The Church of by H. B. Walters File 03: Part III: Alphabetical List, Far Forest to Lye (Pages 118 to 166)

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THE CHURCH BELLS OF WORCESTERSHIRE ; THEIR INSCRIPTIONS AND HISTORY, ARRANGED ALPHA­ BETICALLY BY PARISHES.

BY H. B. WALTERS, M.A., F.S.A.

PART III (FAR FoREST-LYE).

FAR FOREST. Holy Trinity. One . Church built 1844 ; parish formed from Rock.

FECKENHAM. St. John Baptist. Eight bells. l. J. TAYLOR &: 0!! BELLFOUNDERS LOUOHBOROUOH 1866. (27 in. 2. J. TAYLOR &: C!? etc. as last. (27t in. 3. IOSEPH HEMMING AND EDW!? GETLY DID CONTRIVE TO HAVE 8 WHERE WAS (two rows of scrolls) BUT51778 (29 in. 4. Above, Figs. 63, 66. CANTATE (Fig. 64) DOMINO (Fig. 64) CANTICVM (Fig. 64) NOVVM (Fig. 64) 1676 (Fig. 64) (30 in. 5. Above, Fig. 65. HENRY BAGLEE MADE MEE (Fig. 66) 1640 (Fig. 64). (31 in. 6. Above, border Fig. 64. GOD SAVE THE KING (Fig. 58) H (Fleur-de-lys) B (Fig. 64) 1640 (Figs. 64 and 58) (32t in. 7. C,AST AT GLOUCESTER BY T. MEARS. 1841. (35 in. '8. Above, Fig. 64 between two bands of Fig. 63. (Fig. 58) BY MY VOYCE THE PEOPLE MAY KNOW TO COME TO HEARE THE WORD OF GOD (Fig. 58) 1640 (Fig. 64). (41 in. :3rd : By Matthew Bagley II ; large thick letters ; orna­ mented cannons. 120

4th, 5th, 6th, and 8th : By Henry Bagley I ; for the inscrip­ tion on the 8th cf. Grandborough, Warwickshire. The 7th bell is interesting, as showing that Mears was still keeping open at Gloucester the Rudhalls' foundry which he had acquired. The lettering is Rudhall's. The old 5th bell (now the 7th) was inscribed, as Prattinton tells us, THOMAS BATESON JOHN HALL & JOSEPH HAWOOD 1740 On the bell frame is incribed JoHN JACQUES JuNR. Hanger, GLOUCESTER, July 7th, 1842 The 7th bell is an ugly straight-shouldered one ; the wheel has been repaired. 1 and 2 have angular cannons and an iron ring round the stock. All the stays of the other six are broken, and the whole is very dirty (1901). 1552 : ' iij bells hanginge in the steple . . . the parisshe doth owe for castyng one of the bells the some of xxxiij s. iiij d.' 1740: ' 5 bells.' V.O.H. Worcs. iii. p. 118. Noake, Rambler in Worcs., ii. 11. 154, quotes the inscription on the 3rd. H.B.W., 1901. At the district church of SS. Matthias and George, Astwood Bank, built in 1884, is one bell.

FINSTAL. St. Godewald. In the old church, one bell recast in 1914; in the new, one small bell, presumably also modern. Both are difficult of access. The church is not mentioned by Prattinton, or by Cotton in his History of Bromsgrove, and there are no other records. FLADBURY. St. John Baptist. 6+1 bells. 1. THOMAS MEARS &: SON OF FECIT 2. The same with date 1807 3. As No. 2. 4. .AI; No. 2. 5. As No. 2. 121

6. THIS WERE CAST 1807 THE REV?. MARTIN STAFFORD SMITH RECTOR WILLIAM QUARREL dAMES· WAOSTAFF CHURCH WARDENS. THOMAS WESTON CHARLES 0LDAKER WILLIAM BUSHELL INHABITANTS. s. (Fig. 124) Sancta (coin) Katerina (coin) Ora Pro Me Edwardo Gregson (see Fig. 121). The former ring was by Bagley (his list of 1732 gives ' Fladbury 6 ' The presant tenor weighs 13 cwt. Sanctus bell : The date of this bell is somewhat puzzling. Edward Gregson was Rector 1503-1557, and Habingdon states that he 'gave a saint's bell to the chancel.' It cannot therefore be earlier than 1503. But the cross, and so far as it. is possible to judge, the lettering, are those used by John Sturdy of London (1440-1458). It is worth noticing that the sanctus bell is not mentioned in 1552. Can it possibly have been cast between that year and 1557, i.e., in Queen Mary's reign~ The inscription. precludes the possibility of its being a second hand belL 1552 : ' FLADEBURTE iij bells in the stepull '. 1740: '6 Bells.' V.G.H. Worcs. ill. p. 361. H.B.W., 1889:. The Rev. Martin Stafford Smith was born at Hurlcote,. Gloucs. in 1747,; went to B.N.C. and afterwards· corpus Coil.. , , Oxford, and after being two years at Alvechurch became Rector of Fladbury, where he remained from 1792 until his death in 1824, in which year he gave a bell to Holy Trinity Church, Bath.

FLYFORD FLAVEL. St. Peter or St. John Baptist. Two bells. l. + 1715 (Fig. 125). 2. (Figs. 104, 126) SCE (Fig. 106 twice) IOHES (Fig. 112) BAPTISTA (Fig. 107) 0 RA PRONOBIS (see Fig. 122). 1st : By Richard Sanders of Bromsgrove, with his larger trade mark (Fig. 125). 2nd: Cast at Worcester about 1480; see under Grimley; stamps as at Droitwich St. Peter (old tenor), but the lettering is different. 1552 : ' In the steple iij bellys j leche bell a saerynge belL' + Santta ~ 'Ratrrina t® Ora Pro ffir eowarbo Grruson Fig. 121. FLA.DBURY Sanctus.

~~sa a ~ lO:U6S ~ BllPoXSoll [I] 0 Ril PROUOBlS Fig. 122. FLYFORD FLAVEL 2nd.

~SIRIHON 11TTI1TON IS ~ 8 Flg. 123. FRA.NKLEY. 123

1740: '5 Bells' (sic.) V.O.H. Worcs. iv. p. 85. Noake, Rambler in Worcs., i. p. 343, mentions a tradition that in 1723 one of the bells, being broken, was given to a. travelling journeyman who professed himself a bell founder, to be recast; he carried it off, but was never heard of again, This of course can only be true if there were more than two bells at that time. H.B.W., 1890.

FRANKLEY. St. Leonard. One bell. l. +SIR IHON I.ITTILTON 1584 (see Fig. 123). By an unknown founder; the cross resembles that used by Appowell of Buckingham (Oh. Bells of Warwick, pl. 17,1, p. 46) but the lettering is not his ; note the ~ form of 4, as at Lit. Washbourne. The L in LITTILTON is invuted. Sir John Lyttleton was born in 1516, knighted in 1565, died at Frankley 15 Feb. 1591, and was buried at Halesowen. He married Bridget daughter of Sir John Pakington, and had six sons and four daughters. See Nash, i. p. 493. 1740: '1 Bell'. Parkes (Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 2ll80} says 'two small bells, one of which is broken' (1810). Prattinton records the same in 1814. One bell was disposed of about 1865 ( V.O.H. Worcs. iii. p. 122). H.B.W., 1900.

GRAFTON FLYFORD. St. John Baptist. Five bells. l. GOD SAVE THE KING 1676 IESVS BE OVR GOOD SPEED (Fig. 67). 2. ALL PRAYSE AND GLORY BE TO GOD FOR EVER 1676 (Fig. 67). 3. BEE IT KNOWNE TO ALL THAT DOTH WEE SEE IOHN MARTIN OF WORCESTER HEE MADE WEE 1676 {Fig. 67). 4. WEE WISH IN HEVEN THEER SO'VLS MAY SING THAT GA VST VS SIX HERE FOR TO RING AMELL DOXLY 1676. RICHARD HAYNES C W (Fig. 67). Sancta Fig. 124. FLADBURY Sanctus (detail). Fig. 126. GRIMLEY 6th.

Fig. 127. GRIMLEY 6th. Fig. 128. J. GREENE'S TRADE-MARK.

Fig. 125. R. SANDERS' TRADE-MARK. 125

5. ALL MEN THAT HERE MY ROARING SOVND REPENT BE FORE YOV LY IN GROVND M ROBERT BAKER 1676. (Fig. 67) IR.

Formerly six bells, as indicated on the 4th. The former treble, recast by John Rudhall about 1814, has since been stolen. It may be conjectured that it originally bore John Martin's favourite inscription' Soli Deo gloria pax hominibus.' For the 3rd. cf. Himbleton ; for the 5th, Bosbury, Hereford­ shire. 1552 : 'Yn the Steple iiij bels, a sawnce bell, j lyche bell, a sacryng bell.' Inscriptions given by Prattinton (1814}, but not quite accurately; also by Noake (Rambler in Worcs.), ii. p. 201, who states that there are six bells, but gives the inscriptions on five only, which he numbers 1, 2, 4, 5, 6. The 3rd (or rather 1st) was therefore stolen previously to 1854. V.O.H. Worcs., iv. p. 89. H.T.T., 1877.

GRAFTON MANOR. There is a bell hanging in an inaccessible position in a turret on the roof of the old chapel ; also a small blank bell used for domestic purposes. The former may be of some antiquity, even if it is not the ' ' which Nash (i. p. 158) states to have been made in 1571.

GRIMLEY. St. Bartholomew. Six bells.

1. THE GIFT OF R. GRIFFITH ESQ~ THORNQROVE. 1820 -+· 1. R. FEC" (26!in. 2. IOHN RUDHALL GLOUCESTER FECIT 1820 * * * * (30 in. 3. RECAST AT THE EXPENSE OF RICHD GRIFFITH EsQ~ 1820 I. R. FEC! .. (31t in. 4. GOD BE OVR SPEEDE WILLIAM WOGAN I G 1599 (see Fig. 129) (33 in. 5. + IESVS BA OVR SPED 1626 (see Fig. 130) (37 in. GOD BE OVR SPEEDE WILLIAJV\ WOG7\N 1-1 t.-:1 IG I 5' 99 ~ Fig. 129. GRIMLEY 4th. + I E s V s B A 0 V R s p E D 1626 - Fig. 130. GRIMLEY 5th.

+ ra:- a.tyue~z~e ~ ~ ~ ~ o oo BEIJioa 5E o 5ia sJinana 5ia 6R600RI ffi XfllVS 5tJ oiBI ffi XU ffJ 6liORIJI ~"(\"(\Q ~~' \.\)\\\mo ([ ([ ([ ([ \t ~~'Y

'15~m'?o'e. ~m 'Eil~ttt\ <'9\l\tou. -pnote '%y~o\·\\\e Fig. 131. GRIMLEY 6th. 127

6. (Figs. 104, 127) 0 (Fig. 126) BEATE (Fig. 126) 0 (Fig. 126) SANCTE (Fig. 126) GREGORI (Fig. 126) LAVS (Fig. 126) TIBI (Fig. 126) IN (Fig. 126) GLORIA (Fig. 126) .. Below :-anno dn'i mill'mo cccc lxxxij (flower) Tempore Dn'i Roberti Multon priore Wygornie On shoulder :-(flower) T Clyvegrove (flower) (42 in~ Formerly four bells, the present 4th being the treble, and the 5th and 6th the 3rd and 4th. The old 2nd was inscribed, according to Prattinton GOD SAVE OVR NOBLE QVEEN ELIZABETH 1600 and was, like the present 4th, by John Greene I (cf. Droitwich. St. Peter). 5th: by John Greene 11. Tenor, by a Worcester founder; compare the bell from Worcester St. Michael, now at New St. Martin's, dated 1480. The dragon stop also occurs at Oddingley, and formerly at Claines. The whole is given in facsimile in Fig. 131. The part in MS type on the waist and shoulder was produced by engraving in the cope of the mould, and a similar inscrip­ tion occurs on the other bell mentioned. Robert Multon was Prior of Worcester from 1469 to 1492. The benefice of Grimley belonged to that official. Thomas. Clyvegrove was Rector of Worcester St. Michael, and his name also occurs on the bell there. These two are the only dated medieval bells in the county, and are perhaps the two most. interesting in the Midlands. The Grimley bell was first discovered by H. T. Tilley in 1879. 1552. iiij bells in the steple a lytle sauncts bell. 1740. '3 bells'. V.C.H. Worcs. iii. p. 366. H.B.W. 1900.

GUARLFORD. St. Mary. One bell. Parish formed from ; church built 1884. HADZOR. St. John Baptist. One bell. l. SOLI DEO QLORIA PAX HOMINIBVS IOHN QRINE: FRANSES HOVNT 1668 C W (Fig. 67) ELIZABETH HINDLIP CHURCHWARDENS RALPH JOHN PALMER JAMES BEARCROFT RECTOR Barwell's RECAST trade-mark 1894 128

The old bell was by John Martin, whose trade-mark it bore, as indicated. The inscription is exactly reproduced, except for a bit of border (Fig. 70) after GRINE. It was visited by the present writer in 1893, just before its recasting by Barwell of Birmingham, and was very awkward to reach, the western turret being only accessible by climbing up and -over the organ ! The new bell was given by Lady Hindlip, whose husband (the second Lord Hindlip) was then in occupa­ tion of the house ; its cost was £31 18s. 6d. 1552 : ' In the steple iij bells.' 1740 : ' 3 Bells.' These three were in existence down to 1825, when Prattin­ ton noted the ins~riptions as follows :- 1. PEACE AND GOOD NEIGHBOURHOOD A R 1772 2. VIRGINIS EGREGIE VOCOR CAMPANA MARIE {in Gothic cap-itals) 3. (Bell of 1668). The 2nd was probably one of ·the ' Royal Head ' type (as Abbot's Morton). The treble now hangs in the clock-turret over the stable, whither it was removed (together with a small uninscrihed ting-tang ut in. diam.) by Mr. Galton shortly .after Prattinton's visit. The correct inscription is PEACE & GOOD NEIGHBOURHOOD (border) T (bell) R 1772 {border). Diam. 26! in. The small bell is used as a ' House bell.' V.C.H. Wares. iii. p. 130. Many thanks to Mr. J . F. Parker and to Major Galton.

HAGLEY. St .•John Baptist. Eight bells. 1-8. MEARS & STAINBANK, FOUNDERS,LONDON, 1885. 1. HEAR MY VOICE 0 GOD PS. LXIV 1. W. H. L. HAGLEY 1885.

2. MY LIPS SHALL PRAISJ

3. 0 COME LET US SING UNTO THE LORD PS. XCV l. IN MEMORY OF W. H. L. HAGLEY 188.5.

4. 0 LET MY MOUTH BE l!ILLED WITH THY PRAISE PS. LXXI 7 Below, as 3rd. 129

:5. THERE SHALL BE UPON THE BELLS HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD ZECH. XIV 20. IN MEMORY OFW. H. LYTTELTONLATERECTORHAGLEY 1885.

6. EVERY TONGUE SHALL CONFESS THAT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD. PHIL. II 11. Below, as 5th.

'7. REJOICE WITH THEM THAT DO REJOICE AND WEEP WITH THEM THAT WEEP. ROMANS XI 15. TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN MEMORY OF WILLIAM HENRY LYTTELTON LATE RECTOR OF THIS PARISH HAGLEY 1885. W.C. GIBBS RECTOR H. WILLIAMS} C. J. COOPER CHURCHWARDENS.

8. GLORY TO GOD IN THE IDGHEST AND ON EARTH PEACE •GOODWILL TOWARDS MEN ST. LUKE II 14. Below, as 7th. (weight 9 cwt.) Rev. Canon W. H. Lyttelton was Rector 1847-1885. Formerly one bell by C. and G. Mears, 1857, weighing :3 cwt. 1552 : ' In the steple ij bells j bell called a lyche bell. 1740: '1 bell.' V.C.H. Worcs. iii. p. 135.

HALESOWEN. St. John Baptist, or SS. Mary and John Evangelist Eight bells.

1. J. WARNER & SONS LONDON 1864. On waist: Royal Arms and PATENT. (28! in.

2. AT PROPER TIMES MY V OISE I'L RAISE AND SoUND TO :MY SuBSCRIBERS PRAISE (row of X's) Below : THOMAS LESTER & T. PACK LoNDINI FECIT 1753 (row of X's) (30 in.

3. IESVS BEE OVR SPEED 1707 (arabesques between .words Fig. 8). Below, row of narrow scrolls, all round. (31 ~ in.

4. GOD BLESS THE TOWN OF HALESOWEN 1707 (Fig. 8 between words). (33 in. 180

5. BEE IT (coin) KNONE (coin) TO ALL (coin) THAT (ooin) DOTH (coin) ME (coin) SEE THAT IOSEPH SMITH IN (coin) EDGBASTON MADE ALL WEE (coin) 1707 (36 in. 6. As No. 1 Incised on waist:- RICHARD BRINDLEY HONE M •.A . .ARCHDEACON OF WORCESTER, RECTOR. EDWARD MOORE, J.P.} BENJ. TREWOLL.A' CHURCHWARDENS

1864 (38 in~ 7. SIR CHARLES (coin) LYTTELTON (Fig. 8) KNIGHT (Fig. 8) & (Fig. 8) BARRTT (Fig. 8) BENEFACTR (Fig. 8} 1707 (coin). (4li in~ 8. WHEN (coin) SOVND OF BELL (coin) DOTH (coin} PEARCE (coin) YOVR (coin) EARE(coin) COM TO (coin} THE (coin) CHVRCH (coin) GOD'S (coin) WORD (coin} TO (coin) HEARE (coin arid Fig. 8). MY (coin) MOVRNFVLL (coin) SOVND DOTH (coin} WARNING (coin) GIVE THAT (coin) HEARE (coin) MEN (coin) CANNOT (coin) ALL WAYES (coin) LIVE (coin} 1707 (Fig. 8) (46! in. See for the second bell Fig. 132. On the 7th bell after CHARLES and on the tenor after WORD TO HEARE, THAT, and ALLWAYES are im­ pressions of a crown of William Ill dated 1695 ; the others are shillings, probably of the same date, but mostly too· obscure to identify. The old treble was inscribed THOMA.B LEBTER AND T: PACK LONDON FECIT 1763 the old 6th SAMUEL CLINTON AND JOHN FOLEY CHURCH­ WARDENS R WELLS ALDBOURNE FECIT 1778. according to Noake, Rarnbler in W ores., ii p. 266. He also­ give the inscriptions on the whole ring, but inaccurately_ For further information on the history of the ring I am indebted to Mr. Frank Somers, Parish Warden, who refers me to an extract from the old Churchwardens' accounts given. in Nash's Worcestershire, ii. Appendix No. 13, p. XXX, to the effect that in 1518 five marks were paid 'to the bell­ founder of Nottingham.' From other items it would appear ~AT PROPER TIMES MY VoisE u:. . RAISE: AND SOUND TO MY SUBSCRIBERS PRAISE ~THOMAS LESTER & T PACK LONDINI FECIT ~~ 1753 ~ Fig. 132. HALESOWEN 2nd.

lOB -MARSTON GENT FOVNDER OF THIS CHAPPEL 1704 Fig. 133. HALL GREEN.

mJO V ffifl2 0 n Sii T I h 0Gr12 I 6 nvm11 h 0 2 T6 ffi!IJ F v G .ffl T 1 fti n n !ii t~ m!ii 1116 nvm Fig. 134. HALLOW (now BROADHEATH). 132 that a new ring was cast in that year. It is a pity that the bell-founder's name is not given, as we are none too well­ informed about the Nottingham foundry at that period, but it was probably Robert Mellour (1510-1525). 1 This event is also referred to by Noake, Worcs. Notes and Queries, p. 241, and Lukis, Ch-urch Bells, p. 131. The old treble and present 2nd are the earliest bells in the county from the Whitechapel foundry, except the clock-bell at Overbury Court. The old 6th was from the same foundry as the bell at St.. Edmund's, Dudley. Mr. Somers quotes the following extract from W. Harris' History of Halesowen :- " Six of the bells were placed in the steeple in 1707, and very likely the ancient bells were re-cast. at that time. About 50 years later, a Mr. Skittleton came from London on a visit to Halesowen. Admiring the sweetness of their tone, and at the same time lamenting that they were not a perfect octave he generously made the inhabitants a present of the first and second bells. These Bells on their arrival were received with every demonstration of joy. They were at first fixed in a frame over the other bells, but this arrangement being found inconvenient, they were fixed in a range, which was effected by ingeniously raising the carriages of the two largest bells." This of course was in 1753, in which year Shenstone wrote to the Rev. Richard Graves: 'We are going to add two new bells to our present set of six.' Sir Charles Lyttelton (see 2nd bell), second Baronet, was Governor of Jamaica 1662-1664, and founded the town of Port Royal; M.P. for Bewdley 1685-1689. (For further de­ tails see Diet. Nat. Biogr. xxxiv. p. 367). Archdeacon Hone (6th Bell) was Rector of Halesowen 1836-1884. I believe there is or was a set of chimes here. Mr. Somers. informs me that the Pancake Bell is still rung on Shrove Tuesday, at ll a.m. This is or was done by striking the tenor (?6th Bell) with a hammer as well as ringing it. 'By this means the bell was broken and remained so for a con­ siderable time, till a woman of the name of Susannah Box indicted the Churchwardens for having a cracked bell, when. it was recast as the date specifies.' It is not clear whether the bell recast in 1864 is meant.

1 See Vict. County Hist. Notts. 11. p. 368. 133

1740: '8 bells cast 170-.' V.C.H. Worcs. iii. p. 149. Many thanks to Mr. J. F. Parker for excellent rubbings. District churches in this parish :- St. Paul, Blackheath, built 1869. One bell. St. Margaret, Hasbury (1907), chapel of ease.

HALL GREEN. One bell. 1. Above, band of arabesques (Fig. 8). lOB MARSTON GENT FOVNDER OF THIS CHAP- PELL 1704 (Fig. 133) (26 in_ The bell is by Joseph Smith of Edgbaston. The chapel is in the ancient parish of Yardley. There is a monument in that church to Job Marston, " who dying a bachelor gave by his last will to this church two large silver flagons . . . and also a thousand pounds for the erecting of a chapel at Hall Green." He died 11 June 1701, Act. 65. The licence to erect the Chapel was granted in 1701, and it was consecrated 25 May 1704. (Nash, W ores. ii. p. 480). Many thanks to Mr. J. F. Parker, whose investigation of the bell proved to be no easy task.

HALLOW. Eight bells. On waist of each bell :- 1. WITH FAITH WE PRAISE THEE 28}in. E 5:2:14 2. WITH HOPE WE BLESS THEE 29t D# 5:3:21 3. WITH CHARITY WE WORSHIP 31! C~ 7:0:2 THEE 4. WITH JUSTICE WE GLORIFY 34 B 7:3:18. THEE &. WITH PRUDENCE WE GIVE THANKS 37f A 10:0:27 TO THEE 6. WITH TEMPER- WE MAGNIFY 39t G#ll:2:23· ANCE THEE 7. WITH FORTI- WE CALL UNTO 43! F#l4:3:19 TUDE THEE 8. WITH PRAISE TO THE GLORY OF GOD

IN THE 63'".!' YEAR OF QUEEN VIC­ TORIA'S REIGN 1900 GOD SAVE THE QUEEN 49 E 21:3:17 134

Cast by Taylor of Loughborough and tuned on Preb. 'Simpson's principles. Massive iron frames, resting on and bolted to steel girders. Given by Mrs. Wheeley Lea and -dedicated 14 April 1900. In 1814 there were three bells in the old church, the inscrip­ tions given as follows by Prattinton :- 1. EDMON BOYES IOHN TIMBS C. W. 1644 2. + IN MVLTIS ANNIS RESONET CAMPANA IOHANNIS (Gothic capitals) 3. + DUM (head of King) SONET (queen) HOC (King) SIGNVM (queen) HOSTEM (King) FVGAT (queen) ANNA (King) MALIGNVM (see Fig. 134). The 2nd was probably of the same type as the 3rd, with Royal Heads. When the new church was built in 1869, the .3rd bell was placed in it, and remained there alone until 1900. It is now at the mission church at Broadheath. 1552 : ' the bells in the stepell, a bell to ring beffore the .corps when it cometh to churche with a lytell sacrynge bell ... Lacking which were conteyned in the fyrst inventorye (2 Edw. VI.] ... a lytelllyche bell that went before the corps. 1740: '5 Bells.' V.O.H. Worcs. iii. p. 371. H.B.W., 1890.

HAMPTON, GREAT. St. Andrew. Six bells. 1. FOLLOW ME COMMITTEE. OEOROE ATTWOOD, JOSE PH ID lENS CHARLES MILLS, WILLIAM WHITE FREDERICK COPE SECRETARY. CAST BY CARR OF SMETHWICK. CORONATION YEAR OF QUEEN ALEXANDRA 1902.

2. CAST 1702. RECAST BY CARR OF SMETHWICK. CORONATION YEAR OF KINO EDWARD, 1902. CANTATE DOMINO CANTICUM NOVUM.

3. WILLIAM BAOLEY MADE ME 1702. CARR OFSMETH­ WICK RE-MADE ME 1902. FEAR OOD HONOUR THE KINO TO THE OLORY OF OOD AND AS A MEMORIAL OF HIS MAJESTY KINO EDWARD VII THESE BELLS WERE RESTORED BY PARISHIONERS OF HAMPTON AND OTHERS 1902. 135

4. As 3rd to REMADE ME: CORONATION YEAR OF KINO EDWARD VII, 1902. TELL IT OUT AMONO THE HEATHEN THAT THE LORD IS KINO.

5, 0 PRAISE OOD IN HIS HOLINESS. ERNEST HAVEROAL M.A. VICAR

~~~:~~~~~~~~~HAM } CHURCHWARDENS HENRY JUST IN, CLERK, 1902. CARR OF SMETH· WICK REMADE ME 1902.

6. RECAST BY CARR OF SMETHWICK. CORONATION OF KINO EDWARD VII AND QUEEN ALEXANDRA 1902. ERNEST HAVEROAL, M.A., VICAR. LASTS LOVE LASTS LIFE GLORIA PATRI, FILIO, SANCTO SPIRITU. BE IT KNOWN TO ALL THAT DO ME SEE WILLIAM BAOLEY OF CHALCOMBE MADE ME 1702. JOHN CLERK PHILIP SCARLETT CHURCHWAR· DENS HENRY BAOLEY 1702. New ring dedicated 26 Nov. 1902 (see Evesham Journal, 29 Nov., and Church Bells, 5 Dec.) The inscriptions are on the waist of each bell. The statement on the 5th ' Carr re-made me ' is a mistake, as there were formerl} only four bells. The inscriptions on these, which have been reproduced on the new 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 6th, were: • I. CANTATE DOMINO CANTICVM NOVVM 1702 (N reversed; A with hooked top). 2. WILLIAM BAGLEY MADE MEE 1702. 3. The same, with arabesque borders (Fig. ll8). 4. IOHN CLARKE PHILLIP SCARLET CHVRCH­ WARDENS 1702 HENRY BAGEY. On rim : BE IT KNOWN TO ALL THAT DO MEE SEE WILLIAM BAGLEY OF CHALCOMB MADE ME 1702. On the 4th the N in ' Bagey ' was reversed. 17 40 : '6 bells '. Two of these six had long since disappeared, and one other was cracked in 1902. V.C.H. Worcs. ii. p. 407. H.B.W., 1889. +SOMROSA POLSATA MONDE MARIA VOCATA ~ Fig. 135. HAMPTON LOVETT 3rd (followed by Fig. 145) .

• ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, BAG LEY ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, HEN RI Cvs ···1tr .·. ·\tc···"\tc··· .·. Jtr···jtr··· jtr··· ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, f 6 7 8 ME E ···j!C•"·jiC•"•"\tC•"• FE C I T ••• "\ t r··· ") tr .·. "\ t r •·• Fig. 136. HANBURY 5th. I 600 Itt!tiB

IH 18 w ' ELHD RJI o Er RinJI RB 18 Fig. 138. 1st. Fig. 137. Sanctus. 137

Mr. J. H. Bloom contributes an extract from the Diocesan Registers dated 23 Dec. 1709, which must refer to the old , though there is a· discrepancy in dates :- To Mr. Oliver. Sr. Acknowledging the great favours done to us at the last Visitation held at Evesham for al1owing us longer time for casting our bell which we were to certifie at Christmas, Do desire you will be pleased to accept of our few lines of truth. The Bell founder has cast the Bell but not althings so well as it should be so that he has begun a new mould to cast it again and as soon as it is cast and finished he will be sure to Certifie the same and shall think ourselves happy when Rid of our Trouble. Which is all at present from Your humble servant John Clarke l & ( Ch. Wardens.I Phillip Scarlett ) Hampton 23 Dec. 1709. 'Our Bell had the Misfortune on Saturday last.'

HAMPTON LOVETT. St. Mary. 3+1 bells. 1. SOLI DEO GLORIA PAX HOMINIBVS THOMAS CLARK THOMAS PALMAR 1664 Below Fig. 59 ; on waist :- Fig. 67. (34~ in. 2. CAROLP STEPHENS A M RECTORE IOHN GRIFFIN c w 1711. (Figs. 82 and 113) (36! in. 3. + (Fig. 140) SOM ROSA POLSATA MONDE MARIA VOCATA (Fig. 139 and another border). (38! in. S. INDESINTER ORATE 1663 (Fig. 68) Treble and sanctus by John Martin, the latter hung high up in the bell-chamber, and not easy of access; INDESINTER = indesiniter, 'pray without ceasing.' 2nd by Richard Sanders. 3rd by Thomas Hancox ; see Fig. 135. The second border is a vine-s0rolllike that used by Oldfield of Nottingham. The Rev. C. Stephens was Rector 1699-1717. 1552 : ' iij bells yn the Stepull . . . a lytyll sacyng bell. 1740: '3 Bells.' V.C.H. Worcs. iii. p. 157. H.B.W., 1900.

1 They were the Churchwardens in 1702, as the old 4th bell shows. Fig. 139. HAMPTON LOVE'IT 3rd.

Fig. 140. Fig. 141. BAGLEY'R RORDIDR (Kempsey, etc.). HAMPTON I"OVE'IT 3rd. 139 HANBURY. St. John Baptist. Eight Bells. l. THE GIFT OF JOHN PHILLIPS ESQ!! OF HANBURY I:IALL 1816 W~ PARKES: THO• 8AUNDERS CHURCH WARDENS. T. MEARS OF LONDON FECIT (27t in. 2. The same. (28! in, 3. THO VERNON E~!t QEORQE VERNON RECTOR 1720 (Fig. 82) Below :-Peace And Good Neighbourhood (Fig. 113) (29~in. 4. PHILLIP PUMFRET THOMAS BROOKS 0 W• 1720 (Fig. 125) .. (30fin. 5. HENRTCVS (borde.r) BAGLEY (border) ME (border) FECIT (border) 1678 (border) (33~ in. 6. RECAST BY I RUDHALL OF GLOUCESTER 1792 (34 in. 7. The same. (38 in. 8. The same to date; W. BURSLEM B. D. RECTOR C. LUCAB & W. PARKE8 WARDENS (scroll8) (42 in. 3rd and 4th by Richard Sanders ; for the minuscules on the 3rd cf. Dodderhill. Trade-marks respectively Fig. 82 and Fig. 125, The 5th has cabled cannons ; the borders are a sma.ll variant of Fig. 118, as shown in Fig. 136. 6th · 8th: the I is a larger size than the other capitals. Probably six bells only down to 1815. 1552 : iij bells in the steple . . . ij lyche bells iij saunce bells. 1740 : '6 bells.' Inscriptions given by Prattinton. V.C.H. Worcs. ill. p. 379. H.B.W., 1901. Thomas Vemon (see 3rd bell) was son and heir of the Rev. Richard Vernon of Hanbury Hall. He represented Wor­ cestershire and Whitchurch (Hants) in Parliament and held a high position in the Court of Chancery. He died 6 Feb. 1721, aged 67, without issue, and was buried at Hanbury. The Rev. G. Vernon was Rector 1705-1732; the Rev. W. Burslem 1780-1820. 140

HANLEY CASl'LE. 6 +1 bells. 1. RING VS TRV WEE PRAISE YOV A R. 1699 RECAST 1895 LLEWELLINS & JAMES, BRISTOL E. WHITMORE ISAAC M. A. VICAR EDMUND H. LECHMERE BART. I JOSEPH SANDERS I CHURCHWARDENS

RECAST AGAIN JOHN TAYLOR' & CO. 1925 and Taylor' s trade-mark. 2. GOD PROSPER ALL OVR BENEFACTORS A R. (bell) 1699 On waist. Taylor' s trade-mark, and round it RECAST AGAIN JOHN TAYLOR & CO 1925. 3. ABRA RVDHALL CAST VS ALL 1699 GOD SAVE YE KING . On waist as No. 2. 4. Above, vine-pattern between cable-mouldings. GOD SAVE THE KING & THE CHURCH 1699 (four 8crolls). 5. G. MEARS FOUNDER LONDON 1858. 6. lAMES BADGER :MINISTER (plant) RICH : ROSSE (plant) GORLE : CHETLE : C : W : 1699 (plant) S. 1600 I (shield with three bells) b IH IB EL HD RB IB (15 in. cwts. q rs. 1bs. Weights and notes 5 : 2 : 4 D 7 : 3 : 13 A 6 .: 0 : 16 C 9 : 3 : 25 G 7 : 0 : 21 B flat 14 : 0 : 0 F Bells rehung in iron frame in 1925, space being provided for eight bells. The cannons had been removed at an earlier date. 141

Sanctus bell probably by I. B., of Gloucester for whom cf. Kempsey sanctus. See Figs. 137, 145. The old bells were inscribed as follows :- 2. (old treble) : GOD: PROSPER: AJ.L: OVR : BENE­ FACTORS: A. R. (bell). 1699 (vine-pattern). · 3. Above arabesques.

ABRA RVDHALL CAST VS ALL 1699 (scroll) GOD SAVE YE KING (arabesques) 5. ABRA RVDHALL CAST VS ALL 1699. The Rev. James Badger (tenor) was Vicar 1691-1725. 1552 : ' iiij belles a lytle bell in the steple.' 1740 : ' 6 Bells.' Inscriptions given in Notes and Queries, 1st Ser. viii. p. 248 (10 Sept. 1853) ; Noake, Rambler in W ores., i. p. 104 ; V.C.H. Wares., iv. p. lOO; Lukis, Church Belld, p. 131 (four only). On the old 3rd the N of KING was reversed. H.B.W., 1909. Many thanks to Mr. Ernest Gibbs of .

HANLEY CASTLE. St. Gabriel. Six bells. At this church, built at Hanley Swan in 1874, there is a ring ·of six bells by John Warner of London, each one being inscribed CAST BY JOHN WARNER & SONS 1872 (Below, Royal Arms and PATENT). The tenor weighs 9 cwt. Thanks to Mr. Ernest Gibbs.

HANLEY CWLD. One bell. No inscription. Church built about 1805 in place of an older one.

HANLEY WILLIAM. All Saints. Three bells. 1. Fig. 83 (coin) KATERINA. 2. PROSPERITY TO THIS PARISH (border) A (bell) R 1720 (border) 3. ABEL RUDHALL FOUNDER 1753 (border). Fig. 142. HARTLEBURY 5th.

EE SflnGofl illfiRiri VIR60 Illo6R06D8 PRO 'GO'GO ffiVllDO QV6Vfl

RICHARD HEMING JOHN HARWARD CHVRCHWARDENS 1678 Fig. 144. HARTLEBURY ]th. 143

1st : type as Defford and Dormstone (see Fig. 138). On 2nd and 3rd vine-borders.

1740 : ' i Bell' (sic). V.O.H. Worcs. iv. p. 278. H.T.T. 1893.

HARTLEBURY. St. James. 8+1 bells.

l. MEARS & STAINBANK FOUNDERS, LONDON. On waist : " VICTORIA" "MAN GAVE ME VOICE AND BADE ME SAY HOW TIME DOTH STEAL HIS LIFE AWAY BUT I SHALL SOUND FROM FORTH THE TOWER WHEN MAN HAS HAD HlS LITTLE HOUR."

GIVEN BY ALFRED BALDWYN, M.P. (30! in. A.D. 1900.

2. MEARS & STAINBANK )fOUNDERS LONDON

On waist:- " RING OUT THE OLD RING IN THE NEW RING OUT THE FALSE RJNG IN THE TRUE." GIVEN BY JOHN CORBETT OF IMPNEY. (31!in. A.D. 1900. 3. + J: BRYANT OF HERTFORD FECIT 1812 J STYLES & J WILLIAMS C: W. (33! in. 4. (Fig. 78) (border) IOHN (border) FIDKIN (border IOHN (border) WALL (border) IOHN TOMBLINS (border} GVARD (border) W (border) HILL (border) 1641 (border): (Between words acorn border Fig. 146; before and after date arabesques like Fig. 113). Below, band of arabesques, and on waist:- RECAST 1900 MEARS & STAINBANK LONDON (36 in. 5. (Fig. 49) MAST~R (Fig. 49) VRBAN (Fig. 49)AYRE (Fig. 49 and vine} 1640 (vine). Above and below, arabesques Fig. 59. (See Fig. 142) (37 in. 144 1600 I Fig. 145. HANLEY CASTLE Sanctus (detail).

Fig. 146. HARTLEBURY old 2nd (border).

I I Fig. 147. MIDDLE LITTLETON Sanctus. 145 6. + SANCTA MARIA VIRGO INTERCEDE PRO TOTO MVNDO QVEYA GENVISTI REGEM ORBIS (see Fig. 143) (39~ in. 7. MASTER EYRE THE CORONER GAVE TO THIS BELL THIRTIE POVNDES 1640 (vine-border) (Medallions between words; vine-border at end; arabesques Fig. 59 above and below) (43 in. 8. I TO THE CHVRCH THE LIVING CALL & TO THE GRAVE DO SUMMON ALL A (bell) R 1749 (border (47~ in.

8. RICHARD HEMING IOHN HARWARD CHVRCHWARDENS 1678 (see Fig. 144) (15! in. Formerly five bells, increased to six in 1812, and eight in 1900. Old 4th : a late example of Hugh Watts of Leicester ; the inscription ha.'! been very carefully reproduced on the present hell. '5th and 7th by Thomas Hancox II of W alsall ; between the words on the 7th is a medallion with Urban Eyre's arms (arg. on a chevron sa. three quatrefoils or., in chief a torteau). Vine-border as at Hampton Lovett. 6th : By the same founder as the 3rd at St. Martin's, Worcester (probably Henry Mitchell of Lichfield); not later than 1350. Cf. Curdworth, Warwickshire, which has the first part of the inscription, here unique. · Sanctus: By John Martin. 'The tenor weighs 20 cwt. _ Alfred Baldwin (2nd bell), the father of the present Prime Minister, was M.P. for the Bewdley Division of Worcestershire 1892-1908. For John Corbett of Impney see under Dodderhill. 1740 : ' 5 bells.' V.G.H. Worcs. iii. p. 386. H.B.W., 1900. The district church of St. Mary, Bishop's Wood, erected in 1882, has five small bells of that date by Van Aerschot of Louvain.

liARTLEBURY CASTLE. There is here a bell hanging in the cupola on the top of the house, which is very difficult of access. 146

An Inventory of 1553 states : ' There is a Chappell annexed to the (Bishop's) Chamber ... where ys a lyttell bell waying by estimacion dimid hundred weight.' (Pearce, Hartlebury Castle, p. 87). The size seems rather small for the existing bell. HARVINGTON. St. James. Six bells. 1-6. C & G. MEARS FOUNDERS, LONDON 1854. On waist:- 1. WE GIVE THANKS TO THEE 0 GOD 2. WE GLORIFY THEE 0 GOD 3. WE PRAISE THEE 0 GOD 4. GOODWILL TOWARDS MEN. 5. ON EARTH PEACE 6. WE WERE MADE AT THE COST OF LYDIA WARD GLORY BE TO GOD ON HIGH. The old ring was as follows : 1. IESVS BE OVR SPED 1825 2. SOLI DEO GLORIA PAX HOMINIBVS IOHN HALBROCK VALENTINE ABILL C W 3. IOHN RUDHALL GLOOESTER FECIT 1806 the first being probably by John Greene, the second by John Martin. (From the Prattinton MSS.) Tenor weighs 8 cwt. Bells not hung for ringing.

1552 : ' HA WYNGTON iij bells in the steple.' V.C.H. Wares. iii. p. 390 says inaccurately here. C.A.B., 1925.

HEADLFSS CROSS. St. Luke. One bell. Church built 1867; parish formed from Feckenham. HEIGHTINGTON. St. Giles. One bell. 1. + RICHARD SAUNDERB MADE MEE 1738 Inscription recorded by Prattinton, but he omits to give the date. V.C.H. W ores. iv. p. 326. H.T.T., 1893. 147

IDMBLETON. St. Mary Magdalene. Four bells. l. IESVS BE OVR GOOD SPEED 1675 (Fig. 71 between words). Below, border all round and Fig. 67. 2. ALL PRAYSE AND GLORY BE TO GOD FOR EVER 1675 (Fig. 71 between words). Below, as No. 1. 3. On crown : 1675 BEE IT KNOWNE TO ALL THAT DOTH WE SEE IOHN MARTIN OF WORCESTER HEE MADE WE (Fig. 67) 4. ALL MEN THAT HEARE MY RORIN SOVND REPENT BEE FORE YOV LY IN GROVND 1675. Below, as No. l.

For these inscriptions cf. Grafton Flyford.

1552 : ' iij belles in the steple their.' Inscriptions given in Notes and Queries, 1st. ser., viii. p. 248 (10 Sept. 1853); see also Noake, Rambler in Worcs., i. p. 357. V.C.H. Worcs. iii. p. 397. H.T.T., 1881.

IDNDLIP. St. James-the-Great. Two bells and hemisph. do.

l. IOHN RUDHALL GLOUCESTER FEC! 1809 2. ALL PRAYSE AND GLORY BE TO GOD FOR EVER 1668 (Fig. 68). On waist, twice : H.M. Old bells very difficult of access ; they are now disused, and in place of them there is a set of hemispherical ' bells,' put up in 1888 by Mears & Stainbank. (Rev. F. W. Wallis to Rev. A. S. Porter of Claines, 13 Nov. 1899). 1552: 'HYNLYPPE ij belles in ye stepull a sawns bell.' 1740 : 'Henlipp 2 bells.' Prattinton gives inscriptions. IESVS BE OVR SPEED ~ 1632 lW Fig. 148. HOLT 3rd.

GOD SAVE OVR KING I AMES I G0 8 Q!f]AW~ Fig. 149. HOLT 4th.

~BAGLEY ·~. Of~ CHACOMB ~ --~~~- MADE ~ MEE .~. IGG5 m Fi ~. 150. HONE)YBOUR:NE ~tb , 149

HOLT. St. Martin. 4+1 bells. l. ROBART DUOARD WHITNEY KINNERSLY 0 W 1713 On waist : Figs. 82, 113. 2. No inscription. 3. IESVS BE OVR SPEED (F'ig. 128) 1832 I W (see Fig. 148). 4. GOD SAVE OVR KING lAMES 1608 (jleur de lys) A W (jleurdelys) (see Fig. 149). 8. No inscription. 1st : By Richard Sanders. 2nd: No band for inscription; very like 1st. ~rd : By John Greene II. 4th: Probably by John Greene I; for the initials A. W., which may be those a foreman, cf. W.G. on the smaller bell at Dowles, dated 1595 (Fig. 77).

1552 : ' iij belles & j saunce bell hanginge in the steple & sacrynge bell in the chaunsell.' 1740: '4 Bells.' V.C.H. Wares. iii p. 407. H.B.W. 1890.

HONEYBOURNE, CHURCH. St. Ecgwin. Five bells. I. PEACE AND GOOD NEIGHBOVRHOOD A bell R 1731 (scrolls).

2. N. EDEN CHURCH WARDEN 1797 ;;; I RUDHALL FEC! : .

3. W!:' HALE AND W~ BEN NETT CHURCHWARDENS·:· I RUDHALL FEC! 1830 ·=· 4. (Fig. 58) BAGLEY (Fig. 66) OF (Fig. 58) CHACOMB (Fig. 58) MADE (Fig. 58) MEE (Fig. 66) 1665 (Figs. 58, 65). 5. CAST AT GLOUCESTER BY IOHN RUDHALL 1830 THE REVo W. B. BONAKER VI OAR (and churchwar• dens ~s 3rd). For the 4th bell see Fig. 150. When Dr. Prattinton visited this church in 1820 he found the ring constituted as follows : 150

1. Present 1st.

2. CVM VOCE IVCVNDISSIMA PRESEQVOR HENRY BAGLFJ MADE M.E 1634. 3. Present 2nd. 4. Present 4th. 5. ORATE PRO BONO STATV OMNIV BVRGENSIV DE CASTRO EPI (Gothic caps.) He notes the 3rd and 5th as cracked ; but it is the 2nd and .5th that were recast into the present 3rd and 5th. The tenor had a prayer ' for the welfare of all the burgesses of Bishop's Castle,' a corporate town in Shropshire. It looks as if the bell came from that place. See Trans. Shrop- 8hire Arch. Soc., 3rd Ser. v. p. 15 (1905). Richard Morrels of this place in his will dated :-3 Aug. 1529 bequeathed to the bells a strike of wheat and a strike of barley (Rev. J. P. Wadley to Rev. H. T. Tilley). The Rev. W. Bonaker was Vicar 1817-1869. In 1740, ' 5 bells.' Bagley's list of 1731 ' Honeybourne 5 '. V.C.H. W ores. iii. p. 369. H.T.T., 1878. Many thanks to Mr. C. A. Binyon.

HUDDINGTON. St. Michael. One bell. 1. + EDWARD BEAROROFT 0 W 1723. Fig. 82 (two coin.! By Richard Sanders. Impressions of coins of George I. 1552 : ' ij bells in the steple a lettle bell a sacringe bell.' Noake (Rambler in Worcs., i. p. 272) says the bell was not to be rung for Sunday service until the parson appears in sight. V.C.H. Wares. iii. p. 411. H.B.W., 1889.

INKBERROW. St. Peter. Six bells.

1-5, J. TAYLOR &: 0~ FOUNDERS LOUOHBOROUOH 1868

6. The eame with JOHN 151

The fqrmer ring consisted of a treble by Richard Sanders (1708) and five by Rudhall, one of 1771. Bell-frame dated 1848 ; bells rehung by Carr, 1894. 1552 : ' INCKBAROWE. In the steple iiij bells, ij lyche bells, j sans bell . . . The parishe dothe deduct out of the same vij li vjs viij d for castinge of ij bells whiche they do owe.' 1740 : ' 6 Bells.' V.C.H. iii p. 429. Thanks to Rev. J. J_ Burton (27 Sept. 1900). From the Churchwardens' Accounts :- 1658. March 25. 20s. per annum allowed to ' a sufficient person to wringe & ye Bells every Lords day. 1700. Payments for ringing on Aprill llth, May 29th, November 4th and 5th for new lot of Bell ropes - 16s. for ringing at ye proclamation of ye war - 38. Nov. 20 mention made of 'ye bell mettal web upon ye late casting of ye Bells was sold or imbezzled.' 1708. Sept. 22 ' the bell called the treble being broken is ordered to be cast, and that Richard Sanders shall doe it '-An agreement for £5 was made with Sanders. 1763-86 Sundry small repairs : 1771. Pd. John Howard for taking the bell down - 88. Pd. for recasting the Bell - £7 lOs. 1771. Entries for talcing the bell to Worcester 9s., and from there to Gloucester and back 10s. 6d. 1837. Church rate of 2~d. in the £ levied on Sept. 29th in consideration of the bells being out of repair. 1839. June 5. The necessity of recasting two of the bells was considered. Margaret Hunt of Inckebarrow made her will 5 July 1544, to be buried in the church there, and made therein the follow­ ing bequest 'Item I bequeath to the castinge of our belles in my p'yshe churche vjs. viij d. The will was proved at Bromsgrove 23rd Sept. 1544. " When the church was rebuilt on a new site it was supposed that the fairies took umbra~~:e and endeavoured to obstruct the xWILLIAMxFFORTESCVEx A VG VS T 19 AN No·

Fig. 151. INKBIDRROW (COOKHILL PRIORY).

Fig. 152. KEMPSEY Sanctus.

ISAAC oH ADLE Yo FEC IToi \0~ M:CO R BET ::C::W:: Fig. 153. , GREAT, 1st.

0 If] 0 RV6 ffi.HRI.R 6RROI.R PIIan :H DOffi InVS "GEIOVffi 1!'1~. 154. Sanctus. 153 building, but as they did not succeed the following lamentation was occasionally heard : " ' Neither sleep nor Ue For Inkbro's ting-tangs hang so nigh.' " (Noake, Woros. N. and Q., p. 177)'.

Weights and sizes of bells. cwt: · qrs. lbs (l) 28~ in. 5 : 1 : 2 Note E (4) 33! in. 7 : 1 : 18 B (2) 30~ in. 5 : 3 : 13 D (5) 35 ~ in. 7 : 2 : 15 A (3) 32! in. 7 : 0 : 14 C (6) 39~ in. 10 : 2 : 4 G Total weight 43 cwt. 3qrs. 10 lbs. The previous ring: weighed just over 34 cwt. For the above and other information see Assoc. Archit; Socs. Reports, xxvi. p. 490. H.T.T., 1879. At Cookhill Priory in this parish (for an account of which_ see V.C.H. Wares. iii. p. 420) there is preserved hanging on the wall a bell belonging to the private chapel, which bears; the following inscription WILLIAM FFORTESCVE AVGVST 19 ANNO 1619 (see Fig. 151). The lettering is clearly that of Henry Farmer of Gloucester, and occurs again at Martin Hussingtree ; note also his habit of dating his bells by the day of the month. The chapel was rebuilt in 1783 ; the Fortescue family acquired the site of the nunnery in 1542. Many thanks to Rev. J. Willis for examining this bell for me.

KEMPSEY. St. Mary. 6+1 bells. 1. CANTATE DOMINO CANTICVM NOVVM 168& (Fig. 141 between words). 2. FEARE GOD AND HONOVR THE KING 1686· (Fig. 141 as before) 3. MATTHEW BAGLEY MADE MEE 1686 (Fig. 141' as before). 4. HENRICVS BAGLEY ME FECIT 1686 (Fig. 141 as: before). Below, same pattern inverted. 154

5. WILLIAM WIGFALL AND WILLIAM IOHNS CHVRCH WARDENS 1686 (Fig. 141 as before) 6. T. MEARS OF LONDON FECIT 1821 (chain of loop11). 8. T (jleur de lys) R (rose) K (jleur de lys) W I (jleur de lys) L 1587 I (bell) B l(13j in. Sanctus bell : By a Gloucester founder LB., whose full name is not known. Cf. the sanctus at Hanley Castle; also bells at Neen Sollars, Salop, etc. See Fig. 152. Tenor said to be about 19 cwt. The arabesque ornament (Fig. 141) on Nos. 1-5 also occurs at Birlingham, Great Comberton, etc. 1552: 'KEMPSEY. iiij bellys j sancta bell.' 1740 : ' 6 Bells.' V.C.H. W ores. iii. p. 435. H.B.W., 1921. Thanks to Rev. R. C. Purton, formerly assistant-curate (1900). KIDDERMINSTER. St Mary. 8+4 belli. 1. THE GIFT OF THE RT: HB.':" LD: FOLEY A (bell) R 1754 (31 in. 2. WHEN YOU US RING WE'LL SWEETLY SING A (bell) R 1754 (32 in. 3. FEAR GOD HONOUR THE KING A (bell) R 1754 (34 in. 4. PEACE AND GOOD NEIGHBOURHOOD A (bell) R 1754 (36 in. 5. PROSPERITY TO THIS PARISH AND THE TRADE THEREOF A (bell) R 1754 (39 in. 6. WE WERE ALL CAST AT GLOUCESTER BY AB : RUDHALL 1754 (4lj in. 7. NON CLAMOR SED AMOR CANTAT IN AYRE DEl JOHN TAYLOR & Co LOUOHBOROUQH FOUNDERS .. REVo THOMAS LEQH CLAUQHTON VICAR : BISHOP DESIGNATE OF ROCHESTER HENRY TOYE WOODWARD) JAMES MINIFIE CHURCHWARDENS CHARLES BANNISTER l JOHN 0. BORASTON ) APRIL 20. 1887 (46 in. 155 8. I TO THE CHURCH THE LIVING CALL AND TO THE GRAVE DO SUMMON ALL C & G MEARS FOUNDERS, LONDON. REVD. THOMAS LEGH CLAUGHTON VICAR.

HERBERT WILLIS MOSES WILLIAM KNOWLES !CHURCHWARDENS. JOSEPH PAGE 1857. WILLIAM RICHARD MORTON (53 in.

8. COME AWAY MAKE NO DELAY 1780.

Clock Bells 1-3. J. TAYLOR &: CO: BELLFOUNDERS LOUOHBOROUOH 1882 l. On waist: REDEEM THE TIME THAT FLI­ ETH AS WE CHIME T. L. CLAUOHTON VICAR 1882 SAMUEL STRETTON } HARRY TAYLOR CHAS. BANNISTER CHURCHWARDENS MICHAEL TOMKINSON JAS. CHAMBERS 2. IN TERRA PAX (with names as 1st). 3. OLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO (names as before). Weight of tenor, 29 cwt. 3 qrs. 14 lbs. (Mears' ledger says 26! cwt. ; see also below). The three clock bells were given by the Freemasons. The Rev. Legh Claughton (tenor), was, as the inscription on the 7th indicates, subsequently , and of St. Alban's from 1877 to his death in 1888. He was Vicar of Kidderminster 1841 -1867. His son, the Rev. T. L. Claugh­ ton, whose name appears on the first clock bell, was Vicar 1880-1887, and subsequently of St. Andrew, Worcester, and Canon Residentiary of the Cathedral. Lord Foley, the second Baron, succeeded to the title in 1732, and died without issue in 1766. 1552. ' In primis hangynge in the Steple iiij Belles. Item on Saunct Belle.' See Burton, History of Kidderminster, pp. 89, 98,; Noake, Rambler in Wares. , i. p. 4; Notes and Q,ueries, 1st Ser. viii. p. 248, 10 Sept. 1853; V.C.H. Wares. iii. p. 174. From Noake's copy of the inscriptions we learn that the old 7th had on it WILLIAM RATHBONE 1754; the old 156

tenor: I TO THE CHURCH, etc ... ,JOSHUA MORETON ROBERT SHIRLEY JOHN CRANE AND THOMAS WIL­ SON 1779. The same writer states that the 3rd bell was originally rung as a passing bell for paupers, but in 1788 this was altered by the Vicar on discovering that the inscription on the tenor ·directed its use for all. There were originally (down t.o about 1820) chimes which played tunes every day, mostly of a very secular character. F. E. Robinson, Among the Bells, p. 395, gives the weights as 6, 6~, 7!, 9, ll, 12, 20 and 25 cwt. (see above) In the Registers (Vol. II) are the entries. 1656 Sept. 13 buried Fraunces the wife of John Carpenter Junior being the first corps the Greate Bell was runge for after he was _caste [From Mr. J. H. Bloom] 1701 June 29. Buried An daughter of JohnCowell beeinge the first corps that the great bell was runge for after they were cast into 5+6 bells [From the same]

KIDDERMINSTER. St. George. Church built 1824; destroyed by fire in 1922 and subse­ quently rebuilt. The old church contained two bells.

KIDDERMINSTER. St. John. Two bells. Church built 1843. One bell of that date by T. Mears (9! cwt.) the other later.

KIDDERMINSTER. Holy Innocents. One bell. Church built about 1914. The ting-tang from St. Michael's, Worcester (q.v.), is now here. It is inscribed COME .AWAY MAKE NO DELAY A R 1761 (vine border).

KING'S HEATH. All Saints. One bell. Church built 1859; parish formed from King's Nortan. 157

KING'S NORTON. St. Nicholas. Eight bells. There is now a ring of eight bells all, cast by Taylor of Loughborough in 1924, except the 4th which was recast by them in 1905. Each bears the old inscription reproduced, with the date of recasting and founders name, and the tenor has in addition RESTORATION OF THE PEAL 1924 PROMOTED BY SUBSCRIPTIONS. T. S. M.A. VICAR. w. E. MOORE I CHURCHWARDENS T. IZON f F. B. YATES CHAffiMAN BELLS RESTORATION COM­ MITTEE. The old ring of eight bells bore the following inscriptions :- L WILLIAM BLEWS AND SONS BIRMINGHAM FOUNDERS RECAST 1867. (Gothic caps). 2. SUBSCRIPTION PROMOTED BY MESS~~ T. HADLEY & W, JORDON CHAPMAN & MEARS OF LONDON FECERUNT 1783

3. I,F YOU HAVE A JUDICIOUS EAR YOU'LL OWN MY VOICE IS SWEET AND CLEAR CHAPMAN AND MEARS OF LONDON FECERUNT 1783

4. To HONOUR BOTH OF GOD AND KING OUR VOICES SHALL IN CONSORT RING 2nd line as on 2nd. 5. T. MEARS OF LONDON FECIT 1826. 6. SUCH WOND'ROUS POWER TO MUSIC'S GIVEN IT ELEVATES THE SOUL TO HEAVEN (ornament) 2nd line as on 2nd. 7. As No. 1; on waist:-+ GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO + RECAST A.D. 1867, I. M. L. ASTON, M.A., VICAR S. N. PARKES } E. S. PRITCHETT CHURCHWARDENS. 158

8. REVD MR EDWARDS MINISTER MESSRa COTTER­ ELL cl: DU.DLEY CH. WARDENS CHAPMAN cl: MEARS OF LONDON FECERUNT 1783 (border) (weight 17 cwt. Previous to 1867 the 1st was inscribed like No. 2, and the 7th was inscribed WHILST THUS WE JOIN IN CHEARFUL SOUND MAY LOVE AND LOYALTY ABOUND CHAPMAN cl: MEARS OF LONDON FECERUNT 1792 The new bells of 1867 were both inscribed in Gothic capitals. The new ring was dedicated l Nov. 1924. The old bells (before 1782) were by Bagley ; Brown Willis' list of 1732 gives 'King's Norton 6.' 1552. 'iiij belles in the steple a saunce bell solde for the reparac'on of the churche.' 1740. '6 bells.' V.O.H. Worcs. iii. p. 189. Inscriptions given by Prattinton, and by Noake, Rambler in W ores., ii. p. 285 ; the latter writer states that the curfew is (or was) rung here (Note.' and Queries, p. 214). H.T.T., 1882. Thanks to Rev. T. W. Dunn, Vicar. }'or District churches see BAI.SALL HEATH, Kma's HEATH, MOSELEY.

KINGTON. St. James. Three bells. 1. NOVEMBER THE 22 1693; W; H; R; D 2. The same. 3. NO THE 22ND 1693; WILl.; OCKLEI; THO; FARR; CHVRCHWARDENS All by William Huntbatch of Worcester, who also cast bells for Claines and Droitwich St. Peter. Lettering as Fig. 102. Very small bells. 1552: KNIGHTON (sic.) iij bellss in the steple with a saints belle.' V.O.H. Worcs. iii. p. 193. H.T.T., 1879. Thanks to Rev. W. J. Holden, formerly Vicar (8 Oct. 1900). 1591

KNIGHTON-ON-TEME. St. Michael. 1+1 bells. l. OOD BLESS OVRE BOBEL KINO 1826 RECAST 1886 JAMES BARWELL FOUNDER BIRMINGHAM. 8. No inscription. Formerly three bells, of which the first has disappeared, the other two being cast into the present large and small ones. Prattinton gives the old inscriptions as follows :- 1. DEO GLORIA PAX HOMINIBVS IOHN CRVNDALL THOMAS SMITH 1661. 2. AD LA VDEM CLARE MICHAELIS DO RESONARE (Gothic caps.) 3. GOD BLESS OVR NOBLE KING 1625. He notes that the 1st was cracked ; it was obviously by John Martin. The 2nd, which was inscribed in Gothic capitals, I take to have been one of the ' Royal Head ' typ& for the inscription compare South Littleton 3rd. The 3rd was probably by John Greene. Prattinton states that the inscriptions on 2nd and 3rd were in black-letter (he probably means Gothic Capitals). The Vicar (Rev. W. B. Glennie) wrote on 12 Nov. 1900: 'on Feb. 23, 1885, a tender was accepted for recasting the largest of the 3 bells and buying the second one at £3 10s. per cwt.' He gives the weights of the old 2nd and 3rd as 5 cwt. 2 qrs. 9 lbs. and 9 cwt. 9} lbs. He further notes that the smaller bell is hung 30 ft. or more above the larger and is very difficult of access. V.C.H. Wares. iii. p. 448. H.T.T., 1892.

KNIGHTWICK Wim . (Old Church). St. Mary. One bell. l. RICHARD RJCHARDSON FRANCIS HINKSMAN C. W 1663 (Fig. 68) (27} in. By John Martin. Inscription given by Prattinton. Height 24 in. 1552 : ' KNYGHTEWICKE ij bellys in the stepul a sacrying bell.' 17 40 : ' 3 bells.' 160 New Church. St. Andr0w. Two bells. Two small bells without inscription, in an open stone turret. diameters 15 in. and 19 in., height 13 in. and l7t in. respec· tively. This church, at K.nightsford Bridge, replaces the old <:hurch of Doddenham, and now serves for the two parishes. 1552 : ' DonNAM CHAPEL. ij sma.ull bells in the stepul, a. sakeryng bell.' Many thanks to the late Rev. J. B. Wilson, Vicar (5 Nov. 1900).

KYRE, GREAT. St. Mary. 2+1 bells 1. M : CORBET : C : W : ISAAC • HADLEY e FECIT • 1703 • (see Fig. 153). (19 in. 2. No inscription. (20~ in. 8. No inscription. (9! in. Neither of the blank bells is older than the 18th century. The founder of the lst lived at Leominster (see Church Bells of Shropshire, pp. 175, 441). This bell has cabled cannons; the figures 7 and 3 of the date are reversed. 1740:' 3 Bells.' Inscription given by Prattinton. V.O.H. Worcs. iv. p. 284. H.B.W., 1901.

LANGLEY. Holy Trinity. One bell. Church built 1845; parish formed from Halesowen.

LANGLEY. St. Michael. One bell. Church built 1890 ; parish from Halesowen.

LEIGH. St. Eadburgha. Six bells. l. RICHn. HARRIS & JAMES JONES CH: WARDENS T bell R 1766 (border). 2. GOD SAVE THE CHVRCH AND QVEEN A R bell 1711 (border). 3. A R bell 1711 (border) 4. PROSPERITY TO LEIGH AMEN (border) A R bell 1711 (border and two bells.) 161

5, CAST BY JOHN WARNER &: SONS LONDON 1863 0 B ESSEX 1 W TRINDER j CH WARDENS (Royal Arms and PATENT). 6. REVo H. B. DOMVILLE RECTOR BENJN GARDNER -&: BENJ~ ..GABB CHURCHWARDENS 1819 I RUDHALL FEC! •:• (four times) The remains of a ring of six by Abraham Rudhall. The ·old 5th was inscribed PEACE & GOOD NEIGHBOURHOOD A R H I 1711 .(Prattinton MSS.) 1552 : ' V grete bells in the styple with a sanctus bell.' 1740: '6 bells.' V.C.H. Worcs. iv. p. 109. H.B.W., 1889. 'The Rev. H. B. Domvile was Rector 1811-1828.

UCKEY. Holy Trinity. Two bells. ·Church built 1856 ; parish formed from Bromsgrove.

LINDRIDGE. St. Laurence or All Saints. 3 + 1 bells. I. (Fig. 57) IHESVS BE OVRE SPEDE 1626 (Fig. 56) •(see Fig. 155) (30 in. 2. GOD SAVE THE QVEEN ANNO DOMINI 1702 (four floral scrolls) (3H in. 3. SOLI DEO GLORIA PAX HOMINIBVS IOSEPH HVGHGILL JOHN AMES 1663 (F1:g. 68) (Between the words, Fig. 71 ; above and below, arabesques Fig. 59) (37 in. S. + (head?) AVE MARIA GRACIA PLENA DOMINVS TECVM {head 1) (see Fig. 154) (16!in. 1st by R. Oldfield ; see under Claines for three similar bells, :and Figs. 61-62 for details of letters and stamps. A good casting. 2nd by Abraham Rudhall ; coarse letters. 3rd by John Martin. There seems to be an interval for :another bell botween these two. ~ IHESVS BE OVRE SPEDE 1626 ~ Fig. 155. LINDRIDGE 1st.

~20uV6~IVB6nTela60~T8RRmRVffi~ P EI T R 6 ~ a ffl T h EJ .n ffl2 Fig. 156. LITI'LETON, SOUTH, 1st. m fti C> fl Ic fiT v a a m 1 a Ir .ffl R e r~ .mI a n Jii a 1c I 2 [loo f! Re 2 o n.mRe Fig. 157. LIT'rLETON, SOUTH, 3r

Sanctus. The only remnant of the old Church here ; hung with half-wheel. The date is about 1480. Lettering as shown in Fig. 154 ; also occurring on the crown of the 2nd at and the sanctus at Great Packington, Warwickshire (Trans. Birm. and Mid. Inst. 1892 p. 24 and plate). The cross is plain, as at Great Packington ; the two other stamps may be Royal Heads as on the old tenor at Droitwich St. Peter (reduced from Figs. 106, 109, or 112), but they are very indistinct. The bell is a poot casting, and good rubbings or impressions are difficult to get. 1552. ' iij bells on the steple viij lytel bels vpon a whele a saunce bell a lyche bell another lytle bell.' (A remarkably complete outfit of bells ; for the little bells on a wheel see Waiters, Church Bells of , p. 125). 1740. '3 bells.' V.G.H. Worc8. iii. p. 448. H.B.W., 1901 ; many thanks also to Mr. J. F. Parker.

LITTLETON, MIDDLE. St. Nicholas. Five bells. 1. MATHEW BAGLEY MADE MEE 1685 Above the inscription and between the words arabesque borders ; (Fig. 118) ; coin-impressions on rim. 2. HENRIOVS BAGLEY ME FECIT 1685 (Fig. 118). (Fleur.de-lys between words.) 3. IOHN HORNE AND IOHN C . CHURCH WARDENS 00 W 0 B 1685 0 4. MATTHEW BAGLEY MADE MEE 1685. (Fig. 118 abot•e and between words). 5. I .TO THE CHVRCH THE LIVEING CALL AND TO THE GRAVE DOE SVMMON ALL 1685. All inscriptions partly defaced. Note the initials of William Bagley on the 3rd. The couplet on the t.enor, usually associated with the Rud­ halls, seems to have been previously adopted by the Bagleys. It is used by Henry Bagley I at Norton, Northants. in 1640. But an even earlier use is on the tenor at Wellingborough by H. Watts of Leicester in 1639. Treble hung above the rest. There was formerly also a sanctus bell which is now at South Littleton church (see below). 164

Bells <'ehung in 1900 by White of Appleton. V.O.H. Worcs., ii. p. 411. H.B.W., 1890. C.A.B., 1925.

LITTLETON, SOUTH. St. Michael (or SS. Mary and Nicholas). 3+1 bells. 1. + SOLVE (head of King) IVBENTE (head of queen} DEO (King) TERRARVM (queen) PETRE (King) CATHE­ NAS (see Fig. 156). 2. IESVS BEE OVR SPEED THIS BELL CAST IN 1628 WAS RECAST IN 1901 (vine-pattern). Below, band of vine-pattern ; on waist:-

(a) F. 8. TAYLOR VICAR (b) Taylor's trade-mark. T. ADKINS f CHURCHWARDENS J. MORRIS - · 3. +AD (King) LAVDEM (queen) CLARE (King) MICHAELIS (queen) DO (King) RESONARE (see Fig. 157)~ 1st and 3rd, same type as Abbot's Morton, etc., with ' Royal Head ' stops ; . S reversed throughout. The old 2nd was by Thomas Hancox of Walsall, and wa& inscribed IESVS BEE OVR SPEED 1628 I B I PC WARDENS. -{border, and three fleur-de-lys; also fleur-de-lys stop throughout). It was reported cracked in 1900. The border is the same as. at Hampton Lovett (1!1g. 139) ; the fleur-de-lys is Fjg. 49. There is also here the sanctus bell of Middle Littleton, lying unhung in the Church, which bears the date 1071. Needless to say it is not of such great antiquity ; the real date is 1701, and the figures appear to be William Bagley's .. See Fig. 147. The initials LB., LP., on the old 2nd indicate John Bridges. and John Parkinson. The Churchwardens' accounts (see below) show that in 1628 these two made levies for collecting money to pay for the new bell, and that when the account was closed, 16s. were still owing to Bridges. Duririg the restoration of the church in 1883 excavations were made in the nave for laying a new floor, and an old pit was discovered between the font and the tower, containing pieces of melted metal and charcoal. It has been thou.5ht probable that this indicates that the bell was cast here on the spot in 1628. 165

The Churchwardens' Accounts between 1548 and 1693 have been published by Mr. E. A. B. Barnard in Vol. iii. of these Transaction..~, p. 61 pp., but the entries referred to above are taken from the items transcribed in the Midland Anti­ quary, i. p. 103. Unfortunately the Accounts for 1628 give no mention of the founder's name. The only other item of interest is the mention of a sanctus bell bought back in 1554,, which however disappeared at some later date. We learn incidentally that there was a ring of three bells in that year, but the Edwardian Inventories are here wanting, as elsewhere in the neighbourhood. V.O.H. Worcs. ii. p. 414. H.B.W., 1890. C.A.B., 1925 •. Many thanks also to the late Rev. F. S. Taylor, who contri­ buted an account of the bells to the Evesham Journal at the time of the recasting of the second bell.

LONGDON. St. Mary. 6+1 bells. l. Wl'!l RAVER HILLWORTH CHURCH WARDEN 1836 T •. MEARS FEC! 2. The same. 3. The same. 4. The same. 5. THO! MEARS SUCCESSOR TO JOHN RUDHALL. GLOUCESTER FOUNDER 18315

6. I CALL IN PRAYER THE LIVING TO COMBINE THE DEAD MUST . HEAR A LOUDER SOUND THAN MINE T. MEARS FEC! 1836

8. COME AWAY MAKE NO DELAY A: (vine-patrern) R 1712: (vine-patrern). Said to be a maiden peal; all cast at Gloucester. 'Hill­ worth ' on the first bell is a farm in the parish, presumably the residence of Wm. Rayer. The ting-tang is cracked. Tenor weighs 12 cwt. Formerly five bells, the inscriptions. on which (copied not long before the recasting) are given by Prattinton as follows : I. CELl PANDE FORES NOBIS PETRE NOBILIORES 2. CONSERVA FAMVLOS VIRGO MARIA TVOS 3. IHESVS SIT SOLAMEN CAMPANA SEMPER SONAT AMEN. 166

4. NlCHOLAS WRENFORD JOHN NINND 1628. 5. SERVA CAMPANAM SANCTA MARIA SANAM JACOBVS VOWLE. All except the 4th are in Gothic capitals, and dating from about 1400-1480. For the inscription on the old 1st cf. Droitwich St. Peter. That on the tenor is found on bells of the ' Royal Head type (as Abbot's Morton etc.) and probably this bell was one of the same class. I have not boon able to find out anything about J ames Vow le, but it would throw a valuable light on the date of the bell ; he was presumably the donor. Mr. J. H. Bloom has kindly supplied the following note, referring to the present ting tang. Wee whose names are hereunto !Jilbscribed belnge Inhabitants ()f the parish of Longdon in the County of Worcestershire doe hereby certify that the said bell which lay under presentment is .cast and in good repair. In testimony whereof wee have here unto put our hands this 11th day of February 1712-13. John Browne Minister Chas. Parker John Parker John Beale t Thomas Jeft'es .f Church Wardens 1552. 'v bells hangyng in the staple j saunce bell.' 1740 • 6 bells.' Noake, Rambler in Worcs. ii. p. 17, gives inscriptions on tenor and ting-tang. V.O.H. Worcs. iv. p. 116. Many thanks to Rev. G. W. Webb, Vicar, for verifying inscriptions. . St. Giles. Two bells. 1. ALL PRAYSE AND GLORY BE TO GOD FOR EVER lAMES SMITH 1667 (Fig. 68). (18! in. 2. + JAMES PAYN 0 W R 8 (bell) 1737 (19} in. Rung by wooden levers. V.O.H. Worcs. iv. p. 359. H.B.W., 1891. LYE. Christ Church. 1n this church, built 1839, are eight hemispherical bells. The parish was formed from Old Swinford. This document is provided for you by The Whiting Society of Ringers visit www.whitingsociety.org.uk for the full range of publications and articles about bells and change ringing