Because frequent ringing of bells in bell-towers of the town, especially that of St. Margaret's, threatens serious costs or injuries to the townspeople, damage to the towers, and danger to approaching ships, it is ordained that the great bells in St. Margaret's main tower and in the chapels of St. James and St. Nicholas shall not toll for the dead except for brethren of the great gild of Holy Trinity and their wives, or for the Prior and monks [of St. Margaret's priory], or other worthy persons according to their social status at the discretion of the wardens of the church or chapels. No bell is to be tolled for a longer period than the day of the individual's death or its anniversary, except for one hour (with pauses), for which the sacristan shall receive 10d. if the great bells are used or 6d. if the lesser bells.

[One of the dangers that prompted this ordinance is exemplified by Margery Kempe's report, a few years later, of a stone falling from the church.]