The Matter of Araby in Medieval England is a 1977 book by Dorothee Metlitzki in which the author attempts to show the beginnings of the relationship between medieval England and the Arab world. It is considered to be the “definitive work on the intersection of Arabic and English culture in the Middle Ages”.
By studying patterns of translation, scholarship and scientific inquiries Metlitzki shows that the Arab world contributed several key elements to the English world, including ancient Greek texts which had been translated into Arabic, scientific discoveries such as the astrolabe and astronomical advances, as well as a host of other things such as rhyming poetry.
The book is divided into two parts: "Scientific and Philosophical Learning" and "The Literary Heritage".
Famous quotes containing the words matter, medieval and/or england:
“Oh, what’s the matter wi’ you, my lass,
An’ where’s your dashin Jimmy?
The sowdger boys have picked him up
And sent him far, far frae me.”
—Unknown. Jimmy’s Enlisted; or, The Recruited Collier (l. 1–4)
“The Christos-image
is most difficult to disentangle
from its art-craft junk-shop
paint-and-plaster medieval jumble
of pain-worship and death-symbol.”
—Hilda Doolittle (1886–1961)
“Casting me adrift, 3500 miles from a port of call. You’re sending me to my doom, eh? Well, you’re wrong, Christian! I’ll take this boat as she floats to England if I must. I’ll live to see you—all of you—hanging from the highest yardarms in the British fleet.”
—Talbot Jennings (1896–1985)