Horse’s owner

The ‘horse of nage bells, still the property of Carlisle Corporation are pronounced possibly unique’. They are globular in form. The largest, which is 21/4 inches in diamter, is of silver gilt, and bears on a band round its centre the inscription: ÷ THE ÷ SWEFTES ÷ HORSE ÷ THES ÷ BEL ÷ TO ÷ TAK ÷ FOR ÷ MY ÷ LADE ÷ DAKAR ÷ SAKE The other bell, also of silver, is smaller in size and bears the legend 1599, H.B.M.C. being the initials of Henry Baines, Mayor of Carlisle 1599. The Bells are proudly on display today on the front of the Parade Ring Lawn.

From History of Cumberland

This Lady Dacar has been identified with Elizabeth, daughter of George Talbot, fourth Earl of Shrewsbury and wife of William, Lord Dacar of Gillesland, who was governor of Carlisle early in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. But the identification is fanciful. The bell given by ‘milade Dacar’ cannot be of a later date than the period in question though it may possibly be much earlier. The bells have achieved considerable fame since they were re-discovered in an old box in the town clerks office in 1880. The ‘Carlisle or Dacar Bell’ is considered to be the oldest racing bell in the annals of racing. A rival bell said to be presented by William the Lion to Lanark in 1160, was found by experts to have been made by seventeenth century silversmiths.