SCOTT, MICHAEL, a
learned person of the thirteenth century, known to the better informed as a
philosopher, and to the illiterate, especially of Scotland, as a wizard, or
magician, was born about the year 1214. The precise locality of his
birthplace is unknown, although that honour has been awarded to Balwearie,
in Fife, but on insufficient authority. Neither is there any thing known of
his parents, nor of their rank in life; but, judging of the education he
received, one of the most liberal and expensive of the times, it may be
presumed that they were of some note.
Scott early betook himself to
the study of the sciences; but, soon exhausting all the information which
his native country afforded in those unlettered times, he repaired to the
university of Oxford, then enjoying a very high reputation, and devoted
himself, with great eagerness and assiduity, to philosophical pursuits,
particularly astronomy and chemistry; in both of which, and in the
acquisition of the Latin and Arabic languages, he attained a singular
proficiency. At this period, astronomy, if it did not assume entirely the
shape of judicial astrology, was yet largely and intimately blended with
that fantastic but not unimpressive science; and chemistry was similarly
affected by the not less absurd and illusive mysteries of alchymy: and hence
arose the imaginary skill and real reputation of Scott as a wizard, or
foreteller of events; as, in proportion to his knowledge of the true
sciences, was his imputed acquaintance with the false.
On completing his studies at
Oxford, he repaired, agreeably to the practice of the times, to the
university of Paris. Here he applied himself with such diligence and success
to the study of mathematics, that he acquired the academic surname of
Michael the Mathematician; but neither his attention nor reputation were
confined to this science alone. He made equal progress, and attained equal
distinction in sacred letters and divinity; his acquirements in the latter
studies being acknowledged, by his having the degree of doctor in theology
conferred upon him.
While in Paris, he resumed,
in the midst of his other academical avocations, the study of that science
on which his popular fame now rests, namely, judicial astrology, and devoted
also a farther portion of his time to chemistry and medicine. Having
possessed himself of all that he could acquire in his particular pursuits in
the French capital, he determined to continue his travels, with the view at
once of instructing and of being instructed. In the execution of this
project, he visited several foreign countries and learned universities; and
amongst the latter, that of the celebrated college at Padua, where he
eminently distinguished himself by his essays on judicial astrology. From
this period, his fame gradually spread abroad, and the reverence with which
his name now began to be associated, was not a little increased by his
predictions, which he, for the first time, now began to publish, and which
were as firmly believed in, and contemplated with as much awe in Italy,
where they were first promulgated, as they were ever at any after period in
Scotland.
From Italy he proceeded to
Spain, taking up his residence in Toledo, whose university was celebrated
for its cultivation of the occult sciences. Here, besides taking an active
part, and making a conspicuous figure in the discussions on these sciences,
he began and concluded a translation, from the Arabic into Latin, of
Aristotle’s nineteen books on the History of Animals. This work procured him
the notice, and subsequently the patronage of Frederick II., who invited him
to his court, and bestowed on him the office of royal astrologer. While
filling this situation, he translated, at the emperor’s desire, the greater
part of the works of Aristotle. He wrote, also, at the royal request, an
original work, entitled "Liber Introductorius sive Indicia Quaestionum," for
the use of young students; and a treatise on physiognomy, entitled "Physiognomia
et de Hominis Procreatione;" besides several other works, of which
one was on the "Opinions of Astrologers."
After a residence of some
years at the court of Frederick, Michael resigned his situation, and betook
himself to the study of medicine as a profession, and soon acquired great
reputation in this art. Before parting with the emperor, with whom he seems
to have lived on a more intimate and familiar footing, than the haughty and
warlike disposition of that prince might have been expected to permit, he
predicted to him the time, place, and manner of his death; and the prophecy
is said to have been exactly fulfilled in every particular. After a
residence of some years in Germany, he came over to England, with the view
of returning to his native country. On the latter kingdom, he was kindly
received and patronized by Edward I.; and, after being retained for some
time at his court, was permitted to pass to Scotland, where he
arrived shortly after the death of Alexander III. That event rendering it
necessary to send ambassadors to Norway, to bring over the young queen,
Margaret, or, as she is more poetically called, the Maid of Norway,
granddaughter of the deceased monarch, Michael Scott, now styled Sir
Michael, although we have no account either of the time or occasion of his
being elevated to this dignity, was appointed, with Sir David Weems, to
proceed on this important mission, a proof that his reputation as a wizard
had not affected his moral respectability. With this last circumstance, the
veritable history of Sir Michael terminates; for his name does not again
appear in connexion with any public event, nor is there any thing known of
his subsequent life. He died in the year 1292, at an advanced age, and was
buried, according to some authorities, at Holme Coltrame, in Cumberland;
and, according to others, in Melrose abbey.
Although, however, all the
principal authenticated incidents in the life of Sir Michael which are
known, are comprehended in this brief sketch, it would take volumes to
contain all that is told, and to this hour believed, by the peasantry of
Scotland, of the terrible necromancer, auld Michael. For some curious
specimens of the traditional character of the great magician of other days,
the reader may be referred to the notes appended to the "Lay of the Last
Minstrel," by the still greater magician of modern times. He will there
learn, how Sir Michael, on one occasion, rode through the air to France on a
huge black horse; how the devil made an unsuccessful attempt to entrap him
by the way; how, on another occasion, when
Maister Michael Scott’s man,
Sought meat, and gat none,
from a niggardly farmer, he
threw down a bonnet which his master had previously enchanted, and which,
becoming suddenly inflated, began to spin round the house with supernatural
speed, and drew, by its magical influence, the whole household after it,
man, maid, and mistress, who all continued the goblin chase, until they were
worn out with fatigue. It may not, perhaps, be unnecessary to add, that all
these cantrips, and a thousand more, were performed by the agency of
a "mightly book" of necromancy, which no man, but on peril of soul and body,
might open, or peruse, and which was at last buried with its tremendous
owner. |