13 July - John Dee #shorts

Today is the anniversary of the birth of John Dee, the astrologer, mathematician, alchemist, antiquary, spy, philosopher, geographer and adviser to Elizabeth I and influential statesmen. He was born on 13th July 1527 in the reign of King Henry VIII.

Hear a few facts about John Dee in this edition of #TudorHistoryShorts from historian Claire Ridgway.

Other "on this day" videos for 13th July:

[garethearle]

John Dee featured heavily in my masters dissertation on Intelligence and Espionage in the Elizabethan Era. I have a facsimile of his conversation with angels.

[theresecatalano]

John Dee was a fascinating man in any era! I would love to hear more about him!

[sharp]

His life would make a good book and miniseries.

[Lyndell-P]

🇭🇲🦘 I always love hearing about John Dee . Not only one of the most learned men of the Elizabethan age, but such a fascinating man!

For me John Dee was a 'modern day' - (in Elizabethan times) - good Wizard 🧙‍♂️ .. Maybe a little weird (to us) but a very clever man and an extremely fascinating character. ..

"Thank you" Claire 💓👑👍

[nancycampbell]

I find John Dee and his place in Tudor society fascinating. He's on my fantasy list of dinner party guests. It's also interesting that in a time of rampant superstition, religious persecution and fear of witches how comfortable they were with astrology and talking to angels.

[barbaramccoy]

I didn’t realize he’d been associated with the Greys. Interesting. I have always felt bad that his library at Mortlake was ransacked when he and his family were out of the country. An index of that library would be fascinating to read.

[AprilBird]

John Dee. So interesting. I always pictured him as "old" but he was only 6 years older than Elizabeth I.

[SebastianGrimthwayte]

I just watched the episode of A Discovery of Witches that has John Dee and Edward Kelley. I would love to hear what you think of this depiction!

[Shane-Flanagan]

Wow that's certainly a long list of jobs. I know people were accomplished back then but he was quite something by the sound of it.
Thank you ❤️ 😊

[neilbuckley]

He must have done something wrong, he was banished to 16th century Manchester [so probably more like the 15th century].