Wells Cathedral clock

The surviving mechanism, dated to between 1386 and 1392, was replaced in the 19th century, and was eventually moved to the Science Museum in London, where it continues to operate.

[1] The dial represents the geocentric view of the universe, with the Sun and Moon revolving round a central fixed Earth.

Noon is at the top of the dial reflecting the position of the Sun in the sky at this time.

The inscription around the moon phase indicator says sphericus archetypum globus hic monstrat microcosmum, which translates as This spherical globe here shows the archetypal microcosm.

Howgrave-Graham suggests that the scribe erroneously put microcosmum, when macrocosmum is the more obvious word.

However, John Leland the antiquary claimed in the mid 16th century that the clock at Glastonbury Abbey, just six miles from Wells, was made by Peter Lightfoot, a monk at the Abbey,[4] and further evidence is provided by the monastic chronicler, John of Glaston.

[5] It was reported (in 1828) that "At the Reformation, this clock was removed from Glastonbury Abbey to its present situation in Wells Cathedral".

In August 2010, the current Keeper of the Great Clock of Wells, Paul Fisher, announced his retirement.