The Light Ages: The Surprising Story of Medieval Science.

Author / Editor
Falk, Seb.

Title
The Light Ages: The Surprising Story of Medieval Science.

Published
New York: Norton, 2020.

Physical Description
xv, 392 pp.; 56 b&w illus.; 9 color plates

Description
Combines a biography of Benedictine astronomer John Westwyk with contextualizing information about medieval science, technology, education, and innovation, particularly in the monastic settings of St. Albans Abbey and its Tynemouth Priory. Credits Westwyk with writing Equat and describes his contributions to Richard of Wallingford's legacy, explaining much about medieval mathematics, numerals, time-keeping, optics, mapmaking, navigation, and scientific instruments. Draws examples from CT and observes relations between Equat and Astr, characterizing Westwyk as one who “saw himself as an astronomical apprentice” to Chaucer. Originally published by Allen Lane in 2020 as The Light Ages: A Medieval Journey of Discovery.

Alternative Title
The Light Ages: A Medieval Journey of Discovery.

Chaucer Subjects
Equatorie of the Planetis
Treatise on the Astrolabe
Background and General Criticism