Her speakers voice - Dr Tessa Murdoch Would you like to discover more about the massive contribution made by Huguenot refugee watch and clockmakers in London between 1540 and 1780? This was a production era which by 1747 'beat all Europe in Clocks and Watches of all sorts and exports those useful Engines to all Parts of the known World'. Look no further than a talk being given by Dr Tessa Murdoch on Saturday 25th January at 2:00 PM, at the Old Library at West Dean College, West Dean, Chichester, PO18 0QZ, organised by the Southern Section of the Antiquarian Horological Society. Dr Murdoch will examine Nicholas Ourseau, who created the astronomical clock for Hampton Court Palace in 1540, through to the establishment of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers a century later, to the considerable exodus from France in the late 17th century. Highly talented craftsmen moved to England from regional cities including Blois, Caen, Dieppe, Lyons, La Rochelle, Meaux, Orleans, Rouen and Saumur. They were makers of movements, cases and retailers. Huguenot families with shops near the royal court in St James's included the Barrauds, Cabriers, Debaufres, Grignions and Perigals. Some settled outside London and are recorded in Barnstaple, Bristol, Newcastle, Plymouth, Southampton, Winchester and York. David Bouquet was admitted to the London Blacksmiths' Company in 1628. His clocks and watches have exceptionally fine cases. His family were connected with the diamond and jewellery trades. Their customers included the Royal Family. Highlights are the long case clocks supplied by Francis Perigal to the French Church, Threadneedle Street in 1743 and by Charles Cabrier, given to the French Hospital, then at Finsbury, London in 1752. James Paulet specialised in making carriage clocks, occasionally given as presents by Queen Anne. Clockmaking families intermarried with other specialist craftsmen. The daughters of leading Huguenot goldsmiths, Paul de Lamerie and Paul Crespin, both married into clockmaking families, the Debaufres and the Barrauds. They also specialized in producing musical clocks as evidenced by timekeepers signed by Claude du Chesne, Claude Viet and Stephen Rimbault. Arguably, the Huguenot contribution to the watch and clockmaking crafts was their most influential and most enduring legacy to the world. If you would like to attend this intriguing talk, with tickets for £5:00 payable at the door, please contact David C Brown. We look forward to seeing you there!
