Jean Wilson, Professor of English at Boston University, USA, has described the Countess's Pillar in Westmorland, England,in the current (July 1998) issue of the London magazine "History Today" (www.historytoday.com). Members of the British Sundial Society visited this sundial, dated 1656, at their meeting in the north of England in May 1997. Wilson writes: "The pillar supports a square capital, on three sides of which are sundials, on the fourth a pair of heraldic shields. The inscription reads: *This pillar was Erected Anno 1656 by ye R, Honoble Anne Countess Dowager of Pembrook and Daughter and Sole Heire of ye Rt Honoble George Earl of Cumberland &c. For a Memorial of her last Parting in this place with her good and Pious Mother ye Rt Honoble Margaret Countes Dowager of Cumberland ye 2d of April 1616....*"
A good story lies behind this dial, one to hearten all feminists. "Sole Heire" she may have been but she had to fight for it over many years. The dial, which stands clearly visible by the busy A66 road has been recently restored with advice from the British Sundial Society chairman. A picture of the dial appears on the cover of the Bulletin of the British Sundial Society for July 1997. -- Frank Evans
