Medieval Science II: How the Middle Ages paved the way for modern science

What did the medievals really do for us? What science was “reborn” at the Renaissance? And what does today’s chemistry owe to premodern alchemy – and even magic?  

This course will explore a critical moment in the history of ideas: the end of the Middle Ages, variously described as the “Age of Discovery”, the “Printing Revolution” or the “Renaissance” . It will be taught via five lectures, richly illustrated to convey the full breadth of scientific knowledge in the period. Each lecture will include stimulus material in the form of readings and images: vivid bestiaries, stunning herbals, or mysterious maps. We will see how medieval astrologers produced weather forecasts, and how medieval navigators steered by the stars.

Some key developments in the later Middle Ages laid the foundations for the more celebrated era of the Scientific Revolution, and thus continue to shape modern science. We will see how medieval science was a unified discipline – but also how it contained the seeds of modern specialisation and fragmentation. We will explore the boundaries of science: how the study of nature shaded into occult sciences, and what that tells us about the definition of (pseudo)science today. We will look closely at two vital changes that allowed Europeans to consider the world in new ways: voyages of exploration, and the proliferation of printed books. And we will examine some celebrated episodes often supposed to mark the end of the Middle Ages and the dawn of modern science, and ask if they were all they seem.  

The Middle Ages: a period of history that can seem deeply strange, full of bizarre superstitions, yet somehow led seamlessly into a period of astounding achievement. This course will show how that happened – and may lead us to question our notions of science and progress. 

Learning outcomes

The learning outcomes for this course are:

• Know about developments in a range of sciences from the later Middle Ages and Renaissance (1000-1600).  
• Understand how scholarly sciences and practical arts came together, accompanied by important developments such as printing and exploration, in the development of modern science.  
• Be able to use a long view of the history of science to critically assess claims about modern scientific prowess. 

Classes

1. Astrology and medicine
We will examine the importance and influence of medieval astrology, based on a unified theory of microcosm and macrocosm but underpinned by precise mathematical astronomy. We will see how it fed into medieval medicine, and look at some of the methods of medieval physicians  

2. The powers of the natural world
For Christians in the Middle Ages, the universe was created by God: a marvellous and incomprehensible place, full of mystery and magic. We will look at alchemy and magic, bestiaries and herbals, to see how alongside a sense of wonder medieval people cultivated a fertile scientific interest in the natural world.  

3. Manuscripts and books
Science is only science when it's communicated. We will see how medieval science was communicated and studied through its books: handwritten manuscripts, some beautifully written on smooth parchment, others rough and poorly conserved. We will also discuss how the development of printing from the 15th century transformed science.  

4. Voyages of discovery
One hugely important development which marked the end of the European Middle Ages was the rise of oceanic exploration and the discovery of what Europeans came to call the New World. We will see how Europeans developed the technology - and the motivation - for this exploration, and what they found when they explored.  

5. The legacy of medieval science
We will look at the end of the Middle Ages, examining a few key figures and scientific works in detail to see how much developments in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries owed to medieval achievements. Looking separately at medicine and astronomy, we will ask how far the Middle Ages really paved the way for modern science. 

Typical week: Monday to Friday

For each week of study you select a morning (Am) and an afternoon (Pm) course, each course has five sessions, one each day Monday to Friday. The maximum class size is 25 students. Your weekly courses are complemented by a series of two daily plenary lectures, exploring new ideas in a wide range of disciplines. To add to the learning experience, we are also planning additional evening talks and events.

Evaluation and Academic Credit 

If you are seeking to enhance your own study experience, or earn academic credit from your Cambridge Summer Programme studies at your home institution, you can submit written work for assessment for one or more of your courses. 

Essay questions are set and assessed against the University of Cambridge standard by your Course Director, a list of essay questions can be found in the Course Materials. Essays are submitted two weeks after the end of each course, so those studying for multiple weeks need to plan their time accordingly. There is an evaluation fee of £65 per essay.

For more information about writing essays see Evaluation and Academic Credit.

Certificate of attendance

A certificate of attendance will be sent to you electronically within a week of your courses finishing.