Est michi collatum Ihc istud nomen amatum."
3. "Embrace trew museck."
A correspondent, Mr. W. S. Simpson (Vol. viii., p. 448.), asks the date of the earliest known examples of bells.
Dates on mediæval bells are, I believe, very rare in England. I have but few notes of any. My impression is that such bells are as old as the towers which contain them, judging from the character of the letter, the wear and tear of the iron work, aye, of the bell itself. Many old bells have been recast, and on such there is often a record of the date of its prototype. For instance, at St. Peter's, Exeter:
"Ex dono Petri Courtenay," &c., "1484;" "renovat," &c., "1676."
At Chester-le-Street:
"Thomas Langley dedit," &c., "1409;" "refounded," &c., "1665."
I will add two or three with dates.
Bruton, Somerset:
"Est Stephanus primus lapidatus gracia plenus. 1528."