Bells
The sound of the bells of St Mary's is credited with having persuaded Dick Whittington to turn back from Highgate and remain in London to become Lord Mayor.
Traditionally, distances by road from London are now measured from Charing Cross but before the late 18th century were, for instance, measured from the London Stone in Cannon Street, or the "Standard" in Cornhill. On the road from London to Lewes the mileage is taken from the church door of St Mary-le-Bow. To emphasize the reference used, mileposts along the way are marked with a cast-iron depiction of a bow and four bells.
The church is also immortalised in the nursery rhyme Oranges and Lemons which ends aside from the chopping couplets in many versions with I do not know, says the great bell of Bow.
Details of the bells:
| Bell | Weight | Nominal | Note | Diameter | Cast | Founder |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5-3-21 | 1565.6 | G | 27.75" | 1956 | Mears & Stainbank |
| 2 | 5-3-10 | 1389.5 | F | 29.00" | 1956 | Mears & Stainbank |
| 3 | 6-1-7 | 1298.5 | E | 30.00" | 1956 | Mears & Stainbank |
| 4 | 6-2-17 | 1170.0 | D | 32.00" | 1956 | Mears & Stainbank |
| 5 | 7-3-27 | 1046.5 | C | 34.00" | 1956 | Mears & Stainbank |
| 6 | 8-3-27 | 978.5 | B | 35.00" | 1956 | Mears & Stainbank |
| 7 | 10-0-20 | 869.0 | A | 38.00" | 1956 | Mears & Stainbank |
| 8 | 12-1-11 | 778.0 | G | 41.00" | 1956 | Mears & Stainbank |
| 9 | 17-3-17 | 694.0 | F | 46.00" | 1956 | Mears & Stainbank |
| 10 | 21-2-23 | 649.5 | E | 49.00" | 1956 | Mears & Stainbank |
| 11 | 29-1-5 | 585.0 | D | 54.00" | 1956 | Mears & Stainbank |
| 12 | 41-3-21 | 521.2 | C | 61.25" | 1956 | Mears & Stainbank |
Read more about this topic: St Mary-le-Bow
Famous quotes containing the word bells:
“The Church disowned, the tower overthrown, the bells upturned, what have we to do
But stand with empty hands and palms turned upwards
In an age which advances progressively backwards?”
—T.S. (Thomas Stearns)
“See the wild birds on the wing,
Hear the bells that sweetly ring,
When you feel like singin’, sing—
Keep a-goin’!”
—Frank Lebby Stanton (1857–1927)
“For mankind, speech with a capital S is especially meaningful and committing, more than the content communicated. The outcry of the newborn and the sound of the bells are fraught with mystery more than the baby’s woeful face or the venerable tower.”
—Paul Goodman (1911–1972)