Commonwealth and Empire: Robert Recorde in Tudor England (Q2825823)

In this chapter (for the entire collection see [Zbl 1309.01006]), the author pictures the political and social situation in Europe and particularly in England, where Robert Recorde spent most of his life, and discusses the influence on Recorde's career and work.NEWLINENEWLINEThe sixteenth century was a century of political turbulence, religious change and considerable economic stress. An economic downfall in the begin of the century induced Thomas More to use the notion ``common wealth''. Later, Ralph Hythloday used this phrase in the title of his book \textit{Discourse of common weal} (1549). The concept of ``common weal'' or ``commonwealth'' became current in the England of the 16th century, it was used and discussed by classical scholars.NEWLINENEWLINESome years after the beginning of the reformation, Henry VIII withdrew England from the influence of Rome, and established the Anglican Church in 1533. He remarked that ``his realm of England is an Empire'' in the sense of Cicero. At the same time, the colonization began and England became a global power.NEWLINENEWLINEIn science, the principal driver of this period is generally described as ``humanism''. In Oxford and Cambridge, Greek became the basis for university studies in nearly all fields. The first mathematical books of Robert Recorde were grounded on miscellaneous material of his medieval predecessors. But Robert Recorde became very competent in Greek due to his studies in Oxford and Cambridge. He adopted more and more ideas of the Greco-Roman scientists and corrected errors of the medieval mathematicians. His book \textit{The pathway to knowledge} (1551) included parts of Euclid's \textit{Elements} in English.NEWLINENEWLINERobert Recorde also was a supporter to the humanist pedagogic programme. Clarity and order were his mottos for his books. By teaching mathematics he wanted to contribute to the well-being, ``common wealth'', of the individual as well as of the society. He was one of the first mathematicians, who wrote his books in English, and introduced the equal-sign ``=''. Recorde's book \textit{The ground of arts}, London 1543, was written in dialogue form.NEWLINENEWLINEAs most humanists Robert Recorde had a broad range of interests. He was interested not only in mathematics, but also in medicine (he became the family doctor of Edward VI. and Queen Maria), he was active in minting of money and mining of silver. He was interested in linguistic and antiquarian studies as well as in religious beliefs. He was up-to-date in new mathematical studies of e.g. Cardano, Scheubel and Stifel. His books were famous for easy reading and for giving a clearly arranged basis for mathematics. His mathematical books were indispensable for the maritime expansion of Tudor England.NEWLINENEWLINEFor the entire collection see [Zbl 1309.01006].