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Forum:	Medieval Life And Culture
Topic:	the town alchemist

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T O P I C R E V I E W
bent one I wan answering a post about alchemy and I know that there was alchemy in Europe but how did the people react to it did they call it witchcraft or did they regard them as men of learning?
Just would like to know for sure. I have researched alchemy but I don't know much about the lives they had. does history tell us anything about how alchemists were viewed by the rest of society?
Maria As far as I know, alchemists didn’t put a huge sigh saying “alchemist” on their door. They were searching either the secret of gold, or the spiritual achievement, and neither of these needed public. It is true that they knew quite a lot about metals and herbs, but for the common people they were then apothecarians (not sure about the spelling). The chemistry museum in my town has a lot of information on this profession.
Generally, people regarded all they dindn’t understand as witchcraft, so yes, probablly alchemy too. But when I say people, I mean the commoners. Surely some of the nobles were attracted by the idea of obtaining gold..
For more informations on alchemy, try http://www.crystalinks.com
Peter Why not check out Leonardo di Vinci, one of the greatest of all.
Peter
bent one thank you peter! I'll go search!
Merlin The german emperor Rudolf II. (†1612) gathered alchemists at his court in Prague and hoped they will find the "stone of the wise", which means gold-making. So at least around 1600 they were accepted in the higher nobility like scientists of our days...
Steve-O-Gerst Chaucer's Canterburry tale includes a tale by a man who lost everything thanks to an Alchemist. That particular alchemist is depicted as using a number of tricks to get his friend to think he was making silver and gold. Quite entertaining.
Courts would often shell out some serious money to retain alchemists. Some seem to believe that the alchemists provided health benifits, as well as trying to turn lead into gold and such.
Commoners were probably likely to be duped by charlatan "Alchemists" traveling from town to town in order to make a quick buck. Takes all kinds, right.
Dorothy Davies there is a fascinating book out by Jonathan Hughes on the life of Edward IV, it's called Alchemy and Myth, the Kingship of Edward IV, a huge tome, in size, weight and content and details all the King's interest in that subject. And a lot of alchemy information too.