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THE ESSEX NATURALIST
its significance immediately. For it seemed clear to me that this geo-
metrical proportion arose from a way of laying-out the foundation trenches
which would require no more elaborate instrument than a length of cord,
which is in keeping with what we know of the simplicity of Saxon masons'
methods.
What I want to submit to you is the extreme probability that the Saxon
church mason laid out his foundation trenches like this:
M=Master Mason A=Assistant
Firstly, he would lay out a north-south line on the ground (probably
at the west end of the proposed church site); the noon shadow of the sun,
or the pole-star at night, would give the direction well enough for his purpose.