Back to Tour THE BELLS Early History One of the earliest references to St. Mary's bells is in the records of a visitation in 1297. Here there is mention of a tower and two bells. The latter would have been for chiming, in the manner of Sanctus bells, since many years had yet to pass before English ringing bells were developed. A similar report from a 1545 visitation indicates that there were then four bells, but gives no further details. However, Richard Lee and William Kempe, who were churchwardens at St. Mary's, back up this information in a report dated 23rd July 1551, by noting "In the steeple, four grete bells in the same steeple a saint bell and two handbells". Lawrence Keen, who was associated with St. Mary's in the 1960s, found some very interesting early references. One confusing claim he makes is that the ring was increased from three to four in 1694. Although this is supported by inscriptions on the existing bells, it does imply that the ring went from four (1551) to three (at sometime) and back to four (1694). Perhaps we should leave this to a historian to sort out! St. Mary's Sanctus Bell, a small bell weighing about 60lbs, dates from 1696. Rev. J Crane Wharton, Vicar in 1883, claimed that it had the Latin inscription "Sanctus Maria ora pro nobis", but Richard Kilby (a past Captain of St. Mary's Bells) correctly records that there is no such inscription; the only marking being "Marsh Ch:warden, 1696". Prior to 1852 the Sanctus bell hung in a wooden bell cote, fixed on the roof of the tower. Today it hangs above the ringing bells in the belfry, and is chimed from the baptistery on the floor of the church. Dr. Keen goes on to date the increase of the ring from four to five as 1704, which is supported both by the bell inscriptions, and by notes for Willesden in "Collections" of Richard Rawlinson compiled in 1717. There Rawlinson records the inscriptions on the bells. Dr. Keen continues: "Records f