Anglo-Saxon Sundials

Abstract

This paper lists and discusses all known Anglo-Saxon stone sundials in the light of recent work published on Anglo- Saxon and Romanesque sculpture. Typical features of these sundials are given, including differences between the sundials and the ‘scratch dials’, the latter being more numerous and largely of post-Conquest date. The function and working of the sundials, and the systems of time-measurement used on them, are described and discussed. The second half of the paper discusses the twelve Anglo-Saxon stone sundials which contain an inscribed text, considering in particular the nature of the texts and the vocabulary employed. This vocabulary is compared with time-measurement vocabulary used in contemporary manuscripts. Finally the question is addressed as to why Anglo-Saxon sundials are always found in association with churches.