How would people in the 16th century know the time at night? Or would they?

Would the surrounding villagers/townspeople be able to hear the bells used during the night to call monks or nuns to Vigil during the night? Or were they quiet enough that they themselves would hear?

Were town bell towers common in the 16th century (especially outside of England?) And how often would they ring at night?

From what I understand this was a bit too early for town criers, and they certainly wouldn't be heard over a wide area.

Any other way to tell the passing of time during the night?

Diviner said:

I have read that caring about the time is a fairly modern concern. It makes me wonder how monestaries and nunnaries kept track of time themselves, but they obviously did. With an hour glass and tallies?

A country man might be more in touch with animals, like cock crow for dawn, movement of bats and owls, and as metioned above stars, the moon, and the color of the sky. Where time was really important, they must have used the hour glass or how far down a candle has burned.

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Yes, from what I've read the monasteries would have used hourglasses, steadily burning incense or candles, or even clocks. I've also read that Vigil (the middle-of-the-night prayers) was not necessarily at the same exact time every night.

The average household, I'm sure, wouldn't keep track that well. And my characters are outside. It's a moonlit night, but some of them (my 21st century time travelers) would not know how to tell time by the position of the moon.

Here's what I have for now, unless someone (pdr, you out there?) comes up with something better for me. I've spent far too much time researching for one line of dialogue. I'm going to assume that the nunnery bells are loud enough for the villagers to hear.

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“We’ll wait here,” Roland said. “Until the church bells ring to call the nuns to Vigil.”

pdr said:

Just this hour got my internet connection up and running it's been weeks! Makes me wish very much for Japanese efficiency.

16thC? Night? Measured time in minutes was not as vital then to many people but it did matter for some trades and crafts.

Those near a convent or monastery would hear the bells.

Those in many towns and villages had a system of the night watch - remember ‘Much Ado About Nothing’? They really did trot around saying ‘midnight and all’s well’!

Remember the sky too. In the country where there are no lights to fuddle you the night sky goes from dusk through very dark at midnight to the first light of the false dawn and then dawn. The blackness did and does vary as the night progresses.

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Rowan, welcome back! I'm glad to know my church bells are going to work.