[Bell Historians] Gt Somerford, Wilts., etc.

[Susan & Christopher Dalton]

> 
> The competition between Bilbie, Cockey and Rudhall was fierce, and it's
> interesting to map out the distribution of their bells.  William Cockey
> retired in 1751 and the Wells of Aldbourne then competed with Bilbie and
> Rudhall.
> Alas no Wiltshire bells bear any such inscriptions from Bilbie and Cockey
> (so frowned upon by 19th century clerics) The best is the treble at Great
> Somerford which Walters says was cast by Wiseman in 1634:
> ‘I am little, yet I am loud
> A little shrew is always proud,’

Nothing to do with Wiseman, actually.  Founder unknown, but there seems to
be some Purdue connection.
>
> Do other parts of the country have such inscriptions?

I think they are very largely a Somerset phenomenon, and that Edward Bilbiw
can take the dubious credit of starting the rot.

C D