Church of St Mary - Haversham - Bucks
Posted by: 
Norfolk12
N 52° 04.614 W 000° 47.634
30U E 651181 N 5771887
A mass or scratch dial on the porch of this old church in Haversham in Buckinghamshire.
Waymark Code: WMC60H
Location: Eastern England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 07/30/2011
Views: 2
Mass dials (scratch dials) are medieval (1100 - 1600) dials found on the south walls of churches.
They were usually near the main door or the priest door at about four to five feet above the ground.
Due to rebuilding, mass dials can end up almost anywhere on a church, even the north wall. They are frequently found inside a later added porch over the south door.
Scratch Dials. Usually about six to ten inches across with radiating lines coming from a central hole. These were used by priests as clocks to determine the time for mass. A wooden peg known as a gnomon (Greek indicator) was placed in the hole and the shadow cast by the sun moved round the dial. When the shadow touched one of the radiating lines it was time for a mass.
Sundial Type: Other
Related Web Site: Not listed
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