THE CHURCH BELLS OF DORSET. 113 



The western or bell tower was completed in 1464, but there 

 were bells in the Minster long before that time. 



We know by the inscription on the tenor bell, which was re- 

 cast in 1629, that it was given by a Mr. William Loringe. He, 

 according to Hutchins, was one of the Canons of this church in 

 the eighth year of King Richard II. (nearly 250 years before 

 this bell was new-cast). This would give the original date as 

 about the year 1385. 



The churchwardens' accounts begin as early as 1475, and from 

 the commencement of them we find references concerning the 

 bells and particular names given to some of them, as 



" The Morrow Mass Bell." " The Jesus Bell." 

 " The ffyer Bell." 



In all likelihood the bell of S. Cuthberga hung in, and was 

 chimed from the lantern (or central) tower, and other smaller 

 bells beside. This would account for windows being left open 

 in this tower to allow an exit for the vibrations of sound ; these 

 windows, though externally they are walled up, can still be traced 

 inside. 



Bells may also have been brought here from S. Stephen's 

 Chapel at Kingston, which was disused about 1562, and these 

 bells, with others, may have been melted down and used in 

 casting new bells. 



In an entry in the parish accounts, under the date 1686, it is 

 stated that ^28 was received from the bell founders for overplus 

 of metal. 



The following are extracts from the old accounts relating to 

 the bells which existed before the present peal ; they are taken 

 principally from Hutchins' abstract of the accounts : 



1475. " Paid for mending the stock of a bell, and " clams" 

 bought for the same 4^d. Other repairs for the 

 bells. A new baudrick bought. For a new rope 

 bought for the bell called " Cuthburgh " bell i2d. 

 For mending the wheel of the little bell 3d." 



1495. Paid to Thomas Carpenter for making a wheel 

 for a little bell 33. 4d. To Thomas Archer for 



