Peter,

Agreed - the term rebirth is an observation made in hindsight by later generations.

At the time it was probably perceived more as newly emerging wisdom and a glimpse of gods great revelation.

And it must have been a great time to be alive if you were one of those on the cutting edge with permission to indulge, as advances in knowledge and understanding were so raw and so monstous in their significance.

Scientific knowledge was in its infancy. Europe was stepping up out of the primordial ooze, looking up and seeing the stars.

When I listen to Tallis I fantasize about how that kind of thing must have sounded in an old church to a commoner. I see a farmer used to small dark buildings walking into a huge stone structure lit up by vast colourful windows, seemingly by God himself, and the sound of a choir echoing in acoustic majesty.

The sense of majesty of the universe must have filled the academics of the day with awe and wonder.

Anyway, enough euphoric wandering ...