In the seventeenth century ‘books of secrets’ became increasingly popular. This thesis discusses the origin of the 'books of secrets', their presence in Europe and in the Northern Netherlands...Show moreIn the seventeenth century ‘books of secrets’ became increasingly popular. This thesis discusses the origin of the 'books of secrets', their presence in Europe and in the Northern Netherlands specifically. These books, most popular in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, contain many recipes. Some are leaning more towards early-modern science, while others are clearly connected to magic. The books of secrets that were present in the Netherlands are both translations of works written elsewhere, as works created by Dutch authors.Show less