Alchemy Translates from East to West

With an upsurge of urban development in the 1100s, the centers of learning shifted from monasteries to towns with newly founded universities. Though still treading lightly in the face of church opposition. 

European academics at these universities began to study newly translated Arabic and Greek texts on mathematics, philosophy, astronomy, medicine—and alchemy. Through the work of these academics the information was eventually assimilated Encyclopedists compiled the information in encyclopedias, Scholastics interpreted the knowledge in the context of revealed religion, and Empiricists tried the new knowledge out. 

The new intolerance established anti-Semitism and anti-Paganism as a permanent part of European culture, radicalized an otherwise benign Islam, and had many repercussions throughout the history of chemistry. The Crusades however did add strength and unity to the Christian church, and when the revival in chemical learning came, the church was the first to stir. 

Monasticism, originating in Egypt, was the basis for this revival. As an institution Christian monasticism underwent several reforms that rendered it independent of secular leaders and made it able to pursue an agenda of its own. To remain independent however, monasteries had to be more-or-less self-sufficient, so in addition to the traditional medieval monk bent over a manuscript, these monks were farmers, physicians, and artisans. As literate artisans they were able to record what had been an oral tradition of practical chemical technology inherited from the Roman Empire and introduced by invasions. One such monk was Theophilus, a Benedictine. 

Take sulfur. .. break it up on a stone, and add to it two equal parts of mercury, weighed out on a scale. When you have mixed them carefully put them into a glass jar. Cover it all over with clay, block up the mouth so that no fumes can escape, and put it near the fire to dry. Then bury it in blazing coals and as soon as it begins to get hot you will hear a crashing inside, as the mercury unites with the blazing sulfur. When the noise stops immediately remove the jar, open it, and take out the pigment.  

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