Steganography Vindicated, Unlocked and Illustrated

MOST EMINENT PRINCE,

A large decorative initial letter 'J' featuring a classical serif style, set within a square frame decorated with intricate floral and vine patterns. Johannes Trithemius, formerly Abbot of Sponheim original: "Spanheimensis" of the Order of Saint Benedict in the Diocese of Mainz original: "Moguntinæ", was a man of incomparable genius. Even in his own age, which was most fertile with highly learned men, he was a radiant light of all erudition. Among the countless and admirable volumes that he wrote, he began to compose a certain great and exceedingly difficult work titled Steganographia A title derived from Greek meaning "hidden writing," the foundation of modern cryptography., a marvelous invention intended to be divided into eight books. He continued this work into the third book; however, he veiled these three books under the likeness and principles of magical instructions, using the figures of spirits and incantations original: "conjurationum" and riddles. He did this so effectively that, until now, no one has been found—no one, I say—who has reached his true meaning or penetrated the doctrine handed down in them by any reasoning.

To this was added the fact that his letters to Arnold Bostius, a Carmelite of Ghent, which contained the subject matter and arrangement of this future work, were opened and read by the Prior of the Convent of Ghent. These letters were spread everywhere as if they were a miracle, and in a short space of time, they were published throughout France original: "Galliam" and Germany original: "Alemanniam" before many Princes and most learned men. They were transcribed and read with the greatest admiration by all, held to be a new and unheard-of miracle. Since no one, however learned, was able to understand either the principles or the reasons for those things promised therein, diverse judgments were stirred up in the minds of men. Some proclaimed Trithemius a divine man, others the most learned of men, while some—whose intellect The text cuts off here, following the catchword 'tellectus' to the next page.