*** DEBUG START ***
*** DEBUG END ***

Dr Dee and daughter

10 October 2014

Until I hear the performance of the Alchemist's Daughter in the Chapter House of Manchester Cathedral, I had never known of the association of Dr John Dee, the mathematician, astrologer, alchemist, and adviser to Queen Elizabeth I, with the city of Manchester.

He was an extraordinary early scientist who amassed the first significant personal library, and for much of his life was dogged by accusations of devil worship. After travels abroad, and many vicissitudes, he returned to find his home and library vandalised, and, having sought help from Elizabeth in 1595, she appointed him Warden of Christ's College, Manchester, the college of clergy that eventually became the foundation of Manchester Cathedral.

His youngest daughter, Katherine, had travelled across Europe with him, and followed him to Manchester (and later to Mortlake), caring for him until the end of his life. The play is her story, and her part in the production was taken by the Priest-in-Charge of St Nicholas's, Burnage, and poet-in-residence of Manchester Cathedral, the Revd Dr Rachel Mann (below).

Browse Church and Charity jobs on the Church Times jobsite

Forthcoming Events

 

Festival of Preaching: Preaching Truth to Power

13 September 2025

Join us at London's Southwark Cathedral for this one-day event — a transformative gathering of bold voices, prophetic vision, and Spirit-led conviction..

tickets available

 

Finding inspiration in the Psalms : a Church Times one day festival

2 October 2025

Join us in York for this one-day event exploring the gift of the Psalms through poetry, art, liturgy and music.

tickets available

  

Visit our Events page for upcoming and past events 

Welcome to the Church Times

 

To explore the Church Times website fully, please sign in or subscribe.

Non-subscribers can read four articles for free each month. (You will need to register.)