The history of bellringers & bellringing - Ringing Societies

A Society based in London originally, but now with members all over the world. It was known as the London Scholars Society before it adopted the name 'The Society of Cumberland Youths'. The 'Royal' was added in the 1870s. [Research by John Harrison.]

The Society was founded in its present form on 6th September 1747 as 'The Society of Cumberland Youths'. The manuscripts by John E Osborn, held in the British Library, which was assembled from various source documents in the middle of the 19th century, says that in honour of the Duke of Cumberland's victory at the Battle of Culloden the Society of London Scholars (1702 to 1747) restyled themselves as the 'Cumberland Youths'. No other evidence for this claim currently exists. The word 'Royal' was added to the title during the 1870s. The new title was challenged in the Church Bells (October 1878) but its continued use is now not contested. For further background see the Ringing World (25th September 1997, pages 889 to 898). [Research and observations associated with the Council Library Certificates Collection by Chris Ridley.]

founded 1747 Formerly: London Scholars (1717-1746) [Research and observations associated with the Council Library Badge Collection by Chris Ridley.]