Chichester, The Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity
Bell |
Weight |
Diameter |
Nominal |
Note |
Founder |
Cast |
Canon |
Hanging |
1 |
5-1-4 cwt |
28.75" |
1271 Hz |
E♭ |
1729 |
Removed |
Full Circle |
|
2 |
5-2-24 cwt |
29.50" |
1194 Hz |
D |
John Taylor & Co |
1961 |
Full Circle |
|
3 |
5-0-9 cwt |
30.00" |
1039.5 Hz |
C |
John Wallis |
1583 |
Full Circle |
|
4 |
6-3-9 cwt |
33.25" |
954 Hz |
B♭ |
William I Eldridge |
1674 |
Full Circle |
|
5 |
9-3-2 cwt |
37.00" |
856 Hz |
A♭ |
William III Purdue |
1665 |
Full Circle |
|
6 |
11-0-14 cwt |
39.25" |
798 Hz |
G |
William III Purdue |
1665 |
Full Circle |
|
7 |
12-1-16 cwt |
42.13" |
703.5 Hz |
F |
John Wallis |
1587 |
Removed |
Full Circle |
8 |
18-1-12 cwt |
49.25 " |
626 Hz |
E♭ |
1706 |
Removed |
Full Circle |
Bell |
Weight |
Diameter |
Nominal |
Note |
Founder |
Date |
Canon |
Hanging |
Service |
35.25" |
922.5Hz |
B♭ |
William Dawe |
c1399 |
Removed |
Swing Chime |
|
Hour Great Walter |
73 cwt |
71.13" |
470.5Hz |
B♭ |
John Taylor & Co |
1877 |
Yes |
Hung Dead |
About the Bells
8 Bells, 18-1-12 In Eb
Chichester Cathedral has an octave ring, hung in a detached tower called a Campanile. There are 3 remaining detached towers in English cathedrals: Chichester, Bury St Edmunds, and Chester.
In addition to this, Chichester and Bristol are the only ones with a peal of 8 in England. 100
The Campanile was built around 1436, as shown in a bequest made by Peter Shelton. We also see development for it in 1411 and 1428. It was named the Redemond's tower.
1436 Oct 12. "lego ad fabricam novi campanilis dict' ecclie Cicestr' xx marc' 101
(I bequeath towards the building of the new bell tower, for the aforementioned Chichester church. 20 Marks [£15].)
This being todays equivalent of £9,366.
The earliest reference to bells at Chichester dates around 1108. An excavation revealed a bell mould under the cathedral measuring 34". The bell would have been moulded from wax, proven by a microscopic amount of hard wax on the mould.
It is common to find bells this old with very tall and steep waists, and an incline base to its soundbow.
These are 110 and 67 degrees respectively. 102
Chichester Cathedral has an octave ring, hung in a detached tower called a Campanile. There are 3 remaining detached towers in English cathedrals: Chichester, Bury St Edmunds, and Chester.
In addition to this, Chichester and Bristol are the only ones with a peal of 8 in England. 100
The Campanile was built around 1436, as shown in a bequest made by Peter Shelton. We also see development for it in 1411 and 1428. It was named the Redemond's tower.
1436 Oct 12. "lego ad fabricam novi campanilis dict' ecclie Cicestr' xx marc' 101
(I bequeath towards the building of the new bell tower, for the aforementioned Chichester church. 20 Marks [£15].)
This being todays equivalent of £9,366.
The earliest reference to bells at Chichester dates around 1108. An excavation revealed a bell mould under the cathedral measuring 34". The bell would have been moulded from wax, proven by a microscopic amount of hard wax on the mould.
It is common to find bells this old with very tall and steep waists, and an incline base to its soundbow.
These are 110 and 67 degrees respectively. 102
The Chichester Bell Mould
Around 1244, works were carried out on the central tower after 130 Marks were bequeathed by Bishop Neville. His executors also gave £140. Bishop Neville intended to erect a "stone tower", none other than a bell tower, leaving him £60 in debt. This was eventually paid by The Dean and Chapter, both hoping the tower to be completed soon.
Be it remembered that in January 1244-5] a large distribu tion of the goods of the late Bishop Ralph II [Neville] for pious uses was made by the executors of his will at Guldeford. On return the executors chosen from his bishopric, namely G[eoffrey de Glovernia], Dean, E[rnis de Tywal, Precentor, John [de Arundel, now] Chancellor, then Archdeacon of Chichester, Rayner, Prior of Tortint[on] and Walkelin of Chichester, remitted the debt of £60 due to him for the work of the belfry which he himself had begun, and, seeing that he was more bound to [help] his own church, whose goods he had enjoyed for twenty years and more, than any other, and that it needed many repairs, gave £140 of his residuary estate, which were in Walkelin's hands, to the fabric. The Dean and Chapter, on this, remitted the many debts owing to them and their church by the Bishop. The money was given to the Proctor and the Warden of the works for a stone tower which had long been left unfinished in despair, which is now rising in fair form and will soon, God willing, be finished. In memory of this the executors have sealed this writing. A.D. 1247, December.
In 1375, William Tawk gave £1 towards the works of the tower. 126 years later, the tower required restoration.
1375, 'July 6. “Lego opi Campanil' ecclie Cathedral' Cicestr' xxs”
1501, March 4 “et ad conservationem fabrice ecclesie et campanilis sive spere ejusdem xx1i”
Between 1191 and 1557 there were many bequest made towards ringing:
A new frame was made in 1474 using timber from Midhurst. The entries show that it cost 2/- to transport each load. The frame was constructed by John Bellhanger over the course of 9 days. The baldrics were made by Robert Glouer who appears to be a leather worker. The central tower must have had a wooden spire for it was reshingled in the same year.
2 bequests were made towards a new wheel for the 4th in the central tower, showing at least 5 bells in there.
1533. “For makyng a new whele for ye iiijth bell in ye quire and tymber for the same whele vj d.”
1533. “To make a new whele for the fore bell yn the Manells ij days xiiij d”
The bells in the detached and central tower required a restoration in the same year.
The work taking 8 days to complete.
1533. “V days to new hang ye grett bells in the Grete Belfrey vj s. viij d, and to new hang y• bells in the Manelles iij days iiij s. viiij d”
In 1583 John Wallis recast a bell, evidently using the same metal of an older bell. In the Chapter Acts of 1583, we have:
"Chapter Acts 1 Aug. 1583 before Francis Cox , Henry Blaxton , and Daniel Gardener , residentiaries, present Thomas Leame, sub - treasurer , Robert Turbervile , verger , and Ranulph Barlow , Registrar . It was decreed that the Vicars of the Common Hall should dine and sup there at their common charges on the first Thursday in each month ; absentees shall forfeit 6d . a meal for the better maintenance of their commons . This was assented to by Thomas Leame , John Taylour , Anthony Buttry , and Clement Wodcocke , there present. On the same day it was decreed that no bellringer shall put in a deputy without leave of the Dean or , in his absence , the President of Chapter , on pain of loss of place . Without leave of the same no peals shall be rung , save at the usual times , on like pain. Each bellringer who shares the dole bread shall be present in person , or by approved deputy , in the Church every Sunday at sermon time to see good order kept , and to inhibit the walkers in the 'Iles ' and cloisters."
His inscription is made using heavy wax letters. He used 3 moulding wires above and below the inscription band. Like his other bell cast 4 years later, he inscribed his name using his initials only.
His treble shows the influence of old english spelling in his inscription:
GEVE THANKES TO GOD I W 1583
However, this was dropped on his tenor.
BE MECKE AND LOLY TO HEAR THE WORD OF GOD I W 1587
There only appear to be 3 other bells by him in the county:
Crawley - Southgate, St Mary
Didling, St Andrew
Westhampnett, St Peter
Be it remembered that in January 1244-5] a large distribu tion of the goods of the late Bishop Ralph II [Neville] for pious uses was made by the executors of his will at Guldeford. On return the executors chosen from his bishopric, namely G[eoffrey de Glovernia], Dean, E[rnis de Tywal, Precentor, John [de Arundel, now] Chancellor, then Archdeacon of Chichester, Rayner, Prior of Tortint[on] and Walkelin of Chichester, remitted the debt of £60 due to him for the work of the belfry which he himself had begun, and, seeing that he was more bound to [help] his own church, whose goods he had enjoyed for twenty years and more, than any other, and that it needed many repairs, gave £140 of his residuary estate, which were in Walkelin's hands, to the fabric. The Dean and Chapter, on this, remitted the many debts owing to them and their church by the Bishop. The money was given to the Proctor and the Warden of the works for a stone tower which had long been left unfinished in despair, which is now rising in fair form and will soon, God willing, be finished. In memory of this the executors have sealed this writing. A.D. 1247, December.
In 1375, William Tawk gave £1 towards the works of the tower. 126 years later, the tower required restoration.
1375, 'July 6. “Lego opi Campanil' ecclie Cathedral' Cicestr' xxs”
1501, March 4 “et ad conservationem fabrice ecclesie et campanilis sive spere ejusdem xx1i”
Between 1191 and 1557 there were many bequest made towards ringing:
- 1191 the bellringers 6d.
- 1245, Apr to the bellringers, 4d
- 1246 4d. to the bell ringers
- 1246 8d. to the bellringers,
- 1320, Apr 2. they ring the great bells, tothe bellringers helping them 3d
- 1360 after the bell for Chapter had been rung as usual. [Election of Bishop Richard Sampson.]
- 1382, Mar. 18 “Item iiij pulsat' campan' ijs”
- 1384, Nov. 16 “Item cuiIt pulsatori campanarum viijd”
- 1407, May 17 “et sacristis ad pulsandas campanas sex s”
- 1418, Aug. 9. “quatuor pulsant' campan' xvjd''
- 1420, July 7. “lego pulsatoribus campanarum xiijs iiijd”
- 1429, Mar. 22. “lego sacristis et pulsantibus campanas singlis iiijd"
- 1455, Oct. 3 “item iiij pulsatoribus campanarum solemniter pulsantibus in le Maynell et le Belfray cuilibet eorum ijd''
- 1491, Dec. 25 “et cuilibet campanarum pulsatori ex officio ad dictam ecclesiam pertinenti iiijd.
- 1503, Jul. 20. Bequest of jd to each “pulsator.”
- 1527, Oct. 29 “I will that Sir Robert Hunt every daye by the space of xxviij days after my dessease, betwene the howrs of thre and fowre in the afternons, shall tyll [toll] Sant Georgis bell . . . . I desyere Master Deane that on off the grett belles in the grett belffrey be rong for me every nygth by the space of xxviij dayes immedyatly after my dyssease, at the least three quarters of a nowre betwene the howre off vij and viij in the nyght, for the whiche I will the churche shall have for werynge of the bell iij8 iiijd, and the ryngers for ther labors vjs viijd.”
- 1537, Oct. 15 “Item to every bell ringer ijd . . . the sextens and belle Ringars eche of them 1d”
- 1541, Sept. 28. “ Et pulsatoribus campanar' xls”
- 1551, July 12. “I gyve to the Belringers vjs viijd''
- 1554, June 20. “and to ye sextons and bellringgars over and above ye accoustomyd dewties for their ringginge iiijd apeace.”
- 1557, May 19 “I bequeth to the Sexdennes and bell ringers vjs viijd”
A new frame was made in 1474 using timber from Midhurst. The entries show that it cost 2/- to transport each load. The frame was constructed by John Bellhanger over the course of 9 days. The baldrics were made by Robert Glouer who appears to be a leather worker. The central tower must have had a wooden spire for it was reshingled in the same year.
- 1474 “A load of timber for the bells from Myddyrst 2s”
- 1474 “For 2000 tiles for the ‘stypyl’ 12s. For ‘pollyng' down of the ‘stypyl’ 7s. 7d.”
- 1474 “A load of timber from Mydhurst for the bells 2s”
- 1474 “Two loads of timber from Mydhurst for the bells 2s. (sic). Three loads of timber from Mydhurst for the bells (2s”
- 1474 “To John Belhanger on the vigil (14 Aug.) of Assumption for 93 days 5s. 6d.”
- 1474 “Bellhongger for 3 days 18d.”
- 1474 “To Swyft, carpenter, for repairs to bells 8s. To Robert Glouer for a bawdryke for the bells 16d.”
2 bequests were made towards a new wheel for the 4th in the central tower, showing at least 5 bells in there.
1533. “For makyng a new whele for ye iiijth bell in ye quire and tymber for the same whele vj d.”
1533. “To make a new whele for the fore bell yn the Manells ij days xiiij d”
The bells in the detached and central tower required a restoration in the same year.
The work taking 8 days to complete.
1533. “V days to new hang ye grett bells in the Grete Belfrey vj s. viij d, and to new hang y• bells in the Manelles iij days iiij s. viiij d”
In 1583 John Wallis recast a bell, evidently using the same metal of an older bell. In the Chapter Acts of 1583, we have:
"Chapter Acts 1 Aug. 1583 before Francis Cox , Henry Blaxton , and Daniel Gardener , residentiaries, present Thomas Leame, sub - treasurer , Robert Turbervile , verger , and Ranulph Barlow , Registrar . It was decreed that the Vicars of the Common Hall should dine and sup there at their common charges on the first Thursday in each month ; absentees shall forfeit 6d . a meal for the better maintenance of their commons . This was assented to by Thomas Leame , John Taylour , Anthony Buttry , and Clement Wodcocke , there present. On the same day it was decreed that no bellringer shall put in a deputy without leave of the Dean or , in his absence , the President of Chapter , on pain of loss of place . Without leave of the same no peals shall be rung , save at the usual times , on like pain. Each bellringer who shares the dole bread shall be present in person , or by approved deputy , in the Church every Sunday at sermon time to see good order kept , and to inhibit the walkers in the 'Iles ' and cloisters."
His inscription is made using heavy wax letters. He used 3 moulding wires above and below the inscription band. Like his other bell cast 4 years later, he inscribed his name using his initials only.
His treble shows the influence of old english spelling in his inscription:
GEVE THANKES TO GOD I W 1583
However, this was dropped on his tenor.
BE MECKE AND LOLY TO HEAR THE WORD OF GOD I W 1587
There only appear to be 3 other bells by him in the county:
Crawley - Southgate, St Mary
Didling, St Andrew
Westhampnett, St Peter
In 1585, we discover the names of 2 bell ringers, Peter Harding and William Fulwick.
The Chapter Acts contain references to many other bell ringers which are in the table below.
The Chapter Acts contain references to many other bell ringers which are in the table below.
Date |
Ringers |
1585 - 1588 |
Peter Harding; William Fulwick |
1588 - 1590 |
Peter Harding; William Fulwick; Henry Heylinge |
1590 - 1593 |
Peter Harding; Ralph Smith; Henry Heylinge |
1593 - 1594 |
Peter Harding; Ralph Smith; Henry Heylinge; Mr/Miss Knight |
1594 - 1596 |
Peter Harding; Ralph Smith; Henry Heylinge; Mr/Miss Knight; John Hilles; William Cule; Robert Modye |
1596 - 1627 |
Peter Harding; Ralph Smith; Henry Heylinge; Mr/Miss Knight; Bartholomew Prince; Thomas Burnett |
1627 - 1636 |
John Cooper; Peter Harding; Ralph Smith; Henry Heylinge; Mr/Miss Knight; Bartholomew Prince; Thomas Burnett |
The 1587 bell also appears on the Chapter Acts. It shows that it had broken, and some of the metal work was stolen:
'John Garlyck for suffering folk to goe vp in the steeple , and hath not looked to the bawdryckes of the bell ( sic ) , and for suffering straungers to ring , contrarye to the monicion [ , ] wherby a bell ys latelye broken , and leade stolen ,"
The Purdue family recast the 3rd and 4th in 1665. These are the most ornate bells in the tower, consisting of a grapevine band, small bells, and some form of flower?
The lettering in Anno Domini is strangely spaced out, possibly to fill in the room around the inscription band.
Unlike the bells mentioned previously, these are completely inscribed in Latin.
9 years later, William Eldridge from Chertsey recast the second. He favoured the use of diamond stops and the Latin form of his name. The inscription band is lower down the waist than what you'd expect.
Together these 5 bells from a harmonic minor 5, and they remain unaltered to this day.
All the bell have major thirds, except the 3rd and 4th cast by William Purdue.
The audio below shows you what ringing sounded like for the next 32 years.
'John Garlyck for suffering folk to goe vp in the steeple , and hath not looked to the bawdryckes of the bell ( sic ) , and for suffering straungers to ring , contrarye to the monicion [ , ] wherby a bell ys latelye broken , and leade stolen ,"
The Purdue family recast the 3rd and 4th in 1665. These are the most ornate bells in the tower, consisting of a grapevine band, small bells, and some form of flower?
The lettering in Anno Domini is strangely spaced out, possibly to fill in the room around the inscription band.
Unlike the bells mentioned previously, these are completely inscribed in Latin.
9 years later, William Eldridge from Chertsey recast the second. He favoured the use of diamond stops and the Latin form of his name. The inscription band is lower down the waist than what you'd expect.
Together these 5 bells from a harmonic minor 5, and they remain unaltered to this day.
All the bell have major thirds, except the 3rd and 4th cast by William Purdue.
The audio below shows you what ringing sounded like for the next 32 years.
| chichesterminorfive.wav |
*Credit to Luca Greenslade for the full circle recordings*
Richard Phelps either added a tenor or recast it in 1706.
His moulding wires form the more common 2:2:2:3:2 configuration, and the fact they're filleted shows he cast bells in London.
The letters he used for the inscription are very heavy, reading
SOLI DEO GLORIA RICHARD PHELPS LONDINI FECIT 1706.
being the only example of this size in the county. It is the shortest bell in proportion to the rest of his Sussex work.
This formed a ring of 6 in the key of Eb with a tenor weighing 18-2-15cwt.
Richard is also known for recasting the bell at the Market Cross. The Mayor, George Harris, may have used him as the contractor after being impressed with his work in 1706.
Chichester must have had a competent band as Phelps completed the octave in 1729.
He added two trebles with identical inscriptions, bearing a colon between his name.
Much smaller and lighter letters were used in comparison to the tenor, and the bells were proportionately taller than it by 1/8.
These were likely the gift of Mr Mulgrave for he gave £100 towards two bells.
Catastrophe hit in 1861 after the central tower spire collapsed, but the service bell buried under the rubble miraculously survived!
In January, some of the existing cracks were expanding, and new cracks were appearing. Towards the end of the month, parts of the walls, especially in the piers began to bulge!
On February 17th, a Sunday afternoon service was interrupted by the urgent necessity for shoring up the SW pier. The following Wednesday, crushed mortar began to pour out the old cracks while stone began to fall and the braces started to bend.
The workmen continued shoring the following day, but after they fell down, it was clear that the disaster lying ahead was inevitable.
The spire finally collapsed at half past one!
Richard Phelps either added a tenor or recast it in 1706.
His moulding wires form the more common 2:2:2:3:2 configuration, and the fact they're filleted shows he cast bells in London.
The letters he used for the inscription are very heavy, reading
SOLI DEO GLORIA RICHARD PHELPS LONDINI FECIT 1706.
being the only example of this size in the county. It is the shortest bell in proportion to the rest of his Sussex work.
This formed a ring of 6 in the key of Eb with a tenor weighing 18-2-15cwt.
Richard is also known for recasting the bell at the Market Cross. The Mayor, George Harris, may have used him as the contractor after being impressed with his work in 1706.
Chichester must have had a competent band as Phelps completed the octave in 1729.
He added two trebles with identical inscriptions, bearing a colon between his name.
Much smaller and lighter letters were used in comparison to the tenor, and the bells were proportionately taller than it by 1/8.
These were likely the gift of Mr Mulgrave for he gave £100 towards two bells.
Catastrophe hit in 1861 after the central tower spire collapsed, but the service bell buried under the rubble miraculously survived!
In January, some of the existing cracks were expanding, and new cracks were appearing. Towards the end of the month, parts of the walls, especially in the piers began to bulge!
On February 17th, a Sunday afternoon service was interrupted by the urgent necessity for shoring up the SW pier. The following Wednesday, crushed mortar began to pour out the old cracks while stone began to fall and the braces started to bend.
The workmen continued shoring the following day, but after they fell down, it was clear that the disaster lying ahead was inevitable.
The spire finally collapsed at half past one!
An appeal raised more then £53,000 for the rebuild. Sir George Gilbert Scott was the overseer for the task who is indebted for Joseph Butler's measured drawings of the tower. The rubble was sifted through by his assistants to determine parts that could be saved and reused.
The foundations were laid on May 2nd 1865, and the tower was completed in June 1866.
While on the topic of the central tower, let's turn our attention to the lone bell that calls it home.
It was cast by William Dawe, and is identical to the tenor at Alciston.
In 1866, the bell was hung in a timber frame, presumably the R trussed one there today, and chimed by a half wheel.
Fortunately, George Elphick has a sketch of the original timber one. Although, when Gillett & Johnston replaced it with an iron one in 1949, they replicated it.
The foundations were laid on May 2nd 1865, and the tower was completed in June 1866.
While on the topic of the central tower, let's turn our attention to the lone bell that calls it home.
It was cast by William Dawe, and is identical to the tenor at Alciston.
In 1866, the bell was hung in a timber frame, presumably the R trussed one there today, and chimed by a half wheel.
Fortunately, George Elphick has a sketch of the original timber one. Although, when Gillett & Johnston replaced it with an iron one in 1949, they replicated it.
One thing that puzzles me is that Gilletts removed the canon; drilled for support bolts, but retained the cast in crown staple!
On March 8th 2023, I was accompanied by a group of the Chichester Cathedral bell ringers up the central tower to examine it. Sadly, the bell was covered from Crown to lip in bird mess. The bell is no longer rung by rope, but instead, chimed by an electronic hammer.
To access the belfry, you need to go up to the gallery; up the SE pinnacle; across the roof, and up a final spiral staircase to the lantern.
The bell is housed in a wooden shed like structure in the NW corner.
Great thanks goes to Michael Smith for helping organise this!
On March 8th 2023, I was accompanied by a group of the Chichester Cathedral bell ringers up the central tower to examine it. Sadly, the bell was covered from Crown to lip in bird mess. The bell is no longer rung by rope, but instead, chimed by an electronic hammer.
To access the belfry, you need to go up to the gallery; up the SE pinnacle; across the roof, and up a final spiral staircase to the lantern.
The bell is housed in a wooden shed like structure in the NW corner.
Great thanks goes to Michael Smith for helping organise this!
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A restoration too place in 1878 by John Taylor & Co in memory of Dean Walter Hook. The peal of 8 were rehung on new fittings, and a new hour bell, named Great Walter, weighing 73cwt was bought, crowning itself the heaviest bell in Sussex. It bears a lengthy inscription around the inscription band and the foundry name on the waist, using a rather nice font. Great Walter it strapped to a large timber headstock in an X frame for 1. The cost for all the works came to £754 12s.
A faceless clock supplied by J. B. Joyce & Co was also given in the same year. It uses the Westminster chime sequence on bells 2,3,4,7 every 15 minutes. It is one of, if not the only tower in Sussex to have a clock chime without a dial. |
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The first known peal was rung on July 18th, 1885, same year the Sussex County Association of Change Ringers was founded. Although, the first peal by the cathedral ringers was in 1894.
In 1949, the bells were overhauled by Gillett & Johnston. Unfortunately there isn't much information of this project, but it is wise to suggest they rehung the bell in the central tower on a new metal headstock and wheel. 104
The last peal on the old 8 was rung on February 24th 1960.
Taylors overhauled the bells the following year on new fittings. The crown staples were drilled out and new wrought iron clappers were supplied. Unfortunately, the 2nd by Richard Phelps, weighing 5-0-21cwt, cracked during the process, resulting it in being recast. 105
The inscription was repeated in facsimile around the inscription band, and their found stamp and date was inscribed on the waist. The new bell now weighs 5-2-24cwt.
All the canons were removed except from bells 3-6, and the tenor was retuned, reducing its weight to 18-1-12cwt.
In 2003, a grant of £2,000 was awarded by the Bell Restoration fund to make the 2 trebles easier to ring. In addition to given them larger wheels and a general overhaul, Nicholson Engineering cleaned the bearings; renewed the pullies, and removed the remains of the former crown staples from the rest of the peal. The work was completed the following year. 106
Today the bells are rung from the top of the tower, in a large ringing room, below an octagonal belfry.
One thing that makes the bells interesting to ring is the very long draft, one of the largest in the county.
During a ringers meeting in early 2023, it was discussed that rope guides should be fitted to improve how they handle, and teach ringers safely. In addition to this, a training bell supplied by Matthew Higby was also planned to be installed (an inspection to assess this took place on 15/2/2023).
The bells are hung in a tall wooden frame, built in 1731 by Richard Goodman. It features W & W.2 trusses arranged in the 8.2 layout. Interestingly, there is a small pulley in each pit on the end frame suggesting the clappers may have been manually clocked by some form of Ellacombe? Although, there are no pullies on the ground to guild a ropes elsewhere.
Visited:
.28/10/2022 - DETACHED TOWER
.11/02/2023 - DETACHED TOWER
.08/03/2023 - CENTRAL TOWER
In 1949, the bells were overhauled by Gillett & Johnston. Unfortunately there isn't much information of this project, but it is wise to suggest they rehung the bell in the central tower on a new metal headstock and wheel. 104
The last peal on the old 8 was rung on February 24th 1960.
Taylors overhauled the bells the following year on new fittings. The crown staples were drilled out and new wrought iron clappers were supplied. Unfortunately, the 2nd by Richard Phelps, weighing 5-0-21cwt, cracked during the process, resulting it in being recast. 105
The inscription was repeated in facsimile around the inscription band, and their found stamp and date was inscribed on the waist. The new bell now weighs 5-2-24cwt.
All the canons were removed except from bells 3-6, and the tenor was retuned, reducing its weight to 18-1-12cwt.
In 2003, a grant of £2,000 was awarded by the Bell Restoration fund to make the 2 trebles easier to ring. In addition to given them larger wheels and a general overhaul, Nicholson Engineering cleaned the bearings; renewed the pullies, and removed the remains of the former crown staples from the rest of the peal. The work was completed the following year. 106
Today the bells are rung from the top of the tower, in a large ringing room, below an octagonal belfry.
One thing that makes the bells interesting to ring is the very long draft, one of the largest in the county.
During a ringers meeting in early 2023, it was discussed that rope guides should be fitted to improve how they handle, and teach ringers safely. In addition to this, a training bell supplied by Matthew Higby was also planned to be installed (an inspection to assess this took place on 15/2/2023).
The bells are hung in a tall wooden frame, built in 1731 by Richard Goodman. It features W & W.2 trusses arranged in the 8.2 layout. Interestingly, there is a small pulley in each pit on the end frame suggesting the clappers may have been manually clocked by some form of Ellacombe? Although, there are no pullies on the ground to guild a ropes elsewhere.
Visited:
.28/10/2022 - DETACHED TOWER
.11/02/2023 - DETACHED TOWER
.08/03/2023 - CENTRAL TOWER
Recordings of the bells:
The tuning of the bells is something that should be highlighted. To understand their unique and characterful sound, we need to examine each partial. Bells 5 and 6, both cast by The Purdues, are the "odd ones out". Their hums are much flatter than the other bells. As the rest have Hums between half a tone to a tone sharp, the dramatic change results in 4 & 5 being far apart, and 6 & 7 close together. A similar situation can be seen in the Upper partials too. The Superquint and O* Nominal in the Purdue bells are far too sharp, showing that they're thick casts.
The graph below shows how the bells are tuned in relation to their nominal, using Simpson's theory.
They're one of the most of tune peals in the county.
The graph below shows how the bells are tuned in relation to their nominal, using Simpson's theory.
They're one of the most of tune peals in the county.
Key:
-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+
THE NOMINALS
THE QUINT
THE TIERCE
THE PRIME
THE HUM
Bell 1
Hum - 344.5Hz - F-23
Prime - 571Hz - D-48
Tierce - 764.5Hz - G-43 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1018.5Hz - C-46
Nominal - 1271Hz - E♭+36
Prime - 571Hz - D-48
Tierce - 764.5Hz - G-43 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1018.5Hz - C-46
Nominal - 1271Hz - E♭+36
| cut_chichester1.wav |
Bell 2
Hum - 314.5Hz - E♭+19
Prime - 595.5Hz - D+24
Tierce - 727Hz - F#-30 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 936Hz - B♭+7
Nominal - 1194Hz - D+28
Prime - 595.5Hz - D+24
Tierce - 727Hz - F#-30 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 936Hz - B♭+7
Nominal - 1194Hz - D+28
| cut_chichester2.wav |
Bell 3
Hum - 286Hz - D-45
Prime - 534.5Hz - C+37
Tierce - 646.5Hz - E-33 (major 3rd)
Quint - 802Hz - G+39
Nominal - 1039.5Hz - C-11
Prime - 534.5Hz - C+37
Tierce - 646.5Hz - E-33 (major 3rd)
Quint - 802Hz - G+39
Nominal - 1039.5Hz - C-11
| cut_chichester3.wav |
Bell 4
Hum - 254.5Hz - C-47
Prime - 483.5Hz - B-36
Tierce - 589Hz - D+5 (major 3rd)
Quint - 723.5Hz - F#-38
Nominal - 954Hz - B♭+40
Prime - 483.5Hz - B-36
Tierce - 589Hz - D+5 (major 3rd)
Quint - 723.5Hz - F#-38
Nominal - 954Hz - B♭+40
| cut_chichester4.wav |
Bell 5
Hum - 217.5Hz - A-19
Prime - 416Hz - A♭+3
Tierce - 505.5Hz - B+40 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 682Hz - F-40
Nominal - 856Hz - A-47
Prime - 416Hz - A♭+3
Tierce - 505.5Hz - B+40 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 682Hz - F-40
Nominal - 856Hz - A-47
| cut_chichester5.wav |
Bell 6
Hum - 197.5Hz - G+13
Prime - 380Hz - F#+46
Tierce - 474Hz - B♭+29 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 585.5Hz - D-4
Nominal - 798Hz - G+31
Prime - 380Hz - F#+46
Tierce - 474Hz - B♭+29 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 585.5Hz - D-4
Nominal - 798Hz - G+31
| cut_chichester6.wav |
Bell 7
Hum - 185.5Hz - F#+5
Prime - 363.5Hz - F#-30
Tierce - 432Hz - A-31 (major 3rd)
Quint - 534.5Hz - C+37
Nominal - 703.5Hz - F+12
Prime - 363.5Hz - F#-30
Tierce - 432Hz - A-31 (major 3rd)
Quint - 534.5Hz - C+37
Nominal - 703.5Hz - F+12
| cut_chichester7.wav |
Bell 8
Hum - 177.5Hz - F+28
Prime - 307.5Hz - E♭-19
Tierce - 381Hz - G-48 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 507.5Hz - B+47
Nominal - 626Hz - E♭+10
Prime - 307.5Hz - E♭-19
Tierce - 381Hz - G-48 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 507.5Hz - B+47
Nominal - 626Hz - E♭+10
| cut_chichester8.wav |
Service Bell
Hum - 228.5Hz - Bb-33
Prime - 451Hz - A+43
Tierce - 552Hz - Db-6 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 652Hz - E-18
Nominal - 922.5Hz - Bb-17
Prime - 451Hz - A+43
Tierce - 552Hz - Db-6 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 652Hz - E-18
Nominal - 922.5Hz - Bb-17
| chichester_cath_central_tower.wav |
Hour Bell "Great Walter"
Hum - 123.5Hz - B+0
Prime - 231.5Hz - B♭-11
Tierce - 284Hz - D♭+42 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 359Hz - F+48
Nominal - 470.5Hz - B♭+16
Prime - 231.5Hz - B♭-11
Tierce - 284Hz - D♭+42 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 359Hz - F+48
Nominal - 470.5Hz - B♭+16
| chichestergreatwalter.mp3 |
HMS Sussex
| chichester_ship_bell.wav |
Inscriptions:
*Underlined text is inscriptions within the inscription band*
*Text in red is engraved on the bell*
Please note that the underlined inscription on Great Walter is all on one line.
*Text in red is engraved on the bell*
Please note that the underlined inscription on Great Walter is all on one line.
1 |
R : PHELPS FECIT 1729 |
2 |
R : PHELPS FECIT 1729 Ⓙ RECAST 1961 |
3 |
GEVE THANKES TO GOD 1583 I W |
4 |
◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ GVILIELMVS ELDRIDGE ME FECIT ◊ 1674 ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊ |
5 |
################################## DEVS DEI DEO OMNIA AN NO DO MI NI 1665 + + |
6 |
################################## DOMINVS PROVIDEBIT ANNO DO MI NI 1665 🔔 W 🔔 P 🔔 + + |
7 |
BE MECKE AND LOLY TO HEAR THE WORD OF GOD I W 1587 |
8 |
SOLI DEO GLORIA RICHARD PHELPS LONDINI FECIT 1706 |
Service |
(Uninscribed) Moulding wires: 3-1-[-1-3-1-[ |
Hour |
+ NONNE . DVODECIM . SVNT . HORAE . DIEI + IN . MEMORIAM . VIRI . ADMODVM . REVERENDI . GVALTERI . F . HOOK . S.T.P. HVIVS . ECCLESIAE . DECANI : A. S. MDCCCLXXVI I : TAYLOR AND Co. FOUNDERS MDCCCLXXVII |
HMS Sussex |
SUSSEX * 1929. PRESENTED TO H.M.S. "SUSSEX" BY THE COUNTY OF SUSSEX |
Latin Translation:
1,2: FECIT - made me
3,7: I W (Latin form of J W) - John Wallis
4: GVILIELMVS ELDRIDGE ME FECIT 1674 - William Eldridge Made me 1674
5: DEVS DEI DEO OMNIA ANNO DOMINI 1665 - God God God everything in the year of the Lord 1665
6: DOMINVS PROVIDEBIT ANNO DOMINI 1665 W P - The Lord will provide. In the year of the Lord 1665 William Purdue
8: SOLI DEO GLORIA RICHARD PHELPS LONDINI FECIT 1706 - Glory to God alone, Richard Phelps of London made me 1706.
Hour bell: NONNE DVODECIM SVNT HORAE DIEI IN MEMORIAM VIRI ADMODVM REVERENDI GVALTERI . F . HOOK . S.T.P HVIVS ECCLESIAE DECANI A S MDCCCLXXVI I TAYLOR AND CO FOUNDERS MDCCCLXXVI - Are there not twelve hours in the day to remember a very respected man Walter F Hook STP Dean of this church in the year of Christ the saviour 1876. John Taylor and Co Founders 1877
1,2: FECIT - made me
3,7: I W (Latin form of J W) - John Wallis
4: GVILIELMVS ELDRIDGE ME FECIT 1674 - William Eldridge Made me 1674
5: DEVS DEI DEO OMNIA ANNO DOMINI 1665 - God God God everything in the year of the Lord 1665
6: DOMINVS PROVIDEBIT ANNO DOMINI 1665 W P - The Lord will provide. In the year of the Lord 1665 William Purdue
8: SOLI DEO GLORIA RICHARD PHELPS LONDINI FECIT 1706 - Glory to God alone, Richard Phelps of London made me 1706.
Hour bell: NONNE DVODECIM SVNT HORAE DIEI IN MEMORIAM VIRI ADMODVM REVERENDI GVALTERI . F . HOOK . S.T.P HVIVS ECCLESIAE DECANI A S MDCCCLXXVI I TAYLOR AND CO FOUNDERS MDCCCLXXVI - Are there not twelve hours in the day to remember a very respected man Walter F Hook STP Dean of this church in the year of Christ the saviour 1876. John Taylor and Co Founders 1877
Ⓙ = Fig. LVIII,c
# = Fig. XXXI,c
+ = Fig. XXXI,e
🔔= Fig. XXXI,f
# = Fig. XXXI,c
+ = Fig. XXXI,e
🔔= Fig. XXXI,f
Photographs:
Detached Tower
Central Tower
Sources:
100 - Dove's Guide for Church Bell Ringers
101 - Sussex Archaeological Collections Vol* 41
102 - Craft of the Bellfounder by George P Elphick
103 - https://www.hellenicaworld.com/UK/Literature/HubertCCorlette/en/Chichester.html#Fn_7
104 - Sussex Bells & Belfries by George P Elphick
105 - Christopher J Pickford Main Sussex File
106 - Sussex County Association Annual Report
100 - Dove's Guide for Church Bell Ringers
101 - Sussex Archaeological Collections Vol* 41
102 - Craft of the Bellfounder by George P Elphick
103 - https://www.hellenicaworld.com/UK/Literature/HubertCCorlette/en/Chichester.html#Fn_7
104 - Sussex Bells & Belfries by George P Elphick
105 - Christopher J Pickford Main Sussex File
106 - Sussex County Association Annual Report
