John Dee the renaissance scholar and scientist, came to Mortlake in 1566 and lived in a house opposite St. Mary’s Church in Mortlake. He was a favourite of Queen Elizabeth I, whether for his scientific or his occult knowledge is in dispute. It is known that she visited him in Mortlake en route to Richmond Palace on the death of his mother.

Dee led a remarkable life, regarded as a brilliant scholar, but also gullible in respect of his beliefs in angels and demons. He is said to have owned the largest library in England. Sadly on his death many books were removed, allegedly by those who knew their worth. He was a noted cartographer and coined the term British Empire. Items owned by him are in the British Museum and the Science Museum.

His estate was purchased to set up the Tapestry Works in 1619. The Queen’s Head was built on land bought after the closure of the Tapestry Works in 1704.

Many will be familiar with the Rest is History podcast series. They have recently broadcast an episode on John Dee, which has an hour’s worth of detail. Perhaps surprisingly there is no mention of the Mortlake Tapestries, though the foundation of the works came after his death.

https://therestishistory.com/episodes/

542. Elizabeth I’s Sorcerer: Angels and Demons in Renaissance Europe