Workshop - Science of the Stars: an introduction to medieval astronomical and astrological manuscripts and texts

The aim of this workshop is twofold: firstly, to facilitate the integration of the study of medieval astronomy and astrology together and, secondly, to introduce participants to manuscripts that may initially appear technical and to explain the underlying scientific concepts.

In six sessions we aim to provide a foundational workshop in the study of medieval astronomical and astrological sciences, with particular emphasis on the basic principles of Ptolemaic astronomy and astrology.

The workshop will provide a valuable opportunity to approach the discussed concepts from the point of view of the medieval manuscripts themselves, and not merely as theoretical constructs. Each session will include a study of the astronomical and astrological manuscripts on display. This will underline the importance of palaeography, philology and codicology in the construction of historical knowledge, especially in the history of medieval science. These sessions will enable participants to identify and analyse astronomical and astrological material found in manuscripts.

This workshop is generously funded by the Sanderson Fund, Oxford Faculty of History, and the Bibliothèque nationale de France, and hosted by the Bodleian Libraries.

To register email mailto:laure.miolo@history.ox.ac.uk
Type: Seminar Series
Series organisers: Laure Miolo (Oxford), Alexandre Tur (Bibliothèque nationale de France)

Talks:

Wednesday 30 April 2025

Session 1: Introduction to the relationship between astronomy and astrology from Late Antiquity to the Renaissance
Date: 30 April 2025, 14:00 - 16:00
Speaker s: Laure Miolo, Alexandre Tur
Venue: Weston Library, Broad Street OX1 3BG
Venue Details: Horton Room
Organisers: TBA
Hosts: TBA

Wednesday 7 May 2025

Session 2: The daily rotation of the celestial sphere (primum mobile) [1/2]
Date: 7 May 2025, 14:00 - 16:00
Speaker s: Laure Miolo, Alexandre Tur
Venue: Weston Library, Broad Street OX1 3BG
Venue Details: Horton Room
Organisers: TBA
Hosts: TBA

Wednesday 14 May 2025

Session 3: The daily rotation: understanding the stereographic projection of the celestial sphere [2/2]
Date: 14 May 2025, 14:00 - 16:00
Speaker s: Laure Miolo, Alexandre Tur
Venue: Weston Library, Broad Street OX1 3BG
Venue Details: Horton Room
Organisers: TBA
Hosts: TBA

Wednesday 21 May 2025

Session 4: Planetary motions and horoscope
Date: 21 May 2025, 14:00 - 16:00
Speaker s: Laure Miolo, Alexandre Tur
Venue: Weston Library, Broad Street OX1 3BG
Venue Details: Horton Room
Organisers: TBA
Hosts: TBA

Wednesday 28 May 2025

Session 5: Conjunctions and eclipses
Date: 28 May 2025, 14:00 - 16:00
Speaker s: Laure Miolo, Alexandre Tur
Venue: Weston Library, Broad Street OX1 3BG
Venue Details: Horton Room
Organisers: TBA
Hosts: TBA

Wednesday 11 June 2025

Session 6: Horoscope : dating and interpretating medieval horoscopes
Date: 11 June 2025, 14:00 - 16:00
Speaker s: Laure Miolo, Alexandre Tur
Venue: Weston Library, Broad Street OX1 3BG
Venue Details: Horton Room
Organisers: TBA
Hosts: TBA

Editor: Belinda Clark