Bronze bell, late 14th or early 15th century

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Bells played an important part in daily life at Cistercian monasteries, summoning the monks to prayers and meetings. This bell was not one of the main church bells at Hailes Abbey as they were much larger and were surrendered to the commissioners of Henry VIII during the Suppression of the Monasteries. However it probably came from elsewhere on the abbey complex. It dates from the late 14th or early 15th century and may have been reused in the later manor house or adjacent parish church, where it was discovered. The inscription is poorly engraved but records a dedication to St Mary. The rare surviving wooden headstock must relate to its last phase of use.

Visit the English Heritage website to learn more about Hailes Abbey.

Object on loan from United Parish of Toddington, Stanway, and Didbrook and Hailes