Candle clock

The so-called candle hours Candle watch or a clock, the time measurement is based on the burning material. It makes use of the fact to exploit the fact that a candle burns quickly always equal if they have the same diameter and is made of the same material.

Operation

The Candle watch shows the elapsed time relative to by the missing material. It almost always comes a scale used to read the elapsed time better. This is either mounted separately behind / next to the candle or mounted directly on the candle. In addition, metal pins with weights or bells can be plugged into the candle. When the candle burns down to the pin, it falls down and produces a loud noise. Thus, the candle must not be continuously observed and a certain time is not so easily overlooked.

The accuracy for an hourly candle is about 5-10 minutes. The thicker the candle, the less accurate it can be seen, as it burns slower. If a draft is available, it can affect the burning rate also. Temperature differences, however, have no significant effect on the burning rate.

The Candle watch had the advantage that it worked even at night or in overcast conditions compared to other former timepieces. However, a disadvantage was the cost factor wax and the only unique usability.

History

The earliest mention of a Candle watch can be found in the Life of King Alfred of England, who used the Candle watch in the 9th century in Europe. His chronicler Bishop Asser narrated that he mustered exactly 8 hours for his public duties, 8 hours for studying, eating and sleeping and 8 hours for prayer. To be able to maintain its structured daily schedule, he needed daily 6 candles per 4 hours burning time, which he kept in a lantern to optimize the uniformity of the burn.

Hours candles were used in the Middle Ages almost exclusively in monasteries. This circumstance is due to the fact that monks was the first human group that a more accurate time measurement is required as the then customary in society division into " blocks of days " due to the prayer times. Beeswax was very expensive, among other reasons, many monasteries excelled in beekeeping.

Production

After the candle making is a " calibrator " is required at the time of determination. In the monasteries, this was done by means of prayers or the singing of psalms. A special brother ( " significator horarum " ) was responsible for determining the time in the monastery, this he did by singing certain psalms. As soon as the first reference candle was lit, it began abzubeten the time for a specified period of time (typically an hour hence the name " Hour Candle "). As soon as you were finished, you marked the spot on a fresh candle, to which the reference candle had burned down. This process was repeated until the candle was burned at an end. Then transferred to the markings on the candle to other candles. Probably also templates were used to prepare standard candles. In a manuscript extent of such a candle on the edge are noted.

The scale was applied either separately or on the candle. The method of attachment of the ticks on the candle is unclear, most likely, however, that they were sealed by means of soot into the candle surface, since this method is reliable and free.