medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Please remember that all ancient superstition linked to certain days was
removed in relation to the astronomical calendar by the new reforms.
In Britain did it happen as late as 1752, where the calendar jumped from
2nd to 14th September! Since then has another day been added to the gap.
St. Swithun's day (15 July) was thus occurring on 27/28th July according to
the modern calendar, after strictly scientific measures.
The complexity of conversion of dates is commonly ignored when it comes to
general commemorations, but when the question is about the weather does it
certainly count with a difference of twelve days! (Sowing and harvesting is
fairly constant, and the dates from late medieval times does no longer make
sense without conversion).
Best
Erik
At 13:05 +0200 04/07/03, [log in to unmask] wrote:
> also on the subject of saints of the day for 2 July - the Oxford
>Dictionary of the Christian Church (and my Catholic educated friend) say
>that St. Swithin's Day is the 15th July - considering the weather we had
>in England on the 2nd (did you watch the tennis?) I would like to know
>whether we're in for another 37 days of the same. Can anyone clarify the
>date for me?
> many thanks
> Cate Gunn
_____________________________________________________________________
Mag.art. Erik Drigsdahl CHD Center for Haandskriftstudier i Danmark
Kapelvej 25B 3.tv Phone: +45 +35 37 20 47
DK-2200 Copenhagen N Email: <[log in to unmask]>
DENMARK http://www.chd.dk
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