Original verdigris finish (69)

One of the oldest bells in Great Britain to be included in a ring, this bell was cast by John of Gloucester circa 1340-50. The inscription around the bell in lombardic capitols reads “I AM THE VIRGIN MARY’S BELL”. This bell is the sole survivor from the original ring of six bells in Great Malvern Priory which was augmented to nine bells in 1887, the year of Queen Victoria’s jubilee. At this time it was decided to melt the Virgin Mary bell down, but thanks to the timely intervention of local grocer James Nott, who rescued the bell, we are still able to hear it ring today.