Book of spells

People often remark that the Library reminds them of a scene from Harry Potter, and this week’s treasure is straight out of the mysterious world of sixteenth-century magic and wizardry.

The Tractatus de nigromatia is a manuscript book of spells, invocations and exorcisms – exactly the sort of thing that John Dee might have had in his collection when he was warden here at the college, conjuring up the devil in the Audit Room on dark nights.

To find out more, visit the 101 Treasures page.