For grafting of Bawdropes & finding Leather.
Making of a '_pinn_' for the fourth Bell Bawdrope.
1588. Paide for Lether to mend the Bawdricke.
1572. Payd for a Bald Rybbe for the fourth Bell. (It occurs again for other bells.)
1552. Mendinge off the Bawdrycke off the greatt Bell.
1541. Payd for mendynge the wheles of the 3 Bells, and for Bawdrykes.
1495. [Pro] emendacione rote ejusdem Campane et [pro] Bawdryke ejusdem Campane.
1473. Bawdryke bought for the iiij Belle.
Whyt Lethyr for the Bawdryke in the years of Ed. VI."
In a decree of the Court of Chancery of the year 1583 is the following passage:
"It is alleged that a certain close ... in the parish of Smarden, in the County of Kent, now called and known by the name of Ropefield, was, long time sithence, given by one John of Hampden, to and for the maintenance and finding of ropes, _bawdricks_, oil, and leather, for the use of ringing of the bells in the steeple of the said parish church of Smarden, &c., &c." James _v._ Woolton, 6 May, 1583. (_Reg. Lib._ B. 1582. fo. 502.)
Not understanding the word "bawdrick," I applied to Messrs. Mears, bell-founders, Whitechapel, who kindly gave me the following information:
"The bawdrick is the head of the clapper, or the coupling by which it hangs on the staple inserted in the crown of the bell. It is fitted on to the head of the clapper, and a lining of leather is inserted to prevent the creaking of the iron, when the end of the clapper is oscillating. Hence, no doubt, the introduction of 'leather' in the document referred to. The word is still in use."
Registrar's Office, Court of Chancery, June 14. 1851.
The baldrick was a leather thong, or strap, fastened with a buckle, for the purpose of suspending the clapper inside the bell, both of which had loops or eyes to receive it; from its continual wear, new baldricks were often required. I subjoin a few extracts from the parish accounts of St. Antlins, or St. Anthony, Budge Row, relating thereto.
1590. "Paide the smythe for making a new clapper for the great bell, x_s._
"Paide for a _bawdrick_ for the great bell, ii_s._ vi_d._
"Paide for a _buckell_ for the same, vi_d._
"Paide for a _baldrick_ for the fift bell, i_s._ viii_d._
1594. "Paide for a new _bawdricke_ for one of the bells the Crownacion daie, ii_s._