---
title: "The Letter Of Roger Bacon Concerning The Marvelous Power Of Art And Nature And The Nullity Of Magic"
chunk: 1/3
source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Letter_Of_Roger_Bacon_Concerning_The_Marvelous_Power_Of_Art_And_Nature_And_The_Nullity_Of_Magic"
category: "reference"
tags: "science, encyclopedia"
date_saved: "2026-05-05T04:28:39.069704+00:00"
instance: "kb-cron"
---

The Letter Of Roger Bacon Concerning The Marvelous Power Of Art And Nature And The Nullity Of Magic (Latin: Epistola fratris Rogerii Baconis de secretis operibus artis et naturae, et de nullitate magiae) is a work on the technical applications of natural phenomena and speculative designs for future mechanisms. According to Simon Singh, it is the first European book that systematically outlines the principles of cryptography. Most scholars attribute the authorship to Franciscan monk Roger Bacon, an English philosopher and natural scientist of the mid-13th century.
The Letter is the concluding work in a series by Roger Bacon aimed at compiling contemporary mathematical, physical, and linguistic knowledge, while establishing clear distinctions between magic, religion, and what later became technical and humanistic sciences. The Letter also includes reflections on the education and moral qualities of the clergy. Some of Bacon's philosophical and theological positions were deemed heretical by the Catholic Church, leading to his imprisonment. However, there is no definitive evidence that the Letter directly contributed to his incarceration.

== History of creation ==

Around 1257, Bacon joined the Franciscan Order, hoping for support in his scientific pursuits. Instead, he faced restrictions from senior members of the order, who, from 1257 to 1267, prohibited him from publishing books due to suspicions of engaging in black arts or witchcraft, as evidenced by Bacon's letters to the Pope, which yielded no results. While in Paris, Bacon sought support from Cardinal Guy de Foulques, requesting financial and ideological backing for his work. The cardinal expressed interest in reviewing Bacon's writings, but at that time, Bacon had no completed works on church or educational reform. No records indicate progress on these works in the following years.
In February 1265, Guy de Foulques became Pope Clement IV, and Bacon renewed his appeal, sending a letter through William Bonecor. On June 22, 1266, Bacon received a response in which the Pope reiterated his request for Bacon's writings and urged him to reveal to us your remedies for the important issues you recently brought to our attention, as quickly and confidentially as possible. The works were to be sent immediately and in secret from the Franciscan Order. The Pope expected Bacon to provide a plan for reforming education and clerical life. Bacon wrote that the Pope was mistaken in thinking the work was already written, adding that nothing worthy of His Holiness had been created, and everything had to begin anew.
Bacon attempted to create a series of books systematizing various fields of knowledge. However, after working on General Mathematics and Laws of Nature, he deemed the project unfeasible and focused on four works: Opus Majus, Opus Secundum, Opus Minus, Opus Tertium, Compendium Studii Philosophiae, and the Letter Of Roger Bacon Concerning The Marvelous Power Of Art And Nature And The Nullity Of Magic (1267). Opinions on the dating of the Letter vary: some researchers, like Colonel Hime, date it to 1248, while others, based on changes in Bacon's philosophical and scientific views in the 1240s–1250s, dismiss this as implausible. A comprehensive source, Biographia Britannica, suggests, based on specific phrases, that most of the work was written in the years leading up to 1267, with the final two chapters added later.
Ultimately, Bacon compiled a collection of works providing a concise overview of various sciences, from the rationale for studying linguistics and mathematics to practical guides for their foundations. The Letter specifically aimed to distinguish low-class magic, as understood at the time, from science. The overarching goal, as envisioned by the Pope, was to elevate the authority of exact sciences among the clergy and encourage their in-depth study in universities and missionary circles.
By the time Bacon completed his work, Clement IV had died, and in 1278, Bacon was arrested by the Franciscan Order's general, Girolamo Masci d'Ascoli (later Pope Nicholas IV), and imprisoned for heresy, specifically for criticizing the clergy's ignorance, accusing Church members of failing to uphold Christian dogmas, and freely interpreting Christian doctrine. Historians estimate his imprisonment lasted between 2 and 14 years. However, American researcher Singer argues that Bacon's works were neither anti-religious nor corrupting to Christian faith, suggesting personal animosity within the Franciscan Order toward Bacon. Scholars note Bacon's fearless critique of the clergy, cardinals, the Pope, Franciscans, Dominicans, and the Vulgate, as well as inaccuracies in the works of Aristotle and Church scholars, which likely earned him many enemies. His interest in alchemy and astrology further discredited his work, delaying recognition of his discoveries until centuries later. The first complete edition of his works appeared in 1897.
According to the English Cyclopaedia, the original text of Bacon's works was significantly altered by Bacon himself after his accusation and arrest.