A miraculous healer and scientist for some, a deceiver for others. The controversial alchemist Edward Kelley (1555-1597) fascinated the people around him not only with his alchemist tricks, but also by his black magic look. He was tall and slim, he had a thick beard and long hair that covered his missing ears. They were cut from his head as a punishment when he committed a fraud in the notary‘s office where he was working as an assistant.
In 1573 he enrolled into Oxford University, but he never completed his studies. Yet, he was using university titles unjustifi ably for his entire life. Finally, he completed his apprenticeship as a pharmacist and he started his career as a magician, a healer and an alchemist. His steps led to the court of Emperor Rudolph II, known for his interest in alchemy. In his fi rst experiment carried out in front of the emperor, Kelley is told to have changed any metal into pure gold. The alchemist settled in the Czech Kingdom for good, he skillfully multiplied his property and he even gained knighthood. However, Edward Kelley‘s popularity at the emperor‘ s court started to fade away. It was probably because he was unable to provide the emperor with the promised elixir of youth. After he killed a court offi cial in a duel, he was arrested and imprisoned. During his attempt to escape he crushed his leg and unbearable pain allegedly made him terminate his life by consuming a poison. But nobody knows where his grave is and some sources say his death was fake and he may still be alive thanks to his elixir of life.
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Váš záznam bude z databáze Vydavatelstvím KAM po Česku s.r.o. vymazán neprodleně, nejpozději však v zákonné lhůtě.
