Peals

Peals are loud, resonant sounds that can refer to a range of strong, prolonged noises. The most familiar use is in connection with bells, where a peal describes a substantial, continuous ringing. The term can also be applied to other powerful sounds, such as a peal of thunder or a peal of laughter, conveying a sense of duration as well as volume.

In the context of change ringing on church bells, a peal has a more technical meaning. It denotes a complete sequence of bell changes that begins and ends with the bells in their starting order. A peal is produced by a team of bell-ringers following a predefined method, resulting in each bell changing position with every leadership. Because a peal involves a very long sequence, it typically lasts several hours and comprises many thousands of changes. Related formats include a half peal and a quarter peal, which are shorter sequences used for practice or testing, and a touch, which is a brief, improvised sequence of changes.

The practice of ringing peals gained prominence in England from the 17th century and is closely associated with traditional bell towers. Peal records are kept as historical or musical documents, often noting the method used, the number of changes, and the date of the performance. Beyond bells, the word remains in common usage to describe any loud, sustained sound, such as thunder or laughter.