This rare and spectacular event is now understood to be a “sundog” or parhelion, an atmospheric optical phenomenon that can create the illusion of multiple suns.
A sundog, or parhelion, is a bright spot that appears on either side of the sun, often forming a halo around it. This phenomenon occurs due to the refraction of sunlight through ice crystals in the Earth’s atmosphere.
These ice crystals, typically found in high-altitude cirrus or cirrostratus clouds, act like prisms, bending the light and creating the illusion of one or more bright spots beside the sun. The result is a stunning visual effect that can make it seem as though there are two or more suns in the sky.
The sighting in 1104 is one of the earliest recorded instances of this phenomenon in Europe. Chronicles from that time describe a day when two suns were visible in the sky, an event that surely sparked much speculation. Medieval people often interpreted unusual celestial events as omens or divine messages, so the appearance of a double sun could have been seen as a significant portent.
The exact details of the 1104 event are sparse, as records from that period are often brief and focused more on the perceived implications than on scientific explanations. However, the description of two suns aligns well with the characteristics of a sundog.
In the medieval mindset, celestial phenomena were often linked to religious or supernatural causes. A double sun could have been seen as an omen of change, conflict, or divine intervention. During this period, Europe was in the midst of the High Middle Ages, a time marked by the growth of kingdoms, the Crusades, and significant socio-political shifts. Such a rare and dramatic sight in the heavens would have been ripe for interpretation as a message from God or a sign of impending events.
Today, we understand that sundogs are a natural meteorological phenomenon with no supernatural implications. They can be seen worldwide, though they are more common in colder climates where ice crystals are more prevalent. Sundogs are usually observed when the sun is low on the horizon, either at sunrise or sunset, and the angle of the light passing through the ice crystals is just right to create the effect.
The 1104 sighting in England is an early documented example of this phenomenon, highlighting how natural events were recorded and interpreted differently in historical contexts. While medieval chroniclers lacked the scientific knowledge to explain sundogs, their detailed accounts provide valuable insights into how people of the time perceived and reacted to the wonders of the natural world.
The sighting of a double sun over England in 1104 remains a fascinating episode in medieval history. It serves as a reminder of the blend of awe and mystery that characterized human interactions with the natural world in times past. Today, we can appreciate the beauty and complexity of sundogs with the benefit of scientific understanding, but the medieval perspective offers a unique window into the human experience of natural wonders in an age of superstition and faith.