Malmesbury and the Flying Monk

Some months ago, as part of my university course I was in Malmsebury for the Philosophytown Festival. After wandering around aimlessly for a few hours before attending the talks I came up with this for an assignment and it was included on the University RPE Blog. It's essentially just a speculative piece with no importance or consequence, though the story of Eilmer I did find quite interesting...

It seems apparent that the ambitions of man have always had a striking tendency to probe beyond the extent of standard physical and cognitive capabilities. These desires are manifested and entrenched within the oldest of mythologies and woven within the most novel fantasies. Among these is the seemingly age-old vision of flight. In the West, this notion can be seen manifest in the continuity of Greek thought, through the Medieval Catholic world. It prominently captures ours and the imaginations of scholars, writers and thinkers as an arrogant, romantic and inexorable dream. One such attempt and focus on human aviation can be perceived strikingly obtrusively among the eclectic and extensively rich history at Malmesbury Abbey.

In the year 1010 AD the monk Eilmer of Malmesbury (Also known as Oliver or Elmer) attempted one of the earliest recorded instances of flight from the top of Malmesbury Abbey tower. Eilmer, in the tradition of rediscovering knowledge held by the ancient Greeks (alongside others in academic circles of the time) began to observe of the natural world; particularly creatures of the air. In his study of bird-life he became captivated by the concept of flight and envisaged this ability possible for humans. Concluding from his avian examinations that he would attach wings to his arms, utilising both wind and gravity he successfully flew over 200 meters only to crash-land in Oliver’s Lane, breaking his legs and crippling him for the rest of his long life. Also, Eilmer had a strong familiarity with the tale of Daedalus and Icarus of Greek myth and subsequently drew influence from this; It was thought he ‘might fly as Daedalus’[1]. Moreover, it is said he witnessed the passage of Halley’s Comet as a young boy in the year 989. The sight of a heavenly body (of which little beyond religious context was known) may have aided in prompting this endeavour. As a case study we can perceive in Eilmer a certain fascination with ‘The Above’ when we consider also his work on astrology. He later claimed his failure was simply due to the absence of a tail to guide his course, even planning a second flight in determination of this.

Here we stumble upon broader themes, notably a distinct attempt at revival and continuation of Greek thought, culture and ideas, particularly among academic culture - not isolated to this one event in Malmesbury. Indeed, various clergy would identify with doctrine of dominion over animals demanded in Genesis (typifying an ideal of human self-importance, righteous command over animals and provoking a notion that beasts should have no feat over divine man). It would seem this notion of pushing man to the limit of his dreams and aspirations overpowers the more seldom-found pious humility which would deem flight a sinful desire, upsetting the natural order by succeeding the God-given physical restrictions we possess. Many would dabble with ideas of flight, such as Giovanni Damiani in Galloway, 1507, emanating the mythical Daedalus - attempting flight with feathers alone. The conclusion of this brave and foolhardy endeavour is evident of course - He was not succesful; simply falling to the ground and miraculously not dying. We see further wishes and attempts of flight in the Middle East, the designs of Da Vinci and even Ancient China. In Eilmer’s ‘epic flight’[2], we see some degree of scientific method alongside a driven faith and awe; observation, aerodynamic design, logical positioning and post-flight analysis - rather than daring a fairy tale unarmed.

It is striking that Eilmer is remembered and revered so when the other achievements of the Abbey throughout its history were comparatively great; surviving the dissolution and holding the first organ and largest library in England and being the resting place of King Æthelstan. Yet William of Malmesbury, heralded with ‘justice to be the greatest medieval monastic historian’[3] chose to write extensively of Eilmer. Furthermore, Eilmer was hardly a Wright brother and it was not his only accomplishment with his work at the abbey including having produced several astrological treatises which remained in circulation until the 16th Century. Even the Abbey focuses on him to commercial and historiographical effect; including him at the forefront of historical summaries, art, celebration, even re-enactment, not to mention revering the ‘hero’[4] by depiction on the stain glass windows of its north side, holding a place among abbots, commanders, saints and messiahs. Perhaps his idolisation owes to his bold facing of the perils and dangers during his attempt, seemingly unfased by the foreshadowed warning inherent in the myth of Daedalus of man flying too close to the sun.

...As a postscript I should probably not neglect to mention that while out conversing with Sam (fairly inebriated) some weeks later at a bar in Cheltenham I noticed that they were serving a very fine ale on tap. It was called The Flying Monk, complete with a picture of Elmer during his brief flight and it seemed to prove my little point. Naturally I announced rather proudly to Sam that I'd written a piece on the man behind the beverage and recieved an inebriated grunt of approval in reply.

Bibliography:

Bartholomew, Ron, A History of Malmesbury Abbey, (Malmesbury: Friends of Malmesbury Abbey, 2010) http://www.malmesburyabbey.com/ (14/10/2014) Eilmer of Malmesbury, an Eleventh Century Aviator: A Case Study of Technological Innovation, Its Context and Tradition, White, Lynn, Jr.,Technology and Culture, Vol. 2, No. 2 (Spring, 1961), pp. 97-111 (http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/3101411?uid=3738032&uid=2&uid=4&sid=21104815674567) http://www.athelstanmuseum.org.uk/people_eilmer.html (14/10/2014) Willis, Roy, World Mythology, (London: Duncan Baird Publishers Ltd, 2006) Cotterell, Arthur, The Encyclopaedia of Mythology, (Surrey, Anness Publishing Limited, 1996) Knowles, Dom David, The Monastic Order in England: A History of Its Development from the Times of St Dunstan to the Fourth Lateran Council 940-1216, (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2004) William of Malmesbury, Allen Giles, John, William of Malmesbury’s Chronicle of the kings of England. From the earliest period to the reign of King Stephen (H.G. Bohn, 1847)(Reprinted Blackwell: Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2004)pg. 252

[1] William of Malmesbury, Allen Giles, John, William of Malmesbury’s Chronicle of the kings of England. From the earliest period to the reign of King Stephen (H.G. Bohn, 1847)(Reprinted Blackwell: Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2004)pg. 252

[2] Bartholomew, Ron, A History of Malmesbury Abbey, (Malmesbury: Friends of Malmesbury Abbey, 2010) pg. 69

[3] Knowles, Dom David, The Monastic Order in England: A History of Its Development from the Times of St Dunstan to the Fourth Lateran Council 940-1216, (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2004) pg. 499

[4] A History of Malmesbury Abbey pg. 70