Alfriston, St Andrew
Bell |
Weight |
Diameter |
Nominal |
Note |
Founder |
Cast |
Canon |
Hanging |
1 |
3-1-12 cwt |
25.75" |
1487.5 Hz |
F# |
1955 |
Full Circle |
||
2 |
4-0-25 cwt |
27.13" |
1331 Hz |
E |
1928 |
Full Circle |
||
3 |
5-0-3 cwt |
29.38" |
1193.5 Hz |
D |
1908 |
Removed |
Full Circle |
|
4 |
6-2-5 cwt |
32.00" |
1114 Hz |
C# |
1928 |
Full Circle |
||
5 |
6-2-6 cwt |
33.50" |
996 Hz |
B |
1928 |
Full Circle |
||
6 |
8-2-10 cwt |
36.13" |
890.5 Hz |
A |
William Wodeward |
c1400 |
Removed |
Full Circle |
Bell |
Weight |
Diameter |
Nominal |
Note |
Founder |
Date |
Canon |
Hanging |
Sanctus |
3¾ cwt |
27.00" |
1108 Hz |
Db |
John Cole? |
1587 |
Hung Dead |
|
Ship Bell |
1737.5 Hz |
A |
1954 |
Peg |
Hung on an arm |
About the Bells
6 Bells, 8-2-10 cwt in A
"The Cathedral of the Downs" has a beautiful peal of 6 bells hung in a central tower, dating back to around 1360. The bells are rung from the chancel crossing with a tall guided draft.
The earliest bell was cast around 1400 by William Wodeward. It is undated, but inscribed in an ornate font. It has an initial cross consisting of 6 fleur de lis and a wagon wheel stop between each word.
Originally, the bell had a conventional canon but during the restoration of 1928 it was removed. The bell now serves as the tenor.
We next hear the bells mentioned in 1543, when it appears the 3rd bell became cracked! William Osborne and Mylys Batman each made a bequest to this bell. There was likely a ring of 4 by this time.
We now turn out attention to the 17th century, where we get a good understanding of the condition of the bells. The following is taken from the church presentments by Hilda Johnstone.
The church presentments for Berwick in 1677 mention: "One of the bells crackt" This bell was recast in 1698 by John Wood. To fund the repairs, it was sold to Alfriston in 1811 during their rehang.
"The parson was poor and so were the people, So they sold the bell to mend their steeple’.It became Alfriston's 2nd and still is today.
The 5th at Alfriston was cast 2 years earlier and shows a development in the letter moulds he used. Most of the letters on the 5th came out in reverse, meaning that his moulds showed the letter the right way round. The 2nd has much smaller letters and they're all the correct way, showing that he replaced his moulds.
The 2nd has an interesting inscription reading Deo Quemadmodum meaning in what manner God? This phrase apparently comes from St Joseph. Between each word on both the 2nd and 5, are triple colons.
The 1724 commission report states there were 5 bells in good order. 101
The next thing that happens to the bells occurs in the 19th century where Thomas Mears carried out some work on the bells. In 1811, he cast the third suggesting it became cracked. In the churchwardens accounts, there is small bit written about this:
"Mem. Be it remembered by all good men and let it suffice as an instance of generosity worthy of their imitation; that Mr John Ade, Yeoman of Alfriston, did of his own free gift present to the said parish the first bell in the peal of that church, the same having undergone a complete repair this 12th day of December 1811’
8 years later, he added a treble, augmenting the peal of 5 to a 6. "I ADE" is inscribed in this bells which refers to John.
There were six bell at Alfriston by the time Tyssen published The Church Bells of Sussex. It is shown in his book that the current service bell was the 5th, this must surely be a mistake as it is the same note as the present 4th. The inscription on the 4th also mentions that it replaces it.
In 1908, Mears & Stainbank recast the 3rd. This cost £11 1s 8d for the labour, and £1 for the extra metal.
In 1926 the bells were inspected by Mears & Stainbank who ‘submitted in the month of August a very disturbing report’. The wooden bell frame was replaced with a metal one and ‘Easter Day 1928 was rung in by our restored peal’. The total cost of £471 1s 8d included removal of bells, fittings and frame; new frame and fittings; re-tuning, re-fitting, re-casting 2 & 5, a new bell (4), re-hanging the bells; men’s time, journeys and carriage. The inscriptions on the bells cost 6d per letter; total £5 14s 6d. The money was raised by subscription. An estimate had been acquired at the same time to hang 2 more bells which would have completed the octave. The extra cost would have been £124 9s 6d.
The old 4th became cracked in the crown and was stood down to be preserved in the church. Bells 2 and 5 were recast with coins from the period of King Edward VII and George V. The tenor was also retuned. 104
Later we see the treble get recast by Mears & Stainbank in 1955, after an unsuccessfully attempt of welding a broken canon. 104
During 1995 it was decided that rope mats were needed to reduce the wear of the ropes as they hit the floor during ringing. Mats, complete with bell motifs, were made by the late Jim Anderson, who was a member of the congregation, and these were put to use in 1996. 104
THE FRAMES:
The first frame that held bells was a B.4 frame made from the tie beams at the base of the spire. The beams are braced at either end to vertical wall posts. There are three main pits, 1 central and two outer, It would appear that the two outer pits were used and the central one empty. There were possibly the max of about 3 bells hung in this frame. It is without a doubt as old as the tower, making it around 1360. The bell hangers would have hung the bells close to the wall to prevent the frame from bending. The beams span the length of 24ft. We have evidence of the the length of one bell and all their maximum widths. The smallest would appear to fit the present tenor suggesting a ring of 3 weighing around 8.5, 10 and 12 cwt respectively. 103
The next frame to be added was an M trussed frame which had curved braced and was rather tall! There is a wooden ladder around 8ft high in the South West corner of the belfry that was used to get up on the frame.
All the bells were arranged so that they swing from East to West.
The present day frame was put installed in 1928 when Mears & Stainbank overhauled the ring. It features steel Z.4 trusses and the bells are arranged in the standard 6.1 layout.
THE 2022 RESTORATION:
In 2022, Whites of Appleton bell hangers rehung the bells on new fittings. The bells were rehung in the same frame from 1928 and a new circular rope guide was fitted to replace the square one. Once the bells were hung, they were not rung for a period of time due to the absence of the rope guide. It required scaffolding to install it and a wedding was booked around the time. In September, HM Queen Elizabeth II passed away and the bells were chimed by the wheel from the belfry.
The old 4th that was preserved under the west gallery stairs had the crown welded and is now hung dead on the South West frame plate on a steel pillar. It is chimed by an electronic arm operated by a control panel. It also doubles as the clock bell but only chimes 12 o'clock noon. The canon was retained and the tuning untouched. Now that it is off the floor, you can see where there are too large clapper wear marks on either side.
All the bells were painted with a layer of graphite to prevent the bells oxidizing. The canon on bell 3 was removed in the process, it originally had a conventional canon and was quarter turned.
The frame was painted black.
Prior to the restoration, the treble and 3 were strapped to wooden heastock and the rest were bolted to metal ones.
In the church there is also a small ships bell which came off HMS Alfriston. It has the inscription engraved and then painted red. Inside the bell is an inscribed serial number, 7499. It chimes in the key of A and hung on a metal arm.
The rededication of the bells was celebrated on February 19th 2023.
Visited:
.21/08/2022
.01/01/2023 also with Chris & Michael Shaw.
"The Cathedral of the Downs" has a beautiful peal of 6 bells hung in a central tower, dating back to around 1360. The bells are rung from the chancel crossing with a tall guided draft.
The earliest bell was cast around 1400 by William Wodeward. It is undated, but inscribed in an ornate font. It has an initial cross consisting of 6 fleur de lis and a wagon wheel stop between each word.
Originally, the bell had a conventional canon but during the restoration of 1928 it was removed. The bell now serves as the tenor.
We next hear the bells mentioned in 1543, when it appears the 3rd bell became cracked! William Osborne and Mylys Batman each made a bequest to this bell. There was likely a ring of 4 by this time.
- 1543, Apr. 23. "To ye casyng of ye brokyn bell, I wyll vjs viijd" Wylliam Osborne
- 1543, May. 15. "I bequeth . . . towardes the castyng of the third bell ijs" Mylys Batman
We now turn out attention to the 17th century, where we get a good understanding of the condition of the bells. The following is taken from the church presentments by Hilda Johnstone.
- 1675 Second presentment "Wee present the church and steple out of repaire, the bells not in good order."
- 1676 "The steple much out of repaire"
- 1677 "The church for not being in good repaire, and the steple wants shingles. Mr. Nurth. Second presentment. The steple of the parish church is out of repaire." 102
The church presentments for Berwick in 1677 mention: "One of the bells crackt" This bell was recast in 1698 by John Wood. To fund the repairs, it was sold to Alfriston in 1811 during their rehang.
"The parson was poor and so were the people, So they sold the bell to mend their steeple’.It became Alfriston's 2nd and still is today.
The 5th at Alfriston was cast 2 years earlier and shows a development in the letter moulds he used. Most of the letters on the 5th came out in reverse, meaning that his moulds showed the letter the right way round. The 2nd has much smaller letters and they're all the correct way, showing that he replaced his moulds.
The 2nd has an interesting inscription reading Deo Quemadmodum meaning in what manner God? This phrase apparently comes from St Joseph. Between each word on both the 2nd and 5, are triple colons.
The 1724 commission report states there were 5 bells in good order. 101
The next thing that happens to the bells occurs in the 19th century where Thomas Mears carried out some work on the bells. In 1811, he cast the third suggesting it became cracked. In the churchwardens accounts, there is small bit written about this:
"Mem. Be it remembered by all good men and let it suffice as an instance of generosity worthy of their imitation; that Mr John Ade, Yeoman of Alfriston, did of his own free gift present to the said parish the first bell in the peal of that church, the same having undergone a complete repair this 12th day of December 1811’
8 years later, he added a treble, augmenting the peal of 5 to a 6. "I ADE" is inscribed in this bells which refers to John.
There were six bell at Alfriston by the time Tyssen published The Church Bells of Sussex. It is shown in his book that the current service bell was the 5th, this must surely be a mistake as it is the same note as the present 4th. The inscription on the 4th also mentions that it replaces it.
In 1908, Mears & Stainbank recast the 3rd. This cost £11 1s 8d for the labour, and £1 for the extra metal.
In 1926 the bells were inspected by Mears & Stainbank who ‘submitted in the month of August a very disturbing report’. The wooden bell frame was replaced with a metal one and ‘Easter Day 1928 was rung in by our restored peal’. The total cost of £471 1s 8d included removal of bells, fittings and frame; new frame and fittings; re-tuning, re-fitting, re-casting 2 & 5, a new bell (4), re-hanging the bells; men’s time, journeys and carriage. The inscriptions on the bells cost 6d per letter; total £5 14s 6d. The money was raised by subscription. An estimate had been acquired at the same time to hang 2 more bells which would have completed the octave. The extra cost would have been £124 9s 6d.
The old 4th became cracked in the crown and was stood down to be preserved in the church. Bells 2 and 5 were recast with coins from the period of King Edward VII and George V. The tenor was also retuned. 104
Later we see the treble get recast by Mears & Stainbank in 1955, after an unsuccessfully attempt of welding a broken canon. 104
During 1995 it was decided that rope mats were needed to reduce the wear of the ropes as they hit the floor during ringing. Mats, complete with bell motifs, were made by the late Jim Anderson, who was a member of the congregation, and these were put to use in 1996. 104
THE FRAMES:
The first frame that held bells was a B.4 frame made from the tie beams at the base of the spire. The beams are braced at either end to vertical wall posts. There are three main pits, 1 central and two outer, It would appear that the two outer pits were used and the central one empty. There were possibly the max of about 3 bells hung in this frame. It is without a doubt as old as the tower, making it around 1360. The bell hangers would have hung the bells close to the wall to prevent the frame from bending. The beams span the length of 24ft. We have evidence of the the length of one bell and all their maximum widths. The smallest would appear to fit the present tenor suggesting a ring of 3 weighing around 8.5, 10 and 12 cwt respectively. 103
The next frame to be added was an M trussed frame which had curved braced and was rather tall! There is a wooden ladder around 8ft high in the South West corner of the belfry that was used to get up on the frame.
All the bells were arranged so that they swing from East to West.
The present day frame was put installed in 1928 when Mears & Stainbank overhauled the ring. It features steel Z.4 trusses and the bells are arranged in the standard 6.1 layout.
THE 2022 RESTORATION:
In 2022, Whites of Appleton bell hangers rehung the bells on new fittings. The bells were rehung in the same frame from 1928 and a new circular rope guide was fitted to replace the square one. Once the bells were hung, they were not rung for a period of time due to the absence of the rope guide. It required scaffolding to install it and a wedding was booked around the time. In September, HM Queen Elizabeth II passed away and the bells were chimed by the wheel from the belfry.
The old 4th that was preserved under the west gallery stairs had the crown welded and is now hung dead on the South West frame plate on a steel pillar. It is chimed by an electronic arm operated by a control panel. It also doubles as the clock bell but only chimes 12 o'clock noon. The canon was retained and the tuning untouched. Now that it is off the floor, you can see where there are too large clapper wear marks on either side.
All the bells were painted with a layer of graphite to prevent the bells oxidizing. The canon on bell 3 was removed in the process, it originally had a conventional canon and was quarter turned.
The frame was painted black.
Prior to the restoration, the treble and 3 were strapped to wooden heastock and the rest were bolted to metal ones.
In the church there is also a small ships bell which came off HMS Alfriston. It has the inscription engraved and then painted red. Inside the bell is an inscribed serial number, 7499. It chimes in the key of A and hung on a metal arm.
The rededication of the bells was celebrated on February 19th 2023.
Visited:
.21/08/2022
.01/01/2023 also with Chris & Michael Shaw.
Recordings of the bells
How the bells are tuned in relation to their nominal, using Simpson's theory.
Key [measured in cents]:
-99 ~ -90 -89 ~ -80 -79 ~ -70 -69 ~ -60 -59 ~ -50 -49 ~ -40 -39 ~ -30 -29 ~ -20 -19 ~ -10 -9 ~ -0
0 ~ 9 10 ~ 19 20 ~ 29 30 ~ 39 40 ~ 49 50 ~ 59 60 ~ 69 70 ~ 79 80 ~ 89 90 ~ 99+
-99 ~ -90 -89 ~ -80 -79 ~ -70 -69 ~ -60 -59 ~ -50 -49 ~ -40 -39 ~ -30 -29 ~ -20 -19 ~ -10 -9 ~ -0
0 ~ 9 10 ~ 19 20 ~ 29 30 ~ 39 40 ~ 49 50 ~ 59 60 ~ 69 70 ~ 79 80 ~ 89 90 ~ 99+
Bell 1
Hum - 372Hz - F#+9
Prime - 742Hz - F#+5
Tierce - 890Hz - A+20 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1130.5Hz - D♭+34
Nominal - 1487.5Hz - F#+9
Prime - 742Hz - F#+5
Tierce - 890Hz - A+20 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1130.5Hz - D♭+34
Nominal - 1487.5Hz - F#+9
| alfriston1.mp3 |
Bell 2
Hum - 335.5Hz - E+31
Prime - 665.5H - E+16
Tierce - 806.5Hz - G+49 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1010Hz - B+39
Nominal - 1331Hz - E+16
Prime - 665.5H - E+16
Tierce - 806.5Hz - G+49 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1010Hz - B+39
Nominal - 1331Hz - E+16
| alfriston2.wav |
Bell 3
Hum - 297Hz - D+20
Prime - 595.5Hz - D+24
Tierce - 724.5Hz - F# -36 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 843.5Hz - Ab+27
Nominal - 1193.5Hz - D+28
Prime - 595.5Hz - D+24
Tierce - 724.5Hz - F# -36 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 843.5Hz - Ab+27
Nominal - 1193.5Hz - D+28
| alfriston3.wav |
Bell 4
Hum - 279Hz - Db+11
Prime - 556Hz - Db+5
Tierce - 672.5Hz - E+34 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 805Hz - G+46
Nominal - 1114Hz - C#+9
Prime - 556Hz - Db+5
Tierce - 672.5Hz - E+34 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 805Hz - G+46
Nominal - 1114Hz - C#+9
| alfriston4.wav |
Bell 5
Hum - 252.5Hz - B+39
Prime - 497Hz - B+11
Tierce - 601.5Hz - D+41 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 720Hz - F#-46
Nominal - 996Hz - B+14
Prime - 497Hz - B+11
Tierce - 601.5Hz - D+41 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 720Hz - F#-46
Nominal - 996Hz - B+14
| alfriston5.wav |
Bell 6
Hum - 230.5Hz - Bb-18
Prime - 445Hz - A+20
Tierce - 546Hz - Db-46 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 642.5Hz - E-44
Nominal - 890.5Hz - A+21
Prime - 445Hz - A+20
Tierce - 546Hz - Db-46 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 642.5Hz - E-44
Nominal - 890.5Hz - A+21
| alfriston6th.wav |
Sanctus
Hum - 269Hz - C+48
Prime - 533Hz - C+32
Tierce - 666.5Hz - E+19 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 750.5Hz - F#+24
Nominal - 1108Hz - Db+0
Prime - 533Hz - C+32
Tierce - 666.5Hz - E+19 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 750.5Hz - F#+24
Nominal - 1108Hz - Db+0
| alfristonsanctus4.wav |
HMS Alfriston Bell
| hms_alfriston.wav |
Inscriptions:
*Underlined text is inscriptions within the inscription band*
*Text in red is engraved on the bell*
*Text in blue is on the opposite side of the bell*
*Text in red is engraved on the bell*
*Text in blue is on the opposite side of the bell*
1955 - Present
1 |
T MEARS OF LONDON FECIT 1819 I ADE RECAST 19 ◯ 55 |
2 |
⫶ DEO ⫶ ⫶ QUEMADMODUM ⫶ ⫶ 1698 ⫶ ◉ RECAST A.D. 1928. |
3 |
MEARS & STAINBANK LONDON ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ THOS: MEARS FECIT 1811. REFUSIT 1908. IN . OMN . TERR . EXIIT . SONUS . |
4 |
M & S. LONDON. 1928. ◉ ♱ SEMPER AD COELESTIA. THIS BELL REPLACES THE ORIGINAL, CAST IN 1587, AND PRESERVED IN THE CHURCH |
5 |
ƧO⅃I ⫶ DEO ⫶ Ә⅃OЯIA ⫶ ꟼAX ⫶ HOMEИBUƧ ⫶ IИ ⫶ IOH ⫶ ACIOИ ⫶ W 1696 ⚫ ӘW ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ ♱ SEMPER AD COELESTIA. MARCHANT PEARSON, VICAR EDWARD CHENEVIX AUSTIN - LEIGH} CHURCH WARDENS HUGH JOHN WOODHAMS. } HARRY WOOD, CAPT: OF RINGERS EXCHURCHWARDEN RECAST A.D. 1928. MEARS & STAINBANK FOUNDERS LONDON ◉ |
6 |
▩ WOX ⚛ AVGVSTINI ⚛ SONAT ⚛ IN ⚛ AVRO ⚛ DEI |
Service |
+ 𝖆𝖓𝖓𝖔 ♦ 𝖉𝖓̃𝖎 ♦ 1587 |
HMS ALFRISTON |
H . M . S . ALFRISTON 1954 |
1928 - 1955
1 |
T. MEARS OF LONDON FECIT 1819 I ADE |
2 |
⫶ DEO ⫶ ⫶ QUEMADMODUM ⫶ ⫶ 1698 ⫶ ◉ RECAST A.D. 1928. |
3 |
MEARS & STAINBANK LONDON ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ THOS: MEARS FECIT 1811. REFUSIT 1908. IN . OMN . TERR . EXIIT . SONUS . |
4 |
M & S. LONDON. 1928. ◉ ♱ SEMPER AD COELESTIA. THIS BELL REPLACES THE ORIGINAL, CAST IN 1587, AND PRESERVED IN THE CHURCH |
5 |
ƧO⅃I ⫶ DEO ⫶ Ә⅃OЯIA ⫶ ꟼAX ⫶ HOMEИBUƧ ⫶ IИ ⫶ IOH ⫶ ACIOИ ⫶ W 1696 ⚫ ӘW ⚫ ⚫ ⚫ ♱ SEMPER AD COELESTIA. MARCHANT PEARSON, VICAR EDWARD CHENEVIX AUSTIN - LEIGH} CHURCH WARDENS HUGH JOHN WOODHAMS. } HARRY WOOD, CAPT: OF RINGERS EXCHURCHWARDEN RECAST A.D. 1928. MEARS & STAINBANK FOUNDERS LONDON ◉ |
6 |
▩ WOX ⚛ AVGVSTINI ⚛ SONAT ⚛ IN ⚛ AVRO ⚛ DEI |
Display |
+ 𝖆𝖓𝖓𝖔 ♦ 𝖉𝖓̃𝖎 ♦ 1587 |
1819 - 1908
1 |
T MEARS OF LONDON FECIT 1819 I ADE |
2 |
⫶ DEO ⫶ ⫶ QUEMADMODUM ⫶ ⫶ 1698 ⫶ |
3 |
THOMAS MEARS OF LONDON FECIT 1811. |
4 |
+ 𝖆𝖓𝖓𝖔 ♦ 𝖉𝖓̃𝖎 ♦ 1587 |
5 |
ƧO⅃I ⫶ DEO ⫶ Ә⅃OЯIA ⫶ ꟼAX ⫶ HOMEИBUƧ ⫶ IИ ⫶ IOH ⫶ ACIOИ ⫶ W 1696 ӘW |
6 |
▩ WOX ⚛ AVGVSTINI ⚛ SONAT ⚛ IN ⚛ AVRO ⚛ DEI |
Old Bells
Latin Translations:
1,3: FECIT - to make / made
2: DEO QUEMADMODUM - In what manner God?
4: SEMPER AD COELESTIA - Always to Heaven.
5: SOLI DEO GLORIA PAX HOMENBUS IN IOH ACION W - Glory to God alone, in mankind and all things.
6: WOX AVGVSTINI SONAT IN AVRO DEI - The voice of Augustine sound in the ears of God.
Sanctus: anno dni - In the year of the Lord.
◯ = Fig. AWD, 1 (Bell 1)
◉ = Fig. ARH, 1 (Bells 2,4)
⚫= coin (Bell 4)
▩ = Fig. XI,e (Bell 6)
⚛ = Fig. XI,g (Bell 6)
*Click on images to enlarge them*
Latin Translations:
1,3: FECIT - to make / made
2: DEO QUEMADMODUM - In what manner God?
4: SEMPER AD COELESTIA - Always to Heaven.
5: SOLI DEO GLORIA PAX HOMENBUS IN IOH ACION W - Glory to God alone, in mankind and all things.
6: WOX AVGVSTINI SONAT IN AVRO DEI - The voice of Augustine sound in the ears of God.
Sanctus: anno dni - In the year of the Lord.
◯ = Fig. AWD, 1 (Bell 1)
◉ = Fig. ARH, 1 (Bells 2,4)
⚫= coin (Bell 4)
▩ = Fig. XI,e (Bell 6)
⚛ = Fig. XI,g (Bell 6)
*Click on images to enlarge them*
Coins that feature on bells 3 & 5:
Inscriptions of the Wodeward, Cole and Wood bells
HMS Alfriston:
For history on the ship, go to:
https://tcaminesweepers.co.uk/ship-details/ton-class/alfriston-m1103/
https://tcaminesweepers.co.uk/ship-details/ton-class/alfriston-m1103/
Photographs:
*Click on the images to enlarge them*
Sources:
100 - Sussex Record Society Vol. 41 page 41.
101 - Chichester Diocesan Surveys 1686 and 1724 by Wyn K. Ford
102 - Sussex Record Society Vol. 50
103 - Sussex Bells & Belfries by George Elphick.
104 - http://cuckmerechurches.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/The-Bells-of-St-Andrews.pdf
100 - Sussex Record Society Vol. 41 page 41.
101 - Chichester Diocesan Surveys 1686 and 1724 by Wyn K. Ford
102 - Sussex Record Society Vol. 50
103 - Sussex Bells & Belfries by George Elphick.
104 - http://cuckmerechurches.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/The-Bells-of-St-Andrews.pdf
