{{Short description|Small framework and shelter for one or more bells}} {{see also|Bell-gable|Bell tower}} A '''bellcote''', '''bell-cote''' or '''bell-cot''' is a small framework and shelter for one or more bells. Bellcotes are most common in church architecture but are also seen on institutions such as schools. The bellcote may be carried on brackets projecting from a wall or built on the roof of chapels or churches that have no towers.<ref name="sturgis284">{{cite book |last1=Sturgis |first1=Russell |title=A Dictionary of Architecture and Building, Volume I |date=1901 |publisher=Macmillan |page=284}}</ref> The bellcote often holds the Sanctus bell that is rung at the consecration of the Eucharist.
The bellcote is mentioned throughout history books when referring to older structures and communities. ''Bromsgrove church: its history and antiquities'' is one example which goes into depth about the construction and maintenance of the bellcote. [https://books.google.com/books?id=WAAIAAAAQAAJ&dq=bell-cot+english+history&pg=PA113] Bellcotes are also discussed in The Wiltshire Archæological and Natural History Magazine, [https://books.google.com/books?id=vYA_AQAAMAAJ&dq=bell-cot+english+history&pg=PA95 Volume 8] and [https://books.google.com/books?id=k-NAAAAAYAAJ&dq=bell-cot+english+history&pg=RA2-PA49 Proceedings of the Somersetshire Archaeological and Natural ..., Volume 29].
A bell-gable is similar, located at the apex of a gable or building end wall.<ref name="sturgis286">{{cite book |last1=Sturgis |first1=Russell |title=A Dictionary of Architecture and Building, Volume I |date=1901 |publisher=Macmillan |page=286}}</ref>
==Etymology == ''Bellcote'' is a compound noun of the words ''bell'' and ''cot'' or ''cote''.<ref>{{cite OED2|bell (IV.11.a)|volume=2|page=88}}</ref> ''Bell'' is self-explanatory. The word ''cot'' or ''cote'' is Old English, from Germanic. It means a shelter of some kind, especially for birds or animals (see dovecote), a shed, or stall.<ref>{{cite OED2|cote|volume=3|page=994}}</ref>
{{Gallery|title=Examples of bellcotes |File:St Edmund's Church, Church Road, Wootton (May 2016) (Bell-cot).JPG|Bellcote at St Edmund's Church, Wootton, Isle of Wight, England |File:Stanford Road School (former Board School), Prestonville, Brighton (December 2013) (Bell-cot).JPG|Bellcote at Stanford Road School, Prestonville, Brighton, England. |File:StAlbanTheMartyr Oxford bellcot.JPG|Bellcote on the parish church of St Alban the Martyr, Charles Street, Cowley, Oxford. |File:Bellcot on St Thomas's Church, Eaton - geograph.org.uk - 274135.jpg|Bellcote on St Thomas' Church, Eaton, Cheshire. }}
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Bells}}
Category:Church architecture
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