Queens Counsel John Dee: a Magical Course to the New World (1527—1608)

Long before the beginning of the colonization of America and the fierce struggle with Spain for their share of the American “pie”, British ideologists carefully prepared for this expansion, giving legal, “rationalistic”, religious, mythological and “mystical” justifications of the “rights” of the British monarchy to the New World, as well as offering various options for the future colonial system on overseas lands. In the powerful ideological movement the significant role was played by Elizabeth I's adviser John Dee, who was revered as a genius, magician, outstanding philosopher, geographer and alchemist. It was he who introduced the mythological narratives of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, which he interpreted not as legends, but as “real events” that justified the imperial claims of Britain. His mathematical talent and deep knowledge of geocartography were applied to the skilful calculation of routes that were of paramount importance to English navigators exploring the New World. His occultism and mysticism (direct communication with the “angels” about the establishment of the British “new world order”) served the authorities in the implementation of expansionist plans.

Keywords

British Empire, ideology, John Dee, Elizabeth I, King Arthur, Madog, occultism, mysticism

Received

14.09.2020

Publication date

31.01.2021

Number of characters

28253

Cite

GOST	Ivanov N. Queen's Counsel John Dee: a “Magical” Course to the New World (1527—1608) // ISTORIYA – 2021. – V. 12. – Issue 1 (99) [Electronic resource]. URL: https://history.jes.su/S207987840013843-6-1 (circulation date: 22.07.2024). DOI: 10.18254/S207987840013843-6
MLA	Ivanov, Nikolai "Queen's Counsel John Dee: a “Magical” Course to the New World (1527—1608)." ISTORIYA 12.1 (99) (2021) DOI: 10.18254/S207987840013843-6
APA	Ivanov N. (2021). Queen's Counsel John Dee: a “Magical” Course to the New World (1527—1608). ISTORIYA 12(1 (99)) DOI: 10.18254/S207987840013843-6

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