Reading
Alfonsine astronomy is first and foremost an intellectual tradition which took shape in a context where manuscripts were the primary means of diffusion and publication for sciences. In this section you will be able to discover one by one the manuscripts that we have selected, among a corpus of nearly 1000 manuscripts, for this exhibition. All of these manuscripts are unique and precious witnesses of the past.
Paris, BnF | Lat. 7286C
This is a manuscript from the middle of the 14th century probably produced around Paris.The manuscript is interesting because of its visual organization with instructions texts surrounding the numerical tables. It is also important because it is one of the early witnesses of astronomical texts from John Vimond and John of Lignères which are essential authors in the Parisian Alfonsine astronomy.
Vienna, ÖNB | Cod. 5203
This manuscript is usually referred to as Regiomontanus’s Vienna calculation book. Regiomontanus (1436-1476) was a leading figure in the mathematical astronomy of the 15th c. and his library attests for the great variety of interests characterizing his intellectual activity.
Paris, BnF | Lat. 7478
This manuscript is an exceptional piece, in respect with at least three criterias : Its design is different from normally folded books ; it is late for this kind of peculiar design ; its content is organized in a particular way. All the more reasons to consider it an outstanding exhibit in this collection.
Paris, BnF | Lat. 7270
This manuscript is related to the work of a single author : Giovanni Bianchini, who was a major astronomer of the 15th century and announces the transition to printed books.
Paris, BnF | Lat. 7197
This is a mid-15th-century manuscript, probably of Parisian provenance. It is interesting firstly for being the student manuscript of Conrad Heingarter, a famous astronomer and astrologer of the time, who served at the court of John II, Duke of Bourbon. The manuscript seems to have been composed during Heingarter's study years at Paris University.
Paris, BnF | Mél. Colbert 60
This manuscript gathering quires from the end of the 14th century and early 15th century includes the Oxford tables and the Tabule magne. It is a witness of the connection between the astronomical milieus of Paris and Oxford.
Paris, BnF | Lat. 7276A
A book full of paper machines and surprising visualizations! This manuscript is exceptional for its visual content: it contains only diagrams and instruments.
Erfurt, UB | CA 2° 377
The central part of the manuscript from the middle of the 14th and copied by John of Saxony's as he was the student of John of Lignères.
Paris, BnF | Lat. 7281
Manuscript with an exceptional content : a history of astronomy through texts, conceived during the second half of the 15th century.
El Escorial, RBME | O-II-10
End of the 13th century, this university textbook manuscript contains the Toledan tables and many autograph notes from John of Murs with a strong astronomical content.
Paris, BnF | Lat. 7295A
This manuscript, from the mid 15th century, is a tool box assembled by the famous astrologer Conrad Heingarter. It was useful for him in his astrological practices.
Paris, BnF | lat. 7432
This manuscript from the second half of the XVth century was commissioned by Conrad Heingarter as a presentation manuscript. It presents very rich illuminations and miniatures.
Vatican, BAV | Pal. lat. 1375
In this manuscript, one can find the Tabule resolute which is an important text for Alfonsine astronomy in central Europe. This manuscript is a kind of toolbox.
Basel, UB | F II 7
This 15th century university manuscript is typical of the kind of teaching a student of this period was exposed to when learning mathematical astronomy.
