Eilmer the “Flying Monk” back in the news

Wilmer, the eleventh century monk of Malmesbury Abbey, usually known as the ‘Flying Monk’, is back in the news. However this time it is not for his aeronautical experiment but rather his astronomical observations.

I have posted about him before. My 2010 article, which includes a number of online links, can be accessed at The Flying Monk

Earlier this year research based on what is recorded of his actions and observations by the great twelfth century chronicler based at the abbey, William of Malmesbury argued that Eilmer had anticipated Edmund Halley* six centuries later in forecasting the 76 year return  of what we know as Halley’s Comet. 

This argument is summarised and set out in an article published last January in Phys.org which can be read at Halley's Comet wrongly named: 11th-century English monk predates British astronomer

However Medievalists.net now has an article based on one on that old stalwart Notes and Queries which suggests that Eilmer had not seen Halley’s Comet twice, but another comet early in the eleventh century. If he was younger than has hitherto thought then his famous flight would have taken place a few years later than has been thought.

This new interpretation, with a link to the new argument, can be read at When Did a Medieval Monk First Try to Fly? New Study Reopens the Debate

Whichever is right is probably unknowable with absolute certainty, but what surely emerges from the story of Eilmer is that eleventh century English Benedictines had serious scientific and astronomical interests, and anticipated experimental science.

* Pronounced ”Hawley”, not “Hallé”