Osborne Ink

Osborne Ink

Share this post

Osborne Ink
Osborne Ink
How William Lilly Rationalized the Restoration
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
Skeptic Spirit

How William Lilly Rationalized the Restoration

Astrology at the birth of print media

Oct 02, 2023
∙ Paid
1

Share this post

Osborne Ink
Osborne Ink
How William Lilly Rationalized the Restoration
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
1
Share

Like the best frauds, the inventor of modern astrology often started his pitches by calling out his critics and rivals in the art of confidence to make himself seem the more reliable informant. In the opening of his pamphlet on monarchy in 1660, for example, William Lilly warns readers of a “Spirit-Mongring Mountebank-Quack” who “cheated Mr Birt of £100…

Keep reading with a 7-day free trial

Subscribe to Osborne Ink to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Matt Osborne
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share

Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More