Note: The above miniature which hints at the Earl’s interest in science and alchemy is in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. Photo from their website.

Henry Percy, the 9th Earl of Northumberland was born in 1564 to a family already embroiled in Tudor politics. The 6th Earl had an ill-fated relationship with Ann Boleyn, and Henry’s father died in the Tower of London of a mysterious gunshot wound. Before succeeding his father to the earldom and his own political turmoil, Henry travelled and developed the intense passion for science, alchemy, and mathematics that would earn him the nickname “The Wizard Earl.”

Even during the 17 years Henry was locked in the Tower of London he continued his pursuit of scientific knowledge. He amassed a large collection of books and scientific instruments, and, along with fellow prisoner Walter Raleigh and a group of scientists known as his “magi,” continued his studies. 

One of these magi, Thomas Harriot, lived at Henry’s estate just outside London with Henry financing his investigations. It was here at Syon House that Harriot used a telescope to make the first-ever drawing of the moon, and may have been the first person to describe sun spots.

Another like-minded neighbor was John Dee- astronomer, advisor, map maker and spy for Queen Elizabeth. He was also a magician who talked to angels. The two men shared social and intellectual circles, discussing astronomy and alchemy, and Henry hired several of Dee’s former students.

Although nothing remains of Dee’s London home, you can still visit the medieval college building in Manchester where he lived from 1596-1605. Today the building is part of Chetham’s Library, the nation’s oldest public library, who still own several of Dee’s books. In one room there is a scorched footprint supposedly left by a devil that Dee once summoned.

After Henry’s eventual release from Tower, he moved to Petworth House where he lived until his death in 1632.

Although the original male line died out in 1670, Syon still remains in the Percy family. The exterior is much the same as it was in the Wizard Earl’s time and remains of his time can still be found. The monastery barn actually predates the Wizard Earl, while he constructed the archway and lodges. 

Note: Syon itself has a fascinating history. It was here that Catherine Howard was imprisoned, where Henry the VIII’s corpse exploded while his coffin rested overnight on its way to burial at Windsor Castle, where Lady Jane Grey learned of her ascendance to the throne, and is home to the first large scale metal and glass conservatory. Vincent van Gogh also once walked its grounds. 

After his death, the Earl’s extensive library remained at Petworth House for nearly 300 years until it was sold at auction in 1928. 

This is where Philadelphia enters the story. At the Sotheby’s auction, Philly’s rare book dealer Dr. Rosenbach purchased several lots, many for William Elkins whose collection (and actual library!) now live in the city’s Free Library (Secret Library Treasures- The Rare Book Department At The Free Library). Included in his purchases were books stamped with the Earl’s badge, and one thought to contain annotations in the Earl’s own hand.

Another of the purchased books was by the Earl’s brother George, who became President of the Council at Jamestown, Virginia, after John Smith’s return to England. It contains a first-hand description of cannibalism during the winter of 1609-10: “Then, having fed upon horses and other beasts as long as they lasted, we were glad to make shift with vermin, as dogs, cats and mice.” Starving settlers dug up “dead corpses outt of graves” to eat, and others “Licked upp the Bloode which ha[d] fallen from their weake fellowes.” In 2012 archaeologists discovered forensic evidence of this cannibalism.

The collection at the Free Library also contains works by John Dee, including this 1582 map of the Northwest Passage which he prepared to encourage English voyages to China via a northern water route. On the bottom is Dee’s special symbol, one he believed held the secret code of the universe.

They also have a book detailing the conversations Dee and his assistant held with various angels and the methods they used for summoning them.

Note: While the Wizard Earl’s collection is rarely on view, the Dee map can be seen on any tour that includes the Elkins library.