTRY. cwts. qrs. lbs. cwts. qrs. lbs. I) 6 3 : 2 6) II 2 : i6 2) 7 o : 8 7) 14 : 2G 3) 8 I : 13 8) 17 I : 23 4) 9 : 9) 23 20 5) 9 2 : 21 lo) 31 I : 14 147 Weights : Total 6 tons 18 cwts. 3 qrs. 3 lbs. On the 4th bell the last three letters of Whilst are incised. The cross on the loth is PI. XXIII. 7. The history of these bells has been fully dealt with in Sharp's Coventry Antiquities, p. 65 (ed. Fretton, 1871), from which the following information is taken, with some later additions from Mr. A. J. Brookes' St. Michael, Coventry, p. 27.' The tower was completed in 1395, but the bells do not appear to have been hung before 1429. In 1488 we read, " This year was great peace throughout the realm, and for joy the Churchwardens of St. Michael's, and other well-disposed people, brought to St. Michael's a great Bell and called \t Jesus' Bell; this motto was written about it : — 'Jesus Nazarenus Rex Judeorum in me miserecordia.' " [The last three words are probably an error for the familiar ' miserere mei.'] There do not appear to be any Inventories of the year 1552 extant, and the next entry is in 1607, when the third and fourth bells, being cracked, were recast, the fourth being cast three times before it was in tune. On March 18, 1674, ' The Vestry agreed with Henry Bagley sen., and H. B. jun., of Chacomb in Co. Northampton, that they shall have 55/. for casting the 6 Bells into 8 tuneable ones, of as deep a tone and sound as they now are, to be recast by 24 June next.' The old six were accordingly taken down, as H. Wanley tells us, on May 26, 1675, broken up, and cast into eight on May 29th. Their weights were as follows : — cwts. i) xo 2) ir 3) 13 qrs. 3 I 2 lbs. 9 o 6 cwts. 4) 17 5) 23 6) 30 qrs. 3 I I lbs. 14 2 5 Total 5 tons 7 cwts. 8 lbs. The new ring was 6 cwts. 3 qrs. 8 lbs. lighter, the weights being; cwts. 1) 6 2) 6 3) 8 4I 9 qrs. I 2 O 3 lbs. II 26 9 21 diam. 31 in. 32 in. 35 in- 37* in- cwts. 5) 12 6) 14 7) 17 8) 25 qrs. I o lbs. 7 14 12 12 liam. 40^ in. 43 in. 47 in. 52i in. Total 5 tons i qr. The inscriptions on these were copied by Wanley, 17 Jan., 1691,- as follows 1. CANTATE DOMINO CANTICVM NOVVM 1675 H B HENRY BAGLEY MADE MEE 1675 T. E. F. GEORG DOWNING A.D.V.S.M. 1675 I RING AT SIX TO LET MNE KNOW WHEN TOO AND FROM THEAIR WORK TO GO 1675 1 See also Church Bells, 9 and l5 June, 1883 ; Notes and Queries, 3rd Ser., ix., p. 427, 4th Ser., vi., p 524, vii, p. 45. - Harl. .VISS. 6,030, fol. 2b. He also gives the weight of both rings, as above. 1^8 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. 5. RICHARD COLING lOHN REMINGTON THOMAS REDHAED HUMPHVEY THACKER lOHN LILLEY RALPH PHILLIPS CHURCHWARDENS 1675 6. HENRY BAGLEY MADE MEE 1675 7. I RING TO SERMON WITH A LVSTY BOME THAT ALL MAY COME AND NONE MAY STAY AT HOME 1675 8. I AM AND HAVE BEEN CALLED THE COMMON BELL TO RING WHEN FIER BREAKS OUT TO TELL 1675 {Reproduced on present tenor). Besides giving the weights and sizes of these two rings, Wanley further states that " the old Tenor, formerly called Jesus' Bell, was (as 'tis said) 3,000" weight." The diameters of the bells were taken by him and ' f. H.,' 3 Jan., i6yo-i. He continues : — " I have been told by severall eminent Ringers that the old s'"" Bell for sound was one of the best if not the very best bell in England, whereof he y' broke these 6 was one, he said he thought that he should never have broke it, & that it was of the basest metall of any bel that ever he saw. The Churchwardens would fain have saved it, to have been the Tenor for the new set, but the ffounder would not undertake to caast a new ring to it. As for the old Tenor it must have been taken down presently or else it would have fell down of itself for the cannons of it were so rotten with'n by Age that the founder wondered that it hung in the steeple so long & that it did not fall when it was lett down by ropes. Note that the 3'''' bell of this present ring hath n& cannons for they are broke, so that there is holes bored through the top of the bel, & irons put on them, & so fastened to the stok, w'^ nevertheless hinders not the sound." The 4th bell of the new ring, it will be obr.erved, is now at St. John's Church, where it forms the tenor of five, and it is interesting to note that in the City Annals there is an entry dated 28 April, 1675 : — Ordered that the treble bell of Bablake, now cracked, shall be delivered to Bagley the bellfour.der t& be new cast and made tuneable to the bells in St. Michael's Steeple, and placed there to make those bells more weighty. — C.C'.B. Browne Willis (c. 1750) gives ' 8 Bells.' In 1770 a new peal of bells was contracted for with Pack and Chapman, of London, their proposals being : — To recast the S present Bells into a peal of 8 musical ones, both in lone and tune, weigh 5 tons a little more or less, at 28,?. per cwt. recasting ... 8 new Clappers, weight 2 cwt. at ga'. per lb. Two new Trebles to make a complete peal of 10, to weigh 12 cwt. a little more or less, _;^6 per cwt. Two new Clappers, 50 lb. at 9(/.... ;£222 5 6 The fabric shortly before this had been thought to be in danger trom the heavy ring of bells, and from a new weathercock in the form of a dragon, and a local humourist observed that the good people of St. Michael's were sacrificing their church to ' Bell and the Dragon ! ' When the new ring of ten was hung, this apprehension was so much incteased that in 1793 a Committee was appointed to enquire into the state of the tower. The bells were taken down, sundry repairs executed, and a new frame 1 unconnected with the tower and rising from the ground) erected at a cost of ^£^507, and the bells were rehung in December, 1794, where they remained until the restoration of the church. The)- were disposed in two tiers at first, but in 1804, when the tenor was recast by Briant of Hertford (having been cracked in 1S02), they were rehung and all brought down to the same level. to ..> £>4° 8 8 at ... 1- I 17 6 COVIiNTRY. 149 Mr. Brookes says : — " At the restoration of the church in 1885 it was decided that the tower was not strong enough for the bells to be rung again in full peal, and an effort was made to erect a grand campanile in the churchyard on the north side. That scheme failing, and the citizens getting impatient at the loss of the bells, they were again placed in the steeple, but in the octagon, where they are now chimed." Sharp also gives sundry items relating to ringing and the chime?, which may be here quoted. 1^67.' Also y' y' Clerks of both Chirches ryng both day bell & curfew in dve tyme & y' y' dole be duly kept up y' peyn of ij'' at every default. 1496 - Hit is ordeyned at y'* p'sent lete that all man' p'sones that hereaftur woU have the belles to ryng aft'r y' decesse of eny their fiends, they shall pay for a pell ryngyiig w' all y' belles ij", xx"" y"" of to y" Chircheward' i iiij'' to y' clerks. And yf he woll have but iiij belles, xvj'', xij'' to y* chirch & iiij"' to y' clerks. And as for iij belles, ev'r' p'sone y' woll have theym, to paye but iiij'' to y° clerks. 1586. I'd for Ringing against the quen of Skots ... ... ... ... ... ... ... xij'' 1587. Pd to ringers at M' maiors Com'aundement at death of the Scottishe Quene ... ... xvj"* 158S. Payd the Kyngers at the rejoicinge of the overthrowe of the Spanishe flette y" 1590. Pd for ryngyn_L:e my L. bysliop twice into the Cittie S: furthe of the Cyttie viij'^ 1629. Pd the Lord Bishop's man because the Bells did not ring when his L'dship was in Town 6» 8' 1642. Pd for ringing when the Lo' Brooke came in with his army ... ... .. ... 3" 6'^ 1654. Pd for ringing May 23, being a day of thanksgiv'g ... ... ... ... ... ... 2'* 1656. Pd for ringing Feb. 20, being a day of thanksgiv'g ... ... ... ... ... ... 2' 6"* 1662. Pd for ringing when y' L. Bishop (Dr. Hackett of Lichfield) came first ... ... .. 7" 1663. Pd the Ringers at the overthrough of the Dutch ... ... ... ... ... ... 5" We hear of chitnes as early as 1465, when the Mayor and Council granted 40" annually for their keeping up, together with the clock; and in succeeding years payments for repairs are numerous. In 1778 a new set of chimes and clock were put up by Worton, of Birmingham, the former costing £2yj. In 1818 the tunes played were : — Sunday, 104th Psalm. Transferred to Friday and replaced by the E3ster Hymn. Monday, Sir C. Sediey's Minuet. Subsequently : The Bells uf Meriden. Tuesday, Mudge's Air (by Rev. R. Mudge, of Little Packington). Wednesday, Shady Bovvers, Subsequently: The Heavens are Telling. Thursday, Highland Laddie. Friday, Step In. Transferred to Thursday. Saturday, Lass of Patie's Mill. Mr. Brookes says : — " The old clock made in 1778 still keeps faithful time, and the chimes, which have been lately restored by public subscription, play the following tunes " : — Sunday, Easter Hymn. Monday, Home, Sweet Home. Tuesday, The Minstrel Boy- Wednesday, Aurelia (215 A. and M.). Thursday, Ye Banks and Braes. Friday, The Heavens are Telling. Saturday, Hanover (431 A. and M.). Customs : — Bells chimed for Sunday services, the 8th being used as ' Sermon Bell ' in the morning and the tenor in the evening ; one bell for 8 a.m. Celebrations. A bell used to be rung between i and 2 p.m. \shen there was an afternoon service. > Leet Book, 202 b. - Ibiii. 279 b. This entry seems to indicate that there were then six bells. I=iO THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. Bells rung in full peal on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve ; sometimes also on Anniver- saries and Royal Birthdays, or on the Election of the Mayor on November gth : also for Weddings by request. Death-knell : Three strokes on tenor, then sixty on first and second alternately ' Ding-dong,' ending with twelve on tenor ; usual tellers. Bells rung partly or wholly muffled at Funerals. Formerly three bells were rung daily, at 6 a.m., 6 p.m., and g p.m. The first was to call men to work, the second for them to cease (see the tenor at St. John's Church), and the third was the Curfew. The 7th bell is used for daily services. Pancake Bell formerly, also a bell for Vestry Meetings. There is an endowment for the ringing of a farewell peal to the memory of a former citizen named Edwards, on January 13th, the day of his death. Sundry peal-boards are said to be now in the crypt. For an account of the peals commemorated thereon, see Church Bells, 25 Apr., 5 Dec, 1874, i and 22 July, 1876. Many thanks to Mr. A. J. Brookes, Vestryman. H.T.T., 14 June, 1878. COVENTRY. Church built 1869. Church built i86g. Church built 1874. All S.aints. St. Mark. St. Nicholas. St. Peter. One bell of 1853, by C. and G. Mears, weighing 7cwt. iqr. 7lbs. Church built 1844. CUBBINGTON. St. Thomas. St. Mary. One bell. One bell. One bell. One bell. One bell. Four bells. COD (bonie?-) SAVE • THE (border- KING (border) 1646 (29J in. IHS: NAZARENVS (bolder} REX IVDEORVM (boydo) FILI : DEI (bordrr) MISERERE MEI (border) 1646 (border) (32 in. (35 in. 4. As before, dated 1640, with arabesques between the pairs of words and beloic all round. (^8h in. All by Hugh Watts, with shield ; borders between words, the usual ' acorn ' type on ist to 3rd and arabesques on 4th; HE conjoined on ist. The date on ist and 2nd must be an error, seeing that Watts died in 1643 ; probably we should read 1640 as on the 4th. See p. 43. 1552 : ' CoBYNGTON iij belles a saunce belle.' COVENTRY — CURDWORTH. 151 ' M"" that ou' and besyde the forsaid p'c'lls the p'ishe sythens the last s'vey have sold to the rep'ac'on of their churche theis'p'cells folowing . . . . ij hand bells ij lytJe belles.' 1750 : ' 3 bells ' (sic). Customs : — On Sundays 2nd bell rung at 8 a.m. and treble after morning service. Bells chimed for services ; tenor as Sermon Bell for last five minutes. Ringing on Christmas Day and New Year's Eve (11-30 — 12-30) ; also twice weekly November 5th to Christmas. Death-knell on morning after at 8 a.m. ; usual tellers. Gleaning bell formerly at 8 a.m. (tenor). An endowment for supply of bell ropes. Best thanks to Rev. B. M. Bean, Vicar. H. T. T., 9 Oct., 1878 ; H. B. W., Sept., 1907. CURDWORTH. SS. Nicholas and Peter. Three bells. 1. THOMAS f f f WILCOX f -^t EDWARD f ft ASTLEY ttf 1668 [^ Below, border all round. (29^ in. 2 -h vox MBA EST DULOIS ME A SCINTLLANS VULTUS THO^ BAYRB DE KETTERING = FECIT 1756 (30^ in- 3. ^ SflDCCil WflRW VIRGO inC€RC€D€ PRO COCO IDVPDO (344 in 1st : By John Martin, of Worcester; palmettes between words (Pi. XXI., F"ig. 6), and large shield after date (Plate XXI., Fig. 10). 2nd: The cross fitchee at the beginning (PI. XXIII. 7) was also used by Briant, of Hertford. 3rd: By an unknown founder, perhaps of Wolverhampton (see p. 12); cross and letters Plate VII., Figs. 10-15. The cross is also found at Bearley. Bells rehung by Barwell, 1905. Clock strikes on tenor. 1552 : ' iij belles in the steple.' 1750: '5 Bells.' There is a tradition that the tenor was given in gratitude for his preservation by a traveller who was lost in the Forest of Arden, and was guided to Curdworth by the sound of a bell. Customs : — On Sundays two bells chimed for early celebration, followed by one peal ; all three bells chimed, followed by single bell, at later services. For daily services the bell is tolled 33 times (representing the years of our Lord's life) ; the treble is used ordinarily, the znd on Festivals, and the 3rd for Celebrations. Ringing on New Year's Eve; for Weddings, by request; formerly also on Christmas Day, 29 May, 5 November, and King's Birthdaj-. Death-knell at 7 a.m. on day of Funeral ; usual tellers, followed by tolling ; tolling also before the ceremony ; formerly chiming before and after. Curfew Bell revived in 1905, after some years' disuse ; rung at 8 p.m. on week-days (Saturday 7 p.m.) ; tenor used, with day of month on treble (formerly also on tenor). H. T. T. noted in 1876 that the Curfew was rung fan. — March. 1^2 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. Many thanks to Rev. L. Mitchell, Rector, who also kindly sends the following extracts from the Churchwardens' Accounts : — •755- fsb. 15. Paid bargaining with Mr. Eayre for casting the bell Spent taking the bell down Carrying it to Birmingham Spent unloading & weighing it May 2. Expenses at Birmingham loading y' new bell Carrying the bell from B'ham ... Unloading it 3 new bell ropes 1756. Paid M"'. Tho=. Eayre for the new bell and for new hanging 3 bells DERITEND and DUDDESTON. See Birmingham. 2. 6 5 2. 6 6 1. o 2. 6 6 3- o 3- 6 1. 2. 3. 6. DUNCHURCH. St. Peter. • PRAISE • GOD • IN • HIS HOLYNES • {Running border above and below). PR.4ISE • HIM • IN • THE • FIRMAMENT • OF • (Running border below). Six bells. 1724 • -KS>CK'£)^ey(FXKc)v> • (32 in. HIS* POWER* 1724 • ^XS^K^y^ iZ2,l in. • PRAISE • HIM • IN • HIS • NOBLE • ACTS • 1724 • --XSXKeK. • Below:— m. IT IkNOWN TO ALL THAT DOTH ME SEE THAT lOSEPH SMITH IN EDGBASTON MADE ALL THE .X5>Q HONOVR ^.^^$_ THE (Fig. 12) KING ;J. 1685 ^ (35 in. Formerlv five bells onl\' ; in 1.S9.S the ist was recast b\- Carr (though the fact is not stated thereon), w ith old inscription rejjroduced, and a new treble added. For Thomas Pyke, of Bridgwater, see p. 77. A\'eights of new bells : 4 cwt. i qr. 10 lbs. and 4 cwt. 5 qrs. t,2 lbs. Tenor q'l rwt. H. T. T. noted in 1876 that the old treble \\a5 sliglith chi[)ped at the lip and the crown of the tenor hollow (?). Borders on 3rd, 4th, and 6th, b'ig. 11 ; on 5th, and twice on 6th, Fig. 12. On all four the A"^ form of A is used (see p. 70). 1552 : ' iij belles and ij sacring or small belles and a handbell.' Ringing for Sunda\- services, at Christmas, and on New Year's Eve, and for Weddings. In the ringing chamber is a peal-board dated 17 Dec-, 1900, recording the first full peal on the bells, when 5.040 minors were rung in iliffcrent methods b\- the St. Martin's Guild (2 hours 42 mins.). Thanks to the Rev. Canon Mansfield Owen, Vicar. H. T. T.. 24 Jul\-, kS(}I : U. B. W., March. iqo8. EDGBASTON. St. Aigustinh. OnebelK?). Church built 1868. St. Gi;orgk One bell (?). Church built 1838. St. Jami;s. One bell. Church built 1S52. 154 "^"'^ CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. SS. Mary and Ambrose. One bell (?). Church built 1897. ELMDON. St. Nicholas. Two bells. 1621 1. !E^V3 .to^^xB^ BE ..^^xQ^ OVF^ 5^-^ ^PED . .^^x®^ ^ ©x®^ 2. HENRICVS l!("l"J' BAGLEY ')!i'4"i?? ME 'J'4'iJ? FECIT '■|'4"fr 1675 "fr 4")J? (25^ in. 1st : By Thomas Hancox (p. 52) ; three tj-pes of running border between the words (floral, vine, and medallions; see pp.52, 54, and PI. XX. 1-3, 5); after OVR an irregular bit of ornament ; date in small figures with 3 reversed, and a crown beneath : at the end, fleur-de-lys and two figures from the middle part of a seal which he uses at Droitwich St. .Andrew and elsewhere (the seal of Bishop Scambler, of Norwich ; see p. 55 and PI. XIX. 7). 2nd : Borders between the words, Fig. g, p. 68. 1552: ' Itm. there .... two belles.' ' M'' that the p'she owethe for oon of their saidc belles a liij^ iiij'^-' H. T. T., 26 June, 1S76 ; H. B. W., Sept., 1907. EMSCOTE. See Warwick. ERDINGTON. St. Bahxabas. Eight bells. There is a ring of eight bells here, by Taylor, of Loughborough, cast in 1904. The inscrip- tions on them, for a copy of which I am indebted to the kindness of that firm, are as follows : — 1 RING ON, JOYOUS BELLS; NEVER SLUMBER, 2 LET US HEAR EACH MESSAGE YOU BRING, 3 AND OUR HEARTS, O'ERFLOWING WITH GLADNESS, 4 MUST BREAK INTO MUSIC AND SING; 5. SING PRAISES TO GOD, OUR CREATOR, e SING PRAISES TO JESUS, OUR KING, 7 SING PRAISES TO THEE, HOLY SPIRIT; 8 RING ON, BLESSED BELLS, EVER RING! MARY PROCTOR RYLAND. THIS PEAL OF EIGHT BELLS PRESENTED TO ERDINGTON CHURCH BY THOMAS RYLAND OF THE REDLANDS, ERDINGTON, IN MEMORY OF HIS DAUGHTER, MARY PROCTOR RYLAND, WHO DIED 2 NOV. 1903. KDGHASTOX — mTINGTON. 155 Weights and diameters : — cwt. qrs. lbs. i) zGi in. 4 : J : 12 2) 27] in. 5:0: 8 3) 2()'i in. 5 : 2 : 22 4) 31A in. 6:0: C) Church built 1X.22: parish formed out of .Xston. ETTINGTON. St. Thomas 1, <^ M GEORG VNDEREHILL 1595 ('' cwt. <|rs. lis. 5) M\ in- 7 I 27 0) 35J in. 7 .S : :7 7) .59^ in- II 'J 8) 44J, in. 15 : I 15 5i:CKF.T. l''our bells. 2 -f" M VMPHERY VNDEREHILL 1595 (' A ''l 3. ^ ANNO ^ DO MI ♦ Nl ♦ 1624 ♦ R A P On the waist : — Prince of Wales' Arms, with motto. 4. J WATERS KING SUTTON BEL.I. HANGER W. HARRIS & E. ARCH C. WARDENS lOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1803 Bells removed from the old church at Lower Ettington (now in ruins) w hen a new one was built at Upper Ettington, in 1803. They have now been placed in the new Church of the Holy Trinity, built in 1907. 1st and 2nd by Edward Newcombe, of Leicester (see p. 32) ; plain initial cross. The founder's stamp does not occur elsewhere, but that he used a similar seal in his business we know from an existing document (see under Stratford-on-Avon, and Halliwell, Descriptive Calendar of Stratford Records, p. 387). 3rd: By Roger (or Richard) Purdue, of Bristol; the X's of ANNO conjoined; 6 of date reversed. On the waist, the Prince of Wales' feathers, as at Brailes. See p. 124 for the difficultv in connection with this R. Purdue's Christian name. The Underbill family settled at Ettington about 1510, and became e.xtinct in 17S4. George and Humphrey were two of the numerous sons of its best known member, Thomas Underbill; they died in 1650 and 1613 respectiveh , the former being then Vicar of O.xhill. See Dugdale, i. p. 625 ; Colvile, Worthies of Warwicksh., p. 767 ; Collect. Topogr. et Gcneal., vi. p. 3S3 ; Brit^ Mus. Add. MSS., 29,264, fol. 187. Etyngton iij belles, one saunce bell.' 1750. ' Eatington 3 Bells.' 1552 Customs : — On Sundays, peals at 10 a.m. and 5-30 p.m. (or in morning, single bell for a few minutes) ; tenor at 10-30, and chiming 10-45 to 10-55 (evening 5-45 to 6-0) ; 'surplice bell ' rung on treble for last four minutes. Ringing on New Year's Eve 11-30 — 12-30, with pause at midnight ; at 6 a.m. on St. Thomas" Day ; and for Weddings, by request. Death-Knell as soon as possible, with usual tellers before and after. At Funerals tolling before the service ; bells ' rung up and down ' (as in Death- Knell) at its conclusion. Gleaning Bell formerly at 8 a.m. ; discontinued in 1865. The following extracts from the Churchwardens' Accounts have been kindly communicated by the \'icar : — s. d. 1769. Apr. 23. A pulley for a bell ^ ^ [For bell ropes at various times : 5s., 14s. 3d., 15s.] I o o 1 I o 2 11 7 1 o o 156 THK CHURCH BlII-LS OF WARWICKSHIRK. 1803. For Fetching the bells from the Old Church to the New ... i i o ?■> Jno Walker for helping to lode the Bels ... ... ... ... ... ... ' 6 P*" Will" Baron for the Bel ropes ..120 J804. P'' Will"" Hall for fetching the Frames from Banbury 130 [As the tenor shews, the hanging of the new bell was the work of J. Waters, of King's Sutton, near Banbury.] Recasting 10^ cwt. of Bell-mettal at 30' p' hundred ... ... ... •.■ ... 15 7 6 Carriage of the old beli to Banbury .. „ „ ,, from Banbury to London ... Carriage of the new Bell from London to Banbury „ ,, ,, from Banbury to Eatington [The bell was recast at Hertford, whither it must have gone via London, unless John Briant was in London at the time.] Many thanks to Rev. T. H. Parker, Vicar. H. T. T., 16 June, 1887. EXHALL \ ith names of Vicar and Churchwardens as above). cwt. qrs- lbs. Weights: — i) 4 : i : 14 2) 4 : 2 : 20 3) 5 : -^ : 14 The Vicar sajs : — " In A.D. 1900 the belfry was fitted with new frames and appliances for six bells. A chiming apparatus (for si.x bells) was fitted in the belfry, and a brass inscription placed on the belfry w all. The dedication was performed by the I^ishop of Coventry (Dr. Ivno.x), 21 Dec, igoo." Customs : — On Sundajs bells chimed at 8-30 a.m. (at 8 a.m. on 1st Sunday in month, .\pril-Oct.), and at all services ; rung on Festivals before services and after Evensong. Ringing on New Year's Eve, on St. Giles' Day (Sept. ist, Patronal Festival, or nearest Sun- day in Octave), and for Weddings when desired. Two bells rung singl}- every day at 9-30 a.m. Death-knell on notification of death ; tellers 3x3 followed by tolling on tenor at intervals fo an hour ; age of deceased tolled alter l-'unerals. Best thanks to Rev. C. Simmonds, Vicar. H. T. T., 2 Oct., 1876; H. B. W., Sept., 1907. FARNBOROUGH. St. Botolph. 5+1 bells. 1. CAST BY JOHN WARNflE ^ SONS L0IT30K 1875- On waist : — PREPARE TO MEET THT GOD, 2 (5I01T to <5®H) 111 the biflbett ^ 3 -^ Biio a)m nDDcccjUiij -^ ©ii JEaitb ipeacc -^ 4. 4^ -^ (5oo0 will towarJ) ^baii On waist .— M : xrav?loi- jfcctt »S»3;on aiio Dm /lii&cccjUiij 5 As No. 1. On waist .•—SING UNTO TEE LORD A HEW SONG- 3. No inscription. 2nd, 3rd, and 4th by Taylor of Oxford. 1S44. 158 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. 1552 : ' Ffarnburgh. ij belles one saunce bell.' 1750 : ' 3 Bells.' Customs : — On Sundays bells chimed at 8 a.m., and before other services, followed b)- ringing the fourth bell, and the smallest for the last two or three minutes. Ringing on Greater Festivals ; muffled peal on New Year's Eve, followed by an open one after midnight: also on November 5th and Icing's Birthday, and for Weddmgs, by request. Death-knell about an hour after death, if possible, on tenor ; tellers : 3 for woman, 2 for man, I for child. Tenor rung up and down for Funerals. Gleaning bell formerly. Thanks to Rev. H. Holbech, \icar. H.T. T., 14 June, 1887. FENNY COMPTON. St. Peter. Three bells. ]. •k CANTATE DOMINO CANTICVM NOVVM i" HENRY BAGLE MADE MEE /^ Belmc :—\QSQ ^ 28 in. 3. HENRY 4" BAGLEY "t' MADE MEE '^^i'^-i' 4> 1 6 3 6 ^ •){? ^"■J? '•♦^ (34 in. The treble has a new wheel and stock, by Barwell. 2nd : Cross, Plate X\'II.. Fig. i ; supposed to be by John Appowell, of Buckingham, about 1560-70 ; see p. 46. 3rd : Border, Fig. g ; letters wide apart, as at Long Itchington. 1552 : ' Ffennv Compton. iij belles a little bell.' 1750: ' 3 Bells.' Customs : — On Sundays treble rung at 8 a.m., second bell at g a.m. (old Jvlattins and Mass Bells). Bells chimed for twenty minutes before services, followed by tenor for five minutes when there is a sermon. Treble rung immediatel\- after morning service. On the three Monday's before Christmas and on St. Thomas' Day the bells are rung at 6 a.m. ; on Christmas Eve from 11-30 till past midnight ; on New Year's Eve the old jear is rung out and the new in. Ringing also on November 5th, about 7 p.m., and for Weddings, by request. Death-knell rung as soon as death is reported, but not after sunset ; usual tellers, followed by tolling at intervals of a minute for half an hour. Before Funerals, tolling at minute intervals ; afterwards the bell is rung up and d(n\ n, w ith tellers as before. A bell rung for \'estr)- Meetings. Best thanks to the Rector, Re\'. G. S. Streatfeild, and to the Rex. Preb. Deedes, of Chichester. To the latter I am indebted for rubbings, and also for tlu^ following extracts from the Churchwardens' Accounts : — 1729. P'' Joseph Ward for mending the be! whele and Cluircli y^its ... ... ... .. 10' 1731. P'' for Bell ropes ... ... , . 8' FARNBOKOUGII — I n.LONGLHY. I59 p"^ Joseph VVarde for mend" y" Cliurch gates and y' Pel whels p'' The Cook for mendeii the bels '733- p"" Josepli \Vard mending y° Great Bell 1754. p'' Uichard Ducket for mending y° I5ell Wheele 1738. p'' M'' Cook for mending . . . bell 1739. p*" to Joseph Ward for mendnig y' Bell whele and putting a board in the Steeple window 1740. p"' for Bell Ropes p'^ Rich'' Tims for work done to y* bells [Payment for bell ropes repeated in most succeeding years.] 1746 — 1750 Several payments for mending wheels. '749"S°- p'' for the bells brasses costin p'' Thomas Ducket for mending the bels & banning (?) the bels in the new brases p'' Richard Knight for mending the bels and Icks and cees J751. pd for a new beel wheel ... ... .. . ... , 1752. For getting the First bell up and mending the Wheal and setting 6 jilats on the jogings' 2" 6'' P'' Henry Chater for 6 plate and nayls and a stayle and a Cotor and 2 Rings for y' bells • 2" 6"' ■'7S3' p'' Henry Chater for Keying y" Bell ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ■. 1" 6'' 1 754 — 1 768. Numerous repairs, but no items of interest. 1769. p'' Richard Ducket for a new Stock for the Seckent Bell Claper and Mending the whealle 4" 6'' 1770 — 1781. Sundry repairs as before. 1782 A Bill to y' Church Worden for a Clnsp & Caging y" great Bell . .. ... ... i" i;83 for 2 Doble Cags for y' secon Bell ... ... ... ... ... ... •-• .• 2'' 5" 3" 3" 6'i 1' 4" 3" 6-' £> 9" 6'' 3" i» 8" 3" 0'' for Bosing 2 Rolers & 2 pins & 2 Cags Etc. Etc. [Total of bill, 7".]. 2" 2° [H.T.T., 17 Sept., 1875.] FILLONGLEY. St. Mary and All Saints. Six bells. 1. ^ SO teP?e GLioi^y OP god Below, vine-wreath and Taylor's trade-mark. GIVEN BY FRANCES HOLLICK IN MEMORY OF HER HUSBAND RICHARD HOLLICK 1896. (30 in. 2. BRYANVS ELDRIDGE ME FEGIT 1653 (3ii in. 3. SOLI t DEO t GLORIA t PAX ^I' HOMINIBVS t •'/ EDWARD ^ HOLBACH EDWARD '*» i-' HOLBACH ♦ THOMAS i^ BREARLE On waist :— /^"> 1654 Weight of new treble, 6 cwt. i lb. ; of new jrd, C cwt. j qrs. 15 lbs. Borders on 5th, the usual ' acorn ' pattern. H. T. T. notes ' Clock strikes quarters on ist and 3rd, hour on 5th.' 1522 : ' Ffyllongley. Itm there .... iiij "^ belles a handbell and a sacring bell.' 1750: '6 Bells.' Customs : — Peals rung for Sunday services ; a single bell at 8 a.m. Ringing at 7 a.m. on Easter Sunday and Christmas Da}- ; on New Year's Eve a muffled peal at 11-30, followed bv an open one at midnight. Death-knell as soon as information is received. Thanks to Rev. A. B. Stevenson, formerly Vicar. H. T. T., 18 June, 18S1 ; H. P. W.. Sept., 1907. FOLESHILL. Sr. Lawkexck. Three bells. 1 1^^ '"S NflZARENVS (bonier) REX IVDEORVM (border) FILI : DEI (border) ^^^ MISERERE {border) MEI (border) 1635 (border) (29 in. o feS GOD (border) $AU3 H'ordcr) CR3 (border) KinG3 (border) JL (border) ^«7 115 (border) nQB (border) %]]} (border) 1616 (32 in. ^1 CE 8. \^^^i\ CELORVM CHRSTE PLATIAF TIBI REX SONVS ISTE 1616 (35 "i- The first and second ha\'e the cla[)pers tie'd. and are chimed u ith hammers. All three by Hugh Watts, the 2nd having the Brasyer lettering; borders bet\\ecn words on 1st and 2nd, Plate XVII., Fig. 7. See p. 42. H T. T., April, 1873: H. W. \\.. Sept., i()()7. FOLESHILL. St. Paul. One bell. Church huih 1842. FOLESHILL. St. Tik.mas (LoNGEdKi)). A chime of eight small IjcIIs without inscri|>tions, supj)lied recently by Taylor, of Lough- borough. Weights and diameters : — lILr.ONGI.KV — C;KANDt!OROU(;iI. i6i 1) I5i in. o 2) 16 in. 3) i6| in. I 4) ig in. I Church liuiU 1874. FRANKTON. (jrs. lbs. cwt 3 13 5) 21 in. I 3 24 6) 22 in. '? 4 7) 25 in. 3 12 : 3 cH) 28 in. 4 3 o I lbs. 6 23 II 8 St Nicholas. Four jjoils. IHS NAZARENVS REX IVOEORVM FILI DEI MISERERE MEI 1636 2. '^ BE YT KNOWNE TO ALL THAT DOTH ME SEE THAT NEWCOMBE OF LEICESTER MADE MEE 1607 3. As No. 7, K'iih date 1623 CELORVM CHRSTE PLATIAT TIBI REX SONVS ISTE 1616 1st, 3rd, and 4th by Hugh Watts, of the usual type. 2nd and 4th much flattened. 1552 : ' Ffrancton. iij belles and a saunce belle.' ' M'^ that the p'ishe have sold sithence the last surveye oon of the forsaid bells to the rep'ac'on of their churche.' 1750 : ' 4 Bells.' Customs : On Sundays bells chimed for services ; a bell rung at 8 a.m. and after Morning Service. Ringing on Christmas Eve and Day, Easter Sunday, New Year's Eve, November 5th, and St. Thomas' Day, when a local charity is distributed ; also for Weddmgs. Death Knell at g a.m. on day after death (on receipt of medical certificate) ; no tellers. Pancake Bell rung until 20 years ago ; 3rd bell at 11 a.m. Gleaning Bell until 25 years ago ; 3rd bell at 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Thanks to Rev. |. H. Blunn, Rector. H.T. T., 10 Oct., 1878. GAY DON. St. Giles. No inscription. The bell is undoubtedly ancient, and hung in a turret in the old church. Customs (if any) as at Chadshunt. H.T. T.. ig Sept., 1S75. One bell. GRANDBOROUGH. 1. Above, running; bonier. St. Peter. Five bells. cantate domino canticvm novvm 1641 2. JOSEPH • SMITH • IN (Running border below). EDGBASTON • MADE • MEE 1706 • c^(S>(5^ Below, arabesques all round. 3. lOSEPH • SMITH • IN • EDGBASTON • MADE MEE O ]725 (scrolls) Below, arabesques. 4. • THOMAS ARDEN OF HAMPTON • AND CLEMENT FISHEK '^'/v«;; lOHN TALLIS AND 2?idlt,ie):—mLUm LOWES of BALSALL church wardens 1725 (so-oUs) 5. • SAMUELL LYDIATT D : D VICAR • LINGEN UNITT • CURATE • 1725 (scrolls) Below, arabesques. 6. • I TO THE CHURCH THE • LIVEING CALL • AND TO THE GRAVE DOE SVMON ALL 1725 Above and below, arabesques. (39 in- All by Joseph Smith; the third has ornamented cannons. Borders PI. XXIII. 2 and Fig. II. Bells undergoing re-hanging (by Barwcll) Sept., 1907 ; they were then examined under difficulties, and diameters could not be obtained. (H. B. W.) 1552 : ' iij belles in the steple.' 1750 : ' 4 Bells ' [sic). Customs : — On Sundays chiming for services ; one bell rung at 8 a.m. and two at 9 a.m. (the old Matins and Mass bells). Ringing on Christmas Eve and Day, Easter Sunday, Ascension Day, Whit-Sunday, Trinity Sunday, and New Year's Eve ; also on King's Birthday and Coronation Day, 29 May, and 5 November ; and for Weddings. Death-Knell with tellers : one stroke on each bell once round for child, two similarly for a woman, and three for a man, followed by tolling. Pancake Bell on Shrove Tuesday at ii a.m. (5th bell tolled). A).bell rung for Vestry Meetings. Best thanks to Rev. T. J. Morris, formerly Rector. HAMPTON LUCY. St. Peter. One bell. 1. Rbv° J. Lucy Rector isae •^'>'>C*-4- T. Mears op London Fecit The Rev. J. Lucy was appointed in 1815 ; his father was Vicar of Charlcote. 1552 : ' Itm there iij belles one sance bell.' ' M"* that the p'ishe have sold sithe the Last S'^vey one bell to the maynten^nce of theire bridge & to make a Comen Jack for the towne.' 1750 : ' Hampton Episcopi 6 Bells ' isk). See Notes and Queries, 3rd Ser., x. ( i856), j). 143. H.T. T., 3 Aug., 1881. HARBOROUGH MAGNA. Ail Saints. Three bells. L J NORMAN T. STBANE C 'WARDBNS GLORIA IN EXCKLSIS DEO Below, a border of ornamcni. l66 THIC CHURCH BELLS CF WARWICKSH IKK. On waist :~( a) scroll with I. TSYLOF & SOn POURDER? (h) ( TS LOUGBBORO" 1850. \ 850, 2. BRYANVS ELDRIDGE ME FECIT 1657 RC HS Below:— R W 3. The same (in one line ). For Bryan Eldridge, see p. 58. 1552 : ' iij belles and a hand belle." 1750 : ' 6 Bells.' Customs : — On Sundays bells chimed for two periods of ten minutes each, with ' come ' bell for last five minutes on treble, before services. Death-Knell for half an hour ; tellers, 3 for man, two for woman, one for child. Ringing after Weddings. Curfew and Gleaning Bell formerly-. Thanks to Rev. B. G. Boughton-Leigh, Rector. H. T. T., 13 Oct., 1897. HARBURY. All Saints. Five bells. 1. T. iYIears op London Fecit isii (3I2 in- 2. The same. ' (34 i"- 3. The same. (36 in. 4. The same. (38 in. 5. Rev° G. Netvsam Vicar R. Gardener E, Sarin Church Wardens isii T. Mbars op London Fecit 1811 {41 in- c«t Weights: — r) 6 2) 7 3) S The Rev. G. Newsam was instituted \'icar 1806. 1552 : ' Harberv. iij ])c-lls a saunce bell a hand belle and a small bell.' 1750 : ' Heburbury 5 Bells." Customs : — Rjells chimed for Sunday services ; occasional!}- rung. Ringing on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, and at 6 a.m. on St. Thomas' Day Doath-knell: tolling [for half an hour with usual tellers' at beginning and end; tolling at Funerals. Thanks to Rev. J. K. Beardsworth, \'i(ar. H.T. T., ig Sept., 1875. HARTSHILL. Umi ,■ Tkimtv. Oiululi. (Church built 1848; pari.sli formed out ol Manrcttir. There was formerly an old chaj)el here. irs. Ibs^ CW t qts. ibs I 7 4) 9 2 : 27 ^4 5) 13 : 8 I HARBOROUGH MAGNA — HASKLOR. 167 HASELEY. St. Maky. Three bells. 1 No inscription. (20JJ in. 2. ►!-* (dof^) UJ 3 5 (do^) R I (doi^) 5 G (d'>:0 1 (do^j £ (do^) (J (^ A (24g in. 3. : • : EDWERD : HOP : EDWERD : WINTER : CHURCH : WARDENS : • : Below .-—MATTHEW : ■ : BAGLEY : • : : • : MADE : • : : • : mee : ■ : 1778 :•:;.; (27i in. 1st : ' Undoubtedly a very ancient bell, judging from shape and cannons.' (H. T. T.) 2nd : Probably by Thomas Newcombe, about 1565 (see p. 2,1,) \ cross PI. XVI. 2, lettering also found on Little Packington 2nd {q.v.). See Plate XV., Fig. 9 (cross and dog). The reading of the QJ 3 5 's somewhat doubtful. 3rd: Small type like Henry Bagley III. 'sat Barton-on- Heath ; stops as at Long Compton. 1552 : ' Itm there . . . . a iij belles.' 1750 : ' 5 Bells ' {sic). In Notices of Warwickshire Churches, i., p. 99, the 2nd bell is said to be dedicated to the B. V. M.! Customs : — On Sundays bells chimed for half an hour before services, with a single bell for the last live minutes ; a bell is also rung for five minutes after the services, morning and afternoon. Ringing on Christmas Day and New Year's Eve ; for Weddings by request. One bell tolled for about five minutes at 8 a.m. on the morning following a death : tolling at Funerals. A bell rung for Easter Vestry Meetings. Thanks to Rev. E. Muckleston, Rector, and to Mr. \V. E. Falkner. H. T. T., 5 Oct., 1S74, ij July, iSSi. HASELOR ^T- Mary and All Saints. Two bells. 1 + H B 1662 + CANTATE DOMINO CANTICVM NOVVM On waist:— ' VOCO ' 'AUDITE' 'VENITE' RECAST 1902 JOHN HEATH SYKES VICAR ShTS 1 0HURCHWMO.H, 2. -i- BS . YT . KNOWNE . TO • ALL • THAT . DOTH . WIE . SEE . THAT NEWCOMBE OF LEICESTER MADE MEE 1610 ( plnit-band ) The old I St was inscribed as reproduced on the present one (with the e.xception of the two crosses) ; between the words were bits of arabesque ornament, as at Whitnash, and a band of border above the inscription. The modern bell is by Barwell, of Birmmgham ; weight, 5 cwt 26 lbs. On the and, after date, plait-band iPl. XX. 4) as at Kulkington. 1552 : ' iij bells, one sance bell.' 1750: ' Hasler i Bell' {sic). H.T. T., 27 July, 18S1. HATTON. Holy Trinity. 1. JAMES. BARWELL. FOUNDER. BIRMINGHAM. 1885. 2. The same. 3. The same. 4. The same. 5. The same. 6. The same. S. ■■ ■ lOHN RUDHALL GLOCESTER FEC cwl. qrs. lbs. cwt. qrs. lbs. I) 5 3 25 4) 6 3 : 22 2) 6 I 17 5) 9 2 : 27 3) 6 2 12 5) 13 2 : 18 168 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. 6+1 bells. (30 in. (31* in- (33 in. (34^ in- (i7h in. (42i in 1809. The 5th has a piece chipped out of the rim, caused by the clapper flying out and breaking the bell ; but the clerk states that its tone has not been affected. Clock strikes on 4th. The little bell is hung above the treble, but is not now used ; it has no wheel, but a lever. It formerly hung on the top of the tower. Weights 2) 6 : I : 17 5) 9 : 2 : 27 Note said to be F sharp. There were formerly eight bells here, si.x having been given b}- the well-known Vicar of Hatton, Dr. Parr, in 1809, together with the little bell, and two trebles added by him in 1817. The tenor of this ring was cracked in 1874 (H. T. T.), and the whole ring was stated to be unsafe by Taylor, of Loughborough. The final result was a reduction to six, which, from the ringer's point of view if from no other, seems a pity. The old ring was by John Rudhall, of Gloucester, and the inscriptions were as follows (copied in 1881 by H. T. T.) : — 1. GIVEN BY THE EEVD DR PARR AD 1817 I RUDHALL FEC Below:— PHILIP 5= 2" 17"' 2. As No. 1. Below:— JAMES 5" 3" 5" 3. RECAST AND ENLARGED BY THE REVD DR PARR HIS Pupils & Friends J809 I. RUDHALL FECIT MATTHEW. 4. RECAST AND ENLARGED BY THE PARISBIONERS OF HATTON J809 lOHN RUDHALL FECl'^ MARK. 5. RECAST AND ENLARGED BY MRS ThROCKMORTONS TRUSTEES 1089 (sj'c) l rudhall fecit luke. 6. ■ ; • recast and enlarged by mrs throckmorton's trustees & the Parishioners of hatton J809. i rudhall ffcit john. 7. recast and enlarged by mrs throckmortons & mrs norclifes trustees The Parishoners Proprietors & dr Parr J80] ; I ; rudhall fect PETER HATTDN. 169, 8. The Gift of the revd dr samuel parr minister his pupils & friends j809 revd n. bridges b.d. curate e. marshall t. morris churchwardens i rudhall fect paul A copy is also given in Notices of Warwickshire Churches, ii., p. 63. The Rev. N. Bridges, curate in 1809, was appointed to the living of HenstriJge, Somerset, in 1813. 1552 : ' Itm there . . . . a iij bells' Dugdale has preserved for us the interesting information that in his time there were no less- than three foreign bells in the tower, all from the Low Countries. Two of these \\ere there in 1552, but the third was added shortly after, and as he calls these ist, 3rd, and 5th, it may be assumed that the ring was increased early in Eli;cabeth's reign. The inscriptions as given by Dugdale (ii., 651) are ; — 'On the I. bell is this inscription .... int jaer ons Heren MCCCCIII maria Is' ('In the year of our Lord 1403 Maria Is '). '3 bell, THOMAS EOT ET WILHELMVS DE ALTEN ME FECIT 1560'. '5 bell, ICK GOEBEL ZAEL HEEFT MIN GHEGOTEN INT JAER ONS HEREN MCCCCCXLII ' c I Goebel Zael hath cast me in the year of our Lord 1542 ')• Foreign bells in England are very rare, but most of those now in existence belong to the 16th century. See Eeles, Church Bells 0/ Kincardineshire, p. 5. It is said that the sound-holes in the belfry storey were made by Dr. Parr that the sound of his new peal of bells might be better heard. He was passionately fond of the music of bells, and by his exertions and mainly at his expense, the bells at Hatton were increased to their recent size and number (Warwickshire Churches, ii., p. 58). He was Vicar for thirtv-nine years, and died 6 March, 1825, aged 78. His monument is in the church. He is also said to have given a clock (Memoirs, ii., p. 313J, though not the present one. " But of all his improve- ments none gave him a higher degree of satisfaction than the recasting of the parish bells, with the addition of a new one ; and these were so well tuned that he often boasted they v.ere the most musical peal in Warwickshire" (Ibid.). In his own words we read : " Now I am preparing to close mj labours, by assisting to get a new and enlarged set of bells. It so happens that from my youth upwards, even to this- hour [1807], I have been a distinguished adept in the noble art of ringing; that I have equal delight with Milton in the sound of bells; that I have far superior knowledge in the science of casting them ; and that my zeal for accomplishing my favourite project is very great " {Op. cit., ii. p. 315). And again (p. 316): " My peal of bells is come. It cost a great sum of money .... I believe that my Norwich friends would have honoured me, as a country parson, if they had seen the harmless but animated festivit}' of my village on Friday last. A new tenor bell had been given them by my pupils, my friends, and myself; and we have no inconsider- able share in the charges of some of the old bells, which have been recast and enlarged. My orthodoxy has endowed all of them with Scriptural appellations. The great bell has inscribed upon it the name of Paul; and it is now lying upon our green. It holds more than seventy-three gallons. It was filled with good ale, and was emptied too, on Friday last.' More than three hundred of my parishioners, young and old, rich and poor, assembled ; and their joy was beyond description. ... .S. Parr, Hatton, July 3rd, 1809." ' This method of inaugurating new bells was only too prevalent in the Georgian period. We rerd of similar perfor- mances at Canewdon, Essex, in 1791 (Beiiton, Hist, of Soch ford hundred, i., p. 124.) W 170 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. For further details of Dr. Parr, see Johnstone's Life, esp. pp. 81, 8i6 ; Colvile, Worthies of Warwickshire, p. 564; and Diet, of Nat. Biog. Bells chimed for services on Sundays. Ringing on Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve, and occasionally at other times. Very many thanks to Mr. W. E. Falkner. 'h.T.'t., 13 July, 1881. HENLEY-IN-ARDEN. St. John Baptist. Six bells. 1. GLORIA « IN U5>iK^^ EXCELCIS • DEO • 1727 • ^XSXKSno ©•© Below, arabesques all round. 2. lOHN ]Jll WEVER L5] chapel 'S WARDEN I+I 1707 hjgl 3. \ws| ms 4. 1707 On waist. a coat of arms- ^/m 5. As A'o. 4. Q. Above, scroll-border all round. © THOMAS • BAKER • AND • ROBERT • MORRELL • CHURCH • WARDENS • 1727 • (border of scrolls continuous.) Below, border of arabesques with cable-moulding above. Treble and tenor by Joseph Smith ; the latter about 15 cwt. Borders, PI. XXIII. 2 and Fig. II. 2nd — 5th by Clark and Bushell of Evesham (see p. 76) ; the coat of arms on the 4th and 5th is fully discussed below. The church was formerly a chapel to W'ootton Wawen ; hence the ' chapel warden ' on the 2nd. The clock, which strikes the hours and quarters, was made by a native of Henlej-. 1750 : ' 6 bells.' See Notices of Warwickshire Churches, i. p. 137. Hannett, Forest of Arden, p. 45, states that on the old Town House, taken down in 1793, there was a bell removed from the Chapel in 1693-4 by the Bishop of Worcester's license, for the convenience of the school. The coat-of-arms which appears on the 4th and 5th bells is that of Sir Ralph Boteler, Lord Sudeley, owner of the town and manor of Henley in the reign of Henry VI. He founded a guild in the chapel for four priests belonging thereto to pray for his soul (Hannett, Forest of Arden, p. 41). The same arms were formerly in the east window of the chancel, according to Dugdale (ii., p. 807), and are described by him as follows : — " Quarterly i and 4 gules, a fess countcrcompon^e arg. and sa., between six crosses patties or, 2 and 3 or, two bends gules." It will be noted that on the bell these arms are reversed, from which we may gather that the founders found them on the old bell then being recast and wished to preserve them, but failed to impress them the right way. The original bell bearing these arms was doubtless presented by their owner, the founder of the guild. HATTON — ii()c;ki,icy hi-;atii. 171 This Sir Ralph Boteler was descended from K:i\\>\\ le Hotcler, who bore the office of butler to Robert, Earl of Mellent and Leicester, in the reign of Henry I. In 1369 William de Boteler, of Wem, Shropshire, married Joan, the eldest sister of John de Sudeley, and thus came into possession of the Sudeley estates. His grandson and heir, John de Boteler, died without issue, and the latter's younger brother, Ralph, succeeded, being created Baron of Sudeley in 1442. He was Lord Treasurer of England, and built Sudeley Castle. The shield shows the family connections, the fess being derived from Robert, Earl of Mellent and Leicester, the two bends from the ancient Sudeley bearings (through Joan de Sudeley). [For most of the above information I am indebted to the kindness of Mr. \N'. Salt Brassington, F.S.A , and Mr. W. E. Falkner, of Stratford-on-Avon.] Customs :— A bell rung at 8 a.m. on Sundays. Death-knell at 9 a.m. ; tenor tolled for two or three minutes ; tellers 3x3 for man, 3x2 for woman, 3x1 for child. At funerals bell tolled for one hour, at intervals of four minutes. Ringing in Advent, at Christmas, and on New Year's Eve ; also for Weddings. A bell rung for Vestry Meetings. Best thanks to Rev. G. E. Bell, Vicar, and to Mr. W. E. P'alkner. H. T. T., II June, 1883. HILLMORTON. Sr. John Baptist. Five bells. 1. THOMAS RVSSELL OF WOOTTON NEAR BEDFORD CAST THIS RING 1731 (32 in. 2. V- THOMAS RVSSELL OF WOOTTON NEAR BEDFORD v" CAST THIS RING IN 1731 (33i in- 3. ',i RICHARD HVRST AND THOMAS ATKINS CHURCHWARDENS IN THE YEAR 1731 f 35^'n. 4. m"^ COOKE M"® ELIZABETH BRYON WILLIAM EDWARDES EDWARD BODDINGTON ROBERT DAULTON m"^ ANN SAWBRIDGE THOMAS ATKINS ROBERT DAULTON WILLIAM lONSON ': AN PETTEOER WILLIAM £ S D MOSES WILSON lOHN CAVE RICHARD COLLINGS iOHN WOOD GAVE 0-5-0 ^ ■ BONNER : WILLIAM GREEN THOMAS SEDGELEY MARY CROOKE EACH OF THEM 1731 "^ LSD LSD 5. M" WILLIAM ; STARESMORE VICAR 4-4-0 m" EDMVND BROMVICH GENt 2-2-0 Mr IAMES LSD LSD LSD M" HENRY ; PARKINS 2-2-0 m" THOMAS BROMWICH 0-10-6 m" WILLIAM ELMES 0-10-6 L s n ELKINTON 0-10-6 GIVEN TOWARDS THE CASTING : OF ■ THIS RING IN THE : YEAR OF OUR LORD LSD Mrs MARGARET CLARKE O 10-6 THOMAS RVSSELL OF WOOTTON CAST THIS RING 1731 • © ''-^4 in. For Thomas Russell see p. 76. Type on the 4th and 5th very small ; inscription in a double line. 1552 : ' iiij""^ belles and a saunce bell." 1750: '5 Bells.' See Wait, Rugby Past and Present, p. 272. H. T. T., 20 Jan., 1892. HOCKLEY HEATH. See Nuthurst. 172 THE CHURCH BKLI.S OF WARWICKSHIRE. HONILY. St. John Baptist. Five bells. I . lOHANNBS SANDERS ARM : HUJUS ECCL ; FUNDAT ME PIE VOVIT ANNO DOM : QUI OBIT 1727 Bdo'JJ : — PUDIT T : EAYRE KETTERING 1731 2. The same. 3. The same. 4. The same in one line. 5. As No. 4. All bv Thomas Eayre, of Kettering (see p. 80). The church was rebuilt in 1723, by John Sanders, who gave, or rather bequeathed, this ring. He purchased the estate in 1708. (See Thomas' Dugdale, ii., p. 643.) H. T. T., 18 March, 1876. HONiNGTON. all Saints. Six bells. 1. THIS BELL THE GIFT OF GEORGE & SARAH MARTIN • 1810 "^^S^ (2q in. 2. Above, border of scrolls (Fig. 10). FEARE CK©^ GOD oJa^.K^^ AND 0^ 1687 ^•i5XKSk. (37 in. 6. MATTHEW e^€^cL--€X BAGLEY ^^^ OF CK?K3:y<:sXKeKjt/-sXX&V. Below, border of arabesques all round. (4of in. 1st : By John Rudhall of Gloucester. 4th : by Abraham Rudhall. Borders on ist and 4th, fig. 15. The rest by Matthew Bagley ; borders on 2nd, Fig. 10; on 3rd, bits of Fig. 11: on 5th, Figs. 10, 12 ; on 6th, Fig. 10, and 11 below. 1552 : ' HoNNYNGTON. iiij belles one litle bell.' 1760 : ' Hunnington 5 Bells.' Customs : On Sundays a bell at 9 a.m. (old Mass Bell), also after Morning Service, said to have been originally to denote an afternoon service. Ringing at Christmas, on New Year's Eve, and occassionally at other times ; for Weddings by request. Death-Knell as soon as may be ; usual tellers. Practice ringing for Christmas begins November 5th. A peal of 5,040 changes was rung 2 May, 1908. Best thanks to Rev. E. H. Boddington, Vicar, and to Mr. W. E. Falkner. H. T. T., 20 April, 1887. HONILY — ILMINCTON. I73 HUNNINGHAM. St. Margakkt. Two bells. \. *i* In -f nomine •^ Ibesu •^ Uoroi -S- Sunctc t rDnrgarfla 2. "^ ave mARiA gragia plgda Dominvs ceevm 1st: Probably by Thomas Bullisdon of London c. 1510 (see p. 26); his trade-mark is wanting, but the stop (Pi. XIII. 13) is found on other bells by him ; the cross is PI. XIII i. 2nd; Similar bells at Ullenhall, and Willoughby Waterless, Leics.; founder unknown. See p. 4 and PI. II. 14-18. 1552 : ' Two belles and a saunce belle . . . two handbells.' (The two still existing). 1750 : ' Hamingham 2 Bells.' H, T. T., 9 Oct., 1878. IDLICOTE. St. James. One bell. 1. I. lOHN RVDD 'if? WILLIAM MARTIN ^XsXK'i>^ CH VRCHWAR DENS **■ 1636 cXoXKcX' 25I in. By Henry Bagley ; there is some uncertainty about the date, which may be 1636 or 1656. Scroll border, Bucks., pi. xxxii., 2. 1552 : ' iij belles and little bell.' 1750 : ' Utlicote 5 Bells ' (sic). One or more of the previous bells are said to have been stolen. Many thanks to Mr. W. E. Falkner. H. T. T., 29 May, 1888. ILMINGTON. St. Mary. Five bells. 1. Above, border. SOLI DEO ^border) SOLA GLORIA (border) h (ornament) b (border) 1641 (border) On waist, Royal arms, with honi SOIT QVI mal Y Pense 2. Above, border. HENRY (ornament) BAGLEE MADE MEE (ornament) 1541 (two bits of ornament) (border) 3_ Above, border. THOMAS (border) KINGE (border) RECTOR OF ILMINGTON (border) i64) h A A R (border) 4. Above, border. , NATHANIEL EDEN (border) AND RICHARD ROSE CHURCHWARDENES (border) i641 (ornament) h /« A ^ (border) 5. Above, border. BY MY VOICE THE PEOPLE MAY KNOW TO COME TO HEAR THE WORD OF GOD (ornament) i64i H 174 '^"E CHURCH BELLS OF WARWIKKSHIRE. An early ring by Henry Bagley, of Chacombe (see p. 67). The inscription on the tenor also occurs at Grandborough. The Rev. T. King (see 3rd bell) was Rector 1635 — 1669. The condition of the bell-chamber is very unsatisfactory, and Mr. Falkner states that it is impossible to take rubbings or diameters, owing to the absence of any flooring. 1552 : ' iiij belles iij little belles.' 1750 : ' 6 Bells.' Customs : On Sundays one bell rung at 8 a.m.; two or more at g a.m., except on first Sunday in month, when bells are chimed ; one bell at 10 a.m., and one at close of Morning Service ; chiming before services at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. On New Year's Eve the old year is rung out and the new in with what is known as a "Devil's peal." Ringing on November 5th, and for Weddings; on Royal Birthdays formerly. Death-Knell one hour after death ; usual tellers. Chiming at Funerals, especially in the case of a ringer, who is " chimed to church," and a muffled peal is rung afterwards. Gleaning Bell discontinued 30 or 40 years ago. Fourth bell rung in case of an outbreak of fire. Best thanks to Rev. J. H. Warner, Rector, and to Mr. W. E. Falkner. H.T. T., 15 June, 1887. IPSLEY. St. Peter. Three bells. 1. f CVm M TOPUT h ROC S 2l6nVI» R pR€Ce n paC€ Uj ROBeRT€ N VDM\Gt>\m (3i|in. 2. ft ALL -tf PRAYSE ff AND ft GLORY f BE ff TO f^' GOD if r^ FOR "?? EVER 909990 1664 Beloiv, border oj arabesques, and Julin Mariin''s large shield u'iih three bells. (34f in. 3. f SOLI tf DEO ft GLORIA ft PAX ft HOMINIBVS fft lOHN HEWSTER ft WILLIAM ft OKES fff 1664 Below, cable-border, arabesques, and shield as last. (38J in. 1st : By the same founder as Aston Cantlow 4th ; see p. 9 and Plate V., Figs. 12 — 24. The dedication to St. Robert seems [to be unique. Cf. the bell formerly at Hallow, Worcs., dedicated to St. Anne. 2nd and 3rd : by John Martin of Worcestei. Shield and ornaments, PI. XXL, Figs, i, 6, 10. 1552. ' Ipislev. Itm there .... iij belles.' 1750 : ' Ippesley 3 Bells.' See Notices of Warwickshire Churches, ii., p. 118. On Sundays bells chimed for services, with tolling for last five minutes. Ringing on Christmas Day and Now Year's Eve ; for Weddings by request ; formerly on November 5th. Death- Knell with usual tellers. Thanks to Rev. H. J. Newton, Rector. H. T. T., 29 Nov., i88i. ILMINGTON — ITCIIIN(;T0N, LONG. 175 ITCHINGTON, BISHOP'S. An, Saints. Five bells. 1. J: TAYLOR & C° FOUNDERS LOUGHBOROUGH. On waist .—ClOm TO COD IN THE HIGHEST. (28J in. 2. As No. 1. On waist :— WW SONO SI NON VIS VENIRE NUNQUAM AD PREGES GUPIES IRE {Zo\ in. 3. As No. 1. 0»Ma(s; :-COOD WILL TOWARDS MEN (3ii in. 4. J. TAYLOR & C? BELLFOUNDERS LOUGHBOROUGH. Onie-flts;.— OUR VOICES SHALL WITH JOYFUL SOUND MAKE HILLS AND VALLEYS ECHO ROUND (34 i"- 5. As No. 4. On waist:— I TOLL THE FUNERAL KNELL I RING THE FESTAL DAY I MARK THE FLEETING HOURS AND CHIME THE CHURCH TO PRAY. (38 J in Weights: i) 4 2) 5 3) 6 cwt. qrs. lbs. cwt. qrs. lbs. 3 10 4) S : O : / 18 5) II : O : 19 ig Total, 35 cwt. 3 qrs. 17 lbs. The date of the erection of the ring- is 1874 (see Church Bells, 27 June). To judge by the inscriptions the predecessors of the 2nd and 4th were by Watts of Leicester and Pack and Chapman of London respectivel3\ 1552 : ' IcHYNGTON Ep'i. iij belles a saunce bell, a hand belle, and a small bell.' 1750 : ' Over Itchington i Bell.' H. T. T., 3 May, 1884. ITCHINGTON, LONG. Holy Trinity. Four bells. 1. Above, cable-moulding. HENRY {scroll) BAGLEY {scroll) MADE {scroll) MEE {scroll) 1670 {scroll) (28 in. 2 CVM . SONO . SI . NON . VIS ^.(aXXQ^ ' VENIRE '.^^kK. NVNQVAM AD PRECES . CVPIES RE ^XS>iK^ 1623 I^XX^ ^^^i m. 3. Above, border all round, of alternating fleurs dc-lys I Fig. 9), with cable-moulding above. HENRY t BAGLEY MADE MEE t 1649 --XsXKeX. ''32 m. IHS : NAZflRENVS {border) DEORVM : REXIV {border) FILl : DEI (border) MISERERE : ME! {border) 1636 (border) (35 m- 1st : The border is Buds., pi. XXXII, No. 2 ; that after date on 3rd, Bucks., fig. 71. 176 THE CHURCH BELLS OF SHROPSHIRE. 2nd and 4th by Hugh Watts ; border on and, Plate XXI., Fig. 8 (afterwards used by Clibury and John Martin) ; on 4th, usual ' acorn.' Bells hung diagonally to the tower : / ^ / 1552 : ' IcHYNGTON LoNGA : iij bells, a saunce bell and ij handbells.' 1750 : ' 6 Bells.' Customs : — On Sundays bells chimed for services ; single bell for last five minutes. A bell rung after Morning Service. "Ringing during Advent, on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve at midnight, and for Weddings with the Incumbent's consent. Death-knell on receipt of notice ; usual tellers. Thanks to Rev. W. E. Ellis, Vicar. H. T. T., I May, 1884 ; H. B. W., June, 1908. KENILWORTH. St. Nicholas. Six bells. 2. 3 4. 5. 6 J : TAYLOR & C° FOUNDERS LOUCHBOROUOH 1875 The same. The same. The same. The same. BRYANVS ELDRIDGE ME FECIT 1656 OP ID {30 in. (3ii in. (34i in- (36iin. (392 in- (43 in. Bryan Eldridge, of Chertsey, Surrey, cast a ring of five, of \\hich the tenor alone survives, when on a temporary visit to Coventrj-, 1656-58 (see below and p. 58). Of the five bells here at H. T. T.'s visit in 1874, the treble was by John Briant, inscribed SAM BUTLER B RUSSELL C VJ JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1793 the 2nd by Abraham Rudhall or Thomas Eayre, inscribed MK WILLIAM BEST VICAR lOHN PARKER AND THOMAS GARLIC CHURCHWARDENS 1734 and the 3rd and 4th inscribed like the present tenor. See also Notes and Queries, 3rd Ser., x. ('1866), p. 143 ; Tyssen. Church Bells of Sussex, p. 22. Weights of present ring :- C.lt. qis. 11)3. cwt. qrs. lbs. -I) 5 : 2 14 4) s 3 18 2) 5 : 3 23 5) II 17 3) 7 : 2 20 6) 14 2 1552 : ' iiij '"^ belles and a saunce bell.' 1750 : ' 5 Bells.' Dugdale lAntiqs. of Warwickshire, i., p. 241), says of the Monastery here : ' there is nothing now remayning but a ver}- great Boll yet hanging in the Parish Church, made, it seems, by Prior Kederminster, who lived temp. H. J^, H. 5, and beginning of H. 6 time [c. 1410 — 1430] ; about ITCHINGTON, LONG — KENILWORTH. I 77 which there is an Inscription in large characters.' On [>. 252 he gives this inscription in Gothic letters as follows : ' Inscribed upon the great Bell © KeDGi^ffiynsspje: i? dg k This bell must have been the old and, recast in 1734, shortly after Dr. Thomas' revision of the work in 1730 (see above). The first line of the inscription is also found on a bell at He.x, in Switzerland, and was formerly on one at Frees, Shropshire.^ It is supposed to have been a kind of talisman against fire (see Ellacombe, Bells of the Church, p. 440, and Parker's Glossary, 1850 edn., i., p. 471) ; but it comes originally from the Acts of St. Agatha, being her last prayer at her martyrdom, and is found in the Dominican and Sarum breviaries. The following extracts from the Churchwardens' Accounts are given in Kenilworth Illustrated (182 1), p. 47 : — 1618. Item p"^ to the Ringers when the Kinge was at Kenellworth ... ... ... ... ij' viij'' 1622. Item paid for ringing when the prince came ... ... ... ... ... ... v" 1625. Item to the ringers for the princes highnes when he was last at Kenellworth ... ... vj" Item payd for Ringing for Kinge Charles... .. ... ... ... ... ... ij" 1631. \n order made May 8 that no parishioners shall have more than 3 peals after their decease, viz. one at departure, one before and one after burial with the great bell : the peals not to exceed an hour, and if more than 3 peals to pay ... ... ... 12* 1640. Item spent upon the ringers at the Earl of Monmouth his coming to Kennellworth ... ij" 164.3. Spent on y' ringers to drinke when the Kinge was here and on his holy day ... ... 3' 6'' 1655. Item spent upon the Captaines,^ at Hancoxes & at Cannings when wee went to move them to give some timber towards the making of a frame for y" bells ... ... 1" 1657. [Various entries about new casting the Bells and an agreement with the Bell founder, the old bells being broken. Also charges for timber for the new bell frame and items concerning the new bells. Bryan Eldridge was paid " for castinge y' 5 bells " ;^8, having previously received ^^36 io.y.] M"^ that in 1656 y" old bells being four in number and containing in weight all of them one & fifty hundred, were cast into five bells as followes viz' : — The 1st bell 6 hundred & 16 11. y° clapper y"^ of 25 li. The 2nd bell 9 hundred & 2 li. y° clapper y'' of 27 li. The 3rd bell 8 hundred & an half & 13 h. y' clapper y'' of 30 li. The 4th bell 11 hundred & 10 li. y' clapper y'' of 36 li. The 5th bell 15 hundred & 13 li. y° clapper y'' of 42 li. Customs : — On Sundays bells chimed for services, with ' Sermon Bell ' on tenor for first five minutes,. followed by treble for last five minutes. Ringing on Easter Sunday, Christmas Eve, and New Year's Eve (11-30— 12-30) ; also once a week for six weeks before Christmas ; for ^^"eddings by request ; on King's Birthday and Empire Day. Death-knell only when specially ordered, then as soon after death as possible. Tenor tolled at Funerals ; muffled peals occasionally. ' It is also to be found on an Italian tell now in a church at Hendon, Middlesex (Notes and Queries, 9th Ser., ix., p. j\ot), and on a tile from Great Malvern Priory, now in the Wallace collection. - See op. cit. p. 41. They were appointed to administer the affairs of the manor under the Protectorate. X 178 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. Curfew at S p.m. on 5th bell. Tenor and treble rung in case of Fires. Many thanks to Rev. R. F. Hanning, Vicar. H. T. T., 19 Sept.; 1874; H. B. W., Sept., 1907. KENILWORTH. St. John Evangelist. One bell. One bell by C. and G. Mears, 1852 ; weight 4 cwt. i qr. 6 lbs. Church built 1852. KERESLEY and COUNDON. St. Thomas. Five bells. Church built 1847 ; a ring of five bells by C. and G. Mears put up in 184S. Weights and diameters : — cwt. cjrs. lbs. I) 24i in. 3 I 21 2) 25 in. 3 2 3 3) 27 in. 4 I 14 4) 29 in. 4 I 24 5) 32 in. 6 I Parish formed from St. Michael and Holy Trinity, Coventry. KIN ETON. St. Peter. Six bells. 1. WHEN WE RING 1 SWEETLY SING '^^^'K^ A ^ R 1716 "^^ (29I in. 2. COME AWAY MAKE NO DELAY 1703 .XsXKcK A : R A -^-^STX (28I in. 3. ABRA : RUDHALL ■ OF • GLOUCESTER CAST VS • ALL • 1703 • ±tt <3oi in. 4. GOD SAVE THE QUEEN AND CHURCH ^^^^ A: R ^ 1703 "^f!^ (32^ in. 5. lOHN CHANDLER EDWARD SMITH •*• CHURCH W? 1703 A R ^ (34^ in- 6 PROSPERITY TO THIS TOWNE & ALL OUR BENEFACTORS "^'t^ A R A ttttttt 1717 (40* in. All by Abraham Rudhall. Borders : on 1st, 4th and 6th, Fig. 15 ; on 2nd, Fig. :6 ; on 3rd and 6th, Fig. 18. 5th cracked, and about to be recast ; there is at present a clamp over the HA of Chandler. Chandlers occur in the Registers as early as 1599. 1552 ' Kyngton iij belles one little bell.' ' M"* that the p'yshe is in dett Sithe the last S'vey for the great belle a x''.' 1750 : ' 6 Bells.' kenilworth — kingsiiury. 179. Customs : — On Sundays a bell at 8 a.m. when no service; bells rung or chimed for 20 minutes before morning and evening service, followed by tenor for ten minutes and treble for thirty seconds ; ' Pudding bell ' after morning service. Ringing at 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, and 6 a.m the following mornings ; also at 6 a.m. on St. Thomas' Day (when a charity is distributed) ; for Weddings when paid for. Practice from Nov. 5 to Christmas. Death-knell on receipt of notice ; usual tellers ; tenor then rung up and tolled every minute. For Funerals the tenor is rung up for a few minutes, two hours before ; the bells are chimed for fifteen minutes immediately before, and a bell is rung for about thirty seconds after- wards. A bell is rung at 6 a.m. all the year round, except on Sundays, and for a few days at Christmas. In the evening Curfew is rung at 8 p.m. on week-days (7 p.m. on Saturdays) from Old Michaelmas Day (Oct. 11 to New Lady Day (March 25). The fourth bell is used. The tenor is rung for Vestry Meetings. Many thanks to Rev. L. Goodenough, Vicar, and to Mr. W. E. Falkner. H.T. T., 18 Sept., 1875. KINGSBURY. SS. Peter and Paul. Five bells. 1. i JTaBlor \' So Ijfllfounlirrs {border) 1849 (border) 9, >J< i C [border) 1S49 (border) 3. >^ io\)n JTajjlor anb Son ijrilfounlirrs Imigljtiovouoi) (border) 1849 {bonier) 4. As the last ; »V for ant). 5. Tpe OLD FOUR BELLS RECAST IfiTO FIVE 1849 : R GLOVER & 3. CLARKSOn Z : UJARDEHS On scroll on waist :— E ^Tagloi; jFrrit lougporouglj The bells are very large for a village church (H. T. T.). They are an early example of the Taylors' work at Loughborough. The old ring, as I learn from a note of the late Dr. Raven's, was inscribed as follows : — 1. Sanctum Sanrfum 2. EDWARDE NEWCOMBE MADE ME 1602 3. iRGSYs nAZARenu$ Hex ivoeoKum 4. BE YT KNOWNE TO ALL THAT DOTH ME SEE THAT NEWCOMBE OF LEICESTER MADE ME I6I2 1552 : ' Kynsbery. iiij "■■ great bells in the steple .... a handbell.' 1750 : ' 4 Bells.' Customs : — Bells chimed for services on Sundays ; a single bell for early celebration. Death-knell as soon as notice has been given. Curfew rung from October nth to March. In 1610 additions were made to the tower to accommodate a new ring of five bells, accord- ing to an inscription on the west face, on which the names of the then churchwardens and others- i8o THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. are given. Tliis, however, does not accord with the information given above as regards the bells recast in 1849. But possibly the ring was only increased to five at that time by the addition of the tenor (dated 1612), and in the interval one of these five disappeared. Thanks to Rev. O. S. Petit, Vicar. H. T. T., 3 June, i8gi. St. Mary. ta m "Max luaj tuw One bell. KINWARTON. ], leffery hopkins Ch w 1715 >^^ By Richard Sanders, of Bromsgrove ; a rare instance of Roman minuscules in a bell- inscription, but paralleled by other bells of this founder, e.g., at Hanburv and Dodderhill, Worcs. 155.2 : ' Itm there . . . . ij belles.' 1750 : ' I Bell.' Best thanks to Rev. R. Purton, formerly Vicar. H.T.T., 27 July, 1891. KNOWLE. 1 . On waist : — (a) ^. On waist :- (a) SS. John Baptist, Laurence, and Anne. -j- (b) IN NOMSNE Domm 1837 VICTORIA Rl 1897 D.D. T HUBERTVS BOWER ET FAM I Si.x bells. (27 in. 3 On waist:- TE DEUM LAUDAMUS 1837 VICTORIA Rl 1897 D D THOMAS SAVAGE M D I RECAST 1897 THE GIFT OF B MARIA CHRISTOPHERSON GOD SAVE THE QUEEN (b) BarivclTs mark (28^ in. 0) Bariccirs mark (ioi in. 4. On waist : — (a) (b) Banc'cll's mark MADE BY MATTHEW BAGLEY 1687 RECAST BY JAMES BARWELL 1897 AT COST OF PARISHIONERS OF KNOWLE FEAR GOD (32 in. 5 On waist :- (a) (b) Banve/l's mark IN NOMINE DOMINI 1837 VICTORIA Rl 1897 DO JOHANNES WAKEFIELD (35 in- KINGSBUKY — I.ADBKOKH l8l cwt. qrs. lbs. 4) 5 : 2 : 26 5) 7 : 2 : 24 6) 10 : : 7 6. Onimist:— (a) (^) BarweU's mark MADE BY MATTHEW BACLEY 1687 RECAST BY JAMES BARWELL 1897 AT COST OF PARISHIONERS OF KNOWLE HONOR THE KING (39 in. Formerly three bells by Matthew Bagley, inscribed as follows (with borders between the words) : — 1. MATHEW BAGLY MADE M33 1687 2. JEAR GOD AND HONOR THE KING 1687 3. FEAR GOD AND HONOR THE KIND 1687 The A in each case has a hooked top (see p. 70) ; on the 2nd the F and N are reversed, as also the N and G on the 3rd. Browne Willis in 1750 gives '5 Bells.' cwt. qrs. lbs; Weights of present ring : — i) 4:1: o 2) 4:2: I 3) 5 : I : 14 In the ringing-chamber is a tablet referring to the ringing of a Jubilee peal on the new bells in 1897. See for their dedication, Church JScils, 20 Aug. In 1876 the customs were as follows (H.T.T.) : — On Sundays treble rung at 8 a.m. ; tenor raised at lo-o, rung till 10-30 and then lowered for chiming till ii-o. Curfew rung at 8 p.m. (Saturdays 7 p.m.) from November 5th till Christmas. The Register of the Guild of St, Anne of Know !e (in Birmingham Free Library) gives a copy of a document issued by Pope Boniface in 1397 referring to the foundation of a chapel with bell-tower in the town of Knowle. (Note by the late Rev. T. P. Wadley). H. T. T., I July, 1876 ; H. B. W., Sept.^ 1907. LADBROKE. All Saints. 1-5. J: TAYLOR & C° FOUNDERS LOUGHBOROUGH 1873. On waist :—) 1. CANTATE DOMINO NOVUM CANTICUM 2. SANCTA CATERINA SONA PRO NOBIS 3. DOMINE SALVAM FAC ECCLESIAM 4. I DO CALL THE PEOPLE ALL 5. TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN MEMORY OF JOHN SARIN SMITH LIEUT 45^" RECI WHO DIED IN BURMAH AUGT 10 1872 AGED 24 (43^ in. ive bells. (3ii in. (33i in. (35i in. (38I in. cwt. qrs. lbs. Weights : I) 6 ; : 2 : 2) 7 : 2 : 9 3) 8 ; 2 : 4) 10 : 2 : 14 5) 14 : 2 : 18- -Total 4 cwt. 3 qrs. 13 lbs. iSz THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. The inscriptions on the four old bells (which are partially reproduced on the new) have been also preserved in a careful copy made by the Rev. W. D. Sweeting (Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 37180). He gives them as follows : — 1. ♦I^ I ® § ^anrtit latninu (Dm ^ro ilobis 2. HENRY BAGLEE MADE MEE 1656 3. CANTATE DOMINO CANTICVM NOVVM H •){? B 1656 4. 1 DO CALL THE PEOPLE ALL 1656 H B It is clear that the order does not correspond ; his ist and 3rd answer to the present 2nd and 1st. Nor is his description of the ist quite complete, as he omits the important detail of the lozenge over the coin which shews the bell to have been the work of Johanna Sturdy of London (see p. 22). The ' ring' from the old bell containing the inscription was cut out and preserved by Canon EUacombe, and a rubbing from it is in his collection in the British Museum (Add. MSS. 33203). It is amusing to note how the old inscription has been carefully modified on the new bell to avoid giving any offence. The stamps on the old mediaeval bell were: cross PL XI. 2; capital letters Plate XL, Figs- 9 — 14, as at Wolfhamcote, but uncrowned. 1552 : ' LoDBROOKE iij belles a saunce bell a sacring belle.' 1750 : Ladbrook 5 Bells.' H. T. T., 3 May, 1884. LADYWOOD. See Birmingham. LAPWORTH. St. Mary the Virgin. Five bells. 1 W'^ Mears late Lester Pack & Chapman Fecit i786 2. BRYANVS ELDRIDGE ME FECIT 1656 3. m %RmtA KACGKins om pro hobi? 4. [^ PRAISe CRC LORDG 1600 5. As No. 7. Pits for six bells; treble hung above the rest. The tenor is a square-shouldered bell; weight said to be i8 cwt. 2nd: Brj'an Eldridge of Chertse\' was at Coventry in 1656-58; see above, p 58. 3rd : By a Worcester fifteenth-ccnturj' founder ; cf. the old 2nd at Allesley, and see p. 10, PI. VII., 5-9. 4th : By Hugh Watts of Leicester ; cross, Fig. 5 -= PI. XV. 8; see p. 41. 1552: ' iiij belles a saunce bell.' 1750: ' 5 Bells.' See Notices 0) Warwickshire Churches, ii. p. 26. Customs : — On Sundays bells chimed for services ; tenor rung at 10 a.m. Ringing on Christmas Eve; midnight muffled peal on New Year's Eve; also on November 5th, and for Weddings by request. Death knell as soon as requested ; 3 for man, 2 for woman, one for child, on each bell ; age rung on tenor. I.AOI'.ROKE — I.ICAMINC.TON. l8j An endowment of ^50 per annum from tlie Lapworth Charity for the maintenance of Divine Service covers the supply of Bell Ropes (but not ringers' payments). Best thanks to Rev. F. L. Bell, Rector. H. T. T., 9 Feb., 1876. LEA MARSTON. St. John Baptist. Three bells. 1 J. TAYLOR & C° FOUNDERS LOUGHBOROUGH 1873. 2 !• RuDHALL GlOCBSTBR FeCIT 1791 3 *i* John Taylor & Son Facerunt Loughborough 1855 Treble weighs 5 cwt. i qr. 13 lbs., diam., 29^ in. 1552 : ' Two bells and a saunce belle a liand belle' LEAMINGTON. All Saints. 1. MEAKS & STAINBANK, FOUNDERS, LONDON. On waist : — praise to the holiest in the height 2. T. Mbars op London Fecit 1826 ■^'>'C''0*C>^ 3. The same. 4. The same. 5. MEARS & STAINBANK, FOUNDERS, LONDON On waist :— RECAST 1901 6. As No. 2 (longer ornament). 7. The same. Q As No. 5. "IN THE DEPTH BE PRAISE" On waist:— THR GIFT OF RICHARD BADGER IN MEMORY OF HIS WIFE, ELLEN BADGER A.D. 1901. (40J in. Clock. C & G MEARS FOUNDERS LONDON 1818 cwt. qrs. lbs. Weights:— i) 4 : o : 10 2) 4 : I : 17 3) 4 : i : 15 4) 5 : 2 : 21 Formerly six bells, hanging in a wooden belfry before the erection of the present tower; the old 4th was inscribed like the rest. The clock-bell hangs in a separate tower or turret at the N.E. angle of the church. 1552 : ' Lemyngton Pr'or. iij belles, a saunce belle, and a hand belle.' 1750 : ' 5 Bells.' H. T. T., 3 June, 1S84 ; H. B. W., June, igo8. 8 I bells. (26 in. (27 in. (28iin, (31 in. (34 in- (35 in- {M in. cwt. qis. lbs. 5) 7 14 6) 7 2 14 7) 9 2 9 8) 12 3 16 184 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. LEAMINGTON. Christ Church. One bell. IHS: NAZARENVS (border) R£X • IVDEORVM (bonier) FILI : DEI (border) MISERERE : Mtl ^border) 1628 (34« i»- By Hugh Watts ; ' acorn ' borders. Church built 1825 as a proprietary chapel, which it still is ; the bell is an old one from the parish church, dispossessed when the new ring was put up there in 1826. I am much indebted to Mr. Falkner for a description of it, and for his pertinacity in unearthing the sexton, who on the occasion of my visit in June, 1908, could not be traced. LEAMINGTON. Holy Trinity. One bell. One bell by Taylor of Loughborough inscribed 16 FEBRUARY 1895 Diam. 45 in., weight 16 cwt. 7 lbs. Church built 1847. St. John. Church built 1875 ; a tower added quite recently. Number of bells unknown. St. Mary. One bell. Church built 1S38. St. Paul. Three bells. Church built 1874. LEAMINGTON HASTINGS. All Saints. 5 + 1 bells. 1 C & G MEARS FOUNDERS LONDON 1851 (36 in. 2. The same. (38 in. 4 mf^il IHS : NAZARENVS (border) RF.X • IVDEORVM (border) FILI : DEI (border) '^ij MISERERE : MEI (border) 1620 (border) (39 in. GVM ■ SONO ■ SI • NON • VIS (border) VENIRE (border) NVNQVAM • AD • PRECES (border) CVPIES • IRE (border) 1631 (border) (41 in. GOD {douhk border) SRU3 (donhle border) CI)3 double border) KIDGB (double border) 1615 (double border, continuous) 45 in. S. ABRAHAM DRACY 1677 {13 in- The three largest bells by Hugh Watts; tenor (see p. 42) in Brasyer cajiitals, as at Foleshill. All fine bells, especially the tenor, which has an iron band round the crown. Borders on 3rd and 4th, ' acorn ' throughout ; on tenor, the same w ith a band of small scrolls (PI. XVII. 8) above. Sanctus bell bj- Richard Keene : now unused : lumg with li'xcr in window. Weight of 1st and second, 8 cwt. 2 qrs. 15 lbs., and 10 cwt. i qr. 20 lbs. LEAMINGTON — LIGHTHORNE. 185 1552 : 'iij belles and a saunce belle' ' M'' that ou' and besyds the forsaid p'cells theis things folowing be solde sythe the last survey ... a two handbells.' 1750: '6 Bells.' Ringing for Weddings by request. Death-knell with tellers, one for man, two for woman, three for child. Gleaning Bell formerly. Bells not regularly rung; chiming apparatus in use. Thanks to Rev. U. W. Sitwell, formerly Vicar. H. T. T., 10 Oct., 1878 ; H. B. W., June, 1908. LEEK WOOTTON. All Saints. Five bells. 1. THE GIFT OP THH HON^^^ MARY LHIQH J BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1793 2, The same. 3, PROSPERITY TO ALL OVR BENEFACTORS (border) 1703 A R ^ 2ndline:—-u^ WINTER CHVRCH W" 4. GOD SAVE THE QVEEN & CHVRCH A R ^ 1703 5. \±\ if)2 : DAsARinue : rgx : lUDcoRum 3rd and 4th by Abraham Rudhall. 5th by Johannes de Stafford; S and Z reversed. See p. 15 and PI. VTL, Figs 16 — 19. 1552 : ' iij belles and a saunce bell.' 1750: ' Lekewotton 5 Bells.' See Notes and Queries, 3rd Ser., x. (1866), p. 143. H. T.T., 8 Oct., 1878. LIGHTHORNE. St. Lawrence. Four bells \ On ii'aist:—(a) L&T^US IDEO w. R. vhrmey rector r6; lalaE\XrEiaL»lNS T^NlD cJT^MES, BRISTOL^ 2 On waist -.—{a) M- BT^GLiEV MT^OE ME 1^74 I WT^S RECJ^SX IN MEMORIE OF THE QUEEN'S ciUBIlaEE 1890. (6) as No. 1. 3 Above, scroll-border all round. THOMAS .^A GREEN .^ AND WILLIAM .^~x TOWNSI ND ^x CHVRCH WARDENS ^-.< H >,^, B «)$(• 1679 i86 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. Formerly three bells ; the treble is an addition. The 2nd replaces the old ist, the inscrip- tion on which is here repeated ; it was cracked in 1S75 (H. T. T.\. 3rd by Henry Bagley ; border, PI. XXIl., Fig. 10, with bits of the same between the words. Mr. Falkner reports this bell as ' dissonant ' in tone. 4th bv a Worcester founder, c. 1410 ; see p. 9 and Plate V., Figs. 12—24. The S is reversed in each case. 1552 : ' iij belles a litle bell.' 1750 : ' Leithorne 6 Bells ' (sic). See Church Bells, 5 Sept., i8go, and Bell Neivs, 13 Sept., for an account of the new bells. Thanks to Mr. W. E. Falkner. H.T. T., 19 Sept., 1875. LILLINGTON. St. Mary. Three bells. c^ ^ ?i5 ^ il? 1. ^ Sanctit Katertna Oih Pro Tloh'xs 2 3. CVM SONO ■ SI ■ NON 0«^S3SS CVPIES IRE VIS ^<2t VENIRE NVNQVAM 1625 *sesssss AD (53 in. PRECES (36 in. ♦4* HENREY ^ BAGLEY t^^ MAQE >^ MEE «$")!(> «$"){? 1675 {broad scrolls). (38i in- Primitive iron repairs to wheels ; cannons of treble broken. 1st: by Thomas Harr3-s, of London, c. 1480 (seep. 26); the capitals are originally John Barber's (of Salisbury), used by a Worcester founder at Lapworth ; see PL VII., Figs. 5 — 9, XIII., Figs. 15, 16. 2nd : by Hugh Watts ; a plait-band (PI. XX. 4) as stop ; no shield. 3rd: cross Plate XXIL, Fig. 7. Fig. g between \\ords, and a bold scroll after the date. Tenor popularly supposed to weigh one ton ! 1552 : ' Lelyngton. iij belles and a saunce belle.' 1750: ' 3 Bells.' Customs: — Bells chimed for services on Sundays. Ringing occasionally for Weddings ; formerly on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve at 11-30 p.m., with peals twice weekly from November 5th previously ; this has been discontinued. Death-knell as soon as notice is given : tenor rung up, \\ ith tellers before and after (three strokes on each bell for man, two for woman). Tenor tolled for twenty minutes before and after Funerals. Many thanks to Rev. C. C. Brookes, Vicar. H. T.T., 9 Oct., 1878 ; H. B. W., Sept., 1907. LONGFORD. LOXLEY. See FoLESHiLL. St. Nicholas. Two bells. ^r\ \u ^ HclDa 3 [jicl 3 ?]uj g c [5^ 1 (jo in. HS NAZARENVS (bonier) REX IVDEORVM {border) Fill DEI (border) MISERERE MEI (border) 1632 (border) (31^ in. I.ir.HTlIORNK — MANCETTER. 1 87 1st : By the same founder as Fenny Compton 2nd (probably Appowell, of Buckingham ; see p. 46). Cross Plate XVII., Fig. i ; the letter and stamp after the second crown are uncertain. 2nd: By Hugh Watts; 'acorn' border. Pits for three bells. The 3rd is said to have l)cen sent to the foimder to be recast, but he failed, and the bell never came back. 1552 : ' ij belles one broken bell.' 1750 : ' 3 Bells. Many thanks to Mr. W. E. Falkner, who notes, inter alia, that the belfry is ' very old- fashioned ' and the floor out of repair ; the stocks and wheels are connected by horizontal strips of wood, and the latter strengthened by iron clamps. H. T. T., 16 May, 1889. LOZELLS. See Birmingham. LUDDINGTON. All Saints. Three bells. There was an ancient chapel-of-ease to Stratford-on-Avon here, which is famous as having witnessed the marriage of Shakespeare, and in the time of Edward VI. had one bell (Inventory of 1552 : ' Itm there . . . . j bell '). It fell into ruins, and a new church, technically a chapel- of-ease to Stratford parish church, was erected in 1872. The present church contains three small bells, each inscribed m BLtecos priD sons i87i the respective diameters being 18, 19J, and 21 in. They hang in a hexagonal wooden turret and are very difficult of access ; they can only be chimed, owing to the way in which they are hung. Many thanks to Mr. W. E. Falkner for help and information. MANCETTER. St. Peter. Five bells. 1. Above, border of arabesques. •fr SOLI €m^ DEO l^^xQ^ GLORIA ^^^ PAX •.x?X»X^« .$. O HOMINIBVS 4>4.c^. 1633 C Y -^q^.k^ Below, border of arabesques all round, with founder's mark \J "J on waist, (34f m. m I I m. I I m> \ \ m i i ^ ! i m. i I jac i (36 in. IHS : NAZARENVS {border^ REX ■ IVDEORVM {border] FILI : DEI (borde MISERERE : MEI (border) 1641 {border, continuous) Above and below, borders of arabesques. (395 '". (44 in- i88 THE CHURCH BELLS OK WARWICKSHIRE. 5 jmgl j rnartngt foitntr | | tjotfe . toarningc | | gibe . tjjat mm , onnot ! | beau altoagf ! ; libc RT GOVLD W GOODWEINE R BENTLEY 1647 (48J in. ist : By Thomas Hancox ; for the various ornaments used see pp. 53, 54, and PI. XIX. 2^ 3, 7> PI- XX. I — 3, 7, 8. The ornament betore the date is used by Grene at Bulkington. The N of HoMiNiBvs is reversed, and the last two letters in the inscription are in Gothic capitals. The medallion before Hominibvs is fully discussed on p. 54. 2nd : See p. 17 and Plate IX. 3rd : By Hugh Watts ; arabesques between the words. 4th : Cf. St. John's, Coventry ; date about 1350 ; see Plate VIII. and p. 13. 5th : By George Oldfield, of Nottingham ; see p. 62 ; words and letters on paterae. 1552 : ' Mancytor iiij " belles in the staple.' 1750: '5 Bells.' An annual sum used to be charged out of certain closes adjoining Atherstone for the finding of bell-ropes for the largest bells (see Bartlet's Manduessedum in B. Nichols' Bibl. Topogr. Brit., IX., p. III). In reference to this Bartlet says: — " In or about 16 . . Isaac Cook, then owner of lands in Manceter, charged two closes lying there (which, in 1782, were occupied by . . . Cass), with the perpetual expense of finding bell-ropes for the three largest bells, which is punctually observed. This donation is said to have been occasioned by the following accident : Isaac Cook being out one winter evening .... missed his way, and wandered so near the banks of the nver as to have been in the greatest danger, when the curfew bell, beginning to ring, directed him to that village ; the next day, discovering the great danger he had been in, he immediately made the settlement." H. T. T., 21 March, 1893; H. B. W., May, 1908. MARTON. St. EsPERiT. Three bells. IHS NAZARENVS REX IVDEORVM FILI DEI MISERERE MEI 1624 2. The same, with dale 16.^3 CELORVM CHRSTE PLATIAT TIBI REX SONVS ISTE 1616 All three by Hugh Watts. 1552 : ' iij belles a saunce bell and ij handbells.' 1750 : ' 6 Bells.' No customs, exce[)t that a bell has been rung every Sunda\' morning at 7 a.m. from time-- immemorial. Bells chimed for services. Thanks to Rev. P. N. Bisson, Vicar. H. T. r., 10 Oct., 1878. MANCETTER — MERIDEN. 189 MAXSTOKE. St. Michai-l anu All Angels. Two bells. 1 GLORIA DEO IN EXCELSIS 1631 On waist:— (iny O O (231111. GOD &5^^^^ SAVE ^^^^^rS THE ^^tS-^ KING ^^^^ 1641 (251 in. 1st : By Thomas Hancox (p. 52); small letters. On the waist : trade mark, as at Bicken- hill (Pi. XIX., Fig. 2), and a twice-repeated impression of the seal of Langdon Abbey, Kent, which is fully discussed on page 54 (PI. XIX., Fig. i). 2nd : By Hugh Watts; similar to Corley ist ; cross, Fig. 5 (Brasyer); arabesques between words. Bells somewhat cramped, the tower being very small ; belfrj- dark and dirty. 1552 : ' Two small belles in the steple.' Thanks to Rev. S. Back, Vicar. H. T. T., 18 June, 1881 ; H. B. W., Sept., 1907. MEREVALE. St. Mary-the-Virgin. Two bells. '' Both bells devoid of inscription, but evidcntl}" ancient ; they hang in a small turret in the centre of the building." (H.T. T., g Sept., 1876). MERIDEN. St. Laurence. Five bells. 1, THE REU° M^ SAMMVELL lONES UICAR 1740 ■ili' W =>:: B *^:H: ^^^^ 2 >»=i^ WHEN MY FIRST AND THIRD BEGIN TO RING-:;: ^^^^^^ 2nd line :— THEN I WAS BROKE BEFORE WE ALL DID SING * W^ * BROOKE CAST ME * 1740 -^ ^'^ (27 in. 3. HUMPHRY HAWKSFORD AND EDWARD BECK CHURCH WARDENS 1740 •*' W * B ^ * (29 in, 4 OAST BY JOHN "WAENER & SONS 'J^^ LONDON IZ^*7 On waist .—I "^AS OAST IN THE 60'^^ YeAR OF Queen Viotoeia's Reign AND HTJNG IN CbLEBRATION OF Her Diamond Jubilee. Albert Le"wis "Willett— Vioar. Charles Wriotheslet Digbyj Churchwardens George Frederick Surr J 1597. (31 in, HUNG BT G- DAT 8c SON-ETB. ^ No inscription, but coins impressed on inscription-hand, waist, and sound-bow. (S5\ m- I go THE CHURCH BELLS CF WARWICKSHIRE. A very light ring, hung left-handed. The first three are by William Brooke of Bromsgrove (see p. 75) ; arabesquesjlike Sanders' on ist and 2nd. The 4th replaces a bell lost or stolen many years ago, said to have been the largest. The tenor appears to be a mediaeval bell ; there are two coins on the shoulder, eight on the waist, and eight on the sound-bow ; they are mediaeval groats and half-groats (said to be of Richard II.), and on the waist is a French counter of the fourteenth century inscribed IHS ; but all are very indistinct. Weights and notes : — i) 3I cwt. F sharp. 4) 5f cwt. C sharp. 2) 4 cwt. E. 5) 7 cwt. B. 3) 4^ cwt. D sharp. The clappers of the four old bells hang in the low er part of the tower. 1552. ' iij belles in the steple.' ' Note that the p'ishe owithe iiij'' for oon of their aforsaid belles.' 1750 : ' 4 Bells.' In the ringing-chamber are the following old rules : — " A Reminder. Who rings a Bell let him look well To Hand and Head and Heart The Hand for work, the Head for skill The Heart for worship's part." H. B. W., Sept., 1907. 1. 2. 3. MIDDLETON. St. John Baptist. T. Mears of_ London Fecit i826 •^OO^^^ The same. Three bells. ^55 in. U4 in- Henry Rushworth Wooli.ey Vicar -^OOO*^ T. Mears op London Fecit i826 ^000'<^ On waist :■ — John Lhes ) ~ t,t - _ > Church ^Wardens (39 in- John (jillman ) Old bell-frames. The Rev. H. R. Woolley also held the livings of Shillingstone, Dorset (1813) and Shenstone, Staffordshire (1835) 1552 : ' iij belles and a hand bell.' 1750 : ' 5 bells ' (in a later list, 3). In the belfry is a set of old ringing rules, as follows : — VOU MUST PAY TWO PENCE who arc THIS DO YE MARK HE WHO THROWS O'^R A BELL PAYS A GROAT TO THE CLERK IP WITH HAT ON OR SPVR VOU PERCHANCE SHOULD RING POR THAT VERY SAME THING & FOR EVERY OATH TAKEN YOU ONE SHILLING DO PAY OR BE EXPELL'd from THE BeLKRV WITHOUT AND DELAY." J. HALL CLERK 1782. MKRIDKN MONKS KIRIiY. igi Customs : On Sundays the treble rung at 8 a.m. and two bells at 9 a.m.; tenor rung up at 10-30 and 6-0; the three chimed for last five minutes before services. Kinging on Christmas Eve and at midnight ; New Year's Eve at midnight ; St. George's Day, May 29th, and November 5th ; for Weddings occasionally. Death-Knell with tolling for an hour on receipt of notice; no tellers. Formerly chiming at Funerals ; now only one bell tolled for an hour. Best thanks to Rev. R. V. Hodge, Vicar. H.T.T., 13 May, 1891. MILVERTON. St. James. Three bells. 1. J WARNER & SONS LONDON 1863 On ivaist : — Ro\-al Arms and I'ATKnt. 2 CAST BY JOHN WARNER & SONS LONDON 1863 On waist as lust. 3. $;uuta Kutcrina Ora Pro Dobis ^^ f^' 3rd; by Henry Jordan (p. 25, PI. XL, 15 — 17, PI. XHL, 7—9); cf. Brailes 2nd. 1552. ' Mylverton. iij belles and a sacring belle.' H. T. T., 16 June, 1882. MILVERTON, NEW. St. Mark. Five bells. Church built 1879, and provided with one bell. In 1S83 four more were added, cast by Taylor of Loughborough, forming 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 8th of a ring of eight, of which the older bell is the 7th. They are used for striking the quarters and hour. cwt. qrs. lbs. cwt. qrs. lbs. Weights: i) 3 : o : 12 23i in. 4) 9 : 3 : 15 38 in. 2) 3 : 3 : 24 2'6| in. 5) 14 : 2 : n 42^ in. 3) 5 : 2 : 18 29^ in. MONKS KIRBY. St. Edith. Six bells. 1. Above, cable-moulding. SOLI DEO SOLA GLORIA ^ ^-.©X^CS^cu-SXK©^ 1 1++ 1 «». 1 ttt 1 ,{, i640 USX.K^^ MY NOBLE FOUNDERS THEY HAVE BENE SO MANY BECAUSE NOT AL I WILL NOT HERE *){? "^t 3rd line : — NAME ANY •){? (35 in. 2. lOSEPH • SMITH ® IN • EDGBASTON • MADE • MEE • 1711 .XSXKSK.-<5XKi>- Border of scrolls below all round. (36J in. IHS : NAZARENVS {bonier) REX • IVOEORVM (bonier) FILI : DEI (border) ■ w.T^I MISERERE : MEI (border) 1623 (44i in. iga THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. 5. OMNIA PI ANT AD GLORIAM DEI Sjj 5^ SS GLORIA PATRI . FILIO . BT SPIRITDI SANOTO : ^{^^ .. THO : BAYRB KBTT : 1741 ; :• Below, a border of elegant arabesques. (47 in. 6. IHS: NflZARENVS (border) REX IVDEORVM (border) FILI DEI MISERERE (border) MEI (border) 1618 (53 in. 1st : by Henn- Bagley (see p. 67) ; first two lines of inscription on one broad band, as Radford Semele 3rd ; the ornaments are PL XXII., Fig. 10, and a shield with three swords in pale, points upwards, not found elsewhere. 2nd : the coins are half-pence ; border, Plate XXIII., Fig. 2. 3rd: Cross, Plate V., Fig. 12 ; stop (PI. VII. 2) not found elsewhere; lettering, PL VII. i. See for this bell p. 8. The cross and three following letters are nearly obliterated. The bell is said to have come from the destroyed church of Stretton. Cannons off; edges much chipped. CII seems to be meant for DEI, and the inscription is apparently an adaptation of John i. 29. 6th : A very fine bell, weighing about 23 cwt. On the stock is cut " John Over Rugby fecit 1795." For John Over see p. 80. • Acorn ' borders on 4th and 6th. The tower, bells, and frames are all on a very massive scale. 1552 : ' MoNKEST KiRBY CUM MEMBRis. vj bclles and a saunce belle.' 1750: '6 Bells.' H. T. T., 16 Sept., 1876 ; H. B. W., June, 1908. MORTON BAGOT. Holy Trinity. Two bells. 1^1 1^ 1 1 i a f I 1 1 in III I n I III I 1 1 I a I 151 1^1 _^j I maria | \>^\ |j<_| I mana | | ■< | I j^ | maria | 1 ^ | j ►J^ j | maria | Both bells probably date from the first half of the sixteenth century. The smaller is by an unknown founder, the cross and lettering (PL VI., 3-5) differing from those on the other. The first word is, of course, a blunder for ' sancte.' Each letter is on a well-marked ' patera,' the S reversed. The larger bell is probably by Nicholas Grene of Worcester (06. 1541), as I have endeavoured to show (p. 12). The fleur-de-lys occurs at St. Martin, Worcester, on a bell by another founder; the cross (PL VII. 4) does not occur elsewhere, but the other stamp iVi is the well-known head of Edward III. as at Aston Cantlow, etc. The word ' maria ' is all on one ' patera.' The old bell at Bearley (p. log) appears to have been similar. Sec PL VI., Figs. I, 2. 1552. ' Itm there .... one belle.' This does not agree with the fact that there are two similar pre-Reformation bells here. H. T. T., 9 Feb., 1876. MORTON MORRELL. 1. PRT^SE THE 2. The same. Holy Cross. Li O R a E Three bells. 1 <3 1 <3 MONKS KlUliV — Ni:\S r.i)l.l)-()N-AV()\. 193 3 ""I^ NEWCOKIBE OF LEICESTER • MADE . MEE . 1609 1st and and probably by a Newcombc (sec p. j/). The I) is inverted. Note the sliortened formula on the 3rd (see p. 38). 1552 : ' MoRTONE. iij belles a litlc bell.' H.T.T., 30jan., 1877. NAPTON. St. Lawkknci;. Five bells. ). 4^ THOMAS RUSSELL MADE ME (■''rro//) ANn^'ioHN'^^MAKKKOM for man. 2x2 for woman. Thanks to Rev. J. B. Hewitt, Vicar. H. T. T., 8 March, 1887. NEWBOLD PACEY. Oil Wilis/ : — St. George. Four bells. 1. 1707 2 The same. 3. '^ SAMVEL ►f HOBINS ►i^ lO '^ CVRTIS '^ CH 'vVAR 1707 4. ife -{* 1707 ^ ms All four by Clark and Bushell of Evesham (p. 76) : cf. Henley-in-Arden. They hang in a wooden turret 1552 : ' Nowbolde Pacye. iij bells a sance bell a hande belle.' 1750: '5 Bells.' Customs : Bells chimed or rung for Sunday services. Ringing on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve ; practice begins on first Tucsda\- in November. Bells also rung before the annual Choir Supper ! Death-Knell with tellers and age tolled- At Funerals the tenor is rung up and down at g a.m. : tolling before service and bell rung up and down after it. Bell rung for Vestry Meetings. Thanks to Rev. H. J. Adams, Vicar. H.T. T., 30 Jan., 1877. NEWNHAM REGIS. St. Lawrence. Church now in ruins, though the tower still remains: benefice unitcil with I liurch Lawford. 1552 : ' iij belles and a saunce bell.' 1750: ' i Bell." NEWTON REGIS. St. Mary. Two bells. \ . A bove, border of arabesques. + RAPHE WOOLLEY CHAROLES HOLDEN HARRE SPENCER CHVRCH WARDENSE 1602 Nli\VliOI,n-ON-AVON NUNEATON. 1 95 Below, border nf acorn-pattcrii, with scrolls above. On waist : — crowned rose, four times. (34 in. 2. .{hurc and hrlow, borders of arabesques. IFIE IDI CIBIA I {border) I M I LI Kl 1 1 H I G I {border) JXIWlVITISl (border > I_R1QJPI0J_NJ {border) I FIEIDICIBIAI {border) I MrLlKillH'iG l {border) 1642 {border) [X\W\ (37 in- 1st by one of the later Newcombes (p. 38) ; the ornamental patterns are those used by Hugh Watts (PI. XVII. 8, g) ; for the lower one cf. Leamington Hastings tenor. For the crowned rose see Plate XVI. Fig. i, and cf. Offchurcli 2nd. 2nd: by Hugh Watts: similar bells at ("lifton and Scckington : see p. 44. Arabes(]ue borders between words ; N reversed. Pits for three bells : there seems to have been a treble formerl}-. 1750: '3 Bells'. H.T.T., 3 Oct., 1876: H. W. W., May. igo8. NORTON LINDSEY. Hoiv Tkimtv. Two bells. Two small bells m a turret, both without inscription; the smaller appears to be modern, the larger ancient. Both are without cannons. The clerk in 1882 stated that the smaller bell was recast at the restoration of the church, before which time the bells were in a closed turret. 1760 : ' Norton Linsey 2 Bells.' H.T. T., 24 Jan., 1882. NUNEATON. St. Nicholas. Eight bells. 1. CAST BT JOHN "WARNfiE & SONS LONDON 1873 On waist :—'ZUl^ ii.lS'D THE 2"° BELL -WERE SUBSCRIBED FOR BT THE FARISH 1873 H. W. BELLAIRS VICAR J: iJi^'^' I OSITROH^ARDBNS ^^g, i^_ 2. CAST BY JOHN EARNER & SONS LONDON 1873 (30 in. 3 ABRA; KVDHALL OF GLOCESTER BELLFOVNDER AN D° 1703 (3ii ""• 4. J- HUSKINSON & J. GEARY C W J BRIANT OF HERTFORD FECIT 1809 J. OVER B.H. (34 in- 5 As No. 2. (36 in. 6 WILHELMO SMITH ■** lOH WATTS "i" RIC WISE -it? ECCLESI/E GVARD- lANIS 1703 (37i in. 7. .4s Xo. 2. (40 in. 8, OAST BY JOHN WARNER & SONS LONDON 1873 Oh !C'a/s/ .-—THIS AND TEE 3RD AND 5th BELLS WERE RECAST AT THE EXPENSE OF THE PARISH 1873 (I'u'iir and Ciiurcincardcns as on 1st). (44^ in. 196 THK CHURCH HELLS OF WAKWICKSHIK Formerly six bells by Rudhall of 170J; the tenor was recast in 1725 and the 2nd (now the 4th) in 1809: the tenor again with the 3rd and 5th in 187,), when two trebles were added. The cost of the five new bells was £^ot ios. On the 4th B. H. stands for ' bell-hanger.' Over acted in this capacity elsewhere for Briant ; he lived at Rugby. See p. 80. The 3rd, 4th, and 6th have been quarter-turned and the cannons removed. Mr. Chapman, Head Ringer, notes that the tenor is a good bell for her weight, which is 14 cwt. I qr. 5 lbs., key of E. 7th and tenor rehung about 1892 by Warner. Chimes formerly. The Rev. H. W. Bellairs Csee treble) was Vicar of Nuneaton 1872-91, Rural Dean and Hon. Canon of Worcester 1882-96. 1552. • Itm there . . . . iij belles.' 1750: ' Nun-Eaton 6 Bells.' In Notitia Parochialis in the Lambeth Palace Library (1705) is the following : — " The steeple of the said Church (Nuneaton) lately containing Five heavy Bells, the Tenor whereof being Broke and another of the said Bells Faulty : They were by Agreement of the Ptfrishioners, a gift of the Honourable Sr. Thomas Acton, Baronet, one of the Lords of the Manor, and a Levy granted to the Church ^\'ardens, new Founded or cast into a very Tuneable Peal of Six Bells By M' .\braham Rudhall Bell Founder in Gloucester, A.D. 1703." The old tenor, a good bell (15 cwt.), was cracked while being rung for service on Sunday, 3 Nov., 1872. The clapper, being broken, was repaired b}" a local blacksmith, and was said to have been made too heavy for the weight of the bell. Customs : On Sundays peals are rung before services. Ringing on Festivals, Anniversaries, and at midnight on New Year's Eve ; for Weddings by request ; muffled peals on the death of Royal personages. Death-Knell with tellers, each bell being struck three times for a man, t\\ ice for a w oman ; the tenor is then rung up and tolled two or three times a minute, for 15 or 20 minutes; for a child the 6th or 7th bell is used. The 2nd bell is rung daily for two or three minutes at 5 a.m. from March 25th to September 25th, at 6 a.m. the rest of the }'ear (Sundaj-s excepted). Curfew rung at 8 p.m. on 7th bell, Saturday and Sunday excepted. Upwards of forty peals of 5,000 changes have been rung on these bells. Four of these are recorded on boards : — 13 April, i88g: 5,040 Grandsire Triples (the first by local ringers). 24 Oct., 1890: Do, do. 1 Feb., iSgo: 5,040 Bob .Major. 2 Oct., 1890: 5,056 Treble Bob NLijor. The first peal rung on the eight bells was one of Stedman's Triples of 5,040 changes by members of St. Martin's Guild, l>irmingham, 19 April, 1873. See also Church Bells, 12 July, 1889. Many thanks to Rev. Dr. J. G. Deed, Vicar, and to Mr. Thomas Chapman, Head Ringer. H. T. T., 7 Sept., 1876. NUNEATON. St. Mary. Church built 1878. See also Attleborough, Stockingforu. Out -■11 (?). NUN'KATON O •FCHURCH. I Q7 NUTHURST. St. Thomas. One bell. There was formed}- an ancient chapel here, in connexion with th(' jjarish church of Hampton-in-Arden, which appears to have been in ruins in Dugdale's time. The present church was erected in 1880, and contains one bell by IJarwell of Birmingham, put up in that year; diam. 26 in., weight 4 cwt. 14 lbs. Hannctt, Foi'cst of Avdeu, p. 132, seems to imply that the old chapel or a successor was standing in his time, and gives a view of it. OFFCHURCH. St. Gregory. Four bells. 1 ^ g/iNOTK : Mic^Kii ; 0K/I : pi^@ n^bi^ (32 in. 2. ►!< BE . YT . KNOWNE . TO • ALL. . THAT . DOTH . WIE • SEE . THAT . NEWCOMBE . OF . LEICESTER . MADE ME 1605 ^border) On the waist : — large rose and crown (PI. XVI. i) ; above and beloio the inscription, arabesques. (35 •■ in. 3. ►!< VI^GINI? ti K6^G6IE ^ Yt')C()R m <^nWhW ^ WW^ (39 in. 4. • THOMAS 5'^.^^ SMITH ^^^^ AND ^^SzS. THOMAS ^$. PAGE X^ • CHVRCHWARDENS ^-^ M (rosctte) B • 168) (43 in. 1st and 3rd by Robert Hendley of Gloucester (p. 7); cf. Butler's Marston. Cross and letters, Plate V., Figs, i — 9; crown on 3rd, Plate V., Fig. 10. 2nd: On the waist, a large crowned rose, as at Newton Regis (Plate XVI., Fig. i) ; ' acorn ' border (PL XVII. 7) after date. 4th: By Matthew Bagley; popularly said to weigh 18 cwt., but obviously less; ornamented cannons. Over the initials M B are stamped parts of three coins. Between the words, arabesques (Fig. 11). 1552 : ' Ofchurche. iiij" belles in the steple.' ' Note that their is xv" to be paid \et bj' the p'ishe for the forsaid great bell.' ' Itm vj'' is owing yet for the p'chase of thother.' 1750 : ' 4 Bells.' Customs : On Sundays bells chimed for services, with treble for last five minutes ; a fe^^- strokes on tenor after Morning Service. A bell every Sunday at 8 a.m., and also on Good Friday. Death-Knell on tenor, as soon as possible; usual tellers with tolling afterwards; tolling in minute strokes before funerals. Curfew rung at 8 p.m., Michaelmas Day to old Lady Day (Ajiril 6tli) on tenor. Gleaning bell rung until about igoo, at 8 a.m. and 7 p.m., on the tenor; discontinued because farmers refused to pay for it when gleaning became obsolete. The Vicar notes : — " The few strokes rung after Morning Service are variously explained by old inhabitants, as (i) to give notice of another service later; (2) to warn those who are responsible for cooking dinners; (3) to enable parents and masters to know of anv loitering on the way home from church." The custom is, ot course, known elsewhere e.g. at Tysoe. From the Churchwardens' Accounts, which begin in 1617, tiie \'icar kindly sends the following extracts : — 1664. Item paid to Tho ; Rawbond for his work about the hells ... .. ... 8' g"^ Item for 2 bell ropes one at 2'' d^ the other at V 8'' ... ... ... 4° 8'' 1665. Item for a bell rope to Townesend at Warwick ... ... ... ... ... 2' o igS THE CHURCH BELLS OF SHROPSHIRE. Manv thanks to Rev. J. J. Agar-Ellis, Vicar. H.T.T., Ti Oct., 1S7S: H. B. W., June, 190S. OLTON. St. Margaret. One bell. Church built i>!S4; parish formed from Bickenhill. The bell hangs in an open turret. OXHILL. St. Lawrence. 1. WILLIAM BAGLEY MADE MEE 1701 2 J. TAYLOR & CO FOUNDERS LOUGHBOROUGH 1878 On waist .— LAUS DEO 3 WILLIAM BAGLEY MADE MEE 1701 4. As No. 2. .5. r/;c same. 5. No inscription. Formerly three bells b\- William Bagley : the old tenor \\as inscribed lOHN WARD lOHN BLACKFORD CH WA 1701 It was cracked in 1877 ^H. T. T.). The sanctus bell is probabl>- modern ; it is not now used. Total 27 cwt. 3 qrs. 20 lbs. + 1 bells. 25 in (27J in. (28 in. (33i in. (37i in. cut. qr?. lbs. cwt. qrs. lbs. \\'eights : — i) \ : 2 : 4> 7 : : 7 2) 4 : I : 14 5> '^ : 3 : 13 3) 4 : 1) : 14 1552 : ' OxHULL. iiij "" bells cS: i il t e bells.' 1750 : ' 5 Bells.' Customs : On Sundays bells chimed for services; one bell for service at 8 a.m. A bell is rung after Morning Service when there is to be one in the evening. Ringing at Christmas (midnight peal), Easter, Ascension, Whitsuntide, and Sunday after St. Lawrence's Day (10 August, Patronal Festival); on New Year's Eve a muffled peal, followed by an open one after midnight. Also on King's Birthda\', November 5th, and for Weddings by request. Death-Knell one hour after death ; tellers 3 for man, 2 for woman, i for child. At Funerals tolling at 8 a.m., and before and immediate!)- after the ceremonj-. Priest's bell, now disused, formerly rung as ' call-bell ' before services. Best thanks to Rev. J. Carter, Rector, to wlunn I am also indebted for the following extracts from the Churchwardens" Accounts (1729 — 1840) : — 1729. Paid for a rope for the Saints bel ... ... ... ... ... 1.6 1731. Paid for three bell Ropes ... ... ... ... ... ... S . o Paid to William hiron (?) for to new liell wheles and other wdnrk ... ... 2.5.0 Ale for do. ... ... ... ... .. ... 4.6 1735 — '750. Frequent paymeins for bell ropes. 1741. Gave to the Ringers at Oistnuis ... ... ... ... ... 2.6 1746. Paid for y"" ringers y' midnite peal [/(, at f'hristmas] ... .. ... 2.6 [This entry repeated in most successive years.] oi-1'CHUKCH — pa(;kin<;t()N, i.ittij;. 199 1758. Repairing y' frames of the bels and for wood & nails & woorknianship and for a lather for the First bell ... ... ... ■•• ... ••• 4 • ° 1761. p'' the Ringers at the Kings Coronation ... ... ... ... ... 3 • ° [Miscolianeous entries down to 1840 referring to Ciiristmas ringing, new bell ropes, and small repairs ; the payment for the midnight j)eal occurs continuously from 1775 onwards.] H. T. T.. ,^,i Jan.. 1S77 ; 29 May, 1888. PACKINGTON, GREAT. St. Jami!s. I + 1 bells. ■j" TRES OLIM CAMPANJE E QUIBUS RUPTA QUAD AM VICTORIAM AD TRAFALGAR RESONANDO aJd* MDCCCV IN UNAM PUSJE a{d MDCCCVIII v" O JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1808 t^c GLORIA DEO IN BXOELSIS v- JL "I" ^- jf^ ■ _■ " T ^ T 3_ 14-1 \^me\ i mij^muis^ i i^i3]2i£|iiPl j Bii^ieiniP l isi m |d| The bells hang in a small pepper-box turret at the N.W. angle of the church, which bears the palm in the county for ugliness re-built 1789) : they are somewhat difficult of access. The large bell, though modern, is not without interest as recording (i) that there were formerly three bells, (2) that one was broken in ringing to celebrate the victory of Trafalgar It seems a pity, however, that the injury done to one should have entailed the recasting of the other two. The marks in the inscription are a cross fttchce, double triangle, bell, and calvary cross (Plate XXIII., Figs. 4, 6, 7) as at Shotteswell, and a sort of large comma. Sanctus bell : by a Worcester founder, c. 1480 ; see p. 11 and Plate VT. 6-7 ; also H. T. T. in Trans. Birni. Mid. Inst. 1892, p. 24. The meaning of S. I. D. is not clear. 1552 : ' Pakyngton Magna, iij belles and a saunce belle.' H. T. T., 19 May, 1883. 1. 2 PACKINGTON, LITTLE. St. Hvktholomew. m& t M n t n 3i t DOG po Cmsn GRc In Three bells. (22 in. (24^ in. I t .<.!. J. Xj. ^ •X7\. X YTf rrr U- }^ j^. X r\- CT ■»■ ' M?? i2C m. Bells clocked ; awkward to reach, and l)elfr\- very dark. The stamps are very much worn on all, especially on the ist and 3rd. All three are from the Newcombes' foundry at Leicester, but probably not all of the same date. 1st: By Thomas Newcombe; see p. 34. Cross, stop, and lettering as on Mancetter 4th, also occurring at Hudbrooke (Plate VHI.) ; shield, Plate XVL, Fig. 3. It is just possible that this bell is b}' the earlier Thomas (see p. 17). 2nd: Probabl\- by Edward Newcombe and Hugh \\'atts I. in partnership; see p. 34. The lettering is mixed ; the E, H, I as on Haselej^ 2nd, the others as Olney, Bucks (Fig. 6, p. 33), and South Luffenham, Rutland. The date of this bell is about 1595. 3rd: B}- one of the Newcombes; see p. 36. Crosses, PI. X\TI. 2 and Plate X\'., Fig. 2; stop l.cics. 43 as on ist : Brasyer shield and head of King as at Stoneleigh (PI. X., Fig. 3) ; lettering, PL XV. 3-7. Similar lu'lls at Higham Ferrers (old 4th), Overbury, \\'orcs.. and Old Weston, Hunts. 200 THE CHIKCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. 1552: ' Pakyngton P'ta. three belles in the staple.' 1750: ' Packington p'va 3 Bells.' No customs. Manv thanks to Rev. Canon Waller, Vicar. H. T. T.. 4 March, 1876 ; H. B. W., Maj-, 190S. PACKWOOD. St. Giles. Six bells. 1 BARWELL FOUNDER BIRMINCHAM On leaist :—-(a} TE DEUM LAUDAMUS (b) BarweWs trade-mark. IN MEMORY OF THOMAS SAVAGE M.D. 1907 (22'; in. 2 CANtaTE (scroll) DOMINO {scroll) CANTICVM • NQVVM • 1686 • (scroll) On waist : — coat oj anii'i of Feaiherston ; on sound-bow, six coins. (25^ in. 3. HENRY BAGLY MADE MEE 1686 On icaisi, shield as last. (26| in. 4. Above, scroll-border as 2nd all nnmd. MATHEW BAGLY MADE • • • MEE 1686 (scroll) On waist, shield as before. (29 in. 5. HENRY • • BAGLY MADE MEE (scroll-border) 1686 On wz.isf, shield as before. (30^ in. 6. FEAR GOD AMD HONNOR THE KING (scrolls, Continuous) 2nd line : — THOMAS (scroll) FETHIRSTON (scroll) ES'i (scroll) 1686 (scroll, continuous) On the waist, ivithin a circle of coins, a ^uirtcr with motto enclosing the Roval .Arms. (33J in. Originalh- a light ring of five, the joint production of Henry 11. and Matthew Bagley. The treble is an addition, actually put up in 1908; weight 2 cwt. 3 qrs. 14 lbs. The ornament on the 2nd, 4th, and 6th is PI. XXII. 10: on the 5th a narrow scroll between cable-mouldings. The N's are reversed throughout. The 4th is hung above the rest. The arms on the tenor are the Royal .\rms of James II. 's time, but omitting those of France which appear on the coins ornamenting the 3rd, 4th, and 5th bells, where they quarter England. The garter has the motto HON I SOIT, etc., and is surmounted by a crown, and surrounded by mantling. In the circle are 28 impressions of coins, and there are small ornaments (described by Mr. Falkner as flags) between the garter and the shield. The shield on the \\aist of the four middle bells bears the arms of Featherstone : giclcs, on a chevron between three ostrich feathers argent, as man\- annulets sable. This family lived at Packwood, but is now e.xtinct in the male line (see Warw. Ant. Mag., part 2 ^for pedigree), and Grazebrook, Heraldry of Wore, I., p. 199). The name was re\i\ed by Ro\al license in 1833, and a Mr. John I'eathcrston was a contributor to the Warwickshire .-[ntiijuarian Magazine, started in 1859. 1552 : ' iij belles a hande bell.' 1750 : ' Pacwood Cap. 5 Bells.' PACKINCrrON, MTTI.i-; — l'(Ji,KS\V()KTH. 201 Many thanks to Afr. W. li. I'alkncr, an. I [<< Mr. Salt BrassingtoJi for heraldic notes per the former. H.T. T.. <) 1','h.. KS76. PILLERTON HERSEY. Sr. M.arv. Three bells. 1. HENRY_'*"ll?"^''^ BAGLEY 'k'^'If-P't^ MADE '{'")^ 't' 4' MEE '^'k'-P'k 1668 l!?4"fr 4")}(' !_| (ayi in. 2. "i' HENRICVS i* BAGLEY i" ME "i' FECIT •l^ 161_2 lJ? '^J'i'' 1?^ ' .-' (324 in. 3. ^ BE . YT . KNOWNE TO ■ ALL - THAT . DOTH ME . SEE • THAT NEWCOMBE . OF . LEICESTER . MADE . ME • 1602 (aconi hordcr invericd). Above, arabesques (Watts' ) : below, acorn-bordcr. (353 j^. 1st : Border of fleurs-de-lys (Fig. g) ; ornament at end doubtfid. 2nd: Cross before date as at Lillington (Plate XXII., Fig. 7); stamps at end, see PI. .XXII., Figs. 6, 9. 3rd: The borders here are those nsiiall\- employed b\- Hugh Watts 11. Plate .W'lL, Figs. 7, 9). Bells re-hung by Bond of Burford, 1901 ; the old frame made into altar rails. All cannons removed. 1552 : ' FiLLARTox Hi'.RCK. iij belles a saunce belle.' 1750: '4 Bells.' Ringing practised from Noveml)er 5th to Chi-istmas. The Vicar refused to give any information as to Customs, etc. Many thanks to Mr. W. E. Falkncr. H.T. T., 17 Sept., 1875. PILLERTON PRIORS. This church was destro}ed by fire in 1666, and was never re-built. The Inventory of Church Goods, temp. Edward VL, gives : ' Ou.'PiLLARDiNGTON Prioky. iij belles one litle bell.' POLESWORTH. St. Edith. Six bells. 1. ERECTED BY PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION 1896 (vine-border). On leaist :—(a ) J. G. TROTTER VICAR (b) Taylor's trade-mark. F. TIBBITS ) J. G. DAVIES [CHURCHWARDENS FOR THE GLORY OF GOD (joi m. 2- THE GIFT OF M" EDW" TOON BORN AT DORNDON IN THE PARISH OF POLESWORTH A ^ K 1740 ^^2j j,-,_ 3. To Honour Both op God & King Our Voices shall in Consort Ring Below : — Pack & Chapman op London Fecit 1776 Incised :—W- Ket CM: WARDEN (33?^ in- AA 202 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. 4. Above, border of arabesques. FEARE (border) GOD (border) HONOR (border) THE (border) KING (border) 1667 (border) (36 in. 5. Above and below, borders of arabesques. lOHN (border) YOUNG (border) THO (border) LACKIN (border) |OHN (border) DAVID (border) CORBESON J {border) HOLLMES WARDENS st" 1654 (border) 6 Border above as 4th. ALL (border) GLORl (border) BEE {border) TO (border, GOD ON (border) HIGH 1664 (border) (border) (39* in- ^ border) (43I in. Formerly five bells only ; treble by Taylor. 2nd by Abel Rudhall. The three largest by George Oldfield, of Nottingham ; see p. 62. Foundry stamp Plate XXII., Fig. i'; borders', PI. XXII., Figs. 3, 4. cwt. qr = . lbs. cwt. qrs. lbs. Weights : — i ) 6:1 2) 6 : I 3) 6 : I Itm there . . . 14 3 o 4) 5» 6) / 10 II 14 15 II iiij'"' bells and a saunce belle.' 1352 : ' POLLVSWORTH. 1750: '5 Bells.' In the ringing chamber are some old Belfr\- Rules : — Who will di\crt themselves with ringing here Must nicely mind to Ring with Hand and Ear And if he gives his Bell an Overthrow Pay Si.xpence a forfeit for doing so He who in Ringing wears Spurs Gloves or Hat Pay Sixpence as a forfeit for that All persons that disturbance here create Forfeit one Shilling towards the Ringers treat Those that to our easv laws concent May Join and Ring with us we are content. Now in love and unity Join a pleasant peal to Ring Heavens bless the Church and George our Gracious King. Anicn. H. T. v.. 25 July, 1876; H. B. W.. May. 1908. See also Waimon. PRESTON BAGOT. 1 (ii BUeiSS s, sous 1879 ufius Deo All Saints. Two bells. (17 in ' The stamp illustrated is lh:it ol his piedeccssor Henry Oldfield, which Georfje used, but placed a C over the f), partly Goncealiti); it. POl.KSWORTII — PRIORS MARSTON. 203 2. 03 Bueras 8i sons i879 GLiOPflfl DGO IR eXSELiSIS (I9 i"- Formerly two bells, the smaller 'inscribed with the name of a IJromsgrove founder ' (Sanders or Brooke), the larger, GOD SA\'E THE KING 1663. In 1879. when the church was being restored, one of these was recast, being cracked, and as the other one sounded inharmoniousl}' with it, it was also recast. (H. T. T.) 1552 : ' Item there j bell one iiun lx;ll.' 1750 : ' 2 Bells." Many thanks to Mr. W. i;. l'"alkner. H. T. T., 20 July, i8gi. PRIORS HARDWICK. St. M.^kv. Three bells. 1. CANTATE DOMINO CANTICVM NOVVM H B 1670 3 HENRICVS {burder) BAGLEY {border} FECIT (border) I6L0 1st and 3rd by Henry Bagley. 2nd by Thomas Ne\\conibe ; stamps, PI. X\T. 2, 3. 1552 : ' iij belles a sance belle." 1750 : ' Hardwick 3 Bells." H.T. T., 2 May, 18S4. PRIORS MARSTON. St. Leonard. Si.x bells. A bovc, border of arabeaques. 1 ^ CANTATE ^ DOMINO ^ CANTICVM ^ NOVVM ^ H < B ^ 172J ^ Below, scroll-border (PI. XXII. 10). 2 {A bove, arabesques all round.) HENREY ^ BAGLEY OF ^ BVCKINGHAM ^ MDAE ^ MEE J72J (border) 3. lOHN BRADSHOW '-^ GEORE < ELWARD -^ CHVRCH ^ WARDENS ^ J72J 4 A bove, arabesques all round. lOHN BRADSHOW ^ GEORGE ^ ELWARD ^ C ^ WARDENS ^ H BAGLEY ^ MA. ^ ME ^ J72J O. lOHN ^ BRADSHOW S GEORG if ELWARD ^ CHVRCH WARDENS ^ H B J72J 204 THE CHURCH Bi;LLS OF WAKWICKSH IK] 6. AhOLIAB west gave 100 TOWARDS THE CASTING OP THESE SIX BELLS ; 1721 {border of oak-leaves as below, and stamp of ok to left). On waist :—(a) (ca'^lc) ^^^ ""'''' ^ Johnson -;;•- U^corns) ^|vYLOi? ^ ^"'"'"'^ {eagle) ^^^^^^^O^^^O^ (eagle) (acorns) ^r, (acorns) >^ ^ou n DeR$ *i* 1845 (oai leaves) Oh sound-boiv:— ^ OS meum : AnnunciABiT : LsuDem Tuam An original ring of six b\' Henry Bagle>- III., cast at Buckingham (see p. 71) ; there is no other evidence of his working there, but it must have been a temporary visit. H. T. T. says the clerk remembered the old tenor being removed from the belfry and falling dovi^n owing to the chains giving way, but no one was hurt. The present tenor is one of the earliest bells cast by Tajdor at Loughborough (see p, 82) ; the ornaments on the waist, a figure-of an eagle and an oak pattern, occur also on the treble and 3rd at Elvaston, Derbyshire (1847 } as does the inscription on the sound-bow. The ox stamp also occurs at Christ Church, Coventry. 1552 : ' iij belles a litle belle.' Customs : Bells chimed for services on Sundays. Death-knell as soon as possible ; no tellers. Many thanks to Rev. E. E. T. Candler, Vicar. H. T. T.. 2 May, 18S4, RADFORD SEMELE. St. Nicholas. Four bells. 1. mm ll^^j ^°^ 'border) SAVE (horder) THE [l>ordcr) KING ibordcr) 1636 (border) (30J in. 2. T. Mears op London Fecit isis (32^ in. 3. Above, cable-moulding ; on a broad band zvith double line of inscription : — J\ cXoXKaK.c^(sX ^a;^.. iscroU-bordcr PI. XXII., 10). scroll as before) 'Ji^Jo ^ ^ '!{'4'l}?4 1641 ■}■ -XsXKoK- HENRY iJ?'!"*' BAGLEE '^ '■P'i? MADE '^'^'k MEE "'^ 135 in CVM • SONO SI • NON VIS ihordcr) VENIRE {border) NVNQVAM AD • PRECES ibordcr) CVPIES ■ IRE hordi'r) 1636 (border eontimions) (38^ in- ' Sec Relitjiiary, xix . |). 242, pis. 22, 23. I'KIDKS MARS TON — KATI.i: V. 205 1st and 4th by Hugh Watts ; acorn borders. 3rd : The inscription and ornament above arc all on the same band, with no beading between (cf. Monk's Kirb}- ist) ; the upper borders are Bucks., fig. 71 and Pi. XXII.. 10, the former repeated before hknky. For the tliree bells (not here on a shield), ci. Barfcird. Bells very dirty. 1552 : ' iij belles, a sauncc belle, a hand-bell ; a sacring beli.' 1750 : ' Radford Comitis 3 bells.' See Notes and Queries, 4th Sen, iii. (1869), p. 501. H.T. T., II Oct., 1878; H. B. W., June, 1908. RADWAY. . St. Peter. bive bells 1—5. I^JOBei'^T SSplRBflRl^ FOURDGFJ UOnDOR 1868. Weights and diameters :- cwt. qrs. lbs. ■T) 3 : : : 8 24 in. 2) 3 : I ; 8 -4i in 3) 3 ; 2 ; : 22 25 in. 4) 4 : : I : 2 27 in. 5) 5 • : 26 29} in. Bell given by the executors of the late Mrs. Wagan, of Cheltenham, at a cost of -^280. 1552 : ' ij belles ij hand-bells '. 1750: ' I Bell.' H.T. T., 21 April, 1887. RATLEY. St. Peter. Three bells. 1 G MEARS FOUNDER LONDON 1859 2 HENRY iborih-i'} BAOLEY MADE MEE (border) 1677 thordiT) 3 lOHN HITCHCOCKS : CHURCH WARDEN : MATTHEW : B : MADE M : J763 Weight of treble, 3 cw t. 2 qrs. 2 lb?. 3rd by Matthew Bagley. 1552 : ' Rotteley. iij belles one litlc belle.' 1750 : ' Rottley 3 Bells.' Customs : — .\ bell formerly rung every Sunday at 8 and 9 am. (Mattins and Mass Bells : the former now only rung when there is Holy Communion). A bell was also rung at noon when there was afternoon service. Ringing at midnight on Christmas Eve and Ne\\- Year's Eve ; also for Weddings if paid for. Death-knell as soon as possible, but not after sunset ; tellers, three for man, two for woman, one for a child. Tolling before and after Funerals. Gleaning bell until recently : two fields being available a bell was rung at 8 a.m. forentr\- into one field, at i p.m. for the other. Thanks to Rev. I. A. Mason, Vicar. H.T. T., 21 April, 1887. 206 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. ROWINGTON. St. Laurence. Five bells. 1 ujiLLiAm (joujpeR CRomAS ibord,,) cibbacs (border) e less On ivaist .— CARR OF SMETNWIGK REMADE ME 1887 P. B. BRODIE M.A. VICAR W. DRAPER J. CLARKSON CHURCHWARDENS 1887 (31^ in (^RGDe f^^ KGSIPIS(^e i double border) mORl (doabk border) (iil in. ^# lUemenCO idcubU border) 1533 (doubU border) 3. ►!« NEWCOMBE . OF LEICESTER MADE . MEE 1609 .JS^^.K^^ (35i in. IMS NflZARENVS (border) REX • IVDEORVM (border) FILI : DEI -, but in reversed order. Rugby is probably unique among English parish churches in possessing two distinct rings of bells, each in a separate to\\ or. Weights, notes, and diameters :— Old Bells CWt- qrs. lbs. I) 3" ni. 4 : -} . 2 D 2) joi in. 4 ■ : I : 20 C 3) 32^ in. 5 ' 9 • 3 B 4) :,5i in- b : : 2 : : 22 A 51 y)i m. 9 : : : 19 G New Bells 30 : I : cwt. qrs. lbs. I) 31? in. 6 : 3 • T D 2) 32i in. 7 : ; 25 C sharp 3) 35J in- 8 : : ■■ -i? B 4) 37 \ in. 9 : I : ■ 19 A 5) 41 in. II : 2 : 22 G 6) 42 in. 12 ; 2 : 8 F sharp 7) 47i in. 17 : : I I E SI 33 in. -^4 • 3 : 8 D 97 : 3 : 10 1552 : ' RooKBV. iij belles a clock a sacring belle ij hand belles.' It is stated that at a subsequent period there were four bells in the tower heavier than the present five, the tenor of which was cracked in 1711. In 1721 a set of chimes was put up, which do not now exist, but in the new tower EUacombe's chiming apparatus has been fixed. 1750 : ' 6 Bells ' (sic). Many useful and interesting notes about the bells in Wait's Ruf^rljy Past and Present, p. 26. Customs : — Thi; old ring of five is used for cliiming for Daily Services, and also rung on Christmas Eve at midnight till 12.30 a.m., and on October 20th at 6 a.m., i p.m.. and 7 \).m. in com- memoration of Law rence Sheriff, the founder of Rugb}- School. The new ring is used for peals before services on Sundays and all great Festivals, also after Evensong on Festivals ; formerly the bells were only chimed. The 4th and 5th bells of the old ring were formerly rung at 9 a.m. on Sundajs, and again at 2 p.m.. The treble was also rung at the conclusion of morning service (said to be for KUCnV — ItVTON-ON-nUNSMOKE. 209 the distribution of a dole of liread). W'licn there was a scrtnfjii the tenor was rung for the last few minutes before services as Sermon P)e11 ; wlieTi no sermon, the and Bell instead. Ringing on Christmas Day from 12 to i p.m., and on New Year's Eve from 11.30 to 12.30 (first half-muffled, then open) ; also on King's Birthday and Accession Day, and for Weddings by request. Death-knell, with usual tellers at beginning and end : tt'Uor for adults, treble for child under eleven years. Curfew formerly, on 3rd bell, at 8 p.m., also Pancake Bell (4th) at noon on Shrove Tuesday, and 4th bell tolled for Vestry meetings. The first peal on the new bells was rung on April 3rd, i8gg, by the Midlands Counties Association (5,040 Grandsire Triples in 3 hrs. 25 min.), as recorded on a peal-board. There is now an energetic society of local ringers, with sixteen active members. Very many thanks to Mr. Arthur L. Coleman. H. B. W., June, 1908. RUGBY. St. Matthew. One bell. Church built 1841. Holy Trinity is a chapel-of-ease to the Parish Church, and has one bell in the central tower. RYTON-ON-DUNSMORE. St. Lhb ^ •• (35^ in- 7. ^ lAMES HARRIS ►^ IOHN HAYWOOD C H WARDENS 1735 >b ••• • ••• (38^ in. 8 MEARS & STAINBANK POUNDERS LONDON On waist : — recast a.d. isev SAMUEL GARRARD VICAR THOMAS SHAILERI V CHURCHWARDENS. C < j in JOHN SLATTER J HJ '"• 1st and 2nd : Probably recast by Mears at Gloucester, where he occupied John Rudhall's foundry for a year or two after winding up the latter's business ; the type is Rudhall's, not Mears'. These two bells were additions made in 1836 to the ring of six cast by Richard Sanders just 100 years before. Since then Sanders' tenor has been recast ; it weighs 15 cwt. I qr. 2 lbs. 4th : After the date is an impression of a medal inscribed ' . . . . for ever ' (first word indistinct), followed by a farthing and three halfpence of George IL and a scroll border. Similar impressions on 6th and 7th. There is also a doubtful ornament after the date on 5th. The two smallest bells are hung above the rest. Clock by Gillett and Bland, striking the quarters. Mr. Falkner gives the diameter of the tenor as 44^ in., but the above is Mears and Stain- bank's estimate (weight 15 cwt. I qr. 2 lbs.). The Rev. S. Garrard 'see tenorj was \'icar from i860 to 1901. 1552 : ' iij belles, one litle iiell.' 1750 : ' I Bell ' {sic). Customs : — On Sunda\s the tenor is rung for halt-an-hiuu'. fdllowxd by chiming for half-an-hour, before services. RYTON-ON-DUNSMOKK — SHI.I.DON. 211 Ringing on Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve, and occasionallx at otlier times ; practice twice a week from November to Christmas. It is said that when the ring was increased to eight, the I^idford people thought of having eight also, but Salford replied that if Bidford had eight, they would have ten. In the tower are two boards on which are five four-line stan;^as extolling "the fame of Salford bells ; " but they are hardly worth cjuotrng in cxtmso. Many thanks to Mr. W. E. Falkner. H. T. T., 2g Jan., 1878. SALTER STREET. Sr. Patrick. Five bells Church built 1843 ; parish formed from Tanworth. SALTLEY. See Birmingham. SECKINGTON. Ale Saints. Four bells. 1. *!- I € S V S (264 in. 2 J : TAYLOR & C° FOUNDERS LOUGHBOROUGH 1886 On waist :— LAUS DEO GIVEN BY T. H. FREER. 1886. {^^ in. .3. IMiLIKIllH IGI (border) i Fl E I Did Bl A I {oordcr) IXIWIVITISI (border) ISQTPLOINI 1640 (border) (32 in. 4 : TAYLOR & C° BELLFOUNDERS LOUGHBOROUGH 1886 On Wiiist ;— 1886 W. H. FREER, RECTOR. R. THIRLBY, CHURCHWARDEN (32! in. Formerh- two bells only ; of the two added by Taylor, the larger is almost the same size as the old 2nd, though nearly i cut. heavier. 1st: from the Nottingham foundry; see p. 22, Plate X. 9-1 1. It is a square-shouldered bell, and looks earl\'. 3rd: By Hugh Watts; cf. Clifton and Newton Regis; 'acorn' borders; N reversed. Bells in good order, but dirty : cannons off 3rd bell. cwl. qrs. lbs. cut. qrs. lbs Weights:— I) 3 : i : 22 3) 5 : 3 : 24 2) 4 : 2 : 24 4) 6 : 2 : 27 1552 : ' iij belles in the steple.' 1750 : ' 2 Bells.' H. T. T., 3 Oct., 1S76 ; H. B. W.. May, 190S. SHELDON. St. Giles. Four bells L lOHN • RICHARDS CHVRCHWARDSNS • 1723 • -^3 ^or man, 3x2 for woman, two strokes for child, on tenor ; age of deceased tolled when requested. Tolling before and after Funerals. Bell-ropes are paid for out of the endowment of the church. In the parish accounts about 1785 and succeeding years occurs the entry P"* for Ringing the Bells at times for the poor people that be not able to pay ... ... 55. Many thanks to Rev. G. Sedgwick, Vicar. H.T. T., 3 Aug., 1881. 1. 2. 3. SHILTON. St. Andrew. Four bells. BDW° ARNOLD LEICESTER FECIT 1795 RICH° WAKBLIN CHURCH W^ARDBN Tlie same. *b BE YT KNOWNE TO ALL. THAT DOTH NEWCOMBE OP LEICESTER MADE MEE 1603 ME SEE THAT 4. >b lESVS BE OVR SPEED 1614 R W ^^f^if 4th : by John Greene of Worcester: cf. Bulkington treble. Shield Plate XXI., Fig. 4. 1552 : ' iiij°'^ belles.' 1750: '4 Bells.' See W. C. Adams, Anstey and Shilton, p. 32. Customs as at Anstey, with which this benefice is united. Thanks to Rev. T. C. P. Pyemont of Anstey. H. T. T., 26 Aug., 1876. SHIRLEY STREET. St. James. Five bells. Church built 1832, the parish being formed out of Solihull. Four bells by C. and G. Mears put up in 1855. Weights and diameters : i) 27 in. 2) 28 in. 3) 29I in 4) 32 in Mr. W. E. Falkner informs mu that there are now five bells, cwt. qrs. lbs. 4 I 17 4 2 9 5 24 6 2 2 31-IOTTERY. St. Andrew. One bell. Church built 1870 : strictU' a cliai)el-of-ease to Stratford-on-Avon. The bell hangs in a small wooden turret at the junction of chancel and nave, and beinj closely netted round is quite inaccessible (letter from Mr. Falkner, 27 July, 1908). 214 THE CHURCH BELLS OH VVAKWICKSHIKE. SHOTTESWELL. St. Lawrence. 1. E. G. •WAIiFORD VICAR J. ABB ATS C.W i',' 5 + 1 bells. 2. 3. 4 1^ JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD 1808. (28 in. CANTATE DOMINO CANTICVM NOVVM 1674 «,-6XK©^cl--6>CK©^ (join. 5. S. T H C W MB MADE MEE 1774 (3^ in- H. BOND & SON FOUNDERS BURFORD OXON 1888 On -waist .— C J READ VICAR G H BULL G BUSBY CHURCHWARDENS 0« so//Ki-?>ott' .—RECAST TO COMMEMORATE THE JUBILEE YEAR OF THE REIGN OF QUEEN VICTORIA (34 '" IHS : NAZARENVS (arabesques' REX • IVDEORVM (arabesques) FILI DEI f (ir, abesqiies) MISERERE MEI (arabesques) 1625 I arabesques) (38 in. (14 in. 1634 cX5>C.loo OVR ^SXKe^ CHVRCH AND a.,^^ BELLFREE -.^X HERE e,-SXXB..3. 1698 a^^CK©^ 4 Lester & Pack op London Fecit 1768 5. Jo^ Gibson C^ Warden Lester, c^c. as last. 2l6 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WAKWICKSHIKE. The treble, bv Taylor of Loughborough, weighs 4 c\\ t. 2 lbs. Its predecessor was inscribed ►J< M'^ ROBERT MALLERON VICAR AS I DO TELL AND JOSIAS ALLEN CHURCH WARDEN WHEN I WAS MADE A BELL W B: BROMSGROVE 1736 the founder being William Brooke (p. 75). The re-casting was necessitated by damage done to the tower and bells by lightning in 18S6, as the inscription implies. 2nd and 3rd by William Bagley, evidently recording a donation of the whole ring. It is a pity that the name of the donor^ is lost, as well as the rhymes which were probably on the other bells {i.e., the donor's name on the treble, and a couplet on the tenor). Between the words on each are bits of scroll-pattern (Fig. 10) ; the P on the 3rd is reversed, and the A's have hooked tops (see p. 70). On a beam in the belfry is carved los. Gibson C W 1769. 1552 : ' Shustocke V belles.' 1750 ; ' Shustock 5 Bells.' Bells chimed for ser\ices on Sundays ; ringing at Christmas and on New Year's Eve. Very many thanks to Rev. W. R. Finch, Vicar. At Bentley in this parish is a chapel-of-ease (St. John) built in 1837, with one bell. There ^vas formerly a chapel of the Holy Trinity there, ruined in Dugdale's time. SHUTTINGTON. St. Matthew. One bell. 1. lESVS {border) BEE {bonier) OVR {border) SPEED {bonier) 1664 {border) Js By George Oldfield of Nottingham; cf. Polesworth ; border between words PI. XXII. 3: foundry-stamp below inscription, inverted, Plate XXII., Fig. i, with a G for b. 1552 : ' Shottyngton. Itm there two belles in the Steple.' 1750 : ' I Bell.' H. T. T., 3 Oct.. 1S76. SMALL HEATH. See Birmingham. SNITTERFIELD. St. James. Six bells. 1. J. TAYLOR & G? FOUNDERS LOUCHBOROUCH 1887 (agin. 2, The same. (31 jn. 8. CAST AT GLOCESTER BY ABEL RUDHALL 1758 '^^'^l-^'^l^ (Sii in. 4. On waist:— {a) V R JUBILEE 1887 ib) {Taylors medallion) (35* in. 1887 5 J : TAYLOR & C9 BELLFOUNDERS LOUCHBOROUCH 1874 (39 in. 6 Same as No. 4. {^^ in. ' Possibly he was John Dugdale of Blythe Hall, son of the famous aniir|uary, who died in 1700; or else Thomas Huntbach, who endowed schools and almshouses at his death in 1712. SH UST(JK1-; — S( )1.I H U I.I.. 21 J Formerly three bells, of vvliich tlu: |)resent .jnl formed the treble. The old 2nd, recast into the present 4th in 1887, was inscribed AMLLIAM (border) BAGLEY {border) MADE (border) MEE (border) H 'i' b (border) 1703 border) the old 3rd, recast in 1S74, and now the 5tli ; HENRY BAYLEY MADE MEE 1665 lOHN HARBIGE AND THOMAS MEEDES CHVRCH- WARDENS In 1887 the ring was increased to six by the addition of a tenor and two trebles, the old jnd being recast at the same time. The old 2nd was one of the latest bells in Warwickshire by William Bagle\-. It is uncer- tain whether the initials H B stand for Henry Bagley of Ecton ^vho died in that vear), or Henry Bagley III., son of William (see p. 71) Border on 3rd, Fig. 15. cut. qrs. lljs, cwt. qrs. lbs. Weights of bells : — i ) 5:0:23 4) 8:3:11 2) 6:0: 24 5) 12 cwt. (approx.). 3) 7 cwt. (approx.). b) i5 : I : 13 note F. 1552: ' Snvtenefold. iij belles one sance bell,' 1750 : • 3 Bells." See also lYotices of W iirwickshire Churches, ii., p. 92. Customs : — A bell rung at 8 a.m. on Sundays. Ringing on Church Festivals and New Year's Eve ; for Weddings by request. Death-knell on notification of death ; tenor tolled. Tolling before and after Funerals. Thanks to Rev. E. R. Gayer, Vicar, and Mr. W. E. Falkner. H.T. T., 24 Jan., 1882, SOLIHULL. St. Alphec.e. Ten bells. 1 BARWELL FOUNDER BIRMINGHAM 0« ic'. I. tjn waist:— (a) RIHC IN THE TRUE 1894 (bi Harweii's mark. (28J, in. 3. HENRICVS [arabesques) GRESWOLD ^^ RECTOR (arabesques) DONo SzS. DEDIT (arabesques) i683 {arabesques 1 (jo in. 4. CANTATE {arabesques) DOMINO (arabesques) CANTICVM {arabesques') NOVVM (arabesques) 1683 ^-^ 1 30 J in. 5. ,4 s A"(), /. On waist:— {a} aiORlA IN EXCELSIS DEO 1894 (b) Bancelfs mark. (32' in. 6 HENRY (arabesques) BAGLEY (arabesques) MADE [arabesques) MEE [arabesques) i685 (arabesques) (35 i jn. 7 As No. I. cc 2l8 THE CHURCH BELLS (iT WARWICKSHIRE. On waist -SMCIE SANCTE SANCTE D'ME DEUS SABAOTH 1894 ijcS in. 8 HENRY (scroll) BACLEY {scroll) MADE iscmll) ME (scroll) 1686 (scrolls) (39S in. 9. 10. FEARE COD AND HONOR THE KING 1685 On -waist : — Royal Anns : above the inscrifytioii, broad baud oj arabesques all round. (4JJ^ in. I § T § R SS C S C S W 1685 THE FORMOR TENqR WAS MADE M'< WILLIAM BAlNJON AND THOMAS HAW (arabesques) c W 1659 Below, arabesques as on last all round. New frames and hangings by Harwell, 1894- Clock strikes hour on tenor, quarters on two other hells. (4^^ in. cwt. qrs. lbs. Weights :■ -I) 5 7 : I 6) 2) 5 ' 3 : 7) 3) 6 : : 2 S) 4^ 6 ; 2 : 23 9) 5> / ; : 4 10) qrs. lbs. O cwt. N 9 ■■ S, ■■ -^ 11 : o : 12 12 : 2 : 21 ig : I : 21 Formerly eight bells cast by H. Bagle}' in 1683-S6. Of these the 3rd (re-cast in 1894 '"""i now the 5th) was inscribed merel}' (without date) HENRICVS BAGLEY ME FECIT The old 5th was re-cast in 1753 by Lester and Pack of London, with the inscription TMOf LESTER & T PACK OF LONDON FECIT (x/a/,./> of head) EDWARD SMITH & BENIAMIN HEDGES CH : WARDENS 1753 This was cracked in 1874 (H. T. T.), a large piece being broken out of the sound-lx.iw and one cannon gone : it was recast in 1894, when the two trebles were added. On the 1st, 2nd, and 5th is Barwell's trade-mark (Fig. 20). The 3rd, 4th, and 6th have arabesque borders (Fig. 11) between the words, or bits of the same ornament; the 8th has scrolls (PI. XXIL 10); the gth arabesques all round above the inscription, and the tenor the same below ; on the waist of the 9th, the Royal Arms : on the tenor, before C W, a border of arabesques. The latter bell was originally cast by John Martin of Worcester (see below) ; the initials I T R C indicate John Tandy and Richard Cole, the churchwardens of 1685. All the N's on Bagley's bells are reversed, and the A's have a hook at the top (see p. 70). The Rev. Henry Greswold, D.D. (see 3rd bell) was rector 1660 — 1700. Born in 162S, the son of Humphry Greswold of Greet, he was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge (1645-48), and became in turn Minor Fellow (1649), " sublector tcrtius " (1652), and "Lector Graecae linguae" (1653) of his College. In 1660 he came to Solihull, '"and there he soon brought order out of chaos, his forty years' incumbency leaving u ht'althier tone in the parish than it had known for many a long day, the Registers and .Accounts bearing eloquent testimony to his great diligence and e.xactitude." He was also Sub-Dean of Ripon and Precentor of Lichfield, " a man of great ability and energy, and was respected no less for his jiicty than for his learning." (Pemberton, Soliluill and its Church. \-i. 74 : the pedigree of his family is given on p. 43 of the same work). 1552 : ' SoLYHLLL. iij belles and clock and ij sacring belles.' 1750 : ' Sol\ luill 8 Bells.' A writer in the Warwick'ihirc Antiquarian Magazine (i., i860, p. 3), gives the following account of the bells :— "The third bell was recast [about 1600] by Gawin Baker, of Henle\-, who SOLIHULL. 219- agreed to do it and warrant it tunable for one year for the sum of vj'' ijs. ^d. : and if any of the metal was lost in the casting he was to restore it again ; for this he received in earnest ' sixpence and above.' In 1618 this bell was again recast by Paul Hutton, of Nottingham, who delivered it to the churchwardens the 28th of August in that year ; it then weighed 15 cwt. and .54 jKumds ; he found metal, warranted it tunable and from breaking for a year and a day, and received for it and his workmanship ten pounds ; he was likewise presented with twenty shillings for his well doinge thereof." The Gawin Baker mentioned above is probabI\- identical with Godwin Baker, of Worcester (see p. 56), who must have come to Henley to cast this bell ; his earliest date known is 1615, so that his bell cannot have lasted long, for Paul Hutton see p. 61. The abo\e account is probably taken from the Churchwardens' Accounts, which are of early date and considerable interest, hrom the same source Pemberton (p. 118) gathers that a bell was recast in 1581 ; and b\ the kindness of the Rector I am able to give other extracts here relating to the bells. 1533-4. Rec'de diversis personis pro sans bell ... ... ... ... ... xj" j** xi'' Solut' Rob'o Payne pro Mendyng of the Cloke and clyppur for the sans bell viij'' solut' Will" Herewell p' custod' campanor' xvj'' solut' Will" Hatton p' the clapur of the lytill bell 1544-45. Item paid for cordds for y° saunce bell & for y" lamppe 1659. For ringing on the 5"' of November... 1660. To Ringers for ringing on Thanksgiving Day for the Kinge's returne to his Kingdome and Crowne My expenses with the bell founder when he came to hang the bell Bestowed upon the men in beare that came to hange the great bell To Busby for hanging the great bell . To John Martin for casting the greet bell 1713. Gave ringers for ringing on the Peace [of Utrecht] 1753 Mr. Lester for recasting the 5''' bell ... I 754. Thomas Sarsons for altering the gallery fronting the Chancel & for hanging the 5"' bell 1759. To Ringers when the Bishop came to the Town ... ... . . In 1673 a resolution was passed at a Vestry Meeting that the Churchwardens were not to appropriate the old bell ropes. In 1757 a hurricane did much damage to the spire, but " the 8 bells accapt well but all the wheels and guggins was broke to peses," and the great bell fell or had to be rehung. as there is an entr\- : For .... raising up the greet bell into its place... ... ... ... 176 The bells were re-tuned in 1858, and the belfry repaired in 1867. xii lijO 4 4 4 6 1 5 i 10 8 2 1 2 2 5 The following testimonial to Bagley's work w hen he cast the new ring, in 1685, is given by the writer already quoted (Warw. Ant. Mag., i., p. 5) : — 27'^ Aug. 1686. These are to certify whom it may concern ; that I Samuel Scattergocd ministre of Blockley in the County of Worcester, having severall times viewed and tryed y" sound of y" S New Bells lately cast by M"" Henry Bagley Bellfounder for y" Parish Church of Solihull in y° county of Warw. & now hung in y' s"* Church ; especially at y" Ringing thereof y' day & yeare above s"* by myself & about 20 other skilful p'sons accompanying me from Leicester to that purepose doe (with y' gen" approbation and consent of y" s'' Parsons) judg all y' s'' 8 Bells to be well & workmanlike made, every way right for tone & mettall, y" chearfullest & best Ring of Bells for their weight that I ever heard. And also that y° Clappers & other 220 THE CHURCH BELLS UU WAKWKKSH IKE. Iron work & tackle with which y" afores"* 8 Bells are hung, are now made good, so as to need no further alteracon that I know of. In witness whereof I have hereunto sett my hand this afores'' 27"' day of August ano dni 1686. ■Customs : On Sundays bells rung for morning and evening services ; then tolling, and treble tolled about twelve times just at the last : formerly the jrd bell was rung at 6 a.m., the 4th at 7, and the 6th at 8, but this was discontinued about 1874. Ringing on Christmas Eve at midnight, and on Christmas Day for service ; on New Year's Eve at 11-45 and after midnight, with a pause while that hour strikes. Also for Weddings by request. Hells formerly rung at 6 a.m. on Birthday of Queen \'ictoria : discontinued since her death. Death-Knell on tenor; age indicated and bell then rung up and down. Bell chimed at the Funeral of a Ringer, and sometimes for their near relatives. Pancake Bell on Shrove Tuesday, on 8th bell (formerly 6th) at 11 a.m. Curfew rung on 6th (formerly 4th) at 8 p.m. from Michaelmas to Lady Day (Saturdays 7 p.m.) : day of month tolled afterwards. Formerly a bell was rung when doles were given out in the Churchyard on All Saints' Day : discontinued since 1876. In the ringing-chamber are various peal-boards : — 8 Oct., 1786. .Complete peal of 5,184 bv St. Martin's Youths (copied from the peal book of St. Martin's. Birmingham). 3 Dec, 1894. First peal on the ten bells. 6 Oct., igo6. First local peal of Grandsire Triples (8 bells). Others dated 29 Dec, 1894, 13 and 25 Feb., 1897, 10 Dec, 1904. Very man\ thanks to Rev. T. B. Harvex' Brooks, Rector. H. T. T.. 8 April, 1881 : H. B. \V., Sept., 1907. SOUTH AM- St. James. Six bells. 1— 3 G MEARS & CO. FOUNDERS LONDON 1 On waist : — AD. 1596 MAY OUR TONE SO SOUND ON THE EAR OF MAN ON EARTH AS TO BRING HIM TO HIS FATHER IN HEAVEN RECAST MARCH 10, 1863. (j" i"- 2. On waist : — («) ALBERT EDWARD PRINCE OF WALES AND ALEXANDRA PRINCESS OF DENMARK MARRIED MARCH 10, 1863. (b) ADDED MARCH 10, 1863. (.5- ■'>• 4. 5. On waist (incised) :—mz NAZARENUS REX JUDEORUM MISERE MEI 1613 RECAST MAR 10 1863 THE LORD BLESS US AND KEEP US (35 •"• CELORVM CHRSTE PLATIAT TIBI REX SONVS ISTE 1615 !jl SOLI DEO GLORIA PAX HOMINIBVS ROBERT SPIGER lOHN BRAYFEILD 1650 SOLI HI' 1. 1, — STIXICIIAI.I.. 221 HeloK'-.— C W V '6. RICHARD BVDD AND THOMAS ASKEW CHVRCH WARDENS HENRICVS BAGLEY ME FECIT 1676 (ornament) 4th : h>- Watts of Leicester, as was also the old _>,rd. 5th: l)y John Martin of Worcester; cross. Pl.-ite XXI., l''ig. 7; trade-mark, Plate XXI., Fig. J. N reversed. 6th : ornaments between words and at end. Weights of the three smallest bells : 5 cwt. i (\y. ib lbs.. 6 cwt. 4 lbs., 7 cwt. 2 qrs. 14 lbs. 1552 : ' SoWTH.AM. iiii°^ belles and a sauncc belle.' 1750: '5 Bells." Customs : — On Sundays a bell tolled at g a.m. (old Mass Bell;, also at 7 a.m. troin Easter to Michaelmas; one bell for Celebration at 8 a.m. ; bells chimed for other services, with tolling for last five minutes. Ringing at Christmas and Easter, on St. Thomas" Day and New Year's Eve; also for King"s Birthday, and for Weddings by arrangement. Death-knell on receipt of news of death ; tolling once a minute, with usual tellers at begiiming. Curfew daily at 8 p.m. (4th or 5th bell) ; also the ist or 2nd tolled daily at 1 p.m. A bell tolled for Vestry Meetings. Best thanks to Rev. J. Hart-Davies, Rector, and to Mr. I'alkner. In the Churchwardens' Accounts for 1641 is the entr\ : Paid to the King's footmen who sealed up the Church doors for not ringing when the King came to Town ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 6* 8'' Paid also to them tor not ringing when the King went out of the town ... ... 5" In 1556-57 John \\'alter, Yeoman, betjucathed la"*. to the reparation of the bells (Bloom, TopO'^. Notes, Stratford, p. 13). H.T. T.. 3 May, 1884. SPARKBROOK. See Birmingham. SPERNALL. St. Leonaki). One bell. 1 _ A^o inscription. About fifty years ago there were two bells in a wooden turret, similar to that at Morton Bagot ; one being cracked they were recast into one, and the present open turret of stone w as built : shortly afterwards this bell was cracked, and a large piece of the metal fell out of it. It was then sent to Birmingham, and the present bell cast from it by Messrs. Blews. (Mr. Farm- borough to H. T. T.). 1552 : ■ Itm there . . . . ij belles.' 1750: '3 Belles.' See also Notices of Warificksliirc thurchcs. ii.. p. 127. H.T. T., 2 Sei^t., 1891. STIVICHALL. St. James. One belk 1 1778 Probabl) by Pack and C'hai)nian. H.T. T., 21 July, i8gi. 222 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. STOCKINGFORD. St. Paul. One bell. Church built 11^24. Tiiere was formerly a chapel here, which in the i8th century was in ruins. STOCKTON. St. MicHALi Three bells ^ BE YT KNOWNE TO ALL THAT DOTH ME SEE THA'J NEWCOWIBE OF LEICESTER MADE MEE 1608 IHS NAZARENVS (boyder) REXIV DEORVM {bordei-) FILI DEI (boyder) ^ V^^l/ MISERERE MEI (border) 1622 (border) [^^ IHS NAZARENVS (border) REX IVDEORVM (border) FILI DEI (border) MISERERE MEI (border) 1620 2nd and 3rd by Hugh Watts. 1552 : ' Stocton. iij belles and a saunce belle.' 1750 : ' 5 Bells.' H.T. T.. I May, 1884. STOKE-BY-COVENTRY. St. Michael. 1. JOHN TAYLOR & C'' FOUNDERS LOUGHBOROUGH. On u-aist .— JOSHUA PERKINS DONOR 1905. Eight bells. 2. As No. I. On waist :- PRESENTED BY JOSHUA PERKINS 1902. 3, The same. (25i in. (28 in. (30 in. IHS MAZARENVS (border) REX IVDEORVM (border) FILI ; DEI MISERERE MEI (border) 16?4 5. As Xo. I. On waist :—s\T NOMEN DOMINI BENEDICTVM 6. |_2*| ^"S 7 As No. 2. 8 As No. 1. On waist : — nomfelR Dowmi BeaeDi(3syffi (31 i in. (32^ in, (344 in. (Z^ in. JOSHUA PERKINS DONOR 1905 REV CANON T. A- BI.YTH D-D. VICAR WILLIAM PRIDMOREi JOSHUA PERKINS J IcHURCHWARDENS (42* ill. ST0CKIN(;F()K1)— STONELKKIH. 22 j Up to 1902 there were only three hells : the present 4th and fjth, and an intermediate bell inscribed exactly like the 6th. The 4th is, of course, b\- Hugh Watts, with shield and the usual borders ; the 6th and former 2nd by Johannes de Colsale, c. 1410 (cross and letters, PI. IX. F"igs. 6-8 ; cf. Corley and p. ig). In igoj the 2nd was recast and three more added, the ring being increased to eight by a treble and tenor in 1905. Weights :- cwt. qrs. Ihs. CWl. ■ irs. lbs. 1) 4 : I '2 5) 6 16 2) 4 : 5 6) 7 15 V 4 '. 2 .5 7) 9 26 4' 5 8 8) 13 : 9 Total, 54 cut. 3 qrs. 10 lbs. H. T. T. has given a graphic account of his difficulties in reaching the old bells in 1891 (Trans. Biriii. and Mid. Inst., 1892, p. 21). The bells are now approached by a verv lengtliv vertical ladder; there is not too much room for them in the tower. No Edwardian Inventories. Customs : On Sundaj-s bells rung or chimed before services, with tenor tolled for last five minutes. Ringing at Christmas and other Festivals, on New Year's Eve, National Anniversaries Cnot specified), and for Weddings by request ; also muffled peals when desired. In the ringing-chamber is a pea'-board recording a peal of 5,040 Grandsire Doubles rung on the si.x bells November 5th, 1904, in 2 hrs. 43 min. Many thanks to Mr. A. W. Flowers, Head Ringer. H. T. T., 21 July, i8gi. STONELEIGH. St. Maiu-. Five bells. 1. BX DONO lOHANBS HUDSON GBNBROSI DB STONBTjBIGH : : A=D *)!<••')}(' 17B2 ^- T = BAYRB ^ PBCIT ■:• : : '^JO in. Below, arabesques all round. miCBseLG ce PVLSsnre tuvncBeLCvmBAm a peienTe oemone tv libra j^yz, On waist : — ■ I\ fSj/1 K (31 in. IHS NAZARENVS [border) REX IVDEORVM (border) FILI : DEI (border) MISERERE MEI 1632 (border) (32 in. 4. J: JUDD & J: SIMPSON C: WARDENS J: BRIANT . HARTFORD . FBOIT 1792 (35 in. 5 .4 s No. 3 ; a loni^ bit of border before date : arabesques all round below. (38 in. These bells are fixed dead, with hamniers, and are never rung. The treble has a curiously moulded top. 1st : by T. Ea\ re of St. Neot's : the cross crosslet was also used by Briant of Hertford, who mav have inherited Eayre's " plant." Acorn borders on 3rd. The old 4th was inscribed ' KeneLme nos Depenoe ne mALicni seniiAmvs pocvla and was by the same founder as the 2nd. which is fully discusseii in the Introduction (p. ig). The initial mark is Plate X., Fig. 2 : at the end of the inscription are the second (B) ' EUacombe. Church Bells of Clones., p. 132 ; see above, p 10. 224 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. set of Royal Heads (PI. X., Fig. j) : the crowned shield below is PI. X. 7 = Fig. 137 in North's Lines. For the lettering see PI. X., Figs. 4, 5. This bell was probably cast at Nottingham about 1400, if not later, and in all probability both came hither from Winchcombe at the Dissolution. Colvile, Stoncleigh Abbey, p. 39, gives the inscriptions, and sa} s there were four bells down to 1752, Eayre's treble being an addition (but see the 1552 Inventory). 1552 : ' V belles and ij sacring bells.' ' Itm they owe ytt for their bells xiij'' vj'^ viij" ' In 1507 John Raves bequeathed 13s. 4^/. to the church bells and i6d. to the ringers (Bloom, Topog. Notes, Stratford, p. 12). 1750 : ' Stoneley 3 Bells ' (obviously wrong). H. T. T., 15 May, i88g : H. B."w.. Sept., 1907. STRATFORD-ON-AVON. Holv Trinhv. Eight bells. 1. On waist :— (a) Q^EEn VICTORI.VS JUBILEE 1887 ( b ) Taylor s trade-mark. (27i in. 2. On waist:— fa) GOT) S.WE THE QUEEN 1887 (^) As No. 1. (2.S in. 3 WILLIAM DYDE THOMAS BADGER CHURCH WARDENS H BAGLEY MADE M 1742 Below, border all round I dralie\qucs). i^o\ in. 4 5 MATHEW {arabesques) BAGLEY Uirahesque'i^ MADE (arabesques) mee [arabesques) i683 {arahesqiies'' (32 in. On waist :— (a) mKELL EVITT SAM TOMBS CHURCHWDS R S 1733 RECAST 1887 6. On watxt-.—ia) JOHN WAKEFIELD AND THOMAS SPIERS CHURCHWARDENS 1683 RECAST 1887 ib) As No. 7. ^AM in. ib) rt.v No. 4. ^35 1 'n- 7. lOHN -f' TAYLOR 't''"^ AND ^''t'^' lOHN 't'^t' HVNT o" CH VRCH WA R DENS 't' {On xtaisi, three coins). (39.) in. 1 683 ■§■ 8. Above, arabesques all round. ^ lOHN COOKS RICHARD GOODE AVERY EDWARDES RICHARD SPIRES C W 1717 Below, founder's mark il'l. X.VIIl.. Fii^. 9) and arabesques, continuous. Formerh' si.x bells, ot which the ',rd w;i^ liv Richard Sanders, inscribed (44 in. 4^ • • • MIKELL EVITT -p SAM TOMBS CHURCH WDS -I- R A S 1733 The 4th h\- Mattlii-w Bagley: >fe lOHN MAKEFIELD THOMAS SPIERS CH VRCHMARDENS 1683 9 w ith borders between the words, as on the present 4lh and 7th. In 1SS7 two trebles were added b\ Taylor of Loughborough (whose trade-mark is on the waist), and the 3rd and 4th were recast. Tlie inscri[)tioii on tlic'se four are incised. Tlic wIujIc ring was originally by Matthew liagley ST<)Ni;i.i:i(.H — STKAII-OKD-nN-AVOX. 225. (1683); but the treble was recast by Henry Bagley in 1742, and the 3rd and 6th by Richard Sanders in 1733 and 1717 respectively; on the latter, the present tenor, is the founder's mark (Plate XXIII., Fig. 9). For the arabesques on the 3rd, cf. Tysoe 5th ; tiiey are not the same as those used by Matthew Bagley on the 4th (Fig. 11); yet another type is used by Sanders on the tenor. The old inscriptions are given in /Vo/w and Queries, 3rd Scr., x., 1866, p. 143 ; tlie new ones- inaccurately in Bloom's Shakespeare's Church, p. 104. cwt. qrs. lbs. cwt. qrs. lbs. Weights : :— I) 5:0: 8 5' 6 : 3 : ; 22 ^) 5 : : 27 6) 8:2 : 6 .5) 6 : : 7 7) 12 cwt. approx 4' () : : 26 8) 18 cwt. ai)[)rox • STKATFOKD-SUI''- •Avon Itm there , . ij belle; 3. viij' liij'* xx** ij' xij XXX" iij^ vjtKa>- EDGBASTON • MADE • MEE • 1705 (Coins on sound-bow.) 2. • lAMES • ELKINTON • AND • THOMAS • BROMAGE • CHVRCH • WARDINGS 1705 7^1^ IHS : NAZARF.NVS REX IVDEORVM FILI DEI MISERERE MEl 1620 vj" v x-* xxi* 1719 J^ (long band of arabesques) Ob /oy abcdefghiklmnopqrstuvwxyz 1231 3. ►-I' 1719 (arabesques) 4 A (araoesques) (3-2i in. (34* in- 4. THOS CLARKE WILLM GREENWAY CH-WARDENS A ^ R 1750 XJCJsOX 5 SIMON : : HEWENS . • ; RICHARD : GREENAWAY ; ■ : CHURCH : • WARDENS ; • : • : 2.nl line) :— • MATTHEW : • . -IBAGLEY • : MADE : : MEE • : 1782 : • (38I in. 6. '!-" VALENTINE WIGGINS LAMPEART MANDERS CHURCH WARDENS 1719 -jj? Below — Trade mark, PI. X.XIII., 9, as on first three, and continuous arabesques. (43^ in. ti:mplii nAi.sAi.i. — rrTf)N. 237 S, sf^n©sus sfiR©©us sfinesus 1715 1886 The first three and the tenor by Richard Sanders, with his large trade-mark (Plate XXIII., Fig. 9), arabesque ornaments, etc. Tlie ;ilph;ibctical and numerical fillinf,Mip of the line oti the 2nd seems to be unique. 4th : By Abt;l Rudliali. 5th : Ornament at end also found at Ufton; this is Matthew Hagley's latest bell. Tenor rehung by Bond without cannons ; its wheel is disproportionately small. Sanctus bell in original cot, now inaccessible ; probably by Blews ; its predecessor was probably b\' Sanders. 1552 : ' iij belles a saunce bell a hand bell.' 1750 : ' 6 Bells.' Customs : — On Sunda\'s a bell rung at 8 a.m. for Services, and formerly also on week-days, when there was any service during the day. A bell is rung after morning service, which is variously explained as ' driving the Devil away ' and w arning housewives to prepare dinner ! ' Midnight Peals ' rung on Christmas and New Year's Eves (paid for out of the Church- wardens' Accounts) ; ringing for Weddings by request, and sometimes on secular occasions. Death-knell on tenor, as soon as notice is recei\'ed (but not after sunset) ; tellers : 3 for male, 2 for female, i for child. At Funerals a bell is tolled at 8 a.m. on the morning of the day, ' Bearers' Bell ' rung two hours before the ceremony, and the tenor is tolled for a short time afterwards. Until 187 1 a bell was rung daily at six, originally at four, but whether a.m. or P.m. is not stated ; the sum of £2 used to be paid for this from a farm at Lower Tysoe, but \\ as then refused owing to the alteration in time of ringing. A similar arrangement used to prevail at Brailes. Pancake Bell on Shrove Tuesday at noon (5tli W-W). Gleaning Bell formerly. A hell rung for \'estry Meetings, and before the Parish Councils Act, also for election of Parish Officers. The 1st and 5th bells are rung in case of F'ire ; former!}- the sanctus bell was used for this purpose, but this bell is now only used for Week-day Services and Choir Practices. About forty years ago all the ringers bore the name Hancox. Best thanks to Rev. F. V. Dodgson, formerly Vicar, and Mr. W. E. Falkner. H.T. T., 19 April, 1887. UFTON. St. MiCHAKL. Three bells. 1. T ALDER ±i^ T PRATT SL~}. C ±^ W .t-t M ±i B j?.^ MADE ^S^ WE ^^ THREE ^}S^^.. 3779 2 TIMOTHY !!t-^ PRATT ^^ lEREMIAH 5t^ ALDER ^^ CHURCH WARDENS M ^^ B J779 238 TH1-; CHURCH BKLI.S OF WARVVICKSHHiE. 3. lEREMIAH ^^ ALDER ^^ TIMOTHY &^ PRATT &&. C A^ W M ±± B J779 All three by Matthew Bagley II. ; arabesques between the words, the same as on the 5tli at Tysoe. 1552 : ' iij belles, a saunce bell and ij hand belles.' Customs : — A bell rung on Sundays after Morning Prayer ; also at 8 a.m. for Holy Communion. Death-knell on receipt of notice ; usual tellers. Thanks to Rev. J. Barker, Rector. H. T. T., 3 May, 1884. ULLENHALL. (Old Church). St. Maky the Virgin. One bell. 1. 4*SVe mAFIA GRACIA PLGHA Cross and lettering as on the larger bell at Hunningham ; see p. 5 and PL II., Figs. 14 — 18. Probably by a local founder (John Kingston, of Warwick?), about the latter half of the fourteenth century. The bell hangs in an open cot on the W. gable of the church, and is best reached by climbing along the comb of the roof. The church is now only used as a mortuary chapel. Before the new church was erected in the village there were two bells here ; the other (smaller than the present one), had no inscription, but is noted by H. T. T. as long-waisted and " a very ancient cylindrical bell." It is now at Emmanuel Mission Church, in the parish of Christ Church, Sparkbrook, Birmingham (see p. i). H.T. T., 9 Feb., 1876; H. B. W., Aug. 1894. 1552: ■ OwNALL-iN-\VoTTON. Itm therc . . . . j bell.' (Clearly an error, as there must have been two there at the time.) 1750 : ' Outenhall 2 Bells.' See also Notices of Warwickshire Churches, i., p. 145. There is a local tradition that the old bells were brought from Studley by a Mr. Knight, and it is said that this can be verified. But in view of the date of the Studley ring, it must have been over two hundred years ago. Eight bells. ULLENHALL (Nkw Church). 1- -7. J. -WAHNER & SONS LOITDOIT 1S74 On waist : — 1 . NOISE 2. JOTFtTL 3 A 4. LIAEE 5. TTS 6 T,ET 7- COME UFTlJN — WAL'ION l)'i;i VI I.H. 239 8. OAST BT JOHN "WARNER & SONS LONDON 1874 On u\iist : — EN ^/ MEN (26 in. The shield on the tenor has three battle-axes, the arms of the Newton family, of Barrells ; it is lozenge-shaped, to indicate a female owner of the property. The initials are those of Elizabeth and Mary Rose Newton, the donors. It will be seen that the text on the first seven reads upwards ; also that the bells are exceedingly small. They are very oddly hung, in four apertures in the sides of the tower, in pairs one above the other. Mr. Falkner, who kindly examined them for me, says : " The bells can be rung, but the only musical ones are 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 ; the addition even of 3 spoils the others. When chiming the whole peal may be used with-- out offending the ears." Church built in 1875. WALSGRAVE-ON-SOWE. St. Maky. l^'ive bells. 1, W. & J TAYLOR FOUNDERS OXFORD 1843 1^ ff* 6^ ^ '24 in. 2 The same. • 25 in. 3 J: TAYLOR & C° FOUNDERS LOUGHBOROUGH 1872 On waist —REV R: ARROWSMITH VICAR I: B: IZON W: WATSON CHURCHWARDENS 1872 (29 in. 4. RICHARD ADRIAN VICAR lOHN BOWLES THOMAS HARRIS CHVRCHWARDENS 1702 2nd line): — HARKEN DO YE HEARE OVR CLAPERES WANT BEERE •••••• (3of in. 5. QVANTVM SVFFIIFIT BIBIERE MOLO CLANCVLA VOS MVSICA TONE 1702 i34in- 4th and 5th by William Bagley ; on the 4th, in the second line, ' claperes ' appears to be a euphemism for ' ringers.' The inscription on the 5th is in somewhat cryptic Latin, but I suspect the sentiment to be the same as on the other. N reversed on 4th and 5th throughout. A beam in the belfry is dated 1673. 1552 : ' SowE. ij belles and a lytle sacring belle." ' m"^ that ou' and besyds the forsaid p'cells the p'ishe have solde sythens the last survey oon bell the greatest of three for the rep'ac'ons of their churche.' H. T. T., April 1875 ; H. B. W., Sept., 1907. WALTON D'EIVILE. St. James. One bell. 1. . ■ MHAKS POUNDER LONDON .... The bell hangs in an open turret, and is ver\- difficult of access. The Vicar kindly examined it with glasses and was able to read the above, but not to see the date. .As, however, the church was enlarged in 1842 when Walton was reconstituted as a parish, it may fairly be assumed that the bell was put up then. It is not likely that there was one while it was a private chapel. We may then read the inscription as ithomas) mears founder London (1842), the type being the same as at Wilmcote. 1552 : ' Itm there . . . . ij belles." 1750: 'Walton 5 Bells' [sic). 240 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. Customs : — Bell tolled for fifteen minutes before Services on Sunda\s. Death-knell as soon as notice is given ; tellers 3X3 for man, 3x2 for woman, 2X2 for child. Tolling at funerals. Many thanks to Rev. H. G. Elton, Vicar. WAPPENBURY. St. Joh.n IUptist. Three bells. 1. BRYANVS ELDRIDE ME FECIT 1657 2. '^S GEORGE 3 i^^i 'HS NAZARENVS REX IVDEORUM FILI DEI MISERERE MEI 1629 1st: ELDRIDE should be eldridge ; see p. 58. 2nd : By one of the Newcombes : cross Plate XVI., Fig. 2 ; see p. 30. 3rd : By Hugh Watts Bells and belfry in bad order. 1552 : ' Wattonbury. iij belles and a saunce belle .... two pression [? procession] bells a sacring Bell." Customs : — ' Ting-tang ' (? treble; rung on Sundays at twenty minutes before Services, and ' Sermon Bell ' (? tenor)^live minutes before. Death-knell at 8 a.m. on morning following death. A bell rung for Vestry Meetings. H. T. T. noted in 1878 : ' When there is a morning service a bell is rung at 7 and 9 ; when in the afternoon, at 9 and 12.' Thanks to Rev. E. L. Wise, Vicar. H.T. T., 9 Oct., 1878. WARD END (Little Bkomwich.) St. Margaret. 2-I-2 bells. 1 THE * ROYAL * HOSPITAL * AT =>^ GREENWICH ^ 1716 (21 i in. 9, Thomas Mbars of London Founder 1834 (2b in. There are also two very diminutive bells without inscriptions, on which the clock strikes the quarters. The smaller bell is by James Bagley, of London (see p. 72). It is obviously a second-hand bell, and it would be interesting to know how and when it came to Birmingham.^ It is said that William Ilutton, the historian, presented or bequeathed bells to this church about 1815, and possibly the Greenwich bell was his gift. The present church dates from 1835,^ but is the successor of an older church or chapel ' The chapel ot Greenwich Hospital was destroyed by lire in 1770 and rebuilt in 1789 ; possibly the bell was sold about that tiire. ' According to Thomas' edition of Dugdale ihe church was re-erected about 1750 : but it is described as being in ruins in Ilutton's time. In any case, the present church is not of so eajly a date. WALTON Ij'lCIVII.i:— WAUWICK. 24I founded in 151^ in the paririli of Aston. Tlu; larger bell was either put up or recast when this one was built. H. !'>. W., .March. i(ju,S. WARMINGTON. St. Michael. Three bells. 1 . T. ROBINSON H. B HARRISON VICAR J BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1811 2. I.Z!J PR/OCISE THE LaORGIE 1©16 (3& in. iCeel 1602 (39 in. New wheels, stocks, and fittings by F. White, of Ai)i)leton. 2nd bell from the Leicester foundr}-, with Newcombe's cross and lettering, but the date is unusually late for these stamps ; it may be one of l^dward Newcombe's latest : cf. Morton Morrell and Birdingbury, and see p. ^^y. 3rd by Edward Newcombe, but in Watts' {sc. Brasyer's) alphabet ; the cross is the Brasyer cross (Fig. 5), which was Watts" property, and the bell was clearly cast while the two were in partnership (see p. j2). The Rev. R. B. Harrison was ap[)(>intcd \'icar in 1802. 1552 : ' iij bells A sance bell." 1750: ' 3 Bells." Thanks to Rev. Preb. Deedes. H.T.T., 18 Sept., 1875. WARTON. Holy Trinity. One bell. Church built 1849 ; parish formed out of Polesworth. WARWICK. St. M.\RY. lo+i bells. 1_ pROSPEpliy JO /\LL, OVp BEf^EF/\CJ0p5 A p ^ 1703 Below, vine-border. On waist : — («) J^EGASJ A.D. 1901 ([,) Taylor's trade-mark GJXJiOfi piVIJjqjOJ^l JAJ\. VlGAp T KEJvlf ■] - GHURGHWARDENS. (27 in. S. W. GOOKE J > i rj 1 2. PROSPERITY JO ALL OVR BENEFy\GTORS : 1 B ESQ'^ '^^'t-'?^ ^ (281 in. 3. qOD S/\VE JHE gUEE|J fpOSfERijy JO JJIIS PLAGE {arabesques) A J{ Below as So. 1. (30 in. 4. fE/\GE & qOOD NEiq|^BOVjR|HOOD 1710 j\ ]< ^ ttt++ttttttt+tttt .;. Below as Xc I. (31^ in. FF 24- riii; CHURCH BELLS OF \\ AKWICKSHIKE. -5. ABRA RVDHALL OF GLOVCESTER CAST VS ALL ANNO 1702 "^t^"^!!^^ (33l in. 6. A: R ^9 ^^ {Border Fig. 74 continuous) (37! in. 7. qOD fpOSPER JHIS fLACE AND ALL T|^/\J BELOJ^Q JO 11 J\ Ji 1702 Below as No. 1 . 40^ in. 8. PE/\CE /\ND qOOD NEiq^iBOUpjHOOD /\ : P : A & ^^02 7;i;/oK' rts M'. I . (42 i in. 9. GOD PRESERVE THE CHURCH AND KINGDOM AND GR-^-NT VS PEACE 1702 <■• (48 in. 10. Prosperity to this town the Rev? R. P. Packwood Vicar I. Arebsden I. Allen Ch. Wardens I814 ( chain-pattern j 2nd line : — T. Mears of London Fecit (cliain-paficrn) (54I in. Fire Bell. (Unhung) '±1 16 7 1^^ Bells rehung in steel frames by Taj-lor, 1901. The Rev. Canon Thurston Rivington, of Trin. Coll., Camb., \sas Vicar of St. Nicholas 1884-99, and of St. AIar\- 1899 — 1906. He was made Hon. Canon of Worcester in 1S97, and became Vicar of Putney in 1906. cwt. (jis. lbs. cwt. qrs. lbs. Weights and notes : — i) 4:2 .2) 5 : o .5) 5:3 4) 6:1 19 I' sharp 6) 9:2: 2 A 7E 7)ii:i:ii.G 4 I) 8) 13 : I : II 1~ sharp 14 C sharp 9) 18 : o : 21 E 51 7:1: 20 1; 10) 24 : 3 : 20 D. The Fire Bell is now in the cr\-pt ; it is b)- Henr\- Bagley, and is the only one which escaped the fire of 1694. The previous history of the bells, so far as is known, is as follows : — In 1552 : ' Warwicke the p"ishe of Saynt Mar.' Itm there . . . . v belles.' In the course of the next hundred years another appears to ha\'e been added, as Dugdale (i., p. 439), gives six bells previous to 1656, of which three at least were of pre- Reformation date ; the additional treble apparently had no inscri[)tion. The otliers he gives as follows : — 2. Vo.x Domini lesu Christi vox cxaltationis .5. Aeternis annis rcsonat campana lohannis 4. Isabel Beauchamp first founded me (this may be a later recast bell) 5. Trinitati sacra fiat haec campana beata 6. Det sonitum plenum Ihcsus et modulamen amenum Ihesu have merci on me Isabell ' About the skirt thereof ' : — "Ay(09 o ^cds ayi()<5 strokes, followed by chmiing for ten minutes, and then the tenor is tolled for ten minutes as ' Sermon Bell.' Before the 8 a.m. Celebration was introduced (about 1885) each bell was tolled eight times, and then the 7th bell 3x3 strokes. Ringing on Christmas Eve, Ascension Day, St. Nicholas" Day, New Year's Eve, and Easter Tuesday (" Churchwardens' Day ") ; on King's Birthday, Mayor's Day, and Arrival of Judges for Assizes ; for Weddings by request. A bell rung for all Vestry Meetings and Annual Meeting of the Chamberlains of St. Nicholas' Meadow. Pancake Bell on Shrove Tuesday ; 4th bell, at 11 a.m. Curfew at 8 p.m. on 7th bell ; formerly also the 6th was rung at 5 a.m. (up to 1S70). Death-knell at 8 a.m. on morning of Funeral, on 6th, 7th, or 8th bell, and the same at the time of the Funeral, with usual tellers in each case, and age tolled at the end. Muffled peals for Royalty, family of Earl of Warwick, and Bell-ringers. Bells re-hung by Barwell 1909. Very many thanks to Rev, F. H. Lawson, Vicar. H.T. T., I May, 1889. The very interesting Churchwardens' Accounts of this parish, which begin in 1547, have been partly transcribed and edited b}' Mr. Richard Savage in the local Parish Magazine (War- wick, Cooke, iSgo), and from them we can quote many entries of interest relating to the bells, which appears to have undergone numerous alterations in the period covered, down to 1621. These are given below : — 1547-48. Item p'' to henri pors^ for ixU of Iron & workemanship to the iiij"' hell stoke ... ij Item payd to John abbolt for kepyng the belles .. ... ■ •^^'' Item payd for licur- for the belles ... •■• ■•■ ■•• '>'j'' Item payd for whitledur' for the belles ... ... •■■ •■■ viij'' ' Powers. '' Liquor, i.e., oil. ' White leather, i.e., for the baldricks of the clappers 1 WARWICK. 247 Item payd for ij belropes... . ... ... ... ... ... ... ij- ijJ It'm payd for ij bell roppys y' p'.se' ... ... ... ... ... ij" viij'' It'ni payd to Henry ])orse for llie exchange o! vij pond of Irone y' mad a coloi- to the gret belle ... ... ... ... ... ... ... liij'' It'm for the workemanschyp of y' same Irone and a days worke at the same bell ... viij'' I t'm for a belle rope .. ... ... ... ... .. ... xx'' It ni payde to John bothe for kepyng of the bellys ... ... ... ... .xx** '55° S'- I'^' payd 10 harry porse for tnissyng y" second hell ... . . ... ... iij It' John a both a the same worke ... ... ... ... ... ij'' It' for a bell rope ... .-.. ... ... .. .. .. ij' ij"" It' to thorn' Ijrey for Irone & workema'shype to y" forlhe bell ... ... ... ij" It' to Jhon bothe for kepyng y° belles ... ... ... ... ... xx'' It' to henry porse for keyyse & naylys to y" belles .. ... ... ... ij'^ 155 1-52. It'm payd ffor ij bawdedrykes . ... ... ... ... ... ij" It'm to Jhone a bothe ffor niakyng a bawdrike ... ... ... .. iiij'' 1552 It'm payd to Harry porres ffor mendynge the ffyrst bell wheel ... It'm payd to Harry porres ft'or nalles to the same whele ... ... .. j" It'm payd Ifor lycu'' ffor the beeles ... ... ... ... ... ii"* It'm payd to Jhon a bowthe ffor whytelether & fibr kepynge off tlie beelles ... xvj'' 1553 It'm payd ffor iij bele ropes ... ... ... ... ... ... v" It'm payd to Edward Knythe ffor mendyng the gret bell wheylle ... ... iiij'' It'm nalles bestoyd A bowthe the beetles at the same tyme ... ... .. vj'' It'm payd to Harry pores ffor trusshyng off the beeles & lerne worke abowt the same xx"* It'm payd to Harri pores agayne ffor trusshyng otT the beeles & to Jhon a bothe ffor helpyng to the fame ... ... ... ... ... ... ... xij"* It'm payd to Jhon a bothe ffor kepyng off the beeles ... ... ... . xx'^ ■1554. It'm reseuyd off m'' Thom's ffysher to the castyng off our herede bell newly cast at lecitur off late ... ... .. ... ... ... ... iij' liij'' [And sundry smaller contributions to the same.'j It'm payd ffor a roppe ffor the sances belle & a nother ffor the lampe ... ... vj** It'm payd to Thom's browne ffor helpyng to hange vp the lampe & helpyng aboothe the sances belle ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ij"^ It'm payd to Thom's bre ffor workema'shype belonggyng to the trushyng off the sances bell & ffor lorne to the same woorke ... ... ... ... xiiij'^ It'm to coUes off snyte ffylde^ ffor hys paynes takyng to cu' in to the parishe to geve co'sell to the fl'ylynge off the therede q' bell & spente on hym &: apo' one y' dyd ffetche hym... ... ... ... ... ... ... .... vij.yngers on Corpus Xp's Day & Holy Thurresday .. .. vj'' [This entry erased.] 1558. It'm in brede & aylle to the ryngeres at the generalle prosessyon ffor quyne Elsabethe viij'' It'm payd ffor mendyng off the therde bell claper to Harry porries ... ... viij'' 1559. Pamentes ffor the belle. It'm payd to the bellfounder upon parte off pament ... ... ... xh-j' viij'' It'm payd ffor Caryegge & recaryege & ffor meat & drynke horsse meat & flor helppe at sundry tymes to loode ffrom lecetur & to lecetur... .. ... xxv'f iiij'' Item payd to blyke iTor makyng off the claper ... ... ... .. iij" iiij'' It'm payd to the belleffounder at the last beyng here. . ... ... ... vj" viij'' It'm payd to hym ffor iiij brasses ... ... ... ... ... ... ij" x'' It'm payd ffor takynge downe offe the belle the ffyrst tyme & drawyng vp off the belle ageyne the ffyrst tyme & ffor stokyng off the belle tV ffor meat cV drynke ffor them y' dyde hepe about the belle ... ... ... ... ... v" iiij'' It m payd ffor stokenge off the belle the last tyme ... .„ ... ... ij' It'm payd ffor a belle roppe ... ... ... ... . ... xviij'' ' Curfew. WARWICK. 249. It'ni payd iTor whitlielether Su' — iiij'' xvij" iiij'' 1560. Pamentks ffor thys yeke ffou the belles or stypulle. It'm payd to [eorge tatam' the belleffunder ffor the iiij"' beelle It'm payd ffor Costes & Charges off horse meat & manes meat & all other Charges when the belffnnder was here ... It'm ffor the Claper for the fforthe belle It'm ffor the hangyng off the grett belle It'm payd to Thoniis payiie ffor kypyng off the beelles . . It'm payd ffor a belle rooppe S'm— Ivj" iij'' 1 56 1. Charges belonging to the stepulle. It'm payd ffor Caryyng off the beelle to leceter a bowt mydsomer & ffor horsse meate & manse meat at the same tyme ... It'm payd ffor expensyes off twane off the churche wardens rydyng to lecetur to se whate Casse the beelle was in ... It'm payd for expenssyes and Charges Callyd Custum at the Castyng off the beelle It'm payd ffor takyng downe the beelle at tlie same tyme It'm payd ffor lycur ffor the beellyes It'm payd ffor horsemeat & mansmeat ffor Rycharde bykar rydyng to lecetur It' payd ffor Chargys & expenses & ffor the ffechyng hom off the belle at thys last tyme It'm payd to Harry porries ffor hangyng off the belle i^' ffor makyng off nallyes It'm payd ffor lycur ffor the beellyes It'm payd ffor Castyng off the beelle It'm payd to Thomis payne ffor kypyng off the beellyes It'm payd to Thomis payne ffor rynggynge oft'v a Clocke beelle It'm payd ffor brede & ale at the hangynge vp oft" the beelle ... S'm — v" ij' j"'ob. 1562. Pamentrs for thys ybre & ffykst off Alle ffor the stypulle. It'm expenses goynge to lecetur Thomis Alyn & Jhon Coocke horsse mett manse mett It'm yhon Coocke hym selfte goynge to lecetur It'm ffor Whytelether payd It'm ffor bayllynge the grett belle Claper to bleycke ... It'm ffor takynge downe the belle good manne Shepherd & other Company It'm a belle roppe It'm hangynge vp the belle another tyme It'm a nother tyme goynge to lecetur Rychard bykar... It'm payd ffor the belle ffounderes manse soper & ffor the bylle making to sende to lecetur It'm ffor lycur ffor the bellyes It'm payd ffor the Castyng off the belle & beynge ffurthe iij dayes It'm payd ffor hyre off ij horses to helpe to bryng the belle whom It'm payd ffor goynge to lecetur Rye. bykar ... ... •■■ ■ ■ It'm payd ffor goynge to lecetur Rye. bykar & Thomis Alyn ... It'm at hangyng the belle last off alle It'm payd to Thomis Tede ffor sutyng off Irons It'm payd to the belle founder ffor hyes last pament & ffor metalle It'm payd to Harry ponies ffor hangynge the belle .. It'm payd to Harry porries ft'or makynge off the fforthe belle Claptr It'm payd Harry Pories A nother tyme ffor vntrussynge off the belie xl" vj'* ij'' iij' vij'' XX'' iij* iiij'' xviij'' xnij" iij" ij" :iij» iiij'' ij" viij'' iii'l XVIlj' VllJ^ 111]" xl" iij« iiijJ xy viij'' VII ij''ob. llj" VJ" iiij' xxj'' xvnj'' ij'* iiij'' vj- iij' ij' "J" iij" iiij" ij" XXVJ' VIIJ" xiiij'' viij'' ' Probably Newcombe's loreman. GG ij' ix** 250 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WAKWICKSHIKIC. It'm payd to Thomis payne ffor helpynge to make the iiij*'' belle Claper. . ... iiijd S'm — iij" xiij' x'' 1563. It'm payd at the bargenyng off the fforthe belle Claper ... ... ... vj** 1564. It'm payd to William Shepard ffor trussynge off the grett belle & Rerynge off the brasses ... _ ... ... ... ... .. ... jiijn It'm ffor makynge off the Claper ... ... ... ... ... ... x'' It'm payd to Thomis Teede ffor the grett belle Claper 1565. It'm Receuyd over & .\ bove ffor sertene metylle lafte at the Castynge off the belle i It'm p:iyd ffor Expenses apon the belfunder at hys ffyrst Comynge ... ij' It'm ffor breade & aylle takynge downe off y° belle ... ... ... ... viij'' It'm to John grosse goynge to leceter ... ... ... ij» viij'' It'm to Thomis Howe ffor cariynge the belle to lesseter ... ... ... xiij" iiij"' It'm bestoyd agayne on y' belffunder when he was here ... .. ... ix"* It'm payde ffor (Zhargys ffor horse meate & mannes meate at the Carynge off the belle to leceter ... ... ... .. ... ... ... xxix^ vij* It'm payde ffor Carte Clottes shoynge & such other lyke at y' Carynge off ye belle x.\'' It'm payd to y" belffunder in parte off oamente off y' belle . . ..• .. 1' It'm payd to Robarte VVryght & Thomis payne ffor stockynge off y' belle ... xij'' It'm payde ffor trusshynge off y" iiij"' belle cS; seconde belle ... .. . ij" It'm lykur ffor the beellys ... ... ... ... ... .. vj"* It'm to Thomis payne ffor kypynge off y° clocke & the beellyes x" 1566. It'm payd to the belffunder ffor the latter payment of the belle . ... ... P It'm spente vpon the bellefutiders man ... ..... . iiij'' It'm p'' to the Ryngers when the Quine was here ... ... . . ... ij" It'm p'' ffor kypyng off the clocke & the beellys ... ... ... ... x" It'm payd to Thomus Payne ffor mendyng off the guogyns off the fryrst bele & for lycur for the same beelles & for pavynge in the churche ... ... ... xvj'' It'm ffor mendynge off the ffourthe belle clapper ... ... ... ... xij'' 1569. It'm payde ffor ij beelle Roppes ... ... .. •-. ij" viij'' It'm paid to Thomus lee ffor mendyng the ffourthe belle whelle ... ... vj"* It'm payde to Thomus lee ffor mendynge off the fframe off the belles ... ... iiij''ob. It'm payde to Raffe marten ffor a pece off Tymber ffor the fframe off the belles ... ij It'm payde ffor sawynge off thre Kersses off the same ... ... ... iiij'' It'm payde to Robarte Wryght and Thomus payne for trussynge off iij off the belles ij" It'm payde to John mydelltun ffor Mendynge the fframe belongynge to the belles in the stypulle ... ... ... ... ... ... ... xviij'' 1570. It'm payde to Thomus Anderson and Rycharde Porse for turnynge the greate belle Claper .. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... x** It'm payde to Robarte Wryght and Thomus Payne ffor trussynge the greate belle & rr.endynge the treble belle whelle ... ... ... ... ... xij** It'm payde to Thomus sherwode ffor a hoope to y' same whelle ■..- ... ij** It'm payde to John Aven ffor bossynge off the therde belle Clapper & mendynge off a locke off the greate Coffer .. ... ... ... ... ... iij'' vj'' 1 57 1. It'm payde ffor Kyngynge to the Kyngets at the day off the entrance off our souerante ladie the Queue ... ... ... ... ... ... .xij** Charges belonging to the Steple. It'm payde ffor wyne & sugar at the Cummynge off master newcum the belffunder at Whitsuntyde It'm payde ffor our charges at coventre when we bargenyd w' hym for the belle ... It'm payde to Cristnphcr Knyght ffor cariynge off the beelle to lecetur ... It'm goynge forwarde to leceter payde ffor our breckcfaste at bradeforde [Bretford ? It'm payde ffor our supperes at leceter the same nyght It'm payde for our dyner & our drinkynge on the thursday xiiij'' xj'' f viij'' xiiij'' ii* iiij'' ij" V'ob xviij"* iiij« vjcr xij'' ij" ij" vij'' \j« x'i xlvj" viij'' Nlj' viij'' viij'- xiij" iiij'' WARWICK. 251 It'm payd for wyne & sugar that was spente on master newcombe & hys men on tliursday at nyght ... ... ... ... ... ... ... .xxij'^ It'm payde for a quarte off muscadene gyven to mastres newcome on friday niornynge vii'' It'm payde & that was geven to the workemen off the howse & for other charges in the howse ... ... ... . ... ... ... ... ... xx'' It'm payde ffor our charges on ffriday & tylle we cam home It'm payde for the mcate that the cattelle dyde Eatte that drew the beelle to leceter It'm payde to phylypjie coo ffor makynge the o'ulygacion ffor tlie beelle... It'm payd to Thomas anderson for sutynge off the great belle claper & the baalle off yt & mendynge the fourthe bell claper the iee ' & the baalle It'm payde to M'' Newcum the belfunder ffor metelle belongynge to the belle It'm payde to m' newcum belffunder in parte olf pament off a more sum It'm payde to m' Rycharde brockes Ifor serten meialle bought off hym for the belle It'm ffor trussynge off the fourthe belle It'm payde to Thomas payne ffor kepynge the clocke & the beelles &: Ryngyng eght a clocke & fyve a clocke It'm gathered in olde metelle iij quarters xx'' iij poundes It'm the olde beelle wayd xij*^ iij quarters vij poundes It'm the new beelle waythe xvj hundrethe weght & so the hooUe charges belongynge to the stypulle thys yere ys S'm xiiij" iij" xj'' 1572. It'm payde to 'I'homas newcum belfunder for the laste pamente off a more sum ... xlvj' viij"^ It'm payd to Ryngers when the Quene was here & also for Ryngynge at the day off hur graces Entrance- of hur yeres ... ... ... ..»■ -. xv"* [Also payments for the clappers of 4th and great bells. 1573. Sundry small repairs, 1574. Item payde to the Ryngers for Ryngynge at the day of the entrance of the Quene... xx'' 1575. Item payde to the Ringers for Ryngyng on the Quines holy day beinge y° xvij day of November ... ... ... ... .. ... ... xx'' 1576. Item paide to William marclene for ballynge of iiij Clapers of our belles ... ix* v"* Item payde to the Ryngers for Ryngynge on the xvij* day of november beinge the fuUfyllynge of the xviij''' yeres of our Soueraigne ladye our Quene ... ... ij" 1577. Item payde to the Ryngers for Ryngynge the xvij"' day of November beinge the fulfyllinge of the xix yeres of the Reigne of our moste Dreade soueraigne ladye Elizabethe our Quene .. ... ... ... ... ... ij* ij"^ Item paide to the Ryngers to nrake them to Drinke when my lorde byshoppe was Wronge^ in to y* towne ... .. ... ... ... ... iiij'' 1578. Sundry small repairs and payment for ringing on Accession Day. 1579-1583- 1584- Item payd for takynge downe of one of the belles ... ... ... ... vj* Item payd ffor Expenses Rydynge or goynge to barbye to look vppon a belle . ij' [The last two entries seem to suggest a proposed exchange of bells.] 1585. As in previous years. 1586. Item paide to Edwarde paine ffor bowlinge* one off the belle Clapers ... ... iij' iiij' 1588. Payd vnto the Ringinge on the xvij*^ daye of November beinge the Entrance of the xxxj yeares of the prosperouse Raynge of our Soveraigne ladye Queene Elyzabethe Long & longe to Endure ., ... ... ... ... ij" vj* ' Eye. ' Sc. Accession. ■■■ Rung. * This would seem to be the same as ' shooting ' or ' suting,' i.e. casting, recorded in previous years. 252 THE CHURCH IJKLLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. Payd for the Ringinge on the xix"' daye of the same nionithe beinge the worthye Reinembraunce of the victorye over our enymyes by godes provydence moost prosperouse' ... ... ... ... ••• ■•. ... xx*" 1590. Besides payments for new brasses, stocks, etc., the following entries may be noted as of interest : — • Also p** to Edward Payne for makinge of iiij""' newe gudgins, iiij"'' great boltes, viij great Cotters, ij great staples, peicinge viij stirroppes, makinge 120 brabbes, nales, one staple for a baldrigge, leyinge xij'' of newe Iron of y" great bell claper, etc. ... ... ... ... ... ... .. ... x.v" •worke about ye third bell. Also p'' for makinge a newe bowe & ij newe blades for a peare of sheires & peicing all y" rest of y" stirropes & sheires & xx'' nales ... ... ... ... xx"* Also p"* for peicinge y° crowne staple ... ... ... ... ... ij** Also p'' for peicinge y" plaite y* holdethe the wheele ... ... .. .. x'' iron TBorke about ye fforthe bell. Also p"" for new bowinge ij peire of sheires & makinge a blayde & peicinge y" rest... vj° .\lso p** for layinge iron vpon the crowne staple & makinge it ... ... ... ij"* Also p** iiij°' cotters makynge ... ... ... ... ... ... ij"* Aleo p"* for makinge of ij newe cotters ... ... ... ... ... ij"" Also p'' for peicinge y" plaite y' holdethe y° wheele ... ... ... j'' Also wC Knight bestowed one bell stocke frely S'm xij'' y? \\yf 1592. .\lso p'' to John Tooley for trussing of the belles y*" were newe stocked y' last yere, & for puttinge in a newe beame vnder the mydle flower of y" steple ... ... \j viij** Also p* in bred & drinke to those persons as toke paynes in puttinge in of the same beame ij dayes & a halfe ... .. ... ... ... ... xiiij"* Also p"" to Thomas Owen for iron worke about the belles, k for nales when the were newe trust, vij great nales occupied about the beame ... .. ... iij ix Also p** to the saide Owen more for newe ballinge the iij"" & iiij"' bell clapers, & for makinge other thinges newe about the clocke, and mendinge the same clocke in some other thinges ... .. ... ... ... ... ... x\'' 1594. .\lso p'' to fraunces the Cloksmyth for lorne worke as he did about the Cloke & belles ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... i.x* Also p'' to williani martlen for worke as he did about the cloke & beles... ... xxij"* Also p"* for two new bellropes to serve the thirde bell & the forth bell ... ... lij" viij'' Also p** to John towley for all his singlinge the church, & for his peynes all the yere & for to ouer see the cloke & beles, & for a new stoke, as the same John founde, to trvsse the seconde bell w*-'' ... ... ... ... ... xv' Also p'' in bred & drinke to thowse as didringe in my lorde bysshep at his comminge to Warr. Also p'' for A gallan of ale as the wringers had on the quenes hollidaye ... 1596. Also p'' to Sturdye of wallswotton for welininge of the forth bell claper ... 1598. Also p'' to a chimer, for chiminge of the belles Also p"* to the Ringers, for Ringinge in the lord Byshop 1599. Also p'' to John owen for five buckles for the bavdres of the beles, a hinge, & a hocke, to the church .. 1603. Also p'' to the Ringers on the Kings holliday 1607. Also p"" to the Ringers on the Kings crounenacion daye Also p'' to the Ringers on the Kinges hollidaye being the fyvft of August Also p'' for a Thimnell to the bell Claper ... vjd iiij** xj» xviij"* viij* lj» vjd ij" xf ij' ,.jd ,j- VJd '^This entry is erased. Why? U refers, of course, to the victory over tlie .\rinada. ij" vjd xii<^ >J" v" ij' VI ij'' viij'' iij" vjd V" ijd ij" VJd xij'' :xx» viij** ij« iiij^ J' viijt' WAKWK'K. 253 1608. Also p'' to the Ringers on the fyfte of Avgust the Kinge being as thatdaye preserved from yarle Govre' 1610. Also p<' more to the Ringers, for Ringing on the fyvfe of Noucmbcr Also p'' to manes the Roper, for a newe Bell Rope ... 161 1. Also p'' to the wringers on the Kinges crounenacion Dayc. & the daye of the papes conspiricie ,1612. Also Rec : for Ringinge of the Bells at sendrie times... Also p'' to the Ringers on the Kings hollidayes : at two times tliat is to say on the xxv'''^ of marche <"t the fyvft of noveniber Iron worke Also p'' for two stirrops for the great bell brabbs A'so p'' for two Rodds for the bells wringe (? weinge) 14 pounds at 3'' the pound ... ^615. Also Rec for Ringinge of the bells at pleasure at sertain tymes ... . . .Also p'' to the Ringers, for wringing on the xxiiij"' daye of marche laste... Also p'' to William pedlye for comming over to look of our bells before the were mended Also p'' to the same william pedlye for xxiij'' (sic) dayes woorke for him selfe about the bells ... [And similar payments.] Also p'' to John Wakefield for on pece of Timber, for to stocke two bells, iV for on pece to make shrude hordes & for on pece for spokes to the whells ... [Numerous other repairs.] 1616. P'' to John Marrett for Clout Leather for the Eyes of the Bells for the wholle yere ^619. p<* to Robert Newcombe" for ij strikes of Lyme mending to of the Church wall that was broken and for mending the Pavement in the Church w'^'' was broken by the Bell .. ... ... ... ... ... ... iiij' Charges at Casting of the fourth Bp:ll. Imprimis p'' to Richard Dawkes* in Ernest when he vndertooke the Casting of the fourth Bell... ... .. ... ... ... . . ... xij'» p'^ for a quarte of wyne given to Richard Baker when he came over first about taking of the bell ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... xijd p'l to m"" Yardely for making of a Band when m"" Wyatt and m'' Wast stood Bound... xij"* p'' for beere for the Belfounders when they came over to seale the Bond... ... vj** p'^ to Richard Overton & his men for helping downe \v"> the Bell the first tyme ... iij" p'' to Oliver Yelson for helping them ... ... ... ... •• iiij'' p*' for bread and beere for them the same time ... .. ... — xxj*^ given to others w'^'' helped vs to loade the Bell ... ... ... ... vj"^ p"" for our Charges w"' the Teeme at ii several! Tymes going w"' the Bell to Strat- ford ... ... ... ... ... .■ •■• ••■ xxxij" 'x" p"^ to Richard Overton &: his men for helping to hange the Bell the first Tyme . iiij" p'' for bread and beare for them the same tyme ... ... -.• ■•• xv" given to Symon Baker at his Coming over in hotie he could haue mended the tune of the Bell ... ... ... ..■ ■• ••• ij' p'^ to Richard Overton & his men for helping downe w^i* the Bell the second tyme ij' p"* to him and his men for helping vp w''' the Bell againe the second tyme iiij' p'' to Roger Ley for lending vs a Beame to way the Bell & helping vs ... xij^ p<' to Richard Ridge and Richard ffletcher f:itching waightes and helping vs about the bell ... ... ... ■ ■• ••■ ••• xij*) p'' to Richard Overtons men for Carryeing home the Rolle the Leavers iS: the gable Rope w'^h wee Borrowed about the Bell ... ... .•• ^j ' The Gowrie conspiracy ; a day appointed by order to be observed. '^ I.e. Coronation Day, given as 24th March in following years. ' .\ local man, not the bell-founder. * See p. 56. He was probably a Worcester man, but the bell seems to have been cast at Stratford iJ 254 THE CHURCH BELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. xij"* vj" iiij' iij« iiij'' xij"* I'.i' viij'' xij* xviij"* ix" xiij" iij^ iij** viji^ iij'- p"* to m' Yardley for making a Bond wherein the Belfounders stand bound for a xij monethe &: daye p"^ to m' Yardley for making another bond wherein m' Wyatt stand bound to dis- charge the parishe of all demandes from the Belfounders ... p'l to Michael ffarr for a newe Cartroope for William Bolton bycause his was broken about the Bell p'' more to him for a Belrope p** to Thomas Shariey for trussing vp the third Bell ... given to Thomas Hinde for helping him pf" to Thomas Hinde for helping about the Bell all the wholle tyme p" to William Savage for making a Newe eye to the Little bell clapper ... p"* to him for peeceing of the great bell clapper & Layeing ij pound & a half of Iron thereon ... ... ... ... ..• ... ■ • p"* for XXX brabbes vj Cotters iiij Ringes and for peecing the stirropes to the Newe Bell p"' for peeceing trie stirrops & for nayles to the Third Bell stock p"* to M' Wyatt & the Belfounders for Casting of the Bell & xiij poundes of newe mettle given to Symon Baker the Belfounder over and above Some of the Charges about the Bell amounteth to 1620. Receyved of the Inhabitantes vpon a Levy made towardes the Castinge of the fourtl Bell as by the particulers appeareth the some of .. p"" for Loggers for the Bells ... ... ... ... -■• ■•• x'' [And numerous other repairs.] Item theire is also at this meeting allowed by the Inhabitantes of the said parishe that xiij'' iiij'' shall be yearely paid to Six Ringers &: the Clarke to Ring every Sabbath day & hollyeday in the yeare a Sollempne peale before morning & Evening prayer. 162 1. (Payment to the clerk and ringers in accordance with the above resolution) ... xiij' iiij'' [It should also be noted^that in every year occur receipts of money for ringing the bell at the death of parishioners, the usual charge being fourpence.] The Vicar very kindly sends some additional extracts relating to the recasting of the bells in 1695, which are here appended. He notes that they[come from different pages of the accounts for the two years 1695-96, but belong to one continuous account. The accounts at this time were made up every two years. Memorandum of a meeting held on this day being the 7''' day of January 1694 upon due notice given in the Church yesterday by the Churchwardens of this Parish : It is agreed by the Feoffees and Inhabi- tants of this paiish, that thej Churchwardens for the time being shall upon request pay unto \\"° Bolton Esquire M'' Aaron Rogers M' W" Tarver M' Richard Hand M"" W" Makepeace and M' Sam Jemmal the sum of (illegible, but see below) which is to be employed by them or the major part of them toward the new casting of the 5 bells into 6 bells and for new hanging the same as they shall think fit Witness our hands Twenty pounds is the) ,„. ^ , , > (rive s-iP7intures iierc.) sum agreed upon J v « / the mark of (Seventeen rwnics here ) Money gave by severall persons for the casting of the Bells. {Here follow 7J naj/tcs' amounts giveti varyiiio from''^£$ to ij-) Total money given to cast Bells Paid to the men in drink y'' helped to weigh the Bells Paid to men that sat up to watch the Bells when broke €2^ , 00 . 01 . 00 00 . 01 , . 00 07 . 04 0.5 W'AK'WICK. 255 Paid to the Bell founder in drink at several times ... ... .. 00 . 02 . 00 Paid to the BcUhangers in drink... ... .. ... .. .. 00 . 01 . 00 Paid to the men in drink that holp to \veii,'h the hells cost ... ... ... 00 . o 1 . 00 Paid to John Richardson for shoes for y° Bellfounder ... ... ... 00 . 08 . 00 Paid to Tho. Williams & John Hope for hanging the ]5ells as appears by the I Articles ... ... ... ... ... .. .. .. / Paid to John Williams for Timber & worke used about the steeple as by Bill) appear ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... / Paid to Henry Townsend lor slow (?) Lime & worke used about the steeple as by ( , bill appears ... ... ... .. . . .. ... i Paid to William Grey for worke done about the steeple as by bill appears ... 00 . 06 . 06 Paid to William Perkes (1) for 22 yards of matting for tlie Floor in the steeple .. 00 . 1 1 . 1 o Paid Nicholas {illegible) for work & materials fcr the Chimes as by Bill ... 06 . 00 . 00 A FURTHER ACCOUNT OF THF. BLLLS, ETC. Bells weighed in March 29, 1695. c <]r h I = 5 = ' = 5 a"! = 6 = o = s 3^ 1681 Q A bin'c, border all round (arabesques ) PRO ^^ REGE ^ ET (broad scroll) eccleSEA • %^ • 168I .^^^^ • 3^^^^ Beiotf, border all round (arabesques inverted) (36 in. All six by Henry Bagley ; treble estimated at ,^ cut., tenor ig^ cwt. (sic). Borders: on ist and 3rd, Fig. 11 ; on 2nd, floral ornament and Fig. 11 : on 4th, Figs. 9, II, PI. XXII. 10 ; on 5th, cross PI. XXII., P^ig 7, floral ornament and Fig. 11 ; on 6th, Fig. II and Bucks, PI. XXXII. 3, and a rosette. Coins of Charles II.. apparently farthings. The bells of Thelsford Priory, about ij miles awa\ . founded by Sir William Lacy temp. Henry III., are said to have been given to Wellesbournc at the Dissolution (the \'icar says only the tenor) 1552 : ' Welsbukne. iiij belles one litle bell.' 1750 : ' 6 Bells.' HH 25^ THI. CHURCH BliLLS OF VVAK'VICKSH IRT: Customs : — Bells chimed on Sundays, rung on greater Festivals. Ringing on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve from 11-45 to 12-15 ; for Weddings by request. Death-Knell on receipt of notice; tellers ^X^ for man, 3X2 for woman, 3x1 for child. Muffled peals rung on eve of funerals of persons of note, such as the Bishoi). A bell rung for \'estry Meetings. The bells were formerly rung on St. Thomas' Day at 6 a.m. for half-an-hour ; but the Vicar, believing there was no reason for the custom (for which see p. 8g), has transferred it to the Patronal Festival (St. Peter's Day) at a later hour. Best thanks to Rev. R. W. Rudgard, \'icar, and to Mr. Falkner. H.T. T.. 3 .Aug., 18S1. WESTON-UNDER-WEATH ERLEY. St. Michael. I'luir bells. ^^m IHS: MAZARENVS {bonier) REX IVDEORVM (tord^r) Fl LI ; DEI; MISERERE \^^^ {border) MEl (border) 162 tf- {border) (27I in 2. GALFRIDVS <► GILES # FECIT ♦ ME ♦ ANNO ♦ DM 1583 ♦ On watst ■.—'ic Cantiitc Douo raiitituin Nouum Laus Eius In Ettlcsia Sanctorum 3 Morgan (coat-of-anns) Santtfrs Hnno Dni 1585 On waist:— 'i? L'.ui&ate Doiitu Quia Bonus Donus Pfallitt Note Etus quoniam aiilut 4. C50mffs j^; moRGAn 3! $ [#1 ^quigr 1592 1^ (M !"• The 2nd is cracked right down, and the 3rd round the iniddlc ; bells dirty and neglected. 1st : Watts, of the usual t\pi' : ' acorn ' borders. 2nd and 3rd: For this foimder see p. 47: the inscription on the waist of the 2nd is from Ps. 149, i. (Vulg.), that on tiie 3rd apparentl\' an adaptation of Ps. 147, i. The capitals are large and coarse, of iiuasi-Konian type, very flat and thin, and the smalls are ni similar character. 4th: By Hugh Watts I. (see p. 41), the earliest dated of his bells in the county exce()t Wootton Wawen ; the bottom of the shield is cut off. 1552 : ' WHSTON-UNDicK-VViriiiicLV. jij belles and a saunce belle.' C-USTOMS as at WapiJunburw with wliirli thr li\ing is uniteil. The inscrii)tions on the bells are mentioned in Tliomas' Dugdale, i., p. 297, where it is also stated that the Manor of Weston was granted in 1557 In- yucen Mary to Sir Edward Sanders, WIM.I.liSHOl l^NI-.-'W JlAlCOli;. 259 Knt., of Nc\vl)()l(l, cliief IJanm of tlic l£xcliequer, and to Thomas Morgan, and their heirs ; which Thomas marrit-d Mary, sole daughter and heir to the said Sir Edward. Thomas Morgan was patron of thr living 1576 — 1600 ; he was born in 1533, died at Weston, and was buried at Hey- ford, O^on. The three larger bells were his gift. The Morgan-Sanders' arms, which appear on the 3rd bell, are for were) also to be seen in the chancel. In IJrit. Mus. Add. MSS., 29264, fol. 173, this and other additional information is given supplementing the printed account, with a drawing of the coat-of-arms. The latter is not quite explicit, but the coat may be roughly described as follows :— Arms of Morgan : Party per jjale— (i) Argent, on a bend sable three roses •of the field ; in chief sable, a cross between two lieurs-de-lys argent ; (2) quarterly : ii and 4) arms of Pembcrton (?) ; (2) [doubtful} ; (3) three animals i)assant (?). Imijaling the arms of Sanders : Part\ per chevron sa. and arg., three elephants' heads erased and counterchanged of the field. From the same MSS. we learn that the second bell was cracked by 'clocking' as long ago as 1830, or, as the writer sa>s, ' by the careless wilfulness of tying a string around the bell when ringing.' H. T. T., 9 Oct., i.SjS ; fi. B. W., Sept., 1907. WESTWOOD. One bell. (.luircli built 1^44- I'arisli fciriiird from Stoneleigh. WHATCOTE. St. Pktkk. Three bells. 1 raiiJijifiLQ BLieras f-iriD SOUS. BiviiiiinGij^m lais. On ^■aist :—ia) ^i-' flD DGI GLiOFJIfi!!! C© \n USUUi D : D : ei^nessus si^oyss sfi66:i-->Dos ►^ ^ toe DeusD LifquDfiffiUS ^■. H. B. lcS2. 2, lOHN Pf.| CLARK |^| MED ME 1711 3 M. BACLEY MADE MEE 1766 WILLIAM MARSHALL WILLIAM BLAKEMAN CHURCHWARDtNS On vaist . -RECAST QUEEN VICTORIAS DIAMOND JUBILEE YEAR 1897 WILLIAM SANDERSON MILLER RECTOR H. BOND & SONS FOUNDERS BURFORD OXON 2nd: John Clark must be a successor of the William Clark who cast the bells at Henley and Newbold Pacey (see p. 76). The old treble ami tenor were inscribed as indicated on the new bells. H. T. T. noted the former as badK' cracked in 1S76. He also says there has e\-idently been a fourth bell here ;; Loughborough ^ 1904 Below, vine-border and Yr people all mho hnu- us vino Be faithful to uour GOD anb King 3. Praise GOD in f)is sanetuarn ^ ^ Below, as on 1st. 6+1 bells. (27:^ in. (29 in. (3ii in. 4. 5. WILLIAM bagley '^sX}.'©^ made MEE 1695 (31I in- BBV° R: B: PINIGBR RECTOR. W: TAYLOR FECIT J WILKES & R GIBBS CHURCH- WARDENS (35 in. 6 Beholi), holu goob anb holu pleasant it is for brethren to bluell together in uiutu ^ Below, as on first. (41I in. S. WILLIAM BAGLEY MADE MEE On waist : — 1706 On sound-bow : — THOMAS HARRASS ROB WALKER lO TAPLIN C W All re-hung in Taylor's H frames. Formerly tive bells, the treble inscribed CANTATE DOMINO CANTiCVM NOVVM 1695 the old 2nd and 3rd like the present 4th, with borders between the words, the 3rd ha\ing also a border above the inscription. The additional bell is therefore the tenor. Borders on 4th, Figs. 10, 13. The capital letters on the new bells are copied from the well-known and beautiful letters found at .South Somercotes, Lincolnshire. They have also been used b}- Taylor at Worcester Cathedral. cwt. 4) 4 5) 6 6) 12 The remarkable lightness of tliu 4th 1h,11 is to be noted. The sanctus bell hangs in a cot over the chancel arch. The Kev. R. B. Pinigcr (5th bell) was appointed Rector in 1839. Weights cwt. — I) 4 qis. : I lbs. I 2) 5 : : I 3) 5 : 3 : 20 qrs. lbs. 3 26 2 8 3 23 1552 : ' iiij belles one sancc h 1730 : ' 5 Hells." " At Whichford there is a prett} ring of bells, v\ hich rang immediately we came out of church." (Diar>- of Thomas Archer of Merton College, Oxford, 1801). H. T. T., 20 June, i87() : H. T'.. W ., Sept., 1908. \VHlf:iIFOKI) — WHITNASH. 261 WHITACRE, NETHER. m. Gii.es. Three bells. 1 Wy BUTLER C W THO^ HEDDERLY OF NOTTINGHAM FECIT 1783 2. >b NEWCOMBE . OF . LEICESTER MADE KIEE . 1612 3. THO^ HEDDERLY NOTT^ FECIT 1785 WILLIAM BVTLER CHVRCH WARDEN 1552 : ' iij belles a sauncc bell and a hand bell." Customs : On Sundays a bell riuig from 7-45 to 8 a.m. ; for morning and evening Services one bell rung for fifteen minutes, then chiming for fifteen. Ringing on Greater Festivals, and on New Year's E\e from 11.30 p.m. to 12.15 a.m.; for Weddings b)- request. Death-knell on day of death or following day between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ; tellers 3x3, 3x2, and 3x1 (the latter for infants under three) ; age of deceased tolled. Tolling for half- an-hour before Funerals. Thanks to Rev. H. E. Metcalfe, Rector. WHITACRE, OVER. Sr. Leonard. Two bells. 1 , No inscription. 2. #*^^ CELORVM • CHRSTE • PLATIAT • TIB! • REX • SONVS ■ ISTE 1616 1st : Probably mediaeval. 2nd : By Watts. Bells very difficult to get at. 1552 : ' iij belles in the steple and a hand bell.' Both bells used for Services on Sundays and for ' ringing ' at Weddings : chiming immedi- ately after Funerals. Best thanks to Rev. J. G. Lane, Rector. WHITCHURCH. St. Mary. One bell. 1 ►$< 1 ; R : PJ : I ►l^ fl e : 0) fl : G p Cross and lettering as on ist and 3rd at Beaudesert ; see p. 4, Plate IL. i--ij. 1 he inscription is not so difficult to interpret as may seem at first sight ; it is, in fact, an abbre- viation of the two at Beaudesert: ' I(hs) N(azarenus) R{e.x) I(,udeorum) A(v)E M(ari)A G(raci)A.' Probably by a Warwickshire founder of about 1350. 1552 : ' Whitechurche. Iij belles a hande belle.' 1750 : ' I Bell.' Best thanks to Mr. Falkner and Rev. J. H. IMoom. H.T. T.. 15 June. 18.^7. WHITNASH. St. Margaret. Six bells. 1. J TAYLOR & C9 FOUNDERS LOUGHBOROUGH i^ 1896 262 THK CHURCH HKI.I.S OF W AKW ICKSHIKK. On waist :— THE CHURCHWARDEN EDWARD CRUMP | ^^^Qg^s EDWARD READING, JUNIOR J 1896 ^26i in. 2 J : TAYLOR & C9 FOUNDERS LOUGHBOROUGH MOCGCXGIi On uvns/ — A. H. M. RUSSELL, M.A., RECTOR J. WOOD, PARISH WARDEN (27* in. 3. ?' MATTHEW ^.^sXXek^ BAGLEY . --'^X®-* MADE .,-gXX®-= MEE '^teXX&-' 1680 (2ql in. 4- lOHN ^^ FREEMAN ^"X AND ^^ HENRY ^yt CHAMBERLAINE >^ CHVRCH- WARDENS ^■S. 1680 ^^ *^^* '"" 5. ^s No. 2. (hi waist:— "THE RECTOR" IN MEMORY OF GANON YOUNG RECTOR 1846 1884 U4i '"• 6 J : TAYLOR AND C9. FOUNDERS LOUGHBOROUGH MDGGGXCIi Oh waist :— TO THE BELOVED MEMORY OF ELIZABETH WISE OF SHRUBLANDS LEAMINGTON H. LEEKE AND E. H. LEEKE CHRISTMAS 1891 (38J in. Taylor's H -shaped iron frames. Borders on 3rd, PI. XXII. 10: on 4th, Fig. 11. The hirge floral ornament on the 3rd before MATTHEW also occurs at \\'ormlLi^hton. Type on tenor larger tlian on the other Taylor bells ; it is their more recent varietw as at Allesley and Berkswell. Formerly two bells only : 2nd. 5th, ami 6fh addt-d in iSq2 (see Church Jn-lls. 4 March), and the treble in i8g6. cwt tirf. lbs. cwl. tirs; lbs. Weights: — i) 4 : o : 14 4) 5 : i : 12 2j 4 : I : U 5) S : I : 2 3) 4 : 3 : o 6) 10 : 3 : 15 1552 : ' Wytnashe. ij belles a sannce lull, and ij small Indies." 1750: ' 3 Bells.' ^'rsTOMs: — On Sunda\s bells chimed for Services : a Ix 11 rung at M a.m. and also at 9 a.m. lold .Mattins and Mass bells). Kinging on Christmas Day, Easter Da\', New Year's I've and Dax . and for Weddings b\- request. Death-knell on receipt of notice ; usual tclUrs. followed by tolling age of deceased, and tellers repeated. wiiMN'ASH -wir.i.orf.Hiiv 263 Thanks to Rev. A. H. M. Russell, Rector. H. T. T., .50 Jan., 1877 ; H. I',. \\'.. St^pt., 1907. WIBTOFT. Onu hcil liv Heddcrley, of Nottin,i;liam, datcl 175S; see North's Cliurch Bells 0/ Leicester- shire, p. 302. The Parish Church was formerly m Leicestershire, but the parish is now wholly iji W'arwickshire. WILLEY. St. LiioNARi). Three bells. 1. BRYANVS ELDRIDGE ME FECIT 1658 2. IHS NAZARBNE REX lUDBORUM PILI DEI MISERERE MEI ANNO DOM : 1730 3. ^^j I GOO ! I SAV£ I I THE I i KING | |li6il!7| rst : See [>. 5S. 2nd : r>y Eayre of Kettering. 3rd : By Watts. The bells are very small. 1552 : WvLi.v. iij belles and a sauuce belle, a hand belle.' 1750: '3 Bells.' H.T. T., 14 Oct., 1897. WILLOUGHBY. St. Xu hoi.as. six bells. 1 ^ M" ROBERT WATSON FARMER AND M'^- WILLLAM GIERKE CHVRCH WARDENS 1713 ( Runitirii^' border hchnv ). 2. -^ • lOSEPH • SMITH (border I • IN • EDGBA3T0N • (border) • MADE • MEE • 1713 (border) 3. ►f' GOD • (border \ SAVE (border) • (border) • HIS • (border- • CHVRCH (border) • 1713 • ( Runniii^ border belt.",c). 4. ^ I.i'' ROBERT WATSON FARMOR AND M'' WILLIAM CLERKE • CHVRCH WARDENS • 1713 • 5. Hh K" V/ILLIAM • TVRTON MINESTER M'-^ ROBERT WATSON FARMOR AND M" WILLIAM CLERKE CHVRCH iit'/ew .—WARDENS 1713 mui nmniu^; border. 6. John Malling & Henry Mills Church Wardens ■^'">'>"4- w'^ Chapman OF London Fecit 1781 ■^'C'O'^ On waist : — my mournpull Sound doth warning Give that herb Men CANNOT ALLVTAYS LiVE 264 THli CHUKCH BELLS Ol" WAKWICKSHIKi;. Usual scroll borders on ist — 5th (PI. XXIII. 2). 6th : Bells by William Chapman alone are very rare (see p. 83). There were formerly chimes here, playing at 12, 4, and 8, said to have been brought from Southam ; the si.x tunes played were " Cannon," "Suffolk," "New Court," "Belle Isle March," " Captain Thornton's March." and a French tune. 1552 : ' iij belles and a saunce belle.' 1750: '5 Bells.' H. r. T., 20 Jan., 1892. WILMCOTE. St. .\ndke\v. One bell. 1. THOMAS MEARS POUNDHR LONDON 1841 (23 in. The bell is placed in a small wooden erection in the Churchyard. There was an ancient chapel here, but the present building is entirely modern (built in 1840) ; see Hannett, Forest of Arden, p. 70. H.T. T.. 15 Nov., 1S81. WILNECOTE. One Bell. 1. THOMAS HEDDERLY FOUNDER nott 1763 (I7i i"- Bell very much corroded, nott is, of course, Nottingham. Lynam, Staffordshire, p. 36, gives anno domini in place of nott. H. T. T., ] June, i8gi. WINDERTON. See Brailes. WISHAW. St. Chad. Two bells. 1 R|*| THOMAS ^^ GOODARD ^^ CVRCH ±^^ WARDIN ^^^^^ 1650 T C |i jlkI 0-, ■ (28J m. 2. 14*1 MICKEL ^^<-»<- WALFORD »-<•»<• RECTOR »<•»< - 1650 • >^<-x- (3ii in. Both by John Martin of Worcester; cross, Plate XXL, big. 7; small heart-shaped trade-mark (Plate XXI., Fig. 2) ; border, PI. XXI. 8. The X is reversed. The Rev. Michael Walford was Rector 1629—1662. Said to have been formerly three bells, but one sold about 70 years ago to raise money ; H. T. T. in 1874 noted that the wheel and stock of the third bell still remained. 155.^ : ' Wyshawe. iij belles in the steplr.' 1750: '3 Bells.' Customs : On Sundavs a bell always rung at 8 a.m. ; for later services both bells chimed for ten minutes, and then after a five minutes' interval for five again, followed by a few stroke on one bell as " Sermon Bell." WILKOUGHHY — WITHYKKi )( )K. 265 Ringing for Weddings, Death-Knell, and tolling at Funerals, all by request. Thanks to Kev. W. B. Stanford, Rector, and to Mr. Falkner. H.T. T.. 25 Sept., US74. WITHYBROOK. All Saints. Four bells. 1. CHRISTOPHER WRCHT OF HAPPISFORD ESQUIER 1582 On waist .— BARWELL FOUNDER BIRMINGHAM RECAST 1907 (284 in. 2. BRYANVS ELDRIDCE ME FECIT 1656. On waist : — as on 1st : in addition : IN MEMORIAM A. C. DALZIEL ESQ OF IRVINE N.B. (29 in. 3. SOU DEO GLORIA PAX HOMINIBVS 1654 On waist as 1st. (33 jn. 4. »i< BE . YT . KNOWNE . TO ■ ALL. . THAT • DOTK ME . SEE . THAT NEWCOMBE OF . LEICESTER . MADE ME 1612 (36 in. The first three bells being cracked (the 2nd and 3rd as long ago as 1876, as noted by H. T. T.) have now been re-cast, with old inscriptions repeated. According to H. T. T.'s notes they were as follows : — ]. *h *i* CHRISTOPHER l^l wrgHt ^^J of L'L! HT^PPISFORID liJ ESQUIER Below:— tS&S 2 BRYANVS ELDRIDGE ME FECIT 1656 3. 4* SOLI -f-f-t DEO •f-t--f GLORIA ft"t PAX f't"t' HOMINIBVS 1654 / — v-^ : ^L ; {with border at end) The treble was by Robert (?) Newcombe of [Leicester, being the earliest dated bell by that firm in the county (see p. ji). If the date given on the new bell is to be trusted, it was also the earliest dated bell in the county at tlie time of its disappearance ; but H. T. T. gives the date as 1585, and is more likely to be right, as it is cjuite conceivable that a peculiarly formed 5 may have been mistaken for a 2. Unfortunatel\- my predecessor left no rubbing. The cross and letters are Plate XVI., Figs. 2, 7-10; the stamp used as a stop is the head of King Edward III. (Plate X., Fig. 3), as found on other Newcombe bells. 2nd : for Bryan Eldridge, see p. 58. 3rd : bv John Martin of Worcester ; cross, ornament between words, and trade-mark, Plate XXL, Figs. 3, 6. 7. On the (jresent 4th the N's are reversed. 1552 ; ' iij belles and a saunce bell.' Best thanks to Messrs. Barwell for information about the new bells II 266 THE CHURCH BELI.S OF WARWICKSHIRE Christopher Wright, of Happisford, J. P., the donor of the old treble, died 5 Dec., 1602 ; there is an altar tomb to him in tho church with incised effigy and his arms above, also the inscription (remarkable at this date) " whose soule God rest." See Dugdale, i., p. 217. H.T. T., 16 Sept., T876. WIXFORD. St. MiLBURGHA. Two bells. 1 No inscription. ALL i^SXXg^ PRAYSE ^sXKS^ AND ',JSXK&^ GLORY '^&XK&^ BE oxgXX®^ TO ^^eXK®^ A" GOD ( t^gXKQv^ FOR ^L^gX^^eX EVER 1672 \^^ / Smaller bell ancient; larger by John Martin of Worcester, with running border between words, and small heart-shaped trade-mark (PI. XXI. 2. S). In a small wooden western turret : originally in an open double cot. One of the two is said to be cracked and disused. 1552 : ' WiCKiLFORD. Itm there . . . . j bell.' Death-Knell tolled for an hour, on receipt of notice. Thanks to Rev. A. \V. Sheard, Rector. H.T. T., 29 Jan., 1878. WOLFHAMCOTE. St. Peter. Two bells. ] . Pack & Chapman of London Fecerunt ivso 5& ^ 5& © ^ ^ 9 ♦J* © -^^ 111 ITlultie ffuuis I^csoiut (Jampana lohaunis The larger bell is probably by John Sturdy of London, c. 1430 (p. 22) ; the crosses are Plate XL, Figs. 2, 3, and the crowned capitals are Stephen Norton's (PI. XI. 6-8, 10). It is unusually large for a small church, weighing 18 or 19 cwt. 1552 : ' Wolhamcote. two belles in the steple.' H.T. T., 21 Jan., 1892. WOLFORD, GREAT. St. Michael. Six bells. 1 MAIOR THOMAS KYTE CAST MEE LEADER OF THIS RINO TO~BE iTlill iJifoi Below, arms cf Keyte. (29 in. 2. CAPTAIN THOMAS \J KEYTE CAST MEE mi6ll8JI^ (31 in.. 3. •:. W. FLETCHER & T. FOX WARDENS 1792 I. RUDHALL FFc. (34 in. 4. MAIGOR KEYTE CAST THIS RING 1690 Below, arms of Kcytc thrice. (36 in. 5. THO : SHEPHARD : WM . HALL : C : W : M : B : MADE : ME : J75CJ (39 m. 6. On waist:— (a) RECAST BY G. MEARS, & CO., 1864, A. WHITE & SONS BELLHANGERS. WITIIYHKOOK -WDI.STOK. 267 ib) G. D. WHEELER VICAR. JOHN RAINBOW, "i JOHN FLETCHER, J CHURCHWARDENS. 1864. "I SWEETLY TOLL WHEN MEN DO CALL " TO TASTE ON FOOD THAT FEEDS THE SOLE." (^ Jn. All in excellent order and very clean. The /.rd has cabled cannons. Weight of tenor 12 cut. .5 qrs. lib. The 1st, 2nd, and 4th by Richard Keene (see j). 60); small letters on ist and 2nd ; inscrip- tion on 1st also occurs on the tre])le at Chipping Campden, Gloiics. 5th : By Matthew Bagley. 1750 : ' Wolsford 5 Bells.' Thomas Keyte, of Wolford, who gave tlie bells, was a younger brother of Sir William Keyte. Bart., of Ebrington, Gloucs. He died in 1701. The family arms, which appear on the ist and fourth bells, are : — Azure, a chevron between three kites' heads erased or. H.B. W., Apr.. 1907. WOLSTON. St. M..\R(,aket. Four bells. 1 J : TAYLOR & C° FOUNDERS LOUCHBOROUCH ivine-pattcni) Below, border of fieur-dc-lys pattern, like J- it;. IS, inverted. On waist :-- 1894 riUP (O^IFiT OF (THIS R^£V. JOHJ^- WILCOX VICAR OF WOLSrOi^-. (29 i in. 2. li:! imi lA; iHi m lui le] m imi iai it] iri iui '^i i :~i il; lUjiiJiAi ^ m ill '"O I ! Rl 1^ 111 (3ii in. 3. •jj^ QLOf^lA t++tt±tt DEO ++tt+tt++ IN t+tt±t± EXCEL^V^ tttt+ttttt±+tt 1620 ttttttt 2nd line).— lOHfi WAWLE WILLIAM ROWE CHVf^CH WAF(DEN3 " U4i. in. 4. Above, Imrder 0/ loops ^>^>^> all round. W. .sc T. Mbars Late Lester Pack & Chapman op London Fecit 1789 ^-^J^J^ (continuous) (37J in. Formerly three bells ; the treble (weight 5 c\\ t. 1 qr. 23 lbs.) is an addition. 2nd : By Johannes de Stafford (p. 15) ; cross and letters, Plate VII., Figs. 16 — 19. The inscription is unique, and the order in which the Evangelists are arranged is noteworthy (cf. some old tiles at Malvern Priory, Worcestershire, Brassington, Historic Worcs., p. 122). [H. T. T.] 26K THE CHURCH HELLS OF WARWICKSHIRE. 3rd : By William Clibury. of Wellington, Salop (see p. 50) : cf. Grendon 2nd. Cross Plate XXL, Fig. 11 ; border Plate XXL, Fig 15. Bells ver}- dirty ; access to the bell-charaber can only be obtained from outside the tower. 1552 : ' iij belles and a saunce bell.' 1750 : ' Woolston 6 Bells ' (sic). Customs : — On Sundays bells chimed for Services ; bell rung formerly after Morning Service. Ringing at Christmas and on New Year's Eve ; for Weddings by request. Death-knell as soon as possible after death. Gleaning Bell formerly. Best thanks to Rev. H. A. M. Wilcox. Vicar. H. T. T.. 8 March, 1887 : H. B. W., June, 190S. WOLVERTON. St. Marv. Two bells. 1. T: RUDHALL FOUNDER 1771 '^^^ir'^if 2 No inscription. The larger bell appears to be very ancient. 1552 : ' Itm there a ij belles." 1750 : Wolverdington 2 Bells." Notices of Warwickshire Churches, ii., p. 81. H.T. T., 24 Jan.. 1882. WOLVEY St. John Baptist. Three bells. GOD (arabesques) SAVE (arabesques) THE (arabesques^ KING {arabesques) 1626 2 4*^^'^^ ASTLEY ^Si^ fcSd ^'/f C ^'/f FITCH ^'J^ GENT ^^ T ^^ FRASER ^.^ GENT ^NI^ E i^-^ PHIPPES ^. GENT ^-W^ 2nd line .— SSSS I ^S2J TOONE SXt— C ^Ci^JKJ W SSSJJ TOBY SSSS HORRIS SSSS CAST ItJ*It5t ME •"ii'Jiil Ififtfl OOO^O^XXXX^O"" «►». O-O- 3. 1^ lG]^[0]lR||j][^ I \Y\\m I iei,^iiJiiiiLii5iTlilT I jDjllilOi 1st : By Hugh Watts. 2nd : The only bell in the count}' from this foundry ; see p. 61. The borders are, on first line, .scroll patterns, on second, a narrow plait (PI. XXI. 4) ; the initial cross is PI. XXII. Fig. 5. All the N's are reversed. 3rd: By Johannes de Yorke (see p. 17) ; for lettering, sec PI. .\.. Fig. i : the only example of his work in the count}'. Date probably about 1400. It is said to have come from Nuneaton Abbe;}' at the Dissolution. Weights given as 12, 15, and 19 cvvt. respectively (notes C, i;. A) : probably 8, 9, and II cwt. would be nearer the m;irk. WOLSTON — WOOTTON WAWEN. 36^ 1552 : ' iij belles a saunce bell and ij sacring belles.' 1750 : ' 5 Bells." Customs : 1st and 2nd rung at 8 a.m. every Sunday ; bells chimed for half-an-hour before other services. Ringing at midnight on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve ; for Weddings by request. Death-Knell at 9 a.m. after death, with clapper tied, and usual tellers. Tolling for half-an- hour before Funerals. Many thanks to Re\. T. U. Williams, Vicar. H.T. T., 15 July, 1891. WOOTTON WAWEN. St. Petkr. Six bells. 1 IOH[N] MORRIS HENfRlY [G|R[EE]N (border) [C]HVR[C]H (border^ WARDENS {border) HENRY (border) BAGLEY (border) [0]F WIT[N]EY (border] MADE (border) MEE J742 (border) (28i in. 2. On croint :— 1591 {border, PI. X\'I I., Fig. S). j AjBICIDiei IPiGiRjIlKI I LiminiOiPiQ iHl^i (3ofin. 3. I. RUDHALL GlOCESTER FeCIT J803 (32^ in. 4 1784 i'<5XKaK- (the rest filed away J (34* in. 5.. THO? HAYNES & lOHN BUFFERY CHURCH WARDENS ■:■ 1761 6. lOHN MOORE RECTOR lOB FISHER lOHN ATTWOOD C W 1719 • (arabesques) Below :— f A j ^'^^- '"' 1st : For Bagley at Whitney see pp. 65, 71. Cracked and mended with iron rivets, which prevent portions of the inscription from being seen ; but the words as they stand are certain. 2nd : An early example of Watts, of Leicester (probably Francis ; see p. 40). Cross Plate XVIII., Fig. 6 ; larger set of Brasyer lettering (PI. XVIII. 1-5). 4th : Inscription filed away except date and border; probably T. Rudhall (border. Fig. 15), 5th : By Thomas Rudhall ; border. Fig, 18. 6th : By Richard Sanders ; trade-mark Plate XXIII., Fig. 9. 1552 : ' Wott'n Waughen. Itm there .... iij belles.' ' Q'* that the p'ishe have solde sithe the Last S^-ey oon bell to the buyldinge of theire churche and a oyle.' 1750 : ' Wotton Waven 6 Bells.' See Notices of Warwickshire Churches, [., p. 128 ; Sweeting MSS., Brit. Mus. Add.. 37180. •2/0 the chl'kch bells of warwickshire. Customs : — A bell at S a.m. every Sunday. Ringing on Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve, and King's Birthday. ' Thanks to Rev. F. T. Rramston, Vicar, and Mr. W. E. Falkner. H.T. T.. II June, 1883. WORMLEIGHTON. Sx. Peter. Three bells. ] Above, border of linked fJciirs-de-Iys. CANTATE DOMINO CANTICVM NOVVM 1642 H -|?- B 9. (Tclorum \H placcat iibi rex sonus iste D 3. 1-&^I '"S NAZARENVS REX IVDEORVM FILI DEI MISERERE MEI 1617 1st: By Henr\' Bagley; border above, Fig. g; between initials, ornament, as at Whitnash. 2nd: By Richard or Robert Mellour, of Nottingham, c. 1500 — 1520 (see p. 21); on the waist, a rose and Mellour's trade-mark (Pi. X., Figs. 6, 8). 3rd : By Hugh Watts ; said to weigh about one ton (?). 1552 : ' iij belles a saunce belle.' 1750 : • 3 Bells.' Customs : — On Sundays bells chimed for Services, the 2nd being rung afterwards as Sermon Bell for five minutes, and the ist for the last two minutes. Ringing on New Year's Eve ; also t\\ ice a week before and after Christmas, beginning in November; on November 5th, and for Weddings by request. Death-knell on tenor for half-an-hour. witli usual tellers at beginning and end ; tenor tolled before and after Funerals. Best thanks to Rev. G P. Alford. Vicar. H. T. T., 14 June, 1S87. WROXHALL. St. LioNARi.. Three bells. 1 . HENK'Y BAGLEY MADE MEE lOHN EALES CHVRCH WARDm {border) 1664 2. i'^l F>R7^ES \*b\ THE \>h' LiOROE \*^\ T^LaWT^EIS ^ — _ sj? s& ^_ 5^ sis 1^1 JH^fit 5?nnnpio ]gca fljaria gives some additional information relating to the bells. It is clear, he says (p. li.), that there was an important belfry in the mediaeval church, as it is specially mentioned in the original grant to Burgoyne m 1544 (op. cit., p. 186) ; it appears to have been a central tower, whereas the present western tower only dates from the seventeenth century. In 1556 it is reported that two of the bells had been sent to Studley. On one of the beams in the belfry is carved the date 1664, which is that of the treble, and indicates that the bells were re-hung when that was put up. There is an entry in the Parish Accounts for that year ' Layd out upon the Church ... ... ... xviij'' vij« vij" ' which sum may possibly include the re-hanging of the bells. In 1631 occurs the entry ' Three new bell wheels ... ... ••• ■•• ■■■ xxni| There are no ringing customs. Thanks to Rev. F. W. R. Mason, Chaplain. H.T. T., 5 Oct., 1874. WYKEN. St. Mary Magdalen. ^>ne bell. 1. I^iific nszeRenus Rex : iudgoru • 23 in. The cross and lettering (PI. II., Figs. lo-ii) do not seem to occur elsewhere, but the old bell at Baxterley was similar in character (see p. 5). The final M has been obliterated. H. T. T., Apr., 1875 ; H. B. W., Sept., 1907. A P P K N n I X The following extracts n;latiiig to Biiriningtun and foughton appeared in the Stratford Herald in December, 1909, after the descriptions oi those bells had been passed for press. In printing them here, it is necessary to note that th(j\- entail a modification of the statements made nnder those headings, pp. 128, 141. OlnioiisK two out of the three bells at Burmington were sold in 1692, and at Coughton there \vc;re onl\- three pn-v ions to 1686. HUKMl.\(.rC).\. COMMISSION TO INOUIKli INTO TH IC KUIN Ol' lUUai I \(;T( )N CHAl'l^L. Edward, by divine permission, Lord Idisliop of Worcester, to our beloved Christopher Cook, l^.D., Rector of Little Compton, Richard Watkins, B.D., Rector of (\Vhich)ford, and Dean Rural of the Deanery of Kington, Samuel Scattergood, 1!.D., Vicar of Blockley, Henry Hickes, A.M., Rector of Stretton-upon-the-Foss, William Richardson, Isl.A., Vicar of Brayles, Rowland .Aris, A.M., Vicar of Honnington, Richard Croft, A.M., Rector of Barcheston, in the countves of Worcester and Warwick in our diocese of Worcester, greeting. Whereas wf-e have received a petition from Charles .Stephens, clerk, M. of Arts, and curate of the p'rochial chapell of Burmington in our said diocese, and from the parishioners there inhabiting, wherein they set forth that the church or chapel of Burmington aforesaid, liy reason of great decays, fell down about four yeares sithence, altho they took all the care they could 10 keep it up and in repair, which stilt lies in ruine, and that the rebuilding of it in the former dimensions is beyond their ability, the inhabitants being few in number and alleging their poverty. And whereas it is suggested that a much less structure than the old one would be sufficient to receive all the inhabitants, and that one good bell would be enough for the giving notice of the times when thev are to assemble I'or the service of God, and do thereupon pray that they may make use of the rest of the bells and lead as well as the other materials of the old chappell to enable them the better to erect the new one, which yet will at a modest computation cost ;^ioo, more than an equal levy of six shillings in the pound. Wee being willing so far to comply with their petition as is agreed to the conveniency and decent performance of the service of God in the said place, do herebv authorise and require you or any four or more of you to repair to the plai:e aforesaid and seriously to consider and debate the matters contained n the said petition, and after your personal view and conference thereupon within the space of three weeks to return this commission, together with your opinion and report in writing under your handes and seales what you shall find that we may direct which is reasonable to be don herein, and that you ceitify the dimensions of the ground which you shall think sufficient for the raising the new intended chapel, upon having still a respect to the great use and service for which the said building is designed. Given at our Palace at Worcester under our Chancellor's seal the 24th day of August, in the year of our Lord God, 1692, and in the third year of our consecration. Tno. ViiRNO.v, Reg. 274 appp:ni)IX. COUGH TON. To the Right Reverend father in God, Lord Wilhani Bishopp of Worcester. My kird, these are to lett your good lordship understand the agrevances of the inhabytants of Samborne in tiie p'ish of Coughton and county of Warwickf U'liereas wee had in our p'ish churcli at Coughton three large able bells tceept in as good repaiie as any bells in the county untill aboute November 1686, S'' Robert Throckmorton, 3' John Yeats, popish recusants, with a crew of evell popishly affected p'sons who thought the bells not niusicalle in the night-time, did by the consent of the minister and churchwardens enter into our church with lights and with smith sledges and greate hammars did breake and disable two of the said bells soe that for five monthes wee had no bells to ringe to prayers: and since they have bine cast into six very small bells [sic\ ading more nietall, which metall and charges amounts to eyghty pounds and uppwards, which moneyes the said S'' Robert, with his vicar and churchwardens, hee overpowering of them, have leaved uppon the inhabytants and tennants of the p'ish, contrary to the lawes of this kingdom, S"^ Robert being in great power then enforced many to pay to the said cliarges, but other refusinge to pay. By reason the bells are made useless to the one p' of the p'ish, namely Samborne, which before they could heare and know what time to go to church to prayer and other dutyes. which since the bells are soe smalle they cannot heare them, but antient men that goe two miles or moore to church in winter-time com sometimes to early and so take colde, and many times to late and loose the benefit of divine service since tiic bells are soe spoyled. S" Robert was before offended at the greatnes of the bells; they made too much noyse in his house standing neare the churcli and caused the steeple windowes to be stoped upp with bricke until! he caused the bells broken, but since the bells are soe small the windows are laid open so they have the musicke and wee must paye for spoyling our good bells . . . . . . VVhearefore wee humbly crave your lordshipp's good faviour that they that destroyed our good bells may paye the charges and make our bells usefull to us againe, etc. etc. Samborne, Maye the 9"', .-\nno Doni. 1685 John Chillingworth Cons. Court, No. 9609. [There is no comment on the petition, or citation to defend the transaction, and as the " six very small bells" of 1686 (the tenor is about 10 cwt.) still hang in the tower, it is clear that the Sambourne people had to pay up and grin and bear it.] INDEX Abbot's Morton, Worccstersliire, 53 Abraham family (Butler's Marston), 129 ' Acorn ' border used by Watts, 44 ; used by Newcombe, 38, 197 Acton Trussel, Staffordshire, 51 Adderley, Salop, 12 Adderley, Gilbert, 257 Adoration of Magi, stamj) ol, 77 Advent, ringing in, 89 Age tolled in Death-Knell, 91 Agios for sanc/us, 4, 164 Alcesler, 78, 97 Aldbourne foundry, 2, 76, 119, 233 Aldgate, see London. Alkerton, Oxon., 6 AUesley, 3, 10, 30, 38. 97 Alne, Great. 57, 98 Alphabet bells, 30, 31, 35ff., 4cff, 44ff, 75 Alstonfield, Staffordshire, 63 Alveclnirch, Worcestershire, 73 Alveston, 47, 99 Anniversaries, ringing on, 90 Ansley, 30, 62, 99 Anstey, loo Appowells, founders, 45 Archer, Thomas, of Umberslade, 235 : of Oxford. quoted, 260 Arley, 31, 81, 100 Arms, coats of. on bells, 60, 170, 200, 235, 239. 258 ; and see Royal Arms. Arnold, Edward, founder, 81 Arrow, 101 Ascension Day, hymn for, 24 ; ringing on, 89 Ashford Carbonell, Salop, 53 Asliow, 1 01 Ashton, Luke, founder, 75 Astley, 101 Aston, 93, 102 Aston Cantlow, 9, 51, 54, 60. 103 Atherstone, 14. lof Atherstone-on-Stour, 2, 5, 86, 104 Atkyns, Richard, founder, 7 Attleborough, 104 Attons, founders, 32, 4(1. 71 Austrey, 43, 44, 105 Ave peals, 87 Avon Dassett, 105 Aylestnne, Leicestershire, 14 Bablake, 1.(5 ; and see Coventry, St. John Baddesley Clinton, 26, 30, 106 ]5addesley Ensor, i, 106 Badsey, Worcestersliire, 75 Baginton, 37, 106 Bagleys, founders, 2, 63ff, 132, 141, 147 : pedigree of, 66 ; Henry L, 63, 67, 162 ; Henry IL, 64, 69, 219; Henry 111,65, 7'- '.39i 204: James, 64. 65, 72 ; Matthew L, 64, 69 : Matthew IL, 65, 72 : Matthew, of London, 64: Willianr 64, 70, 217 Baker, Godwin, founder, 51, 56, 219; and see 254 Balsall, Temple, see Temple Balsall. Barber, John, founder, 10 Barcheston, 46, 107 Barford, 67, 73, 107 Barrow-on-Soar, Leicestershire, 44 Barston, 70, 108 Bartlett's Manducssidnm (|uoled, 100. 188 Barton-on-Heath, 86, 108 Barwell, James, founder, 85 Baxterley, 2, 5, 31, 108 Beachampton, Bucks, 8 ' Bearers' Bell,' 92 Bearley, 2, i r, 109 Beaudesert, 4, 109 Beckingham, Notts, iS Bedford, foundry at. 34. 4c, 59 Bedworth, 44, 93, 1 10 Bell Founders, see Founders. Bell Foundries, see under headings. Bell-hangers, 80, 135, 192, 196 (J. Over;; 156 (J. Waters) Bell-ropes, endowments for. 100. 117, 185, 18S ']5ell Wake,' 119 Bellairs, Rev. Canon, 196 Bellyeteres. 7, 10. i3ff, 20 Bentley, 216 Berkeleys, funeral peals for. oi 276 INDEX. Berkswell, 15, 35, 47, iii Besford, Worcestershire, 6 Belt, Thomas, founder, 16 Bex, Switzerland, ryy Bickenhill, 53, 57, 112 Bid ford, r 13 BiUesley, 1 14 Bilton, 2, 23, 24, 114 Bilton, New, i i 5 Bingham, Notts., 39 Binley, 115 Binton, 1 15 -Bird, John, founder, 23 Birdingbury, 57, 113 Birmingham, i, 77. 82, '93, itsff., and see .-^ston. Edgbaston, Ward End ; foundries at, 85. and see Edgbaston. Birtsmorton, Worcestershire, 52 Bishop, seal of, 55, 154 Bishopton, 122 Bitterley, Salop, 9 Black-letter, see Inscriptions. Blews, William, and Sons, founders, 23, 85, 109 124 Bloom, Rev. J. H., 5, 7, 10, 76, 164 Bloxham, Oxon., 46 Boldmere, 233 Bolton-by-Bowland, Yorkshire, 20 Bond, H , founder, 85 IJordesley 120 Boteler, Sir Ralph (Lord Sudeley). 171 Bourton-on-Dunsmore, 30, 81, 122 Brailes, 2, 3, 23, 25, 48, 59, 93 i23ff Brassington, Mr. W. Salt, 171, 201 Brasyer, Peter le, founder, 10 Brasyers of Norwich, stamps of, 31, 32, 34ff, jgfT.. 46. 49 Brewood, Staffordshire, 9, 33 Brewster, Mark, 135 Briant, John, founder, 79, 101, 156 Bridges, Rev. N., 169 Bridgwater foundry, 2, 77 Brinklow, r25 Bristol foundry, 48, 86 Bromsgrove foundry, 74 Bromwich, see CastleJBromwich, Ward End. Brooke, William, founder, 75 Brookes, Mr. A. J., 1470". iiroughton Hackett, \\'orcestershire, .\ IJrownsover, i2''i IJubbenhall, 30, i ^6 Buckingham, foundry, 45 ; Henry Bagley at, 65, ; i Itudbrooke, 34. 126 I'.ulkington, 35, 55, IJ7 Bullisdon, Thomas, founder, 26, 173. 270 Bunce, J. T., quoted, 117, 118 Burford foundry, 86 iiurmington, 31, 128, 273 Burton Dassett, 69, 128 Burton Hastings, 37, 129 Bushell, Michael, founder, 75 Butler's Marston, 7, 35, 129 Caldecote, 130 Cambridge. King's College, bells of, 24 Carr, Charles, founder, 85 Castle Bromwich, 130 Catworth, Hunts, 30 Chacomb (Northants) foundry, j. 638". ; and see Bagley. Chadshunt, 59, 13 i Chapman, William, founder, 83, 264 Charlcote, 131 Cherington, 132 Chertsey foundry, 58 Chesterton, 132 Chetwynd, Walter, 163 Chilvers Coton, 42, 93, 133 Chimes at Coventry, 149; at Willoughby, 264 Chiming for services, 88 ; at funerals, 92 Chittern, Wilts, 10 Choir Practice, bell rung for. 93 Christina, /a bellyelere, 6 Christmas, ringing at, 89 Churches, ruined or destroyed, i Church Lawford, 44. 134 Churchover. 34, 80, 135 Churchwardens' Accounts : Leicester St Martin, 39 ; Ludlow, 55 ; Warwick St, Mary, 58, 243 ; Beoley (Worcs.), 76 ; Coventry Holy Trinity, 143 ; St. John, 145 ; St. Mary, 149 : Curdworth, 152: Ettington, 155; Fenny Compton, 158; Kenilworth, 177 : Offchurch, 197 : O.xhill, 198; Solihull, 219; Southam, 221 ; Stratford-on-Avon, 225,227 ; Tachbrook, 234 ; Warwick St. Nicholas. 246ff. ; Wroxhall, 271 ; and see Vestry Minutes. Clark, William, founder, 75 ; John, 76, 259 Claverdon, 82, 135 Chbury, John, founder, 45, 49, Williuni, 45,49, 163 ; Thomas, 49 ; Henry, 49 Clifton, Bedfordshire, 40 Cliftonon-Dunsniorc, 44, 136 C'lockbells, 183, 234, 240 Closworth, Somerset, foundry at, 49 Chin bur)-, Salop, 45. 49 Coats of Arms, see .'\rms. Coats, Rev. D., t38 Cocks, Mr. A. FL, 8, y, 16, 19. 26, 33, 45, 59 64 INDICX. ^77 Coins, impressions of, on hells, 73, 116, 193 Coleshill, 73, 137 CoUinghnni, North, Notts, 63 Colsale, Johannes de, founder, 18 Combrooke, 3, 28, 138 Compton, Fenny, see Fenny Compton. Comptoii, Little, 139 Compton, Long, 27, 59, 71, 139 Compton Verney, 140 Compton Winyates, 140 Compton family, see Northampton Earl o(. Conway, North Wales, 20, 21 Copstoii Magna, 140 Corley, 19, 43, 52, 54, 71, 140 Coronation Day, ringing on, 94 Cors of Aldbourne, founders, 76, 233 Coventry, i42ff. ; possible foundry at, 3, 47, 58 ; seal of guild at, 54 ; funeral peah at, 91 ; Christ Church, 142 ; Holy Trinity, 93, 142 ; St. John, 13. 15. 144; St. Michael, 83, 93, 146 Coughton, 69, 141, 273 Cripplegate foundry, see London. Cromwell, Oliver, 12S Croughton, Northants, 4(1 Crowch, Robert, founder, 24 Cubbington, 43, 150 Curdworth, 12, 151 Curfew Bell, 87, q2 Customs, ringing, S-jl\. Dalby Parva, Leicestershire, 4 Dand, Henry, founder, 61 Danyell, John, founder, 24 Dassett, see Avon Dassett, Burton Dassett. Dated bells, earliest, 3, 1 1 ; in the county, 47, 258, 265 Liaukes, Richard, founder, 56, 227, 229, 253 Dawe, William, founder, 23 Death-Knell, 90 Derby, founder, 8 Derby St. Peter, bells at. 53 Deritend, Birmingham, 77, 93, 119 Doddenhale, Henry, 14, 145 Dodford, Northants, 69, 141 Doveridge, Derbyshire, 53, 54 Droitwich, Worcestershire, 52, 54 Duddeston, Birmingham, 120, 121 Dugdale, quoted, 23, 124, 169, 176, 216, 232, 243, 258, 271 Dunchurch, 152 Eales, John, 271 Easter, ringing at, 89 Eastern Green, 153 Eayres of Kettering, founders, 80 l'2ctOM, Nortiiants, foundry at, 64 Edgbaston, 77, 153 ; foundry at, 2. 7 2ff Edward UL, head of, 8, 12, 31, 80 Eighteenth-century founders, 63ff. Eldridge, Urian, founder, 58, 176, 177, 243; William, 58, 236 Elizabethan bells, characteristics of, 29 ; and see Transitional. Ellacombe, Rev. H. T., 19, 109, 139 Elmdon, 52, 54, 154 Elvaston, Derbyshire, 29, 204 Ely Cathedral, bells cast for, 6 Empire Day, ringing on, 90 Emscote, see Warwick. Erdington, 93, 154 Eton College, bell at. 24 Ettington, i, 32, 48, 155 Evangelists, names of, on bell, 15. 267 Evans, Mr. U. A., quoted, 125 Evesham, foundry at, 64, 70, 75 Evington, Leicestershire, 39 Exhall (Alcester), 3, 27, 156 Exhall (Coventry), 15C Farmer, Henry, founder, 47 Farnborough, 157 Featherston family. 200 Feckenham, Worcestershire, 67 Fenny Compton, 46, 67, 158 Festivals, ringing at, 89 ; secular, 90 Fiftteenth-century founders, 7ff, i5ff. Fillongley, 159 Fire bell, 93 ; at Warwick, 242 ; and see Stratford, Guild Chapel. Fletton, Hunts, 40 Flintham, Notts, 63 Foleshill, 42, 160 Foreign beils, 106, 169 Founders in Warwickshire, 2, 3 ; unknown 86 : and see under respective headings. Foundry-shields, see Trademarks. Fourteenth-century founders, 3ff., i 2 Fradswell, Staffordshire, 17 Frankton, 16 r Frowlesworth, Leicestershire, 17 Fulwood, Josiah, 104 Funf-rals, uses at, goff. Gaydon, 161 Gayton, Staffordshire, 65 Giles, Geoffrey, founder, 47, 258 Gleaning bell, 93 278 INDEX. Gloucester foundry, 51!., 47, 78: John of, 6 ; Saiulre of, 6 ; Cathedral bell at, 3 i »39. 255 Kemberton, Salop, 49, 61 Kenilworth, 176 Keresley and Coundon. 178 Kettering foundry, So Keynshani, Somerset, 27 Keyte, Thomas, 267 Kidderminster, Richard, 19; Prior Thomas, 176 Kimber's drawings. 20, 27, 138. 156, 209 Kineton, 178 Kingsbury, 179; and sec 109 Kingston, John, founder, 5 Kinwarton, 75, 180 Kirby, Monks, see Monk's Kirby. Knowle, 180 Ladbroke, 3, 22, 181 l.adywood, Biriuingiiam, 121 Langhorne, John, founder, 23 Langton, William, founder, 20 Lapworth, 10, 41, 182 Laver pots, 6, 23 Lawfnrd. f.hurch, see Church Lawford. Lea Marston, 1S3 l«aniington, 1,93, 183 Leamington Hastings, 42, 184 Ledsham, Yorkshire, 19 INUKX. 279 Leek VVootton, 15, 185 Leicester, All Saints, 14, 31 ; St. Martin (accounts of), 39; foundry at, 2, i jff., 46 Leicestershire, old bells in, 2 ' Leonine ' verses, see Inscriptions. Lester, Thomas, founder, 82 Lichfield, Clement, 7 Lighthorne, g, 1S5 Lillington, 26, 186 Lindridge, Worcestershire, 1 1 Littleton, South, Worcestershire, •; i Llewellyn and James, founilers, 86 Local foundries in Warwickshire, 3 ; and see Birmingham, Coventry, Edgbaston. Loggin, William, 129 London foundries, 2, 22ff., 64, 72, 82ff. ; and see Whitechapel. ' Long-waisted ' l)ells, 2 Loveday, Thomas, founder, 7 Low Countries, hells from, 169 Loxley, 46, 186 Lozells, Birmingham, 122 Luddington, 187 Ludlow, accounts of, 55 Luffenham, South, Rutland, 39 Lugwardine, Herefordshire, 56 Lynn, foundry at, 8 Magdalen Laver, Esse.x, 27, 156 Mallory, John, 15. i ^^ Mancetter, 13, 17, 53, 54, 62, 187 Marston, see Butler's Marston, Lea Marston, Prior's Marston. Marston Trussel, Northants, 135 Martin, John, founder, 56ff. Marton, 188 Mattins and Mass Bells, 87 Maxstoke, 52, 54, 189 May 29tli, ringing on, 90 Mayor's Day, ringing on, 90 Meats, William, founder, 83; Thomas L, 84; Thomas II., S4 ; do. at Gloucester, 210; Charles and George, 84 Mears and Stainbaiik, founders, 20, 84 Mediaeval bells in Warwickshire, 2; founders of, 3ff. Mellors, or Millers, William, founder, 1 5 Mellour, Richard and Robert, founders, 21, 22 Melton, Thomas de, founder, 15 Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, 29 Merevale. 189 Meriden, 2, 75, 189 Middleton, 190 Milverton, 25, 191 Milverton, New, 19 1 Milwich, Staffordshire, 18 Minuscules, use of, iu i8th century, 75 .Mixed Gothic, see In.scriptions. Monastic founders of bells (?), i 1 Monk's Kirby, 8, 67, 93, 191 Morcott, Rutland, 2 i Morgan, Thomas, 259 Motley, Derbyshire, 14 Morning bell, 92 Mortar, of bell-metal, 35C) Morton Bagot, 2, 11, 192 Morton Morrell, 37, 38, 192 Muffled peals, 92 Muskham, Nortii, Notts, 61 Napton, 76, 193 Naylor, \'ickers and Co., founders, 86 ' Nazarene ' bells, 43 Nechells, Birmingham, 120, 121 Newbold-on-Avon, So, 193 Newbold Pacey, 76, 194 Newcombes, founders, 16, 28ff., 199, 246, 265 Edward, 32, 37, 38, 155, 227, 241; Robert L, 16 ; Robert IL, 30, 37 ; Robert IIL, 38 ; Thomas L, 16, 29 ; Thomas IL, 29 37 ; Thomas III , 38 William, 38 Newnham Regis, 194 Newsham, Charles, 131 Newton family, arms of, 239 Newton Regis, ^S, 44 194 New Year's Eve, ringing on. 90 Noble. William, founder, 15 Norris, Tobie, founder, 60, 134 North, Thomas, 14ft., 31, 42, 81 Northampton, Henry Bagley at, 65 Northampton, Earls of, 139, 140 Northamptonshire, old bells in, 2 Northfield, NVorcestershire, 73 Norton Lindsey, 195 Norwich founders, stamps of, see Brasyers. Nottingham foundry, 12, 18?, i9ff., 6if^"., 2011 November 5th, ringing on, 87, 90 Nuneaton, 80, 93, 195 Nuthurst. 197 Offchurch, 7, 38, 197 Oldfields of Nottingham, 6iff.;;Henry I. and II., 61 ; George I., 62, 202 ; George II. , 63 Old \\'e=ton, see \\'eston, Old. Olney, Bucks, t,^ Olton, 198 Orton. see Water Orton. Over, J., So, 135, 192, 196 Overbury, Worcestershire, 36 28o INDEX. Owen, Rev. T. M. N., 29 Oxford, foundry at, 81 Oxhill, 198 Pack, Thomas, founder, 82 Packington, Great, ri, 80, 199 Packington, Little, 17, 33, 34, 36 39, 199 Packwood, 200 Pancake Bell, 87, 92 Parr, Rev. Dr., 16S, 169 Passing Bell, 87, 90 Patronal Festival, ringing on, 89 Paulerspury, Northants, 35 Peal-boards, 117, 119 (Birmingham), r^o (Coven- try), 153 (EdgijastonK i8t (Knowle), 195 (Nun- eaton), 209 (Rugby), 220 (Solihull), 226 (Strat- ford), 232 (Sutton Coldfield), 243 (Warwick) Peatling, Leicestershire, 36 Pemberton, Solihull, quoted. 218 Pembridge, Herefordshire, 10 Peyto, William, 133 Philippa, head of Queen, 8 Phillimore, Mr. W. P. W.. 19 Pillerton, 38, 68, 201 Polesworth, 62, 201 Pre-Reformation bells, see Mediaeval. Preston, Rutland, 17 Preston Bagot, 202 ' Priest's bell,' 88 Prior's Hardwick, 30, 203 Prior's Marston, 71, 203 Pudding bell, 89 Purdues of Bristol, etc., founders. 48. 124 155 Pyke. Thomas, founder, 77 Quarnbie, Humphry and Robert, founders, 21,61 Radford Semele, 204 Kadstone, Northants, 8 Radway, 205 Ratley, 205 Reading, foundry at, 26, 6^ Redes^vell, Richard, founder, 21 Registers, extracis from, 232 (Sutton Coldfield), 23s (Tanworth) Keplon, Derbyshire, 35 Resevour, William, 14 Richard le Belyctere, 8 Ringers' Rules, 190, 202, 214 Ringing Customs, 87ff. Ringing on Sundays, 88; on festivals, etc., 89, 90 Rings of bells in Warwickshire, i ; details of prin- cipal, 93 Kivington, Rev. Canon, 242 Rofford or Rufford, John, 8, 19; William 8 Rowington, 45, 206 Royal Anniversaries, ringing on, 90 Royal Arms on bells, 25. 48, 77 Royal Heads, 8, 10, 11, 19, 31, 35, 36, 61, 80 Rudhalls, founders, 78, 97 Rufford, see Rofford. Rugby, 73, 93, 207 Russell, Thomas, founder, 76 Ryland, Records oj Wroxhall, quoted, 271 Ryton-on-Dunsmore, 3, 20, 40, 209 St. Agatha, Acts of, 177 St. Thomas' Day, ringing on, 89, 258 Salford Priors, 93, 210 Salisbury, foundry at, 10 Salter Street, 211 Saltley, Birmingham, 121, 122 Salutation in abbreviated form, 4, 261 Sanctus bells, ancient, 11, 199 (Great Packington), 27, 139 (Long Compton) ; 124 (Brailes) ; ot more recent date. 86, 106, 108, no, iii, 115, 157. 163, 169, 184, 19S. 214, 233, 236, 260; method of ringing, 88 Sanders, John, 172 Sanders, Richard, founder. 74 80, 107, 256 Sanders, Sir Edward, 25S Sandre of Gloucester: 6 Savage, Mr. R., 122, 246 Scambler, Bishop, 55, 154 Scawby, Lincolnshire, 14 Seal of bellfounder, 6, 8, 15, 155 ; of abbey, 54 ; of guild, 54; of bishop, 55, 154 Seckington, 22, 44, 211 Secular bells of interest, 47, 256 (Warwick); 71 (Coventry) ; uses of bells, 90 Selyokes, founders, 21 Sermon bell, 88 Seventeenth-century founders, 42, 47ff. Shareshill, Stafl'ordshire, 52 Sharp, History of Coventry, (juoted, 143, 145, 147 Shefifield foundry, 86 Sheldon, 30, 73, 2 j 1 Sheldon, Edward, 1.(0 Sherborne, 2 i 2 Sherborne, Gloucestershire, 8 Sherington, Bucks, 40. 41 Shilton, ss, 213 Shirley Street, 213 Shottery, 213 Shotteswell, 67, 214 Shuckburgh, Lower, 30, 41, 215; Upper, 215 Shuckburgh, Sir Francis, 215 ; Sir Richard, 215 Shustoke, 71, 75, 215 INDKX. 281 Shuttington, 62, 2 16 Simon le Bellyetere, 7 Sixteenth-century founders, 26. 29ff, 4^f(. smethvvick foundry, 85 Smith, Joseph, founder, 2. yaff.. i 18 Snitterfield, 71, 210 Soliliull, gj, 2 1 ,' Souldern, Oxon , 64 Southam. 220 Sowe, see VValsgrave. Sparkbrook, 1, 210 Spernall, 22 i Spetcniey, VVorcest^rshirt, 10 Stafford, St. Mary, 50; St. Chad, 52 Stafford, Johannes de, 14 Staffordshire old bells in, 2 ; foundry in (?), 12 Stahlschn'.idt. J. C. L, 22 58, 79 Stainhank, see Mear.s Stamford foundry, 2. Oo Stanford-on-Teme, Worcestershire. 10 Statham, John, 14 Stivichall, 2; i Stockingford, 222 Stockton, 222 Stoke, Coventry, 3, 19, 93, 222 Stoneleigh. 1 9, 225 Stowe, Stafforushire, 17 Stratford on-Avon, 93 224 ; Guild Chapel. 34, 38 45, 77, 226 : founding at, 56 Stretton-on Dunsmore, 230 Stretton on-Fosse, 231 Stretton-under- Fosse, 192 Studley, 70, 231 Sturdy, John and Johanna, founders, 32 Stury, Alice, 9 Sudeley family, see Boteler. Summeifield, Birmingham, 120 Sunday uses of bells 87!! ' Surplice bell,' 88 Sutton Coldfield, 93, 232 Sutton-underliraiie->>, 77. 233 Sweeting, Rev. W D., 107, 1S2 Swindon, Gloucestershire, 51 Tachbrook, 75, 234 Tanworth, 234 Taylor, Robert, founder, 81 ; William and John, 81; John William, sen., 8t, 204.; do. jun., 82, 260, 262 Tellers at death, 91 Temple Balsall, 58, 236 Temple Grafton, 236 Thelsford Priory, bells of, 257 Thomas, Or , see Dugdale. Tidmington, Worcestershire, 32, 46 ' Ting-tang,' see Priests Bell. Toddington, Bedfordshire, foundry at. S Tolling for funerals, 92 'Tolling in,' 88 Tong, Salop. 32 Trade-marks or foundry-shields. 16, i9ff.22ff 261 29. 35.39ff--49. Soff- S5o7= 61, 67, 73, 75,82,85, Traditions, 107, 125, 151, 187, 211. 213, 231, 235, 238, 271 'Transitional ' bells, 2, 291T. Treduigton, W'orcestershire, 48 Tysoe, 65, 75, 236 Tyssen, Dr. A. I)., 10, 48 Ulton, 237 UUenhall, 2, 4, 238 Underbill, George and Humphry, 155 Upton Warren, Worcestershire, 5b Vestry books, extracts from, 117, i 18 ( Binningham), 225 (Stratford) Vestry meetings, bell rung for, 93 Virgin and Child, stamp of, 20 Wadley, Rev. T. P. 113, 18 r Wait, Rugby Past and Piesent, quoted, 126, 135 Waigrave, John, founder, 24 Walmley, Sutton Coldfield, 233 Walsall foundry, 50 Walsgrave, or Sowe, 71, 239 Walton d'Eivile, 239 Wanley, Humphrey, 147, 148 Wappenbury, 30, 240 Ward End, Birmingham, 72, 240 Warmington, 32, 34, 37, 241 Warner and Sons, founders, 85 VVarton, 241 Warwick, foundry at (?), 3, 5 : St. .Mary. 58, 93, 24iff.; St. Nicholas, 60, 93, 245ff.; St. Paul, 256 ; All Saints, Emscote, 93, 255 ; Leycester Hos- pital, 256 ; Castle 47 256 Warwick, Countess oi, 114; (Isabella I>espencer). 243 \\"asperton, 67, 256 Water Ortor,, 256 ^Vater Stratford, Bucks-, 13 1 W'attses founders, 3iff. ; Francis, 38; Hugh I 39. Hugh II.. 40, 42fT., 150 ; William' 39 Weddings, bells rung at 90 \\'eddington, 63, 257 Wedgnock, 256 Week-day uses of iiellf 8g Weethie} 257 282 INDEX. Wellesbourne, 257 Wellington (Salop) foundry, 2, 45, 49 Wells, RoDcn, founder, 77, 119 Westcote, Gloucestersiiire, 27 Westmill, Herts, S Weston, Old, Hunts, 36 Weston-under-Weatherley, 41, 47, 258 Westwood, 259 Whatcote, 76, 259 Wheler's MSS quoted, 122 W'hichford, 260 Whitacre, Nether, 65, 261 ; Over, 261 Whitchurch, 4, 261 Whitechapel foundry 20, 82ff. Whitnash, 261 VVhittington, Staffordshire, 52 Wibtoft, I, 63. 263 Wichenford, Worcestershire, 11 Wilkinson, Rev. Canon. 1 18 Willey, 263 Willoughby, 263 Willoughby W'aterless, Leicestershire, 5 Wilmcote, 264 Wilnecot , 67,, 264 Winchcombe Abbey 19, 224 Wishaw, 264 Withybrook, 3, 31, 265 Witney, H. Bagley at, 65 71 Wixford, 266 Wodewarde, William, founder, 23 Wolfhamcote, 22, 266 Wolford, Great, 60, 26; Wolley, John, founder, 21 Wolston, 15, 50, 267 VVolverhampton, foundry at (?), see 12, 65 ; St. Peter's Church, 53 Wolverton, 268 Wolvey, 17, 61, 268 Woo3stock foundry, 59 Woolley, Rev. H. R., 190 Woottoii, Bedfordshire, foundry at, 76 Wootton Wawen, 40, 269 Worcester, foundry at, 2, 3, 7ff., 55ff.; St. John 55; St. Martin, 12,44; St. Michael, 11; St. Peter 56 Worcestershire old bells in 2 Wornileighton, 22, 270 Wright, Christopher, 266 Wroxhall, 26, 37. 270 Wyken, 5' 271 Wyvern, stamp of, 29 Yardley, Worcestershire, 44 Yeo or Yo, Alexander 145 Yorke, Johannes de, founder, 17, 2()8 7n,\Tr: i. IIALFOUD treble (abcvt 1320). T'l.ATF. It I I ;-«i^i p. jAmiu^ ■i Wr£' -A Hr ' '■ "^ F^ / / r4:-^M^.^ |; fi^^^ i^ ^■ 1^ 'v ■ \i- 11 l*^-^;*" II '^ 5 ifi. f ■ 1? lis. m %^^:*. 19 i^^ffJi 1_9. BKAUDKSERT axd WillTCilUKClI. 10—12. WYKEN axd HAXTERLEY. 13 19. ATHERSTONE-ON-STOUR. 14—18. ULLENHALL a.xd HUNNINGHAM. BELLS RECAST. BIR1\;«OUNDRY. NEW " RING " FOR ST. PHILIP'S. To-dav, at a Croydon tell foundry, Birming- ham M.P.s sa^v the recasting of the bells of St. Philip's Cathedral Church, Birmingham (wntes the London representative of the "Mad"). Five tons of metal Avere tapped from the furnace and run into four moulds designed for the group of bells which were taking shape to-d«} • Birmingham is to have a ring of lU bells, wmcn have ^0 be cast in sections to meet the require- meiits of the foundry. , "in front of the furnace there was a roughly constructed platform along whuii the M^^-^ "tood to thro.w into the moulds the sd^er coins M had been sent for the o^'^=>^7f ^^^ J""^ Charlfes Hvde. This perpetuates an old custom, but it has no effect on the actual tone of the ''The Birmingham representatives who attended were Sir Austen Chamberlain, Sn- latnck Hannon-Mr. Smedley Crooke, Mr. K. ^\ . halt, Mr L. S. Amery and Wing Commander A\ nght Thev were accompanied by one of t'- niejnbers of Parliament for Croydon, Mr H. &• W>niams, and the ISIayor and Town Clerk of Cro>don. The scene in the foundry was impressive as the i^oUen metal came out in a steady stream fron^the furnaces, around which -- Yt^\ou d in the smoke taking precautions that it shou d not be spilt from the ladle, a giant affair able to hold all the metal necessary for four bells oi ^"ffter'the ladle had been filled it was raised .f+l!l country and important contracts for :l d. T"Se peal destined to hang in e tower of Gizeh University, ^^^^ *;/;,^^%', „'"" .n that its c-reat booming tones filled tiesliop. A^r"-:t;?x^.H?:i:iStn^^ .^L^ht'S'iX^-"^^^— ^"'^'^"^ 1 ^ n '"xn'lo"b;il there will be the inscription: U^LrobJirwIl-erecasUothe^^^^^^^^ iKi„g George VI, <-'"^">„ '?cn tons and the fittings f""-; t""^- ,^ ^^^ ^ . The great frames on which the bells are to Philip's. PLA'J'E III. mf^-^^^''-.,*^mm^i^^ te«l!?l«^.,^ "— ***"^'''— ■'■pfii'^ijggp ATUKKtfTO^"E-ON-STOUK 2nd (Gloucbstek FuLNuur). THE SKIES. yal Air Force and the Army is in the delivery i. Experiments were recently witnessed in •ice Corps. Supplies are contained .n metal parachutes. The whole is fixed to the under- I -plane). They fly over the troops and drop linders. PHYSICAL TRAINING. MINISTER EXPLAINS NEW SCHEME. LORD ABERDARE'S POST. I'f.Aii': IV fZ^ '^:% >» - » ^-* It 1 --Hi ■ •'•'ii|)»»/i>-ih*,s?-3E» ntiwW>((«^iiiu«^;i*f.iw^.' V'*wi^ «.jg"ji««»wsg '1l«S?!?^ ■I ATHERSTONE-ON-STOUll 2nd and 1st (Gloucester Foundry). I'l.ATK V. ..,*-jr7/»' i' '• '■ f i i 1, J ■U- r^- -r-.*. ^*««gl*^ 1—10. li. IIEMILKY OF GLOUCESTER. 11. MdliTOX P.AGOT, etc. 12—24. ASTON CAXTLOW, Ere. (Wukce.-^ter Fol.xduy). I LATE VI. "^tSv'^?**'^': 17/ ' i ■' ':^' >•' 3. "WBr ■■^^' Is" -.•?- ■^• ag .Bf g . » !5' ^S ! g J' i? \'--r'^f-'*'^9m^i m:^*^^^ <«*K^a«MSeSSE!!» r-:r. ^ipMitiiiiii |' *^^';^i i^|ii B| i ' t i ji l»^fMili'>«^i^ -T«1l»«lH>«li,'f "I***" - "^ r.-^^ ^^^j^^d^wJI^^^V^^'^^JLVini^VG^r'r 1—5. MUUTU.X BAGOT (Nicholas Grene?). G, 7. GREAT I'ACKIXGTON SANCTU: I'LATI'; VH. ■J .;3 \ f i 'A > ' 'ii ' i i" / / y'*^'; :^ r ,-,>* f f -y 9' ? '-.it'*-':- '' -/•' ■ ■/■" ^-^, 12 'V?*-*^ 13 S«HS>A^' u '■•/..•• Jj V a J 'a ■*■ ''•'! •■J/ [./^im^-rm 'f ,'g CU\ EMJIY St. JOIIX AND MANCETTER (Leicester Foundry). n.A'i'i': i\. H I ' 3 t^A r'^ >■/»"*' v ^- .-n.-! '* ^ --*^' f , '-•^?«;s''; •*«P: 1—5. MANCETTER. G— 8. STOKE AXD TORLEY a. 'le ColsaleI. I'l.ATK X. 1. WOI.VEY (J. de Yorke). 2, 3, 7. STONELEIGII (Nottingham Foundry). G, S. WOliiMLEIUllTON. 9—11. SECKIXGTON. I'LATK M. 1— U. CROSSES AND LETTERING USED BY THE STURDYS OF LONDON (H:50-U5C)- 15_17. STAMPS OF HENRY JORDAN OF LONDON (1450-U70). I'l-ATK XH, i; ^■■■■^^iv^ 'J.- 'JSBt^ IB' ;*■ a >«■ ■$ •# X' - . . - * , ! "tt;.-*^ ■ - i* il-^'^^f*"! fe:.iA%=.*.3ei^f >: :jEMg«^ «' i - BKAILES. c)i,ii Tk.nuk hy .Iuii.n Bjhd of Lomjux (abolt 14i'U) I'l.ATK XIII. 'C^ !i«-"vr{ii>i.<4i..- |^^>vT»<' ■-:--!-} 1—17. STAMPS OF LONDON FIFTEENTH CENTURY FOUNDEUS. ,.\TK XIV 1— (). ]?A1)I)ESLEY CLINTON (W. IIasylwood of Reading). 7—12. RARCHESTON (B. Atton of Bucki.ngham, 1o9G). I'LATK XV /V ,.^ „ "■'1*' ' iff i'^i f^^ ..i^^ ^^t — -iriT- - - J Lf A- ^ -w- " • 'I /■^^. _.,.-■ -i 4:;,.;. -^ .^■' -J ' ■. i£&J s£.i!*lLa_ liSi: — 6 .-V J .:*/ V8 1. LONG COMPTON Sanctus. -2—7. LITTLE PAfKINGTOX 3rd (Xewcombe of Leicester). S. BRA-SYER CROSS (used by Xewtombe and Watts). 9. H.\SELEY (Xewcombe). 'LATH XVI STAMPS USED BY THE NE\YCOMBES OF LEICESTER (15G0-1G10) I'LA'IT. XVII. J 1. FENNY COMPTOX (Aim-owell?). 2, 3. NEWCOMRE STAMP.«; fBEKKswELL) I, :>. BrTLEU'S MAJiSTON (Newcomue). G— ■ \ ^ -t .3 > : '" ' -"f^r^^^'' ' • jT '• •^'•" I "iipy t ORNAMENTAL BORDKHS TSKl) RY THOMAS IIANCOX AND OTIIKRS (ITiii rEXTiRT). PLATI-: v.XI. / A k I r r mg&u .^ ■ J / / "^ i r*-i^flP »-* ■.' *■ •'^.^—"T"* ^"^ .V ^^ -»>, ^ ^, ^-•!^iCGE>^ ' 1__S, 10. Sl'AMPS ()F .lOlIX MAiri'IX OF WORCESTEH {1G44-1{;0:!). 0, 11—13. STAMPS OF WILLIAM CLIIUliY (IF WF.I.LIX GTOX (lG(ir,-lG41). I'LATK X.XII nstis m' . I timt x: 'k A ^ ry .,^ i^i • y- r^i'j ; ■' . I I ^ * / / 1 ^-z . _^ f :>-rr?" t * 4 > -''.i-ii*. U>-^ LCJl- r -"'''^^ — »=.- c^:.. :.-ii/ W^ \ I i ^-y.^.-^/v^f.- ^\\^ r,.:, > J 10 1 — 1. TllK ()I.1)1''JKL1)S .)K .NOTTJXGHAM {17th cbxt.). 5- Tdlill': MU;i;i6 (JF r^lAMl't Hil). G— 11. THE BAGLEYS OF ClIACOMB (1031-1703). I'LATK XXIII, ■M^:^"\ ,. j>-f^ lt>n feh\^(- ' r S' » *" mm .-V. ;.'>'i-'=^' >.>■'.'. J ^.4-K. I'V' L.n/ *'^-->,5 '.•;-'^y. .;— ^^^.i^-^-jE^ 1, i. JOSEPH SMITH OF KDCiBASTOX (17(10-17:50). 4, G, 7. BRIAXT OF lli:i!TF( >1!1). o, 8. IMCllAliD KEEXE OF \V(in| »ST(ii K. 10. COAT OF ARMS AT llEXLEY-IXAR l)i:X 0. RKUARn S.VXDERS OF RROMSCROVE (17(:0-17nr, I'LATK XXIV. r^..^a^li^^tffeHitaqMMdiWi CfJSiv ■'M^>^ ;:V^ 51 _- TIIK CORS OF ALDBOURNE (Sutton-uxder-Brailes). PLATE XXV. r-.. ;*;■ '-■