Falconer's Trial Read Online Free PDF Page B

and Thomas breathed a sigh of relief, while feeling cowardly at the same time. In the schools there was a hush as Falconer stepped forward. The gathering formed a circle, with the two protagonists in the centre and an open space between them. It was as if the crowd imagined the two regent masters were about to fight each other. And indeed they were – but the only blows landed would be verbal. This is what everyone present had come for, and after a pause, Falconer continued.
    ‘I would hope that Master Thomas, as an assiduous pupil of mine, understands Aristotle just as well as his namesake from Aquino, who learned his Aristotle from Albert of Cologne.’
    Ralph snorted in contempt.
    ‘Albertus Magnus was no more than Aristotle’s ape.’
    ‘Yes, I have heard that criticism applied to him. If criticism it be. And there is much about Albert’s thinking with which I would disagree. But most of what we know of Aristotle comes from him. And from the writings of Averroës.’
    ‘From where we have the heresy of the beginninglessness of the universe.’
    There was a hiss from the assembled crowd. Here was the heart of the matter. Ralph’s reference to ‘beginninglessness’ touched on a dangerous conundrum. If God had created the world, as He surely had, then how could the universe have no beginning? Falconer smiled and eased into an argument he had rehearsed many times.
    ‘But since the beginning of the world cannot be demonstratively proved, then the universe could have existed without beginning to exist. If you held an open mind, Ralph, you would perceive that. If you applied reason…’
    Many of those present began to snigger as Falconer turned the tables. Ralph could contain his anger no longer.
    ‘What has reason to do with an article of faith? Two years ago in Paris, Bishop Tempier condemned the false belief that the world is eternal as to all the species contained in it; and that time is eternal. Or motion, matter, agent and recipient.’
    He crossed his arms over his chest, puffed up with pride at quoting the bishop’s words exactly. He gazed in triumph at Falconer.
    ‘And as for reason, I know you as an alchemist and a refuter of the mystical in the natural world. As if the world had made itself and operated without God’s wisdom.’
    ‘On the contrary, I am inclined to the mystical and the beliefs of the good Abbot Joachim, who saw an age when the Just would rule and the hierarchy of the Church, exemplified by such fools as Tempier, would be unnecessary.’
    Some present were now openly laughing at Cornish and Falconer could see that Ralph’s face was becoming redder and redder, as if he would explode. But he realized he had once again gone too far and said too much. He had just suggested that the church hierarchy was not needed. It was time to turn the serious debate on its head. He felt carefully in his pouch and positioned himself close to one of the lighted candles that illuminated the room. Ralph was pointing an accusatory finger.
    ‘I knew it. The Synod of Arles declared these ideas heretical. You are a Joachimite, like your fellow scientist, Friar Bacon.’
    Falconer held the little paper tube close to the candle flame and watched it ignite. He held it for a few seconds longer.
    ‘And like Roger I understand the physical world. And can control it.’
    He tossed the burning tube at Ralph’s feet and held his hands over his ears. The paper fizzed for a few seconds, then the package exploded with a green flash and a sound fit to burst the eardrums. Ralph reeled backwards, as grey smoke filled the room. The hem of his expensive robe was on fire and he hopped around trying to beat it out. After the initial shock, and stunned silence, wholesale laughter rang round the room, though few could hear it clearly. Everyone’s ears, save those of William Falconer, had been robbed of sound other than a dull ringing. Ralph saw he was the butt of the joke and pointed once again at Falconer.
    ‘Joachimite.