Alfred W. Crosby's The Measure of Reality: Quantification and Western Society,
1250-1600 (Cambridge UP, 1997) contains a chapter that answers this question in
some detail. It's in paperback, and well worth the $14.95.
Ron Ganze
Dept. of English
CSU, Long Beach
Nancy Caciola wrote:
> Dear All,
>
> Is the conceptualization of time an appropriate question for this forum?
>
> I was idly wondering when hours came to be fixed in length, and I am certain
> that our liturgist colleagues will be able to enlighten me. I know that
> throughout much of the MA, the daylight and nighttime blocks were each
> divided into twelve hours, thus making a summer day hour much longer than a
> winter day hour. When did the fixed-length hour become widespread? Was
> uniformity part of the appeal of the new system, or was it simply a
> necessity arising from the workings of mechanical clocks?
>
> Also, is the original variable-length hour in continuity with Roman custom?
>
> Finally, many thanks to those who responded to my request about military
> saints. As far as I know, the student has yet to make up his mind about his
> research project, though I diligently encouraged him to choose from amongst
> the many excellent suggestions I received from this forum.
>
> Thanks again,
>
> Nancy Caciola
> History, UC-San Diego
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|