The Physician of a Dying Time

Young Johannes Jessenius started studies and met Johannes Kepler. As a field surgeon he took part in war with Turks. Afterwards, he became professor of surgery and anatomy on Vittemberg University, where he met his wife.

Jessenius came to Prague. He was granted an audience with king Rudolf II. He managed to make the first public autopsy in the town. A body for the autopsy had got from hesitating executioner Mydlář. Jessenius became resident in Prague, and thereafter his wife came also to Prague.

Jessenius became physician in Carolinian University and personal physician of king Rudolf II. The plague stroke the town Prague. His healthy wife had been murdered throughout this time. He treated ill king Rudolf, and after his death, he embalmed him.

Jessenius had been dismissed by the new king Matthias. He spent next winter with woman Flora. After her death, he took care of their common daughter. He became rector of the Carolinian University. After Prague defenestration and outbreak of the Bohemian revolt, he had been appointed as a delegate of revolting side and got into Hungary.

The Jessenius’ mission failed. As the next new king, Frederick V had been elected. After Battle of White Mountain, the Bohemian revolt had been defeated. Jessenius with other 26 noblemen, knights and burgenses was executed on the Old Town Square in Prague by his acquaintance executioner Mydlář. Thirty Years’ War had begun…