Origins
Although described as English, his birthplace is unknown because Sacrobosco is an otherwise unknown town or region. The belief on his nationality is based on a 1271 statement by Robertus Anglicus. Traditional theories were based on suggestions of antiquarians, without documentary proof.
Sacrobosco is also called John of Holywood, by reverse etymology from the Latin sacro bosco. A traditional belief, that he was born in Halifax, is due to the 16th century author, John Leland, and was discredited by William Camden: Halifax means 'holy hair', not 'holy wood'. Sacrobosco has been identified, by Thomas Dempster, with an Augustinian canon from Holywood Abbey, Nithsdale (in fact a Premonstratensian house); which would be a reason for presuming him a Scot. He is also claimed by Holywood, County Down, this being based on a suggestion of Richard Stanihurst. However, Pederson attributes this assertion to Holywood being known to Stanihurst. Pedersons book mentioned that in 1639 James Ware assumed that the birthplace of Sacrobosco was near Dublin. Stanihurst and even Pederson were probably unaware that the seat of the Sacrobosco/Hollywood family in Ireland was in Artane, a suburb of Dublin ("The History of the County of Dublin" by John D'Alton published in 1838). Local historical records in Ireland seem to indicate that Sacrobosco was a member of the Artane Hollywoods and was born in Artane Castle. A similar claim is made for Holywood, County Wicklow, though there is no known historical document which supports this.
Read more about this topic: Johannes De Sacrobosco
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