Hand-bells are emblematic of early Christianity in
Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Produced between the
fifth century and the twelfth, they survive in large
numbers and were used originally to regulate
monastic time and to punctuate the liturgy. Several
are attributed to specific saints including Patrick
and Columba (Colum Cille) in Ireland, Kentigern
(Mungo) in Scotland and David in Wales.
This two-part book brings together for the first time
all the hand-bells that exist or are known to have
existed in Ireland and Britain. The first part deals
with the morphology, production and distribution of
bells, with their archaeological and historical
contexts and with their enduring significance in late
medieval times. The second part is a catalogue of all
existing and
recorded bells, offering both physical descriptions
and individual case histories.