Bell of Huesca

The Bell of Huesca is a legend describing how Ramiro II of Aragon, the Monk, cut off the heads of twelve nobles who did not obey him.

After Alfonso I of Aragon died in 1134, leaving no descendants, his brother Ramiro, bishop of Roda de Isábena, inherited the Kingdom of Aragón, then one of the states of the Iberian Peninsula.

The kingdom was facing a number of other domestic and foreign problems at the time.

The Chronicle of San Juan de la Peña from the 14th century tells how Ramiro II became so concerned about his nobles abusing his patience that he sent a herald to the Abbey of Saint-Pons-de-Thomières to ask for advice from his former master.

After the heralds return, Ramiro II sent a message to the chief noble, saying that he wanted help in order to build a bell that could be heard all over Aragón.