2 5 
stamps are found on bells cast by Augustine Wox, but they are 
also found all over the country from Devon to Durham, the 
stamps having passed, like many other stamps of founder’s 
marks and letters, from one generation to another in the same 
business. 
The bells at Saxton were given by Wm. Salley, of Saxton ; 
his grandfather was Sheriff of York in 1397-8. 
There are some rich examples of mediaeval art hung in the 
belfries of our city, which were probably the work of local 
founders. It is only by careful comparison of the lettering, 
initial crosses, stops, ornaments, &c., that mediaeval bells can 
be traced to their founders, as they rarely placed their names 
on the hells. Owing to re-casting and other causes, every 
year sees the number of mediaeval bells diminishing. 
“ Those chimes that, tell a thousand tales. 
Sweet tales of olden times, 
And ring a thousand memories.” 
At All Saints’, Pavement, two bells are inscribed 
(1) '• + See. Jfoljannes ©ra f)ro ilolris 
(2) “ + Eljes Kiajaremim, Bex JnDeorum.” 
Each capital letter is surmounted by a crown. One of the 
bells was rung nightly as a guide for persons traversing the 
Forest of Galtres towards York. 
At Holy Trinity, Goodramgate, a bell bears the following :— 
“ + Sancta Maria, Ora Pro Nobis ” 
At St. Sampson’s, a bell is encircled by:— 
“ + Fiat volontas Tva pater omnepotens R.BA 
The initials may be those of Richard Blake} 7 , bellfounder, 
who became a freeman of York in 1501. 
In 1492, the Prayer bell of the Minster was cast, it bore a 
Latin inscription signifying :— 
“ Rise quickly, haste ! ’tis time to stir for all, 
Why sleepest thou ? Awake when I do call.” 
