Bells have been an important part of human culture and religion for thousands of years. Traditionally, bells are used to communicate information and bring people together. Wherever they’ve survived from the #oldworld, the sound of their ringing is usually lost in the noise.
During WWI tens of thousands of bells across Europe were confiscated and melted down for munitions, including 44 percent of the bells in Germany alone. The symbolism of taking creations meant to resonate peace and healing and turning them into creations of death and destruction…
Deacon Karl Munzinger spoke of the beloved bells in his sermon on July 22, 1917:
“It goes against any feelings that they, who like no other preach peace and should heal wounded hearts, should tear apart bodies in gruesome murders and open wounds that will never heal.”
The carillon is an instrument consisting of at least 23 bells. It originated in the Netherlands and Belgium and is their national instrument. It’s estimated that during WWI, two thirds of Belgiums bells were taken while every single one was taken from the Netherlands.
The practice continued into WWII as well. Between 1939 and 1945 an estimated 175,000 bells across Europe were seized and taken to bell cemeteries to await delivery to foundries for melting down. Some of them had been ringing since the 12th century.
“The Mussolini government forged a prewar agreement with the Vatican providing for the ‘mobilization’ of Italian bells under which half were to be claimed for war industries. As was the case in Germany at least one bell designated by authorities was to remain in every tower”
Because bell towers were often used by snipers during the wars, they were regularly targeted for destruction by artillery and bombings. Even if they weren’t melted down, the bells were almost always damaged or destroyed.
Seizing bells as spoils of war has actually been practiced for centuries. Napoleon is said to have had a tradition he called “Rachat des cloches,” or “redemption of the bells.” He would offer a conquered city the chance to buy back their bells or keep them as a prize.
Cast in 1501, the George d’Amboise was the largest bell in France. It was 10 feet tall, weighed nearly 40 thousand pounds and hung in the Rouen cathedral until 1793 when it was melted down for cannons.
Jeanne d’Arc was even bigger, weighing 20 tons, but destroyed in WWII.
Of course, these are just the facts as they’ve been given to us by mainstream history. I think there’s actually much more to the story and that an important part of the true function of the oldworld bells has been obscured.
“History is written by the victors.”
In the Buddhist tradition bells represent the heavenly enlightened voice of the Buddha imparting his teachings. It’s s also a call for protection and to ward off evil spirits.
“No man is an island,
Entire of itself.
Each is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main…
Each man's death diminishes me,
For I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee.”
There is still much more to be uncovered…
Share this Scrolly Tale with your friends.
A Scrolly Tale is a new way to read Twitter threads with a more visually immersive experience.
Discover more beautiful Scrolly Tales like this.