The arch-conjuror of England : John Dee / Glyn Parry.

Author is a senior lecturer in history at Victoria University.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

A world full of magic -- The rays of celestial virtue -- Conjuring the future -- A royal occult institute -- The Kabbalah of creation -- "The great conjuror" -- Hunting for the philosopher's stone -- War amongst the alchemists -- Recovering the lost empire -- "More is hid, than uttered" : the philosopher's stone and empire -- Rehabilitating "the arch-conjuror" -- Defending Elizabeth against the dark arts -- "The winking eye of Achitophel" -- "Misbegotten time" : reforming the calendar -- Called to a king's office : Laski and the second coming -- "Chief governor of our philosophical proceedings" -- The magnificent master alchemist -- The counter-revolution against magic -- Conjuring up a Spanish conquest -- Checkmate : exiling the conjuror to Manchester -- Demonising the exorcists.

Outlandish alchemist and magician, political intelligencer, apocalyptic prophet, and converser with angels, John Dee (1527-1609) was one of the most colorful and controversial figures of the Tudor world. In this fascinating book -- the first full-length biography of Dee based on primary historical sources -- Glyn Parry explores Deeʹs vast array of political, magical, and scientific writings and finds that they cast significant new light on policy struggles in the Elizabethan court, conservative attacks on magic, and Europe's religious wars. John Dee was more than just a fringe magus, Parry shows: he was a major figure of the Reformation and Renaissance. -- Jacket.