Ancient Society of College Youths
Encyclopedia
The Ancient Society of College Youths (ASCY) is the world's premier society of church bellringers
, founded in 1637 and based in the City of London
. It boasts a national and international membership that promotes excellence in ringing around the world.
. The first ringing by the Society was recorded in c.1642 when it managed "a plain six-score on five bells". Robert Roan (Master in 1652) is said to have invented Grandsire
Doubles
and Plain Bob Minor.
s - ringing bells for up to 17 hours continuously. The first of these long lengths took place on 18 May 1728, and consisted of 10,080 changes of Plain Bob Major. More recently, three members of the ASCY - Philip Earis, Andrew Tibbetts and David Pipe - have rung the longest peal ever, on handbells, consisting of 72,000 changes of Minor, ringing 100 different methods, all of which had to be memorised, and taking 24 hours and 9 minutes. The Society also rang the 'extent' (or maximum number of possible permutations in the order of the bells) of Major - 40,320 changes, on 27 December 1977, taking 15 hours, 59 minutes to do so.
The ASCY is responsible for the bells at St Giles-without-Cripplegate
, St Lawrence Jewry
, St Sepulchre-without-Newgate
, St Magnus the Martyr and St Michael, Cornhill
. Its members hold regular practices at these towers, as well as at St Pauls Cathedral, St Mary-le-Bow
and Southwark Cathedral
.
Change ringing
Change ringing is the art of ringing a set of tuned bells in a series of mathematical patterns called "changes". It differs from many other forms of campanology in that no attempt is made to produce a conventional melody....
, founded in 1637 and based in the City of London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. It boasts a national and international membership that promotes excellence in ringing around the world.
History
The Society is said to be founded on 5 November 1637, although it is possible that it was actually in existence before this date. The first Master is noted as Lord William BreretonWilliam Brereton, 2nd Baron Brereton
William Brereton, 2nd Baron Brereton was the son of Sir John Brereton of Brereton Hall and Anne Fitton...
. The first ringing by the Society was recorded in c.1642 when it managed "a plain six-score on five bells". Robert Roan (Master in 1652) is said to have invented Grandsire
Grandsire
Grandsire is one of the standard change ringing methods, which are methods of ringing church bells or handbells using a series of mathematical permutations rather than using a melody...
Doubles
Doubles (bells)
Doubles is used as a term in English Change Ringing, describing a ringing method rung on five church bells. Doubles is the most common group of methods rung in the United Kingdom, since 90% of parish churches with bell towers in the UK are fitted with only six bells.Methods and principles are named...
and Plain Bob Minor.
Achievements
Since its formation the ASCY has been a leader in ringing achievement, including large numbers of "long length" pealPeal
A peal is the name given to a specific type of performance of change ringing. The precise definition of a peal has changed considerably over the years...
s - ringing bells for up to 17 hours continuously. The first of these long lengths took place on 18 May 1728, and consisted of 10,080 changes of Plain Bob Major. More recently, three members of the ASCY - Philip Earis, Andrew Tibbetts and David Pipe - have rung the longest peal ever, on handbells, consisting of 72,000 changes of Minor, ringing 100 different methods, all of which had to be memorised, and taking 24 hours and 9 minutes. The Society also rang the 'extent' (or maximum number of possible permutations in the order of the bells) of Major - 40,320 changes, on 27 December 1977, taking 15 hours, 59 minutes to do so.
The ASCY is responsible for the bells at St Giles-without-Cripplegate
St Giles-without-Cripplegate
St Giles-without-Cripplegate is a Church of England church in the City of London, located within the modern Barbican complex. When built it stood without the city wall, near the Cripplegate. The church is dedicated to St Giles, patron saint of beggars and cripples...
, St Lawrence Jewry
St Lawrence Jewry
St Lawrence Jewry is a Church of England guild church in the City of London on Gresham Street, next to the Guildhall.-History:The church was originally built in the twelfth century and dedicated to St Lawrence The church is near the former medieval Jewish ghetto, which was centred...
, St Sepulchre-without-Newgate
St Sepulchre-without-Newgate
St Sepulchre-without-Newgate, also known as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre , is an Anglican church in the City of London. It is located on Holborn Viaduct, almost opposite the Old Bailey...
, St Magnus the Martyr and St Michael, Cornhill
St Michael, Cornhill
St Michael, Cornhill is a medieval parish church in the City of London with pre-Norman Conquest parochial foundation. The medieval structure was lost in the Great Fire of London and the current church was designed by Sir Christopher Wren between 1670-1677....
. Its members hold regular practices at these towers, as well as at St Pauls Cathedral, St Mary-le-Bow
St Mary-le-Bow
St Mary-le-Bow is an historic church in the City of London, off Cheapside. According to tradition, a true Cockney must be born within earshot of the sound of the church's bells.-Bells:...
and Southwark Cathedral
Southwark Cathedral
Southwark Cathedral or The Cathedral and Collegiate Church of St Saviour and St Mary Overie, Southwark, London, lies on the south bank of the River Thames close to London Bridge....
.