The Alchemical Patronage of Sir William Cecil, Lord Burghley

perform alchemy. Rather, Waad believed that he ―intends to offer the Queen a sum of
money to let him off his first bargain‖. 42
Not willing to lose de Lannoy, Cecil ordered him detained in Somerset House,
much to the alchemist‘s chagrin. 43 De Lannoy wrote to Cecil ―overwhelmed with grief that
their great and glorious design should have fallen into such grave suspicion‖ and promised
not to engage in any further communication with Princess Cecilia. 44 De Lannoy soon broke
his promise. Due to her increasingly dire financial situation, Cecilia entreated him to lend
to her £3,000—equal to only half her debts—and pledged her dowry for a further payment
of £10,000. 45 Promising the money by May, de Lannoy finalised his escape plans, telling
Cecilia ―that he has undertaken in earnest the matter known to her‖. 46
Waad, whose spies informed him of de Lannoy‘s plans, knew that de Lannoy
planned an escape to Middelburg ―where orders geven for an howse fytt for his perpose
from when he will satisfie the Quenes majesty and the lady Cecilia.‖ 47 Waad also accused
de Lannoy of having lied ―to her majestie at her being with him at Somersett place‖. 48 That
the Queen would consult with the alchemist gives some indication of the project‘s
importance. It is also significant that rather than having given up on de Lannoy‘s
alchemical promises, Waad believed that he had already created the alchemical elixir, and
planned to take it with him. Indeed, Waad argued that if de Lannoy was caught during his
escape ―the apprehension of him in thissort wilbe greatly advantageous for her majesty ffor
that with one lab[ou]r her majesty shall come by the art and the thing it selph[the elixir]‖. 49
It is unclear if Cecil agreed with Waad‘s plan, but the potential of de Lannoy‘s
escape clearly concerned him. A letter from Waad to Cecil dated 28 May detailed hurried
plans to ―putt back all other boats that may happen to resort hither for any ill purpose
42 Ibid.
43 Cornelius de Lannoy to Cecil, 17 February 1566 in Scargill (ed.), CMS, Vol. 1, p. 327.
44 Ibid.
45 Princess Cecilia to Cornelius de Lannoy, 2 March 1566 in Scargill (ed.), CMS, Vol. 1, p. 330.
46 Cornelius de Lannoy to Dr. Olaf, 14 March 1566 in Scargill (ed.), CMS, Vol. 1, p. 331.
47 Armigil Waad to Cecil, 7 March 1566, TNA, SP 12/39/39.
48 Ibid.
49 Ibid.
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