2. Communion of Saints

This chapter covers eventful the period 1628 to 1642 which in Britain marked a drift into civil war. Hartlib settled in London, where he remained for the rest of his life. Through his role as the source of a wide variety of intelligence, ranging from international affairs to economic and technical matters, he rapidly moved into the centre of affairs, securing the friendship and patronage of aspiring politicians, leaders of religious opinion and powerful members of the nobility. His tireless curiosity soon led to his communication with Comenius, the Czech polymath and celebrity in the fields of linguistics and education. Hartlib became one of the main correspondents of Comenius. The closeness of their friendship soon prompted Comenius to consider settling in London. The famous Comenius visit came about, but it extended only from October 1641 until June 1642. Owing to the tribulations of the times, it proved impossible to organise a settled basis of support for the distinguished visitor, or for the application of his revolutionary educational programme. For a short time Hartlib sank into the doldrums and suffered the loss of protégés such as the technical and agricultural innovator Gabriel Plattes, or various patrons, the most important of whom was the leading politician John Pym. Hartlib’s fortunes changed decisively for the better as other patrons and friends moved into important positions in the new political ascendancy.