Writing the Future

Prognostic Texts of Medieval England

Volume editor Tony Hunt Series edited by Richard Trachsler Series edited by Stefano Rapisarda

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Extent: 359 pages

Publisher: Classiques Garnier

Subjects: Literary Studies, Medieval Studies

Language: English

Paperback (Published)

(September 2013)

ISBN: 9782812410888

5.91 x 8.66 inches

Price: $49.00

In stock

L’art de predire l’avenir, tel qu’on le pratiquait en Angleterre au Moyen Age, etait fonde sur des methodes variees presentees ici a travers une cinquantaine de textes inedits et qui comprenaient des calculs bases sur le mouvement de la lune, les horoscopes, les songes, la meteorologie et la geomancie.

  • Volume editor Tony Hunt
  • Series edited by Richard Trachsler
  • Series edited by Stefano Rapisarda

Review - English This study examines methods of predicting the future in medieval England as recorded in a variety of previously unpublished texts ranging from moon-based calculations (including zodiacal lunaries) and horoscopes, texts identifying times regarded as favourable or unfavourable for specific initiatives and enterprises, dreambooks, treatises derived from geomancy, to so-called "books of fate" which exploit the tradition ofsortes, and miscellaneous items on prognostic phenomena such as weather and birthdates. The choice of topics about which enlightenment was sought proves to be remarkably consistent, the product of both Latin traditions and local cultural conditions. The book provides a counterpart to, and extension of, Lazlo Chardonnens's monograph,Anglo-Saxon Prognostics, 900-1100:Study and Texts(2007).