WHETHER observing the world of newts in his wildlife pond or questioning man?s place in the cosmos Peter Marshall is keen to probe the philosophical boundaries. A quietly spoken man with an infectious enthusiasm for the liberation and celebration of original thought he found, as an author, a winning project in the story of Rudolf ll. An intriguing mix of philosopher, historian, biographer and travel writer Peter harnesses these diverse interests to bring about a laser-like focus on his chosen subject. It is these skills that vibrantly unveil the life of 17th century Prague ? at that time the epicentre of cultural and scientific revolution under the patronage of Rudolf ll. ?The Theatre of the World ?Alchemy, Astrology and Magic in Renaissance Prague? (Harvill Secker hardback £17.99) is a fascinating evocation of the brilliance and paradoxes of Rudolf?s court. What, in the wrong hands may be a tedious tome becomes, with Peter?s deft touch, a read as enthralling as any thriller. His enthusiasm is the key ? unlocking the past and bringing it to life in a rivetting and accessible way. In an illuminating age between medieval and modern Prague was at the cutting edge of new with Rudolf ll boldly spearheading this era of enlightenment. ?The book is about the cultural revolution that took place in Prague and the late renaissance that was presided over by Rudolf ll who was the Holy Emperor and part of the Hapsburg dynasty. ?Because of his passion for knowledge he gathered this galaxy of the most brilliant minds of the age,? said Peter. He is widely travelled yet his base for the past five years has been a secluded house in the Tamar Valley ? the approaching lane currently verdant with the unfurling fronds of ferns and coloured with the red, white and blue of campions, stitchwort and bluebells. One senses he uses this small patch of sylvan quietude to make sense of the larger world through his writing and research. ?The Prague of Rudolf ll was a terrific period where alchemy was transferring to chemistry and astrology into astronomy. He is the catalyst that made this happen. He laid the foundation of modern scientific revolution and also enabled the last flowering of renaissance art.? Peter cleverly parallels the evolving revolution with the increasingly precarious plight of its patron. ?He was one of the wealthiest and most powerful men on earth who abandoned it all to try and understand the riddle of existence and the essence of nature.? Rudolf ll was thought of as the ?doomed dreamer? who had abandoned his religious and imperial duties for the pursuit of knowledge ? a forbidden knowledge as far as the Vatican was concerned. Peter visited the history laden Prague many times in the course of researching for the book: ?Often when you turned a corner you expected to see the tail coats of some alchemist disapearing around another corner . . .? He likens the world of Rudolf ll?s Prague, with its potential for intrigue and discovery, to turning a key and entering a castle of knowledge. ?There are deep dungeons of esoteric ideas and towers of the imagination. There are paths to caves and passageways to the light. It was a bit hit or miss.? But while there was an inspirational growth of ideas there was also lot of resistance to the new thinking that was bubbling out of Prague like some potent gases in an alchemist?s beaker. ?People who believed the sun was at the centre of our universe were thought deeply heretical by the Vatican. They held to the dogma that the the earth was the centre of the universe created by God for man. But people who had made careful observation of the planets said the earth was going around the sun . . .? But Peter points out it was only ?maverick scientists? ? who often argued against an established tide of opinion ? that had the capacity to create great shifts in the model, geniuses such as Einstein. ?People who are ready to think the unthinkable are good. There is a parameter in thought that people work with. And if they go out on a limb they are often derided ? but they can be the catalyst for a new view,? said Peter. ?Rudolf ll lived in a glittering world of folly and wisdom. Like Faust he was prepared to sell his soul for absolute knowledge.? Peter said Rudolf ll was consumed with the thought of the Philosopher?s Stone. Some alchemists did make some major discoveries. ?There was an element of smoke and mirrors but at the same time it did real work in making discoveries. ?They sought to prolong life indefinitely and transfer metal to gold. It was always a case of trying to to unveil and penetrate to the essence of nature so there was a philosophical and spiritual nature to it. It was an incredible age.? l Peter Marshall will be signing copies of his book ?The Theatre of the World? at Bookstop in Market Street, Tavistock on Tuesday (May 23) at 11am.
