John Dee meets Rudolph II: Summary
9 August
Dee and his party arrive in Prague.
15 August
Hayek’s house with its alchemical decor.
15 August
Speculation about the end of the world.
15 August
Spirit action. A vision of lilies, fire and a beast. Madimi pronounces seven woes. Dee’s family in danger of despair: he is to bring them to Prague. He is to write to Rudolph and then visit him. He is to tell Rudolph that an angel of the Lord has appeared to him and to rebuke him for his sins.
16 August
Spirit action. Madimi speaks. A warning against Dee’s former patron, Lasky. Dee seeks advice about the letter to Rudolph. He is to write it under divine inspiration.
17 August
Dee composes the letter to Rudolph.
20 August
Spirit action. Dee seeks approval of the letter. Uriel speaks. Woe to those who do not believe. Dee is to chose whether to visit Rudolph now or later. He choses to act now. He is to tell Rudolph about the spirits. Uriel returns: a vision of the Garden of Comfort.
21 August
Spirit action. Uriel speaks. Woe to the Earth. Dee has made the wrong choice. He is to settle in Prague. Refusal to approve the letter.
21 August
A second action. Vision of Uriel’s book. Dee is to live to be 73 and a half. Dee alters his choice. He is to visit Rudolph as soon as possible.
A letter from Dee’s wife: she is well and happy.
24 August
Dee writes to the Spanish ambassador seeking an audience with Rudolph.
27 August
Spirit action. Questions for Madimi. Why did a previous revelation prove to be untrue? Answer: the mechanism by which Satan can distort the revelations. What is the meaning of the revelation to be given to Rudolph? Answer: the parable of the king’s message. When should Dee send for his family? And what about the letter to Rudolph? Madimi has no answer.
Dee receives letters from Cracow and bad news from England. News from the Castle that Rudolph has received Dee’s letter.
1 September
Spirit action. A vision of three little creatures, Ga, Za and Vaa. Dee is to follow faith, not reason.
3 September
Drunkenness of Edward Kelly the previous night. His quarrel with Lasky’s servant Alexander. He returns home in the morning and throws stones at Alexander.
Message from Cracow: Dee’s wife well and happy.
3 September
Rudolph summons Dee. Dee is greeted by Octavius Spinola. Dee’s audience with Rudolph and gift of Monas Hieroglyphica.
5 September
Spirit action. Uriel speaks. The wiles of Satan: Kelly’s drunkenness was his work. A prophecy concerning the year 88. Rudolph’s house to be filled with gold and silver workers. Wickedness of the king of Poland.
Kelly takes a vow of penance never to eat dinner on Saturday.
5 September
Dee sends letters to the Spanish ambassador and Octavius Spinola. His messenger returns: Rudolph and Spinola are not at home. Dee writes to his wife and Lasky.
10 September
Spirit action. Vision of a hand.
11 September
Dee writes again to Octavius Spinola.
12 September
Dee’s messenger returns with a message from Octavius Spinola. Dee is to communicate with Rudolph through his councillor Dr Kurtz in future.