A society to promote, popularise and contribute to the study of European, Islamic, and Asian technology and science of the Middle Ages.
Membership and meetings are open to all, and free to students.
| Programme | Officers | Past talks |
| News | History of the society | Publications of speakers & members |
| Membership | Activities and affiliations | External links |
Saturday14 June 2008, 2:30 pm, The Museum of the History of Science Broad Street , Oxford.
'MEDIEVAL STAINED GLASS: ART AND TECHNOLOGY ': An illustrated talk by Sarah Crewe Brown who is a Trustee of the York Glaziers Trust and of the Stained Glass Museum at Ely Cathedral as well as head of research for places of worship at English Heritage. She is the author of books on Salisbury Cathedral and York Minster and various articles and books on stained glass history.
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The Society's talks are open to all (free to students and members, and £2.00 at the door for others), and are normally held alternately at The Museum of the History of Science, Old Ashmolean Building, Broad Street, Oxford, and on level 5 of the Sherfield Building, Imperial College, South Kensington, London (location 22 on plan on http://www.imperial.ac.uk/images/mappdfs/sk-map.pdf). A fifth meeting is occasionally held in conjunction with societies with related interests.
Note: At the Museum of the History of Science, please go down the outside staircase to basement level, and through the glass doors under the pavement, ringing the bell by the door if necessary.
"World Without End": by Ken Follett: a novel set in the medieval period in the same cathedral town as his much-acclaimed The Pillars of the Earth, but two centuries later when the Black Death ravaged the land.
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http://www.bodley.ox.ac.uk/bookofcuriosities .
The "Book of Curiosities" is an illustrated anonymous cosmography, compiled in Egypt during the first half of the 11th century. The only known copy of this manuscript, probably made in the late 12th or early 13th century, was acquired by the Bodleian Library in 2002. The manuscript contains a unique series of maps and diagrams, most of which are unparalleled in any other medieval work. These include diagrams of star-groups and comets; a rectangular map of the world with a graphic scale (the earliest surviving example of such a map); a circular world map; individual maps of islands and ports in the eastern Mediterranean, including Sicily, Tinnis, Mahdia, Cyprus, and the Byzantine coasts of Asia Minor; maps illustrating the Mediterranean Sea as a whole, the Indian Ocean, and the Caspian Sea; and maps of five major rivers (the Nile, Indus, Oxus, Euphrates, and Tigris).
The website contains a high-quality reproduction of all the folios of the original manuscript, linked by mouse-overs to an Arabic edition and an annotated English translation of the text of the treatise, as well as the labels on the maps. The site also allows users to search for English and Arabic terms, consult an extensive glossary, and study explanatory diagrams. The treatise is available in its entirety except for five chapters from Book 1 on astronomy and astrology that will be available shortly.
This is the first electronic publication of a work of medieval Islamic cartography, promoting research in a relatively neglected field. It is also intended to be widely used as a teaching tool in graduate and undergraduate courses on Islamic history, Islamic culture, and the history of science. For younger students, the website contains a downloadable Teacher's Pack based on portions of the manuscript, suitable for Key Stage 3 of the UK National Curriculum (aimed at 11-14 year olds).
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Hardcover: 224 pages: £19.99 -------------------------
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The Society for the History of Medieval Technology and Science,
and sent to the treasurer:
Dr. Julia Cresswell,
3 Wentworth Road,
Oxford OX2 7TG, UK.
together with your name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address. A couple of lines on your work, specialisation, or interests, if relevant, would be helpful.
(Your details will be used only for notifying you of matters concerning the Society, and will not be divulged to other organisations).
Geoffrey Hindley,
35 George Street,
Peterborough,
Cambs PE2 9PD
Administrative Secretary:
96. 'Magna Carta, a Medieval Triumph of P.R. - Some Practicalities at the Time, and Consequences for the Future': An illustrated talk by Geoffrey Hindley. [March 2007]
Mary Harris: Publications include:
Geoffrey Hindley: Publications include:
Books
Article
Prof. Emilie Savage-Smith: The Oriental Institute, Pusey Lane, Oxford OX1 2LE.
A. J. Turner : 24 rue du Buisson Richard, 78600 le Mesnil-le-Roi, France
Telephone 00 33 1 39 12 11 91 fax 00 33 1 39 62 07 22. [Talk 42]. Publications include: Publications include:
NETSERF .
Centre for Medieval Studies, University of Leeds.
Medieval Institute, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo.
The Society for Medieval Archeology .
Centre for Medieval Studies, University of York.
The Historical Metallurgy Society.
The Medieval Dress and Textile Society.
EPACT.
Institute for the History of Science: Frankfurt University.
Saladin: Hero of Islam
by Geoffrey Hindley
Publisher: Pen & Sword Military (15 Feb 2007)
Language English
ISBN-10: 1844154998
ISBN-13: 978-1844154999
The extraordinary character and career of Saladin are the keys to understanding the Battle of Hattin, the fall of Jerusalem and the failure of the Third Crusade. He united warring Muslim lands, reconquered the bulk of Crusader states and faced the Richard the Lion Heart, king of England, in one of the most famous confrontations in medieval warfare. Geoffrey Hindley's sympathetic and highly readable study of the life and times of this remarkable, many-sided man, who dominated the Middle East in his day, gives a fascinating insight into his achievements and into the Muslim world of his contemporaries.
"The Biggest Female in the World, and Other Stories" by Wendy Perriam,
published by Robert Hale for £18.99
Medieval Views of the Cosmos: by Evelyn Edson and Emilie Savage-Smith, with a foreword by Terry Jones.
This book describes the worldview shared by medieval Islamic and Christian societies, whose agreements were far greater than their differences. This is an excellent introduction to the topic, which describes and beautifully illustrates a rich and harmonious universe, in which the human race has a place and God is in control.
It is available at £14.95 per copy plus postage (UK £2.00, Overseas £3.50) from:
Extenza Turpin Ltd, Stratton Business Park, Pegasus Drive, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, England SG18 8QS.
or by fax to: +44 (0)1767601640, or by telephone on: +44 (0)1767 604951.
Cheques in sterling should be made payable to Turpin Distribution.
Aeolian Winds and the Spirit in Renaissance Architecture: by Barbara Kenda
* Hardcover: 192 pages from £86.99, and paperback from £28.50
* Publisher: Routledge,an imprint of Taylor & Francis Books Ltd
(Oct 2006)
* ISBN: 0415398037
Written by scholars of international stature, "Aeolian Winds and the
Spirit in Renaissance Architecture" presents studies of Renaissance
pneumatology exploring the relationship between architecture and the
disciplines of art and science. One of the principle goals of
Renaissance architects was to augment the powers of pneuma so as to
foster the art of well-being. Central to the study of pneumatic
architecture are six Italian villas connected together by a ventilating
system of caves and tunnels, including Eolia, in which Trento
established an academic circle of scholars that included Palladio, Tazzo
and Ruzzante. Picking up on current interest in environmental issues,
"Aeolian Winds and the Spirit in Renaissance Architecture" reintroduces
Renaissance perspectives on the key relationships in environmental
issues between architecture and art and science. This beautifully
illustrated and unprecedented study will illuminate the studies of any
architecture or Renaissance student or scholar.
Curiosity and Wonder from the Renaissance to the Enlightenment: by R.J.W. Evans and Alexander Marr
* Hardcover: 280 pages from £55.00
* Publisher: Ashgate
* ISBN: 0754641023
'Curiosity' and 'wonder' are topics of increasing interest and
importance to Renaissance and Enlightenment historians. Conspicuous in a
host of disciplines from history of science and technology to history of
art, literature, and society, both have assumed a prominent place in
studies of the Early Modern period. This volume brings together an
international group of scholars to investigate the various
manifestations of, and relationships between, 'curiosity' and 'wonder'
from the 16th to the 18th centuries. Focused case studies on texts,
objects and individuals explore the multifaceted natures of these
themes, highlighting the intense fascination and continuing scrutiny to
which each has been subjected over three centuries. From instances of
curiosity in New World exploration to the natural wonders of
18th-century Italy, "Curiosity and Wonder from the Renaissance to the
Enlightenment" locates its subjects in a broad geographical and
disciplinary terrain. Taken together, the essays presented here
construct a detailed picture of two complex themes, demonstrating the
extent to which both have been transformed and reconstituted, often with
dramatic results.
Science and Technology in Medieval European Life: by Jeffrey R. Wigelsworth (Greenwood Press Daily
Life Through History S.)
* Hardcover: 224 pages from £28.99
* Publisher: Greenwood Press
* ISBN: 0313337543
Despite the popular view of medieval Europe as a "Dark Age" of
intellectual stagnation, scientific and technological achievement
thrived during this time. Churches and castles remain lasting testaments
to the ingenuity of that period in history. Through carefully chosen
examples which are presented in easily accessible thematic chapters,
"Science and Technology in Medieval European Life" demonstrates how
these two aspects of human achievement, far from being ivory-tower
enterprises, affected the daily life of people in medieval Europe. These
topics will also resonate with modern readers in their own daily lives.
This reference work begins with an historical introduction that situates
medieval science and technology into its social, intellectual and
religious context. Among the varied topics found in the chapters are:
armour manufacture, waterwheels and waterpower, chimneys, stained glass,
communication technology, ship building, medicine - both academic and
empirical, mechanical clocks, calendar creation, and astrology. For
those interested in pursuing further research into this area of history,
the book concludes with a chronology of events, a suggested list of
further reading and a glossary.
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Membership
Membership is open to all at £12.00 p.a., to cover the cost of notification of events and admission to all talks. Admission to a single talk is £2.00 and is free to students. Both are payable at the door (please ask for the membership secretary on arrival), or in advance by cheque made out to:
Officers of the Society
Co-Presidents
Prof. Emilie Savage-Smith,
The Oriental Institute, Pusey Lane,
Oxford OX1 2LE, UK.
e-mail: emilie.savage-smith@orinst.ox.ac.uk
and
Tru Helms,
Programme Secretary:
Geoffrey Hindley,
35 George Street,
Peterborough,
Cambs PE2 9PD
Treasurer:
Dr. Julia Cresswell,
3 Wentworth Road,
Oxford OX2 7TG, UK.
tel. 01865-513912
e-mail: julia@thecresswells.com
Web-master:
Richard O. A. Brown
e-mail: rba@multilingua.co.uk
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History of the society
The society was founded in 1987 under the aegis of Alistair Crombie, its first President, with the aim of promoting, popularising and contributing to the study of the technology and science of the Middle Ages (European, Islamic, and Asian).
Since its inception SHMTS has had the following officers:
Presidents: Alistair Crombie, Francis Maddison, Geoffrey Hindley, Emilie Savage-Smith.
Vice-presidents: Jean Gimpel, Francis Maddison.
Secretaries: Geoffrey Hindley, Emilie Savage-Smith, G. M. Helms and S. Ackermann
Treasurers: Hans Georg Schneider, Willem Hackmann, Julia N Cresswell.
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Activities and affiliations
In addition to its regular talks, activities consist of the occasional conference or colloquium organised jointly with bodies having similar interests. These have comprised a collaboration with The Pitt Rivers Museum at Oxford for a colloquium on early musical instruments; a day-long conference in conjunction with the Molinological Society on wind and water power during the Middle Ages, and a colloquium on Islamic science and technology with the Warburg Institute that was held in memoriam Donald Hill whom the SHMTS was proud to number amongst its members, and in October of 1997 a colloquium was held at Imperial College in memoriam two of the Society's founding members: Alistair Crombie and Jean Gimpel. In October 2003, a day-long meeting was held on Early Metallurgy in conjunction with the Society for the History of Alchemy and Chemistry.
Past talks
The following papers have been presented by the society since its inauguration. Synopses (where available) edited by Geoffrey S. Hindley.
1. Medieval Technology and the Third World:
Jean Gimpel [February 1987]
Synopsis
2. An Introduction to Islamic and Medieval European Astrolabes:
Francis Maddison [March 1987] Synopsis
3. Medieval Medicine, Renaissance Art, and Modern Scientific Anatomy:
Samuel Y. Edgerton [May 1987] Synopsis
4. The Medieval Forest: People and Technology:
Roland Bechmann [October 1987]
5. Animal Powered Machinery: The Medieval Period:
Kenneth Major [November 1987]
6. Magnetic Theory: De Maricourt to Gilbert:
Willem Hackmann [January 1988]
Synopsis
7. The First Builders of Ely Cathedral:
Sarah Ferguson [March 1988]
8. Men and Books, Clouds and Stars: The Mertonians:
Keith Snedegar [April 1988]
9. Medieval Bestiaries: What the zoologist can reveal:
Wilma George [June 1988]
10. Music and Technology in Western Civilisation 900-1900+:
Geoffrey Hindley [October 1988]
11. Robert Grosseteste and All That Revisited:
Alistair Crombie [October 1988]
12. The Turin Shroud as Medieval Artefact:
Julian Henderson [February 1989]
13. An Iconographical Study of Sandglasses:
David J. Boulin [March 1989]
14. The Process of Cultural Transmission in Anatomical Illustration:
G¸l Russell [June 1989]
15. Horse-breeding in the Middle Ages:
R.H.C. Davis [October 1989]
16. Hemp: its culture and cultivation:
John Hanson [February 1990]
17. Carpentry in Medieval Architecture:
Julian Munby [March 1990]
18. The Knight and the Blast Furnace:
Alan Williams [May 1990]
19. The Loss of Technical Skills at the End of the Roman Empire:
Bryan Ward Perkins [October 1990]
20. Mystery and Mastery: A study of motivation in medieval society:
Tina Stiefel [November 1990]
21. Developments in Mechanical Clockwork in the Later Middle Ages:
John Leopold [December 1990]
22. Barbegal & the Roman Legacy of Water Power:
Norman Smith [February 1991]
23. Tilting at Sawmills: Ausonius to Villard:
Dennis Simms [February 1991]. Part published in "Water-driven saws, Ausonius, and the Authenticity of the Mosella," Technology and Culture 24 (October 1983): 635-43. "Water-driven Saws in Late Antiquity," Technology and Culture 26 (April 1985): 275-276.
24. Some Developments in Woodworking Tools in the Later Middle Ages:
Philip Walker [April 1991]
25. Medieval Portrait Sculpture, Likeness or Ideal: Attitudes to reality:
Selby Whittingham [October 1991]
26. Fourteenth-century Medicine:
Tony Hunt [November 1991]
27. Technical Genius in the Early Fifteenth Century:
Alex Keller [March 1992]
28. Techniques of Romanesque Champleve Enamel:
Neil Stratford [June 1992]
29. Medieval Mousetraps:
David Drummond [October 1992]
30. Islamic Globes:
Emilie Savage-Smith [November 1992]. (based on material in: Emilie Savage-Smith, Islamicate Celestial Globes: Their History, Construction, and Use (Smithsonian Studies in History and Technology, no. 46), Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1985.)
31. The Trebuchet: Its origins and dynamics:
Donald Hill [February 1993]
32. Sources of Medieval Technology with Special Attention to Byzantine and Islamic Contributions:
Norman Smith [April 1993]
33. Was There a Technological Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire?:
Dennis Simms [April 1993]. Part published in "Archimedes the Engineer" History of Technology ed.G.Hollister-Short (1995) 17 (London 1996) 47-113. More in "Problemata Archimedea: An account and an analysis of some problems about Archimedes and his life, times and works and subsequent history": in final draft.
34. Cranks and Cranklike Devices:
Graham Hollister-Short [May 1993]
35. Faith, Reason, and Number: Adelard of Bath and the Evolution of Scientific Method:
Louis Cochrane [October 1993]
36. Metiers and Craft Guilds:
Hubert Stadler [March 1994]
37. The Mathematics and Technology of Medieval Cathedrals:
Bruce Marsden [June 1994]
38. Filming the Middle Ages:
James Burge [June 1994]
39. The Technology of Medieval Art:
Ashok Roy [December 1994]
40. Metallurgy, Magic and Divination:
Emilie Savage-Smith [April 1995, in memoriam Donald Hill].
41. Islamic Technology and Magic:
Charles Burnett [April 1995, in memoriam Donald Hill]
42. Donald Hill and Islamic Water Clocks:
Anthony Turner [April 1995, in memoriam Donald Hill]. Since published
as 'Donald Hill and Arabic Water-Clocks' by A.J. Turner, in Antiquarian Horology, 2002, vol. 27, pages 206-13.
43. Metallurgy of Islamic Arms & Armour:
Alan Williams [April 1995, in memoriam Donald Hill]
44. Alchemy and Art:
Willem Hackmann [October 1995]
45. Alchemy and Aristotle:
Cyril Barrett [October 1995]
46. The Keyboard: History of a Music Mechanism:
Geoffrey Hindley [December 1995]
47. Plantagenet Business Women:
Geoffrey Hindley [February 1996]
48. Map Making in Medieval Europe: From itinerary to survey:
Paul Harvey [April 1996]
49. A Medieval Conundrum: Beer bottles, bombs, aeolipiles or mercury containers?:
Emilie Savage-Smith [October 1996]. (Published as: "Sphero-conical vessels: a typology of forms and functions", pp. 324-339 in Emilie Savage-Smith and Francis Maddison, SCIENCE, TOOLS & MAGIC (Khalili Collection of Islamic Art, vol. 12), London: Azimuth Editions and Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1997).
50. Speculating on Spectacles: Aspects of innovation:
Dennis Simms [December 1996]. Part published with D.J.Bryden, "True Spectacles: Approved of by the Royal Society," Annals of Science 50 (1993) 1-32.
51. Musical Archaeology:
Margaret Bent [February 1997]
52. An Accurate Metric in Medieval and Ancient Mathematics:
Christopher Leeming [April 1997]
53. The Cymbala: Technology out of proportion?:
Helene La Rue [June 1997]
54. Villard de Honnecourt and Jean Gimpel:
Roland Bechmann [October 1997, 10-Year Colloquium, in memoriam Jean Gimpel and Alistair Crombie]
55. Villard and the Cistercian Plan of Squares:
Nigel Hiscock [October 1997, 10-Year Colloquium, in memoriam Jean Gimpel and Alistair Crombie]
56. Natural Philosophy and Techniques of Experimentation:
Willem Hackmann [October 1997, 10-Year Colloquium, in memoriam Jean Gimpel and Alistair Crombie]
57. Stonehenge: Stars and Atoms:
John North [October 1997, 10-Year Colloquium, in memoriam Jean Gimpel and Alistair Crombie]
58. Cuir Bouilli: The medieval technique of hardening leather:
Esther Cameron [February 1998]
59. The technology of bronze casting in 15th-century Italy on the basis of documented orders of materials versus theoretical treatises:
Tru Helms [April 1998]
60. Medieval Technology and Carpentry: The wagon and the origins of the coach:
Julian Munby [June 1998]
61. Nuremburg House Books:
Philip Walker [October 1998]
62. Archimedes in the Dark Ages: 500-1500:
Dennis Simms[December 1998].
63. The Leper's Clapper in Medieval England: Mythology & Reality:
Max Satchell [March 1999]
64. The Traditional Steel-working Industry in Iran:
James Allan [June 1999]
65. Medieval Military Technology:
Kelly de Vries {October 1999]
66. Medieval Woad and Indigo:
Philip John and Jenny Balfour-Paul [December 1999]
67. Medieval Paint:
Mark Clarke [March 2000]
68. The role of the crusader states in the revival of scientific leaning in 12th century Europe: Dr Charles Burnett [October 2000]
69. Technology of the Medieval Goldsmith:
Susan La Niece [March 2001].
70. Japan Time: Clocks, the Zodiac and Picture Calendars:
Timothy Clark [June 2001]
71. Making Money in Medieval England - the Evidence of Coining Dies:
Dr. Barrie Cook, of The British Museum, London. [October 2001] Synopsis
72. Science and Art - Medieval Astrolabes and Their Representation in the Visual Arts: Dr. Koenraad van Cleempoel of the Henry van de Velde Institute, Antwerp [December 2001]
73. The Book of Curiosities: a recently discovered 11th century Arabic illustrated astronomical and geographical treatise:
Dr. Jeremy Johns and Dr Emilie Savage-Smith of the Oriental Institute, Oxford [March 2002]
74. European Gunpowder 1250-1600: from Oriental Curiosity to Critical War Material: Dr. Bert Hall, of The Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Technology, University of Toronto, Canada. [June 2002] Synopsis
75. Why Then and There? The Causes of, and Requirements for, Technology-based Economic Growth: Richard O A Brown. [October 2002]
76. The Star of Bethlehem: A Journey through Science and Art:
An illustrated lecture by Dr Silke Ackermann, of the British Museum [December 2002]
77. Archaeological and Documentary Evidence for Medieval Glassworking: An illustrated lecture by Dr Justine Bayley, of the English Heritage Centre for Archaeology [March 2003]
78. The Eyes Have It: Thirteenth-century Eye Doctors and Nineteenth-century Ophthalmologists: Prof. Laurence Eldredge [June 2003]
79. Metal Distillation in the Medieval Period, an Early Application of Science to Industry: Dr Paul Craddock, of the Department of Scientific Research, British Museum [October 2003, as part of a joint meeting with the Society for the History of Alchemy and Chemistry on Early Metallurgy ]
80. Crime Against Currency in 12th and 13th Century England. Counterfeiting of the Coinage: Dr Barrie Cook, Curator of Late Medieval, Early Modern and Modern Coins (to 1800) at the British Museum [October 2003, as part of a joint meeting with the Society for the History of Alchemy and Chemistry on Early Metallurgy ]
81. The Creation of the Suit of Armour in Italy in the 14th Century: Dr Alan Williams, of the University of Reading [October 2003, as part of a joint meeting with the Society for the History of Alchemy and Chemistry on Early Metallurgy ]
82. 'Document Based Speculations on Italian Bronze Casting Technology': Tru Helms [October 2003, as part of a joint meeting with the Society for the History of Alchemy and Chemistry on Early Metallurgy ]
83. 'Chariots and Technology : Equipment, Techniques and Manoeuvres of the Byzantine Hippodrome': An illustrated lecture by Rex Winsbury [December 2003]
84. 'Early Paper Making in Europe: a Technical Revolution': An illustrated lecture by Dr Richard Hills, sometime President of the International Association of Paper Historians [March 2004]
85. 'Medieval Views of the Cosmos: Mapping Earth and Sky at the time of the Book of Curiosities': A gallery talk by Emilie Savage-Smith on the Bodleian Library exhibition: [June 2004]
86. 'An Introduction to the Astrolabes and Other Early Instruments in Oxford': by Dr Stephen Johnston, Assistant Keeper of The Museum of the History of Science. Oxford [June 2004]
87. 'The Early Printing Press': A talk (illustrated with a working model) by Alan May [October 2004]
88. 'Saltpetre, its Extraction and Purification: Medieval Techniques Revisited': A talk by John Edmonds. [December 2004]
87. 'Book Production in the Century Before Gutenberg': A talk by Pamela Robinson, Reader in Paleography, Institute of English Studies, University of London. [March 2005]
89. 'SHMTS: Medievel Antecedents': A talk by Geoffrey Hindley, Programme Secretary and sometime President of the Society. [June 2005]
90. 'The Craft of the Lute Maker': A talk illustrated with work tools by Alan May, retired luthier. [October 2005]
91. 'The Coronation Robe of The Holy Roman Empire': A talk by John Edmunds. [December 2005]
92. 'The Great War Bow': A talk by Robert Hardy: Medieval Historian and Actor [March 2006]
93. 'Textiles and Indian Ocean Trade: Contacts and Transformations':
A Talk by Dr. Ruth Barnes: Researcher and Exhibition Curator of the Ashmolean Inter-Faith Exhibition Service, Research Cataloguer of Islamic textiles, and an authority on Indian and Indonesian textiles. [June 2006]
94. 'Technical information in the notebooks of Maso di Bartolomeo and Benvenuto Cellini': A talk by Tru Helms: Independant Researcher. [October 2006]
95. 'Parchment: its Manufacture and Uses': A talk by Christopher Clarkson. [December 2006]
97. 'What Should the Modern World Learn from Medieval Farmers? ': A talk by Colin Tudge. [June 2007]
98. 'METALS AND MONEY IN THE MIDDLE AGES': A one-day symposium:-
Mining and the Medieval English Mints: by Martin Allen of the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge
Coins and Medals of the Islamic World: by Luke Treadwell of the Ashmolean and Peter Northover
of Oxford Universityıs Department of Materials.
Making and Testing Anglo Saxon and Viking Coins (Demonstration): Gareth Williams of the British Museum
Mining and Money in Medieval Europe:
by Peter Spufford, Professor Emeritus of the University of Cambridge. [October 2007]
99. 'The Historical Novelist at Work': A question and answer session in which Keb Follet talks about his new historical novel set in the 14th century: "World Without End". [December 2007]
Selected publications of speakers and members
The Larousse Encyclopaedia of Music General Editor (Hamlyn, 1971)
A History of Musical Istruments ( Hamlyn, 1971)
England in the Age of Caxton (Granada, 1979)
The Crusades (Constable/Carroll & Graf, 2003)
Las Cruzadas (VergaraEditiones B, 2004)
A Brief History of the Anglo Saxons (Robinson/Carroll & Graf, 2006)
'Keyboards, Crankshafts and Communication: The Musical Mindset of Western Technology' in I Sing the Body Electric, Music and Technology in the 20th Century, ed. Hans Joachim Braun (ed.) Wolke, 2000)
[Talks 30, 40, 49]. A list of recent publications can be found at: http://faculty.orinst.ox.ac.uk/staff/index2.php?member=savagesmith.
Dennis Simms: "Archimedes and the Invention of Artillery and Gunpowder," Technology and Culture 28 (January 1987) 67-79. "Archimedes' Weapons of War and Leonardo," Brit.J.Hist.Sci 21 1988: 195-210. "Early Experiments on Ignition" Fire Research Note 575/1965 and "The Legend of Archimedes and the Burning Mirrors of Syracuse," Fire Research Note 576/1965. (Borehamwood 1965)."More on That Burning Glass of Archimedes," Applied Optics, 13 (May 1974) A14 and A16. "Archimedes and burning mirrors," Physics Education, (November 1975): 517-521. "Archimedes and the Burning Mirrors at Syracuse," Technology and Culture 16 (January 1977): 1-18. Galen on Archimedes: Burning Mirror or Burning Pitch? Technology and Culture (January 1991) 32: 91-96; Full version available on PC. The legend of the Burning Mirrors: from Silius Italicus to Buffon text without references (PC)
e-mail: a.r.williams@reading.ac.uk
On-line links
AVISTA.
Association Villard de Honnecourt: for the interdisciplinary study of medieval science, technology and art.
An index of medieval resources
Illustrations and descriptions of Scientific Instruments of Medieval and Renaissance Europe in Oxford, Florence, London (BM) and Leiden
Catalogue of Surviving Medieval Islamic and European
Astronomical Instruments