Page 251

OverviewTranscribeVersionsHelp

Facsimile

Translation

Status: Needs Review
Show Transcription

their skill and their sense, as far as the stars on high.
They wanted to know the measurements in order to
better understand their nature. But first of all they wanted
to measure the earth and prove its size. And once they
had measured the earth's circumference by a skill that
they knew, and proved it by correct reason, they encircled
it round about as they would put a chain around a tower,
and then the chain was extended along its length and
When they went along the length of the chain they found
its length to be 20,427 miles, each mile containing one
thousand steps, each step containing five feet, and each
foot containing fourteen inches [sic, see note]. Such was the length
of the earth in its circumference, by which they afterwards
found how thick it is and found its thickness as if it
were divided in half. This thickness is 6,500 miles in
length. By this last figure, which is correct according to
nature, they accurately measured the whole height of the
firmament. For they did not know where to get a larger
measure by which to extend the size of all things that
are included under the sky. [rubric:] How the moon and
the sun each has its own height. [/rubric]

Notes and Questions

Please sign in to write a note for this page

Marie Richards

original ms. Folio 117r
Walters ms. Folio 122r
BL Royal MS 19 A IX fols 137r-138r
Caxton, ed. Prior, pp 169-170
Gossuin, ed. Prior, 192-193

Marie Richards

line 12, xiiii pouces: Prior notes that although both ms. say this, other ms. have the correct 12 inches.