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.^[1] 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. [1] Bellcotes are also discussed in The Wiltshire Archæological and Natural History Magazine, Volume 8 and 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.^[2]

Etymology

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Bellcote is a compound noun of the words bell and cot or cote.^[3] 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.^[4]

Examples of bellcotes

Bellcote at St Edmund's Church, Wootton, Isle of Wight, England
Bellcote at Stanford Road School, Prestonville, Brighton, England.
Bellcote on the parish church of St Alban the Martyr, Charles Street, Cowley, Oxford.
Bellcote on St Thomas' Church, Eaton, Cheshire.

References

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^ Sturgis, Russell (1901). A Dictionary of Architecture and Building, Volume I. Macmillan. p. 284.
^ Sturgis, Russell (1901). A Dictionary of Architecture and Building, Volume I. Macmillan. p. 286.
^ "bell (IV.11.a)". Oxford English Dictionary. Vol. 2 (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press. 1989. p. 88.
^ "cote". Oxford English Dictionary. Vol. 3 (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press. 1989. p. 994.

v t e Bells
Background and terminology	Bell Bell-cot Bellfounding Bell-gable Bell pattern Bell tower / Campanile Bell-ringer Bell shrine Belfry Bourdon Campanology (index) Peal Ring of bells Strike tone Striking clock Zvonnitsa
Types	Agogô Altar bell Aluphone Babendil Bell tree Bianzhong Bicycle bell Bonshō Call bell Cat bell Church bell Cowbell Crotal bell Dead bell Doorbell Dōtaku Ghanta Handbell Jingle bell Kane Mini-ring Ship's bell Servant bell Standing bell Suzu Tintinnabulum Tubular bells
Ringing styles	Chiming Carillon Chime Canpanò Ellacombe apparatus Russian Orthodox bell ringing Blagovest Full circle ringing Change ringing Call changes Method ringing Bolognese bell ringing Veronese bell ringing
Notable bells	List of heaviest bells Balangiga bells Bell of Good Luck Bell of King Seongdeok Big Ben Freedom Bell Great Bell of Dhammazedi Great Tom Ivan the Great Bell Tower Japanese Peace Bell Justice Bell Liberty Bell Maria Gloriosa Mingun Bell Bells of Notre-Dame de Paris Olympic Bell Petersglocke Sigismund Bell Swan Bells Temple Bell (Boston) Tsar Bell World Peace Bells Kentucky Yongle Big Bell
Bell founders and foundries	Bergholtz [sv] Bilbie family Andrey Chokhov Cockey Royal Eijsbouts Kashpir Ganusov Vanden Gheyn Gillett & Johnston Grassmayr Miles Graye Hatch Pieter and François Hemony Christopher Hodson Franciscus Illenfeld Juutila Marinelli McShane Meneely John Murphy Olsen Nauen Glockengießerei Otto Paccard Petit & Fritsen Richard Phelps Rudhall John and William Rufford Saarlouiser Glockengießerei Schilling [de] Taylor Hugh Watts Warner Whitechapel Geert van Wou
Related	Dove's Guide for Church Bell Ringers Glockenmuseum Stiftskirche Herrenberg Liberty Bell Memorial Museum Liberty Bell Museum National Bell Festival Ringing organizations Freedom Bell, American Legion All the Bells