Sundial - St Michael - Hernhill, Kent - Sundials on Waymarking.com

A pedestal sundial in the churchyard, on the north side of St Michael's church, Hernhill. Situated adjacent to the memorial to eight local men who died at the Battle of Bossenden Wood, 31 May 1838. Also possibly part of the memorial marker?

"IN MAY 1838, less than five miles from the Mother Church of England, a small army of farm labourers followed self proclaimed Messiah Sir William Courtenay to their deaths, shot and cut down in Bosenden Wood by the 45th Regiment of Foot. It was a tragedy that shook the nation. Said to be the last battle fought on British soil, it claimed the lives of nine rioters, Lieutenant Henry Bennett and constable George Catt. A few of the rioters fled, but 27 were taken prisoner. Eleven were sentenced to death, but mercy was shown and they were transported or jailed. A Parliamentary inquiry decided that lack of education was to blame and a school and church was provided at Dunkirk for the “ignorant” villagers. Poverty and desperation was just as likely an explanation as to why the men followed the deluded leader, who was in reality John Nichols Thom (visit link) , a wine merchant from Truro. The Red Lion, not to be confused with the Red Lion at Dunkirk where the bodies were laid out, is just across the village green from St Michael’s Church, where Courtenay and his fallen followers were buried. His grave was unmarked because so many local people believed him to be a religious leader of some influence. So did the Church and civil authorities. According to one legend, he was buried secretly under four feet of concrete, his body bound with iron bars, thwarting any attempts at the resurrection promised to his followers. A more likely explanation is that the simple unmarked grave is there for all to see. Why would the vicar at the time have placed a sundial near the north door of the church — where the sun never shines?"

SOURCE - (visit link)

Sundial Type: Horizontal - Flat base, Ground or Pedestal mounted dial plate Related Web Site: Not listed

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