This book could not have been written without the facilities, inspiration and access to original documentation, books, incunabla and manuscripts provided by the Bibliotheca Philosophica Hermetica (J.R. Ritman Library, Amsterdam).
For a thorough understanding of the original creators of the Rose-Cross mythology, I am indebted to Dr Carlos Gilly of Basle. For a series of sparkling interviews on so many aspects of the gnostic tradition, I am indebted to Professors Hans Jonas, Gilles Quispel, Elaine Pagels, R.Mc. Lachlan Wilson and Dr. Kathleen Raine. The conversation and encouragement of the late Jean Gimpel has been invaluable in understanding the practical achievements of the Middle Ages.
Gratitude is due to the kindly and attentive staff of the Lichfield Record Office and the Stafford Record Office.
Maureen Archer is responsible for tireless labour, above and beyond the call of duty, on the typesetting.
I also want to thank Dr Christopher McIntosh, Columba Powell, Matthew Scanlan, Julian Jones, Sarah Miller, Victor and Patricia Churton (my parents), and Joanna (née) Edwards - who arrived in the (old) nick of time - for your love and patience.
The book is dedicated to the memory of Professor Jan Arvid Hellström, the late bishop of Växjö, Sweden, who first brought me to the Theology Faculty of Uppsala University to lecture on Gnosticism in 1990, so launching a collaboration cut cruelly short by his death in a car accident in 1994. We spoke often of a new thing - or really, a very old thing, that seemed new. We called it ‘Stone Theology’. “He who trips on the stone shall be broken, but he on whom the stone falls shall be winnowed.” I shall carry on, Jan Arvid.
This book is also dedicated to my darling wife, Joanna, and to our daughter, Mérovée Sophia, who, I hope, will read it, one day.