CHAPTEE VIII 



THE LAST DAYS OF MICHAEL SCOT 



E various occupations in which Michael Scot 

 aged upon his return to court were not without 

 ir due and, as we believe, designed effect. The 

 he had taken in producing the Latin Averroes 

 soon forgotten when it appeared that no 

 ediate publication of these proscribed works 

 s intended by the Emperor. Scot now stood 

 dly before the world in no suspicious character ; 

 tinguished only by his great learning and the 

 lity with which he discharged his offices of 

 ologer and physician about the Imperial person. 

 This rehabilitation of his fame opened the way 

 urther honours and emoluments which Frederick 

 n began to seek on his servant's behalf. Scot 

 [ never quite lost character as a churchman, and 



member of a great religious Order, though his 

 dies had carried him far from the somewhat 

 TOW and beaten track of an ordinary ecclesias- 

 il education. Like Philip of Tripoli, he was pro- 

 )ly in holy orders, and even held a benefice, while, 

 we see from the dedication of his De Coelo et 



ndo to Stephen of Provins, he was careful, even 

 ,he wildest heats of his work on Averroes, to keep 

 :ouch with those who held high positions in the 

 irch. Soon after his return from Spain a resolute 



