The medieval machine that predicted tides and lunar nodes

Technology · Published 1 November 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In the early 14th century, a monk-turned-abbot designed a mechanical marvel so complex it rivaled the greatest engineering of the era. It didn't just tell time; it calculated the heavens, tracked the moon’s phases, and even predicted the height of the tide at London Bridge.

Richard of Wallingford (1292–1336) was a polymath who combined his roles as a cleric and mathematician to revolutionize horology. While serving as abbot of St Albans Abbey, he designed an astronomical clock described in the 1327 Tractatus Horologii Astronomici. This machine was among the most sophisticated in existence during the 14th century, comparable only to Giovanni de Dondi’s astrarium.

The mechanical complexity of Richard's design allowed it to perform multiple simultaneous functions. It displayed mean time in both equal and unequal hours alongside true solar time. Furthermore, it tracked lunar nodes and moon phases. One of its most practical applications was calculating the tide height at London Bridge, showcasing a high level of integration between celestial mechanics and terrestrial navigation.

Though Richard died in 1336, his vision was realized about 20 years later by William of Walsham. The original masterpiece was eventually destroyed during the dissolution of St Albans Abbey in 1539. Because the original is lost, modern scholars have used surviving literary evidence to build several recreations, including models at St Albans Cathedral and the Whipple Museum of the History of Science.

Beyond clocks, Richard's engineering prowess was evident in his creation of calculation devices like the torquetum and the equatorium (which he named Albion). The Albion was particularly advanced because it could predict eclipses and calculate planetary longitudes without requiring pre-copied tables, representing a significant leap in portable astronomical computing.

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