Arundel, St Nicholas
Bell |
Weight |
Diameter |
Nominal |
Note |
Founder |
Cast |
Canon |
Hanging |
1 |
4-3-6 cwt |
28.75" |
1297.5 Hz |
E |
Charles & George Mears |
1855 |
Removed |
Full Circle |
2 |
5-0-25 cwt |
29.75" |
1218 Hz |
D# |
Charles & George Mears |
1855 |
Removed |
Full Circle |
3 |
6-0-13 cwt |
32.00" |
1080.5 Hz |
C# |
Charles & George Mears |
1855 |
Removed |
Full Circle |
4 |
6-2-5 cwt |
34.00" |
969.5 Hz |
B |
Charles & George Mears |
1855 |
Removed |
Full Circle |
5 |
7-2-3 cwt |
35.06" |
861 Hz |
A |
Charles & George Mears |
1855 |
Removed |
Full Circle |
6 |
8-1-25 cwt |
37.88" |
808.5 Hz |
G# |
Charles & George Mears |
1855 |
Removed |
Full Circle |
7 |
10-1-11 cwt |
40.50" |
727 Hz |
F# |
Charles & George Mears |
1855 |
Removed |
Full Circle |
8 |
13-3-4 cwt |
45.00" |
648.5 Hz |
E |
Charles & George Mears |
1855 |
Full Circle |
About the Bells
8 Bells, 13-3-4 in E
Arundel has a peal of 8 bells hung in a central tower. It was built around the 14th century, and the earliest refence we have to it is in a will by John Butler on November 5th 1509.
It reads:
1509, Nov. 5. “I bequeth to the bielding of the stepill of Arundell vjs viijd" John Butler.
The inscriptions of the former ring of 6 are preserved at Brighton, St Nicholas in a book. The inscriptions can be seen below.
There is no record as to where they all went, but the 2nd is at Sutton.
They were cast by Samuel Knight of London in 1712 who probably replaced a heavier peal of 4 in a minor key, judging by the inscriptions on the treble and tenor.
Edmund Drummer provided the metal for the tenor and Lord Thomond paid for its casting. Both stood as MP for Arundel in the late 17th and early 18th century.
Sadly, the tenor became cracked in 1829 while tolling for the Duke of York's death. This was followed by another bell a few years later. The bells then remained silent until 1854.
In 1854, Richard Holmes Junior started a subscription to get the 6 bells recast.
The bells were taken away to Whitechapel to be recast into the present ring of 8 by Charles & George Mears. They were originally hung in a wooden Z frame in the 8.3 layout. Bells 3,4,7, and 8 were hung in the middle row, similar to that at Horsham, St Mary the Virgin. During the process, the ringing room that was above the organ loft was raised higher in the tower.
In 1950, the bells were rehung by Gillett & Johnston, they were retuned slightly, and rehung in a new cast iron frame with Z.2 trusses, arranged in the same layout. The frame was initially grey, but was repainted red in 2014. The canons and crown staples were removed from the bells, and new clappers and fittings provided.
It could have been this year that the former clock bell inscribed
THOMAS MEARS OF LONDON FECIT 1810
measuring 22" in diameter was removed from the tower.
Old photographs show the bell hung above the clock dial on the south wall.
Arundel has a peal of 8 bells hung in a central tower. It was built around the 14th century, and the earliest refence we have to it is in a will by John Butler on November 5th 1509.
It reads:
1509, Nov. 5. “I bequeth to the bielding of the stepill of Arundell vjs viijd" John Butler.
The inscriptions of the former ring of 6 are preserved at Brighton, St Nicholas in a book. The inscriptions can be seen below.
There is no record as to where they all went, but the 2nd is at Sutton.
They were cast by Samuel Knight of London in 1712 who probably replaced a heavier peal of 4 in a minor key, judging by the inscriptions on the treble and tenor.
Edmund Drummer provided the metal for the tenor and Lord Thomond paid for its casting. Both stood as MP for Arundel in the late 17th and early 18th century.
Sadly, the tenor became cracked in 1829 while tolling for the Duke of York's death. This was followed by another bell a few years later. The bells then remained silent until 1854.
In 1854, Richard Holmes Junior started a subscription to get the 6 bells recast.
The bells were taken away to Whitechapel to be recast into the present ring of 8 by Charles & George Mears. They were originally hung in a wooden Z frame in the 8.3 layout. Bells 3,4,7, and 8 were hung in the middle row, similar to that at Horsham, St Mary the Virgin. During the process, the ringing room that was above the organ loft was raised higher in the tower.
In 1950, the bells were rehung by Gillett & Johnston, they were retuned slightly, and rehung in a new cast iron frame with Z.2 trusses, arranged in the same layout. The frame was initially grey, but was repainted red in 2014. The canons and crown staples were removed from the bells, and new clappers and fittings provided.
It could have been this year that the former clock bell inscribed
THOMAS MEARS OF LONDON FECIT 1810
measuring 22" in diameter was removed from the tower.
Old photographs show the bell hung above the clock dial on the south wall.
In 2015, the bells were overhauled by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry who replaced the running gear and ball bearings.
While the bells were out of action, the ringers took the opportunity to repaint the frame. The BRF awarded a grant of £3,500 to the PCC to help with costs. The Gillett & Johnston clappers were also replaced, and preserved on the belfry wall. The gudgeon on the 4th was tightened at the same time.
When visited in March 2023, the bells were in fantastic condition!
The bells all feature the same inscription. However, the 2 tenors have an addition on the opposite side of the waist.
All have the common C & G MEARS FOUNDERS LONDON around the inscription band; a dedication to the Duke and Duchess of Norfolk on the waist; and a dedication to the rest of the family on the tenors.
The tenors have the beautiful Duke of Norfolk coat of arms on the waist. I'm in awe as George Elphick made a plaster cast of this very large ornament, Shown is Sussex Bells & Belfries, Plate LIII.
While the bells were out of action, the ringers took the opportunity to repaint the frame. The BRF awarded a grant of £3,500 to the PCC to help with costs. The Gillett & Johnston clappers were also replaced, and preserved on the belfry wall. The gudgeon on the 4th was tightened at the same time.
When visited in March 2023, the bells were in fantastic condition!
The bells all feature the same inscription. However, the 2 tenors have an addition on the opposite side of the waist.
All have the common C & G MEARS FOUNDERS LONDON around the inscription band; a dedication to the Duke and Duchess of Norfolk on the waist; and a dedication to the rest of the family on the tenors.
The tenors have the beautiful Duke of Norfolk coat of arms on the waist. I'm in awe as George Elphick made a plaster cast of this very large ornament, Shown is Sussex Bells & Belfries, Plate LIII.
The Duke & Duchess of Nofolk
In terms of ringing the bells, you will notice an interesting effect caused by the ropes.
Due to the low height of the ceiling and the sallies, the bells are louder at backstroke than they are at handstroke.
Each of the 8 ropes have a red sally, including the sanctus rope on the ground floor.
Access to the ringing room and belfry is by a spiral staircase in the north east corner of the tower.
The clock was made in London, and is cased in the ringing room.
Visited: 31/03/2023
Due to the low height of the ceiling and the sallies, the bells are louder at backstroke than they are at handstroke.
Each of the 8 ropes have a red sally, including the sanctus rope on the ground floor.
Access to the ringing room and belfry is by a spiral staircase in the north east corner of the tower.
The clock was made in London, and is cased in the ringing room.
Visited: 31/03/2023
Proportions of the bells
The bells were cast to D type proportions. The tenors were cast proportionately shorter, and with smaller crown diameters.
🔴Treble
🟣Fourth
🔵Sixth
🟢Tenor
🔴Treble
🟣Fourth
🔵Sixth
🟢Tenor
Recordings of the bells:
How the bells are tuned in relation to their nominal.
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 - 374Hz - F#+19
Prime - 575.5Hz - D-34
Tierce - 782.5Hz - G-2 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1072.5Hz - C+42
Nominal - 1297.5Hz - E-27
Prime - 575.5Hz - D-34
Tierce - 782.5Hz - G-2 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1072.5Hz - C+42
Nominal - 1297.5Hz - E-27
| arundel1.wav |
Bell 2
Hum - 362Hz - F# -37
Prime - 569.5Hz - Db+47
Tierce - 747.5Hz - F#+17 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1059Hz - C+21
Nominal - 1218Hz - Eb-36
Prime - 569.5Hz - Db+47
Tierce - 747.5Hz - F#+17 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1059Hz - C+21
Nominal - 1218Hz - Eb-36
| arundel_2.wav |
Bell 3
Hum - 315.5Hz - Eb+24
Prime - 526.5Hz - C+11
Tierce - 664.5Hz - E+14 (major 3rd)
Quint - 924Hz - Bb-14
Nominal - 1080.5Hz - Db-44
Prime - 526.5Hz - C+11
Tierce - 664.5Hz - E+14 (major 3rd)
Quint - 924Hz - Bb-14
Nominal - 1080.5Hz - Db-44
| arundel_3.wav |
Bell 4
Hum - 274.5Hz - Db-16
Prime - 474.5Hz - Bb+31
Tierce - 594.5Hz - D+21 (major 3rd/ minor 3rd +52 cents)
Quint - 773.5Hz - G-22
Nominal - 969.5Hz - B-31
Prime - 474.5Hz - Bb+31
Tierce - 594.5Hz - D+21 (major 3rd/ minor 3rd +52 cents)
Quint - 773.5Hz - G-22
Nominal - 969.5Hz - B-31
| arundel_4.wav |
Bell 5
Hum - 245Hz - B-13
Prime - 421.5Hz - Ab+26
Tierce - 525Hz - C+6 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 702Hz - F+9
Nominal - 861Hz - A-37
Prime - 421.5Hz - Ab+26
Tierce - 525Hz - C+6 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 702Hz - F+9
Nominal - 861Hz - A-37
| arundel_5.wav |
Bell 6
Hum - 229Hz - Bb-30
Prime - 397.5Hz - G+24
Tierce - 491.5Hz - B-7 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 643Hz - E-42
Nominal - 808.5Hz - G# -46
Prime - 397.5Hz - G+24
Tierce - 491.5Hz - B-7 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 643Hz - E-42
Nominal - 808.5Hz - G# -46
| arundel_6.wav |
Bell 7
Hum - 200Hz - G+35
Prime - 369.5Hz - F# -1
Tierce - 444Hz - A+16 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 580Hz - D-21
Nominal - 727Hz - F# -30
Prime - 369.5Hz - F# -1
Tierce - 444Hz - A+16 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 580Hz - D-21
Nominal - 727Hz - F# -30
| arundel_7.wav |
Bell 8
Hum - 176Hz - A-43
Prime - 335.5Hz - A-43
Tierce - 395.5Hz - C-32 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 501Hz - E-43
Nominal - 648.5Hz - A-49
Prime - 335.5Hz - A-43
Tierce - 395.5Hz - C-32 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 501Hz - E-43
Nominal - 648.5Hz - A-49
| arundel_8.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*
1855 - Present
1 |
C & G MEARS FOUNDERS LONDON THE GIFT OF HENRY CHARLES AND CHARLOTTE DUKE & DUCHESS OF NORFOLK TO ARUNDEL CHURCH A.D. 1855 G A F HART A . M VICAR & Q C R HOLMES JUNᴿ } J. FARCOMB } CHURCH WARDENS 1 |
2 |
C & G MEARS FOUNDERS LONDON THE GIFT OF HENRY CHARLES AND CHARLOTTE DUKE & DUCHESS OF NORFOLK TO ARUNDEL CHURCH A.D. 1855 G A F HART A . M VICAR & Q C R HOLMES JUNᴿ } J. FARCOMB } CHURCH WARDENS 2 |
3 |
C & G MEARS FOUNDERS LONDON THE GIFT OF HENRY CHARLES AND CHARLOTTE DUKE & DUCHESS OF NORFOLK TO ARUNDEL CHURCH A.D. 1855 G A F HART A . M VICAR & Q C R HOLMES JUNᴿ } J. FARCOMB } CHURCH WARDENS 3 |
4 |
C & G MEARS FOUNDERS LONDON THE GIFT OF HENRY CHARLES AND CHARLOTTE DUKE & DUCHESS OF NORFOLK TO ARUNDEL CHURCH A.D. 1855 G A F HART A . M VICAR & Q C R HOLMES JUNᴿ } J. FARCOMB } CHURCH WARDENS 4 |
5 |
C & G MEARS FOUNDERS LONDON THE GIFT OF HENRY CHARLES AND CHARLOTTE DUKE & DUCHESS OF NORFOLK TO ARUNDEL CHURCH A.D. 1855 G A F HART A . M VICAR & Q C R HOLMES JUNᴿ } J. FARCOMB } CHURCH WARDENS 5 |
6 |
C & G MEARS FOUNDERS LONDON THE GIFT OF HENRY CHARLES AND CHARLOTTE DUKE & DUCHESS OF NORFOLK TO ARUNDEL CHURCH A.D. 1855 G A F HART A . M VICAR & Q C R HOLMES JUNᴿ } J. FARCOMB } CHURCH WARDENS 6 |
7 |
C & G MEARS FOUNDERS LONDON THE GIFT OF HENRY CHARLES AND CHARLOTTE DUKE & DUCHESS OF NORFOLK TO ARUNDEL CHURCH A.D. 1855 G A F HART A . M VICAR & Q C R HOLMES JUNᴿ } J. FARCOMB } CHURCH WARDENS ♛ THE MOST HIGH POTENT AND MOST NOBLE PRINCE HENRY CHARLES DUKE OF NORFOLK EARL OF ARUNDEL SURREY AND NORFOLK BARON FITZ _ ALAN CLUN AND OSWALDESTRE AND MALTRAVERS KNIGHT OF THE MOST NOBLE ORDER OF THE GARTER 7 |
8 |
C & G MEARS FOUNDERS LONDON THE GIFT OF HENRY CHARLES AND CHARLOTTE DUKE & DUCHESS OF NORFOLK TO ARUNDEL CHURCH A.D. 1855 G A F HART A . M VICAR & Q C R HOLMES JUNᴿ } J. FARCOMB } CHURCH WARDENS ♛ THE MOST HIGH POTENT AND MOST NOBLE PRINCE HENRY CHARLES DUKE OF NORFOLK EARL OF ARUNDEL SURREY AND NORFOLK BARON FITZ - ALAN CLUN AND OSWALDESTRE AND MALTRAVERS KNIGHT OF THE MOST NOBLE ORDER OF THE GARTER 8 |
Prior to 1855
1 |
EX DONE EDMUND DRUMMER AMIGEN 1702 |
2 |
RECAST BY THE LORD THOMOND S.K 1712 |
3 |
RECAST 1810 JAS HINDE CHURCHWARDEN THOMAS MEARS OF LONDON FECIT |
4 |
JOHN DEAN ALDERMAN OF THIS BOROUGH S.K. FECIT 1712 |
5 |
GOD SAVE THE QUEEN SAMUEL KNIGHT FECIT 1712 |
6 |
EDMUND DRUMMER. MY DONOR'S PRAISE I WILL OUTSING. THO' MY LORD THOMOND PAYS FOR MY CASTING. E. BERNARD. W. WOODLAND C.W 1712 |
Latin Translations:
Old 3,4,5: FECIT - Made
Old 3,4,5: FECIT - Made
Photographs:
*Click on the images to enlarge them*
