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{{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 [[Bracket (architecture)|brackets]] projecting from a wall or built on the roof of [[chapel]]s 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 [[Church bell#Types|Sanctus bell]] that is rung at the [[Consecration#Eucharist|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#Etymology|''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, Oxfordshire|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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