Caption

John Dee, English alchemist, mathematician and astrologer, with his assistant Edward Kelly, medium, alchemist and sorcerer. Dee gained Queen Elizabeth I's favour by successfully selecting an astrologically favourable day for her coronation. Kelly persuaded Dee to accept him as an assistant and helped Dee to get visions from angels using a crystal ball.They followed an adventurous career as sorcerers in Europe trying to discover the "philosopher's stone" that would convert common metals into gold. Their friendship was damaged when Kelly decided that they must share their wives. Here John Dee consults his crystal ball with Kelly in the background.