The Years of the Wizard : The Strange History and Home Life of Renaissance Magicians

by Morris, Rachel | Europe
Published 09/10/2025 by Duckworth Books (September Publishing) in the United Kingdom
Hardback | 320 pages
223 x 145 x 31mm | 430g

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.