An invaluable aid to understanding Chaucer's astrolabe treatise is: North, John D., "Chaucer's Universe", Clarendon Press, Oxford (1988).
Chaucer's treatise assumes the reader is familiar with 14th century cosmology, an assumption that is no longer valid, particularly in the astrological conventions. The first half of 'Chaucer's Universe' has an overview of medieval cosmology that is interesting in and of itself, and absolutely required to understand the text of the astrolabe treatise. The second part is concerned with the astronomical content of "The Canterbury Tales". In addition, it is useful to have parts of 'Horoscopes and History', also by North, which explains the various astrological 'house' conventions. The method used by Chaucer is not the one popularized by Regiomantanus that appeared on many astrolabes. Diligent study of these three sources provides a wonderful opportunity for getting a feel for the medieval mind and will open many doors for the study of the history of astronomy. Be advised, however, that it is not easy going and commitment is needed to wade through it. Another source for a more readable Chaucer text is Skeats' edition, from the late 19th century. North is better. Best regards, Jim James E. Morrison Astrolabe web pages at: http://myhouse.com/mc/planet/astrodir/astrolab.htm -----Original Message----- From: Mac Oglesby <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: sundial@rrz.uni-koeln.de <sundial@rrz.uni-koeln.de> Date: Sunday, April 19, 1998 11:09 AM Subject: Translation of Chaucer >Greetings all, > >Does anyone have a web address where I might find a translation of >Chaucer's Treatise on the Astrolabe? I have the text (from Richard M. >Koolish: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/chaucer-astro.html), but I >confess I need some help understanding the old English. > >Thanks, > >Mac Oglesby > >
