A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Cumberlands, Royal Society of

CUMBERLANDS, Royal Society of. This is an ancient society of change-ringers long established in London, and originally called the Society of London Scholars. But in the early part of the 18th century some members of the society rang the bells of Shoreditch Church in honour of the public entrance into London of the Duke of Cumberland, and to commemorate this event a medal was presented to the society bearing a likeness of the Royal Duke. It was on receipt of this that its members changed the name of their society to that of 'Cumberland Youths' or 'Royal Cuinberlands.'

[ C. A. W. T. ]