Year 1590

Jan. 15th, a terrible tempest of wind, South by West. Jan. 23rd, Mr. Thomas Kelly came from Brainford; put me in good hope of Sir Edward Kelly's returning: offered me the loan of ten pounds in gold, and afterward sent it to me in new Hungarian ducats by John Croker the same evening. Jan. 26th, I wrote to Mr. Adrian Gilbert two letters. I resolved on the order to be offered for agreement with Nicholas Fromonds for my house and goods. The 5th of March (by old account) Madinia Newton, my daughter, was christened at Mortlak; godfather, Sir George Cary; godmothers, the Lady Cobham and the Lady Walsingham. March 12th, Mrs. Anne Deny born between 8 and 9 in the afternoon. March 14th, Mr. Dyer came home from Stade. March 17th, Sir Edward Kelly's letter by Francis Garland. March 21st, Sir George Gary came to Mortlak. March 27th, Jane apprehended at five in the afternoon. My children at this Lady Day in Lent began to go to school at Mortlak with the schoolmaster Mr. Lee: I gave him his house rent and forty shillings yearly for my three sons and my daughter. The house rent was almost 4s. yearly for Mr. Fisher's new house. April 7th, John Spenser came to me, newly returned from Venys, and told me of the Venetian philosopher and the goodness of his gold. April 16th, good Sir Francis Walsingham died at night at eleven o'clock. April 19th, I delivered my letters to Mr. Thomas Kelly for his brother Sir Edward Kelly, knight, at the Emperor's court at Prage. Francys Garland was by, and Mr. Thomas Kelly's wife. God send them well there and back again! Mr. Emery had freely disbursed to me, between Shrovetide and this May, £25. May 5th, Mr. Thomas Jack restored to me part of my magnes stone. May 8th, I received 20 marks from Sir Richard Lagney, of Longlernay. May 16th, I gave Mr. Lee the schoolmaster 5s. in part of wages. May 18th, the two gentlemen, the uncle Mr. Richard Candish, and his nephew the most famous Mr. Thomas Candish, who had sailed round about the world, did visit me at Mortlake. May 20th, after dinner, I with my brother, Mr. Justice Yong, went to the Archbishop of Canterbury at Lambeth, about the parsonages, who used me well. May 21st, I showed my indignation against the Bacchus feast intended at Braynferd; gave the Bishop of London warning, who took it in very good part. Katharyne, my daughter, was put to Mistress Brayce at Braynferd; her mother and Arthur went with her after dinner. May 23rd, I lent goodman Dalton, the carpenter, twenty shillings for a month. May 29th, 30th, good news of the industry of Mr. Richard Candish, with the Queen and the Archbishop and Lord George Carey, concerning the proposal of Eton College, to obtain *legem* [Latin "law"; the sense is unclear]. He sent me a hogshead of claret wine as a gift. The Lady Cobham sent my wife sugar and pepper, etc. June 2nd, I wrote to Sir Edward Kelly by Mr. William Fowler, merchant, dwelling by Ledenhall. June 3rd, I was very sick upon two or three sage leaves eaten in the morning; better suddenly at night; when I cast them up, I was well. The pump taken out and the well scoured. June 5th, Thomas Hankinson and Antony my man came from beyond the seas to Mortlak. June 5th, terrible ill news of Edward Kelly against me. June 24th, £20 of Mr. Candish by Edward Hilton. June 28th, I paid Mr. Hudson for all his corn, and also for the wood till May, received since I came home.

July 6th, Mr. Stockden was fully paid for his wood 40s. I gave the schoolmaster Mr. Lee 5s. in part of wages: he brought me my hammer from Mr. Jak, so he has a quarter's wages of 10s. July 8th, I received Sir Edward Kelly's letters, dated at Prage the 24th of May new style. No mention is made of his brother Mr. Thomas Kelly coming over. July 10th, the executor of Lady Ducket requested the debt. July 11th, I paid nurse Barwik 12s. for two months' wages for Madinia: so she is paid for five months.

July 13th, I went to the Archbishop of Canterbury: talked with him boldly of my right to the parsonages, and of Sir Edward Kelly's treatise of Alchemy. July 14th, Mr. Gawayn Smyth spoke kindly for me to the Queen, and she showed her favor toward me. July 16th, my mind was somewhat bent to deal with my alchemical exercises. July 25th, I wrote a letter of thanks to the Lord Treasurer by Edmond Hilton. I sent the Lord Chancellor his letters from Brunswyk about Conrad Nettlebronner's ill behavior. July 31st, I gave Mr. Richard Candish the copy of Paracelsus's twelve letters, written in French with my own hand; and he promised me, before my wife, never to disclose to anyone that he has it; and that if he dies before me he will restore it again to me; but if I die before him, that he shall deliver it to one of my sons, the most fit among them to have it. Theoddor had a sore fall on his mouth at midday. Aug. 2nd, Mrs. Stoner's son born at about three in the afternoon. Nurse, her great affliction of mind. Aug. 5th, Rowland fell into the Tems over head and ears about noon or somewhat after. Aug. 8th, I gave Nurse Barwick six shillings, so she is paid for the half year due on Wednesday next. Aug. 9th, I paid Mr. Lee the schoolmaster 5s. Aug. 22nd, Ann my nurse had long been tempted by a wicked spirit: but this day it was evident how she was possessed by him. God is, has been, and shall be her protector and deliverer! Amen. Aug. 25th, Anne Frank was sorrowful, well comforted and stayed, acknowledging God's mercies. Aug. 26th, at night I anointed (in the name of Jesus) Ann Frank's breast with the holy oil. Aug. 30th, in the morning she asked to be anointed, and I very devoutly prepared myself, and prayed for virtue and power and Christ's blessing on the oil for the expulsion of the wicked; and then I anointed her twice; the wicked one resisted for a while. Sept. 1st, I received letters from Sir Edward Kelly by Francis Garland. Sept. 8th, Nurse Anne Frank would have drowned herself in my well, but by divine Providence I came to take her up before she was overcome by the water. Sept. 23rd, Sunday, I gave Nurse Barwyk six shillings for a month's wages to end on Wednesday come a fortnight; Mrs. Stackden was by. Sept. 29th, Nurse Anne Frank most miserably did cut her own throat, in the afternoon about four o'clock, pretending to be in prayer before her keeper, and suddenly and very quickly rising from prayer, and going toward her chamber, as the maiden her keeper thought, but in fact immediately down the stairs into the hall of the other house, behind the door, did that horrible act; and the maiden who waited on her at the stair foot followed her, and missed finding her in three or four places, until at length she heard her rattle in her own blood.

Oct. 11th, Mr. Cumber came to me. Oct. 14th, paid Nurse Barwik six shillings for one month ending on the seventh, being Wednesday. Oct. 15th, this afternoon and all the night following a great storm of wind at North-West. One Prychard who had married Proctor Lewes' widow demanded £24 of me upon an obligation of £64: of which by the very note on the back of the same £48 is paid, so that only £16 remains and not £24, as he unduly demanded: which £16 I claimed for the costs of his son John, who was with me in Mortlak for three years and longer, and had his learning free. Notwithstanding my wife, afraid, paid a pound or two to Mr. Lewys toward that £16, and yet Prichard will go to law. Nov. 12th, the Archbishop of Canterbury gave me £5 in rials and angels at about ten in the morning. Nov. 20th, Her Majesty came to Richemond. Nov. 27th, the Queen's Majesty, being at Richemont, graciously sent for me. I came to her at three quarters of the clock in the afternoon [hour not specified], and she said she would send me something to keep Christmas with. Nov. 28th, Mr. Candish on Saturday gave my wife forty shillings, and on Tuesday after sent £10 in rials and angels, and before that he had sent me £20, £32 in all. My cousin Mr. Thomas Junes came at the end of the term about St. Andrew's Eve. Dec. 1st, Her Majesty commanded Mr. John Herbert, Master of Requests, to write to the Commissioners in my behalf. Dec. 2nd, order taken by the Commissioners for my house and goods. Her Majesty told Mr. Candish that she would send me a hundred angels to keep my Christmas with. Dec. 3rd, goodwife Tyndale paid for Antony's lodging 5s. 6d. for eleven weeks due at his going away, and before that for seven weeks. Dec. 4th, the Queen's Majesty called for me at my door at about 3½ o'clock in the afternoon as she passed by, and I met her at Estshene gate, where she graciously, putting down her mask, said with a merry face, "Thank you, Dee; there was never a promise made but it was broken or kept." I understood her Majesty to mean the hundred angels she had promised to send me this day, as she had told Mr. Richard Candish the night before. Dec. 6th, Mr. Thomas Griffith, my cousin from Llanbeder, came to see me, and lay all night with me, and also Mr. Thomas Jones, and on Monday morning went by water to London, and so the same day homeward. In the afternoon at about 3 o'clock I received from the Queen, my Lady, £50. Dec. 8th, at Chelsey disputing with Doctor Mather, bishop of Bristow; in danger of water at 5½ o'clock I stayed at Chelsey. Dec. 14th, the Queen's Majesty called for me at my door as she rode by to take air, and I met her at Estshene gate. Dec. 16th, Mr. Candish received from the Queen's Majesty warrant by word of mouth to assure me that I could do what I would in philosophy and alchemy, and that no one should check, control, or molest me; and she said that she would soon send me £50 more to make up the hundred pounds. I gave Mr. Candish the Bishop of Scotland's conclusion with the merchants. Mr. Candish went from Mortlak at four o'clock at night toward London and so into Suffolk. Dec. 18th, Mr. Robert Maynard born at about ten in the morning in London.

Jan. 15th, a terrible storm of wind, south by west. Jan. 23rd, Mr. Thomas Kelly came from Brainford; he gave me good hope of Sir Edward Kelly's returning, offered to lend me ten pounds in gold, and that same evening had it sent to me by John Croker in new Hungarian ducats. Jan. 26th, I wrote two letters to Mr. Adrian Gilbert. I settled on the terms to offer for an agreement with Nicholas Fromonds over my house and goods. On the 5th of March (by the old reckoning) Madinia Newton, my daughter, was christened at Mortlake; godfather, Sir George Cary; godmothers, Lady Cobham and Lady Walsingham. March 12th, Mrs. Anne Deny was born between 8 and 9 in the afternoon. March 14th, Mr. Dyer came home from Stade. March 17th, a letter from Sir Edward Kelly, brought by Francis Garland. March 21st, Sir George Cary came to Mortlake. March 27th, Jane was seized at five in the afternoon. My children, at this Lady Day in Lent, began going to school at Mortlake with Mr. Lee as their schoolmaster; I paid his house rent and forty shillings a year for my three sons and my daughter. The rent for the house came to almost 4s. a year for Mr. Fisher's new house. April 7th, John Spenser came to me, newly returned from Venice, and told me about the Venetian philosopher and the goodness of his gold. April 16th, at night at eleven o'clock, good Sir Francis Walsingham died. April 19th, I handed my letters to Mr. Thomas Kelly for his brother Sir Edward Kelly, knight, at the Emperor's court in Prague. Francis Garland was by, and Mr. Thomas Kelly's wife. God send them safely there and back again! Mr. Emery had freely paid out to me £25 between Shrovetide and this May. May 5th, Mr. Thomas Jack gave me back part of my magnes stone. May 8th, I received 20 marks from Sir Richard Lagney of Longlernay. May 16th, I gave Mr. Lee the schoolmaster 5s. toward his wages. May 18th, the two gentlemen, the uncle, Mr. Richard Candish, and his nephew the famous Mr. Thomas Candish, who had sailed around the world, visited me at Mortlake. May 20th, following dinner, I together with my brother, Mr. Justice Yong, went to the Archbishop of Canterbury at Lambeth, about the parsonages; he treated me well. May 21st, I showed my anger at the feast of Bacchus planned at Brentford, and gave the Bishop of London warning, who took it in very good part. Katharine, my daughter, was placed with Mistress Brayce at Brentford; her mother and Arthur went with her after dinner. May 23rd, I lent goodman Dalton, the carpenter, 20 shillings for a month. May 29th, 30th, good news about the work of Mr. Richard Candish with the Queen, the Archbishop, and Lord George Carey, concerning the proposal of Eton College, to obtain *legem* [Latin "law"; the sense is unclear]. As a gift, he sent me a hogshead of claret wine. Lady Cobham sent my wife sugar and pepper, &c. June 2nd, I wrote to Sir Edward Kelly by Mr. William Fowler, a merchant living near Leadenhall. June 3rd, I was very sick from two or three sage leaves eaten in the morning; suddenly better at night; when I brought them up, I was well. The pump was taken out and the well cleaned. June 5th, Thomas Hankinson and Antony, my man, came from across the sea to Mortlake. June 5th, terrible bad news of Edward Kelly against me. June 24th, £20 from Mr. Candish, by way of Edward Hilton. June 28th, I paid Mr. Hudson for all his corn, and also for the wood up to May, received since I came home.

July 6th, Mr. Stockden was paid in full 40s. for his wood. I gave the schoolmaster Mr. Lee 5s. toward his wages; he brought me my hammer from Mr. Jak, so he has a quarter's wages, 10s. July 8th, I received letters from Sir Edward Kelly, dated at Prague on the 24th of May, new style. There is no mention of his brother Mr. Thomas Kelly coming over. July 10th, the executor of Lady Ducket demanded the debt. July 11th, I paid nurse Barwik 12s. for two months' wages for Madinia; so she is paid for five months.

July 13th, I went to the Archbishop of Canterbury: I talked with him boldly about my right to the parsonages, and about the treatise of Sir Edward Kelly's Alchemy. July 14th, Mr. Gawayn Smyth spoke kindly to the Queen on my behalf, and she showed me her favor. July 16th, my mind was somewhat bent on taking up my alchemical exercises. July 25th, by Edmond Hilton, I sent the Lord Treasurer a letter of thanks. I sent the Lord Chancellor his letters from Brunswick, about Conrad Nettlebronner's bad behavior. July 31st, I gave Mr. Richard Candish the copy of Paracelsus's twelve letters, written in French with my own hand; and he promised me, before my wife, never to disclose to anyone that he has it; and that if he dies before me he will give it back to me; but if I die before him, that he shall deliver it to one of my sons, the fittest among them to have it. Theodor had a bad fall on his mouth at midday. Aug. 2nd, Mrs. Stoner's son was born at about three in the afternoon. Nurse was in great distress of mind. Aug. 5th, Rowland fell into the Thames over head and ears at about noon, or a little after. Aug. 8th, I gave Nurse Barwick six shillings, so she has been paid for the half year due on Wednesday next. Aug. 9th, I paid Mr. Lee the schoolmaster 5s. Aug. 22nd, Ann, my nurse, had long been tempted by an evil spirit; but this day it was clear how she was possessed by him. God has been, is, and shall be her protector and deliverer! Amen. Aug. 25th, Anne Frank was sorrowful, well comforted and steadied, acknowledging God's mercies. Aug. 26th, at night I anointed Anne Frank's breast (in the name of Jesus) with the holy oil. Aug. 30th, in the morning she asked to be anointed, and I devoutly prepared myself, and prayed for virtue and power and Christ's blessing on the oil, for the driving out of the wicked; and then, anointed twice, the wicked one resisted for a while. Sept. 1st, letters from Sir Edward Kelly came to me by way of Francis Garland. Sept. 8th, Nurse Anne Frank would have drowned herself in my well, but by divine Providence I came to take her out before she was overcome by the water. Sept. 23rd, Sunday, I gave Nurse Barwick six shillings for a month's wages to end on Wednesday a fortnight from now; Mrs. Stockden was by. Sept. 29th, Nurse Anne Frank most miserably cut her own throat, in the afternoon at about four o'clock, pretending to be in prayer before her keeper, and suddenly and very quickly rising from prayer and going toward her chamber, as the maiden, her keeper, thought; but in fact straight down the stairs into the hall of the other house, behind the door, she did that horrible act; and the maiden who waited on her at the foot of the stairs followed her, and failed to find her in three or four places, until at last she heard her rattling in her own blood.

Oct. 11th, Mr. Cumber came to me. Oct. 14th, six shillings were paid to Nurse Barwik for one month that ended on the seventh, which was Wednesday. Oct. 15th, this afternoon and all the night following a great storm of wind at northwest. A man named Prychard, who had married Proctor Lewes's widow, demanded £24 of me upon an obligation of £64; of which, by the very note on the back of the same, £48 is paid, so that £16 only remains and not £24, as he wrongly demanded. That £16 I claimed for the costs of his son John, who was with me at Mortlake for three years and longer, and who also had his learning free. Even so, my wife, being afraid, paid a pound or two of that £16 to Mr. Lewes, and still Prichard will go to law. Nov. 12th, the Archbishop of Canterbury gave me £5 in ryals and angels at about ten in the morning. Nov. 20th, Her Majesty came to Richmond. Nov. 27th, Her Majesty the Queen, being at Richmond, graciously sent for me. I came to her at three quarters of the clock in the afternoon [hour not specified], and she said she would send me something to keep Christmas with. Nov. 28th, on Saturday Mr. Candish gave my wife forty shillings, and on the Tuesday after he sent £10 in ryals and angels, and before that he had sent me £20, £32 in all. My cousin Mr. Thomas Junes came at the end of the term, about St. Andrew's Eve. Dec. 1st, Her Majesty ordered Mr. John Herbert, Master of Requests, to write to the Commissioners on my behalf. Dec. 2nd, an order was taken by the Commissioners for my house and goods. Her Majesty told Mr. Candish that she would send me a hundred angels to keep Christmas with. Dec. 3rd, goodwife Tyndale paid 5s. 6d. for Antony's lodging for eleven weeks, due at his going away, and before that she had paid for seven weeks. Dec. 4th, Her Majesty the Queen called for me at my door at about 3:30 in the afternoon as she passed by, and I met her at Estshene gate, where she graciously, putting down her mask, said with a cheerful face, "I thank you, Dee; there was never a promise made but it was broken or kept." I understood Her Majesty to mean the hundred angels she promised to have sent me that day, as she had told Mr. Richard Candish the night before. Dec. 6th, Mr. Thomas Griffith, my cousin from Llanbeder, came to see me and lay all night with me, and so did Mr. Thomas Jones; and on Monday morning they went by water to London, and so the same day homeward. In the afternoon at about three I received £50 from the Queen. Dec. 8th, at Chelsea disputing with Doctor Mather, Bishop of Bristol; in danger from the water at 5:30 I stayed at Chelsea. Dec. 14th, Her Majesty the Queen called for me at my door as she rode by to take air, and I met her at Estshene gate. Dec. 16th, Mr. Candish received from Her Majesty a warrant by word of mouth, to assure me that I might do what I would in philosophy and alchemy, and that none should check, control, or molest me; and she said that she would before long send me £50 more to make up the hundred pounds. I gave Mr. Candish the conclusion the Bishop of Scotland had reached with the merchants. Mr. Candish went from Mortlake at four o'clock at night toward London, and so into Suffolk. Dec. 18th, Mr. Robert Maynard was born at about ten in the morning in London.