Although the authority of the ancient authors as the arbiters of all scientific knowledge had obviously been severely weakened, it did not immediately crumble. Too many professional, medical, ecclesiastical, and legal careers were founded on that authority for it to simply disappear without a struggle. The scientific elite resisted the infusion of new natural knowledge with all its might, but in the long run, its rearguard efforts were futile....The common sense of the working people prevailed and brought about the changes in worldview that have come to be known as the Scientific Revolution.

p. 132 - A People's History of Science (2005)