Tudor Timekeeping: Bells, Clocks, and a Bit of Bling
- Author
- Claire Ridgway
- Published
- Mon 26 May 2025
- Episode Link
- https://tudorhistory.podbean.com/e/tudor-timekeeping-bells-clocks-and-a-bit-of-bling/
Ever wondered how people in the Tudor period told the time—long before smartphones or wristwatches? In this video, I explore the fascinating ways our medieval and Tudor ancestors kept track of their day.
From monastery bells marking the canonical hours to the rise of mechanical town clocks in the 14th century, Tudor timekeeping was far more advanced than you might expect. We’ll look at sundials, water clocks, astrolabes, and even the incredible astronomical clock at Hampton Court Palace. And yes—there were watches in Tudor England! Anne Boleyn owned one, and Elizabeth I had several, including a gift from Robert Dudley.
Plus, I’ll share why you sometimes hear the chimes of my village clock tower in the background of my videos—and how that links us back to the soundscape of the past.
Step back in time with me to discover how the Tudors measured their hours—and why timekeeping was as much about bells, beauty, and status as practicality.
#TudorHistory #AnneBoleyn #ElizabethI #TudorTechnology #Timekeeping #MedievalHistory #TudorLife #OnThisDay #TudorEngland #HamptonCourt #HistoricalClocks #HistoryNerd
Links:
Henry VIII portrait - https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw03080/King-Henry-VIII-King-Henry-VII
Anne Boleyn clock - https://www.rct.uk/collection/30018/anne-boleyn-clock and https://strawberryhillhouseblog.wordpress.com/2018/09/10/362/
Hampton Court - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hampton_Court_astronomical_clock
Early Mechanical Clocks - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clock#Early_mechanical_clocks
From monastery bells marking the canonical hours to the rise of mechanical town clocks in the 14th century, Tudor timekeeping was far more advanced than you might expect. We’ll look at sundials, water clocks, astrolabes, and even the incredible astronomical clock at Hampton Court Palace. And yes—there were watches in Tudor England! Anne Boleyn owned one, and Elizabeth I had several, including a gift from Robert Dudley.
Plus, I’ll share why you sometimes hear the chimes of my village clock tower in the background of my videos—and how that links us back to the soundscape of the past.
Step back in time with me to discover how the Tudors measured their hours—and why timekeeping was as much about bells, beauty, and status as practicality.
#TudorHistory #AnneBoleyn #ElizabethI #TudorTechnology #Timekeeping #MedievalHistory #TudorLife #OnThisDay #TudorEngland #HamptonCourt #HistoricalClocks #HistoryNerd
Links:
Henry VIII portrait - https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw03080/King-Henry-VIII-King-Henry-VII
Anne Boleyn clock - https://www.rct.uk/collection/30018/anne-boleyn-clock and https://strawberryhillhouseblog.wordpress.com/2018/09/10/362/
Hampton Court - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hampton_Court_astronomical_clock
Early Mechanical Clocks - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clock#Early_mechanical_clocks
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Claire Ridgway
Best-selling author, historian, speaker, YouTuber and founder of the Anne Boleyn Files and Tudor Society websites.
https://linktr.ee/claireridgway
claireridgway.com
www.tudorsociety.com
www.theanneboleynfiles.com
