" Clock of Death."

Horowhenua Chronicle, 19 April 1910, Page 4

" Clock of Death."

♦——""'

HAMPTON COURT'S FAMOUS

DIAL,

Rcotint visitors to Hampton Court Palace missed the famous astronomical clock, the dial of which has been removed for repair and repainting. It is nearly thirty years since- a similar work was undertaken. The old clock, which was tho first astronomical timepiece in England, and av«s made for King Henry VIII. in 1540, has a curious history. In 1880 it Wuis brought out of a. shed at the Palace where it had lain neglected for nearly half *i century, and by order of tho then Secretary of the Office of Works it was re-erected in tho courtyard opposite the entrance to the State apartments. According to Mr Ernest Law, the historian of Hampton Court Palueo, the clock was invented by Nicholas Gratzer, a famous German astronomer, who came over to England by the invitation of Cardinal \Volse.y,and' who was introduced by him to Henry VIII. By the clock it is possible, to ascertain the hour, the month, the day o'f the month, tho position of the sun, and the number of days since the beginning of the year, phases of the moon and its age, the hour at which it crosses the meridian, and the time, of high •vater at London Bridge. The winding occupies half nn hour every week. The weights descend to a depth of over 00ft.

Like many other tilings about the Palace thore are legends about the clock. It is related that when Anne of Denmark, Queen of James 1., (lied aib Hampton Court, the clock, which was striking four at the_ moment, immediately stopped. Tt as also alleged to have done so ever since whenever anyone long resident in the Palace dies within its preoincts, and superstitious people quote many cases of its more recent occurrence,