Note 19 — Part II
Reading edition
Dr. Geo. Miller names (“Hist. Phil. Ill.,” London, 1849, Vol. I. p. 180, note) Guyot de Provins, Jacques de Vitry and Brunetto Latini, as referring to the compass. He adds that the Chronicle of France intimates the use of this instrument under the name of marinette towards the time of the first of the voyages of the Crusaders undertaken by Louis IX, and that Hughes de Bercy, a contemporary of that prince, speaks of it as well known in that country. For these reasons, says he, “the credit of the invention must be denied to Flavio de Melfi, or Flavio Gioia, a Neapolitan, who is commonly said to have constructed the first compass about the year 1302, on account of which the province of Principato, in which he was born, bears one of these instruments for its arms.