The Ordinall of Alchymy, an illuminated manuscript, was composed by Thomas Norton in 1477. The Ordinall was a popular and well-known source book for alchemists during this period. It is presented in English, unusual for scientific or magical texts at the time, and is written in verse form. Norton’s purpose in writing the book was to set out the precise process of alchemy, just as the Catholic Church used ordinals to detail the religious calendar and orders of service.
These illustrations show, in order:
• An alchemical furnace.
• Norton, as a pupil, kneeling before and receiving a book from a master, likely George Ripley.
• Historical figures of alchemy.
• An alchemical laboratory, the master sits at a table in the background, and in the foreground his assistants distil material ready for transmutation.
• Astrological charts advising the best times of the year for certain alchemical processes.
These illustrations show, in order:
• An alchemical furnace.
• Norton, as a pupil, kneeling before and receiving a book from a master, likely George Ripley.
• Historical figures of alchemy.
• An alchemical laboratory, the master sits at a table in the background, and in the foreground his assistants distil material ready for transmutation.
• Astrological charts advising the best times of the year for certain alchemical processes.