Why was alchemy regarded important in the Middle Ages?

The practice of alchemy flourished in ancient civilizations and later, it gained popularity in Europe in the 19th century. The alchemists, people who practiced alchemy, searched for means to transform ordinary metals like lead into gold.

Alchemy flourished in the Middle Ages. This was due to the increasing popularity of gold. Kings, queens and common people desired gold alike. Furnaces were lit in gloomy basements of stone castles and secret experiments were performed with some mysterious liquids. Many alchemists believed that the purity of mind, body and soul was essential to pursue alchemy. They also believed that alchemy could prolong life.

In the Middle Ages, it was believed that a substance called the ‘philosopher’s stone’ could turn other metals into gold. Needless to say, no one ever discovered such a stone, nor did the experiments of the alchemists meet with any success.

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