Tractatus de Nigromantia: The Chetham Library Grimoire
The Tractatus de Nigromantia, attributed to Roger Bacon and penned by Frater Robert Lombard (likely in the 16th century), is a significant occult manuscript held at Chetham’s Library in Manchester (MS Mun.A.4.98). This "magical textbook" serves as a bridge between the high medieval Latin tradition and the vernacular ritual magic of the English Renaissance.
Structure and Key Contents
Spanning approximately 150 pages, the manuscript is a practical manual of ceremonial magic. It reflects the complex spiritual landscape of the 1500s, where religion and sorcery often overlapped:
The Pseudo-Baconian Tradition: The first half is derived from the De Nigromancia, a Latin text falsely credited to the 13th-century Franciscan friar Roger Bacon. During the Renaissance, Bacon was legendary not just as a scientist, but as a master sorcerer. This section contains detailed, grim instructions for necromancy, the art of conjuring the spirits of the dead—and commanding demonic entities.
Fairy Magic and Treasure Hunting: The manuscript shifts into more "local" English traditions, featuring experiments such as the Seven Sisters and the Operation of Micob. These rituals focused on communicating with fairy royalty or elemental spirits to find hidden gold, obtain secret knowledge, or influence the physical world.
Visual and Esoteric Elements
The MS Mun.A.4.98 is particularly notable for its illustrative quality:
Mystical Diagrams: It contains numerous hand-colored circles and complex geometric seals designed to serve as psychic protection for the practitioner.
Magical Alphabets: The text includes various esoteric scripts and lists of "Names of Power," which were believed to be essential for the efficacy of the conjurations.
Ritual Formulas: A dense collection of prayers, exorcisms, and invocations written in a mix of Latin and English, showcasing the bilingual nature of occult scholarship at the time.
Entirely handbound with an aged effect.
Number of pages: 150
Language: LATIN
Binding: Hardcover, full leather
Size: 13 × 17 cm
ENGLISH: IMPORTANT - DELIVERY TIMES
The books are all handmade: printed, trimmed, sewn, and positioned in the press for the first impression. The paper protrusions at the margins are hand trimmed and leveled. The head and foot are sewn with the "capitellum" and finally the cover is prepared. After this, if provided, the paper and cover are aged by hand with special colors. Once the book is finished, it is left to "rest" for at least half a day, packaged, and shipped. In short, it takes time...! :)
To obtain a well-made book, it takes time, sometimes several days of work, but you must take into account that when you place an order, there are several orders in the production queue before you, and this number is variable. That's whywe always estimate a variable delivery period that can range from 4 up to a maximum of 8 weeks to make your order and ship it.But we can say that the 8 weeks are reached during peak demand periods, between November and December, sometimes between June and July.
We usually close for 20 days in August (in Italy the temperatures make life and work impossible!) and usually between December 20 and January 7.
That's why if you have special needs (birthday gifts, Christmas, etc.), please contact us before placing your order to get an estimate on delivery!
FRANÇAIS: IMPORTANT - DÉLAIS DE LIVRAISON
Les livres sont tous fabriqués à la main: imprimés, rognés, cousus, et positionnés dans la presse pour la première impression. Les protubérances de papier aux marges sont rognées à la main et nivelées. La tête et le pied sont cousus avec le "capitellum" et enfin la couverture est préparée. Après cela, si prévu, le papier et la couverture sont vieillis à la main avec des couleurs spéciales. Une fois le livre terminé, il est laissé à "reposer" pendant au moins une demi-journée, emballé et expédié. En bref, cela prend du temps...! :)
Pour obtenir un livre bien fait, cela prend du temps, parfois plusieurs jours de travail, mais vous devez prendre en compte que lorsque vous passez une commande, il y a plusieurs commandes dans la file d'attente de production avant vous, et ce nombre est variable.C'est pourquoi nous estimons toujours une période de livraison variable pouvant aller de 4 jusqu'à un maximum de 8 semaines pour remplir votre commande et l'expédier.Mais nous pouvons dire que les 8 semaines sont atteintes pendant les périodes de forte demande, entre novembre et décembre, parfois entre juin et juillet.
Nous fermons habituellement pendant 20 jours en août (en Italie, les températures rendent la vie et le travail impossibles!) et habituellement entre le 20 décembre et le 7 janvier.
C'est pourquoi si vous avez des besoins spéciaux (cadeaux d'anniversaire, de Noël, etc.), veuillez nous contacter avant de passer votre commande pour obtenir une estimation de la livraison !
