In 1270, the first recorded use of a mechanical clock occurred in England, marking a pivotal moment in the history of timekeeping. This innovation allowed for more precise measurement of time, which had significant implications for daily life, commerce, and religious practices. The introduction of mechanical clocks gradually transformed societal structures, influencing everything from work hours to literary expressions of time.

The advent of mechanical clocks inspired poets to explore themes of time and its passage in their works. Notable poets like Geoffrey Chaucer later reflected on the significance of time in relation to human experience, as seen in his works that delve into the nature of time and mortality. The clock's influence on literature can be seen as a precursor to the more complex explorations of time in later poetic movements.