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The Exeter Cathedral Astronomical Clock is a fifteenth-century
The Exeter Cathedral Astronomical Clock is a fifteenth-century astronomical clock
An astronomical clock, horologium, or orloj is a clock with special mechanisms and dials to display astronomical information, such as the relative positions of the Sun, Moon, zodiacal constellations, and sometimes major planets.
Definition ...
in Exeter Cathedral
Exeter Cathedral, properly known as the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter in Exeter, is an Anglican cathedral, and the seat of the Bishop of Exeter, in the city of Exeter, Devon, in South West England. The present building was complete by about 14 ...
, England. It displays the hour of the day, the day of the lunar month
In lunar calendars, a lunar month is the time between two successive syzygies of the same type: new moons or full moons. The precise definition varies, especially for the beginning of the month.
Variations
In Shona, Middle Eastern, and Europ ...
and the phase of the moon. The modern clock mechanism was installed in 1885 by Gillett & Bland of Croydon, and restored in 1910.
History and description
The clock is thought to date from around 1484. The outermost numbered circle of the main dial is decorated with afleur-de-lis
The fleur-de-lis, also spelled fleur-de-lys (plural ''fleurs-de-lis'' or ''fleurs-de-lys''), is a lily (in French, and mean 'flower' and 'lily' respectively) that is used as a decorative design or symbol.
The fleur-de-lis has been used in th ...
which represents the Sun, and which orbits the dial once every 24 hours. This indicates the hour of the day, counted from I to XII in Roman numerals in first the right and then the left hemispheres of the clockface. This is an example of a 24-hour analog dial
Clocks and watches with a 24-hour analog dial have an hour hand that makes one complete revolution, 360°, in a day (24 hours per revolution). The more familiar 12-hour analog dial has an hour hand that makes two complete revolutions in ...
. The tail of the Sun's fleur-de-lis points to the day in the lunar month
In lunar calendars, a lunar month is the time between two successive syzygies of the same type: new moons or full moons. The precise definition varies, especially for the beginning of the month.
Variations
In Shona, Middle Eastern, and Europ ...
on the inner numbered ring. The half-black, half-silver Moon inside the lunar month ring rotates on its axis to show the correct phase of the moon. The Earth is represented as a fixed golden ball in the centre of the dial. The Latin inscription "Pereunt et imputantur" below the main dial may be translated as "The hours pass and are reckoned to our account".
A small bell located behind the clock dial chimes the quarter-hours. On the hour, this is followed by the striking of the Peter Bell in the tower above.
In 1759 the smaller upper dial was added, with a single hand to indicate the minutes.
The clock-room is behind the dial on the north wall of the transept, and still houses the clock mechanism. Access is via a doorway visible in the stone wall directly beneath the clock. Legend suggests that the round hole cut in the bottom of the door was for the cathedral cat to gain entry to keep the clock clear of mice and rats. The modern clock mechanism was installed in 1885 by Gillett & Bland of Croydon.
The clock was restored in 1910 by John James Hall FRAS FRAS may refer to:
* Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, post-nominal letters
* Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland
Fellows of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland are individuals who have bee ...
.
The clock is reputed to be the source of the nursery rhyme Hickory Dickory Dock, probably inspired by the round hole in the door described above.Blythe, Ronald. ''Circling Year: Perspectives from a Country Parish''. p. 87. Hymns Ancient and Modern Ltd, 2001
References
{{Astronomical clocks Individual clocks in England Astronomical clocks in the United Kingdom Exeter Cathedral