Ring of bells

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A ring of bells (or peal of bells) is a complete set of bells, hung in a circle – usually in a tower – for change ringing.

A ring of bells normally consists of three to twelve bells, which range from a few hundred pounds to several tons in weight. If the bells are used for change ringing, they are hung in frames which allow them to swing through 360 degrees, arranged so that the ropes attached to the frames hang in a circle.

The bells are nearly always tuned to a descending diatonic major scale. The bell tuned to the lowest note, the key-note, of the scale is known as the tenor, the bell tuned to the highest note is known as the treble.

In the 18th century the only two rings of twelve bells in England were at St Bride's Church, Fleet Street, London, and York Minster. Rings of six were common, rings of eight being less so, and rings of ten rare. The first ring of ten bells was installed at New College, Oxford.

Bell ringing was (and still is) very common in England, and there are many pubs around the country called "The Ring of Bells".