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Dials: Mass Dials

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
June 2012 page 47
John Davis
Book Review
This is a review of Alan Cook’s 'Addendum to Mass Dials on Yorkshire Churches' (BSS Monograph 9), an extension of a previous publication cataloguing mass dials in Yorkshire. The monograph provides scaled drawings and descriptions of dials across the county, completing a comprehensive survey and serving as a must-read for those interested in these intriguing dials.
Book Reviews, Dials: Mass Dials
September 2012 page 19
Tony Wood
Cathedral Mass Dials
The article discusses the scarcity of mass dials in larger towns and on ruins of abbeys and priories, noting only two found on cathedrals so far, both in Yorkshire: one on York Minster and another inside Sheffield Cathedral. It describes the Sheffield Cathedral's mass dial and a larger, now largely hidden, scientific dial beneath the clock.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials
December 2012 page 22
Jackie Jones
North-Facing Mass Dials
This article discusses mass dials on the north side of churches, specifically at Litlington and Firle in East Sussex. While a south-facing dial at Litlington is an early scientific dial, two north-facing mass dials, initially puzzling, were observed to work perfectly for evening use in summer, suggesting intentional placement.
Dials: Mass Dials, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, How Sundials Work
December 2012 page 40
Tony Wood
Johan Wikander
The Celtic Quartet Re-Visited And Augmented
This article revisits the Celtic Quartet of medieval mass dials, noting their unusual carving on separate stones. It introduces a newly discovered, similar slate dial from Vardøhus, Norway, dated 1480–1550, expanding the Quartet to six or seven examples and highlighting historical maritime trade connections between the regions where these dials are found.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Portable, Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials
March 2011 page 31
Peter Ransom
Postcard Potpourri 19—Corhampton, Hampshire
This entry describes a Saxon dial on Corhampton Church, Hampshire, one of four similar octaval dials in the area. The author wonders if they were products of a regional sundial-making business, noting their division of the day into eight periods based on tides.
Dials: Mass Dials, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
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
June 2011 page 36
Peter I. Drinkwater
The Ecclesiastical ‘Scratch Dial’ as a Serious Timekeeper
This article argues that medieval 'scratch dials' were serious timekeepers, not just symbolic. It describes their basic form, historical context of temporal hours, and connections to early Church observances and Islamic prayer times, asserting their utility at high latitudes.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling
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
September 2011 page 38
Frank King
The Margaret Stanier Memorial Sundial: An Unequal-Hours Dial for Newnham College. Pt. 1. Some design considerations
This article details the initial design considerations for a memorial sundial for Margaret Stanier at Newnham College, Cambridge. Frank King proposes an unequal-hours dial with a straight-rod gnomon, loosely based on a historic mass dial. He explores the challenges of accurately indicating unequal hours with a gnomon, discussing celestial sphere projections and a 'critical angle of dip' to improve precision.
Construction Projects, Dials: Mass Dials, Mathematics of Dialling, Sundial Design & Layout
December 2011 page 23
Michael J. Harley
New Dials
This article describes a newly erected 180 cm high granite sundial in the Irish National Heritage Park, Ferrycarrig, weighing over 2 tonnes. Modelled on ancient monastic sundials, its temporal lines were designed to mark canonical prayer times rather than passing hours. Only twelve such ancient monastic sundials survive, making this reconstruction an important addition.
Construction Projects, Dials: Mass Dials, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
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
March 2010 page 34
E. Th. Theodossiou
V. N. Manimanis
The Only ‘Mass Dial’ in Greece
Describes what is believed to be the only mass dial in Greece, on the 12th-century Byzantine church in Chonikas. The dial likely dates to the early 17th century and is accompanied by carved inscriptions marking total solar eclipses in 1661 and 1760.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials
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
September 2010 page 36
Jérôme Bonnin
Tony Wood (transl.)
Timekeepers in Britain, 43-780 AD: Origins, the Roman contribution, and Anglo-Saxon continuity
This article investigates the presence and influence of Roman timekeepers in Britain from 43-780 AD, noting the scarcity of archaeological finds compared to other Roman provinces. It explores historical, cultural, and military evidence, including a mosaic depiction and rudimentary sundial objects, and briefly discusses the obscure origins of Saxon dials.
Dials: Mass Dials, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
December 2010 page 33
David Scott
The Perception of Time in Anglo-Saxon England
This article explores how time was perceived and reckoned in Anglo-Saxon England, drawing on surviving sundials and manuscripts. It covers heathen time-reckoning based on natural cycles, the introduction of systematic time-reckoning by Christian missions (including the Julian calendar, horologia, and Canonical Hours), and later monastic and village time-marking methods like shadow-length horologia and mass-dials, which evolved until the advent of mechanical clocks.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials, How Sundials Work
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 13
Tony Wood
Early east-facing dials
Discusses two potentially very early examples of direct east-facing vertical sundials. One is carved into the stonework of a house in Eydon, Northamptonshire. The other is carved on the church at Great Washbourne, Gloucestershire, and may be the earliest of its type.
Dials: Mass Dials, Dials: Vertical, Historical 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 9
Tony Wood
Modern mass dials and an experiment with time
Discusses modern scratch dials made since the medieval period for various reasons other than marking mass times. It presents several examples, including a decorative dial in Scotland, a memorial dial in Macclesfield, unusual dials on windowsills on the island of Canna, and the 'Toucan Dial' at Leeds Castle.
Dials: Mass Dials, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials
September 2009 page 16
Bryan Waites
Searching for lost time: Finding sundials in Rutland
Provides a historical survey of sundials in the county of Rutland, from early scratch dials on churches to more scientific vertical and horizontal dials on mansions and public buildings. The article highlights significant local examples, discusses common mottoes, and suggests a route for a sundial tour of the area.
Dials: Mass Dials, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Mottoes
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
September 2009 page 36
Mike Cowham
Bill Linnard
The recently discovered Irish-style dial at Tywyn
Details the discovery and preservation of an Irish-style pillar dial (c. 700-1000 AD) in Tywyn, Wales. Found in 1986 among rubble, the dial was later used as a milepost. The article describes its features and recounts the successful effort to have the vulnerable stone moved to St Cadfan's Church.
Dials: Mass Dials, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
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
June 2008 page 84
Tony Wood
Finola O’Carroll
A Celtic Quartet
This article investigates five slate mass dials found in 'Celtic' areas (Cornwall, Ireland, Scotland, Wales), which share common features like 15° interval hour lines. It discusses their unusual horizontal forms, 'secretary hand' numerals, and archaeological backgrounds, exploring a potential 'Celtic' connection despite dating challenges.
Sundial Design & Layout, 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
September 2008 page 136
Ian R. Butson
Some Hertfordshire Sundials
This article details a survey of sundials in Hertfordshire, reporting 56 fixed dials, 24 missing pedestals, and 68 mass dials across 27 church locations. The author highlights various interesting examples, including commemorative dials, vertical dials on cottages, historic horizontal dials, and unusual designs like a pestle and mortar scaphe dial.
Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Mass Dials, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
September 2008 page 141
Tony Wood
Jill Wilson
Readers’ Letters (cont.)
Tony Wood writes about a porcelain dial from 1766 at the Royal Worcester Porcelain Museum, describing its detailed delineation. Jill Wilson responds to Chris Williams' mass dial article, noting a correlation between dial distribution and geology, and suggesting further research into building materials and church histories for a complete picture of dial loss.
Dials: Mass Dials, Dials: Unusual, Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
September 2008 page 151
Jill Wilson
Readers’ Letters (continued from page 141)
Jill Wilson provides further thoughts regarding Chris Williams' mass dial article, suggesting that areas with low numbers of recorded mass dials might be poor in suitable stone. She emphasizes the need for a full record of churches surveyed, including those without extant mass dials, highlighting the challenges for mass dial researchers.
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
March 2007 page 19
Mike Cowham
Early French ‘shell’ dials
Mike Cowham describes a survey of early French 'shell' dials, often found carved into church walls, dating between 1050 and 1200 AD. He details 11 examples, noting their varying numbers of divisions, high mounting positions, and possible connection to pilgrimage routes. The article speculates on their purpose, mainly to record solar noon and indicate church services.
Dials: Mass Dials, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
September 2007 page 104
Tony Wood
Obituary: Edward Martin
This obituary commemorates Edward Martin (1925-2007), founder of the British Sundial Society's Mass Dial Group. It highlights his pioneering work in collecting and computerising information on mass and Saxon dials, leading to a National Register. Martin's vision and enthusiasm for recording dials nationwide are praised as a significant legacy to the Society.
Dials: Mass Dials, The BSS and Members
December 2007 page 152
Ian R. Butson
A Strange Creature
This article explores the mythical creature known as a Sciapod, known for sheltering under its own enormous foot. It highlights a unique 15th-century carving of a sciapod in St Mary’s Church, Dennington, Suffolk, and draws a humorous parallel between sundial enthusiasts and sciapods. The church also features medieval benches and mass dials.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical 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
June 2006 page 63
Tony Wood
Mass Dials - Where Did It All End?
This article explores the indistinct end of mass dials, discussing "transitional" forms that bridge medieval and scientific dials. It notes the appearance of numerals (Roman, Hindu-Arabic, or dot form) around the circumference of later mass dials, indicating a shift towards 12 o'clock noon, and touches on conversions to scientific dials.
Dials: Mass Dials, Dials: Scaphe, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout
September 2006 page 115
Mike Cowham
I Hate Drainpipes!
The author expresses his frustration with unsightly drainpipes and other structural elements that frequently disfigure sundials, particularly mass dials. He presents numerous photographic examples from the UK and Europe, illustrating how these obstructions cast shadows or obscure dials, advocating for greater consideration from builders to protect these historical timepieces.
Dials: Vertical, Dials: Mass Dials
December 2006 page 157
John Wall
The Dinmore Dial
John Wall re-examines the Dinmore sundial, attributing it to the Knights Hospitallers and dating it to the early 14th-century chapel. He identifies the unique symbol as the eight-pointed cross of St John and suggests the dial's purpose was to inform local parishioners of mass times, distinguishing it from simpler mass dials.
Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials
March 2005 page 42
Tony Wood
Newly Discovered Saxon Dials and Their Prospects for the Future
Reports recent identification of likely Anglo-Saxon sundials at English parish churches. Analyses stylistic features such as relief circles, gnomon placement and line patterns. Compares regional examples, explores reuse and church reconstructions, and discusses prospects for future discoveries, preservation strategies and scholarly classification.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
June 2005 page 62
Tony Wood
East of Evesham
Describes unusually large and small mass dials in Worcestershire and Kent. Discusses their features, visibility, and historical significance within the tradition of church sundials.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials
September 2005 page 119
Patrick Powers
The Holes and History of the Beccles Church Dial
This article examines the history and features of the Beccles Church Dial, focusing on the holes in the stonework. The author notes that the date of its installation is unknown and corrects a previous suggestion about its history using old church accounts.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials
September 2005 page 128
Tony Wood
Dom Ethelbert Horne: Founding Father of Mass Dial Studies
A tribute to Dom Ethelbert Horne, a Benedictine monk who was a pioneer in the study of mass dials. The article highlights his work in identifying, recording, and publishing information about these ancient dials.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials
December 2004 page 157
David Scott
The Anglo-Saxon sundial on St Maurice's Church, Winchester
Detailed description and interpretation of the Anglo-Saxon sundial at St Maurice's Church: physical characteristics, carving motifs, probable dating, placement on the fabric and assessment of its historical and gnomonic significance.
Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials
December 2003 page 171
John Wall
The Wayfarer's Clock
Discussion of an Anglo Saxon vertical dial HOROLOGIUM
Dials: Mass Dials
June 2002 page 58
Roger Bowling
Tony Wood
Two Horizontal Scratch Dials in Scotland (and One in England)
Documents rare horizontal scratch dials found in Scottish churchyards and compares them to a similar English example, discussing their form and function.
Dials: Horizontal, Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials
June 2002 page 80
Frank Evans
A Note on the Conservation of the Anglo-Saxon Dial at Dalton-le-Dale, County Durham
Brief report on preservation efforts for an early medieval dial, with notes on materials and techniques.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials
December 2002 page 137
Tony Wood
Book Review
Review of 'Time in Rutland', a comprehensive survey of bells, clocks, scratch dials, and sundials in Rutland, with illustrations and gazetteer entries.
Book Reviews, Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials
September 2001 page 91
Shaul Adam
A Medieval Sundial in Jerusalem
A newly discovered medieval scratch dial in the Armenian Church in Jerusalem is detailed. Discovered on the southern wall, it's a half-circle with 12 hour sectors marked by Armenian letters. A simpler "twin sundial" is also present, possibly for different religious needs. Historical evidence suggests the dials date to the 12th century, making them the first post-Byzantine sundials found in Israel.
Dials: Mass Dials, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
December 2001 page 158
Tony Wood
Mike Cowham
Book Review
This section reviews two books. The first, a reprint of T.W. Cole's 'Origin and Use of Church Scratch-Dials,' covers mass dials and their history. The second reviews Hester Higton's 'Sundials: An Illustrated History of Portable Dials,' praised for its lavish illustrations and historical context of various portable dial types. While generally well-received, factual errors regarding dial functionality and minor layout issues are noted in Higton's work.
Book Reviews, Dials: Mass Dials, Dials: Portable, Historical Dials
December 2001 page 166
David Levitt
Three Jersey Sundials
This article details three interesting sundials on Jersey. St Brelade's Church features an 1837 south-facing vertical dial with a unique Equation of Time indicator. A circa 1825 vertical declining dial by Elias le Gros in St Helier's Royal Square is notable for its history of obliteration and restoration. The third is a possible medieval Mass Dial, a carved stone found partially buried, suggesting its age and raising questions about its original function.
Dials: Mass Dials, Dials: Vertical, Equation of Time, Historical Dials
February 2000 page 19
J. P. Lester
The Mass Dial Group at Southwell, 17th - 19th September
Report of a BSS group meeting to document mass dials at churches in three counties, including visits and findings.
Dials: Mass Dials, The BSS and Members
February 2000 page 35
David Scott
Sundials in Anglo-Saxon England, Part 4: The Late Period - Aldbrough and Orpington
Concludes a series on Anglo-Saxon sundials, examining late-period examples at two churches.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials
June 2000 page 73
J. P. Lester
Some Mass Dials in Normandy
Reports a field trip to document surviving mass dials in Normandy and compares them with English examples.
Dials: Mass Dials
June 2000 page 99
Tony Wood
Photographing Mass Dials
Advice and commentary on the best techniques and conditions for photographing mass dials.
Dials: Mass Dials
October 2000 page 109
Mario Arnaldi
Medieval Monastic Sundials with Six Sectors: An Investigation into Their Origin and Meaning
Explores the historical and liturgical rationale behind medieval six-sector sundials, their canonical hour divisions, and theological symbolism.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials, How Sundials Work, Mathematics of Dialling
February 1999 page 4
David Scott
Sundials in Anglo-Saxon England
This article explores Anglo-Saxon sundials, using sparse material and documentary evidence to conjecture their role in daily life. It identifies characteristics distinguishing them from post-Norman dials, discusses their introduction by the Roman Church, and their use in regulating canonical hours in monastic communities.
Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials
February 1999 page 46
Frank Coe
Northamptonshire
Frank Coe compares sundial references in Arthur Mee's 1947 "King's England" volume for Northamptonshire with the 1996 BSS Register. He identifies eleven Mee-listed sundials present in the Register, nine others that are now lost or uncatalogued, and 28 'mass' or 'scratch' dials, mostly on churches.
Book Reviews, Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials
June 1999 page 83
David Scott
Sundials in Anglo-Saxon England: Part 2, The Early Period-Escomb and Corhampton
This article examines two well-preserved Anglo-Saxon sundials at Escomb (County Durham, 7th-8th century) and Corhampton (Hampshire, late 7th century). It details their unique designs, locations, historical context, and possible symbolic meanings for newly converted Christians, suggesting their primary purpose was not necessarily precise time measurement but rather religious instruction and marking services.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials
June 1999 page 100
Frank Evans
Rosemary Evans
Some Early Sundials of Northumbria
This article classifies seventeen Anglo-Saxon sundials in Northumbria, categorizing them into four types based on design evolution from the 7th-8th century onwards. It details specific dials at Escomb, Dalton-le-Dale, Staindrop, Hart, and others, describing their physical characteristics, historical context, and erosion. The authors suggest a decline in construction delicacy over time and emphasize the need for conservation of these antiquities.
Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials
October 1999 page 107
Ken Head
The Sundial of St Mary's Stoke D'Abernon, Surrey
This article discusses the sundial at St Mary's Church, Stoke D'Abernon, a 7th-century Saxon church. It details the 1933 remaking of the dial after a fall, based on pre-Conquest prototypes shown in 19th-century sketches. The current replica is believed to be unique as the only known Saxon dial replica on a church wall in the UK, with markings consistent with an octaval system.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials, Restoration projects
October 1999 page 122
David Scott
Sundials in Anglo-Saxon England Part 3: The Middle Period - Darlington and Pittington
This article examines Anglo-Saxon sundials from England's middle period (10th century revival), focusing on Darlington and Pittington. It traces their derivation from the Graeco-Roman hemicycle, adapted for early Christian communities, incorporating four-part day divisions. The Darlington dial, carved on both sides, shows evolution in design and symbolic meanings. The Pittington dial is noted as England's earliest six-division example, influenced by Italian and Byzantine styles, potentially reflecting a rearrangement of canonical hours.
Sundial Design & Layout, Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials
June 1998 page 14
Mario Arnaldi
Da Buti, Dante and the Measure of Time
This article discusses the division of the day as described in Dante's 'Divine Comedy' and the commentary by Da Buti, explaining how the church used seasonal hours and placed offices around the hour of midday. It also connects the hourly markers on a sundial to the end of time periods rather than the beginning.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials
June 1998 page 41
Lajos Bartha
Two Scratch Dials and Two Modern Dials in Hungary
This article reports on the discovery of two medieval vertical scratched dials on churches in Narda and Sopron, Hungary, dating from the 13th and 14th centuries. It also features two recently constructed sundials on historical buildings in Szombathely and Pannonhalma, illustrating both ancient and contemporary gnomonic practices in Hungary.
Dials: Mass Dials, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
October 1998 page 6
Margaret Stanier
The Mass Dial Group in East Anglia
Reports on the Mass Dial group's weekend hunt in East Anglia, organised by Dr. John Davis. Members explored churches in Norfolk and Suffolk, locating 155 dials on 109 churches, despite challenges like rain and overgrown churchyards. The report also touches upon local architecture, like round towers, and the gradual disappearance of older dials.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials, The BSS and Members
October 1998 page 20
Andrew J. Ogden
Mass Dials in Ireland
This article explores the scarcity of early Christian mass dials in Ireland, contrasting it with their prevalence in England and France. It discusses the potential fate of portable dials, the discovery of a 'Sundial' stone at Boyle Abbey with curious markings, and poses questions about its purpose to readers.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials
October 1997 page 13
Mario Arnaldi
Ancient Sundials of Ireland
This survey details the unique sundials of early Irish monastic communities (6th-15th centuries), cut from single stone steles and often engraved with crosses. Used by monks for religious services, these dials feature varying hour lines and decorative elements for canonical hours. The article describes specific examples and discusses their construction, placement in cemeteries, and the debate over large gnomon holes.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials
October 1997 page 49
John Ingram
Mass Dial Group: Gloucestershire Meeting
This report details a Mass Dial Group meeting in Gloucestershire, featuring talks on the 'Nature in Art' centre's work, a sundial for an educational exchange with Kenya, and the use of video for recording dial operations. Discussions covered mass dials and their evolution, Saxon Dials and their monastic origins, and visits to local churches, including the discovery of an early equiangular reclining dial.
Dials: Mass Dials, The BSS and Members
October 1997 page 51
Doug Bateman
More Sundials of Hesse, Germany
This section provides photographs of various sundials in Hesse, Germany, including a stone equatorial dial by Kieling, a vertical declining dial by Schaldach, a mass dial on a church buttress in Steinau, and a sundial in a park in St. Goarshausen.
Dials: Equatorial, Dials: Mass Dials, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
February 1996 page 12
R. A. Nicholls
Michael Lowne
Two Unusual Mass Dials in Dorset
A technical analysis of two rare mass dials found on a Dorset church, discussing their design, orientation, and potential liturgical functions.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials
October 1996 page 6
Charles K. Aked
The Sundial of St. Gregory's Minster
A comprehensive study of the Saxon sundial at St. Gregory’s Minster, Kirkdale, discussing its historical inscriptions, layout, cultural significance, and the tidal time system used in its design.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials
February 1995 page 34
Lajos Bartha
Dr. Szilvia A. Holló
A Medieval Ecclesiastical Sundial at Ráckeve, Hungary
A report on the discovery and analysis of a rare medieval sundial found at a church in Ráckeve, including its historical context and architectural integration.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials
June 1995 page 10
Charles K. Aked
Bewcastle Cross (Part II)
A continuation of the detailed study of the Bewcastle Cross, focusing on its sundial, historical dating, construction theories, and preservation concerns, with references to replicas and Anglo-Saxon design.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials
October 1993 page 20
Margaret Stanier
Some Sundials of Cambridgeshire
This article surveys various sundials across Cambridgeshire, including church wall dials, horizontal garden dials, and armillary spheres. It highlights specific examples, discussing their dates, inscriptions, restoration efforts, and the materials used. The text also notes the ongoing loss of old dials due to weathering but also the creation of new commemorative ones.
Dials: Armillary Sphere, Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Mass Dials, Dials: Multi Faced, Dials: Vertical, Historical Dials
October 1993 page 32
Charles K. Aked
Destruction by Decay
This article explores the rapid deterioration of ancient sundials in the British Isles, attributing decay to factors like stone quality and water-induced damage. It discusses examples like the Bewcastle Cross sundial and the importance of protection and restoration. The article highlights the British Sundial Society's aims in cataloguing and preserving historical artefacts to prevent their complete loss.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials, Restoration projects, The BSS and Members
June 1992 page 2
Lajos Bartha
The Oldest Fixed Dials in Hungary
This article outlines the few medieval sundials remaining in Hungary, many destroyed by wars and church rebuilding. It describes early canonical sundials with primitive divisions, including a twelve-division dial at Matraverabely and a Gothic dial at Szentendre. A unique medieval dial not on a church is found in Kaszeg, and St. Nicholas church in Rudabanya has a dial marking prayer times.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials
June 1992 page 9
David A. Young
Scratch Dial Workshop, Cambridge 1991
This report details a workshop on scratch dials, discussing their origin, enormous variations across regions, and the importance of recording these endangered historical relics. It highlights the need for a specialised recording form and an overall map of existing and known scratch dials across England and Europe due to accelerated damage from atmospheric pollution and vandalism.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials
June 1992 page 41
Book Review, Scratch Dials of Old Axbridge and Long Ashton Districts
This review evaluates Lawrence N. Price's book on scratch dials in North West Somerset. It criticises the book for adding few new insights to the subject, instead relying on previous works by Horne and Green. The reviewer argues that scratch dials are merely event markers, not precise timekeepers, and stresses the importance of their identification and recording due to modern atmospheric damage.
Book Reviews, Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials
October 1992 page 5
Allan A. Mills
The Scratch Dial and its Function
This article proposes that scratch dials, often found on old church walls, are effective "event markers" rather than precise timekeepers. It discusses their radial geometry, common south-facing position, and erosion due to acid rain. The article refutes theories about them being equal-hour sundials with bent gnomons, and explains their connection to seasonal hours and monastic prayer times.
Dials: Mass Dials, Historical Dials, How Sundials Work
October 1991 page 5
T.W. Cole
Charles K. Aked
Treasures of the Church
This article, originally by Reverend T.W. Cole, discusses 'incised sundials' (scratch or mass dials) found on church stonework in England from Saxon times to the 18th century. It traces their evolution from small, simple markings to larger, more prominent and scientifically designed dials, and highlights early attempts at accuracy, different time systems, and the preservation efforts for these historical artifacts. It also mentions key figures like Dom Ethelbert Horne and A.R. Green.
Restoration projects, Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials
February 1990 page 3
A Medieval Scratch Dial on the Gothic Church of Rudabanya (Hungary).
This article details a medieval scratch dial found on the Gothic church in Rudabanya, Hungary, which was uncovered during renovations in 1927 and extensively studied during systematic restoration in the 1970s. The dial, approximately 24cm in diameter with 13 engraved lines, is believed to date from the early 15th century, contemporary with the half-pillar it is on. It is considered one of the last "old-style" ecclesiastical dials on the Continent, preserved by centuries of plaster work
Historical Dials, Dials: Mass Dials
February 1990 page 8
René R.-J. Rohr
The Sundials of the Kappelturm Gallery at Obemai.
This article describes the sundials located on the Kappelturm (bell tower) of the former Notre-Dame church in Obernai, where 16th-century watchmen improvised sundials scratched directly onto the walls when their mechanical clock malfunctioned. It identifies two sundials on the East face, nine on the South face, and one on the West face. The author notes their inaccurate construction due to the watchmen's lack of gnomonic principles, describing them as "caricatures" of true dials. The article includes detailed figures and footnotes explaining the dial configurations and their historical context, including the use of Roman and Arabic numerals.
Dials: Mass Dials
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