Bill East wrote:
<[chopchop]...The difficulty arises when two monasteries, like Rievaulx and
Old Byland, are within earshot of each other; then the confusion arises. The
monks couldn't look at their wrist-watches
to check if that was their bell ringing, or the other firm's.
Good point, O Oriens.
But my very limited experience of living for months at a time in Chartres
(mostly in the Winter, when aural senses are heightened) and having part of my
(very secular) life regulated by the comparatively few (understatement!) bells
which survive in that special town leads me to suggest that each bell has its
own, peculiar and very ideosyncratic sound (as well as *name*, for the larger
ones of the Cathedral).
The overall effect is the creation of a very special *aural* space which,
though now in ruins, remains quite powerful in its effect (*and* is an
excellent compliment to the [also ruined] visual space), forming a very
important part of the experience of living in a medieval town.
At least for one modern person.
Best to all from here.
Christopher
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