Spring School: Exploring the Medieval Sky An Introduction to the “Science of the Stars” Through Manuscripts and Instruments

Registration is now open for Exploring the Medieval Sky, a spring school designed for undergraduate and graduate students who wish to explore how medieval people understood the sky —encompassing the visible heavens (stars, planets, eclipses, comets), the theoretical structures used to explain them(cosmology, celestial spheres, planetary models), and the cultural meanings attached to celestial phenomena in art, science, and daily life. Over five days, participants will discover the foundations of medieval astronomy and astrology through a combination of lectures, hands-on sessions with manuscripts and instruments, visits to the History of Science Museum and Merton College OldLibrary and presentations of current research. By the end of the course, participants will have acquired a clear chronological framework for the medieval history of the “science of the stars,” will gain practical experience using an armillary sphere and an astrolabe, and will learn to identify the codicological structure and cultural significance of scientific manuscripts through extensive engagement with materials from the Weston Library’s collections.

The spring school is open to all Oxford undergraduate and graduate students. It is designed as anintroductory course; no prior knowledge is required, only an interest in the history of astronomy, astrology,or manuscript studies.To ensure effective work with rare and fragile historical materials, places are limited. By registering,participants agree to attend the full programme. Registration is free.

Registration deadline: 2 February 2026. To register please email our Associate Professor in Medieval Latin Manuscript Studies and Senior Research Fellow, Laure Miolo.

Organisation: Laure Miolo (Faculty of History, Wadham College) and Alexandre Tur (Bibliothèque nationale de France, Paris).

With the kind participation of: the Centre for the Study of the Book (Bodleian Library), Sumner Brand (History of Science Museum), Matthew Holford (Bodleian Library), Stephen Johnston (History of Science Museum), Michelle Pfeffer (Magdalen College), Julia Walworth (Merton College), Sian Witherden (Exeter College).