Stedman Triples at Howden Minster, East Riding of Yorkshire

Filmed during the YACR general meeting on the 22nd of September 2024.

Howden Minster is certainly a very historic church. The bishops of Durham came into possession of the manor of Howden in 1086–7, during the tenure of William de St-Calais (1081–96). The town and surrounding area benefited from this connection: the bishops secured a weekly market and four annual fairs for Howden before the 13th century. The great income of the parish church meant that it became prebendal in the 1220s, then achieved collegiate status in 1265 or 1267, its income being divided between a college of five, and later six, canons who carried out the daily offices of worship. This was the status quo until the English Reformation, when England's chantries and collegiate foundations were abolished and Howden lost its canons and their patronage. The see of Durham retained the manor until the 17th century.

At the Reformation, the college was dissolved and Howden Minster became a parish church. After years of neglect and controversy over who was responsible for the upkeep of the fabric, the choir vaults fell in 1696. The choir was walled off, the altar moved to the crossing, and the eastern portion of the church descended into ruin. The chapter house vault collapsed in 1750. Nave and tower underwent restoration by Weightman & Hadfield in 1852–5, and the grammar school in 1863 by Jonathan Parsons.

Catastrophe struck in 1929, when arsonists forced their way into the tower and started a major fire that destroyed the woodwork in the tower, sanctuary and choir stalls. All bar two of the bells fell to the bottom of the tower and were destroyed (these being the predecessors of today’s 8, cast by Pack & Chapman). As part of the restoration, the current ring of bells were cast in 1931 by Taylor’s and rehung lower in the tower at the base of the large windows (the previous 8 being hung at louvre level). These bells are absolutely superb and go exceptionally well, but being extremely picky they could be a fraction louder inside. Despite this, they are still easily one of the best 8s going and are incredible outside. We managed some good ringing here, the ringing including Grandsire Triples, Bristol Surprise Major, Cornwall Surprise Major, Stedman (featured in this video) and Superlative Surprise Major (starting in the order 13254768!). I already want to go back!

Tenor 22-1-3 (1132kg) in Eb.