St Mary’s Church, Adderbury

South-facing rectangular vertical dial high on the south transept. As the wall declines slightly east of due south, the dial is canted in order to face due south. So, although difficult to see from the ground, the 6am to 6pm line is horizontal. The dialface has a large inner rectangle around which, in three successive bands (chapter rings, if you will) are, firstly hour lines, next hour and half hour lines, lastly vertical Roman hour numerals. These use IIII at 4pm and a cross patty at noon. Most of the lines seem accurate but the 7am and 5pm lines are much too high. (See possible explanation below) There are two small holes, on either side of the gnomon root, thought to be used to ensure the hour lines align correctly with the styles (the two shadow-casting edges of the gnomon). Two or three larger, plugged, holes are evidence that the gnomon has been replaced at some time. A further hole above the gnomon has no obvious purpose. The simple strap-like gnomon has a single straight supporter and, interestingly, a nodus in the form of a keyhole-shaped cutout. This must be intended to show the season - most likely Zodiac signs - but there is no sign on the dial of any declination lines or Zodiac symbols. Despite the thickness of the (current) gnomon and the two small holes at its root, there is no noon gap. Above and below the dial are a motto, in Greek and English: "Yet a little while is the light with you; Walk while ye have the light. Job 12 v35". In the centre of the dial are the letters "MO" (a previous report said "MC", but this seems wrong) and date "1669". "MO" could be a member of the Olds/Oldys family. The vicar in 1645 was an Oldys. He had a son, also William. In 1669 the vicar was William Beau. However, churchwardens’ accounts show 3 guineas to ’Gt Cakebread’ in 1824 for a sundial. A print of 1797 shows a square dial on the west side of the transept window whereas the current dial is centred in the gable above it. The transept itself is thirteenth century, the window fourteenth. The incorrect hour lines may be the result of measuring the correct distance down the wrong line - the outer end of the 7 o’clock hour line is at the height that it should cross the inner chapter ring, not the outer one.