THE CHURCH BELLS OF DORSET. I 27 



The weak point of the legend seems to be the alleged existence of a ring of 

 twelve in a Cistercian Abbey. 



I have been told that the doggerel rhymes above are not unknown in 

 Fordington. 



Another and quite different tradition about these bells has come to me. But as 

 I cannot name my mformant, nor say whence he got his tale, I give it for what 

 it is worth. It dates before the suppression, for the Abbey services were being 

 duly held at the time. While Abbot and Convent were all in church — at Lauds 

 we may suppose — the "Fordington rogues" slipped up the tower. They 

 unshipped the twelve bells, lowered them, and heaved eleven of them into 

 waggons, without a sound. But the clapper of the twelfth got loose somehow, 

 and gave a clang which was heard in church. However, away went the raiders 

 at their best pace, bells and all. The Abbot and his household gave chase, but 

 did not overtake them tQl they reached Frome Billett Down, which by the bye is 

 half-a-mile or more out of the present track. Five of the bells were, notwith- 

 standing pursuit, carried off to Fordington. Seven, however, were rescued, 

 whether through skirmish or parley tradition sayeth not, I think. A curious 

 rider is that out of these seven bells two somehow found their way to Stinsford. 



You know, better than I do, all about the two pre-Eeformation bells above- 

 named. 



I may say that the present ring was changed from five to six by re -casting a 

 rather heavy (two-man) tenor, dated 1602. It was all to pieces — more bolted 

 and strapped together, I should think, than any bell sounding in a ring. The 

 present dull-toned tenor was second. 



I am, yours truly, 



H. J. MOULE. 



The Eev. Canon Raven, D.D. 



DEANERY OF WHITCHURCH. 



(Bere Regis Portion.) 



No. 14. 



I. AFFPUDDLE (S. Lawrence). 



Four bells. Tenor — Diam., 4+in. ; height, 35in. 



1. TPRSCWTP Anno Domini 1685. 



WKBF 1755. 



2. Thomas INIichel, George Neppred, C.W. Anno Domini. 



3. Pray se the Lord. J. W. 1598. 



4. Thomas Scut, John White, Churchwardens. 1655. 



