PURSE CAUNDLE CHURCH - MASS DIAL DISCOVERED

As part of the revamping of my blogs, this posting originally dated 26th April 2008 has been updated and transferred to this more appropriate blog.
In August 2007 I discovered a previously unrecorded 'mass dial' - also known for obvious reasons as a 'scratch dial' - on a quoin stone on the outside north wall of the church's nave, where it joins the tower. It is some 6ft 6ins from the ground.
It must have been inappropriately replaced in this position from its original proper place on the south wall during the several renovations and rebuilding works that have taken place there since the 1700s.

The illustrations show the central gnomon hole into which would have been inserted the rod which cast the shadow, with a series of small holes (or pocks) at intervals around the circular scratched circumference, with some scratched radial lines running from the gnomon to holes specifying the required times used by medieval priests to show them the hours for services.

This illustrated information was passed to The British Sundial Society. A member of the Society's Mass Dial Group opined that "Dating is practically impossible, but 'later' rather than 'earlier' is about all we can say - 1500? give or take a century." It was also suggested that the uncommon "double and triple holes might be taken to indicate a special service time."

The above information was also published in Somerset & Dorset Notes & Queries, as well as more locally in the Purse Caundle Church and Community News, and the Somerset and Dorset Family History Society's Journal The Greenwood Tree.

Bibliography:

The British Sundial Society http://www.sundials.co.uk/

Chancellor, E.C. 'Scratch Dials in Dorset' Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History &

Archaeological Society, Vol. 61.

Green, A. R. 'Incised Dials, Scratch Dials or Mass-Clocks on the walls of Hampshire Churches'

Papers and Proceedings of the Hampshire Field Club

Mills, Allan A. 'The Scratch Dial and its Function' The British Sundial Society 1992

Somerset & Dorset Notes & Queries, Vol. XV, 1916/1917; Vol. XVI, 1918/1920