The Scientific Achievement of the Middle Ages

Richard C. Dales, prior to his retirement, was the John R. Hubbard Chair in History at the University of Southern California.

Introduction, by Edward Peters

Chapter 1. The Early Middle Ages

Chapter 2. The Twelfth Century

—Selections from Adelard of Bath, Natural Questions

—Selections from Anonymous, On the Elements

Chapter 3. Robert Grosseteste and Scientific Method

—Selections from Robert Grosseteste, The Impressions of the Elements

—Selections from Robert Grosseteste, The Heat of the Sun

Chapter 4. The Tides

—Selections from Robert Grosseteste, An Inquiry into the Causes of the Tides

Chapter 5. Studies of the Rainbow

—Selections from Carl B. Boyer, "The Theory of the Rainbow: Medieval Triumph and Failure"

Chapter 6. Studies of Local Motion

—Selection from H. Lamar Crosby, Jr., ed., Thomas of Bradwardine His Tractatus de Proportionibus

—Selections from John Buridan, Questions on the Heavens and the World

—Selections from Marshall Clagett, The Science of Mechanics in the Middle Ages

—Selections from Nicole Oresme, On the Book of the Heavens and the World of Aristotle