Dismantling and removing a bell weighing over three tonnes remains a challenge even today. It was an even greater challenge in the early 18th century, as was, indeed, its re-installation.

In 1699, the then 17-year-old Charles XII Wittelsbach, who had been King of Sweden for two years, did not expect that Frederick Augustus I, Elector of Saxony—who was also King of Poland (August II)— King Christian V of Denmark and Tsar Peter I, later known as Peter the Great, would form an alliance, referred to in later historiography as the Northern League. The aim of the alliance was to defeat Sweden and secure territorial gains – Denmark sought to reclaim Scania, Russia sought to reclaim Ingria and Karelia, and Frederick Augustus I sought to reclaim Livonia. However, Charles XII’s army defeated its opponents one by one, and the Swedish monarch decided to dethrone the Polish king.

The first hostilities of the Polish–Swedish War, known as the Great Northern War (1700–1721), caused concern amongst the inhabitants of Toruń. Tomasz Działyński, Treasurer of the Prussian Lands, appealed at the time for the payment of wages owed to the Crown Army since 1694. However, this did not meet with support from the authorities in Gdańsk, Toruń or Elbląg. It was not until the summer of 1701, when there was a risk that Saxon troops would be stationed in these towns, that the issue of outstanding taxes was revisited. No conclusion was reached, however, so the taxes remained unpaid. Towards the end of 1702, the Senate Council held a session in Toruń, and King Augustus II was therefore also in the city, where he received the support of the assembled body. For a time, Wettin stayed in the city, in a townhouse on the corner of the Old Town Square and Mariacka Street (the Wachschlager townhouse).

At the start of the following year, the monarch decided to reinforce the Toruń garrison with 2,000, and subsequently 5,900, Saxon soldiers, who were to protect the city from the Swedish forces. Despite initial protests from the city authorities, the troops were accepted and entered the city. Shortly afterwards, Charles XII’s army began the siege of Toruń and shelled the city, as a result of which it suffered serious damage. Furthermore, the protracted blockade led to rising prices in the city and, in time, to the spread of dysentery and cholera. On 14 October 1703, the Saxon garrison surrendered and allowed Swedish troops to enter the city walls. Charles XII ordered the city’s fortifications to be blown up to prevent another Saxon siege in the future, and imposed heavy war taxes on the inhabitants. Gradually, the Prussian nobility defected to the Swedish side, declaring their anti-Saxon stance in an attempt to protect their property from looting and further financially draining contributions.

One of the most spectacular items taken from Toruń was a Gothic bell over 1.5 metres in diameter and weighing more than three tonnes. It was removed from St James’s Church by Swedish troops shortly after they entered the city. In 1702, a fire broke out at Uppsala Cathedral, which suffered damage as a result; the bells in use at the time were also damaged. It is likely that there were plans to melt down the Toruń bell, but – according to legend – the priests persuaded one of the commanders to hand over the intact bell to Uppsala, whilst in exchange they gave the army the other, damaged one.

The new bell was named ‘Toruńczyk’ (Thornan) and was taken to Uppsala around 1705; four years later, it was hung in the church’s north tower. At the same time, other bells were also taken, but, for example, one cast in the 17th century cracked and was most likely remelted. ‘Toruńczyk’ bears the town seal of Chełmno (SIGILLUM BURGENSIUM IN COLMEN) on its surface, which suggests the place where it was cast, as well as a reference to St James. After it was taken away by Swedish troops, a further inscription was added, stating that it had been taken from Toruń with God’s help by King Charles XII in October 1703.