The old chimes have returned for a market place bell after a heritage project revealed it to be around 1,000 years old.
The clock tower in Bishop Auckland in County Durham is halfway through a six-month conservation project aimed at restoring the Grade I structure.
But then Durham University archaeologist Richard Annis noticed that the inscription on the bell suggested that it was much older than the tower, which acts as a gateway to the Auckland Castle estate.
An investigation by bell historian George Dawson confirmed this and found that the bell can be traced to the late 12th century.
John Castling, archaeology and social history curator at The Auckland Project, said: “It is absolutely fantastic to have identified just how old and rare the Clock Tower bell is.
“The possibility that it has hung in earlier buildings at Auckland Castle is hugely exciting and demonstrates the deep and rich history of the site.”
Mr Dawson also observed that the bell, which has a 28” diameter at its mouth, is remarkably large for its age.
Meanwhile the style of its inscription: +STEPHANVS ME FECIT (Stephanus made me) would appear to make it unique in England.
He said: “It’s the largest bell of this sort of date by quite a margin. There are no known founders of this early date by the name of Stephen, but makers’ names are virtually unknown at this early period.
“The wording is incised into the bell in neat lettering and it is clear it was incised into the false bell [the mould] before casting. As far as I am aware this would be unique in an English bell, though similar early bells are known in Germany.
“This is a remarkable survivor, the largest bell of its period and has the highly unusual, incised inscription. It deserves to be more well known.”
Conservation work on the bell itself has now been carried out by bell founders John Taylor and Co, whose own origins date to the 14th century.
Mr Castling said: “The thought that this bell may have chimed out across Bishop Auckland across 10 different centuries is awe inspiring and the conservation work will ensure its ancient notes continue to ring out across the market place for many decades to come.”
A video of the last time the bell was rung can be viewed on The Auckland Project’s website here.
The Auckland Project is working to create a major visitor destination in Bishop Auckland, incorporating Auckland Castle ,once home to the Prince Bishops of Durham, a Spanish Gallery, Faith Museum, walled garden, deer park, Mining Art Gallery, Auckland Tower visitor centre and an outdoor spectacular Kynren – an epic tale of England, is also performed every summer on a 7.5-acre stage.
