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A History of Magic and Experimental Science, Volume 2 (of 2) / During the First Thirteen Centuries of Our Era cover

A History of Magic and Experimental Science, Volume 2 (of 2) / During the First Thirteen Centuries of Our Era

Chapter 91: APPENDIX II
By Lynn Thorndike
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About This Book

The volume traces the entwined histories of magic, natural philosophy, and emergent experimental practices across the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, moving chapter by chapter through key medieval thinkers, translators, and texts. It examines scholastic responses to astrology and demons, the transmission of Arabic and Hermetic material into Latin, and medieval treatments of alchemy, medicine, and marvel literature. Biographical and textual studies of figures such as Abelard, Hugh of St. Victor, Adelard of Bath, Maimonides, Albertus Magnus, Roger Bacon, and Thomas Aquinas illuminate attitudes toward experiment, occult arts, and scripture. The narrative combines manuscript evidence, translations, and analytical chapters on technical treatises, grimoires, and dream-books.

APPENDIX II

MANUSCRIPTS OF THE SECRETUM PHILOSOPHORUM

Of the following MSS I have chiefly used Additional 32622, Digby 37, and Digby 153.

CU Trinity 1214, good hand of late 12th century, fols. 71-82, is perhaps an earlier precursor of our treatise, judging from the following headings given by James: “De aque ductibus, de puteis fodiendis, de probatione aque ... de fistulis organicis ... de calce ... de fabrica ville rustice disponenda, de balneis ... de coloribus ... de norme institutione, de horologii institutione ... de solidamentis, de altitudine arborum sive turrium probanda, probacio auri, de arte multiplicandi, de arte organizandi.”

Amplon. Quarto 330, mid 13th-early 14th century, fols. 1-23, appears to be the earliest of the MSS of our treatise.

Amplon. Quarto 361, English hand of early 14th century, fols. 27-40.

Additional 32622, small octavo written in England in early 14th century, fols. 3-84, “Iste liber quem prae manibus habemus vocatur Secretum philosophorum, et intitulatur isto nomine quia in eo continentur quaedam secreta quae reputatione vulgari sunt impossibilia, apud philosophos secreta et necessaria.”

Additional 18752, small quarto, 14-16th century, fols. 1-28, “Secretum philosophorum,” imperfect.

Sloane 2579, fol. 2-.

Egerton 2852, mid 14th century, fols. 5v-49v.

Digby 37, 14th century, fols. 4-43, “Secretum philosophorum.”

Digby 71, 14-16th century, fols. 85-97, Titulus as in Addit. 32622, imperfect, leaving off in the midst of “Arithmetic.”

Digby 153, 14th century, fols. 148-67v.

Rawlinson C, 7, 14th century, fols. 51-87, mutilated at close.

Corpus Christi 132, 15th century, fols. 1-59, Titulus as in Addit. 32622 and Digby 71.

CU Trinity 1082, 15th century, fols. 1-110.

CU Trinity 1144, late 15th century, fols. 9-54v.

CU Trinity 1351, late 15th century, fols. 1-25, James gives no general title, but his description is sufficient to identify it with our treatise.

Gonville and Caius 413, 15th century, #4, 31 fols.