The plates

Methods

A method is the pattern a band rings: a lead of changes repeated until the bells come back to rounds. Ringers learn a method by its blue line, the path one bell takes through the rows. Each plate shows the 2nd’s path through a plain course in blue (the 3rd’s, in methods where the 2nd hunts with the treble), cut into leads and set side by side, with the treble in red. The figure above each lead is the place the blue bell starts it in.

Doubles · 5

Five bells changing, with the tenor covering behind on six.

Plain Hunt Doubles

every bell hunts

Every bell moves one place at every change, out to the back and in to the lead again. Everything else is built on it.

Notation: 5.1
Lead head: 24153
Plain course: 10 changes
First peal: 1957, Purleigh

Plain Bob Doubles

Bob, one hunt bell

Plain hunting, except that when the treble leads, one bell makes seconds and the bells above it dodge in pairs, so each lead begins in a new order.

Notation: 5.1.5.1.5,125
Lead head: 13524
Plain course: 40 changes
Calls: bob 145, single 123
First peal: 1782, Anstey, Leics

Grandsire Doubles

Bob, 2 hunt bells

Two bells hunt, the treble and the 2nd; at each lead end another bell makes thirds while those above it dodge. Grandsire was probably devised by Robert Roan around 1650.

Notation: 3,1.5.1.5.1
Lead head: 12534
Plain course: 30 changes
Calls: bob 3.1, single 3.123
First peal: 1777, St Lawrence, Alton, Hants

Stedman Doubles

a principle: no hunt bell

No hunt bell: the front three bells plain-hunt in sixes, alternately quick and slow, while the rest dodge in pairs behind them. Fabian Stedman published the principle in 1677.

Notation: 3.1.5.3.1.3,1
Lead head: 53412
Plain course: 60 changes
First peal: 1851, St Andrew, Blo' Norton, Norfolk

St Simon's Bob Doubles

Bob, one hunt bell

Plain Bob Doubles with a twist: twice in each lead, while the treble is at the back, a bell makes thirds where Plain Bob would have it lead.

Notation: 5.1.5.3.5,125
Lead head: 14253
Plain course: 40 changes
Calls: bob 145, single 123
First peal: 1911, St Andrew, Bramfield, Suffolk

Reverse Canterbury Pleasure Place Doubles

Place, one hunt bell

Plain hunting, except that as the treble leaves the lead, and again as it returns, the three bells behind it all make places. The name is the best part.

Notation: 345.1.5.1.5,125
Lead head: 14253
Plain course: 40 changes
Calls: bob 145, single 123
First peal: 1954, St Peter, Goodworth Clatford, Hampshire

Minor · 6

Six bells, all of them changing.

Plain Hunt Minor

every bell hunts

Every bell moves one place at every change, out to the back and in to the lead again. Everything else is built on it.

Notation: x16
Lead head: 241635
Plain course: 12 changes
First peal: 1969, St Helen, Trowell, Nottinghamshire

Plain Bob Minor

Bob, one hunt bell

Plain hunting, except that when the treble leads, one bell makes seconds and the bells above it dodge in pairs, so each lead begins in a new order.

Notation: x16x16x16,12
Lead head: 135264
Plain course: 60 changes
Calls: bob 14, single 1234
First peal: 1773, St John the Baptist, Garboldisham, Norfolk

Little Bob Minor

Bob, one hunt bell

Plain Bob with the treble hunting only as far as 4ths, so the leads are short and the course comes round quickly.

Notation: x16x14,12
Lead head: 164523
Plain course: 40 changes
Calls: bob 14, single 1234
First peal: 1980, St Barnabas, Swanmore, Hampshire

Single Oxford Bob Minor

Bob, one hunt bell

Like Plain Bob, but each time the treble crosses between 2nds and 3rds, a bell makes fourths just above it.

Notation: x14x16x16,12
Lead head: 156342
Plain course: 60 changes
Calls: bob 14, single 1234
First peal: 1867, St Margaret, Warnham

St Clement's College Bob Minor

Bob, one hunt bell

Plain Bob Minor with thirds made three times in every lead while the treble is at the back.

Notation: x16x36x36,12
Lead head: 142635
Plain course: 60 changes
Calls: bob 14, single 1234
First peal: 1919, Gaywood

Double Court Bob Minor

Bob, one hunt bell

Places in 3rds and 4ths break up the plain hunting. A double method: turn its blue line half a turn and it reads the same.

Notation: x14x36x16,16
Lead head: 156342
Plain course: 60 changes
Calls: bob 14, single 1456
First peal: 1922, St Guthlac, Market Deeping, Lincolnshire

Kent Treble Bob Minor

Treble Bob, one hunt bell

Treble bob: the treble dodges in every position on its way up and down. While it dodges in front, the bells in 3rds and 4ths make Kent places.

Notation: 34x34.16x12x16x12x16,16
Lead head: 142635
Plain course: 120 changes
Calls: bob 14, single 1234
First peal: 1900, Hale Magna

Oxford Treble Bob Minor

Treble Bob, one hunt bell

Treble bob like Kent, but with one pair of places in 3rds and 4ths where Kent has two.

Notation: x34x16x12x16x12x16,16
Lead head: 142635
Plain course: 120 changes
Calls: bob 14, single 1234
First peal: 1821, Garboldisham

Cambridge Surprise Minor

Surprise, one hunt bell

Usually the first Surprise method a band learns. Surprise: every time the treble moves from one dodging position to the next, some bell makes a place in the middle of the row.

Notation: x36x14x12x36x14x56,12
Lead head: 156342
Plain course: 120 changes
Calls: bob 14, single 1234
First peal: 1909, St Michael, Edenham, Lincolnshire

London Surprise Minor

Surprise, one hunt bell

Surprise: every time the treble moves from one dodging position to the next, some bell makes a place in the middle of the row.

Notation: 36x36.14x12x36.14x14.36,12
Lead head: 142635
Plain course: 120 changes
Calls: bob 14, single 1234
First peal: 1919, St Giles, Killamarsh, Derbyshire

Norwich Surprise Minor

Surprise, one hunt bell

A sixths-place method: at each lead end the bell lying behind stays there. Surprise: every time the treble moves from one dodging position to the next, some bell makes a place in the middle of the row.

Notation: x34x14x12x36x34x16,16
Lead head: 142635
Plain course: 120 changes
Calls: bob 14, single 1456
First peal: 1927, St Nicholas, Wrentham, Suffolk

Triples · 7

Seven bells changing, with the tenor covering behind on eight.

Plain Hunt Triples

every bell hunts

Every bell moves one place at every change, out to the back and in to the lead again. Everything else is built on it.

Notation: 7.1
Lead head: 2416375
Plain course: 14 changes
First peal: 1738, St Martin-in-the-Fields, Westminster

Plain Bob Triples

Bob, one hunt bell

Plain hunting, except that when the treble leads, one bell makes seconds and the bells above it dodge in pairs, so each lead begins in a new order.

Notation: 7.1.7.1.7.1.7,127
Lead head: 1352746
Plain course: 84 changes
Calls: bob 147
First peal: 1690, St Sepulchre without Newgate, Holborn Viaduct, City of London

Grandsire Triples

Bob, 2 hunt bells

Two bells hunt, the treble and the 2nd; at each lead end another bell makes thirds while those above it dodge. Grandsire was probably devised by Robert Roan around 1650.

Notation: 3,1.7.1.7.1.7.1
Lead head: 1253746
Plain course: 70 changes
Calls: bob 3.1, single 3.123
First peal: 1715, St Peter Mancroft, Norwich, Norfolk

Stedman Triples

a principle: no hunt bell

No hunt bell: the front three bells plain-hunt in sixes, alternately quick and slow, while the rest dodge in pairs behind them. Fabian Stedman published the principle in 1677.

Notation: 3.1.7.3.1.3,1
Lead head: 6347251
Plain course: 84 changes
Calls: bob 5, single 567
First peal: 1731, St Peter Mancroft, Norwich, Norfolk

Erin Triples

a principle: no hunt bell

Stedman’s cousin: its front three bells ring every six the same way (slow sixes), where Stedman alternates quick and slow.

Notation: 7,3.1.3
Lead head: 2416375
Plain course: 42 changes
Calls: bob 5, single 567
First peal: 1909, St Mary the Virgin, Gateshead, Durham

Union Triples

Bob, 2 hunt bells

Grandsire Triples with one change altered: fifths is made just before each lead end.

Notation: 3.1.7.1.7.1.7.1.7.1.7.1.5.1
Lead head: 1256734
Plain course: 70 changes
First peal: 1728, St Lawrence Jewry, London

Major · 8

Eight bells, all of them changing.

Plain Hunt Major

every bell hunts

Every bell moves one place at every change, out to the back and in to the lead again. Everything else is built on it.

Notation: x18
Lead head: 24163857
Plain course: 16 changes
First peal: 1902, All Saints, Bristol, Bristol

Plain Bob Major

Bob, one hunt bell

Plain hunting, except that when the treble leads, one bell makes seconds and the bells above it dodge in pairs, so each lead begins in a new order.

Notation: x18x18x18x18,12
Lead head: 13527486
Plain course: 112 changes
Calls: bob 14, single 1234
First peal: 1725, St Bride's, Fleet Street, City of London

Little Bob Major

Bob, one hunt bell

Plain Bob with the treble hunting only as far as 4ths, so the leads are short and the course comes round quickly.

Notation: x18x14,12
Lead head: 16482735
Plain course: 56 changes
Calls: bob 14, single 1234
First peal: 1911, St Mary the Virgin, Brading, Isle of Wight

Double Norwich Court Bob Major

Bob, one hunt bell

First pealed in Norwich in 1741. A double method: turn its blue line half a turn and it reads the same.

Notation: x14x36x58x18,18
Lead head: 18674523
Plain course: 112 changes
Calls: bob 16, single 1678
First peal: 1741, St Michael Coslany, Norwich

Kent Treble Bob Major

Treble Bob, one hunt bell

Treble bob: the treble dodges in every position on its way up and down. While it dodges in front, the bells in 3rds and 4ths make Kent places.

Notation: 34x34.18x12x18x12x18x12x18,18
Lead head: 14263857
Plain course: 224 changes
Calls: bob 14, single 1234
First peal: 1774, St Nicholas, Leeds, Kent

Cambridge Surprise Major

Surprise, one hunt bell

Usually the first Surprise method a band learns. Surprise: every time the treble moves from one dodging position to the next, some bell makes a place in the middle of the row. One of the Standard Eight Surprise Major methods.

Notation: x38x14x1258x36x14x58x16x78,12
Lead head: 15738264
Plain course: 224 changes
Calls: bob 14, single 1234
First peal: 1873, St Peter, Benington, Hertfordshire

Yorkshire Surprise Major

Surprise, one hunt bell

Surprise: every time the treble moves from one dodging position to the next, some bell makes a place in the middle of the row. One of the Standard Eight Surprise Major methods. It has the same lead heads as Cambridge, so each bell meets the places in the same order.

Notation: x38x14x58x16x12x38x14x78,12
Lead head: 15738264
Plain course: 224 changes
Calls: bob 14, single 1234
First peal: 1903, St John the Evangelist, Ranmoor, Yorkshire

Lincolnshire Surprise Major

Surprise, one hunt bell

Surprise: every time the treble moves from one dodging position to the next, some bell makes a place in the middle of the row. One of the Standard Eight Surprise Major methods. It has the same lead heads as Cambridge, so each bell meets the places in the same order.

Notation: x38x14x58x16x14x58x36x78,12
Lead head: 15738264
Plain course: 224 changes
Calls: bob 14, single 1234
First peal: 1928, St Nicolas, Nuneaton, Warwickshire

Superlative Surprise Major

Surprise, one hunt bell

Surprise: every time the treble moves from one dodging position to the next, some bell makes a place in the middle of the row. A double method: turn its blue line half a turn and it reads the same. One of the Standard Eight Surprise Major methods. It has the same lead heads as Cambridge, so each bell meets the places in the same order.

Notation: x36x14x58x36x14x58x36x78,12
Lead head: 15738264
Plain course: 224 changes
Calls: bob 14, single 1234
First peal: 1821, St Peter, Huddersfield

Rutland Surprise Major

Surprise, one hunt bell

Surprise: every time the treble moves from one dodging position to the next, some bell makes a place in the middle of the row. One of the Standard Eight Surprise Major methods.

Notation: x38x14x58x16x14x38x34x18,12
Lead head: 14263857
Plain course: 224 changes
Calls: bob 14, single 1234
First peal: 1923, St Mary and St Laurence, Bolsover, Derbyshire

Pudsey Surprise Major

Surprise, one hunt bell

Surprise: every time the treble moves from one dodging position to the next, some bell makes a place in the middle of the row. One of the Standard Eight Surprise Major methods. It has the same lead heads as Cambridge, so each bell meets the places in the same order.

Notation: x58x16x12x38x14x58x16x78,12
Lead head: 15738264
Plain course: 224 changes
Calls: bob 14, single 1234
First peal: 1924, St Mary and St Laurence, Bolsover, Derbyshire

London Surprise Major

Surprise, one hunt bell

Surprise: every time the treble moves from one dodging position to the next, some bell makes a place in the middle of the row. One of the Standard Eight Surprise Major methods.

Notation: 38x38.14x12x38.14x14.58.16x16.58,12
Lead head: 14263857
Plain course: 224 changes
Calls: bob 14, single 1234
First peal: 1835, St Andrew, Norwich, Norfolk

Bristol Surprise Major

Surprise, one hunt bell

Its lead end is made at the back, yet like Kent it is called with fourths-place bobs. Surprise: every time the treble moves from one dodging position to the next, some bell makes a place in the middle of the row. A double method: turn its blue line half a turn and it reads the same. One of the Standard Eight Surprise Major methods.

Notation: x58x14.58x58.36.14x14.58x14x18,18
Lead head: 14263857
Plain course: 224 changes
Calls: bob 14, single 1234
First peal: 1901, St Peter, Brighton, Sussex

Caters · 9

Nine bells changing, with the tenor covering behind on ten.

Plain Hunt Caters

every bell hunts

Every bell moves one place at every change, out to the back and in to the lead again. Everything else is built on it.

Notation: 9.1
Lead head: 241638597
Plain course: 18 changes
First peal: 1973, Cathedral Church of St Mary the Virgin, Blackburn, Lancashire

Grandsire Caters

Bob, 2 hunt bells

Two bells hunt, the treble and the 2nd; at each lead end another bell makes thirds while those above it dodge. Grandsire was probably devised by Robert Roan around 1650.

Notation: 3,1.9.1.9.1.9.1.9.1
Lead head: 125374968
Plain course: 126 changes
Calls: bob 3.1, single 3.123
First peal: 1717, St Bride, London

Stedman Caters

a principle: no hunt bell

No hunt bell: the front three bells plain-hunt in sixes, alternately quick and slow, while the rest dodge in pairs behind them. Fabian Stedman published the principle in 1677.

Notation: 3.1.9.3.1.3,1
Lead head: 634829175
Plain course: 108 changes
Calls: bob 7, single 789
First peal: 1787, St John Horsleydown, Southwark, Surrey

Royal · 10

Ten bells, all of them changing.

Plain Hunt Royal

every bell hunts

Every bell moves one place at every change, out to the back and in to the lead again. Everything else is built on it.

Notation: x10
Lead head: 2416385079
Plain course: 20 changes
First peal: 1972, St Peter and St Paul, Cudham, Greater London

Plain Bob Royal

Bob, one hunt bell

Plain hunting, except that when the treble leads, one bell makes seconds and the bells above it dodge in pairs, so each lead begins in a new order.

Notation: x10x10x10x10x10,12
Lead head: 1352749608
Plain course: 180 changes
Calls: bob 14, single 1234
First peal: 1725, St Bride, London

Cambridge Surprise Royal

Surprise, one hunt bell

Usually the first Surprise method a band learns. Surprise: every time the treble moves from one dodging position to the next, some bell makes a place in the middle of the row.

Notation: x30x14x1250x36x1470x58x16x70x18x90,12
Lead head: 1573920486
Plain course: 360 changes
Calls: bob 14, single 1234
First peal: 1822, All Saints, Wakefield, Yorkshire

Yorkshire Surprise Royal

Surprise, one hunt bell

Surprise: every time the treble moves from one dodging position to the next, some bell makes a place in the middle of the row. It has the same lead heads as Cambridge, so each bell meets the places in the same order.

Notation: x30x14x50x16x1270x38x14x50x16x90,12
Lead head: 1573920486
Plain course: 360 changes
Calls: bob 14, single 1234
First peal: 1921, St Mary and All Saints, Chesterfield, Derbyshire

Cinques · 11

Eleven bells changing, with the tenor covering behind on twelve.

Plain Hunt Cinques

every bell hunts

Every bell moves one place at every change, out to the back and in to the lead again. Everything else is built on it.

Notation: E.1
Lead head: 241638507E9
Plain course: 22 changes
First peal: 1975, St Michael and All Angels, Ashton under Lyne, Greater Manchester

Grandsire Cinques

Bob, 2 hunt bells

Two bells hunt, the treble and the 2nd; at each lead end another bell makes thirds while those above it dodge. Grandsire was probably devised by Robert Roan around 1650.

Notation: 3,1.E.1.E.1.E.1.E.1.E.1
Lead head: 12537496E80
Plain course: 198 changes
Calls: bob 3.1, single 3.123
First peal: 1725, St Bride's, Fleet Street, City of London

Stedman Cinques

a principle: no hunt bell

No hunt bell: the front three bells plain-hunt in sixes, alternately quick and slow, while the rest dodge in pairs behind them. Fabian Stedman published the principle in 1677.

Notation: 3.1.E.3.1.3,1
Lead head: 6348201E597
Plain course: 132 changes
Calls: bob 9, single 90E
First peal: 1788, St Martin in the Fields, Westminster, Middlesex

Maximus · 12

Twelve bells, all of them changing.

Plain Hunt Maximus

every bell hunts

Every bell moves one place at every change, out to the back and in to the lead again. Everything else is built on it.

Notation: x1T
Lead head: 241638507T9E
Plain course: 24 changes
First peal: 1991, All Saints, Worcester

Plain Bob Maximus

Bob, one hunt bell

Plain hunting, except that when the treble leads, one bell makes seconds and the bells above it dodge in pairs, so each lead begins in a new order.

Notation: x1Tx1Tx1Tx1Tx1Tx1T,12
Lead head: 13527496E8T0
Plain course: 264 changes
Calls: bob 14, single 1234
First peal: 1726, St Bride's, Fleet Street, City of London

Cambridge Surprise Maximus

Surprise, one hunt bell

Usually the first Surprise method a band learns. Surprise: every time the treble moves from one dodging position to the next, some bell makes a place in the middle of the row.

Notation: x3Tx14x125Tx36x147Tx58x169Tx70x18x9Tx10xET,12
Lead head: 157392E4T608
Plain course: 528 changes
Calls: bob 14, single 1234
First peal: 1908, St Mary le Tower, Ipswich, Suffolk

Bristol Surprise Maximus

Surprise, one hunt bell

Its lead end is made at the back, yet like Kent it is called with fourths-place bobs. Surprise: every time the treble moves from one dodging position to the next, some bell makes a place in the middle of the row. A double method: turn its blue line half a turn and it reads the same.

Notation: x5Tx14.5Tx5T.36.14x7T.58.16x9T.70.18x18.9Tx18x1T,1T
Lead head: 1795E3T20486
Plain course: 528 changes
Calls: bob 14, single 1234
First peal: 1950, Cathedral Church of St Martin, Leicester, Leicestershire

Notation, lead heads and first peals from the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers’ methods library, as exported on 28 September 2026. The Council lists plain hunting under the name “Original”. Calls are the ones usually rung with each method.