The true prophecies or prognostications of Michael Nostradamus, physician to Henry II, Francis II, and Charles IX, kings of France and one of the best astronomers that ever were a work full of curiosity and learning / translated and commented by Theophilvs de Garencieres ...

CHAP. XIV.

Since what time these Prophecies began.

IT is certain that they began in January 1555. because he dedicated the first seven Centuries to his Son Caesar the first day of March in the said year, and consequently they were made before that time, and we cannot allow less than two Months to an Author for the making of 700. Stanza's: Nevertheless for a greater manifestation of his prophetical spirit, I have not found any of his Prophe∣cies that did come to pass before the first of March 1555.

As for the Eight, Ninth and Ten Century, there is reason to believe, that the effect of them doth not begin before the 27 June 1558. which is the date of his Li∣minary Epistle to Henry the II. Nevertheless he saith in the same Epistle, that in a writing by it self he will set down the exposition of his Prophecies, beginning the 14 of March 1557. and in the Epistle to Nostradamus his son, he saith in general that he hath composed Books of Prophecies, each one containing one hundred Stanza's, without specifying whether he spoke of the seven that he dedicated to him, or of all the others.

As for my part, I believe he had made them all in the year 1555. but that he had not yet examined the three last Centuries, according to the Calculation of his Astro∣nomical assertions, as he seemeth to indicate often in his Epistle to Henry II. and to say the truth, I have found some Stanza's, which were fulfilled before the year 1558. though very few.

As for the extent of his Prophecies, it is certain, that it is to the end of the World, as I shall make it appear in the explication of the 48, the 49, and 56. Stanza's of the first Century, and the 72, 73, and 94. of the tenth, and all according to the Holy Scripture.

All these things being premised, we shall proceed to the explication of the Pro∣phecies, setting first the Authors Luminary Epistle to his Son.