[Illustration:  ALMS-BOX.]

The pulpit is of brass and wrought iron, the work of Frank Skidmore a native of Coventry who made also the choir screen of Hereford Cathedral and the metal work of the Albert Memorial at Kensington.  It was placed here in 1869.  The bells, ten in number, now hang in the octagon.  They were cast in 1774 and weigh nearly seven tons.  The first peal was hung in 1429 and a clock existed in 1467.  In 1496 an Order of Leet ordained that “all manner of persons that will have the bells to ring after the decease of any of their friends, shall pay for a peal ringing with all the bells, 2_s_. and with four bells, 16_d_., and three bells 4_d_.”

The six bells were cast into eight in 1674 and the present tenth has the same inscription as the heaviest of the old peal: 

  I am and have been call’d the common bell
  To ring, when fire breaks out, to tell.

The chimes, which existed as early as 1465, were restored in 1895, after a silence of ten years, in memory of Lieut.-Col.  Francis William Newdigate.  Electric lighting has been introduced throughout the church.

HOLY TRINITY CHURCH

[Illustration:  HOLY TRINITY FROM THE NORTH.
                           From a lithograph—­about 1850.]

HOLY TRINITY CHURCH

CHAPTER I

HISTORY OF THE CHURCH

Although the first mention of this church which the indefatigable Dugdale could find was its appropriation to the priory in 1259-1260, it is tolerably certain that its foundation was much earlier.  As before said, it is reputed to be older than St. Michael’s and its position close to the monastery suggests that it had been built, as often happened, for the parishioners by the monks who disliked their intrusion within the priory church.  The appropriation at this time may have been rather of the nature of a confirmation of the rights of the priory than the institution of a new condition of things.  As, in 1391, the chancel had to be rebuilt being “ruinated and decayed” we may conclude that it was probably older than the present north porch which is certainly not later than 1259.  It was at the same time lengthened by twenty-four feet, the convent giving one hundred shillings per annum for eight years and six trees, the parishioners finding all other material and workmanship.  The convent and parish also agreed to support and keep it in repair at their joint charges.

From 1298, when Henry de Harenhale was appointed, the list of vicars is complete, but in a cartulary of the priory mention is made of Ralph de Sowe, vicar of Trinity, as giving a tenement in Well Street, for the celebration of his anniversary.