18th century illustration to 3rd key, in Duodecim Claves

Basilius Valentinus, also known under his Anglisized name of Basil Valentine was a 15th-century alchemist. He was the Canon of the Benedictine Priory of Sankt Peter in Erfurt, Germany. As even his name cannot be corroborated, during the 18th century suggested to be Johann Thölde, also his year of birth 1394 in Mayence is uncertain. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (849x653, 215 KB) Summary print from the Twelve Keys of Basilius Valentinus. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (849x653, 215 KB) Summary print from the Twelve Keys of Basilius Valentinus. ... As a means of recording the passage of time, the 15th century was that century which lasted from 1400 to 1499. ... Alchemy is an early protoscientific practice combining elements of chemistry, physics, astrology, art, semiotics, metallurgy, medicine, and mysticism. ... Look up canon in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... ... A priory is an ecclesiastical circumscription run by a prior. ... Map of Germany showing Erfurt Mariendom and the Severikirche Erfurt [ˈɛrfÊŠrt] is a city in central Germany. ...

He showed that ammonia could be obtained by the action of alkalies on sal-ammoniac, and how hydrochloric acid could be produced from acidizing brine. Ammonia is a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen with the formula NH3. ... For the battery, see alkaline battery The word alkali can mean:- In chemistry, an alkali is a specific type of base, formed as a carbonate, hydroxide or other ionic salt of an alkali metal or alkali earth metal element. ... Sal ammoniac is a rare mineral composed of ammonium chloride, NH4Cl. ... The chemical substance hydrochloric acid is the aqueous (water-based) solution of hydrogen chloride (HCl) gas. ... Brine is water saturated or nearly saturated with salt. ...

Bibliography

Basilius Valentinus wrote dozens important publication on alchemy in Latin and German. They have been translated in all West European languages, including English, French, and others. Latin is an ancient Indo-European language originally spoken in the region around Rome called Latium. ...

Most famous works (in Latin)

• Currus Triumphalis Antimonii (The triumphal chariot of antimony)
• Duodecim Claves (The twelve keys)

Many other works (in Latin and German)

• Porta sophica
• The Medicine of Metals
• Of things natural and supernatural
• Of the first tincture, root and spirit of metals
• Of the great secrecy of the world, and its medicin
• Libri quattuor de particularibus septem planetarum (Of the supremacy of the seven planets)
• Experimenta chymica
• Practica
• Compendium veritatis philosophicum (German)
• Last will and testament

External links

• Description of Valentinus and transcription of The Twelve Keys
• Transcription of Triumphal Chariot of Antimony
• Transcription of Of the supremacy of the seven planets (German)
• Transcription of Last will and testament