Now! Then! A doggerel inscription at St. George’s, Doncaster, commemorates two sons of ringing master Robert Smith, one of whom died by his father’s bells

17 November 1812: A doggerel inscription at St. George’s, Doncaster, commemorates two sons of ringing master Robert Smith, one of whom died by his father’s bells

No image of John Smith was available, but Pierre Boudes of Ladepeyre (Aveyron) showed similar imprudence. During a storm, he went up the tower to try to ward off the danger to the harvest by ringing the bells, as was the custom, but had no sooner started than the sound abruptly ceased (Le Petit Journal 1910/09/11).

John Edward Jackson. 1855. The History and Description of St. George’s Church at Doncaster, Destroyed by Fire February 28, 1853. London: J.B. Nichols and Sons. Get it:

Excerpt

SMITH. On two sons of Robert Smith (cordwainer and leader of the ringers): one of whom, John, whilst ringing, was accidentally carried up by a rope to the floor of the bell chamber, and received injuries which caused his death about 1808. The burial of the other was registered Nov. 17, 1812.

These 2 youths was by misfortin serounded,
One died of his wounds, and t’other was drownded.

Order the book

Subscribe to the free daily email

To facilitate reading, the spelling and punctuation of elderly excerpts have generally been modernised, and distracting excision scars concealed. My selections, translations, and editions are copyright.

Abbreviations

Comment

Inscription spelling retained. The dramatic potential of this is pleasing, but I infer from WP that it was not the major threat to (wet) bell-ringers:

In the Middle Ages, it was believed that the sound of a bell could disperse thunder. Many bell-ringers were electrocuted as a result. In France between the years 1753 and 1786, 103 bell-ringers were killed during thunderstorms as a result of holding on to wet bell ropes. The Parlement of Paris enforced an edict in 1786 to prohibit the practice. Deaths likely continued until the 19th century, when the lightning rod came into general use.

Beachcomber: “If Beach was filming this the poor bell ringer would be on an up bounce when it happened and he would come down ash and cinders.”

Something to say? Get in touch