Discovery Scene from 1745 Prayerbook
This Image shows the image of the
Plot's discovery informing a courtier with a dagger to the right who is
with one other who appear in pursuit of
individuals to the left. One of
the individuals to the left has been killed or gravely injured. Is the
image to the right James I or are these images from a later
time reflecting upon the plot as
they go abo ut their more contemporary evil deeds? An interesting image indeed.
We await further bibliographic information.
It is from a prayerbook and illustrates
the liturgy for November 5.
Perhaps The Image has something
to do with the obscure account Dr. John Dee
who was queen Elizabeth I's court
astrologer:
“'There are several accounts of the manner in which the Gunpowder
Plot was discovered, but among the students of
Occult Science the belief is
that its timely discovery was made by Dr. John
Dee, by means of a magic
mirror. Proof of how general this belief
was at one time is given by the
fact that in some editions of the Book of Common
Prayer, published in the
eighteenth century, is to be found an engraving
inserted before the service
for the Fifth of November depicting a circular
mirror on a stand, in which
is a reflection of the Houses of Parliament by
night, and a person carrying
a dark lantern. On the left side may be
observed two men in the costume of
the reign of King James, looking into the mirror.
On the right side, at
the top, the eye of Providence throws a ray on
the mirror. Beneath are legs
and hoofs, as if evil spirits were making their
exit.'”.
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