[Bell Historians] History of Coronation Ringing

[Gareth Davies]

With regard to the accession/coronation issue It is also worth factoring in the political circumstances of each reign especially at the end of the 17th century.

There was, of course, no accession as such when William and Mary came to the throne. As a result, it was the coronation anniversary on 11th April that, in Cambridge at least, was celebrated much more regularly than the date when parliament declared William and Mary to be joint monarchs.. Across all the parish churches in Cambridge where the records survive bells rang on 57 occasions for the coronation anniversary and only 5 times for the ‘accession’ during the period from 1689-1702.

The same kind of balance also occurred under James II, but for different reasons. James followed Charles II in deliberately choosing St George’s Day for his coronation to link the restored monarchy firmly with national tradition.  However, it seems to have provided an opportunity for subtle opposition to his reign. James was extremely unpopular in Cambridge for, amongst other things, interfering with the constitution and membership of the town corporation. It is noticeable that in the churches there, that though there was far more ringing on 23rd April (coronation day) than on 6th February (accession day) it was often specifically described in the churchwardens’ accounts as having been to mark St George’s Day, with no reference to the coronation. 

On the other hand, St George’s Day is never mentioned during the reign of Charles II. Where there was ringing on 23 April it was described as being for the coronation. However, instances of accession anniversary ringing far outweighed coronation ringing in this reign (48 to 9 in Cambridge). Not surprising as 29th May also marked the restoration of the monarchy and Charles II’s birthday.

Unfortunately there are no really early records of coronation ringing in the Cambridge records. The Elizabethan entries almost certainly relate to the accession on 17th November. 

You mention Roy Strong but I’m not sure whether you have seen his 1958 article on the accession of Elizabeth I?  If you haven’t, amongst other things it traces the spread of accession ringing and makes the point that it was helped by the coincidence of 17 November already being a popular ringing day in the Lincoln Diocese (St Hugh’s Day). He gives an excellent example of how traditions merged and changed in the churchwarden’s entry at Bishops Stortford in ordshire, where two shillings and eightpence was spent in 1575 on 'bred, drinck, and cheese for Ringing on St. Hewes Day in reioysing of the queenes prosperous Ragne’. Email me off list if you don’t already have a copy.

I find this a fascinating subject and I’ll look forward to seeing the article.

Regards

Gareth

> On 17 Feb 2023, at 20:17, Richard Bimson via Bell-historians <bell-historians at lists.ringingworld.co.uk> wrote:
> 
> 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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