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ST HELEN . ASHBY-de-la-ZOUCH
GRADE I ♱ C15 on older site; C19 enlargement. Listed as a building of exceptional interest. A fine church that invites investigation. Its orientation is significantly out of true. The focus is on the large vertical dial on the third stage of the mainly C15 tower. SK360167 / 52.7473 / -1.4668
SUNDIAL
BSS RECORD
I am using the detailed BSS record for this dial, which is better informed and more concise than my own effort (discarded):
The dial is painted on the south wall of the tower, below the belfry. The hour lines and numerals were restored in August 2000. No markings previously remained though evidence of semicircular edging stones was visible. Interesting rod gnomon located near its end by a two legged ‘stirrup’ supporter. Shows 6am to 3pm in hours. Four 18in high numerals only (VI, IX, XII, III) inside the hour circle painted in black on stone, to be visible from the castle. No prior rendering. Restoration showed no evidence of any other attachments. Restoration by J A Tyldesley. Refer Church Booklet ‘The Restoration of the Ancient Sundial’.
To which I add that the gnomon / stirrup is slightly skewed, perhaps a correction of the church’s unaligned orientation.
BSS also notes: Church website says “On the south wall of the Memorial chapel is a sundial which is easily overlooked”. Is this another dial? Any further information would be welcome.
The St Helen’s website is a model of its kind: informative, clear, interesting, and with excellent short videos of important aspects of the church https://www.sthelensashby.net/
FINGER PILLORY
Adding to my pages dealing with interesting non-dial features in Medieval churches, the image above shows a most unusual treasure that I have not come across before, a FINGER PILLORY. It seems that there is only one other in the country (Littlecote House Wilts) . This device was used to punish minor miscreants in public for offences not serious enough to warrant the stocks.
Finger ‘stocks’ were used in churches for minor offences like not paying attention during a sermon.
https://www.sthelensashby.net/
This drawing suggests another painful reminder to conform, with a finger being trapped inextricably at a right angle. I’d stick with listening to the sermon in preference.
GSS Category: Vertical Dial; Restored Church Dial; Rediscovered Church Sundial; Finger Pillory
Credits: Erika Clarkson; St Helen’s church website; OS / CC sources
GAUDIUM SUB SOLE . SUNDIALS . MEDIEVAL TO MODERN 