Early Clocks
'Windowsill ' Sundial, c1620
James I, Period
A
The superb, historically interesting small provincial brass sundial illustrated here was made during the reign of King James I, in the early 1620s and is a very rare survivor. Measuring just 4.5-inch square, this anonymous horizontal dial, which can also be referred to as being a ‘windowsill’ sundial, only came to light in recent times and is in a very complete and original condition, including retaining its original thin knife-edge gnomon with fringed back. It is about this fascinating early provincial sundial which is now over 400-years-old and its wonderfully historical background story that is the subject of my article which is revealed below and shown alongside stunning historic images from the period.
Above. Shows a close-up of the William Letchford's early brass sundial with the initials W.L and is dated 1647. Interestingly, on close inspection William Letchford originally engraved the ‘4’ on the 1647 date - the wrong way round but corrected this by engraving another 4 on top - the right way up!
Above. Shows a close-up of the William Letchford's early brass sundial with the initials W.L and is dated 1647. Interestingly, on close inspection William Letchford originally engraved the ‘4’ on the 1647 date - the wrong way round but corrected this by engraving another 4 on top - the right way up!
Above. Shows a front view of the small 2.8-inch William Letchford 'window seal' sundial which is signed W.L and dated 1647. Private collection, Photographed by Lee Borrett.
Above. Showing a side view of the William Letchford's 'windowsill' brass sundial. The original gnomon has a latitude angle of 51.3 degrees. Private collection, Photographed by Lee Borrett.
Above. Showing the opposite side view of William Letchford's original knife-edge gnomon with fringed back. It is typical of other dials from this early period. Private collection, Photographed by Lee Borrett.
Above. Showing an angled overhead view of William Letchford's 1647 sundial. Private collection, Photographed by Lee Borrett.
Above. Showing another angled overhead view of the William Letchford brass sundial dated 1647. Private collection, Photographed by Lee Borrett.
Above. Showing a close-up of the fringed back-edge. Private collection, Photographed by Lee Borrett.
Above Showing a close-up of the Arabic numerals used for the hour markers indtead of Roman Numerals. The star design half-hour markers are typical of other dials from this civil-war period. Note there is no noon gap. Private Collection, Photographed by Lee Borrett.
Above Showing a close-up of the Arabic numerals used for the hour markers indtead of Roman Numerals. The star design half-hour markers are typical of other dials from this civil-war period. Note there is no noon gap. Private Collection, Photographed by Lee Borrett.
Above Showing a close-up of the Arabic numerals used for the hour markers indtead of Roman Numerals. The star design half-hour markers are typical of other dials from this civil-war period. Note there is no noon gap. Private Collection, Photographed by Lee Borrett.
Above. Showing the back of dial with its original tenons securing the gnomon in place. Private Collection, Photographed by Lee Borrett.
Below. Showing the back of dial with its original tenons securing the gnomon in place. Private Collection, Photographed by Lee Borrett.
Ridley is mentioned in the Domesday Book as Redlege and is also recorded elsewhere as Redlegh and is within the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Diocese of Rochester. Ridley church, which stands in the southern part of the parish, is dedicated to St. Peter. It is very small (seating appx 48 in pews additionally there are two choir pews in the chancel), having only one aisle and a chancel, but without either tower or steeple. As can be seen in the image above, it has a Belfry which houses a single calling bell. The church has stood the test of time. A fine Norman window in the north wall testifies to its origins high on the Downs. Nothing much has happened to the building since it was built, apart from the inevitable Victorian improvements - mostly of a benign nature here. William Letchford (the maker of the W.L,1647 sundial) was born in Ridley, Kent in about 1622. He was the son of John and Dorothy Letchford and was married to Margaret Letchford. They had a son named William Letchford, born and baptised at Ridley Church in 1655.
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Roger Smith / St. Peter's Church, Ridley. Wikipedia Commons, Public Domain. William Letchford (the maker of the W.L,1647 sundial) was baptised at St.Peter's Church, Ridley in about 1622. His son William Letchford was baptised there in 1655.
Summary
Having a sundial in the 17th century to use indoors and outdoors to correct and regulate a clocks time would have been extremely useful in the rural areas. In the English provinces during the 1640s, when time was governed by Sunup and Sundown, provincial domestic clockmaking had barely just begun and the sundial illustrated here would have helped William Letchford and his family plan and organise their days much better whilst living in Ridley. It is possible that William Letchford made this small, lightweight and mobile dial for his own use so that he could not only use it inside his home to re-set the clocks of the house, but he could have also used the sundial whilst travelling away from home with his family or whilst travelling on his own during business trips. The dial would probably have been mounted on a small wooden plinth and placed on a windowsill in a suitable location of his house. This historically interesting early sundial is a very rare survivor and gives us a small but fascinating insight into what life would have been like living in Ridley, Kent during the 1640s.
Interestingly, William Letchford made his sundial in the year 1647 and during the brutal English Civil Wars period which was a very tough and difficult time for the people of England. Royalists and Parliamentarians were constantly trying to impress men into their armies. Both sides took horses, food, and other supplies for their armies. They forced people to provide free food and shelter to whichever troops turned up in their farm, village, or town.
Historic Events of
The
King Charles I, during 1647
The year 1647 was a pivotal one for Charles I during the English Civil War, as he faced captivity and negotiations with his enemies while attempting to retain power. Here's a brief summary of key events involving Charles I in 1647:
Imprisonment by Parliament: After his defeat in 1646, Charles surrendered to the Scots, who eventually handed him over to the English Parliament on the 30th January 1647 in return for £40,000 of army back-pay. He was held at various locations, including Holdenby House in Northamptonshire.
Above. Holdenby House, Northamptonshire, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. In February 1647, Charles I was brought to Holdenby by the Scots and handed over to the English Long Parliament. He remained a prisoner there until June 1647. The original Holdenby House was completed in 1583 and after being demolished in the 17th century this new 19th century house was built in the style of the older mansion, incorporating the older mansion's remains but being only about one eighth of its size. Wikipedia.
Seizure by the New Model Army: In June 1647, the New Model Army, frustrated with Parliament's handling of the situation, seized Charles from his parliamentary jailers. They hoped to negotiate directly with him and secure better terms for themselves and the nation.
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Above. General Thomas Fairfax (1612-1671). Workshop of Robert Walker, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Sir Thomas Fairfax was appointed commander of the New Model Army in April 1645.
Negotiations with the Army and Parliament: Over the summer and autumn of 1647, Charles negotiated separately with Parliament and the army leadership, attempting to exploit divisions between the two factions. However, his refusal to make significant concessions frustrated both sides.
Above. Oliver Cromwell took control of Parliament with the New Model Army on August 7th 1647 after Charles I, had been negotiating separately with Parliament and the army leadership, attempting to exploit divisions between the two factions. Shutterstock .com
Detention at Hampton Court Palace: In August 1647, Charles was moved to Hampton Court Palace, where he lived under relatively comfortable conditions. He continued to correspond secretly with various factions, trying to regain control of the kingdom.
Above. Peter Lely, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Portrait of Charles I, with his second son, James, Duke of York. Painted at Hampton Court by Peter Lely in 1647.
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Above. Charles II leaving Hampton Court, c1660. Royal Collection, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. This is where his father King Charles I had been detained and kept as a prisoner by Parliament in August 1647, before escaping on 11th November, 1647.
Escape and Capture: On November 11, 1647, Charles escaped from Hampton Court, fearing for his life. He fled to the Isle of Wight, seeking the support of the governor of Carisbrooke Castle, but instead, he was detained there, effectively becoming a prisoner once more.
Above. Carisbrooke Castle. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. On November 11, 1647, Charles escaped from Hampton Court, fearing for his life. He fled to the Isle of Wight, seeking the support of the governor of Carisbrooke Castle, but instead, he was detained there, effectively becoming a prisoner once more.
Below. Rita Greer, FAL, via Wikimedia Commons. King Charles I, prisoner on the Isle of Wight for Carisbrooke Castle Museum. Showing King Charles I seeking the support of the governor of Carisbrooke Castle in November 1647 before being detained and becoming a prisoner there.
These events of 1647 marked a crucial phase in Charles's downfall, as his inability to secure a lasting agreement deepened mistrust among his enemies and set the stage for his eventual trial and execution in 1649.
Above. King Charles I was executed on Tuesday 30th January 1649 outside the Banqueting House in Whitehall, and it has been said that he faced his death with courage and dignity. Image by Alamy.com
