When I was in high school we read some of the Canterbury Tales and Mrs. McMullen (a legendary teacher at the school) made a big deal about how we were absolutely, positively, under no circumstances to read the Miller's Tale because it was totally inappropriate, which of course meant that a bunch of us immediately went and read it. We really felt like we got something over on her! As an adult I realized that she knew exactly what she was doing.
Chaucer was also a powerful scientist who contributed to astronomy. At that time astronomy was mainly following the Persian tradition of mapping the movements of stars and planets to discern God's pattern for our lives. Later we decided to rename science as Astrology, which we are required to mock for heresy.
Here's his discussion of the Astrolabe, the first measuring tool for stars. Astrolabes allowed you to sight a star directly, without the distortion of lenses. Direct contact with God's plan.
When I was in high school we read some of the Canterbury Tales and Mrs. McMullen (a legendary teacher at the school) made a big deal about how we were absolutely, positively, under no circumstances to read the Miller's Tale because it was totally inappropriate, which of course meant that a bunch of us immediately went and read it. We really felt like we got something over on her! As an adult I realized that she knew exactly what she was doing.
Well played, Mrs. McMullen. Well played.
Excited!! Thanks, John. Chaucer is not an author I've read, I'm sad to say. I'm looking forward to this.
So glad you're reading along, Tiffany! We'll make you a Chaucerian yet.
What a great introduction! Thank you!
Chaucer was also a powerful scientist who contributed to astronomy. At that time astronomy was mainly following the Persian tradition of mapping the movements of stars and planets to discern God's pattern for our lives. Later we decided to rename science as Astrology, which we are required to mock for heresy.
Here's his discussion of the Astrolabe, the first measuring tool for stars. Astrolabes allowed you to sight a star directly, without the distortion of lenses. Direct contact with God's plan.
https://books.google.com/books?id=XDIDAAAAQAAJ