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A Great Cathedral Clock Rediscovered by R

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A Great Cathedral Clock Rediscovered by R THE PRACTICAL WATCH AND CLOCK MAKE R—November \5th, 1929 445 Fig 1. Fourteenth Century Clock at Salisbury. Fig. 2. It has two Movements, a Going and an Hour-Striking. A Great Cathedral Clock Rediscovered By R. P. HOIFGRAVE-GRAHAM, M.I.E.E., F.S.A. Is it the Oldest Turret Clock in England? WO or three years ago the tower of Salisbury Cathedral a tions of this clock to others may subject of ancient clocks re­ splendid example of what we might extend beyond the sea into France Tceived a new impulse through call the grand type of medieval clock and Belgium. Several clues are attempts to investigate the truth of belonging to what Mr. Percy Web­ being followed up. I hope, there­ numerous, but often gratuitous, ster terms the “Iron Age.” Examina­ fore, to obtain valuable results from assumptions now discredited, and tion of its details revealed extra­ further documents, comparisons and while there is nothing new in the ordinary resemblances to the Wells data which can only be brought extraordinary interest that clock- movement in the Science Museum together somewhat gradually and it makers and engineers have taken in at South Kensington, and when will be possible, when past and the wonderful wrought iron move­ Mr. Robinson brought me a photo­ future conclusions have been cor­ ments of early times, the possibility graph we immediately came to the rected and harmonised and critical of truer classification and more conclusion that it was of the highest antiquaries have accepted them, to orderly analysis of development had interest, that it might even prove a give to readers a clear and consecu­ undoubtedly increased suddenly the vital challenge or a powerful support tive account of the whole matter historical value and fascination of to recent theories and that it must as far as it goes. their study. Among those whose at least throw some light upon the In passing I may mention that attention was attracted by such whole problem. Mr. Robinson has been interested problems was Mr. T. R. Robinson, When the facts were brought to in yet another West Country clock of Tooting, himself a clockmaker the notice of Mr. Tremayne he which, when certain comparisons and a student of the subject. characteristically requested me to had been made, afforded striking investigate the matter at once, and justification of the methods recently Product of the “Iron Age.” afforded me every facility for doing employed by me in attempting to so; I am accordingly able to place estimate dates. Mr. Robinson, being also much before readers of the PWCM a It is very interesting when ap­ interested in modern turret-clock short account which is enough to proaching research of this kind to movements, has been visiting show the great importance of this draw up a list of conclusions based numerous towers and public build­ movement in the History of Horo­ upon design, details, position and ings in search of ancient or modern logy, but the inferences seem likely any other circumstantial evidence clocks worth notice and was as­ to go beyond the scope of the before seeking documentary records, tonished and excited to find in the immediate purpose, and the rela­ and the following are notes made 446 THE PRACTICAL WATCH AND CLOCK M A K E R—November \5th, 1929 to be gripped as one grips the steer­ ing wheel of a car, especially as there are only three spokes. Its appearance does not quite suggest antiquity equal to that of the clock, but if it is late it is probably a renewal following on the same lines of the original, for it is unlikely that a more primitive method would have been revived to replace some such winding arrangement as that of Wells. The hour-movement was evi­ dently wound by a pinion mounted in separate bearings now lost. This pinion lies by the clock and affords the only example of a leaf pinion, from which it is fair to argue that it is of later date that the rest; it adds a little strength to my growing feeling that the Dover Castle and Cassiobury clocks are compara­ tively late. Fig. 3. Striking Levers in Lock Position. Fig. 4. Striking Levers Lifted to Show their Primitive Striking Movement Arrangement. after my first visit when there was 5. The hour-striking movement here is minimized by the very inter­ nothing from which any deductions is primitive, having only a single esting contour of the portion of the could be made except the move­ arbor carrying the lifting piece and stop or locking-lever that engages ment itself. the locking and stop levers, but with the hoop. 1. The clock has a large rect­ there is no warning lever and the It will be observed that in place angular frame divided into two result must be a lack of precision in of the usual rounded surface there compartments, one containing the the striking. is a definite angle between the principal or going movement and This probably accounts for the radial surface that butts squarely the other an hour-striking move­ subsequent addition of a plate which against the end of the hoop and the ment, each having separate weight- is attached to the great wheel of the sliding surface which rides over it. drive. principal movement and carried the Such surfaces, however, are bound lifting pin. It is provided with to lose their sharp meeting or to Likeness to Wells’ Clock peripheral teeth and a mechanical round off the edge of the hoop-end; 2. If we removed the hour- click so that it can be rotated consequently periodic filing would striking part of the Wells clock, relatively to the great wheel in almost certainly be necessary as the which is extraneous to the main order to adjust by steps correspond­ force is great. frame, and put an hour-striking ing to one minute the indication on 6. There is obvious proof of the mechanism in its quarter-striking the dial and the moment at which previous existence of a foliot balance compartment we should have an the bell strikes, without disengaging and the lantern pinions tell a clear arrangement almost identical with the escapement. tale of alteration to pendulum that of Salisbury. It was probably introduced when control. 3. In so far as memory carries me the anchor escapement was substi­ 7. There is reason to believe the the design of the frame seems tuted for the foliot as the new clock to be earlier than that of Wells, almost identical with that of the escapement would be more difficult but of Wells we only know at main frame of Wells, and though to disengage. Arabic numerals present that it is not later than 1392 certain Gothic trefoils found in the painted round it seem to show that and though we believe it to be not Wells movement are absent here, there was a 24 hour dial. The much earlier there is no absolute there are numerous details in which pivoted toe attached to the lifting proof. the similarity is most striking. piece is a later addition and is 8. It is interesting to find the 4. The principal movement is secured by a nut. This toe is not locking plate outside the frame, wound in the primitive direct found, I think, in very early clocks. instead of inside as at Wells, Dover manner but differs from Dover and This dropping toe was prob­ and Cassiobury. other examples in having a spoked ably provided to enable the setting wheel instead of mere capstan bars. plate to be turned freely without Further Facts and The rim of this rather slender fouling the lifting-piece; if so it is Corroboration wheel is of circular cross-section contemporary with the setting plate. Since photographing the clock and may be for binding together The lack of precision that and making these notes I have and strengthening the arrangement would be serious with a simple found remarkable corroboration of but was more probably intended single-lever strike such as we have the estimated period. THE PRACTICAL WATCH AND CLOCK MAKE R—November iSth, 1929 447 Not only have I found that this Yet though ancient astronomical justice has been done to it in a horological movement existed in dials remain in both instances, one publication known to the majority 1386, six years earlier than the of these movements is probably of horological students. earliest record of Wells, but there Post-Reformation and the other is an indirect clue to a probable con­ is an extraordinary assembly from The Earliest Clock in England ? nection between the two and it is various periods and probably has It seems likely that we have here just possible that Mr. Robinson’s no fragment earlier than a date a not only a splendid example, well enthusiasm and Mr. Tremayne’s century and a half after Salisbury. preserved and little altered, but the enterprising interest followed up by Salisbury’s clock would outshine earliest turret-clock in this country, researches already well in hand may any except that of Wells—its though fresh discoveries may yet throw a sudden flood of light where younger brother, and if it could bring surprises. there has only been groping. have its old iron heart set beating Is it the earliest remaining clock The Salisbury clock was erected once again down below in the in the world which had a dial? in a detached campanile or belfry transept it might be made to strike The clock of Jehan de Felains at in the cathedral close and was a bell that could be silenced during Rouen, made in 1379 had no dial removed to its present position in service.
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