Paddington historian finds 16th century Rome bell in garden

The solid bronze item, which dates back to the 16th century and was cast at the time of Queen Elizabeth I, was previously fixed in the heart of the historic city.

But it has been located in the garden of an English home by Paddington historian James Balme, whose research shows it was cast way back in 1557.

James, who also presents historical documentaries and specialises in researching, writing and filmmaking about ancient churches in Britain, says he was amazed by the discovery.

The bell is one of only a handful of its kind to have ever reached the shores of England, making the find almost unique.

It was cast in the same year that Sir Francis Drake set sail to engage the Spanish fleet off the coast of the Americas, however the bell has a fascinating history of its own.

This history had been lost for more than 122 years until James, who has been researching and searching for lost ecclesiastical treasures for many years, rediscovered it.

The historic Sanctus bell rescued by James

“This bronze Sanctus bell is the discovery of a lifetime, and one that is of national importance,” he said.

“Upon realising the importance and rarity of this sacred bell, I knew it had to be rescued.

“The bell was in danger of being broken up when it was first rescued.

“Some 445 years since it was cast in the 16th century in Italy, this highly important religious ecclesiastical treasure has finally been rescued from destruction and given back its rightful place in history.”

The bell, which is around 21” in height and weighs 63kg, carries a Latin inscription dedicated to St Agatha of Catania.

It also bears the name of its founder Joannes Melo, and the fact that it was cast in Vervlanus, or as we know it today, Veroli in Italy.

Paddington historian James Balme with the Sanctus bell he rescued

In addition, the bell also features the religious orthodox icon known as the Extreme Humility, portraying Jesus Christ lay down in a coffin with hands crossed following his crucifixion.

James is no stranger to making such discoveries after previously tracking down other lost religious valuables, including a 12th century Norman stone font being used as a garden planter and a 14th century monastic stone gable cross with the image of Mary Magdalene.

It was his historical detective work that led to this find, unearthing documents and evidence that allowed him to trace the bell back to the actual church in Rome where it hung in 1577.

This led to the fascinating story of how the bell made its way to England in 1900, and the famous person who brought it here.

James first spotted the bell when it was being advertised for sale as second-hand, having been used as a garden ornament for some time.

It was listed as being made in 1893, but James knew immediately that it was centuries older due to its profile, material and Latin inscription, including the date MDLXXVII – 1577.

The bell features the Extreme Humility icon

His initial research led him to a church in Hendon, London, where the bell had hung between 1901 and 1926 before closing, leaving a mystery as to where the bell had gone.

Further investigations tracked down an article published in a journal in 1902 by Welbore St. Clair Baddeley – a famous poet, dramatist, archaeologist, world traveller and historian of the time.

It was revealed that he was a regular visitor to Italy, and in 1900 he rescued the Sanctus bell from the church in Rome from being broken up and smelted down.

This was proof that this was the same bell as the one James had rescued once again 122 years later.

If final proof was needed, it came a few days later when James found a book written in 1912 by H.B. Walters entitled Church Bells of England.

The book listed the Sanctus bell that James had found confirming the same date of 1577, the church in Hendon, the bell founder, the place of casting and the Latin inscription word-for-word.