Cowfold, St Peter
Bell |
Weight |
Diameter |
Nominal |
Note |
Founder |
Cast |
Canon |
Hanging |
1 |
3-3-24 cwt |
26.25" |
1462.5 Hz |
F# |
1905 |
Full Circle |
||
2 |
4-2-0 cwt |
27.50" |
1298 Hz |
E |
William & Thomas Mears |
1789 |
Full Circle |
|
3 |
5 cwt |
30.00" |
1135 Hz |
D |
William & Thomas Mears |
1789 |
Full Circle |
|
4 |
5-2-11 cwt |
31.38" |
1083 Hz |
C# |
1905 |
Full Circle |
||
5 |
6-1-7 cwt |
33.38" |
966.5 Hz |
B |
1905 |
Full Circle |
||
6 |
8-2-0 cwt |
36.00" |
861.5 Hz |
A |
1629 |
Removed |
Full Circle |
About the Bells
6 Bells, 8-2-0 in, A
The six bells of St Peter's Cowfold are hung in a 15th century tower and rung with a long but guided draft from the ground floor.
The bells are hung clockwise in a timber Z trussed 6.1 frame. All of the bells feature a conventional 6 looped canon except the tenor. Despite this, it would have been a 6 looped conventional canon like the rest, which has been removed.
The tenor also shows where Bryan Eldridge had problems casting the mold for this bell as quite a few quarter-inch patches can be found inside the bell. All bells except the Mears & Stainbank are turned, so the bells cast by W&T Mears and the Bryan I Eldridge Bell must have been turned by Mears & Stainbank.
The tower is structured in three levels:
> The Belfry
>Clock room
>Ringing Room
To access the Clock room and Belfry, a clockwise spiral staircase is located on the NE side of the tower.
During my visit, I collected the information for the Canons, Turnings, and the nominals. The bells were noted to be in the key of Ab but the nominals prove that the bells are in the key of A.
In Volume 2 of the Sussex Archaeological Collections, we find the churchwardens accounts for Cowfold, St Peters. This spans from 1460 through to 1482 and many purchases were made towards the bells and their fittings. We begin at 1460 where there are two things mentioned on the bells. It would appear that there were at least 3 bells for 3 ropes were bought. Another for the ropes was made along with wheat leather and a belt. Leather was normally used to strap the clapper to the crown staple.
The next mention of the bells is made 10 years later. It is wise to suggest Cowfold were augmenting their bells 4 as 2 payments were made to making a bell, the founder presumably being Johannes Warde. In addition, 3 payments were made for a bell rope.
In 1477, the bells required attention again as 2 bell ropes needed replacing and also leather for the clappers.
The following year we see alot of payments made. 6 were towards bell ropes; 7 for bell clappers; 2 for wheat leather and two 2 for a bell wheel. William Smith or Wyllelmus Smyth de Warmynled was given 3d for his work on a clapper. An interesting one mentions “the dressing of a bell” and another shows us that the bells were rehung on new headstocks.
We don’t see any more payments until 1481 where clappers, ropes and belts were made. The following year, one bell rope and wheat leather are ordered.
In 1447, a new frame by Clark of Thakeham the Carpenter was made, his expenses and labour together cost 30s 1d.
Taking a look at the Diocesan commission reports, we see that "The steeple and 4 bells in good order" in 1724.
The Frame:
The present frame is apparently dated from 1905 which is when Mears & Stainbank had installed bells in the tower so the current frame could possibly be an M&S frame? In 1440 there was a frame for a ring of 3 and in 1447, a new frame was made by Clark of Thakeham the carpenter who was paid 30s 1d for his expenses and labor.
George P Elphick Sussex bells and belfries
The six bells of St Peter's Cowfold are hung in a 15th century tower and rung with a long but guided draft from the ground floor.
The bells are hung clockwise in a timber Z trussed 6.1 frame. All of the bells feature a conventional 6 looped canon except the tenor. Despite this, it would have been a 6 looped conventional canon like the rest, which has been removed.
The tenor also shows where Bryan Eldridge had problems casting the mold for this bell as quite a few quarter-inch patches can be found inside the bell. All bells except the Mears & Stainbank are turned, so the bells cast by W&T Mears and the Bryan I Eldridge Bell must have been turned by Mears & Stainbank.
The tower is structured in three levels:
> The Belfry
>Clock room
>Ringing Room
To access the Clock room and Belfry, a clockwise spiral staircase is located on the NE side of the tower.
During my visit, I collected the information for the Canons, Turnings, and the nominals. The bells were noted to be in the key of Ab but the nominals prove that the bells are in the key of A.
In Volume 2 of the Sussex Archaeological Collections, we find the churchwardens accounts for Cowfold, St Peters. This spans from 1460 through to 1482 and many purchases were made towards the bells and their fittings. We begin at 1460 where there are two things mentioned on the bells. It would appear that there were at least 3 bells for 3 ropes were bought. Another for the ropes was made along with wheat leather and a belt. Leather was normally used to strap the clapper to the crown staple.
The next mention of the bells is made 10 years later. It is wise to suggest Cowfold were augmenting their bells 4 as 2 payments were made to making a bell, the founder presumably being Johannes Warde. In addition, 3 payments were made for a bell rope.
In 1477, the bells required attention again as 2 bell ropes needed replacing and also leather for the clappers.
The following year we see alot of payments made. 6 were towards bell ropes; 7 for bell clappers; 2 for wheat leather and two 2 for a bell wheel. William Smith or Wyllelmus Smyth de Warmynled was given 3d for his work on a clapper. An interesting one mentions “the dressing of a bell” and another shows us that the bells were rehung on new headstocks.
We don’t see any more payments until 1481 where clappers, ropes and belts were made. The following year, one bell rope and wheat leather are ordered.
In 1447, a new frame by Clark of Thakeham the Carpenter was made, his expenses and labour together cost 30s 1d.
Taking a look at the Diocesan commission reports, we see that "The steeple and 4 bells in good order" in 1724.
The Frame:
The present frame is apparently dated from 1905 which is when Mears & Stainbank had installed bells in the tower so the current frame could possibly be an M&S frame? In 1440 there was a frame for a ring of 3 and in 1447, a new frame was made by Clark of Thakeham the carpenter who was paid 30s 1d for his expenses and labor.
George P Elphick Sussex bells and belfries
Payments towards the bells between 1460 - 1482
1460
.It. pro tres belle ropes xviijd
.It. pro faciende de belle ropes and pro baudryk and what leder iiijd
.It. pro faciende de belle ropes and pro baudryk and what leder iiijd
1470
.It. pro duos ropis pro campanis xijd.
.It. pro leder pro campanis jd.
.It. pro leder pro campanis jd.
1477
.It. pro duos ropis pro campanis xijd.
.It. pro leder pro campanis jd.
It. to Clark de Thakam carpynter xld.
It. at eodem carpynter xxiijs. iiijd.
.It. at eodem carpynter xd.
.It. at eodem carpynter viijd.
.It. at eodem carpynter pro faciende de fframe et labore & exspenss xxtijd
.It. pro leder pro campanis jd.
It. to Clark de Thakam carpynter xld.
It. at eodem carpynter xxiijs. iiijd.
.It. at eodem carpynter xd.
.It. at eodem carpynter viijd.
.It. at eodem carpynter pro faciende de fframe et labore & exspenss xxtijd
1478
.It. solvere at omo venit pro Flecheyng pro videre the frame campanis viijd
CLAPPERS
.It. at Wyllelmus Smyth de Warmyngled pro faciende de clappers pro campanis iijd
.It. pro faciende de manyn [remaining] clepers ijs. ijd
.It. solvere pro faciende of a belle clep ijs ijd
.It. solvere pro faciende de cleper de campanis xijd
.It. pro faciende de cleper de campanis xijd
.It. carieng of the cleper to Horsam iiijd
.It. pro cleps to the gret belle ijd
ROPES
.It. pro a rope pro campanis viijd
.It. for naylle & cletyng of belle ropys jd
.It. solvere ij bell ropys xiiijd
.It. pro duos ropys pro campanis xiiijd
.It. pro duos ropis de campanis xvd
.It. pro duos ropis to the bells xvjd
WHEAT LEATHER
.It. pro wheyt leder jd.
.It. solvere pro wheyt leder
WHEEL
.It. pro faciende de belle whele xiijd
.A put passae solvere, It. pro faciende pro a whelle pro campanis vjd
OTHER PAYMENTS TOWARDS THE BELLS
.It. solvere at Ioh pennie for dressyng of the belles ijd
.It. pro solvere mendyng of baudryk jd
.It. pro faciende de belle whele xiijd
.It. pro stokyng of the belles xjd
.A put passae solvere, It. pro faciende pro a whelle pro campanis vjd
CLAPPERS
.It. at Wyllelmus Smyth de Warmyngled pro faciende de clappers pro campanis iijd
.It. pro faciende de manyn [remaining] clepers ijs. ijd
.It. solvere pro faciende of a belle clep ijs ijd
.It. solvere pro faciende de cleper de campanis xijd
.It. pro faciende de cleper de campanis xijd
.It. carieng of the cleper to Horsam iiijd
.It. pro cleps to the gret belle ijd
ROPES
.It. pro a rope pro campanis viijd
.It. for naylle & cletyng of belle ropys jd
.It. solvere ij bell ropys xiiijd
.It. pro duos ropys pro campanis xiiijd
.It. pro duos ropis de campanis xvd
.It. pro duos ropis to the bells xvjd
WHEAT LEATHER
.It. pro wheyt leder jd.
.It. solvere pro wheyt leder
WHEEL
.It. pro faciende de belle whele xiijd
.A put passae solvere, It. pro faciende pro a whelle pro campanis vjd
OTHER PAYMENTS TOWARDS THE BELLS
.It. solvere at Ioh pennie for dressyng of the belles ijd
.It. pro solvere mendyng of baudryk jd
.It. pro faciende de belle whele xiijd
.It. pro stokyng of the belles xjd
.A put passae solvere, It. pro faciende pro a whelle pro campanis vjd
1481
.It. solvere for iij bel ropys xvjd.
.It. pro faciende de belle cleppes ijs xd
.It. solvere pro bawdrykys for the bell iiijd. ob pro makyng iijd
.It. pro faciende de belle cleppes ijs xd
.It. solvere pro bawdrykys for the bell iiijd. ob pro makyng iijd
1482
.It. solvere pro void de erthe pro the steple xviijd
.It. pro duos rapys xviijd.
.It. pro duos rapys xviijd.
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 - 421Hz - Ab+24
Prime - 691Hz - F-18
Tierce - 891.5Hz - A+22 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1248Hz - Eb+5
Nominal - 1462.5Hz - F# -20
Prime - 691Hz - F-18
Tierce - 891.5Hz - A+22 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1248Hz - Eb+5
Nominal - 1462.5Hz - F# -20
| cowfold1.mp3 |
Bell 2
Hum - 351.5Hz - F+11
Prime - 588.5Hz - D+3
Tierce - 785Hz - G+2 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 996.5Hz - B+15
Nominal - 1298Hz - E-26
Prime - 588.5Hz - D+3
Tierce - 785Hz - G+2 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 996.5Hz - B+15
Nominal - 1298Hz - E-26
| cowfold_2.mp3 |
Bell 3
Hum - 291.5Hz - D-12
Prime - 522Hz - Db-6
Tierce - 682Hz - F-40 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 869.5Hz - A-20
Nominal - 1135Hz - Db+40
Prime - 522Hz - Db-6
Tierce - 682Hz - F-40 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 869.5Hz - A-20
Nominal - 1135Hz - Db+40
| cowfold3.mp3 |
Bell 4
Hum - 304Hz - Eb-39
Prime - 517.5Hz - C-18
Tierce - 658Hz - E-2 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 861.5Hz - A-36
Nominal - 1083Hz - Db-40
Prime - 517.5Hz - C-18
Tierce - 658Hz - E-2 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 861.5Hz - A-36
Nominal - 1083Hz - Db-40
| cowfold4.mp3 |
Bell 5
Hum - 277.5Hz - Db+2
Prime - 464Hz - Bb-7
Tierce - 589Hz - D+5 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 786Hz - G+4
Nominal - 966.5Hz - B-37
Prime - 464Hz - Bb-7
Tierce - 589Hz - D+5 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 786Hz - G+4
Nominal - 966.5Hz - B-37
| cowfold5.mp3 |
Bell 6
Hum - 228Hz - Bb-37
Prime - 440Hz - A+0
Tierce - 536Hz - C+42 (major 3rd)
Quint - 664Hz - E+12
Nominal - 861.5Hz - A-36
Prime - 440Hz - A+0
Tierce - 536Hz - C+42 (major 3rd)
Quint - 664Hz - E+12
Nominal - 861.5Hz - A-36
| cowfold6.mp3 |
Inscriptions:
*Underlined text is inscriptions within the inscription band*
1905 - Present
1 |
MEARS & STAINBANK FECIT THE GIFT OF F.D. GODMAN A.D. 1905 |
2 |
WM̥ TURNER & JNO̥ WOOLLVEN CH. WARDENS W & T MEARS LATE LESTER PACK & CHAPMAN OF LONDON FECIT 1789 |
3 |
WM̥ TURNER & JNO̥ WOOLLVEN CH. WARDENS W & T MEARS LATE LESTER PACK & CHAPMAN OF LONDON FECIT 1789 |
4 |
GLORIA DEO IN EXCELSIS 1634 BE RECAST SAME METAL 1905 G.B. GODMAN F. SENDALL CHURCHWARDENS MEARS & STAINBANK LONDON |
5 |
BRIANVS ELDRIDGE ME FECIT 1629 IG IL RECAST SAME METAL 1905 G.B.GODMAN F SENDALL CHURCHWARDENS MEARS & STAINBANK LONDON |
6 |
BRIANVS ♥ ELDRIDGE ♥ ME ♥ FECIT ♥ IG ♥ IL ♥ 1629 |
1789 - 1905
1 |
WM̥ TURNER & JNO̥ WOOLLVEN CH. WARDENS W & T MEARS LATE LESTER PACK & CHAPMAN OF LONDON FECIT 1789 |
2 |
WM̥ TURNER & JNO̥ WOOLLVEN CH. WARDENS W & T MEARS LATE LESTER PACK & CHAPMAN OF LONDON FECIT 1789 |
3 |
GLORIA DEO IN EXCELSIS 1634 BE |
4 |
BRIANVS ♥ ELDRIDGE ♥ ME ♥ FECIT ♥ IG ♥ IL ♥ 1629 |
5 |
BRIANVS ♥ ELDRIDGE ♥ ME ♥ FECIT ♥ IG ♥ IL ♥ 1629 |
Latin Translation:
1,2,3: FECIT - to make
4: GLORIA DEO IN EXCELSIS - Glory to God in the highest
5,6: FECIT - to make
1,2,3: FECIT - to make
4: GLORIA DEO IN EXCELSIS - Glory to God in the highest
5,6: FECIT - to make
♥ = Fig. BRE,1 (Bell 6)
*Click on images to enlarge them*
*Click on images to enlarge them*
Photographs:
