Robert Fludd

The most important of his publications are Apologia Compendaria, Fradernitatem de Rosea Cruce, suspicmiis es in amice maculis aspersum abluens, (Leyden, 1616,) i.e., A Brief Apology, clearing the Fraternity of the Rosy Cross from the stigma of suspicion and infamy with which they have been aspersed; and Tractatus Apologeticus integritatem Societatis de Rosea Cruce defendens contra Libanium et alios, (Leyden, 1617,) or, A Apologetic Tract defending the purity of the Society of the Rosy Cross from the attacks of Abanius and others. And last, and wildest of all, was his extravagant work on magic, the Kabala, alchemy, and Rosicrucianism, entitled Summum bonum, quod est verum magifi, cabaloe, alchymice, fratrum Rosce Crucis verorum verce subjectum.

Rosicrucianism was perhaps indebted more to Fludd than to any other person for its introduction from Germany into England, and it may have had its influence in moulding the form of Speculative Freemasonry; and a distinguished writer in the London Freemason’s Magazine, (April, 1858) says that “Fludd must be considered as the immediate father of Freemasonry as Andrea was its remote father.”

Nicolai more rationally remarks that Fludd, like Andrea, exerted a considerable and beneficial influence on the manners of his age. His explanation of the Rose Croix is worth quoting. He says that it symbolically signifies the cross dyed with the blood of the Saviour; a Christian idea which was in advance of the original Rosicrucians.

Albert G. Mackey: Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry, 1874

Robert Fludd Chronology (edited from the Huffman text)

1574    January: Born at Milgate House, Bearstead,Kent.
January 17: Baptized in Bearstead Parish Church 

1592    January 25: Mother, Elizabeth Andrews Fludd, dies at Milgate House.
November 10: Enters Saint John College, Oxford.

1596    February 3: Receives B.A. from St. John’s.

1596-98 Studies for M.A. at St. John’s. Writes Treatise on Music.

1598    July 8: Receives M.A. from St John’s, says he is going overseas.

1598-1604 Travels in France, Spain, Italy, and Germany. Tutors Duke of Guisea and his brother.
Writes a treatise on arithmetic, geometry, perspective military arts, art of memory, geomancy, motion and astrology.

1604 or 1605 Enters Christ Church Oxford.

1605    May 16: Receives M.B. and M.D., licensed to practice medicine.
November 8: First exam by college physicians in London to practice medicine there.

1606    February 7: Given Permission to practice medicine.
May 2: Questioned by college about allegations of arrogance concerning supremacy of chemical medicines over Galenical.
July travels to France to confer with colleagues from Italy and France.

1607    May 30: Father, Sir Thomas Fludd, dies at Milgate House.
August 1-October 9-December 22: further examined by college.

1608    March 21: Offends Censors of College Physicians by examination replies. Candidacy for Fellowship in College revoked.
June 25: Readmitted as candidate for Fellowship in College of Physicians.

1609    September 20: Admitted as a Fellow of the College of Physicians of London.
1610    Completes MS., of history of the Macrocosmo. Read by John Seldon, medical colleague of Dr. Richard Andrews and others.

1614    John Seldon praises Fludd’s medical skill in his Titles of Honour Fama Fraternitatis of the Order of the Rosy Cross published in Germany.

1615    Confessio Fraternitatis  R.C. published in Germany. Andreas Libavius attacks the Fraternity in Analysis Confessionis Fraterenitatis De Rosea Cruce.

1616    Fludd replies to Libavius with Apologia Compendiaria an outline for longer work and letter to the fraternity.

1617    The longer defence, Tractatus apologeticus integritatum Societatis de Rosea Cruce defendens, published in Leyden. Also from De Bry press first part of Fludd’s magnum opus: Utriusque cosmi majoris scilicet et minoris metaphysica, physica, atque technica historia.

1618    De Naturae Simia printed by De Bry in Oppenheim. Tractate of the history of the Macrocosmo holders of monopoly patent for steel complain Fludd is making steel. Fludd is elected censor of the college of Physicians. Called before James I., to defend his Apology and Macrocosmo history. Gains King’s favour, writes Declarato Brevis, at suggestion of James I.

1619    Volume II, History of the Macrocosmo published. Fludd writes A Philisophical Key as sequel to Declaratio Brevis. Johans Kepler publishes Harmonices mundi, which attacks Fludd’s Neoplatonic harmonies of the universe.

1620    May 30: King James I., charges Privy Council to consider Fludd’s petition for a patent for making steel.
June 27: Fludd lectures on anatomy at college of Physicians. Privy Council grants Fludd’s petition for steel, after considering its superiority.

1621    Another section of Microcosmo of history published as Tommi secundi tracatus  secundus, dep praeternaturali utriuque mundi historia. Also publishes The Veratatis Proscenium, replies to Kepler’s attack.

1622    Kepler replies to Fludd in his Pro suo opera harmonices mundi apologia.

1623    Anatomia Ampithaeterum, Fludd’s mystical anatomy. Fludd revises harmony theme and last reply to Kepler. Marin Mersanne, the French mechanist attacks Fludd’s philosophy and Science in his Quaestiones celeberiama in Genesim.

1625    Death of King James I. Ascension of Charles I. Viewed a lightning strike site with Mr. Finch and Sir Thomas Thornborough.

1626    Philisophia sacra et vere Christaina seu Meteorologica Cosmica published.

1627    Elected a censor at the college of Physicians. Inspects alum works at the College with William Harvey [physician to Francis Bacon] on the order of the Privy Council.

1629    June 8: Grant by Charles I., to Fludd and heirs of “messuage of lands”. Replies to attacks by Mersenne in Sophie cum moria certamen, bound with it is the Summum Bonum, dealing with Rosicrucians, by Joachum Frizius. First part of Medicina Catholica published by Fitzer.

1630    Pulsus, the second part of the Medicina Catholica is published. First printed work to agree with Harvey’s theory of Blood. Pierre Gassendi published Epistolica.

1631    Third and fourth Parts of the Catholic Medicine published. William Foster attacks Fludd’s views on weapon salve; Fludd replies with Dr. Fludd’s answer unto M. Foster.

1633    Elected a censor to cop. The Clavis Philosophiae et Alchymiae Fluddane; last refutation of Merssene and Gassendi, published.

1634    June 12: sworn in as a brother in the Barber-Surgeons Co. Elected a Censor of cop.

1637    September 8: Dies in London. Burried Bearsted Parish Church. Leaves MS published as Philisophia Moysaica in Gouda 1638, and Mosaicall Philosophy, London 1695.