Did a medieval flying monk spot Halley's comet, twice? It's complicated
4 hours ago
- #Benedictine Monk
- #Medieval Aviation
- #Historical Mystery
- An 11th-century Benedictine monk named Eilmer jumped from a 150-foot tower wearing makeshift wings, gliding 600 feet but breaking both legs.
- The story is recorded by 12th-century historian William of Malmesbury, who also mentions Eilmer witnessing Halley's comet in 1066.
- Based on seeing Halley's comet in 989 as a child, Eilmer's flight likely occurred between 1000 and 1010 when he was young.
- Alternatively, if Eilmer saw the 1018 comet in his youth, his flight would have taken place between the 1020s and 1040s, according to historian James Aitcheson.