In answer to Frans vanLiere,
The Celtic Easter is now understood, thanks for the work of Dan
McCarthy and Daibhi O' Croinin; the definitive publication (using
Roman dates) was by McCarthy in _Journal for the History of
Astronomy_, 24 (1993), 204-24. With the two scholars' leave the
full details (in modern dating) are given in Bonnie Blackburn and
Leofranc Holford-Strevens, _The Oxford Companion to the Year_
(Oxford, 1999), pp. 870-5; the book is to be published on 11
November, #stg 35, ISBN 0-19-214231-3. You will be able to find
the Celtic date for any year from the table. (The book also
explains the history of Easter calculation and the basic
principles of computus.)
The rule was that Easter fell between 26 March and 23 April, both
dates inclusive, on the Sunday within the 14th to 20th day of the
lunar month.
This seems an appropriate time to thank members of the list, and
especially George and Carolyn for the daily saints postings,
which helped us greatly in the writing of this book. I have
occasionally referred to it in earlier postings as the Oxford
Book of Days; the new title reflects the expansion of Part II, on
calendars (Part I is on calendar customs, 1 January to 31
December). It has all sorts of useful information for medieval
historians in particular.
Bonnie Blackburn
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Bonnie Blackburn
67 St Bernard's Road
Oxford OX2 6EJ
tel. +44 (0)1865 552808 fax +44 (0)1865 512237
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
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