Main content

The Great Tower of Magdalen College, Oxford

Bells on Sunday comes from the Great Tower of Magdalen College, Oxford.

Bells on Sunday comes from the Great Tower of Magdalen College, Oxford. Magdalen College was founded in 1458 by William of Waynfleet, and the Great Tower was completed in 1509. The tower contains ten bells, with a tenor weighing 17 hundredweight and tuned to E. The oldest of the bells dates from c1410, actually predating the foundation of the college by almost 50 years. The tower is most famous for the annual May Morning celebration, when thousands gather at 6am on the streets to hear the college choir sing from the roof the Hymus Eucharisticus followed by the bells ringing out. We hear them ringing Grandsire Caters.

Available now

2 minutes

Broadcasts

  • Sun 1 May 2022 05:43
  • Mon 2 May 2022 00:45

Hear the Bells of Notre Dame

Hear the Bells of Notre Dame

Though silenced for now, the great bell 'Emmanuel' will lead the majestic chorus again...