When he was eight his father died and his mother gave him into the charge of her brother, Francis Daniel of Acton in Suffolk, a man of wealth, learning and piety.

[3] Bell received the habit of the Franciscan Order at Segovia, Spain on 8 August 1618, taking the religious name Francis.

After the completion of his novitiate and the ordination to priesthood, he was called from Spain to labour in the restoration of the English province of the Franciscans.

He was one of the first members of the Franciscan community at Douai, where he subsequently taught as a professor of Hebrew and fulfilled the office of the guardian (superior of a convent).

When condemned to be hanged, drawn and quartered it is said that he broke forth into a solemn Te Deum and thanked his judges profusely for the favour they were conferring upon him in allowing him to die for Christ.