Bell Tower - St Michael - Compton Chamberlayne, Wiltshire - Bell Towers on Waymarking.com

Bell tower of St Michael's church, Compton Chamberlayne, with a ring of 6 bells.

Compton Chamberlayne, Wilts S Michael
Bells
Bell	Weight	Nominal	Note	Diameter	Dated	Founder	Canons	Turning
1	3-2-8	1551.0	G	25.25"	1878	John Warner & Sons	R
2	3-2-26	1381.0	F	26.00"	1878	John Warner & Sons	R
3	4-0-1	1230.0	Eb	27.63"	1878	John Warner & Sons	R
4	4-2-10	1158.0	D	28.63"	1878	John Warner & Sons	R
5	5-2-24	1035.0	C	31.50"	1656	William III Purdue	R
6	6-3-5	919.0	Bb	34.25"	1616	John Wallis	R

SOURCE - (Visit Link)

"In 1553, the parish retained a chalice weighing 7 oz., and 10 oz. of plate was confiscated for the King. There were three bells at this time. The vicar Humphrey Dale was still performing ceremonies ‘in the lattyne service’ in 1558, and parishioners were leaving bequests for the ringing of the church bells for a month after their funeral in 1561. Another tradition at this time was the provision of a cake for the parish clerk at the time of a woman’s churching.

New bells were procured in 1614 and 1616 - the latter with the inscription ‘HONOUR THE KING’ - possibly indicating the acquisition of the rectory by the Penruddocks. The third bell was replaced in 1656 and was inscribed with the initials of the infant Lay Rector George Penruddock, despite the confiscation of the family estates for his father’s treason in the previous year.

Perhaps because of the poverty of the benefice, the vicarage was often held by pluralists who may also have been absentees.

In 1878 Charles Penruddock (d. 1899) donated two new bells and a third was donated by his wife and daughters, bringing the total to six. This coincided with his appointment as parish clerk, following dissatisfaction with the state of church at that time. Holding this office, together with that of Lay Rector and churchwarden, along with being the principal landowner, led to him being described as ‘lay-bishop’ of Compton Chamberlayne."

SOURCE - (Visit Link)

Address of Tower: St Michael Compton Chamberlayne, Wiltshire England SP3 5DE Still Operational: yes Number of bells in tower?: 6 Relevant website?: [Web Link] Rate tower: Not listed Tours or visits allowed in tower?: Not listed

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