Chichester, Former Church of St MartinSt Martin’s, Chichester, had a single bell, hung in a former timber belfry. There are records of a church on this site dating as far back as the 13th century. The church was largely rebuilt in 1802 with a Gothic belfry, featuring stone embattlements and large louvres. Some of the medieval church survived the rebuild, as traces of medieval wall paintings were discovered. Owing to the deteriorating structure, the church united with St Olave’s in 1899, where services were continued, until it was demolished in 1906, no little more than the surrounding walls and a plaque today.
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The Bell
Bell |
Weight |
Diameter |
Nominal |
Note |
Founder |
Cast |
Canon |
Hanging |
1 |
2 cwt |
22.00" |
1489 Hz |
F# |
John Sturdy |
c1450 |
Swing Chime? |
1 Bell, 2cwt in F#
Unfortunately, more is known about the later part of this bell’s life than its beginning, but it is presumed to have started life here at St Martin’s.
The bell was cast by the London founder John Sturdy around the middle of the 15th century. The tonal qualities of this bell, like those of many 15th-century bells, are superb, and show that Sturdy had a good understanding of how to achieve harmonic tuning. For more details on this bell, see Chichester, St Wilfrid.
In 1906, following the demolition of St Martin’s, the bell was transferred to the nearby church of
St Mary’s, Rumboldswyke, where it remained for around 70 years.
It was transferred to its third home when Rumboldswyke became redundant, and it now resides at Chichester, St Wilfrid.
During its life at St Martin’s, it may have been hung for swing chiming, judging by its fittings shown in old photographs at Rumboldswyke.
Unfortunately, more is known about the later part of this bell’s life than its beginning, but it is presumed to have started life here at St Martin’s.
The bell was cast by the London founder John Sturdy around the middle of the 15th century. The tonal qualities of this bell, like those of many 15th-century bells, are superb, and show that Sturdy had a good understanding of how to achieve harmonic tuning. For more details on this bell, see Chichester, St Wilfrid.
In 1906, following the demolition of St Martin’s, the bell was transferred to the nearby church of
St Mary’s, Rumboldswyke, where it remained for around 70 years.
It was transferred to its third home when Rumboldswyke became redundant, and it now resides at Chichester, St Wilfrid.
During its life at St Martin’s, it may have been hung for swing chiming, judging by its fittings shown in old photographs at Rumboldswyke.
Recording of the bell:
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+
Hum - 376Hz - F#+28
Prime - 737.5Hz - F# -5
Tierce - 901Hz - A+41 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1108Hz - C#+0
Nominal - 1489Hz - F#+11
Prime - 737.5Hz - F# -5
Tierce - 901Hz - A+41 (minor 3rd)
Quint - 1108Hz - C#+0
Nominal - 1489Hz - F#+11
| chichesterstwilfred.mp3 |
Inscriptions:
*Underlined text is around the inscription band*
1 |
+ I ◉ S + |
Sources:
- TYSSEN, Amhurst D (1864): The Church Bells of Sussex
- GREEN, Alan. H (2020): The Five Little Churches of Chichester
