The follies of science at the court of Rudolph II : 1576-1612 / by Henry Carrington Bolton.

  • Henry Carrington Bolton
Date:
1904
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Licence: In copyright

Credit: The follies of science at the court of Rudolph II : 1576-1612 / by Henry Carrington Bolton. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    fortunes, to have their horoscopes made, and to ascertain b}- magical arts lucky days as well as unlucky ones, for all undertakings great and small. In return for these services his credulous visitors seldom failed to leave in his hands silver and gold coins, of which, however, he saw fewer than his household and comfort required. He was one of those who: “Deal in Destiny’s dark counsels, And sage opinions of the moon sell; To whom all people, far and near, On deep importances repair, When brass and pewter hap to straj-, And linen slinks out of the way.” Like many learned men in the Middle Ages Dr. Dee was supposed to be in league with evil spirits, and he was regarded by his neighbors and enemies as a dangerous man. His evil reputation for sorcery more than once brought him into con- flict with the officers of the law; under Queen Mary he was accused of heresy and of attempting to injure the Princess Elizabeth by witchcraft; being cast into a dungeon he saw with horror his cell-mate dragged forth to perish at the stake, but he was leniently treated at his trial and escaped with a mild sentence. On the accession of Elizabeth to the throne Dee was consulted by the Earl of Leicester to secure a lucky day for her coronation, and the result of his prognostication seems to have won her good will: for she afterwards became an appreciative client; she invited him to court for consul- tations, and even visited Dee’s modest dwelling; though naturally penurious, her Majesty occasionally gave sub- stantial proofs of her confidence, in pieces of gold. The Doctor was at this time a very handsome man, tall and slender, very fair, with a sanguine complexion and a long- pointed beard, which, as he grew older, acquired a snow-white
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