In 1573, alchemist Anna Zieglerin presented the Duke of Braunschweig-Wolfenbüttel with a recipe for a remarkable substance known as lion's blood, which she claimed could stimulate plant growth, create gemstones, and transform lead into the philosophers' stone, playing a vital role in the Last Days. Envisioning herself as a Protestant Virgin Mary, Anna believed that lion's blood, combined with her own body, could repopulate and redeem a corrupt world. Tara Nummedal explores Anna's extraordinary career and her historical legacy as an alchemist, courtier, and prophet, placing her story within the context of Reformation Germany's religious, political, and military struggles, the rise of alchemy, apocalyptic beliefs, and women's roles. Alongside her husband, jester Heinrich Schombach, and fellow alchemist Philipp Sommering, Anna offered patrons spiritual salvation and material gain. However, her vision also harbored darker implications, as her alchemical pursuits led to war, disgrace, and destruction. By 1575, just three years after her arrival at court, Anna was transformed from a revered alchemist into a figure of suspicion, resulting in her arrest, torture, and public execution. Nummedal's narrative interweaves the history of science, gender, religion, and politics, illustrating how Anna's resourceful schemes engaged with significant issues of her time.
