Mediaeval Lore from Bartholomew Anglicus
1905
Mediaeval Lore from Bartholomew Anglicus
Anglicus, active 13th century Bartholomaeus
1905
Translated by John Trevisa
A collection of writings that dives into the scientific, medicinal, and societal understandings of the Middle Ages, drawn from the works of the English Franciscan Bartholomew, likely written in the mid-13th century. The text serves as an encyclopedic resource, elucidating the properties of various elements and facets of life during this era, while also shedding light on the aspirations and intellectual pursuits of its contemporaries. At the start of this work, a preface by William Morris provides context for the medieval perspective on knowledge and learning, correcting misconceptions about this time as chaotic and ignorant. Following the preface, the translator's prologue sets the tone by explaining the purpose behind Bartholomew’s work, which is to clarify allusions found in religious texts through the exploration of natural objects. The introduction outlines the scope of the original text, hinting at its broad appeal across different classes of society in medieval Europe. This opening portion is rich with reflections on how medieval life intertwined with topics of science, medicine, and social norms, setting the stage for readers to engage with a world that perceived nature through a symbolic lens.
Editions
X-Ray
13th century English Franciscan friar and scholar who compiled this encyclopedic work. A professor of theology who taught in Paris and later in Saxony, dedicated to making knowledge accessible to common people.
Chaplain to Sir Thomas Berkeley who translated Bartholomew's Latin work into English in 1397. A scholarly translator committed to making knowledge available in the vernacular.
19th century writer and medievalist who wrote the preface defending the value of medieval literature and thought. Advocates for understanding the continuity of human culture.
Medieval English lord who commissioned Trevisa's translation, representing the educated nobility's desire for vernacular learning.
About Mediaeval Lore from Bartholomew Anglicus
Chapter Summaries
- Preface
- Morris defends medieval literature against 18th-century dismissal, arguing that the Middle Ages were a period of growth and development, not stagnation. He presents this work as valuable both for its literary merit and historical insight.
- Introduction
- Explains Bartholomew's encyclopedic work, written for Franciscan preachers to understand biblical references to natural objects. Details the book's popularity, translation history, and significance for understanding medieval thought.
- I
- Explores medieval natural philosophy, including theories of matter and form, the four elements, and various natural phenomena. Shows how medieval thinkers sought to understand the 'why' rather than just the 'how' of natural processes.
Key Themes
- Knowledge and Education
- The work demonstrates medieval commitment to preserving and transmitting all forms of knowledge, from theology to natural history, making learning accessible beyond the scholarly elite.
- Medieval Worldview
- Presents a comprehensive medieval understanding of the universe as an ordered, symbolic system where everything from angels to animals reflects divine purpose and meaning.
- Science and Wonder
- Medieval science combined empirical observation with legendary accounts, seeking to understand not just how things work but why they exist and what they signify.
Characters
- Bartholomew Anglicus(protagonist)
- 13th century English Franciscan friar and scholar who compiled this encyclopedic work. A professor of theology who taught in Paris and later in Saxony, dedicated to making knowledge accessible to common people.
- John Trevisa(major)
- Chaplain to Sir Thomas Berkeley who translated Bartholomew's Latin work into English in 1397. A scholarly translator committed to making knowledge available in the vernacular.
- William Morris(major)
- 19th century writer and medievalist who wrote the preface defending the value of medieval literature and thought. Advocates for understanding the continuity of human culture.
- Sir Thomas Berkeley(minor)
- Medieval English lord who commissioned Trevisa's translation, representing the educated nobility's desire for vernacular learning.
