Prague Unbound takes us to one of two castles where alchemist and schemer Edward Kelley was once imprisoned…

Located some 18 miles west of Prague, the first stones of Křivoklát Castle were laid in the 13th century by Přemysl Otakar II, who used it primarily as a summer hunting lodge, as did Wenceslas IV, who spent much of his leisure time hunting deer, rams and wild boars. The castle’s first noteworthy use as a prison occurred when a 3-year-old Charles IV was sent there and put under house arrest for his own protection (it was feared if stayed in Prague he’d be kidnapped by Czech nobles). Protestant Bishop Jan Augusta was another famous prisoner, having spent sixteen years in the tower prison beginning in 1548.

But surely its most famous inhabitant was alchemist and schemer Edward Kelley, who was first imprisoned there in May 1591 by Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II for his inability to produce the Philosopher’s Stone that would transmute base metals into gold. Kelley tried to escape by climbing out the tower window using a crudely fashioned rope. Bad idea – the rope snapped, and after a long plummet, so did his leg (you should have seen it – physical comedy worthy of Chaplin). Rudolf II eventually released the alchemist for reasons obscured by history (though ones we know very well), but this pardon was just the beginning of Kelley’s troubles.

(Photo via Miaow Miaow, Wikimedia Creative Commons)