Edward Kelley (1555 - 1597) often wears a cap, because he has no ears. Cropping of the ears is a common punishment in Tudor England when one is guilty of fraud. He's also pilloried. Otherwise little is known of his life before he starts to communicate with angels.
Kelley, believed to be from Ireland, is a prominent figure of English Renaissance occultism. His collaboration with Elizabethan favorite John Dee in various magical pursuits solidify his reputation as a skilled scryer and occultist. But can he live up to it?
Kelley boasts of having access to the Philosopher's Stone itself. His enigmatic persona, arcane pursuits and the patronage of Rudolf II makes him a pivotal figure in the history of Western esotericism.
Collaboration with John Dee
Kelley's introduction to John Dee in 1582 marks the beginning of a collaboration which shapes both their lives. Dee, renowned scholar and alchemist, is struggling to establish communication with angels through a scryer. So far he's been unsuccessful.
One of Kelley's most notable abilities is his professed capacity to communicate with spirits and angels through use of a "shew-stone" or mirror, a talent esteemed by John Dee. He also claims to have the arcane alchemical knowledge to transmute base metals into gold.
Kelley knows an opportunity when he sees one. With his purported ability to cross limits of earthly realms and access the divine, Kelley gets Dee's attention and trust. As their alliance grows, Kelley becomes Dee's primary medium for receiving messages from the angelic realm.
This partnership spans seven years, from 1582 to 1589, during which they experiment with spiritual conferences and seek divine guidance through fervent prayers and rituals. Dee's vision extends beyond communication with angels.
He also has ambitions of using alchemical principles and angelic insights to mend the rifts in Christianity. He's convinced an apocalypse is coming. This sense of doom pervades late Renaissance thinking in academic circles.
As well, Dee believes the wisdom of angels can aid England in exploring distant places and uncharted territories. As astrologer to Elizabeth I, Dee advises her to colonize new lands. He's sure the angels will give help and guidance.
Kelley's Angels
Kelley's angels communicate with him in a unique language known as 'Angelical', later named Enochian, which he translates for Dee. Some contemporary codebreakers suggest Kelley creates the language.
Some agree it's a hoax, but it's not known whether Dee is dupe or collaborator. Kelley claims Angelical is revealed to him by angels he sees and hears through scrying. He says the angels transmit messages by tapping out letters on a rectangular tablet.
A third of each Angelical word is tapped backwards, followed by the rest forwards. English translations are not tapped but, as Kelley states, appear on small strips of paper emerging from the angels' mouths.
Dee regards dictation of Angelical material as highly significant for three reasons. First, Dee believes Angelical provides tangible evidence of glossolalia, or speaking in an unknown language, validating Kelley is indeed conversing with angels and not just imagining it.
In biblical context, glossolalia denotes a divine ability bestowed by the Holy Spirit, allowing individuals to speak in unfamiliar languages. This phenomenon is a manifestation of the Holy Spirit's presence within believers, making it exclusive to those who have faith.
Second, angels convey their language as the original prototype of Hebrew. Third, Angelical material appears in a series of invocations. These summon a powerful group of angels able to reveal secrets including the formula for the philosopher's stone, divine wisdom and eternal life.
Patronage, Powder & Polyamory
About a year after entering the service of Dee, Kelley makes a mysterious appearance with an alchemical book called The Book of Dunstan, and a peculiar red powder. According to Kelley, a "spiritual creature" guides him to these items at Northwick Hill.
Due to the popularity of alchemical motifs such as the White Queen and Red King, and the the rubedo stage of achieving the Magnum Opus, the Philosopher's Stone is considered to be red. Red also connects to blood, fire and passion.
The red powder, professed by Kelley to have a secret hidden within the pages of the book, is said to possess the potential to transmute base metals into gold. This is accomplished through creation of a red "tincture."
Despite conflicting accounts of Kelley's discoveries, the allure of alchemical transmutation captures the collective imagination. Throughout the years, Kelley reportedly showcases the power of the red tincture several times, leaving witnesses in awe of its transformative abilities.
In 1583 Kelley and Dee depart England, along with their families, and establish residence for an extended period in Třeboň, Bohemia. They hope to gain the patronage of Rudolf II, Habsburg King of Hungary and Holy Roman Emperor, in Prague.
The impressive library of Rudolf and his collections of art and curiosities make his court at Prague a center of learning and discovery. He patronizes alchemists and conducts his own experiments, especially when depression, the Habsburg plague, sends him into seclusion.
Otherwise Rudolf is warm, witty and gay. Bisexual, to say the least, he has affairs with both women and men. One of his valets, with whom he has a relationship, influences his political decisions for several years, much to the annoyance of statesmen and advisers.
While he patronizes artists, poets and scientists, he remains unimpressed with Elizabeth's ex-astrologer Dee. In 1586 Kelley and Dee obtain the patronage of wealthy Bohemian Lord William of Rosenberg, a senior official from a powerful family.
Rosenberg shares the alchemy interests of Kelley and Dee. He participates in spiritual sessions with the two men. Dee's notes from certain séances reveal Kelley's initial dedication to the alchemists' common objectives.
However, his enthusiasm wanes quickly, and Kelley expresses a desire to quit. Despite this, Dee insists they persist. In 1587, Kelley discloses to Dee that the angels, particularly a spirit named "Madimi," want them to share everything they possess, including their wives.
Distressed by the angels' directive, Dee terminates the spiritual meetings. Nevertheless, on May 22, 1587 he complies and shares his young, attractive wife with Kelley, despite her vehement protests. She gives birth nine months later to a boy. Dee raises him as his own.
Kelley and Dee's practice of necromancy draws the attention of the Catholic Church, leading to a hearing with the bishop of San Severo. While Dee manages the situation with tact, Kelley angers the nuncio by criticizing the behavior of some priests within the Catholic Church.
Downfall & Death
In 1589 Kelly leaves Dee at Třeboň, possibly to join the emperor's court at Prague. Dee returns to England.
In England, rumors circulate. Allegedly Kelley is arrested by the Emperor for falsely advertising he can transmute base metals to gold. His skill intrigues Queen Elizabeth. She notably takes on John Dee's services again in hopes he can bring Kelley to her court.
However, Dee and Kelley never see each other again. In 1590, Edward Kelley is in a position of privilege in Europe, basking in the patronage of nobility. His association with Rosenberg endows him with estates and wealth, enabling him to focus on alchemical pursuits.
He continues his experiments until he convinces Rudolf II he's ready to start making gold, the purpose of his work. Rudolf knights him Sir Edward Kelley of Imany and New Lüben on 23 February 1590.
However, Kelley's fortunes take a plunge when Rudolf II has him arrested in May 1591, citing the death of an official in a duel. Speculation suggests the real motive behind the arrest is to prevent Kelley from fleeing before creating any gold.
Following a period of confinement at Křivoklát Castle near Prague, Kelley eventually strikes a deal with Rudolf II to resume his alchemy work. This leads to his release and reinstatement.
Unfortunately for him, Kelley's attempts to produce gold fail, resulting in his re-incarceration, this time at Hněvín Castle in Most. Despite desperate pleas from his family for his release, Kelley's fate takes a tragic turn.
In 1598 at age 42 he succumbs to injuries sustained during a failed escape attempt, in which he breaks his leg. Other reports suggest he takes his own life with poison, in front of his family. The strange life and death of Sir Edward Kelley continue to intrigue scholars today.
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