1554. Aug. 25th, Barthilmew Hikman born at Shugborowh in
Warwikshyre toward evening. My conjecture, uppon his own reporte of
circumstances. Oct. 25th, D. Daniel Vander Meulen Antwerpiæ, mane hora
quarta.[a]
[Footnote a: It is almost unnecessary to observe that this and
the following are notes of nativities. They are not for the most
part contemporary notices, but apparently inserted at various
times by Dee when professionally consulted as an astrologer.]
1555. April 22nd, Jane Fromonds borne at Cheyham at none. Aug. 1st,
Ed. Kelly natus hora quarta a meridie[b] ut annotatum reliquit pater
ejus. Oct. 12th, the Lord Willughby born hora septima mane, ante
meridiem, Lat. 51° 30', at Wesell in Gelderland.
[Footnote b: "Anno 1555, Aug. 1, hora quarta a meridie Wigorniæ
natus Dominus Edouardus Kelæus," MS. Ashm. 1788, fol. 140, where
there is a horoscope of this nativity in the handwriting of
Dr. Dee. Ashmole, in his MS. 1790, fol. 58, says "Mr. Lilly told
me that John Evans informed him that he was acquainted with
Kelly's sister in Worcester, that she shewed him some of the
gold her brother had transmuted, and that Kelly was first an
apothecary in Worcester."]
1557. July 30th, Mr. Arundell of Cornwayle natus circa [horam]
quartam a meridie.
1558. Dec. 14th, Mary Nevelle, alias Mary Lewknor, borne inter 11 et
meridiem mane, by Chichester.
1560. July 8th, Margaret Russell, Cowntess of Cumberland, hora 2
min. 9 Exoniæ mane.
1561. Aug. 14th, Mr. Heydon, of Baconsthorp in Norfolk, hora noctis
11½ natus in comitatu Surrey.
1563. March 23rd, Mr. William Fennar a meridie inter horam undecimam
et duodecimam nocte. June 23nd, Jane Cooper, now Mystris Kelly,
toward evening. Sept. 28th, Mr. John Ask ante meridiem, by York six
myle on this syde; Elizabeth Mownson, circa horam 9 mane, soror
magistri Thomæ Mownson et uxor magistri Brown.
1564. Mrs. Brigit Cooke borne about seven of the clok on Saynt
David's Day, which is the first day of March, being Wensday; but I
cannot yet lerne whether it was before none or after. But she
thinketh herself to be but 27 yeres old, anno 1593, Martii primo,
but it cannot be so. June 20th, Mr. Hudson, hora septima ante
meridiem. Aug. 21st, Wenefride Goose, inter 9 et 10 a meridie by
Kingstone.
1565. Sept. 12th, John Pontoys, inter 9 et 10 ante meridiem prope
Stony-Stratford; puto potius hora 8 min. 43. Oct. 17th, Thomas
Kelley[c] hora quarta a meridie at Wurceter. Dec. 21st, Mr. Thomas
Mownson at 11 of the clok in the morning.
[Footnote c: The brother of the celebrated astrologer before
mentioned.]
1568. July 14th, William Emery born at Danbery in Essex paulo post
undecimam horam noctis. Sept. 24th, Margaret Anderson mane inter 7
et 8.
1571. Samuel Swallow borne at Thaxstede in Essex Feb. 15 ante
meridiem, inter horam undecimam et duodecimam, forte hora media post
undecimam.
1575. July 31st, Simeon Stuard natus ante diluculum per horam 11½ at
Shinfelde; his grandfather by the mother was Dr. Huyck the Quene's
physicien.
1577. Jan. 16th, the Erle of Lecester, Mr. Phillip Sydney, Mr. Dyer,
&c., came to my howse.[d] Jan. 22nd, The Erle of Bedford cam to my
howse. Feb. 19th, great wynde S.W., close, clowdy. March 11th, my
fall uppon my right nuckul bone, hora 9 fere mane; wyth oyle of
Hypericon in 24 howres eased above all hope: God be thanked for such
his goodness of his creatures! March 24th, Alexander Simon the
Ninivite came to me, and promised me his servise into Persia. May
1st, I received from M. William Harbert of St. Gillian his notes
uppon my Monas.[e] May 2nd, I understode of one Vincent Murfyn his
abhominable misusing me behinde my back; Mr. Thomas Besbich told me
his father is one of the cokes of the Court. May 20th, I hyred the
barber of Cheswik, Walter Hooper, to kepe my hedges and knots in as
good order as he sed them than, and that to be done with twise
cutting in the yere at the least and he to have yerely five
shillings, [and] meat and drink. June 10th, circa 10, a shower of
hayle and rayne. June 18th, borrowed £40 of John Hilton of Fulham.
June 19th, I understode of more of Vincent Murfyn his knavery;
borrowed £20 of Bartylmew Newsam. June 20th, borow £27 uppon the
chayn of golde. June 26th, Elen Lyne gave me a quarter's warning.
June 27th, showrs of rayne and hayle. Aug. 19th, the Hexameron
Brytanicum[f] put to printing.
[Footnote d: "Dr. Dee dwelt in a house neere the water side,
a little westward from the church [at Mortlake]. The buildings
which Sir Fr. Crane erected for working of tapestry hangings, and
are still (1673) employed to that use, were built upon the
ground whereon Dr. Dee's laboratory and other roomes for that
use stood. Upon the west is a square court, and the next is the
house wherein Dr. Dee dwelt, now inhabited by one Mr. Selbury,
and further west his garden." --MS. Ashm. 1788, fol. 149. The
same account says that "Dr. Dee was wel beloved and respected of
all persons of quality thereabouts, who very often invited him
to their houses or came to his."]
[Footnote e: This of course is his celebrated Monas
Hieroglyphica, frequently printed, and the nature of which
I attempted to explain in a paper read before the Society of
Antiquaries. Mr. Herbert, according to MS. Ashm. 1788, "dwelt
then in Mortlack and was an intimate friend of Dr. Dee's."]
[Footnote f: This was his work printed in 1577 under the title
of General and Rare Memorials pertayning to the perfect Art of
Navigation, in folio, now a book of the greatest rarity. The
original manuscript of it is in MS. Ashm. 1789, and Dee's own
copy of the published work with MS. notes and additions is
preserved in the British Museum. In his Letter Apologetical,
4to. Lond. 1603, he cites this work under the title of The
Brytish Monarchie, as having been written in the year 1576.]
Nov. 3rd, William Rogers of Mortlak, abowt 7 of the clok in the
morning, cut his own throte, by the fende his instigation. Nov. 6th,
Sir Umfrey Gilbert cam to me to Mortlak. Nov. 18th, borowed of Mr.
Edward Hynde of Mortlak £30 to be repayed at Hallowtyde next yere.
Nov. 20th, two tydes in the forenone, the first 2 or 3 howres to
sone. Nov. 22nd, I rod to Windsor to the Q. Majestie. Nov. 25th,
I spake with the Quene hora quinta. Nov. 28th, I spake with the Quene
hora quinta; I spake with Mr. Secretary Walsingham.[g] I declared to
the Quene her title to Greenland, Estetiland and Friseland.
[Footnote g: Ashmole informs us that Walsingham continued for a
length of time one of Dr. Dee's best patrons.]
Dec. 1st, I spake with Sir Christofer Hatton; he was made knight
that day. Dec. 1st, I went from the cowrte at Wyndsore. Dec. 30th,
inexplissima illa calumnia de R. Edwardo, iniquissime aliqua ex
parte in me denunciabatur: ante aliquos elapsos dies, sed ... sua
sapientia me innocentem.
1578. Feb. 5th, sponsalia cum Jana Fromonds horam circiter primam.
April 28th, I caused Sir Rowland Haywood to examyn Francys Baily of
his sklandering me, which he denyed utterly. June 13th, rayn and in
the afternone a little thunder. June 30th, I told Mr. Daniel
Rogers,[h] Mr. Hackluyt of the Middle Temple being by, that Kyng
Arthur and King Maty, both of them, did conquier Gelindia, lately
called Friseland, which he so noted presently in his written copy of
Monumethensis,[i] for he had no printed boke therof. July 14th, my
sister Elizabeth Fromonds cam to me. July 27th, hora 9, min. 15 a
meridie Francis Cowntess of Hertford.
[Footnote h: Rogers was a member of the University of Oxford,
and a large commonplace-book in his handwriting is in Archbishop
Tenison's library in St. Martin's-in-the-Fields.]
[Footnote i: That is, Galfridus Monumetensis de gestis regum
Britanniæ. Hackluyt mentions this fact in his collection of
voyages.]
Aug. 5th, Mr. Raynolds of Bridewell tok his leave of me as he passed
toward Darthmowth to go with Sir Umfry Gilbert toward Hocheleya.
Aug. 15, I went toward Norwich with my work of Imperium
Brytanicum.[k] Aug. 23rd, I cam to London from Norwich. Aug. 31st,
I went to my father-in-law Mr. Fromonds to Cheyham.
[Footnote k: This is the book just mentioned under the title of
General and Rare Memorials, fol. Lond. 1577.]
Sept. 1st, I cam from Cheyham. Sept. 6th, Elen Lyne, my mayden,
departed from this life immediately after the myd-day past, when she
had lyne sik a month lacking one day. Sept. 12th, Jane Gaele cam to
my servyce, and she must have four nobles by the yere, 26_s._ 8_d._
Sept. 25th, Her Majestie cam to Richemond from Grenwich. Sept. 26,
the first rayn that came for many a day; all pasture abowt us was
withered: rayn afternone like Aprill showres. Oct. 8th, the Quene's
Majestie had conference with me at Richemond inter 9 et 11. Oct.
16th, Dr. Bayly conferred of the Quene her disease. Oct. 22nd, Jane
Fromonds went to the court at Richemond. Oct. 25th, a fit from 9
afternone to 1 after mydnight. Oct. 28, the Erle of Lecester and Sir
Francys Walsingham, secretary, determined my going over for the
Quene's Majestie. Nov. 4th, I was directed to my voyage by the Erle
of Lecester and Mr. Secretary Walsingham hora nona. Nov. 7th, I cam
to Gravesende. Nov. 9th, I went from Lee to sea. Nov. 14th, I cam to
Hamburgh hora tertia. Dec. 11th, to Franckfurt-uppon-Oder. Dec.
15th, newes of Turnifer's comming hora octava mane, by a speciall
mesenger.
1579. A moyst Marche and not wyndy. June 10th, I shewed to
Mr. John Lewis and his sonne, the physition, the manner of drawing
aromaticall oyles. At that tyme my cat got a fledge yong sparrow
which had onely a right wyng naturally. June 15th, my mother
surrendred Mortlak howses and land, and had state geven in plena
curia ad terminum vitæ, and to me was also the reversion delivered
per virgam, and to my wife Jane by me, and after to my heirs and
assignes for ever, to understand, Mr. Bullok and Mr. Taylor,
surveyor, at Wimbledon, under the tree by the church. June 22nd, Mr.
Richard Hickman and Barthilmew his nephew cam to me with Mr. Flowr,
commended by Mr. Vicechamberlayn Sir Christopher Hatton.
July 6th, Mr. Hitchcok, who had travayled in the plat for fishing,
made acquayntance with me, and offred me great curtesy.
July 13th, Arthurus Dee natus[l] puer mane hor. 4 min. 30 fere, vel
potius min. 25, in ipso ortu solis, ut existimo. After 10 of the
clock this night my wive's father Mr. Fromonds was speechles, and
died on Tuesday (July 14th) at 4 of the clock in the morning. July
16th, Arthur was christened at 3 of the clok afternone; Mr. Dyer and
Mr. Doctor Lewys, judg of the Admiralty, were his godfathers; and
Mistres Blanche Pary of the Privie Chamber his godmother. But Mr.
John Harbert of Estshene was deputy for Dr. Lewys, and Mystres
Awbrey was deputy for my cosen Mistres Blanche Pary.
[Footnote l: His horoscope is in MS. Ashm. 1788. "Mr. Arthur
Dee's birth was accompanied by the unhappy accident of the death
of Mr. Fromonds, his mother's father, who died that morning."
--MS. Ashm. 1790, fol. 63.]
Aug. 8th, John Elmeston,[m] student of Oxford, cam to me for
dialling. Aug. 9th, Jane Dee churched. Aug. 16th, Monsieur cam
secretly to the court from Calays. Aug. 20th, wyndy, clowdy, rayny.
Aug. 26, Monsieur went back agayn to France. Sept. 10th, my dream of
being naked, and my skyn all overwrowght with work like some kinde
of tuft mockado, with crosses blew and red; and on my left arme,
abowt the arme, in a wreath, this word I red-- sine me nihil
potestis facere: and another the same night of Mr. Secretary
Walsingham, Mr. Candish, and myself.
[Footnote m: This person is not noticed by the Oxford
biographers.]
Oct. 3rd, Sir Leonel Ducket his unkend letter for mony. Oct. 4th,
goodman Hilton requested me for his ij. sonnes to resort to my
howse. Oct. 5th, raging wynde at West and Southerly, in the night
chefely. Oct. 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, great rayne for three or four
dayes and nights. Oct. 13th, this day it broke up; the fote bote for
the ferry at Kew was drowned and six persons, by the negligens of
the ferryman overwhelming the boat uppon the roap set there to help,
by reason of the vehement and high waters. Oct. 18th, Mr. Adrian
Gilbert and John Davys reconcyled themselves to me, and disclosed
some of Emery his most unhonest, hypocriticall, and devilish
dealings and devises agaynst me and other, and likewise of that
errant strompet her abominable wordes and dedes; and John Davis sayd
that he might curse the tyme that ever he knew Emery, and so much
followed his wicked cownsayle and advyse. So just is God! Oct. 31st,
payed xx_s._ fyne for me and Jane my wife to the Lord of Wimbleton
(the Quene), by goodman Burton of Putney, for the surrender taken of
my mother of all she hath in Mortlak to Jane and me, and than to my
heyres and assynes, &c.
Nov. 25th, the Lord Clinton cam to me and offred Skirbeck by Boston
for Long Lednam. Nov. 29th, I receyved a letter from Mr. Thomas
Jones. Dec. 9th, Guvf avtg zv jvs qerzvq gung bar xnz gb ure naq
gbhpurq ure, fnlvat, "Zvfgerf Qrr, lbh ne pbaprvirq bs puvyq, jubf anzr
zhfg or Mnpunevnf; or bs thq purer, ur funy qb jry nf guvf qbgu!"[n]
Dec. 22nd, I payd Jane 13_s._ and 4_d._ for her wagys tyll Michelmas
last, for the half yere, so that I owe her yet 6_s._ 8_d._ Dec.
28th, I reveled to Roger Coke[o] the gret secret of the elixir of
the salt of nprgryf bar hccba n uhaqerq.
[Footnote n: Dee has occasionally made use of Greek letters
for the preservation of his notes, still retaining the English
language. The present passage may as well be given:-- "This
night my wife dreamed that one cam to her and touched her,
saying, 'Mistres Dee, you are conceived of child, whose name
must be Zacharias; be of good chere, he sal do well as this
doth!'"]
[Transcriber's Note:
See Transliteration Key at end of text.]
[Footnote o: In a more appropriate place I shall give from an
Ashmolean manuscript a traditionary anecdote relating to this
Roger Coke, or Cooke, and the great secret which Dee revealed to
him.]
1580. Jan. 13th, I gave my wife mony for the month. Jan. 16th,
Arthur fell sick, stuffed with cold fleym, could not slepe, had no
stomach to eat or drink as he had done before. Feb. 26th, this night
the fyre all in flame cam into my maydens chamber agayne, betwene an
eleven and twelve of the cloke; contynued half an howr terribly, so
it did a yere before to the same maydens, Mary Cunstable and Jane
Gele. May 17th, at the Moscovy howse for the Cathay voyage. June
3rd, Mr. A. Gilbert and J. Davys rod homward into Devonshire. June
7th, Mr. Skydmor and his wife lay at my howse and Mr. Skydmor's
dowghter, and the Quene's dwarf Mrs. Tomasin. June 8th, my wife went
with Mistres Skydmor to the court. June 12th, Mr. Zackinson and Mr.
Cater lay at my howse, having supped at my Lady Crofts. June 14th,
Mr. Fosku of the Wardrip lay at my howse, and went the next day to
London with Mr. Coweller. July 15th, the Lady Croft went from
Mortlak to the court at Otlands. June 30th, payd Jane 20_s._ for
thre quarters' wages, so that all that is due is payd, and all other
recknengs likewise is payd her 6_s._ 8_d._; and Mary Constable was
payd all old reknings 15_s._, and my wife had eleven pounds to
dischardge all for thirteen wekes next, that is, till the 5th of
November: I delivered Mr. Williams, the person of Tendring, a lettre
of atturney agaynst one White of Colchester, for a sklaundre.
Aug. 27th, Arthur was weaned this night first. Aug. 28th, my dealing
with Sir Humfrey Gilbert for his graunt of discovery. Aug. 30th,
Nurse Darant was discharged and had 10_s._ given her, which was the
whole quarter's wages due at a fortnight after Michelmas.
Sept. 6th, the Quene's Majestie cam to Richemond. Sept. 10th, Sir
Humfry Gilbert graunted me my request to him, made by letter, for
the royaltyes of discovery all to the North above the parallell of
the 50 degree of latitude, in the presence of Stoner, Sir John
Gilbert, his servant or reteiner; and thereuppon toke me by the hand
with faithfull promises in his lodging of John Cooke's howse in
Wichcross strete, where wee dyned onely us three together, being
Satterday. Sept. 13th, Mr. Lock browght Benjamyn his sonne to me:
his eldest sonne also, called Zacharie, cam then with him. Sept.
17th, the Quene's Majestie cam from Rychemond in her coach, the
higher way of Mortlak felde, and whan she cam right against the
church she turned down toward my howse: and when she was against my
garden in the felde she stode there a good while, and than cam ynto
the street at the great gate of the felde, where she espyed me at my
doore making obeysains to her Majestie; she beckend her hand for me;
I cam to her coach side, she very speedily pulled off her glove and
gave me her hand to kiss; and to be short, asked me to resort to her
court, and to give her to wete when I cam ther; hor. 6¼ a meridie.
Sept. 14th, I began against Vincent Murphyn. Sept. 15th, I wrote to
the bishop of London. Sept. 22nd, my declaration against Vincent
Murphin put into the court of Geldhall.
Oct. 3rd, on Munday, at 11 of the clok before none, I delivered my
two rolls of the Quene's Majesties title unto herself in the garden
at Richemond, who appointed after dynner to heare furder of the
matter. Therfore betwene one and two afternone, I was sent for into
her highnes Pryvy Chamber, where the Lord Threasurer allso was, who,
having the matter slightly then in consultation, did seme to dowt
much that I had or could make the argument probable for her highnes'
title so as I pretended. Wheruppon I was to declare to his honor
more playnely, and at his leyser, what I had sayd and could say
therin, which I did on Tuesday and Wensday following, at his
chamber, where he used me very honorably on his behalf. Oct. 7th,
on Fryday I cam to my Lord Threasorer, and he being told of my
being without, and allso I standing before him at his comming furth,
did not or would not speak to me, I dowt not of some new greif
conceyved. Oct. 10th, the Quene's Majestie, to my great cumfort
(hora quinta), cam with her trayn from the court and at my dore
graciously calling me to her, on horsbak, exhorted me briefly to
take my mother's death patiently, and withall told me that the Lord
Threasorer had gretly commended my doings for her title, which he
had to examyn, which title in two rolls he had browght home two
howrs before; she remembred allso how at my wive's death it was
her fortune likewise to call uppon me.[p] At 4 of the clok in the
morning my mother Jane Dee dyed at Mortlak; she made a godly ende:
God be praysed therfore! She was 77 yere old. Oct. 20th, I had by my
jury at Geldhall £100 damages awarded me against Vincent Murphyn the
cosener. Oct. 22nd, with much ado I had judgment against Murfin at
Geldhall. My mervaylous horsnes and in manner spechelesnes toke me,
being nothing at all otherwise sick. Oct. 25th, Morrice Kyffin
departed from me with my leave. Nov. 2nd, the Lord Threasorer sent
me a haunche of venison. Thomas Suttley had the bishop of Canterbury
his letter for Sir Richard. Nov. 3rd, I writt to my Lord Threasurer.
Nov. 6th, Helen cam to my servyse. Nov. 12th, somwhat better in my
voyce. Nov. 22nd, the blasing star[q] I cold see no more, though it
were a cler night. Dec. 1st, newes cam by Dr. Deny from Ireland of
the Italiens overthrow whom the Pope had sent, the Quene lying at
Richemond. Dec. 6th, the Quene removed from Richmond. Dec. 8th,
recepi literas Roma, scriptas per fratrem Laudervicea.
[Footnote p: His first wife died on the 16th of March 1575, when
"the Queen's Majestie, with her most honourable Privy Council,
and other her Lords and Nobility, came purposely to have visited
my library: but finding that my wife was within four houres
before buried out of the house, her Majestie refused to come in;
but willed to fetch my glass so famous, and to show unto her
some of the properties of it, which I did; her Majestie being
taken down from her horse by the Earle of Leicester, Master of
the Horse, at the church wall of Mortlake, did see some of the
properties of that glass, to her Majestie's great contentment
and delight." --_Compendious Memorial_, p. 516. This glass is
spoken of again.]
[Footnote q: Dee has made a rough sketch of the appearance of
this comet, with its long tail, on the margin of the MS.]
1581.[r] Feb. 9th, I agreed with Mr. Gentle Godolphin for to release
the coosener Vincent Murphin. Feb. 11th, Harry Prise, of Lewsam, cam
to me at Mortlak, and told of his dreames often repeated, and uppon
my prayer to God this night, his dreame was confirmed, and better
instruction given. Feb. 12th, Sir William Harbert cam to Mortlak.
Feb. 23rd, I made acquayntance with Joannes Bodinus, in the Chambre
of Presence at Westminster, the embassador being by from Monsieur.
Feb. 26th, a very fayr calm warm day.
[Footnote r: An original diary of the chemical experiments made
by Dr. Dee in this year is preserved in the Bodleian Library.
--MS. Rawl. Miscel. 241.]
March 8th, it was the 8 day, being Wensday, hora noctis 10, 11, the
strange noyse in my chamber of knocking; and the voyce, ten tymes
repeted, somewhat like the shrich of an owle, but more longly drawn,
and more softly, as it were in my chamber. March 12th, all
reckenings payd to Mr. Hudson, £11. 17_s._ March 13th, Elizabeth
Kyrton cam to my servys. March 23rd, at Mortlak cam to me Hugh
Smyth, who had returned from Magellan straights and Vaygatz; after
that, raynie, stormie wynde, S.W.
March 25th, Helen was hyred at our Lady day for the yere for fowr
nobles wagis; she had her covenant peny, and allso vj_s._ viij_d._
for her payns taken synce she came. April 3rd, I ryd toward
Snedgreene, to John Browne, to here and see the manner of the
doings. April 14th, I cam home from Snedgreene. May 25th, I had
sight in +Chrystallô+ offerd me, and I saw. June 7th, hora 7½ mane nata
est Katharina Dee. June 10th, baptisata a meridie hor. 5½ Katharina.
Mr. Packington of the court, my Lady Katarin Crofts, wife to Sir
James Crofts, Mr. Controller of the Quene's household, Mystres Mary
Skydmor of the Privie Chamber, and cosen to the Quene, by theyr
deputies christened Katharin Dee. June 17th, yong Mr. Hawkins, who
had byn with Sir Francis Drake, cam to me to Mortlake. June 30th,
Mr. John Leonard Haller, of Hallerstein, by Worms in Germany,
receyved his instructions manifold for his jornay to Quinsay, which
jornay I moved him unto, and instructed him plentifully for the
variation of the compas, observing in all places as he passed.
July 6th, my wife churched. July 7th, in the morning at 1¾ after
mydnight, Mr. Hinde his sonne born. July 10th, my right sholder and
elbow-joynt were so extremely in payn that I was not able in 14
dayes to lift my arme owtward not an ynche; the payn was extreme;
I used Mr. Larder, Mr. Alles, and Alise Davyes, and abowt the 25 day
I mended. July 12th, abowt 10 of the clock ½ before noone Ebtre uvf
vaperqvoyr qbttrqarf naq vatengrshyarf ntnvaf zr gb zv fnpr nyzbfg
erqv gb ynl ivbyrag unaqf ba zr, zntre uraevx pna cnegryv gry. At
the same day the Erle of Lecester fell fowly owt with the Erle of
Sussex, Lord Chamberlayn, calling each other traytor, whereuppon
both were commanded to kepe theyr chambers at Greenwich, wher the
court was. July 19th, Mr. Henrick went to London to visit his wife
and children. July 26th, Mr. Haylok cam, and goodman King with him.
July 28th, Mr. Collens did ride into Lincolneshire.
Aug. 3rd, all the night very strange knocking and rapping in my
chamber. Aug. 4th, and this night likewise. Katharin was sent home
from nurse Maspely, of Barnes, for fear of her mayd's sicknes, and
goodwife Benet gave her suck. Aug. 11th, Katharine Dee was shifted
to nurse Garret at Petersham on Fryday, the next day after St.
Lawrence day, being the 11th day of the month; my wife went on foot
with her, and Ellen Cole, my mayd, George and Benjamin, in very
great showres of rayn. Aug. 12th, recepi literas a D. Doctore Andrea
Hess occultæ philosophiæ studioso, per Richardi Hesketh amici mei,
Antwerpiæ agentis, diligentiam in negociis meis, et recepi, una cum
literis, Mercurii Mensitam seu Sigillam Planetarum. Aug. 26th, abowt
8½ (at night) a strange meteore in forme of a white clowde crossing
galaxiam, whan it lay north and sowth over our zenith; this clowd
was at length from the S.E. to the S.W. sharp at both endes, and in
the west ende it was forked for a while; it was abowt sixty degrees
high, it lasteth an howr, all the skye clere abowt, and fayr
starshyne.
Sept.[s] 5th, Roger Cook, who had byn with me from his 14 yeres of
age till 28, of a melancholik nature, pycking and devising occasions
of just cause to depart on the suddayn, abowt 4 of the clok in the
afternone requested of me lycense to depart, wheruppon rose whott
words between us; and he, imagining with hisself that he had the
12 of July deserved my great displeasure and finding himself barred
from vew of my philosophicall dealing with Mr. Henrik, thowght
that he was utterly recest from intended goodnes toward him.
Notwithstanding Roger Cook his unseamely dealing, I promised him, yf
he used himself toward me now in his absens, one hundred pounds[t]
as sone as of my own clene hability I myght spare so much; and
moreover, if he used himself well in lif toward God and the world,
I promised him some pretty alchimicall experiments, whereuppon he
might honestly live. Sept. 7th, Roger Cook went for alltogether from
me. Sept. 29th, Robert Gardner, of Shrewsbury, cam to my servyce.
[Footnote s: Dr. Dee, in the Rawlinson MS. just quoted,
observes, in his notes on this month, "Mr. Harry Waters went
away the 2nd day, malcontent. John Dee, Jesus bless me!"]
[Footnote t: This probably gave rise to the anecdote which is
related in MS. Ashm. 1788, fol. 147, viz. that "he revealed to
one Roger Cooke the great secret of the elixar, as he called it,
of the salt of metalls, the projection whereof was one upon an
hundred."]
Oct. 8th, I had newes of the chests of bokes fownd by Owndle in
Northamptonshyre; Mr. Barnabas Sawle told me of them, but I fownd no
truth in it. Oct. 9th, Barnabas Saul, lying in the ... hall was
strangely trubled by a spirituall creature abowt mydnight. Oct.
13th, I rod to Sowth Myms. Oct. 14th, to St. Nedes. Oct. 16th,
at Mr. Hikman's. Oct. 20th, at Tosseter. Oct. 21st, Oxford, Dr.
Cradocke. Oct. 23rd, from Oxford to Wyckam. Oct. 24th, I cam home.
Robert Hilton cam to my service. Nov. 16th, the Quene removed to
White Hall, and Monsieur with her. Nov. 27th, I rod to Greensede.
Nov. 28th, to goodman Wykham, 2 myles beyond Chayly by Lewys. Nov.
29th, I made acquayntance with Mr. George Kylmer for Sir George his
bokes. Nov. 30th, I cam home. Dec. 1st, Katharyn Dee her nurse was
payd 6_s._ so nothing is owing to her. Dec. 5th, Elen my mayden fell
sick. Dec. 7th, George my man had the great fall of the ladder, hora
10 fere mane. Dec. 8th, I sent a letter to Mr. Kylmer. Dec. 22nd, my
Lord Chanceler's sonne, Mr. Bromley, and Sir William Herbert cam to
me. Helen Cole was payd her wages and reckening tyll this Christmas,
and so discharged my servyce, being newly recovered of her ague. Her
desyre was to go to her frendes.
1582. Jan. 11th, Robert Gardener desired my leave to go dwell with
Sir William Herbert, hora 12. Jan. 16th, Mistris Harbert cam to
Essexe. Jan. 17th, Randal Hatton cam home from Samuel's father at
Stratton Audley. Jan. 22nd, Arthur Dee and Mary Herbert, they being
but 3 yere old the eldest, did make as it wer a shew of childish
marriage, of calling ech other husband and wife. Jan. 22, 23rd. The
first day Mary Herbert cam to her father's hous at Mortlak, and the
second day she cam to her father's howse at Estshene. Jan. 23rd, my
wife went to nurse Garret and payd her for this month ending the 26
day. Jan. 27th, Barnabas Sawl his brother cam. Feb. 12th, abowt 9 of
the clok, Barnabas Saul and his brother Edward went homward from
Mortlak: Saul his inditement being by law fownd insufficient at
Westminster Hall: Mr. Serjeant Walmesley, Mr. Owen and Mr. Hyde, his
lawyers at the bar for the matter, and Mr. Ive, the clerk of the
Crown Office, favouring the other. Feb. 20th, Mr. Bigs of Stentley
by Huntingdon and John Littlechild cam to me. I receyved a letter
from Barnabas Saul. Feb. 21st, Mr. Skullthorp rod toward Barnabas.
Feb. 25th, Mr. Skulthorp cam home. Payd nurse Garret for Katharin
tyll Fryday the 23 day, vj_s._ then somethyng due to nurse for iij.
pownd of candell and 4 pownd of sope.
March 1st, Mr. Clerkson browght Magnus to me at Mortlak, and so went
that day agayn. March 6th, Barnabas Saul cam this day agayn abowt
one of the clok and went to London the same afternone. He confessed
that he neyther hard or saw any spirituall creature any more. March
8th, Mr. Clerkson and his frende cam to my howse. Barnabas went home
agayn abowt 3 or 2 clok, he lay not at my howse now; he went, I say,
on Thursday, with Mr. Clerkson. March 8th, coelum ardere et instar
sanguinis in diversis partibus rubere visum est circa horam nonam
noctis, maxime versus septentrionalem et occidentalem partem:
sed ultra capita nostra versus austrum frequenter miles quasi
sanguineus. March 9th, Fryday at dynner tyme Mr. Clerkson and Mr.
Talbot[v] declared a great deale of Barnabas nowghty dealing toward
me, as in telling Mr. Clerkson ill things of me that I should mak
his frend, as that he was wery of me, that I wold so flatter his
frende the lerned man that I wold borow him of him. But his frend
told me, before my wife and Mr. Clerkson, that a spirituall creature
told him that Barnabas had censured both Mr. Clerkson and me. The
injuries which this Barnabas had done me diverse wayes were very
great. March 22nd, Mr. Talbot went to London, to take his jornay.
[Footnote v: Just above this relation some one has written,
"you that rede this underwritten assure yourselfe that yt is
a shamfull lye, for Talbot neither studied for any such thinge
nor shewed himselfe dishonest in any thinge." Dr. Dee has thus
commented upon it:-- "This is Mr. Talbot or that lerned man, his
own writing in my boke, very unduely as he cam by it." There are
several other notices of Talbot erased, but whether by him or
by the Doctor it is impossible to say, but most probably the
former.]
April 16th, Nurse Garet had her 6_s._ for her month ending on the
20th day. April 22nd, a goodly showr of rayn this morning early.
May 4th, Mr. Talbot went. May 13th, Jane rod to Cheyham. May 15th,
nocte circa nonam cometa apparuit in septentrione versus occidentem
aliquantulum; cauda versus astrum tendente valde magna, et stella
ipsa vix sex gradus super horizontem. May 20th, Robertus Gardinerus
Salopiensis lætum mihi attulit nuncium de materia lapidis, divinitus
sibi revelatus de qua.... May 23rd, Robert Gardener declared unto me
hora 4½ a certeyn great philosophicall secret, as he had termed it,
of a spirituall creatuer, and was this day willed to come to me and
declare it, which was solemnly done, and with common prayer. May
28th, Mr. Eton of London cam with his son-in-law Mr. Edward Bragden,
as concerning Upton parsonage, to have me to resign or let it unto
his said son-in-law, whom I promised to let understand whenever
myself wold consent to forego it. June 9th, I writ to the Archbishop
of Canterbury a letter in Latin: Mr. Doctor Awbrey did carry it.
June 14th, Morryce Kyffin did viset me. June 22nd, Nurse Garret had
6_s._ for a month ending the 18 day of May; she is to have for a
month wages ending the 15 day of this June. My wife went this Friday
thither with Benjamyn. June 27th, Mystris Stafford arrested me hora
11: I payd all.
July 3rd, hor. 12¼, Arthur Dee fell from the top of the Water-gate
Stayres down to the fote from the top, and cut his forhed on the
right eyebrow. Sir Richard browght the rent. July 6th, in feare of
resting by proctor Lewys: tyll 9½ at night from 1 afternone at the
Docter's comming. July 12th, Proctor Lewys agred withall. July 13th,
Mr. Talbot cam abowt 3 of the clok afternone, with whom I had some
wordes of unkendnes: we parted frendely: he sayd that the Lord
Morley had the Lord Mountegle his bokes. He promised me some of
Doctor Myniver's bokes. July 16th, Mr. William Pole, whome Phillip
Simons, somtymes barber to the old Erle of Tavistok, doth knowe, cam
to me, and made acquayntance with me: promised to com agayn within
xiiij. dayes. Jane my wife went to Nurse Garret's to pay her 12_s._
for her wages due tyll Friday last, which was Saint Margaret's day,
and brought her xij_d._ for candles: she went by water; Mistres Lee
went with her, and Robyn Jackesbite. Jane this night was sore
trubbled with a collick and cramp in her belly; she vomyted this
Monday more, and every night grew stiff in the sole likewise.
A meridie hor. 3½ cam Sir George Peckham to me to know the tytle
for Norombega in respect of Spayn and Portugall parting the whole
world's distilleryes. He promysed me of his gift and of his patient
....... of the new conquest, and thought to get so moche of Mr.
Gerardes gift to be sent me with seale within a few days. July 18th,
Barthilmew Knaresburgh his sone borne at break of day abowt 3 of the
clok. June 19th, Barnabas Saul came to see me at Mortlak: I chyd hym
for his manifold untrue reports. July 23d, Mistris Franklin's sone
borne at noone. July 24th, Robert Gardiner cam, and went on the
26th.
Aug. 8th, Kate was sickly. Aug. 11th, Mr. Bacon and Mr. Phillips of
the court cam. Aug. 20th, Katarine still seemed to be diseasid. Aug.
25th, Katharin was taken home from nurse Garret of Petersham, and
weaned at home. Aug. 31st, Benjamin Lock told me of his father's
mynde to send him to Spayn within three or four days. Sept. 1st,
I did for Sir John Killegrew devise the way of protestation to
save him harmless for compounding with Spaniard who was robbed: he
promised me fish against Lent. Sept. 10th, Mr. John Leonard Haller,
of Hallersteyn, by Worms in Germany, cam agayn to me, to declare his
readines to go toward Quinsay; and how he wold go and ly at Venys
all this winter, and from thens to Constantinople. I requested
Mr. Charles Sted to help him to make his mony over to Paris and
Nuremberg, and to help him with the sercher of Rye to pass his
horse, and to help him with Mr. Osborn the alderman with his letters
to Constantinople. Sept. 11th, on Tuesday they went to London
together, and my wife allso abowt her affayres. Sept. 13th, I writt
to Dugenes de Dionigiis to Venys by Mr. John Leonard Haller. Sept.
17th, I writ to the Erle of Osmond. Sept. 29th, Anne cam to my
servyse from Mr. Harbert. I payd Mr. Lewys £20, so rest is which I
challendg as for my cost and payns for 37 yeres for John his son.
Oct. 12th, I rod to Tundridge. Oct. 13th, I rod from Tundridge to
Mr. Coverts at Slawgham. Oct. 15th, I cam home from Slawgham, and
dyned at Mr. Holtens, person of Oxstede by Tundridge, a phisitien.
Oct. 21st, Jane my wife sowned in the church. Nov. 1st, Mr. Plat, my
brother Yong his sonne-in-law, cam to me with a stranger of Trushen,
born at Regius Mons: his name is Martinus Faber. The same day cam
Mr. Clement the seamaster and Mr. Ingram from Sir George Peckham.
Nov. 8th, hayle afternone horam circiter primam: tonitrus circa
quartam et sextam. Nov. 9th, Mr. Newbury, who had byn at Cambaya in
Inde, cam to me. Nov. 22nd, E. K. went to London, and so the next
day conveied by rode toward Blakley, and within ten dayes to
returne. Nov. 24th, Saterday night I dremed that I was deade, and
afterward my bowels wer taken out I walked and talked with diverse,
and among other with the Lord Thresorer who was com to my howse to
burn my bokes when I was dead, and thought he loked sourely on me.
Dec. 1st, George my man, who had lyne oute all night, this morning
used me very dishonestly, and sayd he owed me no servyce. Mr.
Bettgran the justice was not at home. Dec. 13th, thunder in the
afternone and at sonne-set. Dec. 15th, the 15th day being cownted
the 25, 50, 10 dayes ar imagined spent, which have crept in betwene
the day of Crist his birth regarding the place of the sonne, and
the sonnes place not the 25th day of this month, whiche a civile
æquation, but mathematically and religiusly to be substantiated to
be for the true term of the periods of annuall revolutions of the
sonne sinse the day of Christ his birth.
1583. Jan. 13th, on Sonday the stage at Paris Garden fell down all
at ones, being full of people beholding the bearbayting. Many being
killed thereby, more hart, and all amased. The godly expownd it as a
due plage of God for the wickednes ther usid, and the Sabath day so
profanely spent. Jan. 19th, Mr. John Leonard Haller went to London
and so to go toward Scotland. Jan. 23rd, the Ryght Honorable Mr.
Secretary Walsingham cam to my howse, where by good lok he found Mr.
Awdrian Gilbert, and so talk was begonne of North-west Straights
discovery. The Bishop of St. Davyd's (Mr. Middelton) cam to visit me
with Mr. Thomas Herbert. The Lord Grey cam to Mr. Secretary, and so
they went unto Greenwich (?). Jan. 24th, I, Mr. Awdrian Gilbert, and
John Davis went by appointment to Mr. Secretary to Mr. Beale his
howse, where onely we four were secret, and we made Mr. Secretarie
privie of the N.W. passage, and all charts and rutters were agreed
uppon in generall.
Feb. 2nd, Rolandus Dee baptizatus. Feb. 3rd, Mr. Savile, Mr. Powil
the yonger, travaylors, Mr. Ottomeen his sonne, cam to be acquaynted
with me. Feb. 4th, Mr. Edmunds of the Privie Chamber, Mr. Lee who
had byn in Moschovia, cam to be acquaynted with me. Feb. 11th, the
Quene lying at Richemond went to Mr. Secretary Walsingham to dynner;
she coming by my dore gratiously called me to her, and so I went by
her horse side as far as where Mr. Hudson dwelt. Re znvrfgv nkrq zr
bobfpheryv bs zbhafvrhe uvf fgngr: +dixi biothanatos erit+. Roland
went with his nurse to her howse to Estshene. Feb. 18th, the Lady
Walsingham cam suddenly into my howse very freely, and shortly after
that she was gone cam Syr Francys himself and Mr. Dyer. Feb. 24th,
Jane churched. Feb. 26th, I delivered my boke to the Lord Threasorer
for the correction of the Calender.[x]
[Footnote x: This work, although never entirely printed, created
much sensation at the time, and was the cause of considerable
controversy among the politicians as well as literati. The
Memorial on this subject which Dee presented to the Privy
Council has been printed by Hearne and others, but it is not
generally known that the original manuscript of the actual
treatise on the correction of the Calendar is still preserved
in Ashmole's library, No. 1789, and is the very book which Dee
alludes to above. It is inscribed "to the Right Honorable and my
singular good Lorde, the Lorde Burghley, Lorde Threasorer of
Englande," with the following verses:--
"+To hoti+ and +to dioti+,
I shew the thing and reason why;
At large, in breif, in middle wise,
I humbly give a playne advise;
For want of tyme, the tyme untrew
Yf I have myst, commaund anew
Your honor may. So shall you see
That love of truth doth govern me."
The work itself is entitled, "A playne Discourse and humble
Advise for our Gratious Queene Elizabeth, her most Excellent
Majestie to peruse and consider, as concerning the needful
Reformation of the Vulgar Kalender for the civile yeres and
daies accompting, or verifyeng, according to the tyme truely
spent."]
March 6th, I, and Mr. Adrian Gilbert and John Davis, did mete with
Mr. Alderman Barnes, Mr. Townson and Mr. Yong and Mr. Hudson, abowt
the N.W. voyage. March 17th, Mr. John Davys went to Chelsey with Mr.
Adrian Gilbert to Mr. Radforths, and so the 18th day from thence
toward Devonshyre. March 18th, Mr. North from Poland, after he had
byn with the Quene he cam to me. I receyved salutation from Alaski,
Palatine in Poland; salutation by Mr. North who cam before to the
Quene, and next to me was his message, hor. 12. Nurse Lydgatt at
Estshene was payd for 5 pound candell, 6 pound sope, and the wagis
due from Rowland his birth. April 18th, the Quene went from
Richemond toward Grenwich, and at her going on horsbak, being new
up, she called for me by Mr. Rawly his putting her in mynde, and she
sayd "quod defertur non aufertur," and gave me her right hand to
kisse. April 24th, nurse was payd for Rowland all her wagis tyll
Monday the 22 of this month, 16 pence a weke: she had all her
candell and sope before.
May 1st, Albertus Laski, Polonus, Palatinus Scradensis, venit
Londinum.[y] May 4th, Mr. Adrian Gilbert and Mr. Pepler went by
water to Braynford, and so to ride into Devonshire. May 7th, E. K.
went toward London, and so to go homeward for 10 or 12 dayes. Dies
Quadragesimus a die Veneris ante Pascham. May 13th, I becam
acquaynted with Albertus Laski at 7½ at night, in the Erle of
Lecester his chamber in the court at Greenwich. This day was my
lease of Devonshyre mynes sealed at Sir Leonell Ducket's hows. May
18th, the Prince Albertus Laski cam to me at Mortlake, with onely
two men. He cam at afternone and tarryed supper, and after sone set.
Nurse Rowland was payd all tyll the 20th of this month. June 15th,
abowt 5 of the clok cam the Polonian Prince Lord Albert Lasky down
from Bissham, where he had lodged the night before, being returned
from Oxford whither he had gon of purpose to see the universityes,
wher he was very honorably used and enterteyned. He had in his
company Lord Russell, Sir Philip Sydney, and other gentlemen: he was
rowed by the Quene's men, he had the barge covered with the Quene's
cloth, the Quene's trumpeters, &c. He cam of purpose to do me honor,
for which God be praysed! June 19th, the Lord Albert Laski cam to me
and lay at my hows all nyght. Nurse Rowland payd her wagis ending
the 17th day of this month.
[Footnote y: "The year of our Lorde God 1583, the laste daye of
Aprill, the Duke or Prince of Vascos in Polonia, came to London
and was lodged at Winchester Howse." --MS. Douce, 363, fol. 125.
This account differs from Dee's by a single day.]
July 1st, Master Mills his answer of no hopes in my sute at
Grenewich. July 7th, George was dismissed my servys and payd all
reconings in the presens of goodman Hilton and Mistres Kelly in my
study. July 10th, Thomas Hoke of Cranford cam to my service, but he
went away agayn the 23 day of this month. July 30th, the Quene
removed on Tuesday from Greenwich to Sion by water; coming by my
dore.......... July 31st, the Quene's gift of 40 angells[z] sent by
the Erle of Lecester his secretarie Mr. Lloyd, throwgh the Erle his
speche to the Quene. Mr. Rawlegh his letter unto me of hir Majesties
good disposition unto me. Aug. 1st, John Halton minister dwelling in
London with .......... bowed in and looked, and the .........
a Wurcetershire man, a wicked spy cam to my howse, whom I used as
an honest man, and found nothing wrong as I thought. I was sent to
E. K. Aug. 7th, Mr. William Burrow passed by me. Aug. 14th, payd
nurse Lydgatt for Rowland for two monthes ending the 12th day. Aug.
18th, a great tempest of wynde at mydnyght. Maxima era E. K. cum
uxore ejus. Sept. 21st, we went from Mortlake, and so the Lord
Albert Lasky, I, Mr. E. Kelly, our wives, my children and familie,
we went toward our two ships attending for us, seven or eight myle
below Gravessende.
[Footnote z: "Her Majestie being informed by the Right
Honourable Earle of Leicester, that whereas the same day in the
morning he had told me that his Honour and Lord Laskey would dine
with me within two dayes after, I confessed sincerely unto him
that I was not able to prepare them a convenient dinner, unless
I should presently sell some of my plate or some of my pewter
for it. Whereupon her Majestie sent unto me very royally within
one hour after forty angels of gold from Sion, whether her
Majestie was now come by water from Greenwich." --Dr. Dee's
Compendious Memoriall, p. 511.]
1586. July 10th, Mr. William Maynard natus hora 12 noctis, vel
paulo post, Londini. Sept. 14th, Trebonam venimus. Oct. 18th, E. K.
recessit a Trebona versus Pragam curru delatus; mansit hic per tres
hebdomadas. Nov. 8th, illustrissimus princeps versus Pragam; iter
institit hora tertia a meridie. Nov. 14th, rescripsi ad Victorem
Reinholdum. Nov. 19th, to the glas hows. Nov. 21st, Michael was
begone to be weaned. Nov. 22nd, recepi literas Jacobi Memschiti.
Dec. 8th, Monday abowt none Mr. Edward Garland cam to Trebona to
mee from the Emperor of Moschovia, according to the articles before
sent unto me by Thomas Hankinson. Dec. 11th, St. Poloniensis obiit:
natus anno 1530 die 13 Januarii, hora quarta mane min. 26, in
Transylvania. Obiit, hora secunda post mediam noctem, ut intellexi
ex literis D{ni} Lasky, receptis die 29 per Alexandrum. Dec. 19th,
19die (novi kalendarii) ad gratificandum Domino Edouardo Garlando,
et Francisco suo fratri, qui Edouardus nuncius mihi missus erat ab
Imperatore Moschoviæ ut ad illum venirem, E. K. fecit proleolem
lapidis in proportione unius ...... gravi arenæ super quod vulgaris
oz. et ½ et producta est optimi auri oz. fere: quod aurum post
distribuimus a crucibolo una dedimus Edouardo. Dec. 30th, E. K.
versus Pragam.
1587. Jan. 8th, cam Nicolas du Haut, Frenchman of Lorrayn, who had
byn lackay to my frende Otho Henrick Duke of Brunswik and Lienburgh,
to seke a servyse, being dismissed by passport from his Lord after
his long sikenes. Jan. 14th, Doctor Reinholdt of Salfeldt cam to
Trebona with Abraham. His sute of the salt. Doctor Reinholdt revisit
versus Pragam 20 die. Jan. 18th, rediit E. K. a Praga. E. K. browght
with him from the Lord Rosenberg to my wyfe a chayne and juell
estemed at 300 duckettes; 200 the juell stones, and 100 the gold.
Jan. 21st, E. K. again to Prage and so to Poland ward. Feb. 5th,
I tok a jornay of myself from Trebon to Newhowse, two myles of, to
mete my Lord to comen with him. I toke two horsemen of the cyty with
me. Feb. 9th, Illustriss.[aa] venit a Vienna ad Trebonam. Feb. 12th,
ivit Illustriss. versus Crocoviam. Feb. 19th, E. K.[bb] cam from
Poland abowt none to Trebone: I sent word to my Lord straight. Feb.
21st, my Lord sending no word yet, I sent another message. March
3rd, a Cremona ad Trebonam. March 7th, E. K. dedit nobis 300 ducata.
Recepimus a Domino Illustrissimo 3300. March 9th, iter regium.
March 14th, venimus Reichstein. March 17th, reditus a Reichstein.
March 21st, E. K. gave me 170 more, and of the 200 for changing 60
remayne. Contumelie et contemptus a Cholek et a Schonberg. March
23rd, venimus Trebonam. March 26th, the Lord Biberstein, comming
from Cranbaw from the Lord Rosenberg, passing by Trebona, sent for
me to his ynn to make acquayntance with me. E. K. equitavit
Crotoviam. April 4th, actio tertia incepit. April 18th, actionis
tertiæ finis. May 1st, vidi (doctore meo premonstrante) Michaelium
Nuncium non Mersaelem. Laus sit Deo et doctori meo E. K.! June 14th,
nuptiæ Domini Thomæ Kelei. June 17th, nsgre guvf shy zbar Vnar unq
gurz abg. June 22nd, Mr. Francis Garland went toward England from
Trebona.
[Footnote aa: He frequently speaks of Prince Albert Leski under
the title of Illustrissimus.]
[Footnote bb: It is almost unnecessary to observe that these
initials refer to Edward Kelly.]
July 5th, Sonday, I set the two erthes with theyr water agayn uppon
them. July 9th, Mr. Francis Pucci cam and browght Chrisan Franken
with him, who, he sayd, had now recanted his wycked boke against
Christ, wherof I was glad. Illustrissimus cum Domina venerat
Trebona. July 11th, colloquium inter Illustrissimum Dominum, Dominum
E. K. et me, a meridie, inter nos tres. July 13th, Francys Pacci
recessit. July 19th, a certayn kinde of recommendation between our
wives. Next day saw relenting of E. K. also by my Lord's entrety.
July 20th, Illustrissimus abiit cum principissa sua versus
Cremoniam. Aug. 13th, amice cum Domino Edouardo Keleo de tribus
illis votis. Aug. 17th, E. K. cum fratre et Ludovico.............
Aug. 18th, we understode how E. K. went to Badwise to bed, and went
but this day at none from thence. Aug. 20th, John Basset cam to
Trebona. Aug. 23rd, Mr. E. K. cam from Lyntz fayre. Sept. 1st,
Tuesday morning, covenanted with John Basset to teach the children
the Latyn tong, and I do give him seven duckats by the quarter,
and the term to begyne this day; and so I gave him presently seven
duckatts Hungary, in gold, before my wife. God spede his work! Sept.
3rd, 4th, continua quasi pluvia per biduum istud. Sept. 4th, Basset
his hurlyburly with Mr. T. Kelly. Sept. 16th, the Lord Biberstein
cam to Trebon, and Cracht with him. Sept. 22nd, my Lord cum from
Crummow to Trebon with my Lady. Sept. 26th, my Lord went toward
Prage. Sept. 28th, I delivered to Mr. Ed. Kelley (ernestly requiring
it as his part) the half of all the animall which was made. It is to
weigh 20 ownces; he wayed it himself in my chamber: he bowght his
waights purposely for it. My Lord had spoken to me before for some,
but Mr. Kelly had not spoken. Sept. 30th, T. K. and J. C.[cc] went
toward Prage.
[Footnote cc: That is, Thomas Kelley and John Carp.]
Oct. 12th, Mr. E. K. toward Prage on horsbak. Oct. 13th, mane paulo
ante ortum solis observavi radio astronomico inter ..... et .....
gradus 2 minuta prima 22, et erat ..... sub Tauro in eadem linea
perpendiculari ante oculum demissa super horizonta altitudo erat vix
quatuor graduum. Oct. 15th, hyred Nicolas. Oct. 20th, I toke up the
furniture for the action. Oct. 26th, Mr. Edward Kelly cam to Trebona
from Prage. Oct. 28th and 29th, John Carp did begyn to make furnaces
over the gate, and he used of my rownd bricks, and for the yern pot
was contented now to use the lesser bricks, 60 to make a furnace.
Oct. 31st, Ed. Hilton cam to Trebona in the morning. Nov. 8th,
E. K. terribilis expostulatio, accusatio, &c. hora tertia a meridie.
Nov. 17th, John Basset had seven ducketts beforehand for his second
quarter's wages, begynning the 1st. Nov. 21st, Saterday at night Mr.
Francis Garland cam from England to Trebona and browght me a letter
from Mr. Dyer and my brother Mr. Richard. Nov. 24th, at the marriag
super Critzin the Grand Captayn disdayned to com thither to supper
in the Rad howse of Trebona becawse E. K. and I were there; and sayd
farder that we wer ............ Dec. 1st to 11th, my Lord lay at
Trebon and my Lady all this tyme. Dec. 10th, Mr. John Carpio went
toward Prage to marry the mayden he had trubbled; for the Emperor's
Majestie, by my Lord Rosenberg's means, had so ordred the matter.
Dec. 12th, afternone somwhat; Mr. Ed. Keley his lamp overthrow, the
spirit of wyne long spent to nere, and the glas being not stayed
with buks abowt it, as it was wont to be; and the same glas so
flitting on one side, the spirit was spilled out, and burnt all that
was on the table where it stode, lynnen and written bokes,-- as the
bok of Zacharius with the Alkanor that I translated out of French
for som by spirituall could not; Rowlaschy his thrid boke of waters
philosophicall; the boke called Angelicum Opus, all in pictures of
the work from the beginning to the end; the copy of the man of
Badwise Conclusions for the Transmution of metalls; and 40 leaves in
4º, intitled, Extractiones Dunstani, which he himself extracted and
noted out of Dunstan his boke, and the very boke of Dunstan was but
cast on the bed hard by from the table.
1588. Jan. 1st, abowt nine of the clok afternone, Michel, going
chilyshly with a sharp stik of eight ynches long and a little wax
candell light on the top of it, did fall uppon the playn bords in
Marie's chamber, and the sharp point of the stik entred throwgh the
lid of his left ey toward the corner next the nose, and so persed
throwgh, insomuch that great abundance of blud cam out under the
lid, in the very corner of the sayd eye; the hole on the owtside is
not bygger then a pyn's hed; it was anoynted with St. John's oyle.
The boy slept well. God spede the rest of the cure! The next day
after it apperid that the first towch of the stikes point was at
the very myddle of the apple of the ey, and so (by God's mercy and
favor) glanced to the place where it entred; with the strength of
his hed and the fire of his fulness, I may make some shew of it to
the prayse of God for his mercies and protection. Jan. 11th, Nicolas
was sore hart circa 8½ hora nocte. Jan. 13th, at dynner tyme Mr.
Edward Kelly sent his brother, Mr. Th. K. to me with these words,
"My brother sayth that you study so much, and therfor, seeing it is
to late to go to day to Cromlaw, he wisheth you to come to pass the
tyme with him at play." I went after dynner and playd, he and I
against Mr. F. Gore and Mr. Rob tyll supper tyme, in his dynyng
rome: and after supper he cam and the others, and we playd there two
or three howres, and frendely departed. This was then after the
great and wonderful unkindnes used toward me in taking my man. Jan.
14th, Mr. Edward Kelly rid to Crumlow, being sent for by my Lord.
I receyved a letter from the Lord Chamberlain. Jan. 18th, Mistres
Lidda K. had an abortion of a girle of 5 or 6 monthes; she was mery
and well till the night before; I helped to finde the dead birthe
within one howr after I had caused her to have myrh given unto
her in wyne warmed, the quarter of a ounce; better after she
was discharged of the secondyne, and all at ones. The woman was
sufficiently strong after. Jan. 19th, Mr. E. K. cam from Crumlow.
Feb. 4th, Mr. Francys Garland and his brother Robert went from
Trebona to go toward England: I wrote to Mr. Dyer and Mr. Yonge.
Feb. 8th, Mr. E. K. at nine of the clok afternone sent for me to his
laboratory over the gate to se how he distilled sericon, according
as in tyme past and of late he hard of me out of Riplay. God lend
his hart to all charity and virtue! Feb. 16th, John Carpe cam to
Trebon after his marriage. Feb. 19th, Mr. E. K. did qvfpybfr fbz,
nppbhagrq zl seraqrf, ubj hageh gurl jre. Feb. 28th, mane paulo ante
ortum solis natus est Theodoras Trebonianus Dee, ascendente Sirio in
horoscopo, die dominica. March 1st, baptisatus erat Theodoras Dee
Trebonæ ante meridiem. March 6th, I went to Newhous and dyned at the
castell. March 12th, my Lord cam to Trebona and my Lady. March 24th,
Mr. K. put the glas in dung. March 26th, my Lord sent one of his
secretaries with answer to my letter, and with offer and promys of
all where he can pleasure me, circa 5 post meridiem. March 29th, my
Lord and Lady from Trebon toward Crumlow. The midwife's husbond's
name of Newhowse is David Peregrinus, perhaps of the familie of
Petrus Peregrinus, otherwise called Peter of Maharncourt, of
Picardy.
April 3rd, Mr. Pucci disquietted Mr. E. K. abowt requesting an
action, to which he had one of our six monthes actions, being now
the term begynning the fourth day of this month. The ende of our
talke was a strange spech of Mr. Kelly to Fr. Puccy. After 15 wekes
write to me, and I will answer you. April 6th, Edmond Hilton went
from Trebona toward Prage with Mr. John Carpe, and so toward
England. April 10th, I writ to Mr. Edward Kelly and to Mistres Kelly
ij. charitable letters, requiring at theyr hands mutual charity. I
went to Mr. Captain Chritzin, to know if he were offended to me, who
in outward shew used me reasonably curteously. April 12th, my wife
churched, and we receyved the communion. John Carpe browght his wife
from Prage to Trebona. April 17th, Doctor Reinholt cam to Trebona.
April 22nd, nocte hora 9 terribilis et falsa accusatio vel suspicio,
quod Puccia annunciavit contra D. K. et ipsum principia (?). May
1st, Mr. Carpio rid to my Lord to the holy well at the glass hows,
four myles from Trebona, with my letters of purgation for Puccies
his attempts or intents in his letters to my bond and Mr. Kelly,
unknown to me. May 4th, Mr. Carpio browght me word of my Lord's
displeasure, conveyed and confirmed by cozen Pully his letters. Deus
ille sit propitius! May 7th, post afflictionem magnam meam, mei
misertus est Deus! Puccia, die eodem venerunt literæ Principis ad
Dominum E. K., quæ dies declarabat amici sui infamum meum ne
dignitatem: sed non reddebatur nisi, valde præfex, valde erat
ingratæ ille literæ ipsi Domino E. K. Misericordia Dei magna! Omne
quod vivit laudet Deum! Hæc est dies quam fecit Dominus! May 10th,
E. K. did open the great secret to me, God be thanked! May 19th,
hora 10 cum circumstantiis necessariis. May 22nd, Mistris Kelly
received the sacrament, and to me and my wife gave her hand in
charity; and we rushed not from her. May 30th, Michael was sik of an
ague, and Mr. Kelly likewise. June 4th, the howses burnt at Trebon
in the morning early on Whitsonday. June 8th, Illustrissimus venit
Trebonam. June 11th, Illustrissimus recessit in Dominica a Trebona
versus Pragam. My Lord sent Critzin with his compliments unto me,
and to offer me help, hora prima a meridie. A letter cam from T. G.
of Mr. Dyer, his being three myle from Trebona, but it was not so.
Mr. Dier sent word by Francis Garland wher. June 13th, cam Francis
Garland and Mr. Edmond Cooper, brother to Mistris Kelly, to Trebona.
June 16th, Francis Garland went to fynde and bring Mr. Dier. June
19th, I had a grudging of the ague. June 22nd, I did evydently
receive the ague, and layd down.
July 7th, Mr. Thomas Sowthwell cam to Trebona to visit us. July
17th, Mr. Thomas Sowthwell of his own courteous nature did labor
with Mr. Edmond Cowper and indirectly with Mistres Kelly for to
furder charity and frendship among us. July 20th, Mr. Dier cam to
Trebona, July 22nd, a meridie circa 10 Mr. Edward Qvre qvq vavhevr
zr haxvaqryr. July 23rd, reconciliatio bona cum Magistro Qvre jvgu
jheqf +facto mediante+ E. K. Aug. 1st, Mr. Harry Maynard natus nocte
circa horam 11 Mortlak. Aug. 4th, Illustrissimus cam from Crachovia
to Trebon, and there on Friday before dynner cam up Mr. Dyer, who
lay in my chamber, and entertayned him honorably. Aug. 5th, after
dynner the little boy, sonne to the Captayn of Rhaudnitz, hurt
Arthur's nose with a raser, not in anger but by chance wantonly.
Aug. 6th, my Lord and Lady went toward Prage. Aug. 7th, this day I
covenanted and hyred John Hammond, jentleman, to serve me in his
honest servyces for one yere, and to have 30 dolers for his full and
all manner of wages. Aug. 9th, Tuesday, Mr. Dyer went from Trebon,
having in company Mr. Edmond Cowper, Francys Garland, and his man
Rowley. Aug. 13th, Mr. Thomas Sowthwell ryd to Prag ward from
Trebon. He told us of the philosopher (his scholemaster to write)
whose name was Mr. Swyft, who gave him a lump of the philosopher's
stone so big as his fist: a Jesuit named Mr. Stale had it of him.
Aug. 14th, Mr. Sowthwell cam againe. Aug. 24th, vidi divinam aquam
demonstratione magnifici domini et amici mei incomparabilis D. Ed.
Kelei ante meridiem tertia hora. Aug. 27th, John Basset (so namyng
himself) otherwise truely named Edward Whitlok, under pretence of
going to Budweiss to buy cullors and so to return agayn, did convey
himselfe from my servyce of teaching Arthur grammer. Sept. 3rd,
my lord and lady cam to Trebon. Sept. 12th, spes confirmata. Sept.
15th, the Lord Chamberlain cam to Trebona, and went away on the
17th. The rancor and dissimulation now evident to me, God deliver
me! I was not sent for.
Oct. 17th, Mystres Kelly and the rest rode toward Punchartz in the
morning. Oct. 18th, my Lord and my Lady ryd toward Ctumnate. Oct.
25th, Mr. Ed. Kelley and John Carpio rode toward Prage: this night
to Wesely, two myles. Nov. 5th, I dreamed that the toth next my top
toth skarse cold hang in my hed, the toth on the right side above.
Nov. 6th, Mr. Kelly cam home from Prage and Mr. Francys Garland, and
Edward Rolls with him from Eglis. Nov. 15th, in the fornone, snow
and close clowdy. Nov. 16th, the Lord and Lady Rosenberg cam from
Crummedo to Trebon in the evening. Nov. 20th, this Sonday before
dynner the Lord and Lady Rosenberg went from Trebon toward Prage.
Nov. 23rd, Mr. Francis Garland and Edward Rowly, Mr. Dyer his
servant, went from Trebon toward England. I writ to the Quene's
Majestie, Mr. Dyer, Mr. Yong, and Edward Hilton. Dec. 4th, I gave to
Mr. Ed. Kelley my Glass, so highly and long estemed of our Quene,
and the Emperor Randolph the second, de quo in præfatione Euclidis
fit mentio.[dd] The letter of 500,000 ducats required. Dec. 7th,
terng seraqfuvc cebzvfvq sbe znal, naq gjb bhaprf bs gur guvat. Dec.
13th, Mr. Edward Kelley gave me the water, erth and all. Dec. 14th,
Edmond Hilton cam again to Trebon from England. Dec. 18th, I did
understand by Mr. Kelley that my glass which he had given to my Lord
Rosenberg, the Lord Rosenberg had given it to the Emperor. Dec.
23rd, I went to the new made citie Kaiser Radnef Stadt, by Budneis,
to ovirsee what Joachim Reimer had done abowt my coaches making.
Radulphus Sagiensis Gallus Normannus, venit Trebonam, chimiæ et
naturalis magiæ studiosus.
[Footnote dd: This refers to the earliest English translation of
Euclid by Billingsley, which was published in 1570, with a long
preface by Dr. Dee. Professor De Morgan is of opinion that the
translation also was by Dee, or that Billingsley may have been
only a pupil who worked immediately under his directions. The
passage to which Dee alludes is as follows:-- "a man to be
curstly affrayed of his owne shadow; yea, so much to feare, that
if you, being alone nere a certaine glasse, and proffer, with
dagger or sword, to foyne at the glasse, you shall suddenly be
moved to give backe (in maner) by reason of an image appearing
in the ayre betwene you and the glasse with like hand, sword,
or dagger, and with like quicknes, foyning at your very eye,
likewise as you do at the glasse. Straunge this is to heare of,
but more mervailous to behold then these my wordes cam signifie;
and neverthelesse by demonstration opticall the order and cause
therof is certified; even so, as the effect is consequent."
I refer the reader also to Mr. Barlow's History of Optics in the
Encyclopedia Metropolitana.]
1589. Jan. 3rd, Rudolphus Sagiensis Normannus recessit versus
Pragam. Jan. 17th, the humming in my eares began. Jan. 19th, circa
undecimam noctis abortiebatur Domina Lydda uxor D. Thomæ Kelly ex
duobus masculis vix sex mensium, et anno precedente hoc ejusdem uxor
abortiebatur puella. Jan. 20th, Mr. Kelly showed me the Lord
Rosenberg his letter; when he wrot that of me he hard no more of my
going hens, and if Menschik hath not performed as he willed him,
that if I send him word he will so dispatch me that therby I shall
not nede to stay here, as he had confidently heretofore warned Mr.
Kelley, so now he did request him to take leve of me at my
departure. And then Mr. Kelly did loke and truly confess that my
.... Jan. 25th, Mr. Mains cam to visit us; the Erle of Schwiczenbagh
thre sones. Jan. 31st, Tuesday, I sent Edmond Hilton to Prage, and
Zacharias Mathias of Buelweiss, to buy 10 or 12 coach horses and
saddell horses for 300 dollers. Feb. 4th, I delivered to Mr. Kelley
the powder, the bokes, the glas and the bone, for the Lord
Rosenberg; and he thereuppon gave me dischardg in writing of his own
hand subscribed and sealed. Feb. 12th, Edmond Hilton cam from Prage
with nine Hungarian horses bowght toward our jornay. Feb. 16th, Mr.
Edward Kelley rode toward Prage after none, John Carpio, Edmond
Hilton, Henry Garlande, Thomas Simkinson, Lodovik. March 11th, from
Trebon in Bohemia. March 18th, to Nuremberg. March 20th, from
Nuremberg. March 26th, to Frankfurt on the Mane.
April 19th, to Breme. May 1st, Katharin by a blow on the eare given
by her mother did bled at the nose very much, which did stay for an
howre and more; afterward she did walk into the town with nurse;
upon her coming home she bled agayn. May 11th, John of Gloles cam to
Breme. May 13th, I cam to lie at my hyred hows. May 17th, the three
saddle horse put to grass to the town meddowes for nine ducets tyll
Mychelmas. May 21st, the Landgrave of Hesse his letters to me and
the city of Breme. May 25th, I sent the Lantgrave my twelve
Hungarish horses. June 2rd and 13th, Mr. Duerend and Mr. Hart went
toward Stade. They had scaped from the Spanish servise in Flanders
with Syr William Stanley. June 6th, Dr. Kenrich Khanradt of Hamburgh
visitted me. Mr. Thomas Kelly his wife, Francis Garland, Rolls,
from Standen toward England. June 16th, Edmund Hilton toward Prage.
June 19th, Hans of Glotz went toward Standen, and so toward England.
June 23rd, Mr. Daniel van der Multon cam to me. Ultima die mensis
istius circa meridiem maximi imbres, tonitrua, grandines.