110 The Belfry formerly standing in the Clow, Salisbury. 



embattled parapet ; from this level sprang the steeple, which was also 

 covered with lead of similar design, and terminated with a metal 

 cross ; the weather-cock which appears above the cross in views of 

 the Belfry having no doubt been a later addition to it. 



The entire height of the structure from the grass of the churchyard 

 to the top of the cross was about 200ft., being some 50ft. higher 

 than the leaden roof, which in all probability covered the original 

 tower of the Cathedral. 



The door was in the south wall, between the middle and eastern 

 buttresses. A circular stone staircase, reached by a short passage 

 from a doorway on the inside of the east wall, was formed in the 

 thickness of the masonry of the south-east angle, and continued to 

 the top of the stone structure, where it was covered in by a lead 

 roof just above the parapet. The ringing-loft was 37ft. above the 

 ground-floor, and the bell-chamber 32ft. higher, each storey being 

 lighted by eight windows, two in each wall. 



The Belfry was undoubtedly coeval with the Cathedral, the striking 

 similarity of the two buildings in general design, and in detail, 

 being conclusive evidence that they were the work of the same 

 architect. Being specially designed to receive the bells the Belfry 

 would certainly be completed and furnished with them when the 

 Cathedral was consecrated in 1258 : they were probably brought 

 from the Cathedral at Old Sarum, in which, as the Consuetudinary 

 of St. Osmund clearly shows that a peal existed, for it directs when 

 the bells are to be rung, and in defining the duties of the Sacristan 

 includes the care of the bells, for which the Treasurer is enjoined to 

 provide the funds. 



In what follows much use has been made of the extracts 

 taken many years ago, by the late Mr. Frederick Richard Fisher, 1 

 of Salisbury, from the annual accounts of the Clerks of "Works to 

 the Cathedral, and from other books and documents in the muniment 

 room, which he was allowed to examine when I for a time assisted 

 him. These accounts, so far as examined, go back to 1473, and 



1 Mr. Fisher was Clerk of the Works to Salisbury Cathedral, and his father 

 before him, 



