A Noble Rosicrucian Apologist Ralph M
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A Noble Rosicrucian Apologist Ralph M. Lewis, FRC Ralph Lewis served as Imperator of the Rosicrucian Order, AMORC from 1939 to 1987. In this article, a reprint from the Rosicrucian Digest October 1956, he extols the courage and convictions of two great defenders of the Rosicrucians of the early 1600s—Robert Fludd of England and Michael Maier of Germany and explores Francis Bacon’s connection with the Rosicrucians of that time. veryone has his or her convic- ed deeply in one’s psychic and emotional tions, whether they are born nature. Eof belief or experience. Such Robert Fludd was a man of moral con- convictions constitute our fount of knowl- victions that were not a mere inheritance edge. Philosophically, the idea of belief as of ideas. They are set in an intellectual knowledge may be challenged. It can be framework, the consequence of personal contended that, to have reality, knowledge long study, experience, and meditation. As must be capable of being confirmed by a consequence, a challenge of his convic- sense experience. Nevertheless, for many tions called forth such a defensive action persons, where there is the absence of a in words and deeds as to require great for- conflicting reality, a belief stands as a per- titude. It is one thing to utter aloud our sonal conception, a point of knowledge. beliefs in tolerant surroundings; it is quite Such convictions become an intimate another to speak of them in a hostile era part of the personality of the individual. and before an antagonistic mentality – and One’s intellectual self, if it is well defined, the latter is what Fludd did, not once but participates in one’s state of preservation many times. equally with one’s physical well-being. A In the beautiful rolling countryside of strong conviction has the character of real- Kent, England, near the picturesque vil- ity to the mind. It has as much existence lage of Bearsted, are the remains of Mil- as does our body or our family. Opposition gate House, the manorial home of Robert to the conviction will, therefore, arouse as Fludd. The original structure, of which a much resistance as a corresponding attack portion now remains, and to which addi- upon the person or character. The sensitiv- tions have subsequently been built, was ity of the personality, the emotional state erected by Sir Thomas Fludd. He was of the individual, determines the degree of Treasurer of War to the celebrated Queen retaliation to any opposition to a convic- Elizabeth I. It was there that Robert Fludd tion just as it does to an offense against the was born in 1574. The setting is one of in- physical being or character. Convictions, spiration today. One sees patches of wood- points of knowledge, which have become ed land, interspersed with small acreages intimately associated with the moral or re- of hops bisected by pleasant streams along ligious ideals of an individual are defended which little flocks of sheep graze. One feels more fervently than others. They are root- quite isolated from the political and social Page 29 turmoil of the times. This tranquility must ary works and the methodical illustrations have touched the consciousness and spirit of their texts. He maintained a laboratory of Fludd at an early age. Near the house of during his sojourn on the Continent, in his birth are the rose farm and other gar- which he constructed various and strange dens where he cultivated the plants used in mechanical devices, one of which was a his pharmaceutical and alchemical experi- self-playing lyre. Many of these devices, ments. it is reported, had a useful value. In fact, At a time when higher education was, some writers credit Fludd with being the to an extent, a luxury, young Robert was original inventor of the barometer. fortunate to have a parent whose economic Era of Intellectuals status permitted him to attend college. He It would appear that Fludd’s pharma- matriculated at St. John’s Oxford on No- ceutical studies led him to the threshold of vember 10, 1592, and took his M.A. de- alchemy – and he crossed over. Alchemy gree in 1598. After attaining his Master’s being contiguous to and allied with Her- degree, he spent the next six years in study meticism and Occult Philosophy, Fludd and travel on the Continent. This practice soon found interest in the Rosicrucian of travel and study in foreign lands among philosophy. He pursued diligently the cultured Europeans, then and in more re- teachings and doctrines of Paracelsus, cent times, when conditions permit, was which much of his own later ideas par- considered a requisite for education. alleled. There are many circumstances Fludd’s study on the Continent was by which would indicate that Fludd made the no means confined to the furtherance of his acquaintance, while on the Continent, of knowledge of medicine. His pursuits were the celebrated German Rosicrucian Grand diversified and influenced by his interest Master and Hermetic philosopher, Mi- Rosicrucian in natural philosophy. His fascination by chael Maier. Though Maier was but in his Digest the sciences and his conscientious observa- thirties, he was then known for his writ- No. 2 tions and analysis are reflected in his liter- ings on Hermeticism and the Kabbalah. 2013 Page 30 In Maier, Fludd must have found a virtual ment. The liberal views, as set forth in the treasure because of the former’s quest for Fama and in the Confessio, antagonized magic, the secret lore and order behind the the Roman Catholic Hierarchy which phenomena of nature. In young Fludd, thought it saw in them an alliance with Maier found a keen intellect, an uninhib- the Lutherans. There were also those of ited imagination, and a devout love for the vast multitude who were fascinated by esoteric wisdom. Fludd returned to Eng- the proclaimed aims of the Rosicrucians, land and was admitted to the practice of having never heard of the secret movement medicine in 1606. In 1609 he became a previously. There were, too, those indi- member of the College of Physicians. viduals who sought to exploit the public The versatility of Fludd’s talents was interest aroused by the pamphlets in the being expressed in other channels than that Rosy Cross Brotherhood by avowing their of medicine. He became, membership in it. as well, a philosopher, While in England, an anatomist, physicist, Maier renewed his associ- chemist, mathematician, ation with Robert Fludd. and engineer. His literary Historians within the works were numerous and Rosicrucian Order, and brilliant, though often most of those others who ponderous. Some of the had chosen to write its his- principal ones are: Apolo- tory as a literary achieve- gia Compendiaria pro Fra- ment, declare that Maier ternitatem de Rosae Crucis then initiated Fludd into (Leyden 1616); Tractatus its higher degrees. It was Apologeticus Integritatem in 1618 that Maier pub- Societatis de Rosae Cruce lished his Themis Aurea in Defendens (Leyden 1617); Latin, which contained Mosaical Philosophy, Trac- the laws of the Fraternity tatus Theologo-philosophi- of the Rosy Cross. These cus, etc. (1617); a treatise Robert Fludd. were perhaps imparted to in three parts, dedicated to the Rosicrucian Fludd or followed as a result of their pri- fraternity, and Summum Bonum (Frank- vate conclaves. Subsequently, at least, Rob- fort, 1629). In addition, he wrote numer- ert Fludd became a Magus of the Order in ous tracts on Kabbalistic Theosophy and England. He fearlessly let his identity with Rosicrucian doctrines, as well as on faith the Order be known. He even expounded healing. the general objectives of the Order, as its Grand Master Michael Maier visited proselytizer, to his colleagues in the medi- England sometime between 1614 and cal profession in London where he prac- 1620 – the exact date is in dispute. This ticed. He had their respect because he was followed closely the issuance of the famous called “eminent in his medical capacity.” Fama and the later Confessio, the former It must not be inferred from the fore- being the first public announcement of going that Robert Fludd was the first per- the Brotherhood of the Rosy Cross. These son of the Rosicrucian Order to bring it to pamphlets became the focal point of con- the attention of his country people. There siderable controversy. There were those is evidence that the Rosicrucian Order was who, after reading them, immediately known in England before the Fama was is- became hostile to the Rosicrucian move- sued in its original version in about 1614. Page 31 The Order was also known some eleven or son concludes that anyone who so merely twelve years before Michael Maier initiat- vowed himself deserves to be called “a mere ed Fludd into the higher degrees as a Ma- fool.” The costume, then, was not in deri- gus on the occasion of his visit to England. sion of the Order but to signify a fool, one One account relates that, on January who thought himself “A Rosicross” by the 6, 1604, the Queen held a masque ball at mere wearing of a costume and so declar- Whitehall. Inigo Jones, celebrated archi- ing himself. All of this discussion, we re- tect, was commissioned to design the cos- peat, does establish the fact of knowledge tumes for the gentlemen. Over one of the of the Order before either the issuance of sketches Inigo Jones the Fama or Fludd’s initiation by Maier in submitted, he had or about 1615. inscribed the words, Though histori- “A Rosicross.” Thus ans, not within the evidently the Rosi- circle of the Rosicru- crucians were suffi- cian or Masonic Or- ciently well known ders, consider Francis so that a character Bacon’s connection designated “A Rosi- with the Brethren cross” would have of the Rosy Cross a significance.