Dragmaticon

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Items in Manuscript Collection
Call number	Status
MSS CODEX 0412 CB	In-library use

Creators/Contributors

Summary: The Dragmaticon is Williams' revision, made ca. 1144-50, of his most important work, De Philosophia Mundi. Written in dramatic dialogue form, the Dragmaticon touches on all aspects of "The science of the world," i.e. astronomy, geography, meteorology and medicine. Further, it attempts to reconcile discrepancies between church doctrine and scientific observation.

Subject: William, of Conches, 1080-approximately 1150; Cosmology > France > 12th century.; Manuscripts, Latin (Medieval and modern) > Italy.; Medicine > Early works to 1800.; Science > History.

Local subject: 15th century CHR > Italy.; Codices.; Medieval and Renaissance studies > Italy > 15th century.; ASUL.

Earliest possible date: 1450
Latest possible date: 1499
Note: Humanistic script which imitates a 12th century hand.; 24 colored drawings and diagrams.
Access: Open for research; material must be requested at least 24 hours in advance of intended use.
Citation: Reported to: Bibliothèque Nationale pre-1600 manuscript census.
Source: Gift of the Associates of Stanford University Libraries, 1983.
Note: William studied in Chartres under leading Aristotelians and was closely connected with St. Bernards' brother, Thierry de Chartres. After teaching at Chartres for 20 years he became tutor in the household of Geoffrey Plantagenet, Duke of Normandy. The Dragmaticon is dedicated to the Duke and written, in part, to instruct his son Henry, the future King Henry II of England.