Literatures of Alchemy in Medieval and Early Modern England is an engaging and enjoyable read and firmly entrenches alchemical ideas in the broader cultural history of England. Bentick's insights are buttressed with well-researched footnotes and his succinct analysis of alchemy from third-century Alexandria through thirteenth-century Europe stands as a practical toolbox for medieval scholars without its academic jargon. A rich and comprehensive literary history of alchemy, Bentick's work provides insights for the specialist and nonspecialist alike, particularly regarding the evolving receptions of alchemical texts throughout the English landscape. This highly readable monograph is deeply informative and will be a valuable resource for years to come.

• List of IllustrationsAcknowledgementsEditorial PracticeList of AbbreviationsIntroductionChapter 1. Ignotum Per Ignocius: Literatures of Alchemical ImpotenceSinners, Tricksters and Fools: Conceptions of Alchemists in the Fourteenth CenturyPlaying with Obscurity: Chaucer's Manipulation of the Tabula chemica and the Liber de secretis naturaeImpotent Alchemical 'Pryvetee' Chapter 2. Alchemical Theories of Social ReformRoger Bacon's Holistic AlchemyJohn Gower's Moral AlchemyThomas Norton's Alchemical King Chapter 3. British Library, MS Harley 2407Recipe-PoemsGnomic PoemsTheoretical PoemsConceit-Poems Chapter 4. Alchemical HermeneuticsAugustine and Medieval Hermeneutics Alchemical AfterlivesHe that Hath Ears to Hear Conclusion Bibliography

Literatures of Alchemy in Medieval and Early Modern England is an engaging and enjoyable read and firmly entrenches alchemical ideas in the broader cultural history of England. Bentick's insights are buttressed with well-researched footnotes and his succinct analysis of alchemy from third-century Alexandria through thirteenth-century Europe stands as a practical toolbox for medieval scholars without its academic jargon. A rich and comprehensive literary history of alchemy, Bentick's work provides insights for the specialist and nonspecialist alike, particularly regarding the evolving receptions of alchemical texts throughout the English landscape. This highly readable monograph is deeply informative and will be a valuable resource for years to come.

• List of IllustrationsAcknowledgementsEditorial PracticeList of AbbreviationsIntroductionChapter 1. Ignotum Per Ignocius: Literatures of Alchemical ImpotenceSinners, Tricksters and Fools: Conceptions of Alchemists in the Fourteenth CenturyPlaying with Obscurity: Chaucer's Manipulation of the Tabula chemica and the Liber de secretis naturaeImpotent Alchemical 'Pryvetee' Chapter 2. Alchemical Theories of Social ReformRoger Bacon's Holistic AlchemyJohn Gower's Moral AlchemyThomas Norton's Alchemical King Chapter 3. British Library, MS Harley 2407Recipe-PoemsGnomic PoemsTheoretical PoemsConceit-Poems Chapter 4. Alchemical HermeneuticsAugustine and Medieval Hermeneutics Alchemical AfterlivesHe that Hath Ears to Hear Conclusion Bibliography

Literatures of Alchemy in Medieval and Early Modern England is an engaging and enjoyable read and firmly entrenches alchemical ideas in the broader cultural history of England. Bentick's insights are buttressed with well-researched footnotes and his succinct analysis of alchemy from third-century Alexandria through thirteenth-century Europe stands as a practical toolbox for medieval scholars without its academic jargon. A rich and comprehensive literary history of alchemy, Bentick's work provides insights for the specialist and nonspecialist alike, particularly regarding the evolving receptions of alchemical texts throughout the English landscape. This highly readable monograph is deeply informative and will be a valuable resource for years to come.

• List of IllustrationsAcknowledgementsEditorial PracticeList of AbbreviationsIntroductionChapter 1. Ignotum Per Ignocius: Literatures of Alchemical ImpotenceSinners, Tricksters and Fools: Conceptions of Alchemists in the Fourteenth CenturyPlaying with Obscurity: Chaucer's Manipulation of the Tabula chemica and the Liber de secretis naturaeImpotent Alchemical 'Pryvetee' Chapter 2. Alchemical Theories of Social ReformRoger Bacon's Holistic AlchemyJohn Gower's Moral AlchemyThomas Norton's Alchemical King Chapter 3. British Library, MS Harley 2407Recipe-PoemsGnomic PoemsTheoretical PoemsConceit-Poems Chapter 4. Alchemical HermeneuticsAugustine and Medieval Hermeneutics Alchemical AfterlivesHe that Hath Ears to Hear Conclusion Bibliography