The Bells of Old Bailey
Ever since I set a scene in The King’s Jewels inside the bell tower at Saint Sepulchre’s church in London (pictured below) I’ve been a bit obsessed with bells.
Who knew you can have endless hours of fun watching people pulling a rope in YouTube videos? Or that so many bells have names like Great Peter, Katherine, Fabian and Cuthbert. Here’s a few links for some exciting camponological action if you’d like to watch a bit of ring-a-ding-ding… then click either here or here for a clanging good time.
Now here’s the interesting part. The church of Saint Sepulchre in London is opposite the Old Bailey criminal court, hence the bells are known as the bells of old Bailey, just like in the nursery rhyme, and the Old Bailey was built on the site of Newgate Prison. When a prisoner from Newgate was about to be taken to Tyburn to be hung, the bells were rung to advertise the event. Nothing like a public hanging to draw in the crowds. The tolling of the bells was also meant to serve as a warning for would be criminals.
Of course there’s always some self important soul who loves to kick a man when he’s down and stake his claim in history for being a pious prig. In 1605 a parishioner by the name of Robert Dowe made a bequest of 50 pounds ( a lot of money then) to fund the purchase of a hand bell and to pay for a bellman to ring the bell twelve times at midnight outside the condemned man’s cell. In addition the bell man was required to recite this very cheery verse.
“All you that in the condemned hole do lie, Prepare you, for tomorrow you shall die; Watch all and pray, the hour is drawing near, That you before the Almighty must appear; Examine well yourselves, in time repent, That you may not to eternal flames be sent: And when St. Sepulchre’s bell tomorrow tolls, The Lord above have mercy on your souls.”
The Newgate bell, or Executioner’s bell as it was also known has survived and is on display at Saint Sepulchre’s church as pictured below. I was lucky enough to go and see it for mr myself on a trip to London. Well worth a visit if ever you are around Holburn. And keep a look out for a small door to the right of the main entry as that is the door which takes you up to the bell tower.
