Illustrated Dictionary of British Churches - Belfry Definition

History and Architecture

Belfry

The original meaning of belfry was a moveable tower, of the sort used by armed forces besieging a castle. By the medieval period the term had come to mean a watch tower, or tower used to house an alarm bell. The term gradually came to be used for a church tower, and then specifically that upper part of the tower where church bells hang. It is still sometimes used to refer to the entire bell tower, but more often to the bell chamber within the tower. From the exterior, the location of this chamber can be determined by the location of louvered window openings which allow the sound of the ringing bells to carry over the surrounding area.

Related: Bell Tower  




English Heritage

English Heritage membership

English Heritage membership

Free entry to English Heritage properties throughout England, plus discounted admission to Historic Scotland and Cadw properties in Scotland and Wales.

Membership details

About English Heritage


HISTORY CORNER
Name the mystery historic attraction
See larger image



This Benedictine monk and scholar succeeded Lanfranc as Archbishop of Canterbury in 1093



17 June, 1567

Mary, Queen of Scots gaoled at Lochleven Castle

The Lords of Covenant imprison the queen and force her to abdicate

This Danish king was followed by Edward the Confessor



Passionate about British Heritage!