Michael Scott – Fascinating Wizard Who Tutored The Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II

Jan Bartek – AncientPages.com – What can a Holy Emperor and a wizard have possibly in common? It may sound implausible that a magician tutored a Pope, but history tells an intriguing story revealing that the Catholic Church was not always an enemy of occult practices.

The Wizard by Edward Burne-Jones (1833–1898). Credit: Public Domain

Everyone is familiar with Nostradamus, but there were many prophets in Europe.  In Scotland alone, there were quite a few who had a talent for seeing the future. Brahan Seer, who lived in the 17th century, was Scotland's most famous prophet.

"Lailoken is portrayed as a mad prophet who lives in the woods. He is said to be a wild man and seer who spent his time in the Caledonian Forest, Scotland in the late 6th century." ¹

Some speculate that Lailoken was no other than the real Merlin!

Michael Scott is today largely forgotten, and many may never have heard of him, but more than 800 years ago he was a respected and admired man who became a legend during his lifetime. His influence stretched even beyond his death.

Michael Scott Was A Man Of Science Who Loved The Occult

Born in 1175 in (most likely) Scotland, Michael Scott gained a reputation as one of the most intelligent Medieval men in Europe. Long after his death, the authors kept repeating his life story, but they highlighted his interest in the occult, which sometimes gave him a bad reputation.

Scott was much more than just a wizard who was famous for his prophecies. He was a man of science who studied mathematics, philosophy, and theology at Oxford University.

While traveling through Europe, he was quickly recognized as a bright brain who mastered languages and became a translator. Yet, Scott was a curious individual and wanted to learn as much as possible about almost anything. He was fascinated with the occult and became a vivid alchemy, astrology, and sorcery student.

When Frederick II, the Holy Roman Emperor, heard about Scott, he hurried and asked the Scottish wizard to become his astrologer. Apparently, Scott had a talent for prophecy and could foretell the outcome of an ongoing or planned war.

The Court of Emperor Frederick II in Palermo by Arthur von Ramberg (1819–1875). Credit: Public Domain

Frederick II (1194 - 1250) was raised and lived most of his life in Sicily. He had his court in Palermo, and in search of knowledge, he surrounded himself with some of the greatest thinkers he could come across. When Scott accurately predicted the outcome of a war with the Lombard League, a northern Italian alliance, he gained the Holy Emperor's trust and respect. Scott's prophecies were not based on "magic" but astronomical observations. He also possessed knowledge of medicine and managed to cure Frederick II on a couple of occasions.

 Michael Scott's Supernatural Powers

After the death of Frederick II, Scott returned to England, where he enjoyed the favor of King Henry III and his successor, the first Edward.

It's unknown when and where Michael Scott died, and some say he passed away either in Italy or Spain. His burial place has never been located, but some scholars argue he was buried in the Abbey of Melrose.

Scott was mentioned by several famous authors, like Dante Alighieri and Sir Walter Scott.

A view of the interior of the ruined Melrose Abbey, Scotland. Some think Scott was buried here. Credit: Roger Griffith, Public Domain

 "The picture of Michael Scott presented in Sir Walter's pages may be regarded as sketched from the popular contemporary notion of his character. His legendary fame as a magician and wonder-worker was widely diffused, and there are numberless allusions in the lighter writers of the fifteenth century to his magical arts and marvelous performances.

One of the least questionable of his powers – that of passing and causing others to pass through space at will – is referred to by the Monk of Melrose, whom the wizard, when in his last hour, summoned from Spain to his death bed, and carried over half Europe in a single day." ²

Michael Scott lived an adventurous life, met interesting people, gained respect as one of the greatest minds of his time, and has gone to the history books as an authentic yet forgotten legend.

Updated on November 17, 2021

Written by Jan Bartek - AncientPages.com Staff Writer

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