w& wmk m i m m i'ljY?, % ■/■•/■ ,' ! , ) j|:' ■ ■ V 1 * : ■ tijt-^ ') I \ . ' '\ ' V '■1 . > ■■ t .. ■> »'i*'(l''V awXw-M -.^l' - THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES THE CHURCH BELLS NORTHAMPTONSHIRE. THE CHURCH BELLS OF NORTHAMPTONSHIRE : Their Inscriptions, Traditions, and Peculiar Uses; WITH CHAPTERS ON BELLS AND THE NORTHANTS BELL FOUNDERS. BY THOMAS NORTH, F.S.A, Honorary Member and Honorary Secretary of the Leicestershire Architectural and Arch-eological Society. WITH illustrations. LEICESTER: SAMUEL CLARKE 1878. Printed by Samuel Clarke, Leicester. cc SUBSCRIBERS. His Grace the Duke of Grafton, Wakefield Lodge, Stoney Stratford. The Most Honourable the Marquis of Northampton, Castle Ashby, Northampton. The Right Honourable the Earl of Beauchamp, M.A., F.S.A.. 13. Belgrave Square, S.W. The Right Honourable the Earl of Carbery, Laxton Hall, Wansford (2 copies). The Right Honourable the Earl of Effingham, 57, Eaton Place. S.W. The Right Honourable the Lord Houghton, D.C.L., F.S.A., Travellers' Club, S.W. The Right Honourable the Lord Penrhyn, 5, Halkin Street, W. The Lady Sarah Spencer. 28. S. James's Place, S.W. The Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of Peterborough, D.D.. The Palace. Peterborough. The Venerable the Lord Alwyne Compton, M.A.. Chadstone, Northampton. Sir William de Capel Brooke, Bart., M.A., The Elms, Market Harborough. Sir Henry Edward Leigh Dryden, Bart., M.A., Canons Ashby. The Reverend Sir J. H. Fludyer, Bart., M.A., Ayston Rectory. Sir Charles Isham, Bart., Lamport Hall. Sir Geoffrey Palmer, Bart.. M.A., Carlton Park, Rockingham. Sir William Henry Salt, Bart., Maplewell. The Venerable Archdeacon Thicknesse, M.A., Brackley Vicarage (2 copies). The Venerable Archdeacon Holbech, M.A., Farnborough Hall, Banbur>-. The Library' of the Corporation of the City of London, Guildhall. The Library of S. Paul's Cathedral, London. The Society of Antiquaries of London. The Library of the Dean and Chapter of Lincoln. The Bedfordshire Architectural Society. The Leicestershire Architectural and Archaeological Society. The Lincoln Diocesan Architectural Society. The Architectural Society of the Archdeaconries of Northampton and Oakham. The Worcester Diocesan Architectural and Archaeological Society. The Leicester Permanent Library. The Liverpool Free Public Library. The Newcastle-on-Tyne Literary' and Philosophical Society. The Warrington Public Library. b 731834 VI Church Bells of Northamptonshire. Abbey, The Rev. A. J., M.A., Cotterstock Vicarage. Adams, Miss E., The Villas, Stoke-on-Trent. Addison, The Rev. L., B.A., R.D., Gretton Vicarage. Amherst, The Right Rev. F. K., D.D., West View, Northampton. Argles, The Rev. Canon, M.A., R.D., Bar- nack Rectory. Bailey, W. H., Esq., Albion Works, Salford. Bailey, J. E., Esq., F.S.A., Stretford, Man- chester. Baines, F. J., Esq., Leicester. Baker, The Rev. R. S., B.A., Hargrave Rectory. Baker, Charles, Esq., Architect, Leicester. Barfoot, William, Esq., Leicester. Barrow, Mr. Joseph, Long Eaton. Barwell, Mr. James, Great Hampton Street, Birmingham. Beedham, B. H., Esq., Ashfield House, Kimbolton. Bellairs, Colonel, Leicester. Bennett, The Rev. B. E. W., M.A., Corby Rectory. Bennett, S., Esq., Southfields, Leicester. Bigge, The Rev. H. J., M.A., F.S.A., Stoke Albany House. Bird, James, Esq., Architect, Leicester. Birdsall, Messrs., and Son, Northampton (2 copies). Bland, Thomas, Esq., Leicester. Blencowe, The Rev. C. E., M.A., Marston S. Lawrence Vicarage. Boodle, The Rev. A., M.A., Little Addington Vicarage. Bouskell, James, Esq., Leicester. Bragge, W., Esq., F.S.A., Shirle Hill. Handsworth, Birmingham. Brandreth, The Rev. Canon, M.A., Standish Rectorj', Wigan. Brooke, H. W., Esq., F.S.A., Armitage Bridge, Huddersfield. Bruxner, The Rev. G. E., Thurlaston, Hinckley. Burnaby, The Rev. F. G., M.A., Asfordby House, Melton Mowbray. Cadogan, The Rev. E., M.A., R.D., Wicken Rectory (2 copies). Cameron, J. B., Esq., K.D. (the late) London (2 copies). Carpenter, R. H., Esq., F.R.I.B.A., 4, Carlton Chambers, 4, Regent Street, London. Cartwright, Major Fairfax W., M.P., Brackley. Chapman, Miss E. S. S., .\ld\vincle S. Peter's, Thrapstone. Charters, Robert, Esq., Leicester. Checkland, George, Esq., Hawk's Wick, S. Albans. Clagett, Major, Stapleford Park, Melton Mowbray. Clarke, The Rev. R. J., M.A., Isham Rectory. Clarke, The Rev. Canon Erskine, M.A., London. Clephan, Edwin, Esq., Leicester. Cokayne, G. E., Esq., M.A., Lancaster Herald, College of Arms, E.C. Coghill, J. G. Sinclair, Esq., M.D., Ventnor. Collier, The Rev. C, M.A., F.S.A., Win- chester Training College. Cooke, James H., Esq., F.S.A., Berkeley, Gloucestershire. Cooper, E. F., Esq., Leicester. Cooper, J. H., Esq., Evington Hall, Leicester. Critchley, J., Esq., Batley Hall, Yorkshire. Subscribers. Vll Crossley, J. S., Esq., Barrow-on-Soar, Loughborough. Danby. The Rev. S., B.D., Weston Vicarage. Day, Robert, Esq. (the late), Wymondham. Daymond, The Rev. Charles, M.A., S. Peters College, Peterborough. Dodds. The Rev. H. L., M.A., Glen Magna Vicarage, Leicester. Dolben, Mrs. Mackworth-. Finedon Hall, Wellingborough. Donisthorpe, A. R.. Esq., Oadby, Leicester. Dunkin, E. H. W., Esq., 14. Ividbrooke Park Road, Blackheath. Edmonds, J. R., Esq., Sileby, Lough- borough. Eland, S. E., Esq.. Manor House, Kettering. Ellis, Alfred, Esq., The Brand, Lough- borough. Else, The Rev. J. E., M.A., Kilsby Vicarage. Emberlin, H. E., Esq., Oadby, Leicester. Evans, John, Esq., D.C.L., F.R.S., F.S.A., 65, Old Bailey, London. Evans, The Rev. T. Howell. Farthingstone Rectory. Evans, Robert, Esq., Architect, Nottingham. Farebrother, The Rev. T., M.A., Leicester. Fast, Mr. J. J., Melton Mowbray. Fenwicke, The Rev. G. C. B.A.. Blaston Manor, Uppingham. Field, The Rev. J. W., M.A., Braybrooke Rector}'. Fisher. Edward, Esq., Blackmore, Sid- mouth, Devon. Flude. Mr. J., 94, Curzon Street. Leicester. Foljambe, Cecil G. Savile, Esq., F.S.A., Cockglode, OUerton, Newark. Foster, Richard, Esq., Lanwithan, Lost- withiel. Fowler, The Rev. J. T., M.A., F.S.A., Hat- field Hall, Durham. Freer, W. J. Esq., Leicester. Fretton, W. G. Esq., F.S.A., Coventry. Fuller, J. F. Esq., F.S.A., F.R.LB.A.. Brunswick Chambers, Dublin. Gates, C. H. Esq., Lutterworth. Gilbertson. The Rev. Lewis, B.D., R.D., Braunston Rectory. Gill, Miss, Princess Street, Leicester. Gill, Miss Alice, Princess Street, Leicester. Gill. Elliott Joseph, Esq., Princess Street, Leicester. Gillett and Bland, Messrs., Croydon. Glover, The Rev. J. H., M.A., Kingsthorpe Vicarage. Goddard, Joseph, Esq., F.R.LB.A.,Leicester. Goddard, C. V., Esq., Hilmarton, Calne. Goodacre, The Rev. F. W., M.A., North Collingham Vicarage. Goslin, S. B., Esq., The Crescent Foundrj-, Cripplegate, London. Gower, W. G. Leveson, Esq., M.A., F.S.A., Titsey Place, Redhill, Surrey. Gregorj', George, Esq., M.D., Brackley Park, Bolton. Grewcock, W., Esq., Southfields, Leicester. Hacket, Miss, Langdale Lodge, Adkins Road, Clapham Park, Surrey. Hambly, C. H. Burbidge-, Esq., Barrow- on-Soar, Loughborough. Hanbury, The Rev. T., M..\., Church Lang- ton Rectory, Market Harborough. Hancock, Mr. J. H., 54, London Road, Leicester. Harraden, Messrs. S. and Co., 3, Hills Place, 0.xford Street, London. Harris, Joseph, Esq., Westcotes, Leicester ( 2 copies ) . Vlll Church Bells of Northamptonshire. Harris, J. D., Esq., Ratcliffe Hall, Leicester. Harris, G. Shirley, Esq. ( the late) Leicester. Haworth, Jesse, Esq., Bowdon, Cheshire. Henton, George, Esq., Leicester. Herrick, Mrs. Perry-, Beaumanor Park, Loughborough. Heycock, The Rev. T., M.A., Seaton Rectory, Uppingham. Hickson, Thomas, Esq., Melton Mowbray. Higgins, W. Francis, Esq., Turvey House, Bedford. Higgins, Lieut.-Colonel,Pict's Hill, Bedford. Hill, The Rev. Charles, M.A., Culworth Rectory. Hill, The Rev. A. Du Boulay, M.A., The College, Winchester. Hillyard, The Rev. Canon, M.A., Oakford Rectory, Tiverton. Hilton, The Rev. H. D., M.A., Orlingbury Rectory. Holdich, The Rev. J. H., M.A., Buhvick Rectory. Holding, M. H., Esq., Architect, North- ampton. Holliday, J. R., Esq., Chad Valley, Bir- mingham. Holthouse. The Rev. C. S., M.A., R.D., Helidon Vicarage. Holthouse, E. H., Esq., Helidon Vicarage. Holyoake, John, Esq., Belgrave, Leicester. Hope, W. H. S. J., Esq., Rottingdean, Brighton. Hughes, Thomas, Esq., F.S.A., The Groves, Chester. Hunt, Mrs., Stonygate, Leicester. Ingram, Thomas, Esq., Wigston Magna, Leicester. Isham, The Rev. R., M.A., Lamport Rectory. Jackson, James, Esq., Leicester. James, Francis, Esq., 190, Cromwell Road, London, S.W. Jenkyns, The Rev. J., M.A., Thornhaugh Rectory. Jerram, J. R. Esq., Fleet, Holbeach. Jones, The Rev. T. Henry, M.A., Ashwell Rectory, Oakham. Jones, T., Esq., De Montfort Square, Leicester. Keck, H. L. Powys-, Esq., Stoughton Grange, Leicester. King, Miss L., Thurnby House, Leicester. Kirk, Charles, Esq., M.A., Architect, Sleaford. Kettlewell, Mrs., Llanfairfechan, North Wales. Knight, The Rev. D. T., M.A., Earl's Barton Vicarage. Lakin, The Rev. J. M., M.A., Gilmorton Rectory, Lutterworth. Lamb, Henry, Esq., Kettering. Langton, Mr. Robert, Albert Chambers, Corporation Street, Manchester. Latham, W., Esq., Melton Mowbray. Law, Messrs. E. F. and Sons, Architects, Northampton. Lee, The Rev. Dr., F.S.A., All Saints' Vicarage, Lambeth. Ley, The Rev. Jacob, B.D., Staverton Vicarage (2 copies). Lindsay, The Rev. Canon. M.A., Kettering Rectory. Loyd, The Rev. L. H., M.A., North- ampton. Luck, Richard, Esq., The Pl^s, Llanfair- fechan, North Wales (2 copies). Lynam, C, Esq.. Stoke-on-Trent. Subscribers. IX McAlpin, Mr. J. W., Leicester. Mallaby. Mr. T., Masham, Yorkshire. Manning, Mrs., Midland Road, Welling- borough. Mansel, Robert S., Esq., 33. Devonshire Place, London, W. Marsham, The Hon. and Rev. J., B.A., Barton Seagrave Rector)-. Maunsell. The Rev. C. H., M.A., Thorpe Malsor Hall. Minchin, The Rev. H. H,. M.A., R.D., Woodford Halse Vicarage. Mitchell. The Rev. T.. M.A.. Clawson Vicarage, Melton Mowbray. Moore, The Rev. E. M.. M.A., Benefield Rector)'. Mowbray, Major, Overseile, Ashby-de-la- Zouch. Nevinson, Thomas, Esq., Leicester. Newbolt. The Rev. W. K., M.A , R.D., Paulerspury Vicarage. Newman, The Rev. F. B., M..\., Burton Latimer Rectory. Niblett, J, D. T., Esq., Haresfield Court, Stonehouse. Norman, Mrs. George (the late), Goadby Marwood, Melton Mowbray. Nuttall, W., Esq., The Shade, Shamford. Hinckley. Overton, Robert, Esq., Elmsleigh, Lei- cester. Paget, Thomas Tertius, Esq., Humber- stone, Leicester. Paley, Edward G., Esq., Lancaster. Palmer, Major, Withcote Hall, Oakham. Parry, Thomas, Esq., Sleaford. Peachey, Dr. A., Northampton. Peake, H. W., Esq., Uppingham. Pearce, William, Esq., Solihull, Warwick- shire. Peterson, E. Pearson. Esq.. F.S.A.. Bradford. Phipps, P., Esq., M.P., Northampton. Piatt, Major, Gorddinog, Bangor. Poole, The Rev. G. A., M.A., R.D., Win- wick Rectory. Power, The Rev. J., D.D., Master of Pem- broke College, Cambridge. Pownall, The Rev. Canon, M.A., F.S.A.. South Kilworth Rectory, Rugby. Rabbetts, The Rev. F. D.. M.A., Buck- minster Vicarage, Grantham. Raven, The Rev. J. J., D.D.. Great Yarmouth. Rawnsley, Arthur, E., Esq., Halton Rectory. Spilsby. Redmond, R., Esq., (the late) Dublin. Richards, W., Esq., Belgrave, Leicester. Richardson, The Rev. H. K., M.A.. R.D.. Leire Rectory, Lutterworth. Rigby, Samuel, Esq., Warrington. Roberts, S., Johnson, Esq., Chester. Roberts, Joseph, jun., Esq. (the late), Stonygate, Leicester. Robinson, G. A., Esq., Leicester. Robinson, T. W. U., Esq., Houghton-le- Spring. Rowe, R. Reynolds, Esq., F.S.A.. F R.LB.A.. Cambridge. Rushin, Mr. W., Leicester. Russell, D. Watts. Esq., Biggin Grange, Oundle. ( 2 copies ) . Sandford. The Rev. E.. M.A.. Denford Vicarage. Scott. The Rev. T.. M.A., R.D.. Wappen- ham Rectory. Sheddon, Miss, Powys House. Cowes, I. W. ( 2 copies ). Church Bells of Northamptonshire. Smith, The Rev. J. T. H., M.A., Kislingbury Rectory. Smith Edwin, Esq., 19, Elvetham Road, Birmingham. Smyth, The Rev. C, M.A., R.D., Little Houghton Vicarage. Snovvdon, Jasper M., Esq., Ilkley, Leeds. Spencer, Messrs. J. and T., Leicester. Stainbank. W. L., Esq., 267, Whitechapel Road, London. Stobart, The Rev. H., M.A., Warkton Rectory. Stockdale, H. M., Esq., Mears Ashby Hall. Stretton, Mrs. (the late) Danes Hill House, i Leicester. (2 copies). j Sutton, The Rev. F. H., M.A., Brant ; Broughton Rectory, Newark. Sweeting, The Rev. W. D., M.A., Peter- borough. Swithinbank, Dr. G. E., Ormleigh, Anerley Park, S. E. Tayler, Mrs. C. H., London. Taylor, Mr. J. W., Loughborough. Taylor, Mr. John, Northampton. ( 2 copies). Thompson, The Rev. E., M.A., Clipstone Rectory. Thompson, C. J., Esq., Eydon. Thompson, John, Esq., 43, Wood Street, Peterborough. ( 2 copies ). Thompson, Charles, Esq., M.D., Leicester. Thring, The Rev. E., M.A., School House, Uppingham. (2 copies). Tilley, Rev. H.T., B.A., Curate of Pershore, Worcestershire. Timmins, Samuel. Esq., F.S.A., Elvetham Lodge, Birmingham. Titley.The Rev. R., M.A., Barwell Rector>', Hinckley. Tyssen, J. R. Daniel-, Esq., F.S.A., Brighton. Tyssen, Amherst Daniel-, Esq., D.C.L., 40, Chancery Lane, London. Upcher, The Rev. H. B., B.A., Dingley Rector)'. Ussher, Richard, Esq., Catton Hall, Burton- on-Trent. Utting, Mr. R. B., 33, Camden Road, Lon- don, N.W. Venables, The Rev. George S. C. L., R D., Great Yarmouth Vicarage. Vialls, George, Esq., 24, Doughty Street, London. Ward, The Rev. H., M.A., Aldwincle S. Peter. Warner, Mr. Thomas, Leicester Abbey. Warner, Messrs. John and Sons, The Crescent Foundry, Cripplegate, London, E. C. Wartnaby, Mrs., Market Harborough. Watson, G. L., Esq., Rockingham Castle. Watson, The Rev. J. S., M.A., Cotesbach Rectory, Lutterworth. White, George, Esq., Court House, Epsom. Willcox, Mr. W., Melton Mowbray. Williams, J. H., Esq., Stonygate, Leicester. Williamson, Mr. J., Bookseller, Lincoln. Withers and Fowler, Messrs., Leicester. ( 2 copies ). Wood, Alexander, Esq., M.A.. F.S.A., The Laurels, Horsham. Wood. R. H., Esq., F.S.A.. Penrhos House. Rugby. Yate, The Rev. Charles A.. M.A., Long Buckby Vicarage. PREFACE " The Church Bells of Leicestershire " though form- ing a volume complete in itself, was, as I intimated in a note to the Preface, only a portion of that Account of the Campanology of the Diocese of Peterborough which I then was, and am still, wishful to complete. The kind and indulgent reception given to that book has encouraged me to persevere in my design: hence the issue of the present volume, which, whilst it is, like its predecessor, complete in itself, forms the second and larger portion of the whole Work. The necessity for this form of publication will, I hope, be a sufficient apology for the reprinting of certain portions of introductory and explanatory matter : this apology is, however, I trust, rendered the less necessary by the ad- dition of much information and illustration which did not appear in the former volume. My thanks are tendered to the Architectural Society of the Archdeaconries of Northampton and Oakham for a complimentary grant from its funds of the cost of several They are also due to the many kind friends xu Church Bells of Northamptonshire. who have aided me in a variety of ways in the collecting of material for the following Work. Especially are they tendered to John Robert Daniel-Tyssen, Esq., F.S.A., to the Rev. H. T. Ellacombe, F.S.A., and to Llewellyn Jewitt, Esq., F.S.A., for the loan of several woodcuts, to the Rev. W. G. Dimock Fletcher, for help rendered in the Bodleian Library, Oxford, and to the following ladies and gentlemen without whose efficient and valuable co-opera- tion, by procuring rubbings or casts from bells in the parishes placed against their names, this Work would not have been undertaken, and could not have been completed. Alderson, Rev. F. C. Andrews, Rev. W. Atwood, Rev. D. G. . . Ayrton. Rev. W. A. Bagshaw, Rev. H. S. . . Baker, Rev. R. S. . . Ball, Rev. C. R. Beecroft, John, Esq. Beresford, Rev. J.J. . . Blaydes, A., Esq. . . Brent, Rev. Percy Brown, Mr. H. . . Bumham. Rev. C. H. . . Cadogan, Rev. Edward Chapman, Rev. W. H. Churton, Rev. H... Clarke, Rev. R.J. Collis. Mr. W. CoUyns, Rev. J. M. Compton, The Ven. Lord Alwyne Couchman, Rev. J. Cox, Rev. R. H. . . Holdenby. Upton (Peterborough). Hinton-in-the-Hedges. Chalcombe. Wood Newton. Desborough. Peterborough (S. Paul's). Eye. Castor. Harringworth. Easton Maiidit, Grendon. Northampton (All Saints and S. Giles Cogenhoe. Wicken. Nassington. Denton, Yardley Hastings. Isham. Watford. Daventry. Castle Ashby. Thornby. Hardingstone. Preface. xiu Crawley. Rev. H. Crawley, Rev. T. W. Stowe-nine-Churches. Heyford. Danby. Rev. S. Davies, Rev. C. T. Downes, Rev. J. Dowson. Rev. F. Roy Dryden, Sir Henry E. L., Bart. Dunckley, Mr. John Sutton Bassett. \V'eston-by-Welland. Ecton. Hannington. Badby, Newnham. Adstone, Canon's Ashby, Moreton Pinkney. CoUingtree. Else, Rev. J. E. Evans, Rev. T. H. Apethorpe. Boddington, Earth ingstone, Lichborough. Fauquier, Rev. G. L. W. Field, Rev. J. \V. . . Freestone, Mr. Henry.. West Haddon. Braybrooke. Marston Trussell. Gedge, Rev. S. . . Gilbertson, Rev. L. Glover, Rev. J. H. Goodacre, Rev. F. W. Gregory, Rev. M. W. Northampton (All Saints). Braunstone. Kingsthorpe. Northampton (Holy Sepulchre). Doddington. Harding, Rev. W. Harley, Mr. John. . Harrison, Rev. J. H. . Hatton, Rev. W. R. F. Hichens, Rev. T. S. Hill, Rev. C. Hilton, Rev. H. D. Hobbis, Mr. W. J. Hodgson, Rev. F. G. . Holdich, Rev. J. H. Holthouse, £. H., Esq. Sulgrave. Peterborough (Cathedral, S. Mark and S. Mary). Bugbrook. Weldon Great. Guilsborough. Culworth. Orlingbury. Easton Neston, Gayton, Greens Norton, Milton Malsor, Pattishall. Quinton. Rothersthorpe, Tiffield. Towcester, and Wootton. Pilton. Bulwick, Deene. Fawsley, Helidon. Staverton. XIV Church Bells of Northamptonshire. Homan, Rev. J. F. Howes, Rev. W. A. Hughes, Rev. T. C. Ashby S. Legers. Barby, Brixworth, Clay- coton, Cold Ashby, Cottesbrooke, Creaton, Crick, Haddon West, Hazlebeach, Kilsby, Lilbourne, Spratton, Welton, Winwick, Yelvertoft. Cold Higham. Billing Parva. Irby, Hon. and Rev. L. C. R. Isham, Rev. R. . . Whiston. Lamport. Jones, Alexander J., Esq. Jones, W. H., Esq. Milton Malsor, Preston Deanery, Stoke Bruerne. Achurch, Apethorpe, Ashley, Bainton, Bar- nack, Barton Seagrave, Blathervvycke, Bowden Little, Bozeat, Carlton East, Castle Ashby, Cold Ashby, Collyweston, Corby, Cotterstock, Cottingham, Cransley, Denford, Dingley, Duddington, Easton- by-Stamford, Easton Maudit, Ecton, Etton, Fotheringhay, Glapthorne, Glinton, Grendon, Gretton, Hargrave, Helpston, Higham Ferrers, Irthlingborough, King's Cliffe, Laxton, Lutton, Maxey, Mears Ashby, Naseby, Newborough, Newton Bromswold, Oakley Great, Oundle, Pilton, Polebrook, Ringstead, Rockingham, South- wick, Stamford Baron, Stanion, Stanwick, Stoke Albany, Stoke Doyle, Strixton, Sutton, Tansor, Thornhaugh, Thorpe Malsor, Ufiford, Wadenhoe, Wakerley, Wansford, Warmington, Wellingborough, Werrington, Whittering, Wilby, Wil- barston, Yarwell. Kay. Rev. J. L. (the late) King, Rev. R. C. . . Knight, Rev. D. T. Greatworth. Northampton ( S. Katharine). Earl's Barton. Lamb, Rev. P. Northampton (S. Andrew). Preface. XV Lendrum, Rev. A. Lichfield, Rev. F.. . Lockton, Rev. P. Loyd, Rev. Lewis H. Benefield. Farthinghoe. Slapton. Abington, Brafield-on-the-Green. Horton. Houghton Great. Northampton S. Ed- mund, Piddington. MacDonnell, Rev. J. C. Macphail, Rev. E. St. M. . Marriott, Miss F. S. . . Marsham, Hon. and Rev. J. Minchin, Rev. H. H. . . Morton, Rev. D. . . Walgrave. Plumpton. Clipstone, Oxendon Magna, Sibbertoft. Barton Seagrave. Woodford Halse. Harleston. Neely, a. C, Esq. Newman, Rev. F. B. Noble. Rev. W. Alderton, Ashton, Blisworth, Cosgrove, Courteenhall, Grafton Regis, Passenham, Paulerspur)', Potterspury, Roade. Burton Latimer. Newbottle. Oakley, Rev. G. J. J. Onn, Mr. W. T. Owen, Rev. T. M. N. Hargrave. Moulton. Arthingworth, Brampton Church, Brigstock, Broughton, Dallington, Desborough, Draughton, Duston, Geddington, Grafton Underwood, Haddon East, Harpole, Harrington, Holcot, Kelmarsh, Kettering, Loddington, Luddington, Maidwell, Naseby, Old, Orton, Overstone, Pitsford, Pytchley, Ravensthorpe, Rushton, Scald- well, Sywell, Tichmarsh, Upton, Weekley. Paul, Rev. G. W. Percival, Mr. W, . . Phillips, Rev. J. Pizey, Rev. J. F. .. Ponsonby, Rev. F. J. Poole, Rev. G. A. . . Porter, Captain Fmedon. Irchester, WoUaston. Weston Favel. Bozeat. Brington. Welford. Raunds. XVI Church Bells of Northamptonshire. Richards, Rev. T. Rogers, Mr. John Rudge, Rev. W. . Hardwjxke. Thrapstone. Chelveston. Scott, Rev. T. Sells. Rev. A. Sharp, Samuel, Esq. Skeels. Rev. S. C. Skipwith, Rev. R. Smith, Rev. J. T. H. Smith, Rev. Canon Smyth, Rev. C. . . Snowden, Rev. H. C. Spencer, Rev. W. S. Stobart, Rev. H. Sweeting, Rev. W. D. Wappenham. Aynhoe, Blakesley, Bradden, Croughton, Helmdon, Hinton-in-the-Hedges, Lois- Weedon, Marston S. Lawrence, Radston, Silverstone, Syresham, Towcester, Wark- worth, Whitfield, Whittlebury. Harrowden Great, Harrowden Little. Abthorpe. Whilton. Kislingbury. Brampton Ash. Houghton Little. Edgcott, Thorpe Mandeville. Everdon. Warkton. Clapton, Marholm, Northborough. Paston, Rushden. Tapp, Rev. W. E. Taylor, Rev. W. A. . . Taylor, Rev. W. . . Thicknesse, Ven. Archdeacon Thompson, Mr. C. J. .. Thompson, Rev. H. J. Thornton, Edward, Esq. Tilley. Rev. H. T. Tom, Rev. E. N. Turner, Rev. V. C. Maidford. Lichborough. Newton Bromswold. Brackley, Croughton, Marston S. Lawrence. Middleton, Thenford. Aston-le-Walls, Byfield, Charwelton, Chip- ping Warden, Eydon, Preston Capes. Dodford. Brockhall. Cold Ashby. Northampton, S. Peter. Newton-in-the-Willows, Oakley Little. Urquhart, Rev. E. W. Vyse. Rev. G. S. H. Walker. Rev. J. King's Sutton. Boughton. . . Billing Great. Preface. XVI 1 Ward, Rev. H. Wilson, Rev. W. Wilson. Rev. A. W. Winter. Rev. A. H Wise. Mr. J. B. .. Worsley, Rev. E. Yate. Rev. C. A. . . Addingtun Great, Addington Little, Ald- wincle All Saints, Aldwincle S. Peter, Barnwell S. Andrew, Cranford S. Andrew. Cranford S. John, Denford. Islip. Lowick, Ringstead, Slipton, Stanwick, Sudborough. Twywell, Wadenhoe. Woodford. Desborough. Farndon East. Weedon Bee. Potterspurj'. Evenley- lx)ng liuckby. *:^* In order to complete my account of the Campanology of the Diocese of Peterborough, I hope shortly to send to the press a similar description of The Church Bells of the County of Rutland. T. N. CONTENTS Church Bells . . . . -1-35 The Church Bells of Northamptonshire .... 37-40 The Northamptonshire Bellfounders . . . .41-53 Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells .55-122 Peculiar Uses of Northamptonshire Bells . . 123-162 Latin Inscriptions on Northamptonshire Bells (with Translations) 1 63- 1 7 1 A Table of Diameters of Bells with the approximate Weights . 172 The Inscriptions on the Church Bells of Northamptonshire, with the Diameter at the mouth of each Bell, from which its approximate weight may be ascertained. To which are added Extracts, where procurable, from the Commissioners' Returns temp. Edward VI., and from Parochial and other Records, together with Local Traditions, Notices of Donors, etc., and Notes on the Uses of Church Bells peculiar to different parishes ...... 173-455 ILLUSTRATIONS. A Performer playing a Carillon of five bells, from a MS. said to be of the ninth century ..... 36 Stamps used by Northants Bellfounders .... 42 Stamp used by Robert Mott, a London Founder . . 53 Figure of King David playing a Carillon of five bells (fourteenth century) ....... 54 Initial Crosses, Marks, Stops, etc., used by other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells ..... 55-120 General Plates of Initial Crosses, Founders' Marks, Letters, etc., found on the Ancient Bells of Northamptonshire Plates i — xx at the end of the volume. CHURCH BELLS. I N the oldest existing writings — those of Moses — wc find mention of the bells which were ordered to be placed upon the hem of the ephod of the High Priest,* and which, we are told by the son of Sirach,t made a noise which might be heard in the temple, when he went in, and when he came out of the holy place. J Bells were even then no novelty, for they had long been in use in Egypt, small bells being found in very early mummies at Thebes. They were used as appendages to their royal robes, by the ancient Persians. Mr. Layard mentions the discovery, in the palace of Nimroud, of about eighty small bells of bronze with iron tongues, § shewing that they must have been common in Assyria. The ancient Etruscans used them in a variety of ways. The Greeks and the Romans used them not only to • Exod. xxviii. 33. that the sound of the Apostles was to go f Ecclus. xlv. 9. forth into all lands. Vide Blunt's Church X According to Justyn Mart)T these bells in the First Three Centuries, p. 131. (twelve in number) which tinkled on the § Discoveries at Nineveh, &c. Second garments of the High Priest, were a symbol Series, p. 177. B 2 Church Bells. call people to the baths and to the markets, but in a great many ways, public and private. Bells are plentiful in Northern and Central Asia, where they have, apparently, been familiar objects from time immemorial. They appear to have been used in very early times in Hindoo temples, and now, high up the Himalayas, in temples and on prayer wheels, the small musical bell is still heard. The Chinese have bells, and probably had them long ages ago. They are found, as of ancient use, on the African continent, and on the other side of the Atlantic ; indeed the use of bells or their substitutes may safely be said to be " coeval with the earliest periods of which we have detailed records, and coextensive with every race into which the human family has branched out."* Most, if not all, of these, however, were comparatively so small and insignificant that they have been more properly described as "metallic rattles" rather than as bells. Leaving these precursors of the Church Bell, and referring all who are interested in pursuing their history further to the researches of the many competent writers on the subject, I offer by way of introduction to the pages which follow, a few remarks upon the Bell as used in the Christian Church. In doing so I have little to add to the few historical facts which have become the common property of all writers on this branch of archaeology. I * See a learned and valuable paper: — by the late Rev. Abner W. Brown. Ass. "The History and Antiquities of Bells, and Arch. Socs, Reports and Papers, \-o\. ^{iS^%). their connection with Mythology and Ethnology, Church Bells. 3 should have hesitated to reproduce some of these here if the following pages were only intended for the reading of campanists, and as a chapter in the histor}' of the Church Bells of this country. This Work may, however, fall into the hands of some who may wish for a sketch of the origin of those musical ornaments of our churches which they so often hear, but so seldom see. I trust therefore to be pardoned for treading in the footsteps of several learned predecessors, and for availing myself, occasionally, of their researches. The early Christians, in consequence of the persecutions to which, from time to time, they were exposed, would be very unlikely to use any noisy summons to their meetings for prayer and praise. So soon as they were able to meet publicly, without fear, they used, in some places, trumpets, like the Jews of old.* S. Ephrem {circa 370) further men- tions the Signinn — a clapper or tablet — as the call then used to Holy Communion. t Bells do not appear to have been introduced into the Christian Church until the fifth century. The earliest Christian writer who refers to them is thought to be Saint Jerome, who in the Regula Monachorum {circa 422) mentions their use as a call to matins, &c.J Paulinus, bishop of • Bingham's Antiq., Bk. viii., c. 7. Tin E. C. Walcott, F.S.A.. to whom I am in- Trumpets preserved at Willoughton and debted for this reference, so interprets the Thomey are said to have been used to call " sign." the congregation together. Walcotfs Sac. * Quotedhy Rocca. De Campanis. Opera. Arch., p. 70. Roma;. 1719. Vol. i. p. 15C. f Paroenesi xliii. The Rev. Mackenzie 4 Church Bells. Nola, in Campania (a.d. 400), has been generally credited with their invention,* but inasmuch as there is extant an epistle from him to Severus, in which he minutely describes his church, but makes no mention of either tower or bells, we must consider he was ignorant, at least at that time, of their use.f From this tradition, however, we have the mediaeval Latin name, Nola, for a small hand-bell, and Campana for the larger bell hanging in the church tower or turret. Church Bells are also called Signa in mediaeval documents. It is not proposed — as being foreign to this work — to attempt a description of the Nola or Tintinnabidiim, as the early portable hand-bell was called. Several of these, of great antiquity, are still extant in Ireland, North Wales, and Scotland. Some of them are very elaborately orna- mented, and are accompanied by covers of exquisite work- manship. They are frequently formed of a sheet of metal hammered into shape, and rivetted at the side. There does not appear to be any clue as to the precise original use of these curious bells, which in many instances were, until recently, held in high reverence, and even in superstitious dread, by the ignorant peasantry. Some antiquaries think they are relics of the early founders of Christianity in these Islands, and have been, as such, carefully preserved in • Dupin's Eccl. Hist. Ninth Cent., p. 166. ancient bell " supposed to have been in- t The Bell, by Rev. Alfred Gatty, p. 13. vented or adopted by Paulinus, circa 420, The Rev. H. T. Ellacombe in his Bells of for church purposes." the Church, p. 338, gives an engraving of an Church Bells. 5 Religious Houses founded at the time by the saints themselves.* Pope Sabinian (a.d. 604) having ordered the hours to be sounded on the bells, f is thought by others to have intro- duced the use of the CampancB or Signa, as the large bells were called, into churches. He, however, more probably found bells in partial use, and recognizing their beauty and value, encouraged their general adoption, as it is soon after his time that we read of their use in this country. They are mentioned in the Ordo Romaniis about this date, as being used to announce Tierce, Mass, and Processions, and * A very full and profusely illustrated account of these bells will be found in The Bells of the Church, a Tome lately put forth by my venerable friend The Rev. H. T. Ellacombe, F.S.A. In the year 1833 Dr. Petrie read before the Royal Irish Academy an Essay on the Ancient Consecrated Bells of Ireland. This Essay has never been published. He says " many passages from our ancient records prove that bells, as well as crosiers, book-covers of metal, chalices, and other religious utensils, were extensively manufactured in Ireland in the fifth and sixth centuries ; and we find in the lives of S. Patrick, preserved in the Book of Armagh, that he is described as introducing bells through the country . . . . The use of bells for the service of the Church, from the time of S. Patrick and his followers down, can be abundantly proved by our ancient histories. And in ^ter times the consecrated bells of the early saints were applied to various super- stitious practices. This he shows from the lives of the saints, ancient historical poems, annals, and other records. These bells, enshrined in costly cases of elaborate workmanship, were preserved in the churches to which they originally belonged, and many of them are still remaining in the country .... All these bells were of a quadrangular form and varying in height from four to fifteen inches. Owing to the slow progress of antiquarian investi- gation in Ireland, it is a remarkable fact that up to the time of the reading of this paper, few descriptions of any ancient bells found in this country had been given . . . . Petrie adds that he had seen not less than thirty of these ancient bells them- selves, and knew of the existence of as many more." Stokes" Life of George I\tri<-. LL.D.. pp. 277-280. f Walcott's Sac. Arch , p. 96. 6 Church Bells. S. Owen in the life of S. Eloy {circa 650) speaks of the Campana* Legend tells of S. Columba hearing the midnight bell which called the brethren to matins in his church in lona, and of his hurrying thither with feeble steps, and there dying before the altar, on June the gth, a.d. 597. It is, however, nearly a century later before we meet with an authentic record of the church bell as being in use in this country. Bede mentions the existence of a bell at Streanseshalch (Whitby) in the year 680, which was used to awake, and to call the nuns to prayer. f The second excerp- tion of Egbert, issued about the year 750, commands every priest, at the proper hours, to sound the bells of his church, and then to go through the sacred offices of God. In the tenth century we trace the existence of bells in one of the illuminations in S. ^thelwold's Benedictional, a gorgeous manuscript, certainly executed before the close of that century : an open campanile appears in which are suspended four bells. J The building of churches, and the founding of bells, were much encouraged at that time by a decree which provided that a Thane's rank might be obtained by a Saxon churl or franklin if he were rich enough to possess about five hundred acres of land, and had a church with a bell tower on his estate. § About that time too, if we may trust Ingulph, we • Walcott's Sac. Arch., p. 66. J Archaologia, xxiv., plate 32. f Eccl. Hist., Book iv., c. xxiv. (Gidley's § Churton's Early English Church, p. Translation). 230. Church Bells. 7 find a ring' of bells at Croyland Abbey. Turketil, who was made abbot of that House about 946, had "one very large bell " cast, called Guthlac ; to that one bell his successor, Egelric the elder (who died in 984) added six more — two large ones, which he called Bartholomew and Bettelm, two of medium size, which he named Turketil and Tatwin, and two small ones to which he gave the names of Pega and Bega. The chronicler adds, that when all these seven bells were rung " an exquisite harmony was produced thereby, nor was there such a peal of bells in those days in all England."* From this we may infer that single bells, if not rings, were then well known in this country. Neither were the abbots of Croyland the only ecclesiastics of that period whose names are handed down to us as founders of bells. S. Dunstan, "the chief of monks," an expert worker in metals, cast a bell, which for many ages after his death hung in Canterbury Cathedral ; two bells cast under his direction were at Abingdon, where also were other two the work of its founder S. y^thelwold.f S. Dunstan also drew up Rules for the ringing of the Bells, as did Lanfranc, Archbishop of Canterbury. J In the year 1023 Aldred, Arch- bishop of York, gave to the church of " Blessed Mary ever Virgin," at Southwell, two bells which are said to have been the first of the kind in use in the County of Nottingham. § • Ingulph's Citron., Bohn's Ed., p. 107. t Rock's Church of our Fathers, iii.. § Ex infor. The Rev. R. H. Whitworth. Part 2, p. 57. the author of an interesting paper on The X See these Rules in Church Bells of Documentary History of the Church and Toun Somerset, pp. 113 and 114. of SouthxL'ell. 8 Church Bells. Indeed there is every reason for believing that at the Norman Conquest the art of bellfounding was well under- stood, and carried to great perfection in this country : the law of Curfew could not have been carried into effect if bells had not then been in general use. The grand old Norman — if not Saxon — towers of our churches (witness Brigstock and Brixworth in Northamptonshire) clearly point to the large and heavy bells which they were built to contain. We find an early reference to Church Bells in the Church of Stoke Dry, Rutland, where on a late Norman column is carved the figure of a man tolling a bell. The first Englishman who followed bellfounding as a trade at present known by name, is Roger de Ropeforde of Paignton, who, in 1284, was employed to make four bells for the north tower of Exeter Cathedral,* and about the same time Michael de Lichfield, bellfounder, was plying his craft in that city.f In the thirteenth century we meet with constant mention of bells as of things not in the least extraordinary or rare. » EUacombe's Bells of Exeter Cathedral, kettles, brass mortars, and mill-pots. Also p. 3. See also Notes and Queries, 5th, s. iii., for 425 pounds received from one old bell, p. 77, for an interesting account of the Also, for 40 pounds of brass, received by casting of a bell in the same year (1284). purchase. Also, for 896 pounds of copper An endorsement on the parchment upon received by purchase. Also, for 320 pounds which this account is written shows not of tin received by purchase, only the constituent parts of the bell metal, " Sum 1861 pounds, of which there has but also proves the fact that those who been melted in making the new bell 1781 could not subscribe to the cost in money, pounds; and there are 81 pounds remain- gave in kind : — " Metal for the bell. They ing over." answer for 180 pounds of brass received as f Hew'iiX.' 5 Handbook of Lichfield Cathedral. gifts, as in pots, platters, basons, lavers. Church Bells. g Matthew Paris writes as if, at least, every church of note, possessed one bell or more.* He tells us that Otto the Legate was received with processions, and the music of bells. t That upon the return of Henry the Third, from Gascony, in 1243, when he had come to Winchester, he gave orders that all the bells in the place should resound with joy;J and he further tells that in 1250, the Canons of S. Bartholomew, London, received the Archbishop Boniface of Canterbury "amidst the ringing of bells. "§ In 1239, Henry the Third directed a bell-turret to be made for the chapel of S. Thomas, in the castle of Winchester ;|| and the same monarch, in 1243, commanded a stone turret to be built in front of the King's chapel at Windsor, in which three or four bells might be hung.^f He was probably a lover of the sound of church bells, for a few years later — in 1255 — he granted an annual payment of 100 shillings a year to the Brethren of " the Gild of Westminster who are appointed to ring the great bells."** In 1273 we hear of the bell of the church of S. Benedict, Cambridge, being used to convene the clerks to extraordinary lectures. tt The earliest mention of the existence of church bells in Northamptonshire that I have met with occurs in this — the thirteenth century. About the year 1232 Ralph de Troublcvillc and Alice his wife founded a Hospital upon • Bohns Ed., vol. iii. p. 51. || Turner's Dom. Arch., vol. i. p. 193. fVol. i. p. 55. f Ibid. p. 259. * Vol. i. p. 455. •• Bclh of the Church, p. 34. § Vol. ii. p. 346. +t Church Bills of Cambridgeshire, p. 3. C 10 Church Bells. their estate at Armston, in the parish of Polebrook, in which they had " liberty of one bell."* In 1294 an acre of land in the parish of Harleston was given to the then Rector, Richard de Hette, from the proceeds of which he was to purchase the necessary ropes for the church bells. The following century also furnishes early evidence of the existence of bells in the same county : the first bell in the present ring at Cold Ashby is dated 13 17 — a remarkably early dated bell — and in 1390-1 a dispute is recorded as having taken place between the townsmen of Daventry and the monks of the Priory there as to the ringing of the bells belonging to the parish church. f Early in the same century (1306 and 132 1) mention is made of church bells in two of the ancient churches of Leicester. J In the middle ages, when roads were bad, and locomo- tion difficult, bells were frequently cast within the precincts of Religious Houses, and in churchyards, the clergy^ or monks standing round, and reciting prayers and chanting psalms. Southey says: — "The brethren stood round the furnace, ranged in processional order, sang the 150th Psalm, and then after certain prayers, blessed the molten metal, and called upon the Lord to infuse into it His grace, and overshadow it with His power, for the honour of the saint to whom the bell was to be dedicated, and whose name it was to bear."§ An instance of this occurred at S. Albans in the • Bridges, vol. ii. p. 418. J North's Church Bells 0/ Leicestershire, f Bridges, vol. i. p. 47. p. 8. § Southey's Doctor, vol. i. p. 296. Church Bells. ii early part of the fourteenth century when the great bell called ** Amphibalus " being broken was recast in the hall of the sacristry.* During excavations in the churchyard of Scalford, Leicestershire, some years ago, indications of the former existence of a furnace for the casting of the church bells there were discovered, and a mass of bell-metal was found, which had clearly been in a state of fusion on the spot ; and a similar discovery was made about four years ago in the churchyard of Empingham, Rutland. Until quite recently the bellfounders occasionally acted in the same manner. "Great Tom" of Lincoln was cast in the minster yard in i6io;t and the great bell of Canterbury was cast in the cathedral yard in 1762. J We also find instances (at Kirkby Malzeard, Yorkshire, and Haddenham, in the Isle of Ely,) where a furnace was erected, and bells recast within the walls of the church itself.§ The founders, too, sometimes itinerated with the implements of their craft to a central spot, where they set up their furnace, and did what business they could with the neighbourhood around. This was done at Winterton, in Lincolnshire, by Daniel Hedderly, of Bawtry, in 1734; and Henry Bagley (formerly of Chacombe, Northamptonshire), then of Witney, Oxon, says, in an advertisement issued in 1732, that he would if desired " cast any Ring or Rings of Bells in the town [to which] they belong." • Church Dells of Somerset, p 127. ^Hiit. Lincoln (1816), p. 75. § Bells of the Church, p. 2S7. Notes and X Bells and Bellringing, by Rev. J. T. Queries. 5th. s. ii. 147. Fowler, F.S..\. 12 Church Bells. It may be well to state here that the composition of bell-metal may be roughly said to be one portion of tin to three of copper. The popular belief that silver entered into the composition of the metal of our ancient bells, and that it is to its presence they are indebted for the beauty and purity of their tone is a great error. It was a custom to cast a few coins into the furnace, but silver in any appreci- able quantity would tend to injure and not to improve the tone. Age, no doubt, which changes the colour and roughens the surface of a bell, also improves in some manner — it has been suggested that it is by a very gradual process of oxidation — the character of its tone. After the bell was cast, and was made ready for its high and airy chamber, it was set apart for its future use by a solemn ceremonial, and by the recitation of an Office which has been variously termed the Blessing, the Consecration, and the Baptism of the Bell. The use of this Office, if not coeval with the introduction of the church bell, is certainly of great antiquity. Mr. L'Estrange, quoting the Abbe Barraud, states, that since the year 800 the Order of the prayers and rites employed in the Benediction of bells has not varied much. " It appears from a Pontifical preserved in the British Museum (Cottonian MS. Vespasian D. i. p. i2j) that the service commenced with the recital of the Litany, and that whilst the choir sang the antiphon Asperges me, the psalm Miserere and psalm 145, with the five following psalms, and the antiphon In civitate Domini dare sonant, the bell about to be blessed was washed with holy water, wiped Church Bells. 13 with a towel, and anointed by the bishop with the holy oil."* The De Bencdictionc Signi vel Campancc of the Roman Pontifical enjoins the same ceremonies interspersed with prayers, psalms, and antiphons. The bell washed by the bishop with water, into which salt had been previously cast, v»as then dried by his attendants with clean linen ; the bishop next dipped the thumb of his right hand in the holy oil for the sick, and made the sign of the cross on the top of the bell, he then marked the bell again both with the holy oil for the sick and with chrism, saying the words : — '' Sancti + ficetiir, et consc + crdttr, Domiite sigiiuin istud : in nomine Pa + tris et Fi + ///, d Spiritiis + Sandi : in honorem Sancti N. Pax tibi." after which the inside of the bell was censed. f The Pontifical of Egbert, Archbishop of York, and other Office books, have similar services. This Office bore so close a resemblance to that of Holy Baptism, both in the ceremonial used, and in the giving of a name to the bell, as to be frequently considered synonymous with it. That such was the case, even in early times, we gather from the fact that Charlemagne issued, in the year 789, an express injunction against the baptism of bells. Learned liturgical writers of the Roman Church maintain that the baptism of bells was not in ancient times, * Church Bells of Norfolk, p. 17. Pontifical (Antwerp. 1627) in Bells of tfu f See a full copy of this service from the Church, p. 83. 14 Church Bells. and is not now, as used by them, such as confers remission of sins — Southey quaintly observes " the original sin of a bell would be a flaw in the metal, or a defect in the tone, neither of which the priest undertakes to remove " — but the bells are thereby set apart from all secular uses, and blessed or consecrated ; and the hope is that (in accordance with the prayers offered) by their sound the powers of demons may be restrained, and the sources of storm, tempest, and contagion, kept away.* Whilst this no doubt is quite true, it must, nevertheless, be evident that the ceremony did frequently, in mediaeval times, surpass that of a consecra- tion, and, by an addition of other ceremonies to those enjoined in the Pontificals just quoted, bore so close a resemblance to baptism, as to present, at least to the eyes of the vulgar, a too close and irreverent resemblance to that Holy Sacrament. Le Sueur, an old French writer, shows this to have been the case. He says " that the imposition of the name, the godfathers and godmothers, the aspersion with holy-v/ater, the unction, and the solemn consecration in the names of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, exceed in ceremonial splendour what is common at baptism, in • Lawrence Beyerlink, Canon of Ant- not as if it were a living thing, but just as werp, &c., &c., in his "Select Sernwns of names are given to gates, harbours, and various Subjects" (Cologne 1627) says: — fortifications, or rather it should not so " Hence the custom of sponsors is free from much be said that a name is given to it, as all impiety, although the Roman Pontifical that it is consecrated in honour of some orders no such thing. For why cannot saint whose name afterwards continues special persons be appointed to have care with it." Quoted in Bells 0/ the Church, of the bell and contribute to its expenses, p. 93. A name is given to a bell. Church Bells. 15 order to make the blessing of bells more highly regarded by the people. Real baptism," he remarks, " may be ad- ministered by all kinds of persons, and the rite is simple, but in what is done to the bells there is much pomp. The service is long, the ceremonies are numerous, the sponsors are persons of quality, and the most considerable priest in the place, or even a bishop or archbishop officiates."* That this was the case in England, as well as in France, we learn from a curious entry made by the churchwardens of S. Lawrence, Reading, in their Accounts for the year 1499:— s. d. " Itm. payed for haloweng of the grete bell namyd Harry vj. viij. And mem. that Sir Willm. Symys, Richard Clech and maistres Smyth beyng godfaders and godmoder at the consecracyon of the same bell, and beryng all o'. costs to the suffr3'gan."t This custom of blessing bells before raising them to their place in the church tower points to the origin of bell inscriptions ; the earliest inscriptions being simply the name of the saint placed upon the bell when it was cast, and ratified at its consecration. J There is a singular proof of this in an unique inscription on a bell at Crostwight, Norfolk :— ASLAK JOH'ES JOHEM ME NOIAVIT • Quoted by Gatty, The Bell, p. 22. was always indicated in the inscription f Notes and Queries, 3rd s. vii. p. 90. indeed some ancient bells have no inscrip- * It does not follow that the name given tion at all. 1 6 Church Bells. John Aslak being clearly the godfather at the benediction or baptism of the bell.* When the mediseval form of consecration was done away with in this country at the Reformation, English church- men, unfortunately, were not furnished with any form of dedication to supply its place. Consequently, the people in getting rid of the superstitious rite of their fathers, substituted, upon the advent of a new bell, or ring of bells, f indecorous conviviality similar to that which is described by White of Selborne, who tells us that when new bells were brought to his parish in 1735, the event was celebrated by fixing the treble bottom upwards, and filling it with punch. It is a matter for thankfulness that this profane " christening" is becoming a thing of the past, and that the church is again receiving bells within her towers with a dedication service, sanctioned and used by her bishops, which is joyous and reverent in tone, and calculated to give all, clergy and people, a fitting impression of the uses to which the Bells of the Church are intended to be put. After such a dedication they can scarcely be used, as they frequently have been in times past, upon most improper occasions — occasions when things had been enacted com- pletely opposed to the honour of God, and utterly alien to the teaching of the church, whose fast and festival the bells are to mark, and whose summons to prayer and praise they are day by day to sound. • Church Bells of Norfolk, p. 17. f A bell is spoken of by ringers in the called ' a ring ; ' a performance upon them feminine gender ; a set of bells is properly • a peal.' Church Bells. 17 It is now time to turn to the bell itself, and to see what it has to say in elucidation of its past histor}'. To do this we must ascend to the bell chamber in the church tower, or to the bell turret on the roof. This is not always, by any means, an easy, pleasant, or even a safe, thing to do. Some of the stone staircases in our church towers are so much worn that only a scant and precarious foothold is left, and some of the long ladders by which the bells are reached are almost perpendicular, and, occasionally, so decaying with age, as to render a climb up them a proceeding requiring great care and some nerv^e. The floor of the bell chamber, too, is occasionally found rotten and covered with filth. Once up, however, the difficulty or danger attending the ascent is forgotten ; the ancient bells, so often heard, never, perhaps, before seen, are looked upon with reverence, almost with awe. We think of the many changes which have taken place in all around — many of which they have noted with their solemn tolls or their joyous peals — since they were first placed there. Our reverie, however, is broken by the cold wind rushing through the louvre boards in the windows, so we hasten to complete our work — take our "rubbing" or our "squeeze," give one hasty glance through the openings at the grand peeps of the surrounding country, so well obtained in our elevated position, and then descend with greater ease, and with much less trepidation, than we ascended. The earliest bells do not generally tell us anything as to the date when, or the locality in which, they were cast. They usually bear nothing more than the names of the D 1 8 Church Bells. saints in whose honour they were dedicated. Upon the tenor, or largest, bell is frequently found the name of the patron saint of the church ; upon the smaller ones, perhaps, the names of the saints whose altars were formerly in the church below, or who were the patrons of ancient Guilds or Confraternities in the parish.* We have already seen that the ancient bells at Croyland Abbey bore names ; and from an ancient Roll at Ely we learn that when they cast four new bells for the Cathedral in 1346-7 they gave them the names of Jesus, John, Mary, and Walsyngham.f Bells of this class (though not necessarily of this early date) are found in Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, and Rutland- shire. We may mention now at Cold Ashby. Two or three early dated English bells have, however, been discovered. One (supposed to be the oldest dated bell in the kingdom) is at S. Chad's Church, Claughton, Lancashire, and is dated 1296, thus : — + ANNO DNI • M • CC • NONO • AI . the letter V being reversed. Two, richly ornamented, dated 1323, are in the tower of S. Mary's Church, Somer- cotes, Lincolnshire,! and we must not forget the well- • Inscriptions are usually placed upon of the bell : on old bells they are sometimes the haunch, or, as some call it the shoulder, found nearer the canons. f Church Bells of CamhriJgeshiyc, p. 6. \ Associated Arch. Socs. Reports and Papers, vol. xii. p. ig. Church Bells. 19 known Northamptonshire early dated bell (a.d. 13 17) at Cold Ashby to which we have just referred. These early inscriptions are usually in stately Gothic capital letters, and in Latin — the language of the mediaeval church. We soon meet with a slight extension of the inscriptions such as — to quote Northamptonshire examples : — + ISTA CAMPANA FACTA EST IN HONORE STA ANDREE at Northborough. HVIVS SANCTI PETRI at Holcot. Bells cast in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries though undated, have generally founders' marks, initial crosses, and other means of recognition by which they can be classified, and, in many cases, assigned to their respective dates and foundries. "These trade marks, however," as is well observ'ed by Mr. Ellacombe, " are by no means infallible guides to the uninitiated in such matters ; for foundries often went on for generations, and marks and stamps were, no doubt, handed down from father to son often for a century or more."* They also not unfrequently passed from one foundry to another. On bells of this date, and on to the period of the Reformation, we frequently find the invocation ^^ Ora pro fiobis " added to the name of the saint, thus : • Chinch Bells of Devon, p. 226. 20 Church Bells. SANCTA AGATHA ORA PRO NOBIS as at Castle Ashby. SANCTE BOTOLFE ORA PRO NOBIS as at Fawsley, both in Northamptonshire, and SANCTA FIDES ORA PRO NOBIS as at Tixover, Rutland. These invocations were taken from the Litany ; and other inscriptions doubtless owe their origin to the various Offices of the mediaeval church. For instance, a learned corres- pondent in Notes and Queries says that the inscription on the tenor bell at Billesdon, Leicestershire, " Stella Maria Maris succurre piissima nobis," is from the Benedictiones de S. Maria Sarum and York.* Very many have the angelic salutation : — AVE MARIA GRACIA PLENA as at Alderton, Northamptonshire, or AVE MARIA GRACIA PLENA DOMINVS TECVM as at King's Sutton in the same county. SIT NOMEN DOMINI BENEDICTVM and IN MVLTIS ANNIS RESONET CAMPANA lOHANNlS are found upon bells in Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, and Rutlandshire ; and other inscriptions of a similar character will be found on other bells in the Diocese of Peterborough. • Notes and Queries, 5th s. i. p. 465. Church Bells. 21 Occasionally we find figures of men and of angels on bells of this date. Examples of such are found in Leicester- shire at Thurcaston, Welham, and Wanlip. Northampton- shire furnishes only one example — the figures of the Virgin and Child upon the fourth bell at Stanion. English inscriptions though rare as early as the four- teenth and fifteenth centuries, were sometimes used. At Long Sutton, near Odiham, Hants, and at East Dean, near Chichester, are bells inscribed : — HAL MARI FVL OF GRAS at Gainford, Durham, is another with : — HELP MARI QUOD ROGER OF KIRKEBY that is. Help Mary quoth, or saith, Roger of Kirkby, who was vicar 1401 — 1412.* And at Hannington in Northamp- tonshire is one, of the early part of the sixteenth century : — LOVE HORTETH NOT The founder's name, too, occasionally appears, as at Great Billing and Slapton, Northamptonshire, and Leicester (All Saints) and Sproxton, Leicestershire ; and the donor's as at Ayleston in the same county, and on the Priest's bell at Harring^vorth, Northants. At the date of which we are now speaking there was no such thing known as change-ringing : and, indeed it would seem that neither ring^incr " rounds " nor chiming in " tune " Sottanstairs Campandlogia. 22 Church Bells. were possible in the great majority of our churches. In the Returns of the Commissioners for taking lists of the orna- ments of the churches in the Hundred of Framland, Leicestershire, in 6 Edward VI. certain churches are mentioned as possessing " bells of a corde " or " bells oi one ryng " meaning, I suppose, that the notes of these bells were in musical sequence, and Stow, in describing S. Bartholomew's Church in Smithfield, says, ** in the bell tower sixe Belles in a tune.'' In the Returns from the Northamptonshire parishes. Chipping Wardon is described as possessing " iij bells and a sauncts bell in the steple of a meane ryng," and Edgcott and Gayton as each having "iij bells in the steple of treble ryng,'' which distinctive terms, however, probably applied rather to their weight than to their musical arrangement. All the other churches are noted, simply, as possessing a certain number of bells, unfit, apparently, for musical chiming or ringing, but quite adequate to the custom of the time. That custom, probably, was in ordinary churches to have in addition to its own, or parish, bell, a bell for the Angelus, and one for each of the several altars which were usually found there dedicated to different saints, and which was sounded when mass was about being said at its particular altar. At Ludlow in addition to the fore bell, second bell, third bell, second tenor, and great bell, they possessed " our Lady belle," "First mass-bell," and "the gild belle."* Even now one bell is all that is required by the Rubric and (as now • Ludlow Churchwardens' Accounts published by Camden Society. C III mil Bells. 23 followed) by the Canons to be provided, of necessity, in churches at the charge of the parish. There is, however, no doubt that all the bells, notwithstanding their being unfitted for musical ringing or chiming, were used for Divine Service on Sundays. We find the Bell-master at Loughborough, Leicestershire, in the time of Edward VL or earlier, was obliged " to help to reng to sarvys if ned be." The custom in larger churches where the canonical hours were kept will be referred to hereafter. Towards the close of the sixteenth century care was sometimes taken when bells were recast to have them ** in tune." An instance of this occurred at Loughborough, Leicestershire, in 15S6, when the churchwardens paid fourteenpence ** to John Wever for his tow dayes chardges when he went to Notting- ham for them that came to prove the tune of ye bells." The Reformation introduced many changes in connection with bells, as it did with other " ornaments " of the church. The stately Gothic capital, and the quaint small "black letter," gradually gave place to clumsy Roman letters for the inscriptions. The beautiful initial cross, also, gradually disappeared. Figures of saint or angel were discarded. English, although it did not supplant Latin, gained a full share of use on the bells. Ancient Inscriptions were some- times erased as at Apethorpe, Croughton and Great Houghton in Northamptonshire. The old forms of inscrip- tions were dropped, at first to give place to mottos of a reverent character, which, soon, however, drifted, in many instances, into doggrel rhyme — stupid, frivolous, and tho- roughly out of place, or into a bare list of names of vicar 24 Church Bells. and churchwardens. Dates, in Arabic numerals, now appear on every bell ; and founders' names abound. As specimens may be mentioned the fourth and fifth bells at Arthingworth, Northants : — Ihesus be our spid 1598. Feare God and obeai the Qwene 1589 the third at Preston, Rutland : — God save our Queene Elizabeth the fourth at Clipston, Northants : — Give God the praise 1589 the fifth at Thorpe Arnold, Leicestershire : — Cum Cum and Pray 1597 the fourth at Passenham, Northants : — + A + trusty + frende + is + harde + to + fynde + 1585 the first at Caldecot, Rutland : — Peter Brown gave me to this towne 1696 the first at Brafield-on-the-Green, Northants : — Cantate Domino Canticum novum 1699 the first at Kingsthorpe in the same county : — Robert Atton made me The treble bell for to be 162 1 Church Bells. 25 the first at Brington, also in Northants : — When wee doe ring I sweetly sing (1723) the fifth at Langham, Rutland : — The Churchis prais 1 sound allways 1771 the first at Northampton, All Saints : — I mean to make it understood That though I'm Httle yet I'm good 1782 the first at Whilton, Northants : — At proper times our voices we will raise In sounding to our benefactor's praise 1777 the first at Towcester : — Ring boyes and keep awake For Mr. William Henchman's sake 1725 On other bells are found these, and many similar inscriptions : — Pull on brave boys, I'm metal to the back But will be hanged before I crack Ring us true And we'll praise you When four this steeple long did hold They were the emblems of a scold No music, But we shall see What Pleasant music six will be* * Cast by Henry Plcasiint for All Saints Churcli. MaMcn. Ksstx. E 26 Church Bells. Other bells bear the names of the donors, or com- memorate some event of national interest, but these speci- mens will suffice to give an idea of the various kinds of inscriptions found on Post-Reformation bells. Bell inscrip- tions after the middle of the seventeenth century afford little interest. With the revival of Gothic art, and a clearer perception of the fitness of things, we may hope that our new bells, when they bear anything beyond the name of the founder, will have inscriptions befitting their position and their use. There are, comparatively, few ancient bells now left in our church towers. Many reasons have been assigned for their disappearance ; such as ordinary wear and tear, accidents to the fabric of the church entailing injury to the bells, the remodelling of rings of bells to adapt them for change-ringing, the spoliation of churches at the period of the Reformation, and the poverty or parsimony of church- men in after times. In the second year of Edward the Sixth's reign a Commission was issued to enquire into the quantity and value of the church furniture and ornaments throughout England. For some reason the Commission failed to complete its object, so four years afterwards another Com- mission was issued which carried out its purpose more effectually. The Commissioners appointed for Northamp- tonshire were Richard Wake, Francis Morgan, and Francis Fairfield Esquires, and the Mayor of Northampton was instructed to see that the provisions of the Commission were properly carried out. Amongst the instructions given Church Bells. 27 to the Commissioners is found : — " And also to sell or cause to be sold to our use by weight all parcells or peces of metall except the metall of greatt bell saunse bells in every of the said churches and chapels" and "we geve unto you full power and auctor^'tye straigtlye to charge [the church- wardens, &c., that they] safely kepe unspoiled unembesiled and unsold all such bells as do remayne in every of the said churches and chapells, and the same to conserve untill our pleasur be therein further knowne." There are now in existence, so far as yet discovered, inventories — more or less perfect — of church goods for twelve of the Hundreds in Northamptonshire, and for two of those in Leicestershire,* taken in the reign of Edward VI. So far as can be learned from them the bells of the parish churches of those counties, in common, as it seems to me, with those throughout the country generally, suffered com- paratively little from the hands of the spoiler in the sixteenth century. Indeed, I incline to think, the bells were too popular with the people to allow of their being seized with impunity. It must, however, be borne in mind that some church goods were (as Fuller says) "utterly embezzled by persons not responsible, more were concealed by parties not detectable, so cunningly they carried their stealth, seeing every one who had nimmed a church bell did not ring it out for all to hear the sound thereof."t • At present I have been unable to find any such Returns from Rutlandshire although diligent search has been made in the Record Office. f Book vii. sec. 2. 28 Church Bells. Neither were church towers falling with sufficient frequency to make an appreciable inroad upon our Pre- Reformation bells. Undoubtedly in the two hundred years succeeding the Reformation — and more especially in the eighteenth century — as churches fell into decay, in rural districts, a very common way of raising money to pay for the repairs, was to petition the bishop to grant a faculty empowering the parishioners to sell some of the bells, which they represented as being unnecessary, or as cracked, and so unfit for use. Happily it does not appear that many of the church bells in the Diocese of Peterborough were lost in this way. It is therefore to ordinary and (in some cases, not all,) unavoidable wear and tear, and to the intro- duction of change ringing that we must look as the causes of the loss of a great number of our ancient bells. As to wear and tear : — when we remember the nature of the metal of which bells are made — how easily it may be cracked, and how reckless and ignorant, as a body, have been the ringers, into whose charge the bells have frequently been entirely left, we can well believe that many of our ancient bells have from time to time succumbed to their almost inevitable fate. They were cracked, and so obliged to be recast, to fit them again for their work. In this way, undoubtedly, many of them disappeared, to be replaced by more modern ones. The introduction, however, of change ringing in the seventeenth century produced more havoc among our ancient church bells than any of the causes already men- tioned. Early in that century ringing increased in popularity. Church Bells. 29 The churchwardens of Loughborough, Leicestershire, charge in 1616 : — " It. spent in giveing entertainment to the gentlemen strangers when they came to ringe ... ... xjs."* Fabian Stedman, a printer, resident in Cambridge, is said to have reduced change ringing to an art.f He published his " Tintinnalogia " in 1668. Previously to the seventeenth century the ringing in use, where anything of the kind was attempted, was "rounds" or — as a slight advance upon that — at most " call changes," that is, the bells were rung " in one particular position for a great many pulls consecu- tively, and changed at some accustomed signal to a variation called by a fugleman or chalked on the belfry wall. "J These must, in most cases, have been sorry performances, the bells not being " tunable " and so unfit for the purpose. " With change ringing proper the case " — to quote Mr. Ellacombe — " is very different : here a change is made at each stroke ; the bells being never sounded twice in the same order ; and this is continued till the end of the peal, when the bells are brought ' home ' to their regular places. This end is only to be attained by each bell being made to follow a certain course, and to change places with the other bells by the evolution of certain rules or ^methods.' To manage his bell properly in this respect, and guide it up and down the maze, making it strike now before, and now after, this or that other • Thirty years before this date we are Regis. See Mackerells History of Lynn told that "certain Lusty young Fellows iJ^^is (1738), p. 229. began to set up Ringing again" at Lynn \ Church Bells 0/ CambriJgeshirf. p. 37, I Bells 0/ the Church, p. 32. 30 Church Bells. bell, not only requires much practice and study, but a cool head and close attention ; and this necessity justifies the remark that ringing requires a mental as well as a bodily effort."* To meet this new art of ringing, important changes in the bells were necessitated. The old rings consisted, usually, of few bells and heavy ones, dignity and grandeur of tone being then the chief thing sought. To ring the " changes," introduced by Stedman and his disciples, a larger number of bells was required. This want could be met in two ways, either by adding new trebles to the existing heavy rings, which was the best, but the most expensive way, or by re-casting, say, four heavy bells into six or eight light ones, and so increasing the number without buying more metal. This was the least expensive, and, therefore, the most popular plan, and was the course pursued in many of the Northamptonshire and Leicester- shire churches. By this means a great number of our ancient bells disappeared from the larger town churches. It ceases, therefore, to be a matter of surprise that it is chiefly in small rural churches, with few bells, where the temptation to change-ringing could not exist, that we chiefly expect, and usually find, ancient bells. Not understanding the art of change-ringing, my readers will not expect or desire me to attempt to explain its subtleties, for "great" may all say with Dr. Southey "are the mysteries of bell ringing !" • Bells of the Church, p. 33. Church Bells. 31 *' Eight bells, which form the octave, or diatonic scale, make the most perfect peal. Ten and twelve bells are very often hung, and of course increase to an almost incalculable extent the variety of changes. This term is used because every time the peal is rung round a change can be made in the stroke of some one bell, thereby causing a change in the succession of notes. The following numbers are placed to show how three bells can ring six changes : — I 2 3 I 3 2 213 231 312 321 " Four bells can in the same manner be shown to ring four times as many changes as three, viz., 24. Five bells five times as many as four, viz., 120. Six bells six times as many as five, viz., 720, and so on. And in this way it has been calculated that it would take 91 years to ring the changes upon twelve bells, at the rate of two strokes to a second ; and the full changes upon 24 bells would occup)- more than 117,000 billions of years."* The English have been for many generations enthusiastic admirers of the melody produced by a ring of bells. Whilst other nations — the Russians and Chinese for example — possess far heavier bells, and make much more noise by a rude irregular clanging, we have long been accomplished • The Ddl, p. 62. 32 Church Bells. ringers, and our joyous peals — our " rounds " and number- less "changes" have in no slight degree added to the cheerful temperament of " merrie England." Indeed so popular did the art of ringing become after the invention of " changes " that England became known as the " ringing Island." Paul Hentzer, a German, who visited England in the year 1598, records in his Journal : — " The people are vastly fond of great noises that fill the air, such as the firing of cannon, drums, and the ringing of bells ; so that in London it is common for a number of them that have got a glass in their heads to go up into some belfry, and ring the bells for hours together for the sake of exercise."* This love of the English for bell-ringing is also amusingly referred to by P. S. in '^ A Theory of Com- pensation:'' — "And even to this day next to the Mother Tongue, the one mostly used (in Britain) is in a Mouth of Mettal and withal so loosely hung that it must needs wag at all Times and on all Topicks. For your English man is a mighty Ringer, and besides furnishing Bells to a Belfry doth hang them at the Head of the Horse, and at the Neck of his Sheep — on the Cap of his Fool, and on the Heels of his Hawk : And truly, I have known more than one of my Country men who would undertake more Travel and Cost besides, to hear a Peal of Grandsires than they would bestow upon a Generation of Grand Children. "t * Quoted by Carl Engel in Musical f See Hood's Poems of Wit and Humour. Instruments, p. 120. p. 42. Church Bells. 33 Ringing does not appear, however, to have been in all cases acceptable, for when the bells of S. Stephen's Chapel at Westminster were rung ** men fabuled," says Stow, " that their ringing soured all the drink in the town."* Northamptonshire and Leicestershire were not behind in this national taste. The rings of bells in many of the larger churches were soon increased in number, and the men of those counties knew how to use them as is testified by many a " peal-board " nailed up in the ringing chambers of the churches. In Northamptonshire the ringers at King's Sutton, at Maxey, at Kettering, and at Ecton were long noted for their skill. Mr. John Scott of Glinton was a great ringer, and gave the tenor bell there in 1798, and Mr. Henry Smyth of Charlton, who was passionately fond of, and practised, as well as patronized, bell ringing, gave the two first bells to King's Sutton in 1793. In Leicestershire the married men and the bachelors of Wigston Magna emulated each other in buying new bells in 1682. The youths of Aylestone wishing to increase their ring of bells went to the ruined church of Knaptoft to fetch its single bell, but, unfortunately for their scheme, they stopped at Shearsby on their way home with their bcKity to drink : tlic inhabitants of that place supplied them with beer, but claimed the bell, and added it to their own ring. Mr. William Fortrey of King's Norton, was an enthusi- astic admirer of church bells, and ditl nuuli towards * Saturday Review, 15th April. 1876. 34 Church Bells. encouraging improvements in the rings in different parishes in the county. He rebuilt the church at Galby and placed in it, in the year 1741, a ring of six bells. He did the same at King's Norton, hanging a ring of ten bells, since reduced to eight to lessen the weight and consequent strain upon the steeple. He also gave bells to other churches in that county.* The ringers were formerly frequently the young gentle- men, and the farmers' sons of the parish, and decency and order were kept by the enforcing of a set of rules — usually written in verse — placed upon the walls of the belfry. Specimen copies of these rules are still existing at Bowden Magna in Leicestershire, and at Brington, Harleston, &c., in Northamptonshire. This love of bells is still so universal in this country that if after admiring a church tower of goodly proportions, fair design, and which carries its glorious spire tapering heavenwards, we are told it contains no bells, a feeling of disappointment is mixed with our admiration, and we are tempted to exclaim " how sad that a case so magnificent is without its music ! — that a structure so grand and imposing is without the usual means of proclaiming the passing events of human life by means of its iron-tongued melody !" We need not be surprised at this affection for bells and their music, for not only do they summon all — as well the denizens of the crowded city, as the scattered inhabitants of the rural hamlet — to the House of Prayer ; not only are ♦ See North's Church Bells of Leicestershire, p. 31. Church Bells. 35 they heralds of the Festivals of the church's year with their joyous and heart stirring music, but they are also connected with every marked epoch of human life ; the birth in some instances, the marriage in more, the death in almost all, are marked by the joyous peal or the solemn toll of our church bells. To the bell the lover of architecture owes one of the grandest and most striking features of our noble cathedral, of our beautiful parish church, and of the more modest hamlet chapel : the massive tower, the taper spire, and the cot or gable were called forth and necessitated as the homes of the church bell. So again, not only has the fancy of the poet revelled in the sweet sounds of the church bells, but the hearts of the stern and the impassable have been touched by their familiar tones. When William the Conqueror was dying, a prayer was called from his lips, by the sound of the early morning bell of the Cathedral of Rouen ;* and when Napoleon, riding over a battle-field, and gazing, stern and unmoved on the dying and the dead, heard a ring of bells suddenly burst into a merry peal, he was softened, and dismounting from his horse, burst into tears. f * Ordcricus Vitalis, Bohn's Ed., vol. ii. pp, 417—18. f Bells of the Church, p. 230. A perfi'tmcr {'laying a Carillon of Jive Bells, from a MS. said to be of the ninth century. THE CHURCH BELLS OF NORTHAMPTONSHIRE THERE are in Northamptonshire 13 17 Church Bells. Of these only 137 can, with any certainty, be said to have been cast before the year 1600. Exclusive of churches with only one bell, Barton- Seagrave (4 bells), Fawsley (4 bells), Winwick (3 bells), Hinton-in-the-Hedges (2 bells), Radston (2 bells), and Slapton (2 bells and a Priest's bell), are the only places in the county where complete rings of ancient bells still exist. The Dedications and Legends of these 137 ancient hells may be thus summarised : — One (Tansor 3rd) bears : — Two (Deene 4th, and Wansford 2nd), have "the super- scription of His accusation": — 38 The Church Bells of Northamptonshire. Nine (Braybrooke 3rd, Collingtree 4th, Fawsley 3rd, Grendon 3rd, Potterspury 2nd, Roade 2nd, Ufford 2nd, Walgrave Sanctus, and Wilby 3rd) , are inscribed : — The 4th bell at Paulerspury bears : — y£ 03f bui i^u jfpi feojc fxuUmioms. Sixteen of these ancient bells are dedicated to, or bear inscriptions relating to the Blessed Virgin Mary in these forms : — 1. ^lutm "JETocor. 3- ^* X3Q.aria. 2. iEn \Q\\QXt ^eatf ^^Elaria. 4. Mi-ht X^aria gratia pkna. 2. .^Jat ^Elaria gratia plena ^ominus taum. 3. j^anxla X^Elarra ora pro nobis. I. X3^aria XiElater 'J^n mnncnto mci. Three bells are dedicated to the Archangel Gabriel, and one to the Archangel Michael ; four are dedicated to S. Anne, the mother of the B. V. Mary ; one to S. Agatha ; one to S. Ambrose ; three to S. Andrew ; one to S. Anthony ; one to S. Augustine ; one to S. Botolph ; six to S. Catharine ; one to S. Edward — which of the S. Edwards cannot be determined ; two to S. James ; eight to S. John — one being specially mentioned as the Evangelist ; one to S. Lawrence ; two to S. Mary Magdalene ; one to S. Margaret ; four to S. Peter ; three to S. Thomas ; and one to All Saints. There are two ancient bells (Arthingworth 3rd, and Stanion 4th), from the same foundry inscribed : — ^elornm rje plattat tibi xtx gonus istr. The Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 39 The 1st bell at IIannin<,^ton bears, (what is unusual on a comparatively old bell,) a text in English from the Holy Bible :— The Sanctus at Harrin<::j\vorth has the donor's name and, what was probably, his motto. Several (Ashley 3rd, Aynhoe Priest's, Deenq 2nd, Ged- dington 2nd, Great Harrowden ist, Mears Ashby 3rd, and Rushton 4th), have portions of the alphabet. Some (Little Bowdcn 1st, Holcot 3rd, Pytchley 3rd, Slapton Sanctus, Stanion 2nd, Stanwick ist, and Winwick ist) have the name of the founder only. The 1st at Lowick is inscribed : — The 2nd of the same ring says : — €naxii ^naxiEi M.^i:m ^:^is^m. and the 4th has the supposed donor's name. The 1st bell at Slapton has the pious ejaculation : — and the 2nd at Tansor bears : — The ist bell at Tansor has the name of the djonor, or of some one officially connected with the parish, to which is added some letters of the alphabet. 40 The Church Bells of Northamptonshire. On the 4th bell at Hemmington is the loyal injunction: — On the 1st bell at Barnwell S. Andrew, on the 1st at Pilton, and on the 2nd at Southwick the letter S is repeated. On two ancient bells (Hinton-in-the-Hedges ist, and Winwick 2nd), are founders' stamps only. The following have imperfect inscriptions : — Apethorpe 4th, Barton-Seagrave ist, Great Billing 2nd, Croughton Priest's, Duddington single bell, Higham Ferrers 4th, Great Houghton 1st, Great Oakley 2nd, and Yarwell (initials only) 1st. Southwick 1st (which is evidently an ancient bell), is blank. One hundred and fourteen of the ancient bells cast previously to the year 1600 are thus briefly summarised. It is not necessary to point out or to particularize the remaining twenty-three as they are all dated, and so will easily be found under the different parishes further on in this book. The earliest dated bell in Northamptonshire is, of course, the famous one hanging at Cold Ashby, dated 13 17 : but as that is altogether an exceptional instance, the 2nd bell at Denford, dated 1581, may be mentioned as the earliest dated bell in the county of the modern period, when dates and founders' names began commonly to appear. THE NORTHAMPTONSHIRE BELLFOUNDERS. THERE is no trace discovered of a bellfoundry in this county earlier than the seventeenth century, con- sequently the interest attaching to the founders here is not so great as that connected with the more ancient ones of Leicester. There are no old wills, with their quaint pro- visions and phraseology to extract,* and there are few beautifully designed initial crosses and founders' stamps to engrave. The Northamptonshire foundries were established at Chacombe, Ecton, Kettering and Peterborough. CHACOMBE. The Parish Registers supply many entries relating to the family of Bagley, formerly bellfounders here. Henrj' Bagley (who was buried g November 1609) and Julian his wife (buried 16 Sep. 16 10) had a son, Matthew Bagley. He was by trade a blacksmith, and was churchwarden of the parish in 1636. He was buried on the 3rd of March 1649, leaving by his wife, Sarah, five children, — three • Although a careful search has been Northampton, not a single Will of the made in the Will Office, Somerset House. Bagleys, Bellfounders at Chacombe and and in the District Probate Registry at Ecton has been found. G 42 TJie Northamptonshire Bellfounders. daughters (two of whom died young), and two sons, Henry, baptized 2 Oct. 1608, and John, baptized 23 July 1618. Henry Bagley. This Henry was, as I infer, the first bellfounder here. Judging from his bells found in this county, the foundry was opened about 1632, (he would then be 24 years of age), in which year he cast the present ist and 4th bells at Evenley, spelling his name Henry Bagle. He sometimes placed upon his bells as a trade mark three bells, I and 2, (fig. 59.) and as an intervening stop the fleur-de-lys (fig. 99). The. earliest of his bells I have found bearing this stamp is the 5th at Middleton Che- ney, dated 1640. It also ap- pears upon the 2nd bell of the same ring, and upon the 3rd at Weedon Bee. His fa- vourite inscription was ' * Can- tate Domino Canticum No- vum." There is no entry found in the Chacombe Re- gisters of Henry Bagley's burial, but judg- ing from the bells I conclude that he died about the year 1676. The foundry then appears to have been carried on by his sons Henry (not mentioned in the parish Register) and William (born 29 June 1663) in con- junction with his nephew Matthew (baptized 6 April 1653) the son of his brother John already mentioned. The Northamptonshire Bellfounders. 43 Henry, William, and Matthew Bagley. Henry Bagley's name appears in conjunction with that of Matthew Bagley upon rings of bells from 16S0, at Dcnford and Thorpe Malsor, to 1686 at Milton Malsor and other places. Their joint names do not appear in any case upon the same bell, but they placed their individual names upon separate bells in the same ring. This Matthew Bagley's name does not appear after the last mentioned date, but Henry Bagley's bells are found as late as the year 1727 at Green's Norton. He was a member of the " College Youths," a London ringing society, being elected a member in 1686. We have no record of his death. William Bagley's name is upon bells from the year 168 1 at Clipstone (3rd) where he calls himself " of Northampton " to — I believe, for the date can- not be clearly read — the year 1712, at Culworth (ist). Upon some of these he describes himself as "of Chacombe." The date of his death is also wanting. His wife Elizabeth was buried at Chacombe on the 26th of December 1727. By her he had several children whose baptisms are given in the parish registers. His son, Matthew Bagley, who was baptized 16 June 1700, succeeded to the Chacombe foundry. The first bell I find bearing his name is at Staverton (ist) dated 1726. There are not many of his casting in this county ; the last are dated 1771, and hang at Easton Neston (ist and 4th). His burial is entered in the Chacombe register thus : — 1785. Feby the 27th Mathew Bagly Bell Founder who requested a dumb peal, the bells muffled on one side. 44 The Northamptonshire Bellfounders. The Chacombe foundry is believed to have stood at the top of what is now called Silver Street, where is a house and garden owned and occupied by the Misses Chinner. This is eastward of the church, the road and a field intervening between it and the supposed site of the foundry. There are now no representatives of the Bagleys in the parish. They are said to have smelted their metal with the wood of the ancient forest which in those days reached close up to Chacombe.* ECTON. Henry Bagley. There was another Henry Bagley, a bellfounder, who was born at Chacombe, and was, I suppose, a second son of John Bagley, and so a brother of the Matthew Bagley the partner of Henry and William. I first hear of him in connection with the recasting of the bells of Lichfield Cathedral. In 1670 Bishop Hacket contracted for " six bells becoming a cathedral." In 1687 the ring having become "bad and useless," it was determined to replace them by a new ring of ten bells for which subscriptions were raised. Henry Bagley of Ecton was the founder employed. From a letter of the Dean and Chapter to Elias Ashmole inviting his aid we learn that Bagley having begun his work "had so oversized the eight bells he had cast, that they had swallowed up all the metal for the ten " and that, said they, " requires £So more to be • The Rev. W. A. Ayrton Vicar of many more extracts for me relating to the Chacombe very courteously searched the Bagley family, parish register and made the above and The Northamptonshire Bcllfoundcrs. 43 added to our poor fund, for the other two bells proportionate to that bigness. But yet an error so much on the better hand, that would make extremely for the advantage and glory of the cathedral (the bigness of such a ring far more befitting the place ; and these eight being judged so very good that all arc loth to have them broken and cast into less) if possibly that additional sum could be raised."* In i6go the Register of Ecton parish gives the following entry of baptism : — 1690. Dec. 10. Mary daughter of Mr. Henry Bagley and of Elizabeth his wife. In 1700 he cast the present ring at Castor: he may have cast other bells in this county without distinguishing them from his relatives' work by placing upon them the locality of his foundry. His burial is recorded in the Ecton parish register thus : — 1703. April ist. Mr. Henry Bagley formerly of Chalcomb gentleman. Two years later we find the burial of his son : — 1705. August 24. Henry Bagly son of Mr. Henry Bagly deceased. His widow's burial is also recorded : — 1720. March 23rd. Elizabeth widow of Mr. Henry Bagley. • Hewitt's Handbook of Lichfield Cathedral. 46 The Northamptonshire Bellfounders. There is a tradition in the village that a foundry formerly existed there, but its site is unkown.* Henry Bagley. There was yet another Henry Bagley a bellfounder belonging to the Chacombe family. He was, I infer, a son of William Bagley, and so a brother of Matthew the last Chacombe founder who died in 1785. The parish register records the baptism, on the 4th June 1726, of Elizabeth the daughter of Henry Bagley and Mary his wife. This Henry Bagley probably worked for a time in the foundry of his brother Matthew, but in 1732 he was established at Witney in Oxfordshire. In that year he printed '* A Catalogue of peals of bells and of bells in and for peals cast by Henry Bagley of Chalcombe in the County of Northampton Bellfounder (who now lives at Witney in Oxfordshire) who had not published the following account of those he can remember, had he not been requested thereto by several persons of judgment in Bells and Ringing. " N.B. The said Henry Bagley (if desired) will cast any Ring or Rings of Bells in the town [to which] they belong. Here follows an account of some rings of Bells (viz. :) " One ring of ten bells, five rings of Eight bells, twenty-seven Rings of six bells, thirty rings of five bells, two rings of four bells ; besides bells into peals, to the number of 441 to the satisfaction of all that understand ringing and good bells." t This very modest man who thus takes credit for all the work, good or bad, of his predecessors in the craft in • For the extracts from the parish registers of Ecton I am much indebted to the rector the Rev. C. T. Davies. f Browne Willis MSS., vol. xliii. fol. 26. The Northamptonshire Bcllfoiindcrs. 47 Northants., then gives a long list of the parishes to which bells had been sent from the Chalcombe foundry. There are two bells at Weedon Bee (ist and 2nd), dated 1745, which were perhaps cast by this Henry Bagley. KETTERING. The Parish Registers of Kettering shew that several families of Eayre, Ayre, or Aire were living there in the latter part of the seventeenth, and early in the eighteenth centuries. . John Eayre was Constable in 1662. He and Thomas Eayre (probably his brother) signed the Kettering Vestry Book in 1714, and the latter also signed, with others, the order in the same book, and in the same year, for recasting the ancient church bells. The new bells were cast by Richard Sanders of Bromsgrove, from which we may infer that the Kettering foundry was not then opened. The Eayres were clock makers, and as such Thomas Eayre's name appears upon the 4th bell then cast as " T. Eayre Horo." " Thomas Ayre senr." was buried 15 April 1716. I gather from the Register that he was the Thomas Eayre the clock- maker just mentioned, and that he had two sons " Thomas son of Thomas Eayre and Anne his wife [who] was born 26 Aug. 1691 and baptized 21 Jany. 171 1 " and " Mr. Josh. Eayre an adult person baptized Oct. 26, 1731." This Joseph Eayre subsequently, as we shall see, opened a foundry at S. Neots. Thomas and John Eayre. It would appear that very shortly after the death of Thomas Eayre the elder, his son Thomas Eayre, in partnership with (as I suppose) his uncle 48 The Northamptonshire Bellfoiinders. John Eayre, opened a bell-foundr}" at Kettering, for the 2nd bell at Cranford S. John is inscribed "Thomas et Johannes Eayre de Kettering fecerunt," and is dated " Oct. 1717," and other bells at Burton Latimer (2nd) Mears Ashby (4th) and Warkton (ist), all dated 1718, were from their foundry. I do not know the date of the death of John Eayre, but I find no bells bearing his name of a later date than 1 7 18, and the Kettering foundry appears soon after that to have passed into the sole management of Thomas Eayre whose bells soon became very plentiful in this and in neighbouring counties. It was of this Thomas Ea3Te that the Rev. J. Ludlam* subsequently wrote : — ** I saw a great deal of the art of bell- founding in the time of the late Mr, Thomas Eayre of Kettering, a man who had a true taste for it, and spared no expense to make improvements. Much of tone depends on minute circumstances in the shape, and Mr. Eayre had crooks or forms cut in thin boards, carefully taken from the inside and outside of all the good bells he could find . . . "f Thomas Eayre continued the business of a clockmaker. He made a curious chime for Lord Mahon of Harrowden House in this county. These chimes were unfortunatel}' destroyed by fire in March 1791. Mr. Taylor of Northamp- ton kindly sends me the following notice of them in an old memorandum book in his possession : — " They (the chimes) • Of Trinity College Cambridge. He graduated in 1748-9 and was Chaplain of Homingsey 1 757-1 765. t Brewster's Encyclopedia, Article Horology. The Northamptonshire Bellfounders. 49 was suppos'd the best in England as they play'd on 12 Bells, the sashes of the room flying upon the clock striking, and shut down on their Leaving off playing. They were taken from Italy at £1^00 expence, But the person who erected them was ruin'd, having three journeys before he could accomplish them." Mr. Ludlam, in the article from which I have just quoted, says there were "thirteen dish bells" belonging to these chimes "the biggest" (for the clock) " about two hundred weight." Thomas Eayre died on one of the last days of the year 1757. He was buried in Kettering Church, most probably in the south aisle of the chancel and in the same grave as his wife Susannah who had died three years previously, but no inscription records his sepulture. The entry of his burial in the parish register is : — 1758. Mr. Thomas Eayre Buried January y* 3''. From his will dated the 24th of September 1757 we learn that he had then four children : three daughters, Ann, Sarah, and Frances, to each of whom he left a legacy of £^0, and one son, Thomas, who was his sole executor.* This Thomas Eayre, who, according to the parish registers, married Eliz : Marshall on the 11 Oct. 1748, was associated with his father in the foundry. Thomas Eayre (2nd) carried on the Kettering foundr}' for a few years after his father's death. Mr. Ludlam says he was "a good bellfounder " and that "he cast a dish bell of • This Will is in the District Probate Registry at Northampton. H 50 The Northamptonshire Bellfoiinders. 5 or 6 cwt. for the church clock of Boston Lincolnshire, the tone of which was very deep and wild." According to a tradition current at Earl's Barton this Thomas Eayre was employed — as the present inscription testifies — to recast the tenor bell of that ring in 1761 : he is said to have become bankrupt at that time, and not to have had enough metal to make the bell the weight it ought to have been. He employed his nephew Edward Arnold, afterwards of S. Neots and Leicester, to complete the job. About that time the Kettering foundry was closed. The Bells cast at Kettering are very numerous in this and in the neighbouring counties. They are generally well cast and good in tone. They range in date from 17 17 at Cran- ford S. John, to 1762 at Lilbourne. Thomas Eayre's favourite inscriptions were "Omnia fiant ad gloriam Dei" — "Gloria Deo soli" — "Gloria Patri Filio et Spiritui Sancto" and " I H S. Nazarenus Rex Judeorum Fili Dei miserere mei." He generally also placed the date and his name as founder, and used a liberal supply oi Croslets fitchy to fill up vacant spaces. The street in Kettering now called Wadcroft was formerly known as "Bell-Founder's Lane." It is so named in old maps of the town. A few yards down this street, on the left hand entering from the High Street, is a blank wall : about mid-way along this wall may be traced in the pave- ment the edge stones about what was once the mouth of a well now filled up. This was known as "The Foundry Well," and the wall (to which is still fastened the iron hook which once held up the wooden covering of the well when The Northamptonshire Bellfoiinders. 51 open) was no doubt the exterior wall of the Kettering foundry. In Gold Street is the Grammar School : a short distance above which — standing a little back from the street, and partially hidden by a modern building — is an old fashioned house of a fair size : this was Thomas Eayre's private residence.* PETERBOROUGH. Henry Penn commenced business here during the last days of the Stamford foundry. He supplied some very fair bells to Northants and the neighbouring counties. His bells in this county date from the year 1703, when he sent a treble to Holcot, to the year 1723, when he supplied single bells to Bozcat and Raunds, and a whole ring to Yardley Hastings. In 1709 he was employed to recast the four largest of the ten ancient bells of Peterborough Cathedral into a " tune- able peal of ten," adding only a little metal to make up his proposed weight. The metal of the remaining six bells he took for his charge of "founding hanging and framing." Peterborough, which suffered a great loss in parting with so grand a ring of heavy bells under, what appears to have been, such very disadvantageous conditions, has been very unfortunate with its Cathedral bells ever since, the state of the structure being such as to render it unsafe, in the • I am obliged to the Rector of Ketter- W. H. Jones for notes on the site of ing (The Rev. Canon Lindsay) for extracts the foundry, from the Parish Records, and to Mr. 52 The Northamptonshire Bellfoiinders. opinion of a succession of architects, to ring a good set of bells, even if the Cathedral possessed one. Although the site of the Peterborough foundry cannot be fixed by reference to any legal document hitherto discovered, there is little doubt about its having been situated on the east side of Broad Bridge Street. Several cottages formerly stood there belonging to the family of Shepheard, some member or members of which married into that of Penn, one of which latter family was Henry Penn the bellfounder. In course of time the old property consisting of the cottages — and which was then called "Rotten Row" — passed from the Shepheards into the possession of a gentleman named De-la-Rue, an extensive merchant in Peterborough, who pulled down the cottages, and built a large mansion on the site, which house now remains, and is occupied by Dr. Waller. At the back of these cottages, and in the recollection of persons now living, there were the remains of certain pits which were supposed to have been "tan-pits," but which were more probably connected with the work of the foundry. At the rear of this property there was — it was filled up four or five years ago — a canal known as " Bell Dyke." It was fed probably from a spring then called "Tom Lock." It was of sufficient size to carry large boats into the river with which it communicated. Its name leads to the inference that this canal was constructed by Henry Penn for the purpose of more readily conveying his bells by water carriage. There is a popular belief (an erroneous one) in Peterborough, that the name originated from "Tom of Lincoln" being conveyed from Peterborough to that city. The Northamptonshire Bellfoiinders. 53 The estates of the Penn and Shcphcard families were all copyhold of the Manor of Peterborough. The late Mr. James Cattel, the Deputy Steward of the Manor (who very kindly searched the Court Rolls for me), said that whilst he had no doubt that the site just indicated was that of the foundry, the one fact to establish it, namely the cntr}' of Henry Penn as the occupier, he had not been able to hnd. Henr}' Penn cast some good bells, but not pleasing the people of S. Ives for whom he cast a ring, they instituted a lawsuit against him. The case was tried at the Hunting- donshire Assizes, held at S. Ives, in 1729, and the verdict given in favour of Penn. After the trial, as he was mount- ing his horse in the Inn-yard at S. Ives, to return to Peterborough, he fell down and died from the effects of over excitement. From an Illuminated MS. of the Psalms (fourteenth century) in the King s Library, British Museum : marked 20. B. xi. OTHER FOUNDERS or NORTHAMPTONSHIRE BELLS. IN addition to the Bells already enumerated as cast by the Northamptonshire Founders, there are, of course, a goodly number in the County by other Flounders, known and unknown, ancient and modern. The ancient bells first claim attention, and then notes upon the founders of those of a more recent date will follow, Richard de Wambis. Slapton Church is fortunate in possessing three Pre-Reformation bells, viz. : two service bells, and an interesting sanctus-bell which hangs in the east wall of the tower over the nave. This bell is inscribed : — ,uk1 bears the stamp, fig. io6, here engraved. Richard de Wimbish, potter and citizen of London, is mentioned in 13 12 as casting a bell for the conventual church of the Holy Trinity in Aldgatc.* »^^.^. t ~" His name is also found upon bells (in 106 addition to this Northants example) • Riley's Memorials of London and London Life. p. loo. quoted in •Chunk Bells of Sorfolh," p. 53. 56 Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. » at Berechurch, Essex ; Burham, Kent ; and Great Bradley, Suffolk. Others of this family were founders : the name of Michael de Wimbis is upon two bells at Bradenham, Bucks ; and that of Walterus Wimbis is upon the first bell at Kingston, Sussex.* Johannes de Yorke. There are several bells by this founder in Leicestershire, indeed a sufficient number to lead to the inference that he was probably established in Leicester or in its neighbourhood, at least, for a time, even if he were not a permanent founder there. f The form of the letters used by him points to the latter part of the fourteenth century as the date of his bells. It is worthy of note that a foundry was in full work at York early in that century by Richard Tunnoc, a Bailiff of the city in 1320- 1, and its representative in Parliament in 1327. The well known Bellfounder's window in York Cathedral, in which the art of Bellfounding is represented, was either erected by him, or to his memory. It is not unlikely that Johannes de Yorke learned his art from that prominent founder. A bell by " Ihoes Zorke " (evidently this man) formerly hung at Clapton. The only one of his casting now existing in this county is the tenor at Great Billing. The inscrip- tion, in the fine large gothic capitals found upon his Leicestershire examples, is : — • Church Bells of Sussex. f See Church Bells of Leicestershire, pp. 75-77. Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. 57 the letter Z being used for a Y, and the B is upside down. The handsome initial cross and intcr^-cning stop are here given (figs. 46 and 44) : — 90 46 44 Upon one of his Leicestershire bells (the 2nd hanging at Wanlip) he placed the figure of an angel (fig. 80) on each side of his initial cross, and upon another bell in that county (the 2nd at Sproxton) he also used as an initial cross and intervening stop figs. 90 and 93 given above. William Founder. The stamps figs. 39 and 40 which are found upon tlic single bell at Hardwycke, and upon the 4th bell at Easton Maudit, were, there seems now little doubt, used by William Underbill alias William ffoundor. His stop — a branch, with birds, around which is " William ffoundor me fecit " — which is well known to campanists, is found upon the 2nd 80 58 Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. bell at Southelmham S. Peter's, Suffolk, in company with four shields each bearing a chevron between three fleur- de-lys, which are the arms of Underbill.* This shield is 39 40 _ very frequently accompanied by the cross fig. 39 given above, and also sometimes by the shield bearing the laver pots (fig. 40) which appears to have been simply a foundry mark and not heraldic. The presumption is strong that "Under- bill " and " ffoundor " were names used by the same person, the latter, of course, having special reference to his craft. John Sleyt. The second bell at Glapthorne bears round its upper part the inscription, in small Gothic capitals : — The initial cross is fig. 89 given below. Round the lower part of the bell appears, in large Gothic capitals : — • Ex. Infor. Rev. J. J. Raven, D.D., and see Church Bells of Somerset, p. 136. Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. 59 the initial cross of this second and imperfect inscription being fig. 120 here given. The intervening stops in both inscriptions arc lleur-dc-lys. That Johannes Sleyt was the founder, and not the donor, is shown by the fact that a l)C'll, evidently by this founder, formerly hung at Owston, Leicestershire. The ancient treble bell taken away from there in 1S60 was described to me as having been inscribed: — "Johannes Shevt fecit me" — clearly a misreading for this foun- der's name. Richard Benetlye. At Passen- ham hangs a bell — the fourth — inscribed : — + A + TRV2TY + FRENDE + IS + HARDE + TO + FYNDE + 15S5 The initial cross (fig. 94) which is also placed as a stop between each word, is here engraved. The founder of this bell I trace by the same initial cross and form of letter — which is a large semi-Gothic-Roman one — being found upon the 3rd bell at Seaton, Rutland, which is inscribed : — 1 20 94 6o Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. + RYECHARDE BENETLYE BELLFOVNDDER It is worthy of notice how these two bells help to explain each other, the one gives the founder's name, the other his date. I have not met with any more of his bells unless the 3rd at Wappenham, dated 1599, be his: I incline to think from the lettering that it is. The location of his foundr}' has still to be learned. Symon de Hazfelde. This name appears as the maker upon the ist bell at Stanwick. I have not met with his name elsewhere as a founder. He used a Gothic capital letter for his inscription, which is preceded by the singular cross here engraved, fig. 64. 64 Early London Founders (supposed). The first bell at Paulerspury has the shield fig. 4, here engraved, accom- panied by fig. 16 as the initial cross. Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. 6i 7i The same shield, with slight variations (fig. 71), is upon the 3rd bell at Castle Ashby, where the inscription is in very fine " black letter " with handsome capitals, but with- out initial cross. As these shields are found in various parts of the country as well as in London, they are sup- posed, with good reason, to have belonged to a London founder, possibly to a man name occurs as a London named Bullisdon, whose founder in 15 10.* The shield (fig. 6) next engraved, which bears a kind of merchant's mark with I to the left and W beneath. • Church Bells of Sussex. 62 Other Founders of Northatnptoitshire Bells. iig is upon two ancient bells in this county — Tansor 3rd and Tw}^well 3rd — in the latter instance it is accompanied by fig. 119 as an initial cross, in the former case by the cross fig. 105 (which cross, as will be mentioned, is also on the 4th bell at Pilton). This shield, like the last mentioned, is also found in various counties, and so pro- bably belonged to a London founder. The initial cross fig. 119 is also found upon another ancient bell at Twywell (the 2nd) where the shield fig. 31 closes the inscription. It is the only instance in this county in which this shield is found. It appears upon bells in Devon and Cornwall. The shield, with the Royal Arms, fig. 43, is found upon bells in many localities. It is upon the 3rd bell at Wilby in this county. It has been ob- served that the date of the foundry originally using this stamp must have been subse- quent to 1413, when Henry V. substituted three fleur-de-lys in the ist and 4th quarters of his coat instead of a semee of fleur- de-lys. Upon the Wilby bell this shield is accompanied by fig. 13, and by the very elegant cross fig. 18 both here Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. 63 engraved. It is worthy of note that these tliree stamps are upon the only ancient bell now remaining at Croyland,* so that if it be true, as we are told, that there was a re- casting of Croyland bells in the time of Abbot Lytlington (1427- 1470) we have, probably, here the original arrangement of these stamps (which have since been used in various combi- nations with others) by the original owner. A shield with the same arms, but without the crown, (fig. 12,) is also frequently found on ancient bells. It is upon two bells only in this county — the 4th at Old, in com- pany with the same stamps as those upon the Wilby bell (figs. 13 and 18), and on the 4th at Pilton, where it is accompanied by fig. 13 and by the cross fig. 105 already given. The fine cross fig. 18 engraved above, inscribed with \\)\\ ' mcrti " (abr help, is ^Iso found, in company with figs. 19 and 20 here given, upon an interesting set of bells in this county : — • Ex. Infor. Mr. W. H. Jones. 64 Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. the whole ring of four bells at Fawsley, the 4th bell at Bainton, the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th at Roade, the 4th at Colling- tree, and the 2nd at Winwick are all adorned with these handsome stamps. These stamps are likewise thought, from their use in so many different localities, to have been originally the property of a London founder. I showed in The Church Bells of Leices- tershire that the cross fig. 18 was in the hands of the Leicester founders, and appeared in one instance upon a bell apparently cast by them. Nor- thamptonshire furnishes another in- stance (at Paulerspury) , where on the 4th bell it is in combination with Newcombe's letters and stamps. Certain crowned heads are found upon ancient bells in various parts of the kingdom. They are supposed to have belonged originally to London founders. They are known to cam- panists as " Royal Heads," and have been assigned, from peculiarities of treatment, to Edward I. and Queen Eleanor, Edward III. and Queen Phillippa, Henry VI., Margaret of Anjou, and her son, Prince Edward. Those assigned to Edward I. and Queen Eleanor (figs. 10 and 11) are found upon the 2nd and 3rd bells at Marston St. Lawrence, and upon the 4th bell at Pottcrspury, with Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. 65 the initial cross, fig. 62 here engraved : also upon the 3rd bell at Grafton Regis, where the initial cross is fig. 29, given below. These crosses frequently accompany these " Royal 29 II 62 Heads " upon ancient bells in other parts of the kingdom. The two heads engraved above were at a later period in the hands of the Nottingham founders,* and that assigned to Edward I. is found upon Newcombe's bells in Leicester- shire, and upon two bells from their foundry in this county with confused inscriptions, viz. : the single bell at Dudding- ton, and the 2nd bell at Great Oakley. The other two "Royal Heads" found in this county are those assigned to Edward HI. and Queen Phillippa (figs. 7 and 9 over). • See Church Bells of Leicestershire, p. 84. 66 Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. They are upon the ist bell at Slapton, and upon the 4th at Stowe-nine-Churches ; in the former place accompanied by the initial cross fig. 29, in the latter by that figured number =5^ y 7 9 62, both engraved above. This simple cross (fig. 29) is- also found upon two other ancient (" Ave Maria ") bells, viz. : Alderton 2nd, and King's Sutton 4th. Reading Foundry (supposed). The arms of the See of Winchester, fig. 28, are upon the 3rd bell at Gretworth ; the 28 41 shield, R. L. W., fig. 41, is upon the ist bell at Hinton-in- the-Hedges, in company with the cross, fig. 47, and the Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. 67 lion's face (?) fig. 52. This cross and lion's face are also upon the ist bell at Passenham. Bells with these stamps are found in the counties of Hants, Berks, Bucks, Oxon, Surrey, Sussex, Somerset, &c., and are supposed by Mr. Tyssen, for reasons given in his Church Bells of Sussex, to have been cast at Reading : the presence of the initials J. S. upon some of them leads to the inference that they were from the foundry of John Saunders, who was casting bells there 1539- 1559. These initials J. S. with a coin between them are found at the end of the inscription upon the 4th bell at Thrapstone, upon which are the crosses figs. 50 and 60 on the next page. These crosses are also found (with the coin, but without the initials,) upon the 3rd bell at Grendon : they are also upon the 2nd bell at Horton in company with the shield fig. ^^ (over), which shield is also upon the 2nd and 3rd bells at Ufford. This shield is found upon many bells in Kent, and 68 Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. may therefore be supposed to have belonged originally to a founder in that locality. It appears that the letter stamps of these Kent bells fell into the hands of the founder to 50 60 whose initials, J. S., we have just referred : so possibly the shield accompanied them. I find this shield upon a bell at Tixover in Rutland. At a later date it was in the hands of a founder who, in 1604, cast the 2nd bell at Kingsbury, Middlesex, inscribed ** God U save Kynge U James anno domini 1604 F.H J.B." Upon the Ufford bells just referred to are also the crosses figs. 56 and 96 here engraved. Bury S. Edmund (supposed). There are two bells in this county which are stamped with the shield fig. 49. It contains a coronet in chief with cross arrows on each side of it (the symbol of S. Edmund), a bell and cross-keys in the centre with the initials h s, and in the base a cannon with a ball issuing from its mouth. From the device of the cannon it may be supposed that the founder also cast guns. Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. 69 As this shield is found upon a number of Ijells in the neighbourhood of Bury S. Edmunds, and as a foundry is 49 supposed to have existed there as early as the fifteenth century, it has been assigned to those founders. The 72 /D business at Bury S. Edmunds was carried on subsequently by a succession of founders.* This shield (fig. 49) is found * See Church Bells of Norfolk, p. 62-66 for an account of this foundry. 70 Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. stamped thrice on the 2nd bell at Bozeat, the inscription on which is preceded by the beautiful cross fig. 73, and in which the stamp fig. 72 is the intervening stop. It is also upon the 2nd bell at Newton Bromswold in company with the same cross (fig. y^) but with the stamp fig. j^^ all engraved on the preceding page, as the intervening stop. 51 Unknown Founders. Mr. Ellacombe finds at 54 The initial cross fig. 51 (which Bloxham, Oxfordshire, and at Compton Paunceford, Somer- set,) is on one bell only in this county — the defaced Sanctus at Croughton. The cross fig. 54 — which I found upon three bells in Leicestershire — is upon the 3rd bell at Braybrooke. The early stamp fig. 55 — which is upon several bells in Leicestershire — is upon the ist bell at Yarwell, the 4th at Barnack, and the 2nd Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. at Holcott. At Barnack it is accompanied by the crown fig. 88, and at Holcott by fig. 6i, which last mentioned «ss stamp is also on the 3rd bell at Twywell in company with figs. 16 and 6 to which reference has already been made. The cross fig. 57 is only found upon the 7th bell at Aynhoe. The pretty initial cross fig. 63 is only upon one bell — the 2nd at Wadenhoe : the one fig. 82 (over) » is also on one bell only — the 2nd at Wansford, and the 72 Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. one fig. 84 is upon two interesting Sanctus bells, one at Harringworth, and the other at Walgrave. The initial cross fig. 87, and the intervening stop fig. 85 are upon the 2nd bell at Hinton - in - the- Hedges only. Stanion can boast of the only ancient bell in the county upon which a figure is stamped. The Virgin and Child, fig. 92, are upon the waist of the 4th bell there in company with stamps figs. 14 and 25, which will be referred to presently. These figures, with the same inscription and 87 85 stamps, are also upon the 5th bell at Haxey, Lincolnshire.* Similar figures, but not absolutely from the same stamp, are found upon mediaeval bells at Heighington, Newcastle- • Ex. Infor. Rev. J. T. Fowler, F.S.A. Other Founders of NortJiainptons/iire Bells. 75 on-Tync, York, and Thurcaston, Leicestershire. An engrav- ing of the latter is here given for comparison (fig. 117.) 1 1 92 The rude initial cross fig. 95 is only found upon the 3rd bell 107 74 Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. at Aldwincle S. Peter, dated 1585. Figs. 107 and no are the initial crosses upon the ist and 2nd ancient bells at Radston, and the cross fig. in is upon the large bell at Blatherwycke, and upon the second bell at Potterspury ; upon the former bell are the initials (apparently of the' no III founder) T. H. with a coin, and upon the latter H. T. also with a coin ; in one case these initials are evidently trans- posed. Figure 21 is on two bells, viz. : Fotheringhay ist 21 23 and King's Cliffe 4th ; upon the latter it is in company with fig. 23. It is perhaps also upon the 3rd bell at Whittlebury. These stamps are also found in Leicestershire. Fig. 17 (of Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. 75 the ornamentation on this I cannot be quite sure) is the initial cross upon the 2nd and 4th bells at Heyford, and acts as the same to a por- tion of the inscription on the tenor bell at Welling- borough, which was proba- bly cast by Hugh Watts of Leicester. The cross fig. -. yy is upon one bell only, — the 4th at Higham Ferrers, which also bears the shield used as a stamp by Watts of Leicester. 77 This rebus shield fig. 14 is upon ancient bells at Arthingworth (3rd), Desborough (4th), Easton-by-Stamford (2nd), and Stanion (4th), in which 14 -5 four instances it is accompanied by fig. 25 here engraved. It also appears upon the ist bell at Barnwell S. Andrew with fig. 27 (over) as the initial cross, and upon the 4th 76 Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. bell at Hargrave in company with figs. 3 and 22 (hereafter referred to), and with Newcombe's letters, which show that it was at a later period in the hands of the Leicester founders. There are rea- sons for thinking that this shield belonged originally to the early Nottingham founders.* The only other stamps found upon ancient bells in this county cast by un- known founders are those upon the extremely interesting early dated bell at Cold Ashby (the ist of three). These are, without noticing the two impressions of Edward the First's penny — four in number, namely, the elegant and simple initial cross, fig. 112, the fleur-de-lys fig. 114, given twice, the oval-shaped stamp fig. 113, bearing a right hand held up in bene- diction, around which there is a legend, and the circular stamp fig. 115, which A \ % n| ^ _-^ ^ J 112 • See Church Bells of Leicestershire, pp. 8i, 82. Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. 77 shows a fleur-de-lys on either side of a bell, also surrounded by an inscription. The inscriptions on the two last mentioned stamps have — if they were ever clearly visible — partly disappeared. They have been carefully inspected on the bell several times, and very excellent casts taken, which have been sub- mitted to three Fellows of the Society of Antiquaries of London, the most accomplished readers of such inscriptions in this country, with, I regret to say, not very satisfactory results. It may be well to give their separate readings of first the oval stamp, and then of the circular one. The oval stamp was the private seal of, possibly, the donor of the bell, or of the ecclesiastic under whose direc- tion it was cast. This is shown by the two first words of the legend S' [igillum] EGIDII ; but who this " Giles " was cannot at present be determined from the remaining words on his seal. The attempted readings of the whole legend are (the letters within brackets being uncertain) : — 1. S'EGIDII : DE : [ALD]E[RI]GH : [ABBJATIS 2. SEGIDII • DE . R[ . ]ELIGHE • [• • -JMTIS 3. S'EGIDII : DE : [A.]ENGH[A'] \ [— ]ATIS. The circular stamp we may safely assign to the founder of the bell, as his recognizance or trade mark : the attempted readings of the inscription around this are : — 1. VILLES • DE • FLINT 2. + S[W]ILL[ES] • DE . [BLINI.] I incline to read it " Willes de Flint," though Willes is clearly not satisfactory. 78 Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. The form of letter used in the inscription on this bell is singularly simple and bold, and — the bell being cleanly cast — is in fine preservation. The first word, engraved from a cast taken from the bell, is here given (fig. 1 1 6.) In addition to the old bells already mentioned there are others to which reference will be made in the notes upon the founders of the more modern bells, to whom we must now give attention. LEICESTER. Johannes de Stafford. There are good reasons for believing that John of Stafford had a foundry in Leicester at least as early as the middle of the fourteenth century : but I do not find a single bell in Northamptonshire bearing his initial cross or letters. William Millers is the next known Leicester Bellfounder. He was admitted a member of the Mer- chants' Guild, Leicester, as a " Bell Heytau"* in the year 1499- 1500. f • " Heytaur " or Yeytaur, that is, Bellyetter. Bellzetter, or Bellfounder. t Hall Book, 1477-1553. P- 67. Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. 79 He died soon afterwards (in 1506), for his will — wherein he is described as of All Saints, Leicester, Bellfounder — dated 29th Nov. 1506, was proved on the 12th of the following January. His widow, Margery, married for her second husband Thomas Newcombe, who described himself in his will as of Leicester ^^ fiisor canipanarius.'' He carried on the business of the Leicester foundry until his death, which took place in the year 1520. He was buried in All Saints' Church, Leicester. His will, dated the 20th March 1520, was proved on the 25th of August following. He left by his wife Margery, the widow of William Millers, two sons and three daughters, namely, Robert, Edward, Joan, Agnes, and Margaret. His widow (now twice a widow) having suc- ceeded to the bulk of her second husband's property and to the foundry, married a third husband, viz. : Thomas Bett. He was Mayor of Leicester in 1529, and is styled in a Roll of the Mayors " Bellfounder of All Saints " and " ancestor of the Newcombes." He is clearly the Bellfounder referred to in the accounts of the wardens of the Church of S. John Baptist, Peterborough, for the year 1537-8, quoted in the description of the bells of that church in this volume. Thomas Bctt outlived Margery, and afterwards married Anne .... His will, dated 19 Dec. 1538, was proved on the 6th of February following. By it he left nearly the whole of his property to Robert Newcombe who had married his daughter Kathcrine (his only child, apparently, by a former wife) : by this means he enriched his son-in-law, who also succeeded to 8o Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. the foundry, and so, in this way, Thomas Bett became, in a sense, according to the Mayors' Roll just quoted " ances- tor of the Newcombes." This Robert Newcombe, in 1540, purchased from George Belgrave a messuage in All Saints' parish Leicester, situate between his own tenement on the south and Thomas Bridge's on the north, and abutting on the east part upon the Church of All Saints, and on Clement's Lane on the west. This transaction shows the site of the foundry. He purchased the great bell of Leicester Abbey (and so, most likely, the other bells also) at the Dissolution, and exchanged it, in the year 1542-3, with the churchwardens of S. John Baptist, Peterborough, for their cracked bell, receiving the difference of value in money. A full account of that trans- action will be found further on in the description of the bells of that church. A bell hangs at Little Bowden in this county, inscribed " Robade Newcome " which, for several reasons, I incline to attribute to this founder rather than to his son of the same name : it bears the stamp fig. 35 and the cross fig. 22 (which will be referred to presently) be- tween the words. This stamp (fig. 35) which was frequently used by the early Leicester founders is also found upon bells at Apethorpe (4th), Great Billing (2nd), Collingtree (3rd), Deene (2nd), Geddington (3rd), Hannington(ist), Lowick (4th), Sudborough (3rd), and Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. 8i Tansor (ist). Robert Newcombe was elected Mayor of Leicester in 1550. He left four children, Thomas, Edward, Anne, and Robert. The three sons being all associated with the foundry, it is necessary to speak of them separately. I. Thomas Newcombe as "primus filius Robti New- combe " was admitted a member of the Merchants' Guild in 1567-8. In 1562 " Mayster Newkom " recast " o' Ladye bell " at Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. That bell — the 5th of the present ring — still hangs in the fine tower of Melton Church, and it enables us to show the founder's mark, bearing his initials, used by this Thomas Newcombe, and, undoubtedly, also by his predecessor of the same name in the craft in Leicester. It is fig. 24 here given. The same shield is found upon many bells in this 22 24 121 county, notably upon the whole ring of four bells at Barton Seagrave. It is frequently associated with the initial cross fig. 22. This cross, so frequently found, both in this county and in Leicestershire, is usually so much abraded, that an example showing the whole perfectly, as regards the orna- M 82 Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. ment between the limbs, is seldom found : indeed several casts taken in Leicestershire led me to believe that simple foliage was employed as given on the woodcut above, fig. 121, 26 32 but casts taken from this cross on bells at Stanion and else- where, where it is in better preservation, show that the wood- cut as now given (fig. 22) is the correct form as used by the early Leicester founders. They also used the stamp fig. 26, which is found in this county upon the 3rd bell at Geddington and on the istatTansor, and the initial cross fig. 32 which is found only once in Northants — upon the 5th bell at Desborough. The stamp fig. 37 is upon Newcombe's bells at Apethorpe (4th), Desborough (5th), Han- nington (ist), and Mears Ashby (3rd), and the very hand- some cross fig. 45 is found upon the 3rd bell at Cosgrove, Other Founders uf Northamptonshire Bells. 83 the 3rd at Geddington, and notably with corresponding elaborate letters, upon the 4th bell at Deene. In these 45 instances it is accompanied by the intervening stop fig. 42. It is also found upon the 2nd bell at Barby in company with fig. 24, and upon the 3rd beil at Isham in com- pany with fig. I (to be re- ferred to presently), show- ing, probably, that New- combe and his contempo- rary Watts of Leicester were partners in the cast- ing of that bell. The stop fig. 42 is also upon one o{ 3u Newcombe's bells (4th) at Apethorpe, and upon the 4th bell at Higham Ferrers. All these bells bearing figs. 22, 24, 26, yi, 35, 2>7^ 4^, and 45, may 84 Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. be ascribed to the early Leicester founders — this Thomas Newcombe and his predecessors — as may also the use of the initial letter V fig. 30 (on the preceding page) which is found on the 4th bell of the Paulerspury ring.* Thomas Newcombe died in 1 580-1, being buried in All Saints' Church, Leicester, on the 7th of February in that year. His will was proved in the Archdeaconry Court of Leicester in the same year (1581). He had several sons, but none of them appear to have been connected with the foundry. 2. Robert Newcombe was another son of Robert, the son-in-law of Thomas Bett. He placed his name upon the 4th bell of All Saints, Leices- ter, in 1586. Upon that bell the cross fig. 48, t which is also found upon bells at Arthing- worth (4th and 5th), East Farndon (4th), Stowe (2nd), Thenford (4th) , Weston-by- Welland (4th), Wakerley (ist), and Wicken (i, 3, 4, and 5). These bells (excepting those at Wicken, which were cast by 48 Hugh Watts) may therefore be assigned to the Newcombes, or to them in union with * The use of these stamps by the early f There are two sizes of this cross Leicester founders is more fully traced in found, but as they are precisely alike, no Church Bells of Leicestershire. object would be gained by engraving more than one. Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. 85 FVancis or Hugh Watts of Leicester, whose stamp also appears upon some of these bells, and with whom, as we know, they were occasionally in partnership. It is also upon the 2nd bell at Edgcott, cast by Bartholomew Atton, who, as we shall see, was connected with the Newcombes of Leicester, and upon the 4th bell at Grendon cast by Hugh Watts in 1618. This cross is found upon earlier bells in Norfolk, and elsewhere, bearing the mark of Richard Brasyer of Norwich;* it may have fallen into the hands of the Leicester founders when the Norwich foundry was closed for a short time after the year 15 13. 3. Edward Newcombe was the third son of Robert Newcombe, the son-in-law of Thomas Bett. He married Elizabeth Martin in All Saints Church, Leicester, on the 12 January 1573-4. He lived in S. Martin's parish, was one of the " Stewards of the Fairs" in 1574-5, f became a member of the Town Council in 1577, J and was elected Mayor in 1599. He is, I presume, the "Edward Newcome " whose name appears upon the 3rd bell at Holcott, the 2nd at Stanion, and the ist at Winwick. Upon all these, as well as upon Clipstone 4th bell, Duddington single bell, and Great Oakley 2nd, is the stamp fig. 86 as an intervening stop, thus showing it to have been used by the Leicester founders. Three, at least, of his sons were connected ^^ with the foundry, viz. : I. Robert Newcombe, his eldest son, baptized 20 January • Church Bells of Norfolk, p. 32. f Chamberlains' Accounts. J Hall Book. 86 Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. 1576-7, was admitted into the Merchants' Guild as a " Bell- founder and Tann' " in 1600- 1, when he paid " a pottell ot wyne " as his fine. 2. Thomas Newcombe, the third son of Edward, placed his name upon bells in Leicestershire in 1604 and 161 1. 3. William Newcombe, the fifth son of Edward, cast (in partnership with Henry Oldfield of Nottingham) " Great Tom " of Lincoln in the Minster yard in the year 1610.* At the commencement of the seventeenth centur}^ the Newcombes ceased to use, excepting in rare instances, their old initial crosses, and other marks, as well as their old sets of letters and forms of inscription, and began to use the form (in plain Roman capitals) to which they subsequently, as a rule, adhered : — -|- Be . yt . knowne . to . all . that . doth . me . see . that . Newcombe . of . Leicester . made . mee. with the cross fig. 5 prefixed. At that time the Newcombes were largely employed in various parts of the country to cast church bells : but the -| most noteworthy bell of that date from their foundry is one which is — so far as at present known — quite unique. It is the well known 4th bell at S. Mary's, Oxford, called the " Music 5 Bell." Some account of it will appear under the description of the bells at West Haddon, where two of its curious stamps are found. In 161 1, when Edward Newcombe and his sons recast the 2nd bell at S. Martin's, * Hist. Lincoln. (1816) p. 75. Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. 87 Leicester, he was styled by the churchwardens there " old Mr. Newcome." Although I find no record of his death, he probably died soon after that date, after which the foundry appears to have been merged into, or to have been eclipsed by, that of Hugh Watts, the son and successor of Francis Watts, and who about that time began to acquire a great reputation as a Bellfounder. The last dated bell of the Newcombes in Northants is the 2nd one at West Haddon, cast in the year 161 1. Hugh Watts. On the ist bell at South Luffenham, Rutland, is inscribed : " Hew Watts made me 1563," and it bears a stamp (fig. 2 over) which we shall find was in the hands of the Watts family, but I have been unable at present to identify him as one of the Leicester founders. The first member of that family I find mentioned as con- nected with Leicester is Francis Watts, who, in the year 1564-5, bought the bell wheels belonging to S. Peter's Church, Leicester, then being taken down.* He resided, and probably had his foundry in the " Galtrye gate of the burroughe of Leicester." In 1585 he, in partnership with the Newcombes, cast the tenor bell at Loughborough, Leicestershire. To him may be safely assigned the founding of the 3rd bell at Bugbrook, the 2nd at Clipston, and the 2nd at Dallington, all bearing the stamp fig. 2 (over) ; also the 5th bell at Rushton, upon which is placed as a stamp fig. 3 (over) : both these stamps were used by him, and occasionally by his son and successor, • Chamberlains' Accounts in MS. Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. Hugh Watts.* Francis Watts also appears to have been connected with his neighbours and relations^ the Newcombes in the casting of the 4th and 5th bells at Arthingworth, the 2nd at Stow-nine-Churches, the 4th at Weston-by-Welland, and the ist at Wakerley, each of these bells bearing, in addition to Newcombe's stamps, the shield fig. I which we shall see pre- sently was in the hands of the Watts family. Francis Watts died in the year 1600. His will, dated 8 Feb. 1599- 1600, was proved on the 2nd of September in that year. He left the chief of his property to his wife, and to his second son Hugh — his eldest probably died young. • This latter stamp is found upon bells cast by the Newcombes at Cosgrave (3rd), Hargrave (4th), and Paulerspurj- (4th). f Helen, daughter of Francis Watts, appears to have married Robert New- combe. Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. 89 Hugh Watts was born about the year 1582. He placed his name in 1600 upon a bell at Burrow-on-the-Hill, Leices- tershire, since recast, and upon the present 2nd bell at Evington in the same county is " Hugh Wattes made me 1605." These are the only two instances I have found in which he adopted a custom so soon prevalent with all founders of putting their names upon the bells they cast. Upon this Evington bell is the shield (fig. i) just given. The presence of this shield in conjunction with his name enables us, as we have seen, to assign several older bells, bearing the same mark, to his father Francis Watts then lately deceased. Hugh Watts was admitted a member of the Merchants' Guild in 1611-12.* He soon obtained a high reputation as a founder ; his bells are still extremely numerous both in this county — where there are more than 170 — and in Leicestershire, There are complete rings of his casting at Little Addington, Brackley, Creaton, Everdon, Hazlebeach, Helidon, Isham, Marston Trussel, Moreton Pinkney, Naseby, Norton, Woodford Halse, and Yelvertoft. Although Hugh Watts upon rare occasions used the stamp fig. 2 (as at Grendon (ist and 2nd) and at Crick (3rd) ) which had been used by his father, he, as a rule, used no other mark in addition to the shield already mentioned (fig. i). It is therefore unnecessary to enumerate in detail his numerous bells still existing in Northamptonshire. The presence of this shield upon them, which will always be pointed out in connection with the inscriptions, will • Hall Book. go Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. sufficiently identify them. It is worthy of note that this mark was used for a short time by the Norwich founder Richard Brasyer (circa 1450), who, however, afterwards exchanged it for a more heraldic one with an ermine field, in place of the diapered one. At the death of Richard Brasyer in 15 13, the foundry at Norwich was closed for a short time.* It is not improbable that the father of Francis Watts had been employed there, and leaving at the closing of the foundry, found his way to Leicester, opened a foundry there on his own account, and used as a mark the shield and some other stamps, with which he had been familiar at Norwich. For many of their inscriptions both Francis and Hugh Watts used handsome gothic capitals (see figs. 53, 53^ and 53 53« 97), but Hugh Watts more generally used a rather clumsy Roman capital letter. His favourite inscriptions were * Church Bells of Norfolk, pp. 28-33. Other Founders of Northaviptonshirc Bells. 91 ** God save the King," " Celorum Chrstc platiat tibi Rex sonvs iste " (the letter I being always wanting in the second word), " Cvm sono si non vis venire nvnqvam ad preces cvpies ire," '* Cvm Cvm and pray" and portions of the alphabet. The latter appear upon nnany bells, indeed the 97 w^hole ring at Woodford Halse are, what are termed, alphabet bells. His most frequent inscription, however, was "IH'S : Nazarenvs : Rex Jvdeor\'m : Fili Dei : miserere mei " (the first S being always reversed). Of this inscription there are still no less than sixty-seven examples in this county : indeed so frequently did Watts use this form that his bells became known as "Watts' Nazarenes." A peculiarity in his gothic lettered inscriptions may be mentioned : he possessing no capital letters W and Y — these being seldom required in Latin inscriptions — they 92 Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. always appear in small black letters. Hugh Watts' inscrip- tions are usually carried all round the bell, the spaces between the words being filled up, in the majority of cases, with an ornamental band of stiffly formed acorns and oak leaves. Hugh Watts was elected one of the Chamberlains of the Borough of Leicester in 1620-1 and Mayor in 1633-4. He had a younger son — another will be mentioned presently — Francis Watts who was apprenticed to his father as a Bellfounder, and who was admitted to the Merchants* Guild in 1636. He probably died before his father. After taking his full share in municipal matters in the stirring times in which he lived, Hugh Watts died in 1643. His Will, dated i February, 1642-3, was proved on the 23rd of the next month. In it he described himself as *' Hugh Watts of the Borough of Leicester, the elder, Bellfounder," and his dwelling house as "The Talbott." He left all his "tools and implements belonging to the trade of a Bell- founder" to his son Hugh Watts, who, however, does not appear to have been in any way connected with the foundry, and who certainly did not carry it on after his father's death. George Curtis has been mentioned as a Leicester Bellfounder. He was apprenticed to Hugh Watts and " took up his freedom " on the gth May, 1627,* t)ut I think he was never more than a foreman under Hugh Watts. He occupied a tenement in the South-gate which Hugh • Hall Booh. Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. 93 Watts held of the Corporation of Leicester.* The only reference to him I have seen in connection with the foundry is a charge by the Chamberlains of the Borough in 1644-5 of 2s. 6d. paid to " George Curtice for exchangeinge of Thomas Hartshorne's bell," Hartshorne being the cryer. This would be shortly after Hugh Watts' death, and when Curtis was probably winding up his master's business. His name has not been found upon any bell. He died in 1650 as we are told in the following entry in the Register of S. Martin's Church, Leicester, — an entry which no doubt has led to the inference that he was a master founder : — Ano Dni 1650 Septem. 5th George Curtis Bellfounder was burydd. To show that the Leicester foundry was closed about that time we find the following entry in the Chamberlains' Accounts for the year 1655-6 : — Itm payd for castinge the Cryer's Bell and for the carriage thereof to Nottingham and backe againe 00 . 07 . 04 Portions of Watts' foundry gear passed into the hands of the Nottingham founders. We find his letters used by them upon bells in Leicestershire, but his mark (fig. i) and band ornaments never appear after his death. Thomas Clay. After the closing of Hugh Watts' foundry and the dispersion of his gear there seems to have been no attempt made to revive the craft in Leicester for several years. At length, in 171 1, the name of Thomas • Chamberlains' Accounts, 1644-5. 94 Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. Clay of Leicester appears as a founder upon two bells yet existing in Leicestershire, and in 1715 he cast the present tenor bell at Great Harrowden. Beyond these notices of his existence, and the fact that he cast a ring of eight bells for Southwell Collegiate Church, which were so much disliked that they were speedily recast by Rudhall of Gloucester,* I know nothing. Edward Arnold. After another interval of several years a foundry was again opened in Leicester by Edward Arnold, who had worked with, and succeeded, his uncle, Joseph Eayre of S. Neots. His foundry is said to have been in Hangman's Lane — now called Newarke Street. The first ring of bells he cast in Leicester was that of Rothley, Leicestershire, in the year 1784. He did not supply many bells to Northants : the single bell at Abthorpe, the tenor at Irchester, four of a ring of five at Dingley, and a ring of six at Moulton, are from his Leicester foundry. Messrs. Taylor. During part of the time that Edward Arnold carried on the Leicester foundry, he also continued his business at S. Neots, into which he received, as an apprentice, Robert Taylor, who towards the close of the eighteenth century succeeded to the foundry there, which at that time was carried on in a lofty brick building situate in the Priory, and built in the form of a bell. The business was carried on there by Robert Taylor, then by Robert Taylor and Sons, until the year 1821, when they removed to Oxford. In 1825 ^^e late Mr. John Taylor, one of the * Midland Counties' Historical Collectoy, vol. ii. p. 355. Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. 95 above firm, went to Buckland Brewer, near Bideford, Devon, to cast the bells there, and after casting several rings and odd bells in Devon, Cornwall, &c., returned to Oxford in 1835. In 1839 or 1840 he and his son came to Loughborough, Leicestershire, to cast the bells there, and finding the town well situated for business, took up their residence in that place. Since that time Mr. John Taylor has died, leaving his son, the present Mr. John William Taylor, the head of the now justly celebrated Leicestershire foundry. The Oxford foundry, which had been chiefly under the superintendence of Mr. William Taylor, brother of the above mentioned Mr. John Taylor, was closed upon his decease which occurred in 1854. The Messrs. Taylor have supplied a large number of bells to Northamptonshire from all their foundries. As their names appear upon them a list in detail is rendered unnecessary.* B. CoRT, of Leicester, who was a local ironmonger, supplied the 3rd bell at East Farndon in 1820. He probably employed J. Bryant, of Hertford, to cast the bell.f STAMFORD. There was a foundry here which supplied numerous bells to the churches of Northamptonshire and the surrounding counties. * For a full account of the ancient Leicester Bellfounders with copies of their Wills, &c., &c.. see Church Dells of LdccsUrshire, p. 37-74- + See Church Bells of Leicestershire, p. 95. 96 Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells . Tobias (or Tobie) Norris, Bellfounder, took up his freedom on the 4th of June, 1607. He was one of the " Capital Constables" in that year, and again in 1621-2, and warden of S. George's Church in 1613-14. His name also occurs in connection with charities belonging to S. George's parish in i6og. He died on the 2nd November, 1626, and was buried in the north aisle of S. George's Church, Stamford, where a small brass thus records the fact : — HERE LIETH THE BO DY OF TOBIE MORRIS BELFOVM : WHO DEC EA : THE g OF MO 1626 and the Register of the parish says : — 1626 Tobye Norris Bell-founder was buryed the iiij daye of November His earliest bell in Northamptonshire appears to be the 1st of the ring at Wadenhoe, dated 1603, and his latest the 4th at Lutton, dated 1619. He did not place his name as y^jfc- \i %' W 15 36 65 founder upon the bells from his foundry, but he used several stamps. He placed the initial cross, fig. 15, upon his bells Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. 97 at Bainton (ist), Barnack (2nd and 3rd), Etton (3id), Pilton (2nd), Stanion (ist), and Tansor (2nd), and with __:M|([J^ lOI 100 this cross he placed as an inter- vening stop fig. 36 at Great Ad- dington (3rd), Warmington (3rd), Helpstone(3rd), Thornhaugh (ist), Paxton (ist), and Wadenhoe (ist). He also used the initial cross fig. 65 at Lutton (3rd) , and Waden- hoe (3rd), and with the same cross he used as intervening stops figs. 98 and 100 upon the 4th bell at Lutton. Figure 10 1 appears as an initial cross upon his bells at Fotheringhay (2nd), King's Cliffe (2nd), Lutton (ist), Pilton (3rd), Harringworth (2nd), and Etton (2nd), in the two latter cases with fig. 36 given above as an inter- vening stop. Another — ToBYAS NoRRis, also a Bell- founder (probably a son of the above Tobias), took up his freedom on the 4th June 1628, and we find his name as *' Toby Norris of Staunford bellfounder" mentioned in a document relating to the church estate in 1638. He appar- ently occupied a subordinate posi- tion in the foundry. gS Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. Thomas Norris — who, upon the death of Tobias the elder, succeeded to the business — took up his freedom as a Bellfounder on the 31st December, 1625. He was warden of S. George's Church from 1630 to 1632, spelHng his name as Nory's and Norris. He was constable for the parish of S. George g and 10 Car. ist ; elected a "capital burgess" (that is, a member of the body corporate) 25th September, 1638 ; Chamberlain in 1641-2 ; and Com-burgess (or, as would now be said. Alderman) 27th January, 1652-3. He was also one of the " Conduit Masters" for several years. While he sat in the Council Chamber it is recorded of him that he was upon several occasions fined ijs. v]d. for non- attendance at meetings. In 1656-7 he served the office of chief magistrate as "Alderman" — the title of "Mayor" was not then adopted at Stamford — for his native town.* Besides being a member of the Borough senate, Thomas Norris was also a useful parochial officer of S. George's parish, filling several offices of trust and consideration. At a meeting of the Hall, held loth May, 1663, it being agreed that the sum of ;^200 should be borrowed towards defraying the expenses of a new Charter from the King, Thomas Norris was one of the sureties. His career in the Corporate Chamber was not always a pleasant one, for we find that at a Common Hall held on • During his tenure of office his appren- corporate records of Wm. Saunders. It tice, William Saunders, "because he hath may be worth noting that at a meeting of served seven years apprenticeship in this the Council held 28th April, 1664, the Fee Corporation is freely admitted to scott and for taking up the Freedom of Stamford by lott." No further mention is found in the a Bellfounder was fixed at £i<,. Other Founders of Northaviptonshire Bells. 99 13th July, 1665, "Thomas Norris and Robert Whatton two of y* Aldermen " had notice " to appcare at y' next hall, and in the interim shall doe and p'forme their duty as is injoyned on y* rest of y* Aldermen, or others to be chosen in their place." The duty alluded to as being shirked, consisted in carrying out a previous order made by the Hall, that in consequence of the plague raging very severely at Peterborough and adjacent places, a strict watch was to be kept day and night to prevent any person entering Stamford without a pass : and in order to see that the guard did their duty, one of the first company (Aldermen) was to be with the guard, one every night in his turn. From some cause not recorded in the municipal books, Thomas Norris appears, some years later, to have taken umbrage, for at a meeting of the Hall, held 29th August, 1678, the following letter, resigning his seat, was read by the Mayor : — Mr. Mayor I have not of late received soe much content and satisfaction in my residence in Stamford as formerly so am resolved to retire myselfe amongst other my relations in y' countrey soe y' I shall not bee capacitated to doe y' corporacon any further service, and am desirous to resigne up my office of Alderman, and my requests are y' you will bee pleased to accquaint y' rest of y* brethren therew"', and accept of this my resignation, and although I cannot bee ffurther serviceable to y* Corporacon yet I shall alwaies pray for y' p'spitye thereof & am Yo' most humble serv' Thomas Norris. Stamford Aug. y' 6, 1678. lOO Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. The resignation was accepted, but to what place Thomas Norris retired is unknown : perhaps to Barrowden in Rutland, where, as the Registers show, a family of his name was living from 1610 to 1699.* There are several of Thomas Norris' bells in Northamp- tonshire. They are found dating from the year 1629 at Denford (ist) to the year 167 1 at Apethorpe (3rd). A bell of his hangs at Fakenham, Norfolk, dated 1678, the year when, according to the above letter, he resolved to leave Stamford. In addition to the stamps above given (figs. 15, 36 and 65) he also used, though rarely, a rather larger form of the last mentioned cross, viz., fig. 58. If His son and successor (who occa- 1 1 sionally placed his own name on bells during his father's life time), Tobias Norris was baptized at S. George's Church, Stamford, on 25th April, 1634. He was Overseer of the Highways in 1660-7, ^^ ^^e Poor 1678-9 and Churchwarden in 1685-6; his name also occurs in connection with parish charities in 1693. He was buried, as appears by the register of S. George's parish, 19 January, 1698-9. His bells in North- amptonshire — which are not numerous — range in date from 1662, at Weston-by-Welland (5th) to 1686 at Nassington (2nd), but he continued casting until his death. He Edith the wife of Thomas Norris (according to the parish registers of S. George, Stamford) was buried 28th July. 1673. Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. loi occasionally used figs. 15 and 65 as initial crosses, but frequently placed his name as founder without any cross or stamp. The favourite inscriptions of the Norris family were '• Mvlti vocati pavci electi " — " Cvm voco ad ecclesiam venite " — " Omnia fiant ad gloriam Dei " — ** Non clamor sed amor cantat in aure Dei " — and, occasionally, on the tenor bell, as at Deene, *' Non sono animabvs mortvorvm sed avribvs viventivm," which, as has been said, was perhaps " a fling" at the old faith. Mr. Justin Simpson of Stamford, to whom I am indebted for much of the above information respecting the Stamford bellfounders, tells me that there is, unfortunately, no known record pointing out the precise site of the foundry, but that it is generally believed to have been in the vicinity of the present Gas Works, or of Mr. Blashfield's Terra-cotta Works. Alexander Rigby appears to have been connected — perhaps as foreman — with the Stamford foundry for some years before the death of Tobias Norris in 1698-9, for at Great Billing the ist bell cast by him is dated as early as 1684. There are not many bells by Rigby, or as he some- times spelt his name '* Rigbe," in Northamptonshire, but there are plenty to show that he carried on the foundry for a few years (until his own death) after the decease of the last Norris. Rigby's bells extend from (as just stated), 1684 at Great Billing, to 1702 at Bainton (2nd). Upon several of these he placed the cross fig. 10 1 used, as we have seen, by the Norris family. He died at Stamford in 102 Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. the year 1708, and was buried at S. Martin's as appears from the Register : — 1708 Alexander Rigby, bellfounder, bur. Oct', 29. He is referred to, in a not very complimentary manner, on the treble bell at Badgworth, Gloucestershire : — Badgworth ringers they were mad Because Rigbe made me bad ; But Abel Rudhall you may see Hath made me better than Rigbe. At his death the Stamford foundry was closed. HERTFORD. John Briant, bellfounder of Hertford, supplied many bells to Northamptonshire churches. They date from 1790 at Chacombe (5th) and Thorpe Mandeville (ist) to 1824 at Boughton (ist and 2nd). He was born at Exning in Suffolk. At an early age he was sent to a school at Newmarket, from which it was his father's design he should proceed to one of the Universities, and eventually take Holy Orders. He, however, had a great taste for mechanics ; and clock and chime making especially engrossed his attention ; so that he did not follow the course marked out for him by his father. He commenced business as a Bellfounder by casting the ring of eight bells at S. Andrew's, Hertford, and his fame as a good founder soon procured him a large con- Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. 103 nection. He had an excellent tuner of bells — Henry Symondson — who speaking of him to my informant, Mr. Leonard Proctor of Bennington, Herts, said " that no man took so much pains and trouble as his master in turning out superior bells in perfect tune," and that " oftentimes he would rather lose by a job than have the reflection that he had sent out a bad bell." He had also an excellent foreman as bell caster, named William Skerman, a native of Hertford, who worked with him for above thirty years. John Briant was married twice and left two daughters, one by each wife, but no son.* Unfortunate family differences were — it is said — the cause of John Briant's falling into extreme pecuniar}- difficulties and distress, so much so that he ended his days in the Spencer Almhouses, S. Albans, where he died on Friday, the 27th of February, 1829, being then in the 8ist year of his age. Henry Symondson relates that Briant "would have one gross of iron screws put into his coffin which was done." After death his body was brought from S. Alban's, and buried in All Saints' Churchyard, Hertford, when a muffled peal was rung upon the ten bells by the " Hertford College Youths. "f • I wish to correct an error in my error in quoting " and son," which words Church Bells 0/ Leicestershire, p. g^, where I I now find do not occur on the bells, say that John Briant had a son whose This shows that rubbings are dependable, name is associated with his father's upon not mere copies. bells at Sheepshed in that county. I f Mr. Leonard Proctor tells me that a now find that my informant, who sent me " Life of John Briant" has been written, copies of the inscriptions there, was in I have not seen it. 104 Other Founders of Norihamptonshire Bells. WOODSTOCK, OXFORDSHIRE. James Keene of Woodstock supplied several bells to churches in this county ; they date from 1612 at Ecton (2nd) to 165 1 at Middleton (5th). He used several initial 102 crosses and stamps. Fig. 38 is upon several of his bells in this county, and fig. 81 is upon about an equal number. Fig. 102 is upon the 5th bell at Towcester where fig. 79 is used as an intervening stamp. The same intervening Other Fuiindcrs of Northamptonshire Bells. lo- stamp, less the two curved limbs at its base, is also found u])on the 2nd bell at Ecton. Fig. 91 is upon the 1st and r 1 91 103 79 2iul bells at Ashton, and upon the 3rd at Easton Maudit ; at the former place in company with fig. 103, which stamp four times repeated is upon Pitsford 2nd bell and upon the 2nd, 3rd and 4th bells at Towcester. On King's Sutton 5th bell he placed his name ; he more frequently placed his initials only, and that generally in the form given as fig. 69. g Upon many of his bells are the initials E ^ N perhaps those of a foreman. His favourite inscription was " God save ovr King." Upon li' three bells (Pattishall 4th, Pitsford 5th and Rothers- thorpe 4th) he attempted a reproduction of an ancient form thus : — " Som Rosa io6 Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. polsata monde Maria vocata." He appears to have been succeeded by his son (?) Richard Keene, none of whose bells, I believe, are now in this county. The 3rd and 4th at Staverton were formerly inscribed " Richard Y^eene first ring 1662 " and the 4th and 5th at Braunstone, since recast, were from his foundry in 1672. A Mortgage Deed, now extant, dated 21st December, 1665, points out the probable site of the Woodstock foundry. The Deed was made between Richard Keene of the Borough of New Woodstock in the County of Oxford "Belfounder" and Thomas Godfrey of Woodstock Park in the same county Keeper ; and by it, Richard Keene, in consideration of ;/^30, assigned to the said Thomas Godfrey a house in Oxford Street, Woodstock, then in his — Richard Keene's — own occupation. The Deed bears an endorse- ment to the effect that a further sum of /120 was advanced on the 23rd December, 1674, making together £is^- On the 3rd December, 1695, the above named Thomas Godfrey assigned this mortgage for /150 to John Godfrey who is also described as of Woodstock. Richard Keene appears to have either left Woodstock shortly after the last mentioned date, or to have itinerated, for Dr. Raven tells us that he set up his foundry " on the green sand near Royston " from whence he supplied several bells to the churches of Cambridgeshire, 1699-1703. " He is said to have been ' Keene by name and keen by nature,' making considerable profit out of old metal in his recastings, Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. 107 but how far the love of the joke led to the scandal it is not easy. to say."* S. NEOTS AND DOWNHAM MARKET. Joseph Eayre, the son of Thomas Eayre of Kettering (see p. 47), opened a foundry here probably soon after his baptism at Kettering as "an adult person" in the year 1 73 1, for he sent a ring of bells to Chatteris, Cambridge- shire, in 1735, and on the ist November, 1736, his marriage is thus noted in the Kettering register : — Mr, Joseph Eayre of S. Neots and Mrs. Sarah Soame of Kettering. He sent a few bells to Northamptonshire dating from 1754 at Yarwell (3rd), to 1771 at Weekley (3rd) and Polebrook (4th). For his foundry he erected a lofty brick building in the form of a bell in the Priory. After his death the business at S. Neots was held jointly for a short time by his late foreman Thomas Osborn, and his cousin Edward Arnold. After they dissolved partnership Edward Arnold held the foundry at S. Neots, sending bells from thence into Northamptonshire from 1772 (Maid- well whole ring), till 1783 (Northampton S. Giles whole ring). In 1784 he opened his foundry at Leicester (see p. 94), still however keeping on the S. Neots foundry at least for a short time. • Church Bells of Cambridgeshire , p. 52. io8 Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. Thomas Osborn after dissolving partnership with Edward Arnold set up for himself at Downham Market, from which place he supplied bells to Oundle in 1780. The latest of his few bells now in this county is the tenor at Nassington dated 1801. About that time he took into partnership his grandson William Dobson. A few years subsequently (in 1806) upon the death of Thomas Osborn the foundry here was carried on by that William Dobson, who, in 1808, cast the present ring of eight bells at S. John Baptist, Peterborough. Twenty years later he sent the two bells now hanging at New- borough. Although he had a large connection he was not prosperous in business. In 1833 his foundry passed into the hands of Mr. Thomas Mears of London.* WOOTTON NEAR BEDFORD. A foundry was established at Wootton, a village five miles S. W. of Bedford, and carried on during the greater part of the eighteenth century. Thomas Russell, who was a clock and watch maker as well as a bellfounder, supplied the 2nd bell at Pertenhall church, Bedfordshire, in 17 16, that being probably one of the first cast by him. We find his bells in Northampton- shire dating from 1719 at Quinton (2nd) and Rothersthorpe (2nd) to the year 1743, when he sent two bells (ist and 6th) to Flore. Thomas Russell (who was twice married) had • See a good account of the Downham foundry in L'Estrange's Church Bells of Norfolk, p. 48-9. Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. log six children (three sons and three daughters). His first son — John — died in his infancy, but Thomas, baptized 8th February, 1707-8, and William, baptized 27th September, 1710, were in due time associated with their father in the foundry, for on the ist bell at Bromham, Bedfordshire, we read ** Thomas Russell of Biddenham and William Russell of Wootton made me in 1739." An examination of the Biddenham Registers indicates that the residence of Thomas Russell the younger in that parish was only temporary, apparently extending from about the year 1734 to 1740, during which period he had three sons baptized there, but no entries relating to the family are found after the last mentioned date. Thomas Russell the elder died in 1744-5 : the parish register of Wootton says he was buried on the 22nd January in that year and describes him as "Clock- maker and Bellfounder." Whether his sons carried on the business for a short time after his death has yet to be shown, but it is quite evident from bells in Bedfordshire that the foundry very soon passed into the hands of William Emerton, whose father John Emerton of Marston Moretaine married Hannah Cary of Wootton on the 8th of January, 1699- 1700, as is recorded in the Wootton register. Their son William Emerton, who married Mary Warren in 1766, is described in the entry of marriage in the Wootton register as a " Clockmaker." He only sent one bell into Northants — the present ist bell at Potterspury dated 1774. He continued casting bells as late as 1789, in which year he supplied bells now hanging in the church tower of Evershot, Bedfordshire. I lo Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. Upon the death of William Emerton — which could not be long after the date just mentioned — the bellfoundry at Wootton was closed. The site, on which now stands a portion of the premises of a road-side Inn, is still well known.* BRISTOL. The family of Purdue or Purdy, Bellfounders, are supposed to have been of Salisbury. They were casting bells during the seventeenth century. They used large flat Roman capital letters broad on the surface for their inscriptions, and they adorned their bells with a very elegant band ornament running round the upper portion, representing vine leaves and grapes. They frequently placed their initials only as founders. Roger Purdue, however, is styled in records still extant at Wells, dated 1624, as " of the cyttie of Bristoll bell- founder."t He it was who sent the treble bell to Boddington in 1624. It has the inscription in the broad flat Roman letters mentioned above. His initials appear as here engraved : — • I beg to acknowledge the kindness of the Parish registers of Wootton, Bidden- James Wyatt, Esq., F.G.S., one of the ham, Marston Moretaine, &c., &c., for Hon. Sees, of the Bedfordshire Archaeo- entries relating to the founders' families, logical Society in sending me full notes on f Church Bells of Devon, p. 276. this Foundry and in carefully examining Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. 1 1 1 104 aiifl the very pretty band ornament is fig. 108 :- 108 The bell is difficult of access so I am obliged to omit engraving the initial cross. HADDENHAM, CAMBRIDGESHIRE. Christopher Graye, a son of the noted founder Miles Graye, better known as " Colchester Graye," cast bells in Staffordshire at Lynn, and at Haddenham, Cambridge- shire.* The only bell in this county bearing his name is the 3rd at Cranford S. John, dated 1663. * Chinch Bells of Cambridgeshire, p. 48, and Lukis' Church Bells, p. 150. 112 Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. DRAYTON PARSLOW, BUCKS. Richard Chandler was casting bells here during the latter part of the seventeenth and the beginning of the eighteenth centuries. His earliest bells in Northants are the ist, 2nd and 5th at Stoke Bruerne dated 1684; the priest's bell at Wicken was cast by him in 1686 ; the tenor at Cosgrove also from his foundry, came in 1707, and the only other, and the latest dated, bell is the 2nd at Passenham which he cast in 171 1. I am informed by the Rev. T. A. Turner, who is interested in the Church Bells of Buckinghamshire, that Richard Chandler died in 1701. If so he must have been succeeded by a son of the same name. The foundry here passed into the hands of Edward Hall, who, in 1744, supplied the present 4th bell at Sulgrave. GLOUCESTER. This was the centre of the Bellfounder's art at an early period. John of Gloucester flourished early in the fourteenth century; Sandre of Gloucester and others followed. The Rudhalls worked a foundry here with great success from the end of the seventeenth century till about the year 183 1, when it passed into the hands of the Whitechapel founders. Abraham Rudhall. The first bell sent from Gloucester into this county was the 2nd at Watford dated 171 2, and the last was the 4th at East Haddon dated 1731. Almost Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. 113 all the Gloucester bells in Northamptonshire bear the initials of the founder, Abraham Rutlhall, thus: — ITINERATING FOUNDER. Michael Darbie was casting bells during the second half of the seventeenth century. Mr. Tyssen says'* his home was in the eastern counties but he was of a very intincrant nature." He had a temporary foundr}' at Oxford in 1654-6.* Dr. Raven says "his wretched bells are to be found in many districts for one specimen of his casting appears to have been enough for a neighbourhood. "f As if to corroborate Dr. Raven's opinion there is only one sample of his work in this county — the 7th bell at King's Sutton dated 1655. BUCKINGHAM. Bartholomew Atton, •• Tann' and Bcllloundcr, the ap- prentice of Thomas Newcome Tann' and Bellfounder," • Church Dells of Sussex. f Church Bells of Cambridgeshire, p. 48. Q 114 Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. then deceased, was admitted to the Merchants' Guild, or made free of the town of Leicester, in 1582-3. Shortly after that date he appears to have been casting bells at Buckingham,* of which place he was Bailiff in 1604. t Many of his bells sent into Northamptonshire have been recast in recent years, but a few still remain. The earliest is the 2nd at Edgcott, upon which he showed his connection with the Leicester founders by placing their stamps figs. I and 48. The first of those stamps also appears upon the 8th bell at King's Sutton. The latest dated of Bartholomew Atton's bells in this county are the 2nd and 3rd at Blisworth, and the 3rd at Passenham all of which are dated 1624: and upon all of which are placed, after his name, the initials R. A. He was, however, casting bells several years later for the ist at Lichborough, since recast, was supplied by him in 1636. The initials R, A. were those of Robert Atton who was associated with Bartholomew in the foundry. A Robert Atton — whether this founder or not I cannot say — was Chamberlain of the Borough of Leicester in 1592-3. His first dated bell in this county is the 4th at Wappenham, dated 16 10, upon which he placed his initials only : he followed the same course upon other bells, as at Maidford (ist), and Wappenham (2nd). Upon the latter bell (as well as upon the 3rd at Kilsby, and the 3rd at Dodford), appears the rude initial cross fig. 109 here engraved. • Lukis. f Lipscomb's History of Ducks, vol. ii., p. 567. Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. 1 1 Tlic last mentioned bell has neither his name or initials. His latest dated bell is the ist at Maidford, already mentioned, which was cast in 1625, but a bell dated three years later (in 1628) formerly hung at Harpole, but was recast in 1834. BROMSGROVE. Richard Saunders of Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, was employed to cast the ancient ring of five bells at Kettering into a ring of eight in the year 17 14. Three of these bells still hang there. Upon the ist and 2nd he placed his initials R. S., but upon the fourth appears this stamp : — ii6 Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. BICESTER, OXON. Edward Hemins, according to Mr. Lukis,* had his foundry here as early as 1729. He sent a few bells into this county upon which his name is spelt sometimes Hemins and sometimes Hemis. Upon the ist bell at Warkworth and the ist at Thenford he placed his initials only. His earliest dated bells in Northants are the ist, 2nd, and 3rd at Thenford, cast in 173 1, and the last dated is the 2nd at Culworth, cast on the 23rd of December, 1747. NOTTINGHAM. The foundry here, which supplied so many bells to Leices- tershire, sent only one into this county — the treble bell at Braybrooke which was cast in the year 1785 by George Hedderly.t MODERN LONDON FOUNDERS. Whitechapel Foundry. There are many bells in Northants sent from this foundry. Robert Mot held it from 1578 (and probably a few years earlier) to about the year 1608 when he died. The • Church Bells, p. 15. f I have given a few notes upon this foundry in The Church Bells of Leicestershire ; its history has yet to be written. Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. 117 only bell supplied by him to this county is the 2nd at Denford inscribed : — ^Eiobcrt D mot d mnbc d mc n 1581 d d d He placed upon it the intervening Hat stamps hgs. 70, 74, 76 and 68. r^rom Robert Mot, who upon his bells in 68 Sussex and elsewhere placed the medallion fig. 118, the foundry passed through several hands without any bells being sent to this county until Lester & Pack sent the treble bell to Tiffield in 1764. In 1769 the firm was strengthened by the addition of William Chapman. Lester, Pack & Chapman, "Bell- 118 1 1 8 Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. founders at the Three Bells in White Chapel London," issued a handsomely engraved broadside, which I have seen, showing the Bells and Rings cast by them since 1738, " the number of bells in each Peal and weight of the Tenor." The list is headed by " Bell Dunstan at the Cathedral church Canterbury weight 70*'," and gives 158 rings of bells containing in the whole 1102 bells. After Lester's death Pack & Chapman held the foundry until 1781, sending the single bell to Rockingham in 1776, and in the following year supplying the whole ring to Whilton. William Mears joined Chapman soon after the death of Pack in 1781, and in his family the foundry continued for many years. Chapman & Mears cast the ring of All Saints, North- ampton, in 1782. Thomas Mears & Son cast Harringworth 3rd and 4th bells in 1805, and Tiffield 2nd and 3rd in 1809. Thomas Mears [Jun.] supplied many bells dating from 1795 at Eydon (3rd) to 1843 at Orlingbury. Charles & George Mears sent bells from 1847 (Guilsborough whole ring) till 1856, at Brington S. John's and Peterborough S. Mark's. George Mears & Co. supplied the treble bell to Bug- brooke in 1863, and the 3rd to Evenley and other bells in 1865 : soon after which date the foundry passed into the hands of the present sole proprietor Robert Stainbank whose name is upon the 2nd bell at Bugbrooke dated 1868. Mr. Stainbank, however, retains the name of Mears in the firm (Mr. George Mears, his former partner, after being out of business some Other Founders of Nortliamptonshirc Bells. 1 19 years, died about the year 1874), and he under the style of Mears & Stainbank recast some of the Oundle bells in i86g after the fire at the church there. The Crescent Foundry, Cripplegate. There arc several bells in Northamptonshire from this foundry, datin^^ from 1853 at Oxendon Magna (3rd) to 1874 at Nassington (ist). John Warner was in business, in the year 1763, as a Bell and Brass Founder, at a house known as the Three Bells and a Star in Wood Street, Cheapside, London. He had a brother named Tomson Warner, who, after serving his apprenticeship as an ironmonger at Ampthill in Bedford- shire, came to London and joined his brother John in business. Some time between the years 1763 and 1782 they removed to Fore Street, Cripplegate, near to their old premises, and also close by the site of the present foundry. In the latter year the brothers dissolved partnership, Tomson remaining in Fore Street and John going to Fleet Street, where he carried on business as a Bellfounder under the name of John Warner and Sons. He sometimes placed his own name on bells — as at Strood, Kent, in 1788, and sometimes that of his firm as at S. Stephen's, Norwich, in 1796, and at Colby, Norfolk, in 1802. The bell at Cripple- gate church was also cast by liini. From Tomson Warner (whose eldest son was named John after his uncle) the business has descended to his grandson, Mr. Ro!)crt Warner, F.R.H.S., who under the style of John Warner & Sons is the present proprietor. Prior to 1850 the bells cast by Messrs. Warner were in sand, and I20 Otlicy Fuunders of Northamptonshire Bells. (lid not exceed i8 inches in diameter, but in that year, being established in the present premises, Mr, Warner com- menced casting large bells in loam. The foundry stands on ground said to have been occupied by the Jews, and given— upon their banishment in the twelfth century — to the Dean of S. Paul's — hence Jewin Street and Jewin Crescent. The trade mark of the foundry (adopted, I suppose, from the name of the last mentioned locality) is a bell within a crescent. A handsome band encircles some of the more recent bells cast here, upon which also appear some appropriate inscriptions, in fine gothic letters.* John Hodson is called by Mr. Tyssen " a great London bellfounder during the latter half of the seventeenth century. "f He and Christopher Hodson appear to have been the principal founders of their time — a time not encouraging to men of their craft. In 1653 John Hodson supplied a tenor bell to Badby since recast. The only bells now existing in this county from John Hodson's foundry are the 1st, 2nd and 5th at Easton Maudit, cast in 1663. The letters used are large plain ^ Roman capitals, and fig. 78, r, with fleur de lys and coins of I am indebted to Mr. S. B. Goslin for the above notes on the early history of this foundiy. f Church Dells of Sussex. Other Fuiindcrs of NuvtJminptonsliirc Bells. 121 Charles I. and the Commonwealth, are plentifully used as intervening stops. Upon the tenor arc, in addition, the royal arms and a rose ensigned with a crown. IsLip Edmunds, who cast the 4th bell at Wellingborough in 1764, thereon describes himself as of London. In the same year he cast the treble for Melchbourne, Bedfordshire. Dr. Raven says that *' Islip Edmonds" was foreman, first to Edward Arnold of S. Neots and Leicester, and afterwards to John Briant of Hertford.* If so Edmunds must have given up his London business very early in life : moreover we find that John Briant's foreman for a long period was William Skerman. ALPHABET BELLS. Upon several of the ancient, and many of the more modern bells in this county, are portions of the Alphabet. It has been suggested that the founders being desirous not to offend by placing ancient precatory or devotional, and therefore often unwelcome, inscriptions upon their bells, and yet being too illiterate to suggest new ones, adopted this plan to escape the difficulty. By it they ornamented their bells with a goodly show of Gothic capitals which could give offence to no one. This may have been the case with the later bells, but the use of the alphabet surely had another origin on the more ancient ones. We find the alphabet, or portions of it, on encaustic tiles on the floors of * Church Bells of Cambridgeshire, pp. 60-61. 122 Other Founders of Northamptonshire Bells. churches. It appeared on the top of a Norman Font discovered at Severn Stoke in Warwickshire. In the Pontificale Roniamun the Bishop is directed in the dedica- tion of a church to write, in the form of a cross, two alphabets, one in Greek and the other in Latin, first from the East to West, then from North to South. There was clearly some symbolic meaning in the alphabet. Some writers on the subject say the letters represented the beginning and rudiments of sound doctrine, and the simple and pure truths of the Gospel. PECULIAR USES. THE only direction as to the use of a Church Bell in the Rubrics of the Book pf Common Prayer is in that relating to Daily Serv'ice : — " And the Curate tliat ministereth in every Parish-Church or Chapel, being at home, and not being otherwise reasonably hindered, shall say the same in the Parish-Church or Chapel where he ministereth, and shall cause a Bell to be tolled thereunto a convenient time before he begin, that the people may come to hear God's Word, and to pray with him." The Canons give a few more directions : The 15th which directs ^'Litany to be read on Wcdttesdays and Fridays,'' orders, that warning be ** given to the people by tolling of a bell." The Gyth Canon entitled ''Ministers to visit the Sick'' says : " And, when any is passing out of this life, a bell shall be tolled, and the Minister shall not then slack to do his last duty. And after the party's death, if it so fall out, there shall be rung no more than 124 Peculiar Uses. one short peal, and one other before the burial, and one other after the burial." So much for their use. The 88th Canon directs churchwardens not to allow the superstitious use of bells upon " Holydays or Eves abrogated by the Book of Common Prayer, nor at any other times without good cause to be allowed by the Minister of the place, and by themselves." And the i nth Canon is directed against such as shall..." by untimely ringing of bells. ..hinder the Minister or Preacher." Ringing for Divine Service. Although one bell is all that is really essential for carrying out such of these direc- tions as are now usually followed, it is generally only poverty or some other difficulty, which hinders the erection in our modern churches of a number of bells, with which to ring those peals, in which almost all English churchmen delight. And so it was in more ancient times. It will be seen that in Northamptonshire several of the larger churches had five bells, some four, in the reign of Edward VI., and that whilst many had not more than three, scarcely any were satisfied with less than two. In churches where the Canonical Hours were kept the bells, or some of them, would be ringing very frequently ; for " the ringing of these Canonical hours let the world know the time, by day and by night ; and in those larger churches where such a custom was followed, the several bells, as well as the different ways in which they were rung for the purpose, told the precise service which was then Peculiar Uses. 125 about to be chanted."* The bells of parish churches were frecjuently rung by the Deacons. That was the case at Holy Trinity, Coventry, in the year 1462, f and at the parish church of Ludlow in 155 1, when the churchwardens paid twelvepence to "the dekyns for rynginge of day belle. "J " Bishop Oldham (of Exeter) in his Statutes, 151 1, directs how the Annualarii (or Chantry Priests) were to sound or toll a certain number of times with one bell then a full tolling of all the bells, at the Canonical Hours, after the accustomed manner ; at the close of which the service was to begin. "§ In our smaller parish churches, too, those bells appropriated to the side altars in chantry chapels, or belonging to Guilds and Fraternities, would very frequently be sounding. || On Sundays and high-days all the bells appear to have been rung for Matins and Evensong — the two services which all were expected to attend : and so the custom has continued to the present time. The Bell-master of Loughborough, Leicestershire, in the time of Edward VL, was "to help to reng to sarvys if ned be." Hooper, in his Injunctions, dated 1551, whilst • Dr. Rock's Church of our Fathers, \\\. the early hours between midnight and part 2. p. 143. Prime. + Bells 0/ the Church, p. 2^6. || At Ludlow in addition to the fore- * Churchwardens' Accounts of LuJlow bell, second bell, third, second-tenor, and (Camden Soc), p. 47. great bell, they possessed 'Our Lady § The Cathedral Bells of Exeter, p. 13. belle' ("our Lady Chauncelle " is men- The Canonical Hours were Prime 6 a.m., tioned), " First-Mass-BcU ' and •'the gild Tierce, Mass, at 9 a.m., Sext at Noon, belle," all apparently bells of moderate Nones at 3 p.m.. Vespers at 6 p.m.. Com- size. See Ludlow Churchwardens' Accounts pline at 9 p.m , Matins and Lauds in published by Camden Society. 126 Peculiar Uses. forbidding ringing at unseasonable times, adds " but before services, as well morning as at even, to warn the people by as many peals or ringings as they think good." In 162 1 the Churchwardens of S. Martin's, Leicester, paid 3s. " ffor ringeinge to praiers every sabboth and holie daie." The mode of ringing or of chiming for Divine Service varies somewhat in different parishes. The " uses " followed in the majority of the parishes in this county are given under the different churches further on, when the bells are described. It is customary in many parishes, as at Cottingham, Finedon, Glinton, Wollaston, &c., to "ring in " the tenor whilst the other bells are chimed — a meaning- less custom, and by no means pleasant to the ear. With the introduction of the " new sarvis " (as the Book of Common Prayer was called) in the time of Edward VI., the singing of the Canonical Hours — with the exception of Matins and Evensong — was dropped. The only traces of them we now have in the use of our church bells, excepting the ringing or chiming for Morning and Evening Prayer, are in the ringing of the "first and second peals" on Sunday mornings, at seven and eight, or eight and nine o'clock, in very many parishes. In Pre-Reformation times Matins were said in all parish churches before breakfast, as a preparation for mass. The " first peal " was the call to Matins, the " second peal " to tierce and mass.* It • Sir Thomas More said " Some of us so longe fasting, as on the Sonday to com laye men think it a payne ones a weeke to and heare out theyr matins. " — Rock, iii. ryse so soon fro sleepe, and some to tarye part 2, pp. 5, 143, 146. Peculiar Uses. 127 is a curious proof how tenacious custom is in having con- tinued the ringing of these bells for over three hundred years after the purposes they served were abrogated, and when few even think of, or enquire as to, the meaning of their sound.* For these " peals " (which are rung in many Northamptonshire parishes) the smaller bells are generally used, but at Stoke Bruerne and Hclidon the tenor bell is rung at eight o'clock in the morning. At Duddington the single bell is first rung, then the day of the month is tolled. The Sermon Bell. In the " Rites of Durham " is this reference to the Sermon-bell : — " Every Sounday in the yere there was a sermon preached in the Galleley at after- noone, from one of the clocke till iij ; and at xij of the clocke the great bell of the Galleley was touUed every sounedaie iij quarters of an houre, and during the forth quarter till one of the clock, that all the people of the towne might have warnyng to come and here the word of Code preched."t The Royal Injunctions of 1547 ordered a bell in convenient time to be rung or knolled before the sermon. When Hugh Latimer visited Melton Mowbray, Leicester- shire, and preached in the -church there, that custom was followed ; for the churchwardens charge in their accounts : — " ^553 October. Itm. payd to John Hynmane and to Robert Bagworth for rynginge of y' great bell for master latimore sarmon ijill suffice. Errors of spelling, mispiaceme.it of letters, S'C, S^c, in the following inscrip- tions, are copied literally from the Bells. They are therefore Founders' blunders and not Printers' mistakes. 174 The Inscriptions on the ABINGTON. SS. Peter and Paul. 3 Bells and Priest's Bell. 1. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1S09. ( Diam. 28 in. ) 2. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1811. J. HARRIS. C : W : • ( Diam. 31 in. ) 3. J. BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1810. (Diam. 34^ in. ) Priesfs Bell :— 1764. ( Diam. 13 in. ) In 1552 there were " iij bellf & a sanctes bell." The 2nd and 3rd bells were previously inscribed : — 2. In Multis Annis Resonet Campana Johannis. 3. Sum Rosa Pulsata Mundi Maria Vocata.* There is a Tradition that the ancient Tenor bell being cracked the whole were recast as above. Tiie Bell-frame is marked I B the bells being then probably rehung. 1695 ABTHORPE. S. John Baptist. i Bell. I. REVd. JOHN JONES VICAR. \. BARFORD CHURCH- WARDEN E. ARNOLD FECIT LEICESTER 1792. ( Diam. 23 in. ) In 1552 there were " ij belle and a saunctf bell in the steple." Bridges . Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 175 There is a Tradition that previously to Abthorpe being constituted a Parish distinct from Towcester some of its Bells were removed to the church of that place. The Rev. John Jones (3rd Vicar of Abthorpe) was instituted 28th January, 1778. He died ist March, 1793, aged 41 years, and was buried in this church. Mr. V. Barford died in 1847, aged 84 years. ACHURCH. S. John Baptist. 4 Bells. 1. 4- TAYLOR & C9 LOBORO A.D. 1861. ( Diam. 24^ in. ) 2. [ 4- 65. ] GOD SAVE THE KING 1675. (Diam. 26 in. ) 3. HENRY PENN FVSRE 171 1. ( Diam. 28^ in. ) 4. OMNIA FIANT AD GLORIAM DEI - ••.• • 1735 j • THO . • . EAYRE KETTERING FECIT : • • : ( Diam. 30J in. ) In 1552 tlie Inventory says: — " Itm foure Belles in The steple wyth a Sanct' Belle. Itm viij lyttell Belles in a chyme hangynge on a wele." On the Bell frame is w. selby c. w. 1816 ADDINGTON GREAT. .'\ll Saints. 4 Bells. I, 2. \V. ALLEN & T. COLSON CHURCHWARDENS R. TAYLOR St NEOTS FOUNDER 1807. (Diams. 28, 29 in.) 3. [4- 15.] M\LTI [ d 36] VOCATA [ D 36 ] PAVCI [ D 36 ] ELECTI [ a 36 ] SETH [ d 36 ] PAVE [ D 36 ] WILLIAM FOE 160?. (Diam. 30^ in.) 176 The Inscriptions on the 4. [+38.] GOD SAVE THE KING 1630. ( Diam. 34^ in. ) The recasting of the ist and 2nd bells is thus noted in the Register Book of the Parisli : — 1808. J any. i. Two out of the four bells in the tower of this Church being broken, they were recast by Mr. Taylor, bell-founder of St. Neots, Hunts, and put up this day. A bell — the 3rd — is rung daily at i p.m. At the Death-knell four tolls are given for a male, three fi^r a female, on all the bells. On Sunday the ist bell is rung at 8 a.m., and again at the close of Morning Service. For Divine Service the bells are chimed, after which the ist is tolled for 5 minutes. ADDING.TON LITTLE. 5. Mary. 3 Bells. I j^:]Bm:^miE{ ©ki:kj^x^:ei (B^cn^ism 1610 [ u I ] ( Diam. 31^^ in. ) 2. IH'S : NAZARENVS REX IVDEORVM FILl DEI MISERERE MEI 1620 [U I- ] ( Diam. 32^ in. ) 3, The same dated 1629. (Diam. 35^ in.) The Bells were rehung in 1870 at the cost of £^2 13s. Until recently a Daily bell was rung, and the Gleaning-bell during Harvest; both are now discontinued. At the Death-knell three tolls are given for a male, two for a female on all the bells before the knell. On Sunday the ist Bell is rung at 7 a.m. ; the ist and 2nd at 8 a.m. For Divine Service the bells are chimed, after which the ist bell is rung for five minutes. At the close of Morning Service the ist bell is rung. Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 177 • Formerly the bells were rung at midnij^'ht on Christmas and New Year's Eves, and early in the morning of the first Monday in May. There is a Tradition that a bell hangs at Polebrooke which should have come here, but never did, owing either to the death of the founder, or to some other cause. ADSTONE. All Saints. 1 Blll. • In 1552 the Commissioners reported : — " Itm one bell & a saunct(^ bell in the topp of the churche." In 1700 there was no bell. The present single bell (about 12 inches in diameter) is difficult of access. It was hung about 50 years ago. ALDERTON. S. Margaret. 5 Bells. I, 4. J. TAYLOR & Co. FOUNDERS LOUGHBRO 1848. ( Diams. 27^ ; 41 in. ) 2. [ + 29 ] Msw^ : xnii-iiii^ ; ^^M-i^j.M. ( Diam. 29 in. ) 3. THOMAS CLARKE [ D 99 ] AND HENRY [ a 99 ] (iREAD CHVRCHWARDENS 1670. ' H. B. ( Diam. 37 in. ) 5. THIS BELL WAS [ □ 99 ] GIVEN [ D 99 ] BY NICOLAS BVTLER OF [ d 99 ] LONDON SITTEZNE 1670 HENRICVS BAGLE ME FECIT. ( Diam. 44 in. ) In 1552 there were " iij great bell(- & a sanct' bell." Mr. Nicolas Butler, Citizen of London, gave to this parish ^100 with which the inhabitants bought the present tenor bell, and a velvet cushion and cloth for the jniljiit. (Bridges, vol. i. p. 282.) Z lyS The Inscriptions on the ALDWINCLE ALL SAINTS. All Saints. 5 Bells. 1. GRATA SIT ARGVTA RESONANS CAMPANVLA VOCE GLORIA DEO SOLI 1720 t t ( Diam. 23^ in. ) 2. 1830. ( Diam. 24 in. ) 3. IHS NAZARENVS REX IVDEORVMTILI DEI MISERERE MEI •.• GLORIA DEO SOLI O T. EAYRE 1724. ( Diam. 25^ in. ) 4. THOMAS NORRIS MADE ME 1637. ( a D bird ) [an fish ) ( some d fruit ) ( Diam. 29 in. Cracked. ) 5. IHS NAZARENVS REX JVDEORVM FILI DEI MISERERE MEI • GLORIA PATRl FILIO ET SPIRIT\'I SANCTO 1720 -)- ( Diam. 32^ in. Cracked. ) In 1700 there were four bells. {Bridges.) ALDWINCLE S. PETER. S. Peter. 3 Bells. 1. J. TAYLOR FECIT LOUGHBR" 1843. ( Diam. 30 in. ) 2. IHS NAZARENUS REX JUDEORUM FILI DEI MISERERE MEI O GLORIA PATRI FILIO ET SPIRITUI SANCTO O THO : EAYRE ! 1724. ( Diam. 34 in.) 3- [ + 95] ANNO O DM O 1585. ( Diam. 36 in. ) The Churchwardens' Accounts, dating from 1764, contain many entries for bell ropes, small repairs to Bells, &c., and the following : — Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 179 1843. Auf;. Mr. Blackwell for recasting a bell & £. s. d. expenses 18 10 o 1844. Ap. 9. Mr. Blackwell for rchanging the bells 6 10 o The bell was, as it shows, recast by Mr. Taylor. Mr. Blackwell lived at Twywell and was the agent employed. 1857. Mar. 3. John Eaton (of Tichmarsh) for a new bell wheel & repairing the bell that fell down 8 7 3 1870. Paid John Eaton for putting new frames to Second and Tenor bells, and rehanging the Treble, new floor &c. &c 33 12 o Formerly it was customar}' to allow women and children to jangle the bells on Shrove-Tuesday. The Gleaning-bell is rung at 7 a.m. during harvest. At the Death-knell three tolls are given for a man, two for a woman, on each of the bells ; for a boy (under thirteen) three tolls, for a girl two tolls, on the ist and 2nd bells. The knell is never rung before sun-rise, nor after sun-set. Formerly at Funerals the tenor was tolled until the procession was in sight, then the three bells were chimed until it reached the church gate, when the tenor was again tolled. Now there is no chiming. On Sunday at 7 a.m. in summer; at 8 a.m. in winter, the ist bell is tolled, then the ist and 2nd are chimed. For Divine Service the tenor is first rung, then the bells are chimed, after which the treble is tolled until service begins. A Peal is rung on the evening of the 5th of November. Thomas Fuller, the author of The Worthies of England, The Church History of Britain, and other works of rare excellence was, shortly before June 1608, born in this village at the old rectory, then held by his father of the same name. "Quaint Old Fuller" has left many notices of his birthplace, where, it may be imagined, he learned to love the music of church bells. The epithet he applied to England as "the ringing island " on account of its many and tunable bells, may well have been suggested by the numerous rings of bells in the valley of the Nene and thereabouts. It was in Northamptonshire that he penned the follow- i8o The Inscriptions on the ing : — " Musick is sweetest neare or over Rivers, when the Eccho thereof is best rebounded by the water ;" and he adds to the sentiment the more exquisite moral that " praise for pensivenesse, thanks for tears, and blessing God over the flouds of affliction, makes the most melodious Musick in the eare of Heaven" [Cause and Cure of a Wounded Conscience, Ed. 1649, p. 159). Fuller was of Queen's College, Cambridge; became Rector of Broad-Windsor, Dorset ; one of the " Cavalier parsons " in the Civil War ; lecturer at S. Clement's, Eastcheap, and elsewhere in London ; and successively Rector of W^altham Abbey and Cranford in Middlesex. Had not his sudden death, 15th August, 1661, intervened, it is more than likely he would have become a bishop. His works abound with wit and humour ; and such was the beauty of his thoughts, and the goodness of his heart, that all his readers are perforce drawn into the feelings of S. T. Coleridge when he wished that his soul might be with his.* It may be added that James Franklin Fuller, Esq., F.S.A., of Dublin, who has made diligent research into the family genealogies, and made a large collection of documents relating thereto, claims to be the descendant and present representative of Dr. Thomas Fuller in the elder branch. That gentleman is further of opinion that the younger branch is now represented by The Right Rev. Thomas Fuller, D.C.L., Bishop of Niagara. If so the children of the late Sir Arthur Helps, K.C.B., are also, through their mother. Dr. Fuller's descendants — Lady Arthur Helps being Bessie, the daughter of Captain Edward Fuller (by his wife Elizabeth Blennerhassett) the grandfather of the Mr. James Franklin Fuller just mentioned. APETHORPE. S. Leonard. 4 Bells. I. JOHM STOT GAVE THIS BELL 1629. GB BB jo GK ( Diam. 28 in. ) * The excellent Life of Thomas Fuller , D.D., with Notices of his Books, his Kinsmen and his Friends, by Mr. J. E. Bailey, F.S.A., was issued in 1874. Church Bells of Northamptonshire. i8i 2. ( Blank. ) ( Diam. 31 in. ) 3. [ + 65] THOMAS NORRIS MADE MEE 1671. AS G G ( Diam. 33 in. ) 4. ^omrit [ n 42 ] (irump;m;i melobic ©crct [ a 37 ] [ □ 35 ] ( Diam. 36 in. ) In 1552 there were " iij Belles w' a Sanctis bell." The name of the Saint has been removed from the inscription on the tenor bell. ARTHINGWORTH. 5. Andrew. 5 Bells. 1. EX DONO THOME LANGHAM ESQ O HENRICVS BAGLEY ME FECIT 1695. ( Diam. 28 in. ) 2. EDWARD ARNOLD St. NEOTS HUNTINGDONSHIRE FECIT 1775. ( Diam. 31 in. ) [a 25. ] 3. ^elorum v;e placeut tibi rev somis istf. [ U 14. ] ( Diam. 31 in. ) 4. j.'MM.s'^^ 13M ci)v:Bi s:^w:m 1598 [ □ 48. ] [U I.] ( Diam. 34 in. Letters like [ D 53 ] ). 5. :H€r,^mE [ a 48 ] ©o:e) l □ 48 ] M:m:m [048] 0X3:E. Jil [ D 48 ] WMJ^ [ □ 48 ] 1T : AD : GLORIAM : DEI : ROBARTE : WILKF/ISOH RECTOR. ( Diam. 31 in. ) 3. [+15] IH : MULTIS : EATERMES : RESO^IET I CAMPAWA : JOHA>lES : 1609. { Diam. 34 in. ) 5. str [ D 88 ] iobcs rbagclistr [ U 55- ] ( Diam. 36! in. ) The Inventory taken in 1552 says: — " Inp'mis iij bell(' on lytyll bell & ij lytyll hand belle of y' w"^'' one is sold 8c the other stolen. Thengc soKl by Henry boUey and Robert Godfrey in y' forthe & fyft yere of y' Reigne of oure Sovene lord y' Kyng Kyng Edward y* syxt. I go The Inscriptions on the " If to y* same Mr. (Rechard) V3xent on' handbell y' }Vce ijs. viij^. The grandfather of Robert Browne, whose name is on the 2nd bell, lield certain property here under a lease for 8i years from his godfather John Chambers, abbot of Peterborough. Robert Browne was created a baronet 21st September, 1621, and died in 1623. Robert Wilkinson was instituted Rector in 1595. (Bridges.) The Gleaning-bell is rung during harvest at 8 a.m. and at 6 p.m. A bell is rung daily at 8 a.m. (recently instituted). At the Death-knell thrice three tolls are given for a male, thrice two for a female, both before and after the knell, which is rung on the tenor for an adult, on a smaller bell for a child. On Sunday a bell is rung at g a.m. and again after Morning Service. For Divine Service the bells are chimed and the Sermon-bell is rung. BARNWELL S. ANDREW. S. Andrew. 2 Bells. I- [ + 27 ] .S" [ + 27 ] ^ [ + 27 ] ^- [ y 14. ] [ Diam. 30 in. ] 2. [ + 15] THOMAS NORRIS MADE MEE 1678 ( .? ) I P Y. \\ ( Diam. 34 in. ) BARNWELL ALL SAINTS. There were four bells here. The Church (excepting the chancel which is used for burials) was taken down in 182 1. The bells were then sold, but the clappers are still preserved. BARTON SEAGRAVE. S. BoTOLPH OR S. John. 4 Bells. I. .S [ + 22 ] ,^ [ + 22 ] ^ ,^ [ n 24 ] ( Diam. 29 in. ) Clmrcli Bells of Northamptonshire. igi 2. [ + 22 ] ;:$ i,^C3":ilcuc (STampana ©trd jQClbllabr O ( Diam. 36! in. ) Priest's Bell : — M 33 1685. ( Diam. 17 in. ) The letters of the inscription on the large bell are somewhat large black letter with very small crowned capitals, like Potterspury 2nd bell. At the Death-knell thrice three tolls are given iov a male, thrice two for a female, both before and after the knell. For Divine Service the large bell is rung, after which the Priest's bell is tolled. BLISWORTH. S. John Baptist. 5 Bells. 1. TINNITVS RAPIDOS SCINTILLANS SPARGO PER AVRAS THQS EAYRE, ME FECIT :•: 1758. ( Diam. 31 in. ) 2. BARTHOLOMEW ATTOPl MADE ME 1624 R A. ( Diam. 32 in. ) 3. BARTHOLOMEW ATTON MADE ME R A 1624. ( Diam. 36^ in. ) Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 195 4. GOD SA\E OVR QVEEN AND PRESAKX E HEK PECE HENRY BAGLEY M ME 1713 RICHARD BARWELL JOHN BVRGESS CHVRCHWARDENS O ( Diam. 39 in. ) 5. \ LTERA CVRETVM PLAVSVS CORYB AN T 1 AQU E .ERA • : • THO'^ EAYRE : HOROLOGICVS \V^' PLOWMAN & W-^' HERBERT ; • : • HIEROPHY- LACEBVS A.D. • : • • 1758 : • ( Diam. 42^ in. ) In 1552 there were " iij greate bellf and a Sanct' bell." The I St and 5th bells were previously inscribed : I. R A. Bartholomew Atton made me 1626. 5. George Bland and John Plowman churchwardens : Henry Bagley made me : 1663. The Priest's bell existing in 1700 was inscribed : God save the King 1635.* The ist bell is rung daily (Sunday excepted) at noon. The Gleaning-bell is rung at 8 a.m. during harvest. At the Death-knell thrice three tolls are given for a male, thrice two for a female, both before and after the knell. On Sunday the 1st bell is rung at 8 a.m. ; the ist and 2nd at 9 a.m. For Divine Service in the morning when a Sermon is to be preached the tenor bell is rung before the chiming; after the chiming the ist bell is tolled. When Evensong is to follow the ist and 2nd bells are chimed at one o'clock. BODDINGTON. S. John Baptist. 5 Bells and a Priest's Bell. 1. + WILLIAM • BAN • BRIGGE • • E • B • W [ R A P D 104 ] 1624. [ Royal TJ Arms. ] ( Diam. 28^ in. Cracked. ) • Bridges MSS. (Bibl. Bodl. EE. 5, 1 15). ig6 The Inscriptions on the 2. WILLIAM COOPER & GEORGE WILLS C W W. & J. TAYLOR FOUNDERS OXFORD 1831. [An n 0-v. ] ( Diam. 30 in. ) 3. IH'8 : NAZARENVS REX : IVDEORVM FILI : DEI MISERERE : MEI 1621 [\J i.] ( Diam. 33^ in. ) 4. HENRY BAGLEY MADE MEE 1670. ( Diam. 35 in, ) 5. THOMAS MEARS OF LONDON FECIT 1812. ( Diam. 42-| in. ) Priest's Bell : 1812. ( Diam. 14 in. ) In 1552 there were " iiij bellf in the steple & a saunct(^ bell." The present bells are in a bad condition and cannot be rung. They are difficult of access. For ornamental band round the treble bell see fig. 108. BOUGHTON. S. John Baptist. 3 Bells. I, 2. T BRIANT HERTFORD 1824. ( Diams. 23, 26 in. ) 3. OMNIA FIANT AD GLORIAM DEI. T. EAYRE W. ALLEN W. FOSCOTT C. W. 1749. ( Diam. 29 in. ) In the Inventory of Church Goods taken in 1552 belonging to the ancient church of Boughton, which then stood about three quarters of a mile from the town, is found the following entry : " It' too bell(^ of the which bellf the one was brocken don by theffes on a nyght cloffen & broken & then yt was sold by the holle cosent of the piche unto Goodma Freyre of Ecton for the some of v'' the whiche v'' was spete in the defendynge of the Warren. It' one sanct' bell." Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 197 This church, owing to its inconvenient distance from the town, was allowed about that time to fall into decay : hence probably the damage to, and the sale of, the bell as mentioned in the Inventory. There are, I think, reasons for believing that the second bell went to Mcjulton (see under that parish). In the centre of the village stands the present church, which was originally a chantry chapel, where as early as 1546 " ij chantry prestes (did) celebrate for the ease of the parishioners." In 1700 there were three bells there inscribed : 1. Cantate Domino canticvm novv.n : 1653 2. God be ovr good speed : 1653 3. Henry Baglee made mee 1653* but which have since been recast as above. No difference is made to distinguish age or sex in ringing the Death-knell. A bell is rung at 8 a.m. on Sunday morning. For Divine Service all the bells are chimed. BOWDEN (LITTLE). S. Nicolas. 3 Bells. I. ^(*>i^M3^& [ + 22 ] :merT53"©-cE)X3ae- l d 35- ] ( Diam. 25 in. ) 2. [+ 15] E PEBOYQY TOBIEA2 VlORRVd CAST ME 1675. ( Diam. 28^ in. ) 3. OMNIA FIANT AD GLORIAM DEI - O JOSEPH COALMAN : c : w : • : • A • ; • D . 1750 ; • T : EAYRE : FECIT : • ( Diam. 31 in. ) Robert Newcombe was the founder of the ist bell (sec p. 80). According to the Parish Register "Edward Pebody" (who was probably Churchwarden in 1675) '• was buried November the -;4th 1709." • Bridges MSS. (Bibl. Bodl. EE. i.) ig8 The Inscriptions on the At the Death-knell three tolls are given for a man, two for a woman, and one for a child, both before and after the knell. On Sunday two bells are chimed at 8 a.m. For Divine Service the bells are chimed, and the Sermon-bell rung. The upper part of the tower is entirely of wood, and the bells discordant in tone, hence the local rhyme : " Little Bowden, poor people. Leather bells, wooden steeple."* There is a tradition that the bells of the ancient church of S. Mary in Arden, Market Harborough, were distributed between the parishes of Little Bowden, Great Bowden, and Market Harborough, but I find no evidence of the truth of it. BOZEAT. S. Mary. 5 Bells. I. THO« DRAKE VIC. WILL JAKES THO« WRIGHT CHURCHWARDENS HENRY PENN FOUNDER 1723. ( Diam. 32 in. ) 2- [ + 73 ] ^muta [ □ 72 ] Xllaria [ □ 72 ] On [ □ 72 ] ^Pro [ a 72 ] :i?>obis On shouldey of hell [ IJ 49 ] repeated three times. ( Diam. 34 in. Recently cracked. ) 3. NEWCOME of LEICESTER MADE ME ( Diam. 38 in. ) 4, 5. iH'g : nazarenvs rex : ivdeorvm fili : dei MISERERE : MEI 1635 [yi.! ( Diams. 41^, 45^ in. The 5th bell is dated 1633. ) • A village in Essex called Ugley possesses the following even less complinientar>- saying : " Ugly church, ugly steeple. Ugly parson, ugly people.' Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 199 At the Death-knell thrice three tolls are given for a man. thrice two for a woman, three single tolls for a boy, and two for a girl. The Gleaning-bell is rung during harvest. A bell is rung on S. Andrew's Day at noon which the villagers call " Tandrew Bell " (see p. 156). BRACKLEY. S. Peter. 5 Bells. 1,3. IH'g : NAZARENVS REX : IVDEORVM FILI : DEI MISERERE : MEI 1628 [iji.] ( Diams. 31, 36 in. ) 2. GOD SAVE THE KING 1628 [^ i.] ( Diam. 33^ in. ) 4. CELORVM CHRSTE PLATIAT TIBI REX SONVS ISTE G L 1628 E J H [u '• ] ( Diam. 39 in. ) 5. CVM • SONO • SI ■ NON • VIS • VENIRE • NXNQVAM • AD • PRECES • CVPIES IRE 1628 J. P. [\j u] ( Diam. 43 in. ) In 1552 Brackley S. Peter's possessed " iij bell^- in y' stepuU & a sanct' bell." At the Death-knell thrice three tolls are given for a man, thrice two for a woman, and three single tolls for a child. The bells are always rung for Divine Service on the Greater Festivals. Until the year 1868 when the Holy Communion was to be administered a " Sacrament bell" was rung during the departure from the church of the non-Communicants. This custom, so useful for invalids and infirm persons, is now (1876) about being revived. BRACKLEY. S. James. In 1552 "Brackley Seint James pish" possessed " ij bcUf in the steple & a sanct' bell." 200 The Inscriptions on the These appear to have been hanging wlien Bridges wrote his History. Some years subsequently Baker says "the tower, with the two bells and saint's bell, has disappeared." Since then the chapel has been taken down by Faculty, and all the materials sold. BRACKLEY. Hospital Chapel. i Bell. This ancient chapel formerly possessed a "pretty large bell " inscribed : Sum Petri Signum procul omne repello malignum. This bell was carried (says Bridges) to Magdalen College, Oxford, now the possessors of the Hospital.* In i860, when the Hospital Chapel was restored, a new bell, cast by Messrs. Taylor and Co. of Loughborough, was presented by the Venerable F. H. Thicknesse, Archdeacon of Northampton, and Vicar of Brackley. BRADDEN. S. Michael. 5 Bells. WILLIAM BAGLEY MAQE MEE 10714 ( Diam. 24^ in. ) WILLIAM BAGLEY MAQE MEE 1703. ( Diam. 24! in, ) WILLIAM BAGLEY MAQE MEE iloi. ( Diam. 27^ in. ) W^ILLIAM lAKMAN CHVRCH WARQEN 1071.1 ( Diam. 28 in. ) W. LETT & N. NEWITT C WARDENS W. & J. TAYLOR FOUNDERS 1832 [2 stamps: a running dog and a cow ]. ( Diam. 33^ in. ) • This bell has probably been recast. quired for me. does not find it amongst Mr. W. G. Dimock Fletcher, of S. Ed- the ring of Magdalen College, mund Hall, Oxford, who has kindly en- f A blunder for 1701, Church Bells of Northamptoush'nc. 201 In 1552 there were " ij bellf & a saunctf bell in the steple." By an Inquisition taken 7 Charles I. it was found that the occupiers or possessors of a certain piece of land called Bell-rope-piece were obliged to find such bell ropes as were necessary to be had in the use of the bells here. {Bridges, vol. i. p. 238.) The income from this source is now included in the Churchwardens' Accounts. A bell is rung daily at 8 a.m., at noon, and at i p.m. At the Death-knell three tolls are given for a male, two for a female. On Sunday morning a bell is rung at 8 a.m. and again at 9 a.m. For Divine Service the Sermon-bell is rung before chiming. BRAFIELD-ON-THE-GREEN. S. Laurence. 5 Bells. 1. CANTATE DOMINO CANTICVM NOVVM HENRY BAGLEV MADE MEE 1699. ( Diam. 30^ in. ) 2. THOMAS RVSSELL OF WOOTTON IN THE COVNTV OF BEDFORD MADE MEE JAMES HALLOWELL V CHVRCH WARDEN O 1732 O ( Diam. 31^ in. ) 3. HENRICVS BAGLEY ME FECIT 1699. ( Diam. 33^ in.) 4. JOHN [ D 99 ] MANING [ D 99 ] AND [ a 99 ] EDWARD [ D 99 ] HOUGHTON CHVRCH WARDENS 1676. ( Diam. 36^ in. Cracked. ) 5. WHEN [ D 99 ] I DO [ D 99 ] RING OR TOLE MY VOYCE IS SPENT THAT MEN MAY COM TO HERE GODS WORD ADN SO REPENT 1676 (or 1616). ( Diam. 41 in. ) In 1552 there were : " Itni iij grett bellf. Itni one sanct' bell." 2 C 202 The Inscriptions on the The Bell-frame bears the date 1844. The Gleaning-bell is rung during harvest. At the Death-knell three tolls are given for a male, two for a female. On Sunday a bell is rung at 8 a.m. For Divine Service the bells are chimed. Here are a set of chimes which plays daily at certain hours. BRAMPTON ASH. S. Mary. 6 Bells. I, 2. [+15] THOMAS NORRIS MADE MEE 1657. ( Diams. 28^, 30^ in. ) 3. GOD SAVE THE KING 1632 [ U i- ] ( Diam. 32 in. ) 4. CVM • SONO • SI • NON • VIS • VENIRE • NVNQVAM • AD • PRECES • CVPIES • IRE 1632 Ixj i.] ( Diam. 33 in. ) 5. LAUDATE DOMINUM CYMBALIS SONORIS ^ THO«- EAYRE DE KETTERING FECIT 1754 ^ O O : :•: ( Diam 36^ in. ) 6. CELORVM CHRSTE PLATIAT TIBI REX SONVS ISTE 1632 [u !•] ( Diam. 40 in. ) On a beam in the belfry is cut R N 1656. At the Death-knell three tolls are given for a male, two for a female. On Sunday a bell is rung at 9 a.m. (used to be also at 7 a.m.) For Divine Service the bells are chimed, and tiie Sermon-bell is rung. A bell is also rung at 2 p.m. BRAMPTON CHURCH. S. BoTOLPH. 4 Bells. I. IH'S : NAZARENVS REX ! IVDEORVM FILl : DEI MISERERE : MEI 1628 [ U i- ] Church Bills of Northamptonshire. 203 2. [ + 22] x^:Eiii^€3 ^ifei^iH. ^lo.iicju 1616 ^ 3. [ + 5] HE • YT • KNOWNE • TO • ALL • TIL\T • DOTH • ME • SEE • THAT • NEWCOMBE • OF • LEICESTER • MADE • MEE • 1607. 4- [ + 22] :pme'.se" g?j^e; j^o;fi:e)^ 1919 A Priest's bell, wliich was unhung, and lay ox\ the floor of the tower, was stolen in the year 1856. Of the latter portion of the inscription on the 4th bell I can make nothing. The date is a blunder for 1616. The bells were rehung about the year 1866. At the Death-knell thrice three tolls are given for a man, thrice two for a woman, and twice two for a child. BRAMPTON CHAPEL. When Bridges wrote his History there were no remains of the Chapel standing, and but a very imperfect tradition respecting it. A small bell, however, then some years previously preserved in the town, was said to have belonged to it. BRAUNSTON. All Saints. 6 Bells. I. 2, 3, 4, 5. JOHN BRL\NT HERTFORD FECIT iSii. ( Diams. 32^, 33^, 36, 37:}-. 40^ in. ) 6. J EVANS VICAR : J : HALL A: \V : HARRIS C ! \V. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 181 1. ( Diam. 45^ in. ) In 1552 there were " iiij belle 'i y' stcplc dv: a sanct' bell." 204 ^^^^ Inscriptions on the In 1672 those ancient bells were recast into a ring of six by Richard Keene, a founder of Woodstock, and, in 1700, were inscribed : — I, 2. 1672. 3. Thomas Bateman & John Makepeace Chvrcliwardens 1681. 4. R K 1672. 5. Richard Keene cast this Ring 1672. 6. Thomas Woodward Richard Tomkins C.W. {date imperceptible.) The Priest's bell existing in 1700 had no inscription.* In 181 1 the whole ring was again recast, and we learn from the Churchwardens' Book that at a meeting held on 23rd January, 1812, a frame of good oak was ordered to be made to receive the new ring at a cost of ^60. In tlie same Book are the following entries : April 8th 181 2. The weight of the new Bells according to Mr. John Brianfs Bill— cwt. qr. lb. First bell 7 . i . 2 Second Do 7 . 2 . 20 Third Do 9 . o . o Fourth Do 9.2.0 Fifth Do 10 . 3 . 6 Sixth Do 17 . 2 .13 Cwt 61 . 3 .13 1 81 3. John Briant Bill {^}7 15 ^' The founder made a blunder with the tenor bell, for whilst the names of the churchwardens, as given above, are correct, the Rector oi Bra.uuston at that time was John Williams. There is a tradition that the bells of Braunstcjii and of Willoughby (Warwickshire) being recast by the same founder at the same time, he, in error, sent the Willoughby tenor here, and tlie Braunston tenor there. This appeared to explain tlu' blunder Bridges MSS. (Bibl. Bodl. EE. i, 177). Church Bells of N orthamptonshirc . 205 in the inscription, but by the courtesy of tlie Rev. T. W. \\'hi*rwood. Vicar of Willoughby, I learn that of the six bells there, five are dated 1 713, and one 1787. He also informs me that the name of Evans does not appear among the Vicars of that parish. The explanation may be that as Evans is a Welsh name and Braunston is in the gift of Jesus CoUcLje, Oxford, "J Evans" was Curate here when the bell was recast, and placed his name upon it as " Vicarius" for a, perhaps, non-resident Rector. The Curfew is rung; also a Daily bell at noon excepting on Sunday. At the Death-knell neither the sex nor the age are marked. At Funerals the tenor bell is tolled before and after the interment. On Sunday the ist bell is rung at 7 a.m. and again at 9 a.m. For Divine Service the bells are chimed : no Sermon-bell rung. BRAYBROOKE. All Saints. 4 Bells. 1. Gko. HEDDERLY of NOTTINGHAM FECIT 1785. ( Diam. 28! in. ) 2. G. HATTENBEREY C. WARDEN W. TAYLOR S'' NEOTS FECIT 1806. ( Diam. 31 in. ) • 3- [ + 54- ] iT'it I'iomcii ;i±)omiiii ^I3riui)ictiim ( Diam. ^^ in. ) ( Diam. 35^ in. ) At the Death-knell three tolls are given for a mak-, two for a female. On Sunday the ist bell is rung at 7 a.m. ; the ist and 2nd bells at 9 a.m. F'or Divine Service the bells are chimed, and the Sermon-bell (Tenor) rung. At the close of Morning Service two bells are chimed. The Churchwardens' Accounts give some information as to the casting of the modem Ix-lls: {. 5. d. 1784. Spent al a vestery consarning the bell 3 . o Sptiit taking the bell down & loading it 10 . o s. d. 9 lO . o 5 . o o . o 2 . 6 2 • 4 8 . o 2o6 The Inscriptions on the £ Spent when taken the tone of the bel Paid the Bellfounders bill lo & gave him towards his charges i8o6. Paid Mr. Edey for casting & hanging the bell ... i6 James Burley Bill for work and wood 5 Jon" Pain Bill for Iron & work 3 Sam' Moore's Bill : Ale when doing the bells ... i BRIGSTOCK. S. Andrew. 5 Bells. 1. THO« EAYRE CAMPANARIUS FECIT W^^ BRAUN & W^r VICCARS HIEROPHYLACEBUS 1758. ( Diam. 33 in. ) 2. 4. [ + 58] THOMAS NORRIS MADE ME 1647. (Diam. 35, 40 in.) 3. [ + 58] JOHN BARTON GAVE ME WORSHIP TO GOD IN TRINITIE 1647. ( Diam. 37 in. ) 5. [ + 58] S. SHAW CH. WA. ROBERT AND R. HARRIS GAVE X POUND TOWARDS THIS BELL 1647. ( Diam. 44.V in. ) There is a Tradition that John Barton (the donor of the 3rd bell) was one of several plaintiffs against Sir John Zouch to recover their rights of common upon certain lands in the neighbouring parish of Benefield : and that Sir John threatening to ruin him if he persisted in claiming his right, John Barton replied that he would leave a cow which being pulled by the tail would low three times a day, and would be heard all over the common when he (Sir John) and his heirs would have nothing to do there. Hence the gift of the bell which was formerly rung at 4 and II a.m. and at 1 1 p.m. It was afterwards rung at 8 o'clock in the evening instead of at 11 p.m., but now is only rung once a day, namely. Church Bells of N orthamptonshire . 207 at II o'clock a.m. He is also said to have left means for paying for this ilaily ringing. Bridges, who gives some account of disputes arising about the rights of common in Benefield parish (see vol. ii. pp. 285, 397). says that this John Barton " married a rich tanner's widow out of Lancashire." BRINGTON. S. Makv thk X'iRGiN. 6 Bells an'd a Priest's Bell. 1. WHEN WEE DOE RING I SW^EETLY SING A K [ d 34. ] ( Diani. 33 in. ) 2. GOD PRESERVE THIS CHURCH AMEN 1723 W.K. ( Diam. 34 in. ) 3. PEACE AND GOOD NEIGHBOURHOOD AR [a 34.] ( Diam. 38 in. ) 4. ABR. RUDHALL OF GLOUCESTER BELLFOl'NDER CAST US ALL. ( Diam. 39 in. ) 5. NICHOLAS GENT AND W^' BARFOOT CHURCH- WARDENS 1723. ( Diam. 42 in. ) 6. THE RT HON : ROBT EARL OF SUNDERLAND BENE- FACTOR 1723. ( Diam. 47 in. ) Priest's Bell .-—Blank. ( Diam. 18 in. ) In 1700 there were five bells and a Priest's bell. The five bells were inscribed : 1. Praise the Lord 1614. 2. God save the King 16 13. 3. Celorvm Chrste platiat tibi re.\ sonvs iste 6161. 4. Wl'ri : Nazarenvs rex ivdeorvm fili dei miserere mei 1637. 2o8 The Inscriptions on the 5. Robert Harris and William Kinning churchwardens Henry Bagley made mee 1670.* The Rt. Honble. Robert 4th Earl of Sunderland, who succeeded to the title in 1722, died of a fever in Paris, 15th September, 1729, aged 27 years. The following is painted on the plastered wall of the ringing chamber : The Rev"*. Dr. Preedy Rector of this Parish. Sam. Jakeman & Sam. Marriott churchwardens. Who turns a Bell by light or dark Two pence shall pay to Parish Clerk W^ho turns a Bell on Sabbath Day Double the sum at least shall pay Ring not till four nor after nine Who keeps worse hours shall twelvepence fine With Hat with Cap or with Spurs on Must four pence pay or else begone If any one caught p g here Shall four pence pay & then be clear And who those are that will not pay Presented shall the next Court Day. 1781. At the Death-knell three tolls are given for a male, four for a female. On Sunday a bell is rung at 8 a.m. For Divine Service the bells are chimed, after which the ist bell is rung for a few minutes. Two bells are rung at 2 p.m. called "the School-Bell." The Priest's bell is said to have been brought from Holdenby House. It is sometimes popularly spoken of as " King Charles' Dinner Bell.' There is a hole worn through the top of it. * Bridges MSS. (Bibl. Bodl. EE. 5. 118). Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 209 BRINGTON. S. John Evangelist. i Bell. I. C. & G. ME.'VRS FOUNDERS LONDON 1856. ( Diam. 21 in. ) BRIXWORTH. All Saints. 5 Bells. 1. GOD SAVE THE KING 1622 [U i- ] ( Diam. 32^ in. ) 2. CVM • SONO • SI • NON • VIS VENIRE • NVNQVAM • AD • PRECES • CVPIES • IRE [^ i.] ( Diam. 35 in. ) 3. CELORVM CHRSTE PLATIAT TIBI REX SONVS ISTE 1622 [ y I. ] ( Diam. 39 in. ) 4. IH'8 : NAZARENVS REX : IVDEORVM FILI : DEI MISERERE : MEI 1622 [\J i.] ( Diam. 41^ in. ) 5. PRO REGE ET ECLESIA HENRICVS BAGLEV OOO ME FECIT 1683. ( Royal xj Arms. ) , ( Diam. 44 in. ) There is a daily bell rung here at 4 a.m. from 25th March to 29th September, at 5 a.m., from 29th September to 6th November, and from 8th February to 25th Marcii ; and at 6 a.m. from 6th November to 2nd February. There is also a bell rung daily at noon, and Curfew is rung at 8 p.m. These are all omitted on Sunday. At the Death-knell three tolls are given for a male, two for a female. On Sunday the ist bell is rung at 7 a.m. ; and the ist and 2nd bells at g a.m. 2 D 2IO The Inscriptions on the BROCKHALL. S. Peter. 2 Bells and a Priest's Bell. 1. Blank. ( Diam. ig in. ) 2. [ + 5 ] NEWCOMBE OF LEICESTER MADE MEE 1609. ( Diam. 24 in. ) Priesfs Bell: Blank. ( Diam. 13 in. ) BROUGHTON. S. Andrew. 5 Bells. I, 2, 3, 5. HENRY PENN MADE ME 1709. 4. ROBERT TAYLOR FOUNDER S^ NEOTS FECIT 1803. See under Moulton for a Tradition as to an ancient bell said to have been formerly here. BUCKBY LONG. 5. Laurence. 5 Bells. I. THE REVD T. COLE VICAR. J. BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1814. T. WORSTER C. W. ( Diam. 34-J- in. ) 2. celorvm chrste platiat tibi rex sonvs iste 1624 [u I- ] ( Diam. 36 in. ) 3, 4. iH'g : nazarenvs rex : ivdeorvm fili : dei miserere : MEI 1624 [Ui.] ( Diams. 39, 42 in. ) 5. CVM • SONO • SI • NON • VIS • VENIRE • NVNQVAM • AD • PRECES • CVPIES • IRE 1624 [ U i- ] ( Diam. 45 in. ) Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 211 The 1st Bell was previously inscribed : God evas the King 1624.* There is a Daily-bell rung at noon : and a Morning-bell at 5 a.m. fnmi Lady Day to Michaelmas. The Curfew at 8 p.m. is nf)w dis- continued. The Pancake-bell is rung on Shrove-Tuesday. At a Death-knell thrice three tolls are given for a male, thrice two for a female. On Sunday a bell is rung at 8 a.m. and again at 9 a.m. For Divine Service the tenor bell is first tolled, then the bells are chimed, after which the ist bell is tolled for a few minutes. BUGBROOK. S. Michael and All Angels. 5 Bells and a Priest's Bell. 1. G. MEARS & CO. FOUNDERS LONDON 1863. ( Diam. 32^ in. ) 2. ROBERT STAINBANK FOUNDER LONDON 1868. ( Diam. 34^ in. ) :Bi©-:Ei ^:ih&M^GjpyyxMJB 1599- [02.] ( Diam. 36^ in. : letters like [ D 53. ] ) 4. THOMAS MEARS OF LONDON FECIT 1813. ( Diam. 40^ in. ) 5. JOHN WHITFELD RECTOR EDWARD PICKERING SAMUEL FROST C. W. 1695. I TO THE CHVRCH THE LIVING CALL AND TO THE GRAVE DOE SVMMON ALL. ( Diam. 43^ in. ) Priest's Bell: 1813. • Bridges' MSS. (Bibl. Bodl. EE. i. no). 212 The hiscriptions on the The I St, 2nd and 4th Bells were previously inscribed : 1. Kind Benefactors unto me my note shall sound your pietye S. I. O + Smith I A Bracegerdle. an his W . . . . ( ?) cum multis alis 1626. 2. God be our good speed : H : B : 1652. 4. John Dry and John Burkitt churchwardens : 1652.* The Rev. John Whitfeld, after being Rector of this parish for nearly 50 years, died 19th April 1705, aged 74 years. The 2nd bell is rung daily at noon and at 6 p.m. The Pancake-bell is rung on Shrove-Tuesday. At the Death-knell four tolls are given for a man, three for a woman, and two for a child. For Divine Service the bells are chimed and the Sermon-bell rung : the Priest's bell is rung for five minutes. BULWICK. S. Nicolas. 5 Bells. 1. [+15] OM^/llA FIAMT AD GLORIAM DEI 1629. ( Diam. 31 in. ) 2. [+15] >I0>1 CLAMOR SED AMOR CAMTAT IK AVRE DEI 1629. ( Diam. 31^ in. ) 3. [+15] OMMIA FIAMT AD GLORIAM DEI 1630. ( Diam. 33 in. ) M. :e) 1859- ( Diam. 36 in. ) 5. JOHN MASON W BELLEMIE CH. WA 1648. ( Diam. 40 in. ) • Bridges MSS. (Bibl. Bodl. EE. 5, 140.) Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 213 The bells were all reining in 1859 when the 4th bell was recast : the old bell weighed 7cwt. 2qr. 10II)., the new one ycwt. oqr. 210).; the whole cost of rehanging and of recasting was ^"120 3s. gd. The Gleaning-bell is sometimes (not always) rung during harvest. At the Death-knell thrice three tolls are given for a man, thrice two for a woman, twice three for a boy, and twice two for a girl. At Funerals the tenor bell only is usually tolled, but sometimes all the bells are chimed as the procession approaches the church : this custom is, however, wearing out. On Sunday the bells are chimed for Divine Service, and the tenor rung as a Sermon-bell. A peal is rung after morning service on the Sunday when the Banns of Marriage are first published. Midnight peals arc rung on the Eves of Christmas and the New Year. BURTON LATIMER. S. Mary. 3 liiiLLs. 1. IH'8 : NAZARENVS REX : IVDEORVM El LI : DEI MISERERE : MEI 1620 [\J i.] ( Diam. 31^ in. ) 2. C.ELORUM CHRISTE PLATIAT TIBI REX SONUS ISTE J PAINE AND H. BULL HIEROPHYLACIBUS T. & J. EAYRE 1718. ( Diam. 32^^ in. ) 3. CELORVM CHRSTE PLATIAT TIBI REX SON\S ISTE 1619 [U !•] ( Diam. 35 in. ) 4. IHd : NAZARENVS REX : IVDEORXM TlLl : DEI MISERERE : MEI 1619 [ ^ i- ] ( Diam. 37 in. ) 5. IHS NAZARENUS REX IVDEORUM FILI DEI MISERERE MEI WILLIAM STEAR & JOHN PAYNE C. \V. 1749 T EAYRE • : • KETT : FECIT ( Diam. 40^ in. ) 214 The Inscriptions on the There is a bell rung daily at 8 a.m. and at noon. At the Death-knell four tolls are given for a man, three for a woman, and two for a child. On Sunday a bell is rung at 8 a.m., and the bells are chimed for Divine Service. BYFIELD. Holy Cross. 5 Bells. 1. WILLIAM HICCOCK lOHM HICHCOCK CHVRCH WARDEMS 1703. ( Diam. 31 in. ) 2. WILLIAM BAGLEY MADE MEE H • B 1703. ( Diam. 32 in. ) 3. WILLIAM BAGLEY MADE MEE 1703. ( Diam. 34 in. ) 4. BE IT KMOWM TO ALL THAT DOE ME SE THAT WILLIAM BAGLEY OF CHALCOMBE MADE MEE 1703. ( Diam. 38 in. ) 5. WM COX & WM THORNTON • C. W. J. BROMLEY & J. SMITH OVERSEERS J. BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT 1791. ( Diam. 43 in. ) In 1552 there were " iij bell(^ in the steple & a Saunct^ bell." The Hitchcocks were landed proprietors here for many years. Formerly a bell was rung daily at 4 a.m. and at 8 p.m., for which the clerk received 20s. yearly from the Rector. (Bridges.) These ringings have been discontinued for some years. The Pancake-bell is rung on Shrove-Tuesday, and the Gleaning-bell during harvest. At the Death-knell thrice three tolls are given for a man, thrice two for a woman, and three single tolls for a child. On Sunday an early peal is rung at 9.30 ; for Divine Service the bells are chimed. Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 215 CANON'S ASHBY. S. Mary. i Bkll. In 1552 the Commissioners reported that "Cannons Assheby " possessed " iiij great bell(^ in the steple." If Bridges be correct the ring was afterwards increased to six " but the tower falHng to ruin five of them were seized and sold in the time of the civil wars." The remaining bell inscribed " Sit Nomen Domini Benedictum '" was, at the time he wrote his History of the Ci)unty,* lying useless in a corner of the chapel. That ancient bell has since disappeared, and the present single iron bell, measuring i2i inches in diameter, was hung in the year 1853. CARLTON EAST. S. Peter. 6 Bells. 1. THE GIFT OF SIR THOMAS PALMER BARONET 1755 ( Diam. 28 in. ) 2. PRAISE THE LORD JOS. EAYRE S^ NEOTS FECIT. ( Diam. 2gi in. ) 3. BLESSED ARE THE PEACE MAKERS 1755. ( Diam. 30^ in. ) 4. JOHN KNIGHT GENT ! GAVE ME 1660. RECAST 1755. ( Diam. 31^ in. ) 5. LET EVERYTHING THAT HATH BREATH IKAISE THE LORD. JOS. EAYRE FECIT 1755. ( Diam. 33^ in. ) 6. THESE FIVE BELLS RECAST BY SIR THOMAS PALMER P.ARONET 1755. J. EAYRE S^ NEOTS FECIT. ( Diam. 37 in. ) * See vol. i. p. 228. 2i6 TJie Inscriptions on the In 1700 there were four bells. (Bridges.) The Palmers were seated here as early as 9 Henry IV. when William Palmer of Carlton Esq. married Amy or Anne, daughter of Nich. Ward, Esq. The Manor descended to Geoffry Palmer who was brought up to the practice of the law. After suffering in the Royal cause he was (after the Restoration) appointed Attorney-General, and created a Baronet by Letters Patent dated 7th June 1660. From him descended the Sir Thomas Palmer, fourth Baronet, the benefactor to the Bells of Carlton. He died in 1765. John Knight, the donor of the 4th bell, was, most probably, the son of Mr. John Knight, who dying on 9th December, 1658, was described on his gravestone in tlie chancel of Carlton church as " Servant to Geffery Palmer Esq' 21 yeares." He was a benefactor to the poor of the parish. His son, perhaps, gave the bell in commemoration of the Restoration, and of the honour then conferred upon the Lord of the Manor. At the Death-knell three tolls are given for a male, two for a female, both before and after the knell. On Sunday the treble bell is rung at 8 a.m., and for Divine Service the bells are chimed and the Sermon -bell (tenor) afterwards rung. This is one of the best ordered Bell Chambers in the count)'. CASTLE ASHBY. S. Mary Magdalene. 5 Bells. I. [ + 5] WILLIAM • LORD • COMTON • AND • LADY • ELIZABETH • HIS • WIFE • GAVE • THIS • BELL • TO • THE • TOWNE • OF • ASHBE • ANNO • DM • 1610. [ + 5 ] STATVISTI • PROCELLAM • IN • AVRAM • ET • SILVI2TI • FLVCTVS • TV • ES • IPSE • REX • MEVS • QUI • MANDAS • SALVTEM :•: [ An Eagle n rising. ] ( Diam. 35 in. ) [ Donors Tj Arms. ] Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 217 ( Diam. 37^ in. Letters like d 53.) 3. ^aiuta ,^g;il^a Oru X^ro Xiobis [ d 71. ] ( Diam. 40 in. Handsome letters : crowned capitals. ) 4. TAYLOR FECIT OXFORD 1826. ( Diam. 46 in. ) 5. RECAST BY R. TAYLOR & SON OXFORD 1826. RICHi> SCRIVEN & ROBi' ROGERS CHURCHWARDENS. ( Diam. 50^ in. ) In 1700 there were six bells ; the 5th was inscribed : Deus laudes tibi donet nee campana sonet, and the then tenor " was cast in the 22nd year of the age of the Earl of Northampton." (Bridges, vol. i. p. 345. j Three bells were probably cast into two in 1826, when the present 4th and 5th were cast. William, second Lord Compton, married Elizabeth, daughter and heir of Sir John Spencer, Knight, Lord Mayor of Londt)n in 1593. He was created Earl of Northampton 2nd August, 1618, and K.G. He died very suddenly in 1630. The arms on the ist bell (their gift) are a Lion passant guardant between three esquires' helmets (Compton), impaling a bar coticed between three eagles displayed {Spencer). The other stamp on this bell shown above is an eagle rising, the crest of Spencer ( ? ).* CASTOR. S. Keneburga. 6 Bklls. I, 2. HENRICUS BAGLEY O NOS O FECIT O 1700 O ( Diams. 27, 28 in. ) • Although the Coat of Arms of Sir highly probable that the eagle placed upon John Spencer, Lord Mayor in 1593, is well the bell as above was. or was meant for. known at the College of Arms no crest is his crest, found assigned to him. It is however 2 E 2i8 Tlie Inscriptions on the 3. 4. HENRY BAGLEY OF ECTON MADE MEE 1700. ( Diams. 30, 33 in. ) 5. CANTATE DOMINO CANTICUM NOVUM HENRICUS BAGLEY DE ECTON NOS FECIT 1700. ( Diam. 36 in. ) 6. I TO THE CHVRCH THE LIVING CALL AND TO THE GRAVE DO SUMMON ALL HENRY BAGLEY MADE MEE 1700. ( Diam. 38 in. ) In 1552 Castor possessed : " Furst in o' steple iiij grete bellys. Itin in the same a sanctus bell. Itm two hand belles." At the Death-knell twice three tolls are given before, and three tolls after the knell for a man ; twice two tolls before, and two after for a woman, in both cases on the tenor bell. The same mode is followed in the case of children, but the 4th bell is then used. . On Sunday the 2nd bell is rung at 8 a.m. This is called the Sermon - bell. When there is a celebration of the Holy Communion the ist and 3rd bells are chimed at 8 a.m. For Divine Service all the bells are chimed for fifteen minutes, after which the tenor is rung for fifteen minutes. CATESBY. S. Mary. i Bell. This modern chapel possesses one bell difficult of access. The ancient church possessed in 1552 " iij belle in y' steple & a sanct' bell." CHACOMBE. S. Pf.tek. 6 Bklls. I. 2, 3. WILLIAM BAGLEY MADE MEE 1694. ( Diams. 30, 32, 34A in. ) Church Bells of Northamptonshire . 219 4. CAZTATE DOMF/IO CAZTICVM NO\VM 1694. ( Diam. 37 in. ) 5. W ^' (.iniJAKD A: J HENIT C.W. J. HKIANT IIEKTrcJKD I'ECIT 1790. Diam. 39 in. ) f). CAST nV JOHN WARXER & son lux don 1863. ( Diam. 44 in. ) In 1552 there were " iiij belle in y' stcpuU & a sanct' bell." The Rectory and Advowson of the Vicarage being formerly thf property of the Priory of SS. Peter and Paul in this parish, the towns- people had to purchase the bells when that Monastery was dissolved. A note of this is entered by the Commissioners in their Inventory made in 1552. They say "The bell(' aforsaid were bougth by the way of exchang of M' Georg' Gyfford esquyer as it apperith in y' bill of defawyt(." In the "Bill of defaults" of the Commissioners I find the following entry : " Chacombe. Itlii y' Church Wardens ther do j^sent y' the towneshyppe bought ther bellf of Georg' Gyfford esquyer syns y' suppressyon of the Abbey by way of exchaung &. certen some of money as it apperyth by an Indenture maid betwext them and y" said George." On Sunday the " First peal " is rung at 7 a.m. in summer and at 8 a.m. in winter. The " First chimes" are given at 9 a.m. For Divine Service the bells are all chimed, after which the Sermon-bell is rung ; if there be no Sermon the " call is made " witii the treble bell. There are a set of chimes, which, iiowever, are not in good order. CIIAKWELTOX. Holy Tkinitv. 4 Bells. ( Diam. 33 in. ) 220 The Inscriptions on the 2. $ , w- J^'W 'M m^& : :SS>LU : m : (3'©W : -TeyrjJ [□ 114] O [ D 113] O [ □ 114] [ D II5-] ( Diaiu. 29 in. ) 2 and 3. NEWCOMBE OF LEICESTER M.\DE MEE 1606. ( Diams. 30^, 33^ in. ] In 1552 the Inventory of Churcli (ioods bel mging to this parish included : " Itiii in tlie steple ij bellj Itm a sanctus bell." and to the Inventory is added tliis (now imperfect) nieniorandiini : " M** that Richarde Grosse of Colde Assliebyc being Churche warden of the same A" Regni R^ E vj Secundo sworne and examyned deposethe and saiethe that he and his fFelowe by the consent of the holl pisshe dyd morgage the great bell there vnto Roger KnoUf of Colde Asshebye aforesaide. And the pisshen's churchewardons paing the said xls agayne to haue their be . . . the whiche bell the said KnoUc solde to one Caswell of Norh ..." At the Death-knell thrice three tolls are given for a male, thrice two for a female, before and after the knell. On Sunday the ist bell is rung at 8 a.m. For Divine Service the tenor bell is tolled for ten minutes, then all the bells are chimed, after which the tenor is rung as a Sermon-bell. Bridges says " Part of the ground on which the Vicarage house is built was taken out of the land belonging to the Rectory, and, to enlarge the premises, an addition was made of some town-ground ; in con- sideration of which every \'icar finds bell-ropes at his own charges" (vol. i. p. 553). 2 1- 226 The Inscriptions on the Tradition says that the early dated ancient bell was brought here from Sulby Abbey upon the dissolution of that House. A more modern supposition is that it was a gift from the Abbot of Coventry, to express his satisfaction at the prompt payment of a copyhold fine, which he laid on this manor in 13 16. See p. 76-78 for a full account of the stamps on this interesting bell. COLD HICHAM. S. Luke. ■ 4 Bells. I, 2, 4. [ + 5] BE • YT • KNOWNE • TO • ALL • THAT • DOTH • ME • SEE • THAT • NEWCOMBE • OF • LEICESTER • MADE • MEE • 1609. ( Diams. 28, 29, 36 in. ) 3. HENRY BAGLEY MADE MEE 1663 ^ ^ ( Diam. 32 in. ) In 1552 there were " iij bellf in the steple & A saunctf bell." See a "jingling rhyme " on these bells at p. 148. At the Death-knell no difference is made to denote age or sex. On Sunday a bell is rung at 8 a.m. For Divine Service the bells are chimed, and a Sermon-bell rung. COLLINGTREE. S. CoLUMBA. 4 Bells. 1. [4-38] PRAYSE YE THE LORD 1621. EM IK [ Diam. 30 in. ] 2. [ + 38 ] PRAYEg YE THE LORD 1621. EN [ I K D 69. ] ( Diam. 31^ in. ) 3. [ + 22 ] ©OXi) [ + 22 ] SMT^-J^ [ + 22 ] WMM. [ + 22 ] csierer:i>i©" [ □ 35- ] ( Diam. 33^ in. ) 4- ^'rt ^omen IE)omini X3cncbidbm [ U ^9 ° 18 i^ 20. ] ( Diam 36^ in. ) Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 227 The Gleaning-bell is rung at 8 a.m. during harvest. At the Death-knell, which is rung at 9 a.m. the morning after death, thrice three tolls are given for a male, thrice two for a female. On Sunday a bell is rung at 8 a.m. and again after Morning Service, for which the bells are chimed. COLLYWESTON. S. Andrew. 2 Bells. 1. [ + 65] THOMAS NORRIS MADE ME 1636. ( Diam. 29^ in. ) 2. [ + 15] THOMAS NORRIS MADE ME 1636. ( Diam. 32^ in. ) 1548-9. From an Inventory made 21st March, 3 Edward VI. we learn that there were originally four bells and that two were " pluckyd downe ' and sold : " Itm ij bellys in the steple. Itin ij bellys takyne doune owt of the steple and sold to Rychard Harryson of Owndyll for xxv*' poundys and xij* wherof remaynys in the hand^ of the sayd Harryson x" xij" ye ^ch xxv" poundys and xij\ y"" whole pyshe y' content y' fyftene pounds of the sayd monye shalbe forth cuiiiyng att all tymes whan the kyngc megeste and hys Counsell shall requyer yt except fyvc of y" inhabytance whooys namys hereaftere insuys, John Inse, Artyre Wattson, Robard Johnsun, Wyttm Mychell, Wyttm Touell : In cosyderacyon that the sayd pyshe ys content y* y* sayd xv pound^ of monye shalbe forth comyng at all tymys whan y' kyng and hys Counsell shall requyere yt we the sayd Comyssyoneres have awardyd y' sayd x poundys and xij" beyng in the hand(' of y' said Rychard Haryson shall remayn in the custodye of the sayd pyshncrcrs And the occasyons wherfore they pluckyil downe thes bellys and sold them as they saye was fore the repayre of there brydge & of there Churche and skouryng 2 28 The Inscriptions on the of a comon ware and of a comon well and fore y' repayere of comon hyghe wayes and the relef of the pore peple and settyng forthe of goddf word in there churche." 1552. Three years later, when another Inventory was taken, reference was again made to the two bells sold thus : " If ij bell(j one gratt bell & a litle bell. It' ij bellf-- takon downe out of the Steple & sold to Rychard Haryson of Ovndell fo' xxv'' poundf & xij* the w"*" xxv" xij' the seyd Mais" Drylond hathe Reyseyuyd & and so Reymeynythe yn y^ hand(> of y' seyd Drylond the holle sm for y* Bellf." It appears from these Inventories that there were originally three large bells and a small or sanctus bell. This inference is borne out by the present bell frames where (although there are only two bells) there are pits for three. The Gleaning-bell is rung during harvest at 8.30 a.m. and at 5 p.m. At the Death-knell thrice 3 tolls are given for a male, thrice 2 for a female. On Sunday a bell is rung at 8 a.m. For Divine Service the bells are chimed and the Sermon bell rung: after Morning Service the ist bell is tolled wlien Evensong follows. The ist bell is sounded for Parish Meetings. The ascent to these bells is not a pleasant one : a perfectly perpen- dicular and very tall ladder leads to the first floor, from whence a second ladder with wide intervals between the "rounds" leads to the bell chamber where the floor is "crazy" and unsafe. CORBY. S. JdHN Ilvi'TlST. 4 IjF.LI.S. I. CllklSi' ROWLAT • RICH'» CRAGILL CHVRCH WAR- DENS 1722. ( Diani. 25 in. ) Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 229 2. HENRY Pi:X\ FOVNDER 1722. ( Diani. 27 in. ) 3. 4- '722. ( Dianis. 31, 35.V in. ) In 1700 there were only three bells. These were inscribed : 1. [ dated 1673. ] 2. Sta Petra ora pro nobis. 3. Eternis annis pulset Campana Johannis.* The Gleaning-bell (2nd) is rung during harvest : and the Pancake- bell (3rd) is rung on Shrove-Tuesday. At the Death-knell thrice three tolls are given for a male, thrice two for a female, both before and after the knell. On Sunday the 2nd bell is rung at 8 a.m., and the 2nd and 3rd are chimed at g a.m. For Divine Service all the bells are hrst chimed, then three are chimed with the tenor "rung m:"' after wiiich the tenor (Sermon-bell) is "lowered." COSGROVE. S. Pktek. 5 Hells. I TREBLE BEL FOR TO l^E 1624. ( Diam. 30 in. ) 2. 4. [ -f 81 ] GOD SAVE OVR KING 1632 [ 1 K a 69. ] ( Diams. 32, 37 in. ) 3- [ + 45 a 42 ] .S [ □ 42 ] jCn [ □ 42 ] ,^ [ □ 42 1 :Fi [ □ 42 ] I [ a 42 ] j^ [ a 3- ] \ Diam. 33 in. ) 5. RICHARD CHANDLER MADE ME 1707 ROB. ROND WILLIAM TVRVEY CHVRCHWARDENS. ( Diam. 42 in. ) LansJ. MSS. 990. fo. 50. 230 The Inscriptions on the In 1552 there were " iij bellf A sanct' bell & ij handbellf." At the same date the parishioners sold a chalice to purchase a bell ; I find the following attached to the Inventoiy : " M"* A chalyce solde by the concent of the f>ishe for iiij" vj' viij'' the last day of May last past toward^ the beyng of A bell." In 1754 there was "a Saint's Bell in a small Turrit (sic) on the top of the Tower."* The complete inscription on the ist bell, which is much abraded, is probably : Robert Atton made me the treble bell for to be 1624. COTTERSTOCK. S. Andrew. . ' ' 4 Bells. 1. lOHN LOVELINO VIGOR HENRY PENN MADE ME 1708. ( Diam. 24^ in. ) 2. JOHN CAMPION CHVRCHWARDEN HENRY PENN MADE ME 1708. ( Diam, 26^ in. ) 3. HENRY PENN MAQE O 1708. (Diam. 29^ in. ) 4. I TO THE CHVRCH THE LIVING CALL AND TO THE GRAVE SVME AND ALL H.P 1708. ( Diam. 3i|- in. ) In 1552 there were "iij bellf and j sanct' bell." The Rev. John Loveling was not only Vicar of Cotterstock and Curate of Glapthorne, but also Master of the Grammar School at Fotheringhay. There being no residence for the Clergyman at either of the two first named places, Mr. Loveling resided in the School-house in the Churchyard of Fotheringhay ; he received in addition there for • Addt. MSS. 5836, fo. 130. Church Dells of Northamptonshire. 231 performing the duties as Master " a yearly stipend of £^20 — paid out of the Exchequer, and a right of Common for four cows. " (See Bridges' Northamptonshire, Vol. ii., pp. 456 and 460.) At the Death-knell three tolls on the 3rd bell and three on the 4th are given for a male, and two on each of the same bells for a female before the knell. At a Funeral the tenor bell is tolled. On Sunday the bells are chimed for Divine Service, and the tenor rung as a Sermon-bell. COTTESBROOKE. All Saints. 6 Bells. 1. D. D. DXS JOHES LANGHAM MILES ET BARONETTUS 1702. ( Diam. 31 in. ) 2. JOHN REDE ESQVIR HENRY BAGLEY ME FECIT 1702. ( Diam. 32 in. : a P reversed used for Q. ) 3. HENRICUS BAGLEY ME FECIT 1702. ( Diam. 35 in. ) 4. WILLIAM LITCHFIELD GAVE FIVE POUNDS TO THEIS BELL 1702. ( Diam. 36 in. ) 5. JOHN PIERCE RECTOR HENRICUS BAGLEY ME FECIT 1702. ( Diam. 40 in. ) 6. JOHN SLATTER RICHARD CONCVS CHVRCH- WARDENS 1702. ( Diam. 44 in. ) In 1552 " Cottysbroke " possessed " ffoure great bell{- in the steple there & a sanct' bell." The Parish Register contained a brief record of the recasting of the bells here in 1702 : unfortunately the Book has been torn and the record is now imperfect. So much as remains reads thus : — The parish of Cottesbrooke in 1702 new cast their old Bells with the addition of 3 cwt. of metal. Sir John Langham gave to 232 The Inscriptions on the the parish one Bell, being a treble, at his own proper charge. The said six bells were entirely the frame & wheels &c. &c. at the charge of the parish : some money was raised towards the addition of metal by the kindness of some Be in memor^'^ of whose good will there are as follows : John Pierce Rector, William Litchfield Yeoman,* Mr. Wootin Master of the free school Guilsborough, Mr. John Payne Junior. His family had been settled at Cottesbrooke for some years when Sir John Langham gave the ist bell to the church. His ancestor, Mr. Alderman John Langham, of London, a Northamptonshire gentleman, purchased the Manor in the 17th year of Charles L He was not only a man of considerable wealth but " was famed for his readiness in speaking florid Latin " which, says Bishop Burnet, he attained to a degree beyond any man of his age. " In 1660 being then an Alderman of London, he was deputed wuth Mr. Alderman Bunce to wait on Charles H. at Breda, and to invite him on behalf of the citizens of London to take possession of his kingdoms. Here he received from his majesty the honour of knighthood, and after the Restoration was created a Baronet by letters patent dated 17 June 1660." (See Bridges, vol. I. p. 554.) This Sir John Langham was a liberal benefactor to Cottesbrooke. His grandson, Sir John Langham (4th Bart.), the donor of the present treble bell, died 20 May, 1747, aged 75 years. The Parish Register records that The Rev. Mr. John Pierce, who was thirty-eight years Rector of Cottesbrooke, was buried in the Chancei Nov'. 5th, 1732, in the 66th year of his age. For some account of the family of Rede, long residents here, see Bridges' Hist, of Northamptonshire, Vol. i, p. 554-5. At the Death-knell thrice three tolls are given for a male, thrice two for a female. • See inscription on 4th bell. Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 233 On Sunday the ist and 2nd bells are rung at 8 a.m. For Divine Service all the bells are chimed, then the ist and 2nd are chimed, after which the ist bell is rung as a Sermon bell. COTTINGHAM. S. Marv Magdalen. 5 Bells and a Priest's Bell. 1. ALEXANDER RIGBY MADE ME 1704. ( Diam. 27^ in. ) 2. THO« SCULTHORPE & W I NORTHEN C ! WARDENS. R : TAYLOR SI NEOTS FECIT 1790. ( Diam. 29^ in. ) 3. ALEXANDER : RIGBY ; MADE : ME ; 1704. ( Diam. 31 in. ) 4. THOMAS ; ALDWINCKLE ; HENRY ; BVNCKLEY : CH ; W : ALEX ; RIGBEY : MADE ; ME : 1704. ( Diam. 34 in. ) 5. THOMAS CLAYTON RECTOR. CHARLES BARNES CURATE. {^HK CAKK'r""^' ^"^" } CHURCHWAROEKS ,.3. J TAYLOR & Co FOUNDERS LOUGHBOROUGH. ( Diam. 39^ in, ) The PriesVs Bell which swings in the western spire light has no inscription. A bell is rung daily at 8 a.m. and at i p.m. Formerly a Daily-bell was rung at 11 a.m. through Lent, for the ringing of which the clerk collected eggs at Easter. At the Death-knell three tolls are given for a male, two for a female, before and after the knell : for children under 13 years of age the 4th bell is used. At Funerals tiie bells are chimed •' as the funeral comes up the street " if desired ; otherwise, and generally, the tenor only is tolled. 2 G 234 The Inscriptions on the On Sunday the ist bell is rung at 8 a.m. and the 2nd and 3rd at 9 a.m. For Divine Service in the morning the tenor bell is raised, then the other bells are chimed, the tenor " ringing in," after which the Priest's bell is sounded : for Evensong the ist bell is rung for a few minutes, after which the 2nd and 3rd are rung. COURTEENHALL. S. Peter. 5 Bells. I. CANTATE DOMINO CANTICVM NOVVM 1683. O 000 o o o o o ( Diam. 31 in. ) MATTHEW BAGLEY MADE MEE °o°o° o 1683. ( Diam. 321- in. ) HENRY BAGLEY MADE MEE 1683. (Diam. 35 in.) WILLIAM! CLEMMENTS AND WILLIAM HILLY >RD CHVRCHWARDENS 1683. ( Diam. 39 in. ) I TO THE CHVRCH THE LIVEING CALL AND THE GRAVE DOE SVMMON ALL 1683 O Royal U Arms. A A 6 TO H B ( Diam. 42 in. ) In 1552 " Tortenhall " possessed " iiij great bell(j & a santes bell.'" Sir Samuel Jones, Knight, who purchased the Manor of Courteenhall about the year 1650, besides founding and endowing a free school here. left by will ^500 towards repairing the church and increasing the bells to the number of five. He died 3rd January, 1682, and was buried within the church. (Bridges.) Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 235 CRANFORD S. ANDREW. S. Andrew. 4 Bells. 1. IHS NAZARENUS REX lUDEORUM FILI DEI MISERERE MEI O 6 O ^ J BULLIVANT RECTOR 1718. ( Diam. 27 in. ) 2. JOHN FOSBROKE ARMIGER 1624. ( Diam. 28^ in. ) 3. TOBIE ;^ORRIS CAST ME 1683. ( Diam. 30^ in. ) 4. CVM CANO BVSTA MORI CVM PVLPITA VIVERE DISCE 1624. (Diam. 33^ in.) The Fosbrookes were settled here as early as 1392, and in the tenth year of Henry \III., John Fosbrooke died possessed of Curson's Manor here, and of the Advowson of the church of S. Andrew. From him descended the John Fosbrooke whose name appears on the 2nd bell. The Gleaning-bell is rung during harvest at 7 a.m. At the Death-knell five tolls are given for a man, four for a woman, three for a boy, and two for a girl. At Funerals " years ago," says the sexton, " when I was a nipper, there was chiming, but never now." On Sunday at 8 a.m. the ist bell is rung for a few minutes by itself, then the ist and 2nd together: for Divine Sers'ice all the bells are chimed, after which the ist is tolled five minutes to call the minister. CRANFORD S. JOHN. S. John. 4 Bells. 1. IH'S : NAZARENVS REX : IVDEORVM FILI : DEI MISERERE : MEI 1629 [ q i. ] ( Diam. 28 in. ) 236 The Inscriptions on the 2. THOMAS ET JOHANNES EAYRE DE KETTERING FECERUNT. JOHN SIMMONS & JOHN MASON C WARNS IHS NAZARENUS JUDEORUM REX MISERERE MEL OCT. 1717. ( Diam. 29 in. ) 3. CHRISTOPHER GRAYE MADE ME 1663. ( Diam. 30^^ in, ) 4. TAYLOR & SON FOUNDERS LOUGHBOROUGH 1857. ( Diam. 34I in. ) The 4th bell was previously inscribed : [ + 22 ] S Katherina [ IJ 24. ] The ringing customs are the same as at Cranford S. Andrew. CRANSLEY. 5. Andrew. 6 Bells. 1. . . . DOMINO CANTICVM N . . . ( Diam. 26^ in. Cracked ; repaired with iron bands which cover part of the inscription. There are 26 coins impressed on this bell. ) 2. SAMVELL WILLIS MATTHEW BAGLEY MADE MEE 1683. ( Diam. 27 in. ) 3. EX DONO HENRICI ROBINSON O O MILITIS 1683 000 ( Diam, 29 m, ) 4. FRANCIS MORGEN ESQVIER HENRY BAGLEY MADE MEE 1683. ( Diam. 31 in. Inverted P for Q. ) 5. JOHN GOODYER GENT 1683. ( Diam. 34 in. ) 6. I TO THE CHVRCH THE LIVEING CALL AND TO THE GRAVE DOE SVMMON ALL PRO REGE ET ECLESIA 1683. ( Royal IJ Arms and 21 coins in form of a pyramid on the waist and seven coins on the rim of this bell. Diam. 38 in. ) Church Bells of Northanipioishirc. z^y These bells were reining by Messrs. Taylor and Co. of Loughboroui^'h in 1870. Sir Henry Robinson was the owner of the larger portion of the manor, and the gentlemen whose names appear on the other bells were doubtless benefactors when the bells were cast in 1683. The Gleaning-bell is rung during harvest, and the Pancake-bell in y' steple & a Sancf bell." The Sanctus was probably dedicated either to S. Mary or to S. Peter. • Bridgei MSS fBibl. Bodl. EE. i. 197.) Church Bells of Northamptonshire. jjg At the Death-knell thrice three tolls are given for a man, thrice two for a woman, and three single ones for a child. For Funerals an " Invitation Bell " is tolled about an hour before the interment, and the bell is again tolled when the time arrives. On Sunday the 3rd bell is rung at 8 a.m. and at 2 p.m. For Divine Service the bells are chimed, and afterwards the Priest's bell is sounded for five minutes. The Ringing of "Christmas peals" commences at the time of Brackley Old Fair, about a month before the Festival. This is accounted for by the tradition that a Croughton man returning home from the fair lost his way and wandered about all night. To prevent the recurrence of such a catastrophe the bells have since been rung. CULWORTH. S. Mary. 5 Bells and a Priest's Bell. 1. SR lOHZ QAZVERS. lOHZ LOLE CHRISTOPHER COOKE C\V. WILLIAM BAGLEY MAQE MEE 171 2. ( Diam. 32 in. ) 2. THOMAS KIMBELL PRESTIDGE. ANDREW WIGSON CHURCH-WARDENS EDWARD HEM IS FEICT DECEMBER Y^ 23 : 1747. ( Diam. 34 in. ) 3. J PAGE & W UPSON C W JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1806. ( Diam. 36 in. ) 4. [ 4- 5 ] BE • YT • KNOWNE • TO • ALL • THAT • DOTH • ME • SEE • THAT • NEWCOMBE • OF • LEICESTER • MADE • MEE • 1612. ( Diam. 42 in. ) 5. BY MY VOICE THE PEOPLE MAY KNOW TO COME TO HEAR THE WORD OF GOD HENRY BAGLEY MADE MEE 1636. ( Diam. 50 in. ) 240 The Inscriptions on the Priest's Bell .-—Blank. ( Diam. 15 in. ) In 1552 there were " iiij bellf in y' steple & a sanct' bell." Sir John Danvers (3rd Baronet) descended from Robert Danvers, Esq., who is said to have purchased this manor in 1438, died 26th September, 1744. The Churchwardens' Accounts contain entries relating to the Bells from which the Rector kindly extracts the following : "1658. Casting the Bell and metell to put to it £11 . y . o Metell ;{y and Casting ;^4 . 7 . o Hanging the Bell, bringing it back with other charges i . 4 . o Carpenter for his work o 17.6" [Charges for sets of six Bell ropes occur at intervals for 300 years. The ropes generally cost about 15s. or 165. the set. During the Commonwealth the charge was a little more, 185. the set ; and it is somewhat curious to note that the purchases were then as frequently made as during any other period, the inference being that the bells were then as much used as usual.] 1806. Under this date is found the following copy of an agreement with the founder of the 3rd Bell : " I propose new hanging the Tenor bell with a new wheel, Gudgeons, Braces, Rep^ the Clapper and turn the Bell to cause the Clapper to strike on a new place — and chip the edge of the 4th Bell to endeavour to make it higher in Key for ^10 .0.0 John Briant. April 25th, 1806." Then follow these entries : £. s. d. " Paid Mr. Briant for recasting the third Bell ... 19 . o . o Paid expences at the same time : o 11.6 Paid Mr. Briant for new hanging the Tenor Bell &c 10 . o . o" Church Bells of Northamptonshire . 241 In 1863 one of the present bells fell and nearly killed the clerk. Upon hearing of this accident an old woman living in the village told the Rector that she remembered her mother relating that a man named Elsden was killed by the falling of one of the Culworth bells, and that some of his blood was sprinkled on the walls of the belfry. To test the truth of this the Rector searched the Parish Register, where he found the following entry : " Edward Elsden was killed by a Bell upon Tuesday in Easter week being the lo"* of April 1694." This proved that tradition had kept alive a knowledge of the fact for 169 years : and it is somewhat singular that the two accidents happened (allowing for the change of style) on the same day of the same month. In 1712, when the ist bell was cast, the upper part of the tower was also rebuilt at a cost of /'30. The Pancake-bell (4th) is rung occasionally on Shrove-Tuesday but the custom is dying out. The Gleaning-bell is rung during harvest at 8 a.m. At the Death-knell three tolls are given for a male, two for a female. On Sunday the ist and 2nd bells are rung at 7 a.m. in the summej", at 8 a.m. in the winter. A bell called "The Sermon-bell" is rung at 10 a.m. and at 2 p.m. For Divine Service the bells are chimed, after which the Priest's bell is sounded for ten minutes. The 3rd bell is sounded after a celebration of the Holy Communion as the Communicants are leaving the church. The bells are always rung for an hour on the four Monday mornings in Advent commencing at 5 a.m. (see p. 149.) The tenor bell is tolled in case of fire. DALLINGTON. S. Mary. 4 Bells. I. [ + 101] ALEXANDER RIGBE MADE ME 1688. ( Diam. 26 in. ) 2 H 242 The Inscriptions on the 2. [ + 2 ] (am^'^ [ o 35 ] ^ Sea-horse naiant D the crest of the Brudenells] "T 7" '^Wf ( Diam. 28 in. ) 3. + DEO ET ECCLESIA IMPENSIS COMITIS DE CARDIGAN DENUO FUSUM 1862. J. TAYLOR & Co FOUNDERS LOUGHBOROUGH. ( Diam. 36 in. ) 4- [ + 45 ] Ilm^ [ o 42 ] :^M.^M.mM.^mr^s [ a 42 ] mE3c:Ei [ □ 42 ] i'yrE):E.©jH-"Trx3Ei [ d 42 ] [ D 45 ] E.^ [ a 42 ] m.M.^©lS.:XMiM. [ a 42 ] 13"'5(c.CE)I^ [ a 42 ] H'laj^. ( Diam. 40 in. ) 246 The Inscriptions on the 5. [+15] NON ; SONO ; annimabvs : mortvorvm ; SED ; AVRIBVS \ VIVENTIVM. THOMAS :©RVDEHELL X^illLEES. ( Diam. 41 in. ) The ring was tuned in 1862 when the 3rd bell was recast. It previously was in a minor key. "Thomas Brudenell Milees" whose name appears on the tenor-bell was, I suppose, the eldest son of Robert Brudenell who inherited the manor of Deene from a long line of ancestors, and died in 1599. Thomas Brudenell, Esq., married Mary, fourth daughter of Sir Thomas Tresham, of Rushton, Knight. " On the 29tli of June 161 1 he was raised by King James to the degree of Baronet then instituted, and on the 29th of April 161 2 received the honour of Knighthood at Whitehall, For his general knowledge in literature and other accomplishments he was advanced by Letters Patent, bearing date the 26th of April in the 3rd year of Charles I. to the dignity of a Baron of the realm, by the title of Lord Brudenell of Stanton Wyville in Leicestershire. When the dissensions broke out between the King and parliament he was a zealous royalist, raising soldiers for his majesty's garrisons, and contributing whatever he could to the support of his cause. On the success of the Parliament, being committed to the Tower, he employed his leisure hours in making abstracts and collections from the Records kept there. After the Restoration, in consideration of his sufferings, he was created by Letters Patent, dated 20 April in the thirteenth year of Charles IL Earl of Cardigan." {Bridges ii. pp. 301-2.) He died in 1664, being then upwards of eighty years of age, and a large collection of MSS. made by him is still preserved with great care at Deene. James Thomas, the seventh Earl of Cardigan, whose name is upon the 3rd bell, died 27th March, 1868, and was buried in the Brudenell Chapel of Deene Church, where are very fine effigies of him and of his Countess in white marble. I can trace nothing as to the Richard Herbert and his wife of the 4th bell. Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 247 At the Death-knell three tolls are given for a male, two for a female. There is a tradition that some of the bells here were taken from Stonton Wyville, in Leicestershire, to Corby in this county, and from thence came to this place. The same tradition is told at Stonton (see Church Bells of Leicestershire, p. 288). The Advowsons of Corby and Stonton both belonging to the Earls of Cardigan, there may be some truth in the tradition. DENFORD. Holy Trinity. 6 Bells. 1. THOMAS HORRIg CAST ME 1629. ( Diam. 21 in. ) 2. [ + 70 D 74 + 68 ] ;Eiobcrt [ + 70 ] mot [ d 74 ] m:ibr [ + 68 ] mr [ D 76 ] 1 58 1. ( Diam. 25 in. ) 3. MATTHEW BAGLEY MADE MEE 1680. [ Diam. 26^ in. ) 4. HENRY BAGLEY OF CHALCOMB MADE MEE 1680. ( Diam. 28 in. ) 5. BRYAN SVTTON AND RICHARD BVRGES CHVRCH- WARDENS 1680. ( Diam. 30^ in. ) 6. S« EDWARD READE BARRONKNIGHT 1680. ( Diam. 33 in. ) At the Death-knell three tolls are given on each bell beginning at the 6th for a male, the same number commencing with the ist for a female. On Sunday, when Morning Prayer is to be said, three bells are chimed at 9 a.m. ; when Evensong only the same bells are chimed at I p.m. A bell is rung every Sunday at 12.30. DENTON. S. Margaret. 3 I^hlls. I. R. TAYLOR & SONS OXFORD MDCCCXWIJ. ( Diam. 27 in. ) 248 The Inscriptions on the 2. aOO SAVE OVR KING 1625 [IK a 69. ] ( Diam. 30 in. ) 3. A R. T W. C W. 1629. ( Diam, 30 in. ) In 1552 there were " iij bellf and one Sanctus bell." There is a tradition that prior to 1723 there were five bells here, and that in that year two were removed and the metal used in the recasting of the ring at Yardley Hastings. This is probably true as the beams remain where two additional bells have hung. Denton moreover is united with Yardley Hastings and Whiston, and is served by the Rectors of both places. DESBOROUGH. S. Giles. 5 Bells. 1. J. TAYLOR & Co. FOUNDERS LOUGHBOROUGH 1868. ( Diam. 29 in. ) 2, 3. CELORVM CHRSTE PLATIAT TIBl REX SONVS ISTE 1616 [U i-l { Diams. 31, 32 in. ) 4. prindpio (?) ehrt bukfs qic bonor tatmnc r D 25.-1 L a 14.J ( Diam. 35 in. ) 5. [ + 32 D D 37 ] © ® ,TS) ^ M^yr ^ WMM GRIFFIN RECTOR t JOHN WELLS CHURCH- WARDEN t EDW^ ARNOLD FECIT 1785. ( A vms TJ see below. ) and on rim : VENITE EXULTEMUS DOMINO. ( Diam. 28A in. ) 2. The same. ( Arms \J see below. ) and on rim : t CANTATE DOMINO CANTICUM NO\UM t ( Diam. 29:^^ in. ) 3. EDWi> GRIFFIN RECTOR t JOHN WELLS CRURCH- WARDEN t EDW^i^ ARNOLD LEICESTER FECIT 1785. ( A rms xj see below. ) and on rim : BENEDICTE OMNIA OPERA DOMINI. ( Diam. 2g|. in. ) 4. EDWt> GRIFFIN RECTOR O JOHN WELLS CHURCH- WARDEN t EDWD ARNOLD LEICESTER FECIT 1785 O ( A rms \j see below. ) and on rim : DEUS MISERERE NOSTRI ET NOBIS PA\'E. ( Diam. 33^ in. ) 5. IH'S : NAZARENVS REX : IVDEOR\M I'lLI : DEI MISERERE : MEI 1618 [\Ji.] ( Diam. 35^ in. ) In 1700 there were four bells (Bridges). The Rev. Edward Griffin, after being Rector of Dingley for 65 years, died 3rd October, 1840, aged 89 years. 2 I 250 The Inscriptions on the On the ist four bells are the arms of Hungerford — [sabW] two bars [argent] in chief three plates. John Hungerford of Market Harborough, Co. Leicester, died about the year 1722, leaving a son also named John. His widow married for her second husband Thomas Peach of Dingley, who dying about the year 1770, left his estates there to his step-son John Hungerford, the son of his wife by her first husband, desiring him to take the name of Peach before Hungerford. This John Peach Hungerford was M.P. for Leicestershire for fifteen years. He died 4th June, 1809, aged 90, and was buried at Dingley. The arms upon the bells are doubtless his, showing that he was a benefactor when the old bells were recast and the ring increased in number.* At the Death-knell three tolls are given for a male and two for a female, both before and after the knell. For Divine Service the bells are chimed and a Sermon-bell rung. DODDINGTON MAGNA. S. Luke. 5 Bells. 1. JOHN TAYLOR FOUNDER LO'BRO 1841. ( Diam. 25!^ in. ) 2. JOHN TAYLOR FOUNDER OXFORD 1841. ( Diam. 27 in. ) 3. 4. JOHN TAYLOR FOUNDER LOUGHBOROUGH 1841. ( Diams. 28, 30 in. ) 5. JOHN TAYLOR BELLFOUNDER OXFORD & LOUGH- BOROUGH 1841. ( Diam. 33 in. ) In 1552 there were " thre bellf yn the steple w' a letle bell.' In 1700 Bridges says there were four bells. * Kindly communicated to me by the Rev. Henry Ward from a pedigree in his possession. Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 251 On the bellframe is cut : John Chambers Church John Eaton John Knight Wardens fecit 1841. In 1 84 1 £61 ys. 2d. was paid to "Mr. Taylor bellfounder." The Churchwardens' Accounts say : " 1761. Paid the ringers at the Crownoracion 0.5.0 1802. Paid for all ringing for Peace 0.2.6'" There is a bell rung daily at noon. At the Death-knell thrice three tolls are given for a male, thrice two for a female. On Sunday two bells are rung at 8 a.m. (and until recently also at 7 a.m.) For Divine Service all the bells are chimed. DODFORD. S. Mary. 6 Bells. 1. J : TAYLOR & SON : FOUNDERS : LOUGHBOROUGH ANNO DOMINI 1847. ( Diam. 29 in. ) 2. CAMPANA GRAVIDA PEPERIT FILIAS 1674. ( Diam. 31 A in. ) 3. [+109] EX DONO JOHANNIS W YRLEY ARMIGERI 1G14. ( Diam. 33^ in. 14 coins round the lip. ) 4. 5, 6. IH'8 : NAZARENVS REX : IVDEORVM FILI : DEI MISERERE : MEI 1632 [ ^ i. ] ( Diams. 36, 39, 42^ in. The 5th dated 1626; the 6th dated 1624. ) In 1552 " Dodforth " possessed " iij belle in y' steple & a sanct" bell. " The ist bell was previously inscribed: Matthew Bagley made mee 1679.* Bridges' MSS. (Bibl. Bodl. EE. 5. 119). 252 The Inscriptions on the It may be inferred from the inscription on the 2nd bell that the ancient heavy bell was recast into two lighter ones. John Wyrley, Esq., purchased the Manor of Dodford in 1546: from him it descended, through his son Francis, who died in 1592, to the donor of the 3rd bell, John Wyrley, Esq. He was Sheriff of Northamp- tonshire 4 Charles I., and was buried here 13th April, 1655, aged 82 years. {Vide Baker, vol. i. p. 355-6.) The Pancake-bell, which used to be rung on Shrove-Tuesday, was discontinued twenty years ago. At the Death-knell thrice three tolls are given for a male, thrice two for a female. On Sunday the ist bell is rung at 8 a.m. ; and again after Morning Service. For Divine Service the bells are chimed and the Sermon-bell is rung, after which the treble is sounded until the Service begins. It has always been the custom here to ring a full peal at 5 a.m. on the Monday mornings in Advent (see p. 149). From the churchyard here seven neighbouring rings of bells are heard, namely, Daventry, Norton, Brockhall, Weedon, Flore, Everdon, and Newnham. The fact is thus noticed in a little poem — " Christmas Eve " — by the present vicar, the Rev. Henry John Thompson : " Our wreaths are wound, our banners fair are hung ; The church is dark : We wait and watch for morning light — but, hark ! The angels sing ! Nay ! the bells ring, — From seven fair towers the Christmas news is flunsf." DRAUGHTON. S. Catharine. 4 Bells. I. RICHARD BOSWARTH CHURCHWADEN JOSEPH EAYRE ST. NEOTS FECIT 1767. ( Diam. 26 in. ) Church Bells of Northamptonshire. J53 2, 3. JOSEPH EAYRi: ST. NHOTS FECIT 1767. ( Diams. 28, 29 in. ) 4. THi: GWT OF JAMES SCAWEN ESQ. 1767. ( Diain. 31 in. ) In 1700 tliere was only one bell. James Scawen was patron of the living. DUDDINGTON. S. Mary. i Bell. [ + 5 D ? D 10 D * D 10 D * D 10 ] J^ O [ D 10 ] ( Diani. 32^ in. * Fleur de lys. ) In 1700 there were three bells (Bridges). This bell is from Newcombe's foundry at Leicester. The stamps are all much abraded : I believe my description, so far as it is given, is correct. Tlie first five letters are ornate and large gothic ones, the remaining four are small plain gothic, excepting the letter M, which is a Roman letter on its side as shown. A similar bell hangs at Great Oakley which see. The Gleaning-bell is rung during harvest at 8 a.m. and at 6 p.m. At the death-knell thrice thiee tolls are given for a male, thince two for a female, both before and after the knell, after which the age of the deceased is tolled. On Sunday the bell is rung at 8 a.m., after which the day of the month is tolled. The bell is again rung after Morning Service when Evensong follows. It is tolled and then rung for Divine Service and Sermon. The bell is rung as a summons to Manor Court and W-stry Meetings. The villagers say that tiic two bells now wanting " were melted down for millstones and are in the mill." Does this mean that they were sold to pay for new millstones ? 254 The Inscriptions on the DUSTON. S. Luke or S. Mary. 3 Bells. 1. HENRY BAGLEY MADE MEE 1670. ( Diam. 29 in. ) 2. HENRY BAGLEY MADE MEE 1656. ( Diam. 30^ in. ) 3. ROBERT ATTON MADE ME 1619! (Diam. 35 in. ) EARL'S BARTON. All Saints. 6 Bells. 1. BEATI • PACIFICI • ROBERT • WHITWORTH • SEN« BENEPR 1720. ( Diam. 30 in. ) 2. SI DEVS PRO NOBIS QVIS CONTRA NOS 1720. ( Diam. 32 in. ) 3. EDWARD ARNOLD S^ NEOTS FECIT 1775 JOHN SMIT & WILLIAM KEMSHEAD CHURCHWARDENS. ( Diam. 34 in. ) 4. IHS REX lUDEORUM FILI DEI MISERERE MEI 1720. ( Diam. 36 in. ) 5. • : • VERA • JUDICET • ECCLESIA • FIXUS • ADVERSA • SPERNO : 1720 ; JOHN • JAMES \ HENRY • WINE • CHURCH-WARDENS \ HENRY • PENN ; FOUNDER. ( Diam. 38^ in. Much chipped. ) 6. TO THE CHURCH THE LIVEING I DO CALL & TO THE GRAVE I SUMMON ALL. JNO WARREN : & JOHN SMITH CAVS 1761. THO^ EAYRE VINCENT BARKER BENEFACTOR. ( Diam. 41^ in. ) Church Bells of Northamptonshire. -DD In 1700 (according to Bridges) there were five bells, the 2nd being inscribed : " Robartus Skalis quondam vicarius de Lokington dcdit hanc Campanam." Mr. Robert W'hitworth's family had an estate here, and tor sOD 1822 TAYLOR FECIT OXFORD. ( Diam. 25 in. ) • See Baker, vol. i. p. 621 268 The Inscriptions on the 2. GOD SAVE THE KING 1633 [ U i- ] ( Diam, 26 in. ) 3. IH'2 : NAZARENVS REX : IVDEORVM FILI : DEI MISERERE : MEI 1633 [ U i- ] ( Diam. 28 in. ) 4. IN ONORE THOM^ WILKINSON 1633 [JJ i.] ( Diam. 30 in. ) 5. .{< TAYLOR & SONS FOUNDERS OXFORD FEB. 9. 1822. T : EARL C : WARDEN »^ »J< ( Diam. 34 in. ) In 1552 there were " iij bellf in y^ steple." In- 1700 there were four bells, since increased to five by the addition of the treble ; the tenor was then inscribed : Bartholomew Atton made me 1621.* The Wilkinsons were formerly small landowners here. We learn from the Parish Register that Thomas Wilkinson, "in onore" of whom the fourth bell is said to have been cast, was "Guard:" or church- warden in 1633. "Thomas Wilkinson gentleman" was buried 13th February, 1676. The Register preserves a list of " Certificates Granted to such as wanted y* King's Cure," amongst which is: "Gave a Certificate to Sarah Wilkinson y' Daughter of Mr. George & Sarah Wilkinson of this Parish y' had y' King's Evil : & shee was according Touched by y' King, & had Gold given by him. She had this Certificate on April y' 2^ An. Dom. 1683, & was touched at Whitehall on Gocjd Fryday following. Wittness my hand John Hutton, Rr of Farthingstone." • Bridges' MSS. (Bibl. Bodl. EE. 5. 114). Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 269 At the Death-knell thrice three tolls are given for a num. tlirice two for a woman or a boy, and thrice one for a girl. On Sunday the bells are chimed, after which the ist bell is rung for five minutes. FAWSLEY. S. Mary. 4 Bells. 1. ^uiutc ;i3otolfc <2)ra ^ro ^obis [ U ^9 ° 18 17 20. ] [ Diam. 30 in. ] 2. jEn XHwltis iinnis ^csonct C^':im|j:ui;i Jobannis [ U ^9 ° ^^ U 20.] ( Diam. 30 in. Ornate capitals see [ a 66 D 67 ] for specimens. ) 3- -Sit '^\m\t\\ Domini Xinifiiictum [ U ^9 ° 18 ij 20. ] ( Diam. 36 in. ) 4. Johannes ^.st 'X?iomcn ,"Ehis [ 137 19 a 18 I3f 20. ] ( Diam. 40 in. ) In 1552 there were " iiij bell(^ in y* steple & a sanct' bell." The four bells referred to in the Edwardian Inventory still hang in the steeple, a sadly rare occurrence. They are an interesting ring, all bearing the same founder's marks. The inscriptions on the ist and 3rd are in the same form of letters, with plain capitals. The 4th has slightly decorated capitals, and the 2nd is in rather larger black letter, with fine bold ornate capitals, of which two specimens will be found, Nos. 66 and 67. These also appear upon the 4th bell at Bainton. FAXTON. 5. Denis. 2 Bells. 1. HENRY PENN MADE ME 1703. 2. 1703. 270 The Inscriptions on the FINEDON. S. Mary the ^'IRGI^•. 6 Bells. 1. EX DONO GILBERT DOLBEN ARMIGER 1688 RECAST 1825. CALL A SOLEMN ASSEMBLY. W. AND J. TAYLOR FOUNDERS OXFORD. THOMAS BOD- DINGTON AND PETER SMITH CHURCHWARDENS. ( Diam. 34 in. ) 2. HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD. RECAST BY W. AND J. TAYLOR OXFORD 1825. THOMAS BODDINGTON AND PETER SMITH CHURCHWARDENS. ( Diam. 36 in. ) 3. PRAISE GOD UPON THE HIGH SOUNDING CYMBALS RECAST BY \N . & J. T. OXON 1825. T. BODDINGTON & P. SMITH C" W^- ( Diam. 39 in. ) 4. A VOICE FROM THE TEMPLE A VOICE OF THE LORD. REV. S. W. PAUL VICAR RICHARD VINCENT AND VINCENT BAILEY CHURCHWARDENS 1779. RE- CAST 1825. ( Diam. 40 in. ) 5. AS IN ADAM ALL DIE SO IN CHRIST SHALL BE MADE ALIVE. CAST BY W^ATTS OF LEIC«i« 1639 & RECAST BY W\ & J. TAYLOR OXFORD 1825. ( Diam. 41^- in. ) 6. WATCH THEREFORE FOR YE KNOW NOT \\'HAT HOUR YOUR LORD DOTH COME. THIS BELL CAST BY JOHN TAYLOR & Co. 1875. M«s. MACK- WORTH DOLBEN LADY OF THE MANOR. REVr> G. W. PAUL VICAR JOHN HAWKES WILL^' LEA HILL CH WARDENS. DATE OF ORIGINAL TENOR BELL 1613. ( Diam. 51 in. ) In 1875 the bells were rehung : the tenor bell, then recast, weighed igcwt. It was inscribed : Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 271 Watch for ye know not the hour of death Sir English Dolben Bar' Lord of the Manor Rev" S. W. Paul B.D. Vicar The' Boddington & Peter Smith C \V* \V. & J. Taylor Oxon fecit Cast 1613 Sc recast 1825. The weight of the present fine bell is 24cwt. "Gilbert Dolben Armiger " and John Dolben, Esq., were sons of John, Archbishop of York : the former married Anne, the latter Elizabeth, the daughters and co-heiresses of Tanfield Mulso, Esq., Lord of the Manor of Finedon. Gilbert Dolben was created a Baronet I St April, 1704, and by right of his wife, and by purchase of one moiety from his brother, became entire Lord of tlie Manor of Finedon. He died in 1722. Sir English Dolben, whose name appeared on the tenor bell recently recast, was descended from Sir Gilbert. He died in 1836. The present Lady of the Manor, whose name is on the new tenor-bell, was Frances, youngest and only surviving daughter and coheir of William Somerset Dolben, Esq., and granddaughter of Sir John English Dolben, Bart. She married William Harcourt Isham Mackworth, Esq., who assumed, on his marriage, the additional name of Dolben. He died in 1872. The Rev. S. W. Paul, B.D, was instituted Vicar of Finedon in 1809, and died, aged 69 years, on ist August, 1847. He was buried here. His son, the present Vicar, whose name is on the tenor bell, was instituted in February, 1848. The I St bell is rung daily at 8 a.m. and the 3rd bell at noon. The Pancake-bell is rung on Shrove-Tuesday. At the Death-knell nine tolls are given for a male, seven for a female, on each of the six bells. Until recently (ten or twelve years ago) the bells were chimed at Funerals when the procession entered the churchyard. The custom was discontinued at the request of the parishioners generally. In case of fire the 5th bell is rung. On the 29th of May the bells arc rung with one side muffled. On Sunday the 2nd bell is rung at 7 a.m. and the 3rd and 4th at 8 a.m. For Divine Service the bells are all chimed, excepting the tenor, which is rung and sounded in alternate rounds. 272 The Inscriptions on the FLORE. All Saints. 6 Bells and Priest's Bell. i. james phillips and thomas sharpe churchwardens o o o o russell of wootton near bedford made me i743. ( Diam. 28^ in. ) 2. CANTATE DOMINO CANTICVM NOVVM 1679. ( Diam. 31 in. ) 3. HNREY BAGLY MADE MEE 1679. ( Diam. 32J in. ) 4. MATTHEW BAGLY MADE MEE 1676. ( Diam. 34 in. ) 5. JOHN PHILLIPS AND ROBERT BULLOCKE CHURCH- WARDENS 1679. ( Diam. 37 in. ) 6. I TO THE CHURCH THE LIVING CALL AND TO THE GRAVE DO SUMMONDS ALL . RUSSELL OF WOOTTON MADE ME IN SEVEN- TEEN HUNDRED AND FOURTY THREE O O O ( Diam. 4i|- in. ) The Priest's Bell is without Inscription, stamp, or wheel. ( Diam 13^ in. ) In 1700 there were five bells only, viz. : the present 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th, and a tenor inscribed : Be it known to all that do mee see that Bagly of Chacom made mee 1679.* In 1800 the bells were rehung by John Over of Rugby. On the belfry wall is this Inscription placed there by The Rev. K. M. R. Tarpley (late Vicar) in 1831 : Nos resonare jubent pietas mors atque voluptas. At the Death-knell thrice three tolls are given for a male, thrice two for a female, bef at that time patron of the living. It hangs in the Priest's Chamber over the North porch. At the Death-knell three tolls are given on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th bells for a man, and two on the same bells for a woman, before the knell on the tenor bell, after which thrice three tolls are given for a man. and thrice two for a woman. For children the three smaller bells are used in the same manner. On Sunday the ist bell is rung at 8 a.m., and again at i p.m. if Evensong is to follow. For Divine Service the four bells are chimed, after which the Priest's bell is rung ; it is called the Sermon-bell. FURTHOE. 5. Bartholomew. i Bell. There is one small modern bell recast in about the year 1870. 2 M 274 T^^^ Inscriptions on the In 1552 the Commissioners reported : " Itm one bell. M'' that one of the said Bellf beynge conteyned in the laste Inventorye was the bell belongyng to the almes house in Olde Stratford and is forthe comynge to the vse & behoffe of the Erie of Wylsheire." GAYTON. S. Mary the Virgin. 6 Bells. 1. IN DEI LAUDEM ET GEORGII REGIS HONOREM ^ -+ EX BONO THOM.E SAMWEL BARONETTI A.D. 1727. ( Diam. 30 in. ) 2. GLORY BE TO GOD ON HIGH [ n 34 ] 1726. ( Diam. 31^ in. ) 3. PEACE & GOOD NEIGHBOVRHOOD 1726. ( Diam. 33^ in. ) 4. PROSPERITY TO THE CHVRCH OF ENGLAND 1726. ( Diam. 35 in. ) 5. W^' BALL CH-WARDEN 1726. ( Diam. 39 in. " W™ Ball " is painted on the bell. ) 6. + THE GIFT OF THE REV^ M ; GIBBS RECTOR 1726. RECAST BY VOLUNTARY SUBSCRIPTION 1821 G. BUTLER D.D. RECTOR J BUSH MA CURATE. J. PAYNE & J GEORGE C. WARDENS + R TAYLOR & SONS FOUNDERS. ( Diam. 43 in. ) In 1552 there were " iij bell(-' in the steple of treble ryng .Viid one small saynnt(^ bell." In 1700 there were "3 bells besides the Saints Bell." These were inscribed : 1. Geve thanks to God alwaies 1585. 2. Feare God and obey the Lord 1594. 3. God save King Charles 1662. (Bi'idges.) Church Bells of Northamptonshire . 275 The " Saint's bell " has disappeared. Sir Thomas Samwell, Baronet, of Upton — the donor of the ist bell — was Lord of the Manor and owner of the advowson of Gayton. He was M.P. for Coventry from 1714 to 1722. He died at Bradden on the 1 6th of November, and was buried at Upton on the 2nd of December, 1757. (See Pedigree in Baker, vol. i. p. 225.) A bell is rung daily at noon. The Pancake-bell is rung on Shrove-Tuesday, and the Gleaning-bell during harvest. At the Death-knell thrice three tolls are given for a male, thrice two for a female. On Sunday the ist bell is rung at 8 a.m., the 4th and 5tli bells at 9 a.m. For Divine Service, when there is to be a Sermon, the tenor bell is rung, then all are chimed, after which the ist bell is tolled. Peals are rung on 24th May, 29th May, 20th June, 5th November, for all of which the ringers receive £1 annually. GEDDINGTON. S. Mary ^Magdalene. 5 Bells. I. W. DAINTEY W. BRANSON CHURCH WARDENS. VV AND J TAYLOR FOUNDERS 1835. ( Diam. 29 in. A stamp of a cow on the waist ) 2. j^:kg:e);e:h ©i^ij^j^xh :mo)p>GiX\@ [u^] ( Diam. 30 in. See specimen letters d d 53 ilv; 53^. ) 3- [ + 45] -s [042] w^t^om^j^js [D?] [ D 35 ° 26.] ( Diam. 34 in. ) 4. OMNIA FIANT AD GLORIAM DEI GLORIA DEO SOLI ANNO DOMINI 1732. ( Diam. 36 in. ) 5. SER ROBERT DALLINGTON GAVE ME TO GEDDING TON AGED 69 1630 [U I-] ( Diam. 40 in. ) 276 The Inscriptions on the Sir Robert Dallington, Knight, was a native of Geddington. After being educated in Cambridge, he became a Schoolmaster in Norfolk. He afterwards travelled over France and Italy, and having good abilities and judgment he, upon his return, became Secretary to Francis, Earl of Rutland. He erected a schoolhouse in Geddington (long since fallen to ruin), and over it placed an inscription, from which we learn that he was 74 years of age in 1635, and that he was then Master, and one of the Governors, of the Charter House, London, and also one of the " gentlemen of the Privie Chamber in Ordinary." Sir Robert Dalling- ton was in other ways a benefactor to his native place, and in 1630 gave the tenor bell. He appears to have had a curious conceit in proclaiming his age : he placed it as we have seen both over his school door and upon his bell. He died in 1637. GLAPTHORNE. S. Leonard. 3 Bells. I. JO • LOVELING ; VICAR HEN ; PENN FVSORE 1710. [ See XJ hclow. ] ( Diam. 25 in. ) 2. [ + 120 ] i:m:EicDm©' [ □ * i MML.wm% l □ * ] and on rim in smaller capitals : [ + 89 ] J^Q>^iM.:^Xh^S [ a * ] ^ji£:E.-^^w [ ° * ] PiXJE. [ □ * ] -FO^i&ilim^ ( Diam. 28^ in. ) 3. ^anttt ,^nbrca ©ra ^xq ^obis. ( Diam. 30! in. Crowned capitals. ) In 1552 there were : " Itiri ij hand belles. Itm iij belles in the steple." As to the Rev. J. Loveling, whose name is upon the ist bell, see under Cotterstock p. 230. The shield bears the arms of Griffin of Northants [ Sable ] a griffin segreant [ Argent ]. Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 277 As to the founder of the 2nd bell with imperfect inscription see p. 58. The stamps marked * are fleur-de-lys. At the Death-knell tliree tolls are given for a male, two for a female, on all the bells. For Divine Service the bells are chimed and the Sermon-bell (tenor) is rung. GLINTON. S. Benedict. 6 Bells. 1. THE LORD TO PRAISE MY VOICE ILL RAISE T. OSBORN FOUNDER 1799 • \ • • \ ■ ■ \ ■ ( Diam, 30^ in. ) 2. PEACE AND GOOD NEIGHBORHOOD THOMAS OSBORN FECIT 1799 • : • • : • • : ■ • • • ( Diam. 32 in. ) 3. GIVE NO OFFENCE TO THE CHURCH THOMAS OSBORN FOUNDER DOWNHAM NORFOLK 1799 ( Diam. 34^ in. ) 4. OUR VOICES SHALL WITH JOYFUL SOUND, MAKE HILLS AND VALLEYS ECCHO ROUND • i • • ; • ( Diam. 37 in. ) 5. EDMUND AND GEORGE WEBSTER CHURCHWARDENS THO^ OSBORN FOUNDER DOWNHAM NORFOLK 1799 • ! • ( Diam. 40 in. ) 6. JOHN SCOTT DID PAY FOR ME ONE HUNDRED POUNDS AND ODD MONEY • i • THOMAS OSBORN FOUNDER 1798 • : • • : • • i • ( Diam. 44^ in. ) In 1552 the Commissioners reported : "fyrst in o' stepylle iij bel('. Itiii on sans bell. Itni ij hand bel(\" 278 The Inscriptions on the In 1700 there were five bells (Bridges). Mr. John Scott was a resident here, and a great ringer ; he died 25th March, 1847, aged 87, and was buried near the south gate of the churchyard. The Websters were also good ringers. Until quite recently a bell was rung daily at 4 a.m., and the Curfew was regularly rung from Michaelmas to Lady Day until the year 1875. The Gleaning-bell (3rd) sounds at 8 a.m. and at 6 p.m. during harvest. At the Death-knell for adults thrice three tolls are given for a male, thrice two for a female, both before and after the knell on the tenor bell ; for children the 3rd bell is used in the same way. For Funerals the tenor bell is tolled to summon the bearers half an hour before the funeral takes place, when it is tolled again. On Sunday a bell is sounded at 8 a.m. and two bells at 9 a.m. For Divine Service all the bells are chimed, then the tenor is raised and " rung in," after which the Sermon-bell (tenor) is rung alone. GRAFTON REGIS. S. Mary. 4 Bells. 1,2. [ + 81 ] GOD SAVE OVR KING 1623. ( Diams. 30, 32 in. ) 3. [ + 29 ] J^-y^©- [ □ 10 ] m^M.^i%M^ [ D II ] ( Diam. 34 in. ) 4. W. & J. TAYLOR BELLFOUNDERS OXFORD & LOUGH - BORO 1839. ( Diam. 40 in. ) In 1552 there were " iij greate bellez and a Sant' bell." The 4th bell was previously inscribed : In Multis Annis Resonet Campana Johannis. "The Manor of Grafton together with the title (Earl Rivers) descended to Richard Widville, the younger brother of Anthony Earl Rivers. This Earl Richard dyed also without issue ; and by his will, Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 279 bearing date 20th February 1490, bequeathed to the parish churcli of Grafton all the cattle which he then had at Grafton, to the intent that a yearly Dirige and Mass of Requiem might be said for his soul. He further ordered that as much underwood should be cut down and sold from his woods at Grafton, as would buy a bell that might be a tenor to the bells of Grafton for a remembrance of the last of his blood. " (Dugdale's Baronage ii. p. 233, quoted by Bridges.) There is a tradition that tiiere was a fifth bell here which was taken away in the time of the Rebellion. GRAFTON UNDERWOOD. S. James. 4 Bells. 1. Sr. JOHN ROBERSON KNIGHT 1682. 2. HENRY BAGLEY MADE MEE 1682. 3. MATTHEW BAGLEY MADE MEE 1682. 4. THOMAS HAWKES AND FRANCIS GRAEY CHVRCH- WARDENS 1682. Sir John Robinson was Lord of the Manor. GREATWORTH. 5. Peter. 3 Bells and a Priest's Bell. 1. K. TAYLOR AND SON FOUNDERS OXFORD MDCCCXXV. ( Diam. 28^ in. ) 2. [ + 22 ] \S\M^M-mX^ [ U 24- ] ( Diam. 29 in. Intended for S. Anna. ) 3. sane t;i mi il);i cl ora pro no bis [ D 2S. ] ( Diam. 32^ in. ) Priest's Bell : PIENRY BAGLEY MADE MEE 1707. ( Diam. 15^ in. ) In 1552 there were " iij bell(^ in the steple & A saunctp bell." In 1700 Bridges says there were five bells, and that the tenor was 28o TJic Inscriptions on the inscribed like the present one. There is no tradition in the village as to there having been any more bells than the present number, and judging from them I think Bridges was in error. The Pancake-bell is rung on Shrove-Tuesday. At the Death-knell three tolls are given for a male, two for a female. At Funerals the tenor is tolled after, as well as before, the Office is said. On Sunday the ist bell is rung at 8 a.m., the 2nd at g a.m. For Divine Service the bells are chimed, and the Sermon-bell is rung. GREEN'S NORTON. S. Bartholomew. 5 Bells. 1. THOMAS MEARS OF LONDON FECIT i8io. ( Diam. 29 in. ) 2. :•: THOMAS PRICE RECTER FRANCIS WOOD THOMAS : C. W. MATTHEW : B : FACET 1757. ( Diam. 31 in. ) 3. :•: THOMAS : haw^kins : john : elliott ; church : wardens • : • 17278 ( Diam. 32^ in. ) 4. J. LEE & W. BURT C. WARDENS R. TAYLOR & SONS FOUNDERS MDCCCXXIX. ( Diam. 35 in. ) 5. :■: WHEN : i : ring : OR : tole : my : voice : is SPENT : • : THAT : MEN : MAY : COM : AND : so REPENT : HENRY ! BAGLEY : MADE : THIS RINGE : JANUARY : T^ 1727. ( Diam. 39 in. ) In 1552 "Norton Davy" possessed "three bellf & a saunctf bell in the steple." In 1700 there were four bells (Bridges). The Rev. Thomas Price of Trinity Hall, Cambridge, LL.B., Vicar Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 281 nt J>iickiiigliaiu, was institiiied Ktcior lA this parish 6th July, 1749. He retained both benefices, died 28th August, 1772. and was buried liere.* GRENDON. S. Makv. 5 Bf.li.s. 1. [ + 2] jF^XiG.:S2> J^.J?.G,"E^ MiJi^XXl 1618. ( Diam. 31 in. ) 2. [ + 2 ] ,^X3GX) H3?<3 I^IIOii. ( Diani. 33 in. ) 3- [ + 5" ] -Sil ^lomcn Xj)omiiu X3""i>itl«in [ + ^JO ] O ( Diam. 35^ in. ) 4. [ + 4M :^:ajiiB.e- wmg mcdmx^ i^i^- ( Diam. 40^ in. ) 5. CUM SONO SI NON VIS VENIRE NUNQUAM AD PRECES COPIES IRE : • ■ INTACTUM SILEO. PERCUTE DULCE CANO. THO^ EAYRE 1761. ( Diam. 42 in. ) The letters on ist, 2nd, and 4th bells arc like [ d 53.] In 1552 there were " iiij bell(^ and a sanct' bell." The tenor bell was previously inscribed : Sum Rosa pulsata mundi'^Iaria vocata. There is a tradition current both here and at Earl's Barton that the tenor bells of both places being at the founder's at the same time were in error exchanged by him. so that each parish got its wrong bell. GRETTON. S. James. 5 Bells and a Priest's Bell. I. TININTUS RAPIDOUS SCINTILLANS SPARGO PER AURAS. EAYRE KETTERING. ( Diam. 29J in. ) * See Baker, vol. ii. pp. 64 and 67. 2 N 282 The Inscriptions on the 2. STATUTUM EST OMNIBUS SEMEL MORI 1761. ( Diam. 32 in. ) 3. LAUDATE DOMINUM CYMBALS SONORIS 1761. ( Diam. 32^ in. ) 4. CREDE RESIPISCE MORI MEMENTO. 1761. MORTE BEATA NIHIL BEATIUS. (Diam. 35 in. ) 5. MY SOUNDING IS EACH ONE TO CALL, TO SERVE THE LORD BOTH GREAT AND SMALL 1761. ( Under which is : ) WILLIAM ROWELL & WILLIAM BOON C.W /. ( Diam. 37^ in. ) Priesfs Bell: THOMAS NORRIS MADE ME 1636. ( Diam. 20-| in. ) In 1700 there were four bells (Bridges). The small bell now hangs in a square cot (surmounted by a ball, vane and weathercock) which is placed on the top of the roof of the tower. The clapper is gone, and it is now the clock-bell. Tradition says that one of the four bells mentioned by Bridges being cracked they were all replaced by the present ring of five cast by Eayre in 1761, and that he kept one of the bells for the Kettering ring, sending one of the Kettering bells here. This is probably true for the same tradition is told at Kettering with regard to the 5th bell there, which is dated 1630, but which has incised upon it the date 1761. The bell from Kettering was of course recast before it was added to this ring. These are sweet toned bells, and there is a tradition that when Eayre the founder went into the churchyard to hear them rung for the first time he showed his satisfaction by presenting the ringers with £$. The bells were rehung in 1870. The Gleaning-bell (4th) is rung during harvest at 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., and the same bell is rung as the Pancake-bell at 11 a.m. on Shrove- Tuesday. Church Bells of Northamptotishire. 283 At the Death-knell three tolls are given for a male, two for a female, before and after the knell, On Sunday a bell is rung at 8 a.m., and for Divine Service the bells are chimed, after which the tenor is rung as a Sermon-bell. GUILSBOROUGH. S. Etheldred the Virgin. 6 Bells. 1. Pliuskx Dobd • t\} : M. ' 'M • 1593- ^ ,Ti£aubo ItDtum "\rirum. ( Diam. 26 in. ) 2. ^ X^lcbtm "yToto. ( Diam. 27! in..) 3- *h Congrrgo Gkrbm. ( Diam. 2gf in. ) 4- "^ Dcf6ntos ;F>Ioto. ( Diam. 31^ in. ) m:^xi:E.Gi- 1S47. ( Diam. 34 in. ) 6. »i< X^jsta Xj>ccoro Xbs : Xin? '. Ibbcorbm ^r\ct : X^.il : X)n : iHis : XD." 1618. m E.5E^ © XIlE,^m.S mEXt£C 1847. ( Diam. 37J in. ) 284 The Inscriptions on the Until 1847 there were four bells only thus inscribed : 1. IH8 : Nazarenvs rex ivdeorvni [ fili dei miserere mei ] 1618. 2. Master Dobbel Char : 1593. 3. John Hearne William Pell Churchwardens : Henry Penn made me 1707. 4. Tobie Norris cast me : God save the King 1675.* In 1847 those were then recast and two more added. The inscriptions on two bells of the old ring are repeated by way of memorial on the first and last of the present ring. It may be mentioned that the inscriptions on these bells are from an ancient source. Lawrence Beyerlink, Canon of Antwerp, in " Select Sennons on Various Subjects'' (Cologne, 1627), has one preached at the Benediction of Bells, in which he says: "But further, the church- has another intention in this blessing, namely, that by the ringing of these bells, calling the people to" prayers, and consecrated by the prayers (jf the church, evil spirits may be frightened, and their devices be destroyed, so that by their removal the animals, crops, and minds of the faithful may be preserved from all approach of evil. Hence the author of the Glossa ad Extravaganten Johannis xxij, who wished to establish the pre- rogative of the greater churches by means of the bells, when he decreed that the monks of the mendicant orders ought to be content with one bell for each place, added these verses on the use of bells : " I praise our God most true. And call the people too ; Summon the priests to pray, And chase the plague away ; The dead in Christ I mourn, And Festivals adorn." f • Bn(f^«' MSS. (Bibl. Bodl. EE. I, 134.) ploro, pestein luyu. festa decoro. ^See t" (Original) ' Laudo Deum verum, the whole Sermon translated in fiW/s 0/ ///f plebem voco, convoco clerum, defunctos Church, p. 94.) Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 285 Tht' Morning, Noon, and Curfew bells formerly rung here have l)een discontinued. At the Death-knell thrice three tcjlls are given for a male, thrice two for a female. On Sundays two bells are chimed at 9 a.m. and again at i p.m. HADDON EAST. S. Mary the Virgin. 5 Bells. 1. CELORVM CHRSTE PLATIAT TIBl REX SONVS ISTE 1621 [ U I- ] ( Diam. 32 in. ) 2. 3. IH2 : NAZARENVS REX : IVDEORVM FILl : DEI MISERERE : MEI 1621 {-Ji.} { Diams. 33, 36 in. ) 4. RICHIE BOSWELL AND ERA : STANLEY CHURCH- WARDENS [ D 34] 1731. ( Diani. 39 in. ) 5. CVM • SONO • SI • NON • VIS • VENIRE • NVNQNAM ■ AD • PRECES • CVPIES • IRE • 1621 [xj \.] ( Diam. 44 in. ) The 4th bell was previously inscribed like the 2nd and 3rd. W. Taylor in his notes supplied to Bridges the Historian says: "this & Preston on y' Hill (Preston Capes) are Accounted 2 Famous Rings of Bells, as Tuneable and Musical as any within 5 Miles of Them."* A bell is rung daily at noon. At the Death-knell three tolls are given for a male, two for a female, on all the bells. On Sunday the ist bell is rung at 8 a.m. For Divine Service the bells are chimed, and the Scrmon-bcll (tenorl is rung. • Bridges MSS. (Bibl. Bodl. vol. xxx KE. i ) 286 The Inscriptions on the HADDON WEST. All Saints. 5 Bells. 1. JOHN GVLLIVER AND THOMAS BVRNAM C. 1636 [u i-l ( Diam. 30^ in. ) 2. BE • YT • KNOWNE • TO • ALL • THAT • DOTH • ME • SEE • THAT • NEWCOMBE • OF • LEICESTER • MADE • MEE • 1611. HEARE O I O HAD O NOT O HVNOE O BVT O FOR O lOHN O DALINGTON O [ n s^^ below ] O O [ d 5^^ below ] O E O M O ( Diam. 32 in. ) 3. THOMAS BVRNHAM AND THOMAS PARNELL CH. WARDENS O H O B O 1682. ( Diam. 35 in. ) 4. JAMES CHARTERS VICAR THOMAS COLLIS & ROBt BODDINGTON CHURCHWARDENS. EDWd ARNOLD LEICESTER FECIT ( Diam. 38^ in. ) 5. GLORIA PATRI FILIO ET SPIRITUI SANCTO. ANNO DOM. 1729 JOHN LUCAS AND WILLIAM KILSBY CHURCHWARDENS ( Diam. 41^ in. ) The bell frame is dated 1800. The 4th and 5th bells were previously inscribed : 4. Be yt knowne to all that doth me see that Newcombe of Leicester made me 161 1. 5. ABODE FGHIK LMNO.* The 2nd bell (in addition to the impressions of coins) is impressed with two stamps which are of some interest to Bell- hunters. At S. Mary's Oxford hangs a bell known as " The Music Bell." It was • Bridges- MSS. (Bibl. Bodl.) Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 287 cast by Newcombe of Leicester in 161 2. Round the crown of the bell is the familiar inscription — "Be yt knowne," &c. — of the Leicester founders preceded by their initial cross fig. 5. Below this are two lines of music, the upper one going all round tiie bell, and the lower one only part of the way. The music comprises four detaciied pieces. They are written on the five line staff in the lozenge shaped notes usually seen in prick-song of the period. There are no bars except a double one at the end of each strain. Each strain is headed by a distinct cleff (three parts having the C clefF and the fourth tlie F) and all the parts have the signature of B flat. Each strain or division is preceded by a roundel containing a man's profile and bust in relief, in the dress of the period, and encircled by a legend as follows : 1. + KEEPE . TYME . IN . ANVE . CASE 2. THE . LAST . STRAVNE . WAS . GOOD 3. THEN . LETT . VS . SINGE . IT . AGAINE 4. EXCELLENT . WELL . SONGE . MY . HARTS. The music was scored by the late Dr. Rimbault, and is said to be very quaint and beautiful, in the style of the well known madrigal " In going to my lonesome bed." Nothing whatever is known as to the origin of the music, which has not been found upon any other of Newcombe's numerous bells, nor in print or manuscript. The object of placing it on the bell is also a mystery.* I have long been expecting to find some trace of the stamps peculiar to this bell upon some other of Newcombe's bells, but there is not an instance of their use in Leicester- shire, and this second bell at West Haddon is the only instance at present known where any of those four stamps are reproduced. This • The Rev. J. T. Fowler F.S.A. com- score will be found in Archaologia, vol. municated a full account of this Bell to xlii. pp. 491-3. From that account (with the Society of Antiquaries in 18G8. That Mr. Fowlers permission) and from The account illustrated with a sheet of fac- Dells of the Church by the Rev. H. T. similes from the bell, a lithograph of ElLicombe F.S..\. I h.ive compiled the the music in the old notation, and Dr. above notes upon tins siii>;u!ar bell. Rimbault's version set in modern short 288 The Inscriptions on the bell bears two of the roundels or medallions found upon the Oxford music-bell, namely those bearing the legends : EXCELLENT . WELL . SONGE . MY . HARTS KEEPE . TYME . IN . ANYE . CASE. A bell is rung daily at noon, and Curfew daily at 8 p.m., excepting on Sunday. On Sunday a bell is rung at 8 a.m. called the Sermon-bell, and again at g a.m., called the School-bell. For Divine Service the bells are chimed. HANNINGTON. S. Peter. 2 Bells and Priest's Bell. [ a 35] 1. JkCDYE [ a *] j3i(^^\.WMWM [ D *] ^M<^m [ D 37 ] ( Diam. 28^ in. - Apparently a dog. ) 2. CELORVM CHRSTE PLATIAT TIBI REX SONVS ISTE 1615 [U !■] ( Diam. 30^ in. ) Priest's Bell : J. TAYLOR & Co. 1868. ( Diam. 12 in. ) Previous to 1868 there were three bells and a Priest's bell. One of the former and the latter being much broken, they were sent to the founder and cast into the present Priest's bell. The tower being small, and having been much cut away to make room for the bells, it is thought desirable to use one only (the ist) of the two larger ones for ringing purposes ; the other is used solely as a clock-bell. Quotations from Scripture (beyond the Angelic Salutation and the Superscription of the Cross) being rare on old bells, makes the inscrip- tion on the Service-bell here of some interest. Lone hurteth not hys neyghhotive is the reading of Romans xiii. 10 v. in Henry the Eighth's Bible called "The Great Bible," or "Cranmer's;" also in Matthew's and in Coverdale's. From one of these the inscription is evidently taken. Church Bells of NortJiamptonshire. 289 The bell is rung daily at noon. On Sunday the bell is rung at 8 a.m. if Morning Service is to follow, at 12 o'clock if Evensong. For Divine Service the Priest's bell is sounded for a few minutes after the other bell. HARDINGSTONE. S. Edmund. 5 Bells. 1. CANTATE DOMINO CANTICVM NOVVM 1669. Royal xj Arms. ( Diam. 30 in. ) 2. ROBERT HENRY COX M A \TCAR HENRY COOPER | r^^TTTT?r-u^^'^ t^tmtvc THOMAS EDIS GRAY I CHURCHWARDENS. J. TAYLOR & Co FOUNDERS LOUGHBOROUGH 1S71. ( Diam. 32^ in. ) 3. HENRY BAGLEY MADE MEE 1682. ( Diam. 35 in. ) 4. JOHN GREENE AND ROBERT PACKWOOD CHVRCH- WARDENS 1669; ( Diam. 37^ in. ) 5. I RING TO [D99] SERMON WITH A LVSTI BOME THAT ALL MAY COME AND [ d 99 ] NONE [ d 99 ] MAY [ D 99] STAY [ D 99] AT HOME + 1669. ( Diam. 41 1 in. ) In 1552 there were " iiij grett bcll(> & one sanct' bell brokyn." The Gleaning-bell is rung during harvest at 8 a.m. and at 6 p.m. At the Death-knell thrice three tolls are given for a male, thrice two for a female. On Sunday the ist bell is rung at 8 a.m. For Divine Service the bells are chimed. After Morning Service the ist bell is again rung and is called "the Dinner-bell." Peals arc rung on the Feast of S. Edmund as well as on the Great Festivals. 2 O 2 go The Inscriptions on the HARDWYCKE. S. Leonard. i Bell. I. ^um ^Eiosii )P«Isata X^mrbi ^Katcrina l^ocata [ + 39 U 4o- ] ( Diam. 36 in. ) There were formerly two bells here. The second one was sold in 1795 to defray expenses when the South aisle was removed. That aisle was rebuilt when the church was restored in 1867. HARGRAVE. All Saints. • 4 Bells. ( Diam. 27 in. Letters like [ n 53 ] )• 2. GRATA SIT ARGUTA RESONANS CAMPANULA VOCE : • NATH. MITCHELL :• C : W :• 1748. ( Diam. 29 in. ) 3. [ + 65 ] J SCOTCHIT TOBIE W0RRI8 CA8T ME 1675. ( Diam. 30 in. ) 4. [ + 22 D 3 u 14 ] -S" M:Mm^^MM:m. ( Diam. 34 in. ) The oldest Register Book of Hargrave, commencing 1572, has the following entry on the fly-leaf : John Smith clerke January 13'''' Anno 1599 the lytle bell was cast at bedford this yeare 1599 by newcn tho. browne Junior Ed Aspyn churchwardens the same yeare This bell was evidently cast by Newcombe of Leicester, who, like many other founders, probably set up his temporary furnace in other places : in this case at Bedford. The entry just quoted was evidently Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 291 fcillowed by others relating to the bells : several of these were however erased by a succeeding rector — Wm. Catsline 1623- 1673 — i" order that he might enter a recipe " For a broken winded horse." Under this, no doubt valuable, but for my purpose unfortunate, recipe is another entry by The Rev. John Smith : the greate bell was broken uppo the Coronaci day 1602. The Churchwardens' Account Book, commencing in 1709, also furnishes some entries : a few are quoted : 1709 Payd for 2 bell ropes 00 . 04 . 00 Nov 5 Given to y^ Ringers 00 . 02 . 06 22 Given to y*" Ringers on y^ Thanks- giving 00 . 02 . 06 1 714 P'^ to Will Lovell for mending the Clappers of y* bells 00 . 06 . 06 Oct 20 Given to y'' Ringers on y^ Coronacon Day 00 . 10 . 00 1721 P"' for a new bell weell 01 . 00 . 00 1733 Given to the Ringers for the Prince of Orange 00 . 02 . 00 1746 Paid to W" Whittering for 3 bell ropes weigh- ing 20 pounds & half o . 10 . o 1747 p*^ Lovell for taking the bell down o. 2. o Expences at John Edeys concerning the bell being Roun [^i.e., for beer at the public house when talking about the bell being recast or "run"] o . i . 6 1748 for loading the bell o . i . o Oct 9 Expended at John Edeys for drawing up the bell & hanging the bell o . 10 . o For Carnig [carr3dng] the Bell to Sneed (S' Neots) 0.5.0 For bringing it Hom (home) o . 5.0 For casting the 2°'^ bell 8 . 10 . o 2g2 The Inscriptions on the 1789 paid to M' Twelvetree for a new Avheel for the raeat bell & for doing the 2"'' & s''' bells 2.1.0 1799. 2 Bell ropes 9 . o There is a tradition current both here and at the adjacent parish of Shelton in Bedfordshire that the Hargrave folk " swopped " a clock witli their neighbours there for one of their bells, and to this day it is a matter of chaffing on the part of the Hargrave people that they had the best of the bargain. A vacant place in the belfry of Shelton appears to confirm the truth of this tradition, but when the transaction took place, and which bell of the present Hargrave ring was procured by it, cannot now with certainty be shown : indeed this, and the recasting of some of the bells apparently more than once during the past 300 years, makes it difficult to reconcile the dates, &c., of some of the present bells with the references to the bells in the parish records from which extracts have been given. It is possible that the "little bell" cast in 1599 is the present 2nd recast in 1748 ; that the " great bell " broken in 1602 is the present treble cast in 1603 — the cost of recasting being paid by the difference in weight of metal — and that the present tenor (clearly not the ancient tenor broken in 1602 and recast) is the bell obtained from Shelton. John Cotchet, whose name is attempted on the 3rd bell, was churchwarden when that bell was recast in 1675. The Gleaning-bell is rung during harvest at 7.30 a.m. and at 6 p.m. At the Death-knell four tolls are given on each bell, beginning with the ist, irrespective of age and sex. On Sunday the 2nd bell is rung at 7 a.m., and again after Morning Service. For Divine Service the bells are chimed, after which the ist is tolled. HARLESTON. S. Andrew. 6 Bells. I. HENRICVS O BAGLEY OO ME O O FECIT O 1702 OO ( Diam. 34 in. ) Church Bells of N ovthamptonshire . 293 2. [ + ? ] CANTATE DOMINO CANTICVM NOVVM 1676. ( Diam. 35 in. ) 3. BE IT KNOWNE TO ALL THAT DOE ME SEE THAT BAGLEY OF CHACOMBE [ n 99 ] MADE [ d 99 ] MEE [ D 99 ] 1676. ( Diam. 40 in. ) 4. WILLIAM SHORTGRAVE [ n 99 ] RECTOR HENRICVS BAGLEY ME FECIT 1676. ( Diam. 41 in. ) 5. ABR. RUDHALL OF GLOUCESTER BELLFONDER CAST ME ANNO 1717 PEACE & GOOD NEIGH- BOURHOOD PROSPERITY TO THIS PLACE. ( Diam. 47 in. ) 6. WILLIAM WHITING & GEORGE COX CHVRCH- WARDENS 1719 [ D 34. ] ( Diam. 49 in. ) There is extant a very interesting manuscript which gives an early reference to the ropes required for the bells of this church. Henry de Bray, a resident in the village, and the principal landed proprietor, wrote a Register — a kind of Journal — which he is supposed to have completed about the year 1329. In it he describes very many matters connected with his own parish, such as the chancel being rebuilt in 1320, and the church in 1325. He also records that, in the year 1294, an acre of land in Grindale was given by consent of the village to Richard de Hette, the then Rector, to purchase bell-ropes, and that the land from that circumstance was called " Bell-ropes."* The land is still known by that name to the old people in the parish. The Rev. William Shortgrave (whose name appears on the 4th bell) was of Wadham College, Oxford, and was presented and instituted to * "Anno Dom. Mill" cc nonag. quarto tern villae, pro cordis campanarum suffici- tradita fuit una acra terras in Grindale endis . . . ' [Bibl. Lansdotvn No. 761, quod [qua:] vocatur Belle-ropes Magistro fol. xxij.) Ricardo de Het tunc Rectori, per comita- 294 ^^^^ Inscriptions on the the Rectory on the 26th of April, 1645. In 1655 the Parliamentary Commissioners certified it to be a parsonage presentative in the gift of Robert Shortgrave, gent., worth £(^6 per annii^n, and that William Shortgrave the incumbent was resident. He also subsequently held the Rectory of Harpole with this benefice until his death, which occurred in 1682. He was buried here on the 15th ol April in that year.* The tower has been much mutilated internally to make room for additional bells, added subsequently to the original number, and for the ringers. There is a tradition that one of the bells was brought from Holdenby Church. On the Belfry walls are the following inscriptions : Ye youths so gay To hail this day Your cheerful Music bring No sound excels The fine ton'd bells When merrily they ring The listening crowd around Their joy reveal To hear the peal All all applaud The enlivening sound. And on another board : You young men all who are {sic) you be Pray meet and part in harmony When bells ring round & in their order be They do denote how neighbours should agree But if you meet and disagree A ringer you will never be. Jan. 23"* 1829. See Baker i. 171-172. Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 295 Again there are similar rules to those given under Brington (see p. 208) concluding with : Who blots or " scrats" or tears this down Will prove himself to be a clown And for his faults shall pay a crown. John Vialls Jun' March 5 1814. HARPOLE. All Saints. 5 Bells. 1. JOHN MANNING & JOHN SCRIVEN C. WARDEN W. & J. TAYLOR FOUNDERS OXFORD 1834. ( Diam. 29 in. An ox is stamped on the waist. ) 2. THOMAS RVSSELL OF WOOTTON CAST ME 1725. ( Diam. 31 in. ) 3. IHS : NAZARENVS REX : IVDEORVM FILI : DEI MISERERE : MEI 1635 [ U i. ] ( Diam. 32 in. Canons gone, hung by a bolt. ) 4. ROBI' HARRIS JEREMIAH MUMFORD CHURCH- WARDENS EDW13 ARNOLD FECIT S^ NEOTS HUNTS 1782. ( Diam. 35 in. ) 3. THOMAS RVSSELL OF WOOTTON MADE ME. ( Diam. 40 in. ) In .1700 there were four bells which were thus inscribed : 1. Robert Atton Nathaniel Boltter : 1628. 2. R : A : 1618 : 3. (Present 3rd.) 4. Henry Bagley made mee 1678.* * Bridges' MSS. (Bibl. Bodl.) 296 The Inscriptions on the The 4th bell was rehung in 1834. The Pancake-bell is rung on Shrove-Tuesday, and the Gleaning- bell during Harvest. At the Death-knell three tolls are given for a male, two for a female, oh each bell. On Sunday early peals are rung at 8 a.m. and at g a.m. For Divine Service the bells are chimed, and a bell is rung after Morning Service. HARRINGTON. 5. BoTOLPH. 6 Bells. I, 2, 3, 4, 5. T MEARS OF LONDON FECIT 1817. ( Diams. 26, 29, 30, 32, 33 in. ) 6. THE GIFT OF THE Ri' HONBle tHE EARL OF DYSART 1817. T. MEARS OF LONDON FECIT. ( Diam. 36 in. ) In 1700 there were three bells (Bridges). The tov/er was rebuilt and the bells recast and increased in number in 1817. HARRINGWORTH. S. John Baptist. 5 Bells and a Priest's Bell. 1, 3, 4. Thomas Mears & Son of London Fecit 1805. (Diams. 3U, 35^, 37 in.) 2. [ -f loi ] :nYTF^,(S^ [ □ 36 ] %M-:^jjhj:yp^s \ ^:fp^ : j2.i:m€roB^:m : ( Diam. 15 in. ) The small bell, now without a clapper, hangs to a beam which projects from a spire light. It was used some^ years ago as a clock bell but probably was originally the sanctus bell. To obtain the inscription upon it was a work of some difficulty. The gentleman who undertook the task, and to whose intelligent perseverance and agility I am so much indebted for help amongst the bells of the county, informs me that he first pulled up a ladder outside the tower into a belfry window. With the ladder he got to the spire light from which the bell projected. He was there enabled to take a rubbing of a portion of the inscription, to read a portion he could not rub, and by use of a hand mirror to obtain a reflection of the remaining portion which he could neither rub nor see in the ordinary way. The bell — as the inscription appears to indicate — was the gift of Philip, Bishop of Lincoln. Judging from the name and from the form of the Gothic letters employed, this would be Philip de Repingdon D.D. Bishop of Lincoln 1405- 1420. We are thus enabled to assign a definite date to the bell and to the initial cross of the founder, and so it becomes one of the most interesting of the ancient bells in the county. Philip of Repingdon, i.e. Repton, Derbyshire, (of Broadgates — now Pembroke College, Oxford) was first Canon, then Abbot, of Leicester. He was Chancellor of the University of Oxford in 1400. He had previously preached at Oxford in favour of the tenets of Wycliffe,* but having recanted at S. Paul's Cross, in 1382, and submitted to Courteney • See Dean Hook's Alps. iv. pp. 357-360 for an account of his Sermon in favour of Wycliffe. 2 P 298 The Inscriptions on the Archbishop of Canterbury, he was condoned,* and subsequently became one of the fiercest of the persecutors of WyclifFe's followers. He was consecrated Bishop of Lincoln on the 29th of March, 1405. Three years afterwards — i8th September, 1408 — he was made Cardinal of SS. Nereus and Achilles by Gregory XII. He resigned the Bishoprick on the 1 2th of May, 1420, and (after passing the remainder of his -days in retirement) died in 1424. He was buried in the S.E. transept of Lincoln Cathedral at the head of his great predecessor Bishop Grostete. The marble slab bearing his effigy and a memorial legend engraved on brass are now lost. On the 2nd bell are the initials R H (within a circle and divided by an arrow) probably those of the Richard Harris whose name is on the bell. There is a " pit" for a sixth bell above the present ring. The Gleaning-bell is rung during harvest. At the Death-knell three tolls are given for a man, two for a woman, and one for a child, on all the bells before the knell, after which the same tolls are repeated on the tenor bell only. For Divine Service the bells are chimed, and the Sermon-bell is rung. HARROWDEN GREAT. All Saints. 3 Bells. 1. [ + 22] M^:jBm:m:m.is{^-M%y^'M ( Diam. 32 in. ) 2. IH'8 : NAZARENVS DEORVM REX IV FILI : DEI MISERERE : MEI 1629 [iji.] ( Diam. 35 in. Letters in " Rex Ivdeorvm " misplaced ) 3. W. HARRIS • CH • WARDEN • THO • CLAY • OF • LEICESTER • FECIT • 1715 OOOOO ( Diam. 38 in. ) * Fuller in his Worthies has some caustic remarks on his recantation. Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 299 HARROWDEN LITTLE. S. Mary or S. Andrew. 4 Bri.ls. 1. CELORVM CHRSTE PLATIAT TIBI REX SONVS ISTE 1624 [XJ I.] ( Diam. 27 in. ) 2. SAMUEL CANWARDEN AND S CROXTON CHURCH- WARDENS 1732. ( Diam. 30 in. ) 3. IH'8 : NAZARENVS REX : IVDEORVM FILI : DEI MISERERE : MET 1624 [^ i.] ( Diam. 33 in. ) 4. CVM • SONO • SI • NON • VIS • VENIRE • NVNQVAM • AD • PRECES • CVPIES • IRE 1624 [\J i.] ( Diam. 36 in. ) HARTWELL. 5. John Baptist. i Bell. The bell-cot for two bells contains now (as in 1700) only one bell which is difficult of access. In 1552 the Inventory from this parish mentioned : " Itm ij bell(\ Itm on hand bell, goodf stolen — Itm on off owre bell(' stollc" HAZLEBEACH. S. Michael and All Angels. 4 Bells. 1. GEORGE BAGSHAWE PARSON 1621 [U^-] ( Diam. 27 in. ) 2. JOHN WALPOLE THOMAS IRELAND CHVRCH WARDENS 1621 [U !•] ( Diam. 29 in. ) 300 The Inscriptions on the 3. CVM • SONO • SI • NON • VIS • VENIRE • NVNQVAM • AD • PRECES • CVPIES • IRE 1621 [ U i- ] ( Diam. 31 in. ) 4. IH'2 : NAZARENVS REX : IVDEORVM FILI : DEI MISERERE : MEI 1621 [ U i- ] ( Diam. 34 in. ) At the Death-knell thrice three tolls are given for a male, twice two for a female. On Sunday a bell is rung at 8 a.m. For Divine Service the bells are usually chimed, sometimes rung. HELIDON. 5. John Baptist. 4 Bells. 1. GOD SAVE THE KING 1635 [ U i- ] ( Diam. 27^ in. ) 2. 4. IH'2 : NAZARENVS REX : IVDEORVM FILI : DEI MISERERE : MEI 1635 [ u i. ] ( Diams. 36, 37^ in. ) 3. CELORVM CHRSTE PLATIAT TIBI REX SONVS ISTE ( Diam. 32^ in. ) In 1552 there were " iij bellf in y' steple & a sanct' bell." The present Vicar of Helidon inherits the advowson from the family of Bradgate : it was conveyed, in 1627-8, to Frances Bradgate, widow of Richard Bradgate, Esq., of Peatling Parva and Peatling Magna, Leicestershire, by whom it was assigned to her eighth, and youngest, son, Edward Bradgate, of Helidon, gentleman. It is probable that the bells of Helidon were recast at the expense of this Edward Bradgate, and that he was induced to employ Hugh Watts of Leicester, as founder, from a previous knowledge of him, and of his work, when he cast two of the Great Peatling bells a few years previously. (See Church Bells of Leicestershire, p. 260.) Church Bells of Noythamptonshire. 301 The Churchwardens' Accounts, dating from 1794, contain many entries for bell-ropes and for ringing. From them we also learn that the bells were rehung in the year i860. The Pancake-bell is rung at noon on Shrove-Tuesday. Before and after the Funeral Service the tenor is tolled thrice for a man, twice for a woman. For Funerals the tenor is tolled ; and in the case of a death in some families who have been long established in the village there is a short peal, in addition, after the service. On Sunday the tenor bell is rung at 8 a.m. For Divine Service, the bells are first cliimed, then the tenor bell is rung until the minister arrives, when a smaller bell is tolled until the service commences. HELMDON. S. Mary Magdalen. 6 Bells and a Priest's Bell. 1. J ADKINS AND L FAIRBROTHER C W JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1797. ( Diam. 27^ in. ) 2. »J« THE REV>""D PRYCE JONES OFFICIATING MINISTER J. TAYLOR & SON FOUNDERS LOUGHBOROUGH 1855- ( Diam. 28 in. ) 3. THE REV. PRYCE JONES CURATE. \V. & ]. TAYLOR FOUNDERS 1834. ( And round the rim : ) OBEY OUR CALL THE RIGHT THE GOOD OLD WAY, SHUN SCHISM'S WILES, NOR FROM IT EVER STRAY ( Diam. 30 in. ) 4. H BAOLEY MADE MEE 1679. ( Diam. 32 in, ) 5. H B 1679. ( Diam. 36 in. ) 302 The Inscriptions on the 6. THAT ALL MAY CVM AND NON MAY STAY AT HOM I RING TO SERMON AMTH A LVSTI BOM 1679. (Diam. 38^ in. ) Priest's Bell : R F & J H ( Diam. 12^ in. ) In 1552 the Inventory reported: " Itfn iiij bellf in y' stepuU & a sanct' bell." The Death-knell is rung for an hour in the case of an adult ; for half an hour for a child. On Sunday one bell is rung at 9 a.m. For Divine Service the whole are chimed, then the Priest's bell is sounded for a minute or two, after which the Sermon-bell (tenor) is rung. If Evensong is to be said the 2nd bell is rung at the close of the Morning Service. HELPSTON. S. BoTOLPH. 3 Bells. 1. [+15] GOD SAVE THE KING 1671. ( Diam. 28 in. ) 2. CAST BY JOHN WARNER cS: SONS LONDON 1866. ( Diam. 29-^ in. ) 3. [ -f 15 ] OMMIA [ D 36 ] FIAMT [ D 36 ] AD [ D 36 ] GLORIAM [ D 36] DEI [ d 36 ] 1618 [ n 36 d 36 ] R [ D 36] S [ D 36.] ( Diam. 30^ in. ) In 1552 there were " fifirst in the steple iij belles Item in the same steple one litle belle Item tow handbelles." The 2nd bell was previously inscribed : + God save the King. Chuvcli Bells of Northamptonshire. 303 There was, prior to 1866, a small Priest's bell inscribed : + Cum voco venite J W \V L 161 2.* This apparently once hung in the south belfry window of the ancient belfry, since rebuilt. It was subsequently filled with lead and used as a clock weight. When the 2nd bell was recast in 1866 this small and cracked bell was given to the founder as additional metal for the new bell. The Gleaning-bell is rung during harvest at 8 a.m. and at 5 p.m. At the Death-knell thrice three tolls are given for a male, thrice two for a female, before and after the knell. For children under five years of age the ist bell is used; if more than five, and under fifteen, the 2nd bell. For Divine Service the bells are chimed, and the Sermon-bell is rung. The ist bell is rung at the close of Morning Service. HEMMINGTON. S. Peter. 4 Bells. 1. J. TAYLOR & SON FOUNDERS LOUGHBOROUGH 1872. ( Diam. 24^ in. ) 2. IHS NAZARENE REX IUD.EORUM FILI DEI MISERERE MEI -^ GLORIA DEO SOLI :• KETTERING ^ O 1724. ( Diam. 25 in. ) 3. + CVM VOCO AQ ECCLESIAM VENITE E M 1598. ( Diam. 27 in. ) 4. [+22] g)ps:e: [+22] rj^.-Mn. [+22] ^^xxTm^mi^ ( Diam. 30 in. ) • Sweeting's Peterborough Churches, p. 96. 304 The Inscriptions on the In 1549 " Hemyngton " possessed : " It' in the steple ij bellf & a sanct' bell. It' a hand bell." The initials E M on the 3rd bell are most probably those of Sir Edward Montagu, Lord of the Manor, and Patron of the Vicarage of Hemmington. He was son and heir of Lord Chief Justice Montagu, being born about the year 1532. He married Anne, sole daughter and heir of Sir Ralph Winwood, Knight, of Ditton Park, Bucks, principal Secretary of State to James I., a lady (says Bridges) "who rather favored the mode of worship pursued by the Puritans, and was not well affected to the Liturgy of the Church of England." " On this occasion " (continues Bridges) " Lord Montagu the elder, who had the Common Prayers read twice every day in his house, was wont to say to her, ' Daughter, if you come to visit me I will never ask why you come not to prayers, but if you come to cohabit with me, pray with me, or live not with me.' " Sir Edward Montagu represented Northants in Parliament in the first year of Elizabeth's reign, was Sheriff of the County in the thirteenth year of the same reign, and was knighted in 1567. He died at Boughton 26th January, 1601-2, and was buried at Weekly. Fuller {Ch.-Hist. bk. xi. p. 115) speaks of him as " a worthy patriot and bountiful house- keeper, blessed in a numerous issue, his four younger sons affording a Bishop to the Church [James] a judge and peer to the state [Henry] a commander to the camp [ Charles ] and an officer to the court [ Sidney]." From them sprang the three noble houses of Mountagu, Manchester, and Sandwich. (See Mr .Bailey's Life of Fulley, pp. 134-138 for an account of this family.) His grandson Edward, second Lord Montagu, rebuilt the nave of Hemmington Church in 1666. (See Bridges vol. ii. pp. 350-351, 401.) The inscription on the 4th bell was most probably chosen by a member of this very loyal family. HEYFORD. SS. Peter and Paul. 4 Bells. I. GOD SAVE THE KING 1638 [ U i. ] ( Diam. 29 in. ) Church Bells of Novthaniptouahirc. 305 2. [+17] m^mi ^ntrx^Ei msmi^ x^XiJiijs. 1601. ( Diam. 30 in. ) 3. JOHN PAINE THOMAS MIDDLETON CHVRCH- WARDENS HENRY PENN MADE ME 1704. ( Diam. 33 in. ) 4. [+17] 3JH0MAS MORGAN ESQVIER GA\'E MEE ^O ;I?HE CHVRCH OF HEFORD FRANKE AND • fre:e. 1601. ( Donors \j Anns. ) ( Diam. 36^ in. ) Thomas Morgan, Esq., the donor of the tenor bell (the son of Francis Morgan, Esq., one of the Judges of the King's Bench), was Lord of the Manor of Heyford. He died 5th September, 1603 (Baker). The arms upon the bell are : Quarterly i and 4 [Argent] on a bend engrailed [Sable] 3 Cinquefoils, on a chief [Azure] a cross ilory between 2 fleur de lys [Or] Morgan. Second and third quarterly i and 4 [Argent] a chevron between 3 water buckets [Sable] Pemherton. 2 Argent 3 boars' heads (?) erect and erased [Sable] 3 [Argent] 3 greyhounds courant in pale [Sable]. The Churchwardens' Accounts contain many charges for bell-ropes and incidental expenses in connection with the bells, but as there are none prior to 1718, the entries are not of sufficient interest to transcribe. At the Death-knell thrice three tolls are given for a male, thrice two for a female, both before and after the knell. On Sunday a bell is rung at 9 a.m., and again after Morning Service. For Divine Service the first three bells are chimed in the morning ; the four bells in the afternoon. HIGHAM FERRERS. 5. Mary the Virgin. 6 Bei.ls and a Priksts Bell. I. THE REV. W. MALIM VICAR WALTER SPONG AND C. RICHARDS CHURCHWARDENS ROB. TAYLOR ^: SON FOUNDERS S'l' NEOTS 1820. ( Diam. 35 in. ) 2 Q 3o6 The Inscriptions on the 2. IH'8 : NAZARENVS REX : IVDEORVM FILI : DEI MISERERE : MEI 1633 [ U i- 1 ( Diam. 35^ in. ) 3. M^^m:m:^ ]k©:mik J^xa^:i?i© [u^-i (Diam. 37! in. Letters like [ n 53 ] ) 4- [ + 77] :fei^x2EiH: [042] :K^xn:ip [a 42] ( Diam. 41 in. ) 5 ©j^:E©:Bi 1636 [UI-] ( Diam. 45! in. ) m?^:i^jMM XM^ 1633 [UI-] ( Diam. 50 in. In letters like [ n 97. ] ) Pries fs Bell : 1660 ( Diam. 16^ in. ) The spire and a large portion of the tower of this Church fell, and was being rebuilt in 1632. It is probable that some of the bells were broken at that time and had, as we see, to be recast. I can make nothing of the inscription on the 4th bell : it may be initials of donors and others. To add to the difficulty on the first inspection it seems to have been done the right way on the mould, consequently the whole is reversed on the bell. The F is upside down and the H T is repeated, perhaps unintentionally. The whole was carelessly done. It being impossible to give the inscription in type as it actually appears, it is given as it would have appeared had the letters not been reversed. The Priest's Bell, which hangs in a west window of the tower, is known as the Fire-bell. It is not now used. The Pancake-bell (5th) is rung on Shrove-Tuesday at 11 a.m., for which the clerk is paid 2s. 6d. by the Churchwardens. Some years ago Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 307 it was customary so soon as the ringing of this bell ceased to alhjw children and others to play about the church, wander over the leads, and go into the belfry to jangle the bells. For doing all this they paid a trifle to the clerk. This custom became such a nuisance that the church- wardens very properly forbad its continuance, and pay the clerk 25, (bd. yearly in lieu of his lost fees. At the Death-knell three tolls are given for a male, two for a female, on each bell, beginning with the treble. In lowering the tenor at the knell for a child it is done quickly, at that for an adult slowly. On Sunday the 2nd and 3rd bells are rung at 8 a.m. For Divine Service the first five bells are chimed and the tenor " rung in," after which the ist bell is rung. HINTON-IN-THE-HEDGES. The Holy Trinity. 2 Bells and a Priest's Bell. 1- [ + 47 a 52 U4I ] O ( Diam. 28 in. ) 2- [ + 87 ] maria [ a 85 ] muter [ □ 85 ] ki [ D 85 ] numeuto [ □ 85 ] mei. ( Diam. 32 in. ) Priesfs Bell: Blank. ( Diam 15^ in. ) In 1552 there were " iij bellf in y° steple & a sanct' bell." The parishioners appear at that time to have sold a bell, for in the Bill of Defaults for the Hundred of Sutton I find : Hynton. Imj^mis thersold one bell y* was broken by Richard Hall & Roger Skylman w' the assent of the towne to Willm Maiore of Brackley cotenyng in weight fyve hundred at y'' j^ce of v'' wher of iij pound(^ is bestowed uppon ther church & xl' is paid for the castyng of the same bell ; forther the said bell was delyv-'d ij yerf syns ne^theles y' ptes aforsaid stond bound befor us in recognisac in twenty pound y' they & e^y of them shall aunswere to y" same when the shall be callyd. 3o8 The Inscriptions on the At the Death-knell the age is tolled and three tolls are given for a man, two for a woman, and one for a child. The bells are chimed at Funerals. On Sunday a bell is rung at 8 a.m. For Divine Service the bells are chimed, and the Sermon-bell is rung, after which the Priest's bell is sounded until service begins. There is a vacant place in the tower for another bell, possibly the one sold in 1550: the bill of default however is not very clear. HOLCOTT. All Saints. 3 Bells. 1. HENRY PENN MADE ME IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 1703. ( Diam. 27 in. ) 2. buius sanctt pdri [ d 61 ] . [^ 55] ( Diam. 28 in. Cracked and broken. ) 3- [ + 22 ] ^:E)"\2tr,^mi^ [ a 86 ] ^h^i^immm.^ [d86] ^iM:mm [086] mi^^ ( Diam. 31 in. ) HOLDENBY. All Saints. 2 Bells. 1. PEACE AND GOOD NEIGHBOURHOOD A. R. 1719. ( Diam. 34 in. ) 2. GOD PRESERVE THE CHURCH AND KING. ABR. RUDHALL OF GLOUCESTER BELLFOUNDER CAST US 1719. ( Diam. 46 in. ) It appears that when King James purchased Holdenby amongst the items valued to him were six bells in the steeple made by the Lord Chancellor Hatton. They are said to have weighed " seaven thousand weight," and were valued at £166 13s. 4d. These bells were afterwards removed as private property. Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 309 Sir Thomas Alen, " paryshe preste of Holdenby," by will dated 6th November, 1526, bequeathed " to the bells & the torches [ i.e. the Altar Lights ] vj"* each."* At the Death-knell thrice three tolls are given for a male and twice three tolls for a female on each bell. For Divine Service on Sunday the bells are chimed, after which tlie bells are sounded separately. HOLYWELL. There is a modern church here with one small bell which is quite inaccessible. HORTON. S. Mary. 3 Bells. I. [ + 22] i,^©-I ^/IICOLAS BAILI GARDIAVI. above which is : [+101] MISTRIS MARIA HARTLEIE WIDDO CASTHIS BELL 1619. ( Diam. 31^ in. ) 3. T MEARS OF LONDON FECIT 1832. ARCHDEACON BONNEY RECTOR. F. LAW ] CHURCHWARDENS. P. HOWES j ( Diam. 34^ in. ) 4. [+21] AVILLIAM [ n 23] KEYAVOOD [ d 23 ] HENRIE [ D 23 ] THORPE 1592. ( Diam. 38^ in. ) 5. IHS NAZARENUS REX lUDEORUM FILI DEI MISERERE MEL THO. EAYRE. • : • A.D. • : • 1738. ( Diam. 41^^ in. ) In 1552 there were " iiij belles w* a sanctus bell." "Johannis Neabon de Caldecot in comitatu Rutelandiae Gen." was buried here : he died ) Dom. MDCCXIII. " IIP Kalend. Martn Anno \ ^ . ^ tt •, j xEtatis LI I. He was probably the donor of the ist bell. The Gleaning-bell is rung during harvest at 8 a.m. and at 6 p.m. At the Death-knell thrice three tolls are given for a male, thrice two for a female, before the knell ; and after it, three tolls for a male and two for a female. For children the 2nd bell is used. [See p. 131 as to " Passing-bell " being rung here.] 320 Tlic Inscriptions on the At Funerals the tenor is now only tolled to summon bearers, &c., and again at the time fixed for the interment. Formerly the tenor was rung after the funeral with the tolling indicative of age and sex, as in the case of the Death-knell, The 3rd bell is rung daily at 7 a.m. in summer, at 8 a.m. in winter, at II a.m., at i p.m., and at 4 p,m. ; and during the winter months the 4th bell (called "the Curfew bell") is rung at 8 p.m. The 7 or 8 o'clock bell in the morning is supposed by the villagers to have been, or to be, a summons to the scholars of the Free Schools. The place stands in the midst of Rockingham Forest, hence formerly there were many keepers, woodmen, charcoal-burners, and men employed in the iron works carried on in the neighbourhood, and it is popularly supposed that the other daily bells were for their guidance. The ringing of these daily bells was discontinued a few years ago, but the omission caused so much inconvenience, and raised so many complaints, that it was re-established. Formerly a further daily bell was rung at 4 a.m., which was supposed to be for awaking the farm labourers, but the aged clerk by an error rang it one morning at 3 a.m. instead of 4 o'clock, which is said to have so annoyed him that he never rang the early bell again : hence its discontinuance. It was formerly a custom here to toll a bell "on a dead person's being put into his shroud" — hence called "the Winding-bell." This custom is now unknown in this parish (see p. 154). KING'S SUTTON. S. Peter. 8 Bells and a Priest's Bell. I, 2. THE GIFT OF HENRY SMYTH ESQ. OF CHARLTON JOHN BRYANT HERTFORD 1793. 3. HENERY BAGLEY MADE ME GEORGE CLARKE EDWARD WILLIAMS C. WARDENS 1722. 4. [ + 29 ] M-lJr^ \ m^j^n.%M- \ ©:Eij^. PAINE I CHURCHWARDENS. ( Diam. 31 in. ) 2. GOD BE OVR GOOD SPED 1659. ( Diam. 33 in. ) 3. THOMAS RUSSELL OF WOOTTON NEAR BEDFORD MADE ME 1733. ( Diam. 36 in. ) 4. W^i ASHBY AND HENRY MARRIAT 1659 H.B. ( Diam. 39 in. ) 5. THE PEOPLE ALL I DOE CALL 1659 H.B. ( Diam. 42 in. ) The ist and 3rd bells were previously inscribed: I. Cantate Domino canticvm novvm : 1659. 3. Henry Bagley made mee 1659.* The Curfew (2nd bell) is rung at 8 p.m. The same bell (2nd) is rung daily at noon. The Pancake-bell (4th) is rung on Shrove-Tuesday, and the Gleaning- bell (2nd) daily during harvest. At the Death-knell thrice three tolls are given for a male, thrice two for a female. On Sunday one bell is rung at 8 a.m. and two bells at 9 a.m. For Divine Service four bells are chimed, after which the 5th is rung as a Sermon-bell. • Bridges MSS. (Bibl. Bodl. EE. 5. 126). 324 ^^^^ Inscriptions on the LAMPORT. All Saints. 4 Bells and a Priest's Bell. 1. J TAYLOR & Co FOUNDERS LOUGHBOROUGH 1872. and on waist : CHRISTOPHER GRAYE MADE ME 1663. ALTHOUGH RECAST I AM NOT NEW 1872. ( Diam. 2g| in. ) 2, 3. IH'S : NAZARENVS REX 1 IVDEORVM FILI : DEI MISERERE : MEI 1641 [ U i- J ( Diams. 30, 32^ in. The canons of 3rd gone. ) ( Diam. 35I in. ) The Priesfs Bell : Blank. ( Diam. 13 in. ) The small Priest's bell is thought to have hung originally in the East window of the tower : it now hangs with the other bells ni the bell chamber. It was formerly (in common with other similar bells in Northants) called the " Tantony " or Saint Anthony Bell (see p. 138), and the churchwardens so call it in their accounts for the year 1747 : " 22 March, a Tantony bell rope 9^."' It was used, until about fifty years ago, as the Pancake-bell on Shrove- Tuesday, but is not now used in any way, indeed it has no rope. On Sunday a bell is rung at 8 a.m. For Divine Service the bells are chimed, and a Sermon-bell rung. LAXTON. All Saints. i Bell. I. 1822. ( Diam. 23^ in. ) Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 325 In 1700 there were three bells, and "pits" still exist in the bell- chamber for that number. At the Death-knell thrice three tolls are given for a male, and thrice two for a female, before and after the knell. On Sunday for Divine Service the bell is tolled, and then rung for five minutes. LICHBOROUGH. S. Martin. 3 Bells and Priest's Bell. 1. J TAYLOR & Co FOUNDERS LOUGHBOROUGH 1876. ( Diam. 30 in. ) 2. IH'S : NAZARENVS REX : IVDEORVM FILI : DEI MISERERE : MEI 1628 [XJ i.] ( Diam. 33 in. ) 3. THE REVi^ CHARLES ADDINGTON RECTOR AARON GARDENER MATTHEW BAGLEY MADE ME 1753. ( Diam. 37 in. ) PriesVs Bell: 1835. ( Cracked. ) In 1552 the Inventory of Church Goods from this parish reported : " l\.m iij bell(^ in y'' steple & a sanct' bell & one bell sold as it apperith in y" bill of defawyttf." The I St and 3rd bells were previousl}^ inscribed : I. Bartholomew Atton made me. 3. John Curtis and William Adames Churchwardens 1682.* In 1725 the Rev. George Butler, the then Rector, sold the Advowson to William Addington of St. Mary Aldermanbury, London, gentleman, from whom it descended to his son the Rev. diaries Addington, of Bridges MSS. (Bibl. Bodl.) 326 TJic Inscriptions on the Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, the Rector whose name is upon the tenor bell. He was instituted i8th May, 1727, died 31st October, 1781, aged 81 years, and was buried here. His son. Sir William Addington, by will, dated 23rd February, 1803, devised the Advowson to his nephew William Joshua W^endy Taylor of Bath, gentleman, father of the Rev. William Addington Taylor, of Exeter College, the present Patron and Rector. ( See Bahcr i. 409-410. ) LILBOURNE. All Saints. 5 Bells. 1. SPARKLING I SPREAD RAPID TINKLINGS THROUGH THE EARS 1762 . • . ( Diam. 28^ in. ) 2. UXTOUCH'D AM SILENT STRIKE ME AND I WILL SING SWEETLY . ' . 1762. ( Diam. 31^^ in. ) 3. JOHN ROBINSON VICAR JO^, GEORGE & GEO. SODEN CHURCH-WARDENS . * . 1762. ( Diam. 33 in. ) 4. WEE ARE ORDAIN'D FOR THE PRAISE OF THE LORD • • EAYRE KETTERING FECIT. ( Diam. 36 in. ) 5. CUM SONO SI NON VIS VENIRE NUNQUAM AD PRECES CUPIES IRE . EAYRE . KETTERING . 1761. ( Diam. 39 in. ) In 1700 there were four bells which were thus inscribed : 1. Celorvm Chrste platiat tibi Rex 1626. 2. Sancta Katarina Ora pro nobis. 3. Sit Nomen Domini Benedictum. 4. Bryanus Eldridge me fecit : 1658.* Bridges' MSS. (Bibl. Bodl.) Church Bells of Ncrthamptonshire. ^ij The Sanctus-bell, which formerly hung in the cot cner the nave gable, was preserved in the church a few years ago.* It is not now there. At the Death-knell thrice three tolls are given for a male, thrice two for a female. The bells are chimed at Funerals if desired : this is rarely the case now. On Sunday a bell is rung at 8 a.m. For Divine Service the bells are rung in the morning and chimed in the afternoon. A Sermon-bell is afterwards rung. LILFORD. The church formerly standing here, dedicated to S. Peter, was taken down ab(nit the year 1778 when the livings of Achurch and Lilford were consolidated. There were four bells. LOIS WEEDON. S. jNIary. 4 Bells. 1. IN • CVLTVM • TRINI • CLERVS • POPVLVSQVE • VOCATVR 00000 ( Diam. 25^ in. ) 2. FESTIVOSgVE O O DIES O O ME O CELEBRARE • IVVAT 0000 1705 0000 ( Diam. 27 in. ) 3. QEFYNCTOS • PLORO • C/ELVM • kEClClOyVE • SERENVM • HExXRYCVS • PEXX ME • FESIT • 1705- ( Diam. 29 in. ) ' Cliurchcs of the ArchJciUonry of Northampton, p. 214. 328 The Inscriptions on the 4. aVX • EGO • NOCTIVAGIS • IGNIBVS • HOSTIS • ACER • EQWARQ • WILLS • JOHN • BATES • CHVRCH • WARQENS • 1705. ( Diam, 33^ in. A P reversed used for Q throughout. ) In 1552 " Weston & Wedon " possessed " iij bell(^ & a saunctf bell in the steple." Previously to 1705 there were three large bells and a sanctus. The Parish Book supplies the following information respecting them : " Memorand : Sep'' 15 1705. The three great bells in the steeple of Loys Weedon (The biggest whereof was crack'd) were taken down in order to be new cast. The first bell had these words round it Sancta Margarita ora pro nobis. The second bell had God save King James 1608. The third had 1625. These were cast into four, the Saints' bell being thrown in by the Vicar's Connivance but not consent. What they cost over was paid by a subscription of the Parishioners and a small levy — The weight of the old bells is as follows. The first bell weighed 500 and a half and 17 pounds; the second weighed 600 & 3 quarters & 26 pounds ; the third weighed 700 and a quarter & 14 pounds. Saints' bell weighed 35 pounds. The weight of the new bells. The first weighs 300 & 3 quarters & 13 pounds The second 400 & a quarter & 7 pounds The third 500 & a quarter & 21 pounds The fourth 700 & 12 pounds."* LODDINGTON. 5. Leonard. 3 Bells. I, 2. JOHN BROWN CHURCHWARDEN R. TAYLOR FECIT 1803. • I am indebted to the Rev. T. L. Soley for this extract. Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 329 3. JOHN BROWN CHURCHWARDEN. R. TAYLOR S' NEOTS FECIT 1803. In 1700 there were four bells [Bridges). LONGTHORPE. S. BoToLPH. I Bell. In 1552 Longthorpe possessed "an olde crackyd bell." The chapel was then in a sad state, as is shown by the following memorandum attached to the Inventory : Itiii where there was at the last inventory ij olde albes and ij latte candelstick(^ the same hath byn sith that tyme stolne by reason the chapele windoes were vnglasyd. Itfvi a broken hand bell solde for xxijd towade the glasing of the windoes. This "old cracked bell" was apparently recast, for at the late restoration of the church the then single bell was taken down with the intention of rehanging it in the new tower then about to be erected. Unfortunately when the new tower was completed it was found too small to contain the bell : the latter was consequently sold to a local ironmonger, who supplied the present small modern bell in its place. After a time the old bell passed into the hands of Mr. Johnson, who presented it to the Roman Catholic Chapel at Peterborough, where it now hangs at a considerable height outside the wall. LOWICK. S. Peter. 5 Bells. ( Diam. 32 in. ) 2. m~^mi €TTg:x3ci i3.:m:E) :fp^cmM. [u^-] ( Diam. 33 in. ) 2 T 330 . The Inscriptions on the 3. THO. GOODFELLOW JOHN LEE CH. W 1713. ( Diam, 36 in. Cracked. ) 4- ^\.j^m:mM-^:mm [ + 22 j ^^MC£>o:x^m [ + 22 ] m.M:M^ [ + 22] xii^ [Dss] [ + 22] ,^:e) ( Diam. 38* in. ) 3. IH'8 : NAZARENVS REX : IVDEORVM FILI : DEI MISERERE : MEI 1619 [XJ i.] ( Diam. 42 in. ) On the bell frame is : Thomas Goodfellow John Branford Churchwardens 1682 Until about forty-five years ago it was customary to allow boys to ring the bells as they liked, and as long as they liked, on Shrove- Tuesday. About that time the boys were discharged and the Clerk rang the 4th bell as the Pancake-bell. That has now been discontinued about ten years. At the Death-knell three tolls are given for a male, two for a female, on all the bells, both before and after the knell. It was customary to chime all the bells at Funerals, when desired, forty years ago, but now the tenor only is tolled : about an hour before the funeral a few tolls are given by way of notice. There is nothing peculiar in the Sunday use of the bells. I have been unable to find any trace of Richard Wood whose name appears on the 4th bell. A local tradition told by the present clerk (whose grandfather and father were clerks before him, and who has himself been in office for thirty years) states that the bell was given by an old shepherd in the time when the fields were open or uninclosed, with the request that it should be rung at a stated time in the morning, in order that people might be warned to reach home in time to attend Divine Service. LUDDINGTON S. Margaret. 2 Bells. I. HENRY PENN FUSORE 1710. Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 331 2. EDWARD GRIFFIN CH. \VA. 1710 Tlie Return of Church Goods from this parish in 1552 is too fragmentary to give any information about tlie bells. LUTTON. S. Peter. 4 Bells. 1. [+101] JESVS : SPEDE : ME : OMMIA : YWViT : AD : GLORIAM : DEI 1610. [ + 15 ] ROBARTVS : PRICE : JOHANNES : LOFTES. ( Diam. 2^^ in. ) 2. [+15] JOHN FERNE C W TOBIE MORRIS CAST ME 1682. ( Diam. 28f in. ) ^:j^^(SiM. ,^mxii3:©^:m 1604. ( Diam. 31 in. ) 4- [ + 65 ] :mci):m [ □ loo ] ^jhM^miQ>:^ [ □ 9« ] ^jsa^ [D 100] M-p^i(it^\^ [□ 98] mM^:m.w-M.m j.:^ [ D 100 ] Ms^^i^ [ □ 98 ] :e)E3: 1619. ( Diam. 34^ in. ) In 1552 tliere were : " It' iij gret bells & one sauntus bell. It' ij hand bells." Robert Loftys died in 1572 possessed of two Manors in Lutton which he left to John Loftys, his son and heir, whose name appears on the ist bell. John Loftys (who was ig years of age at his father's death) appears to have died about the year 1619 (Bridges). There are several elaborate monuments in the church to members of the family of Apreece or Price. At the Death-knell three tolls are given for a male, two for a female, on each bell before the knell. 332 The Inscriptions on the On Sunday the ist bell is rung at 8 a.m. For Divine Service the bells are chimed, and the Sermon-bell (tenor) is rung. The ist, 2nd and 3rd bells are much damaged. The bell frames are in a very unsound and unsafe condition. MAIDFORD. SS. Peter and Paul. 2 Bells. 1, R A 1625. ( Diam. 32 in. ) 2. HENRY BAGLEY MADE ME 1663. ( Diam. 37^^ in. ) In 1552 there were " ij bellf in the steples & a saunctf bell." The initials on the ist bell are those of Robert Atton the founder (see p. 114). The Pancake-bell is rung on Shrove-Tuesday. MAIDWELL. S. Mary. 5 Bells. 1. EDWARD ARNOLD S^ NEOTS FECIT SEPT^ 18 • 1772. ( Diam. 27 in. ) 2, 3, 4. 1772. ( Diams. 29, 30, 32 in. ) 5. EDWARD ARNOLD S^ NEOTS FECIT O 1772 O ( Diam. 36 in. ) In 1700 there were four bells, the tenor being inscribed : Mille quadringentis octogintaque duobus annis fusa fui lapsis ab origine chricti agenetrice pia protervis dicta Maria (sic). Bridges. MARHOLM. S. Mary. 1 Bell. I. TOBY NORRIS CAST ME 1673. In 1552 there were " ij bellf & a sans bell yn y' steple." Church Bells of Northamptonshire . ^^;^ MARSTON TRUSSEL. S. Nicolas. 5 Bells. I. Mj^m:j^ ,'E.:H©:fei3E ^^jhmah<^ 1612 [^i.] ( Diam. 27J in. ) 2. GOD SAVE THE KING 1622 [ ij i- 1 ( Diam. 27^ in. ) 3. MARKE BREWSTER MARCHANT GAVE THE GREAT BELL OF THIS RING 1621 [ u i- ] ( Diam. 29^ in. ) 4. IH'2 : NAZARENVS REX : IVDEORVM FILI : DEI MISERERE : MEI 1622 [ u i- ] ( Diam. 33^ in. ) 5 IH'S : NAZARENVS REX IVDEORVM FILI DEI MISERERE MEI 1623 MARKE BREWSTER GAVE THIS BELL [u !•] ( Diam. 37^ in. ) Within the church is the tomb of the donor of the tenor bell, the epitaph upon which tells us something about him : THIS IS THE MONVMENT OF MR. MARKE BREWSTER LATE OF LONDON MARCHAVNT FREE OF \^ WO^^ COMPANIE OF THE IREMONGERS THERE WHO DIED IN THE CITY OF MOSCO IN RVSSIA IN ANNO DNI l6l2 & GAVE & BEQVEATHED TO THIS CHVRCH Xl'' TO BVY A GREAT BELL INTO THE SAME CHVRCH AND ALSO TO THE POORE OF THIS PARISH iiij'' X' MARSTON S. LAWRENCE. S. Lawrence. 5 Bells. I. [Illegible excepting the date 1627.] ( Diam. 30 in. ) 334 ^^^ Inscriptions on the 2. [ + 62] :E^:BiCD [Dio] ^:M 1627. ( Diam. 37^ in. ) 5. BY MY VOYCE THE PEOPLE MAY KNOW TO COME TO HEARE THE WORD OF GOD HENRY BAGLEY MADE MEE 1639. ( Diam. 41! in. ) In 1552 there were " iiij bell(^ in y^ stepull & a sanct' bell." At the Death-knell thrice three tolls are given for a male, thrice two for a female, both before and after the knell. At Funerals the tenor is tolled as an "Invitation Bell" about an hour before the interment takes place. The same bell is again tolled immediately before and (if desired) after the office is said. On Sunday the ist bell is rung at 7 a.m. in summer and at 8 a.m. in winter : the 2nd and 3rd bells are rung at 9 a.m. For Divine Service the bells are chimed and the Sermon-bell is rung. If Evensong is to follow the ist bell is rung at the close of Morning Service. A bell is rung for Vestry Meetings. MAXEY. S. Mary. 6 Bells. 1. C. & G. MEARS FOUNDERS LONDON 1853. ( Diam. 27^ in. ) 2. ■ : . THO. OSBORN FECIT 1800 • : • . : - ( Diam. 29^ in. ) Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 335 3. 4- [ + 15 ] THOMAS NORRIS MADE MEE 1661. (Diams. 32!, 34^ in. ) 5. THOMAS OSBORN FOUNDER DOWNHAM NORFOLK 1800 ' \ ■ • : • • ; • • : • • : • • : • • : • (Diani. 37 in. Cracked, and iron band round. ) 6. [ + 15 ] THOMAS NORRIS MADE MEE 16C1 W KING J FREEMAM. ( Diam. 41 in. Cracked, and iron band round. ) In 1552 there were " iij bellf & a lyttull bell." Prior to 1853 (when the uit bell was purchased by subscription) there were only five bells. The ring was then rehung and tuned. The old bell frame was dated 1661. At the Death- knell three tolls are given for a male, two for a female. In the Chapel at Deeping-gate in this parish there were three bells in the steeple in 2 Edward VI. (Bridges.) MEARS ASHBY. All Saints. 4 Bells. 1. JOHN CALLIS CHURCHWARDEN E ARNOLD FECIT 1793- ( Diam. 32 in. ) 2. [+81] GOD SAVE [IK D 69] OVR KING 1621 E 14 ( Diam. 33^ in. ) 3. [ + 22 ] M- :]B:E)(sr :R©:]6ii :^^j^mim<^ :P>€imHW [ □ 37- ] [ u I- ] ( Diam. 37 in. ) 4. IHS NAZARENVS REX IVDEORVM FILI DEI MISERERE MEI S. PRATT. & W. CHURCH HIEROPHYLACIBUS T. & J. EAYRE FECERUNT ^ 1718 O O ( Diam. 39^- in. ) ^2,^ The Inscriptions on the A bell is rung daily at noon. The Gleaning-bell is rung at 8 a.m. and at 7 p.m. during harvest, and the Pancake-bell at 11 a.m. on Shrove-Tuesday. At the Death-knell thrice three tolls are given for a male, thrice two for a female, both before and after the knell. On Sunday a bell is rung at 9 a.m. (?) and again after Morning Service. For Divine Service the bells are chimed, after which the ist bell is rung. Peals are rung at 7 a.m. and after each Service on the " Feast Sunday," on New Year's Eve, and on the Great Festivals. MIDDLETON CHENEY. All Saints. 6 Bells and a Priest's Bell. 1. GEORGIVS HOLMAN QNS QE WARKEWORTH DEDIT 1671. ( Diam. 35 in. ) 2. CANTATE DOMINO CANTICVM NOVVM HENRY BAGLE MADE MEE 1659 R H [ n 59. ] ( Diam. 37 in. ) 3. WILLIAM PARIS JAMES CARTER CHURCHWARDENS 1680. ( Diam. 39 in. ) 4. MATTHEW MEAL FRAMCIS lAOKMAM CHVRCH- W^ARDEMS WILLIAM BAGLY MADE MEE 1693. ( Diam. 41 in, ) 5. THOMAS WARDE [ d * ] W'lLLIAM JUDGE C W THOMAS PEN [d *] NICOLAS PARRIS I K MADE MEE [ D *] 1651 [ D *] ( Diam. 46 in. * Fleur-de-lys. ) 6. LET AARONS BELLS BE CONTINVALI AMVNG VS RVNG THE W^ORD STILL PREACHT AND AN HALLELV : JAH SONG 1640 [ A 59. ] ( Diam. 51 in. ) Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 337 Priest's Bell: J. BRIANT HERTFORD 1810. ( Diam. 16 in. ) In 1552 there were " iiij belle in y' steple & a sanct' bell." George Holman Esq. (Lord of the Manor of Warkworth) possessed a Manor here. (See Pedigree &c. in Baker, vol. i. p. 740.) For a doggerel on these bells see p. 148. A bell is rung daily at noon. The Pancake-bell is rung on Shrove-Tuesday. MILTON MALSOR. Holy Cross. 5 Bells. I. CANTATE DOMINO CANTICVM NOVVM 1686. ( Diam. 30 in. ) 2,4. HENRY BAGLEY MADE MEE 1686. ( Diams. 32, 36 in. ) 3. MATTHEW BAGLEY MADE MEE 1686. ( Diam. 34 in. ) 5. EDWARD DRY AND STEPHEN MILES CHVRCHWAR- DENS 1686 O ( Diam. 40 in. ) Edward Dry was probably one of the eight sons of " William Dry Yeoman who was Lord of a Manor in this towne called Mantell's Manor," and who died 23rd September, 1637. (See his epitaph in Bridges, vol. i. p. 377.) The Pancake-bell is rung on Shrove-Tuesday, and the Gleaning-bell at 8 a.m. during Harvest. Daily (Sunday excepted), throughout the year, a •' dinner bell " is rung at noon. At the Death-knell thrice three tolls are given for a man, thrice two for a woman, and three times for a child. On Sunday a bell is rung at 8 a.m. For Divine Service the tenor bell is rung, then all are chimed, after which the ist bell is tolled. 2 V 338 The Inscriptions on the MORETON PINKNEY. S. Mary the Virgin. 5 Bells. 1. GOD SAVE THE KING 1629 [ u i- ] ( Diam. 30^ in. ) 2. CELORVM CHRSTE PLATIAT TIBI REX SONVS ISTE 1629 [U !•] ( Diam. 32 in. ) 3. 4. IH'8 : NAZARENVS REX : IVDEORVM FILI : DEI MISERERE : MEI 1629 [ u i- ] ( Diams. 34, 37 in. ) 5. CVM • SONO • SI • NON • VIS • VENIRE • NVNQVAM • AD • PRECES • CVPIES • IRE 1629 [ u i- ] ( Diam. 41^ in. ) In 1552 there were " iiij great bell^' & a sanctf bell in the steple." The Pancake-bell (4th) is rung on Shrove-Tuesday at 11 a.m. At the Death-knell three tolls are given for a male, two for a female, before the knell. At a Funeral the tenor bell is tolled for ten minutes three hours before, and again for ten minutes two hours before the time fixed for the interment, the bell is then again tolled until the procession arrives. On Sunday two bells are chimed at 8 a.m. For Divine Service the bells are chimed and the tenor sounded : at the close of Morning Service the ist bell is rung. A peal is rung early on three mornings before, and on every evening of the last week before Christmas. MOULTON. SS. Peter and Paul. 6 Bells. I. OMNIA FIANT AD GLORIAM DEI E. ARNOLD FECIT 1795- ( Diam. 33 m. ) Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 339 2. REVD WM STANTON VICAR. W'm PELL MOULTON LODGE S CLARK PAGE BARBER CHURCH WARDENS. ( Diain. 34I in. ) 3, 4. REV» WM STANTON VICAR W-^i PELL MOULTON LODGE S. CLARK PAGE BARBER CHURCH- WARDENS E. A. FECIT 1795. ( Diams. 36^, 38 in. ) 5. REVD WM STANTON VICAR W'^i PELL MOULTON LODGE S. CLARK PAGE BARBER CHURCH- WARDENS E. ARNOLD LEICESTER FECIT. 6. I TO THE CHURCH THE LIVEING CALL AND TO THE GRAVE DO SUMMONS ALL. E. ARNOLD LEICESTER FECIT 1795. ( Diam. 45^ in. ) In 1552 the Inventory of Church Goods here reported : " Itni iiij bellf & a sanct' belL " Itm one other great bell hangyng in one frame by it selfe bought by Thomas Coll^ & Thomas Lucke And by y" consent of y' hooll pyshe for theyse causes folowyng (y* is to say) to be y° clocke bell And to have it ronge whan any casualtyes shall chaunce And for y' gatheryng togyther y' Inhabytant(> of y' sayd towne to y' courte & other theyr necessaryes And not gyven to y" sayd churche." In 1700 there were five bells. The 3rd and 4th were dated 1664, and the tenor was inscribed : Sancte Confessor Christi Benedicte Ora Pro Nobis Deum. There was then a tradition current that two of those bells were brought from the Priory of S. Andrew, Northampton, upon the dissolution of that House.* Such was probably the case, for the last Prior of S. * Bridges, vol. i. p. 419. 340 The Inscriptions on the Andrew's was appointed Vicar of this parish in 1540. There is another tradition that a bell being unhung at Broughton a party of Moulton people went there, stole the bell, and brought it to their own parish. The bell referred to was the ancient tenor bell described above : another version of the story is, however, told by Throsby, in a footnote in his edition of Thoroton's Nottinghamshire, in which we are also told something more about the bell itself: " I may just observe that this year, 1795, a gentleman of considerable fortune came to Leicester purposely to see an old bell brought to Mr. Arnold, bellfounder, to be recast. On it was the head of Henry III. King of England in the time of Pope Benedict. Round the crown this : Saunctie Confessor Christi Benedicte Ora Pro Nobis Deum. "The history of this bell is this — that when Broughton Church in Northamptonshire was knocked down by Cromwell, the bell was taken to the Church of Moulton, near Northampton ; thence brought to Leicester in 1795, to be recast with the rest of the church bells. Its weight 27 cwt. Mr. Smith, the gentleman noticed above, as a curioso in ancient bells, says there is only one of the same age that he knows of in England" (vol. ii. p. 88). Now, as Broughton Church was not "knocked down by Cromwell," and is moreover a considerable distance from Moulton, whilst Boughton is near at hand, there is, I think, little doubt that the bell in question came — if it did not originally belong to Moulton — from the latter place. This opinion is supported by the fact that the ancient Church of Boughton, being a considerable distance from the village was deserted in the sixteenth century, and allowed to fall into decay. It had two bells, one of which was broken down by thieves in the night and after- wards sold by the parishioners (see under Boughton, p. 196), and the second not unlikely, under the circtimstances, found its way to Moulton. The Rev. Wm. Stanton, whose name appears upon the present bells, was the son of a former Vicar of the same name. He was instituted 2nd September, 1768, and died, the oldest Incumbent in the county. Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 341 on the 22nd September, 1830, aged eighty-seven years, having been Vicar of the parish for sixty-two years. Mr. WiUiam Pell of Moulton Lodge was a landowner here. A Morning-bell is rung daily at 5 a.m. in summer (this is rung at 4 a.m. during harvest) at 6 a.m. in winter. A Daily-bell is also rung at noon, and again at 8 p.m. (the Curfew). On Sunday these are omitted. At the Death-knell (the 5th or 6th bell) thrice three tolls are given for a male, thrice two for a female. The 3rd bell is used for a child. When a Funeral is to take place the 2nd bell is rung immediately after the usual bell at noon on that day: this is called "the Winding- bell" (see p. 154). At the death of a ringer a dumb peal is rung. At Funerals the bell is tolled for about fifteen minutes, and "raised" at the moment the procession is supposed to start from the house. On Sunday, if a sermon is to be preached at the Morning Service, the 2nd bell is rung at 7 a.m. ; this is called the Sermon-bell. Two bells are rung at 8 a.m. For Divine Service the bells are chimed : at the close of Morning Service one bell is rung, and at one o'clock two bells. For Evensong the bells are chimed. NASEBY. All Saints. 5 Bells. 1. GOD SAVE THE KING 1633 [ IJ i. ] ( Diam. 31^ in. Three impressions of Charles the First's crowns on the rim. ) 2, 3. IH'S : NAZARENVS REX : IVDEORVM FILI : DEI MISERERE MEI 1640 [^ i.] ( Diam. 33^ and 34^ in. The 3rd is dated 1633. ) 4. CVM • SONO • SI • NON • VIS • VENIRE • NVNQVAM • AD • PRECES • CVPIES • IRE 1633 [ ^ i- ] ( Diam. 38^ in. ) 5. STATVTVM EST OMNIBVS SEMEL MORI 1633 [\ju] ( Diam. 42 V in. ) 342 The Inscriptions on the NASSINGTON. S. Mary. 5 Bells. 1. CAST BY JOHN WARNER & SONS LONDON 1874. ( Diam. 27 in. ) 2. X W MEATES T THACKER C-\V TOBY NORRIS CAST ME 1686. ( Diam. 30^ in. ) 3. OMNIA FIANT AD GLORIAM DEI J EAYRE FECIT. T. NEVE PREBEND. L MALE T HANDSON C • W ( Diam. 31 in. ) 4. THOMAS NORRIS MADE ME 1642. ( Diam. 34 in. ) 5. EDW HANDSON ROB OSBORN CHURCHWARDENS THOS OSBORN FECIT DOWNHAM NORFOLK 1801. ( Diam. 39 in. ) In 1552 there were " fower belles." " The patronage belongs to Nassington Prebendary in the Church of Lincoln " {Bridges, vol. ii. p. 468). This explains the presence of " T, Neve Prebend " on the 3rd bell. The Gleaning-bell is rung at 8 a.m. and at 6 p.m. during harvest. At the Death-knell three tolls are given for a male, two for a female. NEWBOROUGH. S. Bartholomew. 2 Bells. 1. WILLIAM DOBSON, FOUNDER, DOWNHAM NORFOLK 1828. ( Diam. i8^ in. Cracked. ) 2. WILLIAM DOBSON, DOWNHAM NORFOLK, FOUNDER, 1828. ( Diam. 2ii in. ) Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 343 NEWBOTTLE. S. James. 2 Bells. 1. Blank. ( Diam. 14 in. ) 2. JOHN TURLAN RICHERD MATTHOWS CHURCH- WARDENS 1660. ( Diam. 33 in. ) In 1552 there were " iij belle in y* stepuU & a sanct' bell." When the church was repaired about a century ago the then church- wardens sold two bells and the lead off the roof to pay the cost. The larger bell is tolled after a Funeral as well as before. NEWNHAM. S. Mary or S. Michael. 6 Bells. 1. THE FREE GVIFT OF JOHN THORNTON SQVIRE 1660. 2. GOD SAVE THE KING 1633 [XJ i.] 3. 4. IH'2 : NAZARENVS REX : IVDEORVM FILI : DEI MISERERE : MEI 1632 [ IJ i. ] 5, 6. CVM • SONO • SI • NON • VIS • VENIRE • NVNQVAM • AD • PRECES • CVPIES • IRE [ ij i. ] In 1552 there were " iij bellf in y' steple & a sanct' bell." John Thornton, Esq., was Lord of the Manor of Newnhani. (See a Pedigree of his family in Bridges, vol. i. p. 22.) The uses of the bells are exactly the same as at the mother church of Badby (see p. 187). NEWTON BROMSWOLD. S. Peter. 3 Bells. I. GRATA SIT ARGUTA RESONANS CAMPANULA VOCE W HARRIS C. W. 1746. ( Diam. 24* in. ) 344 ^^'^ Inscriptions on the 2, [ + 73 ] saiutc [ □ 75 ] j^^t" [ D 75 ] or:i [ □ 75 ] Jjronobis. /I nd on shoulder of bell [ U 49 ] repeated three times. ( Diam. 27 in. ) ^mi^ms:£ic!x:^ omp^m 1639 cui-] ( Diam. 30J in. ) There is a place for a 4th bell, but nothing is known about it. The Churchwardens' Accounts say: 1752. Paid for hanging the 2 bells 9 11 For work done at little bell i . o . 9 1769. Nov. 9. Ale when the great bell was taken down 2 . o On Sunday a bell is rung at 8 a.m. For Divine Service the bells are chimed. NEWTON-IN-THE-WILLOWS. S. Faith. i Bell. I. JOHN RIPPEN CHURCHWARDEN \V. TAYLOR S^' NEOTS FECIT 1806. ( Diam. 24 in. ) NORTHAMPTON. All Saints. 8 Bells. 1. I MEAN TO MAKE IT UNDERSTOOD THAT THOUGH I'M LITTLE YET I'M GOOD CHAPMAN & MEARS OF LONDON FECERUNT 1782. ( Diam. 33 in. ) 2. IF YOU HAVE A JUDICIOUS EAR YOU'LL OWN MY VOICE IS SWEET AND CLEAR CHAPMAN & MEARS OF LONDON FECERUNT 1782. ( Diam. 33 in. ) Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 343 3. WHILST THUS WE JOIN IX CHEERFUL SOUND MAY LOVE AND LOYALTY ABOUND CHAPMAN & MEARS OF LONDON FECERUNT 1782. ( Diam. 34 in. ) 4. THOUGH MUCH AGAINST US MAY BE SAID TO SPEAK FOR OURSELVES WE'RE NOT AFRAID CHAPMAN & MEARS OF LONDON FECERUNT 17S2. ( Diam. 37 in. ) 5. YE PEOPLE ALL WE HEAR US RING BE FAITHFUL TO YOUR GOD & KING CHAPMAN & MEARS OF LONDON FECERUNT 17^2. ( Diam. 40 in. ) 6. SUCH WONDROUS POWER TO MUSICS GIVEN IT ELEVATES THE SOUL TO HEAVEN CHAPMAN & MEARS OF LONDON FECERUNT 1782. ( Diam. 42 in. ) 7. TO HONOUR BOTH OF GOD AND KING OUR VOICES SHALL IN CONSORT RING CLARKE HILLYARD ESQ^e MAYOR JOHN LACEY AND W^i MARSHALL BAILIFFS 1782 CHAPMAN & MEARS OF LONDON FECERUNT 1782. ( Diam. 46^ in. ) 8. IN W^EDLOCK'S BANDS ALL YE WHO JOIN WITH HANDS YOUR HEARTS UNITE SO SHALL OUR TUNEFUL TONGUES COMBINE TO LAUD THE . NUPTIAL RITE MESS'«« JNO. WYE AND JNO KING CHURCHWARDENS CHAPMAN & MEARS OF LONDON FECERUNT 1782 0000 (Diam 5U in.) Prior to 1782 there were six bells only which appear to have been all from Bagley's foundry. These were supposed, according to a doggerel (seep. 149): Roast beef and marsh mallows Say the bells of All Hallows. 2 W 346 The Inscriptions on the In 1829 the Corporation of Northampton presented a set of chimes to this church. They were made by John Briant, Bellfounder, of Hertford, and play eight tunes, viz : On Sunday : " Mariners " and " Hanover " alternately. Monday : " Highland Laddie." Tuesday: " Step in." \^'ednesday : A March by the then Organist. Thursday: " T. Billington." Friday : " Life let us cherish." Saturday : " The happy clown." A bell was formerly rung daily at 6 a.m. in the summer and at 7 a.m. in the winter. This has been discontinued about twenty years. The Curfew (tenor bell) was also formerly rung at g p.m. daily. This too has been discontinued for many years. At the Death-knell thrice three tolls are given for a male, thrice two for a female. On Sunday a bell is rung at 8 a.m. For Divine Service the bells are chimed, after which the treble bell " rings in." There is a tradition that a woman having lost her way on a dark night, was enabled to find it again by the sound of the nine o'clock Curfew mentioned above, and that she left a sum of money to perpetuate its ringing. NORTHAMPTON. S. Andrew. ,i Bell. I. JOHN TAYLOR FOUNDER OXFORD 1842. ( Diam. 28^ in. ) NORTHAMPTON. S. Edmund. i Bell. At an Inquisition taken at Northampton, 21st September, 1-2 Philip and Mary, before Sir John Fermer, Knight, and George Coldewell, Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 347 Mayor, Commissioners, to enquire — amongst other things — concerning lead and bells which belonged to the ancient church of S. Edmund, since destroyed, the twelve jurors said on oath that Humfry Broke of Cotton Ende, near Northampton, sold two bells of the said church of St. Edmund, weighing iiij c. iij qrs. for ijd. ob. q. di the pound. To this statement (preserved amongst the Land Revenue Records*) is appended this Inventory : " The Chapell of S' Edmunde in Northmpton ij Bellf poz {ponderis) iiijc iijqrt at xx' the c iiij'' Due by Humfry Brooke of Cotton Ende near Northampton, and are paid into the hands of Nicholas Brygham." The modern church of S. Edmund has only one bell inscribed : J. WARNER & SON FOUNDERS LONDON 1851. ( Diam. 21 in. ) NORTHAMPTON. S. Giles. 8 Bells. 1. LONG LIFE AND PROSPERITY TO OUR WORTHY SUBSCRIBERS. E. ARNOLD S'' NEOTS 1783. ( Diam. 32 in. ) 2. OMNIA FIANT AD GLORIAM DEI. ( Diam. 34 in. ) 3. WHILE THUS WE JOIN IN CHEERFUL SOUND MAY LOVE AND LOYALTY ABOUND. ( Diam. 37 in. ) 4. EDWARD WATKIN VICAR EDWARD KIKBY .V JOHN HESKETH CHURCHWARDENS. ( Diam. 38 in. ) 5. LET EVERYTHING THAT HATH BREATH PRAISE THE LORD. ( Diam. 41 in. ) • Church Goods. Bundle 1393. File 106, No. i. 348 TJie Inscriptions on the G. SIX BELLS RECAST BY RATE AND TWO TREBLES BY SUBSCRIPTION. ( Diam. 46 in. ) 7. THE JOYS OF PEACE OUR INFANT VOICE PROCLAIM WITH HOLLAND FRANCE AMERICA AND SPAIN. ( Diam. 55 in. ) 8. EDW^VRD WATKIN VICAR EDWARD KIRBY AND JOHN HESKETH CHURCHW^ARDENS. ( Diam. 56 in. ) Prior to 1783 there were six bells only: round the 4th was inscribed (according to Bridges) : Sit Pater Flamen, Prolesque micans modulamen. For a doggerel on these bells see p. 149. At the Death-knell three tolls are given for a male, two for a female. For Divine Service the bells are chimed. NORTHAMPTON. S. Katharine. i Bell. I. W. & J. TAYLOR BELLFOUNDERS OXFORD 1839. ( Diam. 44 in. ) NORTHAMPTON. S. Peter, S Bells. PEACE AND GOOD NEIGHBOURHOOD [ d 34 ] 1734. PROSPERITY TO THIS PARISH [ D 34 ] FEAR GOD HONOUR THE KING [ d 34 ] 1734. [ D 34] AB. RUDHAL OF GLOUCESTER CAST US ALL 1734. PROSPERITY TO THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND [ d 34 ] 1734- Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 349 7. SIR ARTHUR HASLERIGG BARONET AND NICHOLAS HATTIM ALD. CHURCHWARDENS 1734. 8. THE GIFT OF SIR ARTHUR HASLERIGG BARONET 1734- ( Diam. 42 in. ) Prior to 1734 there were four bells only (Bridges). See a doggerel on p. 148. Sir Arthur Haslerigg, Bart., of Nosely Hall (the churchwarden of the parish, and donor of the tenor bell in 1734), appears to have possessed certain land in the parish of S. Peter. It was inclosed within the walls of the ancient castle of Northampton, and sold by the Corporation to his ancestor, Robert Haslerigg, Esq., in 1678. Sir Arthur Haslerigg (seventh Baronet) died in 1763. NORTHAMPTON. The Holy Sehulchre. 6 Bells. K + THOMAS RVSSELL MADE ME rND'wlLurBVTTLiNo CHVRCHWARDENS IN 1739. ( Diam. 31 in. ) z. EDWARD WARD AND JOSEPH DOBSON CHVRCH- WARDENS 1681. ( Diam. 34 in. ) 3. REVD W. BUTLIN VICAR TAYLOR .V SON OF LOUGHBORO FOUNDERS JOSEPH COLLEDGE ) ^_ ' CHARLES IKESON JUN« | CHURCHWARDENS ,857. ( Diam. 37^ in. ) 4. HENREV BAGLEY MADE MEE 1681 GOOGOO ( Diam. 38 in. ) 5. THE REVi> THO^ WATTS VICAR t THO^ ARMFIELD & J. HARRIS C. WARDENS JOHN BRIANT HERT- FORD FECIT 1805. ( Diam. 42^ in. ) 350 The Inscriptions on the 6. I TO THE CHVRCH THE LIVING CALL AND TO THE GRAVE DO SVMMONS ALL THOMAS RVSSELL OF WOOTTON ^'E MADE p. JAMES HACKELTON AND WILLIAM CHAMBERLIN LATE puVRCH JOHN SMITH AND WILLIAM BVTLIN PRESENT WARDENS IN 1733. ( Diam. 43^ in. ) The tower is mutilated internally to make room for the bells. See a local doggerel on p. 149. Over the Tower Arch in the ringing chamber are these lines (sic) : ^tXt Bells Melodius move with Art Sublime And various numbers Beat in Mood & Time Let Clamour cease the cause of dire Mischance In Joyfull silence lead the Mystic Dance So Music raises her Majestic Strains Whilto Notes Harmonious reach the distant Plaines. The Curfew was until recent years rung at 8 p.m. At the Death-knell (which is tolled for a few minutes, then rung) thrice three tolls are given for a male, thrice two for a female. On Sunday the ist and 2nd bells are rung at 8 a.m. For Divine Service the bells are chimed, after which the ist bell " rings in " for five minutes. A Peal is rung at midnight on Christmas Eve. On New Year's Eve a muffled peal is rung from 11.30 to nearly 12 o'clock. The muffles are then removed and lively peals usher in the New Year. As a call to Vestry Meetings the ist or 2nd bell is rung. NORTHBOROUGH. S. Andrew. 2 Bells. Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 351 2. CVM VOCO AD ECCLESIAM VENITE W L. AS. iGii. In 1552 the Inventory recorded : " ffirst in o' steplc ij small belles. Item A sanct(^ belle in thand(j of Mr. John Brown. Item one hand belle." These bells are difficult of access. I have been unable to obtain rubbings, or casts of stamps, if any. NORTON. All Saints. 5 Hllls. 1. GOD SAVE THE KING 1640 [ij i-] ( Diam. 34 in. ) 2. M L K I H G F E D C B A V T S R Q POX K IH G F E D VTSRQ 1640 [U I- ] ( Diam. 35 in. ) 3. MLKIHG FEDCBA VTSRQPON LKIHGFED VTS R X\V 1640 [U I- ] ( Diam. 37^ in. ) 4. MLKIHG FEDCBA VTSR LPON LKIHGF EDCBA 1640 [U I- ] ( Diam. 41 in. ) 5. TO CHVRCH THE LIVEING I DOE CALL THE DEAD TO GRAVE I SVMMON ALL 1640 [rji.] ( Diam. 48 in. ) In 1552 " Norton next to Daventry " possessed " iij bell(^ in y' stcple & a sanct' bell." At the Death-knell three tolls are given for a male, two for a female. On Sunday a bell is rung at 8 a.m. The bells are chimed for Divine Service. OAKLEY GREAT. S. Michael. 3 Bells and a Priest's Bell. I. GOD SAVE THE KING 1626 [^i-] ( Diam. 26 in. ) 352 The Inscriptions on the 2. [ + 5 ] X\ [ □ 86 ] O g JH. [ + 5 ] -S [ D lo D * ] M [ D <%] ^- [ a lo] M. ( Diain. 28^ in. * Fleur-de-lys. ) 3. IH'g : NAZARENVS REX : IVDEORVM FILI : DEI MISERERE : MEI 1634 [ U i- 1 (Diam. 30^ in. ) Priesfs Bell: [ + 22] :^©- [ + 22] ^e-^^^. ( Diam. 14 in. ) The 2nd bell, which is from the Leicester foundry, has an inscription made up of various letters and stamps all much abraded. The first two letters and the T are small plain Gothic, the E and S are ornate capital Gothic letters, the three M's are in Roman type. A similar bell hangs at Duddington which see at p. 253. At the Death-knell thrice three tolls are given fur a man, thnce' two for a woman, and three single ones for a child, before and after the knell. On Sunday a bell is rung at 9 a.m. For Divine Service the bells are chimed and (when a sermon) the tenor rung. The Priest's Bell, which is called the " Tintanny," is not now used : it was formerly rung when the clergyman entered the church. OAKLEY PARVA. S. Peter. i Bell. I. REV. J. L. SUTTON RECTOR. B PYWELL C. W. J TAYLOR FOUNDER OXFORD AND BIDEFORD 1833. ( Diam. 34^ in. ) The bell is rung at 8 a.m. on Sundays and on Holydays when there is Morning Service. OLD. S. Andrew. 5 Bells. I. T. MEARS OF LONDON FECIT 1825. ( Diam. 28 in. ) Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 333 2. THOMAS HAVHS RECTOR : J : WARREN : S : CHAT MAN. C. W. IHS NAZARENUS REX JUDEORl'M FILI ni:i MISERERE MEI O AD 1723. ( Diani. 30 in. ) 3. JAMES [D 36] FORSYTH [+15] 1'. WILIJAM [ a 36 ) CHAPMAN [D36] JAMES [u^G] LADD [+15] 1631 [U !•] (Dunn. 33 in. ) 4- jCClissi rOt J2)tlis Tiiaboc X'loi"f« ©nbrirlis [n 12 n 13 d iS] ( Diam. 36 in. ) 5- [ + 5^] JOHANNES STEPHENS ME DEDIT WILLIAM CHAPMAN. GREGARI DEXTER AND JOHN PETTEVER GARDIANl ANNO 1639 [U I- ] ( Diam. 40 in. ) Prior to 1825 there were four bells only. The Rev. Thomas Hayes was instituted in 1720. The Rev. James I'orsytli signs the Register as Rector in i6ig. He succeeded Dr. Townson, who became Dean of Westminster and Bishop of Salisbury. He died here, and was buried Feb. 16, 1642-3. He made an entry in the Register relative to the plague which visited this parish in 1638. Of the donor of the tenor bell I can learn nothing. At the Death-knell thrice three tolls are given for a male, thrice two for a female, the tenor bell being used ; for children and young persons the lesser bells are used. Oh Sunday a bell is rung at 7 a.m. in the summer and at 8 a.m. in winter ; two bells are chimed at 9 a.m. For Divine Service the bells are chimed and the Sermon-bell rung: a bell is also rung at the close of Morning Service. OLNEY [in B.\rby Parish]. Baker says " there is a tradition of a chapel having formerly stood in a field still called the chapel close" (vol. i. p. 267) 2 X 354 ^^^^ Inscriptions on the In the vestry of Barby Church is preserved a small bell which is said to have formerly belonged to the hamlet of Olney : it has no inscription, simply the date " 1602." ORLINGBURY. S. Mary the Virgin. 5 Bells. 1. GOD SAVE THE KING. THOMAS MEARS FOUNDER LONDON 1843. ( Weight 5 cwt. 2 qr. 25 fl). ) 2. LET EVERYTHING THAT HATH BREATH PRAISE THE LORD. THOMAS MEARS FOUNDER LOKDON 1843. ( Weight 6 cwt. 2 qr. lylu. ) 3. THE LORD IS GREAT AND GREATLY TO BE PRAISED. THOMAS MEARS FOUNDER LONDON 1843. ( Weight 6 cwt. 3 qr, iStb. ) 4. HOLINESS TO THE LORD. THOMAS MEARS FOUNDER LONDON 1843. ( Weight 9 cwt. I qr. 21 lb. ) 5. REJOICE WITH THEM THAT DO REJOICE AND W^EEP WITH THEM THAT WEEP. THOMAS MEARS FOUNDER LONDON 1843. ( W' eight 12 cwt. I qr. 21 t1). ) In 1700 there were three bells (Bridges). At the Death-knell three tolls are given for a male, two for a female, before the knell. On Sunday a bell is rung at 8 a.m., and again immediately after Morning Service. For Divine Service the bells are chimed, after which the treble bell is sounded for five minutes. ORTON. All Saints. i Bell. I. EDWARD ARNOLD S^ NEOTS FECIT 1775. Cluircli Bells of NortliamptoHsliirc. 355 OUNDLE. S. Peter. 8 Bells. !• igiu fr;ut;i, * 1868, ^enobata. pet Xlif'irs ft .i^tatubanh, Jiioubon, 1869. J. ^. yX/atts "Jiusscll, JJ-rmiq, 1 . ^-^^ :a :pmt, coppib. ^ i <:^.\^. EXAl'DI ALTERAM PARTEM THO« OSBORN DOWN- HAM FECIT 17S0. ( Diam. 32^^^ in. ) 2. ignc fracta [(St. as on 1st bell.] AUDI ME INVOCAMTEM, THO« OSBORN, DOWXHAM. FECIT, 17S0. ( Diam. 33 in. ) 3. igiu fracta [S'C. as on 1st bell.] Ex • DONO • JOHANNIS • LEWIS • DE ■ OUNDLE • APOTHECARII • HENRICVS • BAGLEY • ME • FECIT • 1688. ( Diam. 35 in. ) 4. • ; • • OMNIA FIANT AD GLORIAM DEI : • GLORIA PATRI FILIO & SPIRITUI SANCTO • • 1735 • • THO : EAYRE. ( Diam. 38 in. ) 5. OMNIA FIANT AD GLORIAM DKl [ 3 rnn.v/s ] THO : • EAYRE FECIT. JOS : • PALMER AND THO : RAGSDELL C: \V . . 1742 . ' . ( Diam. 40 in. ) q 6. t RICHARD LISSETT VICAR THO : BLWFIELD W ^' PALMER CHURCHWARDENS, t JOSEPH EAYRE FECIT 1763 ^ ( Diam. 45 in. ) 356 The Inscriptions on the 7. JOSEPH LODDLNGTON VICAR, MILES BERKELEY WILLIAM TODD CHURCHWARDENS, THOMAS OSBORN FECIT A.D. 1801. ( Diam. 48 in. ) 8. igiu friutn \_&'C. as on 1st bell.] T : EAYRE FECIT • : • ON THE OLD BELL WAS THE FOLLOWING INSCRIPTION : THOMAS FRANKLIN PAID FOR ME • OF WHOSE SOLE IHU HAVE MERCE • : • THOMAS RAGSDALL : & : TOBY ROSE c : w. 1748. ( Diam. 53 in. ) Mr. John Lewis appears to have died 3rd December, 1687, im- mediately before the 3rd bell (which was consequently perhaps a gift under his will) was cast. Thomas Franklin, whose gift is so properly commemorated upcm the tenor bell, was in other ways a benefactor to Oundle. A copy of his will, dated 12th May, 1544, is preserved in the Town Chest. From it we learn that Thomas Franklin was a weaver who had his shop — his dwelling house appears to have been elsewhere — near to the Market Cross (now destroyed) in the old market place of Oundle. He directed that he should be buried " within S. John's aisle, before the image of S. John Evangelist, being within the parish church of Oundle," and being a member of " Our Lady Guild " he left to it £2. a year to be paid for keeping his obit " within the same church." He bequeathed : " Item to the reparation of the bells within Oundle Church \i]d." He left his russet gown to (.)ne friend, his black gown to a second, and his " sanguine" gown to a third. To (jne person he left " 3 geere viz. a flaxen, harden, & a woolen," to another "a bastard's loom," and to a third " a broad loom." After other bequests we find : " Item I bequeath to Katherine my daughter ^10. & 2 pairs of flaxen sheets & i pair of harden sheets, 6 pieces of pewter, that is to say, 2 pewter platters, 2 pewter dishes, and 2 Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 357 pewter saucers, and my great spice chest, and my second greatest pot & my second greatest pan." Richard Asliton, Abbot of Peterborough 1439-1471, consecrated two suits of vestments, one of black velvet and the other of white damask, and also 3 bells at Peterborough for the use of this ciiurcii. Another bell was also consecrated by his successor Abbot William Ramsey ( 1471-1496).* In both these cases the bells mentioned were, probably, small hand bells. In 1700 there were 6 bells only. At an early hour on Sunday morning the i6th August, 1868 — an exceedingly hot and dry month — smoke was seen to issue from the belfry windows of the church. The belfry was on fire and great fear was felt as to the fate of the beautiful steeple. The fire was, however, ex- tinguished before serious damage was done to the stone work. The clock and bellframe were destroyed and four bells (ist, and, 3rd, and 8th) were cracked. The fire had evidently originated under the tenor bell. The belfry floor had been covered a foot or more deep, with sawdust to deaden the sound of the ringing in the church, hence some attributed the mischief to spontaneous combustion, but others who knew that workmen had been employed on the previous afternoon in repairing the clapper of the great bell held a different opinion. This clapper would appear to have a propensity to produce mischief, for when the bells were being rung upon a festive occasion in 1875 it flew out of the bell but fortunately lodged on the frame, and so ilid no further harm. Before the 7th bell was recast it is said to have been an ancient one and " very long," and to have required two men to " raise" it. The Market-bell (5ti)) is rung every Thursday— Market Day — at 12 o'clock (see p. 154). On Shrove-Tuesday the 6th and 7th bells are rung together as Pancake-bells. • Bridges, vol. ii pj>. 410. 55S. 358 The Inscriptions on the At the Death-knell three tolls are given for a male, two for a female, on the 8th, the ist, and the 2nd bells; after the knell the age of the deceased is tolled if the relatives desire it. On Sunday the 3rd bell is rung at 7 a.m. ; the 3rd and 4th are chimed at 8 a.m. For Divine Service the bells are chimed, and the tenor after- wards rung as a Sermon-bell. Peals are rung at 7 a.m. on Festivals when there is an Early Celebration ; also upon those days, or when any special service takes place, the bells are rung instead of chimed. OVERSTONE. S. Nicolas. 2 Bells. I. j^:b^:e>.'e. :Fi©:]&ii::K: jhm:x2\o 1609 [ui-i ( Diam. 25 in. Letters like [ d 53. ] ) 2. HENRICVS BAGLEY ME FECIT 1676. ( Diam. 26 in. ) In 1552 there were in the ancient church taken down in 1803, " iij bellf and a Sanct' bell." At the same time the bells were put in order, as we find from the following memorandum attached to the Inventory : " Concordat cu p'ori Inventoris Goods sold by the consent of y' holle pysshe at the making of the first Inventorye M** one chalice sold by the consent of the holle .pysshe wayenge vij owncf And one Cope of grene damaske for the soiiie of iij'' vj" viij** whiche was employed to theis uses foUowynge First for whight lymynge the Churche and settynge up of Scripture there — xxvj" viij" Itni to the repayring of the lead(' — iij" iiij'' for one bell whele and for trussynge of the Rest — x" for makynge of iij brydgf & repayryng the highe wayes on bothe sides the brydges — xl' some of the holle charge — iiij''."' In 1700 there were four bells (Bridges). Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 359 OXENDON MAGNA. S. Helkn. 4 Bells. I. 1820 ( ? V ( Diam. 27 in. ) 2. [ + 11] ,^iit3C";E (3Ex^€5H f^cmsi? i^T2^arxio:t> ( Diam. 28^ in. ) 3. JOHN W AKXKR .*v SON FOUNDERS LONDON 1853. y Diam. 31 in. ) 4. OMNIA FIANT AD GLORIAM DEI JOHN JOHNSON & PETER BERRY C : \V. A : D 1744 T. E. ( Diam. 33 in. ) The framework being unsafe the bells are only ciiimed. " The bellfry is eleven foot three inches long & nine foot three inches broad. Here is a very remarkable polysyllabic echo of which the object or centrum phouocampticmn is this tcjwer, & particularly the story wheie the bells are. To a person standing at right angles with the object at a distance of 673 foot, on the western & more rising part of the hill on which the church is built, it returns 13 syllables distinctly.'" {Morton's Nat. Hist, of Northants, p. 357, quoted by Bridges.) PASSENHAM. 5. GuTMLAc. 5 Bells. 1. .i5uiuta iliaria Ora X^io IF^obis [ □ 47 1 O [ □ 52- ] ( Diam. 34 in. ) 2. RICIIAKI) CHANDLER MADE ME 171 1. ( Diam. 37 in. ) 3. BARTHOLOMEW ATTON MADE MIC K A 1624. ( Diam. 38* in. ) 4. [ + 94 1 A [ + 94 ] TRVSTy' [ + 94 ] FRENDE [ + 94 ] Yd [4-94] HARDE [4-94] TO [+94] FYNDE [4-94] ^5^5- ( Diam. 43 in. ) 360 The Inscriptions on the 5. THIS BELL THE GIFT OF SIR ROBERT BANASTRE AN. DOM. 1635 WAS RECAST AT THE EXPENCE OF CHARLES VISCOUNT MAYNARD & THE PARISHIONERS AN. DOM. 1817 t GLORIA DEO IN EXCELSIS t THE REV^'d LORAIN SMITH RECTOR. JAMES CLARE & JOHN CLARK C. \V. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT. ( Diam. 46 in. ) In 1552 there were " iiij grett bellys and one Sanct' bell."' As to the founder of the 4th bell see p. 59. The tenor bell was previously inscribed : Ex mero Dono Roberti Banastre Militis Incliti. Sir Robert Banastre — the donor of the original tenor bell — who was lord of the manor, "raised and beautified" the chancel of the church in 1626. He died 15th December, 1649, aged eighty years, and was buried here. Sir Robert Banastre settled the manor of Passenham upon his only daughter by his third wife. She (Dorothy) was the first wife of William, second Lord Maynard, from whom the manor descended to Charles, Viscount Maynard, whose name appears upon the present tenor bell. (See Baker, vol. ii. p. 189.) PASTON. Ai.L Saints. 3 Bells. I- [+15] CDmi^hlLj^ [036] J^^M^^im [D36] MJ^ [ D 36 ] ^jho^^j^m. [ □ 36 ] :e)ei 1607. ( Diam. 30 in. ) 2. JOSEPH EAYRE FECIT JOHN LYDE RECTOR THOMAS HENSON CHURCHWARDEN. ( Diam. 33 in. ) 3. PRAISE THE LORD 1601 [ ij i. ] ( Diam, 33 in. Letters like [ D 53 ] )• Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 361 In 1539 John Couper " of Thorppe in the parish of Paston " left "to the Sacrament of Paston 6"*. & to the bells three strike of barley." (Whellan's Northants, p. 670.) In 1552 the inventory from Paston recorded : " First in o' steple iij belles Itm A sanct' belle." The Rev. John Lloyd was Rector from 1762 to 1771. PATTISHALL. Holy Cross. 5 Bells and a Priest's Bell. 1. [ + 38] GOD SAVE OVR KING 1631 [ I K d 69. ] ( Diam. 31 in. ) 2. [ + 81 ] PRAYES YE THE LORD 1631. ( Diam. 33 in. ) 3. [ + 5] BE • YT • KNOWNE • TO • ALL • THAT • DOTH • ME • SEE • THAT • NEWCOMBE • OF • LEICESTER • MADE • MEE • 1609. ( Diam. 34 in. ) 4. SOMROSA POLSATA MONDE MARIA VOCATA 1630. ( Diam. 37 in. ) 5. WILLIAM FOLWELL THOMAS HOW CHURCHWARD- ENS M. BAGLEY MADE ME 1770. ( Diam. 41 in. ) Priest's Bell : HENRY BAGLEY MADE MEE 1713. ( Diam. 17^ in. ) In 1552 there were " iiij bellf & a saunct(^ bell in the Steple." The tenor was previously inscribed : Sancta Maria. PAULERSPURY. S. James. 5 Bells. I- [+16] .Sancta j'\.nn:\ Ora ;f->ro Xiobis [74-] ( Diam. 31 in. ) 2 Y 362 The Inscriptions on the 2. HENRY BAGLEE MADE MEE 1654. ( Diam. 34 in. ) 3. PRAYSE YE THE LORDE ALWAYSE 1623. ( Diam. 37 in. ) 4. "yTov bni ibu vpi bov cv ult:uionis [ D 18 d 24 d 3 ] ( Diam. 41 in. For initial V see [ D 30 ] ). 5. BARTHOLOMEW ATTVN MADE ME 1613. ( Diam. 44 in. ) In 1552 there were " fy ve bell(^ one sanct' bell ij Iiandebell(-." There is a tradition that the five ancient bells here were brought by Sir Nicholas Throckmorton from Luffield Abbey, upon the dissolution uf that House. He was Lord of the Manor of Paulerspury. Brown Willis in his History of Buckinghamshire mentions the same tradition as bein,<^ current at Luffield. PEAKIRK. S. Pega. 2 Bells. 2. THOMAS NORRIS MADE ME 1677. In 1552 "Peykyrke" possessed: " Fyrst in o' Steple ij smale belle It' on handebell." The Pancake-bell is rung on Shrove- Tuesday. On Sunday a bell is rung at 7 a.m., and again at the conclusion of Morning Service. For Divine Service the bells are chimed. PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL. S. Peter. 5 Hells. I. TE DECET HYMNVS. RICH. RYNOLDS LL.D PR^EB : HENRY PENN FVSORE 1709. ( Diam. 39 in. ) Chir/ch Bells of Northamptonshire. 363 2. I'SALLAM DEO MEO gNAMDlC S\"M. I IK). W.WA. PR/EB : 1709. ( Diani. 42 in. ) 3. MAGNIFICATE DOMINVM MECVM. JOHN lAANS PR/EB : HEN : PENN FVSORE 1709. ( Diani. 45 in. ) 4. HERBERT MARSH D D. BISHOP OF PETERBOROUGH : THO^ TURTON D D. DEAN OF PETERBOROUGH : WM STRONG DD. ARCHDEACON OF NORTHAMP TON. JOHN JAMES D D. ; W^' McDONALL M.A : \VM TOURNAY DD; JOS" STEPN pRATT LL.B. S. ^L■VDAN DD : & THO^ HUGHES BD; PRE- BENDARIES 1831. ( Diam. 48 in. ) 5. PACEM TE POSCIMVS OMNES CONCORDIE RES PARV/E CRESCVNT 1709. RICH^ CVMBERLAND EPf^. ( Diam. 56^ in. ) The first reference to the bell, or bells, belonging to the Monaster}' I have met with is with regard to a privilege whicli the monks here are said to have had granted to them by Gregory IX. (1227- 1241). When- ever the country should be placed under an interdict the monks of Peterborough might say their service to themselves within the church in a low voice, but with the doors shut and without the ringing of a bell.* That there were bells in the early part, or middle, of the thirteenth century is evident from the notices preserved of their being then rung upon the anniversaries, or obits, of several of the abbots, t and an addition to their number was made about the year 1250, when Johannes * GuHton's Hist, of the Church of Peterborough (i6S6). p. 30. f Ibid, p. 29S. 364 The Inscriptions on the de Caleto — the 30th Abbot — gave a great bell to the church, whereon was inscribed : Jon de Caux Abbas Oswaldo consecrat hoc vas. At the same time, or perhaps a few years later, the sacrist Richardus de London (afterwards 32nd Abbot) not only erected "the great steeple wherein the bells hang," but gave two bells which were called after him Les Londres.* Upon the dissolution of the Monastery an Inventory was taken dated "30th November 1539 being the 31 of King Henry 8," from which we learn the following particulars as to the bells then existing : " In the Chappel of Low Item .... three Bells to ring in the Chappel In the Infirmary Chappel Item one little Bell Item In the two steeples of the Monastery at the Front Bells 10 and in other several places of the houses Bells 4 all which goods were assigned to the said abbot being Guardian for the same time by the Commissioners • Philip Pryce John Tregounal and others. "t It is evident that " bells 4 " in " (jtlier several places of the houses " are those mentioned as being in the chapel of Low and in the Infirmary chapel. These four bells were probably sold soon after the Inventory was taken, but the grand ring of ten bells was allowed to remain. When the soldiers of the Commonwealth were quartered here they amused themselves, but annoyed and disturbed the inhabitants, by continually jangling the bells. In "a Short & True Narrative of the * Gunton. p. 37. f Ibid, p. 65. Church Bells of Northamptonshiye. 365 Rifling and Defacing the Cathedral Church of Peterborough in the year 1643," preserved in Gunton's History,* is an account of an expedient adopted by the people to put a stop to such noisy proceedings : "One thing indeed I must needs clear the Souldiers of which Mercurius Rust tens upon misinformation charges them with viz. : That they took away the Bell-Clappers and sold them, with the Brass they plucked off from the Tombs. The mistake was this: The neighbourhood being continually disturbed with the Souldiers jangling & ringing the J^.lUs auker.t as though there had been a scare-fire (though there was no other but what they themselves had made) some of the in- habitants by night took away the clappers, & hid them in the Roof of the church, on purpose only to free their ears from that confused noise; which gave occasion to such as did n<:)t know it, to think the souldiers had stolen them away." The Account Books of the Dean and Chapter furnish a few entries relating to the ancient bells : 1548 To Chr. Smith f(jr a bell Clapper at the Cross altar id. 1629. Carpenter To Mansfeild Wocxlfyne 8 daies worck abowte the reparing the Bells xviijs. \iiji/. • Page 336. bells at sent Martins verj' sodenly niiii; f Auker, i.e. backwards ; bells are i un^ acord [i.e. aukereJ] and presently woord was " auk" to give alarm of fire. brought me y* y* fyar was [in the] Fryars. Mr. Alderman Robert Heyricke writing and presently woord came y' yt was a kylln from Leicester to his brother Sir William of Robart Ereks adjoyninge to the Fryars. Heyricke, in London, under date of 17th in a very daungerous place, where g' store December, 1616, says : of come and hay lay nere, but, the Lord be " This momyng about 9 of the clok, as praysed, yt was qwikly qwenched." I was coomyng forthe of my chamber, the 366 The Inscriptions on the To Mansfeild making a new wheele for the sermon bell and for nailes for the same xiijs. viij^. For the loane of 2 pare of screwes to take up the bell out of hir frames iijs. iiij^. For laying a beame over the Timbers of y*" gret bells xij^. Rope and Whittewer For a hide of Whitlether viijs. iiiji. To Gill for 2 daj's lyning balthbricks and ropes iJ5. For a gib rope waing 1 1 li at yd yMi vjs. v^. To Robart Parker for a bell rope waing 2ili at 5di y' li viijs. 'wd. To Gill one day mending baltbricks xiiiji. Smith. To John Stinens for iron worck about the bells and xxvjs. To John Stinens for all the iron worck abowte the great bell only as his bill sheweth lixs. ij^. 1665 7 June Given the ringers for ringing the Great Bells at the overthrow of the Dutch fleet 55. o* The "great bells" continued to hang until the year 1709, when they were taken down. Some idea of their weight may be estimated from the fact that " a tunable peal of ten was cast out of the four great bells with very little addition, and the whole charge of founding, hanging, and framing, was defrayed by parting with the others to the founder, who also gave a benefaction of £^0 towards adorning the altar. "t Indeed, it may fairly be presumed that the ancient ten bells must have been of very considerable weight, much heavier than the present unrivalled ring at Exeter Cathedral. The work of recasting was intrusted to Henry Penn, who had opened • Extracted by Rev. W. D. Sweeting. f Bridges, vol. 2, p. 548. Church Bells of Norlhauiptonshirc. 367 his foundry at Peterborough a few years previously. The bells were inscribed : 1. Cantemus Domino Canticum Novum. Ilcnry I'ciiii I'usorc 1709. 2. Venite Exultemus Domino. William Waring Precent. 1709. 3. Gloria Deo in Excelsis. Richard Cumberland, Pra?b. Henry Penn, Fusore 1709. 4. Voce mea ad Dom. John Balderston DD. Pra;b. 1709. 5. Benedictum sit Nomen Domini. John Taylor A.M., Pra?l). 1709. 6. 7, and 8. Like the present i, 2, and 3. 9. Te Deum laudamus. White Kennett S.S.T.P. Decano ; Henry Penn Fusore 1709. 10. The present 5th.* These bells were hung in the North- Western Tower, but were only rung for a few years, it being thought that the vibration endangered the safety of the West front of the Cathedral. In 1 83 1 the 9th bell (the present 4th) being cracked it was recast, and on the 15th of April in that year five bells were removed from the tower, they having been sold to l\Ir. Dobson, then a bellfounder at Downham, Norfolk, who is said to have used the metal in casting a ring of six bells, which now hangs in the Church of Witham-on-the-Hill, Lincolnshire. ,The Peterborough folk were, not unnaturally, somewhat annoyed when the ring, once so noble, was reduced to the meagre number of five bells : and only recently a number of volunteer ringers had an interview with a leading member of the Chapter urging the restoration of the ring. He was quite ready to further their wish, but an applica- tion to the Cathedral architect elicited an opinion that ringing would endanger the West Front. The present five bells, which remain in the position they occupied when there was a ring of ten, are never rung in peal; the ist and 5th • Notes and Queries. 3 S. vo!. ix. p. 1 17. 368 The Inscriptions on the only have "stays." It may be worth consideration whether the weight of the bells as now hung being very unequally distributed in the tower does not tend to promote the danger to the edifice of which the Dean and Chapter are afraid. The Curfew is sounded at 8 p.m. in winter ; at g p.m in summer. The tenor bell is rung at Death-knells and Funerals of adults, and the treble in case of children, but in either case only upon the payment of a special fee. On Sunday the bells are chimed for ten minutes before each service after which the tenor bell is tolled for five minutes. On other days for Matins and Evensong three bells are chimed for five minutes, then two for five minutes, after which the tenor is sounded alone for five minutes. For the Early Service the treble bell only is used. There is a traditionary belief that if the cathedral bell and the clock of the parish church strike together there will be death in the Minster yard. PETERBOROUGH. S. John Baptist. 8 Bells and a Priest's Bell. 1. THE LORD TO PRAISE MY VOICE I'LL RAISE 1808. ( Weight 8 cwt. i qr. 8 lbs. ) 2. WILLIAM DOBSON DOWNHAM, NORFOLK, FOUNDEK, 1808. ( Weight 8 cwt. o qr. 14 lbs. ) 3. LONG LIVE KING GEORGE THE THIRD. W^' DOB- SON FECIT 1808. ( Weight 9 cwt. o qr. 22 lbs. ) 4. GIVE NO OFFENCE TO THE CHURCH. W^' DOBSON FECIT 1808. ( Weight 10 cwt. 2 qrs. 12 lbs. ) 5. OUR VOICES SHALL WITH JOYFUL SOUND MAKE HILLS AND VALLEYS ECHO ROUND 1808. ( Weight 12 cwt. I qr. 26 lbs. ) Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 369 6. \V>' ELLIOTT AND FRENCH LAWRENCE ESQUIRES MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT FOR THE CITY DONORS 1808. ( Weight 14 cut. I qr. 12 lbs. ) 7. EARL FITZWILLIAM, VISCOUNT MILTON, AND THE REVD \V>' STRONG D D. ARCHDEACON OF NORTH- AMPTON DONORS 1808. ( Weight 20 cwt. I qr. 2 lbs. ) 8. THE REVf> JOSEPH STEPHEN PRATT LL.B. PRE- BENDARY OF THE CATHEDRAL VICAR: STEPHEN SHEPPEARD, WILLIAM SALMAN AND W^' SIMP- SON CHURCHWARDENS 1808. ( Weight 28 cwt. I qr. 3 lbs. ) PriesVs Bell: W.HAWKINGS TOBIE NORRIS CAST ME 1675. The ancient Cliurch wardens' Accounts of this parish supply some curious information about the bells and their uses. A" D° Milesim" cccc"" Ixvij" In Festo Natat Sci Johis Baptist. Recey ved for the grete bell \]d. and of Syr John Bown iijrf. Payd for the yer tyme of the fownder Abbot Genge* xxj(/. • William Genge was elected Abbot of when the first mass was celebrated therein Peterborough in 1397 and died in 1409. by Abbot Genge, "on the festival of the In his time the ancient parish church of Martyrs John and Paul" (Bridges). The S.John Baptist (which stood east of the "yer (year) tyme" was the "year-mind."' cathedral at the end of the town) was obit, or anniversary of the Abbot's death, entirely taken down, and the materials when special masses were said for the employed in the erection of the present good of his soul, structure, which was completed in 1407, 2 Z 370 The Inscriptions on the Also payd for mendyng & trussyng of the bellys to dyverse men and for yern (iron) & workmanshepe to them xiijs. A" Dni Mcccclxviij° Rec. of the blak vicar* iiiji. Rec. of the vicar that was Sir Rich. Chapmanf iiij^. Itm solv' to John Roper of Yaxley for iiij Bellrops iiij^. to Thomas Mason for the sanctus belrope ijs. iiij^. 1469. It' rec. of John A Thorpe for the grete bell for his wyfF iiij^. of Dom;}: John Glinton for the grete bell for Mayst' John Lenge viij^. of John Gybson for the theyrd bell for his dowtyr ij^. of Wat' Watson for the grete bell for Aylson Pere xij^. Payd for ij horse hydes for iij bawdryks§ & for making of them iijs. ]d. Payd unto Syr Wittm Wellys for kepyng of the clokk & chymes for i yer viijs. 1 47 1. Itm rec. of Thomas Bolton for the grete bell for iij tymys xij^. of H Pylton for all the bellys '\n]d. of Doni Edmund Lyn for the grete bell ■ iiij^. of a Chapman y* departyd the world in y*' Pysch iiij^. 1473. Receyts. Fyrst in yer above wry ten rec of Witt Catall for the grete bell iiij^. * The " blak Vicar ' may have been a :J: Dom. [Dominus) a title of respect Benedictine (or Black Monk so called in given to Canons. allusion to his dress) in contrast to the § The bauderick was a leather attached secular " Sir" Priest. to the clapper by which it was suspended f Richard Chapman was instituted to the bell. Vicar 7th January, 1468 (or 1469). Church Bells of Northamplonshin. 371 Itm rec of Maystras Est for all the bells \\}d. Itni payd for the secand bell qwele makyng p'c iijs. Itfii payd for iij waynscots to the qwelys of the sayd bellys ijs. vj(/. Itm payd for the sawyng of the said waynsckots v^. I till payd for the gochon makyng of the thyrde bell injd. Itfh payd to Stevyn Wryth & Will" his felow for mendyng of the belles xiiijrf. Itm payd for a tre & carrage from Newton for yokkys to the bellys iiij. vj(/. Itm payd to the wrytts for hewyng of the said tre (Blank) Itm payd for iij ston of fembylls for ropys ijs. id. Itm payd for makyng of iiij ropys of tiie said fembylls xijrf. Itiii payd for mendyng of all the bellys claprise vs. iiij(/. Itm payd for makyng of bawdrykks & leddyrs to them to the bellys iijs. Itiii paid for ryngyng a yense (against) my Lord of Lynckcoln at his Vysytacyon '\']d. 1474. ItiTi rec of Dom Ric. Ocksford for the grete bell iiij^. Itiii. rec of the Bayly of Eyebery Will"" Cattail for the grete bell m]d. Itiii payd for makyng of the thyrd bell qwele & the lytell bell qwele to Rob' Brown of Botylbrigge iijs. iiij(/. Itni payd to Rob' Stokton for makyng of a storop to the sayd bell w}d. Itni payd to Thomas Spenser for kepyng of the bellys & gresyng iiiji. 1475. Itiii rec of the woman y' was byrnt for the bellys ij^/. Itiii rec of Dom John Bolton Awmner (Almoner) for his fadyr xvj^. 372 The Inscriptions on the Itm rec of John Sandyrs and Thomas Sandyrs for the bequest of Will Sandyrs to the Church & the bellys iij5. 1476. Itm payd to Rob* Collermaker for mendynge of the bawdrykks to the bellys vd. Itm payd the ryngers to the wursthypp of God & for the Duke of York sowle and bonys comyng to Fodrynghey* iiij^. 1477. Itm rec of Syr John Hamerton for Andre his Cosyn for the grete bell iiij^. For yern (iron) & makynge of the l3^tell bell clapyr iijs. iiijrf. Itm payd to Thomas Grace for mendyng of the sacryyng bell clapyr \]d. Itm payd for the yere tyme of Abbot Genge ... xiiji. And to the bellman \]d. 1478. It' rec of Mawde Bowyer for the bequeste of hyr husbond to the bellys viijrf. 1479. Itm rec of Mayst' Bayly John Gyllbour for his son and for Tom fole for the grete bell viiji. 1479. Itm rec of Mayst' John Gylliam for the Vicar for the grete bell m]d. Itm rec of Mayst' John Wellys now Vycar for Herr' Haroffe Berker & his wyff for the grete bell \\\]d. Itm rec of Witt Mann Brewer for his children & his mayde iJ5. ♦ Richard, Duke of York, fell at the worthy of note that the late Archdeacon battle of Wakefield, 31st Dec, 1460, and Bonney, in his History of Fotlieriiighay. was buried at Pontefract. The above states that this removal took place in the entry refers to the subsequent removal of year 1466, ten years previous to the date his bones to Fotheringhay. It may be here given. Church Bells of Northamptonshire. ifli 1534-5 (26 Hen. viij) Itm Reseyvyd for the Abbye wlien the order was gyven \js. Itni Reseyved of Mr. Controller for my Lady Katern vijs. \\d. Reparations & Expenses Itm payd for Ryngars when my Lady Katern was beryed ijs. \\d. Itni for Drink for the ringars* xijrf. 1536-7. (28 Hen. viij.) Itni Payd to Rychard Roper for a rope to the lyttell bell iiij^. Itiii gyven to the founder of Lesterf in ernest for mendyng the grett bell viJ5. \\d. Itm payd to a workman for mendyng of the grett bell xxJ5. I till payd to the bell mender for yokyn of the grett bell & trussyng the iiij'° & the forebell iiijs. Itm payd to Jamys Hull for iij days wurk w' the bell mender xvj. Itni payd to Tho Pyx for his labo' going to Leyster to bydd the bell founder he shuld not come ijs. Itni payd to Jhon Smyth for yeren & worke- manshipp of the grett bell \s. \\\]d. Itm payd to Jhon Whelewryte for boryng of the hools in the grett bell 'n\]d. Itm pd to Peter Peycocke for kepyng of the bells ij5. \\\]d. • Queen Katharine of Arragon, wife f This founder was Thomas Bett (vide of Henry VIII., was buried in the Church Dells 0/ LeiiYstershirt, p. 4^). Cathedral. 374 Tlic Inscriptions on the 1537-8 (29 Hen. viij.) Itm for a new rope for the morrowmisse bell*. iiiji. The tenor bell being cracked an attempt had been made to stop the crack from increasing by " boryng " " hools " and by passing an iron band round the bell. This appears not to have satisfied the parish- ioners, for about four years afterwards we find the churchwardens con- tracting with Robert Newcombe, bellfounder of Leicester, for the exchange of their broken bell for the " great bell of the Abbey of Leicester" which he appears to have purchased — probably in company with the other bells — upon the dissolution of that House. A full record of the transaction is preserved in these Churchwardens' Accounts from which I am now quoting, and is so curious and full of interest that it is here given entire : Churche Wardens By Rye' Morgan "^ John German Rye' Baylyff and Thonis Marrett Recytts The charge for changyng the great bell in the xxxiij yer of the reigne of o' Sov'eigne Lorde Kyng Hen. the eight for the great bell of the Abbey of Leicester ImjJmis Receyved of the great box \ in the chirch at the syght of dyv'se honyst men in the pyshe as ap- j-vij//. ixs. iiiji. peryth by a byll in the saide Chirch boxe Itni Receyyed moor by the gyfte of ) Jolm German by quest ' Itm Recevede moor by the gyfte of | Robart Tochis bequeste j * Morrow Mass i.e. Early Mass, ap- parently a term used for Early Matins sung every morning. In an Account of expenses incurred by the Guild of Corpus Christi, Leicester, in 1525, is " If flfor tawlowe Candill to the morowe mass, ijs." (See North's Chronicle of S. Martini Church. Leicester, p. 2i(j.) Church Dells of Northamptonshire. MS Payments for the change of the bell Expences & chargis for the said Bell. Itm Rcceyvede at the gyfte of John Shepe Sni" Recepte \\li xvjj. Itiii payde to Robarte Newcom Bell founder in Lecysf for the onely exchaunge of the hoU bell for the brokyn Itni payde moor to the sayde Robarte Newcom for that his bell weyde moor then o' bell by iij' a qt' & iiij'' at iiiji. the pounde \']li. \]s. \\\]d. as thus on hunderde & xxxix" of mettell that was the chirchcs at iiiji. the li which came to xxxvijs. & wd. & for the rest redy money Itm payde moor to hym for that his \ clapper weyde mor then o' clapp I L byxxviij'' ) Itm payde to the man at Wyttyllsey \ for a gable to tacke down the olde V bell & hang up the new ) Itm payde for drynk at the takyng ) down of the olde bell ) Itiii payde to John Whell wright for \ makyng of a carte & axlyng of the \ whells w' o'things for ij days worke ) Itm for his meat & drynke that ii ] days ' Itni for a Rygcwyth for the same » carte ) Itni for Carte clouts & naylls for the \ first cU)wtyng ) vjs. viij(/. iiij//. y iiij//. iiijs. xj(/. iiijf/. x.\7^ The Inscriptions on the The first days charge beyng fryday going w' the carte. Itm for meat & drynke for iiij men that went w' the carte the sayde first day Itni for the chayngyng of a strocke & for iiij carte naylls at Uppinghm the first nyght Itm for horsmet of xv horsis that went w* the bell the same first day & nyght at Uppingham On Sat'day. Itm for meat & drynke for v men that day Itm for bayting of horses the sam day by the way Sill of the payments & expences ... ix//. iij^. xiij(f. \\]d. i\s. '\\d. ijs. 'u\]d. ixd. (The end of one page.) Expences & Charges inr the saide Bell On Sunday in Lecester all day. Itm for iiij carte clowts and a wynd- | yng for the whells ) Itm the mens sop the same nyght ... Itm for horsmet of xv horssis for ij nyghts & a day ther in Lecester... xj^. xij^. vs. viiji. Chnycli Bells of Nurthamptonsliir^ 111 Oil Monday comyng whom wards. Itm for meat & drynke for the men that day Itiii for horsmet that day & nyght ... Itm for iiij new Carte naylls & shott- yng a strock & settyng hyme on agayn at Uppingham On Tewisday. Itm for meat & drynke for the men that day Itm for baytyng ther horses the same day Itm for a wynding & ij dowledgs for the vvhells Itm payd for drynke for carters & other men that helpyd owt w' a tree in a dycke that my lorde* gave the chircli to mack ij yeocks at Westwood Itiii payd for fetchyng the same in a Carte Itfii payd for ij sawyers for ij days worke Itiii payde for gresse at dy^s tymes for the Carte & the burrells in the Chircli at the takyng down of the (^ bell tk wyndyng up the other bell iis. xj^. xiiij^. vjrf. \d. iiij^. \\\)d. xvjd. vjrf. 3 '^ • Lord Bishop. 378 The Inscriptions on the \ Itm payde to Raffe for the takyng \ down the olde bell & yowkyng the \ new & hangyng hym up j Itm payde to John Smyth for makyng > the Yronworke of the great bell ... J Itm payde to John Gadney for the ' hyr of iiij horssis & hymselfe to goo w* them for vij days Itin payde to Robarte Allyn for vj \ horsys & ii men for viij days ) Itm payde to Rye' Hewet for mend- \ yng & shootyng of the Roope we I borowyd at Wittyllsey j Itm geven to a man to cary hit to ' the watrsyde that shold cary whout the rope to Wyttyllsey xs. iiij^. V5. vjs. xnijs. xiiijf/. xyd. liiiJ5. \i]d. 1554. Rec. It' for the great bell ringing ijs. iiij^. Itfii of Willm Lyveley for the sanctus bell in waight cc qr & xvij" (2cwt. i qr. 17 lb.) at xxxvs. n\]d. the hundreth iiij/?. iiijs. Item of M' Chaplyn a bell waing ij' vij"* iij//. xviijrf. 1572. Itiii to Scarlet beyng a poore olde man and rysyng oft in the nyghte to tolle the bell for sicke persons the wether beyng grevous and in consideration of his good service towards a gowne to kepe hym warme t viiJ5. • Query the Morrow-mass bell, t The picture of Scarlet and his epitaph For these extracts from the original are well known to all visitors to th« cathe- manuscript I am much indebted to the dral. He died, aged ninety-eight, in the late James Cattel, Esq., of Peterborough, year 1594. CJiurch Bells of Northamptonshire. 379 In 1552 when tlie Inventory of Church Goods belonging to this parish was sent in we find there were : •' Itm V Great bell(^ yn the styple and one Saunctus bell one hand bell V sacr^'ng bellf." This agrees with the entry quoted above under date of 1536, where the " fore " or treble bell, the " grett " or tenor bell, and the 4th bell are referred to. The sanctus bell mentioned in this Inventory was shortly after sold : see above under date of 1554. The large number of sacryng bells is accounted for by the fact of there having been many Guilds in the parish whose altars doubtless stood in the church. Judging from the date of the present small, or Priest's, bell, the ancient five bells were probably cast into a ring of eight about the year 1675. Bridges says there were that number when he wrote his History about the year 1700. Those were again recast, as the present bells show, in the year 1808. They were weighed on the 17th of November in that year, and the results are given under the inscription on each bell above.* The new ring was opened on the 23rd of February, 1809, when an Ordinary was announced at the Golden Lion Inn at 2 o'clock. The Founder stated the tenor to be " one-eighth lower than the key of D."t In addition to the various bequests to the bells referred to in the Churchwardens' Accounts already quoted, may be mentioned another by Joh. Tydde, who left 65. 8rf. to the bells in 1480 ;J and a more modern request which still takes effect on the 15th of March annually must not be forgotten. Matthew Wyldbore, Esq., sometime Member of Parliament for the city, and who resided in the Mansion House which he built, died on the 15th of March, 1781. By his will, which was proved on the 22nd of the same month, he made the following bequest : •The Venerable Archdeacon Thicknesse \ Stamford Mercury Newspaper, loth kindly sends me a descriptive handbill February. 1809. printed by J. Harley, Peterborough, from * Sweeting's Notes on Parish Churches. which these weights are taken. p. 29. 380 The Inscriptions on the " I also charge and make chargeable the estate which I bought of the Rev. Mr. Bates lying in the parish of Peterborough with its hamlets, with an annual payment of five pounds to the minister of the said parish to be by him annually disposed of on the day of my death to tlie ringers of the said parish church of Saint John the Baptist in Peterborough, part in money, and part in an entertainment, as the said minister shall think best, on condition that the said ringers ring one peal or more of the said bells on the same day," Mr. Wyldbore was buried in Peterborough Parish Church where there is a mural marble monument to his memory.* It is said that his health was much improved by the exercise of bell- ringing : hence the bequest. A new set of chimes or carillons (the old chimes having long been out of repair) from the works of Messrs. Gillett and Bland of Croydon, and manufactured on their new and improved system, were opened on the loth of April, 1878. They play every four hours day and night. The machine of two barrels plays the following fourteen tunes on the eight bells : Barrel No. I. Barrel No. II. Sunday — We love the place, O God. Sunday— Blest are the pure in Monday — Those Evening Bells. heart. Tuesday — Rosseau's Dream. Monday — Last Rose of Summer. Wednesday — O Rest in the Lord. Tuesday — The Minstrel Boy. Thursday — Life let us cherish. Wednesday — Rockingham. Friday — Sicilian Mariners' Hynin. Thursday — The Soldier's tear. Saturday — Home, Sweet Home. Friday — Hanover (io4th Psalm). Saturday — The old folks at home. A tune is played three times, and changed at midnight by a self- acting shifting apparatus. • Communicated by the late J. Cattel. Est). Church Bells of Northamptonshin-. 381 The Daily-bell which was formerly rung at 5.45 a.m. and at 8.45 p.m. was discontinued about twenty years ago. The Gleaning-bell too which was formerly rung is now silent. The Pancake-bell (the 4th) is rung on Shrove-Tuesday. At the Death-knell twice three tolls are given for a man, five tolls for a woman ; the knell is then rung on the tenor bell. For a boy three tolls, and for a girl four tolls are given ; the knell being rung on the 6th bell. Tiic 4th bell is rung as a summons to Vestry Meetings. The small (or Priest's bell) is now used as a " Fire-bell." On Sunday the treble bell is rung at 7.45 a.m. For Divine Service the bells are chimed for fifteen minutes, after which the tenor is rung for fifteen minutes. PETERBOROUGH. S. Mark. i Hell. I. C. & G. ME.\RS FOUNDERS LONDON 1856. ( Diam. 19 in. ) PETERBOROUGH. S. Mary. i Bi:ll. There is a modern bell i6\ inches in diameter. PETERBOROUGH. S. Paul. i Bell. I. J. T.WLOR & Co FOUNDERS LOUGHliOROrCH 1868. ( Diam. 25^ in. ) PIDDINGTON. S. Makv. 5 Bells. I. J. TAYLOR & SON FOUNDERS LOBR'^J 1845. ( Diam. 30 in. ) 382 The Inscriptions on the 2. }P:m.M.%&m : -^^ : WM^ • JhCBMX^, JOHN TAYLOR & SON FOUNDERS LOUGHBOROUGH A : D : 1845-6. ( Diam. 32 in. ) 3- MCDMTMM^M TO THE JikCi):EiIS). J. TAYLOR FECIT A.D. 1846. (Diam. 33 in.) 4- ^cDjiii : :©:e.:bi%m- : :jpm.'^ : :m(2>P^MMM:^^^^^ THIS PEAL WAS RECST BY J. TAYLOR & SON LOBRO 1845-6. ( Diam. 36 in. ) 5- + (30:E) save the CH^^MMX^l & PRESERVE OUR PEACE A.D. 1845-6 %^S~^J.^ :i3©" CDTgc:^! m:j^^^:xb taylor fecit. ( Diam. 42 in. ) In 1552 Piddington had only " iij bellf." In 1700 there were six bells. PILTON. S. Mary. 4 Bells. 1. [+22] ^ [ + 22] S [+22] [U24. ] ( Diam. 27 in. ) 2. [ + 15 ] i^'WPn : "yrOCITO : M^JB : ^mmM^- S^MPll : ur^MXm^ 1610. ( Diam. 28^ in. ) 3. [+101] OMMIA : FIAMT : AD : GLORIAM : DEI : 1610. ( Diam. 30I in. ) 4. [ -f 105 ] ^^orncit XHagbakut ©"ampnna ©crtt ^Elclobic [ D 13 U 12. ] ( Diam. 35 m. ) In 1552 there were " iiij bel(' in the steple & a sanct' bell." At the Death-knell four tolls are given for an adult male above twenty years of age, and three tolls for a female, on all the bells: for young Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 383 people (twelve to twenty years of age) two tolls are given un each bell : for infants one toll on each bell, in both cases irrespective of sex. On Sunday the ist bell is rung at 8 a.m., and again after Morning Service. For Divine Service the tenor is first raised, then "rung in" whilst the others are chimed, after which the tenor is " lowered " as a Sermon-bell. The bells are difficult and dangerous of access: new and better arranged ladders are very desirable. PITSFORD. All Saints. 5 Bells. 1. HENRICVS BAGLEY ME FECIT 1698. ( Diam. 27 in. ) 2. [IKaGg] [a lo^ fouy times. ] ( Diam. 30 in. ) 3. [ + 81 ] GOD SAVE OVR KING 1632 [ I K a 69 ] ( Diam. 32 in. ) 4. [+38] GOD SAVE OVR KING iGfz. ( Diam. 34 in. ) 5. [ + 81 ] SVM ROSA POLSATA MONDE MARIA VOCATA 1632 [ I K D 69 ] ( Diam. 38 in. ) In 1552 there were " iij bell(^ w' a sanctus bell." I am not quite sure about the correctness of the initial crosses on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th bells — all from the foundry of James KetMie — but I believe I am correct. PLUMPTON. S. John Baptist. i Bell and a Priest's Bell. I. HENRY BAGLEY MADE MEE 1678. ( Diam. 24 in. ) Priest's Bell: Blank. ( Diam. 12 in. ) 384 Tlie Inscriptions on the In 1552 there were " ij lyttle bell(' in the steple & a saunctf bell.'" In 1700 there was one bell dated 1678 in the old church (Bridges). It was preserved when th? church was rebuilt in 1822. For Divine Service the larger bell is rung, after which the Priest's bell sounds for five minutes. POLEBROOK. All Saints. 5 Bells. 1. THIS : BELL : WAS : GIVEN ! BY : WILL^' TAW- YER : GENT : 1717. ( Diam. 2g|- in. ) 2. [ + 22 ] M^MJi):Bi:Ej^ [ U 24- ] ( Diam. 3if in. ) 3- .© priMiMXM- [03.] ( Diam. 34 in. ) 4. JOHN HUNT JOHN GROOM CHURCHWARDNS JOSPH EAYRE FECIT 1771. ( Diam. ^6^ in. ) 5. JOHN HUNT HENRY NEGUS CHURCHWARDENS : • JOSEPH EAYRE S^ NEOTS FECIT : • : 1765. A lid on rim : EGO SUM VOX CLAMANTIS. ( Diam. 40 in. ) In 1552 " Pollebracke " possessed : " first foure bell^ It' a sacrynge bell." Of William Tawyer the donor of the ist bell 1 can learn nothing: a family of that name was settled at Raunds many years prior to the date of the bell. The founder of course meant to say S. Maria on the 3rd bell : the stamp on that bell is very indistinct. I believe it to be the one indicated. C/ntrcIi Bells of Northamptonshire. 385 The surname "Groom" on the 4th bell is roughly incised; sonic other name having been chiselled ofT. The Gleaning-bell is rung at 7 a.m. and at 6 p.m. during harvest. At the Death-knell three tolls are given for a male, two for a female, on the tenor, the ist, and the and bells, before the knell on the tenor bell. After the knell the age of the deceased is tolled on the 4th bell. On Sunday the ist bell is rung at 7 a.m.; the ist and 2nd are chimed at 8 a.m. For Divine Service the bells are chimed with the tenor "rung in," after which the tenor is rung when a sermon is to be preached, when not, it is tolled. The ist bell is rung after Morning Service. (See a tradition under Little Addington, p. 177.) POTTERSPURV. S. Nicolas. - 5 Beli.s. 1. WILLIAM EMERTON OF WOOTTON ^^_ 1774 000 NEAR BEDFORD FECIT ''^ RICHARD SCRIVENER CHURCHWARDENS THOMAS WOOD ( Diam. 35 in. ) 2. .Sit X^lomcii lOomini X^mrbitlum ^ [ + 1 1 1 ] II' O ( Diam. 37 in. ) 3. JOHN BRIANT : HERTFORD : FECIT : 1792 : JOHN : ROPER : C : WARDEN. ( Diam. 39 in. ) 4- [ + 62] M.-yrjB. m.MJMiJ75. [aio] e:Ei^e-3;,^ [D II] X^JhJB:MJ^ ( Diam. 42 in. ) 5. [ + 81 ] PRAYES THE LORD 162?. ( Diam. 43 in. ) In 1552 there were " v bell(^ and a sanctus bell." " Money leide owte syns the making of the said form' Inventorye for v newe bell Roppes... .\js. viij- GLORIA PATRI FILIO ET SPIRITUI SANCTO ^ T. EAYRE KETTERING :• 1726. ( Diam. 44 in. ) 6. J TAYLOR & SON FOUNDERS LOUGHBOROUGH 1857. ( Diam. 49 .\ in. ) Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 395 Edward Hill, Esq., whose name appears on the ist bell, was better known here as Sergeant Hill: he lived in the Manor House, and died and was buried at Rothwell in April, 1709. Six poor widows of the parish are relieved by a charity founded by Mrs. Agnes Hill, his widow. The 2nd bell is rung daily at i p.m., excepting on Shrove-Tuesday, when the Pancake-bell (4th) is rung instead. At tlie Death-knell three tolls are given for a male, two for a female, at the close of the knell, which for a child under thirteen years of age IS rung for fifteen minutes on the 5th bell ; for older persons the ist bell is first tolled and tlien the tenor bell is rung. On Sunday the ist bell is rung at 8 a.m. Two bells are rung for Sunday Sch(K)l. For Divine Service the first five bells are chimed and the tenor rung. For Parish Meetings the 2nd and 3rd bells are chimed for a few minutes. RUSHDEN. 5. Mary the Virgin. 6 Bells. I, 2. 1794. ( Diams. 33, 34.I in. ) 3. GOD SAVE THE KING 1794. ( Diam. 36^ in. ) 4, 5. JOHN ACHURCH & THO^ SMITH C : WARDENS R : TAYLOR SI" NEOTS FECIT 1794. ( Diams. 37, 41.1 in. ) 6. J SMITH & EDWARD WOOD C. W. ROB"!' TAYLOR A.- SON FOUNDERS S'l' NEOTS 181 8. ( Diam. 48 in. ) The Churchwardens' Accounts say : 1 795 P"* Mr. Taylor towards bells W. Warner also paid Paid Mr. Taylor towards bells Paid Mr. Taylor 1798 Paid for Bells being all settled £. 5. H 14 10 10 24 3 23 2 1 1 I 396 The Inscriptions on the A bell is rung daily at noon : the Pancake- bell on Shrove-Tuesday is recently discontinued : the Gleaning-bell is rung during harvest. At the Death-knell three tolls are given for a male, two for a female. Chiming at Funerals has been known for persons of importance or specially connected with the church. On Sunday the bells are chimed for Divine Service, and the tenor bell, when raised about the middle of the chiming, is called the Sermon- bell. One bell is sounded for the last five minutes before Service commences. There was a custom here of ringing at daybreak the day after a wedding to wake the bride (see p. 152). Also of ringing a bell at day- break during " Seed-time" to call the labourers to work (see p. 152). RUSHTON. All Saints. 5 Bells. 1. C^LORUM CHRISTE PLACEAT TIBI REX SONUS ISTE GLORIA DEO SOLI 1720. [Cracked.) 2. GLORIA DEO SOLI OMNIA FIANT AD GLORIAM DEI A. D. 1732. 3. THOMAS MEARS FOUNDER LONDON 1844. 4 ,^:bo:p(axis [ui ] 5. m^^mim [03] ©"liCxiKa' [ □ 3 ] j^:ci:i^ [03] The letters on the 4th and 5th bells are like figs. 53 and 53a. At the Death-knell three tolls are given for a male, two for a female, and one for a child. On Sunday a bell is sounded at 8 a.m. For Divine Service the bells are chimed and then a single bell is tolled. RUSHTON. S. Peter. In 1700 when this church was standing there was one bell. The church has since been taken down. Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 397 SCALDWELL. S. Peter. 4 Bells. 1. IH'g : NAZARENVS REX : IVDEURVM FILI : DEI MISERERE : MEl 1621 [ ^ i- 1 2. HENRY BAGLEY MADE MEE 1682. 3. CELORVM CHRSTE PLATIAT TIT5I REX SOW'S ISTE 1621 [U I-] 4. CVM • SONO • SI • NON • VIS • VENIRE • NVNQVAM • AD ■ PRECES • CVPIES • IRE 1G21 [ IJ i. ] The bell-frame is dated 1810. SIBBERTOFT. S. Helen. 5 Bells. I, -', 3. W. c^ J. TAYLOR FECIT 1825. ( Dianis. 29, 31, 33 in. ist and 2nd cracked. ) 4. THIS PEAL RECAST BY \V. & J. TAYLOR OXFORD 1825. ( Diani. 35 in. ) 5. THIS PEAL THE GIFT OF GEOE PAYN ESg" APRIL 3«i> 1825 W. & J. T— R OXON FEC-T. ( Diam. 39 in. ) In 1700 there were three bells [Bridges). About the year 1824 one of these was cracked and fell from the frame. The present ring (a maiden one) was cast at the expense of Mr. George Payne when he came of age. The Spratton ringers came to ring on the first Sunday after they were hung (being Easter Day), and on the following day nngers came from many parishes near tt) ring for prizes (^'5. and £2. los.). .\t the Death-knell thrice three tolls are given for a male, thrice two for a female ; a smaller bell is used for a child. On Sunday a bell is rung at g a.m. and also after Morning Service, rile bells are chimed for Divine Service. 398 The Inscriptions on the SILVERSTON. S. Anke or S. Michael. i Bkll. I. H B 1655. ( Diam. 18 in. ) The initials are those of Henry Bagley the founder. SLAPTON. S. BoTOLPH. 2 Bells and a Priest's Bell. I. [+29] -^Jhm^P^M. [□?] ^V [09] WMTMM- [ c 7 ] crjcxii:i^j^:mii [09] ( Diam 28 in. Cracked. ) 2. [ + 29 ] ^:pjh. ; Msvrx^j. ; :^OM, ( Diam. 29 in. ) Priest's Bell (in East window of tower) : ; :f^.©'^ip? [ □ 106. ] ( Diam. 19^ in. ) In 1552 there were the present " ij belle in the steple & a saunct(^ bell." On the bell-frame is : BE IT KNO WEN UN TO ALL TH AT SEETH IS SAMETH AT THOMAS COWPER OF WOODEN D MADE THIS FRAME 1634. Church Bclh of Northamploushirc. 399 SLIPTON. S. John Hai'Tist. i Bi:i i . I. JOHN TAYLOR vJv: SONS LOUGIIBOKOUC.il A.D. 1^40. ( Diam. 19 in. ) The Gleaning-bell is rung during harvest at 8 a.m. and at 6 p.m. At the Death-knell there is nothing to indicate age or sex. SOUTHWICK. S. Mary. 2 Bells. 1. Blank. (Diam. 13J in. ) 2. [ + 22 J .S" [ + 22 ] .@ [ + + 22 ] .e.' [ U -M- ] ( Diam. 26 in. ) In 1552 there were "two belles a bygger and a lesser." These I presume to be still hanging, for although the " lesser " has no inscription or stamp it is evidentlj- an old bell. At the Death-knell thrice three tolls are given for a male, thrice two for a female, after which the larger bell is raised and soundetl about a dozen times. On Sunday tlie larger bell is rung at 8 a.m. For Divine Service both are chimed, after which the small bell is rung. At the close of Morning Service the larger bell is rung. SPRATTON. S. LuKR. 5 Bells. 1. CANTATE DOMINO CANTICVM NOVVM 1685. ( Diam. 30^ in. ) 2. JOHN KNIGHTON AND JOHN CHADWKK c 11\K( 11 WARDENS O 1685 000 ( Diam. 33 in. ) 400 The Inscriptions on the 3. HENRY BAGLEY MADE MEE 1685. ( Diam. 35^ in. ) 4. MATTHEW BAGLEY MADE MEE 1685. ( Diam. 38* in. ) 5. FEARE GOD AND HONOR THE KING 1685. ( Diam. 42 in. ) In 1552 there were " iij bellp and a sanctus bell." A "Labourer's Bell" is rung daily at noon, and the Curfew at 8 p.m. The Pancake-bell on Shrove-Tuesday, and the Harvest-bell at 4 a.m., were discontinued about thirty years ago. At the Death-knell thrice three tolls are given for a male, thrice two for a female, before the knell. On Sunday a bell is rung at 7 a.m. For Divine Service the bells are chimed and Sermon-bell rung : after Morning Service a bell is rung to give notice that Evensong will be said. STAMFORD BARON. S. Martin. 6 Bells. I, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. C. & G. MEARS FOUNDERS LONDON 1850. ( Diams. 29I, 32, 33I, 35^, 39, 43I in. ) In 1552 " Sajnct Marten nye StaunfForde " possessed " iij grete bellf and a little bell." These bells were inscribed : ist. Sit Nomen Domini Benedictum. 2nd. Intonat e cells vox campane Micaelis. 3rd. Sum Rosa pulsata mundi Maria vocata.* On all these bells was the same stamp — a shield bearing " Three Flower-de-Luces and three Lions counterchanged, surmounted by a coronet, "t • Bridges, vol. ii. p. 579. This stamp was probably No. 43 in this f Harrod's Hist. Stamford, vol. ii. p. 469. volume. Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 401 These fine old bolls, when taken down to be recast in 1850, were found to weigh, and to measure (in diameter) thus : cwt. qr. lb. ist. Weight 8.0.3 Diameter 35 inches. 2nd. ,, 10 . 3 . 18 ,, 38^ inches. 3rd. ,, 16 . I . 9 ,, 44i inches. The weights of the present bells are : cwt. qr. lb. cwt. qr. lb. ist. 4 . 3 . 17 4th. 8.2.2 2nd. 6 . o . 18 5th. 10 . o . 4 3rd. 6 . 3 .12 6th. 14 . o . 7 The first peal on these bells was rung on Advent Sunday, ist December, 1850. Their total cost was ;^37o. is. id.; that of the frames, &c.,;^i 7. iSs. 8d. The old bells produced ;^i46. gs. gd., so that the three old bells were replaced by six new ones for ;^24i. los. od., which was raised by subscription.* On a beam under the bellchamber is cut : R S 1680 T B The Daily-bells formerly rung here at 5 a.m. and at g p.m. are now discontinued. On Shrove-Tuesday each bell is rung for a short time (an hour altogether). At the Death-knell thrice three tolls are given for a male, thrice two for a female, before and after the knell. The ist or 2nd bell is used for children. On Sunday the bells are chimed for Divine Service, and a Sermon- bell (5th or 6th) rung. On week-days whenever Prayers are to be said at 11 a.m. two bells are chimed at g a.m. • J. Phillips, Esq., of Stamford, kindly supplied me with these particulars. 3 D 402 The Inscriptions on the STANFORD. S. Nicolas. 5 Bells and a Priest's Bell. The condition of the belfry here being so bad as to render it dangerous and difficult to approach the bells, I am unable to obtain rubbings of the inscriptions. The Vicar hopes shortly to be able to have the whole put into proper order. In 1700 the inscriptions were as under, and it is probable that nothing has been done to the bells since that date. 1. S« THOMAS CAVE THIS BELL HEE GAVE 1631. 2. IH'2 : NAZARENVS REX IVDEORVM FILI DEI MISE- RERE MEI 1624. 3. BE YT KNOWNE TO ALL THAT DOTH ME SEE THAT NEWCOMBE OF LEICESTER MADE MEE 1605. 4. PVLSOR & PVLSO JVBILO ET PLANGO SIC VITA HOMINIS 1640. 5. CVM SONO SI NON VIS VENIRE NVNQVAM AD PRECES CVPIES IRE 1631. PriesVs Bell : Blank.* STANION. S. Peter. 4 Bells. I. [+15] ViOVl \ CLAMOR : SED ; AMOR ; CAMTAT : IM : AVRE : DEI 1607. ( Diam. 30 in. ) 2. [ + 22 ] ©■:E)Ts?j^:ia:©©" [ d 86 ] :iiim^M^ E. : ( Diam. 28i in. ) 2. ^ IHS NAZARENVS REX IVDEORVM FILI DEI MISERERE MEI ^ GLORIA DEO SOLI -t- ANNO DOM :■ 1721. ( Diam. 30 in. ) 3. iSTELORVM CHRSTE PLATIAT TIBI REX SONVS ISTE 1613 [u I- ] ( Diam. 34 in. ) • .Associated Societies Papers and Reports, vol. iv. p. 313. 404 Tlie Inscriptions on the A bell is rung daily at noon ; and the Gleaning-bell is rung during harvest at 7 a.m. and at 7 p.m. On Shrove-Tuesday the Pancake-bell (2nd) is rung at 11 a.m. Some years ago the boys from the Free School were allowed on that day to enter the church and jangle the bells. At the Death-knell three tolls are given for a male, two for a female, on each of the bells. On Sunday the ist bell is rung at 8 a.m. For Divine Service the tenor bell is rung, then the other two bells are chimed with the tenor "rung in," after which the first bell is rung until Service commences. STAVERTON. S. Mary. 5 Bells. 1. MATTHEW BAGLEY MADE MEE 1726. ( Diam. 29^ in. ) 2. BEE IT KNOWN TO ALL THAT DO ME SEE THAT BAGLEY OF CHACOMBE MADE MEE 1676. ( Diam. 32 in. ) 3. 1662. ( Diam. 37 in. ) 4. THOMAS RASSELL OF WOOTTON MADE ME 1720. ( Diam. 37 in. ) 5. THO. NORTON W'^i MASTERS CHURCHWARDENS 1776. ( Diam. 4ii in. ) In 1552 there were " iij bell(^ in the steple." The 4th and 5th beUs were previously inscribed : 4. Richard Keene first Ring 1662. 5. Francis Robbins Robert Adams C.W. 1662.* New frames were made and the bells rehung in 1839. • Bridges MSS. (Bibl. liodl. HE. i. 173.) Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 405 Tlie Cliurchwardens' Accounts furnish the following particulars: 1776 March 26 Stratford with a Beell 2.2. Loading & on Loading 10 Paid for Water Carrige 14 For 5 letters 3 . 9 Paid Mr Cole 12 Paid William Line for Weing 3 For taking the Bell to Weiged 2 . 6 For taking the new Bell 2 . 6 For fetching the Pulley 5 For taking back 2 . 6 Tho' Hedge Bill 15 .9 Charles Bill i .5 Taking down the Clock 5 and putting up 5 c. q. lb. 1776 Feb 24. To a Bell W. 13.0.0 & £l V- ^' 9^ To a Claper 0.1.2 @ 18 p. It), i For fiting the Claper c. q. lb. 9^ • 5 By the old Bell 12 . 3 . 23 ('7 £^ p hundred 64 15 . 6 ^27 A Daily-bell (2nd) is rung at noon and at 9 p.m. On Shrove-Tuesday the Pancake-bell (the 4th mtijlcd) is rung at II a.m., and during harvest, provided the gleaners will pay the clerk a trifle, the Gleaning-bell (the 2nd) is tolled at 8 a.m. At the Death-knell (which is usually rung at 11 a.m.) thrice tliree lolls arc given for a male, thrice two for a female, before the knell, which then is rung for forty-five minutes. 4o6 The Inscriptions on the At a Funeral the tenor is tolled before the interment and rung afterwards. On Sunday the ist bell is rung at 8 a.m. for notice of Morning Prayer ; the 2nd and 3rd are rung at g a.m. for notice of Morning Sermon, or the tenor for notice of Celebration of Holy Communion without Sermon. If there is to be neither Sermon nor Celebration there is no ringing at g a.m. For Divine Service the bells are chimed for fifteen minutes, then the tenor is rung for notice of Sermon or Celebration ; if there is to be neither the treble bell is rung. At the conclusion of Morning Service the treble bell is rung for notice of Evensong, and at 2 p.m. the 2nd and 3rd are rung for notice of Sermon. For Evensong the same as for Morning Service. Peals are rung on Mondays in Advent before sunrise (see p. I4g) on Christmas Eve ; on New Year's Eve at midnight ; on 5th November at 7 p.m. ; on Advent Sunday at g a.m. sometimes ; on Queen's Birthday, &c. For Vestry Meetings the 4th bell is tolled at the hour named in the notice. STEANE. S. Peter. No Bell. In 1552 the ancient church here possessed " one lyttill bell." The present church built in 1620 has neither tower nor bell. STOKE ALBANY. S. Alban or S. Botolph. 5 Bells. 1, 5. \V : WARD & GEO : BRANSON C : WARDENS R : TAYLOR S"!' NEOTS FECIT lygo. ( Diams. 2g, 37 in. ) 2, 3. 4. K : TAYLOR S'' NEOTS FECIT T7go. ( Diams. 31, 32, 34 in. ) Church Bells of N orthamptoushire . 407 There is a tradition that previous to the recasting of the old bells in 1790 there was a strong difference of opinion in the village as to whether the whole ring, or only one or two of the bells, should be recast ; and that some evil disposed persons got into the belfry at night, and thn)wing the undamaged tenor from its frame precipitated it through the floor below ; this not breaking the bell they entered again a few nights after and knocked off the canons with a sledge hammer, and so the whole ring was recast. At the Death-knell three tolls are given for a male, and two for a female, both before and after the knell. On Sunday the ist bell is rung at 8 a.m. and the ist and 2nd chimed at 8.30 a.m. For Divine Service the bells are chimed and a Sermon- bell (tenor) rung. At the close of the Morning Service the ist bell is rung. ( The bells and bell-chamber here sadly want cleansing and putting in decent order.) STOKE BRUERNE. S. Mary. 5 Bells. I, 2, 5. CHAKDELER MADE ME 1684. ( Diams. 30, 31, 42 in. ) 3. JOHN : WHITE : JOHN : CLARK : CHURCH : WAR- DENS : MATTHEW : BAGLEY : MADE : ME : 1770. ( Diam. 31 in. ) 4. THE : REVEREND : M« : JOHN : ECCLES : RECTOR : JOHN : WHITE : JOHN : CLARK : CHURCH :•: WARDENS :•: MATTHEW :•: BAGLEY : • : MADE : • : ME : • : 1770. ( Diam. 36 in. ) In 1552 there were " iiij bellf and a sancktus bell." The Rev. John Eccles was instituted 15th October. 1759: he was buried here 26th December, 1789. 4o8 The Inscriptions on the At the Death-knell three tolls are given for a man, two for a woman, and one for a child ; the age is tolled out after the knell. On Sunday the tenor bell is rung at 8 a.m. For Divine Service the bells are chimed. STOKE DOYLE. S. RuMBOLD. " 5 Bells. 1. 4- THO :• EAYRE -^ O O O -^ KETTERING -^ h- ANNO DOMINI MDCCXXVII O O O O ( Diam. 28^ in. ) 2. -H O O O -^ THO : -^ EAYRE ->- DE ^ KETTERING ->- 000^ FECIT -^ ANNO ^ DOMINI -^ 1727. ( Diam. 29!^ in. ) 3. H- THO : EAYRE -^ O O O ^ KETTERING ^- O O •:•:• ANNO DOMINI MDCCXXVII ^ GOGOGOG ( Diam. 31 in. ) 4. THOMAS EAYRE ^ ^ OO O ^ ^ DE KETTERING ^GO-^ FECIT ANNO DOMINI MDCCXXVII GG ( Diam. 34 in. ) 5. ^ G G G G ^ THOMAS EAYRE -^ G G ■+- DE KETTERING -+ G O -«- CAMPANARIUS ANNO DOMINI ^ G ^ MDCCXXVII. (Diam. 38^ in.) In 1552 the (now imperfect) Inventory from this parish recorded : " Itm iij great bells & a lytle bell. Itni iiij gret Bellf & a Sans bell sold to John iiij'' y^ w*^*" y* Towneshype ys chargyd w' " Previous to their being recast in 1727 two of the old bells were cracked and the whole " untuneable," as we learn from the following extract from a MS. Book of Stoke Doyle Church : Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 409 " Mem""" Tlie five bells (two of them being crack'd, & y* rest Untuneable) were all new Cast in the Winter 1727, And in the Bcgining of Sumer 172S they were hung up in the Steeple in New Frames, And about the same time a New Clock provided & placed in y* said Steeple ; All at y* expence of E. W. Esqr."* The •' E. W. Esq." was Edward Ward, Esq. (son of Lord Chief Baron Ward, the purchaser of the Lordship in 1694), who was owner of the Manor, of the greater part of the Lordship, and of the Advowson. The Gleaning-bell during harvest is occasionally rung. .■\t the Death-kncll five t(jlls are given for a man, four for a woman, three for a child, on each of the four first bells, after which the knell is rung on the tenor. On Sunday the 2nd bell is rung at 8 a.m. ; for Divine Service the bells are chimed and the tenor afterwards rung as a Sermon-bell. At the conclusion of Morning Service the 2nd bell is rung. STOWE-NINE-CHURCHES. S. Michael. 4 Bells. 1. THOMAS RVSSELL OF WOOTTON NEAR BEDFORD 1725- ( Diam. 32 in. ) 2. [ + 48 ] GOD [ + 5 ] eAVE [ + 5 ] OVR [ 4- 5 ] QVEEME [ u I ] 1590- ( Diam. 34 in. ) 3. [ + 5] BE • YT • KXOWNE • TO • ALL • THAT • DOTH • ME • SEE • THAT • NEWCO^H^E • OF • LEICESTER • MADE • ME • 1607. ( Diam. 36 in. ) 4- [ + 62 ] M.'MM. [07] m.j^y\j^M. ^i^M^mnM. [09] ^j^jB:snM. [a 7.] ( Diam. 42 in. ) • Kindly communicated to me by Mr. John Taylor, of Northampton. 3 E 4IO The Inscyiptions on the In 1552 there were " iij bell(-' in y" steple & a Sanct" licll." The 1st bell was previously inscribed : Henry Bagley made me 1667.* At tlie Death-knell thrice three tolls are given for a male, thrice two for a female, both before and after the knell. On Sunday a bell is sounded at 8 a.m. For Divine Service the bells are chimed, and a Sermon-bell follows when there is no late Celebration of the Holy Communion. The bells are now never nmg owing to the tower of the church being considered unsafe. STOWE-NINE-CHURCHES. S. James Major. i Bell. There is one modern small bell of the same date as the church, which was erected about twenty-two years ago. STRIXTON. S. RoMWALD. I Bell. I. HENRICVS BAGLEY ME FECIT 1671 OO ( Diam. 26f in. ) The bell, which is said to have been brought from Bozeat, hangs in "a closed turret on the gable of the west wall of the nave, and is approached by a circular stone stair and passage through the west wall. SUDBOROUGH. Air. Saints. 4 Bells. 1. THOMAS NORRIS MADE ME 1647. ( Diam. 28 in. ) • Bridges MSS. (Bibl. Bodl. EE. 5, 104.) Church Bells of Northamptonshire'. 411 2. Blank. ( Diam. 29 in. ) 3- 1 + ^2] -^Hoxnii.^ [035.] ( Diam. 31 ^ in. ) 4. THOMAS NORRIS MADE ME 1G47. ( Diam. 36 in. ) The Pancake-bell was rung by "the women folk '" abi>ut 40 years ago. At the Death-knell three tolls are given on each bell for a male, two for a female, before the knell, which is rung rather longer for old people than for young. On Sunday the ist bell is first rung, then the 2nd and 3rd are chimed at 8 a.m. The ist bell is rung as a School-bell at 10 a.m. and at 2 p.m. For Divine Service the bells are chimed, after which the 3rd bell is rung. At the close of Morning Service a bell is rung when Evensom,' follows. SULGKAVE. 5. James. 5 Bells and a Priest's Bell. 1. :•: JOHN : BARRETT ; WILLIAM : WATTS ; CHURCH : WARDENS ; MATTHEW : BAGLEY ; MADE ; ME !•! 1769. ( Diam. 31 in. ) 2. 3- [ + 5 ] BE • YT • KNOWNE • TO • ALL • THAT • DOTH • ME • SEE • THAT • NEWCOMBE • OF • LEICESTER • MADE • MEE • 1610. ( Diams. 34, 37 in. The 3rd bell dated 161 2. ) 4. EDWARD HALL MADE ME 1744. ( Diam. 39 in. ) 5. GLORIA : DEO : IN : EXCELSIS t t t W : MALSBURY & w : PAINTER : c w : john : briant : Hert- ford : FECIT : 1806 w : blrch : r w : t. crick rector. ( Diam. 42 in. ) 412 The Inscriptions on the Priest's Bell: Blank. ( Diam. 13 in. ) In 1552 the Inventory from this parish recorded : " Itm iiij bellf in the steple & a saunct' bell. Wherof one is sold as appereth in the defautf ." The Bill of Default, still preserved, explains the attempted sale of this bell thus : " Soulgrave. Itm the Towneshipp of Soulgrave aforesaid sold before the fyrst Inventory was taken & maid by John Humfrey & John Mayo Churchewardens there one bell unto Thomas Stuttesbury & Lawrence Wasshyngton gentl(^ of the same towne for xvj'' wherof vj" is delyv'yd to the Inhytaunt(^ of the same towne And is bestowed uppon the highe wayes & ford(^ And their entent is to bestowe all the rest so Whiche bell is not as yet weyed nor delyvyd wherefore they stond bounden by recognysaunce in the some of xx'' before us that the same bell shall remayne & be furthe comyng at all tymes." A Daily-bell is rung at i p.m. excepting on Sunday. At the Death-knell (which is rung an hour for adults and half an hour for the young) thrice three tolls are given for a male, thrice two for a female. On Sunday a bell is rung at 7 a.m. in summer, at 8 a.m. in winter ; and two bells at 9 a.m. For Divine Service the bells are chimed and the Sermon-bell (tenor) rung. SUTTON. S. Michael. i Bell. I. J WARNER & SONS LONDON 1867. ( Royal XJ A rms. ) PATENT. ( Diam. 20 in. ) Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 413 In 1552 the Inventory of Church Goods recorded : " ffurst in o' steple ij smale belles. Itm in the same a sanct' bell. Itm ij hand bells." The weight of the present single bell (there is a double bellcot) is I cwt. 2 qrs. 22 lb. and which at is. ^\Cl. per 11). cost £11 13s. 2d. At the Death-knell three tolls are given for a man, two for a woman, one for a child before the knell. Until recently the age of the deceased was tolled out. Until the restoration of the church, in 1867, it was customary on the first Sunday when Banns of Marriage were published for some young man of the congregation to rush to the bell-rope at the close of the Service and jingle the bell (see p. 151). SUTTON BASSETT. S. Marv (?). I Bell. I. GLORIA PATRI FILIO ET SPIRITUl SANCTO OO JULY 1718 00 (Diam. i8| in.) In 1700 (when the church was much out of repair) there were two small bells {Bridges). These were probably cast into the present bell by Eayre of Kettering in 171S. There being no burial ground here the Funeral knell is always rung at Weston-by-Welland. SYRESHAM. S. James. 5 Bells. I, 2. 4. ROBERT ATTON MADE ME 1624. ( Diams. 28, 30, 34J in. ) 3. RICHARD DANGER AND WILLIAM KINGE CHURCH- WARDENS 1687. ( Diam. 31^ in. ) 414 The Inscriptions on the 5. CAST BY JOHN WARNER & SONS LONDON 1867. ( Diam. 37 in. ) In 1552 there were " iij bell(^ in y' steple & a sanct" bell." At the Death-knell three tolls are given for a male, two for a female. The ist bell is rung on Sunday morning at 7 or 8 a.m. A Sermon- bell is rung after chiming for Divine Service. SYWELL. SS. Peter and Paul. 3 Bells. 1. HENRICVS BAGLEY ME FECIT 1701 (?) ( Diam. 24 in. ) 2. AUGUSTINE FISH RECTOR JOHN BAUCUT \\^^ MARRIOTT CHURCHWARDENS 1766. ( Diam. 28 in. ) 3. M-1^^^^:^ :H©:Bij:K jSiX^Ei:^© 1611 [171.] ( Diam. 31 in. ) In 1700 there were 4 bells, the 2nd is now wanting, a pit is, however, left for it in the comparatively new frame. TANSOR. S. Marv. 3 Bells. I. [ + 22] jo:mx^ ^:^^.M^^^:iEj^jh [035] (B^(^:^^W^ [D26D26?] 1S{^'M%> ( Diam. 28 in. ) Coins all round the rim. 2. [ + 15] MOM : CLAMOR : SED : AMOR : HTAT : IM : AVRE : DEI : IG WS 1611. (Diam. 31 in.) Cracked. 3. [ + 105 ] .Sit JSlomen ^E)iuiiu X^rsu Eitcbitum [ U ^ ]• ( Diam. 34 in. ) Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 415 In 1552 there were " iij belle j sanct' bell & j hand-bell." The words " Cantat " on the 2nd bell and " Benedictum " on the 3rd are incomplete. At the Death-kiuU three tolls are given for a male, two for a female on all the bells. On Sunday the bells are chimed, and the Sermon-bell is rung. The 2nd bell was formerly called the Fire-bell. THENFORD. S. Marv. 5 Bells. 1. MICHAEL WOODIIULL ESQRk BENEFACTOR i:. \\. 1731 O ( Diani. 25 in. ) 2. WILLIAM KING CHURCHWARDEN E. H. ( Diam. 26^ in. ) 3. W : R : C : W • : • EDWARD HEMINS FECT 1737. ( Diam. 28 in. ) 4. [ + 4R] PRAYES THE LORD i6qi. ( Diam. 29 in. ) 5. E. STAFFORD VICAR C EDWARDS AND J. LAW C. W. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1806. ( Diam. 33 in. ) In 1552 there were " iij bellf in y' stepull & a Sanct' bell." In 1700 there were still only three bells. Michael Woodhull, Esq., Lord of the Manor of Thenford, descended through a long line of ancestors from Walter Flandrensis the domesday lord of PateshuU, was born in 1670, and dieil unmarried, nth January. 1738-9. The Rev. Egerton Stafford was instituted Rector iith December, 1 787. He also held the Vicarage of Chacombe (Baker.) \t the Death-knell thrice three tolls are given for a man, thrice two for a female. 4i6 The Inscriptions on the At a Funeral the tenor is tolled both before and after the interment. On Sunday, the ist bell is rung at 8 a.m. For Divine Service the 2nd and 3rd bells are first rung, then all the bells are chimed, after which the tenor is rung as a Sermon-bell. THORNBY. S. Matthew. 5 Bells. 1. CANTATE DOMINO CANTICVM NOVVM 1714. ( Diam. 26 in. ) 2. HENREY BAGLEY MADE MEE JVLY 1714. ( Diam. 27 in. ) 3. GOD BE OVR GOOD SPEED H. B. MA. MEE 1714. ( Diam. 28 in. ) 4. GOD SAVE OVR QVEEN AND PRESARVE HER PEACE. BE IT KNOWNE TO ALL THAT DO ME SEE THAT H. BAGLEY OF NHT MA' MEE 1714. ( Diam. 32 in. ) 5. Jobn ^anlor imb .Saw foimbcrs Jlcongbborougb 1844. ( Diam. 36 in. ) The tenor bell was previously inscribed : Henry Bagley made me Jvly 17 14 Let Aarons Bells continually amongst us rung The Word still preached and Hallelujah sung.* At the Death-knell thrice three tolls are given for a male, and twice three tolls for a female before the knell on the tenor bell ; for children the 4th bell is used. For Funerals the tenor bell is tolled for adults and the 4th for children. • Bridges' MSS. (Bibl. Bodl. EE. i, 228.) Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 417 On Sunday the ist bell is runf,' at 8 a.m. ; for Divine Service the bells are first chimed, then the Sermon-bell (tenor) is runp. After Morning Service when Evensong follows the ist bell is rung. Peals are rung on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve at midnight ; on Christmas morning and on the morning of the \'illage Feast-day ; also on the evening of the 5th of November, when the ringers have a fee of 2s. 6d. The bells were rehung in 1714 by Mr. Over, of Rugby, at the cost of ^"74. The cost of the new tenor in 1844 was ^20. and the old bell. THORNHAUGH. S. Andrew. 3 Bells. 1. [+15] MVLTI [D36] VOCATI [ D 36 ] PAVCI [ D 36 ] ELECTI [ D D D 36 ] 1619 [ D 36. ] ( Diam. 24^ in. ) 2. [ + 15 ] THOMAS NORRIS MADE ME 1634. ( Diam. 26} in. ) 3. CAST BY JOHN WARNER & SONS LONDON i860. H. FULLAR RECTOR. J. WILSON C" W. ( Diam. 27^ in. ) In 1552 there were " yn the steple iij bell^ & a sans bell. If ij hand bell(- sold to Colman of Weldon p'c xvj''." The tenor bell was previously inscribed Tobias Norris cast me 1684. When it was sent to the founders in i860 a small cracked Sanctus-bell (perhaps the one mentioned as existing in 1552) was sent with it to be recast into the new tenor. The Rev. Henry Fuller, died 17th April, 1876, aged 76. At the Death-knell thrice three tolls are given for a male, thrice two for a female, both befi)re and after the knell. On Sunday a bell is rung at 9 a.m., when there is to be Morning Service, or at 2 p.m. when Evensong only is to be said. For Divine 3 F 4i8 The Inscriptions on the Service the bells are chimed and a Sermon-bell rung : when there is to be no Sermon the ist bell is rung at the end of the chiming. THORPE MALSOR. All Saints. 6 Bells. 1. THE GIFT OF W : T : MAUNSELL ESQi^ IN MEMORY OF HIS MOTHER. J : TAYLOR & CO FOUNDERS LOUGHBOROUGH A.D. i860. ( Diam. 24^ in. ) 2. MATTHEW BAGLEY MADE MEE 1680. ( Diam. 26 in. ) 3. HENREY BAGLEY OF CHACOM MADE MEE 1680. ( Diam. 26f in. ) 4. RICHARD : GARRATT • : • CHURCHWARDEN ^ O 1751 T : EAYRE : KETT : FECIT O 6 O O (Diam. 28^ in. ) 5. R : GARRATT & T : HAYES C : W : R : TAYLOR S'^' NEOTS FOUNDER 1817. ( Diam. 31 in. ) 6. ROBART MANSELL ESQVIER 1680. ( Diam. 34 in. A reversed P instead of Q. ) The Manor of Thorpe Malsor was purchased in 1622-3 by John Maunsell, Esq., of Chichley, Bucks. He died in 1677. His successor was John his son, upon whose decease the Manor passed to his nephew Robert Maunsell, Esq., whose name appears upon the present tenor bell. This Robert Maunsell died February 12th, 1716. Colonel Thomas Philip Maunsell married Caroline Ehzabeth, fifth daughter of the Honble. William Cockayne, younger brother of the sixth and last Viscount Cullen. The Honble. Mrs. Maunsell and four of her sisters were granted the titles of Viscount's daughters by Royal assent. She died on the 12th of March, i860, and it was in memory of Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 419 that lady that the present treble bell was given in that year to tin- church by her eldest son, \V. T. Maunsell, Esq., who was a great lover of church bells, and who died on the 13th of March, 1862. THORPE MAXDEVILLE. S. John Baptist. 3 Hf.lls. 1. J. BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1790. 2. GOD SAVE KING CHARLES HENRY BAGLE MADE ME 1636. 3. R TAYLOR & SON OXFORD 1826. In 1552 there were " ij littill bell(^ in y' steple & a sancf bell." At the Death-knell four tolls are given for a man, three for a married woman, two for a boy or unmarried woman, and one for a child. The tenor is tolled both before and after a funeral. On Sunday a bell is rung at 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. in summer, at 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. in winter. For Divine Service the bells are chimed, and then the Sermon-bell is rung. After Morning Service (when Evensong will follow) a bell is rung, locally called the Pudding-bell. THRAPSTONE. S. James. 5 Bells. 1. HENRY BAGLEY MADE ME 1686. ( Diam. 26^ in. ) 2. HENRY LENTON JAMES ROBINSON ( HURCH- \\AKni-:Ns 1765. ( Diam. 28i in. ) 3. T. WOODCOCKE TOBIE NORRIS CAST Mi: 1677. ( Diam. 29^ in. ) 4- [+50] ^nntln ii.mr.i Oia X^xa X-iobis [ + <'o ] J O ir. ( Diam. 33 in. Crowned capitals. ) 5. THOMAS NORRIS MADE ME 1634. ( Diam. 35^ in. ) 420 The htscriptions on the In 1552, according to the mutilated Inventory, there were " iiij bellys A And a sacryng bell." The 4th bell (the finest, as it is the oldest, of the ring) is rung daily at I p.m. It is called the Dinner-bell. On Shrove-Tuesday the boys are allowed to go into the belfry and to jangle the bells. It would be better to instruct the sexton to ring the Pancake-bell. At the Death-knell three tolls are given for a male, two for a female, on all the bells before the knell, and again on the tenor after the knell. On Sunday the ist bell is rung at 7 a.m. and the 3rd and 4th at 9 a.m. For Divine Service the bells are chimed (sometimes "ringing in " the tenor) after which the tenor is rung as a Sermon-bell. At the close of Morning Service the ist bell is rung, and at 2 o'clock the 3rd and 4th are rung. TICHMARSH. Holy Trinity. 6 Bells. 1. HENRY BAGLEY MADE MEE 1688. 2. R GREENE AND JOHN WELLS CHVRCHWARDENS 1688. 3. J. SALMON AND JOHN FOWLER CHURCHWARDENS EDWARD ARNOLD FECIT 1781. 4. CANTATE DOMINO CANTICVM NOVVM 1688. 5. GOD SAVE THE KING 1688. 6. JOHN CANNARD GAVE ME JEFFERY COALES AND JOHN BARNES CHURCHWARDENS HENRY PENN MADE ME 1708. Unfortunately the Inventory of Church Goods dehvered from this parish in 1552 is now a mere fragment and gives no information about the bells. Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 4JI TIFFIELD. S. John. 3 Hei.i.s. 1. LESTER & PACK OF LONDON FECIT 17O4. ( Diain. 31^ in. ) 2, 3. Thomas Mears & Son of London Fecit 1809. ( Diams. 33, 35 in. ) In 1552 there were " iij belle in the steple." At the Death-knell thrice three tolls are given for a male, thrice two for a female, before the knell. On Sunday the ist bell is rung at 8 a.m. For Divine Service the bells are chimed, then the Sermon-bell (tenor) is rung, after which the I St bell is tolled until the service commences. TOWCESTER. S. Lawrence. 6 Bells. 1. RING BOYES AND KEEP AWAKE FOR MR WILLIAM HENCHMAN5 SAKE RC 1725. ( Diani. 31 in. ) 2. EC [ D 103 ] CE [ D 103 ] QVAM [ D 103 ] BONVM [a 103 ] ET [0103] QVAM [0103] IVCVNDVM [0103] 1626 [ I K a 69. ] ( Diam. 33 in. ) 3. [ + 38] SIMVL [0103] VENIRE [0103] FRATRES [ a 103 ] IN [ a 103 ] V [ n 103 ] NVM 1626 [ I K a 69. ] ( Diam. 34 in. ) 4. [ -f- 3« ] SICVT [a 103 ] VN [a 103 ] GVEN [ d 103 ] T\'.M [ D 103 ] IN [D 103] CAPVT [D 103] A [D 103] A RON ir)2r, [ I K a 69. ] ( Diam. 36^ in. ) 5. [+102] SICVT [a 79l ROS [ d 79 ] HER [o 79] MON [ D 79 ] IN [ D 79 ] MONTE [ a 79 ] SION. ( Diam. 40 in. ) 42 2 The Inscriptions on the 6. + O QUAM BEATUM LAUDARE DOMINUM 1626 THOM : PERKINS & SAM INNS C : WARDENS W. & J. TAYLOR FOUNDERS OXFORD JUNE 13 : 1823. ( Diam. 45 in. ) In 1552 there were : " Itm iiij bellf & a saunctf bell in the steple wherof one is sold as apperethe in the byll of Default(^" A reference to the Bill of Defaults thus explains the transaction : " Towcestre I till the Towneshipp of Towcestre aforesaid sold by Rychard Marryatt & Thomas Pynckard churchwardens there one bell unto Thomas Caswell of Northt Brasyer at the pryce of xx' the hundred wherof they have receyved in hand vj'' xiij' iiij" in pt of payment w"*" bell is not as yet weyed nor delyfyd Wherefore the foresayd Churchwardens stond bounden by Recognysaunce in the some of xx" before us that the same bell shall remayne & be furthe comyng at all tymes. The money therof receyved is bestowed uppon A brygge in the same pishe And the rest of the bell they wold bestowe uppon the highe wayes there." Mr. William Henchman, the donor of the ist bell, was probably one of that family belonging to Wellingborough (see Mr. Bailey's Life of Fuller, pp. 147 and 771). On a board placed on the wall of the church is: " W"" Henchman gave the treble May 25th 1726 to make a ring of 6 bells." The initials R. C. on this bell are those of the founder, Richard Chandler. A bell (4th) is rung daily at 5 a.m. in summer, at 6 a.m. in winter; the 5th bell is rung daily at noon and at 9 p.m. (Curfew.) The Pancake-bell (5th) is rung on Shrove-Tuesday at 11 a.m. At the Death-knell five tolls are given for a male, four for a female, before the knell, which is rung on the tenor for adults, on the 3rd bell for children under twelve years of age. Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 423 On Sunday the ist bell is rung at 7 a.m., the 2nd and 3rd bells at 8 a.m. For Divine Service the tenor is first rung as a Sermon-bell, then all are chimed, after which the treble bell is tolled. Peals are rung on the 24th of May and on the 28th of June. TWYWELL. S. Nicolas. 3 Bells. 1. JESUS NAZARENUS REX lUDEORUM FILI DEI MISE- RERE MEL J TAYLOR & Co BELLFOUNDERS LOUGHBOROUGH RECAST 1867. I MANTON ) i , r^t^-ri^ CHURCHWARDENS. S LEErb ) ( Diam. 30.^ in. ) 2. [ + 119] Jn Xllultis ,^nnis ^csoiut C^fampana lobannis [U3^-] ( Diam. 32^ in. ) 3. [+119] [ a 61 ] 'yrox ,^nciusttm .Sonet in ,^urr IDci [ U 6. ] ( Diam. 34.^ in. ) The Pancake-bell on Shrove-Tuesday was discontinued about twenty years ago. The Gleaning-bell is rung during harvest at 8 a.m. and at G p.m. Some years ago the bells were chimed at Funerals. The last remembered instance was at the funeral of Mr. John Archer in 1862. UFFORD. S. Andrew. 3 Bells. I. [ + 65] GOD SAVE THE KING 1670. (Diam. 32^ in. Cracked.) 2- [ + 5^ U 33 + 96 ] JS'it X'iomcn X)omini ;Ofncbictum. ( Diam. 35^ in. ) 3- [ + 56 U 33 + 96 ] In XHultis Jr^nms :nr5oncl ©ampan;! Xo^annis. ( Diam. 40 in. ) 424 The Inscriptions on the In 1552 there were : " Itm one handbell. Itiri in o' steple iij bellf & a lytle belle." At the Death-knell thrice three tolls are given for a male, thrice two for a female, both before and after the knell. For Divine Service the bells are chimed and the Sermon-bell (tenor) is rung. UPTON [near Peterborough]. S. John Baptist. i Bell. The single bell here, whicli is difficult of access, is without inscription. In 1552 there were : " Itm ij small Bell(^ belongyng to the Chapell. Itm on handebell." At the Death-knell thrice three tolls are given for a male, thrice two for a female. UPTON [near Northampton]. S. Michael. i Bell and a Priest's Bell. I. [ + 22] \^iM-^im%M^ miM:^%M ^ ^ [ U 24] ( Diam. 30^ in, ) Priest's Bell: Blank. ( Diam. 13 in. ) The incomplete inscription on the larger bell is intended for : Sancta Maria O [ra] P [ro Nobis], lu 1700 there were three bells ; tlie ist and 2nd were inscribed : R. A. 1614. Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 425 The initials l)eing those of Robert Alton, the tounder. The then tenor is the present large bell.* WADENHOE. S. Michael. 3 Bells. 1. [+15] MVLTI [D36]VOCATI [036] PAVCI [036] ELECTI [D 36] ROBERTVS [ D 36 ] ASHLE [ D 36 ] THOMAS [ D 36 ] CIBBLE [ D 36 ] 1603 [ D 36 ] ( Diam, 31 in. Cracked.) 2. [ + 63 ] MJ^IS, \ XXl^^I^Ii^ i ^J^iM^^XM. \ ( Diam. 35 in. Cracked. ) 3- [ + 65] ©OX) : SM.-\r-jE. \ :6ii.s : o^uj^mi^ \ 1607 E:ar ( Diam. 36;^^ in. ) The Inventory from this parish in 1552 is too fragmentary to give any particulars as to the bells. The names of the churchwardens on the ist bell appear thus on a panel of the Reading Desk in the church : OPVS-HOC-FINITVM ERAT FEB • 25 • AN • DXI 1595 ■ OPERA • \V • D • ROB • ASHELEY • ET • THO • GARDIANIS • ECCLESI^^ • KYBBLE RECT • TH • FRANX At the Death-knell three tolls are given for a man, two for a woman, one for a child. The tenor only is now used, the other two being cracked. • Bridgts' MSS. (Bibl. Bodl. EE. 5. 106). 3 G 426 The Inscriptions on the WAKERLEY. S. John Baptist. 3 Bells. XSi^O 1598 [UI-) ( Diam. 31^ in. Letters like [ n 53 ]• ) 2. [ + 65 ] THOMAS NORRIS MADE MEE 1663. ( Diam 34^ in. Cracked. ) 3. m-^p^ o-Tg.<3ci .^:m:E) i^:^^j^ 1599 [u^-i ( Diam. 37^ in. Letters like [ n 53 ]. ) In 1700 there were four bells: the present aged Parish Clerk re- members a fourth bell unhung in the belfry with its cannons broken : a portion of it was stolen, and the remainder sold towards repairs of the church. At the Death-knell three tolls are given for a male, twf) for a female, before and after the knell. On Sunday the bells are chimed with tenor rung in, after which the. tenor is rung alone as a Sermon-bell. WALGRAVE. S. Peter. 5 Bells and a Priest's Bell. I. J TAYLOR & Co BELLFOUNDERS LOUGHBOROUGH. E. H. GIFFORD D.D. RECTOR. THOMAS EMERSON JOHN PENTELOW ' CHURCHWARDENS. RECAST 1867. ( Diam. 34 in. ) 2. THOMAS RVSSELL MADE ME 1723. (Diam. 35 in.) 3. EDWARD MABBET AND ROBARD SMITH CHURCH- WARDENS 1723. ( Diam. 36 in. ) Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 427 4. D" GEORGE REVNALD RECTUR JUlIN \'U\ WD \Vm EATON CHURCHWARDENS 1766. ( Diain. 40 in. ) 3. JOHN S.\HTH GAVE THIS BELL IN 14.^4 THOMAS RVSSELL OF WOOTTON CAST THIS PEAL AND NEW CAST IN 1723. E. MABBET AND R. SMITH CHITRCI I WARDENS. ( Diani. 45 in. ) Priest's Bell: [ + 84] si^ ; :no.cQ3o, ; Doxriijrii ( Diam. 15 in. Unhung and not used. ) A bell is rung daily at noon. The Pancake-bell on Shrove- Tuesday was discontinued about twenty years ago. At the Death-knell three tolls are given fIDER KZIGHT AHZO 1640 [ U I- ] ( Diam. 37 in. ) 2- [ + 5] Hl'^ • VT • KNOWNE • TO • ALL • THAT • DOTH • ME • SEE • THAT • NEWCOMBE • OF • LEICESTER • MADE • MEE • 1604. ( Diam. 37^ in. ) 3. IHS NAZAKENE REX lUIXEORUM FILI DEI MISERERE MEI ^000 GLORIA DEO SOLI ANNO DOM 1729. O ( Diam. 40^ in. ) 4. THO-^ HOLME VICAR JOHN PENDR [ ED ] RICHARD BARKER CHURCH-WARDENS. •.::. ISLIP EDMUNDS LONDON FECIT 1764. ( Diam. 44^ in. ) 5. IH2 : NAZARENVS REX : IVDEORVM FILI : DEI MISERERE : MEI 1620 [U^-]. ( Diam. 48 in. ) 6. TO CFI\"RCH THE LIVEIKGE I DOE CALL THE DEADE TO GRAVE I SVMMOH ALL THOMAS lOVIES [ u 1 ] 14- 17] PAULE DENNET SACARYE HOBSONN THOMAS WORLIDGE RICHARD HILLAPS CHRVCHWARD 1639. ( Diam. 54 in. ) r rust's Bell : RICHARD TOMLIN CHVRCHWARDHN HEN PENN MADE ME 1708. ( Diam. 20 in. ) Sir Paul Pindar, Knight— the donor of the ist bell — was a native of Wellingborough. He was sent as Ambassador to Turkey in 161 1, where 436 The Inscriptions on the his kindness and good qualities were highly esteemed by a young neigh- bour (apparently in his suite) from his own county, Laurence Speght, who upon his tombstone formerly existing in the ancient, but since destroyed, church of Clapton, was made to say : And me to Turkey where the noble care Of Sir Paul Pindar Lord Ambassader Did feed me, clothe me, breed me, and provide A large subsistence for me till I dyd Which I enjoyed as contentedly As he did give it me affectionately But that which did transcend all that he gave me His godly life example was to save me. Sir Paul Pindar upon his return to England was knighted by James I. He expended large sums upon the restoration of S. Paul's Cathedral, and afterwards, at different times, assisted Charles L with considerable sums of money. He was a liberal benefactor to Wellingborough Church, for in addition to giving the ist bell in 1640, he had previously (in 1634) presented a fine set of silver Communion Vessels, weighing 257 oz., a full record of which was entered in the Parish Register. He died in L(jndon in 1650, and was buried in S. Botolph's Church. The Rev. Thomas Jones, whose name is upon the tenor bell, was (says Bridges) Vicar here in the rebellion. He was violently ejected at the age of seventy years, hurried in a very brutal manner to North- ampton, and detained three months in custody with hardly a sufificient sustenance for his support. After his dismissal he returned to his cure, but was apprehended and carried prisoner a second time to North- ampton, where by the inhuman treatment he met with he soon after died. He was esteemed a learned good preacher, and of an unblam- able life.* • Bridges, vol. ii. 151, 153, 372. Church Beils of Northamptonshire. 437 On the north wall of tlie Belfry are recorded the names of six ringers. " These were y* first then with a nod That on these bells leam'd GRANDSEIR BOH 1741." There have been chimes here for many years. In the forty-second year of Queen Elizabeth a portion of the surplus money of the FeofTee Charity was applied to the purpose of introducing new chimes. As their supposed use is somewhat curiously set forth in the document authorizing the expenditure of the money it is here quoted : .\lso we appoynte for the ncwc chymes in the Church {& other charges about the church) so that the same be sett in notes after the best manner of a tune, discreetly to be considered upon & amended from the foolish tune now in use — £^ in regard to the same chymes going at the end of foure hours & especially in the night season is by the grace of God, a severall warning for the vyllage to have better regard to the fyres for to avoid casualties, & a tyme to prevent disorderly persons at due tymes to avoyd unlawful gaming, stealing Sc disorders in the night, and a tyme for to know when apprentices shall aryse & goe to their rest indifferently betwene them & theyre maisters, and other good con- siderations w*" we think is for the common benefit of the parishe of Wendlingburghe — and other payments for the repayre & about the church we appoynte the same four pounds.* These chimes still play at 3, 6, 9, and 12 o'clock. The following are the tunes : Sunday : Old i8th Ps. — Great Milton Tune. " O God my strength and fortitude." Quoted by Cole Hiit. of Wellingborough (1837). 438 The Inscriptions on the Week-days: i. Turkish March. 2. " How pleasant is expression." 3. " Henrietta." The Sunday tune is commenced at noon on Saturday. The Curfew, which was formerly rung at 8 p.m. from Michaelmas to Lady Day, has been recently discontinued. So has the Midday-bell, which used to be rung at i p.m. The Pancake-bell (the 4th) is rung on Shrove-Tuesday. A Harvest-bell was formerly rung here at 4 a.m. to call the reapers and labourers to work. It was a rule at some of the farm houses to give the men who should arrive there before the bell ceased ringing a pint of beer, which was of course forfeited by those who did not arrive in time. At the Death-knell thrice three tolls are given for a male, thrice two for a female, before and after the knell, which is rung on the tenor for adults and on the 5th bell for children. At Funerals the tenor bell is tolled for fifteen minutes. Cole, speaking of the custom forty years ago, says: "In some cases it is usual to chime the corpses of elderly people to the grave ; when this is done it is the custom to toll the bell until the funeral procession arrives in sight, and then to commence chiming." On Sunday the ist bell is rung at 7 a.m., the ist and 2nd at 8 a.m. For Divine Service the bells are chimed and sometimes the tenor is raised as (I suppose) a Sermon-bell. The Priest's bell (which hangs in one of the windows of the spire) is always sounded when the time for commencing the Service has arrived, and continues until the clergyman leaves the vestry. At the close of Morning Service the ist bell is rung, and at i p.m. two bells are rung, excepting on the Sundays when there is a midday Celebration of the Holy Communion. On those occasions the ringing of the single bell is omitted, and the two bells are rung at the close of the Office whether it be one o'clock or not. The ist bell is rung as a summons to certain Vestry Meetings, and the tenor is rung on 5th November as a summons to the Court of the Lord of the Manor. For a doggerel on these bells see p. 148. Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 439 WELLINGBOROUGH. All Saints. 1 Bell. There is one small modern bell in a cot between the Nave and the Chancel, very lofty and inaccessible. WELTON. S. Martin. 5 Bells. 1. ADDED TO THIS PEAL BY VOLUNTARY CONTRIBU- TION 1S23 \V : & J : TAYLOR OXFORD FECERUNT. ( Diam. 33 in. ) 2. GOD SAVE THE KING 1629 [^1.] ( Diam. 34^ in. ) 3. RECAST DV W : & J : TAYLOR OXFORD ANNO : 1825. ( Diam. 36^ in. ) 4. IH'g : NAZARENVS REX : IVDEORVM FILl : DEI MISERERE : MEI 1629 [ U i- ] ( Diam. 39^ in. ) 5. CVM • SONO • SI • NON • VLS • VENIRE • NVNQVAM • AD • PRECES • CVPIES • IRE 1629 [ U i- 1 ( Diam. 42^^ in. ) In 1552 there were " iij bell(' in y" steple & a sanct' bell.'" The present 3rd bell was previously inscribed : Celorvm Chrste platiat tibi Rex sonvs iste : 1629.* A bell is rung daily at 5 a.m. from Lady Day to Michaelmas, and at 6 a.m. from Michaelmas to Lady Day; also at noon and at S p.m. (Curfew). The Pancake-bell on Shrove-Tuesday is lately discontinued. At the Death-kniil thi(;e tolls are given for a nial<', two for ,\ female, before the knell. bridges' MSS. (Bibl. Bodl. V.V.. i. 107.) 440 The Inscriptions on the The tenor bell is tolled before a Funeral and rung after. On Sunday the ist bell is rung at 8 a.m., the ist and 2nd at g a.m. For Divine Service the four first bells are chimed and (when a Sermon) the tenor runj? in. WERRINGTON. S. John Baptist. 2 Bells. Blank. Blank. ( Diam. 21 in. ) ( Diam. 21^ in. ) In 1552 there were " in the steple ij belle and a sanctus bell." The present two bells (which hang between the nave and chancel in a stone cot enclosed in wooden turrets) are most difficult of access. They look ancient and are taller than usual — the ist is ig in. and the 2nd 22 in. high, exclusive of the cannons— but they bear neither inscription nor stamp of any kind. At the Death-knell thrice three tolls are given for a male, thrice two for a female, on the ist bell before, and on the 2nd bell after the knell. WESTON-BY-WELLAND. S. Marv the Virgin. 5 Bells. I, 2. J. TAYLOR & Co FOUNDERS LOUGHBOROUGH 1865. ( Diams. 24, 25! in. ) 3. CELORVM CHRSTE PLATIAT TIBI REX SONWS ISTE 1616 [U I.] ( Diam. 25 in. ) i5gS. ( Diam. 27! in. ) Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 441 5. TOBIE ZORRIR CtVriT ME 1662. ( Diam. 30^ in. ) Prior to 1865 there were only three bells. At the Death-knell thrice three tolls are given for a male, thrice two for a female. At Funerals a bell is runf; an hour before the interment to summon bearers, &c. On Sunday there is a short chime at 8 a.m. For Divine Service the bells are chimed (by a chiming apparatus) after which a single bell is sounded till the service commences. WESTON FAVEL. S. Peter. 5 Bells. 1. CANTATE DOMINO CANTICVM NOVVM 1683. ( Diam. 28 in. ) 2. WILLIAM HARVY RECTORIS HENRY BAGLEY MADE MEE 1683 0000 ( Diam. 29 in. ) 3. MATHEW BAGLEY MADE MEE 1683 O O O O ( Diam. 30^ in. ) 4. JOHN HONNOR AND ABRAHAM MVMFORD CH\RCH- WARDENS 1683. ( Diam. 33! in. ) 5. JOHN HOW RICHARD GOLDBEE CH\RCIIWARDI:NS HENRY PENN MADE ME 1707. ( Diam. 37^ in. ) In 1552 there were " iij bellf- and a sant' bell." The Rev. William Harvey (or Hervey) was instituted Rector 14th April, 1677. With this he also held the living of Collingtree, and died, Rector of both parishes, 3rd December, 1736.* • See Baker, vol. i. p. 76 3 I 442 The Inscriptions on the The bells were rehung in 1808 by J. Over of Rugby. At the Death-knell thrice three tolls are given for a man, thrice two for a woman, twice three for a boy, twice two for a girl. On Sunday the 2nd bell is rung at 7 a.m. For Divine Service the bells are chimed, after which the ist bell is rung. After Morning Service the 3rd bell is rung. On New Year's Eve the old year is rung out with a muffled peal. WHILTON. S. Andrew. 6 Bklls. 1. AT PROPER TIMES OUR VOICES WE WILL RAISE IN SOUNDING TO OUR BENEFACTORS PRAISE. ( Diam. 28 in. ) 2. RELIGION WITHOUT HYPOCRISY. ( Diam. 29 in. ) 3. LIBERTY WITHOUT LICENTIOUSNESS. ( Diam. 30 in. ) 4. MONARCHY WITHOUT TYRANNY. (Diam. 33 in. ) 5. JOHN DUNKLEY & JOSEPH EMERY CHURCH- WARDENS. ( Diam. 36 in. ) 6. WILLIAM LUCAS ROSE GAVE THESE SIX BELLS TO THIS CHURCH. ( Diam. 40 in. ) [ All cast by Pack and Chapman, London, in 1777. ] In 1700 there were two bells and a Priest's bell. The latter had no inscription, the two former were inscribed : Henricvs Bagley me fecit 1702.* • Bridges MSS. (Bibl. Bodl. EE. 5. log.) Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 443 The Advowson was purchased by John Rose, of Daventry, gentle- man, in 1742. From him it descended to his only son William Lucas Rose, Esq. He erected the upper portion of the tower of the church, and gave the present ring of six bells, very shortly after the institution, on the i6th December, 1776, of his nephew the Rev. Wm. Lucas Holden as Rector of the parish : that gentleman afterwards possessed the Advowson and assumed the name of Rose.* At the Death-knell three tolls are given for a male, two for a female. On Sunday morning an early bell is rung: for Divine Service the bells are chimed. WTIISTON. S. Mary tiik \'irgin. 5 Bells. I. THOMAS RVSSELL OF WOOTTON MADE MEE 1729. ( Diam. 27^ in. ) 2. ,^:BC3if)er:R ©]&ij:Kj>iXii :mo:p x^.Riiie [ u o 1638. ( Diam. 42. i in. ) In 1552 there was "one great bell It' one sanctus bell." The Lordship of Whiston came into the possession of Sir Humphrey Catesby, Knight, in the reign of Henry VII. Upon his death, in 1503, it passed to his son and heir Anthony Catesby, who was then twelve years of age. This Anthony Catesby (who was Sheriff of Northampton- shire in 30 Henry VIII.) built — in conjunction with Isabel his wife, and • See Baker, vol. i. p. 234-5. 444 ^^^ Inscriptions on the John their son — the present handsome church of Whiston. The work was completed in, or about, the year 1534. A local tradition tells that the cost of the erection of the edifice so drained Anthony Catesby of all his available money that he had none left to pay for the bells. He therefore sold a flock of sheep, and when he first heard the sound of the ring coming over the valley of the Nene to Ecton, where he dwelt, he said to his wife, "Hark! do you hear ni}' lambs bleating?" He died in 1553- If the tradition be true — and there is no reason to doubt it with regard to the great bell and the sanctus bell, which we find from the Inventory were hanging in 1552 (there was clearly no "ring" of bells then) — the good 'Squire of Whiston had been anticipated in his pleasant humour by Zitholf of S. Albans. He is said to have sold his flocks to supply the monastery with a belfry, and, when he afterwards heard the bells chiming out from the tower, used to exclaim, " Hark ! how sweetly my goats and my sheep are bleating." WHITFIELD. S. John Evangelist. 5 Bells. 1, 2, 4, 5. J. TAYLOR & CO FOUNDERS LOUGHBOROUGH 1870. ( Diams. 26^, 28^, 30^, 34^ in. ) 3. J. TAYLOR & CO FOUNDERS LOUGHBOROUGH 1869. ( Diam. 29 in. ) In 1552 there were '■ ij littill bell(^ in y'' steple." In 1700 there were three bells (Bridges). The Death-knell rings for an hour in case of an adult, for half an hour in case of a child. On Sunday an early bell rings at 8 a.m. For Divine Service the bells are chimed for fifteen minutes, after which the " Parson's bell " rings for fifteen minutes. A bell is rung after Morning Service when Evensong is to be said. Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 445 WHITTERING. All Saints. 3 Bells. 1. [ + 65] TOHIE 'AORRl^ CAST ME 1681. ( Diam. 24^ in. ) ( Diam. 26 in. Wlicel broken. ) 3. [ + 65 ] T HANKS TOBIE H0RRI2 CAST ME 1681. ( Diam. 28 in. ) In 1552 there were : " If iij bell(' and a lyttyll bell. It' ij handebell(\" During harvest a woman goes round the village ringing a handbell as a Gleaning-bell. At the Death-knell thrice three tolls are given for a male, thrice two for a female, before and after the knell on the tenor bell ; for children a smaller bell is used. WHITTLEBURY. S. Mary. 4 Bells.' 1. WILLIAM BAGLEY MADE MEE 1694. ( Diam. 28^ in. Cracked. ) 2. GOD SAVE THE KING H.B. 1634. ( Diam. 31^ in. ) 3. [ + 21?] VBCD [D*] EFGH [d*] IK'IIn: [oM >iodg w. ( Diam. 33I in. * Fleur-de-lys. ) 4. GOD SAVE OVR KING 1628. ( Diam. 36 in. ) In 1552 there were " iij belle in the steple & a saunct' bell." 446 The Inscriptions on the The inscription on the 3rd bell is full of blunders : the initial cross is too much corroded to give a clear cast. A Peal is rung on the evening of the 5th of.November. WICKEN. S. John Evangelist. 5 Bells and a Priest's Bell. 1. [ + 48 ] ROBERTVS SPENCER MILES BARO SPENCER DE WORMLEGHTON AD HONOREM DEI DEDID HANC CAMPANAM. ET EXEMPLVM ALIORVM 1620. ( Diam. 32^ in. ) 2. T. BRADBURY CHURCH WARDEN J BRIANT FECIT HERTFORD 1798. ( Diam. 34 in. ) 3. [ + 48] TOW HVNDRED WAIGHT WAS I BEFORE ADED TO ME WAS EYGHT HVNDRED MORE THIS IS NO ROBING OF A KIRKE BVT ACOVNTED A GOOD WARKE 1620. ( Diam. 37 in. ) 4. [ + 48] FOWR ARE TORNED INTO ONE YET LOSS THE CHVRCH RECEVED NONE. [ + 48] THREE HVNDRED WEIGHT WAS ADDED MORE AND PAID BY WICKENS PATRONS SCORE i6ig. ( Diam. 41 in. ) 5. [ + 48 ] LAVDO DEVM VERVM PLEBEM VOCO CON- VOCO CLERVM DEFVNCTOS PLORO PESTEM FVGO FESTA DECORO 1619. ( Diam. 45-1- in. ) Priesrs Bell: CHANDLER MADE ME 1686. ( Diam. 15I in.) Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 447 In 1552 there were " iij smalle bell^" and " ij hand bell(." The two ancient parishes of Wyke-Dyve and Wyke-Haniun were consohdated in 1587. Some years afterwards — in 1619 — the church of Wyke-Hamon was demoHshed and Us bells brought to this church. The church tower here had just been built by Lord Spencer, and he also then recast the old bells from both the churches into a new ring of five bells, adding much new metal. .\ history of the transaction is attempted to be told upon the bells. The 2nd bell was previously inscribed like the first one. The ist, 3rd, 4th, and 5th bells, although bearing the stamp used by the New- combes of Leicester, have the band ornaments and letters used by Hugh Watts, and were undoubtedly cast by him. WICKEN-(OR \VIKE-)HAMON. Prior to the consolidation of the two ancient parishes of Wike-Dyve and Wike-Hamon under the present name of Wicken there was a church here dedicated to S. James. In 1552 there were belonging to it " ij bellf off iij weyght [?3cwt. ] by estymatyo." The church is supposed to have been demolished about the year 1619. There were then three bells which were removed to Wike-Dyve, or — as it is now called — Wicken. WILBARSTON. All Saints. 4 Bells. 1. •;• OMNIA FIANT AD GLORIUM DEI : O 1739 • GLORIA DEO SOLI :• T. EAYRE. ( Diam. 28 in. ) 2. ALEX RIGBY MADE ME 1704. ( Diam. 30 in. ) 448 The Inscriptions on the 3. J : SCOTT : AND : J : MARSHALL ; CH : WARDENS \ ALEX : RIGBY : MADE : ME : 1704. ( Diam, 32 in. Cracked. ) 4. IH'g : NAZARENVS REX : IVDEORVM FILI : DEI MISERERE : MEI 1639 [ U i- 1 ( Diam. 34I in. ) The bell-frame bears the date 1681. The Pancake-bell is rung on Shrove-Tuesday. At the Death-knell three tolls are given for a male, two for a female, both before and after the knell. At Funerals the tenor bell is tolled to summon bearers, &c., as well as just before the interment. On Sunday the ist bell is rung at 8 a.m. For Divine Service the bells are chimed and the Sermon-bell rung. If there is no Sermon the tenor is tolled instead of rung. The belfry floor and the bell frame are rotten and unsafe, and the bells themselves not in a satisfactory condition. WILBY. 5. Mary the Virgin. 3 Bells. 1. AVGVSTINE LORD WILLIAM WORLIDGE CHVRCH- WARDENS 1705 HENRY PENN MADE ME. ( Diam. 29 in. Cracked. ) 2. RICHARD BROOKE AND SAMVEL NICKOLDS CHVRCH- W^ARDENS M B 1G82. ( Diam. 32 in. M. B. the initials of Matthew Bagley the founder. ) 3- j©it ^omtn Domini ^tncbittum [ d 13 U 43 D 18. ] ( Diam. 36 in. Cracked. ) A bell is rung daily at noon. The Curfew was (until the year 1875) rung at 8 p.m. daily frf>m Michaelmas to Lady Day. At the Death-knell the age of the deceased is tolled out after the knell. Church Dells of Northamptonshire. 449 VVINWICK. S. Michael. 3 Bei i.s. [°:] I. Gx^^w^M-^a^ [ D 86] :tiiTXj-C2nirja:i [ a S6. j ( Diani. 28 in. ) 2. [U 20 17 ig D 18. ] ( Diam. 30^ in. ) 3. [ + * ] MARIA [ D 10 ] [ D * D * ] ( Diam. 33a in. ) The stamps marked * are too niucli abraded to be decipherable. There is no difference made for age or sex in ringing the Death-knell. At Funerals the bells are sometimes chimed as the procession miters the churchyard. For Divine Service the bells are chimed and the Sermon-bell is rung. WOLLASTON. 5. Mary. 6 Bells. 1, Blank. ( Diam. 31 in. ) 2. JOSEPH WALKER & JOHN GAUDERN CHURCH- WARDENS 1806. ( Diam. 34 in. ) 3. J. TAYLOR & CO FOUNDERS LOUGHBOROUC.H iSr.s. ( Diam. 37^ in. ) 4, 5. JOSEPH WALKER & JOHN GAUDERN CHURCH- WARDENS R. TAYLOR ST NEOTS FECIT 1806. ( Diams. 38, 4^ in. ) 6. I TO THE CHURCH THE LIVlNCi CALL AND TO THE GRAVE DO SUMMON ALL. JOSEPH WALKER & JOHN GAUDERN CHURCHW ARDENS ROB"" TAYLOR ST NEOTS FECIT 1806. ( Diam. 47 in. ) 3 i^ 450 The Inscriptions on the The Gleaning-bell is rung morning and evening during harvest. A Daily-bell is rung at one o'clock, and during the winter months the Curfew is rung at eight o'clock. At the Death-knell the tenor is tolled for a short time, then rung, after which three tolls are given for a male, two for a female, on each of the other five bells, commencing with the 5th. The bells are rung on the " Feast Sunday." On Sunday two bells are rung at 8 a.m. For Divine Service the five bells are chimed with the tenor " rung in " every alternate round ; after which the ist bell is runjr for a few minutes. WOODFORD. S. Mary. 5 Bells. 1. 5. CELORVM CHRSTE PLATIAT TIBI REX SONVS ISTE 1616 [U !•] (Diams. 34!, 44^ in. ) 2. [+ 15] R BRANE W WOTTON TOBIE MORRIS CAST ME 1673. ( Diam. 37 in. ) 3. [ + 65 ] THOMAS NORRIS MADE MEE 1662. ( Diam. 37^ in. ) 4. W & J TAYLOR BELLFOUNDERS OXFORD 1839. ( Diam. 39^ in. ) WOODFORD HALSE. S. Mary the Virgin. 4 Bells. ( Diams. 29, 30, 32, 36 in. ) In 1552 there were " iiij bell(' in tlie steple & a saunctc bell." This is the only instance of a complete ring of four alphabet bells I have met witii. Church Bells of Northamptonshire. 451 The Pancake-bell, which used to rinj; on Shrove-Tuesday at 1 1 o'clock, is now discontinued. The Gieaning-bell is rung at 8 a.m. during harvest. At the Death-knell — which is rung an hour for an adult and thirty minutes for a child — three tolls are given for a male, two for a female. On Sunday the ist bell is rung at 8 a.m. For Divine Service the bells are chimed, the Sermon-bell rung, after which the ist bell is rung for five minutes before the Service commences. After Morning Service the ist bell is rung to give notice of Evensong. WOOD NEWTON. S. Makv. 2 Bells. 1. [ + 65] THOMAS NORRIS MADE MEE 1640. 2. CHARLES HALL WILLIAM EXTON CHURCHWARDENS HENRY PENN MADE ME 1720. In 1552 there were '* iiij bells w* a littill bell." WOOTTON. S. George the Martyr. 5 Bells. 1. RICHARD : OLD : FRANCES : EVANS : CHURCH : WARDENS : MATTHEW : BAGLEY : MADE : ME : 1770. ( Diam. 33 in. ) 2. GOD SAVE OVR KING 1629. (Diam. 35^ in.) 3. HENRY BAGLEY MADE MEE 1660. ( Diam. 37 in. ) 4. [ + Hi ] SIMVL VENIRE FRATRES IN VNVM 1620. ( Diam. 40 in. ) 452 The Inscriptions on the 5. REVi^ J : P ; LIGHTFOOT RECTOR T : STEEVENSON CHURCHWARDENS TAYLOR OXFORD CAMPA- NARIUS 1836. ( Diam. 46 in. ) In 1552 there were " iij great bellf and a . . . . bell." The Pancake-bell is rung on Shrove-Tuesday. At the Death-knell thrice three tolls are given for a male, thrice two for a female. On Sunday two bells are rung at 8 a.m. For Divine Service the bells are chimed and the Sermon-bell is rung, after which the ist bell is sounded for a few minutes until Service begins. A bell is rung to summon Vestry Meetings. YARDLEY HASTINGS. S. Andrew (?) 6 Bells. 1. FEAR • GOD • HONOVR • THE • KING \ HERNY • PENN • FOVNDER : 1723. ( Arms jj see below. ) 2. OBEY • THEM • THAT • HAUE • RULE • OUER • YOU • IN • THE • LORD • 1723. U 3. BEWARE • OF ■ FALSE • PROPHETS • WHO • COME • TO • YOV • IN • SHEEPS • CLOTHING • 1723 • O U 4. PRAISE • GOD • IN • THE • BEAVTY • OF • HOLINESS : HVMPHRY • BETTY • A-M • RECTOR • 1723 ; U 5. BEE • NOT • WISE • IN • YOVR • OWNE • CONCEITS ; SAM\EL • WHITMEY • ROBERT • JEFFREY • CHVRCHWARDENS • 1723 ; U Church Bells of Northamptonshire . 453 6. THE • Rir.HTF.OVS • MATH • HOPE • IN ■ HIS • DEATH : THE • KIGHT • HONU'^' GEORGE • EARL • OF • NORTHAMPTON • BARON • COMPTON • OF • COMPTON : 1723. U ( Diam. 42 in. ) The Rev. Humphry Betty was instituted Rector in 1695 ; he died ist September, 1737, aged 70 years. A mural tablet to his memory is in the chancel of this church. The Manor ol Vardley Hastings was purchased in the reign of Henry \II1. by Sir William Compton, the ancestor of George Fourth Earl of Northampton, whose arms and motto are upon each bell, viz. : [sable] a lion passant guardant, [or,] between three helmets, two and one [argent]. Motto : Je ne cherche que un. The Curfew is rung daily (excepting on Sunday) at 8 p.m. from Michaelmas to Easter ; a bell is also rung daily (Sunday excepted) at noon. The Pancake-bell is rung at 1 1 a.m. on Shrove-Tuesday. At the Death-knell three tolls are given on each bell for a male, two for a female. On Sundays the ist and 2nd bells are chimed at g a.m. For Divine Service the bells are chimed. Early peals are rung on Christmas Day, Easter Day, Whit-Sunday, and the '* F'east-Sunday," and midnight peals on Christmas and New Year's Eves. YARWELL. S. Makv Magdalene. 3 Bei.ls. I- bi [ n 55- ] ( Diam. 23 in. ) 2. CVM VOCO VENITE EDWARDE LISLE 1714. ( Diam. 24 in. ) 454 T^f^^ Inscriptions on the 3. MULTI VOCATA PAVCI ELECTI THQs TILTON & EDWD PEAK c : w : J : eayre fecit 1754. ( Diam. 26f in. ) In 1552 there were " ij bell(^ wythin the " The I St bell is evidently an ancient one: it is taller, narrower, and rounder at the top than even Pre- Reformation bells generally. There are no mouldings of any kind round either the haunch or the waist, and it has consequently a singularly bald appearance. The letters Iji are on one side of the bell, and the XJ on the opposite side. Mary, one of the nine daughters of George Lynne, Esq., of the neighbouring parish of South wick, married [temp. Elizabeth?) Edward Lisle, of Yarwell, whose probable descendant placed his name on the 2nd bell. The Pancake-bell, which used to ring on Shrove-Tuesday, is now discontinued. The Gleaning-bell is rung during harvest at 8 a.m. and at 6 p.m. At the Death-knell three tolls are given for a male, two for a female. YELVERTOFT. All Saints. 5 Bells. 1. THOMAS CORNISH AND THOMAS MORETON 1635 [\j i.] ( Diam. 30 in. ) 2. GOD SAVE THE KING 1635 [ U i- ] ( Diam. 31^ in. ) 3. 4. IH'2 : NAZARENVS REX : IVDEORVM FILI ! DEI MISERERE : MEl 1635 [ U i- ] ( Diams. 33J, 36 in. ) 5- €1X^X11 <3"Ta:X3:i MSMX2> :E^Xiii3[©" 1635 [^i.] ( Diam. 41 in. ) A bell is rung daily at noon. The Pancake-bell is rung on Shrove-Tuesday. Cliurch Bells of Northamptonshire. 455 At the Death-knell twice three tolls are given for a male, twice two for a female. On Sunday the 3rd and 4th bells are rung at 9 a.m. For Divine Service the tenor bell is rung for ten minutes, then all are chimed for ten minutes, after which the ist bell is rung for the same time. Midnight Peals are rung on the eves of Christmas and the New Year. GO D'S APPOINTMENT IS MY CONTENTMENT Hate I. Plate II. o !0 I I 12 14 Plate III. ■pn in 17 IS «9 20 Plate IV 21 •23 24 25 26 I 'lillC \ '. _:^ -'J 30 31 3^ 33 Plate VI. 34 35 36 38 57 Plate VII. ^^^ 39 41 40 Hate VilL 42 <^. S>1^ --T^^^i^V S^WSS^ I 44 43 4O 45 I'UiU IX ]y 47 ^7J^ 4U 48 =io Vhiu \ J- 53 54 jj \d D3 Plate XI. yj Plate MI. Plate XIII. 78 Plate XIV. 87 Plat: A! 88 r_-r-=«v cssi^u^ak -^^jj iwJ •yi 90 92 I'iat. Ml. ^^i^&4 94 yO 97 Plate XV IL 98 100 101 102 103 IU4 Plate XV III. 105 106 1()- IIO Plate XIX. I'lati vv i 1 iiS 120 INDEX. Abingdon, ancient bells at, 7. Abington bells, 174. Abthorpe bell, 94, 174. Achurch bells, 139, 175. Addington Great bells, 97, 175. Addington Little bells, 89, 176. Adstone bells, 177. Advent Ringing, 149. ^thelwold's Bencdictional, bells shown in, 6. ^thehvold, S. casts bells, 7. Africa, bells used in, 2. Albans, S., bell cast in Sacristy at, 11. Alderton bells, 20, 66, 177. Aldwincle All Saints' bells, 178. Aldwincle S. Peter bells, 74, 133, 135, 147, 157, 178. Alphabet bells, 121. America, bells used in, 2. Ancient bells, why scarce, 26. Ancient bells in Northamptonshire, 37. Angclus.ihe, 142, 144. Apethorpe bells, 23, 40, 80, 82, 83, 100, 180. Architecture and bells, 35. Armston, bell at, 10. Arnold, Edward, a bellfounder, 94, 107. Arthingworth bells, 24, 38, 75, 84, 88, 181. Ashby, Cold, see Cold Ashby. Ashby S. Legers bells, 136, 182. Ashley bells, 39, 135, 183. Ashton bells, 105, 184. Ashton (near Oundle) bell, 185. Asia, bells used in, 2. Assyrians, bells used by, i. Aston-le-\Valls bells, 185. Atton, Bartholomew, a bellfounder, 113. Atton, Robert, a bellfounder, 114. "Ave Maria" bells, 145. Ayiestone, Leicestershire, youths at, attempt to carry off a bell, 33. Aynhoe bells, 39, 71, 128, 136, 137, 185. Badby bells, 120, 187. Bainton bells, 64, 97, loi, 188. Bagley family, extracts from Church Regis- ters relating to, 41. 3 L Bagley, Henry (of Witney), a bellfounder, II, 46. Bagley, Henry (of Chacombe), a bellfounder, 42. Bagley, Henry (of Chacombe), 2nd, a bell- founder, 43. Bagley, Matthew (of Chacombe), a bell- founder, 43. Bagley, Matthew (of Chacombe), 2nd, a bellfounder, 43. Bagley. William (of Chacombe and North- ampton), a bellfounder, 43. Bagley, Henry (of Ecton), a bellfounder, 44. Banns Peal, 151. "Baptism" of bells, 12. Barby bells, 83, 188. Barnack bells, 70, 71, 97, 189. Barnwell S. Andrew bells, 40, 75, 190. Barnwell All Saints' bells, 190. Barton-Seagrave bells, 37, 40, 81, 190. Bede (a.d. 680) mentions bells, 6, 129. Belgrave,Leicestershire, peculiar use at, 148. Bell, the feminine gender (note), 16. Bell-chamber, a climb to the, 17. Bellfounders, Northamptonshire, 41. Bell-master at Loughborough, Leicester- shire, 23, 125, 140. Bell-metal, composition of, 12. " Bell Heytaur," what, 78. Bellringers and their position as officers of the church, 158. Bell ringing a healthy exercise, 161. Bells, use of, universal, 2. Bells, cast in churchyards and churches, 10, II. Bells, ancient, in Northants, 9. Bells, forms of inscriptions on, 17. Bells, oldest dated in England, 18. Bells, how used before the Reformation, 21. Bells, " of a corde" — "of one ryng" — " of a meane ryng," and "treble ryng," 22. Bells, ancient, why scarce, 26. Bells, English love for, 31,33. Bells should be kept in good order, 158. Benefield bells, 135, 143, 191. 458 Church Bells of Norlhajiiptoiishire. Benetlye, Richard, a bellfounder, 59. Berechurch, Essex, a bell at, 56. Bett, Thomas, a bellfounder, 79. Bicester (Oxon), a bellfoundry at, 116. Billesdon, Leicestershire, a bell at, 20. Billing, Great, bells, 21, 40, 56, 80, loi, 148, 192. Billing Parva bells, 192. Blakesley bells, 128, 136, 145, 147, 150, 156, 157. 193- Blatherwycke bells, 74, 194. Blisworth bells, 114, 194. Boddington bells, no, 195. Boston, Lincolnshire, a bell at, 50. Bottesford, Leicestershire, peculiar use at, 144. Boughton bells, 102, 196. Bow-bell, 144. Bowden Little bells, 39, 80, 197. Bozeat bells, 51, 70, 156, 198. Brackley bells, 89, 151, 151, 199. Brackley S. James bells, 199. Brackley Hospital Chapel bell, 200. Bradden bells, 132, 146, 200. Bradenham, Bucks, a bell at, 56. Bradley Great, Suffolk, a bell at, 56. Brafield-on-the-Green bells, 24, 129, 201. Brampton Ash bells, 202. Brampton Church bells, 202. Brampton Chapel bell, 203. Brasyer, Richard, a bellfounder, 85, 90. Braunstone bells, 106, 133, 203. Braybrooke bells, 38, 70, 116, 205. Briant, John, a bellfounder, 102. Bride's Peal, 152. Brigstock Church Tower, 8. Brigstock bells, 206. Brington bells, 25, 34, 207. Brington S. John bell, 118, 209. Bristol, a bellfoundry at, no. Brixworth bells, 145, 146, 209. Brixworth church tower, 8. Brockhall bells, 210. Bromham, Beds., a bell at, 109. Bromsgrove, a bellfoundry at, 115. Broughton bells, 210. Buckingham, a bellfoundry at, 113. Buckley Long bells, 210. Bugbrook bells, 87, 118, 118, 211. Bullisdon — , a bellfounder, 61. Bulwick bells, 135, 150, 151, 212. Burham, Kent, a bell at, 56. Burial peals, 124, 134. Burrow-on-the-Hill, Leicestershire, a bell at, 89. Burton Latimer bells, 48, 213. Bury S. Edmund, supposed bellfoundry at, 68. Byfield bells, 145, 214. Caldecot, Rutland, a bell at, 24. "Call-changes," 29. Cambridge (S. Benedict's) bell at, 9. Campaiia, a large bell, 4. Canon's Ashby bell, 215. Canons of Church of England on bells, 123. Canonical Hours what, and the ringing of, 124, 126. Canterbury Cathedral, a bell at, 7. Canterbury Cathedral, bell cast in yard of. II. Carlton East bells, 132, 215. Castle Ashby bells, 20, 61, 216. Castor bells, 45, 128, 132, 217. Catesby bell, 218. Catharine of Arragon, Queen, ringing at her burial, 135. Chacombe, bellfoundry at, 41. Chacombe bells, 102, 218. Chandler, Richard, a bellfounder, 112. Change-ringing, 28. Chantry Priests, the Canonical Hours rung by, 125. Chapman and Mears, bellfoundcrs, 118. Charwelton bells, 219. Chelveston bells, 220. China, bells used in, 2. Chipping Wardon bells, 22, 221. Christians, Early, mode of calling to prayer, 3. Christmas peals, 150. Church Bells, i. Church Bells of Northamptonshire, 37. Church Brampton, see Brampton Church. Clappers or Tablets precursors of bells, 3. Clapton bell, 56, 222. Claughton, Lancashire, early dated bell at, 18. Clay, Thomas, a bellfounder, 93. Claycoton bells, 223. Clipston bells, 24, 43, 85, 87, 223. Cogenhoe bells, 134. 224. Cold Ashby bells, 10, 18, 19, 40, 76, 225. Cold Higham bells, 148, 226. Collingtree bells, 38, 64, 80, 133, 226. Collyweston bells, 156, 227. Columba, S. (a.d. 597) used bells, 6. Common-bell, the, 155. Corby bells, 132, 228. Corpes-bell, 141. Index. 459 Cort. Benjamin, not a bellfounder, 95 Cosgrove bells, 82, 112, 229. Cottcrstock bells, 230. Cottesbrooke bells, 132, 231. Cottingham bells, 126, 132. 135. 146, 150, 233- Courteenhall bell. 234. Coventry, the bells at, 149. Cranford S.Andrew bells, 132, 132, 135, 235. Cranford S. John bells, 48, 50, iii, 235. Cransley bells, 236. Creaton bells, 89, 237. Crescent Foundry, the, 119. Crick bells, 89, 237. Crostwight (Norfolk) a curious bell at, 15. Croughton bells, 23, 40, 70, 136, 137, 150, 238. Croyland Abbey, bells at, 7, 18, 63. Culworth bells. 43, 116, 149, 151, 153. 239. Curfew, the, 141. Curtis, George, probably not a bellfounder, 92. Daily (other) bells, 145. Daily Ser\ice, a bell to be tolled for, 123. Dallington bells, 87, 241. Dallington S. James bell, 242. Darbie, Michael, a bellfounder, 113. Daventr)' bells, 10, 135, 146, 147, 242. Daventry S. James bell, 245. Deacons, bells rung by the, 125. Deanshanger bells, 245. Death-knell, 123, 133. Dedication peals, 150. Deene bells, 37, 39, 80, 83, loi, 132, 245. Denford bells, 40, 43. 100, 117, 247. Denton bells, 247. Desborough bells, 75, 82. 82, 248. Diameter of a bell, a guide to its weight, 172. Dingley bells, 94, 249. " Dinner Bell," the, 145. Divine Service, ringing for, 23, 124. Dubson, William, a bellfounder, 108. Doddington Magna bells, 132. 145, 250. Dodf(ird bells, 114, 149, 251. Downham, Market, a bellfoundry at, J07. Draughton bells. 252. Drayton Tarslow, a bellfoundry at, 112. I Duddington bell, 40, O5, 85. 127. 133, 155, j 253- I Dunstable, the bells at, 148, j Dunstan, S., casts bells, 7. . Dunstan, S.. rules for ringing by, 7. Durand, on passing-bell, &c., 129, 133. ' Durham, scimon-bell at, 127, 137. Duston bells, 254. Earl's Barton bells, 50, 145, 254. Early Morning-bell, 144. East Carlton, see Carlton East. East Dean, a bell at, 21. East Farndon, see Farndon East. East Haddon, see Haddon East. Easter Peals, 150. Easton Maudit bells. 57, 105, 120, 144, 256. Easton Neston bells, 43, 258. Easton-by-Stamford bells, 75, 145, 256. Eayre Family, extracts from Parish Regis- ter, &c., respecting, 47. Eayre, Thomas and John, bellfounders, 47. Eayre, Thomas, a bellfounder. 48. Eayre, Thomas (2nd), a bellfounder. 49. Eayre, Joseph, a bellfounder, 107. Ecton, bellfoundry at. 44. Ecton bells. 33. 104, 105. 259. Edgcott bells. 22. 85. 114. 135, 261. Edmunds, Islip, a bellfounder, 121. Egbert (a.d. 750) orders use of bells, 6. Egypt, bells used in, i. Ely Cathedral, ancient bells at, 18. Emerton, \Vm., a bellfounder, log. Empingham, Rutland, bells cast in church- yard, II. English inscriptions on ancient bells, 21,39. English, their love of ringing, 31. Ephrem, S. on call to Holy Communion. 3. Etrusc.ans used bells, i. Etton bells, 97, 97, 139, 261, Evenley bells, 42, 118, 136, 262. Everdon bells, 89, 12H, 263. Evershot, Beds, bells at, 109. Evington, Leicestershire, a bell at, 89. E.xeter Cathedral, bells of, 8, 128, 131, 134. Eydon bells, iiS. 264. Eye bells, 135, 151, 265. Fakenham, Norfolk, a bell at, 100. Farndon, East, belts, 84, 95, 265. Farthinghoe bells, 266. Farthingstone bells, 267. Fawsley bells, 20. 37, 38, 64, 269. Faxton bells, 269. Finedon bells. 126, 135, 146, 153, 156, 270. Fire-bell. 153. " First Mass-bell," 22, 125. Flint, W. de (?), a bellfounder, 77. Flore bells, 108. 132. 150. 272. F-Qrtrey. Mr. W., a lover of bells. 33. Fotheringhay bells. 74, 97, 273. 460 Church Bells of Northamptonshire. Founder, William, a bellfounder, 57. Founders' marks, 19. Fuller on " nimming" a church bell, 27. Furthoe bell, 273. Gabriel-bell, 144. Gainford, Durham, a bell at, 21. Galby, Leicestershire, bells at, 34. Gayton bells, 22, 156, 157, 274. Geddington bells, 39, 80, 82, 83, 275. Glapthorne bells, 58, 276. Gleaning-bell, 153. Glinton bells, 33, 126, 132, 145, 277. Gloucester, a bellfoundry at, 112. Gloucester, John of, a bellfounder, 112. Good-Friday ringmg, 150. Grafton Regis bells, 65, 27S. Grafton Underwood bells, 279. Grandisson, Bishop, on excessive ringing, 134- Graye, Christopher, a bellfounder, 11 1. Great Billing, see Billing, Great, Great Houghton, see Houghton, Great. Great Harrowden,'see Harrowden, Great. Great Oakley, see Oakley, Great. Great Addington, see Addington, Great. Great Doddington, see Doddington Magna. Greatworth bells, 66, 279. Greeks used bells, 1. Green's Norton bells, 43, 280. Gregory, Geo., M.D., on bell-ringing, 161. Grendon bells, 38, 67, 85, 89, 281. Gretton bells, 153, 281. , " Guild-bell," 22, 125. Guilsborough bells, 118, 132, 283. Gunpowder Plot, 156. H. T., a bellfounder, 74. Haddenham, a bellfoundry at, iii. Haddenham, a bell cast in the Church at, 11. Haddon, East, bells, 112, 285. Haddon, West, bells, 86, 87, 128, 146. 286. Hall, Edward, a bellfounder, 112. Hand-bells, 139. Hannington bells, 21, 39, 80, 82, 288. Hardingstone bells, 289. Hardwycke bell, 57, 290. Hargrave bells, 76, 290, Harleston bells, 10, 34, 292. Harpole bells, 115, 132, 295. Harrington bells, 296. Harringworth bells. 21, 39, 72, 97, 118, 137, 296. Harrowden House, curious chimes at, 48. Harrowden, Great, bells, 39, 94, 298. Harrowden, Little, bells, 299. Hartwell bell, 299, Harvest-bell, 152. Harvest-Home peals, 152. Haxey, Lincolnshire, a bell at, 72. Hazfelde, Symon de, a bellfounder, 60. Hazlebeach bells, 89, 299. Hedderly, Daniel, a bellfounder, 11. Hedderly, George, a bellfounder, 116. Hedon, peculiar use at, 148. Heighington, a bell at, 72. Helidon bells, 89, 127, 135, 300. Helmdon bells, 133, 301. Helpstone bells, 97, 302. Hemins (or Hemis), Edward, a bellfounder, 116. Hemmington bells, 40, 303. Hentzer, Paul, on English love of ringing, 32. Hertford, a bellfoundry at, 102. Heyford bells, 75, 304. Higham Ferrers bells, 40, 75, 83, 133, 147, 153. 305- Himalayas, bells used up the, 2. Hindoo Temple, bells used in, 2. Hinton-in-the-Hedges bells, 37, 40, 66, 72, 307- Hodson, John, a bellfounder, 120. Hodson, Christopher, a bellfounder, 120. Holcot bells, 19, 39, 51, 71, 71, 85, 30S. Holdenby bells, 308. Holywell bell, 309. Hooper, Bishop, on ringing, 125, 130. Horton bells, 67, 309. Houghton, Great, bells, 23, 40, 309. Houghton, Little, bells, 310. India, bells used in, 2. Inscriptions on Church Bells of Northamp- tonshire, 173. Inscriptions on bells, 17. Inscriptions, ancient, erased, 23. "Invitation bell" at funerals, 136. Irchester bells, 94, 311. Ireland, ancient handbells in, 4, 5. Irthlingborough bells, 132, 133, 312. Isham bells, 83, 89, 313. Lslip bells, 147, 156, 157. 313. Itinerating bellfounders 11. Jerome, S.. mentions bells, 3. jews used bells, 1. Justyn Martyr on bells (note), i. Keene, James, a bellfounder, 104. Kcene, Richard, a bellfounder, 106. Index. 461 Kelmarsh bells, 314. Kent, supposed bellfoundry in, 67. Kettering, bellfoundry at, 47, 115. Kettering bells, 33, 132. 156, 315. Kilsby bells, 114, 318. King's Cliffe bells, 74, 97, 131, 145, 146, 154, 319- King's Norton, Leicestershire, bells at, 34. King's Sutton bells, 20, 33, 33, 66, 105, 113, 114, 135, 145, 146, 320. Kingsthorpe bells, 24, 149, 322. Kingston, Sussex, a bell at, 56. Kirkby Malzeard, Yorkshire, a bell cast in the church at, n. Kislingbury bells, 133, 145, 323. Knaptoft, Leicestershire, bell taken from, 33. Labourers'-bell. the, 146. Lady-bell, 22, 8i, 125. Lamport bells, 138, 324. Lanfranc, rules for ringing by, 7. Langham, Rutland, a bell at, 25. Latimer, Hugh, bell for his sermon, 127. Latin Inscriptions on Northamptonshire Bells, 163. Laxton bell, 324. Legends on ancient Northamptonshire bells, 37, Leicester, early mention of bells at, 10. Leicester, bellfoundries at, 78. Leicester Abbey, sale of bell belonging to, 80. Leicester, All Saints, a bell at, 84. Leicester S. Peter's, bell wheels at, 87. Leicester S. Martin's, ringing at, 126, 134, 143- Leicestershire, ringing in, 33. Lenten bell, the, 150. Lester and Pack, bellfounders, 117. Lester, Pack, and Chapman, bellfounders, 117. Lichborough bells, 114, 325. Lichfield, Michael dc, a bellfounder, 8. Lichfield Cathedral, casting of bells for, 44. Lilbourne bells, 50, 326. Lilford bell, 327. Lincoln, " Great Tom "of, 11, 86. Litany, bell to be tolled for the reading of, 123- Little Addington, see Addington Little. Little Bowden. see Bowden Little. Loddington bells. 328. Lois Weedon bells. 143, 153. 327. London, supposed early bell founders at 60. London modern bellfounders, 116. Long Buckley, see Buckley Long. Long Sutton. Hants, a bell at, 21. Longthorpe bell, 329. Loughborough, Leicestershire, bell-master at, 23, 125, 140. Loughborough, ringing at, 29, 152. Loughborough, bells at, 87. Lowick bells. 39, 80, 135, 147, 329. Loyal Peals, 157. Luddington bells, 330. Ludlow, bells at, 22. 125, 139, 141. Luffenham South, Rutland, a bell at, 87. Lutton bells, 96, 97, 97, 97, 331. Maidford bells, 114, 115, 332. Maidwell bells, 107, 332. Marholm bell, 332. Market-bell, the. 154. Marston S. Lawrence bells, 64, 136, 156, 333- Marston Trussel bells, 89, 333. Matins when said, 126. Maxey bells, 33, 334. Mears, Thomas, a bellfounder, loS. Mears, Thomas and Son, bellfounders, 118. Mears, Thomas, jun., a bellfounder, iiS. Mears, Charles and George, bellfounders, 118. Mears, George and Co., bellfounders, 118. Mears and Stainbank, bellfounders. 119. Mears Ashby bells, 39, 48, 82, 335. Melchbourne, Beds, a bell at, 121. Melton Mowbray, Lady-bell at, 81. Melton Mowbray, Latimer's Sermon bell at, 127. Melton Mowbray, peculiar uses at. 131, 144. Mid-day bell, the, 145. Middleton Cheney bells, 42, 104, 148, 336. Millers, William, a bellfounder, 78. Milton Malsor bells. 43, 145, 337. Moreton Pinkney bells, 89, 338. Morning (Early) bell, 144. Mot, Robert, a bellfounder, 116. Mote-bell, the, 155. Moulton bells. 94, 128. 132, 136, 145, 146. 152. 154, 155. 338. ' Music-bell " at Oxford, 86. Nasebv bells. 8g, 341. Nassington bells, 100. 108, 119, 342. Newborough bells, 342. Newbottle bells, 135, 343. Newcastle-on-Tyne. a bell at. 72, 155. 462 Church Bells of Northamptonshire. Newcombe, Newcombe, Newcombe, 81. Newcombe, Newcombe, Newcombe, Thomas, a bellfounder, 79. Robert, a bellfounder, 80. Thomas (2nd), a bellfounder, Robert (2nd), a bellfounder, 84. Edward, a bellfounder, 85. Edward (3rd), a bellfounder, Newcombe, Thomas (3rd), a bellfounder, 86. Newcombe, William, a bellfounder, 86. Nevvnham bells, 343. Newton Bromswold bells, 70, 343. Newton-in-the-Willows bell, 344. New Year's Eve peals, 150. Nineveh, bells found at, i. Nolo, a small hand bell, 4. Norman Conquest, bellfounding in Eng- land at the, 8. Norris, Tobias (or Tobye), a bellfounder, 96. Norris, Tobias (2nd), a bellfounder, 97. Norris, Thomas, a bellfounder, 98. Norris, Tobias (3rd), a bellfounder, 100. Northampton, All Saints' bells, 25, 118, 143. 149. 156, 344- Northampton, S. Giles bells, T07, 149, 347. Northampton, S. Sepulchre's bells, 134, 149, 150, 156, 349. Northampton, S. Peter's bells, 14S, 149, 348. Northampton, S. John's Hospital bells, 149. Northampton, S. Andrew's bell, 346. Northampton, S. Edmund's bell, 346. Northampton, S. Katharine's bell, 348. Northamptonshire, earliest mention of bells in, 9, Northamptonshire, Commissioners for temp. Ed. VI. as to bells, &c., 26. Northamptonshire, inventories of Church goods in, 27. Northamptonshire, ringing in, 33. Northamptonshire, ancient bells in, 37. Northamptonshire Bellfounders, 41. Northamptonshire bells, founders of (not Northants), 55. Northamptonshire, peculiar uses of bells in, 123. Northamptonshire, inscriptions on the bells of, 173. Northborough bells, 19, 350. Norton bells, 89, 128, 351. Norwich, a bellfoundry at, 85, 90. Nottingham, a bellfoundry at, 93, 116. Oak-apple Day, 156. Oakley, Great, bells, 40, 65, 85, 137, 138. 351. Oakley Parva bell, 352. Obits, ringing at, 140. Old bells, 63, 144, 352. Olney bell, 353. Orlingbury bells, 118, 354. Orton bell, 354. Osborn, Thomas, a bellfounder, 107, 108. Oundle bells, 108, 119, 147, 151, 154, 355. Oven-bell, the, 156. Overstone bells, 358. Owen, S. {circa, 650), mentions bells, 6. Owston, Leicestershire, a bell at, 59. Oxendon Magna bells, 119, 359. 0.xford, a temporary bellfoundry at, 113. Oxford, S. Mary, "Music-bell" at, 86. Pack and Chapman, bellfounders, 118. Pan-burn-bell, 147. Pancake-bell, the, 146. Paris, Matthew, writes of bells, 9. Passenham bells, 24, 59, 67, 112, 114, 359. Passing-bell, the, 123, 129. Passing-bell tolled for persons who after- wards recovered, 130, 131. Paston bells, 97, 360. Pattishall bells, 105. 361. Paulinus, doubtful whether he used bells, 3. Paulerspury bells, 60, 64, 84, 361. Peakirk bells, 362. " Peals, first and second," probably origin of, 126. Peculiar uses of Northamptonshire bells, 123. Penn, Henry, a bellfounder, 51. Persians used bells, i. Peterborough, a bellfoundry at, 51. Peterborough Cathedral bells, 51, 362. Peterborough, S. John Baptist, bells, 79, 80, 135, 139, 140, 153, 153, 156, 368. Peterborough, S. Mark, bell, 118, 381. Peterborough, S. Mary, bell, 381. Peterborough, S. Paul, bell, 381. Piddington bells, 381. Pilton bells, 40, 62, 63, 97, 97, 382. Pitsford bells, 105, 105, 383. Plough Monday, ringing on, 157. Plumpton bells, 383. Polebrooke bells, 107, 133, 139, 384. Poole, The Rev. G. A., on Bells and Belfries, 158-161. Potterspury bells, 38, 38, 64, 74. 109, 149, 385- Prayer-wheels, bells used on, 2. Preston, Rutland, a bell at, 24. Preston Capes bells. 135. 386. Index. 463 Preston Deanery bell. 387. Priest's bell, 137. Public Houses closed at Curfew, 143. Purdue, Roger, a bellfounder, no. Puritans ready for Sermon, not for Prayers, 128. Pytchley bells, 39, 387. QuiNTON bells, 108, 388. Radston bells, 37, 74, 388. Raunds bells, 51, 12S, 389. Ravensthorpe bells, 391. Reading, consecration of a bell at, 15. Reading, supposed foundry at, 66. Reformation, changes at the, 23. Rigby, Alexander, a bellfounder, loi. " Ring," a, of bells, not " peal " [fwte), 16. Ringers' Rules, 34. Ringing, Rules for, by S. Dunstan, 7. Ringing, Rules for, by Lanfranc, 7. Ringing, the art of, 29. Ringing, English love of, 31. Ringing "soured the drink," 33. Ringing in Northamptonshire, 33. " Ringing in " the tenor not desirable. 126. Ringstead bells. 391. Roade bells. 38. 64, 392. Rockingham bell, 118, 393. Romans used bells, i. Ropeford, Roger de. a bellfounder. 8. Rothersthorpe bells, 105, 108, 156. 157. 393- Rothley, Leicestershire, bells at. 94. RothwcU bells. 134, 156, 394. "Rounds," ringing, 21, 29. " Royal Heads " on bells, 64. Rubrics of Book of Common Prayer on bells. 123. Rudhall, Abraham, a bellfounder, 112. Rushden bells, 135, 152, 152, 395. Rushton bells, 39, 87, 396. Rushton, S. Peter, bell, 396. Russell. Thomas, a bellfounder. 108. Russia, custom in, 154. Sabinian Pope (a.d. 604) used bells, 5. Sacrament-bell, 151. Sacring-bell. the, 138. S. Andrew bell. 156. S. Anthony bell, 138. S. Ives, bells at, 145, 153. S. Neots, a bellfoundry at. 107. Sanctus, bell, the, 136. Sanders (or Saunders), Richard, a bell- founder, 47, 115. Sandre of Gloucester, a bellfounder. 112. Saunders. John, a bellfounder, 67, Saunders, Wm.. apprentice to a bellfounder (note), 98. Saxon Churl, privilege conferred on. by the possession of a bell tower, 6. Scaldwell bells. 397. Scalford, Leicestershire, bells cast in churchyard, 11. Scotland, ancient bells in, 4. Scott, Mr. John, a lover of bells, 33. Seaton, Rutland, a bell at. 59. Seed-sowing-bell. 152. Sermon-bell, the, 127 Severn Stoke. Warwickshire, a font at, 122. Shearsby, Leicestershire, bell and beer at, 33- Sheepshed, Leicestershire, a correction as to bells at (note), 103. Sheepy Magna, Leicestershire, peculiar use at, 144. Sherborne Abbey, a bell at. 153. Shrive (or Pancake) bell. 146. Sibbertoft bells, 132, 397. Signiim, a large bell, 4. Sil version bell. 398. Slapton bells, 21, 37, 39, 39, 55, 66, 137, 398. Sleyt, John, a bellfounder, 38. Slipton bell, 133, 153. 399. Smyth. Mr. Henry, a lover of bells, 33. Somercotes, Lincolnshire, early dated bells at, 18. ! Southelmham, S. Peter's, Suffolk, a bell I at, 58. < Southwell, bells at. 7, 94. Southwick bells, 40, 40, 399. Spratton bells, 146, 152. 399. Sproxton, Leicestershire, a bell at, 57. Stafford, Johannes de, a bellfounder, 78. Stainbank, Robert, a bellfounder, iiS. Stamford, a bellfoundry at, 95. Stamford Baron bells, 132. 143. 145. 147, 400. Stanford bells, 402. Stanford Church, ancient glass at. 138. Stanion bells. 21. 38, 39. 72, 75, 82, 85, 97. 402. Stanwick bells, 39, 60, 147, 403. Staverton bells, 43, 106, 135, 143, 146. 147. 149. 151. 153. 156, 404. Steane bell. 406. Stednian Fabian. 29. Stoke Albany bells. 406. 464 Church Bells of Northamptonshire. Stoke Bruerne bells, 112, 127, 133, 407, Stoke Doyle bells, 408. Stoke Dry, Rutland, oarving of a bell at, 8. Stowe-nine-Churches bells, 66, 84, 88, 409. Stowe-nine-Churches (S. James) bell, 410. Strixton bell, 410. Sudborough bells, 80, 133, 147, 410. Sulgrave bells, 133, 411. Superstitious use of bells not allowed, 124. Sutton bell, 151, 412. Sutton Bassett bell, 413. Syresham bells, 413. Sywell bells, 414. Table, A, of diameters and weights of bells, 172. 'Tandrew bell, 156. Tansor bells, 37, 39, 62, 82, 97, 414. 'Tantony-bell, the, 138. Tajlor, Messrs., bellfounders, 94. "Tellers," not " Tailors." mark a man, 133. T. H., a bellfounder, 74. Thebes, bells found at, i. Thenford bells, 84, 116, 415. Thornby bells, 157, 416. Thornhaugh bells, 97, 417. Thorpe Arnold, Leicestershire, a bell at, 24. Thorpe Malsor bells, 43, 418. Thorpe Mandeville, 102, 136, 419. Thrapstone bells, 67, 139, 419. Thurcaston, Leicestershire, a bell at, 73. Tichmarsh bells, 420. Tiffiekl bells, 117, u8, 421. Ting-tang, the, 137. Tintanny-bell, 138. Tintinimbnlum, a small bell, 4. Tixover. Rutland, a bell at, 20, 68. Towcester bells, 25, 104, 105, 143, 143, 145, 146, 175, 421. Translations of Latin Inscriptions on Nor- thamptonshire bells, 163. Trumpets precursors of bells, 3. '.'Tuning" of bells, 23. Tunnoc, Richard, a bellfounder, 56. Twywell bells, 62, 62, 71, 135, 423. Uffokd bells, 38, 67, 68, 423. Underbill, William, a bellfounder, 57. Unknown founders of bells in Northants, 70. Untimely ringing of bells not allowed, 124. Upton (near Peterborough) bell, 424. Upton (near Northampton) bells, 424. Virgin and Child on bells, 21, 72, 73. Wadenhoe bells, 71, 96, 27, 97, 425. Wakerley bells, 84, 88, 426. Wales, North, ancient bells in, 4. W'algrave bells, 38, 72, 137, 152, 426. Wambis, Richard de, a bellfounder, 55 W'anlip, Leicestershire, a bell at, 57. Wansford bells, 37, 71, 139, 427. Wappenham bells, 60, 114, 114, 428. Vv'are, ancient Priest's bell at, 137. Warkton bells, 48, 134, 156, 428. W^arkworth bells, 116, 429. Warmington bells, 97, 132, 429. Warner, John, a bellfounder, 119 Warner, John, & Sons, bellfounders, 119. Watford bells, 112, 430. Watford, Herts, a bell at, 155. Watts, Hugh, a bellfounder, 87. Watts, Francis, a bellfounder, 87.^ Watts, Hugh (2nd), a bellfounder, 89. Wedding Peals, 152. Weedon Bee bells, 42, 47, 138, 431. Weekly bells, 107, 432. Weights of bells deduced from their diameters, 172. Weldon bells, 143, 145, 146, 433. Welford bells, 434. Wellingborough bells, 75, 121, 135, 148, 152, 155. 435- WeUingborough (All Saints) bell, 439. Welton bells, 135, 439. Werrington bells, 440. West Haddon, see Haddon West. W^estminster, Ringing Guild at, 9. Weston-by-Welland bells, 84, 88, ico, 440. Weston Favell bells, 150, 441. Wheatley on uses of bells, 131, 134. Whilton bells, 25, 118, 442. Whiston bells, 443. Whitby, bell at, in a.d. 680, 6. Whitechapel bellfoundry, 116. Whitfield bells, 133, 444. Whittering bells, 153, 445. Whittlebury bells, 74, 445. Wicken bells, 84, 112, 446. Wicken-Hamon bells, 447. Wigston Magna, Leicestershire, emulation at, as to new bells, 33. Wilbarston bells, 447. Wilby bells, 38, 62, 63, 133, 448. W'illinm the Conqueror and bells, 35. Wimbish, Richard de, a bellfounder, 55. Wimbis, Michael de, a bellfounder, 56 Winibis, Walterus, a bellfounder, 56. Winchester, Arms of See of, on bells, 66, Winding-bell, the, 154. Index. 465 Winterton, Lincolnshire, a temporary bell- foundry at, II. W inwick bells, 37, 39, 40, 64, 85, 135, 449. Wold, see Old. W'ollaston bells, 126, 134, 143, 449. Woodford bells, 450. Woodford Halse bells 89, 91, 450. Wood Newton bells, 451. Woodstock, Oxford.shire, a beilfoundry at, 104. Wootton bells. 451. Wootton, 108. near Bedford, a bellfoundrv at. Yardlev Hastings bells, 51, 132. 150, 452. Yarmouth (Great), custom at, 140. Yarwell bells. 40, 70, 107, 453. Yelvertoft bells, 89, 454. York, a btllfoundry at, 56. York, a bell at, 73. Yorke, Johannes de, a bellfounder, 56. 3 M INDEX OF NAMES OTHER THAN FOUNDERS, ON THE CHURCH BELLS OF NORTHAMPTONSHIRE. AcHURCH, John, 395- Adams, William, 314. Addington, Rev. Charles, 325. Adkins, John, 238. Adkins, J., 301. Adkins, William, 322, Aldwinckle, Thomas, 233. Allen, W., 175, 196. Andrews, J., 263. Angrave, Thomas, 311. Armfield, Thomas, 349. Ashby, William, 323. Ashley, Robert, 425. Ashley, William, 296. Astill, Edward, 434. Bagshawe, Rev. George, 299. Bailey, V., 270. Baili, Nicolas, 319, Ball, Rev. Thomas., 363. Ball, William., 274. Banastre, Sir Robert, 360. Banbrigge, William, 195. Barber, Page, 339. Bardon, Richard, 319. Barfoot, William, 207. Barford, V., 174. Barker, Richard, 435. Barker, Vincent, 254. Barnes, John, 420. Barnes, Rev. Charles, 233. Barret, John, 391. Barrett, John, 411, Barton, John, 206. Barwell, Richard, 195. Basley, John, 266. Bates, John, 328. Battams, G., 309. Battim, N., 349. Bawcutt, W., 182. Baucut, John, 414. Beaver, T., 188. Bell, Anthony, 184. Bellemie, W., 212. Benit, J., 219. Bennett, E., 321. Berkeley, Miles, 356. Berry, Peter, 359. Blackley, William, 431. Blackwell, Joseph, 264. Blinco, James, 267. Blowfield, Thomas, 355. Boddington, Robert, 286. Boddington, Thomas, 270. Bonney, Archdeacon, 319. Boon, William, 282. Bosworth, Richard, 252. Boswell, Richard, 285. Boudon, AUon, 296. Boughton, J., 263. Braadsell, John, 414. Bradbury, T., 446. Brane, R., 450. Branson, George, 406. Branson, W., 275. Braun, William, 206. Brewster, Mark, 333. Britten, E., 192. Bromley, J., 214. Brooke, Richard, 448. Browne, J., 256. Browne, Robert, 189. Browne, John, 310, 328, 329. Brudenell, Thomas, 246. Bull, H., 213. BuUivant, Rev. J., 235. Bullocke, Robert, 272. Bunckley, Henry, 233. Index of Names. 467 Burch, W., 411. Burges, Richard, 247. Burgess, John, 195. Burnam, Thomas, 286. Burnham, Thomas, 286. Burt, C, 280. Bush, Rev. J., 274. Buswell, John, 223. Butler, Rev. G., 274. Butler, Nicolas, 177. Butlin, Rev. W., 349. Buttling, William., 349, 350. Callis, John, 335. Campion, John, 230. Cannard, John, 420. Canwarden, Samuel, 299. Cardigan, Earl of, 245. Carpenter, Edmund, 321. Carpenter, R., 321. Carriss, John, 233. Carter, James, 336. Cartwright, Mary, 186. Cartwright, Thomas, 185. Cartwright, General William., 1S5. Cave, Sir Thomas, 402. Chadwick, John, 399. Chamberlain, John, jun., 233. Chamberlin, William, 350. Chapman, P. W., 353. Chapman, S., 353. Charters, Rev. James, 286. Chettle, T. and J., 220. Church, W., 335. Cibble, Thomas, 425. Clare, James, 360. Clark, John, 360, 407. Clarke, George, 320. Clarke, Robert, 296. Clarke, S., 339. Clarke, Thomas, 177. Clayton, Rev. Thomas, 233. Clements, William, 234. Coalman, Joseph, 197. Coales, Jeffery, 420. Cole, W., 182. Cole, Rev. T., 210. CoUedge, Joseph, 349. Collis, Thomas, 286. Colson, T., 175. Colston, William, 256. Compton, Lord William, 216. Compton, Lady Elizabeth, 216. Concus, Richard, 231. Cook, John, 266. Cook, William, 316. Cooke, Christopher, 239. Cooper, William, 196. Cooper, Henry, 289. Cornish, Thomas, 454. Cotchet, J., 290. Cowley, John, 318. Cox, George, 293. Cox, Rev. R. H., 289. Cox, Wilham, 214. Cradock, E., 265. Cragill, Richard, 228. Crick, Rev. T., 411. Croxton, S., 299. Cumberland, Rt. Rev. Richard, 363. Cutler, John, 306. Daintey, W., 275. Dallington, John, 286. Dallington, Sir Robert, 275. Danger, Richard, 413. Danvers, Sir John, 239. Dennet, Paul, 435. Dexter, G,, 353. Dobel, Master, 283. Dobson, Joseph, 349. Dolben, Gilbert, 270. Dolben, Mrs. Mackworth-, 270. Drake, Rev. Thomas, 198. Drake, William., 430. Driver, Thomas, 394. Dry, Edward, 337. Dunkley, John, 442. Dunkley, William, 323. Dysart, Earl of, 296. Earl, T., 268. Eaton, William., 427. Eccles, Rev. John, 407. Edwards, C, 415. Edwards. John, 193. Edwards, William, 193. Egerton, Sir R., 266. Elliott, John, 280. Elliott, William, 369. Elmes, Milles, 430. Emerson, Thomas, 426. Emery, Joseph, 442. Evans, Francis, 451. Evans, Rev. J,, 203. Evans, Rev. John, 363. Exton. William, 451. Fairbrother, L., 301. Farey, Thomas, 391. 468 Church Bells of Northamptonshire. Feasant, Richard, 224. Ferings, William, 322. Feme, John, 331. Fish, Rev. Augustine, 414. Fitzwilliam, Earl, 369. Foe, William, 175, 188. Folvvell, William, 361. Forsyth, Rev. James, 353. Fosbroke, John, 235. Foscott, W., 196. Fowler, John, 420. Franklin, Thomas, 356. Freeman, George, 259. Freeman, Joseph, 242. Freeman, J., 335. Frost, Samuel, 211. Fry, John, 427. Fullar, Rev. H., 417. Gardener, Aaron, 325. Garratt, Richard, 418. Gaudern, John, 449. Gent, Nicolas, 207. George, Joseph, 326. George, King, 274. George, J., 274. Gibbard, WiUiam, 219. Gibbs, Rev. M., 274. Gifford, Rev. E. H., 426. Glasbrook, Rev. John, 220. Goldbee, Richard, 441. Goodfellow, Thomas, 330. Goodman, Samuel, 187. Goode, Henry, 433. Goodyer, John, 236. Goosey, N. T., 311. Graey, Francis, 279. Gray, T. E., 289. Gread, Henry, 177. Greene, John, 289. Greene, R., 420. Greenocke, Thomas, 266. Grifi&n, Rev. Edward, 249. Groom, John, 384. Groome, Charles, 312. Gudgin, Thomas, 431. Gulliver, John, 286. Hackelton, James, 350. Hall, Charles, 451. Hall, J., 203, 391. Hallowell, James, 201. Hanes, T., 445. Hammerton, J., 191. Hanbury, William, 314. Handson, E., 342. Handson, T., 342. Hannse, John, 296. Harbert, Thomas, 242. Harris, J., 174, 349. Harris, W., 203. Harris, Richard, 296. Harris, Robert. 206, 295. Harris, R., 206. Harris, W., 298, 343. Harrison, Rev. J. 13., 203. Hartleie, Mrs. 'Maria, 319. Harvy, Rev. W., .^41. Haslerigg, Sir Arthur, 349. Hattenberey, G., 205. Hawkes, John, 270. Hawkes, Thomas, 279. Hawkins, Thomas, 280. Hawkings, W., 369. Hayes, Rev. Thomas, 353. Henchman, William, 421. Henson, Thomas, 360, 430. Herbert, Richard and Margery, 245. Herbert, William, 195. Hervey, Rev. William, 441. Hesketh, John, 347. Hiccock, William, 214. Hichcock, John, 214. Hill, Edward, 394. Hill, W. L., 270. Hillaps, Richard, 435. Hillyard, Clarke, 345. Hillyard, William, 234. Hobson, Zachary, 435. Holman, George, 336. Holme, Rev. Thomas, 435. Honnor, John, 441. Houghton, Edward, 201. How, John, 441. How, Thomas, 361. Howes, P., 319. Hudson, William, 264. Hughes, Rev. Thomas, 363. Hulcote, John, 258. Hull, Bryan, 315. Hunt, John, 384. Hurry, J., 220. Hyne, Richard, 187. Inns, Samuel, 422. Ireland, Thomas, 299. Ireson, Charles, jun., 349. Ivens, Thomas, 264. Ivens, J., 264. Index of Names. 469 Jones, George, 321. Jones, Rev. John, 174. Jones, Pryce Jemson, 184. Jones. Rev. Pryce, 301. Jones, Rev. Thomas. 435. Jackman, Francis, 336. Jackson, Timothy, 311. Jakes, William, ig8. Jakman, William, 200. James, Rev. John, 363. James, John, 254. Jeffrey, Robert, 452. Johnson, A.. 223. Johnson, John, 359. Johnson, Ostin, 391. Judge, William, 336. Kemshead, William, 254. Keywood. William, 319. Kibbell, John, 187. Kibble, Thomas, 425. Kilsby, William, 286. King, John, 345. King, W.. 335. Kinge, William, 413. Kirby, Edward, 347. Knight, John, 215. Knighton, John, 399. Lacey, John, 345. Ladd, James, 353. Lambert, Gabriel, 221. Langham, Sir John, 231, 390. Langham, Thomas, 181. Launt, William, 296. Law, F., 319. Law, J., 415. Lawrence. French, 369. Lawrence, Thomas, 223. Lee, J., 280. Lee, John, 330. Leete, S., 423. Lenton, Henr}', 419. Lett, W., 200. Lewis, John, 355. Lightfoot, Rev. J. P., 452. Lilliman, Thomas, 391. Lines, W., 264. Lisle. Kdward, 453. Lissett, Rev. Richard, 355. Litchfield, William, 231. Lloyd, Rev. John, 360. Loddington, Rev. Joseph, 356. Loftes, John, 331. Lole, John, 239. Lord, Augustine, 44S. Loveling, Rev. John, 230, 276. Lucas, John, 286. Lynes. John, 221. Mabbet, Edward, 426, 427. Madan, Rev. S., 363. Male, L., 342. Malim. Rev. G. W., 312. Malim, Rev. W., 305. Malsbury, W.. 411. Maning, John, 201. Manning, John, 258, 295. Mansell, Robert, 418. Manton, J., 423. Marriat, Henry, 323. Marriott, William, 414. Marsh, Rt. Rev. Dr., 363. Marshall. J., 44S. Marshall, William, 345. Mason, John, 212. 236. Masters, William, 404. Mather, James, 311. Matthews, Richard, 343. Maunsell, W. T., 418. Maunsell, Robert, 418. Maynard, Charles, Viscount, 360. McDonall, Rev. W., 363. Meates, X. W., 342. Medbury, Rev. Thomas, 314. Middleton, Thomas, 305. Mieres, Ralph, 434. Miles, Stephen, 337. Millington, Mary, 390. Millmgton, Ann, 390. Milton, Viscount, 3G9. Mitchell, Nathaniel, 290. Montagu, Sir Edward, 303-4. Moreton, Thomas, 454. Morgan, Thomas. 305. Morgen, Francis, 236. Morris, Robert, 349. Mumford, Abraham, 441. Mumford, Jeremiah. 295. Neal, Matthew, 336. Nebon, John, 319. Negus, Henry, 384. Neve. T., 342. Newitt, N.. 200. Nicholas, T., 192. Nickolds, Samuel, 448. Northampton, Earl of, 453. Northen, C., 233. Norton, Thomas, 404. Notingham, P., 188. 470 Church Bells of Northamptonshire. Nussey, Rev. J., 355. Old, Richard, 451. Orland, J., 391. Ormes, Milles, 430. Osborn, Thomas, 342. Packwood, Robert, 289. Paine, John, 305. Paine, William, 323. Payne, George, 397. Page, J., 239. Paine, J., 213. Painter, \V., 4M. Palmer, Joseph, 355. Palmer, Sir Thomas, 215. Palmer, William, 355. Paris, William, 336. Parnell, Thomas, 286. Parris, Nicolas. 336. Paul, Rev. S. W., 270. Paul, Rev. G. W., 270. Pave, Seth, 175, i88. Payne, John, 213. Payne, J., 274. Peak, Edward, 454. Pebody, E., 197. Pell, William, 339. Pen, Thomas, 336. Pendred, John, 435. Pentelow, John, 426. Perkins, Thomas, 422. Person, G., 265. Pettever, John, 353. Philip, Bishop of Lincoln, 297. Philip. Jonathan, 433. Phillips, James, 272. Phillips, John, 272. Pickering, Edward, 211. Pierce, Rev. John, 231. Pindar, Sir Paul, 435. Plowman, William, 195. Pomfret, Earl of, 258. Pratt, S., 335. Pratt, Rev. J. S., 363, 369. Prestidge, T. K., 239. Price, R., 355. Price, Robert, 331. Price, Rev. Thomas, 280. Pywell, B., 352. Ragsdall, Thomas, 356. Ragsdell, Joseph, 355. Rawlings. Richard, 389. Reade, Sir Edward, 247. Rede, John, 231. Reynald, Rev. George, 427. Richards. C, 305. Ring, William, 415. Rippen, John, 344. Robinson, Henry, 236. Robinson, James, 419. Robinson, Sir John, 279. Robinson, John, 316. Robinson, Rev. John, 326. Rodell, William, 184. Rogers, Robert. 217. Rond, Robert, 229. Roper, John, 385. Rose, William Lucas, 442. Rowell, R., 191. Rowell, William, 282. Rowlat, Christopher, 228. Rowlings, Richard, 389. Russell, J. D. Watts, 355. Rynolds, Rev. Richard, 362. Salman, William 369. Salmon, J., 420. • Samwell, Sir Thomas, 274. Scaw'en. James, 253. Scotchit, J., 290, Scott, J., 448. Scott, John, 277. Scriven, John, 295. Scriven, Richard, 217. Scrivener, Richard, 385. Sculthorpe, Thomas, 233. Sharpe, Thomas, 272. Shaw, S., 206. Sheppard, John, 193. Sheppeard, Stephen, 369. Shortgrave, Rev. William, 293. Sibbley, John, 224. Simcow, Richard, 310. Simmons, John, 236. Simpson, William, 369. Sisson, John, 189. Slatter, John, 231. Smith, John, 254, 350, 427, 431. Smith, J., 214, 395. Smith, Rev. Lorain, 360. Smith, Peter, 270. Smith, Robert, 296, 426, 427. Smith, T., 309. Smith, Thomas, 395. Smyth, Henry, 320. Soden, George, 326. Spencer. Lord Robert, 446. Spong, Walter, 305. Index of Names. 471 Sprig, John. 433. Stafford. Rev. E.. 415. Stanley, Francis. 2S5. Stanton. Rev. William, 329. Stear, William, 213. Steevenson, T., 452. Stephens, John, 353. Stephens, William, 394, Slot, John, 180. Strong, Rev. William, 363, 369. Sunderland, Earl of, 207. Sutton, Bryan, 247. Sutton, Rev. J. L., 352. Tawyer, William, 384. Tembes, Peter, 267. Thacker, T.. 342. Thickness, The Ven. F. H., 200. Thornton, John, 343. Thornton, William, 214. Thorpe, Henrj-, 319. Tibets, John. 388. Tilton. Thomas, 454. Todd, William, 356. Tomlin, Richard, 435. Tompson, Nathan, 318. Tournay, Rev. W., 363. Turlan, John, 343. Turton, Rev. Thomas, 363. Turvey, William, 229. Tymms, Rev. George, 389. Upson, W., 239. ViccARS, Wilham, 206. Vincent, Richard. 270. Wade, Robert, 183. Waklin, Francis, 238. Walker, Joseph, 449. . Walpole, John, 299. Walton, William, 242. Ward, Ed., 349. Ward, W., 406. Warde, Thomas, 336. Warren, J., 353. Warren, John. 254. Watkin. Rev. Edward, 347. Watts, Rev. Thomas, 349. Watts, William, 411. Webster, E. and G., 277. Wells, John, 249, 420. Wheatley, R., 256. White. John, 407. Whitfeld, Rev. John, 211. Whiting, William, 293. Whitmey, Samuel, 452. Whitworth, Robert, sen., 254. Wight. J. W., 193. Wigson, Andrew, 239. Wildegose. Charles. 242. Wilkinson, Rev. Robert, 189. Wilkinson. Thomas, 268. Williams, Edward, 320. Williams, Rev. P., 309. Willis, Samuel, 236. Wills, Edward, 328. Wills, George, 196. Wilson, J., 417. Wine, Henry, 254. Wood, Edward, 395. Wood, Francis, 280. Wood, Thomas, 385. Woode, Richard, 330. Woodcock, T., 419. Woodhull, Michael, 415, W^oodruife, John, 389. Woodward. Edward, 220. Worlidge, Thomas, 435. Worlidge, William, 448. Worster, T., 210. Wotton, W., 450. Wright, Edmund, 266. Wright, Thomas, 198. Wye, John, 345. Wyrley, John, 251. Yelverton, Sir Henry, 257. Prmtt'd by Samuel Clarke, Leicester. ERRATA. P. 66, line 8, /or " Gretworth " read " Greatwcrth. P. 97. line -J, for " Paxton " read ■■ Paston.' BY THE SAME AUTHOR, Foolscap Quarto, 254 pages, with several Illustrations, price lOi. 6t/. ; or, on fine toned paper, cloth antique and red edges, £\. is. A CHRONICLE CHURCH OF S. MARTIN IN LEICESTER, During the Reigns of Henry VIII., Edward VI., Mary, and Elizabeth, with some account of its Minor Altars and Ancient Guilds, compiled from Original and Contemporaneous Documents. Some of the Opinions of the Press. " Mr. North has worked up this material into his history with great skill." — Athenaum. "These Guilds are of the highest antiquity, but their history has never yet received the attention from English antiquaries which it deserves. Mr. North's is'a valuable contribution towards such a History." — Notes and Queries. "Mr. North has taken great pains with the book, which is a good specimen of its class." — Guardian. " We earnestly recommend those interested in such matters to read the book for themselves." — Church and State Review. ' This beautifully printed volume ... is made up with pleasant discussions and with much information." — The Churchman. " Mr. North . . . has done really good sen'ice to Archscologj- by the publication of his present work, which is, without exception, the best of the kind we have seen." — The Reliquary. "We welcome and commend Mr. Norths Chronicle of the Church of S. Martin at Leicester." — Ecclesiastic. " Is a valuable addition to our local histories, and ecclesiological literature." — Church Review. "... carefully compiled and valuable work." — Church Times. " He has produced a book abounding in interesting memories of past times." — Leicester A dvertizer. " Is worthy a place in the library for perusal now and hereafter." — Leicester Chronicle. " Is a veritable store-house of information." — Worcester Herald. "A thoroughly furnished handbook for the ecclesiologist ; and precious to the con- servator of parish memories." — Leicester Journal. "It is of much more than parochial value. It illumines the broad story of our country." — Newcastle Daily Chronicle. ". . . . abounds in interesting and valuable ma.neT."— Northampton Mercury. 3 N Also in Foolscap Quarto, 309 pages, with about 100 Woodcuts, price 15s. [NOW OUT OF PRINT] THE CHURCH BELLS OF LEICESTERSHIRE, Their Inscriptions, Traditions, and Peculiar Uses, with Chapters on Church Bells and the Leicester Bellfounders. 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"Tradition and anecdote lend their interest to Mr. North's pages." — Ncwcastle-on-Tyne Daily Chronicle. . The author has diligently collected from all likely sources any particulars of interest with respect to the bells of every parish. — Grantham Journal. The work will prove in every respect an ornament and addition to any gentleman's library. — Leicester Chronicle. Men who are not antiquaries may well enjoy a perusal of his work. — Church Bells. Leicester : Samuel Clarke, 5, Gallowtree Gate. 3H UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY Los Angeles This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. *WK juiis 1992 "UK' im Form L9-100m-9,'52(A3105)444 C Ilnrt.h « 12 The church bd]£ f]1^Hl nr MnrVmnntoj^.^^^^^^^^^^ L 06' 6 3 3 6 8 1" 9 shire. CC 212 N81N81 •V ! S, \ ■':--*e^