[Bell Historians] keyed ironwork

[David Bryant]

> The date of the bell might be an important factor in that the fittings, or
> some of them, could be coeval with the bell. Generally, I would expect
> wedges (or keys) that have survived, to date from the late 16th to the mid
> 17th centuries but examples were known to exist as early as the first
> quarter of the 15th century. However, someone is now bound to come up with
> an earlier example! Nailed sheres are generally earlier though these were
> used until about the mid 17th century - maybe later in the more rural
areas.

The bell is circa 1450, the treble of a complete three (the only complete
three?) by John Hoton of York.

David