In 1591 the imperial alchemist Edward Kelley, known as Engellender, was imprisoned in the Chuděrka Tower. Here Rudolf II also put questions to him about alchemical secrets. Kelley attempted an escape, broke his leg and was imprisoned here again. (See Jílové u Prahy.) Jeroným Makovský of Maková, a former chamberlain to Emperor Rudolf II, was also held here. He had been able to hold his office only because he had practised alchemy with William of Rožmberk in 1594. But he engaged in political intrigues and succeeded in removing two influential ministers. In 1603 he was arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment at Křivoklát. According to Dačický, he was not released until 1619, when he allegedly revealed the hiding places of Rudolf II’s treasures at Prague Castle.
Location and map
- Place
- Křivoklát- Hrad
- Municipality / starting point
- Křivoklát
- District / region
- Rakovník
- Country
- Czechia
- Distance and direction
- 13 km SE of Rakovníka (Rakovník)
The link searches for Křivoklát and its surroundings. The sources do not establish the precise point of this legend.
Approximate location · municipality or area search. The distance comes from the sources, not a currently calculated route.
Sources of the original atlas Tajemná místa · page 188
This legend preserves a folk tale. Its motifs do not constitute evidence of supernatural events.