Medieval

The measurement of time

Mechanical clocks were the invention of the age. These were the most advanced scientific and engineering machines for centuries.

The precision and accuracy of the clockmakers helped and inspired those struggling to mechanise industrial processes. Richard of Wallingford, an inventor of an astronomical clock (using the sun and the stars), was in fact the son of a blacksmith. He became interested in mechanical things in his father's forge.

Mechanical clocks striking equal hours, in the cities of medieval Europe, led to significant change. Up until then the Church had dominated timekeeping. Monastery bells rang at unequal intervals seven times a day, ordering the religious routine.

Now the life of the workman and the merchant had a new regularity. Timekeeping led to time accounting and time saving - time is money!

How did these mechanical clocks work?

Click the picture for an answer.