John Briant Bell-Founder and Clockmaker 1749-1829 by Herbert C. Andrews

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JOHN BRIANT BELL-FOUNDER and CLOCKMAKER 1749 - 1829

A Biography & l~ist of His Bells & Clocks by HERBERT C. ANDREWS, M.A. Ho11. Secretary of the East Herls Archaeolotical Society.

1930 Prl11ted for the East H erts A rchaeo/0J1iet1J Society by WILLIAM CARTMEL & SONS ST. ALBANS PRIN1'ED BY Wm. CARTMEL ANO SOt.;S, ST. ALBANS . ~ g.~-

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PART I. BRIANT's LIFE AND WoRK ... p. 1 .. II. BELL STAMPS AND INSCRIPTIONS .•• p . 15 .. III. STAFF AND ASSISTANTS ••• p . 21 .. IV• CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF BELLS ... p. 25 .. v. CoUNTY LISTS OF BEUS p. 31 BEDFORDSHIRE p. 32 BUCKINGHAMSHIRE p. 33 CAMBRIDGESHIRE p. 37 DEVONSHIRE p. 38 ESSEX p. 39 HERTFORDSHIRE p. 44 KENT p. 56 LEICESTERSHIRE p. 56 LINCOLNSHIRE p. 60 LoNDON p. 62 NORTHAMPTONSHIRE p. 63 OXFORDSHIRE p. 68 SHROPSHIRE p. 72 STAFFORDSHIRE p. 76 SUFFOLK ... p. 76 WARWICKSHIRE p. 77 WORCESTERSHIRE ••• p. 81 IRELAND ... p. 81 .. VI. CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF TURRET CLOCKS ... p. 83 .. VII. LoNG CASE CLOCKS ... p. 89 .. VIII. CENTENARY CELEBRATION •.. p ..91 ILLUSTRATIONS.

I. PARLIAMENT Row, HERTFORD IN 1928... Frontispiece

2. JAMES CECIL, lST MARQUIS OF SALISBURY ... p. 2

3. GEORGE JOHN, 2ND EARL SPENCER, HIGH STEWARD OF ST. ALBANS • .. p. 10

4. JOHN BRIANT's GRAVE IN ALL SAINTS' CHURCHYARD, HERTFORD, RESTORED, 1929 ...... p. 12

5. STAMPS USED BY jOHN BRIANT ON HIS BELLS ...... p. 16

6. BISHOP'S STORTFORD CHURCH BELLS, TAKEN DOWN FOR RE- TUNING, 1928 ••• p. 45

7. No. 2 BELL, HoRBLING CHURCH, LINCOLNSHIRE. Bv J. BRIANT AND J. CABOURN .. • .. • p. 61

8. LONG CASE CLOCK BY JOHN BRIANT, BELONGING TO SIR GEOFFREY CHURCH • .. p. 89

9. LONG CASE CLOCK BY jOHN BRIANT, BELONGING TO MR. EDMUND FLETCHER ••• p. 90

10. TABLET ERECTED TO THE MEMORY OF jOHN BRIANT, IN ALL SAINTS' CHURCH, HERTFORD, BY THE EAST HERTS ARCHAEOLOGICAL SocIETY, FEBRUARY, 1929. p. 92

11. THE MARLBOROUGH ALMSHOUSES, ST, ALBANS ... p. 14 Dedicated to the memory of my father

ROBERT THORNTON ANDREWS one of the founders of the East Herts A rchaeofogical Society, who passed to his rest on June 24th, 1928, in his 90th year; haviiig inspired me- wit/a his own love of Hertfordshire and its people. H.C.A. May, 1930. PART I. BRIANT'S LIFE AND WORK.

The position which the British nation holds in the world to-day is due, not only to the few great men whose names arc enshrined in the Dictionary of National Biography, and whose memory is perpetuated by public statues and elaborate monuments, but also to the many in humbler stations of life who, taking honesty and strict integrity as their aim in life, have been content to give of their best in their quiet way and ask for no other recognition than the final "Well done, good and faithful servant." Many of these, craftsmen of no mean skill, lived but to praise God by executing to their utmost powers whatever their hands found to do. Of such was John Briant, bell founder and turret clock maker of Hertford. The chief sources of our information about John Briant, apart from the account of him which North and Stahlschmidt give in their Church Bd/.s of Hertfordshire, are an article by Mr. L. H. Chambers in the Transactions of the East Herts Archaeological Society (vol. vii., pp. 109-116), and his obituary notice which was published in the columns of the Hertfordshire M ercitry of March 7th, 1829. It is generally stated that he was born at Exning in Suffolk, a small village near Newmarket 1 in 1749: although the registers there do not appear to contain any record of his baptism. The obituary notice describes him as a son of a respect­ able foreigner. Whether his parents came from beyond the seas or, as is more likely, only from some other town in England, and so were locally looked upon as "furiners," is uncertain. This may account for the absence of his baptismal entry : his parents may have preferred that his baptism should take place at his birthplace. The earliest Briant entry in the Exning registers is dated 1808: but at St. Mary's Church, New­ market, Briant entries occur in 1708, 1753 and 1754, though none of these can be definitely connected with the bell-founder.2 At Exning Church a Thomas Bryant was Churchwarden from 1803 to 1835, and his name and office figure on the clockbell in that tower, recast in 1831. It was the intention of John's father that he should be educated with a view to entering the Church. He was accordingly sent, in the first place, to a classical and mathematical school at Newmarket, prepar­ atory to a University course at Oxford or Cambridge, presumably the

1 Exning, the " Old Market." lies two miles north west of Newmarket. 2 E. H. A. S. Transactions, VII., 114. B 2 JORN BRIANT-

latter, that being the nearer. But the boy's tastes ran more to mechanics than classics, and he evidently showed such aptitude in the former (and, it may be, the reverse in the latter) that his parents seem very wisely to have allowed him to follow his natural bent at the bench of a whitesmith's shop. Clock and chime making especially engaged his attention and he speedily progressed beyond the vice and anvil. It was a natural step that he added bell-founding to the course which he had mapped out for himself. He was, we are told, " in every sense of the word, a self-taught mechanic and became a proficient in each of the sciences in which he had embarked." But until he was over thirty years of age, we know nothing about his life after leaving sch,.ool. No doubt he served an apprenticeship to some bell-founder of good standing, and perhaps continued in his service after the expiration of his articles. The fact that Briant, in 1820, while casting No. 5 bell for Chacombe Church, Northants, had the tombstone at Banbury of the bell-founder, Henry Bagley, who died 1684, repaired and re-cut (see p. 69) may afford a clue. During the period of Briant's early manhood, say from 1765 to 1780, the Bagley family which had removed from Banbury to Chacombe was still casting bells at the latter place. Matthew Bagley, the last of the family in this line, died in 1785. Another likely foundry at this period was that at St. Neots, where Joseph Eayres, of the Kettering family of bell-founders and clock-makers, was casting bells as early as 1731 until his death in 1771. His foreman, Thomas Osborn, and his cousin, Edward Arnold, continued it in partner­ ship for a short time, and then Arnold carried it on alone till 1783 and Osborn set up at Downham Market. To any of these Briant may well have served his apprenticeship. It has also been suggested that he may have had early association with the family of R. Harman, the High Wycombe chime-maker. Briant was fortunate in early gaining noble patronage. If the obituary notice speaks correctly, it was under the auspices of James Cecil, sixth Earl of Salisbury 3 that he came to live in Hertford, and set up his bell-foundry in Parliament Row, on the site now occupied by the premises of Messrs. Simson, booksellers and stationers. This cannot have been later than the year 1780, when Briant was thirty-one years of age, for the Earl died in that year. Thenceforward Briant's chief patron was the Earl's son, James Cecil, first Marquis of Salisbury (b. 1748, d. 1823). By 1781, Briant's reputation must have been fairly established for both bell-founding and turret clock making. He commenced with a treble bell at Pirton Church, and No. 5 at Great Thurlow, Suffolk, in 1781: and Nos. 2-5 at Codicote, and the peal of eight at St. Andrew's, Hertford, in 1782: as well as the repair of the clock in the central turret 3 The obituary notice calls him nroncously Marquis of Salisbury. 2 l">LA rn 2

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11~' pt·1111h 1"t.:.t -d h~ l...rnt1 ~~11111 ...... l••fl of 1h~ ~I :ir-q,,i:; 11f Sah41ury. l LIFE AND WORK. 3 at Hatfield House in the latter year. Thereafter a steady stream of bells and clocks issued from his foundry and workshop to the number of over 420 bells in forty-five years. How many turret clocks he made there is no means of telling. So far I have heard of about thirty: but, as these were frequently made for private and not ecclesiastical ownership, there are no records, such as exist of his bells, to assist in compiling a complete list. It can only be done by a patient following up of occasional clues. Of his grandfather clocks three have come to my notice, and are enough to show that he turned his attention to this branch of horology also. The chronological list of his bells on pp. 25-30, that of his turret clocks on pp. 83-86, and of his grandfather clocks on pp. 89-90, will give the reader a better idea of Briant's excessive industry and of his output from year to year. If there was any particular branch of bell-founding in which he excelled, it was in adding treble bells to existing peals. But the many excellent complete peals which he cast show how skilful he was in all its branches. The Peal Book of the local bell-ringing society, the Hertford College Youths, records that at the annual feast held on August 9th, 1781, Briant was elected as a Steward of the Youths. (There is no note of the date when he joined their ranks). Thenceforward we find occasional mentions of his activities amongst them. On May 20th, 1782, he was appropriately one of the band of ringers on the new peal at St. Andrew's Church, Hertford, which he had cast. (Seep. 47). In 1789 and 1791 the Peal Book records his activities in connection with the bells at All Saints' Church, Hertford. (Seep. 47). On March 20th, 1798, he was one of sixteen members present " at a Meeting of the Ringing Society of College Youths, held at the Black Swan, Hertford," when " it was unanimously resolved that the sum of Ten Guineas be subscribed towards the exigencies of the State, and that the sum of Ten Guineas be annually subscribed by the Ringing Society of Hertford College Youths, during the present War, and that the Treasure! do pay the same into the Bank of England accordingly." A further entry in 1821 shows that Briant produced handbells also, for the College Youths. It reads :- "Ree. 27th Demr, 1821 of Messrs. Worsley and Biggio, two Pound ten on Acct. for a Peal of 10 Hand Bells. £2 10s. Od. John Briant. 2 Os. Od. Reed. full 8th Apr. 1822. John Briant. Briant was also a member of a London bell-ringing society, the Ancient Society of College Youths, which he joined in 1782. (A. D. Tyssen's The Church BeUs of Sussex, p. 160, note. 1915). On June 7th, 1786, John Briant married, as his first wife, Mary 4 JOHN BRIANT-

(Molly) Hanley,4 at St. Andrew's Church, Hertford. She was then aged twenty-six, having been born in 1760 and baptised at All Saints' Church, Hcrtford, on Ap1il 18th of that year. The Hanley family were natives of Hertford. The name figures in the All Saints' registers as early as 1710, and recurs more than eighty times during the eighteenth century. Mary Briant's parents, John Hanley, junior, and Mary Wetherall, were married at All Saints' Church on May 12th, 1759. Their names can be seen on separate tombstones in the churchyard there: John, who died on August 18th, 1795, aged 59, being buried with his father; and Mary, who died December 21st, 1790, aged 55, resting with her son-in-law, John Briant and his wife. Mary Briant's grandparents Wtre John Hanley senior, who died April 3rd, 1767 aged 53, and his first wife, Sarah Roberts. They were married at All Saints' Church on November 28th, 1734, and she died less than four years later. This John Hanley appears to have been a glazier by trade. From the number of Hanley entries which occur in the registers, it is not possible to identify with any certainty earlier ancestors of Mary Briant. Of this marriage there were two children. The elder, Mary, was baptised at All Saints' Church, on September lst, 1786. She married on May 24th, 1810, at St. Andrew's Church, Solomon George Shaw, of St. Albans.5 The younger, Catherine, died on November 3rd, 1788, aged 4 months, and was buried at All Saints' in the grave of her aunt, Sarah Hanley, who had also died young, aged 3 years in 1769. After seven years of married life Mary Briant died on November 22nd, 1793, aged 33 years, and was buried with her mother, Mary Hanley, five days later. Nine years after Briant contracted a second marriage, the lady being Ann Fyson, spinster. They were married at St. Andrew's Church, Hertford, on May 15th, 1802. Of this marriage were born a daughter, Catherine, who was baptised at St. Andrew's Church on May 6th, 1804, and survived her parents ; and a son, John, who died an infant and was buried at St. Andrew's on March 5th, 1804 6. Within a year their

4 The name is entered as Hanley and Handley in both the St. Andrew's and All Saints' registers. For the entries in the St. Andrew's registers I am indebted to the kindness of the Rector, the Rev. N. T. Gardner. 5 The St. Albans Minute Book, 1811, has this note:- "At a Court held at St. Albans, on December 4th, Benjamin Agutter. tailor, was sworn a burgess by recathedral documents at Lincoln. The latter are so characteristic of the man, and show so well the clearness of his intellect and his mental capacity even at that advanced 6 JoHN BRIANT-

age, that the correspondence may well be quoted in full from North and Stahlschmidt's Church Bells of Hertfordshire. 3lst December, 1827. Copy of Queries put to Mr. John Briant, of Hertford, for many years a bell-founder (which he has lately declined) and church and turret-clock maker, aged nearly eighty years, by Edward Betham, surveyor to the Dean and Chapter, respecting the crack discovered in Great Tom o' Lincoln, which was particularly described to Briant. First. Could such an accident occur by the accidental or intentional pressure, by any person, upon the bell at the time the clock was striking ? · Second. It has been thought right to discontinue the striking of the clock, and tolling with the clapper for the present ; but Mr. Briant is particularly requested to state, with as little delay as possible, whether any further injury would be occasioned by allow­ ing the clock to strike, and the bell to be tolled with the clapper as heretofore ? Third. Whether any temporary improvement in the tone would be obtained by cutting a piece out of the bell as far or a little beyond the present crack? ·1 Fourth.-In case Mr. Briant should not think it safe to adopt any of the above plans, it is proposed to let the clock strike upon the tenor bell of the peal of eight in the opposite tower of St. Hugh. The quarters now strike upon the 4th and 7th of that peal. The treble bell is broken ; therefore upon which two of the bells would Mr. Briant recommend the quarters to strike in the absence of the treble, the clock striking upon the tenor in the key of F? Would 2, S ... 8 do? Fifth and Lastly. What would be the probable expense of recasting this stupendous bell, taking into consideration the getting down and up again, and having to pass through one groined stone ceiling? And would it be more readily done at Lincoln or in London ?

In a letter on the following day Mr. Betham sent a proposition of Poole, the whitesmith of Lincoln, for restoring the tone of this bell. This letter Mr. Betham presumes Mr. Briant had not received when the one

7 Mr. Betham, and no doubt Mr. Briant knew this expedient to have been tried and acted upon for full twenty years with the 6th bell of the old peal of eight in Peterborough town church, but certainly the tone of it was anything but pleasant, though perhaps not quite so bad as before that operation was performed. LIFE AND WORK. 7

enclosed herein was despatched, but Mr. Betham considers this letter as a full answer, disapproving of Poole's plan. Hertford, January 2nd, 1828. Dear Sir. Agreeable to your request contained in your favour of the 31st December, I do myself the pleasure to answer your enquiries. First. I entertain no doubt that the fracture was not occasioned from either of the causes you have named. Second. By continuing the clock to strike upon the bell, or tolling with the clapper, will probably extend the fracture. Third. I am confident that cutting out a piece of the bell as you suggest would not produce any sensible improvement in the tone. Such an operation upon a bell in a peal, as at Peter­ boro', might not be so perceptible when rung with other bells: but upon a single bell, as at Lincoln, it would be exceedingly palpable. Any attempt that may be made will be attended with great trouble and expence, and be eventually abortive. Fourth. As you are so unfortunately placed in respect to your peal of eight in having the treble cracked and thereby reduced to the necessity of having your quarters strike offensive to the musical ear, it is difficult to recommend which of the others would be best. I should rather that would be left to the musicians of your own neighbourhood. To my fancy the 4th and 7th would be the least objectionable. I shall now take the liberty to offer you my opinion as to the cause that has produced the misfortune to your Lincoln bell. You state that the fracture is perceivable seven inches upwards from the extremity of the skirt (besides which there is probably a still further fracture that is not perceptible to the eye), and which, in my opinion, has been occasioned by the line of the momentum of the clock hammer being in too perpendi­ cular a direction with the bell, and striking on a thinner part than the extreme thickness of the sound ball, 8 instead of having its impetus inclined to a more horizontal position. Most likely that part of the fracture above the sound ball was done before it extended to the skirt, at which time the tone was very little impaired. 9

------··-·--·------..------8 Query Sound Bow. 9 These observations apply I conclude, to the presumed position of the old clock hammer, which it appears struck upon that part of the bell which is now cracked, and which was pointed out to Mr. Briant. The clock now, and for upwards of fifty years, has struck upon the opposite side of the bell. (Signed) E.B. 8 JOHN BRIANT-

It is worthy of remark that during my late visits to Lincoln I felt a disappointment in the difference of the tone of this bell to what it was when I first heard it about twenty years ago. I thought its vibrations of shorter duration, but then I attributed it to the possibility of age having in some degree dulled my ear. But now I believe my faculty of earing10 was not impaired, but that the fracture then existed, and has ince increased to its present fatal termination. I will, in the course of a short period give you the desired information as to the expense of recasting, and also the fruits of my best experience as to the place of founding it-they require more consideration than the time, between this and the departure of our post allows. I trust you will rest assured of receiving, and that you will command, my best advice and services, either as regards the clock or bells. Mr. Shaw requests his respectful compliments and the acceptance of his thanks for your kind attention while at Lincoln. Vale, (Signet!) JOHN BRIANT.

Hertford, January Sth, 1828. Dear Sir,-I received your second letter duly, and now proceed to answer it. It would be of no use whatever to drill any hole-rely upon it, no more good would result from such an experiment than making the excision you mentioned in your first. It is in truth a cracked bell, and my experience of now more than upwards of half a century has never seen any remedy applied to one, although frequently attempted, nor do I entertain the least prophetic knowledge I ever shall ; and I should be extremely sorry that any friend of mine should make an attempt to effect what I feel convinced is impossible to be accomplished. In reply to the material question, contained in your first letter, as to the probable expcnce, and the most eligible place to recast the bell at, I offer the following as my opinion after the most mature deliberation. It is now upwards of a century since a bell of this magnitude has been founded, consequently no living experience derivable from foµnders concerned in them is now available to guide us. We must, therefore, place our confidence for success in the account that has been handed down to us by others, aided by our own, and this will concur in giving the most decided preference to London for this reason :--We know that

10 Sic. LIFE AND WORK. 9 there there is a furnace of sufficient capacity that has been PROVED over and over again, and has at all times been capable of producing that heat to the metal which is the desideratum for ensuring a good hell ; and allow me to remind you heat is of all things what we have most to combat with for success. I have no fear of a good article with a proved furnace ; but the great uncertainty of effecting a cast with a new one is greatly decreasing the probability of success. Not that I think it wholly impossible ; and did I feel myself equal, as I have had so considerable experience in building furnaces both for myself and others, I should have had no repugnance to make an attempt ; but the anxiety and care it would create upon my mind would be so great as to divest me of that equanimity I find necessary to retain at my advanced years. Exclusive of the great risk of a good cast in a new furnace, there would also be a great additional expense in consequence. A proper furnace would cost about £60, besides which there would be many inci­ dental and necessary expences in a new place of casting, all which would be avoided if founded in London; and the expense to be considered against this is the amount of carriage. Whether water carriage is avail­ able I cannot tell, probably not. If so, and land carriage is resorted to you can be supplied with a new bell before the old one is removed, and the same conveyance that brings the new one to Lincoln can carry the old one back to London. I have made some enquiry as to the probable amount of the carriage, and, from the best information I can obtain, it would be less in proportion than one to two as to the erection of a furnace. But under every consideration London is the preferable place ; nor is there another furnace now in England sufficient to contain the requisite quantity of metal. In confirmation of my opinion upon the difference of a new and an old furnace, we have an elucidation of it at Oxford. The great bell there liad a new furnace erected to cast it in, and after casting and re­ casting three times, produced the worst of all the great bells in England. St. Paul's, which was recast in 1709 in London, turned out a good one the first heat-the proved furnace in London being capable of producing the requisite intenseness of heat, but which the new furnace at Oxford could not effect after three attempts. And in a work of this magnitude I submit, with great deference, no experiment ought to he tried; yet, if the Dean and Chapter should desire to have it founded in their cathedral, so far as my best judgment and experience might be rendered useful, it would be one of my highest gratifications to promote their wishes. It would be impossible, not having particularly noticed the groined roof where you propose to take this stupendous bell up and down, and 10 JOHN BRIANT- also some other matters connected with it, to state anything like an accurate sum, but I think the operation of recasting will be from £200 to £250. In undertakings of this nature, which so seldom occur, I am exceed­ ingly happy that it is to be effected by so liberal and learned a body as the present Dean and Chapter of Lincoln, as upon their arrangements everything depends; and I entertain no doubt a proper regard will be had to obtain the greatest excellence, in preference to adopting a system that has of late been resorted to by inferior bodies, to induce persons contracting, to execute their orders at so low a price as to sacrifice all other considerations, of which there is a notable instance recently at Liverpool. Having myself declined founding, I hope readily to receive your assent, as well as of those concerned, that I am not influenced by any other feelings in this affair, than a most ardent desire to be instrumental in producing as good a be11 as the old one, which was the most superior great bell in England, and in the attainment of which object I hope I shall not be found to shrink from any exertions. On the subject of a new or an old furnace, I have personally conferred with Mr. Mears, the London founder, whose opinion and mine are in unison in this respect. Should it be thought well, we shall be happy of an opportunity to examine the. place, and to confer with you upon any further steps in this business, of which you will be pleased to let me know. Any communication for the succeeding three weeks will find me, if addressed to King's College, Cambridge, where I am going to fix a new turret clock.

I am, dear Sir, most respectfully your obdt. servant, (Signed) JOHN BRIANT.

Hertford, January 15th, 1828. Dear Sir,-1 have discovered since I wrote last that my Amanuensis has fallen into an error in stating the probable expence of recasting your great bell: the expence there stated is from £200 to £250, instead of which it should have been from £200 to £240, the latter being the extreme amount I conceived it could possibly come to ; even if in recasting, the next bell should come heavier than the present one ; and it would be quite impossible for any founder to cast it exactly the same wt. I much regret that such a mis-statement should have occurred, but be assured it was the accidental error o~ the writer, and not the individual who JO

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[Rcprot.lu• f•d 1rr11H tl•j p11rtr;1i1 I·~ I .~ . otU • l. ( 1 ...,,.,, rt• .\hhorp, b\' k111d "Pt"rmi~~ion CJf Enr[ .Spt·1u.:e.r; lro111 ,·, llt·:.::J.llVe bdw1~111 g- lv ~IN. Pit1ll}'1 ur l;rcat Ilrit11.:lon, N'iUrlbarus.J LIFE AND WoRK. 11 dictated it, which my rough calculations and copy of letter will evidence. But I have discovered an error of much greater consequence, and I con­ gratulate you, and all those interested for a new bell, that it is one which will show that a bell of the same weight as the present one, can be recast for considerably less than even the lowest sum already named (£200). The error alluded to, is in the accuracy of the weight, this has been variously stated, but none of them less than 95 cwt. On referring to some observations I made twenty years ago, and which I had no oppor­ tunity of referring to when I last wrote, on account of my books and papers being at St. Albans, from whence I have just returned, I find the true diameter is 6 feet 3-f inches. Now, we have a mode of ascertaining the weight of bells by their diamr. up to about 5 feet 6 inches to a great nicety, and although this, which is beyond all rule that we have on account of its great diameter, yet we can ascertain sufficiently to lmow it cannot be any such weight as 95 cwt. I believe 88 will be the actual weight, and in this I am confirmed by the opinion of Mr. Mears, the London founder, a man who has cast more great bells than all his competitors have small ones; and he lays it at rather less. Therefore, taking into consideration the reduction in the weight of metal to be cast, and the risk to the founders is thereby reduced, I think it may be recast in London for £165, taking the weight at 88. I have at this instant such imperious claims on my time at Cambridge, that I cannot do all I wish, and I mean, as to ascertaining the precise weight ; but when I return, which will be in about a fortnight, I will, by taking the cubic inches of metal it contains, which I can very well ascertain, knowing the exact thickness in every part. I am, respectfully, (Signed) JOHN BRIANT.

Mr. Briant's advice was not immediately followed. In June, 1831, an attempt was made to prevent the extension of the cracks by cutting a piece out of the bell: this, as Briant warned the Dean and Chapter, proved" eventually abortive," a large piece of the rim broke off, and soon afterwards, in 1834, the bell was broken into pieces and had to be recast as recommended by Briant. This was effected at the WhitechapeJ Foundry in London by its then occupant, Thomas Mears, the younger. So although Briant, owing to bodily infirmities of old age was unable to do more than advise the Dean and Chapter, it is evident from the 12 jOHN BRIANT-

character of his correspondence with them that age had not impaired his intellect, and that he was at seventy-eight years as capable to exer­ cising his judgment in technical matters as a man of half his years would be proud to be able to do. What is more he designed an ingenious arrangement of pulleys for the purpose of taking down the bell. Striking evidence of Briant's well-deserved local fame is to be found in the fact that during his business career, so far as can be traced by present examples, only eighteen bells were supplied in Hertfordshire by the largest firm of bell-founders in the kingdom, namely Mears of White­ chapel, while Briant supplied ninety-six. In 1825 Briant retired, and sold to this firm in the person of Thomas Mears, junior, the bell-founding section of his business11 ; but his foreman, James Skerman, continued to carry on the clock-making section. No doubt old age compelled him to take this step, for he certainly had not saved sufficient money to spend his last few years in comfort and ease. On the contrary he was so poor that George John, the second Earl Spencer, High Steward of St. Albans, gave him shelter in the Marl­ borough Almshouses at St. Albans. The reason for Briant's straightened circumstances is not far to seek. The strict integrity which he imposed upon himself throughout his Jife he did not demand that others should also show. An innate kindness of heart led him to practice extreme leniency towards impecunious parishes which were his debtors, greatly to the detriment of his pocket : and the unstinted help and advice which he gave beyond his actual labour and material but seldom received its complete reward in money. Henry Symondson, who worked for him as a tuner, left it on record " that no man took so much pains and trouble as his master in turning out superior bells in perfect tune" and that "often-times he would rather lose by a job than have the reflection that he had sent out a bad bell." It is said by some that unfortunate family differences are the cause of his poverty, but Lewis Turner, who doubtless knew him well gives, in his History of Heriford, published in 1830, other reasons. He says that " to those who were more intimately acquainted with his modest and generous nature, and who knew the extreme liberality which he displayed in all his dealings, as well as the aversion he ever felt in pressing for a discharge of his accounts from those who ought never to have

11 A Mr. Mears was elected a steward of the Hertford College Youths at their annual feast on August 3rd, 1802. This was perl1aps a son of the Daniel Mears whose tombstone stands in St. Andrew's Churchyard, Hertford; he died on 21st February, 1823, aged 72. They may have been connections of the Whitechapel family. 12

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[l'h"tngraph b)' ~!ar1· Snoosby.) LIFE AND WORK. 13 subjected him even to an application, it was not a matter of wonder, though of sincere and extreme regret" that his last years were thus embarrassed. In short, the plain fact was that if a parish found itself unable to meet his bill entirely, he accepted what it was able to pay, even to the extent of charging nothing for his work, if no money could be found. In addition to this he was continually spending money on experiments calculated to improve his craft.

As we have seen, even in his retirement from active bell-founding, his practical advice and help was at the service of anyone who asked for it. Even while he was engaged in considering and advising on the case of Great Tom of Lincoln he was busy at Cambridge installing a turret clock above the gatehouse of King's College. It may almost be said that he died in harness, when the end came at St. Albans, on Friday, February 27th, 1829 in his 81st year. His obituary notice remarks that "from some sentiments he was known to entertain, it might be supposed, that Mr. Briant's mind was imbued with the principles of the Catholic Church ; however, in his latter days, the principles of the Church of England predominated ; and his last moments were such, that every Christian would wish to realise." This statement would seem to infer that in addition to liberality Briant enjoyed a broadmindedness in religious matters which was somewhat in advance of the age in which he lived. In accordance with his expressed wishes Briant was buried in All Saints' Churchyard, Hertford, on March IOth, 1829, in the grave wherein lay his first wife and her mother, the service being conducted by the Rev. Thomas Lloyd, Curate. Under his name in the register is written, "From St. Albans, late of this Town, an eminent bell-founder." A muffled peal was rung by the Hertford College Youths out of respect for his memory, on the same day. Henry Symondson, his foreman, related that Briant "would have one gross of iron screws put into his coffin, which was done." This appears to be a curious instance of the survival in modern guise of an extremely old custom which dates back to Ancient Egyptian days. (Sec Rendell Harris: Caravan Essays, No. 2, St. Mildred, by H. T. Sherlock, p. 28).

In conclusion we will quote again from the obituary notice a few sentences which gives us a clearer pen portrait of Briant than any painter could achieve. "Mr. Briant's life abounds with numerous anecdotes; he was a plain, blunt spoken man, there was never any ribaldry or foppery in his whole deportment. A reverend gentleman of this town, who had been a long admirer of his genius and industry, was expressing his regret to him a year or two ago, that he had not acquired a competency to run 14 JOHN BRIANT-

his carriage ; when he bluntly replied, ' I don't want a carriage. I'm satisfied with the station of life that God has placed me in. I've enjoyed more real pleasure in my favourite pursuits than the wealth of India could afford.' " Unfortunately none of Briant's papers or memoranda have survived which might have given some further details of his life and an insight into the technique of his work. If any remained at his death they were probably in the hands of Messrs. Mears of Whitechapel, but a fire which occurred there about sixty years ago destroyed all their records. PI.AH. 11 PART II.

BELL STAMPS AND INSCRIPTIONS.

For inscriptions on his bells Briant used a small neat type and for ornaments, stamps of a Calvary cross, a cross paty, a diminutive bell and a Masonic pentacle or double triangle. But one stamp which appears on two of the bells (Nos. 6 and 8), which he cast for Waltham Abbey, is particularly interesting. This is the King's Head stamp, representing King Edward III. This stamp was first used by the fourteenth century bell-founder, John Rufford, and can be seen on his bells at Ardeley, and Westmill, Herts. In the fifteenth century it is found on a large group of bells around Worcester. In the next century it passed to the Notting­ ham foundry, and continued in use there for many years. Finally in 1806 it appears on Briant's bells at Waltham Abbey. He probably used it in this case as representing King Harold, the founder of that Abbey. (See Plate 5). Briant's inscriptions usually take the form of" John Briant, Hertford (or Hartford) fecit " and the date. In many cases the names of the churchwardens and incumbents were added. In one case, that of Braunston, Northants, No. 6, 1811, a curious error occurs. The bell bears the name of "J. Evans, vicar." The incumbents of Braunston were rectors, and the particular rector in 1811 was John Williams. The explanation may be that the rector was non-resident, and that J. Evans was the resident curate, called in error the vicar. At Maids' Moreton, Bucks, No. 5 bears the vicar's name " J. Long Sutton," in error for Hutton. Briant's No. 2 at Horbling (Lines.) bears the names of both vicar and curate ; while at Great Chesterford (Essex) the curate figures on No. 5 and the vicar on No. 6. The number of churchwardens vary, there being usually two. Occasionally we find three, as at Bierton (Bucks), Waltham Abbey (Essex), St. Albans, St. Peter's (Herts), Sulgrave (Northants), Banbury and Adderbury (Oxon), and Newbold-on-Avon (Warwicks). One bell, No. 5 at Dunchurch (Warwicks), bears four 16 JOHN BRIANT- churchwardens' names: and at Ravensthorpe (Northants), No. 2, cast by Briant in 1809, has one name, but No. 5 cast at the same date has two others. So infrequently do more elaborate inscriptions find a place on Briant's bells, that it would seem that had the decision rested with him nothing more would have been added. The chief exception is the pious ejacu­ lation:- GLORIA DEO IN EXCELSIS. (Glory to God in the Highest). which he placed, usually, on the tenor bell of a complete peal of his casting-, or on the same bell which he supplied in augmentation of an existing peal. Fifteen bells bear it, namely, No. 7 at Barnstaple (Devon), No. 12 at Saffron Walden (Essex), No. 6 at Barkway, No. 8 at Hertford, St. Andrew's, and No. 6 at North Mymms (Herts), No. 4 at Barkby and No. 3 at Melton Mowbray (Leics.), No. 5 at Passenham and No. 5 at Sulgrave (Northants), Nos. 5 and 6 at Wheatley (Oxon), No. 8 at Shrewsbury, St. Alkmund's (Salop), No. 5 at Newbold-on-Avon, and the single bell at Great Packing­ ton (Warwicks). No. I at Newbold-on-Avon has the English version. Next in order of frequency is the quotation:-

STATUTUM EST OMNIBUS SEMEL MORI (It is appointed to all men once to die. Hebrews, ix. 27). This is found in five cases, usually on the tenor bell, as being appropriate to the" passing" bell. These five are No. 6 at Great Chesterford (Essex), No. 8 at Bishop's Stortford, No. 8 at Sawbridgeworth (Herts) and No. 4 at Morton (Lines.) and No. 4 at Melton Mowbray (Leics.) The last named bears also :-

0CTO CAMPANAS SACRA EXAUDIMUS IN ARCE, DULCE ALTISONAS. 0 HILARES ! HILARES ! (We hear eight bells in the sacred tower sound soft and loud, 0 joyful, joyful !) Two bells, No. 8 at Adderbury (Oxon) and No. 6 at Newbold-on-Avon (Warwicks), announce:-

V1vos AD CAELUM MORTUOS AD SOLUM PULSATA voco (My ringing calls the living to Heaven, the dead to the grave). No. 3 at Bcnington (Herts), says:- Vox TENUI DULCE CANO (Though small my voice I sweetly sing). PLATE 5 16

~TA:>Jl'l; U !;EI> BY JO>l:;' Bl.:IA:.T ON HI~ BELLS. STAMPS AND INSCRIPTIONS. 17

No. 6 at Moulton (Lines.) admonishes:­ VENITE CUM VOCO (Come when I call).

No. 12 at Saffron Walden (Essex) records in English:­

THE LAW TEMPORAL. THE GOSPEL ETERNAL Any further inscriptions in the form of couplets or rhyming verses were n1~ver Briant's choice, and in almost every case emanated from the local poet. The only one in use, common to two of his bells, is found on No. 1 at Haddenham (Bucks) and No. 6 at Dunchurch (Warwicks). This is:- I TO THE CHURCH THE LIVING CALL AND TO THE GRAVE DO SUMMON ALL. The palm for effusiveness and originality must be awarded to Mr. Wilding, a local Shropshire schoolmaster, whose efforts are immortalised on No. 1 and 2 at High Ercall, and the eight bells of the peal at St. Alk­ mund's, Shrewsbury.

No. 1 at High Ercall bears :- TwIN SISTERS WE UNITE OUR TUNEFUL POWERS WITH THIS SWEET BAND TO CHARM THE VACANT HOURS IN MAZY CHANGES CHEAR THE LANDSCAPE WIDE AND COURT COY ECHOES FROM YON MOUNTAIN'S SIDE.

The mountain referred to is the Wrekin. No. 2 has:-

WHERE MEANDERING RODEN GLIDES OR TURNES PROUD CURRENT FILLS ITS AMPLE SIDES THENCE MEDITATION VIEWS OUR CALM ABODE HEALS THE SICK MIND AND YIELDS IT PURE TO Goo. The Turne is the River Tern. On St. Alkmund's bells at Shrewsbury, we find:-

No. 1. OUR LIFE IS CHANGEFUL, VIEW US NOW COMPLETE, SEDATE WE ROSE IN SIX, WE'RE GAY IN EIGHT.

No. 2. HEAR! HOLY ALKMONDS LONG FORGOTTEN SHADE: To THEE OUR NOTES WE RAISE : FOR THEE WERE MADE. c 18 joHN BRIANT-

No. 3. THESE SACRED WALLS, THIS VENERABLE SPIRE SHALL GIVE OUR CHANGES SWEETNESS, RAISE THEM HIGHER.

No. 4. AND STILL AS SPORTIVE FANCY COUNTS THEM o'ER SHALL WAFT THEM FAR ON SEVERN'S FERTILE SHORE.

No. 5. HAIL I PATRIOT GEORGE FOR WHOM A NATION PRAYS THAT HEALTH AND PEACE MAY CROWN THY LATTER DAYS.

No. 6. IN DEATHS WE MOURN, WITH HYMEN WE REJOICE IN PUBLIC GOOD WE JOIN THE PUBLIC VOICE.

No. 7. HARK CURFEW TOLLS-NOW MATIN RITES PREPARE "WHILST PIETY GIVES ALL HER SOUL IN PRAYER.

No. 8. FAITHFULL, I WATCH AND WARN BOTH YOUNG AND OLD: To ALL 0 Goo, THY LIGHT AND GRACE UNFOLD.

At Stevenage (Herts), No. 5 records :­

FULL THIRTY YEARS MY TONE I LOST BEEN BROKE AND TUMBLED DOWN lN SHAPE SO NEAT l AM RECAST BY BRIANT OF HARTFORD TOWN.

A similar rhyming record of its casting is found on No. 1 at Gazcley (Suffolk), as follows :-

A GRATEFUL STRAIN BOYS LET US SING To PRAISE THE NAME OF MESSRS. KING, WEDGE, CORNELL, NORMAN, HYNES AND FYSON, DEATH, BARNES, STAPLES, ALSO WILSON, BY WHOSE KIND AND GENEROUS AID l {LEADER OF THIS PEAL} WAS MADE.

A triolet, in similar strain records the donor of No. 1 at Codicote (Herts) :- THOMAS QUINT HE GAVE ME WITH GOODWILL FRANK AND FREE FOR TO RING MERRILEY. STAMPS AND INSCRIPTIONS. 19

No. 1 at Haddenham {Bucks) announces:­

THo IM ALLOWD TO BE BUT SMALL MY TONE IS HEARD ABOVE THEM AL.

At Coventry, St. Michael's {Warwicks), No. 10 has a couplet of faulty scansion.

I AM AND HAVE BEEN CALL'D THE COMMON BELL

To RING WHEN FIRES BREAK OUT TO TELL.

The recovery of King George III. from a violent fever and brief period of insanity in 1788-89 left its mark in an inscription on No. 2 at Littlebury (Essex), and No. 1 at Hanwell, and No. 6 at Oxford, St. Ebbe (Oxon), and No. 2 at Littlebury (Essex), in this form:-

UNFEIGNED PRAISE TO HEAVENS ALMIGHTY KING FOR HEALTH RESTORED TO GEORGE THE THIRD WE SING.

Also, on No. 4 at both Hanwell and Littlebury, we find :­

EXALTED HERE WE ARE ON HIGH EMBLEMS OF PARISH HARMONY

A pretty conception is found in naming the bells at Saffron Walden {Essex), after the Christian virtues. Thus No. 5 is Justice-Prudence, No. 6 Prudence-Justice, No. 8 Temperance, and No. 9 Faith. Probably Nos. 7, 10 and 11 were Meekness, Hope and Charity respectively. In a few cases the bell inscriptions record either public events or local incidents. Such are Nos. 1 and 2 at Ashby-de-la-Zouch (Leics.), which commemorate the peace which, though expected to be permanent after the abdication of Napoleon and his confinement at Elba in 1814, proved to be but brief. On No. 1 at St. Albans, St. Peter's (Herts). is recorded the twenty-four years of Cornelius Nicholls's churchwardenship: and No. 7 at the same church notes the rebuilding' of the tower in 1805. On the bell at Great Packington {Warwicks) is recorded in Latin that it was recast from three, one of which was broken while ringing in celebration of the victory of Trafalgar in 1805. More than thirty of Briant's bells bear the names of their donors, or the statement that they were supplied by public subscription, set forth more or less in detail. Such are No. 7 at Haddenham, No. 4 at Halton, Nos. 3 and 4 at High Wycombe, all in Bucks; Nos. 1-4 at Soham in Cambridgeshire; No. 2 at Arkesden, and the peal at Saffron Walden, in Essex ; No. 1 at Codicote, No. 2 at Hertford, All Saints', Nos. l and 20 JOHN BRIANT

4 at St. Albans, St. Peter's, and No. 6 at Abbot's Langley, in Herts ; Nos. 1 and 2 at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, No. 3 at Melton Mowbray, and Nos. 4 and 5 at Prestwold, in Leicestershire ; No. 1 at Claypole, No. 4 at Hag­ worthingham, and No. 2 at Sutterton, in Lincolnshire ; No. 6 at Easton Neston, Nos. I and 2 at King's Sutton, and No. 5 at Passingham, in Northants ; No. I at Banbury, No. I at Cuddesdon, and the peal at Oxford, St. Ebbe, all in Oxfordshire; No. l at Newbold-on-Avon, and Nos. 1 and 2 at Leek Wootton, in Warwickshire. For further details of these, the reader is referred to the list of Briant's bells, which follows. In two cases we find overseers named on the bells, namely on No. 5 at Eaton Bray (Beds) and Byfield (Northants) : presumably gentlemen of the parish who had to see after the business of recasting and hanging. One bell remains to be noticed and that is No. 7 at Haddenham (Bucks.). It bears the name of the" solicitor," perhaps the gentleman who collected the necessary money, PART III.

STAFF AND ASSIST ANTS.

In course of preparing these notes, the names have been met with of various foremen and bell-tuners who assisted Briant in casting and tuning at the Hertford Foundry, at different times. !SLIP EDMONDS. After the death, in 1771, of Joseph Eayres, who had a bell foundry at St. Neots, the business was continued for a short time by Thomas Osborn and Edward Arnold. However, Osborn soon left and set up for himself at Downham Market. The Rev. J. J. Raven, in his Church Bells of Camlwidgeshire (1869, p. 60), remarks that Arnold knew nothing about his business, and infers that he was only able to make it a success through the capital foreman which he had, namely, Islip Edmonds. " He (or rather Edmonds, I suppose) cast seven of the Ely St. Mary peal of eight in 1781, and the Fulbourn peal Qf six in 1776." On the death of Arnold, about the year 1800, Edmonds came to Hertford, as Briant's foreman.

]AMES SKERMAN11 a native of Hertford, living in Water Lane, worked for Briant for over thirty years. He appears to have confined his attention to the turret clock making side of the business. The writer of Briant's obituary notice records of him that, " he has often been declared by his late master to be the most superior practical workman he had ever met with." When Briant sold the bell foundry business to Mears of Whitechapel, in 1825, Skerman continued the turret clock making for many years, being joined by his son, William, and died aged 85 years. William continued the business, adding to it iron and brass casting. The gates of St. Andrew's Cemetery were cast by him in 1851 at the Castle Foundry. In 1822 he took No. 3 bell in a peal of 5040 Grandsire Triples, rung at St. Andrew's Church, in two hours fifty-five minutes. He was connected with the Hertford College Youths until at least 1847. On retiring from business, Mr. Harry Harry took over his dock-making, and Messrs. R. T. and W. F. Andrews, his whitesmith's work, on the

11 North calls him indifferently William and Henry. 22 JOHN BRIANT-

terms that they paid him an annuity for the rest of his life. He died, aged 75, about the year 1874.13 HENRY SYMONDSON. Symondson was in the service of Briant at Hertford as a bell tuner, and was considered an excellent workman. After Briant's retirement in 1825, Symondson transferred his services to Robert Taylor, of St. Neot's, progenitor of Taylor, of Oxford, London and Loughborough, whether as foreman or actual partner is not clear. The No. 5 bell at Redboum, Herts, has this inscription: "TAYLOR AND SYMONDSON, BELLFOUNDERS, OXFORD, LONDON AND LOUGHBORO', 1839." In addition to the staff working for Briant in his Hertford foundry, whose names naturally do not appear on his bells, when attending to bells at more distant places he occasionally had the assistance of local craftsmen, bell hangers and frame makers, whose names appear on the bells in con­ junction with his own. At times the inscription reads as if such a local craftsman was actually working in Briant's foundry, at Hertford, :ilthough it is very doubtful if this was the case, GEORGE HARMAN. At High Wycombe, Bucks, Nos. 3 and 4, 1788, both bear the names of W. Ball and G. Harman, as Briant's assistants. Both of these were local men. The latter has been described variously as a cooper and a clockmaker by trade. He was certainly quite a mechanical and musical genius. About the year 1785 he invented a tune­ chiming apparatus, and in 1786 erected it in St. Mary's Church, Watford, at the cost of £45. The book of Vestry Orders there, records the carrying out of the work .(See pp. 53-55), F. Cooke's County Directory of Herts, c. 1825, says that Harman's apparatus was refused when he wished to introduce it at another church, but was subsequently accepted at Watforda A brass plate connected with these chimes was inscribed:- G. Hannan High Wycombe, fecit. John Dunmer Church John Shackell Wardens, Wm. Hartley, sen. l 1786. In 1788, Harman supplied a chiming apparatus to Christchurch, Spitalfields, London, costing £220. Two years later he installed the

13 E:t infonn. Mr. Charles Skerrnan, a son of William Skerrnan, now aged 83. William Skcrman never made grandfather clocks, but only supplied them. The works were made by Ralph Lawler, clockmaker, of St. Andrew's Street, Hertford, and the cases elsewhere: but Skerman put his name on their dials. 14 See also Henry Williams's HistMy and Ttade Dinctory of Watford, 1884. STAFF AND ASSISTANTS. 23 chimes at High Wycombe at the expense of Lord Lansdowne16 In 1794, the fame of his Spitalfields chimes having gained him great reputa­ tion, he again went to London and set up his chimes at St. Giles's Church, Cripplegate. His charge for these, which included recasting the cracked treble bell, and adding two others was £400. The bell portion of his contract he handed over to John Briant.18 Undoubtedly George Harman was exceptionally gifted in his particular line: but the writer of Briant's obituary notice in the Hert­ fordshire Mercury of 1829 refuses to admit that he was Briant's superior. He says " it is a notorious fact amongst his {Briant's) workmen, that the honours acquired by the famous Harmon (sic.) in that particular science (of chime manufacturing) were attributable chiefly to the rising and fertile mind of our townsman, under whose superintendence Mr. Harmon's chimes were principally prepared." George Harman is said to have been son of R. Harman, working with him in the latter part of the eighteenth century. A George Harman was Mayor of High Wycombe in the second year of Queen Victoria's reign. He was quite a musical genius and constructed a small chamber organ, which he left to his son on condition that he first played the" Old Hundredth." This son, or a brother, Charles Harman, was Mayor of High Wycombe in 1845. One of them is commemorated by a portrait in stained glass in the Town Hall, and several descendants still survive in the town. B. CoRT. In Leicestershire, Briant was assisted by B. Cort, probably a local Leicester ironmonger, through whom the work was undertaken. At Barkby, No. 4 is inscribed, "Jno. Briant and B. Cort, Hertford fecerunt 1803," At Diseworth, No. I has more accurately "John Briant Hertford & B. Cort Leicester fecerunt, 1803." At Wigston Magna, the inscription on No. 6 is "J. Briant Cort & Co fecerunt 1804 Hertford." At Hamstall Ridware, Staffordshire, No. I is inscribed "J Briant & B. Cort Hereford (sic.) fecerunt, 1805." JOHN CABOURN. In Lincolnshire the name of John Cabourn in conjunction with that of Briant is found on several bells: at Claypole (No. 1), 1795, Coningsby (No. 1) 1801, Frampton (No. 2) 1801, Hagworth­ ingham (Nos. 2, 3, 4) 1802, Horbling (No. 3) 1801, Moulton, All Saints' (No. 6) 1805, Sibsey (Nos. 4, 5) 1801, Stickney (Nos. l, 2) 1803 and Sutterton (N os. 1, 2) 1797. At the last named place, Cabourn also presented the treble bell (No. 1), as the inscription on it records. The - - 15 A. H. Cocks: Church Bells of Bucks, 1897, pp. 653-4. R. S. Downs in his article on High Wycombe Church Bells, (Records of Bucks, VI., 341-351, 1891) erroneously attributes both these chimes and those at St. Giles', Cripplegate, London, to R. Harman. 11 J. J. Baddeley's Account of the Church and Parish of St. Giles', Ct'ipple­ gale, 1888, gives full details of Harman's work, but Briant's name is not mentioned, since he was sub-contractor to Harman. 24 jOHN BRIANT inscriptions on all these bells are worded in form similar to, " J. Briant & J. Cabourn, Hertford, fecerunt," giving the erroneous impression that Cabourn was a bell-founder working with Briant at Hertford. But North in his Church Bells of Lincolnshire (1882, p. 85) tells us that he was not a bell-founder, but a whitesmith, bell-hanger and a good change ringer. He began business in his early days with sixteen shillings gleaned in Christmas boxes. He died, "after a severe and painful affliction which he suffered with patience and fortitude," at Sutterton, on April 6th, 1813, aged 63 years, leaving property valued at £20,000 (Gents' Magazine, lxxxiv., 100). He was buried at Sutterton where his grave is marked by a plain headstone. It records that with much assiduity he " carefully improved his talents" ; that in him were united "the skilful artist and scientific mechanic" and that he was "celebrated and admired for his professional excellence as a church bellhanger." ROBERT TAYLOR. Robert Taylor cannot, correctly, be considered as an assistant of Briant, although their names occur together on No. 3 bell at Riseley, Beds: the inscription being, "R. Taylor & J. Briant St. Neots fecerunt 1816." At this date he had already been in business for himself as a bell-founder for sixteen years, having, after an apprentice­ ship with Edward Arnold at St. Neots, taken over that business on Arnold's death about 1800. From the inscription it would seem that the Riseley bell was cast in his foundry at St. Neots, with Briant's assist­ ance. About this date the firm became R. Taylor and Son. They removed to Oxford in 1821 : and about 1839 a branch foundry was started at Loughborough which eventually became their sole foundry. As noted above, Henry Symondson joined them after Briant's death in 1829. JoHN OVER. John Over was a bell-hanger and lived at Rugby. In several cases he collaborated with Briant, providing the frames and rehanging the bells, while Briant did the casting. At St. Sepulchre's Church, Northampton, in 1805, he contracted for rehanging the peal, repairing the frame and providing a new No. 5 bell. · But the bell itself was cast by Briant and bears his name and not Over's. At Sapcote, in Leicestershire, No. 4 (1809) bears both their names, the share of J. Over in the work being differentiated by B.H. (i.e., Bell Hanger), appended to his name. At Churchover, in Warwickshire, No. 3 (1803), has the names Briant and Over, Hertford, as if they were in partnership as founders. At Nuneaton, in the same county, on No. 4 (1809), we find Over distin­ guished as B.H., as he is at Sapcote, with Briant as founder. J. WATERS. J. Waters was another bell-hanger, who collaborated with Briant. He lived at King's Sutton, near Banbury. The only instance in which he worked with Briant was at Ettington, in Warwick­ shire, where, in 1803, he provided a new frame when Briant recast the No. 4 belJ. PART IV.

CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF BELLS.

At the commencement of the Name Book of the Hertford College Youths, is bound in a single printed sheet with a list of the bells cast by John Briant. This was reprinted with some errors in .North and Stahlschmidt's Church Bells of Hertfordshire (pp. 65-67). The original list was issued by Briant himself, not later than 1807, as can be proved by dating each item from the inscription on the particular bell or bells to which it refers. As far as it goes the list is fairly complete, and more or less chronological, but its value in the light of the chronological and detailed county lists, which follow here, is not sufficient to warrant its reprinting. However, it is useful in that it includes a few bells which have since been recast and thus lost sight of, as Briant's work. These are specially noticed in the county lists in Part V. 1781 Herts Pirton 1 Suffolk Great Thurlow 5 1782 Herts Codicote 2-5 Hertford, St. Andrew 1-4 " 1783 Stevenage •.. 4-6 " Hatfield House Dinner " 1784 Cambs. Dullingham 1 1785 Herts Watton 1, 4 1786 Hatfield (6th and Sth recast) 1-8 " Watford 7 " Cambs. Croydon 1 1787 Herts Ashwell 4 Hunsdon (recast) 3 " Rush den 1-5 " St. Albans, St. Peter's 1, 2 " 1788 Bucks High Wycombe 3,4 1789 Herts Ashwell ...... 6 Cambs. Melbourn ... 4 Essex Littlebury ... 4, old 2 26 jOHN BRIANT-

1789 Oxon. Adderbury (3rd recast) 1-8 Mollington ... 3 Hanwell 1-4 1790 " 5 .. Oxford, St. Ebbe's 3-8 Beds. Eaton Bray 5 Northants Chacombe ... 5 Thorpe Mandeville 5 Herts Kelshall 3 Stanstead Abbots ... 1 1791 Ashwell 1 " .. Bishop's Stortford 3, 7, 9 .. Hertford, All Saints' l, 2 Cambs. Swaffham Prior 1-6 Northants Byfield 5 Oxon. Wardington 2 1792 Headington 1, 3 " Herts Benington ... 3 .. Codi cote 6 Brent Pelham 3 " .. Furneux Pelham 6 .. Standon 5 .. Ware 3,5 St. Albans Cathedral 1 " London St. Giles' Cripplegate 1-3 Northants Potterspury 3 Warwicks Dunchurch 6 .. Newbold-on-Avon 1-6 Stoneleigh ... 4 1793 Ash ow 1-4 " Leek Wootton 1, 2 " Herts Cottered 1, 2 .. Hertford, St. Andrew's 6, 7 Cambs. Swaffham Prior Clock .. Whittlesford 5 Lines. Claypole 3 Warwicks Kenilworth 1 Northants King's Sutton 1, 2 Oxon. Godington ... Ting-tang .. Wheatley 6 Essex Barking 6 1794 2-5 " .. .. Great Hallingbury 5 CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF BELLS.

1794 Essex Great Tey ... 4-6 Oxon. Wheatley ... 2-5 Herts Wallington 1-5 1795 Sawbridgeworth 8 Stevenage ... 3 " Lines. Claypole Oxon. Cuddesdon 1 Wardington 3 " c. 1795 Lines. Kirton 4 1796 Bucks Nether Winchendon 1 Essex Great Chesterford 1-6 Leics. Shearsby ... 3 1797 Herts Barkway ... 1-6 .. Hertford, St. Andrew's 5,8 .. Ridge : Tyttenhanger 1 .. Stevenage 1 Bucks Whitchurch 2 Lines. Sutterton ... I, 2 Northants Helmdon ... 1 Essex Saffron Walden 5-7, 9-12 1798 8 " Radwinter ... 8 Lines. Morton 4 Northants Wicken 2 1799 Kislingbury 1 Essex Stisted 1-6 Herts Tewin 1 1800 Bucks Newton Longueville 7 Carobs. Cottenham 1-6 Suffolk Great Waldingfield (4th recast) ... 1-6 c. 1800 Beds. Biggleswade 1 1801 Lines. Coningsby •.. 1 Frampton 2 Horbling ... 2 Sibsey 4, 5 " 1802 .. Hagworthingham ... 2-4 Herts Bishop's Stortford 8 Essex Ardleigh 7 . Leics. Melton Mowbray 3,4 1803 .. Barkby 4 .. Diseworth ... I Herts Offley 6 .. St. Albans, Abbey Mill 1 28 jOHN BRIANT-

1803 Devon Barnstaple ... 3-8 ,, Tawstock ... old 4 Lines. Kirby-on-Bain 1 Stickney 1, 2 " ... Oxon. Oxford, St. Ebbe's old 1, 2 Warwick Churchover 3 Ettington 4 Essex Kelvedon 2,4 c. 1803 Devon Braunton 5 1804 Essex Chrishall 1 Leies. Burton Lazars 1 ,, Wigston Magna 6 1805 Sheepshed ... 3-8 Herts" St. Albans, St. Peter's 7 Lines. Moulton, All Saints' 6 Staffs. Hamstall Ridware I Warwicks. Coventry, St. Michael old 10 Northants Northampton, Holy Sepulchre 7 c. 1805 Syresham 5 " ... 1806 Ashby, St. Ledgers 3 ,, Culworth 3 Sulgrave 5 Thenford 5 Herts North Mimms 1-6 Bucks Maid's Moreton 5 .. Padbury 1-6 Essex Coggeshall 3 Waltham Abbey 5-12 Leies. Lockington ... 4 1807 .. Walton-le-Wolds 4 Beds. Stanbridge ... 2 Cambs. Brough Green 4 Suffolk Little Thurlow 5 1808 Cambs. Soham 1-4 Suffolk Gazeley 1 Warwicks Great Packington ... 1 .. Shotteswell 1 1809 .. Nuneaton 4 Bucks Haddenham 1-8 .. Bierton 6 Herts Abbots Langley 6 Northants Ravensthorpe 1-5 Suffolk Cowlinge ... 3, 4 CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF BELLS. 29

1809 Northants Abington I Leics. Prestwold 7, 8 Sapcote 4 Bottesford ... 6 1810 Bottesford ... 3 Prestwold ... 6 Northants Claycotton ... 1 Middleton Cheney Sanctus Abington 3 1811 2 Beds. Ampthill old 2 Houghton Regis 4 Bucks. Hardwick 1 Northants Braunston ... 1-6 Warwick Warmington 1 1812 Sal op Shrewsbury, Holy Cross ... 4 .. Shrewsbury, St. Alkmund's 1-8 Condover 3,8 " ... High Ercall 1, 2 Herts Codicote 1 Knebworth 8 " .. St. Albans, St. Peter's 4 Leics. Lutterworth 8 Prestwold ... 4,5 Worcs." Hartlebury 3 1813 Kent Orpington ... 1 Salop Condover ... 1, 2, 4-7 1814 Herts St. Paul's Walden 4 Beds. Southill 1-5 Essex Arkesden ... 2 Leics. Ashby-de-la-Zouch 1, 2 .. Lutterworth 4 Northants Long Buckby 1 Bucks Halton 2-4 Hanslope 5 1814 " Mursley 1-6 1815 Herts" Norton 1 Bucks Halton I .. Wavendon ... 4 Beds. Houghton Regis I 1816 2 .. .. " .. Meppershall 3 30 jOHN BRIANT-

1816 Beds. Riseley 3 Bucks Bierton 1-5 Herts Little Munden 3 Staffs. Clifton Campville ... 2 Leics. Countesthorpe 2 1817 Ashby Magna 2 Ashby-de-Ia-Zouch 4 Herts Ashwell 3 Northants Passenham 5 1819 Essex Great Bentley 4 1820 Herts Bishop's Stortford 1, 2 .. Little Gaddesden ... 1, 2 Hinxworth 1, 5 .. Stanstead, St. Margaret's 1 Bucks Wolverton ... 1-6 Northants Easton Neston old 5 Oxford Banbury ... I, 2 1821 .. Epwell 2 1812 Leics. Ashby-de-la-Zouch 7 Northants Eydon 2 1823 Northants Easton Neston old 3, 6 Herts Hertingfordbury 3 Suffolk Rumburgh ... 6 1824 Bucks Fenny Stratford 6 Northants Boughton ... 1, 2 Herts Hinxworth 4 .. Hertford, Boys' School Bell n.d. Hayford 2 CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF BELLS. 30A ENTIRE PEALS. The foregoing list includes these complete peals, cast by Briant. Some of the peals have since been augmented by the addition of other bells. Date. No. in Peal. Place. 1782-97 8 Hertford (Herts) : St. Andrew's. 1782-1812 ... 6 Codicote (Herts). 1786 8 Hatfield (Herts). 1787 5 Rushden (Herts). 1789 8 Adderbury (Oxon.) 1789-90 5 Hanwell (Oxon.) 1789-1803 ... 8 Oxford (Oxon.) : St. Ebbe's. 1791 6 Swafiham Prior {Cambs.) 1792 6 Newbold-on-Avon (Warwicks). 1793 4 Ashow (Warwicks.) 1793-94 5 Wheatley (Oxon.) 1794 5 Wallington (Herts). 1796 6 Great Chesterford {Essex). 1797 6 Barkway (Herts). 1797-98 8 Saffron Walden (Essex). 1799 6 Stisted (Essex). 1800 6 Great Waldingfield (Suffolk). 6 Cottenham (Cambs.) " 1803 6 Barnstaple (Devon). 1805 6 Sheepshed (Leics.) 1806 6 North Mimms (Herts). .. 6 Padbury {Bucks). 8 Waltham Abbey {Essex). 1809" 8 Haddenham {Bucks.) .. 5 Ravensthorpe (Northants). 1809-12 5 Prestwold (Leics.) 1809-16 6 Bierton (Bucks.) 1811 6 Braunston (Northants). 1812 8 Shrewsbury (Salop): St. Alkmund's. 1814 5 Southill (Beds). 6 Mursley (Bucks). 1814-15" 4 Halton (Bucks). 1820 2 Little Gaddesden (Herts). PART v.

COUNTY LISTS OF BELLS.

WITH INSCRIPTIONS AND NOTES.

Bedfordshire 8 churches, etc. 14 bells. Buckinghamshire 15 46 Cambridgeshire ... 8 22 ,, " Devonshire 3 8 " 15 43 Essex " Hertfordshire 42 101 " " Kent 1 Leicestershire 16 31 " " Lincolnshire 12 18 " " London ... 1 3 Northamptonshire 24 39 " " Oxfordshire 11 36 " .. Shropshire 4 19 .. " Staffordshire 2 2 " " Suffolk ... 6 12 " Warwickshire 13 22 " " Worcestershire 1 " " Ireland ... 3 4 ..

Total 185 churches, etc. 422 bells 32 JOHN BRIANT- Bedfordshire. (From T. NORTH: The Church Bells of Bedfordshire, 1883.\ 17 AMPTHILL. No. 2. T: B: STONE & I: KIRK C: WARDENS I: BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1811. (Diam. 31-ins. ; height 24!-ins.). This bell has been recast since 1883.

BIGGLESWADE. No. 5. JOHN LANCASTER AND GEORGE COOPER CHURCHWARDENS. R. TAYLOR, ST. NEOTS. FECIT 1806. (Diam. 43-ins. ; height 30-ins.) Although Briant's name is not included in the inscription it is evident from the fact that this bell is in Briant's list, that he co­ operated with Taylor in casting it. See also RISELEY below.

EATON BRAY. No. 5. j. BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT 1790 W. PEARSON MILLER ... R. GADSDEN SENR R. ASHWELL c. WARDENS H. MORRISS R. GADSDEN JUNR OVERSEERS. (Diam. 43-ins. ; height 33-ins.} This is the tenor bell of the peal of five.

HOUGHTON REGIS. No. 1. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1815. (Diam. 31-ins. ; height 25-ins.) No. 2. J. BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1816. (Diam. 32-ins. ; height 27-ins.} No. 4. J. BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1811 C: W :. (Diam. 36-ins. ; height 29-ins.) The names of the churchwardens are omitted from the inscription on No. 4. Briant recast it and added Nos. 1 and 2 to complete the peal of six.

MEPPERSHALL. No. 3. J : Fox. c: W. J : BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1816. (Diam. 31!-ins. ; height 23-ins.) Prior to 1882 this bell was No. 2. In that year No. 3 was recast as No. 2, and Briant's bell became No. 3.

17 The works named at the commencement of each county are the main sources of information: but many details have been gathered elsewhere. CoUNTY LISTS OF BELLS-BEDFORDSHIRE. 33

RISELEY. No. 3. F. W. WHITEHEAI> & S. RICHARDS. C. W: R: TAYLOR & J. BRIANT ST NEOTS FECERUNT 1816. (Diam. 35!-ins. ; height 28-ins.) It is not apparent why Briant joined with Robert Taylor in casting this bell. Taylor had been an apprentice of Edward Arnold at St. Neots. Arnold died about the year 1800, and Taylor succeeded him. About the time of casting this bell, the firm became R. Taylor and Sons. When Briant retired in 1825 his foreman and tuner, Symondson, transferred his services to Taylor's firm as the inscription of Redbourn (Herts), No. 5, attests. "Taylor and Symondson Bellfounders Oxford London & Loughborough 1839."

SOUTHILL. Complete peal of five. Nos. 1-5. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1814. (No. I. Diam. 29-ins. ; height, 21-ins. ,, 2. Diam. 30-ins. ; height 22-ins. ,, 3. Diam. 32-ins. ; height 24-ins. ,, 4. Diam. 35-ins. ; hefght 26-ins. ,, 5. Diam. 37!-ins. ; height 29-ins.)

STANBRIDGE. No. 2. F. ELLINGHAM C: W: joHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1807. (Diam. 32-ins. ; height 26-ins.)

Buckinghamshire. (From A. H. COCKS : The Church Bells of Buckinghamshire, 1897.)

BIERTON. Complete peal of six. Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4. J : BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1816. (Diams. 30-ins., 32!-ins., 34!-ins., 35-ins.) No. 5. J: BADRICK, J: THORN, J: WHITE C: W: J: BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1816. (Diam. 38!-ins.) No. 6. JOHN-BRIANT HERYFORD FEICT (sic.) 1809 T: THORN & H: WEBB C: w. (Diam. 421-ins.) D 34 JOHN BRIANT-

HADDENHAM. Complete peal of eight. No. 1. J : BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1809. Tao IM ALLOWD TO BE BUT SMALL, MY TONE IS HEARD ABOVE THEM AL. (Diam. 30!--ins.) Nos. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1809. (Diams. 30!-ins., 32}-ins., 34-ins., 35}-ins., 38!-ins.)

No. 7. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1809 JOSEPH FRANCKLIN ESQR BENEFACTOR. W. RICHMOND SOLICITOR. (Diam. 41 l-ins.)

No. 8. J TO THE CHURCH THE LIVING CALL AND TO THE GRAVE DO SUMMON ALL. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1809. EDWARD HEDGES & JOHN FRANCKLING CHURCH WARDENS. (Diam. 48!-ins.) W. Richmond, whose name is inscribed on No. 7 was not a lawyer. " Solicitor " simply means that he took the hat round and was largely instrumental in getting the old ring of five recast into eight. He was a ringer: and his grandson was sexton in 1897. In 1806 he was church­ warden with Edward Hedges whose name appears on the tenor bell.

HALTON. Complete peal of four. No. 1. J: BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1815. (Diam. 29!--ins.) Nos. 2, 3. J. BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1814. (Diams. 30f-ins., 32!-ins.) No. 4. Srn JOHN DASHWOOD KING BENEFACTOR. ]. BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1814. (Diam. 35!-ins.) Sir John Dashwood King rebuilt the Church in 1813. The four bells were recast from three in the old Church. The treble may, perhaps, have been an after-thought; cast from different metal.

HAN SLOPE. No. 5. JoHN KITEL C: W: JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1814. (Diam. 50-ins.) This bell is said to have been sunk in the canal at Castlethorpe on its way from Hertford, and to have lain in the water a week. COUNTY LISTS OF HELLS-BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. 35

HARDWICK. No. I. J : BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1811. W. FLOWERS C: W. (Diam. 28-ins.) This bell has an iron baldrick to the clapper, which we may be sure, therefore, was not supplied by Briant, but probably belonged to the former bell.

MAIDS' MORETON. No. 5. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1806 J : LONG SUTTON RECTOR J : SCOTT & R : HINSON C : WARDENS. (Diam. 39!-ins.) In the list of Briant's bells, preserved in the chest of the Hertford College Youths, the weight of this bell is given as 12 cwt. It has been reduced about three-quarters of an inch by tuning. The name of the rector should be James Long Hutton, not Sutton. This bell probably succeeded one cast by Bagley in 1717, with the rest of the ring.

MURSLEY. Complete peal of six. Nos. t, 4. JOHN: BRIANT. HERTFORD, FECIT. 1814. (Diams. 28-ins., 32-ins.) No. 2. J : BRIANT HERTFORD. FECIT. 1814. (Diam. 29-ins.) Nos. 3, 5. JOHN BRIANT. HERTFORD. FECIT. 1814. (Diam. 31-ins., 34-ins.) No. 6. JoHN BRIANT. HERTFORD FECIT. 1814. T. DEVERELL & J : BRADBURY C.W. (Diam. 38-ins.) NEWNTON LONGUEVILLE. No. 7. JOHN BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT 1800. (Diam. 37-ins.) This bell was No. 5 in 1897. It is No. 2 in Briant's list.

PADBURY. Complete peal of six. Nos. 1, 3, 4, 5. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1806. (Diams. 29-ins., 311-ins., 33-ins., 35-ins.) No. 2. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT. (Diam. 30-ins.) No. 6. JoHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1806 THE REVD WM: EYRE VICAR : T : FLOWERS : & : WM : HORWOOD : C WARDENS. (Diam. 39-ins.) Briant's list of bells gives the weight of the tenor as 10 cwt. 36 jOHN BRIANT-

STRATFORD, FENNY. No. 6. jOHN BRIANT HERYFORD FECIT MVCCCXXIV (sic). (Diam. 34f-ins.)

WAVENDON. No. 4. jOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1815 (Diam. 35!-ins.)

WHITCHURCH. No. 2. jOHN BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT 1797 MAT: VARNEY & WM FINCHER c : WARDENS. (Diam. 32!-ins.). Most likely the clapper of the bell is older than the bell itself. It has wooden splints to the clapper, and therefore it probably has an iron baldrick.

WINCHENDON, NETHER. No. 1. JOHN BRIANT HERYFORD FECIT 1796 THOMAS RosE CHURCHWARDEN. (Diam. 30tins.)

WOLVERTON, OLD. Complete peal of six. All. JOHN BRIANT HERYFORD FECIT 1820. (Diams. 31-ins., 33-ins., 34f-ins., 35}-ins., 38-ins., 42-ins.)

WYCOMBE, HIGH. No. 3. JOHN BRIANT. HARTFORD. FECIT. 1788. W. BALL ••• G. HARMAN. ASSISTANTS. THE GIFT OF THE EARL OF WYCOMB ELDEST SON OF THE MARQUIS OF LANSDOWN. (Diam. 30!-ins.) No. 4. jOHN BRIANT. HARTFORD. FECIT. 1788. G. HARMAN. W· BALL. ASSISTANTS. THE GIFT OF LORD :t{ENRY PETTY SECOND SON OF THE MARQUIS OF LANSDOWN. (Diam. 31!-ins.) These two assistants of Briant were local tradesmen, George Harman has been described variously as a cooper and a clock maker. He was Mayor of Wycombe in the second year of Queen Victoria's reign. He achieved a great reputation as a maker of chiming apparatus. He erected his first at Watford Church in 1786, when Briant was doing the bells there. Two years later he supplied chimes to Christchurch, Spital­ fields, London. In 1790, he installed those of High Wycombe: and in COUNTY LISTS OF BELLS-BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. 37

1794 another set at St. Giles' Cripplegate, London, where Briant had cast Nos. 1-3 bells in 1792. The donor of No. 3 was John Henry, second Marquis of Lansdowne, (d. 1809 without issue), M.P. for Wycombe, 1786-90. No. 4 was his brother, Lord Henry Petty, born 1780, third Marquis of Lansdowne. These were Nos. 2 and 3 in 1897.

Cambridgeshire. (From J. J. RAVEN: The Church Bells of Cambridgesh~re, 1869.) BOROUGH GREEN. No. 4. JoHN BRIANT, HERTFORD, FECIT, 1807.

COTTENHAM. Complete peal of six. All by John Briant, Hertford, 1800. Raven gives the date as 1806.

CROYDON. Bell. J. BRIANT, HARTFORD, FECIT, 1786.

DULLINQHAM. No. 1. jOHN BRIANT, HARTFORD, FECIT, 1784. J. HAYLOCK AND W. FROST, C.W.

MELBOURN. No. 4. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT. 1789. jOHN HITCH, EsQ., C.W.

SOHAM. No. 1. NEW BY SUBSCRIPTN. 1808, REVND H. FISHER VICAR, J. DOBEDE & R. TEBBET, C.W. j. BRIANT. HARTFORD FECIT. No. 2. NEW BY SUBSCRIPTION, 1808. REVND H. FISHER VICAR. J. DoBEDE, R. TEBBET, C.W. J. BRIANT. HARTFORD FECIT. Nos. 3, 4. RECAST BY SUBSCRIPTION 1808. H. FISHER. VICAR. J. DOBEDE & R. TEBBET. C.W. JOHN BRIANT. HART­ FORD FECIT. The two front bells increased the peal from eight to ten. 38 JOHN BRIANT-

SWAFFHAM PRIOR. Complete peal of six, and clock bell. No. 1. JoHN BRIANT OF HARTFORD FECIT. 1791. SAMUEL HART & JOHN NUNN CHURCH WARDENS. No. 2. JOHN BRIANT OF HARTFORD FECIT. 1791. Nos. 3, 4, 5. JOHN BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT. 1791. No. 6. JOHN BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT 1791. SAMUEL HART & JOHN NUNN. CHURCH WARDENS. Clock Bell. JOHN BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT. W. KILLINGBECK. C.W. 1793.

WHITTLESFORD. No. 5. JOHN BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT. 1793. R. WHISKIN, s. BARNES, C. WARDENS.

Devon. (From Rev. H. T. ELLACOMBE : The Church Bells of Devonshire. In Exder Diocesan Architectural Society, Transactions, 2 S., I., 1867).

BARNSTAPLE. Complete peal of six. Nos. 3, 4, 5, 6. loHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1803 (Diams. 33-ins., 35-ins., 38-ins., 39-ins.) No. 7. GLORIA DEo IN EXCELSIS. (Diam. 43!-ins.) No. 8. JoHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1803 THE REVD T. WILLIAM MARSHALL VICAR. (Diam. 491-ins.) Previous to 1803 there were only five bells. In that year the Bishop granted licence to recast them into six. Two front bells were added later, before 1867, making Briant's peal Nos. 3-8.

BRAUNTON. No. 5. Briant's list includes this bell. It was cast apparently about 1803, and recast by John Taylor, of Oxford, in 1830. TAWSTOCK. No. 4. IOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1803 PROSPERITY TO THE PARISH OF TAWSTOCK. (Diam. 39-ins.) This bell has, since 1867, been recast. Briant's list designates it No. 3. COUNTY LISTS OF BELLS-ESSEX. 39 Essex. (From REV. C. DEEDES and H. B. WALTERS : The Church Bells of Essex, 1909.) ARDLEIGH. No. 7. J : BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1802. P : BROMLEY & T : COOPER c : WARDENS. (Diam. 39-ins.) At the time of recasting this bell was No. 5 of the peal. In the Churchwardens' Accounts are these entries:- 1804. Jan. 16. Paid Mr. Briant for recasting the Sth bell 28 p. cwt. £18 1 0 ,, 27. Munnings for casting the Brasses for the Bells 5 2 8 Briant's list calls it No. 4.

ARKESDEN. No. 2. J : WOLF EsQ. BENEFACTOR. J BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1814. (Diam. 24-ins.)

BARKING. No. 6. JOHN LAMBERT & JOHN HOMER C : WARDENS. JOHN BRIANT OF HERTFORD FECIT 1793. This bell is called No. 5 in Briant's list. It was recast by John Warner in 1886.

BENTLEY, GREAT. No. 4. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1819. (Diam. 27-ins. ; weight 4 cwt.)

CHESTERFORD, GREAT. Complete peal of six. Nos. l, 2, 3, 4. JOHN BRIANT OF HERTFORD FECIT 1796 (Diams. 28-ins., 28f-ins., 31-ins., 321-ins.) No. 5. JOHN BRIANT OF HERTFORD FECIT T FISHER CURATE (Diam. 34!-ins.) No. 6. JOHN BRIANT OF HERTFORD FECIT 1796 WM KENT & J. WAKEFIELD C : W. J : PLUMPIN. VICAR . STATUTUM EST OMNIBUS MORI. (Diam. 38-ins.) 40 JOHN BRIANT-

A parish record says, "the new peal of bells came home 19 Nov. 1796." Items in the Churchwardens' Accounts relative to the recasting of the peal read :- £ s. d. 1790 March 16, paid for taking down of Bells 3 15 0 1793 Paid for hanging the Ting-Tang 1796 taking the iron off Bell stocks 1797 Feb. 25. paid Mr. Briant 21 5 0 1798 April 9. paid for hanging the Ting-tang and rope

CRISHALL. No. 1. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1804. (Diam. 29-ins.)

COGGESHALL. No. 3. W. SWINBORNE T: ALLEKER C. W. JoHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1806. (Diam. 32-ins.) This was the treble bell in 1806. In the Churchwardens' Accounts is recorded :- 1807 Sept. 10. Payment to John Briant for re- casting the then treble ... £17 10 0 1808 April 17. To Thomas Hughes, bill for bells... 15 17 I!

HALLINGBURY, GREAT. No. 5. J. BRIANT HARTFORD. FECIT. 1794. WM BINCKS. C : W : (Diam. 39!-ins. ; weight 11 cwt.)

KELVEDON. No. 2. jOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1803. (Diam. 36-ins.)

No. 4. j : MA:RTHAM & J : POOLEY C : WARDENS. THE REVND T : RIPLEY VICAR j : BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1803. (Diam. 41-ins.) These are Nos. I and 3 in Briant's list. CouNTY LISTS OF BELLs-EssEx. 41

LITTLEBURY. No. 2. (old). UNFEIGNED PRAISE TO HEAVENS ALMIGHTY KING FOR HEALTH RESTORED TO GEORGE THE THIRD WE SING HAEc SEXTA ACCESSIT. A.D. 1790. Wo GRETTON VICO J BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT N. PERRY T. TURNER c: w. (Diam. 28-ins.) No. 4. JoHN BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT 1789 N PERRY T TURNER CW. W GRETTON. COEXALTED HERE WE ARE ON HEGH VI EMBLEMS OF PARISH HARMONY (Diam. 34-ins.) No. 2 has since been recast, by John Warner & Sons, London, 1871. In the inscription of No. 4 the two lines of the couplet have been read as "Co-exalted" ... "vi (six) emblems," but it seems more probable that the first two letters of each line represent v1co for Vicario, as is seen in the inscription of the old No. 2. In 1789 there were apparently only five bells, No. 2 being added the next year. There is a curious connexion between these two bells provided for Littlebury and two of the five which Briant cast in 1789-90 for Hanwell in Oxfordshire. No. 1 at Hanwell has the same inscription as his No. 2 at Littlebury, omitting the vicar's and churchwardens' names. No. 4 at Hanwell has the same inscription as No. 4 at Littlebury including the vicar's and churchwardens' names, but omitting " Co " and "Vi" from the commencement of the two lines of the couplet. It is obvious that the inclusion of these vicars' and churchwardens' names at Hanwell was an oversight in casting, as they belonged to Littlebury. The Parish Registers of Littlebury contain the following memor­ anda:- " That in the month of June 1789 the inhabitants of this Parish voted unanimously the recasting of their fourth bell in the present peal and an additional Treble in commemoration of the above recorded happy event " (i.e., the recovery of King George III). "That on the 19th March, 1790, the present peal of six bells was opened. The treble, a new one, the fourth recast according to the above recorded vote. They were cast by J. Briant of Hartford." Then follows a copy of their inscriptions.

RAD WINTER. No. 8. THOMAS GLASCOCK C; WARDEN. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT AN ; DoM 1798. (Diam. 41-ins. ; weight 12 cwt.) Called No. 5 in Briant's List. 42 ]OHN BRIANT-

SAFFRON WALDEN. Complete peal of eight. No. 5. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1798. JUSTICE PRUDENCE (Diam. 32-ins.) No. 6. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1798. PRUDENCE JUSTICE. (Diam. 33-ins.) No. 7. JOHN BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT 1797. (Diam. 35-ins.) No. 8. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1798. TEMPERANCE. (Diam. 38-ins.) No. 9. ]OHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1798. FAITH. (Diam. 40-ins.) No. 10. (Recast by Mears, 1849.) No. 11. (Recast by Mears, 1813.) No. 12. THIS PEAL WAS CAST AND HUNG BY JOHN BRIANT OF HERT­ FORD FROM A VOLUNTARY SUBSCRIPTION OF LD BRAY­ BROOKE AND THE INHABITANTS. GLORIA DEO IN EXCELSIS. THE LAW TEMPORAL. THE GOSPEL ETERNAL. THE REVND WM GRETTON VICAR R : LEVERETT & J : EOWTELL C : WARDENS AN : DOM : 1798. (Diam. 52-ins.) These bells were, in Briant's day, Nos. 1-8: the peal has since been increased by the addition of four front bells, in 1914. Briant's peal was first rung on December 14th, 1799. (See Rev. G. M. Benton: The Bells and Ringing Annals of Saffron Walden, 1921, p. 14).

STISTED. Complete peal of six. Nos. I, 2, 3, 4, 5. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1799 (Diams, 27-ins., 28!-ins., 30!-ins., 31 !-ins., 33f-ins.) No. 6. THE REVND JOHN BARLOW SEARLE D D RECTOR : J : BAINES. J: SIBLEY C: WARDENS. JoHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT ] 799. (Diam. 38-ins. ; weight 9! cwt.) Previous to this date the peal consisted of five bells only. The peal was rehung by Messrs. Gillett and Johnston, of Croydon, in 1927.

TEY, GREAT.

Nos. 4, 5. JOHN BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT 179 ,j>. (sic) (Diams. 32-ins., 34-ins.) No. 6. J. HARRINGTON & ]. COCK C WARDENS JOHN BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT 179"" (sic) (Diam. 36-ins.) COUNTY LISTS OF BELLS-ESSEX. 43

WALTHAM ABBEY. Complete peal of eight. Nos. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1806 (Diams. 29-ins., 30-ins., 32-ins., 34-ins., 36-ins., 38-ins., 42-ins.) No. 10. jOHN PAIN joHN SMITH & RICHARD BANKS C : WARDENS JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1806. (Diam. 48-ins.) Two front and two lower bells were added in 1914 to Briant's peal of eight. Previous to 1806 the peal had numbered six: the two additional bells being then added through funds collected by Mr. John Carr, the Parish Clerk. The new peal was first rung on July 20th, 1806. Briant also repaired the clock in 1798 when the top stage of the tower was rebuilt. Nos. 6 and 8 are noticeable in that they bear the ancient stamp of a king's head, first used by John Rufford in the fourteenth century, as already noticed. (See p. 15) The weights of the bells were S~., 6, 61, 71, 9, 10!, 13 and 18 cwt. respectively. Some of Briant's peal still survive, but others have been recast. The peal of twelve now bears the following inscriptions :- No. I. To THE PRAISE OF Goo, 1914. No. 2. To THE WORSHIP OF Goo, 1914. Nos. 3, 4, 5. CAST BY jOHN BRIANT HERTFORD 1806. RECAST BY J. AND D. TAYLOR LOUGHBOROUGH 1914. Nos. 6, 7. jOIIN BRIANT HERTFORD FECTT 1806. Nos. 8, 9. CAST BY jOHN BRIANT HERTFORD 1806. RECAST BY jOHN DENISON TAYLOR LOUGHBOROUGH 1914. No. 10, joHN PAIN JOHN SMITH & RICHARD BANKS C : WARDENS jOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1806. No. 11. ALSO IN AFFECTIONATE REMEMBRANCE OF HER BROTHER THE REV. j. C. HICKS WHO DIED MARCH 4TH 1913. No. 12. To THE GLORY OF Goo AND IN LOVING MEMORY OF joHN PARNELL C.E. J.P. WHO WAS BORN AT WALTHAM ABBEY MAY 17TH 1843 AND WHO DIED THERE MAY lOTH 1913. THESE BELLS ARE DEDICATED BY HIS WIFE. 44 JOHN BRIANT- Hertfordshire. (From NORTH and STAHLSCHMIDT: The Church Bells of HertjOl'dshire, 1886.) ASHWELL. No. 1. A. HART. W. LILLY C.W. J. BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT 1791. (Diam. 32!-ins.) No. 3. JOHN BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT 1817. (Diam. 35!-ins.) No. 4. T. HART & j. CHRISTY C.W. j. BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT 1787 (Diam. 38-ins.) No. 6. WM. LEES & JNo. BALL CHURCHWARDENS. JOHN BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT 1789. (Diam. 48-ins.) Briant's list numbers these 1, 4, 5, 6.

BARKWAY. Complete peal of six. Nos. I, 2, 3. JOHN BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT 1797 (Diams. 3lj-ins., 33-ins., 35j-ins.) Nos. 4, 5. JOHN BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT AN. DOM. 1797. (Diams. 37-ins., 39!-ins.) No. 6. GLORIA DEO IN EXCELSIS. THE REV. j. STREET VICAR E. MAZE & T. LEET C : W : J BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT AN. DOM. 1797. (Diam. 44-ins.) Previous to 1797 the peal consisted of five only.

BAYFORD. Briant's list includes No. 2 in a peal of three at Bayford. There were three bells here in the ancient church which was taken down about 1805. Presumably it was one of these. The new church had only one bell, a plain one. This hangs in the latest church, erected in 1874. A new small priest's bell was hung at the same time.

BENINGTON. No. 3. JOHN CocK CWARDEN. VOCE TENUI DULCE CANO. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1792 (Diam. 30-ins.) This is No. 2 in Briant's list. PtKI.E 6 45

IllSHOP's si-0R · rr-01~n "11 ll IH H BLI LS~

T.-\KEt< DOWN FO" 1'1'-Tl'"I N<,, J9'.'.'<. COUNTY LISTS OF BELLS-HERTFORDSHIRE. 45

BISHOP'S STORTFORD. Nos. 1, 2. W. FRANCIS & J. FAIRMAN CHURCHWARDENS. J. BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1820. (Diams. 27!-ins., 28!-ins.) No. 3. J. BOULTWOOD & T. Scorr c.w. J. BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1791. (Diam. 29!-ins.) No. 7. J. BOULTWOOD & THOS. SCOTTS C.W. J. BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1791. (Diam. 37-ins.) No. 8. STATUTUM EST OMNIBUS(S)EMEL MORI. J. BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1802. (Diam. 39-ins.) No. 9. JOHN BOULTWOOD AND THOMAS Scorr CHURCHWARDENS J. BRIANT FECIT AN. DOM. 1791. (Diam. 42!-ins.) Briant's first commission from Bishop's Stortford was the recasting of Nos. 3, 7 and 9, which were then Nos. 1, 5, and 7. In 1802 he supplied No. 8, which was then No. 6. His bill for this last reads :- 1802. May 21. To exchanging the old 6th Bell for a new Bell and fixing pr Contract 12 0 0 To the extra weight of the new bell weighing more than the old bell 0 cwt. 2 qrs. 0 lbs. at £7 per c. . . • 3 10 0 To a new set of Bell ropes with worsted sallys 3 3 0 To a new top one new bolt and keys to 4th Bell Clapper 0 5 0

£18 18 0

In 1820 Briant was employed to cast two new (front) bells and rehang the complete ring of ten. The original eight were removed the previous year from the bell chamber preparatory to taking down the steeple. In this connection the Churchwardens' Accounts note:- 1819. March 13. (From J. Bangham's bill) 4 days self £ s. d. 4 days man and 4 days ladd to take down bells 1 18 O March 15. (From J. Fordham's bill) 1 day to carting the timber of the bells .. . 7 6 May 7. 1 days work horse to carting old frames of the bells 7 6 1820 rent of a warehouse (to Elizabeth Jones) for the bells from the llth March 1819 to llth March 1820 52 weeks at ls. 3d. 3 5 O 46 JOHN BRIANT-

The completion was celebrated on September 2nd, 1820, by a peal of Grandsire Caters of 5039 changes, rung by the Junior Society of College Youths. Briant appears to have received at various dates, terminating in 1823, £89 for his part of the work. The whole peal was retuned by Messrs. Mears and Stainbank in 1928.

CODICOTE. Complete peal of six. No. I. jOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1812 THOMAS QUINT HE GA VE ME WITH GOODWILL FRANK AND H

COTTERED. No. I. j. BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT 1793 WM GUTTERIDGE C.W. (Diam. 30-ins.) According to Briant's list he also cast No. 2. This was recast by Thomas Mears in 1841.

GADDESDEN, LITTLE. Complete peal of two. Nos. I, 2. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD 1820. (Diams. 18-ins., 24-ins.)

HATFIELD. Complete peal of eight. Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7. JOHN BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT 1786. (Diams. 32!-ins., 33!-ins., 35-ins., 37-ins., 39-ins., 46-ins.) Nos. 6 and 8 have since been recast. Briant's ring of eight superseded one of five. The new ring was opened 5th June, 1786.

HATFIELD. House. Dinner bell in North West Turret. JOHN BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT 1783. (Diam. 23!-ins.) COUNTY LISTS OF BELLS-HERHORDSHIRE. 47

HERTFORD: All Saints'. No. 1. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT AN. DoM. 1791. (Diam. 29}-ins.) No. 2. RAISED BY VOLUNTARY SUBSCRIPTION BY HERTFORD COLLEGE YouTHS AN : DoM : 1791 W : KIMPTON J : EVANS C : WARDENS JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT. (Diam. 30-ins.) The Minute Book of the local Ringing Society, the Hertford College Youths, contains this entry:- 1789, Jan. 8. "At the Annual Christmas Meeting of the Steeple Ringing Members of this Society, it was unanimously Re­ solved and agreed to Subscribe one half part of the Money arising from Ringing until it became the sum of Twenty Pounds towards the Metal and all Expences attending the Erection of two new Tribles in addition to the peal of eight Bells now in all Sts Steeple Hertford. N.B. It appears on the statement of the auth. of this Society that there now is the sum of £4 18s. lOd. resting in the Hands of Mr. Mathew England the Treasurer of this Society towards forwarding the business above mentioned. Witness M. England." Sixteen signatures arc appended including Briant's. Two years later comes his receipt for the money :- " Reed 28th May, 1791 of Mr. Mathew England (Treasurer to the Society of Hertford College Youths) Twenty Pounds on Acct for the two new Trebles of All Sts being the noble subscription of the Society. £20 Os. Od. John Briant. The completed peal of ten was first rung in 1794. All, including Briant's two, were lost in the fire which destroyed the church in 1891.

HERTFORD : St. Andrew's. Complete peal of eight. Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4. JOHN BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT 1782. (Diams. 30-ins., 32-ins., -, 34-ins.) No. 5. jOHN BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT 1797. (Diam. 35-ins.) Nos. 6, 7. JOHN BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT 1793. (Diams. 36-ins., 39!-ins.) No. 8. joHN BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT 1797 GLORIA DEo IN EXCELSIS. (Diam. 44!-ins.) 48 JOHN BRIANT-

An appeal for subscriptions was made in 1781 and resulted in £222 8s. being collected. Briant cast Nos. I, 2, 3 and 4 in 1782: and on May 20th of that year he rang the tenor in a " compleat Peal of 5280 Treble Bob in Saint Andrews Steeple Hertford (being the First Peal that ever was Rung upon the New Bells) Which they performed in Three Hours and Twenty-four Minutes." This record is taken from the Peal Book of the Hertford College Youths. This peal superseded four small bells. As the inscriptions show Nos. 6 and 7 were cast in 1793, and Nos. 5 and 8 in 1797, completing the peal. No. 3 was recast by Mears and Stainbank in 1876. There is no record of its size.

HERTFORD : Cowper Testimonial Boys' School. Bell. The National School for Boys was instituted in Miller's Yard, Castle Street, in 1811. In 1824 John Briant presented it with this fine toned bell. In 1841 the School was removed to London Road, as the Cowper Testimonial Boys' School, where the bell still hangs. It has no inscription. (Diam. 11-ins.) HERTINGFORDBURY. No. 3. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1823. (Diam. 31-ins.) HINXWORTH. No. 1. J. BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1820. (Diam. 26-ins.) No. 4. RVND J : LAFONT VICAR. R : SALE. C : W : J BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT MDCCCXXV (Diam. 32!-ins.) No. 5. REVND G : Cox RECTOR E. SALE c : w : J. BRIANT HERT­ FORD FECIT 1820 (Diam. 38-ins.) The living at Hinxworth is a rectory : hence the inscription on No. 4 should read "Rector" instead of · " Vicar." It is only so far correct in that the greater includes the Jesser title.

HUNSDON. No. 3. THE REVD W CALVERT RECTOR J BRIANT HARTFORD 1787 (Diam. 35!-ins.) KELSHALL. No. 3. WM SHACKLETON C: WARDEN JoHN BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT 1790. (Diam. 34!-ins.) COUNTY LISTS 01' BELLS-HERTFORDSHIRE. 49

KNEBWORTH. No. 8. j. BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1812. (Diam. 40-ins.) This bell was No. 5 before three front bells were added to the pea] within the last sixteen years.

LANGLEY, ABBOTS. No. 6. J. FILMER VICAR. T. REEVE j. READWELL C.W. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1809 LD RAYMOND BENE­ FACTOR. (Diam. 40!-ins.) The name of Lord Raymond as the donor must have been reproduced from an earlier bell, cast with the rest of the peal in 1734. Robert, first Lord Raymond, of Langley Bury, died in 1732; and his only son, Robert, second Lord Raymond, in 1756 without issue. Their monuments are in Abbots Langley Church.

MIMMS, NORTH. Complete peal of six. Nos. 1, 3, 4, 5. JoHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1806 (Diam. 30-ins., 33}-ins., 34}-ins., 39-ins.) No. 2. No inscription. Briant's stamp of a diminutive bell repeated six times. (Diam. 32-ins.) No. 6. jOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1806 Jos. SABINE AND RICHARD MASON C WARDENS GLORIA DEO IN EXCELSIS. (Diam. 42}-ins.) Until recast in 1806, the peal consisted of five bells. John Briant was paid, according to the Churchwardens' Accounts, £146 on account of his contract for the bells.

MUNDEN, LITTLE. No. 3. R. PIKETT C: W. J. BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1816 (Diam. 32-ins.) In the Churchwardens' Accounts are these entries:- 1817 Ap. 12. Reed. of Jas. Dixon, Thirty powids on acct for casting framing and hanging the Bells. £3'J. John Briant. June 22. Reed. of James Dixon Fifty seven pounds 10 shillings being the Ballance of the acct for Framing and hanging the church Bells. £57 10 0 John Briant. ---- £87 10 0 E 50 JOHN BRIANT-

NORTON. No. 1. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1815 (Diam. 30-ins.) OFFLEY. No. 6. JoHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1803. THOMAS BATES WARDEN. (Diam. 44tins.) In Briant's list it is called No. 5.

PELHAM, BRENT. No. 3. J. BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT 1792. J. WOOLLEY CHURCH- WARDEN. (Diam. 34-ins.) Called No. 2 in Briant's list.

PELHAM, FURNEUX. No. 6. J. PORTER C : WARDEN J BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT 1792. (Diam. 39-ins.} This was No. 5 in Briant's list and became No. 6 when a treble was added to the peal in 1875.

PIRTON. No. 1. ABRAHAM BARBER. C : W. JoHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1781. (Diam. 29-ins.}

RIDGE : Tyttenhanger Private Chapel. The chapel is in Tyttenhanger on the third floor at the north east angle of the house. Briant supplied the bell in 1797 to the order of Philip Yorke, third Earl of Hardwick (1757-1834). It bears the inscription:­ J.B. 1797.

RUSHDEN. Complete peal of five. Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4. J. BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT 1787 (Diams. 25!-ins., 27-ins., 28-ins., 30!-ins.} No. 5. ADOLPHUS MEETKIRK ESQR BENEFACTOR. J. MALES CHURCHWARDEN J. BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT 1787. (Diam. 33!-ins.} Until 1787 the peal consisted of four bells, when they were recast, and the additional bell was given by Mr. Meetkirk. He (a descendant of Sir Adolphus Meetkirk, who was born at Bruges in 1528), was born in COUNTY LISTS OF BELLS-HERTFORDSHIRE. 51

1753, and died in 1841. Cussans gives a pedigree and an account of the family in his History of Herts, Odsey Hundred, p. 166. The tenor bell weighs, according to the founders' list, 7 cwt. North and Stahlschmidt in their Church Bells of Hertj<>rdshire (1886, p. 214). record a tradition at Rushden that, these bells and those of Ardeley being cast at the same time by the same founder, an exchange was accidently made by him, he sending the Ardeley bells here, and those belonging to this parish to Ardeley. The bells at Ardeley however, prove such was not the case. In 1685 they were increased from four to six, and are dated 1771, 1685, n.d. (? 1685), 1587, 1613, and n.d. (? 1685), respectively. ST. ALBANS: Cathedral. No. I. This bell, together with No. 2 was, as the inscription on the latter records, " bought by free gifts of sundry good people obtained by ye Revd Mr John Cole vie," and cast by Richard Phelps in 1730. It was cracked in 1792 and John Briant recast it (Weight, 6 cwt. 1 lb.) It was again cracked during the ringing of the 7 o'clock peal on Sunday, 13th December, 1829 and remained in this condition until again recast by C. and G. Mears, the Whitechapel founders in 1845. It was again recast by Mears and Stainbank in 1901. ST. ALBANS : St. Peter's. No. 1. R.A1sa BY VOLUNTARY SUBSCRIPTIONS IN THE XXIIII YEAR OF THE CHURCHWARDENSHIP OF CORNELIUS NICHOLLS. J. BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT 1787. (Diam. 28f-ins.) No. 2. CORNELIUS NICHOLLS C.W. J BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT 1787 (Diam. 29-ins.) No. 4. RECAST BY SUBSCRIPTION. L : BATTEN F : GOUGH & J : WHITNEY C: W: 1812 J: BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT. (Diam. 31-ins.) No. 7. REVND ALFRED W: ROBERTS VICAR J : READ. J : SANDERS J : BARNET : C.W; J. BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT. THE TOWER REBUILT ANNO 1805 (Diam. 38f-ins.) By the addition of Nos. 1 and 2 in 1787, the peal was raised to ten; and in 1868 (to quote an inscription from a board in the belfry), "John Lewis of this Parish, Nonconformist, added two Bells to complete the peal of twelve " for which number cages were prepared by John Briant when the tower was rebuilt in 1805. In 1881 the peal was reduced to ten, when John Lewis's two bells were sold to meet the cost of recasting Nos. 11 and 12. 52 JOHN BRIANT-

ST. ALBANS : Abbey Mill. Briant cast the bell for the Abbey Mill in 1803. It bears the in­ scription, WooLLAM HUGHES & WooLLA~l J.B. 1803.

SAWBRIDGEWORTH. No. 8. STATUTEM EST OMNIBUS SEMEL MORI. THE REVD JOHN LANE VICAR RicHn ALGER & SAM. GoRROD C : W. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1795. (Diam. 52-ins.) This bell was No. 6 when Briant cast it. Two front bells were ad

STANDON. No. 5. W: BIGG: J: SNOW: C: WARDENS: J: BRIANT: HERTFORD: FECIT : 1792. (Diam. 41-ins.) Briant's list calls it No. 4.

STANSTEAD ABBOTS. No. 1. PHILIP TRAYHERNE C. WARDEN JoHN BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT 1790 (Diam. 301-ins.)

STANSTEAD ST. MARGARET. One bell. ]. BRIANT HERTFORD MVCCCXX. The date should be MDCCCXX.

STEVENAGE. No. 1. JOHN BRIANT 1797 HARTFORD E KITCHENER AND T. CASS

C : W. (D'ian1. 30-ms. . ) No. 3. jOHN BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT 1783 (Diam. 35-ins.) No. 4. ]. BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT 1795 J. TlTMUSS & W. FIELD C : W. (D'iam. 37-ms. . ) No. 5. FULL THIRTY YEARS MY TONE I LOST BEEN BROKE AND TUMBLED DOWN IN SHAPE SO NEAT I AM RECAST BY BRIANT OF HARTFORD TOWN AN: DOM: 1783 (Diam. 41-ins.) COUNTY LISTS OF BELLS-HERTFORDSHIRE. 53

No. 6. JOHN BRIANT OF HARTFORD CAST ME 1783 JAMES TITMUS & WM FIELD C : WARDENS THE REVD MR HEN : BAKER RECTOR (Diam. 46-ins.) TEWIN. No. I. JoHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1799 JOHN DEAN CHURCH- WARDEN. (Diam. 27!-ins.)

WALDEN ST. PAUL'S. No. 4. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1814 (Diam. 39!-ins.)

WALLINGTON. Complete peal of five. Nos. 1-4. JOHN BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT 1794. No. 5. T : SISSON RECTOR. W. DRAPER C : WARDEN. JOHN BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT 1794. Until recast by Briant there were only four bells. His list states that the weight of the tenor bell is 10 cwt.

WARE: St. Mary. No. 3. J. PROCTOR J. EDWARDS C ; W : J. BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1792 (Diam. 34-ins.) No. 5. JOHN PROCTOR ]AS. EDWARDS C: WARDENS JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1792 (Diam. 39-ins.)

WATFORD : St. Mary the Virgin. No. 7. JOHN 5HACKELL AND JOHN DUMMER C.W. JOHN BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT 1786 (Diam. 44!-ins.) The work which Briant did at Watford comprised not only supplying this bell, but also repairing the other bells, the frame, and the clock, and at the same time George Harman of High Wycombe installed new chimes. The whole business is recorded in detail in the Vestry Book:- November lst, 1785. At a Vestry, holden this Day for the purpose of receiving the Proposals of such persons as shall offer, to repair the Bells, and the Frame, and also to receive an Estimate of the proper repair of the Chimes-pursuant to the Order of the 4th Oct. last. N.B. The Letter B (opposite the name of each person whose signature is appended) denotes that the person did vote in this 54 JOHN BRIANT-

Vestry that Jno. Briant should have the Repair of the Bells and Frame.u Upon the Question being put whether to accept of the Terms offer'd by Mr. Bryant at eighty five pounds, or those offer'd by Mr. Patrick at ninety five pounds, the majority are for Mr. Bryant, who engages to perform the whole business in a workmanlike manner, according to his proposals given us, together with a Model, and the principal Timber to be 12 Inches by 8 Inches, and the others in proportion. And to sign a proper Agreement on Stamped paper accordingly, for the sum of eighty six pounds and ten shillings. At this Vestry it being proposed whether to have Chimes to the Bells or not, it was carried by a great majority to have Chimes, and there being two proposals given in, one by Mr. Geo. Hannan, at forty five pounds and another by Mr. John Briant for sixty potinds. It is agreed that the said Gentlemen give in their proposals more particularly, expressing the strength of the work and to perform the whole in a Substantial and Workmanlike manner, for four Tunes and not to Shift themselves. And they shall have an Answer after the next Vestry to beholden this Day Sennight. (Note by Briant). I do agree and consent to the above parti­ culars, and to execute or sign an Agreement to be prepared on Stamped paper for that purpose. (Signed) John Briant. Pursuant to the Order of last Tuesday which has been now read at a Vestry holden this eighth day of November, 1785: to take in to further consideration, and receive new Proposals for the fixing proper Chimes to the eight Bells to play four Tunes, at the hours of three, six, nine, and twelve, requiring particulars of the Strength of the work, and firmness of the Frame &c. At this Vestry Mr. Harman being the only person that appears to give in a proposal, and his proposal being satisfactory, with only the alteration of having a Mahogany Barrel instead of an Oak Barrel, which for reasons assigned is most likely to answer the end, It is agreed to, vizt., That for the Sum of Fifty pounds the said Geo. Harman shall take to his own use all the present Chimes, and use again such of the Materials as are fit, and compleat the whole business according to his proposals, and Model produced at this Vestry, and keep the same in repair for three Years without any Gratuity, and after that time for one Guinea per Year, for Any Number of

18 Miss Helen Rudd, who kindly supplied these extracts, notes that, as all the names of those present at the meeting have B. appended to them, the vote to employ Briant for the work was evidently unanimous. CoUNTY LISTS OF BELLS-HERTFORDSHIRE. 55

Years the parish shall require, and to find sufficient Security if required. And the parish on their part agree to these particulars and to pay the Sum of Fifty Pounds, within one Year after the same are compleated provided the Work shall be found to be well done, and the parties mutually agree to sign a proper Agreement to be prepared on Stamped Paper. (Signed) G. Harman. 19th day of September 1786. There having been a great Fault found with the Bell Frame and the Hanging of the Bells, and several of the Parishioners objecting to Mr Bryant's being paid unless it be altered forthwith to Satisfaction, and he being present acknow­ ledges the Complaint to be just, and is willing to Rectify the same. It is therefore agreed to Referr the same on Behalf of the Parish to a Committee, who are Impowered to settle the same with Mr Bryant accordingly. And Mr. Bryant agrees to Rectify what is amiss at his own Expence, having allowed him sufficient Timber to raise the Frame and fixed by the Parish at their Expence for the purpose. And it is agreed at this Vestry to allow William Martin Two Guineas a year for winding up the Chimes. {Signed by the Church­ wardens, Overseer and Carpenters and) John Briant Bell-founder. The 23rd October 1787. At a Vestry or Meeting this day for the purpose of considering what satisfaction ought to be made to the Bell Founder and Chime hanger for their Extra Trouble in making the Addition to the Bell Frame and Rehanging the Bells and re­ placing the Chimes it is ordered as follows :- That Mr. Bryant be paid his Bills amounting to £91 13s. Od., vizt £86 10s. Od. for his Contract, and £5 3s. Od. for Additional metal to the Bell. And that if Mr. Bryant's further Charge of £3 for new Hanging the Clock, Hammer Rods, &c., should be found reasonable, to be hereafter paid. It is likewise Ordered that Mr. Harman be paid his Bill of £50 according to his Contract, and reasonable expences for his Extra Trouble in Replacing the Chimes subject to a further Vestry Order. In 1919, the whole peal, including Briant's No. 7, were recast by Gillett and Johnston, of Croydon, and the old inscriptions reproduced.

WATTON. Nos. I, 4. T. KIMPTON J. ROWLEY C.W. J. BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT 1785 {Diams. 30-ins., 37-ins.) 56 JOHN BRIANT- Kent. (From J. C. L. STAHLSCHMIDT : The Church Bells of Kent, 1887.) ORPINGTON. One bell only. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1813 (Diam. 29-ins.) Local tradition says that there was a peal of bells here before the steeple was struck by lightning and burnt down about 1812,but they were then carried to St. Mary's Cray. It is more probable that the "peal" of two recorded by Hasted's History of Kent went on to London and were sold to raise funds for the repairs, Briant's single one taking their place. Leicestershire. (From T. NORTH: The Church Bells ofLeicestershire. 1876: Revised by MR. C. MORRIS). ASHBY-DE-LA-ZOUCH : St. Helen. Nos. I, 2. THE TWO TREBLE BELLS WERE GIVEN BY VOLUNTARY SUBSCRIPTION IN COMMEMORATION OF THE PEACE OF 1814. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1814. No. 4. j. BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1817. No. 7. THE REV. WM. MAcDouALL VICAR : J. TOMPSON AND WM. DEVENPORT C.W. J. BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1822.

ASHBY MAGNA. No. 2. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1817. This was recast by J. Taylor and Co., in 1925 and the old inscription reproduced.

BARKBY. No. 4. GLORIA DEo IN ExcELSIS ]No. ILLSON AND THos. HENSON C ; WARDENS. ]NO. BRIANT AND B. CORT HERTFORD FECERUNT : 1803. Cort was a local Leicester ironmonger through whom Briant did the work, although the inscription on this bell would seem to indicate that he was in partnership with Briant at Hertford. Similar misleading inscriptions are on Hamstall Ridware (Staffs.), No. 1, and Wigston Magna (Leics.), No. 6. The inscription on Diseworth (Leics.) No. 1, more correctly states, "John Briant Hertford & B. Cort Leicester fecerunt, 1803." COUNTY LISTS OF BELLS-LEICESTERSHIRE. 57

BOTTESFORD. No. 3. J. BRIANT HERTFORD 1810 (Diam. 35-ins. ; weight 8 cwt. 0 qrs. 17 lbs.} No. 8. REVND J THOROTON VICAR T. VINCENT AND T DERRY C. WARDENS J BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1809. (Diam. 55-ins. ; weight 22 cwt. 1 qr. 8 lbs.) These were Nos. 1 and 6 when Briant cast them.

BURTON LAZARS. No. 1. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1804.

COUNTESTHORPE. No. 2. J. HALL C: WARDEN. J. BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1816.

DISEWORTH. No. 1. R. SowTER & T. HASTINGS C.W. JoHN BRIANT HERTFORD & B. CORT LEICESTER FECERUNT 1803. (Diam. 32-ins.) This was recast by J. Taylor & Co. in 1921 and the old inscription reproduced.

LOCKINGTON. No. 4. RVND. PHILLIP STORY VICAR T. PALMER C.W. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1806. This bell was No. 3 in 1876. Briant's list designates it No. I.

LUTTERWORTH. No. 4. J. BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1814. (Diam. 32}-ins.) No. 8. THE HONBLE & REVND HENRY RYDER RECTOR W. MASH & J TILLEY C.W. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1812. (Diam. 40-ins. ; weight about 15! cwt.) These two bells were Nos. 2 and 6 in 1876.

MELTON MOWBRAY. No. 3. Two BELLS WERE ADDED TO THE PEAL BY SUBSCRIPTION ANNO DoMINI MDCCCII THOMAS FORD LL.D. VICAR VINCENT WING AND jOHN MOWBRAY C : WARDENS JOHN BRIANT OF HERTFORD FECIT. GLORIA DEO IN EXCELSIS. 58 JOHN BRIANT-

No. 4. 0cTO CAMPANAS SACRA EXAUDIMUS IN ARCE. DULCES ALTISONAS, 0 HILARES ! HILARES f JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT ANNO DOMIN! MDCCCII STATUTUM EST OMNIBUS SEMEL MORI These two bells were Nos. 1 and 2 in 1876. John Nichols in his Illustrations of the Literary History of the Eight­ eenth Century, 1828 ed., vol. V., p. 231 prints a letter from the Rev. Dr. Thomas Ford, Vicar of Melton Mowbray from 1773 to 1822, dated January 18th, 1803, in which the writer says, " We have lately added two treble bells to our peal, now making eight : they were cast in admirable tune by Mr. Briant, of Hertford; and they were raised by subscription. On the first bell, I caused this inscription to be put, ' Sacra campanas octo exaudimus in arce : Dukes altisonas. 0 hilares ! hilares I MDCCCII.' On an earlier page (p. 218) he has a biographical note on Dr. Ford, in which he speaks in commendation of the loving care and interest which the Doctor bestowed on his church : and remarks on the addition of the two treble bells, ' a new set of chimes, and a most excellent clock : . . all made by Mr. John Briant, bell-founder at Hertford, and which do him great credit.' "

PRESTWOLD. Complete peal of five. No. 4. THE GIFT OF CHARLES JAMES PACKE Esg, JUNIOR joHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1812 No. 5. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT. THE GIFT OF C. J. PACKE Esg. JUNIOR 1812. No.6. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1810. No. 7. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1809. No.8. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD 1809. THE REVD C J. PACKE RECTOR. E. GAMBLE AND T. SoMEs C.W. These five bells constituted the whole peal from 1812 until 1891 when three treble bells were added. Previous to 1809 there were only three bells. The weights of Briant's five are:- No. 4. 6 cwt. 0 qrs 11 lbs. No.5. 6 ,, 2 ,, 11 ,, No. 6. 6 ,, 3 ,, 14 ,, No.7. 8 ,, 0 .. 16 .. No. 8. 10 ,, 3 ,, 18 " COUNTY LISTS OF BELLS-LEICESTERSHIRE. 59

SAPCOTE. No. 4. J. OVER B.H. B PERKINS C W J BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1809. (Diam. 32f-ins.) The B.H. (i.e., bell hanger) J. Over, assisted Briant also at Churchover and Nuneaton, both in Warwickshire. He lived at Rugby and acted as Briant's agent. This bell was No. 2 in 1876.

SHEARSBY. No. 3. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1796. (Diam. 30l-ins.) Briant's list designates this No. 2.

SHEEPSHED. Complete peal of six. Nos. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT AN . DOM. 1805. (Diams. 31-ins., 32-ins., 34j-ins., 36-ins., 39-ins.) No. 8. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT AN. DoM. 1805. T. LUDLOW AND R. THOMPSON CHURCHWARDENS. REVD. CHARLES ALLSOPP VICAR. (Diam. 43-ins.) T. North incorrectly gives the inscription of these bells as "John Briant and Sons," etc., but corrects the error in his Church Bells of Nortli­ amptonsliire (p. 103). These bells were Nos. 1-6 until 1894 when two treble bells were added and the whole peal rehung by J. Taylor & Co. The old Leicester ringers' book records:-" On Friday, December 27th, 1805, at the opening of Shepshed bells (a new peal of six, cast by Mr. Briant of Hertford) 720 Oxford Treble Bob Minor-6th, in, out, in, twice Repeat, was rung by :­ John Warburton, Treble; Thomas Stringer, 2nd; Richard Catlin, 3rd; Thomas Clark, 4th; George Taylor, Sth; Thomas Sibson, 6th."

WALTON-LE-WOLDS. No. 4. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1807 REVND PHILLIP STORY RECTOR J SHUTTLEWOOD C.W. (Weight, 7 cwt. I qr. 13 lbs.) This bell was No. 3 in Briant's list and until after 1876. North adds the name of J. Palmer to that of Briant in this inscription: but it is an error. 60 JOHN BRIANT-

WIGSTON MAGNA : All Saints. No. 4. J. BRIANT CoRT & Co. FECERUNT 1804 HERTFORD. J. LANGHAM AND J. HUNST C.W. Briant's list names this No. 3. It was recast by J. Taylor & Co., in 1922. The inscription was not reproduced, only the date 1804.

Lincolnshire. (T. NORTH: The Church Bells of the County and City of Lincoln, 1882.)

CLAYPOLE. No. I. RAISED BY SUBSCRIPTION : J : BRIANT & : J : CABOURN HERTFORD FECERUNT 1795. (Diam. 29-ins.) No. 3. PATMAN BRIGGS & WM GRIMSHAW C : WARDENS JoHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT ANNO DOM 1793. (Diam. 31-ins.) For John Cabourn, an assistant to Briant in casting these and several other Lincolnshire bells see pp. 23-24.

CONINGSBY. No. I. J. BURCHAM C. WARDEN J. BRIANT & J. CABOURN HERT­ FORD FECERUNT 1801. (Diam. 29!-ins.)

FRAMPTON. No. 2. REVND J : WAITE VICAR J: & T: TUNNARD C.Ws J : BRIANT & J CABOURN HERTFORD FECERUNT 1801. (Diam. 32-ins.) This bell was No. 1 in Briant's list and until after 1882.

HAGWORTHINGHAM. Nos. 2, 3. JOHN BRIANT & J. CABOURN, HERTFORD, FECIT 1802. (Diam. 27!-ins., 28-ins.)

No. 4. j. WINGATE C : W : THREE BELLS ADDED BY SUBSCRIPTION. JOHN BRIANT & J. CABOURN HERTFORD FECIT 1802. (Diam. 29-ins.) PLATE 7 61

IH>1rn1.1 :-;c: <"HI "Ill H, I.I :\((JI S~H I RE: ·"" '! llEl.1. lW!<+.

f Plu1tn.i.:rttph l>y lh· .. .;.r _... ·1.t) h1r •ii l.·•••;..:hh11r•1u..:hJ. COUNTY LISTS OF BELLS-LINCOUiSHIUE. 61

HORBLING. No. 3. REV. J. LoDDINGTON VICAR T. KINSINGTON C: W: REv. J. SINGLAR CURA: J. BRIANT & J. CABOURN HERT­ FORD FECERUNT 1801. (Diam. 31!--ins.} This bell was recast and inscription reproduced in 1929 by Taylor of Loughborough.

KIRBY-ON-BAIN. One bell. F. RENOLDS C WARDEN J BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1803. (Diam. 24-ins.} KIRTON. Briant's list includes No. 4 of a peal of six at Kirton: but at neither Kirton-in-Holland nor Kirton-in-Lindsey, can any bell now be identified as his casting. At the former church the peal of eight was cast by T. Mears and hung by J. Cabourn, in 1807, and replaced a peal of five. It may be suggested that Briant assisted Cabourn in connection with No. 4, as they had already collaborated at Claypole, Coningsby, Frampton, Hag­ worthingham, Horbling, Moulton, All Saints', Sibsey, Stickney and Sutterton. At Kirton-in-Lindsey the peal of six was cast by Jan1es Harrison, of Burton, in 1798. The position of this item in Briant's list suggests a date about the year 1795.

MORTON. No. 4. STATUTUM EST SEMEL OMNIBUS MORI. EDWARD l'RANKS C.W. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1798. (Diam. 36-ins.} This bell was No. 3 in 1882.

MOULTON: All Saints'. No. 6. REVND MAURICE JOHNSON D.D. VICAR VENITE cuM VOCO. JOHN BRIANT & JOHN CABOURN HERTFORD FECERUNT 1805. R. THORP & R. KING C.W. (Diam. 46-ins.) This bell was No. 5 in Briant's list, and until 1882.

SIBSEY. Nos. 4, 5. J. BRIANT AND J. CABOURN HERTFORD FECIT 1801 WM PocKINGTON C.W. (Diams. 37!-ins., 38-ins.) These are Nos. 3 and 4 in Briant's list. 62 JOHN BRIANT-

STICKNEY. Nos. 1, 2. REVD R. LoXHAM RECTOR J. NORTON C.W. J. BRIANT & j. CABOURN HERTFORD FECERUNT 1803. (Diam. 321-ins., 33!-ins.) Briant's list gives only one bell here, No. 3 of a peal of five.

SUTTERTON. No. 1. THE GIFT OF JoHN CABOURN J : BRIANT & j. CABOURN HARTFORD FECIT AN: DOM: 1797. (Diam. 30-ins.) No. 2. RAISD BY SUBSCRIPTION THE HONBLR & REVND CH. LINDSEY VICAR A CASH & G : HARISON C : W : JoHN BRIANT & JOHN CABOURN OF HARTFORD FECERUNT AN : DOM : 1797. (Diam. 30-ins.)

London. (Ex inform. J. c. F. BAYLEY: and from H. B. WALTERS; London Church Bells and Bellfounders. In St. Paul's Ecclesiological Society's Transactions, VI. 1907.) LONDON : St. Giles', Cripplegate. Nos. I, 3. JoHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1792 THOMS WILLATTS & THOS SMITH c. WARDENS. (Diams. 28-ins., 30-ins.; weights 6 cwt., 6 cwt. 3 lbs.) No. 2. This bell has the same inscription at the crown of the bell, with this addition :- RECAST 1908 VICAR : PREB. A. BARFF. CHURCH­ WARDENS : STEPHEN ROGERS jOHN BADDELEY. WARNER AND SoNS, LoNDON, 1908. (Diam. 29-ins.; weight 6 cwt. 1 lb. 14 oz.) The treble was a recast in 1792, the other two being then added to make up the peal of twelve. Briant, it is evident, got this work, not direct from the Vestry, but through George Harman, the High Wycombe chime-maker. Mr. J. J. Baddeley in his Account of the Church and Parish of St. Giles without Cripplegate, 1888, has special articles devoted to the Bells, Chimes and Clock, and to the Chiming Machine. The first article there ends with date 1791 of the Vestry Books. The second is a full description of the chiming machine with illustration, and extracts from the Vestry Books COUNTY LISTS OF BELLS-NORTHAMTONSHIRE. 63 about its installation by George Harman. Nowhere does Briant's name appear, but the first entry is significant:- "Jan. 26, 1792. That a set of Chimes on 12 bells be put up in the steeple agreeable to the estimate now delivered by Mr. George Harman of High Wycombe in Bucks who proposes to re-cast the old Treble Bell (which is crackt} and to cast two new Bells at his own expense." "That said Mr. Harman be employed to make the said sett of Chimes with a brass barrd barrel to play seven tunes such as the Gentlemen of the Vestry shall appoint and to re-cast the said old Bell and cast two new additional Bells agreeable to his Estimate and proposal for the sum of £400."

Northamptonshire. (From T. NoRTH's : The Church Bells of Northamptonshire, 1878.) ABINGTON. No. 1. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1809. (Diam. 28-ins.) No. 2. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1811. J. HARRIS, C.W. (Diam. 31-ins.) No. 3. j. BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1810. (Diam. 34!-ins.)

ASHBY ST. LEDGER. No. 3. W : COLE & W : BAWCUTT C : W. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1806. (Diam. 36-ins.) This bell was originally cast by Matthew Bagley in 1681.

BOUGHTON. Nos. 1, 2. T BRIANT HERTFORD 1824. (Diams. 23-ins., 36-ins.) The initial letter of Briant's Christian name is an error.

BRAUNSTON. Complete peal of six. Nos. 1-5. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1811. (Diams. 32!-ins., 33f-ins., 36-ins., 371-ins., 40!-ins.) No. 6. J. EVANS VICAR: J: HALL & W. HARRIS C: W. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1811. (Diam. 45!-ins.) ()4 ]OHN BRIANT-

The Churchwardens' Book records that at a meeting held on 23rd January, 1812, a frame of good oak was ordered to be made to receive the new ring at a cost of £60. In the same book arc the following entries:- April 8th, 1812. The weight of the new Bells, according to Mr. John Briant's Bill:- cwt. qrs. lb. First bell 7 1 2 Second Do. 7 2 20 Third Do. 9 0 0 Fourth Do. 9 2 0 Fifth Do. 10 3 6 Sixth Do. 17 2 13

Cwt. 61 3 13 1813 John Briant's Bill ... £237 15 6 The founder made a blunder with the tenor beU, for whilst the names of the churchwardens, as given above, are correct, the Rector of Braunston at that time was Jolin Williams. The name of Evans does not appear among the Vicars. The explanation may be that as Evans is a Welsh name (as also is that of Williams), and Braunston is in the gift of Jesus College, Oxford, "]. Evans" was Curate here when the bell was recast and placed his name upon it as " Vicariies" for a, perhaps, non-resident Rector.

BUCKBY, LONG. No. 1. THE REVD T. COLE VICAR. ]. BRIANT HERTFORI> FECIT 1814. T. WORSTER C.W. (Diam. 34!-ins.) BYFIELD. No. 5. WM Cox & WM THORNTON c.w. ]. BROMLEY & ]. SMITH OVERSEERS J. BRIANT HARTFORD l'ECIT 1791. (Diam. 43-ins.) CHACOMBE. No. 5. WM GIBBARD & J BENIT C.W. J. BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1790 (Diam. 39-ins.) It is said that while engaged in recasting this bell, Briant sought out the tombstone of Henry Bagley (1608-1684) the founder of the famous firm of bell founders at Chacombe, which is in Banbury (Oxon.) Church­ yard, and had it cleaned and recut with additional inscription, "To the Memory of an ingenious Bell-Founder this stone was repaired." COUNTY LISTS OF BELLS-NORTHAMPTONSHIRE. 65

CLAYCOTON. No. 1. A. JOHNSON C.W. J. BRIANT HERYFORD FECIT 1810. (Diam. 28-ins.) Briant's list calls this No. 3.

CULWORTH. No. 3. J. PAGE & W UPSON C W JOHN BRIANT HERYFORD FECIT 1806. (Diam. 36-ins.) The Churchwardens' Accounts contain, under the year 1806, a copy of an agreement with Briant as follows:- "I propose new hanging the Tenor bell with a new wheel, Gudgeons, Braces, Repg the Clapper and turn the Bell to cause the Clapper to strike on a new place-and chip the edge of the 4th Bell to endeavour to make it higher in key for £10 Os. Od. April 25th, 1806. John Briant." Then follow these entries :- £ s. d. "Paid Mr. Briant for recasting the third Bell 19 0 0 Paid expences at the same time 11 6 Paid Mr. Briant for new hanging the Tenor Bell, etc. 10 0 O"

EASTON NESTON. No. 3. JOHN BRIANT HERYFORD FECIT 1823. (Diam. 32-ins.) No. 5. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1820. (Diam. 36-ins.) No. 6. ISAAC MANNING THE TREASURER OF JOHN HULCOTE HIS CHARITY ADDED THIS BELLMVCCCXXIIJ JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT. (Diam. 41-ins.) John Hulcote, the founder of the Charity which bears his name, was Esquire of the body to King Edward IV., and Lord of the Manor of Hulcote. By his will, dated 1481, he left all his lands in Easton, Hulcote and Calecote after his wife's decease, in the hands of feoffees, the income to be applied for the upkeep of the parish church of Easton and Hulcote.

EYDON. No. 2. J. BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1822. W. LINES & I IVENS c.w. (Diam. 30-ins.) F 66 joHN BRIANT-

HELMDON. No. 1. J. ADKINS AND L FAIRBROTHER CW JOHN BRIANT HERT­ FORD FECIT 1797 (Diam. 27!-ins.) KING'S SUTTON. Nos. 1, 2. THE GIFT OF HENRY SMYTH Esg. OF CHARLTON JOHN BRYANT HERTFORD 1793 Henry Smyth of Charlton, was an enthusiastic bell-ringer. Peal boards in the belfry at Charlton record the ringing of a complete peal of 5040 of Bob Major in three hours and fourteen minutes there by the King's Sutton ringers on January lst, 1799, and of a complete peal of 5120 of Oxford Treble Bob in three hours nineteen minutes by the same ringers on March 23rd, 1802.

KISLINGBURY. No. 1. JoHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1799. WM DUNKLEY WM PAINE CHURCHWARDENS. (Diam 31-ins.) MIDDLETON CHENEY. Sanctus Bell. J. BRIANT HERTFORD, 1810. (Diam. 16-ins.)

NORTHAMPTON: Holy Sepulchre. No. 7. THE REvn THos WATTS VICAR THOS ARMFIELD & J HARRIS C. WARDENS JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1805. (Diam. 42!-ins.) This was No. 5 in 1878, but, with the addition of two front bells since that date, has become No. 7. The whole peal was recast by Gillett and Johnston in 1926. Reference to Cox and Serjeantson's History of St. Sepulchre's Church (p. 178), reveals the interesting fact that John Over, of Rugby, and not John Briant, was the contractor for this bell. It is evident that Briant cast it to his order. We find them working together at other places, at Churchover (1803), and Nuneaton (1809), Warwickshire, and Sapcote (1809) in Leicestershire. In the St. Sepulchre's Vestry Book it is recorded: " On April 15th, 1805, it was ordered that a new bell (5th) be provided by the churchwardens, and that they have a levy for defraying the expenses." On May 6th the same year it was ordered that " John Over of Rugby be employed for the fifth bell, and also to rehang the other bells and repair the frame." Over's bill came to £169. COUNTY LISTS 01; BELL~-NORTlJAMPTONSHJRE. 67

PASSENHAM. No. 5 (tenor). THIS BELL THE GIFT OF SIR ROBERT BANASTRE AN. DOM. 1635 WAS RECAST AT THE EXPENCE OF CHARLES VISCOUNT MAYNARD & THE PARISHIONERS AN. DOM. 1817. GLORIA DEO IN EXCELSIS. THE REVND l.oRAIN SMITH RECTOR. JAMES CLARE & JOHN CLARK C.W. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT. (Diam. 46-ins.) Sir Robert Banastre, the donor of the original tenor bell, who was lord of the manor, "raised and beautified" the chancel of the church in 1626. He died 15th December, 1649, aged eighty years, and was buried here. He settled the manor on Dorothy, his only daughter by his third wife. She was the first wife of William, second Lord Maynard, from whom the manor descended to Charles, Viscount Maynard, whose name appears on Briant's bell. (G. Baker: History of the County of Northampton, II, 189.)

POTTERSPURY. No. 3. JOHN BRIANT: HERTFORD: FECIT: 1792: JOHN: ROPER: C. WARDEN. (Diam. 39-ins.)

RAVENSTHORPE. Complete peal of five. Nos. 1, 3, 4. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1809 (Diams. 26-ins., 28-ins., 30-ins.)

No. 2. JOHN BRIANT HERT110RD FECIT 1809 0sTIN JOHNSON C.W. (Diam. 27-ins.)

No. 5. J BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1809 J. HALL J ORLAND C.W. (Diam. 33-ins.)

SULGRAVE. No. 5 (tenor). GLORIA DEO IN EXCELSIS W: MALSBURY & W: PAINTER: C W : jOHN BRIANT : HERTFORD : FECIT : 1806 W : BURCH: CW: T. CRICK RECTOR. (Diam. 42-ins.) Tbis bell was recast, with the rest of the ring, by Messrs. Gillett and Johnston, of Croydon, in 1928, and the old inscriptions reproduced. 68 JOHN BRIANT-

SYRESHAM. No. 5. (tenor). This bell, included in Briant's list, was cast, appar­ ently, about 1805. It was recast by John Warner & Sons in 1867. THENFORD. No. 5 (tenor). E. STAFFORD VICAR c. EDWARDS AND J. LAW c. w. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1806. (Diam. 33-ins.) THORPE MANDEVILLE. No. 1. J. BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1790.

WICKEN. No. 2. T. BRADBURY CHURCH WARDEN J. BRIANT FECIT HERTFORD 1798. (Diam. 34-ins.)

Oxfordshire. (Ex inform. H. B. WALTERS, F.S.A.) ADDERBURY. Complete peal of eight. No. 1. WM BELLOW WM GARDNER & JOHN GARDNER C WARDENS JoHN BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT AN DoM 1789 (Diam. 36-ins.) No. 2. W : BELLOW W : GARDNER & JOHN GARDNER C WARDENS JOHN BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT AN DOM 1789. (Diam. 37-ins.) No. 3. (Recast by G. Mears and Co., in 1863). (Diam. 38-ins.) No. 4. WM BELLOW WM GARDNER & }NO GARDNER CHURCH WARDENS JOHN BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT AN DOM 1789 (Diam. 39-ins.) No. 5. WM BELLOW WM GARDNER & JOHN GARDNER CHURCH WARDENS JOHN BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT AN DOM 1789 (Diam. 41-ins.) No. 6. (Name filed off). c WARDEN. JOHN BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT 1789. This was recast in 1927 by Taylor, of Loughborough, with inscription :-JOHN (3!-inch space) C WARDEN. JOHN BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT 1789. RECAST 1927. CHARLES FIENNES CHOLMONDELEY. HUGH WILLIAM STILGOE, JAMES SPARROW MORDAUNT, CHURCHWARDENS. (Diam. 43-ins.) COUNTY LISTS OF BELLS-OXFORDSHIRE. 69

No. 7. WM BELLOW WM GARDNER J GARDNER C : WARDENS J. BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT AN DOM 1789 (Diam. 46-ins.) No. 8. WM BELLOW WM GARDNER & ]No GARDNER C : WARDENS JOHN BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT AN DoM 1789. V1vos AD CAELUM MORTUOS AD SOLUM PULSATA VOCO H.B. (Diam. 53-ins.) These eight bells replaced the old peal of six. When they arrived at the village they were met by the villagers and dragged to the church­ yard, where they remained three months being tuned. They were first rung on St. John's Day by eight Johns gathered from the villages round. The day of their arrival was kept as a holiday: booths were erected and extended from the green to the churchyard.

BANBURY. No. 1. THIS BELL WAS GIVEN BY FREDERICK EARL OF GUILDFORD TO THE BOROUGH OF BANBURY. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1820. (Diam. 31-ins.)

No. 2. JOHN PAIN }AMES HILL THOMAS NASBY C WARDENS JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1820 (Diam. 32-ins.) The peal of six, which was increased to eight by the addition of these two, was cast by members of the Bagley family, bellfounders, of Chacombe, Northants. While recasting the Sth bell at Chacombe, Briant sought out the stone which marked the giave of Henry Bagley, the originator of the bellfounding firm (1608-1684), at Banbury, and had it cleaned and recut with this addition, "To the Memory of an ingenious Bell-Founder this stone was repaired." (A Beesley: History of Banbury, p. 538).

CUDDESDON. No. 1. THE GIFT OF DR. E. SMALLWELL BPT OF OXFORD &c JoHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT AN DOM 1795. (Diam. 30-ins.) EPWELL. No. 2. J TURNER C.W. J BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT MDCCCXXI (Diam. 26-ins.) 70 JOHN BRIANT-

GODINGTON. Ting-tang. J : B : 1793 : 0. (Diam. 11!-ins.)

BANWELL. Complete peal of five. No. 1. UNFEIGNED PRAISE TO HEAVENS ALMIGHTY KING FOR HEALTH RESTORED TO GEORGE THE THIRD WE SING HAEC SEXTA ACCESSIT A.D. 1789. J. BRIANT HARTD FECIT (Diam. 26-ins.) Nos. 2, 3. JOHN BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT 1789 (Diams. 27!-ins., 28t-ins.) No. 4. EXALTED HERE WE ARE ON HIGH EMBLEMS OF PARISH HARMONY J. BRIANT. HARTFORD. FECIT. 1789. N. PERRY. T. TURNER. C.W. W. GRETTON VICO. (Diam. 32!-ins.) No. 5. THos DAVIS & SAMUEL GRANT C: WARDENS JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT. AN: DoM. 1790. (Diam. 34t-ins.) There is a curious similarity in the inscriptions of Nos. I and 4, to those on Briant's Nos. 2 and 4 at Littlebury, Essex. But No. 2 at Little­ bury is dated 1790, and correctly bears the names of W. Gretton vicar and N. Perry and T. Turner churchwardens. No. 4 at Littlebury and No. 4 here both bear the same couplet, vicar and churchwardens: the officials also being the same as on No. 2 at Littlebury. This was obviously an oversight in casting, as the vicar and churc~wardens named had no connection with Hanwell.

HEADINGTON. N OS. 1, 3. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1792. (Diams. 27i-ins., 29-ins.}

MOLLINGTON. No. 3. JOHN BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT 1789 (Weight 3! cwt.) Called No. 2 in Briant's list. COUNTY LISTS OF BELLS-OXFORDSHIRE. 71

OXFORD: St. Ebbe's. Complete peal of eight. Nos. 1, 2. (1803: subsequently sold, and no record of inscriptions kept). Nos. 3, 4, 5, 7. J : BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT 1789 (Diams. 24-ins., 25-ins., 26-ins., 28-ins.) No. 6. UNFEIGNED PRAISE TO HEAVENS ALMIGHTY KING FOR HEALTH RESTORED TO GEORGE THE THIRD WE SING HAEC SEXTA ACCESSIT A.D. 1790. J: BRIANT HARTFORD FE CIT (Diam. 27-ins.) No. 8. THIS PEAL WAS RAISa BY VOLUNTARY SUBSCRIPTION H : RICHARDS RECTOR E. GOODYER W. CLUFF C : W : J : BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT 1789 (Diam. 31-ins.)

WARDINGTON. No. 2. WM CoLE & Rn GOODMAN C W J BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT 1791 (Diam. 34}-ins.) No. 3. J: BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT. 1795: (Diam. 37!-ins.) Briant's list calls these Nos. 2 and 4.

WHEATLEY. Complete peal of five. Nos. 2, 4. J. BRIANT: HERTFORD: FECIT 1794. (Diams. 28-ins., 31!--ins.) No. 3. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1794 (Diam. 29!--ins.) No. 5. GLORIA DEO IN EXCELSIS J. BRIANT: HERTFORD: FECIT. 1794 (Diam. 33I-ins.) No. 6. JOHN BRIANT OF HERTFORD FECIT 1793. GLORIA DEO IN EXCELSIS. (Diam. 37}-ins.) 72 JOHN BRIANT- Shropshire. (From H. B. WALTERS : The Church Bells of Shropshire. In Shropshire Archaeological Society's Transactions 3S., 11-X; 4S., I. 1902-11.)

CONDOVER. Complete peal of eight. Nos. l, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7. jOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT. 1813 (Diams. 28}-ins., 28f-ins., 32!-ins., 32-k-ins., 35!-ins., 38-ins.) No. 3. JOHN BRIANT FECIT 1812. (Diam. 30!-ins.) No. 8. JOHN GWILLIAMS & JOHN LEAKE C WARDENS. JOHN BRIANT. HERTFORD. FECIT. 1812. (Diam. 42!-ins.) The following entries occur in the Churchwardens' Accounts, 1813 :­ £ s. d. 1813 To takeing the Bells with two Teams to Shrewsbury and Expences ... I 11 6 June 11. To assisting unloading & weighing ... 5 0 June 11. Going to Mr Burley & Mr Bryant for a Bond to compleat the Bells ... 2 0 June 19. Mr. Burley for drawing Bond 0 Sept. 25 For a letter from Mr Bryant 10 Oct. 11 Ale at unloading the bells 4 0 Oct. 27 Wm Roberts for Cuting Turffs & getting them to the Bell Loft 2 day .. . 5 0 Oct. 29 For ale at the opening the Bells .. . 5 0 Oct. 30 Mr Bryant-see Bill 112 0 0 This peal of eight took the place of the old peal of six and required an additional 6 cwt. of new metal. The cost of the work was met by a sale of timber growing on the Church Lands, and by a ' loan ' or rather church rate of 6d. in the£. The bells were reh1lllg by Messrs. Taylor in a new frame in 1894. (S.A .S. Trans., 3S., VI, 43; 45.. I, 95, 1906-11.)

ERCALL, HIGH. No. 1. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1812 TWIN SISTERS WE UNITE OUR TUNEFUL POWERS WITH THIS SWEET BAND TO CHARM THE VACANT HOURS; IN MAZY CHANGES CHEAR THE LANDSCAPE WIDE, AND COURT COY ECHOES FROM YON MOUNTAIN'S SIDE. (Diam. 28-ins.) COUNTY LISTS OF BELLS-SHROPSHIRE. 73

No. 2, JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1812. WHERE MEANDERING RODEN GENTLY GLIDES OR TURNES PROUD CURRENT FILLS ITS AMPLE SIDES : THENCE MEDITATION VIEWS OUR CALM ABODE ; HEALS THE SICK MIND AND YIELDS IT PURE TO GoD. {Diam. 29-ins.) These couplets were composed by a local schoolmaster, Mr. Wilding, who also wrote the inscriptions for the bells of St. Chad's, Shrewsbury, and the treble at Wrockwardine. "Yon mountain" is the Wrekin, and "Turne," the Tern. The last four letters of "Powers" on the treble are engraved, not in relief. (S.A.S. Trans., SS., IX, 16, 1909.)

SHREWSBURY : Holy Cross. No. 4. H. BURTON VICAR R. BRATTON & R. BETTON C W J: BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1812 (Diam. 36}-ins.) Briant was probably chosen to recast this bell as he was at the time engaged on those of St. Alkmund's Church. (S.A.S. Trans., 3S., X, 16. 1910.)

SHREWSBURY : St. Alkmund's. Complete peal of eight. No. I. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD F CIT (sic) 1812 OUR LIFE IS CHANGEFUL, VIEW US NOW COMPLETE, SEDATE WE ROSE IN SIX, WE'RE GAY IN EIGHT. {Diam. 28f-ins.) This refers to the casting of this peal of eight out of the old one of six. No. 2. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD F CIT (sic) 1812. HEAR I HOLY ALKMONDS LONG FORGOTEN SHADE : To THEE OUR NOTES WE RAISE : FOR THEE WERE MADE. (Diam. 29-ins.) No. 3. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1812 THESE SACRED WALLS, THIS VENERABLE SPIRE, SHALL GIVE OUR CHANGES SWEETNESS, RIASE THEM HIGHER. (Diam. 30!-ins.) No. 4. jOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1812. AND STILL AS SPORTIVE FANCY COUNTS THEM O'ER, SHALL WAFT THEM FAR ON SEVERN'S FERTILE SHORE. (Diam. 32-ins.) 74 jOHN BRIANT-

No. 5. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1812 HAIL! PATRIOT GEORGE FOR WHOM A NATION PRAYS, THAT HEALTH AND PEACE MAY CROWN THY LATTER DAYS. (Diam. 34-ins.) No. 6. jOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1812 IN DEATHS WE MOURN, WITH HYMEN WE REJOICE ; IN PUBLIC GOOD WE JOIN THE PUBLIC VOICE. (Diam. 35-ins.) No. 7. JoHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1812 HARK CURFEW TOLLS-NOW MATIN RITES PREPARE : WHILST PIETY GIVES ALL HER SOUL IN PRAYER. (Diam. 38!-ins.) No. 8. En LINZEE VICAR En BULL & J ; BARNES c : WARDENS jOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1812. FAITHFULL, I WATCH AND WARN BOTH YOUNG AND OLD; To ALL 0 Gon THY LIGHT AND GRACE UNFOLD. GLORIA DEO IN EXCELSIS. (Diam. 41f-ins.) This peal is said to have been cast at the same time and from the same metal as the Condover ring, which is dated 1812-13. The couplets were composed by the High Ercall schoolmaster, Mr. Wilding. The following entries relating to Briant's peal are extracted from the Parish books:- 1811-12. Messrs. Crowley, Hicklin & Co for carriage of £ s. d. bells ... 22 18 0 William Jones for do. 8 4 0 Mr. Jarratt for ale for men taking bells down ... 4 8 1812-13 Mr. Blaney for drawing bells to Church 12 0 Mr. Bryant on account of the bells 123 0 0 Mr. Harris on account of the timber work to do 20 0 0 At weighing the bells 4 8 For carriage of bells to the quay 5 0 1813-14 J. Bryant balance of account 123 0 0 1815-16 Messrs Beck & Co. money borrowed for the bells and interest ... 56 16 5 The steps preliminary to the recasting of the bells are recorded in the Vestry Minute Book, as follows:- Nov. 22. 1810 The following letter was read, viz.:- Gentlemen, At your request I h~ve been and examined your bells and the whole of it is in a very bad state the bells are badly worn with the clappers the stocks are not safe to carry the bells, COUNTY LISTS OF BELLS-SHROPSHIRE. 75

the gudgins are almost asunder, and the brasses is almost worn through, and the wheels are very had, and the frame moves a great deal, a part of the frame is broke asunder, which will he very injurious to the tower and spire in a short time if proper care is not taken. W. Ansell Church Bell Hanger.

As a result of this report the bells ceased to ring, except No. 6, which was required for Services. Sep. 13th, 1811. Ordered that the present peal of six bells be taken down by John Bryant of Hertford, Bell Caster, that the same he recast . . . into a peal of eight by the same person, and also rehung, and that the same be done under the direction of the present Church Wardens Mr. Thomas Harris Mr. Richard Wilding Mr. Charles Bigg and Mr. William Bull, and that the expense thereof be paid and home by this Parish. Briant, writing to the churchwardens of St. Julian's, Shrewsbury, on October 22nd, 1812, about an order which he had received from them for a clock, adds, " Be pleased to give my duty to the Rev. Hugh Owen. I am much concerned to hear the account he gives me of St. Alkmond's spire ; I suppose the old peal of six being heavier bells and rung longer, cause the spire to vibrate more than the peal of eight." (Shropshire Notes and Queries, N.S., VI, 1897, p. 18). Another entry in the St. Alkmund's Vestry Book takes up the tale:- June 11 th, 1813. Mr. Bryant having examined the frame work of the bells done by Mr. Harris, which it was said had been the cause of injuring the steeple, reports :-that in his opinion the same was not occasioned by any fault in the frame work, but Mr. Bryant having recommended that some bracing bits should be added to the frame to keep the trusses to the hearings so as to lessen the action of the frame, it was therefore resolved that the same he done under the direction of Mr. Bigg, Mr. Hand and Mr. Davies. The correspondent in Shropshire Notes and Queries further remarks, " As founder of St. Alkmund's hells Briant's reputation as a bell founder is fully maintained in that they are considered to he as good a peal as any in the country, having regard, of course, to their weight. The bells were exceptionally well hung, and the best evidence of this lies in the fact that they have been in use for a century with but little or no repair ... Briant in the construction of St. Alkmund's bells, proved himself a conscientiou~ and skilful worker." (S.A.S. Trans., 35., X, 28-38. 1910.) 76 JOHN BRIANT- Staffordshire. (From C. LYNAM: The Church Bell$ of the County of Stafford. 1889.) CLIFTON CAMPVILLE. No. 2. J : COOPER C : W : THE REVND I : WATKINS RECTOR J. BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1816 (Diam. 31-ins.)

HAMSTALL RIDWARE. No. 1. R. KNOWLES C.W. J. BRIANT& B. CoRT HEREFORD FECERUNT 1805 (Diam. 27-ins.) At the time this bell was cast, B. Cort, probably a local Leicester ironmonger, was assisting Briant in the neighbouring county of Leicester at Barkby (No. 4, 1803), Diseworth (No. 1, 1803) and Wigston Magna (No. 6, 1804). Hereford is, of course, an error for Hertford.

Suffolk. (From J. J. RAVEN: The Church Bells of Suffolk. 1890). COWLINGE. Nos. 3, 4. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1809

GAZELEY. No. 1. A GRATEFUL STRAIN BOYS LET US SING To PRAISE THE NAME OF MESSRS. KING, WEDGE, CoRNELL, NORMAN, HYNES, AND FYSON, DEATH, BARNES, STAPLES, ALSO WILSON, BY WHOSE KIND AND GENEROUS AID I (LEADER OF THIS PEAL) WAS MADE JOHN BRIANT FECIT A.D. 1808.

RUMBURGH. No. 5. THE REVND LOMBE ALTHILLS (sic) PERP. CURATE. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1823. C. REYNOLDS (Althills is an error for Atthills).

THURLOW, GREAT. · No. 5. A. GARDNER & W. EAGLE, C.W. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1781. CoUNTY LISTS OF BELLS-SUFFOLK. 77

THURLOW, LITTLE. No. 5. (tenor). T. CRICK RECTOR, w. BURCH c.w. JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1807.

WALDINGFIELD, GREAT. Complete peal of six. No. l. CANITE JOVAE LAUDES NOVO CARMINE JOHN BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT AN : DOM: 1800. No. 2. 0MNES INCOLAE AUDITE JOHN BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT 1800 No. 3. SIT NoMEN DoMINI BENEDICTUM. JOHN BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT AN: DOM: 1800 No. 4. LAUDATE DEUM (TYMPANIS ?} JOHN BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT 1800. No. 5. SuPREMIS Loc1s JovAM LAUDATE. JOHN BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT AN : DOM : 1800. No. 6. ADESTE. REvND THOMAS ROYCE RECTOR, JOHN Lorr & ED. PRIOR C.W. ADESTE. jOHN BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT AN : DOM : 1800. (Diam. 42-ins.} No. 4 was recast in 1876 by John Warner & Sons, of London. Briant made his peal of six out of the five old bells.

Warwickshire. (From REV. H. H. TILLEY and H. B. WALTERS : The Church Be/Js of Warwickshire. 1910}.

ASHOW. Complete peal of four. Nos. 1, 2. J. BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT 1793. No. 3. J. BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT 1793 WM BADAMS C WARDEN No.4. JOHN BRIANT HARTFORD 1793 H loRONS C WARDEN (Weight 7 cwt.}

CHURCHOVER. No. 3. J. VOILE C : WARDEN J : BRIANT & ] OVER HERTFORD FECERUNT 1803. J Over was a bell-hanger living at Rugby who acted as Briant's agent. His name appears with Briant's on No. 4, at Nuneaton, 1809, also. 78 JOHN BRIANT-

COVENTRY : St. Michael (Cathedral}. No. 10. STEPHEN CORBET ACT: C: WARDEN 1805. I AM AND HAVE BEEN CALL'D THE COMMON BELL TO RING, WHEN FIRE BREAKS OUT TO TELL. JOHN BRIANT (sic) HERTFORD FECIT AN: DoM: MDCCCV. GLORIA DEo IN EXCELSIS. (Diam. 56!-ins.) This bell was cracked in 1802. At that time the ten bells hung in two tiers, but when Briant recast it, they were rehung and all brought down to the same level. The bells now hang in the octagon. This bell weighed 31 cwt. 1 qr. 14 lbs., and is considered to be Briant's master­ piece. The whole peal was recast by Messrs. Gillett and Johnston of Croydon, in 1927, when the chime was increased to fourteen, four smaller bells being added.

DUNCHURCH. No. 6. I TO THE CHURCH THE LIVING CALL AND TO THE GRAVE DO SUMMON ALL WM SMITH T SUTTON J & WM BARNWELL c: w ARDENS HENRY BROMFIELD VICAR JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT AN : Do:M : 1792. (Diam. 46-ins.)

ETTINGTON. No. 4. J WATERS KING SUTTON BELL HANGER W. HARRIS & E. ARCH c. WARDENS JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1803. Briant's bell was placed with three of the old four in the new church just built at Upper Ettington to replace the old church (now in ruins) at Lower Ettington. They have all now been placed in the new church of Holy Trinity built in 1907. As the inscription shows the hanging of the new bell was the work of J. Waters of King's Sutton, near Banbury. The Churchwardens' Accounts include entries relating to the casting of this and the hanging of the peal. £ s. d. 1803 For Fetching the bells from the Old Church to the New 1 0 Pd Jno Walker for helping to lode the Bells 1 6 Pd Willm Baron for the Bel ropes ... 1 2 0 COUNTY LISTS OF BELLS-WARWICKSHIRE. 79

£ s. d. 1804 Pd Willm Hall for fetching the Frames from Banbury ... 1 3 0 Recasting 10! cwt. of Bell-mettal at 30s. pr hundred ... 15 7 6 Carriage of the old bell to Banbury 1 0 0 .. ,, from Banbury to London I 1 0 Carriage of the new bell from London to Banbury 2 11 7 Banbury to Eatington 1 0 0 " " The bell was recast at Hertford, whither it must have gone via London, unless John Briant was in London at the time.

KENILWORTH: St. Nicholas. No. 1. (treble). SAM BUTLER R. RUSSELL c w JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1793. This was recast by R. Taylor, of Loughborough, in 1875. Briant's list calls the place Kilingworth.

LEEK WOOTTON. Nos. 1, 2. THE GIFT OF THE HoNBLE MARY LEIGH J BRIANT liERTFORD FECIT 1793.

NEWBOLD-ON-AVON. Complete peal of six. No. 1. Ex : DONO : REV. J : 0. GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST. J BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1792. Nos. 2, 4. J : BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1792 No.3. jOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1782. No. 5. J BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1792 GLORIA DEO IN EXCELSIS. No. 6. J: PARKER: VICAR: T: COMPTON: J: NORMAN & R: WEBB : c : WARDENS VIVOS AD CAELUM MORTUOS AD SOLUM PULSATA VOCO : J : BRIANT : liERTFORD : FECIT 1792. (Weight 19! cwt.) The date on No. 3 is probably an error for 1792. The theology of the inscription on the tenor is not very correct, for if the first use of the bell refers to the Church militant, the second ignores the existence of a 80 JoHN BRIANT-

Church triumphant, if the only future remaining for the dead is the soil I Or are we to understand vivos as equivalent to animos, mortuos as corpora? The Rev. J. 0. on No. I, refers to the Rev. J. Olney, member of a family long connected with the parish. Before 1792 the peal consisted of four bells. Briant's receipt for recasting these into five is extant. The treble was an additional gift as its inscription records.

NUNEATON. No. 4. J. HUSKINSON & J. GEARY C.W. J. BRIANT OF HERTFORD FECIT 1809 J. OVER B.H. (Diam. 34-ins.) The letters B.H. stand for "bell-hanger." Over had worked in this capacity with Briant at Churchover six years before.

PACKINGTON, GREAT. One bell. TRES OLIM CAMPANAE E QUIBUS RUPTA QUADAM VICTORIAM AD TRAFALGAR RESONANDO A (D) MDCCCV IN UNAM FUSAE A (D) MDCCCVIII JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1808. GLORIA DEO IN EXCELSIS. This bell is interesting in that it records that there were formerly three bells here, that one was broken in ringing to celebrate the victory of Trafalgar, and that the other two were melted to make this one.

SHOTTESWELL. No. 1. E. G. WALFORD VICAR J. ABBATS C.W. JoHN BRIANT HERTFORD 1808. (Diam. 28-ins.) STONELEIGH. No. 4. J : jUDD & J: SIMPSON C: WARDENS J: BRIANT. HARTFORD. FECIT 1792. (Diam. 35-ins.) This bell superseded one, apparently made in the fourteenth century by John Rufford. Briant's list calls this No. 2.

WARMINGTON. No. 1. T. ROBINSON H. B. HARRISON VICAR J. BRIANT HERTFORI> FECIT 1811 COUNTY LISTS OF BELLS 81 lf'orcestershire.

(Ex inform. H. B. WALTERS, F.S.A.)

HARTLEBURY.

No. 3. J : BRYANT OF HERTFORD l'ECIT 1812 J. STYLES & J WILLIAMS C : W (Diam. 33!-ins.)

Ireland. EDENDERRY (Tyrone). One Bell of two, weighing together 15 cwt.

LISBURN : Cathedral (Antrim & Down). The information about Briant's bells here is not quite clear. Accord­ ing to his printed list he cast Nos. 1 and 2 in a peal of three. At the present time there are two bells in the Cathedral tower. The larger one is inscribed :-

THos HODGES, FOUNDER, ABBEY ST., DUBLIN. RECAST 1861 BY ORDER OF THE MARQUIS OF HERTFORD. REV. DEAN STANNUS, RECTOR. (Diam. 3-ft. 6-ins.)

This may be a recasting of a Briant bell. The smaller one is in­ scribed:- THE GIFT OF LORD CONWAY 1721. RECAST 1746. DUBLIN. ROGER HODGKINSON, SENESCHAL. (Diam. I-ft. 9-ins.)

TUAM (see over leaf).

G 82 JOHN BRIANT-

TUAM: Cathedral (Galway). Bell. Weight, 18 cwt. In the Dean's Vestry at Tuam Cathedral hangs a board about two feet square, painted black with this inscription in white :-

INSCRIPTION OF OLD BELL REMOVED 11 1892 BEING IRREPARABLY INJURED

THE GIFT OF JOSEPH DEAN BOURKE LORD ARCHBISHOP OF TUAM TO THE CATHEDRAL OF ST. MARY'S TUA.t'\f

EDMOND BURTON ARCHDEACON OF TUAM GLORIA DEO IN EXCELSIS.

JOHN BRIANT OF HARTFORD IN ENGLAND. FECIT. AN DoM 1793

What became of Briant's bell is not known. Archdeacon Edmond Burton was Rector of Tuam at the time and afterwards became Dean of Tuam. He built the Deanery there. (Ex inform. Rev. J. A. Lendrum, Dean of Tuam). 83

PART VI.

CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF 1'URRET CLOCKS.

It is no easy task listing up the turret clocks, which Briant installed not only in church towers, but also at private mansions, up and down the country. No county lists of clocks have ever been compiled analogous to those of their bells, from which Briant's productions could be extracted. Practically the only clues to guide in the search are two lists given in Briant's obituary notice. The first list comprises the names of ten of his most distinguished patrons to whom he supplied clocks, only one of which is specified as being for a church, namely, the Duke of Marlborough for Woodstock Church. One other, unspecified, was for the Marquis of Hartford, Lisburn, Ireland; this was evidently for Lisburn Cathedral. The remaining eight were for secular use, namely :-· The Duke of Rutland, Belvoir Castle, Lines., quarter clock. The Duke of Grafton, Wakefield Lodge, Northants, turret clock. The Marquis of Salisbury, Hatfield House, turret clock. Earl Cowper, Panshanger, turret clock. Lord Montague, Ditton Parks, Bucks, turret clock. Lord Breadalbane, Taymouth Castle, Scotland, turret clock. Lord Hardwick, Wimpole, turret clock. Sir T. Rumbold, Watton Woodhall, turret clock. The second list is prefaced by " our limits will not allow us to part­ icularize only a mere fraction of Mr. Briant's productions, as the following among other cities and towns, he likewise supplied with clocks, chimes, etc. :-St. Ives, Coventry, Melton Mowbray, Condover, Aylesbury, Sevenoaks, Kelvedon, Royston, St. Albans, Northampton, Hatfield, Barkway, Bishop's Stortford, Hertford, etc." Some of these, too, were evidently church clocks, as the following chronological list shows. Several 84 JOHN BRIANT-

of them it has not been possible to trace, whether on church or public building, at the present day; but on the other hand several have been discovered which are not mentioned in the two lists. Altogether the chronological list amounts to twenty-one items, and it is likely that as as a result of publishing this list many more may come to light.

c. 1772-88. HATFIELD (Herts.) : Woodside. The turret clock which Briant placed above the stables can only at present be dated tentatively between 1772 and 1788. John Church finished building the house at Woodside in 1772, and the erection of the stables was probably immediately subsequent to that date. He died in 1788. 1782. HATFIELD (Herts.): House. The clock in the central turret is inscribed as having been repaired by "John Briant-Hartford-1782." The clock bell (diam. 25-ins.), by Robert Mot, of London, is dated 1604, so presumably the clock itself is the same date. This was three years before James I. exchanged Theobalds for Hatfield : and the new house was commenced. The repair to the clock was done to the order of James Cecil, first Marquis of Salisbury.

WATTON-AT-STONE (Herts.): Woodhall Park. Briant supplied the turret clock on the stables to the order of Sir Thomas Rumbold in 1782. Sir Thomas had purchased the estate in 1777 and at once rebuilt the house which had been burnt down six years previously. The clock is inscribed :-JOHN BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT 1782.

1786. WATFORD (Herts) : Church. Briant repaired this clock at the cost of £3, while engaged in rehanging the bells, together with the new No. 7 which he had cast. Details of the work are recorded in the Vestry Books. (See pp. 53-55).

1790. HERTFORD (Herts.): Balls Park. The turret clock on the stables here was probably placed in position when Sir John Harrison erected the present mansion about the year 1640. Tt w:;10: rPn:iirf'rl ;rn

1792. WOODSTOCK (Oxon.) : Church. The clock has a circular brass dial fixed to its iron frame and on it is incised this inscription :- JoHN BRIANT HERTFORD GEORGE COLES, MAYOR. JOSPH. BROOKES t CHURCH WM LEWINGTON ) WARDENS. 1792. There is also a chime barrel, which is still in use.

1793. SWAFFHAM PRIOR (Cambs.): Church. The clock bell is inscribed: JoHN BRIANT HARTFORD FECIT. W. KILLINGBECK. C.W. 1793. From this we see that Briant supplied the clock two years after the peal.

1796. LISBURN: Cathedral (Antrim & Down, Ireland). The quarter clock in the tower of Lisburn Cathedral was supplied by Briant in 1796. The dial plate bears this inscription :-THE GIFT OF THE MOST NOBLE MARQUIS OF HERTFORD. JOHN BRIANT, HERTFORD, ENGLAND FECIT 1796. The two bellsofitschimearediameter 18!and 151 inches respectively.

1797. RIDGE (Herts.): Tyttenhanger. A clock at Tyttenhanger strikes on the bell of the private chapel there. It was probably made by Briant at the same time as he cast the bell. 1798. WALTHAM ABBEY (Essex). The clock which was in use in the tower for 291 years is now preserved in the Lady Chapel. Briant repaired it in 1798 and placed a circular brass plate on it with inscription:-" REPAIRED BY JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD 1798. ROBT. DENTON, RICH. PHILLIPS, WILLM RASTER, C. WARDENS." 86 JOHN BRIANT-

1802. MELTON MOWBRAY (Leics.): Church. In 1802 John Briant provided a clock and chimes at the same time as he did the two new treble bells. John Nicholls, in his Illustrations of the Literary History of the Eighteenth Century (1828 ed., vol. V, p. 218), in a note on the Rev. Dr. Thomas Ford, Vicar of Melton Mowbray (1773- 1822), and his church, mentions that, "In 1802 two treble bells were added . . . a new set of chimes, and a most excellent clock, raised by subscription, all made by Mr. John Briant, bell-founder at Hertford, and which do him great credit."

c. 1804. HATFIELD (Herts.) : Church. About the year 1804 the churchwardens of St. Peter's Church, St. Albans, sold their clock and chimes to Hatfield towards defraying the cost of rebuilding their church tower which had fallen in 1801.19 This was probably done through the agency of Briant, who no doubt did all necessary repairs to it before re-erecting it at Hatfield. It survived until 1873 when Messrs. Dent supplied a new one.

1805. ST. ALBANS (Herts.) : St. Peter's Church. In 1801, when the tower of St. Peter's Church fell, there was a clock with chimes. About the year 1804 the churchwardens sold this to Hatfield Church to help defray the cost of rebuilding the tower.20 In 1805 Briant provided the present clock, at the same time as he cast No. 7 bell, and set up the frame for a complete peal of twelve. The clock was altered about the year 1888, by Godman, of St. Albans, to admit the Grimthorpe escapement.

c. 1810. HERTFORD (Herts.) : King's Meads Schools. This turret clock occupies the tower of King's Meads Schools, formerly the Union Workhouse. The first Union Workhouse was erected on the Ware Road in 1835 on an adjoining site. The present building was put up in 1869. The clock was supplied to Ware Church by Briant about the year 1810: but when in 1886-7 Ware Church acquired a new clock and chimes, Briant's clock was bought and set up in its present position.

------~------19 Ex inform. J no Harris, of Hemel Hempstead. 20 Ex inform. Jno. Harris, of Hemel Hempstead. CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF TURRET CLOCKS. 87

c. 1810. HERTINGFORDBURY (Herts.): Panshanger Park. Briant made this turret clock for the stables about the year 1810.

1812. SEVENOAKS (Kent) : Church. In 1811 a Committee was appointed to deal with the repair of the Church, and on September 9th the following year it was ordered that " a new clock with a new proper dial plate " should be put up. The record continues :-" Mr. Briant, of Hertford, was selected to put in a new clock at a cost of £100." (From J. Rooker: Notes on the Parish Church of St. Nicholas, Sevenoaks, 1910).

1812. SHREWSBURY (Salop) : St. Julians' Church. Shropshire Notes and Queries (N.S., VI, 18, 1897), published a letter from Briant to the churchwardens of St. Julian, on October 22nd, 1812. "Sir, I received your order for a new T'r (Tower) clock for St. Julian's Church, etc." Mr. Byolin, the contributor of that letter, remarks that " the present dock at St. Julian's, which is admirably made and is said to be the best timekeeper in the town, is a specimen of Briant's work as a clockmaker." After over a century's constant wear this speaks well for Briant's workmanship.

1820. BISHOP'S STORTFORD (Herts.): Church. Briant installed this clock in 1820 at the same time as he supplied the two smallest bells. Its predecessor was made by Bukberd early in the fifteenth century. On the front of the frame is fastened a circular brass plate on which is inscribed :-JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1820. NORTH, SOUTH AND WEST DIALS THEY WERE ADDED TO THIS CLOCK BY VOLUNTARY SUBSCRIPTION, CONSTRUCTED AND ERECTED BY JAMES YARDLEY, BISHOP'S STORTFORD 1840.

1823. HERTFORD : St. Andrew's Church. This clock with hour chiming was erected by John Briant, in 1823 on the north side of the tower. It is still on active service and bears on its dial plate :-JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1823. RESTORED AND REFITTED BY s. HARRY HERTFORD 1876." It is interesting to note that Mr. Harry Harry who succeeded his father, Samuel Harry, in the clockmaking and jeweller's business in Castle Street, Hertford, is in fact 88 jOHN BRIANT- continuing one branch of Briant's original business. On Briant's retire­ ment in 1825 his assistant, James Skennan, continued the clock making side of the business; and later, Samuel Harry, who had until then worked for Messrs. Simson and Groombridge, in the Market Place, Hertford, acquired Skerman's business. Simson and Co., the successors of Simson and Groombridge, now occupy premises in Parliament Row, on the site of Briant's foundry. 1824. HERTFORD (Herts.): Shire Hall. This was made by Briant in 1824 and erected on the Shire Hall. It superseded one which had been on the corner of No. 1, Market Place, opposite the Salisbury Arms Hotel. Its cost and the expenses of its erection were defrayed by public subscription. The hour dial plate, by which the clock is regulated, bears the following inscription, "THIS PUBLIC CLOCK WAS ERECTED ANNO DOMINI 1824, DURING THE MAYORALTY OF THOMAS COLBECK, EsQ., AND WAS PAID FOR BY A VOLUNTARY SUB­ SCRIPTION, TO WHICH THE MEMBERS OF THE CORPORATION COLLECTIVELY AND INDIVIDUALLY, WITH MANY OF THE NOBLEMEN AND GENTLEMEN OF THE COUNTY AND TOWN LIBERALLY CONTRIBUTED.-JOHN BRIANT, HERTFORD, FECIT." The minute dial plate is inscribed "JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1824." The clock is of such excellent workmanship and good condition as to last for many another century. The genius shown by the simplicity and efficiency of its mechanism, it may safely be said, has never since been surpassed. In minor details later turret clocks may exhibit slight differences, but the general arrangement and principle evolved by Briant remain essentially the same to-day. The clock has three winding barrels, one for the power, the second for striking the hours, and the third for chiming the quarters.

1827. CAMBRIDGE (Cambs.): King's College. The clock above the entrance gateway. The clock bell is shaped like a bicycle bell and is 21-ins. in diameter. It bears the inscription, "JOHN BRIANT HERTFORD FECIT 1827" Briant, in correspondence with Mr. Edward Betham, Surveyor to the Dean and Chapter of Lincoln, about the damage to" Great Tom" there, on January Sth, 1828, writing from Hertford, says, "Any communication for the succeeding three weeks will find me, if addressed to King's College, Cambridge, where I am going to fix a new turret clock." A week later he says, "I have at this instant such imperious claims on my time at Cambridg~. that I cannot do all I wish and I mean " about providing them with further information. 1.oi.:G r:AsE t:r.ot:K 11101.n:-t(:rsc r" s11< .:1·: .. n·1

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LONG CASE CLOCKS.

In the course of my researches the unexpected discovery was made that Briant, besides casting bells and erecting turret clocks, made long­ case or grandfather clocks also. When the first specimen came to light, I was doubtful whether the maker was our John Briant, as it has engraved on its face the name JoHN BRYANT, LONDON. In the late eighteenth century a firm of George Bryant and Son traded at 47, Threadneedle Street, in 1781. Britten's Old Clocks and Watches and their Makers (5th ed., 1922), mentions our John Briant only as" a good clock maker." Others mentioned in the same work are Samuel Bryan, at 104, Golden Lane, from 1755 to 1794, Henry Bryan in the Strand in 1768, and John Bryan of 3, Shadwell Dock in 1790-94. It may be that this was one of Briant's earliest productions and that he was working in London for a time before he settled at Hertford. It has for three generation been in the family of the Misses Startin, of 141, Castellani Mansions, Maida Vale, W.9., but its early history is unknown. Mr. H. J. Stocker, of Much Hadham, Herts, who restored it recently, describes it as an eight day striking clock with arch dial, engraved and silvered with the name, JoHN BRYANT, LONDON, in a medallion engraved in the arch. The case is mahogany in the Chippendale style. The movement is of quite a modern type, with lead weights encased in brass. The pendulum is a wooden rod with a brass covered lead bob. One of Briant's grandfather clocks is at Hatfield Woodside, and belongs to Sir Geoffrey S. Church. It is inscribed on the face JoHN BRIANT HARTFORD. It is certainly of date not earlier than 1772 or later than 1788. In 1772 John Church finished building the house, and the clock can be identified with fair certainty in the inventory taken at his death in 1788. (See Plate 8). 90 jOHN BRIANT-

Another specimen to-day belongs to Mr. Edmund Fletcher, of Watton-at-Stone, and has a well authenticated and interesting history, which is connected with the highwayman, Walter Clibbon. On Saturday, December 28th, 1782, Clibbon was shot dead on the Bramfield to Datch­ worth Road, by Shock North, servant of Mr. Benjamin Whittenbury, of Queen Hoo Hall, just as he was about to kill and rob his master. When North married, Mr. Whittenbury gave him this clock as a wedding present for saving his life. North later, probably after Mr. Whittenbury's death in 1801, moved to Watton as the doctor's man there. When, in 1840, Mr. Charles Fletcher settled at Watton, North was dead. A few months later he married, and about 1841 purchased the clock from Widow North, and his son, Edmund Fletcher, now owns it. Unfortunately, like so many clocks of this type, the proportions of the case have been spoilt by cutting a piece off the base. The name of jNO BRIANT HERTFORD is inscribed on either side of the hour figure VI. at the base of the dial. (See Plate 9). PL.-1.TF. ~ 90

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l)l1f•l<. •~rJ:ph b,· H. C. Andrew i. PART VIII.

CENTENARY CELEBRATION

(Reprinted from the H erts Mercury, March lst, 1929.)

The centenary of the death of John Briant, the noted Hertford church bellfonnder and turret clockmaker, was celebrated at Hertford, on Wednesday (February 27th), the anniversary of his death. Briant was a native of Suffolk, came to Hertford when 30 years of age, set up a bell foundry in Parliament Row, and for fifty years was famous through­ out England as a church bellfounder and turret clockmaker. There are at the present time 422 church bells of Briant's all over the Southern and Central Counties of England, and in Ireland, and his clocks are also widely distributed. The centenary celebration took the form of a memorial service at All Saints' Church, Hertford, where, through the instrumentality of the East Herts Archaeological Society, a tablet has been erected by public subscription, and fixed on the south-east pillar of the tower. This tablet was unveiled during the service by the Mayor of Hertford, Sir Lionel Faudel-Phillips, Bart., in the presence of a representative gathering of bellringers and archaeologists from London and all parts of Hertfordshire. The tablet, which is composed of bell metal and cast in an artistic design, with the representation of a bell on the top left-hand corner, bears the following inscription :- "I'm satisfied with the station of life that God has placed me in. I've enjoyed more real pleasure in my favourite pursuits than the wealth of India could afford."-John Briant. JOHN BRIANT Bellfounder and Turret Clock Maker, of Parliament Row, Hertford, passed to his rest 27th February, 1829, in his 8lst year. " To perpetuate the memory of an honest man and famous craftsman this tablet was erected 27th February, 1929." 92 JOHN BRIANT-

Mr. Herbert C. Andrews, M.A., the Hon Secretary of the East Herts Archaeological Society, at the conclusion of the service, stated that two years ago it came to the knowledge of the Society that one of Hertford's most humble, though most worthy, citizens had never received the recognition that was due to him, viz., John Briant, famous throughout England as a bellfounder and clockmaker. As a result of a suggestion then made they were assembled that afternoon to unveil a tablet which had been erected to his memory, and the Mayor of Hertford had kindly consented to unveil it. Sir Lionel Faudel-Phillips, having unveiled the tablet, said : It is a great pleasure to me to come here to unveil the tablet erected to the honour of that great bellfounder and turret clockmaker, John Briant, of Hertford, who died one hundred years ago to-day, and whose mortal remains lie in the Churchyard of All Saints, adjoining this beautiful edifice. John Briant was a great craftsman; a man of whom Hertford­ shire might well be proud. His work is known all over the country; his voice speaks regularly to us from many· towers and turrets, far and wide. Like many other master craftsmen, he died a complete failure financially, in the Marlborough Almshouses at St. Albans, a very striking testimony to his own words in which he said : " I'm satisfied with the station of life that God has placed me in. I've enjoyed more real pleasure in my favourite pursuits than the wealth of India could afford." Many who hear the beautiful results of John Briant's genius throughout the whole country will agree that it is a right and proper thing that this tablet, which I have had the honour to unveil to-day, should be erected as a perpetual memorial to his name and fame." In the absence of the Archdeacon of St. Albans, who was unable to be present through illness, the dedicatory prayers were then pronounced by the Rural Dean of Hertford, the Rev. N. T. Gardner, Rector of St. Andrew's, commencing with the words: "We dedicate this tablet to the Glory of God and in memory of his servant, John Briant." The service was conducted by the Vicar of All Saints', the Rev. T. Landulph Smith, and the lesson was read by Mr. Herbert C. Andrews. The hymns sung were "Three in One and One in Three," " Hark, hark, my soul," "Angel voices ever singing" (these two in procession), and "Lead kindly light." The Mayor was accompanied by the Town Clerk (Mr. Alfred Baker) and Alderman W. H. Brewster as officially representing the Corporation, but owing to death and illness many other members were prevented from attending. Before and after the service the members of the Hertford College Youths' Society of Changeringers rang touches on the beautiful peal of 1-'LAT!; JO CENTENARY CELEBRATION 93

All Saints' bells, which were half-muffled, and again in the evening they rang on St. Andrew's Church bells, which were made by John Briant. Two of the old bells at All Saints before the church was burnt down in 1891 were also made by him, and were used in the casting of the new peal. John Briant's tombstone in All Saints' Churchyard has been restored and renovated, and after the service on Wednesday, four members of the Ancient Society of College Youths, London, rang a few touches on hand­ bells, standing around the tomb, consisting of 70 changes of Grandsire Triples. The ringers were: Mr. F. W. Richardson, Brockley, Nos. 1and2; Mr. W. H. Lawrence, Little Munden, Nos. 3 and 4 ; Mr. C. F. Winney, St. Paul's, Cathedral, London, Nos. 5 and 6; and Mr. G. Croft, Hitchin, Nos. 7 and 8. Amongst those present at the church were Mrs. Montgornerie, and the Rev. W. A. Errington, Hunsdon; Mrs. Wolverley Fordham, Ashwell; Mr. Blow, Welwyn; the Rev. Frank Hobson, Ware; Alderman and Mrs. W. Graveson, Miss Andrews, and Miss Ella Ginn, Hertford; the Vicar of Waterford and Mrs. Davies; Mrs. Landulph Smith, and Mrs. Alfred Baker. The Vicar of All Saints', in the course of an address at the end of the service, paid a tribute to the memory of John Briant, who, he said, died a poor man, but not poor in achievement and reputation. He admired the contented mind and heart of such a man as well as his independent spirit, and they did well to honour his memory in the way they were doing that day. They could all learn a lesson of great happiness from this humble man's career and achievement. The visitors afterwards partook of tea together at the Dimsdale Arms Hotel, and at an informal meeting of the members of the East Herts Archaeological Society, Sir Lionel Faudel-Phillips, Bart., was made a member along with several other visitors. Sir Lionel, in thanking Mr. Andrews for carrying out the arrangements for the centenary celebra­ tions, said it was a great pleasure to be present, because he was a great lover of all things beautiful. It was a great satisfaction to do honour to such a man as John Briant, who made things that were good and beautiful as well as useful. "I am almost a worshipper of clocks," said Sir Lionel. " I have 75 clocks, and keep them all going, and they have been a fascinating study to me all my life. It is a pleasure, therefore, to honour, as we are doing to-day, a man who was a great clockmaker, as well as a famous bellfounder." The four members of the Ancient Society of College Youths, of London, under the leadership of Mr. E. Alexander Young, A.R.I.B.A., 94 JOHN BRIANT-

F.S.I., of Catford, then provided a pleasant interlude by giving a tuneful ring of touches on their handbells. Mr. Andrews then gave an interesting and instructive address on the life and work of John Briant, with a list of the bells and clocks made by him, the places where they are erected, their dates, and the inscriptions upon them. Of John Briant's 422 known bells, 101 are in Hertfordshire, 46 in Bucks, 43 in Essex, 39 in Northants, 36 in Oxon, 31 in Leicestershire, 22 in Warwickshire, 22 in Cambs., 19 in Shropshire, 18 in Lincolnshire, 14 in Beds, 12 in Suffolk, 9 in Devon, 4 in Ireland, 3 in Middlesex, 2 in Staffordshire, and one each in Kent and Worcestershire. Briant's clocks are to be found at Blenheim Palace, Belvoir Castle, Hatfield House, Hatfield Woodside, Woodhall Park, Panshanger, Watton Church, Balls Park (Hertford), Waltham Abbey, Bishop's Stortford, the Shire Hall, St. Andrew's Church, and Kingsmead School, Hertford. The Vicar of Christ Church, Ware (the Rev. Frank Hobson) proposed, and Mr. Young seconded, a cordial vote of thanks to Mr. Andrews and the Archaeological Society for giving them all an opportunity of honour­ ing a great man. Mr. Eeles, Secretary of the Central Council of the Church of England for the Care of Churches, supported the vote of thanks, and said that the Society he represented was deeply interested in the safeguarding of English church bells, and all the glorious traditions associated with church bellringing. Here in England we had developed something that· no one else had ever developed in any other part of the world. Whatever might be said in favour of the carillon system of ringing mechanically a multitude of bells, or of the huge single bells of the Continent, it was characteristic of the English that they were the only people who had developed change-ringing of church bells, a tradition of which both the country and the Church of England might well be proud. It rested with the Church authorities and churchpeople generally, to jealously guard those splendid peals of bells. CENTENARY CELEBRATION 95

POSTSCRIPT. In bringing to a close this account of John Briant and his works, it only remains for the author to record his gratitude to the many clergy and other gentlemen who have suffered his importunities gladly and given ungrudgingly the information without which this biography would have been very incomplete. The list of those clergy who have helped very materially is too long to detail here, for it comprises the incumbents of every church where Briant's bells are found : and I give them sincerest thanks for what they have done. The foundation of the list of Briant's bells on which to work was the voluntary contribution of Mr. H. B. Walters, M.A., F.S.A., of the British Museum, the bell-founding firms of Messrs. Gillett .and Johnston, of Croydon, Mtars and Stainbank, of Whitechapcl, and Taylor, of Loughborough, have helped unstintingly. To these and the following, I also tender thanks, Mr. G. W. Cartrnel, President and General Secretary of the Herts Association of Change Ringers, Mr. L H. Chambers, Sir Geoffrey Church, Mr. F. Colmer, of High Wycombe, Mr. Creasey of Hertford, Mr. F. C. Eeles, Mr. A. Purkiss Ginn , the late Mr. J. L Glasscock, Mr. H. Ha.rry, the late Mr. John Harris of Herne! Hempstead, Mr. T. G. Hobbs of Luton, Mr. Edwin Hollis of Aylesbury, Mr. E. Morris, of Coventry, Hon. Sec. of the Midland Counties Association of Change Ringers, Mr. C. Skerman, Mr. E. E. Squires, Hon. Editor of the East Herts Archaeological Society's Transactions, Miss H. Rudd of Watford, Mr. H.]. Stocker of Much Hadham, and Mr. E. A. Yowig, Hon. Sec. Central Council of Church Bell Ringers. In conclusion it should also be recorded that the Briant Tablet was cast by The Warham Guild of London. The design of the bell upon it was supplied by Mr. A. A. Hughes, of Messrs. Mears and Stainbank. The design of the lettering was copied from inscriptions on the Trajan Column at Rome. Messrs. William Andrews of Hertford fixed the tablet, and Peck Brothers of Hertford, restored Briant's tombstone at the cost of the East Herts Archaeological Society : adding to the inscription the words, "He was a famous Bell-founder and Clockmaker." 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

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