The Church Bellsof dorset

by

W. M. Barnes&

J. J. Raven

File 01 – Introduction, Inscriptions,Monograph (beginning) – Pages 1 to 77

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THE OHURCH BELLS OF DORSET.

BY

CANON RA VE:N, D.D., F.S.A.

' V I'l'H A N APPENDIX

By W. MILES BARNES.

Dorchester ; "OORSET OOC~TY CHll.ONJm,~" PltTh."TTNO WORKS.

1906

Introduction

Bell I nscriptions

CONTENTS.

.1\fonograph on the Church Bells of Dorset

APPENDnc' oF DocuMBN'tS MID NoTEs CoLLECTED BY W. MI'CBS BARNES.

Extracts from Early Chancer,y Do¢ttments and Wills,

P.tOll

&c. 105

An Ancient Dumb Bell at Knolc House 171

Addenda et Corrigenda ' 7 3

Bells in Dorset Churches, temp. Edw. VI. (A.D. rss:t ) 189

Average Weights of Bells '94-

Chorchwardeus' and Church Accounts 195

By Canon RAVEN, D.D., F.S.A .

........ ""-i'~

fl S now the idea of recording the inscriptions on the bells of this county is beginning to assume a practical form, and those of one Rural Deanery are completed, it will be useful to make a start by

'PJJ.~ giving some account of what may be expected as ~ the ground is more and more cleared.

~ When I sent my communication, entitled " On some Dorset Bells," to the Secretary of the Royal Archaeological Institute, for their Dorchester meeting in 1897, I expressed a hope that Dorset might be added to the published counties, but I had not dared to anticipate that a body like the }'ield Cl~b would so energetically throw itself into the task. On this occasion, with much gratitude, I send a few prefatory remarks, on the lines of the original paper, enriched by what has been lately found in the Rural Deanery of Dorchester, Dorchester Portion.

If not cast within the county boundaries, the bells must have been imported by sea or by land. But ports were few aud insignificant. " Lyme Regis/' says Camden, " can scarcely be reputed a sea-port town or haven." Bridport he passes over with hardly a. word of notice ; while Bishop Gibson mentions its bciug barred with sand. Melcombe was a port till its

'tHE CHURCH BELLS OJ;' DORSHT.

privileges were taken away by Act of Parliament in 2 Henry VI., though afterwards recovered.

As Poole in I.f. Edw. III. returned two burgesses to Parliament, it may have possessed some little importance, but Parliamentary representation in those days was rather inflicted on little boroughs than desired by them.

There seems to have been satisfactory communication by road with Devonshire, Somerset and Wiltshire ; but at present we know little or nothing that we can trace to these counties in the middle ages. Civic archives at Exeter or Salisbury may some day enlighten us. Within home bounds we may conjecture early foundries at Dorchester, Blandford, Sherborne, Wimborne Minster, or the little ports mentioned.

I may quote here what I said about an ancient foundry on the Devonshire coast and the Dorset bells of that period. Those of the Rural Deanery of Dorchester do not add to the list there given either of " Longobards," as we call those which are in­scribed in capital letters, or to those in ordinary black letter. Of the former we may expect at least two types, probably more.

There is a village named Paignton, near the mouth of a little creek in Tor Bay, where, at the end of the thirteenth century and in tho fourteenth, lived three generations of a family named de Ropeford, who exercised the combined callings of founder, organ-builder, aud clock-maker. Here in u8s Bishop Peter Quivil, of Exeter, granted to Roger de Ropeford, Campani'slarius, and his heirs, for oue penny each Easter, a certain tenement, they to perform the work of the aforesaid crafts, receiving all things necessary for the work, with victuals and drink whenever so employed. Roger was succeeded by his son William, and William by his son Robert, and from one of the three may have come a few of the group of earlier Longobatdic bells. Paignton \l:as the greatest lordship that belonged to the See of Exeter, and here was a goodly house of the Bishop's. Under these favourable circumstances, with ready access to the sea, the work of the de Ropefords may well have extended into neighbouring counties. In the course of a century this family di!appoars, and

THE CHGRCH HELLS OF DORSET. 3

one Thomas Karoun, alias Belhuter, possibly a Scotchman, is at work for Bishop Brantingham in 137Z.

Of the Dorset bells belonging to this period may be men­tioned, firstly, two which bea r the Salutation, in whole or in part:-

+ flUE: !nfiF{Ifi. Blandford St. Mary, znd. + !DfiF{lfl : ~uE:nfi : G~fi@lfl : ffi : Wambrook,

treble. ·

To these may be added :-

I€: SU Ftll.ti DE: I ffilS E:F{ E:.It€.. Wiuterborne Whitchurch, 3rd.

+ Sfli10€ifl !nflfllfl. Durweston, treble. + flUE: GF{fl0Ifl. Shillingstone, 3rd. ( Recast.) + ffifl~lfl . H ammoon, znd. + Sfin0<9€. @E:€iitE:. Tarrant Crawford, tenor. + Sfln<~<9fi illfiP{I. Winterborne Houghton, .znd . .

SflnG<9 : finDF{E:.U : IS : illY : nf!mG : Warn­brook, znd.

So far as I can judge by the pen-and-ink drawings which I made in my youth, the lettering and inilial crosses on these bells are of a more simple characte r. ,

Another group shows great(:!r elaboration, and 0 11 that account may probably take a later date in the fourteenth century. In the case of the Silton znd we get some limits of date assigned us, the Bidyck family having been 'patrons of that Rectory from 131z to If i2.

The Rector's initials are J. C. according to my MS., but the second letter may be G or T. The inscription in my book reads

ol< DOffiinUS : ro : BIDYGX: ; I : & : F{E:G!~O~ : : DUO : FE:GE:R,UU<9.

" Fieri fecerunt" is the ge neral expression for donors, but in tP.is rather early bell Bidyck and the Rector may be the two referred to, or the reference may be to two bells.

THE CHURCH DELLS OF DOl(SET.

Alton Pancras 3rd is inscribed fBJE: G~fH~Ifi @11E:l1fl in Lombardic, but I am not sure of the lettering. A bell at Cranbornc with the same inscription is in handsome style, with a saltire cross. The second at Charlton Marshall only takes the first and second words, with a considerably fioriated cross. One of the bells at !\lilton Abbas, evidently not the work of one of

the monks, is marked SfU~@ ('§if£ Il)Ol)flnnes + ~. The tenor at Fontmcll, flU€. mfl~lfl, and the bell at Tarrant Keynston bears good crowned capitals, the latter with a rather elegant cross and with a fieur-de-lis between the second and third letters of the name 1Dfl~Ifl, the only word on it. The Charlton Marshall tenor, with a plain cross, has endured the ineptitude of some wiseacre , who has marked it-

+ SIC§) 110 CQE:n DO CQI 11€ BE: nE: DI0 <9U(Q.

I should be inclined to class Haselbury Bryan 3rd with the bell at Tarrant Kcynston, the lettering being fine, and there being

, a fieur-de-lis stop between the two only words, Sfln€H9E: flnD~E:U.

Two of these " Longo bards" bear unusual legends, the 3rd bells at I we me Minster and Shapwick. After the words + qUt€) t;;@@uE:SIE: DE:DI<9 on the former, which appears to have emanated from one who would not let his left hand know what his right hand did, there follows a hexameter hard to scan as to interpret :-

(9E:l'{@Ifl SI<9 BOnfl SUB IE:SU nOCOinfl SOIGfl.

At Shapwick are two hexameters, adapted to metrical destruc­tion, from a well-known hymn to St. Christopher:-

Iul10 IGE:ro E?E: DIE: IGU11110 11f!IGGO~E: G~fH1€.<'9U~

0~IS(§)OFOF{I SfiQ0<§I <9f£illf?finfl ro QUI0UffiQUE: <9UE:<9U~.

Specimz is the third word in the second line of the original, and Nempe is an alteration from tzamqut, and perhaps in this instance an improvement on it.

THE CHURCH BELLS OF DORSET. s The last of this group which I will mention is the sth at

I

Broadwinsor, with

On this we happily get a founder's mark, No. 5 in Ellacombe's lJevott, the initials t. n. being those of Robert Norton of Exeter. He flourished in the west in the early part of the fifteenth century, and .}\fr. Ellacombe, in his Church Bells of Somerset,

records a petition presented in 1431 against him by the parish­ioners of Plymtree before Johll Stafford, Bisl10p of Bath and Lord Chancellor. The result is not recorded. As a rule his bells are good.

Some of these may come from the hands of a founder whose initials were t. n. or from some predecessor of his. An initial cross is used, No. 18 in Ellacombe's C.B. of Ilt11on, and No. 30 in his C.B. of Somerset, by this man, with ordinary black letter

1.

inscriptions, but we find it also on Longobards, and notably on the bell which stands or stood on the floor of S. David's

Cathedral inscribed :-

+ SO Ill DE: 0 qO QOF{ €.<9 GLtO F{lfi.

THE CHURCH FIRLLS OF DORS.E1'.

This was the motto of King Henry V. after Agincourt, and as William Lyndewode, the Canonist, who was present at the battle,. became Bishop of S. David's, it seems that the bell belongs to the days of his episcopate.

We now turn to some of the ordinary black-letter class, in the style of the fifteenth century. A few of these, which bear simply marta, as Alton Pancras 3rd, Compton Abbas 2nd, and Winter­borne Came znd (which last inserts a capital R), are presumably turned out by a not too literate craftsman. The Winterborno Came smaller bell, which prefixes ~andll, has a beautiful initial

2.

cross, with which I should be inclined to compare those on the Compton Abbas bell just mentioned, and on the Tarrant Hinton treble, which bear a remarkable inscription, theologi­cally speaking :-

This inscription is on the tenor at Compton Paunceford, Somerset. The same cro;;s appears on Farnham tenor, Warm­well znd, Fontmel sth, Charlton Marshall 3rd, Cheselbornc 3rd, Winterborne Monkton, Stinsford treble, Winterbornc Whitchurch 3rd, Compton Abbas 4th, and other bells in the county.

1'liE CHURCH DELLS OF DORSET. 7

Another curious trait of ignorance is

which adoms the 4th bells at Stourpairte and Fontmel Magna, while the tenor at Blandford St. Mary's has a new form for lla:c :-

At Burstock is one of the earliest instances of advertisements, metrically coudemnable :-

with which may be cited an East Anglian puff of later date:-

Thom!IR Gardiner l~ave (lie) o.t last Mo.de ll.$ good as can be cast.

A less obtrusive and more harmonious, though censurable, hexameter appears at Whitchurch Canonicorum :-

The composer, it is feared, would hardly have been able to justify his use of adverbs, but this is a trifle to some solecisms. It is not chargeaiJlc on the Canons of Whitchurch, for l\1r. Ellacombe found it on twenty-two bells in Devon; and it may have originated the incomplete line in which the bell-founder Thomas Purdue alliteratively celebrated his recasting with additional metal in t 676 the noble " Peter,'' given by Bishop Peter Courtenay in 1484 :-

PLEBS PATRIJE PLAUDIT DU.lH PETRUM PLE[NIUS AllDITJ.

A beautiful line, though like the others culpable in scansion, is on Broadwinsor 4-th:-

+ liSt midti totht~mn ]]u i~tutl u.omcu amatum.

1'HE CHURCH llELtS 01! DORSEt.

This is also very common in Devon, and is found on sixteen bells in Somerset, but it disappears as we go eastward.

An approximate date may be given to the 3rd and sth at Fordington, inscribed respectively

+ .Sanda )Kate~hlll e>ra _@U )f.!obil, and

+ ;fu ,OOuttiH ~tmi9 :flepand @'nmv.au .)[olmnuig,

for they bear the shield (No. 3), in which may be discerned

3.-FORDJNGTON.

John Walgravc's initials. Like many other foundrymen he himself became a founder. In I 408 he was servant to the great William Da,vc, called William Founder, whose marks arc all over England. In that year died a wealthy and charitable man, John Plot alias Rouwenhale, citizen and maltman of London, and among legacies for Mass of Requiem and repair of " fowle ways" is iij.s. iiij.d. for "John Walgrave, scrvaunt of Wyllyam fondour." If I am htelined to connect with this pair a bell which was recast more than so years ago, the tenor at Pimperne. When I was bell~hunting there in 1850 .:Vfr. Ewart, then curate of the parish, told me that the old tenor was dated in Arabic numerals 1.p s. and inscribed + .Sanctu ,GID.aria ®u ~o :m_obbf.

• Fiftll Early E11(1tw~ WiUe, P: 16.

THE CHURCH BELLS OF DORSET. 9

The alphabet as far as 4J occurs on the smaller bell at Hammoon. 1J is inverted. We find alphabet bells in every variety in many parts of England, and are .much puzzled as to their meaning and intent.

4,-CHARDSTOCK. 5.-CHARDSTOCK.

At Chardstock the two smaller bells were adorned with the beautiful shields (Nos. 4 and 5) and cross (No. 6) of Henry Jurden, a man probably of Loughborough extraction.

6,-CHJ\lWSTOCK.

The symbolism of his first shield indicates an unusual mixture of avocations, the dolphin and keys ~eing emblems of the

JO THE CHURCH REL!,S OF DORSET.

Fishmonger; the bell and the laver, of the Founder; while the wheat-sheaf is a charge in the arms of Harleton, the maiden name of Margaret Jordan, who lies with her husband Giles in Loughborough Church. In Henry Jurden's will the description of his house and shop, in the lane called Billiter (Bcllczetter) lane in the p'yshe of Seynt Katheryn Crechurche wt·in Aldgate of London, has led to its identification with the site at the north­west corner of Billiter Street, fronting on I.eadenhall Street, while his foundry was on the west side of Billiter Street, on a space partially occupied by the East and West India Dock· house.

At Steeple we find a bell marked with the rebus of William Culverden (7), a later mediroval citizen and founder, educated,

7 .-STEEPU.

as his will tells us, at Westminster. T he Culver, or dove, with dtll above it, gives his name, and there are the usual insignia of his craft.

Lastly among medirevals there is the bell at Ford Abbey in Thomcombe parish, found by Mr. L. B. Clarence and myself on July 5th, t86o, a very beautiful specimen from the Norwich foundry, far separated from all its fellows, the only Norwich bell

THE CHURCH BELLS OF DORSET, I J

known to any of us west of London. Its note is C, and its diameter z8 inches. The inscription is

On the shoulder thrice repeated is the sprigged shield of the Brasyers (No. 8). The initial cross (No. 9), the rhyme-stop (.No. TO) and lettering deserve all that has been said about them by East Anglian campanists. From which of the family this bell proceeded it is impossible to say. The date is about the middle of the fifteenth century, ar.d if any light can be thrown on its history it will be most ,welcome.

8,-FORD ARREY. 9.-FORD Af!BEY.

10,-FORD ABBEY.

... +in '/' lnnts v. iampau ·. ionanU1s ~ "·+ I UUft\1 . ~UtfltlUU l ltU '0 llOblS ~ .

.,. m n r1 · ~ ........ -

··· ~ B n n r t n m il u \ n 4-=:.

1 1,-FOKDJNG'fON S. G&ORGE NO. 5• 13.-WSNTElUlORNB CAMK TK~Ol(. 12.-l'ORDING'~ON S. GKOKGE- NO. 3· 14.-WINTEKROIU"l£ C~ TKEULI!.

1 5 . -cllAIUllNSTBR 'l'R:->OR. . Scale i size .

THE CHURCH JIELLS OF DORSET. 13

Among post-Reformation bells there are many by John Wallis, of Salisbury, and his successors, the Purdues, of Closworth, the Bilbies, of Chewstoke, and of course by the Rudhalls, of Gloucester, whose fame as founders is great, and by the long line of London men.

These as we proceed I hope to particularise more fully.

DEANERY OF DORCHESTER.

(DORCHESTER PORTION.)

No. 5.

1. BRADFORD PEVERELL <S. Mary).

Five bdls. Tenor-Diam., Hlin.; height, 25tin. I. H. N. Middleton, 1896. 2. Anno Domini 1616. Recast 1896.

3· Harry Meggs, Esq., C. W., •7+7· Recast 1896.

+· T. P., r 67f. S· To the Glory of God, and in loving memory of Hastings

Charles :Middleton. This bell and the treble were added by his grandfather,

Hastings Nathaniel :Vliddleton.

2. BROADMAYNE <St. Martin),

One bell. Tenor-Diam., 3+in.; height, 27in. Wamer and Sons, Crescen~ Foundry, London, 1881.

3. CHARMINSTER <S. Mary).

Five Bells. Tcmor-Diam., +;!in.; height, 33~in. r. TP. An. no. Do. mi. ni. r663. W. M., W. H., C. W. %. Anno Domini 1631. 3· J. Taylor and Co., Founders, Loughborough, 1867. 4· TS. WD. CW. IH. TP. Give thanks to God. An no

Domini r661. S· For inscription see Fig. •S·

14 THE CHURCH BELLS OF DORSET.

4. COMPTON VALENCE <S. Thomas of Canterbury>.

Four bells-Tenor-Diam., 38in.; height, -zqin.; note B flat. L C. and G. Mears, Founders, London.

Lauda Dominum 1847· z. Cast hy John Warner and :Sons, London, 186z.

(Royal Arms) Patent.

3· Anno Domini 16::o. G. P. 4· T. P. ,\n: no: Do: mi: ni. 1676. H. B. I. S. C.W.

6. DORCHESTER (Holy Tl'inltyl,

One bell in a bell gable. Diam., 36in.; height, 28in. The Reverend Doc~ Leigh, l\1": Robert Filden, l\I! Iohn

Galcch (C. ?), W. '73Z• Bilbie fecit, M! Richard Cooper, 1\I~ Samuel Rickwood.

This is one of the old peal. Ai10ther is said to have been given to Cattistock.

(Four in •sso.) 6. DORCHESTER CAll Saints).

Two bells. Tenor-Diam., z6in.; height, z2in. r. I.D. R.T. 1624-.

z. Anno: Domini: 1697 * T W P 1f (+ vines) '* Ro: Scvtt: Ro: Loke: C: W.

(Three in 1550.)

1. DORCHESTER <St. Petel'l.

Eight bells. Tenor-Diam., +qin.; height, 37i11. r. M~· John King .and M~ Thomas Jones Ch. Wardens 1750.

T. Bilbic fecit. 1. This bell was recast in the year 1 8o8. George Frampton and

John Cooper Church Wardens. T. Bilbie Cullompton fecit. 3· Although my sound it is but small

I'll be heard among you all • . The gift of Robert Browne, Esq! . T. Bilbie fecit.

lVI~ Danniel (sic) Arden and Mt Joseph Gigger Church

Wardens, 1734-·

THE CHURCH ~ELl-S OF DORSEt.

4· M~ Daniel Arden and M~ Joseph Gigger, Ch. W. 1734· Bells No. 4, 6, 7 were recast, and the whole peal rehung by public subscription at a cost of .£3oo os. ou. A.D. 188q. A. H. Lock, Mayor. J. Warnrr and Sons.

S· 1\1~ Daniel Arden, M~ Joseph Gigger, Ch. Wardens, I'JH· Gco. Richards, Esq:, M~ Renaldo Knapton, .1\1~ Tho. Loder, M~ Tho. Cooper, M~ William Bryer. Bilbic

fecit. 6. Recast by John Warner and Sous, London, 1889 (on waist).

Recast 1889. J. Marvin Lock) Ch h . d Robert Holland J urc war ens.

God send us good luck. 7· Recast by John Warner and Sons, London, 1889 (on waist).

Recast 188g. Rev. Tho. Kingdon Allen, Rector. Come let us go up to the house of the Lord.

S. Mr. Renaldo Knapton saw me cast the 2 rst September, 1734· M: Daniel Arden, :\I~ ] oseph Gigger, Ch. Wardens. Tho. Bilbie cast all these six bells.

Ring to the praise of God. Inscriptions on the old bells now recast, copied by me in

1852:-4· l\1~ Daniel Arden 1I~ Joseph Gigger Ch. Wardens, I 73+· 6. God send vs good lock. M~ Daniel Arden· :VI~ Joseph

Gigger, Ch. Wardens 173+· T. B. F. 7· S~ W1~ Chapple K~ and John Browne Esq~ Mcmr.~ of Parliat.

gave a 105 Povnds to thes bells. The Revr~ Doc~ Leigh D.D., Doc~ Archer :\'J.D., The Revt~ l\1~ John Kelson Jos. Seward gent M~ Geo Cooper Mr Ardeu> 1\I~ Gigger Ch. W. T. B.

(Five in 1550.)

8. FORDINGTON (Christ ChurehJ.

One bell. Modern. In a bell cot.

16 'tBE CHURCH BEtts OF DORSE1'.

9. FORDINGTON CS. George),

Six bells. Tenor-Diam., 43in.; height, 37lin. 1. Praise ye the Lord. V.R. Ano. XIV. C. & G. Mears,

185o. z. To tl1e Glory of God. V.R. Ano. XIV. C. & G. Mears,

Founders London 185o.

3· + .Sanda :BJtttrhnt ®rll :PN )f.'1obi$. (Fig. I z.) +· God defend us Mercy send us. V.R. Ano. XIV. C. & G.

Mears Founders London r8so.

fi' • v • • • s. + In .a;!ulti$ Janail ;:f"'l.tStud (§ampall J oll.I\Uilil.

(Fig. rr.) 6. No gaine like Godlines.

G ~ P. ·16oz. J R (Royal Arms) J W. T W.

Inscription on old Tenor-To make a joyful noise I here am mounted To God and Charles II. his anointed.

10. FRAMPTON !St. M•ry>.

Six and a small bell 14io. diam. Inscribed R.B. Tcnor­Diam., 43in.; height, 3zin.

J . I was cast at the cost of Rob. Browne Esq~. 2. This year brother broke

I then first a woke And rung a good peal For old Framptons weal.

3· I was cast at the cost of Rob. Browne Esq~ 1694· Cast by

John Warner and Sons, London 1866 + Cast in November

Let all remember The year I can fix Eighteen sixty 5ix.

(Royal Am1s) Patent.

THE CHURCO DELLS OF ])QRSET.

S· Robert Wood Will. Prickett C.W. Anno li33 fiW. K. P.E.

6. Rob. Browne Esq~ 1694-All 6 cast by T Q Cockey.

11. FROME VAUCHURCH <Dedication unknown) .

. One bell. Small bell, in a cot-Diam., 18in.; height, 1 2in. 1855·

12. KNIGHTON, WEST <S. Petel'),

One bell. Diam., 29~in. ; height, 2 3!in. Praysc the Lord I W 1603.

13. MORETON <S. Nicholas),

Two bells. Tenor-Diam., 39in. ; height, 3 r in.

1. J. Warner & Sons London 1877. z. Pack & Chapman of London fecit 1776

14. STAFFORD, WEST <S. Andrew),

Three bells. T enor-Diam., 3+in. ; height, z8in. r. Prais God I W t6zo. 2. God is faith fvl I W 1595. 3· Serve ye the Lord I W r6zo.

(The second bears John Wallis's larger lettering.)

16. STRATTON {$, Maryl,

Five bells. Tenor_:Diam ... pin.; height, 31 in. 1. *Elias Wood. David Casher. C.W. '753· z. Samvcll. Fisher C 1!' W "fiT: P.

Anno: Domini 1/rbgs. 3· lB. CW. TP. :to

Anno Domini 16.58 4• An no Do mi ni I 627 R /), P

(Royal Arms.) S· Anno Do mi ni 161 g GP

The tl'Dblc wa~ taken to Clos\'I"Olth and recast by Mr. Rock i.u 1753,

rS Tlll!: C:ltuRCH nEtt.s OF t>ORSE1'.

From Stratton Clmrchwardens' Accounts-

1753-26th April, Pd. Mr. Richd. Rock his bill for casting £ s. d.

tlle bell • • • • 10 15 ll

Pd. for carriage of yc boll to Closworth aud home again 0 12 6

29th Dec., fm stuff auu WOl'k duue by Elius Wood about yo church stoop! wheels and several oilier things 1 06 4

16. TOLLER FRATRUM <S. Bli!li!>·

One bell. Anno ..••• In a cot, hardly accessible.; This word and a little oruament

alone discernible from the ground.

17. WHITCOMBE (Dedlcdlon unknown).

Two bells. Tenor-Diam.,. 31in.; height, zsin. r. Hope '":ell. IW. 1610 z. Love God LW. 161o.

(These hang north and middle in a three-bell frame. As there is a seq11ence of tones the tenor is probably the missingonc. J.J.R. rsJuly, 189z.)

18. WINTERBORNE CAME <S. Petel'l.

One bell. Tenor-Diam., 31!in.; I. tfc .$ R U C t R .G'Q. .ll t! i .ll.

z. m .a ri .a (Fig. , 3·>

height, z6in. (Fig. I+.)

(The cross on the smaller bell is No. 3z in Ellacombcs' irfzscellaneou$ Scraps, appended to the Clmrch Bells of Devon, &c., P· 509.)

19. WINTERBORNE S. MARTIN.

One bell. Diam., 37in.; height, 33in. Bell. Morgan Baleson. Joseph Blanchard, C.W. 1746.

WWKlilBf'F (Fleur de·lis border and other ornamentatio11.)

TliE CHURCli HEI.LS OF bORSU.

20. WINTERBORNE MONKTON <Dedica-tion unknown).

One bell. Diam., z6!in.; height, zrin.

(Fig. 16.)

16.

21. WOODSF'ORD (S. John Baptlstl,

One bell. Diam., I7iin.; height, rsin.

Bell. If T rt' P Anno Domini * 1693.

22. WYNFORO EAGLE <S. Lawt'encel.

One bell. Diam., 19in.; height, c. 16in.

No inscription.

In this district only three towers contain inedia.wal bells­those of the old parish chur.ch of :Fordington and two out: of three of the group of Winterborncs, Came and i\'Ionkton. At Fordington the third and fifth bells bear the same stamps, a shield, which was the trade ·mark of John vValgrave, a London founder, c. q.oo, and a cros.s fleury in an octagon. His was a not unu~ual instance of a faithful servant succeeding to his master's business. In the reign of Richard II. one William Dawe was carrying on _important work in Aldgate, the founder's

:o t'RE CltURCH :1\ELt.s or bORSkT.

quarter. His trade name was William .ffoundor, and tl1e identity of the two was established by the industry of Mr. Stahlschmidt. Mr. Waiter Rye allowed him to look through a batch of East London deeds belonging to the Cornwallis family. Among them were two title-deeds belonging to the same property, one in 1393 witnessed by " William Da""e Found;," the other, two years later, by " William l'oundor." His works were in many parts of England. In 138.5 he was casting guns for Dover Castle, at the time 0f the great scare, and if we may judge .. from nearness to the London and Dover road his bells at Downe, Upper Hardrcs, and Otham belong to the same visit. Devonsl1ire knows his well-known marks, the three lavers, the

roundlet with+ 1.Yffilliam . !fomulot . me . !tdt, and two birds, probably intended for daws, at Brent Tor, Brushford, and else­where ; and indeed it was my discovery of them in Suffolk some fifty odd ye.ars ago that brought me into correspondence with Mr. Ellacombe. As yet we cannot report him in Dorset, IJUOd sdam; but if we have not the master Dawe we have the man Waigrave. The latter was evidently a man of good repute, for in the will of John Plot, proved in 1408, there is a legacy for him:-

" Also ID}' ll")'ll ys that John Walgrauc seruaunt of Wyllyam Fondour haue of my go~e iijs iiijd.""

I have found Walgrave's mark at Ightham in Kent, and this is not the only instance in that county. Mr. Tyssen reports him . from Balcombc and Pulborough, Sussex; 1\Ir. Nonh from Tansor and Twy•rell, Northamptonshire; 1\Ir. Cocks from Astwood, Tingewick, and Old Bradwell, Bucks; Mr. Owen from Ellington, Chesterton, and Overton Longueville, Hunts; and Mr. Walters, whose Cht~rch .Bells of Shropshire we most earnestly hope will some day be completed, from Oldbury. This is of course a very sketchy list of Walgrave's bells; but it i ~ enough

• Will of J ohn Plot (ot Bouwcnhole or RouwenlJil.le). Yifty .&t1"lica/. lf:nuiim

Wills (E.E.T.S.), p. 15.

\

THE CHURCH BEI.tS 01! l:>OltS!n'.

to show the extensive nature of his business. At Fordington the inscriptions are, on the 3rd :-

and on the sth-

The frequent occurrence of the name of the former Saint on bells is probably due to the introduction of the wheel instead of a simple lever for the rope. The latter Leonine hexameter is all over England, and was the first inscription I ever copied, from the old 5th bell in Mildenhall tower, Suffolk, in the year ~ S48, cast after Walgrave's time, but probably at the same foundry. The capitals on the Fordington sth are crowned as in the facsimile of the inscription, Fig. 11.

The smaller bell at Winterborne Came and the bell at Winter~ borne Monkton bear the same initial cross which Ellacombe has engraved, as at Osmington and elsewhere in Dorset, and has given as on Rimpton tenor, Somerset. At present we know nothing about it, save that it seems entirely confined to the south-west of England. I cannot find it in Ellacombe's Gloucestershire book. As we go on we ,may come upon some evidence which may help us. The same remark applies to the

-~ larger bell at Winter borne Came, beari~g only .GEl · .a d .a. We now come to the period between the accession of Queen

Elizabeth and the Commonwealth, which gives us a dozen bells. The earliest of these is late enough, the second at West Stafford, dated I 595, which bears the initials of John Wallis, of Salisbury. Like most of his bells it bears a short pithy motto, . GOD IS FAITH FVL. Mr. Lukis ~ says of l1im that he seems to have been a man of few words, but of great deeds. " A man,'' he adds, ".is known by his works, and a man's character and tone of life may be known in some measure by his words. If we

• An Accou.nt of Churck Bells, p. 7.

THE CJtURCH tlEL!.S Oil DORSEt'.

estimate him by his works he was a great man ; and if we take his laconic epigrams as an index of his heart, he was a trustful, thankful, religious character." Thus we have PRA YSl:: THE LORD at West Knighton, r6o3; HOPE \VELL, and LOVE GOD, at Whitcombe, x6ro; PRAIS GOD, and SERVE YE THE LORD, at West Stafford, r6zo. There are many more of the same kind in other parts of this county, as well as in Wiltshire, where 1581, at Figheldcan and Littie Bedwin, are the earliest dates recorded by Mr. Lukis, who laments his failure to gain information either from published histories or from local antiquaries about the foundry. One precious item, however, came to him through a Charity Commissioners' Report, zn3., that what is now called Culver Street in Salisbury was also called Bellfounders' Street.. In 1624, which is about the time of Wallis's retirement, a tenement, three gardens, and two orchards, &c., " in Culver Street al~ Bell-founders' Street in New Sarum" were conveyed to trustees under the will of Thomas Bee.

John Danton, from whom came the bell at Dorchester All Saints', is regarded by Mr. Lnkis as taking up the work which Wallis carried on for a good forty years.

T hree of the group of bells with which we are dealing, the tenor at Fordington S. George, 16oz, the fourth at Stratton, 1019, and the thjrd from Compton Valence in the following year, are from George Purdue's foundry, which was located a~ Taunton. The churchwardens' accounts at Nettlecombe, Somerset, for 1613, testify to this.*' The Fordington tenor is a very fine bell, bearing the Royal Arms and other omamenta· tion. Roger Purdue, presumably a son, cast the fifth at Stratton in 16%7, in which year Thomas Purdue was aged six, for he was buried at Closworth, Somerset, in 1 7rr, aged qo )'ears, with this couplet inscribed:-

" B eze lies tlie bell founder honest a.nd true Till ye ReeurreetiOD-named Purdue."

• Ellii.CODlbe's Ckurdl.ll<'tla of lJCT:on, p. 56.

THE CHURCH BELLS OF DORSET.

From this honest and true nonagenarian we have a considerable group round Dorchester-the third at Stratton, r6s8; the fourth

and treble at Charminster, 166i atld 166 3 : the fourth at Bradford Peverell! 1674; the fourth at Compton Valence, 1676;

the bell at W~Jodsford, 1093; ~he second at Stratton, 1695; and the second at Dorchester All Saints', 1697. To these may very likely be added the recast bells at Frampton. It is quite clear that we want mor~ information from Salisbury, Taunt~Jn, Closworth, and elsewhere in Somerset and Wilts about the men who wrought· in these towns. The six at Frampton were cast by T. Cockey in r6q4. We k11ow that Willi<\m of the same name was at Fromt" from 17 I 5-174 7, ~and the maker of the Frampton ring may have been his father. We get no information from Ellacombe's Church Bells Of Somerset. Perhaps some Frome archceologist will come to our help. Robert Browne, Esq., the donor, is known to Dorset History. Thomas Purdue and T. Cockey have carried us a little down ~he historical stream, and we find ourselves in the eighteenth century.

Here our chief subject is the company in the grand old tower of S. Peter's, Dorchester, which in the return of 1550 contained five bells. The equinox of the autumn of 17 34 witnessed a recasting oft he bell-metal from S. Peter's; and another witness was Mr. Re11aldo Knapton, concerning whom information is needed. From the inscription he must have been an inportant local magnate. The founder was Thomas .Bilbie, and his foundry may have been either at Chewstoke or Cullompton. Sixteen years later two tre"blcs at S. Peter's completed the octave, and tlhe second of th.e two was recast in 1808 by another Thomas Bilbie at Cullompton. Thus we get in one tower these several dates for one name, Thomas Bilbie-one name, but not one person.

At lVIartinstown the bell is dated IJ+6, with the initials of William Knight, stated to have been a founder at lllandford. Here again we shall be glad of local help.

' Lultis, p. 16.

THE CHURCH BELLS OF OORSET.

The 'Loughborough foundry has sent us the third at Char­minster. \Vhitechapel and the Crescent Foundry in Cripplegate are represented also in other churches, as may be seen by the list of inscriptions. Those at Frampton cause a thankful acknowledgment that the gift of poetry is not yet extinct.

Do:actm'II'E:R, Feb. 13, 1903. :My DE.ul. SJ:a,

You IUllt fo.r a note ot what I have beMd about cerlain bells at Foldiugton. I now give it, u well as I am able.

In 1882 the late W. (?) Keudall, tben Vicar of E. Lulworf.h, told me that aome ye~ before that timo he wa• ()Ul'llte ot Wool. Be found that there were aeveral traditions stili on the lips of hie parishioners. They !~ad a tale of a lot of red­haired men coming up the river, and killing folb, and btuning and 11'116ting far

aud wide-Danes we may believe. Again, in the time of one Cromwell the:ro was a King to every county-4ieemlngly a dixa. memory of Sultan Oliver and hie Pashas-Dceborough here in Donet. But, to our present pu~e, the Wool folb had this jingling rhyme :-

" Wool strea.ms and Coombe Keynes wella­Fordington rogues• stole Bindon bells."

The first line doubtle88 o.llud~ to the fine t;pring at the wett end of Wool village, eending a rill of WJLter o.ll do11'U the street, aud to the very deep well at Coombe Keynes, an :l.djoining pa~h. .Aa to the second line, the belief was aa follows :­When Bind on Abbey WIUllltlppressed and looted, the ooll! formed no small part ol

the plunder. ~ow Blndon .&cbbey was of the Puritan Cisterclnn Rille, which forbade any tower to the church, and more than ono belL .Such a lapse from regnlatiOII!I had, however, taken place, that Bindon Abbey had a tower s.nd,

monl than that, a ring of twelve in it. I think (but l am not eure of thia point) that these bella wero to be dhided between Wool and Coombe Keynes. "Fordington rogues," however, had other views. With cleverness " worthy of a better cause " they secretly ca.rried of[ five of the twelve and hid them in a. lli.De near l>y, still called Boll Droug in 1882. When night fell they came with waggons aud got clear olJ wi th the bella to l'ordington, wbere two, St . John's a.ud St. Katharine's, ring to this day. Wool bad to put up with foUl', Coombe Keynes with thne of the remaiwler. It should be added that there wa.s a oonnection between Bindon Abbey and Fordington, where certain plota of ground are called Cist.en:ian lands.

• Variant " euckolds."

'!H.E CHURCH HELLS OF DORSET, %' .)

The wea.k point of the legend !leetl)J! to be the alleged existence of a ring of twelve in a Cistercian .Abbey.

I havo been told that the doggerel rhymes above are not unknown in Foldington.

Another and quite different traditiouu,bout these bells b!ll!l come to me. But as I cannot name my mfo=nt, nor say whence he got his ta.le, I give it for what it is worth. It dates before the suppression, for the Abbey services wero being duly beld at the time. '''hile Abbot and Convent were all iJI chureh-at Lauds we may suppose-the " Fordington rogues" slipped up the tower. They nnshippod the twelve belt., lowered them, and heaved eloven of them into

waggons, without a sound, Dut the clapper o:f the twelfth got looae somehow, and gave a clang ''l'hich was heard :in church. However, away went the raiders at their best pace, bells and all. The Abbot aud his household gave chase, but did not overtake tllem till they reached Frome :Billett Dow:n, which by the bye ia half-a.·mile or more out of the present trn.ck. Five of the bells wore, notwith­standing pursuit, carried oft' to Fo:tdington. Seven, however, were rescued, whether through skirmish or parley tradition sayeth not, I think. A curious

rider is that out of these seven bella two somehow found their way to Stinsford. You know, better than I do, all ;\bout the two prc-Refo:rmation bella above­

named. I may say tha.t the pt~sent ring was changed from five to six by re-casting a

rather heavy (two-IWlll) renor, dated 1G02. It was all to pieces--more bolted and strapped together, I ahould think, than any bell Eounding in a. ring. The preeeut dull-toned tenor was second.

I am, yours truly, H. J. MOULE.

Tho Rev. Canon Raven, D.D.

DEANERY OF WHITCHURCH.

(BERE REGIS P~RTION.)

No. 14.

I. AF'FPUDOLE ($, lawl'enq•)•

Four bells. Tenor-Diam., 44in. ; height, 35in. I. T P R S C W T P Anno Domini 1685 •.

W K B F 1755. z. Thomas Michel, George Neppred, C.W. Anno Domini. 3· Prayse the Lord. J. W. rsg8. f· Thomas Scut, John White, Churchwardens. i65S·

A

17 ,-CHESELHOKNF. 2ND ( Letter 1-;}in.).

19,-CJU£SF.LHORNF. 4'l' ll

(lZin.).

B C _ D ·-~~--~- -- .. -,--- .:.· :;-- - -·~ - ·-- ~()~{)rif

I ,•-. . I I ~ I l r . . t , ) 1 I ! I . l I

J ..._--===------ . .,._ --- . 18.-CHltSHLHORNE 3Jm (Cap. }~in.).

THE CHURCH BELLS OF DORSET.

2. ATHELHAMPTON.

z~ I

The Rector writes "Athelhampton Church was built 186o,

and the present bells were placed in the turret about ten years since. I have no means of getting to the bells to copy the inscriptions."

There is now no church at :Burleston.

3. BERE REGIS <S. John Baptist>.

Five bells. Tcnor-Diam., 48in.; height, 38in.; note D.

1. Although I am but small yet l be hard above them all. A L I P: C W. Anno Domini 1656.

z. Taylor and Co., Bell Founders, Lough borough. 187 5·

3· Praise the Lord.

4-· Robert Frampton, Thomas Frampton, Thomas Knight, William Knight. Anno Domini I 709.

5· J usteryen Ekcns a.nd John Hazzard, Churchwardens; Job Auchtcrlony, Vicar. The givcft of Mary Dyct. Clement Tosicar cast me in 169 8.

4. CHESELBORNE <S. Martin),

Five bells. J'enor-Diam., 4-Sin.; height, 34in.

J. In God reioys I 6 IS 1\V .

.z. * .ffl_c )i;l,Oll "&lUti '"(g(i11 :fti:;i )f.}lrn~ aue OOlU'hT. (•7·)

3· + .Snnc 11?-lt .{I~atilt ®rn ~rD ~obi%. f ( 18.)

4• 1<- (19.) *'~;.*- William : Arnold : Robert : Kingsbery

C: W: T: R: B: F: z7sz. 5· Remember Thy Creator IW 1618.

z8 THE CHURCH BELLS OF DORSET.

\

-·---=----__ ¢::::::..- ~---=- _---:::=~::_

• --- -·--_-::.,__ ----=-7-....~~-~.,N .... ~

20.-DEWLISH 2ND.

THOS. PURDVE'S SlGNATC'RE. AND ORNAMENT.

THE: CHURCH nEL.T.S OF nORSET. 29

5. DEWLISH CAll S•lnta').

Three bells. Tenor-Diam., 30in.; height, 23in.; note C.

r; In God reioyce IW 16zo z. SA. WA: C.W: TP {zo.): An· no- Do- mi ~ ni. 1663. 3· W.K : B F : C W : Samvel . Addams . Anno Domini .

1704.

6. MELCOMBE BINGHAM·

In the church tower. Diam., 39~in. • ••••* wwwwwvvv o 0 o B f; f1 19 f1 o <9 ~ I n I <9 f! S o. ( u.)

In the coachhousc (cracked). Diam., 36in. + reotnn o teli o Ietnre o nll'lt o .nll'.ll. (zz.)

7. MILBORNE S. ANDREW·

Five bells. Tenor-Diam., 38in.; height, zSin.; note A.

I. 1616 recast 1898 D. C. Smart vicar, Cast by John Warner and Sons Ltd London 1898

z. 1616 recast 1898 W. B .. Norton Churchwarden. Cast by John Warner and Sons Ltd London 1898

3· 1616 recast 1898 Praise the Lord J. C. Mansel-Pleydell Lord of the Manor Churchwarden Recast (&c., as treble)

+· An no do mi ni F G H 5· Cal upon God I W 0 l6Zz 0.

8. PIDDLEHINTON <S. Mary).

Five bells. Tenor-Diam., 41 ~in. ; height, 33in.

r. LS ID TP An.no.do:mi:ni: 1 682.

W.K. B.F. z. ,M~ Chvrchel. M~ Rabets . CW. Anno Domini. 17zt.

A

21 .-~El.CO~lP.R B tNGHA:'>f (Cross with Crown 1 ii.n.).

A B

22. -:t.rnf.CO:u.DE lll :'iGHA}{ (Letter l tin.).

c

..... 0

>-1 et: t"l

(")

0:: ~ ~ (') til ~ :"l I:"' t"!

"' 0 t:j

t:;j 0 ;.:

"' tol :-i

r:fU~ CHU.RClf l3ELLS OF DORSET.

·~ 18 • v 3· + .Sit )f.)o~neu )'b>.ontiui ;BrnetUcithtm. + (coin.) {24.)

4· illflYS(§E:J:t o ®J:)Oill~S o l)f.!£'{IJOW.

11 .16 w 1i + :£ ((;oin) 5 Ji-1M ~ltome ,tne~iti~

w· • ~srmulht ~uti$. (z3.)

5· IT. W::VL RP. Anno Domini 1633

9· PIDDLETRENTHIDE (All Saints').

Five bells. T<lnor-Diam., tS!in.; height, 39in.

1. Anno Domini 1631. 2. AC. IC. CW TP. IP. An no Domini 1658.

3· Love God Anno Domini z 603.

4· .Snue tu lllltrin .om 1~ro u.obit. ( 2 5·) S· +Com. when. I. call. to. serve. God. all. 1631.

10. PIDDLETOWN <S. Mary).

Six bells. Tenor-Diam., 46in.; height, 35in.; weight, 16cwt. 1 qr. r Slb. ; note E.

t. T('l the glory of God and in memory of Emily Jane F1·eeman, the beloved wife of the Vicar of Puddletown 189 i.

z. John Goodings care twice cavse me heare T.P. W.G. IH. CW. Anno Domini 1674·

3· John Shering Robert Alner Anno Domini 1728 W.K. B.F .

.f.. Serve the Lord IW. !599· S· Blank.

A n c D E

·' f; c.(~ I( hi;;lon l? s ( {lt~-'f\f~ .._ s~ .... lctor)

~ ~t-U. ..

·.a.~ I . \ " . ,~- ~

+ c:T7}UTSGElf\ • GI?O<rmaef)~ !\lAW

+u•'S llo~ 6llomrmrntt~ ~firrr~mur ~~utwt Lrun~. 2 8 .-PIDDLERIN'rON 'TH (Letter with Crown liin. ).

THE CHURCH DELLS OF DO!{S.E:r. 33

6. John Stile, Robert Howid, 'lf<> George Stile, + .. ~ Thomas Trenfild Churchwardens Litel John i.. 'lf<> it ~~ .. ~ Thomas· George. Recast in the 6o year of thf! reign of Queen Victoria 1897 by Mears and Stain bank London.

Inscription on the old tenor-

JOI)l1 S<0II.c€ ~OBE:F{~ I)OW io G.E:O~Ge SC§IuE: f9f)OillfiS f9~E:l1?9f{lE:IlD ~f}UF{~I)IDflf{DE:nS

+ ?9I<0E:Ii ~0!511 i;> ?9fjOffifiS G.E::OF{GE:.

(Every letror a.nd the fleux·de·lis crowned.)

ll. STINSFORD <S. Michael).

Three bells. Tenor-Diam., 3 8!in. ; height, 31 in.

r. + (z.) .Slmttt ~dt't ®rn ll>r.G )f.!olJi~. z. WC. TG. CW. TP. An no. Do .. my. ni 1663.

3· J6l6.

12. TINCLETON <S. John the Evangelist).

One bell. Diam., t-4in. ; height, win. ; note C.

1. C & G. Mears founders London 1849. :z. B T I B D {1 C) W

13. TOLPUDDLE (Dedication unknown).

Four bells. Tenor-Diam., 4o}in.; height, 32in.

1. >!- ,Sauda ltiUUl. ( zG.) 2. John Drew. Richard Hall CW. 1655 WP. F (?B) F. (27.)

3· + '·si® nom nomme. czs.) 4· + flUe Gl'{fi * G>Ifi @u * E:nfi. · (29.)

.• ~Wl~\ .! ! fi~

1\M~ :lH't'R:>HCLI'\~RA6ETSl ;:LW i

A

24.-Pl DilLEHTNTON 2 N D

(Height l in.).

B

2 6 .-'rOLPUDDLE TREllLE (S. Jiiu.).

c

A B

25.- l'IDD LF.TREN'fH ID.E 4T H ( l~in.).

A B

27.- T OLPUlJDLE 2~D (Square l~in. ).

1'H.E CIIURCR }IELLS OF DORSET. 35

14. TONERS PUDDLE CHoly Trinity).

Two small bells. Tenor-Diam., r6in.; height, 18~n.

r. * GflBl~tE:li flnGeuus. IDfll'{I,fi. (;o.)

30,-TONERS PUDDLE.

z. Churchwardens: Barnabbas: Joyner. Clemant : Tosiear cast me in 169 I.

15. WINTERBORNE KINGSTON CS. Nicholas).

Four bells. Tenor-Diam., 38in.; height, 19in.; noteD(?).

r. Love Goct I.W. r6oo. 2. Praise God I.W. t6oo .

.3· Fear God I. W. r6oo. +· George Neppred, John Littell, churchwardens, William

Elery, B.F. Anno Domini 1749.

DEANERY OF WHITCHURCH.

(CERNE PoRno~.)

No. 16.

f. ALTON PANCRAS <S. Pa"cras).

Four bells. Tenor-Diam., .pin.; height, 33in.

I. Anno Domini 1596 z. + .Granda. (p.)

3· + fLUE: mtn•vf! @r.tE:nfi. (31.) +· NH. RI. C.W. T.P. An no do my ni r664-

3(i THE CHURCH HELLS OF DORSET.

A B

28,-TOLPUDDLE 3RD (Square } §-in.).

A B c

29.-TOU'UDDLE TENOR (Square 2Hin.).

THE CHC'RCH REL!.S OF DORSET. 37

2. BUCKLAND NEWTON CHol~ Rood).

Five bells. Tenor-Diam., 44-in.; height, 32in.

r. John Phillipes vicar Gilbert Dvniug John Sqvier 1581 IW.

z. (z6.A.) + fiUE.: CDfU'{lf[. 3· LM. IE. TP. Anno Domini 1670. 4· Henry Pople & Wm. Caines churchwardens

Thos. & James Bilbie Chewstoke Somerset fecit 1793. Fear God and Honour the King.

S· John Phillipps vicar Edward Boxley Thomas Frye church­

wardens 1609 IW.

3. CERNE ABBAS CS. M•ry>.

Five bells. Tenor (cracked)-Diam., 43-!in.; height, 36!in.

1, l\1~ J. Hassell M~ T. Bowcring M~ G. · Davis, M~ J. Cockeram Ch wardens 1762 T. Bilbie Fecit

z. (Same inscription as on treble except that " cast me •• is

used instead of '' Fecit."

3· M~ Charles Davis and John Cockeram M~ John Hassell

ch wardens 176z T. Bilbie.

+· Phillip White and \Villiam Da\·is Anno •i47 WK 'ii? B fi F. S· Come when I call to serve God all. '

An iron plo.to rivctted to tl1e bell conceals part of the inscription.

4. EVERSHOT <S. Osmund>.

Si:x bells. Tenor--Diam., ..j.:tin. ; l1cight, ; note A.

'· T. Bilbie fecit I775· 2. Mr. J.P. Ch. W. T B. fecit 1775.

3· Thomas Bilbie Cullompton fecit •775· Mr. J.P. Ch. W.

4· T Q Bilbie fecit •775·

A

A B

t ..AU9 ,6f\Ot..R Pii8llR

31.-ALTO~ l'ANCRAS 3RIJ (l#in.).

B

32.-ALTON J>A:\TC:RAS !hrn fT.t•ttPT l.!;n \

THE CHURCH :E\F.LI.S OF DORSET. 39

S· .Mr. John Pitman Churchwarden T Q Bilbie ~ fecit I775· 6. I to the church the living call & to the grave do summon

all T M Bilbie fecit •775·

'T. BlLNE n:c:tT. 177.5

JHLBIE'S BELLS.

6, FROME S. QUINTIN.

Two bolls. Tenor-Diam., 30in.; height, 23in.; note C.

r. Thos. Bilbie fecit Collumpton 178z George Baker Ch. W. tJ. z. + mrt lttadn. (16.)

6. GOOMANSTONE.

Three bells. Tenor-Diam., Hin.; height, 34in.; note E.

1. X Sit ~uJUtell .d.outiui ll'enttlirtum. (33.) z. Anno Domini r6oj. 3· Anno Domini r6ro.

7. HASELBURY BRYAN CSS. Mary and James).

Five bells. Tenor-Diam., ++in.; height, H'iin.

1. Fcarc God IW 1613 a. flUe Gftfi&Ifl 12L1€T~fr: (34.)

fO TJH: CHURCH HEU~~ OF OORSF.T.

A B c

- • ~@

t.irl?W - - -

w · a~

33.-GOD){ANSTON T .RE!lLE. (Cross lfin.).

34,-HASRLBURY HRYAN 2ND (l!in.).

T HE CHt:RCH DELLS OF DORSF.T. 41

1-· Remember thy end IW. 16 13. 5· C & G. Mears Founders London t 8SS· '

The inscription on the old tenor be ll, + SflnGJt9fi ffi f!F{Ifl : OF{fi ; F?F{O : n OBIS, was in Longobard letters of uncommon form . . Specimen~ are 'given below.

3 6,-HASI!.LHURV ){RYAN.

' · 9 . HILFIELD ($. Nicholas) .

A small bell.

10. MAPPOWDER <SS. Peter and Paul).

Five bells. Tenor-Diam., •t-t1in. ; height, 33!in.

Bells 1 , z, 3, 4 all bear the same inscription-Wil1iam Knight BF. Anno Domini •735·

S· Anno Domini Ii35 William Knight B.F. Breath W.C. E sq. Sound to bid the sick repent in hope of life when spent.

A B

------

35.-HASELBURY BRYAN 31m {I !in.; P with Crown 2in.).

c

rn w .

THE CHURCH JlELLS OF DORSET. 43

II. MELBURY BUBB.

Four bells. Tenor-Diam., Hiin.; height, z7in.

1. Anno Domini 1638. 2, There are two shields and two coins at four points equally

divided round the bell (cracked).

87.-MELBURY Rl:BB. (Coin Hin. diam.)

3· 'Anno Domini 1671. 4-· Geve thanks to God 1616.

12. MINTERNE MAGNA <S. Andrew>.

The bells regularly used arc eight tubular bells given, it is said, by an aunt of Lord Digby.

Ancient bells. Tenor-Diam., 24-in.; height, 19in. Treble-Diam., 22in.; height, 18in.

Notes reserved for Appendix ..

13. NETHER CERNE (Dedication unknown),

Three bells. Tenor-Diam., 4o!in. ; height, 3r!in.

1. Anno Domini 1607.

z. Sfln@~fl fiiU~fl * OF{fl ~1'{0 nOBIS. (38.)

*V1i 'i'WW h nfl VV~ 3· + flUE: @ U E: n fl . G !'{ fl @ I E:. (39·)

14. PLUSH.

A small bell without inscription,

A

A B

D

38.-!•ntrHI!:R c RR~E 2KD (JL. ) 2 tn ..

39.-Kit.!HF. .R CER~" • o., T~NOR ( '>~ · . . _..,m. wah Cro1n\).

THE CHU.kCH BELLS OF DORSET. f5

15. PULHAM CS. Thomas a' Becket).

Four bells. Tcnor---'Diam., 35in.; height, t7~in.

r, 2, 4-· Recast by John Warner and Sons London 1884 ..

3· For inscription see Fig .• p.

16. SYDLING <s. Nicholas).

Five bells. Tcnor-Diam., 4-7-lin.; height, 36in.

r. + fHJE: ffifl F{Ifl lJfiUS D€0. John Warner and Sons Ltd. London 1900,

Maud Josephine Bcchton f D onors James Bernard Paynter.

z. Mag Sancta. Joseph Warner and Sons Ltd. London rqoo

J.LL Jones Evans Vicar, Joseph Sherry Philip Green­slade Churchwardens.

3· Love God Atmo Domini r611.

4· Love God Anno Domini 1613.

*~ fife 1811 -~ 5- - )i) "~ ~ nr + ;f ~ i" ~ .£5. (fo.)

Inscription and stop on old treble same as on Wiuterborne Monckton. (Fig. t6.) ·

Inscription and stop on old second 'i 6 SANCTAl\-1 . . (+r.)

17. UPCERNE (Dedication unknown),

Three bells. Tenor-Diam., 19in. ; height, 15~in.

r, z, 3· Mears and Stain bank founders London GEB. J 871.

18. WOOTTON GLANVILLE <S. Mary).

Four bells. Tcnor-Diam., 36iin.; height, 3o!in.

J. Sunt mea spes hii tres IHS. Maria Joh'es (in Rom. caps). Cast by John Warner and Sons Lon~on Recast An 1876.

1. Thos. Knight, John Crakc Anno Domini 1700. 3· Cast by John Warner and Sons London 1876.

" In memoriam patris E. R. Dale AD. 1876.

4· + (z.) flUE: !nfl f{Ifl.

A B c D E

4 0.- svuu t-;G, T.B~OR ( l 6-in. with Crown).

41.-SYDLI:s-G, OLD S.KCONLl ( l ! in.).

THE CHURCH DELLS OF DORSET. 47

DEANERY OF BRIDPORT.

(ABBOTSHURY PORTION.)

No. t.

I, ABBOTSBURY ($. Nicholas},

Six bells. Tcnor-Diam., 3oin.; height, z6~in.

I, z, 3· M. Charles White & M John 11-'Ioore c~ Wardens T Bilbie fecit 1773·

4· Will Clark Tho Poarter C. W. anno domini 1724. W.K: B. F.

5· To see in what estate they live and nothing to the poore they give to. 1636 HG. W.H. IT.

6. IP. WC. PT Anno domini r666.

2. BREDY LONG ($, Peter),

Four bells. Tenor-Diam. 4zin. ; height, 34-in.

1, R.P. anno domini 1627. (underneath H (shell) D.) 2. Anno domini 16 ·• · 7 3· Richard Everett CW. anno domi11i IiS6. W.K-B.F +· TB. HD. CW. TP. anno domini 1661

3. BREOY LITTLE (S. Michael and All · Angels>.

Six bells. Tenor-Diam., 34-.tin.; height, z8in.

'· z, 3. 4· !85<> ..... ~-5· x ro u * c I? f.l * aL<. C+J·) b. of (26 A.) flUE: G~fl&lfl

42.- I•ur.HA:\l TENOR (W ... Hin.).

THE CHURCH HELLS OF DORSET. 4-9

4. CATTISTOCK <SS. Peter and Pa~o~O.

Carillon of 33 bells. Thirty-three cast by Severin van Acrschodt, Louvain, and two by his son Felix.

P~AL.

1. Mark well the passing hour, the tolling Bell life's end doth · tell. To the Glory of God. Severin van Aerschodt cast me the Tenor of a peal of eight, at Louvain, and Janet Keith Barnes gave me to the Church of S. S. Peter and Paul, Cattistock, 1871.

z. There is no speech, nor language, but their voices are heard among them.

4· . In manifold melodious chime, we waft a fair good night, from God's high love. Severin van Aerschodt, of

· Louvain, cast this Carillon of 33 bells, A.D., 1872.

S· 0 Christ, the King of Glory, Come in Peace. 6. All Thy works shall praise Thee, 0 Lord. 8. Let those who ring ~s here, Do so in Godly fear.

10. Harmonious Bells below, Bring musick from above. Mary Constance Barnes gave me.

1 r. Ring out the false, Ring in the true. George Digby Wingfield Digby, Lord of the Manor, gave m{'.

THE OTHER BELLS OF THE CARILLON.

3· Let those the Chimes who hear Oft leave their earthly care, for this sweet house of Prayer. Albert William Still Barnes gave me.

7· Our voices tell when joy and grief betide, mourn with the mourner, welcome home the bride. John Almerus Digbr and Diana his Wife, and William, and Eleanor

Scott gave me. 9· Think when the Bells do chime T'is Angels' musick,

Therefore come not late. 1 z. The step of time Shall move to my melodious chime.

George Toppin, Priest, and Blanche his Wife gave me.

A B

43.-J.ITTLEBH.lWY 5-nr (Cros::; 1 ~in.).

A B c D

44. -WJNTEREORNE ABBAS TENOR (Cap. with Crown liin.).

THE CHURCH BELLS OF DORSET. 5 I

I 3· I mark labour and rest. Eliza Margaret and Charles John Gundry Still gave me.

14- Long may our !!Oothing Cadence, Ear, heart, and con­science win. Agnes Francis lVJartt:n gave me.

rs. For God, our Church, and Queen. F. J. Rooke, Prebendary of Sarum, and Ellen his wife gave me.

16. God bring him to .bliss, That have paid for this. Keith Jopp gave me.

Ij. range Lingua. W. H. P. Ward, whilom Rector of Compton Valence gave me.

18. Prosperity to Cattistock. James Charles Still gave me. 19. God defend the right. Frank Pope gave me. 10. Peace and Good Brotherhood. Alexander Wightman gave

me. 1 x. God be our speed. Montagu and Alice Hankey gave me. 12. Praise the Lord. William Henning gave me. 13. I never Sleep. Maria Duff gave me. ~q.. Christians Awake. W. C. Wightman gave me.

15. Gloria in Excelsis. Agnes Garforth gave me. 26, My music shall find Thee. Selina Still gave me. 27. C. T. 28. Me fudit Lovanli Scverinus. Vanaerschodt, r88o. 19, 30. J.M. 31. T.C.L. 32. F.T.S. 33· M.G. 34· In Memory of George F. Greviile, :84-z- I 897. Cecil

Grevillc gave me, Iil99.

35· In Memory of Charl~s Stickland, 18Hs-r89i. R. P. Stickland, Rector, x 899.

THE OLD PEAL.

f. anno domini I659· WB. WT. we. 2. Frangoore Ell Thomas anno domini 17oo. T.P.

3· + ( 2,) J;;I.tte maria gtati.u ptenn tlou~ t~cii.

52 t'HF. Cll:URCU B'EtLS 011' ))ORSEr.

A B ·~~~~~~~IF

45,-LITl'ON CHENEY 6TH (Cross 1#-in.).

46.-LITTON" CHENEY 5TH tCap. ltin.). (Upside down.)

B

47 • .:.......1\:lAIDEN NEWTON 5TH (liin.).

THE CHURCH RELt.S OF DORSET. 53

5. CHILFROMl (Holy Trini-ty),

. One bell. Diam., :z4in.; height, z. ~in.

MC * TR * Anno domini 1674-.

6 . COMPTON ABBAS WEST CS. Michael)·

One small bell inscribed Anno domini · J 665 AS. TP.

7. LANGTON HERRING (St. P'eter).

Two bells. Tenor-Diam., z65in.; height, 22in.; note E.

r. IS. TB. 163o

z. HF. WH. C.W. TP. Anno Domini 168z

8. LITTON CHENEY <S. Maryl.

Six bells. Tenor-Diam., 43ill.; weight, I scwt.; note F.

r, :z, 3· C amd G. Mears founders London 1.848

+· Andrv Chvrchel C.W. anno domini 1656 TP.

5· + {45 A.) ~-.e ~net prtJiit collntum iltr vn~~l u~w.on (4-6.) 6. + .GEH meUou.ttre u.on e-t Hmtdmtt.t sub ne (+,;.)

9. MAIDEN NEWTON (S, Maryl.

Six bells. Tenor-Diam., 39iin.; hejght, zgin.; note G.

1, z, 3, 4· \Varner J.ondon.

•fiwvv• il*1iif'<trv • s. + s f! n ~ <9 E: GJ f1 B E: e I..t

••••• n 0 B I S (47.) • 6. Anno Domini I fq3.

Until 1;883 there were 4 bells, note!! :B A G F ~Shlll'fl, forming the oppor half of a rninor scale. In tha.t yea.r thu treble anod tenor, with fre~h. metal aclucd, were rcc:~.St iuto the present 1, 2, 3, •i. On oo.cl1 of tlle~e iq iuscrihe<i

the name of the foundet 1 0.11~1 on one of them tll<l nllm'l o£ Lot Curtis, a fonner pa.rish clerk, whose friends proviLle<l it (J. Drown).

A R c

!:i·: ~$ ll\9.~· .. ~ ~$-48.-WINTF.Rl\OR~E STEEPLETON.

+ and S same as Long Langton (Cross lin. ).

A B

49.-SWYRE 1sT (Cross square, liin.).

THE CHURCH BELLS OF DORSET. 55

JO. PORTISHAM lS. Peter>.

Three bells. Tenor-Diam.; 4-oin. ; height, 29in.

t. Anno domir.i 1607 GP ~ z. t6z,; 3· Repent I say be not to late thyself al times redy make TH.

J63S· HW.F. W.R. RF. IH.

11. WJNTERBORINE ABBAS <S. Mary'.

Three bells. Tenor-Diam., 36in.; height, :6in. 1, HALLVIA ; 1604-! G: RR 2. William Floycr Cornish Rector, Robert Henville Simonds,

George Hounsell Churchwarden Laus Dco. Llewellyn & James Bristol.

•• Pj;J * 3· +(coin)$ .Sit :m_omen )1~.o-miui :E}tltttltdnm. (44.)

No. 2 '1'\-as recn.st in 1893, when tho church was restored. Fol'lller inscription" retl~ishop, Rob Whittleanno domini 1715."

12. WINTERBORNE STEEPLETON <S. Michael).

One bell. Diam., 3oin. ; height, uin. + s.s. mari.a s s (+8.)

13. PUNCKNOWLE <S. Mary),

Three bells. Tenor-Diam., .36in.; height, 27in.

t. Anno domini t68z RN. A. ES. TP. S~ John F. C. Methuen BA Rector Robert Fry, George M.

Mansel churchwardens r 896 Llewellin & James Bristol. 2. He that will pvrchase honors gayne mvst ancient lathers stil

rna 16z9. R.N. 3· Anno domini 1682 RN. A ES. TP.

RN on tho treble and teuor bells stands for Robert Napper or Napiet·, who wa.s squire and patron of the living (Rector).

14. SWYRE !Holy Trinity),

Two bells. Tenor-Diam:, 34in. ; height, 24in.

1. + (z6 A.) I+ E?fl<9E:~Uo (49.) 2. + (z6 A.) ~UE: GFtf.l&Ifl E?liE:n~

s6 'tHE CHt:RCH BELLS Oli' DORSET.

DEANERY OF BRIDPORT.

(BEAl\IINSTER PoRTIO~.)

No.4.

I. BEAMINSTER <S. M•ryl.

Eight bells. Tenor-Diam., Hlin.; height, 33~in.; note D ; weight, 2.ocwt.

t. T. Bilbie & T. Bilbie Jun~ fecit 1765 z, 3· l\1! Tho~ Harris & M~ John Hearn Churchwardens 1765

T. Bilbie fecit. 4 :VI~ T. Harris & :VI~ J. Hearn Churchwardens 1763. T. Bilbfe

fecit 5· Thomas Bilbie & sons fecit 1765. 6. M! Thomas Harris & lVI~ John Hearn Churchwardens 1765

T. Bilbie fecit. 7· (Same as 6, but with coins as stops, as follows) 0 0 T 0

Bilbie 0 fecit. 8. M~ Thomas Harris & M~ John Hearn Churchwardens 1765.

I to the church the living call and to the grave do summon all Tho~ Bilbie Sen~ & Tho~ Bilbie jun~ fecit. There were five bells in the tower before 1765 (coin) (shell) (coin) (shell).

2. BEAMINSTER (Holy Trinity Chapel).

One small modern bell.

3. BLACKDOWN <Holy Trinity).

One small modern bell.

-4. BROADWINSOR <S. John Baptist).

Six bells. Tcnor-Diam., +sin. ; height, 33in.; note F; weight, r4cwt. 3qr. 27lb.

J. Daniel Ewens and Azariah :Elswood Churchwardens I3ilbie Cullomptoi1 fecit r8o6.

:z. 1\H Henery Slade and l\I~ Thomas Studley Churcwardcm> Thomas Bilbie Cullompton Devon fecit 1790,

THB CHUR.CH 1\RLLS OF b ORSET. 57

3· + (z.) .Sitlt~ ~~ ,GID.atht era ~ra :m..olri.G 4- . + (5o.) €f~t lltidti eoltafum ihe t.~tud ttOlntllltmlltum 5· * * * SfiR€H9E: : GfiB~It:u OF{fi ; @F{O

nOBIS. (5z.) 6. Carmen Francisci sonet in Aure Dei.

No. ~ S!Ud to hne been " refltored" by MI'S. Peanon in 1897; Xo. 6 cut 1897 by l!oo,n and Sta.inbanll:. All wore rehung in iron cage in 1897.

6. BURSTOCK <S. AndPew).

One bell in the tower. Diam., 36iiu.; height, zs:iu.

H. R. Farrer Curate-in-charge. John Fowler. John Creed Churchwardens. Recast A.D. J 894 Llewellyns & James Bristol

There ar~ two broken bells on the floor, one O\'er the other;· uppermost bell diam., zgHn. ; height, z lin. ·

.qttl ( ampiUU\ + 11ft * UOU + Jl~ mtUOt .(JQ.t! ~U (sx.)

6. CHEDINGTON <S. J•mesl .

One small bell, r :<:.in to zsin. diameter ; evidently modem and with no inscription.

1. CHELBOROUGH EAST (Ded ic!• tl on unknown>.

One bell. Diam., r4jin.; height, I 1in.

W : D: P: P :fiT 'i' 1695 • T if P fi

8. CHELBOROUGH WEST (Dedication unknown).

Two small bells. Diams., zziin. and z3in,; no inscription and no tradition.

9. CORSCOMBE <S. M•r~).

Six bells. Tenor- Diam., 44-!in. ; height, 29iin.

1 , z, 3, +• ,;. Corscombc in Dorsetshirc MDCCLXXIII 6. Corscombe in Dorsetshirc .:VIDCCLXXIII The old peal

was recast and a sixth bell added by subscription T homas Hollis Patron. Jonas Sherive Rector W. Daw T. Small Churchlvardens T. Bilbie Founder.

A. B

50,-RRCJA.I>Wl!\SOR NO. 4 (l}in.). 5 1.-llORSWCK (C ross l~in.).

D

52.-RROADWTI'\SOR n :XO.R (l in.).

THE CHURCH BELLS OF DORSET. 59

10. DRIMPTON CS. Mary>.

One small modern bell.

11. HALSTOCK CS. Maryl.

Five bells. Tenor-Diam. 4oin. ; height, 29in.; note E.

1. L + B 'lf<> T + S 'lf<> C + W ·~ T 1r P * anno domini 1677

z. Anno Domini 1634 3· Jo Mercer John Beer C.W. anno domini 1717 ·V W K 1r

BF~ 4· Come to my Call To serve God all W.F. W.F Anno domini

I6J4. R Q p 5· Love God above all. 1604 P P G P GC.

(On waist Royal Arms and beneath it the motto Sunt Soli et Semper.)

12. HOOK CS. Giles).

One bell. Diam. 36in.; height, z8~in.

H NT W P 1563 H.A. 0 (?)

13. MAPPERTON CAll Saints).

0Iie bell. Diam. I s-:jn, ; height, 1I ~in.

No inscription, no tradition.

14. MELPLASH (Christ ChuPch),

Two bells. Tenor-Diam., z6in. i height, :z:zin.

1, 2. A.D. 1846 G :VI A R S Fowlers London. (? C. & G. MEARS, fo~nders.)

15. MOSTERTON (No dedication>.

One bell. Diam., 2 zin. ; height, rS.ln.

Anno domne A. MVCXXIIV (16%7)

6o THR CHURCH JIELLS OF DORSET.

16. NETHERBURY (S. Mary),

Six bells. Tenor-Diam., 47!in. ; height, 3t.in.; note E; weight, z6cwt.

1. l\1~ Richard Hcnuil M~ William Hounsell Churchwardens cast by Thomas Bayley Bridgwater 1748.

z. :M~ Richard Henuil M~ .William Hounsell church wardens

•748 3· Ann domini 1696. R ~ P.RM: CW *· 4· lHake haste to holines. 1610

5· Thomas Mears of London fecit r 814 6. 1\-tt: William Symes M~ John Hussey Chucrh wardens 1750

(on the waist engraved on mantled shield Bailey & Street

'750) :&iley a.nd Street wet-e clockmakers o.t Bridport, and cast belLs. No, 6 bell

ifJ remarkable for the very artifitic style of the ornamental bordering, COI\IIisting of conventional foliage a.nd cherub8' heads. The casting of this orn:~o•uent is as tine and sharp aud iu as high relief M if cut with tool&.­C. v. GODDID. (53.)

53.-N.ETHERBl:RY 6nt (3Jin.).

17. PERROT SOUTH (S. Mary),

Three bells. Tenor-Diam., 39in. ; height, 29in,; note A.

J. J. Kingston r8z8 z. Anno Domi 16 so 3· Anno Domni 1650 .R. P.

18. SOLWAY ASH <Holy Trinity).

A small modern bell.

THE CHURCH BELLS Olo' DORSET, (i!

19. STOKE ABBOTT !S. Ma .. yl.

Five bells. Tenor-Diam., 43:tin.; height, 33in.; note G: weight, t6cwt.

z. M~ Henry Smith & l\'1~ Jahn Symes Churchwardens [JQ~QtJ · Thomas Bilbie Cullompton fecit 1764 ~~~~

2. Recast by John Warner and Sons London 188o 3· 0 Lord how glorious are thy works 1613

+· + E:$f mtehi .eolllttmn ihe i-tud nomen amatum (S+·) 6. John : Beddlecome * Richrrd Collingdon Anno Domini

1755 W * K * B * F

20. TOLLER WHELME ($. Johnl.

Four very small bells placed in the church cir. 187o.

DEANERY OF DORCHESTER.

(WEYllODTH PORTION.)

No. 6.

I. BINCOMBE !Holy Trinity).

Two bells. Tenor-Diam., ;pin. ; height, zbin.

1. IS. C W. T P. G B Anno domini 1658

:. Feare God. I W 1594

1. BROADWEY <S. Michael>.

Two small bells in a western bell gable ; no inscription on either.

3. BUCKLAND RIPERS <Dedication unknown),

One small bell in a cote ; no inscription.

4· CHICKERELL WEST (Dedication unknown),

Two small bells, neither of them inscribed, in a western bell gable. One o( t.he two was cast from au old inscribed bell a few years ago.

6:z THE CHURCH BELLS OF DORSET.

A B c

54.-STOKE ABBOT 4-TH (Cross !lin., Lettering l!in.).

A B

J>5,-0SlUNGTON TRtr.BLE (I in.).

THR CHURCH RF.I.LS OF DORSET. (, 3

6. FLEET !Holy Trinity),

A small modern bell without inscription.

6. MELCOMBE REGIS IS. Mary).

One Bell. Diam., 45in. in a cupola.

Thomas l'viears of London fecit 1816.

Ten hemispherical dish-bells with chiming apparatus­Imhof's patent-each inscribed J. Taylor 1874; diameter of largest 29iiu.

8. RAOIPOLE CS. Maryl.

One bell, not inscribed, in an ancient bell gable pierced for three bells. The belt is reported to have been placed in the church in 1833. A bell, diam. zsin., inscribed

"Anu.o domini tCl33· R@ P" now hanging in the gable of the Old Town Hall, Weymouth, is said to have been removed from this church.

9. OSMINGTON IS. Osmund).

Four bells. Tenor-Diam., 37in.; height, zSin.; note: A.

r. + flllG£uUS GfiB~IE:u (55.) 2. + ltltt m.Rdn ( r 6) 3· Think ye on God. l W. 1593 +· Praise ye the Lord I W 1593

10. OWERMOoiGNE CS. Michael ),

Tluee bells. Tenor-Diam., 38tin.; weight, IO~cwt.

1: + ( z) Sau.da Ji;I.Juut €>tit .@x.a ::m_.obi to 2. Rest in God I W. 1594 j. Love the truth I W 1594

13 D

56.-l>o~w~:r.L (Cros~:~ square:, 2in.).

57.-W ANliWKLL NO. 2 (Squate 1 {bin.),

THI': CHURCH BELLS OF DORSET. 65

II. PORTLAND CS. George},

One bell. Diam., 35in.

Pack & Chapman of London fecit '777·

12. PORTLAND <S. John).

One modern bell.

13. PORTLAND <S. PebtP),

Two small modern bells in bell gable.

14, PORTLAND <S. Andrew',

Two small modern' bells cast in 1879·

15. POXWUL <S. John'.

One bell. Diam., 3otin.; height, z-4-in.

• w ~ *(lion's head) (coin)+ .S.Uilda )K.atedml ®f * (56.)

16, PRESTON ($, AndPew'.

Four bells. Tenor-Diam,, .pin.; height, 32in.

J. R C. C I. C W. T P. Anno Domini 1671. . z. Repent I say be not to late Thyself att al times rcdy make.

(Date partially obliterated, probably 1 6zq.) 3· To see in what estate they live. Nothing vnto ·he poore

they give. 1629. +· At thy departure I shall sovnd. And ring to bring thee to

ground. 1629

17. UPWEY ($, Lawrance},

Four bells. Tenor-Diam., z8iin.; height, 3 lin.

'· t617 G.P. z. Blank (cracked). 3· ~ 1i X (cherub) John Gould Esq~ (cherub) C W. r767

(cherub) Soli deo detur gloria (cherub) On waist James Smith founder 1f fV fi

+· lames Govld Iohn Tibby C W * W K B F. anno domini

66 THE CHuRCH BELLS OF DORSET.

1 SHALL 50VND AND RING TO BFllN(t reo

iHi:E INTt>C(I\.OVAT TtiY DE.PARTTV'ftE:. • 162«._.

58.-WAR~l\HLL T.E:SOR (Y.D. jin.).

TilE CHl' RCR HF.LLS OF DORSET.

18. WARMWE:LL <Holy T~i nity).

Four bells. Tenor- D iam., 3 Iin.; heig ht, 23in.; note E.

J. Recast by John Warner and Sons, London, 1889.

z. 16zq IT. (57.) 3· Anno domini 1 &.;9 W.R. C.\V. T. P. f· 1 shaH sound and ring to brin~ thee into ground at thy

departure 16zq. (,;8.)

19 . WEYMOUTH !$. Jo hn >.

Two bells. T enor-Diam., 31in.

1. The gift of Margaret Emily the wife af W. H. Blaauw E sq of Beec.:hland Ncwick July 1867 Mears & Stambank founders London

z. C & G. Mears founders London 1856

Tho ilil.t.c on the tenor ia the date of the building of the churel!.

20. WEYMOUTH (Holy Trinity).

One moccrn bell in a cote ; no inscription.

2 1. WEYMOUTH (5. Paul).

Two small bells in a low turret, lately s upplied by Messrs. Warner; no inscription.

22. WYKE REGIS (All Saints),

Eight bells. Tenor-Diam. , 46in.; weight, 18cwt.

1. In loving memory of 1\Iabel Vincent of Faircro:;s. 1891

z. John G. and Emma Ro l1'e . Thanksgiving 1891

3· Peac.:c be within thy walls 1891

4· Give thanks to God. t6q. r617. 'i z8. JSC)I 6. The women of Wykc gave me r!!C)J i· 0 ye :;pirits and souls of the riglJt(:ous bless yc the Lord

p raise Him and magnify H im for ev(:r. 1 S9 r. Given by the Rcv•.l Frederick Tufncll M.A. m memory of his wife Margaret Tufncll who died 1 888.

68 ' t'HR CH\;RCH BEU,s OF bORSU.

8. Lord may this bell for ever be a tuneful voice o'er land & sea to call Thy people uuto Thee T. M. Bell-Salter curate I. G. Rowe R. W. Reynolds Churchwardens 1891 on all the bells. Taylor & C~ Bell Founders Lough­bqrough.

Old inscriptions-Treble. Give thankes to God T. W. l6r4

znd. John Tozier fecit J 7:2.3 3rd. Anno domini 16r7 G P.

Beforo 1891 t-here were only three bells i11 the tower, of wltich tho tenor was badly cracked. '

No. f> now be111·s tho inscription of old No, 1, with the additional dates of the old 2nd aud 3rd. A rcoord cx~ts th.at three bells were bleS8ed here by Bishop Beauchamp in 1455,

DEANERY OF SHAFTESBURY.

(SHAFTESJlURY PoRTION.)

No. 10.

I. BOURTON.

One bell. Diam., z+in. ; height, 17in. ; note C.; weight,

3.cwt.

James \Veils Aid bourn Wilts fecit r 813

To bo increased to a pelt! of six when the newly-built tower bas become firm,

2. BUCKHORN WESTON (S. John Baptist).

Six bells. Tenor-Diam., ;Sin.; l1eight, 27~iu.; note G; weight, to~cwt.

1. Cast by John \Varner and Sons London, 1886 2. The gift fo Henery Devcnish Lord of the manor W 'ii' K.

B 1<'. 17Z7-

'titB CHURCH BELLS OF DORSET.

3· J 8.4-5 +· Praise the Lord I W 1 6o2

S· + iu * mul * tuP * auni~ * riti * tre11t * tam * tmnll * iohnuni~ lr.llpti~te (59.)

6. The gift of George Pitt of Shroton 1727 WK. B K

&hung in 1886 by Georgo Gru.y of Hertford.

3. FIFEHEAD MAGDALEN ($, Mary Magdalen).

Three bells. Tenor-Diam., 37in. ; height, 1.7in. ; note G ; weight, qcwt.

r. Praise God I W 1 395·

z. E G. T M. C W. T P Anno domini 11:>83. 3· +lute mada (r6}

4. GILLINGHAM <S. Mary),

.Eight bells and Priest's bell. Tenor-Diam.. 53~in. ; weight, z6cwt.

1. Mears & Stain bank fmmders London Cum voco venite A.D. 1898. ·

z. Mears and Stainbank founders London Gloria in exceh;is

A.D. 1S98. S. E. Davies Vicarius J. Mullings F. C. Baker Custodientes Ecclesire.

3· Tho~ l"rekc Esq. AI~ Edward Reeves C~ \Vel~ r 756 W Q C 4· Voce mea ad Dominum I W. r6o7. 5· John Jupe & Thomas. Matthews Chttrchwardens 1794

Ambrose Heale & John Read C~ Wardens 1793 Thomas & James Bilbie Chewstoke. Somerset fecit.

6. WI!' Cockey cast mee 1 7zz l\lr Thomas Freke and Henry Jukes C W. Recast 1894 by Mears & Stainbank,White­chapd Foundry London.

7· J. Read & I. Matthews C~ Wardens 1826. J. l\:ingston founder Bridgewater

A I3 c

_f?\lft,n-l)J,;j-~ j · . II' -.l , .. f~ .... _-- r.:~·~

59,-llt:'CKHORl\ W£STO~ ihH (Cross lin.).

A B

61.-KINGTON .MAGNA TENOR (Cross 2-!in ).

THE CHURCH JIELLS OF DORSET. 7 I

8. Thomas Frckc Esq & :M~ Edward Reeves C~ W•l~ W ':'

Cockey Bell founder 1726. Pn"tsl's Belt+ GflB~E:E:I.c (6o.)

Rohung in 1896 by Dlackboorn, Salisbury.

A B

60.-GILLINGHAl\1 PRIEST'S DELL (CrOSS !in.).

6. KINGTON MAGNA <S. lawrence).

Four bells. Tenor-Diam.. 4J!in. ; note F ; weight, 15!cwt.

1, z. Love God I W 1608 3· I sound to bid the sick repent in hoe of life when breath is

spent (The inscription reads from ieft to right.)

Hi'WVW i'fr ••n •ww .'lltfi 4· + S fl l1 0 ?9 E: G E: 0 F{ G I 0 f{ fi J.il F{ 0

~" 11 0 B IS (61.) Rehung in 1888 by George Gruy, of Hertford.

6. MARNHULL <S. Gregoryl.

Five bells. Tcnor-Diam., 46in. ; height, 32in.; note E; weight, t8cwt.

r . Conyers Place Rector E dward Place Curate Soli Dco Detur Gloria J Dean, C. Kendall C.W. Cast by T . Smith Glasworth Recast by Mears and Stainbank LoiHion

Jubilee year 1887 R. E Kennard Rector J Parl1am T Rossiter Churchwardens

z. R M. N L. C W Anno Domini 1655 T P. 3· Prayse God I W 1598 (cracked)

tHK CHt;RCit H£LLS Olr bORSEt.

--~ """"*** +· + (61 A.) · flue G Ft fl G> 1 f1 E.> u E.: n f1 Cot.) s. Sum vosa pulsata mundi Banta 00 +. Recast by :.VIears &

Stainbank London Jubilee year 1887 R. B. :Kennard Rector, J Parham T. Ro:-;siter Churchwardens

7. MIL TON <SS. Slm.on and Jude>.

·one bell. Diam., 18in.; note A.

Mears & Stainbauk London 1867

8. MOTCOMBE (S. Maryl.

Six bells. Tenor-Diam., 36in. ; note A flat ; weight, S!cwt.

1. The gift of Parishioners and friends J 887. J Smith vicar G. Giles 0 M Woodfod. Churchwardens.

z, 3· The gift of Parishioners and friends 188;. +· In honour of Elizabeth Marjr Marchioness of Westminster

who spent over so years in this parish. For the glory of God, and good of the people 1887.

1· Lady Theodora Guest married in 1877 to J\:Ierthyr Guest christened by God's mercy mruried by God's love in the parish Church she whose name is above gi-ves me to her beloved Childhood's home to ring the peals & toll the Knell at lVIotcombe.

6. e:'!s 9lov Bo{<W 9f&8<»pll ~ 8f&3onr 3f~t>lld f.lf·

These bell~, cast by \Vuxner, of Loudon, wcro hung by John Gmy, of Hertford, in 1887, in }llace of an old peo-1, of which the following were the

inscriptions-

r. G I MAD! : ME ; FN : 1688 William Gate-house William Goodin~ C.W.

2. William Cockey Bell founder 1705

3· Nath_aniel Goodenough J. B. Burelton T.P. 166o

+· r6zo

9. ENMORE GREEN.

One bell. Diam., 16in.; height, J 3i11.; no inscription.

THE CRtTRCli RF.U.S (\}' 1'lok~E'r. 'J3

10. SHAFTESBURY <S. James'.

Six bells. Tenor-Diam., 38!in.; height, z6in.; note A ; weight, 1ocwt.

1. Mears and .Stainbank founders London 1875· Draw uear to God

z. 0 praise God I W 1597·

3· of. SflnG>~E: + If!@OBE: .-,f(> OF{f! * @F{O * nOBIS (6z.)

4-· N C E C I D. 0 give thanks unto God 16zg

S· Mears & Stainbank founders London 1875 Serve God. b. Mears & Stainbank founders London r8i5 Hope in God

II. SHAFTrSBURY (Holy TPinlty),

Six bells. Tenor-Diam., 4-oin.; height, z8in.; note G; weight, I z cwt.

t, z, 3· C & G. Mears founders London 184-4

+· Praise the Lord I W 1 sn ••w ** *i!' 'liv 5· G 0 D JOHN I s nUCKTON fi IJ JOHS ru y :\:rASTERS

---~ 1)0@€ 1641. WgP. 6. C & G Mears founders London Holy Trinity Shaftesbury

t844

12. SHAFTESBURY <S. Peter'.

Six bells. Tenor-Diam., 44in. ; height, 30in.; note }':

weight, 16cwt.

1. A wonder great my eye I fix where was but three you may see six x684. T.P.

2. When I doe ring prepare to pray. R.A . . Q T.B. Q 3· W'~ Coc:key bell founder 1738 4• M~ Henry Saunders & M~ Richard Wilkins C~ Wd~ W ~ C.

1738

A R c

62.-SU~Fl'ESIHJRY S. JA.lfF.S 3RD (Cross, height )1311in.).

A B c D

63. - S I LT0:-1 3tw (Cross ~lin.).

THE CHURCH DELLS OF DORSET. 75

S· While thus we join in chearful sound, may love and loyalty abound H. Oram. C warden R Wells Aldbourne fecit MDCCLXXVI.

6. When you hear me for to tole Then pray to God to save the soul anno domini 1672 TIL RW. CW. TP.

Robert Forde, of Lidlinge (Lidli11ch), in 1616, left pa.rt of the resiJue of hiR estate "to buy one passings bell to be placccl in Saincte l'eters Church in Sh:tstou to be toled or range out o.t tho clca.th of any Jnan or woclllltn and whoe soe will bavo him to be so done shnll payc to the same bells

maynwuance the some of two shillings for the Tolinge & iower shillings wheu }l(l is range out." S & D N & Q vol v p 202

13. SHAFTESBURY ($, Rumbold or Cann},

Four patent cast stee.l bells by Naylor, Vickers, and Co., Sheffield. Tcnor-Diam., 36tin.; note B flat.

1, 3· .. 1861 . • z. +· .. 1863

14 SIL TON ($, Nicholas).

Five bells. Tcnor-Diam., 38in.; height, -zszin.; note G; weight, 1 ocwt.

1. C & G. Mears founders London 1844 (on waist) G CT. G. 11)00

z. The gift of Judge Wyndham I~ L 1627

3. + ooromus : m : BIDYGl\ : r : G : J.!€.@<90~ . DUO FE:GiE:~Un<9. (63.)

4· Anno domini 1633. T .'J L (royal arms on waist) S· John ElEs John Burfitt C W. anno domini 1702 T K B F.

Third bcll. I. G. Johu Gardner wae (l.ppointed Rectal' or. Si!ton iu 1412

during tho minority of W. DIDYCK and held the benefice to H33.

Dells 1-ehung by Dlackbourn1 Sa.llilbury, iu 1900.

A B

~4.-srowEK I•Rovos'l' 3Jm (Height, with Crown, l!in.).

@ .in Wrr ~( 1\-. Pro,Pob1t. tli'TijO marl&

65.-FONT:Iu.:u: :MA<iNA 5ru (CrO!:iS Itin., Cap. liin.).

THE CHURCH BRLLS OF DORSET. 77

15. STOWER EAST <Christ Church},

()ne bell. Diam., zg!in.; weight, 3cwt. Blank.

16. STOWER WEST.

Three bells Tenor:-Diam., 35-iin.

1. Reioyse in God 1635 I D. 2, M! Robert Hannam Cl~ W~l Wrr; Cockey bell founder :733

3· + ( z ?) .Sunt mtiUPI hit h't# x}i% ltt.tttm jolte~ Slowtr Row. Two s~all modern bells; n~ inscription.

17. STOWER PROVOST <S. Mi~haell.

Four bells. Tenor-Diam., 43in. ; height, 33in.; note F; weight, I 5CWt.

I. Love the Lord I W t6oz

2. + * rtl)iun * etli * ld~tre * (zz.)

••• n'irwil' ~V~*w~a _ **• 3· +flUE: * illflft 15 * 5<0E:Lifl * DE: I

~" -~ ,.. w fl <0 E: ft * fiLL m f! c 64.) +· I L. W.S. C W. T P. Anno Domini 1683 (on waist) Edward

Capel Cure Rector Samuel Hunt Church Wardens Recast by the Priory works L~l 1902.

18. TODBERE (Dedieation unknown).

Two bells. Tenor-Diam., 21in.; heigbt, 18in.; note G; weight, zcwt.

r. M~ Thomas Hiscock 0 W~ W IJ C 17 3 6. Recast by Mears & Stainbank of London r 879. H. Andrews

& C~ Barnes C~ Wardens z. M~ James Hatcher C~ W~ W ~C. 1737.

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