Blanford Forum - Bell ringing at Allhallows

It is stated in Kethe's Sermon preached at Blandford Forum in Dorsetshire, January 17th, 1570, p. 19, that "there was a custom, in the papal times, to ring hells at Allhallow-tide for all Christian souls."

Brand 1813

 

Map - Blandford Forum

Bandford Forum - A list of Christian Sacrafices - Part 2

Bacon and Eggs - an offering to Christ? - Image from ChildofMidnight at en.wikipedia [CC-BY-3.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Common

[cont.] "...On Good Friday, they offered unto Christe Egges and Bacon to be in hys favour till Easter Day was past. The Sinnes committed betwene Easter and Whytsontyde they were fullye discharged by the pleasaunt Walkes and Processyons in the rogyng, I should say Rogation Weeke. What offences soever happened from that tyme to Midsomroer,. the fumes of the Fiers dedicated to John, Peter, and Thomas Becket the Traytor, consumed them. And as for all disorders from that tyme to the begynnyng of Christmasse agayne, they were in this Countrey all roonge away, upon All Halloun Day and All Soule's Day at night last past."

He adds, at p. 20,

"So sayth God to the brybyng Papistes, who requireth these thynges at your handes whiche I never commaundcd, as your Candles at Candlemasse, your Popish Penaunce on Ash Wensday, your Egges and Bacon on Good Friday, your Gospelles at superstitious Crosses, decked lyke Idols, your Fires at Midsommer, and your ringyng at Allhallountide for all Christen Soules ? I require, sayth God, a sorrowfull and repentaunt hart, to be mercyfull to the poore, &c.""... 

..." It is stated in a curious Sermon preached at Blanford Forum, in Dorsetshire, January 17th, 1570, by William Kethe, minister, and dedicated to Ambrose Earl of Warwick, Svo. Lond. p. 18. that on Good Friday the Roman Catholics " offered unto Christe Egges and Bacon to be in hys favour till Easter Day was past ;" from which we may at least gather with certainty that Eggs and Bacon composed a usual dish on that day."

Brand 1813

 

Map - Blandford Forum

[Jewish (and Catholic) people had a really horrible time in much of old intolerant England - including facing genocide and expulsion - please take this anti-Semitic and anti-Catholic sermon for its folkloric value only.]  

Chew Valley Lake and the Tolling of the church bell

A part of Chew Valley Lake - by Stuart Buchan [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

[I have been listening to "Questions, Questions" on Radio 4 and in part of it they investigated whether church bells can ring under water (it turns out that they do, but that the sound is muted and has difficulty transferring back into the air - wish they had put a wooden boat in the water to act as a sounding board).

The reason they where doing this was to investigate the possible truth of the widespread myth about flooded (vanished) churches still tolling their bells.  I had grown up hearing this in relation to Chew Valley Lake (a reservoir) where it is said a village was flooded during its construction. The website for the lake says there was 16 farms and 11 other houses that where flooded during its construction in 1955 - it does not mention a church or a village. Wikipedia however mentions the small village of Morton, though there is no mention of a church.  I wander how in the 35ish short years between the construction and my standing on its edge as a child it had garnered this common myth?  Who told me?  I think it was either my dad or my friends dad - neither where from the area, but both had worked in the area planting trees.

Interestingly the nearby village of Chew Stoke was home to a well known family of bell and clock makers.

I even remember it being said that on drought years one could see the cockerel at the top of the spire poking out! The archaeologist part of me dismisses this as highly unlikely, even if there had been a church. If the dam builders had not knocked it down the water would have ruined it in a few years, if not months...

The radio program mentioned the town of Duwich, in Suffolk where it is also said you can hear the church bells ring.  Alan Lee and Brian Froud mention in their Faeries book that the Welsh Gwragedd Annwn, beautiful lake dwelling faerie maidens, lived in Welsh mountain lakes, and legends tell that in one of these lakes tall towers can bee seen in the depths and peals of bells heard...  It is obviously a persistent and widespread legend.]

Map - Chew Valley Lake

Barbara Allen - a version of a song mentioning Totnes

A Church in Totnes - note the flowers in the wall - not roses, but one can imagine... - By User:Wigulf (Own work) [GFDL (www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC-BY-2.5 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons

"IN Totnes town where I was born,
There was a fair maid dwelling,
Made every youth cry "Well-a-way,"
Her name was Barbara Allen.

All in the merry month of May,

When green buds they were swelling,
Young Johnny Gale on his death-bed lay,
For love of Barbara Allen.

He sent his groom unto her then,

To the town where she was dwelling,
" You must come to my master dear,
If your name be Barbara Allen.

For death is printed on his face,

And o'er his heart is stealing :
Then haste away to comfort him,
Oh ! lovely Barbara Allen !"

Though death be printed on his face,

And o'er his heart is stealing,
Yet little better shall he be,
For bonny Barbara Allen.

So slowly, slowly she came up,
And slowly she came nigh him,
And all she said, when up she came,
"Young man, I think you're dying."

He turned his face unto her straight,

With deadly sorrow sighing,
" Oh ! lovely maid, come pity me,
I'm on my death-bed lying."

" If on your death-bed you do lie,
What needs the fate you're telling :
I cannot keep you from your death.
Farewell !" said Barbara Allen.

He turned his face unto the wall,

And deadly pangs he fell in,
"Adieu, adieu, adieu to all !
Adieu to Barbara Allen !"

As she was walking o'er the fields,

She heard the bell a-knelling,
And every stroke did seem to say,
" Unworthy Barbara Allen."

She turned her body round about,

And 'spied the corpse a-coming,
" Lay down, lay down, the corpse," she said,
" That I may look upon him."

With scornful eye, she looked down,

Her cheeks with laughter swelling,
Whilst all his friends cried out " For shame, 

Unworthy Barbara Allen !"

When he was dead and in his grave,

Her heart was struck with sorrow,
" Oh, mother ! mother ! make my bed,
For I shall die to-morrow.

" Hard-hearted creature him to slight,

Who loved me so dearly ;
Oh ! that I'd been more kind to him,
When he was alive and near me."

She, on her death-bed as she lay,

Begged to be buried by him,
And sore repented of the day,
That she did e'er deny him.

"Farewell," she said, "ye virgins all,

And shun the fault I fell in,
Henceforth take warning by the fall,
Of cruel Barbara Allen."

Sung by John Snow, of Tiverton, at a supper party, A.D. 1869.

Hewett 1900

Map - Totnes
Map - Tiverton

[This song contains the line " Oh, mother ! mother ! make my bed, / For I shall die to-morrow." which is very similar to a version of a song about Yarrow I know ("Oh mother dear make me my bed/ make it both long and narrow/ for he who died for me today/ I shall die for him tomorrow") - folk songs are not bothered by copyright, simply by what is best! This song is well known - type it into the EFDSS catalog and you will get 34 results, though of course the town varies massively! A good version is found here.]

'Purty Jane' - a ghostly folksong mentioning Chagford

Morris Dancer on a Chagford street - Picture by Lunar Hine, my wife!

'Twuz down by the river I fust met my purty Jane,
Upon a zummer's eveling when the zin wuz on the wane,
Her little veet they twinkled as her trip'd o'er meaders bright,
And my heart 'e whisper'd zoftly, "Bill, did'st ivver zee such zight ?"

Not nivver in my born days did I zee a maid zo fair,
Her made my heart go pity-pat and her riz on end my hair.
And I axed her vur to come back but her ciidden then, her zed,
And on her sped like lightning, across the level mead.

I yerd the birds a-zinging, as I corned up dru the lane,
And I thort they zed " Bill ! Bill ! thee shet have thy purty Jane,"
Ah ! 'twuz music sweeter var, than I ivver yerd avore,
It often gied me comfort digging peat pin tap the moor.

Wan Zummer Zinday morning when the bells wuz ringing sweet,
I meet my love a-coming up old Chagford's pleasant street,
I tiiked courage there and then, and I up and told my love, 

And her zed, " Dear Bill, I'll have thee," and her spoke jist like a dove.

But her nivver lived to do it vur her pined away and died,
Jist on the day, her zed her'd be my bonny little bride.
Now often when I'm walking down in yonder meaders bright,
I zee her right avore me, like an angel in the light.

And I yer her sweet voice zaying "Bill, Bill, be not afeared,
Thee shet zee in heavenly places thy loving little maid,
Oh ! 'tez that which gives me peace as I walks in in field and lane,
Vur if I live a true life, I shall zee my purty Jane.

Elias Tozer, Exeter.'

Hewett, 1900

Map - Chagford

Oakapple Day in Tiverton (part 1)

Oakapple,  - by Bob Embleton [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

"Oakapple Day, otherwise King Charles' Day, was instituted to commemorate the escape of Charles II, on May 29th, 1657, from the hands of Cromwell after the battle of Worcester, by concealing himself in a tufted oak in the woods of Boscobel.

This day was, in the early part of the century, observed at Tiverton, in a rough and boisterous fashion. Doubtless Tiverton was not the only town at which the holiday was kept, but certainly no place could exceed it in mad revelry or wild enthusiasm. 

Directly the day began the bells of St. Peter's Church clanged out furiously, awakening the inhabitants and warning the young folk that it was time to bestir themselves. Quickly donning their oldest garments the men turned out and started to collect faggots of greenery from every avaliable hedge and wood. The fronts of public buildings, shops and dwelling houses were profusely decorated with branches of oak, from which depended scores of oakapples previously gilded or covered with silver paper. Every man wore oak sprigs and a small oakapple in his button-hole and his hat was encircled with a wreath of oak leaves. Woe betide him who neglected to adorn his house or his person.
 

Charles and Cromwell were both befittingly represented.

The Royalist party was distinguished by its proud bearing and smart attire, while the roundhead party was expected to look the reverse of gentlemen. 

Charles, enthroned in a gaily-decorated chair was borne on the shoulders of four stalwart men through the principal streets, and great homage and profound respect were paid to him..." [cont..]

Hewett 1900

Introduction to Mayday by Hewett

Lustliegh May Queen Rock -  By Owain.davies (Own work) [CC-BY-3.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

"From the time of the Roman evacuation of Britain, A.D. 410, May Day festivals have been observed throughout the country. The Saxons retained the worship of Maia, the mother of Jupiter, on the first of the month, and from this custom the month derived its name.

This popular festival was observed with the joyful ringing of bells, music, dancing, and mummings. Every building was covered with a profusion of floral decorations. Kings and queens did not object to join the members of their Court, civic dignitaries, and the populace, in the enjoyment of May Day gaieties. The makers of the fun adorned themselves with wreaths and festoons of flowers. Girls, wearing a profusion of flowers, danced around the Maypole to the wild strains of fifes and drums. Men visited the beer shops, where they imbibed more than was good for them.

As the custom grew old, abuses crept in, and what was once a picturesque and innocent recreation degenerated into frantic drunken revels, which were a scandal and a nuisance."

Hewett 1900

[At a time when the government are threatening to remove our mayday bank-holiday it is worth remembering that this is among  the oldest holidays in Britain. As the festival was celebrated in Pagan Ireland it is very likely that it pre-dates the Romans and is thus our oldest that is true to its roots as a celebration of the changing year.]

Brushford Church rules

Brushford Church - ChurchCrawler [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

"The following are the rules, orders and regulations found in the belfry at Brushford, Somerset.

Let awful silence first proclaimed be !
Next let us praise the Holy Trinity.
Then homage pay unto our valiant King,
And with a blessing raise the pleasant ring.
Hark ! now the chirping treble rings it clear,
And covering Tom comes rolling in the rear.
Now up and set, let us consult and see
What laws are best to keep sobriety.
Then all consent to make this joint decree
Let him who swears, or in an angry mood
Quarrels or strikes (although he draws no blood),
Or wears his hat, or spurs, or turns a bell,
Or by unskilful handling mars a peal,
Pay down sixpence for each crime !
(This caution shall not be effaced with time).
But if the Sexton's these defaults should be,
From him demand a double penalty.
Whoever does his Parson disrespect,
Or Warden's order wilfully neglect
By one and all be held in foul disgrace
And ever banished this harmonious place.
Now round let's go with pleasure to the ear
And pierce with pleasing sounds the yielding air,
And when the bells are up, then let us sing
God save the Church, and bless Great George the King.

A.D. 1803. June 7th. Robert Gooding, Churchwarden

.
The spelling in the original of the following notice is a little " mixed.""

Hewett 1900

Map - Brushford

Drewsteignton church bell rules

Drewsteignton 2007 - Nigel Cox [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

"One often finds a list of rules displayed on the wall of the belfry. The following are quaintly interesting.

Whoever in this place shall swear
Sixpence he shall pay therefor.
He that rings here in his hat
Threepence he shall pay for that.

Who overturns a bell, be sure
Threepence he shall pay therefor.
Who leaves his rope under feet
Threepence he shall pay for it.
A good ringer and a true heart
Will not refuse to stand a quart.
Who will not to these rules agree
Shall not belong to this belfrie.

Drewsteignton, Devon. John Hole, Ch : Warden."

Hewett 1900

Map - Drewsteignton

The power of church bells over Cornish demons

Demon seated in a Garden, by Michail Alexandrowitsch Wroubel (Tretyakov Gallery) 1890

"This is a proof of the belief that demons were frightened away by the sound of bells. In a Cornish belfry the following rhyme is found suspended against the wall.

Therefore I'd have you not to vapour,
Nor blame the lads that use the clapper,
By which are scared the fiends of hell,
And all by virtue of a bell."

Hewett 1900

Lightning protection of church bells

A contemporary woodcut of The Great Thunderstorm, Widecombe, Dartmoor, Devon, England which occurred in 1638.  Any lightning defense attempted here obviously didn't work very well!

"IN ancient times church bells were anointed with holy oil, exorcised, and blessed by the bishop, from a belief that when these ceremonies had been performed, they had the power to drive the devil out of the air, to calm tempests, protect from lightning, and keep away the plague.

The passing bell was anciently rung to bespeak the prayers of all Christian people for a soul just departing, and to drive away the evil spirit who stood at the bed's foot to hinder its passage to the other world.

Men's death I tell by doleful knell,
Lightning and thunder I break asunder,
The winds so fierce I do disperse,
Men's cruel rage I do assuage.

A very frequent inscription on church bells in the fifteenth century, was voce mea viva depells cunta nociva.

This is a proof of the belief that demons were frightened away by the sound of bells."

Hewett 1900

[Again - Caution should be taken with Sarah Hewetts work - while it is ostensibly to do with Devon, and has many uniquely Devon stories in it, it is sometimes hard to ascertain when she is referring to a Devon tradition, and when it is simply a general British or European thing. In this case I am giving her the benefit of the doubt, and including it because of the inscription.  I have no idea whether this was ever written on any Devon bell though!]

Chagford Pixies

Me in Chagford! - if you wish to use my photos please attribute this blog - thanks!

"As a gentleman, late at night, was driving across the moor to Chagford, a village in mid-Devon, he was startled by the merry tinkle of tiny bells. Lights appeared in the meadows close at hand as of thousands of glow-worms shedding their luminous rays on every leaflet, while an innumerable company of small people tripped joyously to the sportive music. Every movement of this assemblage of fairies was distinctly seen by him. He reined in his horse, and watched for a considerable time their merry antics. He sat motionless, the better to catch the spirit of the sportive scene. The sward was crowded with myriads of sprites, some waving garlands of tiny wild flowers, roses and blue bells, others joining in the dance, while not a few bestrode the slender stalks of tall grasses, which scarcely bent beneath their feathery weight. All went merrily till the shrill crow of chanticleer rang out on the midnight air, when suddenly darkness fell and the gorgeous scene with its fantastically attired crowd vanished from the wayfarer's sight.

The villagers assert that on peaceful nights they often hear the echoes of delightful music and the tripping patter of tiny feet issuing from the meadows and hill sides.

By wells and rills, in meadows green
We nightly dance our heyday guise,
And to our fairy king and queen
We chant our moonlight minstrelsies,
When larks 'gin sing,
Away we fling,
And babes new-born steal as we go ;
And elf in bed,
We leave instead,
And wend us laughing, ho! ho! ho!"

Hewett 1900

Map - Chagford (exact location uncertain)

Devon Dreams A - C

"The following few examples shew " the stuff which dreams are made of."

Ass.
To dream one sees an ass labouring under a heavy burden, indicates that one will by diligent application to business amass a fortune.

Absent ones.
To dream of these ill, or in trouble, shows they are in danger ; if well, it is a sign they are prosperous.

Angels.
A happy dream, showing peace at home, and a good understanding with your friends.

Baby.
If you dream of holding a baby in your arms it signifies trouble.

Bells.
If you hear them ring it is a good sign, foretelling luck in business and speedy marriage.

Bees.
That you see a swarm of bees signifies you will be wise and highly respected. If they disturb or sting you, you will lose friends, and your sweetheart will abandon you.

Carriage.
If you dream that you are shut up in a carriage and cannot get out, it shows that your false friends are scandalizing you ; and you will suffer much at their hands.

Cats.
Dreaming of cats shews that your female friend are treacherous.

Cards.
If you dream you are playing cards it signifies that you will shortly be married."

Hewett 1900

Bristol Christmas Brand

Fire - if you wish to use my pictures, please attribute this blog

 "The following is from "Christmas, a Poem, by Romaine Joseph Thorn," 8vo. Bristol, 1795, 1. 129 :

"
Thy welcome Eve, lov'd Christmas, now arriv'd,
The parish bells their tunefull peals resound,
And mirth and gladness every breast pervade.
The pondrous Ashen-faggot, from the yard,
The jolly farmer to his crowded hall
Conveys, with speed ; where, on the rising flame
(Already fed with store of massy brands)
It blazes soon ; nine bandages it bears,
And, as they each disjoin (so Custom wills),
A mighty jug of sparkling cyder's brought,
With brandy mixt, to elevate the guests."

Again:

"High on the cheerful fire
Is blazing seen th' enormous Christmas brand.""

Brand 1813

Map - Bristol

[Thorn appears to be a Bristol based poet, so was presumably reffering to a Bristol custom, although at this time he may also be using it as a romantic story he heard from else where - not a very secure story]

Wimbourne Minster Church spire

Wimborne Minster

"The exterior shows two square towers, one in the centre and one at the west end, and three porches. From the top of the centre tower rose once a lofty spire; the following is an account of what happened to it.

"I will not," says Mr. Coker, in his survey of Dorsetshire, "overpasse a strange accident which in our dayes happened unto it (the Minster), viz., Anno Dornini, 1600 (the Choire beeing then full of people at tenne of clock service, allsoe the streets by reason of the markett), a sudden mist ariseing all the Spire Steeple being of a very great height was strangelie cast down, the stones battered all the lead, and broke much of the timber of the roofs of the Church, yet without anie hurt to the people; which ruin is sithence commendablie repaired with the Church revenues, for sacriledge hath not yet swept awaye all; being assisted by Sir John Hanham, a neighbour gentleman, who, if I mistate not, enjoyeth revenues of the Church, and hath done commendablie to convert parts of it to its former use."

The belief is that the spire was undermined by the concussion of the bells" 

Valentine (undated)

Map - Wimborne Minster

Dupath Well, Callington

"Dupath Well is a pellucid spring, once the resort of pilgrims and still held in esteem. It overflows a trough, and entering the open archway of a small chapel, spreads itself over the floor and passes out below a window at the opposite end. The little chapel, 12 feet long by 11 ½ wide, is a complete specimen of the baptisteries anciently so common in Cornwall. It has a most venerable appearance, and is built of granite, which is gray and worn by age. The roof is constructed of enormously long blocks of granite, hung with fern, and supported in the interior by an arch, dividing the nave and chancel. The doorway faces west; at the east end is a square-headed window of two lights, and two openings in the sides. The building is crowned by an ornamental bell-cote. The well is famed for the combat between Sir Colam and Gotlieb for the love of a lady; Gotlieb was killed, and Sir Colam died of his wounds."

Hope 1893

Map - Dupath Well

Brent Tor and the Devil

"Another story relates how the Evil One removed the stones from the foot of the hill, where it was first intended to build a church, to the summit. Readers of Baring Gould's Margery of Quether will remember that that unpleasant relict lived in the tower and descended by the bell-rope on Christmas Eve."

Cresswell 1921

Map - Brent Tor

The Demon Tregeagle - part 11

'...Tregeagle was laden with a sack of sand of enormous size, and was wading across the mouth of the estuary, when one of those wicked devils, who were kept ever near Tregeagle, in very idleness tripped up the heavily-laden spirit. The sea was raging with the irritation of a passing storm; and as Tregeagle fell, the sack was seized by the waves, and its contents poured out across this arm of the sea.

[Loe Bar]

There, to this day, it rests a bar of sand, fatally destroying the harbour of Ella's Town. The rage of the inhabitants of this seaport,--now destroyed,--was great; and with all their priests, away they went to the Loo Bar, and assailed their destroyer. Against human anger Tregeagle was proof. The shock of tongues fell harmlessly on his ear, and the assault of human weapons was unavailing.

By the aid of the priests, and faith-inspired prayers, the bonds were once more placed upon Tregeagle; and he was, by the force of bell, book, and candle, sent to the Land's End. There he would find no harbour to destroy, and but few people to terrify...' [cont.]

Hunt 1903

The adventures of Cherry of Zennor - part 4

'..."No, no!" said Cherry, "I 'll never go to live in the parish where the cow ate the bell-rope, and where they have fish and taties (potatoes) every day, and conger-pie of a Sunday for a change."

One fine morning Cherry tied up a few things in a bundle and prepared to start. She promised her father that she would get service as near home as she could, and come home at the earliest opportunity. The old man said she was bewitched, charged her to take care she wasn't carried away by either the sailors or-pirates, and allowed her to depart. Cherry took the road leading to Ludgvan and Gulval. When she lost sight of the chimneys of Trereen, she go out of heart, and had a great mind to go home again. But she went on...' [cont.]


Hunt 1903

Fairy Funeral - part 1

'THIS and two or three other bits of folk-lore were communicated to the Athaenaum by me, when Ambrose Merton (Mr Thorns) solicited such contributions.

The parish church of Lelant is curiously situated amidst hills of blown sand, near the entrance of the creek of Hayle. The sandy waste around the church is called the Towen; and this place was long the scene of the midnight gambols of the Small People. In the adjoining village--or, as it is called in Cornwall, the "church-town "--lived an old woman who had been, according to her own statement, a frequent witness to the use made by the fairies of the Towen. Her husband, also, had seen some extraordinary scenes on the same spot. From her--to me, oft-repeated description--I get the following tale:-- lt was the fishing season; and Richard had been to St Ives for some fish. He was returning, laden with pilchards, on a beautiful moonlight night; and as he ascended the hill from St Ives, he thought he heard the bell of Lelant Church tolling. Upon a nearer approach, he saw lights in the church; and most distinctly did the bell toll--not with its usual clear sound, but dull and heavy, as if it had been muffled, scarcely awakening any echo. Richard walked towards the church, and cautiously, but not without fear, approaching one of the windows, looked in. At first he could not perceive any one within, nor discover whence the light came by which everything was so distinctly illuminated. At length he saw, moving along the centre aisle, a funeral procession. The little people who crowded the aisle, although they all looked very sorrowful, were not dressed in any mourning garments--so far from it, they wore wreaths of little roses, and carried branches of the blossoming myrtle...'[cont.]

Hunt 1903