| |
|
|
Leeds, Castle, The Maiden's Tower
 Photo: Dickon Love, 7 July 2010
|
|
Details of the Bells |
| Bell | Weight (most recent) | Diameter | Note | Date | Founder | Canons | Retuned | ||
| ҂ | Single Bell | 2¾ cwt approx. | 22½" | F | 1435 | Unknown | Never |
How the bells are tuned |
|
History |
| 1435 | A bell was supplied to Leeds Castle, probably by a French founder (given that the inscription is in French). It was originally designed as a curfew bell. | ||
| 1887 | Stahlschmidt notes the bell and that it was still used as a curfew bell. | ||
| 1889 | The bell was mentioned in the newspapers. [1] | ||
| 1969 | Bell inspected by David Cawley and Nicholas Davies. The fittings were in great need of repair. | ||
| 2010 | Bell inspected by Dickon Love. A new striking mechanism had clearly been installed. The bearings were dry and the bell clearly hadn't been rung full circle for some years, although the whole installation was very clean. |
| [1] | The Curfew Bell of Leeds Castle may be heard in our village, nightly, at eight o'clock. The bell-niche is date, 1435. It may be interesting, also, to note that the clock of the Castle was made in the year 1500, and still keeps good time. (Gravesend Reporter, North Kent and South Essex Advertiser, Sat 28 Dec 1889) |
Articles
Gallery |
Photo: Dickon Love, 2010 |
Photo: Dickon Love, 2010 |
Photo: Dickon Love, 2010 |
Photo: Dickon Love, 2010 |
Photo: Dickon Love, 2010 |
The faces in the inscription. Photo: Dickon Love, 2010 |
The faces in the inscription. Photo: Dickon Love, 2010 |
Photo: Dickon Love, 2010 |
The bearings are open and quite dry. The stay is of the latchet type. Photo: Dickon Love, 2010 |
Photo: Dickon Love, 2010 |
Photo: Dickon Love, 2010 |
Photo: Dickon Love, 2010 |
The old clapper is held in the bell with 2 cast in staples (unusually). The bell is quite worn at the indentations. Photo: Dickon Love, 2010 |
Photo: Dickon Love, 2010 |
The clock in the castle is considered to be of the same date as the bell, and therefore of significant historical interest. It is not now functioning, but is still preserved in the tower. Photo: Dickon Love, 2010 |
Photo: Dickon Love, 2010 |
Photo: Dickon Love, 2010 |
Photo: Dickon Love, 2010 |
Photo: Dickon Love, 2010 |
The mark before the inscription is a calvary cross. The stop is a sun with a face, and the bell bears 3 medallions: 1. below the first stop is the Madonna and Child; 2. in the middle is St George slaying the dragon; 3. below the last stop is the Crucifica Photo: J C L Stahlschmidt |
| Love's Guide to the Church Bells of Kent | Page updated: 28 June 2020 |