[Bell Historians] History of Coronation Ringing

[Dickon Love]

St Magnus the Martyr in London has a number of entries in the accounts for ringing on “Coronation Day” between 1638 and 1666, although these are just for anniversaries of the coronations. The ringing wasn’t always confined to the current monarch’s coronation anniversary either – there was payment for ringing on 17 Nov 1662 for Queen Elizabeth’s coronation day , the anniversary being the day before, although this was actually the anniversary of her accession rather than coronation. Charles II had been crowned the previous year! A slightly obscured entry in 1660-1 stated “Paid ringers for ringing the Day the King […] and his touring through London … xxj s vj d” – could have been the day the King was crowned, which Charles II was in that year. Ringing for Charles II’s coronation anniversary was also recorded as taking place at the time of his de facto accession (May 1660) rather than coronation (Apr 1661) or de jure accession (Jan 1648/9).

 

DrL

 

 

From: Bell-historians <bell-historians-bounces at lists.ringingworld.co.uk> On Behalf Of Mark Ockelton via Bell-historians
Sent: 18 February 2023 12:41
To: bell-historians at lists.ringingworld.co.uk
Cc: Mark Ockelton <mockelton at gmx.com>
Subject: Re: [Bell Historians] History of Coronation Ringing

 

St Michael's Cornhill accounts show ringing for the accession and the coronation of Mary I, ditto for Elizabeth.

St Thos Salisbury rang 'the xxi day of July when or Souerenge lady mary quene was proclaymed' but I think not for her coronation.

The editor's notes to the Herts RS transcript of St Peter's St Albans point out that by 1586/7 ringing for St Hugh's day was called ringing for the anniversary of the Coronation (but it was the Accession) so clearly care may be needed if there are references to the anniversary of the coronation without a date!

S Martin in the Fields rang for the burial of H VIII.  They also rang in 1603 'the xxiiijth of March at the proclaimyng of our king'.  The payment for the coronation is not absolutley clearly for ringing, but perhaps we can assume it: 'Itm given to the ringers to drincke the Coronation daye of the Kings Matie being the xxvth of July 1603'.

Bonfires and Bells does indeed have a chapter, but starts too late to show any pre-Elizabethan ringing.

Mark

  

  

Sent: Friday, February 17, 2023 at 8:17 PM
From: "Richard Bimson via Bell-historians" <bell-historians at lists.ringingworld.co.uk <mailto:bell-historians at lists.ringingworld.co.uk> >
To: "bell-historians at lists.ringingworld.co.uk <mailto:bell-historians at lists.ringingworld.co.uk> " <bell-historians at lists.ringingworld.co.uk <mailto:bell-historians at lists.ringingworld.co.uk> >
Cc: "Richard Bimson" <rbimson79 at hotmail.com <mailto:rbimson79 at hotmail.com> >
Subject: [Bell Historians] History of Coronation Ringing

I am currently writing an article on the subject of bells and the coronation.

 

In the RW of 7th May 1937 reference is made to ringing recorded at St Thomas's Bristol for the Coronation of Mary I in 1553.  I would be interested in any other early references to ringing for the Coronation which members of this list may have come across in searching records (mainly I guess churchwardens accounts).  Is there any known record of pre-Reformation coronations in relation to bells?  The standard histories of the Coronation (e.g. Strong etc. are remarkably silent on the matter) as indeed are the rubrics of the Rite itself, even though it was considered customary (according to RW articles) by the middle of C20th for the bells to be fired at the moment of crowning (the rubrics only refer to trumpets, drums and guns).

 

I am aware that ringing for the anniversary of the Accession of Elizabeth I became widespread and that it has been argued cogently argued that this coincided with the 1561 revision of the Kalendar in the BCP to include that date as a day to be commemorated.   I know of two sets of Stuart Episcopal Visitation records (Wren of Ely and Montagu of Norwich) which specifically ask if the bells are rung for the Accession Anniversary of Charles I, but nothing specifically for the Coronation Anniversary.

 

I am also aware of D. Cressy's book Bonfires and Bells.  Does anyone have a copy of the book which they would be prepared to consult and pass any relevant references?

 

or if anyone has any other suggested sources, I would be very appreciative.

 

Many thanks in advance

Richard

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