During the Middle Ages, every important Court had its
Court Astrologer. The Court of Louis XI of France was no exception, and
the following text offers some insight into what use Medieval kings made of
their astrologers. -- DJMc.
During the Middle Ages, every important Court had its
Court Astrologer. The Court of Louis XI of France was no exception, and
the following text offers some insight into what use Medieval kings made of
their astrologers. -- DJMc.
From the fourteenth to sixteenth centuries, when astrology flourished throughout Europe, there was scarcely a ruler of importance or reigning prince who did not have a Court Astrologer, whose advice and prognostications were depended upon for guidance in problems of State and other important matters[1]. These astrologers occupied high and influential positions and wielded considerable power.
Louis XI of France was a convinced believer in astrology and is said to have often consulted Angelo Catto and d'Almonsor, two famous astrologers of the time. Concerning the latter, there is a story that, one night while walking near the Castle of Plessis-les-Tours, d'Almonsor was suddenly seized, blindfolded, and taken to an unknown location. When the blindfold was removed, the astrologer found himself in the presence of two masked knights and three armed men.
With their swords pointed at his throat, d'Almonsor was commanded by the knights to read their fate and answer truthfully their questions. The astrologer set to work casting their horoscopes and, when he had completed them, declared that the stars foretold that death by violence would overtake one of them, and that the other's life would end by poison.
"Answer me," exclaimed the first knight, "and speak truly if thou valuest thy life - dost thou see aught of of combat or strife at hand?"
"Noble Sir," replied d'Almonsor, "thy horoscope is truly a violent one. Thou wilt die nobly and in a good cause. Moreover, thy death is near. The Sun is opposed to Mars, dangers beset thee.[2]"
"What do the stars portend of my fate?" demanded the other knight.
"Thou art menaced by a man of power, but the danger is in the secret acts of others. Beware of the cup; the venom in that which thou drinkest."
The Duc de Berri, the knight thus addressed, died shortly afterwards. His death was said to have been due to poison, the administration of which was instituted by Louis XI. The Duc de Burgundy, the other knight, was killed in battle at about the same time.
Another story concerning Louis XI and astrology has been related by Sir Walter Scott. Attached to the court of the king at this time and lodged in magnificent apartments was the celebrated astrologer Galeotti Martius. Martius had formerly been a favorite at the court of the King of Hungary, from whom it is said he was decoyed by Louis, who begrudged the Hungarian monarch the counsels of one so skillful in reading the decrees of Heaven.
Martius was nothing like the ascetic, withered, pale professors of mystic learning of those days. He was trained in arms and renowned as a wrestler. His apartment was splendidly furnished, and on a large oaken table lay a variety of mathematical and astrological instruments, all of the most rich materials and curious workmanship. His astrolabe of silver was the gift of the Emperor of Germany, and his Jacob's staff of ebony jointed with gold was a mark of esteem from the reigning Pope.
In person, the astrologer was a tall, bulky, yet stately man. His features, though large, were dignified and noble, and he had a long, dark beard. His dress was a chamber-robe of the richest Genoa velvet, with ample sleeves clasped with frogs of gold and lined with sables. It was fastened round his middle by a broad belt of virgin parchment, around which in crimson characters were represented the signs of the Zodiac.
The costly nature of such a courtier is well illustrated in an interview which the king had with his astrologer and placed on his table, when leaving, a purse of gold for some special service. But the contents of the purse - ten gold pieces - did not by any means satisfy the reader of the stars, and the indignation of the astrologer was extreme.
"Thinks he," declared Martius, "that for such a paltry rate of hire, I will practice that celestial science which I have studied with the Armenian Abbot of Istrahoff, who had not seen the sun for forty years? With the Greek Dubravius, who is said to have raised the dead? And have even visited the Sheik Ebn Hali in his cave in the desert of Thebais? No, by heaven! He that contemns art shall perish through his ignorance."
One can only imagine what Martius' reaction would be if he could see the rates at which modern astrologers are rewarded for their services.
1. This practice of consulting an astrologer upon important political matters continues to modern times, although few Heads of State would wish to publicize this fact. As just one example, it is a matter of historical fact that U.S. President Ronald Reagan frequently (through the agency of his wife, Nancy) consulted an astrologer.
2. Since d'Almonsor is speaking here of a matter of timing, we may suppose that the astrologer is speaking of transits, and most likely that the transiting sun was in opposition to the knight's natal Mars. This does not, of course, always portend a violent death; the transiting Sun opposes itself to everyone's natal Mars once every year. Obviously, there were other related factors in the horoscope that permitted the astrologer to make this prediction.
Original text by C. J. S. Thompson, edited and revised by D. J. McAdam © 2004. Please note: all applicable material on this website is protected by copyright law and may not be copied without express written permission.
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