Rudhall of Gloucester
Encyclopedia
Rudhall of Gloucester was a family business of bell
founders
in the city of Gloucester
, England, who between 1684 and 1835 produced over 5,000 bells. The business was founded by Abraham Rudhall (1657–1736) and the earliest ring of bells
he cast was for St Nicholas' Church, Oddington
in 1684. He came to be described as the greatest bell-founder of his age. The business was continued by his eldest son, also called Abraham (1680–1735), his son Abel (1714–60), and three of Abel's sons, Thomas (?1740–83), Charles (1746–1815) and John (1760–1835). The business formally closed in 1828 but bells bearing John's name have been found with dates up to 1835.
Five bells cast by Abel Rudhall in 1757 still hang in Wells Cathedral
.
Bell (instrument)
A bell is a simple sound-making device. The bell is a percussion instrument and an idiophone. Its form is usually a hollow, cup-shaped object, which resonates upon being struck...
founders
Foundry
A foundry is a factory that produces metal castings. Metals are cast into shapes by melting them into a liquid, pouring the metal in a mold, and removing the mold material or casting after the metal has solidified as it cools. The most common metals processed are aluminum and cast iron...
in the city of Gloucester
Gloucester
Gloucester is a city, district and county town of Gloucestershire in the South West region of England. Gloucester lies close to the Welsh border, and on the River Severn, approximately north-east of Bristol, and south-southwest of Birmingham....
, England, who between 1684 and 1835 produced over 5,000 bells. The business was founded by Abraham Rudhall (1657–1736) and the earliest ring of bells
Ring of bells
"Ring of bells" is a term most often applied to a set of bells hung in the English style, typically for change ringing...
he cast was for St Nicholas' Church, Oddington
Oddington, Gloucestershire
Lower Oddington and Upper Oddington are a pair of adjoining villages in the English county of Gloucestershire. Together they form the civil parish of Oddington.They are located to the south of the A436 road east of the town of Stow-on-the-Wold....
in 1684. He came to be described as the greatest bell-founder of his age. The business was continued by his eldest son, also called Abraham (1680–1735), his son Abel (1714–60), and three of Abel's sons, Thomas (?1740–83), Charles (1746–1815) and John (1760–1835). The business formally closed in 1828 but bells bearing John's name have been found with dates up to 1835.
Five bells cast by Abel Rudhall in 1757 still hang in Wells Cathedral
Wells Cathedral
Wells Cathedral is a Church of England cathedral in Wells, Somerset, England. It is the seat of the Bishop of Bath and Wells, who lives at the adjacent Bishop's Palace....
.