When Did a Medieval Monk First Try to Fly? New Study Reopens the Debate

Article excerpt

A new study challenges the long-accepted timeline of Eilmer of Malmesbury's famous flight attempt, suggesting the medieval monk's glider experiment happened decades later than historians previously believed. Eilmer, an 11th-century Benedictine monk, has long been credited as one of history's first aviators after he reportedly strapped on wings and jumped from a tower at Malmesbury Abbey, an act that left him with broken legs but cemented his place in the history of flight. The research reopens fundamental questions about when this remarkable moment actually occurred, forcing scholars to reconsider earlier accounts and examine the documentary evidence more carefully. The debate highlights how medieval history can shift dramatically with fresh analysis, even for events that seem well-established in the historical record.