Thieves and perjured persons blind if it touch their Eyes And in Ireland there is a Lake into which if you put a pole or stake what 's above water will continue wood what in the water will be stone what still in the ground will be converted to Iron Polycronicon fol. 14 17 19 20 29 30 36. In the first year of Decius the Emperor in the year of our Lord two hundred fifty four the seven sleepers began to sleep in the mount Caelius and so slept two hundred years and rose about the last of Theodosius and were known to sleep to long by the old monies they had about them Polycronicon f. 67. Pope Leo the sixth when a Woman on Christmas day kissed his hand he was assaulted with temptation to uncleanness he thereupon cut off his hand and had iâ— again by miracle restored Id. f. 180. Cunebertus King of Lombardy consulting with one of his Secretaries how he might kill his Knight Aldo was troubled with the humming of a great Fly whose foot he cut off with a Knife Aldo suspecting nothing coming to Court was met by a halting man who said Beware Aldo if thou come to Court the King will kill thee Whereupon he fled to Saint Romans Church and took Sactuary and when the King asked him why he did so Aldo told him that he was warned by a halting man that he would kill him The King perceived it was an Evil Spirit whose foot he had cut off in the shape of a Fly and recovered Aldo to grace Id. fol. 216. Of Adhelme Bishop of Sherbone it is written that when he was tempted in his flesh he took upon him this Martyrdom that he would hold with him in his bed a fair Maid as long as he was saying the Psalter from the beginning to the end The same Adhelme having said Mass at Rome he put back his Chesible supposing his Servant had been there to have took it and the Sun-beams held it up from falling And baptizing a Child that was Fathered on Pope Sergius he demanded of the Child which was but nine dayes old if Sergius had begotten him and the Child answered that the Pope was Innocent Id. f. 213. Charles the Son of Pipin King of France having seized on much of the Churches possâ—ssions after his death an Angel shewed Eucherius Bishop of Orleance how for so doing he was tormented body and Soul in Hell then by the warning of Eucherius the Abbot of Saint Denis and Pipinas his Priest went to Charles his grave and turned off the â—tone and saw a great Dragon fly out of the grave but there was no body found Id. f. 215. When the Pope had commanded St. Bennets body to be restored to the Mount Cassin the Monks of Florence wept and fastâ—d and prayed that the body might abide with them and their prayers were heard so that the messengers that were sent for it were stricken stark blind Polycron f. 218. One Gingulphus of Burgogne left his Wife because of her spouse-breach and was afterwards slain by the Clarke that kept her When he was dead many miracles were done by him but his wife spake evil of those miracles and said When Gingulphus my husband doth miracles my Arse shall sing and so afterwards as often as she spake her lower end would sing with a foul noise Id. ibid. Wâ—en Rollo the Dane besieged Cornutum a City in Italy the Citizens trusted not in their Walls nor in their strength but they took our Ladies Smock that Charles the bald had brought with other reliques from Constantinople and set this Smock upon a Pinnacle as if it were a banner the Enemies made game and shot at it and were immediately smitten with blindness and the City thereby delivered Id. f. 228. Fifteen men and three women led a Dance in St. Magnus Church-yard at Christmas night the Priest offended at them though his daughter was one of the Company prayed that they might continue so doing for twelve months and accordingly they did without meat or drink or rest Id. f. 247. When William the Conqueror would have deprived Wulstan of his Bishoprick of VVorcester to have placed in a Norman VVulstan took his pastoral and pitcht it in the hard stone at St. Edward the Kings feet that lay there in his grave that none but himself could take it out saying A better man than thou art tooke it to mee and I take it to him again Take it away now if thou canst Id. f. 273. Geoffrey Plantagenet Earl of Anjow Father to Henry fitz Empress King of England came of the Children of a Countess that was married only for fairness of body She would seldome come to church and then would not stay the Mystery of the Mass which her Husband taking notice of appointed four Knights to hold her in the Church whereupon she threw of the mantle they held her by and left two sons that were under the right-side of the mantle and with two other Sons that were under the left-side flew out of the church window and was never seen more Polycron p. 294. Columbus having knowledg in Astronomy and being in a strait for want of victuals together wi h his whole army and foreseeing an Eclipse of the moon within few dayes to happen threatned the Indians he would send infinite plagues amongst them if they did not speedily â—câ—â—re them in token whereof they should at such a time see the moons light taken from them which they at first slighted but when they saw that the moon began to be darkned and grow so more and more and being ignorant of the Cause thereof they not only sent them supplies of victuals but threw themselves at Columbus feet and asked forgiveness Rowland Judicial Astrol p. 48. One being told by a Scholar that he should have his brains beaten out was hereupon so wary of himself that he would not lye in a House for fear the Roof should fall upon his head resolving to lye in a Tent. But that resolution lasted not long for he durst not trust himself there for fear the cross Pales should fall on his head Then he resolved to lye under some Tree but then he doubted lest in a windy night the Tree should fall on him He durst not go into a Town lest the Tyles should crack his crown so that whatsoever place he went into he was fearful of himself at last walking in the heat and putting off his Hat having a bald head a Bird with a Shell-fish in â—is claws let it fall and so beat out his brains Id. p. 189. 'T is put upon Chrysostome that he affirmes that in the East in a City called Seth near the Ocean there was a Society of men Twelve in number Students in Astrology who learning out of Balaams prophecy Numb 24.17 That a Star was to appear gave themselves from year to year to observe the Heavens and to wait for its appearance and for continuation of that observation did at the death of any of the
it was to Crown the Scottish King in her Brothers absence had stolen from her Husband with all his light Horses to set the Crown on Bruces head being taken by Edward the second was set in a wooden Cage made Crown-wise on the Walls of Barwick Castle for all to wonder at 561. The Scots at Bancksborn obtained a famous Victory over the English under Edward the second by this stratagem Before their Battalions they digged certain Trenches three foot deep and three foot broad which having fixed sharp stakes in them with their points upwards they covered so with hurdles that foot men treading warily might pass but not Horse in which King Edward's Cavalry were intrapped and so miserably slain and the battel lost King Edward the second having put to death Thomas Earl of Lancaster a Courtier of mean birth being condemned many potent Favorites pressed the King on his behalf The King brake forth into these most vehement words A Plague upon you for cursed whisperers malicious backbiters wicked Counsellors Intreat you for the life of a most notorious Knave who the longer he lives the more Villanies will he commit and would not speak a word for the life of my near kinsman the noble Earl Thomas He shall therefore dye the death he hath deserved Id. p. 569. When Queen Isabel rose in rebellion against King Edward the second her husband Adam de Olton Bishop of Hereford her bosome Counsellor at Oxford chose this Text My head my head aketh 2 King 4.19 On which he delivered to them the reason of the Queens coming with an Army concluding more like a Butcher than a Divine That an aking and sick head of a Kingdom was of necessity to be taken off and not to be tampered with by any other Physick Speeds Hist p. 574. The Commission sent to put Edward the second to death was a witty but wicked Amphibology being written and left uncomma'd in these words Edvardum occidere nolite timere bonum est which being comma'd after Timere was a command after Nolite was a prohibition and so occasioned the death of the King and the Ruine of those that did it p. 579. Edmund Earl of Kent by the practice of his Enemies was condemned to death for endeavouring to set at liberty his brother King Edward the second who was dead before and had his head stricken off at Winchester Castle Gate having stood from noon till five at night and none found to behead him till a base wretch of the Marshalsea was sent and did it p. 579. Edward the third in his Minority being over-ruled by Mortimer things went much to wrack on which was made this Rime Long beards heartless painted Hoods witless Gay Coates graceless make England thriftless When the Sea forces of Edward the third had spoiled the Abbey of St. Colmes in Scotland the whole Fleet as a punishment for that sacrilege was battered with a tempest and some of them perisht At another time the like sacrilege being perpetrated the ship in which the sacrilegious goods were sunk into the bottom without any Tempest Id. p. 581. When Edward the third and Philip of Valois had brought two mighty Armies of an hundred thousand men apiece into the Field to face one another by the mediation of Jane of Valois Sister to Philip and Mother in Law to Edward they withdrew and struck not a stroak Speeds H. p. 585. Small matters many times occasion great effects Edward the third King of England dancing with the beautiful Lady Joan Countess of Salisbury her Garter falling off the King took it up at which the Nobles smiling the King seriously said it should not be long before there should be Soveraign honour done to that Silken Tie whereupon he instituted the honor of the Garter whose Motto is Honi soit qui mal y pense p. 588. The black Prince at the battel of Cressy being overpressed and in danger the Lords that were with him sent to his Father to come and succour him Who made this answer Let them send no more to me for any adventure that may befall while my Son is alive But let him either vanquish or dye because the honor of this brave day shall be his if God suffer him to live p. 590. King Edward the third besieging Callis the Enemy turned forth fifteen hundred of the poorer sort whom the good King turned not back but relieved them with victuals and money and suffered them safely to pass through his Camp Speeds Hist 591. Henry Earl of Lancaster at the taking of the Town of Brigerack by assault had permitted every Souldier to seize any House and to convert the same and what was in it to his own proper use A certain Souldier named Reeth having broken into a House where the Moneyors had stowed all the Moneys of the Country not thinking that the Generals pleasure was that so great a Treasure should be converted to a private use He acquainted the General with it who answered That the House and all therein was his according as he had first proclaimed let them be worth what they would And when the Souldier again told him of the great Treasure there found He replied What tellest thou me of the greatness of the Treasure Go take enjoy For to give then to take it back again is childs play I have once said and my word being once passed cannot with honor be revoked Speeds Hist p. 592. It is observed of King Edward the third that he had alwayes fair weather in his passage into Erance and foul weather in his return p. 593. Henry Pecard Lord Mayor of London at one time feasted four Kings viz. of England Scotland France and Cyprus p. 594. A terrible tempest that destroyed many horse and men in Edward the third's Army occasioned him to encline to agreements of peace which before he was utterly averse to p. 595. Edward Son to the Earl of Cambridge married the daughter of the King of Portugal but afterwards neither would the Earl leave his Son behind as suspecting the Portugals Faith nor the other entrust his daughter to the Earl so that they remained disjoyned in body however united in Ceremony Wat Tylers Companions in an holy outrage burning the Savoy threw one of their felâ—ows into the flames because he had thrusts piece of stollen plaâ—â— into his bosome p. 607. When Richarâ— the second entered Scotland the Scâ—ts had so retired thâ—mselves and all their goods that when the English came they could see no quick then left but Owles 611. A Monk bestows this Epitaph on Wicklif The Divels Instrument Churches Enemy Peoples Confusion Hereticks Idol Hypocrites mirrour Schismes broacher Hatreds sower Lies Forger Flatteries sink who at his death despaired like Cain and stricken by the horrible judgment of God breathed forth his wicked Soul to the dark mansions of the black Divel Whereby Gods children may learn not to regard while they live the malice nor to expect after their death ought else but the
years cryed continually Woe Woe c. And the last day when it was taken went upon the Wall and cried Woe to Jerusalem and Woe to me also and was smitten witâ— a Stone and died Id. 159. Vespasian dying would not sit or lye but stand saying It became an Emperor to die standing Polycron f. â—50 The Philosopher Secundus enjoyned himself silence and forbore to speak for many years together and though brought before the Emperor Adrian yet kept silence and so did to his death 162. Antoninus Pius was wont to say that he had rather save one Citizens life than kill a thousand Enemies Id Ibid. When Constantine gave great gifts to the Church a Voice was heard saying Hodie Venenum infunditur in Ecclesiam This day poyson is poured into the Church Id fol. 1â—1 Eugenia daughter to Philip a Noble Roman wâ—nt from her Father in mans cloths was baptised and called Eugenius and made Monk and after Abbot A Woman named Melencia cast a lecherous eye on him and would have had him lye with her which when he refused she desamed him saying that he would have forced her she was brought before her own Father then as Judge and discovered her self Her Father turned Christian and Melencia was killed with lightning Id. f. 163. Narcissus a Christian was accused of foul crimes by three false witnesses which wisht if what they charged him with were not true the first that he might be burnt the second that the Kings Evil might destroy him the third that he might be blind The two first had what they wisht which the third seeing and repenting wept himself blind Polycron f. 164. Origen at eighteen years old would have gone to Martyrdom with his Father but his Mother hid away his cloths He afterwards kept School and thereby maintained his Mother and all her Children He gelded himself writ four thousand Volumes when be said well no man better when ill no man worse He held that the Divel at length should be saved alledging this Scripture God shall not be wroth for evermore Id. fol. 165. The Emperor Licinius called Learning a common Pestilence Id. f. 176. Athanasius being pursued and like to be taken on the River turned his Boat and met his pursuer Who asked whether he saâ— Athanasius he answered that he went that way just now The pursuer went forward and so Athanasius escaped Id. 173. The Bishops assembled at the Council of Nice by the command of Constantine to compose the differences in Religion they put up bills of Complaint the one against the other but he commanded them to reconcile themselves amongst themselves and burnt all their bills saying That if he saw any of them commit Adultery he would cover it with his own Mantle that men should not have occasion to speak evil of Religion Id. 173. When Sapor King of Persia had besieged the City Nisiben tvvo months the Snouts of his Elephants and his Horses Ears vvere so pestered vvith gnats and great Flies that they threvv dovvn all that vvas upon them and disparcled his Host Id. ibid. Julian the Apostate his Stevvard pissing in scorn upon the Vessels of the Church said Loe in what Vessels Maries Son is served in Immediately his mouth served him instead of his lovver part for the avoiding of his execrements His Master Julian endeavoured to rebuild the Temple of Jerusalem but vvhat vvas built on the day vvas throvvn dovvn at night Ibid. In the dayes of Theodosius the second the Devil appeared to the Jâ—ws in the likeness of Moses in the Island of Crete and promised there that he vvould lead them dry foot to the land of Behest Many of them vvere drovvned and others turned to the faith Polycron fol. 180. When Attila besieged the City Tricasove vvhere Saint Lupus vvas Bishop at his Prayers all the Host vvas stricken blind And vvhen the Saxons set on the Brittains Saint German the Bishop commanded the Souldiers to cry all together Hallelujah thrice whereon the Saxons fled without striking stroke Id f. 181. 184. Medard Bishop of Noviodunum and Geldard Episcopus Rothomagensis were twin-brethren born in one day made Bishops in one day died in one day and Canonized for Saints in one day Id. f. 186. Werburga daughter of VVulphinus King of Mercia a Menchion or Nunne buried in the Nunnery of Hamberge lay whole and unputrified three hundred years Id. 209. Ricoldus Duke of Prisons being perswaded by Bishop VVulphrun to be baptized having one foot in the font asked the people whether more of his predecessors were in Paradise or Hell When it was answered in Hell he drew his foot out of the water and would not be baptized saying it 's better to follow the more than the less Id. f. 217. Charles the great who was eight foot of stature sitting at meal with his Master Alcuinus a Scot who sate afore him on the other side of the Table asked his Master how great difference and space there was between a Scot and a Sot his Master answered but the breadth of a Meat-board Id. f. 220. When Lewes the mild had advanced one Frederick to the Bishoprick of Vtrecht sitting at meal with him he gave the Bishop good Counsel at which the Bishop took boldness and asked him whether that Fish was to be tamed at head or tail The King answered at head Then said the Bishop Reform thy self and put away thy Wife Judith with whom thou incestuously livest The Emperor took it in good part but his Wife hearing of it hired two Ruffians that kill'd him In this Emperors time a Damsel at Tholouse lived three years vviâ—hout Meat or Drink Id. fol. 223 224. Pope Sergius commandeâ— the dead body of his predecessor Formosus to be taken up his â—ead to be strickâ—n off and his body to be cast into the River Which body Fishers found and brought into St. Peters Church and Images did it reverence at it's coming in Polycron f. 232. In the days of Edgar King of England there was a Woman born in Gascoigne having two bodies froâ— the Navel upward being but one downward Id. f. 238. Silvester the fourth being a Frenchman formerly called Gerbertus a great Negromancer covenanted with the Divel for the Popedom till he said Mass in Jerusalem not thinking of a Chappel in Rome so called where he fell sick and ordered his body to be put in a Coffin and buried where the beasts that drew the bier should abide of thâ—mselves The beasts carried him to St. John of Laterans Where his Tomb by sweating and ratling of his bones gives warning of the Popes death Id. f 244. The Son of the Earl Lupoldus was sent by the Emperor Conradus to his Empress with a letter importing that when the letters were read the young man that brought them should be put to death the same day The young man in his journey lodged at a Priests house who read the letter and instead of dying that day put in should marry our daughter which accordingly
had Herod and Philip the Tetrarchs Herod would have compelled the Pharisees to swear obedience to him who would not but Phaeroras his wife payeth their fine hoping by their means to obtain the Kingdom for her Sons whereupon he cast off his houshold Servants that were of the Pharisees faction and requireth Phaeroras to put away his wife Antipater whom Herod had joyned with him in the government conspires against his Father is accused condemned and cast into Prison who was convinced to have prepared poyson for his Father which being given as a Tryal to a condemned Malefactor presently kill'd him Herod fell sick of a terrible painful burning sickness in his intrails with a Canine appetite an vlcer in his bowels a furious Collick His members rotted and were full of crawling wormes a perpetual Priapisme with an intolerable stench a violent convulsion of his Nerves and shortness of breath Apprehending his death he sent for the Nobles of the Jews upon pain of death to come to him shuâ— them up in the Hippodrome and commanded his Sister Salome and his brother Alenas that at his death the Soldiers should kill them that so he might not die without Lamentation but Salome and Alenas discharged them and sent them home unhurt Six daies before he died he caused his Son Antipater to be slain He raigned after the Romans appointed him King thirty and seven years He died after Christs birth one year and lived sixty and left his Kingdom to Archelaus Joseph Antiq. from p. 370. to 450. When Herod assaulted certain Thieves who had betaken themselves unto their Caves there was an old man amongst them with his wife and seven Sons who being required by them that he would suffer them to go and submit themselves took up the entry of the Cave and as his Sons advanced themselves to issue out he slew them so that having massacred them all and afterwards his wife and cast their dead bodies down the Rock he reviled Herod to his face refused his proffered pardon and threw himself down head-long after them preferring death before servitude Ioseph Antiq. p. 377. At such time as Caesar and Anthony made Trial of their Titles in the Actian Warr and in the seventh year of the raign of King Herod there happened such an earth quake in the Country of Judaea that divers beasts were slain and many men over-whelm'd with the ruine of their Houses and perished to the number of ten thousand Id. 391. At that time viz. when Pontius Pilate was governour was Jesus a Wise-man if it be lawful to call him a man For he was the performer of divers admirable works and the instructor of those who willingly entertain the truth He drew unto him divers Jews and Greeks to be his followers This was Christ who being accused by the Princes of our nation before Pilate was condemned by him to the Cross yet did not those that followed him forbear to love him notwithstanding the ignominy of his death For he appeared unto them alive the third day after according as the Divine prophets had before testified and divers wonderful things were done by him and from that time the race of the Christians who have derived their name from him have never ceased Id. 466. Decius Mundus a Roman Knight profered six thousand pounds to Paulina a beautiful but chaste Lady for one nights free enjoying her but was refused She afterwards by the contrivance of I le the Priest of Isis who pretended to her that their God Anubis desired familiarity with her was prevailed with to take her lodging in the Temple and there entertained Mundus instead of Anubis which he bragging of to her she informes her husband who complained to the Emperor Tiberius of the abuse who hang'd the Priest destroyed the Temple and threw Anubis Statue into Tiber and banished Mundus Id. p. 468. Four Jews dwelling in Rome and expounding the Law had prevailed with Fulvia a noble Lady and wife to Saturnine to become a Proselyte and to send Purple and Gold to the Temple at Jerusalem which they received and converted to their own use This being discovered and complaint made to Tiberius he commanded all the Jews to depart ouâ— of Rome so that Multitudes suffered for the offence of four Joseph Jews Antiq. p. 4 8. Vitellius shewed the Jews great favour came to Jerusalem restored to them the custody of the Priestly Vestments sent Pontius Pilate to Rome and removed Caiaphas from his Priest-hood and advanced Jonathan the Son of Ananus to that dignity Id. p. 463. Philip the Tetrarch Reigned thirty seven years and behaved himself very peaceably he made his ordinary abode within his own Dominions He walked being accompanied with a small number of his chosen servants and had that seat carried after him wherein he was accustomed to sit and do justice And therein sate he to the end that if any one presented himself and required his assistance he might without delay do him right for on the first motion the seat was placed in that path wherein the Plantiff met him and being seated thereon he examined the cause punished the guilty and absolved the innocent Id. p. 471. Herod the second having put away the Daughter of Aretas King of Arabia his lawful wife and taken Herodias who was his Brother Aristobulus Daughter and his Brother Philip's wife Philip yet living was discomfited by Aretas Souldiers and his Army quite overthrown divers of the Jews were of the opinion that God justly punish'd him for the death of John the Baptist whom Josephus commends for his vertue and ascribes his death to Herods fear lest his Subjects being allured by his Doctrines and perswasions should be drawn to revolt Id. p. 471. Herod's progeny is related by Josephus that we may know that neither the number of Children nor any other humane force can be available without the fear of God considering that within the space of one hundred years all Herods Line which was very numerous was extinguisht a very few excepted Joseph p. 471. Agrippa the Great the Son of Aristobulus who was Herods Son by Mariamne married Cypros the Daughter of Salamso the Daughter of Mariamne by Herod which Salamso was the wife of Phaseolus the Son of Phaseolus Herod's Brother Agrippa had by his wife Cypros three Daughter Bernice Mariamne and Drusilla and two Sons Drasis that died young and Agrippa so that Agrippa the Great and his wife were both the Grandchildren of Herod the Great Id p. 471. Agrippa the Great riding with Cajus Caligula wisht the death of Tiberius his Uncle and Cajus his Succession and was complained of by his Coachman to Tiberius who kept him six months in chains in Prison he was told by a German conjecturing from the sight of an Owl which sat over his head of his future prosperity and death within five days he should again see that Bird. When Cajus came to the Empire he released him from Prison and created him King of Judaea and had the Tetrarchy of
upon them and slew four hundred took two hundred but no man knew what became of the Aegyptian And afterwards Festus slew many that were seduced to follow an inchanter into the Wilderness Joseph p. 522 23. Between Festus death and Albinus that succeeded him Ananus the high Priest who was a Rast and Head strong man and a Sadducee supposing he had a liberty to do what liked him He therefore sate down upon the Tribunal and caused James the brother of Jesus who was called Christ to appear before him with certain others and accusing them for transgressing the Law and blaspheming against God and caused them to be put to death They who were men of upright Conscience were displeased and sent secretly to the King beseeching him to prohibit Ananus that hereafter he should not commit the like offence For which cause Albinus threatned to punish him and King Agrippa dispossest him of the Priest-hood Joseph p. 524. Men and Satan intending us mischief many times do us good as Jason the Thessalian who being assaulted by his Enemy who intended to kill him had an Imposthumation opened that saved his life Joseph Warrs of the Jews Ep. One Judas an Essaean having prophesied that Antigonus should be killed at Straton the day being come in which his prophecy should be accomplished seeing him at two of the Clock in the afternoon at Jerusalem which was six thousand furlongs from Caesaria crieth out Oh happy were it for me to be dead since the truth dieth before me which having spoken he sate down pensive untill such time that it was told him that Antigonus was slain by Aristobulus appointment in a place under ground which was called the Tower of Straton Id. p. 562. Antipater Herods Father being accused by Aristobulus before Caesar casting away his veâ—ure shewed the number of wounds he had received said it was not needful to use words to â—rove what affection he had born to Caesar for â—is very body would shew it though he held his peace which so prevailed with Caesar that â—e made him governor of Judaea Joseph p. 571. Antigonus having got Hircanus the high Priest into his power with his teeth bit off his Ears â—o the end that if hereafter he should chance â—o get loose he might be no more high Priest for none might offer Sacrifice that wanted any member of his body Id. p. 576. A certain young man feigning himself to be Alexander Herods Son by Mariamne whom Herod had put to death deceived many where ever he came but especially at Rome is discovered by Caesar who condemned him to the Gallies and put to death him that counselled him Id. p. 614. Two Miles from Ptolemais there is a little River called Beleus having adjoyning to it a place of the compass of an hundred Cubits being a round valley covered with Sand like Salt which when many Ships coming together take away for balast so that they empty the place of it that place is presently after covered with the like Sand again for there are winds which as it were upon purpose carry this Sand from the higher places round about thither and whatsoever is within the Hollow is presently changed into Crystal or Glass And if any of this be cast again into the brink of the place it is again turned into ordinary Sand. Id. 618. One Simon a Chief among the Seditious seeing himself encompassed so by the Scythopolitans that there was no possibility of escaping that his Enemies might not insult over him beholding his family with compassion mixt with rage kill'd his Father Mother Wife and Children and at last thrust his Sword up into his own body up to the Hilt Id. 695. Josephus when Iotapata was taken leapt into a Cave where there was forty principal men who being proffered life by Vespasian refused it and could not be perswaded by Joseph from killing themselves but casting lots who should be killed first the Lot falling last upon Joseph and his fellow when the rest had dispatched one another Joseph perswaded and prevailed with his Surviving fellow and so they both were preserved and yielded themselves Joseph is carried to Vespasian and foretels him of his being Emperor Joseph p. 660. Six furlongs from Hebron there is an exceeding great Turpentine Tree which is aâ—rmed to have endured ever since the Creation of the World Id. p. 691. A Jew having fled out of Jerusalem to the Romans being discovered to rake after Gold in his excrements having swallowed some to escape the Seditious was the occasion that two thousand Jews were immediately slain for the hope of finding Gold which they were supposed to have swallowed Id. p. 729. Titus exhorting his Soldiers to assault Jerusalem used this Expression Tâ—at the Soul of him that dieth in War is presently received into the pure aiery Element and from thence placed amongst the Stars in Heaven and the good and valiant Ghosts do always assist their posterities but all that die in peace by diseases their Souls are kept in the bowels of the earth notwithstanding they are just and pure and are forgotten and their memory extinguished Id. p. 727. One Artorius a Roman Soldier being on the East porch of the Temple that was on fire called to one Lucius that stood below and told him that if he would catch him in his Armes he would make him heir of all his Inheritance Lucius willingly endeavoured to do it Artorius cast himself down upon him and escaped with life but Lucius on whom he fell was bruised upon the pavement and so died Id. p. 733. A Noble woman in the Siege of Jerusalem compelled by famine killed her own Son and eat him Id. p. 739. The Temple was burnt against Titus Will on the tenth of August in the year of Christ seventy two the same day it was formerly burnt by the King of Babylon being one thousand one hundred and thirty seven years seven months and fifteen daies after it was first built by Solomon and after the rebuilding in the time of Haggai six hundred thirty nine years and forty five daies Joseph p. 736. The Prodigies forerunning the destruction of the Citie and Temple were 1. A Comet like a Sword hanging over the City 2. A light shining about the Temple and Altar all night 3. A Cow brought forth a Lamb in the midst of the Temple 4. The Brazen Gate in the Temple opened of it self 5. Chariots and an Army in battel array encompassing the City 6. A Voice heard in the Temple that said Let us depart hence 7. A plain Country-man called Jesus for seven years and six months crying Woe against the City and last crying Woe to himself was â—ill'd with an Engine p. 739. A Roman Horseman being taken by the Seditious and delivered to a Captain to be slain was brought by him where the Romans might behold him and a Veil before his Eyes where he meant to behead him but whilst he drew his Sword the Horse-man fled to the Romans Titus would not put him
their money and other goods It was done so openly and so boldly as it was manifest some great men were at one end of the business The Italians after that time were not so eager upon English benefices Id. p. 111. Offa the Son of VVazmund a petty King of the Saxons who was founder of VVarwick was tall of stature and of a good constitution of body but blind till seven years old and then saw and dumb till thirty and then spake Sir Rich Baker Hist p. 8. In the Raign of King Ethelred the Danes invaded the Land under Hungar and Hubba the Nunnes of Coldingham to avoid the barbarous pullution of the Pagans deformed themselves by cutting off their upper Lips and Noses Sir Rich. Baker p. 12. King Athelstan imposed as a Tribute on the Prince of North-VVales to pay three hundred VVolves yearly which continued three years and in the fourth there was not one VVolf to be found Id. p. 16. King Aelfrid hunting found a Child in an Eaglâ—s Nest which he nâ—urished and advanced and called it Nesting Id. p. 17. In the Reign of Canutus a Law was made in the â—arliament at Oxford that upon the Sabbath day all publick Fairs Markets Synods Meetings and all secular actions should be forborn unless some urgent necessity should require Also that a Woman Convict of Adultery should have her Nose and Ears cut off Also that a Widdow marrying within a year after her Husbands decease should lose her Joynture p. 23. Canutus gave a Cross to VVinchester Church worth as much as the whole revenues of the Kingdom for a year Id. p. 23. Hochetidus which signifieth scorn and contempt is a day yearly kept in remembrance of Hardi-Canutus death being the last of the Danish Kings that Reigned in England Id p. 25. Edward the Confessor was the first that cured the Kings Evil by the touch p. 26. VVilliam the Conqueror landing first in England fell down and the day of battel his Armor was put on reversedly both things which a weak spirit would have interpreted as a bad Omen he did as a good as that by his falling he took possession and his Dukedom would be turned into a Kingdom p 32. The Saxon way of making Knights was this The party first at Evening confest himself to the Priest then he continued all night in the Church watching and applying himself to his private devotions the next morning he heard Mass and offered his Sword upon the Altar after the Gospel was read the Sword was Hallowed and with a benediction put about his neck lastly he communicated the mysteries of the blessed body of Christ and from that time he remained a perfect Knight p. 36. Stigand Arch-bishop of Canterbury would often swear he had not one Penny upon the earth when under the earth as after his death was found he had hidden great treasures Sir R. Baker p. 40. In the time of VVilliam the Conqueror Gawins body was found who was fourteen foot long and was King Arthurs Sisters Son Such a Mortality that tame Fowls for want of some to tend them turned wilde And a great Lord sitting at a feast was set upon by Mice and though he were removed from Land to Sea and from Sea to Land again yet at last was devoured by them Id. p. 42. VVilliam the Conqueror dying at Roan in Normandy his death was known the very same day at Rome which are a thousand Miles asunder Froissard relates this story There was in the time of Edward the third of England a Knight in France named Corasse who could tell any thing was done all the World over either the very dâ—y or within a day after which he did by the means of a familiar Spirit called Orthene who brought him continual intelligence for divers years together till he lost him upon this occasion He had hitherto only heard the Voice but now had a great mind to see the shape of his Intelligence The Spirit promised him that the next thing he saw when out of his Bed should be himself The Knight rising saw the first thing two straw tumbling one over the other but desiring his familiar that he might see him in such a shape that he might take more notice of him the next morning looking out of his VVindow he saw a most lean and deformed Sow which he setting his Dogs at the Sow vanished and his Spirit Orthone never came more Id. p. 44. King VVilliam Rufus trusted not to the prayers of Saints and therefore would make no intercession to St. Peter p. 51. In the Raign of VVilliam Rufus a Tempest blew down in London six hundred Houses and six beams from the Roofe of Bow-church in Cheapside were driven so deep into the ground that not above four foot remained in sight and yet stood in such rank and order as the Workmen had placed them upon the Church Also Earl Godwins Lands were swallowed with the Sea and now are called Godwin sands Id. p. 58. King Henâ—y the first forbad the wearing of long Hair in England then much used Baâ—ler p. 59. Thomas Arch-bishop of York falling desperately sick in the time of Henry the first his Physicians told him that nothing would do him good but to company with a VVoman To whom he answered that the Remedy was worse than the disease and so to keep his Virginity lost his life p. 60. In the time of Henry the first there was an Earth quaâ—e in Lombardy that continued forty dayes and removed a Town from the place where it stood a great way A Pig was farrowed with a face like a Child A Chicken hatched with four Legs The Sun so eclipsed that the Stars were seen Gerard Arch-bishop of York sleeping in his Garden after Dinner never awoke Id. p. â—2 Roger a poor Curate accidentally dispatching Mass with great celerity before Henry Beauclarks the Soldiers were so pleased with it that he took him to be his Chaplain and after made him Bishop of Sarum He built five Castles viz. Sarum Devises Sheburn Malmsbury Newark and had taken from him in ready coin forty thousand Marks p. 71. Requerius a wicked Minister in the time of King Stephen of a more wicked Abbot with his wifâ— crossing the Seas the Ship in the midst of the stream would not stir the Mariners astonished cast Lots which fell upon Requerius and so did again and again whereupon they put him and his wife and what he had out of the Ship which presently as eased of her burthen sailed away Id. p. 73. In King Stephens time there appeared two Children a Boy and a Girl clad in Green in a stuff unknown of a strange language and of a strange diet whereof the Boy being baptized died shortly after but the Girl lived to be very aged and being asked from whence they were she answered of the Land of St. Martins where there were Christian Churches but the Sun did never rise But where that Land is and how she came into England she knew not Sir