Lewes, All SaintsAll Saints had a set of 3 bells, hung a west facing tower.
The church and tower were built in the 15th century near the site of Grey Friers - which was dissolved by King Henry VIII in 1538. In 1975, the church was closed, and converted to an arts and community centre five years later. |
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About the Bells
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3 Bells, in C# ( Approx Tuning 1-3 of 4)
The earliest bell, possibly cast by Stephen Norton's successor towards the beginning of the 15th century, was no doubt installed when the tower was built. The bell was inscribed using Stephen Norton's capitals with blackletter smalls after the initial letter, placing it just after 1400. The last mention of Norton was in 1394, suggesting this bell was cast by his successor. Unfortunately, the only known example of Norton's work in the county was recast by Whitechapel in the 1700s. Following the inscription are the 3 laver, and 3 trefoil shields, as well as a fleur-de-lis cross, showing a connection to the founders livery company. This bell is of great quality and may have been cast in London.
16th Century
Our next reference comes from Thomas Stable's will, dated 1544, which suggests that there were at least two bells by this date. "To the mayntenunce of the belles in the same church xijd" Thomas Stable 1544 May 13
Edmund Giles rounds off the century by casting a bell for All Saints in 1595. It is his earliest known and most decorative bell, featuring an ornamental band above and below the inscription. Typical of Giles and his successors, there is a diamond stop between each word and a stretched out 5 in the date. Overall, the bell is of excellent quality, both in craftsmanship and tone. The method of casting involved wax words and ornaments applied to a loam model.
The earliest bell, possibly cast by Stephen Norton's successor towards the beginning of the 15th century, was no doubt installed when the tower was built. The bell was inscribed using Stephen Norton's capitals with blackletter smalls after the initial letter, placing it just after 1400. The last mention of Norton was in 1394, suggesting this bell was cast by his successor. Unfortunately, the only known example of Norton's work in the county was recast by Whitechapel in the 1700s. Following the inscription are the 3 laver, and 3 trefoil shields, as well as a fleur-de-lis cross, showing a connection to the founders livery company. This bell is of great quality and may have been cast in London.
16th Century
Our next reference comes from Thomas Stable's will, dated 1544, which suggests that there were at least two bells by this date. "To the mayntenunce of the belles in the same church xijd" Thomas Stable 1544 May 13
Edmund Giles rounds off the century by casting a bell for All Saints in 1595. It is his earliest known and most decorative bell, featuring an ornamental band above and below the inscription. Typical of Giles and his successors, there is a diamond stop between each word and a stretched out 5 in the date. Overall, the bell is of excellent quality, both in craftsmanship and tone. The method of casting involved wax words and ornaments applied to a loam model.
17th Century
The most recent bell was cast by Roger Tapsel and is of fairly poor quality. Compared with his other work, the inscription on this bell is good, as are the canons, but the moulding wires are rather rough. Sadly, the bell has suffered badly from corrosion caused by bird droppings and exposure to the air, leaving a flaky surface. George Elphick inspected it in May 1964 and identified it as an almost exact replica of the treble at Iford. There are no records to confirm this, but the pre-1625 treble, if there was one, may have been cast by William Chamberlain.
Together, the 3 existing bells form a minor key, being approximately bells 1-3 of 4.
Church closure
Following the church’s closure, it was decided to transfer the bells to Poynings Holy Trinity to replace its two cracked bells. The latter were stood down and preserved in the belfry on timber pedestals, while the Lewes bells were hung in their ancient bell frame for three. From the bearings, it appears that the contractors for the job were John Taylor & Co.
A truss from the Lewes frame was also brought across to Poynings for preservation.
The frame
The timber bell frame is quite a complex structure which Elphick describes a M.7.11.12.13.14.15 frame.
M = 5.D truss type
7 = Frame has brace ties
11 = struts between brace and head incline away from the centre post
12 = End frame head is above the truss head
13 = Other end frame head is below the truss head
14 = Other end frame head is in level with the truss head
15 = Sills are above the end frame plates
Prior to its reconstruction, it was originally a 3.C frame with brace ties.
Presumably, this frame no longer exists at All Saints, but it was likely arranged in the 3.1 layout.
For photos and recordings of the bells, go to Poynings, Holy Trinity.
Visited: 18/08/2024 with Florine Lemaître
The most recent bell was cast by Roger Tapsel and is of fairly poor quality. Compared with his other work, the inscription on this bell is good, as are the canons, but the moulding wires are rather rough. Sadly, the bell has suffered badly from corrosion caused by bird droppings and exposure to the air, leaving a flaky surface. George Elphick inspected it in May 1964 and identified it as an almost exact replica of the treble at Iford. There are no records to confirm this, but the pre-1625 treble, if there was one, may have been cast by William Chamberlain.
Together, the 3 existing bells form a minor key, being approximately bells 1-3 of 4.
Church closure
Following the church’s closure, it was decided to transfer the bells to Poynings Holy Trinity to replace its two cracked bells. The latter were stood down and preserved in the belfry on timber pedestals, while the Lewes bells were hung in their ancient bell frame for three. From the bearings, it appears that the contractors for the job were John Taylor & Co.
A truss from the Lewes frame was also brought across to Poynings for preservation.
The frame
The timber bell frame is quite a complex structure which Elphick describes a M.7.11.12.13.14.15 frame.
M = 5.D truss type
7 = Frame has brace ties
11 = struts between brace and head incline away from the centre post
12 = End frame head is above the truss head
13 = Other end frame head is below the truss head
14 = Other end frame head is in level with the truss head
15 = Sills are above the end frame plates
Prior to its reconstruction, it was originally a 3.C frame with brace ties.
Presumably, this frame no longer exists at All Saints, but it was likely arranged in the 3.1 layout.
For photos and recordings of the bells, go to Poynings, Holy Trinity.
Visited: 18/08/2024 with Florine Lemaître
Inscriptions:
*Underlined text is around the inscription band*
*Letters in gold are crowned*
1 |
⋅ RI ⋅ HALLINGDAL ⋅ ROGER GODMAN ⋅ CHVR ⋅ WARDENS ⋅ 1625 ♦ RT |
2 |
☵☵☵☵☵☵☵☵☵☵☵☵☵ EDMVN ♦ GILES ♦ BELLFOVNDER ♦ 1595 ♦ ▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓ |
3 |
Sancta Katerina Ora Pro Nobis ▼ ◈ ▽ |
Latin Translations:
3: Sancta Katerina Ora Pro Nobis - Saint Mary pray for us.
☵ = Fig. EDG,1
▓ = Fig. EDG,2
▼ = Fig. XI,c
◈ = Fig. XI,b
▽ = Fig. XI,a
3: Sancta Katerina Ora Pro Nobis - Saint Mary pray for us.
☵ = Fig. EDG,1
▓ = Fig. EDG,2
▼ = Fig. XI,c
◈ = Fig. XI,b
▽ = Fig. XI,a
Photographs:
See Poynings, Holy Trinity for photos of the bells
Sources:
© Kye L Leaver 2025. All rights reserved.
- ELPHICK, George P. (1970): Sussex Bells & Belfries
- https://sussexparishchurches.org/church/lewes-all-saints-friars-walk/
© Kye L Leaver 2025. All rights reserved.
