1stly. Some regarding the weight of bells in ancient days:—
"1526. The first bell weith ccccc lb.
The second bell weith ccccccxxj lb.
The third bell weith ixCvj lb.
The fourthe bell weith M.x lb.
The fyfthe belonging to our grete Lady
Bretherhed MvjCxiiij lb.
The sume of all the weight MMMMVIIC Li lb.
"1592. The broken Tennor waied xvjCxxj lb.
The new tennor ys. xiijC di
The greatest bell ys xxjC and di at lvjs. the C.
The iiij bell ys xvijC and di and xiiij lb.
The xiiij bell taken awaie was xiijC di.
The ij bell carried awaie was viijCiij qters.
The new bell viijC di.
Som totall of the bells, yron, tymber, and
workmanshipp lxxvl. vs. vd."
This appears to have been a sorry bargain, for soon after occur sad complaints of these bells, "very falsly and deceytfully made by Valentyne Trever." Perhaps your correspondent "CEPHAS" may explain the following entry:—
"1846. Item, paid for makying of a newe clapper to
Judas bell xd."
2ndly. Some entries, which make up a little history of a rood-loft:—
"1460. Item, sol' pro le skoryng de la belles sup' le
Rode lofte iiijd.
"1480. Item, paide for a doore in the rode lofte to
save and kepe the people from the Orgayns
xijd.
Item, paide to a carpynter for makyng of the
Crucyfix and the beme He standeth upon xls.
Item, paide for kervying of Mary and John
and the makyng newe xxxiijs. iiijd.
Item, for gilding of the same Mary and John
and the Crosse and iiij'or Evangelysts
vjl. vjs. viijd.
"1530. Item, payd to a labourer for helpying up the
Roode Loft into the stepull viijd.
"1534. Payd for a present for Mr. Alford and Mr.
Herytage for ther good wyll for tymber for
the newe Rode lofte ijs. ijd."
The fickle tyrant Henry VIII. dies; a more consistent reign happily ensues.
"1548. Item, for the takying downe of the Roode, the
Tabernacle, and the Images iijs. vjd.
Also payd to Thomas Stokedale for xxxv ells
of clothe for the frunte of the Rode Lofte
whereas the x Commandements be wrytten,
price of the ell vjd. xxiijs. iiijd.
Also payd to hym that dyd wryght the said
x Commaundements and for ther drynking
lxvjs. ixd."
Queen Mary succeeds the boy-king Edward VI., and restores the Ritual of her Church.
"1566. Item, payed for the Roode, Mary and John xl.
"1557. Item, for peyntyng the Roode, Mary and John
xls.
For makyng xvij candilsticks for the roode-light
xjs. iiijd."