The Experimental Fire: Inventing English Alchemy, 1300-1700

Alchemy was a practice that promised extraordinary physical transformations, such as turning base metals into silver and gold, hard iron into soft water, and deadly poison into elixirs. Jennifer M. Rampling traces the development of alchemy in England over four hundred years, from the beginning of the fourteenth century to the end of the seventeenth, and shows how practitioners like George Ripley, John Dee, and Edward Kelley devised new practical approaches to alchemy while seeking the support of English monarchs.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 416 pages
Publication date: 08 March 2023
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

Alchemy, a captivating and enigmatic practice that flourished in medieval and early modern Europe, held the promise of extraordinary physical transformations. It enticed individuals with the prospect of turning base metals into silver and gold, transforming hard iron into soft water, and even reversing the effects of deadly poison into elixirs capable of healing the human body. To substantiate these extraordinary claims, alchemists resorted to ancient texts, seeking evidence of a lost alchemical heritage and striving to decode their cryptic language and obscure imagery.

Tracing the development of alchemy in England over four hundred years, from the early fourteenth century to the late seventeenth century, Jennifer M. Rampling sheds light on the role of alchemical reading and experimental practice within the broader context of national and scientific history. Through the use of new manuscript sources, she reveals how practitioners such as George Ripley, John Dee, and Edward Kelley, as well as numerous previously unknown alchemists, devised innovative practical approaches to alchemy while seeking the patronage of English monarchs. By reconstructing their alchemical ideas, practices, and disputes, Rampling unveils how English alchemy underwent a continuous reinvention over four centuries, resulting in significant changes to the science itself.

In this remarkable exploration, The Experimental Fire serves as a bridge between the intellectual history of chemistry and the wider realms of early modern patronage, medicine, and science. It delves into the intricate relationships between alchemists, monarchs, and the broader intellectual community, shedding light on the complex interplay of ideas, power, and experimentation that shaped the development of alchemy in England. Through its meticulous research and engaging narrative, The Experimental Fire offers a fresh perspective on this fascinating and influential practice, contributing to our understanding of the rich tapestry of early modern science and culture.

Weight: 594g
Dimension: 228 x 152 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226826547