From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Treatise on the Astrolabe
Treatise on the Astrolabe
Name on Rete Modern Designation
Alkab Iota Aurigae
Alpheta Alpha Corona Borealis
Alramih Arcturus
Alkaid Eta Ursae Majoris
K.Alasad Alpha Leonis
Algomisa Procyon
Alhabor Sirius
Alghul Beta Persei
Alnath Beta Tauri
Markab Alpha Pegasi
Alradif Delta Cephei
Alnasir Alpha Andromedae
A Treatise on the Astrolabe is a medieval essay on the astro- 2. A rudimentary course in using the instrument
labe by Geoffrey Chaucer. It begins: 3. Various tables of longitudes, latitudes, declinations,
Lyte Lowys my sone, I aperceyve wel by certeyne etc.
evydences thyn abilite to lerne sciences touching 4. A "theorike" (theory) of the motion of the celestial
nombres and proporciouns; and as wel considre I bodies, in particular a table showing the "very
thy besy praier in special to lerne the tretys of the moving of the moon"
Astrelabie. Than for as moche as a philosofre saith, 5. An introduction to the broader field of "astrologie,"
"he wrappith him in his frend, that condescendith a word which at the time referred to the entire span
to the rightfulle praiers of his frend," therfore have of what we now divide into astrology and astronomy.
I yeven the a suffisant Astrolabie as for oure However, Chaucer only completed parts 1 and 2, plus a
orizonte, compowned after the latitude of small collection of "Supplementary Propositions".
Oxenforde; upon which, by mediacioun of this litel The Treatise is considered the oldest work in English
tretys, I purpose to teche the a certein nombre of describing a complex scientific instrument, and is ad-
conclusions aperteynyng to the same instrument. mired for its clarity in explaining difficult con-
cepts—although since the astrolabe and related tools are
or, in a more modern English spelling, no longer in common use, much of it is difficult for mod-
Little Lewis my son, I perceive well by certain ern readers to understand.
evidences thine ability to learn sciences touching The stars listed on the rim of the rete of the drawings
numbers and proportions; and as well consider I in the Treatise are given below with their modern
thy constant prayer in special to learn the treatise names:[citation needed]
of the Astrolabe. Than for as much as a philosopher
saith, "He wrappth him in his friend, that
condescendth to the rightful prayers of his friend", Bibliography
therefore have I given thee a suffisant Astrolabe as • Edgar Laird. "Astrolabes and the Construction of
for our horizons, compounded after latitude of Time in the Late Middle Ages." In: Constructions of
Oxford; upon which, by means of this little treatise, Time in the Late Middle Ages. Ed. Carol Poster and
I purpose to teach thee a certain number of Richard Utz. Evanston, IL: Northwestern University
conclusions pertaining to the same instrument. Press, 1997. Pp. 51-69.
• J. D. North. Chaucer’s Universe (Oxford: Clarendon,
According to the introduction, the work was to have five 1988).
parts:
1. A description of the astrolabe
1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Treatise on the Astrolabe
External links • A Treatise on the Astrolabe - a verb database
(language analysis, description of the astrolabe and
• Plain-text format (with line numbering): Part 1 Part Middle English period)
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from eChaucer
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Treatise_on_the_Astrolabe&oldid=462320341"
Categories:
• Medieval literature
• History of astronomy
• Astronomy books
• Astrological texts
• Works by Geoffrey Chaucer
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