This bell, dating from the mid 13th century, is the oldest bell in Hereford Cathedral tower. It weighs 13 cwt, 2qrs, 19 lbs (694 Kg). The bell’s inscription reads, “STEPHANUS BANASTRE ME FECIT” (Stephen Banastre made me). No other bells by Stephen Banastre are known to exist, and it is thought that there is no connection with Cannon Stephen Banastre of Hereford, who lived some 100 years earlier. The bell’s canons have a delicate rope pattern cast onto their outer surfaces. This bell was not included in the ring until 1697/8 when the ring was enlarged from 6 to 10 bells when it became the 6th and had its lip cut to sharpen its note in tune with the rest of the ring. Prior to this time it is possible that the bell hung in Hereford Cathedral’s west tower which collapsed on Easter Monday 1786.