View of the Matthew the Miller clock before restoration

This view shows the Matthew Miller clock and jacks at St Mary Steps church prior to restoration in 1980.

Matthew is seated in the upper part of the design, flanked by jacks on each side, and set within a rather clumsy early 17th century Gothic niche; below is the dial.

The provision of such an elaborate clock for one of Exeter's poorest parishes in the early 17th century is rather puzzling and it has been suggested that the clock may originally have been intended for the Cathedral. A broadly similar clock was provided for the north tower of Wells Cathedral at this time.

Acknowledgments: RAM Museum