Change-ringing is a peculiarly English art. The Atlas of Bells is the first publication ever to look at the distribution and location of rings of bells throughout Britain and the rest of the world. All change ringers will find this book an invaluable reference source. The Atlas contains county maps of England showing all towers with rings of 12, 10, 8, 6 and 5 bells. Large towns with several sets of bells have inset maps. There are additional maps to cover Wales, Scotland, Ireland, North America and Australasia. Each map has a facing-page text describing the most notable bells or towers with information about weight, key and age.
The book is in three parts: 1. Introductory chapters. The history of the art of campanology in Britain and its colonies, and the geographical distribution of towers with ringable bells are covered. The restriction of change-ringing to the English-speaking world, and the relationship of bell-ringing to church architecture are discussed, and this section also introduces the principles of change-ringing. 2. The Atlas. County maps showing the distribution of all towers with four or more ringable bells in each county of England as well as in Scotland, Wales, Ireland and the rest of the world. Each map is accompanied by text giving details and points of local interest. 3. Gazetteer. This gives county-by-county grid references to all churches shown on the maps, listed by dedication. The book is illustrated by photographs and line drawings.
The book is in three parts: 1. Introductory chapters. The history of the art of campanology in Britain and its colonies, and the geographical distribution of towers with ringable bells are covered. The restriction of change-ringing to the English-speaking world, and the relationship of bell-ringing to church architecture are discussed, and this section also introduces the principles of change-ringing. 2. The Atlas. County maps showing the distribution of all towers with four or more ringable bells in each county of England as well as in Scotland, Wales, Ireland and the rest of the world. Each map is accompanied by text giving details and points of local interest. 3. Gazetteer. This gives county-by-county grid references to all churches shown on the maps, listed by dedication. The book is illustrated by photographs and line drawings.
