A Discovery of Witches spoilers: Series 2 Episode Three

In the present day, Domenico finds a brutalised body in Oxford and suspects a mysterious affliction called blood rage has returned. In 1590, Matthew is forced to beg forgiveness from Father Hubbard for executing Tom Caldwell – the sort of conflict he had hoped to avoid. Diana and Matthew are introduced to John Dee by Mary Sidney and explore his library, hoping to find clues to the whereabouts of the Book of Life.

Dee tells them his scryer Edward Kelley stole a valuable book from him and is now hiding in Bohemia, and Matthew and Diana suspect it must be the Book of Life. Goody Alsop teaches Diana about weaving and knots, and Diana is overwhelmed to discover a new world of magic open up to her. In the present, Em practises higher magic to try and reach Diana’s mother, Rebecca, in order to help her niece get closer to the Book.

Matthew suspects that Kit has betrayed Diana’s identity to Cecil. A cautious Matthew and Diana meet with Queen Elizabeth I, who accuses Matthew of betraying her by marrying Diana. As a test of loyalty, she orders them to bring Edward Kelley home from the clutches of King Rudolf, so that she can claim the Philosopher’s Stone, the secret to eternal life which Kelley had promised. Before they can leave however, Gallowglass arrives with a message from Matthew’s father Philippe – summoning Matthew and Diana to France.