The Private Diary of Dr. John Dee | Page 6

at his comming furth, did not or would not speak to me, I
dowt not of some new greif conceyved. Oct. 10th, the Quene's Majestie,
to my great cumfort (hora quinta), cam with her trayn from the court
and at my dore graciously calling me to her, on horsbak, exhorted me
briefly to take my mother's death patiently, and withall told me that the
Lord Threasorer had gretly commended my doings for her title, which
he had to examyn, which title in two rolls he had browght home two
howrs before; she remembred allso how at my wive's death it was her
fortune likewise to call uppon me.[p] At 4 of the clok in the morning
my mother Jane Dee dyed at Mortlak; she made a godly ende: God be
praysed therfore! She was 77 yere old. Oct. 20th, I had by my jury at
Geldhall £100 damages awarded me against Vincent Murphyn the
cosener. Oct. 22nd, with much ado I had judgment against Murfin at
Geldhall. My mervaylous horsnes and in manner spechelesnes toke me,
being nothing at all otherwise sick. Oct. 25th, Morrice Kyffin departed
from me with my leave. Nov. 2nd, the Lord Threasorer sent me a
haunche of venison. Thomas Suttley had the bishop of Canterbury his
letter for Sir Richard. Nov. 3rd, I writt to my Lord Threasurer. Nov. 6th,
Helen cam to my servyse. Nov. 12th, somwhat better in my voyce. Nov.
22nd, the blasing star[q] I cold see no more, though it were a cler night.
Dec. 1st, newes cam by Dr. Deny from Ireland of the Italiens overthrow
whom the Pope had sent, the Quene lying at Richemond. Dec. 6th, the
Quene removed from Richmond. Dec. 8th, recepi literas Roma, scriptas
per fratrem Laudervicea.
[Footnote p: His first wife died on the 16th of March 1575, when "the
Queen's Majestie, with her most honourable Privy Council, and other
her Lords and Nobility, came purposely to have visited my library: but
finding that my wife was within four houres before buried out of the
house, her Majestie refused to come in; but willed to fetch my glass so

famous, and to show unto her some of the properties of it, which I did;
her Majestie being taken down from her horse by the Earle of Leicester,
Master of the Horse, at the church wall of Mortlake, did see some of
the properties of that glass, to her Majestie's great contentment and
delight." --Compendious Memorial, p. 516. This glass is spoken of
again.]
[Footnote q: Dee has made a rough sketch of the appearance of this
comet, with its long tail, on the margin of the MS.]
1581.[r] Feb. 9th, I agreed with Mr. Gentle Godolphin for to release the
coosener Vincent Murphin. Feb. 11th, Harry Prise, of Lewsam, cam to
me at Mortlak, and told of his dreames often repeated, and uppon my
prayer to God this night, his dreame was confirmed, and better
instruction given. Feb. 12th, Sir William Harbert cam to Mortlak. Feb.
23rd, I made acquayntance with Joannes Bodinus, in the Chambre of
Presence at Westminster, the embassador being by from Monsieur. Feb.
26th, a very fayr calm warm day.
[Footnote r: An original diary of the chemical experiments made by Dr.
Dee in this year is preserved in the Bodleian Library. --MS. Rawl.
Miscel. 241.]
March 8th, it was the 8 day, being Wensday, hora noctis 10, 11, the
strange noyse in my chamber of knocking; and the voyce, ten tymes
repeted, somewhat like the shrich of an owle, but more longly drawn,
and more softly, as it were in my chamber. March 12th, all reckenings
payd to Mr. Hudson, £11. 17s. March 13th, Elizabeth Kyrton cam to
my servys. March 23rd, at Mortlak cam to me Hugh Smyth, who had
returned from Magellan straights and Vaygatz; after that, raynie,
stormie wynde, S.W.
March 25th, Helen was hyred at our Lady day for the yere for fowr
nobles wagis; she had her covenant peny, and allso vjs. viijd. for her
payns taken synce she came. April 3rd, I ryd toward Snedgreene, to
John Browne, to here and see the manner of the doings. April 14th, I
cam home from Snedgreene. May 25th, I had sight in +Chrystallô+
offerd me, and I saw. June 7th, hora 7½ mane nata est Katharina Dee.

June 10th, baptisata a meridie hor. 5½ Katharina. Mr. Packington of the
court, my Lady Katarin Crofts, wife to Sir James Crofts, Mr. Controller
of the Quene's household, Mystres Mary Skydmor of the Privie
Chamber, and cosen to the Quene, by theyr deputies christened
Katharin Dee. June 17th, yong Mr. Hawkins, who had byn with Sir
Francis Drake, cam to me to Mortlake. June 30th, Mr. John Leonard
Haller, of Hallerstein, by Worms in Germany, receyved his instructions
manifold for