The Ripley Scroll

The Ripley Scroll is the name given to a mystical alchemical treatise that features a series of verses about the Elixir of Life. The scroll takes its name from George Ripley, a canon at Bridlington Priory in Yorkshire and a skilled alchemist. Ripley had reportedly studied alchemy in Italy and at the University of Louvain, in modern-day Belgium. He subsequently wrote a book on how to make the Philosopher's Stone, known as The Compound of Alchymy. This manuscript is based on Ripley's teachings, and stretches almost six metres in length. It features beautiful illustrations of dragons, toads and a winged bird captioned, ‘The Bird of Hermes is my name, Eating my Wings to make me lame’. At the head of the scroll is a robed, bearded figure holding an alchemical vessel. Inside two figures can be seen lifting up the so-called ‘Book of Philosophy’.

“Very few people have seen the Ripley Scroll in its fullest extent, simply because it is such an enormous document. The manuscript in its entirety is full of symbolism – richly decorated with creatures and motifs that represent the alchemical process.”

Julian Harrison
Lead Curator

‘The ancient study of alchemy is concerned with making the Philosopher's Stone, a legendary substance with astonishing powers. The Stone will transform any metal into pure gold. It also produces the Elixir of Life, which will make the drinker immortal.’

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

THE RIPLEY SCROLL (ENGLAND, 16TH CENTURY)

British Library