Laon Local Customs

At the end of the 12C , civilization was turning to an era of enlightenment. Almost immediately St. Francis would be preaching about humane treatment for and nobility of animals. He would create the Crèche scene with a loving Ox and Ass attending. But there were stirrings before he came. If you look at the upper levels of the West towers, you will see immense statues of oxen peering out. These beasts of burden were used to drag the stones and work the treadmills that lifted them to build the towers. There is even a story told recounting how an Ox suddenly appeared on the scene and “volunteered” to replace an exhausted fellow beast on the treads!