March 2012 page 36
Chris H. K. Williams

English Reformation and Protestant Scratch Dials of the 16th & 17th Centuries

This article examines how English church dials changed during the Reformation, contrasting the colorful, symbolic Catholic 360° dials with the minimalistic, functional Protestant 180° and 90° scratch dials. It uses dial data to inform historical debate on the pace and spread of Protestantism across England.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials, How Sundials Work

March 2011 page 36
Chris H. K. Williams

English Scratch (Mass) Dials: The Ravages of Time Revisited

This article revisits previous estimates of scratch dial loss, incorporating dial age structure to provide more precise understanding of historical and future loss dynamics. It analyzes the impact of rebuilding and weathering, noting weathering's increasing dominance over time and the implications for conservation.
Restoration projects, Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials

September 2011 page 20
Chris H. K. Williams

English Mass & Scratch Dials c.1250–c.1650 Combining statistical and religious evidence

This article examines the evolution of English mass and scratch dials between c.1250 and c.1650, linking changes in their appearance to the Reformation. It argues that understanding these dials requires interpreting them within their contemporaneous religious and iconographic contexts, highlighting the dramatic shift from elaborate Catholic church decoration to Protestant minimalism, which significantly impacted dial design around 1500.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials, How Sundials Work

September 2011 page 37
Michael Lowne
Chris H. K. Williams
Peter I. Drinkwater
David A. Young

Readers’ Letters

This section compiles several letters from readers. Michael Lowne provides a complex formula for calculating shadow length from gnomon angle. Chris Williams praises Peter Drinkwater's article on scratch dials, linking them to medieval manuscripts. Peter Drinkwater responds on the transmission of scratch dial technology and the function of water clocks. David Young corrects a historical detail about BSS conference venues.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials, Mathematics of Dialling, The BSS and Members

December 2011 page 29
Chris H. K. Williams

Medieval Catholic English Mass Dials of the 14th and 15th Centuries

This article explores the original appearance and symbolic meaning of medieval Catholic mass dials, arguing they were vibrantly coloured and rich in symbolism, unlike their current monochrome remnants. It suggests symbolism, such as the sun representing God's light or 360-degree dials signifying day and night, was often more important than time indication, reflecting the deep religious context of the era.
Sundial Design & Layout, Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials

March 2010 page 14
Chris H. K. Williams

The English Scratch & Mass Dial Era: Origins to c.1250

Discusses the challenges of studying early English mass dials due to limited surviving evidence, with only about 50 Saxon dials recorded. It argues that the predominance of timber for early churches means most dials were wooden and have not survived, proposing a hypothesis of near-universal dial use.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials

March 2010 page 21
Alessandro Gunella
Michael Lowne
Tony Wood
Doug Bateman
Chris H. K. Williams

Readers’ Letters

A collection of letters from readers. Topics include a simpler graphical method for using the John Marke altitude dial, a discussion on the nomenclature of mass dials, the 'Sun Position Compass', and the historical connection between clockmakers and dialmakers.
Dials: Mass Dials, Dials: Portable, Mathematics of Dialling, The BSS and Members

June 2010 page 14
Chris H. K. Williams

English Mass & Scratch Dial Prevalence – a Preliminary Comparison with France

This article presents a preliminary comparison of mass and scratch dial prevalence between England and France, drawing on newly available French mass dial listings. It discusses the 'England different' versus 'England typical' hypotheses and concludes that English findings are of wider European significance at a fundamental and structural level, consistent with the universality and multiplicity of mass dials.
Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials

September 2010 page 9
Chris H. K. Williams

Book Review

This is a review of 'Time Reckoning in the Medieval World – A study of Anglo-Saxon and Early Norman Sundials' by D. Scott & M. Cowham. The monograph is praised for its comprehensive cataloguing of 75 early dials and its nuanced approach to their context, challenging previous interpretations of dating and timekeeping systems.
Book Reviews, Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials

September 2010 page 24
Chris H. K. Williams

The Evolution of English Mass & Scratch Dials c.1250-c.1650. Pt. 1: Dial Categorisation

This article addresses the problematic categorisation of English mass and scratch dials from c.1250-c.1650, proposing a new threefold classification (360°, 180°, and 90° dials) based on surviving evidence of scratching and pock marks, intended to reflect genuine differences in original appearance and facilitate statistical analysis.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout

December 2010 page 42
Chris H. K. Williams

The Evolution of English Mass & Scratch Dials c. 1250-1650. Pt. 2. Age Ranking Dials by Type

This second part of an article series establishes a method for age-ranking English mass and scratch dials (360°, 180°, and 90° types) from c.1250–c.1650. It uses cross-sectional analysis to demonstrate that 360° dials are the oldest, with their use ending around 1500 in favour of 180° and 90° types. The article also accounts for dial loss and regional adoption variations.
How Sundials Work, Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials

March 2009 page 16
Chris H. K. Williams

The Mass Dials of Continental Europe

This review examines the status of mass dial recording in Continental Europe, noting that while British dials are well-surveyed, Continental efforts have historically been less intensive. It compiles evidence from various countries, highlighting the widespread geographical presence of mass dials, including on Orthodox churches.
Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials

June 2009 page 43
Chris H. K. Williams

The prevalence of English mass (scratch) dials c. 1650—part 1

Establishes a benchmark for the number of mass dials in England around 1650, when their use was at its peak. Using data on surviving dials and estimated loss rates, the author models the original frequency distribution, suggesting there were on average two to three dials per church.
Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials

September 2009 page 34
Chris H. K. Williams

The prevalence of English mass (scratch) dials c.1650—part 2

Continues a statistical analysis of the prevalence of English scratch dials around 1650. The article explores the geographic distribution of surviving dials, arguing that the significant regional variation is due to differential loss rates over time, rather than differences in the original number of dials constructed.
Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials

December 2009 page 18
Chris H. K. Williams

The English scratch and mass dial era: The evidential period c.1250 to c.1650

The article analyses the prevalence of scratch and mass dials during the period following the Great Norman Rebuilding. Using a 'life cycle model', it argues that the era was highly dynamic, with dials frequently lost to rebuilding or abandoned, having an average in-use lifespan of about 100 years.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials

March 2008 page 11
Chris H. K. Williams

Historical Overview of the Listing/Recording of English Scratch (Mass) Dials

This article outlines four historical periods of listing and recording English scratch (mass) dials, noting over 5000 recorded dials. It highlights the significant contributions of interwar studies, the isolated work of post-war individuals, and the British Sundial Society's Mass Dial Group in preserving this record.
Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials

June 2008 page 75
Chris H. K. Williams

The Geographic Distribution of Surviving English Scratch (Mass) Dials

This article analyses the geographical distribution of surviving English scratch (mass) dials using a composite national database. It identifies a marked watershed and regional clustering, with higher survival rates east of the watershed, and discusses the importance of recording churches without dials for statistical accuracy.
Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials

September 2008 page 110
Chris H. K. Williams

English Scratch (Mass) Dials: The Ravages of Time

This article scientifically estimates the rate of loss for English scratch (mass) dials, revealing a significantly higher loss than previously understood. It quantifies 20th-century weathering loss at 0.5% annually and estimates an additional loss of 4250 dials due to church rebuilding. The author concludes that only a fraction of historical mass dials now survive.
Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials

December 2008 page 164
Chris H. K. Williams

The Life Cycle of English Mass (Scratch) Dials

This article explores the evolution and loss of English mass (scratch) dials, viewing it as a continuous dynamic process. It highlights the destructive forces of weathering and church rebuilding and suggests that there was universal adoption of these simple devices in medieval churches before their displacement by scientific dials and mechanical clocks, mostly in the 17th century.
Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials

December 2007 page 192
Chris H. K. Williams

Scratch (Mass) Dials: Time for a Reassessment

This article calls for a reassessment of scratch (mass) dials, noting the surprising lack of interest despite thousands surviving across Europe. The author, who stumbled upon them while researching local history, is now analyzing the BSS Mass Dial Group's extensive database using mathematical and statistical methods to gain new insights into their original prevalence, use, appearance, evolution, and eventual fate.
Mathematics of Dialling, Historical Dials, The BSS and Members, Dials: Mass Dials