Previously Unpublished Works, Fascicles VI-VII

xxii

(3) The most noble treatise on the multiplication of species original: "multiplicatione specierum." This refers to Bacon’s fundamental theory of physics, where "species" are the forces or influences emitted by objects—like light or heat—that act upon their surroundings. VI,

(4) Treatise on perspective original: "Tractatus perspective." In the Middle Ages, "perspective" referred to the science of optics.,

the fifth (our text) comes (marked as VII in some early scheme of arrangement).

(5) The Computus Computus A textbook for calculating the calendar and the dates of religious festivals. of brother Roger Bacon—the last part of the name is erased—and at the head of the page "Computus of brother Roger Bacon containing 15 pieces" original: "Compotus f. r. b. continens 15 pecias." A "pecia" was a standard length of manuscript section used in university towns to regulate the price of copying.: a treatise on the calendar (with tables) compiled in 1263. Some extracts from this work were printed by E. Charles, Roger Bacon (Paris, 1861), p. 336. Some fragments are in a Douai manuscript number 691. It is in three parts containing respectively 21, 20, and 8 chapters. It begins: "All things have their time etc. as Solomon testifies. Therefore all things, whether they are produced..." original: "Omnia tempus habent &c. ut Salomon testatur. Igitur omnia sive sint producta." A reference to Ecclesiastes 3:1. It ends: "Let these things, therefore, concerning times and the natural calculation of times, and according to ecclesiastical use, be spoken to such an extent that the simple may receive instruction and the wise may take occasion for further investigation. Praise to God always, Amen." original: "Haec igitur de temporibus et computo naturali temporum et secundum usum ecclesiasticum dicta sint in tantum ut simplices instructionem et sapientes pluris investigacionis capiant occasionem. Laus deo semper Amen." Colophon: "May God, who made the bread, bless us. Amen." original: "Qui fecit panem benedicat nos deus. Amen." Some notes are in Herbert’s (?) hand (folio 99).

(6) Astronomical and astrological tables, namely: (a) Calendar beginning with September showing lunar conjunctions, etc., for four cycles of nineteen years beginning 1254. The canon canon In this context, a "canon" is a set of instructions explaining how to use astronomical tables. below is very incorrectly transcribed, but fixes the date as 1268 (folio 164):

The remainder of the manuscript contains:

Tables for the 19 × 28 years’ cycle (folio 171).

Table of elements of the calendar for five 19-year cycles, 1254–1348 (folio 172 back).

Astrological tables showing the daily position of the heavenly bodies for the year ending 28 February 1269–70 with marginal notes of the weather experienced (folio 174).

"Tables of the locations of the Saracen Amenuz, master of the daughter of King Ptolemy, which Azarchel An 11th-century Arab mathematician and astronomer from Al-Andalus, known in Latin as Azarquiel. changed from the years of the Egyptians to the years of Alexander the Great. Tables of Ptolemy which he himself taught Cleopatra his own daughter" original: "Tabule locorum Saraceni Amenuz magistrum... filie regis Ptholomei..." This likely refers to the Almagest or related tables, often attributed in medieval legend to a pedagogical relationship between Ptolemy and his daughter.: tables of all the planets, the sun and the moon, with notes on the houses houses In astrology, "houses" are twelve divisions of the sky through which planets move. at the end. The lunar table is for a cycle of 738 days with a base date radix The "radix" is the starting point or reference date used for astronomical calculations. of 30 June 1158 (perhaps fixed by the translator, Gerard of Cremona). Folios 180–3 are misplaced in the binding and should follow folio 191.

Vellum: 193 folios, 13 1/4 × 9 1/2 inches. End of thirteenth century. Articles 1 and 2 are one gathering of nine leaves: from folio 13 onwards the gatherings are of four leaves with catchwords catchwords Words placed at the bottom of a page that match the first word of the following page to ensure the correct order of pages for the binder.. In several different hands. The second folio begins with "to be made beautifully" original: "fieri pulcre.". On folio 13 is the erased inscription.