The tenor bell is cracked and, because of the dilapidated state of the fittings, the other four have only been chimed by ropes tied to the clappers and not rung properly for many years.
All the bells are inscribed with large gothic capitals and they are a complete ring of "alphabet" bells cast by the celebrated bellfounder, Hugh Watts of Leicester, in 1610.
Each bell was inscribed with a portion of the alphabet (hence the name), the date and the founder’s mark, the Brasyer Shield. This shield and the lettering were formerly used by the Brasyer family of Norwich, whose foundry closed in 1513.
It is generally believed that the bells were cast in Bedford as there are about a dozen similar bells in the county, all cast in 1609 or 1610, suggesting that Watts had a temporary foundry in the area at this time. Details of the bells, cast in 1610, are as follows:-
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Bell |
Note |
Letter Inscription |
Diameter (Inches) |
Approx. Weight (cwts) |
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The present bells are almost certainly cast from an earlier set of bells, but little is known of this. The will of a parishioner, Robert Jordan, who died in 1504, showed a bequest "to repair the third bell". This shows that at that time there were at least three bells and probably more since the largest bell would be called "the great bell" and not be referred to by number.
Note.Copies of the guide to the church are available, when the church is locked, from the Marston Post Office at a price of £1.