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<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>The problem with Mike's questions is that =
they=20
assume one has firm dates for things. In reality we often don't! =20
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Certainly the dating of fittings is often =
highly=20
circumstantial or impressionistic</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>I have believed for a long while that the =
whole=20
question of dating mediaeval bells - there are virtually no certainties of =
date=20
or attribution - needs a radical rethink and a fresh overview. The=20
"history books" were largely written on the basis of lettering and inscript=
ions,=20
without regard to bell shape and characteristics. Named founders are=
=20
linked to existing bells on the vaguest and loosest of suppositions - i.e. =
we=20
think this bell is of c.1480. A founder called xxx is mentioned in a docume=
nt of=20
1465 so he probably cast it. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>But, just a couple of offerings to the=20
debate:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Oldest bell in a ringing peal: The 4th at =
Halford=20
(Warwicks) of c.1320 must be in the frame</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Oldest ring: Smithfield (c.1510) yes, but=
=20
St.Lawrence Ipswich has five mediaevals which are older</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Contemporary fittings: Try East Carlton, N=
orthants=20
- fittings of 1750s (bells), possibly replaced when the church was rebuilt =
in=20
1788 (I think I favour the earlier date) - wheels renewed, but otherwise=20
original. [Ashow fittings probably 1793]</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>CP</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
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<DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV=20
style=3D"BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>Fro=
m:</B>=20
<A title=3Dmike@m...=20
href=3D"mailto:mike@m...">mikechester_uk</A> </DIV>
<DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A=20
title=3Dbellhistorians@yahoogroups.com=20
href=3D"mailto:bellhistorians@yahoogroups.com">bellhistorians@yahoogroups=
.com</A>=20
</DIV>
<DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Tuesday, May 21, 2002 12:21=
=20
AM</DIV>
<DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> [Bell Historians] Oldest=
=20
Bells</DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FON=
T><FONT=20
face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT><BR></DIV=
><TT>An old=20
chestnut, I know.<BR><BR>But, on a long journey back from ringing in Wale=
s,=20
Bill H - <BR>Llanfeugan are a "Premier League" ring of 8, Taylors 1921(?)=
if=20
<BR>memory serves me right, record them just in case - superb! <BR><BR>Wh=
at=20
is<BR><BR>a) the oldest bell in a ringing peal<BR><BR>b) the oldest ring =
-=20
Smithfield was the one that came to mind<BR><BR>c) the oldest ringable ri=
ng on=20
contemporary fittings<BR><BR>Any offers?<BR><BR>Let's start with Ashow fo=
r c)=20
early C18 - though the wheels look <BR>younger admittedly<BR><BR>Mike=20
Chester<BR><BR></TT><BR><BR><TT>This=20
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se of=20
Yahoo! Groups is subject to the <A=20
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TT>=20
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