Itchingfield, St Nicolas
1953 - Present
Bell |
Weight |
Diameter |
Nominal |
Note |
Founder |
Cast |
Canon |
Hanging |
1 |
3-3-27 cwt |
26.50" |
1391.5 Hz |
F |
1866 |
Removed |
Full Circle |
|
2 |
5-0-8 cwt |
28.50" |
1247.5 Hz |
E♭ |
William Hull |
1686 |
Full Circle |
|
3 |
4-3-6 cwt |
28.75" |
1167.5 Hz |
D |
1866 |
Full Circle |
||
4 |
5-0-26 cwt |
30.50" |
1022.5 Hz |
C |
1675 |
Full Circle |
||
5 |
6-3-5 cwt |
33.50" |
920 Hz |
B♭ |
1629 |
Full Circle |
1866 - 1953
Bell |
Weight |
Diameter |
Note |
Founder |
Year |
Canon |
Hanging |
1 |
4-0-22 cwt |
26.50" |
F |
1866 |
Yes |
Full Circle |
|
2 |
Approx* 4-2-0 cwt |
28.50" |
E♭ |
William Hull |
1686 |
Full Circle |
|
3 |
4-3-16 cwt |
28.75" |
D |
1866 |
Full Circle |
||
4 |
Approx* 5-2-0 cwt |
30.50" |
C |
1675 |
Full Circle |
||
5 |
Approx* 7-0-0 cwt |
33.50" |
B♭ |
1629 |
Full Circle |
About the Bells
5 Bells, 6-3-5 in B♭
Itchingfield has a peal of 5 bells hung in a west facing tower.
The tower has been attributed to the 15th century, and was built as an independent structure to the church. It's entirely made of oak, held together with wooden pegs, making it one of the very few examples of its kind in the country! The towers at Newdigate and Burstow, Surrey are the closest examples we have to Itchingfield.
On June 18th, 1513, there may have been an issue with the tower, for a bequest states that it required repair.
1513, Jun. 18. "I will and gyve to the reparacion of the stepyll of Hicchyngfeld xs"
In 1530, the church received a legacy of 12p towards a "new belle", suggesting that they were either augmenting or recasting a bell.
1530, Apr. 25. "To the new belle off Hychyngfeld xijd"
Although, it doesn't appear that this bell has survived to present day.
The earliest bell we have was cast in 1629 by Bryan I Eldridge, who at the time was casting bells in Chertsey.
It's inscribed:
BRIANVS ELDRIDGE ME FECIT WF IG 1629.
Fig. RIE,1 is between each word, and the N is reversed.
The churchwardens' initials most likely refer to William Francis and John Glassington
It was cast with a conventional canon, and rings in the key of B♭.
William I Eldridge cast a bell for Itchingfield in 1675, possibly recasting an older one.
It is fairly similar to his predecessor's bell due to the inscription and canons.
Again, we see a Latin influence as he used Gvlielmvs, the Latin form of his name, and fecit.
Like most of his bells, he's inscribed diamond stops around the inscription.
The last bell of the old ring was cast in 1686 by William Hull, a founder who has quite lengthy inscriptions, usually taking up more than one inscription band. He includes the name of the churchwardens in full:
Mathew Napper & William Burdfield.
His moulding wires and letters are fairly heavy, and the figure I has a line through it to separate it from a 1.
The 3 bells mentioned above are those in the tower at the time of Bishop Bower's Survey of 1724. It simply gives:
"Bells, 3"
There are no mentions of the bells until 1866. The minutes book states
1866 "Decided to repair the old bells at a cost not over £40."
The contractors were Mears & Stainbank, who not only restored the current three bells, but added a treble and 3rd to make a peal of 5.
Both are inscribed
MEARS & STAINBANK FOUNDERS LONDON
around the inscription band, with the Rector and churchwardens' names on the waist. At the bottom of the waist is the date - all in block roman capitals of the same size.
Both of them were cast with a conventional canon, though the treble canon has been removed since.
In total, £151 15s 10d was raised to help pay for the cost. These came from:
Subscriptions . . . £110 3s 3d
Church rate . . . . £40 0s 0d
Sale of old materials £1 12s 7d
The church rate was a tax in each parish to raise funds for the church to hold services or contribute to the repairs.
The invoice from Whitechapel gives:
Bill for the bells £123 3s 8d
Timber . . . . £11 6s 0d
Other . . . . £17 6s 2d
The church treasurers are also listed: Robert Knight & W. F. Chitty
The treble with its fittings were paid by Rev. John Milne at a cost of £38 11s 8d. His wife donated £15 towards it, and the rest was paid through small collections.
In the same year, the west door which leads into the vestry under the tower was replaced. The incorporated Society for Building and Churches awarded a grant of £25 towards restoring the church. The majority of the west wall required rebuilding, but many of the features were retained.
Churchwarden Mathew Burdfield, whose name is inscribed on the treble and third, may be related to William Burdfield from 1686.
Itchingfield has a peal of 5 bells hung in a west facing tower.
The tower has been attributed to the 15th century, and was built as an independent structure to the church. It's entirely made of oak, held together with wooden pegs, making it one of the very few examples of its kind in the country! The towers at Newdigate and Burstow, Surrey are the closest examples we have to Itchingfield.
On June 18th, 1513, there may have been an issue with the tower, for a bequest states that it required repair.
1513, Jun. 18. "I will and gyve to the reparacion of the stepyll of Hicchyngfeld xs"
In 1530, the church received a legacy of 12p towards a "new belle", suggesting that they were either augmenting or recasting a bell.
1530, Apr. 25. "To the new belle off Hychyngfeld xijd"
Although, it doesn't appear that this bell has survived to present day.
The earliest bell we have was cast in 1629 by Bryan I Eldridge, who at the time was casting bells in Chertsey.
It's inscribed:
BRIANVS ELDRIDGE ME FECIT WF IG 1629.
Fig. RIE,1 is between each word, and the N is reversed.
The churchwardens' initials most likely refer to William Francis and John Glassington
It was cast with a conventional canon, and rings in the key of B♭.
William I Eldridge cast a bell for Itchingfield in 1675, possibly recasting an older one.
It is fairly similar to his predecessor's bell due to the inscription and canons.
Again, we see a Latin influence as he used Gvlielmvs, the Latin form of his name, and fecit.
Like most of his bells, he's inscribed diamond stops around the inscription.
The last bell of the old ring was cast in 1686 by William Hull, a founder who has quite lengthy inscriptions, usually taking up more than one inscription band. He includes the name of the churchwardens in full:
Mathew Napper & William Burdfield.
His moulding wires and letters are fairly heavy, and the figure I has a line through it to separate it from a 1.
The 3 bells mentioned above are those in the tower at the time of Bishop Bower's Survey of 1724. It simply gives:
"Bells, 3"
There are no mentions of the bells until 1866. The minutes book states
1866 "Decided to repair the old bells at a cost not over £40."
The contractors were Mears & Stainbank, who not only restored the current three bells, but added a treble and 3rd to make a peal of 5.
Both are inscribed
MEARS & STAINBANK FOUNDERS LONDON
around the inscription band, with the Rector and churchwardens' names on the waist. At the bottom of the waist is the date - all in block roman capitals of the same size.
Both of them were cast with a conventional canon, though the treble canon has been removed since.
In total, £151 15s 10d was raised to help pay for the cost. These came from:
Subscriptions . . . £110 3s 3d
Church rate . . . . £40 0s 0d
Sale of old materials £1 12s 7d
The church rate was a tax in each parish to raise funds for the church to hold services or contribute to the repairs.
The invoice from Whitechapel gives:
Bill for the bells £123 3s 8d
Timber . . . . £11 6s 0d
Other . . . . £17 6s 2d
The church treasurers are also listed: Robert Knight & W. F. Chitty
The treble with its fittings were paid by Rev. John Milne at a cost of £38 11s 8d. His wife donated £15 towards it, and the rest was paid through small collections.
In the same year, the west door which leads into the vestry under the tower was replaced. The incorporated Society for Building and Churches awarded a grant of £25 towards restoring the church. The majority of the west wall required rebuilding, but many of the features were retained.
Churchwarden Mathew Burdfield, whose name is inscribed on the treble and third, may be related to William Burdfield from 1686.
Prior to the broach spire, the tower had short pyramidic spire called a Sussex cap. This was replaced with the present day spire around 1897.
|
The first peal on the bells was rung on October 26th, 1946.
As there are 5 bells, the maximum number of different changes you can ring is 120, meaning you must ring 42 extents to ring a peal containing 5040 changes. |
|
In 1953, the bells were restored to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
The contractors were Gillett & Johnston, Croydon, and the total cost for the works was £364.
The Church accounts state that the bells were retuned; given new gudgeons and ball bearings; and the frame was strengthened. The treble's canon may have been removed in this year, suggesting it may have broke at the foundry?
To help with funds, the ringers held a handbell concert which raised £60.
The bells were rededicated on June 1st 1953 at 7pm by the Lord Bishop of Lewes.
The contractors were Gillett & Johnston, Croydon, and the total cost for the works was £364.
The Church accounts state that the bells were retuned; given new gudgeons and ball bearings; and the frame was strengthened. The treble's canon may have been removed in this year, suggesting it may have broke at the foundry?
To help with funds, the ringers held a handbell concert which raised £60.
The bells were rededicated on June 1st 1953 at 7pm by the Lord Bishop of Lewes.
.Access to the belfry is by a 32 rung ladder in the NE corner of the tower. Completely vertical and made of wood.
The bells are hung in a wooden Z frame arranged in the 5.1 layout. It was made in 1866 by Mears & Stainbank, using almost all the space in the tower. The two trebles swing N to S, and the back 3 swing E to W.
All the bells are strapped to wooden headstock, all quarter turned except the 3rd and 2nd. The 3rd hasn't been turned, being one of the newest on tower, and the 2nd is an eighth turned.
The broach spire is completely open, supported by a few wooden beams.
5 bells in good condition in 2022.
Visited:
.21/04/2022
.11/02/2023
The bells are hung in a wooden Z frame arranged in the 5.1 layout. It was made in 1866 by Mears & Stainbank, using almost all the space in the tower. The two trebles swing N to S, and the back 3 swing E to W.
All the bells are strapped to wooden headstock, all quarter turned except the 3rd and 2nd. The 3rd hasn't been turned, being one of the newest on tower, and the 2nd is an eighth turned.
The broach spire is completely open, supported by a few wooden beams.
5 bells in good condition in 2022.
Visited:
.21/04/2022
.11/02/2023
Recording 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 - 388.5Hz - G-15
Prime - 629.5Hz - E♭+20
Tierce - 842.5Hz - A♭+25 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1145Hz - D-43
Nominal - 1391.5Hz - F-6
Prime - 629.5Hz - E♭+20
Tierce - 842.5Hz - A♭+25 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1145Hz - D-43
Nominal - 1391.5Hz - F-6
| itchingfield_one.mp3 |
Bell 2
Hum - 348Hz - F-5
Prime - 541Hz - D♭-41
Tierce - 746Hz - F#+14 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 977Hz - B-18
Nominal - 1247.5Hz - E♭+4
Prime - 541Hz - D♭-41
Tierce - 746Hz - F#+14 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 977Hz - B-18
Nominal - 1247.5Hz - E♭+4
| itchingfield_two.mp3 |
Bell 3
Hum - 314.5Hz - E♭+19
Prime - 542Hz - D♭-38
Tierce - 702.5Hz - F+10 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 894.5Hz - A+28
Nominal - 1167.5Hz - D-10
Prime - 542Hz - D♭-38
Tierce - 702.5Hz - F+10 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 894.5Hz - A+28
Nominal - 1167.5Hz - D-10
| itchingfield_three.mp3 |
Bell 4
Hum - 271Hz - D♭-38
Prime - 502Hz - B+28
Tierce - 623.5Hz - E♭+3 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 802.5Hz - G+40
Nominal - 1022.5Hz - C-39
Prime - 502Hz - B+28
Tierce - 623.5Hz - E♭+3 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 802.5Hz - G+40
Nominal - 1022.5Hz - C-39
| itchingfield_four.mp3 |
Bell 5
Hum - 240Hz - B-48
Prime - 440Hz - A+0
Tierce - 560.5Hz - D♭+19 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 663.5Hz - E+11
Nominal - 920Hz - B♭-22
Prime - 440Hz - A+0
Tierce - 560.5Hz - D♭+19 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 663.5Hz - E+11
Nominal - 920Hz - B♭-22
| itchingfield_five.mp3 |
Inscriptions:
*Underlined text is inscriptions within the inscription band*
1866 - Present
1 |
MEARS & STAINBANK FOUNDERS LONDON JOHN. H. MILNE RECTOR NATHḶ KNIGHT } MATTHEW BURDFIELD} CHURCHWARDENS CHURCHWARDENS 1866 |
2 |
WILLIAM ♦ HVLL ♦ MADE ♦ MEE ♦ 1686 ♦ MATHEW ♦♦♦ NAPPER ♦ WILLIAM ♦ BURDFIELD ♦ CHVRCH ♦ WARDEN ♦ |
3 |
MEARS & STAINBANK FOUNDERS LONDON JOHN. H. MILNE RECTOR NATHḶ KNIGHT } MATTHEW BURDFIELD} CHURCHWARDENS CHURCHWARDENS 1866 |
4 |
GVILIELMVS ELDRIDGE ME FECIT ♦ 1675 ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ |
5 |
BRIAИVS ♥ ELDRIDGE ♥ ME ♥ FECIT ♥ WF ♥ IG ♥ 1629 |
1686 - 1866
1 |
WILLIAM ♦ HVLL ♦ MADE ♦ MEE ♦ 1686 ♦ MATHEW ♦♦♦ NAPPER ♦ WILLIAM ♦ BURDFIELD ♦ CHVRCH ♦ WARDEN ♦ |
2 |
GVILIELMVS ELDRIDGE ME FECIT ♦ 1675 ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ |
3 |
BRIAИVS ♥ ELDRIDGE ♥ ME ♥ FECIT ♥ WF ♥ IG ♥ 1629 |
Latin Translation:
4: GVLIELMVS ELDRIDGE ME FECIT - William Eldridge made me
5: BRIANVS ELDRIDGE ME FECIT - Brian Eldridge made me
4: GVLIELMVS ELDRIDGE ME FECIT - William Eldridge made me
5: BRIANVS ELDRIDGE ME FECIT - Brian Eldridge made me
♥ = Fig. RIE,1 (Bell 5)
Photographs:
Sources:
