against the French Egbert of Kent dieth Lothaire slain with a Dart. The Visi-Goths overcome the Gascoigns 687. A very great Comet at Christmas neer the Constellation which is called Virgiliae Mock-Suns seen in England Great controversie in Rome about a new Pope King of Scots slain by the Picts The Emperour defeateth the Sclavi Kenwin the west Saxon dieth 722. In Campania Wheat was rained from Heaven also Barley and Poulse in other parts of Italy Two Comets of great Magnitude were seen in this year The French recover many of their possessions They goe into Germany and subdue the Bavarians and Almans Italy began to chuse themselves several Dukes this year 735. In England a most prodigious Hail Fire seen to flame in the Heaven at Rome An inundation at Constantinople The French enter the Territories of the Goths and destroy their Castles The Lombards aide the French and expel the Romans from the siege of Bononia Pelagius dieâ—h 746. Oyl rained in Spain A Comet in the fashion of a Sword seen this year Crosses fell from heaven upon mens garments An Earthquake in Palestina Fire rainâ—d in many parts of France A Pestilence in Constantinople for three years which devoured so many that they wanted men to bury their dead Selred the East Saxon slain Emperour beats the Saracens at Cyprus The Huns General slain in Transylvania 761. In the month September this year there hapned a very great ecilpse of the Sun A blazing Star in the East for many days together Ethein of Scotland invadeth Northumberland and is slain A rebellion in Galloway The Bulgarians invade the Empire Dominico deposed by the Venetians for his tyranny his eyes put out 778. A great Eclipse of the Sun Armies of men seen in the Heavens at France It this year rained blood also Earth and ashes fell from Heaven at Rome Telerick the King of Bulgaria is expelled by his people Ethelred leaves England Alswald is murthered by Siga The Spaniard against the Moors they are aided by the French The Emperour slays 6000 men of the Saracens 794. The River overfloweth its Banks and doth much prejudice A very great Earthquake in Crete and Constantinople Alphonsus killeth 70000 of the Moors takâ—th Lisbon from them The Danes invade England but all of them almost perished The Armenian Legions rebel 808. The Sun and Moon this year eclipsed contrary to Nature Armies of men appear in the Heavens Mercury seen in the Sun like a black spot Blood rained in Holland The Moors expelled Barcinoâ— Th. Pâ—cts wast Scotland The Bulgarians kill 6000 Greeks and take Sardis The Danes subdue Frizia The Saracens disperse themselves into divers places under six Princes 820. A great and wonderful storm of rain fell that rotted all the Corn in the Fields and inundations that hindred the Countrey-mans sowing Fiery apparitions often seen in the Elements Emperour sends three Armies against the Hungarians A great Famine and Pestilence in France King of England slain by the East-Angles Asia is wasted Constantinople besieged Regner King of Denmark expelled 840. Sparks of fire like stars were seen to run up and down the Heavens A Comet appeared in ♈ A great Eclipse of the ☉ Swarms of Bees in Westchester in England The Saracens overcome by the Emperour Danes invade England and do much mischief there The Moors wast Italy and are expelled The Saracens take Amorium and many Captives Lothair wars with his Brethren and 100000 men slain  This year was prodigious for many Earthquakes Hayls and whirlwinds and many wonderful Thunders and Lightnings that happened in most parts of the world The people of Toledo and Corduba rebel The Scots overcome the English who aided the Picts The Danes enter the Thames with 250 ships They take Canterbury and London and expel the King 870. Great Hayl and Thunders and Lightning at Rome Lightning burnt a Church at Worms An Earthquake in England Danes expell'd Holland Saracens expell'd Ancona They war against the Persian The Danes land in Fife and challenge Pictland for their King 882. The Sun so much obscured that the Stars appeared in the sky in the day time An Earthquake in Normandy A blazing Star this year which was Vertical to Spain Britains invade Scotland Constantine their King is killed Saracens break into Italy and are expelled by the Emperour The Sclavi wast Austria and Bavaria Guido rebels and joyns with the Saracens against the Emperour 912. Four Rainbows seen at once in Scotland Fiery Torches seen in the Air. Many great Floods in Saxony A great Comet and stars were seen to run glittering to and fro in the heavens Vandals invade Greece and many Cities become their Tributaries Saracens take Calabria and many Cities in Italy The Emperour sickneth and dieth 't is thought for his losses to the Hungarian 928. Divers mock-suns seen in Italy and Spain A winter wonderful for the excess of cold Emperour subdues the Vandals and wasts their Countrey The Pope is imprisoned and strangled The Scots assist the Danes but are overcome 940. The Sun appears for certain days together as if it bled Three Comets for a fort-night together were vertical to Germany An Earthquake in France Gonsalvus poysoneth Sancho with an Apple The Russians in a malicious manner persecute the Christians The French King and the Emperour reconcil'd divers Conspirators against the Emperour executed 956. This year produced many strange Prodigies As that wonderful Hayl at Oxford in England Strange lightning killing many Priests in France Mighty Thunders and tempests c. Hungarians invade the Emperour are reconciled to him Bishop of Saltsburg calls 100000 Hungarians into Bavaria they are all slain there and the Emperours eyes pluckt out The Italians war with the Pope 968. Fire fals from Heaven A great Earthquake in France A Comet also appeared Crosses from Heaven fell upon mens Clothes Wonderful encrease of vermine as of Rats and Mice The Empress with Zimisces conspires the death of the Emperour Besda overcomes Leo Phocas who rebels in Asia and sendeth him and 100 of his confederates into Chios Donald murthereth the King of Scotland for refusing to pardon a Thief of his acquaintance 979. An Earthquake in Scotland Armies of fire seen a whole night together in the air This year also there was one born in Rome having two heads Harold King of Denmark is slain by an Arrow The Danes land in Scotland and waste divers places the Scots put them to flight They land in Kent and spoyl the Isle of Thanet 992. Fire rises out of a River saith my author and burns many places in Rhene In Spain three swords appeared in the Heavens like fire The Duke of Bavaria dieth The Danes invade England with a very great Fleet. The King of Denmark is slain by one of his servants 1002. In Lorraine a Fountain of water turned into perfect blood A Comet very horrible to behold casting out flames on every side The Danes being worsted at Oxford fly to Church and are there burnt Otho poyson'd with a pair of Gloves A
Pope is slain by a fall Empeperour kills 14000 Bohemians The King of England forceth Wales to a Peace 1285. A great Earthquake in Italy A Comet of notable greatness seen this year A great swarm of divers coloured flyes and an inundation in England The Norwegians invade Denmark for the Queens Dowry Hungaria wasted by the Cumans Helvetians war against the Emperour they are subdued The King of Sicily dyeth 1300. Launces and Darts of fire seen in the Heavens A great snow A Comet of wonderful magnitude In Germany armed men and horses were seen in the air The English beat the Scots The Turks invade the Empire and do great mischief there The Pope writes himself universal Lord in Spirituals and Temporals Flanders is invaded and many Nobles taken prisoners 1310. An Earthquake in England The Elements seem to burn many days together A boy born with four arms and two bodies Polonians subdue Pomerania Rhodes is taken from the Turks Robert Bruce wasteth Scotland and expels the English Earl of Cornwel banished The Emperour burneth Brixia 1322. In England for six houres together the sun appeared as blood In Germany a great Earthquake Two Crosses appeared in the Heavens And there appeared a fiery Circle about the sun The Scots oppose the King of England and put him to flight The King of Bohemia taketh Silesia and divers places in Lusatia The Emperour is taken in battel and is imprisoned three years 1337. This year there were two Comets together one of which continued four moneths the other but three Blood rained in Rome Wonderful flocks of Crows and Daws seen in Germany The Lituanians burn themselves their wives children and goods to avoid the taking The French burn South-hampton in England The Scythians wast Thrace and take many Captives King of Sicily dieth 1348. Divers mock-suns appeared this year The Heavens seemed to burn There were divers small beasts rained from the Heavens in the Eastern parts of the world A great Plague in England The English beat the Scots and recover much from them Polanders conquer Russia fully A great Plague in Venice which consumeth many people The English do much spoile at Lowthian in Scotland 1365. In England there were armed men seen in the Heavens and fiery Launces in Italy Grashoppers cover Switzerland like snow The Russians which rebelled in Poland are subdued King of France expell'd his Kingdom The King of Swevia taken in battel The Turks expel the Christians from Adrianople 1376. A Comet with a beard seen in the Heavens many nights together Grashoppers spoyl France Inundations in Germany A very great Earthquake there In Gand 5000 houses burnt 17 Towns in Flanders drowned The Christians kill 2000 Turks in Bosna by a stratagem The French burn Rye and Hastings and take the Isle of Wight The Scots burn Roxburg 1388. A blazing fire in the Heavens which burned for two Months together At Oxford the Image of a head spake thus viz. Caput decidetur Caput elevabitur Pedes elevabuntur super caput The head shall be cut off The head shall be lift up The feet shal be elevated above the head A great Sedition in Oxford among the Scholars many of them dislike the Government An Army of 40000 raised by the Duke of Glocester Earles of Warwick Darby and Notingham with 50000 Christians slain in the plains of Casovia Very great Factions in France 1399. A running River in Bedfordshire in England divides it self A blazing Star this year that shot wonderful beams of fire from it Scotland wasted by the English The Frisons rebel in Holland Sigismond executed 32 of the Nobles in Hungary The Pope imprisoned by the King of France The Duke of Hereford being Banished returns into England 1415. Strange Prodigies this year in Britain A Dragon encountring a Lyon in the Air. Armies of fire seen fighting and overcoming in the Heavens An Eclipse of the sun The English and the French fight the French loose 20000 men 10000 kill'd upon the place and other 10000 taken Pope Gregory dies English invade Normandy King of Spain sells the Canaries to the King of Sevil. The Valentians made tributary to the Turks 1428. Great snows in Germany A mighty Earthquake in Italy A Winter wonderful for cold to all parts of the Northern Countries Danes spoil 30 ships of great valve that belonged to the Vandals and Hamburgers The Turks take Thessalonica from the Venetians The English lose much in France 1439. A Comet of mighty magnitude in Poland Swarms of Bees in England go a progress An Earthquake in Hungaria Emperour goeth against the Turks and dieth Polanders waste Silesia France twice beaten by the English in Normandy The Marshal of France burnt for sorcerie King of Bohemia dieth 1484. An Earthquake in Naples A wonderful snow in Germany and fiery darts seen in the skie The sun is this year Eclipsed The Tartars invade Podolia and are expelled English invade Scotland but are repelled Huniades defeateth the Turks in Russia The Vatican Library erected 1460. In England three suns appeared A mighty Tempest at Venice In Poland there was seen saith my author an Image of Christ crucified with a sword to pass along the air from West to South for two hours King of England is taken at Northampton Venetians war with the Turk The Civil war of France begins The war continueth in Germany about the Archbishoprick of Mentz A rebellion in France against the Queen for the Princes death 1470. Hail of wonderful greatness fell at Rome the stones whereof weighed 8 ounces In Germany Hail-stones fell as big as Goose eggs The Turks take Sabotz in Hungary They waste Germany King of Sicily with the Venetians war against the Turks The Venetians spoyl Lesbos and Pergamus 1478. The Sun darkned without an Eclipse Flocks of Grashoppers in Italy A glorious star seen to run along the Firmament Armies in Switzerland Fighting in the Air this year also The Turks waste Carinthia And the Tartars waste Podolia The Hungarians defeat the Turks and take 30000 Captives from them The Inquisition instituted in Castile against the Moors and Jews The Transylvanians overcome the Turks 1492. Great â—nundations in England An Eclipse of the sun A great Comet three suns in Polâ—nd Another Comet lasting two months In Rome the kie was seen to be on fire many nights together The English go against the French The â—â—ws expâ—lled Spain The King of Poland dyâ—th The Ganthoys rebel in Flanders The Hungarians enter Mysia and return thence with much booty 1500. A great fiery Dragon and of monstious shape seen at Lucren A Comet for 18 days together in Poland An inundation in Germany Turks take Modonâ— and many other places from the Venetians A Rebellion in France The French and Spaniaâ—ds exâ—el Frederick from Naples The Turks destâ—oy many of the French Spaniards and Venetians 1510. 'T is strange to relate for in this year saith my Author there fell twelve hundred stones from Heaven some weighing sixty pound others more viz. 120 l. which if true serves
as a good Argument to prove the other Planets habitable The Lubeckers waste Denmark King of England goeth into France and besiegeth Turwyn Bajazet the Turk is poysoned The Spaniards take Tripolis They war in Navarr The Lubeckers worst the Danes at sea The Switzers invade France and do much mischief there 1521. Three suns with a Rainbow seen at Vienna A great burning Torch suddenly after A Circle and Cross appears with the Moon A burning Beam in Germany Venetians aid the Hungarians against the Turks The French loose Milan English and French quarrel Emperour invades Picardy King Henry the Eighth writes against the Pope 1530. A very great Comet that passed through Cancer Leo and Virgo was visible to all Europe A very great inundation in Holland In Holland 404 Parishes drown'd with all their people and cattel The Turks take Buda in Hungaria Cardinal Woolsey dies The Clergy fined and paid to the King 100000 l. for divers misdemeanors 1539. A bloody star and Cross were seen flying in the air Armed men swords and funerals were seen to walk in the air in Germany A blazing star this year A great fire in Constantinople which burnt the Goal and consumed 700 Prisoners therein The Irish Invade the English and are beaten The Ganthois mutiny and behead their Magistrates 1550. Corn rained from Heaven in Carinthia Three suns seen in England An earthquake and bowls of fire seen in the Elements Armies of men seen in the air in Saxony The sun seemed to cleave in sunder Great troubles at Antwerp The sweating sickness in England the French War with the Emperour The Duke of Somerset in England executed for Felony The Queen of Swevia dyeth Thâ— Pyrats carry 6000 Captives out of the Isle of Gaul neer to Malta 1562. An Earthquake in Constantinople Clashing of weapons in the Elements and armed men seen there Much thunder in England Five suns seen in Holland English take many Towns in France A great plague in England Muscovites invade Livonia 9000 slain at Dreux in Normandy among which the King of Navarr Danes and Lubeckers invade Swevia Polanders beat the Livonians 1568. Many Locusts in France The Heavens seem all on fire in Hungary In England when the true moon was under the earth appears a moon and a cross with a refulgent star at the top thereof Third Civil War in France King of Swedland deposed and imprison'd Prince of Conde taken and shot to death with a Pistol Earls of Northumberland and Westmoreland rebel Selymus invadeth Cyprus The Polanders and Danes fight at Sea 1579. A fiery Dragon and great troops of Ravens flew through the air in Germany A great tempest in Bohemia An Earthquakâ— in Holland Armies in the heavens seen at Antwerp Two armed men in Gelderland seen in the air Polanders take Livonia and Polotia from the Muscovite Popish Clergie expelled Antwerp by the people The Emperour prohibitâ—th the protestant Religion at Aken Uraniburg Castle built by the most noble and ever to be honoured Tycho Brahe 1602. An Earthquake in Engâ—and A Comet of very great magnitude appeared Armies of men seen in the air in France Swarms of Grashoppers in Germany Spaniards invade Ireland but beaten thence Swedes attâ—mpt Livonia in vain Basta d â—e teth the Transylvanâ—â—n and killeth the Vayvâ—d of Valachia The Turks loose Alla regalis and 60000 men Qu. of Engl. dyeth 1610. Fiery Darts and Launces seen in thâ— heavens Four Crosses seen at once in the air in Spain Very great thunder and an Eaâ—thquake there also Danes War with the Sweds Persians invade Babylon and kill 20000 mâ—n Kinâ— of France is slain Polonians overcome the Muscovites 900000 Morisques exâ—el'd Spain 1616. Divers mock-suns in the West of England An inundation in Holland The shape of an Elephant in the air sâ—en in Germâ—ny A Lyon was heard as my author saith to roar in the air Archbishop of Spalato into England Venetians war with Ferdinand of Austria Hollanders beat the Spaniards in the South Sea The Tartars invade Podolia they burn four Cities and 400 Villages and carry with them thence much booty 1622. Three suns appeared at Heidelburg An Earthquake in Italy Many prodigious lightnings rains in France Circles seen about the sun anâ— moon in England The Jesuites and Papists expel'd the Netherlands Duke of Brunswick lost his Arm in battel A great dearth in Moravia and Silesia Bergen in Norway almost consumed by fire 1627. Two Armie were seen to fighâ— in the air in Pomâ—rania A great fiery beam in France seen in the air An Earthquake in England Polanders recover many places from the Tartars Persians beat the Turks English take the Isle of Ree and loose it again The Hollander beats the Spaniard in the Indies 1635. An inundation at Rome Five moons seen in Noâ—mandy at once Italy this year brought forth many monsters A Sickness at Rome Division in Scotland about Religion Hollander and Spaniard fight at Sea A great Plague at Venice The Spaniards beat the French 1638. Six suns seen in Cornwall at once several apparitions of men in the heavens preparing to fight with each other also Navies of ships in 1639. An Eclipse of ☉ Scots begin to rebel against England The King goes in person to appease them They rout the Bishops and turn high Presbyters The Hollanders beat the Spaniards Fleet. The Irish massacre the English 1645. Many apparitions this year seen in the North of England Divers Parelia's or mock-suns An Eclipse of the sun in ♌ All England together by the Eares The Civil war prevaileth The Scots return home again in 1646. The English go into Ireland and subdue it 1652. A great Eclipse of the sun Two of the mâ—on A two-handed sword seen in the air in Cheshire Armies of men encountring each other in the air seen in the North A Comet in ♉ and ♊ The English subdue Scotland And beat the Dutch at Sea They beat the French at Sea this year also The Lord General Cromwel in 1653. made Lord Protector of all Britain and Ireland 1654. An eclipse of the sun An Earthquake in the West of England Apparitions in the air in the North of England A very great rain in Bohemia The King of the Romans and the Pope of Rome dies English take Jamaica and war with Spain English and Sweds unite Cardinal Ghisi made Pope in 1655. The Polanders routed by the Swede 1656. An Earthquake in Cheshire doing much harm viz. sinking the ground and rending up many Trees by the roots to the great damage of the Country In Nov. 1656. A fiery Dragon seen in the air in Scotland In 1658. August A great Whale came up to Greenwich neer London a thing seldom known before The English land in Flanders and take Mardike from the Spaniards they grow angry thereat and wars between them grow high King of Denmark twice invaded by the King of Sweden In 1658. Dunkirk taken by the English Oliver Cromwel dies Rich. Cromwell confidently succeeds him in Government as if it had been his
Marquess banished the Court afterward slain 1022. Swarms of Locusts in France Milk rained at Rome A very great Eclipse of the Sun This year there was such unseasonable weather that many dyed through too much heat Divers Polonians rebel against the Christians The Emperour overcometh the Greeks in Italy Bodessaus of Bohemia looseth Cracovia Polanders subdue Russia and make it Tributary The Vandals wast Saxony and take Brandenburg 1043. A multitude of snakes were seen this year at Rome Five Suns at once appeared in England Stella Crinita or an hairy Comet very great appeared this year The Emperour overcometh the Russians who invade his Territories A great Famine in Germany and France The Prussians invade Polonia and there are 15000 slain and 2000 taken The Irish and Welch enter Severn and do a great deal of harm 1058. A great encease of Rats and Mice Stones of a mighty greatness mixt with Hayl fell from Heaven and killed many Two blazing stars this year vertical to Poland The Saxons rebel against the Emperour 26000 are drowned in a Pitfal by the stratagem of two Bishops in Holland as they came against the Earl of Flanders Russians rebel in Poland are reduced by Boleslaus 1076. Three Suns seen at Naples A fiery dart ran up and down in the Heavens In Italy women appeared in the Air of admirable shapes which mightily amazed the beholders The Emperour deposeth the Pope and the Pope the Emperour and also excomunicateth him The Turks take Rhodes and Cyprus The Hollanders overcome the Frisons Northumberland in England wasted 1086. A great inundation in Italy Four Moons at once in France seen also in England Many tame fowl became perfectly wild The Saxons defeat the Emperour The Turkish Emperour dieth The King of England dieth Edmund and Ethelred banished by Donald their uncle They dy in England 1094. A fiery dart in the Heavens that through its violence flew from North to South A great Earthquake in England Horrible noises in the ground with strange groanings at Rome The King of Poland envied by the Nobles causeth many of them to be banished Piedro of Spain taketh Osca and killeth 30000 Moors The English invade Normandic again Bretislaus obtayneth the Kingdom of Bohemia by the aid of the Hungarians 1101. This was a year very remarkable for Monsters Syracuse shaken with an Earthquake Three Suns a sword and crown seen in Germany in the Heavens A Comet of wonderful greatness Conradus dieth in Italy The Russians invade Polonia and are expel'd by Boleslaus In England the Earl of Shrewsbury warreth against the King Earl of Flanders takes Cambray a League between the English and the Scots 1116. Fiery Armies in the Heavens seen in Germany Many Earthquakes and very great whirlwinds Earl of Campeign rebelleth is aided by Henry Bruges in Flanders burnt Polonia wasted The Emperour excommunicated by the Pope 1135. A very great inundation in Flanders Holland and Freezeland In England a great Earthquake Great whirlwinds in France The light of the sun moon ad visum fails Many people perish in Flanders Judea miserably wasted by the Infidels King of England surfeits of Lampreys and dies Baldwin de Redvers fortifies Exeter against Steven Is taken and banished 1147. Great Thunders at Rome An Earthquake in England Several bowls of fire seen in the Heavens A multitude of small wormes Blood rained Strange lightning in Rome Lewis of France with an Army invades Syria He is taken prisoner by the Greeks rescued by the King of Sicily Alphonsus of Spain taketh Lisborn and Saint Iren from the Moors The King of Sweden slain 1158. A very great pillar of fire appeared in the Heavens in Germany A great Eclipse of the Sun Two Dragons seen to fight in the air in Swedland The Emperour goeth against the Armenians The Pope submitteth to the Emperour Repenteth thereof and excommunicateth him Venetians deny aid to the Greek Emperour against the King of Sicily 1169. In this year there appeared three Suns and three Moons besides the true ones There hapned also a very great Earthquake Syraconus killeth the Sultan of Egypt English invade Cumberland Catana in Sicily destroyed with 19000 people by an Earthquake The Romans rase Alba. 1178. A wonderful inundation in England Two Armies were seen in the Heavens in Italy to fight a fierce battel An Eclipse of the sun this year English and Scots Quarrel The Spaniards take several Places from the Navarrs Miscelaus by the help of Casimir recovereth his Patrimony in Polonia Wars between the French and the Flemming 1185. This year a very great Eclipse of the sun A great Earthquake also An Eclipse of the Moon likewise and armies in the air environ'd with fire seen in Greece The Moors defeated by the Spaniards and their King slain The greatest part of Bruges burnt Baldwin King of Jerusalem the fifth of that name poysoned by his mother A rebellion in England The Greeks loose 70 Sail of Ships by Pyrats 1198. Great Stones rained from Heaven An Earthquake in the East which overthrew many cities Blood rained in England Two fiery swords in the Heavens seen in Spain Castile and Arragon invade Navarr The Sultan of Iconium swallowed of an Earthquake Harold Earl of of Cathue in Scotland cuts out the Bishops tongue c. And the King puts out his eyes and hangeth him and causeth his Male Children to be gelt 1212. A Comet appeared for 18 days together Shapes all bloody were seen in the Heavens A star with a Cross and a half Moon seen in Italy The Spaniards slay 200000 Moors The Pope giveth England to Philip of France who striveth for it The Flemmish with the English take 300 sayl of ships from him and burn 100 more The King of Arragon slain 1234. A great Eclipse of the Sun strange sights in the Moon viz. she which of her self is Globular appeared with six squares The sun darkned so much that the stars were seen King of Bulgaria puts out the Emperours eyes Vienna subjected to the Empire The Latines besieged in Constantinople but relieved by the Venetians The King of England and his Nobles quarrel but are reconciled The King of Poland dyeth 1243. A great Comet fearful to behold A hill of an immense magnitude removes out of its place A noyse like Trumpets in the air heard in Italy A great Plague in Greece A miserable Famine in Constantinople King of the Cumans slain The Infidels take Hierusalem and slay many Prisoners 1255. A great Comet appeared Strange lightning from Heaven The sea overflows in many places of England Dismal and strange noises heard in the air The Geneveses take Venice and are expelled again Duke of Lituania invadeth Massovio and Prussia Five petty Kings of the Moors expell'd Spain Venetians take Padua Eccelin comes thither and kills 12000 Citizens 1277. A very great rain at Rhene A sky at midnight as bright as the day in Poland Four suns in Russia An Earthquake in England The Turks win all the lesser Asia from the Greeks The
Natura Prodigiorum OR A DISCOURSE Touching the NATURE OF PRODIGIES Together With the Kinds Causes and Effects of Comets Eclipses and Earthquakes WITH AN APPENDIX Touching the Imposturism of the commonly-received Doctrine of Prophecies Spirits Images Sigils Lamens The Christal c. And the Propugners of such Opinions By JOHN GADBURY 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Non est muta rerum Natura sed undique loquax Erasm LONDON Printed by J.C. for Fr. Cossinet at the Anchor and Mariner in Tower-street and Tho Basset in St. Dunstans-Church-yard in Fleetstreet 1660. To the Right Honourable Valiant and Successful Sir GEORGE MONK Lord General of all His MAJESTIE' 's Forces in England Scotland and Ireland Master of the Horse to His MAJESTIE Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter One of his MAJESTIES Most Honourable Privy Council AND Restorer of these of late distracted Nations to their Pristine Splendor and Glory Felicitie in both Worlds Right Honourable AMong the many and mighty Addresses and Congratulatory thanks that your Excellencie is assiduously accosted with for the Great and once accounted impossible Deliverance to these of late bleeding Nations wrought by your Honours most happy Hand and Counsels I humbly implore your Honors most Gratious Acceptance of this my mean acknowledgment For of so universal concernment have your most prosperous and heroick Actions been that as by the Sun the meanest receive advantage as the greatest though not in the same quantity or degree For the which Ages to come will instal you blessed Although I am a stranger unto your Honours Person yet should I be so unto your mighty and ever to be celebrated-Actions I must then be the same unto the Land of my own Nativity which with loud Acclamations and Ecchoes of joy hath owned your Excellencie as the only Instrumental cause of her present fruition of Peace and Settlement and of her future happiness and glory and of the truth of this Men and Angles are witnesses My Lord This little Book treating of things strange Emboldens me the more to present it unto your Honours Hand For if we search all Chronologie and dig thorow the deep Mine of Historie we shall scarcely find any one thing so eminently Prodigious and strange as this THE HAPPY RESTAURATION OF ENGLAND SCOTLAND AND IRELAND TO HER FORMER AND MOST NATURAL GOVERNMENT MONARCHY AND THIS PERFORMED BY YOUR HONOURS HAPPY UNDERTAKINGS WITHOUT THE LEAST BLOUDSHED which very thing speaks so much of Gods most Gratious and especial Providence to your Honour and these Kingdom 's that the true essential cause of this most happy Turn is to be read no where but in the Sacred Scrowl of Divine Miracles Which by the Fathers of the Church are worthily ranked among those things the Doctor of the Gentiles Terms 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the deep things or secrets of God and therefore not fit for Man's inspection I fear my Lord I am too troublesom I shall conclude with a Petition and a Prayer My Petition is That your Honour would not only vouchsafe your Acceptance of this little Book but your Pardon also to its Author who hath presumed to affix so great a Name unto so mean and contemptible a work My Prayer is that Heaven would be pleased to be as propitious to your Honors Person Name and Posterity as it hath made your Honor to the three Kingdoms of England Scotland and Ireland Which is the Cordial Fervent and faithful desire of Right Honourable Your Excellencies most Humble Servant and true Honourer John Gadbury To the Reader IT was no inconsiderable or left-handed truth that the Lyrick Poet ingeniously maintained 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That in every thing or action Seasonable performance is a principal matter And the Excellently learned and Philosophical Emperour M. Anton. Lib. 12. Sect. 35. lays it down as a fixed Position or Maxime 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That that only is good which is seasonable Whether this my present Discourse may come into the world seasonably I will not say or take on me to determine yet have I some reason to judge and believe it may for if I consider and compare the complexion of the times with the subject matter of this Book I find them equally Prodigious and according to reason A Book of Prodigies is fit In times Prodigious to be writ The order of Nature now as in Tertullians time Ap. Cap. 20. is obstructed by Monsters and Prodigies And the several Prodigious Actions performed lately and now on foot in most parts of the world speak the times disturbance and the unsetledness of the brains and humors of men Every Post almost brings news of some Protean Change But it is the trumpet of time that alone can proclaim its seasonableness or intempestivity The breath of which doth either blast the credit or blazon the worth of all Books I have not troubled my self or been at any large costs or expences upon it for its journey into the world but have trusted unto it to bespeak its own entertainment according to its merit The Fate of it I foresee will be not much unlike its Author 's that is it will meet with censures of all sorts as he with men As Euripides said of a Lot 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 So may I of this Book That it is the childe of Chance For it was produced without any large or curious study or long and serious contrivance the method will plainly prove I did it in hast I have run through the bulk of it in almost as strange a manner as some of our now-adays Christians their forms of Religion or the furious Enthusiast his visions and Revelations And truly when I consider the constitution and complexion of the work to prevent the censures and back-reports of others I could be content to say I have done nothing unless danced with Saint Vitus Notwithstanding had this Book been published by one who could have truly subscrib'd himself a Person of Honour or Dr. of Physick Master of Arts c. or by any one that had had some rattles to his name it might possibly have gained the worlds approbation for a painful collection a learned and worthy work whereas now it is likely to merit no other applause with the malicious and ignorant then the envious Epithets of a weak and indigested peece for Atticus eximie si caenat lautus habetur Si Rutilus Demens Juv. Sat. 11. If Atticus keep open house 't is had For Bounty in him If Rutilus he 's mad But alas we know full well Non quicunque in aula vivit Aulicus est They are not all Courtiers that live at the Court Aliud est piscari aliud piscatorum esse Nor all fisher-men that go a fishing Nor are they all Christians that go to Church So likewise we know that they are not all learned and ingenious that have taken a degree in an University an Ape sometimes may be preferred before Aristotle Kissing most commonly goes by favour and honour may be purchased
the earth as at Veios a City of Hetruria in Anno Mundi 3842. it rain'd oyl extreamly And in the year of Christ 364. wool was rained out of the Clouds Then for the Sea to appear in colour like blood as in the year of Christ 53. it did and seemed to all Spectâ—tors as if it had been real blood divers days together For noysome flyes to increase c. as in the year of Christ 1092. great swarms appeared in a strange manner in many Countries For Toads and Frogs to gender and increase after an unaccustomed manner as in the time of Hen. 2. of England they did in Wales where they devoured a young man For Locusts and Caterpillers to cover the earth as in the days of Pharaoh and in Italy in the year of Christ 593. where they came in such vast numbers and companies and destroyed so much of the fruits of the earth of all sorts as shortly after ensued a very great famine there For Bees those Monarchical and rarely well-govern'd creatures to go a progress as those that came to Cassinum and setled in the Court-house at the very time while causes were there a pleading Or like those that swarmed in the Temple of Salus Or those in Germany in the Tents of Drusus that setled upon the Pavilion of Hostilius Rutilius Marshal of the field in the year of the world 3954. or those that came swarming through Covent-Garden and the Strand London in the years of Christ 1653. and 1654. where one company fixed themselves to the end of a Cart and the other to the knee of a man's breeches as he passed along the streets For wheat to be rained on the earth like as hail is as it was in Carinthia which Dubartus attests fol. 16. Those dristing showres of wheat Which in Carinthia twice were seen to shed Whereof that people made them store of bread For the earth to travel and remove out of its place as it did in the Territories of Modona where two Hills being at an indifferent distance were seen fiercely to assault each the other and retreated so far that there was seen a flame and smoake to go up between them As saith Ravisius cap. 31. We have a more remarkable story neerer home viz. in the year of our Lord 1571. at Kinnaston in Herefordshire as the Learned Mr. Camden reports in his Britain fol. 620. a Hill they call Marcley-Hill as though it had awakened it self of a sudden out of deep sleep rouzed it self up and for the space of three days together moving and shewing it self as mighty and huge an heap as it was with roaring noise in a fearful sort and overturning all things that stood in the way advanced it self forward to the wondrous astonishment of the beholders Mr. Speed in his description of Herefordshire delivers the Story more fully and tells us That it began to journey the seventh of February being Saturday at six a clook at night c. and carryed with it sheep in their Coats Hedg-rows and Trees whereof some were overturned and some that stood upon the plain are firmly growing upon the Hill Those that were East were turned West and those in the VVest were in the East in which remove it overthrew Kinnaston Chappel and turned two high-ways neer one hundred yards from their usual paths formerly trod The ground thus travelling neer about twenty six acres which opening it self with Rocks and all bare the earth before it four hundred yards space without any stay leaving that which was pasturage in the place of Tillage and the Tillage over-spread with pasturage and at last overwhelming her lower part mounted to an Hill of twelve Fathoms high and there rested her self after three days travel And although I might relate many more and those every whit as strange as these mentioned yet this shall suffice in this place for the kinds of earthy or Terrestrial Prodigies I come in the next place to speak of the kinds of Celestial Prodigies and they are many also As those many very various and admirable Apparitions which in a wonderful manner have been observed in the Heavens viz Armies of men seen fighting in the Heavens Charging and retreating as dexterously as if they were at a real pitcht field or battel here on the earth Such a prodigie was that which appeared in the year of the world 3795. when Antiochus made provision to goe the second time into Egypt where in Jerusalem for forty days together were seen in the Aire Horsmen running to and fro having Guns of gold and Speares as if they had been armed Bands their Horses ran in order they met hand to hand their Bucklers moved and there were a number of men with Helmets and drawn Swords there was casting of Darts and Gorgets guilt Armor and Coats of Mail c. In the time of the Emperour Charls the Great and 803. year of Christ before Nicephorus set upon the Empire of the West there appeared Armies of wonderful greatness in the Air as saith Dr. B. in his Doom c. The same Author tells us that in the year 930. post Christum the sixteenth of the Kalends of March in the morning about Cock-crowing untill the day break there was seen in a Country in France all over the face of the Element bloody Armies And Anno Christi 1116 in the begining of the night fiery Armies were seen in the Element from the North unto the East and afterwards dispersed over all the Heavens to the exceeding amazement of the beholders Then for Castles Cities and Towns to be represented in the Air as if they were really fixed there And for whole Countreys to be and appear in the Heavens carrying along in them Hills Woods Valleys Rivers Beasts Fowls Men Women and Children and all as variously and differently disposed as they are really and certainly known to be on earth Thus Dr. Fulke in his discourse of Meteors For Monstrous and hideous shapes to appear in the Heavens such as the earth affords no similitude Such as Livius saith appeared at Rome Anno Mundi 3696. he reporteth them for want of fit and convenient resemblances of them among men to be both ill-favoured and cruel Then for Burials Processions Judgments Combates Weapons of all sorts Crowns and Scepters Arms of certain Countreys and Noble-men For the Images and shaddows of men to appear like penitential patients after an humble and repentant manner asking forgiveness of whom they have offended Of which sort or kind of Apparitions and Prodigies have I both read and heard most strange yea almost incredible Stories but I conceive it fitter to transfer them to the second part of this book they being more capable of claiming a place in the Chronologie then to be mentioned here Then for Sybil-like Characteristical Oracles to be seen and read in the Heavens as that of Julian the apostate in Persia the same day he dyed a knot or company of Stars were observed to make up these words Hodie Julianus in Persia
occiditur i. e. This day shall Julian be slain in Persia And according to the report of Zonarus he was so I have heard some Astrologers contend that some skilful person might have the Nativity of Julian and knowing the time he was to fight his enemies observing the direction he was then under together with the Revolution and Transits concurring he might thence according to the influence only of the Stars therein predict his being slain by his so fighting at an unfortunate time The thing I know is probable and may be done by Astrologie but until I can see his Nativity to inform me thorowly in what I conclude probable I am content to let it pass as my Author hath done for a Celestiâ—l Prodigie But above all that may be looked upon as a Prodigie in the highest degree which my worthy friend Cap. Wharton in his Ephemeris for the yeer 1655. hath transcribed from one Tackius a Germane Doctor of Physick which he Tackius makes mention out of one Casper to have appeared in the yeer of our Lord 1554. not far from the City of Harmsted in Transylvania which was observed in the Heavens to be read being in fair and Legible Characters thus I. N. R. I. M. D. L. V. I. I. A. R. E. I. N. E. N. D. E. D. I. S. E. S. R. E. I. C. H. S. Nay the same Author further averreth that at Friburg the same yeer on a very fair day Dom. nostrum Jesum Christum Iridi insidentem conspectum fuisse Our Lord Jesus Christ was beheld sitting upon a Rainebow as if upon his Tribunal to denounce the universal judgment For Castles Cities and Towns to be besieged in the Air and the many and divers actions and gestures of men both Commanders Souldiers pertaining thereunto as it hapned not many yeers since in Poland and Muscovia perhaps as the Messenger of that sad misery the Polander hath lately been sensible of The like prodigious apparition hapned in the North of England in the yeer 1655. Nor hath it wanted corresponding effects Then for the Similitudes or likeness of persons known to the Spectators to appear in the Heavens as that of the Emperour Charls unto whom the Spectators did obeisance supposing it to have been him in reality by putting off their Caps unto him Or that of John Frederick Prince Elector of Saxonic who at the same time was Prisoner to the Emperour And I very well remember that in the yeer 1649. the very yeer in which Charls late King of England was beheaded it was generally I will not I cannot say truly reported that he without his head was seen to hover in the Air over White-hall the place where he was beheaded many nights together Nay I have heard some affirm That he was seen sometimes with his George upon his breast in the manner and form as he wore it when he came on the Scaffold And that sometimes again he was seen to appear in his watchet-Wastcote only Neither of these sights did I ever see nor can enjoyn any ones faith to believe However if the report were true and I know not what advantage any man can reap by reporting such things as these if they were not it may very well be aspected as a thing prodigious and remarkable Again for Circles and Crowns and Images c. to appear in the Heavens of different and various colours And for Crosses also as in the yeer of Christ 1568. in England on the 25 day of January at what time as Mr. Stow recordeth there appeared a great shining Cross in the Heavens with a Star on the top and a Moon at the lower end thereof Then for chasms chaps or gapings in the clouds such as so often appeared in the yeers of Christ 1644. and 1645. in England the South and West parts thereof And in Scotland about 1649. and 1650. after which and very suddenly after that Nation underwent an unheard-of Catastrophe or Change For darkness to appear in the day-time without an Eclipse of the Sun is a coelestial Prodigie and a thing against nature as that in the time of Commodus 187 yeers post Christum when it was observed to be so dark that the Stars were seen all day long And in the yeer 264. post Christum there was continual darkness at Rome divers days together Or that at the passion of our blessed Redeemer which Dionysius Areopagita being at Athens saw and cryed out as you may read in his Epistle to Polycarpus Aut mundi Autorem pati vel machinam ejus dissolutum iri i. e. That either the God of Nature then suffered or else the fabrick of the whole world should be dissolved Then Comets and blazing Stars c. Peucer in his Meteorologie makes mention of one that appeared in the yeer of Christ 607. and blazed for the space of thirty and two days together And the same Author telleth us of another that hapned in the yeer 1043. which blazed for many weeks together Alstedius in Chronologia Com. 104. relates that in the yeer 1363. there appeared a Comet of immense Magnitude and continued three Months together Such also were they that appeared in the Chair of Cassiopoeia and in the yeer 1618. in Scorpio Libra Virgo and of late that in the yeer 1652. which hapned in ♊ and ♉ Then there are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 parelia or mock-Suns i. e. Solis imagines as Peucer calls them images or shadows of the Sun And 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 paraselenae or mock-Moons i. e. Lunae Imagines Besides divers sorts of Meteors which in their kinds are Prodigies also caused of fumes hot dry as burning Torches such as were seen in the Air to burn in the years 3871. and 3873. at what time they blazed so strangely in the Heavens that they made them to seem all on fire in the sight of the beholders Or that which appeared at Rome Anno Christi 999. January 19. which burned wonderfully in the Heavens insomuch saith mine Author that not onely they which were in the fields but also those whiâ—h were within doors were stricken with that so great a shining as with lightning breaking in upon them Dr. Bateman is my Authour for this relation Doome fol. 207. Then burning Beams such as were observed to fall from Heaven in a most dreadful and hideous manner at Rome in the sixteenth yeer of Christ Then there are according to Meteorologists Fromundus Meurer and others Pillars both round Pyramidal Spears or Darts Launces or Swords leaping Goats wandring and licking lights Ignes fatui or foolish fires shooting Stars flying Dragons Besides many other sorts of Prodigies and Meteors whose causes c. I am content to pretermit here that I may meet them the more conveniently in the fourth part This therefore shall suffice for answer to the first Question viz. What a Prodigie is and also for the particulars that append unto it and so I arrive at the second Quest 2. Whether a Prodigie have a Natural cause
Herodotus Cum Deus puniturus est gentem vel orbem prodigiis id solet prius significare i. e. When God intends to punish a Nation Countrey or City he is first wont to give them notice thereof by apparitions or Prodigies And this shall suffice for answer to the three Questions and for the first Section also viz. of some disquisitions touching Prodigies SECT II. Being a brief Catâ—l gue of the most remarkable Prodigies sâ—en and observed since the birth of Christ together with the effects that have succeeded them ABout the time that our Lord and Saviour was born which was in the year of the world 3849. and 43. year of the raign of Augustus Caesar many wonderful and remarkable Prodigies shewed themselves in the Heavens and this more frequently then in former years as Josephus in his Jewish Antiquities testifies Which unusual sights occasioned the Magi or wise men of those times in theiâ— predictions to conclude That some more then ordinary person would arise or appear in the world which presages some learned Persons applyed to Augustus Caesar who then raigned prosperously But the more divinely inspired interpreted them to signifie him who as the Prophet Isaiah saiâ—h should have his government upon his shoulders Even the Saviour of the whole world Now the Birth of Christ among Christians being accepted of as the most principal Epochae I adjudged it convenient to dig so far intâ— the golden Mines of Chronologie and History and hand unto the world a brief of all the Principal Prodigies and Apparitions since that time together with their effects which take as followeth An. Chri. Prodigies Their effects 5. Many Prodigious births in Germany Armies in the Air seen at Rome Tiberius obtains a victory against the Cauchi in Germany he subdues the Lumbards The Pannonii rebel A very great Famine in Rome 6. 10. A terrible Ecliâ—se of the Sun And Prodigious storms of rain and hail in Germany The Pannonian war is ended The second German war began Varus defeated and killeth himself The Illyrians subdued by Tiberius Ovid banished Româ— 12. In Cyprus a great Earthquake that overthrew many Cities Christ disputes with the Doctors A great and tâ—rrible Comet then seen Athenaeus slain by the fall of a House Antipater and Philip build Caesarea Philippi and Bethsaida in honour of Augustus Caligulâ— born Augustus granteth the Tribunes power to Tiberius 13. 15. The light of the ☉ was seen apparently to fâ—il The Heavens seemed to burn Fierâ— Beams fell from Heaven Bloody Comets seen Lightning sâ—â—â—kes out the first letter of Caesars Name Vitellius born Agrippa slain and Julia starved to death Germanicus overcometh the Bracteri and Arminius A counterfeit Agrippa raiseth Forces and cometh to Rome Is betrayed to Tiberius and executed Caesar dyeth Ovid dyeth 16. 17. The River Tyber overfloweth Rome Thirteen Cities destroyed with an Earthquake Noysome Flyes in great swarms and companies in Germany Guiderius in Britain refuses to pay Tribute Germanicus overcomes the Chatti and Cherusci and Angrivarii Drusus Tiberius Son rebels but is subdued by Camillus Piso corrupts Tiberius Army in Germany 18. 22. Blood rained in Rome Great flocks of Grashoppers Armies fighting in the Air seen in Poland and at Rome c. Pompey's Theatre burned Sejanus favourite to Tiberius is executed for aspiring his Son strangled his Daughter first deflowred by the Hangman then put to death Drusus is poysoned 23. 29. An Army of Souldiers seen in the Air at Rome Fiery Torches a blazing Star like a sword with many other wonderful Prodigies now seen in Germany The Arabians defeat Herod The City Tiberius drowned Tiberius turned Tyrant and in stead of being called Claudius Tiberius Nero Thâ—y named him Caldius Biberius Mero Otho is born 30. 34. A very great darkness in the day-time which continued from six a clock until nine and yet no Eclipse of the ☉ for it was at a full Moon Christ the Saviour of the world was crucified Agrippina wife to Germanicus starved to death by Tiberius Tacitus saith Tiberius caused now above a thousand to be slaine in Rome 39. A very great light seen in the Heavens and a voyce tancountred Saul going to Dama cus saying Saul Saul wâ—y persecutest thou me This Prodigie was the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Pauls conversion Some would have this to have hapned in the 35 yeâ—r of P C. Caligula would be worshipped as a God commands it executeth divers Knights and Gentlemen 47. The Heavens seem wonderfully to burn A Comet of very great magnitude appeaâ—ed for many dayes together Lightning fell from Heâ—ven upon the standards of the Pretorian Souldiers Vespâ—sian goeth into Britain taketh the Isle of Wight The Romans overcome the Picts in Scotland Herod dyeth 20000 Jews slain between the Gates of the Temple Messalina foâ—câ—th Salvis to repudiate his wife marries her they both are slain 48. 50. A Phoenix seen in Egypt And an Island of thirty fuâ—longs in length aâ—peared in the S â— which was n ver before seen A very great Famine in Rome Vertidius banished by Claudius Vannius expelled his power Domitian born The whole Country of Trevers is wasted by Clodomore 57. 53. Three Suns appeared at one time in Rome And in and about the Coasts of England for certain dayes the Sea seemed as blood Claudius poysoned by Agrippina 3000 Romans defeated in Scotland Agrippa poysoneth Silanus he poysoneth Narcissus for 17 Millions of money and he also poysoneth Britannicus 54. 56. A Comet of a very great magnitude appeared for a long time together in Italy Nero begins his Acts of villany Cartismand Queen of the Brigantes rejects Venutius her Husband he wars against her The K. of Scots taketh her buryeth her alive 59. A terrible Eclipse of ☉ The Stars also were seen Nero's supper burned with Lightning An Earthquake at Rome ☉ eclipsed again and again viz. 3 times visible in 3 yeers Many Jews perish at Caesaria Nero commits Incest with his Mother The Britains slay 70000 of the Romans and Suetonius destroys 80000 of them as he comes from Anglesey Saint Mark writes his Gospel c. 60. 61. 63. A great Comet appears and lightning falls before Nero's Table A very great inundation in England Rome is fired by the meanes of Nero he rejoyces in that villany This yâ—ar the Jews rebâ—l and many of them are slain 64. 66. The Ocean seemed blood A prodigious accident at Colchester in England viz. the image of victory turned back An Earthquake in Asia A Comet appeared six months Another Comet and three Suns together Gessius Florus slain by the Jews Bodice aided by Corbred King of Scots killeth 70000 Romans Vespasian sent against the Jews The Romans take Jamnia and Lydo The Gadarens yeeld Nero attempteth to cut the Isthmus in Peloponnesus 67. 69. An Earthquake A strange bird of notable greatness seen at Rome A blazing star Two Eclipses of ☽ contrary to astronomical demonstration she appears black and bloody Armed men seen in the air Jerusalem taken by Titus
Armed men and Castles seen in the H avens at Greece Valentinian strangled at Vienna Eugenius is made Emperour Honorius wars against Eugenius King of France slain in battel Romans impose a tribute on the French 399. Strange fiery Clouds seen in Constantinople An Earthquake and great Hayl A star like a sword seen at Rome In many places hailstones fell which were bigger then a stone of eight pound weight A great snow a great Eclipse of the Sun other strange meteors Goths divide into two factions and consume themselves with Civil War Gildo killeth his children is forced to flâ—e is taken and strangled Temples and Idols destroyed The Sybils Books burnt at Rome Gaina the Goths General rebels is taken and slain by the Prince of the Huns Alaricus wasts Pannonia and Dalmatia without opposition 430. 412. This year the earth at Eutica as if it had been sensible mourned for 7 days together with a horrible lowing At Rome great flocks of Grashoppers were seen in the Air. Arthaulphus warreth with the Vandals The Spaniards Country parted between the Swedes and Vandals Pelagius a Monk in Britain broaches his opinions Heraclian is slain by his own Souldiers 434. It rained blood at Tolosa A Comet of wonderful Magnitude appeared in the Heavens this year In Swethen a Dragon was seen flying in the Air. A great Famine in Constantinople Pope Bassus dieth The French besiege Archillas The Emperours make peace with the Vandals Goths break peace with the Romans The Britains war with the Scots 454. Apparitions in the Heavens in England Spears burning seen at Rome Many earthquakes Moon Eclipsed A Comet this year appeared ten weeks together This year Aelius is slain Catigern and Horsa slain in Battel at Aylesford in Kent The Britains beat the Saxons and drive them into the Isle of Thaner King of Goths slain 463. A great Earthquake in Rome and in many parts of Italy with terrible showres and great storms of Hayl The Goths wast Illyria Beorgok is slain in Italy by Ricimer The Popes priviledge is obstructed by Hillarius a Deacon of Rome 471. An Earthquake at Vienna Wolves and other Beasts wander all the year through that City and devour men The Kings Palace is consumed by fire Ricimer aspireth and being discovered fleeth to Milan he proclaimeth war against the Emperour Besiegeth Rome killeth Arthemius Lusitania and Burgundie wasted by the Visi-Goths 483. In Russia Armies of men were seen in the Air. An Earthquake also and two wonderful blazing Stars appeared A Rainbow encompassing two Suns Gyles King of Soyssons is slain and Clovis taketh many Cities A persecution of learned men in Affrique Zeno giveth himself to ryots and cruelty he putteth many to death 507. This year there fell a great and fiery Dart from Heaven in Affrica And dark spots were also observed in the bodie of the Sun The Emperour gives the Goths money to depart his Dominions Clovis warreth against Alaricus for Religion and killeth him Italy wasted by a present sent to Clorus of 100 Ships and 8000 men 529. Wonderful lightning at Antioch An Earthquake at Constantinople Legible letters seen in the Air at Rome It rained blood in the Vallies of Lucern and Peidmont four days together The Persians war against the King of Colchos and the Emperour The Vandals put their General to death The Jews are suppressed The Emperours General Mundus defeateth the Getes who wasted Thrace 539. A famous Comet seen in the regal sign Sagittarius And flocks of Ravens seen at Rome The Emperour and Persians break their peace The Persians take Antioch and wast the Eastern Provinces The Emperour purchaseth his peace People ordered to pray toward the East 546. The Sea flowed up four miles into Thrace and swept away many people A very great Earthquake in Constantinople The Emperour wars with the Lazii The Goths setting upon the Romans at the siege of Septa are all slain Totilas besiegeth Rome and takâ—th it Belisarius recovereth it c. 555. A fiery Launce in the Element appeared from the North to the East The Heavens seemed to open in France and lights shined out for two hours space An Earthquake shook Constantinople for six weeks The Ostro-Gothique war endeth in Italy this year Narses winneth Liguria and Venice fâ—om the French The Romans rout the Persians at Phasido The Jews and Samaritans persecute the Christians and burn their Churches in Caesaria 570. At York in England the Fountains ran blood Blood also fell from the Clouds in Lumbardie In Kent a boy laughed in his mothers belly and at London Trees seemed to be on fire The Persians begin a war with the Romans The Emperour entreth into a league with the Ethiopians against the Persians The Huns break into Germany and are expelled by the French The Persians invade Armenia and take Antioch and Daras 590. A great inundation in Constantinople A Comet this year that blazed a Month together In the River Tiber were seen a Dragon and many Serpents It overflows Rome An infinite company of Grashoppers in Lombardy Many Locusts in France A famine so great in Britain that the people assembled themselves together in flocks to cast themselves into the Sea Romanus gaineth from the Lombards A Plague so great in Rome that 800 men fell dead in an hour in the time of Procession Antharis is poysoned at Papia Huns invade Europe and Thrace Emperour goes against thâ—m but is forced to return 597. A horrible Comet seen in Constantinople The Elements seen to burn in Poland A fiery Launce seen in the Heavens at Rome Pope Gregory redeems many Captives The Sclavi wast Thrace The Britains and Scots invade the Saxons France and Poland are miserably wasted 618. A grievous Earthquake in Palestina A sign in the Heavens like a sword flamed thirty days together A Comet appeared for a month together and was seen at Hierusalem Brunchild a Daughter of France found guilty of the death of Ten Kings she is tyed by the hair of the head and by Arms to wild horses and torn to pieces Romans and Persians at odds The Emperour defeated in Thrace 639. An Earthquake at Antioch Horsemen seen in the Air in Muscovia And blood rained at Naples The Saracens become Lords of all Mesopotamia Sigebert the East Saxon dieth Dagobert becomes the sole Monarch of France The Pope looseth his treasure by the Exarques 651. A wonderful Storm at Constantinople that spoiled Fields and Gardens A fiery Dragon seen in the air there also The Saracens invade Isauria and for a great sum of money grant the Emperour a peace for two years The Pope imprisoned at Constantinople He is banished and starved 674. This year there appeared so horrible a fire and a Rain-bow in the Element that many men cryed out the world was at an end Rain with Thunder and lightning which slew both men and Beasts in Italie The Saracens besiege Costantinople seven years and at last 30000 of them are slain their Fleet is fired by Carrinicius who revolteth from them Bamba warreth
just due Nay the people of England send such sugred Addresses to him that he believâ—d himself to be what they flatteringly stiled him King of Sweden looses much and dies 1658. 1659. A very great inundation in Holland drowning 36000 acres of ground A great eclipse of the ☉ in Scorpio Nov. 4. Lofty and strange unwonted winds An Earthquake in Naples Great rains in France An inundation at Blackwall London overflowing many acres of ground In May 1650. The long Parliament return'd turn d out Rich. Cromwell then turn'd out by Lambert and others thâ—mselves A Committee of Safety set up Lord Gen. Monck troubled to behold the confusion of the English Proceedings marches out of Scotland and after the Committee of Safety was fallen brings in the secluded Members The long Parliam dissolv'd They call anotheâ— which Restores his Royal Majesty King Charls the 2. to his just Rights and Priviledges whom God preserve with a long and happy reign over us 1660. Thus much may serve for the second part of this Book viz. a Catalogue of Prodigies remarkable since the Birth of Christ with the Effects attending them Whence I journey to my third particular promised and that is Something touching Comets and Eclipses But first note that many of the things mentioned in the Column of Effects did fall out sometimes the next year following the time of the Prodigies happening but mostly they are attributed to the particular years as any ingenious Chronologer may discern And let the Reader understand that although I have appropriated those many and several accidents of Countries unto the several Prodigies hapning therein yet I deny not the Co-operation of the Coelestial bodies therewith according to the strength of their configurations in the production of such rare and admirable Effects The ingenious Reader I judge is not so low orbed as to stand in need of this Advertisement Ergo I intend it not for his use or instruction But 1. to prevent the over-heated Conception of the Cynical adversaries to Art for I foresee some such will happen on this Book And 2. to strengthen the weaker fancy who is often found willing to be wading in Rivers of this Nature that he may not in stead of refreshing drown himself SECT III. Something touching Comets Eclipses and Earthquakes THis Section I shall divide into three parts or subsections and those subjections I shall sub-divide again as the occasion or matter requireth Subsect 1. Of Comets Because things in order look the best I shall divide this member or subsection into the following particulars 1. Of the names and kinds of Comets 2. Of what they are ingendred 3. Of the colour of Comets 4. Of their final Cause 1. Of the names and kinds of Comets To let pass all impertinent Circumstances and come closely to the matter in hand Cometa seu 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. a Comer is so called from Coma which signifieth the hair of the head or rather a bush of hairs after the vulgar or more general acceptation or if we shall speak with the learned Cicero 't is concinnatam Sydus a Star having curled or crisped hair Or if you please thus a Comet is an unusual apparition consisting of Exhalations hot and dry the site and motion of which is contrary to that of the fixed or Erratique Stars Aristotle that great master of reason Lib. 1. Met. C. 8. makes only two sorts of Comets or blazing Stars viz. Crinita and Barbata The first are those that dilate or extend their Rays or Beams like hairs on every side equally The second are those whose Beams are extended to a very great length or that seem to have a Beard Mane or Tayl directly poynting one way Another divided Comets into two sorts à Motu substantia from their Motion and substance Alii ardorem undique fundunt nec locum mutant alii in unam partem ignem vagum in modum comae porrigunt stellas permeant i. e. Some Comets there be that stretch forth or extend their ardor and light on every side and do not change their place and there are others that cast forth a wandering or unconstant fire like the hair of ones head toward one part only and so passeth through the Stars Astroâ—ogers unto whom the study of such things doth principally belong Ab efficienti causa From the efficient cause of Comets divide them into seven Species or kinds agreeable to the number and nature of the seven Planets or Erratique Stars Terming some of them Saturnine others Jovial Some Martial some Solar others Mercurial c. of which you may read in Franciscus Junctinus his Spect. Astral De Cometis But the great Naturalist Pliny in his Natural History Lib. 2. Cap. 15. reckoneth up twelve kindes of Comets bearing these following Names and Figures 1. Crinita An hairy Comet horrible to behold equally inflamed round with bloody shagged hairs like a bush or hair of the head 2. Barbata A Bearded Star or Comet casting forth his Beams or Flames to a very great length 3. Jaculum A Dart or Javeling because it brandisheth its rayes in the form or shape thereof 4. Gladius a Knife Sword or Dagger the head of which appeareth like to the hilt of a Sword but the Rayes rather resemble a Dagger or a Knife 5. Discâ—us so called when it resembleth in shape or form a dish or â—latter i. e. when it is of figure broad and round and dilateth slender rayes round about equally 6. Pithetes which very much resembleth the shape of a Tun hiding the obscure and smoakie beams in the very middle thereof as in a hollow concave 7. Ceratias a Comet casting a flame crooked or bowed like a horn or like the head of a Crosiers staff 8. A Lampas or Lampadias which bears the similitude of a burning Lamp or Torch issuing out flames in the Heavens 9. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hippeus Equinum sydus is a Star representing the mane of a Horse most swift in motion 10. Hercus a Comet invironed with some kind of haits and a manâ— seemingly roâ—gh and hairy by the slender fibrae of its beams 11. Argyrocomus or Argenticomus which is a Star or Comet silver-hair'd being very white and thin in it's shining 12. Hasta a Comet in the form of a Spear which some Naturalists call veru a spit or broach and Perticam a Perch These are the several names and kinds of Comets according to the best of Authors I come next to speak 2. Of what Comets are Engendred In this particular Authors are very much differing in their opinions for some there be that think Comets to be souls of illustrious men triumphing in Heaven or fires conveyed to and fro by the power of spirits and Bodine was a chief maintainer hereof Others there are that judge a Comet not to be any thing real and distinct from other pre-existent bodies but rather a meer Emphasis or apparency made by the reflection or refraction of Solar and Lunar Rays Another