4

With another brother, Adrian Gilbert, Dee had much closer relations, as we shall shortly see. This younger half-brother of Sir Walter Raleigh was reputed "a great chemist in those days," which of course meant something of an alchemist. He is associated in one's mind with "Sidney's sister, Pembroke's mother," that accomplished and beautiful inspirer of the most exquisite epitaph ever penned, for he was one of the "ingenious and learned men" who filled her house at Wilton "so that it ws like a college." The Countess of Pembroke spent a great deal yearly in the study of alchemy, and kept Adrian as a laborant for a time. He is described as a buffoon who cared not what he said to man or woman of any quality. Bringing John Davis, another of the breezy Devon sea captains, Adrian came to Mortlake to effect a reconciliation after some uncomfortable passages caused, as they found, by dishonest dealings on the part of William Emery, whom they now exposed. "John Davis say'd that he might curse the tyme that ever he knew Emery, and so much followed his wicked counsayle and advyse. So just is God!" Here again we suspect Dee's reputation for "magic" had been the trouble.

With the discovery of so many new coasts and islands across in the Western seas, the Queen was anxious to know what right she had to call them hers, and what earlier navigators had sailed to them before. After Frobisher's three voyages in search of the North-West Passage, she sent for the author of the Hexameron and bade him set forth her title to Greenland, Estoteland (Newfoundland) and Friseland. This document he calls "Her Majestie's commandment - Anno 1578." Either he prepared another, or did not present this to the Queen for two years.

1580. - "On Monday Oct. 3, at 11 of the clock before none, I delivered my two Rolls of the Queene's Majestie's title unto herself in the garden at Richmond, who appointed after dynner to heare fuder of the matter. Therfore betweene one and two afternone, I was sent for into her highness Pryvy Chamber, where the Lord Threasurer allso was, who having the matter slightly then in consultation, did seme to doubt much that I had or could make the argument probable for her highnes' title so as I pretended. Wheruppon I was to declare to his honor more playnely, and at his leyser, what I had sayd and could say therein, which I did on Tuesday and Wensday following, at his chamber, where he used me very honorably on his behalf."

The next day Dee fancied that Burleigh slighted him. He called to see him, and was not admitted; he stood in the ante-chamber when the great man came out, but the Lord Treasurer swept by and "did not or would not speak to me." Probably he was pondering deeply on important matters of state. Dee's hopes of preferment fell to the ground, and he was persuaded that "some new grief was conceyved." Dee was ambitious; he was not yet surfeited with fame; of wealth he had none, hardly even a competency; he was vain, and he knew that he had gifts which few of his countrymen could rival or even understand; and he was no longer young. Such advantages as he could attain must be secured quickly, if they were to be enjoyed at all.

"On the 10th, at four o'clock in the morning my mother Jane Dee dyed at Mortlake; she made a godlye ende: God be praysed therfore! She was 77 yere old."

News of this event quickly travelled to the Court at Richmond, and the Queen determined to signalise her favour to Dee and her gratification at Burleigh's report of his geographical labours, which reached her on the same day as the news of his loss, by a personal visit of condolence.

"Oct. 10th. The Quene's Majestie, to my great cumfort (hora quinta), cam with her trayn from the court, and at my dore graciously calling me to her, on horsbak, exhorted me briefly to take my mother's death patiently, and withall told me that the Lord Threasurer had greatly commended my doings for her title, which he had to examyn, which title in two rolls he had brought home two hours before; and delivered to Mr. Hudson for me to receive at my coming from my mother's burial at church. Her Majestie remembered allso how at my wive's death, it was her fortune likewise to call uppon me."