Table of Contents

Illustrations; Abbreviations; Preface; Part I. The Environment for Medieval Astronomies: 1. Astronomies in cultures; 2. The heritage of astronomical practice; 3. Astronomy and Christian thought; Part II. The Cultivation of Early Medieval Astronomies: 4. Continuity and change in solar ritual; 5. Computing the central time - the date of Easter; 6. Observing the Celestial order - monastic timekeeping; 7. Astronomy in the Liberal Arts; Part III. The Harvest of Medieval Astronomies: 8. The fusion of astronomical traditions; 9. The encounter of Arabic and Latin astronomies; 10. The rebirth of Ptolemaic astronomy; Bibliography.

Promotional Information

This book provides an overview of the astronomical practices that continued through the so-called 'Dark Ages'.

Reviews

' ... an interesting read not only to those with an interest in early medieval astronomy, but also to readers with a more general interest in the history of this period ... Moreover, the copious footnotes make this book a useful source of reference ...'. John Steele, Astronomy Now ' ... very interesting for all those interested in the history and the development of science and especially astronomy in Europe in the very early stages.' Review of Astronomical Tools 'Besides providing a novel view of early-medieval astronomical knowledge in the Latin West, McCluskey furnishes a highly successful example of an approach that integrates the history of scientific knowledge with cultural history ... McCluskey's study ought to serve as an inspiring exemplar for charting the history of other sorts of scientific knowledge and in other periods.' P. M. Rattansi, The Times Higher Education Supplement 'McCluskey's survey provides a fine introduction to early medieval astronomy, astrology, and computus ... This is not another 'progress of science' treatment of its topic. The book begins before the early Middle Ages, actually in prehistory with solar holizon calendars (perhaps Stonehenge) and in classical antiquity with stellar calendars.' Early Medieval Europe