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:
“Now Lady Maisry is gone home,
Made him a winding sheet,
And at the back of merry Lincoln
The dead corpse did her meet.
And all the bells of merry Lincoln,
Without men’s hands were rung,”
—Unknown. Hugh of Lincoln (l. 61–66)
“But listen, up the road, something gulps, the church spire
Opens its eight bells out, skulls’ mouths which will not tire
To tell how there is no music or movement which secures
Escape from the weekday time. Which deadens and endures.”
—Louis MacNeice (1907–1963)
“The bells discuss the hour’s gradations,
Dusty shelves hold prayers and proofs:
Above, Chaldean constellations
Sparkle over crowded roofs.”
—Philip Larkin (1922–1986)