[Bell Historians] A wake for the bells?

[La Greenall]

Thankyou very much Anne. I was thinking along the same lines too, though
I've never heard of 'waking' or 'arousing' a new set of bells before - I
wonder if this is an echo of ancient superstitions? Maybe the bells
weren't called 'she' or 'her' (as they often were in our local
churchwardens' accounts) until after this ceremony had been performed.

Has anyone heard of similar ceremonies on new sets of bells? Did anyone
throw bottles of champagne at them?

We also have the term 'knell' in Essex, though it seems to be rare.

I do have a copy of Tate's Parish Chest somewhere, but I have to admit I
bought it long ago when I began doing my family tree and hadn't
considered its value in other areas. Thanks!

Regards, Lawrence.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: bellhistorians at yahoogroups.com 
> [mailto:bellhistorians at yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Anne Willis
> Sent: 20 July 2006 16:18
> To: bellhistorians at yahoogroups.com
> Subject: RE: [Bell Historians] A wake for the bells?
> 
> 
> 
> Can anyone throw some light on what this entry, found in 
> churchwardens'
> accounts of 1656 just after the installation of a new set of bells,
> means?
> 
> "Itt paid for writting the first wake for the bells - 1/-."
> 
> The spelling here is exactly as in the original entry. If "writting"
> means 'writing' then could this refer to a special change or even peal
> being commissioned to be rung on the new bells?
> 
> Lawrence.
> 
> 
> It could refer to what is known in these parts (Wiltshire) as 
> a 'knell' or
> ringing the bell(s) for a funeral.
> 
> If spelling seems odd try interpreting it in the local dialect.  It's
> amazing how phonetically words can be written.  'The accounts 
> was axamined'
> annually by our local ringers for some years.
> 
> Do you know the book 'The Parish Chest'?  Can't remember who 
> it's by, but I
> have found it very useful. 
> 
> Anne
> 
> 
> 
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