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Darrera modificació: 2020-10-08
Bases de dades: Sciència.cat
Avelar de Carvalho, Helena, "Prophecy and divination in the Portuguese royal court", dins: Meirinhos, José - López Alcalde, Celia - Rebalde, João (eds.), Secrets and Discovery in the Middle Ages: Proceedings of the 5th European Congress of the Fédération Internationale des Instituts d'Études Médiévales (Porto, 25th to 29th June 2013), Turnhout, Brepols (Textes et études du Moyen Âge, 90), 2018, pp. 127-138.
- Resum
- By the end of the 14th century Astrology had a prominent position in culture and society. It was an important part of the academic curricula, and was much appreciated among the learned courtesans. Kings and noblemen were encouraged to study it, in order to attain a deeper understanding of the natural world and of human nature. The natural form of astrology, when expunged from the judiciary practices (which could interfere with Man's free will), was by no means incompatible with religion; in fact, it was welcomed as a form of understanding - and therefore obeying - God's will. Although not a secret in itself, court astrology was accessible only to those who were cultured enough to handle the mathematical calculations and the art of interpretation. It was therefore naturally secretive, as it offered a knowledge that was not available to all. It was clearly separated from other, more popular, divinatory practices. In the Portuguese royal chronicles of Fernão Lopes (c. 1385 - after 1459), Gomes Eanes de Zurara (c. 1410-1474) and Rui de Pina (1440-1521) there are several references to Astrology. Even if these references are not taken literally (as chroniclers were, obviously, at the service of a patron, who favored a certain version of the events), the very presence of astrological arguments reveals their importance to the political discourse. They were used as means to validate the royal power and the justice of some crucial political decisions, and also as literary aids to the chronicler's style. Besides the chronicles, other documents also reveal that the astrological considerations were taken in account in several situations. This article offers a brief summary of Astrology's role in Medieval Portugal, and points out its contributions to a better understanding of Portuguese medieval science, culture and society.
- Matèries
- Religió - Profetisme
Màgia - Endevinació
- URL
- https://doi.org/10.1484/M.TEMA-EB.4.2018049
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