Ruth's Blog

There are three bells in the tower of St Mary’s Church in Manby.  All are large and very old.  They date from about 1450, a time when English churches followed Roman Catholic traditions, long before the reformation associated with King Henry VIII.

In medieval times, church bells were rung to call people to gather for church services and events like weddings and funerals, and to warn of dangers such as flooding or approaching enemy forces.

St Mary’s bells were cast in Nottingham, and the bellfounder was known by the initials R C - his badge is on each of the bells.  Bells by R C are reasonably common across the East Midlands but it is rare to find more than one in any church.  A recent inspection of church bells showed that there are only seven rings of three bells older than St Mary’s.  In addition, the largest bell in Manby is believed to be the heaviest surviving bell made by R C.  It weighs 610 kg, about the same weight as a mature cow.

Details of each bell are

• 12 cwt [610 kg], diameter 105 cm, tuned to F sharp
• 9 cwt [460 kg], diameter 94 cm, tuned to G sharp
• 7 cwt [360 kg], diameter 87 cm, tuned to A sharp

Each bell is inscribed.  The inscription on both the largest and smallest  bells reads, ‘Sum Rosa Pulsata Mundi Maria Vocata’ [I being rung am called Mary the Rose of the World].  The inscription on the other bell is, ‘Missi De Celis Havea Nomen Gabrielis’ [I am called Gabriel who was sent from Heaven].

The bells are still played on special occasions, the last time being Christmas 2024.  They are now hit with hammers, as the frames are no longer strong enough for the bells to be swung.

I wonder how a small, relatively remote village in Lincolnshire came to have three such remarkable bells.  Presumably they were purchased and installed when the nave and the tower were built in the 15th century.