Note 513 — Front matter (continued 4)

We hear of the "daybell" rung probably at dawn, and the curfew rung by the clerks of S. Michael's and Trinity churches (Ib., 338). A "larum bell" was rung on the occasion of the quarrel between Somerset's servants and the watch (Paston Letters, i. 408). Probably there was a recognised "change" in the ringing for each of the various summonses. The ringing of changes is said to have been peculiar to this country. Bells, before they were hung up, were baptized and anointed with holy oil, blessed and exorcised. Their uses were expressed in the Latin lines:

"Laudo Deum verum—plebem voco—congrego clerum Defunctos ploro—pestum fugo—festa decoro."

(Strutt, Sports and Pastimes, 291, 292.)