This glossary contains the briefest of descriptions of terms. Further information is contained in the various articles, some of which can be reached by following links within this glossary. Click on the letters below to go to the sections which start with that letter.
Alliance
A type of method in which the Treble
dodges in 5-6 and higher positions. The name derives from the fact that
little methods need to be "allied" with these methods in order to produce
extents.
Anticlockwise
Most rings of bells are said to be
"clockwise", meaning that if the ropes were viewed from above in a
clockwise direction the bell numbers corresponding to them would increase.
Anticlockwise rings of bells are the other way round. See also
"Clockwise".
B Block
A piece of ringing in which there
is a bob at every opportunity and which comes back to its starting place.
Back
The final two positions within a change.
Backstroke
The stroke made when the rope is pulled
by the tail end.
Before
A calling position in which the tenor
runs out at a bob instead of making 2nd's.
Bell
Big heavy metal thing that goes bong
when struck with a big hammer.
Bob (1)
A device that causes a odd number
of bells (usually 3) to vary their work, usually at the backstroke of the
Treble's full lead.
Bob (2)
A type of plain method in which an
internal place is made at either the lead head or the half lead (or both).
Blister
A skin lesion caused by the loosening
and possible removal of the outer layers of the skin; one of the more attractive
aspects of ringing. See also "Micropore".
Call Changes (ringing
call changes, calling call changes)
A system of ringing in which pairs
of adjacent bells are instructed by a conductor to change places with each
other.
Calling Position
A point in a piece of ringing, usually
at a lead end, at which bobs and singles can be called and named after
where the tenor ends up as a result of the call. Calling positions include:
| Name | Abbreviation | |
| Home/Right | H/R | |
| Wrong | W | |
| Middle | M | |
| Fifths | V or 5ths | |
| Fourths | 4ths | |
| In | I | |
| Out/Before | O/B | |
| Thirds | 3rds |
plus any others, which are named after the position the tenor rings in.
Change
A particular order in which bells
are rung. See also "Row". Some authorities distinguish between changes
that are rung and rows that are written down. There is also the view that a
change occurs between rows and one authority even refers to rows as
"change-rows" and the transformation of one into the next as the
"change-row interval".
Change Ringing
A system of ringing in which the ringer
learns predetermined sets of positions in which to ring the bell. Ringers
change places at each pull of the rope.
Chime
To operate a bell so that either it
is only swinging through part of a circle (swing chime) or it is hit by
a hammer (clock chime).
Clapper
The hammer which swings inside a bell
and strikes the soundbow.
Clock Chime
To sound a bell with a hammer, as
in clock chimes.
Clockwise
Most rings of bells are said to be
"clockwise", meaning that if the ropes were viewed from above in a
clockwise direction the bell numbers corresponding to them would increase.
Anticlockwise rings of bells are the other way round. See also
"Anticlockwise".
Closed
A style of ringing in which each change
runs straight on from the previous one without any gap.
Composition
A set of calls and methods changes
to produce a touch, quarter peal or peal or the act of producing such a
thing.
Course Head
The first row of any course of a method.
The tenor may or may not be in last place.
Cover
When ringing a method for an odd number
of bells, an additional bell which rings last in each change is added.
This is the cover bell.
Cross Section
In treble bob methods, when the treble
moves from one dodging place to the next this is a cross section.
Crown Staple
The device from which the clapper
is suspended within a bell. The crown staple is fixed by a bolt which passes
through the crown.
Delight
Any treble
bob method with internal places made at all but one cross sections is called
"delight". For minor methods there is one internal place made. If this
is fourth's then the method is a "fourth's place delight" and if it is
third's then the method is a "third's place delight".
Dingler
A metal toggle attached to the end
of a Hastings stay which engages with a short track at the end of which
is a stop against which a bell rests when set.
Division
Any method or principle is divided
into sections of repeating structure. These are called divisions. The term
"lead" is also used for methods.
Dodge
To perform a manoeuvre in which you
strike your bell over another bell, under that bell, back over that bell
and then back under that bell. It can also be performed the other way round,
vis
strike under another bell, over that bell, back under that bell and then
back over that bell.
Double
A method in which the work performed
in the front half of the method is a mirror image of that performed in
the back half.
Double Hunt
A method in which there is more than
one hunt bell, usually the Treble and some other bell. The other bell will
be affected at calls and another bell will take its place.
Doubles Variation
A means of increasing the variety
of five-bell ringing by altering the work at and around the normal bob
for a particular doubles method. The term "doubles variation" refers to
the same effect generated by a half lead splice on higher numbers.
Drum
Alternative name for cover.
Exercise (1)
Old name for a type of treble bob
method with internal places made at all but two cross sections.
Exercise (2)
A term used by some to mean "bell
ringing".
Extension
Methods on a given number of bells
can be extended to higher numbers of bells. There is a procedure laid down
for this.
Extent
The total number of changes that can
be rung on a given number of bells:
| Bells | Changes | |
| 1 | 1 | |
| 2 | 2 | |
| 3 | 6 | |
| 4 | 24 | |
| 5 | 120 | |
| 6 | 720 | |
| 7 | 5040 | |
| 8 | 40320 | |
| 9 | 362880 | |
| 10 | 3628800 | |
| 11 | 39916800 | |
| 12 | 479001600 |
Extreme
In sophisticated call changes and
some methods ringing, the swapping of the pair of bells at the opposite
end of the change to the whole hunt (the extreme bells) is and extreme
change, or extreme.
False
Any piece of ringing in which one
or more changes are repeated. Sometimes it is allowed to repeat changes.
In particular, peals and quarter peals on fewer than 7 bells must do this
to produce the required length. Any such touch must contain either each
possible change the same number of times (e.g. 1440 Plain Bob Minor,
each change twice) or some changes once more (e.g. 1260 Plain Bob
Minor, each change once then 540 changes once more).
False Course Head
A course head which generates a course
containing some rows that also occur in the plain course.
Fifths
A calling position in which the tenor
ends up in fifth's place (except where this has another name).
Fire
Deliberately to ring several or all of the bells
at the same time. When all the bells are fired they can be rung: so that they
all sound exactly together; so they sound like very rapid descending Rounds; so
they sound like very rapid ascending Rounds.
Fire Out
The conclusion of a piece of ringing
which has reached a state of firing up.
Fire Up
A period during a piece of ringing
when several bells are ringing at the same time, sometimes for only a few
minutes.
Fourths
A calling position at which the tenor
makes 4th's.
Front
The lowest two positions in a change.
Go
The command given to ringers to tell
them to start a piece of change ringing.
Gudgeon Pin
Either of the small axles on which
the bell rotates.
Half Hunt
A working bell which performs a repeating
work but whose work is shortest such work of all working bells.
Half Lead
The point, half way through a lead,
where the Treble's path starts to go back the way it came.
Half Pull
A handstroke or a backstroke. See also
"Whole Pull".
Half Pull Ringing
Method ringing where ringers change
places at every pull of the rope.
Handstroke
The stroke made when the rope is pulled
by the sally.
Headstock
The large wooden or metal beam that
the bell is screwed to.
Home
A calling place in which the tenor
ends up back at the start of the course.
Hunt Bell (1)
Every method has at least one bell
which performs a repeating work and which returns to its starting place
at regular intervals during a plain course. This is the hunt bell.
Hunt Bell (2)
In double hunt methods, the bell,
other than the Treble, which is also hunting.
I
The initial rows of each lead of Plain
Bob Major. Thus Io is Rounds, I1 is 13527486, I2
is 15738264, etc..
In
A calling position at which the tenor
runs in.
Irregular
Of a method that either does not have
Plain Bob lead ends and lead heads or possesses one or more other unacceptable
qualities such as, in minor methods for example, 5th's place made when
the treble is not at the back.
K
In Stedman, the bells above 3rd's
place in, and the "nature" of, the first row of a six characterises (hence K, for characteristic!)
which six is being rung.
Lead (1)
To ring a bell in 1st place.
Lead (2)
A division of a method extending from
when the Treble leads to when it leads again.
Lead End
The final row of a lead of a method.
This is usually the handstroke of the Treble's full lead.
Lead Head
The first row of a lead of a method.
This is usually the backstroke of the Treble's full lead.
Lead Head Group
Most methods are designed to use Plain
Bob lead heads. This means that these methods may ring the leads in a different
order to Plain Bob but nevertheless, each lead starts with a Plain Bob
lead head. There is a limited number of different orders in which the leads
can be rung. Each one is given a different identifying letter.
Lie
To perform two or more consecutive
blows at the back. Formerly used to refer to the act of remaining in any
position, except lead, for two or more blows.
Little Method
A method in which the Treble only
hunts part of the way to the back.
Make
To make a place is to ring at least
twice in the same place. To make a bob is to make the place which is made
at a bob.
Method
Any system of change ringing in which
there is one or more hunt bells and several working bells.
Micropore
A very effective treatment for sore
hands and blisters caused by ringing. It is obtainable from Boots.
Middle
A calling plosition on at least 7
bells in which the tenor ends up two positions from the back.
Middle Bells
The central third of all the bells
in a ring.
Miscall
If, when calling any touch, the sequence
of calls is not correctly adhered to, the touch is said to have been miscalled.
Nature
Every change, or row, has a
"nature". That is, every row can be reached from Rounds either by
swapping and even number of pairs of bells or an odd number of pairs of bells.
Any row that can be reached with an even number of swaps cannot be reached with
and odd number, and vice versa. Rounds, and any row reached from Rounds
by an even number of swaps, is said to be "positive", "plus
(+)" or "in course". Any row reached from Rounds by an odd number
of swaps is said to be "negative", "minus (-)" or "out
of course".
Open
A style of ringing in which the handstroke
leads are preceded with a gap just big enough to fit an extra bell in.
Out
A calling position in which the tenor
runs out as the treble leads. It is used in situations when it would run
out whether there was a call or not.
Peal
A piece of ringing consisting of at
least 5040 changes, in multiples of the extent, on 7 or fewer bells and
at least 5000 changes on 8 or more bells.
Pivot Bell
In methods with an odd number of divisions
there is always one lead which is symmetrical. This is the pivot bell.
Plain Bearing
A type of bearing in which the gudgeon
pin is not supported on balls or rollers. Such bearings need frequent lubrication
and the ringing of bells mounted on plain bearings requires more effort
than of bells on more modern bearings.
Plain Course
Any piece of ringing which proceeds
without any bobs or singles.
Principle
Any system of change ringing in which
all the bells are working bells with the same work.
Proof
The process by which a composer or
conductor checks that a touch is true.
Q Set
A set of bobs called on the same bells
until those bells return to their position before the first bob.
Quarter Hunt
A bell which performs a repeating
work but whose work is the third shortest such work.
Quarter Peal
A piece of ringing consisting of at
least one quarter of the number of changes, but not significantly more,
required for a peal on that number of bells.
Queens
A row produced by ringing the odd
numbered bells then the even numbered bells:
135246
13572468
1357924680
13579E24680T
Right (1)
Places made at handstroke and backstroke,
dodges at backstroke and hunting as in Plain Hunt are known as right places,
dodges and hunting.
Right (2)
A calling place in which the tenor
ends up back at the start of the course. This is an older name for the
more common term "home".
Ring (1)
A set of bells is also known as a
ring of bells.
Ring (2)
To operate a bell so that it turns
full circle.
Rounds
The order in which a ring of bells
is rung in descending order of pitch.
Row
Any order of the bells when written down or rung can be
called a row. See also "Change".
Run In
At a call where a bell would have
moved from 3rd's place to fourth's but instead moves to 2nd's, the bell
is said to run in.
Run Out
At a call where a bell would have
made 2nd's place but instead moves to 3rd's, the bell is said to run out.
Sally
The fluffy woollen part of a bell
rope.
Septuples
Changes on 15 bells.
Set
A bell resting against the stay and
is stationary is set.
Sextuples
Changes on 13 bells.
Single
A device which causes an even number
of bells (usually 2) to vary their work, usually at the backstroke of the
Treble's full lead. Its purpose is to alter the nature of the rows.
Slider
A piece of wood which lies across
the base of a bell pit, pivotted at one end and against which the stay
rests when the bell is set.
Soundbow
The thick part of a bell around the
edge.
Special Alliance
A type of method in which the Treble
dodges in 3-4 and higher positions.
Splice (1)
To join two bits of rope by intertwining
their strands.
Splice (2)
To include several methods in a piece
of ringing such that the touch remains true.
Stand
A command given at the end of a piece
of ringing to tell the ringers to stand their bells. Also used during a
peal attempt to bring unsatisfactory ringing to a premature end.
Stage
The number of bells that a method
is rung on. Stages are referred to by name:
Bells
Stage Name
3 bells: Singles
4 bells: Minimus
5 bells: Doubles
6 bells: Minor
7 bells: Triples
8 bells: Major
9 bells: Caters
10 bells:
Royal
11 bells:
Cinques
12 bells:
Maximus
13 bells:
Sextuples
14 bells:
14
15 bells:
Septuples
16 bells:
16
etc.
Stay
A mechanism on which a bell rests
when in the set position. It is a device to allow a bell to stop ringing
without having to lower it.
Surprise
A type of treble bob method in which
there is an internal place at each cross section.
Swing Chime
To sound a bell by swinging it though
a small arc so that its clapper strikes the side.
Tail End
The doubled back end of the bell rope,
below the sally.
Tenor
The bell with the lowest pitch, usually
the heaviest.
Tenors
The heaviest bells of a ring; usually
7 and 8 on eight bells, 7, 8, 9 and 0 on ten bells, 9, 0, E and T on twelve
bells.
That's All
The call made at the end of a piece
of change ringing to tell the ringers to stop.
Thirds
A calling position in which the tenor
makes 3rd's. This is usually at a single, where a bob would make the tenor
run in.
Tittums
A row produced by alternating the
small and the large bells:
142536
15263748
1627384959
172839405E6T
Touch
Any piece of ringing but usually applied
to short pieces containing bobs or singles.
Treble
The bell with the highest pitch, usually
the lightest bell.
Trebles
The lightest bells of a ring.
Treble Bob (1)
A type of hunting in which a bell
dodges in successive dodging places.
Treble Bob (2)
A type of method in which the hunt
bell performs treble bob hunting.
Treble Bob (3)
A treble bob method without any internal
places at any cross section is known as treble bob.
True
A true touch is any touch which either
contains each change once. Sometimes it is allowed to repeat changes. In
particular, peals and quarter peals on fewer than 7 bells must do this
to produce the required length. Any such touch must contain either each
possible change the same number of times (e.g. 1440 Plain Bob Minor,
each change twice) or some changes once more (e.g. 1260 Plain Bob
Minor, each change once then 540 changes once more).
Up
A bell which is swinging full circle
or is set or stood is said to be up.
Variable Hunt
A piece of ringing in which it is
contrived that the hunt bell of the method being rung is changed from being
the Treble to being some other bell. The change is brought about by the
use of a call invented for the purpose.
Variation
The changing of a composition by starting
it at other places, turning it upside down, back to front and inside out.
Whittington's
Changes which
are formed by splitting the bells into groups of 6 starting from the big
ones and ending up with some little ones left over. In each group, including
the remaining small bells, the odd numbered bells are rung in reverse order
followed by the even numbered bells:
531246
12753468
3124975680
531246E9780T
Whole Hunt
A bell which performs the shortest
repeating work in a method.
Whole Pull
A handstroke and backstroke or a backstroke
and handstroke. See also "Half Pull".
Whole Pull Ringing
Method ringing in which each change
is rung at handstroke and backstroke with changes taking place at handstroke
only.
Working Bell
Any bell in a principle and any bell
other than hunt bells in a method which performs the work of the method.
Wrong (1)
Places made at backstroke and handstroke,
dodges at handstroke and hunting the opposite way as in Plain Hunt are
known as wrong places, dodges and hunting.
Wrong (2)
A calling place in which the tenor
ends up one position from the back of the change.
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