62 



ALL SAINTS BELLS. 



It was the custom at All Saints' to ring a bell at 5 o'clock in the 

 morning, and another at 8 o'clock in the evening. The former 

 was intended to rouse the people from their beds, in order that 

 they might get to work punctually — at least such is the received 

 account. We are, however, inclined to think it was the sole relic 

 of the early mass of the Trinity Guild, which, before the "Re- 

 formation," was sung at that early hour. We say " was," because 

 this bell is now discontinued. A yearly allowance was made to 

 the sexton for candles on dark mornings. 



The eight o'clock is still rung nightly ; it goes by the name of 

 the Curfew, but is probably a relic of the time when All Saints' was 

 a Collegiate Church. 



At a parish meeting, held Nov. 6th, 1663, it was agreed : — 



" that George Blagrave shall have, of the Parish twentie shillings for the 

 " ringing of the eight a Clock bell & five a Clock bell for the year past 

 "and also to have twentie shillings at next ladie daie and be payed also 

 "after ladie daie next ffourtie shillings p Ann at March (?) & Ladiedaie." 

 May the 4th, 1664 " At a p'ish meeting 



"It to George Blagrave \v ch was due to him at Ladie day 



" last by order 2—00 — 00." 



In the accounts : — 



(1620) December 20 Paid to Richard Baggelow dark for candels | 



to ring the 5 a clock bell 



1634 Itt to John Parker for 6 lbs of Candles for George 



Blagrave 



1647 It for half a dozen of candles for George Blagrave o — 3 



1664 It pd Blagrave for ringing y e 5 & 8 of clock bell — 01— 00 — 00 



It to Blagrave for ringing 5 & 8 a clock bell — 02 — 00 — 00 



ffor Ringing 5 & 8 a cloacke bell 01 — 00— oO 



1665 



These last entries are repeated for many years. 



We may be sure that such a fine ring of bells would be heard on 

 every public occasion, and the entries in the accounts compose 

 quite a chronological series of historical events. 



The following are instances : — . 



1624 Itm for ringing at the newes of the contract w th ffrance . . 



1630 Itm paied for ringing at the Birth of the prince (after- 

 wards Charles II. ) 



1633 pd for ringing at y e birth of y e Duke of Yorke (afterwards 

 James II.) 



1641 ffor ringing for joy at y e peace 



1642-3 Sep 16 To Georg Blag: for Ringing for y e Kinge (Battle 



of Edgehill) | o 



