What was science in Elizabethan England?

Answer 1

Queen Elizabeth the first's long reign [1558-1603] coincided with the high renaissance period. The renaissance was a period where science as we understand it today started to emerge. England was no backwater. But let us set the scene. Copernicus [1473-1543] proposed a heliocentric solar system in which the Earth orbited the Sun along with all the other planets. (This was in fact first proposed by Aristarchus of Samos (circa 300BC) but pagan religious feeling at the time was hostile to the idea and it was rejected and forgotten.) Then Galileo [1564-1642] pointed a telescope at the sky, and saw moons orbiting Jupiter, and proposed that the heliocentric theory was real, not just another point of view. (The Vatican accepted Copernicus' system as a "different point of view", a very intelligent response given what was known at the time.) Meanwhile mathematics flourished in Italy (due to trade with between Venice and Islamic nations), and Tartaglia [1500-1557] solved the general cubic equation: this had been a goal for mathematicians since ancient times). Galileo studied the pendulum and balls rolling down slopes, Tartaglia published tables for cannon ball trajectories, the science of the motion of bodies began. Galileo invented the thermometer. (Galileo's persecution by the Vatican was more to do with him making public insults against the Pope than anything to do with his ideas.) Zacharias and Hansen invented the microscope in Holland [circa 1595], and at this time, alchemy started to transform itself into something akin to chemistry.

So, what of England? The telescope as used by Galileo was invented in England by Leonard Digges [1520-1559] (also credited with the theodolite), and publicised and improved by his son Thomas [1546-1595] who was a notable astronomer. John Dee [1527-1608] knew of the telescope. John Dee is interesting because he highlights the crossover from magic to science. He was a leading mathematician, astronomer, and teacher of navigation. He also believed in magic and Astrology. Also at this time William Gilbert [1544-1603] studied electricity (he coined the word) and magnetism and made important discoveries in these areas. Robert Fludd [1574-1647], and William Harvey [1578-1657] explained the circulation of the blood.