ALCHEMY IN THE MIDDLE AGES - Medieval alchemists approached their craft with a holistic attitude; they believed that purity of mind, body, and spirit was necessary to pursue the alchemical quest successfully. At the heart of medieval alchemy was the idea that all matter was composed of four elements: earth, air, fire, and water. With the right combination of elements, it was theorized, any substance on earth might be formed. This included precious metals as well as elixirs to cure disease and prolong life. Alchemists believed that the "transmutation" of one substance into another was possible; thus we have the cliché of medieval alchemists seeking to "turn lead into gold."

....................................................................................

Alchemy in the Middle Ages

by Melissa Snell 

Alchemy in the Middle Ages was a mixture of science, philosophy, and mysticism.

Far from operating within the modern definition of a scientific discipline, medieval alchemists approached their craft with a holistic attitude; they believed that purity of mind, body, and spirit was necessary to pursue the alchemical quest successfully.

At the heart of medieval alchemy was the idea that all matter was composed of four elements: earth, air, fire, and water.

With the right combination of elements, it was theorized, any substance on earth might be formed.

This included precious metals as well as elixirs to cure disease and prolong life.

Alchemists believed that the "transmutation" of one substance into another was possible; thus we have the cliché of medieval alchemists seeking to "turn lead into gold."

Medieval alchemy was just as much art as science, and practitioners preserved their secrets with an obfuscating system of symbols and mysterious names for the materials they studied.

Origins and History of Alchemy

Alchemy originated in ancient times, evolving independently in China, India, and Greece.

In all these areas the practice ultimately degenerated into superstition, but it migrated to Egypt and survived as a scholarly discipline.

In medieval Europe, it was revived when 12th-century scholars translated Arabic works into Latin. The rediscovered writings of Aristotle also played a role.

By the end of the 13th century, it was discussed seriously by leading philosophers, scientists, and theologians.

The Goals of Medieval Alchemists

·      To discover the relationship of man to the cosmos and take advantage of that relationship to the betterment of mankind.

·      To find the "philosopher's stone," an elusive substance that was believed to make possible the creation of an elixir of immortality and the transmutation of common substances into gold.

·      In the later Middle Ages, to use alchemy as a tool in the advancement of medicine (as Paracelsus did).

Achievements of Alchemists in the Middle Ages

·      Medieval alchemists produced hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, potash, and sodium carbonate.

·      They were able to identify the elements arsenic, antimony, and bismuth.

·      Through their experiments, medieval alchemists invented and developed laboratory devices and procedures that are, in modified form, still used today.

·      The practice of alchemy laid the foundation for the development of chemistry as a scientific discipline.

Disreputable Associations of Alchemy

·      Due to its pre-Christian origins and the secrecy in which its practitioners carried out their studies, alchemy was viewed by the Catholic Church with suspicion and ultimately condemned.

·      Alchemy was never taught in Universities but was instead transmitted from teacher to apprentice or student clandestinely.

·      Alchemy attracted followers of the occult, with which it is still associated today.

·      There was no shortage of charlatans who used the trappings of alchemy to defraud.

Notable Medieval Alchemists

·      Thomas Aquinas was an eminent theologian who was permitted to study alchemy before it was condemned by the Church.

·      Roger Bacon was the first European to describe the process for making gunpowder.

·      Paracelsus used his understanding of chemical processes to advance the science of medicine.

Melissa Snell

·   A historical researcher with a focus on the Middle Ages and the Renaissance 

·   Freelance writer for more than 20 years

·   Wrote the Foreword to The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Crusades (Alpha, 2001)

Experience

Melissa Snell is a former writer for ThoughtCo who contributed articles on the Middle Ages and the Renaissance for more than 12 years. Melissa wrote more than just insightful articles about the Medieval and Renaissance periods she offered news about discoveries and links to resources. Many students refer to her writing as for coursework references, as well as period reenactor and gamers looking for insight into the period.

Melissa is an expert on the timeframe. She wrote the foreword for The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Crusades (Alpha 2001). Her career as an independent researcher and writer spans more than two decades. Websites such as SmithsonianMag.com, Medievalist.net, BestOfLegends.org, TenthMedieval.Wordpress.com, Yahoo Answers, and other niche sites reference her research and writing. 

Education

Melissa Snell holds a bachelor's degree in history from the University of Texas at Austin.

 Awards and Publications

·   Wrote the foreword for The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Crusades (Alpha 2001) 

ThoughtCo and Dotdash

ThoughtCo is a premier reference site focusing on expert-created education content. We are one of the top-10 information sites in the world as rated by comScore, a leading Internet measurement company. Every month, more than 13 million readers seek answers to their questions on ThoughtCo.

For more than 20 years, Dotdash brands have been helping people find answers, solve problems, and get inspired. We are one of the top-20 largest content publishers on the Internet according to comScore, and reach more than 30% of the U.S. population monthly. Our brands collectively have won more than 20 industry awards in the last year alone, and recently Dotdash was named Publisher of the Year by Digiday, a leading industry publication.

https://www.thoughtco.com/alchemy-in-the-middle-ages-1788253