Bell-ringer
Encyclopedia
A bell-ringer is a person who rings, tolls or peal
s a large bell
, usually a church bell
, by tugging on a long rope. Since the invention of the carillon
, the need for bell ringers has declined. Also some churches have replaced bell-ringing altogether with a loudspeaker
that plays bell music from a computer or music player.
The profession saw spectacular revival in Russia, paralleling growth of the Russian Orthodox Church
influence (see Russian Orthodox bell ringing
).
, it was believed that the sound of a bell could disperse thunder. A large number of bell-ringers were electrocuted as a result. For example, in France between the years 1753 and 1786, 103 bell-ringers were killed during thunderstorms as a result of holding on to wet bell ropes. The Parlement of Paris
enforced an edict in 1786 to forbid the practice. Deaths likely continued until the 19th century, when the lightning rod
came into general use.
Peal
A peal is the name given to a specific type of performance of change ringing. The precise definition of a peal has changed considerably over the years...
s a large bell
Bell (instrument)
A bell is a simple sound-making device. The bell is a percussion instrument and an idiophone. Its form is usually a hollow, cup-shaped object, which resonates upon being struck...
, usually a church bell
Church bell
A church bell is a bell which is rung in a church either to signify the hour or the time for worshippers to go to church, perhaps to attend a wedding, funeral, or other service...
, by tugging on a long rope. Since the invention of the carillon
Carillon
A carillon is a musical instrument that is typically housed in a free-standing bell tower, or the belfry of a church or other municipal building. The instrument consists of at least 23 cast bronze, cup-shaped bells, which are played serially to play a melody, or sounded together to play a chord...
, the need for bell ringers has declined. Also some churches have replaced bell-ringing altogether with a loudspeaker
Loudspeaker
A loudspeaker is an electroacoustic transducer that produces sound in response to an electrical audio signal input. Non-electrical loudspeakers were developed as accessories to telephone systems, but electronic amplification by vacuum tube made loudspeakers more generally useful...
that plays bell music from a computer or music player.
The profession saw spectacular revival in Russia, paralleling growth of the Russian Orthodox Church
Russian Orthodox Church
The Russian Orthodox Church or, alternatively, the Moscow Patriarchate The ROC is often said to be the largest of the Eastern Orthodox churches in the world; including all the autocephalous churches under its umbrella, its adherents number over 150 million worldwide—about half of the 300 million...
influence (see Russian Orthodox bell ringing
Russian Orthodox bell ringing
Russian Orthodox bell ringing has a history starting from the baptism of Rus in 988 and plays an important role in the traditions of the Russian Orthodox Church.-Theology:The ringing of bells is one of the most essential elements of an Orthodox church...
).
Hazards
In the Middle AgesMiddle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
, it was believed that the sound of a bell could disperse thunder. A large number of bell-ringers were electrocuted as a result. For example, in France between the years 1753 and 1786, 103 bell-ringers were killed during thunderstorms as a result of holding on to wet bell ropes. The Parlement of Paris
Parlement
Parlements were regional legislative bodies in Ancien Régime France.The political institutions of the Parlement in Ancien Régime France developed out of the previous council of the king, the Conseil du roi or curia regis, and consequently had ancient and customary rights of consultation and...
enforced an edict in 1786 to forbid the practice. Deaths likely continued until the 19th century, when the lightning rod
Lightning rod
A lightning rod or lightning conductor is a metal rod or conductor mounted on top of a building and electrically connected to the ground through a wire, to protect the building in the event of lightning...
came into general use.
See also
- Bolognese bell ringing artBolognese bell ringing artThe Bolognese bell ringing system took shape during the Middle Ages, and was perfected in the 19th century.-History:During the 16th century there was a competitive spirit between Rome and Bologna. At that time the Basilica of San Petronio in Bologna was still under construction, and was intended to...
- Change ringingChange ringingChange ringing is the art of ringing a set of tuned bells in a series of mathematical patterns called "changes". It differs from many other forms of campanology in that no attempt is made to produce a conventional melody....
- CampanologyCampanologyCampanology is the study of bells. It encompasses the physical realities of bells — how they are cast, tuned and sounded — as well as the various methods devised to perform bell-ringing....
- Christmas kettleChristmas kettleChristmas kettle is The Salvation Army's most famous street campaign. It is most recognized during the Christmas season through its volunteers who stand outside of businesses and play or sing Christmas carols, or ring bells to inspire passersby to place donations of cash and checks inside the...