Songs   
I Saw Three Ships (17th century)

I Saw Three Ships (Come Sailing In) is a traditional and popular Christmas carol from England. A variant of its parent tune "Greensleeves", the earliest printed version of "I Saw Three Ships" is from the 17th century, possibly Derbyshire, and was also published by William Sandys in 1833. The lyrics mention the ships sailing into Bethlehem, but the nearest body of water is the Dead Sea about 20 miles away.

The reference to three ships is thought to originate in the three ships that bore the purported relics of the Biblical magi to Cologne Cathedral in the 12th century. Another possible reference is to Wenceslaus II, King of Bohemia, who bore a coat of arms 'Azure three galleys argent'.
Hark, The Bonny Christ Church Bells (1673)

Hark, The Bonny Christ Church Bells was composed by Henry Aldrich, an English theologian and philosopher (1647-1710). Aldrich composed a number of anthems and church services, and adapted much of the music of Palestrina and Carissimi to English words. He was also an expert on geometry, chemistry and heraldry. The carol was first published in 1673.

Christ Church, in Oxford, England, was founded in the reign of Henry VIII. Its famous bell, known as "The Great Tom", tolled every night as a signal to close the collage gates (upon which all students were supposed to be housed).