Book Impressions: God's Philosophers

God’s Philosophers: How the Medieval World Laid the Foundations of Modern Science by James Hannam

God’s Philosophers is a superb book, with erudite discussions on the many misconceptions about the Middle Ages with regard to science and technology. Hannam shows that, rather than a few centuries where nothing much happened and the church suppressed all knowledge as heresy, the Middle Ages were a vibrant time during which much was learned and developed. The chapters range from “The Rise of Reason”, “Heresy and Reason” and “Magic and Medicine” to chapters concerning Roger Bacon, “The Merton Calculators” and “Galileo and the New Astronomy”.

God's Philosophers by J. Hannam

The volume follows a largely chronological order, which makes for an easy understanding of this dense text. Hannam further shows how religious and political views and interpersonal relationships contributed to scholarly pursuits or worked to the detriment thereof. The influence of the Renaissance, Enlightenment, etc. on the general view of the Middle Ages we still (largely) hold today is also tackled. This is what I enjoyed the most about Hannam’s work; he takes the time to show a multitude of different viewpoints, thoughts, and actions, instead of an overused caricature of an uncivilised, backward and ignorant time.

This book will be enjoyed by those interested in history in general, the Middle Ages, and the history of science.

Visit James Hannam's website for more information about this and his other books. 

Hannon, James (2009) God’s Philosophers: How the Medieval World Laid the Foundations ofModern Science. Icon Books.

I bought this book at a local bookstore, but it is also available at online retailers. 

Tree-hugging is good for the soul

There is something awe-inspiring about trees and forests. Something calming and eternal in their majesty as they reach out towards heaven. This isn’t so apparent when the trees are still young, but standing in front of a tree which is old or even ancient and yet is alive takes your breath away.

There is a well-known tree in the Knysna Forest, the King Edward VII tree, which is older than 650 years. To put that into perspective… the year is 1362…

In Europe it is the time of the High Middle Ages. In February of that year, King Magnus Eriksson’s son Haakon proclaims himself king of Sweden. On April 6 is the Battle of Brignais. Pope Urban V succeeds Pope Innocent VI as the 200th pope. Muhammed V, Sultan of Granada, returns to the throne after the murder of Muhammed VI. Under Edward III, English begins to replace French as England’s official language. The Ottomans capture Philippopolis and Adrianople from the Byzantine Empire, reducing it to the city of Constantinople. And in the Knysna Forest a seed of the Kalander tree starts growing.

It would be over a hundred years before Columbus would sail to America or the Cape of Storms – later to become the Cape of Good Hope – would be rounded by Portuguese sailors. It would be nearly three centuries before a halfway station would be started in the Cape of Good Hope, starting a settlement which would in a few more centuries become the Republic of South Africa.

It would be over six and a half centuries later when, armed with a digital camera; a tree-lover would visit it in the forest to first stand in awe… and then give it a hug. Well, do you blame me? I just couldn’t resist!

Worldbuilding Wednesday - The Keepers: Their Beginning and Their Houses

The start of the Keepers was during the time of the Great Sundering, when there was a consensus that the knowledge of the peoples of Airthai must be kept in a safe place during the wars, attacks, earthquakes and floods across the lands of Airthai. At that time the greater libraries on the eastern coast of the newly formed Continent gathered together all the copies of books and annals and even artworks that they could. The people who gathered these books were called the Gatherers of the Keepers of Knowledge. Books and scholars even came from the Eastern Isles, brought on the trading ships for safe keeping.

When the Saerímavolk was attacked by the Flotaferan - which saw part of the Saerímavolk trek inland and form the Eargestreon - it was decided that a type of army should be formed from the surrounding peoples; who could be called upon immediately to keep their people safe. With them there would be scholars well-versed in the politics and the history of the peoples involved who could act as diplomats.

A fortress was built just north of the Saerímavolk lands and this was the first House of the Keepers. These Keepers later became known as the Eastern Keepers once other Houses were built.

The second House that was built was that of Holt Haliern, in the Midlands. The third and fourth houses, which were built nearly simultaneously, were the Houses of Théotriewe and Eamidtheo. These three Houses are all in the Midlands. Although the names of Holt Haliern and Théotriewe have stayed the same, that of Eamidtheo changed to Ameragh after the Lady Wíslic Ameragh's death. Because of this, and his great sorrow, Síldu did not return to this most southern House of the Keepers for many years, but stayed at Holt Haliern and Théotriewe.

In the Southern Lands, first the towers of the Khallahna and later the Khalné's Tower, along with the libraries of the countries of the Southern Lands, served as the repositories of the books and knowledge. Only after the Dragon Keepers had left the southern shores was a true House of Keepers, known as the Southern Keepers, started in the Southern Lands.

In the Western Lands, the first House of Keepers built was the House of the Rún; situated on the west of the Ealdbergs. A second was built on the western coast of the Continent. In the Northern Lands only one House was built; known as the House of the White Dragon.

The Sign of the Keepers of Holt Haliern

Next week: The Keepers: The Wíslic and the Elders (And I’m hoping to have the pre-Sundering map finished by then as well.)

Ageless Words Friday: Bede’s Death Song

A well-known author and scholar, Bede (c. 672 A.D.. – 26 May 735 A.D.) is most famous for his work Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum (The Ecclesiastical History of the English People). Bede (also referred to as Saint Bede or the Venerable Bede) was a monk at the Northumbrian monasteries of Saint Peter at Monkwearmouth[1] and Saint Paul in Jarrow. He was also a skilled translator and linguist, and wrote many works of a scientific, historical and theological nature. On his deathbed he is said to have composed the following five lines of verse, known as Bede’s Death Song.

[2]For þam nedfere    næni wyrþeþ

þances snotera,        þonne him þearf sy

to gehicgenne                       ær his heonengange

hwæt his gaste                     godes oþþe yfeles

æfter deaþe heonon            demed weorþe.

English Translation:

Bede’s Dying Words – Translation by Anthony Cronin

Before the inevitable hour looms

When, however unwilling,

You must face the final court

You cannot give enough thought

To the state of your account,

Its balance of good and evil,

For when that hour arrives

It will be too late

To add or subtract,

Regret or amend.

For more information about Bede, his works or the time he lived in, visit the Labyrinth; a wonderful assemblage of links and resources by Georgetown University, or visit the Christian Classics Ethereal Library. Wikipedia also has an article about his life and works, including various links.

I'll be back on Monday with some more fiction and the next instalment of VfH. Enjoy your weekend!

Bede

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[1] Today part of Sunderland.

[2] Anglo-Saxon text and translation by Anthony Cronin taken from The Word Exchange, published by W.W. Norton in 2011.

A Ghost's Writing / Spokeskrif

A Ghost's writing

9 October 1941. The newspaper frontpages on the screen is dark and dull. The headlines on all the frontpages tell only one story: Nazis drive deep into Leningrad Lines reads New York’s Daily Messenger. Another reads: 1,000,000 Russians said Trapped – The Hayward Review. I turn back to the Dickens book open at my elbow. The pages are the colour of weak tea and smells of dust. The ink on the page is still a bright black, but the handwriting leaves much to be desired. In the upper right corner, below the pencil marks of the scribbled price of R30,00 is the date: 9 October 1941. Below it, on the left is the name – it looks to be ‘Abie’. I read the message again; “To Abie, on the day of his Bar-Mitzvah”.

The Computer bleeps as it loads the page an I look back at the screen. A new frontpage has loaded – Big German armies pound closer to Moscow.And I wonder who left this book at the secondhand shop.

Spokeskrif

9 Oktober 1941. Die koerantvoorblaaie op die skerm is donker en dof. Die opskrifte van al die voorblaaie vertel net een storie: Nazis drive deep into Leningrad Lines lees die Daily Messenger van New York. ’n Ander: 1,000,000 Russians said Trapped – The Hayward Review. Ek kyk weer na die Dickens-boek wat by my elmboog lê. Die bladsye is die kleur van flou tee en ruik na stof. Die ink op die bladsy is nog 'n helder swart, alhoewel die handskrif veel te wense laat. In die regterkantste hoek, onder die potloodmerke van die vinnig geskribbelde prys van R30,00, is die datum: 9 Oktober 1941. Onder, links is die naam–  ‘Abie’, lyk dit vir my. Ek lees weer die boodskap wat daar geskryf is: “To Abie on the day of his Bar Mitzvah”.

 Die rekenaar bliep-bliep soos dit die bladsy laai en ek kyk terug na die skerm. ’n Nuwe voorblad het gelaai –“Big German armies pound closer to Moscow". En ek wonder wie hierdie boek by die tweedehandse winkel gaan aflaai het.