The Life of John Dee (1527 - 1608)

Who was John Dee? Very little is mentioned in the history books of the man behind the scenes during Elizabeth I's reign: the Queen's astrologer.

John Dee was born on the 13 July 1527 in London. His Welsh father Roland Dee worked in textiles and was a gentleman and sewer at the court of Henry VIII. He married Jane Wild when she was 15 and John was their only child.

John Dee's Early Life and Education

John was born at a time when interest in prophecy and astrology was at its peak, both in England and on the continent. Many rich people and those in royalty consulted an astrologer and astrologers of the time were required to have considerable training in astronomy, philosophy and mathematics. As a consequence they charged high fees for their expertise and knowledge.

With John Dee's father being an official in the court of Henry VIII, John received a good education and went to school in Chelmsford before entering St John's College in 1542 and studied Greek, Latin, philosophy, geometry, arithmetic and astronomy. In December 1546 he became a Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge. He then went to the University of Louvain in Belgium.

John was fascinated with astronomy and spent a huge percentage of his time seeking scientific explanation for the reasons the positions of the planets at the moment of birth affected a person's future.

John Dee and Astrology

By the time John went to Belgium he was already fascinated with the study of magic and alchemy. Magic and sciences were closely related at the time and even mathematics was considered to be in some way connected with magical studies.

When John returned to England he had gained several degrees and had already built up a good reputation as an astrologer. He entered the service of the Earl of Pembroke, then at the end of 1552 he entered the services of the Duke of Northumberland. While in this position he wrote a work on the tides.

John continued his research, which cost money and although he was well-favoured by the young king Edward VI who had succeeded his father to the throne. After the king's death there were great problems between Catholics and Protestants as to the succession. The Catholic Queen Mary became Queen and life became difficult for John Dee.

John Dee and Queen Mary ~

Mary was a devout Catholic and as such had no time for astrologers. She disapproved strongly of what she considered to be Satanic practices and it was said she had John arrested and imprisoned on a charge of plotting against her. Not long before he had made a prediction concerning her forthcoming marriage to Philip of Spain in which he said "Woe to the two nations, sorrow and dolour, disaster by water and persecution by fire. Our Queen shall die childless." John was eventually released. Queen Mary died in 1558 and the Protestant Elizabeth became Queen.

Sources
Woolley B The Queen's conjuror: The Life and magic of Dr Dee (London 2001)