Join us this Whit Sunday as we resurrect an ancient tradition commemorating Princess Elizabeth’s visit in May 1554 to give thanks for the bellringers of our parish. 

On 19 May 1554 Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth I) was released from the Tower of London after being imprisoned since Palm Sunday by her sister. The records state that one of her first acts as a free woman was to visit the bellringers at All Hallows Staining (now part of this parish). She bought new bell ropes to thank them for their work – which she said kept her spirits up while she was a prisoner. Then she went to have lunch next door, dining on pork and pease. The Royal visit is commemorated in a stained glass window in the parish church of St Olave Hart Street, of which All Hallows Staining now forms a part.

Her visit to the parish used to be commemorated at a special “Elizabethan” service every year. The tradition lasted over 260 years before falling into abeyance with a brief resurgence after the Second World War, when The Clothworkers’ Company put on a grand lunch in Trinity House, with pork and pease on the menu and Princess Alice, Queen Victoria’s granddaughter, was the guest of honour.

We have decided to resurrect the tradition this year on Whit Sunday – 24th May at 11am at St Olave Hart Street. Following our service of Holy Communion, which will include a baptism, our bellringers – the University of London Society of Change Ringers – will ring a special quarterpeal in honour of Elizabeth’s visit, including ‘Queens’ and ‘Fire’ ringing. We will enjoy the sound of the bells from the churchyard where pork and pease will be served in honour of Princess Elizabeth’s visit. 

The service and ringing is free to attend. Please register if you wish to attend to help us with catering. Donations towards the cost of catering are welcome.