V :idd:i^^m5Uz A,H.COCKS.M;|; CLIN 8? CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES ITHACA, N. Y. 14853 JOHN M. OLIN LIBRARY Cornell University Library CC 212.B9C66 The church bells of Buckinghamshire :the 3 1924 011 346 453 .„,„,„ Kl Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924011346453 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. THE IMPRESSION FOR SALE IS LIMITED TO EIGHTY COPIES IMPERIAL 4(0 REDUCED, AND THREE HUNDRED AND FIFTY SUPER ROYAL OCTAVO. No Super Royal %vo Edition. CO _J -I w CO 6 z < I H Z LU o z < o CD ul m i i- o I- THE CHURCH BELLS BUCKINGHAMSHIRE Their Inscriptions, Founders, Uses, and Traditions , &c. ALFRED HENEAGE COCKS, M.A., F.Z.S., F. R.G.S., (joint) hcJn. sec. bocks architectural and archaeological society. (At Wingrave.) LONDON: JARROLD & SONS, 10 & n, WARWICK LANE, E.C. {All Rights Reserved.'] "CELORVM CHRSTE PLATIAT TIBI REX SONVS ISTE." TO THE MEMORY OF MY MOTHER + JANUARY 12, 1894. "Sometimes with secure delight The upland hamlets will invite, When the merry bells ring round, And the jocund rebecks sound " — " Oft on a plat of rising ground, I hear the far-off curfeu sound Over some wide-water' d shore, Swinging slow with sullen roar." A South Bucks Poet. + 1674. ' Ye distant spires, ye antique towers " — ' The curfew tolls the knell of parting day. ' Another South Bucks Pott. + 1771. ' ' How soft the music of those village bells, Falling at intervals upon the ear In cadence sweet ! now dying all away." " Displaying in its varied side the grace Of hedgerow beauties numberless, square tower, Tall spire, from which the sound of cheerful bells Just undulates upon the listening ear." " I heard the bell toll'd on thy burial day." A North Bucks Poet. + 1800. CONTENTS. frontispiece ... ... ... ... to face Title ADDENDA ET CORRIGENDA ... ... ... ... jx. BtBLIOGRAPHY, INCLUDING LISTS OF BELLS IN BUCKS CHURCHES IN THE SIXTEENTH, SEVENTEENTH, AND EIGHTEENTH CENTURIES ... xiii. TABLE SHOWING THE LARGEST BELLS EXISTING IN BUCKS ... ... XX. INTRODUCTION ... ... ... ... ... xx j, SHORT GLOSSARY OF ARCHAIC TECHNICAL WORDS... ... ... xxxi. PART I. AN ACCOUNT OF THE VARIOUS CHURCH BELLS IN BUCKS, AND THEIR FOUNDERS, IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER PA RT II. LOCAL USES OF THE CHURCH BELLS IN BUCKS — AN ACCOUNT OF SUCH OLD CUSTOMS AS SURVIVE, OR ARE TRADITIONALLY KNOWN TO HAVE EXISTED ... DESCRIPTION OF TWO ANCIENT HAND-BELLS FOUND NEAR BUCKINGHAM, ETC. 28 1 LATIN INSCRIPTIONS ON, BELLS IN BUCKS, WITH TRANSLATIONS ... 287 271 PART III. DETAILED ACCOUNT OF THE INSCRIPTIONS ON THE BELLS EXISTING IN BUCKS CHURCHES IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER, WITH THE DIAMETER OF EACH BELL, NOTES ON THEIR USES, AND EXTRACTS FROM CHURCH- WARDENS' AND OTHER ACCOUNTS RELATING TO THEM ... ... 295 plates (i. — xxxiii.) ... ... ... ... to follow 662 INDEX ... ... ... ... ... ... 729 " PAROECIE CAMPANA ECCLESIE TVBA. ADDENDA & CORRIGENDA. Page 13, lines 17, 18. The initial cross on the Hexton bell is the lower cross on Plate I V. „ 16, line 6 from bottom. The second use of the stop formed from the tail of a Q, and represented by " 5," should be the reverse way up = " $.'' ,, 32, line 8. For " Plate XII." read "p. 40" ; and line 10, dele "two." „ 39, last line but one. For " third " read " tenor." „ 52, line 13 from bottom. For " Chalgrove " read " Chalgrave." „ 57, line 6. For " Stamford " read " Stanford." „ 66, foot-note, last two lines. The situation is '• completely mixed." The sentence should read, " The parish of Ross, Herefordshire, separates Bridstow (on the W.) from Weston-under-Penyard (on the E.)." „ 67, foot-note. The Dean of Winchester referred to, is the Ven. G. W. Kitchin. „ 85, line 9 from bottom. Dele " each repeated twice." „ 99, line 8 from bottom. For "Maltese cross " read " cross •pate'e.'' „ 100, line 3. For "thirty-three" read "thirty-four"; and line 9, for "and North Marston," read, " North Marston, and the bell in the clock-tower at Wendover" ; and line 14, for " 1763" read " 1762." „ 118, line 7. For "and 76" read "75, 76, etc." „ 127, line 16. After " treble " add " and fourth." „ 163, line 1. The fleur-de-lis is No. 7 (not No. 5). „ 165, line 10. For "figures . . . are" read "figure 5 . . . is." Pedigree, facing p. 211. Transfer connecting-lines from " Paule Audley " and from " Edward Gale," to their wives, " Susanna" and "Ann." Page 226. Between lines 19 and 20 insert, " 1669 : the saunce at Drayton Parslow, with merely the date." „ 227, line 5 from bottom. Mr. A. Clear has kindly supplied the following from the churchwardens' accounts of S. Peter's church, S. Albans, Herts, for 1678-9 : Paid to Anthony Chandler for Castig y° Great Bell ... 17 . 18 . 10 Paid to John Dixson forcarrying > e Great Bell to Draiton 3 . i» . o ,, 233, line 3. Between " 1700 : " and " The " insert " The third at Old Bradwell, like the North Marston bell of the previous year." ,, 260, line 26. For "Steeple Claydon has " read "Steeple Claydon and Twyford have each." X. ADDENDA & CORRIGENDA. Page 263. John Murphy's business in James Street, Dublin, is continued by his late foreman, Mr. Byrne. „ 271, foot-note. The author of The Burnynge ofPaules Church was Bishop Pilkington. „ 279, line 14. Oak-apple Day. The anachronism is corrected on p. 553, foot-note. „ 281. In June, 1895, another hand-bell of very similar make to the others, was found at Hedsor, about 6 ft. 8 in. below the present surface, in a Pile-dwelling of Romano-British date, which was partially explored by myself and other members of the Bucks Archaeological Society. This example measures only 2| in. in height, or, including the loop-handle, 3! in. The handle has a second, narrower ribbon of iron overlying the principal one. The clapper is a flat piece of iron without ball, and having the upper end turned over to form an eye, too small to hook over the crown-staple ; and as it was found loose inside the bell, it was evidently connected with the crown-staple by an intermediate link, or baldrick, of leather, or other perishable material. A report on the Pile-dwelling is published in the Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries, xvi. 7, which it is proposed to reproduce in the Records of Bucks. ,. 304, Aston Clinton. The Rev. T. J. Williams, Rector, has kindly informed me that, on 12th November, 1438, John Seynesbury, Rector of Ewelme, Oxon. (probably a commissary, or other official), complained to the Bishop that the Rector of Aston Clinton omits the " pulsation," or ringing of the bells, on the arrival of the Bishop. Browne Willis mentions that the tenor was inscribed " in modern carakters," Non sono animabus mortuorum sed viventium, and he supposed it to date about 1622. The weights of the existing bells (according to Messrs. Mears and Stainbank) are : Treble, 5 \ cwt., note Dj ; II., 6 cwt., C4 ; III , 7 cwt., B ; IV., 8 cwt., Afl ; V., 10 cwt., G$ ; Tenor, 13 cwt., F|. „ 307. It should have been noted that the weights given by Sheahan for the Aylesbury bells are, with the exception of the tenor, probably far too heavy. Compare with the weights just quoted. „ 377, line 17. For " 5 and 8 " read " 7 and 8." „ 405, line 7 from bottom. For "as Usual . . . 0—1 — o" read "as Usual . . . 1 — 1— o''. „ 422, line 3. For " treble stocks " read " treble straps". „ 426, Little Horwood. In the course of the " restoration" of the church, in 1889, a small bell, presumably the sacring bell, was discovered in a cavity in the chancel. Thanks to Mr. A. Clear (of Winslow), it was recovered from the finder, and is now in the care of the Vicar. In Bell News (Vol. XIV., No. 710, Nov. 16, 1895) it is stated that the bells were re-opened on Oct. 10, 1895, after being rehung in the old frame by Messrs. Webb and Bennett, of Kidlington, Oxon. The tenor, which was stated to have been cracked "about 60 years ago," was recast; and the saunce sold (for 30 shillings, Mr. Clear informed me !). The other four bells were turned, and the treble hung on the same level as the others. „ 436, line 20. For "broken, wheel," read "broken ; wheel,". ADDENDA & CORRIGENDA. xi. Page 437. The date on the 3rd bell at Kingsey is unintentionally printed unevenly. „ 438, Lane End. Messrs. Mears and Stainbank state the weights and notes of these bells to be : Treble, 3 cwt. 9 lbs., note G4 ; II., 3 cwt. 1 qr. 20 lbs., note Fi ; III., 4 cwt., note E ; IV., 4 cwt. I qr. 5 lbs., note D| ; V., 5 cwt. 3 lbs., note Cl ; Tenor, 6 cwt. 6 lbs., note B. I have to thank Mr. W. E. Yates (of Gt. Marlow Belfry) for copying this for me. ,, 442, line 11. The stop represented by "5" should be reversed the second time = "S". ,, 463. Heading, for " great marlow " read " maids' moreton." ,, 497, line 10 from bottom. Add " 1692 " after " June." „ 498, line 2. Insert " (Novemb r ) " before " 5." ,, 504, foot-note. Probably the Madam Wallop here mentioned, was Alicia, a daughter of William Borlase, Esq., M.P. for Marlow, 12 and 13 Car. II. She was the mother, not the wife, of first Lord Portsmouth. ,, 514, Marsh Gibbon. I have to thank the Rev. E. R. Massey, the present Rector, for the following additional particulars as to the local Uses of the Bells. The Pancake Bell is interpreted to say, " Turn 'em, Don't burn 'em." The curfew used only to be rung in the winter half-year, and the 4 a.m. bell was also rung. There is a tradition that a gentleman who had lost his way when Marsh field was unenclosed, was at last guided to the village by the sound of the church bell ; and that out of gratitude he left a sum of money in order that a bell might be rung at the times above mentioned. On the day of a funeral, a bell was formerly tolled, not only at 9 a.m., but also at noon, and again at 3 p.m., unless the funeral took place before that hour. There was formerly ringing on the Eves of Old Christmas and the New Year at midnight, and at 7 the next morning. Until lately it was the custom on November 5, for the ringers, after the ringing, to fire a gun over the rectory, after which they required a shilling from the rector. ,, 544, line 6 from bottom. For the cross <$• (on the 5th bell), read 4; ; i.e., a Calvary cross similar to the others. ,, 563. The date on the 4th bell is unintentionally printed unevenly. „ 581. To heading, add " — fenny stratford." ,, 596, line 9 from bottom, and page 597, line 3. In the inscriptions on the 4th, and Saunce, bells, the figures should be the same as used p. 618, on the saunce at Nether Winchendon. ,, 600. In the 3rd bell inscription, " JUENS " is unintentionally printed unevenly. ,, 620, line 2. After " Elizabeth," insert " who married the second Earl of Chesterfield,". ,, 634, foot-note. For "xvi " read "xix." „ 651. Heading. Dele " — HIGH wycombe ". And line 22, for " ix." read " xiii." >. 653, foot-note. Dele "before that year" in second line, and insert after "rate" in first line. FROM A PAINTING OK THE LEGEND OF S. CHRISTOPHER, ON THE NORTH WALL OF AMERSHAM CHURCH, DISCOVERED 1871. FROM A SKETCH BY THE LATE REV. BRYANT BURGESS. BIBLIOGRAPHY. In the Record Office ; Land Revenue Records, Church Goods, &c. Bundle 1392, File 9 ; dated ' xij mo die nteij 1555 ' : — The Declaracen of fy r ffraunncf Dawtrey Knyght concernynge the Leade and Bell£ w 1 in the late office of John Danyftre Recyuo r . of the Shyres and Covnties here vnderwrytten./ whoes wyff the fame fy r ffrauncf maryed who was Executrixe to her late husbond John Daneftre. Refers to certain religious houses in Berks, Bucks, and Oxon. The following are the Bucks houses: Lavenden, Snelfhall (v. Whaddon), Murfley, (in Ivinghoe, v. also Mursley), Ankerwyk (v. Wraysbury), Marloo (v. Little Marlow), and Mendenh a me. In the same Bundle as the last, File 10 : — Win the Office of Barke 5 John Carleton \ Buck & Receyvo r of— [OxfordJ •ij do Turfilde Iwyngho S Browgton S Bradnam S Edgecott S NetherWynch- Grete Lynford S Cheddyngton Brill S ffoscot indon S Greate Myssen- Chollysbury Chersley S Litle Hamp- den S Steplecleydon Estclaydon S den Olney S Crendon S Chylton S Hartwell Prynces Rysbor- Denton Coddington S Harryge owe Dochett S Daorton S Hedyssoere(i Sulberye S (Per- Haddenham S Drayton Bewchamp S of them haps 6 bells ; Hardwyke S Drayton paslow S gone) seep. 568.) Horton S Donygton S Hecham Westen Turwyld Horwood Ellisboroughe Hulswyck (v. Chepyng Wi- magna S Falley Monks' Sis- combe S Langley marez Fulmer dor on gh) [?Woo]born Mentmor [?Got]hurste S Parva Kym- Myssenden Grenboroughe S bell S parva S Grendon vnderwood S Lyllingstone Northemars- Haulton S Dorrell ton S Hamulden Preston S Paddbury S Hampden magna Shalston S Penne (? S) Hichynden S Water Strat- Pichlesthorne Hillsden S fford S S Hoggeston S Turwesstone Quaynton S Littill Horwood S Westbery S Mo n ken Res- Huccott Wrexham borowe Ilmere S Wyllyn Slapton (? S) Kymbell Magna Stukeley S Kyngseye Stoke Pogez The Lye Stow S Lynchelade S Swanborn S Lurgysall S Thornborow S Maydyssmurtone Twyfford S Marlowe magna S Tyngweek S Marshe S Uppon Masseworth Wadesdon S Medmenham Whaddon S Moryssley S Whytt Nettleden Churche S Okeley S Wyngraue SS Ovynge S Wynge S Pychecoote S Wynsloe Radenedge Weste Wi- Ratlyfe combe Shobyndon S Yver S Stok manfyld Thornton (?S) Over Wynchendon S Wolston parva Wutton underwood Wyrardysbury Yckeford S ? S 57/3 =I 7i+3 6s i3/S= 6 S+9S 41/4= 164+ 28s 22/2=44+93 2/1=2 .. 7/?+ is? 135 Rings, comprising 446 bells,//«j about 82 sanctus bells ; and 7 other churches mentioned, in which the number of bells is either not specified, or the list is torn ; among which 1 sanctus is mentioned. BIBLIOGRAPHY. XV. In the Record Office are Lists (Domestic of Charles I.) of the state of the Churches, made at the " Visitacon of Churches," " Coin Bucks," by order of Bishop J. Williams of Lincoln, during the summers of 1637 and 1638. The following shows the numbers of the Bells enumerated : — • 6 5 4 3 2 1 P Wicombe Agmonds- Beaconsfield Adstock S Akeley Bowbrickhill Buckland magna S ham S S Ashenden S Barton Harts chappell S DittonCbap- Wingiave Bletchley Bledloe S Aston Sandford home S Caversfeild pell S Brick hill Bowbrickhill Astwood ChitwootT'g S Edgcott magna S Broughton S Beachampton S wght. '* Fingest Grendon Burnham S Chalfont S« Boarstall S Colebrooke Fleet Marston Hedgley Byrton S Egidii S Boveney Chap- capella (formerly 4) HedglyBulf- Chalfont S« Cheddington pell Foxcot Hartwell S trodChap- Petri S Cheinies Bradnam Grove pva Hedsor pell Datchett Chichley S Brickhill parva S Hitcham Hogshaw Ilmer Denham S Claydon, BrillS Quarlington Wexham Linchlade Edgborough Steeple Claydon, Eaft S Saunderton Ludgarsall Hadden- Dinton S Claydon, Mid- Shallston Waddsdon ham S Dorney dle Turweston Westbury Hambleden Farnam Roiall Doreton S Walton S Hardwick S maimer S Drayghton Horton Kimbell mag- Beach S IverS na Drayton Pafs- Ivinghoe S Lougbton S loeS Langley Marsh S Elsborough Marish Mafworth S Fawley Marlow Mentmore S Hardmead magna S MiltonKey- Hilsdon S Miffenden nes S Hitchenden S magna S Mursley S Hogstone S Miffenden Newton long Horsingden parva S vile S Hulcott Northmars- Padbury S Kingsey S ton S Radnage Leckhamstead S Quainton P Slapton S Lillingston (dor- kifborow Stoke Poges rell p' Akelei. ) prin S Stowe cum Marlow parva Shenly S membris Mayds morton S Solbury S rhornborough Medmenham Stoke Man- S Moulshoe devil Upton Nettleden Swanborne W had don S Oakeley S S WingS Pen S Tingfwicke Wootton un- Picklesthorne S Twyford S derwood S Pitchcot S Wavenden Preston Wendover S Ratcliffe, "&"- Weston Stokehamond S Turvil Stratford, Whitchurcl Water, S S Taploe S Wicombe, Thornton West Turfeild S Wooborne Winchingdon Episcopor/ Upper, S 34/S = 170 Wyrarsbury 2/6=12+2!, + 22s 3t/4= 124+ 20i 44/3= T32 + 25s I2/2 = 24 + 2S 8/i = 8+3S 11/? 131 'Rings, comprising 470 bells, plus 74 sanctus bells; and n other churches mentioned, in which the number of bells is either not specified, or the list is torn. * 9 cwt shows there must then have been two " big bells," and perhaps a saunce also. XVI. BIBLIOGRAPHY. Browne Willis, of Whaddon, Bucks, born 1682, died 1760. Besides several important published works, he left MS. collections (chiefly for a History of the County) comprising 1 10 closely written volumes, which are preserved in the Bodleian Library, Oxford. They are quoted from, under nearly every parish, in the third part of the present work, and the following List is taken from Vol. xxiv. 2. The additions and alterations made to the original, down to 1 750, are here printed in italics, so that the increase in the number of bells in the 36 years is easily seen. The use of capitals is copied from the original, as are also the repetition of a few names, slight errors in some of the totals, etc : — Rings of Bells com. Bucks taken A" 17 14 from their supposed Bigg- ness according to the number of them in Peals. Chipping WY- COMBE 8 Denham 8 3 Blechley 8 Newport Pagnell 17508 Astonclinton 5 Ludgarshall 5 Bledlow 5 Langley 5 Hambledon 5 Wavendon 5 Penn 5 Chalfhonte S' Peters 5 Merse Gibbon 5 Great Missenden 6 Winge 6 2 Olney, OLNEY 6 1 AYLESBURY 6 40 Tingwick 5 WINSLOW 6 Twyford 5 STONYStratf d \ S'MaryMagda- lens Chappell j Whaddon 6 Whitchurch 6 Wingrave 6 Great Brickhill 6 Soulbury 6 Weston Under- wood 6 Beirton 6 14 Hillesden 6 Bucks 6 Chicheley now 6 Beaconsfd 6 1720 Padbury now 6 Marlow 6 Wobttrn now 6 Stowe s [5 Stoke Goldington Chedington 5 Stewkley 5 Swanburn 5 Padbury 5 now 6 Slapton 5 Stone 5 Horton 5 West Wycombe 5 Mursley 5 Wyrardisbury 5 Calverton 5 Clifton Reynes 5 Lavendon 5 Tyringham 5 Mulshoe 4 Uupton 4 Woughton 4 Dorney 4 Halton 4 Little Miffenden 4 Kimbell Magna 4 Fulmere 4 Radnage 4 Towersey 4 Simpson 4 Wotton Under wood 4 now 5 28 Bradwell 4 Thornton 3 Lekhampsted 3 58 Drayton Bechamp: 3 Grendon Under- wood 3 Ellisborough 3 Marlow parva 3 Beachampton 3 Adstock 3 Astwood 3 Linchelade 3 Chilton 3 Ickford 3 Ilmere 3 Pitchcot 3 Sanderton 3 Oving 3 Oakley 3 Cherseley 3 Ashenden 3 Dourton 3 Little Brickhill 3 Castlethrupp 3 Brayfeild 3 Wolston magna 3 Wolston parva 3 Nettleden capella 3 Boveney 3 Chesham Bois 3 Walton 2 Chetwood 2 Turweston 2 Hitcham 2 Hawridge 2 Cublington 2 Westbury 2 Shalstpn 2 Preston Biffet 2 Forscot 2 BIBLIOGRAPHY. XV11. Farnham 6 Amerskam 6 Woburne 5 Crendon 5 N.B. these are the big- gest Bells in 60 the county. Edgeborough 5 Bucks 5 now 6 IvinGHoe 5 Hanslapp 5 Waddesdon 5 Queinton 5 AMERSHAM 5 now 6 CHESHAM 5 Shenley 5 69 BEACONS- FEILD snow 6 Burnham 5 NewntonLongue- ville 5 Hadenham 5 Princes Risbo- rough 5 Great Harwood 5 Wendover 5 Monks Risbo- rough 5 Great Linford 5 20 Sherrington 5 Dinton 5 Newport Pagnell 5 now 8 Weston Turvill 5 North Crawley 5 Iver 5 Marlow Magna 5 now 6 Of . Bells , s , Massworth 5 of 1 Bell 17. Hardwick 5 Total number Northmarston 5 of Churches J w»i Bells zo6, BppsWoburne 5 wthout Bells 2. mw (, Total of Bells in the county of Bucks in Churches 795, not reckoned Saints Bells where there are 79 it. Stony Stratfd S l Giles Chappell in Calverton pish 5 Abbatis Aston 5 Litt. Harwood 5 Mentemore 5 Brill 5 Grandborough 5 Shabington 5 Lower Winch- 20 ington 5 Stoke Mande- ville 5 Cudendon 5 Datchet 5 Maidmorton 5 lately made Chicheley 4 now 6 Wolverton 4 Stoke poges 4 Milton Keynes 4 Emmerton 4 Thornborough 4 Broughton 4 Steple Claydon 4 Lathbury 4 Loughton 4 Chalfhonte S» Giles 4 Hugendon 4 Cheynes 4 Bow Brickhill 4 Farnham 4, 40 now 6 Est Claydon 3 Medmenham 3 Taplow 3 Upper Winching- ton 3 Radcliff 3 Addington 3 Edgecott 3 Hardmead 3 Haversham 3 Stokehammond 3 Newington Blos- somville 3 Drayton Passlow 3 Dunton 3 Pitston 3 Mid Claydon 3 Kingsey 3 Wormenhall 3 Buckland 3 Great Hampden 3 Hulcot 3 Fawley 3 Turfeild 3 Caversfeild 2 Barton 2 Akeley 2 L. Linford 2 1 5 Colebrooke cap- ella 2 F. Stratford 2 Fingherst 1 Hedsore 1 Wexham 1 L. Kimbell 1 Horsington 1 Hartwell 1 Fleetmarston r Chowlesbury 1 Grove 1 Stanton Barry I Bitlesden 1 S' Leonards 1 Tottenhoe capella 1 L. Hampden cap- ella 1 Lee capella 1 Latimers capella 1 Aston Sandford 3 17 Ditten capella 1 Maidsmorton At Eaton Colledge a very Large Bell, & 2 other small 3 no™ S in different Turritts. LillingSton Day- Hedgerley not known the ,1 number but not above 3. ** Borstallnu Bell in the church Watei'Stratford 3 a small one hangs in the great Pnthnrst "* House w h 'serves for yopish uses Ranston 3 Quarendon no Bells. Willen 3 Hogston 3 Total of 8 Bells 3 6 — i4 5 — 69 4 — 28 3 — 59 xviil. BIBLIOGRAPHY. Rev. William Cole, M.A. MSS. preserved in the Brit. Mus. They chiefly relate to Cambridgeshire, but there are numerous notes relating to Bucks, some of which are copies from B. Willis, and others original. Rector of Bletchley (to which he was presented by Browne Willis), 1753— 1768. Vicar of Burnham, 1774— 1782. Died 1782. Geo. Lipscomb, M.D. The History and Antiquities of the County of Buckingham. 4 vols., 4to, 1847. Numerous references to bells, chiefly copied from Browne Willis's MSS. ; the inscriptions are usually given inaccurately. Died in great poverty soon after 1842, before the whole of his History was published. It is now the fashion to abuse this County History, but, though it is admittedly imperfect, we undoubtedly owe a considerable debt of gratitude to the ill-fated Doctor. There are a few references to bells — generally mere copies from Lipscomb, in History and Topography of Buckinghamshire, by James Joseph Sheahan, 1862. Records of Buckinghamshire — the Transactions of the Architectural and Archaeological Society of the County, published annually since 1854, contain numerous allusions to bells, chiefly in papers describing one par- ticular parish, and these (or most of them) are referred to in place ; but the following papers relating only to bells have appeared :— Church Bells, by the Rev. R. E. Batty, M.A. This is merely a general gossiping paper on Bells, and adds little or nothing to the History of those in the County. Vol. I. Bell Foundries in the County of Buckingham, by T. A. Turner (now the Rev.). A valuable contribution to County History. Vol. IV. The Bells of the Parish Churches in the Hundred of Desborough, by A. H. Cocks. Vol. V. Various Topographical, etc., Histories mention the bells of one particular parish, and generally come to more or less grief over them ; as they are referred to in place, I need not enumerate them here, but will limit myself to mentioning two exceptionally meritorious works : The BIBLIOGRAPHY. XIX. Architectural History of the University of Cambridge, and of the Colleges of Cambridge and Eton, by the late R. Willis, M.A., F.R.S., edited with addi- tions by J. W. Clark, M.A., 4 vols., Cambridge, 1886; and, Genealogical Memoirs of the Family of Chester of Chicheley, 2 vols., 4T.0, by R. E. Chester Waters, London, 1878. Sundry Newspaper Articles, in most of which, however, the statements are second or third hand, and unreliable. Last, but not least, the numerous Histories of the Church Bells of various Counties, which need not be here enumerated seriatim, by Messrs. Tyssen, Ellacombe, Stahlschmidt, North, Lynam, etc. ; and a paper on the History of the Peal of Bells belonging to King's College, Cambridge, by J. W. Clark, Esq., M.A., published in the Communications of the Cambridge Antiquarian Society, Vol. IV., 1881. xx. largest bells in the county. Table showing the largest Bells in the County. S5» Place. Diameter of Tenor. Next. Founder of Tenor. Next. fc^ v 6H 6 Wing 5Si .47} Warner, 1863 Taylor, 1842 29J 341 5 6 Gt. Missenden 54 49* J. Mears, 1840 E. Knight, 1623 28 34^ 6 8 Buckingham 53* 48? Chapm n & Me 8 , 1782 Chapm n &Me s , 1782 27* 3al 9 6 8 Olney Denham Sai 47i tuned 4 6f H. Bagley, 1682 Warner, 1875 Russell, 1733 J. Bartlett, 1683 26 a5i 35 30i 4 14 io H. Wycombe Si* 44 T. Mears, 1802 Phelps, 1711 23* 29J 16 8 Newport Pag. 5°J 45^ T. Mears, 1819 T. Mears, 1816 23* 3°i 11 8 Aylesbury 5° 45* C. & G. Mears, 1850 Pack & Chap», 1773 22* 3°* 11 S Hanslope 5° 43 Briant, 18 14 R. Atton, 1626 22J 36 3 8 Beaconsfield tuned from — Mears & St k , 1884 Mears & St k , 1884 21* 3°* 11 6 Amersham S °i 49t 4S R. Catlin, 1745 Pack & Chap", 1776 ail 34} 7 6 Winslow 49} 43f Pack & Chapman, R. Keene, 1668 20| 3 2 } 10 at Eton Coll, 49 435 1777 T. Swain, 1777 E. Knight, 1637 20| (43i) 1 8 Haddenham 4 8f 4>i Briant, 1809 Briant, 1809 20 3°i 14 8 Long Crendon 48 43i Lester and P k , 1768 Lester and P k , 1768 »9t 29I 16 5 5 Shenley Quainton 47* 47i 44 43 Hille (or predecessor) 15th cent. T. Lester, 1745 B. Atton, 1610 H Knight, 1621 aojll '9 36I 34 2 8 The tenor at Chesham (T. Mears) is 475 inches in diameter ; those at Langley (R. Phelps) and Wooburn (Lester and Pack) are each 47 inches ; Iver (R. Catlin) 46! inches ; Gt. Horwood (C. and G. Mears) 46! inches ; etc., etc. Of the above 27 bells of not less than 46^ inches diameter, 15 come from the Whitechapel Foundry; 3 are by Swain and Catlin (of London, successors to the Knights of Reading) ; 2 are by Briant (of Hertford) ; and 2 by Warner (of London). The remaining 5 are respectively by Hille, or his predecessor (London) ; Knight (Reading) ; Bagley (Chacomb, etc.) ; Russell (Wootton, Beds) ; and Taylor (Oxford, etc.). * Messrs. Mears and Stainbank's Catalogue, 1891 edition. The weights are given in even cwts., the odd quarters being omitted. f These bells are two singles, and do not form a ring. t Its predecessor is said to have weighed 40 cwt. II Fide Lipscomb. INTRODUCTION. One cannot critically interview the church bells of an entire county (besides many elsewhere) without having a few ideas impressed upon him. Of these, probably the most valuable is an insight into some of the most obvious reasons why bells crack.* Without going so far as to say that such a thing never happens from causes beyond human foresight and control, — yet of this I am sure, that it is rarely that a bell cracks without its being directly attributable to sheer neglect on the part of those to whose charge it, as Church property, is committed. And though the care and use of the bells be delegated to the steeple-keeper or sexton, and ringers ; the responsibility of seeing that they understand their duty towards the bells, and perform it, rests with the incumbent of the parish, and in a lesser degree, with the churchwardens. If all incumbents — (it is not often a layman gets a chance of ser- monising the clergy, so it is only fair that any non-ringing clerical reader so far, should read patiently to the end of my homily !) — if, therefore, all incumbents would remember the intrinsic value of the bells in their towers — a valuable item in the Church's temporalities, to say nothing of the anti- quarian interest attaching to many of them — and would remember that bell hangings are machines, even if not quite so complicated as a steam-engine, and that all machines want a little attention ; — the lamentable and dis- graceful state of many of the belfries in— no doubt — every county, would cease ; and we bell-hunters would no longer get the almost stereotyped, semi-apologetic statement, on making our request for the key, " I'm afraid you will find a great mess up there, but, to tell you the truth, I have never been up to them." I would most respectfully, but strongly, urge every * This was written before the Central Council of Ringers came into existence, and therefore, before the formation of its committee to report on matters connected with church bell-hanging, etc. xxi'i. INTRODUCTION. incumbent to go and see for himself: if he find the rungs of the ladder out, or the very baulks rotten, or the steps of the newel stairs so abraded by the tread of centuries as to be almost non-existent, surely he will not rest content until these defects are made good ; not by a wholesale and expensive sweeping away of all that is old, but by the careful renewal of a stone step here, or a few rungs there, and then, when at length he can get up without risking his life or limbs, let him go and pay the poor neglected bells a visit* In many cases — I had almost written most cases — he will fancy himself no longer in the Church, but in a farm-yard, or possibly on one of the guano islands off the coast of Peru. It is no exaggeration to say, that the bell-chamber frequently contains cartloads of sticks, straws, and other rubbish brought in by birds for their nests. The avi-fauna com- prises Jackdaws, Starlings, House Sparrows, and sometimes a pair of Barn Owls,-f and occasionally domestic Pigeons ; the invertebrates, which are easily overlooked at the moment, will demonstrate their presence during the night ensuing by keeping the explorer awake : these are lice and fleas, parasitic on the starlings ; while very likely everything, — bells, stocks, frame, etc., will be as white from the deposit of guano, as if they had been whitewashed.! I can hardly imagine that any incumbent who has once penetrated to the bell-chamber, will long neglect the fixing of some small-meshed wire- netting over the windows, and follow that up by ousting the accumulation of animal and vegetable rubbish. In at least one tower in the county mineral rubbish, in the shape of quantities of stones, may be added to the list, and I had not been many minutes among the bells there, before I found myself exposed, through the large, unprotected windows, to a vigorous cannonade of good-sized " rocks." Not owing to any hostility on the part of the natives, but from a habit of the boys, on leaving school, who find * If a tower is not safe for the parson to ascend, it is equally unsafe for the ringers, and that they have no special charm to ward off accidents, and that their limbs are not made of india-rubber, I can personally testify from painful experience. As bells ought to be constantly visited, it is no excuse to acknowledge that the means of ascent are dangerous, and on that account to stop all visits to the bell- chamber. t Kestrels are so fond of such shelter as to be known in German as the "Tower Falcon." Though I have not recognised their marks in any tower in the county, it is possible that some of the debris I ascribed to Owls were really referable to these pretty little hawks. % Most change-ringers, who usually confine their visits to towers where they know the bells are ringable, would hardly credit the state of many bell lofts. I can only assure them that the above is by no means too strongly put. INTRODUCTION. xxiii. these open windows a capital target ; the speaking of the bells, each time a stone crashes in among them, adding great zest to the amusement. Another idea one gains by these explorations, is some notion of the age of the cages in which the bells hang, and of the fittings by which they are therein suspended. To take this point first : the oldest form of " straps," i.e., the iron braces by which the bell is suspended to the stock, are flat plates, with holes punched in them, and nailed on to the stock. Those for the single canons were at first V-shaped, the canon resting in the angle. Some of these are undoubtedly very old (three, and perhaps four centuries and more), but one can only judge for oneself by the workman- ship and general appearance, taking into consideration too, the form and fashion of the stock, as to the age of any given example. It sometimes happens, moreover, that a local carpenter, employed to rehang bells, uses the old nailed straps on a new stock, or the blacksmith is employed to make new straps from the old as pattern. Later on, the V-shape was modified into a J-shape, i.e., a single plate ending in a hook for the canon. The straps for the paired side-canons have always apparently ended below in an eye or slot, through which, and the canons, a dog is passed horizon- tally. Speaking generally, nailed straps were superseded about the first half of the seventeenth century, by round-iron rods ending in a slot at the upper end, while the lower was hooked, or slotted, as before. These slotted upper ends pass through an iron " plate " resting horizontally across the top of the stock, and " keys," or thin pieces of doubled iron are inserted in the slots, and keep the straps in position. Besides the two or more pairs of straps on the outside of the stock, there is another pair (except in some of the smallest bells) connected with the " argent-hole," and passing to it through the stock. I do not know how these were originally fastened at the top, but perhaps they were always " keyed." At any rate it is not unusual to find such a mixture at the present time. Both these old methods have the very serious objection that when the bell becomes loose on the stock.as from shrinkage of the wood.and gradual stretch- ing of the iron — it infallibly will — there is no ready means of tightening it again ; and this brings us to one of the ordinary reasons why a bell cracks at the shoulder. When a bell is rung, its " way " is checked more or less gradually, at the end of each revolution, by the ringer down below ; but if a bell is at all loose on its stock, all the ringer can do is to check the wheel and stock ; the bell continues to revolve a short distance further, indepen- dently, and is brought up at last, suddenly, by the straps ; receiving a violent xxiv. INTRODUCTION. wrench. It is only necessary to continue these violent wrenches long enough, and the bell is sure either to crack across the crown, or to lose its canons. Of course, like the proverbial pitcher going to the well, a bell that is not given fair play, may last " ninety-nine times," but break it must some day. To remedy this — somewhere I think about the middle of the last century — a (screw) thread and nut were substituted for the slot and key at the upper end, and now it is the duty of every steeple-keeper, or whoever acts in that capacity (usually the sexton), where bells are so hung, to keep them screwed up as they slacken ; and how lamentably few of these officials ever do so! Not — let me do them the justice of saying — from any intention of neglecting their duty, but because such a thing never entered their thoughtless heads ! The other common cause of a bell cracking at the shoulder, is the making of the stay too strong. Every ringer knows that a novice* is apt to " bump the stay," which, if only a slight piece of wood, breaks on receiving at all a hard rap. The result is startling to the astonished tyro, but no further damage is done, and the broken stay is replaced for a shilling or two. But many a " local carpenter," thinking to be very clever, and avoid all chance of such unpleasant surprises, puts on a stay of appalling strength (for extreme examples, see Little Horwood, Nether Winchendon, etc.). It is quite common to find both stays and sliders made of wrought iron. A beginner, at such a place, may bump the stay as hard and as often as he pleases, and it will not break. What then does happen ? Why, after a little of this violence, something must go, and this, if not the stay, must be the bell. Either the canons are broken off by the shock, or the bell splits across the crown (for examples see Westbury, Hardmead, Newton Blossomville, etc.). However, a bell whose canons are broken off, may have holes bored through the crown, and be so bolted to the stock ; and hang thus mutilatedf * It must be remembered that while this risk is slight where novices are taught under proper supervision, there are still many towers where there is no ringing, except for some special event (such as a wedding), and many a bell has been broken at such "scratch'' performance. t It has become the fashion, I am sorry to say, at the present day, to break off the canons of a bell, with a view to making it ring more easily ; and hanging it by boring its crown. This barbarity has unhappily spread to this county while this book has been passing through the press. I can only enter my humble protest against the practice, and beg those in authority not to suffer themselves to be persuaded by either bell-hangers, or ringers ; charm they never so sweetly ! (There are also now in the county a couple of ugly-looking recent specimens, cast without canons.) INTRODUCTION. xxv. for centuries. Also a split crown does not necessarily imply a cracked tone, and the bell may continue good for years, especially if an iron band be shrunk round the shoulder in time (see Gt. Marlow). But we now come to damage at the lower end of a bell, and here the least accident is immediately fatal. Given the slightest crack through the sound-bow, and the tone is gone. Here, of course, the clapper is the chief offender. Even a perfectly well-regulated clapper, doing its duty in a perfectly legitimate manner, must, in course of time, always striking the same spot, wear a bell out. To avoid this, every bell, after about a couple of centuries' use (the time, of course, depends on the amount of use), requires " quarter-turning." Some bellfounders will fit a bell (not of their own make) with a clapper far too heavy for it, with an obvious eventual result. Occasionally church- wardens will buy a second-hand clapper, which is not the right length for the bell for which it is intended : — result equally obvious (example, see Ivinghoe). Then, again, the best of clappers will break a bell, if used for "clocking," "clogging," or "clappering," as it is variously called. This very common practice has been proved to be most pernicious, and should under no circumstances ever be permitted* (Example, Soulbury, etc.). There is another destructive instrument at work in the majority of towers, in the shape of the clock-hammers which strike the bells. At the best of times they are nasty things, for they strike the bell at right angles to the direction of its swing, and such dead blows must be unwholesome. The hammers are raised by the- action of the clock, and then being released, fall on the bells by their own weight, and are (theoretically) kept off them when at rest by a spring. The springs, however, gradually get weak, and fail to raise the hammer clear of the bell, so that after every blow the hammer remains resting on the bell, and by checking the vibrations, tends to crack it. Some clock-makers, if left to work their own sweet will, and thinking merely to produce a good effect, without considering the consequences, put a hammer heavy enough for a ton bell, on an unfortunate little one of 5 cwt, or less. This also must, of course, end fatally sooner or later. Well-meaning, but ill-judged "quarter-turning" may lead "out of the frying-pan into the fire," and bring about the very result it was intended to stave off. For instance, a bell at North Crawley was worn very thin, by the action of the clapper, in the course of over two and a. half centuries , it * See oh page 83 what the excellent Reading bell-founder, Joseph Carter, in his capacity of churchwarden, said about this practice, three hundred years ago. xxvi. INTRODUCTION. therefore was quarter-turned, the fact being ignored that a clock-hammer had been for years striking severe blows on a spot on the exterior surface of the sound-bow, midway between the clapper scars. The inner side of . this weak spot was now exposed to the blows of the clapper. The proper .course in this case would have been to employ a qualified bell-hanger, who would have turned the bell the eighth, instead of the quarter of a circle (too difficult a job for the "local carpenter" to attempt), and thereby secured a fresh surface, both for the clapper and the hammer to strike on. However, this bungle did not prove fatal to the bell, for it was soon afterwards : destroyed by a still more expeditious process, as mentioned half a dozen lines further on. The remaining ordinary causes for a bell splitting are all due to checking the vibration. A bell (which is not rung, but only chimed) is sometimes allowed to drop so much, and so unevenly, from the stock, through the slackening of the straps, that its lip on one side binds against the cage, or even the wall (examples, Granborough, Hedgerley, etc.). Effect — gradual, but none the less certain. Many a bell has been broken by a foul blow : as the unlucky bell already mentioned at North Crawley, where, its clapper being broken, one of the ringers mounted to the bell-chamber, and struck the bell with the broken clapper held in his hand. Effect — instantaneous. Or, again, as at Stoke Hamond, where a boy struck a bell with its .. clapper held by hand, and then kept the clapper pressed against the sound-bow, thereby putting a sudden termination to the existence of an interesting pre-reformation bell. At Swanbourne, no less than three bells . are said to have been cracked by " hammering." It is not an uncommon accident for a clapper to break during ringing ; and I have been told of two instances in this county, within the. last few years, where the severed portion, in flying out, has jammed between the lip of the revolving bell and its cage, with the result of breaking the bell. This is a catastrophe which cannot always be foreseen ; but, of course, clappers should be examined now and again, and in the event of a flaw being discovered, . ringing should not be again permitted until the defect is made good. Ringing should under no circumstances be permitted in any tower where the frame is at all shaky. This is by no means a supererogatory caution. ^ j I do not suppose that I have enumerated all the ways in which a bell ...may be split, but if all the above be avoided, it would be a decided step in the right direction. INTRODUCTION. XXV11. The question of the origin of bells, and of the date of their adoption by the Christian Church, has been often treated of, and I have no fresh information to add ; but there is an interesting question connected with church bells and bell-hanging, which seems to have met with very slight attention hitherto ; namely, at what period did real ringing begin ? That is, the swinging of a bell above the frame, so as to perform about a whole revolution at each " blow," or each time the rope is pulled. Real ringing is, curiously enough, confined to the British Isles, and her various English-speaking offshoots (Canada and U. S. America, Australasia, etc.). In Norway (and I believe Germany, and probably some other countries of Europe) bells are swung up by treading (with the foot) on a piece of board nailed across the stock at right angles, and the bell when " up " is prevented from turning over, — not as with us, by checking the rope, and holding the bell on the balance, or allowing the stay and slider to come gently into contact, — but by a deal board, sufficiently thin to be yielding and elastic, fixed edgeways across the frame, at such a height above it, that the lip of the bell strikes it on alternate sides at each revolution, which effectually stops it from revolving any further. At some places in Spain [e.g., at Seville Cathedral) the ringer stands close below the bell with a long rope attached to the stock by (I think) a lever. He pulls away until the bell, unchecked by rope or stay, swings over, and gathering momentum as it turns, con- tinues to revolve round and round until nearly all the rope is wound round the stock, leaving only the bare end in the ringer's hands. He then catches the rope across the bell so as to check its way, and start it swinging in the reverse direction. The rope is speedily uncoiled, and as speedily winds itself up the other way, and so on. In Russia, so far as I have seen, and a friend who has visited other parts of that country corroborates me, bells are invariably merely clappered. Examination of frames and hangings throv^s little light on the question of the date of the commencement of ringing, a^nd we have to turn to what we can glean from parochial accounts. There is, I take it, no doubt that the primitive arrangement for making a church bell speak, was a lever fixed more or less horizontally, at right angles to the stock, to which the rope was attached. This is still a common arrangement among turret and sanctus bells. As bells increased in weight, the half-wheel was invented ; how long ago I do not know, but it was certainly, I think, in use in the fourteenth century. The eventual development of the half-wheel into the whole-wheel would be a natural one, and the entry in a churchwarden's account of expenditure on a new wheel, or repairs to an old one, does not XXV11I. INTRODUCTION. show whether it was anything more than a half-wheel (only suitable for chiming).* The fourteenth century founders' mark (fig. i), which has been supposed to represent a wheel, certainly, if intended for one at all, represents a whole-wheel. It does not occur in Bucks. " Taking one consideration with another,"-}- however, it seems reasonable to believe that ringing, at first doubtless only of a single bell, and then eventually of the whole ring in " rounds," was known by the fifteenth century, and quite possibly earlier. iiif ' . i »;iTf? Fig. i. The earliest entry that I have met with which unquestionably mentions real ringingj (though only of a single bell), is the following entry in the churchwardens' accounts of S. Lawrence, Reading, dated 1515-16 : — Ordinaco. Hit is coven e ntyd &•» agreyd by the assent &* consent of all the pysshe that what pson wyll haue the greate bell of the gyfte of Harry Kelsall to be rong at the knyll or any other tment or obyte, all such psons to pay for the same bell so ryngyng at eny tyme xij d to the churchwardens for the vse of the same church And to eny pson that will haue hym tylled to paye iiijd to the seid wardens. And that the said bell be rong or tylled for no pson but he pay as ys above exposed. Pvyded allwey that the said bell to be rong or tylled at all tymes for the obite or mynde of the said Harry Kelsall (to be kepte) And also at the obite or mynde to be kepte * Nevertheless, ringing undoubtedly entails a greater wear and tear on wheels, and brasses also, than chiming; and repeated entries of payments for renewals of these two items, help to show the existence of ringing in the parish at the date when they occur. t As Gilbert and Sullivan say. I As the sounding of every kind of bell is called "ringing," the mere entry of a pay- ment, at an early date, for "ringing" the church bells on the occasion of a royal visit, or other occasion, by no means proves real ringing. It is far more likely to imply that each bell was swung and made to speak quite regardless or the others, producing the most irregular and discordant clashes, as is still customary in most — or all — the countries of the continent of Europe. INTRODUCTION. xxix. for M r Thoms Justice Vicar of the pissh church of saynt Lawrence wtout paying eny money therfor but to have the said bell rong 6° tylled for the seid ij psons at all tymes free. " Tyllyng" (tolling) may be either "chiming," or the slovenly substitute, " clappering." The hammer, by which tolling is now done in many towers, is a more recent innovation. I must add a few sentences — more or less personal. My interest in everything connected with bells was aroused as long ago as 1861, but nothing came of it until twenty-two years later, when, in the spring of 1883, I became one of the ringers of this parish (Gt. Marlow). Shortly afterwards, in company with Mr. (now the Rev.) V. Awdry, I made the round of all the towers in this Hundred of Buckinghamshire, and published the result in a short paper, in The Records of Bucks for 1885. This paper fell into the hands of the late Mr. J. C. L. Stahlschmidt, who immediately opened a correspondence with me, and urged me on to write the campanological history of the whole county. Without at once committing myself to so great an undertaking, I went on visiting towers and collecting materials, thinking I might at least publish another " Hundred " or two ; but event- ually, relying on the experience and help and advice so kindly and unstintedly given by him whom I very soon learnt to value as a friend, my work developed into the present volume. Poor Stahlschmidt's health, however, broke down, and, after a lingering illness, he died June 26th, 1889, leaving me, not only in common with many others, to lament the loss of a friend, but also to finish up my task — undertaken entirely at his persuasion — as best I could without him. Let this therefore be my apology for all shortcomings (and I make no doubt they are legion) — namely, that the book would never have been undertaken by me, if I had not reckoned on his help to see it through the press. I must also express my apologies for the long delay in the publication of this work, for which, however, I am only in some measure responsible. I can only assure my long- suffering subscribers that none of them can regret it half so much as I do myself. There only now remains the pleasant task of thanking the very many persons who have assisted me in various ways. The majority are connected with some one parish, and are gratefully named under the head of that parish in the last portion of the work ; but I must here specially record my obligations, first to the late J. C. L. Stahlschmidt, as already said ; and to his sister, Miss Stahlschmidt, for the loan of sundry of her late brother's blocks, inserted in the text ; to Mr. A. D. Tyssen, author of Church Bells XXX. INTRODUCTION. of Sussex, for the loan of numerous blocks, and for access to note-books on bells in various other counties, which, to save constant repetition in quoting from repeatedly, I have not acknowledged on each occasion in the text, and for much general information ; to the Rev. T. A. Turner (who had contemplated publishing in the distant future, the campanological history of this county), for the loan of the four blocks on p. 221, and for valuable information concerning Caversfield and Woughton, etc. ; to the Rt. Rev. the Lord Bishop of Reading — Archdeacon— formerly of Bucks, and now of Oxford ; to the Rev. Canon Raven, D.D., F.S.A., author of Church Bells of Cambridgeshire, and of Suffolk, etc. ; to the Rev. V. Awdry ; the Rev. T. H. and Mrs. Gregory ; the Rev. T. E. Jameson ; the Rev. F. S. Sclater ; and among the many clergy of the county who have crossed the bourne since this book was begun, must here gratefully be named, the Revs. Bryant Burgess, E. K. Clay, and though last, not least, T. A. F. Maitland, a friend from undergraduate times, who proved himself a real friend in need, when I first penetrated to the centre of this county. My original intention, until a nearer claim arose, was to dedicate this book to the memory of Charles Scrafton Holthouse, M.A., for thirty-six years Vicar of Helidon, Northamptonshire, + January 23rd, 1881, who, thirty-six years ago, aroused in me an interest in Campanology ; and to that of John Charles Lett Stahlschmidt, already mentioned. A FEW TECHNICAL WORDS FOUND IN CONNECTION WITH CHURCH-BELL HANGINGS, CHIEFLY ARCHAIC, AND SOME OBSOLETE. (All the ordinary technicalities, connected with gear and ringing, are omitted.) ARGENT, the central boss on the head of a bell, round and against which the canons are grouped. BALDRICK, a belt or girdle. Clappers were formerly made (as they still are on the continent) with a rectangular loop at the top. They were linked through this to the crown-staple of the bell by a broad strap of hide (frequently mentioned in churchwardens' accounts as white leather), called a baldrick. By degrees, during the seventeenth century,* iron was substituted for leather, and these iron baldricks are still quite common. By 1720, but probably not much before that date, the Whitechapel Foundry, at any rate, began to make the head of the clapper solid ; and the link-shaped baldrick was altered to a copse, which fits outside the flatted head of the clapper, the two being united by bolts passing through them. This- copse is still known, at least to bellfounders, as the badrick. For more than a century all clappers were made on this pattern, but of recent years other dodges have been introduced, which it is unnecessary to describe here, or to express an opinion on. BOLSTER, a collar or washer. The earliest form of strap was nailed on to the stock. Probably early in the seventeeth .century, a strap was invented having a slot at its upper end. The lower end is connected to the canons (see p. xxiii., and also Dog below),- while the slotted end passes through an iron plate resting horizontally across the top of the * Even as early as 1612, see p. 627. xxxii. SHORT GLOSSARY. stock (which receives a corresponding strap on the opposite side). A "key," or thin piece of (sometimes doubled) iron is inserted in the slot, which prevents the strap drawing, and the key is itself rendered im- movable by having its ends spread or bent. In cases where the length of the strap, up to the slot, allows the bell a certain amount of play on the stock, one or more bolsters are inserted between the plate and the key. BUSK-BOARD, or SPLINT. When bells began to be rung, instead of being merely chimed, it would naturally be found that the clapper, with the above-mentioned leather strap link, or even the iron substitute, had too much play ; therefore busk-boards, or splints of wood, were fixed round the upper part of the clapper, so as to stiffen the baldrick, and ex- tended upwards, and generally inwards as well, so as to meet inside the crown-staple. COOM, the dirty oil or grease that oozes from the bearings. Believed to be a specific for shingles, and other complaints. COTTERIL, modern form, Cotter, appears to be used in two distinct senses ; properly it = a key, or small iron wedge for securing a bolt, as just mentioned, but it seems also to be used as = a bolster as above. DOGGE (Wing, 1578; S. Michael, Oxford, 1588). A Dog, or Gib, is a short iron with turned-down ends, which is passed through the slots in the lower ends of a pair of straps, and also through a pair of the side canons between the straps. The turned-down ends of the dogs prevent them slipping out. FERRULES (? Wing, 1548 ; Clifton Reynes, 1684). An iron cylinder, used when a bolt is a good deal too long, taking the place of several bolsters {quod vide). FORE LOCKES "for the Bell wheeles" (Gt. Marlow, 1617). Forelocks {lb., 1634). Perhaps identical with Shearbands (quod vide). FORE LOOPES {lb., 1622). Probably identical with the last. GARTER-HOLE, the hole in the sole of a bell-wheel, through which the rope passes. SHORT GLOSSARY. xxxiii. GYMOLS " to stayes for the belles " (S. Mary, Reading, 1637). Halliwell gives gimmal, as ' a sort of double ring curiously constructed.' The word, variously spelt, occurs several times previously in the same accounts, as a fitting " for seats/' and once " for a seat dore," and Messrs. Garry explain it as from Lat. gemellus, a twin, = a double hinge. Query, does it here mean a double-hinged slider, like a parallel ruler; such as those still existing at Bledlow? JERGER (S. Giles, Reading, 1570). Probably a hammer (jerker), for the clock " chyme." Key, a small iron wedge, to pass through the slot of a bolt, to secure it (see under bolster). PATRON (of the clapper) (S. Lawrence, Reading, 15 14-15). A patron is first, one zvho supports, later, the head. So that which supports the clapper may be the crown-staple, or perhaps the baldrick. Or the head of an old-fashioned clapper would be the loop at its upper end (see under baldrick). An even simpler explanation is that it was a pattern for making a new clapper by. SHEARBANDS, that hold the wheels (S. Michael, Oxford, 1588), perhaps the clamp formerly employed for fixing the wheel to the stock ; or possibly the stays of the wheel ? or, the fillet-strap ? SHERBORNE (S. Mary, Oxford, 1 597) seems to be the same word. SHOOT, To — properly to shut. To join ; so to weld iron ; to join bell-ropes, i.e., to splice them. Also to shoot a horse in, or out, of a trap, is to put a horse to, or to put him up. SKYRT, To— a bell (S. Gregory, Oxford, 1584), to fit it with a Stock. To skirt is to border, or run along the edge (transitive). Can a bell's canons be considered as its edge or border ? STIRRUP. Halliwell quotes from Florio, p. 68, as an explanation of stir- rups, " Rings or iron bands that binde the shankes of the wheele, which we call the stirrops of a wheele." (The shanks are the spokes.) Perhaps a stirrup is a clamp on the transom, which was the old method of fastening the two halves of a bell-wheel together. XXXIV. SHORT GLOSSARY. Trayce (S. Lawrence, Reading, 1502-3). A wheel-stay seems the most likely conjecture ? TRENDYLL (S. Lawrence, Reading 1502-3), perhaps = trendle, which means anything turned round ; and probably signifies the roller, or ground- truck. TRUSS, To — to pack up, hence, to make ready : of a bell, to hang it, or to tighten it on its stock ; perhaps identical in meaning with to Skyrt above. ;n>30i© x. TH E jT^uijc^ j&eUe? of ^uc^ing^am^^ii^e. BUCKINGHAMSHIRE in its widest extent contains two hundred and twenty-four parish churches, and five parishes which are so only in name, but contain at the present time either no church at all, or merely a ruin in which no service is held, and no bell still hangs. There are also twenty-six chapels of ease, of which the greater number were built within the last forty years, while some few are ancient. This is a greater number of parishes than is included in the Arch- deaconry, but the omission of any whose history belonged to this county, even though not now included in its boundaries, would have lessened the completeness of the account. Two parishes — Stoke Mandeville and Lee — have modern parish churches erected near the ancient buildings : as the latter are no longer used for service I have not included them in the above numbers. Other ancient churches — Stantonbury and Upton — are here treated as parish churches, and the modern upstarts — New Bradwell and Slough — as chapels of ease to those parishes. Eton College Chapel appears as a chapel of ease to the modern parish church of that place. These two hundred and fifty churches contain I ring of 10 bells = 10 bells. 13 rings » 8 )> = 104 „ 47 .. » 6 )) = 282 „ 45 » >j 5 i» = 225 „ ■ 14 » )> 4 51 = 56 „ Carried forward, 120 = 6yj THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Brought forward 120 rings ... ... = 677 bells. 57 „ of 3 bells = 171 „ 12 j, „ 2 ,, 24 „ 61 single „ = 61 „ Saunce and clock bells} „_ in the above towers J Total, 250 rings, ... comprising 1,022 bells. Of this number only ninety-six, or a little more than ten and a half per cent, are certainly " ancients," or of an older date than 1601. But among the forty bells with no inscription whatever, I have only reckoned one among the "ancients," and it is possible that a few of the others ought to be included, though the large majority of them are probably of the seventeenth or eighteenth century. If we assign a century, to the best of our abilities, to each undated bell, we get approximately : — 6 of the 13th century (five of these, however, may be within 13 I) 14th )) the first decade of the fourteenth 35 >J 15th )> century). 42 J> 1 6th )» 330 j) 17th » 271 » 1 8th J) 325 5) 19th )J 1,022 ' There is some uncertainty in a few cases — odd as it seems to the lay mind — as to whether a place is a parish or not. Also it is quite possible that I may have overlooked the existence of some modern chapel of ease • or on the other hand, may have included some building which is not con- secrated ; so I am not prepared to guarantee the absolute accuracy of the above figures. The errors, however (if any), do not affect the purposes of this book more than — at most — the reckoning of one or two nineteenth century bells too many or too few. THIRTEENTH CENTURY BELLS. 3 The oldest bells with which we have to deal, are two of the " Early- English" period of architecture. They were both at Caversfield, which place, since 1845, has been annexed to Oxfordshire; but it had been part of Bucks from the time of the Doomsday survey at any rate, and Lipscomb, whose History was published in 1847, includes it in Bucks, without comment. There was also in that tower another bell, dating from the middle of the " Decorated " period, which is described in due course. This almost unique ring existed until within the last twenty years ; but then, alas, alas, that fatal infatuation — which has been so disastrous from the days of Aladdin downwards — the craving to get " new lamps for old," seized the authorities ; and within a couple of years, two of these exceedingly inter- esting early examples were exchanged for brand-new ones. It may be alleged, for all I know to the contrary, that they were cracked ; if so it was not unlikely to be the result of ill usage, and in any case they ought not to have been broken up, but either retained in the tower as relics, or sent to some museum, where they would have been more appreciated than they were by their natural custodians — the vicar and churchwardens. For the sole record of these two destroyed bells we are indebted to the Rev. T. A. Turner, who visited the tower while they were still in existence, and has most kindly lent me casts of the inscriptions on both, together with a rubbing of the oldest. This seems to have been the saunce ; and the inscription, which was round the sound-bow, was reversed ; having been scratched by hand on the cope, not stamped ; as here printed it is much more legible than the original (as are also the letters as drawn on Plate I., the upper set) : — • inbq?3-TNva303i-AWAq q?ITH??l3-HO?V-6»-AJJiaiS-TAQHAQ-QVH The words Hug(h), GARGAT, SlBILLA, and FECERUNT, are quite plain : for the complete inscription I suggest the following reading* : — HUG[H] GARGAT[E] SIBILLAQ[UE] UXOR EJUS H|>EC] TIMPPANA ( = TYMPANA) FECERUNT ECPONI ( = EXPONI) If I am right in reading H^EC TYMPANA (= these bells), the bell * Mr. St. John Hope, Secretary of the Society of Antiquaries, who kindly examined the casts, etc., agreed as to its probable correctness. 4 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. next to be mentioned would doubtless be the other one referred to; otherwise I should consider it (judging solely by the improved execution of the inscription) as slightly the later of the two. It shall be described before the evidence as to the approximate date of the first-named is given. This other bell still remains, and is a most curious specimen ; with a very round shoulder, extremely long waist, and nearly the same size all the way down from shoulder to lip. Instead of the greatest thickness being at the sound-bow, and tapering thence to an edge at the lip, the thickness continues to increase, until it ends abruptly in a flat lip, two inches thick. Diameter at lip, 20§ inches ; height, without canons, 2o£ inches. The canons are about 7 inches high (s£ inches visible under the stock). As will be seen by a reference to Plate II., the lettering on this bell is very similar to that on the last (though this is more a question of period than of the individuality of the founder), but is bolder, and runs the right way forwards. This inscription is extremely legible, and has an initial cross, which the last named seems to have lacked : — + INHONORe.De|.ST3ANTI-LAVReNCII I can offer no suggestion as to the founder, or founders, of these two bells, and have not seen another bell like the survivor, in England ; but there is one somewhat similar (unfortunately without any inscription or stamp which might be a guide to its date) in Norway, at'Ranem Church, in Namdalen, Nordre Throndhjem's Amt, which is one of the few stone Romanesque churches in that country. As to the date of the Caversfield bells, it may, I think, be asserted with tolerable confidence, that the last mentioned bell, if not actually con- temporary with the first mentioned, can hardly be so much as ten years its junior : and as to the first mentioned, it seems that at the beginning of the reign of Henry II., the then owner of certain estates among which the manor of Caversfield was included, entered a religious house ; whether actuated by conscientious motives, or whether, having been rather a con- spicuous adherent of Stephen, he had reason to feel that the world had now become too hot for him, we need not here stop to enquire. It is with what followed thereon that we are concerned. The king seized his estates, and gave this manor to Roger Gargate. How long he enjoyed its possession I have failed to ascertain, but in 10 Hen. II. (1164), he granted the church here to the abbey of Missenden, to take effect after the death of Guy, the THIRTEENTH CENTURY BELLS. 5 then rector.* This seems not to have taken place until 1225 ! in which year the Abbot and Convent of Missenden presented to the living for the first time. Willis.-f giving no date, states that Hugh Gargate confirmed his father's donation, while Hugh's wife, Sibill de Caversfield, of White- minster, swore that she would not interfere. Hugh seems to have been in possession by 1207 (9 John), because in the Fine Rolls for that year, under PLEG' Fulcon fit War de fine RoB Le Vavasur q suscep 1 manu redde dno R-. p pMco RoB. comes Hug Garget x. m. He was probably living in 12 16 (18 John), because in the Close Rolls for that year is : — Rex Vic Norhamt 1c. P 9 cipims t> qd pace hre facias Hugon Gargait s vienti dilci 1 fidet nri Willi Briwe de Blidesworth" de RoBto Russett 1 Witto Grandin s vientib3 nris q> ei insidiant r 1 ipm cape minant* ne p eos dapnum Icurrat vl g a vame. T. 1c. He was dead by about 1219, as Kennett,{ after quoting a deed|| in which his two daughters — Isabel (already a widow) and Muriel (wife of William de Ros) are mentioned, goes on to mention " Sybil de Kaversfeld, widow of Hugh de Gargat" (ego Sybilla de Kaversfeld quondam uxor Hugonis Gargat in pura viduitate). One is inclined to infer that there was either no son, or that he was at this time still a minor, and that therefore the "serviens dilectus" of 1216 was the original Hugh Gargate; but a namesake appears in the Close Rolls for 1256 (40 Hen. III.), who was doubtless a descendant. I have found other references to the family, but no others that assist our present purpose. We may fairly conclude that this bell was cast within the first nineteen years of the thirteenth century, and that the survivor, if not contemporary, e Browne Willis, Hist. Buck. Hund., p. 165, "Ex Regist. Missenden!' I have referred to this " Liber Cartarii Monafterii Beate Marie de Miffendene," written with great pains "p fratrem Robertu de Welwes." Brother Robert gives ten deeds concerning " Kauereffeld," but unluckily omits everything of the nature of a date ; so that I am not aware what authority Willis had for the above date. He writes Robert as the name of Hugh's father. f Op. cit., quoting from the same. X Parochial Antiquities, 1st edi't., 1695, p. 189. || " Ex orig. penes Hon. D. Guil. Clynne Baronettum.'' 6 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. at any rate dates from within the first quarter of that century. The other destroyed bell will be described later on. Next in age come five bells by a London MICHAEL DE founder, of whose work, curiously enough, not one WYMBIS. example is known in any other county. They are alike inscribed : — (See Plate III.) Two of them are at Bradenham, two at Old Bradwell, and one at Lee. A reference to the first of these parishes, under Part III., will show that the bells seem to have come there about the middle of the sixteenth century, as if brought from some religious house at its dissolution ; and it is therefore obviously useless to try and find some theory to connect these three parishes, in explanation of the same founder appearing at these three, and nowhere else. The only differences between the inscriptions are that the Lee bell has a triple stop between the words ; the two at Old Bradwell seem to have been moulded in a transition period between the triple and double stops ; the third dot being distinguishable in a sort of half-hearted manner in places ; and the two at Bradenham have double stops. Further, the Lee and Bradwell bells spell Wymbis with UU ; those at Bradenham with VV. Mr. J. C. L. Stahlschmidt has found* among the rolls of the Hustings Court at the Guildhall, in the City of London, a deed under date 1297, made between " Michael le Poter ciuis London," and " Ade de Wirlee & Margte vxi ej s filiee mee." As this deed is given at length in " Surrey Bells," in its original Latin, I give here an English rendering of it-f- : — ADAM DE 1 On Monday the morrow of the festival of the Holy Trinity in the year of WIRLEE I the reign of King Edward the twenty-fifth. In pleas of lands. In the presence of master John then mayor of the city of London ; of Thomas de Suffolk ; of Adam de Fuleham then Sheriff [of London] ; of Richard * Bells of Surrey, p. 5 et seq., where the Bradenham bells are mentioned. f I am indebted to my friend, Mr. A. E. Packe, B.C.L., for assistance with the law-terms, etc. ; and to Mr. Walter Rye, for subsequent correction of the text, and its translation. THIRTEENTH CENTURY BELLS. 7 Asshwy ; of William de Bettoine ; of John le Blount ; of Thomas Romayn ; of William le Mazener ; of Henry le Boule ; of Walter de Fynchingfeld ; and of Solomon le Botelir, Aldermen, there was read a deed in these words — Let all present and future know that I , Michael le Poter citizen of London have given and granted and by this my present deed have con- firmed to Adam de Wirlee and to Margaret his wife my daughter six marks* a year free from incumbrances, f to be received and taken at the four quarter days principal and usual in London, that is to say at each quarter day twenty shillings from all that tenement with all its appurtin- ences which I have in the parish of All Saints de Fanchurche, London, between the tenement of Peter le Lu towards the west, and the tenement of Hamo Box towards the east, and the King's Highway towards the south, and the tenement of the Prior of Warwick towards the north, which said tenement was formerly Adam de Auverne's, to have and to hold the before said six marks of annual rent free from incumbrances, and in the before said manner to be received by the before said Adam and Margaret his wife and the heirs of the same Adam and Margaret lawfully begotten in good faith freely quietly and in peace in fee and inheritance for ever paying thereout annually to the parish chaplain for the time being of the abovesaid church, five shillings at the four appointed quarter days, that is to say at each quarter fifteen pence to celebrate sixty masses of the Holy Spirit each year on Fridays or on Mondays, And to me, my heirs or assigns one Red Rose at the feast of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist for all other services, customs, exactions, lay demands, and things omitted, and I the before said Michael, my heirs and assigns will warrant and defend in consideration of the afore-said service, the afore-said six marks of annual rent free from incumbrances to the afore-said Adam and Margaret and to the heirs of the same Adam and Margaret lawfully begotten, against all men and women for ever — but for this gift, concession, warrant, defence, acquittance, and present confirmation of my charter the before-said Adam and Margaret have given me a certain sum of money by hand by way of fine, concerning which I declare that I am well content and satisfied, and that all the premises may obtain the strength of perpetual confirmation, I have ratified the present charter by the imposition of my seal. These being witnesses master John le Breton then mayor of the city of London, John de Dunstable and Adam de Hallingbury then Sheriffs}: of the City : the above-said Adam de Rokeslee then Alderman of that Ward : Walter de Canterbury: Peter le Wolf: Walter le Fuller: John Buhs:|| William May : Paul le Poter : Nicholas de Hedelee and many others. * A mark = 13s. 4d. f Lit : freely and quietly given. I They were Sheriffs, as Mr. Rye informs me, in 26 Edw. I. One of the Sheriffs in the previous year, when this deed is dated, was mentioned above. || Mr. Rye informs me that this name occurs as Buhze in the Liber Custamarum. 8 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. The identity of this Michael with Michael de Wymbish, is proved by another deed enrolled in 1310, being a conveyance from " Adam de Wyrle and Margaret his wife, daughter of Michael de Wymbish, late potter." This also shows that Michael was dead by this latter date. From the latter part of the thirteenth century, when bellfounders of London begin to be recognisable, until late in the fourteenth century, they almost invariably styled themselves " Potter," or by the Latin equivalent, " Ollarius " ; and Mr. Stahlschmidt recognises them as founders as much by the locality in which they resided, as by anything else. For during the period in con- sideration, the bell-founding trade was almost certainly confined to one locality, namely — the extreme east of the city, Aldgate and Portsoken Wards. In addition to Michael, Mr. Stahlschmidt has succeeded in finding records at Guildhall of three other individuals of the name of Wymbish,* of whom two at any rate were bellfounders ; namely, Richard, first men- tioned in 1303, and subsequently in 1307, 1313, and in 1315. His wife's name was Hilditha. Six of his bells are known ; of which two are in neighbouring counties — (Goring) Oxon, and (Slapton) Northamptonshire. From the inscription on the former of these, it is inferred that Richard was casting from about 1290. The other bells by him are in Suffolk, Kent, and, until recently, two in Sussex ; but one of these is now destroyed. Ralph de Wymbish, potter, appears in 1308, but as no bells by him are known, it is uncertain whether he was a founder. Walter Wimbis, by whom there is one bell in Sussex, having dropped the\"de" from his name, was probably somewhat later.-f The fact of Richard's name appearing in 1303, may possibly show that Michael was already dead at that date. The next founder in point of date, of whose work we have an example in the county, is Peter de Weston, of London. At Tattenhoe there is * Besides Sir Richard de Wymbissh, Prior of the Convent of the Church of the Holy Trinity, in London, and Alderman of the Ward of Bishopsgate without Alegate, 13 16 to 1331 (Cal. Ancient Deeds, Record Office). f Nicholas Wymbyss, or Wymbysch, was instituted Rector of Hanslope (Bucks), 25th March, 1419, on the presentation of the Earl of Warwick (Lipscomb, IV., 176) ; and on 20th June, 1434, he was presented to the Rectory of Olney, by Richard, Earl of Warwick and Albemarle ; he ceded this in 1455, and died 1460, Canon of York and Archdeacon of Notts {Ibid., p. 306). A Robert Wymbush died Rector of Fingest, in 1471 {Ibid. Ill 566). FOURTEENTH CENTURY BELLS. 9 PETER DE a small bell inscribed in unusually small Lombardic WESTON capitals (Plate VIII., the upper set) : — + peTi\YS:DeYesipon:Jiie e e c 1 rp Peter de Weston's name first occurs in 1328* and again under date 1330, in the will enrolled that year of a kinsman of his, named Henry in the Lane, whose property was situated " in pochijs be Marie atte Nax & sci Augustini paphai London."f Peter was therein constituted trustee, and guardian to Henry's son William, then under age. Mr. Stahlschmidt finds Peter mentioned in 1336, as apparently a citizen of good position ; and in the list of the members returned to the first Common Council elected by the Wards, in the year 1347, his name stands at the head of the list for Portsoken Ward. He died between August and October, 1347; his will being dated in the former month, and enrolled in the latter, j From it we learn that he described himself as a citizen and " Ollarius " (Potter) ; that his wife's name was Matilda ; that he willed to be buried in the church of S. Botolph without Aldgate ; that he was possessed of a tenement bought of the widow of " Richard de Essex," and that he had a tenant named William Schep. William Schep was a bellfounder, and it is matter of regret that the only known bell by him (in Norfolk) has been recently melted. The lettering on it was identical with one of the sets used by Richard de Wymbish ; and it is not unlikely that Richard de Essex (just mentioned) and Richard de Wymbish were identical. Peter's son, Thomas, apparently succeeded to his father's business, but both he and his mother, Matilda, died in 1349 — the year of the awful " Black Death." Mr. Stahlschmidt informed me that the single bell at Longfield, Kent, inscribed : — + weireBmYs:neYGD:me:Eeciii is in the same lettering as the Tattenhoe bell. Revel was a London founder in 1356. At Fairstead, Essex, is a bell bearing Peter de Weston's name in a larger lettering ; and at Gt. Waltham, a parish which adjoins Fairstead, * Bells of Kent, p. 15. t Surrey Bells, p. 15. % Given at length, ibid., p. 17. C 10 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. is a bell with similar lettering, but without initials. This larger lettering likewise passed subsequently into the hands of William Revel. There are four bells (Isle of Wight one, Kent one, Sussex two,) with inscriptions in Lombardic capitals, but distinct from those above mentioned, bearing the initials, P. W., which may be also the work of Peter de Weston. There are other bells in Sussex and the Isle of Wight with this latter lettering, bearing the initial R. Peter de Weston was connected, as shown by his will, with more than one founder whose name began with that letter. But as we cannot identify any of them with any bells in this county, they need not here be mentioned. The will of Peter de Weston's widow, Matilda, is dated 1348. Peter appears to have married her when the widow of Robert de Raughton, a " founder and worker of pots '' [i.e., a brass-founder, not necessarily a bell- founder), and by him she had one son, William de Raughton, likewise a founder, and a daughter, Alice. William's will,* in 1357, mentions the William Revel before alluded to ; and one of the witnesses, Roger de Kyrkeby, potter, was also one of the witnesses of Peter de Weston's will. William Revel, besides owning at least two of Peter de Weston's alphabets, succeeded Schep in the possession of one of Richard de Wymbish's^sets. Three bells in the. county, viz., the seconds at Little JOHN Missenden, Ravenstone, and Stoke Hammond respec- ROFFORD. tively, are inscribed precisely alike, except that the first has a larger I (Plate IV., upper alphabet) : — Mr. Stahlschmidt believed that they may be assigned to John Rofford, a London bellfounder at the middle of the fourteenth century. I am in- debted to the former for the following document, which he found at the Record Office, showing the appointment of the latter as Royal bellfounder in 1367 : — Patent Roll 41 Edw. III. part 1. memb. 13. & opaf capiend R univ 9 sis 1 singulis vicecomitibs maiorib 5 Ballivis ministris 1 aliis fidelib5 suis ad quos tc sattm. Sciatis qd afsignavim 9 dilcm nofc Jofcem de Rughford Belleyete? ad tot opar de mistera sua quot p opacoib 3 firis faciend necefsar fu 9 int ubicuq, eos inveniri contif it sive infa lifctates sive exta feodo ecctie dutaxat excepto ad opus nfm capiend 1 eos in opacofbs nris ad vadia fira ponend in * Surrey Bells y p. 22. FOURTEENTH CENTURY BELLS. II eisde moratur put eis iniunget r ex pte nra I ad capiend 1 arestand oifies illos quos sibi in pWssis faciend contra? invefiit seu rebelles T: eos prisonis firis mancipand in eisdem moratur quoso^ de eojs. deliriacoe alit dux'im 9 ordinand Et ideo vob" mandam? qd eidem Join in pWssis faciend t exequend intendentes sitis consulentes 1 auxiliantes quociens t quando idem Jories voB vel alicui vfm scire feSit ex pte nra In cui 9 tc T. R apud WestiS xx die Jufi. p Cons 1367 Bells of this make may be almost described as common, even at the present day. The Royal Heads* (figs. 2 and 3) which appear so frequently on bells in so many of the counties whose campanological history has already been written, were originally the property of the founder of these bells. Of published counties, Bedfordshire has three examples by him ; Cambridgeshire, four ; Hertfordshire, two ; Leicester, one ; Northampton- shire, four ; while Magdalen College School, Wainfleet, Lincolnshire, is said-|- to have an example, but if so, it must have come there second hand, as the school was founded 1484. J The Minster, Christchurch, Hants, has two examples, with two hex- ameter lines on each ; as such long inscriptions are unusual on bells of that century, and as the county has not been published, I give them here : — 5. -f. SIT : BOBIS : OfBSB : TOY26YBS : CYJB : SIT : TIBI : nomen [fig. 2 ] yibjfys ; CAmpAne ; baciat ; bos : YIYSI^e : SABS 6. -(- JBOX : AYGYSTIBYS : HEC : BYJB : B,GSOBAT : P^GCO : OlAGBYS [fig. 2 J ASSIS : EGSTIYYS : BGSTeS : BIYS : YT : BYG6T : AGBYS * There are at least two distinct stamps of a King's head, and two of a Queen's. One pair, of rude execution, are supposed to represent Edward I. and his Queen Eleanor (Bells of Gloucestershire, p. 1 1). The other pair, well executed, are supposed to represent King Edward III. and his Queen Philippa. The first pair do not appear in Bucks, and one would have to get up the point by inspecting as many examples of the occurrence of both as possible, before pronouncing a decided opinion ; but considering the early date of the first Edward (ob. 1307), and that no founder would have been likely to execute a stamp representing a monarch long past and gone, in preference to the living one, it seems far more probable that both (or all) the stamps represent Edward III. and Philippa. One finds duplicates or copies of any given stamp so frequent, as to be almost the rule. There are, however, three heads figured in Bells of Devon, which are obviously different. f Bells of Northamptonshire. \ Kent has none, either by him, or by his successor, next to be mentioned. 12 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Fig. 2, Fig 3- Mr. Stahlschmidt* has found a Philip de Ufford, a •' potter," 1 294-1 316 ; he is mentioned as a benefactor to the Fraternity and Guild of S. Peter upon Cornhill, and his Will.f dated 1321, is given in a MS. volume relating to that Guild, in the possession of Sir G. W. Dasent.J William Burford,|| a London bellfounder, in his will, dated and proved, 1390, bequeaths ;£ioo for masses for the souls of himself, of his parents, of his first wife, of " Jofris Rufford," and of all the faithful departed. So that John was dead by that date. There was a William Rufford, also a bellfounder, who WILLIAM W as probably John's son. By him, in all probability, is RUFFORD. trie tenor at Hardmead, inscribed : — "V0G6& □ I©%J£HHe$ The cross and lettering are shown on Plate IV., lower alphabet; the stop is fig. 2. With regard to this cross, Mr. North and Dr. Raven figure two varieties {Bells of Leicestershire, figs. 24 and 25 ; and Cambridgeshire, figs. 7 and 8) ; but if these two figures are compared with the drawing on Plate IV., which is from a fairly distinct cast, the latter will be found to be intermediate in character between the two, and I venture to think that there is in reality only one stamp. I have assigned the Hardmead tenor to William Rufford, on account of * Bells of Surrey, p. 35. t Published in the 6th Report, Historical MSS. Commission, pp. 407, etc. \ The name is there spelt Philip de Rafford. || Mentioned again later on. FOURTEENTH CENTURY BELLS. 1 3 the initial cross and king's head, but the letters, though very similar, are distinct from the set figured in Plate X., Surrey, as belonging to him.* Some of this {Surrey) set of lettering, with a different initial cross (Plate V.) occur on the second at Beachampton, inscribed : — *k #©$" ; f^eGs : £jgjGGT0:a"Vfi2 ; $zy&Q£rp.$ \ -&?$■ The letters C, M, R, are different to those in Plate X., Surrey ; and instead of the D there figured, the Surrey C, which is in reality an inverted D, fulfils here its proper function. A bell with the same initial cross, and the same inscription, with the addition of the word ©JIZjRSjg" after j^Gj^g, is recorded by Mr. North at Radston in Northamptonshire, barely twelve miles distant from Beachampton ; but the lettering is not described. Mr. Stahlschmidt, to whom I applied for an opinion as to these two Bucks bells, thought the Hardmead bell may safely be referred to Rufforde. The lettering is found on a bell at Hexton, Hertfordshire, inscribed (with the same initial cross) : — * JI "V S : jB. JZ % I J£ The Beachampton bell, with its somewhat " mixed " lettering, he pro- nounced " clearly a Midland Counties' bell." It is known that the Ruffordes' stamps found their way to Leicester and Nottingham, and it is possible that they were already in one of these two towns by the date this bell and that at Radston, Northamptonshire, were cast — probably during the second half of the fourteenth century. Moreover, it is not positively established that William Rufforde was a Londoner. Among the fines for Bucks, Trin., 1 Edvv. III. (1327), is one In? Jofanem de Offord de Neuport Paygnel que?, & Rofctum Wemicfr & Agn uxem eius deforc de vno mefuagio cum ptin in Tykeford. The odds are, perhaps, a hundred to one against this being the bell- founder in his younger days, but I mention it in case some other evidence should turn up in the future, in conjunction with which it might give a clue. The former treble at Caversfield, for a cast of the inscription on which I * A bell in the Surrey lettering, at Westmill, Herts, bears his name. 14 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. have to thank the Rev. T. A. Turner, was, without much doubt, a fourteenth century bell, and as surely, I think, a Londoner : — + Oin + I\OI^OI^G + BGAei + DAYI\GriCII The pretty little cross and letters are shown on Plate I., the lower set. I cannot find that they have been previously figured. The coin, which is quite unrecognizable in the cast, was, from its size, a silver penny ; being about xtj of an inch in diameter. The founder is responsible for the spelling I^OI^O^e, not his copyists. Early Bells, Probably of Local Manufacture, Round Buckingham. There are within a radius of eleven miles from Buckingham, no less than nine bells, all apparently dating from the fourteenth century, by unknown founders* besides the now destroyed treble at Caversfield, already mentioned ; and none such in any other part of the county. Most of them are within four or five miles of Buckingham ; one (not including Caversfield, which has no connection with the group) is about eight, and only one so much as eleven miles distant. Two of these bells are in border parishes of Northamptonshire and Oxfordshire respectively, and as this latter county has not yet been completely investigated, there is still a possibility of the group receiving additions. Though all these bells are obviously not by the same founder, it is most probable that they are all of more or less local manufacture, and improb- able that any of them are of London make. One, namely, the single bell at Foscot, is blank, so that, although I have no doubt that it belongs to the fourteenth century, there is nothing more to be said about it here. Five have the same initial cross ; and on three of these the lettering is identical : possibly the oldest is the treble at Little Linford : — + j^ if & m M- ^ % j^ <& ~m Jf£ m x m.jp j& m ~m m. * The founder of one of the other fourteenth century bells in the county — namely, the second at Beachampton — as just mentioned, is uncertain. That place is about six miles from Buckingham. The tenor at Radston, Northamptonshire, is similarly inscribed ; the treble in that tower is one of the above nine. SUPPOSED LOCAL FOURTEENTH CENTURY BELLS. 1 5 The letters are spaced out equi-distantly, with no increase of space between the words, and no stop. The cross and letters are the upper set on Plate VI. The treble at Barton Hartshorn (four miles from Buckingham), has :— and the tenor at Newton Purcell, in Oxfordshire, but barely a mile from the last, has the same inscription as the Little Linford bell, but arranged thus : — The stop and shield are figured with the letters. The shield is chevron/e, with the peculiarity that the chevrons are inverted. I write subject to correction, but so far as I have been able to make out, this invertion is merely an heraldic blunder. Messrs. Papworth and Morant's Dictionary of Coats of Arms, 1874), gives the following families having five chevrons as their coat, which is, I take it, equivalent to chevrone'e. I omit the tinctures, to which the bell stamp affords, of course, no clue : Hougham (London) ; Sutton, Denew, Avering or Evering (Kent) ; Abrincis or Averinges (Folkestone) ; and Strongbow, Earl of Clare. As Richard, Earl of Clare, great nephew of Strongbow (conjointly with William Marshall, Earl of Pembroke, grandson of Strongbow), succeeded to the Giffard property, c. 1 189, becoming Earl of Buckingham, this shield may be intended for the arms of that family, though the connection is not at all obvious, as the family appears to have terminated in the female line early in the thirteenth century, a hundred years, or more, before the supposed date of these bells.* The initial cross appears again on the treble at Thornton (four miles from Buckingham) ; but with distinct lettering (Plate VII.) :— The inscription furnishes a clue by which the approximate date of this bell may be inferred: "P^0 GhYJl" (evidently the donor), perhaps refers to a rector of the parish — Elias de Tingewick — who was presented to the living by Roesia de Chastillon, in 1315. His successor was appointed in 1347.T * Quite possibly, of course, it was simply a trade device of the founder's, f Browne Willis {Hist. Buck. Hund., p. 300) also supposes him to be the donor, and says he died in 1343. 16 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. This initial cross also occurs on the treble at Radston, Northamptonshire. Mr. North does not figure the lettering, but the character of the inscription being somewhat similar to that on the Thornton bell, it is not unlikely that they were the work of the same founder : — + FI^ i Wlfi i Iift.Y%G,HM i Emj&fl. ' WjEPftOJl I DGceiTgl At Chetwode the only large bell is inscribed in very similar lettering to the Thornton bell, but of a smaller size, and in an hexameter of similar character (Plate VIII., the lower set) : — ►J* J»e : OBI : £P6 : WW® : I : C&e&W0De : tyvVem : PGR,]imjlW& Browne Willis, Hist. Buck. Hund., p. 178, and copying him Lipscomb, History of Bucks, Vol. III., p. 7, mention this bell, as "said to have been brought from St. Martin's, the old Parish Church." The present church was the choir of the priory, and the parish church having fallen into decay, the priory was opened for divine worship in 1480. (See Records of Bucks, III., p. 214.) In this instance, we are troubled with an embarras de richesse in choosing a donor on whom to saddle this bell, as there were several John Chetwodes, Lords of the Manor; three during the reigns of Edward II. and III., of which Johns the third died c. 1347. Among the priests in the list given by Lipscomb, is John Hawes de Chetwode, instituted 1352, but he would hardly have recorded his name thus. It is a coincidence, not, perhaps, in any way influencing the inscription on this bell, that in the arms of Chetwode the four quarters are each charged with a cross patee, and the motto is, Corona mea Christus. The same cross and lettering, with the addition of two rather peculiar stops, occurs in one other instance — the broken saunce at Leckhamp- stead : — ►!< caejsjrie 5 me v fisu 5 escgc For suggestions as to the first word, vide sub Leckhampstead. The stops are formed by dividing the long-tailed Q into three parts. The left-hand portion does not appear ; the middle segment, consisting of the right half of the oval, and the beginning of the tail, forms the stop here shown by V. The right segment of the letter, consisting of the greater SUPPOSED LOCAL FOURTEENTH CENTURY BELLS. 1 7 portion of the meandering tail (used the reverse way up), is very fairly represented by 5. From the fact of the stamps being apparently much worn, and the K being apparently made to do duty for both H and R, besides the partition of Q, this bell is probably later than that at Chetwode ; but how much later, is a different question. The tenor at Barton Hartshorn may probably be referred to early/ in the same century, though in this case, as at Little Linford, the absence of any stop between the words may be considered to show that it belongs to a later date ; but there being no increase of space between the words, is a probable sign of antiquity. It is inscribed in lettering not unlike that on the other bell at Barton, already described ; but the letters are, for the most part, broader, and somewhat clumsy ; the cross also does not occur elsewhere, to my knowledge : — See the lower set on Plate VI. In spite of a great similarity between some of the letters in the two Barton bells, they are almost certainly by different founders, from the difference in the pattern of their heads ( = the canons and crowns). Both have flat crowns, but that of the treble is considerably smaller than the tenor's : the treble has high canons, ornamented with rope pattern ; those of the tenor are unusually low for an old bell. The usual appellation for a bellfounder, until quite late in the fourteenth century, as already mentioned (p. 8), was Potter. This and Porter (a very easy corruption of the former) were common names in Buckinghamshire from the thirteenth century ; and about the first half of the fourteenth century, one, John Porter of Barton Hartishorn, married Johan, daughter and heiress of Thomas Maudly, and granddaughter (and heiress through her mother) of Thomas Barton. His father, Henry de Barton, of Hartishorn, had a fine passed of lands and messuages in Barton, from Sibill de Kaversfeild, to him, 9 Hen. III. = 1225. The arms of this John Porter, as given in the Visitation of Bucks, by William Harley, Clarenceaulx King at Arms, 1566* are "sa. 3 Bells ar." His pedigree is there traced nine * MS. Brit. Mus., 5 181, fo. 80: and three other copies, one of which, 5867 (printed 1883), gives the tincture of the field as Gules. D 1 8 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. generations down from him, and it is easy to amplify it ; * but I have not succeeded in working it backwards from him : one can hardly, however, resist the impression that the original possessor of these arms must have been a "Potter," although, as Mr. Stahlschmidt cautioned me, a local bellfounder would hardly have had a coat of arms. I find the following early instances of the name or names in Bucks and adjoining counties : — In Kennett's Paroch. Antiq., 2nd edit, 1818, I., 247, is a deed dated 12 13 (14, 15 John), in which Walter Borstard granted to Sir John Fitz Nigel, lord of Borstall and forester of Bernwood, certain land in Borstall and Brill, etc. In the latter place (Brehull) "Sampson le Poter" "et Walterus le Poter " held portions of the land in question. In Pedes Finium, under Bucks and Beds : — 3 Hen. III. = 1219. Sim' le Poter (Terr.) Beston,t Beds. 3 Edw. I. =1275. Thorn, fil. Thomas le porter (Terr.) Neweport paynel. 5 „ ., =1277. Thom.le Poter de DonestaplJ (Terr.) Bollebrichull( = Bow Brickhill)., 14 „ „ =1284. Wills, le Porter. (Mess. & Terr.) Hertwell. „ „ „ „ „ „ (?Terr.) Shyrington (= Sherington). 37 „ III. = 1364. Johes. Potter & Johanna uxor. (Mess. & Terr.) Evere (? Iver). In the Calendar of Ancient Deeds at the Record Office (A. 1064, Herts), is a Release by Symon le Poter and Alice his wife, daughter of Payn de Therefeud (now Therfield, in the north of Herts), to Sir William the Abbot, and the Convent of Ramsey, of land in Therefeud, for the sum of fifteen marks: dated 1267-1285. In addition to these possible traces of early local founders, it may be well to record here a clue to a bellfounder in Beds, of the latter part of the fourteenth century, which, owing to the lamented death of Mr. Stahlschmidt, might otherwise never be made known. In a letter to me, dated 29th April, 1888, he wrote : — " In the Patent Roll of 21 Ric. II. (1398), Tho* Peyvre, John Rodlonde parson of the Church of Todington, Beds., and William Belmaker of Todyngton impleaded Adam Portreve and Hugh Sterthout for ^10 13s. 4d. The defendants did not appear, were outlawed, and pardoned by the King. * From Somerset House ; the Barton Hartshorn Registers, and the pages of Browne Willis' Hund. of Buck., and Lipscomb, etc. \ I cannot identify this place. FIFTEENTH CENTURY BELLS. 1 9 " Now my old friend at the Record Office, who turned this up, is quite of opinion that the William in question was an actual Bellfounder by trade, and not a descendant retaining the trade name as a surname. I confess myself I am not quite clear on the point. Had he been called ' le belmaker,' I should have had no doubt. On the other hand, Toddington, a decayed village now, formerly a place of some consequence, lying handy to Dunstable and Woburn, is, I think, by no means an unlikely spot for a local founder." Toddington is about twenty miles from Buckingham. Fifteenth Century Bells. The foregoing brief account of the fourteenth century bells which still remain in Bucks, has shown a sequence to some extent among such of their founders as have been identified ; while the later founders who have yet to be mentioned, seem to be " mixed up " to an almost bewildering degree ; in several instances stamps continued in use for centuries ; and occasionally two distinct founders used (duplicates of) the same stamp simultaneously. This division of the fourteenth century bells from those (STEPHEN of later date is merely an arbitrary one, for convenience NORTON ) sa ke, for there was of course no break in the continuity of the founders with the fin de sifcle. (WILLIAM With the fifteenth century, black-letter "smalls," or RIJRFORD ) " m i nuscu l es >" were introduced, and the use of Lombardic capitals was restricted to the initial of each word. Any ROBERT bell, therefore, inscribed in this combination, to which Mr. BURFORD Tyssen has suggested to me the convenience of giving the name " Mixed Gothic," may, with tolerable safety, be RICHARD assigned to a date subsequent to 1400;* the next twenty kill I P years being a period of transition, during which the two styles overlapped. The first such bell to be noticed, not because it is the oldest, but for convenience in disposing of one of two contemporary foundries, is the tenor at Thornton, inscribed : — <#> jSum Jtofa guttata fQuntit iQarta Vatata •#• u * See Surrey Bells, pp. x. and 49; also Kent, p. 5, where 1390 is given as the approximate date of the introduction of black-letter. 20 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. The shield at the end (fig. 4), known as the " Cross and Ring " Shield, shows the bell to be by Richard Hille, a London founder of the first half of the fifteenth century. The large handsome capitals and the cross are figured in Plate IX. They closely resemble, except in size, a crowned set (Plate XI.), which belonged originally to Stephen Norton, a founder who rather vaguely described himself on his bells as " De Kent." The place of his foundry is not known with certainty, though Mr. Stahlschmidt con- sidered that Maidstone was, on the whole, the most likely spot.* He was buried in All Hallows' Church in that town, but the date is not known.f Mr. A. D. Tyssen has found his name in the Pedes Finium, under date 13634 and a bell formerly at Dover Castle, with a very curious inscription, showed that he was alive in 1381. It is quite likely that he possessed more than one set of letters. Fig. 4- There appears to be some sort of succession!) (more or less vague) as follows : — Stephen Norton, as above, "of Kent." Known date, 1363 to 1381. William Burford, of London, died 1390. His will is printed in Surrey Bells, p. 38. Robert Burford, his son, also of London, who died shortly after September 25th, 1418, and whose will is also given in Surrey Bells, p. 42. Richard Hille, first appears in the Guildhall Records, in 1423. His history — and more especially his wife's — have been most ingeniously worked out by Mr. Stahlschmidt in Surrey Bells (p. 49, et seq), so I need not here repeat all the evidence piecemeal, but may take the * Bells of Kent, p. 20. I Quoted, Kent, p. 17. t Surrey Bells, p. 27, and Kent, p. 19. II See Herts, p. 22. FIFTEENTH CENTURY BELLS. 21 facts there adduced, as proved, and retail the various items in due season. There are several bells connected by lettering and stamps with this Thornton example, but as they want Hille's distinctive trade mark (the shield, fig. 4), there is some uncertainty as to their exact place. They shall be described seriatim. The same inscription, with the same capitals and initial cross, occurs at Limpsfield, Surrey, but without the shield ; as, however, this bell is a recast, and the inscription is therefore a reproduction, it is possible the shield was there originally, though in Surrey Archceological Collections, 1869, Vol. IV., p. 242, in an account of Limpsfield Church, the bells are mentioned before they suffered " re-casting," and nothing is said about this shield. I do not know whether the black-letter are the same. The same inscription is on the sixth bell at Gloucester Cathedral, in the same capitals, and with the same initial cross but on an octagonal ground (fig. 5), and also the cross, fig. 6 (shown in Plate X. on a lozenge) ; but without the shield. The black-letter are a broader set. Fig. 5- The sixth bell at Sudbury All Saints, Suffolk, has the same inscription and crosses as the Gloucester sixth. The capitals are figured by Dr. Raven as belonging to a bell at Sudbury S. Peter, but I venture to suspect a confusion between the two towers on the part of the learned author, as the capitals on the three Mixed Gothic bells in the latter tower are quoted as 22 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. crowned* (The three Sudbury S. Peter bells bear the trade mark of a founder to be mentioned a little further on, who seems to have been a subsequent owner of this foundry.) The seventh bell at Gloucester Cathedral, a recast in 1626, has the inscription set backwards, and impressed, evidently squeezed on the cope from the old bell : — QXilii PeQelis p^atoo Ifcomen (gabrteiis This is, or was, the same lettering, and it also has the same two crosses, both, this time, on lozenges, but not the shield.f A bell in the clock tower at S. Albans (Herts) has the Gabriel inscrip- tion ; and the octagon form of fig. 6, twice. Fig. 6. Since the above was in type, Dr. Raven has kindly informed me by letter, that the Sudbury All Saints' bell is, as I supposed, similar to the Gloucester bell. The Sudbury S. Peter's tenor, with the same black-letter, has crowned capitals, which are evidently those to be mentioned directly as on a bell at Shenley (Plate X.). The fifth bell at Sudbury S. Peter, probably has the same lettering as the tenor, while the fourth bell there evidently has the capitals which are known to have been originally Stephen Norton's (Plate XL). f The remainder of the inscription, which is not quite accurately given in Bells of Gloucestershire^ (also reversed, but in relief)—- E W • W- : 1626 : and on the crown (this time the right way about), the date is repeated, with the initials -I ■ P • FIFTEENTH CENTURY BELLS. 23 The tenor at Shenley has a slight variety of the above : — 4* Oltfft fit #eli$ jjbeo nomen jtmen ©afcrelis * © Notice the omission of the aspirate in Habeo, and of the first i in Gabrzelis, and the transposition of the last two words. From the position of the initial cross the line must of course begin with Missi, but it would make the prosody no worse, and be in other respects an improvement, to begin with Gabrelis. The coin is probably the reverse of a groat ; it is very indistinct, but seems to measure 12 inches diameter, which is rather larger than most of the coins of that value. The crowned cross and capital letters (Plate X.) are very similar to the set known to have belonged to Stephen Norton, but are half as large again. The black-letter are identical with the set used at Gloucester, and presum- ably with the three other bells, which I have not seen. The present set of capitals has not, so far as I am aware, been previously figured. The cross fieurette'e (fig. 6) is a rare one, and has generally been credited with an octagonal ground, as here figured, though Mr. Ellacombe is wrong in stating that it is so at Gloucester, where it is a distinct lozenge. In the present instance, the edges of the lozenge are very rough, and ill defined, the stamp having probably been cut down to this form (Plate X.) from the original octagon. The octagonal form (fig. 6), occurs also on the sixth bell formerly at S. Werburgh's Church, Bristol, together with a larger edition of fig. 7 (slightly floriated), and the Campana Johannis inscription, which I give in full under the next bell, as the lettering on the Bristol bell is not described by Mr. Ellacombe. The fifth bell at Gloucester Cathedral is inscribed : — ^ Iii JKuItfe jJmu's ^efonet gampana lo&annte % The crosses are figs. 7 and 8. The capitals, samples of which are shown in fig. 9, are assigned, in Bells of Kent, to William Burford, and after him, mixed as here with black-letter smalls, to Robert Burford ; and I think there is no reason to doubt that he was the maker of this Gloucester bell. 24 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Fig. 7- Fig. 8. t Fig. 9. The old ring at Thornborough — sad to relate — gave place, in 1861, to a ring of steel bells, but as some slight set-off, the inscriptions on the old ones were rather carefully copied into the Marriage Register Book, whatever devices and founders' marks were on them, being, however, omitted. The second bell there — less these important factors — was inscribed like the last named ; the lettering being, I have no doubt from the drawing, identical. We may with tolerable confidence assign this bell also to Robert Burford. To his credit also I would place the seven above mentioned,* although Mr. Stahlschmidtf was inclined to assign the S. Albans bell to the early part of the sixteenth century. It is with considerable hesitation that I differ from his experienced opinion, but he was not in possession of the data furnished by the Bucks bells, and especially the Thornton example ; and his opinion of the Gloucester bells was only formed from the imperfect description in Mr. Ellacombe's History of the Bells of that county. The Burfords' capitals (with black-letter) appear in Surrey on two bells, which bear, in addition, Hille's cross-and-ring shield, viz., the third at East Horsley, and the single bell at Headley : the black-letter is a different set * Beginning after the Thornton tenor, top of p. 21. f Bells of Herts, p. 27. FIFTEENTH CENTURY BELLS— RICHARD HILLE. 25 to that employed on a bell at Merstham in that county, which is attribut- able to Robert Burford. Elsewhere (Horton, Northamptonshire) Richard Hille's shield has been found in company with the initial cross on Plate XL, and figs. 10 and n seem to have been commonly used by him. It should be noted that the cross here engraved as fig. 7, was used in succession by Robert Burford, Richard Hille, John Sturdy, and Johanna Sturdy ; and is stated by Mr. L'Estrange {Norfolk Bells) to have been occasionally used by some of the Brasyers, bellfounders of Norwich, of whom the last died in 15 13 — in this case on an oblong ground. There are no bells by the Brasyers in Bucks, though some of their letters and other stamps occur, as will be seen further on* The cross appears again in the possession of William Culverden, a London " brazier," of the early part of the sixteenth century, mentioned in due course, but of whose work there is no example in this county. We have therefore five sets of capitals, of similar pattern, used by different individuals more or less connected with each other, viz., Stephen Norton's crowned set, and an almost identical set uncrowned, used by Richard Hille (Plate XL) ; the large crowned Shenley set (Plate X.) ; the largest uncrowned set used at Thornton (Plate IX.); and John Sturdy's small set (Plate XL), which we come to a few lines further on ; besides William Burford's set (fig. 9). Richard Hille died in 1440 ; his will is dated 3rd May in that year.f Fig. 10. Fig. 12. * See under Watts, B. Atton, and J. Carter. f Given in Surrey Bells, p. 49. E 26 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. JOHANE After his death his widow, Johane, kept the business on, and t|i|_ ■ p there is one bell by her still extant in the county, namely, the only bell remaining at Castlethorpe. It has no inscrip- tion, but two crosses (figs. 10 and 1 1) — the latter roughly trimmed, so as to be almost lozenge-shaped, and not as here figured, an octagon — and the " cross and ring shield," surmounted by a lozenge, indicative of widowhood. This is not the lozenge shown in fig. 12, but is figured as No. 3, in Plate XI., and appears to be a smaller edition of the stamp used by an unknown founder on the third bell at Little Hadham, Herts. It has not been previously figured, so far as I know. Widow Hille eventually married another bellfounder, JOHN named John Sturdy. His bells are known by his initials STURDY *" sma ll capitals (Plate XL, the small set, also fig. 13), on each side of the copy of the reverse of a half-groat, such as was current at the time, but whether the stamp was taken from one contemporary with the commencement of Sturdy's business, or somewhat Fig. 13- older, it is impossible to determine. The exact size is shown in fig. 14, but not the legend, which, in the examples that I have seen, is confined to the inner circle, and is there apparently blundered, forming no words. Quite possibly, however, he may have owned more than one coin stamp. For the initial letters in his inscriptions, Sturdy generally used the handsome crowned capitals which formerly belonged to Stephen Norton (upper set on Plate XL), with the smalls used by Robert Burford at Gloucester and Thorn borough. There are three bells by him in this county ; one at Adstock, inscribed as described : — » » «f » w Sancta JInna Ora Pro DoSte * i ® s FIFTEENTH CENTURY BELLS — TWICE WIDOWED. 2J The initial cross is the first on the same plate, and that at the end, No. 7 on the same. The two other examples by Sturdy are sanctus bells at Chesham and Stoke Hamond, and have no inscriptions beyond the J©S, preceded by the cross, No. 2 on Plate XL, and the Chesham bell has also No. 4 on that plate. The second bell at Gloucester Cathedral is by John Sturdy, in his small capitals, with the above black-letter, which are slightly taller than the capitals. The inscription is correctly quoted by Mr. Ellacombe, except that t should be omitted from Sanctt. John Sturdy died in 1458, and again the energetic JOHANE Johane, once more left a widow, continued to cast bells on CTiiprjY her own account. There is one such example in the county, the treble at Beachampton, inscribed in Hille's smaller lettering (like Stephen Norton's, but without crowns, Plate XI.) : — * i ® s Sancta flQargareta Ora Pro Hobis The initial cross is No. 2 on that Plate, on an octagonal, instead of lozenge-shaped ground : in fact, the ground on the two above-named impressions is not quite identical, that at Stoke Hamond being trimmed off quite close round the pattern, instead of leaving a little margin, as in the Chesham example, selected for engraving. The Beachampton bell is identified as by John Sturdy's widow by his trade mark, 2 S ; w fth the coin between them, the latter surmounted by a small lozenge, which, as before in the case of Johane's first widowhood, is heraldically indicative of that condition (fig. 14). The lozenge, however, is more correctly shown as No. 6, on Plate XI. 28 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Johane only survived her second husband for three years, dying in 1461, leaving a daughter, likewise named Johane, by her first husband (Hille). She married a bellfounder named Henry Jordan, of whose works, k ' honour- able mention " is made further on, together with his predecessors', who had been also casting bells in London, side by side with the founders just mentioned. Connected with this foundry by stamps, and apparently KEBYLL. later in date than the last mentioned, are bells bearing the shield fig. 15 — the arms of the family of Kebyll, or Keble. Of these there are two examples in Bucks, and their existence has brought to light a former connection between two parishes that had been quite overlooked in county history. Fig. is. The tenor at Chesham Bois has : — + Saiute Thtiirea Ora Pro Flobis $> rj The capital letters are John Sturdy's small set (Plate XI.) ; the cross is No. 8 on that plate ; the crowned fleur-de-lis is on the same, and the shield is fig. 15. The minuscules are a smaller set. And the tenor at Little Linford : — IflbaitttEa "Vglleinj ffie Fieri Ferit U Lettering, crown {w\\hovt fleur-de-lis), and shield, as before ; the cross is No. 5 on the same plate. For the likelihood that these two bells, at nearly opposite ends of the county, were given by the same donor, or at least that the choice of a founder for the second of the two (whichever it was), was influenced by the selection previously made for the former, see under Little Linford. There were two Sir John Willoughbys in succession. The exact date of neither THE MAIN LINE. 20 is known ; but the former was probably dead by not later than 1450, and the latter by 1480 — and very likely both died as much as ten years, or more, earlier than these— rather extreme — dates. This is the nearest approach yet made towards arriving at Keble's date, about whom nothing is known, and his name is only inferred from the coat of arms. A John Kebyll, member of the Wheelwrights' Guild, did some bell-hanging for the Church of S. Stephen, Walbrook, in 1480. Possibly he was the bellfounder. A Sir Henry Kebyll was Lord Mayor in 1510. The shield occurs on three bells at Sudbury S. Peter, Suffolk, with some of the crowned capitals above mentioned (Plates X. and XI.).* We have now to deal with what I cannot help looking upon as the main line of the English bellfounders, working in Aldgate and Portsoken Wards, London,-f- though in two or three places our present state of know- ledge does not enable us to supply a missing link, and thus to show its absolute continuity. Fig. 16. The first name that appears in this long line (if I may so consider it) is William Dawe, better known as William ffounder. His bells all have the circular stamp, with the name William ffounder, shown in fig. 16. In this county it is only found on a bell cast at Reading, some hundred and fifty years after Dawe's death (see Radclive). To Mr. Stahlschmidt is due the credit of discovering William's real surname.? (WILLIAM DAWE alias FOUNDER.) * Mr. Stahlschmidt, in letter dated 21st Sept., 1887, stated that the black-letter on these bells was one of the Reading sets. It may be well to mention, in order to save any possible future confusion, that (though similar) they are quite distinct sets. See foot-note, p. 32. t Surrey Bells, p. 2. \ Surrey Bells, p. 46; Kent Bells, p. 25. 30 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. His date is approximately, 1385 to 1418. He seems to have called himself William flounder, to distinguish himself from a namesake who was a " white tawyer," or dresser of white leather, and who may perhaps have been the founder's father. Very much mixed up with William Dawe, is (WILLIAM the next founder on the list, William Wodewarde.* WODEWARDE ) ^ r ' Stahlschmidt (Bells of Kent, p. 23) gives his date, from researches at Guildhall, as 1395 to 1420. He thinks there may well have been a partnership between the two, which would explain the confusion, and that some of Dawe's stamps, on his death, passed to Wodewarde. To him Mr. Stahlschmidt ascribed the original possession of the very handsome large capitals used by a successor at Wingravc (see Plate XIII.). Dawe appears to be referred to in Pell Records (Record Office), Issue Rolls of?, Richard II, May, 1385, in a bill "for the price of 12 guns, 2 iron 'patella,' 120 stones for the guns, 100 lbs. of powder, and 4 stocks of wood purchased of William the founder, of London," for the fortifying of Dover Castle.f Wodewarde likewise appears, though not as a bellfounder, in Pell Records, Issue Roll (Record Office), Easter 4 Hen. V., 5 June, 1416 : — Simoni fflete Armiges custodi priuate Garderobe dni Regis infra Turrim london In denaf sibi libatis p manus Willi Wodewarde flounder sup empcoe 1 puidenc canonu t pulusis p canofl ac alt ius eftuffamenti p viagio Regis sup er mare recipient denar de xv a 1 x 3 - sup a dcis ... ... ... ... ... ... xl li. In plain English : — To Simon Flete Esq re Keeper of the King's private wardrobe within the Tower of London. In money paid him by the hands of William Wodewarde founder for the purchase and providing of cannon and powder for the cannon and other stuff for the King's voyage over sea. The money will be received (i.e. taken) from the aforesaid 15th and ioth.J ... ... ... ... ... ... .£40. IOHN It is probable that Dawe's successor — rather than WALGRAVE Wodewarde just mentioned — was John Walgrave, who had been sometime his foreman. It is possible he had * The apparent mixture and confusion of these two founders has been gone into at length in Bells of Kent, and Bells of Suffolk, and as Bucks has no example by either of them, it is unnecessary to repeat the details here. I Surrey Bells, p. 46. % It appears from an earlier entry on the Roll referring to Simon Flete, that this 1 5th and 10th were granted by the clergy and laity to the king in his second year. FIFTEENTH CENTURY BELLS— JOHN WALGRAVE. 31 set up on his own account before Dawe's death, otherwise his date may be put at about 141 8* to 1440. The only known document in which Walgrave's name occurs, is the will of John Plot, proved in 1408 (interesting as one of the earliest wills in the English tongue, and published as such by the Early English Text Society), in which there is a bequest as follows : — " Also my will ys that John Walgraue seruaunt of Wyllyam Fondour haue of my gode iijj. iiijdf." Four of Walgrave's bells survive in Bucks. The treble at Astwood : — •I* $anrta £atmna 0ra £ro rOobts; u The second in the same tower : — ♦J* fjSit fiomtn Domini 3tnttiitVna u The third at Tingewick : — *%* Hamtn JEagftalene jZampana ©ert't JKelotrie u And the tenor at Old Bradwell (alas ! cracked) : — »£ t(os jafegbftfnf $onet In ja&i* M xj Fig. 17. Fig. 18. In each case the initial cross is fig. 17, the lettering is shown on Plate XII. and the inscriptions end with his foundry stamp, fig. 18. * Bells, of Kent, p. jji- 32 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. (WILLIAM Walgrave was (probably) succeeded by Robert POWDRELL ) Crowch, but the exact date is not known. His name appears as a legatee in the will of William Powdrell, KUbtKI bellmaker, who died 1439.* Powdrell's will is dated CROWCH. 21st October, in that year, and proved two days later. The only two known examples of his work were in Kent (one is now melted). They bore the capitals shown as fig. 29, on Plate XII., arid a small cross afterwards used by Johanne Sturdy. Bucks possesses one specimen by Crowch — at Hardmead — but, alas ! broken in two halves transversely, and lying on the floor of the intermediate loft in the tower (the clock-loft in towers possessing that instrument), inscribed : — u t(0* jSrrgwstmi $icrael In JLvicz ^ iDzx u The capital letters and cross are the same as Walgrave used ; the " smalls " are rather smaller and proportionally broader ; the foundry stamp, at the end, with Crowch's initials, is fig. 20, and the first shield is Fig. 19. Fig. 20. fig. 19, the Royal Arms of all the Kings of the House of Plantagenet, except the first and last ; that is to say, from (at any rate) the appearance of the Second Great Seal of Richard I., about A.D. 1195, until 1340, when Edward III., in the thirteenth year of his reign, claimed to be King of France as well as of England, and quartered the arms.f It is therefore tolerably * Bells of Kent, p. 43. t Boutell's English Heraldry, 5th edit., 1883, p. 268. FIFTEENTH CENTURY BELLS— JOHN DANYELL. 33 evident, that as this had ceased to be the blazoning of the Royal Arms for a century before Crowch's time, he is not likely to have been the original owner of the stamp ; but no older bells are known on which it occurs. Powdrell, in his will, desires to be buried at S. Botolph, Aldgate, next to William Stokes, his former master. The original owner may have been a predecessor of his. Crowch was (apparently) succeeded by John Danyell, JOHN by whom we have four bells. DANYELL. The treble at Edgcott has :— *%* $anr.ta fisteitta @ra fta iCobw U •$► The third at Little Missenden : — •I* $ancta jEarjjareta ©ra fzo Gobi's + u The third at Weston Turville : — as. ^ © $t't flomen rDomfm ^enetiictbm u * And the tenor at Wingrave : — kj) Infonef Dp Qtli$ Vof u The first three of these bells have the same capitals as were used by Walgrave and Crowch ; and Walgrave's smalls, except at Edgcott, where the smalls are a smaller set, but distinct from Crowch's. The initial cross on the first two is fig. 17 again. This cross has sometimes an octagonal ground, and sometimes a lozenge,* and this at first I considered as a difference to be carefully noted ; but I am now sure that it is only caused by the founder's series of stamps being generally if not always in duplicate, if not triplicate, or even more ; and the matrix being made of different forms. In the case * And it also occurs (e.g., in Northamptonshire), but not in Bucks, on a square (fig. 21), and a circular ground. F 34 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. of some few, rare stamps, such as the cross fleurettie at Shenley, which occurs both as a lozenge and an octagon ; the former shape may probably denote use late in the stamp's lifetime, as the corners of a stamp might be shaved off, say, from a square to octagon, and from octagon to lozenge, but could not be altered the reverse way. Fig. 21. The small floriated cross after each of the four inscriptions is fig. 22 ; and the shield at the end of all four is the Royal Arms of England as adopted by Henry IV. about 1405 (fig. 23),* and which continued in use until the end of Elizabeth's reign, 1603. On the two last bells the shield is crowned, fig. 24 (see p. 36). Fig. 22. Fig. 23. The initial cross on the Weston Turville bell is the exceedingly pretty one engraved as fig. 25, with the legend, .ijju. merct. lafot. Jelp., while the extremely interesting and pretty initial cross on the Wingrave bell is fig. 26. * The intermediate form between this and fig. 19 was, that the French quarterings bore a seme'e of fleurs-de-lis, instead of three. FIFTEENTH CENTURY BELLS— JOHN DANYELL. 35 Fig. 25. Fig. 24. This is so rare, that its very existence has been doubted by the best-informed campanologists. It is only known to exist elsewhere at West Monkton, Somerset ; another example was formerly in the old " clochard " at King's College, Cambridge, but the bell bearing it was, with the rest of the ring, sacrilegiously sold to Messrs. Lester and Pack, of Whitechapel, in 1754. Fig. 26. Campanists are much indebted to Mr. J. W. Clark, for publishing (Camb. Antiq. Soc. Comm., Vol. IV., p. 223, etc.) a most interesting paper on those bells, from information contained in the old account books known as Mundum Books of that college. 2,6 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. The lettering on the Wingrave bell consists of large handsome crowned capitals (Plate XIII.), formerly used by William Wodewarde, and smalls to match. The lettering occurs twice in Hertfordshire, one example being by Danyell's predecessor, Walgrave, and the other by his successor, Jordan ; and in Northamptonshire it occurs three times on bells by Jordan ; and on one by the latter on the Bucks border of Oxon. The lettering on the former treble at Thornborough was evidently the same as that on the Wingrave bell, with the somewhat unusual inscription : — jEtffif j&pinripio jSra ffiaria fljpo It was probably by one of the three founders last named, but as all devices are omitted from the record in the Marriage Register book, we cannot determine its author. The sole replica of this inscription that I know of, is on a bell by Culverden, who has been already alluded to as possessing one of Hille's and Sturdy's stamps. He will be again mentioned when we come to his date, about 1506 to 1522. This bell is at Takely, Essex, and is noticed by Dr. Raven in a postscript at the end of Bells of Cambridge, 2nd edition, and in Bells of Suffolk, p. 38. The lettering is not specified, which makes one suppose that it is not these large handsome letters. The only documentary evidence concerning Danyell is contained in the old Mundum Books at King's College, Cambridge, before mentioned, from which we learn that he combined the trade of a vintner with that of a founder, and in 1460 supplied some wine to Jhe college : — " Item sol' Danyel Belfounder v to die Sept' in partem solucionis de cvj s viij d sibi debitis pro .j. dolio vini ... ... ... ... liijs iiijd." From the same source we get an idea of his date ; from 1458 to August, 1460, being the time of his Cambridge transactions. Mr. Stahlschmidt* suggests, as an explanation of the puzzle as to the Royal Arms shield being sometimes with, sometimes without a crown, that Danyell, " evidently, after having cast some bells for the lately founded Royal College, considered himself entitled to place the Royal Arms on bells cast for other churches * Bells of Herts, p. 22. FIFTEENTH CENTURY BELLS— HENRY JORDAN. 37 by him. Tradesmen of the present day, as the daily papers have just shown us, are of a similar mind." Shortly after 1460, Danyell was succeeded by Henry HENRY Jordan, or Jurden, as the name is written in the Mundmn IORDAN Books of King's College, where he was employed in 1466, to re- cast some of Danyell's ring.* He was a citizen of London, and a member of the Fishmongers' Com- pany, as was his father, Giles, who was descended from a Leicestershire family. A dilapidated brass exists in Loughborough Church in that county to the memory of Giles Jordan, and Margaret, his wife, who are supposed to have been Henry's parents ; but according to Henry's will his parents (Giles and Margaret) were buried at S. Botolph's, Aldgate, London. The date on this brass, which is now illegible, is said to have been 1455. Mr. Stahlschmidt, in that storehouse of information, Surrey Bells, p. 60, et seq., gives Henry Jordan's will, from a copy in the possession of the Fishmongers' Company. It occupies very nearly nine and a half pages, in type similar to the present, and in addition there is a codicil occupying fully one and a quarter pages more ; or, together, nearly eight pages of the size of this book. It is dated 15th October, 1468, but was not enrolled at Guildhall until 1470. So that he died sometime during that interval, probably in the latter year, as his will describes him as being at the time it was written, " hoole of mynde and in good helth of body." His wife was, as before stated, Johanne, daughter of Richard and Johanne Hille, and was an heiress by her father's will : — " I? lego Jofine filie mee c marc in jtaunia numata & valenc at c marc de bonis meis vt in denariat shope me spectant'." Jordan, in his will, leaves various sums of money for masses for his own and his wife's souls, and those of his and her parents ; of which bequests I shall content myself with quoting one : — " And I wolle also that the same Preest and evry of his successos evry day at his masse after the Gospell said and doone shall turn hym from the Aulter into the Churche warde and shall prey and openly say these words for the Soules off Henry Jordon and Johanne his Wiffe, Giles Jordon and Margarete his Wiffe Richard Hille and Johanne his Wiffe and for all xten Soules De Profoundis 4c. and so to say the Psalme of de profundis v/t speciall Coletts for the said soules. The same Preest takyng yerely of the said Wardeyns and their successos at iiij termes of the yere in the Citie of London usuall by evyn portions in money vii/z. stg for his salary.'' * History of the Bells of King's Coll., Cambs., by J. W. Clark, in Catnb. Antiq. Society's Report, 1881, p. 231. 38 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. The above-named (his wife having pre-deceased him) were all " buried in the Chapell of our lady in the Northeside of the pyshe Churche of Seynt Botulphes w'oute Aldgate of London." In another bequest (for tapers to be burned on the graves) we find that Richard Hille and Johanne his wife, were buried under one stone ; no mention being made of the latter's second husband, John Sturdy. Besides the above ways of spelling Jordan, the name is also written in the will, Jordeyn and Jorden. The codicil to Jordan's will is curious, referring chiefly to his son, " Dan Henry Jordon." " Dan" as we are reminded by Dr. Raven* is short for Dominus, the term still applied in the Universities to Bachelors of Arts. A double christian name was almost unknown in England until after the Reformation. He was a professed monk in the house of Hurley, in Berks, which parish adjoins the south border of Bucks, divided by the Thames from Medmenham, and part of Gt. Marlow, parishes. His father seemed afraid that " the Pryo r and Covent of the said house of Horley for the tyme beyng " might " kepe hym to streightly or otherwise entrete hym than he ought of very right and duetie to be doone to Or else that they wolle putte awey from hym his abite and livyng of a Monke there whiche he hath chosen to hym." Things were evidently not going quite smoothly at the Priory of Our Lady, but whether the fault lay with this monk, or with the prior, I leave others to determine. There are four bells by Jordan in Bucks. The second at Loughton is inscribed : — ^ u fyi fioba jTampana jKargareta eft fiommata u And the third at the same place : — *J< u §ftt ftomtn Domini ^me&ictbm u Lettering the same as Walgrave's and Danyell's ordinary set ; initial crosses fig. 17 again ; that on the second bell is on an octagon ground, while that on the third is on a lozenge with the top and bottom angles cut off, and the left side imperfect. The first shield on the second bell, and the last on the third, is fig. 28 ; while the last on the second, and first on the third, is fig. 27. These two shields are always associated together ; and * Bells of Suffolk, p. 31, foot-note. FIFTEENTH CENTURY BELLS— HENRY JORDAN. 39 never, so far as I know, were used separately, or by any other founder than Jordan. Fig. 28 has not been read, but it always, to me, looks like a rebus or monogram for Thomas. The T is plain enough, and the remainder may be made out with a little assistance from one's imagination. The elongated upright of the h, with the two lashes or pennons, I believe form a distaff, and to be the sign of a clothier. Fig. 27. Fig. 28. Jordan's father, and supposed grandfather, were both named Giles ; several Thomases are mentioned in his will, but there is nothing to connect either of them with him in his business. The other shield, fig. 27, is certainly Jordan's foundry stamp, and is rather an interesting one. The two keys endorsed saltirewise, and the dolphin, are (a portion of) the arms of the Fishmongers' Company ; the laverpot, in base, intimates a founder in general ; and the bell, that he was a founder of bells in particular ; while the " garb," or wheat-sheaf, is part of his ancestral armorial bearings (representing the family of Harleton), as evidenced by coats of arms once existing on the brass, before mentioned, in Loughborough Church. At Broughton the second is inscribed in the same capital lettering, and with the same initial cross and shields (figs. 27, 28) ; but the smalls are those used by DanyelJ at Edgcott : — ♦J* U Sancte jZri rifthte 0ra £ro j2oHa U And the third at the same place has : — © ; In (HQuIti* 2Ennfe jELfonct Cjampana loftannig u 40 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. The two shields are the same, but the initial cross is. the "Ladi help'' medallion, fig. 25. The capital letters are the plainer flat set, shown as fig. 29, which Mr. Stahlschmidt tells me Jordan got from William Powdrell to whom he strongly suspects he had been apprenticed ; while the smalls are Walgrave's, Danyell's, and Jordan's ordinary set. -? Fig. 29. On the crown of the third at Loughton, is a tiny circular stamp, \\ inch diameter, charged with an ox's head, shown as fig. 30. It appears to be the impression of a signet ring. Fig. 30. "William Chamberleyn Ffounder," who was one of the executors of Jordan's will, was probably his foreman, and successor in the business. His name is also mentioned in Richard Hille's will, where " Chamburlayn's " wife, Isabella, is left a small legacy conditionally. Mr. (WILLIAM CHAMBERLEYN.) CLOSE OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 41 Stahlschmidt has found that Chamberlayne was still living, and a member of the Court of the Founders' Company in 1497-8, the date at which their existing records begin.* There are no bells known by him. Thomas Harrys, of London, mentioned in the Mundum THOMAS Books of King's College, Cambridge,-)- may have been a HARRYS successor of Jordan ; possibly he intervened between Jordan and Chamberlayne ; or he and the latter may have been rival founders. His name appears twice in the above accounts for the year 1478-79. The clock-bell at Hampton Court (Middlesex) is inscribed : — * * jPtetta §laria glaris JPt>cct>rre fHiffima ||obis © 1 p © which Mr. Stahlschmidt, in a letter to me (August, 1887), with a copy of the lettering printed from a drawing by Mr. W. T. Kimber, confidently assigns to Harrys ; as was also suggested by Dr. Raven {Bells of Cambs., p. 48). And the tenor at Nettleden is inscribed (upper half of Plate XIV.) : — * © Lancia Matertna #ra %xo %ob\s The S is identical, and so are, probably the fleur-de-lis, and possibly the smalls. The other capitals, though reversed, and here used the wrong way up by way of an improvement, are very similar. Another bell, supposed to be by him, is the third at Limpsfield, Surrey, and possibly one each at Blatherwyke and Potterspury, Northamptonshire. There are no bells in Bucks by the following founders, whose names I only mention here to show the probable continuity of the foundry. Thomas Bullisdon, from the later years of the (THOMAS fifteenth century to 151 1, or later, had several Rill I IQDON ) stam P s anc > alphabets of the above founders (Harrys excluded), and with him they disappear. (WILLIAM William Smyth was founding at Aldgate about SMYTH.) ^ e last-mentioned date. William Culverden, citizen and brazier of London, (WILLIAM j ias i e f t a f ew bells, bearing a " rebus " foundry stamp, CULVERDEN.) but there is no example in Bucks. His earliest known date is 1506, and his will, which is printed in * Surrey Bells, p. 71. t History of the Bells of Kings Coll., Cambs., etc., p. 233. G 42 THE CHURCH BEI.LS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Bells of Cambs., pp. 44-46, is dated 29th September, 1522, and proved 2nd June, 1523. As previously mentioned, he showed some connection with Hille's foundry, by using the cross, fig. 7. The Churchwardens' accounts of S. Mary at Hill, London,* furnish us with glimpses of several London founders about this period : — 1508-9. It pd for wyn at the son whin we comofi to bollisdo tochyng the bell It for ij oblygacions betwixtt billisdo & ye paryshe for the grett belle It p d to Har Edmonds for caryage of ij bellis fro bylisdones to ou churche ... It pd to sevyn men that rong the bellis when the kyngs grace whent to Westmyst to be crownyd ... It p d to retayn M r Grenne for cownsell how to take a axcion for cutyng of ou r iij bellis vjd. vi\]d. yd. J U- J viij. 1509-10. Paid for a soper to M r Kyght and M r Lidborowgh for the arbetryng betwene the parish and Bullisdon for y<= bells for motton a shuldar ... ... ... ... ... iijW. Conysf •■• ••• ••• ••• ■•• ... vd. iiij Chekyns ... ... ... ... ... \)d. a capon ... ... ... ... ... ' ... xxd. brede ale wyne and beer ... ... ... ... xxd. The sute for the bells— Payd for entryng the playnt & for ye a rest of Willm Smyth ... ... xd. for entryng of ye attorney & for his fees ... ... ... ... xiiij^. for makyng of o r plee & leying in y r of ... ... ... ... vjV. paid to ye jooge ... ... ... ... ... ... iiija?. •to mastr Stevyns for councell ... ... ... ... ... xxd. for my dyS & Thomas Mondens and ye man yt hew the bells & o r mo ... vjd. whan the mat was pleted to an yssue paid ... ... ... iijjV. for ij somons paid to the sergeant ... ... ... ... iujd. whan the mater was put in dayng at ye SalutacionJ ... ... ... ij<£ for an obligacion at yt tyme ... ... ... ... ... v j<£ 1510-11. Paid to the skryveft for makyng of y e Indenture betwixt Willm Smith bell- founder and the parish that tyme Arbyt r tors M r Robyns and M* Jentyll & for wine ... ... ... ... ... ... xvij <£T @> [1 9? W [] -» jE Xi ©■ [] JK jE M ©" g^®^®® ©'#'## w ®@® [] Xi M. M. [] XI &- & m W ® J^ XD H 5o THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. followed by a figure of a dragon (fig. 34), the coin, the same lion's head, a horse (fig. 35), the trefoil (pointing to the right, its foot to left), and the coin again. Fig. 34- Fig- 35- This very interesting bell can be dated approximately.* "Raf Rastwold" was doubtless its donor during his lifetime, and I have found in the Inquisitiones post Mortem (Record Office) that " Radus Reftwold " " obiit die Jouis in festo sci Barnabe apli vltimo f)Pito"t "Anno rr Rici scdi poft conqu sexto." That is, that Ralph Restwold "died on Thursday after the feast of S. Barnabas the apostle last past," " in the sixth year of the reign of King Richard II." ; or, on the Thursday following nth June, I383- * S. Birinus, to whom it is dedicated, was the first bishop of Dorchester, a.d. 634, to c. 648. t There are 5 skins, one Inquisitio was taken the following year. WOKINGHAM FOUNDRY— FOURTEENTH CENTURY. 5 I He held at the time of his death (besides the Manor of Hyle, in Wilts, worth £8 yearly), the Manor of Crowmarsh Gifford, in Oxon, worth £13 13s. 4d. yearly, which village is only four miles distant from Dorchester, and various lands at Hurst, in Berks, worth 4.0s. a year, which place is only four miles from Wokingham ; so the connection between the native place of the bell, and its home, is shown very satisfactorily. Our knowledge of the history of the trefoil is completed by the second bell at S. Maurice, Winchester, which has the three stamps — trefoil, head, and coin — and the crowned cross as well, but no letters. The trefoil never turns up again, as so many old stamps do, on later bells. A bell at Chilcombe, Hants, and one at Stoke Talmage, Oxon, have merely the cross, coin, and lion's head. A bell formerly at Seale, Surrey, had only the cross and head.* There are three other bells inscribed in capitals only, which seem to come next, with nothing to mark their individual order, unless we con- sider that one, with a word mis-spelt, is older than the other two with correctly spelt inscriptions. They are a bell at Sherborne S. John, Hants, bearing : — 4* m. w ©" [] ® j: m I j: followed by the coin and lion's head ; and a like bell at Chilton, Berks, except that AYG is correctly spelt. And the tenor at Chertsey, Surrey, has :— WW W W W W W WW W W W W # W w w W 4. © m .m. [] m ©" M m €rDS»JEj@LQS»Sl onum .mpnpoirfum All the remaining bells by this founder (or possibly a successor ?) take the form of the invocation : — 4* ^anrfp ( or ^anrfa an s d so) <§>ra ^ro ^ofris with a few modifications. Those fully thus inscribed, are, two bells at Soulbury, Bucks ; and in other counties, in Hants, the fifth at Rotherwick, the fourth at S. Maurice, Winchester (J^rottobia run into one word), Yately, Heckfield, Sherfield, and Stoke Charity (JUrtni W&& thus divided) ; in Oxon, Brightwell Baldwin ; in Berks, the tenor at Appleford, and Drayton ; in Beds, Chalgrove and Millbrooke ; in Sussex, the second at Cocking. Two bells at Aston Sandford, Bucks, have the addition of the small stop (Plate XVI.) placed horizontally, rather above the letters ; on the tenor, simply between the saint's name (dTleittEs), and ®ra ; and on the treble, as a mark of abbreviation after €E>r. This latter arrangement occurs at Ruscombe, Berks ;* and at East Clanden, and Ewhurst (third bell), Surrey, except that the stop used is the larger one (Plate XVI.) ; on the Ruscombe bell the stop is without its crown. At Fittleworth, Sussex, Mr. Tyssen records the abbreviated pus mimm conspicuous by its lack of the coin stamp ; while at Chiddingfold, Surrey, ^anrfa isrinifas <§>ra ^ro mollis which has the shield and lion's head, but lacks both coin and initial cross. There are examples having the ordinary invocation form of inscription, and the normal allowance of three stamps (plus the initial cross), at Aston Rowant and Newington, besides one formerly at Stonesfield, in Oxford- shire ; at Passenham, Northampts ; at Cocking (the treble), in Sussex ; and at Ewhurst (fourth bell), Surrey. WOKINGHAM FOUNDRY — FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 55 Hinton-in-the-Hedges, Northamptonshire, is credited by Mr. North with a bell having only the cross, head, shield, and coin, without letters. In all, sixteen known examples, besides two at Bawdrip, Somerset, confusedly recorded by Mr. Ellacombe ; one of which seems most likely to be by Landen, and the other by his predecessor.* With the death or retirement of Roger Landen, the use of the original lion's head stamp (fig. 32) ceased, and a new lion's head stamp (fig. 33) takes its place. There can be, I think, no possible doubt as to which of the two heads is the earlier — the one contemporary with the trefoil stamp (Plate XVI.), and the inscriptions in capitals ; and coming down to the end of Roger Landen's time, probably some years past the middle of the fifteenth century, and then finally disappearing. The other, which according to my view, then made its first appearance, continued in use on bells of unques- tionably later date, to be mentioned in due course, and even turns up once in the seventeenth century (see Nettleden). The next Wokingham founder appears to have been John Michell. * Mr. Ellacombe's volumes contain unfortunately a somewhat large number of un- corrected misprints, which cause sore puzzles to a working campanologist. The two Bawdrip bells, for instance, are described differently in his Somerset and his Devon. The treble has ,§>ancte PGJhonta r. The tenor, ^it ^omen JDomtni iEJ^neoicrum; the latter having also apparently the R L shield, lion's head, and coin stamps. Both are said in Somerset to have the large cross found at Thornton (Plate IX.), as initial cross ; while in Devon they are said to have as initial cross, the cross fleUrettee, shown on Plate X., though he describes the tenor as being " Same as Felpham, Sussex." A note in Mr. Ellacombe's handwriting, in my possession, indicates that they are respectively like the Fittleworth and Felpham bells already mentioned. Mr. Tyssen has not recorded any such unaccountable mixture at either of those places. The following doubtfully described bells may be also quoted here from Mr. Ellacombe's Somerset: at Curry Mallet (in that county) the fourth is said to bear, jSit domett J©omitti iEJEnrfltttmn S, with coin stamp, and fig. 1, on Plate XL, as initial cross (? by John Sturdy). The fifth has, jEn ££\vSXlZ JSLtmis JEifiBOltEt ©Tampans J'nljaraa, with the same cross, and the lion's head, coin, and the lower half of the last stop on Plate XVI., the upper portion missing. And at East Chinnock (same county) the second is said to bear, M&nctz ^*£tr£ ora pro nobis, with fig. 17 as initial cross, lion's head, and coin. No crowns mentioned on the capitals. Dr. Raven will, I am sure, excuse my pointing out (to save future confusion) a slip in Bells of Suffolk; namely, the surprising mixture of stamps said to occur on the tenor at Stradbroke in that county ; among which the Wokingham crowned cross is recorded. This proves to be the crowned cross on Plate X. ; it is followed by Keble's shield (fig. 15), and then the cross fleuretltle on Plate X. There is, therefore, no bell from the Wokingham foundry in Suffolk, nor any authority for the supposed mixture of stamps. 56 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. JOHN The date of his commencing work is not known ; the MICHELL y ear x 4^7' mentioned by Mr. Tyssen in a foot-note on page 9 of Sussex Bells, is merely an ascertained date at which this foundry was working. It appears from the churchwardens' accounts of Thame, Oxon, that the second bell of that church was recast at Wokingham in that year, and an " obligacion " made with the bellfounder. The bell apparently did not last the year and a day as stipulated, for the next year it was again sent there to be recast, and no entry appears of paying the founder. I have been unable to trace the present whereabouts of these most interesting early accounts. The following quotations are from extracts made by A. D. Tyssen, Esq , and E. J. Payne, Esq. (Recorder of Wycombe), previously to 1864. Mr. Payne notes that the real amounts paid were double the sums here charged, the other half being paid by the wardens of Old Thame : — (From the Churchwardens' Accounts of Thame, Oxon, 1487-88). It : sol : le bellemaker in ernyste |? factur : scde campane in festo visitacois be marie eodem anno ... ... .. ... ... iijj. iiijV. ob. It: sol: Willmo Kyng g scrip r a cert: indenturar & ij obligac : int : nos p r curatores ecclie & le Bellemaker de Okyngham eod" die ... iiijd. ob. It : sol : in expens : ad domu Johis Baret pro le letyng downe scde campane ijd. It : sol : ad le bellemaker de Okyngham p. le castyng scde campane de p r dict ... ... ... ... ... ... xvjr. viijd. It: sol: p cariand: eiusd m campane apud Okyngham & homward agen in expens ... ... ... ... ... ... iijj. iiijV. It: sol: henrico Slye p : le stokkyng scde campane ... ... i]s. xd. It : sol: Thome Ide p : factur : ferrei circa scdam campanam (&c.) ... js. viijV. It : sol : eid m Henrico p : le trussyng uppe tercie campane iiij te campane & magne campane ... ... ... ... ... iijj. \}d. These entries, from the date, without much doubt refer to Michell ; but it is impossible at present to speak positively. We are indebted for our knowledge of Michell's name to the Corporation Records* of Henley, Oxon, under date January 4th, 1493, when there was paid : — ix/z. iijj. iiijra jp>ro mvui% n The coin and R L shield as before ; the last stamp is the new lion's head. In Berks, a bell at Warfield, similarly inscribed to jSancta JXateriita ; and one at Stamford Dingley inscribed : — 4* ms j&mm ^auoaraux The stamps as the last. In Sussex, a similar bell at Easebourne. In Beds, at Maulbeer, a bell is recorded by Mr. North as similar to the last two, except that it is credited with the original lion's head. As we know that Mr. North, like other mortals, sometimes made mistakes, it is not unlikely that the stamp is in reality the later head, with which he was unacquainted. This later lion's head stamp has been somewhat ignored by previous writers, being noticed by Dr. Raven in a hesitating manner in Bells of Cambridge, p. 40, with a figure, which is to his " mind a better representa- tion of the head" on a bell (of a later date) at Caldecote, "than is that which we find in Mr. Ellacombe's and Mr. North's books." Mr. Tyssen, Bells of Sussex, p. 9, referring to the ordinary lion's head, says, " The Easebourne bell has a face somewhat similar to this, but still uglier." Mr. Ellacombe likewise hints at its existence in Bells of the Church. Michell appears to have been the last of this line of founders who worked at Wokingham ; for though a bell foundry was in operation here a century later, it was probably a fresh departure, and not a direct continua- tion of this old business. The following further extracts from the Thame accounts, a continuation of the history of the bell whose casting at Wokingham has been above recorded, seem to afford an insight into the history of the foundry* The bell broke again, and was taken down before Ascension, 1495. Two * These are from the extracts made some years back by Messrs. A. D. Tyssen and E. J. Payne. The original volume is now unfortunately lost ; at any rate, non est inventus. I 58 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. WILLIAM men were then sent on horseback to Wokingham, HASYLWQOD but a PP arent,v found on arrival there that the foundry was no longer in existence. The bell was then recast by William Hasylwood, in Reading, who as certain of the stamps used by founders who came after him tell us, was more or less the successor of the Wokingham founders (the two towns are only seven miles apart), though in the main he, individually, substituted new stamps. (From the Churchwardens' Accounts of Thame, Oxon, 1494-95). In primis Nicho: Bunse & Thome hyll equitants Wokyngfim ... ... xxrf. It m eid m Nicho : & Johi Bunting eqtantibs hendeley sup Thameseam* ... viij*/. It m in sumpt Johis : Cokks & Thome Hyll eqtant Redyng ad fusionem scde campane introrsu & extrorsu ... ... ... ••■ xijd. It m sol : Willmo Yong & Petro Powley p cariag. dte campane ad villam de Redyng j> nra pte ... ... ... ... ■•■ xxaf. It m in expensis circa suspensionem dte campane divs !s hoibs ... ... xijrf. It m p : una cordula ad id m opus ... ... ... ... ij clavis ... ... iiijrf. It m Willmo Hasylwood de Redyng p fusione scde campane ponderante xiiij C di & j quart p r c. le c vs. Sm. iij/z. xiijj. ix^f. unde j> parte nra xxxvjj. xd. ob. ll m Henrico Slyp totali labore suo ingrosso circa suspencbem scde campane & emendac : framee cum le trussyng j> me campane ... ... iiijj. ij<£ lt m inexpus: divsis hoibj laborants circa pendent dte scde campane ... ijrf. It m Johi Cathorpp p iiij or brac s ad id m opus ... ... ... viijt/. It™ sol j> scptur: indentur : & oblig: int diet pcurat : ecclie & Will m: Hasilwood ... ... ... ... ... ... i]d. From the removal of the foundry from Wokingham to Reading, the old set of lettering (Plates XV. and XVI.) was never used again in its entirety ; probably some were lost, others worn out. As before this, the lion's head had been clumsily copied, so later on were some (perhaps all) of the letters, see Plate XIX. William Hasylwood's special letters were a large, bold set of capitals, which, with the initial cross patfe, are shown on Plates XVII. and XVIII. The smalls are also a larger set than that hitherto in use, the " ft " being reversed. There are two bells in Bucks which may safely be assigned to this founder. The tenor at Ilmer : — * Henley would be on the way to either Wokingham or Reading, from Thame. READING FOUNDRY— END OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 59 * jScmcfct (JXaxQaveta Ova J*>ro Boats W ft u The shield is charged with the cross of S. George (Plate XIX.). This cross of S. George forms the " Jack," the foundation representing England, in the " Union Jack,'' and (with the addition in its first quarter of a sword erect for S. Paul, the special patron of the metropolis) is the arms of the City of London ; but I do not know whether that was Hasylwood's reason for adopting it as his trade badge. An exactly similarly inscribed bell is the treble at Chearsley : — * jScmcte y?aute Ova J?vo I^oBis uW5 Hants has at least one bell by him — the treble at Farley Chamberlayn — similarly inscribed to ^attcte Rafael ; while two bells in that county may be by him, or (more likely), by his successor. These are — the tenor at Compton, bearing only the cross, shield, and initials ; the " 1\ " belongs to Hasylwood's set, but the " W " belongs to the Wokingham crowned set. And the third at S. Michael's, Winchester, which bears the cross, shield, and initials, and the peculiar inscription, Specie Aba Gt PblcrtmtbtnDe Tbs, stamped in a different, smaller set of letters — both capitals and smalls, according to the plate published by the Rev. A. Du B. Hill, in a paper on The Church Bells of Winchester* Mr. Hill (following Mr. Ellacombe) attributes the bell to William Henshaw, of Gloucester. Mr. Ellacombe mentions the tenor at Whatley, Somerset, as having, inscribed entirely in crowned capitals, + SAHCTE G^GGO^I O^A P^O riOBlS rj (= the S. George's shield, followed by) W \- Without seeing the bell, or a rubbing, comment would be unsafe. In the churchwardens' accounts of S. Lawrence, Reading, for the year from the Annunciation " m'uccc.ycbuj &n0 in t&e rtijlfl get of ftgng $?arrg the btj'S" to the same feast in the next year, appears : — Itm rec of the wyfe of Wilhn Hafylwood for A sete ... ... ... v)d. The next extract, even if it does not refer to his work, as it probably does, at any rate shows a custom contemporary with him : — * Read before the Winton and Hants Scientific and Literary Society, July 9th, 1877. 60 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Itm payed for halowyng of the grete bell namyd Harry ... ... vjs. viijd. And over that Sir Wiltm Symys. Richard Clech. And maiftres Smyth beyng god faders And god moder at the confecracyon of the same bell. And beryng al op 5 cofte to the ffufrygan. The same accounts supply the following further allusions to William Hasylwood : — 1502-03. It. rec d of Wiltm Hasylwood for his wife is grave ... ... ... vjj. viijd?. It. rec d of ye same Wiltm for wast of torchis & for ye gret bell ye same time ... ... ... ... ... ... vjs. As appears by his will, his first wife's name was Margaret : from two to four years after her decease he married his second wife, named" Elizabeth : — 1 505-06. II. rec d of Wiltm Hasylwoodes wife for her seate ... ... ... vjV. 1 507-08. It. payed to Wiltm Hasylwood for a new holy water stok of laton ... ij\r. viij° nono. Jur' Margarete* relicte et executrice fem5 testo noiate. Ac approbat et insis n at Et coniissa fuit admistratio otm bono£ et debit£ prfate relicte et executrici in fimo testo noiat' de bene et fidelit adfhistrand ac de pleno et fideli Inr io cit ra fm puri n!s bte marie virg* |>x futu^ exhibend necnon de pleno et v r o compto reddend ad sea dei evng' in debita hire forma iurat'. William Hasylwood evidently died in 1509, and S. Lawrence's accounts have : — 1509-10. It. rec d of Hasylwood is weyff for ringing of the grett bell ... ... xijaT. It. rec d of Hasylwood is weyff for hir husbond is grave, & for couyng of b e same ... ••• ••• ... ■•■ ••■ vijj. ijrf. 1510-11. It. rec d for the greate Bell at Hasylwods mynd ... ... ... xi]d. Ian. payd for trussing of the ij d bell to Hasylwoodes man ... ... xi)d. JOHN This last item would refer to a workman of HASYLWOOD John Hasylwood, son, and probably successor, to William. JOHN WHITE. It i s doubtful whether there are any bells which should be assigned to John Hasylwood, or whether the next group, besides those mentioned doubtfully on p. 59, are not the work of his successor, John White, possibly at first as manager for John Hasylwood. White's name appears from 15 I5f (and he may have begun earlier) to 1539. Several references to him are quoted further on. The second bell at Hoggeston has the following sqmewhat mixed inscription : — ^ a e u * Mi W 4* □ u There is no obvious beginning or ending to this inscription, so let us * Sic: should be Elizabeth. f Fide Sussex Bells, p. 9, foot-note. 62 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. start with the handsome cross fleurettee, on Plate XIX., somewhat resemb- ling that at Shenley (Plate X), but smaller. It is obviously an old stamp, but I am unacquainted with its earlier history.* Next a black-letter " a," similar in size to the Wokingham set ; its chief characteristic is that the central bar, instead of running horizontally, forms a chevron, or inverted V ; I have not met with it elsewhere. Thirdly, the Wokingham coin stamp. In the fourth and fifth places come W. Hasylwood's S. George's shield and his cross patee. The next three places are occupied by the (copied) Wokingham crowned capitals, H, W, and cross. Ninthly comes the newer lion's head, and lastly, the R. L. shield. It seems not unreasonable to surmise that the \ = John Hasylwood, and the crowned W = White, his assistant, and probably the actual founder. I am led to this idea by the improbability that William Hasylwood, who owned a complete, and probably original, set of letters, should have used such a mixture in preference ; and also, as in the instances given above, he put his initials correctly enough — the horse before the cart — he is not likely, even if he used such a mixture of letters, to have himself got so completely mixed, as to reverse this natural order, and place the cart before the horse. Also, there are other Reading bells elsewhere, in which W figures as an initial of the founder ; for instance, the treble at Week, Hants, inscribed in William Hasylwood's letters, and with his cross and shield, but with the single initial, W, the wrong way up. I am inclined to believe, though not without considerable hesitation, that W, either singly or in combination, on a Reading bell — except where W H are both in Hasylwood's capitals — always stands for John White. Besides this bell at Hoggeston, in which I suppose White to figure as foreman to his predecessor John Hasylwood, there is a bell at Caldecote, Cambs,f with a very similar mixture of stamps, without legend, in the following order : William Hasylwood's cross patee, Wokingham crowned cross, the newer lion's head, S. George's cross shield, the crowned Woking- ham W, and the coin. At Bloxham, Oxon, the fifth bell bears : — * Mr. Ellacombe, in Bells of Devon, wrongly credits the bell already mentioned, which was formerly at Stonesfield, Oxon, with it. t Bells of Cambs, 2nd edition, p. 123. READING FOUNDRY— SIXTEENTH CENTURY. 63 I he black-letter is a very large set, ii| inches high. Sancta not only begins but ends with a capital, and the three last words are run together, and an aspirate prefixed. Some, perhaps all, of the capitals, are the reproductions of the original Wokingham set, of which samples are shown in Plate XIX. The last stamp is the later lion's head. The second bell at Ewelme, Oxon, has the following unintelligible inscription : — [D? k r v o K I W b q? b?] The initial D (or C ?, see Plate XIX.) is like the lettering on the tenor at Winchester College, figured by Mr. Du Boulay Hill {op. cit.), but not so large. The black-letter smalls are of the large rough set used on the Bloxham bell ; and the K I in the middle are in William Hasylwood's set of capitals (Plate XVII. and XVIII.). The W is the largest on Plate XIX. While no interpretation for the remainder of the inscription suggests itself, it would not be safe to insist on I W standing for John White ; but if it does, the capital K may also refer to someone connected with the foundry, perhaps as foreman, or even partner ; and there is a name which, by an obvious inference, seems all ready to hand, to fit in to that position — that of William Knight, the first of that family of excellent bellfounders, whose history is treated further on as a separate affair from the original Reading Foundry. There is another bell in Bucks, which I think was cast by John White. The " hottest " time of the Reformation may be supposed to have been during 1534-36, and at that time a bellfounder, who did not wish to be made a martyr of by either party, would feel a little hesitation as to the class of inscription it would be most prudent to place on his productions (the era of semi-profane doggerels, and the almost equally objectionable advertisement of the names of vicar and churchwardens, not having begun). Founders, therefore, sometimes (as again during Mary's reign) took a neutral course, and either produced nonsense inscriptions like the last, or else what are known as " alphabet " bells, which are also bells having no words inscribed on them that might bring the founder into hot water with either party,, but having simply, either the whole, or more frequently a portion, of the alphabet on them.' Such is the tenor at Boveney, inscribed 64 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. in William Hasylwood's capitals, and without initial cross, or other ornament : — M B O X> €{ B (3 Yet another somewhat eccentrically inscribed bell ought probably to be placed to White's credit, namely, the third at Marsh Baldon, Oxon : — •m m This is formed by the cross and last seven letters of the crowned Wokingham set alternated in a sportive manner in two lines, the upper of which is completed by Hasylwood's cross, a circular stamp, not occurring to my knowledge elsewhere, and the later lion's head. White is mentioned several times in the churchwardens' accounts of his own parish ;* and the following other persons may reasonably be supposed to have been relations of the bellfounder : — 1504-05. "White" was Executor of John Love. 1514-15. " Mr. White " buried. Michaelmas. 15 16-17. In prmis for ryngyng of the grete bell for the knyll of Raphe white of Okynglim xijV. It for tyllyng of the grete bell at the knyll of whit the belfownders wif ... xijrf. It for the grave of the same wif ... ... ... ... vjs. viijd. It for co vyng of the same grave ... ... ... ... yidf. It for the grete bell ryngyng at her buryeng ... ... .., x ijV. 1519-20. It of White for xijc iij qrs. q r ii. of old led at my- y£- the C. ... iij«- xix<* ob. It paid to White for iijC. of latthes, at v* a C. ... ... ... xv*- 1520-21. It paid to White the Belfounder for arrerag* of the glasse for the new ) wyndows in the quere in full payment for the same wyndows ... J "* X " J *' 11IJ ' * Some of these are quoted from the History of the Municipal Church ofS. Lawrence, Reading, by Rev. C. Kerry (Reading, 1883). READING FOUNDRY— SIXTEENTH CENTURY. 65 1523-24. It to John Whytt for bords to the new seatts indebtyd of old ... ... viij* 1525-26. "Will. Whytt" buried. 1526-27. It to John Whytt for viij brasses for bells cont i c - & ix lb - at iij d - the j lb - ... xxx'- iij iii«<. In Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, February, 1529; 5330, Cromwell (at the Record Office) : — An Indent"" Dat the viij th Day of ffebruarij Anno H viij. xix° of a bargayn and delyuerry of metall towards the making of a greate bell vnto John White of Reding by thande of Thomas Crumwell gent to the foffie v m iipiiij 1 * viij 1 *- weight of bell Metall. In the same :- An obligacon Dat the xviij th Daye of ffebruarij Anno H viij. xix° Wherein John White ftondeth bounde to the faid Thomas ..- John White in the fome of CC nlkg ft 9 of and for the founder pformance of £tayfi Couuen a nte fpecefyed in a pe of Indentu£ Dat the viij tb Daye of ifebruarij . CC fik& S. Lawrence's (Reading) accounts continue : — 1534-35- Rec of John White for the yeres rent of y e tefite in the South side of the newe ftrete endyd at the same ffeaft (= midfom') 5 ) , (. Xllj*- 111J«- This is repeated each year until 1547-48: in which last account, "ij° tentf " are specified. In the account rendered at Ascensiontide, 1539, by the churchwardens of Thame, Oxon, is the charge already quoted (p. 46) for breakfast for " mr white of Redyng & the men of london," and others. The men of London seem probably to have been Thomas Lawrence's party, who had unsuccess- fully re-cast the treble and tenor. The account continues : — Itm pd for an obligacon wt a Condicon made betwene the } forefaid mait*'' white & the pifhe cocernyng the trebull bell J viij'' 66 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. The accounts of S. Lawrence, Reading, continue : — 1539-40. Rec for the knyll of Criftian white fir» ryngyng at her month mynde ... ij»- Graves— Rec for the grave of Criftian White &" Covyng thereof ... ... vijr liijrf In the same account, taken Michaelmas, 31-32 Henry VIII., = 1540 : — payd to John White for plonks for seats ... ... ... ••• v) d - payd to the same John for a bell whele ... ... ... ... V- may refer either to him, or (as in the case of the rent of the tenements above, during the latter part of the time), to his son,* as JOHN the bellfounder died or retired during that financial SAUNDERS vear > Probably in the early part of it, because the name of his successor, John Saunders, appears earlier in the same account : — Payd to John Saunders for kastinge of IvijK of old brass at j d obthe pound \ „ f . rf & for xx 1 ' of newe brass at iij d the pound ... ... ... I And just afterwards : — payd to John Saunds for his labour abowt the bells ... ... ... viij rf - From the entire absence of the name Saunders in the Registers of S. Mary's, Reading, until 1576, or seventeen years after his death; and also from the burials referred to in the accounts of S. Lawrence, in that town (the registers there do not extend back far enough to throw any light on the point), until his wife's and his own appear ; it amounts almost to a certainty that he was not a Reading man, but came there to succeed to White's business. * John White's son is possibly referred to in the following extract from an Indenture of Delivery of Church Goods, 27th May, 7 Edward VI. (=1553). (Record Office, Exch. Q.R., Herefordshire, 7 Edward VI. T.G., 151365V) :— Wefton fubt» Penyarde. Itm iiij°r belle whereof the leaft is xxx d > inches the fecond xxxj di inches the third xxxvij inches, the iiij th xvj inches brode ov in the mouthes. for the cafting a newe of iij of the faid belle, they owe to John Whyte of Brystowe xxvj-*- viij^- Bridstow, Herefordshire, is between the parish of Weston-under-Penyard on the west, and Ross on the east. READING FOUNDRY — SIXTEENTH CENTURY. 6"J He seems to have been in some way connected with Winchester* and London, as shown lower down ; and it is within the bounds of possibility that he may have been one of " the men of london " who met " White of Redyng'' at breakfast at Thame one morning in 1538-9, as above quoted. John Saunders was casting at Reading from 1539 to 1559. There are a few bells which bear his initials, and as to which, therefore, there can be no reasonable doubt ; but there are other bells connected with these by stamps or lettering, most of which are almost certainly by him, though one or two might be by someone else, from whom he afterwards obtained the stamps ; others, possibly, by someone who followed him in their possession. These bells occur in Bucks, Berks, Oxon, Herts, Middlesex, Sussex, and Hants. I will try to reduce these to some sort of order, and select, to begin with, the treble at Fulmer (Bucks), inscribed in small black-letter : — Sancta marta ora pro nobis VI_ in The is, which are the same lettering as the body of the inscription, are shown on Plate XIX., and also the W, the smallest example on that plate, I suppose this to be one of Saunders' first Reading productions, and that the W is intended to show his connection with White's foundry. Next shall be mentioned the tenorf at Drayton, Berks, which bore : — S m«a>?®z& S |fS§ Examples of this set of capitals are shown on Plate XX. (upper alphabet). The words are divided by an S-like stop, which does not * I have to give my best thanks to the Very Rev. the Dean of Winchester, for kindly givin^ me the opportunity to hunt (quite unsuccessfully) in the archives of that cathedral, in hopes of finding some clue to the existence of a bellfounder there, from whom Saunders might have obtained the Winchester stamps ; and further, I am indebted to Alderman W. H. Jacob, for researches into the city archives, which were equally unsuccessful, so far as this object was concerned. Mr. Ellacombe (Gloucester Bells, p. %o) has shown that the well-known bellfounding family of Purdue came from Winchester : one, Symon Purdew, of Hyde Street, Winchester, having a son, George, born about 1580, who was afterwards bell-founding in Taunton, but it has not been ascertained whether Symon was himself a bellfounder. f Now melted (at the Whitechapel Foundry). 68 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. occur in Bucks, and the square stop at the end is fig. 37, the arms of the Episcopal See of Winchester. At Findon,* Sussex, Mr. Tyssen has recorded : — • Sane [] te [] U gafcrt [] cits The last syllable, though looking like a meaningless inflection of Gabriel, seems almost certainly to be intended for the founders' initials. The lettering consists of an initial capital belonging to the set used at Drayton, while the rest is in the small set of black-letter, used at Fulmer. The first (square) stop is fig. 37, the other (narrow) stop is fig. 38, which,- from its family likeness, one cannot help suspecting to be, like the R L shield — which appears in the middle — an old Wokingham stamp, although I do not know of any earlier instance of its use. 1 B B Fig. 37- At Waterstock, Oxon, is : — Sa«cte § nte § colat Fig. 38. U i ffi a The same black-letter : the initial S is a small rough letter, not occurring, to my knowledge, elsewhere : the stop is the rope-pattern one, figured on Plate XIX : the R L shield, and the coin stamp also appear. At Kimpton, Herts, Mr. Stahlschmidt has recorded : — sancD t^DUbn D8tane i tug * Melted at the Whitechapel Foundry, 1870. READING FOUNDRY— SIXTEENTH. CENTURY. 69 in a larger black-letter, about if inches high ; with figs. 37 and 38, and the R L shield ; and at Brightwell Baldwin, Oxon, is : — * sancta : marta * is in the same large black-letter, with a cross potent, of corresponding size, % which I do not know elsewhere. These half-dozen bells, having his initials, leave us in little doubt as to their authorship ; but at S. Peter Cheesehill, Winchester, the second and third (tenor) are respectively inscribed in the capitals and small black-letter already mentioned, with the Winchester Arms : — IP M. ^C M © M M. ® J. J3_ IH] gancta mar grtta ora pro nobis It occurs to one to ask, without any immediate prospect of an answer, were not these two bells cast by a Winchester rather than a Reading founder? If so, was it the man under whom Saunders learnt his trade, or was it Saunders himself, working there before he went to Reading? There are bells inscribed in the same small black-letter, generally with the syllables more or less divided, like the last, and with the Winchester arms, at Stoke Charity (Hants) ; West Itchenor, Easebourne, and Elstead (Sussex) ; Tidmarsh (Berks) ; and Greatworth (Northampts) ; with a capital letter to the first word, from the Drayton and Winchester set, at Sherfield (Hants); and Twickenham (Middlesex); with the substitution of the rope-pattern stop, shown on Plate XIX., instead of the Winchester Arms, at Fawley (Bucks) ; and an exactly similar bell at Basingstoke (Hants). At Hurley (Berks) the second bell has the following peculiar inscription in the same small black-letter, preceded by the Winchester Arms, and with the S-like stop freely interspersed : — M * f S tc S ct S 6« S tl S «S « S The only interpretation that suggests itself is, jfcancte jgebastiane, but I will not undertake to say positively, that I have read every letter in this inscription correctly. There are two bells in Bucks, inscribed in the large set of black-letter which was used on the Kimpton and Brightwell Baldwin bells. They are 70 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. without capitals, and have a shield as initial (Plate XIX.), which is not known elsewhere. These bells are, the second at Hitcham, inscribed : — u saitcte d petre [] and the fourth at Cheddington, inscribed : — nnancta □ marta □ ora n pron nobtfn They are connected with this foundry by the stop (fig. 38), as well as by the lettering. The shield is charged with a barrel or "Tun," out of the bunghole of which a W is appearing. This is evidently a Rebus, and may read W-in Tun = Winton, or Winchester. The shield is a bouche, that is, there is a notch in what should be the dexter chief (this notch was cut to allow the lance to pass through as the shield hung over the breast). The stamp, however, was not reversed, so the impression is inverted, and the notch appears on the sinister side. In base are four letters, divided into two pairs by a small quatre-foil. These letters are, unfortunately, not clearly distinct on either example, and are evidently, like the shield itself, reversed ; but are, I think, DR. OK. Saunders is the most likely man to have cast the bells, and, doubtless, procured the shield from Winchester, and probably three sets of letters, and other stamps as well. In Bells of Lincoln Mr. North figures a somewhat similar stamp from a bell at Saltfleetby S. Peter, in that county. He describes it (p. 75) as, " a trade mark, consisting of a shield bearing the letter W, over which is a tun, and above the shield a plain cross terminating in a cross patte'e, having a bell hanging from its sinister arm." One -more bell should, I think, be credited to Saunders, though, on the other hand, he may have been credited with more than his share already. This is the fourth at Goring (Oxon), inscribed in the large black-letter, and without any stop or other ornament : — sancte blast Entries in the books of the Founders' Companyf show that for the last * The £ was never stamped. \ Bells of Herts, p. 17. READING FOUNDRY — SIXTEENTH CENTURY. 7 1 few years of his life, Saunders may have been also casting in London. In the year 1554-55 occurs the entry : — P d for admyttyng John Saunders, Straynger ... ... xijrf. ,, „ ' Gylbert Smythe, his S'ant ... ... xijrf. And in the annual entries of "quarterage" payments, his name has been found by Mr. Stahlschmidt during the next three years. In 1557-58 he appears to have been admitted to the " Livery " of the Guild, the entrance fine of xiijj. iiijd. being duly recorded. In the 1559 list, only Gylbert Smythe's name is entered, as a " Journeyman Stranger," for Saunders died in Reading, intestate, in the year 1558-59. No London-made bells by Saunders have been recognised, and Mr. Stahlschmidt much doubted if any were cast, thinking it quite possible that his getting the freedom of the Founders' Guild was for convenience in binding apprentices only. Still, I would suggest, as a very possible thing, that Saunders, in 1556, may have succeeded Austen Bracker in the business formerly owned by Walgrave, Crowch, Danyell, Jordan, and others, and that Gilbert Smythe was his manager in London, and Welles at Reading. Saunders is mentioned frequently (besides the entries already quoted) in the churchwardens' accounts of his own parish, S. Lawrence, and in those of the adjoining parish of S. Mary, Reading.* In S. Lawrence's accounts for 1539-40, is : — Rec for the seat of John Saund r s wyfe ... ... ... vj<£ This is repeated in the next year's account. In the account 35-36 Henry VIII. (= 1543-44), is : — paid to John Saunders in full payment for the clock bell iiip- y- In 37-38 Henry VIII. (= 1543-46) :— paid to John Saunders for a bell whele ... ... ... v'y- viij rf - At the reformation sale of goods belonging to this parish, is recorded in the accounts for 1 and 2 Edward VI. (= 1547-48) : — Rec. of John Sawnders for Stzyne lateyn metall vnto hym sold as i followeth/ that is to witt iiij litle Canfticket yj greate Canftickg A Branche w* vij Canfticke/ ij lampes/ A Beame w' x canstickg &° spyndelle vj lynke xx laten BolleJ that were of the rode light/ ij Croffes A pax A Defke &»jij smale Jmage vppon the deske weying all ix C weyght At xvij s the hundred/ which cumyth to v vij// xiijj * For the extracts from the latter parish, I have to thank A. D. Tyssen, Esq. f An archaism, not an abbreviation. \ Sconces for tapers. 72 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Rec. (&c.) of John Sawnders for a holy wa? pott di of his owne brasse ... 1 l ... yls yi<£ at iiij rf the pownde : and for the casting of our owne J j j In S. Lawrence's accounts for 1548-49 (Michaelmas), in the list of debts to the church : — At this day is remayning in the hands of John Sawnders the mores appell & the bells. Debts, 1549-50. It ther remayneth in the hand of John Sawnders the I he delyved it to M r appells belonging to the mores dawncs & the bells j Dukland as he saith. In I550:— Rec d for the kny 11 of Saunders wife ... ... ... xij rf . Rec d for the grave of Saunders wife ... ... ... vij J - iiij^- i Phil. & Mary. Sonday next after all halow-day (= 1st Sun. in Nov., 1555). paid to John Sawnders for a crosse and a pair of cansticks ... x J - paid for a sakeryng bell ... ... ... ••• xiiij<& * Perhaps the canons were broken, and holes had to be drilled through the crown of the bell, to hang it. READING FOUNDRY — SIXTEENTH CENTURY. 73 In 1556, a churchyard was granted, and a new wall built at "vijj. the perche ; each perche being xviij footes ; " among the subscribers is : — John Sawnders j pche ... ... ... ... vij*- S. Mary's accounts record, under 1558-59 : — Payd to the goodman Saunders towards casting of the bell ... LI I* S. Lawrence's accounts, for the year ending Michaelmas, 1559 (1st Elizabeth), have : — The Great Bell — Itm for the goodman Saunders knyll ... xx<* The Best Pawle. Itm for the goodman Saunders buryall ... vj<£ Graves. Inprimis for the goodman Saunders grave ... vij*- iiij<* These refer, without much doubt, to the bellfounder himself. In Edward VI.'s reign (1547-53), a Joseph Saunders was turned out of the Corporation of Reading, for alleged seditious words.* " Nicholas Saunders," who appears in S. Lawrence's list of the defunct, in 1586-7, was no doubt a relation — very likely a son — and " Will. Saunders," who rented seat No. 12, in "the North He," in 1607, at a charge of 3^., was probably the representative of the family a generation later again. The baptisms of two daughters of the latter are recorded in S. Lawrence's Register — Mary, February 7th, 1605 ; Alice, 4th September, 1608. A John Saunders, who died in 1638, and was buried at Uffington, Berks, gave to S. Lawrence's " One large " silver " Flagon." Saunders, of Woolston, is mentioned in Ashmole's Visitation of Berks. The following inventory of Saunders' goods, was copied by Mr. Tyssen, at Oxford : — (About the end of 1559). The inventory of the goods & catells of John Saunder late of Redyng in the county of Berks Bellfounder. psed by Robt Bowyer mayo of the Borogh of Redyng John Okhm Steward ther John Tatley & John Cowner. (The following rooms are mentioned : the hawle, pier, chamber over hawle, another chamber over the shop, chamber over kitchen.) In the litle hawle — It viij pounds of woole in a baskatt ... ... ... v*- It vj brasse potts vj chafarst iij pannys ... iiij*'- v'f- viij^- It fyve basons of laten ... ... ... ... v J - * Man's History of Reading, p. 362. {Ex. inform. A. D. Tyssen, Esq.) f Saucepans. Vllj' viij viij viij* s. 74 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. It a chafer ij chafyng dyshes ij potts & a morter ... x* It iiij brochis* ij paire of pott hoks ij gredirons \ x „. ..j. rfi ij cobbardsf ij dryppyng pannys & iij pott hengers i It xxj candelstycks ... ... ••■ ••• XJ ' It Cxxxviij/z of pewter ... ... ... ... xlvj*- viij* It olde bell mettall the value ... ... x*'- It ij pannys ... ... ... ••■ ■■• &' ItcoolysJ ... ... ... ... ••• v* It xv new cast potts ... ... ... ••■ xl J - It pott molds ... ... ... iiij''- **■ It molds for bell hedds ... ... ... ... x* It iiij loods of hay ... ... ... xxv It bell molds & tolys|| apptayning to the bell howce xiij /z - It woode It ij hoggs ... ... ... ... ••• v It a cow ... ... ... ... ••■ xx*- It a mare ... ... ... ... ■•• xx 1 - It xvij new potts in the shop & a xj hande bells vj''°- xj 1 - It a xj kettells & olde metall in the shopp ... vj*"- vj»- viij* Sm. iiij xx one pounds ijj. What happened to this ancient foundry when Saunders died, is not clear. There is a manuscript book preserved among the archives of the Corporation of Reading, entitled The Booke of the Names and Ordinnances of the Cutlers and Bellfounders Companye. Unluckily it is undated. It contains lists of " The Cutlers, The Bellfounders, Brasiers and Pewterers, Smithes, The Pinners, The Barbors, The Carpenters," and a variety of other trades ; and some " perticuler Orders " regulating some of them. It gives the names of three bellfounders (presumably separate businesses) co-existing in the town, namely, William Welles, William Knighte, Vincent Gorowaye. Mr. Tyssen§ considered the date to be about 1565, but Mr. StahlschmidtIF thought it should be put somewhat earlier, for, in the books of the Founders' Company, of London, for 15 18, he found the name of Winsent Galaway, while a William Knight was Under Warden of the Company in that year, Upper Warden in 1528, and Master of the Guild in I530-3I- This book contains also two " Generall orders agreed uppon by the said Mai r - & Burgifses & theier said cofnen Councell," as follows : — * For broaches = spits. f • Sideboards, or Cupboards. J Coals. || Tools. § Bells of Sussex, p. 20, foot-note. IT Bells of Surrey, p. 94. READING FOUNDRY — SIXTEENTH CENTURY. 75 " Itm — that no manor of psone from hensfourthe shall set upp occupy or use any trade mistery sciens crafte or occupacion within the said Boroughe of Reading or the Liberties of the same other then suche as be or shalbe allowed & registred Freemen of the same Boroughe unlefse the said pty or pties do first agree & compound w th the Maio r & Burgifses ther." '■ Itm — that every Strannger & Forryner that shall happen to com to inhabite occupye or use any occupacion within the said Boroughe or the Liberties thereof as is aforsaid shall pay to the use of the Hall of the said Boroughe suche Fines at the leaste apporcioned alowed & stalled* for the said sciens & occupacion as herafter followeth w ch fines shalbe payed fourth w th uppon his or theier alowannce or admittannce." Then follows a list of " The Fines apporcioned allowed & stalled for the sciences & occupacons of The Cutlers & Bellfounders Company," among which is : — Bellfounders fine to be at the least ... iip'- which is .£1 more than is put upon any other trade. Another volume among the Reading Archives, is the Book of Freedoms, which begins in 1603. It classifies upwards of forty trades and occupations, but bellfounders are not mentioned. t Probably all three of the above founders learnt the business in the old Reading Foundry, and eventually each set up for himself independently. I find Knight (or a son and namesake) casting on his own account from 1567 (and he probably began earlier), and as his and his descendants' business seems to have been disconnected with the old foundry, it is here treated as a separate affair further on. No bells by Goroway (or Galaway, etc.) are recog- (VINCENT nised, and he may be dismissed with a very brief GOROWAY.) n °ti ce - 1° the churchwardens' accounts of S. Lawrence (Reading), is : — 1564. Reed of Vincent Gorway for yJ' of certayne brasse ... xij J - In the churchwardens' accounts of S. Giles' parish (Reading), is the following, which seems more likely to refer to him than to anyone else : — 1569. Itm paid for the castinge of the Bell ... ... ... xxix* iiij'^ Itm payed to VyncentJ for the pte of Castinge of the Bell ... xiij* iiij<* In the Marriage Register of S. Mary (Reading), are : — * i.e., ordained, or made. t Ex inform. A. D. Tyssen, Esq. ■\ Vincent occurs as a surname in these accounts, in 1508, 1522, etc., but in this item it seems at least quite likely to stand for Goroway's christian name. 76 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. 1574* ffebrua Jonas (?) Gorowaye to Alice Okhame iiij th 1585 Septem Robart Gorowaye to Rose Watlingtone xijtk Among the " Chryftenynges " at S. Giles' (Reading), are : — 1578 The 20 of June Annis Goroway Baptized 1588 the 10 of november Thomas Garoway Baptized 1590 The 19 of Apprell James Gorowaye [and another] was Baptized 1592* The 1 of Januarie Elizaf Gorowaye baptized 1593* The . 24 . of march Eluab : Gorowaye 1 598 December The . 3 . Willm Goraway The name appears as " Conawaye " (with further variations), in S. Lawrence's Registers, during the seventeenth century. William Welles has been considered as the successor of WILLIAM Saunders, though there seems hardly more reason to suppose WELLES ^at he was such, than in the case of Goroway. Knight, I think, may well have branched off into an independent business some years earlier. There only remain, so far as I am aware, two Reading bells of uncertain authorship, still to be described. These are, the treble at Leckhampstead, inscribed, like the last bell attributed to Saunders, in his larger black-letter, without any stop or ornament, but spaced out with such extraordinary irregularity, as almost to suggest that the stamps were applied to the cope, just after the founder had been entertained to dinner by the churchwardens. The spaces vary from two to seven inches : — g a btie b i v % o m at r Possibly this bell was cast during Saunders' reign, but as Leckhamp- stead is over forty miles distant, as the crow flies, from Reading, he may have sent his assistant (? Welles) to cast it on the spot. The other bell, the treble at Radclive, has an interesting mixture : — jsancte □ ®ZoX%z n ®ra o £4 "V The S is a clumsy imitation of the crowned Wokingham set, and so is probably the G, though it is not crowned. These, and the capital O, are * As previous to 1752 the year began 25th March, this would belong to the following year, according to the present (Gregorian) calendar; and so with other dates quoted further on. READING FOUNDRY — SIXTEENTH CENTURY. 77 shown on Plate XIX. The smalls are the same large black-letter, except the o (in George), which is oval, and not black-letter, and smaller than the other letters. The two square stamps are the Royal Heads (figs. 2 and 3), usually believed to represent Edward III. and his Queen Philippa. Some- thing of the first chapter in their history has been given on p. 11, and they subsequently passed through many hands, but were not previously known to have at any time taken up their abode in Reading. The Queen's Head (hardly, however, the original stamp) was in existence more than two centuries later again, being used by Hedderley, of Nottingham, on a bell at Duffield, in Derbyshire, in 1786.* The circular medallion is William Dawe's well-known stamp (fig. 16), though he must have been dead nearly a century and a half when this bell was cast. It seems a reasonable surmise, that if Saunders undertook a business in London, in addition to that at Reading, his successor may well have done so too, and that he procured these stamps there. The initials K V follow : for the former (lying on its back) William Hasyl wood's letter is employed ; for the latter, a letter about the size of the Wokingham crowned set — perhaps a copy without the crown. It is possible that William Knight had not started his independent foundry when this bell was cast, and (as before at Ewelme), the K may refer to him working under Welles ; and though perhaps unlikely, yet it is not impossible, that V stands for Vincent Goroway. I cannot find any possible donor's or rector's name to fit. I found no references in S. Lawrence's (Reading) accounts to Welles as a bellfounder ; but when there was a " gathering of this parryfh," " For the new cafting of Kelsall, y e Great Bell," in 1567, which was executed by William Knight — among the subscribers appears the name " wyllm wells — xvjd.," while another subscriber was " John well? — v\d!' Among the persons whose bequests, interments, and obsequies are therein recorded, are : — 1569-70, Goodman Wells buried in the church. Wells' daughter. 1573-4. Goodman Welles. 1574-5, Alice Wells. 1593-4, Goodwife Welles. 1602, Richard Wells. And in the Registers of S. Mary's (Reading), are : — Baptized: 1541, John Wells. 1544, Hen: Welles. 1546, James Welles. 1595, Janua, ffanncis Welles. 1598, Sara Welles. And— 1600, Mary: 1601, Phebe: 1608, Richard : — children of Thomas Wells. Married: 1547, Agnes Welles. 1551, John Wellis. 1583, Agnes Welles to Anthonie Knight. * Bells of Herts, p. 11. 78 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Buried: 1541, John Welles. 1542, Alice Welles. 1550, ffebrua, Agnes Welles. 1552, Joan Welles. 1577, John Welles. 1589, March xv'b John Welles. 1602, Agnes, wife of Antho: Knight. 1602, William Welles somtimes servant to M 9 Tatnoll. The Inventory of Welles' goods, however, at Somerset House, shows him as a bellfounder, and contains some curious items. It is not itself dated, but is docketed 1572; the latter of the above-mentioned "goodmen" Welles, was therefore, doubtless, the founder ; and he probably died about March, 1572-3 : — The Invetory of the Goodes and cattells of wylhn welles of Reddinge in the countye of Barke late Defeafed : prayfed* by Robarte wayelande John Yately S-» Raphe mercer/. "The hawle" and "the parlour" contained nothing of special interest. "The chamber over the parllo r -" besides " ij beddftede, a fflockbedd, ij blanckette, a bolfter and a curtyn," contained, Itm ij bowes a fheiffe of arrowes ' X s a habbarde a fworde Sr" a coote of plate ! Then come " The chamber over the hawle," " the lyttle hawle," " the chamber over the fhoppe," " the chamber over the kytchyn," "his apparelle." Then — In the back-howfe, Itm a Querne to grynde mawlt ... xiij* iiij<' Itm a s bowltinge whytch,f viij tobbes \ iiij kyvers, a wellhockett ... '- ... xv s a wyne veffell <&•» ij trooffg+ ••• j Itm viij peyre of bellowes 6-» a conycage|| xl* In the bell-howfe. Itm an Iron beame w th his aptenance i'j /z xiij* 4^ Itm ix led wayghtes. 6° a fledge ... iiij'*' Itm pott mowldes xl* Itm in woode XX s Itm ij meltinge pannes XX s In the ware howfe. Itm in olde Iron &» mettell iijtf In the buttrye {inter alia) a Dragge.§ In the kytchyn {inter alia) a ffurnace p'ce xiij* iiij^ (&c), a Iron flyceU (&c), a pofnett.** iij fkilletett (&c), a latten bafon with a Skymar, (&c), ij flowe r potte. * F 'or priced, or appraised. t A bolting-hutch is the wooden receptacle into which the meal is sifted. — Halliwell. % Troughs. II The earliest record I have met with of tame rabbits. § Probably a truck or trolly for moving heavy weights (5= bells). 1T A fire pan for wood fires; or, "an instrument of the kitchen to turne meate that is fried." Elyot, 1559. — Halliwell. ** A little pot. ft A small pot of iron or copper or brass, with a long handle. — Halliwell. WHITECHAPEL FOUNDRY— SIXTEENTH CENTURY. 79 The Inventory ends with his possessions " In lynnen." Sm a 61 # y 8 rf By me Roberte wayland Raffe mercer. Itm iij Iron beames ... .. ... xv* By 1578, Joseph Carter was manager of this foundry, but whether he took up the business immediately on the death of Welles, or Goroway, or whoever the last .man was, is not known. Before beginning the chronicle of Joseph Carter's doings, it seems simplest to turn to a London business, which he afterwards took : and which, though the pedigree at that time is not clear, may very likely have been the continuation of the ancient business whose first known chief was Dawe, and about which we get a little mixed by the middle of the sixteenth century* (see p. 47). The Whitechapel Foundry. (ROBERT In 1570, Robert Mot appears as a bellfounder in Essex uaj \ Street, on the north side of High Street, Whitechapel, London, where Tewkesbury Court now is, in the then country parish of S. Mary Matfellon. From that date to the present time the business has continued uninterruptedly. Mr. Stahlschmidtf believed that Mot was a native of Canterbury, and the son of John Mott,+ who at the time of the reformation, did a good trade in that city, buying up old metal, the plunder of the monasteries and churches. It is not known where he learnt his trade ; it may have been under William Oldfield, bellfounder of Canterbury ; or, perhaps, under Thomas Kempe, bellfounder, whose burial at S. Botolph, Aldgate, is mentioned in the following extracts from the churchwardens' accounts and parish clerk's books of that parish (for which I am indebted to Mr. A. D. Tyssen). They also supply some information about Mott : — 1574 Receyved at the Buryall of Thomas Kempe bell founder the 1 day of \ Auguste for One Afternoon's Knell with the great Bell ... ... ) X1V (C W a/cs Book 1.) * It should be recollected that there was little demand for new bells from the latter part of Henry VIII. 's reign, until well on in Elizabeth's reign. f Bells of Herts, p. 43. % A Patrick de la Mote was appointed Master Founder of Ordnance at the Tower of London, in the reign of Henry VII. , 15th December, 1485. — Materials for the History of Henry VII., I., 219, where the grant is given. 8o THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. The trebble Bell changed by Mr Mott the 20* of June, 1588 {Book 3.) 1589 Memerandum that the second bell beinge cracke was taken downe and chandged the xxx th day of July ano 1589 with Robert Mott a Bellfownder dwellinge in Whyt Chappell Parrishe By Ihon Watterskott then being Church Warden (Book 4.) Memerandum that the newe second Bell being wayed at the howse of M r - Hayar a Widow dwellinge in Bishopsgate Streete neare unto the signe of the Bull the xxx h daye of July ano 1589 it wayed 9 C and a half and M r - Mott was to chandge the same for viij shillings the hondrethe alowinge wayght for wayght and for the over wayght M r - Mott was to have \]d. the pound the Wayght of the Newe Second Bell. Chardgis for the hanginge of the seconde Bell. Chardgis for Cariedge and Wayenge of the sayd Bell. I S 8 9 10/z. 13^. vjd. payd to Robert Mott the Bell fownder. 16 Shillings besyds the owld greate Bell Clapper payd to Stephen Stephens for a new Claper to the Greate Bell. Memerandum that M r - Waterskott beinge Churchwarden did pay unto William Underell being the Sexten of S'- Buttolphes w'howte Aldersgate the xxx* 1 day of July ano 1589 for hanginge of the second Bell the some of xijj. this monye was payd hem by the Clarke the 23 rd of Awgust at M r - Hayse his house Payd to a Carman for Caryedge of the Owld Bell to M r - Hagars howse and home to M r - Motts howse ... ... xiv<* Payd for wayenge of y e sayd Bell ... ... ... iv<* Payd for Porteredge of the sayd Bell ... ... ... ij<* Item at the said Vestrie It was declared by Jhon Waterskott that the prishe Ded stand indebted unto Robert Mott Bellfownder for the Chandge of the second Bell which Bell was Chandged with hym the xxx day of July anno 1589 Last past the some of x li - xi\y- vj<* as by a Bill of the sayd Reckninge Ded Apeare the wch some the pishe is to see hem payd at ou r Lady Day next cominge after the date above wrighten. Memerandum that William Thomas beinge the Church Warden Ded paye unto Robert Mott the Bellfownder Dwellinge in Whyte Chappell prishe the xvh day of Aprill Anno 1 590 the some of x 1 *- xiiy- \] d - and was for the chandge of the second Bell chandged w'h him the xxx'h Day of July ano 1589 This sayd Mony was payd to the said Robert Mott in the |?sents of Robert Hayse Charles Russell and Thomas Harrydance. Memorandum that Ihon Woodrofe and Humphrey Scraggs beinge Church Wardens ded paye unto Stephen Stephens the ix h day of May anno 1592 the some of xvj s - and more they ded delliver unto him the owld greate Bell Clapper wayenge xlviij 7 "- at ) d - the pound which ded amount to the some of iv s - So that Stephen Stephens had in all for the newe greate Bell Clapper which doth way lv#- the some of xx s - so that the new Clapper doth stand the pishe verie neare in iv*- ob. the pownd (Book 4.) FROM READING TO WHITECHAPEL. In the churchwardens' accounts of S. Mary, Reading ; among the Receipts for the year ending April 1st, 1605, is : — Itm of W Motte for 90'- of Bell mettell Lefte ... ... xliiij- 1 - Mot had an extensive business — Mr. Stahlschmidt has, for instance, recorded thirty- four bells by him, now, or formerly, hanging in Kentish towers — but there is no example in Bucks. His foundry stamp (fig. 39) is here given, for comparison with subsequent modifications of it by successors. Fig. 39- IOSEPH In IQ o6 Mot sold the Whitechapel business to Joseph rAPTPR Carter, who, as already mentioned, was established by 1578 " (very likely earlier), as manager of the ancient Reading Bell-foundry. In that year Carter, a parishioner of S. Lawrence, Reading, re-cast one of the bells of that church* and another one two years later. In the churchwardens' accounts these transactions are thus recorded : — 1579- It XV Collection of strangers & parishioners towards casting the bells &c. ... xv vj The charges for stocking the v bells & and the new making the wheels, the letting down two bells & having them up again & other work (Among other items—) P d for 5 hoopes for the wheels ... ..■ ■■• •■• ij f P<1 for a druggf to cary ye bells to ye founders ... ... ... vj rf * History of S. Lawrence's, p. 86. \ A timber carriage. M 82 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. P d for bred and drink geven to them that helped downe ye two bells, and did help up ye gret bell againe Pd for a plank to make plate to keep the gudgens of the bells clene 1580. Rec d of the parishioners of St. Mary's towards the casting of the great bell of our parishioners more this year in part xviij^ xviij'' XXU1J J lvij J \d vj ob']. V!/ v\] li xvy xxxix 1 paid to the bellfounder in part ... ... ... ... xij' paid for making the two obligations ... ... p d for nails (duble x d ) to amend the boxe of the bellrope 1581. Rec d of M r Gryffen for ye pennance of our rent allotted to ye great bell by ye official Rec d of goodman Moore towards ye casting of ye bells P d for bred and beer for them w<* helped down with the bells P d to Josephe Carter for the rest of casting the two bells P d to Weston for takinge down & hanging upp ye two bells & mending ye clockhouse ... P d for drink at the hanging of the bells ... ... ... ... x d P d for bred and drink for cariedg of Kelsall* bell to & fro ... ... xvjd P d for ye making ye obgaciof for Kelsall bell ... ... ... viij rf p d to them that took paynes to help up ye sayd bell ... ... ... vij^ p d for caringe y e clapp into london street ... ... ... ... ij<£ p d for caringe home of ye truckes lent us to carie o r bells ... ... iij<* 1582. Rec d of Josephe Carter belfounder at seuerall tymes for y e rest of y e mettall y' was left out in casteyng y e fourth bell and gret bell P d for bred and drink for them yt holp to take down ye bell ... ... vij-^ p d for making Kempsall bawdrick ... • ... ... ... xv jar p d for bred & drink for them yt helped up ye bell ... ... ... v ]d p d for light when ye gret bell was hanged up ... ... ... — p d for the hanging up of the great bell ... ... ... ... X xj* p d to Gallant for helping about the bell etc. ... ... ... X vW p d to two other men for helping at ye belles casting ... ... ... v ijjrf p d for caringe of Kelsall to & fro ... ... .... ... ;;;,/ 1584. Itm payd to Joseph Carter bellfounder for rest of his dew for ye bell castinge xvij* vj rf I tm to Weston for taking down the 4"> bell ... ... ... jjjs vj' * The tenor or "great bell," named after its original donor — Harry Kelsall. In the account for 1503-4, is, " It rec d of Rendall Kelsall for wast of torchis at ye yer mynd of Harry Kelsall, xd." It was cast by William Hasylwood in 1498, and re-cast by William Knight, in 1567. t Obligation, or bond. THE READING FOUNDRY AGAIN. 83 1585. Item collected in the parish towards the paiment of casting a bell iij'* xiiij 1 iiijif Paid to Carter due to him by the churchwardens in ye yere before v« xii'y iiij<< paid for the cariage and re-cariage of ye bell ... ... ... viij rf paid for hanging ye second bell ... ... ... iiy paid for making ye obligasion for ye bell ... ... ... ... xij<* In the account for 1588, under " Profits of the women's seats," comes : — Some removed to higher seats. Jos. Carters wife ... ... ... ... ... ... y\d 1° J 593. Joseph Carter was churchwarden of S. Lawrence, and the following most sensible resolution seems undoubtedly his suggestion : — toling by Whereas there was throwgh the Slothfulnes off the Sextine in c app. t ; mes p a ft. ; a k m( j ff toling ye bell by y e clapper rope : yt was now fforbedden and taken awaye : &-= that the bell f hould be toled : as in times paft : &-» not in anie fuch Idle forte. J. Smith, {the Vicar.) It is a pity there is not an equally efficient churchwarden in every parish at the present day, to put a stop to the pernicious practice of " clappering " or " clogging " ! 1594-5 The charges of hanging of ye gret bell ... ... ... ... viijjviij rf To Bartlaight for a daies worke ... ... ... ... x^ So remaineth in my hand towards the casting of the gret bell ... ... iiijff vij J jrf By this account appeareth that the sextine gave ove the maintening of the tackling that belonged to the belles, as ropes &c and therfore bated of his receits xxiy (This sounds like another reform effected by the worthy churchwarden.) At this accompt also y' was agreed That our gret Bell fhould be caft againe, and not so much the Tune of the bell was cared for. as to have y l A lowd bell and hard ffar. And the churchwarden, Jofeph Carter, confented and agreed, to caft yt before Midsomer ffollowing : And fo he was chofen againe Churchwarden the fecond Time. There being flfent m r ffranceys More, m r - Johnson, m r - Lydall, goodma. Ruffell, the church- wardens, wih others. John Smithe, Vica. (Joseph Carter, Robert Malthus, churchwardens) 29 of December 1596. a° 39 Reginae Eliz Kelsall. The accompt concerning the gret bell The gret Bell waied when he was firft taken downe 34C 38 l! - The fame Bell hanged vp againe ys increafed in mettall to 36C 49 1 '- 84 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. So the overplus of metall ys 21 1 1 '- for w<=- ys allowed to Jofeph Carter, at vij<£ the poud ... ... ... ... ••• vj#xvij J ] d Alfo he ys allowed for the cafting of the bell, by the ffirft bargin ... vij# And forafmuch as yt fell out that he was inforced, by miffortune of a ffall, in the firft cafting, to caft him twife againe. Therfore there ys allowed in curtefie to the fayde Joseph, being o r - neighbour, aboue his bargin ofincreafe ... ... ... ... ... ... xi 1 So the fomme off the whole ... ... ... ... ... xv ff vij J \} d Whereof paide by the arreraigies of the last accompt remaining \ ..... r \ inj / » vn* yt in his own hands I Rest due to him ... ... ... ... ... x yi x * (The same year, 1596) the accompts of Robert Malthus being the accomptant : — Paid to Howse the carpenter ffor taking down and having up the gret bell ... (This entry comes twice). xx'- To M r Burgesse Carter ... ... ... ... v ; Randall Walton to be ouerseers of this my will and for their paynes to be taken therein I geve them tenn shillings a peece And in Witnefs that this is my last will and testament I haue hereunto sett my hand and published the same in the presence of John Anngell servant vnto William Wylmer Scr and Anthany Higden By William Yarre. Item I geve vnto my Servant Ellen my blacke cloake proved 19th April 1616 by Edith his relict. (" Cope, 1 ' f. 33.) The Registers of S. Lawrence, Reading, have entries of the baptism of two children of William Yare : John, in Nov r - 1607, and Ana, in June, 161 1 : while Anna Yaare, who was no doubt his first wife, the daughter of Joseph Carter, was buried in February, 1609 (-10). TWO SUPPOSED OFF-SHOOTS. 93 (JOHN After Yare's death, and the final closing of the original HIGDEN "y Reading Foundry, some of the stamps came into the possession of a founder whose initials were I. H. Tt seems probable that they stand for- John Higden,* mentioned in Joseph Carter's will as his " servant," or, as he would now be described, his journeyman. He evidently set up, not at Reading, but in Hampshire, perhaps at Winchester, as that county has at least fifteen bells with these initials, and, with the exception of the adjoining county of Sussex, I am not aware of the existence of any elsewhere, f They first appear in 1619 ; by 1622 (among other stamps) he used the R. L. shield, the groat, and the cross fleurette'e (Plate XIX.). By the next year he had added the stop, fig. 38 ; and the R. L. shield being no doubt by this time, rather the worse for wear, he cut away the shield and initials, and stamped only the bell. His usual inscription — at first in plain Roman capitals ; by 1623 in black-letter ; and from 1632, in Lombard ic capitals — was, IN GOD IS MY HOPE. His date extends to 165 1, with a re-appearance in 1681.J From the similarity of inscriptions, and also from one of his earliest bells having, in addition to his initials, those of I. B., it is probable that his foundry had some connec- tion with that of R. B., who has not, I believe, been identified or localised. It will be convenient to turn aside to dispose of WILLIAM another small off-shoot — or what we believe to be WAKEFIELD such — from Carter's Reading Foundry. The second bell at Wingrave bears the donor's name, the founder's initials W W, and is dated O 11 AM DO 1 6 1 8. * This was also suggested by Mr. Tyssen, Bells of Sussex, p. 44, foot-note. f-There is, however, a bell at Harpsden, in the south-east of Oxfordshire, which is connected by stamps, and may be by a still later owner. Some of the stamps are unrecognizable, and all are poor impressions, probably both from the fact of their being worn out, and also from imperfect fusion of the metal. The inscription is as follows : — Hi D & 'M D [] D The second stamp resembles " 5 " with the horizontal top stroke missing ; next comes the bell, razied from the R. L. shield (fig. 36) ; the fourth is probably an R ; the next stamp is about \\% of an inch square, bearing an irregular oval, like a face ; the sixth stamp is quite obliterated ; and the last is the later lion's head (fig. 33). % At Martyr Worthy, fide A. U. Tyssen, Esq. 94 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE, The only founder known about this time with these initials, is William Wakefield, who is mentioned in Joseph Carter's will, as his apprentice. Joseph Carter cast the third Wingrave bell in 1608, the donor being John Theed, who gave the second also, ten years later. It is quite conceivable that Carter being dead when Theed made up his mind to give this bell, he might apply to Wakefield to supply it, whom he may have known as an apprentice when the other bell was brought and hung. Whether his foundry was in Reading, or not, is unknown ; he may have itinerated. Only three other bells. attributed to him are known — two in Sussex, dated 1632, and the other undated, at Kemsing, in Kent. Mr. Stahlschmidt says of this last, " The maker is readily recognisable from his habit of placing a quantity of initials on his bells." The Wingrave bell, however, does not agree with this description, nor does the lettering correspond with that on the Kemsing bell, a rubbing of which Mr. Stahlschmidt kindly sent me for comparison. A Thomas Wakefield set up as a bellfounder at Chichester in (or before) 1614 ; whether he was a relation is unknown. Though the old Reading Foundry seems to have terminated with William Yare, yet there was another bellfoundry at work in that town at the time, doubtless an off-shoot from the original foundry ; and another one was established before this time at Wokingham, whence the original Reading Foundry had moved about a century before. The history of both of these is detailed further on. (WILLIAM No doubt the successful competition of these two CARTER ) contiguous establishments considerably crippled the con- nection of the original business, and helped to cause William Carter (p. 87) — who was meanwhile working on at Whitechapel — to drop the provincial foundry, and confine himself to London. There is no example by him in Bucks at the present day (whatever there may have been formerly), or by his two immediate successors at Whitechapel, but as their further successors have, between them, contributed nearly one quarter of all the bells now hanging in its steeples, it would be a mistake to omit any link in this long chain of founders. William Carter died in 1618, and was succeeded in (THOMAS the Whitechapel business by Thomas Bartlett, who had BARTLETT.) keen "servant,"* i.e., workman, and probably foreman, to Joseph Carter, and, no doubt, foreman to William. * As mentioned in Jos. Carter's will, p. 88 ; see also p. 83. WHITECHAPEL FOUNDRY— SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. 95 It seems obvious that Thomas Bartlett came, like the Carters, from Reading, and learnt his business there. The Registers of S. Mary's and S. Lawrence's in that town, contain many entries of that name, which I add here. Registers of S. Mary the Virgin, Reading (beginning 1538) : — Baptisms: 1564, Bridgett. 1567, Jane. 1600, Joha. dau. of (John erased) Astine. 1602, Augustine, son of Augustine. 1603, Mary, dau. of Austen. 1606, Elizabeth, dau. of Augustine. 1608, Willia, son of Augustine. 1620, George, son of Augustin. 1624, John, son of John. 1626, Wiltm, son of John. 1631, Anne, dau. of John. 1632, Augustin, son of Augustin. 1633, John, son of John. 1634, Margerie, dau. of Wiltm & Kathren. 1636, Judith, dau. of Augustin. Do., Elizabeth, dau. of John & Anne. 1639, Mary, dau. of W m & Catherine. 1641 (-2), February, William, son of William & Catharine. 1645, Agustin, son of William. [To end of 1707. Marriages : 1563, John to Margaret Dell. 1593 [left blank"], to Ellen. i596(-7), February, Andrew, to Joane Parre. 1623, John, to Anne Thorne. 162;, Augustin to Joane Carter. 1643, William,* to Ursela Prise. 1644, William Simmons to Elizabeth.* 1648, George,* to Ann Hasel. [To Sept. 1654. Burials: 1572, Marga. 1593, John, " Barber." 1606, John. 1602, Augustine, son of Augustine. 1628, Anne, wife of John. 1629, John, son of John. Do. William, son of John. l63i(-2), March, second, Augustin, " wine coper." 1634, Anne, dau. of William. i635(-6), February, John, son of John. 1636 (?), Margerie, dau. of Wiltm. i654(-5), February, Elizabeth. 1656, John. 1689, Philip. [To April, 1702. Registers of S. Lawrence, Reading (beginning 1605) : — Baptisms: 1613, Elleseabeath, dau. of Avgostene. 1616, Margret, dau. of Avgvstin. 1628, Ann, dau. of William. 1638, Martha, dau. of John. 1653, Joanah, dau. of George. [To 1696. Matritnonia : 1627, William, to Katherain Watte. , 1637, John, to Martha Atkins. 1639, Phillip, to Elisab : Dangerfeild. [To 1654. Sepultures: 1614, John. 1644, the fo of J 5. [To end of 1644, next 9 years missing. In Memorials of Stepney ft the Mother Church of Whitechapel, are mentioned, 1641 and 1642, Henry Bartlet, sidesman ; 1656, James Bartlett, under churchwarden ; in 1657 he appears "in Shadwell," that is the south part of the parish, as churchwarden ; Samuell Bartlett, supposed to have been a goldsmith, was appointed in 1649, assay master to the Mint : and ej'ected 1660 {State Papers, Domestic 1649-52, 1660, etc.). I have thought it well to note these names, although it is hardly likely that they were relations of the bellfounders. * In these three the name is spelt Barklet. \ By Messrs. Hill & Frere, 1890-91. 9 6 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. (ANTHONY BARTLETT.) JAMES BARTLETT. Anthony Bartlett succeeded his father Thomas, in 1647, and was in turn succeeded in 1676 by his son James. Their business seems to have been small, and, as before said, there are no bells in Bucks by either of the two first of this family. By James Bartlett there are four bells left at Denham, out of the first ring of eight ever erected in the county. They are alike inscribed in plain Roman capitals : — IAMES BARTLET MADE ME 1683 and having underneath, the medallion, fig. 43, an exact copy of Robert Mot's stamp (fig. 39), except for the insertion of Thomas Bartlett's full name, in place of Mot's initials. Fig. 43- According to Dr. Raven {Bells of Cambridgeshire, second edition, p. 96), Anthony Bartlett used the medallion without any legend beyond the sacred monogram near the centre, as shown in fig. 44. Both Mr. Tyssen and Mr. Stahlschmidt say he used Thomas' medallion. James was a member of the Founders' Company, paying his fine for admission to the livery in 1677, and serving as Under Warden in 1691-2, Auditor in 1693-4, an d Upper Warden in 1695-6* In 1698, he paid a fine of £4, for not serving as Master in his turn. His burial is recorded in the Whitechapel Register, on January the 20th, 170®': — * Bells of Surrey, p. 97 ; Kent, p. 96. WHITECHAPEL FOUNDRY — EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. James Bartlett, bellfounder from y e High Street. 97 Fig. 44. RICHARD Bartlett's sister, Elizabeth Bixon,* widow, was his PHELPS administratrix, and she it was, no doubt, who gave a lease of the premises to Richard Phelps. " Under his manage- ment this foundry assumed the importance which it has preserved ever since," as Mr. Tyssen very truly puts it. Phelps was born at Avebury, in Wilts. This fact he has recorded on the tenor of that church, which (in addition to the names of vicar and churchwardens) is inscribed: "Richard Phelps, London. Nat. Par. hujus fecit 1719."! He was in business for himself before he succeeded Bartlett at White- chapel, for there is a bell at Burham, in Kent, by him, dated 1700.J Where his first foundry was is not known, nor where he learnt his business. At Kempley, Gloucestershire, Mr. Ellacombe records a bell inscribed : — ALL PRAYSE AND GLORY BE TO GOD FOR EVER. THOMAS FELPS, 1680 * The registers of Allhallows, London Wall, record the marriage of Arthyr Bickson and Elizabeth Bartlet, 1st November, 1661 ; and of William Luckin and Mary Bartlet, 17th December, 1665. + Lukis, Church Bells, p. no. % Surrey Bells, p. 102 ; Kent, p. 190. I have to thank the Rev. C. A. Hoddinott, of Chichester, for obtaining, at considerable trouble, information as to another bell by Phelps, which had been reported to me as of this date. O 98 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. And in the Members' Book of The Ancient Society of Ringers, at S. Stephen's, Bristol,* the signature of Thomas Phelps occurs in November, 1682, and November, 1685, but does not appear in a list of members in 1697. It does not follow that he was a bellfounder, nor that he was father of Richard Phelps, but both are quite possible. There are some one-and-twenty bells remaining in Bucks by Phelps, and there were certainly six more, formerly, which are now broken and melted, and, no doubt, others. The dates are : Langley, 1706 ; two (remaining out of eight) at High Wycombe, 171 1 ; two at Wooburn, I7i2f and 171 8, respectively ; five (remaining out of six) at Great Marlow, 17 19 ; two at Horton, 1719 and 1727, respectively; Hambleden, 1724; Slough, 1725 ; three at Stoke Poges, 1728; one at Radnage, and no doubt the saunce at Turville, with merely the date, 1729; probably the single bell at Biddlesden, with merely the date 1734, in small figures' ; and one at Amersham, from which the inscription has been cut off, and carefully filed away, but which is evidently by him, as the two little ornaments which he generally used are left — something of a fleur-de-lis, and a cross. He seldom put any inscription on his bells beyond stating that he " fecit," or its equivalent in the vernacular, "made me," and the date, except the names of vicar and churchwardens, or other functionaries ; but at Horton, in addition, he placed on the bell cast in 17 19 : — ■ Honour GOD and on the Hambleden treble, in addition to similar particulars, he added : — Georgius Reo? and on the three bells at Stoke Poges he used impressions of two coins, three centimetres (nearly 1-2 inches) diameter, or they may be the two sides of the same coin. On the one (both stamps look like reverse sides) is a cross potent (or what is, I imagine, intended for that ordinary) With the letter R in the four inner angles ; legend, " IN . HOC . SIGNO . VINCES . 1725." On the other a rectangular figure, (?) perhaps a coat of arms, crowned ; the legend begins with " IOANN," but I am unable to decipher the whole of it. % In 1706, Phelps used a perfectly plain, heavy-faced set of Roman capitals, after the fashion of Bartlett's, but a trifle smaller. By 171 1 he * Now merely social and convivial. f This bell was probably originally one of the Wycombe eight. % Mr. A. E. Packe informs me that probably they are the two sides of a coin of John V. of Portugal (1706-50). WHITECHAPEL FOUNDRY — EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. 99 had changed to a set about the same size, but lighter — what is known as "old-faced." By 1719 he had added a smaller set of " old-faced " capitals, which he used either by themselves, or as " smalls " to the last mentioned. The Ns in the two larger sets are reversed - VI. His stop was a semicolon of diamonds ; and his only ornamental devices (besides the exceptional coins, latterly) are the two little ones before mentioned — something of a cross and. fleur-de-lis, which occur in two sizes (Plate XXL). I n I 73S> Phelps took into partnership his foreman, THOMAS Thomas Lester, and died three years later, as appears LESTER, among the burials in the Whitechapel Register,* under date 1738 :— Aug. 23, Richard Phelps, a man from y e High Street. By his will, Phelps bequeathed to Lester all his trade implements, business, and the lease of his premises. Lester, however, did not continue in High Street, but, in the same year, built the present foundry, number 267, Whitechapel Road, on a site previously occupied by the " Artichoke " Inn. There are eleven bells by Lester in Bucks, dated 1741 at Chearsley and Fulmer ; 1744 at Turville ; the following year at Quainton and Ludgarshall ; and 1749 at Burnham and Newport Pagnell, at which latter place there are five bells by him. Lester used Phelps' two later alphabets, substituting a new N for the old reversed VI of the larger ; and in addition to the little cross-like ornament, he used a heart ; a pattern consisting of a succession of concentric rings ; a pattern composed as follows to any length ; and in 1749 appears for the first time the common "Whitechapel pattern," formed by the inter- section of segments of two circles, the ends of each pair of segments, beyond the points of intersection, forming with the next pair a lozenge, and finished at either end by a < and > respectively (zxxzxx) ; and in the same year he used on the Newport Pagnell sixth, a large rose; two figures consisting of three arms of a large Maltese cross, with a flourish in place of the fourth ; a large crown ; and a devil playing on a harp (Plate XXI.). The Quainton tenor bears his and the churchwardens' names, and the date 1745, incised. With him began the bad style of inscription. Thus the treble at Newport Pagnell proclaims : — At Proper Times My Voice Ile Raise And Sound To My Subscribers' Praise * Bells of Sussex, p. 39. IOO THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. THOMAS In 1752, Lester took into partnership Thomas Pack, piiAv who had probably been his foreman. By them, Bucks has probably thirty-three bells. Four at Farnham Royal in that year (remaining out of six) : the saunce at Haversham, with merely that date, and that at Great Linford, with merely the next year's date, in small figures differing from each other, are both probably from this foundry ; one at Amersham, 1754; West Wycombe, '1756 ; Twyford, 1758; two at Wingrave and one at Beaconsfield, 1760 ; West Wycombe and Wooburn, 1762 ; Radnage and North Marston, 1763 ; two at Chalfont S. Giles, and the single bell at Ditton Park Chapel (Stoke Poges), 1764 ; the three clock bells at Eton College, 1765 ; probably the saunce at Marsworth, dated 1767 ; eight at Long Crendon, and one at Iver, 1768 ; and one at Newport Pagnell, 1769. About 1763, they adopted a more "up-to-date" make of lettering. They looked upon themselves as so closely joined in partnership, that they inscribed their bells in the singular : " LESTER & Pack Fecit," instead of the plural (Fecerunt) as one would have expected. The treble at Chalfont 'S. Giles has some comical orthographical errors; the bell is said to have been Eaisd by Valentbet Subscription The fine ring at Long Crendon, in addition to the founders' names, the date, the " Whitechapel pattern," and an ornament which may be closely imitated by four Cs, with their backs placed towards the four sides of a small rectangular figure — bear the following lines : — Allthough I am Both Light and Small I Will be Heard above You all All Though But Small Our Tones Are Good John Baker Black Smith For us Stood Peace And Good Neighbourhood Musick Is Medicine To The Mind Our Voices Shall With Joyful Sound Make Hills & Valleys Echo Round To Honour Both of God And King Our Voices Shall in Consort Ring Ye Ringers All That Prize Your Health And Happiness be Sober Merry Wise And You.ll The Same Possess whitechapel foundry — eighteenth century. ioi In Wedlock Bands all ye Who Join With Hands Your Hearts Unite so Shall Our Tuneful Tongues Combine to Laud The Nuptial Rite This poetical effusion with some variations, was frequently used by (he same founders and their successors (see Aylesbury), and is probably to be found in every county. The seventh and eighth lines appear on the second at Iver, cast the same year, and in addition is : — Glory to God on High Lester and Pack frequently engraved the weight of a bell on itself, which is a very good practice. Lester died on the 19th June, 1769, aged 66, having been taken with a fit the previous day. He had been to his lawyer's on the 17th, and had the draft of his will read over to him, and, intending tc make some alterations, had not then signed it ; however, on the affidavits of the two clerks who had attended to him, the will was duly proved* By this will, the Bellfoundry was left to John Exeter, of Hornchurch, Essex, gentleman, in trust for Sarah Oliver, Lester's granddaughter. Lester had this year taken into partnership his (LESTER nephew, William Chapman, who had previously acted _ as foreman, and there are some few bells, but none ' in Bucks, bearing this trio of names — Lester, Pack, CHAPMAN.) and Chapman. Lester directed Pack, in his will, to take Chapman into partnership on equal terms ; and they were to have a lease of the foundry at £7$ a year. By Pack and Chapman there are sixteen bells in PACK AND Bucks; namely, Iver, 1770; Amersham and Woughton, CHAPMAN 1 77 1 > Denham, 1772 ; Aylesbury (six remaining out of eight), Drayton Beauchamp, and Sherington, 1773 ; Amersham, 1776; Winslow, 1777; and Hambleden, 1778. The sanctus at Aston Clinton, with merely the date, 1778, is evidently by them also. They generally used the " Whitechapel pattern," and the device resem- bling four Cs with their backs towards the four sides of a parallelogram. * BMs 0/ Sussex, p. 40. 102 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. They continued to use the singular, "FECIT," and, as before, frequently- added churchwardens', etc., names, by incising, or engraving them after the bell had been cast. The Amersham treble has the couplet that has already appeared on the fourth at Long Crendon ; while the ring at Ayles- bury — of which two have been recast — were inscribed in a similar style of versification ; some of the couplets being identical with those at Long Crendon. Early in 1781 Pack died of consumption ; and later in the same year Chapman cast a ring of five for Linslade Church, which were moved to New Linslade, or Chelsea, in this county, but a suburb or part of the town of Leighton Buzzard, in Bedfordshire, when that church was built in 1869. In addition to names as usual, the treble (which is now the second, a new treble having been added) has a local adaptation, regardless of metre, of the rhyme on the Long Crendon second : — All tho- but small yet we are Good John Swxnstead Jun. op Leighton For us Stood In the year 1762, as Mr. Tyssen has recorded, when Chapman was foreman to Messrs. Lester and Pack, that firm was commissioned to recast the big bell at Canterbury. Finding it more convenient to do the work on the spot, than to carry the bell to London and back again, Chapman was sent down to execute the task, and he inscribed the bell : — gullelmo frd3nd stp decano, lester and pack, of London, fecit 1762. Wm. Chapman molded me Its diameter is seventy inches, and weight seventy hundredweight. While engaged in this business, Chapman noticed CHAPMAN among the bystanders a young man who seemed to AND MEARS * a ' towar( ^ s the end of 1784, aged fifty-two. _ William Mears continued the business by WILLIAM AND himself, but there is no example in Bucks THOMAS MEARS. of this period. In 1787* he took his son Thomas into partnership, and by William and Thomas Mears there are seven bells in the county — the single bell at Preston Bissett, 1788 ; the ring of six (second recast) at Great Brickhill, 1789, with the singular Fecit again ; and the single bell at Loudwater, 1790. In 179 1 the foundry passed into the sole manage- THOMAS ment of Thomas Mears, sen. By him we have up A pc SEN twenty-two bells — at Little Hampden, Langley, Little Horwood, Beaconsfield, Whitchurch (two), Datchet (two), Chalfont S. Peter (five left out of six), Bradenham, Wotton Underwood (two), and High Wycombe (four) ; dated between 1791 and 1804; and the saunces at Iver and Shabbington, with merely the dates, 1792 and 1794, are also evidently by him. The tenor at High Wycombe — one of the four above mentioned, dated 1802, has, in addition to a string of names, the following couplet : — Mat all "Whom I Shall Summon to the G-kave THE BLESSINGS OF A WELL SPENT LIFE BECEIVE I quote this because it is quite exceptional in this class of bell inscrip- tions to know the author's name. A ring of twelve was cast by T. Mears, for S. Chad's, Shrewsbury, where they arrived July 18th, 1798. The mottoes for them all, of which this is the tenor (there as here), were specially composed by Mr. Wilding, the master of High Ercall Grammar School. They appeared in the Shrewsbury Chronicle for July 27th, 1798, and more recently in Bell News, VI., 266. I am not aware that the other eleven couplets were ever repeated on other bells, and it is hardly necessary to give them here. * In the List of Subscribers to Clavis Campanologia, or a Key to the Art of Ringing, published 1788, appears: "mears, William, Bell Founder, White Chapel, London, 20 Copies." Anld in Lowndes' London Directory, for 1789, Mr. A. D. Tyssen found " Mears, William, Bell Founder, 267, Whitechapel Road." THE HERTFORD FOUNDRY. I OS THOMAS MEARS In 1805, the firm became Thomas Mears AND SON anc * ^ on ' anc ^ un< ^ er tms appellation there are ten examples in Bucks — Tvvyford, 1805 ; the ring of six at Aston Clinton, in 1806 ; and Hedgerley, 1808 ; the saunce bells at Prince's Risborough and Waddesdon, dated 1805 and 1806 respec- tively, are doubtless also by them. In 1 8 10, Thomas Mears, jun., became sole mana- THOMAS ger, and by him Bucks has forty-nine bells, namely ■yiFADC JUN — Cublington (the saunce) ; Chesham (six) ; North Crawley (two) ; Wooburn (three) ; Newport Pagnell (two) ; Amersham ; Chalfont S. Giles (two) ; Ellesborough (four remaining out of five) ; Stoke Poges ; Great Missenden (two) ; Adstock ; Chenies (six) ; Gawcott ; Over Winchendon ; Great Marlow (three) ; Eddlesborough (six and saunce) ; West Wycombe ; Taplow (three) ; Stone ; and Great Brickhill ; the dates ranging between 181 1 and 1840. In June, 1818, Mr. Thomas Mears bought the property comprising the foundry, which had hitherto been held on lease, from the children bf Robert Patrick, to whose wife Sarah (Oliver), her grandfather, Lester, had left it by his will as previously mentioned. Some Local Foundries Merged into the Whitechapel Business. At different times the younger Thomas Mears bought up four important bellfoundry businesses, and incorporated them into his own at Whitechapel. The Hertford Foundry. IOHN The first of these purchases was the business of John BRIANT Briant, of Hertford. By him there are no less than forty-six bells in Bucks. A tolerably full account of him is to be found in Bells of Hertford, whence I take the following details. He was born at Exning, in Suffolk, and his father intended that he should go to one of the Universities, and eventually take Holy Orders. He had, however, a great taste for mechanics — clock and chime-making specially engrossing his attention ; and, having taken up this line, he soon (as has happened in various other instances) proceeded to bellfounding, at which he acquired a first-rate reputation. He is reported to have been an excep- tionally painstaking and conscientious founder, preferring to lose by a job, to sending out a bad bell. 106 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. The earliest bell by him appears to be one at Hertford, dated 1782, and in this year Mr. Tyssen has found his name in the list of members of the College Youths' Society. The earliest date found in Bucks, is 1788, in which year he added two trebles to an excellent ring of eight, by Phelps, at High Wycombe. The names of some of his assistants are known, but two are there recorded — W. Ball and G. Harman, who were simply Wycombe tradesmen. Other assistants are, Islip Edmonds, who came to Briant on the death (somewhere about the year 1800) of Edward Arnold, of S. Neots, Huntingdonshire, to whom he had previously been foreman ; Henry Skerman, a native of Hertford, who was with Briant over thirty years, and was an excellent foreman and bell-caster ; and Henry Symondson, the tuner of his bells, who survived him. Three bells in Leicestershire, dated 1803 and 1804, bear the joint names of J. Briant and B. Cort ; the latter was merely an ironmonger in Leicester, through whom, doubtless, the order was received. Briant's other bells in Bucks are one each at Nether Winchendon, Whitchurch, Newnton Longville ; the ring of six at Padbury ; one at Maid's Moreton ; the ring of eight at Haddenham ; one at Hardwick ; the ring of six at Mursley ; one at Hanslope ; four at Halton ; one at Wavendon ; the ring of six at Bierton (the tenor cast previously to the upper five) ; the ring of six at Old Wolverton ; and the latest is the tenor at Fenny Stratford, cast in 1824. 1 In 1825 he retired, and sold his business to Mr. Mears. Owing, it is said, to his generosity and aversion to pressing for his just dues, he fell into extreme poverty, and was driven to seek a home, in his old age, at the Spencer Almshouses at S. Albans, where he died on 27th February, 1829, in his eighty-first year. He was buried in All Saints' Churchyard, Hertford, and a muffled peal was rung on the occasion on the ten bells, by the Hertford College Youths. The Aldbourne Foundry, Wilts. (OLIVER CORR.) The Aldbourne Foundry seems to have been established towards the end of the seventeenth (WILLIAM AND cen tury by Oliver Corr. William and Robert ROBERT CORR.) Corr were apparently in partnership between the years 1696 and 17 19. As Oliver Corr's name appears in 1698,* they were probably his sons, commencing work * Lukis, Church Bells, p. 13. TRACES OF EARLY FOUNDERS AT GLOUCESTER. 107 with their father. Robert's name alone, appears on a bell at Marlborough, dated 1724, and though it is not unusual to find one or other of their names alone, yet, as this is the latest known date for them by five years, it may be conjectured that William was dead by this date. Then came John Corr, about 1728 to 1750, (JOHN CORR.) and Edward Read's name is given by Mr. (cnufADn be- An ^ Lukis ^ cit ^> in x 75l. and he appears at (EDWARD READ.) Blewberry, Berks, in 1757. ROBERT WELLS. ^ e seems to have been succeeded, about 1764, by Robert Wells, by whom there exist many bells ; but the only example in Bucks is the saunce at Wendover, which bears his name and address, but no date. The saunce at Fringford, Oxon, is, to all outward appearance, a blank, but inside, on the waist, is, R : WELLS. It is probable that there are other examples by him, thus cryptographically inscribed. Rob t WELLS & SON occurs under date 178 1, at East Hagbourne, Berks ; but Robert's name, by itself, occurs again in 1786, and two following years. At Seend, in Wilts, there is a bell bearing the names (JAMES Robert and James Wells, dated 1793, which probably marks WELLS ) ^ e boundary line between two generations. James was certainly casting by himself from 1800 to 1825, in, or shortly after which year, Mears bought the business, and the foundry was closed. The Gloucester Foundry. There seems to have been a bellfoundry established at Gloucester at a very early date, but the evidence at present forthcoming does not prove its continuity down to recent years. The first glimpse we obtain of a bell- founder here, is afforded by a seal found some years ago " in the Thames," a direction fairly definite as regards latitude, but rather vague as to longitude. This seal bore: * S" SAIID^G . DG . GltOYCGT^G, and a bell and a laver-pot ; quite sufficient to show that this (ALEXANDER, OF Alexander, of Gloucester, was a bellfounder, GLOUCESTER ) or P oiier > as ^ e would probably have called himself,* for the date of the seal is supposed to be about the end of the thirteenth century.f * See p. 8. f This seal is mentioned in the Archaological Journal, XIII., 73: Lukis' Church Bells, Plate X'l., : Bells of Cambridge, p. 1 1, and Bells of Gloucester, p. 3. 108 THE CHURCH BEI.LS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. (JOHN, OF Half a century later, namely, in 19 and 20 GLOUCESTER ) ^dw. *^- ( = 1346—47), vve get the next glimpse of a bell foundry here, when Master John, of Gloucester, cast four large bells for Ely Cathedral. The account for them of Robarte Aylesh'm, the Sacrist, has been given in full by Dr. Raven, in Bells of Cambridgeshire, second edition, p. 5. After another gap of about half a century, another (ROBERT possibly Gloucester founder appears. A bell is recorded HANDLEY ) ^7 Mr. Ellacombe, at S. Nicholas, Gloucester, by Robert Handley or Hendlel* whom he conjectures to have been a founder in Gloucestershire, because his stamps occur frequently in that county, but nowhere — so far as he was aware — elsewhere. He puts the date of this bell at about 1400. The next founder of whose existence, about a cen- ( WILLIAM tury later, there is any record, is William Henshawe.f uir|k|cu AWP ) ^ art °f a brass to him and his two wives, remains in S. Michael's, Gloucester; and his name occurs as sheriff of that city in 1496 and 1501 ; and as mayor in 1503, 1508, and 15094 To him Mr. Ellacombe attributed the bells with the initials W. H., which we now, with considerable confidence, assign to William Hasylwood, of Reading (see p. 58). Mr. Ellacombe has printed at lengthy the will of (RICHARD " Richard Atkyns, Belfounder, of the town of Gloucestre, ATKYNS ) m tne P ar ' s h °f St. Mighell." It is dated December 28th, 1529, and was proved at Lambeth on the 17th of the following February. During the next century and a half, no bellfounder is known here. In 1684, Abraham Rudhall commenced work in ABRAHAM Gloucester as a bellfounder ; in which year (spelling his RUDHALL name Riddall), he sent three bells to Oddington, and in the following year three to Norton — both in Gloucestershire. At the latter place Mr. Ellacombe quotes the name as Riddell. The same * The inscription on this bell, like so many others in Bells of Gloucester, is given with variations, at p. 4 and p. 49. Among others, the name is quoted as hendlel in the former, and handlei in the latter place. f The name Henshaw, which is not a common one, occurs several times in the Registers of All Saints, Leicester : I will not go so far as to suggest that W. Henshaw learnt his business there ! % Chunk Bells, p. 12. Bells of Gloucester, p. 5. || Ibid., p. 118. GLOUCESTER FOUNDRY— THE RUDHALLS. 109 date for the commencement of his work (1684), is given in a list of his bells, printed at Oxford in 17 15, and preserved among Browne Willis' MSS. (xliii., 25). Up to that last-named date Rudhall had produced 1291 bells. Two bells are recorded by Mr. Ellacombe in Gloucestershire, which, at first sight, look like earlier Rudhall work, but as he makes no comment on them, we may be tolerably sure that the dates are among the numerous misprints in the volume. One of these is at Huntley, by "A R 4 "670," and the other at Coin Rogers, by "I R 1676." If we hazarded a guess that these dates are just a hundred years too early, we should probably not be far wrong. It will be noticed by anyone referring to Mr. Ellacombe's pedigree of the Rudhalls, in Gloucester Bells (p. 79), that he entirely fails to connect the bellfounders with the ancient family of the same name* of Rudhall, near Ross, in Herefordshire. (Rudhall, pronounced Ruddal, is in the parish of Brampton Abbots, less than two miles distant from Ross.) In the Continuation of Duncumb's History of Herefordshire, by W. H. Cooke, Q.C., etc., 1882 (III. 165), a much fuller pedigree of the ancient family is given, beginning with Roger Rudhale of Rudhall, 9 Richard II.,-f- but there the family ends in the female line. The John (mentioned by Ellacombe) who died in 1636, was the only male of his generation who married, and he had only three daughters, and they all died unmarried. J If, therefore, the bellfounders belonged to this family, they must have sprung from a younger son of a previous generation. There were two Johns about whose matrimonial arrangements Mr. Cooke is silent — one, Receiver-General of county Hereford in 1523, younger brother of the William Rudhale who was Sergeant-at-Law, and who was buried in Ross Church, March, 1529-30; and the other the youngest great-grandson of this William. It is possible that one of these two married. Mr. Cooke gives the oldest spelling of the name as Roedhale (somewhere between 1243-84).!! In 1326-7 the spelling Rudhale appears. According to Mr. Lukis, who, however, gives no authority for the * The identity of the arms, at so late a date, proves nothing. f " Traditionally, their ancestors possessed estates in this locality, under the Saxon kings." I According to Mr. Ellacombe, one of these daughters married: and lived until 1830, when she died, S.P., nearly two centuries after her father (whom, to make the jumble more perfect, he records as dying, " S.P."). II Op. cit. p. 152. no THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. ABRAHAM statement, Abraham's son and namesake suc- RUDHALL JUN cee ^ed to the management 'of the foundry in 17 1 8. As the father was then sixty-one, it is quite possible he may have resigned the charge to his son, who was then thirty-eight ; but there seems to be nothing in the inscriptions to mark a change of hands. Neither the lettering, however, or running patterns on the numerous Rudhall bells in Gloucestershire are recorded by Mr. Ellacombe ; and there is not sufficient material in Bucks to allow one to form an opinion. By one or other of the Abrahams, there are some seventeen bells still in Bucks, viz., the remains of the ring of eight at Bletchley, of which the three lower have been melted ; the tenor, I regret to say, being parted with as lately as 1893. I do not know when he cast the sixth and seventh, but the third, fourth, and fifth, were] cast in 17 12 ; the second in 1713 ; the treble in 1717 ; and the tenor in 1718. In this latter year he cast the ring of six at Chicheley, and the ring of five at Shabbington.* The Abrahams used the running patterns, and the bell, figs. 45 to 49. Q> d (j> «^3> ® <53> Q) SB Q> SS> O S3 Q SB O ga O gB O <3> <3 cs> 9 S5> <3 6a C Fig. 45- Fig .46. * There are now six bells, a new treble having been recently added. GLOUCESTER FOUNDRY — THE RUDHALLS. Ill Fig. 47- Fig. 48. <^>/^ Fig. 49. The loss of the Bletchley tenor is matter of regret, as it bore the name of that most excellent Buckinghamshire "worthy" — Browne Willis. Probably one of the effects of the munificent example he set at Fenny Stratford, is seen in the small bell there from this foundry, now doing duty as saunce, inscribed : — THE GIFT OF GLOCESTERSHIRE TO STRATFORD CHAPPEL 1T2T It is unusual to find a Rudhall bell without initials, or, at least, some ornamental scroll-work ; the letters are a perfectly plain set, barely £ of an inch high. It is most likely by the younger Abraham. Fuller particulars concerning these two bells, which should have an interest for all Buckinghamshire people, are to be found under the parishes, in Part III. Abraham Rudhall, the elder, died January 25th, 1735-6, aged seventy- eight, as stated on a mural monument in the north aisle of Gloucester Cathedral. Mr. Ellacombe* says that he was twice married, and that his first wife's name was Grace, which he apparently learnt from Abraham's will, proved in the February following his death. His (second) wife, Elizabeth, is mentioned on the above monument, together with four children — Priscilla, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. Mr. Ellacombe's pedigree {loc. cit.) is, on the face of it, a jumble. Without seeing the will, one cannot be positive, but accepting Mr. Ellacombe's dates, it seems reasonable to suppose that he had children by both wives (see p. 113). * Bells of Gloucestershire, p. 79. 112 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Among other mistakes in Mr. Ellacombe's pedigree is the misprint, 1669, for the date of death of his wife Elizabeth ; and the statement that the younger Abraham died December, 1735, and that his will was proved October, 1734. Either the two dates are reversed, or he ought to have said that the will was dated as above ; or that the will was proved October, 1736. The second solution seems most likely. Abel, the third son of the younger Abraham, succeeded ABEL to the business. By him there is the ring of five at East RUDHALL Claydon, cast in 1752. Four of them have the A & R and running borders, exactly as used by the Abrahams* An extract from a letter by Abel, dated 1759, is quoted under Bletchley in Part III. He was twice married {fide Mr. Ellacombe, loc. cit.) ; first to Mary Holbrow, of Uley, who died 1753, and by her had Abraham, Thomas, Mary, and Charles. Secondly, to Eleanor Clifford, who died 1773, in her fifty-second year. By her he had a daughter and a son who died in their infancy, and John. Mr. Ellacombe says that Abel died February, 1760,-f- in his forty-sixth year ; and there are two bells cast in that year, at Tredington, Gloucester- shire, one of which bears the name of ABRA RUDHALL (ABRAHAM IUNIOR. This would seem to be Abel's eldest son, a RUDHALL III ) mercer - AB : RUDHALL, whose name appears on a bell at S. Mary le Crypt, Gloucester city, as church- warden, with the date, 1769, was apparently the same individual, and so, I suppose, if the dates are not merely misprints in Bells of Gloucestershire, must be the founder of three bells in that county bearing the initials A R, at Staverton, 1771 ; Horfield, 1773; and Eastleach Turville, 1789; but he does not appear to have followed the calling of a bellfounder regularly. He died 1798, in his fifty-fifth year. The following pedigree, though very possibly not perfect, will at least help to explain the various relationships : — * The churchwardens' accounts of S. Michael's, Oxford, contain the following reference to him. The second bell in that tower was recast by "A R" in 1755, and in the account for that year is : — To M r Abel Ruddel for recasting the ^ Bell & carriage &c ... ... / 7 " 6 " 2 f But on p. 6 of Gloucester Bells, he says 1754, which is obviously one of the numerous slips in that volume. GLOUCESTER FOUNDRY — RUDHALL PEDIGREE. "3 a w H ro W u a o ►j O •3 u. i 3 o 3- ^; o c/3 4> W >* a o 1 ik >-i .<•» j ^ « PQ Vv r/1 2 U *> P « ? w 1 as . ■is ». a> IS"* « II -tf.o i— O r? S .3 "3 J? PL. .a o . « V ■J vO S3 as- . in' 5 e " 5 3 3-i w o Q w 73 0>O O T3 ^3 R o o \o (3 J3 wJ a vO i-« ,o l-H -> -a « . iS!^ £■ ~< « w o a. o -1 « •£ « ■* pq r . <-3a rt p*~ ££ •at, a w . o "is, 00 TO !_ 0J — ' 6 .»« - o > m O r> XJ ^iZ^-' ■a >; c « 2 » id a> cn u 5° .S a 'o us o ^« s ^2? ire M "i 4) m T cd ett » «3 * 114 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. (THOMAS Thomas {pace Abraham "junior," the mercer) suc- RUDHALL ) ceeded his father Abel in the business, and placed his name regularly on bells from 1764; and Mr. Ellacombe mentions one bell in Gloucestershire with his name on, dated 1751 — that is during his father's lifetime. Thomas died in (or about) 1783. His brother (CHARLES Charles, and their half-brother John, then managed the AND JOHN business together. But the partnership appears only to RUDHALL ) have lasted until 1785, after which date Charles' name does not appear again at Gloucester. Mr. Ellacombe describes him as a "bellfounder of Brighton"; but he is described on a monument in Gloucester Cathedral, as "' of this city, gentleman." He died 14th August, 181 5, s. p., in his sixty-ninth year. I. RUDDALL FOUNDER appears on a bell dated 1771, at Staverton, Gloucestershire, together with the bell already mentioned of the same date by"A£R." John continued casting bells at Gloucester, and Bucks IO HN has a single small example by him in the clock tower RUDHALL at Emberton, dated 1806; but the foundry belonged to Charlotte, the only child of his eldest half-brother (Abraham, the mercer), who was baptised in 1771, and married to David Arthur Saunders, of Gloucester. She, in 1829, let the premises to Mr. Thomas Mears, as a yearly tenant. For some time Mears appears to have retained the services of John Rudhall, as manager of the Gloucester Foundry, as there are bells with his name on, after Mears bought the business, and down to 1835, in the February of which year he died, in his seventy-fifth year. Mears kept the foundry open for local work until his own death, when it was finally closed. It is unnecessary here to give further details of the Rudhall family, beyond mentioning that when Mr. Ellacombe published his Bells of Gloucestershire, in 1881, the premises where the foundry had formerly been situated, were the property of the two daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Saunders, above mentioned. It is difficult to adjudicate as to the relative merits of all the bellfounders, but*' with the possible exception of the second Hugh Watts, of Leicester, the Rudhalls are "bad to beat." Indeed, their bells being more widely known than Watts's, I think most competent judges will be found to give the palm to the Gloucester Foundry. * Present founders always excepted. S. NEOTS AND DOWNHAM MARKET FOUNDRIES. 1 1 5 The S. Neots and Downham Market, Etc, Foundry. Thomas Mears' fourth purchase (of much less importance than the previous three) was the foundry at Downham Market, Norfolk. Thomas Eayre, the eldest son of Thomas Eayre, a clockmaker, of Kettering, Northampts, " born 26th Aug. 1691 and baptized 21 Jany. 171 1,"* started a bellfoundry at Kettering, in 17 17, in con- (JOHN AND junction with John Eayre (probably an THOMAS EAYRE.) uncle) : but that foundry came to an end in 1 76 1, on the bankruptcy of Thomas' son of * ■ "*'nrl/*o tne same name , who was then the manager. EAYRE, JUN.) Joseph Eayre, the second son of the above ■ ftcc'pu PAVRE clockmaker, is mentioned in the Kettering Register, as "an adult person baptized Oct. 26, 1731":* and shortly afterwards he opened a bellfoundry at S. Neots (Huntingdonshire). By him we have a long-waisted ring of six at Great Linford, cast in 1756, with Latin inscriptions. The tenor at Newton Blossomville, 1769, is doubtless by him, as the lettering is identical, but there is no name. He died in 1 77 1 , and was succeeded by his (THOMAS OSBORN foreman, Thomas Osborn, and his (Eayre's) AMQ cousin, Edward Arnold, who started as partners, but in the following year Arnold EDWARD ARNOLD.) became so i e manager. He shall be briefly EDWARD ARNOLD, dismissed before following Osborn. Arnold had been employed by the younger Thomas Eayre, at Kettering, to complete a job he had in hand at the time of his bankruptcy in 1761. In 1784, Arnold opened a foundry at Leicester, in addition to that at S. Neots. This Leicester Foundry had no connection with, and must not be confounded with, the very excellent old foundry there, which closed in 1643, or was possibly wound up about two years later, and of which a full account is given further on. Before Arnold's time, however, an attempt had already (THOMAS been made to revive bellfounding in Leicester — doubtless __ . with a view to trading on the old reputation. The name of Thomas Clay exists on two bells in Leicestershire, dated 171 1 : he also cast a ring of eight for Southwell, " which were so much disliked, that they were speedily recast by Rudhall."f Apparently Clay's productions were inferior, and the business did not last long. * Quoted in Bells of Northamptonshire, p. 47- t Bells of Leicestershire, p. 72. Il6 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. There is one example in Bucks from Arnold's Leicester foundry — the second at Wavendon, dated 1792. • Into the S. Neots business he received as an apprentice, Robert Taylor, the first founder of the family now located at Loughborough (see posted), to whom he resigned the S. Neots Foundry towards the close of the century, retaining in his own hands the Leicester business. Thomas Osborn, after dissolving partnership with (THOMAS Arnold at S. Neots, set up for himself in 1780 (or shortly OSBORN ) De f° re )> at Downham Market, in Norfolk. Here, about two years later, he was joined by Robert Patrick, as ' " ILLIAM mentioned, p. 103, who about two years later again, seems DOBSON.) to have left him. About 1800, he took into partnership his grandson, William Dobson, who continued the busi- ness by himself, after the death of Osborn, in 1806. Dobson had a large connection, but was not prosperous, and in 1833 he sold his business to Mears, and died in the Charter House, London, in 1842. CHARLES AND Mr. Thomas Mears, jua, was succeeded on GEORGE MEARS. *" S death, in 1844, by his sons Charles and George Mears, who were already virtually managing the Whitechapel business. They broke up the Gloucester business, and transferred the appliances to London. By these brothers there are nineteen bells in Bucks, dated between 1842 and 1855 : at Colnbrook, Datchet, Denham (two), Winslow, Great Horwood (two), Penn Street (three), Aylesbury (two), Slapton, Burnham, and Slough (four). The saunce at Oving, with merely the date, 1854, is no doubt also by them. They discontinued the FECIT or FECERUNT of their predecessors, putting FOUNDERS instead. Charles died about 1855, but his name was kept up until 1859, as on the saunce at Upton. In 1858, George's name appears alone on Big Ben, of GEORGE Westminster ; and in Bucks on two bells at Great MPARS Kimble, dated i860. In 1861, the firm became George Mears and Co. Under this title we have the ring of five G. MEARS at Shalston, dated 1862 ; and one bell at Ellesborough AND Co. the next y ear - A third brother, John, for some years managed the business for George, merely having the house for his pains, but did not attend to it very regularly. THE WHITECHAPEL FOUNDRY — UP TO DATE. 117 MEARS AND About 1863, George Mears took into partnership STAINBANK ^ r ' ^•°' 3ert Stainbank, who found the business much neglected, but with a fine opening. He first got rid of John Mears, and in 1865 acquired the entire control, by buying out George. He, after being out of the business for some years, died at Land- port, Portsmouth, on the 12th August, 1873, aged fifty-three. The sole name of Robert Stainbank appears on the ROBERT sixth at Bletchley, dated 1867 ; but more frequently STAINBANK *" s bells bear the double name — Mears and Stainbank — which title is still continued. His other bells in this county are: Ellesborough, 1870; and then, in order of date, Little Marlow, Hughenden (two), Farnham Royal (two), Lane End (ring of six), and Shabbington, 1881 — in all, fourteen. Mr. Stainbank was born at Nottingham, about 1815. Before entering into partnership with Mears, he was in business as a timber merchant. He died at his residence, Spring Lodge, Lawrie Park, Sydenham, on 24th January, 1883 : and was buried on the 29th, at Boston, Lincolnshire, where his parents and other members of his family are interred.* The business, under the same title, is continued exactly A. S. as before, by Mr. A. S. Lawson. He has sent up to the LAWSON moment of printing, a baker's dozen to the county ; namely, six to Beaconsfield ; two to Iver ; three to Slough ; one to Granborough ; and one to High Wycombe ; while one is, at this moment, ordered for Penn. In 1885, Mr. Lawson purchased, and incorporated with the Whitechapel business, the Redenhall Foundry, Harleston, Norfolk, established I believe in 1879, by Capt. Moore,f and Messrs. Holmes and Mackenzie. As there is no example of their work in Bucks, it is unnecessary to give any further account of it. One is, of course, on delicate ground in discussing the merits of existing foundries, but the enormous number of bells turned out by this leading establishment — amounting to more than a quarter of all the bells now existing in this county — forms a stronger recommendation than anything I could say. * Bells of Bedfordshire, p. 83. f Of Weybread, Suffolk, late of the 44th Regiment. The portrait, and a biographical sketch of Capt. Moore appeared in Bell News, 1891, Vol. IX., No. 457. Il8 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. The Knights' Foundry at Reading. Many excellent bells, of which, in round numbers, about three hundred still h an g in the towers of this and neighbouring counties, were cast by the Knights, of Reading, between some time in the sixteenth century and the early part of the eighteenth. The name of William Knight has been mentioned (WILLIAM (PP- 63, 74, and 76) under the heading of the original KM1CHT I *p\ Reading Foundry. It seems most probable that he learnt his work there, and that there were two genera- tions of the same name. If the William Knight who was Under Warden of the Founders' Company of London in 1518, Upper Warden in 1528, and Master of the Guild in 1530-31 (see p. 74), was identical, as seems likely, with the Reading founder of the same name, who appears in The Booke of the Names and Ordinnances of the Cutlers and Bellfounders Companye, he was then, doubtless, identical with the individual of the same name who was churchwarden of S. Lawrence, Reading, in 15 19, and who was buried in that church in 1535. Mr. Stahlschmidt* was inclined to think that the Knights' foundry was of London growth, but the fact of this early Reading churchwarden, and the appearance of a John Knight, in the same parish, as early as 1498, are strong arguments to the contrary. The following are the earliest notices I have met with"}- of this family. From the churchwardens' accounts of S. Lawrence, Reading : — 1498-99. It payed to John Knyght for makyng of a bawdryk ... ... y\d * Bells of Surrey, p. 94. fin search of information as to the various Reading founders, I have hunted through the Registers of the Reading parishes of S. Mary the Virgin and S. Lawrence ; and through the baptisms in the first volume of those of S. Giles. I have to express my thanks to the Rev. Canon Garry, for the very kind way in which he allowed me access to the Registers of S. Mary's ; to the Rev. C. F. J. Bourke, for access to those of S. Giles ; and to the Rev. J. M. Guilding, who, though he first refused point-blank to allow me to search those of S. Lawrence, eventually withdrew this prohibition ; also to Mr. Foxell, parish clerk of S. Lawrence ; also to Thomas Creed, Esq., Town Clerk of Reading, for the facilities he kindly gave me for searching the exceptionally interesting churchwardens' accounts of the last-named parish. Some extracts from these I have quoted from a history of this parish by the Rev. Charles Kerry, but the greater number are copied directly from the original. Quotations from the parish accounts of S. Mary and S. Giles, are from extracts taken by A. D. Tyssen, Esq., who very kindly placed them at my service. THE KNIGHTS, OF READING — SIXTEENTH CENTURY. 1 19 Lady Day, 1514-15. It payd to John Knyzt for makyng croffis* to the hygh awtar &> ob 9 s^vice ... ... ... ... ... viij'' 15 16-17. It paid to John Knyzt for mendyng c'tayne thynge in the churche ij* 1518-19. It of John Knyzt for his wyfe Sete ... ... ... vj" 1 It paid to John Knyght for c 9 tayne befyneffe ... ... i) d "Wirim Knyght" was appointed one of the churchwardens of S. Lawrence for the year beginning the feast of S. Michael the Archangel, in the " yere m'DXIX & the xj th yere of the regne of Kyng Henry the viij th -" 1525-26. William Knight paid for the year's mind of William Lendall, who had been buried at S. Lawrence's in 15 15-16. 1 535-36. The great bell Rec for the knyll of willi^m Knyght ... xij'' He bequeathed 6s. 8d. to S. Lawrence's. Buried: 1543-44, Thomas. 1545-46, Joan. In S. Mary's Registers : — 1551, Richard, married Joan Steele. 1552, John buried, and Joan baptised. 1553, March v th . Thomas buried. 1554, Joan buried, and John married Sibbill Hillary. 1555, Eliza married John Baglie. 1560, Anthony baptised, and in January, John married Ellen Peryman. 1561-62, Richard buried at S. Lawrence. 1562, in S. Mary's Registers, Alice baptised. 1564, Annie baptised ; in January, in S. Giles' Registers, Elyzabethe baptised. 1565, in S. Mary's, John and Alice buried. 1566, Sibbill married John Marshall. WILLIAM In 1567, William Knight recast a bell for S. I£m|l£u a r II «> Lawrence (Reading). It is reasonable to suppose that he was the son of the individual of the same name who died in 1535-36, and probably, therefore, the second founder of the name. The following record of this, and subsequent recastings, is given in the churchwardens' accounts of S. Lawrence : — ©he gathering of this parrgsh of j&agnxt Harranu. JFot the neto Cafttng of fcelssall, p' ©real ftell: 1567 The following names of persons appear, who were probably connected with Reading founders, or with founders elsewhere, who may well have learned their business here : — John Barthlett, John Bagley, Ollyver howell (?— Aphowell), wylhn wells, John welld and apparently another distinct John welle * Probably the five crosses at the centre and angles of the slab or mensa. — Kerry. 120 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Vji "} h} viij*' viij*' iij' \d Among the names of subscribers " Of Saynt Maryes parryfh for the fame Bell," are : — John Knight and Jhon Bartlett All the gatheringe (amounted to) 12 . 5 . 9 ©he charge* of the fame bell 3)tl p'mis to wittm knight ] for caftinge the fame bell J Itm for drincke for the that tooke paines to take up <&■» downe the fame bell for makinge the obligacyon wherein the bellfownder ftoode bound to y e pifh for mendinge the fame bell wheele &•» nayles for the fame for a rope for the fame bell "> at \)d ob the pownde / for mendinge the Clapper Sa'c ... for new makinge y e fame clap gretr for makinge y e bawdrick to y e fame To martyn woodnett for takinge downe the fame bell <&■» hanginge it up for xlij foote of boorde for y e fowth wyndow in the fteple where the bell was taken out <5r* in. and one hondreth &* a halfe of nayles for mendinge the bawdncke for mendinge the ftocke Sr°c ... ... ij* j&um of the crpences of the Eell if irif b* So resteth to the church ... ... xviij' V* iiij"' vy ijV xxiiij* »j* iiij<* xxxj' J viij<* \d vy XVJ<< IS74- Itm to the bellfounder for the first bell casting Itm more to him for xxxvj pound of his stuffe Itm to the Bellfounders man for bringing the bell to the churche Itm to Venter for a daies worke for having up of ye bell Itm geven in ernest upon the casting of ye third bell Itm more to him for ye same bell casting that ys for xiiijC xxij# and for xix pound of his stuffe at v* viij^ the casting amaunteth to 4 1 ' x'* whereof ys paed from us Itm to his men to bring ye bell to the churche Itm to make them drink that helped up and downe w* ye bell xlvj* xviij' iii<* vuj hij* viij<* xij rf VUJ' \d * This reckoning is not very self-evident. 41 lbs. @ 5/8 the cwt. = ,£4 iar. od. It is 14 cwt. 22 lbs. + 19 lbs. = 14 cwt. 11J* nij* xl* xyj* vjif V THE KNIGHTS, OF READING— SIXTEENTH CENTURY. 121 1575- Reed f w-n Twytt towards the Casting of the Treble bell The Chardgs of the Treble bell. Inprimis to Willm Knight for castinge ye same bell Itm paide to him for xxxiij'*' of mettale put into the saide bell, over the 1 old wayght w<* was one hundred a halfe and xxviij'' at vj^- the pounde ) Itm paide to Symon Dye for having the same bell into the steeple and for | hanginge her up ... ... ... ... J Itm paide for drinke at the same tyme for those that dyd help up with "j the same bell ... ... ... ... / Itm paide for sawinge a new stocke for ye same bell ... ... vj rf The two oldest dated bells by William Knight, now known to be in existence, were cast in 1578. One of these is at Flaundon, Herts, and is inscribed : — + gl'orto in exelcisc beo tr>& The other, formerly at that church, but now at S. John's, Uxbridge, Middlesex, is inscribed with the same date : — -f semefa to^cmi ova pro nobis WK At Lilley, in Herts, is a bell which Mr. Stahlschmidt ascribes doubt- fully to William Knight, inscribed : — * ANNO * QM * 1580 He appears from this date in the churchwardens' accounts of S. Mary's, Reading : — 1581 (Receipts), Itm of Knight for the olde bell hade of M r Webbe of London way ir.ge lxxxvp at iij'' a pounde ... ... ... xxj' vj' Itm paied to Knight for the newe bell ... •■■ ... ... xij* 1585. Itm paied to Will m Knight the belfounder for castinge of the great bell iiip x* Itm paied to him for xviij# of mettle put to the said Bell at vj^ a pound ... ix* Itm to his men for theire paynes ... ... ••• ... xij^ R It viiiJ v\<* 122 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. In the accounts of S. Giles', Reading, under 1586 : — Itm to William Knight for castinge the second Bell and for xxxvij« of mettell wch he put to him at vj<* the pound ... iiij /! ' viijj vj At Dunsfold, Surrey, the second bell (which is badly cracked) is inscribed : — ►B mufftc * cmis * veconet * campcma * toxemic WK 1583 The former third at High Wycombe was probably the ditto of this bell* At Ilmer, the second has, in large, clumsy black-letter, the initials in Roman capitals i| in. high : — ►[< gtoxia ** in ** ercefcuc ** deo ** 1586 WK Four undated bells, entirely in Lom bardic capitals, may perhaps be older than any of those already mentioned, and might even be by the first William ? At Rotherfield Greys, Oxon, the treble has : — 4. RAIi o JIIAKI O BYD O OB o GKAS WK The circular stop contains a barn-yard cock, head to left. The treble at East Dean (near Chichester, Sussex), has the same inscription in the same lettering, but apparently without the stop and initials. The fourth at Chinnor (Oxon), has, in the same lettering : — -J- OWR EAChAR WICIi ARC in KGW6II RAItOWGD B6 CRY IlAfflG WR and the fourth at Kintbury (Berks), has the first six words. William Knight evidently died in November, 1586, the inventory of his goods being taken the xxiiij th of that month by Jossephe Carter, John Wellche (doubtless = Welles), John Bonybawte, and Richard Weaver. The chief items are : — * The inscription, as given to me, reads, Muftis Annis Resonet Campana Johannis, 1583. WILLIAM KNIGHT'S WILL. 123 It the tolles belonging to the work hows ... xxix'*' xiij r The " Detes to be receved" are ... ... v*' x J and — Dettes dew to be payd out of this Innuytory xlij^' iiij J His will is as follows : — Testamentu Willlmi Knighte de Readinge. In the name of God Amen October 19. 1586. I Willim Knight of Readinge in the countie of Barks bellfounder sicke in bodie but of good & pfytt remembrance make this my lasts will & testam 1 - ffyrste I bequeathe my soule to Almightie God trustinge to be saved by the meritts of Christes passion & my bodie to the earthe from whence yt came. lnp«mis I geve & bequeathe to my daughter Christian grime one brasse pott & two pewter platters two pottingers and two candlesticks Itm I geve to my daughter Anne Knight one brasse pott two pewter platters ij pottengers & ij candlesticks. Itm I geve to Alice Knight, Dorothe Knight, Margarett Knight, my other three daughters, the lyttell portion seu 9 allie to eu 9 ie one that is to saye one brasse pott two pewter platters two pottingers & two candlesticks a peece, w cl1 sev'all potts to be geven to eache one of them my will is they shal be of the measure of two gallons a peece at the leaste. The Residewe of my goods cattells whatsoeu' I geve & bequeathe to my welbeloved wyffe Jone Knight & to my sonne Henrie Knight, w* Jone & Henrie I make ioynte Executors herein, and my ou 9 seers Jossephe Carter & John Welche. Geven the daye & yeare above written. These beinge Wytnesses Jossephe Carter John Wellshe James Greene w' h others. Probatum fuit hoc pres Testamentu cora M r ° Edwardo White. . . xxviij die mensis Aprilis Anno Dni 1587. HENRY William was succeeded by his son, Henry Knight. I KNIGHT I ^ ave notes of between eighty and ninety bells by him, but must here restrict myself almost exclusively to his Bucks examples. There are two bells by him at Great Kimble, dated 1587, inscribed similarly to William's later examples, except for the change of initial, for which, Roman capitals 2 inches high are used on the third bell, and if inch on the fourth. In S. Lawrence's (Reading) churchwardens' accounts for 1588, is :— Profits of the womens seats Henri Knights wife vj^ 1 591 : The tenor at Wraysbury : the cross path again, black-letter Latin inscription, with Henry's initials in Roman capitals, if inch high. In the churchwardens' accounts of S. Mary's, Reading, for the year ending 1st April, 1605, among other items concerning the bells, are : — Itm paied for ft 11 of Bell mettell of one that goodman Knight brought ... xxiiij* \]d 124 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Itm paied for carryinge the bell to Knights and backe again ... ... xvj<' Itm to Goodman Knight 22# of mettle for the brasses, paid to him for casting them* ... ... ... ... ... iij 1 ix<* 1607 : The tenor at Datchet, with Latin inscription in black-letter, and a crowned rose (figured on Plate XXII.), between Henry's initials in Roman capitals, 1 £ inch high. 1608 : The former treble at Little Marlow. The saunce at Marsh Gibbon, with only his initials, in letters i T 5 F inch high, is probably not later than this date. 1610 : The former tenor at Thorn- borough, evidently a recast, inscribed, like all subsequent bells from this foundry for the next forty-eight years, in irregular, heavy Roman capitals, which on this example averaged 1 T S F inch high : — HENR5 KN5GHT MADE TH *S BELL ANO DOM5N5 56«C * WHOSE NAME 5S CALED GABRJELL xxxx 161 5 : The second at Datchet, in the last-named lettering. 1616 : The tenor at Chearsley, in lettering 1^ inch high. Mr. Lukisf records an unusual inscription on a bell at Aldbourne, Wilts, dated the next year, which appears to be Henry Knight's make : — Humphry Symsin gave xx pound to bi this bell. And y parish gave xx more to make this ring gooe well. H. K. 1617. T. C. : G. A. 1618: The treble at Ilmer : lettering i x \ inch. In S. Lawrence's', Reading, accounts, is : — Anno 1618. Itm. p d to goodman Knight for casting of the 4 bell 61. 10s. Itm. p d moor to him for j hundred & twenty three pound of mettell put into her, \ li xij- 5 the hundred, ... ... 61. 15J. 1621 : In smaller-sized lettering (£§• of an inch) of the same description, are the second at West Wycombe, the second at Oakley, and the treble at Quainton ; the three following bells in the latter tower, are also by him, in the i T 3 5- inch lettering; the four Quainton bells having, with his initials, and an oo-like scroll shown on Plate XXII., the following: — * These were for the Lady Bell just cast by Mot in Whitechapel. f Church Bells, p. 116. THE KNIGHTS —FIRST HALF OF SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. 125 THSNKE NO COST TO MYCH THAT YOY BESTOW OF ALL TO BRfiNGE TO PA3 SO GOOD A TH5NG* 1622 : The treble at Oakley : lettering T f of an inch. S. Lawrence's (Reading), Register has : — January 1622 8 Henry Knight fep : A Henry Knight was baptised twelve months previously, but there can hardly be a doubt that this was the funeral of the bellfounder, and not the baby, because the following Inventory of the bellfounder's goods was made two days later : — An inventorye of all the goodes and Chatties of Henry Knight late of Readinge in the County of Berkg Bellfounder Deceafed ; taken the X th day of January Anno Dni 1622 by Christopher Atey, Thomas Hatton, and Randall Walton which was evidently the case by 1 661, when the second Henry comes to -the front, as actual manager of the foundry ; Ellis and Francis apparently retiring in his favour ; the latter, at any rate, did not die until ten years later. This Henry was probably the son of Edward Knight, and baptised at S. Lawrence's in 1621. In the churchwardens' accounts of S. Giles, Reading, for 1661, is : — Item to Henry Knight belfounder for brasses and other stuffe and worke aboute the Belles ... £2 ,, 5 „ 3 So that Henry was evidently the senior partner, and many bells dated during the ensuing twelve years, state distinctly that HENRY KNIGHT MADE MEE ; but about the same number of bells, during the same period, have the shield shown on Plate XXII., which obviously indicates an Ellis Knight, and is always used with the initials H K stamped on either side of it. Several of these latter bells bear churchwardens' names, the office being indicated by the initials C W, on either side of the recumbent figure shown on' Plate XXII., apparently intended to represent a typical churchwarden ! There are two bells at Soulbury, dated 1661, which both have H K on either side of Ellis's shield. The treble has the dragon and oak-leaf border, on the same plate, not recorded elsewhere ; while the third has the figure of a churchwarden just mentioned. Probably another bell, by the same founders at this date, formerly existed between the two now remaining.* The lettering on these, and all subsequent bells from this foundry (unless otherwise pointed out) is xu i ncn high, and the. figures ^ inch. 1662 : The treble at Marsworth is by Henry. He appears as present at S. Lawrence's (Reading) vestries from this date to 1672, being surveyor of highways in 1669, and overseer of the poor in 1671. 1663 : Two at Hughenden, and one at Little Missenden, by H FJ K, the two former have also the " churchwarden." * The third is cracked, without much doubt from the horrible practice of " clappering." THE KNIGHTS — SECOND HALF OF SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. 131 At a vestry held at S. Lawrence, Reading, on 29th May, 1662, it was Agreed that the five bells in the steeple be made into eight tuneable Bells and that the Churchwardens doe take care to see it done provided that noe taxe be layd on the parishe towards the charge of altering the said Bells and provided that the Churchwardens doe bring and secure the said eight Bells in convenient tyme into the said steeple w'hout charge to the pishe. In the account for : — April 1, 1662, to Ap. 20, 1663. Rec 1 of the parishioners of S' Lawrence and others towards the casting 1 of the bells ... ... ... ... ... J Whereof payd to Henry Knight Bellfounder for casting the five bells \ ... ff .. ..... into eight bells ... ... ... ... ••• I Item paid to John Strovd carpenter for altering the Bells frames and making the Bells wheeles and other worke about the'Bells Item paid to William White Blacksmith for iron & ",worke about the Belles ... April 21, 1663 — Ap. 12, 1664. [ xxij /r ' \ xuj'» viij" thesis } XXij " iiij ' Rec d Item of the parishioners of S' Lawrence towards the casting of at \ .... Payd to Henry Knight the Bellfounder for metall added to the great Bell 7 Aug., 1663. Mem. At this meeting it is agreed that the like pfitt be allowed the church for knells on the 8* and 7 th bells as was formerly for the greate Bell and 4* bells, when there were but five bells, and that the sexton shall have the gfitt of the six smaller bells, payeing for the ropes of them from time to time as occasion shall require. 30 July, 1665. Agreed that the pfitt of the 6 th Bell untill the 7 th Bell be new cast be received for the use of the church in steed of ye pfitt of the 7 th Bell. 1665. It paid Henry Knight for lviij'* weight of mettal to put in the two fore bells ij'« xviij* 1666-7. Item p d to Henry Knight for casting the seaventh Bell and other charges xx'' xv ! vj* 132 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. In the churchwardens' accounts of S. Mary's, Reading, for the year ending April nth, 1664, appears : — This year a tax was made of Thirty weeks according to the weekly payment to the poor for the Casting of the fift bell being broken, and allso for the discharging of a sume of monye remayning for the new casting of the saints bell w"» other charges thereby ariseing, there being then present (14 names) March 27, 1665. Rec d ofthetax ... ... ... ... 44 12 6 Paid for expence one ye belfounders ... ... 1 6 Paid for carryage of ye bell to y e founders and laborers 2 6 Paid for bringing the bell home and for laborers ... 7 6 Paid M* Knight y= Bellfounder ... ... 20 611 Paid m or to him by his bill ... ... ... 148 1666 : The tenor at Medmenham, by H U K, with the " churchwarden " figure. In this year is dated the nuncupative will* of Thomas (THOMAS Knight, who was evidently a junior member of the firm — KNIGHT ) tnou &h never promoted to the honour of placing his name on a bell :— Memorandum that Thomas Knight late of Reading in the county of Berks Bellfounder on or about the eighth day of August in the year of our Lord one Thousand six hundred sixty six being then in perfect mind & memory and having then an intencon to settle order and dispose of his estate did make and declare his last will and testament nuncupative or by word of mouth as followeth (byt) he did give and bequeath unto his daughter Rebecca Knight ffowerscore pounds to be paid her at the day of her marriage or at her age of one and twenty yeares which should ffirst happen It he gave unto his daughter Katherine Knight Threscore and Tenne pounds to be paid unto her at her age of one and twenty yeares or at the day of her marriage which should ffirst happen. Item he did give to the child that his wife then went with fforty pounds to be paid at his or her age of one and twenty yeares if the said child should soe long live. All the rest of his goods & chatties & estate unbequeathed he did give and bequeath unto his loveing wife Katherine Knight and did make her exix of his last will and Testam', and these words or words tending to the same or like effect he the said Thomas Knight did say and declare with an intent that the same should be his last will & Testament nuncupative in the prsence of credible witnesses. Witnesse hereunto with the word fforty first interlined. Ffrancis Knight. (Long Latin account) Proved. Suma tot Inven ri! 474 // - 8 s - a 1 - * Mr. Tyssen kindly called my attention to it. THE KNIGHTS — SECOND HALF OF SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. 133 We may probably identify him with a Thomas Knight who was baptised at S. Mary (Reading), in 1626-7, whose father, Thomas, had married in that church in 1620 ; and with the subject of the following entry in S. Lawrence's accounts for the year 1663-64 : — To Thomas Knight for opening* the greate bell j J vj rf Two bells at Winslow with merely the date, 1668, engraved (not stamped) on the cope, may be from this foundry, the figures (i x T T inch high) being very like those used between 1640-58, except that the Is being of a somewhat black-letter form, seem to suggest Richard Keene, who certainly sent a bell to that tower two years later. 1670 : Henry cast the treble at Turville, and. the year following the fifth at Burnham. Towards the end of 1672 (probably in January, 1672-3), after sending at least one bell apiece to Berks, Hants, and Wilts, he died. Reckoning only from 1661, I have notes of forty-odd bells by him, or by him and Ellis, without counting those mentioned in the Reading parish accounts. The following are the chief items in the Inventory of his goods : — (Docketed outside — ) 1672. Henry Knight sen de Reading Bellfounder. go/« gs. Inven"? A true and perfect Inventorie of the goods and Chattels of Henrie Knight Sen' late of Reading Belfounder deceased taken and appraised by William Knight Ffrancis Knight and Ellis Knight the ffirst day of Ffebruarie Anno Dni 1672 In ready money and debts ... ... xxxx* In the shop. ij C weight of mettle ij c of Leaden weights, • 1 ix# v* Beame and skales, j Mil, j furnace & Lumber In the Bell house. A Bell furnace a Ginn pulley, Rope, and Beame, xxiif In the pot house. A paire of Bellowes iij brass panns, and tooles ij* v* In the back side. vij Loads of Wood and Charcole ... ... iij* v* (etc) Sma totles ... ... lxxxxix* ix* * That is, ringing it for the first time. T34 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. The fact of Ellis's name being placed last among the three executors, is an argument in favour of his being a junior, and not the old man. Francis was perhaps son of the other Francis, and baptised at S. Lawrence's, 2nd December, 1635. William was most likely Henry's younger brother, born 1625. In the churchwardens' accounts of S. Mary's, Reading, for 1672, appears : — Paid for casting the tenor brases to Henry Frwin 8 o Possibly he was foreman to Henry Knight II., and cast these brasses just at the time of Henry's death, before his successors ELLIS actually took possession. These were Ellis Knight — • ■(MIGHT (II 0) probably No. II.; and Henry's son — Henry Knight III., who was baptised at S. Lawrence, Reading, in AND HENRY l6 ^ KNIGHT III. There are thirteen bells in Berks, Oxon, Hants, and Bucks, dated 1673 and two following years. Seven of these bear the joint names (in the same plain Roman capitals, about ^ of an inch high). Four others have the names of churchwardens ; two of them having also Ellis's shield, with the initials disposed thus : E n h The remaining two have nothing but the date. The Bucks examples are the treble at Buckland, and the second at Aston Sandford, both dated 1675. In 1676, I only know of two bells (Berks and Hants respectively), with merely churchwardens' names, and then no more until 1680, when a single bell (Bullington, Hants) appears, with the sole name of Henry. In the churchwardens' accounts of S. Mary, Reading, for that year,. is : — Paid Henry Knight 3 paid to Knight ... 12 6 The following year, one more example (Aldermaston, Berks), with HENRICUS KNIGHT FECIT. These seem to show that Ellis retired after 1675, and that Henry's business had shrunk to a very small out-put. He died, or perhaps retired in disgust, in about 1682, and Ellis once more put himself in harness, for in 1683 appears a bell at -Strathfield Sturgis, Hants, bearing the initials E K. 1684 saw the first of Samuel Knight's castings, and Ellis, having evidently handed over the business to him, proceeded, in the following year, to make his will, which was not proved until April, 1694, when an Inventory was also taken ; so that he probably lived aboutten years in retirement : — THE KNIGHTS — THE LAST READING FOUNDER. 1 35 The last will & Testam te of Ellis Knight of Reading in the county of Berks Belfounder made the last day of August .... Anno Dom 1685 .... to my daughter Sarah the wife of William Wright one shilling to be paid her on demand. All the rest .... to Margare my well-beloved wife Proved April 20, 1694, by Margaret Knight. The inventory was taken Apl 17th, 1694, by Francis Knight, maulster, and Hugh Newman, clothier. As Samuel is not mentioned in either the will or SAMUEL inventory, it seems most likely that he was not Ellis's son. KNirHT ^* s ^ rst known bell, at Stanford Dingley, Berks, is inscribed as follows : — o HEHRY Q Ktfna o C o W e SAMVLL KIlfiGHT MAD M 1684 Q The only bells by him the next year that I know of, are two recorded by Mr. Lukis, at Collingbourne Kingston, and Netheravon, both in Wilts. In 1686, his only bells seem to be two at Wimborne Minster, Dorset, which deserve a more detailed notice. The present third is inscribed : — jVM M INIMK HIC yflMPHNfl J&J 3£NEST gVH ^RflTlH Phrvis § 3& l686 (Pattern) P «R (Pattern) W W (Pattern) H THIS • BELL • WAS • HDDED TO Y ■ FIVE ■ IN • 1686 The fourth : — ^MV PVLSHTH ROSHMVNai IfflRlfl V 0CflTfi H^MVEL NIGT f EE §ET 1686 THEW ;, ' INOLE ^HOMflS POTTELL fjJHVRCH HRDENS (Pattern) # ft It seems probable that these bells were not actually cast by S. Knight, but that T B was the founder, for Knight's account. A Thomas Bilbie was founding half a century later* at Chewstoke, Somerset, and at Collumpton, * By 1734, and probably earlier. 136 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Devon ; this is the best identification I can offer. The very large, clumsy initial letters* were used on two bells in the Curfew Tower, Windsor Castle, by I W, in 161 2. These latter are probably by John Wallis, of Salisbury, whose date is about 1580 to 1636. The big letters, doubtless, never belonged to Samuel Knight, but had passed into* the possession of T B more or less directly from the Salisbury Foundry. In 1687, Samuel Knight cast a bell for Tidmarsh, Berks, on which is recorded the name of John Knight, churchwarden. As this place is only seven miles from Reading, John may well have been a relation. An individual of that name was baptised at S. Mary's, Reading, in 1649, and another one at S. Lawrence's in 1653. One of them was churchwarden of this latter parish in 1701. During the next three years I have notes of seven bells in the counties of Berks, Oxon, and Hants. In 1691, only the treble at Medmenham. Nothing the next year. In 1693, one bell at Downton, Wilts. In 1694, the saunce at Great Marlow, with merely his initials, f inch high ; the figures as before. Nothing known during the next two years. In 1697, one in Herts. In 1698, five at Binfield, Berks. The following year, one in Surrey. Nothing in 1700. In 1701, the little clock-bell at Burnham, in the T 9 7 inch set, except the letter H, which belongs to the f set ; one in Oxon, and five at Ropley, Hants (one now gone). In the churchwardens' accounts of S. Mary, Reading, taken that Easter Monday, is : — Pd M r Knight y e Bellfounder for woorke & Bras 1 18 In 1702, a ring of five at Penn, of which the second was recast seventy- eight years later, and the fourth was unluckily split in 1892. They were inscribed : — I RS TREBELL DO BEE GIN FEHRE GOD HONOVR THE KING Then, no doubt, "Samvell Knight least this ring."f IN PENN TOVR FOR TOO SING VNTO THE CHVRCH I OOO YOV CHLL OETH TO THE GRKVE WILL SVMMHNS HLL followed by the churchwardens' names. * Their average height is about i\ inches, the extremes being about \ inch more and less. The " smalls " are about \% of an inch. f So at least at Binfield, Berks, 1698. THE KNIGHTS— BUSINESS REMOVED TO LONDON. 1 37 These are the latest of Samuel Knight's bells in this county ; but there are some later in Berks, beginning with four in 1703, and three in 1704. In the accounts of S. Lawrence, Reading, dated nth February, that year * is : — Agreed that the 7* bell be taken downe and new cast, and Samuel Knight to doe it & be paid 18/. for the same by the churchwardens, Samuel Knight to be at all manner of charge in taking downe & hanging up the same. And in those of S. Giles, taken Lady Day, in the same year : — Item pd to Knight the bellfounder for a Brainch to the Sconch, 8s. In 1705, three more examples in Berks. No bells known during the next three years, but in 1709 he sent a ring of six to Mortimer Strathfield, in Berks, the second of which was apparently not a success, as the present bell is dated the following year. Samuel occasionally, down to the tenor of this ring, used Ellis's shield, and the " churchwarden " figure. Probably, in this latter year, Samuel Knight finding his business, as the above list goes far to show, very intermittent, left Reading, and removed to the parish of S. Andrew, Holborn, London ; his actual foundry is not known, but Mr. Stahlschmidt believed it was in Shoe Lane. Up to this time (excluding the bells mentioned in the Reading parish accounts), he had sent at least twenty-eight bells to Berks, eight to Bucks, six to Hants, three to Wilts, two apiece to Oxon and Dorset, one each to Herts and Surrey. Of course the complete investigation of some of these counties may increase the number. After twelve or eighteen months in London, during which he seems to have received absolutely no orders, business improved ; and beginning in 1712, he sent at least thirty-six bells to Sussex towers, as recorded by Mr. Tyssen ; and beginning in 1721, between eighty and ninety bells to Kentish towers, as recorded by Mr. Stahlschmidt; also one to Herts in 1716, two in 1738, and five in 1739. In Surrey he contributed the renowned ring of twelve (two recast), to S. Saviour's, South wark, in 1734-5 ; two other bells to that county in 1737, and one in 1739. His will shows that he died near the end of this latter year : — Principal Registry, Court of Probate : Prerog. Court of Canterbury . In the Name of God Amen I Samuel Knight of the Parish of Saint Andrew Holborn London Bell Founder being of sound mind memory and understanding do hereby make my last Will and * Kerry's History, etc., p. 89. 138 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Testament in manner and form following to wit First I give devise and bequeath to my loving sister Jane Knight Spinster the sum of Five pounds of lawfull money of Great Britain I also give to Anne Hillier Widow the sum of Ten pounds of like lawfull money I also give devise and bequeath to M r - Robert Catlin all the rest residue and remainder of my Estate whatsoever and wheresoever And I nominate constitute and appoint him the said Robert Catlin sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all former Wills by me made In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this fifteenth day of November in the year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and thirty nine — Samuel Knight — Signed sealed published and declared by the said Samuel Knight the testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as Witnesses hereunto — John Pilkington — Benj n Lockyer Proved at London before the Worshipful John Andrew Doctor of Laws and Surrogate on the 19 th December 1739 by the Oath of Robert Catlin the sole Executor to whom Administration was granted having been first sworn duly to administer. (Henchman, 262.) Before speaking of his successors in the business, I will clear off the Knight family, by giving all the entries referring to them from the Registers, etc., of Reading, which have not been already quoted. All entries prior to 1567 have been already given. From the Registers of S. Mary the Virgin, Reading : — Baptisms: 1587, Robart. 1588, Marc xxij'h xxer ('Christopher). 1591, Elizabeth. 159S, Alice. 1600 ffebrua, Elnor. [Anthonie Knight, C W for year ending Feb., 1602, and again the following year.] 1605, Margaret, dau. of Anthonie. 1608, January, Antony, son of Antony. 1622, Febr., John, son of Thomas; Dec, Alice, dau. of John. 1623, Elizabeth, dau. of Thomas. 1625, John, son of John. 1626, Thomas, son of Thomas. 1630, ffebruar, Jefferie son of John ; March, Marye, dau. of John. 1632, Naomie, dau. of M r Walter. 1633, Elizabeth, dau. of John. 1634, Penellopey, dau. of Walter. 1635, Walter, son of Walter and Naome. 1638, Januarie, Letiscia, dau. of do. (No entries from December 22nd, 1641, to August 10th, 1643.*) 1649, John, son of John. 1650, Edward, son of Willam. 1653, ffebb., Willam, son of Willam; Oct., Thomas, son of John and Marie. 1657, William, son of John and Elizabeth. 1658, May, * Will Moore entered as follows, on the first paper page of the first volume of the Register : "When I came to be Clark of this parish I found noe Children regestred from December the 22"> 1641 to August 1643 n°r any paper wherby I could collect any ; neither in the time of warr could any Regester be well kept, for people made use of whome they could gett to baptize their children ; likewise for buryalls wthout Minister, Clark or bell • so that no regester could be truly kept, but what I could collect or gather together I have done to the uttermost of my power to satisfie people in after times, I could not doe it in an orderly way but as neere as possibly I could I have done it " THE KNIGHTS— END OF THE SECOND READING FOUNDRY. 1 39 Elizabeth, son of Do. ; Oct., Sarah, dau. of W™ & Emlye. 1685, January, Mary, dau. of William and Mary. 1686, Elizabeth, dau. of Do. 1688, William, son of Do. 1689, Mary, dau. of John & Mary. 1690, Ann, dau. of William and Mary. 1692, William, son of Do. 1694, Sarah, dau. of Do. 1698, Jane, dau. of Do. " 1704 Octo Elizabeth Knight of John & Temprance Lab. the 15'h." "1705 January Ann Knight of Saml & Mary Labour the 1." " 1706 October Infant of Samwell Knight .... Lab the 17" "1707 May Elias Knight of Josias & Elizabeth Labo the 19." [To end of 1707. Marriages: 1583, Anthonie, to Agnes Welles. 1586. Richard, to Marge: Pyper. 1615, Isack Butler to Ellen. 1616, John, to Elzabeth Eliot. 1620, Febr., Martin, to Alice Stevens ; June, Thomas, to Katherin Bristow. 1627, Jan., James Warner, to Margaret. 1630, ffrancis, to Ursula Merick. 1641, Jasper, to Sarah Wells. (July, 1641, to August, 1643, missing). 1644, Januara., Thomas Wilder to Ann. 1646, William, to Martha Paine.f 1647, Febu., John, to Lida rose (?). " 1654, September Alexander Blagrave of this pish and Leticea "l d „ Knight of S' Lawrence pish 3 times published ... / ye 3d Burials: 1570, W m - 1590, Elnor. 1592, John, "p r isoner."J 1595, John. 1602, Agnes, wife of Antho : 1615, Alice, dau. of Anthoni. 1620, Febr., Alice, wife of Martin. 1623, Anthony, son of Anthony. 1629, M r Anthonie. 163 1, Alice. 1634, Penellopey, dau. of Walter. 1637, ffebruari, Walter, son of M r Walter. 1639, January, Elizabeth, wife of John bur. 21 ; John, her husband bur. 23, "feavers pestilentiall." (No entries between May, 1641, and Sept., 1653.) 1654, March xviij th . Tho., son of John. 1655, Lidea, wife of John. 1658, John. 1671, August y e 18 th . ffrancis. 1672, Mary, widow. 1678, ffebb., Ann. 1689, William. 1691, January, Mary. 1696, Elizabeth. 1702, ffeb., John, " Labowerer." [To April, 1702. The churchwardens' accounts|| of S. Lawrence, Reading, record the following burials : — I577-7 8 . William's daughter. 1581-82, Elizab. 1584-85, wife of Thomas. 1585-86, " Knight," buried in S. Lawrence, sounds like the founder, William, but if so, the date must be a mistake for the following year. 1591-92, Alice. 1593-94, Jone. In 1603, Roger, was churchwarden, and in 1607 he paid a rental of id. , for Seat 3, in the middle aisle. In 1701, John was churchwarden. * I cannot resist quoting the following, though it has no reference to our subject : — [■ y<= 10 th 1662, Decern., Henry Elyot, of John and Ann, this childe was borne att y e very time when all y e planets were in one Conjunction t She was probably the owner of the token (after her husband's death), martha . KNIGHT . IN = 1669. reading . LIN . drapr = M . K (Boyne's Tokens, Edit. 1889, Berks, No. 90; Original Edit., Berks, No. 66). % Probably parishioner, not prisoner. I! Kerry's History. 140 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. The Registers of this parish only go back as far as April, 1605. They contain the following notices of the family : — Baptisms : 1605, John, son of Roger. 1606, Jane, dau. of Richard. 1607, Richard, son of Roger. 1608, Margerye, dau. of Thomas. 1609, William, son of Roger (bapt. "at St. gyles"). 1610, februarie, Wyllyam, son of Rychard. 1612, Elizabeth, dau. of M r Rogere. 1616, Anne, dau. of M r Roger ; Do., John, son of Richard. 1621, January, Henry, son of Edward. 1625, Joseph, son of John; Do., william, son of Edward. 1626, february, Catherain, dau. of Thomas. 1627, January, Mary, dau. of John. 1629, Nov., John, son of John ; March, Elisabeth, dau. of Thomas. 1632, Agnes, dau. of John. Do., Ann, dau. of Elizeus. 1633, Elifeus, son of Elifeus. 1634, Michaell, son of John. 1635, ffrancis, son of ffrancis. 1637, Thomas, son of Elizeus ; Do., January, margaret, dau. of william. 1639, ffrancis, dau. of ffrancis. 1640, Ruth, dau. of M"" Walter. 1642, January, Nathan, son of Walter. 1648, Elizabeth, dau. of William, " was borne.'' 1650, William, son of William, " was borne." 165 1, Joanna, dau. of Wilt, "was borne.'' 1649, Henry, son of Henry, "was baptifed." 1653, John, son of Henry, "was borne." Matrimonia : 1613, Gilbert Brackftone, and Joane. 1614, Richarde, and Julyan Crockfforde. 1615, John Knot and Alis. 1616, Edward, and Joan ftrood (?). 1620, february, John, and Mary Raunce. 1621, January, Edward Creede and Sarah. 1626, Thomas, and Elifabeth Huddle. 1630, Januar. John Hall and Elifabeth. 1641, Richard Cliffe and Judith. 1648, Henry, and Jane Pryer. 1649, William, and Emery Witten. Sepultures: 1607, Richard; Do., Jane, dau. of Robert. 1612, Elyzabeth. 1614, Janne. 1616, Anna. 1618, margaret ; Do., John. 1619, wittm. 1622, January, Henry. 1628, Catherain. 1629, Elifabeth ; Do., Thomas. 1630, Elifabeth. 1631, februar., John. 1634, mary. 1635, Mr Roger; Do., Richard.* 1638, ffrancis; Do., March, niris Ann. 1641, ffrancis, son of ffrancis : Do., Januarie, Vrsula, wife of ffr. 1643,! widowe Knight. " Lost from 1644 to 1654 in Burials " 1653, The widdow Knigt. p. J Of the Registers of S. Giles, Reading, I have only searched the " Chryftenynges " contained in the earliest volume, which begins 1564, and ends April, 1599. There occur, besides one previously quoted : — 1567, februarie, margaret. 1590, Alfe. 1592, margarett ; do., feb: Tho. ROBERT Samuel Knight's successor in his London Foundry, was CATLIN R° Dert Catlin, who appears in his will as executor and residuary legatee. His first appearance is on the fifth bell of a ring of six, at S. Michael's church, in S. Alban's, Herts, cast by Samuel Knight in the last year of his life (1739). This bell announces that * In 1635 is the entry : " A ftranger choked while he wifhed the fame." f In 1642 and the following year, numerous soldiers, belonging .to both sides, were buried. 1 % Perhaps for plague. LONDON SUCCESSORS TO SAMUEL KNIGHT. 141 SAMUEL KNIGHT MADE ME, and that ROBERT CATLIN HUNG US ALL, etc. Bucks possesses four examples by him ; namely, the second and fifth at Chalfont S. Giles, dated 1742 ; the tenor at Amersham, 1745 ; and the tenor at Iver, 1747. I know nothing of Catlin's personal history, except that he was admitted a " Love Brother " (Hon. Member) of the Founders' Company in 1740* and died in 175 i.-f- He kept up his predecessor's connection with Reading to some extent, by recasting the important rings of S. Lawrence and S. Mary, in that town. Catlin's successor was Thomas Swain, by whom Bucks THOMAS has at the present time twelve examples, viz., Horton, 1752 ; CU/AIM Hitcham (two) and Burnham, 1755 ; High Wycombe, 1756; Little Marlow, 1757 and 1777 ; Dorney, 1771 ; Stoke Poges, 1772 and 1773 ; Eton College Chapel, 1777 ; Penn, 1780. In 1756, he began to use a very roughly-executed sixteen-point asterisk, 1.7 inch broad, by about .1 less in height, and in the following year he added a bell (fig. 50) and a circular foundry stamp (fig. 51). Fig. 50. Fig. 51. Swain came, I believe, of a Reading family, though not necessarily born there, and this in no way disagrees with what is said about him in Bells of Surrey (pp. 101, 121), nor with his grandmother having probably been Barbara, a daughter of William Eldridge, the bellfounder of Chertsey. From the number of entries of Swaine and Eldridge, in the Reading * Bells of Kent, p. 107. t Bells of Herts, p. 53. 142 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Registers, it seems likely that both families came from that town : viz., in S. Mary's Registers : — Swaine : 1592, Avis married. 1627, Richard married. Baptisms in 1633 and 1635 ; a burial in 1639. 1654, Elizabeth (of Mapledurham, in Oxon, only four miles distant) married. 1659, John buried. 16S2, Sarah, a widow, buried. In S. Lawrence's Registers : — Bapt., Januarye, 1608, John, son of Cornelys. Marr., februarie, 1619, Barnabye. Bur., March, 1606, Joane. The Eldridge entries are given under the heading of that family of bellfounders. Mr. Stahlschmidt {op. cit.) says, " Swain was a Middlesex man, the eldest son of Thomas Swain, of West Bedfont During the later years of his life, he lived at Longford, in the parish of Harmondsworth." He found "him so described in deeds dated 1777 and 1781." Swain retired from business in this latter year, and was buried at Harmondsworth, on 26th April, 1782,* and with him this foundry came to an end. His autograph exists in the churchwardens' account book at Taplow, where he recast the treble in 1770, and possibly one of the other bells in the following year. The Leicester and Bedford Foundries. (JOHN, OF Mr. Northf believed that Johannes de Stafford was QTAPPORD ") established in Leicester as a bellfounder, at least as early as the middle of the fourteenth century ; and it is known from the Fabric Roll of York Minster, that a founder of this name was living in 137 1. A John of Stafford was Mayor of Leicester in 1366, and again in 1370, and was, in all likelihood, the same individual. A bell at Aylstone, in Leicestershire, inscribed in the same lettering and stamps that were used by John, bears the name of the donor, who was living early in the fifteenth century, and thus shows the continuity of the foundry, either in John's hands, or more likely in those of his immediate successor. * Op. cit. p. 120. \ For fuller particulars of this foundry, see Bells of Leicestershire. EARLY LEICESTER FOUNDERS. 1 43 (WILLIAM The next Leicester founder who has been MILLERS ) discovered, is William Millers ; he was admitted into the Leicester Merchants' Guild in 1499, and ITHOMAS died in December, 1506. His widow, Margery, NEWCOMBE I.) married for- her second husband, Thomas New- combe, who carried on the foundry until his death, which happened between March and August, 1520* leaving two sons — Robert and Edward — and three daughters. His widow, Margery, married a third husband, Thomas Bett, who continued the bell- THOMAS foundry. He was Mayor of Leicester in 1529. He ppjy survived his wife Margery, and married again, and died towards the end of December, 1538, or perhaps during the January following. To him I attribute, though perhaps without sufficient ground, one bell in Bucks, the second at Hardmead, inscribed : — O JSattcta maria ova p nobis In place of an initial cross, it has a large circular stamp (fig. 52) of a heart with the blood-vessels converted into stems of plants which bear flowers. It does not appear to have been met with previously. Peculiari- ties about the inscription are the use of a capital letter for the first word only (fig. 53), and the abbreviation of pro. These peculiarities were, I think, adopted by Bett's predecessor, for the second bell at Aston Flamville, Leicestershire, of which, unluckily, Mr. North does not describe the lettering, has : — u $ca catcvina ova p nobis In place of initial cross is a rebus shield, not known elsewhere. Two * Mr. North (Bells of Leicester, p. 41) says, " He was buried in All Saints' Church, Leicester, where his tombstone was, it is said, to be seen a few years ago, stript of its brasses and of the emblems (three bells) of his calling." A large stone — evidently this one — is now kept in the tower of that church. Above are the counter-sinkings of three bells ; then, on the right, a man, the square cut of his hair being still conspicuous ; on his left, a woman. Below came the inscription, which must have been rather a long one — half a dozen lines or more, probably. All round, near the edge, was a border of brass, which probably bore a single line inscription, and at the four corners were evidently the emblems of the evangelists. 144 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Fig. 52. Fig- 53- varieties of it, however, occur ; one of which bearing the initials C B, is known to have been the mark of a grandson and namesake of Thomas Newcombe's. The second variety is intermediate in character between the other two stamps, and bears the initial *?. In all probability this interme- diate variety was the stamp of the elder Robert Newcombe* son of the first Thomas ; and one can hardly doubt that the Aston Flamville shield was the mark of Thomas I. — the " type " from which his son and grandson made variations. The treble at Bristol Cathedral has on it a shield charged with a bleeding heart, the auricles showing no blood-vessels or flowering plants (as at Hardmead), but pierced by three nails, with the initials I 3Q. The form of the inscription is somewhat similar to the last two ; but without a more particular description than is given of it in Gloucester Bells, it would be quite unsafe to attempt to draw any conclusion as to its authorship.. Bett was succeeded (at the beginning of (ROBERT 1539) by Robert Newcombe, son of Thomas I. NEWCOMBE I ) ^ e marr ' e d Bett's daughter (? by a former wife) Katherine ; and his father-in-law and step-father, by his will, left him nearly the whole of his property. He was Mayor of * A bell at Dalby on the Wolds, Leicestershire, bearing this variety of the shield, is dated 1584, at which date the second Robert Newcombe was manager of the foundry, but as there is no reason why he should not have continued its use, this in no way invalidates the theory. LEICESTER FOUNDERS — SIXTEENTH CENTURY. 145 Leicester in 1550. Four children survived him — Thomas (II.), Edward (I. ; his uncle and namesake, is not known as a founder), Anne, and Robert (II.). Robert (I.) probably died previous to 1562, (THOMAS as in that year Thomas II. was employed to NEWCOMBE II) rec ast "o r Ladye Bell" at Melton Mowbray. Some entries in the Church and Town wardens' accounts referring to this transaction, give the clue to the ownership of the shield which occurs on this bell, which has just been mentioned. This shield is frequently associated in Leicestershire with the cross, No. 4 on Plate XXVI., which, in the seventeenth century, came into the possession of James Keene. Thomas Newcombe II. died early in February, 1580; his will (which is imperfect) is given in Bells of Leicestershire. The business was continued by his brother, (ROBERT Robert (II.) ; but here it becomes necessary, or N^WrOMRf II ) a ^ any rate convenien t, to leave this family for the present, in order to trace down to this point another family of founders working also in Leicester, into which Robert married. The subsequent history of the two families is so much interwoven, that it will be best to bring them along, as nearly as possible simultaneously. The Watts' Leicester and Bedford Foundry. A second foundry, which eventually became of more importance than the older one, and some of whose productions have seldom, if ever, been surpassed in quality, existed for a number of years side by side with the original foundry in Leicester. " Hew Watts " appears on the treble at South (HUGH Luffenham, Rutland, in 1563 ; and in the churchwardens' WATTS I ) accounts of S. Martin's parish, Leicester, for 16 1 7-1 8, is a receipt for charges at the "buryall" of "olde Mr. Watts," (FRANCIS whom Mr. North {Bells of Beds, p. 58) supposed to be the V/ATTS I.) above " Hew." He was probably the father of " Fraunces Wattes," who bought some bell-wheels when they were taken down from a church in Leicester, in 1564. Francis died in 1600; his will is quoted in Bells of Leicester (p. 60). From it can be gathered most of the items of the following pedigree, but not the exact order : and it does not mention William, or Hugh II.'s wife and children : — U 146 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Q Pi O to a w PQ Q S3 S-, S3 l-H M cu w ,3 -3M" to" • s o w to -g « s'ft.g S3 3*-s^ g-a.a 3 MlH to - 1 .4 P4 - ca Ph to THE WATTSESj OF LEICESTER AND BEDFORD. 1 47 Francis Watts (I.) in his will (1600) leaves a bequest to his "Daughter Hellen Newcombe," and as the Registers of All Saints, Leicester, record the burial on May 22nd, 1606, of" Ellen Newcom wife of Robert Newcom," it is inferred that Robert Newcombe II., married the daughter of Francis Watts. Anyway these two founders, instead of being bitter rivals, as might have been expected, went into partnership ; an agreement which seems to have been continued, off and on, but not as a hard and fast arrangement, by their successors. Francis Watts was succeeded in his Leicester business HUGH by his son, Hugh, born about 1582, whose first known ufijyc || bell was dated the year of his father's death. Hugh is mentioned as the second son (of Francis I.) in WILLIAM the Book of the local Merchants' Guild {Bells of Leicester, \yATT S. P- 62) ; his wife and three children are on the authority of his will (do., p. 70). His second son, Francis II., who vr """w'w was working with his father in 1633, seems to have pre- WATTS II.) deceased him, as he is not mentioned in the will, where everything belonging to the trade was left to his elder son, Hugh, who did not continue the business. By 1589 (or earlier), William Watts, who was probably Francis Watts L's eldest son, seems to have opened a branch foundry in Bedford. There are over a score of fine bells in Bedfordshire, most, or all, of them probably cast in Bedford — recorded by Mr. North as inscribed in the large ornate capitals, which Mr. L'Estrange called " Brasyer's smaller alphabet," and examples of which lettering are figured in Plate XXIII. They all bear " Brasyer's sprigged shield " (fig. 54), but very few have a founder's name, and many are undated. The earliest date on any of them is 1589. 1590 is the only dated bell on which William Watts's name appears. Two bells, dated 1603, bear Hugh Watts's name. Other bells in Beds of this make are dated 1593 and 1597 ; 1600, 1601, 1602, and 1603; then 1609, i6io,.and 1617; then, after a long break, come others dated 1635, 1636, and 1637. There are numerous bells in Leicestershire and Northamptonshire, inscribed in these letters, but as they are not distinguished in Mr. North's volumes from examples inscribed in a plainer set of Lombardic capitals, we can glean little or no information from them. We can only say, that as this plainer set does not occur on any bells in Beds, it evidently was not used at the Bedford Foundry, nor was, in all probability, Hugh Watts I L's set of Roman capitals. 148 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. There is nothing to show the date of William's death, but Mr. North was probably correct in supposing it occurred between 1590 and 1600. Hugh is not known to have been casting before this latter year, and was then only about eighteen years old ; so if William died before then, Francis Watts may have taken charge of the Bedford Foundry, in addition to his own at Leicester ; or, perhaps, as seems more likely, Edward Newcombe I. became the manager (see pp. 154 and 158). Fig. 54- There is one bell in Bucks, the tenor at Westbury, bearing seven of the above-mentioned letters (Plate XXIII.), without any initial cross, or other device, and which is consequently difficult or impossible to " place " with certainty. The letters are : — m. w «a; mi m m 33i The beginning may be anywhere. I begin with the H, merely because there is rather a greater interval between it and the preceding letter than elsewhere, with an interval of secondary degree between that preceding letter and the G. Judging by two bells in Leicestershire (second at Houghton-on-the-Hill and fourth at Narborough), where various stamps are used with nonsense inscriptions in what appear (in Mr. North's volume) to be this set of letters, the Westbury bell is perhaps by Hugh Watts in partnership with Edward Newcombe I.* * It seems possible that this nonsense inscription is simply due to the fact of Westbury being fully thirty miles distant from Bedford (and still further from Leicester). Watts and Newcombe may have sent an illiterate assistant to cast the bell on the spot. In the case of the two examples in Leicestershire, they are both close to Leicester, but the orders may have been executed in the same way from Bedford. THE LEICESTER AND BEDFORD FOUNDRIES. 149 Bucks has three other bells which may safely be ascribed to the Watts' Bedford Foundry, although the two sets of letters employed have not been previously recorded on bells by any of the Leicester or Bedford founders ; but with so many bells by the Wattses, in Leicester, Northampts, and Beds, it is hard to believe that these letters were reserved for one tower only ! These bells are at Sherington (only eleven miles from Bedford). Two of them are inscribed in beautiful capitals, which I take to be the set called by Mr. L'Estrange, " Brasyer's larger alphabet," but not figured by him. They closely resemble the " smaller alphabet " used on the Westbury bell, but are a size larger. See Plates XXIV. and XXV. The second has : — m m. jm w: j© m preceded by " the Brasyer sprigged shield " (fig. 54), and followed by the cross shown on Plate XXIII. The circuit of the bell's shoulder is com- pleted by the running pattern on the same plate. The tenor has the alphabet, in the same capitals, twice ; the first time as far as Q, the second time as far as S, with the sprigged shield at the beginning, and at the end the date, 1591, in remarkable, long-shaped figures. Above, the running pattern goes right round. The fourth bell has this same pattern all round, except the space occupied by the date, 1591, in the same remarkable figures. Underneath, preceded by a cross, which is extremely indistinct, but is probably a smaller edition of that used on the second bell, comes the alphabet, in black-letter smalls, the letters a, r, 0, being in duplicate, and \ and to omitted ; Z is followed by two letters more resembling v and e reversed, than anything else, and then comes to. These last letters are shown on Plate XXIII. Perhaps they stand for Watts, the founder ? Or they may be the initials of three of the Newcombe brothers. The alphabet and extras are repeated, and a third time as far as the letter t, where the circuit of the bell is completed. The Brasyers, who originated the two very handsome sets of capitals, the shield, the cross, and probably the smalls also, and some other stamps which will be mentioned a little further on, were working during the fifteenth century at the ancient and important foundry at Norwich, of which it seems well here to give a slight sketch* * See Bells of Norfolk, p. 25, etc. ISO THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. The Norwich Foundry. (WILLIAM The first known Norwich founder was William OF NORWICH ) ^ e Norwyco, or > °f Norwich. He was possibly identical with " William Brasiere de Notyngham," admitted to the freedom of the city of Norwich in 1376. The donor of a bell by William of Norwich is identified with an individual who died in 1384, which helps to fix William's date. John Sutton, " Belle3e?," is the next name which (JOHN has been found. He was admitted to the liberty of SUTTON.) ti} s city i n r 404. No bells by him are known. , _ Thomas Potter, " Brasyer," was also admitted to his (THOMAS freedom in the above year. He seems to have been POTTER.) succeeded by Richard Baxter, who was working from (RICHARD before I416 to after I424- ~ The foundry next appears in the hands of the bAATERi) Brasyer family. Richard Brasyer was admitted to the (RICHARD freedom of the city of Norwich in 1424. Several ________ _ , generations of the family occur previously, but he is the first who was certainly a bellfounder. The wording of the entry of his freedom leaves it doubtful whether his father, Robert, was not also a bellfounder, though he was more probably a mercer (possibly he was both !). Richard's will is dated 1475, and proved 1482. His son Richard succeeded him, and died 1513. (RICHARD Only one bell bearing his name (the fourth at S, BRASYER II ) ^ eter Permountergate, Norwich) is known. It bears the sprigged shield (fig. 54). Two slabs remain in S. Stephen's church, Norwich, one having the effigy of Robert Brasyer and his wife ; the other the effigies of the two Richards. There was formerly a shield at each of the four angles of this latter slab, one of which was charged with a coronet between three bells. Besides the shield with the sprigged or diapered ground (fig. 54), there is one (as well as a smaller edition) having an ermined ground (fig. 55). Mr. L'Estrange says,* " It would appear probable that the diapered shield .... was the earlier form of Brasyer's mark, the ermine field being an afterthought, and added to make the mark more heraldic. This can only * Bells of Norfolk, p. 31. THE NORWICH FOUNDRY. 151 be conjecture, for there are but two or three of Brasyer's bells to which a precise date can be assigned." The ermined shield is on a bell cast in or about 1469 (which would, I suppose, be the first Richard ; but Mr. L'Estrange carefully avoids dis- criminating between the two), and the smaller edition of it is on one dated 1484. The Brasyers introduced the two beautiful sets of capitals figured on Plates XXIII. to XXV., used by later founders at Sherington and West- bury, and also (judging by the same letters being in duplicate) the set of black-letter used on another bell in the former tower. Fig. 55- On the death of the second Richard Brasyer in 15 13, (WILLIAM a break occurs in the list of Norwich founders. William BARKER ) Barker was admitted to the freedom of the city in 1530. He occupied the same foundry in S. Stephen's parish — the house was known as the " Three Bells " — and probably used the same stamps. He died June, 1538. No bells are known by him. Thomas Laurence, bellfounder, was admitted to the (THOMAS freedom of the city of Norwich, March, 1541. He was LAURENCE ) b ur ' ec * at S- Stephen's, 3rd December, 1545. He is prob- ably identical with the Thomas Lawrence, of London, already mentioned (p. 45) ; but no Norwich-cast bell by him is known. John Brend, " Belfounder," was admitted (JOHN BREND L> a citizen in 1573, but he had been settled in 1 WILLIAM BREND) Norwich some years before then. Died 1582. William Brend succeeded his father. He removed the foundry to All Saints' parish by 1586. He used the two ermine 152 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. shields, but apparently not the sprigged pattern. Buried 1st December, 1634. John Brend succeeded his father William ; (JOHN BREND II.) he gave up black-letter, and the old stamps, and used Roman capitals. Buried 18th September, 1658. Elias Brend (died 1666), Ralph Brend, and Thomas Brend appear more or less simultaneously. Edward Tooke appears by 167 1. Buried at All Saints, October, 1679. Samuel Gilpin, 1679. Buried at S. John Sepulchre, June, 1705. [Charles Newman, 1684- 1703, was doubtfully of Norwich. He was, during his earlier years, at Lynn, and later on apparently at Blakeney, also in Norfolk] [Henry Pleasant, of Colchester and Sudbury, was working at Bracondale, Norwich, about 1705.] Thomas Newman, 1701-1744, worked at Bracon- dale, but seems to have been absent from Norwich (? itinerating) from 17 16 to 1727. During this interval, John Stephens occupied Newman's foundry. Buried at S. John Sepulchre, October, 1727. Thomas Gardiner, 1745-1753, removed to Norwich (from Sudbury) at Newman's death. Returned to Sudbury by 1754, when the Norwich foundry seems to have been finally closed. (E.,R.,&T. BREND.) (EDWARD TOOKE.) (SAMUEL GILPIN.) (CHARLES NEWMAN.) (HENRY PLEASANT.) (THOMAS NEWMAN.) (JOHN STEPHENS.) (THOMAS GARDINER.) The Leicester Foundry {conhmCed). To return to the Leicester Foundry : Robert Newcombe II. seems to have died in, EDWARD or shortly after, 1598,* and was succeeded by his NEWCOM8E I. surviving brother, Edward Newcombe (I.). * But if he had died before his wife (see p. 147), one would have expected her to be described as " widow." THE LEICESTER AND BEDFORD FOUNDRIES. 153 Mr. North suggests* as a likely explanation of the Norwich stamps migrating to Leicester, that the father of Francis Watts (who was, he supposed, the above-named " Hew "f), had been employed at the former foundry, and leaving at its temporary closing on the death of Richard Brasyer in 1513, found his way to Leicester, bringing some of the old stamps, etc., with him, and opened a foundry there on his own account. But if he is correct in identifying this " Hew " with the individual buried in 1617-18, he could hardly have left Norwich over a century previously! At Olney (ten and a-half miles from Bedford), the second bell is inscribed : — followed by a date, of which the two last figures are exceedingly indistinct, J but I am nearly certain that it is 1599. D is an inverted C ; and both U's are inverted. These letters (fig. 56) have not been previously figured. Are they the plain set mentioned by Mr. L'Estrange as found on bells at Eaton and Witton, in Norfolk, probably cast by Thomas Potter ? The inscription is preceded by a faint impression of a tiny shield, about f-inch diameter, charged with a bell. Fig. 56. The three stops between the words are (like the date) very indistinct, being apparently impressions of worn-out stamps. The second one is fig. 58, while the first and third are probably both fig. 57 ; but the first of them might be an impression of the somewhat similar head figured in Norfolk Bells, p. 26, which was originally used by Thomas Potter, of Norwich. Figs. 57 and 58 were first used by Baxter, of the same foundry. The corners of the stamps are here cut off, and they are so much trimmed, that, though the size of Potter's and Baxter's stamps are quite different as figured in Norfolk Bells, it is not so obvious which the first one here is. * Bells of Leicester, p. 63 ; Northampts, p. 90 ; and Beds, p. 61 . t Bells of Beds, p. 58. t Even a cast is not conclusive. X 154 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. By the evidence afforded by carefully going through the inscriptions in Bells of Leicester and Bells of Northampts, I gather that fig. 57 was used by both Thomas Newcombe II., and Robert Newcombe II. ; and that fig. 58 was in the possession of the Watts family. It is therefore probable that the Olney bell is by a Newcombe and a Watts when in partnership, and cast in Bedford. One cannot fix the individual member of either family with any certainty, but the Newcombe would perhaps be Edward I., and the Watts would probably be either William, or if he was dead by this date, then Francis I. Fig. 57- Fig 58. From what Mr. North says in his Bells of Leicester, Northampts, and Bedford, I gather the following as probabilities : — Hugh Watts (II.) seems to have kept open his Bedford Foundry until about 1610, and then left that field clear for the Newcombes. In the following year, or 16 12, Edward Newcombe probably died, and his Leicester Foundry was then merged into Hugh Watts's at that town. The latter became, or was already, even by that date, more famous than any of his predecessors of either family. Thomas Eayre, of Kettering, in recasting a bell of Hugh Watts's at S- Margaret's, Leicester, in 1739, gave him the following "unsolicited testimonial": — HUGH WATTS OF LEICESTER THE FOREMOST IN HIS ART CAST THE 6 LARGEST BELLS 1 63 3. etc. Mr. North gives many interesting particulars about him in his Bells of Leicester, especially an anecdote about the tenor of this very ring ; but I must content myself with saying that this prince of bellfounders died in 1643, in his sixty- first year. His foundry at Leicester appears to have been worked (GEORGE for a short time after his death, by his foreman, George CIIDTIS.) Curtis, bat probably merely long enough to wind up the business. Curtis died in 1650, and portions of the Leicester Foundry gear passed into the hands of the Nottingham founders. THE LEICESTER AND BEDFORD FOUNDRIES. 155 Edward Newcombe had at least three of his sons associated with him in founding at Leicester, and, as I think (see p. 160), all four. Robert (IV.) was founding c. 1600. Thomas ROBERT IV., (III.) appears from about 1604 to 161 1; and THOMAS III William, c. 1610, in which year he cast " Great Tom," "' of Lincoln, in partnership with Henry Oldfield, of EDWARD II. 1 Nottingham. This partnership was supposed by AND ^ r " North to have extended to that one transaction only, but the treble at Sapcote, in Leicestershire, dated WILLIAM the following year, which is a typical Newcombe NEWCOMBE. exam pl e > with ^e addition of an Oldfield running pattern, points to an extension of the partnership ; while the second at Ashby Parva, in the same county, inscribed, NEWCOMBE . OF . LEICESTER . MADE . MEE . 1607, with the addition of the same pattern, seems to indicate that it was of some few years' standing. Mr. North has shown (Beds, p. 40) that Edward Newcombe I., or, one or more of his three sons, Robert, Thomas, and William — and, as I think, all these, and his other son Edward (II.) as well — set up a furnace at Bedford. In proof of this, he quotes as follows from the oldest Register book at Hargrave, Northamptonshire : — John Smith clerke January 13* Anno 1599 the lytle bell was cast at bedford this year 1599 by newcn tho. browne Junior Ed Aspyn churchwardens the same yeare * It seems quite possible that, by some friendly arrangement, the Newcombes eventually took over the Bedford business from Hugh Watts. The Bucks examples in this group, number seven, besides one recently melted. Five of these eight are of the same make, viz. : The tenor at North Crawley :— MJSWCOMK OF LEICESTER MADE ME -A? 1613 (This has been a particularly good bell, but was cracked by improper treatment. To begin with, the bell has been " turned " in the most stupid ■■'■ Also quoted in Northampts, p. 290. 156 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. way, so that the clapper strikes on the place already worn dangerously thin by the blows of the clock-hammer ; and, as if that method of putting an end to the bell was not quick enough — when the clapper broke in 1886, instead of its being at once repaired, the broken clapper was used to strike the bell with by hand, with the inevitable result of instantly breaking what must have been one of the best-toned bells in the county.) The second at Lathbury : — MEWCOME MADE ME A ■ ~ J* I 1 .a a o (A e a J! a "a a a§ .§ 3 a ."a b in u (J • bio o\o o « o b Q w ■« au >>*s >yr3 5 Os> c* " »« §■0 w Mh b B *"* o c a o " S °t5 -\a ^3 fe J3 « ^"! JAMES KEENE AND HIS MATE. 1 59 foundations for rebuilding them, a quantity of fine, very dark-coloured sand was found on the spot where the Conservative Club now stands. It seems very possible that this may mark the site of the bellfoundry. By the kindness of the Rev. L. Woodard, vicar of S. Paul's ; * the Rev. W. Hart Smith, rector of S. Peter's ; Mrs. Downer, wife of the rector of S. Cuthbert's ; and the Rev. Canon Brereton, rector of S. Mary's, I made what proved to be an almost entirely fruitless search into the Registers of the various parishes of Bedford for any traces of the founders. For the benefit of any future worker, it is well to particularise exactly how far I searched : — S. Paul's — 1599, to March, 1607. S. Peter's — 1599 to 162 1. S. Cuthbert's — which only begin in 1607, to end of 1618. S. Mary's — 1599 to end of 161 8. I should have searched these from at least ten years earlier (1589) ; but, however, as it was, I fully employed the time at my disposal. The Rev. G. Parker,f kindly gained me access — in the rector's absence— to the Registers of S. John's, but they only begin in 1669 — too late to be of assistance. The Keenes, of (Bedford) Woodstock (and Royston). At Ecton, in Northampts, three bells (out of six) are dated 1612, which is presumptive (though not conclusive) evidence that they were cast at one and the same foundry. Unfortunately Mr. North does not describe the lettering, so we can only infer (from the type used, etc.) that all three are in the same lettering, and that that is Brasyer's smaller alphabet (Plate XXIII.). The third and fifth each have the sprigged shield (fig. 54), and are respectively inscribed with the alphabet J|£ to <§^ JD > an( * are unquestionably Watts bells, with or without a Newcombe partner ; no doubt also, they were cast at Bedford, which is about seventeen miles distant, Leicester being nearly double. The other bell— the second — has :— 1612 IE Efil * I have also to thank very much, Mr. Fitzhugh, parish clerk. t Formerly Rector of Quainton. 160 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. (The square stop has a design of acorns and oak-leaves, which does not occur in Bucks.) The initials, I K, are in the lettering shown on Plate XXVL, and form the well-known and undoubted mark of James Keene, in whose possession the cross (No. 2 on that plate) and the stop are both found later on. He appears here as if an assistant at the Bedford Foundry, and the initials E N (which, though not specified, are probably in the same lettering) doubtless denote another worker there. The bell betweeri the latter letters may show that he was the master, and Keene the actual founder, or have some such signification. Mr. North missed the inference suggested by this combination ; but it seems to me there is very little doubt that the latter initials are those of the younger Edward Newcombe, who perhaps became manager of the Bedford Foundry this year, on the death of his father, the first Edward ; in which also his elder brothers, Robert IV. and Thomas III., and his younger brother, William, all probably took some part. It should be remarked that the latest occurrence of the name Newcombe on a bell is in 1617 ; and that the next appearance of Keene is in the year following (six years after his first appearance), when there are three bells in Beds — one at Odell and two at Puddington — alike inscribed : — *i* GOD SHYE OYR KMG 1618 The initial cross (No. 3 on Plate XXVL), and the inscription itself, connect them with Keene, although no initials are on them, and Mr. North does not describe the lettering. In the following year, a bell at Easton Maudit, in Northampts, is duly recorded by Mr. North, who has again, as I think, missed the inference to be drawn from it : — *£} GOD □ SHYE □ OYR □ KIVLG □ 1619 fi & H T3HW The cross is No. 3 on Plate XXVI. again.* The last word is surely intended for Watts, while E N would be the initials of the actual caster, or moulder. The fourth bell at Wootton, Northampts, dated 1620, and inscribed : — ^ SIMYL, YENIRE FRHTRES IN YNYM. * The intervening stop is given differently by Mr. North, in Belts of Northampts, in the body of the work, and in the inscriptions. The former is probably the correct one, as the latter belonged to Mot, between whom and Keene no connection has been traced. Neither of the stops occurs in Bucks. JAMES KEENE ON HIS OWN ACCOUNT. 161 is evidently by Keene, with the same cross. The quotation from the 133rd Psalm is helped out by four bells by him at Towcester, in the same county, in 1626, and partly again by two at Tyringham, in 1629. The earliest bell by James Keene, existing in Bucks, is at Hulcot, dated l62i,and inscribed like the Odell and Puddington bells of 16 18 (except that in this instance I can be sure that the letters are his usual set), and underneath, in the ornamented capitals shown on Plate XXVI., come I K EN. There are three bells by him, dated this year, in Northampts : two at Collingtree, inscribed, + PRAYSE (and PRAYEB respectively) YE THE LORD, with the same two pairs of initials underneath, and one at Mears Ashby, bearing: + GOD SAVE 1 1| OVR KING 1621 HJ W The cross on the two first is No. 2, and that on the last is No. 3, on the above Plate. In 1622, a bell at Broughton, exactly like that at Hulcot, is the last appearance of E N. In the same year the third at Hardwick is inscribed in the capitals from which J. Keene and E N selected their initials — the only instance of such a use that I know of: — *£ mrnsiWES mm mmm mmum The cross is No. 1 on Plate XXVI. From this year Keene evidently worked the business single-handed ; possibly he continued at Bedford for a few years longer, but sooner or later he removed to Woodstock, in Oxfordshire, with which place his name has been hitherto exclusively associated. Much stress cannot be laid on the geographical situation of his produc- tions, since the distance between these two towns is only about forty-four miles ; but, so far as this evidence goes, a large majority of his castings are nearer Bedford than Woodstock. Thus : In Beds, Mr. North records twenty-three bells — all nearer Bedford — dated between 161 8 and 1641. In Northampts (omitting duplicate bells of the same date in the same tower) Mr. North records bells by him in three towers, nearly half-way between the two places ; while there are eighteen nearer Bedford, and only four nearer Woodstock. The half-ways date 1625, 1626, and 1628 ; the Bedfords range from 1612 to 1641 ; while the four Woodstocks (all decidedly nearer there) are dated 1626 (King's Sutton), 1629 (Croughton), 1635, and 1651. In Oxfordshire I only know of five of his bells ; all these must be Y l62 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. placed to the score of Woodstock, although one (Oddington) is dated as early as 1626; the others are 1640, 1648, 1652, and 1654. The Bucks examples (which shall be enumerated) show (omitting duplicates as before) seventeen nearer Bedford, two about half-way, and only five nearer Woodstock. The first date between 1621 and 1640; the half-ways (Hardwick) 1622 and 1625 ; while the last are dated 1624, 1625, 1626, 1628, and 1654. The remaining Bucks examples are : 1624: The saunce at Brill, in very small Roman capitals, with the run- ning patterns, figs. 59 and 60, and the smallest fleur-de-lis on Plate XXVI. Fig. 59- Fig. 60. 1625 : Hardwick (fourth), Haversham (second), and Ravenstone ; all in his ordinary lettering, with his initials in the ornate set, but without initial cross or other ornament. The second at Kingsey has a fresh form of inscription, in a fresh set of lettering : — IAMES <$» KEENE MADE •J? MEE •$? with the initials of a probable churchwarden, and the date ; and under- neath is the running pattern, fig. 61. The fleur-de-lis is No. 5, on Plate XXVI. Fig. 61. ROBERT OLDFIELD, OF HERTFORD. 163 1626 :* Edgcott ; the same lettering and inscription and fleur-de-lis as the last, without the running pattern underneath, but followed by the pattern No. 8, on the above plate. 1627: Lathbury (third), in the former lettering, GOD SHYE OYR KING, preceded by the initial cross No. 4,f on Plate XXVI., which is another link connecting Keene with the Newcombes (see p. 145). Each word is closely followed by the fleur-de-lis No. 6, on the same plate ; then follow the date, his initials, and, in smaller letters, those of the churchwardens. The second at Oving has the same initial cross, inscription, and fleur-de-lis, but without churchwardens' initials ; the treble there has merely the cross; date, and his initials. At North Marston, the second and third are similar to this last ; while the treble has, with the same lettering, initial cross, and fleur-de-lis : — + SONORO& SONO-fr MEO-fr SONO^p DEO* followed by the date, and Keene's initials underneath. This inscription, and also Keene's most common one, (ROBERT were used occasionally by Robert Oldficld, and I am ~ . npiei n "\ n °t aware of anyone else who did so. Mr. Stahlschmidt believed him to be a Hertfordshire founder, but wrote, J " Researches at Somerset House have failed to produce his will." Just previously to his death, but too late to reach him, Mr. Cheyne informed me that Robert Oldfield's Adfnon Bond had turned up at Somerset House. It is dated 7th May, 1650, and describes him as of S. Andrew's parish, Hertford, in the Archdeaconry of Huntingdon, Hitchin division. It is natural to suppose that Oldfield belonged to the family of Nottingham founders of the same name, of whom a short account is given a little further on, but his pedigree is not known. * The Rev. W. C. Lukis, in his Account of Church Bells, published in 1857, in giving a list of bellfounders, has "Woodstock: jame" Keene" 6 } 1626-1681," simply implying that these were the extreme dates he had met with. When Marshall wrote his History of Woodstock, he made no original investigations into the subject, but merely mentioned the fact of a bellfoundry having existed here between those dates, thus perpetuating error, by turning what was only intended as a provisional statement into an apparently authoritative one. f All the examples of this cross in Bucks are so indistinct, the stamp being apparently worn out, that my figure is in part copied from Mr. North's, in Bells of Northampts (p. 81), where he also remarks on its usually abraded condition. * Bells of Herts, p. 38. 164 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. 1628 : Kingsey (the tenor), inscribed like the second bell there (of 1625), except that the ornaments are the incomplete arabesque, fig. 62, and the fleur-de-lis, No. 7, on Plate XXVI. Fig. 62 1629 : The tenor at Lathbury, with the " usual " inscription and lettering, without cross or other ornament. The treble and third at Tyringham, in the same lettering, preceded by the cross No. 4, on Plate XXVI., bear portions from Psalm cxxxiii., already met with at Wootton and Towcester, in Northampts : — + ECCE 9YRM BONVM ET 9YRK IYCYNDYM + SICYT ROS HERMON IN KCNTE SIOF 1630 : The tenor at Simpson, in his usual style, with the same initial cross. The second at Chellington, Beds (inaccurately recorded in Bells of Beds), has : — + PR AYE YE THE LORD 1630 The cross is No. 4, on Plate XXVI. (and not as recorded by Mr. North) ; the lettering is a plain heavy set of Roman capitals, slightly over an inch in height, which — except a few figures used by James Keene subsequently, that appear to be identical — I have not met with elsewhere. Possibly these letters may indicate a temporary connection between him and some other founder {e.g., Robert Oldfield). 163 1 : The tenor at Astwaod (cross No. 2), in his usual style. 1634 : The treble at Bow Brickhill ; and the third at Cheddington (both with cross No. 1). In each case the two last figures of the date are of a clumsy set — perhaps that used at Chellington — not matching the remainder of the inscription. (1635 : The second at Thornton with nothing but the date, may be by JAMES KEENE AT WOODSTOCK. I6 5 James Keene, but as the 1 seems to be identical with Richard Chandler I.'s, his cotemporary at Drayton Parslow, the bell may perhaps more likely be by the latter.) 1637 : The saunce at Broughton, with GOD SAVE THE KING, in a small, light set of letters, preceded by a small cross path to correspond, and followed by the plait pattern, fig. 63. Underneath comes the date, the two last peculiar figures of which are shown as fig. 64.. I am by no means certain that the last figure is a 7, and not a 5 reversed ; if it is the latter, it would considerably strengthen the case of the Thornton bell against Keene, as the figures there (also very peculiar) are totally different. Fig. 63. Fig. 64. 1638 : Cheddington (treble), Haversham (tenor), and North Crawley (treble), are all inscribed " as usual." The first has no cross ; the other two have No. 2. Haversham has a small reversed £ in the date, with an 8 that matches the remainder ; in the other two both figures match the remainder. 1639 : Little Brickhill (second), in the usual lettering, has : — + RD MADE THIS RIND 165^ The other two have each one churchwarden's name ; all three have the same fleur-de-lis (No. 7, Plate XXVL, with the bottom cut off), and the date. These are the latest bells known by him. He died towards the end of December, this year. Early documentary notices of James Keene are still wanting. The following are extracts from the churchwardens' accounts of S. Martin, Oxford* (better known as Carfax), dated June, 163 1 : — Item paid to Keene for casting of the first bell and ^ to the Smith for iron worke about the hanging of him / I Item for chardge of carrieing the said first bell to Woodstock and back againe Item paid to Keene the Bellfounder for earnest money for makeing a bond for his sufficient castinge of the greate bell, for cariage of the c ...318 same bell to Woodstock and back againe and charges to see the same don. Item paid to the same Bellfounder in pte of ) payemt. for casting of the said greate bell J •■• 5 May 30, 1632. Item, paid to Keene the Bellfounder in full for casting the \ greate bell for mettell and chardges expended in journies v vj xij ij aboute the same ... ... ... I * Kindly supplied by Mr. Tyssen. RICHARD KEENE AT WOODSTOCK. 167 Woodstock, in Oxfordshire, eight miles from Oxford city, is the place usually associated with James Keene's name ; and I believe we may point with certainty to the actual site of the foundry which he established here, probably between 1622 and 163 1. Mr. Morris, parish clerk of Woodstock, lives in a house in Oxford Street in that town, which was bought by his father in 1806. In the garden is a large substantial out-house, having in one of its' walls two round-headed arches (now built up) about five feet high, one being higher than the other. Close outside these arches Mr. Morris has, at different times, dug up a quantity of bell metal, and a small amount in other parts of the garden. Perhaps these arches were the mouths of the furnaces ? The supply of metal has long since come to an end ; it was all given to the late Rev. Vaughan Thomas, rector of Yarnton (between Woodstock and Oxford), who died as long ago as 1858. It would be interesting to hear of any notes by him, or scraps of metal still preserved in the possession of his family. On the death of James Keene towards the end of PIC HARD December, 1654, the business passed to Richard Keene, u»uv who was in all probability a son, but born before the arrival of his parents in Woodstock, so that his baptism is not recorded in the register there. The earliest bells by him that I know of, are the second and fourth at Ludgarshall ; the former has merely his initials in James Keene's latest set, which Richard adopted regularly, and the date 1658. The latter has churchwardens' names, with the same date, and the razeed form of the fleur-de-lis No. 7, on Plate XXVI. The next bell by him, that I know of, is at Eynsham, Oxon, the following year. 1660 : The second at Stowe, with nothing but the date, is easily recog- nisable as by him, by the form of the figure 1. 1661 : A small bell at Boarstall Tower (= House, not the Church). 1662 : The tenor at Ludgarshall (lately melted), bore merely the date. Up to this year, Richard seems only to have cast single bells, or " splices," but there were formerly three bells by him, of which only one now remains, at Staverton, Northampts ; the second was inscribed, " Richard Keene first Ring 1662." At Longworth, Berks, are three bells by him {inter alias), the second of which has, "Richard Keene mad this ring 1662." The tenor of the former ring at Guiting Temple, Gloucestershire, was likewise inscribed, RICHARD KEENE MADE THIS RING 1 662. 168 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. 1664 : The saunce at Oakley, with merely the date, in James's very small set of figures. 1665 : The tenor at Stovve, with his full name. 1668 : The fourth and fifth bells at Winslow, have merely the date, scratched on the cope, not stamped. Though I cannot profess to recognise Keene's handwriting, yet the forms of the Is reminds one of his stamps. The bells might also be by the Knights, of Reading, as mentioned p. 133 ; but from what Lipscomb says (III. 548), we must conclude they are by the former. Probably they were " run " on the spot, and the founder omitted to bring stamps with him. At Mickleton, Gloucestershire, one bell remains out of a "RING" by Keene. The inscription, exclusive of the date, contains fifty-six words. In the same year he cast a ring of five for S. Michael's, Oxford,* of which the following particulars appear in the churchwardens' accounts of that parish,f under date May 14th, 1669 : — Item paid Christopher Home for going to Woodstocke .& other worke Item paid M r Lyne for writeing the Bond for,; casting the Bells Item paid M r Keene the Belfounder for -i casting the fower bells into five ... / Item paid M r Keene for 256 pounds of ) mettle at ii d p pound ... J Item paid M r Keene for one new wheele \ one new clapper & other iron to complete J- ... the Treble ... ... ... j Item paid Thomas Keene, William Keene and William Cox for waying the Bells when they were carryed to Woodstocke and carrying the waites and scales Item paid for carrying the waites and ] scales several times to way the new bells J Item paid for expenses several times at ... 1 Woodstock and elsewhere about casting the bells J Item paid for horsehire to Woodstocke Item paid for 2 Iron hookes to way ye bells 40 3 10 4 6 4 9 9 6 In the accounts of S. Martin's (Carfax), Oxford, for the same year, is:- * The treble recast, and an extra treble added later on again, by two of the Rudhalls. f For these I am indebted to Mr. A. D. Tyssen. \ Some mistake. RICHARD KEENE AT WOODSTOCK. 169 Item paid Keene for making a new stock ... \ for the greate bell and for hanging itt & the first I 1 410 & fourth bells and nailes ... ...J In this year (1669) he cast the second at Water Stratford, which bears a Latin inscription, in James's smallest heavy lettering. 1670 : The third at Winslow ; with names of churchwardens. 1676 : He recast the five bells at Carfax, Oxford, into six, and hung them. The third seems to have been unsatisfactory, and again melted, as it is now dated 1678. The churchwardens' accounts of that parish, for 1677, tell us as follows : — 89 8 Inpris. p d Richard Keene for new casting the bells and for adding mettle to make the old ffive bells six and for makeing the frame for them and hanging them up Item spent at Richard Keen's house in Woodstock & at his severall times coming to Oxon to tune the bells ... ... ... ... 6 6 8 Spent at several meetings about the agreement with Richard Keene ... ... ... 8 6 Spent in going to Yarnton to take measure ) , of the frame ... ... I Paid for horeshire foure times for M r Payne the Braseier to ride to Woodstock ... ... 6 Paid for horsehire for M r Orum ... ... 9 Paid for horsehire for Robert Dicke the Clarke ... 10 Paid a messenger for fetching the brasses ... ... I Spent upon M r Read when he came over to tune the bells Gave the ringers ... ... ... ... 3 Paid John Reston by M r Duckworth's order, for doeing something to the bells paid for seaven ropes for the bells ... ... 1 1 Paid M r Baker for makeing ye articles betwixt vs & Richard Keen (and other things) ... 1 (With other items.) Total expenses 186 10 1 1679 : These accounts continue : — Sept. 19. Inprimis. paid M* Houghton for draweing j the articles between us & M r Keene to cast L ... 8 the third bell ... ... ... f } 6 6 5 170 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Item paid for horsehire to go to Woodstock \ about it ... ... ■•• > Item paid for expenses at Woodstock when we went about it ... ... ... 146 Item paid M r Keene for casteing of the bell ... 67 Item paid M r Amuley (?) for weighing the bell ... 2 6 Mr. A. D. Tyssen found a Mortgage Deed* dated 21st December, 1665, 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. By it Richard Keene, in consideration of ^30, assigned to the said Thomas Godfrey, for twenty-one years, at a pepper- corn rent, a house in Oxford Street, Woodstock, then in his — Richard Keene's — own occupation. The Deed bears an endorsement to the effect that a further sum of ^120 was advanced on the 23rd December, 1674, making together £150. On the 3rd December, 1695, the above-named Thomas Godfrey assigned all his interest in the mortgage for £i$o to John Godfrey, who is also described as of Woodstock. A cooper named Godfrey has recently died in a house in Oxford Street, immediately opposite Mr. Morris's (the parish clerk) ; he probably belonged to an old Woodstock family, in whose occupation the house was likely to have been for several generations. In the Woodstock Registers, a Richard Keene appears " livinge in the Common acker." This locality I failed to identify. Mr. Morris's garden, which was enclosed by his father, runs down at the back to a lane or back- street called " The Back Acre," which is the nearest approach I could find. As a Richard Keene is described as of Begbrook (two and a-half miles distant), it is possible that the Common Acre, if not identical with the Back Acre, was in that parish. In 1672, Richard Keene cast a ring of six for Braunston, Northampts, and apparently recast the third in 1681. These are his latest bells in that county. 1683 : A ring of four at Bledlow. 1686 : A ring of three at Chilton ; and the tenor at Stanton Harcourt, Oxon. I know of nothing by him, between these and 1692 : The treble at Great Missenden, with merely the date. The fourth and fifth bells at Cowley, respectively dated 1693 and 1694, are apparently his latest in Oxfordshire. * Mentioned by Mr. North {ex inform. A. D. T.) in Bells of Northampts, p. 106. REMOVAL FROM WOODSTOCK TO ROYSTON. 171 1695 : The treble at Towersey is his latest in Bucks. 1698 : A bell at Wytham appears to be his latest in Berks. Each year between 1699 and 1703 inclusive, there are bells in Cam- bridgeshire with no name, but attributed to him by Canon Raven. It would appear, therefore, not unlikely, that the date of Richard Keene's removal from Woodstock to Royston, in Cambridgeshire, was in the latter part of 1698. Unfortunately, Mr. Stahlschmidt's death, just before his completion of the History of the Bells of Essex, has delayed the publication of that county for the present ; but in a letter to me, dated May, 1888, he says, " I am writing away from all books, and simply from memory. I think Keene's Essex examples range from 1698 to 1703 — which confirms your theory, if my memory be trustworthy." He hoped to get the Royston Register searched, but that was not, I believe, carried out, and meanwhile the coincidence in dates of a Richard Keene being buried at Woodstock in July, 1704, may show that he returned to that place, after the execution of his last order in 1703. Mr. Morris says there is a local tradition that the great bell known as " Tom," of Christ Church, Oxford, was cast at Woodstock ; which is an interesting survival, for, though the present bell is the work of Christopher Hodson in 1680, when itinerating, it was, as recorded by Browne Willis (MSS cix. 34), " cast 3 times twice by one Keen of Woodstock."* And further, it is quite likely that when Richard gave up the mighty job in despair, Christopher might hire the local foundry for the convenience of the furnace and its other appointments. With Richard Keene's departure from Woodstock, the foundry there came to an end, and I am not aware that anyone succeeded to his "goodwill " in Cambridgeshire. Several blank bells, with peculiar sloping shoulders, seem more like late examples by Richard Keene, than any other founder's productions that I have seen ; but it is impossible to be positive, unless, perhaps, a careful comparison of a series by the help of crooks, might prove or disprove the supposition. With regard to the quality of the Keenes' bells, I should be inclined to put James first ; but neither of them come up to their trade parents — the Newcombes and Wattses. The Woodstock Registersf contain the following entries of the name : — * See under Christopher Hodson, for the full quotation. f Very many thanks to the Rev. A. Majendie, Rector of Bladon with Woodstock, for kindly allowing me to search them. 172 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Baptisms: 1661, James Keene the sonne of Richard Keene was baptized the 14 daye of Desember. Aprill the 5 : 1664 Thomas Keene the sonne of Richard Keene of the comon acker was baptized. May the ig: 1664 Marie Keene the doughter of Henrie Keene was baptized. Elizabeth Keene the doughter of Rich ard Keene was baptized the 29 day of November ; 1664. Elizabeth Keene the doughter of Richard Keene livinge in the Common acker was baptizd the : 30. day of September : 1666. Marie Keene the doughter of Richard Keene was baptized the 28 of February 1666. Thomas Keene the sonn of Herklis (?) Keene was baptized the 20 day of October 1671. 1690 Mary the daughter of James Keen was baptized October g th - 1727 Ann y<= Daughter of Thomas and Ann Keene was baptized October ye 6 {Searched to 174c. Marriages: 1656 Timothie Hickes of Steeple Aston in the Countie of Oxon and Martha Keene of Woodstocke in the same Countie were married upon the 27. of Novem- ber by Mr. Nicholas Mayott justice of the peace for this incorporation. Intention being previously advertised three several market days. 1660 Richard Keene and Marie Bignell both of this Burrough in the Countie of Oxon were married upon the 24. of December. Richard Meene* and Katherin Coales were' married the 15 day of November 1674. [Searched to 1702. Burials: 1654 James Keene was buried upon the 29 of December. June the. 3; i665 Elizbeth Keene the doughter of Richard Keene was buried. Mary Keene the doughter of Richard Kene was buried the 30 day of May 1667. A childe of Richard Keenes of Begbrook was Buried the 2 of ffebruary 1670. (Three leaves cut out, 1667-70, and a quarter-page sewn in, on next leaf, over the above entry.) 1670 Mary Keene was Buried the 27 of July. 1689 Keene Shepeard was buried Aprill the 17* (In two Registers, in one spelt Keen ; the Christian name not inserted in either.) 1690 Mary wife of James Keene was buried October 23'''. (In two Registers, in one spelt Keen.) 1690 Keene Widdow was buried December the 21 th - (In two Registers, in one spelt Keen; the Christian name not inserted in either. In one there follows :) For Keen Dec. the 27th sworn by Ann Trowsden before Mr. Johnson. 1703 James the son of Richard Keene was buried August the 28. For James Keene September ye 2 d sworn by Elizabeth Haws before Thomas Painter. 1704 Richard Keene was buried July the 17. For Richard Kene July the 24 sworn by Elizabeth Haws before Thomas Painter. [Searched to 1726. * This initial is a distinct M, but as that name does not occur again in the Registers, I have thought it best to record the entry here, in case the name was intended for Keene ; although Mr. Stahlschmidt, whom I consulted, gave as his opinion, " Dubito." WOODSTOCK FOUNDRY— KEENE FAMILY TREE. 173 t/}==T3 v£) -!§!" O *> rt 4-1 o 0) V c o a w o O H Oi w w w W Q w H PL! S H H H < 5 "■» P«T3*C v 3 ffl,5 in 4> T3 _£* . a u -4-" w T3 VO s M 10 VO £ o" « JJ VO VO ,vo •5 -T3 ■I si . o CO eft «»rj VO CD -r3 _T VO VO _ *° ««T3 VO V V u h'u c e a ' u - oi u "3 . ■ • U CL.Q 3 d b >? 00 ■3 --o*>~§ tu o O "CO ° a^ vo _Q ro N ON O Ov VO .13 " J CD U — S u £ j3 O 0) in J5 3 Q vo 'a .3 O or 1 SS^t -OvJ a -a o, SS C ^ VO UT3VO « 0) M § II to t3 8. o! O J3 -S . a § ■S >^ 1 43 J3 s > O *T3 fr « ii ■£ -5 bo 4) d O M o g •B 3 c O X o is ■g o c B s I g a « 8 Eft OJ > » 11 !* O, « o ^3 Ph * The following were probably nothing more than " local carpenters," but I mention them in case they should ever turn up again in other accounts :— . 1531, Thomas Bloxham and Rd. Burford finished the frame of the great bell. IS3S. John myllar, or miliar, mended bell wheels, etc. He was doubtless identical with "the miller of Crendon," who was paid "for mendyng of the belle" in 1540; and with John Ploughemaker of Crendon, who was paid for similar work on two occasions in 1543- f I have to record my indebtedness to T. R. Hearn, Esq., Town Clerk, for courteously giving me access thereto. 176 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Among other references to the same transaction in the following year's account, is : — It payde to John appowell for the bell iij# vj s viij^ In July, 1556, Thomas Kyng of Buckingham, dyer, is plaintiff in an action " verf Jonem aphowell de Buck pae Belfounder," for the small sum of 6s. 8d. On the next Court day (August 17th) " Johef Aphowell " appears by his attorney, John Skelly, and asks for time for license to accord with Kyng. On 7th September (the matter not having apparently been settled out of court), Thomas Kyng again commences an action. On 30th August, 1557, "Joftes Appowell" commences a cross-action against Kyng. On the same day, Kyng's attorney, John Gattes, applies for a copy of the plaint, etc. And on the I2th of October, Kyng applies for license to accord with Appowell in the action. In the following April (1557-8), "Joftes Aphowhell" is plaintiff in an action for debt, " verf Johanam love de Bourton,"* widow. On the 20th June, " Joftes Appowell " starts an action for debt against " Elizabethe Turno r de Buck," widow, administratrix of the testament and last will of her late husband deceased ; and the same John is plaintiff in an action " verf Joftem lucas de Bourton in Com Buck," husbandman. In July, 1558, the claim in the action of debt between John Appowell and John Lucas is dismissed. It is ordered that distress be made on Elizabeth Turnor, widow, that she may appear at the next Court to answer to John Appowell in the action of debt. On the 20th September following, " coram Jofte Appowell," he appears as plaintiff against John Lucas of Bourton, Bucks, husbandman, in an action of debt, and gives pledges to proceed with the action. Also as plaintiff versus John Bristowe of Buckingham "boche r ," in an action of Detinue. On the 3rd October Appowell appears as present at the Court with other burgesses, the Bailiff being " Joftes Gatf ," who has already appeared practising as an attorney. On the 5th December, in the same year (now 1 Elizabeth), * Jorie Appowell Burgenf $ent," with others, order is given to the Bailiff to distrain on John Brystowe, to answer Appowell's complaint in the action of debt. * A hamlet in the borough of Buckingham. BUCKINGHAM FOUNDRY— JOHN APPOWELL'S LAW-SUITS. IJ7 On the 26th of the same month, " Jofie Appowell Burgenf," and others being present, the suit between Appowell and John Bristowe is dismissed. On the following 6th of February, " coram Jofre Appowell Burgenf," he claims against John Bristowe in an action of debt. He gives pledges, etc. And the same plaintiff against Johanna Love of Bourton widow executrix of the Testament and last will of Richard Love of Bourton yeoman lately her husband, deceased, in an action of debt. On the 27th of the same month, It is ordered that distress and a second distress be made on Johanna Love of Bourton widow of her goods and chattels that she may be at the next Court to answer John Appowell in the claim of debt. On the 20th March, "Jofaes Appowell de buckingfam," against Eliz th Turnor widow in an action of debt, gives pledges to continue the action, etc. At the same time his action against Johanna Love widow, for debt, is by consent adjourned to the next Court day. On the 1st May, Appowell and other burgesses being present, he appears as plaintiff in an action for debt of 49J. lod. against Thomas Coxe of Bourton yeoman and Johanna his wife, lately the wife and administratrix of the goods and chattels of Richard Love lately her husband, deceased. To this Court came Elizabeth Tumour widow in person, and confesses in open Court that she owes 10s. to John Appowell. Wherefore the Bailiff is ordered to provide a certain portion of the principal debt when levied, with 2 1^. for the plaintiff's costs, by the next Court day. John Appowell was Bailiff of Buckingham for the year 1559-60, and the name reappears in the Thame accounts for the year ending Ascensiontide, 1560:— } Itm payd to John Appowell for Makynge t of Certayne Iren about the bells and in the account for the following year, ending Sunday before Ascension, 1 561 : — Itm p d to John Appowell for xv fmale barre \ ... of Iren for the weft wyndow in the Churche j J J I cannot help thinking, however, that these two entries do not refer to the bellfounder of Buckingham, but to a namesake who was probably a blacksmith, living in Thame. In 1566, when William Harley, " Clarenceaulx King at Armes," made 2 A 178 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. his Visitation of Buckingham, John Appowell is mentioned among the " Burgefses and late Bayliffs of the faid Towne & Borough." — MS. Brit. Mus. 5868, f. 10. In the Thame churchwardens' account for the year ending Ascensiontide, 1567:— payd to John Appowell of Buckingfim the "\ bellfoundre for Caftinge of the bell ... / pd for Makinge the obligacon betwene the -v the (sic) fayd John Appowell & y e churchemen. / •* Then in the account for the year ending Ascension, 1568 : — 1568. Ittn pd to John Appowell for the 1 laft payment of the bell ... / And in the next year's account : — la p'mis payde for the Cariinge of the bell to Buckinghm & bringinge y* home agayne J xj* In 1569, John Appowell served the office of "Bayliff" of Buckingham for the second time, and in 1572, he was churchwarden. In the churchwardens' accounts of Shillington, in Beds, the following allusions to this foundry are quoted by Mr. North * but without comment, as no founder's name is mentioned : — 1574. - - Payd to James Deare for bred and Drinke at y e setting upp of y e poste to way y« great bell ... ... ... ... jjij^. 1575- Receyvid of the belfounder ... ... ... ... v / 2 -_ Paid for makinge y<= quittance when we receyved money of y= belfounder vjrf. Paid y e belfounder in ernest when he toke y e bell to caste ... ... xi]d. Paid for his supper ... ... ... ... ... x j^. Payd when they went to buckyngham when they went w' the great bell xxijrf. Paid y e same tyme for theyre suppers at Woburne ... ; „ x \\d. Paid for theire brekfaste in y e mornyng ... ... ... viiW. Paid to Willm. ffowlere for carringe the bell ... ... ... * XSt [George Edwards] He laid forthe at buckingham when they went wt y e bel1 - - .» ... ... ijj. iiijrf. He laid forthe homeward at Woborne ... ... ... xx j m He paid Wiltm ffowler for carrynge the bell ... ... ... XSm He laid forthe at Amptill as they came homeward w' the bell ... i]d. * Bells of Beds, p. 186. BUCKINGHAM FOUNDRY — GEORGE APPOWELL. 179 Subsequent entries in 1578, 1579-80, 1580-1, and 1581-2, show further recastings, but nothing whatever to indicate the foundry. Other local founders are referred to in later extracts from these interesting accounts. In a List of Bailiffs (" Balliv ") of Buckingham, on the last page of the second volume of the old Court Rolls, a quarto volume, bound in limp vellum, under date " 19 E" ( = Elizabeth) "Jofces Apowell B" appears as holding that office for the third time, that is to say, for the year beginning 1st May, 1576. The following facts are vouched for by entries in the Buckingham Registers, and certain wills, which are given in full further on. John Appowell married first, Jane or Johan (?). By her he had issue — Richard, 'George, William, Jane, John, Thomas, and Johan. His wife died in September, 1567, and in the following June he married his second wife, Mary, daughter of Edward Stevenson ; and by her had a daughter, Katherine. There were probably other children, who predeceased their father. He died at the beginning of April, 1577, the entry in the register, given further on, may be thus translated : " John Appowell, Member of the Grocers' Guild, and Bailiff of Buckingham, buried on Good Friday ( = Good Friday)." That would be during the last month of his tenure of office as Bailiff. As will be seen by the wills given further on, his GEORGE second son, George, succeeded him in the bellfounding APPOWELL business. He was married in the following February (1577-8), and died in October, and his young widow evidently only survived him a few days — dying, as we may reasonably suppose, in child-birth {vide his will). Whether any other of John's sons succeeded to the business I have failed to ascertain, but in the second volume of the Buckingham Court Rolls, on the 22nd September, in the 40th Elizabeth, = 1598, the name of his son, "Willm ns Apowell," appears as a "Prebend," "nat." So, at the " Seffio genalis," on the 8th January, in the 41st Elizabeth, = 1599, he appears in the same category. , So also in October, 42nd Elizabeth, = 1600 ; and in April, 43rd Elizabeth, = 1601. In October of that year his name appears again, low down irt a List of Burgesses of the Borough ; and in the same way in the following April and October, 44th Elizabeth, = 1602. He died here (according to the Register) in 1621, and with the exception of a widow named Elizabeth (and whose wife she had been I cannot say), seems to have been probably the last of the family residing in this town. I am inclined to suggest that John Appowell may have come from l8o THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Reading, and learnt his trade at that celebrated foundry. The church- wardens' accounts of Thame, in Oxfordshire, in which he first appears as bellfounder, show that he was employed there in succession to " White of Redynge," and apparently two generations of namesakes appear in the exceptionally interesting and complete churchwardens' accounts of S. Lawrence, Reading, who may so well have been his near relations. In the accounts of that parish for the year beginning at the feast of S. Michael the Archangel, MDXVL, in the "viij th yere of the regne of Kyng Henry the viij vnto the same feft then next followyng A° ix° " appears : — | vij It of John appowell for a ftable in the gutt lane I for a yere endyd at the same feft This is repeated each year, until in the account for the year 1539-40, he is styled " Tayller," as follows ; the " xxxj th yere of the regne of Kyng Henry the viij th " : — Rec of John Appowell Tayller for the yeres rent of "» ... a ftable in gutt r lane endyd then ... / In the next account (namely, for 1540-41), the "xxxij" 1 yere of the reigne of Kyng Henry the viij th> " the rent of John Appowell " tayller," was back at its former amount of ~s., and there follow, in the same year : — Be fl e Rec for the knyll of John Appowell ... ... ... xij<* Graves. Rec for the grave of John Appowell &• Covyng thereof ... vij* iiij<* paid the moyte of a payre Indentures for John Appowell tayller viij rf It seems clear that one John Appowell died in that year, and was succeeded by a namesake (without much doubt a son), who was a tailor ■ and he seems to have been excused half the rent in his first year. In the Register of Marriages at S. Mary's, Reading, is the following : 1542. October John White to Agnes Powell ij'h John White was almost certainly son of the. bellfounder of the same name. The following are later notices of persons who may have belonged to this family in Reading : William Powell, D.D., Vicar of S. Mary's, Reading, c. 1 579-161 3. He married Mary, daughter of Edward Butler. There was a " fair grey marble tomb " formerly in the chancel of S. Lawrence, Reading, BUCKINGHAM FOUNDRY — THE APPOWELLS. l8l to her parents, who died 1584 and 1583. On it were the Powell arms — per pale, three lions rampant counter changed. Mrs. Mary Powell was buried at S. Lawrence's, 1 590-1. Mr. Samuel Powell, grandson of the above William and Mary, was living 1614-18.* In the Register of S. Lawrence, is : — Aprill 1609 Joan Powell fepult fuit ... 9 „ _. March 30 Thomas fonn of — "I Baptisms: , m _ „ \ * 1627 (-8) Thomas Poell / A Jeremy Appowell was one of the churchwardens of Thame in 1656, but the election of another churchwarden is recorded, in place of him " who is gone out of the p'rish." The Rev. F. G. Lee, D.D., F.S.A., kindly sent me the following from the MS books of the Hon. F. L. Bertie, Lord of the Manor of Thame : — " In 1656, John Appowell, of Priestend in Thame, was obliged to leave the Parish, having been ' undone and ruined by the Parliamentary Rebels.' He had been church- warden of Thame in that year." Probably John was the correct name, not Jeremy, because he is again so named in the following, from the Court Rolls of the same : — "John Powell, of Priestend — ante 1658— held under the lord a tenement, barne, bachside, 3 yards of meadow-land, & various other closes, lands, meads & leys, with 2 picks in Gorings & two half yards in Great Moor furlongs, &c, &c, at the yearly rent of And again (ante 1658) : — " John ap Powell holds for his life and the lives of Eliza his wife and John their son one messuage & half a yard land at Priestend with 14 acres of arable land & ley-ground ' & 3 yards & a half of meadow in Priestend Meade at the yearly rent of ^15." The Buckingham Registers begin in 1558, and contain plenty of entries of this family, from a John Apowell baptised in 1562, to an Eliza Powell, " widdow," buried in 1627 ; and one subsequent entry, which perhaps refers to this family, of an Alice, daughter of Humphrey Howell (?), baptized in 1644. We may, doubtless, safely say that the founder was the individual who served the office of Bailiff of Buckingham in 1559 and 1569, * Kerry, History o/S. Lawrence's, p. 141. 1 82 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Churchwarden in 1572, Bailiff again in 1576, and whose burial is thus recorded in the register : — 1577. Johes Appowel groPj et Ballivus Bucking fepults 6 good friday bonus dies veneris. The following is a copy of his will, preserved at Somerset House : — P.C. " Daughtrey "15 T"> Jofiis Appowell $VL % ViUmt Jjf pfr ^mtXl the firft dayeof Aprill in the yeare of o' Lorde god 1577 A" xix° Regniae (sic) Elizabeth nuc Reginae I John Appowell of the towne and boroughe of Buckingham within the diocefe of Lincoln gent being of whole mynde and perfecte remembrannce thankes be gyven therfore to almightie god doo ordeine and make this my fmte Teftamente conteyninge therein my laft will in manner and forme followinge ffirft I bequeath my foule to almightie god my maker Savio r and redemo r in whom and by the merite of whofe bleffid paffion and bloudfhedinge ys all my trufte of ffree remiffion and cleare fforgyvenes of all my fynnes as he hath promifed me and all penitent fynners And my bodie to be buried in the Churche of S l Peter and Paule in Buckingha aforefaide nere vnto Jane Appowell fomtime my wieff when it shall pleafe god that I fhall depart this tranfitorye wordle (sic) Item I gyve vnto the Mother Churche of lincoln ffowre pence Item I gyve vnto the Reparacions of the Churche of S l Peter and Paull in Buckingham aforfaid tenne Shillinges Item I gyve and bequeathe vnto the poore people of the pariffhe of Buckingham ffortie Shillinges to be gyven and devided amogeft them at the difcretion of my ovfeers Item I doo gyve and bequeathe vnto Marye Appowell my wieff All that Meffuage or Tenemente w'h thapprtennce wherein I nowe dwell in Buckingham aforfaide together wth all howfes and edifices barnes Stables orchards gardens Landes Tefite Cloafes paftures & hereditamete what fo ever I latelie purchafed of George more* gent w* all and Angular their appurtennce for and during her widdowes eflate And after her faide widdowhed I will the faide meffuage or Tenemente and all and fmgular other the prmiffes w'h their App'tennces fhall whollie remayne to George Appowell my feconde fonne and to his heires for ever Item I Will that my fonne George Appowell fhall haue ffree ingreffe egreffe and regreffe vnto my Bell howfe and the ov r yearde and fhall haue all my Mowldes tacles Mettall Weightes and Implemete belonginge to my fcience w'^out any diminifhing Item I gyve and bequeathe vnto the aforefaide George Appowell my fonne my barne in the eafte ende of Buck whiche I boughte of M r Brokaffef Item I gyve and bequeath vnto William Appowell my fonne my howfe in the Caftle flreate and my Cloafe called the Ponte cloafe vnder the Caftell Hill * George more gent. A Thomas Moore was Bailiff of Buckingham in 1 and 6 Edward VI. = 1546 and 1551, also in 8 Elizabeth = 1565. A Ralph Moore in 24 Elizabeth = 1581 ; a Raphael Moor in 31 Elizabeth = 1588, and 13 James I. = 1614; and a Thomas Moore in 5 and 16 Charles I.= 1629 and 1640, dying during the latter year. t Mr. Brokasse. Bernard Brocas, Esq., was one of the Burgesses in Parliament for Buckingham, in 1557; he sold a good deal of property about this time. There is a Brocas End in the town. BUCKINGHAM FOUNDRY— JOHN APPOWELL'S WILL, 1 83 nowe in the tenure and occupiynge of John Willyatt to hym and his heires and Affignes for ever Item I gyve & bequeath vnto John Appowell my fonne All thofe twooe Meffuages or Tenemete lyinge together in Buck aforfaid nowe in the tenure and occupyinge of Henrie Robins* and William ffrancklin w th a Cloafe at Gibftyle now in tenure of John White to hym and to his heires for ever w'h their Appnefinces Item I gyve vnto Thorns Appowell my Howfe or Meffuage w th the Appurtennce that M> Porterf dwelleth in and my howfe that George Brickett dwelleth in withe afmuche as the faide George Brickett doth occupye at this |?nte tyme to hym and his heires for ev Item I gyve and bequeath vnto Richarde Appowell my fonne my Howfe or meffuage with thapprtefince that Robert Stranke dwelleth in to hym and his heires for ever Item I gyve and bequeath vnto my Daughter Jane Appowell Thirtie poundes of good and laufull engliffhe moneye to be paide the thage (sic) of one and twentie yeares or ells at the daye of her Mariage whether fo .(sic) of them both fhall firft happen Item I gyve and bequeath vnto my daughter Johan Appowell Thirtie poundes of good and lawfull Engliffhe moneye to be paide vnto her at thage of one and twetye yeares or ells at the daye of her mariage whether fo ev r of them bothe doth firft happen Item I gyve and bequeath vnto my daughter katherine Thirtie poundes to be paide vnto her as before is written & exprffed Item I gyve and bequeathe vnto the Childe that my wieff goeth w">all yf it be a man Childe ffortie poundes And yf it be A wooman Childe Thirtie poundes of good and laufull Engliffhe money to be paide as is aboue fpecified Prouided alwaies that if it fortune that any of my faide daught s doo deceaffe before thage of one and twentie yeares or before the daye of their mariage That then the longer lyver of them fhall enioye the faide legacies of thothers And alfo yf all my faid daughters do channce to dye before thage of one and twentye yeares or daye of their mariage that then the Legacies fhall be equallie devided betweene my fonnes Item I doo gyve & bequeth vnto marie my wieff my gilte boule of Eightene ownces weighte one gilt Jugg pott of ffyvetene ownce one Silver falte to be taken at her choife Sixe filuer Spoones of nyne ownce or thereaboute Alfo I gyve vnto her the Bedde and Bedftede with all thinges thervnto Belonginge as it ftandeth in GamelcansJ chamber Item I will that my man Ranf Houghton|| fhall have the howfe that he dwelleth in now rente free for the fpace of Sixe yeares nexte enfuynge after the daye of my deceaff The Refidue of all my gooddes Cattells and debtes being paide and Legacies in this fmte teftamete perfo r med and fulfilled I doo wholie gyve them vnto Marye my wieff and to George my fonne equallie to be Parted and devided betweene them whiche faide Marye and George 1 doo make my full executoures of this my laft will and Teftamete and that the faide Mary and George fhall bringe vp my Children vi 3 John Thomas Jane Johan and Katherine Appowell and thother when it fhall pleafe god to fende it w* meate Drinck and Raymete neceffarie for them vntill fuche tyme they fhall com to thage of one and twentye yeares as afore * Henrie Robins. A Paul Robins died as bailiff in 2 Charles I. = 1635. A John Robbyns was bailiff, 17 Charles I.= 1641, and a George Robins was bailiff in i S Charles II. = 1663. The last named issued a token. The name (Robbins) still occurs in the town. t Mr Porter. A William Porter was bailiff in 41 Elizabeth = 1598. The family came from Barton Hartshorn (see p. 17). + This word is not in Halliwell, but probably means grandfather, or grandmother- akin to the Norwegian, gammel, old. Gamimg=o\d man, is used as a term of endearment. II Ranf Houghton was probably a servant or an assistant in the Bellfoundry. 1 84 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. And I doo ordeine and make Edward Stevenfon* my ffather in lawe and Willia Illingef overfeers of this my laft will and Teftament And I doo gyve vnto evie one of them thirtene Shillinges fowre pence A peece for their paynes Item I gyve vnto everieone of my Godchildren twelue pence A peece Theis (sic) beinge witneffes Edward Stevenfon Willia Illinge William davy Clerk and John CatesJ the daye and yeare above written. Proved 4 May 1577 by George Appowell, Mary Relict and Extrix being absent. George Appowell's will, likewise at Somerset House, is as follows : — P.C. " Langley," 43. T. Georgii Apowell. ^tt % Xmmt Of Q0b JUKMt I George Apowell of Buck in the Countie of Buck belfounder the third day of October A thoufand five hundreth feauenty Eight being fick in body but of pfecte remembraunce lawde and praife be to allmightie god doe make and ordeine this my teftament concerning my laft will and teftament in manns and forme following, that is to faie, ffirft I bequeath my foule to allmightie god my maker and redemer And my body to be buried in the pifhe churche of S' Peter and Paule in Buck aforefaid Item I giue will and bequeath to John Lamberd|| of Buck butcher and to Robert Tayler§ of Buck aforefaid pchment maker all my landes tenements and hereditaments whatfoeus w th thappnennces fcituate and being w'hin the towne and pifhe of Buck aforefaid, to haue and to hold vnto the said John Lambert and Robert Tayler their heires and affignes for ever to hold of the chefe Lord of the ffee thereof by the feruices therefore due and accuftomed fo that the fame Lands be fold by the faid John and Robert for the payment of my debts. Item I giue and bequeath to the child wherewf" my * Edward Stevenson was the father of John Appowell's second wife, Mary. t Willia Illinge, bailiff in 4, 6, 14, 21, and 28 Elizabeth = 1561, 1563, 1571, 1578, and 15.85. A Walter Illing was bailiff 2 James I.= 1603. X John Cates, or Gates, bailiff 6 Mary, and 1 Elizabeth = 1558, and 15 Elizabeth — 1572. He appears in the Court Rolls, 30th August, 4 and 5 Philip and Mary = 1557, as -Attorney to Thomas Kyng in an action brought against the latter by John Appowell. || John Lamberd, butcher. Bailiff 4 Edward VI. = 1549; and 7 Edward VI. and 1 Mary = 1553; also 25 Elizabeth = 1582. A Simon Lambert was bailiff about 38 Elizabeth = 1595, and twice during James I.'s reign. § Robert Tayler, parchment maker, probably brother-in-law to George Appowell. In the second volume of the Buckingham Court Rolls, under apparently the date 2 and 3 Philip and Mary = 1555, John Tayler was made a Warden " of Shomakers and glov and white tanars." (It is interesting to note that there were (1) "wardens of thoccupacons of wollen dra^s lynnen draj)s haberdaffhers and grocers." (2, as above.) (3) " Wardens of the occupations of ffullers weavers Tailoe diers Smythes and fletchers." (4) " Wardens of bakers bruers fiflhers and Chaundlers.") In the same year "Thorns Tailor" glover is mentioned, and on July 27th in the same year, he is spoken of as a "Talor" (by trade as well as name) : and later in the same year " John Tailor pchement maker " appears. Also in October, November, and December, 4 and 5 Philip and Mary = 1557, and the following January ; and again in March and April 1 Elizabeth = 1559. BUCKINGHAM FOUNDRY — THE APPOWELLS. 185 wief now goeth thirtie pounds to be paid when the fame child fhall accomplice the full age of xxjty yeares The residue of all my goodes and Chattells vnbequethed my debts being paid I giue and bequeath to Emerye my wief whome I ordeine and make my fole executrix by thefe jmts that this my jmte teftament may be faithfully executed by the ou fight of William llling and Thomas Boughton* my Overfeers of this my teftament and I will and bequeath to ether of them for their paines in this behalf ten millings. George Apowell. Item to his niters Joane and Jane five poundes a yere Item to Thomas Apowell his brother five poundes. Item to Katheryn Apowell his fifter five pounds. Itm to Richard Apowell wief x*- Item to Ranff Haltonf [and]{ his man xx^ Thefe being witneffes John Hockley|| Thomas Audley§ Henry Robins Ranff Halton and others. Administration granted on 19 Nov. 1578 to Richard Apowell the brother, because Emera Apowell the widow had died in the interim. The third volume of the Municipal Records of Buckingham, a folio, leather-bound volume, contains the following : — xvij° die Aprilis 1579 A° xxj° Regince Elizabj } Memorand that John Apowell late of Buckingham in the Cowntie of Buck belfownder, was Seised in ffee symple, of and in two burgages scituate, & beinge in Buckingham aforesaid, w th one acre of Lande, and one halfe acre of meadowe to the same belonginge with thappurtynnce now or late in the severall tenures or occupacons of Henrici Robyns & Willi ffrancklyn. And by his last will & testam', in writing, gave the same to John Apowell one of his yongre Sonnes, and to his heires for ever, which John thyongre dyed thereof Seised in ffee symple, withowt yffue of his Bodye and the same discended to Rycharde Apowell eldest brother & heire, to the said John the yongre, which Rycharde beinge seised thereof in ffee symple, solde y e same to John Lambart of Buck aforesaid Butcher, as by severall conveyauncg to us shewed, & proved, it dothe fully appere, which said John Lambart being thereof seised in ffee symple, solde the premysses w* thappur- tynnces to Robert ffoster clerk, as by a deed thereof made, by the said John to y e said Robert & his heires for ever to us also shewed, bearinge date the xxv' h daye of Marche Anno regni dnae firse Elizabeth Re ffi angliae.nunc(?) vicesimo prirno, more at large dothe, & maye appere, hys test Wyll a m Illyng Bayliff (and four other signatures.) Mr. StahlschmidtH found in the books of the Founders' Company, a * Thomas Boughton. A Hugh Boughton was bailiff in 3 Elizabeth =*. 1561. t Ranff (= Ralph) Halton was probably identical with Ranf Houghton (above). Probably the existing name, Holton, is the same. \ Erased. || John Hockley. A John Ockley was bailiff in n Elizabeth, = 1568. § Thomas Audley. A Richard Audley was bailiff 9 Charles I.= 1633. 1] Bells of Surrey, p. 7'- 2 B 1 86 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. receipt of annual quarterage in 1529, from " Hewe Howyill, a Frenchman working in Billiter Lane" ("Frenchman" simply indicating that he was a non-Londoner). It is not impossible that this foundry was connected with that at Buckingham. In the churchwardens' accounts of S. Mary's, Reading (transcribed by Messrs. Garry, and published just too late to refer to, in the account of the Reading Foundries in the present work), under the supposed date IS 53-4, appears :— Receyvid of John ffrencheman for the greate bell Clapper ... x]s, Mr. Stahlschmidt informed me that a James Appowell was a member of the Founders' Company, 1557-8; and served as Underwarden (as James Powell), 1564-5 ; clearly from this last he must have been in business in London. He did not proceed higher, but his extreme dates cannot be ascertained, as the company's books of that period are very imperfect. He seems to be referred to in the inventory of S. Mary Axe (adjoining Billiter Lane, now Street), under date, apparently, of 1552 : — Sold to our neighbour Powell a peice of brass ... iiijV* The following are the notices of the Appowell family in the Buckingham Registers : — Baptisms: 1562, Maius Johes Apowell Bapt (?) septimo die. 1563, December Anna Powell bapt decimo quarto die. 1564, December S?™^ 8 others! I baptizati sunt vicesimo die. 1566 ffebruarius Johana filia Jonis Powell bapt decimo octavo (?). 1567 Maius Johafia Apowell bapt decimo sexto die. 1574 Junius Edwarde Powell bapt vicesimo octavo die. 1575 September Katherina filia Jofiis Powell bapt nono die. (From May, 1589, to March, 1592, missing.) 1 594 Septemb r Joafia Ap Powel, bapt tertio die. 1597 Junius (Mathew, corrected to) Martha Powell bapt decimo sexto die. 1600 Aprilis Thomas Powell bapt eodem die {viz., as the preceding entry = vicesimo quinto die). 1604 H(e)nrie (?) poell the sonne of william poell was baptised the v*k day of Auguft (1644 Alee filia Humphry Hawell baptized September — i.).f \Searched to end of 1646. Marriages: 1568 Johes Appowell Maria Stephenson Junij tertio; Willms powell Agnes Payne — Septebris quarto. 1575 Witmus Yeoman et Alicia Apowell eodem die (viz., Januarij xxvj°). 1578 Georgius Apowel — Emeria Tailor ffebr qarto. 1586 Tho : Wright et Jana Apower — Novembris septimo. 1599 ffranciscus Asbie et Ellena Powele Octobris xxviij" die. 1601 Jones Howell et Joha Gray sexto Julij. 1615 Thomas Edward 6° Elizabeth Powell were maried the xxj'h day of June. {Searched to July, 1653. * Ex infotm. A. D. Tyssen, Esq. \ It is doubtful whether this entry refers to the Appowell family. BUCKINGHAM FOUNDRY— APPOWELL PEDIGREE. I8 7 fcT -4-1 3 ui rt M O S • " * h - 5" ^■3" r\» . CO 'S 1^| g» cij ft 5 o « — ".S X 'o — > <3i w <; o wi •ST ".0 .5g. < ^» ... £ a 8 S P O O O c Si .a 1 ^ ti d pC in C! ■as. men o z o D pq o o Ph Oh 3 r. — ,a ca'S'O O J3 £ «« n 10 OS d . ui *n _ g O.W ij « o S - 3 - H .— • ^ w u 1-1 ■5 d,. (3 r° 3 1 el^ a. < _ « •c S o to t3 -o r 3 Ml ° ■" ° a o S o T3 ^ to •a a s ■S -p Ph a ■§ ^a J— » vp ^ m .s s ^ « IT! C3 o bJ3 — ri .... -? s . -^ O G ^ 1 y K s T3 QJ qj VD UJ e tilT O 3 a 1 1— > o< "qj a" .a +2 ^ d d 1—1 _N g u. ^ **> 5 3 H O T3 j3 v; " T3 .a ra M 3 - s« .a SXiS u ^ 1^ 13 trt y in O 3 X .5 T3 t/5 QJ O i^S- ■c a a, ^c^ 3 ■s JS 1— ^ Johan May, bly ob 1567. Ui & < ON in E • rt I£IW£> $£ CHAFES $• 4> 1027 The date is in the large "modified" set. The devices are Nos. 11, 10, and 5, on Plate XXX. 206 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. In 1628 the Buckingham Register records : — Robart Atton was buryed vj of may Robert had a son, who was a namesake, but the subsequent history of the foundry seems to point to this entry referring to the senior of the name. Bartholomew had, as I believe, virtually retired in 161 3 (even if he was not really buried in 1609), for each bell after that date, that bears his name (except the Kidlington bell, in 162 1 ?), has also Robert's NATHANIEL initials on it ; and in the same way, the fourth at BOLTER Granborough, dated 1628, and cast, we may suppose, just after the latter's death, has (in the medium-sized lettering), his name, together with that of his assistant, who was no doubt the actual founder : — EGBERT ATTON NATHANIEL BGLTTEB It has the rose, and the three bells (Nos. 10 and 11, on Plate XXX.), the arabesque, fig. 68, and the running pattern, fig. 69. Fig. 69. A similarly inscribed and dated bell was formerly at Harpole, in Northampts, but the devices are not recorded. Nothing is known about Bolter's history. He was evidently not a native of Buckingham ; it is not unlikely that he was brought up to the bellfounding in Newcombe's works, and followed the Attons to Buckingham. I found in the Registers of All Saints', Leicester, a single entry which may refer to a relation of his : — Burialls 1594. 4 ffebruarj William Bolther was buried There was a Nathaniel Bolter at the Salisbury Bellfoundry between 1654 and 1664, who may well have been Atton's former assistant^ or BUCKINGHAM FOUNDRY — THE LATEST BELLS. 207 perhaps a son and namesake ; and a Jonathan Bolter in 1656. (One cannot help wondering whether I B on the Great Honvood bell of 1623 can stand for him.) The initials, N. B., appear on four bells at S. Edmund's, Salisbury* in conjunction with W. P. (William Purdue II., of Salisbury), in 1656, and on two bells at Great Durnford, Wilts, dated the next year.* There seems to be no bell from this foundry during the two next years ; and in 1630, the Buckingham Register records : — Bartholomewe Atton was buried the xxix of may. Probably this was the founder, who thus died after seventeen years (or longer) of more or less complete retirement. Fig. 70. In 163 1, Robert's name reappears on the treble at Loughton, in the medium-sized letters, with the rose (Plate XXX.) ; and the fourth at Olney, in the same lettering, for the first (and only) time gives his address : — EGBERT ATTON OF BYCEINGHAM MADE ME * Lukis, Church Bells. 208 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. and is ornamented with the rose, the pair of small devices on Plate XXXI., and fig. yo. In 1633, the tenor at Beachampton is inscribed like the Loughton bell just mentioned ; and the treble at Ashendon (in the same lettering) has merely R A and the date. The large shield (fig. 70) reappears* at Drayton Bassett, in Staffordshire, on a bell dated 1663 ; with the letters, I M, added on the field, on either side of the upper bell. Simon Luckas and Robert Elton, whose names are inscribed on this bell, were probably churchwardens, and not founders. The other Atton stamp of three bells (No. 11, on Plate XXX.) also reappears in Staffordshire, on the treble at Edingdale, in the possession of a founder whose initials were S I, and dated 1686. Both of these bells also bear the running pattern, fig. 69, which was in the meanwhile in the hands of the Bagleys ; it occurs finally in 1742, in the possession of Thomas Hedderley, of Nottingham. This year, 1633, seems to have seen the closing of the Buckingham Foundry, as no later bells from it are known. One, indeed, is recorded by Mr. North in Bells of Beds, as cast twenty-one years later ; but this is simply the result of the lively imagination of Mr. North, or rather, as he did not visit the towers personally, of the friend who did it for him. Under Chellington (Beds) Mr. North records the treble as inscribed : w. ATTON & SON MADE ME 1654. As no bells bearing W. Atton's name are known, except the third in this tower already mentioned, and the present instance, it seemed a little suspicious, not only from its date, but from the apparent anachronism of " Atton & Son." On paying the tower a visit, this bell turned out to be inscribed : — W. ♦K>HN*HODSON*MADE > ME*I654* W * H It is easy to see how the mistake arose, but it was certainly a very bad shot.-f- The initial ornament is a very widely extended fleur-de-lis. * Lynam, Bells of Staffordshire. \ As I took rubbings of all the bells at Chellington, it may be as well to give here a corrected version of the inscriptions recorded by Mr. North, as his correspondent has " come a mucker" over all of them. On the second (already mentioned, p. 164) the cross, of which I have a cast, is No. 4, not No. 1, on Plate XXVI. (or Beds, fig. 32, not 56). There is no space and full stop between the Y and E, but the word is praye (though very probably intended, as there suggested, for prayse). The lettering used is a heavy set, of which the figures probably, and the initial cross certainly, were owned by James Keene ; most likely this bell was cast at Bedford. END OF THE BUCKINGHAM FOUNDRY. 209 There seems every likelihood that Henry Bagley I., of Chacombe, in Northampts (only about sixteen miles distant from Buckingham), learnt his business with Robert Atton. The Chacombe Foundry opened in the year before that at Buckingham finally closed ; and Bagley used {e.g., at Bow Brickhill, 1649 ; Ashendon, 1658 ; Sherington, 1672, etc.) the running pattern (fig. 69) first used by Nathaniel Bolter, at Granborough, in 1628.* It is very possible also (though I am not prepared to say for certain), that Bagley's first set of figures are identical with the small set used by the Attons. William Atton, whose name appears on the third bell at Chellington, Beds (but not on the treble as well), was a son of Bartholomew, and was born (as already mentioned, p. 203) in 1596, being therefore a boy of fifteen when this bell was cast in 161 1. He did not, however, continue in the foundry business, but became most probably, a draper. He served the office of Bailiff in 1624, 1630, 1642, and 1649, and died in 1655. His eldest son, likewise William, born 1627, was certainly a draper in Buckingham ; he was Bailiff in 1657, and issued a token, inscribed : w» ATTON DRAP. IN BVCKINGHAM 1663, and on the reverse, & ^ E &. The second son, Bartholomew, born March, 1630-31, seems to have The third has also been already referred to, pp. 202-203. Mr. North puts the cart before the horse, and also, for the acorn device (No. 5, Plate XXX.) used as stop between each word, figures a cross Moline, which does not occur here, or on any bell that I have seen. Tenor : — I *i* £ $anxta ^.atcrtna 6ra £ro :fiot)te A very handsome bell by John Danyell (see p. 33), who, to prevent any mistake, placed his initials in the plainest possible manner, on either side of the initial cross. The D, which was read by one of Mr. North's correspondents as O (Beds, p. 56), is so unusually perfect an impression, that the letter in Plate XII. is chiefly drawn from this very example, being the most distinct I have met with. The black-letter is the set he used at Little Missenden and Weston Turville. The cross is fig. 17. The diameters also of the three lower bells, as measured by Mr. North's correspondent and myself, do not agree, but this is unimportant. Mr. North records (ibid. p. 141), "These bells are difficult and dangerous of access ; the floor of the bell-chamber is all gone." And (at p. 56), " Owing to the difficulty of access, complete rubbings have not been taken." I can safely say that there are at least fifty towers in Bucks (I was nearly writing a much higher figure) not less "difficult and dangerous of access" than Chellington, many being far more so. * Mr. Ellacombe says there are twenty-seven bells in Gloucestershire on which Bagley placed this pattern (Bells of Gloucestershire, p. 10). 210 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. likewise followed the business of a draper, in the neighbouring town of Brackley,* in Northampts, whence he issued a token. In 1675 (15 Car. II.), as I find by the folio volume of the Municipal Records of Buckingham, William Atton was the senior warden of the local Company of Mercers, and Bartholomew signs lower down among the rank and file of the same company. Among the following extracts from the Buckingham Registers, will be found several variations of the name, and it is probable that they do not all belong to this family ; but if they do, it was in the town at least a quarter of a century before Bartholomew came (or returned) from Leicester : and a will quoted by Browne Willis (see under Buckingham, in Part III.) shows, if we accept the variety Aston, that the family was here previous to 1505. Baptisms (Begin 1562, but from May, 1589, to March, 1592, are missing). 1592 Martius Alicia Atton bapt quinto die Martii 1594 Junius ffrancisca Atton bapt nono die 1596 September W m filius Bartholomei Atton decimo die 1599 September Anna Atton bapt vicesimo tertio 1616 Richard Astonn y<= sonn of William Astonn was baptised the xviij th day of Januari 1618 Anne Atton the Daughter of Robart Atton was Baptised the xxij lh Day of ffebruary 1618 Sufan Affon the Daughter of William Affon was Baptised the xxix th of March 1618 1620 Joane Atton the Daughter of Robert Atton was Baptised the xij^day of March 1620 John Affon y e fonne of William Affon baptised ye ix'h of Aprill (Sept., 1620, to Aug., 1621, missing). 1622 John Atton the Sonne of Robart Atton was Baptised the vj' h Day of ffebruary 1622 Alee Affon the Daughter of William Affon was Baptised the viij th day ofnovember 1623 Susanna Atton daughter of William Atton was bapt. The xx* day of Aprill 1625 An Atton the Dafter of William Atton was Baptised the xvij* Day of Aprill 1625 Robart Atton the Sonne of Robart Atton baptiz 23 Aperill 1626 Joane filia William Affon bapte y e xxj'b day of July 1627 William Atton the sonne of William Attorn (sic) was Baptised the x'h day of June 1630 Bartholomew Atton filius William Atton baptized xiiij°» march 1632 nathanniell Atton filius William Atton baptized the xj* of March 1634 frances filius m' William Atton baptized march 2 [Searched to March, 1645. Marriages. (Begin 1559.) 1573 Wiiim 3 yEton et marieria Jorden Julij decimo * Seven miles from Buckingham. In the second edition of Boynis Tokens, II., 886, Mr. Williamson has misunderstood a note I sent him, and states that this token is by the bellfounder, instead of his grandson. His allotted space being more than filled, he was finally unable to add the Appendix to Bucks. there promised. Attempted Atton Pedigree. Robert Atton Chamberlain of the Borough of Leicester, 1592-3. Bells of Northampts, p. 114. Bartholomew Atton (or Attun). Apprenticed to Thomas Newcombe II., of Leicester. Free of the town, 1582-3. At Buckingham by 1589. Bailiff 1605-6. Probably bur. 29th May, 1630. (?c. 1584.) Anne .... (Probably of Leicester). Probably bur. 21st Nov., 1629. 1 1 " thFeb., 1616. 8th July, 1616. 1 1 . I 2nd June, 1621. | j Robert John = Elizabeth William = Elizabeth Alice Frances William = . . . . John Billing = Anne Philip Roger = ... probably either born Kelly Towers Bap. 5th Bap. 9th Bap. 10th Sept. , Bap. 23rd Bur. 13th (Butcher, of at Buckingham, c. March, June, , 1596. Sept., March, S. Nicholas' 1589, or previously 1592-3- 1594- Perhaps a Draper. 1599. 1634. Parish, at Leicester. Began 4 times Bailiff. Leicester). founding 1605. Bur. 23rd Oct., Bur. 6th May, 1628. r~ 1655- 1 1 1 1 | 8th Sept., 1648. | 1650- 1. 1 1 1 1 Anne Joane John Robert Susanna Paule = Susanna Edward — Ann William = Elizabeth . . . Bartholomew Nathaniel Frances Thomas Bap. 22nd Bap. 12th Bap. 6th Bap. 23rd Bur. 17th Audley Bap. 20th Gale Bap. 17th Bap. 10th Bur. 1st Sept., 1667. Bap. 14th March, Bap. nth (a son). Bap. gth July, 1638 Feb., March, Feb., April, April, April, 1623. April, June, 1627. 1630. March, Bap. 2nd (S. Nicholas', Leicester) 1618. 1620. 1622. 1625. 1622. Bur. 29th 1625. Draper. Probably Draper 1632. March, Bur. nth Oct., 1655. Bailiff 1657. at Brackley, Bur. 8th 1634. July, 1621. Living 1675. Northampts, and Oct., 1636. Bur. nth living 1675. Nov., 1636. ? Child Bur. 1 6th Sept., 1657- BUCKINGHAM FOUNDRY— TRACES OF THE ATTONS. 211 t : 57S Jones Hancoke et Anna ^Eton— Januarij tricesimo 1575 Wiimus yEtton et Phillippa Newma— Aprilis vicesimo octavo 1593 Jones Hatton et Johafia Hull Octobris eode die ( = vicesimo secudo) 1609 Robart North &* Hattonn (sic) was maried y e xxiiij th day of Aprill 1616 John Atton and Elizabeth Kelly, were maryed the xjthday of ffebruari 1616 William Towers & Elizabeth Atton were maryed the viij th day of July 1618 Richard Hatton & Alee Smith were maried y e viij'h of June 1621 John Billing and Ann Atton weare maried y e second day of June 1648 Paule Audly & Susan Atton maried September 8 1650 Edward Gale & Ann Atton maried June 14 165 1 Edward Gale and Ann Atton maried Janu 14 (I can only suggest that the former of these two entries gives the date of the civil, and the latter of the religious, ceremony.) [Searched to July ; 1653. Burials. (Begin 1558.) 1559 \Vi1tm3 Afton Septembris vndecimo 162 1 Joane Atton the Daughter of Robart Atton was Buried the xj lI > day of July 1622 Susanna Atton the Daughter of William Atton was buried the xvijth day of Aprell 1628 Robart Atton was buryed vj of may 1629 Anne Atton the wiffe of Bartholomew Atton buryed xxj november 1630 Bartholomewe Atton was buryed the xxix of may 1634 Philip Atton was buryed in March 13 1636 Nathaniell Alius William Atton was buried in October 8 1636 frances filius m r wiliam Attonn was buried in nouem 11 1655 M r - William Atton Burgeffe, and 4 times Bayleife was buryed. Oct. 23, 1655. 1655 Susan the daughter of William Atton was buryed, Oct. 29. 1655. 1657 M r Attons child buryed Sept 16. 1663 Thoma filius Thomse Hatton — Sepultus est Julij n m ° 1667 Elizaberth wife of M r William Atton Bur d Septe the I th [Searched to end of 1670. Two entries of very similar names occur in the Registers of All Saints', Leicester, but (as at Buckingham), I do not think they refer to this family: — 1574 5 decemb 1 Richard Affon was buried 1602 8 March Raphe Afton and Anne Scott were Maryed [Searched to end of 1606; In the Registers of the adjoining parish of S. Nicholas (Leicester), which begin, for baptisms and weddings, 1560, and burials, 1567, I found no entries of the name, down to— baptisms, January, 1610 ; weddings, end of 1610 ■ and burials, to November, 1608. I did not search systematically further than these dates, but found, incidentally :— 1638 Thomas the Sonne of Roger Atton Bucher was Baptifed the 9 of July 1638 212 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. t At Somerset House I only found one will of an Atton — that of William, a blacksmith of Maxey, Northamptonshire, about twenty-three or twenty- four miles distant from Leicester. His wife's name was Beatrice ; sons, Edward and William, the latter was executor, and probably the elder ; daughters, Alice, Elizabeth, Joane, Dorothye, Rebecca, and Margaret. Probably, however, William was no relation to the founders. The Bagleys of Chacombe (Northampts), Etc. Chacombe, or Chalcomb, in Northampts, is distant only sixteen miles from Buckingham ; the foundry at the former place was opened in, or about, the year previous to the final closing of the latter, and the first bellfounder at Chacombe used a pattern (fig. 69) that previously appeared on bells cast at Buckingham, and the original figures used by him, very closely resembled, if they were not actually identical with, the smallest set used at Buckingham ; so there seems considerable probability that the Bagleys owed their knowledge of bellfounding to the Attons of Buckingham. They were not, however, a Buckingham family, but lived at Chacombe for at least two generations before the opening of the foundry* The Henrys of this family are a puzzle. Mr. North failed to sort them when working Northampts ; the future chronicler of Oxfordshire will have the next best opportunity of unravelling the tangle. Several entries from the Registers of Chacombe, concerning this family, are given in Bells of Northampts (p. 41), and also a few from those of Ecton, likewise in Northampts, in which village one member of the family had a furnace for some years. From the above account by Mr. North, and some further details given by Mr. Stahlschmidt in Bells of Kent (p. 100), I have compiled the doubtful pedigree given on p. 219, and during the making of it, the following queries suggested themselves. Did Henry (first founder) move to Northampton, and was Henry (his son) born there ? Perhaps the latter generally lived in Northampton?! William may have been his son (grandson to Henry — :; = A good many entries of the name appear in the Registers of S. Mary's (from 1612) and S. Lawrence's (from 1605) parishes at Reading. In all probability, however, there was no connection between these and the Chacombe family. \ He cast two bells for S. Sepulchre's there in 1681 ; and in 1714, on two bells at Thornby, in the same county, he described himself as " of Northampton.'' He does not appear in the Chacombe Register. CHACOMBE, ETC., FOUNDRY — THE BAGLEYS. 213 first founder), and perhaps joined the Chacombe business soon after 1681 ? Henry, Matthew's partner, would then be his brother, and not the son of Henry the first founder. Was Henry, of Ecton, instead of being son to John, identical with Henry, son of Henry (first founder) ? It should be noted that as early as March 18th, 1674, the Vestry of S. Michael's, Coventry, " agreed with Henry Bagley, Sen., and H. Bagley, Jun., of Chacomb, co. Northampton, that they shall have 55/. for casting the six bells into eight tuneable ones, of as deep tone and sound as they now are.""- (In 1774 these bells gave place to the well-known ring of ten by Pack and Chapman, of Whitechapel, of which most are still existing, though they have all, for some time past, been lying unhung on the ground.) Without going all over again over the ground covered by Mr. North in Northamptonshire, where by far the greatest number of bells by the Bagleys occur (to ascertain the letterings and stamps used), it is impossible to dis- criminate between the different Henrys; and I must content myself with giving the following vague summary of the productions of this family. f The earliest bells known by the Bagleys are two at Evenley, in Northampts, about half-way between Chacombe and Buckingham, dated 1632, with mis-spelt Latin inscriptions, the name, HENRY BAGLE, and small figures of bells. His bells continue down to 1640 ; from which year, until after the termination of the civil war, the business seems to have been at a standstill. 1649 to 1678, Henry. 1679 to 1687, Henry and Matthew apparently partners. In 1681, William, " of Northampton," appears on one bell in that county. In 1687, Matthew probably moved to London (but no bell is known by him until 1708), and Henry to Ecton (Northamptonshire) ; possibly the four bells he is known to have cast in 1688 (all in that county) were cast there. The Ecton Register records the baptism of a daughter there in 1690. No bells by Henry are known from 1688 until 1695, from which year the * Ellacombe, Bells of Gloucestershire, p. 140, where the inscriptions are given. f The following are the numbers of bells by the Bagleys, so far as my information goes. As'my sole source of information for some of the counties is a List published by H. Bagley, at Oxford, in 1732 (and preserved among Browne Willis' MSS., xliii., 26), there must be a good many more, as examples by some of the family are known, down to forty- seven years later. The numbers, however, with such additions as I have been able to make, are: Northampts, 202; Oxon, 100; Warwick, 86; Worcester, 52; Bucks, 47; Gloucester, 41 ; York, 13 ; Stafford, 13 ; Kent, 9 ; Berks, 8 ; Wilts, 8 ; Surrey, 1 ; Essex, 1 ; Middlesex (London), 1. 214 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. name begins again regularly in Northampts ; but the only example known out of that county, is the third at Olney, da.ted 1699. On some bells in Northampts, cast in 1700, Henry describes himself as "of Ecton." His last are dated 1702, and the Ecton Register records his burial there in April, 1703. His widow was buried there in March, 1720, and a son in 1705. Meanwhile, in 1693, William reappears* — perhaps at Chacombe — and cast one bell for Northampts, and a ring of five for Gloucestershire. The following year he cast four for Chacombe, and one other in the same county. Then no more (known) until 1702. The next year he describes himself as " of Chalcombe." In 1707 a Henry goes into partnership with William at Chacombe : whether his brother or his son is uncertain. William does not appear after 1712. Matthew (who removed from Chacombe in, or shortly after, 1687) appears on bells in Kent, from 1708 to 171 1. In 1710, James, "of London," cast a bell for Rochester Cathedral, and in 1717, a bell in Surrey. From 1713 Henry was by himself. The following year he described himself as " of Northampton." Business with the Bagleys was apparently very slack about this time, though no doubt several bells by them have been since melted, without any record of them being preserved. After 1717, when Henry cast five for Maid's Moreton, no more bells by him are known until 1721 : but between then and 1723, fifteen or sixteen bells of his are known. In 1719 the name of Julia — the widow of Matthew who was killed (with others) in 1716, when casting a canon at the Royal Foundry, near Upper Moorfieldsf — appears on a bell at Audley End, Essex, being the only known instance, in modern times, of a bellfoundress, and second only to Johanna Hille and Sturdy, of the fifteenth century (pp. 26, 27). The churchwardens' accounts of Beaconsfield show that in 1722 Henry was working at Reading, and the same must be understood by those of Taplow, of the same date. In 1723 he described himself on a bell at Tilehurst, Berks, as " of Reading." Matthew (son of William) contributed a single bell to Northampts in 1726 ; and there are two by Henry dated the next year. * There is a bell at Aston Somerville, Gloucestershire, by "W. B.," in 1690 — which is probably by him— but Mr. Ellacombe does not describe the lettering, or give any clue to identity. f Kent, p. 101. CHACOMBE, ETC., FOUNDRY — THE BAGLEYS. 215 In 1732, H. Bagley published "A Catalogue of peals of Bells, and of Bells in and for peals, cast by Henry Bagley of Chacomb, in the county of Northampton, Bell-Founder (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."* In 1744 he was once more " of Chacombe."f One bell by Henry in each of the following years: 1732, 1733, 1734, J 737. 1739. 1742, 1744, 1745, and two in 1746, complete the list of his known productions. 1747 : A bell in Oxon by Matthew and James — the latter perhaps Henry's successor in the partnership at Chacombe. 1748 : A bell by Matthew, in Staffordshire, whereon he describes himself as " of Wolverhampton." Two by him in 1753, one the next year, and one more in 1757 ; then no more until 1769, from which year, until 1773, he cast a dozen. In 1779 he cast a bell for Banbury (Oxon), which is the last known production by any of this family. He was buried at Chacombe, February 27th, 1785, the bells being rung muffled on one side, on the occasion. The bells by the Bagleys in Bucks are as follows ; but I will not attempt, in all cases, to apportion individual bells among the various Henrys : — 1649 : Bow Brickhill ; Latin inscription, the Buckingham running pat- tern (fig. 69), and a small stamp of a bell. No doubt by Henry I. Fig. 71. 1658 : Three at Ashendon by him ; English inscriptions, with the run- ning patterns, figs. 69 and 71, the latter an almost exact copy of James Keene's, fig. 61, reduced to the size of fig. 60 ; it does not, of course, indicate any connection between the foundries. Also Nos. 2 and 4, on Plate XXXII. * Browne Willis' MSS. vol. xliii., fo. 26. f Bell at Wombourn, Staffordshire. 2l6 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. 1672 : Sherington, by ditto ; churchwardens' names and fig. 69, a fragment of the running pattern, No. 2, on Plate XXXII., with the rose from No. 3 on that Plate ; also Nos. 4 and 5, and a coin. 1680, Whitchurch, by ditto ; Latin inscription ; with the large rose, small flower, and fleur-de-lis from No. 3 ; and also No. 4 on the same Plate, and fig. 72, the latter going all round the bell, above and below the inscription. Fig. 72. 1681 : Four at Hillesden ; one of them is by Henry and another by Matthew, and probably the other two are by the same two partners, severally. The upper three are ornamented with fig. 72, and coins ; the fourth has fig. 72, and the curious ornament, fig. 73, made up from two fragments of the former; also portions of the running pattern, No. I, on Plate XXXII. The treble has, in addition, the coat of arms of the donor. Fig. 73- 1682 : Two at Olney ; the treble has an English inscription, and H. Bagley's name, in the same lettering, and with various sections of the last-named running pattern, also coins ; while the tenor, with fig. 72, has a larger set of letters, i T s f inch high, no founder's name, and the coat of arms of the donor. 1687 : Five at Weston Underwood, all in the same small lettering as HENRY BAGLEYS IN GREAT VARIETY. 217 before. The treble has IESVS SPEED MEE ; the second has the name of a churchwarden ; the third has Henry Bagley's name. These three are all profusely ornamented with the running pattern, fig. 72. The fourth has : HOMEU DOMIKI BEMEDICTVM ; the fifth, COM COM AMD PRAY ; and both have Matthew Bagley's name. The fifth has the same pattern as the upper three ; the fourth has the pattern shown as fig. 74. Fig. 74- 1699 : The third at Olney, with the names of churchwardens and Henry Bagley, in the same lettering, interspersed with small fragments of the pattern, fig 72. 171 1 : Two at Westbury, by Henry, in a perfectly plain, heavy set of Roman capitals. The treble (which is broken in half) has a Latin inscrip- tion. No ornament whatever beyond a stop ■> JO©Q)©©@@@@@@Q)a>@cjQ)y)®<2)(3)Q)©Q>Q)C Fig. 75- 1717 : Four at Maid's Moreton. The outside two (in the plain, heavy letters) bear the name of Henry Bagley ; the inside two, only those of the churchwardens. The patterns on them are figs. 74 and 75, and No. 3 on Plate XXXIL, with the large fleur-de-lis and rose also used separately; also on the treble a large shield of the arms of the patron of the living, and on the tenor a large H for Bagley's initial. 1 72 1 : The former tenor at Hillesden (now replaced), by Henry, in the 2 F 218 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. same plain heavy lettering, with a large H for his initial. It was orna- mented with the running pattern, fig. 72, in negative, {i.e., the ground of the stamp in relief, instead of the pattern — apparently the matrix from which the stamp was cast or otherwise made, was used) — the plant, fig. 76, also Fig. 76. coins, and a large stamp of the Royal Arms reversed, the impression being made from a raised, instead of a sunk mould. In the same year, the tenor at Tingewick, by HENERY, in the same heavy lettering (without the large H), and with the following inscription : — WHEN I RINGE OR TOLE MY VOICE IS SPENT MEN MAY COM AND HEAR GODS WORD AND SO REPENT (followed by churchwardens' names), and profusely ornamented with figs. 72 (in positive again, not as on the Hillesden tenor), 75, and 76. 1722 : Four by Henry at Beaconsfield, now melted. The Bagleys were extremely lavish in the use of ornament on their bells, a peculiarity being the use of small fragments of the running patterns. Their business seems to have died a natural death, and no one appears to have taken to their "good- will." CHACOMBE, ETC., FOUNDRY— BAGLEY PEDIGREE. 219 J a ^ > u "!0 Ph 4 s >< •N» W *2 J 53 ?> < « m ? •3 s w H a ~^ H I < ^ K .S 3 3 B O c s 8S SO m o ° 3 45 B B ■5 d ■S-eg. W « u B II ■ s * a> . Q C0S ro •90* s. -O • 0) i>. . oi " S i^^-j: . ; '1 Hen om Cha 1st bell, Of Ectc 168 Last bel Bur. t st April II B = t-t ■3 1— >» O COvO LIA. name on a leyE :, 171 d. Her pears Aud Essex d B 8-S II M , 1^1 . "us -Q ■mhnii; a £.£• 5 - M 3 d Q •o r? 00 eg Ml 1 TTHE nil, i [ Last e unt 11 Hi! ,ondo 6 a r i N C •71 ON CJ G *-> 3 O S 3 t-. ■Ss >- -0 Bap. 6t bell, 167 At Cha Then Wi Cripplega of Foun Killed. b/} o> 3 1/) d u .•3 o B3 -C o B pa --a 3 £0* u ■ 3 X **• 3 B * T3 u 00 ""a o Q S K^ 3 a— "B • j ■ &•- ■* « Ul00 ro S 3 >o a u^* ' S u » p .izi^J S In o ' B .00 1^0 -a _§„-!=! ii^OO CS O K. ! 9^ r Q ^ r- w ^ Ul . S N« S N .a 1-1 a o ■>*■ a 2^a A-s ^ " E a .2 OJ -^ "C .a*S B X ,d a (L» **-i n , 4> "o 61 1— > ? 8 O Cli 3 (A a cu *■ T3 u ^3 ? ga •^ S S«7i 0.2 O to I/) tl " rt £ a w a & ■&S ■D tS S a o'So -t- 1 u « S ^3 t „ w fj COO (A O- " a «i p^ i-^ M (A d * S ■'" , "KU a v ■" in «" 1:3 bO" .S3 ^-o II " ■a u oj a -jp 3 53 . rt 'rf* . a co'rtl ■" ^ si 1^1^* W3- B rf ■9 a =3 as ; 6 o^a SaSl^ «3 ^ on _ a 1^1 a p" U : " u; d W k . •"' _K* " — ■"=■ r/i 'S ^T dO rt - B" w a a » o Is S 2 > & w " r9^ SEB. " « ^t: -s o rS O o a - 6 d 3 /2 (A S.2 &■ ° I gxo s QJ CU S 220 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. The Drayton Parslow Foundry. Drayton Parslow (originally Drayton Passelew), the birthplace of many excellent bells during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, is twelve miles from Buckingham, and about six from Leighton Buzzard, in Bedford- shire. It is a small agricultural village, with a population (for the whole parish) considerably short of five hundred ; and at the beginning of the present century, it had only three hundred. It consists of little more than two streets, built on the slope of a hill, running down from the church and rectory, which stand on the edge of the higher ground at the south- western extremity. About the middle of the village is a small smithy, having for its next neighbour the " Three Horse Shoes," a hostelry of the humblest description, built soon after 1850. At the back of these tenements is a bit of garden ground, and a paddock, the surface much broken by old foundations, which mark the site of the former foundry, worked, together with the smithy, by several generations of the Chandler family. The first of the Drayton Parslow founders was RICHARD Richard Chandler, the eldest and only surviving son PHANDLER I °^ Anthony Chandler, blacksmith, of that village. Richard was baptized in 1601-2, and married in 1622. We have nothing to show us where he learnt the art; but as the Buckingham Foundry, only a dozen miles away, came to an end less than three years before he is known to have been founding, that seems an extremely likely locality. He was founding at Drayton by 1636, and perhaps by the year previous (or even earlier). The second bell at Thornton, which has nothing but the date 1635, may very possibly be by him ; the figures correspond with each other in size, but the .three last are not identical with any other examples that I have met with, although the 6 is so like subsequent figures from this foundry, that it may well have been a stamp belonging here ; while the identity or otherwise of a 1, would hardly be a safe point to hang a man on, but so far as it goes, the figure appears to be identical with one subsequently used here. The only other candidate for the assignment of this bell is James Keene (see p. 165), and as the 1 is not his (though all four figures are more or less similar to his), the balance is in favour of Drayton Parslow. The next year we are on certain ground : — RICHARD CHAtfDELER 1636 DRAYTON PARSLOW — THE FIRST RICHARD CHANDLER. 221 appears on four bells, three of which are, or were, until recently, in Bucks, for one of them, the second at Granborough — is now melted. The others are the second at Nettleden, and the treble at Stewkley. They all three have the little stops, figs, yy, 78, 79. Fig. 77- Fig. 78. Nettleden, in addition, has the later lion's head stamp (fig. 33), which belonged to the Reading founders, and was last used by them early in the sixteenth century (p. 62), and once at some later period by an unknown founder on a bell at Harpsden, Oxon (mentioned in a foot-note, p. 93). It was probably picked up accidentally by Richard Chandler, and its occur- rence can not be supposed to show any connection between him and its previous owner. The lettering on these bells is about ^ inch larger than the smaller set on Plate XXXIII. The fourth example, which is at Milton Bryant, in Bedfordshire, seems to be similarly inscribed, except that the stamps are said* to be figs. 80 and 78. Fig. 79- Fig. 80. Richard's only other known bell is the tenor at Cheddington, dated 1638. This has the same inscription, used twice ; the stops are figs, yy and 80, He died in June of that year. The following copy of his will was given me by Mr. Stahlschmidt : — * Bells of Beds, p. 71. 222 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Archdeaconry of Bucks. In the Name of God. Amen. I Richard Chandler of Draighton Parslowe in the Countie of Bucks Bell founder doe constitute ordaine and make this my last Will and Testament in manner and forme followinge First I bequeath my Soule into the hands of Allmightie God my only Savio r and Redeemer And my bodie to be buried in the Church yarde of Draighton pslowe And for my worldly {sic) to be bestowed in manner and forme (vidzt) as followeth Item my true intent and meaninge is that my father and mother is to have halfe the howsinge and halfe the said messuage and halfe the proffitts belonginge unto it duringe the longest liver of them and by contract of jmise my father and my mother shall not entertaine nor take in noe Inmate in to any pte or pcell of the said messuage duringe their life time and by contract of promise and bargaine there is five pounds to be paid and rated and levyed out of the said messuage one yeare after the decease of the longest liver of them my fath r or my moth r where my fath r will dispose of it Item I give and bequeath unto Bridgett my wife the whole messuage w th the appur- tennes belonginge to it after the decease of my father and my mother soe longe as she kepe her selfe widowe Item I give unto my sonne Anthonie my house wherein his grand- father dwells the barne stable and cowe house and half the orchard and all the close after his mothers widowes estate Item I give unto my sonne Richard my house wherein I dwell and my barne and cowe house ioyneinge to it and halfe the orchard next to the lane to be devided by indifferent men. Item I give unto my daughter Anne five poundes to be paid her by my sonne Anthony w'hin one yeare after that he shall enter upon his meanes Item I give unto my daughter Elizabeth five poundes to be paid her by my son Anthony w th in two yeares after that he shall enter upon his meanes Item I give unto my daughter Joane five poundes to bee paid her by my son Richard two yeares after that he shall enter upon his meanes Item my will is that {sic) either of my two sonnes shall happen to dye before that they be lawfully marryed then his parte of the said messuage shall returne unto my other sonne And my will is yf both my sonnes shall happen to dye before they be lawfully marryed then the whole messuage shall bee equally devided to my three daughters And my will is yf my daughter Anne shall happen to dye before the time is that her stocke is due then it shall remaine to my other two daughters equally devided amongst them And my will is yf my daughter Elsabeth shall happen to dye before the time that her stocke is due then it shall remaine to my daughter Joane Item I give unto Bridgett my wife all the rest of my goods unbequeathed cattells chattells and ymplements of household stuffe my debts being paid and my funerall discharged whome I make my whole and full Executor of all my goodes unbequeathed whatsoever — whereunto I put my hand and seale — Marke of Richard Chandler — Sealed in the $nce of — The m r ke of Thomas Hawkins — John Bay ley — Anthonie Chandler. Proved 22 nd Nov r 1638 — by Bridgett — widow & executrix &c. ANTHONY Richard's eldest son, Anthony (or Anthonie), who CHANDLER was baptized m August, 1622, was therefore probably not sixteen at the time of his father's death, and although the smithy may have been kept going, the bellfounding appears to have been dropped until the year 1650, when he would be in his DRAYTON PARSLOW FOUNDRY — ANTHONY CHANDLER. 223 twenty-eighth year. He then cast the treble at Simpson, which is one of the most oddly-shaped bells to be seen in any church tower. It is very little larger round at the lip than at the shoulder, and much narrower in the waist than at the shoulder ; its minimum girth would be about half-way between crown and lip. I can give no opinion as to the tone, though I have yet to learn that any bell from this foundry is otherwise than good. It is inscribed in the smaller set of lettering on Plate XXXIII., which is almost exactly similar to that used by Richard, but about ^ of an inch smaller : — CHANDLER MVDE ME I 6 1 followed by the pattern, fig. 81., and the fleur-de-lis, fig. 78. Fig. 81. Two bells in Gloucestershire, mentioned by Mr. Ellacombe, should be noted here ; for though they are not likely to have been cast in Bucks, they may perhaps have been the work of a member of this family, settled else- where. The treble at Sevenhampton, in that county, has the inscription : — BE . YEE . FOLLOWARES . OF . GOD . AS . DEARE . CHILDREN . W . CHANLER © 1650 © The non-occurrence of their founder's name in the Drayton Parslow Register, does not prove that he did not belong to the family. The name is occasionally spelt CHANLER in the Drayton Register at about this period. The coin on either side of the date are impressions of a spurious Jewish shekel. There is another bell with this inscription, at Hasfield, in the same county, but without a name ; dated, ANNO 1649. The lettering on neither is described. In 165 1 Anthony cast what was probably at the time the entire ring — four bells — at Northchurch (Berkhampstead), Herts. In addition to his imprint as before (the name on the two inner bells spelt Chandler, and on the outer two, Chandeler), comes on each : LORD HAVE MERCI OF MAM. 224 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. In 1652, one similarly inscribed (CHANDLER MADE ME) at Great Horwood, with the pattern, fig. 81, and a fleur-de-lis rather less wide than the example on Plate XXXIII. At North Crawley and Pitstone, one each similar, with figs. 77, 78, and 81. Three at Aston Abbots, left out of original four, or possibly five, with the same inscription, with figs, yj, 78, 79 ; and one in Beds. 1653: One at Woughton, melted 1887. It is now made to say, "Richard Chandler made me 1653" (which is, no doubt, untrue), "Gillett recast me, etc." Messrs. Gillett had just recast another bell, from this tower that was by the third Richard Chandler sixty-four years later, when the unfortunate accident befell this bell that terminated its existence ; obviously it was inscribed, like all its cotemporaries, with Chandler's surname, without Christian name or initial, and Messrs. Gillett made, what might have been a confusing mistake, by prefixing " Richard." Anthony's later bells, from this date, are without any stops or ornaments, except where specified. 1654 : Two remaining at Swanbourne — the name spelt CHAHDELER — out of probable original ring of five ; and one in Beds. Also one, formerly at Apsley Guise, Beds, but now melted, with the inscription,* " Who made thee. Chandler made me 1654 " 1655 : Broughton treble ; one each in Beds and Herts. 1656 : Addington second ; one in Herts. 1657 : The saunce at East Claydon, with no inscription beyond the date, is, with hardly a doubt, by Anthony Chandler ; but it is very difficult to be positive with only seventeenth century figures, which vary in nearly every example. During the next three years — which saw the Commonwealth out — there are no bells known from this foundry, but with the restoration of the monarchy began better times for bellfounders, and in 1661 was cast the third at Stewkley ; and in 1662, the ring of three at Little Wolston, and four bells in Herts. There were certainly two other Richard RICHARD Chandlers connected with the foundry, besides the PHANDLER II ^ rst °^ ^ a t name > while the number of Mrs. Richard Chandlers alluded to in the Registers imply the existence of at least one other Richard at this period, not counting one who died, apparently unmarried, in 1687 (and whose father, described * Bells of Beds. DRAYTON PARSLOW — THE SECOND RICHARD CHANDLER. 225 as Richard, "senior,'' I take to have been No. II.). Anyone who will go carefully through the extracts from the Registers (given further on) will, I think find, as I have done — that these ladies are too many for him ! How- ever, I have (rashly) found a tentative place in the pedigree of the family for all the Mrs. Richard Chandlers, except Judith, whom, with her puzzling daughters, Rebekah and Rebecca, and perhaps her husband, I have perforce omitted. It would appear that the second Richard (Anthony's younger brother) was never promoted to the dignity of putting his name on a bell ; all later bells bearing the name Richard Chandler, which begin in 1675, no doubt refer to his nephew (Anthony's eldest son), and it is extremely doubtful whether there are any bells which can be referred to No. II. By carefully analysing the different sets of letters used by the Chandlers, I hoped to be able to pick out the works of Richard II. As a result (omitting differences between individual stamps), ten distinct sets appear, but unless it can be shown that Richard III. took a back seat during his uncle's lifetime, although his younger brother George came well to the front during part of that time, I think the inevitable conclusion is, that Richard No. II. took rather a back seat (and not his nephew, No. III.). On a few bells from this foundry — and certainly only a few — the inscrip- tion is placed lower down than the ordinary position ; generally on a line with, and taking the place of portions of, the " rims " ; it then reads as follows : — i CHANDLER MADE ME . As the dates of these few bells coincide very fairly with the known date of Richard II., one cannot help surmising that they may mark his mouldings. The fact that the latest bell so inscribed (in Bucks, at any rate), is dated 1705, while the Register states that Richard was buried on the 1st January, 1704, is no great difficulty. As the new year, up to and until the year 1752, began on March 25th, instead of 1st January, Richard died near the end of December, 1704, and he may well have had the bell in hand at that time, with the new year's date already stamped on the cope. On the other hand, a bell at Passenham, Northampts, and one at Bicester, Oxon, respectively dated 1711 and 17 15, with the inscriptions on the waist, may be taken as upsetting this theory. The peculiarity is not noticed in the Histories of The Bells of Beds, Herts, or Northampts (in which counties bells from this foundry occur), and without a complete 2 G 226 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. knowledge of the state of the case in those counties, one cannot do more than just suggest the theory. ' It is possible that a few bells cast during the early years of Anthony's time, on which the name is spelt CHAMDELER, may also be by Richard II. These are two out of the four from this foundry, dated 165 1, at Northchurch (Berkhampstead), Herts; and the two remaining at Swanbourne, dated 1654. Others are reported later on, under the year 1684. The second at Little Wolston (1662) is the earliest bell with the inscrip- tion down among the rims ; the others will be pointed out as they occur. 1663 : One bell in Herts. 1664 : The second at Middle Claydon, with inscription among the rims ; one (ordinary) at Grendon Underwood ; five in Herts. 1665 : Four in Herts. 1666 : One in Beds. 1667 : The treble at Haversham ; the single " big bell " at Cublington. 1668 : The four upper bells at Mentmore ; the frame was made in that year by someone whose initials were I C, and who was, very likely, a member of the Chandler family. The fifth (tenor) is dated the following year, as are also the tenors at Hoggeston and Little Brickhill. 1670: The second at Bow Brickhill. 167 1 : The saunce at Newport Pagnell, inscribed A C, and probably the whole ring of six at Whaddon, of which four now remain. The fifth and tenor are inscribed as usual. The treble has the large arabesque, on Plate XXXIII. — which occurs nowhere else that I know of; certainly nowhere else in Bucks — and the usual inscription underneath. The fourth, in addition to the usual inscription, has the name of the donor, or patron of the living, and the churchwardens' initials, which are not usually met with on bells from this foundry. The head of the fifth is a defective casting ; one side of the crown is higher than the other, and the canons are imperfect, having been evidently cast so, and not broken off since. 1672 : The whole ring no doubt, of five, at Little Horwood, of which the fourth has been recast. They all have their inscriptions down among the rims. On the treble, third, and tenor, this is the ordinary one ; on the second it consists of the initials A C, and those of the churchwardens. The tenor is broken, and has so hung for more than thirty years, a warning against the common practice of making the stay too strong. One bell in Beds, with the full name — Anthony Chandler. 1673 : Eight in Herts ; one in Beds. These all have either his Christian name and surname in full, or his initials. DRAYTON PARSLOW — THE THIRD RICHARD CHANDLER. 227 Lipscomb (III,, 502) mentions a brass plate in Whaddon Church, recording the gift of a clock to the church in 1613 ; the inscription ending, Anthony Chandler made me, 1673. " That is," Lipscomb says, " the clock." It will be noticed that there is an interval of sixty years between the gift of the clock and the date Chandler is said to have made it. There is no other evidence that Chandler combined these two trades (though many bellfounders have begun as clockmakers), and it seems much more likely that " made it " means simply the brass plate, commemorative of the earlier gift. The full inscription is given under Whaddon, in Part III. 1674: The treble at Middle Claydon, and the RICHARD tenor at Akeley, have a different set of letters, CHANDLER III. evidently made to match the old set as nearly as possible. Among several lesser differences, just enough to show that the inscriptions are from distinct sets of letters, the N is here the right way about, instead of VL. This change probably marks the first appearance of Richard Chandler III., the eldest son of Anthony, who was baptized 15th December, 1650. We may with tolerable safety infer that he became partner with his father on completing his twenty-first year, from which time Anthony put his Christian name on his bells. 1675 : The seconds at Hardwick and Milton Keynes — both with the full Christian name Anthony ; and a ring of three at Over Winchendon by Richard III., the earliest appearance of his name. The lettering on the Winchendon bells is one inch in height, but closely resembling in character the previous sets. The N is of the correct form. 1676 : The single bell at Grove, with Anthony's name on it, and the second ( = tenor) at Adstock, by Richard III., in their respective letterings ; and the second ( = tenor) at Hawridge, with merely the date in Richard's figures. 1677: The second at Grendon Underwood, by Richard III.; one in Beds by Anthony. 1678 : The single bell at Gayhurst, and the sanctus at Wingrave, by Anthony ; the second, third, and fourth at Marsh Gibbon, the sanctus at Bierton, and one in Beds, by Richard ; the figure 8 is peculiar on Richard's bells, the lower loop being triangular (2). 1679 : The two last of Anthony's bells ; the treble at Walton, and the tenor at Marsworth — the latter, alas, since I saw it in July, 1886, has been melted. The inscription on both was : — AWTHOtfy CHANDLER PRAtBE THE LORD +679 228 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. The two last words on the two bells were formed from different stamps, though belonging, doubtless, to the same set. In addition to Anthony's uncles (who died as children) and his grand- father, the deaths of four of this name are recorded in the Drayton Registers. The earliest of these was buried on the ist September, 1679. No descrip- tion of either of the four is given, so it is most likely that they died in order of seniority ; that is, that each at the time of his decease, was the principal Anthony of the period, and, taken in conjunction with the date of his will, we may safely suppose this entry to refer to Anthony the bellfounder. His will, as follows, is at Somerset House : — Archdeaconry of Buckingham. In the name of God Amen The Twenty eight day of August in the yeare of our Lord God 1679 and in the yeare of the raigne of our soueraigne Lord Charles the second of England Scotland ffrance Ireland King defendour of the faith &c the One & thirtieth 1 Anthony Chandler of Draiton psloe in the County of Bucks Bellfounder being sicke & weake in body but of good & perfect memory (praised be God) doe make & ordaine this my last will & teftament in Manner & forme followinge And firft & principally I commend & committ my Soule vnto allmighty God my Creator hopeing & stedfastly beleivinge throught the only merritts death and pafsion of my Lord & Sauiour Chrift Jefus to be made ptaker of euerlafting liffe & blefsednefs in the kingdome of heauen And as for my body I yealde that to the earth to bee buried in decent manner in the pifh Church yard of Draiton ploe jie at the defcretion of my executors here after named And touching my Temporall eftate where w th Allmighty God hath blefsed mee in this life I dispose thereof as ffolloweth Imprimus: I giue & bequeath unto Elizabeth my dearly beloved wife three pounds ffiue shillings a yeare dureing her naturall life to be paid by my executor hereafter named And dureing her widdow hood eftate to haue the parlour in my now dwelling houfe w th the roome ouer it for an habitation for her And the bedd and bedding therevnto belonging w th the Curtaines and valence wherein shee doth now lye dureing her widdow hood eftate alfoe, & noe longer : w th one thoufand a turfe ready cutt & dryed yearly dureing her naturall life to be laid in for her for fireinge in cafe shee doth ftill inhabite in draiton psloe aforesaid And my will and meaninge is that if fhee bee at any time minded to dwell w th any of her other Children in any place elce then shee is to receive only the three pounds ffiue shillings a yeare : w ctl said three pounds ffiue shillings a yeare dureing her naturall life shall be paid quarterly in every yeare on the ffoure most ufuall quarter dayes that is to fay at the feaft day of S l Michaell tharchangell & the feast day of the birth of our Lord God & the ffeaft day of the Anunciation of the blefsed virgin & the feaft day of S' John baptift the firft payment to begin on that ffeaft day of these four w^ shall firft happen next after my deceafe And alfoe my will & meaninge is & I doe giue and bequeath vnto my Dearly beloved wife alfoe that milch cow wch I now haue : to bee at her difposall : Item I doe giue & bequeath vnto George my second sonne the sume of Tenn pounds to be paid vnto him at the end of twoo yeares next ffollowing my deceafe, by my executor hereafter named : Item I doe giue & bequeath vnto Thomas my third & youngeft sonne the sume of eight poundes to be paid vnto him DRAYTON PARSLOW FOUNDRY— ANTHONY CHANDLER'S WILL. 229 at the end of ffour yeares next ffollowing my deceafe by my executor hereafter named And my will & meaneinge is that my sonne George shall work togeather w th Richard my eldeft sonne in my shopp in Draiton aforesaid, for the space of Two yeares next after my deceafe : he demeaning himfelfe loveingly & orderly as he* ought one towards another & alfoe my will & meaninge is That Thomas my youngeft fonne shall worke togeather w th Richard my eldeft fonne in my shopp at Draiton aforefaid for the space of ffoure years next after my deceafe he demeaninge himfelfe Loveingly & orderly as he ought to doe. Item I giue and bequeath alfoe vnto George my fecond foone aforefaid my beft paire of Double bellowes & all the tooles in the shopp w<=h he himself hath made ; Item I giue & bequeath vnto Thorn {sic) Thomas my youngeft fonne one of thofe two vizes in my lefser shopp : w'i>a paire of Double bellowes: in my other shopp : Item I giue vnto George my fecond sonn alfoe my beft fute of wearing Apparell : And I giue vnto [Thomas my youngeft my beft hatt]t Richard my eldeft sonn my beft hatt : And then all the reft of my wearinge Apparrell I giue & bequeath vnto Thomas my youngeft fonne : Item I giue vnto Ann : Typaings my eldeft daughter the sume of ffiue pounds to be paid vnto her at the end of sixe years next After my deceafe by my executor hereafter named Item I giue Elizabeth Clayfon my second daughter the sume of ffiue pounds to be paid vnto her at the end of eight yeares next after my deceafe by my executor hereafter named Item I giue & bequeath vnto Bridgett my third daughter the fume of ffiue pounds to be paid vnto her at the end of Tenn yeares next after my deceafe by my executor hereafter named Item I doe giue & bequeath vnto Dinah my ffourth daughter the sume of ffiue pounds to bee paid by my executor hereafter named at the end of Twelue yeares next After my deceafe Item I doe give & bequeath vnto Leah my ffifth daughter the sume of ffiue pounds to be paid by my executor hereafter named at the end of ffourteene yeares next after my deceafe Item I doe giue & bequeath vnto Richard my eldeft fonne & to his heires for ever All my lands Tenem's & Hereditaments whatsoever as well ffreehold as leafe hold hold (sic) fcituate & beinge in Draiton psloe aforefaid in the County of Bucks & in the pifh of Stutely in the County of Bucks And all the reft of my goods and Chattells vnbequeathed my debts paid & legacies difcharged I giue & bequeath vnto Richard alfoe my eldeft fonne whome I doe make & ordaine my sole executor of this my laft will & Teftament In wittnefs whereof to this my laft will and Teftament 1 haue sett to my hand & seale the day & yeare above written Sealed signed & publifhed in the prefence of : Willm Bailey the m r k of Rich + Chandler fen the m"-k , of the marke df Anthony (/ Chandler Anthony + Chandler Proved 21 April, 1680, before John Hillersden, S.T.B.J 1680 : One bell by Richard in Herts. * Corrected from they. \ Erased. X Archdeacon of Sutton-cum-Buckingham (Lipscomb, II., 572). 230 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. GEORGE 168 1 : First appearance of George, the brother of CHANDLER Richard III., and second son of Anthony (the founder) and Elizabeth. He was baptized on the 3rd March, 1654. There are still remaining at Slapton the second and third bells by him in this year, out of a probable three, and possible five ; they are inscribed with George's name, in the lettering formerly used by his father, with a widely-extended fleur-de-lis, about \ inch high by \\ inch wide (Plate XXXIII.). The sanctus at Great Brickhill has simply his initials and the date, in the same lettering.' The lower five bells (one now recast) at Aspenden, in Herts — probably at that date the entire ring. There are three bells by Richard in that county and one in Beds, dated this year. 1682 : The fourth at Dinton, two in Beds, and one in Herts, by Richard. The fourth at Marsworth and the saunce at Whaddon, both with the extended fleur-de-lis, and two in Herts, by George. 1683 : A ring of three at Willen, by Richard, and one bell in Herts; the latter has, in addition, two impressions of a coin. One in Herts, by George, is the last bearing his name, until the year 1702, when it recom- mences. Lipscomb (III. 527), whose information on the subject of bells is, however, extremely untrustworthy and inaccurate, says that George cast the tenor at Wing, in 1687. Unfortunately the bell is no longer in existence to prove or refute this statement, having been exchanged in 1863. The present bell is 55 £ inches in diameter, and the sexton declares that the old bell was bigger, and remarks that he had every opportunity of knowing, as the present bell was brought before the old one was removed from the floor of the church. The Rev. T. A. Turner (Records of Bucks, IV., 126) says that Messrs. Taylor, when at Wing in 1842, about the recasting of the fifth bell, estimated the tenor at about twenty-six hundredweight. This would be less than the present bell by Warner, which, according to the scale of weights for their bells, would weigh about twenty-nine and a quarter hundred- weight. Browne Willis, in his MS., estimated the then existing tenor at thirty-three hundredweight. Lipscomb more cautiously says, " said to weigh from 31 to 33 cwt." Anyway, if this bell was by George Chandler, it was probably his largest work, the present bell being the largest in the county. Beginning this year (three examples in Herts) bells were frequently in- scribed as in Anthony's time, with the surname only, without Christian name or initial before it, and this practice was continued after the reappearance of George's name. Richard's name still, however, appears nearly every year. Mr. Stahlschmidt {Bells of Herts, p. 49) considered these initialless bells as the production of " the firm," which seems a reasonable suggestion. DRAYTON PARSLOW FOUNDRY — GEORGE CHANDLER. 23 1 It is more difficult to account for George disappearing for about nineteen years. Perhaps the most likely explanation is that the business could hardly bear three partners, and that George, as the junior, hoped to better himself, either by devoting himself exclusively to the forge, or possibly by finding something to do, away from his native village. The foundry con- tinued apparently to be worked by the two Richards — uncle and nephew — until 1702, when the uncle would be over seventy, probably something like seventy-seven, years old ; when we may well suppose that it was time to take fresh assistance into the business, and that George was therefore invited once more to take part in the concern. It is within the bounds of possi- bility — though I do not in the least suggest that it was so — that Richard III.'s brother George had died at the time his name disappears, and that the George of the eighteenth century was another individual ; but the former seems by far the most likely theory. With regard to " the firm " theory, I would point out that, with the exception of one bell cast in 1694 (by "the firm"), and one in 1708 (by Richard*), each of which has a set of lettering to itself, all the bells cast by the Chandlers subsequently to 1683, are inscribed in letters from one or other of five sets. Two of these sets were used by Richard, or " the firm'' ; two by George., or " the firm " ; the fifth by " the firm " only ; and neither of these partners ever inscribed his name in letters belonging to the other. At least this is the state of the case in Bucks. In the Histories of the Bells of Beds and Herts, in which counties a good many of the Chandlers' bells are found, the lettering used on each is not particularized, so I do not kno'w whether any exceptions to the above rule occur. 1684 : Three bells existing out of a probably complete ring of five, in a fresh county — Northamptonshire (at Stoke Bruerne), are said by Mr. North, in his History of the Bells of that county, to be inscribed : CHAKDELER MADE ME 1684. If this is correct, it must be a late use of Anthony's lettering, by Richard II.? 1685 : One in Beds and two in Herts, by Richard. 1686: The treble at Pitchcot, by "the firm," in heavier lettering, 1.2 inch high (the larger plain lettering on Plate XXXIII.), which belonged to Richard ; and the sanctus at Stewkley, with no inscription beyond the date in the figures belonging to Richard's earliest set of letters, one inch high. Two bells in Beds and one in Northampts, by " the firm." * Hall, successor to the Chandlers, used this set once in 1737, and two years later acquired a new, very similar set. 232 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. 1687 : A ring of five at Flitton, Beds, by Richard ; and two by him at Guilden Morden, Cambridgeshire — a new county for this foundry. 1688 : Two by " the firm " in Herts, and one by Richard in Cambridge- shire. This bell — the tenor at Melbourne — is thus alluded to in Dr. Raven's Bells of Cambs, p. 95 : " Mr. Sperling describes it as one of the grandest sounding bells for its weight [eighteen hundredweight], that he ever heard, ... to which, no doubt, every Melbourne man will readily assent." And again, in detailing the inscriptions at p. 159, "Mr. Sperling greatly praises the Tenor." Its diameter is forty-seven inches. Note F. 1690 : The saunce at Little Horwood, in Richard's second set of lettering, 1.2 inch high. There is no initial, and the inscription being down among the rims, I suppose the bell to be the work of Richard II. 1 69 1 : The single bell at Hartwell, by Richard III., in his first lettering, one inch high. 1693: The second at Buckland, by "the firm," in Richard's 1.2 inch lettering ; one by Richard in Beds. 1694: The second at Simpson, by Richard, in the 1.2 inch lettering; and the second at Marsworth, inscribed in lettering which seems not to occur elsewhere — it certainly does not in Bucks (see Plate XXXIII.) : — • The last figure differs from the ornamented remainder, in being perfectly plain ; it probably belongs to George Chandler's largest plain set (see 1704). 1695 : The saunce at Beachampton, with merely the date in the figures belonging to Richard's 1.2 inch set of lettering, and the pattern, fig. 82, which only occurs to my knowledge, once again (see 17 15). The tenor at Tring, in Herts, by " the firm," is one of the larger productions of this foundry, being fifty-one inches in diameter ; there is a note in the ringing- chamber that, "the big bell was cast at Drayton Paslow, 1695."* 1696 : The saunce at Great Horwood, with merely the date, in the figures belonging to Richard's one-inch letters. One by Richard in Beds. 1697 : The second at Soulbury, by " the firm," in the 1.2 inch type ; and one by them in Beds and one in Herts. 1699 : The fourth at North Marston, bears Richard's name, in the 1.2 inch lettering, but down among the rims, and I therefore doubtfully attribute it * Bells of Herts, p. 234. DRAYTON PARSLOW FOUNDRY — THE CHANDLERS. 233 to Richard II. The saunce at Stone, in the same lettering is (presumably) by Richard III. One by him at Gamlingay, in Cambridgeshire. 1700: The treble at Weston Turville, by "the firm," the lettering used being very similar to the last mentioned, but smaller, if- of an inch high. One bell in Beds, inscribed simply : R . c 1700. 1701 : The third at Woughton, by "the firm," in the same lettering as the Weston bell. One by Richard at Bedford. 1702: The single bell at S. Leonard's, by "the firm," in the same lettering as the Weston and Woughton bells. These are the only three bells in the county on which this set of letters is used ; but the figures reappear in 1708. The fourth bell at Tetsworth, Oxon, has simply 1702, in figures which are extremely similar, but whether identical I cannot be certain. If so, it is the most southerly bell from this foundry. George's name reappears this year, on the third at Marsworth, in large letters, if inch high. Two by Richard at Fringford, Oxon, in the 1.2 inch lettering. The former saunce at Swanbourne had merely Richard's initials. Fig. 82. 1703 : The tenor at Slapton, by George, in the if inch lettering. One by him in Herts. One by Richard in Beds. The only gravestone to a member of this family that I could find in Drayton Parslow churchyard, is inscribed, under the spread wings of a cherub (twe conventional ornament of gravestones about that time) : — In Memory of Sussana ye Daughter To Richard Chandler And to Susanna His Wife She Departed This Life ¥v(illegible)RY 24 In y 18 Year of Her Age Ann Dom 1704 {On the reverse of the stone.) As I Am cnj So Muft you bee Therefore Prepare to follow mee H 234 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. The Register tells us that "Susan y e daughter of Rich4 Chaundler belfounder was buryed feb. 28. 1703 " ; that is, towards the close of the year, which at that time ended on March 24th, while the tombstone would not be engraved until after an interval of at least several weeks from the death, when the mason seems to have inadvertently carved the new year's date. 1704: The third at Milton Keynes, bearing Richard's name, in the 1.2 inch type, down among the rims.and therefore, as I suppose, by Richard II. The tenor at Drayton Beauchamp, by " the firm," is a long-shaped bell, in- scribed in the largest of all the Drayton sets of plain lettering, if inch high, which belonged (as appears later) to George. Two by Richard in Beds. 1705 : The second at Chesham Bois, by "the firm," with George's large if inch letters; and the third at Wavendon, by "the firm," in Richard's heavy 1.2 inch letters ; while the tenor at the latter place, bearing Richard's name in the same lettering, below the usual position, te, I conceive, the last production of the nearly octogenarian founder, Richard II. One by George in Beds. 1707 : A bell at Cosgrove, Northampts, by Richard. 1708 : The tenor at Tyringham, by Richard, in a set of letters i| inch high, not found elsewhere, except on a bell cast by Hall, at this foundry, in 1737. The saunce at Whitchurch has nothing on it except the date, but as the figures belong to the set A|. inch high, used by "the firm " in 1700, 1701, and 1702, this bell may safely be assigned to this foundry. The tenor at Buckland, by George, in his largest letters, ij inch high. 1709: The tenor at Walton, by "the firm," in the same big letters. One by Richard in Beds. 171 1: One by "the firm" (at Passenham) in Northampts, in the 1.2 inch lettering, the inscription being below the rims. The date is stamped in two groups, thus — 17 11, so as to render it slightly doubtful whether that is the year intended ; and one by Richard in Beds. 17 1 3 : The second at Whaddon, by Richard, in his 1.2 inch letters. 1 7 14: The treble at Nettleden, with George's initials in his large type, 1 § inch high. The saunce at Soulbury, with Richard's initials in his 1.2 inch type. One in Herts, by " the firm." 1715: The fourth at Slapton, with George's initials, in his largest, if inch letters. The seventh at Bicester, Oxon, by Richard, in his 1 .2 inch letters, low down, with fig. 82 all round above : both lines below the rims. 1716 : The second at Ickford, by " the firm," in George's if inch letters. 1717 : The tenor at Pitchcot, with George's initials in the last-mentioned lettering. The second at Woughton, by Richard, was recast 1887. The DRAYTON PARSLOW FOUNDRY — THOMAS CHANDLER. 235 ring of five at Kensworth, in Herts, has George's name on the tenor, the surname only on the first four. 17 19 : The saunce at Long Crendon, with George's initials, in his large type, if inch. One by " the firm " in Herts. 1720 : The treble at Dunton and the second at Tyringham, by Richard, in his i.2 inch lettering. 1722 : The second at Wendover,by "the firm," in George's last-mentioned lettering. One by Richard in Beds. 1723 : One by Richard at Hulcote, in Beds, is the latest appearance of his name. The tenor at Great Gaddesden, in Herts, by " the firm." The saunce at Emmington, in the south-east corner of (THOIVIAS Oxfordshire, inscribed : T C 1723, in George's if inch CHANDLER.) lettering, must be referred to Thomas Chandler, younger brother of Richard III. and of George, and proves that he also was in "the firm," though he only thus came to the front on his eldest brother (Richard)'s retirement. 1725 : One by George in Beds — -the latest appearance of his name. 1726 : The third at Stone by " the firm," in George's if inch letters, is the latest known bell bearing the name of Chandler. Richard was buried on the 27th April, in this year, having perhaps been incapacitated from work for the last three years. Neither of the brothers George or Thomas continued the business, and nothing is known as to George's later history, but as his burial is not recorded in the Drayton Parslow Register, it would seem not unlikely that he gave up the founding business on his brother's death, and left the village. I hunted unsuccessfully for his death in the registers of the neighbouring village of Stewkley, where several Chandlers occur. Thomas was buried at Drayton Parslow, in 1732. Three Chandler bells are recorded by Mr. North, in Beds, without dates : two of these (at Toddington and Wilden respectively) are inscribed : CHANDLER MADE ME. The N being quoted as the right way about, they probably date after 1673, but without knowing what letters are used, nothing more definite can be said about them. The other bell (at Clophill) has only R C R C. The repetition is suggestive of the first Richard, but here also it is impossible to form an opinion without knowing the lettering. The Drayton Parslow Foundry was continued by EDWARD Edward Hall, who, we may suppose, had been previously uai l working in the business. Nothing is known as to his origin, but it seems not unlikely that he may have been a son of Henry Hall, of the neighbouring parish of Stewkley. 236 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Two bells by him in his first year as master founder, remain ; the treble at Akeley, and the second at Lillingstone Dayrell, both inscribed in Richard Chandler III.'s 1.2 inch letters: — EDWARD HALL MADE ME 1726 followed on the Akeley bell by the initials I N; on the other bell, by D N. His next known bells are dated 1730 — the treble at Winslow and third at Stoke Mandeville — both have the same inscription, with the addition of churchwardens' names on the latter bell. On these, and all subsequent bells by him (in Bucks), with a few exceptions to be noted as they occur, Richard Chandler III.'s 1.2 inch letters are used. Also a bell in Herts. 1 73 1 : The treble at Lathbury. The inscription is below the usual place, but I have no hidden meaning to suggest, as with the Chandlers. 1732 : One in Herts. No bells during the next two years ; but meanwhile Hall lost his (first) wife, Elizabeth, who was buried on Christmas Day, ttIt • or > according to the entry in an another register, 1734/35. 1735 : The fourth at Stewkley ; the inscription below usual place. 1736: The second of the ill-fated ring at Thornborough, which was sold in 1 86 1. 1737 : The treble at Steeple Claydon ; the Christian name is shortened into ED, and the churchwardens' names appended. Also the fourth at Great Horwood, with the regular inscription, but in the lettering ij inch high, used on one bell by Richard Chandler in 1708, the figures reversed. 1739 : The third at Aston Abbots, and — 1740: The tenor ( = fifth) at the same place, both inscribed in lettering which does not appear elsewhere — very similar to the last, but lighter — the letters average about i| inch high ; in the latter bell the inscription is down among the rims. Three bells in Beds. No bells during the next two years ; but on 30th April, 1741, Hall married, for his second wife, "p. b." (= after publication of the banns), as the register adds — Mary, widow of Daniel Stimpson or Timpson, daughter of Richard Chandler III. 1743 : One in Beds. 1744: One in Northampts (at Sulgrave). 1746 : The single bell at Fleet Marston, with only his initials, and the name of the churchwarden, in the 1.2 inch lettering again. During the next five years no bell from this foundry is known. In 1752 the second at Hanslope is inscribed: HALL MADE ME, in the DRAYTON PARSLOW FOUNDRY— THE HALLS. 237 usual lettering, with no Christian name. The fourth at Steeple Claydon, dated 1754, is similarly inscribed. Next comes the entry in the register, in the handwriting of Dr. John Lord, the rector : — (Buried) Edward Hall poor old Bellfounder Feb. 9. 1755. WILLIAM In the following year we get the very last bell from HALL. tn * s f° un dry — the business being, as Mr. Stahlschmidt suggests,* " doubtless killed by the competition of the great London foundries " — namely, the fifth at Hillesden, inscribed :— W HALL MADE MB 1756 We may assume that he was Edward Hall's son, although he is not mentioned in the registers. He was probably the founder of the two previous bells, on which no initial is placed. I am sorry to say that this, the latest specimen of bellfounding in Bucks, has been recently broken and replaced. The Rev. T A. Turner, in a paper published in the Records of Bucks, 1872, p. 125, " Bellfoundries in the county of Buckingham," says : — " One, John Baldwin, a bedridden village worthy, tells me that he in early life succeeded one William Hall, probably a grandson of Edward Hall above, in the village smithy business, which at that time was, and still is, carried on on the site of the old bell-foundry. Baldwin bears testimony, moreover, to having found, whilst digging clay, etc., in the paddock and garden, sundry bits of bell-metal (not preserved) ; also to having taken over with the business sundry metal castings, also small metal and other moulds (not preserved), and a quantity of sand, all which William Hall said his grandfather used in the bell-foundry business." The will of John Chandler, yeoman, of Drayton Parslow, dated 18th September, 1728, 2nd of George II., was — proved the 11* day of Aug!; 1748 before John Stevens Co surrogate by the Oath of Tho? Pool sole Exec. In it he bequeaths to his brother Henry Chandler, living in Drayton Parslow, — All that part of my Mefsuage Cottage or Tenem* now In his pofsefsion wherein he now does dwell & Inhabit with the Appts situate in Drayton Pslow afs followed in each case by the initials Xv \/ lL (which on these, and later bells by him, are in large-sized Roman capitals, if inch high), with the date 1617 ; and between each word is a large heart in outline. The bell recently returned from Slough to Upton, has exactly the same inscriptionf as the latter of the above two, but dated 1619. The second at Steeple Claydon, merely recording the donor's name, and dated 1620, is most likely by Richard Eldridge. The letters are rather clumsy Roman capitals, about IjV of an inch high, perfectly plain, except for a slight central bulge in the I. They very closely resemble, though some at any rate are not identical with, the letters used on the treble at Hedgerley by his successor, twenty years later. The second at Burnham has only his initials, and those of (presumably) the churchwardens, and the date 1624, without any stop or other ornament, in the large Roman capitals. From 16 10 at least, until 1622, Richard Eldridge had a branch establishment at Horsham, in Sussex, the rent of which was only ten shillings a year, so it must have been a very small concern. As records are extant of the casting of bells at Horsham in 1593 and 1594, it is probable that he succeeded someone else in that business, and did not originate it. The Burnham bell is the latest known example by him, and he probably died in that year. * The account is for a year and a half, ended at Michaelmas, 1593, but the item is quite at the beginning of the account, and it appears that the bell must have been in place, ready to be rung, at least by S. Hughes' Day (November 17th), 1592. f This is by far his commonest motto on bells in Surrey churches. 244 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. BRYAN Richard was succeeded by Bryan Eldridge (the ELDRIDGE I fi rst; )> who was doubtless his son. Another son, John, was a weaver at Wokingham. Bells by Bryan are known from 1618. From then to his father's death (or retirement) he used Richard's black-letter type, with English inscrip- tions, and his full name ; from then to 1629 he used a heavy set of Roman capitals, and Latin inscriptions, still with his full name ; and from 1630 to the end of his life, all his bells have the same Latin inscription, " Gloria Deo in excelsis," in heavy Roman capitals, and either his initials or his full name. The single example of his work in Bucks — the treble at Hedgerley, dated 1640 — belongs to the third category. For a stop he used a very solid description of fleur-de-lis, pierced with a small lozenge-shaped hole at the point where the three feathers ought to meet in the middle. Mr. Stahlschmidt supposed that Bryan's first bell (1618) was cast at Horsham, and that he set up at Chertsey, in Surrey, in the following year. He died about the end of August, 1640; his will is printed in Bells of Surrey. He left two sons, Bryan and William, and BRYAN his wife Katherine was appointed sole executrix. ELDRIDGE II Bryan, his elder son, succeeded to the business ; by him Bucks has two examples, the fifth and sixth at Wraysbury (a third example was melted in 1871), inscribed : — BRYANVS ELDRIDGE ME FECIT 1657 His bells, until 1648, are all inscribed in English, and from that time invariably in Latin. He died in November, 166 1 ; his will is also given in Bells of Surrey. The churchwardens' accounts of Harmondsworth (Middlesex), for the five years 1658-62, give us a glimpse of him: — Disbursments. Imprimis, paid to Roger Greatrake for "l u s d making the Bell fiframe and ... \ ... 25 00 00 hanginge the Bells ... ... J Item more paid to him for worke done about the Church Porch and church Rayles ... ... ... ... 00 . 12 . 6 Item more paid for Eleven Loads and 14 foots of Timber ... ... 22 11 8 Itm paid for the carriage of the Timber ... 04 09 00 TWO WILLIAM ELDRIDGES, OF CHERTSEY. 245 Itm paid to Bryan Eldridge the Belfounder for castinge the Belles Brasses and for overplus of Bell metle ... 47 10 00 Item paid for a dinner for those which Carried the Bells to Chartsey and for Horse meate Item, paid in expenses when the Bells were cast Item Expenses when the Bells were fetched home Item Spent at the Raisinge of the Bell fframe Item paid to William Thorny for carriage of y« Bells & Timber ... :\ 01 02 00 02 19 06 00 19 00 00 OS 00 01 10 00 WILLIAM Bryan's younger brother William succeeded to the ELDRIDGE I business, having previously been associated with its management, as there are bells in Sussex bearing the names of both the brothers conjoined, in 1660 and 1661 ; and on one bell in that county, dated 1660, appears William's name only. There are two bells by him in Bucks ; the seventh at Wraysbury, dated 1664, with : — WILLIAM ELDRIDGE MADE MEE ■s and the treble at Dorney with the same inscription, but dated 1698, and with lozenge-shaped stops on each side of it. He died at the end of 1716 ; his will is also printed in Bells of Surrey. With his (WILLIAM death the foundry came to an end, although his FLDRIDPE II ) e ^ est > ar) d only surviving son, William, had for several years apparently been casting in his place, but from the identity of their names, it is impossible to distinguish their productions. Three bells in Surrey, dated 1697 and 1703, have the initials, T. E., which are those of William's second son, (THOMAS Thomas, on them, besides William in full. Thomas ELDRIDGE II.) died in 1708. It would seem probable, from these bells, that the elder son, William, must have com- menced casting not later than the earlier date (1697). The latest Eldridge bell in Surrey is dated 1714, and Mr. Stahlschmidt thought it likely that the foundry may have been given up at that date — killed by the great London foundries of Phelps and Samuel Knight. The younger William subsequently moved to West Drayton, in Middle- sex, and though apparently not in business as a founder, he recast some of the bells there. 246 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. The Stamford (Lincolnshire) Foundry. From the Stamford Foundry, Bucks has a few bells, but none by the more famous family with whom it originated. Tobias (or Tobie) Norris, bellfounder, took up his (TOBIAS freedom at Stamford on the 4th of June, 1607 ; but his NORRIS ) earliest known bell (at Wadenhoe, Northampts) is dated 1603. He died on the 2nd November, 1626, and was (THOMAS succeeded by Thomas Norris, who had taken up his free- NORRIS.) d° m as a bellfounder on 31st December, 1625. Mr. North, from whose account of this foundry, in Bells of Northampts, these particulars are extracted, has given several details of the life of this individual, but as there are no Bucks bells by him, they would be out of place if repeated here. His latest bell (at Fakenham, Norfolk) is dated 1678, in which year he quitted Stamford. Tobyas Norris, probably a son of the former Tobias, 'TOBY AS took up his freedom in 1628, and he is mentioned as a NORRIS.) bellfounder in a document of 1638. He, however, appa- rently occupied a subordinate position in the business. Thomas was succeeded by his son, another Tobias (TOBIAS Norris, who was baptized in 1634 His earliest bell MORRIS III ) m Northampts is dated 1662, and he continued casting until his death in January, 1698-9. ALEXANDER He was succeeded by Alexander Rigby, who R1GBY. appears to have been connected with the Stamford Foundry — perhaps as foreman — ever since Thomas Norris left it, for a bell by him at Swindon, Gloucestershire, is dated {fide Mr. Ellacombe) as early as 1679 ; and another at Great Billing, Northampts, is dated 1684. There are a dozen of his bells in Bucks, and of them nine are dated during the lifetime of Tobias Norris III., and the remaining three not long after his death. First comes the second at Cold Brafield (a better bell, in my judgment, than either of its companions in that tower), cast in 1688. He used a plain initial cross, originally in the possession of the first Tobias Norris. His name is spelt RIGBE, and a three-dot stop is inserted between each word. The following year he cast, doubtless, a complete ring of five at Lavendon, of which the fourth has been recast. The same initial cross is used, while the scroll, fig. 84, takes the place of the three-dot stop between THE STAMFORD AND PETERBOROUGH FOUNDRIES, 247 each word, both being used on the tenor. The letters and other stamps on Rigby's bells are in very high relief— much more so than on any other bells* In 1693 he cast the ring of four at Lillingstone Lovell, using cross, stop, and scroll. In the year of Norris's death, Rigby cast the pretty little resonant and maiden ring of three at Saunderton. These bells have the three-dot stop again, the scroll only appearing on either side of the initial cross on the treble. His name is here spelt RIGBY. The following doggerel on the late treble (melted in 1869) at Badgworth, Gloucestershire, appears to show that Rigby's bells were not always so good as his Buckinghamshire examples : — BADGWORTH . RINGERS . THEY . WERE . MAD . BECAUSE . RIGBE . MADE . ME . BAD . BUT . ABEL . RUDHALL . YOU . MAY . SEE . HATH . MADE . ME . BETTER . THAN . RIGBE . 1 742 The foundry was closed on Rigby's death ; his burial is thus recorded in the Register of S. Martin's Church, Stamford : — 1708 Alexander Rigby, bellfounder, bur. Oct r 29. Henry Penn, of Peterborough. Henry Penn, of Peterborough, supplied one bell to Bucks, the treble at Stoke Goldington, dated 1707, inscribed in neat Roman capitals of two sizes. Where he learnt the business is not known, though Mr. North, in Bells of Northampts, seems to imply that this was an off-shoot from the Stamford Foundry, f His earliest known bell is at Holcott, in Northampts, * With the single modern exception of the late Redenhall (Norfolk) Foundry, from which there is no example in Bucks. t His lettering is extremely similar to Rigby's, but is not identical. 248 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. dated 1703. Several of his bells hang in that county ; six in Leicestershire ; nine in Cambridgeshire ; and at least eight in Huntingdonshire — the ring at S. Ives. These latter bells indirectly proved fatal to him, for the parishioners there, were dissatisfied with them (in Dr. Raven's opinion unreasonably so), and a law-suit was instituted between the churchwardens and Penn. The case was tried at the assizes held at S. Ives in 1729, and the verdict given in Penn's favour. After the trial, as he was mounting his horse in the inn-yard at S. Ives, to return home, he fell down dead from over-excitement.* The Hodsons', Etc, London Foundry. About the second half of the seventeenth century, the Whitechapel Foundry was not the principal bellfounding business in London, but yielded in importance to that belonging to John Hodson and his son Christopher. The exact locality of their foundry is unknown, but the following entry among the baptisms in the Registers of All Hallows' Church, London Wall,f probably gives some idea of its whereabouts : — 1629 Christoffer the sonne of John & Isbell Hodshon the 15 th of Aprill. The churchwardens' accounts of Great Marlow furnish us incidentally with an allusion to a namesake of the younger of these founders, fully thirteen years earlier than the date of any known bell by either of them : ■ among the payments in the account presented April, 1640, are various charges connected with the rehanging of the bells, and among them is : — pd to Chriftopher Hodfon for building y e frame for y e bells 1 13 : 00 : 00 I 736, and on two bells at Bromham, in the same county, we find " Thomas Rvssell of Biddenham and MWU William Rvssell of Wootton made me in 1739." Mr. WILLIAM North gathered from the Biddenham Registers that the RUSSELL ) younger Thomas only resided there between about 1734 and 1740, during which time the baptisms of three sons are recorded. Thomas Russell, the elder, died in January, 1744-5. The sons do not appear to have continued to cast bells after their father's death, and the Wootton Foundry was closed for nearly a quarter of a century. John Emerton, of Marston Moretaine, Beds, married WILLIAM Hannah Cary, of, and at, Wootton, on 8th January, riUIPRTAN 1699-1700. Their son William married Mary Warren, in 1766, and is described on that occasion in the Wootton Register as a clockmaker ; shortly after his marriage he appears to have re-opened the bellfoundry, his first bell being dated 1768. In 1779 he cast the tenor at Weston Underwood, describing himself (in * It will be noticed by anyone numismatically inclined, that the coins on this and the last bell are both of the reign preceding that in which the bell was cast, Anne having died in 1 7 14, and George I. in 1727. 256 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. a double-line inscription) as " of Wootton, near Bedford," in Russell's larger lettering, and using the pentacle, and Russell's scroll. In 1780 he cast the third at Whaddon,* similarly inscribed without the scroll, another small stamp being substituted'. His coin (apparently like the previous examples, a shilling) has on the obverse, bust dexter, "GEORGIVS HI DEI GRATIA," and reverse, the royal arms, crowned. Occasionally he spelt his name with two Ms. The date of William Emerton's death has not been ascertained ; but his latest bell (in Beds) is dated 1789. He is supposed to have been ruined by the inability of the parish of S. John Baptist, Bedford, to pay for three bells which he cast for it. With him this foundry came to an end. Edward Hemins, of Bicester, Oxon. Nothing is known as to the history of Edward Hemins, bellfounder, of Bices'ter, in Oxfordshire, except what we can gather from his will, a long and not very interesting document, of which the substance is given on the following page. There are eight bells by him in Bucks, of which five were cast in 1728— a year earlier than the first of the half-dozen bells which I know of by him in Oxfordshire, and three years earlier than the first in Northampton- shire, which is probably the only other county in which his bells occur. At Wotton Underwood, in the above year, he cast the inside four of the present ring of six ; his ring may possibly have originally numbered five. The second bell (first of Hemins's ring), very properly announces that it is a recast, and gives the name of the donor of the original bell, and the date ; also the churchwardens' and his own names. The third has a rather larger edition of fig. 85 repeated all round ; and underneath, the names of the churchwardens and himself, and the date. The fourth has a version of the " Aaron's bells " couplet, mentioned on p. 250, with Hemins's name, and address spelt BISSITER, and the date. The fifth has : — BEHOLD OUR USES ARE NOT SMALL THAT GOD TO PRA+SE ASSEMBLIES CALL. * A clock was given to that church, in 1613, by the wife of a Joseph Emerton ; and a John Emerton was connected with that parish, c. 1630. EDWARD HEMINS, OF BICESTER. 257 followed by the churchwardens' and his own names, the date, and some more impressions of the above device. The saunce at Preston Bissett is by him the same year, inscribed with the churchwardens' and his own names, his address BISSITER, and some stops consisting of four dots placed crosswise. Fig. 85. In 1730 he cast the saunce at Edgcott, spelling his address phonetically, BISTER. In 1736, the saunce at Water Stratford has his name, the date, and fig. 85 ; the name of the churchwarden is incised. His remaining bell in Bucks is the saunce at Grendon Underwood, dated 1740. This has an initial cross formed of four straight lines placed saltire-wise, with a dot in the centre, where the point of intersection would be, if the lines were continuous. His latest known bell is at Culworth, Northampts, dated, according to Mr. North, "December y e 23 : 1747"; but it is not unlikely that this date is a mistake, as he died at least two years and eight months before that, and it is not known that anyone kept on the business. His will, which describes him as " Edward Hemmings of Bissiter in the County of Oxon Clockmaker," is dated 17th August, 1739, an( i was proved 13th April, 1745. He signs his name as Edward Hemins, as on the bells. He leaves to his loving wife, Elizabeth, "all her wearing apparel both linnen & woollen," "the bed and all y e furniture thereto belonging whereon she doth now He." Also " two blankets & two pair of sheets," and " the legacy of 5 shillings of lawful money." All to be delivered to her within six days after his decease. To his " brother Benjamin all my working tools instruments & \_blanli\ y\ are made use of & belonging to ye trade of a gunnsmith," also " all the gunns barrels locks & stocks which I shall leave." To his " brother Joseph, se best price y\ y e can gett and y? money arising thereby" after paying his debts and 2 L> 258 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. funeral expenses, shall "be upon this further trust" to the same four, &c, who shall "pay & divide y? remainder'' "if any to & amongst my mother & 4 children (y* is to say) Martha Edward John & Rich Our Voices Shall "With Joyfull Sound Make Hills and Valleys Eccho Round 1771 i*'j|i?*J*«j|i?»J* R 3. The Gift op Thomas Tyrwhitt Drake Esq: T. Mears op London Fecit i8i8 5 ^xxs^" rv exK9^ (39) * Erased. 2 Q 298 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. 4. THIS BELL WAS GIVEN TO THE PARISH OF AMERSHAM BY W: DRAKE ESQ: OF SHARDELOES J 75 4 (On Waist:) ^xZX THOMAS LESTER & THO: PACK FECIT X5(* (41 i) 5. xxzx>Pack & Chapman of London Fecit 1776 D Rector Ralph Adaitis IoHn Town Church WARDEns •:• R-:-C J755v (494) Treble : (p. 101). 2 : the ornaments which remain, are a slightly larger size of the two small figures at the top of Plate XXI., namely, a fleur-de-lis and a cross patonce with flourished lower limbs; they show that the bell is by R. Phelps (p. 98) ; the crown is less flat than in bells cast subsequently to his time at the Whitechapel Foundry. 3 (p. 105) and 4 (p. 100) : the manor of Shardeloes,* in this parish, was, in the time of Elizabeth, in the possession of William Tothill, Esq., who had thirty-three children ! His eldest daughter, and co-heiress, Joane, was married to Francis Drake, Esq., of Esher, in Surrey, a gentleman of the Privy- Chamber to King James I. Their eldest son, Sir William Drake, Knt., was bapt. 1606; created Bart. 1641 ; purchased the manor of Agmondesham from William, Earl of Bedford, in 1665, and built the Market House, mentioned below, and died unmarried, 1669. His youngest brother, Francis, was twice married, and by his second wife had one son, Sir William Drake, Knt. ; M.P. for Amersham ; died 1690. His eldest son, Montague Drake, Esq., of Shardeloes, was born 1673; M.P. for Amersham, 1695;, died 1698. He was succeeded by his eldest son, Montague Garrard Drake, Esq., M.P. for Amersham, 1713; died 1728. To him succeeded his second son — the eldest having predeceased him — William Drake, Esq., born 1723 ; M.P. for Amersham from 1746 to his death in 1796. He was the giver of the fourth bell. His eldest son predeceased him, and he was succeeded by his second son, Thomas Drake, Esq., born 1749; took the name of Tyrwhitt, and (on the death of his elder brother) resumed the name of Drake in addition ; M P. for Amersham; died 1810. His eldest son, who succeeded him, was Thomas Tyrwhitt Drake, Esq., whose name appears on the third bell. He was M.P. for Amersham, 1826; died 1840. Succeeded by his eldest son and namesake, the present squire, born June 21st, 1817. Tenor: by Robert Catlin (see p. 141). Robert Shippen, D. D., rector, was presented by William Drake, Esq. (the donor of the fourth bell, mentioned above), and inducted 20th April, 1744, He died within the next two years, his successor being inducted 2nd April, 1746.+ 16 Aug. 1637, Agmondsham, 5 Bells, & S'. s bell & a Clock; 1714, 5 (raised to 6 by about 1752. Possibly the tenor was an addition.) * Lipscomb, III., 153. f Lipscomb. AMERSHAM. 299 I have to thank E. J. Payne, Esq., for the following extracts from the church- Wardens' accounts, entitled : "Thys ys the Cownting Boke of ow« Lady Church of Agmondesham." Beginning Oct., 31 Henry VIII. (1539). Payd to gery* for mendyngs of bawdryks ... ... iiij Payd for mendyng of y e bell clap ... ... ... j, Payd to gery for mendyng of bawdryks ... ... ij Payd for a new bell Roope ... ... — xvj Payd for a sansebell Rope ... ... ... vj Payd for y e gret bell Rope ... ... ... xviij from the last day of Octobre in the xxxij th yere of the reigne of kynge herry theightt unto the same day twelvemonyth. Itm for meding off the mary bell (erased, being entered by mistake among the receipts). J fit payd to Robte Smythe of Chesh m for a bell rope ... xvj It payde to Cock the carpentore & his s r vants for trussynge -\ the gret bell & the marie bell & makynge of two settes J- iij ij [ in the Churche ... ... ... ... ' It payd to Gery for mendynge of the bell ropps & bawderycks It m for medyg the mary belle to wylde ... ... iii It™ to Thom s Tayla r ffor meding the bell wyele In an Inventory of goods belonging to the church, made 12th April, 1597, is : — to peces of bell mettell by wayght xxxv/z - Among the "layeinge forthe for" the same year : — It p d for a rope for yf greate bell by weyght xiiij/z at iij' 21 p r It ... ... ... ... iij vj the Last daye of Aprill 1598. (In the list) ... a gable & a Roll . . . It two peces of bell mettall by weyghte xxxv# The next account is dated the xij daye of Aprill, 1599 : — (In the list appears) ... a gable & a roll . . . It two peices of bell mettall by weyghte xxxv /! '- It layde out about the takinge downe the bell ... ... xviij It payde for a rope for the lyttell bell ... ... viij * In another place spelt Gere. t I.E., 1540-41. I Entries included between these marks show that they are consecutive in the original. 300 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. 1599. Item geven to the Ringers one the Ringinge day Item for hanginge one the bell whele & mendinge \ the Baldrickes ... ... ... / Item a Rope for the fore bell waying vi pound & a halfe pris xvj In an Inventory made 25th April, 1600 : — Item towe peses of bellmetell by waight xxxv# for mending a gogin ... ... ... iiij 12 June 1601. Tit for Castinge of the Bell ... ... ... vj x It for makinge the clapper ... ... ... vij vj It for feching & earring the Bell ... ... ... x Spent at our goeing to Denham & at the Bargonyng "> [ w'h the Belfounder ... ... ... / Tspent at the hanging up of the Bell ... ... ... iiij pd the carpenter for a dayes work ... ... ... xij pdforarop ... ... ... ... ... iiij pd ye goodman harrisson for work ... ... ... ij pd for nayles & lorn worke ... ... ... ij It for Badrickes ... ... ... ... viij to farmer for nayles ... ... ... ... iiij [mor for nayles ... ... ... ... ' iiij At the end of the account the churchwardens state that they have delivered to the next churchwardens the same " Curch goods w ch we Eec " from the last church- wardens, " Exepting tow pesses of Bell metell w ch wer used w th y e bell as in pticuller." In the list comes, "a gabell rope." In the list made nth April, 1602, appears "a gabell." In both lists this item is followed by "a Roller," which may mean a roller, or ground-truck, for the rope to pass over. 11 April 1602. Item payd for mending of bell wheele It payd for whitlethere* ... It payd for iiij roapes for the bells ... rite payd for the ringers on the ringinge day Lit payd for a gowdgine for on of the belles July 2, 1602. Ite for the wether cocke rite bestowed upon the ringers upon the quenes day [Ite to Richard Sanders for trussing the great bell * This was horse-hide, or "kip," for making baldricks. I'J VI IJ ij X xij vij vj iiij xvj iiij ij AMERSHAM. 301 20th May, 1603. " A gable a rowle " appears again in the inventory. It layd out for A Roape for the great bell ... ... [?] Dd to the next Churchwardens ... A Cable, w* h a Rowle. The next account, undated, but probably 1604 : — p d for mending y<= Clocke & bell ... ... ... x Delivered unto the new Curchewardenes ... a Cabell with a Rowell. The next account, probably 1605 : — It a Rope for the Sane : bell ... ... ... xij It a badricke for the great Bell ... ... ... ij vj It tow Ropes wayd xxvj'*" ... ... ... viij viij It for a houp for the great bell 1 r ... ... ... XVlll & for workmanship & nayles J for a Rop & a badricke ... ... ... ... v Delivered unto the new Curchwardens ... a cabell v/ th a Roll. I tt p d the Ringers ... ... ... ... ij (This may belong to the following account.) The next account, taken the 13th April, of " disbursments " from the previous 7th May, no year, but apparently, 1606 : — Itt for half a hid of whitleather ... ... ... iij viij Itt paied for a key for the belfrey dore ... ... vj Delivered to the New chirchwardines ... a Gabell w" 1 a Role. (The book is filled up with briefs dated 1682 to 1684.) Death Knell : the tenor rung for adults ; one of the smaller bells, according to age, for younger persons. Tellers : three strokes on each bell for a male, and two on each for a female. Tenor tolled for funerals. Muffled ringing at the funeral of a ringer, or any old parishioner when requested. On Sundays, the treble is rung at 7 a.m. For Services, bells rung or chimed according to side of ringers who present themselves ; generally rung once. For the last quarter of an hour before Morning and Afternoon Service, the tenor is tolled, and for five minutes before Evening Service. Midnight ringing on Christmas and New Year's Eves. Ringing on Christmas Day for Service ; also ringing on Easter Day, Ascension Day, and Whitsun Day ; Queen's Birthday (24th May); Accession (20th June); and Prince of Wales's Birthday (9th November). Third bell rung for Vestry Meetings. Many thanks to the Rev. E. T. Drake, Rector, and to Mr. E. Elburn, Parish Clerk, an enthusiastic ringer. 302 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. The Market House. Och0mADEQMEOI682O ( 2 4*) Single. ( Underneath, coins all round, of same three sizes as upper line). By Christopher Hodson (p. 253). The largest coins (1 ^ in., diameter) " carolvs 11. dei gratia," are half-crowns; the medium (ij in.), are shillings; the smallest (1 in.), sixpences. Most of them are undecipherable. The Market House was built, as previously mentioned, between 1665 and 1669. The bell is on the roof, and is hung with wheel, but no stay or slider ; the town clock strikes on it, and it is swung on Tuesdays for the market, and it is also used as Fire-Bell. Clapper with iron baldrick. Chapel of Ease at Coleshill, a modern building, with one bell. ASHENDON. Nativity of the Blessed Virgin. E A 1633 (»S» 2. jfin HENRY tM. BAGLEY >A< MADE )M MEE <$> «$■ f6 S 8 $ $ * (28I) 3. (No. 2, on Plate XXXII., all round, except:) +658 (Next line :) BY MY VOYCE THE PEOPLE MAY KNOWE TO COME TO HEAR THE WORD OF GOD # (31^) S. (Fig. 71 all round, except:) 1658 «#* H $? B (14J) Treble : one of the last bells from the Attons' Buckingham Foundry (p. 208), in the medium-sized lettering (bottom of Plate XXXI.) : cracked, apparently from crown downwards, as the tone has not entirely gone. The other bells are by the first Henry Bagley (p. 215) : the stop on the second is No. 4, on Plate XXXII. : the fleurs-de-lis on all three, are portions of fig. 69. The tenor is fitted with the most fearful example of a stay I have met with — a beam of elm, having a diameter of 10 x 3 inches ! Enough timber to make five stays of easily, for a bell of this size. The saunce has iron lever, iron baldrick to clapper, straps keyed. In Records of Bucks,!., 136, this bell is referred to as, "In the tower the ancient Sanctus Bell remains, and bears great resemblance to that existing at Long Compton, Warwick- shire " ! The frame is chiefly renewed from seventeenth century work. 23 July, 1552, Affhendon. Itr. iij gret belle. Itn on fantys bel. 14 July 1638, Ashenden. 3 bells & S^ bell ... the Church & steeple wants pgeting . . . the top of the steeple not sufficient, 1714, 3 (saunce not mentioned). The Rev. J. C. Addison, Vicar, reports that there are no peculiar uses. 2 ASHLEY GREEN — ASTON ABBOTS. 303I ASHLEY GREEN. S. John the Evangelist. Modern parish : church consecrated 1875. Two bells. ASTON ABBOTS. S. James. I. *^I652 -S|f$ CHAtfDLERMADEME ( 28 i)' ^ I 6 5 2 & -fr (ditto) (2 9 J) 3- EDWARD HALL MADE ME J 739 (31) 4- ®«fr 1652 ^ CHAftDLERMADEME (33) 5- ZlE D W A R D=H A L L=M A D EzzM EzzJ 74 0= (35*) Treble, 2 and 4: by Anthony Chandler (p. 224); the ornaments are, $ = fig. 77 5 f$> = fig. 78; -$)(•= fig. 79. The lettering on the two bells by Hall does not appear elsewhere, in this county at any rate (p. 236). The bells were rehung (left- handed) by a local carpenter when the church was restored in 1859. All the stays are at the wheel end of the stock, except the second. The clappers of the three lower bells are encased in wood, and are therefore probably original. The Gleaning, or Leasing Bell, used to be rung during harvest time, until about 1883, at 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Death Knell as soon as convenient. Tellers, 3x3 = 3 man ; 2x3 = 3 woman ; 1 x 3 = a child; both before and after the tolling. At funerals, tolling from half an hour to an hour, beginning with thirty strokes to call the bearers. On Sundays, a bell rung at 7 a.m. in summer, and 8 in winter (except when there is Service at that time). A bell is rung after Morning Service, to intimate that there will be Afternoon Service : this is called the " Dinner Bell.'' Until about 1858 the tenor used to be rung after the Afternoon Service. Beyond the above there used to be no rule for ringing for Services. Now the bells are chimed (?) as follows : one bell for five minutes ; three bells for five minutes ; all five for eight minutes; interval of two minutes; three bells for five minutes; and one alone for the last five minutes. Ringing about three or four times a week during Advent, but no fixed days. Midnight ringing on New Year's Eve (11-30 to 12.30). Ringing for weddings (when paid for). Ringing on 5th November discontinued by the late vicar (i.e., between 1853 and 1887). Many thanks to the Rev. T. W. Martyn, Vicar. 23 July, 1552, Abbotte Afton. Itm in the fteple iij belle. 304 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Itm j fantus bell. Itm ij handbellg. 1714, 5 bells. (So also in another place in B. Willis's MSS., xxxviii., 1.) ASTON CLINTON. S. Michael. 1. The BevP John Geoege Eectoe John Baston Eiohaed Slatjghtee OOOOOOOO Chuech Wardens Meaes & Son of Lon- don Fecit 18O6 (31) 2. The EevP John Geoege Eectoe John Baston Eichaed Slaughter CH "Waedens. Thomas Meaes & Son Fecit 18O6 (32) 3. The BevP John Geoege Eectoe John Baston Eichaed Slaughter Chuech "Waedens Meaes & Son op London Fecit 18O6 (34^) 4. The BevP John Geoege Eectoe John Baston Eichaed Slaughtee Chuech "Waedens 000 Thomas Meaes & Son op London Fecit 18O6 (36) 5. {Ditto to 4, except pattern) OOOOOOO (39^) 6. The BevP John Geoege Eectoe John Baston Eichaed Slaughtee Chuech "Waedens Thomas Meaes & Son Sf? op London Fecit iso6 (44) S. 1778 (14I) Lipscomb (II. 89) says the Rev. John George, Fellow of Jesus College, Oxford, was presented by Jesus College, and inducted May, 1799. Having vacated this Rectory by accepting other preferment, he was again presented, and inducted March, 1804. M.A., March, 1787; B.D., March, 1795. The Saunce is doubtless by Pack and Chapman, of the Whitechapel Foundry. Iron lever. Weight of tenor given in Messrs. C. and G. Mears's List as 13 cwt. 23 July, 1553, Afton Clynton, — It iiij Bells hangynge in the Steple / And for one of them ther is owynge amonge the pifheners the Some of xxj It. It one Bele callid the Sanctis Bele It one other litle Bele 1714, 5 bells (sanctus not mentioned). ASTON SANDFORD— ASTWOOD. 3°5 ASTON SANDFORD. S. Michael. i. 4- ^anrfp Jptoma <^r a n © m) 2. i6 7 5 (3°i) 3- (34) ^ ^Jjr © @ ® @ 4* ^anrfp cgrlpmesP <§>ra ^»ro ^nliis d © The treble and tenor are from the Wokingham Foundry, some few years before the middle of the fifteenth century (p. 52). For the initial cross and capital letters, see Plates XV. and XVI. ; the abbreviation mark is the smallest stop on the latter. The square stop is fig. 32, and the circular one is a groat stamp. Second : by Ellis Knight and Henry Knight III., of Reading (p. 134). All three clappers have iron baldricks ; the treble's is perhaps original : it has a very small oval ball, and flight 4^ inches long. July, 1552, Aftone Samford. It iij Great bells in the steple. It ij (?) hande bells. 12 July, 1637, 3 Bells . . . The fteeple wants boarding on the north side. 1 714, 3 bells. ASTWOOD. S. Peter. 1. (33i) ^ $anrta £aterfna 6ra £ro rftobts v (36) ♦$♦ $it Homtn Domini $tntoittbm u 3- (39) <$► GOD SRYK OYR KING 1631 SB The two first bells are by John Walgrave (p. 31) ; the initial cross and shield are figs. 17 and 18 (on that page); the capitals are on Plate XII. The tenor is by James Keene; his initials are in the lettering shown on Plate XXVI., where the initial cross is No. 2. The frame is probably seventeenth century (?new when the tenor was added). The treble has a very old stock, some of the straps being nailed, the others bolted ; crown-staple broken. Iron baldricks to treble and second ; the latter also has some of the straps nailed ; on the transom of the wheel is cut, J B 1820. The tenor has all the canons broken off; it has a huge rough stock, twenty-two inches high ; some straps keyed, the rest bolted ; clapper with flattened ball, and long flight. 2 R 306 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Death Knell as soon as intimation reaches the clerk. Tellers, three strokes on each of the three bells = a man ; two on each = a woman ; one on each = a child. For funerals, tolling once a minute for half an hour ; tenor for adults ; the treble for children. On Sundays, bells chimed for fifteen minutes before the Services ; treble rung the last five minutes. A few strokes, morning and afternoon, to give notice of Sunday School. Ringing at Christmas, and generally on New Year's Eve. No old churchwardens' accounts. Many thanks to the Rev. C W. Cahusac, Vicar. 22 July, 1637, Astwood. 3 Bells. 1714, 3 bells.' Lipscomb (IV. 9) mentions an Inventory in the Register, dated 3rd May, 1782, made by order of Luke Heslop, B.D., Archdeacon of Bucks, of goods and effects belonging to this church, wherein, inter alia, it is recorded that : — " In the tower are three bells and a clock." AYLESBURY. S. Mary. 1. i mean to make it understood. that tho - i'm little yet I'm Good. Pack & Chapman op London Fecit 1773: (34) 2. If You Have a Judicious Ear You.ll Own my Voice is Sweet and Clear cxi> {On Waist:) >0<> PACK & CHAPMAN OF LONDON FECIT 17 7 3 ^>OOOOOC (32 i) 3. Such "Wondrous Pow'r to Musick's given. It Ele- vates the Soul to Heaven. Pack & Chapman of London Fecit 1773 v (33i) 4- °§o Musick is Medicine to the Mind °§c Pack & Chap- man of London Fecit 1773 cxxi>ocxKZ>oc>:t> (3 6 i) 5. C & G MEARS FOUNDERS LONDON {On Waist:) PRAISE TE THE LOBDi(«) EDWARD BICKERSTETH. M.A. VICAR mil ^£Z$ l OH^™ WABB.™ EDWARD REDHEAD J SEPT - 1ST 1854 ' (39f) 6. <|>00OCX>CX!> PACK & CHAPMAN OF LONDON Fecit 177 3 <£ooococooo (42) aylesbury. 307 7- Ye Ringers all that Prize your Health & Hap- piness. Be Sober Merry Wise & you'll the same (On Waist:) PACK & CHAPMAN OP LONDON FECIT 1773 (4Si) 8 - O & G MEARS FOUNDERS LONDON 1850 IN "WEDLOCK BANDS ALL YE "WHO JOIN "WITH HANDS YOUR HEARTS UNITE SO SHALL OUR TUNEFULL TONGUES COMBINE TO LAUD THE NUPTIAL RITE (On Waist:) THO TINDAL | ZACHARIAH DANIEL HUNT [ CHURCH "WARDENS MOSES. LOVETT j (5°) W U Y („r, 1714, 6 bells (saunce no doubt existing, although not mentioned). Lipscomb (II. 47) has : " In the tower .are eight bells, and a saint's bell. The old tenor, which belonged to a peal of six, mentioned by Willis, is supposed to have been cast in 1623, and had this motto — "Non sono animabus mortuorum sed viventium." In 1773, the old bells were re-cast, or exchanged for eight, the tenor not exceeding 22 cwt. and, besides the old metal, cost 239/. gs. gd., exclusive of the saint's bell." The weights are, according to Sheahan (History of Bucks, 1862, p. 65) : treble, about n cwt; II., it cwt. 2 qrs. 9 lbs; III., 13 cwt. o qrs. 3 lbs.; IV., 14 cwt. 2 qrs. 19 lbs. ; V., 16 cwt. 2 qrs. o lbs. ; VI., 17 cwt. 1 qr. 15 lbs. ; VII., 19 cwt. 2 qrs. 17 lbs.; Tenor, 22 cwt. o qrs. o lbs.* Treble and second have their canons broken off. The former fifth was inscribed, according to Gibbs (History of Aylesbury, 1885, p. 27): "To honour both off God and King Our voices shall in concert} ring Pack & Chapman of London fecit me|| 1773" Tne present bell cost £$g, according to Sheahan (op. cit. p. 65). The former tenor was inscribed, according to Lipscomb, with the same doggerel as the present bell, except that he reads, " Wedlock's bands," and omits " tunefull," and instead of the names that are on the present bell, the former one was, like the rest of the ring, by Pack and Chapman, and bore, in addition, " Benj. Dudley, John Fowler, and W m - Perrin, Ch. Wardens, 1773." The saunce is by William Yare, of Reading (p. 91) ; the pattern is .fig. 42 ; the shield (fig. 36) is the trade stamp of Roger Landen, of Wokingham, a fifteenth * 22 cwt. is also the weight given in Messrs. C. and G. Mears's List, t Lipscomb reads, our instead of, of. % Lipscomb reads, consort. |i Me is evidently an error. 308 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. century predecessor of Yare's, in this ancient bell-founding business. There are other examples of the use of this shield (by W. Yare) during the same year, at Harwell, in Berks ; the rest of its history has been given on p. 93. The saunce is hung with a half- wheel. On the cage of the tenor is cut, in well-formed letters : — William Chapman Bell hanger 1633 And on other parts of the frame are more superficially cut, W. E. 1773, and R. W. 1773, showing, evidently, the dates of the construction of the frame, and of its alteration from six to eight cages. In the Register of Burials for 1773, the following note is inserted : — July ye; 12:* 1773 / A new peal of Eight Bells cast by Pack & Chapman & hung by Rob' Turner were opened by the College Ringers — — — W. E. and R. W. were, in all probability, the actual hangers, working for Robert Turner. The College Ringers would mean the Ancient Society of College Youths. An old ringing board, deciphered with some difficulty, hangs in the bell-chamber, doubtless removed from the no longer existing ringing-chamber : — (On the frame at the top :) NOV. 12. 1804. (On the board:) Was rung in this Steeple A Compleat peal of Grandsire Tripples of 5040 Changes By the Aylesbury Society In three Hours & 16 Minutes By the Following Persons : — In° Wheeler Jun r 1 In" Tompkins 2 Hor d In° Bunce 3 Tho s Clark 4 W m Bunce 5 In° Wheeler Sen r 6 W m Cartwright 7 In° I. Murfitt 8 These fine bells cannot, unfortunately, now be rung. The tower is a central lantern, and not only did the late Sir G. G. Scott give his opinion that it was not safe for ringing, but in the restoration of the church (Pin 1850), the lantern was opened up, and the floor of the old ringing-chamber removed, so that it is now AYLESBURY. 309 impossible to ring them, the drop to the floor of the nave (whence they are chimed), being far too long a " draught." The churchwardens' accounts are not extant beyond 1749. I have to thank Mr. Jos. Jas. Jenns, the Parish Clerk, for allowing me to make the following extracts : — 1749-50. Two Ringing days @ 10/- each ... ... ... ... 1 1751-2. Ringing days 8 @ 10/- each ... ... ... ... 4 1755- Sept' 3d Pd M' Smith at the Bell a ringing Day by D°* ... „ 10 — 1756. Jann'27 t ! 1 P d Mr John Bigg Waltonf Churchwarden for Ringing Days — "| Sparrow catching Polecats Hedge Hogs 6-»cfor 1754s 1755 in full L 3 . 5 . — to Easter 1755 as W Receipt ... ... ... I June 22 d POCCOO {Incised :) IOSEPH MILL WARD & W M HORE CH = WARDENS J76o ( Undernea th , incised :) j 2 = 3 = J 4 8. MEARS AND STAINBANK FOUNDERS LONDON. VOCO VOS ORATE VENITE. MD C C C LXXXI V. TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN MEMORY OF BENJAMIN DISRAELI EARL OF BEACONS- FIELD. K.G. FORTI NIHIL DIFFICILE. (49I) The tower was re-opened after the restoration of the ring, on September 9th, 1884. Messrs. Mears & Stainbank added a new treble and tenor, and recast four out of the old six, and rehung the whole ring, with improved gudgeons and brasses. The total cost was ^508. It is now one of the best rings in the county. Treble : Lipscomb (III., 191, etc.,) says that after Mr. Burke's acquisition of a seat for Wendover, in the House of Commons, in 1768, Ralph Earl Verney placed at his disposal the large sum of twenty thousand pounds ; with which Burke immediately effected the purchase of a small portion of the manor of Beaconsfield, named Gregories, belonging to Mr. Waller. Mr. Burke continued to hold this estate until his death in 1797 ; and Gregories was subsequently the residence of his widow ; but not as stated by Lipscomb, of their son, for he predeceased his father. Burke is buried in the churchyard. His widow died in 1812, and the house was burnt down about a year later ; but she had, a few years previously, sold the property to Josias Dupre, Esq., who had already, about 1770, purchased the adjoining estate, Wilton Park. As I have given elsewhere a translation of the Latin Inscriptions, I add here the English rendering of the Norman-French (Burke's family motto) on this bell : — " One king, one faith, one law." Tenor : weight given in Messrs. Mears and Stainbank's List, as 21 cwt. The late Earl of Beaconsfield is so popular a public character, that it is barely necessary to remind anyone, that he took his title from this town, when he was raised to the peerage in 1876. He had no property here, his estate being at Hughenden; still, the title was quite a legitimate excuse for getting up subscriptions for a new bell in BEACONSFIELD. 3 1 5 his memory, as was the connection with the parish of the earlier illustrious statesman for another one. Forti nihil difficile is Lord Beaconsfield's family motto. 4 Aug : 1637, Beaconffeild, 4. Bells. s l ? bell, a clock. 1714, 5 bells. Henry Bagley seems to have recast these five bells, at Reading, in 1722.* His list dated 1732, preserved among B. Willis's MSS,, xliii. 26, states the number of bells cast by him for this tower, as six, but the extracts which follow, seem to prove this to be an error. In 1760 Lester and Pack recast the fourth (the present sixth) ; and the bell cast in 1794 by the elder Thomas Mears (the present second), apparently raised the number from five to six. The following extracts were made some years ago, by E. J. Payne, Esq. : — From the Vestry Book, 8th August, 1722 :— (A Vestry held) for y? Funing of y? 5 Bells and yf Churchwardens Dow agree witt y? Bell founder to take them from Beconsfield and Bring them to y= said Town and to Draw Artickels accordingley. Chr: Newell Rector. From the Churchwardens' Accounts:— 1722 ffor Casting y e five Bells ffor Casting y e . Brases for y= Bells Payd John Groves Bill Henry Tomson's Bill ... Isaac Keen's Bill May y e 28 th Gave y e Ringers ye 29'b Gave y e Ringers Payd for Drink for y e men that hope Down wi' y e Bells Payd for y« Artickels and Bounds with y e Bellfounder ... for Gooing to Reding to See y« Bell Wayed in and out \ and to see that wee had our own Mettel ... ... J Payd Thomas Treadway for Leather for y e Bells >5 )) ») 2 2 » :i 4 ) J S IS 6 6 5 6 3 8 6 19 4 3 5 ») 1760. Paid Tho= Lester on Ballance for a Bell as $ Bill & rec' May 1 760 Paid for Beer when the Bell was taken down and put up 30 13 all \ it up 8 * See pp. 213 (foot-note), 214, and 215 ; and Bells of Gloucestershire, p. 121. 316 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. BIDDLESDEN. S. Margaret. Single. St 34 ( 2 3i) These small figures are probably Phelps's of Whitechapel ; the bell was rehung some few years ago. The church was erected about the date of the bell : it joins on to Biddlesden House, the turret in which the bell hangs is not attached to the chapel in any way, but is over the dairy kitchen ; the staircase leading to it also leads to several lumber, etc., rooms : the uprights for the banister are formed of carved oak bench-ends, from the old church. Browne Willis {Hist. Buck. Hitnd., p. 151, etc.) supplies the following particulars : — "At the Diffolution" (viz. 1539), "the King's Vifitors made this Return : . . . Bells, Lead, and other Buildings worth there by Eftimation 51/. 6j. Sd." "On the Surrender this church was very foon after demoliflied, and the Bells fold, or given away by Sir Robert Peckham to Denham Parifh (at the End of this County) near Uxbridge in Middle/ex. Thefe were five very large ones, as I have heard, and con- tinued at Denham 'till 1683, 35 Car. II, when they were run into 8, as they now remain." (Four of this ring are still in existence, as will be seen by referring to Denham!) " On the Deftruction of the Abbey the Parifhioners reforted to a fmall Chapel adjoining to a Dwelling Houfe; this was a little tyled Fabrick, and had a Bell in a Turrit.* . . . but this is quite demolifhed, and an unconfecrated Chapel fitted up in the left Wing, or Office, of the Proprietor's Dwelling Houfe." Henry Sayer, a proprietor of vandal tendencies, as Browne Willis informs us, was himself in turn " demolished," by being murdered by one, Richard Noble, an Attorney, "for which barbarous Murther he, the faid Noble, was executed at King/ton, March 28, 17 13." He was succeeded by his son Henry Sayer, who destroyed every trace of the Abbey, and the " little tyled Fabrick," and built the present church. 5 May, 1553, byleefden, [ great belle]t one fance bell. f The leade ther (&c.) 8 March, i SS7 . The Monaftery cf Bytlefden-| ^ ^^.^ ^ ^ ^ fo]d by docto r London byinge vifito r at the diffolucen. As ys wyttaneffed by Tho: Todde. byinge a monke of the howffe & others. Thomas Todde appears by Browne Willis's History of Abbies (17 19, Vol. II., p. 12, etc.), to have been the Sub-prior and Cellarer. The account of the old ring of five bells is given there nearly in the same words, as in his Hist, of Buck. Hundred. * In his 1 7 14 list, is, one bell. f Erased ; these indentures, with the inventories filled in, in the rough, were evidently written before the church was visited, and such details as numbers,, added on the spot. BIDDLESDEN— BLEDLOW. 3 17 Death Knell about an hour after the death, except it occurs at night, when it is tolled at 8 next morning. Tolling at funerals, from the time the procession can be seen from the belfry. Used on Sundays for about io minutes before the Services. These usages are of old establishment. Many thanks to the late George M. Morgan, Esq., of Biddlesden Park. BIERTON. S. James. i, 2, 3. (30, 32I, 34*) ± & J : BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1816. & ± & 4 4. ± J : BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1816. ± & ± & (35) 5. ± & J : BADRICK, J : THORN, J : WHITE C : W : J : BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1816. & (38}) 6. ± JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FEICT (sic) 1809 T - THORN & H i WEBB O : W + £ t £ ± t & (42*) S. RICHARD CHANDLER MADE ME I67& (20) Treble : diameter much reduced by tuning. Saunce : by Richard Chandler III. in his i-inch lettering (p. 227). Half- wheel; iron baldrick; straps nailed, central pair keyed ; no brasses, the gudgeons work in iron rings. Hung left-handed ; and are apparently in ringing order, but long drop to floor of lantern. 23 July, 1552, Birtton, Itm iiij belle in the Steppull one fanf bell one handbell one facryng bell. 14 July 1638, Byrton 5 bells S ts bell & a clock. 1714, Beirton, 6 (sanctus not mentioned). Lipscomb (II. 104), "six modern bells, and a small one," and (II. 407), reports that the bell from the desecrated chapel of Quarrendon was brought here : if so, this must have happened before 17 14, when Browne Willis's list was written. BLEDLOW. Holy Trinity. 163 8 (3*i) 2) 3 . \ 6 8 3 (34, 36D 4 ' (4°i) RICH KEENE CAST THIS RING 16 83 5. THE REV : WILLLAM STEPHEN VICAR RICHARD PIGGOTT & JAMES HARGRAVE CHURCHWARDENS. W & J TAYLOR FOUNDERS. 18 42. ( 44 |) Treble : intended no doubt for 1683, the figures being Richard Keene's, like the other bells (p. 170); one of single canons broken. 3: one of the side canons 3i8 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. broken (hanging loose) ; an extra strap added through the crown to take its place ; bottom of lip much tuned away. Tenor : has flat canons. Rich deposit of guano ; everything quite white with it. Domestic pigeons included in the happy family which nest here. Cages old, left-handed (very probably same age as the bells). Wheels, stocks, etc., apparently by Taylor. Iron stays. The slider of the treble consists of a short iron pin, projecting into the pit, hinged (by eye and nail) to the under side of the upper beam of the frame. It is kept up in a horizontal position, and prevented from going more than a certain distance each way, by an iron, like an angular horseshoe : the two extremities of this are nailed to the inner side of the beam, and the slider rests on the flattened central portion. The other bells have their sliders very much in form like what I have elsewhere called "bolt-like sliders;" but here, instead of their sliding like a bolt, in staples or copses, the horizontal bolt of wood (in which the short iron slider is fixed at right angles) is suspended to the frame by iron rods. These allow the slider to swing (like a parallel ruler) when the stay comes in contact with it, within the limits determined by a wooden stop at either end. 23 July, 1552, Bledlowe, Itn iiij Belle in the ftepull. 17 July, 1637, Bledloe. 4 Bells & S ts . Bell. ... A new Bellfry dore the ftone worke [in decay] 1 714, 5 bells (sanctus not mentioned). the fleeple in At the death of Henry Knight I., in January, 1622-3, "Bledlowe in the County of Buck '' owed him £4 2s., probably for recasting a bell. See p. 125. BLED LOW RIDGE. Modern Parish; church consecrated 1868. One bell. S. Paul. BLETCHLEY. S. Mary. 1. GOD PRESERVE THE CHVRCH £$£ ggifg A 6 R 1717 g$£ (»7i) 2 . NOW PEACE & GOOD NEIGHBOVRHOOD |jf A : R 6 1713 H ( 2 8) 3. QUOD SIT SACRA DIES PRIMO DENUNTIO MANE+++++++++++++++++ A:R & 1712 6 Um& (30J) BLETCHLEY. 3 19 4- AD TEMPLUM PER ME POPULUS PROPERARE MONETUR 1712 ^ (3**> 5- PULSA VOCO PLEBEM TRACTARE NEGOTIA VILL^E 17 12 A:R &+++++++++ ( 3 4i) 6. ROBERT, STAINBANK, FOUNDER, LONDON, 1867. (36) 7- R : TAYLOR & SOnS : OXFOD. (sic) MDCCCXXVII. (38^) 8. (By Messrs. Gillett and Johnston, 1893.) The remains of a fine ring by Abraham Rudhall I. (p. 1 10). Treble : pattern, fig. 46, the bell-stamp is fig. 49 ; a canon broken. 2 : ornament, a fragment of fig. 48. 3: pattern, fig. 45, for \\\ inches; and in the second line, fig. 46, repeated eight times, covering a space of 3 ft. 3 in. 4 : ornament, a fragment of fig. 48. 5 : pattern, fig. 45, for 5§ inches. All canons off these last two bells. 6 : tuned away from lip ; new stock with bell. According to a MS. vellum book, designed by Browne Willis, and preserved in Bletchley Church, the former bell was inscribed : — Est Campanarum sine me symphonia nulla. The 7 th bore : — Conjugium partus mysteria festa decoro.* The old tenor, when I saw it in 1887, was cracked from one of the canons, through the shoulder, to the figure 8 ; the mischief was allowed to extend, until in 1893, a new bell was substituted. The old tenor bore : — ME RESONARE IUBENT HOMINUM MORS CONCIO FUNUS g#5 W& W6. BROWNE WILLIS ESQ R BENEFACTOR XXXX A&R 171 8 ^CCCCCCCCCd ' ( 4 4f) One much regrets the loss of this memorial of the excellent and eccentric Buckinghamshire "worthy.'' It may, perhaps, from its date, have been by the second Abraham Rudhall; the lettering on the upper five averages about 1^ in. (individual letters vary from a bare inch, to a full inch and an eighth), while on this bell the lettering was about i x 9 j- in. The figures as before. The patterns were fig. 46, three times, and double rows of fig. 47, for 6| in., and 1 ft. 5| in., respectively. This was the third ring of eight erected in this county : Denham being the first, and High Wycombe the second. The bells were quarter-turned by Gillett, in 1893, and rehung in the old frame ; before this, some straps of the treble and second were keyed. A board (part broken off) is nailed on the frame facing the door, on which is carved : — ■■'■ Quoted by Lipscomb, IV., 19, and Lukis, Church Bells, p. 64: both have a misprint. 320 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. ( The upper line is effaced ) \ Iohn and Richard Willi \ Made Th j The back of the board is also engraved : I managed to read the first line : — ■ { es £f& Benifaftor The lower line I could not contrive to read. The " Benifactor" was, of course, Browne " VVilles.'' These bell hangers, Jn. and Rich. Williams, lived at King's Sutton, near Banbury, Northampts : and hung bells on the cross, that is, instead of the cages being placed parallel with the walls of the tower, they run across diagonally, from corner to corner. This frame was probably made in 17 r 2. Chicheley has a similar frame, with a very similar board, giving their names and address, and dated 1718. The frame at Penn is similar, except that it is a "left- handed " one, and may perhaps be by them, although it has no name-board ; it was finished by 5th January, 1702-3. The frame at Cookham, in Berks (not far from Marlow), may also be by them, but bears no name ; it was probably constructed in 17T7. In 1720 they hung the Great Marlow bells, the churchwardens' accounts record : — Paid the three Williams's Bellhangers. So there was probably another of the family in the business at that date. In 1727 they hung the bells at Holy Trinity Church, Hull. An anonymous writer in Bell News (III., p. 400), quotes the name-board as follows : — John and Richard Williams of Kingston, in Northampton Shier in the year of our Lord made this frame, 1727. There is no Kingston in Northamptonshire, so this must be a mistake on the part of the Williams's, or their copyist, for King Sutton, as before. It is not stated whether this frame is "on the cross " or not. In Vol. XL. (5841) of the Additional MSS. (in the British Museum), the Rev. William Cole, who was presented to the Rectory of Bletchley by Browne Willis, in January, 1753, and resigned it in 1768, has preserved (fo. 53) a long letter (even though not given in its entirety) to Browne Willis, from Abel Rudhall (Bellfounder, of Gloucester, and grandson of the Abraham who cast this ring), dated March 30th, 1759. It is chiefly concerning the bells of Wells Cathedral, with a little gossip interspersed, but near the end he writes : — I remember to have heard Bleckley Bells, but it is so long since, that I can't account much for them, any more than that I thought them a very good Peal, & the Tenor I suppose can't cost 20? the casting only without Addition of metal. . . . Your much obliged & most humble servant Abel Rudhall. BLETCHLEY — BOARSTALL. 321 The allusion to the Tenor sounds as if Browne Willis had contemplated having it recast, though for what reason I cannot say. In his MSS. in the Bodleian Library, cix., 30, the inscription on one of the bells here, is given as : — ■ Sana manet Christi plebisque Religio vana. This would mean one of the bells previous to the Rudhall ring. The inscription is not a familiar one; hut it was on the former tenor at Ivinghoe, dated 1628. Aug : 1637, 5. Bells . . . the north weft butterice of the fteeple [in decay]. BOARSTALL. S. James. The church is modern, with one small bell added about the end of 1885. Before this addition, its functions were performed by the clock-bell in — Boarstall Tower. Single. RICHARD KEENE MADE ME 1661 (23^) Lettering the size of, but not matching, the tiny 1, on Plate XXVI. All canons broken : iron baldrick to clapper. 23 July, 1552. boreftall ... in the fteople iij great belle . ■ . {torn off.) 16 July, 1638, 3 bells S'? Bell. No bell here in 17 14, except the one in Boarstall House. The old chapel had a tower at the west end, according to a painting mentioned by Lipscomb (I. 92). The bells which hung there are mentioned in the following letter from the King's Council at Oxford, to Sir William Campion, Knt., Governor of Boarstall : — Sir, Whereas there is very great want of bell-metal for casting of ordnance for his Ma'ie* service, and being informed that you have lately demolished a church by Boarstall, so as this want may be supply'd by y e bells taken down in that church ; we pray you to send hither to Oxford by a safe convoy w th all possible expedic'on, all y e said bells, and cause ym to be deliver'd to S r George Strode or M r Wandesford at y e Schooles, to be employ'd for making of ordnance. And you are to assure y e parishioners ofy<= parish, that they shall receive satisfaction for these said bells, so soon as his Ma ,!es great occasions will permit y e same. So we bidd you farewell, and rest your loving friends, Cottington. Hertforde. Hen. Dovor. Chichester. F. Seymour. Edw. Nicholas. Oxford, this 26 of July, 1645. The church does not appear, however, to have been "demolished," though it may 2 T 322 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. have been much mutilated, and the tower was probably demolished. The building was repaired in 1660; but having became dilapidated in the course of the eighteenth century, was rebuilt in 18 18 by Sir John Aubrey, Bart., the impropriator; "but without either a tower or a bell, exhibiting an unusual instance of a church, with rights of sepulture and marriage, destitute of provision for complying with the ecclesiastical canons."* A tradition existing in the village that the bells had not been sent to Oxford, but buried in some part of the grounds of Boarstall House, Sir John Aubrey caused a search to be made for them in the well within the moated enclosure ; but one of. the labourers meeting with an accident, by which his leg was broken, the undertaking was abandoned, and the fate of the bells still remains unknown. This church is under Brill. BOVENEY. S. Mary Magdalen. iHOHAR GOD *63* <» 9 ) HOPE IN GOD 163 6 (3°f) 3- (34l) jff B O D €( B & Treble and 2 : by Ellis Knight, of Reading (p. 127). Tenor : no doubt from the older Reading establishment, about 1534-36 (p. 63); it is well-proportioned, and well-cast; letters, Plate XVII. The bells hang in a little wooden turret over the west end of the church ; no stays or sliders ; the clappers have peculiarly small balls, and iron baldricks. 18 July, 1552, Boveney. It iiij Bellis of the wiche the purveyour of the Kynge workes of his majestie hono r &° Caftell of wyndefo r called whetley toke one of them A wey.f (? 9 Aug ;) 1637. Boveney Chappell in poia de Burnha 3 Bells. 1 7 14, 3 bells. This is a chapel-of-ease to Burnham, where all funerals are, and the Death Knell is tolled there. On Sundays, the bells are chimed for half an hour before the Services ; a single bell for the last few minutes. No special ringing on any occasion. Thanks to the Rev. R. F. Rumsey, Vicar. BRADENHAM. S. Botolph. 1. Thomas Mears of London Fecit 1799 cooocoo- 2 > 3- (Tenor, 27I) * Lipscomb, I„ 92. t Boveney is only about two miles from Windsor. BRADENHAM — OLD BRADWELL. 323 Treble : by the first Thomas Mears (p. 104). 2 and Tenor : were cast during the later years of the thirteenth century, or, at any rate, not later than 1310 (p. 6). The cross and lettering are on Plate III. Of three other known examples by Michael de Wymbis (all in this county, though he was a London founder), two are in the next parish, alphabetically speaking ; the other one is at Lee. Canons broken off the second ; those of the tenor are moulded with string-pattern : the argent very large and high. They are very long-waisted and resonant bells. 1552, bradnam, iij belles bought St* vnpayd for / on fance bell.* This seems to show unquestionably, that the two ancient bells are not in their original home, but were bought second-hand, probably on the dissolution of some religious house, about 1537-39. 15 Aug: 1637, Bradnam 3. Bells. Bradenham is not mentioned in Browne Willis's List ; but in Langley's History of Desborongh Hundred, published 1797, p. 167, is, "In the tower, which is low, hang two bells, and there is a clock also in it." BRADWELL ABBEY. Formerly extra-parochial. There is no church, but a small desecrated chapel. The Survey of the Benedictine Priory of S. Mary, now in the Chapter House, Westminster, taken on its suppression in 1526, \ has : — Itm. the steple is latelie buylded wj borde thereupon uncov'd. . . . It 1 ? in the church ij . bells which be worth . . . BRADWELL, OLD. S. Lawrence. 1, 2. (24$, 25$) 3 z=RIOHARI)==CHANDLEE==MAaB =ME=:1700= <*7i) 4. (30) ♦£« t(o£ jSbgbftinf §Sontt In JJbre $ti u. Treble and 2 : see under Bradenham (just above). The second seems to me to be, for its size, an extremely fine-toned bell ; the treble has some of its canons * This inventory is in duplicate ; the second copy is headed " Reffpecmet,"= Respect- ment, and contains the signatures of the Commissioners, viz., " Francis Rufsell Morris barkley Edmond Pekham Robt Drury e Wyftm Tyldefley." The first four were Knights, the fifth " Esquier." f Lipscomb, IV., p. 42. 324 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. broken, and three holes drilled through the crown for extra straps, which, in spite of what some bell-hangers say, I believe is apt to interfere with the tone ; but still a remarkably good bell. 3 : the inscription is in Richard Chandler III.'s 1.2-inch lettering, placed down among the rims, like the North Marston bell of the previous year (p. 233). Tenor: unfortunately cracked through the lip, at right-angles to where the clapper strikes, and the cause is not obvious; probably the result of some foul blow. The cross and capitals are shown on Plate XII. ; the shield is fig. 18, and shows the bell to be by John Walgrave, who died about 1440 (p. 30 et seq.). This inscription is recorded by Browne Willis, MSS. cix., 29. This bell has a very thick stock ; all the straps pass through it, instead of two or more pairs being on the outside. The bell-chamber is in a neglected condition, and the hangings in bad order, but the frame, which is left-handed, appears to be sound. On it is carved : — IF WE 1652 possibly not all cut at the same time. The gudgeons of the treble are at the top of the stock ; those of the second are near the top ; those of the third half-way up ; and the tenor's near the bottom. Peculiar wheels — probably made in the present century. Wooden bolt-like sliders to all. Browne Willis, in his History of the Abbies (II., p. 37), says, that in the tower of Snellshall Priory, in Whaddon parish :— were, as 'tis reported, 4 fmall Bells, which being carried to Bradwell Parifh Church in this Neighbourhood, were hung up there.* On the biggelt is yet remaining this Infcription, Vox A uguftini fonet in aure Dei. 1 7 14, 4 bells. {BRADWELL, NE W— see Stantonbury). BRICKHILL, BOW. All Saints. i- ♦£♦ GOD SRYE OYR KING 1634 (275) 2. CHANDLER MADE ME 1670 (30^) 3-4- VBGD * 6 B 2 * D E E C E E «$? W (34*) 4. SOII (Fig. 69, for 8 in.) OEEO (Do. 8 in.) GJORIA (Do. >]\ in.) PAX (Do. 4i in.) HOMIHIBVS (Do. if in.) 1649 (Do. g in.) A (Do. \ in.) B I (Do. -I in.) C 6 (Do. I in.). (37J) Treble : by James Keene, in his ordinary lettering ; except the two last figures of the date, which are heavy (p. 164); the cross is No. 1, on Plate XXVI. 2 : by * Quoted by Lipscomb, III., 507, foot-note. BOW BRICKHILL— GREAT BRICKIIILL. 325 Anthony Chandler (p. 226); iron baldrick. 3: for some other bells by this unknown sixteenth century founder (perhaps Lawrence Wright), see p. 47 ; crown- staple broken, the present one is keyed. Tenor: by Henry Bagley I. (p. 215); cracked, a large piece out of lip ; has not been used for years ; the wheel (keyed) almost gone ; iron baldrick. The three upper bells, and probably the tenor also, appear to have their original stocks ; inner straps nailed, central pair on the two upper bells, keyed, others bolted. The three upper bells (those in use) have deal wheels of a remarkable pattern, evidently local manufacture. All the stocks are high. The bell-chamber is very dirty, and the woodwork (floor, &c.) somewhat rotten. On the frame, facing the trap, is carved : — 1628 I • I These are the initials of the hanger, John Jefs, whose name appears at Adstock (which see), and Simpson. July 1637, Bowbrickhill 4 bells. . . . fteeple wants pargetting on the south side . . . the belfrey wants paving. Bowbrickhill chappell. I : S* Bell. (This chapel is not in existence at the present time, and is not mentioned by Lipscomb. The number of bells intended, is probably, one, and a Sanctus.) Among the many thousand documents preserved at Claydon House* is a letter from Browne Willis, "To the R l Honourable The Earl of Verney Member of Parlia':" dated May 15th, 1756, in which he appeals for the preservation of "the Pharos of the County V13 Bow Brickhil! chur : " which it was proposed to pull down. He adds : " the Gentln. will fight for their four Bells w ch are good ones." BRICKHILL, GREAT. Nativity B.V.M. 1, 3. 4. 5- (3°. 34, 36, 39)- zx$> "W & T Meaes of London Fecit 1789 3EAMES KEENE MADE ME 162* ©©©§©©©§©©©© (On Sound-bow.) PE NEWMAN IER SERQEANT~v~v~v- (12) 2 : one canon broken. 5 and Tenor : a Joseph Eales, Gent., was made a trustee of Brill School, July, 17 10 ;* and a Mr. Robert Eeles, a relative of the founder of the church, shared with the churchwardens, the front division of a gallery, built 1749. t Tenor has two canons broken. The poet evidently ended his panegyric with the word expense ; but this appears to have been accidentally omitted in transferring the effusion to the cope ; at any rate, I could not find it, though I hunted round the bell, with the help of a candle, when I found it did not appear on the rubbing. Saunce : small sloping shoulder; iron baldrick to clapper (p. 162); a sample of the tiny lettering, and the corresponding fleur-de-/is, are at the bottom of Plate XXVI. • the pattern on the upper line, is fig. 59, extending 5^ in. ; and that on the sound-bow, fig. 60, all round. Jn a List dated 1611 {Rot. Pat. 8 Jac. I.J), of the enrolled foresters of Bernwode Forest, in which Brill was anciently included, appears a Will. Serjeant. The ring is hung left-handed ; the stays are quite short, and the sliders are * Lipscomb, I., 115. t Ibid., III. J Quoted ibid., 53, foot-note. 328 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. horizontal bolts of wood, halfway down sides of the cages. Taylor's peculiar T-headed clappers to his bells. 23 July, 1552, Brill, In pimis iij greate belle & j Sancts bell j handbell viij litell belle a'hanginge on a whele. July, 1638, 3 bells S'. s bell a clock . . . their wanteth a monion* for the west windowe but the faincts bell hangeth neere to the windowe & that is the reafon of the want of it. 1 7 14, S bells (sanctus not mentioned, but doubtless existing). Lipscomb (III.) : six bells (and a saints' bell) re-cast in 1825 out of five, one of which had the date 1680, and the tenor, weighing 9 cwt., the words "Richard Chandler made me, 1709."+ One of the former bells (possibly that dated 1680) was by one of the Bagleys, according to a List published by H. Bagley at Oxford, in 1732. J BROUGHTON. S. Lawrence. 1. 1655 CHANDLER MADE ME (28£) (34) ♦J* U $"amte jZriftme ©ra £ro ifiobtB U 3- (3Si) h{h GOD SHYE OYR KIMG 1622 Q£ MM 4- © ^ y ^ In JUJuItte iKimte j3,e~ fonct (Jampana lofcamtte u (39*) S, >>>>>>>>>>>>>> (On Waist:) 163? (n) Treble : by Anthony Chandler (p. 224). 2 and Tenor : by Henry Jordan, c. 1460-70 (p. 39). The cross and capitals on the second are on Plate XII. ; the shields, are figs. 27 and 28. The shields on the tenor are the same; the initial cross is the medallion, fig. 25 ; and the capitals are fig. 29. 3 : by James Keene and his partner or assistant (p. 161), in his usual lettering; the two pairs of initials are on Plate XXVL, where the initial cross is No. 3. The crown-staple was apparently broken out in the seventeenth century. One of the brasses has gone altogether, and from the consequent sinking of the bell, the clapper jams hard on the slider. Saunce : by Jas. Keene (p. 165), from the figures, which closely correspond to those on the treble at Bow Brickhill, and from the round sloping * Mullion. f Quoted from Browne Willis's MSS. % Pages 213 and 215 ; see also Bells of Gloucestershire, p. 120. BROUGHTON — BUCKINGHAM. 329 shoulder of the bell. The last figure of the date (see fig. 64) is peculiar, but is almost certainly a 5 reversed, and not a 7. The lettering is very similar to that used by Henry Bagley I., at Ashendon, but is slightly smaller. I have not met with this cross, lettering, or pattern (fig. 63, running here for 7 J in.) elsewhere. Straps nailed ; crown-staple probably broken in the seventeenth century ; wooden lever. The bell-chamber is in an extremely filthy condition. 20 July, 1552, browgton Itn ij hand belle <$■» a facren bell Itn iiij belle &* a fanfys bell hanggyn in the ftelpull July, 1637, 4 Bells S« Bell . . . The north window of the Chancell and the Bellfry windowe ptly boarded up. . . . The Bellfry wants paveing. . . . The Church and fteeple want pgeting. 1714, 4 bells (sanctus not mentioned). Death Knell tolled for 20 minutes on tenor, preceded by the tellers, 3x3 = 8 male; 2X3=a female. An hour before a funeral the bell is tolled 10 or 12 times to call the bearers together, and rung the last 20 minutes. On Sundays, two bells are chimed for five minutes, at 8 a.m., which is said to be in order that people may put their clocks right ; this is now utilised for an Early Celebration. Formerly when Service was held alternately, morning and afternoon, here and at Gt. Linford, the bells were chimed at eight, if the Service was at eleven, and at twelve, if the Service was at three. For Morning and Evening Services, the bells are chimed for twenty-five minutes ; the saunce for the last five minutes, and signifies a Sermon Bell. These are old usages. Ringing immediately after weddings. Many thanks to the Rev. C C. Euxmoore, Rector. BUCKINGHAM. SS. Peter and Paul. 1. x> i mean to make it understood that tho im little yet im good oco< Chapman & Mbaes of London Fecerunt 1782 (34) 2. i.f you have a judicious ear you'll own my voice is sweet and clear chapman & mears of London Fecerunt 17 82 (34) 3. xz>c> Our voices shall with Joyfull sound Make hills and Valleys echo round Such wond'rous power to musick's given it ELEVATES THE SOUL TO HEAVEN OOC x*cx> Chapman & Mears of London Fecerunt 1782 • MUSIOK IS MEDICINE TO THE MIND CHAPMAN & Meaes op London Feceeunt 1782 <|xzx>cx (4 J t) 6. Whilst thus we join in Cheabftjll Sound Mat love and Loyalty abound Chapman & Meaes of London Fecebunt 17 82 (43D 7. In wedlock bands all ye who joust With hands youe heaet unite so shall oue tunefull tongues COMBINE XZX^ TO LAUD THE NUPTIAL EITE. CHAPMAN & MEAES of London Fecebunt 17 82 ooo< (4 8 *) 8. xzx> f§ Will^ Elliott Baxliff. BichP Wheelee T. Town W. Boughan W & I. Nobeis Collectobs I. MANDEE HANG US 178 2 ^OOCX >cx> Chapman & Meaes of London Fecebunt o< (53*) The heaviest ring of eight in the county. Tenor : said to weigh 27 cwt. William Elliott served the office of Bailiff of the town in 1771, and for the second time in 1782. The circular stamp is a large medallion, measuring 2J inches in diameter; the field seems to be a floral device, and in the border, or exergue, is a zigzag pattern. A fine ringing chamber, and well kept. 26 July, 1552, BuckingKm Towne • It .v. great belles in the fteeple It one fante bell It ij hand bellis 5 May, 1553, buckyngnm . . . they (the feyd churchwdens) have allfo refeyvyd .v. great belle &° one faunfe bell. The old church had a square tower, supporting a spire of wood covered with lead, perhaps dating from the thirteenth century. On 7th February, 1698-99, the tall wooden spire was blown down in a gale of wind, without any material damage being done to the rest of the building. Among Browne Willis's MSS. (xxii., 45) is a copy of a letter from him to Mr. Justice Denton, dated "Whaddon Hall Oct. 3, 1737," and informing him that "a superstructure " was to be " erected on the present Tower, after taking down the monstrous Balcony." ..." and the Bells mounted and then the ropes may not longer dangle indecently in the Church or Ale carried to be drunk in the middle of it and other Acts done which breed and instill into youth Future irreverence to the place." This most worthy man evidently took it for granted that Belfry morals were BUCKINGHAM. 33 1 hopeless, and despairing of effecting any improvement, merely sought to put these things out of sight, instead of the scandal taking place in the body of the church. This contemplated alteration was not apparently carried out until 1753, when the tower was raised in height about 24 feet. Bound up with Browne Willis's MSS. (xxii., 57) is a letter to him, from which the following is an extract : — Sir, Agreeable to your desire, I have inform'd myself particularly of the weight of the great Bell, which is 24 : 2 : 12. & I find the parish have contracted with Lister,* for the new one to be twenty six Hundred, or as near it as possible your much oblig'd & obedt humble servant E : P : Wogan Bucking Ham "l [notes added in other writing — Thursday even / A 1751 The 5 Bells cast into 6 [175 1 added] with ab' 1800 additional metal] [The great Bell brought to Bucks ab c April 1752 is 2700+ pound weight 2 quarters & 7 pound & the 5 th 2200 as is Newport biggest Bell] The weights of the former, and then existing tenors, are again given in his MSS., xxxviii., 2. Among the thirty-odd- thousand documents preserved at Claydon House, J is a letter from Browne Willis " To the Right Honourable The Earl of Verney, Member of Parliament," dated Whaddon, February 19th, 1756, in which, writing of Buckingham, he says, " I wish the Bells were new run at Glocester For they are very Indifferent as several judges of them have observed But I doubt I shall live to see very few Improvements at that Town." The increased weight of the masonry added to the tower in 1753, proved too great for the old piers which supported it, and on March 26th, 1776, the tower fell, only a few minutes after the ringers had left it.|| LipscJomb says it contained five modern bells (probably a mistake for six), the tenor weighing 25 cwt. * Thomas Lester, of the Whitechapel Foundry, 1738-52. f In Messrs. C and G. Mears's List, issued 1852, by an oversight, two distinct rings are entered for Buckingham. Among the " Peals of Eight Bells," is, " Buckingham Town ... 8 (bells) 24 Cwt (weight of Tenor) ; " and among the " Peals of Six Bells," " Buckingham, Buckinghamshire ... 6 (bells) 27 Cwt (weight of Tenor)/' In later Lists of the Whitechapel Foundry, the first entry only was inserted, until the 1891 Edition, when the correct number, with the higher weight, were given. % The late Rt. Hon. Sir Harry Verney, Bart., by whose kind permission I quote it. II The Rev. F. G. Kiddle, Records 0/ Bucks, V., 414. Also Lipscomb, II., 578. 332 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Among the Wills given in Hist. Buck. Hund., &rc. (p. 59), the following bequests to the bells here, occur : — ■ Henry Collier, will proved 19 May, 1501, "Item, I bequeath to the Bells in Bucks" {i.e., Buckingham town, not Buckinghamshire, which we now understand by this abbreviation) " 13s ^d." "Margaret Colier, of Bucks, Will dated and proved 1502, gives 6s. 8d. to Bucks Bells." "Will oi Nicholas' Af ton, of Buckingham, dated January 4, 1505. . . . gives ... to the Bells 6s. &d. From Michaelmas Day to Lady Day, the fifth is rung for about five minutes, at 6 a.m., and the common tradition exists here, of a person who was lost, finding out his or her whereabouts on hearing a bell, and leaving money for this ringing to be continued in perpetuity through the dark half of the year. Rung again as the Curfew at 8 p.m. ; evidently a survival of the Morning and Evening Ave. On Shrove Tuesday, the seventh is rung for about 10 minutes, as Pancake Bell, some time between 10 a.m. and noon, usually from 11.50 a.m. to 12 noon. Death Knell, for persons over twelve years of age, on the tenor ; under twelve, on the second bell. At the conclusion, after a minute's pause, nine strokes on the tenor for a male, and six for a female. On Sundays, for Morning and Evening Service, the treble is rung for seven minutes, then the tenor for eight minutes ; then all bells chimed or rung. Sermon Bell rung on the treble after Morning Service. These are old usages. Before the Easter Vestry, the fourth is rung for five minutes. The sixth is said to be the Fire Bell. Very many thanks to the Rev. F. G. Kiddle, Vicar, especially for his kindness in giving me access to the Registers. (See Buckingham Foundry.) * The Town Hall. Single. (B/ank) (c. 16) Probably seventeenth century ; possibly older. Hung rigid, for clock to strike on ; no clapper. BUCKLAND. All Saints. 1. ELUS HND HENRY KNIGHT MHDE MEE (On Waist:) i6 7 5 (26) CHANDLER MADE ME 1693 ( 27 ) s'GEORGE CHANDLER MADE ME 1708 m) BUCKLAND— BURNHAM. 333 Treble: (p. 134) low canons.' 2: lettering 1.2 inches high, by "the firm" (p. 232) ; rather high canons. Tenor : letters if inches high (p. 234) ; high canons. All crown-staples broken. Death Knell immediately after the death, if before sunset, otherwise next morning. For an adult, the tenor is used ; for a child over seven years, the second ; and for a child under seven, the treble. Tellers: both at beginning and ending of the knell, three strokes = a male ; two strokes = a female. On Sundays, the tenor is rung for two or three minutes at 7 a.m. For the Services the bells are chimed for fifteen minutes. At the conclusion of each Service the tenor is rung for two or three minutes. These are old customs. The bells are chimed on November 1st; no doubt because it is the Anniversary of the Dedication Day of the Church. The tenor is rung for Vestry Meetings. No churchwardens' accounts extant, earlier than 1820. Many thanks to the Rev. E. Bonus, Vicar. In the Inventory made 23rd July, 1552, for " Bucklond," the bells are not mentioned; and again when the church was visited in July, 1638, no mention is made of them. In 1714, 3 bells. BURNHAM. S. Peter. l I: TAYLOR AND C? FOYNDERS LOVGHBOROYGH 1892 ( 3 of) 2. C & G MBAES FOUNDERS LONDON 1855 (32J) 3 RE WI IB 1624 (35) 4. THOMAS LESTER OF LONDON MADE MEE J 749 (37D 5. HENRY KNIGHT MHDE MEE + 671 (40I) 6. THO s -SWAIN MADE ME IN J755 THO 5 GOLDWIN IAMES BATTING CHUECH WABDENS (44i) Clock-Bell. BORNHAM +701 (21*) Treble : one of the ugly new-fashioned bells without canons. 3 : by Richard Eldridge (p. 243) ; the two last pairs of initials are probably those of the church- wardens ; letters fully if inches high. 4 : (P- 99) canons broken. 5 : by Henry Knight II. (p. 133)- Clock bell: evidently by Samuel Knight (p. 136), in the T % inch lettering used on the fifth bell here, and other bells from this foundry since 1659,— except the small h and the figure 7, the first of which corresponds with the lettering on the Great Marlow saunce. Crown-staple broken, and, consequently no clapper. . The tower suffered renovation in 1892 (and the addition of a spire), when the 334 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. bells were rehung by the builder, under, however, the supervision of a hanger from Messrs. Taylors' Foundry. Some of the old struts are retained, but all the horizontal timbers are new ; the additional treble is hoisted a considerable height above the other bells. In the old tower the bells hung left-handed. On the frame, near the tenor, was carved in large, well-executed figures 1624. The ringing-chamber was on the ground floor, whence a rickety (but rather curious) wooden staircase led up to the next loft; thence by ladders. There were two lofts between the ringing-, and bell-, chambers, and the whole presented a general appearance of dirt and neglect. Kicking about in the lofts were three ancient helmets, which used to hang on iron brackets in the chancel ; but when a previous " restoration " came, they were taken down, and left to be used as footballs in the tower ! The upper loft (the bell-chamber) was a wooden construction, perhaps added in 1624, when the frame was made, according to the date carved on it. The frame was supported on cross-beams round the interior of the next loft. All the bells were quarter-turned in the old frame, except the (then) treble, whose date (1855) probably shows that of the operation. The clock-bell used to hang in a small wooden turret on the roof of the tower, but was dethroned with the rest of the old work, and it was proposed, instead of restoring it to its legitimate use as saunce bell, to send it to the school chapel at Cippenham, at the other end of the parish. 9 Aug : 1637, 5. Bells S'? Bell, a clock but it doth not goe. 1 7 14, 5 bells (saunce not mentioned). In the Surrender of Burnham Abbey, dated September, 1539, quoted in Hht. of Abbies (II., 16), is : — The Monaftery of the Order of St. Auftin, . . . Bells and Lead worth 40/. i6j. 8aT. 8 March, 1557 The j^'ory of BurneKme. The leade of the fame was none, for the Steple was made, w'- Stone &* thother buyldinge Churche <&•" Cloyfter were all Tyled as ys Certefyed by Withn Tyldesley. (&c) The belle — iij — P03 — ccc as Apperyth by the faid Certaff. whiche were fold by the commiffion9 f ' docto r London &r° others at the dissolucon. Death Knell for about twenty minutes. Tenor for adults ; treble for children. Tellers, both before and after the knell : 3 x 3 = a male ; 3 x 2 = a female. On Sundays, the treble is rung at 7 a.m., "as a warning.'' For the 8 a.m. Service, three bells are chimed. For Morning and Evening Service, all the bells rung for about half an hour. For the Afternoon Service, one bell is rung. The same on Christmas Day and Good Friday. On Christmas Eve, ringing about 7 p.m., and again from midnight to 1 a.m. On New Year's Eve, ringing about 7 p.m., and from 11.30 p.m. to 0.30 a.m. Ringing on Queen's Birthday and 5th November. Ringing for weddings when desired. Many thanks to the Rev. R. F. Rumsey, Vicar. CADMORE END — CASTLETHORPE. 335 CADMORE END. S. Mary le Moor.* Modern parish; church built 1851. One bell. The church stands actually in Oxfordshire, but the parish lies chiefly in Bucks, and it belongs to the Archdeaconry of Bucks. CAL VERTON. All Hallows. 1. >%* w: & J: Taylor church clock & chime makers fecit 2. % ►£, TAYLOR FOUNDER OXFORD 1822 O O -£ (32|) 3- ^§6. I822 5?5f (34) 4- {Blank) ( 3S f) 5. ^f ^f ^ O OO This peal was recast by W: & J: Taylor ox- ford Nov? 20 : 1822. (39^) S. {Blank) (nf) Treble: much tuned fiom lip; stock only six inches high. The * =a double triangle. 2 : The coins (? sixpences) are \ inch diameter ; the first has S. George and the dragon, dated 1822; the second is undecipherable, but is probably not identical. 4 : evidently by Taylor, like the rest. Tenor : the coins (? crowns) are \\ inches diameter; the first has bust dexter; second, probably the same; the third is apparently S. George and the dragon. Saunce : nearly the same size all the way down ; rather large canons ; perhaps cast about the end of last century ? 1714, 5 bells (sanctus not mentioned). Lipscomb, IV., 87, says the old church contained five bells ; the present church was built in 1818. He gives the weight of the tenor at "about 17 cwt.," which would probably be that of the former bell; the present one would be only 12 cwt. CASTLETHORPE. [Probably B. V. Mary ; \now bb. bimon and Jude. Single. -J. h£h h]n U (3°£) By Johanna, widow of Richard Hille, shortly after 1440 (p. 26). The stamps are figs. 10, 11 (twice), and 12; the lozenge, however, being shown as No. 3, on Plate XI. Crown-staple broken. '■'■'■ Fide Sheahan, p. 884. 336 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. 1714, 3 bells. Lipscomb's account (IV., 90) confuses the numbers of the bells, and the weight given for the tenor is less than the survivor would weigh : — The height of the tower was originally 71 feet ; but the rain having been suffered to destroy the timbers of the roof, it fell down on Monday 22 Dec. 1729 ; and being meanly rebuilt, was lowered about 30 feet, and only the second of three bells, which it had contained, was put up again ; the first and third being sold to defray the expences of re-building it. The weight of the largest bell (which was broken,) was 4 cwt. 2 qr. 18 lb., and was purchased for Fenny-Stratford Chapel, at 40/. ioj. On the second and third bells were inscribed, " God save the King, 1620."* The word '' second," in this last sentence, is (if the numbers in the preceding sentences are correct), evidently a misprint for "first." It seems probable that the word " the " in the inscription on these two bells, should have been " our," and that they were early examples by James Keene. Death Knell for about twenty-five minutes, unless a longer time is specially ordered ; about three strokes in two minutes. Tellers : three blows = a male ; two = a female. For a funeral, minute tolling for about twenty- five minutes previously. On Sundays, for the Services, the bell is chimed (?) for twenty minutes. Before the present schoolroom was built, the Sunday School was held in the Church, and the bell was used as a summons to it, at 9 a.m. The bell is used for Vestry Meetings. The distich, common to most counties, appears here : — " Thrup poor people Sold the bells to build the steeple." Many thanks to the Rev. M. A. Nicholson, Vicar. CAVERSFIELD. S, Lawrence. i. J. TAYLOR & 09 FOUNDERS LOUGHBOROUGH. 1876 {On Waist:) in H0NORE BEATI LAVRENTII (c. 27) 2. + INHONORS-DG I-6T3ANTI-LAV- R 6 N C I I (2oS) 3- J. TAYLOR & 01 FOUNDERS LOUGHBOROUGH, 1874 (c.30) The treble replaces a fourteenth century bell inscribed : — + Oi n + ^o^o^e + BeAri + JiAvue n c 1 1 * See the extracts from Cole's MSS., under Fenny-Stratford. CAVERSFIELD— CHALFONT S. GILES. 337 See p. 14; the pretty little cross and lettering are shown at the bottom of Plate I. 2 : early thirteenth century j the cross and lettering are on Plate II. The tenor replaces an early thirteenth century saunce bell, with the inscription on sound-bow reversed : — ■iw&q?3-T/iva30a-]-AiJAqq?iT H??l3-HO?V-tt»AJ JiaiSTAQHAQ-QVH The lettering is the upper set on Plate I. (to be read backwards). For some account of these two ancient bells, and an attempted reading of the inscription on the last, see p. 3, et seq. Besides the barbarity of getting rid of these two bells, it was a great mistake to put the survivor in a ring with modern bells; the "cry" of the ancient being entirely different (notice the respective diameters) ; it should have been kept to use as a saunce, or any other purpose for which a bell is used singly. Its original crown-staple is broken, and the present one is keyed, showing it to date from probably the seventeenth century. Turned ; new stock, etc., no doubt by Taylor. It has a new clapper, which is much too heavy, and the sooner it is taken out again the better. It was evidently put in to try and extract some music from this curious piece of antiquity, which has the very smallest amount of resonance. 5 May, 1553, Cav r ffylde — two great belle [one fance bell]* July, 1637, Caversfeild 2 Bells I of them a S'. s Bell. . . . the Steeple Church and Chancell pgeting. The fteeple decayed in the ftone worke. 1714, 2 Bells. (The saunce bells are omitted in this List, but the other two are hard to reconcile.) I have included this parish, although it has ceased since October, 1844, to belong to Bucks. By the Act 7 and 8 Vic. c. 61, it was incorporated with the county of Oxford. It is included in Bucks by Lipscomb, whose History was published in 1847, without comment; and also in Parker's Ecclesiastical and Architectural Topography of Bucks, published in 1849. The Death Knell is tolled as soon as the sexton, who lives at Bicester, two miles away, can be fetched. Nothing to distinguish sex or age. On Sundays, for the Services, two bells chimed for ten minutes, then one bell for five minutes. Thanks to the Rev. W. Bryant, Vicar (with Stoke Lyne, Oxon.). CHALFONT S. GILES. S. Giles. 1. Raisd by Valbntbey Subscription ® Lester & Pack of London Fecit * 1764 ( 27 ) * Erased 2 X 338 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. 2. THO I Am BUT SmALL I WILL BE HEARD AmonGST YOU ALL R % C FECIT J742 x©^ ('7$) 3, 6. =x> t. Meaes of London Fecit is 20.00000000 (30, 38*) 4. (Incised:) IN ' PARKER & wS SANDERS CH= WARDENS 1764 Next line, in relief:) LESTER & PACK OF LONDON FECIT (3°) 5- Dicimus REYnoLDS Rector •:• R •:■ Catliii Fecit J 742 •.•x^aJvffi- »' iS Wx^ • fN @X5): (3 2 $) Clock-bell. (Blank) ( 1 .'?i) 2 : by Robert Catlin ; it was evidently, when first cast, the treble ; has been turned. 3 and tenor : the pattern on the latter is a size larger than that on the former : one oval and two half lozenges, measure respectively, 2^ and 2^ inches. 4 : diameter much reduced by tuning away from outside of lip. John Parker, son of Mr. Peter Parker, died September 24th, 1776, aged 56; a mural tablet to his memory, and that of other members of his family, exists in the church. 5 : has been turned; Decimus Reynolds, of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, A.B., 1731; A.M., 1735; was collated "by the Bishop of Lincoln, and inducted 10th March, 1735; he was also Vicar of Aylesbury; died about 1755. Clock-bell: probably seventeenth century, while its stock may date from the sixteenth ; straps nailed ; hole in stock for wooden lever ; crown-staple broken. The bell is hung rigid, and has no clapper (crown-staple broken). Frame : eighteenth century, with newer hangings (? by Warner), and the bells were rehung in 1889, in the old frame, by Greenleaf and Blackbourn of Salisbury. Aug: 1637, Challfont S« Egidii 4 Bells S? bell, a clock. ... the butterices of the fteeple in fome decay. 17 14, 4 bells (saunce not mentioned). Death Knell tolled as soon as notice is sent to the sexton : tellers, 4x3 = 8 male ; 3x3 = 8 female. On Sundays, from 1st March to 1st November, the treble is rung at 7 a.m. ; and from 1st November to 1st March, at 7.30 a.m., and again always at 8.30 a.m. The bells are rung before each Service for a quarter of an hour, and chimed for the next quarter of an hour, and these are called Sermon Bells. A bell is rung immediately at the conclusion of Holy Communion. These usages date back beyond the memory of persons now living. Ringing on New Year's Eve and Christmas Eve. Ringing occasionally at the conclusion of the Marriage Service. A bell is rung for Vestry Meetings ; also when a fire occurs. THE CHALFONTS. 339 No churchwardens' accounts extant. Many thanks to the Rev. Pownoll W. Phipps, Rector. CHALFONT S. PETER. SS. Peter and Paul.* i. 3. 4, 5- (2 7. 3 if. 33i 3<5|) ^x> Thomas Mbaes of London Fecit 179 8 00000c *■ HBKRT BOJtfD & SOUS BELL FOUNDERS BURFORD OXFORDSHIRE 1884 ( 29 i) 6. John Hatch Sen? William Hunt Church Wardens. W^ Gurnet Jos? Hatch Jos? Gurnet John Hatch Jun? 00000 {On Waist:) THO? MEARS OF LONDON FECIT 179 8 (40) The second is the only example by Mr. Bond in the county (p. 261). All re-hung by him in 1884; all turned except the second. The previous second was cracked by the clapper of the tenor, which broke during ringing : the lower portion flew out of the tenor cage, into that of the second, where it jammed between the cage and the lip of the bell as it revolved, and split the bell. Tenor : weight given in Messrs. C. and G. Mears's List (1852), and also in Messrs. Mears and Stainbank's, as n cwt. 18 July, 1552, Chalfount Sainte Peter, V. belles in a ringe one other litle bell comonly called th fanctus bell. 17 Aug: 1637, Chalfont S l > Petri 5 bells S ts bell a clock. 1 7 14, 5 bells (saunce not mentioned). The church was re-built 1726. Lipscomb (III., 246) says it has "six modern bells, re-cast by Aldridge." Aldridge sounds like Eldridge, the foundry of which family probably came to an end in 17 14 (but see p. 245). The greater part of the List of Bells in Bucks made by Browne Willis in that year, was corrected down to 1752, but as no alteration is noted for this parish, Lipscomb's statement is probably confused. Death Knell occasionally as "passing bell," as soon as possible after the death; but more frequently the following morning. Tenor for adults, treble for children : tellers, 3 x 4 = a male ; 3 x 3 =a female. At funerals, single bell tolled usually ; but occasionally muffled or half-muffled ringing. On Sundays, bells chimed fifteen minutgs for Matins ; rung for about an hour before Evensong. These uses are of recent introduction. * Lipscomb, III., 244. 340 THE CHURCH BELLS OK BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Ringing on New Year's Eve, from about 11.30 p.m. to 0.15 a.m. ; certainly for last sixty years, and no doubt an ancient custom. On all the great Church Festivals ; also June 20th (the Queen's Accession), and November 5th. Wedding ringing occasionally. On practice nights through Lent, the bells used to be rung half muffled, but this was only a modern innovation, and is not kept up. One bell rung for March and Easter Vestries. There is a bequest of £1 10s. for ringing on November 5th ; but the money is now devoted to other purposes. Many thanks to the Rev. F. H. Woods, Vicar. (Chapel-of-Ease, at Horn Hill, built, 1866, not consecrated.) CHEARSLEY. S. Nichoks. * ffijScmcte ;pau£e 0*a Ji>ro I^oBis u W R (33) 2. lost Rose & Edmand Eqelton ch ♦ wardens J74J Thomas Lester of London made me (34) * * HENR8 KN8GHT MADE TH$S BELL ANO *6X6 w> S. (Blank) (I3i) Treble: maybe safely ascribed to William Hasylwood, of Reading, 1494-1509 (p. 59) : the initial cross and capitals are on Plates XVII. and XVIII. The tx and I are reversed. The shield, bearing a cross, is the first on Plate XIX. 2: (p. 99). Tenor: by Henry Knight I. (p. 124); letters 1^ inches high; is cracked right up and down, and two large pieces broken out of the lip ; crown-staple out, clapper disappeared. The clerk (nearly sixty in 1887) says the bell has been split ever since he can recollect. The saunce is an old bell, perhaps seventeenth century : it also is split right up and down ; the clerk does not know when this happened. Width between rims, only T 9 7 of an inch, and a slightly raised band between them (where an inscription would naturally be), is only £ of an inch (as at Chesham Bois). 23 July, 1552, Cherfley . . thre great belles . j. fanct3 bell. in that theye do owe for calling thee mydle bell xx J - .... a hand bell. 1714, 3 bells (sanctus not mentioned). 9 The Northampton Herald, May 31st, 1851, stated that: "A bell and a portion of another were last week stolen from Chearsley Church." This (for which I am CHEARSLEY— CHEDDINGTON. 341 indebted to Mr. H. Gough) is difficult to explain, unless the bells were only small ones, and not tower bells, because no bells appear to be missing here, and I can find no other place of the name (or at all resembling it) elsewhere. CHEDDINGTON. S. Giles. 1. (34) GOD SRYE OYR KING 16S8 fig 2 - %q\ikuxizs ctzxy Ixawc cam- paw am fecit (34!) 3- (354) ♦J* GOD SHYE OYR KING 1634 4 a antta □ marta q ora d pro n nobtC n (39*) 5. « RICHARD* CHAMDELER * RICHARD* CHAHDELER * 1638 ® * 1638 (g) Treble and 3 : by James Keene (pp. 165, 164); the initials on treble, and the cross on third, are on Plate XXVI., where the latter is No. 1. The two last figures of the date on third do not match the rest of lettering, but are like the figures in fig. 64, with which 3 this one is probably identical. Straps of treble keyed ; those of third bolted. 2 : by John Dier, towards the end of the sixteenth century (p. 240) ; inscription, in clumsy lettering, clumsily set on cope ; stock 20 inches high ; all straps keyed, and stamped M ; recent wheel. 4 : probably by John Saunders, of Reading, I 539"S9- The rebus shield (Plate XIX.) is only known here, and at Hitcham (p. 70); it is here stamped the wrong side up; the stop is fig. 38. The S of " Sancta " has never been stamped ; perhaps the moulder's intention was to use a capital, but not having it immediately at hand, he stamped the rest of the inscription, and forgot to add this initial. Stock 20 inches high ; mortise cut horizontally through the centre, near the top, probably for a lever, before the days of wheels. Straps keyed ; wheel of a most peculiar pattern, partly 'keyed. Tenor : by Richard Chandler I. (p. 221) ; the stops are fig. 77, except the one following the date in each instance, which is fig. 80 ; stock 2 \\ inches high ; all straps bolted ; new wheel by G. Darney, 1880, copied from the previous pattern. The wheels of 1 and 3 are of the same pattern, less archaic than the fourth, but still peculiar. All the clappers in elaborate wooden cases, with very long flights. On the frame is carved W M, probably the initials of the seventeenth century bellhanger. The bells are hung left-handed, in a bad circle. * 342 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. 18 July, 1552, Chedington (also cheddygton, a»^chevyndon). It on facryn bell 8f ij hanbele It in the ftypel iiij belle (On reverse:) thislnvyte^ry wanteth , . . It ij handbellg a Sakring bell . . . July, 1637, 4 Bells (The name of the Commissioner appears under this parish : — Wittm ffofler jp ult vifitace ). 1 714, 5 bells. So also in Browne Willis's MSS., xxxviii., 2, where the inscription on the fourth is given. CHENIES. ■ S. Michael, i, 2, 3, 4, 5. (26f, 2% 31, 32, 34) do T. Meaes of London Fecit 1826 oocooo 6. zx> T. Meaes op London Fecit 1826. coooooo do Eevp John 'Wing Bector. coooocxoocx George Dodd 1 ,-,_„„_ ™- _, „ \ Church Wardens, Joseph Handle GturneyJ William Bee son Clark (37 i) Tenor : The Rev. John Wing, A.M , was inducted 12 November, 1827 ; resigned 1829 ; he was also, from 1807, Rector of Thornhaugh, with Wandsford, Northampton- tonshire. Weight given as 10 cwt. in both C. and G. Mears's, and Mears and Stainbank's Lists. 17 Aug : 1637, Cheinies 4 bells a clock The top of the fteeple in decay. 1714, 4 bells. (This continued to be the number until 1752, at any rate, and probably until 1826.) CHESHAM. S. Mary. 1, 5- (33i, 4ii) 00 Thomas Meaes op London Fecit 1812 0000c 2. 3, 4- (34i, 36f, 3H) 00 T. Mears op London Fecit 1812 oocoooooc 6. The Bev? Bobt Holt Butcher Vicar Iohn Bailey & Tho? Creed Church Wardens July 1812 ^exxs^ (47*) S. * 1 © s # (i S ) The ring (cast by Thomas Mears II., p. 105) was rehung about 1885, by Messrs. Mears and Stainbank, with iron stays ; 3 : canons broken. Tenor : the Rev. R. H. Butcher was inducted nth February, 1781, by exchange, on the presentation of the Duke of Bedford, the patron. His successor was inducted on 9th October, 1822. Weight given in Messrs. C. and G. Mears's List (1852), and also in Messrs. Mears and Stainbank's, as 1 7 cwt. » note, F. Saunce : by John Sturdy, who died CIIESHAM. 343 x 458 (p- 27) ; the letters are from the smaller set on Plate XI. ; the cross preceding them is No. 2, and the stop following them is No. 4, on that plate. On the stock is cut, 1790. There is a tradition that the bells belonging to this parish, and those belonging to Great Missenden, were accidentally exchanged, having been sent up to the Whitechapel Foundry to be re-cast, at the same time; but a reference to those bells will show that this is a mistake. Of course this tradition may be founded on some fact of long ago, which is now no longer obvious. The Curfew is rung on the third bell, every evening, at eight, from the first Sunday after New Michaelmas Day, until the Saturday preceding the 10th of March.* The day of the month is now added at the end. 1552, 18 July, Cheffham Magna Itm v. bells in the fcepill. . . . Itm iiij candlefticke of Latyn and a egle of Latyn &■» iiij litle bellz. &•• ij handbellz fold for xxxvj.t 1 714, 5 bells (saunce not mentioned). Chesham is fortunate in possessing an interesting MS. book, J entitled — Chesham Magna. A Booke Concerning the Repayring of the Seates and of the Bells of the Parish Church and Building of a newe Gallery, Anno Domini 1606. James Wedon, George Littlepage, Churchwardens. At the end it is endorsed : — Rychard Bowie, gentleman, gave this Booke ready written to the p'ish of great Chesham, Mense Maii, Ano. Dni. 1607. It contains upwards of ninety pages, the first being taken up with a sort of " contents :" — This booke conteineth a true declarac'on of the causes and the manner of procureing authoritie for entering and proceeding into the charge of repayreing the p'ish church of great Chesham, in county of Buck. And of the newe makeing of sundry and newe seats and repayreing the olde. And of the building and erecting of a faire new Gallery on the south side of the saide Church. And also of the newe casting of two of the Bells and makeing of a newe frame and newe hanging of all the five Bells. And howe every * Records of Ducks, III., 74 1.1863), and IV., 32. f Quoted ib. III., 66; but not literatim. t For these extracts I am indebted to Mr. R. S. Downs, of Wycombe, who gathers — from his epitaph and from incidental references in the book — that Mr. Richard Bowie, the writer, was born in 1550 (but where unknown), and was probably Steward to the Earl of Bedford's Chesham property. Besides giving contributions both in kind and in money to the restoration, he appears to have acted gratuitously as Clerk of the Works. He died in 1626, and was buried at Chesham. It is to be hoped the book will some day be published in its entirety. 344 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. p'ticuler p'rishioner of abilitie was rated by sundry p'sons att special assemblies for the charge hereof beside what voluntarie benevolence from sundry p'sons was afforded. And howe (etc.) And howe some opposed both the worke, the order and the paymente : who notwith- standing did after yeld. And Lastlye how (etc.) All which premisses being propounded and concluded by Sir Edmund Ashfeld, Knight, Mr. Saunders our minister, Richard Bowie, Gent, George Littlepage and James Weedon, Churchwardens, by virtue of the Com'ission to them in that behalf directed (etc.) And in this Booke at large written as a memorable act of the p'ishioners and others in that behalf, Whiche Booke and the writeing thereof was geven and bestowed uppon the p'ishe by the good will and guift of Richarde Bowie, farmor, to the right honorable Edward Erie of Bedford, of the parsonage of Chessam Wooburn, the second day of Marche 1606 in the fowrth yere of the raigne of our sovaraigne Lord James by the grace of God of England, Fraunce, and Ireland, King, defender of the faith, and of his highnes raigne of Scotland the fortith. Next follow interesting details concerning the repairs, but foreign to the scope of the present work, and then : — For tenh loads of square tymber More for three posts Saweinge the tymber Plancks to board under the frame of the bells, xxxiij, j* p foote Carpenters worke in takeinge downe the olde frame and makeinge and finishing the uew frame Casting of one of the Bells by composition Paid more for mettle that wanted to that Bell ... Careage of that Bell twise and charges Iron for the clappers and the hanging of the Bells Casting the Brasses and Careages and for the Bells, etc. ... Baldricks and ropes for the Bells A long Rope to pull upp the Bells ... Mending the clock After this follows a list of voluntary offerings, some of which may have been for belfry requisites :— " Benevolences & charges geven and ymployed towards the building and repaireing aforesaid," consisting of " tymber, carreage, etc., voluntarily and freely geven by sundry p'sons." The "Pancake Bell" survived until about 1880, and was revived in 1889. Death Knell tolled once a minute for an hour, twelve hours after the death. Tenor used for all over sixteen years of age ; fourth for those between twelve and sixteen ; third, between eight and twelve ; second, between four and eight ; and the li. J. vj xiij iiij v j viij iij vij vj xxxiij xviij j iiij i'j iiij viij viij xxxvj viij iiij vj xxj viij xviij xxvij XV CHESHAM — CHESHAM BOIS. 345 treble for infants up to four years old. Tellers : 3 x 3 = a male ; 2 x 3 = a female. Single bell tolled at funerals. On Sundays, the bells are chimed at 8 a.m. for a quarter of an hour. They are rung for one Service, and chimed for the other two. The sanctus used for about the last two minutes. These usages go back beyond living memory. Ringing on Christmas and New Year's Eves ; and for weddings when paid for. Notice of fires and markets is given by the Town Hall bell. From the Register : — ■ 1812. The old Bells were taken down on the 12 th of August. Six new bells were hung in the Steeple Nov. 20 th and a Peele was rang on the same day Robert Holt Butcher Vicar Many thanks to the Rev. Charles E. Boultbee, Vicar. District Church, Christ Church, Waterside. Consecrated 1864; one bell; with (unconsecrated) Chapel-of-Ease, S. George, Tyler's Hill. CHESHAM BOIS. S. Leonard. r. {Blank) (25^) 2 CHANDLER MADE ME 1705 (* 8 i) 3- m (3ii) -f Sattrte Jlntxxza Ora Prn Flabis 4- PEACE & GOOD NEIGHBOVRHOOD g^g A&R 1718 Hi5 H^ B$2 W6. (3 6 i) s . ABR: RVDHALL OF GLOVCESTER. CAST VS ALL 17 18 SfewaSE3tes}ii2fe*s}e*,Mestestt>te5E (4°} 6. IN MULTIS ANNIS RJgSONET CAMPANA IOHANIS WiM. A6R 1718 MMM.MMM All by Abraham Rudhall (p. no). Treble : patterns, fig. 45, for 2 \ inches, and fig. 46, five times. 2 : pattern fig. 45, all round ; rehung by J. Coles, with circular connection to gudgeons, round the canons. 3 : fig. 46 twice, twice over; below is fig. 47, running all round. 4 : fig. 46 once, and then four times. 5 : fig. 48 for 1 foot ii£ inches. Tenor: lettering about 1^ inches high; figures as before; patterns, fig. 48 for 3! inches, and then for 9 inches; below are two rows of fig. * This is the position of the tower, but the angle is expressed in the MS. by a hieroglyphic. 348 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. 47, which run all round. The bell on all (except the fifth) is fig. 49. Treble, 2, 3, and 5, have ornamented canons. All the bells have modern (bolted) straps. The frame (like that at Bletchley) is fixed cross-cornered, instead of parallel to the sides of the tower. On it, opposite the door, is carved : — John and Richard Williames Made Thees {sic) Frames Liuing in King Sutton in the County of Northampton Neare Banbuary in the yeare of our Lord 7778 The family of Chester* was descended from John Chester, Citizen and Draper, of London, who was buried in Mercer's Chapel, 1437. In 1546 the King granted to Anthony Cave, Esq., the Manor, Rectory, and Advowson of the Vicarage of Chicheley. Having no son, they passed, on his death, 9th September, 1558, to one of his daughters, Judith, who was married to William Chester, Esq. Their son (?) Anthony Chester, was High Sheriff of the county in 1601, and being first knighted, was created a baronet, by James I., on March 23rd, 1635. S"" J onn ! the "benefactor" recorded on this bell, was the fourth baronet; he was buried 16th February, 1725-6. Tradition says that he used to ring, using a silken rope; and that, when he had the bells recast, he threw the old family plate into the furnace containing the bell-metal. In Genealogical Memoirs of ike extinct Family of Chester of Chicheley, (London, 1878, 2 vols., 4to), vol. II., p. 531, Mr. R. E. Chester Waters states that Sir John Chester, the fourth baronet, — was enthusiastically fond of the music of Church-bells, and the tower of Chicheley Church is so close to the Hall, that an amateur would be driven to distraction by bells of inferior tone. Sir John therefore sent the old bells to Abraham Rudhall, the famous bellfounder at Gloucester, to be recast, and purchased from him a new peal of six bells, which are so celebrated for their silvery tones, that it is firmly believed amongst the local traditions that Sir John threw in during the casting a cap full of silver crowns, f The new bells were put up in 171 8. . . . (The inscriptions follow, not quite accurate.) It was Sir John's delight to ring these bells with his own hands, and the silken rope attached to a wheel, with which he used to practise ringing, is still preserved at Chicheley Hall. This exercise served him as a substitute for hunting for which he was getting too old, and for which Chicheley afforded fewer opportunities than Shenton. Sir John Chester, the fourth baronet, was born at Chicheley Hall, 24th June, 1666; he was the second son and eighth child. He married, November, 1686, at * Lipscomb, IV., 94. t Gentleman's Magazine, Feb., 1849, p. 158. CHICHELEY — CHILTON. 349 Shenton, in Leicestershire, Anne Woolaston, and resided there with her parents. She died October, 1704. In 1714 Sir John married Frances Lady Skrimshire (a widow), and then came to reside at Chicheley, where he died, 1726. 22 July, 1637, Chichley. 4 Bells <5r» a S« Bell. 1 714, 4 bells. The following entry in Browne Willis's MSS., cix., 29, is obviously incorrect : — Astwopde, Soulbury, Chicheley, Bechampton, Sancte Martine, Sancta Margareta. Bells dedicated to these two saints exist at Soulbury. At Beachampton is one dedicated to S. Margaret. At Astwood, one dedicated to S. Katherine is the nearest approach ; and as it would seem that no bells have been removed in the interval from those towers, one cannot feel at all sure that the statement is correct with regard to former bells at Chicheley. Death Knell chimed (?) as fast as for Service, except when requested slower. At Funerals one bell is tolled both before and after the Service. On Sundays, the Sermon Bell at 7 a.m. during summer, and 8 a.m. in winter. For Services, the bells are generally chimed, infrequently rung. The treble alone for the last five minutes before the Services. The bells are rung on Christmas and New Year's Eves, and on Easter Day. Also on the Queen's Birthday ; and after Weddings if paid for. A single bell rung for Vestry Meetings. Very many thanks to the Rev. S. B. Booker, Vicar. CHILTON. B. V. Mary. 1,2. 16 8 6 (29^,32) 3 THOMAS 5ANDERS WILLIAM SAN- DERS C W 1686 (36) S. {Blank) (i6i) The three "big "bells, and probably the saunce also, by Richard Keene (p. 170). Treble : cracked many years ago, but since the straps and clapper were renewed. 2 : some straps keyed, others nailed ; iron baldrick to clapper. Tenor : rather flat canons ; some straps keyed, the others, and the wheel, renewed. Saunce : a round- shouldered bell, with high canons ; straps nailed ; clapper cased in wood, over iron baldrick ; iron lever ; on the stock is carved D P ; but this is apparently recent, and may mean Daniel Perkins, the wheelwright of the village. 23 July- 1552, Chylton, Item thre belle a fencte bell. 1 714, 3 bells. 3 SO THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. CHOLESBURY. S. Lawrence. singu. COM AND PRAYE (i*i) The treble at Drayton Beauchamp— dated 1621 — has a similar inscription, in the same lettering (very like James Keene's ordinary set, but slightly larger — being about i^ F inches high) ; as the spelling on that bell is amended, it may perhaps be considered that the present example is the earlier (p. 265). Two other bells in this lettering are at Whitchurch. Stock probably original ; straps nailed ; central pair keyed ; clapper hooked on. The bell was rehung in 1873, when the church was restored. Death Knell for half an hour, two strokes to the minute, as soon as possible after intimation of the death is received. No tellers. At funerals, tolling for half an hour previously. On Sundays, chimed (?) for the Services: from 10.30 to 10.40, and from 10.50 to n.o ; and the same for the second Service. Rung (?) for Vestry Meetings for about five minutes. These usages are the same as they were when the present Rector came in 1830. No churchwardens' accounts, and no reference to the bell in the Registers. Many thanks to Miss Jeston, and her father, the Rev. H. P. Jeston, Rector. July, 1552, Chollyfbury, It iiij lyttell bellye of brafe. 1714, one bell. And in Browne Willis's MSS., xxxviii., 4: — A small tyled Turrit in which hangs a Little Bell. CLAYDON, EAST. S. Mary. 1. PEACE & GOOD NEIGHBOURHOOD A 6 R. 1752 HiS 5tf® (*7*) 2 . PROSPERITY TO THIS PARISH A&R 175 2 ++++++ +++++++++++++++ (28|) 3 . ABEL RUDHALL CAST US ALL 1752 g^ gg^ ,8^2 %§&. ( 2 9i) 4 . ALEXANDER MARKHAM VICAR ?tf A&R 1752 &fcW$U&% (sii) 5- IOHN BAILY ROB T : READ CHURCH WARDENS A 6 R 175 2 ++++++++++++++++++++++ (36) 5. 165 7 (i6i) EAST CLAYDON. 351 For Abel Rudhall, see p. 112. The letters are the same as on the Bletchley and Chicheley bells, except a narrower 7. Treble : pattern, fig. 46, once right way up and once wrong. 2 : fig. 45, for 1 foot 2 inches. 3 : fig. 46, four times. 4 : half of fig. 46, reverse way up ; and then about three and three-quarter times, as shown. About half an inch tuned off the lip of the bell, to sharpen it. Tenor : fig. 45, for 1 foot 3 inches. Saunce : almost certainly by Anthony Chandler (p. 224) ; wooden lever. All the bells have old clappers with iron baldricks. 2 3 July. 1552. Estclaydon. It in the Steple iij belle and a Saunct3 bell. 1 1 July, 1637. 3. bells &* a S'. s bell. 1714, 3 bells (sanctus not mentioned). Lipscomb I., 172, states on the authority of Browne Willis's MSS., that there are " Five bells here, had been re-cast into three before the beginning of the last century : the first was inscribed, ' S'c'a Katharina, ora fro nobis : ' the second, ' Melodie nomen Magdalene campana gerit.' " Whether he means that the original three bells were recast into the same number, previous to the recasting into their present form ; or whether " re-cast into three," should be " re-cast/rom three," is not obvious. But as shown just above, the immediate predecessors of the existing bells were three in number. The inscriptions as quoted are obviously inaccurate , what they doubtless were, may be seen by referring to Astwood for the treble, and to Tingewick for the second. The two Claydon bells were most likely, like those two, by John Walgrave (c. 1418-40) see p. 30. For the following extracts from the churchwardens' - accounts of the parish I have to thank the Rev. T. E. Jameson : — »7i8 • £, s dqrs , Oct. ye paid to John phillips for Staves or Spokes, and Sroudbords "j 2 3 d to mend the first Bell whell and one days worke to \ 00 = 02 = 6=0 mend y e wheele all at ... ... ... J And for 1 pound of 8 d nails and half a hundred of 9/ nails a and half a hundred of Lath nailes which was used to mend the first Bell wheele and for fasning y e seccond Bell and y e other frames paid to Thoi Spooner for Nailes to Nail y e plates to y e Seccond Bell Stock to fasten y e Bell ... 00=00=2=0 Nov e em b er [paid] for A Locke for y<= Steeple doore ... ... 00=01=0=0 ! 7!9 for Naylls and spikes to fafson y e Bords in ye Steeple -i Tune -j r = 00=1=0 ^ e I5 wmdes... ... ... - - ) ve 18 paid to William Lee for 12 days work to point y e -1 ' _..,.... }■ ••• 00=10=0=0 it J 00=01=0=0 Steeple and plaster y e Church and whitewash Agust paid Thomas Spooner for Mending the Ironworke of y e -^ y e 14* third Bell ... ... ... - J 00=02 = 6=0 352 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Octo ye 3d paid Thomas Spooner for Mending y e Iornworke of y e Seccond Bell paid William Daniel for worke and Bords \ and nailes to mend the third Bell wheele / paid Spooner for a plate for y e Bell wheele 1721 Sept ye 8th 1722 March ye 1Q 1723 July ye 15 Jan r 13 1723 March ye th 1724 June y e 2 n _l Oct 9th 26th Nov. 18 20 30th 1725 1726 March y e 26 1727 Oct. 7'h 1730 1731 Sept ifrh 1733 Dec. 16 1734 paid Spooner for making a Stay for ye Bell Paid John Bayly for 3 bellropes PI Will Bachor for mending the bells PI Cross for Shouting y e bellropes Paid to Tho Spooner for Iron work for y e Bells Paid to John Bayles for Bell Ropes waying 15 pounds att 7^ a pound Paid to Thomas Copper for mending the Bell Claper paid to William Butcher for mending the Great bell wheel paid to Goody higgs for nailes to mend the great bell weele Paid to William Butchor for ftufe (?) 1 & workmanship for y e Bells / paid to John Bayles for Bell Ropes waying ~> 15 pound.at 7^ pound p d ... / paid to Thomas Mathews for mending of a key of the Bellfary Door }... pi Tho s Mathews for mending y e great Bell To r3 Raymand for 3 Bell Ropes ~i weighing ly^l at 6 a p i / pi to John horrod for three bell ropes weing ~\ 1 5 pound at sixpence a pound /'" pi to tho crofs for washing the church "| Lining* and a letherf for the bell / PI to tho Sandears for mending ye bell To a rope for the Little Bell To Thomas Crofs for a pice of Leather- for the Bells To Thomas Crofs for a days' work & a half about y e Bells To Thomas Inwood for 2 pices of Timber -1 about y e Bell frames ... J = 00 = 4 = = 03=0 = 00 = 00 = 3 = 00=00 = 8 = lit. s. d. OO . 08 . 09 OO . 03 . 06 OO.OO. 08 00 . 14 . O OO . 08 . 9 00 . 04 . 6 00 . 08 . O 00 . 01 . 7 00 . 10 . 6 00 . 8 . 9 8. 9 00 . 07 . 6 00 . 02 . 6 00 . 01 . 10 1 . 6 00 . 01 . 00 00 . 01 . 06 00 . 02 . OO Linen. t To make a baldrick. EAST CLAYDON. 353 '735 1736 Jan ye 7 1738 Sept. 23 1739 June 2 1740 July 4 1 741 June Dec. y= ii' Dec y e 24 1742 Sept. 1743 1744 1 745 Jan. y e 28 1746 Oct. y e 16 Tho Mathews for 4 new Cotterls & a 1 days work about ye Bells ... j For 2 new plates for ye Bells & nails For mending ye Bell Claper Paid widow Shimmey for Ale when ^ y e workmen wos about ye Bells J To Th° Grace of Marsh* for three Bell ropes ... To Tho Mathews his Bill for new Staying ye Bells -1 & Iron work about one of ye Church windows J To Th° Crofs for Leather for ye Bells Tho s Mathews for mending ye Bells To Th° Inwood for work and Half about y e Bells Tho Grace for 3 Bell ropes Pd Mr. Stutchley for 3 Bellropes ... Pd Tho Sandrs for mending the Bell Clapar and other things P^ Joseph Bowden for taking Ann neills ~i bed down staes & mending y e bells wells / Pd Daniel Ginkins for 3 Bell Roopes Paid Tho Crofs for Leather to [ ] the Bell clapers And to Jeames Matthews for keys & "1 work to put in the Clapers ... I Paid Jeams Matthews for mending the "1 Ironwork of the Greatt Bell ... ) For 3 wegges to fasson the Great Bell For laying in the Leads into the Steeple wall -1 & pointing it again ... ... J For a lock for the Bellfry door For mending the Steeple door & geting on the lock For cleaning the Steeple from Loofe stones Pd Geames Matthews for a staple for the Porch "v door & mending the iron work of the Great Bell J To Tho Cross for Leather [ ] aboute the Bell clapers To Jeames Mathews for putting them in To Jeames Mathews for mending the Ioran work of the first Bell 00 . 02 . 00 }... pd Joseph Bouden for mending the Bellwheels [&c. &c] To Jeames Matthews for mending the -> Ironwork of the second Bell ... J To Joseph Bouden for mending the Bellwheels... 00 . 00 .09 00 . 02 .06 00 . 02 , . 00 00 . 10 , 00 00 • 13 00 — 2 , 6 — 5 ■ — 3 • 6 — 12 , . — 08. 3 00 . 06. 6 00 . 03 00 .09 . 7 00 . 12 . 00 . OI . 00 . 02 . 0.2.0 0.3.0 0.0.4 0.0.6 0.0.9 0.2.6 0.1.6 0.0.3 5- 6 2. 6 2 . 6 Marsh Gibbon. 2 Z 354 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. For a Bell Rope 6 pound ... ... ... 3 . To Jeames Matthews for mending the second Bell Claper... 6 . o To Cross for Leather ... ... ... ... 3 . o to Joseph Bouden a 100 weight of wood to [ ) J- ... o . 3 . o ] Iorns and for work a Bout the Bells J To two New Bellrope 11 pound ... ... .-• 5 • 6 To Jeames Matthews for lorn work for third Bell ... 3-6 To mending the lock of the Steeple dore ... ... 0.0.6 T e st To Joseph Bouden for mending the Bellropes ... ... 0.0.2 Jan y e 6* To Jeames Matthews for puting in the Clapper ... 0.0.4 To John Baker for a New wheel for the third Bell ... o . 1 . o* 1748 To one Bellrope 5 pound & half ... ... ... o. 2. 9 To mending the key of the steeple dore ... ... 0.0.6 Paid — Rood for Iornwork for the seccond Bell ... 0.6.8^ to Rob Edin for putting it on ... ... ... o. 1. o T '749 to a Bellrope... ... ... ... ... 0.3.0 July y 20. r Sept. y e 16 To Jeames Matthews for keying up the first Bell ... 0.0.6 24 th to a Bellrope ... ... ... ... o. 3. o to Edin for one day to mend the Steeple flore ... ... 0.1.4 ffor Boards dito ... ... ... ... 2.6 to a Joyfte for the Steeple fflore ... ... ... 0.0.8 to mending the key of the Steeple Dore ... ... 0.0.6 to Robert Eding for 1 foot of Inch Bord used J at y e [ ] y e Steeple, and nayles & f ... 0.1.6 works and laying a sil at ye Bellfry dorer J to lime and [ J and Lath and "v nayles to [ ] the Bellfry J to Robert Eding for work to mend y e upper floore of y e Steeple ... 1750 to Robert Eding for work and wood to ■> Oct ye 17 [ ] the third Bell J "' '" 3 ' 2 Dec. 12. to Jeames Matthews for Ironwork for the third Bell ... 0.5.8 1752 to Reerd for the men that heped to take down the Bells ... 0.2.0 For [ ] where they Loaded the Bells to drink ... 1 . 4 to bringing the little Bell from Middle ^ „ Y ... ... o. 1 . o Claydon & putting it up ... J paid postage for two letters from Gloucester ... ... 0.1.8 to [ ] out the Bell stocks and drying "| them and [ ] / To Benjamin Lynd for fetching the Bells -v from Stratford on Avon ... J * This must surely be a mistake ! }... 6 EAST CLAYDON — MIDDLE CLAYDON. 355 May ye 17th 1753 Charges at the Swan with the man that brought \ the Bells & agreeing with the men to hang them j- & for ale to the men that on Loaded them J For bringing the Bell stocks from Middle Claydon •> to Joseph Backer at Bottle Claydon ... J for a [ ] to carry the Bellwheels & Stocks & -1 other things from Joseph Bakers to the Church J paid to Mr Clarke [ ] 1 and Joseph Baker for making 5 new wheels r & hanging the 5 Bells and 5 new Roles &c. &c J To Joseph Baker for 1 1 foot of oke timber to make ■> good the frames at 20 pence fF foot ... ) for 35 foot of Plank to mend & brace the Bell frames for 2 foot of Elm Bord to make a trunk Stufe for 3 new nofils For work to Brafe the frames being not in the first bargain paid Swonnell for 5 Bellropes \ waid 21 pounds 7 pence a pound J paid Henery Rood for casting the Brafes -1 wayed 37 pounds at 6 pence per pound J Paid Harry Rood for 10 new gudgions -» 22 pound at 6 d ff pound ... J To Harry Rood for making the Rest of the lorn ^ work for 5 bells ... ... J Paid for the carriage of the old Bells from ] Stratford to Gloucester and the new Bells back r from Gloucester to Stratford ... ... J For A journey of a man & a Horse to Stratford to Goe -j after the Bells & to pay for the water carriage ) To Jeames Matthews for 2 Iorns in the Steeple windows Paid Joseph Bates for taking out the old Brafes & for | 3 foot of oke plank & other pieces of wood at the r top of the steeple & for titing* up the Bells J To Bates again for a new joyse in the Steeple flore o . ti . 4 o . 1 . o 0.1.6 II . o . o o . 18 . 4 11 . 8 1 . 6 1 . o 0.5.0 O.I2. o o. 18 . 6 o . II . o 3.1.0 1.6.9 O.I2. 6 0.0.6 o . 3 . 11 O . I . o CLAYDON, MIDDLE. All Saints. I. 1674 CHANDLER MADE ME (30) 2. r.wAwm.F.R made me ip«4 (30 (34) 3- {Blank) S. {Blank) (13*) * ? Tightening up on the stocks. 356 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Treble : lettering very closely resembling, but not identical with, Anthony Chandler's set ; probably one of the first bells by his eldest son, Richard Chandler III., working with his father (p. 227). 2 : Anthony's letters, placed below the ordinary position, down among the rims (p. 226). Tenor : probably also by one of the Chandlers ; or Richard Keene may possibly have been the founder, and of the saunce as well. The latter has iron baldrick to clapper, which seems to mark it as not later than quite early in the eighteenth century, and its stock, etc., appears to be not later ; wooden lever. In the churchwardens' accounts of East Claydon there is an entry, in 1752, of " bringing the little bell from Middle Claydon & putting it up," but as, further on, it seems that the new bell-stocks were made here, it probably simply means that the "little bell" had come here for some restoration purposes, and not that it had belonged here. The three bells were retuned and rehung about 1867 or 1868, by a London firm (evidently Warner). 11 July, 1637, 3 Bells. 1 714, 3 bells. By will dated 24th December, 1526, proved on "the first Monday in Lent following,'' "Dominus Alesander Anne, presbiter," bequeathed legacies {inter alia) for a great bell, and for the repairs of this church.* Lady Verneyf says he was the last Roman Catholic Vicar ; he is omitted in Lipscomb's list of Vicars. He belonged to the Giffard family, at that time tenants of the Claydon estate, and their arms (3 lions passant) are on his brass in this church. CLAYDON, STEEPLE. S. Michael. * ED HALL MADE ME 1737 W E.ODE3 I BATE3 (30) 2 - (34) PHILLIP TELER GAVE ME 1620 3- $8 t592 (On Sound-bow :) O O O O 4 . HALL MADE ME 1754 (35) (37) 5. J : INGRAM & T . ROBINS. C : W. OXFORD . MDCCCXXVIII . TAYLOR . & SONS . FOUNDERS. (41) * Browne Willis's MSS., Vol. xxxii. Lipscomb, I., 192. f Memoirs of the Verney Family, Vol. I., p. 22. STEEPLE CLAYDON. 357 Treble and 4 : in Richard Chandler III.'s 1.2-inch lettering (pp. 236, 237); the fourth (without initial) being probably by William, son of Edward Hall. W. Roades and J. Bates were presumably the churchwardens, ^ whose names, Lady Verney informs me, are at that date unrecorded. Lady Verney has kindly supplied the following information concerning the two families. In the Steeple Claydon Register, we probably get, among the Baptisms, the names of the wife and two sons of this William Roades : — - 173^ Feb. 15. Will : son of Will : Rhodes & Frances his wife. 173* Feb 1 1. Thos : son of Will : Rhodes. The Roades family belong to Middle Claydon, but their present representative, a retired farmer, lives in Steeple Claydon. Many entries of the name occur in the Middle Claydon Registers, where the Baptism : — 1695. May 19. William son of Wm. Roads & Eliz. his wife, may perhaps be the individual whose name this bell records. The elder William was baptised in 1655, his father was John. Another John Roades was steward or bailiff to Sir Edmund Verney at Claydon, from 16 10, and, by his wife, Anne, had a son William, who succeeded his father as bailiff. Both of these, but especially the latter, are frequently mentioned in the Verney Memoirs (2 vols., 1892), and much further matter of interest concerning them and their family is given in the third volume (published, end of 1894), proof-sheets from which Lady Verney most kindly allowed me to see. The Bates family were also in Sir Ralph Verney's employ, but were at that time much less considerable people than the Roades. Lady Verney found Jane Bates, " a servant maid." In the Steeple Claydon Register is the Burial : — 1740. June 18. Mary Bates. Widow. who is very likely to have been the wife of the J. Bates on the bell. 2 : perhaps by Richard Eldridge (p. 243) ; Lady Verney very kindly searched — but in vain — for any trace of the donor; just possibly the bell was bought second-hand from the parish to which it was given ; much tuned from lip. 3 : lettering on Plates XXVIII. and XXIX., the ornate cross is on the latter; the shield is fig. 66; the coins (i-inch diameter) appear to be reverses of sixpences (p. 198). 5 May, 1553, Steplecleydon. iiij great belle 11 July, 1637, 4 Bells. . . . The Steeple Church and Chanc 1 wants pgeting and fomewhat in decay in y e foundacon. 1714, 4 bells. 1755, an Embattled Tower at the West End; in which are four modern Bells; to which a Treble has been added of late to make them five. 358 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. A mural brass in the church records that the Steeple was erected in 1862, to the memory of Gen. Sir Harry Calvert (who died 1826), by his son, Sir Harry Verney, Bart. The " Pancake Bell " was at one time rung, but has been discontinued for many years. Death Knell, as soon as notice is given. Tellers : 3x3 = 3 male ; 2 x 3 = a female. Age tolled at beginning. One bell tolled at funerals. On Sundays, one bell is rung at 8 a.m. For Services, tenor rung for five minutes, followed by chiming of all the bells for twenty-five minutes. Saunce chimed for last three minutes. These are old usages. Ringing on Christmas and New Years Eves, 5th November, etc., and for weddings when paid for. No old churchwardens' accounts. Many thanks to the Rev. C. M. Gough, Vicar. CLIFTON REYNES. B. V. Mary. 1. •frlOHN^ HODSON»MADE ♦ ME ♦ 1665 4?IG ♦ IS ♦ CW* WH (28J) 2. * IOHN ♦ HODSON ♦ MADE ♦ ME ♦ 1664 ♦ IQ ♦ IS ♦ CW ♦ WH ♦ (30) 3 * IOHN ♦ HODSON ♦ MADE ♦ ME ♦'1664 ♦ IQ ♦ IS ♦ CWtWH * ♦ (3*1) 4- #IOHN*HODSON* MADE ♦ ME ^1664 ♦lOS- EPH ♦ GALE ♦ IOHN ♦ SHARPE ♦ CHVRCH ♦WARDENS ♦ O WH O O * O * O * O (35*) 5 ♦iOl*es*iohn»hodson»made»me» 1664 ♦ ioseph ♦ gale ♦ iohn ♦ sharpe ♦ chvrch ♦wardens ♦ * q wh q ♦ O ♦ o ♦ ° ♦ O ♦ (38i) The initials W H on each of the bells are those of William Hull (p. 251). Treble and 2 : much tuned from lip. 3 : new straps by T. Paggett, of Olney (which adjoins). 4 : the coins, as well as I can identify them, are as follows — No. r, reverse of Scotch shilling of James I. ? (i x 5 ff inches diameter) ; royal arms, quarterly on shield, but instead of the normal arrangement, the arms of Scotland are here CLIFTON REYNES. 359 in the first quarter ; England and France quarterly in the second ; Ireland in the third ; and the fourth is undecipherable (but would be, no doubt, Scotland again) ; legend in exergue qvje . [devs . conivnxit . ne]mo . separet. No. 2, ditto. The remaining four are obverse of half-crown (but same size as the last) of Charles I. The king on horseback ; the sword raised, pointing slightly forwards ; legend, carolvs d : g : [mag : br : fr : et :] hib : rex.* Tenor : the coin in the first line is 4 cm. diameter, bearing a shield of arms, crowned ; legend, [ ] archid [- -] vst . dv [ ] obvrg . brab+. The first in the lower line is obverse of crown (?) of Charles I., 43 m.m. diameter ; king on horseback, the sword raised, pointing slightly forwards ; legend, [carolvs d g mag brit] fran et hib rex. No. 2 ; coin of Philip IV. of Spain, 41 m.m. diameter; legend, phil [ ] d g hesp et [ J rex 16.40. No. 3 is similar to the first two on the previous bell. Nos. 4 and 6 are similar to the coin on the upper line of this bell. No. 5 is similar to the four half-crowns on the previous bell. I L . E S stand for James Lowe, Esq., patron of the living ; born 1624; grandson of Thomas Lowe, Esquire of the Body to King Henry VIII., who married Alice, eldest daughter and co-heiress of Richard Reignes, of Clifton ; descended from Thomas Reignes, Lord of Stathern, Clifton, and Oakley, in right of his wife (whom he married circa 1272) Joanna de Borard, great granddaughter of Simon de Bosco Roardo, Lord of Stathern, co. Leicester ; Clifton, co. Bucks ; and Oakley, co. Beds, temp. William the Conqueror. Well carved on the inner side of the tenor cage is the date : — \ 03 5 The bells are hung left-handed, in two tiers, the ropes do not fall in a circle. 1714, S bells (probably no sanctus). In a very neatly-written MS. volume, in the possession of the Rector, entitled, Some Account of Clifton Reynes in the County of Buckingham, 182 1, by the Rev. Edward Cooke, Rector of Haversham, it is stated that there are " five bells cast out of three about 1690." This statement was copied by Lipscomb (IV., 119); it is probably a mistake for 1664. On the other hand, the date carved on the tenor cage may indicate that there was a ring of five here at least thirty-three years previous to the existing bells. Death Knell, as soon as the Sexton returns from work. The age is tolled, and distinction made between males and females. Tolling on the tenor at funerals. On Sundays, bells chimed for the Services. These usages are old-established. Many thanks to the Rev. W. Sutthery, Rector, for, in addition to the above particulars, very kindly allowing me every facility for copying the following : — * Of which of the numerous types of Charles's half-crowns these are impressions, it is not easy to decide, or even whether all four are from the same. So far as I can decipher them, they most resemble fig. 493, in Hawkins's Silver Coins of England, 3rd edition, but, apparently, the horse has its near fore-leg and i^" hind-leg raised ; and if so, they are not Oxford coins, but were perhaps struck at Aberystwith (pp. cit. p. 330) 36o THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Extracts from the Churchwardens' Accounts. i663-67.[Spent at feverall times about the Bells To James Gilloway Paid to the Belfounder to make up the firfc fume [To Robert Afpray in part for Belropes To the Belfounder ... To Robert Afpray for bel-ropes when he deftrained ... For carrying the Bells paid to the Townfmen March 21, 1669. To the Smyth for mending the bell-claper & other worke 1671. For 3 bell ropes 1673-74. ffor Bell Ropes 1675-77. Paid for mending the great Bell Clapper ... Apr. 2 pd to William Gale for worke about the Bells pd to RoBt Aspray for nailes ufed about the Bells and seates pd to Jam : Laughton for worke <5f boards about y e steeple pd to W™ Gale for hookes &* hinges about y e Church &r° steple ... 1678. To the Ringers. November 5 1679. Sept' 8. Pd for 3 New Bell ropes OctoB. 6. Pd for Iron worke about y« third Bell Nov. ; Gave to the Ringers ... Paid for workmanship and expences about the Repaire of the Bells To James Laughton for mending the Bell wheeles Paid for Repairing the Bell Wheeles 5. NovemB Gave to the Ringers Paid to James Laughton for mending the Bell wheeles Mar: 12 Paid for three Belropes Nov: s Expended upon the Ringers dec 28 To James Laughton for mending the Bell Wheeles Nov : 5 To y e m Ringers Oct 8 To William Crofse for 32 1 )' of Belropes at 7^ a pound ... Nov. 5. To the Ringers To Richard Smith for keyes and ferrills and trufsing up the Bells To William Swaine for helping him Nov: 5 Gave to y e Ringers ... ffebr 6. (Paid to y e Apparitor for 2 Books — ) And gave then to y e Ringers ... Nov: 3 (sic) Gave to y e Ringers oct 10 Paid W» Crosse for a set of new Bellropes ) and repairing y= old ones at sundry times ... j Nov. 5 Gave to y Aprill 25 Gave to the Ringers being a Thansgiving day 1723. May 25 th for a piece of Benleather and Keying the Bell Claper ... Gave to the Ringers at Gunpowder Treason to W™ Aspray for a new Bell Rope w^ 5 pound (End of Book, Lady Day, 1724. No more accounts until 1829.) COLD BRA FIELD. S. Mary. * * JOHN - CIAHKE * MADE » ME 1 607 <«) 2. (22) h£ i ALEX : RIGBE : MADE I ME =• J 6 g I i E : BODINGTON :CH:W 3. ROB? WHITWORTH. C : WARDEN . MDCCCXXVIII . (26J) — 2— 9 — 2— — 9— — 2 — 6 — 2 — 6 — 3— — 2 — 6 — 1 — 8 — 1 — 6 — 2— 6 . 1 . 6 . 2 . 8 — 2 . — 2 — 6 . — 2 — 2 . 6 . 1 — 2 0— 2 — 6 — — 6 — 3— 6 — 2 — 6 I . 8. 10 — 4— 6 — 1 — 6 — 5- 1 . 9 • 10 . 2 . 6 = 1 = . 2 = 8 2 = 6 COLD BRAFIELD — CRESLOW. 365 Treble: only eleven other bells are known by this founder (p. 24 r). Crown- staple broken. It is not so good a bell as the second. 2 : for Alexander Rigby, see p. 246. Edward Bodington was apparently the son of John Bodington, Rector of Newton Blossomville, who bought this Manor circa 1669, from Henry, Lord Mordaunt, second Earl of Peterborough. There are several memorials to members of the family in the church. One of the canons broken. Tenor : evidently by Taylor. 1714, 3 bells. COLNBROOK. S. Thomas. Single. C 4 G MEARS FOUNDERS LONDON 1842 The bell (a very small one) hangs in a little open turret over the west end, and is decidedly troublesome of access. Two bells were sold for one in 1842, when a very extensive repair of the chapel was carried out The present church, in a new position, was begun in 1848, and consecrated by the Bishop of Oxford, 18th June, 1852. In the History of Wraysbury . . . and Colnbrook (by G. W. J. Gyll, Esq., London, 1862, p. 286 and seq), it is stated that a chapel, dedicated to S. Mary, is supposed to have been originally built in 1344, and subsequently twice re-built on the same site, in the parish of Langley Marish. It was consecrated, after the last re-building, on 7 th December, 1794. Some portion of the clock is supposed to be of the fourteenth century. Besides ordinary use for Services, the bell has been used, since about 1886, at the consecration in the Holy Communion. No old churchwardens' accounts. Thanks to the Rev. F. P. Burnett, Vicar. 8 Aug: 1637, Colbrooke Capella 2 Bells & a clock. The Chappell Hands in Langley parish. The Chappell & all things about it are repaired And maintained by the pfits of markets & fairs. 1714. Colebrooke capella, 2 bells. CRESLOW. Though at present containing only one dwelling-house, Creslow is a distinct parish.* Browne Willis (MSS.) says of the church : "It was desecrated in Queen Elizabeth's time ; or more probably Anno 1645, . . ." t About 1710, "the founda- tions of a small tower at the West end were dug up . . . I could not learn what * Records of Bucks, I. 262. f The last Incumbent was presented in 1554. 366 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. number of bells there had been." The portion of the church still standing, forms a coach-house, to the door of which parish notices are fixed. Mr. W. R. Rowland informed me that the little bell now hanging over the principal entrance-gate of the ancient Manor House, is said to have been the old town-crier's bell of Woodstock ; it was purchased some years ago by his father. (With Whitchurch.) CUBLINGTON. S. Nicholas. Single. CHANDLER MADE ME 1667 (3*i) S. 1811 (i9l) The "big bell" is by Anthony Chandler (p. 226); crown-staple broken; bell loose on stock, which is in bad condition. Saunce : no doubt from the Whitechapel Foundry ; half-wheel. 23 July, 1552, Cublyngton, Itm ij grete belle in the fteple/ And the fanctus bell / Itm ij handbell for gangtyde / Itm A lytill facrynge bell / Itm A clocke The expression "for gangtyde" is explained by the Inventory which follows this one — that of Linslade — in which are mentioned, after the great bells, and sanctus bell, two procession bells. 1714, 2 bells (sanctus not mentioned). In another place in Browne Willis's MSS. (xxxviii., 8) : — 2 modern Bells. I was informed — though I sincerely hope, incorrectly — that all the old parish documents contained in the ancient chest, had been burnt a few months before my visit. CUDDINGTON. S. Nicholas {erroneously, S. Margaret). i, 2, 3. (26£, 27^, 29) CPJST BY J0PJ5 W^^]SEI? § JS0]S$ L0]SD0]5 ISS4* 4. J^EC^ST B¥ J0JIN W^E^ § jS0]SS L0]SD0ja ISS4* (3°£) 5. C^ga? BY J0PJVI WWIE^ § JS0JVIJS M>jSD0]2 ISS4 > ^EV» JflJIEg JilH]SjSEl£ PJ(ICE JJ. "ft. — YlCJI^. •/i.D. IS84* (33) 6. C^gT BY J0H]5 WWNEI^ § g0]SJ3 L0JSD0JS ISS4* E0R TpE P0]50UI^ 0E 60D fl]SD 3?PE UgE 0E TpiJS CpUl^CP CUDDINGTON. 367 TjIEJSB gl£ BELIi^ WEJP I^IjSED ?LD. ISS4. BY PE]V!^Y B0DDI]S6T0]V[ WJI0J5E fl]SCE£T0IRjS LIVED I]5 THIg P7IRISJI E©^ ja/my Yew* (362) S. {Blank) (11) Treble, Note E £#. Weight, CWT. 4 QRS. LBS. 7 2, J) d ,; J) 4 1 27 3, J) c „ )) 5 8 4. JJ B „ >> 5 3 IS 5. J> A „ it 6 2 27 Tenor, )? G „ )) 8 2 27 Total weight 34 3 27 A Service for the dedication of these bells was held on October 30th, 1884. They were given by Henry Boddington, Esq., of the Cove, Silverdale, Carnforth. Saunce : probably eighteenth century, or older ; has a hole near the shoulder, about f x J an inch ; straps nailed on old stock (both repaired) ; half-wheel. 2 3 July, 1552, Coddington, Inp>mis iij belle &* a litle bell hanging in the fteple. It ij hande belle 1 7 14, 5 bells (saunce not mentioned). These existed until 1884, and were somewhat as follows : — 1. 3CIAM SAW Jjaa 3IHT 1612 C © W W & S (28) 2. D © 6 □ Ave Maria (31) 3. This Bell was made 1610 W [?] (32) 4. [A Head] 4 © □ Sancta Maria ora Pro Nobis (36) 5 . This Bell was made 1610 (38^) The tenor weighed 8 cwt. 1 qr. 14 lbs.; note, A&; 4 and tenor were cracked. Total weight of the ring, 33 cwt. Treble, 3, and 5, were perhaps by the unknown founder who cast the second bell at Morden, in Surrey, in 1604, with the initials W 2, perhaps meant for S W, inscribed by scratching by hand inside the cope;* or (and I think more likely) the initial S on the treble may be a misreading for a curly-tailed y, standing for William Yare, of the original Reading Foundry. In this case the bell between these initials would be the R L shield (fig. 36). The second * Surrey Bells, pp. 96, 183. 368 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. and fourth bells were almost obviously from the still older Wokingham Foundry, during the fifteenth century, either by Roger Landen, or his successor, John Michell (p. 53, &c.) In all probability these two bells formed the treble and tenor of the ancient ring of three ; and when the middle bell was recast in 1610, the number was increased by the addition of a new tenor ; and two years later again an extra treble brought the number up to five. One cannot but regret the loss of these bells. On Sunday, 13th July, 1879, a youth named Ward, seventeen or eighteen years old, went up to the bell-chamber to mend a rope ; the tenor, which was set, came over on to him, and he died the same day, before he could be taken to the County Infirmary. Death Knell as soon as intimation of the death is received by the sexton. Tellers : 5 x 3 = a male, 3 x 5 = a female ; the tenor used for adults, the third for children. The bells have been chimed on one occasion at a funeral. Many thanks to the Rev. J. Mansel Price, Vicar. DATCHET. S.Mary. 1. Tho? Meaes of London Fecit 1795 000 T Hurst & W Hurley Church "Wardens coo (29!) .. * HENRfi KNfiGHT MADE MEE ANO mm ( 3 ii) 3- (34*) co Thomas Meaes of London Fecit I804 ooocx 4. C&G MEAES FOUNDERS LONDON (On Waist:) EECAST . A.D. 1845 REV? ISAAC GOSSETT VICAR (38I) 1&- 5. © Bancta go^anif xa 3^xo 0o£>if I6o7 (42) Treble and 3 : by Thomas Mears I. (p. 104) ; the pattern on 3 is a larger size than that on treble. 2 and tenor : by Henry Knight I. (p. 124) ; cross on second, 1^; on tenor, i-| inches high; the capitals on this latter bell average i^f inches high ; the H K about i-| inches ; the crowned rose is on Plate XXII. These two bells have high canons, and the stock of the second is evidently, and of the tenor probably, original; modified iron baldricks to the two clappers, and wooden busk- boards, or splints, with an ordinary modern key. The clapper of the second has no flight; its wheel broken. 4 (p. 116):, the Rev. Isaac Gosset, A.M., was inducted 6th April, 18 14, on the presentation of the Dean and Canons of Windsor. DATCHET — DENHAM. 369 22 July, 1352. dochett, It iiij grett belle <&-» one fance bell. It one hande bell. 7 Aug : 1637, Datchett 5 Bells ... A flore howfe annexed to the fteeple. The butterices of the fteeple & Church in decay . . . And the wall of the fteeple & Church wants pargeting & mending. 1 7 14, 5 bells. The church was rebuilt 1857-60 ; the bells were hung by the builder (? a London man, named Dove), in a deal frame ! Not unnaturally the oscillation proved so great, that they could not be rung, and the clerk (a blacksmith) made a chiming apparatus, by which alone they are now sounded. Death Knell tolled on intimation of the death being received by the sexton. Tellers : 3 x 3 = a male, 2 x 3 = a female ; the tenor for adults, the treble for children. No bell used for funerals (?). On Sundays, for Services, bells chimed fifteen minutes, pause five ; chimed five ; a single bell for the last five minutes. Chiming on New Year's Eve from shortly before midnight, until shortly after. No old churchwardens' accounts. Many thanks to the Rev. J. H. Thompson, Vicar. DENHAM. S. Mary. 1, 2. C & G- MEARS POUNDERS LONDON (On Waist:) gg^lSS clSf } CHURCH WARDENS 1846 (30}, 3I ) 3. Jn° Fountain Fran? Bowey Ch. "Wardens °§b Pack & Chapman op London Fecit 1772 og (33 j) 4, 5- 6, 7- (34f, 381, 4ii, 46|) IAMES BARTLET MADE ME 16 83 o 8. (Si*) WIgT BY )®W WmW 4 $®M M>P©N IS7S ■:• 4, 5) 6, 7 : these four fine bells are the only examples by any of the Bartletts now existing in Bucks (p. 96) ; they are the remains of a ring of eight by him, the first of that number ever erected in the county; all four have been turned, and have their single canons broken off; the medallion on the second line is fig. 43, which, on the fourth, is stamped the wrong way up. The ring rehung by Warner. It was a pity that if it became necessary to replace the tenor, the work was not entrusted to the Whitechapel Foundry, the birthplace of all the other bells. The old tenor was inscribed* : " Richard Nicholas, Daniel — Winchester, Chvrch Wardens, * Fide Mr. Henry Wilson, of Windsor, communicated by Mr. A. D. Tyssen. 3 B 370 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. James Bartlet, made me, 1683." It was probably in the same lettering as the remaining bells, with the medallion, and without most or all of the commas. Diameter 52 inches, sound- bow 3I inches. The Peckham family were established here before the close of the fifteenth century (according to monumental inscriptions in the church, quoted by Lipscomb, IV., 452); and at the reformation, Sir Edmund Peckham, Knight, became seized of the manor, and was buried here 18th April, 1564.* His eldest son, Sir Robert Peckham, Knight, very shortly after the surrender of Biddlesden Abbey, namely, in 1540, bought that estate for two hundred marks, f and soon afterwards demolished the church there. He sold, or gave, the five very large bells belonging to it, to Denham. These "continued at Denham 'till 1683, 35 Car. II, when they were run into 8, as they now remain.":]: Aug : 1637, S Bells S ts bell. &= a clock. 1714, 8 bells (probably no sanctus). A board, formerly in the ringing chamber (the disappearance of which is regret- table) recorded what was perhaps the first peal ever rung in the county ; it was copied by Mr. Hemy Wilson, before the tenor was exchanged : — May 9 » 1773. The Society of College Youths rang at the Parish Church of Denham, a Compleat Peal of 5040, Bob Major, with the Sixth at home 12 times right and 12 times wrong, in 3 Hours and 16 Minutes by the following Persons, (viz.) W™ Scott, Treble. Thof, Bennett, 2* Win?; Richards, 3? Tho= Sylvester, 4* Ja° Darquitt, 5* E* Sylvester, 6* Rob' Bly, 7', h Jo* Monk, Tenor. Winstanley Richardson (London), Thos. Sylvester (London), James Darquitt (S. Anne's Lane, London), Edmund Sylvester (King Street, Golden Square, London), and Joseph Monk (Camberwell), were among the subscribers to Clavis Campanalogia, in 1788. Death Knell about twelve hours after the death. On Sundays, for Services, the bells are simply chimed with a chiming apparatus, and one bell tolled for the last five minutes. Ringing practice during the winter * He was one of the Commissioners for the Visitation of the Churches in this county in 1552, see p. 323 foot-note. ■f Browne Willis, Hist. Hund. Bucks., p. 59. + lb., p. 152. DENHAM — DORNEY. 37 1 only : ringing at midnight on Christmas and New Year's Eves. No other uses of the bells. There is an endowment of about £1 10s. per annum for ringing. Thanks to the Rev. R. H. Lathbury, Rector. DINTON. S. Peter. 1.2.3 165 6 (32, 34h 37) 4. RICHARD CHANDLER MADE ME I6g2 (4°£) S- • HEMRY SYMMAR ROGAR LVCAS CHVRCH ARDNS 1658 (45*) The fourth is by Richard Chandler III. ; lettering ^f inch high (p. 230). The other four bells by Ellis, Francis, and Henry, Knight (p. 129). Re-hung (probably by Bond of Burford) in the old, left-handed frame ; all turned except second. 23 July, 1552, Denton, It in the Steple iiij bells. July, 1637, 4 Bells and a S^ Bell. 1 714, 5 (saunce not mentioned). (DITTON—see Stoke Poges). DORNEY. S. James. 1. WILLIAM ELDRIDGE MADE MEE» 1 6 9 S ♦ ♦ ♦ (29) »■ PRAYES THE LORD «635 Cs°i) 3. (34i) BlttttU be the name of the Ior&e 1582 © Jofepb u carter 4. EICHAED : BIDDING i TH s MAETIN j CHTJBCH : WARDENS ; Q O J7 7J Q (3 6 ) TH°. S Swain Fecit. TH° S Swain Fecit. TH° S Swain Fecit. Treble : (p. 245). 2 : by Ellis Knight (p. 127). 3 : (p. 85) the shield is fig. 36, the trade stamp of Roger Landen, of Wokingham, a predecessor (some 130 years before) of Carter's ; the coin appears to be a copy of the original Wokingham stamp. 4 : (p. 141) the medallion is fig. 51. The bells are hung with horizontal iron stays, and perpendicular iron sliders, but are not rung. 372 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. 9 Aug : 1637, 4. Bells. 1714, 4 bells. Death Knell : minute tolling at nine the following morning ; tenor for adults ; treble for infants ; tellers, 3x3 = 8 male ; (3 + 2) x 2 =a female. On Sundays, the tenor chimed for five minutes about half an hour before the Services ; all the bells then chimed ; the treble alone during the last five minutes. Ringing (?) on New Year's Eve only. Thanks to the Rev. J. Archer, Vicar. DORTON. S. John Baptist. 1. M? J ■- REEVES C ■■ WARDEN. MDCCCXXVIII. (30) 2. *\ A +626 (31*) «**«* «?«¥*>«» KIMS! 3. i^f j^tjit ^yt jjjj'. $9fe ij{i gob "3 Kfe ateYsw J& J*p 1 6 4 (4 sixpences on sound-bow?) (34) S. (Blank) (10 J) Treble : by Taylor (p. 260). 2 : by Robert Atton, in the smallest set of letters (Plate XXX.). Tenor: by Bartholomew Atton, or possibly one of Robert's first bells. Letters, Plates XXVIII. and XXIX., the K being the plain letter there shown ; the figures are the same set on both b'ells (pp. 199 and 205). The two Atton bells have iron baldricks and wooden splints ; some straps nailed, the rest renewed. Saunce: has a round, sloping shoulder ; \ inch between the rims ; straps nailed *: crown-staple broken ; wooden lever. Not unlikely to be by Richard Keene (p. 171), or it may be from Drayton Parslow. Frame, seventeenth century. 23 July, 1552, Daorton Item iij greate Belles Item one fawce bell Item iij hande beles 14 July, 1638, Doreton 3 bells S'. s bell 1714, 3 bells (sanctus not mentioned). The Rev. R. J. Rowton, formerly curate in charge, kindly copied the following from the churchwardens' accounts (which begin 1777) : — 1829 March 28. Paid Taylor, as per bill for the New Bell Anstiss repairing the other bell-wheel DRA YTON BE A UCHAMP. 1. COME AND PRAY £ 17 , 1 . 9 .. 7 „ 7.. 6 S. Mary. 1621 (3»i) DRAYTON BEAUCHAMP — DRAYTON PARSLOW. 373 2. 3 Pack & Chapman of London Fecit 1773 aEt U t5 9t (37) S. I6-Q9 (I5f) Treble and 2 : angular canons, which on the latter are broken. Tenor : by Bartholomew Atton (p. 198): lettering on Plates XXVIII. and XXIX; initial cross on the latter ; the shield is fig. 66 ; iron baldrick to clapper. Saunce : doubtless by Anthony Chandler of this village, though his figures vary in nearly every example ; James Keene's figures, which are very like some of his, are a trifle larger, and were never used, so far as I know, after their owner's death in 1654. A round-shouldered bell ; straps nailed ; crown-staple broken ; iron baldrick ; iron lever. Carved on the frame, in lettering 3! inches high, the ground sunk, so that the lettering appears raised, is : — DO CXS30Q DC! 23 July, 1552, Drayton paflow (also Drayton paffelo). Itm iij bells &■ the fawnfe bell Itm one hande bell. (On the back:) fo (= sold) a hanbell 374 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. 18 July, 1638. Drayton Pafsloe. 3 bells S^ bell the Church Steeple & Chancell wants pgeting 1714, Drayton Passlow, 3 (sanctus not mentioned). Further on in Browne Willis's MSS. (xxxviii., 13) is, Drayton Paffelew — 3 modern Bells, Death Knell rung on the tenor : not before 8 a.m., or after 6 p.m. Tellers, 3 x 3 = a male ; 2 x 3 = a female. One bell tolled at funerals. On Sundays, a bell rung at '8 a.m. The bells are chimed for half an hour before the Services ; the tenor being rung for the last five minutes, and the saunce used just as the Service is about to begin. Formerly the Sermon Bell was rung before the chiming began, and a bell was also rung after Morning Service, "to show churching was over," or in reality, no doubt, to give notice that there would be an Afternoon Service. Formerly there was ringing once or twice a week from 5th November, until New Year's Eve, and including Christmas Eve ; but as the ringers refused to ring on the day of her Majesty's Jubilee,* there are now no regular ringers. The churchwarden tolls the second bell for Easter Vestry. No churchwardens' accounts here unfortunately, earlier than about 1837. Many thanks to the Rev. R. M. Perkes, late Rector. DROPMORE. S. Anne. Single. {On Waist:) J. Ta^]5E^ $ JSejSJS, It0]SD0]S. 1865. (16) Modern parish, and modern church. Thanks to the Rev. F. S. Sclater, late Vicar, for this inscription. DUN TON. 1. B MADE 2. 4KJOD SHYE OYR 3. {Blank) MB KING S. Martin. 1720 (28!) 1639 (30) (31!) Treble : by Richard Chandler III. ; letters, 1.2 inches high (p. 235). 2 : by James Keene (p. 165); the initial cross is No. 2 on Plate XXVI.; crown-staple broken. Tenor : is one of the round-shouldered, thick-looking bells, like several of the blank saunce bells, which I am inclined to suppose may be late productions of Richard Keene (p. 191)- The hangings of all three original, except that the wheels have been repaired and renewed at various times. * No doubt this was merely a question of " loaves and fishes," and that no disloyalty was intended. DUNTON— EDLESBOROUGH. 375 Death Knell rung, nominally one hour after the death. Tellers, 3 strokes = a man ; 2 strokes = a woman, before the bell is raised. No bell used at funerals. On Sundays, a bell is rung at 8 a.m. Bells chimed for half an hour before Services, one bell alone the last five minutes. One bell rung as "Sermon Bell" after Morning Service. Many thanks to the Rev C. G. Hutchins, Rector. 23 July, 1552, Donygton other wyffe callyd Donton, Itm iij belle in the fteple <> T. Meaes of London Fecit 1828. cxz>ocx (30, 3 2 £) 3. {Ditto; and on Waist:) The Committe (»v) who superintended the repairs after the flre 182 8 were the EevP W. B. Wroth Eobeet Claeee Esq. Mess? s Smith. Twidell. B. Gray. T. Ginger & Mead (332) 4. (Ditto on Shoulder ; and on Waist :) Edlesbro' Church and Toweb eepaieed and beautified aftee the flre 1828 William Bruton Wroth. M.A. "Vicar. Mess?* John Smith & , Chuecii Waedens . Benjamin Gray J J Adsetts Architect. (3<5i) 5. {Ditto on Shoulder ; and on Waist:) The Five Bells which had been broken during the flre (march 182 8) were recast into slx the same year (3 9 j) 6. (Ditto on Shoulder; and on Waist:) The Spire of Edlesbro' Church set on fire by lightning; and together with the interior of the Tower Destroyed. March. 182 8. (44) S. 1828 (15) 23 July, 1552, Edelysborowgh (also edlysborow) ... in the fteple v greate belle w* a fanctus bell a facryng bell. 28 July, 1637, Edgborough, 5 Bells & a clock. The butterices of the Steeple and Church and Isles and alfo in the battlem'i in decay in the ftone worke and pgeting 1714, Edgeborough, 5 bells. 376 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Lipscomb, III., 349 : — In the tower were originally five bells, of unusually large dimensions, the tenor having weighed 2900 lbs; but in 1740, it was reduced about one cwt. on being re-cast. It formerly was inscribed, Sancta Trinitas, Unus Deus Miserere nobis The spire was set on fire by lightning, on Friday 21 March 1828, and the wood- work within the tower being consumed, the lead covering the roof was melted, and running down, the bells became red-hot, when they fell with a tremendous crash to the ground ; the tenor was broken, and all the rest (excepting the Saints' Bell) cracked by the water from the engines, then playing on the building ; by means of which, however, plentifully supplied from a copious well in the vicinity, the rest of the edifice escaped destruction, only one of the rafters of the roof of the nave being scorched by the heat of the lead. The Rev. William Bruton Wroth, A.M., J. P., was presented by John William, Earl of Bridgewater, June, 1816. The old metal from the five bells destroyed by the fire, was said to have been used for the present bells. In Messrs. C. and G. Mears's List, published 1852, the present tenor is by mistake stated to weigh 9 cwt.; its real weight is probably rather over 15 cwt. The error was continued in subsequent editions of the Foundry List, down to that published 1891, when this ring was altogether omitted. The bell-chamber is in good order, in spite of the windows not being protected by netting. Lipscomb, III., 351, mentions that the Rev. George Burghope, B.A. (Vicar of this parish, 1667-91), bequeathed to the Minister and Parishioners certain lands, the rents of which (amounting at that time to £4. 6s. &d., clear of all Taxes), should be devoted towards the expenses of certain Lenten Services, etc., and for an Annual Sermon on May 26th, the day of his own funeral, and "31. ^d. to the Clerk that tolls the Bell." Death Knell on the day of the death, only if notice is giyen early ; otherwise at 10 a.m. on the following day. Tenor for persons upwards of thirteen years ; second for under that age. Tellers : 3 x 3 = a male ; 2 x 3 = a female. On Sundays, the third is rung at 8 a.m., except when there is a Celebration at 8.30; then the saunce only is used. Bells chimed for twenty-five minutes before Matins and Evensong ; saunce for last five minutes. Old usage. Ringing early on Christmas Day. On New Year's Eve, the tenor tolled for last quarter of an hour before midnight, followed by ringing for the New Year. Ringing for weddings when required. Also on Queen's Birthday, Accession, and Coronation. Tenor used for Vestry Meetings. No information concerning the bells in the churchwardens' accounts, which do not go far back. Very many thanks to the Ven. Archdeacon Brooks, Vicar. Dagnall, a hamlet in the parish, had formerly a Chapel-of-Ease, dedicated to All EDLESBOROUGH— ELLESBOROUGH. 377 Hallows. In 1550, the Chapel, "with the stone walls, bells, lead, and waste land to the said Chapel belonging," were granted to Thomas Reeves and others, " their heirs and assigns, for ever."* No remains of the Chapel are now existing. EDGCOTT. S. Michael. (3Ti) *h JWta ^.atertna 6ra fxa drifts U * 2. M? W: HOLT C . WARDEN. K: TAYLOR * SONS. FOUNDERS. MDCCCXXIX. (33A) 3 $AMES * KEENE * MADE i? ME f++~i «** 1626 # (34I) S. EDWARD HEM+NS B+STER FEC+T J 3" 3 . . ■+s**3+- -»e*i<8+- -oh^- -+£**> (12) Treble: by John Danyell, before 1460 (p. 33) ; the initial cross and capitals are on Plate XII., the shield and last cross. are figs. 23 and 22; the stock is quite decayed, and I believe it to be the original one, of the fifteenth century ; it has a mortise, cut horizontally through the centre, apparently for a lever, before the wheel was introduced ; iron baldrick and splints to clapper. 2 : has very small canons. Tenor (p. 163) : the fleur-de-lis and pattern are Nos. 5 and 8 (the latter the reverse way up) on Plate XXVI. ; crown-staple broken, probably not later than early in eighteenth century. Saunce : the ornament is fig. 85 : cast with only four canons (besides the argent) ; lever instead of wheel. Some slight repairs were probably effected by Taylor in 1829, otherwise frame and. hangings are apparently seventeenth century, and are in the last stage of neglect, which is not surprising, as there is no way up the tower from inside, but a long ladder has to be carried from a farm, and an entrance made by one of the bell- chamber windows. 5 May, 1553, Edgecott, ij Great belle on fantis bell hanginge in the fteple. In the 1637 visitation, Edgcott was inspected on 7 July, but the bells are not mentioned. 1714, 3 bells; as also in 1755. ELLESBOROUGH. SS. Peter and Paul. 1. (265) Clears & ^tainftanft, Mourtbers, Monbon. 1870* * Browne Willis's MSS.; and Records of Bucks, I., 189. 3C 378 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. {on waist:) " ge Mountains, anb Kills, Mess #e tT^e ~Moxb : praise fyim, anb maa,nifg fyim for er>er/' 2, 3, 4- ( 2 9, 3 1 , 32*) do T. Meaes op London Fecit 1823. oocooooc 5. G>. MEAES & CO. FOUNDERS LONDON 1863. (34^) 6. T. Meaes op London Fecit. Eobert Greenhill Eussell Esq r Patron. ooo (On Waist:) EEV? JOHN LBYISON HAMILTON EECTOR Joseph Allen \ Ch:uecii wardens 1823. (38) Thos Gurney 1 " ' Treble : an addition (not a re-cast) at the restoration of the Church., The "Whitechapel pattern" on 3 and 4, is a size larger than on 2. 5 : evidently a re-cast from one of the 1823 ring. Tenor: weight given in Messrs. C. and G. Mears's List as 9 cwt. ; it would weigh at least a half-cwt. in excess. Robert Greenhill-Russell,* son of John Russell Greenhill, who died 1813, was owner of Checquers, with the manors of Ellesborough, Grove, Seyton's, and Mordaunts, etc. ; he took the additional name of Russell by Royal Sign Manual, and became lord and proprietor of Ellesborough, and patron of the rectory; M.A., Ch. Ch., Oxford, 1787 ; M.P. for Thirsk; created Bart, 1832 ; died 1836. The Rev. John Leveson Hamilton, M.A., was inducted May, 1823, on the presentation of R. Greenhill-Russell, Esq., just mentioned; he died April, 1825, set. 37. 23 July, 1552, Ellifboroughe, ij handbelle iij great belle. 17 July, 1637, Elfborough, 3 Bells. The butterices in decay and want pgeting both of Chur : & Chanc & fteeple 1714, 3 bells (sanctus not mentioned). Lipscomb, II., 183, says : — Five modern bells (re-cast out of three), and a saints' bell. The new treble possibly swallowed up this latter, but there is no record or recollection of it. In the churchwardens' accounts, is : — . 1825 April To M" Mears for the Bells ... ... ,£141 „ 18 „ 2 * Lipscomb, II., 195. ELLESBOROUGH — EMBERTON. 379 The hanging of the five bells, in place of older ones, about that year, is still recollected. Death Knell tolled for an hour. For a man over 20, the tenor is used; for a woman over 20, the fifth; for a young person of either sex, between the ages of 10 and 20, the fourth; for a child between 5 and 10 years, the third; and for a child under 5, the second bell. At funerals, age and sex are distinguished as in the Death Knell. On Sundays, the second bell is chimed at 9 a.m. The fourth is rung at 10 a.m. For the Services (1 1 and 3), all the bells chimed for half an hour previously. Practice for Christmas ringing begins on S. Catherine's Day (25 th November) : midnight ringing on Christmas Eve, and New Year's Eve, and until a few years ago, on the Eve of Old Christmas Day (6th January) also : this last is now rung earlier in the evening. Ringing in the evening on the Queen's Birthday, Coronation Day, and 5th November. For Weddings when desired, or occasionally for someone connected with the belfry. There is a legend that Queen Catherine was once lost in a fog, and found again on the 25th November (S. Catherine's Day) ; the event was announced by ringing on all the church bells in the country, and general rejoicing made. The legend does not go on to explain which of the five Queen Catherines of England it refers to, but Catherine of Aragon was intimately connected with the county, for, as Lady Verney tells us in Memoirs of the Verney Family (I., 1 1), her dowry was derived from the revenues of Steeple Claydon : she was visiting in Buckingham when she received the news of Flodden Field ; and " St. Katern's day " was held as a festival in her honour until not long ago, by the makers of pillow-lace in the county. The churchwardens pay annually, 5s., formerly from the rates, and now from the church subscriptions, for the ringing on the three secular anniversaries. Many thanks to the Rev. J. H. R. Sumner, Rector. EMBERTON. All Saints. Eev^P Tho?. Fry, Minister, t JoEn Leete, _ 1839. GOD SAVE -r „ -<-,.„„ Church— warden's: James Page, THE QUEEN. (28) 2,3. TAYLOE'S Founder's OXFOED. 1839. (29, 3 °i) 4- Mr : & ■ J" : F-A^ZjOJi BELL FOUNDEE'S OS$ 03D : 1839 . (3Si) 5 . "HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD." allelu- ia. & : * J-: TATLOU BELL FOUNDEE'S OXFORD. 1839. (39) S. {Blank) (13) 380 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Angular canons to all five ; the crown-staple of the third does not lie in the same line as the canons, consequently the bell is hung " on the cross." Saunce : probably an eighteenth century bell. It used to hang outside the tower until a few years ago, when it was rehung, in the centre of the tower, out of reach, high above the other bells ; and it was only by some exertion on my own part, aided by the energetic assistance of Mr. H. Booth, the sexton, a keen ringer, that I managed (in the absence of a ladder) to get within reach of it. 1714, 4 bells. Lipscomb (IV., 140) mentions the former ring here: 1, Ave Maria; 2, a modern bell ; 3, In multis annis resonet catnpana Johannis ; 4, Johes Andrewe, Rector de Emberton, me fieri fecit. The treble was probably a fourteenth century bell, possibly by John Rofford (see p. 10) ; the second may very well have been at least as old as the seventeenth century ; the inscription on the third was a common one during the fifteenth century. John Mordan, alias Andrew, who gave the old tenor, was presented to the Rectory of Emberton, nth September, 1390, by Sir John Tyringham, Knt. ; he exchanged to this living from Gothurst, now Gayhurst. He not only gave the great bell, but completed, as is supposed, the building of the church. He died 1410; a fine brass to him, is in the church, and is figured by Lipscomb (ibid. 141). The Rev. Thomas Fry, of Lincoln Coll., Oxon. (M.A., December, 1798), who destroyed this interesting ring, was admitted on his own presentation, 27th November, 1804. On Sundays, the bells are rung for Morning and Evening Service, and for at least a quarter of an hour (generally longer, especially on Festivals) after the Evening Service. The Dinner Bell is rung on the second bell, every week-day at 1 p.m., for three minutes. The Clock Tower. Single. -I- IOHN EUDHALL GLOCBSTER J806 (15) The Clock Tower was erected by the Rev. Thomas Fry, to the memory of Margaret, his wife ; the clock and bell were the gift of Miss Hughes, of Emberton. Sheahan, Hist, of Bucks., p. 528, states that the clock tower "was erected by subscription in 1845." Possibly it was re-built, or restored at that date. ETON. College Chapel — Our Lady Mary the Virgin. Service Bell. PR AYES YE THE LORD $637 (43i) ETON. 381 Knell Bell. H : VI : J440 : GAUDE : QUOD : POST : IPSTJM i SCANDIS : ET ; E£T i HONOE \ TIBI i GBANDIS i IN COELI ■ PALATIO O J777: (49) TH? S Swain Fecit The Service Bell by Ellis Knight (p. 127). It hangs in the turret at the S.W. angle of the chapel. A staircase (in need of repairs) leads up to within 12 or 15 feet of the bell, but there is no means of ascending the remaining distance. Fortunately, at the time of my visit, several of Mr. Willis (the organ builder)'s men were at work in the Chapel, who kindly lent me a short ladder, and in spite of considerable opposition on the part of the chapel-keeper, I got it up the very narrow newel Stairs, and reached the mouth of the bell ; the inscription band, however, was even then only reached by standing on a trap-door (which, by another piece of luck, was off its hinges), propped up on end. So closely does the bell fit the turret, that it was with some difficulty that one's body could be forced between the lip of the bell and the wall, in corner after corner. The bell is fitted with an iron lever for chiming, but is only clappered, and was so misused as long ago, at any rate, as 1864, when it first summoned me to chapel. The Knell Bell (p. 141) hangs on the roof of the Chapel, in a place like a larder, with a decayed door of corrugated iron. As long as the Chapel was the Parish Church, it was tolled for all funerals, but since the parochial functions of the Chapel ceased in 1875, it is only used when some College dignitary dies. It is hung for ringing, with an iron stay and slider. The medallion is fig. 51. In The Architectural History of the University of Cambridge, by the late Robert Willis, and J. W. Clark (Cambridge, 1886, Vol. I.), the history is given of the foundation and building of Eton College, gathered from the old account books, which are freely quoted. Among these, is the wage book, kept by William Lynde, Clerk of the Works, marked Jornale Anno primo, covering from Monday, 3rd July, 1441, to Monday, 5th February, following. The first seven pages are missing, but on the next one, under the heading Necessarie emple, is recorded the purchase of twelve elm trees for le clocher, no doubt the bell- tower of the old Church, which stood just to one side of its successor, the College Chapel, and is frequently mentioned later on. The carriage of the bells from London is also recorded, and the provision of sundry irons and clappers for them. The original entry is : — Tohani Profit de Wyndesore pro xij vlmis ab eo apud le Wyke emptis pro le clocher xvu. Tohanni Hampton pro cariagio campanarum in london vsque aquam Thames xix^. : et pro cariagio earundem xijaf. : . . . Et fabro london pro ij=, j quart' et x\)l6 ferri operati ad ponderand' dictas campanas precium libre \]d. Et eidem pro C, j quart' et xxjlb operat' in clapers pro eisdem campanis (&c). In the accounts for 1443, under the heading Reparacio veteris ecclcsie ibidem, is 382 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. mentioned the carriage of two Bells from London, and the placing of them m the Belfry. It is also mentioned that on Sunday, 13th October, 1443, the "old collegiate church of Blessed Mary of Eton " was in use, and that the new church of S. Mary was not yet half finished. Between 1445 and 1447, the Belfry was repaired : Remocione [? Renocione] veteris campanilis ibidem. The next extract,* from the accounts of Roger Keys (Clerk of the Works from Lady Day, 1448, to Michaelmas, 1450), dated 1448-49, is of special interest to campanologists, for though it does not itself refer to bells, it nevertheless supplies a long-sought name, — that of the owner of the well-known stamp, commonly called the "R.L. shield" (fig. 36, p. 53), with his approximate date: — Et solut' xxij die marcij [1448] Rogero landen de Wokyngham loc' ad fundendum xviij/<5 metalli enei pro fumivectoriis de metallo regis . . . . et eidem pro metallo et fusione xij/<5. metalli enei de metallo suo proprio vijj. Which may be rendered : — And paid on the 22 nd of March to Roger Landen of the town of Wokingham, for casting 18 lbs. of bronze for flues, the metal found by His Majesty, . . . and to the same for 12 lbs. of bronze and the casting of it, the metal found by himself, "]s. Edward IV. on coming to the throne (1461), proposed to annex Eton to S. George's, Windsor; and actually procured a papal Bull (13th November, 1463), sanctioning the union (see Lyte's Eton, ch. IV.) ; and, among other acts detrimental to the College, appears to have taken away two of its bells, and hung them up at S. George's Chapelt at Windsor Castle. It was not until the ninth or tenth year of his reign that he abandoned the annexation scheme, and made restitution of a part at least of the College property. The bells were then restored to their ancient Belfry, which was repaired to receive them. In the Audit Roll, 1470-71, under the heading Reparations, is : — Et in denariis solutis . . . pro reparacione campanilis, et cariagio et translacione campanarum a Collegio Sancti Georgii ad nostrum Collegium lxxiijj. iijrf. ... Et in denariis solutis per Magistrum Ricardum Hopton Johanni Siluester, diuersis carpentariis et serratoribus ad reparacionem eiusdem campanilis liijj. xja?. ob. Et Johanni Lane, Johanni Whight, et Ricardo Reve per xvj dies circa le dawbyng eiusdem \.s. x.d. These extracts show that the Belfry was of wood, plastered. * Op. tit. p. 405 , foot-note. \ S. George's Chapel has actually no tower, and the bells belonging to it, hang in the Curfew or Clure tower, which is quite distinct from the chapel. The present bells there are eight in number : treble, cast 1741, and fifth, 1745, by Thos. Lester, of Whitechapel ; 2 and 3, by W. Whitmore, 1650 ; the fourdi, sixth, and seventh cast 1612, and the tenor in 1614, by I. W., who was without much doubt, John Wallis, of Salisbury. ETON. 383 In that year five Bellropes are paid for, whereas in previous years, as in 1468- 69, only three are mentioned. The old church was probably demolished soon after 1475, although the vestry was not pulled down until 1516-17. In A History of Eton College, by H. C. Maxwell Lyte, M.A., London, 1875, the substance of the statutes issued in Latin, by Henry VI., soon after founding the college, are given in English; these provide that besides a Chaplain, Clerks, Organist, Parish Clerk, and Choristers (p. 494), " There shall be thirteen poor lads or servitors between fifteen and twenty years of age, who shall assist in ringing the bells, cleaning the Church and Hall, and waiting on the first table at meals ; two of them shall be assigned to wait on the Provost, and one on each of the Fellows and on the Head Master in their rooms. They shall receive no salary, and at the age of twenty-five they must either take holy orders or leave, unless they stay on as transcribers of books and manuscripts." In 1714 : At Eaton Colledge a very Large Bell, 2 other small in different Turritts. The inscription on the Knell bell is evidently copied from one of the original bells, from which the present bell is a re-cast. In Rawtinson' s Collections for Eton College, among the MSS. in the Bodleian Library, fo. 270b, date probably about 1715-16, and not later than 1734, is : — Eaton Cap. ad fin. orient. 2 ang. Turres cum campanis 2 max. campan. pend. 38=' quae triditur coaeva esse cum Collegio, et a fundatore ipso efse donatam, circa coronam hsec datur inscriptio Gaude quod post ipsum scandis, et est honor tibi grandis in coeli palatio. In an account in the Records of Bucks., I., 226 (1856), of a visit to Eton chapel, is as follows : — ... it should be mentioned that one of the old bells, long used as a "passing-bell," being recently unhung, the following curious inscription was found on it, supposed to be addressed to the passing soul — " Gaude, magnus honos erit tibi, quod post ipsum scandas in coeli palalid " I give thiS garbled version of the inscription as a good instance of how little reliance can be placed in records of bell inscriptions, even when they appear "in print " in the pages of so high-class a publication as the transactions of the County Architectural and Archaeological Society.* The existing bell, then apparently lately rehung, is obviously referred to, not its fifteenth century predecessor. * All copies of inscriptions, to be authentic, should be taken from rubbings ; and casts made in all cases of the slightest difficulty. 384 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. This inscription also occurs on the tenor at Brailes, Warwickshire ; it there begins (as I gather from Mr. Ellacombe's Bells of Somerset) with the cross shown as fig. 19, in Bells of Sussex ; the inscription itself is formed with the handsome capitals used on the Wingrave tenor (Plate XIII.), and black-letter smalls. At the end come three crowns, thus — ® <$> ® but not more particularly described : then the well-known shield, charged with a chevron inter three trefoils ; and lastly, the equally well-known shield, charged with a chevron inter three laver pots ; neither of which occurs in Bucks. This is evidently a London bell, of the fifteenth century, from the foundry commencing (according to the present state of our knowledge) with William Dawe (p. 29). Mr. Ellacombe says of the Brailes bell, that the words are supposed to be from the first stanza of some ancient Ascension Day hymn. The Lupton Towers. The College Clock-Bells. In the S. Tower : the Quarter Bells. 1. »|< Lester & Pack op London Fecit ^xxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxx^ (30j) 2. >o> Lester & Pack of London Fecit 1765 OOOOOCX ( 3 6|) In the N. Tower : the Hour Bell. O O LESTEE & PAGE OF LONDON FECIT 1765 OOOOOOOO (44f) 1 : a smaller size of the cross patonce, with flourished lower limb (here used every way up, except the right way), is at the top of Plate XXI. Hour bell : coins, 37, 31, and 24 m.m. diameter respectively (? crowns, half-crowns, and shillings). The clock hammer has made a hole in the sound-bow over f inch deep. If it had not been a good bell, it wou.d long since have given up the struggle for existence in despair at the neglect of the Governing Body. The bells are hung rigid in wooden turrets, on the top of the brick towers, and these wooden structures are so rotten as to promise a speedy end to their own existence and to the bells contained in them. I have to thank my friend, Mr. L. S. R. Byrne, of Eton College, for getting me access to the towers, and Mr. Goddard, Builder, of Eton, for giving me the services of a couple of labourers, with ladder, rope, etc., by means of which I was enabled to get up them. (Parish Church.) S. John the Evangelist. Single CJl$W B¥ JQJIJi Wfll^jYEI^ § fs0]5g L0ND0]Vr +S7S. : . (4°) ETON — FARNHAM ROYAL. 385. S. John's was consecrated as a Chapel-of-Ease (succeeding an older building, erected 1769) in 1854, but was only constituted Parish Church, in 1875. Tne former bell was inscribed Amid. Xopi. Jokes., according to a note by Mr. Henry Wilson, of Windsor (1864), for which I am indebted to Mr. A. D. Tyssen. Diameter, 16 inches. Chapel-of-Ease at Eton Wick (S. John the Baptist), consecrated 1869, one bell. Also the Cemetery Chapel, and the new " Lower School " Chapel. FARNHAM ROYAL. S. Mary. 1. THO^ LESTER & T* PACK OF LONDON MADE US ALL J752 (Underneath, incised .■) 5 = cJ = dI8 (29) 2. THO^ LESTER & T* PACK MADE ME J752 ( Underneath, incised:') 5 = F0I{. 0. T. GflJSKELL J0JI]3 jSPJ(0$E]Vr J 15 pP^IL 1855 •:• {On Sound-bow:) I WILL JSI]S6 0E JJE^CY 71]V!D JUDGjaE]S?F •:• (34) Treble : from the Reading Foundry ; probably by John Saunders, very shortly after he succeeded John White in the business, in 1539 (p. 67); the initials ig are below the rims : turned, the single canons were broken previously. 2 : Richard Eskrigge, Esq., High Sheriff, 1741, rebuilt Fulmer Place about 1742; lurried, all canons broken (p. 99). 4 and 5 : by Richard Eldridge (p. 243) ; both turned; their single canons broken. 3 and tenor : were given by Major William P. Gaskell, J.P., late churchwarden, formerly of Fulmer House. C. T. Gaskell, commemorated on the tenor was, if I mistake not, his father. These two bells are not recasts, but additions to the old ring of four. The Rev. Charles Joyce, M.A., of Exeter College, Oxford, was presented by the Dean and Canons of Windsor, in 1875. His predecessor, the Rev. Henry Butterfield, M.A., was presented in 1842 ; he was also a Minor Canon of Windsor. Mr. John Sprosen, churchwarden both in 1855 and 1875, is a baker of Fulmer. The augmented ring was hung by Warner, and was opened by a side of the Royal Cumberlands on September 20th, 1884, at a dedication Service, which was attended by a number of the neighbouring clergy. A short touch was rung during the Service, and at the conclusion, courses of Grandsire and Stedman Doubles, and a 720 of Kent Treble Bob Minor.* * Bell News, III. 308. 39° THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. The present church was consecrated (by Bishop Barlow, of Lincoln)* on All Saints' Day (ist November), 1610; the treble, therefore, comes from the older church. 18 July, 1552, fulfl, frill {sic) iij belles in the flipell &•» leade that the tope of the ftyppell is coverid wythe on handbell 8 Aug : 1637, ffulmer, 4 Bells. S's bell. 1 7 14, 4 (sanctus not mentioned). GAWCOTT. S. Catherine? (anciently S. Andrew). Single. T. MEAES OF LONDON FECIT 1827. (22^) By Thomas Mears II. All canons broken off. The ancient chapel here had long been demolished, when Mr. John West, a native of the village, built a chapel in 1806 ; the Rev. Thomas Scott (father of the late Sir G. G. Scott, R.A., who was born here) becoming the first Vicar. It was found to be so badly built, that it became necessary, in 1828, to rebuild the whole fabric. GAYHURST. S. Peter. Single. AtfTHOtfy CHAMDLER MADE ME I67S (S3) (P. 227) Iron stay, bent to catch perpendicular wooden slider hung on side of cage. The church rebuilt 1728. 26 July, 1552 . . . hurftet. . . Inp r mus in the fteple iij bele a fanfe bele a hande bele s * in m\Ah% M.nm% »pj|onpi mam- pirn #ojannis ° u © {35i) 392 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. S. (Blank) (uf) Treble: by Ellis Knight (p. 127); iron baldrick to clapper. 2 : hung by some local practitioner on the old stock, etc., in January, 1888. Until its arrival, the entire ring was by Bucks and Berks founders ; its predecessor was one of the few examples by the first of the Drayton Parslow founders, which have come down to our day ; it was inscribed : — ^RICHARD* CHAMDELER * «*• 1636 ^ * (*8f) The stops were figs. 77, 78, and 79 ; two of each (p. 221). The bell was cracked through the incapacity of the sexton, or whoever officiated as steeplekeeper ; it was restocked in 1804 (the date is cut on it), and quarter turned ; since then the straps were allowed to slacken, and as this happened to a greater extent on one side than on the other, the lip of the bell, on the tighter side, was thrown against the frame ; and the lip was actually worn away through the friction ; so that the bell can hardly be blamed for, at last, giving up in disgust ! 3 : by Robert Atton, of Buckingham (p. 204), in the medium-sized lettering, samples of which (A, T,) are on Plate XXXI. The rose is No. 10, on Plate XXX. ; iron baldrick to clapper. 4 : is of special interest, having been apparently cast after Robert Atton's death, by his assistant ; and also on account of the xxmmng fleur-de-lis pattern, fig. 69, showing some connection between this foundry and the Bagleys (with whom this pattern has been hitherto associated, p. 206). Lettering and rose as before, but the figures belong to the lettering, and are not the small original set used on the third. The three-bells stop is No. 11, on Plate XXX. ; and the other one is the arabesque, fig. 68. Tenor : from the Wokingham foundry, probably by Roger Landen, about the middle of the fifteenth century (p. 54). Initial cross and capitals, on Plates XV. and XVI. ; the square stop is the original lion's head, fig. 32, the shield is fig. 36, and the coin is a groat stamp ; iron baldrick to clapper. Saunce : perhaps by one of the Chandlers, of Drayton Parslow ; crown much honey-combed ; one canon broken ; iron baldrick ; wooden lever. The stocks of all, except second, appear to be seventeenth century. 3 has a peculiar seventeenth century wheel ; that of the treble is probably a little later ; those of 2, 4, and 5, are perhaps of the same date as the stock of the second (viz. 1804). The Pancake Bell was formerly rung here on Shrove Tuesday by women, who were paid a halfpenny each. The Gleaning Bell is said to have been formerly rung in harvest time. Death Knell, directly after the death, according to the " usual course," and the age of the deceased is tolled. On Sundays, the bells were formerly rung- for each Service, but the present vicar (instituted 1887) has altered this to chiming; a bell was also rung, as "Dinner GRANBOROUGH — GRENDON UNDERWOOD. 393 Bell," but the present vicar has caused this to be discontinued. The saunce is used for last five minutes before each Service. Ringing on various Festivals ; among which is December 21st (S. Thomas's Day), when there is ringing at 5 a.m., for an hour. Also ringing on 5th November. Thanks to the Rev. S. Phillips, Vicar ; they are also due to the late Rev. A. Newcombe, former Vicar. 23 July, 1552 Grenboroughe. iij great belle j Sanctj bell 1 7 14, 5 bells (sanctus not mentioned). GRENDON UNDERWOOD. S. Leonard. (34) *.*.* Robert*** atton*** i62I 2. RtCHARD CHANDLER MADE ME +67 7 (37^) 3. CHANDLER MADE ME 1664 (41) S. /^ THOMAS TUE THOMAS BUTLER C : = W : j 740. -+£#*3+- -m^ E: H: fecit -+g*$0+- (15!) Treble (p. 204) : the lettering is a mixture of the two smallest sets, on Plates XXX. and XXXI. ; the ornaments are Nos. 1 and 5 on the former. 2 : an early example by Richard Chandler III. ; letters 1 inch high, but very like the set (the smallest on Plate XXXIII.) used by his father Anthony, by whom the tenor was cast (pp. 226 and 227). Crown-staple of second broken, probably this century. Saunce : by Edward Hemins, of Bicester, Oxon (barely seven miles distant) ; the ornament is fig. 85 ; half-wheel, keyed, evidently same date as bell ; iron baldrick. Other clappers renewed. Seventeenth century frame, fixed to the walls. Stocks probably same dates as bells ; straps of all nailed and keyed. Tenor wheel keyed, the other two renewed. No rule for Death Knell ; bells not used at funerals. On Sundays, bells chimed for Services ; sanctus for last five minutes. Rung once a day on the last five or six Sundays before Christmas. Ringing after all weddings. There is a tradition that a silver bell is buried in the field near the church, where there is a trace of a moat. Many thanks to the Rev. R. H. Pigott, Rector. 23 July, 1552, Grendon vnd r wood Itm iij great bellis Itm one Santtes bell Among the items wanting at "Grendon 7 July 1637" are "lettices for steeple windowes." Bells not mentioned. 1714, 3 bells (sanctus not mentioned). 3 E 394 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. GROVE. {Dedication unknown.) Single. AUTHOViy CHANDLER MADE ME 1676 (22$) (P. 227.) Straps nailed ; central pair keyed ; tiny new wheel, the church having been lately restored. Hangs outside in an open cot; and I had some trouble carrying a ladder to and from the church, and getting up by the roof— there being no way up inside. July, 1637, Grove pva. 2 Bells. 1714, one bell. HADDENHAM. S. Mary. 1. J: BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1809. THO IM ALLOWD TO BE BUT SMALL, MY TONE IS HEARD ABOVE THEM al (30J) 2. John briant Hertford fecit i8 9 -^ (3°i) 3. ± John briant Hertford fecit I809 (321) 4. * John briant Hertford fecit is 09 ± (34) 5. John briant Hertford fecit 1809 ± (35$) 6. (3H) 4. john briant hertford fecit 18 9 4 ^. 7. ± John briant Hertford fecit is 09 Joseph francklin esq r benefactor w richmond solicitor (44) 8. 4- J TO THE CHURCH THE LIVING CALL ± AND TO THE GRAVE DO SUMMON ALL + %■ t ± ^ f j£ John briant Hertford fecit is 09 ± edward hedges & john franceling church wardens (48i) ■)((■= a double triangle, or six-point star ; ± = a Calvary cross ; t = a zto$& fitch'ee. (P. 106.) 7 : Joseph Francklin, Esq., only son and heir of George Francklin, Esq, and Mary, his wife, was born 7th March, 1774. The rectorial estate of Haddenham was granted to him on lease, in succession to his father, by the Dean and Chapter of Rochester, in 1798, and renewed in 1805 ; High Sheriff of Bucks in 1803; died 30th November, 1814. After his decease, a lease was granted to George Francklin, and after him to John Francklin, who was born in 1803 ; the John Franckling whose name appears on the tenor, was probably of a different family. W. Richmond was not a lawyer, but ''solicitor" simply intimates that he took the hat round, and was largely instrumental in getting the old ring of five, recast into the present eight. He was a ringer ; and was grandfather of the present sexton; and in 1806 was churchwarden with Edward Hedges, whose name appears HADDENHAM — HAMBLEDEN. 395 on the tenor. The latter was of Scotsgrove Hill, in this parish ; he died 5th May, 1& 33' a ged sixty-one, and was buried here.* 23 July, 1552, Haddenrim Impmis iiij belle one fanct3 bell &• a farc r nge bell. 1 7 14, 4 bells. Lipscomb, II., 224 : The Church " was entirely rebuilt in a very elegant manner in 1813, at the expense of Sir John Dashwood King, Bart. Patron and Lord of the Manor." ..." In the tower are four bells, recast from three in the old church." The treble was perhaps added as an after-thought, and may not be a portion of the old bells. Sir J. D. King, born 1754, Lord of the Manors of West Wycombe and Halton, M.P. for Bishop's Castle, Salop, succeeded to the properties on the death of his father (of the same name) in December, 1793'. The advowson and Manor of Halton were purchased by the elder Sir John's father, Sir Francis Dashwood, Bart, from the Fermors, about i72o.t The ornaments on the bells are the same as the first two at Haddenham. All rehung by Warner (?) about 1883, or 1884. HAMBLEDEN. S. Mary. 1. GEORQIUS RE^ At D* 1724 Dt IONES RX LANE CH* W* Rt Phelps made me cx> Pack & Chapman of London Fecit 177 8 oc {Same pattern all round underneath.} WW W WW® 6. ^ ra mtnlv ^>m ^>po ^oiis w , •& ^TirjO ^©flPIfl e □ ( 4 i i) A smaller size of the two ornaments on the treble (p. 98), is shown at the top of Plate XXI. 2 and 3 : by Ellis Knight (p. 127). Tenor: from the Wokingham Foundry, early in the fifteenth century (p. 51). The initial cross and capital letters are on Plates XV. and XVI. ; the square stamp is the older Lion's Head, fig. 32 ; the circular one is a groat. The five oldest bells are turned ; the first three have lost their single canons ; the tenor has lost them all ; 4 : has square canons. Death Knell : sometimes tolled on the day of the death, but generally on the morning following. Tellers : 3x3=3 male ; 2 x 3 = a female ; one of the smaller bells used for a child. Ringing at funerals occasionally, if requested. On Sundays, the bells are usually chimed for a quarter of an hour before the Services ; rung on first Sunday in the month, and occasionally on one of the other Sundays. Tenor generally alone for last three minutes. Ringing generally twice a week during winter months. Ringing on Christmas and New Year's Eves; on November 5th; on the Queen's Birthday; and on the great Church Festivals. Also for weddings when desired. Many thanks to the Rev. C. M. Wetherall, Rector ; and especially, both to him and to Mr. Jas. Lailey, of Colstrop, churchwarden, for the facilities afforded me for making extracts from the churchwardens' accounts. 18 July, 1552, hamulden Itm iij belle Thes pcelle folde for the reperacions of the churche &-» for the releffe of the pore w' the hole confent of the paryflhe ["in lent-wife twelmonyth]* Inp r mis a bell. (From a second Indenture dated that year, the greater part of the inventory is torn off.) 14 Aug: 1637, 5 Bells . . . the fteeple is crackt in the ftone worke & wants pgeting ... & the foundacons of the Church & fteeple. 1714, 5 bells. Langley {Hist. Hund. Desborough, published 1797, p. 247) records that: — The tower, which stood formerly between the church and chancel, was taken down in 1703, and in 1721 the present tower was built at the west end. There is a ring of bells, and on the fifth [i.e., the tenor] this inscription: ©ta nuntc pta pro noblS, j&ancta JUtaria. * Added in a different handwriting. HAMBLEDEN. 397 That tower, as shown by the the churchwardens' accounts, must have been begun about 17 19, and been in a forward state, if not finished, by the autumn of 1720. The bulk of the bill for it was paid in 172 1. It was pulled down and rebuilt, and the bells rehung, in 1884, as a memorial of the late Rector, Canon W. H. Ridley. There is a tradition that some of these bells came from Fingest ; the most generally accepted version, here, being that, " once upon a time," in " the good old days," the Rectors of the two parishes played cards together for high stakes. Eventually, the Rector of Fingest, having lost all his available cash, staked the bells of his parish church, and again losing, the bells were transferred to Hambleden tower. Fingest (p. 387) at the present time only possesses one modern bell, the successor of two (according to the evidence of the frame), while marks in the tower walls seem to show that a larger number hung there at some previous time.* The present Rector of Hambleden, the Rev. C. M. Wetherall, believes it to be true that some of the bells here, originally belonged to Fingest, but does not credit the manner in which they are alleged to have been acquired. It seems obvious, from the documentary evidence above and below, that none of the five lower bells came from Fingest ; but we have no such evidence concerning the treble, dated 1724. It is quite within the bounds of possibility that this represents a bell from Fingest, recast, to be in tune with the ring of five, already here. As no charge appears in the churchwardens' accounts for casting, recasting, carriage, hanging, etc., it is further possible that two bells came from Fingest, and that the over-plus of metal paid all expenses. Moreover, in the accounts, under date April, 1747, is a charge "for a set of Bell rops and tinker." The latter word means " tinkler," one of the commonest names to this day for a saunce bell. The word recurs in the accounts until 1793. In 1637, neither parish possessed one. This might represent the change out of the second Fingest bell, after the payment of all expenses with the rest of the metal. All this is, however, the merest conjecture, and merely put forward as a possible explanation of the tradition, which, in more than one form, is so widely known, as to make it likely that it has some foundation in truth. It would seem from the following quotations from the churchwardens' accounts, that the number of bells here, until 1634, was three ; of which bells the tenor (with the same dedication as the church), still remains. In that year the old treble and second were recast by Ellis Knight, of Reading, and a new treble and second added in front of them ; the treble paid for partly by rate, and partly by voluntary sub- scriptions, and the second, the gift of Mr. George Deane. The present treble (augmenting the ring to six), was, as already stated, an addition (not a recast) in 1724. * There was only one bell there in 1637, and also in 1714. 398 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Extracts from the Old Churchwardens' Account Book, which was only finished at Easter, 1 888, having been " bought and brought into the church on Eafter munday beeing the 30 of march, 1635." Robert Sheepwafhe* his Acconmpt for monies by him Jteceiued and difburfed for Reparations done in an about The Tower fframe and bells ther in Anno i634 as ffolloweth Dame Elizabeth dowager Counties of Sunderlandf Greenland* M r Huntlye M r Timothye Doylye* Robert Dinham George Deane (and others) The whole fum of -^ ; s d this Rate is f ~ 49 :— 14— 4 5 — o — o 4—18—8 1— 18-8 2—10—8 1 — 4 — o 1— 10 — 8 This bell Coft ^ boye for 9 Dayes worke at 2* & fixpence a daye J And for his Rabnets It to Ralfe Warden for halfe an hundred of Eight pennie nailes It to goodman kible for yron worke and for \ mending of the greate bell Clapper J It to george Deane for monies he Layed out It for the bonds for o' fecurytie — ••• — 0—2—0 * The old manor house of Ewden, or Yewden, is situated at Mill End, on the high road to Henley ; the village, with the Church, lies half a mile off the high road. It s d 7 — O — O I — 12 — o — 4 — o 0— 7 — 6 1— 9—3 O — I — o O — 2 — O O— 8—0 o— 5 — o ' o— 1—8 o — 9—0 i — 16—0 0—17—4 o — 1 — 6 o — 11 — 6 0—14 — o o -14—0 o— 2—6 — 1 — 6 1 — 19—6 1 — 2—6 o — 1 — o o — o — 4 3-5-8 1 — 16—7 400 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Item to Richard Barloe for one loade & 42 -i foote of timber at 27 s the loade Cometh to J It to the sayers for owne dayes worke ... ... ... o — 3 — o It to John mundaye for Carrage of timber -1 and fand an other Lumber ... j To Richard Longe for Carrying of sum boards ... ... o— 1 — 6 2— 9—8 Totall Sum is ... 28—10—6 Monies Difburffed by Robert Dinham Churchwarden in 1634 Imprymis to the woorkemen ... ... ••• ■-• 3 — ' — 8 payde to hugh thorne ... ... ••■ ••• 1 — z — 6 It for the carriage of three Loade of timber ... ••• o — 12 — o It to William ffennell ... ... ... ••• 0—1—3 It to John Deane towards the carriage of the belles ... ... o — 10— o It for timber ... ... ... ... •■• 0—15—0 It to Richard Bufh for one dayes woorke ... ... •■• o — 1 — 3 [ S J d \ Totall Sum is ... 6— 3—8 li s d The Totall Sum is ... 34 — 14 — 2 William Hillear his Acompt for the f Chardge of the Little Bell i634 : li s Inprimis the New Bell Coft ... ... ... ... 26 — 16 — The Braffes Coft me ... ... ... ... o — 7 — o r Exfpences at Reading ... ... ... ... o — 17 — To goodman Stroode for hanging of the Bell ... ... o — 8 — o Item for ale for the woorkemen ... ... ... o — 2 — 2 To goodman Kible for yron wooke ... ... ... 1 — 7 — 6 Item for the bonds for o r fecuritie ... ... ... o — 2 — o (A Rate was made "for the Reparations of the Church'' in 1636.) 1636 giue to the Ringers the fift of november .~ ... ... o — 1 — o (Account) for the yeares 1638 and 1639. (After) the 4 of October 1639 pd hughe thorne for mending the frame of the bells pd for bellrops pd to wittm kibble for mending the bell clapper & making feate henges pd for drinke for the ringers on the Kings holy Day ... (After) the 17 th of Aprill 1640. laid out to ringers on the kings holy Day ... 1 64 1 paid for ringing the 5 of nouember for bellropes 1 65 1 To Thorne for mendinge y e Bells To Rackestraw for leather for y e Bells s 2 d 8 13 4 7 8 1 6 3 4 0- - 2- -6 0- - 4- -6 2' 4<< HAMBLEDEN. 401 To Hugh Wiggons for y e Ringers To Kible for mendinge ye Bells ... ... ... 6— 1 — o paid ... H—4 • 13 th of Aprill 1653 Laid out ... 1652 For Bell Ropes ... ... 7—0 th The account .... 24 daie of March 1667 more to ffroft for Bellropes ... ... ... ... 13—6 (No more detailed accounts until) the halfe yeare ending this n'h Aprill 1710 1709 Nov 1 ; .5 : For ringing ye bells ... 1710 for 4 belroopes ... ... ... ... _ — :-5 = — o— 4 : * 1 7 16 May 2d To ye Ringers of ye thanksgiving day f ... ... — 15: 1717 pd at a meting about the Tower ... ... ... 00— 15— 00 pd the Ringers the Kings Crowneticon day! ••• ■■• 00—02—06 pd the Ringers the 15: of Nouember ... ... .„ o 05—00 I7i8|| Octb: 24 day Giuen to the Ringerf Kings Crown ... ... o 2 6 Noumb : s day Giuen to the Ringers ... ... ... o 5 o 1719 (Aprill) ffrances Sharpe ] John Turrell — > Churchwardens Continues Churchwardens — J and to ftay out of Ofes for 10 year if the ftepell be bilt in there time. (1719)1720 October 20 day giuen to the Ringers ... ... ... 026 Nouem 5 day giuen to the Ringers ... ... ... 050 (Entries for " fcafol pooles," " Deales," &c, were probably for the Tower.) th It is agreed by a Vestery of thes p-Ls this 19 day of Aprill 1720 that the prefent Church wardenes fhall haue the rates Alowed them to goe forward with the Tower: witnes our hande (10 signatures) (1720) 1721 Septr . 8 To Henry Coles for casting y e brafses ... ... 213:6 28 To W m Smith for Bell ropes ... ... ... — 14 : — Oct : 30 Gave y e Ringers on y e Prince birthday ... ... — .5 : — Nov 1 ; 5 Gave y e Ringers ... ... ... ... — .5 : — * Marvellously cheap bellropes ! probably a mistake of the churchwarden's, for the figures are quite unmistakable. t Doubtless after the trial of the Preston prisoners, in connection with the rebellion headed by the Pretender. % October 20th. [| The accounts do not run successively. A churchwarden occasionally wrote his account several pages ahead of the last, and succeeding C.W-'s used up these empty pages. I am not positive that I have sorted them without a mistake, between this date -and 1722. 3 F 402 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. March 29 (=1721) Pd for Bell ropes ... ... ... — : 15 : 6 Aprill 7 To Richd Ranee for Leathers for y e bells ... ... — 7 — Aug 1 17 To W m Plommer for helping ab'. y e bells ... ... — :i (Various entries for "Timber," "scaffoll boards," &c, raise the year's expenditure to the abnormal amount of £281, odd; and are no doubt accounted for by the building of ' the Tower.) The difbustementes ... in the yeare 1721 (contain numerous entries of payments for a few " dayes work," and probably imply the building of the tower ; but in no instance is the nature of the work specified except : — ) paid the fmith for fmalirnes ... ... ... ... 00 1 o (which does not prove that the work was for the tower. The bells could, at any rate, be rung during the latter part of the year.) October 20 guiuen to the Rineres ... ... ... 02 6 nouember 5 giuen to the Ringres ... ... ... 05 o 1722 Jan y e : 29 th : Paid to y e : Ringers upon y e : Kings Coronation ... £ — : . 5 : — Nov 1 ; y e : 5 th . Given to y e . Ringers ... ... ... £ — : - 5 : — 1723 Nov 1 ; y e 20 th : Gave y e Ringers at y= Kings Birth Day. ... £ — „ 5 „ ■ — Gave Ditto at ye Kings Coronation Day ... £ — „ 5 „ — Gave more ye 5th -Nov? ... ... ... £ — „ 5 „ — Feb 24'>( = i724) pl i»o o„i5„o o„ i„o 1 „ o„o 1 » 5. .8 o„ i„o 1 „ o„o 1 » i»o I „ o„o i,» i.,o o„ I„0 I „ o„o 1 >. i.,o o„ I„0 III 1 1.0 I „ o„o o„ i„o 1 ,> 3..o I „ o,,o o„ i„o o„ io„o I ii i„o o„io„o O,, 0„2 Oil i»o 1 .1 1 1,0 I 11 °||0 o„ i„o 1 ., 1 „o 11 10,, .|I0„ II I II II 10 II II 10 „ I I II I II 3 6 HAMBLEDEN. 407 April s pd Tho. East for Repairing the Cupola on the Tower pd for Oil for the Bells ... » ... X 774/S June 4 p d . for a Sett of Bell Ropes 1 775/6 1776/7 1777/8 1778 Novr II April 18 July 20 Ocf.. 18 Nov 1 ; 6 April 9 Nov; 9 Nov r 18 the Annual Ringing for Oil for the Bells For 2 Ringing Days ... p d : for a sett of Bell ropes for 2 Ringing Days For Oil for the Bells ... the Annual Ringing ... W™ Plummer for Beer for 4 Days Ringing ... March 16 Pd W™ Plummer for Beer for Men taken Down a Bell P d . Element (sic) Keene for mending the Clapper of A Bell P«f_ Hackshaw for Bell Ropes ... To Rivers for the Carriage of the Fifth Bell to London to be new Cast To Warfage of D°. and Cartage of D°. Warfage and bringing up D°. To Mefs r , s . Chapman & Peck for new Carting (sic) \ the above Bell as by Bill ... ... / To Sam'. Turner for taken down the old Bell & a new ~| Wheel & new Brafses & Stocking ye Bell J Nov 1 ;. 13 Pd D?. (viz : W™ Plummer) Bear for Ringing 1779/80 Nov'. 6 pd Wm pi U mmer for 4 Ringing Days Jan>r 20 p d . Iohn Stevens for a Set of Bell Ropes March 4 P d 4 Days Ringing Money Novr.20'h pd Wm Plummer the Annual Ringing Feby 8'h pd for a Set of Bell Ropes Dec 1 ;. 31 s . 1 . Paid W™ Plummer the Annual Ringing ... Dec'. 18 p d W" Plummers Bill 30 pd. Tho 1 ;. Hackshaw for Bell Ropes pd Annual Ringing ... pd Geoe. Wyatt for Repairs to the Bells pd for a Sett of Ropes & Tinker Rope May 2"; d p d Thos Hackshaw for Sett Ropes May I2l h pd ye Annual Ringing NoY - 6 paid for 4 ringing days April 2 7 paid W m Gilmans bill for mend, the clapper of bell Paid Tho s . Hackshaw for 1 sett of bell ropes Paid W m Gilman for a crown staple an mend, the Clapper of the bell Apr 1 . 10 George Wyats Bill for a Bell Wheel & mending the stars 14 Pd Iohn Williams for work at the Bells 1789-90 March 27 for A Sett of Bell Ropes for A Rope for the Little Bell ... 1 790-1 April 16 D° (i.e. Paid) M r Lovegroves Bill for new Leading the \ Steeple - ... ... ... > 1778/9 1780- 1 1 78 1 -2 1782-3 I783-4 1784-5 1 785 -6 1786/7 1787-8 1788-9 March i 24 u 18 6 1 1 „ i .. 1 1 10 1 1 10 1 1 1 00 5 1 2 1 2 4 4 7 13 12 1 5 O O 1 O O 1 t I 1 .. o„o i .. o„o 1 I 1 ,> o„o 1 1 I 1 8 9 1 3 6 1— 1— 1 » o„o 1 = 0=0 = 0=8 1 = 1=0 0= 14=0 1— 3—0 = 2 — 10 In i„o o„ 2„6 25., io„4 I O I — I — I — O— I — — I — 3-6 I .. 1 „o I — o — o I — 2—8 I — O I >. I „o 8„o I 4.. io I ,. o„o I., 13-8 I .» 7„ 6 o — 4-8 I .. !7>.o 408 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. 28 Annual Ringing 1791-2 Iany 23 Tho^Hackshaw for a Set of Bell Ropes March 26 Annual Ringing P Tho? Meaes of London Fecit 1791 oocx An early bell by Thomas Mears I., in the year in which he came into sole management of the foundry. There is no turret of any description to this curious, tiny church. The bell hangs in a chamber over the porch ; which appears, however, to be a modern arrangement, and not the ancient parvise. 2 3 July, 1552, Hampden pua {also litle Hampden), In pimis ij° belle hangyng in the fteple / Itm ij° hand belle 1714, L. Hampden capella, one bell Lipscomb (II. 298) states that the bell was " formerly contained in a wooden turret." Death Knell as soon as possible after the death. Tellers, 3 x 3 = a male 52x3 = a female. Tolling at funerals. No churchwardens' accounts. Thanks to the late Rev. C. Lowndes, Rector. HANSLOPE. S. James the Great. I. "*£ 5^ JC> R TAYLOR S T NEOTS FECIT 1815. % ^ ROGERS C WARDEN ^ ^ % ^ ~s y§ >P "^ "^ HALL MADE ME 3- GOD SAVE GHARliS 16 2 5 f GOa^ SflVE^ CHARTS 16 26 5. John kitel o : w -^- BRIANT HEETFOED FECIT 1814. Treble : the earliest Taylor bell in the county (p. 260) ; small canons. 2 : perhaps cast by William Hall, for his father, Edward (p. 236) ; the lettering is Richard Chandler III.'s 1.2 inch set; reduced by tuning. 3 and 4: by Robert Atton (p. 205) ; the lettering is the large set on Plate XXXI. ; the stop on 4 is No. * r; y§ r: (36) 17 52 ( 3 6|) Ys Yft G (38*) k;v^g (43) % John * (so) HANSLOPE — HARDMEAD. 411 7, on Plate XXX. 3 : much reduced by tuning. Tenor (p. 106) : small canons; weight supposed to be a ton, and is probably a little over. It is said to have been sunk in the canal at Castlethorpe on its way from Hertford, and to have lain in the water for a week. The ^-'s on treble and tenor = double triangles, but from different stamps. In 1714, there were 5 bells. Lipscomb (IV., 177) gives the inscription on the previous tenor : — BJestts Jdajariitua 3Sei Jfufceorarrt. Snr/armea a Sawnfbell. 17 July, 1638. 5 bells. S«? bell. 1 714, 5 (sanctus not mentioned). The frame (except the additional cage for the treble) is evidently by Jeffs (see Adstock), in the first half of the seventeenth century, and badly needs attention. HARTWELL. Assumption B. V. Mary. Single. R C 1 69 1 (25I) By Richard Chandler III., in his one-inch set of lettering (p. 232). 23 July, 1552, Hartwell It ij belle in the fteple It ij hand belle 12 July, 1637, 1 Bell & a S'= Bell 1714, one bell (sanctus not mentioned). Death Knell as soon as possible after the death. Tellers, 3 x 3 = a male ; 2x3 = a female. Tolling at funerals. No churchwardens' accounts. Thanks to the late Rev. C. Lowndes, Rector. HA VERSHAM. I. CHANDLER M GOD SHYE OYE 3- +fr GOD SHYE S. Nativity B. V. Mary. IADE ME 1667 (34) KING 1625 (33*) m OYR KING (34) I6S8 1752 f"4) HAVERSHAM— HAWRIDGE. 415 Treble: by Anthony Chandler (p. 226). 2 and 3 : by James Keene (pp. 163, 165); the cross on the tenor, is No. 2, on Plate XXVI. 2 : some straps nailed, others keyed, others bolted ; tenor has central straps nailed, the others bolted ; its wheel made like a half-wheel, old, but bolted. All three crown-staples broken, and all stays at wheel end. Saunce : without much doubt from the Whitechapel Foundry (p. 100); canons broken ; " home-made " wheel. The tower exceptionally dirty. Carved on the cage of the tenor is, J W, followed by some hieroglyphics running downhill at the end of the beam, which I interpret very doubtfully, as, 1661 ; but as the first hieroglyphic is very like a 7, it may possibly be intended to record that the frame is the same age as the treble. 1714, 3 bells (sanctus not mentioned). Death Knell at the sexton's convenience. Nothing to distinguish age or sex. On Sundays, a bell rung at 8 a.m. The three chimed for Services ; saunce for last five minutes. A bell rung after Matins. Ringing on New Year's Eve. Many thanks to the Rev. A. A. W. Hadley, Curate-in-charge. HAWRIDGE. S. Mary. I. J WARNER & SONS LONDON 1856 (i7i) (rt) Tenor : by Richard Chandler III. ; the figures belong to his i-inch lettering (p. 227); the clapper hooked on; the bell was evidently rehung when the treble was renewed. The bells have wheels, but no stays. 23 July, 1552, Harryge, Itm, ij fmall bellis in the fteple. Itm ij hand belle ■ • ■ ■ ij faery ing belle 17 1 4, 2 bells. Death Knell : as soon as the death is made known ; no tellers. At funerals, a bell is tolled for a quarter of an hour, ceasing as the corpse reaches the churchyard. On Sundays, the bells are chimed for a quarter of an hour before the Services. They are also chimed immediately after a wedding, for about five minutes ; and for about five minutes before a Vestry Meeting. No churchwardens' accounts. Thanks to the Rev. H. Lister, Rector. 416 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. HAZLEMERE. H. Trinity. Modem parish; church built 1846; 3 small bells, in an open turret. HEDGERLEY. S. Mary the Virgin. 1 * GLORIA * DEO * IN * EXCELSIS 1640 BiE (25) 2. T. Mbaes & Son of London Fecit 3 RICHARW TVRNER CHURCH WARDEN W W JbSJ (31*) Treble : the only example by Bryan Eldridge I. in the county (p. 244) ; through being allowed to hang loose on the stock, the lip touches the frame on one side, and the bell is, I believe, cracked, which is certainly what one would expect ; canons broken. 3 : probably by William Wightman, and is interesting as a rarity (p. 254). The w which takes the place of d, at the end of what seems to be intended for richard, is incised ; the whole word is almost illegible, and I imagine, that, the churchwarden having been accidentally given a wrong name, an attempt was made to efface it, and that his correct initial was incised in place. In the churchwardens' accounts (which begin 1678), is : — ffor this prefent year 1681 we the Minister & Parishon rs . of Hedgerly doe nominate William Turner to be Church Warden Constable and Overseer for the poor of the said Parish. Aprill 5 th 1681. (Signed) Jonathan Lowe Rectr. (and others). One of his predecessors was Henry Turner, but no Richard is mentioned in the book. 8 Aug : 1637, Hedgley (was visited, but the bells are not mentioned. On the following day) Hedgly Bulftrod Chappell (was visited, but bells not mentioned. This was evidently a private chapel attached to Bulstrode House. It is not even mentioned by Lipscomb). 1714, Hedgerley not known the number, but not above 3. Death Knell for about half an hour, as soon as convenient after notice is received. Tellers, 3 x 3 = a male ; * x 3 = a female. At funerals, slow tolling for about an hour, until the procession approaches the churchyard, then quick tolling until the clergyman meets it at the gate. On Sundays, for Services, chiming for about half an hour, and a single bell as " last bell " for the last ten minutes. Ringing on 5th November. Very many thanks to the Rev. R. P. Bent, Rector. HEDSOR — HILLESDEN. 417 HEDSOR. S. Nicholas. Single. A K J 3 00 (2 of) Founder not identified; see p. 266. Roughly cut on the stock is 1736. 18 July, 1552, Hedyffoere. Itin ij belles whereof the one ftolen by one Wyttm Gybbis and nycholas prattchedd wyttm whyte John long, ij hand belles A second Indenture, of the same date, for " Hedyffoer," is torn, and part of the inventory is gone. 10 Aug : 1637, Hedsore, 1 Bell. 1714, one bell. * HILLESDEN. All Hallows {or, S. Nicholas).* 1. i'LEXA'NDER {fig. l2,forz\ z>z.) DE^TNTON (. . . Do., 9 in. . . . ) E ^S (Bo., 2\ in.) 1 6 8 I ( Do., 13 in., ) (On Waist:) O OOO (On Sound-bow :) OOOOOOOOOO (*7i) 2. ILEXfNDER (fig. 72, 4I in.) DE^NTON (. . Do., 8f in., . . ) E Is (. . Do., 6f ««. . . ) 1 6 8 1 (. . Do., 8f in. . . ) (Loiv on Waist;) O o (On Sound-bow :) OOO (28f) 3. PRAYSE (fig. 72, 4i in.) O YE O (. . . Do., iof in. . . . ) O THE O (Do., 6% in. . .) O LORD OMOBOO1681O (2 9 f) 4. (Plate XXXII., No. 1, portions G to L., reverse side up) HENRICVS (Do., same portions, right side k/)BAGLEY (Do., portions D, E,) ME (fi%. -]2,for6^ in.) FECIT (Do., 4| in. ) I 6 8 I ( fig. 73.) (32) * Browne Willis in his MSS., xxii., 88, and also in his Hist. Buck. Hund. (1755), p. 198, gives the former dedication ; and his "assertion is supported by the Wake or Feast of Dedication being annually kept on the Sunday after All Saints' Day." (Lipscomb, III., 20). Lysons [Magna Brit a -, I., 488) gives the latter. There is a beautiful early sixteenth century window, illustrating legends of S. Nicholas, in the S. transept, which was probably the Chapel of S. Nicholas (Sir G. G. Scott, Records of Bucks, IV., 314). 3 H 4 lS THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. 5. (The former bell :)W HA.LL MADE MB 1756 (34*) ( The present bell has a reproduction of this, in nearly similar letters, and also, on the Waist:) BOBERT HOLT, VICAR. NATHANIEL COATES, ) FREDERICK THOMAS BARGE, J CHURCHWARDENS (On Sound-bow:) RECAST BY MEARS & STAINBANK, WHITE- CHAPEL FOUNDRY, LONDON. 189 3. ( 34 |) 6. {The former bell:) (Fig. 72, in negative, all round) (Do., do. reverse way up, \\ in.) PRO (Do., do.) KEGE (Do., do.) ET (Do., do.) ECCLESIA (Do., do.) ALEXANDER (Do., do.) DENTON (t Do, do.) ROBERT ^ CORBETT ^ CHVKCH ^ WARDEN ^ ]-[ENRY )g BAGLEY ^ MADE ^ M33 ^JJ2J^OO(^.72, in negative, and reverse way up, si in.) O O (On Waist:) (39) ( The present bell has the same inscription, the letters not being exact copies ; but without any of the ornaments . On Waist and Sound-bow, ditto to present fifth.) (38) 1 and 2 : by one or both of the partners, Henry and Matthew Bagley (p. 216) ; letters from § to § inch high ; the A's have a cross-bar on the top, curled downwards on the right side. The escutcheon on the waist of each bell is 4^ inches high ; party per pale ; on the dexter side two bars, in chief three cinquefoils. On the sinister side a lion passant, inter three annulets. On the treble are fourteen, and on the second, five, impressions of shillings of Charles II. (ij inch diameter); all, except one on the sound-bow of treble, are obverse, bust dexter, laureate, carolvs ii dei gratia (Roettier's pattern) ; the reverse has four shields of arms, crowned and arranged in form of a cross. Hillesden, and the Denton family, have lately been brought into prominence, through the very interesting Verney Memoirs, from which, and Lipscomb (IV., r7, &c), supplemented by some additional items kindly given me by Lady Verney, the following pedigree is gathered. A Patent of the Manor of Hillesden was granted by Edward VI., 2nd August, 1547, to Thomas Denton, Esq., after, by the attainder of Edward Courtenay, Marquess of Exeter, the manor had reverted to the crown. He was, presumably, knighted subsequently, as Lady Verney calls him Sir Thomas : — HILLESDEN. 419 Sir Thomas Denton, = ob. 1558 (Lipscomb says 1560). Buried here. Margaret Mordant. Sir Alexander Denton, ob. 1574. Sir Thomas Denton, = Susan, M.P. for Bucks, and High Sheriff; ob. 1633. daughter of John Temple, of Stowe, Esq. Sir Alexander Denton, = Mary Hampden. (Five younger sons, b. 1596. the youngest being M. P. for Buckingham ; William, Court Physician taken prisoner at to Charles I., &c. ; Siege of Hillesden House, and six daughters, of whom 1644, Margaret married Sir and died 1645. Edmund Verney, the Standard-Bearer. ) John, killed in the Sir Edmund Denton, ob. Nov. 13, = Elizabeth, Alexander Denton, (Two younger daughter of Sir ob. S. P. sons and Civil War. 1657. Richard Rogers, Knt., seven daughters.) of Eastwood, co. Gloucester. 1 Sir Alexander Denton, 1673- 1 = Hester, (Two younger bap 8 Dec, 1654. M.P. for Buckingham, 1690 daughter and heiress of sons. ) Nicholas Herman, to 1698. Ob. 17 Oct., 1698. Bur. Hillesden. of Middleton Stoney, co. Oxford, Esq. Lady Verney kindly called my attention to the fact of the donor of the bells being recorded as without a handle to his name, and suggested that they might have been the gift of Sir Alexander's uncle — Alexander; but it would seem that (unless Henry Bagley merely made a mistake in the title), Sir Alexander was not knighted, or created baronet, until after the gift of these bells, as they are proved to be his gift, and not his uncle's, by the wife's arms impaled with his on the two trebles. In Burke's General Armoury (1884), the arms of Herman (Middleton Stoney, co. Oxford, confirmed 10th December, 1630), are given as Vert a lion passant or, armed and langued gules, between three annulets argent. Lipscomb gives the Denton arms as, Argent, two bars gules ; in chief three cinquefoils ; in fess-point a mullet. 3, and 4 : most of the letters are from stamps similar to, but not identical with, those used on treble and 2 ; all the letters being about § inch high ; the A's are plain. The coins on 3 are impressions of sixpences of Charles II. (-£§■ inch, diameter). 5 : the lettering on the old bell was Richard Chandler III.'s 1.2 inch set (p. 237.) The letters on the present bell are not absolute copies. The old bell was cracked about 1891 ; its loss is matter of regret, as it'was the latest known production of the 420 THE CHURCH BELtS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Drayton Parslow Foundry, and the only one on which the name of William Hall appeared. Tenor : the former bell was by one of the later Henry Bagleys, in heavy lettering, i inch high (p. 217). The use of the running border, fig. 72. in negative, i.e , the ground- work raised instead of the pattern, is remarkable, and must have been stamped from the matrix from which the stamp itself was cast (?). The floral stop is fig. 76. The coins are impressions of shillings similar to those on 1 and 2, all obverse. On waist, large Royal Arms, 8§ inches high, taken from an embossed stamp, so that they are impressed, instead of being in relief, and are reversed — arms, supporters, and legend. The arms are, quarterly (instead of quarterly quartered), i.e., three lions passant (heads to right) in what is intended for the first quarter ; and three Jleups-de-lis in the fourth. In the (intended) second, the Royal Shield of Scotland, within a double Tressure flory counterflory, a lion rampant. In the third, a harp, for Ireland. The bell was split some years before 1886. The crack was bored out, in the futile hope of improving the sound. Until 1893, the bells hung left-handed, in, doubtless, a seventeenth century frame, and with their original clappers, etc. S May, 1553, Hillfden. iij great Belle 6-* one faunfe bell hangyng in the fame church. 11 July, 1637, Hilsdon. 3. Bells 8r° a S'? Bell .... The fleeple wants pargeting. The pinicles upon the top of the Terret adjoyning to y e Church in decay. 1714, 6 (saunce not mentioned. At another place in Browne Willis's MSS., xxii., 88, is : ) At the west end is a square embatteld Tower in which hang a musical ring of 6 small Bells cast out of a lesser number I think of 4 by the late Alexander Denton Esq r at the Instance of Mr. Dormer* of Rousham. According to the List of Bagley bells printed at Oxford in 1732, and preserved among the Browne Willis MSS. (xliii., 26), the Bagleys cast six bells here, and recast the tenor later. Death Knell : as soon as possible after the death, but if this occur after sunset, then the following morning. Tellers : three strokes = a male, two strokes = a female. A child is distinguished from an adult by tolling for a shorter time. A bell tolled at funerals. On Sundays, the bells are chimed for the Services. A Sermon Bell is said to have been formerly rung at 9 a.m. The bells are rung on 5th November, in Advent, on Christmas Day, and on New Year's Eve. Also for weddings. A single bell rung for Vestry Meetings. There appears to have been no resident incumbent here, before the institution of the present Vicar in 1868, for some hundred and fifty years; consequently, all old churchwardens' accounts, and other records, are lost. Many thanks to the Rev. R. Holt, Vicar. * The manor of Rowsham came to the Dormers from John Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury, by the grant of King Henry VIII. (Lipscomb, III., 540). II1TCHAM — HOGGESTON. 421 HITCHAM. 1. HEY. COLESELL CHUECH. WAEDEN -SWAIN EESET J755 2. ^sancte n petr 3- THOMAS' 5WAIN Z155 S. Mary. . THO (23) (25) e D (»74) 2 : from the Reading Foundry ; probably by John Saunders (p. 70) ; the shield is the rebus shield on Plate XIX. ; it is only known elsewhere at Cheddington ; the stop is fig. 38. Treble and tenor: p. 141. The Rev. G. Frewer, Rector, informs me that there are no entries concerning the bells in the Registers. 18 July, 1552, Hecnm In pime ij belle 10 Aug : 1637, 2 Bells. 1 714, ditto. HOGGESTON. »■ + & + TB&STB + fl + : '^¥I£ W*jf ?E T 3iC^KiX * a CHAMDLER MADE ME 1669 Holy Cross. ■© (30) 4* □ u (33) (») S. {Blank) Treble : the last figure may be a 3, but on a similar bell at Passenham (Northampts, but only six and a half miles from Buckingham), the date is distinctly the later one. They are, probably, the earliest bells extant by Robeit Newcombe III. and Bartholomew Atton, after they took the Buckingham Foundry (p. 194) (Plates XXVIII. and XXIX.). 2 : probably by John White, when assistant to John Hasylwood, at Reading (p. 61). The cross fleurettee and the first shield, which is charged with S. George's cross, are figured on Plate XIX. ; the black- letter a does not belong to any set which I have met with elsewhere ; the cross parte is shown on Plate XVII. ; the crowned H, W, and cross are (copies of) the Wokingham set (Plates XV, XVI., and XIX.) ; the rectangular stamp is the later lion's head, fig 33, and the last shield is fig. 36. The intended beginning of the inscription may be anywhere. Tenor: by Anthony Chandler (p. 226). Saunce : has an odd, somewhat shield-shaped argent, pierced by three upright slots, for the 422 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. gibs to pass through, in place of canons. I suppose it to be a seventeenth century bell; straps nailed; wooden lever; iron baldrick. Treble, 2, and saunce, have the gudgeons half-way up the stocks ; treble stocks all nailed, and keyed in addition ; 2 : has seventeenth century hangings, straps nailed ; iron baldricks to 2 and tenor. The oak frame-work to support the turret, comes down to the floor in the north- west corner of the north aisle, with long struts extending eastwards. 23 July, 1552, Hoggeston, Itm iij belle in the fteple &* on fanct 3 / bell .... ij hand belle 18 July 1638, Hogstone 3 bells S ts bell ... the church & steeple [want] pgeting . . . there is like to be a decay betweene y e steeple and the church by reason of the fall of the water from y e church. 1714, 3 (sanctus not mentioned). Death Knell : about two hours after the death, but not between sunset and sunrise. Tellers : 3 x 3 = a male ; 2 x 3 = a female. Then tolling for about half an hour. The tenor used for all over thirteen years of age ; second for children ; treble for infants. At funerals one bell (difference according to age, as in the knell), chimed for half an hour previously. On Sundays, a bell was formerly rung at 8 a.m., but was discontinued when the present clerk was appointed, about 1877. The bells are chimed twenty minutes before Service, with a pause in the middle ; then the tenor is rung (?) as Sermon Bell ; and the saunce used the last few minutes. The second bell is rung (?) after Morning Service. Ringing two or three times a week, for two or three weeks before Christmas. For weddings when requested. Many thanks to the Rev. C. H. Tomlinson, Rector. HOGSHA W-CUM-FUZBROOK. Hogshaw Church, dedicated to S. John Baptist, partly destroyed during the Civil War, was afterwards neglected, and from about 1650 divine service was only performed here occasionally. July 1637, 1 Bell and no more for thefe 40. yeares . . . The Church in Decay w th in and w th out. From which it would seem that the Civil War was not (at least, in the first instance) responsible for the destruction of this church. Browne Willis (according to Lipscomb, I., 269) did not overlook its single bell, which had been taken out of the ruins and kept in the neighbouring mansion, tenanted in Mr. Willis's time by Stevens, a Quaker, who " desecrated the church, HOGSHAW— HORTON. 423 converted it to profane uses, and afterwards broke his neck by a fall from his horse in the grounds, and died instantly " (Willis's MSS.) ; and when his family quitted Hogshaw this " bell was either sold or carried away." Hogshaw is now united for ecclesiastical purposes with East Claydon. HORSENDEN. S. Michael. Single. □ □ □ □ 1582 (26) Four hopelessly illegible letters (fig. 65), followed by particularly clear figures, which are noticeable, this being the earliest dated bell in the county. The first and last letters look like black-letter, filled in with scroll work ; the third at first sight seems to be a capital F. The founder is unknown (p. 193). Original stock and straps ; the former may be older than the bell ; gudgeons near top of stock ; wheel keyed ; iron baldrick to clapper. 17 July, 1637, Horsingden 3 Bells. . . . The Steeple in decay. 1714, Horsington, 1 bell. The present church was originally only the chancel, the nave and tower were pulled down in 1765, and the present tower built.* Only one bell when Browne Willis visited the church in 1728; the other bells were, it is presumed, taken away during the Civil War. Browne Willis's own account is published in the Records of Bucks, IV., p. 75, in a letter from him, dated 4th June, 1750, to Mr. John Grubb, the father of the Mr. John Grubb who took down the church. In it he says the church "had at the west end an embattled tower open there at the lofts, with only one bell left, two others being seemingly stolen away or sold." He adds, further on, "I hope all will plead 'for your keeping up the steeple or lower.'" HORTON. S. Michael. 1. RICHARD PHELPS MADE ME 1727 4* * !fc * dfe fa**) PEARE GOD 1647 (33) 3. HONOUR GOD EDM D : BOWRY W m : WELLS CH: W: R- P- FECIT 1719 (33$) 4 . THO: SWAIM MADE ME: J752: FRAWCIS BOWET EOBBET SIMGER CHURCH WAEDEMS (37*) 5. PRAYES THE LORD $636 E & K ( 4 xj) * Lipscomb, II., 335. 424 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Treble (p. 98) : smaller editions of the two ornaments are figured on Plate XXI. 2 :,by Ellis and Francis Knight (p. 128), lettering about r^g- inch high. 3: the initials are those of Richard Phelps. 4 (p. 141). Tenor : by Ellis Knight (p. 127) ; lettering from f to ^f of an inch, except the initials, which are i T 7 F inch high ; the large fleur-de-lis is on Plate XXII. Horizontal iron stays, and perpendicular iron sliders ; rough, old wheels ; are never rung. Death Knell tolled as soon after the death as possible. No distinguishing tellers. No bell used at funerals. No churchwardens' accounts extant. Thanks to the Rev. H. Newton, Rector. 18 July, 1552, It iiij great belle in the tower It a Litill bell in the fayd towre It the faid towre coveryd w'h lead. 8 Aug : 1637, 5. Bells, a clock. . . . The fteeple in decay in the ftone worke. 1 7 14, 5 bells. NORWOOD, GREAT (pr Harwood-aim-Singleborough). S. James. 1. c ez & jugars iionmm egcgkuiie 1847 (32) 2. 165 2 VS> ! Qa3 ! (2AS ! QJ CHANDLER MADE ME# (33^) 3- (34) B A 4 ^ A £ 1605 4. EDWARD HALL MADE ME IC8C (37) s- PBAYSE » YE • THE ft LGRBE * ALWA- YSE ft 1623 ^I@B^{j®V^K^B^ (40D 6. C & G MBAES FOUNDERS LONDON 1847 (46J) S. 16 9 6 (19) Treble, 2, and tenor : reduced by tuning from lip. The four old bells turned. 2 : by Anthony Chandler (p. 224); the pattern is fig. 81 ; the fleur-de-lis is some- what less broad than the example figured on Plate XXXIII. ; lettering, smallest on that plate. 3 : Earliest known appearance of Robert Atton, with Bartholomew (p. 200) ; lettering, and ornament No. 5, on Plate XXX. 4: cracked from canons to inscription, from too heavy clapper; sadly wants iron band round shoulder, and its clapper reduced. Inscription below usual position, in Richard Chandler III.'s 1 \ inch lettering (p. 236); the canons have diamond-shaped ornaments. 5: by Robert Atton ; samples of this medium-sized lettering are at the bottom of Plate XXXI. ; the rose is No. 10 on XXX. ; neither pair of the initials are those of the Rector, and it seems possible that the first and third pairs may indicate the same GREAT HORWOOD. 425 founders that are similarly referred to on p. 93 (see also pp. 204 and 207). Saunce : evidently by Richard Chandler III., in his 1 inch lettering (p. 232); cracked in the shoulder. 20 July, 1552, Horwood magna, Itn iiij Belle w in the tower &•» A fans Belle 1714, 5 bells (sanctus not mentioned). Browne Willis (MSS. cix., 29) records the inscription on the third (of five), probably the predecessor of the bell by Hall, as, ^attrtc Jobamtea $}apttBte orn pro nobis. Lipscomb (III., 387) also gives it (no doubt copied from Browne Willis), except that he contracts the first word into j^r.e. ; the first version is doubtless the correct one. I take the present treble to be the additional bell, from the fact of the second having been considerably tuned. Lipscomb (ib.) mentions " In the south window of the chancel, are these arms : S. three bells Arg. ; which were the arms of Porter, Warden of New College; but they have sometimes a canton Erin.'' William Porter was Warden from 1494 to 1520.* One cannot help conjecturing that he was the descendant of an early bellfounder,t and that Porter is a corruption of Potter, by which appellation bell- founders were almost invariably known until quite late in the fourteenth century. J The Rev. C. F. Porter, Vicar of Banbury, Oxon, and formerly Vicar of Dropmore, Bucks, has the same arms as those displayed in the window, with the addition of a mullet in chief, which is the difference of the third son. He is not, however, aware of any connection with the Warden of New ; his crest (which may be of later adoption) is a Portcullis. The "Pancake Bell" used to be rung on Shrove Tuesday at n a.m., within the memory of persons still living ; the treble was used. Death Knell : tolled for half an hour, about three or four hours after the death. Tellers: 3*3=a male; 2X3=a female. A bell tolled for half an hour before funerals ; also tolling on the death of a member of the Royal Family, and on occasion of a corpse passing through the parish. If a corpse is brought from elsewhere for interment in this churchyard, the tolling is continued from the time the body enters the parish, until its arrival at the church gate. On Sundays, the treble is rung at 7 a.m. in summer, and 8 in winter. For Service, bells' chimed for twenty minutes, then the tenor rung for ten minutes as Sermon Bell ; the saunce used for the last half minute. These are old usages. Ringing in the evenings throughout Advent ; also ringing on Christmas, Easter, Ascension, and Whitsun Days; also on 5th November. Midnight ringing on * Chalmers, Hist, of Oxford University, 8vo, 1810 (kindly looked up for me by Percy Manning, Esq.). This living is in the gift of New College, f See p. 17. % Bells of Surrey, p. 2. 31 426 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Christmas and New Year's Eves. Ringing on Shrove Tuesday, and not again until Easter Eve. Ringing on the day of a wedding, if requested ; and on the following Sunday, if the newly-married couple come to church. Treble rung for Vestry Meetings. The churchwardens' accounts record payments for ringing on 5th November and at Christmas, but appear to contain no other notices concerning the bells. Very many thanks to the Rev. S. T. Adams, Rector. NORWOOD, LITTLE. S. Nicholas. 1, 3. r.HAVTDT.F.R MADE MR TS72 (29^, 33^) 2. A C. ~ ~T F H R C W Ih72 (31^) 4. Stephen Langston A. M. Vicar Geo. Oaklet & John Curtis Church "Wardens. Tho s Meaes op London Fecit 1793 (35) 5- TR79 -rWAT/mT.F.T? MADR MR (39) s. = CHANaLEK=MADE==MEz=I690:= (isi) The ring (probably including originally the fourth bell), is in Anthony Chandler's lettering; the saunce is in Richard Chandler III.'s 1.2 inch set; but all have the inscriptions below the rims, and are therefore perhaps, as I would suggest, by Richard Chandler II. (pp. 226, 232). Someone when ringing the tenor, somewhere about the later part of the fifties, missed the sally ; and as the stay (as is so often the case) was too strong, it did not give way before the consequent " bump," but caused the bell to be thrown out of its bearings, with the result that it was split, and a piece broken out of the lip as well. The wheel, from long disuse, has almost decayed away. As at Hanslope, and elsewhere, the four lower bells hang round the walls, with the treble cross-cornered in the centre. This is one of the most filthy and ruinous belfries in the county ; the bells are ready to drop from their hangings, and I was kept awake a good part of the night following my visit to it, by the irritation from the bites of the starling vermin, which had here joined company. 23 July, 1552 Lyttyll {also Lytle) Horwod Itm iij belle in the fteple xo I^oBis W li u (37) Treble: by Henry Knight I. (p. 124). 3; by his father, William Knight (p; 122). 3 : may be safely assigned to William Hasylwood (p. 58) ; the initial cross and capital letters are shown on Plates XVII. and XVIII., and the shield, charged with S. George's Cross, on XIX. The tower is of wood, at the W. end, supported by oak frame starting from the ground inside the nave walls, (as at Hoggeston and Saunderton). 23 July, 1552, Ilmere Inp r mis iij belle a fannfe bell <&■» a hande bell. ILMER — IVER. 433 17 July, 1637, Ilmer, ... the Steeple to be repaired in the whole (bells not mentioned.) 1 7 14. 3 bells. Lipscomb, I., 292, says, "in the towerare two little bells." This is probably a mistake. IVER. s< Peten 1. RlCHABD ABBOOK & Geobge Binfield ch .Wardens. Bob? Patbick of London Foundeb. lf 7 8 7 (32D 2. ogo Gloet to God on High °g Oub Voices Shall "With Joyful Sound Make Hills and Valleys o§ c Echo Round Lestee & Pack of London Fe- cit 1768 (Incised:) S,. BATTING & C„ BINFIELD CH„WARDENS 1„ SPENCER CLARK ( 34 ) 3- (38) Pack & Chapman of London Fecit 1770 ooooo<>o< >CX> {Incised-) Jn° THACKTHWAITE & S „ BOWRY CH , .WARDENS ., 4, 5- MEABS & STAINBANK, FOUNDEBS, LONDON 1885. (-. 4if) 6. 6 The Rev: M? Iohii Brett Sauiiders Yicar x^ Iohii Eltoel Ioseph Thackthet Church WARDEns * Rxa^ CATLin Fecit J 74 7 ( 4 6|) 5. 179 2 (20$) Treble : the latest bell known by Patrick (p. 103). 4 and 5 : by Mr. Lawson, the present proprietor of the Whitechapel Foundry, whence the second and third also come (pp. 100, 101, 117). The former fourth was inscribed: "T. Lester of London made me " (no date, but evidently before he took Pack into partnership in 1752) ; cracked by 1864, and all the canons broken off; diameter, 39 inches. The former fifth bore : "The Five Old Bells, recast in 1747, By A voluntary Subscrip- tion into A Peal of Six Bells, John Spencer, W2 Bunyon, Collectors, Joshua Shure (?), Samuell Stanbard, ThoL Swain made me, 1754." A piece broken out of the sound- bow by 1864; diameter, 41^ inches. (These two inscriptions are from notes by Mr. Henry Wilson, of Windsor, kindly put at my disposal by Mr. A. D. Tyssen.) If Catlin cast the whole ring of six, as implied by the late fifth, the bells must either have been badly cast, or else met with very bad usage, as five out of the six were recast within forty years ! Tenor (p. 141) : the Rev. J. B. Saunders was Perpetual Curate ; he appears to have been licensed in the year that this bell was cast ; his successor was licensed in 1755. Saunce : evidently from the Whitechapel Foundry, 3 K 434 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. and therefore by Thomas Mears I. (p. 104). All rehung by Mears and Stainbank in 1885. 18 July, 1552, Yver, Itn iiij grett Belle S* a lytell fans bell Itn the ftypell ys leded. 5 Aug: 1637, 5 bells a clock S 1 . 5 Bell . . . the butterices of the fteeple in decay in the foundacon. The Bellfry porch out of repre t 1 714, 5 bells (sanctus not mentioned). Death Knell tolled the morning following the death ; tellers, at end, 3 x 3 = a male ; 2 x 3 = a female ; the treble used for children. Muffled ringing on the death of a ringer, and at the funeral. On Sundays, two bells are chimed for ten minutes, at 8 a.m. Five bells are chimed for Morning and Evening Service, followed by the sanctus for the last ten minutes. The old year is rung out, and the new one in. Ringing for weddings on wedding day when paid for. A bell is tolled for Vestry Meetings. Many thanks to the Rev. W. S. Ward, Vicar. IVER HEATH. S. Margaret. Single. J. Warner & Sons, 1861. Patent. (33) Modern church and parish. For the inscription, I am indebted to the notes of Mr. Henry Wilson, of Windsor (1864), kindly lent me by Mr. Tyssen. Thickness at sound-bow, if- inches. IVINGHOE. S. Mary. 1, 2, 3. 4, 5- (3iii 3*1 » 34, 3% 4°i) CflJST B¥ J0PJ5 W/miSE^ § JS0]S£ L0]SD0]V[ 1S?S* 6- (44i) cflgf by j©PN wtoe^ § g0NS ii0ND©N jsys* S. {Blank) (16) The present ring takes the place of "five good bells," as Lipscomb calls them ; and Sheahan (p. 696) alludes to them as "five large and excellent bells, and a small bell." They were exchanged chiefly, as I understood, because, in the Vicar's judgment, they were too heavy for the tower. Unfortunately no note of any kind was taken concerning them,' before they were destroyed, except that in the Records of Bucks, II., 46 (1859), the tenor is mentioned as dated 1628, and inscribed: — IVINGHOE — GREAT KIMBLE. 435 "Sacra manet Christi plebisque religio vana." Browne Willis (MSS. xxxviii., 2) gives its weight as " 2900," and (id., cix., 30) mentions a bell, formerly at Bletchley, which had this inscription. Saunce : probably seventeenth century ; canons orna- mented with two isosceles triangle-shaped buttresses or spurs to each ; straps nailed ; pair through the centre of the stock, keyed ; iron baldrick ; half-wheel. The frame, altered by Warner, is probably eighteenth or seventeenth century. 2 3 July, 1552, Iwyngho, Itm v belle &" a fawnfe bell. (There is a second Inventory, of the same date.) 29 July, 1637, 5 Bells & a S'. 5 Bell . . . The ringing loft to be taken downe and the next loft to be layd lower as formerly. 1714, S bells (sanctus not mentioned). The Rev. H. J. Rawlinson (Vicar in 1875) kindly informed me that the churchwardens bought a second-hand clapper for the former tenor, which was too heavy, and at once cracked it. One of the bells was supposed to have been exchanged with Marsworth, and others with other places. He thought there were no inscriptions on any of the bells, but this was a mistake, at least with regard to the tenor, and even four blanks in one tower are unlikely. The Curfew was continued until (probably) the destruction of the old ring. Death Knell : tenor used for "an old person," the other bells for younger persons, according to age. Tellers : 3 x 3 = male ; 2x3 = female. A bell tolled for half an hour before funerals. On Sundays, until the present Vicar came in 1889, a bell was rung at 8 a m. It is now only rung on the Sundays on which there is an Early Celebration. The bells are rung for one Service and chimed for the other alternately. Ringing on anniversary of restoration of church, and on the Queen's Birthday. Many thanks to the Rev. A. E. Wauton, Vicar. There was formerly a chapel, dedicated to S. James, in the hamlet of Ivinghoe Aston,* which the Commissioners, in 1547, reported "distant from the parish of Ivinghoe by Estimation one mile and an half," which probably had a bell ; and at the hamlet of S. Margaret, distant four c* five miles from Ivinghoe Church, was " The Priory or Nunnery of the Order of St. Benets," where, at the time of the dissolution, the Commissioners reported, "Bells, Lead, and other Buildings worth 8/. 1 or. 6<£"t KIMBLE, GREAT. S. Nicholas. 1,2. G. MBAES FOUNDER LONDON 1860. (On Waist:) JOHN OEMOND VICAR. IS™™' 3 } CHHBCHWABBEKS. (, 7 . .,, 9 Records of Bucks, I., 198, etc. t Browne Willis, Hist, of Abbies, II., 23. 43^ THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. 3 ^ gforia o in o crcefcu £ o 6c o HK I * 8 7 <**) 4 ^ aue o maria o gracia o pfena HKH87PW (34) 5- HONAR GOD 1635 (36I) The two Mears bells take the place of one, inscribed: prayse the lord 1618, which may have been either the treble or tenor, but most likely the first : Lipscomb's reference (II., 349) is confused, and suggests some omission ; but as it stands, it seems to intimate that it was either the treble or the third. Lukis (Church Bells, p. 63) also quotes the bells in wrong order, and calls it the third, which is not at all likely. Possibly the bell was by James Keene ; if so, the word ye is doubtless omitted. The Rev. John Ormond was presented to the living in 1857. 3 and 4 : two of Henry Knight I.'s first bells (p. 123). Who P W (4th) was I do not know; he was not the Vicar ; he may have been H. Knight's assistant, or the churchwarden. Tenor : by Ellis Knight I., son and successor of Henry Knight I. (p. 127) ; lettering from 1 to i| inch. The two new trebles were hung by White (of Appleton, Berks). The three old bells hang loose from old, rotten stocks ; the straps are modern — probably by White ; they have the maker's mark, V, on them. 3 : much tuned away at lip ; crown-staple broken, wheel, etc., by White. 4 : crown-staple broken, and a nut missing from the new staple (through the crown). Tenor : badly cracked across crown and shoulder, no doubt in consequence of hanging loose on the stock ; it badly needs ^.n iron band shrunk round its shoulder (and, of course, a new stock !). The frame is old, possibly contemporary with Henry Knight's bells; but the cages have been rearranged, to hold the present number of bells. 23 July, 1552, Kymbell Magna, Itm iij belle hangyng in the fteple &•= ij° hand belle 17 July, 1637, Kimbell maga 4 Bells . . . The bellfry dore to be repayred . . . the bellfry unpaved . . . The belfry and the weft end of the north Isle unpaved. 1714, 4 bells. Death Knell : as soon as the sexton is told. Tellers : 3 x 3 = a man ; 2 x 3 = a woman ; 1 x 3 = a child. Then the age is tolled. Before funerals, one bell is tolled for an hour. On Sundays, the bells are usually chimed for the Services. Many thanks to the late Rev. E. K. Clay, Vicar. LITTLE KIMBLE — KINGSEY. 437 KIMBLE, LITTLE. All Saints. i,2. «ECfl!ST BY J Wfll^EH § JS©]Sj5 L0]flD0]fl ]S7S : - (i8§» 19J) T? Small bell (kept, unhung, at Rectory) ■" R * S # E S Q # 1 T 1 8 i 1 7i) On treble, the word by, is represented by the letter y only. The two bells have square canons, and hang in a new gable, at the W. end of the church. They were "recast" from one larger bell. For the small bell, see p. 266. 23 July, 1552, pua Kymbell, . . . ij belle in the Steple A Sanctus bell ij hand belle 1714, one bell. (This would be the bell now melted, not the small unhung bell.) Lipscomb (II., 354) says of the old arrangement : — A small turret ; with a little spire, covered with lead, near the west end, recently erected, to contain a clock presented by Sir Scrope Bernard Morland, Bart. Lord of the Manor and Patron, who purchased it, circ. 1810, on the demolition of the seat of Philip Earl of Chesterfield, at Eythorpe. The family there (pp. cit., I., 483) was Stanhope, but I cannot find an owner for the initial R ; else it seems likely that the small bell, now at the Rectory, came here with the clock. Death Knell : an hour after death (? if day time) ; apparently no tellers. On Sundays, the bells chimed for Services ; one bell for the last five minutes. Chiming at weddings. Thanks to the Rev. A. K. Hobart Hampden, Rector. KINGSEY. S. Nicholas. 1- PEARE GOD 1632 (34) 2 JAMES * KEENE * MADE 4 MEE # X625 AH $ 3. XAMES 1 1 KEENE 1=1 $> MADE # ME •)&> I6 2 S «fe (39) S. {Blank) (14) "Treble: by Ellis Knight (p. 127). 2 and 3: the lettering is James Keene's later heavy set (pp 162, 164) ; the fleurs-de-lis on the second are No. 5, and on the tenor, No. 7, on Plate XXVI. ; the running pattern on the lower line of the second, is fig. 61, and the long-shaped stop on the tenor is the imperfect arabesque, fig. 62. Keene's bells have larger and more solid canons than E. Knight's. All three 438 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. clappers cased in wood ; horizontal iron stays and sliders. Saunce : probably seventeenth century (p. 171) ; the leather baldrick is here still retained in the form of a strap and buckle ; wooden lever. 23 July, 1552, Kyngfeye {also Kynseye) iij belles in the flyple ij hand belles &•* a sacryng bell. July, 1637, 3 Bells S 1 ? Bell . . . The fteeple crackt and wants pgeting. 17 14, 3 (sanctus not mentioned). The church was rebuilt about 1800, and again nearly so, in 1893-4. The bells removed to ground, and no opening large enough to re-admit them, left in the tower ! LACEY GREEN. S. John the Baptist. Modern parish; church built 1826; one bell. LANE END. Holy Trinity. 1. 2, 3. 4, S> 6 - ^mx* & ^Mttfranl, Virata, jgionbtm ^atnmrar 1878 (?w, 3 3i) The lightest ring of six in the county (p. 117). The church was rebuilt in 1878, and the bells were presented at that time by Mr. Henry William Cripps, Q.C., J. P., who was at that time living at Parmoor, in Hambleden parish. They take the place of a single bell by one of the Mears family, most probably Thomas Mears II., the original church having been built in 1832. Death Knell : as soon as the death is reported to the sexton. Tellers 13x3 = a man ; 2 x 3 - a woman ; 1 x 3 = a child. Single bell tolled for funerals. On Sundays, ringing for Morning and Evening Services ; treble alone for last five minutes. Single bell tolled for Afternoon Service. Ringing for weddings, if paid for. One bell for Vestry Meetings. Ringing on New Year's Eve. Many thanks to the late Rev. J. K. Best, Vicar. The bells were hung by George Oliver (of Whitechapel, working for Messrs. Mears and Stainbank), whose grandfather hung the Great Marlow ring in 1835 ; and they were rung for the first time by ringers from Great Marlow. LANGLEY MARISH— LATHBURY. 439 L ANGLE V MARISH. S. Mary. i- =xt> Thos Mbaes of .London Fecit 1792 Bicsd Mooee & EdwP Ivb Ch . WAEDENS. SHYE $ OYR $ KING 4? 1627$ lH FC«frRP<|?CW$> (34J) 4- GOD SflYE OYR KING 1629 (39) Treble (p. 236) : high canons; round, sloping, shoulder; inscription below usual position; Richard Chandler III.'s 1.2 inch lettering. 2 : probably cast at Bedford, by one or more of the sons of Edward Newcombe I. (p. 156); original stock; straps bolted; crown-staple broken. 3 and 4: by James Keene (pp. 163, 164); the initial cross on the third is No. 4, and the fleur-de-lis, No. 6, on Plate XXVI., where the letters | f| are also figured ; the smaller lettering (about f inch high), which follows those initials, I have only met with elsewhere in the letters Q and T, 44° THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE mixed with the ordinary set on the treble and third at Tyringham (this small set is quite distinct from the even smaller lettering met with at Brill, Boarstall, etc.). Both have high canons, especially 3. Hung left-handed ; frame perhaps seventeenth century, wedged to the walls, to their obvious detriment. 1 714, 4 bells. Browne Willis, MSS. cix., 29, gives the inscription on the then-existing treble, as, Vox Augustini so net in aure Dei; it was doubtless a fifteenth century bell, very likely by Walgrave or Crowch (pp. 31, 32). Lipscomb (IV., 204) writing more than a century after the bell had been recast, blindly copies this account, reading, Sonat. The " Pancake Bell " is rung on Shrove Tuesday at noon, on the third bell. Death Knell : tenor for adults, treble for children. Tellers : 3 x 3 = a male ; 2 x 3 = a female. On Sundays, a bell rung at 8 a.m. ; this has been utilised since (about) 1883, to indicate an Early Celebration. Bells chimed for the Morning and Afternoon Services. Ringing on Christmas and New Year's Eves, on all Church Festivals, and when possible on Saints' Days. Ringing practice twice a week during Advent. Vestry Bell always rung. Ringing on the day of a wedding by special request. Many thanks to Miss Bull, daughter of the late Rev. H. Bull, Rector. LATIMER. S. James. Single. (Blank) Probably not later than the middle of the eighteenth century. As the ancient chapel was repaired in 1749,* this may perhaps mark its date. In 1714 ' Latimers capella' had one bell. LA VENDON. S. Michael. 1. h£ :oo:co: ALEXANDER -(^o- RIGBE =Oo: MADE :co: ME:co:J6o9 ; co:/o::oo:cO: (27!) 2. hjn :oo:co: ALEXANDER :c?o: RIGBE :oo: MADE ME :oo: j 6 S 9 :co:cO"co: :co:o:co:co: (29^) 3. hjn :oo:c>o: ALEXANDER :oo:oo: RIGBE :oo:oo: MADE :co:co: ME :oo:oo: J 6 S 9 ; Oo:co: (32) 4. W: SHARMAN. C: WARDEN. R: TAYLOR 4 SONS. FOUNDERS. MDCCCXXVIII (34) * Rev. B. Burgess, Records of Bucks, VI., p. 40. LAVENDON. 44 1 5. ^ ; SIR : ANTHONY : CHESTER • BARONETT :oo :cno: THOMAS i NEWTON ; ESQ :oo:co::oo:co::co:oo hfn : ALEXANDER ; RIGBE \ MADE ; ME ; 3 6 S 9 -Oo: RICHARD ; BRYAN ; AND ■ IOHN ; SCOTT [ CH j W :oo: <^ (39) For A. Rigby, of Stamford, see p. 246. The double scroll is fig. 84. Treble : several canons broken ; ingenious iron clamp encloses them, and keeps them in place ; wheel rotten. 4 : canons all off. Tenor : turned. All rehung some years ago by F. White (of Appleton, Berks), in the old frame ; on the tenor cage is carved : — "IS RB : C H ; W° : I69o The hangings are now in a somewhat rotten condition ; there is no wiring to the large two-light ogee windows. In the year previous to the casting of this ring, Rigby supplied a bell to the neighbouring church of Cold Brafield, which is annexed to this parish. Sir Anthony Chester, whose name is recorded on the tenor, was the third baronet; he was buried in February, 1698, oet. sixty-four. See Chicheley, p. 348. Mr. Thomas Newton, whose name likewise appears on the tenor, purchased the manor of Lavendon, in, or shortly after, 1660, from Robert Eccleston, Esq., whose grandfather, of the same name, had purchased it, c. 161 7, from Mr. William Newton, of Yardley Hastings, in Northampts, but on the borders of Bucks. The latter had originally purchased it c. 1610; his relationship to Thomas is not known. Lipscomb (IV., 213, etc.) mentions another Thomas Newton, who was instituted to the Vicarage of Lavendon-cum-Brafield, 1st March, 1580, and buried here 28th May, 1629; but whether the three form a family sequence does not appear. Richard Newton, D.D., youngest son of the first-named Thomas, born at Yardley Chase, in or about 1676, became Principal of Hart Hall in Oxford University ; and in 1740, he obtained a Charter whereby it was raised to the denomination of Hertford College ; he had no son. xij mo die ficij 1555 (The Monastery of ) Lavenden*-! _ ^ . 1 J " 3 v I The belle ther — iiij The belle • were . fold : by the faid Damestre as apperyth by certiff remaynynge And he therfor ys to anfwer for it ys not ^ charged in any of his accompt charged in Comp An xxviij™ H viij ui * P. ix. 3 L 44 2 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Browne Willis,* apparently referring to the same Survey, mentions that this Monastery "was of the Order of the Premonftratenfes," and the "Bells, Lead, &c. worth by Eftimation 73/. 6s. &d." 1 714, 5 bells. LECKHAMPSTEAD. [Assumption of thef] B. V. Mary. 1 g a b&e b i jr; g m a t r ( 3 ?i) 2 - "" CHAKDT.F.R MADE MR 1664 (39t) 3. CHANDLER MADE ME 1662 (44^) S. (I8#) ►£< csejsaic 5 me v rati 6 Feces; Treble : the inscription is spaced out very irregularly all round the bell, with nothing to mark beginning or ending, but is intended for, Gaude Virgo Mater ; this set of black-letter belonged to John Saunders, of Reading (ob. 1559), but no other bell is known by him so irregularly spaced ; so perhaps this bell may be by William Welles, either sent when foreman to execute a distant order on the spot, or by him after he had succeeded to the business (p. 76). 2 : Anthony Chandler's lettering, but the inscription is down among the rims, and the bell is therefore, perhaps, by Richard Chandler II. (p. 267). Tenor : by Anthony Chandler, a splendid bell, turned and rehung. Short wooden stays, and iron bolt-like sliders to all; iron baldricks and wooden splints. Saunce : this interesting bell is hopelessly split ; the lettering is the lower set on Plate VIII., which only occurs elsewhere to my know- ledge at Chetwode ; a short-waisted bell, canons broken, and their substitutes are keyed. I have puzzled more than a little over the donor; the K probably does duty for either H or R, but I cannot find any name, either among the Lords of the Manors, the Rectors, or the Priors of Luffield Priory, with which this parish was connected, at all resembling it. The Chastillons held the third manor here soon after 1167 ; there is a Return (Teste de Nevill) in Henry II. 's time, that Hugh de Chasteleyn stood seized of the Manor of Great Leckhampstead. The second manor came into possession of the family by the reign of Richard I. In John's reign, the Chastillons were patrons of the church of this parish, and continued so through the reigns of Henry III., and the three first Edwards ; and in Richard II. 's reign (i.e., towards the end of the fourteenth century), they conveyed their Demesnes to the Gernons.J * Browne Willis, Hist, of the Abbies, II. 23. t B. Willis, Hist. Buck. Hund., p. 208. % Ibid., p. 205. LECKHAMPSTEAD. 443 There seems no reason to doubt that the Chetwode bell, on which this lettering occurs, dates from about the middle of the fourteenth century, but the date of the Leckhampstead bell is slightly doubtful. It is almost obviously later than that at Chetwode, because the letters H and R appear to be missing, and the long-tailed Q has been cut in three, and the portions are used as stops (see p. 16) ; also the letters of each word are here grouped together, with a considerable space between each word and stop, instead of being, as at Chetwode, spaced out almost equi- distantly, without increase of space between the words ; and these details, together, perhaps, with the blundered Latin, seem to point to a much later date — even possibly to the sixteenth century. On the other hand, it is extremely unlikely that a set of letters, used so seldom that only a solitary instance has come down to us, should have been put aside for a couple of centuries, and then again used only (so far as our information goes) once. If we suppose the date of the bell to be late fourteenth century, or quite early in the fifteenth, we should expect to find either a Chastillon or a Gernon as its donor; but not only is the name on the bell very unlike the former, and quite unlike the latter, and equally unlike any later name connected with the parish — but it is also very unlikely that the surname alone would have been inscribed ; and in the absence of any Christian name at all resembling ckestit, the only explanation I can suggest, and which I only offer under all reserve, is, that the word stands for chestid, = "placed in a coffin,"* and that the inscription records that some notable "deceased," probably a lord of the manor, bequeathed money to provide the bell.. I shall at any time be very much obliged for a better explanation. Carved on the frame, which is fixed into the wall, is : GOq 9 July, 1637, Leckhamstead, 3 Bells and S 1 ? Bell. 1714, 3 (saunce not mentioned). At another place in Browne Willis's MSS. (xxii., 94) is : — At the west end is a square strong embatteld Tower in which hang 3 heavy Lumbring Bells. And in his Hist. Buck. Bund. : — At the Weft End is a broad embattled Tower, in which hang three pretty large Bells, the two biggeft were caft 1662 and 1664. Death Knell (on the tenor) : as soon after the death as possible. Tellers 13x3 = a man ; 2 x 3 = a woman ; 1 x 3 = a child. At funerals, the tenor tolled for about half an hour, ceasing when the procession reaches the gates. On Sundays, the treble is rung up and down, at 8, 9, and 10 a.m. The three bells chimed for the Services. Before the chiming for matins, the tenor is rung up * Halliwell's Diet, of Provl. & Arch. Words. 444 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. and down as Sermon Bell. Immediately after the Service, a bell — generally the second — is rung up and down, as Sermon Bell for the Evening Service. These are, probably, ancient usages. The saunce is too far gone for use. Ringing for weddings when ordered. In the Register is the following : — i« Bell unknown. 2l d made by Chandler, A. D. 1662. 3rd by ditto, 1664. 4'. h or Saints' bell, unknown. (It will be observed that even this simple statement is incorrect, the dates on second and tenor being transposed.) Many thanks to the Rev. Ii. C. Tompkins, Rector. LEE. S. John Baptist. Single. ^20) For what is known of the founder of this extremely interesting bell, see p. 6 ; the cross and lettering are shown on Plate III. ; string moulding on canons ; flat crown extending to outside of canons ; long waist ; crown-staple broken and bolted ; modern clapper ; new " home-made '' wheel. It hangs in an open cot, at a considerable height, at the west end of a modern, red-brick church, built in 1868, to replace a small, Early English church, which remains in a mutilated condition, and used as a school, a short distance to the west of the new building. As it is not known how long before 1290 Michael de Wymbis began business, it is possible that the bell may be cotemporary with the old church. 23 July, 1552, lye {also, the pryihe churche of the lye). Itm inp'mis in the ftepell iij belle It on hand bell 1714, Lee capella, one bell. Lipscomb, II., 357, thus describes the former situation of the bell in the old church : — On the gable at the west end, a small wooden turret, supporting a little spire. Death Knell tolled on morning following the death; tellers, 3 = a man; 2=a woman ; 1 = a child. Tolling for funerals. Chimed for a quarter of an hour before Services. No churchwardens' accounts. Thanks to the Rev. A. Werninck, Vicar. LILLINGSTONE DAYRELL. 445 LILLINGSTONE DAYRELL. S. Nicholas. C^JST BY J0P]5 WHITER § JS0]SjS LONDON 1868 ■■■ PATENT ( 2 6l) 2. EDWARD HALL MADE ME 1726 DN (*?$) 3- RICHARD CHANDLER MADE ME 16 74 (29I) Treble : angular canons ; old stock, inner pair of straps nailed. 2 : inscription below the rims, in Richard Chandler lll.'s 1.2 inch lettering (p. 236); the initials are perhaps the churchwarden's, they are not the Rector's ; long, round shoulder ; high canons ; iron baldrick, and one wooden splint ; original stock ; straps renewed. Tenor : by Richard Chandler III., in the lettering copied from his father Anthony's set (p. 268); new stock, inner straps nailed; iron baldrick. The exact corres- pondence of the two lower bells here, with the two at the adjoining parish of Akeley, is an odd coincidence, if merely accidental. I cannot speak to their notes. New half-wheels to all three, apparently copied from old pattern ; stays to all, and they are evidently rung. Old frame, properly repaired with angle-irons. 5 May, 1553, Lyllingftone Dorrell, two great belle [one fance bell]* 8 July, 1637, Lillingston dorrell pt Akelei (bells not mentioned, but in another Inventory of the same date, is) Lillingston 3 bells. This latter certainly refers to this parish, not only because Lillingstone Lovell was part of Oxfordshire until 1844, but also because the Inventory goes on to mention "a great monument standing in the middle of the Chancell," which can only refer to the very handsome altar-tomb, under which lie "Paulus Dayrell Armiger et Margareta Uxor ejus," who died in 149 1. 1 7 14, 3 bells. 1755, three modern bells. (So also at another place in B. Willis's MSS., xxii., 96 ) The Rev. Walter Hill (Vicar of Medmenham, formerly Curate-in-charge of this parish), informs me that when this church was restored in 1868, a piece of a Bell " was dug out close to the angle connecting new north Aisle and Tower. There had been a N. Aisle in ages past. The piece was simply a wedge-shaped fragment from rim inwards, the rim being the thick end. It weighed about 8 or 10 lbs. I could not say whether there was any sign of local casting ; I should say not. I left the fragment in the vestry." The present Rector informs me that the fragment had disappeared before he was instituted to the living in 1872. * Erased. 446 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. In Mr. Hill's time (1867-72), there was ringing on New Year's Eve from 11.30 p.m. to 0.30 a.m. Part of the buildings of Luffield Priory (suppressed 1494) stood within the present boundaries of this parish ; and Browne Willis {Hist. Buck. Hund., p. 225, and to the same effect in his Hist, of Abbies, II., 28), writes : — . . . they informed me, that by Tradition there were five Bells in the Tower, and that they were carried to Paulers Perry, on the firft Bell of which Church I met with this Infcription, jianxta ol&arta, <@ra pro nobis ; and fo it might poffibly have been brought from hence. Mr. North, in Bells of Northampts, p. 361, et sea., quotes the treble at Paulerspury as dedicated to Sancta Anna, instead of Maria, and says : — There is a tradition that the five ancient bells here were brought by Sir Nicholas Throckmorton from Luffield Abbey, upon the dissolution of that House. He was Lord of the Manor of Paulerspury. The bells recorded there by Mr. North in 1878, are : the above-mentioned treble, which is by Thomas Bullisdon (p. 41). 2 : by Henry Bagley I., of Chacombe, 1654. 3 : by Robert Atton, of Buckingham, 1623. 4: by one of the earlier Newcombes, of Leicester, early part of sixteenth century. 5 (tenor) : by Bartholomew Atton, of Buckingham, 16 13. In his MSS., xxii., 99^ Browne Willis again quotes the Paulerspury treble as " S ca Maria ora pro nobis" and states that it (or he may mean the whole ring as it existed in 1494) was brought from Luffield Priory. The second, third, and fourth, he merely says are "modern"; but records (inaccurately) the inscription on the fourth, as the tenor (fifth). LILLINGSTONE LOVELL. S. Mary. i- hp :c<5: ALEXANDER :CO: RIGBE :CO MADE :CO: ME :O0: J693 :Oo:oO:o: (24^) 2 . hp :CO: ALEX • RIGBE; MADE = ME : Rose for mending y e Bell claper / To W™ Rose for faftning y e Bells For 4 new Bellropes To Benj. Bennet for Tolling y= Bell ... 1695. Oyle for Bells ... Dec: 20. 4 new Bell Ropes 1—4 0— 7- -6 — • i- — 2 — 3- -0 — 4- -0 — 0— 2- -6 — i - -2 0— io- -0 — 9- -0 — 6- -6 — 0- -4 — i- -0 03- i7- -0 — 5- -0 — 1- -6 — 8- -0 o— 3- 0— - 3- -0 0— -10- -0 0— - 1- -0 0— - 0- -7 0— -10 — " Paulerspury, in Northampts, about three miles distant (p. 446). LILLINGSTONE LOVELL. 449 1696. To the man that made the Bell Wheels for 6 days ... o>— I2-h> for Nailes ... ... ... ... ... o — 2 — 3 1697. Oyle for the Bells ... ... ... ... o — o — 5 • Shooting the Bellropes ... ... ... ... o — o — 4 1699. 4 Bell-Ropes ... ... .., ... ... o — 11 — o 1700. To George Savage Bell Wheels ... ... ... o — o — 3 1 701. Mending Bells ... Materials my wk Bell Ropes 1702. Nov: 8. To W2 1 Rofe ab' y e Bells ... To W"Rofe for mending y= Bells 1703. P4 for Bell- Ropes 1704. Bell Ropes ... ... ... ... ... o . 11 . o 1706. pd to John Webb for mending y e bells ... ... 00 : 01 : 6 pi Richard Edkins for making Keys ferrills & nayles ) for y e bells and haspe and staples for y e ftiple dore J 0- — 2- — - 1- — 0- — 1- — 0- —10- — 0- — i- -6 0- — 1- — 00 : 10 : 00 00 : 01 : 1709. Bell Ropes ... ... ... ... ... o . 10 . o 1 7 10. To Iohn Webb abi the Bells ... ... ... o. 2 „ 6 1712. paid I nich* for making A new Steeple window & boords ... o . 4.6 paid richard Edkins for a ceayy & forles & nellff for y e bells o— 2 — 4 for belle ropes ... ... ... ... ... o — 10— o Nichols* f Key, ferrules, and nails. 3 M 4SO THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. 1715. paid to duke carter for mending A bell whell ... ... o — o — 4 1718. pd to alfeat Cosley for mending y e gret bell and church geat 00 — 02 — 06 pd to dike cartright for menden y= Church geat and beles ... 00 — 01 — 08 1719. paid for iole paid for mending y e belf ... 1720. A fet of Bell-ropes 1721. paid for a pint of oyle paid to George Sayles for the Steeples paid to dike cartrit for mending the bell whele 1722. paid to dike for mending the bells paid for a pint of oyel 00 — 00 — 07 00 — 15 — 03 o— 0—8 o— 8—0 o— 3—0 o — o — 9 o— 0—8 1723. paid for the bell ropes paid for a pint of oyel 1724. paid to the coler maker for belrop paid for a pint of oil 0—12 — 6 o — o — i o — 11 — o o — 00 — 8 I73I- Pd for bell ropes 1735- pd for 4 bell rops 00 . 10 . 6 1736. pd to alfer Cosbey for mending ye yec (key) of bell claper 1739- pd to dike cartright for mending ye bells 1742. paid to Wid Bealy for hale Duke Carterite when he mended y e bels paid to Duke Cartright for mended the bels 1—6 o — 1 — 6 00=00=08 00=00=02 LILLINGSTONE LOVELL— GREAT LINFORD. 45 1 paid to Duke Cartright for work In church 1 74 1 for got Last year = ... ... 00 = 06 = 06 paid to Edward Scrivener for the bel Ropes ... ... 00= 12=00 1743- gave the Ringers one shilling for good nues In wars ... 00 = 01 =00 1744. pd to Geor. Greenwood for Shoothing the Bell Rope ... o — o — 2 1746. March 1. pd for the Bell Ropes waid 38 Ib ... ... o — 18—0 1749- Paid for 4 new Bellrops ... ... ... ... 0=10 = 09 LINFORD, GREA T. S. Andrew. 1. HENRICUS UTHWATT ARMIGER ME SUIS SUMPTIBUS HIC COLLORARI (sic) CURAVIT. 1756 ^-QX (31) 2. QUOD SIT SACRA DIES PRIMO DENUNCIO mane. 17 5 6 5v eXX"^, (33) 3. DET SONITUM PLENUM DEUS ET MODULAMEN AMjENUM J: EAYRE S? NEOTS FECIT. 1756. (354) 4. AD TEMPLUM PER ME POPULUS PROPERARE JUBETUR 6 ^@X ^@x 1756. ^x^^gx^x (37) 5. CONJUGIUM PARTUS MYSTERIA FESTA DEC(5rO ' r ~^X ^^QX ANNO. DOMINI 1756. ^^X^ 1 ^ (39D 6. ME RESONARE JUBENT HOMINUM MORS CONERO (sic) funus ,s @xT< 1N ex^x ri 8x iN ex tN @x' r w N ex r w N ex {Round lip:) quinque qvm MAXIM! sunt ponderis campan^e (quibqs SIMUL addita FUIT NON PARVA METALLI MOLES) DE NOVO SUNT CONSTATS SUMPTIBUS HENRICI UTHWATT ARMIGERI ANNO DMNI. A7S6. JOSEPHO EAYRE ARTIFICE °~£X s ~"X ROBERTO CHAPMAN' EECTOSE PHI- LIPO WARD IOANNE RAWLINS 3VDITUIS. ^^QX (44^) S. 17 5 3 (13I) Treble : Sir William Pritchard, Knt., Alderman of London, purchased this manor about 1683, from Richard Napier, and bequeathed it, after his wife's decease, to his nephews, Richard Uthwatt and Daniel King, Esqs. Richard Uthwatt pur- chased King's interest, and died possessed of the manor in 1719, aged 61, and it descended to his eldest son and heir, Thomas Uthwatt, Esq. He died 1754, leaving an only daughter (married to Matthew Knapp, Esq., of Little Linford). Lipscomb's account here becomes confused; but Henry Uthwatt, apparently a younger son of Richard, and evidently the donor of this bell, succeeded to the 452 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. property. He married, 12th June, 1750, Frances (baptized 4th November, 1728), daughter of Sir John Chester, sixth Baronet, of Chicheley. In Genealogical Memoirs of Extinct Family of Chester of Chicheley* Vol. II., p. 614, it is stated that Mr. Henry Uthwatt, "like his wife's grandfather, Sir John Chester, loved the music of Church bells. In 1756 he completed the peal of bells at Great Linford at his own expense, by adding a sixth bell, and by having the old bells recast by the famous bellfounder, Eyre, of St. Neots," etc., etc. Mr. Uthwatt died, s.p., in London, of consumption, on 22nd December, 1757, at the early age of 29 {fide his monument, and Cole's MSS., xxxviii., 220), and was buried with his maternal ancestors (Andrewes) at Lathbury. It will be noticed, however, that the above dates make him out to have been born about nine years after his father's death ! Either he was not a son of Richard, or the latter did not die at the date stated by Lipscomb, Henry's widow died 28th November, 1800, at the age of 72. In recording the inscriptions on the bells, Mr. Waters (pp. cit.) adds, in a foot-note, "These mottoes (with the exception of Nos. 1 and 3) were copied from the new bells put up in Bletchley Church by Mr. Browne Willis." They correspond as follows : Linford second = Bletchley third ; fourth in both; Linford fifth = Bletchley seventh; tenor in both (but the Bletchley bell is without the long addition on sound-bow). Saunce : the figures do not match those on the big bells, and I doubtfully assign it to Lester and Pack, of the Whitechapel Foundry (p. 100). Elaborate moulding on the canons of the four lower bells. All turned. Rehung by Gillett, June, 1887, in old frame; on the tenor cage is carved : — These Frames made By Henry & Edward Cox, of this parish J756 The bells are very long-waisted, and are hung quite out from the stocks (the old stocks having been apparently retained). They appear to " go " very heavily. 26 July, 1552, Grete Lynford. Inprimis five belle in the Steple and a fanncte bell. Item ij handbelle and a facring bell. 1714, 5 bells (sanctus not mentioned). Lipscomb (IV., 226) states : — : In the tower were five bells, the 3rd and 5th bearing these inscriptions, viz. 3rd, ' Hujus Campanse nomen est J'hu speciale ; ' 5th, ' Ave Maria gratia plena.' These five bells being re-cast in 1756, by Mr. Eyre of St. Neot's, Mr. Henry Uthwatt added another * By R. E. Chester Waters, London, 1878. GREAT LINFORD — LITTLE LINFORD. 453 to them ; so that now there is a complete peal of six tuneful bells in the tower, on which are the following inscriptions : (Here follow the inscriptions with sundry inaccuracies.) The weight of the five bells was 46^ cwt. ; and of the six bells, 60 cwt. The third was most likely a fifteenth century bell; and the fifth, fourteenth century. Death Knell : for an hour, as soon as notice is received, unless after sunset ; when it is tolled the following morning. Tellers, at conclusion of the knell ; three strokes = a male, two strokes = a female. Tenor used for adults, the fifth for a child over five years old, and the fourth for a child under five. For funerals the tenor is tolled. On Sundays, either the treble or second is rung at 9 am. For the Services, the bells are chimed, or sometimes rung ; the saunce used for the last five minutes. After Morning Service the treble and second are rung to give notice that there will be a sermon at the Afternoon Service (this ringing is, of course, omitted, if there is not to be a second sermon). These are all old usages. During Advent the bells are rung once a week. No ringing in Lent. Midnight ringing on Christmas and New Year's Eves. Also ringing on Christmas and New Year's Days, Easter Eve and Day, Ascension Day (?), Whitsun Day, and S. Andrew's Day (Patron Saint of the Church) ; on the Queen's and Prince of Wales's Birthdays, and on 5 th November. Ringing for weddings if paid for. Third bell rung for Vestry Meetings. There are two traditions of fatal accidents in the tower. In one case, after the bells had been rung for a short time (having been evidently left set from the previous occasion), blood was noticed running down one of the ropes, and it was found that a man, who had been among the bells unknown to the band below, had been killed. In the other case, it is said that a man was carried up by the rope of the fourth bell, and falling, was killed on the spot. The churchwardens have always paid twelve shillings for the midnight ringing on New Year's Eve. Many thanks to the Rev. Sydney H. Williams, Rector, and to Mrs. Uthwatt, of the Manor House. LINFORD, LITTLE. S. Leonard or S. Andrew. :g> ~$h. €T M M- ( J 9i) A (22) x JEorjatmes Vjllelrg file Fieri Ferit 9 U Treble : doubtless an early fourteenth century bell, and probably more or less local (p. 14); the cross and lettering are the upper set on Plate VI. Tenor: the 454 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. shield (fig. 15) bears the arms of the family of Kebyll or Keble, and the founder who owned it is supposed to have borne that name (p. 28) ; the capitals are the smallest set on Plate XI. ; the initial cross (No. 5) and the crown are on the same plate. The only other bell in the county bearing Keble's shield is at Chesham Bois (p. 28), which is in the Willoughby country (Chesham Bois adjoins Latimer), so the coincidence of that name appearing here, caused me to write to the late Rev. Bryant Burgess, M.A., then Rector of Latimer, whose interesting paper "Larimers, or Latimer," opportunely appeared in the Records of Bucks, VI., 27 (1887). He very kindly passed on my query to his cousin, William L. Rutton, Esq., author of a pedigree of the Latimer and Nevill families, which follows the first named paper in the Records, and I am much indebted to Mr. Rutton for writing me as follows : — "I find in Lipscomb's {Hist, of Bucks, IV., 228) account of Little Linford, that the manor was sometime in the possession of Botetourt, and the fact certainly affords a clue to its connection with Willoughby. For Sir John W., the natural heir of Latimer was probably also one of the co-heirs of Botetourt, through the marriage of his maternal ancestor, William Third Baron Latimer, with Elizabeth Botetourt" (vide pedigree op.cit., p. 49). " Since my paper on the Latimer Barons was printed, my attention has been drawn to the fact that the Third Baron appears to have had some right to the manor of Iselhampsted (now Latimer) through his wife, Elizabeth Botetourt, before it was granted to him by the King in 133 1. " In the Rolls of Parliament, there is a petition of William Latimer for the manor, on the ground that it had been given to his wife, by her mother Maud Botetourt, whose heritage it had been. " I have found that Maud had certainly the custody ol Iselhampsted, but not that it was her possession or heritage. But however that may be, I think it likely that some lands may have come to Latimer by his marriage with Eliz* Botetourt, which may have passed down to their descendant Sir John Willoughby, or the latter may, as I have before said, have possessed part of the estate of Botetourt as one of the co-heirs. "Among these estates were those of Newport Pagnell, Linford, &c, acquired by Thomas Botetourt (brother of Elizabeth, wife of Latimer) by marriage with the heiress (or co-heiress) of Somerie. And though in Lipscomb's account of Little Linford there is no mention of Willoughby, I think it very probable that as heir of Latimer, and co-heir of Botetourt, he may have had land there or in the neighbourhood, and that this may have led to his gift of a bell to the church of Little Linford."* * I find the following references to Botetourt in connection with this manor, in the Feet of Fines for Bucks. 21 Edw. III. Johes Bottetourt et Ux. (Quer.) Rogs. de Elyngton psona ecclie.de Northfeld et Ats (Deforc.) de Maner. Lynford Parva. Mich. Term, No. 18. 32 Edw. III. Jofies fit. JoRis. Buttetourt et mat iff fit Joriis de Gray de Retherfeld, Ux. (Quer.) Johes. Buttetourt de Weleyi, Miles et Johana ux. eius (Defor.) de mamjs. de Woketon et parua Lyneford cum ptifi et aduocatoe ecctie eiufdem maSij de Woketon. Trin. Term, No. 14. LITTLE LINFORD — NEW LINSLADE. 455 Sir John Willoughby died somewhere about the middle of the fifteenth century. His son and namesake was knighted by Edward IV., in 1471; and it may have been he, and not his father, who gave the bell. The bells hang in a cot at the west end of the roof of the nave. The pillars of the cot are early Norman, the gable renewed. Iron baldricks to both bells. Chimed by iron levers. In 1714, 2 bells. LINSLADE, NEW, or Chelsea. S. Barnabas. 1. Cn$V BY J0JI]V WflUjVE^ § F0NS InONDQN +S69- (On Waist:) p^5FE]V0? (25*) 2. Andebw Corbet Esq? Lord of the Manoue Joseph G-.urney Church Warden i 7 8 i (On Waist:) ALL THO' BUT SMALL YET WE ARE GOOD JOHN SWINSTEAD JUN. OP LEIGHTON For us Stood wm Chapman op London Fecit (26J) 3. :xi> wm Chapman op London Fecit i78i oocxt> (On Waist:) WM CHAPMAN OP LONDON FECIT (34) These are the only bells in the county by William Chapman solus (p. 102). The church was consecrated 15th June, 1849. The five lower bells were brought from Old Linslade Church, in 1869; the treble was then added, and they were all And in connection with the adjoining manor of Newport Pagnell : — 33 Edw. III. Johes Buttetourt de Woolye Miles et Ux. (Quer) Thorns. Shirrif psona ecclie de Sheldeslye et als. (Deforc.) de Maner. Neuport Paynel. Hill. Term, No. 2. And in A History of Newport Pagnell, by J. Staines (Newport Pagnell, 1842), p. 37, is: "In the meantime (reign of Henry VI.), Newport Manor passed from John de Botetourt, to his grand-daughter (in right of her father and brother) the lady of Sir Hugh Burnell. It is a disputed point whether this lady died without issue ; at her death, the manor passed to the Berninghams it is said by marriage ; but after long research, we have been unable to find the record of any such marriage." 456 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE; hung, by Warner. 2 : the treble of the adjoining parish church of Leighton Buzzard, in Beds, also records John Swinstead, jun., with : — John Swinstead did thec peesevebance Eaise This Peal Compleat. Real meeit is his peaise 1787. John Stubbe M.D. Donob W. & T. Meaes op London Fecit 1787 Tenor : weight given in the Whitechapel Foundry Lists (1852 to present time) as seven hundredweight. Death Knell : as soon as notice is given. Tellers : 3 x 3 = a man ; 2 x 3 = a woman ; 3 x 2 = a boy ; 2 ,x 2 = a girl. In future (April, 1895), the age is to be added. At funerals, the tenor is tolled ; muffled ringing occasionally. On Sundays, bells chimed for all Services; rung on Festivals. The treble always rung for the last five minutes. Ringing once or twice a week during Advent ; no ringing during Lent ; ringing on New Year's Eve ; and on the day of a wedding, when paid for. Many thanks to the Rev. C. E. Dandridge, Vicar. LINSLADE, OLD. S. Mary. One small bell, which Mr. Vickers, sexton of both Old and New Linslade, informs me is by Warner, 1869, to take the place of the five bells removed hence in that year to New Linslade Church. The holes for the ropes of the five bells remain in the ceiling of the ringing- chamber. 23 July, 1552, Lynchelade, iij bellys <&■" a fanct a / bell/ ij j>ceffion belle (On the back, is :) this Invytory wanteth [ . . . ij hand belle]* 1637, Linchlade (the number of bells not mentioned, but) the fteeple wants 3 ftone pinacles. 1 7 14, 3 bells. Lipscomb, III., 406 : — . . . three bells, with these inscriptions : 1. 3)oj)eS JBiesf jjant Campanam fecit. 2. jS« (Eaforicl ora pro jjoblg. 3. (But ©afcrtdte gonat J>a:c Campana fiOeltg :t and two more modern bells have been added: on another (sic) of them, "Andrew Corbet, Esq.' On one of the beams, the date 1700. The first of these was by John Dier (p. 241). The three ancients were recast into five long before Lipscomb's time, viz., in 1781 ; but his account confuses * These words are erased. f The inscription on the third is given by Browne Willis, MSS., cix., 29. OLD LINSLADE— LONG CRENDON. 457 Chapman's bells with the former three. Sheahan {Bucks, 1862, p. 707) evidently blindly following Lipscomb, says there are five bells — the three ancients above mentioned, and two modern, one of which bears the name of Andrew Corbet, Esq. According to Sheahan (p. 705), William Lucy died in 1461, seized {inter alia) of the manor of Linslade, and his heirs were found to be Elizabeth, wife of Roger Corbet, and Eleanor, wife of William Vaux. In the reign of Henry VII., the Vaux family conveyed their interest in these manors to the Corbets ; and in 15 13, Roger Corbet, of Moreton Corbet, co. Salop, died possessed of Linslade and other manors. Two parts of the manor, and the family seat, passed from the Corbets by the death of Sir Vincent Corbet, aged nineteen, in 1688, to his sister, married to John Kynaston. Andrew Corbet, whose name appears on the bells (see New Linslade), died unmarried, April 21st, 1796. Mr. North states in Church Bells of Beds, p. 133, that the stone turret on the church at Billington, Beds (about two and a half miles from Leighton Buzzard, of which New Linslade is a suburb), was brought from Old Linslade Church about the year i860 (? 1869), and took the place of a wooden belfry. Tolling for funerals ; the Knell is tolled at New Linslade. Chimed for Services, when held here. Thanks to the Rev. C. E. Dandridge, Vicar. LONG CRENDON. B. V. Mary. 1. Allteough I am Both Light and Small I Will be Heard above You all Lester & Pack op London Fecit 17 68 (29^) 2. All Though But Small Our Tones Are Good John Baker Black Smith For us Stood Lester & Pack of London Fecit 17 68 (29D 3. Peace And Good Neighbourhood ofc Lester & Pack of London Fecit 1768 cx>cx>o> (32) 4. Musick Is Medicine To The Mind of Lester & Pack of London Fecit 17 68 <|xdoc>oocx>cx> (33D 5. zx\> Our Voices Shall "With Joyful Sound Make Hills & Valleys Echo Bound ox =xj> Lester & Pack of London Fecit 17 68 ooc (36^) 6. To Honour Both of God And King Our Voices Shall in Consort King Lester & Pack of London Fecit 1768 (39^) 3 N 45§ the church bells of buckinghamshire. 7- Ye Ringers All That Prize Your Health And Happiness be Sober Merry "Wise And You.ll The Same Possess - Lester & Pack op London Fecit 17 68 (43i) 8. >o<|> Hugh "West & Jno Crook Ch.Wardens 17 68 °§o Lester & Pack of London Fecit ^ococo<>o<: In Wedlock Bands all ye Who Join With Hands Your Hearts Unite so Shall Our Tuneful Tongues Combine to Laud The Nuptial °§o Bite (48) s. G C 1 7 19 (i6» 2 : John Baker, blacksmith, of this parish, was churchwarden at the time these bells Were cast, and gave the ironwork connected with their hanging. This was recorded in an inscription painted on the plaster over the west door, found at the restoration of the church in 1889. 3 : Much tuned away at lip. Tenor : The weight is given in Messrs. C. and G. Mears's List (and later, in Messrs. Mears and Stainbank's) as 19 cwt. As all odd quarters and pounds are therein omitted, the bell may perhaps be as much as 3 qrs. over this weight, as it is locally supposed to be. Saunce : by George Chandler; letters i| inches high (p. 235); half-wheel; straps nailed ; iron baldrick. Hung left-handed. Frame timbers older than Lester and Pack's hangings. In ringing order, and a splendid ringing-chamber. Some of the straps apparently renewed by Messrs. Warner. 23 July, 1552, Crendon, fower gret bells. A fancte bell A hand bell two facring belle 1714, Crendon, 5 bells (sanctus not mentioned). "The biggest bells in the County." (Not the case with the present ring.) Nottley Abbey, in this parish, surrendered in December, 1539, according to Browne Willis,* who records that " the 5 great Bells anciently hanging in the Abbey Steeple were removed to the Parifh-Church of Crendon, and put up there, fince when they have been all re-caft except the fecond, on which is this, In multis annis refonet Campana Johannis." Lipscomb (I., 217), quoting from Browne Willis's MSS. says that the (original) tenor was reputed the heaviest bell in the county, weighing 40 cwt. He also says that the present bells were ''recast in 1768 out of the same number, which had been formed from five belonging to the Abbey of Nottley." I have not found this passage among Willis's voluminous MSS., but in vol. xxxviii., 2, where this bell is mentioned as the heaviest in the county, its weight is recorded as ' 3500.' * Hist, of Abbies, II., 33. LONG CRENDON— LOUGHTON. 459 The Record Office furnishes the following note* on the Nottley bells : — 8* March, 1557 The Monaftery of Notteley. The Leade (&c) The. belle — The belle were fold by Docto r Loudon on of the vifit rf at the fuppreffion as the Lord Williames hath confeffed before theife comifiionpf Death Knell : between 8 a.m. and sunset ; each bell is struck three times in succession ; the tenor is then rung for an adult, and the seventh for a child. Tellers : 3 strokes = a male ; 2 = a female. At the funeral of a ringer, the tune " Bedford " is chimed (? clogged) ; occasion- ally there is muffled ringing. On Sundays, two bells are rung at 7 a.m. in summer, and 8 in winter. For Services, the tenor is first raised, and called the Sermon Bell, followed by round- ringing. The saunce is used immediately before the Service " to stop the bells." These usages date back beyond the memory of persons now living. A Quarter Peal (half-pull) rung on Christmas and New Year's Eves, and on May Day. Also ringing on Whitsun Thursday for the Court Leet, and on Nov. 5th ; sometimes also for the School Treat. On the day of a wedding, when desired. The saunce is used for Churchwardens' Meetings. No old churchwardens' accounts, and no mention of the bells in the registers. Many thanks to the Rev. Frederick E. Ogden, Vicar, and to Mr. George Warner, late foreman of the belfry. L O UD WA TER. {Dedication unknown) . Single. % 1790 ( l6 J) Evidently from the Whitechapel Foundry, by William and Thomas Mears (p. 104). The Church was originally built in 1788, by Mr. William Davis, a native of the hamlet. LOUGHTON. All Saints. x. ft EGBERT ATT0N MADE ME I63I (31) 2 . 4* u fyt #oba jTampana J32argareta Gft dQomfnata u (33b) ■■'■ See p. ix. 460 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. 3 . ♦!« u #tt fiomm Domini $eneliictbm u ^ 3S ^ ( Underneath :) ^ t 590 Treble : if Robert Atton died, as is probable, in 1628 (p. 207), this bell must have been the production of his executors ; the lettering is his medium-sized set, of which samples are shown at the bottom of Plate XXXI.; the rose is No. 10, on Plate XXX. 2 and 3 : by Henry Jordan, who died between 1468 and 1470 (p. 38) ; the initial cross and capital letters are on Plate XII. ; the last shield on the second, and first on the third, is fig. 27 ; the other shield is fig. 28. The inscription on the second doubtless indicates a recast. On the crown of the third is the tiny ox's head, fig. 30, apparently the impression of a signet-ring. Tenor : is of special interest, as being one of Bartholomew Atton's earliest bells (p. 197). The large lettering is on Plates XXVIII. and XXIX. ; the shield is fig. 66 ; the little cross pat'ee is on Plate XXX., and the ornate cross at the end is on Plate XXIX. The bells were rehung (including new stocks) about 1866-70, by an engineer in Northampton, who, instead of making a rectangular frame of the usual pattern, constructed an "A" frame — an elaborate arrangement of sloping timbers, like the rafters of a roof — which, I need hardly add, is not a success. Iron baldricks to all, and wooden splints to the upper three. The treble has a short horizontal iron stay in the same plane with the stock, and perpendicular iron slider, hinged at bottom ; the other three have short wooden stays, and horizontal bolt-like sliders. Augufl 1637, 4. Bells & S 1 ? Bell. The new buttefice crack at the weft end of the Steeple ... in decay. 1.7 1 4, 4 bells (sanctus not mentioned). Death Knell rung : if possible, within an hour or two of the death. The tenor is used for adults ; the third for children. Tellers, both before and after the ringing : 3 strokes = a male, 2 = a female. At funerals, the tenor is chimed for half an hour, or longer. On Sundays, the treble is rung at 8 a.m. The second and third used to be rung at 9 a.m., but this was given up before the present Rector was inducted in 1883. The bells are chimed for Service, the tenor being raised, and then rung in, when there is to be a Sermon. After Matins the treble is rung, to signify a second Service. These are probably all old usages. There was formerly a saunce bell, but it cracked, and was sold. It was used "while the Clergyman was putting on his robes." LOUGHTON — LUDGERSHALL. 46 1 The bells are rung from six weeks or so before Christmas, until January 6th. Midnight ringing on Christmas and New Year's Eves. Ringing for Weddings on the day, if paid for. There was formerly ringing on 29th May and 5th November ( = Oak-apple Day and Gunpowder Treason), in the evening ; on S. Thomas's Day, at s to 6 a.m. ; and also on the Sovereign's birthday : these were paid for out of the church rate. The churchwardens' accounts (which unfortunately do not go back beyond 1732) record : — 1743 Paid to John Jarvis for work at the Bell ... ... 1 . 10 . 9 1 79 1 A new beal weal and mending the Great bell weal ... 1.12.6 There are also entries of payments for ringing at Christmas and on 29th May, and for new ropes. Very many thanks to the Rev. John T. Athawes, Rector. L UDGERSHALL. Assumption B. V. Mary. 1. {Blank) (27$) 2. R K 1658 (294) 3. THOMAS LESTER OF LONDON MADE ME J345*** Q?W ±±± WZ> ±±± THOMAS WHITE AND EDMVND BETT CHURCH- WARDENS (32) 4. THOMAS SHVRLEY IAMES MILLAR C W 16 58 * (34) 5- 166 2 (38) 2 and tenor : cracked; new bells by Messrs. Taylor substituted in 1892 ; these two old bells, and the fourth, by Richard Keene (p. 167) ; possibly the treble may be also by him : the fleur-de-lis on the fourth is No. 7, on Plate XXVI., with the bottom part, up to the upper horizontal line, cut off. 3 : probably recast by Lester, from a Richard Keene bell. Iron baldricks, cased in wood, to all, until 1892, when Messrs. Taylor rehung the ring in an iron frame. 23 July, 1552, Lurgyfall It iij gret belle j fanct3 bell <&* ij had belle 16 July, 1638, Ludgarsall (visited, but bells not mentioned). 17 14, s bells. Lipscomb (I., 320) : — . . . five bells, cast out of three. ... A little bell was formerly suspended in an open arch on the eastern gable, between the nave and the chancel. 4^2 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. That would be the old sanctus. Probably Richard Keene recast the three old bells in 1658, into the same number (the late second and third, and the existing fourth), added a fourth, as tenor, in 1662, and an additional treble to make five, some years later again. Death Knell : tolled as soon as intimation of the death is given ; but if after sunset, not until following morning. On Sundays, a bell is rung at 8 a.m., and again after Morning Service, to inti- mate respectively, that there will be Morning and Afternoon Service; this usage being, of course, a survival from the days of irregularity. For the Services, the bells are either rung or chimed, with one bell alone for the last five minutes. No ringing in Lent, except for Services. Ringing on Christmas and New Year's Eves, and for Weddings when desired. Many thanks to the Rev. F. F. Morgan, Rector. (LUFFIELD ABBEY— see Lillingstone Dayrell.) MAIDS' MORETON. S. Edmund the King. 1. CANTATE {fig. 75, 2\in) DOMINO {do., 2$ in.) CANTICVM (do., si in.) NOUVM (sic) (do., 6| in.) (fig. 74, af in.) HENRY (fig. 74) BAG-LEY (do.) MADE (do.) M E E (do.) J 7 J 7 (do., if *Vz.) (On Waist:) (fig. 74, i§ in.) E (do.) B V" / ESQ : (do., i| in.) (do.,iin.)-M(do.,%in.)-B \/ EEC: (do.,i%in.) (29!) 2. WILLIAM if SCOTT $ MOSES $ GTBBES * CHVECH $ WAEDENS J7J7 (30*) 3. (Plate XXXII., No. 3, all round.) WILLIAM (do.,sec.D, central \% in., reverse way up) SCOTT «$> MO SES (<&>.) GIBBES & CHVECH (&,&) WAEDENS * J7J7 (fig. 74, T-\in.) (33!) 4- WILLIAM 4 SCOTT * MOSES * GIBBES 4 CHVECH 4 W A E D E N S (fig. is, for 8f in.) PEAYSE g& YE (Plate XXXII., No. 3, sec. D, central 2 in.) THE (do., do.) LOED (do., if in., reverse way up) ALL W A Y S E (do., do., right way up) J— I (do., do., reverse way up) BAGLE Y (do., do., right way up) MM J 7 J 7 (fig. 74) (37) s- John beiant heetfoed fecit i806 J: long stjtton RECTOR J: SCOTT & E: HINSON C: WARDENS t % t % t 3fc- t (39i) GREAT MARLOW. 463 The upper four bells are probably by the son of the first founder of the name (pp. 214, 217); the lettering is a heavy set, 1 inch high; the. fleurs-de-lis and roses (used separately) belong to the pattern No. 3, on Plate XXXII. Treble: the shield measures 3f x 2f inches, and bears the arms of Bate: a fesse engrailed, between three human hands bend-wise, couped at the wrist. On 3rd November, 1603, Bartholomew Chamberlain (of Holywell, Hunts), U.D., sold the advowson and patronage of this living to the Rev. George Bate (A.M. or B.D.), and on 13th December, he was instituted to the rectory, which he held until his death, on nth March, 1642-3. He was followed by the Rev. Matthew Bate; but whether he was a son, neither Browne Willis nor Lipscomb state. Anyway, the Rev. George had two sons — George and Robert. George was a celebrated doctor at Oxford; he was physician to Charles I., Cromwell, and Charles II.; and is mentioned in the Verney Memoirs (III., 195) as lending money to Sir Ralph Verney ; he was author of several books, and died in London, April, 1669. His brother Robert, born 1610, was killed on the Royalist side, in the Civil War. The first pair of initials on the bell are those of the doctor's son, Edward Bate, Esq., who was lessee of the manors in this parish, belonging to All Souls and Christ Church, Oxford. He was a magistrate for the county, built a " handsome " house near the church, and was a friend of Browne Willis. He died September 15th (buried here 18th), 1717, in his seventy-fifth year. His wife, Penelope, second daughter of Robert Lovet, of Liscombe (Soulbury), had died in October, 17 13. The Rev. Matthew Bate, above mentioned, resigned the living in 1665, but did not die until August, 1670, and was buried here. The two next rectors were only here a very short time, and on 1st June, 167 1, a second Matthew Bate (A.M.) was instituted to the living, which he held until his death in June, 1685, and was buried here. After his successor, came a third Rev. Matthew Bate (LL.B.), son of the second rector of that name. He was instituted 5th June, 1699, by George Bate, LL.B., and who he was, I do not know; but perhaps Dr. George's eldest son, the' elder brother of Edward. The second pair of initials on the bell are those of the third Rev. Matthew, whose successor was instituted in 1743. The advowson having passed into the hands of the Rev. Matthew (on the death of Edward), he conveyed it in 17 19 to Thomas Coxed.* Clapper very roughly made, with no flight. 2 : diameter reduced about three quarters of an inch by tuning. 3 and 4 : clappers cased in wood. Tenor : also reduced about three-quarters of an inch by tuning ; very flat crown, and low flat-topped canons. In a list of bells cast by John Briant, preserved in the chest of the "Hertford College Youths," undated, but made between 1806 and 1809, the weight of this bell is given as 12 cwt. The name of the Rector should be James Long Hutton (not Sutton as recorded by Briant), A.M. He was inducted 29th November, 1790, on the presentation of George III., by reason of * Willis's Hist, of Buck. Hund., and Lipscomb, III., 42, etc. 464 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. the lunacy of F. T. R. Long, Esq., one of the patrons. He took the additional name of Long, by Royal License, bearing the arms of that family, quarterly, with the arms of Hutton. The fs and fys are crosses fitchks and double triangles, or six-point stars, respectively. According to Bagley's List, published at Oxford in 1732, he cast five bells for this tower ; Briant's tenor is therefore probably successor to one cast by Bagley at the same time as the rest of the ring. All have large, old-fashioned wheels, and iron stays and sliders. The clappers of treble, 2, and tenor, hook on to the crown-staple, and a pin across the bottom of the hook keeps them in place. 4 May, 1553. Maydyffmurtone, iij great bells [<5-» a fans bell]* hangeng in the fteple in the feid pifhe orelle wher in the feid churche. 8 July, 1637. Mayds morton 3 Bells & S'. s Bell . . . some pa . . ing of y e steeple . . . 1 7 14, 3 bells (sanctus not mentioned). 1755 .... a neat embattled Tower at the Weft End, in which were three very tuneable good Bells : on the firft this, in old Characters, j&antU Edmunde ©ra pro J2o6t3 ;+ on the fecond jgancta Maria ©ra pro JiJo&tS ; the third modern ; but thefe were, Anno 1 7 17, run into five fmall Bells ; the Weight of which five all together, is only thirty- three Hundred and an half, and fourteen Pound. Lipscomb's account is apparently bas.ed on the above; he surmises that the two ancient bells were " coeval with the Church," which is quite likely, as it dates from about 1450. A bell tolled at funerals. On Sundays, the bells are usually chimed for the Services, but are rung on festivals and special occasions. Ringing two or three times a week during Advent ; also for weddings. No churchwardens' accounts. Thanks to the Rev. B. W. Johnstone, Rector. MA RL O W, GREA T. All Saints. 1. Thomas Meabs of London Fotjndee 1834. (29$) 2. (29) ix> T. Mbaes of London Fecit 1827. oooooooc (Incised:) WlLDSMITH BADGER ) ^ H TTT ThoS Gibbons \ C ' Wardens ' 3,4,5.6. R: Phelps fecit 1719 ( 29 |, 3 i|, 33 |, 37 ) * Erased. t Also mentioned in Browne Willis's MSS., cix., 29. GREAT MARLOW. 465 7- (4°i) The revD: Rich: Millechampe m-.a: vicar Geo: bruere esq: wm : blundell ch: wardens r: phelps made me 1719 $ ►£* 8. Thomas Mears of London Founder i834. {On Waist:) EbY? THOMAS TeAOY COSWELL VlCAR. Thomas Gibbons i Samuel Barnes I Chuech wardens. Voluntary Subscriptions. (45 i) S. S K 1694 (17J) Treble, 2, and tenor: by Thomas Mears II. (p. 105). The present treble and tenor were added to the old ring of six when the existing yellow-brick edifice was substituted for the ancient church. 2 : Mr. J. C. Truss, sen., an old and widely- known ringer, stares that the treble of the six, cast in 17 19 by Phelps (p. 98), (the predecessor of the present second), became cracked, and the churchwardens grudged the money necessary for its recasting ; so the ringers, on the occasion of a visitation by the Archdeacon, brought its cracked music so prominently to his notice, that he directed the churchwardens to replace it. Wildsmith Badger was parish clerk as well as churchwarden, being appointed to the former office on 13th April, 1789. His grandson, Henry Badger, succeeded him as clerk, in January, 1832, and was in turn succeeded in January, 1855, by his son, Mr. Henry Wildsmith Badger, the present respected holder of that office. Thomas Gibbons was a ropemaker. 3 : having developed a crack just below the crown, an iron band was put round the shoulder in 1849 (by advice of Mr. Mears) ; this band hides the inscription, which is given on the authority of Mr. J. C. Truss ; he was a boy of fifteen or sixteen at the time the band was put on, and helped his father, the sexton and foreman of the belfry. The hoop was made as hot as possible at the late Thos. Burrell's forge, in High Street ; a man then ran with it to the tower, where it was again heated in a fire made on sheet-iron in the bell-chamber, and being put over the bell (which was unhung and stripped of its stock), was "squenched" with water. 6 and 7 : were quarter-turned on the old stocks in 1892, with reversed staples (the old ones retained) and new clappers. The Rev. Richard Millechamp, M.A., was presented to the Vicarage by the Dean and Chapter of Gloucester, 5th August, 1708 ; he died 25th March, 1729, and was buried in the "Parish Chancel" (the chancel proper). George Bruere (or Brewer), Esq., was M.P. for this borough, 9 and 12 Anne, and 1 George I. {i.e., from 1710 until 1721, probably). He died about 1733, and was buried in the "Impropriators' Chancel," or "Lady Chapel" (a south aisle to the chancel, of Perpendicular date). William Blundell occurs on the treble at Med- menham (three and a half miles away), as the name of the churchwarden there in 1 69 1, and if not the same person as here recorded, he was, in all probability a near relation. Tenor : note F, £$; weight, 16 cwt. odd. The Rev. T. T. Coxwell, M.A., 3 O 466 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. < was presented by the Dean and Chapter of Gloucester, in October, 1811, and removed to the living of Horton in 1850. He was whip to the pack of harriers kept by the late Colonel Williams (of Temple, near Marlow), and immortalised himself by pulling down the ancient church here. Samuel Barnes was a retired clockmaker from London. Saunce : by Samuel Knight, of Reading (p. 136) ; some- thing of its history, and of the expenditure on Phelps's ring, will be found in the extracts from the churchwardens 1 accounts. 1552, marlowe \ xviij th daye of Julye magna e J It iij grete belle w a fancebell in the fteple/ From another inventory dated the same year, for "Grett marlowe," a portion is missing, including the notice of the bells. By 1593, there were four bells, and in 1610, five bells, as I gather from the churchwardens' accounts; perhaps raised to the latter number in 1609. 1637, n. Aug : Marlow mag* 5. Bells a clock S ts Bell. 1714, 5 Bells (saunce not mentioned, but obviously existing). The five recast into six in 17 19, the saunce being left. The ring augmented to eight in 1834. These eight bells were rung for the first time on February 25th, 1835, by William Truss, 1; William Smith, 2; Jeffrey Truss, 3; John Smith, 4; Thomas Coster, 5 ; Thomas Rosewell, 6 ; George Cresswell, 7 ; Richard Davis, 8. I recollect all of them except Rosewell. The last of the band, Jeffrey Truss, died in June, 1895. The Curfew was rung on the tenor (the present seventh) during the winter six months of the year, until the demolition of the old church in 1832. Death Knell: tolled (for about half an hour) between 8.30 and noon — generally about 10, on the morning following the death, by a hammer striking on the seventh bell. Tellers (at beginning), 3 x 3 = a man ; 2 x 3 = a woman ; 1 x 3 = a child. Muffled ringing for anyone specially connected with the church, either as a benefactor, or on account of personal service ; also for royalty ; occasionally on the day of death as well. On Sundays, ringing for the 11 a.m. and 6.30 p.m. Services, for twenty-five minutes, followed by the fifth bell rung alone for the last five minutes, after which the saunce is chimed for a minute or two, as "hurry bell." For the 8.15 a.m. Celebration on Sundays throughout the year, and for the 3 p.m. Service, and for the ordinary week-day Services, the fifth is chimed. Ringing oq Easter, Whitsun, and Christmas Days, immediately on the conclusion of the Early Celebration. Ringing at 5.30 a.m. on Ascension Day; and for Morning and Evening Service on that day, and on the Harvest Festival. Also ringing on the Queen's Birthday (May 24th); and at midnight (11.30 p.m. to 0.30 a.m.) on Christmas and New GREAT MARLOW. 467 Year's Eves, the bells being previously raised, and a short touch rung, at 7.30 p.m. For weddings, with the sanction of the Vicar, at a fee of not less than two guineas. Tenor rung for the Easter Vestry. Most of these uses were introduced, together with " half-pull " change-ringing, in the spring of 1883. A Board records a Peal of Grandsire Triples, rung on June 5th, 1843, by eight members of the Ancient Society of College Youths, of whom Mr. J. R. Haworth is now the only survivor. Since 1883, numerous Peals, in various Methods, have been rung here, most of them by local or mixed bands ; the latest being also one of Grandsire Triples, by eight bond, fide natives of the parish (all Members of this Tower). • At the dissolution of the religious houses, the bells of some of them in Bucks and Oxon, at dates ranging from, perhaps, the latter part of 1538, to November 19th, 1540,* were sold by the commissioners to a certain John a Marlowe. I much regret that I have not found any other trace of him. The name does not, of course, prove that he lived at Marlow, but he must have been, at any rate, of Marlow extraction. His name appears in " The Declaracon of Joife Carleton wydowe," mentioned p. ix. He bought six bells at Ashridge for ^82 (see Pitstone); the Missenden bells (number not specified, but we know it was five), for ^73 \j,s. t,d. ; and from the following Oxfordshire houses : — The Late Monaftery of Godftowe — The belle — ix fold to John Marloo for Iv/z xjfiijd. The Late Nunry of Studeley. — The belle — iiij fold to John Marloo, for — xxiiij/2 \f. The Late Monaftery of Thame, no there wer at Thame v belle. Belle — ij fold to John A Marloo for — xvij/z' xs (etc.). Showing an outlay of capital, probably within two years, of the not inconsiderable sum at that time, of ^252 igs. id. The very interesting early churchwardens' accounts of Thame, in Oxon, mention Marlow in connection with bells. The Thames was " the silent highway " between Marlow and London, leaving only sixteen miles of land carriage between Thame and Marlow : — 1522-3 It paied to John Tomlynson for carying of the first bell to Marlow ij* This bell, as a subsequent entry tells us, was recast in London, but the founder's name is not given. 1538 Itm p d to John Tylby for goyng to marlow for the fore bell v rf This was apparently cast by " Thorns lawrence of london belfounder " (see pp. 45 and 65), and recast the next year by " m r white of Redyng," together with the tenor, * Browne Willis's Mitred Abbies ; see also Lipscomb's Bucks. vij* ob xiiij^ xvjd 4 68 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. but the account is not very clear. The next transaction in which Marlow is mentioned, is given with so much curious detail, that I copy it in its entirety :— 1548. Itm Rec for ye great bell & iij litle hand belle fold to Richarde j ^ v . hylton wayinge xxviijC/z. Aftre the rat of xxvj** ye C. fin > Itm for y« brekynge of y<= Bell w in V fte P u11 I # __ ... iijjr ii{ p & for y e Cariage to mr. Dormers to be weyd J Itm for ye Cange of y e fame bell to marlowe Itm our expence Itm for o r Cofte to london fechynge y e money for ye fame bell ... Itm payd for ij Barrelle to Cary ye bell when yt was Brokyn ... Itm for hoopynge & heddynge y e fayd barrelle Nothing is known of Richard Hylton. The probability is that he was a marine- store dealer, and not a bellfounder. On the first page of one of the old Register Books of Gt. Marlow, is : — Jvne the 4 daie 1657 A promef mayd vnto Thomas Langlie in is feler one the day before menconed to ring 2 or 3 paylef one grat Marlow bells and to bee performed foe long as wee liv by of names her ar vnder riteine Thomas Langlie hime felfe Heniry fmall John Rannce William Cocke william Eaft Thomas Langley was probably identical with Thomas Langley, senior (to distin- guish him from a namesake "of the Coppie" Farm), who was Town Collector for the Poor in 1609, churchwarden in 1615, and who affixed his mark to the church- wardens' accounts with considerable regularity. Henry Small was apparently foreman of the belfry in 1665, and sexton from about September, 1672, until the end of 1690, or later. The signature of John Rannce appears from 1642, by which date a namesake was evidently dead, who had affixed his mark to the accounts with tolerable regularity from 1609, and was styled senior from 161 1. Between the two Johns, appears a Barnaby in 1624, who sold a rope to the churchwardens. William Cocke was a blacksmith, and was probably son of John Cocke, who served as churchwarden, and whose name occurs frequently in the accounts. William (or a namesake of his) seems, in 1690, to have been a publican. William East, frequently signed the accounts from 1642 ; as his name appears in connection with lime and hair, he was probably a bricklayer, or possibly a master-builder in a small way. He appears as one of the Bridgewardens in 1644 and 1646; and besides lending the churchwardens some money belonging to that trust, seems to have accommodated them, in 1645, with a loan from his own purse. GREAT MARLQW. 4^9, On the following page of the Register, probably, from the handwriting, of some date between 1642 and 1659, is: — The fants Bell waied when he was carried to the Calling /v fcor j h Extracts from the Churchwardens' Accounts. Dec. 1593. Payments. It p d to wydmo r * for his paynes in goynge to and from wokynghamf att ^ what tyme the bell was in Caftynge ... ... ... j It p d John Black for mendynge the belle when the Quene came to Biiham ... xviijaf It p d for naylle and diyncke the same tyme ... ... ... xij^ It paied Ellys Graye for helpinge Draper cutt the bell (lock ... ... ijrf It p d Ranffe Draper for mendynge the gudgen of the great bell ... ii (torn off) Itm paied Ranffe Draper for settinge upp A poll in the Churche and ^ mendynge the belle ■•• ••• ■•• ••• / It paied Ellys Greye for fpleffhingej the bell rope ... It p d for tooe Iron wedge for the bell It p d goodman Sergeaunt for fower bell ropes It p d hym for makynge A rope for the clocke It p d hym more for A newe baldricke It p d for A locke for the fleple doare It paied Ranffe Draper and Sallenes for woorke don in amendynge the fleple x* It paied George Pemerton for fawynge of CCCCxx'y foote of bordys ^ for the fleple ... ... ... ... ... / xij^ ¥ ¥ xij* iiijrf xvjd xx«f xviij^ vij 1 * There is an ancient manor of this name (now spelt Widmer) in the parish, mentioned in Doomsday Book as already existing in Edward the Confessor's time. Langley {Hist. Desb. Hund.) says, "After the reformation, it appears to have been the property of a family of the same name," and to have been sold by them to the Borlases about 1634. The individual here mentioned was doubtless Silvester Wydmore, whose name appears regularly in the accounts from Lady Day, 1595, as paying rent "for the house Mother Chaundler dwelleth in," until Lady Day, 161 5, after which the payment was continued by "Goodwife" or "Widow" Widmore, until Lady Day, 1648. In April, 1647, Silvester Widmore (perhaps son of the two just named) was appointed one of the overseers of the poor for the town (and not for the Jvrrens, in which the Manor is situated), and in April, 1650, he signed the account as "ffilvester Widmere Constable." He was probably the individual who issued a token : Ob. SILVESTER . WIDMERE = a griffin. Re. OF. GREAT. MARLOW = S. K. W. A Mychael Wydmore was sexton, 1599 to end of 1603. "Mr. Richard Widmer, of Hitchenden House," is mentioned in 1690, in the Hughenden Register {Records of Bucks, V., 202). John Widmer was Mayor of Wycombe, 12 George III., and there are others of a later date, buried at Hughenden, the latest being Joseph Shrimpton Widmer, who died July, 1803, in his nineteenth year. t This would be the Eldridges' foundry (p. 242). % Splicing. X1J-* V J ij* iiij<* xx d xij rf xviij^ iiij* iiiy iiiyl xvj<* iy viij rf 47° THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. It for the tymber logg whereof the bordys were fawen It p d for one hundred of bordys more occupied att the fteple ... It p d to Gowter whalley for certeyn whele tymber ... It p d to Sawyers for cuttynge the fame tymber It for a bell ftocke ^atcD to Thomas waters for nayllg and other Ironwoorke abowt the Belle... It paied to Ranffe Draper for woorke don abowt the bellg It paied to the Ringers uppon S [ Hughes daye* Ann° 1592 It paied to William Hedge for tooe dayes woorke in helpinge Ranffe draper It p d for XVI ten e pownde of hempe to make a roape for the clocke It pd for amendynge the hangynge of the Bell ropes ... ... xij^ It p d John Black and Thomas webb for hangynge the Belle 1 againft the last Coronacon dayet ... ... f" It for naylle occupyed the fame tyme ... ... ... ... iiijrf It to the Ryngers uppon S' Hughes daye laft ... ... ... iijjV It pd to Henrye TruffeJ for A roape ... ... ... ... xxj<* May, 1595. Receipts. Re of goodwyfe parfons for a feate fhe fytteth in at the north fyde of ye belfrye ... ... ... ... ... \\d Payments. %vi primtp paid to John Seamer|| for a lyne for Bell ropes ... ... viij J * November 17, the day of Queen Elizabeth's accession. S. Hugh was born in Burgundy, and was summoned to England in 1181, to take charge of the first Carthusian House, at Witham, in Somerset, founded by Henry II., who made him Bishop of Lincoln in 1186. He rebuilt that cathedral in 1200. t January 15. % The Truss family, as ringers, still keeps up a connection with the belfry. A few years ago there were no less than six ringers here of that name, at the same time. || A second manor in the parish is of this name (now Seymour Court). Langley says, " The other manor of Seymours was the property of the noble family of that name. John Semor occurs in the year 1425, which is the first account I have discovered. The tradition of the country says, that this was the birth-place of lady Jane Seymour." John Semor's will was proved 19 May, 1425. He left his estate here to his grandson Thomas, his son having predeceased him. Edward Seymour was created Viscount Beauchamp at the marriage of his sister, Lady Jane, with Henry VIII.: their father, Sir John, died December, 1536; and in October, 1537, Lord Beauchamp was made Earl of Hertford, and soon after, K.G. In September, 1541, he granted the manor and estate to John Seamor for one hundred years ; but it must have been afterwards exchanged with the Dean and Chapter of Bristol, as in 3 Edward VI., they regranted it to John Seamor. Sir Wm. Willoughby was lessee of the manor by about the beginning of the seventeenth century, and it frequently changed hands afterwards. It is at the present time the property of T. O. Wethered, Esq. The name Seamer appears continually in the churchwardens' accounts until several years later. GREAT MARLOW. 471 It pd for a poolye for the Clocke Aprill 14. It. pd to John Surman for a plate for the Bell ftocke June It pd for fullat oyle fortheclocke ... Octob. 23. It pd for the mendinge of a plate of the Clocke It pd to the Ringers vpon S' Hughes daye It pd for the mendinge the Bawdricke of the belles It pd for nayles to amende the belles ) wheeles and for candles and greace J It pd Thorns Graye for mendinge the bell wheeles ... It pd to the fmythe for makinge a plate and mendinge the other ~| plates of the belles againfte S' Thorns daye* ... J It pd for a Bawdricke for the fannce Bell to Sergeannte It pd to cocke of Cooke&m for mendinge the Clocke w cl > he muft ^ be pd well and looke to yt this xij monthe ... ... J It pd to Bryden for mendinge the plates of the Bells It pd to Thorns Graye for Trussinge vppef the belles nj" Vj-I ii<* \d llj J 11IJ viij^ v d viij^ xij^ iij*' xij'' vnj \d 1596. Payments. Itm to the Ringars vppon S l hewghe's daie Itm grece for the belle and fallett oyle for the clock ... Itm paied NicKas Buckhurft for mendinge the bell ropes \ . for Nayles, and for A linke for the Clock ... i Itm to the Smyth for mendinge the yron worke of the bell wheelf Itm to Thomas Grey for one daies work <&-» A half in mendinge "| the Bell wheele ••• •■• ••• J Itm paied Serieant for A newe Badrick and mendinge an old ... April, 1598. Payments. Itm for a Bell rope &° a Baldericke Itm to the Ryngars vppone S'. Hues daye A° 1596 ... Itm for oyle for the Bells at that tyme ... Itm for a rope for the Sanncebell &» a baldricke Itm for mendynge the clocke &* for oyle... Itm payd to Henrye Truffe for a lyne to make bell ropes Itm to Tho. Gray for mendinge the Bells &■» the bare J Itm for oyle fo r the bells Itm to the Ryngars vppone the Cronatyone daye ... Itm to Surman for mendinge the bell goodgeon Itm for mendinge J bell clappe j*. viij rf viij rf viij"* viij'' XX* ix* viij rf ij* XIJ<< * The Brinckhursts of Gt. Marlow are among the families whose pedigrees are recorded in the Visitations of Bucks, made in the years 1575 and 1634 (Harl MSS., Brit. Mus.). The individual here recorded, may have been John Brinkhurst, Esq., of the More, who, in July, 1608, founded alms-houses for poor widows, which charity still exists; or perhaps more likely, Henry Brinkhurst, to whom a payment was made by the church- wardens in 1605, for "a locke and worke done in the Church." In the old church was a monument to a later member of the family, as recorded by Langley {Hist. Desb. Hund.) : " Here lyeth the body of John Brinkhurst, esq. who departed this life Dec. 10, 1681." Arms, A lion rampant crowned ; impaling, a fess wavy inter three lions rampant. f These eight entries are consecutive, and taken with the preceding one, and succeeding four, seem to have reference to a remodelling of the ring. GREAT MARLOW. 473 [This was crossed through, no doubt, when no longer in force.] the xxvijth daye of december 1603. m e yt ys furthS agreed by the inhabytaunte afore- fayd that the great bell fhall not be ronge for a knell for anye man woman or chylde w' h out they gyve ij J vjX fo"" the mayntefince of the fayd Bell &* the reft of the Ringe/ December, 1603. Payde. Itm for Carryage of iiij Lo : of Tymber out of Odyams Lee for the newe frame Itm to wm : Sutfielde for oyle fo r y e Bells at fundry tymes Itm fo r iij? of vjd nayles occupyed aboute the frame Itm fo r halfe a hund of x Maij 1613 Payments 1612 JJnprimljJ paied to Christopher morgaine for A Clocke roope ... Item paied to Barnard Hobbs for Truffeinge the bells Item paied to the Ringers when the kinge came through the Towne Item paied for beare for the Ryngers att that tyme ... Item paied to Barnard Hobbs for mendinge the Tenno r wheele Item paied to Henry Shrympton for ij yron baldricks for the bells Item paied to Henry Shrympton for a Cleete for the third bell wheele Item paied to him for makeinge of an yron to keep the gudgin into the braffes Item paied to him for mendinge the Sayles of the Clocke Item paied to him for fhooteinge one of the bell Clappers Item paied to him for A bolt for the bell wheele Item paid to Robert webbe Junio r for A roope for a bell Item paied to Henry Shrympton for mendinge the faile for the Clocke Item for A baldricke for the Third bell ... Item for mendinge the Clapper Item paied to wittm Stutfeilde for oyle and nayles ... June 1614 Payments 1613 Item paied to Goodman Stutfeilde for lathes nayles Tyle \ Pinns and oyle for the Bells ... ... J Item paied to John Atkins for 32. ffaddome of Rope for the Bells Item paied to henry Shrympton for a Collor for a bell wheele ... Item paied to him for mendeinge of the plates for the bells Item paied for A pynne for A Baldricke ... Item paied for mendinge a ftaple for the ftaye of the Tenno r wheele Item paied for mendinge the ffalle of the Clocke Item paied to Barnard hobbs and one to helpe him Truffe the bells May, 161 5 Payments, 1614. Item paied to the Ryngers when the kinge Came through the towne Item paied to wittm Mathewe for two Bell roopes ... Item paied to wittm Stutfeilde for lathes, nayles, lyme, Tylepinns and oyle Item paied for A baldricke for the fecond Bell ij* viij<* ix- ij* iiij- xij<* \d XX11J XX"" ly VJ d IJ* VJ" I11J«. iiij< nij* iiij- ij* iiij- iiij<* iiij- xx-. iij- »J'. uy_ vnj.-' J"- nrj<* lij* iiij* V J \d. iij* xtf 06 * The Plumer. f Henrie Shrympton (a Sydesman). J Barnard Hobbs. || Probably Henry Knight L, but possibly William Yare. 478 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. \d lnj iiii''. J i< XI] \d V S viij^ iij* iiij^ vij* iij* iiij< Item paid to henry Shrympton for makeinge two newe plates for the Bells ... vij<* Item paid more to him for mendinge of two plates ... ... ... iij<" Item paid more to him for Nayles to Truffe the Bells Item paid more to him for the falle of the Clocke ... Item paid more to him for mendinge the bell Clappar ... ... nj* mj Item paid more to him for A Pynne for the bell Clappar Item paid more to him* for oyle for the bells Item paid more to him for oyle Maij i6j6. Payments 1615. Item paied to Barnard hobbs for mendinge of two bell wheeles... Item paid to Jeromye Bryden for bindinge the Cheft in the Churche and "> other yron worke aboute the bells ... ... ... / Item paid to Barnard hobbs for mendinge the ftockg of the bells Item paid to Jeromie Bryden for mendinge of the bearef &-» other worke aboute y e bells Item paid vnto Thomas Sargent for two Ropes for the bells Item paid for A newe wheele for the Treble bell May 161 7. Payments 1616. Item paied to Thomas Sargient for A Roope for the plumett of the Clocke Item paid to the Ryngers when the kinge Came to Biffham Item paied to Barnard hobbs for mendinge of A Bell wheele ... Item paid to Thomas Sargient for two Roopes for the Belles ... Item paied to Thomas Gray for two Bell wheeles ... Item paied more to Thomas Gray for mendinge of wheeles and Truffinge the bells Item paied to henry Shrimpton for two plates for the Tennor and fhootinge \ the Spindle for the Clocke ... ... ... J Item paid for fhootinge the fpringe of the vaine of the Clocke two tymes \ and after that makeinge of yt newe ... ... ... > Item for makeinge the fpindle for the vaines to runn vppon Item paid to witim Stutfeilde for oyle for the belles... Item paid to the Ryngers of the fyveth daie of November beinge -1 the kinge holy daie ... ... ... ... J Item for one daies worke of my fellf % in the fteeple mendinge the fframe of y= bells ... ... ... ... — — X, J Item paid to Barnard hobbs for helpinge fetch and Carry things to me that daie ... ... ... ... ... - vii J-' Item for myne owne worke two daies more in the Church makinge of a Coope for the plumett of the Clocke to come downe in, and makinge the Bellfrey doore and makinge A feate narrower att the vpper end of the Church and the ftepps vpp to the readinge place &■» other neceffaries aboute the Churche vj.* xiiij-s xrj" v j viij rf . \.d XJ V].' 111J.' 1J- J )■" ij. j n d \d goodman Stutfeilde. + Bier. % Nicholas Loveioye, churchwarden. GREAT MARLOW. 479 Item paid to Raphe Shipwafhe for nailes ... ... ... ij 1 Item paid more for hookes and henges, A locke, A ftaple, w'h two keyes \ for the Bellfrey doore, and fpikes for the Coope for the plumett to J- iij. 1 come downe in ... ... ... ... ; Item paid for the bordf that made the bellfrey doore ... ... xvj d . Item paid for A wheele for the Treble Bell ... ... ... vij. J 'Item paid for keyes &•» fore lockes* for the Bell wheeles and nayles "... viij.«* Item paid to Thomas Gray for Truffmge of the Bells and makinge Collers "1 . r ii. J X . for them and doeinge other worke in the fleeple ... I Item paid for oyle for the Gudgins of the Bells ... ... ... jj.«* Item paid for feaven keyes for the Bells ... ... ... ... iiijrf. Item paid for a Gudgin for A bell ftocke... ... ... ... yj. rf Item paid for makinge of A yron fpooke for A Bell wheelef ... ... iiij.<* Item paid for X. ftaples for the Bells ... ... ... ... ij * iiij.<' Item paid for An yron Baldricke for A Bell ... ... ... xx. d Maij, 1618. Payments. Item paied to Thomas Sargient for A Rope ... ... ... o — o — io<*. — Item paied to the Ryngers when the kinge came by to Biffham ... o — 5 — o — Item for mendinge of the harrier of the Clocke ... ... ... o — o— 6 d . — Item for fixe keyes and ftaples for the bells ... ... ... 0—0 — 6 d . — Item for mendinge of the harner of the Clocke ... ... ... o — o — \ d . — Item for A Gudgin for the greate Bell ... ... ... ... o — j s . — o — Item for A ftaple for A bell ... ... ... ... ... 0—0 — 3^. — Item to wilim Stutfeilde for oyle for the bells ... ... ... o — j* — S d . — -6 s . — 4 d - Maij, 1619. Paym: ts - Item paid to wilim Stutfeild for oyle S-* Nayles 6- other ftuffe \ as by his bill appeereth ... ... ... > Item paid to John Moore for Twentie fadam of Roape ... ... o — 5.* — o — Item to thomas Graye for one daies worke about a wheele of a bell ... o — f — 8 d — Item to Barnard hobbs for one daies worke helpeinge the faid thomas Graye o — o — 8 d — Item to wilim Mathewe for a peece of Roape ... ... ... 0—0 — /\. d — Maij. 1620. li 1 d Item payd for A Lyne for the Bell Roopes ... ... ... o — 12. — o — Item payd to the Ryngers when the kinge came by ... ... ... 0—4 — o — Item paied to Thomas Graye for Truffmge of A Bell ... ... o— j— o — Item paied to him more for makeinge of one wheele of two olde ones ... o — 2. — 6. — Item for Nayles ... ... •■■ .... •■- ... 0—0—4.— Item paid for Nayles for the bells ... ... ... ... 0—0—8 — Item paid for mendinge the hammer of the Clocke ... ... ... o — 0—4. — * In 1622, fore loopes. f Some charges for nails, which follow, probably refer to the bells ; these include lath nailes, fower peny nailes, fixe peny nailes, Eight peny nailes, and spike nailes. 480 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. ".} Item for keyes and nayles to truffe the Bells Maij, 1621. Payments for oyle and nayles to goodman Stutfeilde To Thomas Graye for Trufflnge of two bells for Lether to lyne the baldricke for A ftaple for the ftocke of A bell for two plates to key downe the bells Aprill, 1622 Itm paied more to wiitm Stutfeilde at that tyme for Lathes, fande Repparacon nayles and oyle Item paid to John drap for A Treble wheel e ... Itm paid to the Ryngers when the kinge came by ... Itm paid to Bonaventer ward for a Rope for the greate bell ... Itm paid to Richard Pigott for Af much lyne as Roped three bells [Itm paid more to him* for Riddinge the Rubbifhe out of the fteeple Itm paid to Jeromye Brydon for fower plates to key downe the bells Itm paid more to him for nayles Itm paid more to him for fyve fore loopesf &r° A key Itm paid for fower fprigge nailes Itm for makeinge A newe ftaple and fhootinge two other Itm for mendinge of A Bell Clapper Itm for mendinge of the Collers of the bells Itm for fixe keys and fforty nayles Itm. for makeinge A newe Baldricke haueinge the olde in exchange [Itm for nayles Aprill, 1623. Itm paid to the Cooper for the wheell ... Itm paid for 50. ffaddam of Rope for the bells Item paid to drap for makeinge the wheele and boord£ Item paid to goodman Stutfeilde for oyle Or nayles S- 3 lyme &•» fande Itm payd towarde the Repairinge of the fpire of the fteeple And moreouer borrowed of the towne ftocke for the ffinifhinge of the fpire of the fteeple Tenne pownde w cl1 was alfo paid for the fame, ouer and aboue the fome of — 17. — 6lbefore in the faid acconmpt menconed Maij, 1624. Item paied to Thomas Graye for two wheeles for the bells <5r» other worke. Item payed to Barnabye Raunce for 60. fadam of Roape for the bells Item paied to the Ringers the 5'. h of November Item payd George Sargent for Leather to lyne the Baldricke ... And there is due to the poore w ch was borrowed to Repaire the fpire o — 1 — 9- 0—3.-4.- o — o — 2- o — o — 6- 0—0—3- o— j— 6 — 0—7. — o — 0-3.— 4.— o— j— 8.— 0—5. — o— o— j— 8— 0-0—8— o — o — 4. — o — o — 6. — o — o — 2. — 0—0 — 4, — 0—4. — o— o— j — o — o — o — 6. — 0—0—8— O — O— 2. — li s d IO — O — O — o — 14.— 6 — o— 15.— o — o — j — 6. — O^-j.— 2. — * Barnard hobbs. t In 1617, and 1634, fore locks. GREAT MARLOW. 48 1 0—0— S Aprill, 1625. , Itm paied to Thomas Gray for mendinge a bell wheele ... Itm paied for a Bell roope ... ... ... ... >■> o — 2 — 2.- li s d Itm paied for Truffinge the bells againft the kinge* came ... ... 6— J — o- Itm paied to the Ryngers when the kinge Came to Biffhallf ... ... 0—3 — 6- Itm paied to m r . Chafe and m\ ffarrrier the money that was \ borrowed of the ftocke of the poore for the mendinge of the fpyer r ... 10 — 0—0- of the fteeple beinge tenn poundf ... ... ... ) Itm paied to Thomas Graye for three braydfj of worke aboute ) ,_ Truffinge the Bells ... ... ... J Itm paied to Barnard hobbs <&-* his fonne for helpinge him about the bells... o— j — o- Itm paied to George Sargent for a Sance bell rope &• an other bell Roope o — 3 — o- Itm paied to George Sargent for a bell roope ... ... ••• o — j — 10- Itm paied for a peece of tymber for a beame to lay over the bellfrey ... o — 5 — o- Itm paied for Sawinge &-» Carryeinge of-the fame peece ... •■• o— j — 4- Itm paied to Wittm Stutfeilde for oyle . nayles. Tyles lyme ana ^ other thingf of him fetcht to the vfe of the Church ... J 6—0— } Aprill, 1626. J)nprimis paied for mendinge a Bell wheelle Itm paid to the Ryngers att the Comeinge of the kinge Itm paied to the Ringers att the comeinge of the Queene Itm paid to a Carpinter for puttinge vp a peece of Tymber ^ in the fteeple 6° Truffinge the Bells yron worke aboute y e bells : Maij, 1632. Inprimis payed to Thomas By for Leather for the baldricke Itm paied to. Barnard Hobbes for Truffinge of foure bells ... 00 — 00 — 04- 00 — 03 — 00- 00 — 00 — 06- 00— oj — 04- 00 — 00—06- 00 — 07—05 00 — oj — 00 — 00 — 03 — 00 — 00 — oj — 08 — 00 — oj — 04 — 00—00 — 09 — 00 — 00 — 08 — 00 — 00—08 — 00 — oj — 04 — 00 — 10 — 08 — • 00 — 04 — 00 — 00 — 00—02 — 00 — 00 — 02 — 00 — 02 — 02 — 00 — 03 — 04 — 00 — oj — 06. — 00—03 — °3 — 00 — oj — 00 — ■ 00—00 — 04 — • 00—02 — 00- ti fh d OO — 09 — OO - OO — OJ — OJ - oj — 05. — 09.- OO — 02 — 06- -OO—07 — 1 1- li fit , d OO — OO—06 — 00 — 03 —06 — * Barnard Hobbs. GREAT MARLOW. 483 Itm paied for oyle for the Bells Itm paied to Thomas Graye for mendinge a bell wheele Itm paied Thomas Bye for leather for the Bells ... Itm paied to Raphe Shepwafhe for Iron worke for the Bells ... 00 — oj — 05 - 00 — oj — 06- 00 — 00 — 04- 00 — 04 — 08- Julij, 1633. Itm for mendinge a Coller for abell S° makinge a newe one ... ... 00 — oj — 06 — Itm for makinge an Iron for the ftocke of a bell &» nayles ... ... oo — oj — 00 — Itm for an Iron and Keyes for the Sance bell ... ... ... 00 — 00 — 08 — Itm for mendinge of a Goodgin ... ... ... ... 00—00 — 06 — Itm for awaye* for the ftocke of the bell ... ... ... 00—00 — 04 — Itm for makeinge a newe hoope and other Iron woke 6-" nayles for | ftockinge the bell ... ... ... ... I Itm for an yron plate for the treble ... ... ... ... 00 — 00 — 06 — Itm for Oyle ... ... ... ... ... ... 00—00—03 — Itm for nayles ... ... ... ... ... ... 00 — 00—02 — (Six more entries for Oyle from t,d. downwards ; four more for nayles at id.) Itm paied to Thomas Rockoll for mendinge a bell wheele ... ... 00—00 — 08 Itm paied to Thomas Graye for a bell wheele ... ... ... 00—09—00 Itm paid John Moore for bell ropes ... ... ... ... 00 — 04 00 Itm paid Thomas By for two bell ropes ... ... ... 00 — 04 10 Itm paid to Thomas Bye for 4 . bell Collers ... ... ... 00 — oj — 04 Itm paid to Thomas Gray for Colleringe a bell ... ... ... 00 — oj — 00 Itm paid to Thomas Bye for a Rope for the Clocke ... ... 00 — oj — 02 Itm paid for helpinge Thomas Gray in Truffinge the bells <&•" for two daies worke ... ... ... ... ... ... 00 — 02 — 06 — Itm paid to Thomas Gray for ftockinge of a bell ... ... ... 00—10 — 02 — Itm paid to John Moore the yonnger for 32 . fatham of Rope att 3*? the fathom ... ... ... ... ... ... 00 — 08 — 00 — Julij, 1634. Inprimis paied to Barnard Hobbes for his quarterage att midfomer 1633. ) for Ringinge the Sermon bell for the Lecto r ... ... \ Itm paid Barnard Hobbes for his quarterage at Chriftmas for the Sermon bell 00 — 02 — 06 — Itm for fyve Lyneinges for the bellsf ... ... ... ... 00— oj— 08 — Itm for foure thongesf ... ... ... ... ... 00 — 00 — 03 — Itm paid himj his quarterage for Ryninge the fermon bell at o r lady day 1634 ... ... ... ... ... ... 00—02—06— Itm paid for Truffinge a bell ... ... ... ... 00— oj — 00 — Itm paid for mendinge the Sance bell wheele and truffinge of it ... 00 — 02 — 04— Itm paid for makinge of a new Crowne ftaple for the Tennor ... 00 — 02—00 — * A doubtful reading: just possibly a wedge is intended. t Probably leather linings for the iron baldricks, and thongs to tie them in place. t Barnard Hobbs. 484 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Itm for mendinge of one other ftaple ... Itm for makinge of a new Coller Itm for mende of two olde Collers Itm for nayles for the bell wheeles Itm for keyes for forelockf * Itm for mendinge of the Clocke Itm paid himt for his quarterage for the Sermon bell at midfomer . 1634 00—00 — 06 — 00 — oj — 00 — 00 — 00 — 06 — 00 — oj — 00 — 00 — 00 — 06 — 00 — 07 — 00 — 00—02 — 06 — November 1634. Payments Itm paied to John Moore for two * Evidently identical with fore loopes in 1622. ■j- Barnard Hobbs. } Lattice. A lette is an impediment, or hinderance. GREAT MARLOW. 485 •}- Maij, 1637 Diffburffments Item paied to John Moore for one Bell Roope ... Item paied to Thomas Rockoll for mendinge of a Bell wheele Item paied to John Burcott for a Roope Item paied to Henry Hearne for Iron worke vfed aboute the Bells and aboute the Scaffolde* when the fteeple was mended Item paied to Thomas Bye for two Bellroopes ... Item paied to Henry Hearne for Iron worke and nayles ' vfed aboute the fteeple as by his bill may appeare Item paied for Broomes for the Church Gr> Nayles for the Bells Item paied to goodman Collyns for three dayes worke aboute the Bells ... Item paied to Goodman Collyns for one daies worke in mendinge of 1 the Church gate and the fourth Bell wheele ... ... J Item paied to Thomas Bye for two Bell Ropes ... Item paied for a Roope for the Sance bell Item paied to Thomas Bye for Leatheringe of one Baldricke Item payed to william ffrith for carrye the braffes of a bell to Minigrove . . . Item payed to Bifhop for Caftinge of two braffes <&•= for two newe ones ... Item paied to wittm Collyns for one daies worke aboute the Bells Item paied to witrm Collyns for half a daies worke puttinge in y brasses Item paied to Thomas Bye for one Bell rope Item paied for a Cheeke of Leather to mende the baldricke ... 00 — 02. — 06 — 00 — oj — 06 — co — oj — 00 — 00 — 08 — 03 — 00 — 08—03 00 — 00—04 00 — 04 — 06 — 00 — oj — 06 — 00—02 — 04 00 — oj — 00 — 00 — 00 — 08 — 00 — 00 — 06 — 00 — 19 — 00— 00 — oj — 06 — 00 — 00 — 09 — 00 — 02 — 00 — 00 — oj — 00 — 1638 Payments. Item paied to Thomas Bye for two Bell roopes ... ... ... 00 — 04 — 06 — Item paied to the Ryngers when the Comiffary was here ... ... 00 — oj — 00 — Item paied for 24. ffadame of lyne to make two bell Roopes... ... 00 — 05—00 — Item paied to william Collins for 2 . dayes worke Truffeinge the greate bell 00 — 03 — 00 — Item paied for two peeces of Afhe to make ftayes for the bells . . . 00 — 00 — 04 — Item paied to John Moore for 33 , ffadame of lyne for bell roopes ... 00 — 07 — 06 [Item for a newe Coller for a bell ... ... ... ... 00 — oj — 00 — Item for mendinge a Coller for a bell ... ... ... 00 — 00 — 06 — Item for hallf a hundred of eight peny nayles ... ... ... 00 — 00 — 04 — Item for mendinge an other Collar for a bell ... ... ... 00 — 00 — 02 — [Item for a Gudgin for the Stintet ... ... ... ... 00 — 00 — 04 — Item paied to witim Collins for 2. dayes worke hanginge the greate bell ... 00 — 03—00 — 1639. Item to John Battie and wirim Robinfonn for one daies worke at y e bellfrie 00—02—04 — Item paied to Symon Meffinger for worke timber for wyer for y e Clock / pd y e ringers y e 5 tl1 of November : pd Thomas Bie for whitt leather for y e bells : pd to willia. Hollie: for 120 foote of half inche board for y e bell wheeles : pd to william Hollie : for y e fextons wages beinge halfe ) a yeare : for ringing of y e bell 6° to binde his fonne J [pd to Chriftopher HodfonJ for building y e frame for ye bells ) 6-» Cafting y e brafses ... ... ... ) [pd to Ralph Shipwafh for Iron work as app'h p his bill|| 00 : 01 : 06 00 : 04 : 06 li Jk d 00 : 02 : 06 00 : 01 : 00 00 : 00 : 04 00 : 06 : 00 00 : 04 : 04 00 : 05 : 00 00 : 00 : 04 00 : 10 : 10 oj : 00 : 00 13 : 00 : 00 li Jh d 07 : 09 : 08 Jun. 1641. paments paid for a Line to Thomas Bye paid to the Ringers on the 5 th daie of November o — 1 — 4 o — 5 — o * Sexton, Lady Day, 1638, to 1644. ■f In Berks., about thirteen miles distant. I See p. 248. || This entry, following next to the last extract, refers, without much doubt, to the bell frame. GREAT MARLOW. 487 Jun 1642 payments paid to the Ringer the 5 th daie of November — 1641 ... paid to the Ringer that Thur daie that our kinge Camout of ftcotland paid to the Ringer the 7 daie of feptember paid to Thomas Bye for To Bell Roapes... paid to Richard Langley keeping the Clock and for Ringing of y e bell o — 5 — o o — 2 — 6 o — 2 — 6 o — 5—0 2 — 2 — o Auguft 1643. difburfments pd Richard langley money due to him for Ringinge the bell pd Ringers the 5 th of November for Ringinge pd for mendinge the locke of the belfere doore pd peeter fmith toward his worke about the dyall ... pd belgrowe for his worke about the Clocke howfe . . . pd Tho : fmith toward makeinge the Clocke The Dyall Coaft in all the paynteinges ... The Clocke Coaft in all oj — 10—00 00 — 04 — 00 00 — 00 — 08 00 — 05 — 00 00—05 — 0o 02 10 — 00 li i d 04 — 05 — OO 06 — 00 — 00 Receipts as I have Received towards the dyall (Names, &c, follow.) Sum of thefe RecV 04—01—00 Payments more payd by John more fen' to thomas fmith toward his Clocke pd. att twife to the paynter for payntinge the dyall ... pd wiiim Collins for truffinge the bells ... 00 — 10 — 00 04 — 05 — 00 00 — 02 — 00 maij 1644 difburfements pd: Tho: fmith in parte toward the Clocke pd Tho : bye for a bell Rope ... pd : goodie Bellgrowe for worke her fonn did about the Clocke howfe pd : Richard langle the Sexton for keepinge the Clocke 6-* Ringinge the ) leckter bell due at Chrifmas ... ... ... J pd : wirrm Hollis for boardes for the Clock howfe as by his bill appeareth... pd : Richard langley the Sexton for keepeinge the Clocke &* Ringinge the \ leckter bell due att our lady daye— 1644 ... ... J pd Tho : Bye for to bell Ropes 6^ Clocke lines as by his bill appeareth ... 00 — 05 — 00 00 — 02 — 04 00 — 04 — 09 oj — 00 — 00 00 — 06 — 08 00 — 07—06 00 — 08 — 04 Borrowed of the Bridge towards paim'. for A new Clocke for the Churches vfe 6->c feaven pounds and fiftiene fhillings. NovermV the 24'k : 1644 John moore Churchwarden (and other signatures). July 1645 Difburfem's pd to w m - Collyns for 5 dayes worke about y e Clock... ... ... 0.7.6 pd to w m James* for nayles &• the ringers 5 Nov ... ... ... 0.6.6 * Sexton, Sept. 1644-1660. 488 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. pd w» James his firft qrter at S ot - Tho. day far lookinge to the clock pd for oyle fir* Broomes to w 1 ? James pd to Tho Smith for the Clock in full paym'. Aprill, 1646 Difburfem ts pd the ringers the s Novemb r pd ffor 5 Baldricke to Richd Hofkins for the Bells ... Maij, 1647 Difburfem ts pd to the Ringers Paid to y e Ringers when y« King came thorow y e Towne Paid to the Ringers y e 5' of November ... ... 1648. for halfe a pint of oyle for mendeing the greate bell clapper and nay les September 21 : halfe a pint of oyle a peece of rope &-= 9 fadam of rope to make the feckon bell a rope payd to the ringers the 5 of nouember ... for nay les &■» halfe a pint of oyle and mending the ropes for bromes this qua? halfe a pint of oyle 2 plats for a fhoule* and drefin ^ vp t church ... ... ... ... ... / June 25 halfe a pint of oyle drefing vp the church at witfontide neriding (sic) the rops S-» a hefef rope ... payd to Thomas byie for a clock lyne ... ... ... for broomes and oyle and few [other thingesj] a peefe of rope ... for an ouer glafe for mending the ropes ... gave to ringers one the 5 of nouember laft 1649 ... ... ... 10 th dec 1649 for mending the diall fir" ropes ... ... ... for Broomes 8r° oyle March 25. i65o for 2 peeces of rope. 6r» mending all the bellropes for £ pint of oyle Aperrill 165 1 Difburfments Nouem r 5 It paid to the Ringere[| ... ... ... ... 00—05 — °° June 1652. Difburfments 1651 Payd to the Ringers Nouember y e 5 th ... ... ... 00:05:00 . 7 .6. . J . io . iS . . 5 . . 2 . 6 00 . 5 • 00 — 5- -0 — 2- -6 — 0- -5 — 1- -1 — 0- -5 — • 2- -0 — 5— ° — 1- -0 — 2 — II O— 1—8 o— 3—1 O — I — 2 O — I — O O — I— O O — I — 9 o— 1—6 o — 0—5 * A shovel. f ? Piece (of). J Erased. I It is curious how hard custom dies. Here is the observance of " the kinges holy daie,'' although less than six weeks before appears : — Septem r 29 It ffor the defaceinge of the kinge Earmee And in the next account : — Payd To the Paynter y e I5 £l » of march 165 1 for y e fetting vp -. of y e Statte Arms ... ... ... } 00 — 01 — 00 00 : 16 : 00 GREAT MARLOW. 489 Payd to Chriflopher Trufs for ye Carrying and Cafsting \ of the Bell and mettell ye fome of ... J 1652 Difburftmentts Payd to Thomas Smitth for mending and fkouring the Clock 26 feptt r Payd to Thomas Bye for a roape for the 3 bell Payd to Ringers one the 5 nouember 1652 28 Anno 1652 29 Sep- ttembr 1652 for oyl and nayls Payd to John Shipwafhe for mending one goodgens of the bells and William Jenes* for helping of hem Payd for mendng the Roapes of the bells ... Payd to Thomas by for whitt letther and a buckell for the faints bell Clap' ffor bromes and oyl ... for mending the roopes and helping Thomas Smitth ... ffor oyl and nayls 29 Defembr 1652 f° r mending the roopes Payd to Thomas Bye for a roap for the greatt bell for oyl and mending the roopes l ■ at $d 1654 Difburfments Difburft for a roap for the foarth bell — 5£ at 7^ y' ... Difburft to John Gray for keying vp of the bells I days work ... Difburft to Ringers on the fift of nouembr Difburft to John fhepwafh for making a key for bellfery dor 1655 Disburst to y e Ringers on y e fift of Novembr: Disburst to Witt. Smith towards y e repayring of the fpire Disburst to Wtt James for 2 bellropes 1 fhovell &° spikes &-» Nayles Disburst to Wtt Smith more in pt for Mending ye Spire Disburst to y e Ringers on y e 5* of November Difburfments for y e yeares 1656 for oyle 6 d pd Robt Hobbes for truffing the tenor pd to Hen SnellingJ his Michas qrtridg &-= for oyle &r* ropes 61 23 Apr. pd to the Ringers ... pd oyle &■» ropef £ yeare pd. vppo the day of the kings comeing into England to Ringers 29 May 62 paid the Ringers pd Sil Buy for a Clock lyne ... oyle &» ropes || 1662 & 1663 Paymfs. Octo : 2 th Itt for Roaps &* oyle for the bells * Charles II. was proclaimed King at London, May 8, 1660 ; and the churchwardens here : — pd for 4 barrellf of beere giuen by confent at the pclayming of the Kinge 02 . 04 . 00 f He was crowned at Westminster, April 23rd, 1661. I Sexton, 1661-1672. || As above-mentioned in the account of eleven years previously, it cost is. to deface the King's Arms, and 16s. to set up the State's Arms ; so now comes : — pd m r Newman in p l for painting the Kinge Armes ... ... 05 . 00 . 00 and a further sum of £1 10s. od. paid in the next account. : 05 : 00 : 17 : 06 : 00 : 02 . 02 . 09 . 02 . 00 01 . 12 . 00 00 . , 00 , ,06 00 . . 01 , CO 00 .09 .06 00 . 10 . 00 00 .04 . 00 00 .05 . 00 00 .06 .08 00 •03 .06 00 . 02 . 10 00- -02- -06 GREAT MARLOW. the "* II * t0 J ohn Cocke *° r mending the tennor Clapp 2 gth *'t to him for Roapes &r* oyle ... 1663 Itt to William Cocke for hanging of the Clapps twice Aprill Itt to him* for Roapes 8r= oyle for the bells the firft, More to him for a key for the bellfrye dore 2 3 th Itt giuen to the Ringers being the day of the Kings Crownation 26 th Itt to Sillvefter Buy for two bell roapes 7th Itt to him* for roapes &■= oyle for the bells Itt to William Cocke for mending the Claps of the tereple &° tennor as appeeres by his bill th oii ^ to mm * f° r R° a pes &-= oyle for the bells Itt to him* for filling in a pitt in the Churchyard and for helping when the Clock S° bells weare amending I3'h Itt to William Cocke for fcowereing &* mending the Clock and other work done as appeers by his bill Dec 2 e 7 h the Itt to him* for Roaps &■ oyle for the bells 00- 00- 00- 00- 00- Y 00— .. 00 — I 00— [- 00 — 491 -04 — 00 -04 — 00 -00—08 -02 — 10 -00 — 06 -01 — 00 -09—00 -03 — 00 04—06 03—00 01 — 06 5—06 03—00 Aprill, 1664, Paymte the 6 th Itt more to him* for Roapes S-° oyle for the bells Itt for a peece of wyer for the Clock Tltt to William Cocke for mending the latch of the Church Dore "I and putting a line vpon the hammer of the Clock ... / Itt for mending the treple Clapper Itt to him for mending the hammer of the Clock lit to him for makeing a new wheele for the diall in the Church ... Itt to him for neilling the wyer puting of it on the Clock Itt to him for makeing a new hollow key for the bellfrye dore \ and for mendeing the lock ... ... ... J [Itt to him for mendeing the flay for the treple wheele ... 29 th Itt to Sillvifter Buy for a paire of new Bell roapes Itt more to him for a Roape for the Clock &» a Clock line Itt to the Ringers the 5 th of Novim 1661. ... Itt to the Ringers the 5 th of Novim 1 1662 ... Itt payd by me to the Ringers Novimber the 5* 1663. 1665 Disbursm's 1664 rjayd Henry Snellinge for oyle for ye Bells & Clock June 24 r ' paid to him for Roapes 00—03 — °6 00 — 03 — 02 00 — 00 — 08 00 — 02 — 00 00 — or — 00 00 — 02 — 00 00 — 01 — 00 00 -02— 00 00 — 00 — 04 00 — 09 — 00 00 — 05 — 00 S- o 5—00 00—05 — °° ... 00 . 01 . 00 ... 00 . 02 . CO * Henry Snelling, Sexton. 492 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Nov 4* paid him for roapes &* oyle 5 payd John James for the Ringers January 14 th paid John Hearne for nayles for the plumers 6V» Barrs for the windowes &•» hookg for the Clock weight as his bill expreffeth paid Wiiim Cock then for work about clock &° belle ffebr ffirft pd him* for ropes 6° oyle for the bellf &° clock ... Aprill 1665 paid him° for Roapes &> oyle May 29 paid Hen Small &" other Ringers vppon y e kings reftauraco. 1 6° birth day ... ... ... ... > June 17 paid Sil Buy for 5 roaps for ye Bells weighing 36 /* *| at 7 a i y e pound ... ... J July 23 payd him* for roapes &° oyle 3r° spreading chalk iSr» nayles Nov 5 paid y e Ringers ... ... 00 . 03 OO ... 00 . 05 . OO It s ... 00 . 06 d . 02 ... 00 . 05 OO ... OO . 03 06 00 . 02 . 06 00 . 05 . 00 01 . 02 . 06 00 . 00 . 03 OS 01 00 Difburfm's Aprill i656 to Aprill 1667. April! p a j^ foim* for oyle for 3 qrtrs for y e Bells Clock to lady day ... 00 — 04—00 Paid for mending y e Roapes ... ... ... ... 00 . ci . 06 May 29 Paid y e : Ringers vppo. y e Kings Birth day S-» returne to England "| namely Steph Chafef Tho. Perry James ffifh ffra. Cock &-» I 00 . 05 . 00 John Hall ... ... ... ... J * Henry Snelling, Sexton. f The Chases were considerable people here in the seventeenth century. " Mr. Chase" has already appeared in the account for 1625, as one of the trustees of the stock of the poor. In the Inventory of Church Goods, made at the Visitation of Churches in 1637, is: — "There is 2 new filver Chalices w* Covers ex dono Radolphi Chafe gen.' These are still in use. A brass (which was destroyed with the old church) recorded that he died September 21st, 1644, aged 65, leaving his wife, Elizabeth, surviving. Stephen Chase married his wife, Jane, in 1647; he was churchwarden in 1653, and again the following year. He rented for 10s., from the parish, an acre of land in the Common field, lying "in A furlong called Lutman furlong," and owned land adjoining this on the east. He sold tiles, probably made on that land, which was close to, if not identical with, a brickfield still in use, and in which fragments of coarse, late Romano-British pottery occur. He also owned a sawpit. His signature appears regularly in the accounts until 1693 ; in 1699, he subscribed 5s. to a collection "for the Relief of y e Destresed Vadoy's Banished from Peidmount ; " and died towards the end of 1700. His widow moved from Marlow to Great Brickhill, where she died nth September, 1704, in her 79th year. The inscription on her monument there is quoted by Lipscomb, IV., 65. Elizabeth Chase, buried there in 1730-31, was perhaps a daughter. James Chase was one of the members of parliament for this borough, from 1690 to 1710 (p. 504). His name occurs in the churchwardens' and overseers' accounts, from 1684 to 1718 ; also Richatd Chase, 1676-79 ; and Stephen Chase, Junior, from 1681 to 1698. Other members of the family appear down to the middle of the eighteenth century (at least). GREAT MARLOW. 493 Sept 22* paid W>? Cock for mending ye Clock Clock as apprf by bill ... ... ... ... ... 00 . 14 . 06 Apr 5 th i667, paid Sil. Buy for Roapes as apprf by Bill ... ... 00 . 01 . 06 13 Paid Hen. Snelling for oyle mending ropes 6> Nayles ... 00 . 05 . 00 From Lady Day 1667, to 1668 Paym's May 25 pd to the Widdo'w Shropshire for y e Ringers ... ... 00.05.00 July 28 ffor ropes and oyle ... ... ... ... 00.06.00 March 25 ffor ropes and oyle ... ... ... ... 00.04.06 paid to Silvefter Buy for a rope ... ... ... 00 . 03 . 00 From Lady Day 1668, to Lady Day 1669 Paym ? Inprimus paid to M r : Knight* for Carting of y e Bells ... ... 13 : 00 : 00 paid to M r : Knight for over weight for y e two Bells ... ... 06 : 13 : 00 paid for y e Carriage of y e Bells to william piggott to 6V° fro ... ... 00 : 10 : 00 paid for Charges of y e Bel found 1 * his horfemeat &" drink 6V» all ) , i ■ , • , , . , „ «, J- 01 : 12 : 08 other moneys to drink to y e ringers that tryed the bells 6>» a rope J paid for y e Hanging of ye; Bells other work 00 : 16—06 To Henry Snelling his Michaelmas quarter £r» oyle &•» fplicing ropef 00 : 09 — 02 To y e Ringers the 5 th : of November 1671 ... ... ... 00 : 05—00 mar : 2 : To william Cock for worke done to y e Clock S-° dyall as hisbill app 00 : 14 : 06 15 : To Henry Snelling his quarterf wagef due at Lady Day 72 & \ r 00 : 00 : 08 oyle & ropef ... ... ... ... J To ffrancis Cock for mending y e Gudgins of the Trebble ... 00 : ci : 00 To The Bell foundert as his bill Appeare ... ... 03 : 00 : 06 To other Charges to a porter to Carry ye bell at redding. 5r= barg ■> _ carriage S-» y belfound rf man ... ... J May, 1673. PagmmtS. may 29 : -^ tQ ye r ; n g er f ; t b e i ng ye birth day of our Sousaig Lord y e King — 5— 72 paid to Henry Snelling his quarteridge &■» for oyle fir» hafuerj to fplice a Rope — 8 10 NovB 5 : 72 gave to the Ringers ... ... ... ••• — 5 — paid Henry Small|| his q rf wages due at S': Thomas day &• ffor oyle &■» ropef as p bill — 9 — paid William Syrman for mending y e Clock as his bill appeares ... I . 10 — pdto Henry Small his quarteridge &■» for oyle &• other work as his bill appeares — 9 — may 29 : giuen to the ringers ... ... ... ... ••• — 5 — * Viz: April 23 (1661). \ No doubt Henry Knight II. I Probably identical with the existing Thames bargee word hanser (at least so pronounced). This is small rope of peculiarly flexible hemp (? Manilla), and used primarily for taking a turn from head of barge-pole to belaying pin when mooring, or even checking the way of, a barge. It is generally used as an adjective with - cord, or - line. Does the name indicate that this rope was originally procurable only from the towns of the Hanseatic League? An older use of what appears to be the same word, occurs in the accounts of the Sacrist of Norwich Cathedral for 1432 (quoted, Bells of Norfolk, p. 169) : " Paid Richard Roper for the bellropes hauncerys and lines 8*''. II Sexton, 1672-1690. oo 05 00 00 00 GREAT MARLOW. 495 May 1674 pafimentss To Henry Small a qrf Wages due at Midfomer 6- for oyle ... ... —8—4 NovemS 1. paid to Henry Small A qrf Rent due att Michaelmas fi- for ovle - 8- 2 To the Ringers the 5th; of November ... _ , January 25 : paid Henry Small his q* Wages due at St: Tho : day : dr= for oyle (torn) April! 18 paid William Syrman for the Clock mending ... ... — 1— May 2 : paid Henry Small his qrf Wages due at Lady day laft paft &> oyle — 8 10 [End of the first volume of the accounts.) Aprill, 1675, 39tf6urftm t9 9 ber S To the ringers ... The yeare 1675 pafsed. ... May ... 1676. SKfi&urftm 1 * To William Syrman for mending the Clock ... ... ... 000 04 To the Ringers on the Kings Crownation day ... ... ...000 05 SeptemB 30 To Henry Small for \ a yeares looking to the Clock ... 000 15 00 paid for oyle ... ... ... ... ... 000 OI 00 1676 Utfourftmt? Aprill 2 paid the Widow Bye for a Rope for the Tennor, or Great Bell ... —.4.4 1680 Disburstments Sept 12* (1679). P a id for nayles to mend the Bell-wheele paid John Thompfon for making A key &* mending the lock \ of the Bellfery doore ... ... ... )" paid for Nayles, that nicholas Cox ufed about the bell wheelef Aprill 21 : 1680 paid to John Thompfon for mending the Clock in hand towards paying Nick : Cox : Soe that there will remaine due to Nicholas Cox by reafon that he was to haue 20? for repairing the Spire/ (In another account for the year 1680 at the other end of the book, is : — ) May : 6 : pd Mr Garnett for Makeing Articles Concering \ Coullouring the Spire and for Makeing the Rates J 1 68 1. Tpayd the widdow Bey for three Ropps ... ... ... ... 00 : 09 : n payd wiit Larrance for fiue matts* ... ... ... ...00:05:00 [payd John Shipwafh for Mending y e Clapper of y e Bell ... ... 00:04:06 1682. To Good Surman for mending the Clock ... ... ... 00 : 02 : 06 * Coming as this does between two undoubted Bell entries, leaves little room for doubt that these were mats for the bellropes to fall on. 00 00 01 00 01 04 00 01 03 00 01 06 13 01 00 06 19 00 ■y- :6. 496 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. 1683. Sept. 9 To the Ringers 9 Septemb" : for ye happy deliu'ance of our] Sou 9 aigne Lord the king from the then late horrid Confpiracy j- 00 05 00 of most defpatly wicked &° Treachorous men* ... J 1684. 29 May To the ringerf ... ... ... ... ... 00 05 00 Apr : ye 22 pd. to Richard hanging the SH Bell ... 00 02 06 1695-6 BUtmrftnunts Septa- I3 — To 5 Matts for the Bell-Ropes &■ Bafsing the ffont ... ... 14— 8 16 To Richard Langley for mending the Clock ... ... 2 — 6 AugL6 To John Carter for Clenfing the Clock ... ... ... 2 — 6 22 To Wine for y e Communion &-» beer for the Ringers ... ... — 3 — 14 — 2 1696-7 JBUourftnunts October 8* To the Ringer for his Mat'fs safe Return from fflanders ... 00 05 00 Novembly e 4 To the Ringers being his Ma"es Birth-day ... ... 00 05 00 5 To the Ringers ... ... ... ... 00 05 00 May y e 8 To making Priefts wives grave &* mending the Belfry ... 00 01 06 Aprill — 13 th To the Ringers being the Crownacon day of his Ma'ie ... 00 05 00 May — 29 To the Ringers ... ... ... ... ... qq 03 00 1697-8 Uiffjurftments Sept^ye 16 To Richard Holloway for Beer at pclaming ye peacet ... 00 05 00 26 for Oyle &■» a Glafs for the Clock when it was mended ... 00 00 08 :;: Samuel Knight, of Reading. f No doubt for the Ringers, judging by previous entries. GREAT MARLOW. 499 Octobi ye 30 To Tho : Gray for Beer for the Ringers at Proclaiming the peace* NovembL — 4 To Richd Snelling for Beer for ye Ringerf ye Kings Birth day To Silv Bye for Bell Roppes To Henry Williams for mending the Clock as p bill Appearf 5 To Jn° Oxlade for Beer for the Ringers 20 To Ml s Rivers for Beer for the Ringers the Thanks giving day DecL 29 To Nailef to mend the Bellf S-» other things in the Church May — 31 ToM« Pomfrett for beer for the Ringerf on ye 29'h of May ... Aug' 3 To Henry Williams for mending a key & the Wire of the Clock 00 06 00 00 05 00 00 J 7. 04 00 15 00 00 OS 00 °S 00 00 01 03 00 OS 00 00 00 04 1698 3@tffiurftnuntiS NovembL 4 th To Rob! Ionson for Beer for the Ringers being the Gunpowder Treafon ... ... ... ... ... 00 05 00 July — 14 th To Oyle for the Clock when .Clensed ... ... ... 00 00 06 To ]n° Steevenf for the use of a Kittle & wood to Clense y e Clock 00 00 08 1699-1701 Ktfburftmtntg ober cth To Beer for ye: Ringers y e 4*; & 5th f gbr NovembL 4 th To Beer for the Rin S ers - 5 To Beer for the Ringers 1701 x Mr Millard for Collering the Steeple as p bill Appears To W" Buck for a bord to mend y e Steeple June To Mr Tyle for a Board for the Steeple Spire To Nailef for the Spire 1701-3. Uifburftmentg 1 701 May 9* To tne Rmgers gbr 4 To the Ringers being the Kings Birth day S To the Ringers Jan ri .i I st To W m Anthony for mending the Wheels of the Bells ffeb>T 7 To Wid° Bye for a Tener Rope March 20 To the Ringers at proclaiming the Queent To Thomas Seers for mending y e Bells fframef &° Cock loft flower 1702 T tne Rj n g ers t he Queens Crownacon Day ... ..> Apnll 23 ° ** May 29 To Wid° Bye for a new Clock Rope & Splicing the old one To the Ringers Augt 4 To Wid° Bye for 5 new Ropes for the Bells 8 br 1 To John Carter for Clensing the Clock ... 00 06 00 li s D OO 05 OO 00 OS OO 04 10 00 00 01 04 00 00 09 00 00 09 li s d 00 05 00 00 OS 00 00 05 00 00 02 06 00 04 00 00 10 00 00 02 OS 00 10 00 00 04 06 00 OS 00 00 14 00 00 02 06 * Peace concluded between England, France, and Spain, at Ryswik, October 29th (1697). t Anne: William III. died March 8th, 1702. 500 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. 9 br i To the Ringers on y e news of taking Vigo* ... ... oo 03 00 5 To the Ringers ... ... ... ... ... 00 05 00 x br 3 To the Ringer the Thanks giving day ... ... ... 00 12 00 ffebni 8 To the Ringers y e Queens Birth day ... ... ... 00 08 00 A 11 21 ^"° l ^ e Ri n £ ers tne Queens Crownacon day ... ... 00 05 00 1703-4 Uif6urftm?ntg (To the Ringers — 1703 — May 29; Nov*: 4 S-» 5 ; ffeb ri J 6, being the Queens birth day; March 8. 1704 — Aprill 23.) (1703 Nov.) 27 To a Lattace for the Belfery ... ... ... 00:00:08 1704-5 Ulffcurftmentg (To the Ringers— May 29 th ; SepV 7 th ; Nov' 5^ ; ffeb"J 6 th , the Queens birth day ; March 8 th . 1705 — Aprill 23 d ; May 29.) (1704) Oct"; 3 To John Carter for Mending & Clensing the Clock ... 00 : 10 : 00 (Nov. 5) To Rob 1 Gray for 5 Straps to the Bells ... ... 00 : 00 : 10 (1705) July . 2 To Widdow Bye for a Rope ... ... ... 00:04:08 1705-6 Uif&urftnuntg 1705 Aug' 23 To Beer for the Ringers the Thanks-giving Day ... Oc r : 16 To John Carter for mending the Clock Nov r : 5 To Clensing the Clock To the Ringers Ma 7 — ic, To Casting a New Bell To Expences withe y e ffounderf & a Jorney to Reading 1706-7 Utfburftmtnts May 20 th To Wid° Bye for 2 New Bell Ropes & Peecing 1 old 29 To Beer for the Ringers June 26 To Edward Drew for a Bell-rope 27 To the Ringer on the Thanks giving day for y e Victory^ 31 To Edw d Drew for a Bell-rope Aug' 20 To mending y e Great Bell Wheel Dec r : 12 To John Carter for Clensing the Clock ... (1706— To Beerfor the Ringers— Sep tr : 21 ; Novbr 5 ; ffeb r u 6 ; March 8. (ffebriJ) 8 To Edw d fflight for a New Wheel for the Great Bell To taking up the G tl Bell & ffastning the Boxes & Iron work (1707 April 23) To Wid° Bye for a Bell Rope * The French fleet defeated by Admiral Rooke at Vigo, October 12th, 1702. 9i> r , of course, stands for November. f Evidently Sam. Knight. % Marlborough's victory at Ramillies, May 23rd, 1706. ... 00 09 00 ... 00 01 06 ... 00 02 06 ... 00 OS 00 ... 07 10 06 ... 00 04 06 ... 00 07 03 ... 00 05 00 ... 00 03 08 ... 00 09 06 ... 00 02 08 ... 00 01 00 ... 00 02 66 1707— April 23-) ... 01 02 00 ... 00 04 06 ... 00 03 02 GREAT MARLOW. 50I 1707-8 ffifftuiftmentg (To the Ringers— May 29 ; Nor 5 ; ffeb"j 6 ; March 8* [= Accession]. June 14 To M r Robinson for nailes for y= Bell- Wheel Aug' 19 To Wid^ Bye for Splicing the Clockline ... 29 To John Carter for Clensing the Clock ... NoL 3 To Rob' Gray for Mending ye S's Bell Wheel & Window 1708 April 1st To the Wid° Bye for a New Bell Rope & Splicing 1708-9 IStfturftmentg 1708 May 29 th To Beer for the Ringers July 5 To the Ringers on the News of the Victory in fflanders* 19 To the Ringers on the Thanks giving day ... Octr 19 (?) To the Ringerf for the Surrender of Lilet Nov 5 To the Ringerf ffeb"J 6 To the Ringerf for the Queens Birth-day ... 17 To the Ringers being a Thanks giving-day March 8 To the Ringers for her Ma"=f J To Henry Harrison for a Latice for the Bellfrey Window 1708— April 23.) 00 00 10 00 00 03 00 02 06 o 01 08 00 04 00 00 05 00 00 06 00 00 07 06 00 05 00 00 05 00 00 06 00 00 10 00 00 05 00 00 00 06 1709-10 19tfbutftments (Payments for ringing on May 29 ; Sept. 1, "forthe Victory ;"|| 3 r Nov. 5) 00 : 02 : o 01 : 06 : 06 00 : 06 : 08 00 : 1 1 : 6 * Evidently Richard Phelps. t This and the preceding account seem to be for one and the same year ; the latter date would be the more accurate description. 504 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Mr. George Bruere & M r W m Blundell Ch: Wardens. Money Subscribed towards the New casting the Bells. & paid to y e aforesd Church Wardens. Madam Wallop* ... S r John Guise Lord Shelburne ... Mr Chase Sir James Etheredge M r Geo: Bruere ... M r Millechamp ... (And sixty-three others, having the following surnames :) Manning, Harman, Fletcher, Webb, Winkles, Keen, Smith, Oxlad, Carter, Gage, Corbee, Kid, Phillips, Langley, Jones, Rolls, East, Lawrence, Hall, Law, Young, Pratt, Harris, Webb, Medulkin, Stennet, Lockwood, Curtis, Gibbons, Moor, Hollis, Newberry, Pudsey, Martin, Lane, Bird, Allwood, Bradshaw, Hutchenson, Bayly, Cock, Thompson, Burtenwood, Dean, Chown, Robinson, Sears, Beckford, Dormer. Tot — 67 : 19 : o Anno 1720. 3ells. £ j d 10 : 10 : IS = IS 5 = s 5 = s 4 = 4 <* 3 : 3 2 : 2 1720 The aforesaid Subscription money disburs't as follows (Vizi) Paid for a part of the articles... Paid for Screws from London Paid the three Williams's Bellhangersf ... Paid Amb. Thompson Paid Richd Lanej... Paid Mr. Phelps ... ... ... ... 0:10 Paid Mr. Phelps, Ap. 29 1720 ... ... 20 : o Paid Mr. Phelps, May 14 1720 ... ... 21 : o Paid Mr. Phelps, Dec. 22 d 1720 ... ... 5 : 5 Paid Mr. Phelps, July 7 1721 ... ... ... S : 5 £ '■ o: 7 1 : 11 9: 1 2: 7 1 : 14 d. :6 : o :6 : o :6 6 o : o : o o Tot. To Ballance 52: 6 67: 00 : 2 17 67 '9 * Madam Wallop was apparently the first wife of John Wallop, Esq., M.P. for Hants, 1714-20, who was created Baron Wallop and Viscount Lymington in 1720, and Earl of Portsmouth in 1743. She was Bridget, daughter of Chas. Bennet, first Earl of Tankerville, and died 1738. I do not know what connection she had with Marlow. Sir John Guise, Bart., was M.P. for Marlow, 1721 ; and the Rt. Hon. the Lord Shelburne, in 1714. For Mr. Jas. Chace, M.P., see foot-note, p. 492. Sir James Etheridge, Knt., was M.P. for Marlow (with the last-named), 1698 to 1714. For Geo. Brewer, Esq., and the Rev. R. Millechamp, see p. 465. f Of King's Sutton, Northampts (near Banbury, Oxon). Their work still exists at Chicheley, Bletchley, and probably Penn, and also Cookham (Berks), etc. ; see p. 320. % Blacksmith, of Marlow. GREAT MARLOW. 505 1722 Disbursements (Payments for ringing, 172 1— May 28, 29; Aug. I ; Oct. 20; Nov. 5.) (1 721) Oct' i6'h To M' Phelps Bellfounder in full of all demands as p receipt appeares ... ... ... ... 43 13 00 (Oct. 20) To the Widd Gibbons for carriage of the Bells to and from London ... ... ... ... ... 02 16 06 March 25 th : 1722 To William Rivers for Six Rolls for the Bells & a Chaire in the Vestrey ... ... ... ... 00 05 00 Apr: 30^" Spent w'h the Ringers in Receiveing their Subscriptions for the Bells 00 04 00 1723 IPisburfements (Payments for ringing, 1722 — May 28, 29; Aug. 1; Oct. 20; Nov. 5. 1723 — Apl. 25 " Being a Thankes giveing day.") (Aug.) To Henry Harrison for Cleaneing the Clock and mending the hand 00 03 06 ffeb' 9* To Thos Lydall for 3 Bell Ropes ... ... ... 00 07 00 June: I s ' To John Gibbons for Clock Ropes and Bell Ropes as p Bill ... 01 03 04 1723-24 Disbursements (Payments for ringing, 1723 — May 28, 29; Aug. 1 ; Oct. 20; Nov. 5.) 1724-25 Disbursements 1724 P Oct r . 17 P4 Jn° Law for Beer for the Ringers Oct' n ... ... 5 30 P4 Tho* Hollis for Beer for the Ringers ... ... ... 5 Novr 5 P<1 Jn° Law for ditto ... ... ... ... 5 17^9 April 16 P d ** en : Carter for Beer for the Ringers April 15 ... ... 5 23 P4 for Work done to the Bells ... ... ... ... 5 May 27 P 30 To Walter Batchellor for Beer for the Ringers ... ... 5 May 1739, to May 1741 Disbursments 1 741 P in 1739 & in 1740 Jan : 20* at 5* each Day / Pd W 1 ? Harding for Beer for 7 Ringers April 15'h 1740 ... 5 P d Jn° Webb Ditto for May 24* 1740 ... ... ... 5 P4 Chas Robinson as # Bills & Rec s . & for two Days Ringing money (Viz : Nov r . 5 1 * 1739 & April il 151*1741)/ 1741-2 Disbursments May 29 P d Syl : Law for Beer for 7 Ringers ... ... ... 5 June 15 Pd D° for Beer forf Ringers on Receiving! News of "1 Admiral Vernons Succefs at Carthagena ... / "" ' OcP. 1 1 P4 D°.t for Beer for y Ringers ... ... ... ... r 30 P d Syl. Law for Beer for y Ringers ... ... ... r Novr 5 pd Sam 1 . Barney for Ditto ... ... ... ... r 19 Pd W7 1 Harding for Beer for y Ringers ... ... ... c Jan"r 20 P d Sam 1 . Barney for Beer for p Ringers ... ... ... c * Afterwards George III., born 4th June, 1738. f Samuel Barney. So8 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. April 1 6 ^ *° r a ^ me *° r one °^y Clock Weights ... ... ... 2 May 29 P both due Lady day last J Pd for Oil for| Clock & Bells ... ... ... 2 Octr ii Pd Sam 1 . Barney for Beer for| Ringers ... ... ... ,,5 30 Pd Sylvr Law for Beer for y Ringers ... ... ... „ 5 Novr 5 pd s. Barney for Beer for 7 Ringers ... ... ... „ 5 Jan-? 20 Pd J n ° Phillips§ as # Bill for Mends ye First Bell & a New Stock 5 „ 5 D° P d Sam 1 Barney for Beer for I Ringers ... ... ... ,,5 Apr 1 3 Pd D? for a Years Bell Ropes ... ... ... ... 1 5 Pd for Oil for I Clock & Bells ... ... ... ... 2 Sept. 1744, to May 1745 Disbursments Jan 4 P Birth Day, Gunpowder Treason & Cleaning y e Bells / " May 3 P d W™ Pudsey for Beer for ye Ringers on the Prince of ~> Whales's Birth Day & Rings for ye Bishop of Lincoln J '" " IO June 11 Pd Charles Robinson for Beer for ye Ringers ... ... r P4 Sylv r . Law Sexton his Salary & for a Years Bell Ropes ) for Oil & Mowing the Church Y d as # Bill & Rec' ) 3 ' ' 1745-6 Disbursements Augt 31 P d Mr Snelling for I new Weather Cock ... ... ... „u Octr 7 Pd Mr Lee for Cleaning I Church Clock ... ... __ ^ IO 1746 Apr 1 . 8 P d Daniel Walker Carpenter for Rebuilding ■» the Steeple as $ Contract ... ... J 42 * Jno. Law, Sexton, who then apparently retired in favour of Sylvester Law. t Lady Day, 1742. J S. Barney. || Victory over the French, June 16th. § See the account for 1603, p. 473. I GREAT MARLOW. 509 P ' J . ,\ ... TT ... . JK ' Annfweryd A° xxvnj uo H vnj"' Death Knell : tolled for three quarters of an hour at nine a.m., if possible on the morning that the death is announced. The treble is used for children; the second for young persons ; the tenor for adults. Tellers at beginning : 3 x 3 = a male ; 2 x 3 = a female. On Sundays, for the Services, the tenor is first rung for five minutes, this is called Sermon bell ; the bells are then chimed ; and for the last five minutes, the treble is rung. When Holy Communion is celebrated after the Morning Service, the treble is rung for two minutes, between the prayer for the Church militant, and the beginning of the service of administration. * The date is givenyfafe W. de Gray Birch, Esq., see Records of Bucks, IV., 70. f See p. ix. 3 u 514 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. The bells are rung for an hour, from midnight, on Christmas Eve; and on New Year's Eve, the old year is rung out, and the new year rung in. Wedding ringing by desire. Vestry meetings summoned by a bell. The above usages remain as they existed at the appointment of the present parish clerk, about 1864. Very many thanks to the Rev. A. S. Thompson, B.D., Vicar. MARSH GIBBON. [Assumption*] B. V. Mary, i- J : KILBY & J : JONES C" WARDENS. WZgZStZg] W: TAYLOR OXFORD FECIT. 18*8 [ffi^l (3°*) 2,3,4. RICHARD CHANDLER MADE ME 16 7 R (32,35^,38) 5. J WARNER & SONS CRESCENT FOUNDRY LONDON 1854 (41) S. HK (i2f) Treble (p. 261) : canons ornamented with acorns, oak-leaves, &c, on the front, and beaded down the sides. 2, 3, 4 : by Richard Chandler III. (p. 227), inscribed in his one inch lettering. Tenor (p. 259) : has flat canons. Saunce: evidently by Henry Knight I., probably cast before 1610 (p. 124); iron lever. All rehung by Bond, of Burford; 2 and 3 turned without breaking the crown-staples. Chiming apparatus. 5 May, 1553, M r fhe, they (the fayd churchw ""dens) have Allfo refeyvyd iij great belle &* one faunfe bell. 11 July, 1637, Marsh. 4 Bells a S 1 ? Bell & a Clock There is boards wanting upon the steeple windowes The fouth eaft piriicle downe, The north eaft pinicle a vane. 1714, 5 bells (saunce not mentioned, but evidently existing). 1755. On the Top of the Tower is a later Erection of Wood lathed and plaistered over to agree with the reft of the Building. This was erected to hold the Bells, which were formerly only three, but are now augmented to Five. Lipscomb copies this account. The Curfew continued to be rung every night at eight o'clock, until within living memory. The Pancake Bell is still rung on Shrove Tuesday, on the fourth bell, from 11.30 a.m. to noon. Death Knell as soon as death is notified, but not between sunset and sunrise ; the tenor is rung or tolled, as may be requested, for twenty minutes. Tellers, "both * Fide Browne Willis. MARSH GIBBON — FLEET MARSTON. 515 before and after: 3 strokes = a male; 2=a female. On the day of a funeral, the tenor is tolled fifty strokes at 9 a.m. ; and for thirty minutes before the time of funeral. At the conclusion of the Service, the sex is marked as in the Knell. This is an old custom. On Sundays, the sanctus is now chimed for five minutes, before the eight o'clock Celebration. The second is rung at 9 a.m. Before Morning and Evening Service, all the bells are rung (or chimed) for a quarter of an hour ; the tenor is then rung for ten minutes, but this would be omitted if there was to be no sermon ; the sanctus used for the last five minutes. Formerly, the treble was rung for about five minutes at 7 a.m., and again after Matins. Ringing once or twice a week during the winter, beginning November 5th. Ringing at 6 a.m., and in the evening, on December nth (Old S. Andrew's Day, see p. 280), and on the 21st (the shortest day; but more probably as S. Thomas's Day, id.). On Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, ringing at 7 p.m., and again from 11.30 until after midnight. On Christmas and Easter mornings, ringing at 7 a.m. Ringing for weddings as ordered and paid for. The bells were formerly rung on a visit from the Bishop or Archdeacon, for which the churchwardens paid $s. ; but this has been discontinued since the payment ceased. Very many thanks to the Rev. Edward M. Holmes, the late Rector. MARSTON, FLEET. S. Mary. Single. IOHN WOODMAN OW EH 1746 (i 5 i) By Edward Hall, in Richard Chandler III.'s 1.2 inch lettering (p. 236). Straps nailed; half-wheel. No tower ; turret rises about three feet above nave roof. There is no ladder in the church; I had to borrow two from Mr. Simons's farm at Berryfield, and have to thank him for kindly carrying one, and assisting me to raise and lower them. 23 July, 1552 ffletflfton. Imp'me one lytle bell in the Steple. It A handbell 14 July, 1638 . . . sometimes there was 4 bells one is now there— 2 at Quarlington and the other at Lillies. Quarlington = Quarrendon : one and a half miles distant. The Lees of Quarrendon, apparently also held the manor of Fleet Marston at the above date ; and presented to that living between the years 1526 and 1642. They were also in possession of Weedon, a hamlet to Hardwick (two and a half miles from Fleet Marston), from shortly after 1372 ;* and Lipscomb says that about 1802, the then * Lipscomb, III., 370. See also Records of Bucks, Vols. III. and IV. Sl6 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. owner of the manor of Weedon — Edward Nugent, Esq. — built a "commodious residence" on the site of the old Manor House, which he called Lilies, "in compliment, as is asserted, to the Royal Family of France, and originally intended for the residence of one of the French Princes, then in habits of great intimacy with the Buckingham family at Stowe." It seems more likely that the name had no connection with the French royal fleur-de-lis, but was an old name revived. Otherwise, Lillies must be here taken to refer to Lilley in Herts, about twenty-two miles distant in a straight line. 1 7 14, one bell. The Rev. A. W. Howell, Rector, informs me that the bell is tolled at funerals. MARSTON, NORTH. B. V. Mary. 1. + SONORO ■*> SONO& KEO$> SONO * DEO LESTER & PAGE OF LONDON EEGIT 1763 F B¥ J6PJS W^RNE^ 5 S©NJS L0JO0JS 1SS7> {On Waist i) HJWV9JIY CP^NDIiER — P^^I^E n?PE l£0^D 1679 ^E0^35f i887 (c 4°) S. 17 6 7 (17!) Treble: by Henry Knight II. ; lettering & inch high (p. 130). 2: by "the firm" (p. 232) ; the only known occurrence of this lettering — the large, ornamented set on Plate XXXIII.; the figure 4 is plain, and seems to belong to George Chandler's plain if inch set; one pair of canons broken. 3: the first known 5 18 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. example by George Chandler after an interval of nineteen years (pp. 230 and 233); lettering if inch high. 4: one of George's early bells (p. 230), in his father, Anthony's lettering of two sizes (the larger of which is the smallest set on Plate XXXIII., where the very broad fleur-de-lis is also figured) ; iron baldrick to clapper. The crown-staples of treble, 2, and 4, are broken ; probably in each case this was done not later than early in the eighteenth century. Tenor : the old bell was one of the latest by Anthony Chandler (p. 227); at the time of my first visit (July, 1886), it was cracked, and had quite recently been removed from the bell-chamber to the ground ; four small holes had been drilled in the bell, just above the clapper-scar. Saunce : evidently by Lester and Pack (p. 100) ; new half-wheel. This is even now, perhaps, the most interesting extant series of bells from the Drayton Parslow foundry, notwithstanding the loss of the old tenor. Frame, seventeenth century, "restored" in 1886, by a carpenter named Montague, from the neighbouring parish of Cheddington. Some of the cross-struts are chamfered, and are older than the chief parts of the cages. The wheels are the old ones repaired. 23 July, 1552, Maffeworth. Itm iij belle Km ij hane-belle (Another indenture of the same date, agrees as to the number in the ring, but there follows : — ) Itm j handbell. July, 1637, Mafworth 4. Bells S" belle . . . The Bellfry unpaved and the Ropes in decay and some feats allfo. The Bellfry dore wants hinges fo that it ftands on y= ground . . . The fteeple greatly in decay in the ftone worke and it wants a fane on y e top. . . . The battlem'? of the fteeple and Church and ftaire cafe and ftone worke of the windowes in decay. 1 7 14, 5 bells (sanctus not mentioned). Cole (MSS. in the Brit. Mus., No. 5840, and quoted by Lipscomb, III., 412), says that Richard Pierson, who was collated Vicar here 8th February, 1531, by his will dated 9th October, 1538 (and whose successor was instituted on the 28th of the same month), appointed to be buried in this church, and gave an acre of wheat towards buying a Saint's bell. Cole also states that in the registers of the Arch- deaconry is a commission, dated 1662, to take down the chapel of Tiscote, in " Massworth " parish, but in the county of Hertford, where there was returned to be only one house, and to bring away the bell to " Masworth " Church, by the assent of Sir Tho. Hyde, Bart., and John Hooker, who was Vicar of "Masworth" from 1660 to 1684. It seems likely that that bell was recast into the present treble. In renewing the decayed flooring of the bell-chamber, in the autumn of 1888, a hole for a bell-rope was found which did not correspond with the present position of any of the bells, but must have been in use before the augmentation of the ring to its present number. At Ivinghoe (two miles distant), is a tradition that a bell was exchanged with this parish. MARSWORTH — MEDMENHAM. 519 Death Knell : in the afternoon, if the death occur in the forenoon. For a death later in the day, it is tolled the following forenoon. Tellers, both before and after the tolling : 3 x 3 = a male ; 2 x 3 = a female. The treble is used for a child under six years ; the second for a child between that age and thirteen ; the third for a young person above the latter age ; and the fourth bell for an adult. On Sundays, for Service : according to the old custom, all the bells chimed for a quarter of an hour ; then the fourth rung for about five minutes, called the Sermon Bell ; then all chimed again, and the saunce used for the last few minutes ; but the above usage has been slightly altered by the present Vicar (since 1880) : now, after the second chiming of all the bells, the fourth bell is continued by itself for four minutes, before the saunce is chimed; and since the tenor has been exchanged, it has been used in place of the fourth bell in the ringing of the single or " Sermon " bell. A bell is rung at 8 a.m. on all days when Morning Service is to be held. A bell is also rung immediately after Morning Service, whenever a Service is to be held in the afternoon. These are old customs. Wedding ringing on the day if paid for. The bells are rung for four or five weeks before Christmas, beginning with twice, and ending with three times in the week. A change in this practice is contemplated. Formerly midnight ringing on Christmas and New Year's Eves ; but the present Vicar has stopped these because of abuses. Ringing formerly, morning and even- ing, on 29th May and 5th November; but these have been discontinued for some time. The registers are only extant from 1720, and the parish accounts from 1772; there is apparently nothing about the bells in either. Very many thanks to the Rev. F. W. Ragg, Vicar. MEDMENHAM. 1. {On Crown i) HENRV DEH {Ordinary position :) S. Peter. NE WILLIAM BLVNELL D C W S K 1691 (»H) 2. THIS BELL WAS MADE 1624 (3ii) 3- +OHN KEENE -rEREMY BR+DEN cnw HUK (34*) tco66 Treble: by Samuel Knight (p. 136); the only instance in the county of an inscription on the crown of a bell ; the second I of Will/am is incised in place, and the D of Blun*fell, just below its proper place. Henry Deane belonged to a very 520 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. old family of yeomen living on the borders of this parish and Hambleden. The Register supplies the date of his burial : — 1695 Henricus Dean fepultus fuit vicefimo primo die jan William Blundell is buried immediately outside the east end of the church ; his tombstone records that he died December 17th, 1726, aged 76. A namesake appears on the seventh bell at Gt. Marlow, as churchwarden there in 17 19; quite possibly he was the same individual, or at any rate related, the two churches being only three and a half miles apart. 2 : by Ellis Knight (p. 126). The letters T, H, and the figure 1, are ij- inches, the rest being under one inch. This bell is called "the Communion Bell," and though the old usage is lost, it is revived at the present day by its being chimed for early Celebrations. Tenor : probably by Henry Knight II., and Ellis Knight II. (p. 132); the shield bearing the latter's initials, and the "churchwarden" figure between the letters C W, are on Plate XXII. ; the figure here is left-side down — feet to C, head to W. In the Register is : — 1672 Johnes Keene fepultus fuit Decemb. 8° The name, Jeremy Briden, appears in the Great Marlow churchwardens' accounts for 1615-6, and 162 1-2. The clappers have iron baldricks, and busk-boards. 2 : has iron stay, 4^ inches long, and horizontal iron bolt-like slider. Frame : late seventeenth, or early eighteenth, century; the lead on the roof of the tower is dated 1706, which possibly shows the date of a " restoration." The wheels, which are all of the same size, were renewed, as appears by the churchwardens' accounts, in 1750, 1762, and 1766; and constantly repaired since. There is a fourth cage, beyond the present tenor, fitted even to the rope-hole in the floor. The widths of the cages are : I, 30J inches; II, 32 ; III, 33 £; IV (empty), 38. t 18 July, 1552, Medmeham. Item iij Bells w a hande bell (From a duplicate Indenture the list is gone.) 12 Aug : 1637. 3 Bells. The Tower of the Steeple w'h in fide in decay ; there wants ropes for the bells. 1 714, 3 bells. The Commissioners in Henry VIII. 's reign, returned concerning the Abbey here,* that : — . . . this Monaftery was of the Order of St. Bernard, . . . Bells, 8f>c, worth 2/. 6s. 8d. In the Record Office, is : — t * Browne Willis, Hist, of Abbies, II., 29 (quoted by Langley, Hist. Desb. Hund., p. 341)- f See p. ix. MEDMENHAM. 52 1 •• j- xj •• «t j 1 f The leade ther (&c) xij die moj. 1555, Mendenhame i I The bellg ther — ij w were fold by m r Daneftre who ys to annfwere fr the fame by caufe it ys not accompted for by Daneftre/ • &" Annfweryd A xxviij mo H viij ui Death Knell as soon as possible, but not after sundown. Tellers : 3 x 3 = a male ; 2 x 3 = a female. On Sundays, the tenor is rung at 8 a.m., except when a Celebration at that hour prevents it. Sermon bell at 10 a.m. for the 11 o'clock Service. Ringing on the great festivals. Midnight ringing on Christmas and New Year's Eves. 5th November supposed to be one of the four days obligatory on the ringers ; but the present Vicar does not insist upon it in deference to the Roman Catholics in the parish. Ringing on Ascension Day at 5 a.m., added by the present Vicar. There is a tradition that the Little Marlow (distant five miles) bells were cast for Medmenham to make the ring up to six ; but it does not state why they were diverted to Little Marlow. Many thanks to the Rev. Walter Hill, Vicar. Langley {Hist. Desb. Hund., p. 353) mentions "an old book belonging to the churchwardens," containing an account taken 28th Henry VIII., in which are included " 2 bell clappers ; " but this book no longer exists. The oldest book now extant begins in 1747 ; from it I have made the following extracts : — I747- October is th for three New roops for the Bells ... ... 00 : 10 : 00 To the Ringers ... ... ... ••■ 00:10:06 1748. Jan : 27* pd for three New bell roops ... ... ... o : 10 : o March 23 d pd himf for mending the bell wheels & making a \ new rowl to one of the bells ... ) March 27 th pd ringing money ... ••• •■• o : 10 : 6 1749. April 10J pd to John Williames for mending the bell Claper ... 0:1:2 13 pd to John Stenens (sic) for mending the bell Claper... 0:2:6 pd Ringing money ... ... ••• ••• o : 10 : 6 pd Edoward Richardsons bill formending the bell wheels o: 2: 6 1750 Dec: 22 d Expended at John Toomeses when the bell was new hung... 0:1:0 March : 15 th pd M r s John Webb his bill for three New bell Ropes ... o : 10 : 6 = 1749- t Edward Richardson. J =175°- 3 X 522 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. April 8' 11 pd Ringing money ... ... ... ... o : 10 : 6 pd Edward Richardson his bill for Making a New bell wheel of his own Stuff & New hanging the bell & • i : 16 : 9 for repairing the bell wheeles ... April 8 th : 1751 pd to John Nibbs'for beer had when the bells was hung o . 1:0 1751 (" pd Ringing Money'' on Jany 29, I75i[z], and July 20, 1752.) 1753 April 26'. h 1753 pd for three New Bellropes and Tuffing* them ... 00 : 10 : c6 Decern : 26 pd to Edward Richardson for a Stay & Clogf for one of the Bells ... ... ... ... 00 : 00 : 06 October 23d pd Ringing money ... ... ... ... 00:10:06 1754 Oct: 14 th : 1754 pd to M r : John Wilkins for puting in a New Ground 1 Staple to the little Bell and Other work L 2:2:0 thereunto belonging ... ... j October 16 th paid Ringing Money ... ... ... o : 10 : 6 paid for three New Bell Ropes... ... ... o : 10 : 6 April 26 th : 1753 allowed Edward Richardson his bill for work dune 1 about the Bells and finding Nailes & Stuff to J- 01 : o : o mend the wheeles and for Beer ... j 1755 pd Ringing Money ... ... ... ... ... o : 10 : 6 May 20* : 1755 pd Edward Richardson his bill for work about the bells 0:5:6 1756 for Ringing on the prince of Whales Birthday ... ... 0:3:0 pd to John Webb for three New bellropes ... ... 0:10:6 (1756 pd Ringing Money [no date] ; and Apl 20, 1757) 1758 Decern. 26 pd to M r John Gibbons for three New bell ropes ... o : 10 : 6 pd Ringing money ... ... ... o : 13 : o 1759 AprU°24 pd Rin £ in S Mone y - - ••■ o : 13 : 6 1760 July 6* pd for three New Bellrops ... ... ... 0:7:6 * Working in tufting, or sallies. t Evidently a slider. MEDMENHAM. 523 1761 pd to Mr Jeffery* Hackfhaw for three new Bell ropes... o April 12 th : 1762 pd wringing money ... ... ... pd to Edward Richardson for mending a bell wheel work & Stuff 10 10 }.: 2 : 7 " g }o Aiwil a P^ Nibbs Ringing Money * Of Gt. Marlow ; see the Hambleden accounts from 1742/3. 1 : 4 o • 13 ■ o o : 10 : 6 1762 Sept 30 pd to John Sawyer for Beer for the Ringers on a ) Reioyceing day taking the Havana / o . 1 . ; Decern 27th pd for 3 New bell ropes ... ... ... o : 10 : 6 pd wringing money ... ... ... o : 10 : 6 pd Edward Richardsons bill for making a bell \ wheel & for Jronwork thereunto belonging / 1763 Novem 12 pd wringing money Decern 26 pd for 3 new bellropes 1764 pd wringing money ... ... ... ... o : 10 : 6 April 5f pd to John Hackshaw for three new Bellrops ... o : 10 : 6 1765 April 13 pd to John Wilkens his bill for driling the Great \ Bell and Other work thereunto belonging in the I 3.8:0 year 1764 ... ... ... [ pd wringing money ... ... ... o : 10 : 6 1766 Sept 7 th — pd to Edward Richardson for Making a New Bell= wheel of his Own Stuff & other work in the Church Novem 27 — pd M r Webb for three New Bell rops ... ... o pd John Nibbs Senr wringing money ... ... o pd him the Expence of mending the Bell = wheel ... o pd to Edward Sawyer & Thomas Osbourn wringing money pd to John Stevens the Smith for Jronwork for y Bells o 1767 June 7 pd him| for Beer for y Ringers Kings Birth Day lbs d Dec 26 pd for a Sett of Bellropes — 21 at - - 8 p lb 2 . 6 14. 5. 6 \ = I765- = (Thomas) Osborn. 524 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. pd Osborn for Ringing Money ... ... ... . 4. 2 pd Edwr 25 :) Apnl 8 Pifor 3 Bell Ropes ... ... ... ... —12 20 p d Johnson 2 Rining Days ... ... ... — 5 1778-9 28 Oct. pd Johnson Rining Days Sparrows &c ... ... — 12 10J May 9 2 9 ^"8 Day -.3 1779-80 Octor 11 th paid Tho? Osborn one Ringing Day ... ... o 26 Ja'ny27 paid for Bel1 Ro P es ••■ ••• ■■• — u — March 28 paid for one Ringing day ... ... ... — 26 paid Iohn Iohnson 2 Ringing days ... ... — 50 MENTMORE. S. Mary. I, 4. CHANDLER MADE ME 1668 (2$\, 32J) 2, 3. {Ditto) J66S (27, 29J) 5- {Ditto) 1669 (35*) A nice ring by Anthony Chandler (p. 226), in its original, left-handed frame, on which are carved the initials of the bell-hanger, I C 166?, It seems not improbable that he may have been one of the Chandler family. The stocks of treble, 2, and 4, appear to be new; those of 3 and tenor, original; on these two, nearly all the straps are keyed ; on the others, chiefly bolted. The gudgeons of the upper three are at the top of the stocks. Wheels, all this century, but of peculiar pattern. All clappers old, perhaps original. 526 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. 23 July, 1552, mentmor, It in the ftepell iiij belle It on hand bell (On the back : — ) this InvytoT wanteth a handbell July, 1637, 4. Bells & a S'* Bell. 1714, 5 bells (the sanctus had probably been melted with the other bells in 1668). The Rev. C. S. Grubbe, Vicar, kindly informs me that the Death Knell is not tolled after sunset, or on Sundays. MILTON KEYNES, more correctly, Middleton Keynes. All Saints. i- HKWCOME HADE IK I6I£ (32) 2. AtfTHCWy CHANDLER MADE ME 1 673 (32J) 3- zzBIOHARq OHANDLEBi MADE= ME= — 17 4 — _ (35l) 4. {Recast by Gillett, June, 188.7) 5. {Blank) (i 4 f) Treble : probably cast at Bedford, by one of the sons of Edward Newcombe I. (p. 156). 2 : Anthony's Christian name was only added on bells after his son Richard came into the business (p. 227); straps fastened in each way — nails, keys, and nuts. 3 : inscribed in Richard Chandler III.'s 1.2 inch lettering, but below usual place, down among the rims, so perhaps by Richard II. (p. 234) ; straps keyed and bolted. Tenor : the new bell was to be fetched from Bletchley railway station the day after my visit, viz., on June 14th, 1887. The Rev. the Hon. W. S. T. W. Fiennes, the Rector, informed me that the old bell was inscribed, " Newcome of Leicester made me A D 16 14" (see p. 156), and that the new bell was to bear, " Gillett of Croydon remade me A D 1887 In Mem. Jub. Vic. Reg. Fiennes Rector, Payne Churchwarden." Mr. C. W. T. Fiennes has since informed me that this duly appears on the bell. Saunce : probably seventeenth century ; straps nailed ; wooden lever ; piece of cord for baldrick. Horizontal wooden bolt-like sliders to all. All rehung later on in 1887 by Gillett and Co., in the seventeenth century frame, and it is intended to add a fifth bell. July, 1637, 4. Bells. S'. 5 Bell. The Bellfry window exceedingly in decay and flopt up w th boards . . . y e bellfry walls [wants pgetingj . 1714, 4 bells (sanctus not mentioned). Death Knell : as soon as the death is communicated to the sexton ; the tenor is rung for twenty minutes. Before funerals, the tenor is chimed for half an hour, stopping on arrival of the procession at the church gates. MILTON KEYNES — GREAT MISSENDEN. 527 On Sundays, two bells are rung at 9 a.m., to remind people, it is said, that it is Sunday. Bells rung up and down for Morning and Evening Services. The saunce, which is considered a very old bell, has not been used since the bells were rehung in 1887 ; but now, instead, the treble is rung for the last five minutes, after the bells are down. Ringing once a week for a month before Christmas, and every night during the last week. Ringing for Wednesday Evening Services in Advent, as on Sundays. Chiming for Services during Lent. Midnight ringing on New Year's Eve. Ringing on the Queen's and Prince of Wales's birthdays, and on the Queen's Accession Day ; and after all weddings. There is a tradition that two bells originally belonging to the tower, lie buried in what was once the moat of the old Manor House at the back of the church". Many thanks to Caryl W. T. Fiennes, Esq., son of the Rector. MISSENDEN, GREA T. SS. Peter & Paul, or, S. Mary.* 16 9 2 ( 3 4i) ■603 ii:Ra<£ra^sEHiiiiiu (On Waist:) D0]S0J?, J^jaEg JIEN^Y BII^D 0F ji^jajaERppi^p W + LIs + ^P EP0Ll£ + 0'J?¥. B. Jl — Y + C^^ Wtfcfc + TIja OfclttEE J6HJV JStBLEY j cpuKCHiar/mDEius 2. + A V tSSt (29) (30!) e m a r\ i a 3- ♦$* $awta Jltargareta 6ra ;fro u (34) 5& 4. I*R 1*^ PBpn was xmabp 1603 3c U ' tsr (37) 3 Y 530 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. 5- ROBflRT FEELCI CHVRCH WHRCIEN (On Waist;) HFJK 1663 (M) Treble : has flat canons ; it is an addition to the ring, not a recast. The Rev. Wm. ffolliott, B.A., was presented by Earl Howe in 1879. Mr - Wm - Olliff is a farmer, and Mr. Jn. Sibley, a miller. 2 : probably by John Rofford, in the fourteenth century (p. 10); there are similar bells at Ravenstone and Stoke Hamond; the cross and lettering are the upper set on Plate IV. 3 : by John Danyell, in the fifteenth century (p. 33) ; the initial cross and capitals are on Plate XII. ; the small cross at the end is fig. 22 ; the shield, fig. 23. 4 : by Joseph Carter (p. 86) ; the lettering and shield are similar to those on the second, of the same date, at Great Missenden ; the royal monogram in the upper line (on the edge of the crown of the bell), is shown as fig. 41. Tenor : by Henry Knight II., and Ellis Knight, probably also the second of the name (p. 130) ; the latter's shield (between Henry's initials) is on Plate XXII. Rehung by Warner in 1881 ; the canons of all the old bells more or less broken ; and the inscriptions much abraded. Chiming apparatus. 23 July, 1552, Myffenden pua, In j?mis iiij belle &-» a litle bell comely called y e faynctg bell being win y fteple ther 15 Aug: 1637. Miffenden pva : 5 Bells Sf bell the fleeple Church and chafi wants pgeting 1714, 4 bells (sanctus not mentioned). MOULSOE. Assumption B. V. Mary. 1. 1640 (On Waist:) g££ ( 2 8£) 2. TAYLOE OXPOED 1839 (29) 3. W: & J: TAYLOR BELL FOUNDERS OXFORD 1839. (32$) 4. W: & J: TAYLOR -S^-Z^O 0--2V-O.&-& 'S OXFORD & LOTJG-HBORO 1839. (35^) Treble: by James Keene (p. 165), the figure 4 is of a heavier set than the other figures ; his initials are shown on Plate XXVI. ; turned ; canons all off. 2 : two extra straps through the crown. 3 : several canons broken. 22 July, 1637, Moulshoe 3 Bells . . . The Steeple the Church and Chanc : want pgeting 1714, 4 bells. Lipscomb (IV., 255), Four bells, of which, three are modern; the tenor inscribed, " j$ii nnntEtt gomint bettEiririum." MOULSOE — MURSLEY. 53 1 Death Knell : on tenor, an hour after death, unless the sun is down, in which case it is tolled early the following morning. At the commencement, the age is tolled on each of the four bells. One bell tolled at funerals. On Sundays, bells usually chimed for (? Early Celebration of) Holy Communion, but rung on great Festivals. Chimed for Matins. Rung for Evensong. The Sermon Bell is rung on the tenor. Ringing at midnight on New Year's Eve is an old custom. Formerly, the bells were always rung at 4 a.m. on S. Thomas's Day (December 21st). Many thanks to the Rev. D. T. W. Elsdale, Rector. MURSLEY. S. Mary. i,4- JOHN: BRIANT. HERTFORD. FECIT. 1814. (28,32) 2. + J: BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1814 (29) 3. -1- John briant. Hertford, fecit. I8i4. -t- (31) 5. John briant. Hertford, fecit. I8i4. (34) 6. ± John briant. Hertford fecit. isi4. ± T : DEVERELL. & J : BRADBURY. C .W. (38) For Briant, see p. 106. 2: all canons broken off. The ornaments on 2, 3, and tenor, are Calvary crosses, and crosses fitchees (see p. 394). 23 July, 1552, Morryfley, It iij Gret bells in the Steple 6-° a Sancte bell. 18 July, 1638, Mursly. 4 bell & a new S^ Bell becaufe there hath beene one formerly, the butterices both of Church and Chan : all in decay the steeple allfo and want pgeting. 1714, 5 bells (saunce not mentioned. This continued to be the number until after 1750, at any rate.) Lipscomb (III., 429), Six bells, re-cast in the last century. (Whether this is a fact, I do not know.) In the Record office : — '■' xijmo die flcij 1555, MurileyjTJ* ^ {j£ (& c |)}Annf W eryd. A» xxviij- H viij». This refers to the Monastery of Mursley, alias S. Margaret's Priory, alias Muresley Priory, a Nunnery of the Order of S. Benet (Benedict), which was not in this parish at all, but in the hamlet of S. Margaret, some sixteen miles away, in the parish of Ivinghoe, but about five miles from that village, and three-quarters of a mile north of Nettleden. It was also commonly known as "The Priory of Ivinghoe."t * See p. ix. | See p. 435 I als ° Lipscomb, III., 399- S. Lawrence. (26D (»9) * 1636 * □ 532 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. NETTLEDEN. G C 1714 2. * RICHARD $ CHAWDELER 3- * © jS-ancta j£aJerina ' Ow Jb^o I$0fctS (331) Treble : by George Chandler in his if inches lettering (p. 234); canons nearly- all broken. 2 : a most interesting bell by Richard Chandler I. (pp. 221 and 55), with the later lion's head stamp (fig. 33) from the Wokingham foundry, which here makes a solitary reappearance after an interval of about a century ; having, as I believe, been first used by John Michell in the latter part of the fifteenth century, and last by an unknown founder on a bell at Harpsden, Oxon (foot-note, p. 93) ; the other stops are figs. 77 (twice), 78, and 79; iron baldrick; loose on stock. Tenor: probably by Thomas Harrys, of London, c. 1478 (p. 41); the fleur-de-lis and capital letters are the upper set on Plate XIV., the reversed capitals being here used the wrong way up ; the groat stamp resembles one used by the Wokingham and Reading founders, but is probably not identical. Curious modern frame, probably local manufacture, on much the same principle as that at Loughton. July, 1552, Chapell of faynt laurence in nettleden It iij Belle in the fteple 29 July, 1637. Nettleden. S' Lawrence. 3 Bells. The butterices of the Church & Steeple in decay & the Steeple wants pargeting & pointing. . . . The windowes of the Steeple to be iron bard & glafed. Rubbifli upon the fteeple & a tree growing there. 1 7 14, 3 bells. Lipscomb, III., 448, Three small bells, two of them very ancient; one dedicated to St. Lawrence, the other to St. Katharine, and the last having thereon an impression of one of King Edw. III.'s shillings. I suppose this is an unacknowledged quotation from Browne Willis, and that the S. Lawrence bell was recast into the present treble, which was in existence nearly a century before Dr. Lipscomb was born. Death Knell : tolled for half an hour, after which the age is tolled, irrespective of sex. Minute tolling at funerals. Bells chimed for Sunday Services • the tenor alone for the last five minutes. For Services in Advent and Lent, used as on Sundays. Ringing for weddings. No old churchwardens' accounts. Many thanks to the Rev. R. T. Ogden, Vicar. NEWNTON LONGVILLE. 533 NEWNTON LONGVILLE. S. Faith. 1 - gc) Recast by the Munificence of Gilbert Flesher EsqR who ADDS HONOUR TO THE HONOUR OF HIS ANCESTORS Gx) of A:X> 1066. The noblest motive is the Public Good. (30A) W: & J: Taylor OXFORD fec = t. issi. (30I) W: & J: T: oxford, founders. 1824. (33) □ »" □ (34) John brtant bartford fecit isoo. (37) R. TAYLOR & SONS FOUNDERS OXFORD. MDCCCXXVI (40) Treble : tuned away from lip ; a canon broken off, hangs by the straps ; extra straps much needed. Gilbert Flesher, Esq., was of Towcester, Northampts ; he is mentioned by Lipscomb, under Stony Stratford (IV., 368), as being very active towards improving the roads of the neighbourhood, and as descended from "a follower of the Norman Duke ; " also, that " at the solicitation of the inhabitants, who had long been celebrated for the harmonious ringing " of their five bells, he " consented to bear the expence of re-casting the old bells into six, which was accordingly effected by Taylor, Bell-founder at Oxford, for about 80/.; the new bell being gratefully inscribed with the name of the donor, and Mr. Flesher's high spirit of generosity placed on record," &c, &c. 3 : a small crack by the canons. 4 : the last two figures of the date are actually illegible, but are doubtless the same as the others by Taylor. On either side of the date is a winged animal, unknown to either nature or heraldry, with fore quarters resembling those of a cat, and hind quarters something like those of a seal. Some of the canons are broken, but still hang by the straps ; extra straps through the crown. Bolt-like slider of wood and iron. 5 : was the second of Jhe old ring. The former tenor weighed sixteen cwt, according to Briant's List of Bells, printed in Bells of Herts (p. 66), but the bell was not by him. All have small round canons. Frame, probably eighteenth century; altered from five pits, to hold the present six smaller bells. j° Aug : 1637, Newton longvile 4. Bells. S'. s Bell & a clock. The fteeple windowes want boarding . . . The bellfry dore in decay. 1 714, 5 bells : sanctus not mentioned. The Pancake Bell is still occasionally rung on Shrove Tuesday. Death Knell : tolled on the day of death, if there is time before sunset ; the mode varies according to age and sex. On Sundays, the bells are rung at 9 a.m. ; also after Morning Service, if there is to be a Sermon later in the day. Extra ringing in Advent. Thanks to the Rev. H. C. Blagden, Rector. 534 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. NEWPORT PAG NELL. SS. Peter and Paul. i. at Proper Times My Voice ile Raise And sound To my Subscribers Praise <>o«2>©cx>c*> tx Lester fecit J? 49 (30J) 2. THOMAS LESTER MADE ME J749 (Incised on crown :) w T 7 2 22 (3 2 f) 3. Jn. Puratt & Jn° Smith Ch. "Wardens offc Lester & Pack op London Fecit 17 69 ooooooo (33J) 4. J749TH OS LESTER O O 0° O (Incised :)KOBERT PERROTT PHILOMUSICUS AuDITU DIGNuS (Incised on crown ;) w T 8 3 J 5 (35^) 5- J749 T : LESTER OF LONDON ( 3 8£) 6 - XX> THOMAS LESTER MADE ME J749 ® ►£< ►£. ^ □ oo T. Mears of London Fecit i824. oooox^c (On Waist:) WM NASH \ „ „, , v WM BREWER } CHURCH WARDENS. ( 39 ) s- J/fEWCOME OF LEICESTER MADE ME A 9 161 3 (43*) Treble: by James Keene (p. 165); the initial cross is No. 2, on Plate XXVI., where the lettering used for his initials is also shown ; crown-staple broken, and replaced by a very rough practitioner ; turned. 2 and 4 : both by the second Thomas Mears (p. 105); on the transom of the wheel of the latter is carved, W B J775. 3: by Anthony Chandler (p. 224); the stop is fig. 77; the pattern which occurs twice after the date, is fig. 81, and the fleur-de-lis is fig. 78 ; turned. Tenor : probably cast at Bedford, by one of the sons of Edward Newcombe I. (p. 155)5 cracked in 1886 ; it had recently been quarter- turned, regardless of the fact that the clapper was now made to strike on the place previously worn thin by the clock- hammer ; but, before the inevitable consequence of this had time to develop, the clapper happened to break, and the bell being struck on this thin spot by the broken clapper held in hand, was at once split ; but the bell is so good, that there was still, at the time of my visit (June, 1887), much resonance in it; extra straps * First Bishop of Amiens (France), martyred a.d. 287 ; festival, September 25th ; supposed to be the only Church with this dedication in England. NORTH CRAWLEY — OAKLEY. 539 through crown. Left-handed, seventeenth century frame, entirely keyed, in a bad state of neglect, but the bells are rung twice every Sunday ! The bells are only divided from the sky by a few loose boards ; there is no lead, or any permanent roof of any description on the tower ! In Browne Willis's time, "the elevation bell" (= the sanctus) existed in a niche, apparently in the chancel, though the position is not clear from Lipscomb's account (IV., 131). 1 7 14, 5 bells (the sanctus not mentioned). OAKLEY. i- HENRI- KNIGHT MEE 16 2 2 o S. Matthew. MADE 2- HENRI MEE KNIGHT 1 6 2 X O 3- Tfcts I60I s. Bell X664 MADE (3°i) (32) toas Mam (35) Treble and 2 : by Henry Knight I. (pp. 124, 125) ; lettering if and i$ of an inch, respectively ; 2 turned. 3 : by Joseph Carter (p. 86) ; the shield is a repro- duction of fig. 55, with the addition of Carter's initials on either side of the lower bell ; canons moulded, several broken ; turned. Saunce : by Richard Keene (p. 168); original stock, keyed; wooden lever. The exterior sanctuscot remains, but the bell is in the tower with the others. All rehung by White, of Appleton (Berks). 23 July, 1552, Okeley Itm iij great Bells Itm one Sainctg Bell llm one handbell 16 July, 1638 Oakely. 3 bells S 1 ? Bell . . . the foundacon of the steeple is somewhat in decay. 1714, 3 bells (saunce not mentioned, but no doubt existing). Death Knell tolled for forty minutes* directly after the death, if it occur between sunrise and sunset. The tenor used for men, the second for women, and the treble for children. Tellers, both before and after the knell : 3 x 3 = a male ; 2 x 3 = a female. Tolling, with the tellers, is repeated immediately on conclusion of the funeral Service. On Sundays, a bell is rung at 8 a.m., to give notice that Services will be held. 540 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. For the Services, the bells are chimed, then the Sermon Bell is rung, and the saunce used for the last two minutes. These are old usages. Ringing on Easter Day (morning and evening) ; November 5th — recently revived (? about 1887), having been discontinued since 1843; Christmas Eve and Day; and New Year's Eve (at midnight). Also occasionally for weddings. One bell rung for Easter Vestry. In the churchwardens' accounts there are various entries connected with the bells, of which the following are a summary : — Ringing : From 1780 to 1827, the bells were rung for "the King's Crownation;" and until 1843, on 5th November (now revived); and at Christmas (still kept up). In 1826, June 1829, and 1832, the bells were rung "when the Archdeacon came." Payment of the Ringers ceased in 1853 ; up to that date the regular pay was 2s. 6d. for each occasion. In 1781 there is an entry, " Beer for ringers & others ,£1-9-10." Repairs : 1805, small bell, 3*. 6d. Clappers and wheels of others, 29$. 1807, Iron work for bells, £4,, 10. 1810, i&s. 181 1, igs. 1812, Iron Work, 19$. 1815,265. 1817,^2,, 1 „ 8. 1819, £3 „ 15 „ 4. 1820, £2 „ 16. 1831, Two Pins for bells, i&s. 6d. New Ropes: In 1784, by Gibson, 13s. In 1792, by Thomas Elliot, 15s. 3d. In 1809, the price was 36J. ; in 1815, 36s. 6d. ; in 1881, 30J. They were formerly supplied about every three years. The following entry is in the Parish Vestry Book : — The Bells having been taken down and thoroughly repaired were this day re-hung l Churchwardens T Mortemore J Edw^d Boys, Vicar. March 1, 1876. Many thanks to the Rev. W. Greenwood, Vicar. OLNEY. SS. Peter and Paul. *• (fi™^;:) GOD (*&,T) s ™ H;1T) THE te.) k ™g (2>..,««.a.f,™ «*,*) HENRY(^) BA-GLEY(. . to ,G-L.,) M^DE(^^ ; ) MEE( ..££££$ ..) I682(,£' S )0 {On Sound-bow:) $00® O O © (35) 2. d ©mm □ mm-i@l&( n ^>M& o m@L&&M<3 15 99 (35i) OLNEY. 541 3. THOMAS (fv?') M^RT^INE (£•) ^TND (%) RICHARD (£■) PHE- ^S^NT (£■) CHVRCHW^RDENS (&) HENRY (&■) BAGLEY (£■) M.TDE(f£:)MEE 16 9 9(fr) 4- • BGBEBT D ATTON *H BUCKINGHAM #n MABE 31 wn (40) OF ME @n 16- (44) 5- e^X ' 0HN i MARKES ^©X AND O ^SXX^S, j ™°"*S ! OSBORNE CHVRCHWARDENS £ ^@XKB^ O a^JXKBsJ, OOO THOMAS RVSSELL | OF WOOTTON O MADE MEE e^KX^S J 7 3 3 O o ^xx^ (47j) 6. M RT.H EWt*.7. lS i».) PYE(^. 4i «.)KRT>iVK(^.. 2 j-) SVeK(^.-.)CKAK<2:>iW^KDE^g(-)( a,, " « ) I 6 8 2 ( Do.,ift.<&i n ) IflSIGfllHi- ■**.**.. .jTJHOME O IOH.N&O.N (Z)o.,2j*«.) 7^ R. M (. Do., 4 /t. Qin .) {Low on Waist:) -O (On Sound-bow :) (5»i) Treble : cast during the lifetime of the first Henry Bagley, and probably at Chacombe ; the lettering is about .6 of an inch high, or slightly smaller than his usual small set (p. 216) ; the coins are shillings (if inch diameter), Obv: (= O) bust dexter, Carolvs 11. dei gratia ; Rev : ( = © ), arms ? 2 : probably cast at Bedford, by a Newcombe and a Watts in partnership (pp. 153, 154); the inscription seems to be formed from worn-out stamps, the two last figures of the date are very doubtful ; the initial stamp is a tiny shield (about f inch diameter), charged with a bell, too indistinct to be worth attempting to figure ; of the three stops between the words, the last is fig. 57, and the first is probably identical, while the second is fig. 58 ; the stamps are much trimmed and reduced from the perfect condition figured ; some of the letters are shown as fig. 56 ; for ^© an inverted @f is used, and both Tst's are inverted ; turned ; crown-staple broken. 3 : probably by the Henry Bagley who was working, at the date this bell was cast, at Ecton (pp. 214 and 217) ; the lettering is about ££ of an inch high. Thomas Martaine's wife is buried in the north aisle of the church, one 542 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. of the pillars of the gallery resting on the stone ; and a daughter of Richard Pheasant is buried in the south side of the churchyard. 4 (p. 207) : samples of the lettering, and the pair of stops, are figured at the bottom of Plate XXXI. ; the rose is No. 10 on the preceding plate; and the large shield is fig. 70; much tuned at lip ; the canons were very high. 5 (p. 254): the coins are (?) shillings (1 inch diameter); the first six and last two are obverse, bust dexter, georgivs d g m br fr et hib rex fid ; the seventh and eighth are reverse, arms arranged crosswise. Lipscomb, IV., 310, mentions a stone on the floor of the church, to Thomas Osborne, who died 4th June, 1763, aged 61 ; he may be assumed to have been the son, if not the churchwarden himself ; much tuned from lip ; had large canons. Tenor : by one of the Bagleys, at the same date as the treble, but evidently not by the first Henry, though cast in his lifetime ; the lettering is i T \ inch high, of a rather more flourished style than the ordinary sets from this foundry. The canons were ornamented by chevron moulding ; several were broken off, but still hung by the straps ; the clapper bore the name J. Wykes. The large shield on the waist, surmounted by helm and crest, together measure 4§ inches in height ; the mantling is adjusted so as to con- stitute an Achievement of Arms. The Arms are : a pile, charged with three bears' heads erased; in base a barrulet. Crest, a bear's head erased. The coins (1^ inch diameter) are obverse, bust dexter, carolvs ii. dei gratia. Lipscomb, IV., 305, states that : — - In 1642, Sir Robert Gorges conveyed the Rectorial Tithes and the Advowson of the Vicarage to William Johnson, Esq. of Milton Briant, Co. Northampton ; who, coming to reside here, re-built the greater part of the parsonage-house, which had been the ancient residence of the Rectors, and died in 1669,* aged eighty years. He was the father of Thomas Johnson, Esq., the donor of the tenor, who died 1696. The ancient house above mentioned, has been recently pulled down; it stood between the east end of the church and the mill which still exists. There is a stone in the chancel wall, to the memory of Thomas's daughter Catherine, who died 1680, in her tenth year. A pedigree of the family is given in Dr. J. J. Howard's Miscellanea Genealogica et Heraldica, N.S., p. 4i4-t Arms granted 1632. 31 Aug. 1552, Inp r mis in the fleple. v. bells And one fanct3 bell 1 7 14, 6 bells. Hung left-handed; apparently rehung in 1829 in the old cages, for under that date there is, among the parish accounts, an " Estimate ... To rehang the Bells on a new principle with new stocks & wheels, so as that changes may be rung on them with ease." Rehung in (?) 1893 by Mr. Blackbourn, of Salisbury, who, * His memorial stone says, "obiit quinto die 7 bri Anno Dom. 1667, aet. sua? 80." \ Ex inform. H. Gough, Esq. OLNEY — OVING. 543 excellent bellhanger though he is, has cruelly mutilated this fine ring, by breaking off all the canons. Browne Willis (MSS. xxxviii., 2), gives the weight of the tenor as " 2,600." Lipscomb (IV., 308) says : — ... six large tuneable bells, of which the tenor weighs 28 cwt. The tenor, as well as the rest, were re-cast since 161 1 , when there were only four bells. On the great bell, before it was re-cast, was inscribed, ©ra pro nobis birgo JWarta. (More probably this was, -j- jianeta ifftaria ®ra Pro jiofcte). The third is rung daily at 1 p.m., as " Dinner Bell." The Gleaning Bell was rung during harvest for some thirty or forty years, at 7, a.m. and p.m., the third bell being probably the one used. This practice ceased about 1885, or 1886. The Pancake Bell is rung at noon on Shrove Tuesday; the second and fourth are used, to imitate the sound " Pan-cake." Death Knell : tenor used for adults, the fifth for children under fourteen. Tellers : three blows on each bell = a male ; two on each = a female. The age of the deceased is tolled in scores ; that is, a pause is made at the end of each score com- pleted ; and, if the odd number over, exceed ten, another pause is made at the completion of the last ten (e.g., 73 = 20, 20, 20, 10, 3). On Sundays, the second and third are rung at 8 a.m. Half an hour before the Morning Service the treble is chimed for a few seconds, and the second and third before the Afternoon and Evening 'Services ; after which all the bells are chimed for fifteen minutes ; then, while chiming is continued on the other bells, the tenor is raised as Sermon Bell, and rung with the others for ten minutes ; for the last five minutes the treble is rung alone. Ringing at Christmas, Easter, and Whitsuntide ; also at Harvest Thanksgiving, Choral Festival, and Queen's Birthday ; midnight ringing on New Year's Eve. Also ringing after weddings, if allowed, and paid for. Many thanks to the Rev. J. P. Langley, Vicar. OVING. All Saints. 1. + 16 2 7 im (3°i) 2. -fGOD-fc SHYE > 6 ». 4 j) 6 ., 7 u 4 2 „ 12 11 6 PADBURY — PENN. 547 C Q lb Weight of old Bells ... 40 „ i „ 5 grofs Deduct 5 Crown Staples of Iron es I 40 „ o„ 13 neat W Weight of new Bells ... 38 „ 3 „ 13 Cr ••• ... 1 „ 1 „ o at i5, 4 .. 2 Pinned in with the bill, on a piece of paper with embossed receipt stamp, is : Receiv'd 24'h July 1806 of Mefs« Horwood & Flowers, One hundred and twenty four Pounds, four Shillings and two Pence for Casting a new Peal of 6 Bells &c as p Bill anexed, £ ,. d . J° HN Briant 124 ,, 4 „ 2 There is also a Bill, commencing : — Parish Officers of Padbury D r 1804 to Thos Holden For building the Steeple of which the amount comes to ... ... ... 58 „ 8 „ 3 PENN. Holy Trinity. I RS TREBELL DO BEE GIN +702 (27I) FEHRE GOD HONOVR THE KING +702 (2 9 f) I. 2. 3. MrSALTEE ANDiM'MOOESiCH: WARD- ENS : Mr GEOVE ■ GAVE ! THE i CAEEAGE : : OE : THIS : BELL \ THOS ■ SWAINE ■ • MADE i ME • IN ■ J780 (31J) 4. IN PENN TOVR FOR TOO SING +702 ( 34 J) 5. VNTO THE CHVRCH I 000 yOV CHLL OETH TO THE GRHVE WILL SVMMHNS ALL THOMHS WINTER HND WILLIHM WIN GROVE C W +702 (39) 3 : the predecessor of this bell was probably inscribed, samvell knight kast this ring; at any rate that was the fact (p. 136). Mr. Edmund Grove, who carted 548 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Knight's bell up to London, and the present bell back from Swain's Foundry, belonged to a very old family in this parish, formerly considerable landowners. Lipscomb (III., 292) mentions a slab (which still exists) in the pavement of the south aisle, recording, "Jonathan Grove, of this Parish, who died Nov r - the 9 th 1731, aged 87 years and 7 months." The present representative of the family is Thomas B. Grove, Esq., of Waterstock, in this parish. 4 : was unfortunately split in 1892 ; the clapper broke in ringing, and the severed portion, flying out, jammed between the cage- timbers and the revolving bell, with the result of breaking the latter ; a new bell from the Whitechapel Foundry was substituted in 1894, thanks to the care of Mr. Grove, who is churchwarden. In the Register Book of Births is the following entry : — The five bells in Perm Church were cast by Samuel Knight of Reading in Barkshire on the 29A Day of December, in the year 1702 : They were Hung up the 5'^ of January following, John Bennet being then Vicar and Thomas Winter and William Wingrove Churchwardens.* They are hung left-handed, and " on the cross," or diagonally to the walls of the tower; I fancy I recognise the work of the brothers Williams, of King's Sutton, k near Banbury. See pp. 320, 504, &c. On a board in the ringing chamber, probably early eighteenth century, is painted : My friends, if here you pleafe to ring Keep time, and order, for the thing Its to be brief, without demurs Pull of your hats, your belts, & fpurs Take then a bell, ring while you can Silence is beft, for every man For if you fwear, or do amifs Or turn a bell, the rule is this For each offence, we do insist You shall pay sixpence, or be dismiss' 1 God bless the King, in every thin g , The realms and all who here shall ring. The last line was broken off the board and lost ; but Mr. Grove has recently caused it to be restored. The Rev. J. Grainger, Vicar, kindly wrote : — " The bells are rung in the usual village fashion of the last 30 years for the 2 Sunday services, and funerals. We very seldom have a Marriage of any consequence, so as to * Also mentioned in the Records of Bucks, V., 276 (1883), in a paper on Penn Church, by the Rev. J. Grainger, Vicar. PENN — PITCHCOT. 549 require a peal. The old ringers have died out ; and the young men do not practice as they ought. They generally, however, ring on Christmas Eve, and at midnight of the last day of the year." 18 July, 1552, Penne, iiij°r bells and o faunce bell. (It is a question whether this " o " means " one" or " none " ; I think the former, and that the letter "n" [=" on"] is omitted.) 16 Aug : 1637, Pen 3. Bells S'? Bell . . . The butterices & corners of the fteeple in decay & the fteeple Church and Chan wants pgeting 1714. S bells (the sanctus was probably broken up with the other bells in 1702). PENN STREET. Holy Trinity. Three bells by C. and G. Mears, cotemporary with the church, which was opened in May, 1849. Tenor called 10 cwt. in Messrs. Mears and Stainbank's List. There is no means of access to the bells,* except by procuring (from some little distance) three ladders — one long and two short, wherewith to get up from the outside, which, for three modern bells, maker and (approximate) date known, was not worth the time and trouble. Death Knell : " soon after the death." Tenor used for an aged person, second for a young person, and treble for an infant. On Sundays, one bell for five minutes at 8 a.m. For the Services, bells chimed for twenty minutes, followed by a single bell for the last ten minutes. Ringing (?) from 6 to 7 a.m., on New Year's Day, Easter Day, Ascension Day, and Christmas Day. Thanks to the Rev. J. J. Lindeman, Vicar. PITCHCOT. S. Giles. CHANDLER MADE ME 1656 ( 24 ) V2&& * ,S9 ° * {2ll) 3- G G I 111 (29i) S. {Blank) ( IO £> Treble : by "the firm," in Richard Chandler III.'s 1.2 inch lettering (p. 231) ; inner straps nailed, the outer keyed. 2 : a very interesting bell, being probably the joint production of the partners, Robert Newcombe III. and Bartholomew Atton (p. 197) ; the lettering is shown on Plates XXVIII. and XXIX., the large cross is * The tower was built with a spiral staircase, but was so unsuccessfully constructed, that it was found necessary to build up the entire space with a solid mass of brickwork. 5 S° THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. on the latter, the small one on Plate XXX. ; outer pair of straps bolted, the others nailed ; crown-staple broken ; iron baldrick. Tenor : by George Chandler, in his 1 1 inch lettering (p. 234) ; all straps keyed ; iron baldrick. All three wheels keyed. Saunce : probably not later than the early part of last century (see p. 171); straps nailed ; wooden lever. " John Perott, of Pitchcote, the younger," by his will, dated 24 July, and proved 26 August, 1524, among other bequests to the church, devised* :— Item to y e bells a bushell of Barly. July 1552, pychecoote, Itm iij belle &* a fawnfe bell 17 July 1638, 3 Bells. S Lester and Pack of London fecit 17 63 oocx {Same pattern all round underneath.} 2- FEAR GOD 1634 3. RD: PHELPS MADE ME 1729 tfc EDWARD BAR LOW JASPER HUMT CHURCHWARDENS 4- WS £-B CHURCHWARDENS 1637 CsSf) Treble (p. ioo). 2 and tenor: by Ellis Knight (p. 127). 3 (p. 98) : a smaller size of the cross is at the top of Plate XXI. The four wheels are all of different patterns; that of the treble is the most remarkable, and the tenor's least so ; the second's is made like a half-wheel. 18 July, 1552, Radenedge. Item iij Belles. Item ij hande bells. (From another copy of the Inventory made that year, the list is gone.) 15 Aug : 1637, 4 Bells. 1714, 4 bells. RA VENSTONE. 1. MEWCOMDa 2. _|_ A V 3. GOD KING 1629 m (3H) Treble: probably cast at Bedford by one (or all) of the sons of Edward Newcombe I. (p. 156); high canons; apparently its original stock; central straps keyed, the others bolted. 2 : a fourteenth century bell, probably by John Rofford (p. 10); there are similar bells at Little Missenden and Stoke Hamond; the cross and letters are the upper set on Plate IV. ; moulded canons ; through each end of the stock are cut two slots, one above the other, probably for levers, before a wheel was introduced. Browne Willis mentions this bell, MSS. cix., 29. Tenor : by James Keene (p. 162); the letters used for his initials are shown on Plate XXVI. Frame seventeenth century. 17 14, Ranston,* 3 bells. * The local pronunciation is at the present time Raunston. All Saints. MADE ME -A? 1616 (3°) G : (33i) m a ^ i a SHYE OYR 556 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. The Pancake Bell was rung here until about 1857, and the Gleaning Bell until about 1854. Death Knell : tolled as soon as possible, for half an hour. Tellers : 3 strokes = a man ; 2 = a woman ; 1 = a child. A bell tolled for half an hour before a funeral. On Sundays, ringing in the " early morning " ; and " ringing and tolling " for Services. Ringing in the evenings during Advent; also ringing on Christmas and New Year's Eves ; and after weddings by consent of Vicar. A bell rung for Vestry Meetings, and in cases of fire. Many thanks to the Rev. H. Allan, Vicar. RISBOROUGH, MONKS'. S. Dunstan. 1. W/IR;]V[E^ Ef Klltll EJUJS PE FECEJ(U]SiI? ^jaici JIE DEDER,U]3T fi. D. 1885 L^tUD^iPE D0]ai]SUJI I]5 f$0]VI0 CfljaP7I]S7E (3°f) 2. HOPE IN GOD 1637 (3 if) 3 FEARE GOD 1636 (3 3 j) 4- HONOR GOD 1637 (36) S HONAR GOD J636 (39) e PRAYES ye the Lord 1636 (43i ) Treble : small, flat canons. The five lower bells are by Ellis Knight (p. 127) ; turned, and holes bored in their crowns for extra straps. 2 : much tuned from lip. 4 : a rather large chip out of lip. 5 : piece out of lip ; two rectangular holes through crown, where extra straps passed through, previous to quarter-turning, which operation has involved the boring of more holes. Tenor : tuned afresh on addition of the new treble. All rehung by Warners, when they added the treble. 23 July, 1552, monken Refborowe (also Ryfebooro moaco£) In p'mis iiij belle hanginge in the fteple It j handbell 1714, 5 bells. Death Knell : by order of the Rector, as soon as information of the death is brought to him, usually after an interval of some hours ; no tellers. On Sundays, chimed or rung for Services. Early ringing on the great Festivals. Wedding ringing when desired. No old churchwardens' accounts. * Thanks to the Rev. Canon Evetts, Rector. THE RISBOROUGHS. 557 Owlswick, a hamlet in this parish, had formerly a Chapel (dedicated to St. Peter), which was desecrated and destroyed in the civil war ; some indications only of the site now remain, contiguous to the Manor-House.* There is now a modern School Chapel there. 26 July, 1552 Hulfwyck {or ulswyke) It in the Steple ij bells RISBOROUGH, PRINCE'S. S. Mary. Single. (34^) CAST BY JOHN WARNER & SONS LONDON 1861, (On Waist:) PRESENTED BY SARAH NORRIS TO THE PARISH CHURCH OF RISBOROUGH jy|Ua^ IN MEMORY OF HER HUSBAND lifcHJIi JOHN LOVEGROVE NORRIS ESQ R PATENT WHO DIED A D 1838. * THE REV D CHAS E GREY MINISTER ABEL ROGERS CHARLES BROWI , N JCHURCH WARDENS S. 18 05 (i4i) The " big " bell has flat canons ; it must soon crack if not looked to, owing to the straps having been allowed to slacken unevenly, so that the lip binds hard against the frame on one side, and a very heavy clock-hammer strikes on it. Saunce : no doubt by Thomas Mears and Son. It is completely hidden behind the clock, and my attention was only called to its existence, by noticing the rope. 23 July, 1552, prynce Ryfborowe Itn . v . great Belle 17 July, 1637, Rifborow prin : 5. Bells. S 1 ? Bell, a clock ... the top of ye Steeple leading up to y e leads in decay. 1714 (and until 1752 or thereabouts at any rate), 5 bells (sanctus not mentioned). Lipscomb, II., 436 : — ... a square tower (containing six bells, re-cast out of the former peal), and surmounted by an octagon spire of stone, 100 feet in height, .... The old spire fell down in 1803, and considerably damaged the fabric of the Church, as well as destroyed the bells. I suspect the six bells here mentioned, are on the authority of Browne Willis, and that they were the bells destroyed in 1803. The present spire is of wood. S. LEONARD'S. Single. CHANDLER MADE ME 170 2 (23) * Lipscomb, II., 425. 558 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. There are only three other bells in the county on which this set of lettering and figures (if inch high) are used ; all by " the firm," see p. 233. Iron baldrick ; iron lever instead of wheel ; the central straps keyed, the others nailed. The timbers of the small turret come down to the floor of the nave, as at Hoggeston and Saunderton. In 1 7 14, one bell. Death Knell : as soon as the sexton has the opportunity, but if after 6 p.m., not tolled until the next day. Tolling at funerals. On Sundays, chimed for five minutes, half an hour before the Services, and again during the last ten minutes. There is a tradition that there was a bellfoundry in the parish, and it is said that the spot is well known, and that ashes can still be found there. The bell of this church is supposed to have been cast there. No churchwardens' accounts. Many thanks to the Rev. H. G. Watson, Vicar. It seems likely that one of the Chandler firm came over from Drayton Parslow, about fifteen miles distant, and cast (more probably reeast) this bell on the spot ; it is very improbable that a bellfoundry was ever established here. This is an ancient chapelry ; formed into a parish distinct from Aston Clinton, in i860. SAUNDERTON. S. Mary. 1. hfi :CO;CO; ALEXANDER \ RIGBY \ MADE j ME | J699 :00:CO: 2. vfl ; ALEX • RIGBY : MADE = ME ; ,11699 ! JOHN \ DAV- IES ; M : A ; RECTOR 3. ALEX ; RIGBY = MADE \ ME \ J699 \ HENARY : NEW- ELL ; & ; Joseph ; fransis ; c ; w ; (29$) A pretty and resonant little maiden ring (p. 247). Large, roughly-made wheels, with the garter- hole at the top; no stays, sliders, or ground-trucks. Hung in a small boarded turret, in which there would be no room for another bell; apparently a bell-turret was not part of the original church (Decorated), as it is supported by oak beams inside the nave walls, springing from the floor, as at S. Leonard's. The original clappers, with wooden copses substituted for baldricks, fastened to the clappers by long wooden pins or trenails. The balls are very small, and the flights very long — treble 5^ inches, and second d,\ inches. In 1887, the church was pulled down and rebuilt on the old plan. The bells were rehung in the old frame, which was repaired, as it was broken in the general demolition. SAUNDERTON— SHABBINGTON. 559 July, 1552 (the inventory is fragmentary, the actual list gone). 1 7 July, 1637, 2 Bells. 1714,3 bells. Death Knell : only between 8 a.m. and noon ; but, within those limits, as soon after the death as possible. Tenor used for adults, one of the smaller bells for children. On Sundays, the bells are chimed for Service ; single bell for last five minutes. These are old uses. Chiming before Christmas, and on Christmas and New Year's Days. Also after weddings. A single bell for Vestry Meetings. Many thanks to the Rev. O. J. Grace, Rector, who found no trace in the churchwardens' accounts for nearly a hundred years, of any repairs to the bells, and only the following item referring to them : — May 8* 1839. Paid Ringers for ringing at Parochial Visitation, 4s. The old parish books were burned a few years ago. SEER GREEN. Holy Trinity. Modern parish (formerly a chapelry of Farnham Royal). Church built 1847. One bell. SHABBINGTON. S. Mary Magdalen. i- (23I) MEABS & STAINBANK, FOUNDEBS, LONDON, 1881. 2. PROSPERITY TO THIS PLACE $$$fa A&R 1718 3- PEACE & GOOD NEIGHBOVRHOOD 000 1718 6 A 6 R & (26±) 4- ABR • RVDHALL OF GLOVCESTER BELLFOVN- DER 1718 000 (*7) 5- WILLIAM ADAMS & EDWARD BuRNARD CH : WARDENS 1718 (*9l) 6. THE REVEREND WILLIAM MUSSON VICAR ^ H A6R 1718 %&& (3 2 *) 56o THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. S. 1794 (n) Treble: by R. Stainbank (p. 117). The lower five are by one of the two Abraham Rudhalls (p. no). 2 : pattern, fig. 46, twice, and the second half again repeated; the bell-stamp on 2, 3, and tenor, is fig. 49. 3 : pattern, fig. 48, for 4$ inches, and then for 2 \ inches. 4 : ditto, for 4^ inches. 5 : ditto, for if inch. Tenor : fig. 46, reverse way up, twice ; and the first half, still the* reverse way up, again repeated. Canons of the two lower bells moulded; lettering as usual on Abraham Rudhall bells, except that the larger set used on the tenor at Bletchley and Chicheley, is not used here. Saunce : no doubt by Thomas Mears I. Rehung in left-handed frame, by F. White, of Appleton (Berks), who turned the lower five. Most of the bells and wheels are quite loose on the stocks. 23 July, 1552, Shobyndon iij grett bells j factus bell j hand bell 1714, 5 bells. On a board in the ringing-chamber (floor level) : — This Peal of five Bells was new in the year mdccxvii RevP William Musson Vicar Edward Burnard Sen r -1 ^, , „, , _ J- Church Wardens. Edward Burnard Jun^J Lipscomb, I., 453, gives the inscriptions on the lower five bells (the entire ring until 1881); but as usual, inaccurately. On Sundays, a bell is rung at 8 a.m. For Service, bells chimed, followed by the ringing of the tenor : saunce for last few minutes. Thanks to the Rev. A. Bros, Curate in charge. SHALSTON. S. Edward the Confessor. i- m % (shears, aritr mo<> Mawnto, ^attkir,1862. (On Waist:) JKlfXtll. (28*) 2. (On Shoulder: ditto) (On Waist:) ^IKUXXCL (29!) 3- m. mitu% anfr cxt> 7<^>0<>00<2>OCOC^^ (3°) 2. (3 2 ) 3. ||IOHNk2* AND (£**fzJ) THOMAS <^M^ 1591 (391) Treble (p. 101): much reduced by tuning. 2, 4, and tenor: by one of the Watts family (of Leicester), probably either William, or Francis I., and cast at Bedford (p. 149) ; the shield on 2 and tenor, is fig. 54 ; the .cross on 2, the g ? and three following letters on 4, and the running pattern on all three, are on Plate XXIII. The cross on 4 is extremely indistinct, but appears to be a smaller edition (which occurs in Norfolk) of the cross on 2. The beautiful capitals on 2 and 5 are shown on Plates XXIV. and XXV. ; the peculiar figures are about if inch high. 4 is much reduced by tuning; tenor has crown-staple broken. High canons to all three, and the old clappers. 3: by Henry Bagley I. (p. 216); the ornaments not specified above, are a rose ; the stops Nos. 4 and 5 on Plate XXXII. ; and the Attons' running pattern, fig. 69, of which the three single fleurs-de-lis are portions ; the coin is a groat, ^ of an inch diameter; large canons. Frame, seventeenth century, keyed. On the wheel of 2, is jj^k and on the tenor's, is ^ qqq the date on the latter, repeated on the other side. 1714, 5 bells. Lipscomb, IV., 336 : five bells, cast in 1577. Browne Willis, MSS., xxxii., 51, quotes: — Testamentum M« Roberti Kencock Rectoris de Sherington 1535 Item to ther bells vj<* Item to y e ringers at my buriall & at my monyths mynd to have every tyme xvj Esq +66+ HUK (34) CHNDLER MADE ME 1697 (33*) 3. RtCHHRD ALLEN CLJ W +66 + HUK (36) SOULBURY. 567 •** ^anrfp »arftnp XU ^Oulg n e ( 3 8i) 5 * ^anrfa »argarpfa *> Treble (p. 247) : the two sizes of lettering are apparently identical with sets used by Henry Bagley (e.g., in 1682 and 1699, on the treble and third at Olney); the three coins, .8 inch in diameter, are illegible. One pair of straps keyed, the others bolted. A mural tablet, on south side of chancel,! records that : "Near this place lye the Bodies of Thomas Hodgskins, of this Parish, Gent, who was buried Sept. 25, 1720; Sarah his wife . . . and. . . their youngest daughter." The four lower bells are by Robert Atton (p. 205); the lettering is the large set on Plate * Marlborough's victory at Ramillies, May 23, 1706. + Lipscomb, IV., 358. STOKE GOLDINGTON— STOKE HAMOND. 575 XXXI.; the ornaments are Nos. n and 7 on Plate XXX. 2 and 3 : tuned from lip ; inner straps nailed and keyed ; the others on 2 are keyed, and on 3 are bolted ; the latter has its original stock. 4 : stock and straps renewed. Tenor : central pair of straps nailed, on new stock ; crown-staple broken ; very large canons. Hung left-handed ; on the frame, opposite the third, is cut : 1625. 1714 5 bells. Death Knell : generally on morning after the death ; tenor for adults, treble for children ; no tellers. No bell used at funerals (?). On Sundays, a bell is rung for a few minutes at 7 a.m., and again at 8. Ringing and chiming for Services. Ringing on Christmas and New Year's Eves. After Service on Easter and "Whitsun Days. Not usually rung for weddings. No churchwardens' accounts existing. Many thanks to the Rev. C. Jerdein, Rector. There is a tradition that one of the bells comes from the dismantled church of Filgrave (now included in Tyringham parish*), if so, the treble must show the date of its removal (and recasting), although Filgrave tower was not pulled down until eighty-three years later. STOKE HAMOND. S. Mary. (334) BBS S^^KR (On Waist :) (On Sound-bow :) O 2. _|_ A V e 'wm u ++ + 590 O o RECAST BY (On Waist:) S. JOHN TAYLOR & SANCTA TRINITAS & © Oil ORA ■A LOUGHBOROUGH PRO NOBIS. s O (36) A (3H> 1882. (Ml) Treble (p. 197) : lettering on Plates XXVIII. and XXIX ; the ornate cross is on the latter ; the shield is fig. 66 ; three of the coins are sixpences, the other one probably a groat, about -^nd over and under an inch, respectively ; all canons off, previous to the rehanging ; crown-staple broken. 2 : probably by John Rofford, Royal Bellfounder in 1367 (p. 10) ; cross and lettering, upper set on Plate IV. ; canons all off, apparently knocked off when rehung. Tenor : cast without canons, and with reversible clapper ; the ancient former bell was broken, somewhere about * See also Sherington. 57 6 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. 1865, by a boy striking it with the clapper (by hand), and then holding the clapper against the bell, thereby stopping the vibrations ; this old bell is mentioned by Browne Willis, MSS. cix., 29 ; from its inscription — which Messrs. Taylor were requested to reproduce in facsimile, but which, unfortunately, was not done — it seems likely that the bell may have come from the Wokingham Foundry (p. 54), in the fifteenth century. Saunce : by John Sturdy, fifteenth century (p. 27; figs. 13, 14) ; the letters belong to the small set on Plate XL, where the cross is No. 2 ; the coin is the reverse of a half-groat, .8 inch diameter ; this bell has not been hung since the rehanging of the other bells by Taylor in 1882, and lies in the inter- mediate loft ; old clapper, with wooden copse instead of baldrick ; seventeenth century stock ; straps nailed ; half-wheel. (31 July) 1637, Stokehamond. Bells 3. & a S 15 Bell. The fteeple in decay in tiling & wanteth some ftones in the water tables. . . . the fteeple wants pargetting 1 7 14, 3 bells (sanctus not mentioned, but doubtless existing). Death Knell : as soon as the sexton can be summoned. Tellers : 3x3= a man, 2 x 3 = a woman, 1 x 3 = a child, followed by the age of the deceased, previous to the tolling. The tenor tolled at funerals. On Sundays, the tenor is rung for five minutes " early." For Services, the three bells are chimed for a quarter of an hour. Many thanks to the Rev. E. Pain, Rector. STOKE MANDEVILLE. S. Mary. HONAR GOD 1633 (27*) 2. (29) PRAYES THE LORD 1633 3. EDWARD HALL MADE ME 173 WI FORD 10 SMITH O W ( 3 *i) 4- + <° 6 9 (34) 5- (37i) PRAYES THE LORD £636 Treble, 2, and tenor : by Ellis Knight (p. 127) ; treble tuned from lip ; crown- staple broken probably in the seventeenth century ; the two trebles have original stocks, 17! and 18 inches high ; straps nailed on. 3 : one of the earliest bells known by Edward Hall (p. 236) ; the lettering is Richard Chandler III.'s 1.2 inch set ; old stock, i8£ inches high, probably belonged to the present bell's predecessor (? by Ellis Knight) ; straps bolted. 4 : one of the first bells by Henry Knight II., with an Ellis Knight, probably also No. II, (p. 130) ; cracked ; original stock STOKE MANDEVILLE — STOKE POGES. 577 (perhaps made for its predecessor, like that of the third) ; straps bolted. Iron baldricks to all. The church was erected in 1886 ; the old one is still standing, about half a mile distant, quite away from the village. The bells, with the greater part of the frame, were removed from the old church ; they hang left-handed, in two tiers ; the upper one, containing the three smaller bells, is a long way above the lower one, with a floor between, and so awkward of access, as to be a serious addition to the duties of a steeple-keeper. 23 July, 1552, Stok mafyld {also manfyl) It inprimis in the ftepell iij belle It ij hande belle 14 July, 1638, Stoke mandevil 5 bells. 1714, 5 bells. Access to the ringing-chamber by a ladder in the porch, where there hang some belfry rules, of which the following is the substance : — On Sundays, at 8 a.m., one bell chimed ; and for each Service, all the bells chimed. Also for Service on Christmas Day, Ascension Day, and other Holidays. Ringing practice on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings, not less than four weeks before Christmas ; also ringing on Christmas and New Year's Eves. In the old church was a board with quaint directions to ringers painted on it; but this seems to have disappeared when the general removal to the new church took place. The only board of this kind now remaining in the county, is at Penn. STOKE POGES. S. Giles. 1. T Mbaes of London Fecit 1824 •:• Jambs Edson Chukchi Waeden 00000 {Incised:) C*Luff (2 9 f) 2. IOHN ; FENEMOEB ■ IOHN ; SLAUGHTER ■ CHVECH ; WAEDBNS O O O J772 O TH° S Swain Fecit TB° S Swain Fecit (3 1 x) 3. RJPHELPS FECIT 1728 © O ® o © o e o © o (34) 4. (34i) THO s ; HUNT ;■: IOHN ; SLAUGHTER ; CHURCH ; WARDENS ; THO s ■ SWAIN ; MADE • MEE ; J773 ; 5. {Ditto to $rd, except only 4 coins.) (37) 4 E 578 the church bells of buckinghamshire. 6. The reverend m r :Tho: Dolphin vicar mess rs : w m :QODFERY IOSEPH HEWET Ch : WARDENS R: PHELPS FE- CIT 1728 O © (4iJ> Treble (p. 105) : the money for this additional bell is said to have been found by the churchwardens, and two or three of the ringers. 2 (p. 141) : Swain's medallion is fig. 51 ; the three coins are obverses of a crown (i£ inch diameter); bust dexter, georgivs ii. dei gratia; on the stock is cut : 1841 TM CM. 3 : the ten coins are alternately the reverse and obverse of a coin nearly 1.2 inch diameter; Obverse : ? shield of arms, crowned, ioann . svbg . . . Reverse : cross potent, in . hoc . signo . vinces . . 1725 . . (p. 98). 4 : small canons. 5 : same coin as on third ; obverse and reverse alternately. Tenor : same coin, obverse and reverse ; very flat crown. Lipscomb (IV., 563), says: "Thomas Dolben, or Dolby, was instituted 18 Oct., 1726;" and his successor was inducted in December, 1754. In a footnote is added : " It appears that his name was Dally, though his father changed it to Dolben. His father was schoolmaster at Buckingham, and afterwards Vicar of Wendover ..." Phelps has recorded a fourth version of the name. All rehung some years ago, apparently by Warner, in the old left-handed frame ; 4 and 5 have new wheels by Knight, a carpenter at Stoke. 18 July, 1552, Stoke Pogez ffirft iiij belle 9 Aug: 1637. 4 Bells*. . . The Steeple and bellframes in decay . . . There was a vestry as Witim Cooke fayeth and one dwelling in it w ch did ring the bell at foure of the clock. 17 14, 4 bells. Private chapel in the parish : — Ditton. S. Mary. Single. 17 64 (i8£) Evidently by Lester and Pack, of Whitechapel (p. 100) ; iron lever. This Chapelry was separated from the parish church of Stoke Poges in the reign of James I., when Sir Ralph Winwood, Principal Secretary of State, entered into an agreement with the Bishop of the Diocese and the Incumbent, to endow the Chapel with fifty pounds per annum, and build a house for the residence of the Minister, t The chapel seems to have been built in 1617, and was rebuilt in 1817. It * This is under " Hedgley 7 Aug : " but the name and date are erased, having evidently been entered in mistake ; and that church was visited on the following day. I have very little doubt that the present entry is intended to refer to Stoke Poges. \ Lipscomb, IV., 570. STOKE POGES — STONE. 579 stands in Ditton Park, close to Ditton House (the Duchess of Buccleuch, whom I have to thank for permission to inspect the bell). Though in Stoke Poges parish, it is served from Datchet. 1637, Ditton Chappell Seene the 7. Aug : Nothing there is in it 1714 Ditten capella, one bell. STONE. S. John Baptist. 1. Cn$® BY J0PJVI W^l^JVIE^ § S0]VP LONDON +SS3=- (On Waist:) To spflE SlO^Y 0F 60D. 6lYE]S BY fijlRJlfi EpiLY B/U4 : ' (41) S- (i6|) RICHARD O MADE MB 1699 Treble : Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Bartlett reside at Peverel Court, in this parish, built in 1862. 2 and 4 : are evidently the survivors of a ring of five, cast by Ellis Knight in r634 (p. 127). 3 : the latest known bell, bearing the name of Chandler ; it is by "the firm" (p. 235), in George Chandler's i| inch letters. 2, 3, and 4: have their single canons broken, and are turned. 5 : The Rev. William Fletcher, M.A., of S. John's College, Cambridge, was presented 22nd February, 1832, by John Lee, Esq., LL.U., of Hartwell, on the nomination of the Council of the Astronomical Society of London. Tenor: the former bell, evidently by Ellis Knight, is said to have been inscribed: tenar hvm all rovnd 1634; most probably the first word was as. Saunce : by Richard Chandler III., in his 1.2 inch lettering (p. 233); the old clapper, and half-wheel. 1 7 14, 5 bells (sanctus not mentioned). 580 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Death Knell : as soon as notice of the death is given to the sexton. The tenor used for adults, the second for children. Tellers : 3 x 3 = a male ; 2 x 3 = a female. Before funerals, tolling once a minute for half an hour ; the tenor is again used for adults, while the second is only used for little children, and an intermediate bell for older children. On Sundays, the treble is rung for five minutes at 8 a.m. ; but this custom is now somewhat interfered with by chiming, on the Sundays when there is an early Celebration. For Services, all six bells are chimed (rung on Festivals) for fifteen minutes, then the tenor is rung for ten minutes, and the treble is rung for the last five minutes. These usages are old, except that up to about 1874, the saunce was used for the last five minutes before Services, instead of the treble. The saunce is now not used. About November 5th, ringing commences once a week, and gradually increases in frequency until the last week before Christmas, during which there is ringing every night ; and from S. Thomas's Day, every morning also, at about five o'clock. There was formerly midnight ringing on Christmas Eve ; but since 1886, ringing on Christmas Morning from seven to eight, before the early Celebration, has been substituted. Midnight ringing on New Year's Eve. There is said to have formerly been ringing on Coronation Day. Ringing for weddings when paid for. The treble is rung for Vestry Meetings. The churchwardens' accounts are only extant from about 1840. Many thanks to the Rev. J. L. Challis, Vicar. The following is a local witticism : — Stone bells ; Iron clappers. STOWE. Assumption B.V.M. 1. JAMES KEENE «$• MADE THIS RIND 1 6 5 tf * (3°i) 2. 1 6 6 o (33) 3. WILLIAM SPTCHER # CHVRCHWARDEN ft X 6 5 4 ft (35) 4. ROHART KNIGHT ft CHVRCHWAR- DEN ft I65tf * (38) 5. RICHARD KEENE MAD ME 16 6 5 ( 4 oi) S. {Blank) ( IO |) STOWE. 581 James Keene died in December, 1654 (p. 166), so the second is, like the fifth, by his successor (and probably son) Richard Keene (pp. 167 and 168). 4 : much tuned from lip by chipping. Tenor : has been rehung. Iron stays, and probably original clappers, to all. Saunce : is probably not later than the early part of last century ; cracked ; it has only four canons, and is nearly the same size all the way down from shoulder to lip ; rehung ; iron baldrick ; iron lever. (? 5 May) 1553, flow . . . iiij great bellf fif one faunfe bell hangyng in the fame church. 8 July, 1637. Stowe cu membris. the pinicle of the steeple at ye north eaft corner broken. . . . the bell frames broke. 4 bells but cannot be rung together the fteeple in decay. . . . Bell ropes in decay and y e frame 1 7 14, 5 bells. 1755, five very tuneable Bells, caft out of four about the Year 1661, as I am informed : And in a Niche or Arch Mill remaining between the Church and Chancel hung the Sacring or Saints Bell Thomas Sanders, Anno 1493, left a Legacy to buy a new Bell here. Death Knell : as soon as notice of the death reaches the sexton. Tellers, at end of knell : 5 strokes = a male, 3 = a female. There is muffled ringing at the funeral of a ringer. On Sundays, the treble is rung at 10 a.m. as Sermon Bell. For the Services, the Bells are chimed, but rung on Festivals. These are old uses. Special ringing during Advent, beginning on S. Andrew's Eve. Ringing after work on New Year's Eve, and before work on New Year's Day. Ringing for weddings when paid for, on the day of the wedding ; and on the Sunday following, if the newly-married pair are residents in the parish. Formerly, 5th November, Queen's Birthday, etc., were marked by ringing, but since the village has been removed (i\ miles) from the immediate neighbourhood of the church, these usages have ceased. A collection is made at Christmas, from ratepayers, through the churchwardens, for the remuneration of the ringers; the amount (which naturally varies) has, of late, averaged about ten shillings each, to band of seven ringers. Many thanks to the Rev. J. Warren, Vicar. Luffield Priory, the site of which was formerly assessed with this parish, is mentioned under Lillingstone Dayrell. STRATFORD, FENNY. S. Martin; the ancient chapel was S. Margaret. I. 2. 3- 4- CAST BY QILLETT & C° CROYDON 1887 (On CrOWn ;) 1028 (26) (Ditto) (do.) 1026 (27) (Ditto) (do.) 1029 (28) (Ditto) (do.) 1027 (29) 582 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. 5. CA8T BY GILLETT & C° CROYDON (On CrOlVtl '.) 1025 (On Waist:) nj& CAMPANiE IH GLORIA M DEI ET IN PIAM COMMEMORATIONEM ANNI SEMIS^ICUL. ARIS YIC . REG . 1887 A . H . BARROW . M.A. YICAR ( 3 4) 6. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT MVCCCXXIV (sic) (34I) s- ' (23) THE GIFT OF GLOCESTERSHIRE TO STRATFORD CHAPPEL 1T2J The five Gillett bells have only four flat canons apiece. Treble and 4 : much tuned from inside. Tenor : the latest bell by Briant in the county, and the only one on which this small lettering (^ inch high) is used (p. 106); it takes the place of a Rudhall bell, which, in its turn, had replaced a second-hand bell brought from Castlethorpe. Saunce : by Abraham Rudhall II. (p. in); iron baldrick and wooden splints. Until the Jubilee year, what are now the tenor and saunce, were the only bells. Browne Willis found Fenny Stratford without a church, the ancient Chantry Chapel having been, as he expressed it, " sacrilegeously demolished " in, or very soon after, 1544. Thanks to his energy, and liberality, the Chapel was rebuilt, from his designs, which, from an architectural point of view, are, however, hardly a success. It was consecrated in May, 1730. The liberal example he set, induced others to join in the good work, and from the inscription on the saunce, it seems as if a sum of money, about equal to the cost of the bell, was presented by residents in Gloucestershire ; but I can find no record of it. The following account of the Church and the bells here, is given in the MSS. (now among the Additional MSS. at the British Museum, see p. xv.) of the Rev. W. Cole, who, from 1753 to 1768, was Rector of Bletchley, to which, Fenny Stratford was a Chapel-of-Ease. The Foundation Stone of S*. Martin's Chapel of Fenny Stratford, was laid on S* Martin's Day, Nov: n. 1724. v. Vol. 20. p. 149. A 1727 hung up in Stratford new built Tower a Bell cast by M r : Rudhall wch £ * weighs 200, 3 Quartes & one Pound, & cost ... 18 . 9 . 01 Paid A" 1731, for a bigger Bell wch weighs 809 Pounds 55 . 4 . o) £ Frame hanging, carnage &c : ab{ ... ... 27. 0.0 B.W. In the old Chapel of Fenny-Stratford were 4 large Bells ; in the new one only two, viz : a small one of about 300 Weight, & a larger of 800 Weight. On the smallest is this : — The Gift of Gloucestershire to Stratford Chapell Bucks. FENNY STRATFORD. 583 On the bieeest is this • From a MS History of Newport Him- 56 ' dred lent me by M r .» Willis in 1767. W.C. Sint nostri Benefactores semper benedicti. A° 1727 hung up in Stratford new built Tower a Bell which weighed at 112 p Hundred, 200 3 Q? & 1 Pound. This Bell cost, as appears by M'. Rudhall's Receipt, with all its Materials, as Clapper, Gudgeons &c. ... 18. 9.0 Paid for a Bell bought at Castle-Thrup, viz : their biggest or 3"} Bell, weighing 400 2 Q'? & i8'b as appears by Receipts FeBr 24. 1730 & July 5 J73 1 •■• ••• ••• ... ... ... 40 . 10 . o P4 Mr Rudhall jun>-- June 23. 1731, for changing this Bell for one that weighed 800 & 9 Pounds ... ... ... ... 14 . 14 . o 73 ■ 13 • o N.B. The Charges of Carriage from Thrupp, Glocester, hanging them, & Timber, with Iron work cost above 22# & so this one Article of these 2 Bells have stood us in 95 Pounds & upwards. The " Petition spoke by the Patron B. W. to the BA of Lincoln " {Ibid.), records that : — It had formerly-an handsome spacious Chapel, consisting of 2 or 3 Isles, with an embatteled Tower in which there were 4 Bells. The "Historiola" of the new church, dated "Aug: 11 1747 " (Ibid.), states that :— It is built of Brick & paved with Free Stone : The square Tower with Battle- ments & 4 Pinnacles in w cl ». hang 2 Bells, was built first : under this Tower y e Founder proposes to lie buried : . The weights of the two bells, and their inscriptions, are again given in another place in Cole's MSS. ; the inscription on the smaller bell being more accurate than in the entry quoted above. Further on is : — In a. frame hangs the following Order: It is ordered & appointed that on any Notice or Knowledge of the Decease of the underwritten most worthy Persons (whose Honourable Ensigns of Arms are here placed in everlasting Remembrance, & whose Reward we trust is w th - the Almighty) that the great Bell of this Chapel shall be solemnly tolled, & rung out, in all Cases & Respects as if an Inhabitant of this Town was departed out of this transitory world; & that after the said Knell an Asteric shall be figured opposite to the name of the Defunct, that our Minister may on the Comemoration Day be warned to leave out his or her name in the annual Prayer for the Founders ; & this Table is therefore to remain as long as any of our said Founders survive, & this Order to be strictly observed in Relation to the following Persons our Founders, to whose Almes & example we principally owe y e mercifull Benefit of assembling & meeting here to joyn in Divine Worship. Then follow lists of names of persons and parishes, with the amount of their contributions; but Gloucestershire is not among them, so as to explain the inscrip- tion on the saunce. 584 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. The two bells here are among the later additions to Browne Willis's list, originally made in 1714. The Curfew is tolled on the tenor, for a few minutes nightly, at 8 p.m., during the winter months (but this can only, of course, be a modern revival). Death Knell : as soon as notice is sent to the clerk. On Sundays, for Services, the tenor is rung for ten minutes, then all the bells are chimed. The tenor is also rung for a few minutes after the Morning Service, Ringing on chief Church Festivals. Tenor rung for Vestry Meetings. There is a small endowment (land) for ringing the Curfew. Many thanks to the Rev. A. H. Barrow, Vicar. STRATFORD, STONY. S.Giles. 1. friyCOH CAMPANARUJS 0-V4 0-^-9 1837: 8 2. TAYLOB **oit OXON 1837:8. 3- <£ £-"£S> 0-& $ Fecerunt oxford *>c?e? > : c? . 4- Taylors Fecerunt OXFOED. \j£S\ "37:8. [£££] 5- ^>4 3*£ O ^ '8 BELLFOUNDEBS 0^$>0«&.& 1837!8 . 6. 1 S : T Peter 2 N : D C. 17 T : H "V". Fear GOD. HONOR THE KING W:& J : TATLOE OXFOED BELL FOUNDERS 1337:8 S. (Blank) Tenor : very much tuned from lip ; bad tone, probably cracked. Saunce : angular canons ; evidently by Taylor. For the following measurements (in inches), and the weights of this ring, I am indebted to Mr. A. D. Tyssen : — I. Diameter. 3° Height. 22 Thickness. at Circumference Circumference of Crown. of Waist. 5 2 59 Weight. cwt. grs, lbs. 531* II. 31 22 2 53 59 5 1 8* III. 33i 24 a* 58 66 6 2 1 IV. 35 25 *i 60 68 7 3 1 V. 38£ 26 4 65 74 8 3 7 VI. 43 31 2 l 77 83 12 2 22 s. 13* ... supposed about 50 These bells were rung for the first time on the day of the Queen's Coronation, June 28th, 1838. Mr. E. Swinfen Harris, F.R.I.B.A., kindly informed me that in * It seems natural to suppose that the weights of these two have been transposed, but it will be noticed that the treble is the thicker bell. STONY STRATFORD — WATER STRATFORD. 585 the summer of 1893 they were rehung by Messrs. Blackbourn and Greenleaf ; and a new floor added to the ringing-chamber from his designs. The church of S. Giles was built as a chantry, in 1451, and endowed in 1482. In 1487, John Edy left by will a legacy towards the expense of erecting a tower. In 1776, the church, with the exception of the tower, was rebuilt. Lipscomb (IV., 371) states: Five small bells. On the largest is this inscription, " Christus divinas det nobis gaudia vitas." This bell was probably cotemporary with the tower. The original parish church, dedicated to S. Mary Magdalen, from which S. Giles's was eventually separated as a distinct parish, was burnt down in 1742, except the tower, which was still standing when Lysons's History of the county was published in 1813. In 1 714, S. Mary Magdalen's " Chappell" had 6 bells : and S. Giles's " Chappell" 5. STRATFORD, WATER. S. Giles. * ^ * 3K&83& ^ R * Ci iS94 •9QXP ~X1A (On Sound-bow .') OOOOOOOOOO (26£) (»7i) PRO CAROLO NEWSHAM HANC RESONO MV5AM I669 3 MARY CORNWELL GAVE MEE J632 NEW CAST BY H BAGLY JJ°JT ISAAC RUSHWORTH RECTOR O GEORGE CROW oCoWo&oO $ (3°i) S. 4g#*§+- -+®>J*3+- -t£**3+- -+S>2*3+- O v W™ FILLPOT C : W 4g*M*- e: hemins fecit J736. -+S**3+- -02-^+- (13 J) Treble: by Bartholomew Atton (p. 199): the lettering is on Plates XXVIII. and XXIX. ; the large ornate cross is on the latter ; the small cross pat'ee, and the other ornament, on either side of it, are Nos. 1 and 5 on XXX. ; the three stamps between the two names are 4 and 5 on XXX., with fig. 66 between them \ the coins are about i\ inch diameter. 2 : by Richard Keene (p. 169) ; I have not succeeded in ascertaining anything about Charles Newsham, who was evidently the donor of the bell. 3 (p. 267) : I have also failed to discover anything about Mary Cornwell, 4 F 586 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. who gave the treble in 1594, and the predecessor of the third in 1632 ; possibly she was connected with the family of Franckyshe, of this parish; the Rev. Isaac Rushworth, A.M., was Rector from 1694, to his death in 1720; he was the suc- cessor of the eccentric John Mason. The large fleur-de-lis and rose are from the running pattern No. 3 on Plate XXXII. The coins are : first, 1 ^ inch diameter, bust dexter, George I. ? ; second, \\ inch diameter, bust ditto ? ; third and fourth, same size, bust sinister, anna dei gratia ; fifth, same size, reverse, arms crosswise, mag. bri. fr — et. hib. reg. 1 7 — ; sixth : i T 7 ^ inch diameter, (?). Saunce (p. 257) : the words in the upper line are incised; the ornament is fig. 85; wooden lever. Iron baldricks to all. May, 1553, wat r ftratfford ij great bellf &> a faunfe bell. 7 July, 1637, 3 Bells and a Sancts bell. 1 714, 3 bells (saunce not mentioned). Death Knell : tellers, 3 x 3 = a male ; 2 x 3 = a female. On Sundays, for Services, bells chimed twenty-five minutes ; saunce for last five. No ringing on Festivals or other special occasions. Thanks to the Rev. L. E. Goddard, Rector. The following entries in the churchwardens' accounts are quoted from Mr. J. L. Myres's paper on this parish in the Records of Bucks, VII., p. 135 (1893) : — 1807. Jan. 17. payed for new Bell Rops and two Cords to let a Korpes in the grave 2 . 6 1810. Ap. 9. payd Bill for puttin Rolers to the Bells ... ... ... 3.6 SWANBOURNE. S. Swithun. 1. 16 54 CHAtfDELER MADE ME (31^) 2. REC7I.S3? BY J0P]S WH^NE^ § JS0]V[jS Ii0]tfD0]VI ISS4'- (33) 3,4- (36,38!) CflgT B ¥ J0PN WPP^ § ]S0]SS L0]5D0]VI J S 6 3 =• 5. 16 54 CHAMDELER MADE ME (43) S. J WARNER & SONS LONDON 1883 (l6) Treble and tenor : survivors, doubtless, of a ring of five by Anthony Chandler (p. 224) ; both turned; treble's crown-staple broken. The previous inside bells were cracked by hammering, in 1863; 3 and 4 were recast the same year; but the second remained for twenty- one years, presumably not being in so bad a case as the others, although in 1879, a piece fell out from it. Weight of present third, 8 cwt. 2 qrs. 10 lbs. ; note A ; and of fourth, 9 cwt. 3 qrs. 26 lbs. ; note G. The former saunce was inscribed: R C 1702 = Richard Chandler III. (p. 233). SWANBOURNE — TAPLOW. 58; One very cold Sunday, about Christmas, 1882, when the bell was being chimed for Service as usual, the sound was noticed becoming very odd, and increasingly so ; the cause did not occur to anyone at the time, but on investigation, it was found that the bell had split. Probably it had worn very thin, and the hard frost rendered it unusually brittle. Bells rehung (? by Bond) in old left-handed frame. 23 July, 1552, Swanborn, iiij bells. A fanctus bell A handbell [A Sepulchre folde to the repacon of the feyte in the churche with A hand bell]° (On the back : — ) this InvytoT wantithe a hanbell 18 July, 1638, Swanborne : 5 bells, S«f bell, the steeple pgeting doeth want, all the butterices in decay. 1 7 14, 5 bells (saunce not mentioned, but evidently in existence). Death Knell : as soon as possible, if in daylight ; if after sunset, at 9 next morning. The age is tolled. Tellers : 3 x 3 = a male ; 2 x 3 = a female. For funerals, a bell tolled for half an hour previously. On Sundays, for the Services, the bells are chimed, but rung on the great Festivals ; in the middle of the time the tenor is rung alone for ten minutes, as Sermon Bell ; the saunce chimed for the last five minutes. These uses are probably old; they were at any rate in use with the late parish clerk, who died in 1882, after forty-two years of office. The treble is rung for a few minutes at the end of Morning Service, called the Continuation Bell ; no doubt (as is locally said to be the reason) to intimate that there will be a second Service held. Treble is also used to summon the children, both to week-day and Sunday schools. RingiDg on 5th November, and on the same day in each succeeding week, up to Christmas. Ringing on S. Thomas's Day at 6 a.m. ; and at midnight on Christmas and New Year's Eves. On Christmas Day at 8 a.m., and at 2 and 7 p.m., as well as for Service. For Harvest Thanksgiving, and other local festivals, at 6 a.m., and also in the evening. Nothing relating to the bells, apparently, in the parish documents. Many thanks to the Rev. W. Miles Myres, Vicar. TAPLOW. S. Nicholas. 1. THOMAS MEARS FOUNDER LONDON { 2 lh Note E) 2. THOMAS MEAES POUNDER LONDON 18 40 (29J, „ D) 3. 00 T. Meaes op London Fecit 182 8 ooocx (33. .. Q S. {Blank) (14) Treble : cracked ; letters only half-an-inch high ; it is evidently (from the churchwardens' accounts quoted below) the same date (1840) as the second; Mr. * Erased. 588 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Henry Wilson (of Windsor, 1864) noted that there had been an inscription defaced on the waist of the bell. Weight of tenor, 4 cwt. 3 qrs. Saunce : said to have been one of the clock bells at Cliveden, and given to the church by Lord Orkney. The old church was pulled down in 1828, and the present one erected (on a new site), by Thomas John, fifth Earl of Orkney, as he wished to throw the churchyard into the lawn of Taplow Court. The frame comes from the old church. 10 Aug: 1637, Taploe 3. Bells & a S'f Bell. The great Bell wants a rope. 1 7 14, 3 bells (saunce not mentioned). Death Knell : tolled the following morning, after nine o'clock. Tellers : three blows on each bell = a man, two on each, = a woman, and one on each, = a child. One bell is tolled at funerals. On Sundays, one bell rung at eight a.m. Formerly the three were chimed for Morning and Evening Service, but the treble has been cracked for some years, and now only one bell is chimed, followed by the saunce for last five minutes. The bells were formerly rung on the King and Queen's Birthdays, Coronation Day, and Gunpowder Plot. Extracts from the Churchwardens' Accounts. Aprill the 23d payd for Ringing October the 21 Ped charges for Ringing of gunpouder Treson December io'h Ped for Ringing thanksgiving day Ped for Ringing the quenes Birthday Jany 14&* ... Aprill the 28 ped for three new bellropes July 10 th Ped for Ringing one shillin for the newes P d for Ringing on the queens Crownation Dayf ... March 14 for three new Bell ropes 1713-4 for a set of Bell ropes December ped to the ringers of the quins Beth day Pe d to the Ringers for proclaiming the King. J: 1715 Paid y e Ringers ye Kings Burthday Paid ye Ringers ye Kings Crowashon Day! Dec r ye 26 Paid ye Ringers of quen An's burthday P d M r Stanet for dril the bel Jany 19 1717 given the Ringers at the returne of the King 1718 June 2o l11 Pe d a king George Crowned Ped Mary Hollis for Riners on ye Crownnasion day. Paid for Caring ye bell to reding§ for casting ye bell & putting 26 pound of new Mettle to it at 14 pence a pound & sending horn 1706 1707 1708. 1710. 1711 1720 1722 00 — 03 — 00. 00 — 03 — 00. 00 — 03 — 00. 00 — 03—00. 00 . 06 . 00. 00—01 — 00. 00 — 03 — 00. 00-09 — °°. 00 — 08—06. 00—05—00. o — 2 — o. o — o — 6. 00—02 — 06. 00 — 05 — 00. 00 — 05 — 00. — 1—6 2 — 10 — o. * Q. Anne born Feb. 6th, 1664. f Crowned April 23rd, 1702. I George I. proclaimed Aug. 1, 1714. || Crowned Oct. 20th, 1714. § No doubt to Henry Bagley, who recast the Beaconsfield bells at Reading that year. TAPLOW. 589 o— 1— 3. 00 — 09 — 00. for a rope for ye tingtang ... 1727 Paid John Stannet for iron work for the Bells 1729. Sep. 25. for Rining thre days ... ... .. 00-01—06 1731 May 20 pd for mending ye Sain* Bell ... ... ... 00.03—00. 1732. Oct. 20 paid for Ringers Gurenneaion* Day ... ... 00.03—00 1733- Ped for Ringers ... ... ... ... '00-01-00. 1735- November 25. Spent as ringing money on the Kings Beth day. 00—05—00. May yes Spent a meding a bout the Beles ... ... 00—01—06. 1736. September 10A Ped Thomas Whittenton for Lether for the Bells 00—02—06. 1737. April. Paid to Christopher Rowley for reparing theBells & welles 02—08—06. May 11 Pd tho Read for Driling the Bell ... ... 01—02—00. 1738 Ped the Widow Alldrig for Ringin ... ... ... 00—10—00. 1739 Febary ye i=t Pad Gillett for 4 Bl ropes wed 28 pound and a haf 0—14—03. 1742. Ped to William Read for reparing the Bells and other things 00—12— 4. for 3 bel Rops w" 30 pounds ... ... ... o — 15—0. 1743 ped the 3 Rining days ... ... ... ... 00—09—00. 1746. March 30. paid for new bell Ropes ... ... ... 00 — 15 — 00. 1749 October ye 20. Paid Colour for four new ropes for the Church 00—18—00. 1752 Paid the ringin money ... ... ... ... o — 9 — o. Pd J Wyvell for Bell Ropes ... ... ... o— 18— o. 1755. To Paid. Doc tr Read mending Bells ... ... ... 0—1—6. 1757. To 4 new Bell Ropes ... ... ... ... o — 7 — o 1758 July 6 To Paid to John Wivil for a sett of new bell Ropes — 15 — o. Paid for one Tenor Ropef ... ... ... ... — 6 — . 1769 To M rs Meads 3 Ringing day's ... ... ... o — 9—0 (In Thomas Swain's autograph : — ) Febuary y e 15 : 1770 Rec d of Mr BrichenshawJ the sum of Ten Pounds Eighten Shillings For Recasting the Trible Bell and a New Stock & Carradge and Putting up the same with Iron Work belonging by me Tho 5 Swain £ s d 10^18 — 4 * This will, no doubt, be recognised as a local variety of the word Coronation. f The following entry, though having no connection with matters campanological, will, perhaps, bring its own excuse for quoting it here : — 1767. Physick ... ... 0.1.6 Cuting is are 2 pare of stockings ... 2 pare of souse X John Briginshaw, became Church "wham" in 1769, 0.0 6 2 .4 4.6 S90 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. (In another handwriting : — ) expencsis with goin to bel fowndar and his men In takin Down it and puttin up the same and other asistance In Doin of it 1 . 5 . 10 1771. To new bell Ropes ... Mrs. Meads 3 Ringing days Aoi 7 2oth paid Thonlas Swain for casting the Bell and new Clapper John Read for Iron work for the Bell as per Bill M rs Meads for 3 Ringing days ... Dec. ye 10. 4 new Bell Ropes 1773 Paid Mrs Meads for 3 Ringing days Paid John Read his bill for reparing the Bell Paid John Read for repairing the Bells and a seat in the Belfry as per Bill. 1777 Paid M rs Meads for 3 Ringing days 1778 Paid John Read his bill for mending the Bells &c 1790. April 14 P. o „ o THORNBOROUGH. ego 5 pairs of Brasses 44 J lbs. at 3/- £6 „ 13 „ 6 5 Bell ropes 9/- 2 „ 5 „ o 5 Guide Rolls at 6/- 1 ,, 10 „ o ^10 „ 8 ~6 £ „ s. „ d. Total of Messrs. Naylor & Co's a/c 239 „ 14 ,, 4. Carriage of Bells from Sheffield ... £7 ,, o „ 6 Bellhanger ... ... ,£10 ., 2 ,, 11. The Marriage Register, besides the above account of the steel bells, fortunately contains the following account of the old ring, embellished with careful drawings of the inscriptions, minus, however, the crosses and such other ornamental stamps as may have occurred on the two "ancients " : — June 13, 1861. The four Bronze Bells were taken down from the Tower, the inscrip- tions on them were as follows — 1 jlffi! ^rinripio jSra 0Jaria Qpo EDWARD HALL MADE ME 1736 3- In JIMtfe ^nnte :%fomt Qampana Ioijannte 4. HENR* KNK5HT MADE TH *S BELL ANO DOMJN5 $6«o * WHOSE NAME «S CALED GABRfiELL xxxx (i.) This Bell measured in height 2 ft. 11 in. ; in diameter 35 (thirty-five) inches, and in circumference 9 ft. 2 in., and weighed about 8 cwt. (2.) Height 2 ft. 10 inches ; diameter 36 inches, circumference 9 ft. 8 inches. Weight about gi cwt. (3.) This Bell measured in height 3 ft. 7$ in., in diameter 40 (forty) inches, & circum- ference 10 ft. 5 inches. (4.) This Bell measured in height 3 ft. 10 inches ; in diameter 3 ft. 9 inches, and in circumference 1 1 ft. 8 in. The four Bronze Bells weighed together 4910 lbs. and were sold at g<* pr. lb. for ,£184 „ 3 „ o to Messrs. Naylor & Co., September 27,1861. Thos. Edw. Watkins. I have placed these bells according to their size ; but in the Register the order is (using the above numbers)— 3, 2, i, 4 ; the cross on the fourth is placed as here copied, after 16 10; but possibly the inscription was in two lines, the -f- beginning 4 G 594 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. the first, and whose the second. The capitals on the treble measured about 2\ inches in height inclusive of their crowns, and were no doubt identical with those on the Wingrave Tenor, Plate XIII.; the smalls also appear to be identical; and therefore, it is very likely to have been cast — like that bell — by John Danyell ; see p. 36. The inscription is recorded by Browne Willis, MSS., cix., 29, who mentions it as the treble; he writes "Sancta" in full. The lettering on the second seems to be Richard Chandler III.'s 1.2 inch set, which was ordinarily used by Hall. The capitals on the third were about i T 3 g- in. high ; and appear to be the set (fig. 9) ascribed by Mr. Stahlschmidt (Kent, Plate III.) to William Burford; as he died in 1392, this bell, being "mixed Gothic" (seep. 19), woiild have been by a subsequent possessor of the stamps, most likely Robert Burford (p. 24), if I am right in my identification of the drawings. The tenor was by Henry Knight I. (p. 124), and was without much doubt a recast of an "ancient," with some form of the hexameter, Missi de celis habeo nomen Gabrielis. This ring is mentioned in Records of Bucks, II., p. 286. While one cannot cease to regret that these bells are no more, yet at least we may be grateful to the Rev. T. E. Watkins for preserving so careful a record of them ; and we must hope that, in the future, any incumbent, who for any reason decides to destroy an old bell, will, while he still has the opportunity, " go and do likewise." 5 May, 1553, Thornborow, iiij great belle 6° one faunfe bell. 10 July, 1637, 4 Bells & a S 1 ? Bell y= fteeple windowes to be reprd 1714, 4 bells (saunce not mentioned). The "Pancake Bell" on Shrove Tuesday, was discontinued about 1830 ; it used to be rung by women, at 11.30 a.m. Death Knell : tolled on the tenor for a full hour, within an hour of the death, if before sunset, otherwise at eight next morning. Tellers, 3 x 3 = a male ; 2 x 3 = a female. Before funerals, a " Call Bell " is first tolled, to give notice to the bearers ; and then after a short pause, one bell is tolled for an hour. As the procession enters the church, the sanctus bell is used, and continued until all are in their places. On Sundays, the bells are chimed for half an hour before the Services, the saunce (here called " the Saints' Bell ") being used for the last few minutes. During the last few years, the bells have been (?) chimed both before and after Morning Service on the first Sunday in the month, being Holy Communion Sunday. Formerly (until about 1830)', when clocks were scarcer than at present, the bells were chimed at eleven o'clock on Sunday mornings, for about ten minutes, even if there was to be no Service. Ringing twice a week from S. Andrew's Day (November 30th), and including old "'t Andrew" (December nth), until Christmas. Also on Christmas and New Year's Eves, and on Christmas morning. THORNBOROUGH— THORNTON. 595 Ringing on the Anniversary of the Benefit Society (the first Wednesday in June), at 4 a.m. and 9 p.m.; on 5th November, when the bells are fired and "shot" (whatever that may be), etc. ; and also after weddings and baptisms, when paid for. About 1840, the bells were occasionally also rung on the day after a wedding, when paid for. Until about i860, a bell was rung for vestry meetings. Very many thanks to the Rev. W. Steadman, Vicar. THORNTON. S. Michael. ;DgY^3ie 5 ¥e;jK^i3 (36*) 2. 163 5 ( 3 8i) 3 4* jSum Hofa ;pultata flQtm tii fljarta Vocata 4* u (44) Treble : a fourteenth century bell, probably by a more or less local founder (p. 15); the cross and lettering are figured on Plate VII. P^0 GLY'/I seems to refer to Elias de Tingewick, who was presented to the rectory in 131 5, by Roesia de Chastillon (apparently the widow of Malcolm de Chastillon, whose death however, Lipscomb places at "about 13 18"); Elias probably died in 1343, see p. 15. A namesake of his was tenant, in 1285, of two mills and three acres of land in the adjoining parish of Beachampton, but there is nothing to indicate his relationship. In the "Feet of Fines" (Bucks), for 13 Edward I. (= 1285) : — • Hec eft finalis concordia facta in Curia Dni Regis apud Weftm a Die Pafch in vnu mens. Anno regni Regis Edwardi filii Regis Henrici tciodeco / coram Thom de Weyland Jorie de louetot Rogo de Leyceftre &• Wilto de Braton Justic 6-° aliis Dni Regis fidelibus tunc ibi pYent. Int . Rot5m de Bray de Bechampton petente p Ractm de Bray pofitum loco suo ad lucrandum uel pdend &° Eliam de Tyngewyke tenente de duobus molendinis fir» trib3 acris trre cum ptin in Bechampton. Vnde plm fuit int eos in eadem Curia, scitt qd predcs Robts recogfi predca tenementa cum ptin effe ius ipius Elie. Et ille remisit fir» quiet clairi de se ^Mfe Hdfr &db ^3* SBiJfe »©fr •Brae 1 s6i l *"* $$s •& 4Hf ■90* a* )fe fW ^EC ^S^ V* 5SJ& ift *&$ % M$ + 5 Of KR r^+ (ia\ 3- ^ ftomm jlZagfcralrne jZampana ©frit jKeloiJt'e u (35!) 4. & PRAYSE ® YE $ THE » L0RBE » ALWAYSE » is 2 3 ( 3 s|) 5. "WHEN (Jig.i5,™.) I (*.,i4*«.) EINGE (<&.,<&.) OR (&,&)TOLE (*.,|f».) MY(^,ilw.)VOICE (<&.,*.) IS {do.,do.) SPENT (*.,«§ /».) MEN(&,i|m.)MAY(&,|m.)COM(*.,i1»)AND (&,ik) HEAR (do., 3I ««.) GODS (<&., ii *».) WOED (<&., do.) AND (<&., Treble, 4, and saunce : by Robert Atton (pp. 204-205), in the medium-sized lettering, of which samples are given at the bottom of Plate XXXI. ; the rose on all three is No. 10 on Plate XXX. On the treble, the date is in the original set of figures ; the crown and square stop are at the bottom of Plate XXXI. ; and the oblong stop is the arabesque, fig. 68. 2 : the lettering is on Plates XXVIII. and XXIX. ; the ornate cross is on the latter, and the shield is fig. 66 (p. 198). 3 : by John Walgrave (p. 31); the cross and shield are figs. 17 and 18; the capitals are on Plate XII. ; the inscription is in exceptionally sharp, fresh condition ; bell much reduced from lip by tuning ; turned ; curious old wheel, perhaps converted from a half-wheel. Tenor : by one of the Henry Bagleys, other than the first founder of the name (p. 218) ; the lettering is the heavy set, one inch high ; the floral ornament before and after the date, is fig. 76. 3 and 4: have short wooden stays ; the others have iron stays, with horizontal bolt-like sliders of iron. (? 5 May,) 1553, Tyngweek/ iiij great belle &* one faunfe bell. 7 July, 1637, Tingfwicke 5 Bells. & a Clock. 5 bells they have. 17 14, 5 bells (sanctus bells not mentioned in this list). The "Pancake Bell" is rung on Shrove Tuesday, at 11.30 a.m., on the third bell. Death Knell : tolled as soon as possible after death, usually within three hours. The tenor used for persons over twelve years, the fourth for children up to that age. Tellers, 3 x 3 = a male ; 2 x 3 = a female. One bell tolled for half an hour before funerals. Muffled ringing in the evening after the funeral of a ringer. On Sundays, the treble is rung at 8 a.m., to give notice that there will be Morning Service ; and at the conclusion of the Service, to give notice that there will be Afternoon Service : this latter use is known as the " Oven Bell." For the Services, the bells are (?) chimed for twenty-five minutes, if enough ringers are present, otherwise only the two trebles; the saunce for the last five minutes. On great festivals, when there is an early Celebration at 8.30, the two trebles are (?) chimed for ten minutes, and the saunce for the last five minutes. Sermon Bell rung at 10.30 a.m., and 2.30 p.m. These usages are of long standing. For week-day Services in Lent, the two trebles are (?) chimed for ten minutes, followed by the saunce for five. From S. Andrew's Day (November 30th) until Christmas, the bells are rung from 7 to 8 p m., three times a week (besides Sundays) ; and every night from Christmas to the New Year. 59§ THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. On Christmas Day, used as on Sundays, with the addition of ringing from 6 to 7 p.m. Midnight ringing on Christmas Eve (11.30 p.m. to 12.30 a.m., with a pause for five minutes at midnight) ; also formerly, on New Year's Eve, but now there is muffled ringing on that evening from 7 to 8 ; and on New Year's Day, ringing from 6 to 7 a.m., and from 7 to 8 p.m. Until the last few years, the bells were rung on January 29th (? a mistake for May 29th), May 24th (the Queen's Birthday), June 28th (Coronation), and November 5th (Gunpowder Treason). Of these, only May 24th is still continued. Ringing for an hour when the Warden and Fellows of New College, Oxford — the Patrons of the Living — hold their annual Court. For weddings when requested. The treble is rung for a few minutes before Vestry meetings. The churchwardens' accounts are reported "devoid of information respecting the bells," but in the Parish Registers are the following entries : — 1788. Paid for ringing, May 29 th . ... — .2.6 1794. Bell Ropes. ... ... ...1.5.0 There are other entries of beer and money to the ringers. Very many thanks to the Rev. W. J. B. Hancock, Curate. TO WERSE Y. S . Catharine. 1. WILLIAM NORTH WILLIAM RADFORD c w I695 (27D 2,3 THIS BELL WAS MADE £62 7 (29,32) 4- <35i) PRAYES THE LORD £627 S. {Blank) (16) Treble: by Richard Keene (p. 171). 2, 3, and tenor: by Ellis Knight (p. 127) ; it seems likely that he recast the old ring of three, and that the present treble was an addition. The saunce is one of the round-shouldered, round-lipped bells ; it has a space of one inch between the rims, in which is a raised band, T \ inch broad ; and is, apparently, late seventeenth or early eighteenth century ; not unlikely, I think, to be a late example by Richard Keene (p. 171); turned; iron lever. The (modern) tower is over the south porch ; the bells have horizontal iron stays, and wooden upright sliders hinged at the bottom. In 1 7 14, 4 bells (saunce not mentioned). TOWERSEV. 599 Death Knell : tolled for an hour, as soon as convenient. For funerals, one bell is tolled. On Sundays, the bells are chimed for Service ; the saunce, called the Sermon Bell, used the last few minutes. Ringing generally at Christmas, New Year, and Harvest Thanksgiving ; for weddings when paid for. One bell rung for Vestry Meetings. Extracts from the Churchwardens' Accounts. Aug' 1742 Paid the ringers 5 -° Sep. 1743 (ditto) Nov. )» (ditto) 51 1» A lot of Bell ropes 11 . 1744 (ditto) 1746 (ditto) 10 . )J Gave to the Ringers ... 5 -° Nov. 5 » Paid the Ringers 5.0 1748 (ditto) »J 4 Bell ropes 10 . 1751 Beer for the ringers 5 -° A sett of Bell ropes 10 . 1752 Paid the Ringers for Gunpouder ... 6.0 Paid for Bell ropes 11 .6 Nov. 5 1753 Paid the Ringers 5 -° I75S Beer for the Ringers ... 5 . (twice) 1756 Paid for Bell ropes 10 . 6 JJ Beer for Ringers 5 . (twice) 1757 (ditto) (twice) 1758 Paid for Bell ropes 13.6 ») Paid for Ringers S -o 1759 Paid ringers S -° 1761 Beer for ringers 5 -° New Set of Bell ropes... 13 . 1762 Spent on ringers 5 -o 1763 Beer for ringers 5 .0 1764 Paid for Bell ropes 12 . »» Beer for ringers 5.0 1768 Paid Mr. Crips doing the Bells ... 4.2.9 1769 for a new claper for the first Bell ... 14.8 ?J pd John Tomlinson for doin the Bell 5-7-4 1773 Pd for mendin the Bell 1 . for a new set of Bell ropes 15 .0 1777 Paid for Bell ropes 12 . 1778 for a tenner rope 4.6 600 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. 1780 for Bell ropes 12 .6 1782 for a set of Bell ropes ... 14 . 8 178s Paid the Ringers twice 10 . 1788 Gave the Ringers at is {sic) Majesty's recovery* 10 , 1789 for Bell ropes & cords ... 17 . 1793 a set of Bell ropes 15 . 1799 for four Bell ropes .. 1.5 ■4 2. Very many thanks to the Rev. R. Pargiter, Vicar. TURVILLE. S. Mary. 1. HENRY KNIGHT MADE MEE +670 PRAYES THE LORD 5628 3. CHARLES CUTHBERT VicR JOHN JuENS JOHN QuARTERMAIN CH : WARDENS J 7 4 4 T. LESTER made me (3SJ) S. 1729 Treble: by Henry Knight II. (p. 133) ; small ball to clapper; stay in middle of stock. 2 : by Ellis Knight (p. 127); the letters average i T 5 g- inches in height. Tenor : the Rev. Charles Cuthbert, M.A., was presented to the living by Messrs. Richard Pocock, Francis Styles, and Nathaniel Carter, on the 6th April, 1732 ; his successor was presented on 13th December, 1770. The saunce is no doubt by R. Phelps (p. 98). The frame and hangings are not later than the date of the newest bell (1744) ; the sliders slide from both ends, instead of being hinged at one end. The stocks are so short, that the timbers of the cages are cut into, fully three inches deep on each side, to allow the mouths of the bells to swing clear ; probably when hung, they were intended to be chimed only ; the wheels are of very peculiar pattern. (18?) July, 1552, Turfilde (the list is gone). 14 Aug : 1637, Turfeild . 3 Bells & a S^ Bell. The butterices of the fteeple in decay in the foundacon. 1714, 3 bells (saunce not mentioned). Death Knell: as soon as intimation of the death is received. Tellers: 3 strokes = a male ; 2 = a female. On Sundays, the tenor is rung at 8 a.m. The bells are chimed for the Services. These are old uses. Ringing on 5th November, and New Year's Eve ; also after weddings. Thanks to the Rev. T. M. Studholme, Vicar. * See foot-note, p. 512. TURWESTON— TWYFORD. 6or • TURWESTON. Assumption B. V. Mary. * A +626 (22 |) H A »«»5 {asi) By Robert Atton, of Buckingham (p. 205), in his small lettering (Plate XXX.). Treble : cracked ; crown-staple broken and keyed ; inner straps nailed, outer pair bolted; gudgeons half-way up stock. Tenor: has new stock and straps. Rough wheels of curious pattern, and original clappers, to both. I counted seven pigeons and one starling lying dead in the intermediate loft, and did not stop to count the carcases in the bell-chamber. 5 May, 1553, Turwefftone . . . ij great bellys [and one fauns bell]* 7 July, 1637, Turweston, Bells . 2. 1 714, 2 bells. 1755, At the Weft End is a mean low Tower, covered with a floping leaded Roof, in which hang two little Bells, caft Anno 1626. TWYFORD. Assumption B. V. Mary. 1. W . BIiCWS ARD SOUS EOURDeRjS BIRJlUriG- HAJll 18 2. / 2ga) 2- Joshua Lambuen Alex^r («v) Sheen John Hughes Chuech "Wardens 1 8 5 OOOOOOOOOOOO Thomas Mears & Son of London Fecit (30$) 3. LESTER AND PACK OF LONDON FECIT J758 <§**§► {"fr****************** (32) 4. wiDiiiAm BEews aiid sons , bir- mmGHAm 1 8 6 9 ^ °& & * * # -S 5 -j- a a a osc^ 6 $ & $ O H I 2 (37*) 6. TAYLOR & SONS . OXFORD . FOUNDERS . MDCCCXXVlII . ••• W : HARPER . J : SteveNS . & J : mIddletoN . c : wardens. (4o£) 5. {Blank) (13J) Treble and 4 : the only examples by these founders in the county (p. 263) ; flat canons. 2 (p. 105) and 3 (p. 100). 5 : for conjecture as to the founder of this bell, see p. 188 ; the cross and lettering are on Plate XXVII. ; much chipped from lip for tuning ; high canons. Tenor : the lettering, as usual in Taylor's older bells, Erased. 4 H 602 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. is not uniform ; low canons ; much chipped from lip for tuning. Saunce : has four single canons only, as at Thornborough, etc. ; probably early eighteenth (or seven- teenth) century ; iron baldrick ; lever. With the apparent exception of the treble cage, the frame is old, and of rather^ peculiar construction ; some of the timbers, which are handsomely chamfered, are probably sixteenth century. Modern wheels; apparently replaced on more recent stocks made by some local practitioner, the date, 1870, scribbled in pencil on that of the third, perhaps marks its date. On November 3rd, 1887, the church was reopened, after partial restoration, which included the rebuilding of the tower, during which the bell-frame was shored up, and some repairs were effected. Two 720's (Minor) were rung on that occasion, by members of the Oxford Diocesan Ringing Guild, who found the " go " of the bells somewhat rough and heavy.* 5 May, 1553, Twyfford, iiij great bellys and one fauns bell. 1 1 July, 1637, Twiford 5 Bells & a S'= Bell. 1 714, 5 bells ; and 1755, 5 modern bells. An entry in the old Parish Book, undated, but in handwriting corresponding with that in the churchwardens' accounts between 1709 and 1721, records the inscriptions on the bells then here : — An account of y e Inscriptions of y e Bells in Twyford Parish Church Steeple — First Bell. -f- R . A . 1618 The 2l£. Bartholomewe Attun 1394 [An obvious mistake for 1594] The -g£. J . K . -(- 1627 The 4« [The Alphabet Bell, now the 5*] The 5<* God save our King 1627. R. A. on the treble was, of course, Robert Atton ; and the third and tenor were, no doubt, by James Keene. Death Knell : tellers, 3 strokes = a man, 2 = a woman, 1 = a child. On Sundays, a bell was formerly rung at 9 a.m., but this is now discontinued. Before Service, the tenor is rung if there is to be a sermon ; then the bells are chimed ; and the saunce for the last five minutes. These are old usages. Special ringing for Christmas and New Year. Many thanks to the Rev. H. C. Collier, Vicar. TYLERS GREEN. S. Margaret. Modern parish ; church built 1854. One bell. * Bell News, VI., 397. 2 TYRINGHAM. 603 TYRINGHAM (with Filgrave). S. Peter. 1. + ECCE PVAM BONVM Et PVAM IVCVNDVM 162 9 ( 29 |) • RICHARD CHANDLER MADE ME 1720 ( 3a) 3. + SICVt ROS HERMON IN KONTE SION 162 9 ( 33 |) 4- THOMAS + RVSSELL * O F WOOTTON + BY BEDFORD MADE ME 3fi IAMES BROOKES CHVRCHWARDEN JJ35 (37*) 5. RICHARD CHANDLER MADE ME &OJI (4i» Treble and 3 : by James Keene (p. 164); the cross on each is No. 4 on Plate XXVI. Crown-staple of treble broken ; original stock to third. 2 : the lettering is Richard Chandler III.'s 1.2 inch set (p. 235); inscription below usual position ; very high canons; original stock. 4 (p. 255). Tenor: by Richard Chandler III.; the only example in the county on which this 1^ inch set of lettering is used (p. 234). Left-handed seventeenth-century frame ; most of hangings renewed. Some of the brasses were worn out; but in 1889, as the Rev. J. Tarver, Rector, kindly informed me, two of the bells were rehung, and various repairs effected. In 1714, 5 bells. Lipscomb (IV., 380) : Five modern bells, cast out of three. He further states that the roof of Filgrave Church (S. Mary) appears to have fallen in, in the reign of Elizabeth, and the parishioners, consequently, deserted it. He supposes the tower to have contained three bells. The MSS. of James Temple Mansel,* state that Filgrave Church had : — An embattled Tower of 10 feet diameter which could not contain above three bells. The tower was pulled down in 1788, the remainder of the church having decayed before then. The peal of Filgrave Church consisted of 3 bells, two of which were taken away to Tyringham and one to Sherington. There is a tradition at Stoke Goldington that one came there. * Kindly communicated by Mr. Fredk. W. Bull, of Kettering. 604 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. UPTON. S. Lawrence. sin g ie. <9m Z> f)ope V fs Z> in V tlje MEARS FOUNDERS LONDON (On Waist:) these bells were rehung & the TREBLE AND TENOR ADDED IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 1855 HENRY FLEETWOOD NASH WILLIAM BONSEY CHURCHWARDENS ( 2 7^) 5. R X PHELPS FECIT 172 5 jfr ^fc jfr $? jt S $L !fc ^ 6. MEARS & STAINBANK, WHITECHAPEL FOUNDRY, LONDON 1888. (3 2 ) This church was built in 1837, to form the parish church of the new town of Slough, and the four bells belonging to the old parish church of Upton, were transferred to this yellow-brick tower. The Rev. P. W. Phipps, late Eector, states in his Records of the Churches, etc., of Upton cum Chalvey (Slough, 1886), that this took place in 1855, "the old frame being re arranged, and so constructed as to receive a peal of six bells. The treble and tenor of the old 4 bells were cracked. They weighed respectively 1 7 cwt. 1 qr. 2 lbs., and 3 cwt. 2 qrs. n lbs. . . . The tenor now weighs 9 cwt." The weight given for the old tenor (17 cwt.) is obviously a misprint for 7 cwt. In 1855 the treble and tenor were recast, and an additional treble and tenor (note A) added, to make six, as recorded on what then became the second, and is now the fourth. In 1886, the ring was augmented to the octave, two new trebles being presented by Frederick Charsley, Esq., of Ivy Lodge, Iver. In 1888, the same benefactor gave a new sixth bell ; and the old bell, with a good taste which is unfortunately not common, was not broken up, but (chiefly, I believe, through the instrumentality of Mr. A. C. Fussell) restored to its original home at Upton. The tower is very small and cramped, and the arrangement of the eight bells, so as to have a good circle for the ropes, is ingenious. The alterations to the frame necessitated by the augmentation from six to eight bells, were executed by Messrs. Mears and Stainbank, Mr. J. Collier being their representative. Chalvey. S. Peter. Modern church, finished 1861. Two bells, said by Mr. Henry Wilson, of Windsor (1864), to be by Warner ; diameters about 27 and 30 inches. Hung in an open turret, with wheels, but no stays or sliders. 606 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. WADDESDON. S. Michael. i. {Running border all round, except for Royal Anns.) { Under the latter :) PAT63QT {On Waist:) Ilo 3023 {Above Sound-bow :) nAYItOI^ UICIJG^S & Co SMGEEIGErD 1862 CAST STGGIi (30^) 2. NAYLOE VICKEBS & C£ 1861 SHEFFIELD E. KIEPE'S PATENT, CAST STEEL {On Waist:) JfO 2 354 (32) 3. {Running border) (l8^g>62j {Running border) (l8/£>62j {Running border) {On Waist: Royal Arms.) {On opposite side :) Ho 2870 {Underneath:) PATGIIT {Above Sound-bow^ MYDOI\ aiCIje^S & C° SHGEEIGIrD 1862 cast stggii ( 35 |) 4. {Ditto to treble, except) »° 3020 ( 37 £) 5. {Ditto to 2, except) J\fO 2553. (40 J) 6. {Running pattern and Royal Arms, as 1 and 4.) ( Underneath :) PATGDT Ilo 3045 IlAYDOr\ UICT{ei\S ME W FECIT +680 (Fig. 72, all round, reverse way up.) ( 2 9i) 2. John bkiant eartford fecit 1797 mat: varnet & w m fincher c : wardens (32a) 3- (32f) VND SOLEMNE VOYCE 1919 4- WEE SOVND FORTH OVR BREATH IBI9 NICHOLAS TOPPING THOMAS PAL- MER CHVRCH WARDENS (35) :;; See Thornton. 616 the church bells of buckinghamshire. 5- Tho s Fowler & John Bowler Ch. 'Wardens. John Fincher George Cheshire Mathew Vaney W m Fin- cher Inhabitants . WM Woodeeoppe Minister . OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOO Tho? Meaes op London Fecit 1794 OOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ( 4 oj) 6. "Warning unto Death . Thomas Shueteld William Bull Church Wardes («v) 000 Thomas Mears of Lon- don Fecit 1797 000 ( 43 £) s. 1 70S (20) Treble : probably by the first Henry Bagley (p. 216); Vat fleurs-de-lis seem to be taken from the running pattern, No. 1, on Plate XXXII. ; of the three roses, the first is indistinct, the second is probably the large one from No. 3 on the plate just referred to, and the third (the smallest), from No. 1, on the same; the stop after me is No. 4 on the same plate ; crown-staple broken. Sir Edward Smythe, Knight, Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas in Ireland, who owned this manor, and who was buried here February 26, 1681-2, among other gifts to the church of this parish, gave ,£15 towards this bell. 2 (p. 106) : wooden splints to clapper, and therefore, it probably has an iron baldrick — most likely the clapper is older than the bell. 3 and 4 : by an unidentified founder (p. 265) ; fourth turned. S : the Rev. W. Wooderoffe is not mentioned by Lipscomb among the Vicars of this parish ; possibly he was a curate in charge of the living during the absence of the Vicar, who, between 1785 and 1810, was the Rev. William Parsons; he assumed the name of Hopton, but not, so far as Lipscomb's account goes, that of Wooderoffe. The founder of the fifth and tenor was the elder Thos. Mears (p. 104). Saunce : by the Chandler " firm," the figures belong to their \\ inch lettering (p. 234); straps nailed on, but keyed also; broken half-wheel. 23 July, 1552, Whytt Churche, Itm iiij grett Belle -"5 g 8 ■£ Z Ob. infants. Knt. , Master of the King's n .......... Hawks ; cr. Baron Dormer, of Wing* 1615. ; ob. 1616. Browne, g g '= § J Jr. ofVisct. * ° £ S 0. d Montague. $ S 1628 I I I William, John, Henry. William. Anthony. Robert Dormer = Anne Sophia, J|< g fc" Ob. infants. Cr. Knt. Cr. Visct. Ascot and Earl of Carnarvon ;• a devoted Cavalier, killed at the battle of Newbury, 1643. Dr. of Philip, 4th Earl of 8 Pembroke. A s Charles Dormer = Elizabeth, Second Earl of Carnarvon, Dr. of Arthur, ob. 1709, s.m.p. surviving. Lord Capel. * From monuments in the church ; Visitation of Bucks, 1566 (Harl. MSS.) ; Lipscomb, etc. 620 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. The second earl leaving no son, the earldom and viscounty expired, and the title of Baron Dormer descended through his eldest daughter Elizabeth, to her grandson, Philip Dormer Stanhope, fourth Earl of Chesterfield ; and the Manor of Wing des- cended to Sir William Stanhope, K.B., the latter's younger brother. 2, 3, 4: by Ellis Knight (p. 128). 4: much tuned from lip. The clappers of 4 and 5 are hammer-shaped, or like a cross inverted, or like the clapper of a (musical) handbell, with its " pegs." 5 : has low angular canons. Tenor : Lipscomb, III., 527, says, "Six bells, cast in 1687, by George Chandler, which are said to weigh from 31 to 33 cwt.". These particulars obviously refer to the old tenor, and not to all six. The sexton informed me that the present tenor arrived before the old one was taken away from the floor of the church, and he believes (as the result of comparison) that the new bell is not so heavy as the old one. The existing bell probably weighs about 29J cwt. ; and two very different estimates of the old one are on record. Browne Willis (MSS. xxxviii., 2), gave its weight as "3,200," while the Rev. T. A. Turner {Records of Bucks, IV, 126) states that Messrs. Taylor, when they recast the fifth, in 1842, estimated the tenor at 26 cwt. Anyway, the present bell is the largest and heaviest in the county. ' Saunce : apparently late eighteenth century ; crown-staple broken. Old left-handed frame, no doubt repaired by Warner in 1863; and the bells were rehung in it by White, of Appleton, late of Besselsleigh, Berks, in 1888 ; the first four are turned. A very large, roomy tower. 23 July, 1552, Wynge, It in the Steple iiij Great bells &-= a Sanctis bele / one hand bele &■» ij Sacrynge bells. July 31* 1637. Wing. 4 Bells. S'* Bell . . . The Bellframes in decay. . . . The Irons upon the corner of the fteeple to be mended. 1 714, 6 bells (sanctus not mentioned). Death Knell : tolled immediately after the death, on the fifth bell. On Sundays, a bell is rung at 7 a.m. For the Services (the bells are chimed ? and) the saunce used for the last three minutes. Ringing at midday at Christmas, Easter, and Harvest Festival. Very many thanks to the Rev. F. H. Tatham, Vicar, for most kindly allowing me to make the following : — Extracts from the Churchwardens' Accounts. (In an Inventory of Church Goods, dated June, 1528, inter alia : — ) It fix cruette, and thre facryng bells, and A lavo r too waihe wyth att the cryftenyng off chylther, and too hande bells. Trinity, 1527. Itm payd for mendying of A loke &■» A neu key for the ftepuldore vjV viyi \}s ijd xxd iiijV vjj. \xd ijj. iiijrf xxd? ujs. vijd \'}d \)d )d. ob. WING. 621 1528 Itm Rec of thomas wynchefter for A nolde Roppe In primis payde for A roppe for a cloke ... 4.. Itm payde to the clokemaker for A yere waygys Itm payde to John fmethe for medyng A bele clapper ... Itm payde to Edmund ffleuter for makyng A belclapper... Trinity, 1529. Itm payde for medyng of A bel clapper Itm payde to the clokemaker Itm payde for mendyng of the bellys Itm for nayllys for the fame (Torn) . . . payde for makyng of the cloke hamur Itm payde for A bokul for A baudryke Trinity, 1530. Itm payde to the clokemaker ... ... ... ... xxd Itm payd to John fmythe for ij ftapvllys collys iiij (torn) Trinity, 153 1. Itm Refeuyd of flynter for A wolde belclaper... ... ... ijj. ij 1540 It payd for mendyng of the gret belle claper ... ... ... iijj iiijrf fit peyde for the mendyng of the lyttell belle... ... ... vijs ijd It peyde to tomas wynchft 9 for fetyng of the braffus for the fame belle... vjd [It peyde for the cloke ... ... ... ... xxd It peyd for mendyng of the grette bell ... ... ... xdijd 1541 Item for mendyng of the bell claper ... ... ... \i\jsh Item payd to the clocke macar ... ... ... ... xxd [Item for fhotyng of the great bell claper ... ... ... xxjd [Item payd to the fmyth for mendyng of the fore bell claper ... xxijd 1542 [Item payd to hartwell for makyng of the bell ftocke &-» the whele ... ijs Item payd to the fmythe for Jam warke ... ... ... vd [Item for makyng of the bell claper ... ... ... vjs jd Stirrup. t Godfrey the smith. WING. 623 Item payd for A chayn of the bybull &* ij buckele for the badrye ■■• vujd Item payd to John wynter for makyng of the bell clap ... ... xjsk Item payd to the clocke macar ... ... ... ... xxd Item payd to John wynte r for bowlyng of the bell claper... ... i]sk Item payd for caryge of the bell clap ... ... ... uijd Item for mendyng of the locke of the churche howse dore <&-= the pyn off the bocull of y e badrycke ... ... ... ... ijd 1543- Item for the fanfse bell roppe ... ... ... ... U\jd Item for mendyng of the clocke ... ... ... ... xxd Item payd for ij bocule for the badryce ... ... ... iijrf Itm payd for the hane* belles ... ... ... ... vshvjd 1 544 It payde for A polle to the clocke ... ... ... \d It payde for fowre belclapyrs <3-» all charges longyng to them ... xixj. It payde to father day for mendyng of the cloke ... ... iij* \x d rit payde to the carpynter for the bell whele ... ... ... iijj xd It payde for the truffyng of two bellg ... ... ... \\s vjrf Lit payde to the fmythe for ftyrrope &* nayles ... ... xxd IS45- Item payd for wyar for the clocke ... ... ... ijd Item payd to the clocke maker ... ... ... ... ijs t[Item for mendynge off A claper off A bell ... ... ... iijsk viijaT] Itm payd for the clapper of the bell ... ... ... iijs vii}d 1548 fit payd to y e carpyntar for mendynge of the belle •■• ... vs [It payd to y e fexten for two day 6-° a halfe workynge w t, carpynter... x\\d It payde for A Jron to mende jj Belle ... ... ... )d Item payd to the fexten for mendyng of A cloke Roppe ... ... ijd It payde to -p Smyth for uorylej &■* a buckle for t bell ... ... vjc? 1551. It payde for mendynge of the belle &* for all maner of Iron worke ... vjs 1553 II p d toThomas fmyth for makyng of the bell clapers ... ... xv* viij"* It payd for caftynge of the fannct bell ... ... ... vp ij^ * No doubt hand is intended, but the last letter is exactly similar to the e in the preceding and succeeding words. t Erased. J Probably ferules, but the letters would equally do for novyle. 624 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. ::} 1554 It payde for a rope for the clocke It payde for mendynge of the bell claper 1555 It payde for makyng of the bell claper 6° mendynge of the wyndow in the chappell It payde for mendynge of the bell frame 1556 r Receyuyd of my lady dormer for the bell Receyuyd of wynge for the bell ... Receyuyd of crofton for the bell ... Receyuyd of Ascot for the bell Receuyd of burcot for the bell LReceauyd of wynge a gayne for the bell Receauyd of wynge a gayne for the bell [Tt payde for ou r coftg at buckyngam when we made bargayne for the It payde for oure coftg at t caftynge of the bell It payd to the bell founder It payde for caftynge of the braffes &• for mettell It payde for carryyng of the bell ... It payde for the hangyng of the bell It payde for drynke when the bell was hanged It payde for mendynge of the bell claper L Gr° for Jren worke at that tyme &r* nayles ... rit payde to the fmythe for mendynge of the greate claper Lit payde to the fmythe for coles &» a buckell for a bell .. xij 1 iiijrf xb X1X J vy" iiy vj \d viy iiij rf vij 1 x jj viijrf ... vjd bell xxj** ... iiijj )d iiij' '* viij* ij rf ... xy vj 1 * ... vs iiij 1 :::} inj a iiij 1 vij* ijrf 1557 Recaued of the laft churche me to the bell It payde to John appowell" for the bell It payde to howfe for mendynge of the belles It payde to Rychard godfrey for mendynge of a ftaple for y, belles It payde to Thomas fmyth for makynge of a ftaple ... } for the bell 6° other workmanf hyp ... ... J 1558 It payde to godfrey fmythe for mendynge of a key for £ bell It payde for the truffynge of the feconde bell &• for Jron worke &•» for Edwarde warde worke to the fame 1559 It payde fyrfte for mendynge of 3 belles brafes to wyllyam furmon * Of Buckingham (p. 176). \d xnj J nij iij/j v y yiijrf ijj viija? -1 viy \d if 111JJ \\\\d WING. 625 1563 It payd to Thomas fmythe for mendynge of the clocke the laft yere.. It payd to Thomas fmythe for tvrnynge of the bell clapper 6° for ij bvckels 6° a key for the clocks houfe dore :} 1564 I tm p d to thomas nas the fmythe for a belle clapper ... ... iiJMiij" 1 Trinity, 1565 It payde for nayles for the bell whele ... ... ... ij^ It pd for the rope for the ly tie bell ... ... ... \,i It payde to naffhe for a key 6° for the latche of the church gate ... viijaT It payde to harrye warde for mendynge of a bell whele ■■■ \ &° for takynge down of the loft ... ... / xxd 1567 Itm payd for a bell clapper to the fore bell ... ... ... ix* iij 1 * 1568 It Re of Thomas Naffhe for a pece of the claper ... ... ij* vj It pay d for mendynge of a locke for the fteple dore ... ... ij rf It payde for mendynge of the great bell claper ... ... iiij* It payde to tvrnar* for wyre for the clocke ... ... ... xij rf Itm p d for nay les for the fteple &° for the vantt ... ... viijrf 1576 (8 J«ly : ) pd on fainte hewes day for Rynginge ... ... ... ij* v] d pd to nafhe for mendyng the clappers of the belle &* Jron work ... iiij* ) d 1577 (June) If: pd for mendyng of the frame of the forebell ... ... xxd [It pd for makyng of y= greate bell clapper ... ... ... iij* iiij" ; |_Itpd for nayles for the fframe of the fame ... ... ... iiijrf 1578 (1 June) It pd to the Ryngers on faynt hughes day ... ... ... vijd If pd to nalhe the fmyth for mendyng the belle &■* for "1 A dpgge of Jron to one— the fame bells / It pd for mendyng of A ladder in the fteple &•» tymber ... ... \)d [It pd to fearche for mendyng on of the bell wheles ... ... viija? [It pd to nalhe for mendyng of the clokk ... ... ... xijrf • 579 ( 2I June) It pd to the Rynge on fant hughes day ... ... ... v iij a ftaple xiiij rf * The sexton. •)■ Font ; or perhaps intended for Vane. ij* vnj iii<^ WING. 627 1580(12 June) Itm pd for drynke fo' the Ryngers one S« hughee daye ... ... v] d Itm pd thomas nafhe fo>- ij buckulee fof the belle ... ... viijrf 1581 fit pd for the makyng of third bell wheele I p d for Iron worke for the bels <&•» for the hangeng [ of the fame bell vnto nafhe the fmyth wt other charge I lilJ * J 1 p d a mong the Ryngers on S l hughes day ... } VJJ iiii* \d 1582 1 pd for mendyng the clocke ... ... ... ... jjj^ I pd for Ryngyng on faynt hugh daye ... ... ... ijj ihjrf 1583 I pd for mendyng the bell wheles 6-» nayles to the fame ... ... vij«' I pd to goodman nafhe for mendyng A bell clap <&■» ... ^ for other work a bowght the clok 6-» the church gate ... / v -** "'•' 1584 (28 June) It pd to nafhe for work abowght the bels &° pulpy t ... ... iij-> 1585. It pd for makyng the third bell whele Gr* to the fawers to faw the fame iij-* iiip It pd on f hughes day to the Ryngers ... ... ... xvjd It pd to warde for fawinge of tymber for the bell howfe ... ... xxd It pd for mendyng of a bond** for A bell — ijd— for xxx brade— iiij^ 06- for a buckell for j- of y e bels — iiij<* x<*oB 1586. fpd for the fans belle caftyng &* the wafte .... ... ... ix* vjd pd to terneref for goyng to buckam for the belle ... ... xd pd the clokeman for hys dyner ... .... ... ... xijd pd to capone for the carryge &■» the breggyng of the fans belle ... xviija? pd to the Clock maker in ernefl. to mend the clock ... ... xijd [pd to the rynges on faynt hues daye ... ... ... xviijd pd to the clok maker ... ... ... ... ... viijd pd to the clock maker to mend the clock ... ... ... xix J * Probably for a band, which is probably a baldrick ; and as it is mentioned in con- nection with hardware, it was probably an iron one, which is noticeably early, t The sexton. 628 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. 1587. Tpd to henry ward for mendyng the bells, the bell loftes &•* leades ... "I w other worke y he dyd in the church &* a boute the church gates / Lpd vnto nafhe y fmyth for Jron work a bought y bels &" clock ... ij' pd on faynct hughes day to the ryngers for bred S-» drynck ... xijrf 1588 (2 June) pd for rynginge on faynct hughes day ... ... ... ixd 1589 pd to the fmyth of afcot for a clapper for the great bell 6-» he -\ havyng the old clap w* comethe over &> a bove the old clap J pd for mendyng the fore bell ... ... ... ... xxd pd to the ryngers vpon charge for Vytall on f hughes day ... \]s pd to the fmyth for turnyng of a clapper &r° mending y clock . . . xvijd 1590 (14 June) Re of george chapell y l old w m feav (?) gave to the bells ... iij> iiij*? Re of M r Dormer his worfhipp towarde the caftyng of y e fecond bell xx s Re of the whoale pishe towarde the same bell at iij fi the endfhipp* xij# Re of M r more of the weale towarde the fame ... ... vs Tpd for fettyng x^xij^ more than the old bell weyghed ... *.. J p d vnto hardyng the fmyth of afcot for mendyng of the fecond -\ l x J bell claper, 6° for the gogynge &° nayles for the fame bell / pd to John hore of Afcot for his charges goinge to buckingam } , d 1 yJ VI to fe the fame bell caft ... ... ... ) [pd vnto newland his charge goinge thether also ... ... v* ixd pd vnto John Clark of Burcot for cartyng of the fayd bell ^ vnto Buckyngham &> fettyng the fame home a gayne J fit pd to water taylor to cary the second bell fi* to \ > ... VI* vuv fetche home the fame bell agayne ... / L Tt p d to henry ward for hanginge one of the bels ... ... ij* vj<* It pd for the repayryng of the third bell clap &■» y= clock ... vj* viij<* It pd to hary warde for mendyng ye fecond bell ... ... xijrf It pd to the fmyth for keyes S-= ftaples §-* nayles for y« bels ... vjd * Viz., Wing, Crafton, Ascot, and Burcot. x J 1 viii^ WING. 629 1591 It pd for nayles to mend falte in the bell lofte ... ... ]d It pd for mendyng of the gret bell clap — iiij J for a hoke <$-» nayles "1 ... for the church gate &-» for the fyre hoke* — vd ... ' It pd to hary ward for mendyng the clock ... _ ... ... (blank) It pd for Rynnginge on S l hughes day ... ... ... ij* pd to henry ward by promife ov r &° a bove his wage ••■ \ fome — x s whereof S r Rob' Dormer paid— iy fo out of L ... viij* the box is payd to him for kepyng the clok ... I 1592 (21 May) pd for truffyng the fore bell ... ... ... ... xxd fpd to himt for kepyng the clock for the D{ yere ... ... vs [pd for mendyng the ftock of the ij bell fir* for nayles ... ... ij* pd on faynt hughes day for rynginge ... ... ... ijj xd pd for charge for the bell fownder for him felffr 3 his borfe ... xviijd fpd to himf for his half yere kepyng the clock ... ... v* [pd to him to mend the forbell whele ... ... ... xijd '593 (17 June) It p d for a fanctus bell and the old bell metall ... ... K- xd It pd for a cord for the fancte bell ... ... ... x d [Ft pd the fexten for kepyng the clocke ... ... ... v* It pd for hanginge of a fance bell ... ... ... iij*_iiij rf It p d for hanginge the third bell ... ... ... ... ij^-vj'' Lit pd for mendyng the clock ... ... ... ... xij rf fit pd for Jron worke for the third bell and the fance bell ~. v^—x'' [It pd for caryage of the fance bell ... ... ... \y It pd for rynginge of fainct hughes day ... ... ... iij* It pd to hary ward for kepyng the clok ... ... ... v* It pd for nayles 6° workmaihip for the fore bell wheele .. . ... vjd 1594 It pd to the fextent for the kepyng of the clock ... ... vs fpd to himt for kepyng the clock ... ... ... •■■ v* pd to himt for truflyng the fecond bell ... ... ... xx'' Lpd on faynct hughes day for Rynginge ... ... ... iij* 1595(15 June) If p d to himt for the kepyng of the clok then dew ... ... v* * A hook on the end of a long pole, used in case of fire, for pulling burning pieces off the roof, etc. Two or three towers in the county still contain one, and there is one to nearly every house in Norway and Sweden, t Henry Ward, the sexton. \ I.E., Dimidium = the half. V)S 630 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. pd to hardyng the fmyth for mendyng the fecond ... ■, bell clap <&-» new makyng the eye* dr* puttyng to yt I xvij# of new Jron at \d the pownd fif he abated j for the old eye of the fame clap — xij<* ... ' f 1 1 pd to hardyng for ij latches for the church gate <&* a band for a bell xij"' It pd for Ryninge vpon S' hughes day ... ... ••■ "U^ [It pd to harry ward for mendyng the bells ... ... ■•• vjrf fit pd for mendyng of the bels ij fondry tymes ... ••• ij-f [pd for mendyng the bels claper <5-» for nayles by w m hardyng ... xvjd 1596 (6 June) pd for mendyng the eye of the fecond bell clap — S* Jron ■■- i** p d to hymf for work abowte the bell dr° y e churche ... ■■■ xijrf pd for Rynginge vpon fainct hughes day ... ... ... iiij-J" pd to hardyng for mendyng a clap er ... ... ... iiij*— iiij 1597 (22 May) pd for a new whele for the forebell &» mendyng the great bell whele x s pd for Rynginge vpon S' hughes day ... ... ... iiij* pd to hary ward for mendyng the bells ... ... ■•• ij' 1598 (18 June) pd at S' hughes day for the ringinge in charge ••• ••• iiij* pd to hardyng mendinge the fecond bell claper &r* Jron to yt ... vij* pd to A fmyth of wyngrave to mend the fecond bell clap ... v]s pd to hardyng the fmyth for Jron worke for to truffe the great bell xiiijrf pd to hary ward for truffyng the / greate bellj v* &-» for mendyng \ the churche gate 6° the beare \]d ... ... > 1 599 (3 June) pd on f hewes day for Rynginge ... ... ... ... iiijj 1600 (18 May) pd to Wittm hardyng for mendyng of ij bell clapers ... ... xvij s _viij^ pd on faynct hughe day for ryngyng ... ... ... iiijj- pd for a Sanctus Bell rope ... ... ... ... x\)d pd to w m hardyng for mendyng the clock ... ... ... xij flitting of the timber ... ... 0-18 — 8 * Perhaps in connection with the casting of the existing saunce bell, f Probably in connection with the casting of the second bell. 632 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. payd for beeare at laiuthton* when the bell founders ware therre 0—2—2 Charges when I went to wickum about y e timber that "1 , y ... o — o — o was left &• to meete the bell fownders ... ; [payd for beere when we bargained w'h ye bell founders to caft y e belles : o — 5 — o payd for fetching chapman's tooles from Idlefburowf ... o — 2 — o WINGRA VE. SS. Peter and Paul. 1. =x> lestrr&pack fecit J760 oocoocx (Incised:) W M ABR 1 ^ SAM * THEED ROB£ LUCAS GAVE ME dT620 (32i) O M 2. IOHH TII1D AJff BO 1618 W W (33*) mt^ m@t a clock. 1 7 14, 6 (sanctus not mentioned). In a paper on the Desecrated Churches of this County, in Records of Bucks, I., 291, by the late Rev. W. Hastings Kelke, mention is made of a chapel dedicated to S. Lawrence, which formerly existed at Rowsham, or Rolleston, an important hamlet of this parish, already mentioned. It is stated, until probably about the middle of last century, to have " had one bell." * See pp. xvi. and 35. I. WINSLOW. 635 WIN SLOW. S. Lawrence. EDWARD HALL MADE ME 17 30 <3»i) 2. (On Waist:) REV? w. W. MCOEBIGHT VICAB 1846 SAMUEL GRAVES DUDLEY 1 THOMAS MORECROFT I CHURCH WARDEN S {On Sound-bow :) C & G MEARS F.OUNDERS LONDON ( 35 |) 3. THOMAS SMALBONS EOHN QODWYN CHARLS BOLLER C W X67o ( 37 f) 4- 1668 (40 s- 16 6 8 (432) 6. zxxzx> John Gibbs John Dudley & Thomas Ingram Church "Wardens 1777 oocx(49j) S. ROBERT ATTOtf MADE ME & f 6 1 f & "VST IrOYnES IV GIItES T TOMIrlH I GIItBYRD «$, TV IrlTCH BEHEBACTYRS BOR CHASTIHG THIS BEIl <$> (On Sound-bow;) O O O O O O O O' O O (21$) Treble: Richard Chandler III.'s 1-2 inch lettering (p. 236) ; canons broken off. 2 : the Rev. W. W. McCreight, M.A., was instituted to the Vicarage, 4th February, 1841, and remained here until his death in 1863. Mr. S. G. Dudley was one of the principal landowners in the parish : Lipscomb mentions that in 1542, William Dudley and his wife, and their son, Thomas Dudley, and his wife, sold Swanbourne Manor. 3: by Richard Keene (p. 169); turned: the first of the three church- wardens here recorded, issued a farthing token ; Obverse : thomas . smallbones = A hat; Reverse : of . winslow = t a.s.* The name Godwyn appears occasionally in the Registers from the sixteenth century to 1707^ A Thomas Godwyn was churchwarden in 1686, and issued a token, an example of which is in Mr. Clear's possession. 4 and 5 : these dates are apparently scratched on the cope, and not stamped in the ordinary way ; the bells are probably by Richard Keene, J though just possibly by the Knights of Reading (see pp. 133 and 168); both turned; 5 is * Mentioned in Boyne's Tokens, 1st and 2nd editions; and by Mr. A. Clear, in The King's Village in Demesne (1894), in whose collection I have seen an example, f The King's Village, p. 85. \ See p. 637. 636 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. very roughly cast at lip. Tenor (p. 101) : flat crown; turned; weight reputed to be 19 cwt. ; note E. The first churchwarden recorded on this bell, was an ancestor of the late Mr. Robert Gibbs, F.S.A., of Aylesbury, and is probably referred to in the following extract from, the Whitehall Evening Post of November, 1754* : — The papers have lately given several instances of longevity. We presume the follow- ing account, the truth of which is notorious, will not be unacceptable to our readers. Robert Gibbs, of Winslow, in the county of Bucks, had six sons — Robert, Richard, William, Thomas, John, and Stephen — which sons rang the bells of Winslow Church on New Year's Day for forty years successively. The senior son rang the tenor, and every son had his bell in right of seniority, and they were, every New Year's Day, for a number of years, entertained at dinner by the worthy family of Lowndes, at Winslow. Richard, William, and Stephen are now living at Winslow aforesaid. Saunce (p. 202) : in Robert Atton's smallest lettering, shown on Plate XXX., where the ornament is No. 5. W. Lowndes was the second son, and heir (his elder brother dying young) of Robert Lowndes, who married Jane Croke in 1575, and died 1602. William was born in 1586; married Frances Wendover in 1612, and died 1654. The present representative of the family is William Selby Lowndes, Esq., of Whaddon Hall, lord of the manor of Winslow. William Giles, or Gyles, married Alice Brodcroft in the year this bell was cast ; a halfpenny token (Boyne, 2nd edit., No. 149, Bucks) with Obverse : william . giles = A hat ; Reverse : + of . winslow . 1666 = w.m.g. (an example of which is in Mr. Clear's possession), and a farthing token (op. cit. No. 150), with Obverse: william . gyles = A hat; Reverse: of . winslow = w.m.g., were probably issued by a son or grandson. T. Tomlin was probably son, or other near relation, of Richard Tomlyns, to whom and to Sir John Fortescue jointly, King James I., in 1606, granted the Rectories and Churches of Swanbourne, Winslow, and Whitchurch, with the tithes of Winslow and its hamlet Shipton, etc., to hold in fee.t By 1 and 2 Philip and Mary, Swanbourne Church was granted to Ambrose Gilbert, Esq., of Swanbourne, habend. to him and his heirs for ever, tenend. (though it soon afterwards came into the joint possession of Thomas Adams and Josias Askew ; and a few years later again, as above mentioned, into that of Sir John Fortescue and R. Tomlyns). It seems likely that J. Gilburd may have been the son of Ambrose Gilbert. The coins on the sound-bow are \% inch diameter, and are the reverse of, apparently,} the 1564 sixpence of Elizabeth ; they bear a shield of (the Royal) Arms and cross fourchee. * I have to thank Mr. R. S. Downs, of Wycombe, and also the late Mr. Robert Gibbs, for copies of this paragraph ; the greater part of it is also reproduced by Mr. A. Clear (torn. cit.). Mr. J. Rutland, F.G.S., of Taplow, has favoured me with a newspaper cutting, wherein this extract is quoted "from the Northampton Mercury of November 25, 1754." t Rot. Pat. 4 Jac. I., 9 June, quoted by Lipscomb, III., 546. \ Vide Hawkins's Silver Coins of England, 3rd edition, Plate XXXV., No. 441. WINSLOW. 637 23 July, 1552, Wynfloe, iiij bell . . . {torn) Among the Archives of the Archdeaconry of S. Albans* is : — A true Note or Bill indented of all the Goods and Utensils belonging to the Church at Winslow, made the xxvi day of Aprill, Anno Dmi, 1628. . . . Item : a ring of five tunable bells with a sance bell, and a clocke. Lipscomb (III., 548, foot-note) states : — ... six modern bells, recast out of five, in June 1668. Weight of the old bells : treble, 700 lb. 2d 1 100 lb. 3 rd 1300 lb. 4 th 1800 lb. tenor, 2700 lb. total, 7500 lb. Weight of the new bells : treble 600 lb. 2 d 700 lb. 3 rd 800 lb. 4 th 1200 lb. 5 lh 1500 lb.'jtenor, 2000 lb. total, 6800 lb. It may be presumed that 700 lb. was lost in the operation of recasting. Mr. Keene, of Woodstock, was the Founder. In Bell News, Vol. IV., p. 119, July nth, 1885, it is recorded that : — Warner and Sons . . . during the week ending June 27th, have placed in the tower a massive English oak frame, constructed to carry eight bells. . . . On Saturday, June 27th, the hangers, with . . . two of the local team, rang a half muffled peal. The bells were formally reopened on Thursday, July 23rd, 1885. The church, had been reopened, after restoration, on December 30th, 1884. The treble is rung daily : at 7 a.m. from Lady Day to Michaelmas, and at 8 a.m. during the winter half year ; also at 1 p.m. all the year round. The Curfew is rung on the fifth bell, from Michaelmas to Lady Day. The " Pancake Bell " is rung on Shrove Tuesday, at midday, on the fourth bell. Death Knell : for about twenty minutes, as soon as notice is sent, generally after the laying out. Tenor for adults ; fifth for children up to twelve years. Tellers at beginning: 3x3=3 male; 3x2=3 female. At end, 3 strokes = a male; 2=a female. A bell rung for funerals. On Sundays, the bells are chimed for the Services ; the saunce for the last five minutes. The tenor was formerly rung, before the chiming, as Sermon Bell. These are old usages. For Sunday School, the second is rung for a quarter of an hour, morning and afternoon. For Vestry Meetings, the fourth is rung. Many thanks to the Rev. H. A. Douglas Hamilton, late Vicar. * The King's Village in Demesne, by A. Clear, 1894, p. 114. 638 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. WOLSTON, GREAT, Holy Trinity. Single. A ♦ C 16 7 9 (23!) One of the latest bells by Anthony Chandler, of Drayton Parslow (p. 268). One canon broken off, and hangs by the straps, which are bolted ; iron baldrick ; iron lever. The church was rebuilt in 1839; the bell hangs in a cot over the gable at the west end. 1 714, 3 bells. Lipscomb, IV., 423 : — ... at the west end, a wooden turret ... It contains three small bells, cast in 1662. He probably confused this church with the next one, which he describes in almost identical terms ; but it is very possible, as there were three bells here in 17 14, that the other two disappeared when the church was rebuilt. Death Knell : as soon after the death as possible. Tellers : 3 x 3 = a male •; 2 x 3 = a female. Bell not used at funerals. No old churchwardens' accounts. Thanks to the Rev. H. T. Inman, Rector. WOLSTON, LITTLE. Holy Trinity. 1,2,3. CHANDLER MADE ME 166 2 (25J, 27I, 30J) A nice little ring by Anthony Chandler (pp. 226, 267). Treble : all straps keyed; wheel renewed and bolted. 2 : inscription below usual place; all straps, and wheel, keyed. Tenor : many straps, chiefly keyed ; wheel keyed. All have their original stocks ; extra straps through the crowns are keyed ; iron baldricks ; no stays. 26 July, 1552, wolftonpva. Itm iij belles in the fteple ij hand bells. 1714, 3 bells. Lipscomb (IV., 425) mentions these bells, in almost the same words that he used for the previous parish. Death Knell : as soon after the death as possible. Tellers : 3 x 3 = a male ; 2 x 3 = a female. Ringing immediately after a wedding when requested. No old churchwardens' accounts. Thanks to the Rev. H. T. Inman, Rector. WOLVERTON — WOOBURN. 639 WOLVERTON, OLD. Holy Trinity. 1. ± John beiant heetfoed fecit 1820 (31) 2- ± John beiant heetfoed fecit is- 20 ± * (33) 3, 4- John beiant heetfoed fecit 1820 (34I, 35^) 5, 6. ( 3 8, 42 ) ± John beiant heetfoed fecit is 20 ± For Briant, see p. 106. Church rebuilt (in pseudo-Norman style) at the beginning of the present century. Bells hung left-handed ; all in good and clean order; the two lower bells have Bond's hoop round the canons, connecting the gudgeons. 1714,4 bells. In another place in Browne Willis's MSS. (cix., 29), and, copying him, Lipscomb, (IV., 418):- . . . four bells ; on the largest (before it was recast in 1732), was the inscription, ' Maria Thoma hoc Siclum serva me.' (District Church) Wolverton End. S. Mary the Virgin. Church opened 1863 ; one modern bell. Part of the town of Stony Stratford. WOLVERTON, NEW. S. George the Martyr. Parish formed in 1868, out of parish of Old Wolverton. Church built 1843 > one modern bell. The town here is entirely formed by the Depot of the North- western Railway. WOOBURN. S. Paul. 1, 2. (z8|, 29!) oo Thomas Meaes of London Fecit 1814 oox 3. R : Phelps fecit 1718 (29!) 4- 30 T. Meaes of London Fecit I813 00000c {Incised:) Rev° T, TyNDALE, MINISTER wtT' PEGG " } ChWardens (33 i) W_ Forrester, J ^w 64O THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. 5- JOHN WARNER FOUNDER OP LONDON 1790 GEO HOWARD- GEO" LANE CHURCHWARDENS (34$) 6- 4gO& J MURPHY FOUNDER DUBLIN 18- es ^o§^ mow? lO^THE GIFT OF WILLIAM MOONEY ESQ* DUBLIN <%<>& ^O^ ^i) 7. MESSEIVRS BEVII HICKMAN IOS I PETTIPHER RIC: SHRIMP- TOM HEM: HVMT ALDERMEN Rl PHELPS MADE ME 1712 * (40) 8. GEOEGE GROVE & RICHARD HOWAED CH: WARDENS 1762 LESTER & PACK OF LONDON FECIT <>cx> XZXX3COOOOCXXZX {all round) (47) Treble, 2, and 4 : by Thomas Mears, jun. (p. 105) : these two trebles augmented the ring from six to eight; as the addition of what is now the third (p. 98), in 17 18, had raised the number from five to six. The two trebles are tuned from lip; 3, from both lip and inside. 4 : the Rev. Thomas George Tyndale, M.A., was pre- sented to this Vicarage in March, 1805, by James Dupre, Esq. ; he resigned, but was again presented in 1812, and held the living until 1835. 5 : one of the earliest bells from the Cripplegate Foundry, then established in Fleet Street (p. 258) ; slightly tuned from inside ; Langley {Hist. Desb. Hund., p. 443) has recorded the inscription on its predecessor (which was then the second bell) as, " Johannes Lenglon, epifcopus Lincoln. Ave Maria, Gratia plena, Dominus tecum." Bishop John Longland was born at Henley, became confessor to Henry VIII., and was Bishop of Lincoln f.om 152 1 to his death, which took place at his palace at Wooburn, May 7th, 1547, in his seventy-fourth year. His brass, formerly in Eton College Chapel, recorded that his body was buried there, his heart in Lincoln Cathedral, and his "viscera" at Wooburn. The county of Bucks formed a part of Lincoln diocese, from about a.d. 1078* to 1845 ; and, from about 1330, until Longland's successor alienated the manor, the Bishops of Lincoln used the Rectory here as an episcopal palace. Langley states that besides the gift of this bell, Bishop Longland also "laid out confiderable fums on his palace here." Woodf states that he "gave the second bell at Wooburne of fine metal silver sound, which was after- wards always called Bishop Longland's bell." Lukis£ gives the inscription, quoting it in two lines, the second beginning with : -f- Ave. In one place he quotes the Bishop's name as Lenglon, at another as Lenglen ; the latter is probably a misprint. * Marshall's Hist, of the Diocese of Oxford. \ Athena Oxoniensis. % Church Bells. WOOBURN. 641 6 (p. 263) : the clapper is cased in wood, showing apparently that the iron baldrick is still in vogue on the west side of S. George's Channel. Mr. W. Mooney,.at whose expense this bell was recast, was brother-in-law to the late Mr. A. Gilbey, of Wooburn House. 7 : this bell is, doubtless, the fifth of the ring cast by Phelps (p. 98) for High Wycombe. The names on it are those of Wycombe men ; and Wooburn, not being a corporate town, has no aldermen. It has, moreover, two chime-hammer scars side by side, on the outside of the sound-bow, which would be the case with a bell at Wycombe, while here no hammer strikes it, except that of the modern chiming apparatus on the inside of the bell. The Wycombe ring was dated 171 1, but it is quite of common occurrence for one bell in a ring to prove out of "cry" with the others, and to be replaced in the following year. In the present case, even this second edition seems not to have been to the liking of the Wycombe authorities; but no entry concerning it is to be found in the churchwardens' accounts either there or here. Perhaps it came here in 1802, when Thomas Mears, sen., recast some of Phelps's ring at Wycombe. Much tuned from lip. Tenor (p. 100) : canons broken off; two chips broken out of the lip by the chiming hammer, in May, 1894. Frame probably latter half of eighteenth century, subse- quently altered to accommodate eight bells. The wheels, etc., are newer. 18 July, 1552. (Among the inventories of this date, is a very imperfect one, with only a portion of the name remaining. This appears to be) . . . born, (and probably stands for this parish. In the list is) .V. belles hanging in the . . . (torn) Aug : 1637, Wooborne Episcopo£ 5 Bells. & a Clock. The butterices of fteeple and Chan to be mended, the fteeple wants pgeting. 1714, 5 bells (raised to 6, four years later, by the addition of the present 3^). On the floor of the north aisle is the brass of "the founder of the steeple.'' There have been two figures — on the dexter side is the " figure of a man in a gown furred at the wrifts, with a purfe and rofary" (Langley, Hist. Hund. Desb., p. 455) ; and on his left may be still seen the form, in the matrix, of the figure of his wife. Underneath is the following inscription : — s %txi Igetb ^ilofrn (Soafogn £ pcrnell his tagfe firrft fonttoera of the J^tepult at ©bonrtte kyntou^t tobube azzzliti the arbij oajre of ^p*iU ibe sere of oure lo*& goo |K CDffiC® lusbiij on hibofe foules fhu bane nt'eg of genre rbarite fo* oime foules % alle rotten fen a patsno £ aue Langley (loc. cit.) quotes this, but not quite accurately, and gives a plate of the brass ; he also gives the pedigree of the family, beginning with the father of John Goodwin ; he calls John's wife Petronilla, and adds, " By his will, provedVJune 29, 1488, he bequeaths 5/. towards the reparation of Oborne St. Paul's fteeple, and 20*. towards the making of a bell ; " etc. The brass is also figured in the Records of Bucks, Vol. IV., plate facing p. 22, but without much attention to accuracy. 4 N 642 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. April 1680 April 1681 Extracts from the Churchwardens' Accounts. jg_ g paid the Ringers at the Kings birth day July 1 1 paid Rob'. Neuell for worke about the Bells paid the Ringers at the Gunpowder treafon day paid Ralph Hobs his Bill for bell Ropes paid the Ringing money at his Ma ties birthday paid Ralph Hobs for Bell ropes etc paid ye Ringers on S' Gorges day & ye Gunpowder treafon paid wilt Beck* for lookeing the Clock <5r» Bells for 2 years paid vnto Hugh Crane for worke about ye Bells paid vnto the Ringers at ye 3 vfuall days ... paid for 4 bell Ropes paid John Beck for helping a bout ye Bells ... paid Robt Neuell for Iron worke for ye Bell paid to the Ringers for the 3 vfuall days of Rining paid for 2 bell Ropes ye weight 12 pound at 7^ y t for A Roler for A Bell paid to the Ringers for Ringing vpon the vfuall dayes ... p d to Goodman Ares for 5 Bell Ropes p d to the Ringers one S' georges day Paid to wm Beck fein r for Ringing money on -1 faint Georges day ... ... / for Ringing Money y e 20* of May for Ringing Money one King Jamefes \ the feconds birthday ... > for Ringing Money on y e 5 th of Nouefl pd w m Beck fen' for looking to y e Clock dr 3 bells p d to W™ Beck for Ringing money vpon the 23* of Aprill p d to Hugh Ares of wickom for 5 bellroapes p d to Joan Chillton for Ringing money y e 5* of Nou 5 ... p d to Hugh Evane for Ringing the Eight aclock \ bell for 2 yeares ... ... ... i pd to w 1 ? Beck for Ringing money one y e Kings birthday p d witi Beck for Looking to y= Clock &-» bells p d william Beck more for Looking to the Clock &» bells Payd to the Ringers on S l Georges day p d the Ringers on y e 5* nouember p d to Robert Neuill for Ironwork for the Bells <&-» dores p d to M r . Goolder for mending y« bell wheeles p d William Beck for goeing to Maydenhead \ toy e man y' made y e Clock ... J Aprill 1685 Aprill 1686 March v e 28 th 1687 Aprill 1688 o — 05=00 o — 01 — 00 o — 05 — 00 o — 13 — 02 o — 05 — 00 I — 05 — 00 o— 10— 00 2 — 16—OO o — 18 — 04 o — 15—00 o — 14 — 06 0—02 — 00 o — 00—04 o — 15 — 00 o — 07 — 00 0—00 — 6 0—15 — o 0—16 — o o — 05 — o 0—05 — o 0—05 — o 0—05 — o o — 05 — o I — II — o o — 05 — o 0—13— II o — 05 — o 2 02 — O —05 — O I — 00 — o o — 05 — o 0—05 — o o — 05 — o O — 04 — 2 — 06 — o o — 00 — 6 * This name appears among the " Alehouf keepers or Vittuallers." } o- -IO — o- -os- I- -OI — I- -os— 9 o- -10 o- -IO 01- -OI — o- -15 — 00 o- -09- I- -10 — o- -12 6 WOOBURN. 643 p d for Ringing money two dayes p d for Ringing money p d Hugh Crane for Ringing ye Bell Aprill Payd to Hugh Are for Bellropes \ l6 °9 vpone Laft yeares Accoumpt / for 2 dayes Ringing ... for Ringing Money when the King was pclamed* p d Hugh Crane for Ringing y e Bell for 3 ringing dayes ... p d Thomas Seaves for mending the bell wheeles And other work to the Church p d to Witt Beck for Looking to y« Clock &* Bells Payd Hugh Ares for Bell Roapes Payd to John Roafe for y e makeing of the other hand to y= Clock (&c.) Aprill pd Hugh Ares for Bell Roapes t%> for Ringing at ye Kings Birthday for Ringing on y e 5th of Nouember for Ringing ye Bell ... pd w™ Beck for Looking to y e Clock &• bells A P" U p d to the Ringers for Ringing the Bell in the Winter for Ringing at the Kings Returnef ffor Ropes Ringing on ye Surrender of LimerickJ Ringing y e Bell mending a lock and key to y e Belfry door ... Ringing ... ffor ffour bell Ropes ... pd W 1 ? Beck for the Ringers pd the Widd Eaft for the Ringers ringing money Aprill keys to ye Belfrey door Ringing for the Victory over the ffrench§) pd to Goody Mewdy ... J ringing on the Kings Coronation day || and for the Victory over the ffrench ringing for the Kings safe arrivall.H p d Goody Eafts * February 13th, 1689. f In September, after the Battle of the Boyne, fought 1st July, 1690. I Limerick surrendered to General Ginckel, October 3rd, 1691. § Probably Admiral Russell's victory off La Hogue, May 19th, 1692. || April nth, 1689. 1T November 5th, 1688. 00 05 00 07 6 01 01 01 — 10- — — 07- - 6 I- -01- — 5 13 6 00 °S CO 01 OI 00 00 00 08 00 OS 00 00 14 10 00 12 06 00 05 00 : 7: 6 01 00 00 05 00 00 05 06 00 OS 00 00 05 00 644 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Aprill 1694 Aprill 1695 Aprill 1697 Aprill 1713 Aprill 1718 1719 pd Ralph Dean for new bell ropes pd Hugh Crane for keys and cottrells j? y e bells pd for Ringing on Gunpowder treason Kings landing-") day, and birth day ... ... ' pd W™ Fenables for worke to y c bells and a new gate post paid William Beck for looking to y e clock and bells paid Hugh Crane Ringing ye bell paid Ralph Dean for 2 bell Ropes To the Ringers at the King's Arrivall and on the King's birthday ... on Gunpowder Treason day paid Ralph Dean for Bell Ropes & straps ... Ringers on y e Coronation day ... and on y<= Queen's birthday ... pd the Ringers, ringing y e Kings birthday Landing day 1 Gunpowder Treason and when he came home J Ringing ye Bell For Tolling for y e Queens funerall paid William Beck looking to y e Clock and Bells for bellropes Witim ffenables worke to y e bells ... To the Ringers on the Coronation day given to the Ringers ... to the Ringers when the king came home ... the Kings birthday Gunpowder treason day Ringing the bell To the Ring r s on Coronation day 1696 Ringing on the thanksgiving day given the Ringers when the King came home the Kings birth day Gunpowder Treason day pd for Ringing the bell a new lock to the bellfry door To W™ Beck looking after Clock and bells for a year ... For ringing y e 4 &-■ 8 a clock bells 24 June. 5 ringing y= 8 clock bell Sep : 28 for a man to load and unload y e : bells. & expences Octob : 29 expence uppon workmen in repairing y e : tower po Minstrill ringing money To Norrifs for turning y e : great bell Will . fenable for ringing y e : 4 & 8 a clock bell from 1 y e : 29 fep : to y e : 25 March last ... i 00 08 9 00 01 00 00 12 06 00 5 06 I : 10 : 00 01 01 00 00 03 09 00 05 00 00 07 06 00 °5 00 00 15 01 05 00 05 00 00 17 06 01 01 00 CO 02 06 01 10 00 CO 18 1 1 00 3 JO : 5 • : S • . '5 • . 5 • . 7 • 6 1 . 1 . 6 , • 5 • O , • 5 , ■ S ■ , O • 5 . O ■ 7 . 6 I . 1 , . 2 . 3 . 2 . 1- - 5- - 1 ■ 5 .— —11- - 5- - 7- - 6 - 5- WOOBURN. 645 (The accounts from 1769 to 1833 are missing.) Memorandum at a publick vestry held this tenth day of July 1762 we whose names are vnderwritten do Consent and agree that George Grove and Richard Howard the Church wardens Shall be impowered to have the broken bell new Runn or Sell her and buy a new one as the Shall think it best for the parishowners. {Signatures.) Memmorandam at a publick vestry held this 19 day of July 1762. I Thomas Lester and Thomas Pack Do agree with George Grove and Richard Howard Church wardens of the parish of Wooburn in the County of Bucks to Sell them a new bell of 18 hundred or there about for thirteen pence pr pound and to warrant the said bell to be sound and good twelve months after the said bell is hung to pay the mony 3 months after the bell is hung and a new Claper at ninepence pr pound and to warant it good for a twelve month : and to give to the above said Churchwardens ten pence pr pound for the broken bell and two pence pr pound for the old bell Claper ; to allow ten Shillings towards the cariage. witnes Tho s : Lester Memmorandam At a publick vestry held this 29'h day of August 1762 it is agreed by the Parishoners of wooburn that ra; willianv Lawrance of Thame shall hang all the Six bells with new wheelles new Stocks new brafses & new gudgins and to make all the other Ironwork as good as new the Clappers and Everything be Longing there vnto the Clapper of the great bell Excepted for which the Churchwardens Shall pay to mr Lawrance twentyfive pounds when the work is Completed. {Signatures.) 6 46 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Many thanks to the Rev. A. Woodin, Vicar, for kindly allowing me to make these extracts. WORMINGHALL. SS. Peter and Paul. cccxlmi. * (26) QiaCCCXim. (»6|) 3 * JBCojc : J?aler ^ H« • Qwator : jEt: D: fljfictixloii. - (3°) S. (On Waist:) j£ ave : sancta i trinitas AsD I84T- (All round Sound-bow :) ^6X ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ (i 2 £) All by Taylor ; cast at Oxford. Taylor's T-headed clappers, with double crown- staples. Apparently hung by White, of Appleton, Berks. No stays. The tenor is clogged. In 1714, 3 bells ; sanctus not mentioned. Lipscomb, I., 580 : Two small modern bells, and a saint's bell. Mr. Henry Joiner, of this parish, who was the first to ring one of these bells, says that the two upper bells came some time before the tenor, on the arrival of which the second had to be tuned ; also, that there were previously two bells, of which the tenor was perfect, and the treble quite broken up ; only some small portion of it hanging to the stock. Lipscomb's History having been published in 1847, his note above probably refers to the previous bells, before the treble cracked. In a report on this church, drawn up in 1846 by the Rev. J. Baron, Vicar of Waterperry, and Joseph Clarke, Esq., Architect, of London, for the Right Hon. Henry, Viscount Clifden, Patron of the Living and Lord of the Manor, and published in Records of Bucks, IV., 78 (1871), it is stated, "There are three bells in the Tower of the last and present centuries, one is broken and another cracked." And in a paper on the restoration of the church, by the Rev. James Statter, Vicar (torn, cit., p. 90), " The tower . . . has been supplied with a peal of three bells and a Sanctus bell, partly made by recasting three former ones which were either cracked or broken." Death Knell : " soon after death." Tellers : 3 x 3 = a man ; 2 x 3 = a woman ; 1 x 3 = a child. WORMINGHALL — WOTTON UNDERWOOD. 647 No bell at funerals. On Sundays, one bell chimed (?) at 8 am., known as Sermon Bell. For Services, bells chimed twenty minutes, then tenor only, for five minutes, and the sanctus for last five minutes. Memorandum from churchwardens' accounts, 5th February, 1847 : — The sum of 69 „ 7 „ 3 paid to Taylors for recasting the Bells. Many thanks to the Rev. W. H. Pochin, late Vicar. WOTTON UNDERWOOD. All Saints. (»6i) 00 Thomas Meabs of London Fecit cooo 2. ALtC + A DENNtS VtDUA DEDtT ME H"*C PARO- CHfiE. J6J5. * RECAST Jj-28. P: PARROTT. f : HOW. C: W. E: HEMtNS FEC*T * (27) 3. (A larger size of fig. 85 all round, = thirteen times.) P: PARROTT. ♦: HOW. C: W. J 3*2 8. (JZZnt) E: HEM- tNS. FEC + T. ( 5 ""Z*r*) (Underneath, obv. of a shilling.) ( 2 9i) 4. LET AARONS BELLS BE EVER RANG THE WORD BE PREACH'D (,,£-,) AND HALLALUJAH'S SANG. EDWARD HEMtNS BtSS+TER FEC+T. «/J2 8 * (3*i) 5. BEHOLD OUR USES ARE NOT SMALL THAT GOD TO PRA+SE ASSEMBLtES $ CALL. ( s *™,\ P: PARROTT. f : HOW. C: W. \OTtta7tteftt . / HEM+NS FECtT. JJ 28. ( Same ^ m " ,i ) 6. zx> Thomas Meaes of London Fecit isoo 8. (Blank) Treble : there is space for the date between Fecit and the beginning of the pattern, but whether it has been cut away, or was never stamped, I do not know ; Lipscomb, however (I., 609), supplies the omission : " Six good bells, and a saint's 648 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. bell ; the treble was added by the munificence of George, Marquess of Buckingham, in 1800; and the tenor then recast." Tenor: has Bond's gudgeon hoop. These two bells are by T. Mears sen. (p. 104). 2 : for Edward Hemins, see p. 256. Alice Dennis was the daughter of William Haslewood, of Alford, in Cheshire ; she married first, Edward Grenville,* born 1525, descended from Richard de Grenville, second son of Hamon Dentatus, of Bideford (Devon), and Kilkhampton (Cornwall), who died 1 147. From the Grenvilles were descended the late Dukes of Buckingham. Edward Grenville's father died 1536, and he obtained livery of his inheritance in 1548. He and Alice had "on sonne who dyed yonge."f Edward died 31st October, 1587 ; and his widow married secondly, Walter Dennis, Esq., whom also she evidently survived. 3 : the coin is one inch diameter ; bust sinister, " anna dei gratia.'' 4: for different versions of this couplet, see p. 249. 5 : for this inscription, see p. 271. Saunce : has round, sloping shoulder; iron lever; on its stock is carved 1828 which does not, however, prevent the bell being older. Between the rims (where an inscription is usually placed) is "j inch. 2 3 Juty. 1552. Wuttn und r wood (also Wotton — ) It in the ftepell iij belle- It one hande bell. 14 July, 1638, Wootton underwood. 4 bells cl a S ts bell ... the Chancell . . . wanteth leading at ° Eaft end cl pargeting. . . . The steeple in decay in the stone worke and woodworke. 1714. 4 bells (a 5th added between then and 1752. Sanctus not mentioned). WO UGHTON-ON- THE-GREEN. Assumption B. V. Mary. i- CAST BY GILLETT & C° CROYDON (On Waist: roses (?) and plumes of five ostrich feathers (?), alternately, all round) (Underneath:) RICHARD CHANDLER MADE ME 1653 GIL.LETT RECAST ME AT OUR QUEENS JUBILEE 1887. (On Crown:) 10 04 ( 2 6|) 2. GILL.ETT & C° CROYDON (On Waist: pattern all round, as on treble.) (Underneath) "RICH ARD CHANDLER MADE ME I7IY" GILLETT RECAST ME AT OUR QUEENS JUBILEE 1887. (27) 3. CHANDLER MADE ME 1701 (29!) 4 . Tho? Lucas ch- Warden 1771 ogc Baemard Chavall Gentleman °§e Pack & Chapman of London Fecit ago (33D * Lipscomb, I., 597 et sea. ^ His brass in the church. WOUGHTON-ON-THE-GREEN. 649 Treble : as no bell by Richard Chandler Lis known of later date than 1638, and the next appearance of this Christian name is in 1675 ( see P- 22 7)> •' ma y be confidently assumed that the old treble was by Anthony Chandler, bearing, as usual, only his surname ; and that Messrs. Gillett, seeing the Christian name Richard on the next bell, and ignoring the sixty-four years interval between the two, and the (no doubt) different letters used, put this down to him as well — an unfortunate mistake. Since the above was written, the Rev. T. A. Turner has kindly lent me rubbings (taken in 1876) of these two bells, which prove this surmise to be correct. The former treble bore :— CHAUDLER MADE ME 16 53 (25^) Thickness of sound-bow, if in. ; high crown; much chipped for tuning. And the former second : — {Fig. 82 all round.) RICHARd CHANdLER MACIE ME 1717 (28) Thickness of sound-bow, i|| in. Very thin where large holes were drilled through crown for new crown-staple. Badly cracked. Iron baldrick. The Rev. F. F. Field, the Rector, told me that the old treble split when Messrs. Gillett's hanger was boring holes through the crown, when quarter-turning it, and that they recast it at a reduced charge ; much tuned from lip. The former second, by Richard Chandler III., was cracked about the "forties." 3 : by "the firm," in the ff inch set of letters (see p. 233) : hung far out from stock. Tenor (p. 101). All rehung in the seventeenth-century frame, which is left still wedged to the walls ; the two surviving old bells are turned, and their crown-staples broken out. 1 7 14, 4 bells. The "Pancake Bell" was discontinued somewhere about 1830, or earlier. Death Knell : as soon as possible after the death ; no tellers. A bell tolled at funerals. On Sundays, a bell is rung at 7 a.m., to give notice that Morning Service will be held, and again immediately after the Service, to announce that there will be Evensong. These are, of course, survivals of the days when the Rector was a pluralist, and did not reside here. For the Services, the bells are rung, and the treble chimed alone for the last five minutes. Before the appointment of the present Rector (1884), the bells were rung from November 5th until after Christmas, by special ringers. Now their places are taken by the regular ringers, who begin in Advent, and ring nearly every night, and for Service on all chief festivals and saints' days. 40 650 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Ringing for weddings when paid for, or when some friend of the ringers is rrarried. A bell rung for Vestry and Parish Meetings. No churchwardens' accounts. Many thanks to the Rev. F. F. Field, Rector. WRAYSBURY, more correctly, Wyrardisbury. S.Andrew. 1. C^T BY JOPJVI W7U?NEI? § S©NS &0NDQN tS90-:- {On Waist:) J. fl. P t ]SDJS0JS-Y tC?I^ {890 J. P. ¥?1YL0^ + ]H Effc + DEt Y + {5 JAE?!:- (24i) 2. {Ditto, on shoulder.) {On Waist:) C^PT/HN R. fl/IHS^EpVES 1 Op UHCPW7U?DE]VIJ5 CpPT^IN W. gpEIt'J?0]V[ f +S90-:- {Tuned from 2 5^) 3. C/1JST BY J0PJVI WP^]5E^ § P0NP l£0]SD0]V[ +881 "■• (c. 26J) 4. C7IJST BY J0PN W^^]SEI? § £0]SJ5 L0]HD0]S +8 7+ * ^" (28) (2^. 32!) 1657 PfljpEisa? BRYANVS ELDRIDQE ME FECI 7- WILLIAM ELDRIDGE MADE MEE I664 (35) 8 * §if + nomen + 6omini + Senebictum 15 9 1 H K ( 39 i) The two trebles were first used at a Dedicatory Service on June 3rd, 1890, at which H.R.H. Princess Christian untied a ribbon which held the two ropes. 5 and 6 : are by Bryan Eldridge II., of Chertsey (p. 244). 7 : by his brother (p. 245). Tenor: by Henry Knight I., of Reading (p. 123). Until 188 1 there were only 5 bells, as shown in the History of Wraysbury, etc., by G. W. J. Gyll, Esq., published in 1862. On p. 114 : — WRAYSBURY— HIGH WYCOMBE. 65 I . . . Five bells . . . Tenor . . . is 2 feet 8 in. high, and its diameter 3 feet 2 inches, and at the top 20 inches in diameter; it has on it X.s.q.l.+sit nomen x Domini — Henesell.* No 1 ... 2 feet 2 inches high, and it is cracked; its diameter is 2 feet 2 inches below, the top diameter is 14 inches, and it has on it, T.H.R.L. H.W. 1657. The inscription on this bell (the predecessor of what is now the fourth) was noted in 1864 by Mr. H. Wilson, of Windsor, as : — Bryanvs Eldridge me fecit, 1657. TH, RL. HW Diameter, 27J inches ; cracked. (HW seems likely to have been CW). The two remaining inscriptions are given nearly correctly by Mr. Gyll, the most important mistake being that he omits the fourth bell altogether ; and calls William's bell the third. 18 July, 1552, Wyrardylbury, In p'm s iij belle and one hande bell 7 Aug : 1637, Wyrardsbury 3. Bells. A gallery set under the bellfry abs°i3 &°c} the last yeare. And the frames of the bells broken. . . . The bellframes fo in decay that the bells cannot be rung. . . . The fteeple in great decay S-* braced round w th timber & iron pins. 1714, 5 bells. Lipscomb (IV., 612) records the same number. The Record Office (see p. ix.) fumisheS- the following note on the Priory of Ankerwycke, in this parish : — .. 3 . .. , , / The leade ther (&c) 1 „ „ , .„ ... T xijmo dig mscij 1555 Ankerwyk "i .. r Annfweryd A" xxviij»« H viij" Death Knell : on the forenoon following the death. Age and sex denoted by the bell used. Single bell tolled at funerals. On Sundays, a single bell tolled at 8 a.m. Bells rung (Grandsire Doubles or Minor) for about twenty minutes before Morning and Evening Service ; but chimed instead of rung, when a body is lying in the parish awaiting burial. Ringing at 6 a.m on Christmas Morning. The Old Year rung out with the bells muffled, and the New Year rung in (? with the bells " open "). Ringing for weddings by desire. Many thanks to the Rev. J. H. Hindson, the late Vicar. * This is a good instance of the wonderful faculty which exists for misquoting bell inscriptions. t Et cetera may stand for Hcentia, or for mensuratione altitudinis. 6 S2 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. WYCOMBE, HIGH. All Saints. i. Thomas Mea.es of London Fecit 1802 4k( P *M™$ d -) (29) 2. John briant . hartford . fecit . 1788 . ™ Jf^: M '} G . HARMAN . ASSISTANTS. { THE GIFT ° F THE EARL OF WVCOMB • • ■ ■ \ (, 1) (.ELDEST SON OF THE MARQUIS OF LANSDOWN/ \S^) 3- John briant . hartford . fecit . 1788 . ° ' "* RMAN • 1 W ■ BALL , } j- THE GIFT OF LORD HENRY PETTY 1 . . ASSISTANTS.Q \ SECOND SON OF THE MARQUIS OF LANSDOWN. ' U 1 '.*) 4. 8. 2x> Kecast by Thomas Mears of London A, D. 1802 JOCC (31,44) 5. EDWARD STEVEMS CLARK LVKE GVRVTEY SEXTOV. Rt PHELPS FEC: 17 II* (32^) 6. MEARS & STAINBAN.K, WHITECHAPEL FOUNDRY, LONDON. (On Waist:) THESE EIGHT BELLS WERE CAST I7II BY RICHARD PHELPS OF "WHITECHAPEL, LONDON THIS BELL WAS RECAST IN THE YEAR 1890 R. CHILTON, VICAR T. J. REYNOLDS \ W. PHILLIPS A. LEADBETTER J. PARKER CHURCHWARDENS (34) 7. AEON WOOSTEE:THO s WALKEEilP MEAD: CHUECHWAEDENE.?: THO s S^AIN; MADE: ME : J756 g| : (38) 9. MESEIVRS IOHW LAME THOJ STEVEWS GEO % GROVE FERD tSHRIMPTOM THOt WELLES ALD M * I 7 1 1 R*Pt FEC X (44) 10. May allWhom I Shall Summon to the Grave the Blessings of a well spent Life Receive^. ^ 4k 4k ^ Tho s Mears of London Fecit 1802 ^ ^ 4k 4k 4k The Eey d James Price Vicar Mess es Bichard Barton Samuel Bates James Kingston & Daniel Turner Churchwardens W B (s4) Treble, 4, 8, and tenor : by the elder Thomas Mears (p. 104). 2 and 3 : the HIGH WYCOMBE. 653 following account of the Petty family is compressed from Lipscomb (III., 640), and Parker's Wycombe (1878, p. 17), etc. : — In 1700, Thomas Archdale, Esq., conveyed the Manors of Temple Wycombe, Loakes, and Windsor, or Chapel Fee, in Wycombe, to Henry Petty, who had, the previous year, been created Baron Shelburne. He was the second son of Sir William Petty, by Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Hardress Waller, Knt., of Castletown, co. Limerick. In 1709, he was created Viscount Dunkeron, and Earl of Shelburne; and died 1751. All his children having predeceased him, he devised his estates to John Fitzmaurice, second son of his sister, Anne, Countess of Kerry, who was, at different times, created Viscount Fitzmaurice and Baron Dunkeron ; Earl of Shelburne ; and a Peer of England as Baron Wycombe. He died 1761, and was succeeded by his eldest son, William, who, in 1784, was created Viscount Calne and Calnstone, Earl of Wycombe, Marquess of Lansdowne, and K.G. He married in February, 1765, Sophia, daughter of John, Earl Granville, by whom he had John Henry (mentioned on the second bell), M.P. for Wycombe, 1786-90, afterwards second Marquess of Lansdowne, died 1809, s.p. ; and William, who died young. The first Marquess married secondly, Louisa, sister of the Earl of Upper Ossory, and by her had Lord Henry Petty (mentioned on the third bell), born 1780, who eventually succeeded his brother, as the third Marquess. The first Marquess was for a short time (1782) Prime Minister; he died in 1805, and was buried in this church. In 1798 he disposed of this estate to Robert Smith, first Lord Carrington. The crown-staple of the second is not quite square with the canons, so that the straps are placed diagonally across the stock. The coin on 3 is an impression of the obverse of a shilling (^ inch diameter), bust dexter, georgivs in. dei gratia. These two bells have flat-topped canons. Mr. George Harman, whose name appears as one of Briant's "assistants," was a clockmaker in Wycombe; he served the office of Mayor in 2 Vict. (1838), and had nothing whatever to do with bell- founding. In 1790 he erected here a new* set of chimes, at the expense of Lord Lansdowne. The tunes were the same as those of the celebrated chimes of S. Giles's Church, Cripplegate, London, which were also constructed by Mr. Harman, viz , Sunday — " Salisbury," or " Easter Hymn " ; Monday — " Hymn of Eve " ; Tues- day — " Staughton " ; Wednesday — ' ' Horsley " ; Thursday — " Sicilian Mariners' * Chimes existed here for a quarter of a century at any rate, and the clock at least struck the hours by 1637. Its successor, dating before that year, from about 1730, having become worn out, a new one, by Messrs. Gillett and Bland, together with a new set of chimes, were subscribed for, and put up early in 1877, at a cost of over ,£500. The tunes which the present chimes play, are as follows, with the names of the donors : Sunday — "Easter Hymn," Rev. R. Chilton; Monday — "Rousseau's Dream," J. O. Griffits, Esq. ; Tuesday—" O Rest in the Lord," J. Parker, Esq., F.S.A. ; Wednesday— " Sicilian Mariners' Hymn," F. Wheeler, Esq. ; Thursday—" Blue Bells of Scotland," B. Lucas, Esq. ; Friday — " Last Rose of Summer," W. V. Baines, Esq. ; Saturday—" Home, Sweet Home," A. Vernon, Esq. 654 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. Hymn"; Friday— " Britons, Strike Home!"; Saturday— " Bermondsey." 5 (p. 98) : one of the canons broken. 6 : the former bell was inscribed : — RICHARD PHELPS OF WHITE CHAPEL LOHDOVI MADE THESE EIGHT BELLS I 7 I I •> (34!) It had been cracked across the crown for a long time — as long as the late parish clerk could recollect — but if an iron band had been shrunk round the shoulder, even as late as 1885, when I ventured to suggest it,* the bell might have been preserved for many years. As it was, the crack increased at compound interest — the further it spread, the more rapidly it went on spreading —with a corresponding loss of tone, until the poor old bell became almost voiceless, when the present bell was substituted. It reached Wycombe on November 24th, 1890 ; on the following day I did my "little possible" to assist Mr. W. Greenleaf (then in partnership with Mr. T. Blackbourn, bellhanger, of Salisbury) in removing the old bell and lowering it to the ringing-chamber, etc. ; and in the evening the Voluntary Ringers of Wycombe lowered it to the ground, and hauled up into the tower the new bell, whose weight is said to be 7 cwts. 2 qrs. 1 5 lbs. The crown-staple is not a fixture, but passes as a single rod through the crown, and is bolted by a nut in the argent hole. The seventh was rehung and quarter-turned at the same time. 9 : John Lane was Mayor, in 1683, and again the following year. A Thomas Lane was one of the M.P.s for the borough in 1625, 1628, 1640, and 1641 ; his name appears in a List of County J.P.s in 1646 ; and the following February, a John Lane's name was added ; the Lanes were people of some consequence at Great Marlow at the same period. Thomas Stevens was Mayor four times. George Grove was Mayor in 1697. Ferdinando Shrimpton was Mayor no less than eight times, unless more than one individual of the name is included in the period between 12 Will. III. and 5 Geo. II. Thomas Welles did not pass the chair, though others of his name (and doubtless related to him) did so, both before and after his time. Tenor : for the authorship of these lines, see p. 104. The Rev. James Price, B.A., was presented to the living in March, 1788, by William, Marquess of Lansdowne, K.G., in succes- sion to a namesake — no doubt his father — who had been presented to the living by the same patron when Earl of Shelburne, in November, 1763, and was buried here in January, 1788; the younger Mr. Price served as Mayor, in the 29th of George HI. ; which office had been served by his father on four dccasions. The initials, W B, probably signify Wycombe Borough. In an inventory of goods of Wycombe church, 147 st : — ij hoselyng bellys. iij bellis for the badman * Records of Bucks, V. f For this I am indebted to E. J. Payne, Esq., Recorder of Wycombe. HIGH WYCOMBE. 655 The first were used at the time of administering the sacrament. The bedeman was apparently the priest who read prayers. The original tower of this church was at the intersection of the transepts, built 1273. The present tower at the west end was built 1522. Lipscomb (III., 650) is, of course, wrong in saying that eight bells were removed from the old to the new tower. 1 8 July, 1552, Chepyng Wicombe, itm fyve Greatte bellis one Sauncebelle/ two handbellis and two facr ...{perished). Aug: 4. 1637, Wicombe mag* 6 Bells* S's Bell a clock chimes ... Six bells but formerly 5. the fixt being brought in w* out y e generall confent ... A new Dyall to be fet on the fteeple in a frame as the former ... the bellfry dore [out of repaire]. The six bells are said to have been inscribed : — 1. Praise ye Lorde, 1620 (weight, 8 cwt. 10 lbs.) 2. Sit Nomen Domini Benedictum (9 cwt. 18 lbs.) 3. Multis Annis Resonet Campana Johannis, 1583 (12 cwt. 18 lbs.) 4. Love God, 1636 (15 cwt. 67 lbs.) 5. Martyn Lewellin, Mayr. ; Robt. Roy, Christr. Weedon, Richd. Piggor, Robt. Bowdrey, Ch. W's., 1672 (20 cwt. 32 lbs.) 6. Jno. Pettiphur, Mayr. j Cha. Elliot, Aid. ; Jno. Bigg, Thos. Grove, Christr. Lansdell, Sam. Freeman, Robt. Ratliff, C.W., 1683 (29 cwt. o lbs.) The treble was perhaps one of James Keene's first bells (p. 161), or, if the date is incorrect, it may have been by Ellis Knight (p. 126), to whom the fourth may, with very little doubt, be assigned. The second was probably a fifteenth century bell, by Henry Jordan (p. 37), or one of his predecessors. The third I feel no hesitation in assigning to William Knight (p. 122). The fifth and tenor, uncertain, but perhaps by Richard Keene ; or, the former may have been by Henry Knight II. ; and the latter by Henry Knight III.; Ellis Knight (?IL, p. 134); or Samuel Knight; or possibly they were from the Whitechapel Foundry. In 1711, the six bells were taken down, and removed by road to Spade Oak Wharf on the Thames at Bourne End (near Little Marlow), and thence by barge to London ; where a ring of eight bells was cast in their place, by Richard Phelps, of the Whitechapel Foundry, at a cost of ^140, exclusive of the expenses of carriage. The new bells (only two of which still remain here) were only five hundred- weight heavier than the old six, and formed the second ring of eight ever erected in this county (Denham being the first). The inscriptions are said to have been : — * Wingraye is the only other place in the county that had a ring of 6 at that date. Soulbury, which alone perhaps had 6 in 1552, had certainly only 5 in 1637. 656 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. 1. Wm. Shrimpton, T. Clerk ; Jno. Rose, Serjeant; Wm, Hailey, Beadle ; R.P., fee. 171 1. 2. {The present $th.) 3. {The late 6th.) 4. God preserve the Church of England, and our Gratious Queen Ann. R.P., fee. 17 1 1. 5. Messeiurs Ben. Hickman, Jos. Pettipher, Ric. Shrimpton, Hen. Hunt, Aldermen. R. Phelps made me, 17 11. 6. {The present gtti). 7. Hugh Shrimpton, Mayr. ; Thos. Russin, Justice; Thos. Wood, T.C. ; Richd. Allen, Jno. Carter, Bail; R.P., fee. 1711. 8. Saml. Guise, M. A., Vicar; Nath. Morgin, Wm. Packer, Saml. Welles, Fra. Williams, C.W. Richd. Phelps made mee, 1 7 1 1 . The seventh bell at Wooburn (dated 17 12) has an almost exact counterpart of the inscription just recorded on the late fifth here. It is not easy to see why the names of Wycombe aldermen should be placed on a bell cast for another parish, and the obvious explanation seems to be that this bell was moved, second-hand, from here to Wooburn; perhaps in 1802, when some of the bells here were recast. It is quite likely that Phelps's original fifth for Wycombe tower (dated, like the rest, 17 n), may have been unsatisfactory, and therefore recast the following year. The tenor is stated in John Briant's List of Bells, published in Bells of Herts (p. 65), to have weighed 28 cwt. ; the present tenor represents Phelps's seventh. The massive frame, constructed in 1 7 1 1 , still remains. The only eighteenth century Peal Board remaining in the county, hangs in the ringing-chamber here, in an elaborate gilt frame : — All Saints, Wycombe, April S'\ 1792. On the evening of the eighth Instant was flung in this Steeple, A Compleat Peal of Grandsire Cators ««i»» consisting of ««[»» ^Fiirc Wljovtssna am Han&reir & elebert —I — I— I— changes ^^.^X By a Party of the Society of \s\s-s London College Youths. c^o which they compleated in three hours & forty two minutes, in that Masterly Style for which they are famous. HIGH WYCOMBE. 657 IJerfcrrmers Mr. John Povey Treble Mr. Jos* h Holdsworth 2 Mr. James Lance 3 Mr. Will™ Wilson 4 Mr. Rich d Wilson 5 Mr. James Wooster 6 Mr. John Jnville 7 Mr. Edm d Sylvester 8 Mr. Dan 1 Jenkins 9 Mr. John Lyford Tenor The peal call'd by Mr. John Povey John Povey, of London, was Beadle to the Society of College Youths, and his name appears in the list of subscribers to Clavis Campanalogia in 1788 ; as do also those of Joseph Holdsworth, of Westminster ; William Wilson, of London ; and James Worster (? a misprint for Wooster) of Chelsea, Middlesex, who was, perhaps, a native of this town; there was a ringer here named Wooster in 1770, besides Aaron, the churchwarden of 1756, recorded on the seventh bell. John Inville, of Newington, "Surry," was likewise a subscriber to Clavis; as were Edmund Sylvester (whose name was also on an older Peal Board formerly at Denham, see p. 378*), and John Lyford, of Whitechapel. The Morning Ave was rung daily at 4 a.m., until 1836. The Evening Ave, or Curfew, was rung at 8 p.m., on the ninth bell, until 1853. The " Pancake Bell " is still rung on Shrove Tuesday, on the seventh bell, at 10 a.m., for five minutes. Death Knell : at any convenient time ; but if the death occur after Evening Service, the knell is tolled the following morning. It was formerly the custom to toll the death knell on the day preceding the funeral, at the same hour as the funeral was fixed for. Tellers : 3 x 3 = a male ; 3 x 2 = a female. At funerals, a bell is tolled as the body is borne to the church, and again, when it is carried from the church to the grave. When there is muffled ringing, it is after the interment. There is muffled ringing on the death of any member of the Royal Family, for clergy of the parish, a ringer, churchwarden, mayor, or other high official. On Sundays and other Holy Days, the treble is chimed for a quarter of an hour before the 8 a.m. Celebration ; and on Easter Day for the 7 and 8 am. Celebrations. For Morning and Evening Services, a single bell is first rung, which is known as the Sermon Bell ; then the bells are chimed (? or rung) ; and lastly the treble alone; each for fifteen minutes ( = three-quarters of an hour in all). * In an account of the " Cirencester Parish Church Bells,'' kindly sent me by the Ven. the Archdeacon of Cirencester (the Rev. H. R, Hay ward) since p. 370 Was printed, occur the names of no less than six out of the eight members of the College Youths who rang at Denham in 1773 ; viz., James Darquit, Thos. Bennett, Winstanley Richardson, Will™ Scott, Robert Bly, and Joseph Monk, — taking part, at Cirencester, in a Peal of Grandsire Cinques (5,082 changes, in three hours fifty-seven minutes), on January 7th, 1767. 4 P 658 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. For the daily Services, a single bell is rung for fifteen minutes, except on Thursdays, when the bells are chimed from 6.30 to 7 p.m. On New Year's Eve, the bells are rung for a Service at 8 p.m., and are left set, with the exception of the tenor. From 11.45 to just before midnight, the tenor is tolled. As soon as the clock has struck the hour, the tenor is raised, and a touch rung for fifteen minutes. The bells were rung muffled on Good Friday, 1888, for the first time, during the Three Hours. Ringing formerly on November 5th, now discontinued. In the Borough Records is as follows : — Feb. 6 th , 1672. Henry Shepherd was discharged and ousted as a Burgess of High Wycombe for misbehaviour and being uncivil to several gentlemen, especially on the 3rd instant, at the Catherine Weell ; and in token whereof it is ordered that the Great Bell be rung out according to custom, in testimony of his misdemeanours, and for his disfranchisement. Extracts from the Churchwardens' Accounts. 1760. Nov. 12, Richd Stevens for mending the Clapper of the Great Bell 00 . 05 . 00 1763 Sep. 15. Ringing Day ... ... ... 00 . 14 . 00 [In this year commence annual entries of 14J. paid for " Ringing Day " on June 4th (George III.'s birthday), September 22nd (Coronation of Geo. III. and his Queen Consort), and November 5th. 1764 Paid Joseph Allen for ringing the eight o'clock bell ... or . 05 . 00 „ June 29. Paid Mr. Veary for work done to the Great Bell 00 . 03 . 10 „ July 9. Thos. Weller for work to ye bells ... ... 00.01.00 1766. W™ Mead for work about ye bells ... ... 00.15.11^ ,, Ed. Hearn for 8 o'clock bell ... ... ... 01 . 05 . 00 ,, Thos. Wingrove for Carpenters Work to ye Bells and Chimes &c 05 . 18 . 03 „ John Wootton his bill for ropes ... ... ... 01 . 02 . n ,, Joseph Bowles for 2 ringing days ... ... ... 00.14.00 1767 Richard Carter his bill for looking [to] the Clock and Chimes 01 . 00 . 00 1770 Thos. Phillips for ringing the Eight o'clock bell ... 01 . 05 . 00 ,, Edward Hearn for sweeping the church and looking after ye chimes ... ... ... ... 02.08.00 ,, Mr. Wicheloe for a ringing day ... ... ... 00.07.00 „ „ Browne „ ,, ,, „ ... ... ... 00.07.00 „ „ Wooster „ „ ,, „ ... ... ... 00.07.00 „ „ Doney ,, „ ,, „ ... ... ... 00.07.00 1770. Whit well for repairing the chimes ... ... 01 . 13 . 00 „ May 20. Ringing at Confirmation ... ... 00.14.00 „ Mr. Stanworth at the finishing Ringing the 8 o'clock bell 00 . 01 . 00 1772. Nov. 5. For beer ... ... ... ... 00.01.00 (This is extra ; the other entries being same as former years.) HIGH WYCOMBE. 659 1776 W; Stanworth for 8 o'clock bell ... 1779 Ditto 1797. Three ringing days „ Aug. 2 ringing days* 1798. July 1. Beer for ringers changing ropes 1804 For two ringing days, May 29, and June 4 th ... 1807 Robert Youens for ringing the bellf 1814 Edward Burnham for bell (E. Burnham for 8 o'clock bell recurs for several years.) 1821 William Brown moiety of Bill for bell rope ... Nov. 1820. John Lee for clock Nov. 1822. John Lee for 1 year 1823 Paid ringers for two years „ East for 8 o'clock bellj 1824 East for 4 and 8 o'clock bell Jan. 29 pd. ringers|| 1826 8 o'clock bell Nov. 5§ ... 1827 William East for 4 and 8 o'clock bell [On loose paper, between 1827-8, is : — ] Expended on Organ & Bells ... . . 29 . 1828. Jan. 30. Ringing at King's Acc n . „ July 19 Ringing at King's Coro n 1829 East for bell „ Strange for clock „ John Youens for bell ropes 1830 East for 8 o'clock bell ... The following list gives the names of the ringers of the Curfew for the last century of its observance, with date of appointment of each, and annual payment : — Joseph Allen, 1764, £1 $s. Edward Hearn, 1766, do. Thomas Phillips, 1770, do. ; died or resigned same year. William Stanworth, 1770, was appointed " at the finishing," and received is. for his services during that short period. Robert Youens, 1807,^1 6s. (Steeplekeeper until his death in 1824.) Edward Burnham, 1813 £1 10s. James Lacey, ?? William East, 1823, £2. Richard Russell, 1831, do. Robert Youens, ? ? * The Battle of the Nile, was the occasion of great rejoicings in Wycombe ; Lord St. Vincent, as Admiral Sir John Jervis, KB., having been Member for this borough in 1784. t Grandfather of the present steeplekeeper. % For two years. II Accession of George IV., 1820. § Hitherto 14J. 00 . 12 , 06 01 . ,05. . 00 02 . 02 . , 00 01 . 08 , , 00 00 . 05 . 02 I . 8 . I . 6, , , .15. , I . 3 • 4 4 • 4 , 4 . 11 . 4 • 4 . 4 . . 2 . , 1 1 . 2 . . 1 . 1 , . 2 , , 2 , , 9- 1 . 1 . , 1 , 1 , , 4. . 10 , 10 . 6. , . 66o THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. The anniversaries of the Sovereign's accession, etc., are now discontinued, as there are no funds to pay the ringers. On May 17th, 1832, when the news reached the town that all opposition to the Reform Bill had been withdrawn, the bells were rung all day. On the following day, when the Ven. Justly Hill, Archdeacon of Buckingham, held his Visitation at Wycombe, the ringers refused to ring, because the Bishop* had voted against the Reform Bill. Among the payments appears : — 1778 Bedstead and bolster, ,£01 . 05 . 00 It was not uncommon for the ringer of the Morning Ave to be provided with sleeping accommodation within the church, and this may have been the case here. A former ringer of the 4 a.m. bell, James Lacey, is said to have been in the habit of raising the tenor, and then, after a few pulls, of leaving it to ring itself down again, regardless of consequences, while he returned home ; and he used to boast that he could get into bed in his cottage near " The Wheel " in Newland, before the bell had run down. Until about 1829, the churchwardens used to provide the ringer of the 4 a.m. bell, with an alarum clock to awaken him. Very many thanks to Mr. R. S. Downs. Chapel-of-Ease : S. Anne, Wycombe Marsh, consecrated 1861 ; one small bell. WYCOMBE, WEST. S. Lawrence. ■1. LESTER & PACK OF LONDON FECIT J756 (28) 2. HENRI I62X TS KNIGHT MADE MEE RP V (3°i) 3 BleccdJ ht tbz tf)t lor&e X5 8X X JoCfplj carter name of (33i) 4- HENRI MEE KNIGHT 6 2 O MADE (34f) * The county of Bucks was annexed and united to the Diocese of Oxford in July, 1837, but the union did not take effect until the first subsequent avoidance of the See, in November, 1845, so the Bishop here referred to was Lincoln. WEST WYCOMBE. 66 1 5. THOS BATTING & J JSt ° PBTBE CH- WARDENS 1 7 6 2 y LESTER & PACK OF LONDON FE- CIT 000000 ( Underneath, all round .") (384) 6. :><> T. Mears of London, fecit, 1828. coxxixxzx Treble and 5 (p. 100); the bell on 5 is figured on Plate XXI. On the wheel of S is cut, 1818, which probably marks its date. 2 and 4: by Henry Knight I. (see pp. 124 and 126, where the date of the latter bell is stated to be 1626, an awful warning to all future " steeple-chasers " never to scamp work by neglecting to take rubbings in every case). 3 : the earliest bell by Joseph Carter in the county (p. 85). 3 and 4 are badly tuned away from the lip. Tenor (p. 105) : on its cage is cut, R E (twice) and, W S, which are probably the initials of the bellhangers. On the wainscot in the ringing-chamber is : — The church was being rebuilt at that date by Francis, Baron le Despenser, and was completed in 1763. The frame, and probably the stocks, are cotemporary with the church ; all the straps bolted ; the wheels are newer. Lord le Despenser was (as stated on his monument) Treasurer of the Chambers, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Master of the Wardrobe, and joint Postmaster General He died December, 1781, aged seventy-three years. 662 THE CHURCH BELLS OF BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. 18 July, 1552, Wefte Wicombe. Inpnriis iiij belle in the Steple ij litell belle in the chanfell. 15 Aug : 1637, West wicombe 5. Bells & a little handbell, the battlement of the fteeple in decay. 1 714, 5 bells (sanctus not mentioned). At the time of the death of Henry Knight I., in January, 1622-3, "Weft Wickham in the County of Buck," owed him ^12 (see p. 125). Chapel-of-Ease, S. Paul, built 1875 ; one small modern bell. END OF PART III. PL A TE I. m^ ^r (fl T FORMER SAUNCE (EARLY 13th CENTURY), AND FORMER TREBLE (14th CENTURY), AT CAVERSFIELD. PLATE //. rM-i ^ TLT] EARLY 13th CENTURY BELL AT CAVERSFIELD, PLATE III. MICHAEL DE WYMBIS OF LONDON, C. 1290. PLATE IV. Q> n ^ijj?l| JOHN ROFFORD. WILLIAM RUFFORD. PLATE V. 1 A 1 1 "1 2nd BELL AT BEACHAMPTON. 2nd HALF 14th CENTURY. 4 R PLATE VI. TREBLES AT LITTLE LINFORD AND BARTON HARTSHORN. TENOR AT BARTON HARTSHORN (14th CENTURY). PLATE VII. TREBLE AT THORNTON (EARLY 14th CENTURY). PLATE VIII. «S^ PETER DE WESTON, C. 1328-47 (TATTENHOE), 14TH CENTURY BELL AT CHETWODE, & A LATER BELL AT LECKHAMPSTEAD. PLATE IX. TENOR AT THORNTON BY RICHARD HILLE, C. 1423-1440. PLATE X. tcwod at CHENLEY, C. 1400. PLATE XI. JOHN STURDY & OTHERS. PLA TE XII. CAPITALS USED BY WALGRAVE, CROWCH, DANYELL, & JORDAN, 15th CENTURY. PLATE XIII. TENOR AT WINGRAVE, BY JOHN DANYELL, C. 1450-1460. 4 T PLATE XIV. TENOR AT NETTLEDEN, PROBABLY BY TH08. HARRYS, C. 1479. TREBLE AT ICKFORD, 16th CENTURY. PLATE XV. WOKINGHAM FOUNDRY, 2nd HALF OF 14th CENTURY PLATE XV T. cio^i^ WOKINGHAM FOUNDRY. 2nd HALF OF 14th CENTURY. PLATE XVII. 1 ] kj ^^^^% ^ ]f3 WILLIAM HASYLWOOD, OF READING, C. 1494. 4 U PLATE XVIII. WILLIAM HASYLWOOD, OF READING, C. 1494. PLA TE X/X. READING FOUNDRY-CHIEFLY 16th CENTURY. PLATE XX. &V- -01 TV ._ 1~^H ll -r' 1 •J 1 ■i j K-'P ^ Jl" — ~-^£^r (Jf^*—" ""^■'^ JOHN SAUNDERS, OF READING, AND JOSEPH CARTER, OF READING. JOSEPH CARTFR ne READING AND WHITECHAPEL PL A TE XXI. THE WHITECHAPEL FOUNDRY. PLATE XXI-l. F READING. PLATE XXI U. LETTERS FROM " BRASYER'S SMALLER ALPHABET," &C, USED AT BEDFORD, C. 1589-1610. PLATE XXIV. "BRASYER'S LARGER ALPHABET" (OF NORWICH, 15th CENTURY). PLATE XXV USED BY (?W.) WATTS AT BEDFORD, 1591 (SHERINQTON). 4 Y PLATE XXVI. JAMES KEENE, &c, (OF BEDFORD & WOODSTOCK,) C. 1612. PLATE XXVII. LETTERS DOUBTFULLY ATTRIBUTED TO JOHN APPOWELL, PLATE XXVIII. BUCKINGHAM FOUNDRY-BARTHOLOMEW ATTON, &c, C. 1585. PLATE XXIX. BUCKINGHAM FOUNDRY-BARTHOLOMEW ATTON, Ac. 4 Z PLATE XXX. BUCKINGHAM FOUNDRY-BARTHOLOMEW AND ROBERT ATTON. PLA TE XXXI. YT ZA BUCKINGHAM FOUNDRY-LETTERING INTRODUCED 1610, & C. 1621, Ac. PLATE XXXII. THE BAGLEYS, OF CHACOMBE, Ac. PLATE XXXIII. OF DRAYTON PARSLOW. INDEX (^Initials are indexed under the surname or last initial. ) {Names in Heavier Type are those of Bellfounders.) PAGE 249, 250, 2S6, 647 44.45 ... 632 433 368, 453 Thomas, 636 ; 205, 224, IX. -XI. 295 253 375 5. 3 2 5. 4i4. 273 284 " Aaron's Bells " Abbot of Stratford . . . Abram, William Abrook, Richard (c.w.) Accidents, Fatal, in belfries .. Adams, Ralph (c.w.), 298; William (c w.), 559 Addenda & Corrigenda Addington .. „ (Surrey) ... Adsetts, J. (Architect) Adstock, 26, 105, 227, 278, 565. 615 ^Elfric's Catalogue of Church appliances ^Ethelwold, Bishop of Winchester Akeley ... 227, 236, 268, 297, 388, 445 Aldbourne Foundry, 106, 124, 262, 266, 609 Aldermaston (Berks) ... ... 134 Aldershot (Hants) .. ... 49 Aldgate, S. Botolph's, 9, 33, 37, 38, 79 ; Street, 42 ; Ward, 8, 29 Aldridge( = ? Eldridge) ... ... 339 (Alldrig), Widow ... ... 589 Alford (Cheshire) ... ... ... 648 Allen, Rev. John, 614; Jos., 658, 659 ; (c.w.) 378; Richard, 656; (c.w.), 566; Thomas, 511 Allum, George ... ... 509. 510 Allwood, — ... ... 504 Alphabet Bell, 47, 63, 64, 188-190 (foot-note), 3 22 > 32+ Amelia,. Princess ... ... ... 309 Amersham, 98, 100-102, 105, 141, 253, 274, 275 297 ; Market House, 298, 302 Ampthill (Beds) ... ... ... 178 Andrew {alias Mordan), John ... 380 Andrewes family ... ... ... 45 2 Ankerwycke Priory ... ... ... 651 Anne, JUominus Alexander ... ... 356 Anstiss, — ... ... ■■■ 37 2 180 181 181 119 224 129 285 273 (foot-note) .177, family 49. PAGB Anthony, William ... ... ... 499 Appleford (Berks) ... ... 49, 52 Appleton (Berks) 436, 441, 545, 560, 620, 646 Appowell, George 179, 182, 184, 193 „ James ... 186 ; Jeremy ... 181 ,, John. 174, 185, 188, 190, 624 ,, family, 179-186; (pedigree) 187, 188 ,, John (of Reading) ,, „ (? of Thame) .» ji \ ». .. ) „ ? Ollyver Apsley Guise (Beds) Arborfield (Berks) ... Archtsologia ,, Cambrensis Archozological fournal 107, 273 (foot-note) 286 ,, Society of Bucks ... 447 Archdale, Thomas, Esq. ... ... 652 Archdeacon of Bucks, xxx., ... 229, 51 1, 540, 604, 659 Archer, T. (c.w.) ... ... ... 551 Arches Court ... ... 44.45 Architectural History of University of Can- bridge, 381 Ares, Hugh ... ... 642, 643 Arnold, Edward, 106, 115, 116, 260, 607 Arthur, John ... ... ... 402 Ascension Day Hymn, Supposed ancient 384 Ascot, Viscount ... ... ..> 619 ,, ( = Wing) ... ... 624,628 Ashby Parva (Leicestershire) ... ... 155 Ashendon ... ... 207, 209, 215, 302, 329 Ashfeld, Sir Edmund Ashley Green Ashridge (Pitstone) ... Askew, Josias Aspenden (Herts) ... Asstin, George (clerk) Aston, Nicholas Aston Abbots, 224, 236, 274 303 ••• 344 ■ • ■ 3°3 467, 580, 551 ... 636 ... 230 ... 405 •■ 332 275, 278, 279, 5 B 73o INDEX. PAGE Aston Clinton ... ior, 105, 304, 558 „ Flamville (Leicestershire) 143, 144 ,, Rowant (Oxon) ... ... 54 ,, Sandford ... ... 52, 134, 805 ,, Somerville (Gloucestershire) 214 {foot- note) ,, Tirrold (Berks) ... 190 (foot-note) Astronomical Society ... ... 579 Astrop (Northampts) ... ... 632 Astwood ... ... 31, 164, 305, 349, 351 Atkins, John ... ... 476, 477 Atkyns, Richard ... ... 108 Atton, Bartholomew, 25, 194, 197, 198, 200, 202-204, 207, 209) 356, 372, 373. 414. 421, 424, 446. 460, S49. 554, 561, 562, 56s, 567 568, 575, 585. 596, 602, 628 ,, Bartholomew, jun. ... 209, 210 ,, family ... ... ... 210 ,, Robert, 200, 202-204, 207, 267, 295. 3°2, 372, 39i, 393, 410. 424, 446, 459, 460, 541, 543, 544, 565, S74. 596, 597, 601, 602, 618, 635, 636 ,, William ... 199,203,208,209 „ „ jun. ... 209, 210 ,, ,, (of Maxey, Northampts) 212 Aubrey, Sir John ... ... ... 322 Audley, Thos. (&c.) ... ... 185 ,, End (Essex) ... ... 214 Augustine, St. ... ... ... 285 Austin, Mr. ... ... ... 590 Ave Bell, 276, 310, 332, 537, 578, 637, 644, 657, 660 Avebury (Wilts) .. ... ... 97 Aylesbury, 91, 101, 102, 1 16, 264, 274-277, 306, 414, 630 (foot-note), 635 „ Churchwardens' accounts ... 309 „ Clock Tower ... ... 311 „ House of Friars (Franciscan) 311 ,, Registers ... ... 308 Ayloffe, Penelope ... ... ... 567 Aylstone (Leicestershire) ... ... 142 Aynhoe (Northampts) ... 203 B B., A 324 Babington, John (c.w.) ... ... 563 Badger family ... ... 464,465 Badgworth (Gloucestershire) ... ... 247 Badrick, J. (c.w.) ... ... ... 317 Bagley, Henry, 209, 212-218, 249, 250, 267, 3° 2 > 3'4, 315, 325, 329, 417, 418, 420, 446, 462-464, 540- 542, 545, 564, 574, 585, 588 (foot-note), 597, 610-612, 615, 616 ,, family, 208, 212, 214, 219, 392, 542, 545 ,, James ... ... 214, 215 ,, John ... . . ... 119 ,, Julia ... ... ... 214 ,, Matthew, 213-217,417, 418, 612 ,, "William ... 213, 214 Bailey, John (c.w.) ... 342; William ... 229 Baily, John (1752), 350; (1723), 364, see Bayly Baines, Rev. J. ... ... ... 513 Baker, John ... 457, 458 ; Thomas ... 572 Baldwin, John, 237; Sir John, 311; Sir William, 311 Ball, W 652 Banbury (Oxon) ... ... 215 ,, Beesley's History of, 219 (foot-note) Band for a bell ... ... 627,630 Barclay, Sir Geo., 's Conspiracy, 361 (foot-note) Barge, Carriage by .. . ... ... 494 „ F.T. (c.w.) 418 Barker, "William ... ... 151 ,, Thos. ... .. ... 632 Barkley, Sir Morris... ... 323 (foot-note) Barloe, Richard ... ... ... 4CO Barlow, Bishop, of Lincoln ... ... 390 ,, Edward (c w.) ... 555; Richard 408 Barnes, Samuel (c.w.) ... 465, 466 ,, —(a smith, 1539) ... ... 622 Barney, Samuel ... ... 507, 508 Baron, Rev. J. ... ... ... 646 Barrow, Rev. A. H. ... ... 582 Barten, see Barker, T. Bartlett, Anthony ... ... 96 ,, family ... ... 97, 119, 120 ,, James 96, 252, 369, 370 ,, Sarah E. (Mrs. J. E.) ... 579 „ Thomas ... 88,94,96 Barton family ... ... ... 17 ,, Hartshorn ... 14, 17, 281, 811 ,, Richard (c.w.) ... ... 652 Basingstoke (Hants) ... ... 69 Basses, see Mats Baston, John (c.w.) ... ... ... 304 Batchellor, Walter ... ... 507, 508 Bate family ... ... 462, 463 Bates, family, 357 ; J., 356, 357 ; Samuel (c.w.), 652 Battams, John (c.w.) ... ... 607 Batson, William (c.».) ... ... 413 Batting, James (c.w.), 333; S. (c.w.), 433; Thomas (c.w.), 660 Battye, John ... 485, 486; William ... 476 Bawdrip (Somerset)... ... .. 55 Baxter, Richard ... 150, 153 Bayly, or Bayles, John, 352, see Baily ; — , 504 Beachampton, 13, 14, 27, 208, 232, 274, 275, 279, 280, 312, 349, 595 Beaconsfield, 100, 104, 117, 214, 218, 313, 588 „ Earl of 314, 315, 427-429 Bealy Widow ... ... ... 450 Bearers Bell to summon ... 278,591 Beauchamp, Viscount ... 470 (fool-note) Beck, William ... 642-644 ; John ... 642 Beckford, — ... ... ... 504 Bedeman, The .. ... ... 654 Bedfont, West (Middlesex) ... ... 142 Bedford ... ... 233, 256, 603, 612, 613 ,, Duke of ... ... ... 342 „ Edward, Earl of ... 343, 344 „ Foundry, 86, 142, 145, 147-149, 154-157, 159-162, 208 (foot-note), 266, 439, 526, 538, 541, 555, 562, 608, 610 INDEX. 731 Bedford, S. Paul ... 157; S. Peter Bedstead and bolster Beeson, William (clerk) Begbrook (Oxon) Belchamber ( = an official name) Belgrowe, — PAGE '57 660 342 170 43 487 Bellfounders' Company in Reading 74, 75 „ Quarter in London ... 8 Bellhangers : — ? Berry, — ... ... ... 610 Blackbourn, T., 542 ; and Greenleaf, W., 338, 585, 654 Bloxham, Thomas ... 175 (foot-note) Bond, Henry, 261, 263, 339, 371, 514, 587, 608, 617, 639, 648 Bradford, see Phillips Burford, Edward ... 175 (foot-note) Chapman, William ... 308, 630-632 Coles, J. ... ... ... 347 Collier, J. ... 605 Cox, Henry and Edward ... 452 Darney, G. ... ... ... 341 E., R.... ... ... ... 661 ? E., T. ... ... ... 612 E, w. (1652) ... 3245(1773) ... 308 F., 1. (1652) ... ... ... 324 ? Francks, Mr. ... ... ... 571 Greatrake, Roger ... ... 244 Greenleaf, W., see Blackbourn, T. Gregory, — ... ... 475, 476 ? Hart well, — (of Slapton, 1539) ... 622 Jeffs, John ... 296, 325, 414, 565 K-. w. 373 Lawrance, William (of Thame) ... 645 Mander, J. ... ... 103, 330 ? M., c, and M., T. (1841) ... 578 Miller, The, of Crendon 175 (foot-note) ? Montague (a carpenter) ... 518 M., w. (17th century) ... ... 341 Oliver, G. ... 103, 438 ; family ... 103 Phillipp, — ... ... ... 473 Phillips, John ... ... 351,508 „ „ and Bradford, Edward 362 „ Richard, sen. 399 ; jun. 399 P., 1 564 Ploughemaker, John, of Crendon, 175 (foot-note) Stroode, — ... ... ... 400 S., w. ... ... ... 661 Turner, Robert... ... ... 308 White, Frederick (of Appleton, late of Besselsleigh, Berks), 436, 441, S39, 54S, 560, 620 W., I. ... ... 409, 648 Williams, John and Richard, 820, 348, 504 W., R. (1773), ... 3085(1839), ... 564 Bell-metal Holy-water Stoups 283, 285, 286 ,, Mortars ... ... 284-286 Bell-News, 104, 117, 263 (foot-note), 320, 536 (foot-note), 563 ( Jo.), 602 ( do. ), 637 Bells, Saxon and mediaeval names for ... 273 „ "Little" (= not "Sacring bells," or " Handrbells "), 305, 328, 350, 661 ,, "Hoselyng" ... ... ... 654 ,, Procession ... ... 366, 456 BeU-shaped Holy-water Stoup, or Mortar 283 PAGE Belmaker, William ... ... ... 18 Ben bow, Admiral ... ... 362 (foot-note) Benetlye, Richard ... 194, 195 Bennet, Benjamin, 448 ; Charles, Earl of Tankerville, 504 (foot-note) ; Rev. John, 548 Bennett, Thomas (a ringer), 370, 657 (foot-note) Bentley family ... ... ... 195 Berkhampstead (Herts) ... 223, 226 Berningham family ... 455 (foot-note) Bernwode forest ... ... ... 327 Bertie, Hon. F. L. ... ... ... 181 Berry, — ... ... ... ... 610 Berryfield (Fleet Marston) ... ... 515 Besselsleigh (Berks) 545, 620 (see White, F. ) Beston (?) (Beds) ... " ... ... 18 Bett, Edmund (c.w. ) ... ... 461 ,, Thomas ... ... 143, 144, 158 Betterton, — ( T 539) •• ••• ... 622 B., 1. ... ... ... 93.424 •1 (cw.) 555 Bicester (Oxon) 225, 234, 257, 313, 647 „ Foundry ... 250, 266, 393, 551 Bickersteth, Rev. E. ... ... 306 Biddenham (Beds) ... ... ... 255 Biddle, Mr. ... ... ... 512 Biddlesden ... 98, 316, 370, 545 Bideford (Devon) ... ... 648 Bierton ... ... 106,227,317,553 " Big Ben, " of Westminster ... ... 116 Bigg, Mr. John (c.w.) ... 309, 655 Biggs, Widow ... ... ... 509 Bilbie, Thomas ... ... 135 Billing, Great (Northampts) ... ... 246 Billington (Beds) ... ... ... 457 Billiter Lane ... ... ... 186 Binfield (Berks) ... ... ... 136 „ George ... ... ... 433 Birch, — , 408 ; Mr. W. de Gray, 513 (foot-note) Bird, — , ... 504 ; James Henry ... 529 Birmingham, Foundry at 263, 601 Bisham (Berks), Royal Visit to, 469, 474 (twice), 476, ?477 (twice), 478, 479, ? 480, 481 (? twice), ? 482, ? 488 Bishop, Thomas .. ... ... 366 ,, — (? brass-founder of Minigrove) 485 Bishop of London's Consistory Court 44, 45 Bishop's Castle (Salop) ... ... 395 Bishop's Tawton (Devon), Foundry at, 260, 327 Black, John ... ... 469, 470 Blackbourn, Mr. Thos. 338, 542, 585, 654 Blackoll (? Blackwell), John ... . 472 Blakeney (Norfolk) ... ... ... 152 Blatherwycke (Northampts) ... 41, 614 Bledington (Gloucestershire) ... ... 166 Bledlow ... ... 125, 170, 261, 317 „ Ridge ... .., ... 318 Bletchley, 110-112, 117, 260, 264, 318, 351, 435. 45 2 . 5°4 (foot-note), ^it, 536, 560, 582 Blewberry (Berks) ... ... 107,125 Blewett,- Charles ... ... 496 (foot-note) Blews & Sons ... ... 263, 601 Blisworth (Northampts) ... ... 205 Bloxham (Oxon) ... 62, 63, 166, 189 732 INDEX. PAGE Bloxham, Thomas ... ... ... 175 Blundell, William ... 465, 504, 519, 520 Bly, Robert (a ringer) 370, 657 (foot-note) Bpard with rhyming directions to ringers, 548, 577 Boarstall ... ... 167 321, 440 Boddington, Mr. Henry ... ... 367 Bodington, E., ... 364, 365 ; family, ... 365 Boleyn, Anne ... ... ... 311 Boiler, Charles few.) ... ... 635 Bolther, William ... .. ... 206 Boltter, Jonathan ... 207 ,, Nathaniel ... 206, 209, 391 Bond, H., & Sons, 261, 263, 339, 371, 514, 587. 608, 617, 639, 648 „ „ sen. ... ... ... 263 ,, ,, jun. ... ... ... 263 Bonhommes, College of, at Ashridge, 55°. 5Si Bonsey, Mr. William ... ... 605 Booke of the Names, cVc, of Cutlers' and Bel/founder? Company (Reading), 74, 118 Boston (Lincolnshire) ... ... 117 Botetourt family ... 454, 455 (foot-note) Botham, Mr. ... ... ... 536 Boughan, W. ... ... ... 330 Boughton, Thomas (&c ) ... 185 Kourne End ... ... ... 655 Bourton (Buckingham) ... 176, 177 Boveney ... ... ... 63, 127, 322 Eovingdon (Herts) ... ... ... 250 Bovington, Thomas, 473, 474 ; Widow, 497 Bowdry, Robert (c.w.) ... ... 655 Bowie, Richard .. ... 343, 344 Bowles, Jos ... ... ... 658 Bowry, Edmund, 423 ; Francis, 369, 423 ; S.„ 433 Box More ... ... ... ... 546 Boyce, Mr. ... ... ... 309 Boyne, Battle of the 497, 643 (foot-note) Boyne's Tokens ... 635 (foot-note), 636 Boys, Rev. E. ... ... ... 540 B., R. ... ... ... 93>424 „ (c.w.) ... ... 426, 619 Bracker, Austen ... 46, 71 Bracondale (Norwich) ... ... 152 Bradbury, J. ,.. ... ... 531 Bradenham ... 6, 104, 322, 323 Bradford, — ... ... ... 546 Bradford, Edward, and Phillips, John ... 362 Bradshaw, John, 567; Mr., 408; William, 498 ; — , 504 Brad well Abbey ... ... ... 325 New ... ... 1, 569 „ Old ... 6, 3 r, 323, 615 " Braids of work " ... ... ... 481 Brailes (Warwickshire) .. ... 384 Brampton Abbots (Herefordshire) ... 109 Brandon, Charles ... ... ... 537 Brasiere, William, de Nottingham, iv>, 192 Brasyer's, The (of Norwich), 25, 86, 147. 149, 150, 159, 197, 266, 527, 610 Braughing (Herts) ... .-.. ... 240 Braunston (Northampts) ... ... 170 PAGE Bray (Berks) ... ... ... 242 ,, Ralph de .. 595 ; Robert de ... 595 Brazier, Henry ... ... ... 391 Brend's, The ... ... 151, 152 Brewer, see Bruere ,, William ... ... ... 538 Briant, John, 105, 219 (foot-note), 260, 3»7. 394, 395. 41°. 4'3. 462-464, 531. 533, 544-547, 582. 608, 615- 6 1 8, 639, 652, 653, 656 Brickett, George ... ... ... 183 Brickhill, Bow, 18, 47, 164, 209, 215, 226, 296, 324, 328 „ Great, 104, 105, 230, 325, 327, 492 (foot-note) „ Little ... 165, 189, 225, 326 Briden, see Bryden Bridgewater, Earl of ... ... 376 Bridgman, James ... ... 262 Bridstow (Herefordshire) ... ix., 66 Brightwell Baldwin (Oxon) ... 52, 69 Briginshaw, John ... ... ... 589 Brill ... ... 162, 260, 327, 440 Brinckhurst family ... ... ... 472 Bristol, Cathedral, 144 ; S. Stephen's, 98 ; S. Werburgh's 23 Bristowe, John ... ... 176, 177 British Museum ... ... 286, 582 Brocas, Bernard ... ... ... 182 Brock, Charles ... ... ... 613 Brodcroft, Alice ... ... ... 636 Brokasse, see Brocas Bromham (Beds) ... ... ... 255 Brookes, James ... ... ... 603 Broughton, 39, 161, 165, 224, 274, 275, 278, 328 Brown, Charles ... 557 ; William ... 659 Browne, Lady Elizabeth 617; Mr. ... 658 Brudenell, Edmund, Esq. 632 ; Jane 632 Bruere (or Brewer), Geo , Esq., 465, 503, 504 Bryan, Richard ... ... ... 441 Bryden, Jeremy ... 478,480,519,520 „ John ... 471, 473, 474, 476 Bryer, John ... ... ... 536 B., T. (1686) 135 ., (1593) ••• ••• 561, 562 Buck, Arthur ... 541 ; William ... 499 Buckhurst, Nicholas ... ... 471 Buckingham, 14, 103, 182, 184, 185, 188-190, '94, I 95. r 99> 20I > 206, 209, 212, 213, 220, 265, 275-277, S29. 379, 535. 545. 546, 578, 601 ,, Bailiffs 179, 181, 182, 200 ,, Borough Court, or Court Rolls, 175, J79, '99, 210, 276 ,, Duke of (= Stafford, old creation) 614 ,, Dukes of ... ... 648 Earl of ... ... 15 ,, family ... ... ... 516 ,, Foundry, 174, 186, 193, 203, 208, 209, 215, 220, 392, 414, 421, 541, 5 68 , 624, 627, 628 ,, Marquess of ... ...'648 INDEX. 733 Buckingham, Registers quoted, 179, 182, 186, 195, 198, 200, 201, 203, 206, 207, 210, 211 Buckland 134, 232, 234, 274, 275, 332 „ Brewer (Devon), Foundry 260 Bucks Herald (1793) ... ... 536 Bulkeley, Elizabeth ... ... ... 567 Bull, Mr. F. W. ... ... 603 (foot-note) ,, William (168 1) 571 ; (1797) ... 616 Bullisdon, Thomas 41-43, r 34> 44 6 Bulstrode House Chapel ... ... 416 Bunce, H. J., & W. (ringers)... ... 308 Bunyon, William ... ... ... 433 Burcot ... ... ... 624, 626, 628 Burcott, John ... ... ... 485 Burford (Oxon) ... ... 262, 608 ,, Foundry (Oxon), 26I-263, 339, 617 ,, Richard ... ... ... 175 ,, Robert 19, 20, 23-26, 562, 594 ,, "William 12, 19, 20, 23, 25, 594 Burgess, Rev. Bryant 440 (foot-note), 454 Burghope, Rev. G. ... ... ... 376 Burham (Kent) ... ... ... 97 Burke, Edmund ... ... 313, 314 Burkott, Goody ... ... ... 429 Burn's History of Henley-on-Thames ... 56 Burnard, Edward ... ... 559, 560 Burnell, Sir Hugh ... 455 (fooi-note) Burnham, 99, 116, 133, 136, 141, 243, 261, 274, 279, 322, 333 ; Abbey, 334 ,, Joseph ... 310; Edward ... 659 Burnynge of Patties Church in London, The, &c, 271 (fool-note) Burrell, Thomas ... ... ... 4°5 Bursted, Little (Essex) ... ... 241 Burtenwood, — ... ... ... 5°4 Busby, Rev. Richard, D.D. ... ... 617 Bush, Richard ... ... ... 400 Bushey (Herts) ... ... ... 54 Busson, John ... ... ... 5°8 Butcher, Rev. R. H. ... 342, 345 Butler, Edward, 180 ; John, 503 ; Thomas, 393 Butterfield, Rev. Henry ... ... 389 B.,w. (1775) 538 Buy, or Bye, Silvester ... 490494,499 Bye, Thomas, 482-490; Widow, 495, 499- 501 Cadmore En J ... ■■■ ■■■ 335 Cain, Richard ... ... ■•• 3 6 9 Caldecote (Cambr. ) ... 57. ° 2 Call Bell for Bearers ... 278,594 Calne and Calnstone, Viscount ... 653 Calvert, Sir Harry ... ... ■•■358 Calverton ... ... •• 260, 335 Cambridge, Anliq. 60c. Comm. 35, 37, 41 ,, Architectural History of University ... ... 53 King's College ...35-37,41,634 S. John's College ... 579 Campion, Sir William ... ... 321 Canarvan, see Carnarvon, Earl of Canon LXVII 278 Canterbury ... ... • 79, 102 Capell, Charles, 309 ; Lord (Arthur), 619 ; Lady Elizabeth, 619 Capone, — ... ... ... 627 Careswall, Rev. Anthony ... ... 617 Carlton (Beds) ... ... ... 54 Carnarvon, Earl of 129 ; Pedigree 619, 639 Carrington, Lord ... .. ... 653 Carter, Henry ... 507; John ... 496, 498-501 ,, Joseph, 25, 79, 81, 93, 94, 122, 123, 128, 197, 371, 527, 530, 539, 611, 632, 633, 660, 661 ,, Nathaniel ...600; Richard ... 658 „ William ... 87,89-91,94,633 ,, — ... ... ... 504, 511, 656 ,, or Cartright, Dike, or Duke 449-451 Carthagena, Victory at ... ... 507 Cartwright, W. (a ringer) ... ... 308 Cassington (Oxon) ... .. ... 166 Castlethorpe ... 26,835,411,582,583 Castletown (Limerick) ... ... 653 Cates, John, see Gattes Catesby, Anthony ... 619; Dorothy ... 619 Catherine, Queen (? of Aragon), legend concerning, 280, 379 „ Saint ... ... 280, 379 Catlin, Robert 138, 140, 298, 338, 433 Cattern, Mr. ... ... ... 590 Cave, Anthony ... ... ... 348 Caversfield... ... 3, 4, 13, 14, 261, 836 Sibilla de ... 3, 5, 17, 337 C, F. ... ... ... ... 439 Chacombe Foundry, 209, 212-215, 249, 54i Chain for Bible ... ... ... 623 Chalfont S. Giles, 100, 105, 141, 274 276, 278, 337 ,, S. Peter ... 104, 263, 278, 279, 339 Chalgrave (Beds) ... ... vii., 52 Chalgrove (Oxon) ... ... ... 130 Chalmers, History of Oxford University, 425 (foot-note) Chalvey ... ... 605 Chamberlain, Bartholomew, D.D. ... 463 Chamberleyn, William ... 40 Chandler, Anthony (Blacksmith) ... 220 „ Anthony, 222-224, 226-231, 267, 268, 295, 303, 324, 326, 328, 35', 356, 366, 373, 390, 393, 394, 413-415, 421, 424, 426, 442, 517, 518, 525, 526, 534, 535, 538, 550, 564, 566, 569, 586, 595, 607, 608, 613-615, 632, 634, 638, 649 "the Firm," 230-235, 332, 333, 345, 373, (?)4i4, 43i, 5i7, 549, 557, 558, 566, 568, 57i, 579, 607-609, 611, 616, 648, 649 George, 225, 228-23O-235, 325, 326, 332, 345, 373, 431, 458, 517, 518, 532, 549, 550, 566, 57i, 579, 609, 613, 615, 620 ,, Richard, I., 165, 220-223, 235, 34i, 392, 532, 569, 57°, 595, 6 49 ,, Richard, LI., 222, 224, 225, 231- 234, 267, 268, 322, 426, 442, 516, 526, 608 734 INDEX. Chandler, Richard, HI., 224, 225, 227, 229-236, 268, 296, 297, 312, 316, 322, 328, 356, 357, 371, 374, 393. 4io, 414, 415, 419, 424- 426, 439, 445, 514-516, 526, 549. 564. 567. 568, 57o, 572, 576, 579. 586, 594. 603, 613, 617, 618, 635, 648, 649 ,, Thomas ... 228, 229, 235 ,, the family, 220, 222, 224, 225, 228, 229, 234 236-288, 392 , , pedigree .. . ... facing 239 ,, Susanna (gravestone) ... 233 Chandos, Lord ... ... ... 191 Chanler, W. ... .. ... 223 Chapell, George ... 628; William... 621 Chapman, Rev . Robert ... ... 452 Wm., 101, 102, 104, 407, 455, 457 „ ,, &Mears,Wm.,102, 103, 329, 330, 528, 632 ,, William ... ... 308, 630-632 Charles V., of Germany ... ... 44 Charsley, Fred., Esq. ... 604, 605 Charter House ... ... ... 116 Chase, family, 492 (foot-note); James, M.P., 504; Mr. Ralph, 481, 492 (foot- note) ; Stephen, 492 (and foot-note) Chastillon family, 442, 443 ; Malcolm de, 595 ; Roesia de, 15, 595 Chaundler, Mother (Gt. Marlow)469 (foot-note) Chavall, Barnard ... ... ... 648 Chayne, Mistress ... ... ... 625 Chearsley ... ... 59, 99, 124, 810, 345 Checquers ... ... ... ... 378 Cheddington, 70, 164, 165, 221, 240, 241, 341, 421, 518 Chellington (Beds) 164, 202, 208, 209, 251 Chelsea (Backs) ... ... 102, 455 Chenies ... ... ... 105, 842 Chertsey (Surrey) ... ... 48, 51 ,, Foundry 141, 244, 245, 650 Chesham, 27, 105, 274, 276, 277, 299, 348, 528 „ Bois 28, 234, 275, 340, 345, 454 „ Great (or Magna) ... ... 343 ,, Wooburn... ... ... 344 Chesheir, William ... ... 572-574 Cheshire, George ... ... 616 Chester family ... 347,348,441,452 Chester- Waters, see Waters, Chester- Chesterfield, Earl of ... xi., 437, 620 Chetwode ... 16, 275, 346, 442, 443 Chewstoke (Somerset) ... ... 135 Cheyne, Mr. ... ... ... 163 Chicheley, 1 10, 274, 278, 320, 347, 351, 441, 452, 504 (foot-note), 560 Chichester... ... ... ... 94 ,, ? Lord ... ... ... 321 Chiddingfold (Surrey) ... ... 54 Chilcombe (Hants) ... ... ... 51 Chillton, Joan .. ... ... 642 Chilten, R. (c.w.) ... ... ... 551 Chilton ... ... ... 170,849 „ (Berks) 51 „ Rev. R 652 Chinnock, East (Somerset) ... ... 55 Chinnor (Oxon) ... ... 122,129 PAGE Chipping Norton (Oxon) ... ... 263 Chiselborough (Somerset) ... ... 48 Cholesbury ... ... 265, 350 Chown, George, 398 (foot-note) ; — ... 504 Christ Church (Hants) ... ... n „ „ (Oxford) 91, 128, 171, 253 Christian, H.R.H., Princess ... ... 650 Christmas ringing ... ... 279, 280 ,, Michael (c.w.) ... ... 609 Chruth (?), Thos. ... ... ... 631 Churchwardens' Accounts, Extracts from, of — Aldgate, S. Botolph ... ... 79 Amersham ... ... ... 299 Aylesbury ... ... ..; 309 Beaconsfield ... ... 214, 315 Claydon, East ... ... ... 351 Clifton Reynes ... ... ... 360 Dorton ... ... 372 Hambleden ... 397, 398-409, 473, 523 Harmondsworth (Middlesex) ... 244 Leicester, S. Martin ... ... 272 London, S. Botolph, Aldgate ... 79 ,', S. Catherine Ch. Ch. ... 46 , S. Giles without Cripplegate, 46 ,, S. Mary-at-Hill 42, 272 ,, S. Michael, Cornhill ... 47 Loughborough ... ... ... 272 Marlow, Great 242, 248, 320, 469-512 Medmenham ... ... ... 521 Oxford, S. Martin (= "Carfax"), 166, 168, 169 ,, S. Mary ... 91, 296 ,, S. Michael .. ... 168 Padbury ... ... ... 546 Reading, S. Giles 75, 122, 130, 137 ,, S. Lawrence, 59, 61, 64-66, 71- 73, 77, 81, 118, 119, 123, 124, 129-132, 137, 139, 180, 286 S. Mary, 71-73, 75, 81, 120, 121, 123, 134, 136, 186 Saunderton ... ... ... 559 Sherington ... ... ... 565 Shillington (Beds) ... ... 178 Stewkley ... ... ... 570 Stratford-on-Avon ... ... 242 Taplow ... ... 214, 588 Thame (Oxon), 45, 46, 56-58, 65, 67, 174, 178, 180, 467, 468 Towersey ... ... ... 599 Twyford ... ... ... 602 Upton ... ... ... 604 Windsor (Berks) ... ... 252 Wing ... ... 175, 194, 196, 286, 620 Wooburn ... ... ... 642 Wycombe, High ... ... 658 C, 1. (1649) ... 3245(1668) ... 226,525 Cirencester (Gloucestershire) 657 (foot-note) "Ckestit"... ... ... 16,442,443 Clandon, East (Surrey) ... ... 52 Clare, Earl of ... ... ... 15 " Clarenceaulx King at Armes " ... 1 77 Clark, Mr. J. W. ... 35, 37, 381, 634 ,, ,, and Willis, Mr. R. .., 53 ,, Charles, 511 ; John, 628; Thomas (a ringer), 308 INDEX. 735 PAGE Clarke, George ... ... ... 240 P I. ... ... ... 240 ,, John ... ... 241, 364 ,, Joseph, Esq., 646; Richard and John, 496; Robert, Esq., 375; — . 5" Clavis Campanalogia ... 104, 370, 657 Clay, Thomas ... ... ... 115 Claydon, Botolph ... ... ... 355 „ East 112,224,860,356,423 House ... ... 325, 331 ,, Middle, 226, 227, 268, 354, 366, 357 „ Steeple, 198, 236, 237, 243, 260, 274, 275. 277, 279, 3SB, 379 Clear, Mr. A. ... 635-637 (foot-note) Cleaver, Edward ... 538; Elizabeth... 632 Clerk, Mr. ... ... ... 513 Clifden, Viscount ... ... ... 646 Clifton Reynes ..; ... 251,868 ,, ,, MS. account of ... 359 Cliveden ... ... ... ... 588 Clophill (Beds) ... ... ... 235 Coates, Nathaniel ... ... ... 418 Cock(e), family, 468, 486, 489, 490 ; Francis, 492, 494 ; John, 490, 491 ; William, 490-494, 497 ; — , 504 ; — , (a car- penter), 299 ; — (of Cookham), 471 Cocking (Sussex) ... ... 5 2 > 54 Colby (Norfolk) ... ... ... 259 Colchester... ... ... ... I5 2 Cold Brafield 241, 246, 260, 364, 441 Cole, Rev. W. ( = MSS., by) xviii., 320, 336, 411,452, 518, 582, 583, 596 Coles, Henry ... 401 ; J. ... 347 Colesell, Henry ... ... ... 421 Coleshill, see Amersham Colier, Margaret ... ... ... 332 College Youths, Ancient Society of, 106, 308, 467, 656, 657 ,, ,, Hertford Society of ... 106 Collier, Henry ... 332 ; Mr. J. ... 605 Collingbourne Kingston (Wilts) ... 135 Collingtree (Northampts) ... ... 161 Collins, John, 524; William, 484, 485, 487, 489, 490 Collmanstrop ... ... 39°, 398 Collumpton (Devon) ... ... 135 Collyngs, John ... ... ••• 484 Colnbrook ... 116,866 Coin Rogers (Gloucestershire) ... 109 Colour, — ... ... ». 5 8 9 Colsale, John of ... ... 192 Colston (Leicestershire) ... ... 535 Colstrop, see Collmanstrop Coltishall (Norfolk) 192 " Communion Bell " ... ... 5 2 ° Compton (Hants) ... ... ... 59 ,, Long (Warwickshire) ... 302 ,, Paunceford (Somersetshire) ... 190 Consistory Court of Bishop of London 44, 45 "Continuation Bell" ... 275, 587 Cook, W. (1864, &c.) 408; —(1836) 590 Cooke, Rev. Edward 359; W. (1637) 578 Cookham (Berks) 320, 471, 504 (foot-note) Copy Farm, Gt. Marlow ... ... 468 Corbee, — ... ... ... 504 Corbet, Andrew, 455457 ; Robert, 418 ; family, 457 Cornwell, Mary ... ... 199, 585, 586 Corr, John ... ... ... 107 ,, Oliver ... ... ... 106 ,, Eobert ... ... 106, 249, 266 ,, William ... ... 106, 249, 266 Cosgrove (Northampts) ... .. 234 Cosley, Alfeat (or Alfer) ... ... 450 Cossale (Notts) ... ... ... 192 Cottington, Lord ... ... ... 321 Cottisford (Oxon) ... ... ... 267 Cottrill, Richard ... ... 497, 498 Courtenay, Edward, Marquess of Exeter 418 Courtney, — ... ... ... 409 Cowley (Oxon) ... ... ... 170 Cox, Henry and Edward, 452 ; John, 403 ; Mrs., 403, 404 ; Nicholas, 493, 495, 498 Coxe, Johanna ... 177 ; Thomas ... 177 Coxed, Thomas ... ... ... 463 Cox well, Rev. T. T. ... ..465 C, k 527 Crafton (or Crofton, in Wing), 624, 628 (foot- note), 633 Crane, Hugh ... ... 642-644 Crawley, North, see North Crawley Creed, Thomas ... ... ... 342 Crescent Foundry, 259, 395 (see Cripple- gate Foundry, and Warner J., &Co.) Creslow ... ... ... ... 365 Creswell family ... ... 446, 447 Cripplegate Foundry ... 258, 428, 640 ,, S. Giles's ... ... 46 Cripps, Mr. H. W., Q.C. 438 J — - 599 Crisp, Anne ... ... ... 567 Croke, Jane ... ... ... 636 Cromwell, Oliver ... ... ... 412 ,, Thomas ... ... ... 45 Crook, John ... ... ... 458 Croughton (Northampts) ... 161, 188, 190 Crow, George ... ... ... 585 Crowch, Eobert 32, 33, 71, 412, 440 Crowmarsh Gifford (Oxon) ... ... 51 Croydon Foundry, 263, 526, 534, 581, 582 Cublington... ... 105, 226, 366, 631 Cucking stool ... ... 496 (foot-note) Cuddington ... ... 277, 366 Culverden, "William 25, 36, 41, 43-45 Culworth (Northampts) ... ... 257 Cumberland, Duke of ... ... 510 ,, Youths, The Society of Royal, 389 Curfew, 276, 310, 332, 343, 435, 466, 514, 537. 584, 637, 657 Curry Mallet (Somerset) ... ... 55 Curtis, George ... ... 154, 158 ,, John (c.w. ) ... 426; — ... 504 Cuthbert, Rev. Charles ... ... 600 Cutteridge, John ... ... ... 258 Cuttler.John ... ... ... 572 Cuxham (Oxon) ... ... .,., 266 736 INDEX. D PAGE Dagnall ... ... ... ... 376 Dalby on the Wolds (Leicestershire) ... 144 Dally, see Dolben Daniell, John (1698) ... ... 573 Danyell, John, 33, 38-40, 71, 209 (foot- note), 377, 530, 594, 611, 634 Danystre, or Damestre, — ... xiii., 441, 521 Darbie, Michael ... 261, 252 Dark, Mr. ... ... 509, 510 Darquit(t), James (a ringer), 370, 657 (foot-note) Dash wood family ... ... ... 395 Datchet ... ... 104, 116, 124, 368, 579 Datchworth (Herts)... ... 240, 241 Davies, Rev. John ... ... ... 558 Davis, Mr. William... ... ... 459 ,, Mr., (Clock-makerofWindsor),5o6,507 Davy, William ... ... ... 184 Dawe, "William 29, 77, 79, 384 Dawson, W. ... ... ... 604 Day, "Father" ... ... ... 623 ,, of month tolled ... ... 280 Dayrell, Paul and Margaret ... ... 445 Dean, — ... 504; Ralph ... 644 Deane, George, 395, 397-399 J Henry, 519; John, 398, 400 Death Knell ... 277 December 21st, Ringing on ... ... 280 Deddington (Oxon) .. .. ... 448 Delafield, Rev. Thomas ... . . 387 Delap, J. B., Esq. ... ... ... 447 Denham, 96, 101, 116, 300, 316, 319, 369, 536, 655, 657 ,, Mr. ... 402; Mrs. ... 404 Dennis, Alice 647, 648 ; Walter, Esq. 648 Dentatus, Hamon, see Hamon Dentatus Denton, Alexander, 417-420 ; family, 418, 419; Justice, 330 Despenser, Lord le ... ... ... 661 Dettingen, Battle of ... ... 508 Deverell, T. ... ... ... 531 Dickins, Edward ... ... ... 391 Didcot (Berks) ... ... ... 49 Dier, John ... ... 240, 341, 456 Dinham, Robert ... ... 398, 400 "Dinner Bell," 275, 279, 303, 380, 392, 543, 564 Dinton ... ... ... 129, 230, 371 Disraeli, B. (Earl of Beaconsfield) ... 314 Ditton Park ... ... 100, 578 Dixie, Rev. Beaumont ... ... 537 Dobson, "William ... ... 116 Dodd, George ... ... ... 342 Doddes, Robert ... ... ... 47 Dodford (Northampts) ... ... 203 Dog (of iron) ... xxiii., xxxii., 626 Dolben (Dolby, Dolphin, Dally), Rev. T., 578 Doney, Mr. ... ... .. 658 Dorchester (Oxon) ... ... 49, 129 Dormer family 420, 620, 633 ; pedigree 619 ,, Lady 624 ; Mr. 468, 628 ; — 504 ,, Sir Robert ... ... ... 629 Dorney ... 85, 127, 141, 245, 275, 371 Dorton ... ... 199, 205, 260, 372 Douglas, Robert ... ... .. 5 2 7 Downes, Hugh. ... ... ... 631 398, PAGfl Downham (Essex) ... ... ... 241 ,, Market Foundry, 103, 116, 116, 260 Downs, Mr. R. S., 343 (foot-note), 636 (do.), 660 Downton (Wilts) Dover Castle , , John G. Dovor, — Henry Doway, Surrender of D'Oyley family Doyly, John Drake family ... 297,298; Major Draper, John ... 480; Ranffe Drayton ( Berks) ,, Bassett (Staffordshire) ,, Beauchamp 101,234,265,350,872 Parslow, 198, 228, 233, 235, 237, 261, 274-276, 279, 373, 447 ,, „ Foundry, 165, 220, 229, 232- 235, 372, 392, 431, 518, 558, 570, 595,611, 613, 638 ,, West, (Middlesex) Drew, Edward Dropmore ... Drurye, Sir Robert .... Dryden, Sir Henry ... Dublin, Foundry at Dudley, Benjamin ... 307; Duffield (Derbyshire) Duncomb's History of Herefordshire, Continu- ation of, 109 .. 136 20, 30 ■ • 366 321 402 528 447 469, 470 52, 67 ... 208 420, S7L 24S 500 ■•• 374 323 (foot-note) ... 201 x., 263, 640 family ... 635 77 Dunkeron, Lord Dunsfold (Surrey) Dunstable (Beds) Dunton Dupre, James Durandus, Bishop Durnford, Great (Wilts) Duxford (Cambridgeshire) Dwyte, Sym. Dye, Symon Dyer, — ... ... 653 ... 122 18 165, 235, 274, 275, 374 640; Josias ... 314 ... 272 . . . 207 ... 240 •■• 473 ... 121 ■•■ 475 Eales family Easebourne (Sussex) East, Thos. , 407 ; Wm, 643 ; — . 504 East Dean (Sussex) ... Easter Day, Early ringing on Eastleach Turville (Gloucestershire) Easton (Hants) ... ' ,, Maudit (Northampts) Eastry (Kent) Eastwick ( Herts) Eastwood (Gloucestershire) ... Eaton (Norfolk) Eayre, John ... „ Joseph 115, 259, 260, 451 537 „ Thomas ... 115, 154, 261 Ecclesiastical &> Architectural Topography, 337 Eccleston, Robert ... ... ... 441 327. 55-2 57> 69 468, 659 ; Widow, 280 112 54 160 241 241 419 '53 "5 452, INDEX. 737 l'AGE Ecton (Northampts) 159, 212-214, 541 Ecton's Thesaurus ... ... 552 {foot-note) Edgcott ... 33, 39, 163, 257, 260, 377 ,, (Northampts) ... 198,204 Edgehill, Battle of ... ... ... 128 Edingdale (Staffordshire) ... ... 208 Edkins, Richard .,. ... ... 449 Edlesborough 105, 274, 278, 875, 632 Edmonds, Islip ... ... ... 106 Edson, James ... ... ... 577 Edward I., 11; III., 10-12, 32; IV., 382 Edwin, John, Esq. ... ... ... 325 Edy, John 585 Eeles, see Eales Egelton, Edmund ... ... ... 340 Eldridge, Bryan, I. ... 244, 4 16 II., 244, 245, 650, 651 „ family, 141, 242, 244, 339, 469 (foot-note) Kichard, 243, 333, 357, 389, 604 Thomas, I. ... 242,552 H. ... ... 245 „ William, I., 141, 245, 571,650, 651 II. ... ... 245 Eleanor, Queen ... ... ... II Elizabeth, Queen ... . ... 34 Ellacombe, Rev. H. T., 23, 24, 27, 48, 54 55, 57, 59, 62, 67 (foot-note), 97, 108- 112, 114, 166, 190, 191, 209 (foot-note), 213 (do.), 214 (do.), 223, 246, 249, 282, 283, 384, 634 EUesborough 105, 116, 117, 274, 279, 280, 377, 378 Elliot, Thomas ... 540; Charles ... 655 Elliott, William ... ... ... 330 Elmer, William ... ... ... 312 Elstead (Sussex)' ... ... ... 69 Elton, John ... 433; Robert ... 208 Ely Cathedral ... ... ... 108 Elyngton, Roger de ... ... 454 (fool-note) Emberton... ... 114,260,279,379 Emerton, Amy ... ... ... 614 John (father of W.) 255,614 ,, ,, (of Whaddon) 256 (footnote), 614 (do.) ,, Joseph ... 256 (foot-note), 614 , William 255, 256, 412, 612-614 Emmington (Oxon) ... ... 189. 235 E., R. •■• •■• ■•■ 661 Ercall, High (Salop) .. ... 104 Eskrigge, Richard, Esq. ... 388, 389 Essex, Earl of ... ... ... 128 ,, Richard de ... ... ... 9 E., T. (17th cent.) ... 612; (1603) ... 527 Etheridge, Sir James, M.P. ... ... 504 Eton, 53, 100, 127, 141, 380, 640; Lupton Towers, 384 ; Parish Church, 3*4 Evane, Hugh ... ... ... 642 Evenley (Northampts) ... ... 213 E., w., (1652) 324; (1773) 308; (1633) see Elmer, W. Ewden (manor) ...398 (foot-note) 399 (do.) Ewelme (Oxon) 62, 77 ; (a man from) 174 ; (the Honour of) 554 Ewhurst (Surrey) 52, 54 Exeter, John ... 101 ; Marquess of ... 418 Exning (Suffolk) 105 Eycott, Mrs. S°7, S°9 Eynde, Johan Van der ... 286 Eynsham (Oxon) 166, 167 Eyre, Revs. William, 544 ; James, 545 ; W. T., 545 Eythrope (Waddesdon) ... 437, 619, 631 Fairstead (Essex) ... ... ... 9 Fakenham (Norfolk) ... ... 246 Farley Chamberlayn (Hants) ... ... 59 Farmer, Mr. ... ... ... 481 Farnham Royal 100, 117, 275, 385, 559 Farthingstone (Northampts) ... ... 204 Fasnidge (Fastonidge, Fastonage, Fastnage), John, 406, 501-503 Fatal accidents, see Accidents, Fatal Faulkner, C, Esq. ... ... ... 448 Fawley ... ... ... 53, 69, 886 Feeld, Robert .. ... ... 530 Fell, John, Bishop of Oxford and Dean of Christ Church, 253 (foot-note) Felpham (Sussex) ... ... 52, 55 Felps, Thomas ... ... ... 97 Fenables, see Venables Fenemore, John ... ... ... 577 Fennell, William ... ... ... 400 Fermor family ... ... ... 395 Fetcham (Surrey) ... ... 197 (foot-note) ffolliott, Rev. William ... ... 529 F., 1. (1652) ... 324; (c.w.) ... 426 Filgrave ... ... ... 564,575.603 Fillpot, William ... ... ... 585 Fincher, John ... 616; William ... 615,616 Findon (Sussex) ... ... ■-. 68 Fine, Johannes a (or de), see Eynde, Johan Van der Fingest 8,264,386,397,403 Finmere (Oxon) ... ... 19 (foot note) Fire-hook ... ... ... ... 629 Fish, James ... ... ... 492 Fishmongers' Co ... .. 37, 39 Fittleworth (Sussex) ... 52 55 Fitz Gerald family ... ... 56°) 561 Fitzmaurice, John ... 653 ; Viscount ... 653 Flanders ... ... ... 498, 501 Flaundon (Herts) ... ... ... 121 Fleet Marston, see Marston, Fleet Flesher, Mr. G. ... ... ... 533 Fletcher, — , 504 ; Rev. William, 579 ; Samuel (c.w.), 660 Flight, Edward ... ... ... 500 Flinter, or Fleuter, Edmund ... ... 621 Flitton (Beds) ... ... 232 Flitwick (Beds) ... ... ... 241 Flodden Field, Battle of - v . ... 379 Flowers, T ... 544 546,547; W. ... 413 Ford, William ... ... ... 576 Fore locks xxxii., 479, 480 (foot-note), 484 Fore loops xxxii., 479 (foot-note), 480, 484 (do.) Forrester, W (c.w. ) ... ... 639 Fortescue, Sir John ... ... ... 636 5 c 733 INDEX. Foscot ... ... ... 14, 297, 387 Foskett, John ... ... 570,571 Foster, Robert ... ... .. 185 „ William (Commissioner, 1637) ... 342 Founder, William, see Da we, William Founders' Co., 41, 74, 96, 118, I4t, 185, 186, 251, 258 Fountain, J. .. ... ... 369 Fowler, John ... 307; Thomas ... 616 Foxley, John ... ... ... 175 Francis I., of France ... ... 44 ,, Joseph ... ... ... 558 Franclcland, Mr. ... ... ... 590 Francklin, William ...183, 185 ; family 394 Francks, Mr. (? a bellhanger) ... 571 Franckyshe family ... ... ... 586 Fransis, see Francis, J. Freeman, Samuel (c w.), 655 ; Thomas (c.w.), 660 French King, The ... ... ... 44 Frencheman, John ... ... ... 186 Frieth ... ... ... ... 38,8 Fringforl (Oxon) ... 107, 203, 233, 267 Frith, William ... ... ... 485 Frocester (Gloucestershire) ... 249 (foot-note) Fruin, Henry ... ... ... 134 Fry, Rev. Thomas ... ... 379,380 Fryer, John (c.w. ) ... ... ... 660 Fulbrook, see Hogshaw Fulmer ... ... 67,99,243,388 Funerals, Tolling after ... ... 278 G G.— (?) 443 Gable rope ... ... 196, 628 Gaddesden, Great (Herts) ... ... 235 Gage,— ... ... ... 504 Galaway, see Goroway Gale, Joseph ... 358; William ... 360 Gamlingay (Cambs)... ... ... 233 Gangtyde .. ... .. ... 366 Gardiner, Thomas ... ... 152 Alice ... ... ... 535 Gargate family, 3, 5 ; (de Kaversfeild), 17, 337 Garnett, Mr. ... ... ... 495 Garry, Rev. F. N. A. ... 118,186 Gaskell, C. T. 389 ; Major William P. 389 Gattes (Gates, Cates), John ... 176, 184 Gawcott ... ... ... 105, 390 Gayhurst ... ... ... 227, 380, 390 Gentleman! s Magazine 285, 348, 517, 633 (foot- note) George, Rev. John ... ... ... 304 Gere, sea Gery German Emperor ... ... ... 44 Gernon family ... ... ... 442 Gerrard's Cross ... ... ... 390 Gery, or Gere ... ... ... 299 G., 1. (c.w.) ... ... ... 608 Gibbes, Moses ... ... ... 462 Gibbons, John, 496 (foot-note), 505, 522 ; Richard, 498 ; Thomas, 464, 465 ; Widow. 505 ; — , 408, 504 Gibbs, John (c.w), 635; Mr. R., F.S.A., 307, 311, 636 ; family, 636 PAGE Gibson, — ... ... ... ... 540 Giffard family ... ... 15, 356 Gilbert, Ambrose ... 636; J. ... 635,636 Gilbey, Mr. A. ... ... ... 641 Gilburd, see Gilbert Giles, W. ... ... ... 635, 636 Gillett, — (1739) 589 „ & Bland... 264, 653 (foot note) „ „ Oo. 224, 263, 264, 326,452, 526, 534. 58 1, 582, 648, 649 „ „ Johnston ... 264,319,562 Gillman, William ... ... 407-409 Gilpin, Samuel ... ... ... 152 Gleaning Bell 279, 303, 392, 543, 556, 564 Gloucester ... ... ... 191 ,, Alexander of 107, 116 ,, Cathedral, 21-24, 26, 27, ill, 113, 114 , , Dean and Chapter of ... 466 ,, Duke of ... ... 497 Foundry, 107, 331, 347, 354, 355. 380, 559, 583 ., John of ... ... 108 „ S- Mary-le-Crypt, 1 12 ; S. Michael's, 108 ; S. Nicholas, 108 Gloucestershire ... ... in, 582, 584 Godfery, William ... ... ,.. 578 Godfrey, Richard (a smith), 622, 624 ; Thomas, 170 Godley, Sir J. A., K.C.B., ... ... 287 Godstow monastery (Oxon) ... ... 467 God wyn, John (c.w.) ...635; Thomas... 635 ,, or Goodwin, John ... ... 641 Goldwin, Thomas ... ... ... 333 Goolder, Mr. ... ... ... 642 Goorme, John ... ... ... 411 Gorges, Sir Robert ... ... ... 542 Goring (Oxon) ... ... ...8,70 Goroway, or Galaway, Vincent, 74, 75, 77, 79, 190 Gosset, Rev. I. .. ... ... 368 Gothurst, see Gayhurst Gough, Mr. H. 284, 285, 341, 612 (foot-note) Grace, John (c.w.) .. 632, 634 ; family... 633 Grafton (Worcestershire) .. ... 614 Granborough, 53, 117, 127, 204, 206, 209, 221, 2 77, 279, 280, 391 Granville, Earl ... ... ... 65? Gray, Benjamin, 375 ; Joseph, 503 ; Matilda, dau. of John de, 454 (foot-note) ; Robert, 500-503 ; Stephen, 502, 503, 505 ; — , 409, 5°3 Graye, EUys, 469 ; John, 486, 489 ; Thomas, 471-473. 478-483, 498, 499 " Great Tom " of Lincoln ... ... 155 Greatrake, Roger ... ... ... 244 Greatworth (Northampts) ... ... 69 Greene, J. ... ... ... 242 Greeuhill, J. R. ... ... ... 378 Greenhill-Russell, Robert ... ... 378 . Greenland ( = Hambleden) 398, 402 (foot-note) Greenleaf and Blackbourn, Messrs., 338, 585, 654 Greenwood, George... ... ... 451 Gregories (Beaconsfield) ... ... 314 Gregory, Pope ... ... ... 285 INDEX. 739 Gregory, — ... ... 475, 476 Grendon Underwood 204, 226, 227, 257, 393 G-rene, J. ... ... ... 240 Grenville family ... ... ... 648 Grey, Rev. Charles E. ... "-557 Grindal, Archbishop, of York, Injunctions 284 Giove ... 227,391; Manor ... 378 „ Mr. Edmund 547, 548 ; George, 652 ; G. (c.w.), 640, 645, 654; Jonathan, 548; Thomas (c.w.), 655; Mr. Thomas B., 548 ; — , 529 Groves, John ... ... ... 315 Grubb, Mr. John ... ... ... 423 Guilden Morden (Cambs) ... ... 232 Guildford (Surrey) ... ... ... 447 Guise, Sir John ...504; Rev. Samuel... 656 Guiting Temple (Gloucestershire) ... 167 Gunpowder Treason ... ... 278 Gumey, Joseph, 455 ; Joseph and William, 339; J. R., 342; Luke (sexton), 652 ; Thomas, 378 Guy Fawkes Day, see Gunpowder Treason Gybbs, William ... ... ... 417 Gyll, Mr. G. W. J 650, 651 H Haekshaw, Jeffery, 404-408, 523 ; John, 523 Iladdenham ... ... 106, 39* Hadham, Little (Herts) ... 26, 254 Hagbourne, East (Berks) ... ... 107 Hailey, William ... ... ... 655 Haitt, Thomas ... ... ... 537 Hall, Edward, 231 ( foot-note), 231, 235- 238, 264, 297, 303, 356, 357. 410, 424> 439. 44S. SIS. 57o, S?6, 593. 594, 635 „ family, 235, 236, 238 ; pedigree, f icing 239 John ... ... ... 492 William 237, 357, 410, 418 420 — 5°4 Hailing (Kent) ... ... ... 252 Halloway, Richard ... ... 497, 498 Halton ... ... ... 106, 395 Halton, Ranff ... ... ... 185 Hambleden, 48, 51, 98, 101, 127, 259, 279, 387, 388, 395, 438, 473, 520, 523 (fool-note) Hamilton, Rev. J. L. ... ... 378 Hammerton, John ... ... ... 510 Hamon Dentatus ... ... ... 648 Hampden, Great ... ... 127, 409 ,, Little ... ... 104,4-10 ,, John ... 409; Mary ... 419 Hampton Court (Middlesex) ... ... 41 John 381 Handbells, 304, 305, 317, 328-330, 340, 342, 366, 367, 369, 372, 373, 378, 390, 395- 4°9. 4'°, 414. 417. 422, 426, 430-432, 436-439, 444, 447, 452, 456, 458,461, 515, 516, 518, 520, 526, 539. 550-552, 555, 556, 560, 566, 568, 570, 577, 587, 606, 616, 617, 620, 623, 63S, 648, 654, 661 ,, Ancient (found near Buckingham), 281 Handbell, Ancient (found at Hedsor) ... x. Handley (or Hendlel), Kobert ... 108 Hannokes, Susanna... ... ... 633 " Hanser " (kind of rope) ... 494 ( foot-note) Hanslope, 8, 106, 205, 236, 260, 275, 277, 279, 280, 410, 426 Harding, William, 507 ; William (a smith), 628, 630 Hardmead, 12, 13, 32, 143, 144, 191, 278, 411 Hardwick, 106, 161, 162, 196, 227, 264, 296, 413 Harefield (Middlesex) ... ... 619 Hargrave (Northampts) ... ... 155 „ James ... ... ... 317 Hargreaves, Captain (c.w.) ... ... 650 Harleston (Norfolk)... ... ... 117 Harleton family ... ... ... 39 Harley, William, Clarenceux Kingof Arms 177 Hadeyford (Marlow) ... ... 512 Harman, G. .. 652, 653 ; — ... 504 Harmondsworth (Middlesex) ... 142, 244 Haroldston (Pembrokeshire) ... ... 535 Harpenden (Herts) ... ... ... 240 Harper, W. ... ... ... 60 1 Harpole (Northampts) ... 203, 206 Havpsden (Oxon) ... 93 (foot-note), 221, 532 Harris, John ... 473 5 — ■•■ 5°4, 59° Harrison, Henry ... 501, 503, 505, 506 Mr. J. T... ... 281,282 Harrisson, Goodman ... ... 30a Harrys, Thomas ... 41, 45, 532 Harte, Thomas ... ... ... 472 Hart Hall (Oxon) ... ... ... 441 Hartwell ... ... 18,232,414,579 ,, — (ofSlapton) ... ... 622 Harvey, Thomas ... ... ... 537 Harwell (Berks) ... ... ... 308 Harwood-cum-Singleborough, see Horwood, Great Hasfield (Gloucestershire) ... ... 223 Haslewood, William ... ... 648 " Hasser " (kind of rope) ... ... 494 Hasylwood, J. ... ... 61, 421 „ "William, 58, 62-64, 77, 82, 108, 340, 432 Hatch family ... ... ... 339 Havana, Taking of the ... ... 5 2 3 Haversham, 100, 162, 165, 226, 274, 275, 359, 414 Hawkins, Silv 580, 581, 595, 602, 603, 655 ,, Kichard, 133, 163 (foot-note), 167, 172, 173, 253 (fo t-no'e), 317, 3 f8, 32i, 349, 35°, 372, 374, 43°, 461, 462, 527, 528, 539, 583, 581, 585, 598, 635, 637, 655 ,, family ... 172; pedigree ... 173 „ Samuel... ... ... 166 ,, T (c.w.) ... ... ... 632 Kele, see Kete Kelke, Rev. W. H... ... ... 634 Kelsall, Harry (Reading) ... 60,82 Kempe, Thomas ... ... 79 Kempley (Gloucestershire) ... ... 97 Kemsing (Kent) ... ... ... 94 Kencock, or Kencot, Robert ... ... 564 Kennett, Parochial Antiquities ... 5, 18 Kensworth (Herts) ... ... ... 235 Kerry, Countess of, 653; Rev. C., 64, 119 (foot-note) Kete, or Kele, John ... ... 535 Kettering ... ... ... ... 259 „ Foundry ... 115,154,261 Keys, Roger ... ... 53, 382 Kible, or Kibble, William ... 399-401 Kid, — ... ... ... ... 504 Kidlington (Oxon) ... ... 204, 206 Kilby, J. ... ... ... ... 574 Kilkhampton (Cornwall) ... ... 648 Kilsby (Northampts) ... ... 203 Kimber, Mr. W. T. ... ... ... 41 Kimble, Great ... 116, 123, 127, 435 Little ... ... 266,437 Kimpton (Herts) ... ... ... 68 King, Daniel, 451 ; John, 613 ; Sir John Dashwood-, 395 ; Thomas, 613 " King's Holy Days " ... 279,553 King's College (Cambridge) 35-37, 41, 634 „ Sutton (Northampts) 161, 199, 320, 348, 504 (foot-note), 548 ,, Worthy (Hants) ... ... 52 Kingsey ... ... 127, 162, 164, 437 Kingsthorpe (Northampts) ... ... 203 Kingston, James (c.w.) ... ... 652 ,, (Northampts) see King's Sutton „ (Surrey) ... ... ... 316 ,, Bowsey (Sussex) ... ... 252 Kinross (Scotland) ... ... ... 285 Kintbury (Berks) ... ... ... 122 Kipling, Rev. C 534, 535 Kite], John ... ... ... 410 Knapp, family ... ... ... 451 Knight, Edward ... ... 130, 138, 140 „ Ellis, 126, 130, (II. ?) 133-135, 267, 322, 371, 381, 392, 396, 397, 409, 424, 431, 436, 437, 520, 528, 555, 556, 57°, 579. 598, 600, 609, 618, 620, 655 742 INDEX Knight, Ellis & Francis 128, 424 „ Ellis, Francis, & Henry II., 129, 37I , 619 Ellis & Henry ... 126, 428 Ellis (? H.) & Henry HI., 134, 305, 332, 655 family ... 132, 135, 13?, 139, 635 „ Francis, 128, 130, 132, (II.?) 133-135, 139, 140 Henry I., 85, 123, ? 126, 140, 264, 318, 340, 368, 432, 436, 476 (foot-note), 477, 513, 514, 539, 55 2 > 593, 594, 650, 660, 661 Henry H., 129, 131-134, 140,333, 493, 494, 517, 5 2 °, S 2 ', 600, 655 Henry II. & Ellis H., 130, 168, 530, 566, 567, 576 „ John ... 118, 120, 136, 138-140 „ Robert ... ... ... 580 Roger ... 89, 91, 139, 140 Samuel, 134, 135, 139, 140, 245, 266, 333, 465, 466, 498 (foot- note), 500, 519, 547, 548, 655 ,, Thomas ... 132, 133, 138-140 ,, Thomas, Rev., LL.D. ... 411 "William (PI.), 63, 74-77, 82, 118 "William (PH.), 119, 139, 432, 655 ,, William (III. ?) 133,134,138-140 „ — , (a carpenter) ... ... 578 K. , R. ... ... ... ... 619 K. ( w. (1641) ... ... 373, 447 Kydermynster, Abbot Pochard ... 191 Kynaston, John ... ... ... 457 Kyng, Thomas ... ... ... 176 Kyrkeby, Roger de .. . ... ... 10 L Lace makers ... ... ... 280 Lacey Green ... ... ... 438 ,, James ... 659,660; Mr. ... 590 La Hogue ... ... . . . 497 (foot-note) Lambart, John (&c. ) ... 184,185 Lamburn, Joshua ... ... ... 601 Lance, James (a ringer) ... ... 656 Landen, Eoger, 53-55, 3°7, 367, 37', 382, 386, 392, 428, 568 Landport (Portsmouth) ... ... 117 Lane End ... ... 103,117,264,438 ,, George (c.w.), 640; John, 381, 652; R > 395., 4° 2 > 502-504, 654 ; Thomas, 654 ; — , 504 Langley, 98, 104, 249, 250, 365, 439 ; Lodge, 391 „ family, 468 ; Richard, 486, 487, 498 ; — , 504 ,, Thomas, History of the Hundred of Desborough, 323, 396, 398 (foot- note), 402 (do.), 469 (do.), 472 (do.), 513, 520 (foot-note), 521, 640, 641 Langston, Rev. Stephen ... ... 426 Lansdell, Christopher (c.w.) ... .. 655 Lansdowne, Marquess of ... 652-654 Lathbury, 156, 163, 164, 236, 274, 277, 439,452 PAGE Latimer ... ... ... 440, 454 ,, Baron ... ... ... 454 Latin Inscriptions, Translations of ... 287 Laughton, John (c.w.) ... ... 537 Laurence, Thomas ... ... 151 Laveudon ... ... ... 246, 260, 440 Law, — , 504, 510; John, 506-508 (foot-note) ; Mrs., 507; Sylvester, 507-509 (foot- note) Lawrance, William ... ... ... 645 Lawrence, Thomas ... 45, 46, 65, 467 ,, John, 297 ; William, 495, 496, 498 ; — , 5°4 Lawson, Mr. A. S. ... 117, 433 Leadbetter, Mr. A. (c.w.) ... ... 652 "Leasing Bell" ... ... 279,303 Leckhampstead, 16, 76, 267, 274, 275, 346, 442 Ledburne (in Mentmore) ... ... 633, le Despenser, Lord, see Despenser, Lord le Lee ... ... ... 1, 6,. 323, 444 ,, family, 515 ; Rev. F. G., D.D., 174, 181, 395 (foot-note) ; John, 508, 539, 659 ; John, LL D., 579; Rev. John, 486 Leete, John (c.w.) ... ... ... 379 Leicester, All Saints' Church, 143, 147, 193,. 195, 206, 211 ; Borough of, 200 ,, Founders, Tabular List of, 158 Foundry, 13, 86, 142, 145, 148,. 149, 152, 159, 193, 210, 266, 412, 446, 526, 538, 561 „ ,, the second (18th century), 115, 116, 260, 607 ,, Merchants' Guild, 194; S. John, 259; S. Margaret, 154; S. Martin, 145; S. Nicholas, 211 Leigh.,, North (Oxon) ... ... 535 Leighton Buzzard (Beds), 102, 220, 455-457, 571, 626, 631, 632 Lester, Thomas, 99, 101, 103, 105, 315, 331, 333, 34°, 382 (foot-note), 388, 433, 461, 534, 535, 552, 600, 645 (T.) & Pack (T.), 35, 100, 102, 267, 298, 314, 315, 337, 338, 384, 385, 433, 452, 457, 458, 516, 518, 534, 555, 578, 601, 610, 632,. 633, 640, 645, 660 ,, Pack, & Chapman ... 101 L'Estrange,,. Mr., 25, 147, 149-151, 153, 192, 610 Lewellin, Martyn ... ... ... 655 Leygo, Mr. ... ... ... 631 L., I. ... ... ... .. 613 Lichborough (Northampts) ... ... 203 Lilies ... ... ... ... 515 Lilley (Herts) ... ... 121,516 Lillingstone Dayrell 203, 236, 268, 444, 462 ,,, Lovell ... 247, 282, 445, 449 Limerick, Surrender of, 361 (foot-note), 497, 643 Limpsfield (Surrey) ... ... 21, 41 Lincoln, Bishop of, 508, 583, 640, 659 ; Ca- thedral, 640 ; diocese, 182 INDEX 743 Linford, Gt., ioo, 115, 275, 279, 280. 329, 451 Little, 14, 17, 28, 345, 451, 4S3, 617 Linslade ... ... 102, 241, 366, 436, 568 ,, New ... ... 102,455-457 Lipscomb, History of Bucks, 3, 16, 18, 168, 200, 227, 229 (foot-note), 230, 304 (and thence on an average every third page) Liscombe (Soulbury) 463. 567, 569 Lisle, Surrender of ... ... 501 Litch, W. ... ... 635 Little, — ... 474. 476 Littlepage, G. 343. 344 Lloyd, Rev. W. ... 447 Lockwood, — ... 504 Loggrove, Thomas (c.w.) - 439 Long, F. T. R., Esq. ■• 464; John ... 417 Crendon, 100, 102, 103, 235, 274, 275, 279, 457 Hutton, Rev. J. ... 462, 463 Longe, Richard ... ... .. 400 Longfield (Kent) Longland, Bishop ... Longworth (Berks) ... Lord, Rev. John, D.D. Lord's Fields Farm (Northampts) Loudwater 9 640 167 236 282 104, 459 Loughborough (Leicestershire), Church, 37, 39, 261, 272 Foundry, 269-26i, 336, 530, 575. 619 Loughton, 38, 40, 197, 207, 208, 274, 275, 279, 280, 459, 532 Love, Johanna ... 176, 177 ; Richard ... 177 Lovegrove, Mr. ... ... 407 Lovejoye, Nicholas ... 478; Widow... 497 Lovenberry, — .. .. ... 511 Lovett, family, 198, 463, 566, 667 ; Moses, 3°7 Lowe, family, 359 ; James, 359; Rev. Jonathan, 416 Lowndes family ... ... 635,636 L., T. ... .. ... ... 619 Lucas, family, 633 ; John, 176 ; Robert, 632 ; Roger, 371 Luckas, Simon ... ... ... 208 Lucy, William ... ... ... 457 Ludgershall 99, 167, 261, 274, 275, 461 Luff, C 577 Luffenham, South (Rutland) ... ... 145 Luffield Abbey ... 203, 442, 446, 462, 581 Lukis, Rev. W., Account of Church Bells, 97, 106, 107, 109, 124, 135, 163, 190, 207, 263, 319, 436 Lupton Towers (Eton College) ... 384 Lyclall, Thomas ... ... ... 5°5 Lyford, John (a ringer) ... 656, 657 Lymington, Viscount ... 504 (foot-note) Lynam's Bells of Staffordshire ... 208 l.ynde, William ... ... ... 381 Lynn (Norfolk) ... ... ... 152 Lysons, Magna Britannia, 346,417 (foot-note), 585 Lyte, II. C. Maxwell, A History of Eton College 382, 383 Lytle, — , see Little M I-AGE ... 635 ... 117 ... 590 126, 128, 535 McCreight, Rev. W. W. Mackenzie, Mr. Mackie, Mr. Magdalen College (Oxford) . Magna Britannia, see Lysons Maidenhead (Berks), 642; Archjeological Society, 591 Maidford (Northampts) ... .. 205 Maids' Moreton ... 106, 195, 214, 217, 462 Mailing, South (Sussex), Foundry, 252 Mander, I. ... ... 103, 330 Manning, — ... ... ... 504 Mansel, Mr. J. T. (MSS.) ... ... 603 March, Mr. ... ... ... 590 Markes, John ... ... ... 541 Markham, Rev. Alex. ... ... 350 Marks, Rev. R. ... ... 527, 528 Marlborough ... ... ... 107 ,, Duke of, 500 (foot-note), 501 (do.), 574 (do.) Marlow, Great, 98, 103, 105, 136, 242, 276, 320, 333, 408, 409 (foot-note), 438, 46i-5i2, 520, 523 (foJ-note) 654 John a ... ... 467, 528, 551 Little, 117, 124, 141, 275, 512, 521, 655 Marsh Baldon (Oxon) ... ... 64 ,, Gibbon, 124, 227, 259, 261, 274-280, 353. 614 Marshall, History of the Diocese of Oxford, 640 (foot-note) „ History of Woodstock, 163 (foot- note), 535 ,, William, Earl of Pembroke 15 Marston, Fleet ... ... 236, 515, 553 ,, Moretaine (Beds) ... ... 255 „ North ... 100, 163, 232, 323, 516 Marsworth, 100, 130, 227, 230, 232, 233, 259. 274, 275, 279, 435, 517, 607 Martaine, Thomas ... ... ... 541 Martin, Thomas ... 371 ; — ... 504 Martyr Worthy (Hants) ... 52,93 Mary bell ... ... ... ... 299 Mason, Benjamin, 404 ; John, 408 ; Rev. John, 586; Mr., 524 Mass Bell ... ... ... 273 Mathewe, William ... ... 477, 479, 481 Matins Bell ... ... ... 273 Mats for belfry 486, 495-498, 57 1. 572, 574 Mattocks, William ... ... ... 325 Maulbeer (Beds) ... ... ... 57 Maxwell Lyte, II C, History if Eton College, 382, 383 May 29th, Ringing en ... 279,529 Maynard, Rev. John ... ... 446 Mayne, William ... ... ... 489 M., c, and M., T. ... ... ... 578 Mead, Mr. (c.w.) ... 652; William ... 658 Mead(e), John ... ... 570,572 Meads, Mis ... ... ... 590 MearB & Stainbank, 47, 117, 314, 315, 326- 339. 342, 377. 385. 39i. 418, 427, 428, 433 434. 438, 458, 512, 528, 535. 549, 559. 604, 605, 652 744 INDEX. PAGE Mears, Charles ... ... ... 116 „ Charles & George, 304, 306, 3°7, 326, 331 {foot-note), 339, 342, 365, 368, 369, 376, 378, 424, 458, 535. 544, 549, 5 6o > 59', 604, 605, 635 George ... ... 116, 117, 435 & Co. ... 378, 560, 561 ,, John ... ... 116, 117 Thomas I., 104, 314, 315, 322, 339, 368, 410, 426, 434, 439, 56o, 616, 641, 647, 648, 651, 652 II., IO5-107, 114-116, 262, 296, 297, 325, 338, 342, 375. 378, 390, 438, 464, 465, 527, 528, 534, 538, 577, 579, 587, 59°, 618, 639, 640, 660 & Son, 105, 304, 416, 557, 601, 606 ,, William ... 102, 104 W. & T., 104, 325, 456, 459, 551 Mears Ashby (Northampts) ... ... 161 Medmenham 126, 136, 274, 279, 445, 519 Medulkin, — ... ... ... 504 Melbourne (Cambs) ... ... 232 Mellour, Eichard ... ... 192 Melton Mowbray ... ... 145, 192 Menday, William ... ... ... 508 Mentmore... ... ... 226,525,633 Mershall, Thomas ... ... ... 563 Merstham (Surrey) ... ... ... 25 Messinger, Simon ... ... ... 4^5 Meveiyll, Henry ... ... ... 510 Mewdy, Goody ... ... ... 643 Michael le Poter ... ... 6 Michell, John 55, 56, 57, 368, 428, 532 Mickleton (Gloucestershire) ... ... 168 Middleton Cheney (Northampts) 166, 249 J. ... ... ... 601 ,, Stoney (Oxon) ... ... 419 Midgham (Berks) ... ... 190 (foot-note) Mill End (Hambleden) 399, 402 (foot-note) Millar, James ... ... ... 461 Millard, Mr. ... ... ... 499 Millbrooke (Beds) ... ... ... 52 Millechamp, Rev. Richard, ... 465, 503, 504 Miller, John the, of Crendon, 175 ; John, 630 Millers, "William. ... 143, 158, 192 Mills, — ... ... ... ... 511 Milton Bryant (Beds) ... 221, 542 „ Keynes, 156, 227, 234, 264, 275, 280, 526 Minigrove (? brass-foundry) ... ... 485 Minstrill, John ... ... ... 644 MiscelUnea Genealogica et Herat iica ... 542 Missenden, Great, 87, 103, 105, 126, 128, 170, 274, 279, 343, 527, 530 ; Abbey, 4, 467 ,, Little, 10, 33, 86, 130, 209 (foot- note), 629, 555 Mixbury (Oxon) ... ... 200,205 Monk, Joseph (a ringer), 370, 657 (foot-note) ; John, 579 Monkton, West (Somerset) ... 35,634 Monmouth's rebellion ... ... 496 Montague, — (a carpenter), 518; Viscount, 619 Month, Day of, tolled ... ... 280 Mooney, W. , Esq ... ... 640, 641 Moor, — ... ... ... ... 504 Moorej Capt. A. P., ... 117,563 John ... 479,483-485,487 ,, Rev. W. Bramley-, and A. J. Bramley-, Esq., 391 ,, Richard 439; Thomas, (&c) 182 Moorfields, Upper ... ... ... 214 Moors, Mr. ... ... ... 547 Mordan (alias Andrew), John ... 380 Mordant, Margaret ... ... ... 419 Mordaunt, Lord ... ... ... 365 Mordaunts (manor) ... ... ... 378 Morden (Surrey) ... ... ... 367 More, George ... 182; Mr. ... 628 Morecroft, Thomas ... ... ... 635 Moreton Corbet (Salop) ... ... 457 ,, Maids', see Maids' Moreton ,, North (Berks) ... ... 49 Morgan, Christopher ... 474-477 Morgin, North (c.w.) ... ... 656 Morland, Sir S. B., Bart. ... ... 437 Mortar of bell-metal... ... 284,285 Mortemore, V. ... ... ... 540 Mortimer Strathfield (Berks) ... ... 137 Mot, Robert 79, 87, 96, 124, 160, 197 Mote, Patrick de la . . . ... ... 79 Mott, John ... ... ... 79 Moulsoe ... 165, 260, 275, 280, 530, 536 M., T. (1830) 386 Much Hadham (Herts) ... ... 250 Muffled ringing ... 106, 215, 278, 597, 598 Munday, John ... ... ... 400 Murfitt, J. J. (a ringer) ... ... 308 Murphy, J. ... ... 263,640 Mursley ... ... ... 106, 631 ,, monastery, or priory .. . 435,53! Musson, Rev. William ... 559, 560 Muston (Leicestershire) ... ... 191 M., w. (17th century) ... 341, 619 N Nails, Sprig ... ... 480, 482 ,, Various sorts of, 479 (foot-note), 485, 571, 631 Names for Bells, Saxon and mediaeval ... 273 Napier, Richard ... ... ... 45c Narborough (Leicestershire) ... ... 148 Nash ... ... ... 596, 615 ,, Edward, 369 ; H. F., Esq., 605 ; J. H., Esq., 604; Thos., 625-628; William, 538 Naylor, Viewers & Co., 264, 592, 593, (106 N., d 445 N., E. (with James Keene), 159-161, 328, 430 Neale, family ... ... ... 262 ,, Rev. J. M. ... ... 272 Netheravon (Wilts) ... ... ... 135 Nettleden ... 41, 55, 221, 234, 531, 532 INDEX. -745 Nevill family ,, (or Neuell), Robert Neville, Sir Henry ... l"AGK ... 454 . . . 642 398 {foot-note) 425, 598 Newberry, — ■ ... ... ... 504 Newbury, Battle of ... ... ... 617 Newoombe, Edw. I., 145. 148, !52, 154, 155, 158, 160, 439, 526, 538, 555. 561. 562, 607, 608 „ H.,155, 158, 160, 526, 538, 555 56i, 562, 607, 608 Robt. I, ... 143, 144, 158 „ H., 144, 145, 147, 152, 154, 158 „ hi., 158, 194, 196, 198, 413, 414, 421, 549 „ IV, 155, 158, 160, 526, 538, 555, 561, 562, 607, 608 Thos. I, ... 143, 144, 158 „ II-, 144, 145, 154, 158^ 193, 194, 206 „ m, 155, 158, 160, 526, 538, 555, 561, 562, 607, 608 "William, 15ft, 158, 160, 526, 538, 555, 56i, 562, 607, 608 family, 143, 147, 149, 157, 163, 171, 198, 266, 412, 439, 446, 541 „ Rev. A. ... 391 Newdigate, Jane ... 619; John ... 619 Newell, Rev. Chr, 315 ; Henry, 558 ; Mr, 408 Newington (Oxon) ... ... ... 54 Newland, — ... ... ... 628 Newman, Chas. ... ... 152 „ Thos. ... ... 152 ,, P. ... 327 ; Mr. ... 490 (foot-note) Newnton Longville 106, 260, 275, 277, 533 Newport Pagnell, 13, 18, 99, 100, 105, 226, 264, 274, 276, 279, 331, 454, 455 (foot-note), 534 ,, Hundred, MS. History of ... 583 Newsham, Charles ... — ... 585 Newton Blossomville, 115, 250, 254, 274, 365, 537 ,, family ... ... ... 44 1 ,, Purcell (Oxon) ... ... 15 N., 1 297 Nibbs, John ... ... 522-524 Nicholas, Edward ... 321; Richard ... 369 Nichols, J. ... ... ... 449 .Nickleton, George ... ... ••■537 " Nine tailors make a man ''.. . ... 277 Noble, Richard ... ... ... 316 Noone, William ... ... 193 Norris, John L, 557 ; Sarah (Mrs. J. L.), 557 „ '. Thomas ... ... ... 246 Norris, Tobias I. „ n. HI. W. & I. ... Norriss, — FAGB ... 246 . . . 246 246, 247 ■ 330 644 North Crawley ... 105, 155, 165, 224, 538 ,, Leigh (Oxon) ... ... 535 ,, Marston, see Marston, North , Stoke (Oxon) ... ... 86 ,, Mr. T, 55, 57, 70, 142, 143, 145, 147, 148, 153-155, 157, I59-IDI, 163 (foot-note), 164, 170, 178, 191, 192, 194, 203-205, 208, 209 (foot-note), 212, 213, 231, 235, 246, 247, 254, 257, 258, 272, 412, 446, 457 ,, William ... ... ... 598 Northampton ... ... 212-214, 460 ,, Herald ... ... 340 ,, Mercury (18th century), 536, 636 (foot-note) Northchurch, see Berkhampstead Northfield .... ... ... 454 (foot-note) Northleach (Gloucestershire) ... ... 249 Norton (Gloucestershire) ... ... 108 ,, Stephen ... 19, 20, 25-27, 48 Norwich, 45, 86, 192, 259; All Saints', 152; ,, Cathedral, Sacrist's accounts, 494 (foot-note) Foundry ... 149, 150, 153 „ S. John Sepulchre, 152 ; S. Lawrence, 565; S. Peter Mountergate, 150; S. Stephen, 150, 151 ,, William of ... 150, 192 Notley Abbey .... ... 346,468,459 Nottingham ... ... ... 117 Foundry, 13, 77, 154, 155, 163, 191, 192, 208 Nottley Abbey, see Notley November 5th, Ringing on ... ... 278 Nowland, (or Newland) Thomas ... 631 Nugent, Edward, Esq. .... ... 516 O Oak-apple Day ... ... 279,461,529 Oakley, 85, 124, 125, 168, 274, 275, 278, 279, 539 „ (Beds) 359 ,, George ... ... .... 426 Oborne S. Paul, see Wooburn Ockley, John, see Hockley Oddington (Oxon) ... ... ... 162 ,, (Gloucestershire) ... ... 108 Odell (Beds) ... ... 160, 161 Odyams Lee (Great Mar low) ... 473 Offord, John de ... ... ... 13 Oldfield, George ... ... 192 ,, Henry ... 155, 192 „ Eobert, 163, 164, 192 (foot-note) ,, Thomas ... ... 192 „ William ... ... .79 ,, family ... ... 191,266 Oliver family 103 ; George, 103, 438 ; Sarah, 101, 103, 105 "Ollarius" ... ' 8,9 Oiling William ... ... 529,530 5 I> 746 INI>EX. Olney, 153, 154, 207, 214, 216, 217,254,274, 275. 2 77. 279. 284-286, 358, 540, 574 Onslow, Hon. Edward ... ... 447 Orkney, Earl of ... ... ... 588 Ormond, Rev. John ... 435, 436 Osborn, Thomas 103, 115, 116, 260 „ Thomas ... ... 5 2 3"5 2 5 Osborne, Thomas ... ... 541, 542 Ossory, Earl of Upper ... ... 053 Oudenarde, Battle of ... 501 (font-note) "Oven Bell" ... ... 275,279,597 Oving ... 116,163,267,275,279,543 Owen, John ... 46; 'Robert ... 46 Owlswick (Monks' Risborough) ...xiv., 557 Oxendon Magna (Northampts) ... 259 Oxford, 167, 169, 253; All Saints', 125 (foot-note), 202, 420 ; All Souls', 463 ; Bagley's List published at, 213, 215, 328, 464 ; Carfax, see S. Martin's ; Cathedral, 91, 128 ; Christ Church, 171, 253, 463; Diocesan Ringing Guild, 428, 602 „ Foundry at, 260, 261, 327, 379, S3°> 533. 57°. 584, 601, 646 „ Hart Hall, 441 ; Hertford College, 441; History of County of, 446 ; King's Council at, 321 ; Magdalen College, 126, 128, 535 ; Merton College, 251, 253; Ringers from, 429; S. Martin's (Carfax), 169 ; S. Mary's, 156, 296; S. Michael's, 112, 168; S. Peter's-in-the-East, 534 Oxlade, John ... 499; — , ... 504 Pack, Thos. ... 100, 102, 104, 310, 433 „ & Chapman, Win., 101, 213, 297, 298, 304, 306-308, 310, 369, - 373. 39°, 407, 433. S63. 635. 648 a Packe, Mr. A. E. ... ... ... 6, 98 Packer, William (c.w.) ... ... 656 Padbury 106, 274, 275, 277, 279, 280, 544 Padworth (Berks) ... ... 190 ( foot-note) Page, James ... ... ... 379 Palmer, Thomas ... ... ... 615 Pamber (Hants) ... .., ... 85 "Pancake Bell," 276, 310, 332, 344, 358, 392, 411, 425, 427, 440, 514, 533. 543. 545. 553. 55°, 564. 594. 597, 637, 649, 657 Parker, Mr. J., F.S.A. ... ... 652 ,, 's, Wycombe ... ... ... 652 „ family (Chalfont S. Giles) ... 338 Parmoor ... ... 398 (foot-note), 438 Parnell, — ... ... ... 626 Parrott, P. (c.w.) ... ... ... 647 " Parson's Bell " ... ... ... 296 Parsons, Goodwife, 470 ; Rev. William, 616 Passenham (Northampts), 194, 195, 200, 204, 225, 234, 421 "Passing Bell" ... ... ... 278 Pate, Susan ... ... ... 567 Patrick, Eobert, 103, 105, 116, 433, 550 Paulerspury (Northampts), 203, 204, 446, 448 Payne, Mr. E. J., 56, 57, 299, 3 1 5, 513, 654 (foot-note) Peal-board ... 308, 370, 467, 656 Pearce, William ... ... ... 537 Peckham, Sir Edmond, 323 (foot-note), 370; Sir Robert, 316, 370 ; family, 370 Pegg, H - (c- w -) ■■• ■■• ■•• 639 Pelham, Sir William ... ... 617 Pembroke, Earl of ... ... ... 619 Pemerton, George ... ... ... 469 Penn, 117, 136, 141, 320, 504 (foot-note), 547 „ Henry 247, 248, 574 „ Street ... ... 116, 649 Penshurst (Kent) ... ... ... 619 Periam, Sir William ... 398 (foot-note) Perott, John ... ... ... 550 Perrin, William ... ... ... 307 Perrott family ... 535; Robert ... 534, 535 Perry, Thomas ... ... ... 492 Peterborough Foundry ... 247 ,, Monastery ... 284 ,, Earl of ... ... 365 Pettipher, John ... 655 ; Joseph ... 640, 656 Petty family ... 653; Lord Henry ... 652 Pheasant, Richard ... ... 541, 542 Phelps, Elohard, 97, 99, 106, 245, 316,- 395. 423, 424. 439, 464-466, 503. 505. 555. 577, 578, 600, 605, 639- 641, 652, 653, 655, 656 „ Thomas ... ... ... 98 Philip IV. (of Spain ; Impression of Coin of) 359 Philippa, Queen ... ... ... n Phillipp, — ... ... ... 473 Phillips, John, 508 ; Richard, 399, 473 ; Thomas, 658, 659; W. (c.w.), 652 ; — , 5?4 ,, Richard, and Bradford, Edward 362 Pierson, Richard ... ... ... 518 Pigg°». John, 498 ; Richard, 317, (c.w.) 655 ; William, 493 Pigott, Richard ... ... ... 480 Pitchcot ... ... 197,231,234,549 Pitstone ... ... ... 103, 224, 550 Pitts, Rev. John ... ... ... 325 Pleasant, Henry ... ... 152 Plot, John ... ... ... 31 Ploughmaker, John the, of Crendon ... 175 Plowman, John ... ... ... 607 Plummer (Plommer, Plumer), William, 402, 403, 405-408 Plumridge, John ... ... ... 476 Pocock, Richard ... ... ... 600 Pomfret, William ... 496; Mrs. ... 499 Poor Stock, see Town Stock Porter, John, 17, 18, 312; family, 17, 18; Mr. (&c), 183; Rev. C. F., 425; Wm., Warden of New College, 425 ; — . (<=■*■), 550 Portsmouth, Earl of ... 504 (foot-note) „ Landport ... ... ny Portsoken Ward ... So 20 D Potter T 8 .9. 12,17, 18,425 Potter, James ... 527, 528; Richard ... 536 ,, Thos. (Norwich) ... 150, 153 INDEX. 747 PAGE Potterne (Wilts) ... ... ... 190 Potterspury (Northampts) ... ... 41 Povey, John (a ringer) ... ... 656 Powdrell, "William ... 82,33,40 Powell, arms, 181 ; family, 180, 181 ; James, see Appowell Power, John ... ... ... 616 P., R. ... ... ... 439, 660 Pratt, — ... ... ... .504 Prattchedd, Nicholas ... ... 417 " Premonstratenses," Order of ... 442 Preston prisoners (17 16) 401 (foot-note) ,, Bissett ... 104, 257, 275, 561 Prestwood ... ... ... ... 552 Pretender, The ... 401 (foot-note), 496 Price, Rev. J. M.,366; Rev. James, 652, 654 Priest, — ... ... ... ... 498 Princess Amelia ... ... ... 309 Piitehard, Sir William ... ... 451 Procession bells ... ... ... 456 Profit, John ... ... ... 381 Psalm cxxxiii. ... ... 161, 164 Puddington (Beds) ... ... 160, 161 Pudsey, — ... 504; William 508,509 Pulford, Thomas ... ... ... 63 1 Puratt, John 534.535 Purdew, George 67; Symon ... 67 Purdue, W. ... 207; family... 67 Puttenham, Moses ... ... ... 43° Pye, Matthew ... ... ... 541 Pypkin, Henry ... ... ... 5'6 Quainton, 99, 124, 125, 242, 274, 277, 280, 552 Quarrendon ... ... 3I7> 5 I 5> "53 Quartermain, John ... ... ... 600 Rackestraw, — ... ... •■• 4°° Radclive ... ... 29,76,199,275,553 Radford, William ... ... ... 598 Radnage ... ... 98. 1°°, I2 7> 86S Radston (Northampts) ... 13, 14, 16 Rafford, (or Ufford) Philip de ... 12 Ramillies, Victory at, 500 (foot-note), 574 (do. ) Ranee, Richard ... 402 ; Robert ... 497 Rannce family ... 468 ; Barnaby . . . 480 Ranem Church (Norway) ... ... 4 Ratliff, Robert (c.w.) ... ... 655 Raughton, Robert de ... 10; William de 10 Raven, Rev. Canon, D.D., F.S.A., 21, 22, 36, 38, 41, 55, 57> 9°. i°8, 171. 232, 248, 251, 259, 634 Ravenstone, 10, 156, 162, 275, 277, 279, 530, 555 Rawlins, John ... ■•■ ■■■ 45 1 Rawlinson's MSS. ... • • ■ ■ ■ . 383 Raynolds, Green (c.w.) ... ... 402 Read, Mr. C. H., F.S.A 283 „ Edward ••• ••• ••• I0 7 „ "Dr.," 589; John, 590; Robert, 350; Thos., 589; Wm., 589 Reading, 188-190, 214 ; Archives, 74, 75 ; S. Giles, 91; S. Lawrence, 118, 119, 128, 141, 180, 286 ; S. Mary, 141, 180, 475 (foot-note); siege of, 128 Foundry (= Bagley's), 214, 3i5. 588 (= Knights'), 63, 74-77, 82, 118, 186, 266, 322, 340, 397. 399. 400, 466, 475 - 477. 494, 497(?). 498, 500. 548, 631, 635, 650 ,, „ (= Wokingham), 29, 46, 68, 81, 94, 175, 180, 186, 197, 221,242,307,322, 340,341,367,386, 389,421,442,467, 476, 477. 532, 554 ,j William... ... ... 435 Record office, xiii.-xv., 5, 10, 13, 18, 20, 30, 44-47, 50, 65, 66, 191, 239, 295 (thence nearly every page), 311, 390, 459. 513. 520. 53'. 55i. 595. 615, 65 1 Records of Bucks, 16, 230, 237, 302, 343, 346, 365 (foot-note), 377, 383, 390 (foot- note), 414, 417 (foot-note), 423, 434, 435 (foot-note), 440 (do.), 454, 469 (foot-note), 513, 515 (foot-note), 548 (do.), 551, 586, 620, 634, 641, 646, 653 (fool-note) Redhourne ( Herts) ... ... ... 260 Eedenhall Foundry ... 117, 247, 563 Redhead, Edward ... ... ... 306 Redrup, Abel ... ... ... 435 Reeves, Mr. J. ... 372; Thos. ... 377 Registers quoted : — Aylesbury ... ... ... 308 Bedford, S. Cuthbert, 159 ; S. John, 159 j S. Mary, 157, 159 ; S. Paul, 159; S. Peter, 159 Biddenham (Beds) ... ... 255 Buckingham, 179, 182, 186, 195, 198, 200, 201, 203, 206, 207, 210, 211 Chacombe (Northampts) ... 212,219 Claydon, Middle ... ... 357 Steeple ... ... 357 Cripplegate, S. Giles ... ... 219 Datchworth (Herts) ... ... 241 Drayton Parslow, 223, 225, 228, 234, 235, 238, 239 Ecton (Northampts) ... 212-214,219 Hughenden ... ... 469 (foot-note) Leicester, All Saints, 108, 147, 157, 195, 206, 211 ; S. Nicholas, 211 London, All Hallows (London Wall), 97, 248 j S. Giles (Cripplegate), 219 ; S. Mary (Whitechapel), 96, 99 Mailing, South (Sussex) ... .., 252 Matlow, Great ... ... 468, 469 Medmenham ... ... .. 520 748 I-ND'EX. Registers quoted (continued) :— Perm ... S Reading, Stamford ( ampts] Stewkley Thornborough Tingewick 548 . Giles, 76, 118, 140; S. Lawrence, 66, 76, 87, 90, 95, 118, 125, 130, 133, 134, 136, 140, 142, 181, 212 (foot- note); S. Mary, 66, 75, 77, 90, 95, 118, 119, 128, 133, 136, 138, 142, 180, 212 (foot-note), 242 Baron), (S. Martin, North- 247 2 35> 2 39. 57o ( foot-note) 592 598 252 394 633 41.3 397 59 2, 606 364 . 36S, Whitechapel (London) ... 96, 99 Woodstock (Oxon) ... 170-172 Wootton (Beds) ... 255, 614 Reigate (Surrey) ... ... ... 103 Reignes, see Reynes Reliquary, The ... ... ... 192 Restwold, Ralph ... ... 49, 50 Retherfield (? Rotherfield,Oxon) 454 (foot-note) Reve, Richard ... ... ... 381 Revel, William ... ... 9, 10 Reynes family .. ... ... 359 Reynolds, Rev. Decimus, 338 ; Mr. T. J. (c.w.), 652 Rhyming Rules ... ... 548,577 Richard I. ... ... ... 32 Richardson, Edward, 521-524; (or Richards), Winstanley (a ringer), 370, 657 (foot-note) Richmond (Surrey) ... W Ridge (Herts) Ridgmount (Beds) ... Ridley. Late Canon... Riepe, E.'s, "Patent" Eigby, Alexander, 246, 247. 440, 441, 446, 448, 558 Ringers " to try ye bells" ... 486, 493 ,, Ancient Society of College Youths, 106, 308, 370, 467, 656, 657 , , Society of Royal Cumberland Youths, 389 ,, Hertford Society of College Youths, 106 ,, from Oxford ... ... 429 . ,, (See under Society) Ringing for Royal visits, see under Royal visits ,, Guild, The Oxford Diocesan ... 428 ,, on old S. Andrew'sDay, 515, 546, 594 „ S. Thomas's Day, 280, 393, 461, 471, 515. 53L 553- 58o. 587 ,, ,, shortest day, see S. Thomas's Day ,, when a corpse is carried through parish, 425 ,, various Methods ... 428,467 Risborough, Monks'... ... 127, 656 ,, Prince's ... 105, 557 Rivers, Mrs., 498, 499 ; William, 505 ; — , 407 Roades, W. ... 356, 357 ; family ... 357 Roase, John ... ... ... 643 Robins, Henry (etc.) ... 183, 185; T. ... 356 Robinson, Charles, 507, 508 ; Mr., 501 ; Win., .- 485 ; — , 504 Rochester Cathedral, 214 ; Dean and Chapter of. 394 Rockhall, Robert ... ... ... 399 Rockoll, Thomas ... ... 483,485 Roe, Nicholls (1704), ... 573,574 EofCord, John, 10, 12, 380, 530, 555, 575 (see Rufford) Rogers, Abe), 557 ; R., 410 ; Sir Richard, etc., 419 ; Thomas, 563 Rolleston, see Rowsham Rolls, Mr. and Mrs. ... 511 ; — , ... 5 374. 375. 4". 42°. 422. 425, 427, 444, 459, 460, 483, 484, 519, 521, 537, 540, 543. 545. 581. 587. 599. 608, 637, 647, 657 Sevenhampton (Gloucestershire) ... 223 Seymour, Queen Jane, 44; ¥., 321 ; S., 264, 413, 414; family, and manor, 470 Sey ton's manor ... ... ... 378 Shabbington ... 104, no, 117, 274, 275, 559 Shalston ... ... ... 116, 274, 560 Shardeloes ... ... ... 298 Sharman, W. ... . ... 440 Sharpe, Francis ... 401 ; John 358 Sheahan, History of Bucks, 307, 335 (foot-note), 380,431,447,457 Sheen, Alex. ... ... ... 601 Sheepwashe, see Shipwash Sheffield Foundry of Steel Bells, 264 , 592, 593. 606 Shelburne, Lord ... ... 504, 653, 654 Sbeldeslye (?) ... ... 455 (foot-note) Shelton, Capt. (c.w.) ... ... 650 Shenley, 22, 23, 25, 34, 62, 156, 198, 202, 275, 280, 661, 614 Shenton (Leicestershire) ... 348, 349 Shepherd, Henry ... . ... 658 Sherborne S. John (Hants) ... ... 51 Sherfield (Hants) ... ... 52, 69 Sherington, 18, 101, 149, 151, 209, 216, 274, 275, 277, 279, 568, 575 (foot- note), 603 Shillington (Beds) ... ... ... 178 Shiplake (Oxon) ... ... ... 103 Shippen, Robert, P.D. ... ... 298 Shipton, Rev. Daniel .. 607, 608 ,, (in Winslow ) ... ... 636 Shipwash family, 398, 399 ; John, 489, 493, 495 ; Ralph, 479, 482, 483, 486 Shirrif, Thomas (1349) ... 455 (foot-note) Shocldey, William ... ... ... 573 Shoe Lane, Holborn ... ... 137 Shouldham (Norfolk) ... ... 46 Shrewsbury Chronicle ... .... 104' ,, Earl of ... ... 420 (fool-note) ,, S. Chad's ... ... 104- Shrimpton, Eerdinando, 652, 654 ; Hugh, 656 ; Richard, 640, 656 ; Wil- liam, 655 " Shriving Bell " ... ... ... 276 Shropshire, Widow ... ... ... 493 Shrympton, Henry ... . 475-478 Shufield, Thomas ... ... ... 616 Shure (?), Joshua ... ... ... 433 Shurley, Thomas ... ... ... 461 S., 1. 613 Sibley, John ... ... 529, 530 Sidding, Richard ... ... , ... 371 Sidney, Sir William ... ... 619 Silvester, John ... ... ... 382 Simcox, Edward ... ... ... 537 Simpson 164, 199, 223, 232, 296, 325, 565 ,, Dan., see Stimpson Singer, Robert ... :.. ... 423 75° I>fE>EX. Singleborough, see Horwood, Gt. "Silula," ... ... ... 285 Skelly, John ... ... ... 176 Skerman, Henry ... ... ... 106 Skrimshire, Lady ... ... ... 349 Slapton ... ... 230, 233, 234, 666 „ (Northampts) ... 8, 116 Slaughter, John ... 577 ; Richard ... 304 Slough ... ... 1, 98, 116, 117, 243, 604 Small, Henry, 468, 492, 494-497 ; James, 497 Smallbones, Thomas (c.w.) ... ... 635 Smith, Edward, 448; Henry ("Treasurer" or Steward of Ch. Ch., Oxford), 253 (foot-note) ; Henry, Mr. (of Maid's Moreton), 195; John, (1555) 513, (1730) 576, (1769) 534 (1828) 375 ; Peter, (16431 4^7; Robert (Lord Carrington), 653 ; Samuel, 537 ; Thomas, (1643) 4S7-489 ; Hon. W. F. D., M.P.,398 (Joot-note) ; William, (1655) 489, (1702) 573, (1721) 401 ; — , (1714) 502, ( I7 20) 54 Smith, or Smyth, William 41-45 ,, ,, John... ... 621 Smyth, Matthew ... ... ... 494 Smyth(e), Thomas ... ... 623-625 Smylhe, Gilbert, 71; Robert, 299; Sir Ed- ward, 616 Snelling, Henry, 490-494 ; Richard, 499 ; Mr., 508 Snelshall Priory ... .. 324, 614 618 Society, Ancient, of College Youths, 106, 308, 370, 467, 656, 657 ,, ., „ S. Stephen's. Bristol, 98 ,, of Hertford College Youths ... 106 ,, ,, Royal Cumberland ,, ... 389 Somerie (?) ... ... ... 454 Somerset House, 163, 182, 184, 212, 228, 536 Soulbury, 52, 130, 198, 232, 234, 349, 463, 666, 571, 572 (foot-note), 655 (do.) Southwark ... 252; S. Saviour's ... 137 Southwell (Notts) ... ... ... 115 Spade Oak Wharf ... ... ... 655 Spencer, John (1768) ... 433;—. ••• 631 Spenser, John (1691) ... ... 448 Sperling, Rev. F. H. ... 232 Spooner, Thomas ... 351 ; — , ... 631 Springfield (Essex) ... ... ... 250 Sprosen, John ... ... ... 389 Sptcher (sic), William ... ... 580 S., R. (Esq.) ... 437 S., T. ... ... ... ... 660 Stafford, John de ... 142, 158 ,, family ... ... 613, 614 Stahlschmidt, Mr. J. C. L., xix., xxix., xxx., 6, 8, 20, 24, 29, 30, 36, 37, 40, 41,47,51,53,68, 74, 79, 81, 94. 96, 118, 121, 137, 142, it>3, 171, 172, 185, 186, 212, 221. 230, 237, 240, 241, 244, 245, 251, 252, 254, 594, 633 Stainbank, Mr. Robert, 117, 319, 428, Si3- 560 Staines, J., A History of Newport Pagnell, 455 (foot-note), 536 Stamford Foundry 246, 247, 441, 446 ,, S. Martin's ... ... 247 Stanbard, Samuel ... ... ... 433 Stanford Dingley (Berks) ... 57, 135 Stanhope family ... ... 437,621 Stannet, John ... ... ... 589 Stantonbarry (set next) Stantonbury ... ... I, 589 Stantonlow (see last) Stanton (Gloucestershire) ... 1 65 ,, (Oxon) ... ... ... 125 ,, Harcourt (Oxon) ... 170 Stanworth, William .. ... 658, 659 Stathern (Leicestershire) ... ... 359 Statter, Rev. James... ... ... 646 Staverton (Gloucestershire) ... 112, 114 ,, (Northampts) ... ... 167 Steel bells ... ... ... 264,592,606 Stennet, — ... ... ... 504 Stephen, Rev. W. ... ... 317 Stephens, John ... ... 152 Stephenson, Rev. John ... ... 617 Stevens, Edward (P. Clerk) 652 ; Goodwife, 626 ; John, 406-408, 499, 521, 523- 525, 6ji ; Richard, 658 ; Thomas, 614, 652, 654 ; — (a Quaker) 422 j —1 55° Stevenson, Edward ... ... ... 184 Stewkley, 47, 221, 224, 231, 235, 236, 260, 274, 279, 569 Stile, Benjamin ... ... 249, 439 Stimpson (or, Timpson or Simpson), Daniel, 236, 238 "Stinte" (?=saunce) ... ... 485 "Stirrup" ... xxxiii. , 622, 623 Stock of town or poor, see Town Stock Stockholt, see Akeley Stoke Bruerne (Northampts) ... ... 231 ,, Charity ( Hants) ... 52,69 ., Goldington, 205, 247, 274, 564, 574, 603 ,, Hamond, 10, 27, 197, 198, 261, 275, 53°. 555, 575, 607 (foot-note) ,, Mandeville, 1, 127, 130, 236, 274, 280, 576, 632 „ Poges ... 98, 105, 141, 577 ,, Talmage (Oxon) ... ... 51 Stokes, "William ... ... 33 ,, William (of Moulsoe) ... 536 Stone, 105, 127, 233, 235, 274, 275, 279, 280, 579 Stoneleigh (Warwickshire) ... ... 191 Stonesfield (Oxon) ... ... 54, 62 Storer, MSS. ... ... ... 612 Stotkes (? Stokes), William (c.w.) ... 596 Stoups for Holy Water . . . 284, 285 Stowe, 166-168, 196, 275, 278-280, 516, 580 Stradbroke (Suffolk) ... ... 55 Strange, — ... ... ... 659 Stranke, Robert ... ... ... 183 Stratford, Abbot of ... ... 44> 45 ,, Fenny, 106, III, 264, 276, 336, 581 ,, on Avon (Warwickshire), 242, 354, 355 „ Stony, 260, 533, 535, 584, 596, 639 „ Water, ... 169, 199, 257, 267, 588 Strathfield Sturgis (Hants) .., ... 134 INDEX. 75' rAGE Streatley (Berks) ... ... 190 (foot-note) Street, — ... ... ... ... 408 Strode, Sir George ... ... ... 321 Strongbow, Earl ... ... ... 15 Stroode, — ... ... 400 Struan (in Athole, Perthshire) . . . 282 Stubbe, John, M.D. ... ... 456 Stubbs, John ... ... ... 563 Studeley Nunnery (Oxon) ... ... 467 Sturdy, Johanna 25, 27, 32, 214, 312 „ John, 25, 26-28, 38, 55, 296, 312, „ , , . 342, 575. 576 Style family ... ... ... 439 Styles, Francis ... ... ... 600 Sudbury (Suffolk) ... ... 21, 22, 29, 152 Sulgrave (Northampts) .... ... 236 Sumnar, Henry ... ... ... 371 Sunday, Uses of Bells on ... ... 273 Sunderland, Lountess of, 398, 399 ; Earl of, 398 (foot-note) Surman, Goodman, 495 ; John, 471, 473, 475, 476 ; (or Syrman), William 494, 495. 624 Sutton, John ... ... ... 150 Sutton cum-Buckingham, Archdeacon of 229 S..W. (?) 367 S., w. (c w.) ... 555; (Bell-hanger) ... 661 Swadling, Thomas ... ... 174 ,, l'eter ... ... ... 472 Swain, Thomas, 141, 333, 371, 381, 421, 423. 433. 5 12 > 547. 548, 577. 578. 589 ( = signature), 590, 652 ,, family ... ... ... 142 Swaine, Stephen, ... ... ... 405 Swanbourne, 224, 226, 23;, 275, 279, 280, 886, 635, 636 Swannell, John ... ... ... 546 Swindon (Gloucestershire) ... ... 246 Swinstead, John ... ... 455, 456 Sydenham (Oxon) ... ... ... 117 Sylvester, Edmund (a ringer), 370, 656, 657 ; Thomas (a ringer), 370 Symbolism of Churches and Church Ornaments 272 Symondson, Henry ... ... 106, 260 Syresham (Northampts) ... ... 205 Tadley (Hants) ... ... ... 189 Takely (Essex) ... ... 36 Talbot, John, Earl of Shrewsbury, 420 (foot- note) Tankerville, Bridget, dr. of Earl of, 504 (foot-note) Taplow .. 105, 142, 214, 274, 279, 587 Tattenhoe ... ... ... 8, 591, 614 Taunton (Somerset)... ... ... 67 Taylar, Thomas (Amersham) ... ... 299 Taylor, Mr. F. J., 535 ; J. P., 650; Robert (etc., of Buckingham), 184; Walter, 628 „ B. D. ... ... 261 John ... 260, 261, 373, 619 „ J. & Co., 261, 333, 334, 336, 575, 576 PAGE Taylor, John "William, sen. ... 261 .. » >> jun. ... 261 ,, Robert ... 116,280,410 R. & Sons, 260, 319, 372, 377, 412, 440, 533, 601 W. ... 260, 261, 431, 514 W. & J., 230, 260, 261, 317, 3 '8, 327. 335. 379. 461, 53°. 533. 57°, 5 8 4. 646, 647 Teler, Philip ... ... ... 356 "Tellers"... ... ... 277 Temple, John, (etc. ,) of Stowe ... 419 ,, House (Marlow) ... 466, 512 Tetley, R. ... ... ... ... 540 Tetsworth (Oxon) ... ... ... 233 Thackthwake, John ... 433 Thame (Oxon), 174, 177, 181, 189, 645 ; C. W. accounts, 45, 46, 56-58, 65, 67, 174, 178, 467; History of 1'rebendal Church of, 174, 395 (foot note) ,, Monastery ... ... ... 467 Theed family ... ... 632, 633 Therfield (Herts) ... ... 18,254 Thomas, Mr. ... ... ... 511 Thompson, Ambrose, 504, 505 ; John, 495 } St. John, Esq., 412 Thorley (Herts) ... ... ... 254 Thorn, J. & T. ... ... ... 317 Thornborough, 24, 26, 36, 124, 236, 264, 277- 2S0, 592, 602, 606 Thornby (Northampts) ... ... 249 Thome, Hugh ... ... 399, 400 Thornhaugh (Northampts) ... ... 249 Thornton, 15, 19, 24, 25, 164, 165, 220, 595, 615 (foot-note) Thorpe, George ... ... ... 579 Thrapstone (Northampts) ... ... 296 Throckmorton, .Sir Nicholas ... ... 446 Thurcaston (Leicestershire) ... ... 191 Tibbitts, Mr. ... .. ... 196 Tickfortl ... 13 ; Abbey or Priory ... 536 Tidmarsh (Berks) ... ... 69, 128, 136 Tighe & Davis, Messrs. ... ... 252 Tilehurst (Berks) ... ... ... 214 Timpson, D., see Stimpson Tindal, Acton ... 306; Thomas ... 307 Tingewick, 31, 198, 204, 205, 218, 274, 275, 277, 279, 280, 351, 596 „ Elias de ... 15, 595 Tinplate Workers' Co. ... ... 258 Tiscote Chapel (Marsworth) ... ... 518 Todd, Archdeacon, History of College of Ash- ri'ige, 55 1 Todde, Thomas ... ... ,.. 316 Toddington (Beds) ... ... 18, 235 Tolling after funerals ... ... 278 „ day of month ... ... 280 "Tom" bell of Christ Church (Oxford), 171, 253 (foot-note) Tomes, William (1745) 552, (1837) 570 Tomkins, John ... ... ... 568 Tomlin, T. ... ... ... 635 Tomlinson, John (1769) ... ... 599 Tomlyns, Richard ... ... ... 636 Tomlynson, John (1522) ... ... 467 752 INDEX. Tompkins, J. (a ringer) Tomson, Henry Tooke, Edward Toomes, John Topping, Nicholas ... Tournay, Surrender of Towcester (Northampts) Towersey ... 3°8 •• 315 '■ 152 ... 521 ... 615 501 161, 164, 533 127, 171, 275, 598 Town, John ... 297, 298 ; T. ... 330 ,, or Poor Stock of Great Marlow, 480, 481 ; of Whaddon, 614 {foot-note) Translations of Latin Inscriptions ... 287 Trash, George ... ... ... 509 Tread way, Thomas . . ... ... 315 Tredington (Gloucestershire) ... ... 112 Trendell, — ... ... ... 408 Trenley, Michael ... ... 249, 439 Tring (Herts) ... 232,631 Trulove, B. ... ... •• 537 Truss, "Captain,'' 496, 497; Christopher, 489; family, 465, 466, 470, 471, 476 ; — , 409. 474 Tue, Thomas ... ... ... 393 Turner, Daniel, 652; Elizabeth, 176, 177; Rev. T. A., xviii., xxx. , 3, 14, 230, 237, 414, 432, 620, 649 ; Robert, 308 ; Samuel, 407 ; William, 416 ; — (Sexton), 626, 627 Turney, William ... ... . 325 Turrell, John ... ... ... 401 Turville ... 98, 99, 127, 133, 274, 279, 600 Turweston ... ... 205, 278, 601 Twickenham (Middlesex) ... . ... 69 Twyford, 100, 105, 188, 199, 263, 267, 275, 601 Tykeford, see Tickford Tylby, John, ... ... ... 467 Tyldesley, William, Esq., 323 (foot-note), 334 * Tyle, Mr. ... .... ... ... 499 . Tyler's Green ... ... ... 602 Tyler's Hill (Chesham) ... ... 345 Tyndale, Rev. T. ... ... 639, 640 Tyringham, 161, 164, 234, 235, 254, 439, 564, 575. «°3 ,, Sir John, 380; Thomas, Esq., 311 Tyrrell, Sir Thomas ... ... 59^ Tyssen, Mr. A. D., 19, 20, 42, 47, 52, 55-57, .60, 71, 73, 74, 79, 93, 96, 97. 102, 104, 106, 118, 132, 137, 166, 168, 170, 186, 204, 248, 250 (foot- note), 252, 262 (foot-note), 296, 369 (foot-note), 385, 433, 434, 535, 584 U Ufford, (or Rafford) Philip de ... 12 Underwood, William ... ... 614 Unknown Founders, Bells by. 3, 4, 13-17,265, 311,312,324,326, 332, 335-338, 345, 346, 349, 35°. 355. 356, 367. 372, 374. 379, 412, 417, 43°, 43i. 435. 437. 440, 442, 453. 456, 543. 553. 562. 566, 576, 5 8 °. 581, 585. 592. 595. 598, 601, 615, 616, .639, 640 PAGE Upton ... 1,116,243,439,604,605,634 „ (Northampts) ... ... 203 Uses of bells, Local... ... ... 271 ,, ,, on Sundays ... ... 273 ,, ,, „ Week-days ... ... 276 Uthwatt family ... ... 451, 452 Uxbridge, S. John's ... ... 121 Valenciennes, Surrender of ... ... 536 Varney, Matthew ... ... 615, 616 Vasey, Mr. ... ... ... 503 Vaux family ... ... ... 457 Veary, Mr. ... ... .. 658 Venables, William ... ... ... 644 Venter, — ... ... ... 120 Verney, Sir Edmund, 357, 419 ; family, Memoirs of 356, 357, 379, 418, 463; Rt. Hon. Sir Harry, 325 (foot-note),- 331 (do.), 358 ; Ralph, Earl, 314, 325, 331; fciir Ralph, 357, 463 Vernon, Admiral ... ... .., 507 V., G. ... ... ... ... 424 Vigo, Taking of ... ... ... 500 Visitation of Bucks, Herald's, 17, 619 (foot- note) V -. K 553 W W. (1.6th century) ... ... 324, 569 Waddesdon ... 105, 264, 606, 619 Wadenhoe (Northampts) ... ... 246 Wainfleet (Lincolnshire). ... ... u "Wakefield, Thomas ... ... 94 ,, William ... 89, 93, 633 Walbrook, S. Stephen's ... ... 29 Walgrave, John, 30, 32, 33, 36, 38, 40, 71, 305, 324, 35i. 440, 597 Walker, Daniel ... ... 508, 569 ,, Thomas (c.w.) ... ... 652 Waller, Mr. ... 314; Sir H. ... 653 Wallis, John ... 136, 382 (foot-note) Wallop, Lady ... ... ,.'_ 504 Waltham, Great (Essex) ... ... 9 Walton ... ... ... 227, 234, 607 ,, ( = Aylesbury) ... 309, 311 ,, on Thames (Surrey) ... ... 633 Wandesford, Mr. ... ... ... 321 Wandsford (Northampts) ... ... 342 Wappenham (Northampts) ... 199, 202, 203 Ward, Bonaventure ... 480; Philip ... 451 Ward(e), Edward, 624 ; Henry, 625, 627-630 Warden, Ralph ... .. ?qo Warfield (Berks) ... ... "57 Waring, William ... ... ... 574 "Warner, John ... ... 258, 640 „ & Sons, 230, 258, 259, 295, 338, 356, 366, 369, 374, 384, 386, 389, 39i. 395, 415, 427, 434, 437, 444, 455, 456, 458, 514, 5*7, 529, 53°, 544, 556, 557, 569, 578, 579, 586, 605, 613, 619, 620, 637, 650 . ,, Eobert ... 427, 428 family ... ... 258 INDEX. 753 Water tables ™°% Waterperry (Oxon) ... ;." 646 Waters, R. E. Chester-, Author of Extinct Family of Chester, 348, 452 „ Thomas ... ... ... 470 Waterside, Chesham ... ... 345 Waterstock (Oxon) ... 68 ; (Penn) ... 548 Watlington (Oxon) ... .. ... 130 Watts, Edward, Esq. ... ... 325 Watts, Francis, I., 146, 147, 148, 153, iS4. 158, S64 H. ... 147, 158 Hugh, I. ... 145, 153, 158 „ H., 25, 114, 145, 147, 148, 154, 155, 158 "William, 145, 147, 148, 154, 158, 564 family (pedigree, 146), 147, 154, 157, 171, 266, 541, 564 Wavendon, 106, 116, 156, 234, 275, 607, 614 Webb, H., 317 ; John, 449, 482, 507, 521- 523; Rev. B., 272; Thomas, 470 ; — . 40s, S°4 Webbe, Robert, jun. ... ... 477 Weden, J., see Weedon, J. Weedon(Hardwick) ... ... 515 „ Christopher (c.w.), 655; Daniel, 430 ; (or Weden) John, 343, 344 Week (Hants) ... ... ... 62 Week-day Uses of Bells ... ... 276 Weley, 454 (fool-note) ; Woolye, 455 (foot-note) Wells, James ... ... 107, 262 Kobert .. ... 107, 600 „ William ... ... ... 423 Weller, Thomas ... . ... 658 Welles, Agnes, 139; John, 119, 122, 123; Samuel (c.w.), 656 ; Thomas, 652, 654 „ William ... 71, 74, 76, 79, 119, 442 Welney (Cambs) ... ... ... 241 Wendover, 107, 126, 127, 129, 235, 267, 578, 609 ,, Frances... ... ... 636 Wentworth, Sir Nicholas ... ... 446 Wescott ... ... ... ... 606 West, Hugh ... 458 ; Mr. John ... 390 „ Itchenor, West Monkton, etc., see Itchenor, Monkton (etc.), West Westbury ... 148, 149, 151, 217, 265, 610 Westcot(Gloucestershire),Foundry at, 263 Westmill (Herts) ... ... ... 13 Westminster, " Big Ben," 116 ; Chapter House, 323, 536 ; School, 617 (foot-note) Weston, Peter de ... 8, 9, 10, 591 Thomas de ... ... 9 Turville, 33, 34, 85, 87, 209 (foot- note), 233, 611 „ Underwood ... 216,255,612 „ Under Penyard (Herefordshire), ix. , 66 Westwood, Professor, the late 273 (foot-note] Wexham ... „ ■•• •■ 259,613 Weybread (Suffolk) 117 W.,G. - 527,528 Whaddon, 226, 227, 230, 234, 256, 296, 324, 596, «13; Hall, 330, 331, 636 Whalley, Gowter ... ... ... 470 Whatley (Somerset)... ... ... jg Wheeler, J., sen. and jun. (ringers) ... 308 ,, Richard ... ... ... 330 Wherwell (Hants) ... ... ... 249 Whetley (the King's purveyor at Windsor Castle), 322 Whight, John ... ... 381 Whiston (Northampts) ... 619 Whitchurch, 104, 106, 216, 234, 265, 350, 366, 616, 636 White, John, 46, 61, 67, 180, 389, 421, 467 „ jun. ... 66, 91, 180 ,, (of Buckingham) ... 183 ,, Frederick (of Appleton, Berks), 436, 441, 539, 545. 620, 646; J. (of Bierton), 317 ; Thomas, 461 j William, 417, 534 Whitechapel Foundry 35, 47, 67, 68, 79, 87, 94, 99, 102, 197, 213, 248, 2S2, 2(>2, 304, 33'. 343. 366, 369, 415. 433. 45 2 . 456, 459. 5°3. 548, 578, 604, 606, 610, 652, 655 Patrick's Foundry at, «03 „ Artichoke Inn, 09 ; Essex Street, 79 ; High Street, 79, 99 ; Koad, 99 ; S. Mary's Registers, 96, 99 Whitehall Evening Post ... ... 636 Whitlock, Bulstrode . . . 398 (foot-note) Whitmore, William, 249-251, I'ii (foot-note), 439 Whittenton, Thomas ... ... 589 Whittlebury (Northampts) ... ... 282 Whitwell, — ... 658 Whitworth, Robert . ... ... 364 W., !• (? = Wallis, John), 136, 3S2 (foot- note) W., 1. (1817) ... 409,(1828) ... 648 Wicheloe, Mr. ... ... ... 658 Wickham, West (Kent) ... ... 251 Widmore, family and manor, 469; Michael, 472, 473. — . 482 Wiggons, Hugh ... ... ... 401 Wightman, Philip ... . . 254 „ William . . 864, 416 Wilden (Beds) ... ■■•235 Wilding, Mr. ... 104 Wilkins, Mr. John ... S^-=. 5 2 3 Willen ... ... .. 230, 2 4, B17 William Founder, see Dawe Williams, Bishop (Visitation), xv., 279, 295 (and thence nearly every page) ,, Elizabeth, 567 ; Francis (c.w.), 656 ; Henry, 499 ; John, 403, 404, 406, 407, 409, 521 ; John and Richard, 820, 348, 504, 548 ; Richard, 511 ; Mr. W., 196 (foot-note) ; Col. (of Temple), 466; O., and T.P., 512 5 E 754 INDEX. Willis, Browne, x., xvi., xviii., 5, 15, 16, 18, 109,111,171,200,210, 213 (foot-note), 215 (eh.), 230, 253 (foot-note), 295, 296, 3°4. 3°7, 312 (foot-note), 315- 317, 319-321, 323-325, 328 (foot- note), 330, 331, 339, 342, 346, 349-35 •> 356, 365. 366, 370 (foot- ■ note), 375, 377, 388, 412, 417 (foot-note), 420, 422, 423, 425, 435, 440, 442, 443, 445, 446, 452, 456 (foot-note), 458, 463, 464 (foot- note), 467 (do.), 514 (do.), 520 (do.), 528, 532, 535, 536, 539, 543, 544, 550 (foot-note), 555, 557, 564, 576, 582, 583, 594, 607, 608, 615, 617 (foot-note), 620, 639 „ Hugh ... 571-573; Joseph ... 573, 574 „ Mrs. (Browne) ... ... 583 ,, R., and Clark, J. W. ... ... 381 Willoughby, John, 28, 453"455 J family, 454 ; Sir William, 470 (foot-note) Wills quoted, 9, 10, 20, 25, 31-33, 37-41, 45, 6o, 87, 92-94, 108, in, 112, 132, r 37> : 47. !82, 184, 210, 212, 228, 256, 257, 332, 356, 376, 518, 536, 585, 616, 617, 626 Willyat, John ... ... ... 183 Wilson, Mr. Henry, 369 (foot-note), 370, 385, 433- 434, 588, 605, 651 ; Richard (a ringer), 656; William (do.), 656, 657 Wilton Park (Beaconsfield) ... ... 314 Wiltshire, Earl of ... ... ... 311 Wimbis (Essex) ... 241 (see Wymbis) Wimborne (Dorset) ... ... ... 135 Winchcombe (Gloucestershire) ... 191 Winchendon, Over ... 105, 227, 618 ,, Nether, 106, 128, 129,204, 617 Winchester, 67, 68, 70, 93 ; Arms of See, 527 ; College, 62 ; S. Law- rence's, 1 26 ; S. Maurice's, 5 1 1 52 ; S. Michael's, 59 ; S. Peter Cheesehill's, 69 „ Daniel, 369; Thos. (1528)621, (1539-40), 622 Windsor, 381, 389, 506 ; Annals of, 252 ; Castle, 322 ; Curfew, or Clure Tower, 136, 250, 251, 382; S. George's Chapel, 382 Wing, 128, 129, 230, 259. 261, 274, 528, 619, 633, 634 „ C. W. accounts 175, 194, 196, 286 ,, Rev. John ... ... ... 342 Wingrave, 30, 33, 34, 36, 87, 93, 100, 103, 227, 594, 630, 632, 655 (foot- note) Wingrove, Thomas, 658 ; William, 547, 548 Winkfield (Berks) ... ... .. 242 Winkles, — ... ... ... 504 Winslow, 101, 116, 133, 168, 169, 202, 236, 275-277, 279, 635 Winter, Thomas, 547, 548 ; John ... 623 Winwood, Sir Ralph ... .. 578 Wirlee, or Wyrle, Adam de ... ... 6, 8 ,, Margaret de ... ... 6,8 Witham (Somerset) ...470 (foot-note) tage Withyham (Sussex) ... ... 251 Witney (Oxon), Foundry at, 215, 545 Witton (Norfolk) ... ... "... 153 Wivil, John ... ... ... 589 W.,j 415 Woburn (Beds) ... ... 178,413 Wodewarde, William .. 30, 36 Wogan, E. P. ... ... ... 331 Woketon, manor ... . . . 454 (foot-note) Wokingham (Berks)... ... 244,382 Wokingham Foundry (14th & 15th Centuries), 48, 76, 86, 94. 242, 3°5. 3°7. 368, 371, 386, 392, 396, 421, 428, 527, 532, 568, 576, 611 (Eldridge), 242, 243, 469, 552 Wolston, Great ... 268, 607, 638 „ Little ... 224, 226, 267, 638 Wolverhampton ... ... ... 215 Wolverton, Old ... ... 106, 639 End ... ... 639 ,, New ... ... ... 639 Wombourn (Staffordshire) ... 215 (foot-note) Wooburn ... 98, 100, 105, 258, 639, 656 Wood, Athena Oxoniensis ... ... 640 ,, Thomas ... ... ... 656 Wooden, Robert ... ... ... 497 Wooderoffe, Rev. William ... ... 616 Woodford Halse (Northarapts) ... 201 Woodman, John ... 515; J. ... 570 Woodnesborough (Kent) ... ... 252 Woodnett, Martyn ... ... 120 Woodstock (Oxon) ... ... 535 ,, Foundry, 169, 161, 162, 166- 171, 2$-$ (foot-note), 637 „ History of, 163 (foot-note), 535 „ Old town-crier's bell of ... 366 Woolaston, Anne ... ... ... 349 Woolley, Rev. R. ... ... 632, 633 Woolye, see Weley Wooster, Aaron (c.w.), 652 ; James (a ringer), 656, 657 ; — (a ringer) 657 ; Mr., 658 Wootton (Beds) ... ... 255, 541, 614 Foundry (Beds), 264-256, 412, 537, 603. 612, 613 ,, (Northampts) ... 160, 164 ,, John ... ... ... 658 Worminghall ... 261,274,275,646 Wormington (Gloucestershire) ... 241 Wotton (Surrey) ... ... 48 ,, Underwood, 104, 250, 256, 271, 409, 647 Woughton, 101, 224, 233, 234, 264, 274, 275, 277, 279, 648 W., p. ... ... ... ... 436 W..R. (1773) 308 Wraysbury ... 123, 244, 245, 274, 439, 650 „ and Colnbrook, History of .. 365 Wreay (Cumberland) ... ... 285 Wren, Sir Christopher ... 617 (foot-note) INDEX. 755 PAGE Wrentham (Suffolk)... ... ... 241 Wright, Ananias (c.w.), 428, 429; Robert, . 510; Mr., 590 Wright, Lawrence ... 47, 325 Wroth, Rev. W. B. . 375, 376 W-, s., or S., w. (P) ... ... 367 W., w., see Wakefield, W. Wyatt, George ... ... ... 407 Wycombe, High, 98, 104, 106, 117, 122, 141, 275-277, 279, 319, 469 (foot-note), 503, 536, 632, 641, 642, 652 „ Manors in ... ... 653 „ Lord ... ... 652, 653 „ West, 85, 100, 105, 124-126, 395, 660 Wykes, J. ... ... ... 541 Wymbis, Michael de, 6, 322, 323, 444 „ Eichard de ... ... 8-10 Walter ... ... 8 Wymbis, Nicholas, 8 ; Ralph de, 8 ; Sir Richard de, 8 Wymondley Priory (Herts) ... ... 240 Wyrley, John ... ... ... 203 Wytham (Berks) ... ... ... 171 Wyvell, see Wivil Y Yardley Hastings (Northampts) ... 441 Yare, "William, 85, 88, 89, 91, 94, 307, 308, 367, 476 (foot-note), 477 Yarnton (Oxon) ... ... 167,169 Yately (Hants) ... ... ... 52 Yeats, John (c.w.) ... ... ... 596 Yewden (manor), 398 (foot-note), 399 (do.) York (Abbey) ... 285 ; (Minster) ... 142 Youens, John ... 659; Robert ... 659 Young, — ... ... 408, 504 POSTSCRIPT. Just too late for insertion in its proper place (p. xxx.), I noticed the inadvertent omission of the expression of my grateful acknowledgments to the several gentlemen in the public offices and libraries, especially Somerset House, and the Record Office, to whose courtesy and kindness I owe very many thanks. Also, to my friend, Charles Hungerford Pollen, Esq., for kindly drawing Plate III. for me ; and to Charles Ousy King, Esq., who drew all the other Plates, and forty-six of the original figures in the text ; and whose patience in puzzling out the details of my casts, largely taken from imperfect originals, was very great. Accuracy, rather than finished drawings, was aimed at, and where blank spaces appear in the illustrations, it will be understood that I was unable to find more perfect impressions, to take better casts from ; and preferred that even the skilful pencil of Mr. King should not fill in by guess. A. H. Cocks. Gt. Marlow, Bucks, January, 1897. LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS Ely, The Lord Bishop of, The Palace, Ely. Oxford, The Lord Bishop of, Cuddesdon Palace, Wheatley, Oxon. Reading, The Lord Bishop of, Ch. Ch., Oxford. Barrett, R. H., Esq., Slough. Birch, Rev. C. G. R., Brancaster Rectory, Norfolk. Blagden, Rev. Canon, Hartley Wintney, Winchfield. Blair, Robert, Esq., F.S.A., South Shields. Brooks, Rev. T. W. D., M.A., Great Hampden, Great Missenden, Bucks. Brooke, Thos., Esq., F.S.A., Armitage Bridge, Huddersfield. Bryant, Wilberforce, Esq., J. P., Stoke Park, Slough. Bucks, The Ven. Archdeacon of, Hill House, Taplow. Bull, F. W., Esq., Kettering. Bull, Miss, Arncott House, Oxford. Cheese, John, Esq , Woodside House, Amersham. Chester, The Ven. Archdeacon of, St. Bridget's Rectory, Chester. Chetwode, Augs. L., Esq., Berners Hall, Ongar (2 copies). Clarence, Hon. Mr. Justice, Colombo, Ceylon. Clay, The late Rev. E. K., Gt. Kimble Vicarage, Tring. Cockram, Rev. T, Adstock Rectory, Winslow, Bucks. Cocks, Miss Agneta H., 29, Stanhope Gardens, Queen's Gate, S.W. Cocks, Miss C. A., The Glade, Great Marlow. Cocks, Mrs. C. L., Treverbyn Vean, Liskeard, Cornwall. Cocks, Miss H. M., 86, Park Street, Grosvenor Square, London, W. Cocks, The late Major O. Y., 12, Park Lane, London, W. Cocks, T. Sofriers, Esq., Thames Bank, Great Marlow (6 copies). Cocks, The late Mrs. T. Soiners, Thames Bank, Great Marlow (6 copies). Cocks, Walter Carew, Esq., 11, Queensberry Place, Cromwell Road, London, S.W. Cooke, Rev. Canon W., F.S.A., 6, Clifton Place, Sussex Square, London, W. Cree, Rev. J. A. (late Vicar of Great Marlow), Sunningdale, Berks. 758 LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. Darby, Stephen, Esq., Cookham Dean, Berks. Dartmouth, The Earl of, Patshull, Wolverhampton. Daner, Rev. J. F., Grimsbury, Banbury. Dennes, E. J., Esq., Wellingborough. Dickson, Rev. R. Bruce, Stewkley Vicarage, Leighton Buzzard. Deedes, Rev. Cecil, 2, Clifton Terrace, Brighton. Drake, T. W. Tyrwhitt, Esq., Shardeloes, Amersham (2 copies, Large Paper). Drummond, Rev. A. H. (President, E. Berks and S. Bucks Branch, Oxford Diocesan Ringing Guild), Boyne Hill Vicarage, Maidenhead. Edgerley, Rev. E. E., Littlebury Vicarage, Saffron Walden. Evans, Sir John, K.C.B., D.C.L., LL.D., F.R.S., F.S.A., &c, &c, Nash Mills, Hemel Hempstead. Farrer, George D., Esq., J. P., Brayfield House, near Newport Pagnell. Fiennes, Caryl W. J., Esq., Milton Keynes, Newport Pagnell. Fisher, Edward, Esq., F.S.A., Abbotsbury, Newton Abbot, S. Devon. Fisher, Samuel T, Esq., The Grove, Streatham. Fitz Gerald, Mrs., Manor House, Shalston, Buckingham. Fowler, J. T., Esq., Bishop's Hatfield Hall, Durham. Fry, T. H., Esq., 57, Wickham Road, Brockley, London, S.E. Gibbs, The late Robt. G, Esq., F.S.A. (Late Hon. Sec, Bucks Architectural and Archaeological Society), Aylesbury. Godley, Mrs., 11, Gloucester Place, Portman Square, London, W. Godley, Sir J. Arthur, K.C.B., Minley Lodge, Farnborough, Hants. Gough, H., Esq., Sandcroft, Redhill, Surrey. Graves, Rev. M., Sir Wm. Borlase's School, Great Marlow. Gregory, Rev. T. H., Padbury, Buckingham. Grove, T. B., Esq., Watercroft, Penn, Bucks. Grubbe, Eustace E., Esq., 7, Great George Street, Westminster (2 copies). Guildhall Library, London, E.C. Harris, E. Swinfen, Esq., F.R.I.B.A., Wolverton St. Mary, Stony Stratford. Harrison, J. F., Esq., Buckingham. Hearn, Henry, Esq., Castle House, Buckingham. Hill, Rev. Isaac, Oving Rectory, Aylesbury. Horwood, Thomas, Esq., Aylesbury. James, Francis, Esq., 190, Cromwell Road, S.W. Jameson, Rev. T. E., St. Stephen's Vicarage, Burmantofts, Leeds. Kensington Museum. Kiddle, Rev. F. G., The Vicarage, Buckingham. King, Mrs. Bolton, 10, Upper Berkeley Street, Portman Square, W. Lee, Rev. Fredk. G., D.D., F.S.A., &c, All Saints' Vicarage, Lambeth, S.E. Lee, Edward Dyke, Esq., J. P., Hartwell House, Aylesbury. LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. 759 Liberty, A. L., Esq., Lee Manor, Great Missenden, Bucks. Lowndes, Chas., Esq., " Hartwell," Stratford-on Avon. Lowndes, William, Esq., The Bury, Chesham, Bucks. Lyons & Knight, Messrs., Olney. Marshall, The late Rev. S. F., Farnham Royal, Slough. Mears & Stainbank, Messrs., Bell Foundry, 267, Whitechapel Road, London, E. (2 copies). Morgan- Grenville, L., Esq., J. P., Maids' Moreton Lodge, Buckingham. Myres, John L, Esq., F.S.A., Ch. Ch., Oxford. Myres, Rev. W. M., Swanbourne Vicarage, Winslow. Newcastle-on-Tyne, The Society of Antiquaries of. Newhouse, Rev. B. P. (Hon. Sec, E. Berks and S. Bucks Branch, Oxford Diocesan Ringing Guild), Maidenhead. Northbourne, The Lord, Betteshanger, Sandwich, Kent. Owen, Rev. Theodore M. N., Wood Walton Rectory, Peterborough. Parrott, Thos. Godfrey, Esq , L.R.C.P., Lond., 1, Church Street, Aylesbury. Parker, John, Esq., F.S.A. (Hon. Sec, Bucks Architectural and Archaeological Society), Desborough House, High Wycombe. Penny, Rev. C. W., Shute End House, Wokingham. Perkes, Rev. R. M., Late Rector of Drayton Parslow, Bletchley. Phillimore, The late C. B., Esq., Hurley Manor House, Marlow. Pigott, Rev. R. H. (Late Hon. Sec, Bucks Architectural and Archaeological Society), Grendon Hall, near Aylesbury. Raven, Rev. Canon, D.D., F.S.A., Fressingfield Vicarage, Harleston (President Norwich Diocesan Association of Ringers) ; Author of Church Bells of Cambridgeshire and of Suffolk. Risley, Rev. W. Cotton, Shalston, Buckingham. Robinson, Rev. F. E., Drayton Vicarage, Abingdon, Berks (Master, Oxford Diocesan Ringing Guild). Rose, Sir Philip F., Bart., Rayners, Penn, Amersham. Rees, F. W. J., Esq., Bury Fields House, Guildford. Russell, R. H., Esq , The Grange, Chalfont St. Peter, Bucks. Rutland, James, Esq., F.G.S., The Gables, Taplow. Sandars, The late Samuel, Esq., Chalfont Grove, Gerrard's Cross, Bucks. Smith, Mr. Henry, Maids' Moreton, Buckingham. Smith, Messrs W. H. & Sons, Strand, London. Stainer, Sir John, M.A., Mus. Doc, Oxford. Sclater, Rev. F. S., Westmeston Rectory, Hassocks, Sussex. Stahlschmidt, Miss Editha Lett, Frensham House, Fontenoy Road, Balham, S.W. Tatham, Rev. T. H., Wing Vicarage, Leighton Buzzard. Taylor, Messrs. John & Co., Bell founders, Loughborough. 760 LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. Thome, Thos., Esq., 40, Blackhall Road, Newcastle-on-Tyne. Tilley, Rev. H. T., 33, Bearwood Road, Smethwick. Tompkins, Rev. H. Chilton, Leckhampstead Rectory, Buckingham. Turner, Rev. T. Archer, M.A., Ickford Rectory, Thame (1883-6 President Lan- cashire Association Change Ringers). Tyssen, A. D., Esq , 59, Priory Road, N.W. ; Author of Church Bells of Sussex, &c. Uthwatt, A. M., Esq., Manor House, Great Linford, Newport Pagnell, Bucks. Verney, The late Rt. Hon. Sir Harry, Bart., Claydon House, Winslow. Vincent, Rev. J. R., Theological College, Ely. Walters, H. B., Esq , British Museum. Warner, John & Sons, Ltd., Crescent Foundry, Cripplegate, E.C. Warren, Rev. J. Francis, South Banbury, Oxon. Watson, Sir Wager J., Bart., 98, Victoria Street, London, S.W. (Large Paper). Webb, Mrs., no, Gloucester Place, Portmau Square, London, W. Weller, Geo., Esq., The Plantation, Amersham. Wethered, Col. O. P. (Late Commanding 1st Bucks Rifle Volunteers), Great Marlow. Wethered, T. O., Esq., Remnantz, Great Marlow. Wethered, Rev. F. T., Hurley Vicarage, near Great Marlow. Wheeler, The late Edward, Esq., The Bank, High Wycombe. Whittingstall, Rev. H. O. F., Vicarage, Great Marlow. Williams, John, Esq., Bank House, Aylesbury. Williams, Rev. T. J., Waddesdon Rectory, Aylesbury. Wood, R. H., Esq., F.S.A., Penrhos House, Rugby. Woodin, Rev. Alfred, Wooburn, Beaconsfield, Bucks. Wyatt, Rev. C. F., Broughton Rectory, Banbury, Oxon. Wynne, Miss, Craig Lledr, Bettws-y-Coed, North Wales. Wynne, Miss F. E., Craig Lledr, Bettws-y-Coed, North Wales. Wynne-Finch, Col., Voelas, Bettws-y-Coed. JARROLD AND SONS, PRINTERS, NORWICH, YARMOUTH, AND LONDON.