The Bells of Manuden, Essex

In A.D. 1143 a Norman knight, Richard de Camvill and his wife Alicia, gave "the Church of MANEGUEDANA to God and Saint Melaine and his monks at the Church of Hatfield Regis for ever". This Benedictine priory at Hatfield Broad Oak dedicated to a 6th century French saint had been founded in A.D. 1135 by Auhrey de Vere, whose grandfather had been Lord of the Manor of Manuden. Although there is no trace of a church prior to the present structure it is reasonable to assume there was one as Manuden had well-established roots in Saxon times with several of its manors recorded in the Domesday Survey of A.D. 1(186. The present building is a much restored medieval church, which suffered partial rebuilding of its chancel in 1746 and drastic major restoration of the entire building, except the north transept, in 1863-67. Fortunately, some interesting work did survive, notably the magnificent chancel screen, the north transept and the nave roof. The church originally consisted of a nave and chancel, to which was added a south aisle or chapel followed by a small private manorial chapel on the north side. The roof of the nave and transept are probably 15th century work and noteworthy for their king-post construction with the roof ceiled below the rafters. The tie beams are not visible, being enclosed in ornamental casing. (Church history from Manuden village website). The tower holds a ring of six bells. The tenor was cast in 1865 by John Warner & Sons. The 5th and 4th were cast in 1620 by Miles I Graye, the 3rd and 2nd were cast in 1831 by Thomas II Mears. These five bells were hung in an oak frame, constructed in 1866 by John Warner & Sons, who ha cast the tenor the previous year. They were augmented to a ring of six in 1983 by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, who installed a steel frame to accommodate the new bell. At the time of the casting of the new treble, the back five bells were tuned and rehung with new fittings. 6 bells, 9-2-14cwt in G.