The Bells of St. Andrew's Church, Great Linford
Bells began to appear in churches and monasteries in Europe around 400-600AD, with the earliest “ring” of English church bells (tuned to a musical scale) appearing at Croyland Abbey in Lincolnshire around 100 years before the Norman conquest of 1066. The tower of St. Andrews was built sometime in the 12th century, though the church is older than this, with archaeological evidence uncovered for an earlier structure dated to late Saxon or early Norman times. Saxon churches could have a stone bell tower containing a single bell, but no evidence has been found for such a structure at Great Linford, though it would be nice to imagine that a bell was rung on the site prior to the 12th century.
We do know that the present bells of St. Andrews were installed in 1756, though 5 of the 6 hung were recast from earlier bells. The specialist bronze alloy metal to make bells was not cheap, so if they could no longer be re-tuned by shaving off slivers of metal from the interior, it was frequently the case that they were melted down and recast. This must have been the case in 1756, when the famous St. Neots’ bellfounder Joseph Eyre was contracted to recast the bells of St. Andrews. It is fascinating to consider the logistical challenges of extracting the extremely heavy bells and transporting them the 28 miles to St. Neots (and back again) along roads that were barely if at all maintained.
The age of the original bells from which the new bells of 1756 were recast is a matter of conjecture, though Alfred Heneage Cocks writing in his 1897 book The Church bells of Buckinghamshire, speculated that the third was of 15th century origin, and the fifth to have been of the 14th century. George Lipscombe, writing in his 1847 book The History and Antiquities of the County of Buckingham ascribes to the third bell the Latin inscription, “Hujus campanae nomen est J'Hu speciale”, a phrase whose precise translation is slightly opaque, but if as seems likely J’Hu is an abbreviation for Jehu (Jesus), then perhaps the most plausible interpretation is that inscription read, “His name is Jesus, a special bell.” A far simpler to understand phrase was reportedly inscribed onto the fifth bell, “Ave Maria gratia plena”, which simply means “Hail Mary, full of grace.”
Bell inscriptions at St. Andrews
Inscribing bells with various religious, poetic (or even comic rhyme) phrases was quite commonplace, so it is not surprising to find that when the original 5 bells were recast, a new set of inscriptions were added. Lipscomb provides the Latin inscriptions is his history, though Cocks observes that there are “sundry inaccuracies.” It is noteworthy that two of the inscriptions appear to have spelling errors committed by the bell founders, a blunder even more glaring when we consider that some of the lines were copied, errors and all, from an older set of bells at Bletchley.
At the time of the recasting, an additional bell was commissioned, paid for the Lord of the Manor, Henry Uthwatt (1728-1757), so bringing the total up to six.
The English translations provided below are attributed to the Reverend H. Otterbury, vicar of Brill and Boarstall, which can be seen displayed in the bell ringing chamber at St. Andrews, along with photographs of the bells themselves.
Tenor: Diameter 44 ½”, Weight 16 cwt, 1 qtr, 22 Ibs. Note F#.
Me ressonare jubent hominum mors conero funus
Men’s death and funeral rites bid me sound forth.
The Reverend Otterbury also ascribes the following additional wording to the tenor bell; Cocks locates this text on the rim of the bell.
When Robert Chapman was rector, the five bells were re-cast at the expense of Henry Uthwatt, Knight, in the year 1756, Joseph Eayre being in charge of the work.
However, Cocks appears to suggest the inscription was slightly longer, adding the additional detail:
Philipo Ward Ioanne Rawlins eadituis.
Robert Chapman was indeed the Rector at the time and the Ward and Rawlins families are certainly present at Great Linford in the 1750s.
The last word, “eadituis” was most likely intended to be aedituo, which can mean to, “act as sacristan, be in charge/take care of temple.” Sacristan is also an archaic term for the Sexton of a church, so we can say with some confidence that Philip Ward and John (Ioanne being an old English spelling) were Sextons at St. Andrews.
Second bell: Diameter 32 3/8”, Weight 7 cwt, 0 qtrs, 0 Ibs.
Quod Sit Sacra dies Primo Denuncio mane 1756
That the day may be Holy, I tell forth at early dawn 1756.
Third bell: Diameter 35”, Weight 8 cwt 0 qtrs, 13 Ibs.
Det son it um it um plenum deus et modulamen amænum J Eayre S Neots fecit 1756
May God give a full sound and a pleasing melody. Made by J Eayre S Neots 1756
Fourth bell: Diameter 36”. Weight 8 cwt, 3 qtrs, 13 Ibs.
Ad Templum per me populus properare jubetur 1756
Through me the folk are bid to hasten to Church 1756
Fifth bell: Diameter 39”. Weight 10 cwt, 2 qtrs, 0 Ibs.
Conjugium partus mysteria festa decoro, anno domini 1756
I beautify marriage, birth, the holy rite and festivals in the year of our lord 1756.
Treble: Diameter 31” Weight 6 cwt, 2 qtrs, 21 Ibs.
Henricus Uthwatt Armitager Me Suis Sumptibus Hic collorari curavit 1756
Henry Uthwatt, Knight, had me placed here at his own expense 1756.
Carved upon the tenor frame used to house the recast bells are the words, “These frames made by Henry and Edward Cox of this parish 1756.” That there was a Cox family in Great Linford is certain, with many births, marriages and deaths recorded at the time, including a marriage of an Edward Cox to an Ann Lancaster on August 28th, 1753. The Reverend William Cole on a visit to the church on June 18th of 1756 wrote of, “the frames being now at work upon, in order to receive them in the churchyard.” The frame was probably a 2 tier structure with the 4 lighter bells on the top tier and the 2 heaviest bells on the lower tier. Supporting this idea, Cocks makes reference to the elaborate moulding on the canons of the “four lower bells.” Canons are loops of bronze spaced equally around the top of the bell and used to suspend the bells in the tower; cast as an integral part of the bell to provide the necessary strength. As a final interesting note on the 1756 bells, it cannot possibly be coincidence that we find a pub in the village called The Six Bells in 1773.
Cocks observes that the firm of Gillet (of Croydon) had rehung the bells in their old frame on June 17th, 1887, a task that appears to have been prompted by a special occasion held shortly afterward in the village. On the 21st of June, Great Linford joined the rest of the country in celebrating the Queen’s jubilee, and as recounted by Croydon’s Weekly Standard newspaper, “shortly after 5am on Tuesday, the inhabitants were aroused by the merry pealing of the bells (which Messers. Gillett & Co., of Croydon, had rehung with great expedition for the occasion), and soon the whole village was again full of life.” The same article also observes, “The Thanksgiving services upon the completion of Her Majesty's reign are to be held in the church on Sunday. We are pleased to hear that the amount required to meet the cost of re-hanging the church bells has now been made up, so that the collections announced for next Sunday will not be made.”
At the time of the recasting, an additional bell was commissioned, paid for the Lord of the Manor, Henry Uthwatt (1728-1757), so bringing the total up to six.
The English translations provided below are attributed to the Reverend H. Otterbury, vicar of Brill and Boarstall, which can be seen displayed in the bell ringing chamber at St. Andrews, along with photographs of the bells themselves.
Tenor: Diameter 44 ½”, Weight 16 cwt, 1 qtr, 22 Ibs. Note F#.
Me ressonare jubent hominum mors conero funus
Men’s death and funeral rites bid me sound forth.
The Reverend Otterbury also ascribes the following additional wording to the tenor bell; Cocks locates this text on the rim of the bell.
When Robert Chapman was rector, the five bells were re-cast at the expense of Henry Uthwatt, Knight, in the year 1756, Joseph Eayre being in charge of the work.
However, Cocks appears to suggest the inscription was slightly longer, adding the additional detail:
Philipo Ward Ioanne Rawlins eadituis.
Robert Chapman was indeed the Rector at the time and the Ward and Rawlins families are certainly present at Great Linford in the 1750s.
The last word, “eadituis” was most likely intended to be aedituo, which can mean to, “act as sacristan, be in charge/take care of temple.” Sacristan is also an archaic term for the Sexton of a church, so we can say with some confidence that Philip Ward and John (Ioanne being an old English spelling) were Sextons at St. Andrews.
Second bell: Diameter 32 3/8”, Weight 7 cwt, 0 qtrs, 0 Ibs.
Quod Sit Sacra dies Primo Denuncio mane 1756
That the day may be Holy, I tell forth at early dawn 1756.
Third bell: Diameter 35”, Weight 8 cwt 0 qtrs, 13 Ibs.
Det son it um it um plenum deus et modulamen amænum J Eayre S Neots fecit 1756
May God give a full sound and a pleasing melody. Made by J Eayre S Neots 1756
Fourth bell: Diameter 36”. Weight 8 cwt, 3 qtrs, 13 Ibs.
Ad Templum per me populus properare jubetur 1756
Through me the folk are bid to hasten to Church 1756
Fifth bell: Diameter 39”. Weight 10 cwt, 2 qtrs, 0 Ibs.
Conjugium partus mysteria festa decoro, anno domini 1756
I beautify marriage, birth, the holy rite and festivals in the year of our lord 1756.
Treble: Diameter 31” Weight 6 cwt, 2 qtrs, 21 Ibs.
Henricus Uthwatt Armitager Me Suis Sumptibus Hic collorari curavit 1756
Henry Uthwatt, Knight, had me placed here at his own expense 1756.
Carved upon the tenor frame used to house the recast bells are the words, “These frames made by Henry and Edward Cox of this parish 1756.” That there was a Cox family in Great Linford is certain, with many births, marriages and deaths recorded at the time, including a marriage of an Edward Cox to an Ann Lancaster on August 28th, 1753. The Reverend William Cole on a visit to the church on June 18th of 1756 wrote of, “the frames being now at work upon, in order to receive them in the churchyard.” The frame was probably a 2 tier structure with the 4 lighter bells on the top tier and the 2 heaviest bells on the lower tier. Supporting this idea, Cocks makes reference to the elaborate moulding on the canons of the “four lower bells.” Canons are loops of bronze spaced equally around the top of the bell and used to suspend the bells in the tower; cast as an integral part of the bell to provide the necessary strength. As a final interesting note on the 1756 bells, it cannot possibly be coincidence that we find a pub in the village called The Six Bells in 1773.
Cocks observes that the firm of Gillet (of Croydon) had rehung the bells in their old frame on June 17th, 1887, a task that appears to have been prompted by a special occasion held shortly afterward in the village. On the 21st of June, Great Linford joined the rest of the country in celebrating the Queen’s jubilee, and as recounted by Croydon’s Weekly Standard newspaper, “shortly after 5am on Tuesday, the inhabitants were aroused by the merry pealing of the bells (which Messers. Gillett & Co., of Croydon, had rehung with great expedition for the occasion), and soon the whole village was again full of life.” The same article also observes, “The Thanksgiving services upon the completion of Her Majesty's reign are to be held in the church on Sunday. We are pleased to hear that the amount required to meet the cost of re-hanging the church bells has now been made up, so that the collections announced for next Sunday will not be made.”
Bell ringing traditions at St. Andrews
Cocks compendium of bells in Buckinghamshire provides a fascinating wealth of detail of the bell ringing traditions then observed at Great Linford.
Death Knell: for an hour, as soon as notice is received, unless after sunset; when it is tolled the following morning. Tellers, at conclusion of the knell ; three strokes = a male, two strokes = a female. Tenor used for adults, the fifth for a child over five years old, and the fourth for a child under five. For funerals the tenor is tolled.
On Sundays, either the treble or second is rung at 9 a.m. For the Services, the bells are chimed, or sometimes rung; the saunce used for the last five minutes. After Morning Service the treble and second are rung to give notice that there will be a sermon at the Afternoon Service (this ringing is, of course, omitted, if there is not to be a second sermon). These are all old usages.
During Advent the bells are rung once a week. No ringing in Lent. Midnight ringing on Christmas and New Year's Eves. Also ringing on Christmas and New Year's Days, Easter Eve and Day, Ascension Day (?), Whitsun Day, and S. Andrew's Day (Patron Saint of the Church); on the Queen's and Prince of Wales's Birthdays, and on 5th November. Ringing for weddings if paid for. Third bell rung for Vestry Meetings.
The churchwardens have always paid twelve shillings for the midnight ringing on New Year's Eve.
The reference to a saunce bell (also it appears spelt sanctus or stauntes) is an interesting one, as typically in churches this was a lesser bell which was rung from a small belfry to summon ratepayers or call the curfew. Cocks attests to a Saunce bell in addition to the six main bells, observing of it, that, “the figures do not match those on the big bells, and I doubtfully assign it to Lester and Pack, of the Whitechapel Foundry.”
That there was a saunce (or sanctus) bell at Great Linford since very early in its history seems then incontrovertible, as we also have an inventory produced with the aim of seizing church property in the aftermath of the reformation. This included information on all the bells at St. Andrews, even the hand held ones.
That there was a saunce (or sanctus) bell at Great Linford since very early in its history seems then incontrovertible, as we also have an inventory produced with the aim of seizing church property in the aftermath of the reformation. This included information on all the bells at St. Andrews, even the hand held ones.
In primis five belles in the steple and a sauntes bell
Item ij hand belles and a sacring bell
Alongside the main bells, the sauntes bell and two handbells, the above inventory adds another specific type of bell to our tally, a sacring bell, which was rung during the Mass or Eucharist, especially at the elevation of the consecrated elements. For the full inventory, see the section of this website on the history of religion in Great Linford.
It is worth noting that the memoirs of Newman Cole (a resident of Great Linford in the 1850s) that a curfew bell was still rung in nearby Newport Pagnell, so it seems entirely plausible that this medieval practice also took place in Great Linford, though when it died out must remain a mystery.
Cocks also provides that the bells were rung at 9am for the Sunday Sermon and again after the service to indicate that there was to be an afternoon or evening service, though he also indicates that previously the bells were rung at 8am. Unsurprisingly, we also learn that the practice of bell ringing in the Christmas (Advent) period, which typically began on the nearest Sunday to St. Andrews day (November 30th), was an observance carried out at Great Linford.
It is worth noting that the memoirs of Newman Cole (a resident of Great Linford in the 1850s) that a curfew bell was still rung in nearby Newport Pagnell, so it seems entirely plausible that this medieval practice also took place in Great Linford, though when it died out must remain a mystery.
Cocks also provides that the bells were rung at 9am for the Sunday Sermon and again after the service to indicate that there was to be an afternoon or evening service, though he also indicates that previously the bells were rung at 8am. Unsurprisingly, we also learn that the practice of bell ringing in the Christmas (Advent) period, which typically began on the nearest Sunday to St. Andrews day (November 30th), was an observance carried out at Great Linford.
The art of bell ringing
The art of bell ringing, known also as campanology, clearly requires great skill and knowledge, and has a terminology all of its own, as can be readily appreciated by the following account, carried in Croydon's Weekly Standard newspaper on Saturday June 18th, 1892.
Change Ringing.—On Wednesday, June 8, the ringers of Emberton, who are members of the Oxford Diocesan Guild of Change Ringers, by the invitation of W. F. Uthwatt, Esq., and G. Uthwatt. Esq., who take a delight in bell ringing, rang a 720 of Grandsire doubles (in 27 minutes) with the tenor behind, on the beautiful peal of six bells of Great Lanford Church, the tenor 19¾cwt. This is the first 720 known to have been rung on the bells. After the above peal, five of the same ringers, with G. Uthwatt, Esq.on the treble, rang 2-120's, this being his first peal of 120 in half palls, and 120 of St. Simon's doubles, also with Mr. Uthwatt ringing the tenor behind. Afterwards several 12C's of Bob doubles and Grandaires were rang. At the finish the company left, wishing the Squire and the Rev. S. H. Williams, rector, many thanks for the use of the bells.
The reference to “change ringing” is explained as follows on WikiPedia.
Change ringing is the art of ringing a set of tuned bells in a tightly controlled manner to produce precise variations in their successive striking sequences, known as "changes". This can be by method ringing in which the ringers commit to memory the rules for generating each change, or by call changes, where the ringers are instructed how to generate each change by instructions from a conductor. This creates a form of bell music which cannot be discerned as a conventional melody, but is a series of mathematical sequences.
The bells of Great Linford have also been rung on special occasions, such as the marriage on January 12th of 1898 between William Francis Edolph Andrewes Uthwatt (of the Manor) and Catherine Jane Bouverie. Though the ceremony took place in the bride’s parish of Hardingstone, the bells at Great Linford were rung repeatedly during the afternoon of the wedding. Similarly, on the occasion of the funeral of Eusebius Andrewes Uthwatt at Buckingham, the bells at Great Linford rang a muffled peal. This would have been achieved by placing a leather muffle over one side only of the clapper ball, which would result in alternate loud and muffled strikes. Cocks asserts that in regards to deaths, muffled peals were carried out at Great Linford only for someone specially connected with the parish, and certainly the death of an Uthwatt would seem entirely in keeping with that tradition. Another example of the ringing of muffled peaks occurred on the death of Charles Walter Mead, who for many years rented the manor.
The bells were rehung on new iron beams in 1908 by a Mr Alfred Bowell of Ipswich, whose business also offered the casting of new bells and the recasting of old. The diary of the Rector John Turnbull records that Mr Bowell had suffered a fall from his ladder, and was laid up for 4 days.
The most recent work conducted on the bells occurred in 1992, when Quinquennial reports (held every 5 years) into the fabric of the church advised that rehanging was once again called for. The Whitechapel Bell Foundry was selected to carry out the work, and in January the bells were removed by a bellhanger and 3 local volunteers. The bells were back on April 20th, 1992, with a rededication ceremony occurring on March 31st by the Reverend Christopher Drummond.
The bells were rehung on new iron beams in 1908 by a Mr Alfred Bowell of Ipswich, whose business also offered the casting of new bells and the recasting of old. The diary of the Rector John Turnbull records that Mr Bowell had suffered a fall from his ladder, and was laid up for 4 days.
The most recent work conducted on the bells occurred in 1992, when Quinquennial reports (held every 5 years) into the fabric of the church advised that rehanging was once again called for. The Whitechapel Bell Foundry was selected to carry out the work, and in January the bells were removed by a bellhanger and 3 local volunteers. The bells were back on April 20th, 1992, with a rededication ceremony occurring on March 31st by the Reverend Christopher Drummond.
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