Cambridge, May 22. 1851.
[N. B., E. C. H., and several other correspondents, have furnished
similar references to Ovid.]
_Baldrock_ (Vol. iii., pp. 328. 435.).--MR. CHADWICK'S quotations on
this word are very opportune, and useful by way of illustration, and for
elucidating the meaning of the word.
I will endeavour to explain this part of bell gear, and the purpose for
which it was used.
_Baldrock_ (_sic_) is probably the patois of a locality for _bawdrick_,
which means a belt, or the leather strap and other appurtenances of the
upper part of the clapper, by which it was suspended from the crown
staple. In old _black-letter_ bells (if one may use the term) the upper
part of the clapper was shaped like a stirrup, through which a strap of
stout leather, often doubled, was passed; but between this and the
staple a piece of hard wood of like width was inserted, and fitted to
work on the round part of the crown staple. Through this leather and
wood an iron pin was passed; and all was fastened together, and kept
stiff in place, by a curiously cut piece of tough wood, called a
_busk-board_, one end of which was tied round the stem of the clapper. I
have seen many such. There was one at Swanswich next Bath: but without a
sketch it is difficult to explain. I will enclose a sketch, to be used
at the Editor's discretion.
A few years ago, I made the following extracts from the very interesting
accounts of the churchwardens (guardians) of St. Edmund's, Sarum. I have
no doubt that similar entries may be found in all such old accounts, and
I hope these may induce other gentlemen to inquire for them.
Unfortunately I did not copy the _sums_ paid.
"1591. Layd out for a Bawdrope for the Great Bell, 5_s._
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.
1524. Bawdderyke to the v. Bell.
1495. [Pro] emendacione rote ejusdem Campane et [pro] Bawdryke
ejusdem Campane.
1482. [Pro] tribus Bawdrykys.
1473. Bawdryke bought for the iiij Belle.
1469. Bawderyke.