[Misc] things historians got wrong about the Dark Ages

[Albion my Albion]

18.
Their Natural Philosophy Became Our Science

The natural philosophy of the Middle Ages laid the groundwork for modern-day science. Scholars like Thomas Aquinas and Roger Bacon emphasized observation and empirical study, integrating Aristotle's works with medieval thought. Alchemy and early forms of chemistry explored material properties, while medieval universities promoted structured inquiry.

This intellectual tradition evolved during the Renaissance and Enlightenment, leading to the scientific method and advancements in various fields. Consequently, the foundations laid by medieval natural philosophy were crucial to the development of contemporary scientific disciplines.

 

[Albion my Albion]

19.
Astronomy and Astrology Were Intertwined

In the Middle Ages, astronomy and astrology were closely intertwined. Scholars studied celestial bodies to understand both their physical movements (astronomy) and their supposed influence on human affairs (astrology).

This dual approach was prevalent in medieval universities and among court astrologers. The same observational techniques and tools used to chart the stars for navigation and calendar purposes also informed astrological predictions. This integration of scientific observation with mystical interpretation reflected the era's holistic view of the cosmos.

 

[Albion my Albion]

20.
They Invented the First Mechanical Clocks

The Middle Ages saw the invention of the first mechanical clocks, revolutionizing timekeeping. These early clocks appeared in European monasteries around the 13th century, designed to regulate prayer times more accurately.

Powered by weights and gears, they marked hours with bells, enhancing daily life and work schedules. Richard of Wallingford and Giovanni de Dondi were notable figures in clockmaking, advancing mechanical precision. This innovation laid the foundation for modern horology, transforming how societies measured and perceived time.

Done

 

[beorhthelm]

reads like one of those Quora articles autogenerated with AI that doesn't quite match the question, riddled with false information.

 

[ConfusedGloryHunter]

tl;dr

 

[jcdenton08]

You okay Hun?

 

[Bob!]

*ignores thread*

 

[Titanic]

Is @Albion my Albion a bot?

 

[Goldstone1976]

Is @Albion my Albion a bot?

He seems to live in Chicago; so I’m going for pissed.

 

[Gazwag]

2.
In the early 13th century, Pope Gregory IX pronounced all cats Satan's tools. Cats, especially black cats, were tortured and killed because they were thought to be Luciferian. This was part of the church's longstanding campaign to demonize pagan religions, rituals, and ideals. Once the cat was connected with Satan, it was tortured and killed.

I think he posted on this thread

How do you stop a cat shatting in your garden?

Right, I’ve just laid a new front garden with woodchip and every morning there is a new pile of cat shat on it! I’ve tried mothballs and they worked for all of a few hours. Now I don’t want a get a cat myself as I don’t like them..... Any ideas? Yours sincerely, Cat Shat Man :rolleyes:

www.northstandchat.com

 

[HeaviestTed]

I’ve been listening to the history of Britain podcast:

It really is very good, starts at the beginning - I’m just going over the end of the Roman occupation.

It is a very easy listen and has really given me a better understanding of how we got to where we are.

 

[Zeberdi]

He seems to live in Chicago; so I’m going for pissed.

I’m going for plagiarist.

He just copied and pasted the content off this website

20 Myths of the Dark Ages, History Got Wrong

Despite what you may have heard, people during the Dark Ages did indeed know about bathing and science! These misconceptions have persisted for years, but

living.alot.com

 

[Titanic]

I’m going for plagiarist.

He just copied and pasted the content off this website

20 Myths of the Dark Ages, History Got Wrong

Despite what you may have heard, people during the Dark Ages did indeed know about bathing and science! These misconceptions have persisted for years, but

living.alot.com

Or more kindly, misguidedly sharing fascinating info he found on the internet? Apparently, this is quite common on NSC and other Mumsnet-style messageboards.

 

[WATFORD zero]

Or more kindly, misguidedly sharing fascinating info he found on the internet? Apparently, this is quite common on NSC and other Mumsnet-style messageboards.

But it's not as if we have a long history of posting crap on NSC ............... oh

 

[Worried Man Blues]

1997

 

[Dave the OAP]

Can I suggest you read Unruly by David Mitchell

also. Aethelstan The Making of England by Tom Holland

BTW the thing about cats was also that the Egyptians believed that cats were deities and this flew in the face of Christian doctrine on a single god!

 

[jcdenton08]

But it's not as if we have a long history of posting crap on NSC ............... oh

What’s your favourite Madonna song? You can only pick one

 

[The Clamp]

The dark ages weren’t as “dark” or unenlightened as people are lead to believe.

It’s a commonly held belief that once the Romans left we were plunged into a cultural, technological, and spiritual wasteland.


The fact is we were a cultured isle before they arrived and we remained so after.

Many places, such as the ancient village of Gulval in Cornwall had quite sophisticated heating and drainage systems way before the Romans invaded.

We did okay.

 

[Algernon]

 

[ConfusedGloryHunter]

The dark ages weren’t as “dark” or unenlightened as people are lead to believe.

It’s a commonly held belief that once the Romans left we were plunged into a cultural, technological, and spiritual wasteland.


The fact is we were a cultured isle before they arrived and we remained so after.

Many places, such as the ancient village of Gulval in Cornwall had quite sophisticated heating and drainage systems way before the Romans invaded.

We did okay.

I think the majority of our ancestors were drinking beer in a Germanic wood when the Romans were in Britain. They too, were doing just fine.