The British Museum holds a number of items relating to John Dee the Elizabethan scholar, mathematician, and magician. Among them is a gold disc almost 9cm across engraved with a diagram based on one of Edward Kelley's visions, recounted on the afternoon of Wednesday, 20th June 1584, supposedly by the angel named Ave.<\/p>
The design on this top is based on the diagram as it appears in A True & Faithful Relation of What passed for many Yeers between Dr. John Dee (A Mathematician of Great Fame in Q. Eliz. and King James their Reignes) and Some Spirits.<\/em> (1659)<\/p> John Dee's own writings describe the vision thus:<\/p> The sign of the love of God toward his faithful.<\/em><\/p> Four sumptuous and belligerent castles, out of the which sounded trumpets thrice.<\/em><\/p> The sign of majesty, the cloth of passage, was cast forth.<\/em><\/p> In the east, the cloth red, after the new smitten blood.<\/em><\/p> In the south, the cloth white, lily colour.<\/em><\/p> In the west a cloth, the skins of many dragons, green, garlic-bladed.<\/em><\/p> In the north, the cloth hair coloured, bilberry juice.<\/em><\/p> The trumpets sound once.<\/em><\/p> The gates open.<\/em><\/p> The four castles are moved.<\/em><\/p> There issueth four trumpeters, whose trumpets are a pyramid, six cones, wreathed.<\/em><\/p> There followeth out of every castle, three, holding up the banners displayed, with ensign the names of God.<\/em><\/p> There follow seniors six, alike from the four gates.<\/em><\/p> After them cometh from every part a king, whose princes are five, gardant, and holding up his train.<\/em><\/p> Next issueth the cross of four angles, of the majesty of creation in God, attended upon every one with four; a white cloud, four crosses bearing the witnesses of the covenant of God, with the prince gone out before; which were confirmed every one with ten angels, visible in countenance.<\/em><\/p> After every cross attendeth 16 angels, dispositors of the will of those that govern the castles.<\/em><\/p> They proceed; and in and about the middle of the court the ensigns keep their standings, opposite to the middle of the gate.<\/em><\/p> The rest pause. The 24 senators meet. They seem to consult.<\/em><\/p> I, AVE, STOOD BY THE SEER.<\/em><\/p> It vanisheth.<\/em><\/p> So I leave you.<\/em><\/p>","brand":null,"metaTitle":"","metaDescription":"The British Museum holds a number of items relating to John Dee the Elizabethan scholar, mathematician, and magician. Among them is a gold disc almost...","metaImage":null,"noIndex":false,"approvalStatus":"approved","ecoIcons":["organic-icon.png","low-carbon-icon.png","ethical-icon.png"],"isBundle":false,"type":"Printed T-shirt","specifications":"Certified organic cotton top, midweight 155 gsm. Wash cool, hang dry. GM-free. Not tested on animals. Does not contain animal-derived products. 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