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The Years of the Wizard

The Strange History and Home Life of Renaissance Magicians
Brief Description
All things were believable back then - wizards, alchemy, fairies, angels. This is the story of those magical times.A lyrical and highly atmospheric exploration of the lives of Tudor and Renaissance magicians, men from Dee to Kepler to Bruno, who were also scientists, astrologers, mathematicians and... Read More
Format: Hardback
$4999
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A highly atmospheric and readable exploration of the charismatic magicians of the Tudor and Renaissance courts, their journeys through the courts of Europe and the wives and families who kept the whole magical show on the road...

A vivid journey into Tudor magicians and the overlooked women beside them, blending history, imagination and the era’s strange magic

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description
All things were believable back then - wizards, alchemy, fairies, angels. This is the story of those magical times.

A lyrical and highly atmospheric exploration of the lives of Tudor and Renaissance magicians, men from Dee to Kepler to Bruno, who were also scientists, astrologers, mathematicians and alchemists. Their studies, books and ideas still permeate scientific history, as well as literature and film from Philip Pullman to CS Lewis. But what do we know of the rest of their households - the lovers, wives, mothers and daughters? In The Years of the Wizard Rachel Morris also vividly reimagines the less documented lives of the magicians' families and lovers. From those who supported the travelling households - packing up the libraries, feeding the assistants, entertaining the patrons, educating the children - as well as those archiving, documenting and collaborating with their magical work.

With vivid storytelling Rachel Morris magically animates both the known past lives of these extraordinary men and the imaginary stories of the less documented women, elders and children in this era of discovery and magic.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781914613968

Publisher: Duckworth Books

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 09 October 2025

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: September Publishing

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 135.0mm

Height: 216.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 320

About the Author

Former director of the museum-making company Metaphor, Rachel Morris has been part of the creation, design and delivery of some of the most exciting displays, renovations and museums of the last few decades, from the new Cast Courts at the V&A and the Ashmolean, Oxford to the Terracotta Warriors at the British Museum and Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo. Rachel is also the author of The Museum Makers and two novels. @rachelmorris_writer

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