290 – Bell, Book and Candle with Metal Skull

Physical description:

A group of objects consisting of: a brass candlestick with a wide base with a handle (the kind designed so that it can be carried safely), with the remains of a candle still in place; a quite large and heavy brass bell with a turned wooden handle; a small Bible; and a small skull made of metal (copper?) painted white (the paint has discoloured slightly to pale cream).

Museum classification:

Spells and Charms / Working Tools

Size:

Bell 270 x 150 diam; Bible 140 x 100 x 40; candlestick 140 x 190 x 165; skull 50 x 45 x 65

Information:

The phrase 'bell, book and candle' is derived from an excommunication ritual introduced by the Church in the early Middle Ages. However, popular usage of the phrase suggests that a similar ritual - involving ringing a bell, slamming shut a Bible and extinguishing a candle - was also used against evil spirits, ghosts and witchcraft.

The phrase is used by Shakespeare in his play 'King John': 'Bell, book and candle shall drive not back.'

Original text by Cecil Williamson: 'Bell, book and candle. Now that is a well-known procedure. Certainly in the south west we have had numerous clergymen who were, and some still are, great bell, book and candle men. Persons who can shift an evil spirit quick as a snap of a ladies' garter. Funny really. This set of bell, book and candle was taken over by a woman who served a south west vicar as housekeeper. He was an efficient dispeller of ghosts. After his death the lady played the part of wise woman and witch. She also was rather good at her own version of bell, book and candle, but in her case she added the white metal skull seen atop the good book.'

The bell has the word 'Fiddian' engraved on the brass collar where the handle joins the actual bell (and which may be later than the bell itself). This indicates that it may have been used by Air Raid Wardens during World War II - they used hand bells that often have this inscription. The word is in inverted commas, suggesting it has some kind of meaning; however, it could be a maker's name - Fiddian is a surname found particularly in Cornwall.

Unfortunately the Bible was badly damaged in the 2004 flood and is too fragile to be photographed.

 

Resource:

Object

Materials:

Paper, metal (brass, copper(?)), wood, wax, leather

Copyright ownership:

MWM

The phrase 'bell, book and candle' is derived from an excommunication ritual introduced by the Church in the early Middle Ages. However, popular usage of the phrase suggests that a similar ritual - involving ringing a bell, slamming shut a Bible and extinguishing a candle - was also used against evil spirits, ghosts and witchcraft.

The phrase is used by Shakespeare in his play 'King John': 'Bell, book and candle shall drive not back.'

Original text by Cecil Williamson: 'Bell, book and candle. Now that is a well-known procedure. Certainly in the south west we have had numerous clergymen who were, and some still are, great bell, book and candle men. Persons who can shift an evil spirit quick as a snap of a ladies' garter. Funny really. This set of bell, book and candle was taken over by a woman who served a south west vicar as housekeeper. He was an efficient dispeller of ghosts. After his death the lady played the part of wise woman and witch. She also was rather good at her own version of bell, book and candle, but in her case she added the white metal skull seen atop the good book.'

The bell has the word 'Fiddian' engraved on the brass collar where the handle joins the actual bell (and which may be later than the bell itself). This indicates that it may have been used by Air Raid Wardens during World War II - they used hand bells that often have this inscription. The word is in inverted commas, suggesting it has some kind of meaning; however, it could be a maker's name - Fiddian is a surname found particularly in Cornwall.

Unfortunately the Bible was badly damaged in the 2004 flood and is too fragile to be photographed.