The doome warning all men to the iudgemente wherein are contayned for the most parte all the straunge prodigies hapned in the worlde, with diuers secrete figures of reuelations tending to mannes stayed conuersion towardes God: in maner of a generall chronicle, gathered out of sundrie approued authors by St. Batman professor in diuinite.

¶ The Doome, warning to the Iudgement.

[illustration]

WHen the most mightie and bles∣sed God, Creator of all things, had finished the vni∣uersall forme and substance of the whole worlde in most ample and perfect manner, euen then presently the subtill Serpent and enemie to mankinde, as al∣so of mans saluation,* 1.1 spake in the pleasant place of Paradise vnto Eua, not in a worde or two, but vsed with hir both slie and forcible persuasions, & wan∣ting no artificiall inducing, neither left he off after such spéeche vsed with [ 3959] hir, but so diuersly questioned, y^t in the ende, she doubting of the Comman∣dement of God, was deceiued, as more plainely appeareth in the .3. Chap∣ter of Genesis, wherevpon God presently tooke reuenge, and punished this disobedience, in taking away from Adam that shape and resemblance of God, wherewith before he was indued: thereby all mankindes posteritie was infected, euen with the corruption of sinne, and made subiect to death and other punishments for sinne.

Caine and Abell were the sonnes of Adam & Eue, the first borne of man∣kinde: [ 3910] when either of them of their proper store had brought a sacrifice vn∣to [ 49] God, the giuer of all good things, Caine arose against Abell his brother and slewe him, bicause Caines offering was euil, and his brothers good: and therefore being refused of God, became as a Vacabond vpon the earth, the fire of the Lorde consumed the sacrifice of Abell, a token of his good will and fauour, &c. Reade more concerning these two brethren in the .4. Chap∣ter of Genesis.

And it happened that when they were in the fielde, Caine arose against Abell his brother and slewe him: then the Lorde saide vnto Caine, where is Abell thy brother? he saide I cannot tell, am I my brothers kéeper? and God said, what hast thou done? The voyce of thy brothers bloud crieth vnto me, out of the earth, &c.

[ 1656] God visited the iniquitie of the people, and ouerwhelmed the whole [ 2307] worlde with a floud. After it had raigned full fortie dayes continually on the Earthe with great violence, wherein Noe onelye was saued, with his wife and children eight soules: also by the mightie ordinaunce of God, there were preserued in the Arke of all kynde of lyuing and cleane beastes, seauen and seauen, the Male and the Female, and of vncleane beastes a couple or paire, and all manner of foules that had feathers, and of all cre∣ping wormes vppon the Earth.* 1.2 These went all vnto Noah in the Arke, by couples, of all fleshe in whom was the breath of lyfe, and the Lorde shut the Arke doore, then came the floud of waters fortie dayes vppon the earth, and the water increased, and bare vp the Arke and preuayled fyftéene Cubites high ouer the Mountaines: thus was destroyed all that euer was vppon the Earth. And the waters preuayled vppon the Earth an hundred and fiftie dayes.

[ 1656] After the floud was ceassed, when God had restored to Noah and his [ 2307] thrée sonnes, Sem, Cham, & Iaphet, the earth agayne, and had giuen them power ouer all things which the Earth brought forth, he placed in heauen with the cloudes in open sight a Celestiall bowe, beset euery where with diuerse and sundrie colours, that all ages might viewe and behold the same, as a perpetuall signe and remembrance of his couenant made with Noah and all posterities after him, and as an assured testimonie, that the worlde after that should neuer be punished with the like plague of water againe.

The Philosophers called the Rainebowe Iris, of the Gréeke onely, none otherwise than for varietie of name.

[ 1760] In those begunne dayes of this worlde liued Ianus, who first after the [ 2297] generall floud taught the people the letters, and the course or order of the starres, with other diuerse Artes: he planted Vines, and deuided the yéere according to the mouing of the Sunne: he is saide to haue appoynted the twelue Monethes, and the course of the Moone.

Ianus, some suppose to be Saturne, some to be Iaphet one of the sonnes of Noah. And where as he is formed with two faces, it is but an inuentiō, by the which is signifyed Gouernment and Labour. Ianus is sayde to haue bin King of Italie, nowe called Italians, a politike and subtil people, their heade Citie is Rome built long after by Romulus.

Here I thought good to make mention of a man deformed, aboute this tyme liuing in Italie of great fame, who in respect of his minde, was surely a man, but his body bewrayed him to bée most monstrous and deformed, for he bare the shape of a man from the girdle vpwarde, but downewarde he resembled a horse: It is written that he lyued one hundred and twentie yéeres, and that he reuiued and lyued, after that he had thrice yéelded to death, as Aelianus reporteth in his ninth booke & .16. Chap. De varia Hist. and Volateranus in his .17. Booke Antropologiae, of the discourse of men.

Nimbrot called also Nimrod & Nemrod, which signifyeth a rebellious [ 1790] person, a cruell oppressor or tyrant: after he came into the lande called Sin∣har [ 2173] and there determined to builde a Citie, he layde the foundation of an excéeding great and huge Tower, lyke to the heigth and bignesse of hylles for a token and memoriall that the people of Babylon were the first people in the whole world, and the kingdome (then) of all kingdomes, as Berosus in his fourth Booke maketh mention. But God who ouerthroweth pryde and ambition, destroyed this Tower, by diuision of diuerse languages and spéeches, wherof it is called Babell, bicause there was confounded the blotte or staine of the whole worlde, and after dispersed the builders thereof into all coastes of the Earth. Genesis. 10.11.

The text, Chap. xi. THen the whole earth was of one language and speache,* 1.3 and as they went frō the East, they foūd a place in the lād of Shinar, & there they abode. And they said one to an other, Come let vs make bricke & burne it in the fire. So they had bricke for stone, and slime had they in steade of morter. Also they said, go to, let vs build vs a Citie & a towre, whose top may reach vnto the heauen, that we may get vs a name,* 1.4 least we be scat∣tered vpon the whole earth. But the Lord came downe, to see the citie & towre, which the sonnes of men builded. And the Lord said, behold the people is one, & they al haue one language, & this they begin to doe, nei∣ther can they now be stopped from whatsoeuer they haue imagined to doe: Come on let vs go downe, & there confound their language, that e∣uery one perceiue not an others speache. So the Lorde scattered them frō thence vpon all the earth, and they left off to build the citie. Therfore the name of it was called Babell, bicause the Lorde did there confounde the language of all the earth: from thence then did the Lorde scatter them vpon all the earth.

Babilon a noble Citie being set and placed by the Riuer Euphrates, once head of al Caldea or Caldie, of the which great Mesopotamia, and part of Assi∣ria was called Babilon, as Plinie writeth: Strabo writeth the Citie to bée builded by Semiramis who did reedifie it, but Nembroth the Giaunt did first beginne the worke,* 1.5 in a fertill and fruitfull soyle. The walles of the Citie were .50. Cubits in breadth, & in height .300. Cubits: the compasse of the walles .480. furlongs, the Riuer Euphrates running through the midst of it, being beautified with an .100. gates of brasse, many yéeres sithence sub∣iect to heathen infidels. It appeareth that vnsatiable desire bringeth all to confusion: wherefore olde examples are profitable.

Saint Augustine in his Booke of the Citie of God, and the .8. Chapter saith, that after the destruction of this building of Babilon, and confusion of tongues, the most mightie & excellent God brought forth sundry monsters of men, in diuers formes and shapes, wherevpon there are reported in A∣frica to be founde,

* 1.6Cynnamin••, whom the barbarous people dwelling néerest, doe cal wilde mē, or Forrest raungers among the woods. These haue very great beards, and for safetie of their life they bring vp and nourishe great store of wylde Dogges, bicause that from the beginning of Sommer vntill the Winter he halfe spent, there vsed to come forth of India such an infinite number of Bulles, and wilde kine, and others, into their Countrey (the cause wherof is vncertaine) whether it be that they flie frō other wilde beasts pursuing them, or for want of pasture or other forage, or otherwise cōpelled by im∣pulsion of some secrete natural forcible cause, considering that nature is the mother of all myracles and straunge euentes: but these wilde men, not be∣ing able with their owne strength to withstand the wilde beastes, they de∣fend themselues with their Dogges, and kill many of them, which they take and eate, some of them whyle they are yet freshe, and some other they salte, whereon they féede as they néede: many other kinde of beasts they also eate, with the which they féede their dogges.

Spermathophagi, a people that lyue by fruite and buddes of trées in the Spring and Sommer season, and also by gathering of the lyke fruite for their preseruation they liue in the barraine season: a senselesse people, apte to small seruice.

Hophagi a slyght or slender made people: they resort with their wyues and children to fieldes and woods, where they go vp into the trées, & breake off the weakest toppes of the smallest braunches, being so apt and expert by continuall practize in clymbing of trées, as that (which myghte séeme in∣credible) they can and doe vse to leape lyke Squirrelles, out of one tree into an other, and clymbe the verye weakest toppe springs wyth∣out daunger, by reason of their smalnesse and lightnesse: and if their féete chaunce to slyde at any tyme, they catch hold of y^e boughes presently with

their handes, sauing themselues at pleasure from any daunger, if it hap∣pen them to fall to the grounde: thus byting the weakest braunches they fill theyr bellies: these goe alwayes naked: their wiues and children bee common among them: they fight togither for roome and places: their wea∣pons were little bats, which they vse in fight, ruling ouer such as they hap∣pily ouercome: they are for the most parte famished to death, by reason that theyr sight is weake, which being blinde, they shortly after perish and con∣sume to earth.

Androginae a people of Africke,* 1.7 which haue in them the office of both na∣tures, as wel Male as Female, one of theyr breasts are lyke the breast of a man, and the other breast like to a womans, they inhabite vpon the borders of Nasomana, we cal them Hermafroditae, that is, people of both kindes.

Ichthyophagi people towarde the South, they haue the shape of men,* 1.8 but their liuing differeth not from the manner of wilde beastes: they are a bar∣barous people vnder the coast of Troglodita, (dwellers in caues and hollowe rockes) in the gulfe of Arabia. These fish eaters go all naked, their wiues & children be common among them like beastes, regarding neyther pleasure nor paine, but such only as is naturall: their labour is altogither fishing, an outcast people far from inhabited lande: they estéeme not things that are moyste: they eate their fishe halfe rawe, not in respecte of quenching their thirst, but of méere sauagenesse, holding themselues cōtented with that con∣dition of life. They account their chiefe felicitie to want such things as o∣therwise mighte in the hauing of them be more hurtfull: they are maruel∣lous patient, in so much as if they sée a sword drawen and be stricken there∣with, they wil not giue backe from strokes & iniuries, stedfastly beholding him y^e harmeth them, without any token at al of anger: they are dumbe and cannot speak: al that they do is by signes with their hands, what they wāt or would haue.

Pandorae, these do liue, 200. yeares,* 1.9 and in theyr youth they haue whyte hayres, and in their age their hayre turneth to a very blacknesse. Moreouer a kind of people thece are called Fati or Effationantium which if they happen to commende any thing, or praysing the trées to be fayrer, or theyr corne to be full, their infants and yong children to be beautifull, their horses coragi∣ous, their beastes wel fed,* 1.10 howsoeuer (presently they dye) all which thyngs are not endamaged by any other cause whatsoeuer: some men write that in their eyes remayneth also a dangerous and deadly foreloking, bewitching, or ouerlooking, so y^e on whom soeuer they fixe their eye, dyeth forthwith. It is sayd also in Illirijs are people y^t in their anger do loke so stearnely on their aduersaries, that with the sight onely they kill them whom they behold, as wel men as women, they are said to haue a double sight in their eyes, which who so hath, are sayd to be an vnluckie people.

In the Countrey of Ethiopia, there are certain people called Cyneci, they

are but fewe in number, they differ from the rest in their maner of liuing, so,* 1.11 they inhabite the woodie places, and groues of the Earth, such as are al∣togither vnfruteful, hauing very little store of water: they themselues sléep in the toppe of trées, for feare of the wilde beastes: earely in the Morning they go togither armed, to such places as the waters haue most recourse, neare therevnto hyding themselues among the trées, that when the wilde Buls and other beastes, being compelled by extreame heate of the Sunne, & thereby forced through extreame drynesse to come to the Riuers for wa∣ter, their bellies being loden by immoderate drinking, they maye the bet∣ter come downe from the trées, and with weapons of wood which they vse to burne and season in the fire, the ends hardened, do pursue the said beasts: othersome of these wilde men cast stones and darts, by the which they stay many beastes: and thus hauing destroyed manye, they deuide them equal∣ly among them, of the whiche they féede: notwithstanding many of these wilde men are slaine by such persute (or desperate hunting.) They are very nimble and light of bodie, swift in running, and of short life, insomuch that the longest liuer séeth not aboue 40. yeares: Their ende is not only misera∣ble, but also incredible (as of manye is reported) for as they growe in age, there bréedeth in their bodyes lice hauing wings, not onely of diuerse kindes, but of deformed shape, horrible and lothsome, which firste eate out their belly, then their breastes, & so in short time consume the whole bodye: He that is sicke of this disease, at the first he féeleth a certain itch, as it were of a scurffe, which maketh him to scratch his bodye, so that betwixt itching & smarting, at the length y^e lice hauing eaten through the flesh, a soule & fil∣thy rotten matter ensueth, & through y^e bitternesse of the disease, & extreame paine therof, with great anguishe and woe teareth the fleshe of his bodye with his own nayles, after the which there issueth aboundāce of scrauling wormes, as if they were powred forth of some vessel, in such multitude y^e they can not be destroyed: after this sort they end their wretched life: whe∣ther the cause be in the corruption of their meate, or distemperaunce of the ayre, is not certainely knowne.

Nigritae are al black, yet of a reasonable proportion, these haue their nea∣ther lip hanging down as long as their breast,* 1.12 which is of colour reddish: y^e inside therof is very soare, as if it were hurt, in so much, as the bloud often∣times is séene: their vpperlippe is of vsuall bignesse as others are, notwith∣standing their téeth are alwayes séene, for they are verie great, and the two former téeth stricke out further than any of the rest: they thēselues suppose y^e the partching heate doth scortch their lippes, wherfore they vse to lay saulte on them, by the which they finde some ease for a time.

Aethiopes, a people in the weast part of Aethiopia: also there are of those blacke men, that haue foure eyes: and it is sayde that in Eripta be founde ve∣ry comely bodyed men, notwithstanding they are long necked, and mou∣thed

as a Crane, the other part of the heade like a man: also sundrie strange and deformed men and women there are, which we omitte (bycause of the faithlesse credite among men.)

In Scithia, a Country of Asia are men called Hippopodes,* 1.13 vpper parte of whose bodies are like men, but the neather part like to horses.

The people of Arimaspi, haue but one eye in their foreheads,* 1.14 wherof they be so called, or wherof they toke their name, bicause Arima in y^e Scithia tōg signifieth one, & the word Spu an eye, we cōmōly cal thē Cyclopes (one eied:) their only meat is flesh of wild beasts, wherfore some cal thē Agriophagitae, that is, eaters of wilde beastes & fruites that grow of themselues without planting. Gellius in his 9. booke and 4. Chapter.

Neuri,* 1.15 a people whose names and customes are not vnlike the Scythiās, who assuredly perswade themselues, swearing that yerely for certain days they are turned into Woules, and returning into their former shape be∣come into their owne likenesse againe.

Anthropophagi,* 1.16 a people that doe eate mans flesh, they bring and kéepe in subiection those which they accounte the wilde among them: they haue no lawes, neither is there any Iudge among them, but liue at their own ple∣sure, & according as their nature leadeth thē: frō these men eaters, maye bée supposed to procéede those wilde people, wherof some remaine in y^e North∣east parts, & the other in y^e Southeast parts, & Southwest parts of y^e world, of some tearmed Canibals, Samoyes or Samoeiden, of the eating of was flesh. I haue thought good to set downe a briefe rehearsal of these barbarous and wilde men, what they doe with those people y^t they in fight ouercome, who being taken, are led into their lodging, for fiue dayes well intreated after their manner, that is, a woman shal minister to hym meate, and if he wil, to vse hir otherwise, whereby they suppose venerial cōpany: & of their best meates he wil become the sooner fat, to be killed as an Oxe, & so eaten: at the day appointed to this bloudie bancket he is brought forth, and after many ceremonies slaine, then cut in péeces, his head set on a powle, as a to∣ken of victorie, & the guts and inward parts eatē of their womē being half broyled: the people are al naked, & doe moste fiithily kepe company without regard of any parentage or kindred, sauing y^t some of these kind weare Fe∣thers fastned togither like short aprons about their midles, and about their heads, as yée may read at large in y^e Antartike by Andrew Theuet. 1558.* 1.17

Arimphei* 1.18 a people y^t dwel vnder the rootes of great trées or hollow hilles: they are borne bald without anye haire, as wel men as women, flat nosed, great and long chinnes, their voyce or sounde is like one tuned noate of a Pipe: their apparell is after the maner of the Scithians:* 1.19 they eate the fruits of trées only. Ammianus Marcellinus commendeth greatlye their iustice and ciuill manners. Those that dwel in the North partes of Scithia are a people of miraculous swiftnesse, and yet their féete stand not as ours, but contrarie: Gel. in his 9. booke and 4. Chap.

Also there are certain men which haue no heads, but their eyes, nose, and mouth, are fixed in their breastes, so that their belly is close vnder the chin, supposed of those people that haūte y^e seas to be Polantines, who in times past calling Mariners by their names, did in the nighte season deuoure them that came a shore.

Scipodes and Monomeri, are people hauing but one foote, without ben∣ding their knèe at any time,* 1.20 and yet very swift. Plinie reporteth that in the great heate of the yeare, they lye vpon their backes and with the bignesse of their foote they shadow their bodies from the Sun.

Cathaini are a kinde of people of Scithia, betwéene Gedrosa and the riuer Indus: they say that no man liuing but themselues, haue the vse or sighte in both their eyes, but that all other mortall men are cleane voyde of sight, or else that they sée but with one eye, and the other to be blinde: they are of co∣lour very white, their eyes are small and little, they are by nature without haire on their faces, their religion is nothing but méere superstition: they worship the Sun and Moone, and other fonde creatures, and some of them worship an Oxe.

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Satyri* 1.21 are foure footed beastes, very dāgerous, abyding vnder the Moun∣taines, from the E∣sterly winds with the Indeas, formed like vnto men, sa∣uing that theyr ne∣ther parts are like Goates, rough and hearie ouer theyr bodye, voyde of all humanitie: their chiefe delight is to be in the solitarye woods, far from the companye of men, whome they flye from. Men in the olde time honored such like Monsters as gods of y^e woods, as were Fauni, Sil∣tani, and Panae:

these were thought to rule the fieldes, groues and woods. The Poets make little difference of thē, vsing thē one in signification. Of these Satyres, spake Saint Ierome, I sawe sayeth he a little dwarfe, with a greate croked nose, and hornes growing on hys forehead, which was stearne or fierce counte∣naunced to behold, his legges and féete were like the féete of Goates, whom when Saint Anthonie saw, he crossed and blessed himselfe; and demaunded of him what he was, which aunswered, I am a liuing creature, one of those which haunt the woods and groues, whom the Gentiles being blinded, de∣luded with a vaine and foolish error, tearmed Satyres.

Cinomolgi* 1.22 a people that are headed like dogges, whose voyces are as the barking of Houndes, by the whyche they doe bewray themselues, and in theyr natures and conditions appeare the same that they resemble,

Anthapathitae,* 1.23 are a people that go vpon their hands and féete, as beasts, hauing no certaine abyding in any one place, but as brute beasts séeke their foode where they may finde it.

Pygmae••* 1.24 a people so called for theyr shortnesse of stature, sayd to be a Cu∣bite high, they liue not past eight yeares, they haue manye battels wyth Cranes, of whome they are often ouercome, & sometyme eaten vp of the Cranes: theyr wiues do bring forth children at fiue yeares old, and at eight yeares they are past childe bearing, by reason of their age: Plinie saith they remayn among the Mountaines in India, but according to Strabo they bor∣der vpon Africke.

In India there is a Countrey drawing towardes the East called Pyg∣mea, placed among Mountaines towards the sea, where the Pygmaeis inha∣bite, the whiche in steade of horsses vse Rammes and Goates, and fighte a∣gainst the Cranes, break their egges, and teare their neastes, fearing least they shoulde multiplie or increase. These kinde of dwarfes of the Moun∣taynes excéede not in height two foote and foure fingers: albeit that manye will suppose this to be fabulous, know yée y^t I regard not fables, but to ex∣presse a truth, and which doth cause me also to affirme this matter, is, that during the time that I was at Cair, I sawe fiue maruellous little, whyche went through the Citie to trafficke in Merchaundice, marching faire and foftly, and with a greate grauitie, and were conducted by two Ianissaries: they were clothed after the fashion of their Countrey: all the people assem∣bled in heapes through the stréetes to beholde them, maruelling to sée them so modest and gentle &c. their chiefe Merchandise is Coral that they buy to decke their wiues and children, as also their houses, bycause these said Pig∣maeis are monethly ••roubled with much bléeding: Authour Andrew The∣uet, second booke, Chap. 40.

Astomij are a kinde of people without a mouth,* 1.25 al hairie ouer their bo∣die, and as it were feathered like byrdes: they liue onlye by wholesome smels, and sauours of swete fruites, whiche they receiue at theyr nostrels,

for they haue not any kinde of inward féeding of meate and drinke, but only theyr sustentation is, the smels of fruites, whiche they bear with them, whē they trauayle farre, least their smelling should decay. A little vnsauerie or noysome ayre doth soone ouercome them that they dye.

Apothami* 1.26 are straunge creatures abyding in the waters their vpper∣part is like a man and their lower part like a horse, it is said also that there are women halde headed, but long bearded.

Coromandae,* 1.27 a people wythout tongues, and yet with their voice, make a dreadfull noise, their bodyes all hairie, grey eyed like the colour of Ise, too∣thed as dogges.

Fanesij* 1.28 be saide to be in the North Ocean, their eares are so greate, that they vse to couer their bodies al ouer with them.

Hymantopodes,* 1.29 a kind of people, whose nature is as Adders and Snakes slyding on their bellies.

Selenetidae,* 1.30 a kinde of women, who contrarie to al other natures of wo∣men, doe bring forth egges, out of the whiche are hatche, creatures of the same kinde, fiftéenetimes bigger than vs in proportion, as Rauisius Tex∣tor of Niuerna reporteth out of Herodotus.

Towardes the innermoste parte of the Easte, there are men without noses, their faces being plaine and euen, their bodies of an euen proportion, some haue their mouthes almost closed togither, so that they haue no vpper lyppe, some haue their mouthes almost closed in such sort that they are con∣strained to vse a smal quill, through the which they draw in that moysture, by the which they are nourished: Moreouer in the Actes of Alexander the great King of Macedonia, we reade that in India, were founde men whyche had sixe heads, and that those neuer felt any infirmitie in their bodyes, vn∣til the time of death: also of others always naked, hairie, and abyding cō∣tinually in water: of others that had sixe fingers on a hande, and sixe toes on each foote: Of all these write diuerse, as Calliphanes, Higinus Vicen∣sis, Aristeas Proconetius, Memphodorus, Aristotle, Armenius, Herodo∣tus, Plinius, Aulus Gellius, D. Aurelius Augustinus, and some of the latter writers, as Iohannes Boe••••••s in his bookes of the customes and manners of diuerse Countreys.

In Stiria and Vualetia* 1.31 a part of Heluetia there are men grieuously vexed with a kind of swelling vnder their chinnes, like to impostumes in theyr throats, that they can hardly speake, the waight of the filthy matter so im∣postumate yéeldeth such an vnsauerie smell, that those women which haue children carrie them at their backes, for infecting them with so soule a sa∣uour: Munster in his booke of Cosmographie. These people are said to come by this grieuous swelling by drinking of the snow water that falleth of the mountaines.

Here may we also speake of the people Lucumoria, dwelling among the

hilles, beyond the floud Olbis: these men die euery yeare the 27. of Nouem∣ber, which day at Rutheas was dedicated to Saint Gregorie and in the next spring following, most commonly at the foure and twentith day of Aprill, they rise againe like frogs. Or rather the corrupt Earth engendereth frogs whom the foolishe people suppose to be transformed, (for that he reciteth not that being frogs, they do after become into their first shape) which we may reade also in Sigismonde, Barron of Heberstein and Neuperg, in his Com∣mentaries of the affaires of Moscouia.

Of Foure footed Beastes.

IN like manner almightie God most sin∣gular in the framing of all things with beautiful shapes, in cōpounding and ioy∣ning sundrye partes togither agréeable in their kinde, among the reste hathe made and created extraordinarie creatures, as wel in the earth, as in the Sea, not deter∣mining so muche to declare his omnipo∣tencie and power, as willing thereby to correcte and punishe sinne, for the amend∣ment of those his Creatures, who hauing perfect bodies, are neuerthelesse more de∣formed than those Monsterous weues which they dayly sée, among the whiche kindes are expressed the beastes of the Earth.

[illustration]

Bisontes or Da∣nae, bufels,* 1.32 of some called Hartes or Deare, much big∣ger thā Oxē, strōg & swift, they hau•• long eares, horned wide and long as those large Oxen haue that are vsed to the plough: they haue long beardes like vnto Goates: and when they are tangled with any snare, or wounded by stroke, so that the bloud appeares, forthwith they co∣uet to pursue those that do assault and strike them, with such deadly violēce that many perishe thereby: also in their rage or madnesse, they run againste the trées with so great force, that they breake both necke and hart. Of theyr hydes are made the best buffe. There are also a kinde of Buffels of lesse proportion, that are vsed to the yoake, as other cattel are.

Stags of India are not much vnlike red Deare, bigger in bodye & legs, shag haired before, and also on the hinder parts, resembling a double shape, part of a Goate and part of a Stag.

[illustration]

Alces* 1.33 a kinde of beasts greater thā Stags, being of y^e colour of Graines, with long & harshe haire, their propor∣tiō very deformed: some call thē horse Hartes, because they séeme of both kindes, broade and great horned with harde and strong braunches, as ap∣pereth in y^e figure:* 1.34 Ioānes Leporicida.

[illustration]

This straunge beast is reported to haue bene bred in England, of a mar∣uellous fiercenesse, that wheron he fastned, there was no withdrawing frō the pray, whom I may best tearme a Beare dog, foreshewing both shapes which commōly come to passe, heate being kindled twixt contrarie kinds. Cerberus of the Stable of Gereon, and Caparus of the Temple Aescula∣pius, the one would fight against those that his maister foughte, as a spe∣cial ayde of spéedie deliuerance, of which kinde are manye dogges: the o∣ther would not let the théefe goe, that robbed the temple: the like do others also, that by no meanes will be driuen from the plowmans Bottle, or the Hedgers coate, such secrete affiance to their maisters is proued, that being beastes in nature, far excéede those that become beastes through lewde de∣meanor. Secretes of Nature Chapter 29. E. Fenton.

[illustration]

The Elephant is a beast of great byg∣nesse, yet easie to be brought vnder go∣uernemente, as it appeareth by sūdry discourses where as they haue bene fortifyed with en∣gines on theyr backes, whereon men as in Castels were made y^e more able to encounter the enemie, as re∣porteth Plinie.

Odonta a beast greater than the Elephant, he hath thrée hornes crompled on his heade, a head like vnto a horsse, his colour blacke: Licosthenes.

[illustration]

Rhinoceros a fierce beaste enimye to the Elephaunte, whose bygnesse is also greater, hys colour lyke Boxe, the whole bodye couered with sca∣les or shelles, his legs shorte, on his nose a kinde of straighte Horne, which is his chiefe defence.

[illustration]

A Camel hath two tuffes on his back, and on hys breast, whereon he stay∣eth himselfe, when he knéeleth down, he hath four teats, his tayle like an Asse, hys priuie members decly∣ning backwarde, all his legges haue theyr ioyntes, and his féete are clo∣uen.

[illustration]

Camelopardus* 1.35 so called, by∣cause he resēbleth y^e Camel & Lybarde. The Ethiopians call it Nabis, a beaste hauing hys necke like a Horsse, hys féete like an Oxe, and his heade like a Camell, be spotted red, one from another, the Ro∣maines had this beast in great admiration after they sawe it firste at the playes whyche were kepte at the place in Rome called Cyrcus, where they often behelde the fighte of sundry beastes.

[illustration]

Pauiō* 1.36 otherwise Babion, a monste∣rous beaste in the desartes of India, not altogither so greate as an Ele∣phant, whose sight he can abide, al∣though he can not awaye with other beastes: his chiefe delight is in Aples and other fruite of trées: a verye lea∣cherous beast, at y^e sight of a woman stirred to lust: he hath ouer his body great aboundaunce of haire, his head is verie feareful to behold, hauing little eares, and a short tayle euer turning vp, somewhat like the tayle of a Foxe: his féete are lyke the hands of men, but not answerable to the heigth of hys body: there was one of these beastes brought into Germanie, in the yeare of our Lord God 1551. by certaine Indians who trauelling the Country got much money, (as also in Sweuia.) for the only sight of this Monster, which was after drawen and grauen by a skilful Painter of Ausbourgh a Citie in Germanie.

[illustration]

Panther* 1.37 whiche is also called Par∣dalus, is a beast dif∣fering somewhat from the Male Pā∣ther, by reason of hir swiftnesse: she is also spotted, Plinie. As it is said Aristotle wrote, y^e when this beast is sicke, he séeketh mans dung, by ea∣ting of the whych he is recouered, as also by the same baite takē. This beast is leacherous and taketh kind of the Lion.

[illustration]

The Tyger,* 1.38 plen∣tye of which there are in India and Hyrcania: A beast of a feareful swift∣nesse as sayd Pli∣nie and other wry∣ters, namely, Au∣gustinus Aureli∣us, and Strabo, of late Conrade Ges∣ner.

[illustration]

Cercopitheci,* 1.39 or tayled Apes, of which one was of a verye straunge shape, bearyng the greatnesse and forme of a man in hys lymmes & priuityes, in face a wylde manne, bycause hée was cleane couered w^t hayre: no creature can abyde longer to stande than hée, (man onely excepted:) hée loueth Children and women, none otherwyse than men of hys Countrey. And goeth aboute when he hath escaped their snares and fetters, to haue to doe wyth them openlye, yet is he a wylde beast, but of suche great industrie, that thou wouldest saye, some men are not so wise as he.

[illustration]

They call those beasts Cephi,* 1.40 whos former parte re∣sembleth the foxe, and the hynder the Ape, sauing their féete are lyke a man, eared like an Owle: and within their bellye, they haue another belly like to a swelling wen, wherin their whelpes lie hiddē, vntil of their own accord they may come forth, & get their foode, w^tout the helpe of their dam, neither do they euer come forth of y^e bagge, but when they take pleasure to sucke, of which beast haue writtē, Aristotle, Philoponus, Aelianus, Plinie, Solinus, Albertus Magnus, and of the new writers Conradus Gesner, &c.

[illustration]

Sui,* 1.41 a strange beast in the Southwest Indians, no lesse fierce then defor∣med, not farre frō the riuer Platte, so called of the Spani∣ardes, who founde therin much siluer in the yéere of our Lord. 1534. This beast for the moste part remaineth in the waters, and flouds, very raue∣nous, and of a strange manner: besides this, if he or she be pursued of the people in y^e countrey, which is for their skin, she taketh hir young ones on hir backe, & couering them with hir taile, that is thick & long, saueth hir self with running, till by chaunce she fall into some pit made by the hunters, she séeing hir selfe thus taken, in hir rage killeth hir young ones & maketh such a fearefull noyse, that the pursuers become verye fearefull, notwith∣standing they are slaine: Andrew Theuet in his Booke of the Newfound world and 56. Chapter.

Of creping things.

[illustration]

BAsiliscus,* 1.42 or Cocatrice, a∣mong the crée∣••ing Creatures, a pestilent Serpent, which chieflye abi∣ding in the deserts of Africke, hathe a white spotte on his ••eade, as it were a Diademe, his head ••s very copped, his mouth il fauoured, and his eyes & co∣lour blackish: he is not aboue a span long, yet his venome is so sharpe, that with his breath on∣ly, he strangleth any great Serpent: if one doe but touch him with a staffe he dieth immediatly. Neither doth he winde his bodie,* 1.43 as other Serpents doe, but goeth straight and vpright in the midst: he maketh trées & herbes to die, and breaketh stones, by the violent force of his poyson.

[illustration]

Salamander* 1.44 some∣what like a Neute or Lizarde, but much bygger, séel∣dome séene, but in rainy & moist wea¦ther: of such a cold operation, that he putteth out fire as soone as shée tou∣cheth it, as yse: he may kill men vn∣awares, for if he créepe about a trée he infecteth all the fruit with poyson, & those which eate thereof he killeth, by a cold operation, differing nothing from the poyson Aconitum: moreouer if he touch a péece of wood, or a crust of bread with his foote, & therevpon be boyled, it is as ve∣nemous as if it fel into a wel: they take away his venym which eate him.

Praester, is a most pestilent Serpent, whose byting maketh men pre∣sently madde, and not able to mooue, it taketh away the haire, so that it fal∣leth off their heads sodainely, the bodyes so bytten or stong, fall into an ytch and laske, whereof they die: Lucan in his .9. booke, aboue al other describeth this Serpent.

Seps, a little Serpent, and yet by his stinging groweth a sore that doth rot and putrifie the bodie so sodeinly, that in a short season the bodye dyeth: also it wasteth the bones, as writeth Lucan in lib. 9.

Boa, a Serpent waxing so great, as in one of them was found a yong childe in the belly of it, in the time of Claudius Caesar was one such slaine.

There be also diuerse other Serpents, of mightie bignesse, and wyth many heads: also there are Dragons, for the most part in India and Egypt: diuerse Authors make mention of them, as Plinie, Aetius Medicus, Nican∣der, Paulus Iouius, and those which write of the Actes of Alexander the great.

Of things Liuing in the water.

ORca, a Fishe of a maruellous greatnesse, an enemie to the fishes called Baleniae, of some termed Whirle∣pooles: Plinie reporteth that this Orca is of force to ouerwhelme a ship, and that a shippe boate or small vessell hath béen drowned in his eye. In the Empe∣rour Claudius dayes one of these were slaine.

Alcete, a huge kinde of Whale fishe néere to Ise∣land, which ouerthroweth shippes: at the sounde of a Trumpet, or other loude instrument, he leaueth the ship, as also sometyme playing with emptie caske, which the Mariners hauing thrown ouer boord and the meane space they sayle away.

Physeteres, of these fishes Solinus after Plinie hath written, one of them heauing hir selfe aboue water will drowne a tall shippe, by casting foorthe of hir foreheade aboundance of water: this kinde of Whale gathereth the water in by hir gylles, and then closing the mouthe, forceth out the water through a great hole which is in the middest of hir foreheade, that with the vehemencie thereof, the water so gathered in, mounteth a loftie heigth, and is thereby able in the falling downe to sincke a Barke or smal ship.

Loligo, a fishe that oftentymes flyeth forthe of the water, the heade be∣twéene the féete and belly: that which is taken for the bloud of this fishe, is blacke as yncke, whose further discourse is to be found in Horace.

Lucerna, is a fishe, whose tongue is of fiery brightnesse, who putting it out of his mouth, giueth light in faire nightes.

Hirci, a fish in the Cyrenaic and Sardon Sea, accompanying commonly wyth the Delphin: the male kynd hathe a white crossing ouer the fore∣head like a Fillet: The female kinde haue on their heades a creaste or combe like to a Cocke. They are a rauenous kinde of fishe, praying on men, when they are swimming, or by fowle weather caste into the Sea: they haue a strong breath, whyche smel they vse as an instrument to take others. They shole after the Sea Calfe, before any other fishe, who by casting forth their breath as a darte, sodainelye destroy those fishes.

Scolopendra, whiche Gaza doth translate a hundred féete, lyke a wylde lande beast, whosoeuer toucheth it, shall be presently infected with an itch, as if he were stoong with Nettles: they haue bin séene of an vnaccustomed greatnesse, their head and tayle appearing aboue the water: they swimme like a small Barke, whose number of l••gges séeme as Ores on eyther side, vsing their féete as finnes: also Theophrastus in Plinie writeth, that the people of Oreti were deuoured of those Scolopendra: moreouer, if they swal∣lowe downe a hooke, they vomit forth al their bowels vntil they voyde the hooke, and after sup in their bowels againe.

Many and strange formes of Whales there are, tusked, horned, and of vgly shapes, fierie eyed, and feareful to beholde: some of suche vnacquain∣ted greatnesse, that aboute the very eye is sixetéene or twentie foote com∣passe, their head foure square, with a long beard: their hinder parte no∣thing answerable to the greatnesse of the head. To know more of this read Plinie, Opianus, and other.

Among these is the Crocodile with foure féete, which of a little Mole-hil becommeth a great Mountaine, for being firste but an egge, he groweth to be twentie cubites long. The foure colde moneths of winter he abstaineth from meate, being without a tongue, his belly, backe, and taile verye long, his scales harde and brown, like Distershels, fierce to those that feare him, and flying from them that hardly pursue him. In sixtie dayes he bryngeth forth as many egges, whiche he kéepeth after his kinde sixtie dayes: hys téeth are likewise so many in number, and his age commonlye sixetie mo∣neths fiue yeares, he lurketh neare those places where men or cattel come for water, there to deuoure them. The Aegiptians honor this fishe, and haue ordained holydayes in remembraunce of hym. If he catche anye of their children, their parents haue great ioy, supposing they haue done God good seruice, that such foode is accepted of his beaste: Such sencelesse opi∣nions the Pagane Gentiles had, of whence proceeded many kinds of di∣uellish superstitions Truly the people of Tentyri, when so euer they tooke this monstrous beaste, did hang him on a trée, beating the bodye wyth cud∣gels, and afterwarde did eate the fleshe: hée is founde in Nilus, of whence

Plinie saith, the Crocodile is founde that foure footed euill. He layeth hys egs on the ground, remayning al the day, and all the night in the dry land, his eyes lyke to a swyne, his téeth sticking forth as the téethe of a Sawe: he moueth not his neather iawe, but bringeth his vpper iaw to the nether: his clawes are very strong, his skin is as a Target on his backe, so strong scaled, that it can hardly be pierced: his eye sight faileth in the water, but is cleare and sharpe in the twylight.

Hippodami, otherwise called horses of the floud, or sea horses: they haue clouen hooues as the Oxe, their backe as the horse, with the like mane and neighing, crompled tayled, the téeth bowing like Bores tusks, diuerse pro∣perties they haue, the like whereof are founde in other fishes.

Tritones, Syrenae, and other diuers kindes of Monsters doe abide euerye where, as wel on land as on the Sea, in great abundance: Whyche thou shalt finde sufficient, by reading Plinie in his 9. booke, and in Opianus. Also of later writers, reade Franciscus Massarus in hys cōmentarie vpon Plinie and others.

Of Flying things.

[illustration]

SO among monstrous, straunge, maruellous, and vnluckye Byrdes, India and the Mountaynes Hyperborij, haue the wynged foure footed Griphe, with crooked nayles, blacke on hys backe, the fore∣parte Purple lyke, wysh whyte winges, an Ea∣gles beake, fierie eyed, harde to be taken vnlesse the yong and vnable to flie be stolen away: he buil∣deth vppon highe mountaines: he encountereth al∣moste

wyth euery beast, and is most of all enimie to horses: he diggeth vp Golde in desart places among the Bactrians, and dryueth awaye the neare commers: he maketh hym neastes thereof, and to take it away, great com∣panies of men goe togither to their great perill: he ouercommeth the Ele∣phants and Dragons, and al beasts sauing the Tigre, which for his swift∣nesse he cannot seaze vppon.

[illustration]

Onocrotalus,* 1.45 a rauenous Byrde of the Sea, bygger than a Swanne, and not vnlike in bodye, seldome séene but in solitarie places: hys heade and beake not after the common order or shape of other wilde foule, vnder the neather choule hanging downe like a bagge: hée is a Byrde of praye as the Cormorant, his breaste reddishe and the chowle: his meate is firste by remayning in the bagge halfe digested, after whyche he swal∣loweth downe: hys voice is as the neighing of an Asse. You may reade at large of this Byrde in Plinie, Albertus, Odoricus of Fruoll the countrey neare adioyning to Venetia, Mathaeolus Senensis, Petrus Martyr, Antoni∣us Nebricensis, Conradus Gesnerus in hys thirde booke of the historie of Birdes.

[illustration]

* 1.46Paradicea or Apis, a Byrde of the greatenesse of a Thrush, wonderful swifte, long feathered, hys wings glistering and softe, so orient, that she is not to be fully séene wyth the eye, for dazeling the sight: no féete, conti∣nually fliing, & resteth no where, but vpon some trée, hanging by one of hir bristles tangled to a bough, whereof she hath twoo long ones in steade of féete: she ouer flieth any ship vndersaile, be he far off, and will soare round aboute him. This byrd is greately valued among Princes. The Author of the nature of thinges writeth, that there be also other byrdes called the Birdes of Paradice, not bycause they come from Paradice, but for their ex∣cellent beautie, wherein they so excell, that they séeme to want no colour. They are as bigge as Géese, and their voice is wonderfull swéete and pleasaunt: when they are taken, they cease not to mourne, vntill they be let goe: they inhabite vpon the riuer Nilus: Reade Cardanus in hys 10. booke de Subtilitate, and Gesner in his third booke of the historie of Byrds.

[illustration]

Phoenix,* 1.47 of the whiche there is but one in the whole worlde, said to be in Arabia, about the bi∣gnesse of an Eagle, a∣boute his necke is a cir∣cle of the colour of Gold, his other parte Purple, his taile blewe, set with red feathers: his head is beautified wyth a tuffe of feathers: likewise a∣bout the sydes of y^e head. Some men are of thys opinion, that no man e∣uer saw him eate meate. Hée is dedicated to the Sun, he liueth 660. yeres: as he waxeth old, he gathereth spices and gums togither, making therof a neast: After which season, by wauing himself against the Sun, kindleth a fire, in the which he being consumed, there doth forth of the same ashes, wythin a certaine time appeare an other Phenix, who in his ablenesse to flye, carryeth awaye the olde burned neast euerye whit into a Citie of Panchaia, only dedicated to the Sunne. Plinie sayeth, that there was a Phoenix brought into the Citie of Rome, by the commaundement of Claudius the Emperoure, in the 800. yeare of the age and building of the same Citie.

In Aegipt there is a Birde called a Pelican,* 1.48 whyche, when she séeth hir yong ones killed of Serpents, she pierceth hir side with hir bill, and reco∣uereth the dead yong with hir warme bloud: Hierom saith, the Pelican sée∣ing hir yong Birdes slaine of the Serpent, they moue, strike, and peeke themselues on their breasts, till the bloude issuing forth vpon the yong be recouered: Volateranus sayth, the Pelican to be the same, whyche Plinie calleth Plateam.

Harpyae.* 1.49 are moste rauening Byrdes, faced with countenaunce lyke a Mayde, crooked and bending clawes: the Poets faine these to be the daugh∣ters of Neptune, who is the father of monstrous things:* 1.50 Virgil hath writ∣ten of these in his Aeneidos.

* 1.51

[illustration]

There are foūde in a Town called Furch, towardes the East, Cocks & Hennes, whitishe like Snowe, not couered wyth fea∣thers, but w^t wooll as are shéepe. O∣doricus of these mentioneth. Also in the Citie Que∣infu, in the king∣dome called Mau∣gi, are founde cer∣taine Hennes, whiche in steade of feathers haue haire like dogs, of blacke colour: whereof Paulus Venetus 268. This said picture we haue taken forth of Gesner his fourth booke of Byrdes.

* 1.52In the out Iles of Scotland are brought forth a kynde of Géese, whiche the common people reporte to growe from trées. Hector Boetius thinketh rather these Claki or wilde Géese do bréed forth of woodde, that by long con∣tinuaunce are fret with many holes, wherein wormes are founde, of the which commeth this byrd. At Lieth in Scotland, not many yeres past was a ship called the Christopher, the whyche lying at roade thrée yeares (at Hebride) being brought home and hauled on shoare, had all hys beames & timber worme eaten: which kinde were growen, some to halfe shape, some whole, and feathered. Also in the North Iles of Scotland there grow on the banckes vnto the which the Sea floweth trées which shewe forthe a kinde of fruite, by many leaues fastened togither, in the whych is found a worme, which comming to a certain bignesse, waxeth from the huske, and if then it fall into the water, shortly ariseth forth a perfect Byrde. Carda∣nus, Munster, and others. So it is also a myracle of the Calfe Sparrowe founde by Mexico, he is no greater than a Humble Bée, yet he hath very fine feathers, and a long slender beak: he liueth by dew, honie, and the iuice of floures. In the moneth of October, he resting vppon one foote, hangeth on a litle branch vntil April, the places being couered, and so he remaineth as dead: when flowers come againe, he reuiueth, and for that cause they terme him the reuiued Sparrowe. Some men peraduenture wil déeme this to be a fable: notwithstanding, if Flies reuiue in ashes, Snaakes in heate, from the colde cherished, Caterpillers become Butterflies, and Ma∣gots Flies, I doubt not but 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the sober minded will be of this opinion, that no man wil set the Penne to booke, to the intente that all mens eyes

muste become viewers, to his reproche, not being Lunatike or voyde of sense. And although there are many deformed creatures, moe than is here expressed, such by kind is left in Gesner, onely of those, that for the rarenesse and extraordinary shape, not that they shoulde be gazed vpon, but so concei∣ued of, as it becommeth the reformed minde secreatly wondering more at signe than at shape, in which so doing thou haste rightlye vnderstoode my trauell for thy benefite, and good will for thy conuersion.

Oure countrey hathe a cowardly Owle, Flaunders: the like are in Eng∣lande of thrée sortes, the barne or house Owle, whereof are twoo kindes, browne and shorte bodyed, with grey féete, whitish spotted, and feathered downe the féete: The thyrde, grey and longer faced, with a bende ouer the forhead after the maner of the new tearmed forehead cloth that women vse to weare: thys Owle of some is taken for the scritche Owle, whose féete be halfe parted, with two clawes before the foote, and twoo bée∣hinde, as is the Parret. Also of the flitter mouse or Bat, althoughe she flye, yet are hir wings Serpentine: she layeth no egges, but as the Mouse shée bringeth forth yong: besides, she is carefull to cherish the olde, when not a∣ble to flye abroade, and ceaseth not to féede them with their great trauaile. May not these silly beasts be an example to diuers vnthankfull persons, which hauing bin brought vp of nought, sought the spoile of their maintai∣ners, than to the former discourse of Celestiall and Terrestrial wonders?

[illustration]

* 1.53

Also there was shewed vnto me the copie of a straunge hearbe, the 10. day of September, the yeare of our Lorde God 1576. by Arthur Edwardes and Daniel Siluester two trauailers, the one for Persia, the other for Mos∣coui, the hearbe was leaued like to the Coleworte, on the toppe the forme of a Lambe, with whose fell was made a Furre.

[ 1906]

[illustration]

Zoroastes, the first [ 2057] Kyng amōg the Ba∣ctrianes, who firste founde out the Arte Magike .400. yeres before the battell of Troia in which yere he was cōsumed w^c lightning frō heauē: Marcus Fritschius in hys Meteoris.

Sodoma, Gomorra, Adama, Seboim, and Segor, these Cities for their sinnes and wickednesse were cōsumed wyth fire, brimstone, & Pitch from heauē, in whi∣che place afterward a man might finde grene fruit and clu∣sters of Grapes, faire to be séen, that they would cause or allure one to eate, but if one gathered them, they tourned into ashes, & rai∣sed a smoke as though they burned, whose remembrance, beside Moses, O∣rosius maketh ful mētion of in his first booke & 36. chap. out of whose booke, being of antient antiquitie, and written in Parchment skinnes, I haue ga∣thered this in y^e Librarie of Oschacen, bicause there y^e Chapters were far o∣therwise deuided. Cornelius Tacitus likewise in his 21. Booke speaketh of [ 2073] Zodome and the other Cities, and Solinus after Plinie, besides manye o∣ther.

[ 1916]

Sodoma, after it was destroyed with the other Cities from Heauen, by that grieuous fiery tempest, the wife of Lot, bycause she looked behinde hir, contrary to the will and commaundement of the Aungell, was turned in∣to a piller of Saulte, whereas hir husband and daughters were preserued from that fearfull fire. Genesis Chapter. 19.

[ 2073] Abraham, when by the commaundement of God he had prepared hys [ 1890] sonne Isaac to be offered for a sacrifice to the Lorde, and had his Sworde in hande ready to stay his sonne, was then forbidden by an Aungell from Heauen, that he should not do it. Genesis 22. Chapter,

[illustration]

The Riuer Ni∣lus [ 2168] by the great sho∣wers [ 1798] that then fell, ouerflowed all Ae∣gipt. Functius.

The Sea at Ac∣tica,* 1.54 ouerflowed the whole Countrey, whereby the circuit was greatly impo∣uerished [ 2210] throughe [ 1753] losse of men, goods & Cattell. Authors haue called this de∣luge the floud of O∣giges, bicause he rai∣ned king at y^e time. Of this Orosius ma¦keth mention in his first booke & 7. Chap. Some fondly & fals∣ly suppose this to be Noahs floud. The names of Noah: Di∣cer, Chaos, Ianus, Coelum, Ogiges, Olibana: Galatinus, reporteth, the wife of Noah, after auncient writers, to be called Vesta, Terra, Tithea, Barthanos, Puerphara.

There fell a fire from heauen, and consumed all the shéepe, Cattell, and [ 2222] seruantes of Iob. When his sonnes and daughters were eating and drin∣king [ 174] wine in their eldest brothers house, sodainely there came a mightie great winde out of the South and smote the .4. corners of the house, which fell vpon the children and slue them. After which begun plagues, Sathan went forth from the Lord, & smote Iob with maruellous sore byles, from y^e top of the head, to the sole of the foote, as more at large is in the historie of Iob.* 1.55 And althoughe God suffered him to be cast downe, that was riche in goods (who notwithstanding was richer in vertue) he had neuer bin so hap∣pily restored, that first had .7. thousand shéepe .3000. Camells .500. yoke of Oxen .500. she Asses, and a verie great housholde, so that he was one of the most principall men among all them of the East Countrey: but after hys patient sufferance God restored him his children and goods, then had he in his possession .14000. Shéepe .6000. Camells, a thousand yoke of Oxen, and a thousande Asses: he had .vij. Sonnes and .iij. Daughters: the name of the

first Ieminah, the seconde Keziah, the third Kerenhappuch: Diem the day, Cassiam of the earth, Cornu stibij the horne of beautie, that is, cleare as the daye, for Ieminah: swéete as the Incense, sor Keziah: excelling is beautie, for the thirde: in all the lande were none founde so faire, as the daughters of Iob. Reade more in the first and last Chapters of Iob.

[ 2407] There was a great Earthquake in Babilon, in the raigne of Sparetus, [ 1556] the seauentéenth King of the Assirians, which dyd much harme among the people, as also a great terrour and feare, Berosus At the Marriage of Iasius* 1.56 King of Italie, was present Io. of Egypt, which woman alone liued a hun∣dred yéeres longer than Dido, and went almost ouer all the worlde, after hir husbandes death.

[ 2439] In Thessalia was a great and mightie ouerflowing of water, not onely [ 1524] throughe showers, but bycause great aboundance of earth choked the Ri∣uers,* 1.57 by the fall of the water from the Mountaines. And afterwarde vp∣pon an Earthquake which followed, the waters that were pente in be∣twéene the mountaines, hauing their course open, ranne backe againe into their Channels.

The auncient writers called this the floud of Deucalion, whereof Xeno∣phon maketh mention in his Aequiuoca, Eusebius, Functius. &c.

About this time there happened a great fire in Grecia, in the raigne of King Phaeton after the earthquake in Thessalia.

[ 2453] The Lorde God appeared to Moyses, as hée was kéeping shéepe of [ 1510] Iethro his Father in lawe, Priest of Madian, by his Angell, on the Mount Horeb in a bushe;* 1.58 and he sawe the bushe burne with fyre and was not con∣sumed. Of all the residue of the myraculous workes of God done by Moy∣ses agaynst Pharao King of Egypt, which may be called the heade wonders of the world, reade in Exodus, where at large thou shalt finde them effec∣tually placed from the first Chapter of the same Booke vnto the .14.

[ 2454] Also of the myraculous féeding of Israell in the wildernesse with Man∣na [ 1509] from Heauen. And of water brought forthe of the stonie Rocke, of the myraculous battayle against Amalech,* 1.59 and of the manifest appearance of the Lorde on Mount Synai, from whence the lawe was receiued. Reade Exodus. 1••.17. and .19. Chapters.

The Lorde sent firie Serpentes among the Israelites, when they mur∣mured and rebelled against Moyses, which stoong many of them to death, but those which behelde the brasen Serpent that Moyses set vp (which was a prefiguration of the comming of Christ) were restored to their former health againe. Reade Numbers, Chapter .21.

Corah,* 1.60 Dathan, and Abiram, rebellyng agaynste the Lorde, were by his diuine ordinaunce swallowed vp of the Earthe, wyth their Ta∣bernacles and all their substaunce, and they went quicke into Hell with

all that they had. And the earth closed vppon them, and so they perished from among the congregation, &c. Moreouer, the fyre came out from the Lorde, and consumed two hundred and fiftie men that offered the Incense. Numbers 17. Chapter, also of Aarons Rod that bare Almonde. ibide. Chap. 17. On the morrowe when Moyses entered into the Tabernacle of wit∣nesse, he founde Aarons Rod of the house of Leuie florished, and brought for the blossomes and bare Almondes. And Moyses brought forth Balaam all the staues from the Lorde, before all the Children of Israell, that they myghte sée it: and they tooke euerie man his staffe.* 1.61 And the Lorde sayd vnto Moyses, bryng Aarons staffe agayne before the witnesse, that it maye be kept for a token to the children of rebellion, that their murmuring may cease frome, least they die, &c.

Balaam* 1.62 the Sonne of Sephor, takyng his iourney to cursse the peo∣ple of God, by the persuasion of Balaak King of Moab, was by the [ 2490] waye reproued of hys Asse, which spake vnto hym playnely, after hee [ 1473] had beaten hir for refusing the waye, after this manner: What haue I done to thee, why smytest thou mee? see this is nowe the thirde tyme, am not I thy beast, on the which thou waste wont to ryde on, euen vntyll this daye? was I euer wonte to doe so vnto thee? the Angell of the Lorde vnknowen to Balaam wythstoode the Asse, vntill hir mouthe was opened, by the which the Prophet was reproued for his couetyng promotion, and the King for his proude presumption. Reade the Booke Nu∣meri. 2••. Chapter.

God brought the people of Israell and placed them in the wildernesse,* 1.63 where notwithstandyng their trauelling fortie yéeres, their clothes waxed [ 2492] not olde vppon them, neyther shooes on their féete: they dranke no wyne [ 1471] nor strong drinke, that they myght knowe howe that it was the Lord that so myraculously preserued them: Deuteronomium. 29. Chapter.

Iehosua* 1.64 in the first yéere that hée ledde and ruled the people of Israel, and in the tenth daye of the firste moneth beyng fullye determyned to [ 2493] carrie them to the lande of promyse, the Riuer of Iordan parted in sun∣der, [ 1470] so that the people of Israell passed thoroughe on drye lande, the nether parte of the Riuer fell downewarde vnto the deade Sea, and the vpper parte grew vp lyke a hyll, &c. Iosua Chapter. 3. Hermannus Con∣tractus and Functius in their Chronicles.

Of the fall of the walles of Hierico, and the straunge victorie there [ 2503] had: of his victorie ouer fyue Kings, of his victorie agaynst the Assiri∣ans, [ 1460] howe it raygned stones from Heauen, and that the Sunne and Moone stoode styll a whole dayes course, with diuerse mightie victories whiche hée by Gods ordinaunce obtayned, reade Chapter. 6.10. Iudges the fourthe Booke, Sabellicus in his fifte Booke, Eneade firste, leafe. 65.

[ 2616] Amphiaraus the Prophet, when he fought at Thebes, was swallowed [ 1347] vp in an opē quaue of the earth, with the Chariot wherein he sat. Propericus lib. 2 The destinies of Amphiaraus* 1.65 Chariot quayle thée not: likewyse in [ 2719] his thirde Booke, and thou Eriphila, to the ende thou mightest beare the [ 1244] golden armes, Amphiaraus is nowhere, his horses being fallen downe. O∣uid in his thirde Booke De Ponto maketh mention of it, and Plutark in his 29. Booke and .15. Chapter. &c.

* 1.66This yere a certaine strange thing happened, the riuer Nilus ouerflowed & drowned many places: Amenophis the sonne of Sestor the fourth, Laer∣thes [ 2751] of Egypt for his wickednesse was strikē blinde,* 1.67 the cause was, he threw a dart in mydst of the great floud, who againe notwithstanding being war∣ned [ 1212] by the Oracle xj. yéeres after, to washe his eyes with a womans wa∣ter that had known but one man, he washed them, and recouered his sight: Herodotus. 2. Booke, and Functius in his Chronicles.

[ 2781] In the dayes of Proteus a Priest in Egypt there was a great floud, which [ 1182,] they called Pharaos floud,* 1.68 wherein an Iland named Pharos was ouerflow∣ed with the waters of Egypt whereof Horace speaketh in his Odes, & Hero∣dotus maketh mention of Protheus: Diodorus in his second booke of Anti∣quities, as also Functius.

As Dido* 1.69 was going to offer hir sacrifice, the wine that was in hir vessell [ 2782] was séene changed into blacke bloud, to the great terrour of all that behelde [ 1181] it: wherof Virgil speaketh thus, a fearefull thing to be spoken, that the hol∣lowe liquor should ware blacke, and the wine to appeare into filthie bloud: This Dido was daughter to Belus King of Tyre, and wife to Sichaeus Her∣cules Priest the first founder of the Citie of Carthage. 70. yeeres after Rome. Although some haue written that Dido was enamored on Aeneas, who was .300. yéere before the foundation of Rome, yet let Virgil sléepe or finde some other.

In a cleare and faire season as Ascanius* 1.70 the sonne of Aeneas foughte a∣gainst [ 1798] Mezentius there appeared on his left hande a glistering brightnesse [ 1165] shining about him, which did foreshewe the victorie against his enemies, as it came to passe: Dionisius in his second Booke.

[ 1881] Not long belong before the Peloponesian warre began, there appeared a * 1.71great Comet* 1.72 after the Sunne set, and continued burning .75. dayes, soone after arose such a storme of winde, whose force breaking a péece of a hyll blew the same too and fro in the aire, till at the last it fell in a Citie of Thra∣cia called Aegospotamos: the Citizens and people supposed it fell from hea∣uen. Shortly after there fell sharpe warre in Peloponesia, which continued full .28. yéeres, & in the end was the destructiō of al Greece Toward y^e latter end of this warre the Athenians gathered themselues togither in that place of Thracia, where they were ouercome by sea fight of y^e Lacedemonians, Ly∣sander being their captaine, and lost both their Nauie and Empire also of

Grecian land: Casper Beucerus of his Metereologe. Folio. 252.

Helias the Thesbite, whilest he dwelled aboute the hotte and partching [ 3040] Countrey of Canith, which is ouer against Iordan, was fed twice euerie day, [ 923] of Rauens flying too and fro, who brought breade and flesh, wherewith hée liued, during which time, there fel no raine vpon the earth, by the space of thrée whole yeares and sixe monethes, 3. Booke of Kings, and 17. Chapter. The riuer called Crith, and Cherith, after sundry translatiōs, and not Canith which séemeth to be a Country beside as Licostenes noteth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Carith a digging vp or trēching, called by his swiftnesse Torrens ouer against Iordā. Helias, in the sight of Achab king of Israel, and his Prophets which were, [ 3042] 450. raigned .22. yeares and did euil in the sight of the Lorde, more than all [ 925] they that were before him, after he had built an aulter with 12. stones, and killed a Bullocke and offered it vnto the Lord, and had layde wood theron and called vpon the name of his God, he cryed with a loude voyce whyle the ditch about the sacrifice was a filling with water, and saide, Lord God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Iacob, let it be knowne this day, that thou art God in Israel, and I thy seruaunt, and that I haue done all this, according vnto thy word, heare me O Lord, oh heare me, that this people may know, how that thou art the Lorde God, that thou mayst afterwarde turne their harts. Then fel down the fire of the Lord and consumed the burnt offring, the wood, the stones, and the earth, and licked vp the water that was in the pit: when all the people saw that, they fel vpon their faces, and sayde,* 1.73 The Lord is God: Eliah sayde vnto them, Lay hands vppon Baals Prophetes, [ 3049] that none of them escape: and they toke them, and Eliah brought thē down, [ 912] vnto the brooke Cison and slew them there &c .3. Kings .18. Chapter: At the prayers of Heliah, there fel fire from heauen, and consumed two bandes of men of Fifties, in eache bande. 50.4. Kings firste Chapter: Also Eliah, [ 3050] deuided the waters of Iordan with his vpper garment, passed through with [ 913] Elizeus that followed him, he was taken vp into heauen in a firie Chariot 4. kings .2. Chapter.

Remulus* 1.74 the son of the king of Tiber, was strickē with lightning, Ouid, lib. 14. Remulus being well stricken in yeares, counterfaited lightning [ 3055] and was killed with a thunderbolt. [ 908]

Aladius Siluius the xij. king of the Latines, for his wickednesse was stric∣ken with lightning that he dyed: Eutropius lib. 1.

The Countrey about Ierico, being barren, by corruption of the waters therein, at the very word of Elizeus not the water only, (but by the prin∣cipal [ 3108] and highest fountaine of all good things) were made swéete & hole∣some, [ 855] those waters and also the grounde that was barren became fruite∣full. As Elizeus wente vp towarde Bethell, he was mocked of the children and boyes, for that he was baulde headed, they said come vp here thou bald heade, come vp here thou balde heade, and he turned him about, and when

he saw them, he curssed them in the name of the Lord. Then came ther two Beares forth of the wood, and destroyed 42. of the children: &c. for their vn∣reuerent misbehauiour done against the good balde olde man.

* 1.75The sons of the Prophetes as they were hewing downe wood by Iordan, [ 3106] one felling downe a trée, the Axe head fell into the water, and he saide sor∣rowfully, [ 854] alas my Lord, it is borrowed: but the man of God said, where fel it in? and when the place was shewed him, he cutte a sticke and thrust it in there, then did the yron swim, and he bad him that lost it, take it vp, and hée toke it. The rest that concerne this good Prophet, how he bestowed the Le∣prosie on Gehezi and cured the chiefe Captain of the King of Siria Naamā: and of the restoring of the dead sonne of the Sunamitish woman to life, & the rest, reade the fourth booke of the Kings and 2. 3. 4. 6. Chapters.

[ 3149] By the meanes of Ionas the prophet, the sea was maruellously troubled, [ 814] who so soone as he was cast out of the shippe into the Sea, the tempest cea∣sed, but he was swallowed vp of a mightie fishe, in whose bellye he liued, & after thrée dayes he was cast forth safe and whole, and then went and prea∣ched repentaunce to the Niniuites: Ionas the firste and seconde Chap∣ters.

[ 3149] About this time in India chaunced a great Earthquake, whereby y^e Moū∣taine Erogo was clouen asunder. Cooper Folio. 34.

[ 3157] Amos the Prophet saw the fire consume the great sea and flouds. And [ 806] moreouer he saw the Lord God standing vpon a wall, made by lyne, with a line in his hande, saying I will set a line in the middest of my people Is∣rael, and will passe by them no more, and the high places of Isaac shal be de∣solate, and the temples of Israel shal be destroyed, and I wil rise against the house of Ieroboam with the sworde: for the rest read Amos the sixth Chap∣ter.

[ 3185] In the yeare that Vziah died, Esay the Prophete sawe the Lorde in the [ 778] cloudes of Heauen, sitting on a high throne, and lifted vp with a maruel∣lous glorie, and those things which were vnder him filled the temple ouer which the Lorde sate: from about him were whiuering Seraphins whereof euery one had sixe wings, with two he couered his face, with two his féete, and with two did he flye. They cryed also each one to another, on this ma∣ner, Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of Hostes, the whole worlde is ful of his glorie: reade in Esay, the 6. Chapter.

* 1.76Romulus and Remus the sonnes of Rhea, a goddesse of the wooddes, be∣gotten [ 3194] by Mars, being throwne out into the riuer of Tiber. by Amulius, pre∣serued * 1.77by a she Wolfe for a time, and after fostered vp by shepheard called Fastulus that found them, whose wife nourished them among hir seruāts: These two were not onlye the first erectours of the Citie of Rome, but al∣so the firste Authours of the whole Empire. This Poetical prodigie is set

downe that the meaning thereof maye be more considered, than the ef∣fecte of so straunge a byrth: for as it séemeth, Romulus knewe not from whence was his Father, and yet coulde murder his brother: no more knoweth the POPE of whence is his religion, and yet he is a common manqueller, Plinie and Plutarch haue written of this Romu∣lus: but I finde a learned father who of late hath more plainely expressed of this discourse. Romulus as the Romaine stories affirme, the sonne of Mars, by Ilia the daughter of Numitor, but more verilye the sonne of Amulius his great vncle, who of purpose rauished Ilia in the darke, be∣ing a Virgine Vestale to haue a quarrel to put hir to death; she being found with childe and deliuered of two sonnes, was adiudged to be buried quicke, and hir sonnes to be drowned: this treacherie the greate vncle wrought to putte the right heires to death, that he might the sooner obtaine the kingdome. Laurentia the wife of Faustulus the Kings shephearde, by∣cause she was a whore, was named of the shepheards Lupa, wherof arose the fable, that the founders of Rome were nourished vppe by ashe Wolfe. When these chyldren, came after to age, and vnderstanding their stock and beginning, they gathered togither a bande of shepheardes, killed Amu∣lius, restored Numito to his kingdome, & on the mount Palantine where they were brought vp, began to builde them a Citie: at the laste these two brothers fel at controuersie,* 1.78 which should giue name to their new begun building, so that Remus was slaine, and Romulus named his Citie Rome, who after a season, in a great tempest sodainly was gone, no man could tel how: he was called afterward Quirinus, vnder which name the Romains [ 3226] worshipped him as a God: as the Idolatrous Papists haue done the Pope, [ 737] for Christs Vicar. [ 3211]

At Alcmene, the body of Amphitreon being brought to the graue to be [ 754] buried, was sodainely vanished away, and a stone was founde in steade of the corpse: Sabellicus in his first booke, eight Chapter, of the notable de∣parture forthe of thys lyfe, whyche hée tooke out of Cleomedes, Aristipa∣leus, Plutarche in Romulu••.

Aboute the same time Messana was taken by the Spartans: GOD dyd foreshewe that it shoulde so bée, by sundrye tokens and wonders, for a shielde of brasse that was fastened to the Image of Diana fel awaye, and Aristodemus goyng to make ready hys sacrifice to offer vnto Iupiter Ithomata, the surname of Iupiter, the Rammes of theyr owne accorde ranne and beate theyr hornes against the Aulter with suche violence that therewith they dyed.

Another strange thing happened, al the dogs gathered themselues, and came togither into one place, howling and yelling all one nyghte, and af∣ter ranne with great spéede to the tentes of the Lacedemonians: these strange

things greatly troubled the minde of Aristodemus, besides this, he dremed in a feareful vision, it séemed that he saw himselfe armed, and readie to go into the field to battayle, the intrayles of his sacrifices lying vppon a table, and that his daughter appeared to him in a black vesture, and shewed him hir breaste and hir bellie ript asunder, after whiche againe appearing shée drewe awaye the sacrifice from the table, and toke from hir father his ar∣mour, in steade whereof she put vpon him a white vpper garmente, and a Crowne of golde vpon his head: which vision greatly discomforted Aristo∣demus,* 1.79 being certainelye perswaded that it signifyed his death to bée neare at hande, for that the funerall customes among the greate men of Messana, was to be couered with white clothes ouer the dead, and a crown set ouer them. Pausanias in his fourth booke, of the taking of Messana. Fun∣ctius maketh mention, and likewise Eusebius, whose computation of yeres I do not follow, bycause it is false.

Of the nine Sibils hauing the gift of prophesie, who are no lesse to be maruel∣led at, their prophesies being perceiued, as followeth in this place their discriptions.

SIbilla Agrippa was apparelled in a Roseall garmente, a womanne in [ 3221] yeares, holding hir hande in hir bosome, as maruelling, and with hir [ 742] left hand pointing downward. Hir prophesie.

The inuisible word shal be felt, he shal spring as a roote, he shal be dri∣ed as a leafe, his oldnesse shal not appeare, his mothers belly shal bee en∣uironed, and God shall flourish in euerlasting ioy, and he shal be troden downe of men, hee shall bee borne of hys mother as GOD, and shall keepe companye as a sinner: A certayne Gentile sawe thys glo∣rye.

[ 1697] Sibilla Libica, set out with a gréene garlande, and flowers on hir heade, [ 1273] cladde in a comely garment, like a Cloke, and not very yong, saith thus: Beholde the daye will come, and the Lord will lighten the thick darke∣nesse, that the knot of the Sinagog shal be losed, and mens lips shal cease, and they shall see the king of the liuing, and a virgine the Ladie of the Gentiles shall holde him in hir lappe, and he shal raigne in mercie, & his mothers belly shal be the ballaunce of all.

Sibil of Delphos was before the Troyan warres, being clad in a blacke garment, hir haire bounde behinde hir heade, holding in hir hand a horne, and being yong prophesied, A Prophet shal be borne without knowledge

of his mother, of his Virgin the true son of God. Supplementi Chronicarum lib. 4.

Sibil of Phrigia, was apparelled in a red garment, hauing hir armes na∣ked: An old Saturnine face, hard fauoured, lose haire spreading behinde hyr back, pointing with hir finger: hir prophesie, The highest shall come from aboue, and shal establish his counsel in heauen, and a Virgine shal be spo∣ken of in the vallyes of desarts.

Sibilla Herophila of the Ilande of Samos, a yong woman hauing a faire [ 3296] breast, hir heade being couered with a fine vale or laune, holding hir hande [ 667] to hir breast sayeth thus, Behold a rich one shal be borne of a pore womā,* 1.80 and the beastes of Countreys shall worship him, there shall be that shall crie and say prayse him in Heauen gates.

Sibilla of Europ, a comely yong woman hauing a high and redde coloured face, hir heade bound about with a very fine vale, clad in a garment of gold worke holding in hir hande a scrole sayeth thus: He shall come and shall passe ouer the hilles, and waters of Heauen, hee shall raigne in pouer∣tye and rule in silence, and shall bee borne of a Virgine.

Sibilla of Persia, attyred in a golden garmente with a white vale on hir heade sayeth thus: Beholde thou beaste shalt be troden downe, and the Lorde shal be begotten for the whole world, and a Virgins lap shall bee the saluation of the Gentiles, and his feete shal be for the strength of mē, the miserable world shal be felt.

Sibilla Religiosa Cumana, of some supposed Erithrea, of the redde Sea. [ 1214] A woman shal rise of the stocke of the Hebrewes called Marie, hauing a [ 3985] husbande named Ioseph, and the son of God called Iesus,* 1.81 shal be brought forth by hir through the holy ghost, without the companye of man, and she shall be a Virgine before hir byrth and after hir birth, and he that shal be borne of hir, shal bee true God and Man, and shal fulfil the lawe of the Iewes, and shal put therto his own law, and his kingdome shal abyde for euer, and there shal come vppon a voyce (saying) this is my welbeloued sonne heare him, hee shal be the resurrection of the deade, and the iuste sweete course of the lame, and the deafe shall heare, and the blinde shall see, and the dumb shal speake, and with fiue loaues and two fishes many thousandes of men shal be satisfied, hee shall laye the windes with his words, and shall calme the raging sea, walking vpon the waues, losing men from infirmities, and putting away many griefes. [ 3221]

Sibilla Erithrea sayth, In the last age God shall bee abased, and Gods [ 742] ofspring shall take fleshe vpon him,* 1.82 the diuinitie shal bee ioyned to the humanitie, a Lambe shall lye in Hay, and God and Man shal be brought vp by a maydens diligence, and he shal choose of fishers and castawayes the number of twelue.

The chiefest occasion why I haue set downe these Prophesies is, not for

that the holy Scripturs do auouch them, but bicause these foretold y^t which is manifest true by them.

[ 3231] At the siege of Pelusia the souldiours were constrayned to raise theyr [ 733] Campe and departe awaye, for none other cause, but a number of Myce came among them vnwares in the night, gnawed their cordes, lines, and leathers, so spoyled their Targets and Bowes, that being thus disfurni∣shed of their prouisiō they departed thence: Herodotus beareth witnesse of this, in his seconde booke, and Sabellicus in his thirde booke, & Virgil in hys second booke of Aeneades.

Senacherib king of the Assirians, besieged the Citie of Ierusalem, in the raigne of King Hezekias, but God sent an Angel from heauen whyche de∣stroyed all the strengthe of hys Host, and the chiefe men that were in the armye of the King of Assiria, so that he departed wyth shame into hys owne lande. The Angel of the Lorde wente out, and smote in the Campe of Asshur, an hundred fourescore and fiue thousande, so that when they rose earely in the morning, beholde they were all deade bodyes. So Sa∣neherib King of Asshur; departed & went his way, returned and dwelte a•• Niniue. And as he was in the Temple, worshipping Nisroch (his Idoll God) Adramelech and Sharezer his sonnes slew him with the sword, and they escaped &c. 4. Kings. 9. Chap. and the 2. booke of Kings, wherin the 4, is concluded after variable translations, Chap. 19.

[ 3233] At the petition of Ezechias the Sun went back tenne degrées, by the de∣grées [ 375] wherby it had gone downe in the Diall of Ahaz, whiche Dial was set on the toppe of the stayres that Ahaz had made: and also Hezekia king of Iuda had added to the prolonging of his life fiftéene yeares: he was zea∣lous in putting downe Idolatrie. 4. Reg. 8.19. and 20. Chap.

[ 3343] Prester the sonne of Hippomenes, did detest and renounce God, but in [ 720,] the midst of hys abhomination he was consumed with lightning, Sabeli∣cus.

When the Vegentines did inuade the territorie of the Romaines, whome [ 3245] the Fidenates were said to haue aided, that yere was a maruellous drought, [ 718] that not only there wanted rayne, but also the Riuers had scarcely water ynough, the natural humor being lost, the fountaines were dryed vp, beasts dyed for want of drinke, many were destroyed by the scab or scurffe, men infected one another, and first a cruell plague inuaded the Countreymen & theyr seruaunts, and afterward the Citie: there arose vpon that mortality, a manifolde superstition, so that no lesse the minds were hurt than the bo∣dies: euery where in all Chappels and stréetes there were made strange & vnaccustomed sacrifices, & there sprang vp many Priests ouer al y^e Citty, y^e Elders or Senators taking this very ill, committed y^e whole matter to the Aediles, y^t they should take good héede y^t the sacrifices were made in no other ryte or ceremonie than before, Sabellicus Aeneades booke. 5. leafe. 38.

Lycostenes rehearsing againe of Romulus, that as he was purging hys [ 3248] army at the Marris Coprea, whose sacrifice was, to leade rounde aboute a [ 715] shéepe, a Sow & two Buls,* 1.83 by which ceremonie they thought the host pur∣ged from offences against their Gods, was in a showre of rain & a whirle∣wind carried vp into Heauen & canonized, as the fabulous report of times past reporteth, not without the admiration of his souldiours: Liuie in his 1. booke, & Plutarch in Romulus & Numa: also Florus his 1. booke & 1. Cha. Au. in his 3. booke of the Cittie of God, & 15. Chap. Plinie in his 2. booke of worthy men, Messala Coruine, of the original of Augustus, Patricius in his 6. booke of Topographie, Cap. 9. Sabellicus. 3. booke Aenneades, Ouid, and others.

The same yeare there was an Eclipse of the Sun, as Dionisius writeth in his 2. booke of the Historie of the Romaines.

In the eight yere of the raigne of Numa, a pestilente disease infected Ita∣lie [ 3258] and Rome: but when all was stricken in greate heauinesse, it is lefte in [ 705] writing that a brasen Target fel from Heauen into the handes of Numa, whiche was reported to be sent from the gods, for the safetie of the Cytie: After whose likenes, when at the motiō of Numa Veturius Mamurius an excellent workeman had made eleauen mo, Salij the Priests of Mars, were ordayned by the king for the kéeping of them: Liuius Plutarch Obsequens, A most grieuous plague was spred through y^e Citie & al Italy.

In the 4. yere of the pretorship of Aristaeus at Athens, the 4. yeare of the [ 3271] 21. Olympiad, there appeared a mightie great Comet in the winter season, [ 692] the heauens and skies being very cleare, the weather sharpe and colde,* 1.84 in y^e Euening of the day or at the Sun setting, whose light shined ouer the third part of the firmamente, from the west of the Equinoctial toward y^e South, and when it came to the point of the East, it vanished away: the latter part of that winter following was verye drye and windie, especially North: af∣terward through contrarie windes, the waters were raised by the Northe winde in the gulfe of Corinth, but the Southwinde strugling without the gulfe, when he droue the surges within the gulfe, after certain earthquaks, whiche ouerthrew Helice and Bura, Cities of Achata, there happened also a mightie floud which made great spoy••e in the Country. The seconde yeare after, the Lacedemonians being ouercome and discomfited in one battell at Luctra in Beotia, they neuer recouered afterward their former power: Ga∣sper Beucer de Meteorologia Folio. 253.

The Prophete Ieremie saw in the cloudes uf Heauen a red & a séething pot, the red passed too & fro, which signified the Lords watchful diligence: for he said I wil watch diligently vppon my worde, to performe it: againe the Lord said to Ieremie, what séest thou? he said, I do sée a séething pot appea∣ring from out of the North hitherward: then saide the Lorde vnto Ieremie, Out of the North shal come a plague vpon the dwellers of the land &c. Ieremie the .1. Chapter.

[ 3322] Ouer the Hil Albanus it rayned stones, notwithstanding many scarselye [ 643] beléeued it, (came) and were sente to sée the place where they had fallen on the earth on a heape.* 1.85 A voyce was heard from the toppe of the Hil, commā∣ding them that the ceremonies of the Albani should be kept with solemne and accustomed manner: whervpon they solemnized nine days, commaun∣ding to be kept holy throughout y^e whole country, whensoeuer this miracle shoulde be declared, that then the feaste to be helde nine dayes following. Not long after the Country was vexed with a grieuous plague, Hostilius vsing the sacrifice of Numa, coulde not obtaine the fauour of Iupiter the plagues ceasing: Liuius and Iulius Obsequens.

[ 3329] Tullus Hostilius was consumed with lightning as he was making sacri∣fice, [ 639,] for that he abused the Ceremonies and aduaunced himselfe to com∣maunde the Gods, for his dissembling pride God destroyed him: Piso and Plutrach. Tullus Hostilius the thirde king of the Romaines, he first vsed the purple garment, and that had Maces and Axes born before him after great victories: he enlarged Rome: in Rome that time it rained stones: being vexed with the pestilence, he toke vpon him to sacrifice, at which instant hée and his whole house perished, when he had raigned 32. yeares. D. Cooper. Lan∣quet Folio. 38.

Lucius Piso, as Plinie recordeth, wrote that Tullus Histilius was strāg∣led with lightning, bycause he had not done something, according vnto the custome, and would haue fet Iupiter himselfe from heauen with sacrifice: Plutarch, also writeth the same in the life of Numa Pompilius: Solinus Chapter. 2.

[ 3331] Lucumo, the sonne of Demaratus the Gréeke, and the brother of Arunts [ 625] a ioylye yong gentleman, when vppon the death of his father at Tarquinij he had sold all his goods, and was gone to Rome, at his comming to Ianicu∣lum he sitting in an open Chariot with his wife, an Eagle soaring downe toke away his bonet, and immediately flying ouer the Chariot with a gret noyse, as it were sent againe in message from Heauen, did fitlye putte him on again, which séene, Tanaquine a woman skilful in soothsaying, vnder∣stoode that the kingdome was foreshewed to happen vnto him by that Pro∣digie: he then through money and industrie, attayning to dignitie, and also to the familiaritie of King Ancus who lefte him ouerséer for his children, toke the kingdome vpon him after the death of Ancus and so gouerned, as though he had gotten it by righte, challenging to himselfe the name of Tar∣quinius Priscus, Liuius, Dionisius, Fabius Pictor Obsequens. Cap. 4. Plinie Cap. 4. of worthy men.

[ 3349] The wonderful foretoken to Ezechiel from the almightie God, as hée [ 614] was among the prisoners by the riuer of Cobar, where the Hauens opened, the fifth daye of the fourth moneth: Behold a stormie winde came out of the North with a great cloude ful of fire, which with his glistering light∣ned

all round about, and in the middest of the fire it was al cleare, and as it were the likenesse of 4. beasts, which were fashioned like a man, sauing that euery one had 4. faces, and 4. wings, their legs wer straight, but their feete were like Bullocks feete, & they glistered like bright brasse: vnder their wings appeared mens hands, and they 4. had their faces and theyr wings, they were ioyned by their wings, on to another, & whē they wēt forth, they returned not, but euery one went straight forward, and the si∣militude of their faces was as the face of a man, and they 4. had the face of a Lion, on the right side, and they 4. had the face of a Bullocke, on the left side, they 4. also had the face of an Eagle: the rest of this glorious vision is referred to the 1. Cha. of Ezekiel: as also the consideration, what happened after the sayde appearaunce, the besieging of Ierusalem, & the great Cap∣tiuitie of Israel and the destruction of the people, Chapters fourth and fifth.

Seruius Tullius in his childehoode sléeping, was séene a firie brightnesse* 1.86 about his head, which straunge sight signifyed, as Tanaqui the wife of Pris∣cus [ 608] Tarquinius foretolde by hir soothsaying, that he shoulde be king of the Romaines after the death of Tarquine: Dionisius booke 4. Liuius 1. booke & 1. Decade Plinius booke 2. Chap. 110. and booke, 36, Chap. 27. Valerius Max. 2. booke, Chap. 2. Plinius in his 7. booke of Famous men.

Nabuchodonozo•• king of Babilon, after he had taken Ierusalem,* 1.87 with Io∣achim the K. of Iuda into his hand with certaine ornaments of the house of [ 3365] God, which he caried away vnto y^e land of Senhar, among y^e rest Daniel, A∣nanias, [ 598] Mi••ael, & Azarias wer captiues, which Daniel became by the proui∣dence of God an interpreter of the kings dreames, after concluding the interpretatiō, he foretold y^e vniuersal kingdom to come, after these words: In the dayes of these kingdomes shal the God of heauen set vp an euer∣lasting kingdome which shal not perish, and his kingdome shal not bee giuen ouer to another people: yea the same shall breake and destroye all these kingdomes, but it shal endure for euer: After this Nabuchodonozer caused a golden Image to be made, which was 60. Cubites high, and 6. Cu∣bites thicke,* 1.88 this he caused to be set vp in the valley of Dura in the land of Babilon, commaunding all to worship it, but Sidrak, Misac, & Abednago woulde not, for the whiche they were cast into a hotte burning Ouen, not∣withstanding the fire did no manner of hurt vpon them, only it consumed those men that put in Sidrak. Misac. and Abednago: then spake Nabucho∣donozor, and sayde, blessed be the God of these, whiche hath sente his An∣gel, and defended his seruauntes.

Daniel being throwen into the den of Lions (at the cōmandment of Da∣rius) [ 3367] which were kept hungry, contrarie to the expectation of al men, by the [ 596] prouidence of God, not only from y^e fury of the 7. Lions was preserued, but so nourished and fed by the Angel of God, and the Prophete Abacuk: but those men which wer the causers of Daniels accusation, were commanded

by the king to be cast into the Lions den, them, their children, & their wi∣ues: so the Lions had the masterie ouer them, and brake al their bones asū∣der, or ouer they came at y^e groūd: Daniel the 6. Chap.

[illustration]

Nabuchodonosor, the greate and fourth King of Babilon, for [ 3368] his pride was driuē [ 595] out of his kingdom, & bycause his harte was so proud, & his stomack set so faste vnto wickednesse, was deposed from his kingly throne, & his Maiestie was taken from him, he was shut frō amōg men, his harte was like a beastes hart, and his dwelling was with the wilde Asses: he was faine to eate grasse like an Oxe, and his bo∣dye was wet wyth the dew of heauen, til hee knewe that the highest had po∣wer vpon the kingdomes of men, and sitteth ouer them whome he liste: his haires became rough, and couered his flesh, his nayles grewe like the clawes of byrdes, so that he which before banished many forth of his coun∣trey, was now exiled himselfe from all humanitie and company: he whych with superfluous riotting on delicate fare, was now a guest among beasts: he which before was clothed in purple, was now wrapt in lothsome hayre: he that before delighted in balme and pretious oyntment, was now subiecte to euerye showre, continuing the space of seauen yeares: Daniel the fifte Chapter.

When the warre of the Sabines was ended, at which time Tarquinius Priscus was in minde to builde vpon the hill Tarpaius a temple to Iupiter, which he had vowed in the same battayle, and nowe commaunded that o∣ther Churches shoulde be put downe, that the Temple yarde might be frée from other religions, and that the byrdes did signifye by theyr flighte, that

all chappels, would be hallowed and put downe,* 1.89 not signifying that the like should happen to the temple of the God Terminus, which Prodigie séemed to portende to the Romaines, the assurednesse and stabilitie of al things: there ensued also an other Prodigie portending the greatnesse of their Empyre, for after that he digged the ground, to lay the foundations of the building that he purposed, there was founde in the lowermost part, the head of a mā with the face whole, yet sprinckled with fresh water and bloud: wherevpō the soothsayers being asked what this prodigie mighte signify, aunsweared that this place should be the head, not only of the Romaine Empire, but al∣so of the whole worlde: Plinie the yonger, and Iulius Obsequens Chapter fifth.

When Tarquinius went about to make the secōd war against the Romains & to go to Hetruria, there was sayd to haue appeared a great token, for whē [ 3375] as yet Tarquinius raigned at Rome, and all almost brought to an ende, the [ 588] temple of Iupiter Capitolinus, whether he were warned, or admonished by the Prophesie, or that he otherwise thoughte good, he commaunded that certaine Potters of Thuscia, of the nation of the Veians, should make him a Chariot, couered ouer with wrought and baked earth and not long after he was banished his kingdom: but whē the Thuscians had made that Chariot, and put it in the fornace to neale, it hapned far otherwise than it commōly chaunceth to lome put in the fire: for it is wont to be thickned and growe hard togither, the moysture being wrong out, but then it was losed & swel∣led vp, and grew to that greatnesse, strength, and hardnesse, y^e scarcely by ta∣king away the toppe of the fornace and pulling downe the walles therof, it could by any meanes be taken out: reade more at large hereof in Plutarch in the life of Publicola, of the same war also Functius maketh mention.

The Sun was Eclipsed in the time Astiages the 8. king of the Meedes which Thales M••lesius, among the Gréekes told long before, as Plinie re∣cordeth [ 3380] booke. 2. Chap. 12. in whō notwithstanding the reconing of the O∣limpiades [ 583] are (I knowe not by what errour) corrupted, Functius in his Chronicles agréeth with me.

At Rome & in y^e fields wer dayly séen celestial prodigies, as it were thret∣ning [ 3383] the country, immediately Opia, a vestal virgin, which notw^tstanding [ 480] some call Popilia, others Popilio, being condēned of incest was punished: The yere following there was sharp discord at home, & fierce war abrode, [ 3384] the people Equi, toke weapons in hand, and the V••i••n made inrodes vppon [ 481] the Romaines: Liuius and Iulius Obsequens.

Whē Xerxes departed frō Sardinia to war against y^e Gréeks, with a huge [ 3385] army, the sun in the morning was eclypsed: a Mare did foale a Hare in hys [ 482] Host: shortly after appeared a Comet, whiche they named Ceratias, being bended like a horne: there followed immediately a great alteration, among al cōmon wealthes ouer the whole world, for such rare apparaunt sightes

fortelleth generally the wrath of God vpon the Earth: Marcus Frytchius in his Meteors.

In the war against the Vegentines, the tent of Manlius was stricken and [ 3386] torne with lightning, the fire-hearth was ouerthrowen, his weapons were [ 483] soyled, scortched, and altogither battered: an excellente horsse of his was slaine, which he was wont to vse in the wars, wherevpon the interpreters of Prodigies being asked, aunsweared that this signified the winning of Castels and strong holdes, and the ouerthrow of moste noble personages. The Romaines fought a bloudie battaile with the Hetrusci. Quintus Fa∣bius the brother of Marcus, twice Consull, and then Embassador, being strickē with a lance through his breast died: the consul Manlius died in the ouerthrow, & the Romaines scout was taken: Liuius & Iu. Obsequens. Ca. 12.

[ 3406] When Hippocrates the tyrant was at Athens, and had offred sacrifice, a [ 557] Kettle being ful of flesh and water, and redie to hang ouer the fire, boyled vp without fire, so y^t the water rā ouer, which strange forewarning Chilō the Lacedemonian séeing (who by chance was presēt) first perswaded him y^e he should not marrie a fruiteful wife and bring hir to his house, secondlye if he had a wife, he should put hir from him, and if he had had a sonne by hir, he should disinherite him. These are the words of Herodotus lib. 1. Fol. 11. in Clio. And this came to passe in the tyme of Croesus Kyng of Ly∣dia.

[ 3408] When Arceselaus was King, there appeared a white Crow, of whom a [ 555] grieuous aunswere was giuen, & immediately the state of y^e Citie became a Democratia, y^t is, a popular state: Bessus when he departed to go to Hespe∣ridae was slaine, Heraclides in his policies maketh mention of his raigne, & Herodotus lib. 4.

[ 3411] A Cow among the Sabines, was brought forth of a wonderfull greatnes [ 552] and shape, for which cause, when the southsayers were asked, answere was made, that that people should haue highest authoritie which first offered y^e Cow in sacrifice. Wherfore the people of the Latines droue the Cowe to the hil Auentinus and opened the cause to the Romaine Priest, but he being sub∣tile, saide, that they ought first to wash their handes in a running riuer, but while y^e people of the Latines, went down to y^e riuer of Tyber, the people of the Romaines in their absence sacrificed the Cow, and so they won domini∣on to their Countreymen, but to themselues renoume by their déede and counsaile: Liuius and Iulius Obsequens Chap. 6.

[ 3417] When Cyrus ouercame in battaile Croesus King of the Lydians, a child [ 547] of fire monethes olde, lying in hys cloutes, is sayde to haue spoken dy∣stinctlye, by a greate and pernitious Prodigie, foretelling that hys kyng∣dome shoulde be loste. Alexander ab Alexandr lib. 2. Chap. 31. & lib. 3. Chap. 15.

When Croesus King of the Lydians was debating a matter, all the places

eate vp, as they wēt to the Pasture, Cressus thē immediately sēt to y^e Diui∣ners, to aske counsayle of y^e Telmissae, wherof though they receyued answer, and learned what this straunge token ment, yet they tolde not Cressus of it, by reason that he was taken before they returned backe from Sardis, so the Thelmissae had knowledge, that a forraine army should be there present with Cressus, who when he was come he should subdue the inhabitaunts, bycause sayde they the Snake or the Adder is the childe of the earth, but y^e horsse an enimie and a stranger: Herodotus 1. booke, leafe. 16.

Daniel the Prophet of the Lorde sawe in a vision Balthasar the firste [ 3420] King of Babilon &c. the foure windes stroue vpon the sea, and foure greate [ 543] beasts came vp frō the Sea, one vnlike another: The first was a Lion, and yet had he Eagles wings. I saw that his wings were pluckt from him, and he taken away from the earth: so that he stoode vpon his feete as a man, and that there was giuen him a mans hart. The seconde beast was like a Beare, and vppon the one side among his téeth in his mouthe, he hadde thrée great long téeth: And it was said vnto him, arise eate vp much flesh: Then there was another beast like vnto a Leopard, this had wings like to a foule euen foure vppon the backe, this beast had foure heades, and there was power giuen him. After this appeared the fourth beast, grim and hor∣rible and maruellous strong, it had great iron téeth, it deuoured, and stam∣ped the residue vnder féete, far vnlike the other beasts, for it had ten hornes, &c. reade the. 17. Chapter.

In the thirde yeare of the raigne of Balthasar, Daniel had another visi∣on. [ 2422] A Ramme stoode before a riuer, hauing large hornes, the one higher thē [ 541] another, and the highest came vp last. I saw that the Ramme pushed wyth his hornes, against the West, againste the North, and against the South &c. reade the vision of the Goate also, and what they signifye Chapter. 8.

Balthaser the king, made a great banket to his thousād Lords, with whō [ 3424] he made great cheare, & when he was dronken with wine, he cōmaunded to [ 543] bring him the gold & siluer vessels, which his father Nabuchodonozer had taken forth of the temple at Ierusalem, y^t the king & his Lords, with hys Q. & Concubines, might drinke out of thē: So they brought the golden Ves∣sels they dranke wine & praised their Idols of gold, siluer, coper, yron, wood, & stone, In the very same houre, there appeared fingers, as it had bin of a mans hand writing, right ouer against the candlesticke, vpon the plaine wal in the Kings Pallace, and the king sawe the palme of the hand that wrote, &c. The superscription was Mene, Teckel, Pharesh, his countenāce was chaunged, his thoughts troubled, the ioynts of his bodie shoke, where∣fore the King cryed, to bring his charmers the Caldes, & coniurers of Di∣uels, also for the wise men of Babilon, but none could giue interpretatiō but Daniel the interpretation of the writing was thus: Mene, God hath nū∣bred thy kingdome, and brought it to an ende. Tekel, thou art wayed in

the ballaunce and art founde too lighte: Pharesh, thy kingdome is delte in par tes and giuen to the Medes and Perses: reade more in the fift Chapter. Furthermore I haue set down the Hebrew Carects, frō the which may be taken the true pronountiation thereof.* 1.90

• אבמ. Mene.
• אבמ. Mene.
• לקח. Tekel.
• ךיסך•• Pharesh.

When vpō a sodain, the Citie Cuma was besieged, of y^e Dauntes & Vmbri∣ans, [ 3440] & of other bordering round about thē, at which time were gathered to∣gither. [ 523] 50000. footemen and. 18000. horsemen (at one time were so manye barbarous people togither) sodainly two gret riuers Vulturnum and Clani∣um to the great amazing of y^e host,* 1.91 ran back contrary to their former course, at which miraculous sight, they of Cuma hoping of victory went boldly vpō their enimies, & hauing gottē a conuenient place, ouerthrew y^e huge hoste: Dionisius Halicarnasaeus in his 7. booke, Dionisius Eretriensis, and Sabelli∣cus in his 9. booke of Aeneades.

[ 3443] The seconde yeare and the eight moneth of King Darius the Prophete * 1.92Zacharie was sent to call the people to repentaunce: it followed vppon the 24. day of the 11. moneth, which is the moneth Sebar, in the 2. yere of Dari. I saw by night, and lo, there sat one vpon a red horse and stood stil amōg the Mirt trees, that were beneath vpon the ground, and behind him wer 3. red speckled and white horses, &c. and the man that stood among the Mirt trees, answered and said, these are they whom the Lord hath sent to go through the world, &c. and behold al the world, dwel at ease and are carelesse, read more hereof in Zacharie the son of Barachias first Chapter.

[ 3449] One Tages in the territorie of Tarquinium, when he plowed and made a [ 514] déepe surrowe, is saide to haue heard a voyce vpon the sodaine, and to haue spokē vnto him: hée as noted in the bookes of the Hetrurians, being a child to looke too, but old in wisedome, when he was séene of y^e heardman, forthwith caused all Hetruria to wonder thereat. Afterward those things were put in writing that he spake, which contained all the manner of diuination: Cice∣ro of Diuination.

[ 3450] When Darius besieged the Citie of Babilon, there was a voyce heard from [ 513] the walles, that the Citie shoulde be taken by the Persians, at suche time as a Mule should bring forth yong, vpon which diuination euery man did dis∣paire of the taking of the Citie, vntil the Mule of Zopirus a Persian had foa∣led. Rauisius Textor.

[ 3454] Tarquinius, when he had sente inhabitants to Signia and Cirseij to bée a [ 509] succour to the Citie by sea and by land, there appeared a feareful Prodigie, for a Snake, crawling out of a woodden Piller, did not only cause feare and flight in the Pallace, but also strake the Kings minde into a sodaine feare, and brought all men in heauie sadnesse: the Eagles also which haunted the Palace, made their neast wherin their yong were sodainly rēt in pieces by the violence of Vultures: which they thought to be a foretokening of a mis∣chief

at hand, immediately they warred with the Rutilians. Ardea was be∣sieged, [ 3455] & after the haynous offence of Tarquine with Lucrecia y^e kings wer [ 508] banished: but as Tarquinius was going to Gabij as to his kingdome, a dog & a Serpent also spake with expresse words: Liuius, Iulius Obseq. Chap. 7. Alexander ab Alexan. lib. 3. Chap 15.

In the dead time of the night, a great voyce was hearde out of the wood [ 3457] of Arsia, whiche was thoughte to be the voyce of Siluanus: he cried aloude [ 506] in the army of the Romaines against the Veiantines, y^e one more of the He∣trusians was in the war slaine than there was of y^e Romaines. Liuius, Iulius Obsequens Chap. 8.

Souldiours speares were séene to burne in the Ellement late in the [ 3469] night. There ensued the Sabines third inrode to the country of the Romains, [ 500] wherin the Consul Posthumius, through his negligence recyeued a greate ouerthrow, the which vnlesse his fellow in office had immediately reuen∣ged, the Romans common wealth should haue bin in very euil case: Two vnder Cities of the Romaines, Pometia and Cora, reuolted to the Aruncians, & war was made against them: Liuius and Iulius Obsequens Chap. 9.

When the Dictator Aulus Posthumius, fought at the Méere Regillus a∣gainst [ 3467] the Latines which had conspired against the Romaines, & that the vi∣ctorie [ 596] was now in hazard, two yong mē of lustie courage riding vpō white horsses, were seene fighting most valiantly for the safetie of the Romaines, whome the Dictator after the victorie séeking for worthilye to rewarde them, coulde not finde, whervpon hée thought them to be Castor & Pollux: Florus Booke 1. Chap. 11. Iulius Obsequens Chap. 10.

Whilest Pizelus the Athenian fought in the battaile of Marathon, there [ 3472] was séene a Monster, which when he also sawe before him, and séeming to [ 491] slay him, he continually remained blind. Herodotus: Eusebius recordeth of this fight.

There was a great Eclipse of the Moone, wherof Ptholome chiefely ma∣keth [ 3473] mentiō. booke. 4 Chap. 9. The Athenians by the cōduct of Calymachus, [ 490] through the Counsaile of Milciades at Marathon, where Hippias broughte the armie of the Persians, had that vpper hand, and in the conflict there mis∣carried, 6300. of the Persians, but of the Athenians. 19. as witnesse Herodo∣tus and Thucidides.

There wer heard and séene many strange things at Rome, when Quinti∣lius Sulpitius Camerinus, and Spurius Largius Ruffus were Consulles Liuiu••, Dionisius, Eutrop. lib. 1.

In the tēple of womens fortune, built in the Latines way 4. mile frō the [ 3473] Citie, in which place Coriolanus being moued & won by his mothers er∣nest [ 490] intreaty, w^theld himself frō the spoile of y^e Citie, was an Image of for∣tune, which is said to haue spokē diuers times. Alex. ab Alexan Chap. 13.

At Laodicea vppon the comming of Xerxes a Plane trée was chaun∣ged

into an Olife trée. But when he marched his armye frō Sardinia, the Sun in the morning was eclipsed. Leonides y^e Lacedemonian foughte wyth the Persians at Thermopile, & the first battel on the sea, was giuen at Arte∣miscus, as wrote Herodotus: lib. 7. 8. Dioni. lib. 9.

[ 3488] The Prophet Aceratus saw before the tēple of Minerua, y^e holye armour [ 474] brought forth of the conclaue or Vestry, which were to be séene within, and it was a haynous offence for any man to touch them, which straunge sight he went to tel thē y^t were at Delphos whē the barbarous people came with all spéede to the temple of Minerua, greater things were there shewed then before, for the weapons of Mars, were séene to stand without the Temple, but when the Barbarians came to the Chaple of Minerua which was before the temple, lightning fel frō heauen vpon thē, & two knaps of the mountain Parnassus fel down vpon thē, & slew many of them, & there came out of the Chaple of Minerua a great cry & reioysing, al which cōmming togither the Barbarians were stricken in a great feare &c. Hero. lib. 8. of Vrania.

* 1.93When Simon of Athens made ready his souldiours against the Cyprians or Egiptians, & his army stoode on the sea shore, he saw a horrible figure, for he beheld a dog y^t was prouoked to bark, & in barking to haue a verie mans voyce, wherfore Astiphilus Apossidonian, a man skilful in prophesie, & hys Familiar told him that this shape did foreshew his death, after this forme. behold also he saw another strange sight, when he did sacrifice to Bacchus: For when the southsayer according to y^e custome had slaine the sacrifice, a nūber of Ampes taking the bloud, which was cōgealed vpō y^e groūd, by lit∣tle & little carried it to Simon, & laying it about his greate toe, very busilye for a long time were not marked of any: Wherfore as soone as Simon espy∣ed this maruellous labour of the Ampes, there was present the Priest she∣wing him the liuer of the sacrifice without the head, whē these things thus hapned: Simō for al y^t toke shipping, who could not with credite draw back, from so great a prepared warfare, wherefore vppon the sending of .60. ships into Egipt, he with the residue scoured the seas, put to flight the kings Na∣uie, in which were ships of Phenisia & Cicilir. Afterward he subdued the Ci∣ties adioyning, and turned al the huger preparations of this war, againste the Egyptians, Plut in Simon.

Xerxes the Persian King, when he had prepared a huge armye against the [ 3490] Grecians, a Mare in his Campe foled a Hare, whyche straunge Prodigie [ 466] foreshewed that whyche ensued: for he which couered the sea with ships, and the Earthe with Souldiours, as a feareful Hare, was forced to retire into his owne Countrey, Herodotus in his seauenth booke of Musis, Vale∣rius Maximus in his first booke and sixth Chapter, Sabel, second booke Ae∣uerapsod. Alex. of Alexan second booke, Chapter 31. Also Xerxes being on y^e toppe of the Mountaine Athos being next Ida before he set vpon the Athe∣nians to destroye them, a rare and straunge Prodigie happened sittyng

at supper, the waiters fylled forth Wyne, which turned into bloud more then once or twice, whervpō his Magi or Southsayers, gaue him counsaile to alter his pretended purpose. Valerius Maximus, in his first Booke, Chap∣ter. 6.

When Themistocles fought in a battel vpō the sea, against king Xer∣xes, [ 3496] they write that a very bright flame gaue light from Euleusine and that [ 467] there was heard also a noyse and voyce in all the Countrey aboute Thria∣sium, as it were of many men (bringing abrode the mysteries of Bacchus, and that from the great number of voyces, there was séene a cloude by lit∣tle and little to mount from the earth, and againe to returne and fal downe vppon the Gallies. Others affirmed that Images and sightes of armed men, and lifting vp their handes in the defence of the Greekes, appeared frō Egina, which they coniectured to be the Aearidae, of whom before the fight, with prayer and vow they earnestly besought him,* 1.94 & so the Greekes through the manhood of Themistocles and of the Athenian Licomedes the Tetarke, being Conquerours against the Barbarians, put Xerxes to flight: Authors of this discourse Simonides.

There fell from heauen a mightie great stone in the Riuer Aegis, the [ 3499] same yéere Themistocles, with the bloud of a Bull was choked: who by his [ 464] manhood and pollicie deliuered not onely his owne Citie Athens, but all Greece from the great power, and innumerable armie of Xerxes, where∣with he ouerpressed that Countrey, whose armie was said to be seauentéen hundred thousand men, others affirme tenne hundred thousande, yet was Xerxes driuen to flie awaye in a small boate: Neuerthelesse he was after∣ward by y^e vnkinde Citizens driuen to flie, being expelled his Countrey to king Xerxes his enemie, who vnderstanding his cause,* 1.95 sent him afterward with a mightie armie against the Athenians, but when he perceiued hys Countrey in perill, he chose rather to die, than either vnfaithfully to betray that Prince that trusted him, or vnnaturally to destroy that Countrey that bred him. Socrates was borne presently after Artabanus the King of the Persians died, in whose roome succéeded Artaxerxes who was surnamed Longhand, bicause he was able to reach to his knées, whose surname was Memnon, supposed to be before the incarnation. 485. which computation a∣gréeth not with Licosthines, who reciteth Hermanus Contractus.

The Heauens was séene to burne, or as it séemed to be on fire, the same [ 3500] yéere followed a most grieuous pestilence aswell among men as Beastes, [ 463] the Aequians receiued the banished men of the Antiates, contrarie to the leagues made with the Romanes, they made inrodes vppon the Latines, a∣gaine whom the yéere following, Quintus Fabius Vibulanus was sent, who before that he made peace with them fought valiantly, but when they had drawen themselues to the Volscians, and the faith of the Anciates began to fayle, they with a huge armie entring againe for spoyles sake into the

Countrey of the Romanes, were by Posthumius vanquished and put to flight. Liuius and Iulius Obsiquens Chapter. 13.

[ 3502] The Element séemed agayne to bée all on fyre, and other straunge [ 461] things were eyther séene with the eye, or else made men vaynely affrayde, for the turnyng awaye of whiche terrours thrée hollydayes togither were appoynted, during the which all the Temples were fylled with men and women earnestly desiring Gods peace. Warre was made with the Ae∣quians against whom Furius first fought verie vnluckily, but Posthumius luckily: the souldiers of the Anciates, by reason of ouer late ayde, were with shame dismissed. And the yéere following there was a most cruell plague at Rome: Liuius and Iulius Obsequens Chapter 14.

[ 3503] This yéere the heauen was séene againe to burne, and a Cowe spake. [ 400] The Aequians letting y^e Latines & the Herutians passe, made hast to Rome to take the Citie, by reason that the youth were away, which notwithstan∣ding were immediately beset by Lucretius and with a great slaughter dis∣comfited. Veturius wasted the Countrey of the Volscians, whose name also that yeere was almost abolished: Liuius and Obsequens.

[ 3504] In the yéere from the building of Rome. 292. according to the reckening [ 459] of Orosius, when the second Affrican warre began, many straunge sightes went before: At Rome a Cowe chaunged hir lowyng into mans spéeche. In Picaenum it rayned stones, in Fraunce a Wolfe tooke a watchmans Sworde out of his scaberd: in Sicilia two Targettes swet bloud, and the Haruest folke founde blouddie eares of Corne: among the people Ce∣rites the water ranne mixed with bloud, which myracle after Valerius Maximus and others, Augustine also booke 4. of the Citie of God, doth af∣firme, when he sayth, Euen then children borne of their mother spake a∣loude certayne wordes: Serpentes flewe: women and Hennes were tur∣ned into the Masculine sex. Vincentius Chap. 40. whose computation not∣withstanding is faultie.

[ 3505] The earth was sore shaken, a Cowe spake, and the Element was * 1.96séene agayne to burne, which thing was not beléeued: the yéere before, di∣uerse straunge sightes and fearefull voyces were séene and heard: it rayned fleshe which lyke Snowe falling from Heauen, in great and small gob∣bets, was caughte of all kyndes of Byrdes flying to and fro before it came to the grounde, but the residue which fell downe, laye a long tyme abroade in the Citie and the fieldes, hauyng neyther the colour nor sauour chaunged, contrarie to the wont of stale fleshe. The Prophets of the coun∣trey were not able to interprete it: but Sibels Bookes did aduise them to beware of a forraine enemie, and of the seditions of the Citizens. This yéere the lawe ••erentilla was sought to bée paste, touching the making of the Decemuri and chiefely by this occasion there arose dissention betwéene the Gent••emen and the Commons. And the yéere followyng, the banished

Romanes and slaues to the number of 4000. vnder the conduct of Apius Herdonius Sabinus, did set vppon the Capitoll, from whence not without great slaughter of the Citizens, they were driuen. Liuius, Dionysius Obse∣quens, Chapter. 16.

There were Wolues séene in the Capitoll, which dogges chased a∣waye, [ 3508] by reason of which prodige the whole Capitoll was purged with [ 455] Sacrifice. The Aequians with whom peace was made the yéere passed, breaking their league, and hauing Gracchus Chlioeus to their Capitayne, spoyled the Countrey of the Latines and of the Tusculans, and pitched their tentes vppon the Mountaine Algidus. 12. myles from Rome Against whom Lucius Minutius going, was vnluckily besieged in his tentes, & at length was deliuered by Quintus Cincinnatus. The Aequians were vanquished & were made to goe vnder the gallowes, two speares or forkes set vp, and the thirde crossed ouer, vnder the which the captiues in despite were made to goe. Liuie and Iulius Obsequens in his 1••. Chapter.

When Marcomirus King of the banished Troyans, was on euery side [ 3527] vexed with the Gotes or Gothes in Scithia, and tooke aduise to séeke out some [ 436] other Countrey to dwell in, when hée had made Sacrifice after the manner of the Gentiles, he was warned by Oracle, that hée with his shoulde goe to that place where the Rhene doth fall into the Sea, there to attaine to hys desired quietnesse: And that he might bée more assured, there came to him herevpon, a certain Sorceresse Alruna by name, which exhorted him ther∣vnto: and that woman through hir skill brought to passe, that in the night there appeared to King Marcomirus a certayne Ghost with thrée heads, to wit, with the head of a Toade, of an Eagle, and of a Lion, and the Eagle saide, thy stocke Marcomirus shall put me downe, and shall treade downe the Lion, and kill the Toade, whereby he signified the time woulde come when his posteritie shoulde beare dominion ouer the French, Romanes and Germanes, wherefore he left Scithia, came into Germanie and possessed those places where nowe is Gelderland or Holland, and they were called of the Saxons, Neomagi, that is new borderers or new neighbours, Chronicles of Fraunce Munster booke .2. and Functius.

There was in Italie a vehement Earthquake in the time that Procu∣lus [ 3537] Geganus Macerinus, and Lucius Menenius Lanatus were Consulls: [ 432] there followed such dearth and famine, that many cast themselues into Ty∣ber, and were drowned, to auoyde the paine of hunger: A great earthquake again happened whē Marcus Cornelius Maluginensis & L. Papirius Cras∣sus were Consulls, after which followed a pestilence, Ioan Functius.

In the fourth yéere of the Raigne of Archedamus the Sonne of Zeuxi∣damus [ 3538] King of Sparta, there happened an Earthquake, neuer before was [ 425] knowen the like in the memorie of man: the greater parte of Lacedemonia became lost throughe the gaping Earth, which sodainely became open,

wherein sancke both man and beast: the Mountaines of Taygetis wereso shaken that the toppes fell downe, the whole Citie was destroyed, among the which, fiue houses remained, at the fall whereof was a fearefull noyse: at which time were gathered together children and boyes in a porche or entrie a little before the Earthquake, and as it is reported there ranne a Hare before them after whom as many as did runne were preserued, the rest slaine with the fall of the building which was a Schole house where to the porche ioyned, and therfore there Sepulchre to this day is called Sis∣matium: Plutarch in Cimoe.

The yéere following there was a great drouth: Plato the Prince of Philosophers was borne: Pericles died, after he had gouerned the Athe∣nians 40. yéeres, Eusebius and Theucidides in his second Booke.

[illustration]

All Sicilia was sha∣ken with a gréeuous earthquake, & more∣ouer the Mountaine Aetna by castyng out of fire and hotte embers, did great harme in the coun∣trey all about, then also Athalante, a Ci∣tie néere to the Lo∣crians, ioyning to y^e maine lād was by a sodaine violēce of y^e sea, cut off from the lande, & became an Ilande, vnpeopled: the plague also in∣uaded & made long time a spoyle vppon the myserable and wretched remnant of the Athenians. O∣rosius in his second Booke, & Vincent in his fourth booke and .59. Chapter. Eusebius whose computation I haue not here followed, Contractus and Io. Functius.

[ 3542] When the Athenians persuaded by their league friendes, had now pro∣uided * 1.97for the Sicilian warres, and nauie of .60. shippes, suche a streame of member,

gie thicke fire issued out of the Mountaine Aetna, as no man coulde re∣member, and spoyled some part of the grounde of Catina, lying at the foote of Aetna. That violent force of fire is sayde to haue appeared thrice at that time: when Sicilia beganne to bée inhabited of the Greekes. The Sunne was Eclipsed, and herewith the sixt warre of the Peloponesians ended. Sabel. in his sixth Booke. 5. Enead, Darius Artaxerxes the Sonne of Xerxes dyed, Thucidides writeth in his .4. Booke.

Clitodemus the auncientest of all that haue written the Actes of the [ 3552] Athenians in hys Athick Historie sayeth, when the Athenians had furni∣shed [ 411] a Nauie for Sicilia, an infinite number of Crowes flewe to Delphos, broke off péeces of an Idoll, and pecked off the Golde from it, hée sayth besides, that the Crowes and Owles brake a Spere, and whatsoeuer was made lyke to Haruest fruits, in token of victorie: Clitodemus also recoun∣ted manye other tokens, which stayed the Athenians for going to Sicilia: Pausamus. 10. Booke.

Before the Athenians ouerthrowe in Sicilia, whiche happened the [ 3553] 92. Olympiad, when Eucleas was Pretor at Athens, a Comet was séene [ 410] in the Northe parte of Heauen, the Sunne goyng his Winter compasse: Casper Beucer of hys Meteorologe. Immediately the Athenians besie∣ged and vanquished the Syracusans, but the Lacedemonians sent ayde to the Syracusans, wherevppon the Athenians were vanquished, and Nicias with others was slaine, Thucidides sixth Booke and Plutarch in Nicia.

Immediately after the warre of Corsyra, the Winter following a [ 3554] deadlye plague beganne at Athens, whiche continuing a yéere after, did [ 409] greatly consume the wealth of the Citie. Moreouer the earthe shooke in manye places of Greece. At Hyra in the nyght were fyres séene, and in the daye tyme smoke went vp, as from a Chymney. Aboute the same Countrey were manye Earthquakes, which were a let to the Lacaedemo∣nians, desirous to goe forewarde to Istmus, and appoynting their iourney into the Countrey of Athens. In Euboea about Orobea, a sodayne swel∣lyng of the Sea ouerflowed parte of the Countrey and Citie also, with the destruction of manye. At the Ile of Athlanta among the Locrians, was the lyke floud, which coulde not bée thought to haue happened with∣out an Earthquake. In Sicilia when Charidas Captaine of the Athenians was slayne in fighte by the Syracusians, Laches who had the rule of the Shippes tooke Myle from the Mescenians, in ouerthrowing their two handes of his enemies, Sabel booke 6. Enead third, Thucidides and Plutarc, who maketh mention of that warre, and Functius.

When Lysander fought against the Athenians, in a battayle vppon [ 3560] •…•…he Sea, Plutarch hath lefte in writing, that Castor and Pollux appeared [ 403] •…•…n his Shippe on both sides. And some reporte, that the fall of a Stone •…•…yd forewarne the euent of those things: for as many men doe steadfastly

beléeue, a stone of a wonderfull greatnesse fell from Heauen to Aegos Po∣tamos, which for manye yéeres after was shewed for a myracle. The inha∣bitantes of Cheronesus kéepyng it with great reuerence, Plutarch in the lyfe of Lysander, Lysander ouercame the Athenians at the Riuer Aegos, in a shippe fight, wherein all the power of the Athenians went to wracke. The walles of Athens fell downe at the sounde of a Trumpet .30. tyrantes were appoynted to gouerne the common wealth.

[ 3569] A Riuer in the Wood Albanus, without any rayne or other cause, [ 395] which myght make the matter not to bée maruelled at, grewe to an vn∣accustomed depth, and when the Oracle was asked, what this thing por∣tended, answere was giuen, that they shoulde draine their fieldes wyth the water of that Laake, for so shoulde the Veians come vnder the subiecti∣on of the Romanes, vppon whome they had made long and sharpe warre, [ 3570] and when this was done they wanne the Cittie of their enemyes. The [ 394] Tarquinians springing vp, as newe enemyes to the Romanes, spoyled their groundes, which they sawe possessed in manye warres, of the Volchians at Aucsur, of the Aequians at Lauici, and besides also in the warre of the Vaiantines, Valiscians and Capinatines: against whome notwithstandyng Aulus Posthumius and Lucius Iulius, goyng with a power of voluntarie souldiors, fought manfully, and shamefully put them to slight: Liuie lib. 3. Dec. 1. Plutarch in Camil. Cic. de diuin. Valerius Maximus lib. 1. Chapter. 6. Iulius Ob••equens Chapter. 18.

[ 3571] Vppon the ouercomming of the Veians after a long siege, when the [ 393] Romane Souldiers, in the sacking of the Cittie, went aboute also to remoue the Images of the Goddes to Rome, and one as it were moued wyth a heauenly spirite, or with a youthfull ieste, sayde to the Image of Iuno, Vis ne Romam••re Iuno, that is, Wilt thou goe to Rome Iuno, after that the Image had consented, with a Nod, she answered to the great wonder of all men that shée woulde willyngly goe: wherevppon shée was brought to Rome, to the hyll Auentinus, as to hir continuall seate at the desire of the Dictator, and to hir Camillus did dedicate a Temple. Liuius Booke. 5. Decad. 1. Lact Booke 2. Chap. 8. Plutarch, Obsequens, &c.

[ 3574] When Brennus King of the Frenche, made haste with a great ar∣mie [ 389] to Delphi, to make a generall spoyle, God immediately shewed to the Barbarians as manifest tokens as euer wée knewe, for all the grounde which the Frenche Hoste did occupie, was for the most parte of the day ex∣céedingly shaken, lykewise there was continuall Thunder and Lyghte∣ning, whiche made the French men sore affrayde, and coulde not heare what was tolde them. And these straunge sightes sent from Heauen, dyd not make spoyle vppon one place alone, but also burned that which was néere to, both men and armour. There appeared to them also Hyperochus, Laodorus, and Pyrrhus, the Ghostes of worthie personages. Some recken

among all these Phylacus that was borne at Delphi, there were slayne in the battaile verye manye Phocensians, but especiallye Aleximacus, who in this fight moste couragiouslye vsed the floure of his age, the strength of bo∣die, and valiantnesse of minde, to kyll the Barbarians, aboue the other Greekes: Pausanius in his tenth Booke.

Marcus Ceditius, a meane person tolde the Tribunes, that in the dead [ 3576] of the night he hearde a voyce playner than a mannes, whiche bidde him [ 387] tell the Magistrats, that the French men, the Dutch men, & Germaines were comming, which as it commonly commeth to passe, was despised by rea∣son of the basenesse of the reporter, and bicause that people was farre off, and at that tyme scarcely knowen, but vnder the conducte of Brennus their King, while they were vncircumspect, Rome at length was burned by the Frenche men, but Camillus whome before the people had bani∣shed out of the Cittie, at this time dyd the parte of a good man, as at large thou shalte reade in Liuie and others. For hée in dissembling altoge∣ther the iniurie which hée had suffered contrarie to his desarte, leauyng an armie thereby, vppon the sodaine set vppon the Frenche and Germaines, in the Citie, sauing the Castle from the siege, and all his Countrey men that were remayning. The Citie had this ouerthrow, in the time of Ar∣taxerxes Memnon, and aboute the same time the Lacedemonians tooke and spoyled Athens. Alex. ab Alexan, Booke 3. Chap. 15.

Helice and Bura, Cities of Peloponnesus, were swallowed vp with a great [ 5585] Earthquake, Eusebius Eutrop. Booke. 1. the yéere before was borne Ari∣stotle [ 378] the worthie instructor of Alexander the great, Gell. booke 17. Chap∣ter 21. Eusebius Eutrop. Functius.

Mauseolus King of Caria dyed this yéere, for whom his wife Artemisia made a Sepulchre called Mauceolum, which afterwarde was reckened by Plinie Booke 36. Chapter 5. and others among the seauen wonders of the worlde.

A greate pestilence inuaded all Rome, growing not as it is wont of [ 3596] a troublesome temperature, that is, of an vnseasonable drouth of the Win∣•…•…er, [ 367] or of a sodayne heate of the Spring, or of an vnméete moysture of the Sommer, or of the vndigested fogges of fatte Autumne, or of the corrup∣•…•…ing ayre breathed out of the forrest of Calabria: this same disease did con∣•…•…inually pyne the infected away, and those that dyed not, had nothing lefte •…•…ut skinne and bone. Marcus Fritschius.

[illustration]

At Rome amidde the [ 3605] market place, either [ 358] by shaking of the earth, or by some o∣ther violence, there was made a verye greate hole in the ground, which open quaue no man ney∣ther by casting in of earth, nor by any o∣ther matter coulde fill vp. Many mens bodyes were infec∣ted wtth most pesti∣lent vapours issuing from thence, & when they coulde bée cu∣red by no meanes, and were nowe in déepe dispaire, by the warnyng of their Gods they were de∣liuered by the cou∣ragious act or déede of Marcus Curtius a hardie Gentleman on horsebacke. For after that hée for the safetie of his Countrey, had throwen himselfe headlong in hys ar∣moure into the hole, the pestilence immediately seased after the death of many men, Liuie lib. 7. Dec. 1. Orosius lib. 2. Cha. 5. Obsequens Chap. 20.

[ 3606] When Dion of Syracusis being a banished man, made warre agaynst [ 357] Dionisius the younger tyrant of Sycilia, they report that Swine farrowed without eares: wherevpon Dionisius mistrusting his strength, gaue t••e soueraintie to his enemie, & went willingly into banishment: it so stucke in mens minds, that this was the signification of the Prodige, that in sho••t space the eares of the Citizens were frée from the hearing of tyrannie, Po∣lidor Virgil booke 3 of Prodigies.

[ 3609] There appeared this yéere a Comet, in the whiche the likenesse of a [ 354] Trumpet, was chaunged into a Speare, Plinie his Booke ••. Chapter. ••5. This is the yéere in the which Alexander the great was conceiued, which may aswell be maruelled at, for the same night that Alexander was con∣ceiued, they reported that Phillip sawe in his sléepe, y^t he had thrust downe a seale vpon the belly of Quéene Olimpi••s, wherein was ingrauen the like∣nesse

of a Lyon, they interpreted, that this dreame signified that the Queen Olimpias being great with childe by Philip, shoulde bring foorth a moste mightie king. That yéere y^e Illirians were ouercome, & immediately sprang vp the holy Warre whereof writeth Iustinus Lib. 8. & Diodorus Siculus, in the noble actes of king Philip.

In the time of Philip king of Macedonia when many here and there [ 3614] waxed riche by stealing away the goods of the Temples, and that there [ 349] were some which now had opened the Temple of Apollo,* 1.98 and beganne to digge the place about the hearth and thrée footed stoole, where the Treasure was, the Phocensians through a great Earthquake were excéedingly afraid, and so the Gods foreshewed their punishment vpon Churche robbers, they left off their theft, and Philon which was the ring leader and Author of so wicked an enterprise, was shortly after worthily punished: Theodorus Siculus in the noble actes of Philip. Anno 14. Fol. 35.

There appeared a great opening in the Element, and fyre fell downe [ 3615] to the earth. Plinie Lib. 2. Chapter. 27. Sequele: Occhus recouered Ae∣gipt, [ 348] Cyprus and Phoenicia, and tooke Sydon by Treason. Orosius and Diodorus.

Valerius Coruinus Marshall of the fielde vnder the grande Captaine [ 3617] Camillus, pursuing the remnaunt of the Senones, a people in Fraunce, [ 346] when hée alone went foorth agaynste Gallus his Challenger, a Crowe or Rauen sate vppon his Helmet, which tooke his flight from the Easte, and in fighting stroke at the face and the eyes of his enimie, wherevppon also, when he hadde ouercome him, he was called Valerius Coruinus: Liui. 7. booke, Dec. 1. Plinie 29 chapter of famous men: Obsequens in his 21 chapter.

When the Carthaginenses ranne with great vyolence vppon the [ 3619] Greekes their cruell Enimies, and that the matter beganne to come to [ 344] hott blowes, sodaynelye there were hearde fearefull thunders from the hilles, and lightning falling from heauen, dazeled the eyes of the fighters, afterwarde, a shoure mixed with winde, comming ouer the Greekes heades, was full in the faces of the Carthaginenses, and now by reason of the excéeding crashing of the Element, the commaunde of the Captaynes could not be hearde: in the meane season their Garments became heauye with the raigne, and their bowes and other Instrumentes and tooles were vn∣profitable, but nothing so muche troubled the myndes of the Affri∣canes as that vpon the breaking of the water bankes of Crinisius, with the preasse of the passengers, the déepe and violent Riuer beganne to ouer∣flowe all places there aboutes, that the one could not helpe the other. Last∣lye Timoleon sente a chosen Bande agaynste the Enimie, that was bée∣fore disordered, and then the multitude of the Carthaginenses filthilye

strugling in the mire and water was put to flight, many were ouerthrown in the verye playne, and some were drowned in the depth of the Riuer, ten thousande of the Barbarians were slaine in the battayle, and among those tenne thousande, of the richest and worshipfullest Carthaginenses a∣mong the rest. The Carthaginenses in no Battayle before that time, lost so many men in one conflict, for in other Battayles they very muche vsed hyred Souldyers, and they were wont to vanquishe, and not to bée vanquished. Timoleon taking their Tents, tooke fiue thousande Enemies, a thousande brest plates, 10000 Targets, and a greater waight of Golde and Siluer than in respect of the number of Souldyers might be beléeued. The spoyles of the Affricanes were sent to Corinth, and with a solemn ti∣tle dedicated: Sabel. Lib. 3 Aenead. 4 out of Plutarche: Timoleon and Di∣odorus Syculus.

[ 3621] When Timoleon passed ouer to Delphi, and making his praiers, came [ 342] into the Temple of Apollo and the secrete part thereof, there befell him a myracle, for a certaine headbande gorgiouslye set out with crownes and tokens of victorye, fel downe from the presentes that were there hoong vp, and inuyroned his head, that he crowned by God, séemed to be sent before to the exployting of matters, wherefore hée hauing tenne Shippes, seuen of Corinth, two of Corcyra, and one of Leucada, he tooke his voyage, to whome it séemed in the night, when he hoyst vp sayles, and hadde a pros∣perous wynde, that vpon the sodayne the Ellement cloue asunder, and that much and very light fire fell vpon his ship, afterward when a Lampe was lifted vp, such as they vsed in mysticall sacrifices, and he directed his course towarde Italy, whether the Marriners or Sea men were bent moste of all, it violentlye rushed against the ground as lightning: Plutarche in Ti∣moleon.

[ 3623] When Alexander brought his armie to the Citie of Thebes, the Gods [ 340] sent them tokens and wonders, foreshewing so great a destruction, as there was neuer the like before, for the méere of Onchestus made a fearefull and continuall noyse, so that the hauens and harbours did tremble: Likewise a fountaine which is by Ismenus and the walles, where as all the tyme be∣fore it ranne with cléere and swéete water, vpon the sodayne, contrary to al mens hope, it was filled with blood, for the which cause the Thebanes belée∣ued that the Gods did threat destruction to the Macedonians. Then in the Citie, in the Temple of Ceres a spyder spun her webbe by the face of the Image. The Image also of Minerua surnamed Alalcomenes was burned no man knoweth how, and such other straunge thinges happened. Aelia∣nus in his 12. booke of diuers histories.

When Lychomachus was Pretor of Athens, the 4 yere of the 109 Olim∣pi••d, a Commet was séene by the cyrcle of the Equinoctial, a horrible wind

followed néere vnto Corinth, and not long after the Athenians by the coun∣sayle of Demosthenes encountring at Cheronea with Philip of Macedonia, were discomfited, and loste two thousande of their Countreymen, and with this ouerthrow, the power and fréedome of the Greekes beganne to quayle: Galparus Pucerus, in his booke intreating of meteors, that is, of thinges séene in the Ellement.

When a Temple was dedicated to Iuno Moneta in that place of the [ 3621] Cittie where the house of Manlius was, there followed a prodigie vpon the [ 341] dedication of the Temple, like to the olde wonder of the hill Albanus, for it rayned stones, and the day became night, wherevpon holy dayes were bid∣den: neyther did the kindreds of the Romanes make prayers to the Gods only, but also other people their neighbours. That yéere the people passed iudgementes against Vsurers, to whome the Ediles appoynted dayes, but the yéere following, warre began with the Samnites a nation very mightie both for their wealth and armes, which warre immediatelye caused an o∣ther most grieuous warre with king Pirrhus and the Affricanes. Liuius and Iulius Obsequens Chapter 22. Plinie Booke. 16. and fourth Chap∣ter.

At what time Seleuchus departed out of Macedonia with Alexander, [ 3628] when at Pella he did sacrifice to Iupiter, the wood laide on the Alter did of it [ 335] selfe turne about to the Idoll, and kindling without fyre burned. Pausani∣as. Lib. 1.

In Abisari a countrey of India, in the time of Alexander the great, it is well known, that there were Dragons brought vp, one eighty cubits long, an other a hundred and forty cubits long, as it was reported for a troth, by the Ambassadours that the king sent thither, and Onesicritus a writer of wonderfull thinges recordeth this matter: but if it bée not likely to bée true, it shall not seeme a wonder, if thou reade that, when Regulus made warre in Affrike, the Romane Souldyers slue with their Engines (whorling of stones) called Balistae, at the riuer Bagrada a Serpent of 120 foote long, whose skinne was after to be séene, whereof afterwarde I will speake in his place out of Tuberon, Liuie and other authors.

Alexander the great conquered the Thebanes and vtterlye destroyed them, passing through Asia with his armye, ioyned battaile with the Persi∣ans at Granicum and ouerthrew them, he subdewed all the countrey as hée went, euen vnto Silicia, he slue also Darius with his whole armye at Issa, the mother, wife, and the two daughters he friendlye intreated.

Alexander the sonne of Philip king of Macedonia a Realme in [ 3629] Greece first called Aemathia, now vnder the Turke, became a valiaunte [ 334] Conquerour, in his childehoode brought vp by Aristotle, at the age of twen∣tye yeares hée enterprised to conquere all the worlde, fyrste gate Illyria nowe called Slauonia, subdewed Greece, vanquished Darius

King of Persia, and had his mother, his wife and daughter prisoners, being of singular bewtie, notwithstanding he refused to company w^t them. A rare vertue to be found. In twelue yéeres he brought the whole world into sub∣iection: it is sayd that he fell to lasciuious life, & afterward was poysoned at Babilon, being at his death little aboue 33. yéeres olde, which was afore the incarnation of Christ 322. yéeres, as some write, whose computation diffe∣reth from Licosthenes as appeareth.

[ 3629] Alexander king of Macedonia, the valiauntest that euer was, when [ 334] he fought in India, in brandishing his weapon, he séemed to cast forth a light vpon the Barbarians, & to beare a strange sight before him. Alex of Alexan. Lib. 1. Cap. 20. Contractus maketh mention of this voyage.

In the Temple of Ceres Thesmophora, wonders were séene contra∣ry to those which appeared before the battayle of Leuctra, for then ouer the Temple gates, the spiders did weaue a white webbe, but a black webbe a little before Alexander and the Macedonians entred the Countrey. It is sayde also, that in the Countrey about Athens, it raigned ashes, the yéere be∣fore that Sylla by making warre vpon them, did great annoy, whervpon Cassander the sonne of Antipater, brought home the Thebanes, which A∣lexander had now banished, and were fledde to Athens, Pausanias in his ninth booke.

[ 3630] Alexander the Macedonian, did here and there remooue his Tentes [ 333] and his Armie in Syria, Aegipt, and in other countreyes, vnaccustomed to him, by reason of the difficultie of places: in the daye tyme vppon the so∣dayne showres falling downe broke off their feare, and by moystning the sande, allayde a drouth not vsuall: and when these were settled, there fol∣lowed a swéete gale of Wynde, and a pure ayre: afterwarde when the Guydes had loste their confused limittes, and nowe began to go out of the way, their companyons being scattered through ignoraunce of the place, there appeared Rauens or Crowes flying before them, shewing them the waye, and staying for them following slowly after, and which is muche more to be wondred at, Clisthenes writeth, that in the nighte time with their noyse and cries, they called to them that went astraye, to followe the steppes of their companions, Plutarche in Alexander.

[ 3631] As Alexander had a Crowne set vpon his heade béeing at Sacrifice, [ 332] and hadde offered according vnto the custome: a certayne Byrde, of the kynde of them that are vsed to the praye, flying by the altar, a stone which by chaunce he caryed in his Talons, fell downe and strake him vp∣on the heade. Arrianus in his second booke of the noble acts of Alexander the great. There was in those days a great Eclipse of y^e Moone, wherefore Alexander appointed sacrifice to the Sunne, to the Moone, and likewise to Tellus the earth, of which they reporte the Eclipse is caused: and when

Aristander beheld this thing, he affirmed that the Macedonians and Alex∣ander should haue good successe, and that where as Alexander was to fight with Darius that moneth that the entrailes of beastes which were opened for sacrifice, promised Alexander the victorie: Arrianus booke third of the noble Actes of Alexander, &c. When Alexander the great ouercame Tyre, in warre, in the siege or assault of the Citie there were séene terrible wonders, for in the Citie, when they began to blowe the fire with the bel∣lows, streames of bloud ran through the fire, and when the souldiors brake bread in their tents, drops of bloud therein sodainely appeared, with which straunge token Alexander being affraide, was chéered by Aristande•• the Southsaier, who shewed that this concerned them of Tyre, séeing that the bloud was within, not without. Sabellicus Booke. 4. Enead. 4. also Polidor Virgill third Booke.

As Alexander was going from Media to Babilon, Rauens flying aloft, [ 3633] and fighting together, fell in his sight downe to the ground, some being sore [ 329] hurte and almost torne in péeces. As Apolodorus ruler of Babylon was al∣so sacrificing for the king, the liuer appeared without a head, and one whom they knewe not, hauing a crowne and Royall robe, vppon the sodaine sat him downe in the seate of estate, saying that Serapis commaunded him so to doe, who at the bidding of the Auguries was immediately put to death: Alexander being affraide with these straunge tokens, beganne to suspect the Goddes and men alike, and most of all Antipater, whose Sonne Cas∣sander he taking by the hayre, had dashed against the Wall, bicause he be∣holding the Barbarians worshipping the King as a young man, lately come from home, had not refrained frō loude deriding laughter, Sabel. 6 Enead. And when on a time his tentes were pitched, by a certaine violent floud of water, about the second watch of the night, the floud being increased with sodaine showres, ran with a swift course ouer the fieldes, that it tooke & ca∣ried away many children and women, which hardly followed the army to∣gither with the Kings stuffe, carriage, & beasts that bare & drew burdens: those also being saued with much a doe, which were in the tentes, in loosing a great parte of their armour and munition, and very many also as they were going, hauing store of water, through heate and thyrst, and for feare of scarcitie to come, they being filled with too much drinke, gaue vp y^e ghost. Arianus in his sixth booke of the Actes of Alexander the great. Whē Alex∣ander led his armie into the Countrey of Cabaz, and had now trauelled for two dayes space in cloudie weather & a foule tempest, the thirde day rising much more cloudie, couered y^e whole face of heauē with horrible darknesse, lightnings flashing out among, there ensuing a crashing with firie beams, and with a foule tempest dazelyng the eyes, and dismaying the minde of the Souldiors, then a thicke hayle showre vehemently fallyng, dyd so an∣noye the armie, that euerye one in the place where hée stoode, coueryng

himselfe with his armour fell flat to the grounde, some hoong fast to the stemmes of trées, their limmes in the meane tyme waxing stiffe for colde, and many as they hoong about the trées, looking one to another were found dead: in that Wildernesse the moste part of the armie had bene destroyed, vnlesse hée had gone about from man to man, to encourage them, with much ado lifting vp the benummed bodies from the ground, and wanting strength to continue their iourney: and vnlesse at the kinges commaun∣dement fyres hadde bene made immediatelye ouer the whole desarte, with the whiche the Souldiers béeing refreshed, by little and little, felte their footing, and went to their Ensignes. Sabel in his sixte Booke, Aenead. 4.

When Alexander the great had pitched his Tentes by the riuer Oxus, and had set his Pauilion with Images, wée reade in Alexander of Alex∣andrine first booke and twelfth Chapter, that there ran a fountayne of oyle, which is wonderfull to be spoken.

Alexander the great entring into India with a great armie, after that he was minded to passe ouer a riuer, & had now swum ouer y^e fourth parte, sodaynely there appeared a fearefull fortokening, for y^e riuer horses termed Hippodami mounting vp from the déepe gulphes of the water appeared, and tooke & swallowed vp them y^t were vpon the water, in the sight of the armie, wherevpon the king being displeased with the Captaines which had brought his armie in daunger, commaunded a hundred and fiftie of them to be put into the riuer, whome the Hippodami deuoured. When on a time the Tentes of Alexander the great were fortified by a méere or great standing water, and the Souldyers betooke them to their nighte rest, at the first rising of the Moone shyning, vpon the sodayne, Scorpions without number, turning vp their stinging tayles and going to their ac∣customed watering, came togither to the Tentes: there followed these straunge sightes a great number of the Serpentes called Cerastae, and of others set with diuers colours, for some hadde redde scales, and some were seene of black and white collour, and some glistering like Gold, there was nothing but hissing among them, which made the Macedonians not a little afrayde: but they did set y^e front of their Tentes full of Bucklers, and helde long speares in their handes, with whose armed heads they thrust thorow the hurtful Beasts, & many they slue with fyre, which thing putte them to a great plunge almoste for two houres. And the lesser sorte when they had dronke, began to go away, and the greater Serpentes, to the great ioy of the armie, went from whence they came. Then aboute the thyrde houre of the night, when the Macedonians hoped to haue some rest, there came crested Serpentes with two and thrée heades, as bigge as pil∣lers, and somewhat taller, which came foorth from the Dennes or Caues

of Mountaynes thereby, to drinke water, furrowing the grounde with their bodyes and scales: there came out of their brest thrée heads with clo∣uen tongues, their eyes sparckling with venome, whose breath was also pestilent, the Macedonians fought with those more than an hower, losing twentie slaues, and thyrtie Souldyers. After the Serpentes were gone, Crabbes or Lobsters of an vnmeasurable greatnesse, couered as it were with the Skinnes of Crocodiles, came vnto their tentes, which Monsters were so hard to be pearced, that no yron could enter them, many were bur∣ned and got into the méere, and when the Souldyers being in their tentes, thought that they should be no more troubled, beholde there came herevp∣on white Lyons, to be compared to the great bodies of Bulles, and no lesse late at night great Bores, Lynxes, Tygers, and fearefull Panters fought with them, and when they were chaced away, a kinde of Battes, as bigge as Pigeons, did greatly annoy the armie. Moreouer a beast of a straunge kinde, greater than an Eliphant, did appeare, armed with thrée hornes in his forehead, and hauing a head of a black colour, like a Horse, him doe the In••••ans tearme Odanta and when he had drunke, he beholding the Tents, sodaynely set vppon the Souldyers with great vyolence, neither was he driuen back with the heate of the fyre that was before him: at the ouer∣throwing of whome, sixe and thyrtie Souldyers were slayne, and ••3 Fau∣chenets semiters were quite marred, and with muche adoo, at length the beast being deadly wounded, died. There came also Mice of India into the Tents like vnto Vultures or Geires, with whose byting, the beastes and Cattell in the hoste died forthwith. The same Alexander saw in Aegipt burning clowdes comming down from heauen as it were Torches, which set the whole fielde on fyre. Bucephalus the horse of Alexander the greate King of Macedonia was of a more notable shape and nature thā other hor∣ses, not so great as the biggest were, he was of a loftie stomacke, black hea∣red, headed like a Bul (as Arianus in his fift booke of the Acts of Alexander and Aulus Gellius in his fift Booke of his nightes of Attica. chapter ••. haue left in writing) hauing a white spot, and when he was trimmed with the kinges furniture, he would suffer no man to fit vpon his backe but Alex∣ander, of which myracle reade moreouer Plutarche in the life of Alexan∣der. Strabo. lib. 15. Curtius 15 and others.

It is lefte in recorde that the Abderites forsooke their Countrey, and [ 3647] lefte their naturall soyle, for none other cause, than for the multitude of [ 315] Myce and Frogges, which wonderfully on all partes annoyed the coun∣trey. Sabel lib. 7. Enead 4. [ 3665]

In a certayne Caue in Vmbria, two thousande armed men were de∣stroyed [ 299] with Smoke and fyre: Tit. Liui. lib. 10. & Functius.

It rayned Earthe from Heauen, and in the armie of Appius Clau∣dius

[ 3667] manye were striken wyth Lyghtening. That yéere the Romanes [ 295] foughte vnluckilye wyth the Samnites: the Plague made a wonder∣full spoyle throughout all Italie, and especiallye in Rome. Fabius van∣quished the Frenchmen, and put them to flighte. Fuluius in Hetruria, fought luckily agaynst the Thuscans: Titus Liuius, and Iulius Obsequens, Sabel. Enead. 2.

[ 3677] When Lysimachus made warre against the Heraclians, in the coun∣treys * 1.99of Hell••spontus & Cheronesus, the Earth shooke so fearefully that the Citie of Lysimachia, the 21. yere after it was built, fell down for the most part, and that prodigie conserued Lysimachus and his offspring or stocke, that was shortly after to come to destruction: and also, all the mischiefes which afterwarde insued: for Agathocles the kinges sonne, not long after was poysoned by Arsinoe his mother in law. Sabel Lib. 8. Enead. 4.

[ 3685] When the Frenchmen vnder the conduct of Brennus, were going vp to [ 278] the Hill Parnassus in Greece and went about to spoyle the Temple of Del∣phi where Apollos Oracle was, through an Earthquake caused by De∣uils, a piece of the Hill fell vpon their armie, afterwarde there followed a horrible tempest, lightning, thunder and hayle, whereby a great parte of the Armie was ouerthrowne, that they were driuen to surcease their Sa∣criledge: Brennus also being greeuously hurt, and not able to suffer the payne of his wound, through impatience slew himselfe with his Dagger. The like befell to Xerxes the fourth king of the Persians, for he going a∣bout to spoyle the Countrey of Greece when he had brought a great power of men into the land, and earnestly sought to spoyle the Temple of Apollo, came in very great daunger, for there rowled downe from the Mountaine vpon his army two stones, and fiery dartes with fearefull thunder fell from heauen, wherevpon they which climed the hill, as mad men, were from thence cast downe headlong, and at that time, by the Deuils subtiltie, there were slayne 4000 men, as Trogus writeth, the Delphians being de∣liuered from that mortalitie, praysed Apollo their God, so far forth can the Deuill among Infidels tourne the tempest of the ayre where he list, to the ende he may kéepe them in errour, and false superstition: This writeth Munster and Auentine.

[ 3686] When Pirrhus was a warfare in Latium, whiche is the countrey a∣bout [ 278] Rome, in the sacrifice, the hart did not pant among the intrailes, wher∣vpon when it was foretolde that there shoulde followe great misery and threates of fortune, Pyrrhus immediately after many ouerthrowes, was driuen out of Italy. Alexander Lib. 5. Cap. 25.

[ 3690] Among other strange tokens, lightning also ouerthrew the Image [ 274] of Iupiter in the Capitoll, whose heade was founde by Southsayers. Pyr∣rhus [ 3691] made warre against the Romains, whom Curius ouercame and chased [ 273] to Tarentum immediately the Tarentines made war eftsoones againste the

Romaines desiring ayde of the Carthaginians, by their embassadours, whome notwithstanding the Romaines againe ouercame.

In very many places there ranne bloud forth of springs: milke dropped [ 3691] out of the cloudes like to raine, as it séemed to the people, and moystened the [ 272] Earth as showres, Vincent lib. 6. Chap. 55 out of Orosius.

In Greece when 16. haruest men had sent one of their fellowes to fetche [ 3696] water, he found at the fountaine a Serpent who clasping about an Eagle, [ 277] choked hir, being intangled with verye straight wrethings: the haruest mā hauing a sickle hooke in his hande, boldly going foreward, cut the Serpent asunder, and let the Eagle go frée: when afterward vpon the filling of hys pot with water, he was returned, he gaue euerye one of his fellowes a cup full to drinke, and immediately when he also went about to drinke, the Ea∣gle was at hande, whiche toke the cuppe from his mouth, and cast him far of: whilest the haruest man did maruell hereat, and reproued the Eagle whiche hée knewe wel, and thoughte to accuse hir of vnthankefulnesse to his fellowes, he sawe them falling downe here and there to giue vppe the Ghost, whervpon he perceyued that both the water which they had dronk, was infected with poyson, and that he was deliuered of daunger, and very plainely acknowledged the good turne to haue bene wel bestowed vpon the byrde. Crates the Philosopher of Pergamum, hath at large set forth this storie, which Stesicorus hath written in Gréeke verse,* 1.100 and hereof Pierius Valerius maketh men••••••n in his .19. booke of hys Hierogliphes.

There were séene ilfauoured and cruell prodigies at Rome, for the Tem∣ple [ 3696] of Salus was reaued asunder with a thunderbolt, part of the Citie wall [ 267] at the same place was stricken from heauen, thrée wolues before day ente∣ring the Citie, brought in a carkasse halfe eaten, and being afraide of y^e noise of men, left it scattered abroad in the Market place. At Formia the Walles with many flashes of lightning were burned on euery side and rent asun∣der. In the territorie of Calenum vppon the sodain, a flame breaking out of an open gashed Caue of the earth, burnyng thrée dayes and thrée nightes, did parch to ashes fiue Acres of grounde, in consuming vtterly the fruite∣ful sappe, so that it wasted, not only the corne, but also the trées down to the roote. This yeare the Pisentines became enimies a fresh, and procured the Romaines against them, Liuius Obsequens, Orosius, Vincentius lib. 6. Cha. 23.

When Sempronius the Consul, led his army against the Pisentines and [ 3697] that both armies stoode directly the one against the other, within the casting [ 266] of a dart, sodainely with a feareful noyse the earth so shoke, that for the a∣mazednesse of the miracle, both armies were sore afraide and astonyed, but immediately they setting forward to fight, the battaile was so fierce, that it may be sayde, that the earth worthyly receiued the bloud of so manye men, and trembled with feareful lowing, for that they continued their desperate

fight, for al the shaken and dreadeful noyse of the earth, in which conflict•• notwithstanding, the Romanes (few of them escaping) had the victorie: Liui∣us and Iulius Obsequens. Chap 26.

[ 3698] There fel milke down from the clouds like raine: Functius in his Chro∣nicles. [ 265] The Romaines proclaymed war against the Salentines who also bée∣ing ouercome did yéelde themselues. The Citie and Citizens of Brundusiū were taken, and ouer them they triumphed. Eutropius lib. 2. Cha. 2. Florus lib. 1. Title. 20. The Salentines ioyned with the Picētines, sée more in Cuspi∣nianus.

[ 3700] Among many other prodigies bloud was séene to spring out of the earth, [ 363] & milke to fal frō heauen, for in many places bloud ran out of springs, and milke dropt out of the clouds like vnto raine, & fearefull showres watered the earth. The same time the Carthaginians when ayde was giuen to the Tarentines against the Romaines, and were reproued of the Senate by the Embassadors, they heaped vp a most shameful presumed blemish of league broken vpon periurie: there ensued also a wicked mischiefe of the Volscienti∣ans fréed bondslaues against their maisters, which notwithstanding by the conduct of Fabius Gargies were by and by punished. A most cruel pestilēce this yeare inuaded the Citie. Liuiu•• and Iulius Obsequens. Chap. 27.

[ 2704] At Rome a piller before Iupiters temple was by the violence of a whirle∣wynde [ 257] ouerthrowen, togither with a golden Image, vpon which fight, ac∣cording to the answere giuen by the soothsayers, al the magistrates as soone as might be resigned their authoritie. That yere a sodain armye of the Ro∣maine being sent into Sicili•• droue many to reuolte, in the mean season: al∣so the coast of Italy was spoyled by another nauie of the Carthaginians, whē the mean while Affrica was frée from al iniurie of the enimies. Liuius and Iulius Obsequens. Chap. 28.

[ 3707] After that Attilius Regulus being made Captain of the Romains against [ 257] the Carthaginensians had w^t great crueltie ouercome his enimies, & had rā∣ged far abrode through their groundes, at length comming to the riuer of B••grada, he chanced vpon a new & strange conflict worthy of remembrāce. There lodged in the riuer a serpent of an vnaccustomed greatnesse, which when he had slaine certaine of them that fet Water, & none of thē escaped frée, y^e Consul with Crosbowes & slings ouercame as it were a certain great Pile, his skin y^t was in length 120 foote, & his iawbones are said to haue bin openly hanged vp for al mē to sée, euen vnto the War of Numance: authors of this thing are Gellius, who folowed Tubero, Liuius, Pl••u & many others: and I wonder at Po••••bius who most diligently wrote of this war, that hée spake not a word of this matter: & not manye dayes after Attilius tooke by strong hand the town of Tunes 15. myles frō Carthage, where y^e Consul pit∣ched the tentes of the Romaines, from thence to assaulte Carthage as it were out of a Castel: Sabel••icus lib. 9. of his 4. Aenead, out of Liuius or rather

from the abridgement of Florus, lib. 8. of his second Decade.

The riuer of Tiber swelling vppe with vnaccustomed showres, destroy∣ed [ 3724] all the buildings at Rome, that stoode on the plaine: and those aboute the [ 259] which the water longest stoode, fell downe, and those that stoode in the swift of the streame were also ouerthrowen: vppon this spoyle which the water made, there folowed a more grieuous destructiō by fire: for that taking very many parts of the City, did consume so much worke in one burning, as ve∣ry many and strange victories were not able to réedify Orosius. lib 4. Ca. 6.

Tiber being increased with vnaccustomed shoures, defaced all the buyl∣dings [ 3724] in Rome, that were placed in the plaine, & where the water stood long [ 239] the ground mouldered away, & again, where the force of the streame came, it ouerthrew the buildings. A greater spoyle of fire followed this destructi∣on of water, for the fire ranging in many partes of the Citie, did consume so much worke at one burning, as very many and strange victories coulde not repaire. Orosius. 4. lib. Ca. 6 whose numbers notwithstanding are very much corrupted in the accounting of yeares: The Romanes that yere ma∣king peace with thē of Carthage, made war against the Phalisses as Po wri∣teth in his first booke and Eutro also, although Orosius thinketh otherwise.

At Marcha & Conitana in old time called Picenū, a riuer rā with bloud: in Thuscia the skie burned. At Aremi••ū 3. Moones were séene, this writeth Eu. and Cuspinianus in their Comentaries vpon Cassiodorus That yere the Carthaginians stirred vp them of Corssica and Sardinia against y^e Romaines.

Caria & Rhodes were so shaken wyth an Earthquake, y^t the great & huge Image of the sunne which Caries Lindius Lisippus scholler had made in 12. yeares space, which cost .300. talents at the charge of King Demetrius (fel down) Eusebius, Orosius, Vincentius, in his 6. booke .40. Chap. & Mun∣ste•• also writeth hereof, whose accounts notwithstanding are diuers. That yeare died Demetrius King of Macedonia, whose son Phillip succéeded the 37. in order: Ptolomeus Euergetes dyed also, after he raigned in Egipt 26. yeares, whō Ptolomeus Philopater succéeded: the Iewes also were ouer∣come, and 60000. armed men of the number were slaine Eusebi. Functius.

Caius Flaminius and Fuluius being Consuls when they led theyr hoste againe the Lumbards, a riuer whiche ranne through Marcha and Conitana was séene to flow with bloud, but when the soothsayers affirmed y^t the Cō∣suls were vnluckily created, by and by they they called them back by theyr letters: Sée Plutarch in the life of Marcellus, & Volateran lib. 16. Anthro.

The Romaines going against y^e Frenchmen as Polibius writeth in the .2. booke against the ••••subrians of whom there were about .50000. foughte vi∣olently and stoutely: looke in Cuspinianus in his Coment. vpon Cas. where he writeth to the Consuls y^e 530. yere from the building of the Citie.

In Marcha & Conitana, a riuer ran with bloud: among the Thuscans y^e skie was séene to burne. At Areminum a cleare light shone late in the nighte

thrée Moones rose in diuerse regions of the Heauen. The Ilandes Caria and Rhodes were so shaken with a greate Earthquake, that the houses falling downe euery where, an excéeding great Image fel to the ground: that yere Flaminius fought with the Frenchmē & ouercame them, but the next yere Claudius Marcellus put him againe to flight, in taking king Viridomarus prisoner, and among many Townes of the Lumbardes, whom he droue to yéelde, he toke also the most flourishing Citie of Milane. Liuius and Iulius Obsequens, although other referre this to the .3720. and to the .3742. yeare of the world.

At Saguntum at such time as Hannibal sackt it, among many and conti∣nuall Prodigies, we reade that an infante beyng almost borne of his Mo∣ther did returne againe into his mothers belly, whiche prodigie was as it were a diuination of that which followed, and without doubt it shewed the vtter destruction and iminent daunger thereof. Alexand. ab Alexandro. Cooper. lib. 2. Chap. 31.

When Hannibal ouerran Italy, the temple of Hope, whiche was in the Hearbe-market, was stricken with lightning, whiche prodigie without doubt did signifye the destruction and whole decay of Italy, wherewith both by sea and land the Empire was tossed and turmoyled. Alex. ab Alex. lib. 2. Chap. 4. out of Liuius lib. 1. dec. 3.

When Flaminius fought valiauntly agaynst Hanniball, at the lake Tra∣zeminus the souldiers going to fight, there was such an Earthquake, that it ouerthrew great partes of many Cities, it tourned riuers out of their swift course, for it ouerthrew the high toppes of mountaynes with a great fall, which prodigies although they were very sore, yet none of thē that fought felt them, by reason of the tumulte and the noyse of their wood weapons. Li∣uie in the seconde booke Decad. 3. Plutarch in Fabius Maximus, Florius. lib. 2. and others.

Caius Flaminius fighting at Trazimenū against Hannibal when he fell from his horsse, nothing forbiddē by that Prodigie, when his standerdbea∣rers sayde that they could not remoue their ensignes from their place, thret∣ned them mischiefe, vnlesse they woulde by and by digge them vp, but hée was punished ynoughe for this rashnesse, when in that ouerthrowe .6000. Romaines were slaine and 200, putte to flighte. Liuius seconde Booke of the punike warre, Cicero in his first booke of Diuination, Valerius in his first booke. Chap. 6.

Hanniball after his conflict with the Romanes at Trazimenū going out of his wintering place with his army, after that he went to Hetruria, pur∣posing to winne that people vnto him by force or good will, and now being come to the toppe of Appennin hilles, sodainly a tempest rising, tourned the Captayne and his army out of his waye, for a winde mixed with raigne blowing against them, made the armie stand still: for when the force of the

windes toke away the soldiours weapons, or else dasht the bodie wyth his whirling against the grounde: but when they which were cast down could no more fetch their breath, the windes blowing against them, the stormes a while ceased: by and by followed a great thunder, and betwéene horrible crackes of the ayre there was often lightning, wherfore they being deaffe and blind, were al first astonished with feare, wherevpon the tempesteous shoure being gone, they endeuoured them to pitch the tents: but when they could descerne of no certainty, the winde tearing euery thing in péeces, and that they yet stoode in doubt, such a great hayle storme whiche was congea∣led by the force of cold in the top of y^e Mountaines did inuade the standers, that the souldiours setting aside the worke, fel to the grounde, rather ouer∣whelmed with their tentes, than couered: in y^e meane season the limmes of them which lay vpon the ground, were so fastned with the great extreami∣tie of colde, that the vntemperatenesse of the ayre giuing ouer, with verye much ado they recouered themselues from a miserable slaughter. Finally when they indeauouring themselues many wayes, began by little and lit∣tle to martch foreward, and that verye fewe lightes were kindled, they be∣ing comforted in minde, remained in that place where they were taken tardy, for two dayes space: afterward when all were vnwilling, and as it were besieged, they pitched their tents vppon Apeninus, in the meane time many men and many beastes were destroyed with colde, and among these seauen Elephants of those which remained of the fielde fought at Trebaia: Sabellicus, 2. booke Aeneads.

At Rome in the Hearbe Market: a yong child of sixe monethes olde pro∣claymed a triumph: also in the Oxe Market, an Oxe of his own accord cly∣med vp as far as the thirde raftering, and from thence cast himselfe downe being afrayde of the tumult of the inhabitants.

The forme of ships were séene in the ayre: At Lanuium a Speare moued himselfe. A Crow flew into Iunos temple, and did light vppon the Goddesse bed in the territorie of Amiternum: in many places the forme of men were séene a farre off in white garmentes, in Marca and Conitanum it raigned stones: in Sardinia when a horsseman went aboute the watch vppon the wal, the staffe which he held in his hand did burne: in Sicilia certaine of the Souldiours speares were a fire, the sea shore shone ful of fire, the souldiers were stricken with lightning, and the cyrcle of the Sunne séemed to bée deminished. At Preneste burning Lamps fel from the ayre. At Arpis a Hel∣met was séene in the ayre, the Moone was séene to striue with the Sunne, and in the day time also two Moones were séene: at Serete the waters were séene to flowe mixte with bloude, Hercules fountaine ranne with bloudie spots scattered here and there: At Ancium as the mowers were reaping, the eares of corne fell downe bloudie, at Faleria the skie séemed to cleaue a∣sunder: Mars shaketh his weapon, the Image of Mars in Apius waye dyd

sweate at the Images of Wolues, at Capua the skie séemed to burne: some men had Goates that bare wooll: a Hen was turned into a Cocke, and a Cocke into a Hen. The same yeare did Hannibal besiege Hetruria. The Romaines at the lake Tracimenas were ouercome with a bloudie battayle. Liuius and Iulius Obsequens, Chap. 31.

Vpon the mount Auentine at Rome, & at Aritia it rayned stones & muche bloud: out of a very cold fountaine did flow hot water: in y^e way called For∣nicata which leadeth to the temple, certain men were stricken from heauē: that wonderful conflict at Canuas followed: a village of Apulia in the which Paulus Emelius was slaine, and 400. footemen, with 270. horsemen and more than 3000. Romaines taken, and Hannibal set vpon Campania. Liuius 3 lib. Decade. Iulius Obsequens. 32.

The sea burned, at Sinuessa a Cow brought forth a Colt, which notwith∣standing shal not séeme wonderful, sith that in Aelianus in his variable hi∣storie 1. lib. Cap. 29 in the pastures of Necippus tyrant, it is written that an Ewe brought forth neither ramme nor Ewe Lambe, but a Lion, & it was beléeued that it did forshew Nicippus tyrannie, who then led a priuate life. At Lanuuium the Images of Iuno Sospita ran with bloud, it rained stones about that temple, for whiche shoure they kept nine dayes holy, and other Prodigies were purged with great care: that yeare in Fraunce Posthumi∣us with all his army was discomfited. The warre of Macedonia was be∣gun. The Romanes had good successe in Spaine. In Italy they of Campania were slaine at Cume. The Carthaginians were discomfited and put to flighte in Lucania. Ther was also made slaughter of the Carthaginiās at Nola. The Sardinians were slaine by Manlius. Liuius lib. 23. Obsequens and o∣thers.

In Apulia a gréene Date trée was séene to burne: at Mantua the stan∣ding water running into the riuer Mincius appeared blody: at Rome in the Oxe Market it rayned bloud. In the village Istricus such aboundaunce of water sodainely brake out of the earth, that the force thereof rolled away Hogsheades, which by chaunce laye by. The publike portch in the Capitol was stricken from Heauen, the Temple in Vulcans fielde, and other, publike and priuate places were stricken with lightning. At Preneste the speare of Mars did moue of his owne accord: in Sicilia a Cow spake, in Ma∣rucina a childe in his mothers bellye cryed out Io triumphe: At Spoletum a woman became a man, which least anye man shoulde refute for a lye, be∣sides Liuius, who is the Author of this prodigie, when Lici Crassus & Ca∣ius Cassius were Consuls, P••inie writeth that it happened that Cassinus daughter vnder hir parents kéeping, became a boye, whiche by the com∣mādement of the soothsayers was carried into a desart Iland. Licinius Lu∣cianus wrote, that he sawe at Argos Ariston who was called Aristufa, be∣ing

a virgine and married began in short time to haue a bearde and mans members, and after married a wife. At Smirna also the same author wry∣teth that the like didde once happen. And Plinie saw in Affrica, on the marriage day a man that became a woman, and was called Lucius Cossi∣tius. There were tolde at that time other Prodigies besides those whyche we haue mentioned: at Adria an aulter was séene in the ayre, and aboute it shapes of men in white garments, some affirmed that they sawe armed legions of men of war in Taniculum, and with this report they stirred the Citie to armes, a swarme of Bées was seene to light in the Market place at Rome, and bycause it was rare, it was taken for a Prodigie. Sabellicus lib 3. Chap. 5. out of Liuius lib. 4, dec. 9.

At Lanuuium in the Temple of Iuno Sospita, Crowes made their neastes, at Calibus it rained Chalke: the publike Porch, a Nut in Sabina & the common way, the Wal and the gate at Gauine was stricken from hea∣uen: moreouer at Rome also in the verie Citie a seconde swarme of Bées was séene in the Market: armed legions also were séene in Ianiculum, whi∣che notwithstanding by and by vanished awaye when men ran to their weapons: the same yeare Hanibal wente to Nola with a greate number of souldiours, from the assaulting whereof he being let by Marcellus sawe a great slaughter of his men, and was driuen out of Campania: The Towre Cassilinus was taken, Fabius spoyled S••mnium and toke manye townes by force. Ciracusa was besieged, warre was made against Phillip whiche was putte from his tentes at Appolonia: the Cipions hadde verye good successe in Spaine, and Saguntum was recouered: Liuius and Obse∣quens.

Titus Graccus the Consull made sacrifice wyth the Lucanians, two Snakes crepte out of a priuie place, sodainelye when they hadde eaten the liuer of the sacrifice whyche he hadde offered, they crepte into the place from whence they came: when that sacrifice was restored a∣gaine by the counsell of the Soothsayers, and that diligently the inwards drawen out were kepte, they wryte that againe and againe the Ser∣pentes wente awaye vntouched eating vp the liuer, wherefore the sooth∣sayers when they hadde forewarned that that Prodigie dyd concerne the Emperour, and had foretolde him that he shoulde beware of men lying in corners, yet by no foresighte he coulde auoyde his iminent death, for being cast downe headlong by the deceit of his host, he was slaine by a fewe that lay in waite for him. Valerius Maxi. lib. 1. chap. 6. Liui. lib 5. dec. 3. Sabellicus lib. 4. Aeneade. 5.

The Walles and the Gates of Rome were stricken from Heauen: At Aritia Iupiters tēple was from heauen stricken with lightning, shapes of long ships were séen in the riuer Terracina, & yet there were none. In the

temple of Iupiter Vicelius which is in the territorie Quasanus, was heard a clattering of armour and weapons, and the riuer at Amiternum rā bloudy. Siphax king of Numidians fighting for the Carthaginians, was ouercome a∣gainst Massenissa. In Brucie the Consentines and the Thurines whiche were of the twelue sortes of people whych the yeare before reuolted to the Carthaginians, yéelded themselues to the people of Rome, Liuius. Iu.

Filthy Tempestes arose in the mountaine Albanus, it rayned stones two dayes togither, manye things were stricken from heauen, two Tem∣ples in the Capitoll, a trench in the tentes, and in many places beyond Sue∣sula and two night scoutes were slaine: a Wal and towres and certaine o∣ther things at Cuma wer stricken with lightning and almost beaten down. At Reate a huge stone was séene to flye: the Sun was redder than he was wonte to be, and appeared bloudie in colour: Hannibal toke Tarentum by treason, sauing the castel. The Romaines spoyled the landers of the Samnites. Hannibal gaue the Romaines two bloudie battailes, the Romaines besieged and toke Ca••ua. Publius and Cneus surnamed Scipios, were in Spain besette with their enimies and slaine.

[illustration]

Lucius Marcius a gentleman of Rome, whē he was a war∣fare in Spaine and made an oration to the souldiours, a flame of happy suc∣cesse twined abouts his heade as he was speaking, without féeling, to the greate feare of the standers by, with which sight the Souldiours be∣ing warned to recouer their for∣mer stoutenesse, af∣ter they hadde slayn seauen and thirtie thousande of theyr enimyes, and hadde broughte a greate number into theyr subiectiō, they tooke two tentes filled

with the ritches of the Carthaginians. Spaine was made quiet for a season. Marcellus after that he had taken Ciracusa, returned to Rome with greate glorie. Liuius lib. 5 de 3.

In the Temple of Concorde, the Image of Victorie which was in the toppe, being stricken with lightning and beaten down, stucke at the Ima∣ges of victorie, whiche were fastned in the temple, and fel not from thence. At Anagnia & Frigelle the wal and the Gates of the Citie wer stricken from Heauen. In the Market Sudertanum streames of bloude did flowe for a whole daye. At Eretum it rained stones: at Reate a Mule brought forthe yong. The same yeare was a deadly fire at Rome, which was kindled by the malice of the Campanians. Marcellus in Campania recouered Sala∣pia.

The Nauie of the Romaines fought vnluckily at Sacriportus. Scipio in Spaine destroyed new Carthage. Marcellus put Hambals armie to flight, and a great part of Sicilia was taken. At Tusculum a Lambe was ewed wyth an vdder full of Milke. The t••••pe of Iupiters Temple was stricken wyth lyghtning and was almost vncouered. Aboute thys time at Anagnia the Earth was stricken before the gate, a daye and a nighte a fire burned without anye Fuel: at the crosseways of Anagnia in Dianas wood, the birds forsooke their neastes and the trées. At Terracina in the sea not far from the Hauen, Snakes of maruellous greatnesse did play in the water like vnto fishe. At Tarquine a Pig was farowed hauing the humaine head & face of a man. In the Countrey of Capinate by the woodde of Feronia, foure Images for a daye and a nighte did sweate muche bloude. Liuius Iulius Obsequens chap. 7. Sabellicus. ••. Aeneade. 5. by and by after Valerius Messala spoyled the territorie of Vtica and after long contention a law was made touching the makyng againe of Consuls.

In the Mountayne Albanus, Iupiters Image and a trée neare the Temple were stricken from Heauen, so were the lake at Hostia, the wall at Capua, the Temple of Fortune, and the Wall and a Gate at Sinues∣sa. The water Albana ranne with bloude. At Rome within the cel of the Temple Fortis Fortunae, an Image whiche was in the Crowne fell of hys owne accorde from the heade into the handes. At Piuernum a Cowe spake: A Rauen at the full Market flewe into a Tauerne. At Sinuessa a chylde was borne that was of a doubtefull kinde, betwéene Male and Female. It rayned milke. A boye was borne with an Elephantes heade. Marcellus encountryng wyth Hannibal fought first vnluckilye, afterward he put his enimy to flight. Fabius recouered Tarentum. Scipio passed hys bu∣sinesse prosperously in Spaine.

At Capua two Temples, to wit of Fortune and of Mars, with certaine toombes were stricken from Heauen. Mise did gnaw golde in Iupiters Tē∣ple.

At Cassinum a greate swarme of Bées did light in the pleading Courte-house. At Hostia the Wal and the gate was stricken from heauen. At Cera a Rauen flew into Iupiters temple. At Wlsunij a lake rā with bloud: a grie∣uous plague fel vpon the Citie and Countrey, which notwithstanding ra∣ther turned to long diseases, than deadely. Marcellus went about wyth all endeauour, either to ouerthrow the army of y^e Carthaginians in Italy, or else to driue them out, in a solemne sacrifice wherein he desired to séeke out the will of the Gods, in the first sacrifice which fel before the fire the liuer was founde without an heade. The next sacrifice had a double heade on the Li∣uer, whiche when they were séene, the soothsayer made aunswere that he liked not the inwardes, bycause the first appeared maymed and the seconde too ioyfull: so Marcellus being warned that he shoulde attempt nothing so rashlye, the night following entring with a fewe to spy, was beset by hys enimies in Brucie and whilest vncircumspectly he sought against Hanibal he was slayn, being stroken through with a launce. Crispinus being grie∣uously wounded died also: whiche happened neuer before, that two Con∣sulles beyng slaine without any famous battell had left the common welth as naked. Liuius.

Timoleon of Corinth being chosen by his Citizens, to take charge of the common wealth of Siracus••, whilest he departed from Corinth in a hy∣red Gallie, al the night long a burning torch in the ayre gaue light before whilest he sayled, vntil he came into Italie with al his power. Dio. Sicul. touching the noble actes of Phillip king of Macedonie in his sixtéenth yeare. Notwithstanding I suspect that in him the names of the Consuls are corrupted. Wherfore in the accompting of yeares. I follow aduisedlye this man.

At Veia it rayned stones. At Minturne a streame of bloud ranne into the Gate of the Temple of Iupiter and the holy wood of Marica. Likewise at Atelle the wal & the gate was stricken from heauen. At Capua a Woulf in the night entring into the gate tore a watchman in péeces. At Fruzinone a Child was borne that was as big as a childe of foure yeares olde. In the Hill Auentine in the temple of Quéene Iuno was stricken from heauen. At the riuer Meta••rus Hasdruba•• with all his armye was discomforted by the Romaines: whiche ouerthrowe the Romanes slew lvj. thousand, of their enemies and tooke, 5400. and there were 4000. of the Romaines receyued which were taken by their enimies. Liuie Chap. 40.

At Terracina the Temple of Iupiter and Satricas Mater Matuta, was stricken from heauen. In Iupiters temple two Snakes crept forth of the doores. The Mowers saw the eares of corne bloudie.

At Cera a Pigge hadde two heades, and a Lambe Ewed of bothe

kindes.

At Alba two Sunnes were séene. At Frigella in the night season a lighte arose: a Cowe spake in the fieldes neare to Rome. In Flaminius Theatre Neptunes Altar did sweate wonderfully. The temple of Ceres, of Health, and of Romulus, were stricken from Heauen. The Lucanians yéelded thē∣selues to the people of Rome without anye fighte. The Cities of the Bruti∣ans yéelded themselues to the Romaines. The Romaines receyued King Massi∣nissa into friendship. The Romaines sacked the Citie Astapa. Scipio com∣pelled the rebellious Spaniardes to yéelde. Liuius, Obsequens, Sabelli∣cus.

It rained oftentimes stones from Heauen, wherefore when Sibels Oracles were reade,* 1.101 it was founde that then at length the forraine enimy whyche shoulde make warre againste Italy, might be driuen out of Italy, if Idea mother of the Gods were broughte from Pessinus to Rome. The same yere the Romaines foughte in vaine againste Hannibal in Brutia, whi∣lest the plague molested both armies.

In Spaine there arose a newe commotion. In Italie the Locrians were receyued of the Romaines.

Two Sunnes were séene, and in the nighte time, lightes were séene betwéene whiles. At Secia a torch was séene to retch from the Easte to the Weast. At Arrasma a Gate, at Anagnia a great wal in many places was striken from Heauen. At Lanuuium in the Temple of Iuno Sospita was a cracke giuen with an horrible noyse. Scipio passed from Sicil a into Affri∣ca and spoylyng the Countrey slewe the yonger Hanno. Sempronius foughte againste Hann••bal, first vnluckily, but afterwarde luckily, killyng 4000. Carthaginians Liuius.

In the Capitoll Crowes did not onlye teare golde with theyr billes, but also dyd eate it. At Ancinum Mice did gnawe a Crowne of golde.

About Capua great multitude of Grashoppers filled the whole Coun∣trey. At Reate a horsse Colte was foaled with fiue féete.

At Anagnia fire firste flewe abroade in the ayre, after was séene in the ayre a burning Torche. At Fruzinone a bowe compassed the Sunne with a slender line.

At Arpinum the Earth in a Champion grounde suncke downe verye hollow.

When one of the Consuls didde offer the fyrste sacrifice, the Liuer was found without his head or toppe, it wanted a peece. In Affrike nere [ 3762] Vtica, Scipio burned the tentes of the Carthaginians. The Romanes receiued many cities reuolting to them in Brutia, and they slue Hanniball in the Territory of Crotonum. They ouercame Mago, Hannibals Brother, in a bloodye Battayle. They sette on fyre the Tentes of the

league breaker, King Siphax and toke him prisoner. King Massinissa toke Circa the kings Citie. Liuius and Iulius Oblequens Chapter the foure and twentith.

[ 3764] At Cume in Italie the compasse of the Sunne was séene deminy∣shed, and it rayned stones: in the territorie of Veliternum the Earthe sunke downe wyth greate chinckes, and the trées were drawen verye déepe into the Earthe. At Arisia the Market place and the vittailyng houses thereaboute, likewise at Fruscinone the Wall in certayne pla∣ces, and the Gate of the Citie, was stricken from Heauen: in the Pa∣laice it rained stones. The Riuer of Tiber wonderfullye flowed ouer. Claudius being Consull, that yeare throughe an excéedyng great storme suffered shipwracke.

Thys yeare also was notable for a greate burning, for cheape of Corne,* 1.102 and for the deathe of Quintus Fabius Maximus, who was Au∣gur two and twentie yeares. Hanniball entred into Affrica. Ver∣mina sonne to Kyng Siphax was wyth a greate slaughter of menne discomfited by the Romaines. Liuius and Obsequens Chapter. 45.

Trées bare Wheate, Plinie lib. 18. chap. 18. Plautus comming frō Sar∣sina [ 3765] a Citie of Vmbria dyeth at Rome: who for want of victualles gaue him selfe to hire to a Baker, to grinde at a hand Mill.

By Thera one of the Iles called Ciclades, appeared an Ilande whiche afterwarde was called Hiera. Antiochus after that Scopa was ouercome toke into his hands the Cities of Siria, and was ioyned in league wyth the Iewes. The Romaines gaue fréedome to the Gréekes. Eusebius & Functi∣us.

In Lucania the Elemente séemed to burne. At Priuernum in a cleare [ 3766] daye the Sunne was bloudy. At Lanuuium in the temple of Iuno Sospita in the night season there arose a great crashing. There was telling in diuers places of the filthy bringing forth of diuers creatures.

Among the Sabines a childe was borne doubtful whether he were male or female: Likewise another was found 16. yeres of age of a doubtful sexe. At Frisinoua a Lambe was Ewed with a swines heade. At Sinuessa a Pig was farowed with a mans head: In Lucania in the cōmon field a Colt was foald with fiue féete: all things were séene filthye and deformed, nature go∣ing astraye into straunge ofsprings. Yet before all other, the halfe males were abhominable, and were commaunded forthwith to be carried or casts into the sea. There folowed the war of Macedonia w^t Phillip. The French∣men, the Insubrians, the Cenomani and the Boij, by the the conducte of Ha∣milcar of Carthage inuaded the Countreys adioyning, and sette Townes on fire. Liuius lib. 31 and Obsequens Chap. 46. Sabellicus. lib. 6. Aeneade. fift.

On the sea banckes and vpon the sea betwéene the Ilandes of Cera•••••• [ 3766] and Cerasie was a greate Earthquake, wherein to the admiration of the Saylers sodaynelye appeared an Iland in the déepe sea, hauyng within it a hotte bathe. In Asia also the same Earthquake shoke Rhodes and manye other Cities, wyth the ouerthrowe of manye buildyngs, and some Cities it quite swallowed vppe, wyth whyche Prodigies men being afrayde, dyd vnderstande by hym that hadde beste skill in Prophesie, that the Empire of the Easte shoulde giue place to the Romaines, and that the kingdome of the Macedonians shoulde be voyde. Vincentius lib. 6. Chapter 53. The same yeare Antiocus ouercame Scopa at the riuer of Iordan. Li∣uius lib. 4. Decade. 3.

At Suessa two Gates and the Wall that was betwéene them was [ 3767] ouerthrowen by Tempest. At Formianum the Temple of Iupiter, at Ostia the Temple of Iupiter also: at Vileternum the Temple of Apol∣lo were stricken with lightning. In Hercules Temple a bushe of haire grewe vppe. In Brusie a Colte was foalde hauing fiue féete, and Chic∣kens hatched with thrée féete. In Macedonia a Laurell or Baye trée sprang vppe in the hinder parte of the shippe. Thys yeare in Mace∣donia a cruell sedition arose among the Romaine Souldiours, and Caius Bebius Pauphilus foughte vnluckily with the Frenchmen and Iusubri∣ans The Carthaginians brought first to Rome the stipendarie siluer or Tri∣bute.

From Heauen were stricken the highe waye at Veia in Italie. At [ 3768] Lauinum the house of iudgementes, and Iupiters Temple: at Ar∣dea Hercules Temple: at Capua the Wall, the Towres, the Temple called Alba: At Aretium the skie was séene to burne: at Velitre the Earthe cloue and suncke downe excéedinglye for the space of thrée A∣crées of grounde: at Suessa a Lambe was Ewed wyth two heades: also a Pigge there varoed, hauing the shape of a mans heade. The cyrcle of the Sunne was séene to be deminished: for the cause of which prodigies men fell to prayer for one daye, and the Consulles dyd sacrifice. And that yeare Flaminius foughte luckilye in the entraunce of Epirus, against Phillip King of Macedonia: Thessalia whiche is neare to Macedonia was vexed by the Romaines throughe their league friendes the Etolians and the Athamanians: Lucius Quintus Flaminius the Consuls brother in a fighte vpon the Sea tooke Euboea, and al the sea cost. The Achaians were receiued into friendshippe by the Romaines. And the conspiracie concerning the dis∣charging of the pledges of Carthage was discouered and oppressed. Liuius and Iulius Obsequens. chap. 48.

At Rome the Temple of Vulcane and Summanus, and at Frigelle the [ 3769] Wall and the Towne Gate were stricken from Heauen. At Frusinona in the nighte season a lighte arose: at Asculum a Lambe was Ewed with two

heads and fiue féete. At Formia two Wolues entering the towne, did teare certaine in péeces that they met. At Rome a Woulfe came not onelye into the Citie but also into the Capitol: (the sequele.) In Fraunce the Ro∣manes fought luckily, Cornelius ouercame the Nisubrians which were in armour against the Romanes. Minutius carying away his armie to Genua and beginning warre with the Ligurians, tooke the Townes Clastidium, Litubium, likewise Selelate, and Cerdiciates which yéelded vnto him, and ioyned to the Romane Empyre all the Towns on this side the riuer Po, sa∣uing Botet which belongeth to the Frenchmen & Iliats which belong to the Ligurians: Liuius and Iulius Obsequens. Chap. 29.

The yeare that Mithridates king of Pontus was borne, who afterward annoyed the Romaines with warre, there appeared a Comet of a won∣derfull greatnesse fourescoure dayes togyther, whereof Vincent in hys sixth Booke, Chapter 100. maketh mention: the yeare followyng the Samaritanes did much mischiefe to the Iewes, which at large Iosephus describeth, lib. 12. chap. 3.

[ 3770] Liuius Iulius a Gentleman of Rome going a Warefare againste the Sabines, was slayne wyth lyghtnyng, togyther wyth hys horsse. The Temple of Feronia in Capena, a Towne by Rome, was stricken from Heauen, (that is consumed by Tempest.) At the Temple of Moneta two Speare heades dyd burne. A Woulfe entering in at the gate Esquelina, when he hadde runne vppe and downe in the Mar∣ket place, and ouer the most part of the Citie, in the Thuscan stréete, afterwarde in Meleau stréete, he escaped almoste vntouched throughe the gate Capena.

These Prodigies were appeased wyth greater sacrifices. Han∣niball in vayne makyng warre in Affrique, for feare of the Romaines fled away and came vnto Antiochus king of Syria makyng warre a∣gaine the Romaines. The Boieans oppressed Marcellus in Hetruria: the Romaines spoyled the Boieans and Subrians wyth fire and sworde. Phillip was discomfited and put to flight in Thessalia, Liuius & Iulius Obsequens chap. 5.

[ 3772] When the Frenchmen ouercame the Romaines in fight, and that they tooke y^e Citie (Rome) they report that the Augures crooked staffe called Litu∣us was loste, whyche staffe they vsed in poynting the quarters of the firmamente in the diuination: Afterwarde they founde hym déepe in the ashes vntouched with the fire, whereas the other were wasted and marred. Plutarch in the life of the Romaines.

[ 3773] At Rome in the iudgemente house, and in the place where they choose officers, and in the Capitoll, droppes of bloude were séene: it rayned earthe

the heade of Vulcane burned. At Interramnae milke ran by streames. At Areminum frée borne children were brought forth without eyes and nose, in Picenum a childe was borne without handes and féete: In Adrians grounde it rayned stones. Those prodigies by the decrée of the Bishops, were purged, and Sacrifice was made for 9 dayes: In Fraunce Lucius Va∣lerius Flaccus being the Consuls Deputie, aboute Millaine ioyned bat∣taile with the Frenchmen, with the Insubrians, and with the Boyans, who with their captain Dorulacus passed ouer the riuer Po to moue the Insubri∣ans. Marcus Portius Cato triumphed ouer Spaine, Titus Sempronius first o∣uercame the Sempronians with a doubtfull battaile, but at last he was ouer∣come with a notable slaughter of his. In Macedonia Titus Quintus broght forth the garrisons of the Romaines. Liuius and Iulius Obsequens chap. 91.

There were excéeding great and grieuous Earthquakes, and mightye waters, wherevppon the riuer Tiber ouerflowed the plaine places of the Citie. Aboute the gate Frumentana certaine buildings fell downe, the gate Celimontana was stricken with lightning, and the wall aboute in manye places was also stricken from heauen. At Arcia, Lanuuium, and at the Hil Auenine it rained stones. At Capua a great multitude of Waspes flew in∣to the Market place, and rested on the temple of Mars which carefully were gathered togither and burned: by reason of these Prodigies there was nine dayes sacrifice, and the Citie was purged. The Ligurians broughte Minutius into extreame perrill, and were scarcely deliuered by the indu∣strie of the Numidians. Antiochus by the egging of Hanniball made war against the Romains, and in Spaine al things were luckily brought to passe: Liuius and Iulius Obsequens. chap. 52.

At Rome the Earth quaked eight and thirtie days, and for that cause, for feare and pensiuenesse they kept holy many dayes:* 1.103 there were set in the [ 3774] Capitoll Chariots gilt ouer, and Marcus Tutius and Publius Iunius being Aediles set in twelue, with a gilt shield, and that for to forfaite that was taken from Vsurers. A fire being begun in the Oxe-Market, burned the houses daye and night which fell into Tyber and all the shops with wares of greate price were burned. Liuius lib. 5. Decade. 4. Sabellicus. lib. 6. Aene∣ade. 5.

At Picenum a Goate broughte forth at once sixe Kiddes. At Aretium a boye was borne wyth one hande. At Amiternum it rayned Earthe. At Formia the Gate and the Wall were stricken with lightning. An Oxe spake these wordes. Roma tibi caue, that is: Rome take heede too thy selfe: by reason of thys and other Prodigies menne fell to prayer, and they whiche did soothsay, by lookyng in the bowelles of beasts commaunded, that the Oxe should carefully be kepte and nouri∣shed:

the riuer of Tiber running with a more violent course thā euer before, ouerthrew in Rome two Bridges and many buyldings, chiefely about the gate Flumentaena: A greate stone without raine and without anye Earth∣quake fell downe from the Capitoll into the stréete Iugarium and slew ma∣ny. In the fields euery where ouerflown, the cattayle were carried away, and Farmes were greatlye spoyled. Quintus Mutius in the territorie of Pisa, ioyning in battaile with the Ligurians slewe nine thousande of hys e∣nimies, and compelled the residue being scattered abroade and fled to their tentes to yéelde. The Countrey of the Boians was on euerye side spoy∣led by the Romaines. In bothe Spaines things came well to passe, the Ro∣maines foughte luckilye againste the people Vectoles and them of Toledo. King Antiocus broke into Hellespont with a great army. Liuius and Iulius Obsequens. chap. 53.

[ 3775] Two tamed Oxen in Carinae,* 1.104 whiche were certaine houses within the Temple of Tellus made lyke the hulles of Shippes, clymbed on a ladder vpon the Tyles of the house, whiche the soothsayers commaunded to be burned aliue, and theyr ashes to be caste into Tyber: At Terrasina and Amiternum it rayned stones for a season: at Minturnū a Citie in Cam∣pania the Temple of Iupiter and the shoppes aboute the Marketplace were stricken with lightning. At Vulturnum in the entraunce of the riuer two Shippes stricken wyth lightnyng were burned, for whyche Pro∣digies fastyng was appoynted to Ceres, likewise nine dayes sacri∣fice, and prayer was made a whole daye togyther. That yeare Pub∣lius Quintius foughte luckilye againste the Ligurians his moste cruell e∣nimies, in killing certayne thousandes of them: almoste two monethes after Publius Cornelius ioyning in battayle wyth the armye of the Boi∣ans slewe two M. eighte hundred of his enimies, tooke 3040. Ensignes 124. Horsemen, 1230. & horsses. Attillius ouerthrew Naupactum, a towne of Acaia, now called Lepanthum. The Romanes fought luckily in a shipfight with Eumenes and the Captaines of King Antiochus. Liuius and Iulius Obse Chapter 54.

The Sunne the fift day before the Ides of Iune was eclipsed. Marcus Fritschius.

The Temple of Iuno Lucina, was so stricken with lightning that the [ 3776] toppe and the two leaued gates were brought out of fashion, in the places néere adioyning many thinges were stricken with thunder stones: at Nur∣cia in a cleare weather, shewres of rayne arose, and two men were slayne. At Tusculum it raigned earth: At Reat a Mule brought forth a Fole (who naturally bringeth neuer forth any) herevpon prayer was made by tenne Boyes, and tenne Virgines, whose Parents, both Fathers and Mothers wer liuing: Aemillius Rigillus fought luckily that yere against Antiochus: and Scipio toke Antiochus prisoner. Liu and Iuh. Obsequens. Chap. 55.

In the daye time, betwéene thrée and foure of the clock darkenesse arose: [ 3778] in the Hill Auentine it rayned stones, which was purged with nine dayes sacrifice: In Spaine the Romanes had good successe in the warre. There was made nyne dayes sacrifice because it raigned stones in Marcha and Conita∣na: and fires flashing from heauen many wayes, did with a light blast burn many mens Garments: Iupiters temple in the Capitoll was stroken with Lightning: In Vmbria a childe borne, hauing both kindes the members of man and woman, of that bignesse as commonlye the age were of twelue yeares, and was killed at the commaundement of the Southsayers. The Frenchmen which passed ouer the Alpes into Italy were repulsed without any battayle. The league with Antiochus was agréed vpon, and the Thra∣cians didde greatlye annoye the Romanes. Liui. and Iuli. Obsequens Cap. 56.

In Sicilia to the great wonder of al men, the stony and desert Iland of [ 3779] Vulcan first appeared which belched flames foorth of the toppe. That yéere Quintus Fuluius Flaccus being Pretor, the principal officers at that tyme did discomfite 2300 men. Gracchus in the further Spaine compelled many townes to yéelde vnto him: Posthumius in the hithermost Spaine foughte luckily also agaynst the Enemie, and Gracchus did there also conquer ma∣ny townes: Liui. and Iuli. Obse. 57. Chap.

The yéere that Mithridates was borne, and the same yéere also that hée [ 3780] tooke rule in hande, which was 569 after Rome was built, a Commet at both times did so shine, for 80. dayes, that all the skie séemed to be on a fyre, for with his greatnesse he occupied the fourth part of the heauens, and with his brightnesse he surpassed the cléerenesse of the Sunne, and when he rose and went downe, he was seuen or eight howers a rising and going downe, Iustin. and Vincent. Lib. 6. Cap. 100. the Mathematicians and those that were skilfull in Oracles did prophesie that this starre did forshew the gret∣nesse of Mithridates in warlike affayres.

In the Playes at Rome which Pub. Cor. Kethegus, and Aulus Posthu∣mus Albinus did make, an Apple trée moouing too and fro in the place cal∣led Circus, which was a place in Rome where they behealde Playes and Games, fell downe against the Image of Polencia and ouerthrew it, with which schruple of conscience the Elders being mooued, thought good to put one daye more to the playes, and to erect two Images for one, and to gilte one new. Gneus Manlius triumphed ouer the Gallogretians, and broughte vp the wanton behauiours of them of Asia, in Spaine, almost about the same time the Portingales and the Biscanes were put to the sworde, Liui. and Iuli. Obse. Cap. 58.

In Vulcans Temple yeard for two dayes, & in Concords temple yeard [ 3782] for two dayes also it rained blood. In Sicilia appeared a new Ilande by the Sea side. Hanniball was poysoned in Bithinia: the Biscanes were subdu∣ed.

Scipio and Philipomenes most famous Captaynes dyed. Liui. booke 39 Obse. Cap. 59.

[ 3784] By a stormye tempest a great slaughter was made in Rome, whiche ouerthrew the brasen Images in the Capitol. It ouerthrew the Images in the greatest circle with the pillers. It ouerthrew and broke downe cer∣tayne pynacles of the Temples: A Mule with thrée heades was solde at Triate. Apollos Temple at Cageta was stricken with lightning. In Vulcanes and Concordes Temple yearde it rayned blood. The Speares of Mars didde mooue of themselues. At Lanuuium the Image of Iuno Sospita did wéepe, (water distilled foorth as teares from the I∣dols eyes,* 1.105 no parte of the rest moyste) Libitina was not suffyciente for the pestylence that followed, according to Sibillas Oracles: they fell to prayer when it hadde not rayned sixe monthes.

The Ligurians were ouercome in battayle, and were discomfited. The plague inuaded Rome and other Townes, which did so much waste the Cittie, that scarsely an armye coulde bée gathered to goe into Sar∣dinia agaynste the reuolting of them of Corsica: for sixe monthes it neuer rayned. Liuius and Iulius Cap. 6.

[ 3782] By the Riuers of Eolus, fyre being raysed vp by a blast of wynde, there appeared an Iland whych is now called Hira and not long after, A∣uerne a most noble cittie of Fraunce was taken. Iohn Captayne and Bishop of the Iewes, made warre against Hircanus, and requyring of the Romanes the lawe of friendship, was by the Senates decrée reckoned among their friendes, not long after, people were brought to dwell at Narbon. This doth Eusebius write, whose computation of yéeres notwithstanding, we follow not.

[ 3786] At Rome with continuall showres and lightning, certayne Images were cast downe, and al about many buildinges were shaken. In Iupi∣ters Idoll closet the heads of other panime Gods tourned themselues about with an earthquake. The Wool with the couerings which were set before Iupiter fell down: The Mice did gnaw Oliues at the Table: The Romanes triumphed ouer the Biscaines: thinges fell luckely out in Spaine, and the Ro∣manes fought prosperously with the Ligurians. Liuius and Iulius Obseque. Cap. 61.

[ 3787] Very many places were set on fyre about the market place in Rome, The Temple of Venus was burned downe to the ground: The fire of Ve∣sta that was in the inner part of the house and alwayes burned, was nowe quenched. A Virgine at the commandment of Marcus Emilius high bishop, was whipt, who sayde that prayers should be no more vsed for them that were slayne: In Spaine and Histria the Romanes had prosperous battayles, Liui. and Iul•• Obse. Cap. 62.

[ 3789] In the Territory of Christuminum a Citie of Italie, a greate stone fell

from heauen into the lake or poole of Mars. In y^e Territory of Rome a boy was borne with a body dreadfull to beholde: A snake with foure féete was séene: At Capua many buildinges in the market place were stricken with tempest: At Puicolis two Shippes were burned with the stroke of light∣ning: When at Rome in the daye tyme a Woolfe had entered the Gate Collina, he escaped through the gate Esqueli••a, with the greate ruffeling of them that followed. By reason of those prodigies, the Consuls offered greate Sacrifices. And there was Prayer made for one daye aboute all the Beddes made of the Paynims in their temples, to the honoure of their Gods. The Romanes spoyled the groundes of the Histrians, Iulius and Manlius assaulted the towne Nesacium: Mutilia and Faberia two Citties were vtterly destroyed: In Sardinia thinges fell happilye out to the Romanes: The Ilienses and the Ligurians were ouercome. In the Cittie Crustuminum a byrd which they call San∣gualis a kinde of Eagle, caried away the holye Stone with his Bill.* 1.106 An Oxe spake in Campania: At Syracusis a wilde Bull couered a brasen Cowe, & cast his séede vpon her, in the Citie Crustuminum, in y^e very place where prayer was made: In Campania an Oxe was appoynted to be fedde by the Commons. The Prodigie of Syracusis was purged by sacrifices, the south∣sayers shewing them what Gods they shoulde pray vnto: the Byshop died that yere, Liui and Iuli. Obse Cap. 62.

When the Consuls had offered sacrifices for victorye, the liuer that [ 3790] was founde in the beastes belly was withered: Cornelius retourning from the Mountayne Albanus, was taken in his limmes, and dyed at the Water of Cuni. Petellius fighting agaynste the Ligurians, was slayne. At Gabia a burning torche was séene in the Skie. At Gabia also Apollos Temple, and manye priuate buildinges, at Grauiscaya the Wall, and the Gate were stricken with tempest, the Senatoures commaunded those Prodigies to bée purged as the Bishops thoughte good. The Ligurians were ouercome of the Romaines. And Sempro∣nius broughte them of Sardinia in subiection, Liuius, Iulius Obsequens Cap. 64. &c.

The plague was so sore among men and beastes, that there was not [ 3791] sufficient to burie the dead. The Biscaines were discomfited and the Bastar∣nians (a most fierce people) by the means of Persa the sonne of Philip, were ouercome without any fight, or any enemy. Liui. Iuli. Obs. Cap. 65. Oros. Lib. 9. Cap. 29. Cuspinianus vpon Cassiodorus.

When Quintus Fuluius Flaccus brought out of the temple of Iuno Lu∣cinia [ 3792] marble tiles to the temple of Fortuna Equestris, which was built by the stony theatre, straight way they were wōderfully caried thither again, as men thought, for Religions sake. Alexan ab Alexan. Lib. 1. Cap. 13 Vale. Max. Lib. 1. Cap. 2. Liui. Lib. 2. Dec. 5. Lactan. Lib. 2. Cap. 8. of his diuine

Institutions, Fuluius Sabel. Lib. 5. Cap. 25. of the entiquities of the Cittie and others.

In Veios a Cittie in Hetruria, a Boy was borne with two heads: at Sinuessa a boye was borne with one hande: At Oxinum a gyrle was borne with téeth: In the day time in fayre weather, a bowe bent was séene ouer the market place in Rome and thrée sunnes also gaue light: the same nighte at Lanun um many burning torches glyded vp and downe in the Element. At Caere an auncient Citie of Tussia, a Snake with a mane appeared, beset with golden spottes: in the Territorie of Campania an Oxe spake: and a∣mong the Sabines happened a great Earthquake, y^e same yere the Carthagi∣nians conspired against the Romanes, with the Citties of Greece, by the pro∣curement of Persius: Liui. & Obs. Cap. 66.

[ 3793] At Lanuuium the shew of a great Nauie appeared in the ayre: At Pri∣uernum blacke Wooll sprang out of the ground: in Veios it raigned stones: At Promptium euery place was couered with cloudes of Grashoppers: In the place whiche was called Ager Gallicus, where the plough went, Fishe came out from vnder the clods: by reason of these prodigies, they searched the Bookes of Prophesie, and prayer was made to purge these strange happes: In the countrey of Etolia, which is in Greece, there arose cruell se∣ditions, by reason of great debt that men did owe: Persius prepared warre agaynst the Romanes: In Liguria and in the Territory of Statellatum, there was a conflict at the towne Caristum, where 10000 men were slayne by the Romanes, Liuius and Obse. Cap. 67.

[ 3794] At Saturnia it rayned blood in the towne for thrée dayes: at Calacia an Asse with thrée heads was foled: a Bull with fiue kine were slayne with one stroke of lightning: At Oxilum it raigned earth: by reason of these pro∣digies prayer was appoynted for one day, and men kepte holy day: The Groundes of the Issensians were this yeare miserablye spoyled, and nothing at that time was done of the Romanes worthy of remembraunce. Liui. and Iuli. Obse. Cap. 68.

[ 3795] When Antiochus made prouision to goe the second time into Aegipt, through all Ierusalem for fortie dayes together were séene in the ayre horse∣men running too and fro, hauing Gounes of Golde, and speares, as it were armed bandes, their horses ranne in order, they met hand to hande, their bucklers moued, and there were a number of men with helmets and drawne swordes, there was casting of Dartes and Gorgets, gilt Armour, and coates of Mayle of all sortes, 2 Machabes Cap. 5. and forthwith Ierusa∣lem was miserably spoyled.

Moreouer this yéere, if we giue credite to Plini Libro 2, Cap. quarto, a Mayde Childe became a boye, being vnder the kéeping of her parents, and at the commaundement of the Southsayers she was caryed into a deserte Ilande.

Castor and Pollux in the seconde battaile of Macedonians, at the lake of [ 3797] Iuturna, were séene to washe away the sweate of their horses, when their temples which were neare the head of the lake, lay open of their owne ac∣corde, Lactan. Lib. 2. of the beginning of errour, Chapt. 8. and Vale. Lib. 1. Cap. 6. Parag. 3. Liuie describeth a great destruction Lib. 2. Dec. 1. Moreouer in the same battayle, they sitting on white horses, are sayde in the nighte time to haue met Publius Vatinius comming to Rome shewing that King Perses was vanquished and taken that day which a fewe dayes after the letters of Paulus taughte to be true. Lactan. Lib. 2. of the beginning of er∣rour, Lib. 2. from the building of the citie, Dionisi. lib. 6. Valerius Maximus lib. 1 de mirabilibus, Florus lib. 7. Cap. 12. Frontinus lib. 1. Cap. 11. Plutarch in the life of Aemilius.

At Anagnia a burning torche was séene in the Element. A Cow spake at Minturna at that time the Element séemed to be on fire. At Triato it rayned stones. At Cume in the Castle, the Image of Apollo wept for thrée dayes and thrée nightes togither. At Rome in the temple of Fortune a snake with a mane was séene of man. A date trée grew vp in the temple yearde: it rayned blood in the day time.

At Frigelli in the house of Lucius Atreus, a speare which he hadde bought for his sonne, being a Souldyer, burned in the day time more than two howers, so that notwithstanding, the fyre wasted away no parte of it: by reason of these prodigies, after prayer made, they vsed great sacrifises about all y^e closets of the Gods. The king Perseus fought luckily in Thrace, ouercomming the Troians, and subduing the Illirians. Liuius, Iulius Obse. Cap. 69.

In the ende of Sommer, the Moone was altogether Eclipsed, where∣of [ 3798] of Plutarche in the life of Paulus Emilius doth intreat with many words. Sulpitius Gallus Marshall of the fielde, afterward Consull, did first among the Romanes fortell this Eclipse, in yelding the cause thereof, Plinie lib. 2. Cap. 12 And this Eclipse happened as we may coniecture by Liuie & Plinie the fourth day of September.

At Rome certayne places, both sacred and profane were stricken with [ 3799] lightning. At Anagnia, it rayned earth. At Lanuuium a burning torche was séene in the Element. At Calacia in the common fielde for thrée dayes and two nights it ran blood. Gentius king of Illiria, and Perseus king of Ma∣cedonia were ouercome. Obse. Cap. 70.

In many places of Campania it raigned earth. In the territory of the [ 3800] Cittie of Preneste it rayned blood. At Veios Wooll grew on the trées. At Ter∣racina in the temple of Minerua, thrée Women which sate working, were killed with lightning. At the place of Libitina in a brasen Image of a Gen∣tleman at armes, water ranne a long time out of the mouth and foote. The french Ligurians were discomfited, the assemblies for the election of officers

were made most ambitiously, and for this cause the Senate healde the Sessions in the Capitoll. A Kyte flying tooke a Weasell out of Iupiters Chancell, and let him fall among the Senatours as they sate togither. A∣boute the same time the Temple of Health was stricken with Light∣ning: in the the hill at Rome, where Romulus temple stoode, blood sprang out of the earth. At Lanuuium a burning torche was seene in the Element in the night time, and many buildings were gréeuously shaken with tempest. At Sidicinum a towne of Italy a Boye was borne with foure handes, and foure féete. Rome was paued, and peace was at home and abrode. Obsequens Chapter. 71.

[ 3802] At Rome the plague and famine was so gréeuous, that the people being ledde by Sibils Oracles, sate working about the Crosse wayes and Chap∣pels, as it may be thoughte, to cutte of the great plague and famyne. In the Temple of the house of Gods two leaued Gates in the righte time opened of their owne accorde, and Woolues appeared in the Mountayne of Rome called Exquilia, and on the Hill where Romulus Temple stoode Woolues also appeared, and were chased too and fro. The Cittie béeing purged with Sacrifice, no gréeuous things happened. Iulius Obsequens Chapter. 7••.

[ 3803] Machabeus and those which were with him fighting against Timothe∣us had manifest helpe from heauen, for fiue men appeared on horsbacke. &c. Afterwarde an other time, they going to fighte againste Licias, a horseman going before them, appeared in a white vesture brandishing his speare, in golden armour. 2. Mac. 10.33.

[ 3804] At Capua in the night season the sunne was séene. In the territorie of Stellatum part of a flocke of Wethers was killed with lightning. At Terra∣cina a triple twinne thrée boyes in one were borne. At Formia two sonnes were séene in the daye time. Heauen burned. At Concium a man was burned by the beames that came out of a looking Glasse. At Gabia it rayned Milke. In the Palaice many places were stricken downe with lightning. A Swan fell down vpon the temple of Victory, and sca∣ped the handes of them that went about to take her. At Priuernum a Wo∣man childe was borne without a hande. In Cephalenia a number were séene to sing in the Elemente. It rayned Earth, houses were ouer∣throwne with a stormie tempest, and slaughter was made in the fieldes. It lightened often. At Pisaurum the forme of the Sunne did shine in the night. At Care a Pigge was farrowed with a mannes handes and féete, and Boyes were borne with foure féete and foure handes. At Fornesie an Oxe breathed a flame of fire out of his mouth, and yet it hurt him not. Liui. and Iuli Obse Chapt. 7.

[ 3804] At Anagnia in the nighte time the Element was on fire, many Buil∣dinges were stricken with fire. At Frusinone an Oxe spake. At Re••te a

Mule was foled hauing thrée heades. Gneus Octauius being sent Ambassa∣dour into Siria, through Licia, was slaine in a Colledge by the tutor of An∣tiochus being a child. Iulius Obse. Chapt. 74.

In the Capitoll the Temple of Iupiter and the places adioyning were [ 3810] shaken with a stormy tempest. The couering of the high bridge with the Pillers, was cast into Tiber. In Flaminius playe house, the Porche betwéene Iunos Temple, and the Temple of Fortune was stricken, and manye Buildinges more adioyning were destroyed. When a Bull was ledde to Sacrifice, by reason of the same he fell downe. The Dalmatians were ouercome by them of Scordona. Iu i••s O••sequens Chapt. 75.

The Consull Posthumius going into his Prouince, when he made [ 3812] offering, found not in many beastes which he sacrificed the toppe of the liuer, and going onward, seuen dayes after was brought s••ck to Rome, and dyed. At Consa Weapons were séene to flye in the ayre, and manye places were spoyled with lightning. The Frenchmen and Portin∣gales didde gréeuouslye annoye the Romanes by Warre. Obsequens Chapt. 76.

At Turbine a piller was violentlye ouerthrowne in the Fielde [ 3814] before Iupiters Temple, togither with a Golden En••••gne, when the Southsayers made answere that the Magistrates and the Priestes should dye, all the Magistrates resigned their offices. At Arisia men fell to pray∣er because it rained stones. At Rome in many places the shapes of gownes were séen, which deceiued y^e eyes of thē which came nere. In Po••tingal•• the Romanes had interchaungeable happe, but in Fraunce they sought luckilye. Obse. Chapt. 77.

At Rome the pallaice and the Chappell was burned with a huge fire, [ 3818] and of two Bay trées, one amid the fyre was vntouched and shal be. Pseu∣dophilippus was ouercome. Iuli. Obs Chapt. 78.

In the ••ere sixe hundred and seuen, a Comet blazed for two and thir∣tie dayes togither. Casparus Bucerus in his Meteorologie. Moreouer the same yere Andricus Pseudophilippus inuaded Macedonia, and ouercame and put to flight Publius Iuuencus being a Pretor. Ptolomeus E••erge∣tes king of Aegipt, who for his deformitie of bodye was called Phiscon, succéeded in the place of Ptolomeus Philometer dying at this tyme.

At Amiternum a Boye was borne with thrée legges and one hande. [ 3819] At Rome and at the places neare adioyning many buildinges were stric∣ken with lightning. At Caire Brookes of blood ranne oute of the earth, and in the nighte season the Element and the Earth séemed to burne. At Fruzinone Mice didde gnawe the holye Golde. At Laniuu••um be∣twéene the howers of thrée and fiue, two cyrcles of two colours enuiron••••

the Sunne, the one red, the other white, and when Carthage was besieged, Hasdruball played the barbarous tyraunt towardes the Captiues of the Romaines, and not long after Emilianus sacked Carthage, Chapter. 79. Obsequens.

When the Romanes made warre agaynst the Acheans and king Ari∣stonicus, the Idoll of Apollo Cumanus is sayd to haue wept for foure days space, with which prodigie, the Southsayers being afrayde, when they thought to haue cast that Idoll into the Sea, the olde men of Cuma letted it, although it was manifest that this prodigie did foreshewe good lucke to the Persians, & to Antiochus. Augustine 5. booke of the Citie of God, and Vin∣centius Lib. 6. Cap. 8••.

[ 3823] At Amiterne a boy was borne with thrée legges. At Caura streames of blood ranne out of the earth. When the Salassians gaue the Romaines an ouerthrow, the Decemuiri sayde that they found in Sybils Oracles, that as often as they were to make warre with the Romanes, they shoulde doe Sa∣crifice in the marches of their countrey, Obsequens Cap. 80. King Mithri∣dates that yeare tooke Babilon as witnesseth Eutropius lib. 4.

[ 3824] When at Rome there was a famine and pestilence, the Decemuiri fell to prayer. At Luna a childe of both kindes was borne, and at the bidding of the Southsayers, called Auruspices was carried into the Sea. They of Luna died so sore of the plague, that the Carcasses lying euery where in y^e stréets, there were not sufficient sound to bury them. In Macedonia the armie of the Romanes was sore shaken, and it had a harde match with Viriatus. Ob∣sequens Cap 81.

At Prenest and in Cephalonia standerds were séene to fal from heauen. The Mountayne Aetna threw out great store of fyre: the Prodigie was purged with fortye greater Sacrifices than were commonlye vsed. The yeare was quiet, after that Viriatus was ouercome.

[ 3829] When at Lanuuium they behelde byrdes to diuine what shoulde hap∣pen, certain yong soule fleing out of a cadge into the Wood Laurentin•• were not found. At Terracina M. Claudius being Pretor, was burned with light¦ning a shipboorde. The Poole Fucinus ouerflowed on euery s••de the space of fiue miles. At Rome in Graecostasis and in the place where the Magistrates were choosen it ran bloud.

In Exquiliae which is a Mountaine at Rome, where watch was kept, a Colte was foaled with fiue féete. Many buildings also were stricken downe with lightning.

Hostilius Mancinus when he wente into Spaine in the warre of Nu∣mantia, a Citie of Biscay saw and heard cruell Prodigies. For when he did sacrifice at Lanuuium, yong birds being put out of the Cadge flew into the nert Wood, and were seene no more, with which prodigie he being nothing fraide, when he had toke sh••pping, without séeing any thing, heard a voyce

crying Mane Mancine, Mancine mane, that is Tarry Mancinus, Tarrye Mancinus, whereat hée was afrayde: and when he wente to Genua, hée sawe a Serpent of a huge greatnesse: but despising all these foretokens and warninges, when hée came into the Fielde hée matched a number of calamytyes with a shamefull Truce, and also with a bloudye yiel∣ding.

Welneare all the Cittie of Rhegium was consumed with Fyre, [ 3830] without any token to bée séene of mannes deceipte, or negligence. A bonde Woman bare a man Childe with foure féete, foure handes, foure eyes, foure eares, and two priuie members. In the hote bathes at Puteoli a Cit∣tie of Campania, the Brookes ranne with blood. Manye Buildinges were caste downe with Lightning. The manne Chylde at the bid∣ding of the Southsayers, called Aruspices, was burned, and his ashes caste into the Sea. The Acheians slue the armye of the Romanes.

The Mountayne Aetna burned more fiercely than it was wont. At [ 3831] Rome a man Chylde was borne without any foundement. At Bononia Trées bare Corne. A Scriche Owle was now fyrste hearde in the Ca∣pitoll, and afterwarde about the Cittie, which byrde for a rewarde offred, a Fowler tooke, and being burned, the ashes were cast into the riuer of Ti∣ber. An Oxe spake. Thinges came ill to passe at Numantia, the Armie of the R••manes was ouercome. Obsequens, Vincentius Booke 6. Chapt. 8••.

In Amiternum the Sunne was séene in the night, and his lighte ap∣peared [ 3832] for a season. An Oxe spoke, and was fedde at the common charge. It rayned blood.

At Anagnia a bonde mans Cote fell on a fyre, and when the Fyre was out no signe of anye burning was séene. At the Capitoll in the nighte season a byrde gaue pittifull grones like a man. In the Tem∣ple of Quéene Iuno a Genowa••s Targe was stricken with lightning. The Fugitiues Warre beganne in Sicilia. Italy was gréeuously oppressed with the conspiracie of bondmen.

Tiberius Gracchus in making of lawes was slayne. It is left in wri∣ting that Tiberius Gracchus the same day he lost his life made no accounte of certaine tokens of ill luck, for both at home and in the Capitoll, tokens of ill lucke were foreshewed him, for going oute of his house, in hitting his lefte foote vnawares againste the Thresholde, hée strake his greate Toe oute of ioynt, and Crowes did cast little péeces of tiles from the eaues of the house before his féete.

In the Romaine Lake there ranne streames of blood. At Luna the earth for the space of foure acres suncke downe, and by and by the hol∣low place became a standing poole.

At Ardea it rayned earth. At Minturna a Woolfe tare a Watcheman in péeces, and in the broyle he escaped. A Scriche Owle was séene at Rome, and an other byrde vnknown.

In Quéene Iunos Temple the two leaued Gates being shutte for two dayes, an infantes voyce was heard. Targettes were spotted with freshe blood. A Woman chylde was borne with foure féete. In the Territorye of the Cittie Ferentinum, a Chylde of both kindes was borne, and cast into the riuer. Twenty and seuen Virgins singing went about the Citie.

[ 3836] In Italy many thousands of Bondmen which had conspired, were hard∣ly taken and put to death. In Sicilia the Fugitiues slue the armies of the Romanes. Numantia was destroyed.

At Reate a Mule with fiue féete was Foled. At Rome in the Fielde Cortasis, it rayned milke. A Woolfe and a Dogge fighting together at Hostia were killed with lightning. A flocke of Shéepe in Apulia, and the Pretor of the people of Rome were slayne with one flashe of Lightning. At Terracina in fayre weather the Sayle of a Shippe was stricken with Lightning, and cast into the water, and the Fyre consumed all that was there.

Publius Crassus Fighting agaynst Aristonicus was slayne. The Image of Apollo wepte for foure dayes. The Prophecies foretolde the destruction of Greece, then the Romanes fell to Sacrifice, and they offered Giftes in the Temple. The Countrey of Phrigia was gotten againe. At∣talus bequeathed Asia to the Romanes in his will. When Antiochus King of Syria fought with a huge armye, Swallowes builded their neasts in his Tentes, but he not passing vpon that Prodigie, ioyned in Battayle and was slayne by the Parthians. At the dissention of Marcus Fuluius Flaccus Triumvir, in making of Lawes, two blacke Snakes créeping by in∣to the Cell of Minerua did portende a ciuill murther.

[ 3837] When King Mithridates didde solemnlye doe Sacrifice to Ceres in Bosphares, an earthquake rose so sodaynely, that there followed a greate de∣struction both in Citie and Countrey, and not long after, Castor Lieuete∣nant to Mithridates at Phanagorium, in killing the kings friendes, posses∣sed the Castle, and sette ouer the foure sonnes of Mithridates to the Romane Garrisons: Mithridates being in a greate rage for so haynous an offence, slue manye of his owne Friendes, and his Sonne Exipodrus, and immediatelye Phameyus an other Sonne of his, ouercame him in Battayle, and his Daughters giuing him Poyson, therewith ended his life.

[ 3838] Many thinges were stricken with Lightning both without Rome and within. At Frusinone a bonde woman bare a boye with two heads. A bur∣ning Torche was séene in the ayre, and the voyce of a Scrich Owle was

heard in Rome.

At Caere it raigned blood, and a Cocke was founde hauing syue féete. Antiochus king of Syria, and Phaartes king of the Parthians, made Warre one agaynste another, and matters in Aegipt were farre out of frame, for Ptolomeus Euergetes being hated of his subiectes for his extreame cruel∣tye, the Romanes burning his palace, he fled priuily into Cyprus, and when the people had giuen the kingdome to his Sister Cleopatra, whome he had put from him, in lying forciblye with her Daughter, and marrying her, be∣ing in his furie he slue in Cyprus his Sonne whiche he hadde by her, and sent his heade, handes, and féete to the Mother. Obsequens Chap∣ter. 8••.

At Rome in the night season certayne Temples were shaken in the [ 3839] Capitoll, and in the places adioyning many buildinges were ouerthrowne with Lightning. The Hill Aetna in Sicilia, did cast through an earthquake the fyre farre abrode from the toppe, and the Sea was hote as farre as the Iland Lipaera, and in burning certaine shippes, it killed manye Marriners with the vapoure, it scattered abrode and slue a greate number of Fishes, which they of Lipara gréedily desiring to eate, they so pyned away with the corruption of their Belly, that a new plague inuaded the Ilande, whiche Prodigie the Southsayers (called Aruspices) sayde that it portended the se∣dition which fell out not long after.

Corne grew vpon Trées. It rayned Oyle and milke at Veios a Citie [ 3841] of He••uria.

A scriche Oule was séene in the Capitoll. At Arpinum it rayned stones for thrée dayes. It is written that in Africa huge swarmes of Lo∣custes, which being by the winde driuen into the Sea, and by the surges cast a lande, with an intollerable stench and a deadlye vapoure, did at Cy∣rena a famous Cittie of Affrike, cause a gréeuous murraine among Cattel, and such a plague among men, that there dyed eight thousand persons. Fre∣gella a noble Cittie in Italy, which conspired againste the Romanes was de∣stroyed. The Ligurians and Sallians were put to the sworde.

At Rome in Grecostasis it rayned blood. At Crotona a flocke of Shéepe, a Dogge, and thrée sheapheardes, were stricken dead. At Satura a Cowe had a Calfe with two heades. There was a hurlyburly at Rome, while Gracchus made lawes.

At Forum Vessanum a childe of both kindes was borne, and was cast into [ 3843] the Sea. In Fraunce thrée Sunnes, and thrée Moones were séene. A Cowe brought forth a Calfe with two heads. A scrich Owle appeared in the Ca∣pitoll, and a Chaine was wasted with fyre. The Sallians and the people of Sauoy and Dalphin•• were ouercome.

A flocke of Wolues dispersed the limits which Caius Gracchus sette vp [ 3844] for the diuision of Fields. Gracchus was slaine on the hill Auentine.

[ 3846] A childe of both kindes of eight yeres old was found in the fields nere Rome, and was caried to the Sea. 27. virgines sing in the citie. Obsequens Chapt. 94.

[ 3847] Cato being Consull and offring sacrifice, the inwardes were consu∣med, and the heade of the Liuer could not be found.

It rayned milke. The Earth didde roare and quake. A swarme of Bées lighted in the market place. Sacrifice was made according to Sy∣bils Oracles. The same yeare thrée Sunnes were séene, as Plinie in his seconde Booke and thyrtéenth Chapter doth write. That yeare Eutro∣pius writeth that the Romanes broughte people to inhabite Narbon in Fraunce, at whiche season Quintus Martius and Marcus Portius were Consuls, in the sixe hundred and thrée and thirtith yeare after the building of Rome, where according to the Computation of Glareanus we are to reade sixe hundred thyrtye and sixe, or according to Cuspinian, (who alwayes disagréeeth from him the space of one yeare) sixe hundred thir∣tie and fiue.

[ 3849] Manye places in Rome, and neare adioyning, were stricken with Lightning.

The Speares of Mars mooued in the palace. At Priuernum the Earth suncke downe, and became a déepe hole for the space of seuen A∣cres.

At Saturnia a Chylde of both kyndes of tenne yéeres olde was founde and drowned in the Sea, twenty and seuen Virgines went about the Cittie and purged it with songs: the residue of the yeare was peace∣able.

Celius Metellus was declared Captayne by the Romanes, againste the Dalmatians, who ouercame them and triumphed. Eutrop. Booke. 4. Appian in Illirico.

[ 3851] The Ile of Rhodes was shaken with an Earthquake, and at Colos∣sus a huge Image that was seuentie Cubits high fell downe. The Bat∣tayle of Iugurth began wherin Iugurth fighting against the Romanes, was taken. Eusebius Hircanus after one yeares siege rased Samaria flat to the grounde, which now was reuolted from the Iewes.

[illustration]

Pompeius Elnius [ 3852] a Gentleman of Rome, when from the Playes at Rome hée retourned into Apulia, in the fiel∣des of Stellatum, his Daughter, a yong Mayden, sit∣ting on Horseback, was stricken with Lightening, and killed: when her Garmentes were takē off, her tongue was found standing oute of her lower partes, as if the fire had entred in at her mouth, wherevpon answere was made that it foreshewed infamie to Virgins and Gentlemen, be∣cause y^e trapping of the horse were scattered abrode. Thrée Vestall Virgines borne of a verye good house, with certayne Gentlemen of Rome, were at one time punished for inceste. The Temple of Venus Verticordia was now first buil∣ded.

In the night season, a light was séene in the Element, that it sée∣med [ 3853] to bée daye. Plinius lib. 2. Cap. 33. At this tyme Siria began to be in vp∣rores, and so remayned till it was vnder the gouernmente of the Ro∣manes.

The Mountayne Albanus was séene to burne in the night. A taberna∣cle case and an Image were stricken from heauen. The alter of Salus was broken in the middest.

In Lucania and Priuernum the earth gaped very wide. In Fraunce the Element séemed to burne The Cimbrians and Germaines passed the Alpes, and made a foule slaughter of the Romaines and theyr League friendes.

It rayned blood and milke, Plinius Booke 2. Chapt 56. Auentinus affir∣meth, that at this time, being the sixe hundred and fortyth yeare after the

building of Rome, while Cecilius Metellus and Cn. Papirius Carbo were Consuls, the crashing of weapons, and the sound of Trumpets was heard in the ayre, which vndoubtedly did foreshew the calamities that ensued, for not long after, the Cimbrians and the Germaines howled with horrible war. The people Ambrones with their king Celeus, Teutobochus and Bolus, passing ouer the Rhene, did no smal harme to the Romanes.

[ 3854] The greatest part of the citie of Rome was burned, with the Temple of Mater magna. It rayned Milke for thrée dayes, and the Citie was purged with greater Sacrifices. The battayle of Iugurth began.

[ 3854] A Byrde that sette houses a fyre, & a scritche Owle were séene in Rome: In Latomia a straighte prison at Syracuse in Sicilia, one man did eate an o∣ther. According to Sibils Oracles, sacrifice was made in the Ile Cimolia by thirtie fréeborne Children that had their father and mother aliue, and so many virgines, many thousandes of men through the great rising of the riuer of Po, and the standing water by Aretinum were destroyed. It rayned Milke twice.

[illustration]

At Nurcia a twinne was borne of a frée Woman, the one a gyrle ha∣uing all her mem∣bers whole, the o∣ther a Boye, ha∣uing his belly open before, so that his bowels were séene, the same was borne with hys hynder part closed vp, and crying out dyed.

The Romanes foughte luckilye a∣gaynste Iugurtha. Obsequens, Chap∣ter. 100.

Marcus Tullius Cicero was borne the thirde day of the Moneth of Ianuary a hundred and thrée yeares before the birth of Christ. Gellius booke, 15. chapt. 28. the Prodigious Lightning that

happened at his byrth, sée in Frytschius Booke intreating of high matters. War began betwéene the Romanes & the Cimbrians wherevpon Aurelius Scaurus was taken by the Cimbrians, and slayne by King Bolus.

At Amiternum a bonde woman bare a Boye that sayde Aue, [ 3859] which is to saye, All hayle, Be thou gladde, or Rest thou merrie. In the Territorye of Perusia, and at Rome, in certayne places it rayned Milke. Among many thinges stricken with Lightning, at Atella a mannes foure fingers were cutte off, as it were with an edge toole. Siluer Coyne didde melte with a flashe of Lightning. In the Fieldes neare Trebula a woman that was marryed to a Cittizen of Rome, was stricken with lightning and slayne.

A rumbling was hearde in the ayre, a piller was séene to fall from Heauen: and it rayned blood at Rome. In the daye tyme a burning torche was séene fléeing in the ayre. In the Temple of Lares, a flame of Fyre pearced the ridge to the wynde beame, without doing any harme. Cepio the Consull imparted to others the iudgement of the Senatoures and Gentlemen, and touching all other matters, they were at peace.

At Trebula and Mutusca before the playes were begunne, while the [ 3860] Trumpeter blew, black Snakes enuironed the altar, and when he ceased, they crope awaye, the nexte daye they comming againe, were killed with stones. The temple gates being opened, the woodden Image of Mars was found standing vpon his head. The Portingales slue the armie of y^e Romanes.

A Shrich Oule was séene without the Citie at Trebula: an Oxe spake, at [ 3861] Mintusca: in the temple, an Image which stoode with his head vncouered, was founde couered. At Nuceria an Elme being ouerthrowne with the wind, rose of his owne accord, and his roote fastned in the earth. At L••cania it rayned milke, and at Luna blood. At Terraminum a dog spake. Weapons were séene in the Element in the East and the weast, and they in the weste were ouercome. By the answere of the Southsayers the people offred mo∣ny to Ceres and Proserpina: 27. Virgins singing offred giftes. At Luna in the day time a star appeared from thrée of the clock till seuen. The countrey was spoyled in Thurin by fugitiues and reuolts.* 1.107 The Cimbrians passing the Alpes went through Spaine and spoyled it, and ioyned themselues with the Germanes: A Woolfe entred the Citie with a flash of lightning. Vultures were found dead vpon a towre: the third houre of the day the eclipse of the Sun darkened y^e light. A swarme of bées did light before y^e temple of Salus. In that place where officers were chosen, it rayned Milke. At Picena thrée sunnes were séene. About y^e riuer Vulcinus in Italy, a flame was séene to rise out of the earth, & to reche to y^e element. In Lucania two lambes were ew∣ed with horse féete, the one hauing an apes head. In y^e Lande of y^e Tarquines Milke ran out of the earth, y^e answere of the Southsayers: 2. Images of O∣liue trée were made in armour & set vp, & they fel to prayer. In Macedonia y^e

Thracians were subdued.

[ 3863] When Caius Marius fought agaynst y^e enimie, two vultures cōtinually appeared about his armie before the battaile,* 1.108 & followed him, being known by their yron chaines: when the Souldiers had taken these byrdes, and ta∣ken off the chains, they let them goe again, wherevpon the vultures as ioy∣ful mette the Souldyers as it were their acquaintance, wheresoeuer they went out of their tents, as it séemed to bring them some good thing, & when many prodigies had happened, some were cōmon: but newes was brought from Ameri, & from Tuderitū, cities of Italie, that in the night time burning speares & targets at first running vp and down, were séene in y^e Element, afterward rushing one againste another, they stroue together as men doe that are fighting, at length the one part flying awaye, the other following, they all went toward the west. At that time, Bathabaces cōming from Pessi∣nunt being the priest of Magna mater, told that the Gods in the Temple speaking to him out of the Chauncell, foretold the victory of the battayle.

* 1.109In the yere since Rome was built 652. when Quintus Lactatius Catulus and Aulus Maricius, but it séemeth better to be read Caius Mayius, were Consuls, the riuer of Tiber swelling with vnaccustomed showres of raine, rose so hie, that it ouerthrew all the buildinges of Rome, and whilest it had spoyled the greatest part of the Cittie, a fire, no man knoweth how, consu∣med many partes of the same, and not onely made a miserable spoyle of men and houses, but also did so consume infinite treasures of wealth & ri∣ches, that very many forrayne victories could not bring so much to the cit∣tie, and when it had spoyled all places in the circuit of the market place, the fire lighted on the Temple of Vesta.

There was sacrifice made for nine dayes, because it rayned stones in Thuscia:* 1.110 the Citie was purged with sacrifice at the bidding of the South∣sayers, the ashes of the burned sacrifice was throwne into the sea by the Decemviri, and for nine dayes the Magistrates and frée Citizens with a so∣lemne pompe sayde their deuotion about all their temples. The speares of Mars moued of their own accorde in the pallaice. It rayned blood about the riuer of Auien. A swarme of bées lighted on a Chappel in the Oxe market. In Fraunce in the tentes a light shone in the night. At Arisia a frée borne Childe was enuironed with a flame, and not burned. Iupiters Temple beeing shut vp, was stricken with Lightning, the purging whereof, be∣cause Aemilius Potensis the southsayer had first shewed, he had a rewarde while the others helde their peace, because he did portende a destruction to them and to their Children. The Romanes ouercame the Pirates in Sici∣lia. Marius put the Germanes to the sworde. The shorte Shieldes mooued of them selues with a ratling, and the Seruaunte of Seruilius Cepio in the Temple of Matrideo, yéelded himselfe, and was carryed ouer Sea, to the ende hée shoulde neuer retourne to Rome agayne: the

Citie was purged by a Gote ledde throu••he the Citie wyth hys hornes on fire, and turned out of Neuias Gate and so lette goe. It rayned durts on the Mountayne Auentine: the further Spaine was appeased when the Portingales were ouercome. The Cimbrians were ouercome.

Caius Marius with his armye came to Mosa a riuer called the Maze [ 3894] betwéene Brabant and Luke, Nausa and Hessen, which were called Sicam∣bri, of which he was conquerour. The people of Rome receiued this so ioy∣full and happye tydings of the libertie of Italie and the fréed Empire, as Plinius and Lucius Florus doe write, in sending letters to the Pretor, by the gods Castor ond Pollux. Moreouer at the very same time there happe∣ned in those warres of the people of Rome a Prodigie vnto the Romaines At Nuceria in Iunos wood, an Elme after that his top was cut off, bycause he hoong ouer the Altar, was restored of himselfe, so that forthwith he flouri∣shed: after which time the Maiestie of the people of Rome rose againe, which before was spoyled with many ouerthrowes.

At Tarquinie an olde town of Campaine, a burning tortch was séene al [ 3865] about which sodainely fell downe. In Marca and Conitana an Earthquake ouerthrew many houses, and certain were thrust vp from the foundation, and hoong sidelong. A clattring of armed weapons was heard from vnder∣neath. The féete of golden Chariots in the Market place did sweate. The reuolts or fugitiues were in Cicilia slaine in battaile.

At the Sunnes goyng downe: a burning Buckler ranne sparkeling from the Weast to the East. Plinie lib. 7. At Rome Marius slew the chiefe Magistrates in the Market place. Plutarch, Orosius, Eutropius, Valerius Maximus, lib. 3 chap. 2.

A scritch Owle was séene in Rome, wherevpon the Citie was purged: [ 3866] with raine and Tempest many buildings were ouerthrowne, and manye places were stricken with lightning. At Lanuuium in the Temple of Iuno Sospita, in the goddesse Chamber droppes of bloude were séene. At Nursia the holy Temple was ouerthrowne with an Earthquake. The Portin∣gals rebelling were subdued. When Sextius tribune of the people did ob∣stinately make a lawe againste the wil of his felowe officers concernyng deuision of grounde to the people, two Crowes in number flying aloft, so foughte togither after the assembly of the people, that they were torne in péeces with their billes and tallents. The soothsayers herevpon made an∣swere, that sacrifice shoulde be made to Apollo, and to giue ouer the lawe which was made.

A dreadefull noyse dyd séeme to be carried to Heauen from vnder∣neath the Earth, which foreshewed scarcitie and faine: the people offered coyne, the Matrons treasure, and the Virgins giftes vnto Ceres and Pro∣serpina. Song was made by seauen and twentie Virgines to purge the Citie. Two Images of Cypres wood were set before Quéen Iuno. In Por∣tingale

the Romaines fought luckily.

[ 3867] A Scritch Owle was séene in the Capitoll ouer the Images of the Gods. And a Bull was offered which fell downe deade. Manye buildings were ouerthrowne with lightning. The Speares of Mars did moue in the Palace. At the plaies in the Theatre did raine white Chalke, whyche dyd foreshew store of Corne, and a seasonable tyme. It thundered in cleare weather. At the Temple of Apollo whilest the Decemviri did sacrifice, the liuer was founde without a heade. They which did sacrifice found a snake at the Aultar. Likewise a childe of both kindes was cast into the sea At the place in Rome where men behelde their plaies, among the Souldiours Darts fire was spreade after a straunge manner: the Spaniardes were o∣uercome with many battailes.

[ 3868] They fel to prayer in Rome bycause a child of both kindes was found which was cast into the Sea. At Fisirnum an horrible noise of the earth was hearde, the principles of the Wall were ouerthrowen euerye where without Earthquake, which did foreshewe ciuill discorde. At Nurcia the Image of Iupiter was turned about to the left side: seuen and twentie vir∣gines which purged the Citie with sacrifice, set Images of Cipres before Quéene Iuno The Biscanes, the Mede, and the people about Troy were sub∣dued.

[ 3869] A Woulfe entring the Citie was slaine in a priuate mannes house: a Scritch Owle was killed in the Capitoll. Many buildings were stricken downe with lyghtning The golden Images of Iupiter with the head and piller were ouerthrowen. At Fesule it rayned bloud. At Aresinum eares of Wheate grewe at a womans nose, the same woman vomited Wheate-cornes, and the Citie was (after their Heathenish maner) purged, Ptolome king of Egipt died at Cyrenae and left the Senate and the people of Rome his heyre.

[ 3870] At Caere it rayned milke. At Lebadia Eutichides going to the Tem∣ple of Iupiter Trophonius toke away the brasen table wherein were writ∣ten those things whiche concerned the affaires of the Romanes. Many liuing things were slaine, with the blast of lightning. At Venafrum the earth cloue and sunke déepe downe. Vultures féeding vpon a dead dog were slaine by o∣ther Vultures, and were eaten by Vultures. A Lambe with two heads was Ewed. A boy was born with thrée handes and thrée féete, and the Speares of Mars dyd moue in the palaice.

At Vrbine a childe of both kindes was borne who was afterwards drowned in the sea: there was peace both at home and abrode.

[ 3871] There was sacrifice for nine dayes among the Volscians: it rayned stones.

At Vulsinij a towne in Tuscane, which afterward was destroyed with lightning, the newe Moone wente sodainelye downe and appeared not a∣gaine

vntil the next day at thrée a clocke. A gyrle was borne deade wyth two heads, foure féete, foure hands, and two priuities. A strange byrde fly∣ing vpon houses did set them on fire being séene & slaine. Among the peo∣ple of Italie called Vestini at a manour house it rayned stones: a burnyng torche appeared in the ayre, and all the ayre séemed to be on fire: the earthe ran with bloud and congealed. Dogges euery where did gnaw stones and tyles of houses. At Fesele a great multitude was séene in the day tyme to walke by flockes betwéene the graues, with mourning wéedes and pale faces. The Princes of Spaine which rebelled were put to death by Nasica, and their Cities ouerthrowne.

At Rome and thereaboutes many places were spoyled with lightning. [ 3872] A bond seruaunte broughte forth a boye with one hande. At Frigelle the tē∣ple of Neptune was opened in the night: when the intrailes of a Male calfe were drawen out, two little Calues were founde in his belly.

At Aretium a brasen Image of Mercurie did sweate. In Lucania a flame of fire enuironed a flocke of shéepe, when they were grasing, and in the night time in the Pinfolde also, and yet those shéepe had no hurt. At Carseoli there ranne a violente streame of bloude. Woulfes entred the Citie.

At Pr••neste wooll flewe vp and downe. In Apulia a Mule brought forth. At Rome in the Temple of Apollo a Kyte was taken. When Herenius the Consull did twice sacrifice, the heade of the liuer was missing: at nine dayes sacrifice a supper being sette before the goddesse, a dogge eate it vp before it was tasted.

At Vulcinia earely in the morning at the breake of day, a flame was séen to shine in the Element. When they met togither the forepart of the flame shining like Iron, séemed to come downe from Heauen, & with the parting therof the toppes of the flame appeared. All was happily purged with pro∣cession, for all the yeare was quiet at home and abroade. Ptolomeus Aule∣tes by reason of his mothers tyranny was sent for home into the kingdome of Egipt by his subiectes. Antiochus Griphus Siria was slaine by Herodi∣ans ambushment.

A Scritch Owle was taken in the Temple of Fortuna Equestris, whi∣che [ 3873] dyed betwéene mens handes. At Fesule a fearefull noyse was heard out of the Earth.

A boye was borne of a bondewomanne, without the hoale of nature through the whiche the moysture passeth. A woman was founde with two priuie members,

A burning Torch appeared in the Element. An Oxe spake. A swarme of Bées lighted vppon the toppe of a priuate mans house. At Volaterrae there ranne a streame of bloude. At Rome it rayned milke.

At Arretium two children of both kindes were founde. A Cocke Chic∣ken was hatched with foure féete: Many places were stricken with lyght∣ning: Men fel to prayer. The people offered monie to Ceres and Proserpi∣na. 27. Virgines singing did purge the Citie. In Macedonia the nation of the Medes did bloudilye spoyle the prouince. Seleucus the sonne of Gri∣phus fought with his vncle Zynzicenus for the soueraignetie of Syria and ouercame and slewe him in the battaile. At last he was driuen out of hys kingdome by hys coosin Germaine, and was burned in the Pal∣laice.

[ 3874] At what time L. Martius and Sex. Iulius were Consuls, in the ter∣ritorie of Modona two hils ran togither, assayling one another with a gret noyse, and going backe, and a flame and smoke went out betwéene them, with which méeting togither of the two mountaines all the Farme houses were beaten downe, and many Cattel that were betwéene were killed. At the beginning of the warres that the Remaines helde with the people Mar∣si a woman called Alappe brought forth an Elephant, and a certain bond∣woman a Serpent. Rauisius Textor out of Alexand. ab Alexandro in his second booke Chap. 3••.

When Libius Troso and P. Tarquinius made laws, at what time the warre of Italie begun, manye prodigies appeared to the Citie, at the sunne rising a rounde ball of fire mounted vppe from the North part of the Ele∣ment with a great noyse. At Aretium as men were breaking of breade, bloud ran out from amidst it. Among the people of Italie called Vestim it rained stones and shardes for seauen days. At Aenaria a flame of fire brea∣king out of a gaping of the Earth, mounted vp to the Element: about Rhe∣gium parte of the Citie and of the Wall was ouerthrowen by an Earth∣quake.

Neare the Cittie Spatetium a ball of fyre of a golden colour fell to the ground, and thervpon being waxen greater he was séene to be caried from the earth eastwarde, and couered the greatnesse of the same, and in the ca∣stle the Image of Apollo did sweate. The temple of Pietie at Flaminius theatre being shut vp, was stricken with lightning. Sylus slue the Romanes at the playes: when the Latines draue their Cattell and heards out of the fieldes into the Citie, men were murdered euery where, and the heardes of Cattel became so mad, that in destroying their owners they imagined of warre against some enemie, and wéeping with many passions, they fore∣tolde what calamitie should happen. And forthwith through inward causes the warre betwéene alies did arise in Italie, and Drusus Tribune of the people was slaine at his houses, and no man knew by whom.

The Picentines, the Vestines, the Marsians, the Peligians, the Maru∣cians, the Samnites, and the Lucanians, thinking priuilye to playe the reuol∣ters, slew Asculum. Q. Seruilius sente to them as Proconsull and Embas∣sadour,

and immediately shutting fast the Gate of the Citie they cruelly cut the throates of all the Citizens of Rome:* 1.111 Vicentius in his sixth booke Chap. 96. in whom the computation of yeares varie verye much.

The same yeare before warre betwene Alies was made againste the Romaines, all liuing creatures subiect to mans vse, as dogs, horsses, as∣ses, oxen, and what liuing creature soeuer, and beastes that before were subiect to men at that time sodainely waxed wilde, & forgetting their tame∣nesse, did leaue their houses, and wandered abrode with great spoyle, and coulde not only abyde other men to come neare them, but also their owne maisters, not without destruction and peril.

Metella Cecillia restored the Matrons of Rome to their former honor, [ 3876] which were defiled with filthy and foule seruices of the bodye: for she drea∣med that a bitch had whelpes vnder the Image of the goddesse Iuno Sospi∣ta, and that the litter was purged by prayer made, and she saide moreouer that it seemed to hir in hir dreame that the Goddesse fled a waye and was hardely entreated by hir prayers, bycause hir temples were filthily defiled. The Picentines after a barbarous sort tormented the Romaines: mischiefe was kindled euery where in Italie. Lucilius Lupus by dispising the reli∣gion, was slaine in the field, and lost his army, when he found not the head of the liuer in the intrailes.

In the time of Sylla it is written that dogs and other liuing creatures of that kinde did with a miserable howling giue mournefull voyces, which Prodigies did betoken the ciuill warre which ensued.

Lucius Sylla when he going to Samos woulde bring his armie against Nola, toke counsel of his Countrey Gods, touching the fortune of his fight, wherefore when he offered sacrifice, he behelde a Snake créeping out from one part of the Altar, wherevpon he asked Posthumius the soothsayer what it portended, who answered, that he should couragiously set vpon the tents of his enimies, whiche he did, and obtayned the victorie: and this was the foundation of his future power.

When Sylla did on a time sacrifice, the liuer of the beast was sayd to haue borne the shape of a crowne of Laurel in his vttermost parte, whiche was a maruellous foretokening of hys ensuing happinesse.

After that Lucius Cornelius Silla had carried his armye out of Italie, [ 3877] verye many tokens were sent from heauen to Mithridates king of Pontus about Pergamum a famous Citie of Asia the lesse: but especially a crowned Image of victorie, whiche the Citizens of Pergamum let downe vpon hym from aboue with certaine Engines, when the Image had almoste tou∣ched his head, he brake in sunder, & the Crowne fel downe frō the Theatre vpon the ground, broken to small péeces: which thing stroke a feare in the common people, and made Mithridates not a little sorrowful, notwithstā∣ding that at that time things came to passe better than he hoped for, for hée

whilest the Romaines intercepted Asia, and the kings were expelled out of Bythinia and Capadocia, he rested at Pergamum, distributing his riches, hys Lordships and kingdomes among his friendes, and one of his sonnes re∣couered his former gouernmēt in Pontus & Bosphorus beyond Maeotis with¦out any letting him. Another of his sonnes called Ariarathes, subdued wyth a great army Thrace and Macedonia: and other Captaines hauing greate armies brought other places vnder his dominion. Of the which Archelaus being excéeding mightie by sea (for he was admirall) brought the Ilands Cyclades into his subiection, and subdued all the reste whiche are betwéene Malea and Eubaea, wherevpon he enticed all the people to reuolt from the Gréekes, from Athens to Thessalia.

Pompeius Sylo being carried in triumphe into the Town Bouianum which he had taken, shewed to his enimies the lucke of victorie, bicause the triumph was commonlye brought into the Citie conquering, and not into the Citie conquered: in the nexte conflict he loste his armye, and himselfe slaine. Prodigies appeared to Mithridates, going about to make warre a∣gainst his league friendes. For in Stratopidum where the Consul was wōt to sit, Crowes slewe a Vulture in gobbing him with their bylles: vppon y^e same place a great Starre came from heauen. The shape of the goddesse I∣sis was séene to strike with lightning. When Mithridates kindled the wood of the Furies, a great laughter was heard, but noting was séene. When at the commaundemente of the soothsayers he sacrificed a virgine to the fu∣ries. A laughter rising out of the Maydens throate troubled the sacrifice. The nauie of Mithridates in Th••ssalia was by the Romaines lost in battell, when Cinna and Marius throughe the ciuill warre were sore at variaunce. At Rome in the tentes of Cneius Pompeius the Elemente séemed to fall down, weapons and Images were stricken with lightning, souldiers were slaine, and Pompe•• himselfe being blasted dyed. The people tore his heade in péeces, drewe his bodie with a hooke, bycause in the ciuill war he woulde not helpe his Countrey being in peril, when he had the highest rule and ex∣céeding greate power. When Sylla assaulted* 1.112 Piraeum, one of his souldiours carrying stones and turffe to builde a bulwark, was killed with lyghtning. The soothsayer made aunswere, bycause the heade of him that was slaine laye towardes the towne, that it did signifie that the Romaines through long labour would enter and haue the victorie.

Not long after Athens and Piraeum the hauen were taken by Silla, when Ilium was burnt by Caius Fymbria, when the Temple of Miner∣ua was sette on fire, among the ruines a verye auntient Image stoode vn∣touched, and did foreshew hope of the Townes restitution. In the territo∣rie of Modona two Mountains mette togither assayling one another with greate noyse and going backe, a flame of fire and smoke issuing out from

them to the Element, with which méeting of the two mountaines, all the Farme houses were destroyed, and muche cattel that was betwéene was flaine.

That yeare the warre betwéene Alies waxed hot, which I wote not whether it were more bloudie to the Countrey of Italie than the Ciuil war was: and in that warre Licius Cornelius Sylla when in the territoritie of Nola he offered sacrifice, before his tente or pauilion, sodainely a Snake loked out from one parte of the altar, which being séene, at y^e exhortation of Posthumus the soothsaier he forthwith fronted forward his army and tooke the strong tentes of the Samnites, which victorie was a token of his greate and mightie power that was to come.

Euen as Cneyus the Consull did feare a token of euill lucke, so also [ 3878] coulde he not auoyde it, for by the Image of Apollo hauing his heade bro∣ken of himself, & so fastned in the ground y^t he could not be pulled vp, he be∣ing at variance with Cinna his fellow in office, presumed in hys minde y^t therby his destruction was signifyed, into the which through fear of y^e Pro∣digie he fell with the sorowful ende of his life. Comdus the Centurion is sayde to haue bene a myracle in the war against the people Marci, bycause he carried a cup vpon his helmet, somtime raising a flame, sometimes put∣ting it out.

When the firste ciuill warre hoong ouer the Romaines heades, a fire [ 3879] sodainely appeared vppon the speares whiche scarcely coulde be quenched: thrée C••••••tors bringing their yong into the high waye tore them in péeces, and that which remayned after the dismembring they carried to their nest. Mice did gnawe golde in the Temple: of those a she Mouse being taken, brought forth fiue Male Mice in a trappe, and she eate thrée of them. A clang of trumpets was heard in the ayre.

Sylla after one or two encountrings with king Mithridates, when nowe [ 3882] he hastned into Italy w^t a great army, the inhabitants of y^e places, as he wēt, brought bound vnto him a liuing creature called a Satyre, y^t was foūd a sléep and so taken, hauing a mans mouth and fauour as he is cōmonly painted, and being with him, he was demaunded (not in one tong) what he was, but vsing many skilful men in diuerse tongues for this purpose, he is sayde only to haue made a noyse, and a sharpe voyce procéeded from being, hym a mean betwéene bleating and neighing.

Sylla being moued with some touch of conscience, commaunded him to be let go, appointing certaine to carrie him into a desart: the same yeare al∣so certaine other Prodigies were séen, for a Mule brought forth, and a wo∣man bare a Viper in steade of a Childe. The Earth did moue so horriblye in Rome that in certaine places it altogither altered the face of the grounde: about the .400. yeare after the building of the Capitoll, it was consumed with fire.

At suche time as Sylla offered sacrifice aboute Tarentum where he tooke shipping, the vttermost parte of the liuer was séene hauing the forme of a Crown of Laurel with two beries hanging at it. The day before he entred Campant•• two Goates of a wonderful greatnesse were séene to fight togy∣ther at the mountaine Ephaeus, and doing all things y^t commonly happen to men in fighting, now striking, now warding: and the vision was such, that by little and little rising vp from the Earth on euery side, it vanished away in the ayre, very like dark shewes: afterward it vanished cleane away, and not long after when Marius the yonger and Vrbanus were Consulles, who brought a great army, Sylla when neither he set in order his army nor his troupes, made his enimies flye, vsing hand to hand the strength of his mā∣linesse and the violence of his boldnesse, and putting 7000. to the sworde, he shut vp Norbanus within the Citie of Capua.

[ 3884] In Syllas time betwéene Capua and Vulturnum a great noyse of En∣signes and armour was heard with a horrible clamour, so that for manye dayes two battailes séemed to méete: mē considering inwardly the strange∣nesse of the thing, the steppes of the horsses and men, and grasse newe trodē downe and shrubs also, did conceiue that it portended a wonderfull greate warre.

At Clucinum in Hetruria a married wife brought forth a serpent aliue, which being cast into a riuer at y^e bydding of the soothsayers, swam against the streame. Lucius Sylla after the fifth yeare returning Conquerour into Italy, was a great terrour to his enimies. The kéeper of the Capitol burnt it in one night: through the crueltie of Sylla there was a foule banishmente of noble men: a hundred thousand men were said to be destroyed in the Ita∣lia•• and ciuil wars.

[ 3887] Plinie in his tenth booke chapter xxj. doth write y^t a house Cock did speake this yeare in the territorie of Ariminum at Galerius Farme: the same ma∣keth mention that a maruellous straunge thing happened at suche time as Lepidus was made Consull at Rome at the intercession of Pompey, which was the cause of muche variaunce in the Citie, seconde booke, Chapter fiue and thirtith.

The Actes of Sylla were disanulled. Catullus was banished Italie, and going about in vaine to make war in Sardini•• dyed.

[ 3888] When Dedius Lelius was Pompeis Embassadour, to whom prodi∣gie was shewed at Rome, he saw two Snakes in his wiues bedde whyche crept the one one way the other another waye, and sitting nere to Pompey in his pauilion, a Sparrow lighted vppon his heade. In Spaine fighting against Sertorias he was slaine among the forragers. Obsequeus Chap∣ter. 1••.

[ 3889] At Triate the holye Temples were shaken with Earthquake bothe in Towne and Countrey, the stones wherwith the Market place was paued

were driuen vp: bridges were broken: the waterbancks were ouerthrown into the riuer: there was great noyse heard from vnder the grounde, and a fewe dayes after those things that were shaken fell downe. When a great stone rolled as if he hadde bin alyue, he stoode vnmoueable on the fal∣ling of a rocke. Sertorius in Spaine destroyed the army of the Romaines. They had diuerse conflicts against the Medes.

When Lucullus being about to fighte with king Mithridates did set [ 3890] his army in battayle ray, and that on both sides, and that the token of sight was giuen, without any iudgemente going before, a greate firie body slyd out betwéene the two hostes, the ayre sodainly breaking asunder. That bo∣dy was very like to a hogshed, but in colour to siluer that is on fire, where∣fore the sodayne feare of the Prodigie brake off the battayle on both sides. Plutarch in the life of Lucullus hath written, that it happened about Otrie a place of Frigi••.

This Prodigie appeared to Sertorius leading his army in Spaine the horsemans Targets in the vttermost parte, and their Darts, & the breasts of their horses, séemed bloudie, whiche Sertorius did interpret to bode hym good lu••ke, bycause the vttermoste face is commonly stayned with the ene∣mies bloud, all his fightes had good successe. When Mithridates did besiege Casicum. Proserpina in y^e next season séemed to say to Aristagoras who bare the highest office, that she made hir selfe ready to be a trumpetter agaynste Trumpeters: the nexte daye the winde ouerthrewe the towers of the ene∣mies. An Oxe that was appointed to bée offered, did swimme downe from the Mountaynes to the nauie of the enimyes, and offered himselfe to bée slayne at the Altar.

Many things were stricken downe with lightning. In a cleare daye Vargonteius Pompeius was killed from heauen. A burning beame retched [ 3902] from the west to the Element: all Spoletum was shaken with an erthquake, and sundry buildings fell downe: among other thinges it is reported two yeares before in the Capitoll (a she Woulfe or a strumpet) that gaue Re∣mus and Romulus sucke, was stricken wyth lightning, and the Image of Iupiter with the piller was ouerthrowne, wherevpon the soothsayers made answere, that it should be set vp againe in the Market place. The letters were molten in the brasen tables of the lawe. After these Prodigies the wicked conspiracie of Catelin began. When Catelin was ouercome in the territorie of Pistorium he that ouercame him broughte bundles of Laurell into the prouince, and there being hardly handled by the Dardani, he lost his army and fled away. It appeared that he portended victorie to his enimies when he brought vnto him Laurell, that was worne in token of victorie, which he should haue put in the Capitol. Woulfes were séene in the Citie: lamentable howling of dogges were hearde in the nighte: the Image of Mars did sweate: lightning raunged ouer all the Citie, whiche ouerthrew

many Images of the Gods & slewe men. The Citie was purged. By reasō of Pompeius Dictatorship, there was a greate sedition in the Citie. Ob∣sequens. 122. where the names of the Consuls be verye false written.

[illustration]

When Caius Iulius Caesar bare chiefe rule in Por∣tingale, [ 3905] a notable horse very fierce & proude, hauing the houses of his fore∣féete clouen, and al∣most like to a mās fingers was foled, which being brou∣ght forth by hym, he bredde vp with great care, and the soothsayers sayde y^t he signified y^t his owner or maister should haue the Empire of al the earth. Caesar first mounted vpon his backe, who wold suffer none other to sit him, whose Image also he afterward dedicated before the temple of Venus Ge∣mtrix after whiche time Caesar growing in excéeding hope when he was Consul, returning out of Portingale made lawes for the people.

Pomper after he had subdued Armenia, Capadocia, Paphlagonia, Cho∣leis, Iberia, Albania, Syria, Cilicia, Mesopotamia, Iudea, and Arabia, trium∣phed, when he had twice before triumphed for winning of Spaine and Af∣frica. At whiche time he broughte into the common treasure of gold and sil∣uer, in mony and plate twentie thousand talents, which if they were com∣mon talents, amounted to twentie hundred thousand poundes: if they wer the great talents. 27. hundred, and 26. thousand. 641. poundes thirtéene shil∣lings and foure pence, besides that was giuen to the Souldiours whyche had serued in his wars, whereof may be gathered the wonderfull riches of the Romains, and what folowed of the haughtie minde of Pompei after such victory, entering vnto Sanctum Sanctorum, that is, into the Quire and secret place of the Temple, wherein was placed the Arke of couenant, vpō what occasion, rather of presumption taking the place equall to his glorie, for which presumption there followed immediately the alteration of his for∣tune, and not long after, he was slaine within the sighte of the Temple. Lanquet Folio. 84. Manleus, Folio. 180.

A rehearsal which were accompted y^e two nobilities among the Romanes. In the Field by bodily valiance: Frō the Vniuersitie aduāced by learning By byrth of long succession: By office of kingly progression.

These are honorable, where the king chooseth, learning aduanceth, birth succeedeth, and election alloweth.

Of counterfait gentilitie when Catelin troubled their prosperitie:

The Churle by his goods, the lecherour for his lust,

The oppressor by information, the theefe by office without satisfaction.

To a foole autoritie, to the vnlerned fidelity, to y^e Ipocrits liberalitie, to an oppressor libertie, these be the ouerthrow of common wealthes and increa∣sers of miserie.

The whole day being cléere before, aboute xj. a clock it grew dark night, afterward the light was restored, & houses were ouerthrowen with y^e force of whirlewind, the bridge ouerthrown, and many a man fel headlong into Tiber. In the fields many trées were blowen vp by the rootes. The Portin∣gales and the Galecians were ouercome.

When Marcus Licius Cassius was in hande to lead his army frō Corrae [ 3910] against y^e Parthians, a black cote armor was deliuered him, wher as cōmō∣ly a golden or a purple cote was giuē to thē y^t wente into the field: the soul∣diors being sorowful & saying nothing assēbled togither at the secōd ward, who after y^e old custome shold haue run togither w^t a showt & merry coun∣tenance, one of the two Eagles wold scarsely be pulled away frō the Primi Pilus which was a Captain in y^e fore ward, y^e other being drawen out with very much adoe, went to the contrarie part & turned hir self. Wherfore in y^e slaughter the chiefest legions were slaine, many ensignes were lost, and an infinite number of the Romaines were miserably murdered.

When Crassus at such time as Caesar past into Britaine ouercame y^e Bar∣barians in battaile, & led his army against the Parthians,* 1.113 with a desire to get money, hée being at Zeugma by Euphrates, horrible prodigies happened, for a golden Eagle (for so is she called y^t had a very little tabernacle where∣in she was placed) which was caried fastned to a verye long staffe in al the armies that were gathered by muster, the lower part of which was verye sharpe so that it might be fastned in the grounde, that Eagle I say woulde not with Crassus passe ouer the riuer Euphrates, but sticked to the Earth euen as if she had growen there, vntil a multitude that stoode about pulled hir vp, and she by force folowed. Moreouer, y^e bridge before al past ouer, was broken, wherevpon he fighting immediatly against king Orades was slain with his sonne Crassus and wel neare all his armye, and was shamefully scorned of the Parthians, who thrust gold into the mouth of his carcase.

When Marcus Crassus going to the Parthians passed ouer Euphrates, [ 3911] * 1.114 he despished manye prodigies: when also a tempest rising toke the standerd from the standerd bearer, and drowned it in a gulfe, and coulde not passe o∣uer by reason of a darke storme of raine, he obstinately perseuering in hys purpose, togither with his son and his army was destroyed.

[ 3925] It rayned wooll and bricke as Plinie writeth in his seconde booke Chap∣ter. 56. By the Castel Carisanum where a yere after Titus Anius Milo was slaine, the ciuil warre began, which with great dissention and preparation was prepared.

When Caesar had taken in hande deadely weapons againste Pom∣pei many other Prodigies also appeared, for in the Temples of the Gods the Images turnyng aboute of their owne accorde at Antioche and Ptolo∣m••••s made a souldyours shoute and a greate crashing of Armour. At Per∣gamum in the secrete Temples a sounde was heard. At Trallis a Citie of India, in the temple of victory vnder the grauen Image of Caesar betwéen the fastning of the stones we reade that a Date tree of a full greatnesse grewe out, by the whiche it appeared that the diuine power dyd fa∣uoure the glorye of Caesar, and woulde not staye the errour of Pom∣pei.

When Cn. Pompeius fighting against Caesar departed from Pyrrachi∣u•• he heard that lightning did betoken harme vnto him, swarmes of Bées did couer the standeedbarers, an Oxe that was to be sacrificed fled from the Altar, a certaine cleare flame seemed to go from his tentes to Caesars army: which Prodigies dyd foretell y^e fall of Pompei fighting against Caesar. A Mu••e brought forth a foale, which signifyed y^e discord of y^e citizens, the decay of good men, the alteration of lawes, and the filthy rauishing of Matrones. A burning fire wherwith the greatest part of the Citie was destroyed was accounted a prodigie. There were mightie speares in Pompers army. Pō∣pei the day before the battell, was seene to be receiued in his Theatre with a great and ioyful clapping of the hands, and not long after being ouercome in battel was slaine in Egipt.

[ 3918] When Iulius Caesar fought against Pompei, it is euidente that his ar∣my was almost ouerthrowne by a stony storme of haile, in whose tents as it is written, the weapons points burned of themselues: and shortly after king Iuba returning to Scipio and Labienus with thrée legions, 800. horse men. 20. elephants, and with a huge nūber of light harnised souldiours, re∣sted not far from their tents. Caesar putteth his enimies to flight, and after∣ward his ships were burned at Leptis. That deadly fighte that was made at Pharsalia was foreshewed by many tokens, for in ••llis a Citie of Pelope∣nes•••• the Image of Victorie whiche was in the temple of Minerua beyng from the gateward, did of it self turne to the gate, the same day y^t the battell was. At Antiochia in Syria twice in one day so great a shoute was heard, y^t al y^e people rā to y^e wals. At Ptolemais in y^e tēple many drums wer heard. At Padua when Cor. Valerius sat him down to practise his diuination by y^e fly∣ing of byrds, at first sight turning about to his cōpany saide, now true men fal to worke, immediately falling to his diuinatiō again, lept vp w^c a mad voyce crying out oftentimes, Vincis Caesar that is, thou ouercōmest Caesar.

When that thing made the standers by in a maze, he taking the Crown off his heade, saide that he woulde not put him on againe before that whyche he had sayde was verifyed. Liuie writeth that this so happened.

Plinie sayeth that the noyse of two armyes fighting came to the vn∣derstanding of the Diuinor, sitting on the Hilles at Padua, who presumed to affirme for this, that either the frame of the World should shortly be dis∣solued, or else Caesar shoulde fight with Pompey: Aboute the time that the battaile was at Pharsalia Cassius vpon his sodaine comming burned ••5. of Caesars shippes, our the which M. Pompeius was ruler at Messana, and Messana had come vnder the subiection of the enimie, if one bringing news of the battaile of Pharsalia had not come in good time into the Iland.

The Eagels of the tenthe legion séemed to giue downe to the sonne of Cn. Pompeius the lightnings which they helde, and to flie aloste againe. [ 3920] Whervpon the yong Pompei was ouercome, and in fléeing was slaine.

When Iulius Caesar had now left Rauenna one of a notable greate∣nesse sitting not far off appeared playing vpon a Pipe made with néedes, to heare whome when besides shepheards many souldiours also drew neare, and among them a certain hunter, taking frō one his trumpet he leaped in∣to the riuer, and with a strong breath beginning to sounde, went ouer to the further bancke. Then saide Caesar, lette vs goe whither the maruel∣lous shewes of the Gods and the iniquitie of oure enimies doe call vs. The hazarde is caste: Tranquillus writeth of thys horrible vision.

Plutarch recordeth that the night before Caesar passed ouer Rubicen he drea∣med that he séemed sodainely to rauishe his Mother, whiche dreame others write did happen to him in Spaine at what time he was Questor, and that the interpretours did tel him that the time should come, when the Earthe (which is the Mother of all) should be vnder his dominion: but what mar∣uellous sight soeuer he saw, it is not so notable as those were which were done or reported to haue bine about the Citie. For it is written that it ray∣ned bloud, that the Images of the Gods did sweate, that many places were stricken with lightning, and that a Mule had a Colte. And Caesar going from Rubicen to Triminum toke the towne by force, and thyther came to him the tribunes of the people that were driuen out of the Citie, who be∣ing séene among the souldiours, styrred greatly the minds of the souldiours to reuengement.

Caesar entred Rome with foure triumphes: was created Consull the fourth time and continual Dictator, taking on him the Monarchie of the whole Empire, hauing subdued Pompei in Spaine at Munda, after whych battaile Caesar finished those ciuill warres whych during the space of fiue yeares troubled the whole world. And for as much as in all respectes of nature he wanted not the singular courage which became so great a Con∣querour,

I haue sette downe his Picture from his owne coyne then vsed, which who so will not credite, repaire to the Authour to sée that which lōg time buried in the earth is now come to light.

[illustration]

Sundrie coynes had Caesar, as appeareth in the booke tituled The tresure of Hubertus Goltzius &c. of gold, siluer, and brasse, which if time permitte hereafter, thou shalt sée a rare discourse. On whatsoeuer coyne thou séest the letters thus set C.P.M.D. ter. Caesar, Pontifex, Maximus, Dictator, ter. af∣ter such sort the most antiquities were coyned.

Also the reason how these coynes come to light, is by the more héede∣fulnesse of menne nowe than in times paste, that finding vnacccustomed places of burials haue sought and found as now is set forth.

At Rome thrée Sunnes were séene whiche by little and little mette [ 3921] in one cyrcle. And among other straunge shewes that happened in the Worlde, an Oxe spake in the fields neare to Rome, saying to the Plough∣manne, that he laboured in vaine, for shortlye you shall not wante corne but men. Immediatelye Anthony made Warre agaynste Caesar Augu∣stus.

When the Romaines after manye worthye actes had determyned to honor Caesar as a God, at a daye appointed when he shoulde be honored hée comming into the Senate did sacrifice, but in the sacrifice which he offe∣red the heart was missing, wherevpon although the soothsayer hadde sayde that it foreshewed good lucke to Caesar, yet it happened otherwise, for when hée came into the place where the Senatours sate, to receiue his decréede honour, he receyuing 33. woundes died.

Caesars murder was signifyed before by many straunge wonders, for the weapons of the God Mars which at that time he kept after the custome

of the forefathers, made a noyse, Dion Nicaeus in Cesar.

Certaine wonderfull tokens and Prodigies wente before the deathe of Iulius Cesar, for perchaunce it is vnméete in so greate a calamitie to [ 3922] make mention of straunge lightning, of the greate noyses that in the night were harde in manye places, and of the solitarie byrdes that came into the Market place of Rome. But Strabo the Philosopher writeth, that very ma∣ny firie men appeared, and that there was a Souldiours seruaunte from whose hand rose a greate flame, whiche they that beheld thoughte that the manne shoulde be burned, but after that it was out, it was manifest that he had no harme. Moreouer when Cesar offered sacrifice, the heart of the beaste sacrifised coulde no where be founde, whiche doubtlesse was a horri∣ble Prodigie, for it is certayne that no lyuing creature can be without a heart. Furthermore many haue written that a Prophecier told him that in the Ides of March he shoulde take héede of a greate daunger. That daye when Cesar wente into the Senate hée byd that Philosopher good mor∣row, and cauilling wyth hym, sayd, the Ides of Marche are come: to whō he aunsweared with a lowe voyce, they are come indéede,* 1.115 but they are not yet past. The day before supping with Marcus Lepidus, when sitting at the Table he subscribed certaine letters according to his manner, there arose a certaine discourse which death was best: he preuenting them all with a great showte aunswered, a death vnloked for. Afterward he sléeping by his wife, (as the custome is) al the doores of his Chamber and windowes were opened, he being sore troubled with a great noyse and the light, for y^e Moone did shine, perceyued that Calfurnia was in a deade sléepe, and vttered in hir sléepe vncertaine voyces and quauering sighes, for she thought that he wept whom she embraced slaine in hir armes. Some doe say that this vi∣sion did not happen to the woman, but as Liuie recordeth, before Cesars house a certaine Chappell appeared like to a handesome and comelye tombe, and set out according to the decrée of the Senate. Calfurnia in hyr dreame séeing this pulled downe, séemed to lamente and wéepe excéeding∣lye, wherefore when the daye brake, she besoughte Cesar vpon hyr knées that if it might be he would not goe forth, or at leaste woulde deferre the Senate: but if he made a smal accounte of hyr dreames, he shoulde en∣quire the euent of the thing, by other Diuinations and sacrifices: Plutarch in the life of Caius Cesar. Among the chief & notable prodigies some do rec∣ken a blasing star of a horrible greatnesse which appeared seuen days after his death with an excéeding brightnesse and great feare to all men: Moreo∣uer the light of the Sun was beset with a dimnesse, for al that yere y^e globe of the sun was pale and rose without brightnesse, and sent from it a weake and slender heat, whervpon ensued vntemperatnesse of the ayre, and an ex∣céeding rawnesse of al kind of fruite. Plutarch in the life of Cesar. Plinie in his second booke Chap. 30.

When by the lawe Iulia inhabitauntes were broughte to Capua to builde vp Farme houses, they ouerthrew very auntient monuments, and they were the more desirous to do it, bicause in searching they foūd certain vessels of old worke. In a table of brasse in a tombe (wherein Capis y^e buil∣der of Capua was saide to be buried) was founde this sentence written in greate letters and wordes, Whensoeuer the bones of Capis shoulde bee vncouered, it shoulde come to passe that the sonne of Iulius shall bee slaine by the hand of his kinsfolke, and immediately should be reuenged with the great destruction of Italy Which thing least a man might think it fabulous and fayned, Cornelius Balbus Caesars most familiar friend re∣cordeth. Not many days before, the flocks of horsses which in passing ouer the riuer Rubicon he had consecrated, and had let go at large wythout a kée∣her, he had founde to abstaine from their Pasture most wilfully, and wept excéedingly. And the soothsayer warned him that he should beware of daun∣ger that should not passe the Ides of March.

And the day before those Ides, a great byrde called Regaliolus betwéen whom and the Eagle is great hostilitie, came into Pompeis Senatehouse with a little braunche of Laurell, whom byrdes of diuerse kindes pursued out of the nexte woodde, and there tare him in pieces, but that night before he was murdered, he séemed in hys sléepe to flye aboue the cloudes, & other∣while to shake handes with Iupiter. And Calfurnia his wife imagined that the toppe of the house fell downe, and that hir husbande was slaine in hyr lappe, and sodainely hir bed Chamber dore opened of himselfe. A hundred dayes before his death lightning fel by hys statue or Image in the Market place, and brake his Capitall letter C. for his name written ouer: the same day that he wēt into the Capitoll, letters were deliuered him, that bewray∣ed hys imminent deathe, whiche when he was slaine, were founde in hys hand not yet opened.

Caius Octauius by the testamēt of his father Caesar, at Brundusium made himselfe one of Iulius stock. And when the third houre of the day he entred into Rome with a huge multitude about him, the Sun being shut within a small compasse of pure and cleare element in the cyrcle of y^e vttermost line, in maner as the bow is wont to bend in the cloudes, he enuironed it. At the playes of Venus Genetrix which he made before the colledge, a blasing star rising vnder y^e North star, at xj. of y^e clocke turned al mēs eyes vnto the be∣holding therof, which star bycause it appeared at y^e places of Venus, it liked him to cōsecrate y^e roial crown, to Iul. worthy of diuine remēbrāce. The cō∣stancie of Cae. hauing suffered many things through y^e mōstrous malice of Ant••o. being Cōsul was stoute to resist. Ther were many erthquaks. Ther were many things stricken w^t lightnings vpon y^e sea, by y^e force of a whirle∣winde an Image which M. Cicero by the decrée of the people had set vp be∣fore y^e chaūcel of Minerua y^e day before he went into banishmēt, hauing his

members scattered lay flat on his face, his shoulder, his armes, and his head were broken, which did portend no good to Cicero. Tables of brasse were pulled out of the Temple of Faith with a whyrlewinde. The two leaued Gates of the Temple of Opes were broken, Trées were pulled vp by the rootes, and many houses were ouerthrowne. A burning Torche in the E∣lement séemed to goe westward. A notable starre séemed to burne for se∣uen days. Thrée Sunnes did shine, and about the lower Sunne a Crowne like vnto an eare of wheate gaue light into the Citie, and afterwarde the Sunne being brought into one Circle, the light was faint for manye mon∣thes. In the Temple of Castor certaine letters of the names of Anthony and Dolobella being Consuls were stamped, by the which was signified to them both, the estraunging of them from their countrey. Howling of Dogs was heard in the night time before the house of Lepidus high bishop there∣by the great butcherie of others did foreshew foule infamy to Lepidus. At Hostia a shoule of fishe was lefte vppon the shore by the ebbing of the Sea. The riuer of Po ouerflowed, and comming to his course agayne, left on dry lande a great number of Vipers. After this the ciuil wars grew betwéene Caesar and Antony.

Octauianus Augustus after he had made league with Antony and [ 3922] Lepidus agaynst the murderers of Iulius before he came to Rome with his armie, many strange thinges were séene, by the whiche their great power and most gréeuous fall was shewed, for in Lepidus sight a snake twined a∣bout the sworde of a certayne Centurion, and a Woolfe entring into the Campe, came into the Tent of Lepidus being at supper, and embracing the Table, shewed his excéeding great power, but difficult in kéeping it. But in Antonius sight there appeared a ditche flowing all aboute with milke: and harmony was heard in the the night, which signified great pleasure of the minde, and by reason of it deadly destruction: but as soone as Caesar had made league with them both: An Eagle stoode vpon his Tent, and imme∣diately slue two Crowes flying vnto him, which went about to pull the fe∣thers off his winges. Wherefore it foreshewed his victory ouer them both.

Furthermore Xiphilinus in the breuiarie of Dion, recounteth that many marueylous thinges are at large recited by Dion, which were séene in the times of Augustus Caesar and Antony, and speciallye at that time when Brutus and Cassius went about to recouer the loste liberty of the Ro∣manes agaynst Caesar and Anthony: where Xiphilinus sheweth this one, wherein he thinketh that the alteration of thinges was signified, to wit, that certayne riuers in Italy ran to contrary sides, and that some did cleane drie vp.

After that Brutus and Cassius enioyning their Camps togither, made haste into Europe from Abidus, a terrible strange shewe appeared to Brutus in the dead of the night: He sate alone in his Pauilion being very pen••••ue

touching the euent of the Warre, and nowe perchaunce hadde settled hys mynde to thinke somewhat of that matter, while hée was thus carefull of his owne businesse hée perceyued that one came in vnto him, and tourning aboute to the noyse (for there was not muche Lighte, hée thought that hée sawe the Image of an ouglye bodye stande by him) Bru∣tus was mooued at the horrible sighte of the Spirite, yet hée was so bolde as to aske him what God or manne hée was, moreouer what hée woulde haue? I am (sayde hée in a hollowe voyce) thy naughty An∣gell Brutus:* 1.116 thou shalte sée me at Philippi: then Brutus not being afrayde sayde, I will sée thée, and therevppon that sighte vanished awaye. Brutus asking of the Boyes that were in the Tentes, whether they saue any comming or going out, when they denyed both, hée full of maruayle gaue himselfe to rest.

The nexte daye as soone as hée awaked, he tolde Cassius of that straunge shewe, hée leaning to the reasons of Epicurus didde despyse it as vayne and of no estimation. And they not staying long, within two dayes past their armies into Europe, aboute Nigrites and Aenus, as Appi∣anus writeth, next from Aenus vnto the Hill Serius, who subdued with the continuall course of victorye all places that lay betwéene.

Norbanus being almost beset by his Enimies, went from his Gar∣rison, and some notable ouerthrow hadde bene receyued, vnlesse Antony had holpen.

At Rome Woolues ranne vp and downe in the Market place, which are Beastes not accustomed to the Citie. A childe new borne spake. Some of the Images of the Gods did sweate, others did bléede, vaine voyces were heard, and clashing of weapons, running of horses, and no man sawe anye horse. It rayned stones, and certaine straunge thinges were sayde to bée séene about the Sunne. Thrée Sunnes rising at at once ioyned together in one, wherevpon propheciers were sent for foorth of Hetruria, one of whiche sayd that the common welth should fall agayne to a Kingdome, and that all men as in times past should be subiect, sauing himselfe alone, and so stay∣ing his breth dyed. When honours were appoynted for Cesar and the Em∣pire against Antony, double entrayles appeared to him offring sacrifice, good luck following him.

When Cayus Pansa was Consul, the Image of Antonius on horseback fell downe at his house. A barbed horse running a pace in his sighte fell downe.

One of the people with the bloud running from the Sacrifice gaue his hande to one that departed sprinckled with bloud, which prodi∣gies were deadly, who immediately fighting agaynst Antony was woun∣ded to death. Shewes of weapons and dearth wer séene rising frō the earth to the Element with a great noyse.

The standerds of the legion which Pansa left for the help of the Citie, sée∣med to be couered with Spiders as with long mouldinesse. In Cesars tents at the breake of day, an Eagle lighted on the toppe of his tent vpon the can∣uas, afterwarde being styrred vp by lesser byrdes flying about him, wente out of sight. A voyce was heard at Apollos Oracle. In y^e winter the wolues were mad: in sōmer no grain was cut down. When they which had serued a whole yeare in the citie, did earnestly desire y^e consulship for Cesar, a ter∣rible tumulte was at Rome: when Cesar broughte his Armye into the fieldes of Mars sixe Vultures appeared to him: when hée wente vp in∣to the Pulpette to speake vnto the people, and was created Consull, sixe Vultures appeared to him agayne, which gaue signe to him as to Romulus being about to build a new Citie by diuination of Byrdes. When Cesar, Antony, and Lepidus wer reconciled, there was a foule banishment of the noblemen.

[illustration]

Thrée Sunnes were séene. Plinie Book. 2. Cha. 31. Oc∣auianus ouercame y^e murderers of Iu∣lius, which slue them¦selues, and were de∣stroyed with y^e same bodkīs w^t the which they slue Iulius. At Trallis y^e earth sanck down with an erth∣quake: y^e Indians sent Ambassadors to Au∣gustus, requesting his friendship. Au∣gustus made Cala∣bria and the French∣men tributary, & dis∣franchised y^e Syzice∣nians.

Before the war y^e was made by Octa∣uus against Antony an Owle flew in the Citie to the Temple of Concorde, afterward to the residue, in whiche also he rested. With the fyres of Aetna many Cities that were néere to were consumed with a horrible burning.

A dragon with two heads was séene in Hetruria, being 85 foote long, which when he had spoyled many places, was stricken with lightning. The I∣mage of Antony that was placed ouer the hill Albanus, being of stone, bled much, by and by began the warre of Cesar with Antony all whose proui∣sion was better than the others, whiche two when for 4 dayes space they had fought togither at Actium, where now Nicapolis is, Antonies Souldy∣ers were ouercome.

[ 3923] At Rome a Mule brought forth at the 12 gates. A Sextines bitch being dead, was drawne away by a Dogge. It was so light at midnighte, that men rose to their worke, as though it had bene day. In the Territorye of Mutinia the Image of Marians Victorie looking towardes the South, of himselfe turned towarde the North, at foure a clocke when these thinges were purged with sacrifices. Thrée sunnes wer séene about the thyrd houre of the day, which by and by were drawne into one compasse. When the Latines didde sacrifice vpon the hill Albanus blood sprang out of the grounde and from Iupiters thombe.

Cassius and Brutus made warre in the prouinces to the spoyle of the Romanes league friends. It was noted to haue bene as a prodigie, that Pub∣lius Tissius the Pretor by reason of dissention put his fellow oute of office, and dyed within a yeare, for it is manifest that none that tooke awaye his fellowes office liued a yeare: and those tooke it away, to wit, Lucius Iuni∣us Brutus the Consull, from Tarquinius Collatinus: Tiberius Gracchus from Marcus Octauius Cecinna: Publius Tarquinius from Publius Marul∣lus: Tully from Brutus and Cassius going about to make warre agaynste Cesar and Antony In the Campe of Cassius a swarme of Bées did lighte. The place at the bidding of the Southsayers was shut vp, a trenche being cast within. A great number of Vultures and of other greate foule whiche fedde vppon dead carcasses, flue to the armie. When a Boy was carryed in pompe for the worship of victory, he fell out of the Pageant. At the sacri∣fice the Officer set ouerthwartly the Garlande of Bay vpon the bundels of roddes. When Brutus Souldyers went into the fielde, an Aethiopian met them in the gate, whome the Souldyers slue. Cassius and Brutus were slayne.

[ 3028] That yeare in the which Marcus Vipsanus Agrippa was Consull, with Lucius ••aiu•• (whome other called Caninius Gallus.) many straunge thinges were spoken of in the Cittie, but specially that very many Del∣phines striuing togither died at Alpi. a towne of Affrica, that in the same Towne it rayned blood, and it is written that the same immediatelye was broughte by the byrdes into diuers quarters. Furthermore, that broughte great pleasure to Octauius, which happened to Liuia, which was the Wife of Cesar for an Eagle cast a white henne into her bosome, whiche carried a Laurel branche whereon there were berries. Which thing sor as muche as

it séemed to signifie some great matter: Liuia had great care of the henne, and sette the Laurell, which when it grew, it serued to make them Gar∣landes of Baye which triumphed after their gotten victory. The same yere Antony came out of Siria into Italy by reason of Sextus warre, who gaue Caesar a great ouerthrow, Herod in Iudea tooke Ierusalem, and spent the rest of the yeare in subduing the prouince.

Before the warre of Antony with Caesar, it is certayne there were wonderfull straunge shewes, for it is manifest that Pisaurus a Citie not far from Hawdria, where Antony brought people to inhabite, was cleane swallowed vp with gaping of the earth. At Alba a certayne stonye Image of Antony did sweat many dayes, and when certayne men dryed him hee ceased not to sweate.

At Patrae while Antony was there,* 1.117 the Temple of Hercule being stricken with lightning fell on fyre. At Athens after the Giantes fighte, Bac••hus was ouerthrowne with the force of the winde, and fell into the Theatre:* 1.118 The same tempest ouerthrew the great Images of Eumenes and Attalus which were at Athens being assigned vnto Antony and which more is, those alone among many other were ouerthrowne. Moreouer also the shippe of Cleopatra which was called Antoni••s had a horrible token, for when swallowes had built their neastes vnder the sterne, others came after them, which driuing out the first by force, destroyed their neastes. Cae∣sa•• brought into his subiection the Iapidians, the Dalmatians,* 1.119 and the Pano∣nians.

In the warre agaynst Caesar and Antony, Marcus saw other horrible prodigies, and besides others, a certaine Eagle full of Bées, and also he saw the arme of a certayne Tribune of the Souldyers sodainly flowing with a wonderfull swéetenesse of a Rosiall smell, which when many had wiped a∣way, yet it ceased not they recorde also, that two Eagles in the middle space betwéene both the armyes met before the battayle and foughte together, which when they saw all gone to the fight, there was hearde sodaynlye be∣twéene them a silence: it is a very great matter & almoste incredible. They say notwithstanding that the Eagle which came on Brutus side gaue back, and fled away, immediately followed the most vnhappy ouerthrow of Bru∣tus after which he slue himselfe: This witnesseth Publius Volumniu•• the Philosopher, who at the beginning went a warefare with Brutus, and out of the same Plutarch.

In those dayes beyonde Tiber, a Fountaine of Oyle ranne oute of an * 1.120 Inne, and for a whole day ranne with a very great streame. At this time the true Empire of Augustus began, in the which the ciuill Warres were ended wherefore the Snate added to Octauius the tearme of Augustus, for his successe and happinesse in exployting of matters. This gathers Functi∣us out of Orosius, Eusebius and others, who notwithstanding in the com∣putation

of yeares doe wonderfullye disagrée as well here as in other places.

[ 3935] There was a great Earthquake in Iudea, wherin 30000 men were lost. Iosephus Booke 1. Chapt. ••7. of the Iewish war. When that Antony and Cleopatra were vanquished and put to flight at Accium, the Kingdome of Aegipt came into the dominion of Augustus and was made a prouince to the Romanes.

In Aegipt a shoure not only of water but also of blood fell from hea∣uen, in which Countrey not so much as dew fell before. Moreouer, a Dra∣gon of wonderfull greatnesse, as soone as the Aegiptians saw him, by and by hissed wonderfully.

Starres also were séene, which the Greekes call commets: the like∣nesse of dead men appeared, and the Images of the Gods were heauye, fy∣nallye the Aegiptians God Apis, yéelded great and miserable bellowinges, and shead great plentie of teares. The same yeare Octauius Caesar ouer∣comming Antony, subdued all Aegipt, made it Tributarye, and appoynted Cornelius Gallus to gouerne it, he triumphed ouer the Aegiptians at Rome, and set the Ornamentes of Quéene Cleopatra in the Temple.

When Marcus Antonius had in vayne challenged to a single Com∣bate Caesar, agaynst whome he made warre: the same night after, when it was now almost midnight, and all were husht, he being excéeding care∣full and pensiue by reason of the feare of that which should happen, sodainly they report that certayne harmonies of al kynd of instruments were heard, and also the shoute as it were of certayne companyes making a noyse with singing and Satyricall dauncing, and they say that this was from the mid∣dle of the Cittie to that gate which was by Caesars Tentes: at length that company was séene to go out through this gate with a great shoute, and immedyately Antony being past all hope, when in vayne he sought to haue his seruaunt Erus to slay him, he cruelly killed himselfe.

[ 3938] After that Octauius Caesar was surnamed Augustus, sodaynly in the night season he had no small prouision: for Tiber in smoothe and plain pla∣ces of the Citie rose so hie, that men might row in them, vpon which thing the propheciers foretolde that Cesar should more and more increase, & that the citie should altogether be in his subiection. Wherefore Augustus didde those thinges more cherefully and diligently which concerned the Empire, as though it had bene geuen him by the consent of the Gods and men.

In the time of Augustus Cesar a whale 20 foote brode, but thrice so long, and in al things sauing the head, being very like a woman, was broughte out of the Occean sea into the countrey of Lions in Fraunce.

[ 3940] In the tyme of Augustus raigne a certayne woman called Fausta, one of the common people of Ostia, brought forth two boyes and two gyrles, which without doubt did portend the famine which followed.

Vnder the hill Apeninus at the farme of Liuia, the wife of Cesar, the earth [ 3949] trembled with a great moouing. A torch appeared burning in heauen from the South to the North, & made in the night season a light like vnto the day. The tower of Cesars Gardens, at the gate Caulina, was stricken with light∣ning. The Germanes being circumuented by the ambushmentes of the Ro∣manes, were gréeuously vexed vnder Marcus Lolius being Ambassadour.

Drusus the brother of Tiberius being sent agaynst y^e Frenchemen which inhabite beyonde the Reine, in taking all things that came in his way, went as far as the riuer Albis, where a certayn woman of no common greatnesse is sayde to haue met him, and thrice to haue sayd: Whether goest thou co∣uetous and vnsatiable Drusus, thou canst not sée all these thinges by thy de∣stiny, wherefore depart, for the ende of thy life and of all thy businesse is at hande. Wherefore Drusus although he retourned as warely as coulde be, yet he fell sick and dyed by the way.

In Germany in the Tentes of Drusus aswarme of Bées lighted vpon [ 3954] the Pauilion of Hostilius Rutilius Marshall of the Fielde, so that it imbra∣sed a Corde stretching oute, and a Launce pitched vp before the Tente. A great multitude of the Romanes was sub∣dued by an ambushment.

¶ The second part of the Cronicle, warning to the generall iudgement, and comming of our Lorde Iesus, beginning from the byrth of Christ, vntill this present yeare of our Lord God. 1581.

[ 3961] WHen Augustus was Emperour, often and euerye where, more than was tofore accustomed, appea∣red straunge prodigies, as well in the Firmament as on the earth. The Astrologers, Propheciers, and Sacrificers being asked, and the Oracles of Au∣thours being enquired what might thereby ensue, aunswered: That N••ture should bring forth a Prince, and Lord of the earth: The Romanes refer∣red this to Augustus the wiser sorte did interprete it of Christ the King of the liuing, and Lorde of the world. The wonderfull straunge apparances more than accustomed in these latter dayes, doe also foretell some great al∣teration to follow.

[ 3963] Zacharia a righteous and godlye priest of the Lord, when he had done Sacrifice to the Lord in the Temple at Ierusalem he saw the Angell of the Lorde standing at the right side of the Altar, who tolde him that his pray∣ers were hearde, whiche he had made vnto God, and that his barren wife Elizabeth, should bring forth vnto him a sonne, and thou shalt call his name Iohn. And many of the Children of Israell shall he turne to the Lorde God: for he shall goe before in his sight, in the spirite and power of Elias, to tourne the hartes of the Fathers to the Children, and the diso∣bedient to the wisedome of the iust men: to make a people ready to the Lord. Then Zacharie sayd vnto the Angell: Wherby shall I know this? for I am an olde man, and my wife is of great age. &c. I am Gabriell that stande in the presence of God: and am sent to speake vnto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidinges, and beholde thou shalt be dumme and not able to speake, vntill the day that these thinges be performed. &c. This sonne of Zachari was called Iohn Baptist which afterward for reproouing Herod king of Iurie because he married his Brothers wife, was beheaded. Iosephus calleth the dauncing Flyrtes name Salomen, the mothers name Herodias, wife vnto Philip that was king of Itruria, brother vnto Herode king of Galile. Pontius Pilate was then Lieutenaunte of Iurie, in the 15.

yere of the raign of Tiberius the Emperor. Mar. 6. Luk. 1.2.

When Iesus Christ the euerlasting and coequall Son of God, the Saui∣our of the world, did put on our mortall nature, and was borne of the Vir∣gin Mary at Bethleem a citie of Dauid, the 43. yere of the Emperour Au∣gustus the eight day of the Kalendes of Ianuarij, at which day, at that time as Plinie sayeth was the shortest time of the yeare, which the learned do call Hiemale Solstitium,* 1.121 the Aungels of GOD appeared to the Sheapheardes in Galile, as they were watching their flockes in the nighte, who spake vnto them being stricken with feare (for the Heauenlye brightnesse) in these wordes: Be not afrayde, I bring you tidinges of great ioy, that shall come to all people, that is, that vnto you is borne this day in the Citie of Dauid, a Sauiour, which is Christ the Lord: and take ye this for a signe, ye shall finde the child swadled and layde in a cretche: And straight way there was with the Angell a multitude of heauenly Souldiers, lauding God, & saying, Glory be to God in the hie heauens, and peace in earth, & towardes men good will, at which time doubtlesse all the Oracles and worshippers of the Gentile Gods helde their peace and ceased, as witnesseth Strabo, Plutarche, and well néere all others. The yere that Christ our Sauiour was borne, the xiij. daye (as Vincentius maketh mention in his 7. booke, chap. 91.) the Magi, or wise men comming out of Persia, Chaldea, and Saba, wente to Ierusalem, guided by a most bright starre, and offered to the King of the Iewes, Gold, Franconcense and Mirrhe, at the wonder of which thing, not onely Herod and the inhabitantes of Ierusalem, but also all Iudaea was moued. And this Starre as Fulgentius hath lefte in writing, was seuered from the other, and hadde his place not in the Firmamente with the lesser Starres, nor with the Planettes, but in the ayre next to the Earth, hée helde his place.

Tiberius Horse in a conflict of the War séemed sundry times to breathe flames fiery out of his mouth, the same was afterwarde Emperoure,* 1.122 a ryo∣tous, [ 1] subtile, and euill man. Eusebius.

There were great Earthquakes at Rome a great flood ouerthrew the [ 3. 4. 5. 6.] Bridge of Tiber by which ouerflowing men mighte haue rowed thorowe the Cittie for seuen dayes, when Herod was dead of the dropsie, hauing his body full of Lyce, his priuie members rotted, from whence scrauled fylthie Vermine, the Crampe benummed all the Sinowes of his bodye: Such was the Tragicall end of Herod,* 1.123 suffering iust punishment for the Babes destroyed in Bethleem, practised purposely for our Sauiours sake, after whose death an Angel came to Ioseph in sléep, as he remayned in Ae∣gipt & commanded that he should returne together with the Childe and his mother into Iurie in as much as they were dead which sought y^e childs lyfe. Christ was caryed into Aegipt y^e 3. yere after his byrth.* 1.124 His Son Archelaus was by Augustus set in his place, & there were made 4. Tetrarchs, officers

or ruler vnto whome was committed the gouernment of the fourth part of a realme to either. Euseb. Book. 2. Chap. 10.

[ 6] The sixt yere after Christ his byrth, Ioseph came out of Aegipt: hearing y^t Archelaus did raign in the place of Herod he feared to go to Ierusalē, & went to Galile, Math. 2 the 48. yere of Augustus.

[ 7. 8. 9. 10.] There was an Eclipse of the Sunne the tenth yere. Immediately fol∣lowing, Augustus banished Archelaus king of the Iewes, to Vienna a Citie of Fraunce. Iudaea is committed to foure Rulers. So cruell a famine inua∣ded Rome, that the Emperour commaunded the families of fencers, and all [ 11] Straungers, and a great number of Seruaunts, sauing Phisitions and tea∣chers, to bée thrust out of the Citie.

[ 12] In Cipres verye manye Cities were ouerthrowne with Earthquakes, Lollius ouercame the Germanes. Tiberius Caesar made the Vindales and those which bordered vpon Thracia, Romane prouinces. The same Iesus Christe went vp with his Parentes to Ierusalem, at the Feaste of the Ea∣ster Passouer,* 1.125 and was founde disputing among the Doctoures, both hea∣ring them and posing them, and all that hearde him maruayled at his vn∣derstanding and answeres: what other thing he did vntil the 30. yeare of his life, the Euangelists make no mention.

[ 13] This yeare among diuers prodigies, there appeared a Comet. Quin∣tilius Varrus was slayne by the Germanes, Arminius being their Captayne: For after that Manilius in his first Booke, hath shewed that Comets doe portend insurrectiō and wars both abrode & at home, he addeth an example, [ 14] saying, Et foedere rupto, cum fera ductorem rapuit Germania Varrum, infecit que trium legionum sanguine campos, arserunt toto passim minitantia Mundo lumina. As with broken leage when fierce Germanie slue captain Varrus, & stai∣ned the field with the blood of three legions, lights threatning the whole world, euery where afire.

[ 15] About the end of Octauianus Augustus gouernment, a certaine Wo∣man of the common people of Ostia, called Fausta, brought foorth foure Chil∣dren, two boyes, and two gyrles, after which straunge sighte, a great famin followed. Augustus Caesar finished his life at Nola a towne in Italy, the 76. [ 16] yere of his age, and was buryed at Rome in the fielde Marcius, whose death was of the Senate greatly lamented. Licost. Lanquet.

When Sextus Pompeius and Lucius Apuleius were Consuls, to wéete in the yeare after Rome was built seuen hundred sixtie and sixe, al the Sunne séemed vnto men to fayle, and a great part of the Element séemed to burne, fierye beames fell from heauen, and bloody Comets also were séene. When the people fell to prayer because of Augustus sicknesse, the Senate house was founde shut vp, and a Scriche Owle lighting thereon sang, And the Lightning which fell vppon the Image of Caesar standing in the Capitoll, put out the firste letter of Caesars name, wherevpon the South∣sayers

made answere, that the next day he shoulde be partaker of some di∣uinitie: and thus they coniectured, because the first Letter thereof, to wéete C among the Latines signified a hundered, the other parte in the Hetrurian speeche s••gnified God: wherefore the same day or the nexte Augustus dyed, yet not withoute suspition of poyson giuen him the fiftie and sixt yeare of his Imperial gouernemēt, Eusebius. If he died in the sixtéenth yere of Christ then must his yeares of being Emperor be fiftie eight, if (as Eusebius sayth) fiftie sixe then dyed Caesar the 14. yeare: notwithstanding some affirme that he died in the 12. yere of Christ. The great ouers••ght of diuers Authors, is a hinderance to later writers.

The Riuer Tiber ouerflowed the Citie of Rome, to the greate ruine [ 17] and ouerthrowe of Buildinges, after which ensued greate mortalitie. Cooper.

Thyrtéene Cities sell downe with an earthquake, as Ephesus, Mag∣nesia, Sardis, Mosthene, Megaechyero, Cesarea, Philadelphia, Himolus, Temis, Cyme, Myrrhina, Apollonia, Dyahyrcania: wherefore the yéere following Claudius Tiberius Nero Caesar allured many Kinges to him by flattery which he would not suffer to retourne, among whiche hée commaunded Archelaus of Capadocia to be called, whose kingdome became a Prouince, and caused Masaca a moste noble Cittie, to be called Ces••ria, after Licosthe∣nes [ 18] the twentith yere frō Christs byrth. It is written of this Tiberius that he was

Vertues	Pollitique.	Vices.	Mischéeuous, cruell,
Fortunate.	Couetous and deceitefull,
Well Learned.	Fayning to do that he wold not.
And Eloquent.	Ipocriticall.

And whereas of certayne of his councell he was perswaded to leaue exacti∣ons of his people, he answered that it was the office of a good Sheaphearde to sheare his Shéepe and not to pill them. This is that Emperour of whom [ 19] it is written, that he put to death a Smith, who had inuēted to make glasse flexible, that is to abide the hammer, laying to his charge y^t if he should lyue [ 20] and teach other, gold and siluer shold nothing be set by. Policronicon book. ••. Plinie book. 11. Cha. 44. reciteth that Tiberius Caesar sawe more clearelye in the darke than in y^e light, so that when he awaked in the nighte he descerned [ 22] plainelye those things that were aboute him: his life was so disordered by [ 23] giuing himselfe to banquetting and filthy pleasures two whole dayes and a [ 24] night, that his souldiors, for Claudius Tiberius Nero, called him Claudius Biberius Nero. Stage players were banished out of Italy, and Rome established a decrée, that where by the means of former resorte, horri∣ble whoredome beganne to increase, to the greate debasing of sundry states, that no woman whose Grandefather or Husbande hadde bene a Gen∣tleman of Rome, shoulde openlye gaine by the filthy misusing of her body:

there also increased in Rome through such vnlawfull assemblies so greate dissimulation and flatterie, that Tiberius going out of the Senate vsed to [ 28] saye, O menne ready to seruitude and Bondage. In Rome fyftie thou∣sande menne were hurte and slayne with the fall of a Theatre, as they were beholding the Games of Swordeplayers, for whiche misfortune Attilius that sette foorth those playes, was banished. Through ouermuche sufferaunce and setting at naught former examples, the lyke mischiefes too often happen.

[ 30] The fiftéenth yéere of Tiberius, Vitellius the procurator of Siria was sente from Tiberius to ayde Herod Antipas agaynste Aretas, Ioseph Antiq. Booke .19. Chapt. 7.8. About this time Iohn Baptist preached in Iu∣daea, and poynted Christ with the finger, he baptised Christ in Iordan, he re∣prehended Herode for marrying his Brothers wife, he was beheaded in prison at the Castell Matherunta by the commaundement of Herod. Herod hadde to wyfe the Daughter of Aretas king of Arabia, the whiche he dis∣missed, and married Herodias, for which cause Herod and Aretas afterward warred one agaynste the other, in the which battayle Herodes Hoste was vtterly foyled, as it was thought for a plague for beheadding Iohn Baptist Euse. Book .1. Chapt. 12.

* 1.126The thyrtith yeare of Christ was the fyrst yeare of his preaching, after he was baptized, then ledde into the wildernesse, fasted fortye dayes & forty nightes, where Iohn beholding him, sayde, Behold the lambe of God: the which when Andrew heard, he followed him. Iohn. 1. the nexte daye Iesus founde Philip, and sayde, follow me. The thirde daye there was a mariage in Cana of Galile there Christ wrought the first myracle by turning water into Wyne.* 1.127 The Iewes passouer was at hande, then Iesus went vp to Ierusalem and droue the buiers and sellers forth of the Temple, he chose his Apostles. &c.

The second yeare of his preaching, he came to his own countrey, where [ 31] he did not many myracles because of their vnbeliefe,* 1.128 Herod was desirous to sée him, this Herode beheaded Iohn Baptist, after which the warre be∣fore mentioned hapned. Iesus went hence into the Wildernesse, he and his Disciples went into the Land of Genazereth through Bethsaida,* 1.129 Tire and Si∣don to Ierusalē at y^e feast of Pentecost he wrought many myracles, & preached many Sermons. The 3. yere again to Ierusale to y^e feast of dedication, it was [ 32] Winter, and he walked in the Temple in Salomons porche: After he passed Iordan and came to Bethanie where he raised Lazarus the sixtéenth daye of Marche,* 1.130 that was foure days dead. The ninetéenth day, being sixe dayes be∣fore [ 33] the Passouer, he returneth from the desart of Ephraim to Bethani, & sup∣peth w^t Lazarus The 0 day was palme Sunday, so called because y^e multi∣tude tooke brāches of Palme trées & went to méete Iesus cōming to Ierusalē,

that Euening he retourned to Bethinia.* 1.131

The 12. day comming out of Bethinia, he cursed the Figge trée, in the eue∣ning he goeth out of the Citie, the two and twentith day in the morning hée passed by the withered Figge trée. That night Christ supped in Bethinia, in the house of Simon the Leper, and two dayes after was the feast of passo∣uer. The 23. day Iudas coueted to betray him. The 24. day Christ celebrated the Iewes passouer, afterwards his own, called the Lords Supper: he wa∣sheth the Disciples féete: he goeth out into mount Oliuet: he prayeth, he sweateth blood: he is taken, he is brought to Cayphas, Peter denyeth him. Math. 26. Marc. 14. Luc. 22. Iohn. 18. Eusebius.

The French record of those that gaue sentence a∣gainst Christ.

AND they tooke Iesus and ledde him to Caiphas the high priest, where the Scribes and elders were assembled:* 1.132 when the morning was come, all the cheife priestes and Elders of the people tooke counsayle against Iesus, to put him to deth.

After an old record written in the French, the names and Sentences of the elders are expressed that gaue iudgement against Christ, and because it disagréeeth not from the Euangelicall truth, I haue thought good, alleaging the author, orderly to expresse the same. And brought him bounde and deliuered him to Pontius Pilate the Deputie.

Simon Leprosus. By what Law do men Iudge a man, banished of company?

Dadon. 2. I know not to what end y^e lawes are giuen, when their causes be not kept.

Achias. 3. Men ought to informe y^e causes of the euill doer, before they put him to deth.

Nathan. 4. It appertaineth to the law of God and man, not to iudge any man with his proper ill déede, and therefore what euil hath this man done.

Zemias. 5. Wherefore is the law kept, if the integritie or fulnesse be not kept?

Loth. 6. Although we fayne outwardly to be hardy,* 1.133 notwithstanding it is accused in counsayle.

Gamaliel 7. The Law punisheth no man but Transgressors for whome the lawe is made, that he be condemned by his owne proper fact, if he be a transgressor, and not by our furie.

Ioseph of Aramathia. 8. Oh how pittifull is the thing, that a mā findeth not in a town some man

to defende the Innocent.

Nicodemus. 9. * 1.134Our Lawe iudgeth it a man before it hath heard him, and knoweth what he hath done?

Caiphas. 10. otherwise called Ioseph, high priest when Christ suffered next after Simon. * 1.135You know nothing, and thinke not that it is conuenient that one man die for the people, and that all the people perish not.

Chihiris. 11. * 1.136Albeit that he be iust, notwithstanding he shal be put to death, for the peo∣ple are troubled through his wordes. Then aunswered all the people and sayd, his blood be on vs and our children.

Mesrahim. 12. That wealth is not necessary vnto the Land, by the which the people is mooued to murmure.

Rezen. 13. A man fayned is perillous to the Land, therefore he shall be taken from the people.

Arscad 14. If he be iust or vniust, for that he is differing to the customes of our An∣cestors, or for that his doctrine is not agréeable to our customes, we wil not suffer him.

Bouimes. 15 If he be iust we will lyue honestlye with him and if he be vniust, we will throw him from vs.

Sadoch. 16. And if he be not iust, neither vniust, wherefore doe we long abide to con∣demn him to death, or to put him to exile?

Zeras 17. He is honest and iuster than that he should be put to death, or sente vnto the Emperour.

Iosaphat. 18. That he be bound with Chaynes of yron secretly.

Iabell. 19. Let vs make peace that he be not against vs, and if he will not doe oure pleasure, he shall be punished.

Pontius Pilate, the Deput. Art thou the King of the Iewes? hearest thou not how many thinges they lay agaynst thee? And he aunswered him to neuer a word. &c. When he was set down to giue iudgement,* 1.137 his wife sent to him, saying, haue thou nothing to doe with that iust man, for I haue suffered manye thinges this morning in my dreame by reason of him. But the chéefe Priestes and the Elders had perswaded the people, that they shoulde aske Barrabas and de∣stroy Iesus: they stripped Iesus in the common hall, they put vpon him a

purple robe in scorne of him, they set a crown of thornes vpon his head,* 1.138 they mocked him, they spit vpon him, they whipped him, they forced him to beare his crosse, they hauing fastned his body with nayles, gaue him eysell and gaule to drinke, & to shew their deadly malice, they pearced his hart with a speare: reade more in the 4. Euangelists. But whē he rose againe they were amazed. Thē when Iudas which betraid him saw y^t he was cōdemned, he re∣pented himself, & brought again y^e ••0. péeres of siluer to y^e chéefe priestes and elders, saying, I haue sinned betraying the innocent blood. And they sayde: what is that to vs, sée thou to that. And he cast down the siluer péeces in the temple & departed and went & hanged himselfe. &c. Of y^e kind of siluer come then vsed, as old Authors affirm, among diuers rare monuments I bought a péece, and as some doe suppose, y^e like to y^e for the which our sauiour Iesus Christ was sold, called by the name of a Gerah or Cicle, whereof are 2. sorts the old vsed in the time of Esdras as appeareth by y^e carects thē vsed among the Hebrews differing frō y^e later carocts, y^e other in the time y^e Simon y^e Son of Boethus the father in law of king Herod was high priest of y^e Iewes whē Christ was borne, y^e which Cicle after v••shillings y^e ounce is in value xx.v. but it hath bene half an ounce, now consumed through age & rubbing to bée made bright. Melancton in his booke of prayers fol. 52. That same peece of money called the Cicle which y^e cities of y^e Hebrews vsed,* 1.139 doth as it were fi∣guratiuely describe the rightfull offices & functions of ecclesiastical persons, vpō y^e one side wherof was stamped y^e florishing rod of Aaron, which admo∣nished them to teach pure doctrine & sound religion of gods own sacred insti∣tution: On y^e other side was stāped a cup filled w^t francōcense of Saba, which giueth to vnderstād, y^t they shold offer their praiers to God, as new incense: howbeit, before others Christ our highe priest the sonne of the eternall fa∣ther doth these thinges.

[illustration]

The iust proportion of the Ci∣cle, which as yet remay∣neth in my custodie.

And for as much as the most part of the world in these dayes vnderstande not what maner of Carects were then vsed, for that the difference is great, and farre vnlike, I haue thought good to set downe an Alphabet, to the ende y^t whersoeuer the like are, or hereafter may be séen, they be not taken for a∣ny other, because the Saracen are not much vnlike the foresayd Hebrai. Per Vrbanum Vuyss. Tigurinum.

[illustration] Hebrew alphabet

Samech. Num. Mem. Lamed. Caph. Iod. Teth. Heth. Zain. Vau. He. Daleth. Ghimel. Beth. Aleph.

Tau. Schin. Ress. Cof. Zadi. Pe. Hain.

* 1.140Iudas Iscarioth being one of the twelue, was the firste Apostata that fell from the truth in Christ, he sold his Mayster for thyrtie péeces of Syl∣uer.

¶ The Prophecie of Christ, touching the de∣struction of Ierusalem, figuratiuely foretold by the pro∣phet Dauid of Israels punishment in the wildernesse,* 1.141 as also that greeuous plague that ensued the Iewes vio∣lence to Iesus Christ.

* 1.142WO be to them which are with childe, and giue sucke in those dayes (sayth Christ) but pray that your flight be neither in Winter, nor on the Saboth day, for then shall be great tribulation, suche as was not from the beginning of the world vnto this time, neither shall be.

Vpon the solemne dayes of Easter, there were gathered togither at Ieru∣salem out of all Iudea, to the number of thrée hundred millions, and there shut vp as it were in prison, saying: It was requisite that destruction due for their desart, drawing nigh, by the iust iudgement of God, shoulde ap∣prehende them vpon those dayes (being as it were shut vp in prison) in the which they before had drawne the sauiour and benefactor of al men, the annointed of God, vnto his passion. A million is ten thousand. Iose∣phus. Bel. Iud. Book. 7. Chapt. 17. sayth, that the iust number came to seuen and twentie hundred thousand people. The number of thē that perished by sworde and famine are sayd to be a hundred and ten Millions,* 1.143 besides the seditious and théeuish raueners betrayed one by another, and slayne after the winning of the Citie. The number of the Captiues was fourescore and seuentéene thousand.

¶ A briefe rehearsal of the signes fore∣shevving the vvarres.

A Comet like a sworde enduring the space of a whole yeare ouer the Ci∣ty, then followed a tumult or bloudie mischiefe among themselues.

A light in the Temple in the night time, the space of halfe an houre.

A Cowe calued a Lambe, in the middest of the temple.

A greate Gate opening it selfe, of Brasse, in the Inner Temple, that twentie men could scarce shut, about the sixt houre.

The one and twentith daye of Maye a Diuell in the forme of a man appeared, after whyche Monstrous actes cruell murtherings ensued.

An army of souldiours in the cloudes. A commotion in the ayre.

A voyce was hearde in the Temple that sayde, Lette vs goe hence.

One Iesus the sonne of Ananias, foure yeres before the warres, cried continually wo, wo, al about Ierusalem.

On the first day of a certaine moneth when at Rome there were many in Seianus house, which was Cōsul with Tiberius, who séemed dayly more and more with great arrogancie to aduaunce himself, a bed set in his haule where he was saluted, through the multitude of the sitters on brake, and a Cat commyng out of the middle past his waye. When Seianus came into the iudgement haule, after the sacrifice was done and the diuination takē, by the demeanor of byrds, no prosperous foule, but Crows, flying aboute, soong, and afterward they were séene to fly to his house and sit vpon it. Out of Seianus Image came smoke after the head was cut off, add afterward a great Serpent crept out, and when sodainly another hed was set vpon the same Image, a corde was found bound about the neck of the same Image.

When M. Iulius, or Iunius as others woulde haue it, and L Norbanus [ 21] Balbus were Consuls, in the yeare after Rome was built. 771. on the firste daye of a certaine moneth there was no smal prodigie, wherby the death of Germanicus séemed after a sort to be foretolde. For that day Norbanus the Consull who alwayes endeuoured to sounde the Trumpet, and was dili∣gentlye exercised therein, at the breake of day when there was alreadye a great multitude of men at his house he began to sounde the trumpet, which thing made them all afrayde as though the Consull had warned to the bat∣tayle. And they were y^e more afraide, bycause the Image of Ianus fel down,* 1.144 and bycause certaine oracles at that time were vttered for Sybils, whereat all men were greatlye moued: and in these oracles it was sayd, that it [ 22] shoulde come to passe that when thrice thrée hundered yeares were paste, ciuill seditions, and siberiticall madnesse shoulde be styrred vp among the

Romaines When Lucius Claudius was Emperor,* 1.145 in Britaine, nowe Eng∣land, the Image of Victorie that was at Camulodunū sodainly turned back∣ward as though he would giue place to the enemie, after which sodainelye a rebellion was made: there were slain of the Ilanders, of the Romains and of their league friendes .70000.

When the Captaines whiche followed Polynices were at a feast, a [ 23] certaine Eagle soaring down, caried vp alofte the weapon of Amphyara∣us and by and by let it fall: when they fought the next da••, Amphiaraus to∣gither with his chariot was swallowed vp: and this is written in Trisi∣machus in his third booke of buildings.

Whylest Christ bowing his head, yéelded vp the Ghost to his Father, as as it appeareth by the Euangelists, from sixe a clocke till nine the Sunne lost his brightnesse: which at that time was against nature, for first the E∣clips lasted thrée whole houres: moreouer it coulde not be naturall, bycause the Moone was at that tyme fouretéene dayes olde, and therfore ful, and thē in the Easte, when the Sunne was in the Weast. Wherefore Dionisius Areopagita is reported to haue sayde at Athens, either the world shall pe∣rish, or the God of nature doth suffer. Moreouer at that time by the testimo∣nies of heathen writers, as Eusebius reconeth, there was an earthquake, not only in Iudea but also in Bethinia, in the Citie of Nicena, very manye buildings fel down, and as Flegon the reckner of the Olympiades writeth, there was so greate an Eclipse of the Sunne, that the day was turned into nighte, and the starres were séene in the Element, stones did cliue asunder, deade men wente out of their graues, the vale of the Temple whiche was before Sanctum Sanctorum, did rent from the toppe to the foote, and perhaps also the vale that hoong before the Temple Gate, whiche Iosephus sayeth, was set there to couer the Gates, was rent asunder with the innermost, for in the Gospel of y^e Nazarets it is redde, that the* 1.146 transome of the tem∣ple that was of an excéeding greatenesse was broken, and that there were voyces heard in the ayre, saying (let vs abyde here no longer) Petrus Co∣mestor and Vincentius in his eight booke Chapter 45. and Flegon a moste auntient writer of the Olimpiads.

A letter of Lentulus that was pronoun∣ced in Iudea to the Senate of Rome.

THere appeared in these dayes a man, and yet he is here, who is of greate vertue and power, named Christe Iesus, whome the Gentiles cal a Prophete of power, and his Disciples terme the sonne of God, raising the deade, and healing al infirmi∣ties.

He is a manne of a taule stature, not too bigge, and goodlye to beholde, hauing a reuerende countenaunce, that the beholders may loue and feare: the haire of his heade hathe the colour of a filbert or Hasel nut that is not yet ripe, and plaine almost to the eares,* 2.1 but from the eares downewarde, it curleth and is more blackishe and darke and more shy∣ning, and waggeth with the winde vpon the shoulders, hauing a parting amid his head, according to the maner of the Nazarites: hee hath a plaine and a very smooth forehead, with a face without any wrinckle or spot, whom a reasonable rednesse doth beautifie: there can no fault be founde with his nose and mouth, he hath haire ynough in his beard, and yong, of one colour, not long, but two forked in the middest: he hath a meeke and a simple loke, his eyes are gray and clear: in reprouing he is terrible,* 2.2 in admonishing gentle and louing, hee is cheareful, with a grauitie who was neuer seene to laugh, but to weepe he hath, in the stature of his body he is wel set, and vpright, hauing handes and armes goodlye to beholde: in speach he is graue, of fewe wordes and modest, beautifull among the children of men.

Another letter of Pilate to Claudus Tiberius. Pontius Pilatus to Claudius Tiberius greeting.

OF late it chaunced that I tryed that the Iewes through enuy did put to death, by a cruel condemnation themselues, & their posteritie: for when their fathers had a promise that their God would sende them his holye sonne by a virgine, whiche worthilye shoulde be called their king, him in my presence he sent into Iudea, whom when they saw to haue restored blind men their sight, to haue healed the sicke of the palsie, to haue clensed le∣pers, to haue driuen out Diuels, to haue raised the deade, to haue com∣maunded the windes, to haue walked drie foote vpon the waters of the sea, & to haue wrought many other wonders, & that al the people of the Iewes said that he was the sonne of God, the chiefe Priestes bare enuy a∣gainst him. Wherfore they deliuered him vnto me, and making manye lyes vpon him, they saide that he was a Magitian and dydde contrarie to their lawe. I thoughte it to be so, wherefore I deliuered hym too bee whipped, as they woulde, who crucifyed hym, and sette keepers at hys sepulchre, but hee for all the wardings of the Soldiours arose the thyrde daye: and so wicked a minde the Iewes dydde

beare against him, that they gaue money to the keepers that they shold say that his disciples tooke awaye his bodye. But they being not able to holde in that which was done, witnessed that he did rise, and that they sawe a vision of Angels, and receyued money of the Iewes.

The Picture of Christ, found among Antiquitie of Brasse, aunswea∣rable to the report aforesaide, for the which I haue caused this to be sette down, to none other ende, than as a worthye monument among diuerse straunge effectes, of no lesse worthynesse, than other coynes of Emperors, which was supposed a coyne vsuall among the Christians in the prima∣tiue Church.

[illustration]

A brief rehersal of those Emperors, in whose time Iesus Christ vvas borne, and so consequently til the time of Constantinus the first Christian Emperour, for that they were helpers to the grieuous persecutions of the Christians, as more at large after this Cataloge is expressed: appeareth that were of like au∣thoritie in gouernement.

• 1 Augustus Cesar in whose time Christ was borne: who had to wife Iulia Augusta, Genitrix orbis.
• 2 Tiberius, in whose time Christ suffered.
• 3 Nero Cesar, the first mouer of persecution agaynst the Christians: who had to wife Octauia Augusta and Pompeia.
• 4 Vespasianus Cesar Aug. P.M. the subduer of Iurie, who had to wife Domicillae Aug.

• 5 Titus Cesar Vespasianus, the destroyer of Ierusalem.
• 6 Domitianus Cesar Aug. the seconde persecutor.
• 7 Traianus Aug. Germ. P.M. the third persecutor of Christians, who had to wife Plotina Augusta.
• ...8
  • M. Aurelius Cesar Aug. Mouers of the fourth persecution a∣gainst the Christians.
  • Antonius Aug. Mouers of the fourth persecution a∣gainst the Christians.
• ...2
  • M. Aurelius Cesar Aug. Mouers of the fourth persecution a∣gainst the Christians.
  • Antonius Aug. Mouers of the fourth persecution a∣gainst the Christians.
    • The Wife of M. Aurelius had to name Faustina Augusta, and Diua Faustina Pia.
• ...10
  • Seuerus Pertinax Aug. Mouers of the fifth persecution against the Christians.
  • Bassianus Antoninus. Mouers of the fifth persecution against the Christians.
• ...11
  • Seuerus Pertinax Aug. Mouers of the fifth persecution against the Christians.
  • Bassianus Antoninus. Mouers of the fifth persecution against the Christians.
• 12 Maximus Pius, Aug. the sixth persecutor of the Christians. who had to wife Diua Paulina.
• 13 Decius Aug. the 7. persecutor of the Christians who had to wife Sallu∣stia, Barbia Orbiana Aug.
• 14 Valerianus Aug. P.M. the eight persecutor of the Christians, who had to wife Diua Marianiania.
• 15 Aurelius Aug. the ninth persecutor of the Christians, who had to wife Diua Seuerina Aug.
• ...1••
  • Dioclesianus Aug. mouers of the tenth and laste persecution a∣gainst the Christiās, the wife to Maximianus, Eutropia Aug.
  • Maximianus Aug. mouers of the tenth and laste persecution a∣gainst the Christiās, the wife to Maximianus, Eutropia Aug.
• ...17
  • Dioclesianus Aug. mouers of the tenth and laste persecution a∣gainst the Christiās, the wife to Maximianus, Eutropia Aug.
  • Maximianus Aug. mouers of the tenth and laste persecution a∣gainst the Christiās, the wife to Maximianus, Eutropia Aug.

After these Tyrauntes and their Quéenes folowed Constantinus [ 34] Caesar the first Christian Emperor, who had to wife Pijssima ac venerabilis Domina nostra Helena Augusta, Mater Domini nostri victoris, semper Au∣gusti, Auia Constantini & Constanti, Beatissimorum ac florentissimorum princi∣pum. Author Hubertus Goltzius in hys treasure of Antiquities.

Paule, who yet had to name Saule, when he had receiued letters from [ 39] the high Priest, by whose authoritie he mighte leade Captiue to Ierusalem [ 40] those that beléeued in Christ, whilest with the officers he made hast to Da∣mascus, (where was a greate number of belieuers) sodainely being stricken from heauen, by a force from heauen, he hearde a voyce crying to him frō heauen Saule Saule why persecutest thou me, it is hard for thee to spurn against the prick, and from that time being taken blind, was by the helpe of his men carried to Damascus: where for thrée dayes and thrée nightes he neither eate nor drunke anye thing, vntill by Gods helpe Ananias had re∣stored hys sighte, for then fell as it were skales from his eyes, and recey∣uing his sight he turning was made a vessel of election.

Caius Caligula sonne of Germanicus Emperour, when of méere pride he woulde haue diuine honors giuen him, and had put on the garment of the Gods, he caused a temple also to be made him in the Citie, and a house in the Capitoll, to the ende he mighte dwel togither with Iupiter, but bée∣ing wroth afterwarde bycause the seconde place was giuen him dwelling

with Iupiter, he built him another tēple in the place, & when he went about to chaūge the Image of Iupiter Olympius into his own likenes, hée could not do it, bycause the vessel that was prouided to bring him ouer, was stric∣ken with lightning and broken. Moreouer as often as he wente to touche that Image, greate laughter was hearde: such greate ioy was made at hys election, that within thrée moneths there were 150000. sacrifices offered to the Gods. This man at his first beginning was cōmendable, after became ful of mischiefe, for the which he was slaine.

[ 48] When Claudius Emperour of the Romaines had chosen by adoption Nero the son of Agrippina, & afterward made hym his sonne in law in mat∣chyng him with his daughter, (leaste the brethren might séeme to be mat∣ched in marriage) there was a great Prodigie. For the Element séemed wonderfully to burne. A Comet appeared, and it rayned bloude, and light∣ning fel from heauen vpon the standerds of the Pretorian souldiours, and y^e Temple of Iupiter the Conqueror opened of himselfe. Immediately Clau∣dius the Emperour through the procurement of Agrippina was poisoned by a witch called Locusta, and afterwarde one dyed of euery sorte of thē that bare office.

The Phoenix was séen in Egipt, whych was thought to betoken the [ 50] death of Tiberius Caesar for the yeare folowyng he fel sore sicke: to whom Caiu•• (fearing least he should recouer) gaue no meate when he required it: bycause he affirmed that he wanted heate, couering hym wyth a great ma∣ny clothes he choaked him.

An Ilande of thirtie furlongs in length appeared in the sea, whych was neuer séene before: in a sedition. 30000. Iewes were slayne in the dayes of vnleauened breade, and parte of them were driuen oute of the City by Claudius.

[ 51] Thrée Sunnes appeared at once, and forthwith they ioyned al in one: there was a great famine in Rome.

[ 53] In Englande for certayne dayes the Sea séemed bloude, and by and by the Romaine garrison was slayne by the Ilanders, who sodaynely re∣belled.

The same moneth that Claudius Caesar was poysoned, a Comet ap∣peared [ 56] a long season, the tombe of his father Drusius was stricken wyth lightning: when he did sacrifice, the head of the beastes liuer was missing, whych they recorde was a moste sure token of perill to ensue: so also the Prince Caius whē he did sacrifice, the head in the liuer was missing, which foreshewed the perill that shortly ensued.

[ 60] When Nero Emperour of the Romaines had slaine his mother Agrip∣pina, amidde the sacrifice for Agrippina by the decrée of the Senate, the Sunne was altogither eclypsed, so that the starres were séene. More∣ouer

the Elephants whiche drewe Augustus Chariote, entering into the place where they behelde playes, when they came so far as where the Senators sate, they would go no further but stood stil, (and which a manne may most of all coniecture to haue happened by Gods wil,) the supper whi∣che was broughte vnto him was altogither burned with lightning, as if some Harpie had taken away his meate.

There was a greate Earthquake at Rome, and the Sunne was séene Eclypsed. Capua and Nuceria two vnder Cities were furnished with olde Souldiours. The Tributes were made more easie, and a decrée of the Senate was made concernyng the setting out of shewes in the pro∣uince.

When Lucius Fonteius Capito and Vipsa were Consuls, a Boye [ 61] of eight yeres olde, went betwéene noone and night 45000. paces, Iulius So∣linus Chap. 6. Also there happened an Eclipse of the sun the day before the Calendes of May.

A playe euerye fiue yeares was begun after the manner of the Gréek [ 62] exercise, and was called Neroneum: whilest the playes were set out a Co∣met appeared, and they iudged that this signifyed the chaunge of the kyng, wherevpon when Rubellius Plautus was thoughte of all men to be kyng, Nero gaue him counsayle that with his wife Antistia and his familiars he should go into Asia, to the lande that was left him by hys auncestours: wherfore in those dayes the ouermuch desire of sensualitie brought Nero in infamie and daunger.

Before Neros table fell lightning, wherefore two yeares after, Nero [ 64] to the ende he mighte beholde the likenesse of Troy beyng a fyre, burned the moste parte of the Citie of Rome, vsing vnséemely behauiours while the ci∣tie was on fire, to the greate impouerishing of the Citizens.

In the time of Nero the Emperour the Occean sea séemed bloud, and [ 66] the likenesse of mens bodies were left on the shore.

The Image of Victorie at Camulodunum a Citie of Englande was turned backe, as if he shoulde giue place to the enimye.* 3.1 Women in Englande béeyng troubled as it were wyth a propheticall furie said that destruction was at hande, so that the Ilanders liued in hope, and the olde Soldiors in feare.

Laodicea, Hieropolis and Calosse Cities of Asia fell downe wyth Earthquake. Prodigies of sundrie kindes, and a Comet appeared for sixe monethes, contrarie to the custome of Comets whiche commonlye are not séene so long a tyme. Before also vnder Claudius was séene a Comet and thrée suns, which without doubt did portend that thrée within shorte space shoulde striue togither for the soueraintie of the Empyre. And I thynke after the same sort, that that huge Comet did signify not only

sedition, but a chaunge in the Romaine Empire, and chiefely the lamenta∣ble destruction of the kingdome of the Iewes. Albinus the gouernoure of Iudaea dyeth, and Cestius Florius succéedeth, vnder whom the Iewes rebel∣led against the Romaines.

[illustration]

One called Iesus, [ 68] the son of Ananias, a man of the Coū∣try, foure yeres be∣fore the warres of Hierusalem, when the Citie was in peace and plentye, vpon the feast of the tabernacles hée be∣gan sodainly to cry out: A voice from the east, a voice frō the weast, a voice from the 4. winds, a voice ouer Hieru∣salē and the Tem∣ple, a voice ouer Bridegroomes and ouer brides, a voice ouer the Temple: And without cea∣sing day and nighte going from stréete to stréete, he cryed thus, vntil that certaine of the chiefest sort being offended at it, as a thyng that boded no good, tooke the fellowe and beate him well. But he speaking nothing for himselfe, nor entreating them to hold their handes, without a∣ny feare repeated the same wordes, wherevppon he being broughte before the iudge of the Romains was at his bidding torne to the bones with whip∣pings, neither did he entreate or shedde teares, but often repeating the former wordes with a great passiō and clamour added besides Wo, Wo, be to Ierusalem.

The yeare that Nero lost his soueraintie, the Olyue trées and the Mea∣dows [ 69] remoued out of their places. Peter and Paule in the first persecution of the Christians wer coroned with martyrdome the third day of the Ca∣lendes of Iuly.* 3.2

This Nero adopted into the Empire by Claudius who married hys Mother Agrippina although he were broughte vp by the reuerende & wise Seneca, yet by the ineuitable corruption of his nature, he became horrible vitious, in so much as he caused himselfe to be gelded, and cut in the forme of a woman and so to be abused, and by his crueltie caused his owne Mo∣ther to be slaine, and the Citie of Rome to be burned, in the mean time play∣ing on a Harpe, and signifying the destruction of Troy, finallye he being ha∣ted of all men, was slaine in a Caue wherinto he fled, when he was but 32. yeares olde, and had raigned 14. yeares, in the 57. yeare after the incarna∣tion of Christ. D. Coper.

Before the deathe of Sergius Galba when towne by town sacrifice was slaine and offered, a Bull being amazed with the blow of an Axe, and bre∣king that wherwith he was tyed, did set vpon his wagon, and al berayed it with his leg. The Mathematicians were that yeare banished out of Ita∣ly Titus Vespasianus was by his Father made ruler of Iudea, as Iosephus writeth in his sixth booke, Chap. last.

When Otho Syluius Emperour of the Romaines made warre a∣gainst Vitellius, they report besides other prodigies which then happened, that a byrde of a notable greatnesse was séene for manye dayes, suche a one as neuer was séene before: wherefore Otho when neuerthelesse he ioyned in battaile with Vitellius there were slaine on both sides in the conflictes at Cremona 40000. men.

When Vitellius was Emperour there appeared vnluckie prodigies, for there appeared a blasing starre, and the Moone séemed to be twice eclyp∣sed, contrarie to the appointed time, for she was darkned the fourth and the seauenth daye. Moreouer at one time in the Easte and in the Weaste two Sunnes were séene, of the which, the one weake and pale, & the other strōg and cleare. There were founde also in the Capitol manye and greate steps of certaine gods, which séemed to descend from the thence: and the Soldiours reported which that night did watche, that the Temple of Iupiter did o∣pen of it selfe with a great noyse, and that for that cause many of the kepers were sore afraide and astonied.

Moreouer when the Souldiours of Vitellius and Vespasian foughte in a most bloudie battaile for the Empire of Rome, vpon the taking of Alie∣nus the traytour who had taken the Citie of Cremona, during the fight not only the Moone was eclypsed, but also appeared blacke and contrarie to hir common custome bloudie.

Before Vitellius Emperour of the Romaines fought against the Vespa∣sian soldiours, whilste he did sacrifice and preached to his soldiours, a great number of Vultures rushed down, and tore in péeces the bowels of the sa∣crifice, and almost thrust the Emperour himselfe beside his chaire of estate, or his Tribunal seate.

Moreouer when at Vienna he sat in hys iudgemente seate, cruell Pro∣digies also appeared, whyche did shewe that an excéeding destruction was at hande, for a Cocke sitting vpon the Princes heade and shoulders, was a greate terror to all men: moreouer filthy byrdes flewe ouer, and so manye that almost they caused darkenesse.

[illustration]

The destruction of the Citie of Ierusa∣lem was shewed by [ 72] manye tokens and Prodigies, and not by tokens onelye, but also by a Pro∣phetical voyce, that men mighte haue repented, and the cruell reuengemēt of wicked offences might haue byn a∣voyded if they had appeased God, vn∣lesse, obstinacie had beed madnesse, and madnesse the for∣getfulnesse of all things, that they being vnmindefull of pitie and iustice fell blindfolde and headlong into their own destruction. A star in forme of a sword appeared in the Elemēt hāging ouer the Citie on the day of vnleauened breade, which was the 8. of April at y^e 9. houre of the night, about the greatest Altar of the temple, so great a light did shine y^t it was thought to haue bin day. The same day when a Cow was drawen to the Altar she calued amidst the temple. The brasen gate of the innermoste tēple whose dore xx. mē at once must thrust open, being shut fast with yron lockes, and a brasen bar, opened of it selfe the 6. houre of the night: and the 1••. day of the Calends of Iune, armed men were séene in the ayre to wan∣der in diuerse quarters of the Element, & to passe along vpon y^e clouds. On Whitson euen at night the priests going to the innermost tēple, to do sacri∣fice, they first perceyued a certaine crashing, and thervpon a voyce, was vt∣tered therby. (Let vs get vs frō hence.) Albeit there be some which say that

this hapned at y^e time in the which Christ suffered. One Iesus the sonne of Ananias a meane man of the Country, when he came to a solemne sacrifice in the which shepheardes cotages were set vp in the tēple, being sodainely strickē with a prophetical spirite, began to cry out, as he did certain yeres past, a voyce frō y^e East, a voyce frō the weast, a voyce frō the 4. winds, a voyce ouer Ierusalē & the tēple, a voyce ouer bridgromes & ouer brides, and a voyce ouer al the people: he crying out in this sort both day and night wēt about the Citie, & often being beaten of those y^t could not abide his spéech, as boding something to the Citie, he did it neuerthelesse. Whervpon he being brought before the Romaine Iudge, & being torne with a whip euen to the bones, he did neyther intreate, nor shedde one teare with his punishment, but only had this in his mouth, wo, wo, be to Ierusalem: and when Albinus who then was iudge asked what he mēt or why he was so péeuish, he made no aunswere, wherefore Albinus iudged him a foole and let him go. For 7. yeares togither he neuer went to any man, but being as it were giuen to prayer saide thus continually, wo, wo, be to Ierusalem, neyther became hée hoarce, through his continual plaining and bewayling: finally, vpō the be∣sieging of the Citie by the Romaines, when he went about the walles cry∣ing out, wo be to the Citie, wo be to the temple, wo be to all the people, it came to passe that he added this too otherwise than he was wont, wo be to me also, and with those words he being violently stricken with a stone by the enimie fel down dead. Titus after he had taken and burned Ierusalem, and for the most part destroyed it, leauing a garrison in the countrey there about, went as far as Euphrates.

There was a blasing star called Acontias, (whiche hathe the name of the [ 77] likenesse of a Dart) wherof the Emperour Titus hath written in a notable verse in his 5. Consulship, and this was the last day that he was séene. Pli∣nie in his second booke.

Thrée Cities in Cyprus fel down in an earthquake, & a gret pestilēce was [ 78] a yere folowing, so y^t for many days there wer numbred almost. 10000. dead men, immediately to wit in the yeare of our Lord. 80. after Vaspasian had furnished certaine vnder Cities with people, he dyed of the flix in his own manour place neare to the Sabines, in the 69. yeare of his age, after whom Titus was chosen Emperour.

Before the death of Vespasian the elder there appeared a Comet, and the tombe of Augustus the Emperour opened of it selfe. The mountaine [ 81] or the Hyll Vesuuius béeing broken in the toppe dyd caste out such flames of fyre, that it burned the Countreys adioyning, and manye Cyties with the people: the yeare following Titus called Musonius Rufus home [ 90] from banishmente, and Rome was sore spoyled wyth fire. Titus the Em∣perour fell sicke, and dyed in that manour place where hys Father dyd, to witte the yeare of hys age two and fortie: and concerning the hurtefull

horrible, & more prodigious burning of y^e Hill Vesuuius which happened in the time of Titus Vespasian, reade Xiphilinus at large in the life of Vespa∣sian. The second persecution of the Church in the time of Domitian y^e Em∣perour whose beginning was milde, but afterward sterne and cruell. Mo∣numents Per Ioan. Fox.

[ 98] Thepetion the elder ruler of the Gymnosophistes, cōmaunded an Elme trée to salute Appolonius Tianeus, whom she saluted with a distinct voyce, but smal and womanish: Philostratus in the life of Appolonius.

* 3.3Many tokens and straunge thinges were at Rome and in all the worlde: Domitianus was slayne in the Palace, and was vnnobly carry∣ed by the Carriers of the deade to his graue in the yeare of his age. 36. and the fiftéenth of his Empire, & his Targets and Images were euery where in Rome caste to the ground, and the people troade vppon them in re∣proch.

[ 99] The same yeare that Cocceius Nerua the thirtéenth Emperoure of the Romaine Empire dyed and was buried in Salust Gardens,* 3.4 there was an Eclipse of the sunne. Aurelius Vict. and Eutrop. After him raigned y^e Em∣perour Traian, whome Nerua adopted, whiche was of such excellent good∣nesse, that afterward as often as an Emperor was chosen: the people were wont alwayes to wish that he might be so happie as Augustus and so good as Traian. The third persecution.

[ 103] When Clemen•• the thirde Pope of Rome, had continued from Do∣mitian vntil the thirde yeare of Traian, he was banished by him, and sente into an Iland, where he found 2000. Christians condemned to cut Marble, who lacking water, he beate the grounde with his right foote, from whence forthwith sprang a fountaine.

[ 107] Elia, Merhina, Pitanae & Cyme, foure Cities of Asia, were ouerthrown with an earthquake, & two of Greece, to wit Opus & Orita, were destroyed y^e yeare folowing, whervpon in the yeare after Christ. 110. Traian going a∣bout to persecute the Christians, Simon the sonne of Cleopas who helde the Bishopricke at Ierusalem was crucifyed, after whom succéeded Iustus.

[ 112] Thrée Cities of Galatia were destroyed with an Earthquake. At Rome Pantheon which was y^e temple of all the Gods was burned with lightning, That yere Traian triumphed ouer y^e Daciās & Scythians, he subdued Dacia: after the conquest of Decibalus, a prouince was made beyond the riuer Da∣nubius in those quarters which now the people called Taiphali and Victohali and Terungiti do possesse.

At Antioch was such an horrible Earthquake y^t the Mountains being [ 114] pulled asunder fel downe, in some places the riuers sodainly turned theyr course, & in some place they were consumed or dryed vp, moreouer manye Cities were so shaken y^t they were almost quite destroyed, but moste of all Antioch, where a great nūber of people perished w^t y^e fall of houses, & amōg

them Pedo the Consul. Traian being warned of a cerraine Angel whyche shewed himselfe vnto him, in a goodly mans shape, at the beginning esca∣ped away openly, and for many dayes in the which this seare held him, he kept him selfe in Hippodromo a place where horsse were coursed: afterward at the beginning of the Spring the Parthian warre began againe.

Lightning wente before thys Earthquake, and there blewe greate and straunge windes, then followed an excéeding great lowing of the erth, afterward the sea roared horribly. The earth began to be lifted vp on high, houses were lifted vp and cast downe on the earth, then the nation of the Iewes, whilom Gods familiars, nowe more miserable for their opinions, toke weapons in hande throughout the Romaine Empire, they rebelled a∣gainst the Romains, they belieued that their Messias was to come, whych as yet that most vnhappy people loked for. They had some hope in the Christi∣ans who being worshippers of one God, were then diuersely punished by the Romaines. In Affrica aboute Cyrene, they sodainely without any diffe∣rence set vpon the Romaines and Greekes that worshipped the heathen gods, and not being content with the murder, they beganne to eate mans fleshe. They being imbrued wyth their entrailes y^e bloud yet running out, & coue∣red w^t their skins, they did cut many asunder through y^e middle to y^e heade, they caste many to beastes to be deuoured, they enforced other to fight to∣gither with naked swords, so y^t there were slaine in that furie more than 20000. men by the weapons of the Iewes: likewise a greate murder was committed in Egipt.

Nicomedia was ouerthrowen with an Earthquake, and a great parte also of the Citie of Nice, for the restoring of which Hadrian gaue of the cō∣mon [ 120] treasure. And the war was made against y^e Saromatae, which are the Russes, Tartarians and Muscouites. Adrianus the Emperour carried people into Affrica to inhabite Cities which the Iewes had spoyled.

Againe Nicomedia was ouerthrowen with an Earthquake and very [ 123] many buildings in the Citie of Nice were ouerthrown. Hadrian the Em∣perour carried verye manye people into Affrica, to inhabite the Cities whiche the Iewes had spoyled, and the yeare following Hadrian made lawes for the Athenians, according to the bookes of Draco, Solon, and the residue.

Nicopolis and Cesarea Cities of Palestine fell downe with an Earth∣quake. [ 129] Anthinous a very noble and beautiful yong man dyed in Egipt, who after that Hadrian the Emperour had honorably buried him, he rekoned him among the GODDES. There was a Citie called after hys name.

Manye and diuerse ouerthrowes, partly from heauen, partely rising [ 140] by the iniurie of men, did distaine the soueraintie or gouernement of An∣toninus surnamed Pius Emperoure of the Romaines, for there was a cruell

famine and a greate Earthquake, whereby Rhodes and other famous pla∣ces were horribly shaken. And there was a great fire in Rome whiche con∣sumed. 340. watered houses or inuironed with water. Nerbo in Fraunce, Antiochia and the iudgement house of Carthage, at that time were burned. Tiber w^t his vnaccustomed increase ouerflowed al places. There was born a childe with two heades. In Arabia there was séene a Serpente with a mane like a horsse, whiche deuoured halfe of himselfe from the tayle vp∣ward. Foure wilde Lions in Arabia gaue thēselues willingly to be taken. A woman at one byrth was deliuered of fiue children: so euill disposed was that time, that whatsoeuer misfortune happened it was imputed wholelye to Christian religion.

[ 160] Whē Antonius Pius Emperor of the Romaine, did raign, a little before his death in Bithinia and in Helespont there was a verye horrible Earth∣quake, wherewith as very manye other Cities were sore troubled, so chief∣ly it ouerthrew Cyzicum flat to the grounde, and the temple of that Citie, of all the greatest and goodlyest buildings, is reported to haue fallen down. And the Pillers of that Temple were foure fadome thicke and fiftie cu∣bits high, euery one of them being made of one stone. This writeth Dion, Nicaeus and Xiphelinus in the life of Antonius. Furthermore they reporte that at the same time in a cleare and calme sea, the surges came out of the sea Mediteraneum to the top of a Mountaine that was far off from it, & cast the fome a very great way vpon the maine land: the Historie of Palermo.

[ 161] In the yeare of the foundation of Rome. 720. and two and fortith of the age of Marcus Aurelius and two yeares before he toke possession of the Empire, the twentith day of August about the going downe of the Sun, in the Realme of Sicil in the Citie of Palermo (a port of the sea) there chā∣ced a perilous wonder: whilest they of Palermo were celebrating a greate feast, with much ioy, that they had vanquished the nauie of the Numidi∣ans: the Pirates deuiding their bootie, were preuented by the Magistrats of the Citie, who commaunded the whole spoyle to be layde vp, til the warres were finished, &c. when al y^e people were returned home vnto their houses to supper, (for it was in the Sommer time) there appeared a huge mon∣ster in y^e Citie in this forme: he séemed to be of the length of thrée Cubites, his heade was balde, so that his scul did appeare: he had no eares saue onlye two holes in his necke wherby men iudged that he heard: he had two wri∣then hornes like a Goate, his right arme was longer than his left, his hāds were like the féete of horsses, without throate, his shoulders and his heade were both of one hight, his shoulders shone as doeth the scales of fishes, his breaste was al rough of haire, his face in all things was like vnto a man, saue that he had but one eye which was in the middest of his foreheade, in his nose there was but one nostrill, from the middle downewarde there was nothing séene, bycause it was all couered: he sat on a Chariot wyth

foure whéeles, whiche was drawen with foure beastes, that is, two Lions before, and two Beares behinde: no man coulde tel whereof the Chariote was made, yet was it not vnlyke to other: wythin the Chariote stoode a greate Caldron wyth eares, wherein the Monster was, it wande∣red vp and downe in the Citie from one gate to another, casting forth spar∣cles of fire. This brought the people in a maruellous feare, the most parte ranne to the Temples of Iupiter, Mars, and Februa &c. The Monster came to the palace where the Pirates were, and cut one of the Lions eares off, and wyth the bloude thereof wrote on the Pallaice gate which was shutte RA.S.P.I.P. which signifyeth, R. Reddite, A. Aliena, S. Si vuitis, P. Propria, Ian pace, P. Possidere: Render vnto others that which is theirs, if thou in quiet wilt possesse thine owne: the Monster went the same night forth of y^e Citie, vnto an high Hill called Lamicia, and there stoode the space of thrée dayes, the Lions and Beares roared, breathing out dreadefull flames, to the greate astonishment of the Citizens. And last of all, after manye other hideous factes, from the Monster came suche lightning, that it burned both the Palaice where the Rouers were, and also their goods: read more of this in the Dial of princes, &c.

When Lucius Aurelius Commodus dyd sacrifice at Athens, a fire [ 162] séemed in the Elemente to goe from the Easte to the Weaste. Vologesus King of the Parthians spoyled certaine prouinces of y^e Romaine••, anone after the Romaines tooke Seleucia.

The same tyme at Prema Crosses were séene to sweate teares, Hogs [ 171] and Dogges defiled the Churche, whiche turned them in feare of Gods displeasure, for they could scarcely be driuen away from the side of the Al∣tar: and there were séene Woulfes in the Suburbes howling in flockes, and wyth horrible snarling to haue striuen with Scritch Owles: these vn∣luckye tokens all men iudged to concerne the Bishoppe, wherefore the fourtéenth daye before his deathe he beyng at Goslaria according to hys cu∣stome woulde not refrayne from drinckes nor bloude lettyng. Where∣fore béeyng taken wyth the moste grieuous disease of the Flixe, and consumed euen to the bones, being yet vnmindeful of hys health, he handeled the businesse of the common wealth,* 3.5 euen to the last houre of hys departing.

There was a greate persecution in Asia wherein beside infinite o∣thers, [ 171] we read that Policarpus, Pionius,* 3.6 & Iustinius the Philosopher were crowned with Martyrdome, when Marcus Antonius Emperoure of the Romaines encountred the Quades with a great battaile, great store of raine and fire fell from heauen among them as they were fighting, of whom some were refreshed with good and freshe water, and some were cleane burned with fire, but the fire dydde not touche the Romaynes, and if by chaunce it were among them, it was by and by quenched: neyther

did the rayne helpe the Quades, but did puffe them vppe, none otherwyse than oyle doth.

[ 173] In the time of Antoninus the Emperour, immediately after the cru∣ell persecutions of the Christians, there was an huge Earthquake, and the often ouerflowings of diuers riuers were séene many times: After these followed a great pestilence, which farre abroade spoyled manye prouinces, and chiefly Italy, which it so wasted, that euerye where Farme houses and groundes lay without tyllmen and dwellers. To conclude, there was no reste in any place from the warre: But throughout all the East, Illyria, Italy and France the war waxed maruellous hote: a huge swarme of Locustes immediatly followed the former pestilence, wherewithall the groundes in diuers countries were annoyed. Marcus Aurelius the brother of An∣toninus, and the Emperour making warre in Germanie and Russia, were in danger through ouermuch drowth: the souldiours were driuen awaye with often lightning, and with fiers falling from heauen.

[ 182] After the death of Aurelius and Antoninus the Emperour, Smirna a Citie of Asia fel downe with a great Earthquake, for the repayring wher∣of, tenne yeares tribute was forgiuen them. So greate a plague folowed in Rome, that wel nere the host of the Romains was cleane destroyed.

There was so great a pestilence throughout the whole worlde, that the Romaine armies were almoste brought to an vtter destruction. Moreo∣uer earthquakes and ouerflowings of waters did afflicte mankind and the whole worlde, that vnlesse Marcus Aurelius and Antoninus Pius the 16. Emperour of the Romanes, had happened to redresse these mischiefes, the Romaine Empire had bin ouerthrowen. Moreouer Locustes hurtefull to the grounde, didde féede vpon meddowes and fieldes. In those dayes the seasons were moste daungerous and very Climatericall.

[ 187] We reade in Herodian, that in the time of Commodus Stars were séene all the day long, and that some did stretch in length, hāging as it were in the middest of the ayre, which was a tokē of a cloud not kindled but dro∣uen togither: for it séemed kyndled in the night, in the day when it was far off it vanished away. There followed a great slaughter of the Parthians by the guile of Comodus and not by his vertue. Therevppon arose the ci∣uil warres, fiue Emperours being slaine in one yeares space, thrée in the fielde, to wit, Didius, Iulianus, Pescenius Niger, and Albinus, two by trea∣chery or guile, to wit, Comodus and Pertinax.

[ 190] At Rome lightning fell vpon the Capitoll, and a great fire encreasing, the Librarie and all the houses neare it were burned. Thrée yeares after Comodus the Emperour slew many. And immediately, to wit, in the yere of our Lord. 195. in the house of Vesti••ianus he also was strangled.

[ 192] There appeared certaine prodigies in the Element: againe starres in the daye time continuallye appeared. Moreouer, all kindes of lyuyng

creatures not kéeping their nature were brought forth with a prodigious figure of their body, and with disagréeing members: and as this exceeding haynous matter made men to sorrow for the present, so for the time to come it made all afrayde with a most wicked diuination, for whereas there were no showres nor clowdes, but only a smal earthquake went before, whether it were with the fall of lightning in the night time, or whether it were of some fyre, as it were rubbed out in the mouing of the earth, the whole tem∣ple of Peace vpon the sodayne was consumed with fyre, which worke alone truely was the greatest of all that was in the citie, &c.

The day before Iulianus the Emperour was slayne by the Persians, [ 194] when in the night he rose to sacrifice, he saw fire descend from heauen, and when he asked the propheciers what it meant, they made aunswere that hee shoulde deferre his departure at least for one day which he did not so muche despise as he was compelled to doe, by reason that his victuals didde fayle him, for his Corne was lost by shipwrack: but the fyre falling from Hea∣uen didde alwayes signifie destruction and great misery, whether it was because it came from those causes, or because it was engendered of corrupt vapours, the armyes were gréeuously annoyed, and the people dyed. The same day that Pertinax dyed the Sacrificer not onely missed the heart of the Beast sacrificed, but also the Liuer.

Thrée dayes before Aelius Pertinax the Emperoure of the Romanes was slain, he séemed in a vision to sée a man in a ponde, that greatly troubled him with a sworde, and the same day that he was slaine they say the images which commonly appeare in the apples of mens eyes, were not séene in hys eyes, and when he offered sacrifice at the temple of Lares, the Sacrifice sée∣med still to be quenched, whereas the fatte Calues were wonte to bée in a flame, & as it is sayd beforee, the hart & head was not found in the Sacrifice. Moreouer the Starres by the Sunne appeared in the day time very brighte the day before he dyed.

When after the death of the Emperour Pertinax, Iulianus by subtilty [ 195] and craft had gotten the Romane Empyre, and that the Citizens rose sediti∣ously agaynst him & besought the helpe of others againste a Tiraunt and a manqueller, the firste daye of Ianuarie vpon the sodayne there was séene thrée starres about the Sunne, so bright, that all men sayd they signified Iu∣lianus destruction, which came to passe, for by Albinus who had the gouern∣ment of Englande, by Seuerus who had the gouernment of Poeonia, and by Niger who had the gouernment of Syria, the common wealth was deliue∣red from Iulianus Tyranny, who was a grieuous Enemye to the Chri∣stians.

When Seuerus was Emperour, an Eagle which lighted vpon a Sol∣dyers [ 196] Image, although she were chaced away,* 3.7 stoode still theron til she was taken, and the Bées wrought their Combes vpon the Souldyers Ensignes,

and chéefely on the Images of Niger. Immediately the Romanes foughte at Ciz••cū, where Seuerus Captaines ouercame & slue Aemilianus, moreouer in the streights of Nicea & Cyus there was a great & a diuers cōflict, wherin Nigers souldiers in a bloody battayle ouercame the Souldiers of Seuerus. The third battaile was made at Pila in Cilicia, wherein the Souldiers of Seuerus triumphed ouer the souldyers of Niger. While he was Emperour, also a sodayn fire was séene in the ayre towards the North, y^t many thought that it wold burn the whole citie, & many y^t the heauen was on fire, because in fayre weather,* 3.8 rain much like to dew and of a siluer colour, fell down in Frioli, with the water whereof brasen money being touched ouer, séemed sil∣uer for 3. dayes. Immediately the ciuile war of the Emperor Seuerus with Albinus Caesar began, wherein the army of the Romanes receiued a great o∣uerthrow.

[ 203] In the hill Boebius (otherwise called Veseuus) there was an excéeding great fire, and in it so great a lowing, that it was heard as far as Capua: read more in Xephelinus, in the life of Seuerus.

[ 204] In the 10. yere of the soueraintie of Seuerus, an excéeding great Whale a∣riued to that hauen which they call Augustus, & was there taken, the portra∣ture of which Whale being brought to the Amphitheatre, swallowed vp or did contain 50. beares, such seemed the greatnesse of the fish to be. Moreouer at Rome a comet was séene for many dayes, and the opinion was that he portended some great mischiefe. Platianus for his notable licentiousnes and cruelty was slayne.

[ 208] When Seuerus Emperor of the Romanes went into Britaine, a lightning fell vpon his Image, which stoode at that gate through y^e which he led forth his army, and which lay towards the way to England ward, or towards En∣gland, & blotted out 3. letters of his name, wherfore Seuerus, as the wise men had foretold, neuer returned out of Britaine.

[ 219] When on a tyme Diadumenus the sonne of Macrine the Emperoure walked in the fieldes, an Eagle tooke away his Cappe, which he putte vpon the heade of an Image of a certayne King. Immediately Opilius Macrinus Praefectus Praetorij chéefe officer about the Emperour, as Captayne of hys Garde, after the death of Bassianus, with his Sonne Diadumenus helde the Empyre fouretéene monthes onlye, and both were slayne by the army.

A little before Antonius Caracalla Emperor of the Romanes was slaine [ 220] by those that were about him, the leaues of the liuer in the Sacrifice of the beast were closed, & as he went out through the gate, a Lion (whom he had brought vp, and whome he admitted to his table and bedde, and otherwhile kissed openly) tooke him by the cote, and that he might go no further, he tare his garment in staying him: at Alexandria where then he was, a great fyre tooke all the inner part of the Temple of Serapis, wherein notwithstanding the sworde alone wherewith Antonius slue his brother Geta was burned,

all things else being saued from the iniury of the fier.* 3.9 Moreouer at Rome when the Playes Circenses were made or were in hande, the Image of Mars which had on him a triumphing garment fell doune, which although perchance it be lesse maruelled at, yet this is much more worth the noting, because the soldiours of Pracinus were ouercome, after they saw a Iay chat∣tering excedingly on the toppe of an Obilisk, loking toward them all,* 3.10 and sodaynely with one voyce as though they had forethought it, they beganne to cry thus together, Maritalis aue Martialis: oportune te vidimus, to wit, Martialis al hayle Martialis, we haue séene thée in good time. And this came to passe not for y^e séeing of the Iay, which earst was called Martialis, but be∣cause in him as it were with a certayne heauenly blast he saluted Martialis who was hired to murther Antonius.

When Macrinus was Emperor, a star was séene for many nights, frō the [ 237] weast stretching to the Sun rising,* 3.11 wherfore Macrinus being twice shame∣fully ouercome in battayle agaynst Artabanus, was compelled to buy peace with a great summe of money, & immediately there arose an other warre a∣mong the Romanes, not with barbarous motions, but a ciuile warre, wherin the Souldiers began to make an vprore, because Macrinus was not gentle & curteous to thē, and because he gaue them not so much pay as others had giuen them. Amon us a christian Philosopher of Alexandria, is said to haue had an asse, being a beast of all other most blockish, a hearer of his wisdome as witnesseth Suidas in Volaterrane, Booke 13. Chapt. 3. Anthrop. [ 229]

There was so great an Eclipse of the Sun, that it made the day as darke as the night. That yere Gordianus the yonger being a boy of 13. yeres old, [ 241] was coupled to the Empyre, and when the Maximini were slaine by the Souldiours at Aquileta, these two being created by the Senate, in the Sedition of the Soldiours were slayne not long after, who hadde to name Cupienus & Albinus, and when they were dead Gordianus was Empe∣ror nyne yeres, the yonger of that name.

When Gordianus was prince, the sunne was so notably eclipsed, that by [ 243] reason of great darkenesse vpon the earth, nothing could be done at al with∣out light: and in his raigne there was so sore an earthquake, that certayne Cities through a sodayne gaping of the earth were swallowed vp, together with the people. Capitolinus recordeth this, whiche I maruaile Eusebius hath ouerslipped, who diligently doth intreate of these strange things. Whē tidinges came of the death of Gordianus, the Senate appoynted Marcus to be Emperour, a man of singular grauitie and wisedome, who a few dayes after he tooke rule in hande dyed. In the tyme of the Emperoure Decius (a gréeuous Tyrant agaynst the Christians) when after diuers Persecuti∣ons Decius was come to Ephesus amid the Cittie he builded a temple, com∣pelling all vnder payn of death to doe sacrifice to Idols, and so greate a feare inuaded al men, that the sonne denied the Father, and the friend his fellow:

in the same Citie seuen chéefe gentlemen of the Emperours palace, to wit, Maximinus, Marcus, Martinianus, Dionisius, Seraphion, Iohn and Con∣stantine dispising the idols, and kéeping themselues close at home, fell to fa∣sting and prayer, and being accused to Decius, they deuided their patrimony among the poore, wherevpon they taking aduice together, withdrew them selues to the Mountaine Celion and determined there to hide themselues vn∣till the end of the persecution, whome one serued which bewrayed to others the furie of Decius, and brought them bread, wherwith they being refreshed and speaking together in heauinesse, as God would haue it, fell a sléepe. De∣cius commaunded the mouth of the Caue to bée stopped, to the ende they might ende their dayes with hunger and thyrste. The bodyes of these Mar∣tyrs thus shut vp in a Caue, were raysed by God to confute the errour risen among some that denyed the resurrection of the dead, who afterwarde spake to the Emperour Theodosius, and many others, and witnessing the resur∣rection, they slept in peace. Betwixt the second and last yeare of Decius vn∣to the thrée hundred ninetie and sixt yere of Christ, at which season Theodo∣sius was Emperor, is a hundred fortye and foure yéeres, the supposed tyme that these aboue mentioned slept. This was that Theodosius which Saint Ambrose Bishop of Millan excommunicated, for that he had wilfullye put for an offence to death the innocent with the guiltie. Cronicarum. 2.

[ 254] The Mountayne Aetna commonly called Mount Gibel (to be wonde∣red at for his burnings, seing it is full of a sulpherous matter, whiche is in∣gendered of moyst nourishment) burned wonderfully after the Martirdome of Saynt Agatha of Catina a Cittie of Sicilia, at that time in the whiche the Greekes possessed Sicilia. Thucidides recordeth thrée ouerflowinges of y^e fire of Aetna of the which after Strabo, Orosius and Eutropius, reade also Seba∣stian Monster in his worke of Cosmographie.

[ 258] In all Countreys cruell monsters of nature wente before the persecu∣tion of Valerianus,* 3.12 for many dayes the earth lay wrapped vp as it were in darkenesse, and thunder was heard out of the earth, as it were lowing, and not out of the Element, and there followed a great Earthquake, wherewith many buildinges with the inhabitantes, through a sodayne gaping of the Earth, were swallowed vp, and many men dyed with ouermuch feare: but Asia was chieflye subiect to this plague: Rome was shaken, and Af∣frica and in very many places the earth gaped excéedinglye: the Sea vppon the sodayne ouerwhelmed Cityes by the Sea cost, therevpon a pestilence a∣rose but it rayned chéefely at Rome and in Achaia, where fiue thousand died in a day.

12. Abuses in the life of man noted out of Ciprian in those dayes.

• ...1
  • ...Sapiens sine operibus.
  • ...A wise man without good workes,
• ...2
  • ...Senex sine religione.
  • ...An old man without religion.
• ...3
  • ...Adolescens sine obedientia.
  • ...A yong man without obedience.
• ...4
  • ...Diues sine eleemosyna.
  • ...A riche man without almes.
• ...5
  • ...Foemina sine pudicitia.
  • ...A woman shamelesse.
• ...6
  • ...Dominus sine virtute.
  • ...A guide without vertue.
• ...7
  • ...Christianus contentiosus.
  • ...A Christian man contentious.
• ...8
  • ...Pauper superbus.
  • ...A poore man proude.
• ...9
  • ...Rex iniquus.
  • ...A King vnrighteous.
• ...10
  • ...Episcopus negligens.
  • ...A Bishop negligent.
• ...11
  • ...Plebs sine disciplina.
  • ...People without discipline.
• ...12
  • ...Populus sine lege.
  • ...People without Law.

There were many & excéeding great earthquakes, & darkenesse for many [ 264] dayes: likewise an excéeding great pestilence afflicted Rome and diuers other places. When Aurelianus y^e Emperor imagined a new persecutiō against [ 278] y^e christians, being neuer the better for the lightning which fel down by him & his company, but sent letters and cōmandement to destroy the Christians, at last his own company slue him betwéene Constantinople & Heraclia, y^e moo∣uer

[illustration]

of the nine perse∣cutions againste the christians.

The tenth and laste persecution a∣gainst the christians, lasted ten yeares in extreame tyrannies, more gréeuous than before, among the whiche were burned in one temple twen∣ty thousand martyrs Arabians, Phrigians, Miletians, Armeni∣ans in Europe, as in Fraunce, Spaine, Bri∣taine, now called En∣glande.

Through an hor∣rible [ 306] Earthquake at Tire and Sidon many buildinges fell down and an innumerable companye of people

were slayne. The same yere in the month of March the Easter wéeke, chur∣ches were ouerthrowne, and there was a great persecution of y^e christians. [ 308] At Daphnes y^e pleasant and ambitious manour place, within the Suburbes of Antioch, there was born in the time of the Emperor Constantius a mon∣ster horrible to be séene and spoken of, to wit, a child with two mouthes, two téeth, and a beard, with foure eyes, & with two very short eares.

[ 315] Constantinus the great fighting agaynst Maxentius, who for his loose life and cruelty was vehemently bent agayne the people, beholding in the Ayre a banner of the Crosse, heard this voyce, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 In hoc vince, that is, In this ouercome, when he was in his iourney by a vision in the nighte, he saw the signe of the Crosse in the Element, shining like fyre, and an An∣gell thereby saying on this wise: Constantine in this signe thou shalt o∣uercome, wherwith being greatly comforted, he shortly vanquished the ar∣mie of Maxentius who greatly persecuted the christians.

About this time in Lateran at Rome a hand was séene without any body, which wrote vpon the wall, al men séeing and reading it, these wordes, Ho∣die venenum Ecclesiae infusurus, that is, this day he will poyson the Church: and this happened that day y^t Constantine the great gaue Pope Siluester Lateran the palace of the Romish church,* 3.13 the citie of Rome, and the prouinces of Italy this writeth Malleolus in his booke de nobilitate.

Constantinus Magnus the sonne of Constantine, borne in Britaine, was there proclaimed Emperour, after the decease of his father. He maketh Licinius who maryed his sister, his fellowe Emperour. At the same time Maxentius played the Tyraunt at Rome, and Maximius in the Easte, he sawe in the ayre the signe of the Crosse, who fullye perswaded himself to fighte agaynste the Tyrauntes, and in the behalfe of Christian Religion: he foyled Maxentius vpon the riuer Tiber: Liciniu•• ouercame Maximinus, they ioyntlye published edictes in the behalfe of the Christians, in the ende Licinius rebelling agaynst him, Constantinus ouercame him, ruled alone, restored peace vnto the whole Worlde, gaue money vnto the Church, deli∣uered the Bishops from paying taxe or tribute, & wrote vnto Alexander byshop of Alexandria & to Arrius the Heretike, exhorting them to vnitye. When hée was thrée score and fyue yéere olde, he dyed, after he had raigned thyrtie and one: he deferred his Baptisme vnto his last ende, purposing ful∣lye to haue it in Iordane where Christ was baptized. The Donation that is fathered vpon him, is but a méere fable in the iudgemente of the best wri∣ters. Meredith Hanmer reciting Eusebius

The Coyne that Constantine vsed, in the one side thereof had expres∣sed the Charact or figure in the signe of Victory, which crossed figure also Magne••tius bare in his Coyne after this manner, who was afterwarde vanquished by Constantine and put to flight, in which Battaile were slayn

fiftie and foure thousande fighting men, whereby the puissaunte Romanes were greatly weakened: this Magnentius when he saw he coulde not pre∣uayle, he wounded his brother Desiderius, slue many of his friendes, and la∣stly killed himselfe.

[illustration]

About the yeare of our Lord thrée hundred twenty and thrée, Arrius a Priest [ 323] being cast out of the church, raysed vp a pestilent heresie, and spread it very farre abrode: a Comet wente before this heresie.

O what mischéefe comes to that countrey where there is founde a leche∣rous Prince, a proud Nobilitie, false Officers, and wilful Subiects. Thrée thinges be the spoyle of a common welth: A couetous King, a negligente Pastor, and an idle subiect.

Where Law is without loue, obedience without furtheraunce, Reli∣gion without temperaunce, there of necessitie followeth disturbance: thus writeth Pencerus in his booke of Diuination.

An earthquake ouerthrew many Cities: Constantius subdued the peo∣ple [ 340] France, and brought them to peace. The impietie of Arrius bolstred by Constantius, was persecuted with Banishmentes, Imprisonmentes, and diuers manners of afflictions, fyrst by Athanasius, afterward by other Bishops.

About the yeare of our Lorde. 341. the death of the Emperour Con∣stantinus [ 341] was foreshewed by a blasing star, which of no common greatnesse gaue light for certaine monethes. Orosius in his seuenth booke, Chap. 19. Eu∣trop in his eleauenth booke.

Niphus writeth that the Emperoure dyed in the yeare of oure Lord. 324. This blasing starre did portende the lamentable warre and the

commotion which followed the Princes death.

[ 343] There was an Eclipse of the Sunne, and an earthquake ouerthrewe ma∣ny Cities. The Romanes made warre agaynst the Persians to their gréeuous losse.

An Earthquake ouerthrew many Cities in the East, and the horrible heresie of Arrius was vtterlye extinguished, and by the mightie prouidence of God, the sooner, because he going to ease himself of naturall excrements, his guts fell out: of the which he dyed.

[ 344] An Earthquake shooke chiefely Antioche and the East parts for a yere together: the counsayle of the Arrians was healde at Antioche, wherein the Nicen counsayle was condemned.

[ 347] Neo Caesaria was ouerthrowne into the Sea with an Earthquake, sauing a Churche. Sapor King of the Persians doth persecute the Christi∣ans afresh.

[ 342] Dirachium fell with an Earthquake, it made Rome nodde for thrée dayes and thrée nightes, and it gréeuously troubled verye manye Cities of Campania.

[ 350] There was a great Eclipse of the Sunne, that yere the Christians had a miserable conflict in the night season wyth the Persians at Singara: the Persians besieged Nicibis, and toke Bizabde and Amida. The high Bishop [ 362] of Iherusalem dyed. The seconde Counsell of Nice assembled by the Ary∣ans agaynst the Christians, was this yeare broken vp by an Earthquake. For Eudoxius as Functius recordeth in tyme Bishop of Germanicia a Citye in Cylicia, after the death of Leoncius toke the seate of the Bishop of the Church of Antioch, and openly brought into the Church the Heresy of Arius in opressing the right beleuers. Moreouer when Constantius the Emperor was absent, and made war in the west parts, Eudoxius delte priuily wyth the noble men of the palace that y^e Sinod of Bishops might be assembled at Nice hoping that it might come to passe that the Arrians being assembled in this méeting together with one consent woulde condemne that confession which before was set forth in the same Citie, and that from thenceforth by processe of time, the former conclusion being taken away, vnder the name of the fayth of Nice this latter might be in estimatiō, but God who hath a care of his Church, did soone cut off this mischiefe, for when the Bishops were come together, and were ready to intreate of the matter, so great an Earth∣quake shooke the whole Citie of Nice on euery side, that a great part of the building fell downe, and many of the inhabitantes were slayne, with which misfortune of the citie, the Straungers being sore afrayde, euery man went to his home.

[ 363] Nicomedia was quite ouerthrowne with an earthquake, and some of the Cities adioyning were troubled therewith. Paulinus Bishop of Triues being in banishment in Phrigia dyed. There was a great persecution of the

faithfull, in the which the true fayth was condemned.

Very wooll mixed with raigne fell out of the clowds. Athanaricus king [ 364] of the Gothes, persecuted the christians euen in his own kindred. Hillarius Bishop of Poytiers, and Eusebius bishop of Versella died. Hillarius a noble Christian, a great enemy of the Arrians who set forth twelue bookes of the Trinitie, notwithstanding his twice banishment, was the first among the Catholiques that set forth Himnes and Verses, and there followed a great famine in Phrigia.

Nicomedia and part of the citie of Nice fell with an earthquake. [ 366]

When the Iewes at the motion & bidding of Iul••anus were now desirous [ 367] to restore the Temple at Ierusalem, they say that there arose a huge Earth∣quake, which is sayde to haue bene so horrible, that with the shaking therof it cast stones from the very foundations, it loosed the buildings y^t were nere too, & slue a greate number of men with the fall of houses: moreouer when immediately they tried to build it again, a fire sparckling out from the very foundation, and likewise an other hanging ouer in the aire, is sayde to haue consumed more than the earthquake: moreouer the fire falling from heauen did quickly bring to ashes their hammers, their grauing tooles, their sawes, Ares, Hatchets, and what thing soeuer the workmen brought thither méete for building, which fire burned fiercely a whole day: besides this, there was an other myracle, for the night following the Iewes garments themselues were marked with signes of the crosse, fashioned like beames of the sunne, wherefore all had their Garments as it were garnished with starres & sette out by the skill and cunning of weauing: and when this was séene the nexte day, they went about to wash away and wipe out the markes of the Crosse, but they preuailed not. Agayne a gréeuous Earthquake vppon this cast out and scattered the rest of the stones from the foundation. And also a certayne cruell storme arising, caryed the lyme vp into the ayre, whereof there was an infinite quantitie, and dispersed it all abrode, likewise the fire which so∣daynly crept vp from the lower parts, did in a moment also consume an in∣finite number of people.

When Iulianus Apostata the Emperour went vnto Thrace, when he came to the mountains of that countrey, at that time when the stars called Virgilae wente downe, after the vintage, the vines sprang vp with buds and freshe Grapes, and a dew out of the ayre was so spreade vpon him and his company, that euery drop vpon their Garmentes represented the forme of a Crosse: Moreouer by the vnripe Grapes was signified prodigiouslye his vntymely and short Empyre,* 3.14 and the Crosse didde portende that the doc∣trine of the Christians was heauenly, and that all men ought to be marked therewith.

When Iulianus the Apostata going about to make offring slue a solemne sacrifice, the signe of the Crosse, enuironed with a Crowne, is sayde to haue

appeared therein, which made them not a little afrayde that attended vpon him, suspecting that the power of Christ and our doctrine shoulde last for e∣uer, because the crowne was a signe of victory, and the Circular forme ta∣king his beginning on euery side and ending in it selfe, did portend that it should haue no end.

[ 369] There was an Earthquake ouer all the Worlde, the Sea ranne ouer the bankes and the Cities of Sicilia and of many Ilandes, and innumera∣ble people were destroyed. Procopius who at Constantinople tooke rule in hande by force, dyed at Phrigia, and verye manye that tooke his parte were slayne and vanished. Damassus was ordayned Bishop of the Romishe Church and immediately certayn Bishops appoynted Vrsinus, hée with his complices inuaded Sicinum, by whome the people that tooke Damasus parte, assembling together, most cruell murthers of diuers sexes were com∣mitted.

[ 370] Most substantiall authors doe testifie that there was in the times of Va∣lentinianus and Va ens the Emperors, almost in al the world an excéeding great Earthquake, wherin was this to be noted, that the water being floong away, the depth of the sea lay open, and what vallies and mountains therin lay or had not séene the sunne, were then discouered, with the same violence ships were remoued euen vpon the houses of Alexandria. Amianus Marce∣linus saw one forespent with age, remoued 2000. paces of by Methone, a city of Peloponesus now called M••done. That yere Valens made war vpon Pro∣copius, who excercised tiranny in Bithinia.

[ 371] Hayle of a wonderfull greatnesse falling at Constantinople slue manye men and beastes, likewise Wooll mixed with rayne at Atrebate, fell out of the clowdes.

[ 372] When Valens Emperour of the Romanes made war agaynst Procopius, there fell an excéeding great haile very like to huge stones, a gréeuous earth∣quake did very muche harme in diuers places, and Nice a citie in Bithinia, was therewith quite ouerthrown, and not long after, when there arose ano∣ther earthquake, it did the like to Cerma, a citie of Hellespont. al these things were tokens of the trouble of the church, of the which Nicephorus maketh mention: the yere following Hartanaricus King of the Gothes persecuting the christians, slue very many of them, & droue them from their own dwel∣lings to the Romanes. Vincentius Booke. 15. Chap. 51.

[ 377] There appeared a comet, and there was an earthquake almost ouer al the world, which made y^e sea passe his bounds, & destroied the Cities of Sicilia & of many Ilands, & innumerable people besides: that yere Valentinianus the Emperor ouercame the Saxons in the countrey of France.

[ 382] When Valentinianus the Emperor was in the Citie Sabaria, an Owle sate vppon the toppe of his bathe crying heauily and yellinglye: the Empe∣rour was present, wherefore there were some which cast stones, and shot at

her, and although they leuiled at her they could not driue her away, where∣fore not long after, and scarsely a day, he sodaynly died. There were other tokens but they were common, and this of all was the most euident.

In the time of Theodosius the Emperor there appeared a terrible sign [ 384] in the Element in all points like to a piller, and that yere Gregorius Nazi∣anzenus the Bishop died.

A star at the cockes croy arising in the North and shining like the day star, at first appeared bright, within twenty dayes vanished awaye: at that [ 389] tyme great aboundaunce of crackling Hayle fell downe for two dayes toge∣ther and destroyed beastes and trées. The Lumbards after their Captaynes were dead made themselues a King, to witte Algemon the sonne of Aron. The Temple of Serapis in Alexandria was pulled downe by the decrée of the Emperor Theodosius.

When Theodosius was Emperour, there were séene strange and vn∣wonted [ 393] sightes, which did portend mischéefes to the worlde to ensue, for fyrste vpon the sodayne there appeared a straunge Starre in the Elemente at midnight shyning brighte nere the day starre, about that circle whiche is called Zodiacus, shée gaue not muche place to the daye Starre, because shée was great and shining by reasō of her glittering beames, and a great num∣ber also of other starres by little and little drue neare her, if a man had séene that sight, he would haue compared it to a swarme of bées, which flée round about their Captaine, and that light which came from them all as it were from the violent dashing of the one agaynst the other, mixed together and became one flame, and shining with a certaine terrour, became altogether like a greate and horrible two edged sworde, for where as the other starres were séene altogether (and one) and that alone which first was séene didde appeare altogether as a pummell to a handle, and after a sort did yéelde all the brightnesse of the fyrst Starre appearing euen as the match burning in a Candle, so the flame went vpwarde, whiche when it had appeared sword like, or rather expressing or representing the forme of a Sworde for fortye dayes, it vanished away: at the same time also two mens bodies were séene the one in Siria, excéeding in greatnesse the nature of man, the other in Ae∣gipt being of an incredible shorte stature: hée that appeared in Syria, grewe in length fyue cubites, and a hande breadth, although his féete didde not aunswere in proportion the rest of the greatnesse of his body, for they were crooked inwarde, and his name was Antonius, but he that was in Aegipt was so short, that he was very like a Partridge, in whome notwithstan∣ding was so much wisdome as was required in a handsome man, his voice shewed him apt to sing, his spéeche did shew the notable worthinesse of hys minde, the greatest of these two was 25. yere old, and the least was neare a∣bout that age.

There appeared in the Element a signe like a hanging doue and burning [ 394]

for 30. dayes. At the citie of Antioche in the nighte season there appeared an image in a womans apparell wandering aloft in the ayre, of a huge greate∣nesse, and of a countenaunce so fell, that it made the beholders excéedingly a∣frayde, that runing vp and downe in the ayre, ouer y^e streates of y^e Citie, with a whip making a great sound, did beat y^e ayre, from whence came such a noyse as they are wonte to make which styrre Wylde Beastes to an∣ger and furye, when they make shewe of them to the people: and immedyatelye the same Moneth, there arose a greate and a bloodye se∣dition in that Citie, by reason of a tribute that Theodosius had extraordina∣rily leuied.

[ 395] At this time there was a great & a wonderful earthquake, which with∣out doubt excéeded al the former in greatnesse, swiftnesse, and continuance of time, for it lasted sixe months, and ceased not at times, but shooke al things with a continuall mouing, and that almost throughout the whole Worlde, in so muche that not onelye in the Cittie of Constantinople the Towers fell downe headlong, and the Wall in dyuers places was broken, but also all the Buildinges which wree about Chirsonesus, whiche they call Macromiches, fell quite downe, and in euery place innumerable buildings of great workes and Temples fell to wracke: this Earthquake also touched Alexandria in Aegipt but being more forcible at Antioche didde chéefelye breake in péeces y^e most gorgeous workes y^e were to be séene, and there hap∣pened innumerable chances, not only by lande, but also by sea, for in some place the earth chincking swallowed vp many streates in townes and Vil∣lages in the countrey, in some places great welspringes sodaynely dried vp, in some places also the water ranne plentifullye, where before there was wont to be none, there were many trées pulled vp by the rootes, together with the stemme or bodyes, many small heapes were made or sodaynly be∣came great Mountaynes: the Sea passing his limittes cast oute like a sling dead fishes of huge greatnesse: many Ilands together with their inhabitants were drowned, and at this day are not to be séene. The Waues of the Sea rolling away in heapes, the shippes were séene to stande amidde the Sea on drye Lande. Bythinia, Hellespont, both Phrigia, and the greatest part of the Easte felte verye muche losse by this Earthquake: as it hath bene sayde it also inuaded many countreys of the Weast, and when it had con∣tinued a long season, it didde not endure to spoyle with that vehemencie as it beganne, but by little and little it gaue ouer his violent vntill it alto∣gether ceased. The destruction was this: the inhabitantes of Constan∣ti••ople beeing excéedinglye afrayde; and fearing the fall of the Buil∣dinges, lefte the Walles, and made their abode without the Citie in the fielde together with the Emperor Theodosius & the Patriarche Proclus, praying continually, & beséeching God to be mercifull to them & deliuer the world from that imminent calamitie: and when vpon a time by the rage of

that quaking the earth as it were wauing was dasht together, and men through feare were afrayde that it should be pulled vp from the very foun∣dation, and all men being giuen to prayers and supplications wepte to∣gether, and from the bottome of their heart cryed out for Gods mercy, then there followed a myracle contrarye to all mennes opinyon, whiche exceeded all reason and feare, for sodaynelye in the sight of all men, by a certayne di∣uine power, a Boye from among them was drawne vp into the ayre euen to Heauen, so that now he was not séene, who heard a Heauenlye voyce, wherein the Aungels didde prayse GOD, and when he had learned that voyce, agayne he came downe through the ayre the same waye he ascended vp, and told the Bishop Proclus and the Emperour, and all the people that were at prayer and singing hymnes to God, y^t he heard Angels singing these wordes: Sanctus Deus, Sanctus fortis, Sanctus immortalis, miscrere nostri: that is, Holy God, Holy strong, Holy euerlasting haue mercye vppon vs. Which when Proclus vnderstoode, by and by he commaunded it to be sung after the same sort, and forthwith the earthquake stayed & altogether ceased. Furthermore the Emperor Theodosius & amōg the women Pulcheria wor∣thy to be highly estéemed of all men, being stricken with so great a miracle, by & by decréede by the Emperors constitution, that this heauenly Hymne should be sung ouer al the world, & frō that time y^e church of Christ receyued it, & doth not only vse it euery day, but also with a full mouth doth set it first of al at the beginning of euery verse & praise of God. The boy that dischar∣ged the Ministery of these wordes, immediately departed this life, and was buried in the great church, which hath the name of Peace, and that place in y^e which he was taken vp, was afterward called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is Diuina exaltatio, to wit, the heauenly lifting vp, lying toward the South parte, in the Citie of Constantinople.

In the yeare of Algimundu the first king of Lumbardy a certaine strum∣pet [ 396] brought forth at one byrth 7. boyes, and cast thē into a ponde to be slain, which when king Algemundus by chaunce found out, he saued one of them, being drawne out with his speare, & deliuered him to a nurse, to be brought vp with all diligence, who had to name Lamitius, and when he was come to mans estate, for the greatnesse of his wit, after the death of Algemundus he succéeded him in the kingdome.

In the raigne of the Emperor Theodosius, in the third yeare of y^e con∣fulship [ 398] of Arcadius and the second of Honorius, in the East parts in the pro∣uince of Palestine at a castle of Emaus there was borne a perfite boy deuided from the nauill vpward, so that he had two breasts, and two heads and eue∣ry one his senses, one did eate and drinke, and the other did not eat: one slept and the other watcht, sometimes they slept together, they played one with an other, and both wept and strake one another: they liued almost two yeres one died and the other ouerliued foure dayes.

Constantinople fearing the wrath of GOD, fyre shining terriblye on a Clowde, tourned to repentaunce and escaped. Ruffinus Mayster of the Fielde in the East rebelling was slayne by Stillico. Gyldo Earle of Af∣frica rebelling, drue from the Romanes their accustomed stypende, whome not long after Sullico killing, broughte Affrica to her former sub∣iection.

There was an Earthquake for many dayes, the Element séemed to burne: After Theodocius the great, Arcadius was made Emperour of the east, and the Visigothes and the Hunnes spoyled the prouinces of the Romanes with many inroades.

There fell great Hayle at Constantinople and in the suburbes the 30. day of September and the fourth daye after the hayle, Eudoxia the Empresse dyed, as Socrates writeth in his tripartite history.

At Rome a woman of a Giantes greatnesse borne of parentes of a meane stature made many to maruayle. The Vandales by the conducte of Croscus, ranging ouer France destroyed many Cities and churches.

Gainas that most valyaunt Scithian, who inuaded the Empire of the Ro∣manes with a great armye, when he went about to sacke and vtterlye to de∣stroy Constantinople because Arcadius Emperor of the Romanes woulde not build therin a Temple for the Arrians: a Starre representing a Sword did portend that ambushment, which was excéeding shining (the like of whom was neuer written of before to haue appeared) he shined ouer the Cittie and almost touched the very earth from the top of the element. That yere when Rome was besieged and spoyled by the Gothes, Alaricus being their Cap∣tayne, so great a murther was committed, as no age knew the like sithe the World begane that Starre also hauing the shape of a sword, forewent that destruction, for not onlye the Souldyers were slayne, nor these mischiefes were in one part of the World, but all mankinde was hewed in péeces, and all Europe went to wrack, no small part also of Asia was broughte to con∣fusion, and a very great part of Affrica, but chéefelye that which was tribu∣tary and subiecte to the Romanes, for the Sworde of the barbarous Enne∣mies didde mowe a greate multitude, and famine and pestilence and flockes of wylde Beastes consumed the rest. Furthermore greate Earth∣quakes didde quite cast to the grounde Cities and houses, and brought ma∣ny to ineuitable destruction.

In manye places also the earth cleauing asunder, became a spéedy and a voluntary Sepulcher for the inhabitantes. Moreouer, the fylthinesse of rayne water, with other fierye droughtes, and with some the fall of light∣ning caused a diuerse and an vnsufferable calamitie. Furthermore, in many places Hayle was séene to fall bigger than stones that one maye cast with his hande, weighing aboute eyghte pounde wayghte. To con∣clude,

the aboundaunce of Snowe, and extremitye of colde destroyed manye, whylste others liued in other quarters. All whiche thinges did sufficientlye preache before hande Gods heauye displeasure, all whiche to recounte one after another were too harde for a manne to doe. Besides all this there was so greate an Eclipse of the Sunne, that the Starres were séene euen at noone daye, after whiche there followed such a drouth, that after a straunge sorte manye menne, and other liuing Creatures dy∣ed, and when the Sunne fayled, a certayne shyning appeared also in the Elemente, bearing the forme of a Creste of an Helmet, or Sugerloafe, broade beneath, and sharpe towardes the toppe, whiche some igno∣raunte menne called a Comet, and a bearded Starre, for nothing that was in it was like a Comet, neyther hadde it a beardye brightenesse, nor was it in any poynte like a starre, but séemed to be of it selfe as it were the flame of some great Candell, neyther didde anye of his beames beare the forme of anye Starre: his moouing also was diuerse, for that Lighte beganne to mooue on that syde where the Sunne aryseth by the Aequinoctium, and going awaye from thence by little and little, by the laste Starre whiche is placed in the Tayle of the Beare, healde his course to the Weast, and after he hadde raunged ouer the Ele∣ment more than foure Monthes, hée vanyshed awaye. Sometyme his toppe was so long and so sharpe, that it excéeded the manner of a Hel∣met, but sometime it drew to the measure thereof: it also yielded other monstrous shewes, by the whiche it swarued from the nature of wonted and common appearances: He beganne first to appeare from mid∣sommer almost till the ende of Autumne.

This myracle also foreshewed greate Warres, and wonderfull death of men. And herevpon there beganne to be Earthquakes, whiche without doubt could not be compared with them that were before. With the Earthquake also fyre falling from heauen, as if it brake asunder, cut off menne from all hope of safetye, yet it didde them no harme, for Gods goodnesse by sending a strong wind, and by scattering the fyre on euery side cast it into the Sea: then a man might sée a new sighte, the surges them∣selues, euen as it were certayne regyons of the Sea, to burne excéedinglye vntill that the flame was cleane quenched in the Water. When in manye places of the Earth there were such great Earthquakes, the céelinges and coueringes of the houses séemed to be pulled asunder one from another, with so great a noyse and crashing, that they which were within in their houses did plainly behold y^e element w^t their eyes, and after this maner of breaking they were agayne so fitly ioyned together, that they gaue no man anye sig∣nification of so straunge a thing: the same also happened in many places to Shippes and pauementes of houses. Certayne Garners didde choke them that dwelt vnderneath them, with the corne that aboundantly & sodainly fel

vppon them through the open chinckes, and agayne the earthquake did close the floud so well, that men doubted from whence y^e corne came which made such a murther. Moreouer there were also other harmes of this kind, and af∣ter a strange sort which did sufficiently declare that they did not procéed of a∣ny naturall cause (as the doting followers of the Greeke superstition do say) but were sente vppon men as scourges of Gods heauye displeasure: manye men surelye saw at that time that those thinges happened through Gods wrath,* 3.15 for so open a wrong that was offered to that moste worthye Iohn, the Light of the Churche, for a man might sée Eudoxia the Emperours wife (which then happened to die) to be made Wormes meate, and to moue the Coffin wherein she was put, God shewing hereby the commotion whiche by her was styrred vp in the church. Cassiodorus writeth also that y^e Gothes that yere spoyled Rome, Blondus, Haloander and others: albeit Functius and some others thinke otherwise.

[ 412] After the death of Arcadius the Emperor the earth at Eutica made a low∣ing for 7. dayes. Stillico aspiring the kingdome of Honorius the Emperour through his sonne Tucherius, bred destruction to the common welth, some∣times bringing in barbarous nations into his countrey, and sometimes che∣rishing them by his consent, wherevpon their cruelty, and chéefelye of the Vandales, raged in Fraunce, more than it was wont.

[ 413] On the sea shore at Vtica in Affrik, a Giants tooth was found so great, that if it had bene cut in péeces to the quantitie of our téeth, it would haue made a hundered. When the Vandales made inroads into France, the Frenche men encountering them slew their King Modigisilus with 20000 of the Van∣dales.

[ 416] When a certaine Iew for gainsake had bene often times baptised in many churches of Heretickes, and at last also with the same intent came to be baptized at the Churches of the true Christians, the Water of the Fonte sodaynly vanished awaye, and when agayne Water was broughte and the Font filled agayn, then agayne the water vanishing awaye made shewe of Gods power, and of the Iewes vnfaythfulnesse.

Honorius brought the Churches to peace. After that Athanulphus king of the Ʋisigothes was slayne by his owne companye Sigericus beganne to raigne.

Certain of y^e weast part reckoning the cōmon yere, the last yere of y^e Dece∣noua cicle for Embolismus which is y^e adding of a day to y^e yere, & through this erring, in celebrating of easter, were by a diuine miracle brought to y^e truth, for in a certaine churche of Italy, where yerely on the Saboth of holy Easter in the houre of Baptisme Water was wonte to come downe from Hea∣uen, and by and by to retourne of it selfe, no Conduyte or Pype to conuaye it vp into, appearing, nowe the Water running not oute for the space of a whole daye and a nighte, deceyued them that

didde celebrate Easter sooner than they oughte, that is, the seauenth daye of the Calendes of Aprill. And vpon that day that Easter should be kept, at the houre of Baptisme the Water flowing according as it was wonte shewed that Easter shoulde be kepte the tenne Calends of May.

A Comet was séene vntill the moneth of September, on whych day [ 418] all the Iewes were banished out of Alexandria, through the faction of Cy∣rillus the Bishop. Wherevpon there arose many and wicked murders. He∣raclianus by the Counsayle of Sabinianus preparing in Affricke a Nauy of 4700. Vessels arriued at Rome, who being shamefully put to flighte by Ma∣rinus, and going to Carthage in a shippe-boate, was slayne by hys Soul∣diours.

[illustration]

It is worthie re∣membrauce [ 434] which happened this yere to the Iewes inha∣biting Crete. A cer∣tain seducer whom some thoughte to haue ben a wicked spirite, wandered a∣bout that Ilande a whole yeare, say∣ing stil that he was Moses who in time past brought vp the Israelits out of E∣gipt, through the red Sea, and that hée was sent againe to bring the dispearsed Israelites to theyr lande: and the mi∣serable Iewes led with false hope too soone beléeued the seducer, who left all their goods to others, and at a time appointed, all with their children and wiues followed the seducer that went before them. They came to a certain rocke that did hang ouer the sea, and their false Moses commaunded them that wrapping their clothes about them like a footeball, they shoulde turne of the rocke into the sea. They doing as he willed them without any tary∣ing,

many falling vpon the sharpe edges of stones dyed, many being swal∣lowed vp with the water were punished for their follye, and manye more had bin cast away, vnlesse Christian men that were a fishing had taken a∣shipborde certain of them that were in daunger in y^e Sea, and were neare their death. When these were lustie againe, they returning to their ac∣quaintance, opened vnto them how they were beguiled, and in what dan∣ger they were,* 3.16 whervpon they being madde for anger, sought false Moyses to put him to death, who being no where to be founde, made them suspecte that he was a spirite of error, accustomably appearing in mans shape, that he might the better bring to effecte that he desired. Many of the Iewes of Crete being moued with this so great a destruction, were tourned to the fayth of Christ.

A Comet appeared, and a few dayes after at Tolosa it ranne bloude. Gisericus besieged Hippo a Cittie of Affrike and the thyrde moneth of the [ 434] siege, Saynte Augustine the Bishop departed this lyfe. Diaco. in his first Booke.* 3.17

When at Constantinople for foure monthes the earth waued vp and [ 444] downe with an Earthquake, in the sight of all them that were at prayers, one by the power of GOD was lifted vp into the ayre. Pyrates spoyled Sicilia euery where. When at Rome Xystus the Pope was dead, Leo the firste succéeded him in the sea.

[ 448] A Comet was séene continually for many dayes, and there was an Earthquake in the East.

Attila king of the Hunnes calling Bleda his Brother and Consort, af∣licted a greate parte of Italy with Warre, spoyled manye worthye Ci∣tyes, and at length after he had assembled the banished men, they were put in the Sea at Venice.

[ 434] There were almost continuall Earthquakes, and very many sightes were séene in the Element. In the euening Northward, the Element was as redde as fyre, hauing clearer strikes mingled in the fyrye rednesse, fa∣shioned like Speares. The Moone was Eclipsed: a Comet appeared, and many other horrible thinges. And the yeare following Attila king of the Hunnes being ayded by Walametes King of the Ostrogothes, and by Ardaricus Kinge of the Gepidians, and by other Nati∣tions, went oute of Pannonia, and soone after set vpon the Empyre of the Weast.

[ 457] Ouer the Ilande of Britaine, there appeared a Starre of a won∣derfull greatenesse to whose beame didde hang a Ball of Fyre, like to a Dragon, oute of whose mouth procéeded two beames, the one of which streatched beyonde Fraunce, but the other reaching toward Irelande, did ende in sixe little beames.

The Saxones after the death of their king Aurelius Ambrosius be∣ing frée from the couenaunte of their league, inuaded the Cities and Promontoryes, and spoyled all places from Albania as farre as Yorke.

In the seconde yeare of the Empyre of Leo, there was so greate an [ 460] Earthquake and rumbling, that in manye places many Buildinges fell downe, and well neare all Antioche was shaken. That destruction was the reward of the mischiefs that followed, because the Citizens béeing e∣straunged from Gods Lawes were cruellye mynded lyke Beastes, and were haunted with all blynde furie of doting madnesse, for the forest earth∣quake of all that inuaded that Cittie was fyue hundreth and sixe yeares after the building of that Citie, the fourtéenth day of the Moneth of Sep∣tember, the fourth hower of the nighte, and from that Earthquake whiche hapned in the tyme of Traiane thrée hundered forty and seuen yeares, for the one afflicted Rome when in the one hundreth twentye and nine yeare that Cittie vsed her Lawes as a frée common Wealth, and the other op∣pressed Antioche in the time of Leo, in the fyue hundreth and sixt yeare, as it hath bene founde out in the Learned, and almoste it ouerthrewe all the houses whereas it was moste populous, so that there was in it no deserte or any place inhabitable or made lighte of. It was moste royallye sette oute by reason of the ambitious liberalitie of many Princes, who haue endeauoured howe to excell one an other in costly building, and haue stro∣uen to surpasse one another in glory: wherefore both the houses of the Em∣perour fell downe, others escaped the perill together with the bath adioy∣ning, which deliuered the Cittie from his former discommoditie, because that the other baines or Bathes had hurt it with their ouerflowing. More∣ouer the porches that stoode before the Emperors houses were cast downe, and the Tetrapulum that were set vpon them:* 3.18 furthermore the towers and certaine porches standing vpon them, before the dores where horses were coursed, fell downe likewise, and in the olde Citie it touched neyther house nor porche, it shooke besides the Bathes of Traian, Seuerus & Adrian, like∣wise very many buildings & the porch which is called Ostracina, & also that which was called Nimphean, all which at large Iohn the Rhethorician in his histories hath set forth. By reasō of this earthquake & for y^e houses pul∣led down, they report that the Emperour did forgiue that Citie a thousand Tallentes of Golde of their yearelye Tribute, and that hée gaue a greate summe of money to repaire common houses. At that time also Thrace, Hel∣lespont, all Ionia, and the Ilandes which are called Ciclades were shaken, many buildinges in Cuidus and Cous fell downe, but at Constantinople, and in the Prouince of Bithinia there endured mightie showers, water conti∣nually falling downe from heauen in maner of riuers, for thrée or foure dayes. The Mountaynes became playne, excéeding greate Villages

through the deluge were no more séene.* 3.19 Through the great plentie of soyle and filth in certaine Moores there became Ilands, as it happened in Boaue, which is by Nicomedia, many other things happened besides: there were also sights séene in the Element, for a clowde was séene for forty dayes ha∣uing the shape of a trumpet. At which time also it rayned ashes at Con∣stantinople, the cloudes being turned into fire, whyche ashes laye vpon the tyles almost a handbroade thicke, the whych was a moste euident token of the burning that was at hande, wherefore they all going out of the Citie with trembling, appeased God with prayer, saying that God would abolish all things with a fierie rayne: at last when God was turned to mercie, and the flame quenched, the horrible ashes fell to the grounde. Hereof Proco∣pius of Cesaria doth also make mention, writing that this fire beganne at the Mountaine Pebius, from whence, when it was waxen great, being dri∣uen aloft with a violent winde it fell downe vpon that place where it cea∣sed, and perchaunce after it was so driuen aloft in the ayre, God cast it vpō those places whiche were to be punished: when the mouing of the Earthe which we haue spoken of, did inuade them, the Emperour Leo fearing him selfe, pitched his tabernacles about Saint Mamant, refrayning to enter the Citie for sixe monethes, and by that meanes thinking that he should auoide Gods wrath, there folowed a pernitious or mortall burning of the Citie of Constantinople Maioranus the Emperour led his army into Affrica against the Vandalles.* 3.20 Thodoricus being afrayde of the tydings, leauing Emerita wente againe into Fraunce and laying peace apart, and raging with mur∣der, spoyled and burned Churches, Cities and townes.

[ 464] In the fourth yeare of the Emperour Leo at Tholosa a Citie in Frāce, out of the middle therof bloud ran a whole day, with a very great streame, whiche the Gothes toke for a sore warning, or a token of destruction. The next yeare Theudimar put to the sword the Sireni and the Scyri, for the re∣uengement of his slaine brother.

[ 466] The 6. yeare of the Emperour Leo, when a certaine Painter went a∣bout to tricke out our sauiour, according to the likenesse of Iupiter, all hys hand dryed vp. Vincent. booke 21. Chap. 25. out of Sigebertus, who notwith∣standing setteth downe that this was done in the yeare 463. Seuerus at Ra∣uenna, was by Ricimer made Emperour of the Weast, in Fraunce Farme houses flockes of shéepe and manye other things were stricken with light∣nings, and two young menne were founde wyth theyr bodyes ioy∣ned togither with the fire. Iord••nis in his booke of the Annals, and Cuspim∣anus in the Consuls.

The eleauenth yeare of the Emperour Leo at Vienna in Austria cer∣taine temples and Palaces fel downe with an horrible Earthquake. And Woulfes and other wilde beasts wandering al the yeare long through the City deuoured men.

Moreouer the Kings Palaice being consumed with fire from heauen, vpon holy Easter day, made many afrayde. When Vterpendragon king of the Britaines was deade, Arthur his sonne was aduaunced to his king∣dome (called the most Christian king of the Britaines,) who ware on hys heade a Helmet of golde, wherin a Dragon was grauen: he caused a shield of gold called Pridwine to be carryed before him, wherein was séene painted the Image of Gods mother: Moreouer he caused his speare called Ron (whi∣che was long and great,* 3.21 and fit to spoyle) to be caried with him whersoeuer he went: and it is saide that he had, and carried with him a sworde, called Caliborne, w^t which he vsed to fight: he ordayned the order of the round ta∣ble, wherevnto were none admitted, but those which were of Princely li∣nage, or of incomparable strength. After twelue victorious battayles he fi∣nished his life, & is buried at Analon now called Glastenburie. His principal Court was Winchester.

H••mericus king of the Vandales in the Consulship of Theodoricus & [ 488] Venantius did very sharpely assayle the Christians, in whiche persecution many had their tongs mangled, and some had them quite cut off, whyche notwithstanding being cured by Gods diuine power, did speake euen with∣out tongs, as Sigebertus and Marcellinus. At this time the tyraunt Hono∣richus the eight yeare of hys raigne ended his life with a death miserable y∣nough, but most worthy of so gret a wickednesse, for not only his body was rotten and swollen vp with Wormes, but also the partes of his bodye sée∣med to carry him to the graue.

There appeared in the Elemente diuers tokens and strange Comets. Theodo••ic•••• king of the Ostrogotes issuing out of Messea and going in∣to Italy, met twice with Ordoaces King of Italy and put him to flight, and closing him in at Papia, did there besiege him thrée yeares. When Eoricus king of the Vigotes was dead, Alaricus hys sonne did succéede him in the kingdome.

In Minias a riuer in Spaine fishes were taken,* 3.22 in whose scales the coyne of that yeare was as it had bin engrauen, the same yere Felt e•••• and Feua [ 490] kings of the Rugians went about to thrust the Herules out of the Country, whom Odoaser vanquished and flewe, and almost defaced the nation of the Rugians.

When Deuterus a Bishop of the Arians at Constantinople Baptised one [ 504] Barba, & distinguishing the trinitie amisse said. I Baptise thee Barba in the name of the Father through the sonne in the holy Ghost (Baptizo te Bar∣ba in nomine patris per filium in spiritu sancto) the water vanished away.

Moreouer in those dayes, there appeared in Affrica Gods reuenge∣ment [ 506] vpon an Arian called Olympius, who whilst he washed his bodye in bathing water, belching out certaine vnworthye and blasphemous words, touching the holy beliefe and the trinitie, there came sodainely a fierie

dart from heauen which visibly burned him. Neocesaria fell with an earth∣quake.

[ 515] At Alexandria many of both kindes being possessed with a Spirite or Diuell sodaynelye barked like Dogs. Vitalianus Ruler of the North, v∣surped agaynst Anastasius. The Hunnes called Baber, passing through the straightes of the Caspian Sea, spoyled Armenia, Capadocia, Gallatia and Pontus.

[ 520] Anastasius borne of a base parentage, became Emperour of the East, but he falling into heresies, did many iniuries to the right beléeuers, and distayned the honour of the Empire, with the corruption of the Eutichian herezie, wherefore he deserued Gods reuengement, who being stricken with lightning dyed.

[ 527] In the seuenth yeare of the Empire of Iustinus Caesar, the nine and twentith day of May at noone tyde, an Earthquake together with a quaue∣ring boyling being at Antioche and shaking the verye Foundation of the Cittie, made it ill fauoured and dreadfull, and what notable thing soeuer was in it, it cast to the grounde: besides this destruction there was a light∣ning, so that those mischances séemed to deuide misery among themselues, for the earthquake and the shaking made flat with the ground a great part of the Cittie, and if that spoyle lefte any thing vntouched, the fyre han∣ging ouer consumed, and after a maruaylous sorte brought it into a∣shes.

[ 529] Agayne Antioche suffered moste gréeuous Earthquakes, when af∣terwarde it got due care or prouision by Iustinian and was called Theopo∣lis, that is the Citie of God, euery one of the Citizens writing the name of Christ ouer his doore, by that meanes droue away the Earthquake, when God had commaunded a certayne religious man in an Oracle to write these wordes ouer their doores, Christus nobiscum, state: that is, Christe is with vs, stande ye.

[ 538] King Totila persecuting for Christ his sake Benedictus the younger a manne famous for his holynesse, when he wente aboute to burne him with his Cell, he put him into a hote Fornace or Ouen, who béeing vn∣hurte, yea his Garmentes vntouched, he came out the nexte day. The Gothes besieged Rome for a whole yeare, and Vitiges stirreth vp Cosroes king of the Persians agaynst the Romanes, Procopius Booke .2. of the Persian warre.

[ 339] In the Mone••h of December a Comet was séene in Sagittarius, then in Italy war was made with the Gothes, which nation at length Narces by the helpe of the Lumbardes vtterly destroyed.

[ 341] When Narces made warre agaynst Edualde king of the Brentians, in Lumbardy, and chéefely in the partes of Liguria certayne signes vppon

the sodayne appeared miraculouslye on the Houses, Dores, Crosses, Ves∣sels or Garmentes, whiche if anye went aboute to washe awaye, they more and more appeared: immedyatelye after this followed a horrible plague which cruelly spoyled on euerye side, but the yeare following, there beganne to growe about mennes priuities or in other delicate pla∣ces, Kernels lyke a Nutte or a Date, after whiche immediatelye there followed an intollerable heate of Agues, so that in thrée dayes the sick dyed, but if any hadde escaped thrée dayes, he had hope to liue, and in all places there was mourning, in all places there was wéeping, for the rumour of the common people was, that they which fled awaye shoulde auoyde that disease: the houses were left without inhabitantes, dogges alone kéeping the house, the Cattayle only remayned in the pastures without any sheap∣hearde: a man might sée this day houses full of men, and the next daye they all flying away, euery place to be very silent. The children and the sonnes fled away, leauing the dead bodies of their parentes vnburied: the parents forgetting their fatherlye loue, forsooke their children frying with heate: if by chance pittie moued any man to burie his neighbour, he himself remay∣ned vnburied and whilest he was about the buriall he dyed: a man might sée the Worlde brought to his auncient silence: there was no voyce in the Countrey, no whistling of sheapheardes, no beastes lying in waight to de∣uoure, no damage in house founde. Corne being ouer-ripe was vntouched, the Vineyardes were vngathered when Winter came, both daye and nighte a company of wandering folkes made a noyse, there was hearde of many as it were the noyse of men of warre, there appeared no steppes of men comming, there was séene no murtherer, and yet the Carcasses of the deade were innumerable, sheapheardes places were turned to buriall places, and mennes dwellinges became places for the Beastes to flye vnto.

In diuers places of Fraunce there were diuers tokens, there appeared a Comet vpon holy Easter day, the Element was séene to burne, very blood fell out of clowdes vpon mens Garments. Cosroes king of the Persians the fourth tyme inuaded the landes of the Romanes and was put back by Belli∣sarius. Bellisarius being Generall in the Persian warre, made a citie in Si∣sauranum to yéelde.

There was an vniuersall Earthquake ouer all the World, wherein among other Citties Epidamnus also, whiche nowe is called Dirrhachium, sustayned verye muche domage, and lykewise Corinth whiche standeth in the countrie of Greece, and Anazarba which is the head citie of Cilicia suffe∣red the like, which cities the Emperor Iustinian restored with a great sum of money, while he was Emperor: Foelix also a Citie of the Edesceni∣ans, beyond the riuer Euphrates which is excéeding great and populous & in

the prouince of the Obscaenians, who was muche afflicted with the wonder∣ful ouerflowing of the riuer Scirtus, which runneth by it, that whē it shoke downe, and drew with it many houses, it caried away and drowned an in∣finite number of men: whom after that the water had forcibly takē away, immediately like vnto a violente streame that groweth after a rayne, run∣ning through the middle of the Citie, vanished away, whych euill when it ceased, a Table of Marble appeared in holye written Letters signifying this:

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

Saltabit ciui saltum saltator acerbum.

that is,

A dauncer shal daunce an ill daunce for the Citizens.

There was séene in the same time a certaine woman of the Giauntes kinde, excéeding the stature of any man, hir breadth also did aunswere hir length in proportion. Hartabanes deliuered Affrica and Carthage from the tyrannie of Gontharis. Bellisarius was chosen againe to be ruler in the Ita∣lian warre. The Herulians ouercame the Slauonians at the Riuer Ister.

[ 545] In Thrace the Sea flowing vp foure mile long swalowed vp manye people. Totilas besieged Rome. They which were possessed suffred excéeding hunger. The Gothes also forcibly besieged Placentia, who sustayned so grie∣uous hunger, that they did eate one another, & through this necessitie they were constrayned to yéelde to Totilas.

[ 546] There was a great Earthquake at Constantinople. Totilas toke Rome the third part of the wal was cast down, the Citie was desolate, which Bellisa∣rius entred and fortifyed.

[ 547] There were oftentimes earthquaks at Constantinople and else where: the riuer of Nilus in Egipt, did so ouerflowe as it did neuer before, y^e Hunnes and Totilas plaied the tyrantes in Italie and Illiria, which miserably spoy∣led as far as Epidamnus.

[ 550] The flowers, the berries, and the fruite of the trée which is called El∣der, were transformed into the flowers, berries, and fruite of the Vine, as Sigebertus writeth. The Slauonians entring into the landes of the Ro∣maynes slewe them, and at laste at Constantinople, they were driuen to flye.

There were cruell Earthquakes in Greece in Beccia and Achaia: the [ 551] Gréeke Criseas was lastly shaken, very many places and Cities were swa∣lowed vp, in diuers places the earth being drowned sunck vnder foote, and againe in some places great openings of the earth closed vppe, and in some places the earth gaped continually. Alboinus King of Lumbardie, by the help of Iustinian fought with y^e Gepidiens, slew their king Chunimundus, and almoste put out the name of the Gepedes.

A certaine boy in the East, sonne of a Iewe, when he was brought to [ 552] this, by his companions the sonnes of Christians, in the Churche of the Virgin Marie to receiue the Sacramente of Christ our sauiour, was for that by his father cast into a burning furnace, whom the Christians thēce drewe forth without any harme. At Constantinople a Sinod was assembled against the madnesse of Theodorus, Narses with a great army entered and ouercame the Gothes at Tagina.

An Earthquake shoke Constantinople for fortie dayes. The Frenchmen [ 554] hauing Bucelinus their Captaine, slue the Herulians at Parma, and Da∣gisteus vanquished Bucelinus.

There appeared the forme of a launce in the Elemente, from the [ 555] North to the Weaste, Bucelinus and Amingus Captaynes of Fraunce,* 3.23 were miserably slain by Narces. When Modardus of Nouum, Comum, and of Turne•• dyed, the Element opened, and Heauenly lightes did shine forth two houres space: this writeth Sigibertus in his Chronicles. Lotharie king of Fraunce subdued wyth a great conflict and slaughter the Saxons rebelling against him, and them of Thuring helping them, and not long after dyed at Trident in his iourney.

There were verye many Prodigies, there were huge Earthquakes, [ 557] dashings togither and gapings of the earth, wonderfully burning of stars, and ouerflowyng in the Sea, whyche ranne vppe into Thrace, al∣moste foure myle. And a blynde Whelpe dydde certayne straunge things he gaue euerye man hys owne, and shewed with signes certaine secrete things. An Earthquake afflicted Constantinople for tenne dayes and [ 558] nightes.

The Citie Berito fell downe with an Earthquake, the Iland of Cous, [ 560] was shaken, that yeare Lotharie chalenged vnto him the thirde part of the reuinewes of Churches. There appeared many tokens, manye signes, in the Sunne and Moone, Italy and chiefely Liguria was troubled with a mi∣serable plague. The kingdome was againe diuided among the sonnes of Lotari king of Fraunce. There was séene fierie speares in the Element, por∣tending the breaking of the Lumbards into Italy. That yeare Etherius, A∣uitatus, and Medicus, laye in waite to kyll Iustinian and were slaine.

At London in Englande, trées séemed to be a fire. At Yorke fountaines [ 570] ranne bloude.

In Kent a Boye laughed in hys mothers belly. Which prodigies were very truely expounded by Merline, against the English Saxons: witnes••e hereof is Bale.

Bloude is saide to fall from heauen, when at that time the Lumbards ha∣uing Albuinus there Captaine entred Italy, where afterward they held the kingdome more than 200. yeares.

In Italy there were séene fiery battailes in the Element from y^e which fell bloud, and afterward for manye dayes through continuall raine Tiber swelled so great, that with greate slaughter of the people, it drowned the lo∣west places of Rome, and likewise in certaine other Cities. Leuigialdus King of the Gothes subdued the Cities and Countryes of Spaine rebelling. The Lumbardes with a huge multitude, with their sonnes, with their wi∣ues, and other barbarous nations vnder their king Albuinus entred Italie, by way of Sirmium a Citie of the lower Panonia, & possessed it. There were heard soundyng Trumpettes in the Element. In those dayes there were moste troublesome times, Sainte Gregorie thoughte that the ende of the worlde was neare and that that greatest day of Christ was at hande. The Lumbards without any letting them inuaded Italy. Paul•• the Patriarke of Aquilea fled awaye, the Churches of Christe were ouerthrowne, Priestes were slaine, and Monkes were hanged vpon crosses by theyr féete: Deacōs hadde theyr heades cutte off, the common people and husbandmen were slayne, bycause they woulde not worshippe the consecrated heade of a Goate offered to their Goddes, and eate of the fleshe offered to their Goddes, sauing Rauenna and Rome. Italy was broughte vnder the Empyre of the Lumbardes, whyche at thys daye they commonlye call Lumbardy.

[ 573] In that war whych the Romaines made againste the Persians very ma∣ny Prodigies portending the insuing destruction of the Romaines were séene. A Bull newelye Calued was séene in the beginning of the warre, out of whose necke appeared two heades, the Romaines ouercame the Persians in a greate conflicte about Segarthon.

King Heribertus dyed. Betwéene the Spaniardes and the Frenchmen there arose a greate contention touching the kéepyng of Easter [ 579] day.

The thirde yeare of Tiberius Constantinus the Emperour, there a∣rose againe at Antioche an excéeding greate Earthquake, whiche shooke the publike and priuate houses, euen to the verye foundations, and yet dyd not ouerthrow them to the grounde. And all Daphne (made as it were the worke thereof at sundry times) fel down. Leonogildis in the beginning of his raigne droue the Sweuions out of Spaine, and ouercame Andeca their [ 580] king.

A fire was séene to runne vp and downe in the Elemente. Hormisda Kyng of the Persians makyng inrodes vppon the prouinces of the Ro∣maines was shamefully ouercome by the Romaines: he published a decrée, that the Kyng of the Persians shoulde not goe forth anye more to fighte by himselfe, bycause the force of the Romaines mighte not be de∣minished.

The fourth yeare of Tiberius Constantinus Wolues entred the Ci∣tie

of Burdeaux, and fearing no man, deuoured the dogges, immediately the Lumbardes passing the Alpes dyd grieuouslye annoye Rome, and the Cap∣taynes of the Lumbards did set vpon Fraunce, and the Lumbardes stroue to∣gither with diuerse kindes of fighte.

At Turon bloude ranne out of broken breade. Mumulus being put in the place of Amatus vanquished the Lumbardes at theyr returne: the peo∣ple [ 581] Auares toke Sermium. Tiberius the Emperour fell mad, and not long after dyed.

The Empyre was foretolde Mauricius by manye tokens from hea∣uen. For when late in the nighte, he was occupyed in Gods seruice, and offered incense in the highe Churche of our Lady, whiche was so called by Iustinian among them of Antioch: the vaile wherwith the holy table was couered, fell on a fire, so that Mauricius being driuen to amazednesse was thereat afrayde, and Gregorie being the Hierarch or holy ruler of that Ci∣tie which there stoode present, saide that that was some diuine thing, & dyd betoken new and high matters: and when vppon a time Mauricius was in the East, Christ appeared to him euidently and manifestlye, and besoughte him to reuenge the iniuries offered him, whiche surely was a true diuina∣tion of his Empire, for of whom should Christe aske reuengemente, but of an Emperour, and of him that was so deuoute towards him. Moreouer, those which brought him (the said Emperour) into the world, recoūt of him other things worthy of remembraunce. For his father tolde him about the time he was begottē, y^t there appeared to him in his fléepe an excéeding gret vine, which grew and spred out at his Chamber dore, bringing forth al kind of ripe clusters of Grapes hanging all about: but his mother in the time of his birth saide, that there came out of the Earthe a certaine straunge and a diuerse swéete smel, and said moreouer (which is a fable of old women, and to me almost incredible) that that which is called Empusa, other cal it Gilo, Hobgoblin or the Fayrie, toke the child out of the Chamber, as it were to deuoure him, yet coulde do him no harme, moreouer that* 3.24 Simeones which made his abode vppon a piller neare Antioch being giuen to doe so manye good workes as scarsely none other did, and most famous for all kinde of vertues, did not only speake, but did also many things by the way of diui∣nation, whiche didde note or betoken his Empire. The same yeare Iohn Mystaco ruler of the Easte, vanquished the Persians at the riuer Nimphi∣as.

In France Clodoue the Kings yongest son was slaine, when his step∣mother Phridegundis bare rule. The people of Auares comming to Constā∣tinople, made a couenant that the Romaines shoulde pay them yearely the sti∣pend of 100000. pound of gold.

There was a gret deluge chiefly at Venice, & in Liguria y^e first of October, [ 586]

and great thūder, and there folowed a grieuous plague at Rome, through y^e stinck of Serpents cast vpō the shore. In the riuer Nilus there were séene liuing creatures, both male and female, which as far as the flanckes hadde mans shape, and being adiured by God, they stayed to be seen from y^e mor∣ning till nine of the clocke. The Lumbardes, make Atheris son of Dep••on their king, who was called Flauius, of whom afterward kings were tear∣med Flauij. In Fraunce Fredigundis and hir aduouterer Laudrichus mai∣ster of the horsemen caused the king to be slaine at Cala, returnyng from hunting in the night season. Caianus ouerthrew Sigipon.

[ 589] In Italy and chiefely at Rome there arose cruel tempest, wherefore the Lumbardes besieging Rome, and being sore afrayde with the continuall raging and force of whirlewindes, were compelled to remoue theyr siege, and there folowed so great a boundaunce of water, that well almoste innumerable men and beastes perished throughe Italie, and especiallye at Rome. Throughe the corruption of deade carcases, there folowed a pestilence of which Pelagius the Bishop dyed, after he had held his Bishop∣rick eleauen yeares.

[ 590] When for a moneth space, a Comet hadde appeared, manye Prin∣ces dyed, and eyghte yeares after Machomet, the greate Prophete of God as sayde the Sarazens, who gaue lawes to the Sarazens, was born in Arabia. The sonne of Hormilda, after hys Father was taken, in∣uaded the kingdome of the Persians. The Romaynes also were ouer∣come by the Persians. Ouermuche rayne caused greate ouerflowings, in suche sorte that all men sayde, the last daye of iudgement was at hande, for the destruction was so greate, that none coulde remember to haue bin more grieuous sithence the worlde beganne. A greate Dragon also in a man∣ner of a strong beame, with an innumerable number of Serpentes went throughe Tiber into the Sea, by the whyche the beastes of the sea, beyng strangled and caste on the shoare, corrupted the ayre with theyr rottennesse.

The yeare followyng Hormisda kyng of the Persians whome the Persians made blynde, was slayne by hys sonne Coldroe, whiche fledde to the Emperoure Mauris, and by hys manhoode he vanquished the Persians.

The same tyme the Riuer of Tiber, did so breake ouer the banckes at Rome, that flowing ouer the Walles of the Citie, it occupyed an excéeding greate parte of the Countrey, and ouerthrewe manye houses: Of the stincke also, there followed a verye grieuous plague, whyche they called Inguinaria, whyche was so greate that it also kylled the Pope Pelagius, and euerye where verye manye houses in Rome stoode emptie.

[ 593] When king Agilulphus was king ouer the Lūbardes there came a great

number of Grashoppers into the territorie of Trident, which were greater than others bée: all these eate vp the grasse and corne of the field: and thys yeare was a greate drought from the moneth of Ianuarie, to the moneth of September, and there was greate scarsitie of corne, so that manye dyed of hunger.

In Fraunce a certaine man felling downe trées in a wood, was so pe∣stered with flyes, that two yeares he was madde. Afterward vnder the ha∣bite of religion he shewed him selfe a false Prophet, after that a Magitian, and after that he cured sicke persons, and saide that he was Christ, and cō∣maunded himselfe to be honored for hym, he stroke like an enimie, those that woulde not worship him togither with the people whiche in great nū∣bers cloue vnto him, yet afterward he was slaine by a certain faithful mā, and so his followers were dispearsed. This yeare Recharetus king of the Vicegothes, spoyled the borders of the Romaines, the Gothes came to vni∣on of the Catholike Faith, and Hianus againe inuaded Thrace.

By reason of the excéeding drouth going before, the fall of the multi∣tude of Locustes wasted the fruites of al y^e fields, and hereof in Italy came a wonderful famine.

When the same Aginulphus raigned, in the moneth of Ianuarie there [ 594] appeared a blasing Starre morning and euening for a whole moneth, in the whiche moneth also Iohn Archbishoppe of Rauenna died, and Euendux at Trident, and at the same time, more thā 2000. of the Boyoarians were all slaine whilest they set vpon the Slauonians, whom Cachanus came to help. A certaine Senators sonne of Rome, was created by the people of Rome, the chiefest commaunder of Italy, againste the Lumbardes, whiche office was not before. Ag••nulphus made peace with Cachanus king of the Hunes re∣quiring the same by his embassadors from Panonia.

After that Gregorie the Pope who being a Deacon, toke the gouern∣ment [ 595] of the sea of Rome after Pelagius, had ordayned a seauen shaped or fa∣shioned letanie, within the space of one houre while he praied to God, 80 of them sodainelye falling to the grounde gaue vp the ghost, againe Agenul∣phus slew the auntient Slauonians at Ister, and doeth inriche hys Souldi∣ers with a huge pray, Caianus maketh peace with Agenulphus the Lum∣barde.

At Constantinople a boy was borne with foure féete, and another ha∣uing [ 596] two heads, whiche prodigies did betoken aduersitie to those places where they were borne. Thassilo being appointed king of the Baiorians, by Childebertus and ouercomming the Slauonians triumphed.

The Sunne from the East to the Weast was deminished to one third part of him, the Lumbardes breaking in vpon the Hil Cassinus made spoyle of all things in Italy. Gallicanus succéeded the Senators son of Rome that was deade, and made peace with the Lumbardes.

[ 597] There were séene at this time manye and horrible prodigies, which por∣tended the future calamities of Mahomet, which as this yeare was borne in Arabia, for the self same yeare a Comet was séene at Constantinople, hor∣rible to behold. Moreouer Guntranus dyed, and by his testament Hildebert his brother succéeded him. Many prodigies wēt a litle before y^e deth of Mau. [ 601] K. of y^e Romains, for at first an excéeding great Comet was séene shining for many dayes: In Thrace y^e same time, a womā brought forth a child altogi∣ther mōstrous, & an offēce to nature, for he lacked eyes, eyelids, & eyebries, neither had he iust forme & likenes in y^e rest of y^e constitution of his body, for he had neither hands nor armes, & at his thigh there grewe & hung down y^e taile of a fishe: which monster when Mauricius the Emperor saw, he cōmā∣ded it to be slain & immediately he kist the sword, & the mother which brou∣ght forth y^e mōster, for as much as hir fault wrought nothing in this strāge miracle, was discharged of crime: thē also y^e best of y^e Emperors horsses, and the goodliest to behold w^t his golden furniture, vpō y^e sodain fel down & burst in sunder, & in y^e stréets of y^e suburbs of y^e imperial Citie, other mōsters al∣so wer born: to wit, a boy hauing 4. féete, & another hauing 2. heads, but they both wer cut in péeces. The 19. yere of y^e Empire of Mauricius when Mena bare rule in Egipt, there were also certain mōsters séen in y^e riuer of Nilus, for after y^e ruler came to Delta (this place is famous amōg the Egiptians, ta∣king name of y^e forme of y^e letter) & early in y^e morning went to y^e riuer side, sodainly a certain mā bringing w^t himself a horror, came out of y^e chanel of y^e riuer like to a Giant, in countenance hauing a graue looke, a broune haire & sprinckled with hoare haires, a great brest shewing in his back & armes a valiantnes, & shewing himself to be séene as far as the shore, when some∣times he lept vp aboue the water, but hyding y^e rest of his body vnder the water as though he had bin a shamed, couered the secrets of nature. Whē y^e captain beheld him, he solemnly again & again adiured him, if he were a Diuel to go out of sight, & to get himself to a desart, but if he wer some crea∣ture, he adiured him y^t he should not go out of sight before he had satisfied all men with his straunge presence: wherfore y^e liuing creature (for I dare not cal him a man) stoode stil a long time, being bound with the adiuration & let al men sée him. The 3. day after in y^e morning, another liuing creature also in the forme of a woman (for nature shewed it sufficiently) came out of the water. For the mildnes of hir countenance, the length of hir haire, y^e consti∣tution of the rest of hir bodie, hir haire partly folded, partly lose, & hir goodly fauor shewed hir to be a womā, but hir haire was somewhat black, hir face white, hir nose reasonable, & hir fingers séemely, hir lips tender, hir breasts round & smoth, & hir dugs séemed to the beholder a little to appeare: the Ri∣uer hid the other parts of a woman, putting away the secret parts frō the beholders, as from those which had not receiued secret orders. Wherefore the captain & his company fed their eyes with that sight, till the sun going down, at which time those liuing creatures also entred into the innermost

parts of y^e riuer, whē they had shewed themselues to be séene without spea∣king any worde, for with domb silence they appeared to their louers. Of all these vnlucky tokēs the Emperour gathered by this coniecture, a gréeuous end of all things, and at that time he was sore troubled with the feare of that which fell out, bycause that they which diligently haue written histo∣ries, haue left in writing, that those monstrous shews were neuer good to y^e common wealth. Not long after Priscus & Commentiolus, Rulers of the Coūtries of Europe, by breaking y^t peace which by a certaine subtilty they had made with Chaganabat, the Prince priuily cōmanding it, passed ouer Ister in ships, & as soone as they arriued to Vimenacium, which is an Iland standing in the riuer of Ister, & afterward sodainly met with Barbarians & certain others, in the space of a moneth, in many battailes, they slue aboue. 30000. of the Abarians, Gepides & the Sclauonians, & tooke more than 1500. of them, & when they had gotten such a victorie, as almoste neuer any was known to haue had of his enimies, they went backe, or returned. There appéered so many Prodigies as neuer before, by the which the miseries to [ 603] come were foreshewed, or there was séene a very brighte Comet in y^e mo∣neth of September, & Nouember, whervpon y^t yeare Mauritius the Empe∣rour was slain by Phocas, & afterward Pope Bonifacius y^e third with great contētion obtained y^t Rome should be called & accoūted y^e head of y^e churches.

When Gregory Agilulphus made peace with Theodoricus K. of Frāce, a most gréeuous plague spoyled Rauēna & those which inhabited y^e sea cost, & the yere folowing, it so spoyled y^e whole territorie of Verona, y^t one halfe of y^e people was not left aliue, Paulus Wanefri. li, 4. ca. 15 Ther appéered a blou∣dy signe in y^e Elemēt, like a bloudy speare, & the light appeared cleare to all mē al y^e night long, & grieuously afflicted Theodopertus K. of France, y^t was in y^e field against Clotarie his coosin germaine. The yere folowing captain Agilul which succéeded Farualdus at Spoletū died. Whē Theodopert K. of [ 604] France bare rule, whilst y^e French fighting with y^e Saxōs had made a bloudie slaughter, at Tisinū in y^e high church of S. Peter y^e Apostle, Peter a singer was strickē with lightning, Pau. Wanefridus Lōgabardus li. 4. ca. 32. In the mo∣neth of April & May, there appeared a star in y^e Elemēt which we cal a Co∣met, & the same yere Seuerus Patriark of Aquilca departed: y^e same yere af∣terward in y^e moneth of Nouem. & Decem. a Comet again appeared, & the same time whē Candidianus was ded, Epipha: was created Patriark, & so at y^t time the Romains began to haue two Patriarkes. When Lotharius and Theodoricus fought togither in battayle, 30000 mon were slaine: in y^e conflict the Angell of the Lorde was séene holding a naked sworde ouer the people. When Mauricius the Emperour was slaine, the Persians and the Hunnes made a spoyle in the prouinces of the Romaines.

The coate without seame of our Lord Iesus Christ, made by the bles∣sed [ 608] Virgin Marie, which by lot fel to one of y^e souldiers, at this time of Pho∣cas the Emperour was founde by the Bishops Gregorie of Antioch, Tho∣mas

of Ierusalem, and Iohn of Constantinople, vncorrupt and without blea∣mish, not far from Ierusalem, at the Citie Zaphat, layde vp there in a Mar∣ble tombe, which being had in great price, and carried to Ierusalem there inclosed in a chest of Iuorie, they reporte that this coate after the taking of the Citie of Constantinople, came into the hands of the Turkes. Chronicorū. lib. 6. Folio. 149.

[ 617] There appeared a Comet for a moneth, then Cosdras king of the Per∣sians sacked Ierusalem, Polidor Virgil in his third booke of prodigies. Thys yeare also the Persians spoyled all Palestine, they caryed away Zacharie the Patriarke with his ornaments and people. Sigebertus and Functius, do re∣fer this to the yere of Christ. 615. Sigebertus the son of Dagobert Kyng of Fraunce, saide when he was Christened, the people being silent, Amen.

There was a grieuous Earthquake in Palestine, and a signe was séen in the Element hauing the forme of a sword, which stoode 30. dayes South∣ward, wherby men thoughte was signifyed the power of the Sarazens.

Betwéene the Romaines and the Sarazens there arose a war that coulde not be appeased. King Dagobart bet downe the Idolatrous Slauonians.

Cadwallo or Cadwaline king of the Brytaines, by the helpe of Penda tyrant of the Mercians reuolted from the people of Northūber, Edwine di∣ed in the ouerthrow.

[ 639] Againe at Antioch about the third houre of the nighte there sodainely arose a great shaking and a rising of the earth, with a gret noyse, and thrust vp the whole Citie, frō the very foundation: & as it did ouerthrow the buil∣dings, that wer lifted vp aloft, so did it ouerthrow in the lower places those buildings whiche déepely stayed vpon the foundation, so that al the buil∣dings of the holiest Churche were cast downe righte, and the Hemisphere alone remayned in his place. Which Euphaemius the Bishop had builded of the rafters taken out of the wood dedicated to Daphne, when the Earth∣quake made a grieuous destruction in the time of Iustinus, for it was de∣cayed in the North part, with other shakings of the erth, and therfore it had rafters to hold it vp, those rafters then with a great and vehement mouing were so ouerthrowen to the grounde, that the Hemisphere was restored to his place, like a certaine rule. Moreouer manye buildings being shaken in that part of the Citie, whych is called Ostrasine, fel down: and that building also which doth aunswere his name called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. i Psephion: likewise those buildings which in y^e mother tong are named Brycia, and besids the church of our Ladie which was neare vnto it, where the middle of the porch alone was wonderfully preserued, al the towers also in the plaine, were wonder∣fully spoyled w^t other wals, sauing the bulwarks alone were vntouched &c. there were slaine at y^t time w^t the fal of the buildings. 6000. persons. Greg. Bish. of y^e citie was saued cōtrary to al hope, for al the house & the dwelling wherin he made abode fel down, neither did any escape y^t dāger but hée &c.

A wonderfull storme at Constantinople, spoyled the Fieldes and the Gar∣dens [ 684] adioyning pulling vp the trées and hearbes. The Sarasens inuaded Affrike, droue awaye Gregorie the Tyraunt, and made it tributarie. Ro∣dolphe duke of the Toringens, denying tribute, was vanquished by Sigi∣bertus king of Austracia, and was compelled to pay tribute.

A fierie stone, as it were a masse of glowing yron flying came from [ 650] the Weast, and many saw a huge Dragon. The yéeres folowing Linthol∣phus the Duke rebelled agaynst Otho his Father. The Earle Adelber∣tus was slayne: the Hungarians spoyled Norica, Fraunce, and Italy.

The eleuenth yeare of the Empyre of Constance, it rayned Ashes, [ 953] wherevpon Constantinople was in a greate feare, fire sell from heauen, and by and by a moste gréeuous plague for the space of thrée sommer Monthes made greate mortalitie. There was séene also in very déede a wicked Aun∣gell going about the Citie, who as often as he stroke the houses of the in∣habitantes with a hunting staffe, so many men the same day died. Con∣stance the Emperor after he had sent a commaunder into Italy, he resisted the Church of God, when Martin the Pope withstoode the Emperor Con∣stantine, he being by him driuen into banishment died, and the Bishops sease was voyde for fourtéene Moneths.

The rising of superstition, The fall of Religion,

The libertie of Errours, The fredome of the Churchmen or clergie.* 3.25 And after their kingdomes, transgression & sinne inuading and com∣ming vpon them, there shall stande a king mightie in face, and vnder∣standing ridels, & his power shalbe strengthened,* 3.26 and not in his owne power and might, and he shall corrupt maruellous thinges. And he shall prosper and doe, and shall corrupt strong thinges, and the people which are holy, and he shall be after his owne opinion, and deceit shalbe direc∣ted and prosper in his hande. And he shall be exalted in his owne harte, and in his prosperitie he shall corrupt many, & he shall resist the prince of all princes, and shall be consumed without hande, whome the Lorde Iesus shall consume with the spirite of his mouth, and shall destroy with the appearaunce of his comming, euen him whose comming is, after the working of Sathan with all lying power, and signes and wonders, and with all deceaueablenesse of vnrighteousnesse among them that perish, because they receiued not the loue of the truth, that they mighte bee sa∣ued. &c.

There was an Eclipse of the Sunne at 10. a clock the fifte daye of the Kalendes of May, in the seuenth indiction. A cruell pining sicknesse and a pestilence inuaded Englande, the Archebishop Deus dedit, God gaue, dyed. Constance for his tyrannie towardes godly Priestes, and for his brothers death being hated of his subiectes went to Rome, the Emperour Constan∣tinus tooke many of the Lumbards, he besieged Beneuentum and their King

Grimwaldus gréeuously wasted his armie.

[ 673] The fourth yeare of the Emperour Constantine: there appeared in the Element in the month of March a rainebowe & a fire of such a horrible greatnes, y^e men cried out & said, y^t the last day of y^e world was at hand: that yere a great plague of men, & a morain of cattel afflicted Ticinū. And y^e Sara∣sens breaking in vpō y^e borders of y^e Romans, spoiled al places & tooke Cizicū.

[ 674] The 5. yere of the same Emperor, there was in Italy such rain & thunder that the lightning alone slue men and beastes. Moreouer there was such a∣boundaunce of raine, that men coulde neyther threshe, nor put the corne in their Garners, whereof it came to passe that through the rayne, Graine grew vp againe and came to ripenesse.

[ 676] From August forward for 3. whole moneths, a fearefull star pearced the element with his beames, appeared at the sun rising vntill the sunne went down, after which followed a great plague in the east parts, y^e element to y^e great terror of the beholders séemed to burne for 10. days, & immediatelye a blasing star appeared for 3. Months, & there fel from heauen continual rain and horrible thunder, the like whereof was neuer heard in the memorie of man, for the auoiding of which, Theodatus oftentimes appoynted the peo∣ple to pray, & he after a solemn sort followed the multitude. Theodatus died to y^e great sorrow of the Citie, the 4. yere of his papacie, and was buried in Vaticā Donus after him got the Sea. The Sarasens weried Licia and Cili∣cia [ 677] with warre, a greate plague afflicted Ticinum: Grashoppers flewe in great swarmes, through Siria and Mesopotamia The yere following Ba∣linicus the cunning builder came to Rome, from Heliopolis a citie of Siria, who found out the sea fire, which afterward the Romanes vsing, burned the ships of the Sarasens.

[ 682] In the time of Constantine the 4 Emperor, immediately after the sixte general counsaile of Constantinople the Moone was eclipsed, and almoste at the same time the sunne was eclipsed, nere about ten of the clock of the day, the fift day of the Nones of May, and immediately there followed a moste gréeuous pestilence, which in thrée months made such a spoyle, that euen y^e fathers with the sonnes, & the brothers with the sisters, being so by couples put on the beares, were at Rome caried to burie. In like sort also it spoyled at Ticinum in such sort that all the Citizens fled to the tops of mountaines, and hearbes and shrubbes grew in the Market place, & in other stréetes of the Citie. Moreouer the same yere Muhamas the Amiras or king of the Sa∣rasens died, after whom Gyreth his sonne tooke the gouernment. Constan∣tinus remoued Heraclius and Tiberius being both brothers, from the socie∣tie of the Empire, and began to raigne with Tiberius his sonne.

[ 785] The 16. yere of the sayde Constantine the fierie hill Vesuuius in y^e king∣dome of Naples in time past renowmed for the goodnesse of wine, alwayes casting out smoke and fire, as Aetna doth in Cicilia, burned a fresh. A great

multitude of the Aegiptians entering Affrica did almost vtterly ouerthrow Carthage that was spoyled before. Egfridus king of y^e Nordouimbrians was slaine by the Picts, The Picts, the Scots, and the Britons, vexed the English∣men, and recouering their libertie which in time past they lost by the En∣glishmen, they spoyled a great part of England.

There appeared a horrible star about y^e feast of Christs byrth, aboute the [ 687] orbe of the starres called Vergil•• which continued day and night til twelfe-tide. Benedictus Bishop of Rome died, in whose place Iohn the fift of that name succéeded. Pepin and Martine dukes of the Austracians, were ouer∣come by Ebroyne, and Martine contrary to fayth and promise was slayne. When Perthareth king of the Lumbards was dead, Chumperth his sonne succéeded in the kingdome. When Edrith King of Englande was deade, straunge kinges of other Nations for the space of 4. yeares spoiled & wa∣sted the kingdome of Englande.

There was a deluge in the borders of Ʋenice and Liguria, & other coun∣treys [ 690] of Italy the like whereof is not thought to haue bene sithens y^e time of Noy. Mens houses became ditches, & there was a great death of men and beasts, & the high ways & paths were quite destroyed, and the riuer Athesis grew so hie, that the walles of the citie Verona on the one side were ouer∣throwne: this ouerflowing was the first day of Nouember: moreouer there was such thunder and lightning, the like whereof was not woont to bée in somer time. Tiber also at Rome grew so great that the water thereof ranne ouer the walles and ouerflowed the countrey all abrode, then through the chanell of the same riuer, a dragon of a wonderfull greatnesse with a great number of Serpentes, passing through the Citie went to the Sea, imme∣diately after this ouerflowing ther followed a most gréeuous plague, which they call Inguinaria that destroyed the people in suche numbers, y^t of a mul∣titude inestimable, a very few remained.

The 9. yere of the Emperor Iustinian the sunne was eclipsed the thyrde [ 695] hower of the day, so that certain starres through their brightnesse might be séene of all men in the element. Iustinian the Emperor went about to wea∣ken the sixt holy sinode, and indeuoureth in vayne to thrust out of y^e churche Pope Sergius who herein resisted him.

There was a great earthquake in Siria, Constantinus the 23. pope died, [ 714] after whome succéeded in the Papacie Gregorie the seconde, according to Platina, Sigibert, and others. But there be some who following Blondus doe appoynte Stephan the seconde. Pipin also dyed the same yere, who left his sonne Carolus surnamed Martellus heire of his kingdome.

The Sarasens besieging Constātinople were afflicted with cold, famine and [ 719] pestilence, but when the siege was raysed, the Sarasens shippes were drow∣ned with a prodigious haile, so that but tenne alone escaped.

In the fift yere of Leo in Campania a Countrey of Italy there fell downe [ 722]

from heauen burnt wheate, barley and pulce, as it were rayne, and the yeare following Charles subdewed the Saxons, Rigubertus Bishoppe of Rhemes was put from his seate by Charles, euen as Eucherius Bishop of Orleans was, because he would giue no ayde against Reginfred.

There appeared two Comets, and for this cause chéefelye worthye of remembraunce, because the one went before the Sunne rising, the other followed his going downe.

[ 729] Gregorie the Pope, the second of that name, after sixtéene yeres died, after whome the third of that name a Sirian born, succéeded. The Cazarians rose against the Sarazens and made a greate slaughter of them, Eudo sente forth Sarasens out of Spaine.

[ 735] There was fyre séene in the Element, Luitprandus king of the Lum∣bardes besieged Rome, through whiche feare Gregorie the Pope sente for helpe to Charles the sonne of Pepin. The Sarasens inuaded Fraunce agayn, and possessed Au••nion by treason, Martellius tooke the citie by force, & cha∣sed awaye Athinus king of the Sarasens.

[ 738] Aboute this time died Frideswida, a holy mayde, borne at Oxforde, the Daughter of Duke Didamus, whome king Algarus secretly loued but not honestly. Folowing her to the Citie of Oxforde, the Mayde hasting to saue her virginitie, entred the Citie, after whome the Gates shutte fast of themselues, and the king was stroken blinde, not able farther to pursue, notwithstanding at the prayer of the Maiden, his sight was restored so that the king euer after durst follow no more Maids to Oxforde. There be some Countreis in the worlde, that if the Magistrates should be so handled, there woulde be very few found that had their s••ght, from whose euill ensample, the inferiour sorte are become abhominable. Policron Book. 5. Chap. 24.

[ 740] There was a huge Earthquake at Constantinople, the seuenth daye of the Kalendes of Nouember, which ouerthrew Temples and Monasteries, and this quaking lasted a whole yeare. Pope Leo dyed the fourtéenth daye of the kalendes of Iuly after whome Zacharias succéeded.

[ 744] When Constantine was Emperour ashes fell from heauen. Con∣stantinus the fourth day of the Nones of Nouember, tooke by force Con∣stantinople and put out the eyes of Artabazdus & his two sonnes. The Huns in 7. dayes iourney and with so many armies entring into Scithia, recoue∣red Panonia agayne.

[ 745] There appeared a Comet in Siria after which followed a great plague, which by little and little inuaded all the Ilands of the Sea, and al Greece. It is a maruailous thing, and worth the noting, which Functius singularly reciteth to haue happened in this time. Haly prince of the Sarasens at Da∣mascus sent in banishmente Peter Archebishop of that place, hauing his tongue cut off, to the furthermost Arabia to Eudemon because that he fréely reprooued the Sarasens, and Maniches, of their errour. One Peter a scribe

of the Sarasens hearing this, with a stoute courage withstoode the Sarasens, that he mighte deserue the crown of Martyrdome. For when at that tyme he laye sicke of a gréeuous disease, he sent for the chéefest of the Arabians to come vnto him, whome comming according vnto their custome, when they were wont to receiue of him before their reckninges of their tribute, he spake vnto after this sorte, Albeit it be apparant ynough to me, that you my friendes are infidels, yet because that you haue vouchsafed to visite me in my sicknesse, I desire and beséeche G••d with my harte, to yéelde you a large rewarde, and I will haue you to be witnesses of my will, whiche I nowe make, and I earnestly beséeche you, that you receiuing this precepte with your eares, would lay it vp in the bottome of your harts, and daylye thinke vpon it, and this it is, Whosoeuer beléeueth not in the Father, the Sonne, and the holy Ghost, a diuine trinitie in vnitie, of one substaunce, he is deade in soule, and worthy of euerlasting punishment. Such a one I confesse your false prophet Mahomet to be, whome I nothing doubte to bée the forrunner of Antichrist. Depart you, then depart you I cal heauen and earth to witnesse for you, from his most wicked trifles and fables, for this I counsayle you, leaste togither with him yée be punished for euer. The A••abians being stricken with the straungenesse of the thing, and supposing that the man doted, and through féeblenesse had lost the vse of reason, made then little account of him, speaking these wordes through vnsensiblenesse, or rather madnesse. And whē not long after he recouered his former health, he cried out with a lowder voyce than euer he did before, that Mahomet was accursed, that his writing was ful of fables, and that all they that did obey him and beléeue in him, shoulde perishe vnder an euerlasting curse, and when he had proclaimed this often and openly, he was forciblye taken by the Sarasens that were made to heare him, and was beheded, and became (as he wished,) the Martir of Christ.

The fifte yere of the Emperour Constantine in Calabria, Cicilia, and [ 746] in certayne other places, there appeared little Crosses vppon mens Gar∣mentes, and vpon the vayles of Temples, as it were marked with Oyle, And that yere followed an horrible pestilence which began in Cicilia, and afterwarde by little and little inuaded all the Ilandes of the Sea, and all Greece. And Cachis king of the Lumbardes, whilest he vpon league broken went about to vexe Rome was not only repressed by Pope Zacharie but al∣so comming to Rome with his wife and Children, through his perswasion became a Monke.

An Earthquake did gréeuously molest Palestine, chéefely the holy Cit∣tie, [ 747] a pestilence spoiled the Citie of Constantinople, the Sarasens inuade Cipres with a Nauie. In Fraunce Pepin doth persecute his Brother Gr••••on, go∣ing about to entrap him.

The eleuenth yere of Constantine the Emperour there was a terri∣ble [ 752]

Earthquake wherewith some Cities fell quite down, some were part∣ly ouerthrowne, some were caried from hillie places to a Champion coun∣trey, more than sixe myles, whole and safe together with their walles and inhabitantes. In Mesopotamia also the earth cloue asunder for the space of two mile, and an other earth very white and sandye rose vp from the bot∣tome, and out of that came a beast like a Mule vntouched speaking with a mans voyce, and vttering (the inuasion of a Nation from the Wildernesse against the Arabians.)

In Fraunce in the night time there was séene a great firie signe in the Element, to witte a fierie bowle, on the south side declining from the bor∣ders of Fraunce to the quarters of Lumbardy. Theodosiopolis and Mittilene were recouered by Constantine, Stephan the Pope choosing Pepin to helpe him against Aistulphus ouercame the Lumbards in Italy, & besieged their king Muruha at Papia.

[ 757] There was an earthquake in Palestine in Siria. The next yere after this, to witte the eightéenth yere of Constantine, it happened that certain Magi, wise men of the Persians called Marophori fell to so great madnesse, y^t they perswaded themselues and other fooles light of beléefe, if in selling all their substaunce (to what vse they gathered their money, & whether it were giuē to poore folkes or not, it is not known) they would cast themselues naked from the walles of the citie, then without stay they should flie vp into hea∣uen: very many miscaried through this péeuishnesse, and at length sixtéene of the chéefest being slaine by the Prince of the Sarasens, this madnesse en∣ded. When the Pope Stephan was deade Paule the firste succéeded in the Sea of Rome. Pepin doth valyauntly breake asunder the Munitions of the Saxons and after a great slaughter he made them tributarie. The Kingdome of Northumberlande this yeare fell to decaye. Osowlcas King thereof being oppressed by a conspiracye in his house dyed imme∣diately.

Astulphus king of the Lumbards who went about to make the Romanes [ 758] his tributaries, being stricken with lightning died, after he hadde raigned 3••. yeres.

[ 760] The Sunne was eclipsed the 18. day of the kalendes of September at 9. a clock, the next yere also, the day before the nones of Iune, at sixe a clocke. Immediatly Pepin King of Fraunce died at Paris and Paule the pope also. Constantine being ouercome by the Vulgarians lost many noble men with their armies, the Arabians inuaded Armenia.

[ 761] There appeared a blasing starre in the East for ten days, an other in the weast for one and twentie dayes. Chilpingus of Auerne. and Amingus of Poyters, both Earles, encountering with the Souldiers of Pepin, were slain with many besides.

[ 763] The 22. yere of the Emperour Constantine there was a great froste

from the Kalendes of October vntill Februarie, wherewith the Sea of Pontus for 1000 miles space by reason of the vehemente coldenesse of the yse, was become as hard as a stone, hauing thyrtie Cubits from the o∣uershewe to the bottome, a Snowe also of twentie cubits thick couered it, so that therewith the sea was made fyrme and gone vppon, but in the Mo∣neth of Februarie the Ise cloue in dyuers péeces like Hilles. This yere also Starres séemed to fall from Heauen, wherevppon menne being fea∣red with the wonder, thought that the ende of the world was at hande. A Comet appeared in the East: the Bulgarians killing their Gouernoures, make Zeletis their Duke, who being vanquished in a greeuous conflicte by Constantine, was slayn by his own men, & Paganus was put in his place. Stars séemed again to fal frō heauen, there ensued a great drougth, Con∣stantinus [ 765] inuading the bulgarians by Sea, suffered shipwrack, wherein he lost many thousand men. The Turkes againe starting abrode, foughte with the Arabians.

The 35. yere of Constantinus when the Saxons besieged the Castle of He∣resburch, [ 776] the glory of God appeared to al men ouer the Church, to wit, in 2. shields flaming with a bloody colour making certain mouings in the ayre as in the war, and immediately king Charles comming into Saxony brake asunder their fortifications, victory was gotten of the Lumbards and al Ita∣ly was subdewed, the Pope graunted him authority to choose the Pope, and to order the Apostolike seate, and the dignitie of the Patriarkeship. The same yeare Constantinus leading his armie against the Bulgariās died of a miserable death and wayling.

Charles the great first king of Fraunce & after Emperor of the Romanes, [ 777] as faith our histories, was séemly of body, fierce in countenance, his stature was 8. of his féete in lēgth, which was very large, nere to 11. foote of our me∣sure, brode backed, clean bellied, big armes & thighes, he was a fierce & skil∣ful souldier, & very strong in al his lims, his face 18 inches cōpas breadth & length, his nose half a foote long, his foreheade a foote brode, his eyes were like a lions, round & sparckling, so y^t on whome he frowned he greatly fea∣red, his eye browes were half a foote long ouer ech eye, y^e girdle wherewith he was girt was 8 foote lōg, besides y^e which hung down, a big & short beard the depth of a foote: he cut asunder with one blow hauing his own sword, an armed souldier sitting vpō his horse, frō y^e head to y^e saddle: he could stretch forth with his hands at one time together 4. horseshooes, he coulde also liste vp frō the ground on the palm of his hand an armed man standing vpright, he was verye liberall in giuing, sound in iudgement, and eloquente in spéeche. Author Speculum Vincentij Histon. About the same time, there was a Giant captaine ouer 20000. Sarasens, that came agaynste the Christians, he was as strong as 4••. men, his stature twelue cubits, his face a foote and a halfe brode, his Nose a foote long, his whole hande from

the wrest to the toppe of the fingers, thrée foote, his armes foure cubits, not∣withstanding his greatnesse, and great strength, he was after sunderye as∣saultes ouercome by Roulande a valiaunt yong Gentleman of Fraunce, by policie. It is sayd, that the Emperour hauing intelligence of this Giaunt, y^t no sooner foure or sixe armed menne assailed him, but he woulde with smi∣ling countenaunce take them all vp vnder his armes, and carie them clean away from the place, went to Naugeris to sée him. Vincentius.

[ 777] The same time when the Frenchmen made warre in Spaine with ill successe, the day before the Kalends of February, the seuentéenth day of the Moone, the Sun was eclipsed about noone tyde, when thrée dayes before the Moone had suffered the like: the same night armies of men appeared in the Element, and the Star of Mercurye was séene the sixtéenth day of the ka∣lendes of Aprill. Amid the Sunne there was a certayne blacke spot. Char∣les the great King of Fraunce being warned by an Oracle, as he sayde, sub∣dued an excéeding great part of Spaine in the whiche war Pampilonia, Osca, Lucema and other Cities notable for their riches, were taken, rather by Gods helpe than mans, as Turpinus séemeth to signifie. Immediatelye the Sarasens comming out of Affrique and hauing Aquilandus their Captaine, chalenged to themselues that Countrey, and Charles agayn recouered that prouince, And at Bay••n a Citie of Gasconi they fought vpon chalenge, and on sides, with chaungeable fortune, now vp, now downe, finallye they soughte together with all might and mayne, and there were slayne in that battayle fyftie thousande Christians, and among those Milo Auglerius the father of Roulande.

[ 778] It rayned blood, which also is sayd to haue come forth of the Earth, there were also many other prodigies spoken of. At this time at Constātinople or as others write, in the long Walles of Thrace, a certayne man digging, founde a Coffin of Stone, which when he hadde made cleane and opened, he founde a mans body therein, and letters glewed or fastned to the Coffin containing these words, Christus nascetur ex virgine Maria, & credo in eum, sub Constanti••o & Irene imperatoribus: O soliterum me videbis. Christ shall be borne of the virgine Marie, and I beleue in him, in the time of the Em∣perours Constantine and Irene, O sunne thou shalt see me again and the same yere that these thinges were founde Irene with her sonne Constan∣stine began to reigne ten yeares. The Saxons rebelled, whom Charles the great King of Fraunce vanquished, and they deliuered him 4500. sedicious persons, who put in suerties.

[ 782] The Sunne was eclipsed the fiftéenth day of the Kalends of October, at two a clocke, and crosses appeared on mens Garmentes, Charles the great persecuted with an exceeding great armie the rebels going through Germanie to the borders of Baioaria. Charles came into Fraunce, to whome also Baioaria became subiect.

In the tyme of Brithricus king of the Britaines it rayned blood, [ 786] whiche falling on mennes clothes, appeared like crosses, not long after the Danes fyrste ariued in the Ile called Portlande, and greatly vexed the Britons.

It is lefte in wryting, that in a cleare and calme weather Woode [ 787] fell out of the Element vpon the Territorie of Fusingentum.

Moyses Amiras dyed, after whome Aaron his brother, bare rule o∣uer the Sarasens. Charles king of Fraunce comming to Rome made warre agaynst Heregishius duke of Beneuentum. War arose betwéene the french∣men and the Auarians.

There happened at Rome a very great and vnaccustomed ouerflowing [ 91] of Tiber, wherein the riuer water like vnto a violent streame after raine, ranne very farre abrode through the gate Flaminta, (which nowe is called Porta populi) with a great slaughter of men and spoyle of goods: men passed through a great part of the Citie in boates, by the which at the Popes bid∣ding meate was giuen to the poore folkes that could not come abrode, and y^e wanted all other helpe: the houses of the citie & the heards of cattayle were violently caried away: that deluge did not only hurt at the present, but was the cause also that the yere following there was great dearth of Corne at Rome. Adrian the Pope comforted the Citie in this distresse, he gaue much reléefe to many, that that miserye might the lesse be perceiued: he amended the walles and towres of the Citie that were ouerthrown with the forces of the water. This yere also in Februarie an earthquake did shake Constā∣tinople, and Irene depriueth her sonne of the Empyre, and raigned alone. The war of the Hunnes began, which continued almost 8. yeres. The Ara∣bians set vpon Cypres.

That yere in the which Irene the Empresse, after y^t the Empire was [ 797] taken from her, abusing her womanishe sorrowe, depriued her sonne Constantine of his eyes and Empire, and Charles the king ouercame the Saxons with a gréeuous conflict, the sunne was darkened for 17 days. There was an Earthquake in Creta and in Sicilia: likewise there was an other forcible earthquake at Constātinople: and in Spaine Barcilona being resto∣red to the Sarasens was besieged of the Souldiers of Charles.

Whilest the Emperor Charles the greate was at Spoletum the daye be∣fore [ 800] the kalends of May, the second houre of the nighte, the earth trembled gréeuously, the couering or roofe of S. Peters church at Rome fel down. In I∣taly, Germany, Fraunce, & about the Rhene, many cities & vilages were there∣with afflicted, by reason of the mildnesse of the winter seasō, there folowed a pestilēce, about this time the Empire was remoued frō the east to y^e west, Gerardus duke of Bauaria encoūtring in Panonia w^t the Bauariās was slain, the Iles called Baleares by the help of the Frenche, were defēded from the Sarasens. The thirde yere of the Empresse Irene in the moneth of Iuly,

there was a sharpe horefrost, and twice frosen against nature, but nothing hurt the fruits. And the same yere they which reuolted frō the Emperor of Constātinople came again into fauour, & Pepin was appointed king of Italy.

[ 803] The third yere of the Emperor Charles the great, the Moone was thrice darkened & the Sun once, and armies of a wonderful greatnesse were séene in the ayre. Nicephorus by deceit setteth vpon the Empire of the west, dri∣uing Irene into a Monasterie. The people Abotriti receiue the lande of the Saxons, beyond the riuer Albis, of Charles, to dwel vpon. In Italy y^e ci∣ties Ostona and Luceria that thought not well of Charles, did yéelde.

[ 805] The sun was eclipsed the third day of the Ides of Februarie, at 6. of the clocke. There arose a great & a priuie grudge betwéene Godfrey King of y^e Normans and Charles the great. Egino Bishop of Constāce died. The Sax∣ons rebelling continually being al this time vanquished were driuen to re∣ceiue y^e Romish religion. Charles the son of Charles the Emperour vanqui∣shed the people Betheman•• rebelling against him, & slue Leith their duke.

[ 808] The 8. yere of Charles the Emperor, the day before the kalends of febru∣arie, the Moone being 17 dayes old, the sun was eclipsed at Noone tide, y^e sun & the moone being in the 25 part of Aquarius: likewise the 4 day before the kalends the moone was eclipsed, & the same night there appeared armies of a wonderful greatnesse, & the sun stoode in y^e 12. part of Pisces, & the Moone in the 11. part of Virgo: moreouer y^e star of Mercury y^e 16. day before the kalēds of Aprill, was séene in y^e sun, as it were a little spot, yet black a little aboue the middle center of y^e same star, but he could not be marked because he first went in or came out, the clowdes letting the sight: likewise y^e xj. day of y^e ka∣lends of Septēber, the moone was eclipsed the third hower of the night, the sun being in y^e 5. part of Virgo, & y^e moone in y^e 5. part of Pisces, & so frō Septē∣ber of the yere past, vntil Septēber of y^e yere following y^e moone was thrice darkned, & the sun once. Nicephorus Emperor of the east, violētly taking a∣way Theophania frō her husbande, matched her with his son Stauracius, in whose mariage y^t wicked person corrupted 2. honest virgins. In Britain or England Eardulphus king of the Nordouimbrians was driuen oute of his countrey and kingdom, Gotherike the Dane subdued the Abrotrites.

[ 810] The Sun was eclipsed the 7. day of the Ides of Iune: likewise the same yere the sunne was eclipsed the day before the kalendes of December, at 3. a clock, Pepin the sonne of Charles the great dyed. King Charles the sonne of Charles died, and the Emperoure sent Hatto the Byshoppe to Constanti∣nople. The Bulgarians vanquished the Romanes at the riuer Strimonium, and tooke Sardica. Nicephorus the Emperour being ouercome by the Bul∣garians dyed.

[ 811] Grashoppers flying by flocks out of Affrique did gréeuously annoy Italy, Hemingus King of the Danes died, after whom two stroue togither for the Kingdome, and made a battayle, in the which 1000 Dane: were slayne

The sunne was eclipsed in the 12 part of Taurus, the 4. day of May. Mahā∣mad [ 813] Amiras encountered with his brother Habdale, by whome he being o∣uercome, suffered him to raign with him against his will, and through this warre the Kingdome of the Sarasens was for certaine yeares dismembred. Michaell the Emperour being vanquished by the Bulgarians, resigned his Empyre, and chose him a Monkes life, and Leo was chosen in his place to be Emperour, who in the east raigned 8. yeares.

When Charles the great the most vnconquerable Emperor of y^e Romanes [ 814] laye at the poynt of death, the Sunne was darkened and the Moone waxed pale, there was also an excéeding great Earthquake, and a little before his death there was séen a dreadful Comet with many other strange prodigies that were séene and heard in diuers places. Moreouer the same yeare there grew a bloody warre betwéene the sonnes of Goterike King of Denmarke. The bridge of the riuer of Rhene, which the Emperour for tenne whole yeres together was a building with a maruaylous worke of Timber, (at Mogunce) was casually consumed with fyre in thrée howers.

This yere continually raine marred the Corne, and kept it from riping, [ 820] whervpon it did rot in the fieldes: the ouerflowing of waters in Autumne spring did let the sowing: A cruell pestilence of men and a morrayne of beasts insued. Cloamir king of the Abrodites, and Lupus King of y^e Vascons being condemned to die, were banished by the Emperor Lewis, and in dy∣uers countreys there was an excéeding famine.

This yere was famous for prodigies & strange sights: at Thurin a turffe [ 822] of a foote & half long, being sodainly lifted vp into the aire, was found whole from y^e place the space of 25. féete. In the borders of Saxony and Misnia the earth swelled vp like to a great pile, & it rose by y^e méere Aonseū as it were a rampier or bulwarke the space of thrée mile: the winter was longer than it was wont. The greatest riuers of Fraunce and Germany, as Danubius, Renus, Albis, and Sequana, were very harde frosen, and Waines and cartes wente too and froe vppon the Ise as vpon firme lande more than thrée hun∣dreth dayes. King Lothary was sente by his Father into Italy to sette thinges in order.

Vnwonted prodigies did terrifie mens minds. At Aquisgrane y^e Prin∣ces [ 823] house trembled, in Frizatium a Lordship of Saxony there were 23. Vila∣ges burned with lightning. Lightning fell from Heauen in a quiet calme weather otherwise than it was wont. Houses were stricken with lighte∣ning, and menne and Beastes were slayne: it hayled stones aboute the re∣tourning of the Sommer. In Sommer in Burgundie a péece of yee fiftéene foote long, 7. foote broade, and two foote thicke, fell from the Element. In the Territorie of Tullium, at a manour house called Commerciacum a gyrle of twelue yeres old, after that she had receiued the holye communion of the priest at Easter, abstayned first 12. monthes from bread, afterward for thrée

yeres from all meate and drinke, and afterward she did as before. Lothary was crowned Emperour by pope Pascall. At Franckeforde there were held assemblies, at the which Lewis king of Fraunce and Miligast & Celeadro∣gus kinges of the Wilzeans were also present.

[ 823] When Pascall the Bishop of the Romish churche occupied the Sea, there was a great earthquake in his last yere: many farme houses and other hou∣ses also were burned from heauen, men and beasts were killed with the stroke of lightning, corne was spoyled with haile, and among it stones of a huge waight fell downe, & there followed the prodigies, an excéeding great pestilence of men.

[illustration]

When Popileus king of Polande in∣famous of lyfe and manners, didde of∣tentymes wishe in his life to bée de∣uoured of Rattes, at laste Mice sette vppon hym, ma∣king good Cheare, well tipled, crownd with Garlandes, smered with swéete oyntments, and o∣uercome with sur∣fet & excesse: which Rattes came from the dead Carkasses of his Vncles by the Fathers syde, whiche he and the Quéene his Wife had poysoned. For Rattes of a huge greatenesse being come forth leapt vpon the feasting Tyraunte, and his wife and Sonnes, and bitte them cruellye, his Garde coulde not driue them awaye, because when men were wearie, the Rattes continued day and night withoute a∣nye wearinesse. Burning Fyres were made, and Popileus hys Wife and Sonnes were placed amiddest them, but for all that the Rattes pas∣sing through the fyre ceased not to gnaw the Manqueller. At laste they went to an other Element. Popileus murtherer of his Fathers brother;

was with the rest caryed to a déepe standing water, notwithstanding the Rattes continuallye followed them and made holes in the Vessels, in so muche that the water entring in, they were in danger of drowning, wher∣fore the Marriners fearing to be drowned, broughte the Vessell to shore, when an other company of rattes méeting them, and ioyning with the for∣mer, did more gréeuously annoy them. When this was séene, the defenders knowing it to be Gods vengeaunce, fled all away, and Popileus hauing none to defend him, got him to a high tower in Crusuieza, where the mice with a swift course ascēding, destroyed & deuoured the two boyes, the wife, & the wicked Popileus. Beholde there is no power or counsayle against the Lord, small creatures and weake Rats didde miserably consume Popileus euen as Lice which are wormes lesse than Rats, brought Arnolphus the Emperor euen to his death, eating vp his flesh and entrailes, the phisitions nothing profiting, in leauing only his gristles and bones.

Haile of a wonderfull greatnesse falling in Fraunce slue much cattaile & many men. The yere following Pope Eugenius the seconde of that name died, when only he had ruled the Romish church 40. dayes, in whose roome Gregorie the fourth succéeded.

In Ʋascouia it rained corne, like vnto wheat, but the graines were shor∣ter, [ 828] in other places great heapes of wheate, and of all kinde of graine were found in the fieldes, which if cattell tasted, by and by they died: flower was made therof, but it vanished away in the hande. In the nighte season there were hearde voices of folkes laughing and playing, and confused noyses: there was besids continuall showers in a place otherwise marshie, therfore what earth soeuer was cast out in the daye time, in the nighte the grounde falling in againe sunke downe. The Italian armie of Lewis the Emperour was conuayed into Affrike by Sea, who ioyning in battaile with the Af∣fricanes slue a great number of them.

An Earthquake shaked Aquisgrane, In the which yeare some write, that [ 829] the conspiracie of the Emperours sonnes and the Nobles began agaynste their Father: the Sarasens comming from Affrike into Italy, spoiled the Va∣tican at Rome.

The 19 yere of Lewis the Emperor the Sunne and the Moone were eclip∣sed. [ 833] And the same yeare Lewis the emperour was forsaken and betrayed by his own company and brought vnder his sonnes power. Wherfore at the bidding of the bishops he layde his weapons aside, and was shut into a mo∣nasterie to do penaunce, but the yeare following he being loosed againe, ta∣king weapons in hand and the empire, compelled his sonne Lotharie to re∣turne into Italy.

At Turin in Fraunce, a trée 40. foote hye and ••4. foote thicke remoued of it [ 837] selfe to an other place. In Saxony for certayne myles, the earth swelled vp lyke a bulwark or mount. The earth shooke gréeuously with which tremb∣ling,

manour houses and countrey building were burned with Fyre from heauen. Stones mixt with hayle were thought to fall from heauen. The last yere which went before the spoyle of Italy, a monstrous hayle fell so∣daynely from heauen in Fraunce before the retourning of the sun in sōmer, in which haile a lumpe of frosen yse was found 12 foote long, 6 foote brode, and •• foote thick, but some men thought that these strange sights did not so much portend the destruction of Maura, as the vngodly déede of Lothary, who taking his Father Lewis by crafte, bounde him like an enemie, ney∣ther could he alleage any other excuse for his wicked act, than that Charles who afterwarde was surnamed the Bald, was presented before him in ho∣nour.

[ 838] When Lewis the Emperour ruled, a Comet appeared in the signe of Libra: the Normanes spoyled the Ilande Walachia and requyred Tri∣bute.

[ 839] The 25. yere of Lewis the Emperor, a Comet appeared in the sign of A∣ries & for certain days very many sparkes of fyre like stars were séene to run vp and downe in the Element, and the same yere Lewis the Emperor was reconciled to his sonne Lothary comming to him vnder safeconduit, who receiued of his Father the dignitie of the Empyre, and the crowne of the kingdome.

[ 840] There was an Eclipse of the sun the 4. day of the nones of May, at 9 of y^e clock, & the same yere Lewis y^e Emperor died. The eleuenth of the kalends of Iune, there arose a whote warre betwéene the bretheren, touching the deuision of the Kingdome. Drusco king of the Pictes was by Knedus van∣quished and slaine, and the kingdome of the Picts turned to the Scots.

[ 841] At Witzburge the head of auncient Fraunce the earth trembled twēty times: Men, Beaste, & the Fieldes were sore annoyed with hayle, whyrle∣windes, and strange vnseasonable weather. The Temple of Saint Elian was blasted with sodayne lightning the fyrste of the Nones of Iune, the Fyre compassing the Timberworke by little and little consumed the whole. Lothary the Sonne of Lewis when he was chosen Emperour of the Romanes, was ouercome by his brothers, who also aspired to the Em∣pyre.

[ 842] The second yere of the Emperour Lotharie there appeared a Comet in the signe of Aquarius, and the same yere thrée Brothers being at vari∣ance about the losse of the kingdome, a field was fought in the Lordship of Antisiodore, at the manoure house called Fontanedum, where so greate a slaughter was made on both sides, that no age can remember that so great a slaughter was made of the Frenchemen, for their force at that time was so abated, that they were compelled to defende their borders from Forrainers.

They report at this time that there were séene two Circles about

the sunne in the citie of Paderburne, of the which the innermost did contain the greatnesse of the Church, the vttermost the breadth of the Citie. They were not scarsely vanished awaye, but there arose a greate fyre, and well neare all the Citie with the Church was miserably burned, and the noone day was turned into night. The Normans spoyled Flaunders and many o∣ther places: so gréeuous a famine wasted Germany, that the Parentes de∣uoured their own children to kill their hunger.

About the end of the Empire of Lothary who was duke of Saxony, a [ 854] certaine woman brought forth a monstrous byrth, to wit, in the shape of a man and a dogge, hauing their bodyes perfitely ioyned together, the backe being fyrmely fastned to the back. Immediately the Emperours death en∣sued.

The fiftéenth yeare of the Empyre of Lothary there was a huge earth∣quake, [ 855] y^e ayre was strangely distempered, whyrlwinds, haile, tempest, and great lightning fel frō heauen on diuers countreis, to y^e great discommodity of al men, certain men also were consumed with lightning, their Garmēts notwithstanding being vntouched: and this yeare the Emperour deuiding his kingdom betwéene his sonnes, renounced the world & became a monk, and Lewis his sonne being before annointed king by Pope Sergius began to rule.

At Treuere in the high church and the Cathedrall place of the Bishop a Dogge was séene thrice in his seate, whiche sodainlye vanished awaye. At Mogunce the fyrste daye of Ianuarie was a greate earthquake, whiche ouerthrewe the Temple of Saint Vrban, and the walles of the Citie in di∣uers places.

The 2. yere of Lewis Emperor of the Romanes, at Colone y^e 17. of y^e kalēds [ 857] of October, whē at y^e rising of a tēpest the people fled to y^e cathedrall Church of S Peter, sodaynly a lightning like to a fierie dragon, cloue & pearced the church, and destroyed 3. men in sundry places with one stroke, and also left sixe other half dead with the same violence.

This yeare a Deuill miserably afflicted the Citie of Mogunce for thrée [ 858] yeares: this reuolte and runagate Spirite didde manye myracles, hée shewed many iuggling trickes, and greatlye annoyed the inhabitauntes: firste being an idle Ghost he was séene of no man, but caste stones at men, and knocked at their doores: afterwarde that pestilent and wicked Angell lurking vnder the shape of a man, gaue aunsweres, bewrayed theftes, and being accused he defamed euery bodye, he raysed vp discorde and priuie ha∣tred, by little and little he kindled and set on fyre Garners and Cotages: but he hapned to be more troublesome to one, than to others, he was al∣wayes by his side wheresoeuer he went, and burned his house, and to the ende that he mighte sturre vp all his neighboures to kill the innocent, the wicked forger of lies auaunted that this place was infamous,

and accursed for his wickednesse, the man was driuen to abide abrode, for he was forced to leaue his house, as though he had bene detested of all the night walking spirites, and to the ende that he mighte satisfie the Neigh∣bors, he caried a whot yron in his hands, wherwith for as much as he was not hurt, he prooued himselfe guiltlesse: yet notwithstanding that same foule and wicked Goblin or Deuill burned in the fieldes his corne being laid in shockes, & whē he dayly more & more procéeded to be spitefull, the mē of the countrey were driuen to open the matter to the Bishoppe of Mogunce, priestes being sente, purged and clensed the Fieldes and ferme houses with holye and solemne prayers: at firste he helde in his wicked and troublesome mind, and wounded certaine with stones, but being charmed with diuine charms, & cōiured with effectuall supplications, at length helde his peace, & was séene no where. Whē the priests were gon, an other pesti∣lent spirite came again, saying, whilest these shaueling priestes were mur∣muring I know not what, I lurked vnder a priestes surplice, naming him, who through my perswasion the last night had to do with his hosts daugh∣ter: and when he had tolde this, in making a great howling, the idle Ghost departed out of those quarters, & left y^e places being throughly purged, & va∣nished away into y^e thin ayre. That yere the french sent for Lewis king of Germany to come home into Fraunce by reason of Charles crueltie, who be∣ing ouercome by Charles retourned back with great shame.

[ 864] The winter was long and sharp contrary to his custome, there fel bloody snow, the gulphe of the Sea Adriatik where Venice standeth was frosen, & the marchauntes wente too and fro from the maine lande to the Citie with Slides, Horses and Waines laden with wares. This yeare Lotarie falling into adulterie was miserably punished by the Pope.

[ 868] There was a great earthquake, and a comet was séene: king Lothary the brother of Lewis the Emperour dyed, and Charles king of Fraunce in∣uaded hys Kingdome. Michel Emperour of the Greekes falling mad, slue his friends.

[ 870] At this time haile and lightning happening oftner than they were wont, made many afraid, which destroied corn, men & beasts. S. Peters Church at Wo••mes was burned with lightning, the wals were made flat to y^e ground. The thyrde daye of the nones of December at one a clock the earth shooke.* 3.27 Whilst Lothary King of France made hast to goe to Rome to Pope Adrian to reconcile himselfe vnto him, after a counterfeit confessiō he and his were admitted to the holy communion, but the same yeare all they which recei∣ued the Eucharist with him rashly, and with a false mind, died miserably, & Lothary also died at Placentia in his retourning.

[ 871] The 4. of the Ides of August, clowdes in the ayre like armies encounte∣red together with brandishing speares on fyre.

Grashoppers almost ouer al Fraūce féeding on the corne & shrubs, brought those people to miserable famine: war was made by Lewes Germanicus a∣gainst the Slauonians with a diuerse euent.

The nintenth yeare of Lewes the Emperour at Brixia in Italy bloud [ 874] is sayde to haue rayned from heauen thrée dayes and thrée nightes. Innu∣merable Grashoppers again greater than the other spoyled France, hauing as it were hard scaled couerings ouer their wings, sixe féete, and two teeth, harder than a stone, flying in companies as men embattelled, sending their Captaines with a few, one days iourney before, to a place called M••••e••, as who would say, Giue place to the multitude that is comming. About nyne a clock they comming to the place prouided, and there loking for the Suns rysing, for the space of one daye they couered the ayre, darkning the verye Sunne beames: they spoyled all the greennesse in Hearbs and trees, occupy∣ing the space of foure or fiue miles euerye day: they comming as far as the narrow Britanish or English seas w^t this miserable sight, were at length drowned in the Sea with the blast of winds, but with working of the sea, they being cast a shore, caused many to perish through their rottennesse and corrupt smel.

An extreame famine insuing, caused many to die through hunger, that almost the thirde parte of men was consumed in Fraunce The yeare solo∣wing the winter was sharper and longer than it was wont: there was snow and frost from fyrst the day of Nouember, vntil the day & night were of one length in the spring.

So at the beginning of Sommer this yeare, in Germanie Grashoppers greater than the ordinarie, as big as a mans thumbe, comming from the East to séeke forraine soode, flew towards the Weast, with so great a noyse of their wings, that they were thought to be other byrdes, and shadowed the Sun for the space of fiue miles. The people behelde them, and were a∣frayde least they should couer theyr ground. They ouershadowed their har∣uest with a dreadfull clowde, burning manye things with their touching, gnawing al things with theyr byting, the barkes of trées also, and the gates and dores of houses. It is left in writing, that they eat in one day y^e growth of ••5••. Acres: they went in one day twentie miles through the ayre, set in order, and as it were in battayle aray, they lighting vpon the Earth, made their setling as if it had bene tentes, the Captaines with a few went before the army one days iourney, as it were to get fit places for them to light on: the same houre in the which the day before the sorerunners came, the nexte day after all the host was present before the Sunnes rising, they remoued not from the place where they lighted: againe when the Sunne was vppe they ioyned togither in companies. Varro writeth, that in Affricke Gras∣hoppers by sitting on houses bare downe a Citie, such was the multitude

that they haue past ouer long seas, continuing their flight many dayes. The people of Germanie for feare of want, was driuen to fly for remedy at Gods handes, this same yeare, there was an extreame hunger through al Ger∣manie and Italie. The Normans requyring Tribute from the Kyng∣dome of Lewes King of Germanie were most grieuouslye slaine and ouer∣come by his army.

[ 879] There appeared a Comet redder than the ordinarie, and there happened a sodaine and an excéeding ouerflowing of water in many places: this yere a very cruel plague killed many mē, scarsly the third part of the people sur∣uiued that cruel pestilence. There was a sodaine ouerflowing by rain, at a village called Aschopruna in the Lordship of Nita, the fifth of the Nones of Iuly late in the night, it ouerwhelmed beastes and cattel, it drowned 88. persons in their bed men, women and children, it ouerthrew houses, gar∣ners, storehouses, trées by the rootes, and Churches, so that not one foote∣step appeared therof: the carcasses of the deade being caried with the rayne water were found vpon the borders of another Lordship.

[ 878] This yeare was a cruel morraine among Cattel, chiefely about Rhe∣ne wher in the territorie of Wormes not far from Ingelheim, in the Lordship of Walshun, al the dogs of the Countrey assembled togither, as it oftentimes commeth to passe, to eat carion. Afterward, in one day, they went away to∣gither in one company out of those quarters, no man knew whether a liue or deade, neyther coulde they finde afterward the step of any. Charles the bald, falling sick at Mantua died by taking poyson of his Phisitiō Zedechi∣as a Iew, and his son Lewes surnamed Balbus the second raygned.

[ 880] The Sun at nine a clocke of the day was so darkned that the Stars appeared soone in the skie. Lewes king of France dyed the same yeare, who was surnamed Balbus, & left his wife great with child, wherof in the king∣dome of Fraunce arose most grieuous dissentions. In a wood of Fraunce cal∣led Carbonaria were slaine more than 9000. Normans.

The third of the Calends of Ianuarie, the Earth shoke at Mogunce, & af∣terward [ 882] the fiftéenth Calends of February. This yere a blasing Star was séene. Immediately the Normans ioyning with the Danes committed mise∣rable murder almost ouer al Fraunce.

[ 905] In the monethe of Maye there appeared a Comet. Immediately the Hungarians oftentimes made inrodes into Germanie and spoyled it. Thys Comet as manye iudged, signifyed the losse of Kyng Lewes eyes the sonne of Boson, whyche immediately followed, for Berengarius Emperor of Italy put out his eyes at Verona.

[ 912] There were séene fierie Torches in the ayre, and Starres gliste∣ryng and running too and fro in the ayre, wherevppon not long af∣ter the Hungarians entryng Italie wyth an armye, gaue and tooke

many a deadelye blowe, and the Comet appeared redder than be∣fore, and there followed many excéedyng greate floudes chiefelye in Saxonie.

Hatto Bishoppe of Mogunce by whose deceite in time past Adel∣bertus [ 918] dyed, when by the perswasion of Conrade the Emperour he wente about to kil Henrie Duke of Saxonie, thrée dayes after being depriued of his purpose was slaine by a stroke of lightning.

The Winter was not only strangely but wonderfully colde. Rodolph [ 928] Duke of Burgondie died, leauing thrée sonnes. Leo the sixth of that name was chosen Pope of Rome, who onelye satte in hys Popedome seauen monethes and fiftéene dayes.

The sixtéenth of the Calendes of Marche in the morning aboute [ 930] Cockes crowe, vntill the breake of daye, there were séene ouer all the face of the Elemente bloudye armyes, in a certayne Countrey of Fraunce, and the moneth followyng the Hunnes began to spoyle France, Burgondie, and Aquitaine.

At the beginning of the Popedome of Iohn the eleauenth, a Foun∣taine [ 935] of bloud ranne aboundantly at Genoa, whiche prodigies did truelye foreshewe that miserable calamitie whiche shortlye after ensued, for the Sarazens comming out of Affricke wyth a greate Nauye, dydde wyth great trouble and dissembling inuade Italy. They besieged and toke Genoae, they slewe at the first entry the defenders: they cruelly cutte manye mens throates, & drew them out of the Churches and corners, they did put may∣dens, matrones, & yong boyes a shipborde, and carried them into Affricke. Ther be some which write, that the men children returned afterward into theyr Countrey, but they shewe not by what chaunce. At the same time the Hungarians, as Platina writeth, were spoyled of their Italian pray by y^e Marsi and therevpon was euery one slaine.

When Leo sate the 117. Pope of Rome, the lefte hande of a certain [ 937] manne that was cutte off, was restored to hym in his sléepe, almoste a yeare after, vppon whyche foretoken of a myracle, as it were a bloudye lyne was marked aboute the ioynte. The Sunne was darkened in fayre weather, but it sent forth as it were bloudie beames, through y^e house windowes. King Henrie died the same yere, after whom his sonne Otho ruled.

The Sunne agayne for certayne dayes appeared as if it bled, and [ 940] immediately there followed sodaine diseases of manye men, and straunge kindes of sicknesses. Berengarius the fourth, with Albert his son, inuaded the tyrannie in Italie.

There appeared Comets for fourtéene nightes, about Constance a Ci∣tie [ 941] of the vpper Germanie, and immediately ensued a morraine among Cat∣tel:

the war of the Hungarians with the Baywarians began, wherin the Hun∣garians were ouercome. Pope Leo the seauenth dyed, after whom succéeded Stephen the eight. Hugh king of Italy by the help of the Emperor of Rome vanquished the Sarazens and burned the Nauy. King Otho besieged Brisac and spoyled Alsacia.

[ 941] There happened a great Earthquake the sixtéenth Calends of Maye. Otho the great entred Fraunce, and immediately Bertolphus, Duke of the Bayoarians dyed. Abderam king of the Sarazens was in Spain ouercome by Ramirus in the field.

[ 944] In Italy a Comet of a wonderful greatnesse appeared, portending the famine which ensued.

[ 956] In Italy also a stone of maruellous greatnesse, being cast from heauen in a thunder and a troublesome tempest, caused the beholders to wonder ex∣céedinglye: the same yeare in manye places Churches were shaken with a strong tempest. Priestes of both orders were killed with lightning, and ve∣ry many strange sightes horrible to be spoken were shewed.

[ 963] When there was very gret ado in Italy, for the diuerse choice of Popes, many and terrible prodigies happened at that time in so many companies of the Romish Church, and among them there fell a great starre from hea∣uen, with a vehement deale of rayne, and the signe of a bloudie crosse ap∣peared on the sodaine vppon many mens garments, which strange shewes of things were interpreted to portend some notable calamitie to the clear∣gie. Iohn the wickedst of all the Bishops which were at that time, dyed the ninth yeare of his Popedome, other adde foure yeares and ten monethes more. Benedictus which was chosen in his place, was cast out of his Apo∣like Sea. Otho being angry with the Romaines, woulde not heare the Em∣bassadors which were sent from the Citie to desire forgiuenesse, but began to spoyle all places about the Citie like an enemie, with the which terror y^e Citie being subdewed, restored Leo, and Otho made the Citizens sweare, that they should chaunge none of those things which the Emperor had ap∣pointed in the Popes affaires. Benedictus after he had bene Pope sixe mo∣nethes, was disgraded, whom Otho afterward carried away with him in∣to Germanie, least being left at Rome, he might be cause of some commotiō. Leo the eight of that name, who by the means of Otho was created Pope, and was cast out of the faction of Iohn the 1••. was restored in the Empire of the same Otho and dyed the first yere of his Popedom, wherin this was notable, that in restoring him, the law of making the Pope went from the people and the cleargie to the Emperour.

[ 968] There hapned an earthquake, and a Comet appered. The yere folowing king Lotharie the brother of Lewes dyed, and Charles king of Fraunce in∣uaded his kingdome.

Crosses appeared on mens garments, some were foule like leaprosie. Thys yeare there was a great famine in the worlde, and Hatto surnamed [ 969] Bunosus Bishoppe of Mogunce, who before was Abbot of Fulda, séeyng poore menne oppressed wyth greate hunger, assembled verye manye in a Barne and burned them: for hée sayde that they did not differ much frō mice, which eate vp corne, & are profitable for nothing. But God suffered not such great tyranny vnreuenged, for he commanded the mice to inuade him by companies and day and night to afflict him, and they made haste to deuoure him, but he flying to a certaine tower, which stoode in the midst of the Rhene (this is called the Rats towre hauing this name of the like euent) thinking that he shoulde be safe in the middest of the Rhe∣ne, from the byting of the Rats, which for al that did not auayle him. For innumerable Rattes came swimming through the Rhen•• to execute gods iust iudgement, which the wretch acknowledging, at length died among the Rattes. Some do write that the mice also defaced his named vpon the walles, and did gnaw it out of the tapistrie. Authors do varie, in the yeare that this was done, but we finde in y^e Chronicles of the Monasterie of Fulda and of the Archbishoppes of Mogunce, that this happened, whilest he was Bishoppe of Mogunce the eleauenth moneth of William duke of Saxony, in the yeare from our saluation, restored vs throughe Christe. 969. in the which yere by this troublings of Rats and Mice, he dyed and was buryed in Saint Albons Church.

The Sunne was eclypsed the eleauenth of the Calendes of Decem∣ber, [ 969] and the yeare folowing, a certayne token of a fierie colour appeared in the Elemente, Otto ouercame the Gréekes in Calabria and made them tributarie. Otho the younger droue the Sarazens out of Ita∣lie.

The 2. yeare of the Emperor Otho the 2. there was greate frost from [ 975] the first day of Nouember, vntil March, then there appeared a Comet at the village called Rhegium which is called Calua, the same yeare Kyng Edgar ended his life.

The sixth yere of the Emperour Frederike the seconde of that name, [ 978] armes of fire were séene in the Element for a whole nighte the fifth of the Calendes of Nouember, wherefore immediately the Emperour went a∣bout to bring to the Empire of Rome Apulia, and Calabria prouinces of I∣taly depending vpon the law of the Gréekes kingdome, chiefely by reason of the affinitie which he had with the Emperour of the Gréekes, by his wife Theophania. The Gréekes being wroth with Otho, bycause he had in∣uaded their prouinces, getting them an ayde of the Sarazens, encountred wyth the Emperour in battaile at Calabria, wherin almost al the armye of the Romanes was quite destroyed. The Emperour desirous to escape by swimming, was taken of the Mariners vnknowen, and was deliuered by a

[ 983] friend of his called Sclauo.

At this time a Comet appeared, after whych ensued famine, pestilence and Earthquake, the which Earthquake shoke Beneuentum and Capua. O∣tho the Emperour fainting through wearinesse and griefe of minde, dyed at Rome, and the nobles were at variance about the choosing of the Empe∣rour, yet at last, Otho the third his son was chosen.

[ 989] The sixth yeare of the Emperour Otho the third of that name, ther was often ouerflowing of diuers riuers: the sommer after was extreame whot, whervpon the corne was partched vp, and a gret famine ensued. Too much snow fel down. In Albania it rained corne from heauen, some also repor∣ted that it rayned little fishes from heauen in Saxonie. The Vandales sette twice vpon Saxonie.

But the yeare folowing Duke Charles taking Rhemes, toke the Arch∣bishop,* 3.28 whom king Hugh enstalled, and certaine nobles, and the yere folo∣wing he died, after whō his son Otho succéeded in y^e Dukedom of Lorainge.

[ 991] Fire rose out of the riuer of Rhene, and burned the manour places y^t were nere thereto, the same yeare Theophania the Empresse and Charles Duke of Loraine dyed, and Otho the son of Charles succéeded him. The yere folo∣wing

[illustration]

at Rhemes a Si¦••ode was assembled, and the emperor O∣tho the third did be∣siege Brandburge.

[ 997] Widerolphus Bi∣shop of Stausbourgh whom notwithstan∣ding others cal Wil∣deroldus, when hée had succéeded Baldus in the Bishopricke, the seuententh yere of his Bishopricke, (for they erre that write him to haue ruled only .ij. yeres) after he had conse∣crated or hallowed the Monasterie of Zelizi standing vp∣on the riuer of Ri∣••e, by Gods secrete counsaile and iudge∣mente was the xij.

day of Iuly deuoured by Rats, (euen as Hatto the Archbishop of Mogunce was) and was buried in the Monasterie of Ebershminster, whiche he loued excéeding well, and verye bountifullye enriched: that yeare Otho the third entring Italy besieged Rome, and worthily punished Crescentius and the se∣ditious persons.

The sixtéenth yeare of Otho the third, were many prodigies séene, for there happened an excéeding greate Earthquake. A Comet appeared the [ 998] ninetéenth of the Calends of Ianuarie. Aboute nine a clocke the Elemente opening, a burning Torch did shine vpon the Earth with a long traine like a brightnesse, in so muche that not onlye they whiche were in the fieldes, but also they whyche were within the dores were stric∣ken with that so greate a shining as with lightning breaking in. In the whiche opening of the Elemente vanishing by little and little, there was séene as it were the forme of a Serpente hauing his heade encrea∣sing, with blew féete. The yeare following Crescens a Senators sonne of Rome put Gregorie the third out of his Popedome, a Saxon borne and the Emperors kinseman, and for monye bestowed vppon diuerse, he procured Iohn Bishop of Placentia in despighte of the Emperor to be made Pope. Which when Otho the Emperour vnderstoode, he entred Italy with a gret armie, and making hast to the Citie, met in the field with Crescētius, whō he ouercame, toke prisoner, and after long vexation he caused him to be hā∣ged before the Citie, and put out Iohns eyes that was vnlawfullye made Pope.

There is a matter to be maruelled at, that at Rome in the Churche of Lateran where the tombe of Siluester the seconde Pope of Rome doth stand, that tombe throughe the dashing of the bones togither, and by sweating, is sayde alwayes to haue foretolde the death of the Popes, euer sithence that he in time past was put in it. How this Siluester the seconde by the Diuels meanes got the Popedome reade the Historiographers.

About this time the plague was so grieuous that more were accomp∣ted [ 1001] deade than aliue, which calamitie a fountaine of most holesome Water turned into bloud at that time did declare in Lorraine. Pope Siluester dyed whom Iohn the nintéenth succéeded.

The thirde yeare of the Emperour Henrie the seconde, the firste of [ 1002] October, a Comet horrible to beholde, and casting out flames on euerye side was séene in the south parte. When Duke Otho was dead, the Duke∣dome of Lorraine was gyuen to Earle Godfrey the sonne of God∣frey.

A great famine vexed not only al Europe but wel neare al the world. The [ 1003] war which was called Bellum Sacrum ensued. Thys most vnlucky war la∣sted for many yeares, and was made to the great losse of all Christendome.

Almost al the nations of the worlde were by the eares among themselues. There were slaine on both sides, kings, Princes, Dukes, and men innu∣merable, much bloud was spilt. The Cardinall Benedictus de Acolitis de∣scribeth this war.

[ 1009] The seuenth yere of Henrie the second the son was eclipsed the ij. hour of the day. The Turkes toke Ierusalem. The Hungarians were turned to Chri∣stian religion.

[ 1010] In the Lordship called Bruhesar at a manner house tearmed Alfrid a fountaine ran bloude for 25. dayes and infected the brooke running thereby in the sight of all men. The same yeare Guillerius King of Englande dyed, likewyse Pope Sergius the fourth whome Benedictus the eighte succée∣ded.

[ 1011] When Pascal was Pope of Rome the riuer Trena for a whole daye ran not a mile, but as though he had turned his course an other way did so leaue that part of the chanel for the space of foure and twentie houres, y^t mē went too and fro vpon the dry sand, but afterwarde it began to runne again as it dyd before.

Likewise a Sowe farrowing broughte forth a pig with a mans face, a Cocke with foure féete was hatched. There followed in England and Ire∣land great cōmotions, and in Normandie fields were fought in diuerse pla∣ces.

[ 1012] The ninthe yeare of the Emperoure Henrie the seconde in Lor∣raine by the Hyll Castrilocum a little spring of verye holesome Water tur∣ned to bloude. The Moone appeared bloudye, and the earthe dyd shake prodigiously. A burnyng Torche like a Tower was séene to burne with a great noyse in the Element. The Sea ouerflowed further than ordi∣narie, and drowned certayne Cytyes, wyth a greate destruction of men. Famyne and Pestilence afterwarde ensewed, and suche a number of menne dyed, that almoste more dyed than were lefte aliue. At that tyme Stephen Kyng of Pannonia by the counsayle and perswa∣sion of hys wyfe Scylla embraced the Fayth of Christ. The Sarazens spoy∣lyng al Palestine, Ierusalem was by and by taken.

[illustration]

The tenth yeare [ 1012] of the Emperoure Henrie the second, in a certaine parishe of Saxonie one Otho¦perdus leading a daunce in a church∣yard with eightéene of his companiōs. 15 mē and thrée womē and offending godly eares w^t filthy sōgs, was cursed by a cer∣taine priest, and dā∣ced and soong with∣out ceasing, wyth his companie, for a whole yere: no rain fel vpon thē, neither did cold, heat, hūger thirst, or wearines annoy them: theyr apparell and shooes were not worn out, and they suncke in∣to the groūd, first to the knées, afterward to the thighes. The yere being en∣ded, a Priests daughter with two others by and by dyed: all the rest slepte continually for thrée nights, some of which afterward dyed, but the residue gaue witnes of this matter with the trembling of their lims. Othoperdus himselfe left this written, who was one of them. Vincentius in his nine∣téenth booke Chapter tenth, out of Guilarin. Aunto. Tome seconde Chap∣ter fourth, Booke 19. The same yeare Bleslaus made war with the Saxons and Sweno King of Denmarke inuaded England. He subdued Northumber∣land and Mersia.

About England the Ocean Sea without any cause knowen, grew won∣derfully, [ 1012] not long after the Iland was broughte into the subiection of the Danes.

Many men were slaine with maruellous Hayle and Lightning. When [ 1016] Ethelred King of Englande was deade, Edmunde toke the gouernemente of the kingdome.

The fiftéenth yeare of the Emperour Henrie the seconde, a Comet [ 1017] more wonderfull than ordinarie appeared for foure moneths, like a great

beame. The Emperour again led his army against the Polanders.

[ 1018] A Sow farrowed a Pig, hauing the shape of a mans face, there en∣sued a pestilent yere. Geroslaus Duke of Russia lastly set vpon Poland, who being vanquished by Boeslanus returned home with a greate slaughter of his men.

[ 1019] In the Emperour Henrie the seconds time, was founde at Rome, the bodye of Pallas the Giant vnconsumed, whereon was founde a wounde of foure foote and a halfe: his bodie passed in height the walles of Rome at the heade of so straunge a carcasse was founde a Lampe burning, that mighte not be quenched with winde, neyther with moysture: on his tombe were written in English thus: Pallas Euanders sonne, whom with speare Tur∣nus ouercome, that Knight did to death, lyeth buryed here. Wilhelde Regibus, the Author of Policronicon, Ranulph Higden, Monke of Chester, in his sixth Booke, Chapter. 21.

At the writing of this straunge wonder, I ymagined that the moste part of men in this our féeble age would giue small credite. Notwithstan∣ding I haue thoughte good to set downe among my straunge reportes that I haue founde written long agone, with such likelyhoode from the veritie, as may peraduenture stay the rash iudgement of many, to credite at theyr choyce. In the first booke of the Kings and seauentéenth, is written of one Golliah a Philistian of the hight of sixe Cubits and a hand breadth: I wold be certifyed by which of the Cubits he was measured, it séemeth to me that all measures haue procéeded from the Hebrues to the Grecians, to the La∣tines, &c. among al nations vntil this day. If so then it may be graunted the Hebrue measure to be the firste, then doe I finde, euerye Hebrue Cubit to containe nine foote, which sixe Cubits amounteth too, after our measure of eightéene ynches, which is a foote and a halfe, to the full length of eightéene yardes, that maketh Goliah his hight. 54. foote, beside the hand breadth. In the same Chapter is also set forth his harneis, as his shirt of Male called a Habergeō, that waied 5000. Cycles, which is 2500. ounces, the Iron of his speare, 600. Cycles, 300. ounces, beside his helmet: his Bootes of brasse. If then the waight of a shirte of Male was 208. pounde waighte and more, the shaft of his speare as big as a Weauers cloth beame, whose compasse is 28. or 30. ynches, kéeping proportion, after Al••: Durerius, of measures, framing a hand to hold such a staffe, & thereto a proportionable bodye, these things considered. I refer iudgement to the wel disposed, yet notwithstan∣ding for the further trial, to my great cost, I haue to shew the bones of men of such straunge greatnesse, and téeth, some founde in this Ile, others from other coūtries, y^t when this published may not receiue credite, if the writtē veritie be disliked, my Monuments then looke for smal acception.

Also in the testament of Iuda, our father Iacob slew y^e Giant Beelisa king of al kings, who was mightie and huge, of stature. 12. cubits: it is said also y^e he slew the Giant Achor with a stone of 60. pounde waight: first his horsse

& after the Giant, with another stone of thrée talēts, supposed 600. waight from of a wall, being pursued of the Giant.* 3.29 After Iuda sayd the God of my fathers, being mercifull, and ful of compassion, knew that I sinned through ignoraunce, for the Prince of error had beguiled me, & I ouerthrew my self as a fleshly man, and being corrupted wyth sinne, knew not mine infirmi∣tie, but thought my selfe to be inuincible. Know yée therfore my sons, that two spirits do awayt vpon a man, that is to wit, the spirite of truth, and the spirite of error. And in the middest betwéene them is set the spirite of vn∣derstanding of the minde, whose propertie is to incline which way it listeth &c. Aucthors G. Alle•• B. of Exce second booke, Chap. 8. Folio. 11••. Rob. Gro∣sted. B of Lin. Art. Gol. in his third booke Chapter. 20.

The great Hercules of Libia was said to haue thrée rowes of téeth, in y^e citie of Tigena. At such time as Sartorius was Captain of the Romain army in y^e Countrey, there was a graue opened, and the bones measured wer in length 70. cubits after the Latines, Antonius Sabellicus in his Aeneades.

The ••6. yere of the Empire of Henrie the second, in Frizeland whilst Theodoricus the Erle son of Arnulphus of Gaunt subdued the Frizelanders for the reuengement of his father which was slayne of them, the Emperor sente Duke Godfrey to subdue him. There was hearde a voyce in the conflict, no man knoweth from whence it came, which cryed often (fu∣gite fugite, flye fly) whervpon when al fled away, the host was chased by a few Frizelanders.

There hapned a great Earthquake the fourth Ides of May, the same [ 1020] yere at the Popish Feria sexta Herebertus Archbishop of Colone dyed, whō Pilagrinus succéeded, Rodolphus king of Burgondy, moued with the pryde of the Burgonians, was in minde to giue the kyngdome of Burgony to the Emperour Henrie, but being ouercome with the fayned good will of the Burgonians, was wythdrawen from his purpose,

The twentith yeare of the Emperour Henrie the seconde, when at [ 1022] Aquisgran•• there was helde for certaine dayes a general Sinode, sodaynly there was such a drought and vnseasonable weather, that manye fainted & dyed through too much heate, many beastes also sodainely pearished. The pauements and Marble pillers dyd sweate so much that on euery side wa∣ter ran downe wonderfully.

The Sunne was eclypsed the thyrde of the Calendes of Iulye at sixe [ 1033] of the clocke, Conrade Emperour of the Romaines, set vpon the Western Fraunce, who droue out from thence Odon Duke of Campania that hadde inuaded that kyngdome. Pope Iohn the twentith dyed, whom Benet the ninth succéeded.

The 15. yere of the Emperor Conrade y^e 2. there was séene in the Elemēt [ 1039] betwéene the southe and the Easte quarter a fierie beame, of a wonderfull greatnesse, whiche running by the Sunne nowe goyng downe, séemed

to fall vpon the Earth, the signes wherof mighte be séene a long time: and the same yeare the Emperor Conrade making spéede with a great armye subdued those that thoughte to rebell, he cast certaine Bishoppes into pri∣son, and when the Bishop of Milane had scaped away by flighte, the Em∣perour caused the suburbes of Milane to be burned. Kuonegundis the Em∣presse the fifth of the Nones of March, and Herman Duke of Swedon, son of the Empresse Gilela died. And Peter the Nephue of Stephen by his sister a cruel man, was made king of Hungarie.

When Conrade the Emperour came into Italy to subdue those that thought to rebel, vpon Whitsonday there was such grieuous thunder and lightning that some fell madde and some dyed. The Sunne was eclyp∣sed the cleauenth of the Calendes of September, and the same yeare the Dukes Conrade and Albero dyed. Likewise Reginbaldus Bishop of Spire.

[ 1042] The thirde yeare of the Emperour Henrie the third, whilest Benedi∣ctus the ninth sat in the Sea of Rome, in the Lordship of Brachaten by Tor∣ney, a multitude of Snakes méeting togither foughte a venemous battell: many being slaine on both sides, the parte vanquished flying awaye hydde themselues in a hollowe trée, but the other part following in manner of conquerours, made a noyse aboute them with hissing, vntill that men bur∣ned them all, laying fire rounde about. The same yeare Peter king of Hū∣garie was banished of his people, for whiche thing the Boemians were sub∣dued by the Emperour: the yeare following Henrie king of Fraunce dyed. Vincentius. But Sigisbertus Gemblacensis doth referre this to the yere of Christ. 1059.

[ 1043] The fourth yere of the Emperour Henrie the third, a Comet appea∣red hauing long and flaming haires, which when Elmerus* 3.30 a verye holye man at that time saw, he is reported to haue said, thou art come to bewaile for many matyrdomes, it is not long sithence I sawe thée, but nowe I be∣holde thée muche more terrible, threatning destruction to this Countrey. Henrie the Emperor entring into Hūgarie ouerthrew two very populous Cities, he subdued many vnto him, & restored the king. The Empresse Gi∣sela died the sixtéenth of the Calends of March, and was buried at Spire. Pe∣ter king of Hungarie was by his people depriued of his kingdome, & again the Emperour restored him to the king in displacing Abbas.

[illustration]

The fifth yeare of [ 1044] the Emperour Hen∣rie the third, in the borders of Norman∣dy and Britaine, ther was a strange sight séene, in one, or ra∣ther in two womē, there were ij. heads, foure armes, al the reste was twinne vnto the Nauel, and beneath al was un∣gle, it did eat, laugh, speake, it wepte, & hungred togither: the one kept silence: it did eate w^t bothe mouthes, but it dis∣burdened at one fundamente: when the one was deade the other suruiued almost thrée yeres, carying the deade one vntil she fainted with the burden and the stinck of the carcas. It was thoughte also of some, and left in writing, that in this same Monster was sette before mens eyes the figure of England and Normandie, whiche Coun∣treys althoughe they were asunder, yet were they vnder one soueraigntye, of which interpretatiō more at large read Vincent in his sixe and twentith booke Chapter 38. out of Guilerinus, but Mathew Palmerius hathe refer∣red this to the yeare of Christe. 1061. Pope Nicholas the second dyed, after whome succéeded Alexander the seconde: the yeare following there was a greate famine and lamentable Pestilence throughout the world.

When Henrie the third of that name was Emperour of Rome, in Eng∣land [ 1045] a certain southsaying Witch was caried away by the Diuel,* 3.31 whyche being drawen after him vppon his horsse with a horrible crye, he cary∣ed away vp into the ayre, the cry of whiche old woman was heard for cer∣taine houres almost foure miles in that Countrey.

Emma the mother of Edward king of England purged hir self by fire, being falselye accused of adultry, of whom rea Pollidor.

[ 1046] The Historians write, that it must néedes be counted a monstrous thing, that Pope Benedictus the ninth was séene after his death to wan∣der vp and downe in a horrible shape, hauing a body like a Beare, a tayle like an Asse: he being asked why he fell into this transformation, it is sayde that he aunswered,* 3.32 I wander vp and downe in this shape, because in my Popedome I liued as a Beaste without lawe. Nauclerus and Pla∣tina.

[ 1048] There happened a great Earthquake about Constancia standing by the méere Accronia, the thirde of the Ides of October. Godfrey persecuted Duke Adelbertus that spoyled his countrey, and sending a multitude slue him being founde with a fewe, and Godfrey was made Duke by the Em∣perour.

[ 1055] About the end of the Empire of Henry the thyrde Emperour of the Ro∣manes a Sow farrowed a pigge like in forme to a mans heade. A Henne hatcht a Chicken with foure legs: And a certaine Gentleman in the Court of the same Emperour, whilest at a superfluous banket he eate and drunke ouermuch was an the sodaine beset wyth innumerable Mice and Rattes, and being long time vexed by them, driuen to flye, and afterwarde carryed by ship to the sea, dyd so little auayle, that at last he was deuoured of the Rattes pursuing him to the greate daunger of the Mariners: Faelix Mal∣leolus in his booke of Nobilitie Chap. 26. The same yeare the Emperour with his army went to Italy, by reason of Duke Godfrey he brought away his wife Beatrice, that was plagued. William the Marques & Diodoricus the Earle with an infinite multitude of Saxons were slaine by the Luticians and Vandales.

As erle Godwing sat at y^e table with King Edward, the sō of Egelrade, it hapned one of the cupberers to stumble, and recouer againe, so y^t he did shed none of the drinke: whereat Godwine laughed and saide, nowe one bro∣ther hath sustained the other, with which words the king calling to mynde his brothers death that was slaine by Godwine beheld the earle, saying, so shold my brother Godwine haue holpē me, ne had Godwine bin. Godwin then fearing the kings displeasure to be newly kindled, after many words in excusing himselfe said: so might I safely swallow this morssell of breade, as I am guiltlesse of y^e déed, but as soone as he had receiued the bread, forth∣with he was choaked. D, Cooper. Cron. Folio. 196.

[ 1057] Stones of a maruellous greatnesse mixt with Hayle, fel from heauen, and many were killed with lightning. Pope Stephen dyed, and Iohn with∣out Cannons was through brides chosen in his place. Conrade the Empe∣rours son Duke of Bauaria dyed.

[ 1058] In Poland a blasing star for certaine dayes appeared, whom immediately the same yere the deth of Casimerus ensued. In Frizelād the Emperor Hē∣rie taking certain Castles, bridled the Frizlanders from rebellion.

The sixth of the Ides of Februarie there was an Earthquake and [ 1062] lightning aboute Constantia, and immediately the plague waxed maruel∣lous hot. Hanno Bishop of Agrippa, of Colin surnamed Agrippina, by the indeuour of certaine Princes of the kingdome, toke away king Henrie by force from his mother the Empresse with his launce and other badges of the Empire, and brought him to Colin.

At Constantia at the lake or moore of Acronium, two children man and [ 1063] woman were born, with two heades, foure armes, and foure féete, hauyng all theyr lims perfect, but their bodies ioyned about the Nauel. The By∣shop of Colin, by making a faction, toke away the king by slight, and after∣ward gouerned the kingdome.

A Coment long appeared at the feast of Easter throughout all the worlde: [ 1066] about fourtéene nightes after diuerse mischiefes ensued, for the same yeare Wiliam earle of Normadie, killing king Herold assayled the greater Brytaine which is now called England, and all the Countrey being brought into subiection, and the Normans being there placed, he therin became king and gouerned. The yeare folowing the King of the Romaines Henrie the thirde, some cal him the fourth, taking to wife Bertha the daughter of O∣tho of Italy, did celebrate the mariage at Triburie, which was a towne not far from Fanchford, at this day a village. But Pope Gregorie the seuenth sending often for the King excommunicated him. And as it is said Rodolph Duke of the Almaynes was created king by the certaine Princes, & when not long after he was slaine in publike battayle, and Herman Prince of Lorraine was sette in his place, he not long after was slaine, by the former vnfaithful friends.

At Siracusia in Sicilia there hapned an horrible Earthquake, whyche [ 1070] so shoke the Citie, that many buildings fell downe, a Church also fel down at seruice time, and slew almost all the ment that were in it. The Hungari∣aus pretended rebellion against their king Salomō, the Marques Vdo toke Brandenburg, from the Vandales. Kanutus king of Denmarke inuaded Eng∣land.

The sixt of the Calendes of Februarie two pillers of a golden colour [ 1074] on the righte and the lefte hande rose wyth the Sunne, and a Rayne∣bowe the nighte before was séene aboute the Cockes crowe. There was made a conspiracie of the Princes, againste Henrie the fourth Empe∣rour of Germanye. The Pope Gregorie the seauenth dydde accurse suche as vsed Simonye, and remoued marryed Priestes from their diuine of∣fice.

While Harold King of Denmarke made warre against Harquine, [ 1076] and that they were on bothe sides readye to fighte, a Darte was séene ouer theyr heades, to runne vppe and downe in the ayre, with a wonderyng

and doubtful course, and séemed to search a fit place to giue a wound, which miracle when al men beheld with a great wonder, and not knowing what so wōderful a thing might portend, sodainely the fall of it turned the daun∣ger (whyche all menne suspected,) vppon Harguines heade alone, who was ouerthrowen and slayne by the deadelye wounde of that Dart.

[ 1077] When Henrie the Emperor had helde at Wormes a counsai••e of 24. Bi∣shops that were gathered togither, not long after on Palme Sonday about sixe a clocke in faire weather a star appeared. Henrie the Emperour dydde deadly hate Pope Gregorie the seauenth called Hildebrand, he vndid that he had done in the counsaile held at Wormes, and abiured the Pope: contra∣riwise Hildebrand did excommunicate the Emperour: whervpon a deadly war grew betwéene the Emperour and the Pope.

The .5. yere of the Emperour Henrie the fourth, there was an Earth∣quake with a grieuous lowing the sixth of the Calendes of April, the firste houre of the night, portending perchaunce the great mischiefe that was spo∣ken of throughout the world, concerning the Emperours war against the Pope, wherewith all Italy was spoyled on euery side. Moreouer the same yeare Nicephorus, after Michael Emperour of the East was ouercome, helde the Empire ouer the Gréekes, with his thrée sonnes. Boleslaus bée∣ing a banished man in Hungarie, and falling mad, was deuoured of his own dogs.

Monsters appeared in the Element, there was séene an host of horse∣men [ 1081] running too and fro, whose footesteps notwithstanding by no meanes coulde be perceyued. Henrie in the meane time, made his abode in Italy, & going again to Rome pitched his tentes where he did before, at the weaste gate of the Castell of Saint Peter, and Rome was taken the fourth of the Nones of Iune. The Popishe Feria sexta, before the eighth of Whitson∣tide, at which time Pope Gregorie being shut vp into the Castel of Cres∣centiu•• which then was commonly called the house of Theodoricus, awai∣ted to see how the matter woulde fall out, but the king making his fortify∣cation vpon the Hill Palatine, lost manye of them whiche he had put in gar∣rison, by reason of the vnaccustomed heate of the Sommer: but the same plague destroyed others also.

[ 1084] Grashoppers spoyled Russia. Alexius depriued Nicephorus of his king∣dome, and thrust him into a Monasterie, and he became Emperour of the Gréekes: the Romaines receiued again their Emperor Henrie and thruste Hildebrande out of his Popedome.

[ 1085] In England vnder William Conqueror king of the same countrey, there was so great an Earthquake that many buildings fel downe on al sides, in which yeare after Henrie king of Fraunce was in armes against the Eng∣lish, and the countrey was spoyled on both sides, and the Cities and Castels

were taken.

The 30. yere of y^e Emperor Henry the 4. an excéeding deluge did muche [ 1086] harme in many places, for in Italy there was so great an ouerflowing, that the verye rockes being fret downe therewith destroyed many manour pla∣ces with their fall. The same yere housbyrdes, as peacockes, hennes, and Géese. &c. withdrawing themselues from houses became al wilde, of which thing also Austin Booke 3. of the citie of God maketh mention. Whē Gre∣gorie the 7. was dead, Victor the third succéeded in the popedome. The or∣der of the Carthusian Friers at this time beganne, by the meanes of one Bruno of Coline.

In the prouince of Wales called Ros, was founde the Sepulchre of [ 1087] Gawin, (who was the sisters sonne of Arthure king of the Britaines) being in length fourtéene foote, the one and twentith yere of the raign of Will••am Conquerour. If in those dayes men were of such greate stature, muche more greater was Goliah and the Ekemimes who didde so farre excéede the Children of Israell, that they séemed but as Grassehoppers.

The thrée and thirtith yeare of Henry the Emperoure there was a [ 1089] greate pestilence, and chéefely in the Weast part of Loraigne, were manye being infected with Sainte Anthonies Fyre and rotting, and hauing their limmes eaten black like coles, there was made a great slaughter of men.

William Rufus succéeded his father William in the kingdome of Englād, but certain byshops making a conspiracie against him, styred vp his bro∣ther Robert against him, whom notwithstanding he vanquished and putte to slight, and made league with his brother.

The toppe of the Tower at Sarisbury was quite ouerthrowne with [ 1091] the force of lightning. Excéeding great swarmes of strange flies flew a∣boute in many countreys. The same yere in England there was so greate an ouerflowing of water through the aboundaunce of raine, the like wher∣of none could remember: immediatly the winter after,* 3.33 riuers were so fro∣sen, that horses, wagons and Waines might passe ouer them: and imme∣diately the yere following, to wit the seuenth yere of king William, by rea∣son of the tribute which he had set in Normandy tillage failed, and a greate famine insued, whervnto a plague and morrain being ioyned, tooke away an infinite number of men and beasts.

There was in Englande the 3. of the Ides of August, a huge earthquake, [ 1033] which made all the realme afrayde with the dreadfull myracle: with that earthquake huge buildinges partlye fell downe, partly sunke: there ensued scarcitie of fruites, and verye slowe riping of Corne, that the Harueste was not scarce inned at Sainte Andrewes Tyde. A fyerye Darte was séene flying in the Elemente from the South to the North, the fyrste of August at the fyrste hower of the nighte. Vratislaus King

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of Bohemia falling from his horse died, whome his Brother Conrade suc∣céeded. Brisitislaus Duke of Bohemia spoyled Silecia, and at this tyme the Englishe menne hadde dyuers conflictes with the Scottes, Northumberlan∣ders and Welchemen. Agayne with a great whyrlewynde there happe∣ned also an earthquake at midnight, the fourth of the Ides of September, in many and dyuers Countreys: the daye before the nones of Aprill about the morning very many starres were séene to fall from heauen vppon the earth, among which one excéeding great star fell to the earth: when one in Fraunce* 3.34 did greatly wonder, & had poured out water vpon the place where it séemed to fall, he more maruayled that smoke with a hissing noyse should issue forth from thence. In the Countie of Namucum many tasted breade y^t was baked in ashes as it were stainde with blood, and the same yere many were sick of the disease called S. Antonies fire, hauing their lims as black as coles. Vincentius but Sigibertus doth referre this to the yere of Christe. 1095.

[ 1094] At the Citie Laudunum a certaine woman guiltye of murther, and therefore also put in the fire, felte no burning at all, but the fyre being spent shée remayned vnhurte, of whiche thing the Aduersaries saying y^t the wood was the cause, didde interprete amisse, and agayne they kindling the fyre aboute her with better Woode, it nothing preuayled, wherefore the wo∣man comming out of the fyre was not only vnhurt in her flesh, but also in her garments, and was caried away with reioising of al the people, & a few dayes after she ended her life. Sigebertus Gemblacensis describeth this hi∣storie more at large. The same yere was a greate whyrling together of lightning in the ayre, and a shaking of Cities on the earth. The first day of the Ides of October, at Ibiceltumba a thunderbolt fell from heauen, whiche gaue the side of the tower so great a blow, that it stouped to the earth won∣derfully, it also cast down an excéeding great beame along the churche, and the heade of Christe crucified hanging thereat,* 3.35 together with the righte hande and the foote: there followed and insued an horrible stenche. There were moreouer excéeding great windes comming from the Southeast, the sixtéenth of the kalends of Nouēber, which at London crackt & broke down more than 600. houses: the Churches were dashte againste the houses, and walles agaynst walles.

[ 1094] A fiery dart was séene to flie in the ayre from the South to the North the firste day of August at one a clock at midnight: that yere Pope Vrban the second restored the decrées of Hildebrande. whiche before were disanulled. In Fraunce and Germanye a great part of the people died of the plague.

[ 1097] At the beginning of October for 8 dayes a Comet appeared in the weast, and with ouer great flouds haruest fowing was hindered, whervpon ensu∣ed barrennesse of all corne, great famine & pestilence. The same yere the ar∣mie of y^e christians entring the borders of the pagan infidels fought luckily

with their enimies. Henry the Emperour retourned into Germany, and at Mogunce in the assembly of the Empyre he intreated of peace.

The 5. of the Kalendes of October in the night time, the Element sée∣med [ 1098] to burne in many places, and the morraine of Cattaile ensued, and the corne was corrupted with ouermuch rain and blasting. At the besieging of Antioche the Christians were so weakened for the want of al thinges, that in a great and excellent armie vnneath 100 good horses could be found. The order of the Premonstratensians and immediately of the Cysterciensians was appoynted.* 3.36

The tenth yere of William the 2. king of Englande there appeared a Co∣met the firste day of October for 15. days, shooting out his greater beard to∣wards the east, and the lesser toward the Southeast. There appeared also other stars, as it were casting out darts one against another. And that yere Anselme the light of Englande flying the darknesse of erroures, wente to Rome (to become more blinde.)

[illustration]

Monocerote the Vnicorne, among straunge beastes one of the rarest, bo∣dyed like the horse, short and round footed like the Elephant after y^e bignes, tayled lyke the Goate, a fierce neighing, one horne in the middest of his foreheade of two cubits long, blackish nexte the heade, and towardes the toppe graye and whyte. In the Mountaynes of Iudea, he hath bene [ 1100] séene among other Beastes. The Indians call this Beast Cartazonon, of his greatnesse and courage, seldome taken, of coloure much like the wylde Asse, the forepart more déeper coloured than the hinder parte, on the backe as the red déere, red like the Weasell, and white bellied.

In Mecha a Citie of Arabia where the Sepulchre of Mahomete

is, are the hornes of diuers Vnicornes kept, as iewels of singular vertue, one of the whiche is thrée cubites long. In the kingdome of Basmam, vn∣der the greate Cham, are manye Vnicornes, not muche lesse than the Elephante, betwéene eyther is contynuall enmitie, so that by cru∣ell fighte as well the one as the other is slayne, the Victorye commonly happening to the Vnicorne, whiche is called among the Hebrewes 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Reem, which holye letters signifie Vnicornem, of some interpreted to bée the Rhinoceros because he hath one Horne also, whiche standeth on the toppe of his Shoulders, but not on the foreheade, and therefore muche ouersighte hath bene among Writers, to take the one for the other, being farre vnlyke: notwithstanding manye suppose there is no suche Beaste. Conrade Gesner at large alleageth sufficiente proofe, in the prayse of Abraham, when Balak required Balaam to curse Isra∣ell, hée sayde: GOD hath broughte him oute of Aegipt, his strength is as an Vnicorne Reemim 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 His bewtie also is as the first borne Oxe, and hys Hornes as the Hornes of Vnicornes, with the same shall hee pushe Nations together, euen vnto the endes of the Worlde.

O Lorde howe glorious are thy workes. &c. An vnwise man doth not know this, and a foole will not vnderstande it, &c. Chalde, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Dischon, Itali. Alicorno or otherwise Leocorno, Galli. Licorne: Hispani. Vni∣cornio: Angli. Vnicorne, German. Einhorn. Illyrij, Gednorozech.

Albertu•• sayth that the Vnicorne is of suche couragious fiercenesse, that he feareth nothing, neither other Beastes swiftnesse, nor theire strength.

The onelye waye to subdue him is, to sette a Mayden Virgine, as a bayte, vnto the whiche by a secrete in Nature he is allured, in some such place where prouisiō is made to take him, whom no sooner he espyeth, but trotting forward on he setleth himself close by the Virgine, on whose lappe hée layeth his head, and falling a sléepe, is in the meane time preuen∣ted from retourning back, and so taken. The Vertue of his Horne is to expulse venime forth of the stomacke, by taking a Graine of the powder thereof in Wine: also the horne put into Wine, and the wine presentelye drunke, cureth the Feuer, if a dramme be taken in pure salet Oyle and gy∣uen to anye that hath surfeyted either by eating or drinking, it present∣lye cleanseth the stomacke and cureth the bodye: it is good agaynste al ve∣nome. One was giuen to the Sultan at Mecha as a Iewell of wonderfull value, about the yeare of our Lorde 1100. Plinie. Albert. Gesner. Booke 1. Folio. 7••3.

The Vnicorne going to the riuer to drink, first styreth the water with his Horne, from the whiche corruption of vap••••r auoydeth, after whome

followeth diuers sorts of beasts to drinke. In the Ile Madagascar there are beastes with one horne, of two kinds, the one clouen footed called Orix or the wilde Asse, the other round hooued as the Horse. Andrewe Theuet Chapt. 23.

Siracusa was shaken with an earthquake, wherewith the greatest [ 1100] Church fell downe, and slue a number of people. Gulbertus and Vrbanus which stroue for the Popedome, by dying made an ende of their contenti∣on, and Pascall was taken in the place of Vrban the second. Anselme arch∣bishop of Canterburie was banished. Baldwine succéeded his brother God∣fride in the kingdome of Ierusalem.

Among manye other prodigies they affirme that a Comet of a won∣derfull [ 1101] greatnesse then appeared, which immediatly was séene in the west at the sunnes going downe. Histories record, that manye and greate mis∣chiefes insued. Ericus king of Denmarke with his wife Boltilda being de∣syrous to sée the holye lande, dyed by the waye, in the Ilande of Cyprus. Henry the fyrste, King of Englande, succéeded William Rufus his bro∣ther.

At this time liued Herluca a holy woman of Baeoaria in a certaine col∣ledge [ 1103] of Augustine Nunnes, fiftéene mile beyonde the Abbey, she being accustomed to be present at the night méetinges and secrete counsailes of the supernall and infernall, was wont to tell (as A••entinus the Historian recordeth) that those that were cursed, were tormented in the hotest flame of all. A certaine Priest also like vnto one that were a dying, lay for thrée dayes in Saxony, when he came to himselfe againe, he reuealed that Hilde∣brande, Rodolph, and Herman the Tyrauntes were punished in hell with euerlasting tormentes. False Prophets, false Apostles, and false Priests, at that tyme sprong vp, which deceyued the people with a counterfeyte re∣ligion: they made many signs and wonders, and began to sit in Gods tem∣ple, & to be extolled aboue all that which is worshipped. Sée more of these in the Author cited, for there were at that time most perilous times, almost like vnto ours.

Strange sights happening often made mens mindes afrayde, the E∣lement [ 1104] was séene oftentimes to burne, the Sunne and the Moone were of∣ten eclipsed otherwise than they were wont, very many starres were séene to fall from the Element to the ground, burning torches, fiery darts, flying fire were oftentimes séene in the ayre, likewise new starres, Swarmes of Butterflies, little fiery and strange Wormes flew in the ayre, which tooke away the light of the sunne in maner of Clowdes. Churches, houses, cota∣ges, men, beastes, the fieldes, pulse, fruite, and Corne were wasted with lightning, hayle, wyndes and whyrlewinde: fierye battayles, troupes of Horsemen, bandes of footemen, Cities, swordes, Glaues, bloody weapons, were séene in the element, and fought together: men report that there were

riuers of blood, when bread was put into the ouen to be baked, a man brea∣king the bread by chaunce, founde droppes of running blood: and Abbas doth testifye, that at Spyre blood ranne oute of breade. An euerlasting signe vpon the sodayn claue to mens Garmentes, (he tels not what it was) a woman going with chylde two yeares, brought forth a man chylde that spake.

There were monsterous byrthes broughte forth, both menne and Beastes with two heades: house foule, Pecockes, hennes and Geese, went from Villages, Farmes, Cities and houses, into Woodes, where they aby∣ding became wild. It is written in the chronicles, that a Woolfe had eaten thirtie men. Al these prodigies came to passe in the time of the Emperour Henry the fourth, all good plaine, iust, noble, and simple men haue lefte vs in writing, that the Empyre of Antichrist then beganne: the whole worlde was then out of frame with the stormes of Warre: Mankynde was euery where wrapped in the whyrlewindes of Weapons, they of the East and Weast foughte togither, all men afflicted one another with woundes. The Normanes, the Frenche, the Germanes, the Saxons, the Hungarians, the Italians, the Englishe, the Weast Christians, were euen worne oute with varyaunce among themselues and with ciuile Warre: The Greekes and the Armenians, the Turkes and the Arabians, the Spa∣niardes and the Sarasens, the Asians and the Affricanes, mette to∣gither with mortall Ensignes. Ierusalem was twice taken and twice destroyed. There were greate floudes, and much barrennesse, dearth of Corne, famine, and pestilence, men were tormented with strange diseases, with fire, with flame, with inuisible heate, and dyed without any mark of burning.

[ 1100] The 49. yere of Henrye the 4. the Emperour, on Christmasse euen there was a huge Earthquake at Ierusalem▪ and the same yere the inhabitantes of Ierusalem vanquished a great number of the Infidels with a glorious victorye. Moreouer two Orbes appeared, like the Sunne in shape and light, giuing forth beames of all coloures like the rainebow. King Henry doth persecute the Emperor his father: after two months siege he tooke and sackt Norenburge.

[ 1106] The fiftith yere of Henry the fourth Emperour, the first daye of the Nones of Februarie, a Comet was séene for a day, from 3 a clock till 9. as it were a cubit distant from the Sunne, not long after, to witte in the first daye of the Ides of Februarie at Barum in Italy, Starres were séene in the Element in the daye time; sometymes as it were running together, and sometyme as it were falling to the grounde. The same yeare after the taking of Norenburge when the Emperour Henry made a licenti∣ous spoyle throughout Alcatta, hée was puffed vp with the successe there∣of, for entring into the Citie of the Rubiaquentians, (whiche is my

swéetest countrey) and then was mightie in number of Cittizens and armorie, whilest his Garde made a more hauocke in the Citie than it be∣came Straungers, he being ouerlayde with the Weapons of the Citti∣zens and drouen to flighte with his menne, loste his Crowne, his Standerde with the Eagle, another Standerde sette with redde and yel∣low collour, and his golden Apple and Scepter, and afterward vpon peace made contrary to his fayth, he spoyled and burnte the towne, and lefte it in ashes, as Anonius (who descrybeth the lyfe of Henrye) wry∣teth.

The Sea ouerflowed the bankes otherwise than he was wonte, 2••. [ 1106] paces other write 100. paces. Fluentinus the Bishop, being moued with these prodigies, doubted not to affyrme that Antichrist was borne, with which preaching Pascall being moued, went into Hetruria, and cōmoning with him at Florence vpon that matter, when it appeared that the man did leane to none other reason, thā that he might séeme to be y^e authour of some greate matter, onelye admonished him vsing this preaching, to leaue of his rash enterprise. Priuie hatred began betwéene Colomannus and Almun∣dus being brothers: Henry the fift Emperor of Germany entring Flaunders agaynst Ruber•• besieged Bresburg.

In the East many signes and wonders were séene in the Element. For [ 1107] 40. dayes and more, a blacke Comet was séene about the beginning of the night to draw his beard in length, and agayn from the sunne rising vn∣till thrée aclock, the sunne séemed to haue on eche side a sunne of like great∣nesse, but inferiour in brightnesse. Moreouer a rainebow was séene aboute the sun set with his colours, and the same Hugh of S. Ademar fighting with the armie of the Tyberiadenses & them of Damascus, was deadly hurt, and yet he died conqueror, in which conflict many were slayn on both sides. Boamandus retourning out of Fraunce into Apulia with a huge army, and whilste he made hast into Siria leauing behind him a sonne of y^e same name died, the army of y^e Turkes spoiling the countrey of the Edissans, sought with Tancred.

When Henry the firste was king of Englande, a Comet appeared for [ 1108] certayne dayes in Normandy, not long after two full Moones were séene, the one in the East, the other in the Weast. This yere because Electus the Emperour hindered them that went to Ierusalem, he was fought withal by Boemundus▪ with whom lest he should suffer more gréefe, he made league or least it might be the worse for him. Henrye King of Englande ouer∣came in battayle his Brother Robert Duke of Normandy, and subdewed Normandy.

The yeare that Philip King of Fraunce and Anselme Archebishop of [ 1109] Canterburye died, in the parishe of Leedes a Sowe broughte forth a Pigge hauing a mannes face, and in another place there was a Chicken found

with 4. féete: immediately many fell sick of S. Antonies fire, hauing their limmes as black as coles.

[ 1110] In the moneth of Iune a comet appeared, turning his beames to the south: many coniectured that these prodigies did portend the future expedi∣tion of King Henry towardes Italy, which by and by followed, to appease the discorde which was betwéene the Clergie and laitie, of whiche thing Vincent: doth write at large Book 27. Chapt. 10. The Abbot of Vsperg Naw∣cherus.

[ 1112] The Citie of Rotenburg by Necharum fel with an Earthquake, which afterward in the yere of our Lord 1270. was againe restored by Albert Earle of Hohenburg. In Englande a double boy was born, so deuided from the buttockes to the vpper partes, that he had two heads, and two whole bodies as farre as the rayns, with their armes, who being christned, sur∣uiued thrée dayes. Boleslaus King of Polande vanquished the Pomerans, & slue 40000 of them. Vdalricus Duke of Saxony dyed, for whose gooddes that were lefte, a contention arising, armed many Dukes against the Em∣perour.

[ 1113] The seuenth yere of the Emperor Henry the fift, in the moneth of Iune the wheate, the Corne and trées being burned with fyre from heauen, cut awaye all hope of their fruite, certayne Woodes were so dryed, that they kindled with their naturall heat, and there followed a gréeuous & long sick∣nesse among men, with the flixe, and a most deadly pestilence. Henry the Emperour subdued the Saxons. Sigifridus Palatinus was nowe recey∣ued into the Emperours fauour: peace was made betwéene the Bohemians and Polonians.

[ 1114] When Henry the fift was Emperour, in the Territorie of Heminia∣num and Flaminium and also at Rauenna and Parma Cities of Italy, blood rayned in the fieldes and within the Walles the firste day of the Ides of Iune. Vincentius.

The same yere the Venetians with a strong armie sayling to Dalma∣tia, and robbing Sibinicum, tooke many Cities. In the Lordship Brachacen∣tis about Tornei there fell such aboundaunce of snowe the ninth of the Ka∣lendes of May, that it broke downe Woods. In the the firste of the Ides of Nouember, in the Subburbs of Antioche in the night season the earth ga∣ping swallowed vp many Towers and many houses néere too, with the in∣habitants. And at that time Baldwine King of Ierusalem together with Ro∣gerius Earle of Antioche tooke their voyage agaynste the Turkes.

[ 1115] When Henry the fift Emperour of Rome foughte with the Saxons at the Woode Quelfica, the eleuenth day of Februarie the Castle of the Em∣presse Goslaria was stricken with lightning, and the Emperours Target and Sword were burned. On Easter day y^e Element cleauing wide asun∣der, sent about a bright shining, which when it had lasted a whole hower, it

shewed in the middle the Image of the Crosse of a Golden colour, and whē again he was to go into Italy, to aske the Diademe of the Pope, a Comet appeared sixe monthes, being the messenger of his calamities and dangers. That yere while Henrye againe encountred with the Saxons, he was o∣uerthrowne in the fielde by Hogier a worthie Souldier, but on the Saxons side the Bishop of Holberstade who was generall dyed. The Dukedome of Ostfranke was graunted to the Bishop of Wirtzburg brother of the Duke of Zeadon by the Emperour Conrade.

The first hower of the night fierie armies appeared in the element from [ 1116] the North to the East, afterward they being dispearsed ouer all the Ele∣ment for the most part of the night made the beholders to maruayle ex∣céedingly. Henrye the Emperoure by reason of sedition lefte Germanye and went to abyde at Rome, herevppon the affayres in Germanye grewe to a desperate poynte. A Counsayle was healde in Rome at Late∣rane.

In the Moneth of Ianuarie the thyrde of the Nones in certayne [ 1117] places there happened so gréeuous an Earthquake that the partes of cer∣tayne Cities fell with the Churches. Moreouer the riuer Mosa now called the Maze by the Abbey which is called Sustula as it were hanging in the Ayre, was seene to leaue his foundation or bottome. This yeare the Ci∣tie of Leod••um was gréeuouslye spoyled, for in the moneth of Maye the fifte of the Nones of the same whilste they sayde Euening prayer in the great Church, sodaynelye a thunder with an excéeding great Earthquake ouerthrew all the ground, and the lightning entring in at the lefte side of the Churche, cast downe on euery side greate péeces of Morter from the Wall, afterwarde entring the Tower it cleue asunder manye partes of the beames, there followed an intollerable stinke, in so muche that with swéete smelles of spices and gunnes it could scarsely be driuen away: like¦wise the 7. of the Ides of Iune about nine a clocke, a clowd of rayne sodain∣ly breaking from the Mountayne, which is called Roba••t•• hell, didde so de∣stroy that part of the Citie that lay vnder it, that it ouerthrowe many hou∣ses, and spoyled greate store of Corne, and slue a mother imbracing her two children in her armes, and eight other men. When they rung at Ser∣uice, whilest one was washing a boyes head, his handes became all blee∣dye.

The fyrste of the Kalendes of Iune also, about sixe a clocke a moste mightie whyrlewind and a darkenesse couered the Citie, & a clowde brea∣king out violently, did so ouerthrow all the couering of the great Churche, that it lay open for the rayne, and wet the pauemente, immediatelye light∣ning entring from the part of the North, slue a certayne Clarke, reading in a pulpit behind y^e alter of the Saints Cosina and D••mi••n, & an other pray∣ing before the Crucifix: the thyrde going out of the Churches Regester

house being nere y^e church in the very entrance of y^e church, was stroken al∣so. It slue likewise a lay man before the dore. The vij. of the Ides of Iuly, from thrée a clock till nyne, 4 whyrlewindes compassed the citie al about, from the foure quarters of heauen: a wynd also thundered with great vio∣lence, and washed the citie with much rain. The 3. of the Nones of August at the beginning of the night, when thunder was heard euery where, and that it lightned often, the whyrlewind was so cruell at the Citie Leodium, that men being lifted vp from the pauementes, filled the Churches with a sorrowfull company, who all the night bent themselues to prayer, but earlye in the morning so great a fyre did beset them with so great a flame, that al were afrayd least they shoulde be burned from aboue: after this a greate whyrlewinde breaking forth of the Weast, séemed somewhat to darken the fyre, and agayne the fyre (as it were conquerour) waxed hote agayne with the flame, and agayne the whyrlewinde retourning, it laye close for a while, and the thirde time the fyre waxed hote agayne, and last∣ly being neuerthelesse ouercome with the whyrlewinde, it quenched. This sight did wonderfully feare the beholders from the sun rising vntill thrée a clock.

[ 1118] Then vnaccustomed hayle and Ise in the moneth of Iune afflicted dy∣uers places of Germany. On Easter daye the light of the Sun surpassed her wonted light, and a Crosse appeared therein. A Sow brought forth a pigge in Fraunce with a mans face. A Cocke chicke was hatched with foure feete. Winter was intollerable colde, and immediately ensued famine and mo∣raine of wilde and house cattell. Innumerable Byrdes fighting in the ayre fell downe dead to the ground. In Italy the Earth quaked so dreadfully for fortye dayes, that a certaine Manour house, through the vehemente moo∣uing was remoued to another place.

At the same tyme Ortus Veneris a Towne not farre from Luna a Citie of Hetruria was builded with much Marble by the Genowais agaynste the Pisans, and became an vnder Citie of the Genowais. The Pisans tooke the I∣lands Baleares.

Boleslaus King of Polande, made warre with the Pomeranes, and Bald∣wine the second King of Ierusalem succéeded his vncle. A certaine Monster was borne at Namutum, to wit, a child hauing two heades, as well double in kinde, as in other thinges, but single in the frame of his body. The third of the Ides of December when y^e stars shone at midnighte in faire wether, the Moone was eclipsed, & was almost a whole houre spred ouer with ma∣ny colours, but chéefely with a bloody colour, she being in a narrow cōpas. The 1••. of the kalends of Ianuarie at one a clock in the night, armies of fire were séene in y^e element tourning from the North to the East. Afterwarde they being dispearsed ouer all the Element, for the most part of the nighte, they made the beholders to wonder and maruell: And y^e yere Pope Pas∣call

dyed, whom Iohn Chauncellour of the Romish church succeeded, whom they named Gelasius. Baldwinus the second king of Ierusalem died. It ray∣ned blood. One washing anothers head, found his hande embrewed with blood, y^e earth shooke, cities & houses were euerthrowne in y^e night time, they that were a sléepe were shakē forth of their beds, much thunder & lightning made mē afrayd. At Leodium vpon the sodaine, in calme wether a whyrle∣wind arysing, slue with lightning thrée priestes that were at euening prai∣er in the church: the daye before the Assention it ouerthrewe the Towne Walles and houses, and a pestilente stinke ensued. Clowdes being loo∣sed and powring downe like riuers couered houses, Cotages, and Beasts, with Water. Bloodye Clowdes were séene: a Crosse also and a man shy∣ning white was séene in the element, whervpon they beléeued that the de∣struction of the world would come. It is writtē in the Bookes called Fa••t•• which were calenders of Holydayes among the Romanes, that suche pro∣digies did foreshewe Ciuill warre. Reade the Chronicles of the Bot••ns sette forth by Auentinus, for those thinges which followed.

A huge fyre in the East part about the morning cast forth flames for sixe [ 1121] howers, vntill that a whyrlewinde comming from the weast quenched it with aboundance of raine.

Whē the Christians continually failed which passed ouer by Sea frō Eu∣rope, Baldwinus assembled many y^t beléeued in Christ from beyond Iordane, which together with his, he caused to inherite Ierusalem. Burdunus y^e popes enemie being taken at Sutria was banished by Calixtus. Baldwinus y^e se∣cond king of Ierusalem tooke Gazi king of the Turkes and vanquished and tooke the king of Damascus.

There happened many and diuers prodigies euery where, the number [ 1124] of which cannot be remembred: among the rest this happened, that in the moneth after Whitsontide, a sharp frost afflicted the earth, wherwith trées and vines were wonderfully hurte. There were also seene many sightes in the Sun and the Moone, in the Lordship of Duleset. A boyes knée did swell excéedingly, which when it was opened there fel out grayns of wheat, bar∣lye and otes. The Emperor Henry the fift subdued the rebellious Holan∣ders. An excéeding famine did wonderfully afflict Poland and the Countreis adioyning.

The Winter was sharper than it was accustomed, and ouer rough [ 1125] and cruell with heapes of Snowe, in so muche that many through the feruente colde gaue vp the Ghoste, and in pondes Fishe was destroyed with yse.

There ensued through the vnseasonablenesse of the ayre a greate plague among men, and morrayne among Cattaile.

The Winter againe was very sharpe, and the famine was so great [ 1126]

through the scarsitie of fruites, that many perished for hunger and wante. In Albania a pore Woman brought forth a Monster wyth two bodyes, the eies loking awayward, and body ioyned to the other, before stoode the likenes of a man, hauing the whole bodye and Member of a man, but be∣hynde the face of a Dogge, hauing lykewise the whole propertye of the bo∣dy and lymmes.

In the vyllage called Brachbant, a woman brought forth at one byrth fower Boys: In the parrish of Geblacce whilest a certayne householder mixed corne together for his scant and grinded it for his housholde, in the grinding the flower séemed altogether to burne, with a blacke stynche. That yeare the Emperour Henry the fourth, putte from him his wyfe Matylda, the daughter of Henry King of Englande. And not long after he dyed of the disease called Dracunculus and Baldwine King of Ierusalem be∣ing before taken by the Sarasens vpon the paine of his raunsome was deli∣uered forth of prison.

[ 1128] An earthquake almost ouerthrew the Citie of Tyre, with a great slaugh∣ter of the people: The yeare following Pope Honorius the ••. died, after whome Innocentiu•• the second succéeded. Mathias Palme.

[ 1130] Henrye the fyrste after many troublesome disquiets by the meanes of Anselme Archebishop of Canterburie and the Clergie, the one for depri∣uing of maryed priestes, the other for inuesting of Byshoppes, hadde on a tyme thrée terrible visions: The firste was, of a greate multitude of Husbande menne of the Countrey, whiche appeared to flye vppon hym with theyr Mattockes and Instrumentes, requyring of him his debte whiche he didde owe vnto them. The seconde, hée sawe a greate num∣ber of Souldiers and harnessed menne so come fiercelye vpon him. In the thyrde hée saw a companye of Prelates and Churchmen threatning him with theyr Bishops staues, and fiercely approching vpon him, where∣vpon (being dismayde) in all haste, he ran and tooke his sworde to defende himself & finding there none to strike, taking pause of this vision, he reuea∣led the same to his Phisition (named Grimbald) who admonished the King, by repentaunce, almes, and amendmente of life, to make some a∣mends to God and to his Countrey, whome he had offended, whiche thrée vowes being made, the next yere following passing the long seas into Eng∣land not without some dangerous tempest, with his Daughter Maltilde, remembring his promise, he no sooner ariued, but first he released the com∣mons of a taxe called Danegylt, whiche his father and brother before had renewed. Secondly he wente to Sainte Edmundes Burye, where hée bestowed great benefites on the Churchmen. Thyrdelye hée procured Iustice to be administred more rightly throughoute the Realme. Poli∣chr••••icon: Io••nalensis and Polydorus, aleaged by Iohn Fox in the Actes and Monuments.

The Ocian ouerflowed the mayne lande, and sodaynlye drowned a [ 1135] great part of Flaunders, Holande, and Freezelande, in destroying a number of men and beastes. In Englande the earth quaked so horriblye, that Buil∣dinges fell downe euerye where: the fayling of the Sunne and Moone, which the Greekes call Eclipsis, happened at this time wonderfullye. The fyre breathing oute in manye places through the chinckes of the earth for certayne dayes coulde bée quenched neyther with Water nor anye other matter. There was an excéeding winde the fifte of the Kalendes of No∣uember, which ouerthrew Towers and many buildinges:* 3.37 and this yere Henrye the firste King of Englande ended his dayes, leauing Stephan the Frenche, his Nephew by the Sisters syde, his Successoure. The Warre was begonne afreshe by Boeslaus with the league breaking Russus.

There was so great a drought, that a greater hath not bene in the [ 1137] memory of man, for in diuers countreys the riuers that bare Vessels were so dried, that men might go through their chanels drye shodde. In Fraunce also Fountaynes and Welles were quite dried, and many on euerye side dyed for lacke of drinke only. Lotharius made his second voyage into Italy. Magnus king of Norway hauing his eyes put out by Harrolde, was depri∣ued of his kingdome.

We read of one named Ioannes de Temporibus which as affirmeth the most old histories, liued 361. yeres, seruant he had bene to Char••e•• y^e great, and in the voyage of Stephan king of Englande died. Policro. Booke 7. Iohn Fox in the Actes and Monuments. Folio 259.

In Italy at a place named Tarantum nowe called Taranto, an olde man became yong agayne, and chaunged his skinne as the Snake doeth, who became so young, that hée was not knowne of them wyth whome hée hadde béene famylyar, and when hée hadde lyued after that fyf∣tye yeares, hée became so olde agayne, that hée séemed withered like the rootes of trées.

The like was knowne to be of a verye truth, by the Admyrall of Spayne called Don Fadrigo, who passing in his youth through a place called La Riota, heard there of a man that was so yong in shew as though he had bene but 15. yeares olde, who notwithstanding had ouerliued all his po∣steritie.

Straunge sightes were often séene in the Element at thys tyme, and the crashing of ciuile Weapons made a thunder: false Prophets de∣ceyued the people with fained myracles: they wente aboute to slaye the Iewes. Saint Barnard saued them, hée admonished them by a heauenlye O∣racle, that they should abstayne from them, least we shoulde accuse God of lying, who promised that he woulde saue the remnaunt of them. It ray∣ned fleshe, Comets were séene, and the Element was a fyre. A Woolfe

deuoured thirtie men.

Roger after he had set vpon the Souerainty of Calabria and Apulia, hée tooke in the fielde Pope Innocent the second, and making with him peace, after a sort obtained of him to be crouned. By reasō of a dissention growing betwéene the pope and Lewis king of Fraunce the frenche church grew out of order, (or was troubled.)

[ 1143] It was reckened in place of a prodigie, that very many smal wormes were to be séene in manye Countreis, flying not farre from the earth, so that they might be touched with ones hand or with a stick, equall to Flies in greatnesse, but longer, of whome the number was so great that they oc∣cupyed almost a mile in breadth, and thrée miles in length, and with their thicknesse they séemed to darken the light of the Sunne: by which prodigi∣ous sight, some interpreted that that voiage which 4 yeres after was made to Ierusalem was figured, and there insued an intollerable pestilence of men, & morraine of Beasts, through the corruption of the ayre, wherevpon such liuing things were then brought forth, as after dying increased the vnseasonablenes of the ayre. It is reported also y^t there appeared tokens in the element, & that boules of fire were séene in diuers places, and afterward hid themselues in some other part of the element: many did interpret that they were Angelical powers which drue men to the holy voiage for y^e pope at the counsayle of Claremont stirred vp the frenchemen. Peter the Hermit a Spaniarde borne, styrred vp other nations and shewed himselfe to be their leader, affirming that a letter was sent to him from heauen, which exhor∣ted nations to that voiage.

[ 1147] When Conrade King of the Romanes and Lewis King of Fraunce with certayne Princes of Fraunce and Germany were nowe making their voyage to the holye Lande, about the Euening it thundered on the syde of a hill with a great tempest, and beholde at midnighte a water falling downe with great violence, drue all thinges that were amidst the valley, both menne and Beastes into the Sea, the residue wente to Constantino∣ple, afterwarde to the arme of Saynte George: and Lewis King of Fraunce directing his armie to Ierusalem loste a greate parte of his army, and the menne of King Conrade perished through hunger and thyrste, and the King with his stronger menne retourned into Greece, the o∣ther armye of the same appoyntment passing by Sea, at the request of the King of Galitia tooke Lisborne the chéefe Citie of Portugale before inhabi∣ted by the Sarasens and afterwarde by the Christians.

Warre arose betwéene the Brothers Dukes of Russia, wherein Ste∣phan the sunne of Gisa king of Hungary did helpe Isassauus who wearyed the rest of his brothers with Warre. Emanuel Emperour of Constantino∣ple did trecherously handle Conrade the Emperour of Germany & his com∣pany,

mixing lime with flower, whereof his armie miserablye died, when Conrade the thyrd Emperor of the Romane & Lewis king of Fraunce went into Asia with a great hoste, cruell prodigies were séene, by the which dy∣uers discommodities of the war were foretold, for vpon an euening a very thick cloude couering the Pauilions, did greatlye annoy them. Further∣more al the wings of the Butterflies that flue abrode, appeared so sprinck∣led with blood, as if it had rayned blood, which the king and other Princes seeing coniectured that they were called out to very great labours, & danger of death, neither did the coniecture deceiue them, for not long after, when nighte was neare, there was hearde by y^e mountaine side a crashing of thū∣der, & a sound of tempest, and at midnight a violent streame of raine water breaking down washt away in a moment and droue into the Sea whatso∣euer was in the valey.

At Landunum the 3. of the Nones of Iuly, when it thundered, y^e Monkes [ 1148] being at seruice in the Monastery of S. Vincent two of them being sodain∣ly stricken with lightning gaue vp the Ghost, some being touched or feared with so great perill fell sick, and after long sicknesse died. The lightning burned the Alter cloth, and pearced the Vestrie (and burned all their Re∣liques) in other places also the lightning slue men and Beasts. At the same time it is certain that it lightned at Ierusalem in the Temple of the Lord, & at the mountaine Oliuet. In the Territorie of Geb••num a Woolfe vnlike to other in greatnesse of body and fiercenesse through his madnesse tore in pée∣ces in y^e sight of men 30. persons of diuers seres and age, the same yere D••∣mascus was besieged and token by the Frenchemen and Germanes whiche also was spoyled before by the Sarasens. Norad••uus after the departure of the Emperour and the kings besieged Antioche.

There was an eclipse of the Moone the ••. of y^e kalends of Aprill aboute ••. [ 1149] of y^e clock at night, after which immediately ensued boistrous winds: for 4. days together there was séene & hearde oftentimes thunder, and lightning wherby in the Territorie of Vernium by Gaunt, a certain Priest while hée sayd Masse being stricken with lightning died. At Rhomes a certaine clarke died in the same tempest. The second yere Lewis king of Fraunce, when he had fought valiantly in Palestine against the Sarasens, and now had appoin∣ted to retourn into Fraunce chaunsing vpon the ships of the Greekes was ta∣ken. The Pope Eugenius the thyrd retourning into Italy foughte with the Romanes with a variable euent. Raymundus Prince of Antioch going oute against the Turkes the first of August, manye of his men were taken priso∣ners and slayne, and they lying in wait for him, he also was miserablye murthered, the Turkes carying about his head, tooke almost all places or Ci∣ties which were vnder him sauing Antioche.

When the earth was very hard frosen in Winter a Turffe of a verye [ 1140] greate length and breadth being sodainlye pulled from the Earth, was

remoued farre off to an other place, and the yeare following the Quéene of Ierusalem fauouring the Infidels more than was reason, was the author of many miseries in the holy land, against whom King Baldwin her sonne a∣rose, and taking the fortifications was at last suffered to enter Ierusalem: The Citie Reatina after a long siege was destroyed by Rogerius King of Sicilia.

[ 1152] There was an earthquake in y^e part of Italy, after whom duke Frederike the first his Nephew succéeded, surnamed Barbarosla. Rogerius King of Si∣cilia died, euen as Baldwinus king of Ierusalem, who left his life the fifte of the Kalends of October. The Massamutes, whiche some call the Moabites, after they hadde vsurped the Kingdome of Mauritane and hanged the King, and also killing the King of Bulga, they inuaded his kingdome, and they threatned to inuade Sicilia, Apulia, and Rome also.

[ 1154] Robert of Botua a man full of all wickednesse, being kindled with the spirite of Gealosye, when hée hadde commaunded a certayne manne, his moste Familyar, together with his Wyfe to bée shut vp in a little house to be burned, there appeared as it were thrée goodlye Chyldren in the house being on fyre, and the manne and the Woman remayned vn∣hurt amidste the flame whiche flew ouer their heades in maner of a light shining Clowde. The Sunne for a whole daye was darkened the first day of October.

[ 1155] In Burgundye there chaunced an Earthquake on a nighte whiche ouer∣threw many buildings. The Pope Anastasius the 4. died, Henry Duke of Normandie was annointed king of England by Theobaldus Archbishop of Canterbury, and the yeare following Lewis king of Fraunce was friende with Henry of Normandy with whome he had made warre.

[ 1156] In the raign of Henry the ••. king of England, the first day of October, al∣most for 3. howers there were séene 3. circles about the Sun, which often∣times vanishing away there was séene ••. sunnes, by whiche prodigie, the falling out of the King & Thomas Becket Archbishop of Canterburie was thought to be foreshewed. Moreouer there appeared in the Moone the signe of the Crosse, and immediately Albertus a souldyer of Belnacum, a most ho∣ly man suffred martirdome for the faith of Christ. And Frederike the Em∣perour besieged Milan almost for 7. yeres, and destroyed it. Vitales Micha∣ell Duke of Venice tooke Vlricus Patriarke of Aquileia in the field, & 700. of the Gentlemen of Forum Iulij now called Frioll, and made them of Frioll tributarie. The Emperour Frederike Barbarosla besieged Milan which yielded vnto him.

[ 1157] There was a great snow & a cold vnaccustomed whervpō there insued a plague & a drie sōmer. At Rome the riuer of Tiber excéedingly ouerflowed, by meanes wherof many things on euery side were spoyled to mens great losse, & y^e same yere Williā king of Sicilia rased flat to y^e groūd y^e citie of Barū

sauing the Temple dedicated to Saint Nicholas: Of other of whose exploits done this yeare, reade Sigisbertus. The third Calends of Iune, the Popish Feria quarta, on Assention euen about noone tide, almost for halfe an houre, a Circle of a great bredth appeared about the Sunne, whiche Sunne was of a fierie and blew colour. William the first begotten sonne of King Hen∣rie of England dyed,* 3.38 and was buried ae Reding at the féete of his great grād∣father King Henrie. There often happened in Normandie in the moneth of Iuly lightning and Tempest, whervpon in manye places the haruest was lost, and men being stricken with lightning dyed. There ensued aboun∣daunce of raine, which began amidst the moneth of August, letting the In∣ning of corne, and the sowing ensuing, of which continuall floudes that la∣sted a long time, many towres and Churches, and old wals fel in Norman∣die and England. Radulphus de Fulgerijs, in a certaine conflict toke Eudo vicount of Ponehait and for this cause the greatest part of the Brytains chose the Earle Conauus Duke of Brytaine, sauing Iohn Dolens, who as yet as much as laye in hym resisted Conauus and hys coadiutors.

In the moneth of September there were séene thrée Sunnes togither, in as cleare weather as might be, and a few dayes after in the same mo∣neth thrée Moones, and in the Moone that stood in the middle, a white crosse, whervpon the Doctours, and the skilfullest searchers of natural things, be∣ing sent for from the vniuersitie of Paris and Bononia, and of Venice also, did interprete the prognostication, signifying that there shoulde arise a dis∣corde betwéene the Cardinals in chosing the Pope, and also of the Princes electours, in choosing of the Emperour: neyther did the euent deceiue those wise men: for not song after, against Pope Alexander, foure other were chosen, not without a great sedition of the people, and it continewed seuen∣téene yeares, and there followed also manye Earthquakes, whereby not only Cities and Castels, but also whole Countreys were shaken, and were in diuerse places quite ouerthrown. Canutus y^e son of Waldamar the gret, after he had fought with his kinsmen Sweno and Waldamar for the king∣dome of Denmarke, there were séene many tokens in y^e Element to•…•… the North, as it were fierie Torches, and the likenesse of mans bloude•…•…¦ning: neyther did these wonders deceiue them, for by and by king〈…〉〈…〉 spoyled the Countrey of the Wagians, and al places euery where were•…•…¦led with the war.

Vpon a Saterdaye before the Octaues of Easter, in Abrincati•…•… Farme or house, whiche is called Landa Aronis aboute noone tide, a〈…〉〈…〉 whirlewinde as it were rising out of the Earth, wrapped aboute al〈…〉〈…〉 that were next it, and toke them away. At laste there stoode vprigh•••…•…¦taine Piller of a redde and blewe colour, vnder the whirlewinde•…•…¦ding vpwarde, and therewyth hearde as it were Arrowes and lau•…•… dashyng againste the Piller, albeit it appeared not to the beholders, wh•…•…

gaue the stroke, and in the whirlewinde whiche stoode still, there appea∣red as it were diuerse kindes of Byrdes flying vnto it, there ensued by and by in the same manour place, a Pestilence among the folkes, among whom the Lord himselfe dyed, and not onely in that place, but in many places of Normandie and of the Countreys adioyning, the Pestilence this yeare made a great spoyle. That yere the Milliners agayne rebelled, whome Fre∣dericke the Emperour againe besieging made to yéelde, and in the meane season, he fortifyed Laud•• with walles. The Agarenians puttyng Au∣forsius the Emperoure of Spayne, to flyghte, tooke agayne the Cit∣tye Almaria in Spayne by siege, wyth soundrye Castels which they had lost.

[ 1160] The Moone was eclypsed, and immediately the Quéene of Fraunce wife of King Lewes the daughter of the Emperoure of Spaine, ended hir dayes in whose place the King matched hymselfe wyth Adela, the daugh∣tor of Theobaldus. Fredericke the Emperoure after hée hadde wone Millai••e ouerthrewe also the Townes or Castels of Papia and Placentia and made almost all Lumbardy subiect vnto him. Sweno the thirde King of Seland••a beyng driuen forthe of hys Realme by Canutus, after thrée yeares exile, was broughte into hys kyngdome agayne by Henrie Leo Duke of Saxonie.

[ 1161] There happened an Earthquake the firste of Ianuarye in the Lord∣ship of Constantine, at the Castell of Saint Lawde about one a clock. This yeare in the moneth of May, peace was made betwéene the Kings Henrie of England and Lewes of Fraunce, in renewing theyr former couenauntes. Phillip brother of Lewes King of Fraunce dyed. Constantia also Quéene of Fraunce dyed in childbyrth, leauing hir daughter aliue, for whose sake she hastned hir death.

[ 1163] In the moneth of Iune in Brytaine the lesse, to witte in Recel it ray∣ned bloude, and there it ranne downe from the bancks of a certayne foun∣tayne, and also it ranne out of breade. William King of Sicilia, goyng out of Sicilia into Apulia wyth a great armye, and putting Robert Deba∣seuila wyth hys complices to flighte recouered the Cities and Castels whi∣che reuolted from hym. There was a grieuous famine and Pestilence. Ramaldus De Castilio of Antioche whylest he vncyrcumspectlye entring into the Countrey of y^e Agarenians, many of his men were slaine and takē, and he himselfe taken prisoner.

[ 1164] At Senone on Goodfryday, when Pope Alexander was at Masse, there was a horrible darkenesse, and whilest the Lectorer redde aloude the pas∣sion of the Lorde, and came to thys place Consummatum est. It is finished, there fell suche a wonderfull lightning, and there was so great a cracke of thunder that Alexander forsaking the Aulter and the Lectorer omyt∣ting

the passion and all they whiche were presente thoughte good to pro∣uide for themselues by flying awaye: at whyche tyme also the Archebishop of Colen, the Bishoppes of Padeborne Minda and Munster, and Henrye Duke of Saxonie, besieged the Castell of Arnesbach, bycause the Earle Henrye hadde committed manye thyngs agaynste them all, and kepte hys brother being a Chylde, in prison where he dyed, the Castell was taken and ouerthrowen, and Henrye bannyshed, yet afterward com∣ming in fauoure agayne, he recouered the Castell, which after his deathe he bequethed to the Church of Colen, which at this day holdeth al the Lord∣ship of that auntient nobilitie. Bolestauus king of Polana subdued the Bry∣tenians (with war.)

The eyghte daye of Auguste in the Bishopricke of Dolon, it rayned bloude. That yeare the Vandales war was again valiantly made by Wal∣damar by the helpe of Henrie Leo Duke of Saxonie.

In the Lordshippe of Ruthen a certaine Tempest corrected the peo∣ple wyth a grieuous scurge: and wilde Wolues, toke awaye young chil∣dren from theyr Mothers breastes, and cruellye deuoured them. The Valentians breakyng theyr Faith wyth King Henrie, robbed and spoyled the Countrey that was promised them. Richard of Humbar King Hen∣ries Conestable callyng togyther the Barrons of Normandy and Bry∣taine in the moneth of Auguste tooke the Castell of Comber in Bry∣taine.

There appeared in the Weast two Sunnes of a fierye colour, one of [ 1165] the whiche was greate, the other little, and they were as it were ioyned togither, and afterwarde asunder, lastly, they appeared far one from ano∣ther, and this was vpon Christmas euen, in the Octaues of Whitsontide. There was a vaine entreatie of peace at Vilcasme, betwéene the Kings of England and Fraunce, they went away without any conclusion, and with inwarde grudge they prepared to the field, and they made greate spoyle on both sides with fire and sword.

The first of the moneth of September there were séene at once in the [ 1168] Weast thrée Suns, and two houres after, when two were gone he whiche was middlemost wente downe alone: in like sort the yeare folowing thrée Moones appeared.

An Earthquake ouerthrew many cities & churches, towns, and Vilages, [ 1169] and the gaping of the earth swallowed vp many thousands of men, and co∣uered most part of the buildings in the fal. The same yeare also in Sicilia y^e Citie Cathana before one of the clocke was ouerthrowen, with the whyche Erthquake the Bishop & the cleargie (the Abbot of Miletū with 40. Mōcks and about 1500. of the common people sodainely perished, manye Castelles also in the Ilande were shaken at that instaunte, in parte also beyonde

the Sea, a great part of the Christians and Panims perished with Earth∣quake: many Cities were ouerthrowne: Antioch and Ierusalem trembled, & the same yeare the king of England sent for Sainte Thomas to come home frō exile, and he established peace as he had promised the Pope, and Lewes king of Fraunce. The Romanes destroy vtterly Alba: a certaine Priest, in a part of Denmarke which is called Alfse,* 3.39 standing at the Altar, when he had lifted vp the Challice, being about to take the host, beholde there was séene in the * Chalice the forme of flesh and bloud: he being stricken with feare, after he had brought the Chalice to the Bishop and the Cleargie to be séene, the Bishop protested that there hung grieuous trouble ouer the Churche, and that the bloud of Christian people shoulde be spilt, whych in short space also came to passe, for scarsely fouretéene dayes after the armye of the Sla∣uonians breaking into the Countrey, toke al places, ouerthrew Churches, and brought al the people into bondage, and whosoeuer resisted they perse∣cuted with fire and sworde.

There were excéeding Earthquakes and huge flouds in Germanie. The same time also Callina a Citie in Sicilia was shaken wyth an Earthquake, and was so ouerthrowen, that a greate number of menne perished there∣in. The Kyng of Denmarke inuaded Rugia and put downe Idolatrye. [ 1170] Menardus the firste Bishoppe of Liuonia was made Bishop by Pope Alexander the thirde. The Kings of England and Fraunce makyng peace at twelfetide were attoned.

[ 1171] Many Earthquakes shoke diuerse prouinces, and chiefely Syria and Sicilia, in which many Cities stoode bending, and some fel, making a great slaughter. The bones of a certayne Giaunt in Englande were discouered by scowring of the Water, the length of whose bodye was fiftie foote. Saledinus slewe Calypha the Egiptian his soueraigne, and obtayned hys kingdome, the Florentines vanquished them of Sena. at Ascianum, Canu∣tus sometyme King of Englande and Denmarke, was canonized a Saint, (and that is a wonder, where the Diuell makes men as fast as the Pope makes Saints,)

[ 1173] The firste daye of Ianuarie there were heard manye thunders, and di∣uerse places holye and profane, were stricken with cruell lightning, and the same yeare and daye folowing, Thomas of Canterburie was crow∣ned with martyrdome for Christian religion and the confession of sounde doctrine (that is to saye, for a little treason againste the Kyng, and as for hys doctrine at that tyme was no resistaunce) wherevppon the yeare folo∣wyng Pope Alexander canonized him a Saint, hereof all England became seruile to the Pope.

[ 1175] The fierie Hil of Etna, burned againe, at which time the fal of the hou∣ses made such a noyse, through an excéeding Earthquake, that al the priests of Saint Agatha were slayne with the fall of the same. At thys time

Pope Alexander treading vnder his féete the Emperour Frederike the firste, who otherwise was called Barbarosla, and treading vppon his necke he saide, it is written. Super aspidem & Basiliscum ambulabis & conculcabis Leonem & dra onem, Thou shalt walke ouer the Aspe and the Baselisk, & shalt treade down both the Lion and the Dragon, and so at length he a∣bused him. Againe Fredericke sayde, that he shewed that humilitie, not to Alexander but to Peter, wherevnto Alexander aunswered & mihi, & Pe∣ter, To me, and to Peter, and so peace was made betwéene the Emperoure and the Pope, but I know that Robert Abbot of Mount the continuer of Sigebert of Gemblaca and Stumphius, doe referre thys to the yere of Christe 1177.

The Sunne was eclypsed at sixe of the clocke, the firste of the Ides of [ 1177] September. The war of Emanuel Emperor of Constantinople, with y^e Sul∣tan begā about the feast of Whitsontide. The Lumbards & chiefly the Milli∣ners assailed the Emperour Fredericke with a great host, who being in the Citie of Papia, scarsely escaped flying awaye. On Sainte Andrewes daye at nighte there was a mightie winde, and that daye and in the euen there appeared a lighte comming in the morning from the Easte to the Weste, vpon whiche day the Christians fought wyth the Infidels, at Saint Georges de Ramula. There was thys yere in Sōmer and Autumne a great drought wherevpon seedes and plantes in the fields, and corne and haye, for y^e most part was destroyed.

The Ocean English Sea grew so hygh, that it swallowed vp manye [ 1178] men. This yeare Saladinus king of Egipt assayled Guido King of Ierusalē with a very fierce battayle, and did wonderfully afflict all the Christian cō∣mon wealth. The Heretickes Angenenses despisers of the Sacraments, & detesters of matrymonie, assembled togither aboute Tholosa, with whome Diuines and men skilful in the Scripture, of which Peter legate was the chiefe, méeting, brought them to a better passe.

The fiftéenth of the Calendes of September, after eight a clocke on a [ 1179] Sonday at night the Moone was eclypsed: there ensued an extreame colde Winter, wherein the Snow continued vntill the purification of the Vir∣gine Marie. There were also greate floudes of Water, and chiefely at the Citie of Maine and Angue in Fraunce, where it brake the bridges and carried away innumerable houses, with a great number of men. Emanu∣el Emperour of Constantinople reuenged himselfe of Soliman at Iconium by whom before he was putte to flighte. Soliman also being now set vp∣on with a great army, was so discomfited, that he left the Citie of Iconium, almost without souldiours.

Thys yere about Michaelmasse there were two or thrée Earthquaks in England,* 3.40 in which yeare also there was great discord betweene the King [ 1180] of England and his sonnes, for the Castel of Clareual, which belonged to the

inheritance of Angue, and Richard Erle of Poiters, priuily assented vnto it. King Henrie the elder sent his armie into Brytaine and besieged the tower of Rhedon and toke it, and burning it they built it againe and fortifyed it. Moreouer the Earle of Brytaine burned a greate parte of the Citye, and the Abbay of Sainte George and Becherell the Castell of Rouland de Di∣uam.

[ 1181] In the prouince of Kemens in Wales, a yong man named Cicilius El∣karhar, and of some long legged Cicill. being a greate time visited wyth sickenesse, was at the length assaulted with Toades: his kinsemenne and friendes defending him, slewe manye of those soule vermine, neuerthe∣lesse they grew and increased so fast, that they were fayne to put him into a Coffen of woodde, and hoyse him vppe to the toppe of a trée, paring awaye the boughes to hinder the créeping vp of the Toades: neuerthelesse they cea∣sed not til they had eaten him to the bones: Authours, Giraldus Cambren∣sis Itinerarij, and Iohn Stowe. Thys happened in the time of King Henrie the second.

[ 1185] In midde Februarie there was an Earthquake in Gotlande, and in the Aprill following the Moone was eclipsed. There arose a discorde betwéene Phillip King of Fraunce, and Phillip Earle of Flaunders, for the Earledome of Veromanenum The Emperor Frederike made Henrie his son ruler ouer the Citizens of Italy. Bela the thirde king of Hungarie and of Boemia, ta∣king Vlademirus Duke of Halike, sent Andrew his sonne which seazed the Dukedome of Halike.

[ 1186] The Sunne was eclipsed, and there ensued a greate Pestilence in Poland and Rusland. When Pope Lucy the thirde was deade, Vrbane the fourthe succéeded hym in the Sea of Rome. Thys yeare the Wyn∣ter was verye hotte, whereof it came to passe that the fruites of the Earth waxed sooner ripe than they were wont, for haruest was in May, and Vintage in August.

The Sun was eclipsed on Saint Iohn Baptist day, the sixth houre of the [ 1187] day. Baldwinus king of Ierusalem with many noble mē were takē by Sala∣dine king of Asia and Syria.

[ 1190] In Englande a Crosse appeared in the Elemente aboute noone-tyde, when Richarde King of Englande and Phillip of Fraunce prepared warre againste Saladine. Thys yeare after the deathe of the Emperour Frede∣dericke Barbarosa, Henrie the sixth his sonne succéeded him in the Em∣pyre. The Colliners and other rebelled. Luneburge a Citie of Germany and Berna a Citie of Vchtland (at thys day of the Heluetians) were builded.

[ 1193] There was a greate eclypse of the Sunne. Saladinus after his long per∣secution of the Christians and murders committed died at Damascus, and his kingdome was deuided by his sonnes, wherfore Saphandinus the bro∣ther

of Saladine, being grieued bycause that Saladinus had left him no part of his kingdome, droue his sonnes out of the kingdome, and he alone ray∣ned afterward. Henrie the Emperour receyuing money of Richarde king of England, leuied an army and went into Apulia, and assaulted Salerne. A perpetuall peace was confirmed betwéene the Polanders and the Hungari∣ans, whervpon Russia yéelded to the Polanders.

In the Lordship of Belloacum, betwéene the Mountaine Claurum and [ 1194] Compennium there fel so much raine, with thunder, lightning and tempest, that the like was neuer hearde of, for foure square stones as bigge as egs, falling down from the Elemente, mixed with rayne, did vtterlye destroy fruite trées, Vines, and Corne. Manour houses also in manye places, were destroyed and burned with lightning. Rauens also of huge greatenesse fly∣ing in the ayre, from place to place, were séene to carry in their bils quicke and burning coales, with whiche they set houses on fire. The same day al∣so, in the Bishopricke of Laudunum, a certaine Castell aboute Clauemounte was quite destroyed with lightning, and the same yere the Emperor Hen∣rie subdued to his Empire all Apulia, Calabria and Sicilia, which fel to hym by the right of his wife.

In the moneth of March there were sodaine and excéeding floudes of [ 1196] water in manye places, which destroyed houses, ouerthrewe Townes, slue most of the inhabitauntes that dwelt in them. The same yeare Phil∣lip Augustus Deodatus King of Fraunce marryed to wife Mary daughter of the Duke of Morauia, Boemia, & Marques of Histria. Henrie Leo Duke of Branswike and Luneburg dyed vpon Saint Sextus day, after whom succée∣ded his son Henrie who also was Counte Palatine of Rhene.

Throughe the violence of a storme risen, stones with rayne fel from [ 1197] heauen. Henrie the Emperour sente ayde to the Christians in Syria, who afterwarde the yeare folowing vpon the deathe of Henrie returned home. Wherefore the Christians which remayned in Syria, being destitute of all helpe, vtterlye lost the Lordship of that prouince: war also arose betwéene Conrade Duke of Sweue, and Bertholdus Duke of Zeringe, wherein Conrade dyed. By the procuremente of Henrie the Emperour, Frederick the Emperours sonne crying in hys Cradle, was appointed king of the Romaines.

Manye Prodigies at this time were recorded in Cronicles. The [ 1198] quaking of the Earth the fourth of the Nones of Maye afflicted the whole earth, and ouerthrew Cities, houses, cotages, and Churches. At Longiona a Lordshippe of Bauaria which belongeth to Boemia with the Hillye part of the wood Hersinia, the Earthquake continued a yere & sixe monethes, so that the inhabitauntes were constrayned to leaue their houses, & abyde abroade in heate and colde.

At Vermendesiū a certain souldiour that was dead reuiued, and foretolde many notable things to many men, and afterwarde also he liued without meate and drinke a long season. In Fraunce aboute Midsomer, dewe in the night falling from heauen, excéeded the swéetenesse of Honny, and in the moneth of Iuly a great storme arose, and stones of such a greatnesse fel frō Heauen, that through their violence from Hemblack, as far as the Mona∣sterie of Chale and to the places adioyning, they destroyed not onely corne and Vines, but the wooddes also, and mens gorgeous houses. And the same yeare in the moneth of Iuly Philip Augustus Deodatus King of Fraunce, contrarye to the opinion of all menne, and to the Kings decrée, resto∣red the Iewes to their former state at Paris, and grieuouslye persecuted the Churches of God.

[ 1200] There arose a great Earthquake at noonetide, which for certain days togyther, shoke many buildings, in Poland and the Countreys adioyning whiche thyng almost vnhearde of in these Countrys, was accounted a pro∣digie. The same yeare Constantinople was taken by the Frenche and Veneti∣ans. Alexiu Emperour of Constantinople being dryuen out of his Realme fled to Hal••k to the Emperour of Rome. The Emperour Phillip son of Bar∣baro••. spoiled Alsaise and destroied certaine fortresses of Rhubiaquen and of the Castel of Fereburg, which is in the Towne, he brake the Walles, and spoyled all places wyth fire and sworde as elsewhere we haue noted more at large in the description of the Citie of Rubiaquen.

[ 1202] The thirtith daye of the moneth of Maye, there was an Earthquake wherein was hearde a terrible voyce, but nothing was séene. A great parte also of the Citie of Achon with the kings Palace fell downe. Tyre was al∣most ouerthrowen, Archas a verye strong Towne, almoste fell to the grounde, the greatest parte of Tripolis fel downe, and a greate number of men were strangled. After this Earthquake folowed a great barrennesse of the grounde. In forraine Countreys there was a great famine, and a horrible pestilence folowed the famine. Pope Innocēt the third excommu∣nicated twice the Emperor Phillip, and depriued him of his imperial Ma∣iestie, and absolued his subiects.

[ 1205] A horrible Tempest in manye places destroyed the Corne and the Vines. Phillip the Emperour pursueth with his army Otho whom Pope Innocent the third chose against him, and besieged him at Cullen, but Otho in a certain conflict which he had with the Culleners, escaping by flight gotte him to the king of England. Phillip subdued the Colleners, & was crowned K. by the Archbyshoppe of Aquisgranne, The L••tuanians whose name at thys tyme was fyrste knowen, entred into Russia with a great army, but they went away conquered. In Germanie Conrade Archbishop of Har∣bepol••, [ 1206] was slaine by his seruaunts.

The day before the Calendes of Marche, there was an eclypse of the

Sunne, the fifth houre of the day, and the moneth folowing. Adela Mother of King Phillip dyed, who was buried in Burgondie, by his father Theobal∣dus in the moneth of December there were many floudes hurtful to many places of Italy and Fraunce, which not only brake the bridges, but y^e beames of houses also, and ouerthrew many houses and pillers of stones. Iohn the brother of Richard Duke of Normandy and king of Englande, goyng out of Englande made warre agaynste Phillip Kyng of Fraunce, and by rea∣son of the plague among the Souldiours, there was truce made for two yeares.

On Saint Nicholas day in Fraunce, there were harde great thunders, [ 1207] through the violence of which, many buildings holy and prophane wer set on fire, and ouerthrown with lightning. There folowed a wonderful and a huge floude of water. The same yeare Satellia a verye strong Citie was taken and spoyled by the Panims, Phillip the sonne of Barbarosla the Em∣perour of Germanie was slayne at Babenburge, in whose place Otho the fourth was appointed, who only was Emperour foure yeares, and he ta∣king to wife the daughter of Phillip, drewe vnto hym greate parte of Germany.

There appeared in Poland a great Comet in the moneth of May whi∣che [ 1211] lasted eightéene dayes, and passed about in his course ouer Polande Ta∣nais and Russia, and stretching his tayle ouer the weast, & signifying the cō∣ming of the Tartarians. Whervppon the yeare following, the nation of the Tartarians vnknowen til that day, hauing slaine as it was reported Dauid their own king, came from vnder the mountaines of India, manye nations of the North drawen vnto thē, and went to the Poluci which other call the Gothes, they grieuously afflicted many with many battailes, the one and the other Sarmacia, the Poluci and the Russi were banished by the Tartarians, and in a gret ouerthrow Conradus Crispus son of Henrye Barbatus, duke of Vratislauium was slaine.

In the prouince of Collen and in the Dioces of Munster, at a place in [ 1218] Frisland called Leidan, in the moneth of May, thrée Crosses appeared in the ayre, one white towards the North, another of the same colour towardes the South, but the thirde set forth with a middle colour, hauing the figure or forme of a man hanging vppon it, hauing the armes lifted vp and stret∣ched out with the fastning of nayles in the handes and the féete, and hys heade bending to one side, and thys crosse was the middlemost betwéen two other Crosses. The same tyme in a certayne place of Frislande there appeared a Crosse of blewe coloure by the Sunne, likewise there was seene one altogyther lyke vnto thys, but a whyle after in the Dio∣ces of Traiectum, and immediatelye the Christians toke in hande greate voyages against the Sarazens for the defence of the Christian Faith. Vinc. in his 31. booke Chap. 73.

Otho the Emperour died, and immediately Fredericke was established in the Empire. Conradinus the Sarazen, king of Ierusalem and Syria, miserablye slue all the Christians remayning at Ierusalem.

[ 1221] In England and other Countreys adioyning, there were séene manye prodigies, for there appeared a Comet of a huge greatnesse, the Earthe shoke wonderfully, there were heard many thunders with a great crashing of the Element, which for as much as they are heard but seldome in Eng∣land, and that in Sommer season, thereof it commeth to passe that as often as they happen, they are reckned as prodigies: likewise continual showers of raine, with such great blastes of winde, that houses were ouerthrowne, and the sea went further abrode than it was wont, it rained all the spring time in Polande, wherevppon so great a famine afflicted them of the Coun∣trey, that a great part of the people perished wyth hunger and pestilence. There were thys yere great cōmotions and tumultes of war in Englande vnder King Henrie the thirde of that name, of the whiche reade Polidor Virgil in his 16. booke of the English Historie, & Lilie in his Cronolog. Phi∣lip king of Fraunce departed this life, leauing Lodouicus his son to succéede hym: the Emperour Fredericke was depriued of hys imperiall dignity by Pope Honorius, whervpon there grew hote war.

[ 1223] A cruell Comet was séene ouer all Fraunce, the order of the Fryer Minors was made and established by Pope Honorius. Damiata was loste agayne by the negligence of the Souldiours. Waldamar Kyng of Den∣marke, beyng layde in wayte for, was taken by Henrye Earle of Swerne.

[ 1225] A little before the death of Honorius the third, the earth did shake sore vpon the Alpes among the Saluians, that 5000. men were brused to deathe wyth the fal of houses: great pieces of rocke also were pulled from the side of the Hilles, and fell down into the vallies vnderneath, that were well in∣habited, to the great destruction of men and cattell. Lewes Duke of Bauare was made King Henries protector and tutor by the electors. Henrie Barba∣tus Duke of Vratislaue rebelled at Lenskone, and the peace was to smal pur∣pose.

[ 1230] There arose an excéeding tempest of winds, a storme and flashing of lightning, and a crashing of thunder, which euery where set on fire and o∣uerthrew many houses, moreouer, there arose such sea floudes (of the Sea) in Frizeland the like wherof were not since Noas time, which spred ouer al the ground by the sea side of Frisland and Halderia, & al the méery & marishe ground. Albis & Visurgis two riuers in Germany, wer so ouerflowen, y^t theyr course could not be séene. Then there perished many thousands of men, and cattel without number. While the riche and great men of that place gaue themselues to delicacie and pleasure wythout any other care, they were ca∣ryed away and swallowed vp with sodaine tempest. And it was the 10. day

day of Februarie when this tempest brake asunder all the pillers & bancks made for defence of the water course, and brought in the raging Sea amidst the land. That yeare Vladislaus being chased to Leskonogie, by Vdalislaus Othos son, was spoyled of the kingdome of the greater Poland. Francis the Patrone of the barelegged Friers, about this time was canonized a Saint by Pope Gregorie the ninth.

At this time many Prodigies did forshew the miseries ensuing, a great [ 1233] plague and morrain raigned vpon men and beastes, all riuers were harde frozen, and at length being thawed with the heate of the spring, they ouer∣threw cotages, garners, bridges, wals, and trées. In Rathstadium a Town on the Alpes which lye to the Countrey of Germany called Noricum, and ter∣med of the inhabitantes Taurum, a childe was borne with hornes, whose crying and wéeping was heard fourtéene days before he was borne. In the Countrey of Fruxinum towards the South, a great number of fielde Mice vpon the sodaine spoyled the haruest, and did eate vppe euen to the rootes, the corne, grasse, and haye, whervpon the inhabitauntes being driuen from thence, were compelled to chaunge that curssed place, and the husbandmen were driuen to forsake their olde dwellings. The third of the Nones of Iu∣ly, the Sunne, by the Moones comming betwéene was hid for two houres togither. The Moone was séene with sixe corners stretching out towards y^e East. The day before y^e Nones of October also, the Moone taking away the Sun beames by hir setling betwéene, the stars did shine at noone dayes, as in the night. Many other suche prodigies and straunge tokens are recorded in the Chronicles There ensued factions, deceites, mischiefes, murder, ciuil war, through the which all heauenly and wordly things were confused to∣gither. The Christian common wealth was crased with mischieuous dis∣corde, and became a praye for a fewe mens lust. Loke in the Chronicles of the Boyans whych Auentinus most diligently handleth.

The Sun was greatly eclypsed. The yere folowing Pope Gregorie [ 1234] the ninth, when he had held his seate 14. yeares dyed, after whome Celesti∣nus the fourth succéeded in the Papacie: the partes taken of the Gybelines for the Emperour, and of Guelphes for the Pope beginning at thys tyme in Italy, were the cause of many miseries. The Bishop of Collen was taken by the Emperour.

In England was a great dearth and pestilence, so that manye of y^e poo∣rer [ 1239] sort for wante of foode perished. Corne was verye scarce. It is sayd, that Walter Gray, Archbishop of Yorke kept corne fiue yeres, & doubting y^e long kéeping therof, made it away by exchāge to his farmers for new after har∣uest, but would spare none to satisfy the poores néed. It fortuned, that when men came to the stackes, which stoode not far from Ripon, to take the shea∣ues to threshe, sodaynely appeared from betwixte the sheaues heades of

Wormes, Toades, and Serpents, and a voyce was hearde that sayde, as if it had bene spoken among the vermine, Lay no handes on the Corne, for the Archbishop and all that he hath is the Diuels: the voyce and the sight so amazed the commers, that a wall was made aboute the Corne, and so sette on fire, leaste the venemous Wormes should haue gone forth, and poysoned other places Anto. Math. Paris. Iohn Stow, in his Chronicle. Folio 264.

[ 1240] In the woods of Saxonie towards Denmarke in a desart, certain Mon∣strous beasts were taken, on the top of a rocke in a thicket, hauing almoste in all pointes the shape of a man, of whiche the female dyed, with the by∣ting of dogs, and the wounds giuen by hunters, and the male being taken became tame, and went other while vpright vpon his hinder féete, he lear∣ned to speak but very vnperfectly, and not many words, he had a smal voice like a Goate, he had no reason, and was ashamed to be séeene to ease himself, &c. he desired to company with women, and openly assaid at the time of hys lust, not sparing any, whatsoeuer they were. Albertus Magnus, and out of him Gesner in his seconde booke of his Historie of liuing creatures wyth foure féete.

In Saxonie there was séene a Comet by the North pole, which cast forth his beames betwéen the East & the South, directing them rather to y^e East. The yere folowing the K. of the Tartars making an inrode into Polad, with a great army, burned and killed euery where, afterward taking his iourny into Morauia, he miserably afflicted it for thrée yeares.

[ 1241] In Englād when Henrie the 3. raigned, in y^e moneth of Ianuarie a Comet appeared feareful to behold, almost for 30. days togither, & this yere K. Hē-went into Wales w^t an army against Dauid who taking & punishing y^e Au∣thors of the seditiō, brought Wales into his subiectiō. The same yere also Isa∣bel wife to y^e Emperor Fred: and sister to Hēry died, at which time also ther was an eclips of the sun. Pope Gregorie the 9. died, in whose place Celesti∣nus the 4. was chosen, as some Historiographers recorde. Fredericke as∣saulted Fauentia, Parma and Bononia, very strong Cities of Italy, and remo∣ued the vniuersity of Bononia to Parma. Bathy king of the Tartariās entring into Polonia with great force spoyled, burned, and slew euery where.

A great Hil in Burgondy parting from a mountain, and straightning the vallies slue many thousand of men & cattel. Moreouer running alōg for many miles destroyed about 5000. men, and at length after al things wer spoyled, he returned wonderfullye to the other mountaines. Wherfore the yeare folowing the Sarmatians, comming without their limits with a huge multitude, did first set vpō y^e prouinces of Greece, w^t murder & cōmō spoile, & thervpō playing y^e robbers throughout Panonia, they came against y^e Germās as it were a thicke storme of raine, and did greate destruction to those pro∣uinces. Celestinus the 4. Pope of Rome died, & in his place Pope Innocent

the fourthe was chosen. Hugh a Christian chylde was crucifyed by the Iewes in Englande, in contempte of oure sauioure Christe and reproche of Christians, for which wicked acte many of the Iewes were partly slain, and partly put to flight.

In the Dioces of Lancolne, there was a woman of noble byrth, wel fauo∣red [ 1246] and beautiful, whiche was married to a riche man, and did beare him children, who also got another gentlewoman with childe, which bare thrée sonnes by hir, one after another, or euer it was knowne. The womens names were Hauisia and Lucia: this sayde woman was of both kindes, and thereby as well able to gette children as to conceyue, whereby she be∣came not onelye a Mother, but also a Father, Iohn Stowe in hys Chronicle. Folio 270. and Vesper in his Coniectures in the thirtith yere of Henrie the third.

In Englande the earth shoke dreadfully, and manye houses fel down, [ 1248] which thing, as it is wonte to happen seldome in an Ilande, so it was ac∣compted at that time a great prodigie, but in Fraunce it made a more grie∣uous spoyle. The yeare following Lewes king of Fraunce made stoute war in Egipt against the Sarazens. William Longsparta wente into Asia with chosen souldiours. Alexander Prince of Scotland dyed. A Comet was séen in Germanie for certaine monethes. The winde more vehemente then it was wont, ouerthrewe wooddes, houses, Cotages, and trées, and did greate harme to men and beastes. In faire weather pauilions were stricken with lightning, when at the mountaine Attinum, the Florentines and the Pisans ioyned togither in battayle. A Monster in the territorie of Verona was soa∣led of a Mare hauing foure féete and a mans heade, at whose noyse, cry∣ing, and confused sounde of a voyce like vnto a childe, one dwelling therby in the Countrey, and being astonyed with the straunge sighte, in drawing forth his sword slue the Monster, for the whiche cause he being broughte to iudgement, and being asked concerning the Monsters byrth, and the causes of hys comming, he aunsweared that he dydde it onelye for the hor∣ror and the abhomination of the thing, which hearde he was cleare of al suspition.

In Englande the Sea rose higher than it was wonte: there appeared a [ 1255] great Comet, and oftentimes high buildings were stricken from heauen, whyche straunge sightes immediately the death of Walter Archbishop of Yorke followed, a man of great vertue, who had bene Bishop fortie yeres. The Genoways ioyning with the Pisans with an armed nauie besieged Ve∣nice, and spoyled their ships and sea castes.

A yong man of Friburge in Misnia, to the ende that he might obtaine his [ 1260] loue, was brought by a Magitian to a desart place of a house, and when the inchaunter did shewe vnto that desperate louer the likenesse of the mayde which he loued, he retching out his hand vnto it, was dasht against the wal

by a wicked spirite, and was miserably slaine, whose carcase also was caste against the Magitian with so great a violence, that he lay a long time halfe dead. This horrible example of punished lust, to fear foolish yong men, Suf∣frid the Prieste recordeth, who liued in y^e time of the Emperour Albert the first. That yere Bala the fourth king of Hungary made war against Ocha∣carus kyng of Boemia and being vanquished by him fled to Hamburgh. In Italy Guido Nouellus was made Duke of Florens. The folowers of the Guelfes forsoke Florence and Florence became subiect to Manfred.

[ 1264] A Starre, which the Greekes cal Cometa, appeared of a notable great∣nesse aboue thrée moneths, and the very same night that Pope Vrbane the fourth of that name dyed it went out. Bondogodar the Solda•• subdued the Christiās in Syria there ensued a sharpe plague, whereof men and beastes dyed. In Pruscia the crucifixe or crosse carriers had ill lucke, who wer quite destroyed by the Barbarians The Russiās made inrodes into Poland. Masso∣nia was spoyled by the Lituanians and the Brussians. Charles wente out of Fraunce with his host, and ouercomming Manfred kyng of Sicilia, he posses∣sed the kingdome of Naples: two yeres after y^e Africans past ouer into Spain, and made gret slaughter, and at length were put to flight and slaine in He∣truria: also there was raised a great commotion, and diuers conflictes were made. Thrée yeres after the Comet Banduca king of Babilon and Assiria inuaded Armenia with a huge hoste, he sacked Antioch, and made a greate slaughter of the Christians. Sée more hereof in Pontanus writing in hys Commentaries vpon the hundred sentences of Ptolome.

[ 1265] At Basil throughe an outragious floude of the riuer Birsus the townes men had much harme. Henrie Bishop of Basil, and Rodolph of Habspurg, after long variaunce toke weapons in hand, wherefore ciuil was arose in the Citie, in the which the factions of gentlemen did grow, but the Psitasi toke the Bishops part, of which sedition reade more at large in Stomphius in the Chronicles of Swizerland.

[ 1268] About this tyme a Goose of a monstrous forme was hatched, whiche Alberte recordeth that he sawe, hauing two neckes, foure féete, and wings on his backe, that he séemed one Goose carrying another, it liued not long.

In the Countrey of Cracouia (as it is written by Martin Cromer in his [ 1269] 9. booke of his historie of Poland) an honest Matrone called Margaret y^e wife of the Earle Verboslaus brought forth at one byrth 6. boyes aliue, the 20. day of Ianuarie. And the sixth day of December in the twylight, astrange and a notable brightnesse shaped like a crosse, gaue light down, not only vp∣on the Citie, but vpon all the Countrey about. At Calissa 8. dayes after the feast of the byrth of Christ, a Cow brought forth a Calf with ij. dogs heads and téeth, and seuen Calues féete, but the biggest head was set in his place, and the lesser at the tayle, byrdes and dogges did abhorre his carcase. In Si∣lecia

in the Lordship called Machalanum, and betwéene the riuers Odra & Nissa it was saide to haue rayned bloude thrée dayes: there brake out a cru∣el war againe betwéene Boleslaus Duke of Poland and Calissa, & the Saxōs or the Marquesses of Brandburg. Sulentia was sacked and burned, and al the Sommer that yeare through continual raine and straunge floudes of wa∣ter much harme was done, not only to corne, but also to shéepe and Cattel, vilages and townes.

In Englād after an earthquake, wherwith many houses fel, it rayned [ 1274] bloud in Wales, as a deadly forwarning to that nation, with whose bloude not long after the Countrey was euerye where imbrewed vnder Lewelin Grifin who made newe seditions in Englande and ioyned himself with the French.

In Germany neare the towne of Lauffenburg in the borders of Swi∣zerlād [ 1274] standing by the riuer of Rhene, there was borne a childe hauing hys hands and féete like a Goose, with a hideous heade.

The riuer of Rhene by reason of extreame rayne, did so rise that passing [ 1276] his channel, he carryed away on euerye side manye things in the champion or plaine Countrey. At Basil it brake the bridge, and there were drowned a∣bout a hundreth men through y^e force of y^e streame: by the violence of haile about the mountain Borsetium in Switzerlād, not only the séedes of the erth, and plants, but also shéepe and cattel were hurt.

In the territorie of Cracouia a boy being toothed the same day he was [ 1276] borne, spake distinctly and plainly, & when he was christned he lost both his téeth, and the vse of his spéech, & another boy being but halfe a yeare old, sore∣tolde in the City of Cracouie, that the Tartariās wold come & cut off y^e heads of the Polāders and being demaunded whether he knew this from aboue, & that this mischiefe also hung ouer his head, he aunswered that it is many∣fest ynough, that this should happen twelue yeares after. This yeare was the Silesiā war, the Countrey of Polesia and Prusia was spoiled by the Mas∣sontās and Cutaniās, afterward the Emperor Rodolph, made war with the Boemians.

In Polād, aboute Cracouie, there appeared on that midnighte in the [ 1276] whiche the yeare began, a shyning skie hauing a cleare and pleasant light for a short time, afterwarde it is lefte in wryting, that fishers toke a disfi∣gured Diuell, in a certayn stoure (which is a mighty gathering togither of waters, from some narrow lake of the sea) and when their net was cast in, at the first draught y^e fishers drew 3. little fishes, in y^e ij. draught nothing, but the net wrapte vp, lastlye in the third draughte, they drewe vppe a horrible Monster, with a Goates heade, and eyes shyning lyke fyre, wherevppon they were all afrayde and ranne awaye, and that ghost plunged him∣selfe vnder the Ise, and running vppe and downe in the Stowre

made a terrible noyse and sound, and many men being blasted by hym, had filthy vlcers. This yere dyed Boleslaus Pudicus king of Poland. Likewise Boleslaus Pius D. of Calissa. And also Boleslaus Caluus or Rogatra duke of Legn••cium. Oto••arus the seconde King of Boeme through the treason of hys men was slaine in Austria after he had ioyned battayle with Rodolph the Emperour and Ladislaus King of Hungarie.

[ 1278] In Argoia a prouince in Swicerland a noble matrone brought forth a Lion, a most fierce beast, which Iohn Stumphius writeth, came to passe in the yeare of Christ. 1278. Albeit other Historians doe referre this to an o∣ther time. That yere when Iohn the one and twentith Pope of Rome was deade, Nicholas the fourth was chosen in his place: warre began betwéene Rodolph the Emperour and Otacarus King of Boeme, and in the fieldes of Austria, beyonde the riuer Danubius, there was a bloudie battaile, and Ro∣dolph became conqueror through the manhoode of the Swesians and Alsa∣tians, and Otocarus fighting manfully dyed.

[ 1278] The Sunne was eclypsed when the Moone had suffred the same thrée dayes before, and the Star of Mercurie was séene amidde the Sunne as it had bene a blacke spot. At the same time Charles the great returning Con∣queror forth of Spain lay in wayte for him. The Emperour gaue the Pope Romandiola, and y^e soueraintie of Rauenna, who published Bertholdus Vr∣sinus his nephue Earle Romandiola, and the Pope kepte to himselfe the Senators office.

[ 1280] It is left in writing that there appeared to Alphonsus king of Aragon the seconde of thys name a golden crosse, in the Church of (Ouitum) wyth∣out any mans workemanship, that yeare the king through the helping ar∣my of Charles the great ouercomming the Sarazens, spoyling the borders of the Austurians, made Lysborne a Citie in Portugale subiect to hys Do∣minion.

When a Prebende of the Churche of Thurin did preach to the Pope at the Tombes of the Martyrs that were the patrons of the church, a stone violently brake in péeces, without any styrring it, and is sayd to haue made so great a sounde and noyse, that all the people being stricken with a feare trembled, as if the Arches of the Churche shoulde haue fallen. The same yeare the thirde of October the greatest parte of Thuringe was consumed with fire, and moreouer throughe the dissentions of the Citizens, in a sedi∣tion of the people, the Citie was wonderfully spoyled by taxes of y^e Church men, or excommunications.

The same yere when at Traiectum a Citie in Flanders, both & men wo∣men led a wanton daunce vpon a bridge, and despised and scorned a Priest whiche reproued them for so doing, the bridge breaking downe, they fell headlong into the riuer Mose, and aboute two hundred of them were swallowed vp through Gods vengaunce, who were punished for contempt

of their religion, and for their lightnesse.

They report that the riuer of Tiber at Rome swelled so high, that the washing of the riuer couered the high Alter foure foote and more, in Pan∣theon, which now is the Church of the blessed Virgine, and of all Saintes: Pope Nicholas the fourth of that name, the thirde yeare of his Popedome and the eyghte moneth dyed, after whome succéeded Martine the fourth. Hamburg a Towne of Saxony was for the most part consumed with fyre: the yeare following the Germanes destroyed Pisa.

In the Popedome of Martine the fourth, a Noble woman that was [ 1282] the Popes necessarie, brought forth a hearie Boye, hauing hands and féete like a Beare, with whiche monstrous byrth the Pope being sore troubled, commaunded all the Images of Beares whiche by chaunce were in her house to be put out, for a manifest argument of imagination conceyued by her in conception. This Monster happened the first yere of Pope Martine, at which time there was taken a Fish in the Coasts of Tyrrhenia at a place called Centum celle hauing the perfect shape of a Lyon, who being drawne out of the Sea, houled like a man: he was brought to the Pope to sée, who then by chaunce was in the olde Citie: the Pope and all the people were astonied to sée so strange a shape of a beast. But I sée that the common peo∣ple are thus perswaded, that nothing is borne in any part of nature, which may not be séene in the Sea. The Genowais and they of Luca were made frée by the Emperoure.

The Tartarians inuaded Panonia, spoyling euery place as far as Pestum. The Sicilians not abiding the pride and lasciuiousnesse of the Frenche, by the meanes of Iohn Prochitius (who was made an instrumente for this feate by Peter king of Arragon) slue all the Frenche in one nighte at the ringing of a Bell. At Frioll the same tyme the Frenchemenne were slaine.

In Italy there was a moste gréeuous earthquake wherewith manye [ 1285] buildinges on euery side were ouerthrowne flat to the grounde: the earth∣quake lasted in his shaking for certaine dayes. Pope Boniface was then at Treate, who fearing the fall of the houses,* 3.41 commaunded a Cotage to be built him of very slender stuffe, in an open Court before the house, that hée might not much feare the fall, and so remayned abrode for many dayes. Therevpon appeared a Comet of a notable greatnesse, in other partes of Italy. The Venetians at that time, or surely not long before or after, when truce was expired, whiche for certayne yeares they hadde made with the Genowais, immediatelye they furnishe their Nauie to kéepe the Lordeship of the Sea: the Pisans being vanquished by the Genowais in a battaile vpon the Sea, lost fiftie Gallies and twelue thousand menne. The Tartarians agayne inuaded Panonia, and spoyled all places as farre as Pestus.

While Charles king of Fraunce inuaded Spayne with an army, and

made warre with Peter king of Aragon, a swarme of great flies of diuers colours assailing the Frenchemen slue them with their stinges, as it hadde bene with Swordes: moreouer, they being oppressed with manye o∣ther miseries, and dispayring of their victory, went awaye, and in their iorney euery where they dyed in troupes, among whome Charles hym∣selfe faynting, being caried in a Litter died at Ampure: Lucius Ma∣rineus a Sicilian, wryteth this in his eleuenth Booke of the Kings of Spaine.

[ 1290] In the Territory of Constance a woman brought forth a Lion with a mans head. Rodolphe the Emperor Earle of Habspurg tooke by his Soul∣diers the Castles of Clancks and Wilber in Abbacella Tubertall, and the hold of Wyberg in Turtal against the Abbot William of Sangalla.

[ 1295] This yere the, of the Nones of Aprill, on which day at that tyme Easter fell, a déepe Snow couered the grounde, & strange hayle spoyled the Corne. The daye before the Nones of September the grounde shooke, vpon the Alpes whiche lye towardes the Countrey of Germany called Rhe∣ti••um there were 15 Castles, Forts and Holdes ouerthrown, and a famine afflicted the Boeans.

[ 1298] There appeared in the Elemente a Comet, that was a token of a great destruction that followed, and shewed the affliction of the Christi∣ans. It is written that the Iewes stealing awaye the Christians holye Hoste, scorning it and beating it in a Morter with a pestle, there came out blood from it (if this be true, or the Authour supersticious.) The Iewes at Norenberg and in East Fraunce were destroyed with Fyre and Sworde. The Scottes aspyring theire libertie by theire Captayne Vallaceus, thrust the Englishe men oute of Scotlande▪ and tooke from them their holds and townes.

[ 1300] A Comet appeared againe this yere wherein the Pope heald his Iubile, there were diuers commocions in Italy▪ a great multitude rising in Flaun∣ders handycrafts men, and men of base estate, left the Frenche, & being be∣come Lordes of the prouince, they ouercame the greate armye, and moste cruelly slue them. Pope Boniface the 8. of that name, by the helpe of Philip king of Fraunce was taken at Anania by Scart•• of Columna & cast into pri∣son, whome notwithstanding the Citizens of Anania deliuered; dayes af∣ter. The Emperour Albert gathered a great armie in Switzerlande against the Hollanders.

[ 1301] This yere the firste of December a strong winde ouerthrewe Cot∣tages and houses: there ensued verye calme weather, and vnaccustomed heate, so that in the moneth of Ianuarie trées bare leaues: afterwarde there was a greate floude of Water. In Italy there arose the factions of the Albes and the Nigres, as before of the Guelfes and the Gibelines. Stom∣phius in his Chronicles doth agayne make mention of a Comet, which as

he wrote, did portende the great spoile that was made afterward in Flaun∣ders.

There appeared a Comet for thrée moneths towardes the North. [ 1304] This yeare the riuer Danub••us at Reginburg through eating of the earth with his surges, bent his course towardes the North, by making of a great pyle of Stone, Timber and stemmes of Trees being driuen to his former Channell. When Pope Boniface the eyghth was deade, Benedictus the eleuenth succéeded, who absolued Philip le beau King of Fraunce, that Celestinus had excommunicated. Edward the fourth king of Englande subdued Scotlande ouer which he made Odomar Valentinianus, Earle of Penbroke, ruler.

A Comet againe appeared in y^e wéeke of Christes passion, after which [ 1305] there followed a plague almost throughout al the world. The Courte of Rome was remoued to Auinion in Fraunce. Venceslaus king of Bohemia was slaine at Olomuntium.

The Sunne was eclipsed the thyrd of the Ides of Februarie, the [ 1307] Sunne and the Moone being in the fiue and twentith part of Aquarius and the fourth of the Kalendes of Marche the Moone was eclipsed, and the same night the appeared in there Element Armies of a wonderful great∣nesse. Agayne the twelfth of the Kalendes of September there was an e∣clipse of the moone the ••. hower of the night. The same yere before the mur∣ther of Albert King of y^e Romanes (who being wounded at Russa a riuer nere to Vindonissa and the town of Bruckergoue, by the wile or deceit of Iohn Ro∣dolphe his brothers sonne died in a womans lap that followed the war) a knight of y^e courte being on horseback & stricken with Waspes, lept frō his horse & escaped, but the horse was slain with the Waspes, and the Gentle∣mā comming to Badena a town of Ergone at this day famous for the assem∣blies of y^e Switzers declared his ill luck to Albert which whē he going frō his place endeuored to shun, was slain by the said ambushmēt: not long af∣ter, the same yere y^e knights of S. Iohn recouered the Rodes from y^e Sarasens.

A fierie flame continuallye burning passed along y^e Elemente. The [ 1309] Emperour Henry the 7. entred Italy tooke al Lumbardy, & was crowned at Milain with an Iron crowne. The Hungarians were excommunicated by Clement the fift, because they had not receiued Charles. Donaldus a Duke of the Iles, prouoking Robart le Bruze king of Scots into the fielde was taken.

About this time in the Territorie of Florence a boy was born with two [ 1310] bodies, foure armes, and about the priuities he was so knit together, y^t hée had but ••. legges, and this childe as men sayd liued but few dayes.

There appeared a Comet for 14 dayes, which departed from y^e North [ 1313] to y^e South, beside y^e mou••ng of Mars. Milechius vpon the 2 booke of P••inies natural historie. That yeare Florence was besieged, also the English men

encountered Robart le Bruze, and his Scots at Estriualiis, where in a strong battayle the Scots had the victory, and diuers English Nobles were slaine, and of common souldiers supposed fiftie thousande. A great famine for thrée whole yeres gréeuously afflicted Lituania and the Countreys adioy∣ning.

[ 1314] A Comet fearefull to beholde burned thrée moneths together, which after the death of Henry the 7. betokened a ciuile war, in the which Lewis of Bauaria and Frederike of Austria were chosen at once by the variable voyces of the Electors, and stroue together for the Empire eighte yeares, vntill that Frederike was taken in the fielde, and Lewis alone helde the Empyre: while he raigned immediatelye two other started vp, the one in the yeare of our Lord 1337. the other two yeares after: There followed these, besides a cruell pestilence, a deadly dissention among the Electors, who being styrred vp by Pope Clement, deposed Lewis & created Charles the fourth, and immediately after he was remoued, they chose Guntherus Erle of Scuuartzburg, which thing caused new hurly burly, and again they ran to weapons, yet not long after Guntherus being poysoned, yielded the Empyre to Charles.

There appeared thrée Moones in the Element, the same yere Philip king of Fraunce died.

[ 1316] At a village in a valley of the vppermost part of the riuer Arnus cal∣led Tertaneum, a Monster was borne hauing two boyes ioyned together at the nauel, who on the one side had his members and two weak thighes, but on the other side there was but one vnperfite thigh, and he liued a daye. When Lewis king of Fraunce was dead, Iohn his sonne, being yet a Boy, succéeded for twentie dayes, after whome Philip the brother of Lewis raig∣ned fyue yeares. The same yeare also Pope Iohn the 〈◊〉〈◊〉. of that name was chosen Pope, when the seate had bene emptie for two yeres and thrée monethes.

[ 1322] In the firste day of Iune there was a terrible earthquake in Germany, and y^e 5. day of the same moneth there was seene a red Circle about the sun, and neare it there appeared two Crosses standing oute, and the same yere throughout all the Imperiall cities of Sinedon, there were cruell fiers, floods of Water, robberies and seditions. In Englande the Sunne appeared as blood, and continued sixe houres, shortelye after the Scottes inuaded the bor∣ders.

[ 1329] There brake out a great streame of fyre from foure déepe holes of the mountaine Aeanc: the fyre thereof was fearefull to beholde in the nighte, neyther did it shine as other fyre: and in the day it burned dimme, no other∣wise than kindled Sulpher, of which matter the Mountayne is full. The Auncientes write much of this mountaine, but specially Strabo, who affir∣med that he had bene at the toppe of the mountayne, and hadde diligentlye

considered all thinges, some say that there are meruailous alterations in the toppe of it, for otherwhile it belcheth out a flerie streame, otherwhile a flame of fire or duskish smoke: moreouer this is muche to be meruailed at, touching the heate of that fire, that it can be alayde with no colde, nor colde can be dissolued by that heate, for the vppermost part of the Mountayne is full of ashes, which in the Winter are couered with snow, and the highest part of the hill is plaine, and doth comprehende in compasse about 20. fur∣longes, that is halfe a Germane mile, which is a myle and a halfe English, in the middle whereof there riseth a little hill of ashes from whence some∣times fire and sometime smoke doth breathe: in the night season fire is séene on the top of the hil, but commonly in the day time a duskish smoke ascen∣deth: yet in our time when the combustible matter was thought to be spēt or consumed by the fire, nothing was séene to assende from the Mountaine but a dim vapour.

The Sunne and the Moone were eclipsed, the same yere the Greekes [ 1330] inuading the Germanes styrred vp a great warre, which the yeares follow∣ing was oftentimes renewed. The Pisans tooke Peter of Corbona the false Bishop (whome the Emperoure Lewis passing into Germany lefte at Pisa) and sent him to Pope Iohn then abiding at Auinion to whom he confessing his errour, with much entreatie obtained his life, vntil that 3 yere after he being kept in an honest prison died.

The seuenth of the kalendes of Iulie continuall lightninges, & scort∣ching [ 1333] flashes made men afrayde, and slue many, vilages & Townes were purged with sacrifises and offringes. There were great flouds of Water. The same yere at Constancia by the méere Acronium for the hurting and ill handling of Christians nine Iewes were slayn with the sword, sixe drow∣ned, and twelue burned.

The Riuer Arnus rose wonderfullye with continuall rayne, and o∣uerthrew thrée Bridges at Florens, with part of the walles of the Citie, and the buildinges that stoode next the riuer, to the excéeding feare of the Citi∣zens. The yere following Pope Iohn 22. and Philip king of Fraunce toge∣ther with the Venetians prepared a Nauie for the defence of the Gree••es, wherewith they ouercame and discomfited the Turkes.

There were fishes or Whales or of some other kind of such a greatnesse [ 1335] which ariued to Lubec out of the sea, that many of them were in length 20. foote, some eightéene foote, and some 24 foote: and this was reckened and ob∣serued as a prodigie, as if it portended something. At Hamburge about the same time there was a sedition and no small sturre, because that y^e church∣men being against the Magistrates would after their opinion and will cor∣rect and punish all whoredome, which controuersie notwithstanding (and strife) the Bishop of Breme ended.

There appeared a fearefull Comet for foure moneths, to whom there [ 1337]

came an other which gaue light with this more than thrée moneths, to wit Iune, Iuly, and August, & besides it is written that it rayned blood: more∣ouer a great number of Grashoppers at that time brake out of the Easte parts, which had sixe wings, & were armed with téeth shining like pearles, they tooke away the light of the sunne in maner of clouds, they occupied 35. miles in length & ten in bredth, they cut the ayre as it wer in battayle ray, they pitched their pauilions vpon the ground, their forerunners choosing a fit place for thē to light in, went before the legions one days iorney, which being deuided into bandes went forward at the sunne rising, so that about 9. of the clocke they pitched vpon the ground, and when vittaile failed them they went farther: they were forced through the coldnesse of winter to hide themselues, & to returne agayne in sommer. Foure yeares after, flockes of storkes, of Iayes, of Crowes, of Dawes, and the like byrdes, deuoured thē which thrée sommers had fed vpon the leaues of Trées, Corne and Haye, throughout all Ge••many: they were in vayn driuen away with noyse made in the ayre and with bels. Rotuuilla a noble Cittie and famous for y^e consi∣storie of the Empyre, was pitifully burned and spoiled with lightning, al∣though there were but 60. men only destroied with the storme. The plague at Norenberg consumed many thousand men.

[ 1340] A Comet or a bearded starre was seene agayne in the Elemente: the Englishe ouercame the Frenche, and slue 33000, a victoryous Bat∣tayle. The Scottes rebelled against the Englishe. There died at Florence of the plague 16 thousand and in the Countrey thereabouts it raged extreme∣ly. The Spaniardes slue in the kingdome of Granata two hundred thousand Sarasens.

[ 1341] The colde was so great in winter, y^t the noses and fingers of the crucifi∣ers or crosse carriers warfaring in Liuonia. were fretted off with the frost. At Constacia by the méere Acronium there was a gréeuous and deadlye se∣ditiō of the Citizens agaynst the Magistrate. At Norenbu••g foure hundreth houses were wholy burned.

[ 1343] In the gréeuous and fierce battayle of the Venetians with the Geno∣wais when as they were in fight vpon the Sea, it is sayd that a great num∣ber of crowes fought together ouer the Nauie one agaynst another, & that one side was so oppressed that the feathers and the spilt blood sprinckled the gallies of the Venetias. and moreouer, that one of their rowers going out of his Gally into the next, was taken and deuoured of a great fishe. The Ve∣netias being vanquished the Genowais at Corsica submitted themselues and theirs to the Archbishop of Millane

[ 1344] In the moneth of September yong rauens were found vnfeathered in y^e neast, which Auentinus in the affairs of Bauaria supposed was obserued in place of a great prodigie. In the towne called Ʋeldcirk scituate not far frō the méere Acronium, fire fell from heauen into the stréetes, but when the

townes men beheld it with great feare and astonishmente, it wente vp a∣gayne from the earth to the element not doing any harme, as S••o nphius in his Chronicles recordeth. There was this yere a gréeuous famine in Swead n, but chéefely in Switzerlande,

Vpon the day of the Conuersion of S. Paule, a greate earthquake shooke* 3.42 Germa••ye wherewith many villages & Castles fell downe, likewise stones mixte with raine fell out of the ayre: moreouer the same day with a great earthquake manye publique and priuate houses fell at Venice some leaned atoneside fearefull to beholde, and among these, the towers of Churches in a place or two: afterwarde the earth was shaken more or lesse 15. dayes, whereof it happened that almost all women with child that were then in y^e Citie, were deliuered before their time, and after this a noysome pestilence which they called Ingu••naria, inuaded the people, the force of the disease was so deadly, that of all the number of them that were sicke, scarselye the 100. person escaped death: yet it was sayde to begin firste in Scuhia, afterwarde it raged along the Costes of the Sea Pontus and Hellespont, and at length through Greece and Illiria it crope into Italy. Sab. in his eyghth Booke, Ene. 90. Gu••lterus called Duke of Athens, helde the Soueraigntye of Florence for tenne moneths, and there played the Tyraunt: Angelus Acci∣olus deliuered the Florentines. Philip king of Fraunce did confiscate the vsu∣rers goods.

A great vapour cōming frō the northpart, to y^e great feare of y^e beholders [ 1348] was séene in the Element, and fell vpon the earth: and the same yeare cer∣tayne small Beastes in great number fell from the elemente in the Easte, through whose corruption and stinche, there ensued a cursed plague, which for thrée yeares together raigned almost ouer the whole worlde, for firste it créeping into Asia went euery where among the Indians, & was so vehe∣ment in England and al Countreys, that scarsely the tenth of one hundreth remayned alyue, and many places were quite forsaken: at Florence it tooke away sixe thousand men. In Germanye this yere the plague made so great a spoyle and through all Europe, the lyke whereof no manne hath redde in Historyes to haue béene among menne. Iewes were defamed for it, that they had bin causers of it by poysoning of Fountaynes, and there∣fore they were burned euery where, some were found as the authours of all inchantments, and met together in Spaine about their sorcerye, likewise about the murthering of many children, about the falsification of debts by writings, & money, whervpon the people being in a rage drew them all to punishmente. The Iewes were burned in many places, and when they sawe they coulde not escape, they shutte themselues within their houses, and burned themselues together with the places adioyning. It is said y^t at Mogūce the fire grew so great hereby, that the great bell in y^e Church of S. Quintine didde melt with the fire. There were also found little bagges

in fountaynes full of poyson, wherefore the fountaines and Welles were stopped, and in place of wel water, men vsed riuer and raine water. Many of the Iewes also were christned, few for the loue of God, but rather for feare of punishment, the Cities of the Empyre pulled downe Iewes hou∣ses, and of the stones of them & of their Churcheyards, they built Towers and Walles. To conclude all places were full of styrre and businesse, by reason of the Iewes.

[ 1349] The eight of the Kalendes of Februarie in Noricum on that side it is ioyned with Panonia, Illiricum, Dalmatia, Carinthia and Histria, there was a great earthquake in the Euening which lasted fortie dayes, and the earth was strangely shaken, and rare things were shewed. Moraui and the vp∣permost Bocaria felt it: it is recorded among the Acts of that yeare, y^e there were 6. Cities & Castles which were ouerthrown, men and beasts were staine, walles churches, and houses were ouerturned, whole Cities fell downe, Cities were swallowed vp, and much ground also: Manour houses were cast downe, and verye many liuing thinges that were within them were slayne, the gaping of the earth that ensued partlye remained, partlye swallowed vp all thinges, the earth so closing againe that no tokens ap∣peared. Moreouer fiftie men and moe milking kine at their Farmes, be∣ing killed with their Kine, became stiffe, and their bodies through the va∣pour of the Earth were tourned into Images of fault, among the people Carine. Conrade of Medenburg a notable Philosopher, and a Mathe∣matician of that time recordeth, that he and the Chauncellour of Austria behelde these Images. Immediately a most cruell pestilence made a spoyle ouer the whole world, the most part of mē died, vnneth the fourth part sur∣uiued, and men being sodainly taken away by the infection died forthwith, Boyes and Gyrles telling wonderfull thinges of death gaue vp y^e Ghoste, Villages and Farmes were brought to desolation, some attributed this to Gods wrath, the commons beléeued the Iewes had poysoned the Foun∣taynes for the destruction of the Christian people, wherefore in many vila∣ges & townes the Iewes were burned. The Writers of this time recoūt that aboue twelue thousande Iewes suffered cruell punishment in the said Countreys.

This yere also in the Citie of London the plague was so vehemente, that in a place called the Charterhouse yarde were buried of the better sorte of people 6000 persons. The Buessarians commonly called the Penitentia∣ries, a wicked and a superstitious kinde of men at that time sodaynlye ap∣peared, sometimes 500. otherwhile ••000. menne: women made hast to sée them: they went two by two from towne to town, and hauing their vpper∣partes naked as farre as the nauill, they cruelly scourged themselues, so many dayes as euery one was yeares olde: It rayned blood also in these dayes, and streames ranne thereof. At Kelhaim by the riuer of Danubius

there brake out a violent streame of blood, whiche according to the skilfull in the secretes of nature, is nothing else but a clammye or moyste va∣pour, and that being mixed with an earthye and fierye breath tourneth redde. At this time for the remembraunce of the thing, there is there a Churche of Stone to bée séene whiche hath his surname of holie blood.

Villacum a Cittie of Germany fell downe with an Earthquake, and in [ 1350] Panonia and Italy manye Cities hong at one side, in the whiche many buil∣dinges fell downe. Philip king of Fraunce died, and his sonne Iohn the firste succéeded him in the kingdome. When the Iubile was helde at Rome, scarselye the tenth of a thousand suruiued the pestilence: In Ox∣forde shire nere Chepingnorton was founde a Serpent hauing two heades and two faces like women, one face attired after the newe fashion that was then vsed, and the other like the olde or accustomed maner, y^e winges were like a Batte or flindermouse. That yeare King Edwarde the third hadde a greate victorye on the Sea agaynste the Spaniardes, Gunthar Earle of Schwartzburg being made Emperoure was poysoned at Franke∣forde.

A Comet appeared in the North in December, and when it was oute, there followed gréeuous tempests of winds, and a beame was séene in the Element to slide along, hauing the forepart afyre. Lewis the sonne of Philip king of Varentū, after he had obtained y^e kingdom of Apuli•• against Lewis king of Panonia & was annointed at Naples by a Legate in y^e name of pope Clemēt he tooke his kingly gouernmēt. Furthermore this yere Frignanus the son of Mastinus begotten of a whore, whilst his father went to Belsamū a town in Germany to recreate himself, after y^e conspiracy was made amōg the Cittizens became Lord of the citie, & shut out the great dog his father with al his other sonnes, but y^e Dog hauing aid of others, assembled his ar∣mie, besieged the Citie, and after many assaults at length tooke it, and putte his sonne Frignanus to death, with y^e other seditious citizens. That yere is sayde to bée in England a drie Sommer, of some referred to the yere follow∣ing: there ensued great dearth of corne.

A flame spreading far abrode in the element betwéene the Weast and the [ 1353] South, after the Sunnes going downe, & shewing a terrible burning, at length with a great noyse rushed againste the element. Likewise the yere following a flame was séene in the Element vpon the sodain going from the north to the south: almost an endlesse number of grashoppers appeared in A••frique & Cipres, which féeding vpon the sap of hearbs and trées made a great barrennesse of corne: there was y^t yeare a great eclipse of the Sunne. Vicount Iohn ruler of Milain, and a verye warlyke Tyraunt dyed. Ma∣rinus Falceianus Duke of Venice when he soughte to vsurpe the Duke∣dome and to rule the common wealth as he list, was beheaded, which was

a worthie ende for his enterprise.

Vpon S. Lukes day the Euangelist, there was a horrible earthquake in Germany, in the which also Basill was ten times most gréeuouslye shaken, & about a 11 a clock at night the Cathedrall church and many other buildings [ 1356] of the citie fel downe in diuers places, in the which aboute 100 men were presently slaine.

There arose also (to the ende that this one calamitie mighte not be alone) a deadly burning of the Citie, which when by no meanes it might be quenched, for certain dayes the deuouring flame as though it had conspired the destruction of the cittizens, did great harme to the Citie on e∣uery side.

Leichstall a Towne but two myles distaunte trom Basill fell downe at the same time with many churches thereaboutes, and within the space of certayne myles there fell downe diuers Castles, at Homberg two, at Telsberg thrée, at Wartenberg, Farnsperg, Gilgenberg, Munchensperg, Lewen∣berg, Her••enberg, Mersperg, Tiersten, Lewenstien, Bischosten, Wildensten, Newenstein, Engenstein, Rhienstene, Birszecke, Haggenbach, Brombach, Fro∣burg, Hasselburg, Landoser, Munstrall, Stienbrun, Buttingen, Hertwiller, Dorneck, Pfefficken, Buren, Lantscrone, Munchenstein, Waldeck, Beren∣fels, &c.

In Spaine and chéefely at Ciuill and Corduba verye manye houses also [ 1357] fell downe with the earthquake: the Englishe men ouercame the Frenche nere to P••ris and they tooke Iohn their king with Philip his sonne pryso∣ners: this acte is referred to the yere 1356. as some write. Moreouer y^e same yere at Norenberg a Bull was ordayned and established by Charles the 4. Edwarde Prince of Wales tooke Iohn King of Fraunce and his yong sonne Philip prisoners, with the Victorie ouer sixtie thousande Frenchemenne, the Prince hauing not muche aboue the number of eight thousande Soul∣dyers. The Germane law was appoynted by Casimere in the Castle of Cracouie.

There were great floods of water in Scotlande. Lewis of Bronswik and [ 1258] of Luneburg died. At Constancia by the méere Accronium the plagne made a wonderfull spoyle for a whole yeare: the Castle of Wosserburg scituate not far from Constācia was spoiled. A second pestilence was in London and ouer the whole lande for the most part, in which time dyed Henry Duke of Lā∣caster.

A finall peace was concluded betwéene the kinges of Englande and of Fra••nce on this condicion that king Edward should haue to his proper pos∣session the countreis of Gascoyne and Guian, Poyters, Limosin, Beleuile, Exan∣ctes, Cales, Guine•• and diuers other Lordships, townes, Castles, and all the landes to them belonging, wit••out knowledging of any soueraigntie, obei∣sance, homage or subiection for the same, and that the king of France should

pay for his raunsome 30000. scutes.

Mightie tempestes of winde did ouerthrowe Townes, stéeples, and [ 1362] houses in the south part of Englande About the yere 36. of Edward the thyrd King of Englande, Simon Islip Archebishop of Canterburie did establishe a decree, that more shoulde not be giuen to Priestes for their yerelye sty∣pende, than thrée pound, 6 shillings 8. pence, which caused many of them to steale: so likewise the vnaduised making of Ministers withoute conside∣ration of liuinges and place of Seruice, is the cause of as lewde of∣fences, to the greate gréefe of the Learned, and slaunder of the Church.

Through the cruell drought of this yeare there was so great scarci∣tie [ 1363] of haye in Germany, that the most part of horse and cattell dyed for hun∣ger, and part was saued (with much adoe) with strawe drawne from the houses. Furthermore the winter of this yere was so colde, that well neare all the Meeres and stowres in Switzerlande were couered with Ise, and the water Fowle séeking for foode euen in the stréetes of Towns, were taken by the inhabitauntes. That yere thrée kings came into Englande, namelye the frenche king, the King of Cyprus, and the King of Scottes, but the frenche king fell sick at London whereof he died.

In August so great a number of Grashoppers flew through Switzer∣lande [ 1365] that they couered all the Countrey like snowe & hurt the fruits of the field: the same yere Leopoldus Duke of Austria bringing into Germanye 400••0 English men besieged Argentine & stirred them vp in vaine against the Switzers. Stomphius.

Switzerland was shaken on euery side with deadly Earthquakes to y^e [ 1372] great feare and horror of all men, and Basill was gréeuouslye shaken again with the violence therof. The first of Iuly and fyue dayes after, a straunge Circle was séene about the Sunne, ouer whiche appeared two crosses of a redde coloure: that yere Schaffhucia a Citie of Switzerlande was bur∣ned with a terrible fyre, wherein there perished aboute seuentie persons. The thyrde parte of the Citie was scarcely left frée from the extremitie of the fire.

The Genowais for certaine disworship done to them, inuaded & spoy∣led the Countrey of Cipres and conquered the Citie of Famagusta. They constrayned also their king Petrine to pay vnto them a great tribute the space of certaine dayes.

Diuers intreaties of peace were made betwéene the king of Englande and Fraunce by meane of the Bishop of Rome but none was concluded.

The Element was séene often to burne all the night long: a bearded star did shine: the Emperor Charles y^e 4. departed this life: there ensued greate [ 1375] calamities in the Cities of Italye: the Florentines didde for the moste

part reuolte from the Pope. Manye wonderfull sicknesses fell among the people, as well in Italye as in Englande, whereof they dyed mer∣uaylouslye, greate ruffeling also fell betwéene the borderers of England and Scotland.

[ 1376] At Posnania the high church with y^e tower ioyning vnto it was stricken from heauen on the right side, so y^t the top being broken asunder, & a corner of the town, y^e lightning pearced into the kings chappel through a litle cleft in y^e roofe, & leauing other things vntouched, it brake in péeces only y^e Ima∣ges of king Premislaus & his wife Rixa. This yere in Poland & Posnania the plague made a meruailous spoyle. Zemouitus duke of Masouia was cursed because he had not punished such as spoiled the goods of the church. Iarosla∣us afterward died.

In Switzerlande many places were spoyled with the ouerflowing of diuers riuers, and the Riuer of Rhene swelled so bigge, that through his violence he carried away two arches of the Bridge at Basill, and did great∣lye hurte the Cities of the Lower Germanye. The same yeare an inestima∣ble Multitude of Grashoppers in the Moneth of August comming from the East did spoile almost all Fraunce, which were greater than the other gras∣hoppers, & had 6 wings, and it is wonderfull to be spoken, how in maner of marching souldiers they passed through the ayre in distincte order, or lighting vpon the grounde pitched their tentes: the Captaynes with a few other, went one daies iorney before the hoste, as to prouide fit places for the multitude: aboute nine of the clocke the Captaynes rested where they came the day before, neyther did they remooue from the place they tooke, vn∣till the sunne rose agayn, then went they in their companies y^t a mā might see the discipline of war in small creatures: they eate vp the Corne, which was so wasted by them, y^t it séemed to be consumed with a greate tempest: they occupied 4. or 5 miles the space of one dayes iorney, and they came as far as the British sea, couering the vpper face of y^e earth, whereinto as God would haue it, they were driuen with a violent blast of winde, and caried into the déepe were drowned, but by the working and flowing of y^e Ocean they being cast aland, filled the sea shore, & there was such greate heapes of them, as it had bene mountains, and through their stinche & corruption the aire was so infected, y^t it bred a forcible plague among the people nere ad∣ioyning, whereof many died. A great famine oppressed Italy for two yeres. Prince Edward of England a valiaunte personage died in the flower of his cheualrie: also king Edward the 3. king of England ended his life the yere 1377. the 22. of Iune.

[ 1377] The . day of Iune there was a great and dreadfull earthquake in Swit∣zerl••n••, where also a few dayes after there was séene a great circle about y^e sun feareful to behold: there followed diuers kinds of warre, famine, and mischéeuous floods on euery side, which did great harm to the inhabitants.

There arose many floods in Switzerland: The riuer Birsus did so swell, [ 1380] that in the flesh market the Citizens were carried in Boates from house to house. About this time (although some sayde the same yeare) Gunnes were firste inuented by a Monke in Germany. moreouer, Munster writeth that Achilles Gassaru•• a Doctour of Phisicke, and a moste diligente Hy∣storian wrote vnto him that Gunnes were in vse about the Sea of Nor∣waye in the yeare of Christe 1354. and that the fyrste inuentour and Au∣thoure of them was an Alcumist called Bertholdus Schwartz a Monke: surely he founde out a meruailous worke, whiche the sharpest wittes of times past coulde not inuente, and whiche some iudge to bée heauenlye and very necessarye, but some diuelishe and verye deadlye: first they leane to these Argumentes: it is manifest that by reason of auarice, wicked∣nesse, and colde charitie, the number of the wicked cannot be kepte vnder by lawes, and that no man can go safe, no not a myle, for a little before the inuention of Gunnes the assemblye and factions of wicked menne be∣ganne to sacke and spoyle in many places the laboures of good menne, ney∣ther coulde anye ouerthrowe the Castles of those Théeues and Robbers from the Mountaynes where they kepte themselues, withoute the helpe of Gunnes, wherefore verye manye doe amisse condemne the inuentoure of Gunnes, withoute the whiche good men cannot lyue in safetye, nor Cit∣ties coulde be so mightie and riche, séeing that occupiers could not excercise Marchaundize, whiche are the chéefest parte of mightie and great Cittyes: wherefore let the enemies to Gunnes cease to despyse Gods giftes, vnlesse a man thinke a Dogges open mouth and his tooth made to byte méete to be condemned, and vnlesse a man iudge that the hornes in an Oxe, are not the good worke of the Creator: but no man that is well in his wittes will condemn these kind of partes geuen to liuing creatures by nature in place of Weapon, wherefore those men condemne the abuse, as also in an Oxe and a mad dogge it were better the hornes and the téeth were away. But what Creature is it whiche the wicked doe not abuse? Some doe simplye condemne this inuention as diuelishe and hellishe, than the whiche no∣thing at anye time hath bene inuented vnder heauen more horrible, and which the wickeddest sort as Turkes & Tartariās, the cōmon plagues of the World, doe vse for the destruction of the good and godly. Here no magnani∣mitie, no strength of body, no subtiltie in Warre, no weapons, no Castles of stone doe profite: those stone spitting, yron spitting, and fire spitting tor∣mentes doe breake, batter, and ouerthrowe all thinges, and bring them to naught: one stroke taketh away one hundreth, or two hundreth menne set in battayle ray, be they neuer so well fenced with yron. This Almayne gifte was sente to the Venecians when the Genowais béeing shutte vp in Clugia were besieged by the Venetians. There are dyuers kyndes of Gunnes, which at this daye are called Amasone, Basilisce, Luscinie,

Quartanae commonly Cartune Dracones, Serpentes, Faulcones, greate and little, also Cannons, Culueringes, Demies, Minions, Baces, and such like.

[ 1381] In Englande an Earthquake sodaynly arose, wherewith manye buil∣dinges fell: this yere ensued a deadlye sedition in the tyme of Richarde the seconde king of England••: all the Weaste grewe in ciuile hatred: all England was wonderfully afflicted with the pestilence, & a great commoti∣on raysed by Wat Tiler, Iack Straw and others. There were burned sun∣dry places, the Sauoy, and the places with the records of y^e Citie, but Willi∣am Waleworth Mayre séeing the king abused, in Smithfield sodainlye stroke Wat Tile•• on the heade, and thrust him in with his Dagger, and broughte the King into the Citye, the rebels being therewith amased, in shorte time fledde away where many of the chéefe were afterwarde execu∣ted, and William Walworth was by the king made knight: it is sayd the cause of this commmocion rose by the meanes that the king ordayned that euery person of the age of fourtéene yeres should pay 4. pence to the king, there were gathered together of the common people to the supposed nūber of 60000 persons, read Iohn Stowe in his summarie. Moreouer 32. of the rebels as they were entring the Sauoy being gotten downe into a Wyne seller dranke so much swéete Wines that they not able to come forth, tari∣ed so long vntill the dore was fastned vp with the whorling together of woode and stones, (as it should appeare of the defendants) there, and in such sort remained for y^e space of 7. dayes, no helpe being to deliuer thē although they were heard, they there died: likewise at the spoyle of y^e new Temple, there also they became so drunke, y^t one violentlye killed an other, whereby may be perceyued the iust reuenge of God against wilfull & obstinate ma∣lefactors.

There were also great commotions in Flaunders for the new taxes that the Earle Lewis set vpon marchants, there arose deadly strife, not without mutual hatred betwéene Pope Vrbane the 6. and 13. frenche Cardinals for the choosing of the Pope which they thought not to be well made.

The same yere was a generall earthquake the 21 of May, at one of the clock after noone, by meanes whereof much harme happened, and the Saturdaye after at thrée a clocke in the Morning, was a trembling of the Water, rather to bée tearmed a Waterquake, that made the Ships in the Hauens to totter and réele and those which rode nere together were there∣by greatly brused. Iohn Stow. The yere following there arose a newe be∣gon sedition, by one Iohn Ball a priest, and Iohn Wraw Priest, whiche did rise at Meldenhall and greatly troubled the Commons and the Citizens of London: who being taken were after hanged. Piked shooes, high heads, and long tayled gowns, with women riding aside first vsed in England brought into this lande at such tyme as king Richarde the second maried Anne the

daughter of Viselaus king of Bohemia. Their piked shooes were tyed with Siluer gilte chaynes to their knées, the noble women vsed high attirings aboue their heades piked, and long traine gownes, before which time wo∣men were vsed to ride astride as men doe.

The Scots tooke Yorke vpon the riuer of Tweede▪ spoiled & burnt it: after∣ward [ 1383] they were by the Kings armie driuen thēce, yet after followed grea∣ter attemptes, but the Scots gained little thereby.

The thyrd of May there was an earthquake about midnight in En∣gl••nde. [ 1385] The King with a great armie entered Scotlande the Scottes fledde, and the King (Richarde the seconde) burned the Countrey and retour∣ned.

The 18. of Iulye there was an other earthquake, there followed among [ 1386] the Londoners a great feare of the frenche King comming to inuade y^e land, which enterprise came to small effect.

A maner of exhalation in likenesse of fire appeared in the nighte time, in [ 1387] many parts of England in the moneth of Nouēber and December, & went with men as they went, & staid as they did, sometime like a whéele, some∣time like a barrell, sometime like a long timber log or beame, and somtime in other shapes, but when many went together then it appered farther off.

The same yeare in Lente was a head of earth at Oxforde by arte of [ 1388] Necromancie (as it was reported) that at a time appoynted spake these 3. wordes, and after left of speaking, the words be these: first, Caput decidetur, that is, The head shall be cut off the seconde, Caput eleuabitur, The heade shall be lift vp: thirdely, Pedes eleuabuntur super Caput, The feete shall be lifted aboue the head: there followed a sedition in Oxford among y^e schol∣lers, and a dislike of the kings gouernment by a few, so that 40000. were stirred vp by Thomas of Woodstocke Duke of Glocester, the Earles of Warwike of Darbie and Nottingham. Read Iohn Stow. 1387.

The yere that the peace was made betwéene the Ʋenetians and the [ 1389] Genowais who agayne had taken weapons in hand, the very same day that the peace was concluded, a childe was borne hauing 1. thighes and armes and liued vntill that he was christned. Leopoldus Duke of Austria being vanquished by the Switzers died with great stoutnesse. Galiatians Vicount of Millaine after Barron of ••ouis was slayne.

A great pestilence in the North: in a short time at Yorke were buryed [ 1390] xj. hundreth people.

Vpon the day of the Natiuitie of our Lord God was séene in the ry∣uer [ 1395] of Thames a Dolphine fishe floting and mounting close to the Bridge, foreshewing peraduenture the Tempestes that followed shortly after, or else the disturbaunce of the Citizens which shortly through the kinges dis∣pleasure they came into the 15. yere of Richard the second. Stow in his sum∣marie fol. 241.

There appeared a star which is called Veru, slender ynough, with his bearde and beames stretching vpward, and his head hanging downward. The Astronomers sayd that this was the worst which commonlye appea∣red among other Comets, but because it appeared not in the morning but in the Euening, it signified y^t those things should lately come to passe which cōmonly insued: perchance the same is it which Gaguinus in his 9. Booke of the kinges of Fraunce hath written to haue appeared in the North in the tyme of Charles the 6. king of France. The same yere the 22. day of March, a gréeuous earthquake shooke Switzerlande. The 7. yeres peace betwéene the dukes of Austria & the Switzers was lengthned to 20 yeres, and y^e yere after there was an ouerthrow of Sigismund king of Hungary with y^e frēch.

[ 1391] In Gallia Belgica not farre from the Citie Leodium. it is reported for certaine that that was done, which Eneas Siluius who afterwarde was called Pope Pius, did put in writing: in Europe a Faulcon had made her a neast eyther vpon a trée or in a Rocke, and hatching her Egges, shée gréedilye looked for her yong, Rauens comming ouer her, thruste her off her Neast, in breaking and deuouring her Egges: the heardmen behelde it being néere to and marked the fearefull Faulcon flying away: the nexte day after, (a wonder to be spoken) the Faulcons and the Rauens as it were from al parts of the world assembled, the one holding the North∣side, the other y^e South, in setting their armies in aray, and as though they hadde bene capable of reason, they sette some in order to kéepe the Wings of the Battayle, others to leade the Mayne shoule marching forwarde: they foughte a cruell fight in the ayre, wherein when sometime the Rauens, sometime the Faulcons retyred, and agayne recouering their strength, gaue the onset afreshe, the whole Fielde vnderneath was couered with Feathers and carcasses: at last the Faulcons had the Victorye, who not onelye fought sharpely with their Billes, but also with their Tallons, and lefte not one of the Rauens aliue, wherevpon not long after, when two stroue together about the Church of Leo••ium. the one being chosen Bishop by Gregory the 13. the other by Benedictus the twelfth (for there was va∣riaunce betwéene them concerning the Pope) they two came with theyr Hoste to fight in the same place. Iohn Duke of Burgondie did helpe the one in the field, the other parte the people of Leodium tooke, they encountred together in the fielde, and with great contencion on both sides there was fought a deadlye and bloodye battaile, wherein at length Duke Iohn being conquerour slue 30000. of the enemies.

[ 1393] That yeare through the aboundaunce of waters at Bury the churche was ouerflowed therewith, and at Newmarket it threw down Wals of houses, and menne hardelye escaped drowning: this Floode happened in the Moneth of October. The yeare following died Quéene Anne, wife to king Richarde.

On Newyeares day, neare vnto Bedforde, a very déepe water whiche can betwixt the Townes of Swelston and Hareleswod, stoode sodainely still [ 1395] and diuided it selfe the space of thrée myles, the bottome remayning drye, which wonder foretolde the trouble that folowed of the falling away of the people from the king.

A blasing star was séene at the same time with beames of moste feruent [ 1399] fire. A certaine Priest arayed al in white, came out of the Alpes into Italy, bringing with him a number clothed also, whom Bonifacius Bishoppe of Rome dispersed, he burned the Priest that was their leader. Lanquet, Coo∣per, Folio. 259.

A Prior and eyghte Friers were hanged at Tiburne for treason.

The Church of Rome in these dayes coulde hide no longer hir trauaile [ 1400] of bringing forth horrible monsters, Sects, Heresies, Schismes, and Dis∣cords, procéeding of hyr first begotten furies.

Iohn the twelfth the Bastarde of Pope Sergius begotten on Marosia the Harlot, in whose time a fountaine in Genoa flowed with bloud, there folowed not only a huge slaughter of people, as before is mentioned. 935. by the Affricans, Sarazens, and Hungarians, but also in Rome betwéene Hugh Albertus to the disquiet of the Citizens.

Adrian the fourth an Englishman, called Nicholas Breakespeare the sonne of one Dan Robert a Monke of Saint Albons, going to Agnania to de∣nounce the excommunication against the Emperour Fredericke, after he had tarryed there a fewe dayes, walking forth with some of his companye to coole him, drinking of a certaine spring of water, forthwyth a flye did en∣ter into his mouthe, and stucke so fast to his throate, that he was choaked. 1159.

Celestine the thirde by a made marriage betwéene Henrie the sixthe [ 1401] Emperour and Constance a Nun of Panormia, dispossessed Tancred King of Sicilia, whervpon followed bloudie wars, and great diuision euery wher, in so much that this was written against Rome, Reioyce oh yee mother, bycause the Conduits of al treasures on the erth are opened, that moun∣taines and whole riuers of money might flow into thy hands: Reioyce vpon the iniquitie of the sonnes of men, bycause thou art rewarded with so many mischiefes: Reioyce vpon thine assistaunt companye Lady Dis∣sention, who hath burst loose from the pit of bottomlesse Hel, that shee might heape vpon thee many gubs of golde. Thou hast that which thou dost thirst after: bycause thou hast daunted the worlde by the malice of mankinde, not by holy religion. Men are hated and drawen vnto hir, not by deuotion or pure conscience, but by treachery & working mischiefes manifold, and the deciding of controuersies gottē with bloude This bed∣lam Pope caused Fredericke the Emperor to stoope while he with his foote spurned off his Crowne. 2198.

Boniface the eight, this good face by a fraude perswaded Celestine the fifth to resigne his Popedome, which being done, not contented therwyth, cast him in prison, where simple Celestine died. This is that Pope of whō it is commonly sayde: He entred like a Fox, he rayned like a Lion, he dyed like a dogge, he gaue sentence, that vnlesse kings would receiue their king∣domes at his hand, they should be accursed: for his horrible mischiefs, in the end he was set vpon a yong horse with his face to the horsse tayle, and for∣ced to ride a galloppe, til he was almost out of breath, afterwarde impriso∣ned where he dyed. 130••.

Peter Thomacel a yong youth of twenty yeares old, called Pope Bo∣niface the ninth, this Pope toke the first fruites of Abbies, and great chur∣ches, at length it came to personages, &c. a swéete baite, from a soure deuice, pinching them that nipped others, by deuised offerings to relickes, stockes, and stones: the vice being abolished, the plague remayneth, with no lesse violence, than as if there were that is not: so that fléece is become so not through carelesse security,* 3.43 but by y^e Gospel finding so little charity, that the same plague which ouerthroweth Idolatrie, wil hinder veritie. In this Popes time, through couetousnesse and Simonie, vsurie waxed so rank in Rome as sayeth Theodoricus, that it was counted no sinne. Many other vi∣ces were committed. Also a maruellous plague was in Rome, in which seasō the Pope solde diuerse benefices to one man, and when they had no mony, he toke houshold stuffe, horses, hogs, shéepe, and al maner of graine, nothing came amisse that was worth money, he kept the Iubile at Rome, Anno. 1400. where many straungers were robbed, and great Ladies rauished by the Pesants of the Popes Court: he died of the cholicke and stone. 1404.

In the Church of the Iacobines in Geneua, at the place called y^e Palace, in the yeare of our redemption 1401. against the iniquitie of these aforesayde Popes and the rest was founde this picture printed by Iames Iacore of the Citie of Taurinum in Peedmont, togither with the latine verses whych were put therto, to shew that God hath not at this time alone through his infinit goodnesse breathed into the heartes of some, to know that the Pope and all Poperie, came from this horrible and monstrous beast, to wit the Prince of the bottomlesse pyt infernal.

[illustration]

Iudicabit iudices iudex generalis, Hic nihil proderit dignitas papalis, Siue sit Episcopus siue Cardinalis, Reus condemnabitur, nec dicetur qualis. Hic nihil proderit quicquam allegare Neque excipere, neque replicare Nec ad Apostolicam sedem appellare, Reus condemnabitur, nec dicetur quare. Cogitate miseri qui vel quales estis Quid in hoc iudicio dicere potestis Idem erit dominus iudex, actor, testis.

The general iudge, wil iudge vs all, The Popish honor shall nothing auaile, Be he eyther Bishop or Cardinall. Him his desarts shall damne and glorie quaile. Then shal it nought auaile thee thy selfe to sense, Neyther ought to aunsweare, nor to reply,

Ne seate Apostolike iudgement to vse, He giltie shal be damned, no man shal say why Weigh yee wretches, who and what yee are, What in this doome, can you vouch or deny? When God is iudge, witnesse and plaintife at barre.

The Diuell appeared at Danburie in Essex, vpon the day called Cor∣pus Christi, in the likenesse of a Gray Fryer, who entring the Churche ra∣ged very insolently, wherby y^e Parishioners were maruellously feared: the same houre with a Tempest of whirlewinde and thunder, the toppe of the Stéeple was broken down, halfe the Chancel shaken and scattered abrode. Shortly after sir Roger Claringdon Knight the Bastard sonne (as it was sayde) of Edward the blacke Prince, and with him his squire, and a young man were beheaded, and eight Friers broughte to open iudgemēt were cō∣demned and hanged, that published King Richarde to be aliue. Reade more in the Summarie of Chronicles.

[ 1402] There appeared an excellent Comet, and it was séene towardes the Weast, immediately when the Sun was gone downe, beyond our horizō. And the yeare following Tamerlan the cruellest tyrant that euer was, ra∣ged in the East parts, and committed suche a slaughter of Turkes and Sara∣zens of both kindes, that with their heads alone he made a wal. D. Malleo∣lus of Thurin in his booke whiche he intituled of Nobilitie. Of this Comet Montanus thus writeth: and least that those things which are very far frō oure memorie shoulde alwayes be recorded, before that Tamyris or that Tamerlan king of the Scithiaus and Parthians, with innumerable power inuaded Asia, going into far Countreyes, a huge Comet was séene in the East Angle of the heauens, whyche wente towardes the Sunne rising, not long after almoste the destruction of all Asia ensued hym. Thys Historie Camerarius wryting of straunge sightes doeth trimlye de∣scribe.

[ 1403] A Comet was séene in the Elemente. Galeatius Duke of Mi∣lan continuing yet the warre by his Captaines against the Florentines, died at Malignanum a towne in the territory of Milan.

[ 1404] Richard Scrope Archbishop of Yorke for treason againste king Henrie the fourth, was at Yorke beheaded, and his Scottish confederates discomfi∣ted for that time.

[ 1406] Among the Sabines a Calfe was brought forth with two heades, in the territorie of Picenum a childe was borne with sixe téeth. Then the Turkes beganne euerye where to take oure holdes, Polidor Virgill in his third Prodig.

[ 1407] In Englande a greate froste beganne in December, and lasted fif∣téene wéekes, whiche destroyed all the smal byrdes. The yeare 1408. Ed∣munde

Holand Earle of Kent was made Admiral of the sea, who landing in Brytaine, besieged the Castel of Briake and wan it: but with an arrow he was there wounded to death: there followed a rebellion, which was some disturbaunce to the Common wealthe. Reade Lanquet, Cooper, Iohn Stow.

A gyrle was borne with two heades, foure armes, so manye handes* 3.44 and féete, in y^e North part of Boearia at a place called Sandersdorph, betwéen the riuers Danubius and Alemanus, the ninth of the Calendes of April. In Switzerland there came so great a number of straunge foule, that the Suns light was couered with their wings, wherof darknesse ensued: Ladislaus king of Apulia that yeare after he had besieged, the holde of Adrian he sette vpon Rome.

A straunge Tempest of winde and raine, the firste of the Nones of [ 1414] August at two of the clocke in the afternoone at Micena ouerthrewe in the Cathedrall Church two Towres with seauen bels: vpon the couering the Hayle crackt the tyles: in the houses, the windowes and gates: vpon Hils, and in Gardens, the whirlewinde pulled vp trées by the rootes.

The riuer Albis and Trebisa, toke awaye the vttermoste parte of the Bridge, men myghte Rowe in the stréetes as far as the Frierie of Sainct Francis The yeare after the counsel of Constance began.

About this season a maruellous heape of discordes were made mani∣feste, to the great disquiet of the Princes then being, through the disturbāce of the pontifical iurisdiction, whose discord caused manye persons to decline from them: for at that time at Constance was helde a general counsaile, at which tyme thrée Popes striued for y^e Popedome. The first was Iohn, whō the Italians set vp. The seconde was Gregorie whome the Frenchmen allo∣wed. The third was Benedict, whom the Spaniardes placed. Suche was the knowen practises of the Romish sea vnto the worlde, that diuerse learned graue fathers by figures of deformed shapes expressed their abhominable seditiōs, scismes, murders, conspiracies and treasons. Among many of the which behold one, not to laugh at their folly, but to warn thée frō sin, least a greater plague appeare for disobedience. It is saide that Sibil prophesied long agone, that Hempe should be Errours destruction: Finde Emor, and know the place from whence error began, and is vntil this daye descended.* 3.45 Marke the soile where Hempe doth grow, which maketh Cable, Cloth, and Twine, of the which paper some say is made, thē peraduenture it is Prin∣ting, by which al abhominatiōs ar so spéedily reuealed. Hir supposed words are these.

Miserable shal that time be, when Hempe shal destroy thee.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

[illustration]

* 3.46The Lion, and the Dragon both, do Albions ensigne beare, Supporters of a Kingly badge, most fit for them to weare. To serue as shew of valiant minde, two lawes they represent, For God and man, too rule them by, their own by due discent. If Iuda did the Lion beare, and Dan the Dragon fel, Then iudge who worthy ought to haue, that rules them both so well, For he whose harte once pierced was, hath fixt his feete most sure, In right of Albions worthy grace, for euer to endure. The lightsome Sunne, the truth foretels, whiche giues the Lion light, And tels the Dragon what is past, by shew of Stars in night. * 3.47Who now must serue a worthy Queene, as Sathan servde the Lord Vntil the time that Iesus comes, all nations to accorde.

The Holy figure.

Emor	an Asse (euil Studious of Iudgement a Supplāter	Who roade on the Asse he ye preuailes by trueth.
Zichem	Who lusted in euil: he that neglected vertus.
Dina	Ouer whom is iudgement: ouer him that defileth the Church spoyling hir of hir virginitie, by wic∣ked ordinaunce, and carnall phantasie, which shall be supplanted by the on∣ly veritie.
Iacob

The Diuell alleaged scripture, but error hath mistaken the Truth.

There was a notable eclipse of the Sunne the sixth Popish Feria af∣ter [ 1415] Corpus Christi day. Iohn Hus comming out of Boemia (a maintayner of the truth against the Pope,) contrarie to his safe-conduit & faith giuen him by Sigismondus kyng of Hungarie, was burned at Constance, after he had made confession of his faith the sixth day of Iuly, and his scholler Ierome of Prage was made a Martyre in the same place the thirtith day of May. Le∣wes the Dolphin departed this life, after whom his brother Iohn succéeded.

The one and twentith day of Iuly whych was Saint Magdalens day, Basil was shaken with a very sore earthquake, in so much that a great part of the inhabitants flying out of the Citie got themselues to the mountains, as it were to a place of saftie, and some into the woods and fields. The duke of Sau•••• made peace with the Walletians.

[illustration]

In Englande Sir Iohn [ 1419] Oldcastle Knighte Lorde Cobham was hanged in chaines, and after brente as an Hereticke, in the Monuments of Martyres: sayde to be hanged & brent in thickets fielde, besydes Sainte Gals, as sayeth D. Cooper.

The fourthe of De∣cember [ 1421] the Riuer of Rheno did ouerflow so much with aboundāce of rayne, that it ouerthrewe with violence the Bridges of Lofenburge and Bris••g, and in Hellanele it rente asunder thirtie Cities and Vilages, to the greate destruction of men and beastes.

The Romaine Empire made war against the Boemians as heretickes, hauing the Tigurians and some other Cities of Switzerland theyr helpers. The thirtéenth of the Calendes of December, in the night the Occean so∣dainely ouerflowed, the windes raysing the surges and stormes, it couered all South Holand with water: beasts and men perished, there were drow∣ned aboue seauen hundred villages and parishes, with Churches, Colled∣ges, Monasteries, Priestes, and Monkes. Vpō the going of Sigismund into Boemia with a great host, the Castell of Zolere besieged for a whole yeare by the C••ties of the Empire, was yéelded and destroyed. The war grew be∣tweene the Dukes of Bauaria.

[ 1422] The Riuer of Tiber ouerflowed excéedingly, immediately the gene∣rall counsell was appointed to be helde at Papia, and afterwarde was re∣moued to Sena.

[ 1424] The foure and twentith of Iuly the riuer of Rhene rose so high, that at Basil vppon the Bridge, a man might wash his handes in the streame, where also it carryed awaye the buyldyngs of the Bridge, edifyed wyth greate pyles of stones, and ranne ouer the wals of the lesser Basil. That yeare the Citizens of Basil wente to Lewes Counte Palatine of Rhene, wyth a thousande chosen Souldiours, againste the Marques of Baden.

[ 1425] The seauen and twentith day of September, aboute midnight, was a terrible Earthquake, which continued the space of two houres. The Duke of Brytaine forsoke the Englishmen and alied him with the Dolphin, Lan∣quet, Cooper.

[ 1427] The winter was without cold, and about the feast of S. Nicholas, trées & corne did flourish. The yere folowing there was a very grieuous plague. The Venetians make league with the Florentines, Carnignola reuolted to the Venetians.

[ 1427] In Englande was very vnseasonable weather, for by continuall ray∣ning from Easter to Michaelmasse tide, the haruest of corne was greatelye hindered, it followed, y^t the Englishmen besieged the Citie of Orleance con∣tinuing the time of whiche siege, the noble and valiaunt Sir Thomas Mon∣tague was slaine by a great misfortune, whose death was the beginning of all miserie to the Englishemenne, for after thys mishappe, they lost by little and little all theyr possessions in France. Cooper. in Henrie the sixth his raigne.

[ 1428] The thirtéenth of December Basil againe was so shaken with an Earth∣quake, that it ouerthrew to the grounde not only the tyles of houses from the Roofe, but also a greate parte of the chimnies, and rente asunder diuerse buildings in the Citie. Afterward through aboundance of Snow certayne buildings in Germanie were ouerthrowen to the ground. That yere Ioane a mayden of twentie yeares of age, taking weapons in hande, did not only

defende Charles the seauenth King of Fraunce agaynste the Englishe and Burgonians, and at length being taken by the Englishe, she was burned at Rone.

The Riuer Albis this yeare ouerflowed twice. The sixth of the Ca∣lends [ 1431] of March, the riuer at Misena ranne ouer the bridge, whiche floud la∣sted foure dayes. Againe the eleauenth of the Calends of August a greate a∣boundaunce of rayne falling frō heauen, caused all the bridge to ouerthrow and cast down the wals towards the South: that violence of water lasted fiue dayes. There is mention made of these floudes in the Vandalia of Cra∣tius and in the Misnian discourses of George Fabricius of Chimnicke.

The same yeare was a great Eclipse of the Sunne: Paulus Guinisi∣us, being taken by the deceite of his men, was brought to the Duke of Mi∣lan, who togither with his sonnes was pined away by long imprisonment. The Nauie of Milan being prouided at Genoa, foughte also in the coast of Genoa, and the Venetians and Florentines had the vpper hande, xj. long ships being taken in the flying away.

At Wila a Towne of Turgauia a Caulfe with two heades was brou∣ghte [ 1433] forth, & for many dayes was hanged vp at the gates of the same town, to be séene.

The same yeare there was so great a famine in Turgauia, that they gaue the Citizens leaue to eate flesh vppon fasting dayes, contrarie to the Popes lawes and ceremonies, to the end they mighte the sooner reconcile their stomackes barking for hunger, wherevpon also they of Constantia fed dayly one thousand seauen hundred persons of Turgauia with common almes.

In Poland a bright Comet appeared in the night, more than thrée months bending his flame towards the Weast, and that yeare king Vratislaus dy∣ed. In Germany there folowed scarcity of Corne for four yeres. The coun∣sel of Basil begā. The king of Hungarie being made Emperor of Rome was this yeare crowned by Pope Eugenius.

Moreouer this yeare there appeared a wonder whyche Aeneas Sil∣uius writeth of in his Europe In the territorie of Bononia verye many small Antes climbed vp vpon a dry Pearetrée to féede, there came after them no small number of greater Antes whiche partlye slue them and partlye caste them downe: almoste two houres after there arose so greate a num∣ber of small Antes, that all the fielde séemed to be couered with a blacke hoste: they came all beset in companies, and enuironing the stemme of the trée on euerye side, beganne by little and little to créepe vp: when the grea∣ter Antes perceyued that theyr enimies were at hande, they clustering to∣gither aboue, a waited the fighte, armies mette togither and ioyned in bat∣tayle, the greater with sharpe nipping slue the lesser on euerye side, and in short space they slue them, that there grew vnderneath vpon the groūd,

at the roote of the Pearetrée, no small heape of them falling downe and dy∣ing: but when the lesser Antes stucke stiffely vnto it, twentie or moe dydde togither beset one of theyr enimies, and fighting before and behinde, struck him through with their stings euery where: at length the greater being o∣uercome and all slaine, they were worthilye punished for their rashe bat∣tayle whyche they firste beganne. These were done in the sighte of manye of the Romishe Churche, when Pope Eugenius the fourth helde Peters Chaire, who being a Venetian borne, stirred great vprore in Rome, by persecuting the predecessors of Pope Martin, hoping thereby to haue gotten great summes of money, by meanes of whiche his lewdenesse hée was driuen to flye Rome for a time vnto Florence, and at hys returne, he (as Illiricus sayeth in his Catalog) caused Thomas Redonius a white Frier, a famous preacher to be burned at Rome, 1436. bicause he earnestly reproued the pride, riot and vniust cursings of the Pope: this Pope to ouerthrow the counsell of Basil did sommon another at Ferrara. And after at Florence thro∣ughe his meanes, Ladislaus king of Hungarie came to miserable destructi∣on, for breaking his league made to Amurathes the gret Turke: Pageant of Popes in his sixth booke.

This antike deuise beganne, as a scorne of their Hellishe gouerne∣mente, with manye verses of déepe reproch, whych I ommitte here in this worke, for that other Authors haue touched it sufficiently: onely the coyne set downe, thereby more plainly to expresse their folly. Pasquillus.

[illustration]

[ 1434] Againe in Germany the Riuer Albis ouerflowed his banckes the eighte of the Calends of Iuly, to the great slaughter of many men and cattel. The

Patriarke Iohn Vitellescus toke Rome and al the land of the church, wher∣vpon the Genowayes dispising Phillip, set themselues at libertie. The Geno∣wayes sent Alphonsus (whom they had taken) to Phillip of Milan, who frée∣ly sent him away.

This yeare was a great frost, that such merchaundise as came to the [ 1434] Thamis mouth, was carryed to London by lande. This frost endured from the fiftéenth of Nouember vntil the tenth of Februarie, whiche was tenne wéekes. After ensued the death of Iohn Duke of Bedford, regent of France, who was worthily buryed in Roan, after whose decease al things wēt back∣ward with the Englishmen in Fraunce

In Switzerland neare the Castel of Mellingen, in the Riuer of Rusa, the inhabitantes saw a streame of bloud breake forth. There folowed a plague throughout Switzerland, which in short space at Tigure toke awaye aboute thrée thousand men, and in other places in the same Countrey there arose cruel Fiers, and other miseries.

Sigismond King of Hungarie and Emperour of Germany, when he en∣tred [ 1437] Vlmes with a great solemnitie, the same day a certaine kinde of fishes of Hungarie, vnknowen in Germanie, was brought by the Fishermen to the Emperour: the Emperor wondered, saying, these are the very inhabitants of the kingdome of Hungarie, whiche come in companies to méete vs, and require vs to come into our kingdome. And when the Emperour was gone from thence, the fishes vanished awaye, and were neuer séene after∣ward in Germanie: but Sigismond that yere vpon a Monday the 29. of De∣cember dyed.

There appeared a Comet in Poland. This yeare at the Counsel of Ba∣sil, [ 1439] Pope Faelix the fifth was created against Eugenius the fourth. At Con∣stance by the méere Acronium within ten monethes, four hundred men dy∣ed of the plague.

In Switzerlande in the Cathedrall Churche of Thurike, the twelfth of [ 1440] September, which was the Dedication of that Church, there was hearde a great noyse and clange, but nothing was séene: there folowed the Tyguri∣an war with the Switentians and Glaronencians.

An Earthquake spoyled Polande, Hungarie, and Boemia. Alphonsus [ 1443] Kyng of Aragon tooke Naples, and expellyng Renatius got the Kyngdome of Apulia. Ladislaus king of Hungarie, by the helpe of Huniades ouercame the Turkes, and the yeare after the Turkes slue him.

In this time a Comet was séene, at the stay of the sun in Sōmer, whiche [ 1444] made mens mindes afrayde, portending destruction, war, and misery to fo∣low.

In Boiaria mildew, a mischiefe to corne, blasted the wheate: Caterpillers an accursed worme were séene, which eate of the leaues and blossomes of trées, and left the trées ilfauoured to behold.

At Rome the fiftéenth of the Calendes of October the Bridge of Tiber fel down, and 560. men were drowned, which came thyther to sée y^e playes whiche Nicholas contrarie to the decrée of the Counsell of Constance hadde set out.

[ 1444] In the territorie of Basil, aboute the Lazerhouse of Saint Iames neare the citie, a great clashing of armor, and men fighting, and a warlike shoute was hearde for thirtie nightes togither, and no man was séene, wherefore two monethes after Lewes the Dolphin breaking in with a greate hoste of Armenians, to dissolue the counsell of Basil, foughte with the Switzers a most bloudie battayle, in that same place where the noyse in the night was hearde before. The same yeare in the middest of August, there fel intollera∣ble and great snow for more than thrée dayes, vppon the mountaines and pastures: manye Cattel dyed through colde: Basil was againe shaken wyth an Earthquake the thirtith of Nouember beyng Saincte Andrewes day.

[ 1445] The riuer Albis ouerflowing the daye before the Ides of Marche, de∣stroyed many manour places, and carried away flockes and heardes out of the fieldes.

[ 1446] The. 7. day of April the Sea was in suche a rage, that it brake in be∣hinde Dordrak it fret asunder, made breaches, and founde out a very frée entry into the lande: it destroyed men, fieldes, townes, and villages: there were then drowned sixtéene parishes, and there perished aboute a hundred thousand men, togither with their Cattel and substaunce. Dordroh felt thē no smal losse.

The Emperour Frederick the thirde proclaymed warre againste the Switzers to whom the Cities of the Empire, bicause the whole matter con∣cerned the house of Austria and not the Empire, denyed ayde. The same yeare the Art and excellent skill of Printing was founde out in Germanye, a notable gifte of God, wherewith it pleased that diuine grace, thereby no lesse to further religion, than all the Studies of Artes and Sciences.

The seauen and twentith day of Ianuarie about Zophingen, Lentsburg, Zurikesee & Auranke, at midnight there was séene a shining clearenesse as at noone daye, for the space of an houre, with grieuous thunder, fearefull leames of lightning, and strong blastes of windes, and immediately darke∣nesse followed.

[ 1446] The first of Ianuarie in the towne of Surksee, when people betime in the morning went to Churche, they founde in the Churchyarde, and also in two houses much clotted bloud.

The thirde of Ianuarie in Eberseg a Monasterie neare to Surkesee, in the morning there laye aboute the Monasterie a greate number of deade carcases, and when this fearefull thing was known, they vanished away. Likewise in the moneth of Iuly, ceetaine of Swi••en, aboute twentie going

out of the towne of Zug. to harme the Thurians. The byrd called Meropes, a Bée-eater came to two of the chiefest, and continuallye gobbing on theyr heades, went aboute to rest hir there, who forciblye casting hir awaye, and at length killing hir, they went towardes the Mountaine. The Thu∣rians lying in waite, set vpon them two and slew them. At the end of thys yeare vppon the Twesdaye after the byrth of Christe, at Basil, the riuer Birsus dyd so violentlye ouerflowe the Citie, that in the fishe Market it carryed awaye sixe houses wyth much goods.

In Germany, about Saint Georges daye, through continual snowe, [ 1448] by the space of tenne dayes all places were so couered with harde yse, that the weather was as harde as an extreame colde Winter, whiche notwithstanding (a wonder to be a spoken,) did not hurte the fruites of the earth.

The same yeare war began betwéene Albert Marques of Brādeburg, and the Citizens of Nerenberg, wherin the Princes defended the Marques, and the Cities of the Empire the Citizens of Norenberg. There were com∣mitted on both sides verye manye slaughters, much robberie, and deadelye burning.

Naples in Campania that noble and auntient Citie, whiche whilome [ 1448] hyght Parthenope, suffered an horrible Earthquake, wherein certain thou∣sands of men perished and sustayned grieuous losse: in Sweuelād and chiefe∣ly aboute Ausburgh a great haile, about Saint Matthews day, did twice in the day do great harme, for as much as the stones were far greater than Hen egges.

The warre in Switzerland beganne betwéene the Duke of Sauoy and the Citizens of Friburgh. The Citie of Rinfield was taken by crafte by the nobles of Austria. Cassimire King of Polād was Crowned king vppon the feast of Iohn Baptist, and Christierinus Earle of Aldenburgh, was chosen King of Denmarke and Norway. And the yeare folowing the Tartariās inua∣ded Polonia and Russia.

The fourth of the Calendes of September, the sixth houre of the day, [ 1449] there was an eclipse of the Sunne, Alphonsus Kyng of Aragon, Apulta, and Sicilia, being wearyed wyth more than thrée monethes siege of Plumbinum a Cittie by the sea side, when hée hadde loste many of his menne, and the reste were for the moste parte fainte with laboure and heate, fearing the army or hoste of the Florentines that was at hand, brake vp his siege, and broughte all hys armye neare Rome. Francis the Sonne of Floria Captayne of the Milainers armye, ouercame the Venetiās hoste, in the whyche there were almoste fiftéene thousande fyghting menne not farre from the Ryuer of Addua by Karaua••e sinum.

[ 1449] The Earth was grieuously shaken in more places than one, where∣vnto was added the moste threatning Preaching of Robert a Frier of the order of Minor obseruants: he tolde the the people of Rome and other people of Italy that God was angry with them, with whose prophetical voyce, as sent from heauen, all Rome was troubled and very manye other Cities be∣sides, in whiche, prayers were appointed to pacifye Gods wrath. Amadus Duke of Sauoy who at the counsel of Basil was chosen Pope, being mo∣ued with the authoritie of the Emperour Frederick, for common quietnesse sake, forsoke that honor and got him to a Monasterie, whereby the Scisme that had now continued ten yeares, was taken away. The Tartarians spoy∣led Polia and Russia while the Polanders were busied in the warre of Vola∣chia.

[ 1450] A horsse-colt in the yeare Iubile did foale, & whilest he foaled in a gret assembly of the people standing by dyed before the gate of Vrbetel whyche lyeth towards Rome: the colt was of both kindes: immediately the Towne was taken by Iames Picenus in the warre of Sena, and there was muche bloud spilt in the battayle on euery side, and many were banished for euer. The English were vanquished by the French at Formianum, all Norman∣die after thirtie yeares returned again to the dominion of the French. The English were driuen out of Aquitaine.

[illustration]

The noble Science of Printing was aboute thys time founde in Germany at Magunce by Cuthember∣gus a Knight, or rather Iohn Faustus, as sayeth Doctour Cooper in his Chronicle: One Conradus an Almaine broughte it into Rome, William Caxton of London Mercer broughte it into Eng∣land about 1471. in Henrie the sixth, the seauen and thirtith of his raign: in West∣minster was the first Prin∣ting. Mogunce is a famous Citie in Germanie called Ments, not two, but one Citie, the authors disagrée in the surname, a matter of no greate impor∣tance.

[ 1453] Before that Constantinople, was by the most cruell Turkes assayled by Sea and Lande, it was knowen for a suretie that at Comum a Citie of the furthermost part of Fraunce, when the Sunne was going downe, a greate

number of Dogges ranne throughe the ayre, after whiche heardes of di∣uerse cattel, shewes of footemen, first of lyght harneys, afterward there fo∣lowed men with staues and Targets, and the horsemen being diuided into troupes did follow in a great army set in order, and almost for thrée houres made the shewe of an armye or host comming, of which prodigie Alexan∣der ab Alexandro doth write at large in his third booke Chapter. 15. The same yeare the Hungarians, Boemians and Moraui••ns besieged the Empe∣rour Fredericke in the new Citie of Austria, and toke from him their king Lanislaus.

There were diuerse prodigies spoken of. Among the Sabines in Fe∣bruarie, [ 1456] it was reported that a Cow brought forth a calfe with two heads. At Rome it rayned bloud, at Venice gate and in Liguria flesh. The same time in the territorie of Picen, a childe was borne with sixe téeth, with a face of a straunge greatnesse, a token of the great miserie which afterward ensued. There arose a conspiracie of certain souldiours in Austria, with the which for ten yeares Austria was wonderfully vexed.

At Erith wythin twelue myles of London were taken foure wonder∣full [ 1456] fishes, whereof one was called Mors Marina the second a Sworde∣fishe, the other two were Whales. There followed a fléete of Frenchmen that landed at Sandwich and spoyled the Town with gret crueltie. D. Coo∣per reporteth thys to be in the yeare folowing y^e fiue and twentith yere of Kyng Henrie the sixth. Notwithstanding there followed in few yeres af∣ter manye controuersies and battayles, as the battayle at Northampton, the battayle at Wakefielde, and the battayle at Sainct Albones. Reade Stow.

Betwéene Florence and Sena at a Towne whiche they call Cassia, the sixth yeare after the Iubile, there were séene cloudes, twentie Cubits hygh from the Earth tost togither wyth a wonderfull force of winde to fighte, and the one droue away the other, and oftentimes by chaunging theyr course those whiche hadde driuen awaye were driuen awaye: in the meane season wyth a greate and incredible violence of winde the toppes of the houses were driuen vppe in the ayre, Walles were caste downe, and greate Stones were remoued from theyr place, verye olde Oli•••• trées and verye auntiente bodyes of Oakes were pulled vppe by the roote and broken in pieces, menne and beastes were carryed and drawen vppe into the ayre. Aeneas Syluius in his description of Europe, Chapter fiftie foure.

In the moneth of Iune a Comet was séene for a moneth in the Easte, [ 1456] in the fiftéenth degrée of Cancer in the moneth of August: a great force of Windes ouerthrewe manye Manour and Farme houses, in the territorie of Florence and Volatera, and ouerthrewe the Towne Cassian for the moste part. All the Cities of Campania, of the Samnites, of Apule, and of the Polo∣niens,

with many townes were destroyed and vtterly ouerthrowne wyth the earthquake. Mahomet Emperour of the Turkes leading his armye a∣gainste the Christians, was put to flight and from his tentes at Taurinum a town which is now called Alba, situated in that place wher the riuer Sa∣uus and Danubius méet.

[ 1457] At the lake Benacus not farre from Salodinum a mountaine did cleaue very wide downe to the bottom. A Comet which they call Niger was séene for a month in Iune, in the twentith degrée of Pisces At Venice certain Se∣nators sonnes were condemned for vnlawfull brybing for offices. Alfon∣sus king of Aragon and Sicilia▪ preparing a Nauie of thirtie Gallies for the bringing of banished men to Genoa, discomfited his aduersaries. Petrus de Monte Bishop of Brixia dyed at Rome. Ladislaus King of Hungarie while he prepared him to marrie, was poysoned Christiernus king of Denmarke added the kingdome of Swetia to his dominiō. King Cassimer taketh Ma∣riburg.

In Nouember at Portland, not far from the towne of Weymouth was séene a Cocke comming out of the sea, hauing a great combe vpon his head, choaled long and red, whose legges séemed halfe a yard long: he stoode on the Water and did crowe thrée times, and euery tyme turned aboute and beckned with his heade towarde the North, the South, and the Weast: he was coloured like the Phesant, and so vanished awaye: shortlye after this, there folowed spoyle of the Kings subiectes by the Frenchmen at Sandwiche. At Fowey in Deuonshire deadlye discorde fell among the nobilitie. Reginalde Pecock Bishop of Chichester, supposed an Hereticke for translating the ho∣ly Scripture into English, is forced to make recātatiō at Pauls Crosse. By one of his bookes called the Donet of Christian Religion, it appeareth the man was in a great forwardnesse toward the trueth, onlie for feare of the Archbishops displeasure and of his life, he forsooke Christ and followed the Pope. After this was Bloreheath fielde, in which deadly fighte of al sorts of people many perished.

[ 1460] Vppon the daye of the Purification of the Virgine, there appeared thrée Sunnes, euery one shewing a seuerall light, which closed altogither in one.

The Earle of Warwicke fled from Saint Albones to the Earle of March, of whych strāge troubles reade Iohn Stow in the latter end of king Henry the sixth.

[ 1460] There arose a greate and a cruell Tempest at Venice, wherein a straunge whirlewinde drowned manye shippes, almoste with the Arse∣nal, whiche is a place for the shippes safe Rode: and the same yeare Maho∣met Emperour of the Turkes, driuing away Thomas Paleolagus and car∣rying

his brother with him, tooke Peloponesus. and when he had taken and slayne king Trapizentius, he got Pontus. And the yere following the Geno∣wais choosing Prosper Adurnus to be theire Prince, reuolte from the Frenche.

In Polande the lesse, vpon a day when the sunne was going down, the Image of Christ crucified, with a Sword was séene to passe along in the ayre from the Weast to the South, for more thā two howers.

The head or the scalpe of Saint Stanillaus is sayd to haue sweat at [ 1462] diuers times whilste he was caried aboute in a superstitious precession. This yere there followed vnder the Duke Borouoius Scrininus gréeuous robberies throughout Polande. The Citizens of Gauni spoyled Sambra, and Pomerania was afflicted with muche aduersitye. There also ensued the bloody battayle made by the Polanders at Puscum and many other mis∣fortunes.

The fifte of December about eleuen of the clock at nighte, in y^e king∣dome [ 1466] of Naples, Apulia and Beneuentum, there happened so great an earth∣quake, that Churches, palaces, and many other buildinges were throwne down, to the great slaughter of men and beastes.

The 7. of August at Walesia in Switzerland there was a great & a strange ouerflowing of the riuer Rodanus, which did much harme on euery side to the inhabitauntes of that countrey, and did not only teare the Bridges, but also caried them quite awaye. The same yere at Tygure 24. houses were burnt.

At Rome thrée sunnes were séene, which troubled many mens minds: the same yere George Scanderbeg a man famous for the feates of warre, ouerthrew the Turkes with a great slaughter, that violently ranne vppon him.

This George Scanderbeg Prince of Epiro was sonne to the Lorde [ 1467] Iohn Castrioth, the which possessed the part of Albania y^t was called Ema∣thia and Tumenestia. and the mother of Scanderbeg was named Voisaua: she was daughter to the Prince of Pollogo, which is a parte of Macedonia. Amorathe Ottomanno Emperor of the Turkes hauing long time vexed the coasts of Albania, Iohn Costrioth not able to defende made peace with him, and for hostages deliuered his sons, which were Repossio, Stanilla, Constantino and this Scanderbeg, who had to name George: but when this Tiraunt Amorath caused him in his youth to be circumcised, he gaue him the name of Scanderbeg whiche in our spéeche is Lorde Alexander: being afterwarde instructed, he became so valyaunte in all martiall enter∣prises, that at the age of nintéene yeres he was ordayned Sangiacco whiche is to saye a conductor of sundrye bandes of fiue thousande horse, then ••asla, that is Generall. Hée so prospered, that the Turke hadde hym in high estimation, so that being come to the age of 25. yeares, attending on his

Lord at Andrianopole, being in the company of many noble mē, there came thither a Tartar of a great stature and excéeding force, and chalenged to fight with any man in all the Turkes court: after that many had refused, by the meanes of great report that was made of his victories, and how that he had slaine many that encoūtred him, Scanderbeg desired leaue of his prince that he might fight with the sayde Tartarian, who with much adoe obtained lycence, and slue the Champion: after fewe yeares espying hys tyme, he fledde from the Turke, entred Croia displaying his Ensigne, (an Eagle sable on a Fielde Gules) destroyed the Turkes, and so procéeded vn∣till he hadde fréede his countrey. He was of a goodly stature, and fayre and well bodyed, of good complexion, able to endure al kinde of trauaile: he was wise, circumspect, of a déepe minde, liberall, iust, gentle, and mercifull: hée ended many worthye Victories againste the Turkes: he died at the age of thrée score and thrée yeres in Anno. 1467. Commentaries of the Turkes, second Booke, Andrew Cambine.

[ 1469] Fraunces the sonne of Sfortia Duke of Millaine died: by reason of the death of the Duke of Millain, warre arose in Italy, for at Florence whilste the chéefe of the Citie were at strife for honour, the common people conspy∣red and tooke parts, some with Peter Medices the sonne of Cosmus, others with Luca Pitius: wherefore they ran to their weapons immediately. Whē Luca Pitius and Peter Medices were reconciled betwéene themselues, ma∣ny Gentlemen were driuen out of the Citie. In German warre arose be∣twéene the Dukes of Brunswik and the Cities called the Haunce. Sediti∣ous and ciuile warres spoyled Englande. King Edward the fourth through the helpe of the duke of Clarence, the yere following, the 12. day of Septem∣ber pursuing his resistantes, vanquished the Earle of Warwike, Marques Mountague on Galdemor heath, nere Barnet ten miles from London. This battaile was done on Easter day the 14 of Aprill. There was slayne about thrée thousande men: after followed the Battaile at Tewk••sburie, and then followed the vyolente death of King Henrye the sixte, murdered in the Tower.

[ 1470] At Rome in y^e beginning of Iune, there fel hayle of vnaccustomed great∣nesse, whose stones wayed twelue ounces, and this yere Mahomet Empe∣rour of the Turkes set vppon Euboia with a greate Nauie of shippes and a thousande Horsemen, and wonne by assault Calcis a Citie in Greece. The thirtith day of Iune Mathias king of Panonia afflicted the Bohemians with a gréeuous battayle. In Fraunce there arose whote Warre betwéene Lewis and Charles Duke of Burgundy.

[ 1470] In certayne places of Germany haile stones fell to the grounde whiche were bigger than Goose Egges, by the which Cities, corne, and plants in y^e fields had much harme. That yere the king of Portugale passed ouer into Barbary with a great Nauie, and wan by assault Tinga and Argilla.

A woman at Brixia and another at Papia brought forth Cattes, and the [ 1471] very same yere the 15. day of August there was a great earthquake in the Citie of Brixia at two a clock in the morning, which was so fearefull, that the Citizens were in doubt of the fall of the houses and walles, in whiche yere there fell much hayle there, and in many other places, greater than Ostrege Egges, which be commonly 20 inches in compasse.

At Be••na in Italy a woman childe was borne with one head, two hinder [ 1472] partes of the body and so many members. There appeared a Comet in the beginning of the yeare about the 21. day of Ianuarie, sparckling oute fyre, which tourned with long and black heares weastwarde, whose bodye was first about the beginning of Libra, afterward it bent it selfe to the North and continued 80 dayes, but before he was spent, another appeared, whose bushe séemed fierie, and to be placed in the signe of Aries and streatchte out his tayle Eastwarde. The yere following there followed an incomparable drouth and pestilence, and most bloody Warre happened in manye places. This yere Charles Duke of Lorain•• died of the plague at Naus, but Char∣les Duke of Burgondie hearing of his death, assayeth to win Loraigne with the Sworde. Not long after Visonus Cassanus king of Parthia and Ar∣menia going to the riuer Euphrates to the end to inuade Asia, encountering in Battaile with Mahomet king of the Turkes, did so fight, as one y^t gaue and tooke a great ouerthrow, for two most mightie Armies, and two va∣lyaunt Captaines fought twice together in few dayes. The same time Al∣fonsus king of Portugale passing into Affrica with a sufficient Nauie, tooke by force two Cities Tyngis and Argilla, and subduing the Coast Tingitana, annexed it to his Empyre. And Charles Duke of Burgundye made so sharp warre against certaine Nobles and the people that bordered vpon his coū∣trey, that he raysed warre for many yeares, which of late was kindled by his death, and he was slaine at Naus the sixte of Ianuarie, on whiche daye and yere also they write that the Duke of Millane was slaine in a Church, Pontanus hath described this Comet not only in his Commentaries vpon the one hundreth sentences of Ptolome, but also in most learned vearse to∣gether with those thinges which ensued. Eberhardus Schlewsinger, a phi∣losopher of Tigure hath also interpreted it in his little Booke of Comets.

In the Sommer the Woods were set on fyre, by reason of drought and [ 1473] ouermuch heate, and riuers were so dried, that men might goe to Danubius in Hungary. Iames king of Cipres died and left behinde him a sonne, being an infant, vnder the name of whose gardianship the Venetians possessed the kingdome of Cipres.

On Peter and Paules day the Apostles, which was the 29. of Iuly, ma∣ny [ 1474] buildinges in Germany with extreame winds were ouerthrowne to the grounde. And at Auspurg Saint Vldrichs Temple was ouerthrowne, wherein the Priest with thirty others was slaine. This so great a violence

of winde, did not only rend trées and Woods with other thinges in Germa∣ny but also breaking into Hungary from the Rhene, didde muche harme at home and abrode to the people of that Countrey. Charles Duke of Burgun∣dye besieged Nussia. Lewis King of Fraunce firste made league with the Switzers agaynste Charles Duke of Burgundye. Peter de Haggenbauh a knight, being for his tyranny accused at Brysag, was disgraded, & afterward as he deserued beheaded.

[ 1475]

[illustration]

Nere to Ʋerona a woman childe was borne, with two priuities, two bel∣lies and four arms, the parents caryed this Monster a long time through the ci∣ties of Italye for gains sake. Bartho∣lomeus Pergamus a most noble Duke died y^e same yeare. Charles Duke of Burgondie tooke Lo∣raigne, Ferdinandus the greate, King of Spayne, w^t Alfonsus king of Portugale. The two Kinges Mathias and Vla∣dislaus made peace betwéene the Hun∣garians and the Bo∣hemians: Cronicle of Polande. Cracoue was deformed with a notable fyre.

Edwarde King of Englande being sente for into Fraunce by Charles Duke of Burgondy entred in friendship with Lewis king of Fraunce & made league with him.

[ 1476] Grashoppers and the great rising of the riuer Isula did spoyle al Polād. This same yere in Franconia and neare to the Woode Ottonica, there was a yong manne a Taberer called Iohn Behen, a manne vnlearned and a Sheaphearde,* 3.48 at a Vilage called Niclashausen, who getting manye fol∣lowers, and deuising a certayne counterfeyte religion, beganne to teach the vnstedfast people, that the life of the Clergie was reprochefull, and to God

abhominable, and taxes and tallages, rēts, reuenewes, tithes, and tributes were not to bepayde, that all waters and woods were frée for all men: ma∣ne other thinges also he spread among the people, and saide that the virgine Mary reuealed them vnto him: wherefore a great number of the common people followed him, and it was commonly beléeued, that the manne was taughte from aboue (by God) because he had learned no letters: he dispu∣ted with priestes, neither would he giue ouer his opinion, affirming it to be Gods doctrine: the people which commonly delighteth in new thinges did flocke to him on euery side, and that sheapheard vpon holy dayes in a great assemblye of people made a long sermon in despite of the Clergie. It is re∣ported that at one Sermon there drew vnto him aboue thirtie thousande persons, handy crafts men out of their Shoppes, the ploughman from the plough tayle, maydens from the rocke and distaffe, as rauished with a cer∣tayne deuine power, without y^e knowledge and against the will of theyr parentes, Maisters and instructers, they wēt straight to Nicholas Hanson. The fellowship of townes and Villages offered Waxe Torches: priuate men, golden ringes, ornaments for the heade, bracelets and money: and maydes commonly offered one of the lockes of their heare. But Rodolph Bishop of Herbipola, thinking due season to preuente the créeping of this doctrine, vpon a day when none of his Disciples was about him, by sen∣ding of Spials he commaunded him to be taken and brought to Wi••••sburg, and to be cast in prison, and to be condemned and burned as an heretick, af∣ter whose death this pilgrimage of men and women ceassed, and the By∣shops of Herbipola and Mogunce shared betwéene them the giftes that the vnskilfull people had offred.

The Starre of Venus being more goodlye to beholde than shée was [ 1478] wonte, was séene to runne along in the Element. Grashoppe••s raunging through Italy did vtterly waste the Fields about Brixia, wherevpon there arose a great pestilence throughout Italy, that at Venice there died aboue 3000 men. Alfonsus Duke of Calaber together with Frederike Duke of Vibe•• vanquished the Florentines and spoyled all abrode their Cities with fyre and sworde. This yeare in Englan••e was a great dearth, and also a great death of people at London, and in diuers other places of the Realme. The same yere the second of the Ides of Iuly, the Moone was eclipsed, and the fourth of the Kalendes of August, almost all the light of the Sunne was hidden in like sort, which made the vnskilfull in Astronomie exceedingly to wonder and feare.

The Venetiās being intangled with the gréeuous warre of Hetruria, and being vexed with the greate Armie of Otnomanus, made warre in Macedonia and Frioll, to the great detriment of the common wealth, and the open perill of all Italy. Iohn Philip Maria Duke of Milain after he had lost 8000 of his men, sought vnluckily with Robert Seuerina generall of

king Ferdinandus.

The Winter was rough and extreame, through muche rayne and continual showres. While Iohn king of Aragon set vpon diuers Cities in Spaine with a great Armie, a great number of diuers Serpentes being dri∣uen through colde came out of the Woodes and hilles adioyning, and crope to the Tentes and Pauilyons of the Souldyers, and although y^e Serpents of a wonderful greatnesse were among men, yet they did them no harme in the Tentes, being oppressed with extreame colde. Woolues also in flockes sette often times vpon the Souldyers, going not farre from theire Tentes. Moreouer the Water of many Fountaynes, which the Souldi∣ers vsed in their Tentes, being infected with the exhalation and corrupte vapours of the Marish and Meeres that were thereby, were the cause of the sodayne death of diuers Gentlemen. Lastlye a verye dreadfull voyce and muche like a mans, was hearde almost euery night, which portending nothing but horrour and heauinesse, stroke the stoutest Souldiers into a great feare.

In diuers places of Switzerlande there appeared in the ayre Armyes of men fighting very fiercely: within certaine monethes after there were dy∣uers kyndes of Crosses, and fyerie bowles, whiche falling to the grounde lefte tokens behinde them for many to beholde, which is recorded in the Cronicles of Basill. for the common remembraunce thereof. The same yere the Switzers ioyning hande to hande, or encountring at the riuer Tysinus with the Duke of Millaine, who about S. Martins daye had broughte oute 15000 chosen Horsemen and footemen, in killing 14000 of the Millainers they became not onlye Conquerours but also obtayned and got a moste riche bootie.

[ 1479] In Arabia there was séene a Comet like a very sharpe beame, and as it were set with diuers points with the forme of a Sythe. The same yere the Turkes inuaded al Carinthia, the crucifiers or Crossecarriers made warre against the Polander s, in Hungary the league was renewed betwixt Ma∣thias and Vladislaus.

[ 1480] In y^e Ile of Creta now Candi, as Coccius Sabellicus writeth in his first booke of his Eni. Rapsod 1. on that side whiche lieth toward the South whi∣lest certayne Workemen drue vp by the rootes the stemme of a huge trée, to make Shippe tymber, they founde a mannes heade buryed in the Earth as bigge as a wine Hogs heade, and when vnskilfully menne hadde rashe∣lye handled it, muldring through rotten oldenesse, it by and by tour∣ned to dust, but the Téeth being of a meruailous greatnesse were cari∣ed to the Gouernoures of the Iland, making shew that the thing was true, one of whiche Téeth being sent to Venice, is euen at this daye in a mannes houss there to be séene for a Myracle. This yeare the Turkes inua∣ded Apulia by Sea, they wanne Lidrutum by Sedge, and broughte greate

misery to the inhabitauntes of Calabria through the most daungerous o∣uerflowing of the riuer of Rhene: the buildinges of all the Bridges were ouerthrowne that belonged to these Cities of the Rhene, Schaffucia, Keysar∣stula, Lafenburg, Secking, and Ringfield, and at Basill thrée arches were cari∣ed from the Bridge.

This yere there was no wind ouer all Germany and great aboundance [ 1482] of victual: Iayes and Pies in great number fighting together in the ayre for certayne myles, made shew of that warre which the Frenchmen made with the English. King Edward making great prouision for Warre into Fraunce ended his life: Stow Aecolampadius was borne in Germany, who afterward became a learned Diuine.

When Richarde the thyrde was king of Englande, by means of ciuile [ 1483] discorde, as the Chronicles declare, one Henry Baneste•• seruaunte to the Duke of Buckingham then being (whome he had tenderly brought ••p, and vnto whome the Duke committed himselfe in his distresse) vppon a large profer in proclamation made by the king, betrayed his Lord: it so came to passe shortly after, that his sonne and heyre fell madde and died in a Bores stye, his eldest daughter was stroken with leprozie, his second sonne was taken lame, his yongest sonne was drowned in a puddle, and Banester himself was araigned for murther, hardly escaping, and had no reward as he hoped, & thus like a faithlesse caitife, as a iust reuēge was plagued. Mar∣tin Luther which properly signifieth Swan, was borne in Germany who after became a profound Doctor and preacher of the word of God as other Authors more at large affirme. Vpon S. Georges day, to with the 1••. of [ 1485] March, all places were so darkened by reason of the Sunnes Eclipse, that the day light now failing, candles were lighted in Cities and Townes: Hennes (but abrode diuers kinde of Fowles) got them to their accustomed places of night rest, and this Eclipse lasted for a quarter of an hower, after which immediately there followed a great scarcitie of all thinges, famine, and hurtful tumults on euery side. Pope Sextus the 4. died, after whome Innocentius the eight succéeded. At Wallesia in Switzerlande there dyed of the plague in a very short space. 1400.

Richard the third raysing an armie to withstand Henry Earle of Riche∣monde, [ 1485] the night before the Battayle that was fought at Bosworth in Leice∣stershire the 22. of August, in his sléepe he had a fearefull dreame, wherein to him it séemed that he saw deformed Images like terrible Deuils, which pulled and haled him, not suffering him to take any rest, which strange vi∣sion greatly apalled his former courage: notwithstanding his hope of vic∣torie, he was slaine as a rebell and caried to Leicester like a hogge.

In the dominion of the Countie Palatine of the Rhene, not farre from [ 1486] Hidelberg in a village called Rorbach, there was borne a twin of both kinds being fastned back to back. Maximilian the Sonne of Henry was crouned

King of Romanes, Albert duke of Bauaria, tooke Rentzburg a very strong cit∣tie of Germany, scituate by the riuer Danubius.

[ 1487] A childe with two heads was borne at Padua, wherein there was no foule thing to be séene, but the excesse of nature. There were all thinges more filthie in a boye, which in those dayes was borne at Venice, hauing his mouth many wayes, and besides many things foule to be spoken: he hadde his genitals growing to his neck, and for this cause they like not to bring him abrode (and as oftentimes it commeth to passe, that all thinges whiche deceiue the eares and the eyes are reckoned for straunge wonders in the mindes of those which be scrupulous) The report went commonly abroade that a henne layde an egge at the Apostles Churche that crew like a Cock, whiche is vnhappye lucke, immediately when the owner of her was dead, whiche laye somewhat sicke, and when the henne was killed, they sayde, that an egge was founde nere to her, wherein was begunne the shape of a Cocatrice: others affirmed that the Basiliske is brought forth of the house of a manqueller, whome the Cocke had hatched with continuall brooding, but these thinges are beléeued of the common people as though it were not manifest that that euill were not peculiar to Affrique, and not in all Af∣frike as some doe write, but onelye at Cirenaica At Padua the earth shooke horriblye, and with that quake the Churche of our Lady belonging to the Friers Carmelites fell downe, and the affayres of Italy at this time stoode at this stay, when in the Easte and the Weast and in the North forraigne Nations were vexed with great commotions, and I wote not whether more gréeuously also than of late in Italy, about Siria Baiazetus Othoma∣nus did greatly annoy with Warre the Countrey of king Meruphiticus and twice within a yere in the borders of both realms the Barbariās fought a battayle, and both conflictes were troublesome to the Turkes. Maximi∣lian was taken and besieged by treason at Bridges but in shorte space at the comming of his Fathers armye, he was deliuered. The Kingdome of Granado was gotten by the Spaniardes, and the Sarasens were driuen out

[ 1488] By Lucerne a noble Towne of ••••e Switzers, at a Farme which is cal∣led Emmen a monstrous Cocke was hatched of an Egge, whose Image we haue borrowed of the gatheringes of Sebastian Brand A great number of straunge Foule appeared at Turgoia, and at other places of Switzerland. the strong Castle of Isteten which standeth in Clettgoia, was besieged by Ali∣cuuic•• prince of Sultz. Mazimilian king of the Romanes being taken by his men in Flaunders was deliuered immediately by his father Frederike Em∣perour of the Romanes.

[ 1488] When Iames the fourth king of Scots who began to raigne in y^e yere of our saluation ••4••9. sent Embassadors to the king of Fraunce, and Iames Ogylf•• who was brought vp in the Vniuersitie of Aberdon was chéefe a∣mong

them, they were driuen crosse ouer with a tempest to the Sea coasts of Norwaye, where vpon the hilles they sawe hearye men running vp and downe, suche as wylde menne are reported to be: they béeing demaun∣ded of the Inhabitauntes what they were, aunswered that they were Beastes in mans shape, hating men deadlye: in the day time they did them no harme, but fledde from them, in the nighte in flockes they sette vpon Farmes, and murthering menne deuoured them: they also broke open dores, for they were so strong that they pulled vp by the rootes a Trée of a reasonable growth, and slipping the Boughs and Braunches of greate Trées from the bodies, they foughte togeather, wherefore at that time they making greate Fyers all aboute, and setting men to watche, they past the nighte withoute harme: when the morning came, and the winde was good, they went to Fraunce where their iourneye laye, as Cardanus in his fyrste Booke of the varietie of thinges and fourth Chapter hath left in writing.

The Winter of this yeare was so harde and Snowy, as no manne [ 1490] could remember the lyke: the Snow laye vnmolten vntill the beginning of Sommer in certayne places aboute Cities, and the Gulfe was frosen a∣bout the Citie of Ʋenice as farre as the Sea with so déepe an yse, that men went afoote and by Chariot to the Citie from the Vilage called Margaria and other places thereaboute. The Weather cleared for many moneths, after the fall of the Snowe, Water was caried about to be sold (as the maner is) in Boates, but it being frozen with extreame colde, was cutte a∣sunder with hatchets that it mighte be solde rather by the valuation of the eye, than by measure. Marishe and Sea Foules were taken in Fennes, and lesser Cattayle dyed euery where through intollerable colde. Italy at that tyme was in quiet, hauing peace on all sides, when the Venecians through the Sea grew in a new feare.

The Nauie of Ottomannus when it was not lookte for entring oute from the straightes of Hellespont and passing along by the Coast of Greece, stayed with great ruffeling not farre from Corcira, and not long after king Baiozetis marching by lande with a huge armye came to Epirus. Mathias king of Hungary and Bohemia died of the disease called Apoplexia, the losse of sence.

Pontanus doth cite a witnesse, who affirmed that a Ramme was broughte vnto him vnboweled, who had his entrayles and bowels doub∣led.

There was this yere a Comet and an Eclipse of the Sunne, after [ 1491] which a Moraine of Beastes ensued. In the assemblye at Norenburg the ci∣ties of the Empyre tooke Licus and Albert Dukes of Bauaria, who before tooke Reutzburg a Citie of the Empyre, and compelled them to restore it agayne to their confederacie. Vladislaus Sonne of Casimerus King of

Poland was chosen king of Hungary.

[ 1492] The seuenth of Nouember at Suntgoia in the Lymits of the vpper∣moste Alcatia neare to Eusheimum a Towne well knowne through the iudgement of the Empyre or Consistorye of Ferdinandus king of the Ro∣manes and of Hungarie, a Stone fell to the grounde oute of the Clowdes with a great noyse of the Element, waying foure hundreth pound waighte and a halfe, who being afterwarde digged vp, and hanged vp alofte in the Churche of the same Towne, is to be sèene at this daye for a mi∣racle.

After the middle of December in Polande thrée sunnes were séene at noone dayes, there appeared a Comet after the Sunnes going downe, for y^e space of two moneths: and this yere Hansh•• and the Emperor Maximilian were ouerthrowne by Vladislaus king of Hungary. Casimerus king of Po∣lande died. A great part of the Citie of Cracouie lying towards the Weast was burned by a casuall fire, and a cruell morraine and rot of cattaile and shéepe went through Poland.

Before that the worthie Laurence Medices, a prince neuer ynough to be praised for y^e manifold qualities of his minde, died at Florence: these things in a maner went before his death, although other things also were cōmon∣ly spoken of. The first of y^e Nones of Aprill almost at y^e third houre of y^e day iij. dayes before Laurence gaue vp the Ghost, a woman I know not what she was, whilste she heard one preache in the church y^t is called Maria No∣uella, being sodainly afrayd & astonied, rose among the throng of the people, and running vp and downe like a madde woman crying fearefully, sayde: Ho, ho, my Countreymen, doe you not sée this raging Bull whiche ouer∣throweth to the ground this great Churche with his syery Hornes: more∣ouer the nighte before when the Skie vppon the sodayne was ouercast with clowdes, the toppe of that great Cathedrall Churche which hath the excellentest roofe (for the wonderfull workemanship) in all the world, was stricken with lightning, so that certain great shiuers were thrown down, and chéefelye on that side which lieth to the house of the Medices, and with a certaine horrible force & violence great Marble stones were slong down, and y^e same night y^t Laurence died a star shining brighter thā it was wont, hung ouer the manour house without y^e citie where he was drawing on to the death, at y^t very moment of time was séene to fall downe and to go out, whereby they knew for a suertie afterwarde that he was departed. More∣ouer, it was sayd that burning torches ran vp for thrée nightes togeather from the hilles of Pesula vpon that Church where the bodies of the house of the Medices are buried, somewhat to haue sparckled and immediatelye to haue vanished away: What say you to this also? that a couple of the Noblest Lyons didde so fiercely fighte together in the Denne where they were commonlye kepte, that the one was verye sore hurte, the other

slayn: at Aretum also vpon the Castle there were sayd two flames to haue burned like Castor and Pollux, and Politian hath written likewise that a shée Woolfe howled terribly vnder the walles.

At Rome a Twinne was borne, hauing both the bodyes ioyned together, [ 1493] back to back, & the hands and face standing away warde, whiche liued but

[illustration]

a fewe dayes: Not long after a mayden brought forth a boye that was half a dog, whiche Prodigyes doubtlesse did signi∣fie the murthers and wickednesse whiche afterward followed in the tyme of Pope Alexander the sixte.

At Berheld in the [ 1494] dominyon of y^e most noble Prince elector Palatine, at a farme or manour place, not far from Hydelberg, the 14. of the kalends of Ianuarie there was born a twinne hauing one Breast fastned to an other, and bounde togea∣ther with one bande of the Nauill han∣ging down.

At Rubiacum in a very auncient towne of Alsatia,* 3.49 (where Conrade Li∣costhenes was borne) when the Bishop of Strausburg his Steward (which hath in his owne right by the gift of Dagobert king of Fraunce this towne as well as the countrey adioyning, whiche they call Munus Datum) for that he gaue a naughty reckoning, was araigned of life and death, and that the time of iudgement was at hande, his friendes and kinsfolke made such sute to the Bishop, that they obtayned of him that the man shoulde be dis∣charged, but the Counsayle and the Senate of Rubiacum vnder∣stoode of this too late, for hée was hanged the same daye the messen∣ger came, yet notwithstanding because that it was done contrary to the Byshoppes mynde, and at that tyme vnknowne to the Iudge, by the

commaundement of the Senate the executioner tooke him off the Gallows and brought him with great mourning and wéeping of the Citizens, with the procession of the Monkes of S. Fraunces from the place of punishment, and was verye honestlye buried in the Churchyearde: there were séene at that time for eight dayes by them that dwelled nere the place, and chéefelye those which inhabited the Vilage Pfaffenheim and in the nighte season, dy∣uers sightes aboute the Gallowes, and about the toppe and foote of the Gal∣lowes there were not only lights alone, but also flames breaking out of the earth, and other thinges besides, which M. Conrade Pellican oftentimes told me. The same yere while Maximilianus reigned alone, there was cō∣mitted a great murther by the Germanes vppon the Frenche, at the saulte Wiches in Burgundy: Aboute this tyme the foule scabbe called the French pockes beganne, then rare in Italy and Fraunce, nowe common in Eng∣land.

[ 1494] One speciall thing is to be noted that happened in Englande wythin the compasse of fyue yeares, in Anno. 1490. a greate dearth in those dayes was reported to be, Wheate being then solde for twentie pence the Bu∣shell, after which followed strife betwéene the King of Englande & Fraunce aboute the ayde of the Britones. The yeare Anno 1492. Wheate was solde for sixe pence the bushell, Baye Salte thrée pence the bushell, whyte Salt of Nantwiche at sixe pence the bushell, white hearing at nine shilling the barrell, Gascoyne wyne at sixe pound the Tonne, and so of other victuall. The yere following Perkin Warbeck which by the counsaile of Margaret of Burgondy named himselfe Richarde of Yorke. king Edwardes sonne, first ariuing in Kente and afterward in other places, greatly troubled the com∣mon wealth: Reade Stowe: so that by this it séemeth that the sodayne cheapnesse is aunswerable to the olde Prouerbe, After swéete meate sow∣er sauce, it is not good in prosperitie to be vnmindfull of aduersitie.

In Rotwill a Towne of Germany scituate by the Woode Hircinia, a Chylde was borne with two heades, foure handes and two féete. At Cra∣couie in the Moneth of September a woman dwelling in that stréete which hath the name of the holy Ghost, brought forth a dead child, at whose backe there claue a liue Serpent gnawing and féeding vpon the deade car∣casse. And another woman at a manour place nere the Cittie which is called blacke, aboute the twelfthe of the kalendes of Nouember, broughte forth a Monster that was like in all poyntes to a mannes shape, sauing that his necke and eares were like a Hare, and hauing one greate gutte that went ouer all the bellye, and breathing with an o∣pen mouth. This yeare the Emperoure Frederike died, they hadde one or two conflictes with the Turkes that made a greate spoyle. Cracouie was burned with a horrible fyre: The Tartarians spoyled Podolia and Voliuia.

There was séene a great number of excellent Faulcons flying together [ 1495] nere Pfird, which was accounted a prodigie, because this byrd is as it were solitarie, and doth for the most part abhorre the fellowship and conuersati∣on of them of his kynde. The interpretation of this prodigie was written by Sebastian Brande, to Maximilian the moste mightie king of the Ro∣manes.

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Nere Wormes, on the righte syde of y^e riuer of Rhene at a manour house cal∣led Bi stad whiche standeth betwéene Wormes and Bens∣haime, a Woman broughte foorthe a Monster the fourth of the Ides of Sep∣tēber in this shape: they were ij girles hauing their bodies whole, but their Foreheades were ioyned together loo∣king one vppon an other. Those M. Munster writeth in his Cosmogra∣phie, An. 1501. that he saw at Mogunce, and affyrmed that they were at that tyme sixe yeare olde: they were constrayned to go together, to sléepe and ryse together, and when one wente forwarde, the other wente backwarde: their noses did almost touche, their eyes coulde not sée forwarde, but of one side, because their foreheades didde cleaue together alittle aboue theyr eyes: they lyued till they were tenne yeares olde, and then when one dyed, and was cutte from her that suruiued, the other not long after di∣ed also eyther through the wound whiche she hadde in her heade, or ra∣ther of the stinche of the Wounde, and corrupte rottennesse that was in the brayne: the cause of this Monster was this, two Women spake to∣gether, one of whiche was with child, and the thirde comming vppon the sodayne knocked both their heades together as they were talking, where∣with

the woman with child being afrayd made a token of the knock in her child. This yere the Turke prepared a great hoast against the Christians, wherefore in the assembly at Wormes there was helde a counsaile touching the defence of Germanie.

[ 1495]

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At Rome in the Ryuer of Tyber a monster was sound with a mannes bo∣dye, an Asses heade, one of whose hands was lyke a mans, but the other like an Elephants foote, one of his féete was as the Foote of an Eagle, the other re∣sembled an other Beast: he had a wo∣mans belly trimlye set out with breasts and hys bodye was couered all ouer with Scales, sa∣uing his bellye and his breast, hauing in his hindewarde partes an old mans heade bearded, and an other besydes spitting out flames like a Dragon.

This monster is sayde to be taken vp out of the riuer of Tiber bodied like a man, the head of an Asse, one hand as a man, the other rounde, one foote like an Eagle, the other like an Oxe, round bellyed as a woman, and one brest, his bodye scaled, at the Fundament a head deformed, frō whence grew out an other ill fauoured shape: The learned in Germany wrote ear∣nestly against the Pope, the like occasion was giuen to other countreys, si∣thens which time the popish kingdome hath greatly decayed.

There was a Hynde of a notable and vnaccustomed greatnesse gyuen to Maximilian king of the Romanes, which Sebastian Brand learnedly de∣scribed in Dutche and Latine verse.

In Sunigota a most fruitfull countrey of Germany in a Vilage called Lan∣cer a pigge was farrowed with one heade, foure eares, two eyes, and two

tongues, eight féete, and a bodye ioyned together from the head to the Na∣uill but parted asunder behinde.

In a certayne Village or Lordship whiche belongeth to the Bishop∣prick of Strausburg called Swgenheim two miles from Stra••sburg, there was founde a Gosling in an Egge of a monstrous fourme, with two heades, and two tongues, one necke, foure féete, two of whiche stoode in that place where in other the winges came forth, but the other appeared a∣boute the rumpe, where also was a double Foundamente, and two Winges stoode aboute the necke. At the same tyme and place also, a Pygge was farrowed wyth seuen féete, almoste lyke to the feete of a Goose.

A certayne woman called Aemilia being maryed to a certayne Citi∣zen of Ebulum after she had bene maried twelue yeres became Aem••lius and afterwarde kéeping company with men, excercised mens trades, and maried a wife hauing his dowry restored her, at the commaundemente of Ferdinandus king of Sicill as the Enlarger of Eusebius Chronicle recor∣deth. The same yere V••adulau•• king of Hungarye after he had diuor∣sed from him Beatrix of Aragon obtayned for money of the Pope to mar∣rie an other, matching with the Wife of Valco. Daughter to the Lorde of Gaudola.

Betwéene Caezena and Bertonorium in Italy the thyrde hower of the [ 1496] day, the fifte of the kalends of Februarie, thrée stones of a burnte coloure fell out of the Elemente with a horrible noyse: There wente before the fall of these a greate dynne, and as it were a ratling of matter falling downe. There were some whiche beleeued that it was one Stone, but that it broke asunder in the fall, not onelye Letters priuilye sent to Venice of this straunge sighte didde signifie it, but also a parte of this Stone of a burnte coloure was broughte foorthe to manye that woulde sée it, albeit the sense neyther of the eares neyther of the eyes, was of so great force among the learned as Antiquitye, whiche Witnesse is lyke a prodigie.

It is lefte in writing that sometime in Thrace by the riuer Egos a stone like a Chariot fell out of the Element whiche Anaxagoras Clazomemus a manne of a déepe wit sayde before that it woulde fall. Aboute the same tyme a newe kynde of sicknesse begaune to be common ouer all Ita•••• a yere before the comming of the Frenche, and therefore as it is thoughte, it was called Gallicus Morbus, for it is not manifest (as far as I can perceiue) where it tooke firste his beginning: a filthie infection and whiche no age before hath prooued after diuers paynes, pushes didde infecte the bodye, whiche growing to verye filthye Vlcers, mennes bodyes were defyled more than canne be sayd. The disease called Elephantiasis a kind of Lepro∣zye, worse than the Leprozie it selfe, cannot bée compared to this

disease, and which of all is most miserable, the disease continued for ma∣ny yeares, a fewe for the number of the diseased dyed, but muche more fewer were cleare of the sayde sicknesse, and not onely Italy felte this mis∣chiefe, but Germany, Dalmatia, and all the Coasts of Macedonia and Greece, almost the twentith part of men had triall of this disease. In Englande at Bartholmewtyde in Bedfordshire at the Towne of Saynte Nedes fell hayle stones that were measured eightéene inches aboute: after this tem∣pest the troublesome time of Perkin Werbeck began anew to vexe y^e com∣mon wealth

[ 1497] In the Lordship of Dirlistorf the sixte daye of December, which is dedi∣cate to S. Nicholas Byshop, there was borne a boye, in body wel compact, yet his armes and legges were not answerable, by reason of Natures de∣fect, for he wanted altogether the right hand, and in that place where the thumbe commonly standeth, there appeared a fleshie swelling or such like, which liued aboue sixtie yeres.

[ 1498] In the Lordship of Werdenberg there was born a monster of the woman kind, with ••. heads, 4 armes, with one brest and belly, and 2. féete: that yere Eberhardus the yonger Duke of Wittenberg was banished, and Vlricus his brothers sonne was set in his place.

[ 1499] A monstrous Calfe with two heads, the one before the other behinde the necke, was brought forth at Cracouie. The sommer following the Tarta∣rians spoyled Polande, & the league of the Hungarians, Polonians, & Valecians, was made agaynst the Turkes.

It is left in writing that a Germane woman called Dorothe, brought forth at two byrthes twentie sonnes, at the one nine, at the other eleuen, whiche whilste she was with childe, by reason of the great waighte, was wonte to staye vp her greate bellye, hanging downe to her knées, with a rowler that lapped aboute her necke and shoulders, as Iohn Fraunces Picus, Earle of Mirandula hath written in his Commentaryes vppon the seconde Hymn, who hath gathered out of the Monuments of the Aun∣cients, that the women of Aegipt brought forth also at once eyght children, and that one of them at foure byrthes broughte foorth thyrtye Sonnes. And he reciteth oute of the historie of a certayne Bishop of Neocomus that one called Antonia in the Territorie of Mutina, nowe called M••dona a Citie of Italy, brought forth fortye sonnes, when she was fortye yeres olde, and oftentimes at one byrth 3. and 4.

In Al••atia not farre from Taberne, there appeared in the Ele∣mente a Bulles heade with staring eyes, betwéene whose Hornes there shone a Starre of an vnaccustomed greatnesse. The Sequele: the Warre of Maximilian with the Switzers beganne, whiche at large is sette oute in the Switzers Cronicles. At Lucerne in Switzerlande the ••1.

day of May a fierie Dragon of a Monstrous shape was séene, with open eares as big as a caulf, and eight cubits long, to fly to the bridge of the riuer Russus. In the moneth of Iuly Maximilian King of the Romaines breaking into Switzerland with a great army, did miserably spoyle the Town ••nga∣dinum, with fire and sword, some of the Switzers made hast to Merona and some of them spoyled Hegoia.

In Poland there appeared a Comet of a dreadful greatnesse for eightéene [ 1500] dayes in the North vnder the signe of Capricorne, and this yeare the Tar∣tariās spoyled Russea and Polonia The goods of the Iewes were spoy••ed by the souldiours that were marked with a crosse. The Castell of Cra∣couie was burned with casual fire. And the Russe made war against the Lu∣tener.

Albis a riuer in Germany grew so high the eleauenth of the Calends [ 1501] of September, that at Mis••n•• in the womens market men were carryed in small boates: one of the greatest Arches of the bridge was ouerthrowen with water, in many places in Germanie Markes of our Lords crosse, and for a token of the Lordes passion, sodainely appeared vpon the garmentes of bodies of men and women. Wherevppon many iudged that it signifyed the alteration of faith and religion, and droppes of bloude from heauen. Cooper.

The 2••. of Iune, not far from Tigure in Switzerlande Hayle of a mar∣uellous [ 1502] greatnesse did not only hurt the fields and the vines, but also ouer∣threw to the grounde wilde beasts, heardes and cattel of diuerse kindes, & men also: the 22. of Iune going before, chiefely about the Cities Berna, Solo∣dorum, and Biela. Hayle fel in a great tempest that were bygger than Hens Egges. The Winter of this yeare was extreame, that byrdes of the ayre, and beastes harboring in wooddes, were numbed with cold, and manye of them dyed. Moreouer the sommer about Saint Iohns tide was so hot, that it scorched and wythered trées, and sundry fruites of the earth, and here and there set woods on fire.

Elizabeth Quéene of Englād died, wife to king Henrie the seauenth. In the end of March one Godwyne a Monke of Shene murdered the Prior of the same house in a Celler. This yeare there was so greate a droughte, that from Whitsontide to the latter Lady day in September there fell no rayne.

In the Lordshippe of Gossowe, not farre from Tygure in Switzer∣lande, [ 1503] an honeste womanne broughte forthe two Boyes wyth one bodye ioyned togyther in the knot of the Nauel with foure handes and foure féete.

In Germany againe there appeared crosses on mens garmentes and in white bread: in Bauaria about the town of Vilsec there was séene a great Dragon with a Crowne spitting out fire: in Hash•• a child was borne with

his lims in good proportion, sauing that he wanted altogither eares, eyes, and nostrels, and in his face he had a mouth onlye. That yere the league of Countreymen commonly called, their Bundschouch, raised vp in Germa∣n•• and specially about Spires a great sedition against the Lords. Pope Pius the fourth dyed, in whose roome was placed Iulius the second, a better soul∣diour than a Priest.

[ 1505] Phillip Prince of Flaunders, when he had maried Ioane the daughter of Elizabeth Quéene of Castil by Ferdinandus, and that he departing with hir out of Flaunders, made hast to Spaine, with a Nauie of certaine shippes, a vehement storme arose, through the winds blowing contrarie. The na∣uie for a season being tost by the Sea, was at the last scattered abroade by the excéeding violence of the winde, hauing the vpper hand, and some of the ships arriued to the English coasts, the Admiral with two other being dri∣uen to the Westerne part of the Iland, arriued to a hauen of Weimouth, but y^e king being caryed by the violence of y^e waues, got into a cock-boat & was caryed a shore. This tempest was commonly reckned as a prodigie, when the violence of the winde which stirred vp the sea, pulled downe from a pi∣nacle of Saint Pauls Church in London a brasen Eagle, which being fastned to the spire, did declare the blast of the winde, by his easie mouing, by whi∣che fal it broke another Eagle y^t was the signe of a shop neare too, herevpon scrupulous obseruers of strange sightes, were perswaded that Maximilian the Emperour, who bare the Eagle, should haue some great losse, as wyth∣out doubt it was to lose his son Phillip, which came to passe the yeare folo∣ing, for the playner trial hereof Iohn Stow in his Summarie writeth thus. Folio. ••06.

This yeare through great tempest of winde, being at the southweast, which began the fiftenth day of Ianuarie, & continued til the 2. of the same moneth, Phillip king of Castil and his wife were weather-driuen into Eng∣land as they were passing toward Spaine, who were honorably receiued by the Erle of Arundale at the kings appointment with thrée hundred horses, al by torch light, this tempest that the king of Castil had, was straunge to many men, bycause the violence of the wind, had blowen down the Eagle of brasse from the spire of Paules Church, and in the falling, the same Ea∣gle brake and battered the signe of the blacke Eagle in Paule•• Church∣yarde, that tyme being but lowe houses, where nowe is the Schoole of Paules The same yeare the Duke of Gelderland rebelling, was besieged at Arnhem and became subiect to the Emperor. The people of Granata was cōpelled to imbrace the Fayth of Christ. Maximilian vpon y^e taking of Po∣soniu prisoner, drewe the rebellious Hungarians to hys side and made peace. Lewes King of Fraunce brake league and entered Lumbardy.

[ 1506] A Comet appeared in August betwéen the North and the East, vnder the greater Beare, glistering bright and possessing the signe of Leo & Virgo

who did prognosticate the death of the moste noble Prince and Duke Phi∣lip, sonne of the Emperour Maximilian king of Castil and of Austria, and Burgondie, and also the war of Maximilian with the Venetians and Frenche. Afterward that yeare the Citie of Methone was taken by Baiazetus and a great Nauie of the Christians was sent against the Turkes, there grewe a hote ciuil war betwéene Baiazetus, and his son Selimus. In Italy the yeare that it appeared the Frenchmen toke Lewis Sfortia Duke of Milan, & those euentes did nearest ensue the Comet, wherefore men thoughte good chiefe∣ly to signify them. In Germany not long after there arose the Bauarian warre, and immediatelye the Venetian warre grewe hotte, wherein what diuerse chaunges there were, what ouerthrowes the Italians and the Frenche sustained, what affections kings hadde, Histories doe de∣clare.

This yeare the 14. of September, a verye grieuous Earthquake for [ 1509] eightéene dayes togither shaking the wall of the Citie of Constantinople to the seaward ouerthrew it, with all the houses that were neare to it, and fil∣led the ditch full of Rubbish, and made it playne with the grounde, it de∣stroyed the Castel wherein the Emperours treasure in fiue strong towers were kept, and a notable house wherin the Lions are inclosed, and so shoke the Conduit pipes, which being made with excéeding great labour and cost doe carry the water into the Citie from y^e Riuer Danubius, through moun∣taines and long iourneies, that they could not be repayred with great trea∣sure, and the arme of the Sea, lying betwéen Constantinople and Pera made suche a great noyse with the violence of the Earthquake, that the Sea cast the water ouer the wals into both Cities, and the Custome house standing by the wals of the Citie fel whole into the sea, that there appeareth no to∣ken of it: likewise a great part of the leaden tower at Pera fell downe. At Galliopolis a very strong Castel was rent in pieces, and no house there re∣mayned whole: it is reported that there were slain in Constantinople at that time. 13000. men. Sequel. Iulius the secōd Bishop of the Romish Church, brought into subiection the Cities which the Venetians helde before. Lewis the twelfth king of Fraunce vanquished the Venetians, and toke manye Cy∣ties of Italy. The war of Valachia began with Sigismond king of Polande. In England vpon the death of Henrie the seauenth, Henrie the eight succée∣ded. Bassil the Moscho toke the great Citie of Plescoue.

At Berne in Switzerland foure Friers of the preaching order were bur∣ned for heresie, and for religion, deuised by vnlawfull arte. Maximilian the Emperour tooke Verona, Padua, Teruitium, and many other Cities from the Venetians.

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It is certaine that y^e Birde called Onacrotalus, muche bigger thā a Swan going before Maxi∣milian king of the Romaines in al voy∣ages, did appoint as it were a place for his pauiliōs, wher∣vpon this byrde be∣ing very tame, was maintayned many yeares, with due foode, for the hope of all good, in the Emperors Court, which chiefely he chose for himself, which birde being very olde, Culmanus of Gepping, a man verye well learned, witnesseth in his epistle to Gesner was openly fed at Machlin.

[ 1510] There fel from heauen, to the great wonder and astonishment of all men, about 1200. stones, in a field butting vpō the riuer Abdua, one of these (as Cardanus writeth in his booke of y^e varietie of things) waied 120. poūd waight, another 60. pounde waight: many of them were brought to Frēch noble men for a myracle, whose colour was like yrō, & in hardnesse passed, the smell being like Brimstone. There was before at 3. a clock a great fire in the element. The noise of y^e stones falling down was heard at 5. a clock, that it is a wonder that so great a Masse coulde be held vp in the ayre two houres. The sequele. The Citie of Milan in whose borders the stones fell, was neuer more grieued with taxes, fire, famine, sieges, and pestilence, thā it was at this time.

Great Earthquakes shooke Florence, Venice, Rauenna, Friol and many o∣ther places in Italy, to the great terror of the inhabitants. And the same yere the French recouered Mirandula▪ and Modena was deliuered to Maximi∣lian Bononia reuolted from the Pope. The Spaniardes got Tripolis in Affri∣ca. The Tartarians of Tauricum spoyled Lutin as far as Vilna.

At Milaine on a faire cleare day, the starres were séene in the Element [ 1511] twinckling wonderfullye. Immediately the same yeare the French were driuen out of Rome.

At R••uenna a Monster was borne with a horne on his heade, he had wings, no armes, one foote, as a Birde of the praye, an eye on his knée, & both kinds Ypsilon amid his breast, and the forme of the crosse. Some did interprete the hornes, pride, the wings lightnesse, and vnstedfastnesse of minde, the want of armes lacke of good workes, a foote for the pray, rob∣bery,

[illustration]

vsurie, and all kind of couetousnes. The eie on the knée, the bending of the minde only to earth∣li things: both kinds. Zodomerie or bug∣gerie, and that for these vices I••aly shold be beatē down with the sword, & that the King of France shold not do it of his owne power, but that only it was gods scourge. But Ypsilon and X. were tokens of safe∣tie, for Y is a figure of Vertue, wherfore if they had recourse to vertue, and to the crosse of Christ, they shoulde haue a more desyred refreshyng and peace, from these troubles and afflictions. This haue I reade in Iohn Multi Vallis, & Ga∣sper Hedio, in the Historie Synopsis after Sabellicus, continued vntill oure time. I haue séene another Portrature of the like Monster, but somewhat differing, and not answering the first in al pointes, with the interpretation set out in verse, which also I thought good to adde too in this place: sequel. In Italy after diuerse vprores the Pope got Rauenna. The French counsel was held at Turon, which notwithstanding was continued at Lions.

The same yeare at Ausburgh▪ a virgin of 40. yeares olde, whilest shée saide that she liued without meate and drinke for manye moneths, in the whych she affirmed with an othe that she neuer slepte, she so deceiued not only the common people, but also the Emperour himself Maximilian, and many Princes of the Romaine Empire, that after they had kept hir, and di∣uerse times tryed hir, they beléeued of a trueth that she was led and fed by the spirite of God: but when not long after the craft which lay hidden was discouered, she leauing hir Countrey of Ausburgh fled into Switzerlande, and at Friburgh in Vchtland she was drowned, as she was worthye.

[illustration]

[ 1513] There was broughte to Emanuel king of Portingale the first day of May out of India a Rhinocerot aliue, of a boxē and wormish colour, couered with shels like Targets, of the bignesse of an Elephant, hauing yet shorter thighes, and armed on euerye side, a liuing creature scarsely seene before in that Countrey: he was beholden as a myracle not only of the inhabitants, but of al them that dwelt neare too.

[ 1514] At Colmer an imperial towne in Alsatia, standyng by the riuer Illus, a man childe was borne, out of whose breast there did hang down as far as the knées, another body of a whole man of the same kinde, perfit in all hys limmes, hauing his head fastned in the others body.

In Zarzanum a noble village in Italy the fifth of the Ides of Marche there was séene a Monster of a straunge greatnesse, which Caelius Rhodi∣ginus setteth out at large, in his 24. booke of Auncient readings, it was a childe with two heads, wherein many wonderful things were to be séene: first he was as big as a childe of foure monethes olde, and his lims were perfecte and aunswearable to his talnesse, both faces were fully like one to another, the hayres vpon their head were long and blackish, betwéene both heades behinde the shoulders the third hande rose vp, but it was no bygger than the eares, and vnperfect, the reste of the bodye was altogither well compact, and without any foule spotte: the nexte daye after he was brought to Rhodiginum, and bicause it was a thing to be noted, they thought good to sende him to a Spanishe Duke thereby who was the kings lieuetenaunte: they were driuen to vnbowel him being dead, for auoyding stinck, and in it there appeared another wonder, the hart was single as it is commonly, but the liuer was double, as the milt, for we beléeue Aristotle who sayeth that in this bowel there is sometimes a dubling, but for this kind of Mon∣sters,

a maruellous, notwithstanding a naturall reason is commonly alea∣ged by those that haue skil.

The sequele: this yeare Italy by the meanes of the storme of warres thundring alofte, was spoyled all abrode for manye yeares following, and through the burning of inward discord, it suffered on euery side manye dis∣commodities.

The day before the Ides of Ianuarie, in the Dutchie of Wittenberg, a∣bout [ 1514] the third houre of the day, thrée Sunnes were séene in the Elemente, the middlemoste of whiche surpassed the residue in greatnesse, in all these there appeared the forme of a bloudie and fiery sworde.

The first of the Ides of Ianuarye, about eight at night at Rotfielde a famous Citie of Germany, which is renoumed for the consistorie and iudge∣ment of the Empire, the Sunne was séene in a horrible forme, whiche the semicircles of a diuerse and sundrye coloure inuironed, and the tenth of Ianuarie and the seauentéenth of March, were séene againe: but the elea∣uenth of Ianuarie and the seauentéenth of March, thrée Moones were séene, all whose significations and prognostications were set forth for all y^e world to viewe, by Iames Stoppel▪ Doctour of Artes and Phisicke, and Phisition at Memig.

The same yeare, the Swedon faction in Germanie whiche they called [ 1515] Dearmonquontzen, stirred vppe the Duke of Wittenberg, A Iewe called Pfefferkorn was burned at Hal•• in Saxonie, bycause he had profaned the Eucharist. The Polanders slew aboue. 40000. Muscouits. At the Riuer Boristhenes. Smolenske a very strong Castel of Luten, was betrayed to the Moscho. The Sophy ouercame the Turkes with a gret slaughter in Armenia the lesse.

Emanuel King of Portingale, sette out at Lisborne a playe and fighte of the Elephante wyth the Rhinocerot, a sighte worthye ad∣miration and neuer séene in that Countrey, wherein notwithstan∣dyng the Elephante hadde the ouerthrowe. Munster in his fifthe booke of Cosmography.

In Germany there was séene a man of full age whyche hadde ano∣ther [ 1516] heade growyng out of hys nauel, and dydde eate meate also accor∣ding as the other dydde. Iames Ruoff maketh mention of hym, in hys booke of mans conception, of whome I haue borrowed that I may, which thou séest.

That yeare Francis the Frenche King making peace wyth the Swit∣zers, gaue them seauen hundred thousande Crownes, in giuing them be∣sides certayne Captayneshippes, and promised them yearely pen∣sions. This yeare was suche a Froste in Englande, that the Ri∣uer Thames being greatelye frosen, dydde beare Cartes and passengers

ouer from Westminster to Lambeth. There folowed the May folowing a great insurrection of yong persons and Prentises of London against aliens, of the which diuerse were put to execution. This was called euil May day, reade more in Cooper, and Stowes Chronicle.

When at Reutsburgh standing by the riuer Danubius the Iewes wer cast out of the Synagog, and a Church was erected in the honor of the bles∣sed Virgin, which they cal the Church of Faire Marie, immediately y^e Ger∣maines which dwelt not far of, came thyther very much a pylgrimage. Ma∣ny dayly drewe thither togither, who being taken as it were with a furie and madnesse, leauing their own things behinde, brought with them to the Church that whiche they handeled at home. A Carpenter labouring at his house, when he wisht that he was at Reutsburgh, to salute Marie, taking by chaunce the toole which then came to hande, and being besides himselfe, betooke him to his legs, and could by no means be withdrawn frō his pur∣pose: so y^e lockier with his file or other toole: the Ioyner with his Mallet: the Shoemaker with his naule: the wife with hir distaffe or with hir Porage∣potte, the mayde seruant with hir Triuet and Pitcher, and others with o∣ther things, with which they were then occupied, many of them not know∣ing the way, ran fasting for certaine myles. The infirmities of the diseased were there healed, the blinde receiued their sight, the deafe their hearing, the lame saluted at their departure, & the dead were brought to life againe. This pylgrimage lasted eight yeares, and afterwarde it came to noughte. Reade more hereof in Sebastian Franck, in the exploytes of Emperours where he hath painted out this pylgrimage, no lesse learnedlye, than trim∣ly. When I in the yere of our Lord. 541. was in the Court of Lewis Pals∣graue of the Rhine, at the assemblies there helde, being then the Diuines Secretarie or Scribe, for the appointed communication in the affaires of religion, I scarsely sawe the shadowe of so famous a pylgrimage, y^e Church was at that time purged of all those tooles with y^e which before time it was out with the bountifulnesse of the worshippers, yet I vnderstoode that a great deale of trash, with a great number of waynes, at the commaunde∣ment of the Senate was remoued away by the Citizens, by reason of lette and narrownesse of the place.

[ 1517] The sixe and twentith day of Iune, the townesmen of Norking had a great losse, for a tempestuous winter rising, and a grieuous earthquake meeting with it, ouerthrew the parish Church dedicated to Saint Emaran, and within the walles of the Citie and without, for two mile abrode, it o∣uerthrewe 200. houses and stables, but in woods and Orchardes it pul∣led vppe trées by the rootes wythout number. The other higher buyl∣dings, whyche were not ouerthrowen by the force of the Wynde, were for the moste parte verye soare shaken, and thereby became the weaker.

Through the cruel violence of the hayle, all places aboute Rhene wer spoyled, whervpon immediately insued a grieuous famine and also a great scarsitie of all things. Many dyed in England of the sweating sicknesse, and especially aboute London, whiche sicknesse also vexed diuerse people after∣ward. Cooper.

In Saxony vppon Christmasse daye aboute the Abbay of Vinari•• at [ 1517] midnighte in cleare weather, there was séene a crosse of a red colour in the Element.

That yeare Martin Luthers conclusions against the Popes pardons were sette forthe, wherevppon there arose muche dissention in Chrystes Church.

A byll was put vp by Iohn Lincolne, to a Preacher at the Spitle na∣med Doctour Bele the yeare of our Lord 1517. the Twesdaye in the Ea∣ster wéeke, who when he came into the Pulpit red it in this wise.

To all you the Worshipfull Lordes and Maisters of this Ci∣tie that will take compassion ouer the poore people your neyghboures, and also of the greate importable hurtes, losses and hinderaunces, where∣of procéedeth extreame pouertie to all the Kings subiectes that inhabite within this Citie and suburbes of the same, So it is that the aliens and straungers eate the breade from the poore fatherlesse children, and take liuing from all the Artificers, and the entercourse from all Merchauntes, wherby their pouertie is so much increased, that euery man bewayleth the miserie of others: for men of occupation be brought to beggerie, and Mer∣chaunts to needinesse: wherefore the premisses considered, the redresse must be if the commons knitte and vnite to one part. As the hurte and dā∣ger grieueth al men, so must all men set to their willing power for reme∣medye, and not suffer the saide Aliens so highelye in their wealthe, and the naturall borne menne of thys Region to come to confusion. Of thys letter was more written, but there and in that place not publi∣shed.

In Germany in France, in Spain, in Denmarke their orders for strangers are thus: No sufferance of dwelling to buy and sell, except he be Denizon, and none made Denizon, but firste he is knowen to vse suche trade, as the natiue inhabitaunts be not by his fréedome hyndred: then as he is Denizon therby frée to occupy, so is he not permitted to any other Religion, than the Prince alloweth vnder whom he is sworne on pain of his head and losse of goods. These lawes séene too and executed, make suche men afrayde to no∣minate the goods of false and disloyall subiectes, Merchauntes and others, at one time 10. 12. 20. 30. thousande poundes in goods by exchaunge to bée the onlye riches of one man, where in verye déede suche Denizens be∣come prodigious théeues, such subiectes Monstrous deuourers, both of the Prince and commons, when the goods so sayde belong to sundrye persons,

in this wily beguily, it falleth out, that for the possessing of 4. or 6. or 10. thousand pound strangers goods, they haue 30. 40. or 50. thousand English wealthes: then what careth the straunger to loose his ten thousand to gaine fifty thousand. Thus while the subiect watcheth to deceiue his Prince and Countrey borne neighbour, the stranger prying in hope of discorde to rob the Marchaunt, & so one Monster deceiuing another there ensueth no smal hurt to common wealthes.

[ 1518] A new kind of disease, called the sweate or the English pestilence rai∣ned in England, Brabant and a great part of Germany, which disease was so strange that the Phisitions themselues could not tell what to make of it.

[ 1519] Trauenus a riuer of the lower Germany, did so ouerflowe, that at Lubeck, it carryed awaye muche stuffe from the place Pestorium Pratum, and dyd much harme in ouerflowing of Sellers and shops, At Tigure in Switzerlād about the Calendes of Ianuarie, one of both kindes was borne, hauing neare his nauel a great lump of raw flesh, and a little beneath the member of a woman, and in his place a mans.

[ 1520]

[illustration]

There came out of Sauoy into Swit∣zerlande one of full age, of perfect fauor, hauing all his lims wel compact, out of whose bellye yet notwythstandyng, there hung down an other body of a mā, so that the head only and armes alone were missing. The man caried aboute this lumpe, to the greate admiration of the people, draw∣ing togither on e∣uerye side, and ma∣king a gaine of hys maruellous bodye in diuerse Coun∣treys.

At Vienna in Austria in the mo∣neth

of September diuerse kinde of prodigies were séene in the Elemente. [ 1520] For the first day of the same moneth, from thrée a clocke til fiue in the after noone, the sunne with a double cyrcle. The fourth day aboute one a clock, there was séene a burning Torch. The fifth of Ianuarie about the Sunne rising there were séene thrée Sunnes, wyth a Rainebowe of diuerse co∣lours.

The sixth day about thrée a clocke in the afternoone, the Sunne was séene with two great cyrcles. The Philosophers called the greatest Halo, the sixth day about nine a clocke at nighte: the Moone was marked with a Crosse, and closed in with a Cyrcle, whiche hadde a greater Sunny cyrcle in the vppermost part. The seauenth daye aboute the breake of daye there were séene thrée Sunnes. Philosophers call them Parahelios: from sixe vn∣till seauen a clocke, there was séene a Rainebowe with a thrée double Moone, which prodigies with their images were sent by Pamphilus Gen∣genbach to king Charles and published through Germanie.

At Wiffenburgh by the riuer of Rhene at noone dayes the Citizens hard [ 1520] a great and horrible noyse, and a méeting togither of weapons sounding in the ayre, whervpon manye being astonyed with feare, taking also their weapons in hand, drew togither, supposing that enimies hadde besieged the Citie.

When the Emperour Charles the fifth was crowned at Aquisgrane, there was séene a Cyrcle about the Sunne with a Rainebowe. Christier∣nus the seconde king of Denmarke and Norway, when Steno was slaine got Swezia, cruelly afflicted Holmes and immediately he was driuen throughe feare to leaue his kingdome and to flye to Germanie. This Danishe Christerne committed so haynous murder in Stocholme, (as Munsterus recordeth) against the inhabitauntes there, as no tyraunt besydes was in the worlde, that for the time became so bloudie a Monster. Reade George North in hys Collection of the Kings of Swetia, out of Sebastian Munster.

This yeare was a greate Pestilence in London and other places, Stow.

At Erdford in Germany there were séene two sunnes, & a burning beame of a wonderful greatnesse in the Element, which falling downe vppon the ground destroyed many places. Turning from thence into the ayre, it put on a round forme.

The yeare folowing the Turke entring Hungari•• with a great army, toke Alba Greca by treason. Luther being accused of heresie in the assem∣bly at Wormes, defended himselfe before the Romaine Empire with the te∣stimonies of the Gospel.

The Souldiours of the Emperoure Charles the fifth tooke not onelye the Castell of Milan, but the Citie also, driuing awaye the French.

[ 1521] There hapned at Milan the 28. of Iune, a horrible chaunce, there was ouer the Arch of the Castell gate the Towre of Iupiter, not only very strōg for the defence, but also very goodly to behold, for in the fronte therof, besids other ornaments, there were placed Marble Images of their auowers or defending Saints exquisitely ingrauen, with the armes of the Dukes of y^e house of Sf••tia▪ who builded that huge worke. And when by chaunce there were kept within y^e Towre for y^e vse of Guns, many vessels of Brimstone in pouder, a lightning stroke it from heauen, and cutting the wall, kindled the fierie matter, whose violēce did not only ouerthrow the tower from the foundation, but the walles also, and beate downe to the grounde the Castle Chambers and other apurtenaunces, that were neare too: and stones flying about slue the two gouernors of y^e Castel walking in the Court, who a lit∣tle before (as the manner was) met togither in the Chappel by the gate to salute the Idoll Virgin Marie: they slue also other of the souldiours whyche walked there to take the ayre (for it was Sommer and in the euening.) They brake other mens heades, breastes, thyghes, armes, and legges, in so much that of 200. souldiours scarcely twelue escaped that grieuous mis∣fortune, neither was the noyse of so greate a fall vnknowen to the Citie, which was shakē with so strong an Earthquake that it made many great∣ly afrayd, least it would al fall down with that violence, vpon the calming whereof when the vehement heate of the lightning was séen towardes the Castell, people without number running thyther togither founde all the Court which before the Castell was verye large, couered with stones, and they wondered at certaine stones, such as ten yoake of Oxen coulde scarsely moue from their place, which were cast more than 500. paces, and also that the foundacions of the Towre being pulled vp stoode ouer aboue the gate, and that the top therof was séene beneath, neither dyd they thinke that thys hapned without Gods appoyntment.

[ 1521] When Adrian Pope of Rome wente into the Pallace Chap∣pell to doe solemne Ceremonies, vppon Christes byrth daye, the tran∣some of the gate of that Chappel whiche was of Marble fell downe im∣mediately after his going in, and slue some of hys guarde, to hys greate feare.

That yeare after the takyng of Rhodes CAIAR BAIVS immediately dyed, after whome Acomathes Bassa succéeded in the go∣uernement.

[ 1522] In diuerse places of Turingia the fieldes and vallies were wonderfully spoyled by a great numbers of Rats,

The Citie of Milan was vexed with a sore pestilence, whereof dyed fiftie thousand, within the space of foure moneths: that yeare the Bishops [ 1523] of Rome condemned the Lutherans, and as it appeareth afterward sent em∣bassadors to Germany about the same.

A Calfe Monke, a terrible Monster was borne at Watersoder•••• a mile from Friberg a village belonging to the Lordshippe of Cellen at a Farmers house called Stecker, of which Monster Mayster Martin Luther hathe sette forthe hys opinion: we knowe also that a Pygge-prieste was farrowed with a bald Crown in Saxonie vpon Easter day.

Aboute Haruest in the Kingdome of Granata, a greate number of Castelles, holdes and Cities were swallowed vppe into the Earth. And at Naples, in the feast of Saint Gallus there was suche an extreame tem∣pest of weather, that it brake asunder Castels, holdes, and great buildings on euery side.

The fifth of the Calendes of Nouember in the kingdome of Naples a Comet appeared, and the Elemente by often lightning, thunder, and fi∣rie beames, falling to the Earth, séemed to be a fire, the Earth trembled, and there folowed by the breaking of the cloude so great a floude, that it caryed away for 3••. Italian miles stones from the mountaines, waying sixe hun∣dered hundered waighte, with houses and Castelles, with fiftéene thou∣sande and fiftie thrée houses and Castelles, and with an infinite number of men, heards, and Cattel.

At Rome the thirde of the Ides of Nouember, on the greater banck there was séene a Monster of the sea, of the female kind, wyth breasts, and a hai∣rie head more liker an Oxe than a man, with dogges eares. That yere the Ile of Rhodes was yéelded to Soloman Emperour of the Turkes, in the mo∣neth of Ianuarie, to the great losse and miserable lamentation of al Chri∣stendome.

When in Panonia as (Fincelius writeth) a man of the Countrey in the [ 1523] night time was carryed in a Carte, by reason the daye was spente, he was driuen to ly al the night in y^e fields, who being awaked out of his sléepe and vprighte, sawe in the ayre two Princes fighting togither, the one a tal and strong bodye, the other of a lesser stature, but wearing on his head a king∣ly Diadem, the other being greater and stronger ouercame and slue hym, and taking the Crowne from his heade dashed it against the grounde, that it brake in péeces. Thrée yeares after Lewes King of Hungarie was discom∣fited and put to flighte, in a conflicte had with the Turkes, who also carryed aboute in his bodye an vnluckie prodigie, for when he was borne he had no skinne vppon his bodye, but the fleshe was rawe, that the Phisitions were faine by arte to make a skinne ouer his bodye whereby was thought that the losse of his kingdome was signifyed. The ••orenamed Christe•…•… King of Denmarke and his wife Isabel, being driuen out of his Realme by

his vncle Frederick Duke of Holstade and his own subiects, (for his nota∣ble crueltie) came into England and were honorable receyued and entertai∣ned of the King (a soule example of clemencie, to suche a one as vsed prodi∣gious crueltie.)

At Tigure in Swit∣zerland the sixth of y^e

[illustration]

Nones of May there were séene thrée suns at once, and also dy∣uerse Circles in the Element: and y^e same yeare the Citizens of Tygure, casting all Idolles out of theyr Churches, ordayned a newe reformation of the gospel through∣out all their domini∣on. Villachium a town in Germany was cru∣elly burnt with fire, and one halfe of La∣bachium was defor∣med with a vehemēt fire also. At Hage in Holland, the women by reason of the exa∣ction of custome rai∣sed vp a dedly seditiō.

At a village in the woodde of Hersinia not far from Kuiebis, a Mon∣strous [ 1525] childe was borne, of the male kind, in whose body about the breast, another body besides hung downe to the knées, hauing all theyr lims per∣fect, his head alone being inclosed in the others bodye. This Monster came to mans age and was séene in all quarters for a miracle, and was at Strau∣sbu••gh at the Marte about the feast of Iohn Baptist 1555. and the yeare fo∣lowing when I wrote this, he was with vs at Basil, at Saint Martins Marte.

Before the deathe of Lewes King of Hungarie, there were séene in Hungarie two Sunnes on eyther side the Sunne, whyche wythout doubte signifyed, that thrée Kings shoulde fighte for a kingdome, to wit

Ferdinandus, Iohn, and the Turkishe Emperoure. Iob Fincelius.

In Saxonie in the moneth of May, a Rainebow appeared in the night ouer Locha. A Childe at Wittenburg was borne headelesse, and ano∣ther [ 1525] with the féete backewarde. The same yeare the wyse Frederitke Duke of Saxonie dyed. There was séene a Cyrcle called Halo aboute the Sunne, of a greate bignesse, whych was almost like a rain∣bowe.

In Auguste the Sunne for certaine dayes appeared in the Elemente as a fierie globe. The same yeare there were raised in Germany horrible Cōmotions (the like neuer before heard of) by husbandmens seruauntes, in Alsatia, Sweuia, Francia, Thuringia and in those Countreys which bor∣der vpon Rhene, their commotions were repressed with greate power, and armes of Princes, so that almost within thrée monthes there were aboue an hundred thousande Boures or Countreymen slaine euen like beastes. In Muthansen a towne of During, one Thomas Monetarius a Preacher, taughte that he woulde restore the fallen estate of the Churche, and did a∣uaunt priuately that there were reuelations shewed him by God, and that Gedeons sword was committed vnto him, to ouerthrow the tyrānie of the wicked, he brought out in companies a great number of the common peo∣ple togither, and bid them to sacke noble mens houses, and to rob the goods of Monasteries, but whilest the armyes of the commō people made a spoile euery where without order, the Princes of Saxonie and the Lantgraue of H••ss•• destroyed thē. Monetarius and his complices were for the most part taken, and being beheaded, suffered a worthy punishment for their wicked purpose. The foure and twentith of Februarie Francis the Frenche king was taken at Pauie, by the souldiours of the Emperoure Charles the fifth.

A notable example taken forth of George Cauendish that hapned among those vvhich sought the ouerthow of religious houses, and not the reformation in religion.

THomas Wolsey Cardinal, and Archbishop of Yorke, at such time as hée was determined to erecte hys newe colledge at Oxforde, obtayned li∣cence [ 1525] and aucthoritie of Pope Clement the seuenth (I know not by what false and vntrue suggestiō) to suppresse about 40. holy Monasteries, of good fame, and bountifull Hospitalitie, wherein the king being hys greate helpe, neither Bishoppe nor Temporall Lorde in this Realme durst saye anye worde to the contrarie: in the execution of which businesse, fiue persons were hys chiefe instrumentes, who on a tyme made

a demaunde, to the Prior and Couent of the Monasterie of Dauntry be∣ing a noble house, for occupying of certaine of their groundes, but the Monks refusing to satisfie their request, straightway they picked a quarrel against the house, and gaue information to the Cardinall againste them, who taking a small occasion, commaunded the Abbay to be disolued, and to be conuerted to his new Colledge, about Anno 1525. But what punishe∣ment hath since ensued at Gods hande, (and what gap was there left open that the king might not doe, as wel as his subiect) and what is yet lyke too follow, partly our selfe haue séene, and partly we maye feare what was to come: of these fiue persons, two fell at discorde betwéene themselues, and the one slewe the other, for the whiche the suruiuer is hanged, the thirde person drowned himselfe in a woll, the fourth being wel knowen and valu∣ed worth two hundred poundes, became in thrée yeares so poore that he beg∣ged to his dying day, and the fifth called Doctour Allane, being chief execu∣ter of al this wicked doings, was cruelly maymed in Ireland, euen at suche time as he was a Bishop. The Cardinal falling after into the kings grie∣uous displeasure, was deposed and dyed miserably in the Abby at Leicester the eight and twentith of Nouember 1530. (here is the ende and fal of pride and arrogancie of men exalted by fortune to dignitie, for I assure you, in his time, he was the haughtiest man, (in all his procéedings) aliue, hauing more respect to the honor of his person, than he had to his spiritual professi∣on, wherein shoulde be shewed all méekenesse, humilitie and charitie &c.) The colledge which he ment to haue made so glorious a building came ne∣uer to effect. And Pope Clement himself, by whose authoritie these houses wer thrown down to the groūd, was after inclosed in a daungerous siege, by the force of the Duke of Borbone, within the Castel of Sainte Angel in Rome, by the Switzers. The Citie of Rome was pitifully sacked, and himself hardly escaped with his life.

An olde verse in English.

That Realme or kingdome, shal euer decay Where their Cleargie beares no sway. If Gods spel be the best among Christian kings Haue regard to the cleargie aboue al things.

These are rather pastures for Diuels than for shéepe, where there is no féeding of shéepe, but pride of men, there is no succession to Peter but to Cō∣stantine for euery man is his vickar, whose place he supplyeth, and whom he followeth in manners: and Hieronimus sayeth, it is no easie matter to stande in the place of Peter and Paule, and to possesse the Chaire of them that raigne with Christ, for hereof it is said: They are not y^e sons of Saints whiche possesse the places of Saintes, but whiche exercise their workes.

Alas, as there was in the Romane Empyre in times past, a moste filthie Gulphe of riches, so is there at this day in the Court of Rome: Couetousnes is growne, the law is fallen from the Priest, and vision from the Prophet, and counsaile from the Elders: the Keyes of the Churche lye in the abuse and bondage of Simony and Ambition, for the Vices of the Courtyers can scarsely be hidden and denyed: Rome is the swallow of wickednesse: a∣gayne, as the Prophets in times past spake of Ierusalem▪ as Christ speaketh to B••••dget saying: in times past righteousnesse dwelled in Rome and her Princes were Princes of peace, but now it is tourned into drosse, and her Princes are manquellers: O Rome if thou knewest thy days thou wouldst surely wéepe and not laugh. Onus Eccle. Chapt. 19. viij. §. iij. §.

At Tugu in Switzerlande the twentith day of Iulie, a Tower of Gon∣pouder [ 1525] was stricken with Lightning, which brought great destruction to the Citie.

So likewise in the moneth of September, a Lightning falling from Heauen, and striking at Basill a Tower full of many vessels of Gonpou∣der, in the twinckling of an eye brake it, and caste downe greate and small stones into the Citie, not without the gréeuous hurt of all those things that were nere to: there were slayne twelue or thirtéene men and certain cat∣tell which at that time were in the Fielde by the Tower, and some houses being stricken with square stones of the Tower, felt no small domage, the Vineyardes nere vnto were on the sodayne so shorne, that a man woulde thinke the Vynes had bene pared and cut with hookes. The league of the Millainers the French, the English, Ʋenecians, and of all the Citties of Lumbardie was made against the Emperour Charles the fifte. When Lewis king of Hungary was slayn by the Turkes. Iohn Vaiuola of Zepu∣sium entred into the kingdome of Hungary Sigismond King of Polāde com∣ming to Dansk punished the seditious persons, and restored the priestes to their former dignitie.

Great death in London and Dearth ouer all Englande, with such scarcity of Corne, that for the want of breade many perished. Doctor Coper. Iohn Stow.

Not far from Kauffburin a noble Towne in Sweden, 3. Sunnes were séene, with diuers circles in the Element. There was in Englande another sweating sicknesse also at London.

At that time there were caried about euery where diuers prophecies, by the which was gathered that that should be a yere of marueilous strange thinges: there was also a prodigie reported of, to wit, that there was heard a noise in the Element, as it were of armed men méeting together, and not long after when folkes went to pray to Saints Churches, according as the superstition was, the Sunne appeared shut in on euery side with a greate cloudie circle in faire weather, which prodigies when some (as euery man

had his minde affected) did referre to kinges and Monarchs: there were af∣terwarde some others who affirmed that they did peculiarlye portende the doubtful state of the affayres of Vitraiectum, and the maruailous commoti∣ons and interchaungeable course of thinges that happened this yeare, of which Lambert Hortensius Montfortius hath written at large and lear∣nedly in his third booke of the Vltraiectine exploytes.

Swarmes of Grashoppers were broughte out of Turkie into Polande, with the great violence of winds blowing al about, which had foure gray and golden winges, these being hurtful no lesse to men than to Beasts left a plague behind thē. There were séene besides in many places 2. by Suns enuironed with a double rainebow. Iob Fincelius.

[ 1527]

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The eleuenth of October in the morning about ••. of the clock in y^e part of Westria where the Counte Palatine of the Rhene is Lorde, many saw a terrible Comet which conti∣nued one hower & a quarter, he rose in y^e East ascēding tow∣ardes y^e southweast, moste of all to bée séene Northerly, hée was of a great lēgth with a bloody yelow colour, his top had the forme & shape of a bending arme, in whose hande was séene a sworde of a huge greatnesse, as it were of one that was a striking, at y^e poynt of the sword and on both sides the edge there appeared thrée reasona∣ble great starres, but that which did shine at the poynte was greater than the other ij: there was séene comming from these darkish beames in form of a hearie taile, on the sides from the toppe to the bottome there were séene beames fashioned like speares and small swords coloured like freshe blood, among which were mens faces hauing heary heads and beardes coloured

like a dimme cloude, these did moue and shine with so great dread and hor∣rour, that many of the beholders were said to be almost dead for feare. The famous Astrologer Peter Creuisser scholer of the notable Astrologer Iohn Leightenberg hath interpreted this Comet. Sequele. There ensued the ti∣ranny of the Turkes, and the most cruell inuasions of enimies with y^e spil∣l••ng of blood on euery side. The Citie of Rome was besieged, taken, sackte, and spoyled by the Emperoures armie, vnder the conducte of the Duke of Burbone▪ the Pope was compelled to take for his refuge the Castle of Saint Angelo and yelded himself to the Emperours souldiers, but the Emperour for his singular clemencie set him frée, and restored him to his former dig∣nitye that hée mighte prouyde for the common quietnesse of all Christen∣dome. Some write that his Enimies didde raunsome him for fortye thou∣sande Crownes.

The 19 day of Iuly at Ausburg there rose a great tempest, the hayle∣stones [ 1528] whereof being of an accustomed greatnesse, made a greate and a deadly spoyle at home and abroade. There was séene the _____ _____ of Iune in faire weather a circle about the Sunne that was full like a raynebow. The 17. of the kalends of Iune, at Tigure y^e mother City of Switzerland, there were séene many Sunnes at once, & about them 3. circles. The same yeare there followed in Switzerlande a countrey otherwise well stored with shéepe and cattaile, an vnwonted dearth, and so great lack of fleshe that they sente for Béeues out of Hungarie, and the yere following the Ciuile War of the Ty∣gurins and of others their confederates waxt hote against the fiue Lorde∣ships of the Switzers.

In the yere of our Lord God 528. a common Souldyer falling sick by chaunce in a Citie of Saxonie deliuered a bagge full of money to his host to kéepe, certayne dayes after when he recouered, he required y^e bag, the wyfe of y^e host being a couetous womā loth to forgo so great a pray, taketh aduise with her husband whether she should restore y^e money or not: they cōcluded together y^t the womā should denie it to be left there, y^e souldier asked for his own, which she stoutly denied, and fained that she wondered at the souldi∣ers impudencie, daring to require any thing, when he had geuen nothing to kéepe, and most spightfully railed against the souldier: the souldier being ouercome with the gréeuousnesse of y^e matter, answered against y^e womans vntroth, wherefore the husbande as it were in the wiues defence, thruste the Souldier forth of dores, who being without, greatlye mooued with the wickednesse of his hoste, drue his Sworde as it were violentlye to sette vpon him, & breaking open the dore, the Hoste besought helpe of his neigh∣boures, and made complaynt that his house was assaulted, y^e Sergeants a∣resting the Souldier, caryed him to prison because he hadde done open vyo∣lence: A fewe dayes after the Counsayle of the Towne had the hearing of the braule, it was euident that the house was openlye assaulted, wherefore

sentence was giuen that the Souldier should be put to death, and when the day of iudgement was now at hande, the Diuell appeared to the Souldier in the prison, shewing him what sentēce the Iudges would giue, and pro∣mised that he would deliuer him out of this daunger, vnder the condicion y^t he would giue himselfe vnto him: the souldyer stoutly answered, that hée would rather dye, though he were innocent. When the Deuill with many wordes had heaped vp his daunger and yet could not turne the Souldiers minde, at length he promised his deliueraunce withoute any condition: When thou commest, sayde he, to be araigned, saye that thou art ignorant of matters in Law, and that thou wantest a Lawyer, I will stande there in a blew cap set out with Feathers, wherfore make request y^t they would bid me to pleade thy cause. The Souldier whiche séemed to doe this with∣out any vngodlinesse, saide that he woulde followe this counsayle. The next day after he was brought to his Araignment, and the pleader was there present in his blew cap: when the plaintife besought that the Souldi∣er might be put to death, for common violence, the Souldier aunswered, that he being ignoraunt of matters in Lawe, woulde beséeche their Wor∣ships that they would vouchsafe to heare this his aduocate or Atorney, to pleade for him: the Iudges graunted it, the Diuell did then learnedly ar∣gue according to the Law, that he should not be put to death, by whome the beginning of strife and tumult did not arise: he sayd that the Souldyer was violently thrust out and spoyled by his Hoste, he commaunded the bag of money to be sought for, and shewed the place where it was: the Host stifly denyed it, adding moreouer cruel and deadly wishes, that the Deuil might take body and soule of him if he had done it, when sundry times he had re∣peated this kinde of vile wishing, the Deuill calling vppon the Lawyer putting his argument apart, tooke holde of the hoste and drawing him a∣mid the Guilde hall, caried him through a middle windowe, with a greate noise, to the great feare of all men: the body of the hoste was neuer founde after. By this Example God punisheth periurie. Man••ius fol. 193.

There was borne a Childe which had no armes at all, being verye well proporcioned in other parts of his body, when he came to 20. yeres of age I saw that his feete did the duetie of handes, in taking, cutting, putting to his mouth, and also playing at Cards and dice, which also an other could doe with his mouth and his chin.

A Woman also of the same agilitie was séene at Franckeford scituate by the riuer Menu in the yeare of Christ 1556. who hauing no handes at all, tooke a pen in hir féete, and did not onelye write excéeding well, but also was able to handle the distaffe, spinne, tell money, and doe all fine worke with her toes.

When the Citie of Vltraiectum was distressed with a gréeuous siedge, there was séene a cruell straunge sight in the Element, whiche strake the

Townes-men into a greate feare, and put the Enemies in hope to get the towne, for there appeared a terrible signe of the Burgonian crosse in the Element ouer the towne of a yellowish colour, feareful to beholde, and be∣cause it was the badge of the house of Burgundie they did thus interprete it on both sides, that the towne in short space should belong to the dukedome of Burgundie, yet there were some among the Hattenians which expounded it far otherwise.

The nynth of Ianuarie about tenne of the clocke at nighte there was [ 1529] séene a great gaping of the Element, which Iouianus Pontanus hath lear∣nedly described.

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Nere Esseling there was a Mon∣ster borne, to wit, a child with one head, hauing foure eares, foure armes, two thighes, and foure féete. The assēblies of the kingdome of the Realme of Ger∣many were helde at Spire, concearning matters of fayth, & warlike policyes against the Turks. A raynie Somnier this yeare did mise∣rablye spoyle euery where all thinges growing vppon the earth. At the Feaste of S. Mathewe the Apostle, in the be∣ginning of y^e nighte at Vratislau the top of the Tower of Sainte Elizabeth with a great pile of Timber, and a mayne masse of Copper and Tinne, wherewith it was couered, sel to the grounde with a great violence of winde, of which Tempest reade more in Iob Vincelius.

At Basill the 4. of Iune the riuer Birsus, which hath his passage through the Citie for many commodities did so swell and arise with continuall shoures or breach of a clowde, that in breaking on euerye side, strong

buildinges of timber worke, it was able to carie lighters and botes in the Citie, and filled all that part of the Citie which was in the playne, and the houses also as farre as their law house, to their greate domage, for the re∣membraunce of which floode, in the Towne market and at the entraunce of the Burgmaisters law house, a brasen Table was sette vp with an in∣scription.

[ 1530] At Spyre a Bishop Citie in Germany which is scituate by the Rhene a Fisherman was awaked by a Monke, to carie the same Monke with his Bretheren at midnight ouer the Rhe••e in his Cockbote, the Fisherman be∣ing ouercome with the money that was promised him, made readye his boate,* 4.1 and taking the Monkes aborde caried them amid the Rhene, but whē a cruell tempest arose, the Fery man being afrayde of hys life, and crauing Gods helpe, was al to be beaten by the Monkes, & at length by Gods helpe he came to the shore, but the Monke and his fellowes by and by vanished away in the mariners sight, & the pore Fisherman being almost dead, at the breake of day was lead home by his boy and died the same daye. This Illusion George Sabine of Brandeburg hath largely set out in his seconde booke of Ele•••• or sorrowfull Sonets.

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In the Moneth of Ianuarie a monstrous Serpente with seuen crowned heads like a Dragon, whose forme this Image with the great∣nesse doth expresse, was brought first out of Turkie to Venice and afterward giuen to Fraunces the Frenche king, and for the rarenesse was valued at 6000 ducats.

At Rome the eight of October through a great and sodayne floode in the

Citie, and in the Field (chéefely of Florus) men did so miscary, that manye also were in doubt of the safetie of their life. So the fourth of Iuly the ry∣uer Bi••su•• going beyond his bounds did much harme to the Citie and to thē that dwelt nere. At Croneberg a childe was very plainly hearde to crye in his mothers belly, as Finceliu•• writeth.

The same yere a Comet was séene in Germany, Italy, and Fraunce, the sixte daye of August, and first he appeared certayne dayes in the morning before the Sunnes rising, afterwarde he followed the Sunne, and was séene about thrée wéekes in the Euening a••ter the Sunnes going downe vntill the thirde daye of September, his course was through Cancer, Vir∣go and Libra, where he ceased to be séene, neyther did he appeare any more afterward.

Not long a••ter in October war began in Switzerland, the sedicious coun∣trey men vsed great crueltie euery where in Germanye. In Lombardy there was founde such plentie of Wolues, that it was not easie to trauell, by re∣son that many were deuoured, and because they coulde be taken with no wiles, it was iudged a punishment of Gods vengeaunce. Stomphius.

A cruell floode ouerwhelmed the places by the sea side, in Braband, Hol∣lande and Flaunders, and well neare all Sealande, the water bankes being broken, and the Sea and riuers ouerflowing euery where, to the great de∣struction of men & all thinges, & not only villages but towns also of Flaun∣ders and Sealande were past ouer in riuer boates. Men report that all Seas at that time rose so strangely, that they flowed thrée or foure foote ouer the bankes: and it is certayne that there were verye fewe in Sealand whome this so cruell a tempest tooke not vpon the sodayne. If so sodayne and great a deluge had come in the night, there is no doubt but it woulde haue swal∣lowed vp very many thousandes of men. The same yeare at Machlin Mar∣garet the daughter of the Emperour Maximilian died, the one and thyrtith yeare of her age. At Rome beside the great thunders and often lightning there fell so great aboundaunce of water from heauen, that men were a∣frayde least they should perish with a second floode. Through the violence of the riuer of Tiber breaking in, publique and priuate houses fell downe, the cruell force of this tempest tooke forciblye with it and caried into the Chanell of the Riuer buildinges also whiche were thrée or foure brickes thicke, if any clymbed vp to the toppes of high houses, to the ende to saue their lyfe, the vyolence of the Wyndes threw them downe, and cast them into the water of Tiber to be swallowed vp: in the lowest places of the Citie the water was thrée and thirtie or sixe and thirtie foote déepe, where∣of it came to passe that the water consumed aboue 3000 bushels of wheate wh••ch then was in the Citie, besides wine vessels which swam in the wa∣ter the wine being shaken out, and besides very many other most precious thinges,

[ 1531] This yere the Emperour and the Popes armie wonne Florence by assault. The Turke breaking into Austria was put to flight by the Ger∣manes.

Hayle of no common greatnesse fell from heauen the fourth of Sep∣tember at Basill, with whose violēce vines were so hurt that that yere, there was excéeding great scarcitie of Wine. The same yere there was a grée∣uous controuersie betwéene the Citizens of Basill and Solodor and there∣vpon warre grew for their limits, which notwithstanding was ended by other confederate Cities of Switzerland.* 4.2 Iohn Oecolampadius head Mini∣ster of the Churche of Basill and of the renewed Gospell yéelded godlily and holily his spirite to God, being diseased of the payne of an impostume, and left Oswald Miconius a man very famous for his learning, holynesse and innocencie of his life, his successor in the church of Basill.

In the Citie of Vlisbone or Luxborne 1400 houses were ouerthrowne, and about sixe hundreth so shaken that they were ready to fall: all the chur∣ches were cast to y^e ground, as it were heapes of stones. This earthquake came by fits seuen or eight times in a day, the people forsooke the Citie and went into the fieldes. A great pestilence rose by meanes of the Vapoures of this earthquake.

A blasing starre appeared in Germany, Italy and Fraunce, towarde the Weast, thrée wéekes together in the moneth of August. The Turke came into Hungarie entending to conquer Vienna but he was ouerthrown by the captaynes that were left in the Garrisons, and a great number of Turkes taken and slayne.

In the Sea Coasts of Holland a fishe was cast vp on the shore, that was in length sixtie eight foote, in the thicknesse thirtie foote, the yawning of his mouth was thirtéene foote wyde. The French kinges mother died. The King of Polonia vanquished Vauoida the Turkes tributarye and the Valachians. D. Coper.

At Vlisco ne in Portugale diuers kindes of fierye and bloodye tokens were séene in the Element and drops of blood fel out of the Clowdes to the earth.

[ 1531] The same yere in England king Henrie the eight had his Clergie sworn frō y^e Bishop of Rome & was proclaimed supreme head ouer his dominions as well in causes Ecclesiasticall as temporall, by the whiche Christian de∣crée, the Pope was not alittle displeased. All kings Christian ore head o∣uer the Church to defend the same, but not to diminishe the office, for the Church hath power to rule by the worde, as the king by the sworde, with∣out the which, smal obedience will be to the worde, little to the king, and lesse to the Minister. For true preaching and good counsailing is spirituall correcting, likewise the robbing of Gods church is diminishing the liuings of the Clergy by vngodly patrones craftely crept in, kéeping back some spe∣ciall

portion, (to the great hinderaunce of learning) from learned pastors, in whose steade they thrust into cure such, whose wante of learning is the cause of much strife and dissention: therefore in stéede of liberalitie, Sacri∣lege and Simony is the spoyle of the ministerie, by too muche ouertaxing those that are pore alreadye.

Of three prodigious theues by the which Common wealths are disquieted.

A beggerly Théefe robbeth by the high way for néede, and yet for the facte deserueth punishment, because all men are bounde by the Lawes of God to labour.

A slaunderous Théefe, through Enuie at his neighbours prosperitie, belieth the truth, and speaketh euill of the Godlye by taking awaye their good name as a reuenge of his malice.

The couetous Théefe is he, that abuseth Lawes in a common wealth, for his priuate commoditie, a betrayer of the innocent, a robber of the Fa∣therlesse, and an increaser of Beggers.

These thrée drone bées do suck vp bread, béefe, & béere, to maintain back, belly, and building, with inordinate desire, which is the cause of confusion.

When money fights for Lands defence, beware of treason, Where no Lawes hold but bought and sold, there farewell reason.

In the Booke entituled Ghostly counsaile, by a Germane religious, Vesper Swoll.

In Switzerlande at a certaine village which in their mother tongue they call Gossaw, nere to Grouing, a monsterous Childe was borne the 26 day of August, to wit, with two heads, thrée armes, and so many féete. There a∣rose in Switzerlande sharpe ciuile warres, they incountered together with deadly weapons nere the Monasterie of Capel, where the Citizens of Tigure with their men, had a great ouerthrow, wherein Hulricus Zwing∣lius fighting for his Countrey and religion was slayne.

At Ausburg a woman brought forth thrée Monsters, first a mans head [ 1532] wrapt in a Caule: secondly, a Serpent with two legs, whiche had a greate head like vnto a pyke, the body and féete of a Frogge, and the tayle of a Li∣zarde: thirdly, a pigge whole in all parts. Oecolampadius, a preacher at Basill of singular learning.

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A horrible Monster of no common wildnesse, hauing ••. féete, a mans head bearded & combed, Eagles féete, hands almost like to a Lions pawes, a dogs tayle, and his bodye of a darke yellow coloure somewhat shining, in the yere of our saluation 1531 was taken in the Lordship of the Byshop of Salisburg in a forrest which they call Hanesberg▪ for he did flie mens sight and hid himselfe in corners in the darke where he mighte: at length when he could neither be cōpelled nor allured to take meat, he died for hunger in few dayes.

[ 1532] Not farre from Oenepont (as Iob Fincelius hath noted) there was séene these Images, an Eagle standing vpon an hill, and not fearing: thrée other Images as enemies met him, ouer against: the first of which was a Camel looking vp, and hauing a flame round about him: the other a Woolfe vome∣ting a flame out of his mouth, being likewise beset with a flaming circle: him followed a Lyon, by whom a man in armour standing at the entrye of the Mountains, did flatteringly stroke his mane, and againe the Lion sée∣med to flatter him, reaching out his foote as though he would leape. Casper Pucer.

Not farre from Isena a Towne of Thuringia, there were séene in the ayre an olde Trée, and a man on horsebacke carying an other Trée wyth gréene Leaues, whome a hounde followed, and afterwarde a greate and a blacke crosse nere a Village which was as it were set afire with lightning. Fincelius.

In the moneth of September a Comet was séene again in Virgo, and in y^e house of Mercury for certayne wéekes, two houres in the morning be∣fore

the sunne rising, and in the East part which lasted 3. whole moneths, the flame was very terrib••e, for in greatnesse and continuance he surpassed the other Comet which we saw the yere past. The famous Doctor of Phi∣sick Achilles Gas••aru•• and Iohn Virdingus Hastrodus a notable Astrolo∣ger hath described and interprete this Comet.

There were séene at Venice the 11. of Aprill, the second houre of the day 3. faire and bright sunnes, with two rainebowes, not wich poyntes descen∣ding, but opposite of the Sunne, y^e first of whiche soone gaue ouer, the other being little, stoode still amid the Element, more than two houres, the one as it were a Crowne, the other as it were a halfe Circle, being of lyke di∣staunce from the playne of the Earth, contrarye to the manner of others: but the Sunnes were so brighte that they coulde not be beholden, like to that which was in the myddle: but hée whiche stoode at the left hande of the Sunne appeared towarde the South verye cleare, greater and brighter, but he whiche was on the righte side and laye northwarde was lesse, and not so shining, notwithstanding in the ende we perceyued that he more en∣creased in such sort notwithstanding, that both séemed to faile at once, both of them stretched oute verye greate beames through the Elemente to the Earth, the coloure of all declined to rednesse.

The 7. of the kalends of May in Switzerland about the Sun rising was séene a white and a christalline Circle, and the same yere war was begun with very great preparation against the Turkes, notwithstanding in vain, Iohn Duke of Saxonie Elector of the Empyre died, Stomphius & Fun∣ctius in Chron.

In many countreys there were séene Dragōs flying in y^e ayre in flockes couered with crounes, and hauing pigs snoutes otherwhile the number of 400. flue together, Iob Fincelius in his booke of the miracles after y^e sprin∣ging againe of the Gospell.

They of Munster in Westfalia in fayre weather beheld one in armor sitting on horseback. A Woman great with childe in Germany being styr∣red vp with madnesse ioyned with loue slue her husbande asléepe, and eate vp his left side with his arme as farre as his thigh the same nighte, and kepte the residue of his bodye poudred with salte for an other time: not lōg after she broughte forth a Twin, but for her cruell facte, the lyke where∣of was neuer hearde, she being shutte vp in perpetuall prison was compel∣led there to spende hir life in sorrow and hunger.

In the kingdome of Babilon about the Radubians whom they cal Pali∣casti, the seuenth daye of M••rche a childe was borne of a Woman of base estate called Rechiena, hauing a goodlye fauoure and his eyes and téeth shining contrarye to nature, and the same houre that hée was borne, not only the Elements but y^e powers of heauen were stirred & gaue

fearefull Tokens. For at midnighte the Sunne appeared with vn∣accustomed brightnesse, as at noone days, which afterward became so dark y^t (which was no les miraculous) it was not séen for a whole day in Babilō. Afterwarde it was séene agayne with diuers kinds of starres of a strange figure wandring too and froe in the Elemente: but ouer the house where the Boy was borne, besides other tokens, fyre from heauen also was séene to fall downe and consume men, and the day following the Sunne being Eclipsed, and a sore tempest of the ayre risen, it rayned Pearles from hea∣uen.

The thirde day a fierie Dragon was séene to flie aboute Babilon▪ there appeared besides a newe mountayne excéeding other Mountaynes in heigth, whiche immediatelye was deuided into two partes, in the middle whereof there was sound a piller, wherein these wordes were ingrauen in the Gréeke tongue, Hora Natiuitatis venit, ac instat Mundi fini••. The daye of Byrth commeth, and the ende of the Worlde is at hande: and the thirtéenth houre of his byrth the voyce of one crying was hearde in the ayre Parate corda vestra ad excipiendum, ac beati qui custodium verbum eius. Prepare your hartes to receiue, and blessed bee they whiche keepe his worde. And after that the childe had liued two moneths, he lifting vp his voyce like an olde manne, sayde that he was the Sonne of GOD, and when he was demaunded what the signes foregoing didde betoken, hée aunswered, that the pearles falling from Heauen, didde signifye the peo∣ple whiche didde sweare to his wordes, and the flying Dragon his aduer∣saries. He cured al diseases, he restored to the blinde their sighte, and raised the dead to life with his word, and when he sayd that he was the interpre∣ter of the holye Scriptures and hidden misteries, he was worshipped and honoured for God throughout all Babilon, agaynste the Lawes of the coun∣trey. This haue I translated out of y^e Letter of Magnus Meisinus of Rhodes which he wrote not only to the souldiers of his calling, but also to all prin∣ces of the Christian faith, to the end they might take héede that mankinde were not deceiued by false prophets, Sathans crafts and iuggling against Gods word.

In a Vilage of Sweueland which in their mother tongue is called Chri∣stantzhoue••, scituate not farre from y^e town of Isula a boye of 7. yeres old fel oftētimes into a traunce, who comming to himself after many torments of the body, shakings of the brest, and sweates, in a great assembly of all men, and to their wonder, recited certain things that were reuealed to him frō a∣boue, & he said y^t he was forced by Gods commaundment, y^t he being nowe a boy, & setting al perill of life apart, should vtter to the people Gods truth, who hytherto hadde refused the warninges of the Elders by Gods worde. Wherefore he tolde the people not publiquelye but in pryuate houses, not Boye lyke, but with greate Grauitie, manye thinges of GOD, of

his workemanship, Iustice, grace, long suffering likewise of Iesus Christ, whose passyon he was able to recite in order from the Lordes Supper e∣uen to the ende: he called the people standing about his bedde (where hée laye) to repentaunce, saying that the daye of the last iudgemente was euen at hande, and that he knewe this by a Starre of thrée beames whiche hee tolde them he had séene, among whiche the first of the beames whiche was of a redde coloure signified Warre, and a moste bloodye slaughter of men. The second, which was of a white colour, a great pestilēce among people, which scarsely the third person coulde escape. The third, whiche was of a yellow coloure, whose signification he would not reueale. Hée enuyed wonderfully agaynste Priestes, because they offered agayne Christ cruci∣fied in the masse, being once offered for the sinnes of the people, and solde him but for foure halfe pence: When he had detested the worshipping of all Idols, Loftinesse, Pryde, Whoredome, Adulterie, Dronkennesse, and other haynous offences, by the whiche manne sinneth agaynste Gods ho∣ly lawe, he beganne to exhort them that stoode by him, to the loue of their Neighboure, to Humanitie, Bountifulnesse and Méekenesse, yet among other thinges he spewed out deadlye poyson while he spake many thinges agaynste the Holye Trinitie and merite of our Sauiour Christe, tou∣ching intercession of the Virgine Marie touching the darkenesse betwéene hell, and the habitation of the godly, and many other thinges by the which accursed Sathan (to the end he might deceiue the simpler sort) poureth out deadly poyson by the meanes of a most innocent childe vnder the pretence of the truth.

A strange thing, no lesse miraculous, also is set downe to happen in the Cite of Paris, of a Chanon which for his wicked life (the body being set in the Church) being at the fourth Lesson, a voice was heard which sayd Con∣demnatus sum: after these words red Responde mihi which was that he was damned for his liuing: it might peraduenture craftily be done by an illusi∣on for the fearing of their idolatrous religion to be diminished, & therby to account their Chanon an Heretike, for some tast of the truth. Otherwise I referre this strange hap to the consideration of the wise godly, & learned: In the Primer of Salisburie vse, printed. An, 1432.

In the moneth of Iuly a greate Comet gaue lighte spreading his flame toward the Sunnes going downe in winter, so long that he occupied about 8. degrées, it was white and gaue a flame of a wonderfull length lyke a sword, as a long staffe, and in Milechius iudgement he was properly 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, (a sword) Nicholas Brugurus and Achilles Gassarus Phisitions did inter∣prete him.

Schiltachium a towne in Germany iij. dayes before Easter was set on fire and quite consumed by the Diuels wyles and a witches seruice. The Di∣uell for a season hauing conuersation with that olde Vixen Whore was

was séene by no other, albeit oftentimes he spake to many, & diuers times he wandered with a Taber in the towne through the Stréetes, and was heard of all men, and not long after, the Witche béeing sounde to bée the instrument of so great a wickednesse was cast into a burning fire at Ober∣dorfe.

At Millaine the eleuenth of December, there was such great hayle and so often thunder and lightning in most extremitie, that men as madds ranne vp and downe through feare and superstition: yet the prodigie was greater at Padua than at Millaine. In the iudgemente of Cardanus these portended the feare of Warre, and the losse or domage by newe tributes, if no other more terrible token were ioyned thereto: for suche thinges are not contrary to nature, but only without the state of time.

In the lower Germany by reason of too much rayne, there arose cruell floodes ouer all the Countrey about Antwerpe, whiche spoyled all thinges farre abrode: immediately there arose a fearefull fyre in Anwerpe, wher∣with the church of S. Maries was destroyed, which Cornelius Grapheus hath written in a trim verse.

At Episcopizella a towne of Turgraue in Switzerlande when a Hare great with yong was vnboweled, there was found in her belly a Leueret with one heade and bodye, but with foure eares and eight féete, foure of which stoode in their place, but the other foure appearing on the backe, did represent as it were another hare.

In Switzerlande the eightéenth of Iuly a white and christalline Cir∣cle like a rainebow was séene about the Sunne in fayre weather: almoste at the same tyme there appeared at Clauenna a verye fayre mayden to a Prieste vnder the false pretence of the Virgine Mary, whiche notwith∣standing being begotten with childe by a manne of suche greate holinesse, at length bewrayed the deceite, but the Prieste as hée was worthye, being put into a burning fire, suffered punishmente for his greate impie∣tye.

Nere to Episcopizella a famous towne of Turgone, the 26. of Nouember by reason of a gréeuous Earthquake the riuer Siterus, which in their coun∣trey spéeche they call Diesitter, being let with a little hill, by the shaking of the Earth neare the vsual passage became a Lake, and did much harme, vn∣til being eaten asunder by the force of the water, the riuer retourned to his former channell.

The 17. day of Iuly and somewhat after, a Comet with a long taile was séene at Lubick and the yeare following that vertuous and peaceable king Frederike ended his life. And this is worthye to be remembred whiche Iustinus Goblerus hath noted in his second Booke of the exploytes of them of Lubik: the king being deade when his body noynted with Balme and wrapt in Linnen was closed vp in a pitched Coffin, his bodye notwith∣standing

didde auoyde so much blood, that they were driuen to receiue it in Vessels. When these thinges contrarie to nature happened in a deade carcasse, GOD without doubt woulde signifie something by suche a straunge sighte, as it were by a manifest outwarde line, to wit, that horri∣ble plague and murther, which not long after happened and ensued for ma∣nifolde miseries, wars, and seditions, were afterwarde in those quarters & at Lubeck Moreouer the same yeare the Turkes brake into Hungary and Austria.

In the moneth of December Basi••l was shaken with thrée earthquakes. At Salodor in Switze••land there was a great dissention about religion, and herevpon there was made a new confederacie of certaine Lordshippes and Cities to defend the faith.

The 25. of May was taken betwéene London and Greenewich two great fishes called Horlepooles, both a male & a female. The Archebishop of Can∣terburie named William Warham deceased.

The seuenth day of September was the Lady Elizabeth Daughter to King Henry the eight borne at Greenewich betwéene thrée and foure of the clock in the afternoone, whose gouernment is a spectacle to forraine natiōs, and shall be a greate wonder to the posteritie.

Claraualla a Citie in Fraunce being stricken with lightning about noone-tide, did burne so extreamely, that in the space of thrée houres it was consu∣med, [ 1534] with the Churche, Castle, and Lawhouse, where when the Citizens sought their safetie by flying away, they were hurte for the most parte, and when manye coulde not flye through the Gate of the Cittie, they falling downe headlong from the wall into the Towne Ditche died miserablye. In Polande there were manye and deadlye Floodes wherewith both Citie and Countrey were spoyled. At Cracouie and in those countreyes adioy∣ning there was great aboundaunce of water which destroyed many mens laboures and groundes. The kingdome of Denmarke was troubled with Warre, wherein also they of Lubeck were entangled. Barbarossa droue Altz••chenus King of Tunis oute of his realme and spoyled and tooke his kingdome.

At Sleswic a Towne of Holsatia the third of Iune in faire weather there were séene diuers kindes of liuing Creatures in the Elemente, to wit, a great number of Lyons méeting together on all quarters, with an armed man on Horsebacke with a Launce: There were séene also a heade with∣oute a bodye set out with an Emperours Crowne, afterwarde the heade of a Bore with Tuskes, and two Dragons spitting out fyre: a redde Crosse, Cities, and Castles burning here and there, an Eagle and a Lyon lying vprighte hauing a Crowne on his heade, whose eyes a Cocke pickte out with his bill, and at length seuered his whole heade from his body. There appeared afterward a Vnicorne and a Pecock without féete,

which by and by was turned into a Dragon, of which thing reade more at large in Iob Fincelius in his miracles.

[ 1534] In the Towne of Seckingen scituated by the Rhene side, thrée mile beyōd Basil••, there was borne a twinne hauing their bodyes ioyned together, who by reason of the Mothers gréeuous paines being in trauayle lyued not long.

The third day of Iuly (as afore sayde, but more at large by a seconde Authour) in the Towne of Scheswic in the South, in fayre weather there were seene in the aire Lions running together from diuers places to a con∣flicte, and by them a horseman in harnesse brandishing a deadly speare: not farre from the horseman lay a mans head without a body, hauing on an Imperiall Diademe: a little while after there was séene a Bores heade tusked, and two Dragons belching out fyre: afterward there appeared the platforme of a verye greate Cittie standing by a greate water, besieged with an armye by Sea and by lande, and ouer this was a crosse of a bloody colour turning by little and little into blacke: likewyse an other horse∣man came out in a fierie colour, wearing an imperiall Diademe on his heade, whome a spare horse followed. Afterwarde in a large playne there appeared two burning Castels neare to a high hill, to the whiche stoocke a greate Eagle hiding the halfe of his body behind the side of the hill: there appeared also certayne yong Eagles of a brighte white coloure, likewise the heade of a Lyon lying vpright, hauing a Crowne vppon his heade, a Cocke striking and digging the heade with his Bill vntill it was loose and fell from the body, and so vanished away, the body remayning a long tyme to be séene. There stoode by also other Lyons, and by the Bores heade there was a Vnicorne which by little and little turned into a Dragon, and there were very many creatures of forme and greatnesse not vsuall. There burned a Castle vppon an high rocke beset with two hostes, and there was séene a whole countrey full of many Townes, Castles, and Vil∣lages, but immediatelye all that quarter where these thinges stoode, was sette on fyre and burned, and the greate ruines filled vp the greate water, the Towers only appearing. In that place where before the greate Cit∣tie was séene, at the Bankes of the greate Water stoode a Camell, as if hée hadde dronke. This writeth Gasparus Pucerus in his Tetratos∣copia.

At this time began

• The rising of Religion,
• The libertie of the Gospell,
• The fall of Superstition,
• The bondage of the Church.

The Pope was proclaymed vniuersal Vicar of Christe on earth, the yeare of our Lord God 605. then began the birth of the Popish supremacie, from which time vntill Anno Domini. 1534. & the 26. yeare of King Henrie the 8. was clearly banished forth of England his error. But note y^e prophesies that belonged to his heresie, in Stella clericorum, the Popes Priestes be∣came makers of God, when they saide Iste qui creauit me, dedit mihi crea∣re se: qui creauit me sine me creatur mediante me, that is: He that made mee, gaue me power to make him, and he that made me without me, is made by the meanes of me: this straunge prodigie no lesse wonderful in heauen, then miraculous on erth, Quicunque desiderat primatum in terra, inueniet cō∣fusionē in caelo. Christostom opere imperfecto in Math. Homil. 36. Authour Wil. Chauncie in his booke of the rooting out of the Romish supremacie.

Phocas the Emperour gaue the name of vniuersall Bishoppe to Bo∣niface the first vsurper ouer other Churches, after Lanquet 608. aboute whiche time manye straunge Monsters of the Sea were séene of sundrye people the space of halfe a day.

The Coyne vsed in the time of Pius Quintus, whose mony was better than his religion (notwithstanding he excelled manye others in vertue, al∣though superstitious) is here set down.

[illustration]

The scutchion declareth his gentilitie to bee* 4.3 Betweene the serpent and Eue, we plainely see, The two keyes crossed, a power in Heauen and Hel, With the triple Crown kingdomes to excel. The shew of two faces, of Peter and Paule, A signe of that truth which bewrayeth all

His subtil deuises now brought to light Declareth all his interest and right. To be the Diuel who euer say nay, * 4.4And God hath found Adam, though Eue be astray.

If the Potte can make the Potter, Antichriste can make a God: God made the world by his word, yet not that man can create any thing by the same worde, not so muche as one hayre white or blacke. Antichrist can nei∣ther make fishe, foule, nor beast, and yet he wil make God. If you that bée Christians wil haue no felowship with Antichrist, set a bible in your win∣dowe, and he wil not abyde, Booke of the Discloseng of Antichrist.

In Polande there were very great floudes, other Countreys through∣out Europe lacking rayne. The Anabaptistes, a vile secte, tooke the monasterie in Westfalia••. Huldrike Duke of Wirttenberg was resto∣red by Phillip Landgraue of Hesse againste Ferdinandus. Henrye King of Englande reuolted from the Pope, when Frederike King of Scaudia was deade, the Kingdome was toste with dyuers cruell warres.

The Anabaptistes in Munster at the commaundemente of their pro∣phet Iohn Alcide (a Taylor) gathered 4000 together, and ministred the supper of the Lord after their fashion, but by Gods prouidence not long af∣ter they were put to death.

On the euen of the Natiuitie of Christ, at Stasforde, whiche is a town in Saxonie, the Diuel, as Fincelius writeth, came in mans shape to the pa∣rish Priest of that place, called Laurence Donar, being at confession, besée∣ching him that he woulde also heare his confession: he being admitted, bel∣ched horrible blasphemies against God, but being ouerlaide with the word of God, was driuen to depart.

[ 1535] At Milan when Frauncis Sfortia the seconde was deade, in the daye tyme there was séene a dymme Starre in the Elemente, wher∣fore when Sfortia was deade wythout Sonnes, the rule of the Citie wente to the Emperour Prince Conrade, the state of things be∣ing chaunged.

[illustration]

In the Dukedome of Wittenberg, after that the hostis in an Inne had set before hir guestes at Sup∣per Pigges fleshe that was hurte by a madde dogge: they which had tasted it, sodainely falling in∣to the like furie by∣ting one another, tore themselues in péeces. Vpon S. Gyles day at Olsten a towne of Sylecia, there hapned a hor∣rible tempest, which Iob Fincelius in his myracles doeth per∣fectly paint out.

At Bremopirg a ci∣tie of Marchia, as Fincelius noteth, a child was so borne, that hauing a skinne hanging loose about his bodye, he was thoughte to be cladde in a Dutch Souldiours cloake.

In Lusatia not very far from the Town of Iubin, on Whitson Mon∣day aboute two of the clocke in the afternoone in fayre weather, ther were séene Hostes of menne in the Elemente marching from the North to the South, and there were heard in the Element the noyse of war and of men fighting.

[illustration]

They report that about Alexandria after a prodigious haile, there appeared a strāge kind of byrdes, and surely not without and euent aunswera∣ble, for that wretched Citye was vexed so manye wayes, so many kinde of Barbarous people, she tryes, and saw the Gazigians and Metauaisti∣ans

people vnknowen to vs, neither yet when now the 20. yeare is ended, there is any hope of better fortune.

Ouer Vinaria there was séene in the Elemente in fayre weather thrée fierie sunne beames, and the day before the Citie of Munster was taken, there was séene on a cleare day in the Element a Crosse, and a sword dra∣wen, hanging ouer the Citie.

At Kesuvil in Turgania, a woman brought forth at one byrth •• boyes which were all christened.

The eight of the Calendes of August in Switzerlande aboute Tygure, there was a greate and cruell tempest of weather, all places in the ayre did shine with fire: there were hearde horrible thunders, there fell downe vpon the grounde flames of no commmon greatenesse, with the whyche at Bula Lotstot and Graslikon neare Adelfing, fiue houses were quite de∣stroyed.

[ 1535] In the moneth of Iuly in the Towne of Swelwic, while the people be∣fore dinner were at Church, a great light sodainely appeared, and the light∣ning slue two, and ouerthrew to the ground with hys violence, & vehemē∣cie of exhalation aboute thirtie persons, whiche notwithstanding throughe Gods goodnesse were saued beyonde mans expectation, some mens gar∣ments also were burned, their bodies being vnhurte. This yeare Mun∣ster was deliuered from the disloyal Anabaptists. The duke of Milan dy∣ed Charles the Emperour tooke Tunis in Affricke. The Citizens of Berre depriued the Duke of Sauoy of his Dukedome.

[ 1536] At a Towne in Spaine, the seuenth day of Februarie, about the second houre of the night, as Fincelius recordeth, out of others, there wer séene in a cloudie and raynie weather, two yong men armed, méeting togither wyth their swords, one of which had in his lefte hande a Target, bearing an Eagle with this inscription, Regnabo, but the other had a shielde with this inscription Regnau••, but when they had fought togither he which hadde the Eagle ouerthrew his enimie, and became conquerour, as Fincelius wry∣teth: but we reade that y^e like thing hapned in the yere of Christ 1556. wher of I wil speake hereafter in his place.

Hernan Lopes de Castanneda Cronicler to the King of Porting••le in the eight booke of his Cronicle, recordeth that Nuno de Acuna being Vice∣roy and gouernour of the Portingale Indians in the yeare of our Lord 153. there was a man that all other maruelled at bycause it was auouched by verye great proofe and witnesse, that he had then liued 340. yeares: he re∣membred when that Citie was not builded, being one of the gretest forces of the Indies He had growen yong agayn foure times, quitting himselfe of his hoare hayres and wrinckles, and hauing new téeth and gūmes, whom when the viceroy sawe, the haire of his heade and beard, being but lit∣tle, was blacke, and calling for a Phisition, commaunded him to féele hys

pulse who founde him as strong as if he had bin a very yong youth. Thys mā in his youth had bin a Gentile, and afterward became a Moore, he was borne in the kingdome of Vengala, and affirmed that he had at times a∣bout seauen hundreth wiues, some of which dyed, and others he had put a∣way. The King of Portingale was tolde of this man, who maketh reckning of him, and his Armadas (which are great and mightie ships, whiche traf∣ficke to the Indies) did yerely bring him certaine tydings that he was aliue, and (as they say) he is yet: so that he is now at this present aboue three hun∣dered thrée score and ten yeres old. Moreouer the same Cronicler sayth that at that time that Nuno de Acuna was gouernoure there, there was in the City of Vengala another man a Moore, whō they called Xequepir, born in a Countrey called Xeque, that was by report thrée hundred yeares olde, and all they that knewe him, affirmed it, bycause he hath great tokens and witnesse thereof. This More was helde of others as holy, for his harde and abstinente life, and the Portingales had greate friendship and acquaintance with him: and albeit the Chronicles ar not so true, y^t nothing is written in them but is most assured, & that I can very hardly beléeue it: yet there are many witnesses in Portingale and Castile which saw it, and knewe it was certaine and true. In these things there are some secrete misteries whiche we vnderstand not nor comprehende. This is recorded in the booke entitu∣led Iardin du Flores Curiosas, Imprinted at Antwerp, Anno Domini. 1575.

The first day of April in Sicilia the Mountaine Etna being shaken with an Earthquake, cast out so great aboundaunce of fire, that all places were spoyled al abrode for the space of sixe myles, but chiefely the Monasterie of Saint Leo, which was quite destroyed.

In that part of Sa••matia which they of later time cal at this day Podolia, so great a number of Grashoppers was broughte a lande with the greate violence of Winde from the sea Euxinus, that they eate vppe all the Corne in euery place. There ensued a greate plague and Morraine of menne and beastes.

From the time that the league of Schmalkadia was made, these Ima∣ges were séene to shine in the ayre, whiche were iudged to figure the ende of the league: firste there was séene a man on horssebacke after whome husbandmen armed with clubbes succéeded, secondarily there appeared a huge towre by the water side, and not far from it, a man drawing water, whom at last a great Dragon pursued: the two firste shewes some vani∣shed away, but the other were long to be séen. Of these writeth Gasper Pu∣cerus.

The same yeare Charles the Emperour besieging Marcilia, was re∣pulsed through the pestilence. The king of Portingale gotte a great part of India.

Not farre from Tygure a Childe was borne altogither like vnto him whiche sixe yeares paste was borne also in Switzerland at the village of Gossue, to witte, with one bodye, two heades, thrée handes and thrée féete.

That yeare there followed great fiers in Switzerland which did much mischiefe. Stumphius Author.

At Franckford, standing by the riuer Viadrus, a mayden being possessed by the Diuel, did deuoure the coyne of Marchia a whole moneth togither, and at length pinnes.

At a manour place or Farme standing not far from the towne of Wort∣zen, situated by the riuer Molda, there was borne a childe without legges.

The Moone was eclypsed the 24. of May, whiche George Emilius of Mansfeld hath discribed in a learned verse.

The seauenth of the Calendes of Iune, at foure of the clocke in the afternoone, the olde Castel of Haydelberg where in times past Rubert King of the Romaines dwelte, was stricken with lightning, in the which there were about foure hundred vessels of Gunnepouder: it ouerthrewe the Ca∣stell at once, it tore certaine buildings of the newe Castell, and did great hurt and damage to the Citie of Heydelberg. This tempest hath Iames My∣sillus in a learned verse.

[ 1537] The daye before the Ides of December the Popes Castell standyng by the Bridge Aelius when it was set on fire by a blast of lightning, it can not be tolde what hurt it did then to the nexte buildings and the Gardens within the wals.

The first daye of Februarie, there was séene an Eagle in Italy flying throughe the ayre, whyche carryed in his righte foote a bottell, and in his left a Serpente wrapped vp togither, whom a greate number of pyes followed.

The same tyme also the Burgundian Crosse was séene in the Ele∣mente with diuerse colours. Iob Fincelius in his Myracles.

At Rome there was hearde a Tempestuous thunder, contrarie to the season of the yeare. In the vpper Germany there arose a greate and vnsea∣sonable floud of water.

The mountaine Aetna burned againe, at which time a fiery masse of a wonderful greatnesse, made of kindled sulpher, fell downe from the toppe of Aetna, with a great noyse, which tumbled down not quickly, but scatte∣ring abrode out of the ayre, hauing the ouershew same what thickned, and burned (as I haue heard) Hilles, woods, stones, and rockes, and two vil∣lages, (for the mountain contayneth many villages) and finally the top of the Hill throughe the continual flames falling downe on one side, the hole became greater, the Ball of fire which is manifest to haue bin kindled sul∣pher,

appeared in the day time to the beholders dead or duskie, but in the night altogither fiery and dreadfull.

There was heard also continuall thunder for manye dayes, whiche made men afrayde: and not only Sicilia but also a parte of Calabria was co∣uered with the burnt and blacke ashes, and all the Element was ouercaste with the noysome smoke which they that inhabite those Countreyes cā te∣stify. The fire was helde in many yeres, in which time many kinds of good trées grew vp at the foote of the mountaine, the Citizens of Catana also sat in great quietnesse, but when the violence of the fire brake out, and Vulcan went about to amende his workehouse, all things aboute the mountaine were grieuously hurte, trées, woods, men, and beastes. The Philosophers do yéelde a natural reason for this fire burning so wonderfully, through the counsel of the Princes of Germany war was in vaine taken in hand against the Turke, the Sea in the kingdome of Naples was dryed vppe the space of eight Italian myles.

A Comet appeared in Ianuarie in the signe of Pisces, through Germa∣ny in the euening toward the weast, whiche lifted vp his tayle towardes the Weast. Immediately in May, another appeared towards the weast in Taurus, not far from the Dragons heade, which lifted his beard towards the South. Basil was shaken with a great earthquake, whiche notwithstā∣ding did then no harme to the townesmen.

That yeare following was a verye greate heate, whiche continu∣ed from Marche vntill the byrth daye of Christe. Fountaynes and verye greate Riuers were dryed vp, houses and wooddes were sette on fire by the heate of the Sunne, the Vintage was verye riche through good Wine.

In Fraunce betwéene Papenberg and the Woodde of Thuringia the six∣téenth [ 1537] of Ianuarie a Starre of a wonderfull greatnesse was séene in the Elemente, whiche by little and little spreading into the ayre tooke the forme of a whitishe cyrcle, whereof afterwarde throughe a greate vio∣lence of the wind flames were raysed vpon the earth, & did burn only those thynges whyche otherwyse are not commonlye consumed wyth de∣uouryng flames, as speareheades, chaynes, and Byttes of Horsses, with suche like, otherwise it hurte no man nor set a fire any building. Iob Fincelius.

The Countrey aboute Puteoli a Citie in Campania, was so shaken with great Earthquakes almoste for two yeares togither, that there re∣mayned in it no whole house nor building whiche was not readye to fall: but in the yeare of oure Lorde 15••8. the fourth and fifth of the Calendes of October the earth shoke both day and night. The sea went back almoste 200. paces, in which place they which dwelt neare too, toke a great number of Fishes, and swéete waters were séene to spring verye faste vppe.

At length the thirde of the Calendes of October, a greate piece of grounde (which lyeth betwéene the foote of the Hil which the inhabitants call Barbarous and the sea by Auernus, séemed to lift it selfe vppe, and to bée like a mountain sodainly rising. The same day y^e second houre of the night this heape of Earth belched out, as it were with an open mouth, gret fiers with great noyse, and pumises and stones, and suche aboundance of foule ashes, that it couered the houses of Puteoly, lay ouer the grasse, broke trées, and turned into ashes the Grapes growing within sixe myles compasse, it slue byrdes also and many beastes, and they of Puteoly fledde away in the darke with their wiues and children, and with great murning and lamen∣tation got them to Naples: the ashes hereof through the force of the exhala∣tion was cast almost 60. myles, and (which may séeme a wonder) neare the quaue it fel downe dry, but for myre and Mose: but which surpasseth al ad∣miration, the mountaine about the quaue was séene made vp in one night of pumises and ashes more than the height of a thousand paces (which is a myle) wherein there were manye holes or issues, of whiche, two now re∣main, one by the sea shore which runneth out to Auernus, the other in the middle of the mountaine. A gret part of Auernus was couered with ashes, those bathes renoumed for so many hundred yeares, and which gaue health to so manye diseased, lye buried vp with ashes. This fire continued after∣ward [ 1538] for certaine monethes, notwithstanding with some space betwéene.

There was one borne, and grew to the perfect stature of man hauing two heades and foure shoulders, so that one heade was before, the other be∣hinde, of a wonderful likenesse one to another: they were both bearded and looked one vpon another, their appetite to meate was alike, their hunger a∣like, their voyce very like, they had one desire to the same wife, the whiche he had, and had the same waye of voyding excrements, and he was thirtie yeares old when he came to Basil.

I saw also the like Monster in Bauaria, the yere of Christ. 1541. it was a woman of sixe and twentie yeares of age with two heades, one of which notwithstanding was very deformed: when she got hir liuing by begging from doore to dore, she was commaunded (by reason of women with child) to departe out of the Countrey, in giuing hir money to paye hir charges.

In Germany euerye where in the ayre there were séene armed men, swordes, and funerals, but towardes the weast there appeared a star of no common greatnesse with bloudie raines, and by him a bloudie crosse and a standerd banner flying in the ayre.

Before the first setting out of the Landgraue, a very honest man the Sherife of Schmalkalde (as Gasperus Fuserus in the booke of diuinations hath left in writing,) saw in the night as it were before him, these shewes: An olde man sléeping at the table with his head hanging down, and neare

to him a Lion vpon a forme, and in the same Parlour a greate number of men in long garments; taking counsell about the Lion, against whiche at length the Lion rising with his fore féete, as it were to set vpon them, lept from the forme, they making a cyrcle set themselues against the Lion, and stabbed him, flying at him with their daggers, and at length casting a stoole vpon him, they cut off his taile, but not long after strugling from vn∣der the stoole, he recouered his tayle againe, where through the feare (as it were) of the Lion, those men departed out of the Parlour, and the Lion le∣ping vpon the forme, wente to his former place: afterwarde when diuerse times againe they going in and out, did as it were take counsell to kill the Lion, he being angrye, flewe vppon them violentlye, which crying out, and for feare stretching their armes to the sléeping olde man, he arose, and lifting vp hys heade, manaced the Lion by shaking his righte hand: which séene, the Lion went backe, and oftentimes looking to the olde manne, and leaping vpon the forme, turned to the figure of Christe, standing and Preachyng, before whome when these menne laye prostrate, as asking and obtayning forgiuenesse, they anished vaway togither with the other apparaunces.

In May appeared a blasing Starre. And at the same time dyed Isabel [ 1539] the Emperors wife. D. Cooper. Also in May the same yere the eighte daye the Citizens of London mustered at the myles ende in bright armour, with coates of white silke and chaines of golde, passing through the Citie to S. Iames through the fielde, and came home through Holberne. Manye dyed of hote burning agues, and of the laxe, in all partes of the Realme An. 1541. after some.

In Flaunders in the Moneth of October, from two of the clocke in the afternoone til foure, it rained bloud: in Switzerland in the moneth of of May there appeared a Comet turning his dark & duskish taile towards y^e south.

In a village called Feigenstall, vnder the gouernement of the Bishop of Ister▪ one Huldrike Newessesser dwelling there, when a long time he was troubled with diuerse paines and torments in his bodye, at length hée felte with his hande betwéene the skinne and the fleshe an Iron nayle, and helde it vntill it was cutte oute by a Chirurgion. Notwithstanding he being not eased of his paine, the griefe séemed so greatly to oppresse him, that he wanting the grace of God, fell into suche a fransie, as he woulde haue cut his owne throte, yet was restrayned by his friends till the feaste of S. Mathew following, when he bored his throte, yet the wounde sée∣med not so, as there folowed present death, although after the wicked fact he liued not long. But being dead and opened by the Chirurgion, in his sto∣mack were found ••. strange kniues, & a péece of wood: Moreouer there was in his belly a long péece of Iron foure square, whose vttermoste parte was sharpned in two sides, and two other pieces of Iron, couered with ruste, to

the which there was knit a haire of a mans heade.

[ 1540] At Milan a Cowe brought forth a Calfe with two heades, he had two perfect heads with tong, téeth, eyes, & cares, but the heades were ioyned to∣gither in the nape, the one a Buls head, the othe a Cowes heade. That yere the kingdome was transposed to the Emperous sonne, whiche had a wife, and the French receiued many discommodities, as the Calfe didde signifie labour and the sexe betokened the ill lucke and flight of many Captaines, and the losse of Cities without assaulte, and Castels and prouinces with∣out war. This writeth Cardanus in his fouretéenth booke Chap. 7.

At Hemnitium the 25 of Iune, there was a great Earthquake, wher∣with many houses were shaken. In certaine places of Germany the 25. of December, a very bright Star was séene, before the breake of daye in the Moone, out of which the day following two Stars appeared & gaue a ben∣ding lighte of great brightnes.

[ 1540] Thys yeare a childe was borne at Hassia with two heads turned to∣wards the backe, whose faces standing one against the other, behelde eache other with a threatning countenaunce.

There was an E••rthquake againe the 14. of December in Germanye. wherewith many houses were shaken.

Cardanus hath written that he saw a manne, who in the yeare of oure Lord .1540. being condemned to dye, and being twice stricken with a club, the engine also called a crane falling vpon him, was saued in the presence of the people of the Town of Chasteau Nouueau neare the riuer of Leir in Fraunce He foretolde this should come to passe before he was carried forth, and being at the place of execution, from that day which was the eight and twentith of Nouember, he went in Pilgrimage vpon the vowe, yet being hurt he hardly escaped. The like also is reported to haue hapned at Corona∣gium aboute thirtie yeares paste: the thing is there painted, and so greate a Prodigie is ascribed to the blessed virgine. The causes of this Prodigie if thou desire to know, reade them in Cardan in his fourtéenth of the variety of things. Chap. 76.

The Sommer of this yeare was parching and dry, more than many Sommers were before, there was greate scarcitie of Hay and Pot hearbes and other things growing, by reason of great heate, althoughe there was store of verye good wine euery where, euen in places of least account, and reasonable good store of wheate. Many iudged the Comet séene that yeare was the cause of the heate and drought, as also the greate eclypse of the Sunne whiche happened at the beginning of Sommer, the seauenth daye of Aprill, whose beginning was before the Sunnes rising, and lasted two whole houres after the Sun was vp.

At Prage in Boemia, the kings Castell that was built and beau∣tifyed, at the excéeding greate charges of the Kings of Boemia, togi∣ther with the cathedrall Churche was burned, and there were manye fiers in manye places, and manye were punished as setters of houses on fire.

In Englande the latter ende of thys yeare was greate burning agues and flixes, whereof manye dyed, and suche droughte, that Welles and small Riuers were dryed vppe, and manye cattell dyed for lacke of Wa∣ter. The Salte Sea Water flowed aboue London Bridge. Iohn Stow.

This yeare was a sedition in the Citie of Gaunte whiche Charles the fifth appeased by putting the Authors of the sedition to the sworde, and taking awaye diuerse priuiledges of the Citie, builte there a Castel for a a place of defence to kéepe them in awe. At the same tyme there was helde an assembly at Wormes of Princes and Bishoppes of Germanye, among whome at such time there was communication of matters of Religion, and chiefelye disputation touching Originall sinne, and treatie of true iustifycation.

At Friburge there was a twinne borne the ninetéenth of Februa∣rie [ 1542] ioyned togither from the breast, as far as the the Nauill. In the Dukedome of Millan, aboute twentie Dogges méeting togither at a place called Alexandria, and martching as it were Souldiours, and running verye faste to Millan warde, dydde sette vppon menne and Beastes in greate rage, and tore in péeces what so euer they met.

In Germanye neare to Albderschuuiler not farre from the Towne Landauium, in the Vintage time. There was founde bearded Grapes whiche firste were sente for a present to Lewes Duke electour of Bauaria, and afterwarde in the assemblye at Spire they were séene as a myracle of King Ferdinandus and the princes of the Empyre, and there they were liuelye expressed after this sorte by Henrie Vogther an excellente Painter.

In the Ile of Sardinia the same nighte that the Emperoure Charles the fifth toke shipping to go to Barbary, at the town of Lagra a cow brought forth a Calfe with two heads.

About thrée a clocke in the afternoone there appeared two by Sunnes, the Sunne stoode as it were a Centre, two brighte cyrcles didde enui∣rone it: in the compasse of the innermoste Cyrcle there didde shine on bothe sides, a by Sunne, as it were at the vttermoste limitte of a line drawne through the Centre of the Sunne, and passing through the same to cutte it in two seuerall partes. The outwarde Circle or chaungeable

bowe in colour of the Rainebowe, and in the forme of a hooke, turning his hornes towardes the North, did indent or cut in the vttermoste. It is well knowen what ioynings togither of Kings and Princes, and what Cōmo∣tions there followed.

In Germanye neare a Village called Malsch not farre from the Imperyall Towne of Spire, there was founde in a Vineyarde, a réede hauing fiftéene eares of corne trimlye sette oute, without anye sow∣ing.

[ 1541] A weauers wife at Friburge a Citie of Misnia, in Saint Francis stréete broughte forth a twin, ioined togither in the forepartes of the bodye, and imbracing one the other, the nintéenth of the Calendes of Februarie. There followed a sodaine cheapnesse of corne vpon a great dearth, for whē the thirde of the Calends of August, a bushel of wheate was solde for a fle∣mish gyldren, and halfe, within seuen dayes it was solde for lesse than halfe a gyldren.

The same yeare the worthye Duke Henrie dyed at Dresdah the fif∣téenth of the Calendes of September, and was buried in Saint Maries Church at Friburg.

In Switzerlande a valley was sore shaken with an Earthquake, and streames of verye stincking sulpher ranne on the plaine to the Hill Apeninus which notwithstanding continued not.

The same yeare William Rogendorfe following Cazianer, be∣trayed the Germaine Souldiours to the Turkes, Buda was in vaine as∣saulted: a great fire rising at Prage dydde greate harme to Kyng Ferdinan∣dus.

About this time, a newe trade of dauncing of Galliardes vpon fiue paces, and vauting on horses, (whereof some after learned to breake their neckes) was brought into this Realme by Italians who not manye yeares before hadde thys tearme in scorne of the Englishe that they were verye good ashes, meaning their readinesse to euery light exercise and toye, which shortly was exercised commonly of all young men, and the old (per∣aduenture more comelye) fashion lefte, whiche caused a spéech in disdaine that England was like a iakes, ready to receiue euery mans filth, and thys was sayde for suffering so many people of all nations, to dwell, inhabite, and vse what religion they woulde for gain, wheras in euery Countrey else, whatsoeuer he be that commeth to dwell shall be sworne to the Prince or taryeth not, neyther is suffered to buye or sell, &c. Reade Lanquet, Doctour Cooper, Allens and others. In Grafton hys Chro∣nicle.

[ 1542] In the Dukedome of Wittenberg, there was borne a twinne hauing their bodies knit togither as far as the Nauil.

In the same Country there were séene horrible shapes in the Element, among whiche also there were roddes or torches caried too and fro wyth a very swift mouing.

The fourtéenth of Iune at Buda with a very strong tempest the toppe of Saint Peters tower was broken and cast to the earth.

At Bilsen a town of Boemia, as Peucerus hath written, a child was born like the Image of Christ crucified and hanging on the crosse, which hadde his necke bowing and bending to one side, euen as the Image of the sonne of God is painted taken from the crosse, that hardly for the wrinesse of his mouth meate could be put in: he had also ouerthwart and bending thighes, which although sometimes they were sundered, notwithstanding of theyr own accord they came to their former shape: he liued for a time at Vienna in Austria. At the ende of September there was séene in manye places a great number of Grashoppers as it were a cloude, which at the beginning lacking wings, had afterward foure, who eating vp one fielde immediate∣ly flying from thence went to another, consuming all that grew vppon the ground, sauing that they could not so much hurt the vines: the territorie of Milan felt this miserie. In like sort that kind of Grashoppers breaking into Sile•••• out of Poland, in the moneth of Nouēber, did the like or also gre∣ter harme to the ground, which at the beginnyng of October making a gret spoyle not far from Torga in Misnia, and at a Towne called Oschewitz or Oscitium, left behinde them a foule stincke, which greater foule could not a∣bide. At length in the colde of Autumne they pyned awaye & were foode for swine. Historians write that such plagues do light on mens grounds trim∣med & vntrymmed, but yet neuer without the betokening of euil, & iudge∣ment of Gods wrath.

This yeare it rayned bloud in the Diocesse of Munster at the Castell of Sasenburg not far from Warendorf.

In Frizeland there sprang vppe a newe diuellishe Prophete, named [ 1542] George Dauie tearming himselfe Gods nephue, and spake in what toung soeuer, with beastes and byrdes, taking foode of them: he affirmed that hea∣uen was cleane emptie, and that he was sent to this ende, to chose chyldren by adoption to be coheires of the kingdome of heauen, and babled manye o∣ther most foolish and vaine things. This yeare the Turkish warres was in vaine. The war betwéene Maurice and Iohn Frederick Duke of Saxo∣nie, was after a sorte appeased. Henry Duke of Brūdeswike made warre against Iohn Frederick Duke of Saxonie, and was driuen out of his domi∣nion.

Great pestilence in London this yeare, and therfore Michaelmasse terme was adiourned to Saint Albons.

The eight of the Ides of Februarie at fiue a clocke in the morning at [ 1543] Caffehuse in Switzerland two women children were borne with two heds,

foure armes, and so manye féete seuerall, but with one massie or whole bo∣dye from the necke to the Nauil, the string of the Nauil hanging downe vnderneath.

A greate number of Grashoppers driuen into Misnia and Marchia did much harme to y^e fields on euery side. That same came to passe also at that time in the countrey aboute Luca, where so great a number was found, that in some places, Iob Fincelius hath noted, they being clustered togither lay more than a Cubit high.

[illustration]

The fourth of the Nones of May, not far from Pfortzheim, belonging to the Marques of Baden, at a village called Zessenhusen, betwéene foure and fiue of the clocke in the afternoone a great Comet was séene, that was byg∣ger that a milstone to sée too, whiche stretched out his tayle towardes the North, from whence a fire descending to the earth like a Dragon, drunke cleane vp the brooke that was next vnto it, & from thence flying into a field, consumed a greate parte of Corne, and mounting vp again left behind him horrible tokens of these things to be séene.

This yeare chaunced foure eclipses, one of the Sunne the 23. of Ianu∣arie, and thrée of the Moone. Iohn Stow.

[ 1543] In the Village of Rinach not far from Basil a woman brought forth a twin, hauing both bodyes ioyned togither ouer the Nauil, with 4. armes, yet from the loynes he had two féete, he was a male, he is trimely set out by Sebastian Munster in his Cosmography, from whence also Stomphius hath taken him into his worke of Chronicles.

[illustration]

In Flaunders vpō the day of the Con∣uersion of S. Paule, (although there be some which write at Cracouie) there was borne a childe of honest and gen∣tle parentes, verye hedious and horri∣ble to behold, with flaming and spark∣ling eyes, hauing a mouth and No∣strels standing out with the forme of a horn, a back rough with dogs haires, Apes faces appea∣ring in his breastes where his dugges should stand, Cats eyes vnder the na∣uill, cruel, and cur∣rish dogs heades at both elbowes and knées, looking foreward, the forme of Tods féete, a tayle bending vpward and turning againe crooked at the end an ell long: he is said to haue liued foure houres after he was borne, and at length (after hée had vttered these wordes, Vigilate, dominus deus vester aduentat, that is, Watche, youre Lorde is a comming) to haue dyed. Gasperus Puce•• and Munster in his Cosmography.

A great number of Butterflyes, the third of August entred the fieldes about Basil, whereof it came to passe, that all things being then eaten vppe, there was no grasse founde in the fieldes for the foode of Cattell, and thys rage of Butterflies was chiefely aboute Minchensten, Arleshim, Tornac, Ronac, Pfeffenhen, Villages. This yere there was cruel war almost through Europe.

The Smalaudians rebell against Gustan, and by the helpe of the King of Fraunce they were brought into subiection. The Castell of Grane who was betrayed to the Turkes, the Emperour Charles subdued. The Duke of Iuliake sette vppon the Frenche in the lower Germanye. The Frenche by helpe of the Switzers in Picardie dydde helpe to victuall

the Towne of Landersey against the Emperour, and also subdued the coun∣trey of Litzelburg. William Duke of Cleue taking part with the Frenche disquieted Charles the Emperour in Brabrand and besieged Antwerp.

Thys yeare Kyng Henrie wanne Bulleine from the Frenche king. &c.

[ 1544] The fifth of the Ides of Aprill at Glaron a Towne in Switzerlande well knowen, at eleauen a clocke before noone, in verye fayre weather, there was séene a white and christaline cyrcle to goe amidde the Sunne, for foure houres togither, whose entrye from the righte hande to the lefte a péece of a Rainebowe didde occupye, wyth hys Elementall co∣lours.

The seauenth of Aprill at eighte a Clocke in the after noone, in fayre weather, there was séene a prodigie in the Elemente, at Wil a City in Turgane, to wit, the Moone did shine, in the fulnesse whereof did shine a white Crosse.

At Millaine in the moneth of Ianuarie, as Cardanus recordeth, ther was borne a woman childe with two heades, and all the rest of the body in good proportion.

This yeare the Frenchmen troubled the coast of England, shewing thē∣selues before the Ile of Wighte, Poole, and other places, as setting some souldiours alande in Sussex afore Brighthamsted, but at the burning of the Beacons the Englishmen came downe so fast, that the French made hast to theyr ships.

The nintéenth of Iuly the Maryrose a goodly ship, not far from Ports∣mouth, was drowned, with Sir George Carowe Captaine and many gen∣tlemen and Souldiours, the King being then at Portsmouth. The Earle of Hertforde was sente into Scotlande with an armye of twelue thousande men, destroying diuerse Townes, and putting manye Scottes to the Sword.

In many places of Germany, as Fincelius recordeth, a great number of Grashoppers ouerlaide the fieldes, they were of a shape not vsual, to witte, hooded lyke Monkes, mixed with a darke yellowe and a duskishe colour.

At Hedelberg standing by the riuer Neccarus, on Whitson Sonday was borne two boyes ioyned togither, hauing two bodies closed by the bel∣ly part, two heades, foure handes and féete, whose mother was called Ca∣therine: and Gasper Besler sayth they were christened, one called Iohn the other Ierome, and liued a day and a halfe: when they were dead, they found in the belly but one hart.

At Nissa a towne of Silecia, there fell Hayle of wonderful greatnesse, whereby the fieldes of that Countrey were spoyled euerye where. So also the sixtéenth day of Iune, after a blacke cloudie weather, there arose a tem∣pest

and such aboundaunce of Hayle, that in Su••goia from the Towne of Bruntrut as farre as the Rhene, it so beate downe the Corne in the Fields, and the Grapes in the Vineyardes, that the Vines were quite marred, and in the Fieldes there was no straw lefte for the cattell: the next day it didde no lesse harme at Brigoria and in the dominyon of the Marques of Baden, and the third daye in the miery valley. There followed a great dearth of al thinges, and at Basili their measure of Wine was sold for 6. halfepence,* 4.5 & 2. bushels of Wheate was solde for. French crounes and a halfe, aboute fifteene shillings.

The fift of the Kalends of September, at Strausburg the mother Cit∣tie of Alsatia, there was borne a woman childe with a horrible and mon∣stro••s heade, and wide open in the vppermost part, with a brode mouth, with Oxe eyes, and Eagles nostrels. That yere the Emperour Charles tooke Turin by assault, and burnt it, he broughte the Duke of Cleue to obe∣dience, in getting the Dukedome of Gelderland. By y^e treason of y^e Marques of Quissa, the armie of Charles was slaine at Carniola. Henry King of Englande made sharpe Warre vpon the Frenche whiche landed in the Ile of Wight and slue many. &c. The Emperor Charles by his Spaniardes got the Kingdome of Afrike.

On Witson Monday in Silecia these thinges were séene, as Casparus [ 1545] Pucerus recordeth, a Beare lead from the East an hoste of men furnished for the Fielde, whome a Lion with a power of armed men encountred frō the Weast: betwéene both Armies there appeared a very bright Star, im∣mediately they méeting, fought so sharpely together y^e blood seemed plenti∣fully to distill from their wounded bodies, and the Carcasses of the murde∣red séemed to fall downe dead: during the fight an Eagle was séene from a high rocke to shake his Winges, soring ouer the armie of the Lyon: when the Fielde was fought, as though the conflict had bene broken of, the Lion agayne appeared among his Souldiers, but the shape of the Beare was séene no where, the Carcasses lay along and scattered where the other Ar∣mie was, by whome there stoode goodly and reuerent olde men with gray heares: when the Battaile was ended, the Lion withdrew his armie to the Weast, where one riding on a fayre white horse, retourned from his Ar∣mie to the place of fight, and set vpon his horse a yong man in armour that stoode there, and went towards the East accompanyed, wherevppon with the other appearances he vanished away.

In Saxony in the moneth of Februarie a childe was born with a grisly looke, hauing a whole body and well compacte, but all his l••mmes were brused, torne and loose, sauing that his head was copped like a Sugerlofe, and as it were set out with a Turkish cap.

In Polande the 29. of Marche about 8. a clocke in the Morning there was cast a fearefull lightning from heauen, which made all Polande afrayd: im∣mediately

there appeared thrée red crosses in the Elemente, among whiche a Souldier in Harnesse fought with a flaming Sworde againste the Ar∣mie that was agaynste him, and ouercame it, and afterwarde the Conque∣rour was deuoured of a hydeous Dragon: by and by there appeared a greate gaping or opening in the whole Elemente almoste for an houre: There appeared at the last thrée Raynebowes with their coloures, vppon the whiche there sate a winged Aungell, whome all menne mighte see for halfe an houre, who notwithstanding afterwarde vanyshed awaye with the reste in the continuall concourse of the Cloudes: Thys wry∣teth Fincelius in his Booke of myracles, after the Gospels rising vp a∣gayne.

The seuenth day of August about eleuen of the Clock at afternoone, a fearefull tempest hapned ouer the Citie of Machlin, the like whereof was neuer scarsely heard of, for by reason of a Thunder the Citie was in such a feare, that moste men thoughte that the latter iudgement was at hande, or that the Citie should be destroyed, for there followed that feareful crac∣king of the Cloudes, a cloudye lightning, and an intollerable sulpherous stinke, neyther did any man knowe what was done, but those that were taken with the Tempest and with death, vntill at length a rumour ranne in the Cittie, that the Lightning had stricken the Sand Gate, where there were layde vp eightie Vessels of Gunpouder, whose sodayne setting on fyre made so greate a confusion in the Citie, that no man didde euer sée a more wonderfull sighte: The Sandegate was destroyed in the twinkling of an eye, and beaten into smal péeces, and not only the Foundations of the Towre, but also the Stones of the Walles neare too were pulled vp from the Foundation, and scattered ouer all the Citie, and whiche more is, the Ditche water was vpon the sodayne dryed vp with the force of the heate of the kindled Gunpouder: wherefore the next daye in the morning there were founde all about that place as it was thoughte thrée hundred deade Carcasses, and one hundred and fiftie sore hurt: there was also found a wo∣man in that Tempest who going to shut her chamber windowe loste her heade vpon the sodayne, and there were some playing at Cardes in an house who were quite slayne, sauing the wife which went into the Celler to fetche Béere: there was founde also a man hidde in a Caue, who com∣ming out thrée dayes after, asked whether the World stoode yet or not. To conclude, it was a miserable sight to sée that goodly Citie so pitifullye spoy∣led and deformed, there was almost no Churche in the Citie whiche was not gréeuously shaken, and the houses nere to were quite ouerthrowne, the whole stréetes were beaten downe.

At Rotwill a Towne of Germany well known, when diuers did spite∣fully raile at the Gospell, and many professing that they shoulde bée saued

through fayth alone in Iesus Christ went out of the Citie, and lefte their goods, the Diuel to y^e great feare of the Citizens, was seene to walke in the Citie, and it was to be feared least that deadly enemie of mankinde, and cunning craftes maister in a thousand wiles, as he did elsewhere, woulde set the Citie on fyre.

In the Citie of Argelia through the violence of a Tempest, the heade of a greate ingrauen Image was ouerthrowne in the Castle, whiche was like to the Duke of Saxony.

The whote Bathes of Fideren in Pretigoia, were so spoyled with muche rayne, and breaking of a cloude, that all thinges béeing taken a∣way with muche laboure, the Fountayne could scarcely be founde. The same yeare Henrye Duke of Brunswic séeking to recouer hys auncyente dominion, was taken and slayne by the Duke of Saxony and the Lantgraue of Hesse.

The same yere a woman of Vienna in Austria called Margaret daugh∣ter of Wolfegang Karlinger a Cittizen of Vienna but wife of George Wolczer an Inne kéeper, dwelling at that time at the signe of the redde Crabbe, being great with childe, when before Bartholmewtide she felte the Childe struggle and stur it selfe till Sainte Lukes daye, being payned with throwes, she sent for her mother and the wiues that they mighte bée with her in due seasō, which whē they came in y^e presence of the Midwife, she was vpon deliuery, but being in verye extreme pangs there was heard a certayne cracking, which declared the child was hurt, after which cracke the childes liuelinesse could no more be perceiued: in the meane season shée beganne to haue sore laboure, and milke aboundauntlye filled her brestes, wherefore the Woman carying a burthen not to be auoyded, and suffering gréeuous payns, continued halfe aliue halfe deade, euen vntill the yeare of our Lorde 1549. hauing continuallye a rotten fluxe, but after that they had in vayne tried all remedies by Surgeons and the Doctors, at length in the yere of our Lorde 1550 the tenth of Nouember at twelue a Clock at noone, vpon making an incision a little aboue the Nauill, rotten matter auoyded, and in the right side by drawing of the right Muskell they drue out y^e childe halfe rotten in the mothers belly: The mother in processe of time was well healed, so that she had her ordinarye course of bodye afterwarde. All this Storye worthye the reading, was written by Matthias Cornax, Doctor of Phisicke at Vienna to Ferdinandus King of Hungarye and Bo∣hemia.

The 18. day of Februarie Martine Luther left this life 1546. a godlye and learned preacher.

In Acke•• a towne of Saxony by the riuer Albis two children were séene growing together by their hippes on one side, where the Hippes are

Fastned to the huckle bone, in such sort that the right arme ouercompasse•• the left, as if they had embraced ech other.

In the lower Panonia the Elemēt opened for the space of an houre, from whence fell greate aboundaunce of fyre to the grounde, and vpon the Fyre was seene a black Oxe which pissed fyre. In Hungary in the presence of all men blood ran out of grapes. Fincelius.

In Denmarke this yere not farre from Coppen Hagen a famous town, a Sea Fish was taken, headed like a man, but blackishe like a Negro, and in his apparell like a Monke, for he ware a Coule aboute his necke, and his habite was set out with certain pictures: in the place of Armes & hands he had fins fit to swim withall, and the lower part, to wit the tayle, was like a fishe thrée elles long, after he was taken he liued thrée dayes, & was sent to the king of Denmarke for a myracle, but I beléeue it is the same that Caspar Pu••erus in his Booke of diuinations, and Iob Fincelius in his my∣racles haue set downe in the yere of Christ 1550. whome notwithstanding we haue read in his description to be taken .1546.

Before the Germane Warre whiche the Emperour Charles the fifte made againste the Duke of Saxony and his confederates, as Marcus Frits∣chiu•• in his Meteorologicall matters recounteth, a Childe was borne at a Village in Franci••, who after he was deliuered of his Mother, there laye a knife in his belly, whose point appeared, and by little and little was drawn out: all men iudged that it signified ciuile Warre, & the falling out of Citi∣zens among themselues, who afterwarde drue their Swords as it were against their bowels.

At Esling a Citie of Germany very well knowne, a Maiden, daughter of Iohn Vlmer called Margaret by name, through a gréeuous sicknesse and extreame paynes of the belly did so swell, that the greatnesse of her Bellye was séene of many to couer her face, and in compasse to be more than tenne handbreadths: she sayde that she fed diuers kind of liuing Creatures in her belly, whereas notwithstanding she did neither eate nor drinke, but onelye was refreshed with Pothicarie confections and smell of hearbes and flow∣ers. There were heard by those that stoode by her bedde where she laye, the voyces of diuers liuing creatures, the crowing of Cockes, the cackling of Hennes, the noyse of Géese, the barking of Dogs, the bleating of Shéepe, the grunting of Swine, and which is more, the bellowing of Cattayle, and neighing of Horses, and the cryes of many liuing creatures, farre excéeding a mans voice in greatnesse, with the which is sayde, she was continuallye tormented, and with intollerable stirring payned: she broughte oute of her Wormes and Serpents of a meruailous greatnesse, about 50. in number, to the ende she might make the Miracle to be beléeued: wherefore when the report of that thing waxed rife, not onely in Townes, but also abrode in Villages and places adioyning, and immediatelye almost throughout all

Germany so great a hugenesse of the mayden was behelde daylye of manye straungers, with no lesse compassion than wonder, and was inriched with many gifts, many Phisitions and Surgeons were asked counsaile of, and at length also the Phisitions of the Emperour Charle•• the fift, and of Fer∣dinandus king of the Romanes and Hungary came thither, accompanyed with certayne Nobles and Gentlemen, who notwithstanding found ther∣in no deceite: but when the disease had continued almost foure yeares, and that it séemed that her gréefes grew more and more, the Magistrate of the Citie (whether moued through pitie or ill suspition I knowe not) sending for the maydens parentes, asked them whether through the counsayle of the Phisitions by making an incision they desired to haue their Daughter deliuered of so great tormentes, to whome the father a simple and a harm∣lesse man made answere, that he was willing to haue his Daughter com∣mitted to Gods goodnesse and lawfull remedies of Phisitions, but the Mo∣ther being guiltie of the misfact, would not haue them attempte anye thing to her Daughters daunger, and whiche more is, she sayde that she woulde praye that Gods vengeaunce might light vppon him if they slue her yong daughter. There were also some sente vnto the diseased to cal to remem∣braunce that they many times besought helpe of Phisitions, and that ther∣fore they were now present to the end they might either asswage by some meanes the extremitie of the sicknesse, or else by Gods helpe mighte quite take it away, but she being first suborned by her mother, answered that she would suffer with a patient minde, without any Phisick, the extremity of the sicknesse, and the Crosse that God had layde vpon her, vntill it pleased the goodnesse of God to deliuer her, when now by foure yeres by God only she had ouercome all the crueltie of the disease: but the Magistrate of Esting being better content with her Fathers answere, sent at length a Doctor of Phisick with thrée Chirurgians, & a Midwife, to search the Maydens bel∣lye by incision. They came into the chamber, where they founde her swol∣len and bounde with cloutes, they drue away the couerings from her cry∣ing, they applyed their toole, and found her belly made by hand with great skill stuffed vp with pillowes, and other light matter, with diuers bowes with which her bellye was made round wherefore when this was pulled off by the Midwife they saw the mayden starke naked with as well a com∣pact and as faire a body as might be: when now the deceit was discouered, the Parentes with the Daughter, and al they which were accessarie (with whome in the night, while others were asléepe she made good chere, and consumed those giftes which the beholders brought) were caried to prison and afterwarde put to the racke. The belly was brought to the Lawhouse, and for a myracle was behelde and kept by the Burghomesters and y^e maids mother being a Witche and put to the racke confessed that she did al these thinges through Sathans perswasion and helpe, which were done for four

yeres past for gaynes sake,* 4.6 wherefore she being condemned by the sentence of the Iudge, had her neck first broken, and afterwarde was openlye bur∣ned, but the Daughter hauing her chéekes first burned through with a hote yron, was shut within a wall, and was condemned there to abyde in perpetuall prison, the Father who tooke vppon his othe that he was de∣ceyued by his Wife and daughter euen vntill that daye that this haynous and wicked facte was discouered, they fréelye dismissed, but some béeing taken which were guiltlesse, were commaunded to departe to their dwel∣linges, and some were punished for the greatnesse of their offence. I haue thought good to recken this among the prodigies of this yere, not because it is a prodigie indéede, but because it maye seeme prodigious, that a subtile olde woman ouercome with desire of gayne, was able by Sathans per∣swasion, to make fooles for foure yeres together, not of the ignoraunte and vnskilfull people only, but of Princes and Magistrates, and at length of all Germanye, from whence afterwarde the vayne reporte thereof was spreade into other countreys: whereby a man shall learne not onelye the wiles of Sathan, sixe of all lyes, but the slouthfulnesse well neare of all ma∣gistrates in waightie matters, and chéefely in abolishing the workes of the diuell, whereof it commeth to passe that the blynde guide doth easily hyde all truth from such as are plunged into too much securitie and in place ther∣of doth thrust the vayne counterfeyte shew of lies.

[ 1546] The 27. of Aprill being Tewseday in Easter wéeke, William Foxle•• pot∣maker for the mint in y^e tower of London, fel asléepe, & so cōtinued sléeping & could not be wakened by pricking, cramping, and other attemptes, til the first day of the next tearme, which was ful 14 dayes & 15. nightes, the cause of this so strange sléeping could not be known, otherwise than y^t he himself thought to haue slept but one afternoone and night: y^e kinges Phisition and the king with other did examine him, but found no matter of any apparāce in sléepe otherwise than before expressed. The same yere in Iuly An Askew & .other godly martirs were burned in Smithfielde for y^e testimonie of the Gospell, which I. S. either for feare of hoped time to come setteth not down or else that he doth not yet know that they died for denying the popish Sa∣crament. Henry Howard Earle of Surry was beheaded. And the 18. daye of Ianuarie next following deceased king Henry the eight, when he had raig∣ned 37. yeres 9. moneths and od dayes, and was buried at Windsoure.

At Basill on a widowes grounde dwelling in the Suburbes of S. Al∣bon there was found a wheate straw that had 7 eares, of y^e which y^t which was in the top did far excell the other in greatnesse. This yere when Mar∣tine Luther was now dead, the 18. of Februarie, the Emperour Charles y^e fift breaking into Germany with a Spanish armie whilste he pretended to chastice the disobedience of certayne princes, robbed the Countrey by di∣uers subtilties, and gaue the spoyle to the Souldiers.

The tenth of Februarie at Belgerne a towne of Misnia and in the places nere about, in the night season there appeared a great opening of the Ele∣ment by the north pole, that did shine red for two howers, and cast rayes to the earth: there were séene also the same time 3. great beames of diuers colours wandring vp and downe in the cloudes. King Henry the eight di∣ed and his sonne Prince Edwarde raigned king.

The 24. of Aprill at Halberstate in Saxonie there was séene a boule of a black colour going with a great violence, from amid the Moone towardes the North.

The Saylers of Hambrough the 15 of December at Midnight saw a bur∣ning boule like the sunne going with great spéede to y^e South, which gaue so great a heate with his beames, that the mariners coulde not abide it, but falling vpon their face were also afrayde of the burning of their shippe. This doth Iob. Fincelius recite in his miracles, after the rising agayne of the Gospell.

In Switzerlande there were séene in the ayre two armies, and two Ly∣ons gréeuously fighting together, y^e one of which bit off y^e others head, more∣ouer there stretched out in length a white crosse, in the end whereof was a rod like to a fan. The 12. of Aprill this yeare the Sunne for thrée dayes ap∣peared in the Element in the afternoone like a boule of fire, in so much that the stars also appeared.

At Louaine the 7 of the Ides of Aprill a twin was borne, hauing two se∣uerall bodies, but ioyned together in one heade: of these maketh mention Gaspar Pucerus.

The 24. of Aprill, not only in Saxonie, Thuringia and Misnia, but also in Switzerland the Sun was séene, not with a heauy or sad, but with a bloodye chéere, almost for 4 whole houres, to the great astonishment of many which day when I had noted in my historye kalender, I found out afterward that the same day Iohn Frederike Prince of Saxony that moste holy and cōstant Gouernour in the fayth, was taken in a bloodye slaughter by the Emperor at Milberg.

The same time at certayne places in Germany as Fincelius writeth, the Images of the Crosse were séene on mens garments.

At Ploa a towne of Witlande a monstrous childe was borne, for in him appeared neither back nor belly, sauing that his entrailes about his Brest hong farre down, he bent his féete towards his heade, he had his nauill in the hamme of the lefte legge, and he hadde a poynted head like a Suger∣lofe.

Aboute this time of Carolus Quintus the Emperour, there happened a maruellous strange alteration in nature no lesse wonderfull then most as∣sured true: a yong Gentleman of noble parentage, in the Court of the Em∣perour, where he the sayde Gentleman defloured a yong Gentlewoman,

whome he loued excéedingly, was notwithstanding his loue towardes her for the rash fact committed to prison, where looking for none other but the rigour of the Lawe, whiche among the Germanes is seuere punishmente (namely death) the Gentleman languishing the nighte in deadly gréefe of mynde, became through feare so altered the next morning, y^t being brought forth to the executiō was not known of his kéepers, nor of any other. This strange altered creature being brought before the Emperour, his youthfull face wan and pale, his fresh coloured heare tourned into gray as if he had bene a man of great yeares, his beard slauered and filthie with driueling, the Emperour beholding so straunge and sodayne a sighte, supposed the straunge hap to be but a shift, for the sauegarde of the Gentleman to put som other in his place, the matter examined it was found manifest that the said straunge alteration come through an ouernatured feare, whose Maie∣stie being astonied at the sight thereof pardoned the offender, and remitted his offence, estéeming the feare for the fact a sufficient punishment. Leuine Lemme in his Booke translated by T. Newton Touchestone of Complex∣ions.

The first of October in Saxonie in the morning about the rising of the Sunne there was séene in the Element a hearse of one dead couered with black cloth hauing a crosse of red colour layde therevppon, before whome there went and followed men in mourning apparell, making such a noyse and sounde with their Trumpets, that the sounde was easily heard of the inhabitantes, and whilste this was, there appeared also a Souldier in Ar∣mour fearefull to beholde, who drawing his Sworde cut a white cloth in sunder, and afterward, that which was lefte he tore in two péeces with his handes, and lately with the residue he vanished out of mens sight.

At the Towne of Bitterfeld a Calfe was found in the fielde with mans eyes, Nostrels and eares, hauing his heade shauen, and as it were couered with Vermilian, in mouth and breast like a Calfe, hauing his former legs like a Calfe, and his hinder like a man, and very short, but both were part∣ly houed like a Calfe, and partly towed and fingred like a man, which fin∣gers were vnder the hoofe, and hong out seuerally: this Mōster Gaspar Pu∣ceru describeth in his booke of Teratascopia.

So in Caelius Rhodiginus we read that by the Town Siberis 1••. myles from Rome a Sheaphearde called Crathis by his often companying with a Gote (which is foule and filthie to be spoken) begat a Gote with a mans head much like his father, the rest like the Dame, on whom afterward the head gote being iealous vpon occasion offered, assayed him violentlye with his hornes, lying vpon the ground, an•• ••••ounding his fellow (in louekind) with many blowes slue him. Caelius in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 25. Booke and 32 chapt. of aun∣cient readinges.

[ 1547] At Micena the Cathedral Church the fift of the Kalends of Iune, was

striken with lightning, at ••. a clocke in the afternoone, the Towers, the roufe of the churche and the belles were burnt, when that daye they hadde giuen thankes, and the Channons and priestes had sung therein ••e Deum laudamus, for the taking of Iohn Frederike Elector: no other lightning went before or came after. George Fabricius of Remnik in his Misntake discourses.

In Italy not far from Rome the first of the Ides of December aboute thrée of the Clock in the afternoone, in faire weather a bloody rod and redde crosse was séene in the ayre almoste for thrée whole houres, and ouer the toppe of the Crosse an Eagle sored with her winges, and the same yeare the counsayle of Trent was continued by the Cardinals and Bishops of the Romishe court. An Interim of y^e new Pope was proclaimed at Ausburg to the ouerthrow of Germany.

At Sasa in the moneth of May the Sunne shining very bright, hadde about it two fierie boules, mouing themselues here and there, the greater of whiche at laste so couered the Sunne, that he appeared altogether lyke Iron.

In certayne places of Saxony there was séene fire falling from the E∣lement vpon the ground and vpon Cities. Iob Fincelius.

A Woman borne at Argeria went accompanied with her husbande to Lypsia to a village called Oberstorf betwéene Mansfielde and Sangar∣huse, who beganne to be payned with throwes, wherevppon shée brought forth a Gyrle, a fayre Chylde and a goodly to beholde, sauing that there appeared on her backe redde spottes as broade as a Ioachim Groate, and when the Chylde had liued fourtéene dayes, her heade so grew, that dayly she was loden with a greater swelling, vntill also hir eyes being quite hidden with the fleshe growing aboute, she could sée nothing, wherfore the fifte moneth after when she was yet aliue, the compasse of her heade was measured with a thréed, which contained in cōpasse twentie & foure inches: This writeth Iob Fincelius of the miracl•• after the rising agayne of the Gospell.

This yeare was the rising in Deuonshire, for the whiche foure captaynes of that Sedition were hanged, drawne and quartered at Ty∣borne.

[ 1548]

[illustration]

The 18. of the Ka∣lendes of Maye be∣twéene sixe and se∣uen a clock, at My∣sena, a childe was borne with the skul deuided in the sore∣head, w^t one thigh, without lippes, ha∣uing in the place of his mouth a little hole, and maimed in the reste of hys bo∣dye.

In Aurelian woods in Fraunce, which I take to be the forest of Arden, was foūd a beast called Lynx, which is much lyke a woolfe hauing ma∣nye spots which in very short space de∣uoured so manye men y^t the dwellers by being amased with feare of daunger kept themselues within dores, and durste not come abrode. The ninth daye of Februarie there was a small Earthquake at Basill.

The tenth of Februarie there was séene in Saxony a fire in y^e Elemente, falling vpon certaine cities. In Saxony there were séene agayne in the Ele∣ment two armies at Quende••burg fighting fiercely together, there were also other kindes of prodigies séene in the ayre. Marcus Fritschius in his Meteores.

At Rosenfield in the Dukedome of Wittenberg, the thrée and twentith daye of Iulye, firste when the Moone was nowe full, and contrarye to Nature, of a bloodye coloure, there was séene in it the Image of a blac∣kish arme, with the hande stretched out, and when shée hadde recouered hir naturall brightnesse, shée was séene agayne with thrée blackishe beames, crossing ouerthwart as it were a straighte line. Afterwarde when as these vanished awaye, there was sodaynelye séene a Burgondine black Crosse: and lastly ouer the Moone there appeared on both sides of her

two other moones but much lesse.

This yeare in Saxony Charles the Emperoure fought a luckie Bat∣taile: and the Spaniards afflicted Germany.

Fraunces the French king died, whome his Sonne Henry the second of that name succéeded: so vppon the death of king Henrye the eighte king of Englande, Edwarde succéeded being yet but a Chylde, as before is sayde.

Certayne honest menne of Bru••swik when they trauailed in the night they sawe the Moone enuironed with a goodly shewe whiche is called Halo, and by her two by Moones, and that the Moone didde turne foure tymes aboute, afterwarde they behelde a fierye Lyon by the by moones, and an Eagle picking hir owne brest. After these succéeded an horrible shewe of burned Cities, and about them Camels: the figure of Christe hanging on the Crosse, with the two Théeues, and about it a companye of menne, as if it were of the Apostles. The laste shewe of all was moste terrible: a cruell manne stoode threatning with his drawne Sworde, to stryke a mai∣den which stoode before him, in shew of one making humble intreatie, & sée∣med wéeping to make request vppon hir knées that she mighte not be stric∣ken. The like to these were also séene else where. The Authoures of all these are, Gaspar Pucerus, in his Teratoscopia, and Iob Finceli∣us. These also are published throughoute all Germany with a God∣lye Exhortation to repentaunce, by Nicholas Melder and Flaccus Illi∣ricus.

In Panonia when Vipers and Lizerdes grew in mens bodyes, a greate number of menne for want of remedie died in great payne and tormente. At length some being sette in the Sunne vomited the Serpentes, féeling the naturall heate, and were deliuered: there was also found a greate num∣ber of Serpentes in the houses, whiche with clubbes and fyre were sette vppon by the inhabitantes: one of the Serpentes in the behalfe of the rest, is reported to haue sayde these wordes in a mannes voyce: Nihil efficietis contra vltionem Diuinam pugnantes. Ye shall bring nothing to passe striuing agaynste Gods vengeaunce. The Authoures of this are these, Iob Fincelius, Frances Bebeckius, and Giles Aquila, who haue written hereof.

In a Towne of Voytlande in fayre weather in the Morning, as Iob Fincelius writeth, there was séene a tall manne attyred and sette oute lyke a Prince of Germanye, ouer whome on the one side there ap∣peared a Lyon, and on the other a Lambe, who embracing one another, shewed in gesture and countenaunce tokens of loue: There also appea∣red a Garlande in the cloudes, whiche the Prince wente about to take but in vayne, and the Sworde whiche was long séene vnder hys féete,

with the pummell standing vpright, he tooke and cast about and flourished thrée or foure times, vntill the whole sight was buried in the Cloudes, Iob Fincelius.

At Munda a Towne in Saxony vpon S. Vrsulas day, a man vnknowne with fearefull countenance, clad in filthie Garments, carying a staffe, with∣out a cote, running vp and downe in the stréetes with a loude voyce crying repentaunce, did exhort men to embrace the word of God, and to detest the worshipping of Idols.

Peuce•• doth witnesse that he saw this yere children new borne like apes to looke too, and full of heare like Beares ouer their backe, and moreouer which held their tongues out, and as it were hanging downe like Calues newly killed.

Nere to Brunswik much blood ranne out of a fountayne. In the vpper∣most Alsatia not farre from Colmar a Citie of the Empyre, there fell oute of the Element vpon the ground a great number of Frogges and Toades, which being fyrst destroyed with clubbes and battes by the inhabitants of that place, afterwarde least the ayre shoulde be infected therewith, at the commaundement of the Magistrate they were gathered in a heape by the Hangmen, and Tanners, and cast into a ditch. That yeare died the Pope before called Alexander Farnezius, in whose place Iulius the thyrde suc∣céeded.

There was borne a boy not farre from Tygure in the Lordshippe of Kiburg•• in the parrishe of Wisnang and in the Village of Tellurge the 26 day of Maye, which was the Sunday before the Ascention of the Lorde a∣bout the twelfth houre of the night, his parentes being called Iohn Wal∣ker and Barbara Sax••r, this boy was christned by Henry Mesicommer cu∣rate of the place, and was called Hen••y, his increase or grouth in his infan∣cie and boyes age was a wonder to all menne, for whereas at this time he was onelye but sixe yeares olde, yet he grewe so high as one of fourteene yeres of age: he had a great and a strong voyce: his Genitales were as bigge as ones of twentie, and were full of heare, neyther didde hée yet seace to grow. Being but fiue yeres olde he caryed great burthens, as a reasonable sacke of Wheate which our men call a bushell, and is almoste foure times as muche as the bushell of the olde Romanes: he was able also to threshe in the Barne, and to guide the plough as well as a manne: his witte was yet childishe, and his Parentes didde not excéede the measure of a meane stature. Most of the Citizens of Tygure at that tyme knew this to be true, and manye behelde the boye being brought by his father to bée seene.

It is sayd y^t about the time of Iohn Earle of Holande, there was a Giant whose name was Nicholas whose greatnesse of body was vnto all men in admiration, his stature so high, that menne (as they saye) mighte stande

vnder his armes, his shooe easily receiued the féete of foure excéeding bigge men, and he so feared the Children going to schoole, with the greatnesse of his members, that they durst not but go backwardes and a far off looking vpon him. Hadrianus Barlandus in the Chronicles of Hollande, and printed in English. 1557.

In Carinthia not farre from the Townes of Clagdenfort and Villac the 10 [ 1550] of the kalends of Aprill before Palme sonday, it rayned verye good Corne from heauen, which was gathered by the inhabitants of the Countrey, and imployed for mans sustenaunce.

On palme Sunday at thrée a clocke in the afternoone, in the dominion of the Duke of Brunswik there were séene two by Suns, for a large circle en∣uironing the Sun did represente on both sides a by sunne as it were with a straighte line, and a long beame of the same colour sharpe at both endes pearced through the thrée Sunnes.

The 25 of May, betwéene the howers of eleuen, & one in the afternoone, was an earthquake of a quarter of an houre long at Blechingly, at Go••stone, Tytsey, Rigate and other places. The 10 of Iuly following, the firste fall of English money, and also an other sweating sicknesse whereof many dyed.

The third of August in the Dominion of the Abot of Vrcium in y^e vilage of Rieden 3. miles frō Knafburin a towne of Swedon, a Smiths wife brought forth a twin in all parts perfite, but ioyned together in the bellye as far as the neck, which after they were borne, were longer than thrée quarters of the Sweadon elle.

There were séene the 1•• day at Lipsia in Misnia 3. boules of fire which many students and famous men behelde, as Marcus Fritschius writeth.

Betwéene Noringburg, Fichtuuang and Aucltzbaech the third of the Ides of August in fayre weather the Sunne was séene of changeable colour, and vpon the same a vessell full of blood, about an eagle sette oute with spreade winges and chaungeable coloures, but wanting féete: and a little beneathe there was séene a rainbow, and by the same a horseman which in one hand led a horse, in the other a white hound.

The 7. day of the kalends of Iuly in Germany nere the vilage of B••r∣tholdszdorf not far from the town of Coburg on a peare trée was found ripe peares, and on the peares blossomes, as though newe peares shoulde haue bene yielded vpon the old the same yeare.

In Saxony at Tribinium the ••9 of Iuly not far from Wittenberg, the very marte of the Muses and all good learning, there were séene many prodigies in the Element, for there was an apparant shew of an harte, and the Ar∣mies of men fighting together on both sides, and méeting with shoutes whose blood like raine fell to the ground. The sunne was séene in a dread∣full shape, who also at that time séemed to be clouen in two partes, and on the one side to bend to the earth. The 12 of the kalends of Iuly, at Witten∣berg

there was séene a bloodye sworde and an engine of Warre layde vpon whéeles in the Element, as writeth Iob Fincelius. At the same place about the feast of S. Iohn the Baptist, betwéene the houres of 6. and 9. in fayre weather, a blacke crosse was séene with a dart turning in the forepart like a hooke. The same yere in Saxony betwéene Hall and Mespurg in the moneth of Iune, there was found a fountaine in a Medowe, out of whiche there ran blood, which notwithstanding being taken vp into handes chan∣ged into yelowish colour. In a town of Mysia a townesmā in y^e night time going through the churchyard saw a graue sodaynlye swelling vp, oute of which he heard a voyce plainely speaking Vae Vae, Vae Vrbi, Wo, Wo, Wo be to the Citie, wherevpon the man being sodaynly amazed fel down. Iob Fin.

In the Sea Baligicum not far from Hafnia, Gaspar Pucerus in his booke of Teratoscopia affirmeth, a fishe was taken with a mans face, his heade shauen about like a Monkes crown, hauing scales on his body, like vnto a Friers cowle: perhaps it is the same wherof we haue written before in the yere of Christ, 549.

[illustration]

In Siemia a village in the lesser Polande, scituate 12. Myles from the Towne of Gloganu when bread was cut at the Ta∣ble, al the table was filled with droppes of blood running frō the bread.

In the Lordship or Domynyon of the prince Elector, in y^e day of the visitation of Mary in the Vil∣lage of Horchsham and in the Valley of Zelliu, a woman Childe was borne monstrous to behold withoute eyes and eares hauing a broad and open mouth, a body torne & woun∣ded euerye where, & in many of hir members like to one that were fleane.

In Germany about the Vilage of Rikenslaw was taken a Pigeon hauing foure féete and two fundementes.

About this time one at Millaine in Italy whose name Cardanus fauou∣red for his estimation, about one a clock at midnight where he accustoma∣bly laide his cloak, had sparckles of fyre spattering out from the cape, and a∣gaine when it was taken away and layde downe agayn, they brake out a∣gayne, wherevppon he was stricken with a double feare. Within fiftéene dayes after, he being accused of witchcraft or poysoning, his friends intrea∣ting for his life went willingly (through their perswasiō) into banishment. This writeth Cardanus Booke 14. Chapt. 69. of the vanitie of things. This yere Pope Paulus the third died, after whom Iulius the thirde succeeded. In Februarie Maideburg at the commandment of the Emperour Charles y^e 5 was for 15. moneths besieged by Maurice D. of Saxonie, and Albert y^e yon∣ger Duke of Brandeburg, and immediately vpon the pacification of them of Maindenburg contrary to all mens expectation, the warre was tourned a∣gainst Charles the author thereof, wherefore Charles who now reioyced in his great soueraintie, being beset by his enemy at Oenepont, scarcelye esca∣ped by flying away.

The 10 day of Ianuarie at Murtpurg in Hassia there arose a great flood••, [ 1551] whereby in manye places stone bridges were quite ouerthrown and cary∣ed away.

The 13. of Ianuarie there arose a vehement tempest in manye places of Germany with many showers, much lightning and thūder, in so much that many among whome it happened supposed that the daye of the last iudge∣ment was at hande.

The 28 of Ianuary there were séene at Lisborne in Portugale in y^e elemēt bloody rods, and fearefull fires, it rained blood also, and there was so greate an earthquake kindled, that it vehemently shooke and ouerthrew ••00 hou∣ses, in which shaking 1000 men perished.

At Creutzburg, an honest Citizen, his house being stricken with light∣ning, he sitting at the Table was slaine by the same together with his dogge that lay at his féete, but a yong Childe standing nere the father was not hurt.

The 2 day of Marche at Magdeburg in the morning about 7 of the clock there wer séene 7. rainbowes, and in the euening 3. moones, of which y^e first that was the Moone in déede, did shine ouer the Citie of Magdeburg, but the other being bloody, ouer the village of Desdorf, the third and the same bloody ouer the new citie.

At Wittenberg in Saxony the 12 of the kalends of Aprill there were séene 3 Suns with changeable circles in the Elemente, Greekes call them Parelia, which we may English by Suns.

In many places of Germany there appeared bloody prodigies. In Saxony it

sprang blood, euen as it did in Fraunce. Moreouer at Kitting, Bosphor, and in the places nere to Fraunc••, before the feast of Pentecost a great aboundance of water breaking out of the clouds, did sodaynly oppresse men and beasts, and destroied the whole town of Brundurghus, swallowing vp many men, the bridge of Kitting was caryed away, and the foundations moued, all thinges in that place swimming in the water, where without doubte all thinges had perished, vnlesse by breaking of the Towne walles the water had founde his passage, yet it cleane ouerthrew fiue houses. At Bosphor it thundered and lightned aboue thirtie claps it set the towne on fyre, and cō∣sumed the greater part. At Rotolse the violence of raine water ouerthrew 3. houses, and tooke away men and beasts, in the lesser Necker it caried away fiue houses with sixe children and certayne cattayle: at Specfort it tooke a∣way fiftéene men in destroying there many buildinges: At Pabenberg it o∣uerthrew seuen houses, and did great harme to the fieldes and Vineyards, which deluge Iob Fincelius doth intreate of more at large in his myracles. The 28 day of Februarye at Anwerpe a famous Marte of the lower Ger∣manye there were séene thrée Sunnes

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with diuerse & sun∣drye circles, whose description I haue thoughte good to set downe.

In the moneth of May in Thuring be∣twéene Got & Isenac through the conti∣nuall showers of rayne, riuers grew vp so sodainlye in y^e Lordship of Theut∣leb, that they ouer∣threw fiue Cotages and destroyed y^e far∣mer and his thrée Sons. In Englande there hath often∣times happened a more greate losse of men and cattaile than this, or suche like, and yet not spoken of at all.

Not long before the confederacie of the Princes of Germany with the French king, about thrée houres after the sunnes rising the one and twen∣tith of March there were séene two by sunnes, whiche almoste excelled the Sunne throughe the brightnesse: they were knit togither in vnitie with a changeable bowe, coloured like a rainebow, and turning Westward, whō two other followed, shaped like hornes, much lesse and narrower, but hauing the same colours, and méeting togither in the vttermoste rundell. One of them turning his hornes to the Sunne, the other turning them a∣way, and stretching thē towards the weast was séene more than an houres space, the euente shewed what ensued. Gaspar Pucer in his Metereo∣log.

In the moneth of May there fell in Ioachimes valley a place in Germany, and in Slacenwald verye many & violent showres, which made such spoile in the mines that it could not be valued. The like floudes happened at the Riuer Albis, and else-where, for the riuers grewe so excéedinglye euerye where, that no man coulde remember that the like happened in that place before.

Thys yeare the Sea brake in at Sandwiche, in so muche that it ouerflowed all the Marshes there aboute, beside Woolwich, and beyonde Saint Kathrens.

At Witstad which is a village belonging to the Lordshippe of Megalo∣pyrg, in the Whitson holy dayes the husbandmen in a tauerne or victualing house gaue themselues to drinke, among the which a woman of the Coun∣trey spake reprochfully against God, and abusing his name with a wōder∣ful maliparte and vnshamefast boldenesse, did curse and scorne the diuine Maiestie, wherevppon sodainely the Diuell carryed hir alofte throughe a window, wherwith al that saw it were stricken in a great feare, and when many ran out of the doores, looking what woulde come of it, they sawe the woman for a season wauing in the ayre, and afterward to be caste downe headlong to the grounde dead, and hir neck broken.

At Micena a woman child (as Fincelius writeth) fiue dayes before she was borne, cryed aloude in hir mothers belly, the fiftéenth of the Calendes of Nouember, she liued halfe a yeare, and dyed of pushes, out of which there ran bloud. There ensued a Pestilence for two yeares.

The same yeare two by Moones were twice séene. The firste, the twelfth of the Calendes of April, the other, the thirtéenth of the Calends of Ianuarie. There followed herevppon the warres of the Em∣perour.

In Saxonie the Diuel being transformed in the night season into sun∣dry shapes, was séene in the stréetes knocking at sundrye mens doores and gates, and whilest he was sometimes heard, as it were to go with a Crosse to church, sometimes to shed teares, and bewaile like a mourner, it cannot

be sayde how much he deceyued men.

A Caulfe with two heades was broughte forth in the moneth of De∣cember in Schim at a village which they cal Long neare to Friburge.

At Damenwald a manour house in Marchia neare Wodstocke a Far∣mers wife brought forth a mōster which Fincelius discribeth. Al the childs body was of a bright Bay, his heade had hornes, his eyes were greate and hanging out, he had no nose, his mouth broade a span long, amid whiche appeared a white tong and foure square he had no neck, for his head grew close to hys shoulders, all his body was puft vp, and full of wrinckles, hys armes did sticke in his loynes, his féete were slender, and from his Nauill there hung down to his féete a kinde of loose bowel.

In a Village of Thuring a Cowe broughte forth a Calfe with seauen féete hauing a lumpe of fleshe hanging downe from his side. At the same place there arose a vehement Tempest, which spoiled the corne far abrode, and there was muche lightning. There also fel downe out of the Element a burning bowle, whiche laye vppon the grounde, to the greate feare of all men.

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There was séene a verye monsterous beast broughte out of India by certaine, for gaines sake into Germanye, whiche beaste they call a Pauion or Babion a filthye beaste, and was carryed aboute to be séene for money, hys bodye roughe, hys heade Ape-like, dreadefull, hys eares short: he had foure féete clouen betwixt the fingers and tooes, a short tayle shewing hys hinder parts. Gesner.

At Bern in Switzerland a colt was séene with fiue féete. And at Basil one led about an Oxe with fiue féete.

This yeare Henrie the seconde King of Fraunce being in league with Maurice Duke elector of Saxonie. Albert Marques of Brandenburg, and cer∣taine other Princes of Germanye, broke into Germany wyth a great hoste to defende the libertie thereof against the Spaniardes & to deliuer the Prin∣ces that the Emperour had taken prisoners, by which meanes the counsell of Trent brake vp.

In Sommersetshiere neare the Towne of Bruton was Calued a Caulfe wyth two heades, whyche bredde a greate griefe to the owner of that straunge sighte, being an honest Townesmanne, called Goffe.

In the whyche Towne, for that I was borne, I haue thought good to reci••e the antiquitie thereof. As authours affirme by auntiente re∣corde, one of the Earles of Cornewall, and Oxenforde named Algarus, firste founded the Abbay, after whyche foundation, the Towne in∣creased in buildings and inhabitauntes, aboute the yeare of our Lorde God. 1043. at suche time when Edwarde the sonne of Egelred was King of Englande thrée and twentie yeares before the Conquest, aboute fiue hundred one and fortie yeares continuance. Bruton lyeth Northe and Southe, with a fayre stréete Weste, thereto ioyning other Stréetes. It hathe a fayre Market Crosse of Stone wyth sixe Pillers, within the which are seates of the saide stone, whych Crosse was builded by Ely, the last Abbot there. The Parish Church is beyonde the riuer Brue of Bruham, from whence the riuer falleth West: the Abbay and the Towne standeth in Selwood, in the which Abbay were placed first Monkes, and after Cha∣nons, diuerse of the Moynes were buryed there, a people whiche came in with William Conqueror and were of nobilitie: ouer the riuer are two Bridges to passe with cariage betwéen the Parish church, the Abbay that was, and the town, the one hauing thrée Arches, the other a bowe Bridge of such Art and making, as being once decayed will hardly be made againe. The Abbay was suppressed Anno. 1538. then called Abbas Monasterij bea∣tae Mariae, the first of April. Authors Lanquet, Leyland, the Register of the suppression Anno 30 of King Henrie the eyght. Since whiche time, there was a Schole house, where many times Schollers profited in learning, to the honor of the place, and profit of youth, supposed now very muche decay∣ed, the more haue the hinderers to aunswere before God.

Aboute the Towne of Claggendorfe, standing by Villachus vppon a Sondaye it rayned Wheate from Heauen, for two houres togyther, and almoste for sixe myles greate plentie thereof couered the Earthe lyke

Snowe a hande breadth thicke, it was grounded and made good breade.

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[ 1552] The thirde of August, was borne a maruellous straunge Monster. At a place called Middleton, eleauen miles from Oxford a woman brought forth a childe, whiche had two perfecte bodies from the Nauill vpwarde, and were so ioyned togither at the Nauill, that when they were layde in length, the one heade and bodye was Eastward, and the other weaste, the legges for bothe bodyes grewe out at the middest where the bodies ioined, and had but one issue for the excrement of both the bodies: they liued eigh∣téene dayes, and when they were opened, it appeared they were women children. Iohn Stow.

The eight of August there were taken about Quinborough thrée greate fishes called Dolphins, or by some called Rigges, and the wéeke folowing were sixe more taken and brought to London, and there sold, the least of thē was greater than a horsse.

At Grauesende the seauenth of October were two whirlepooles taken, fishes of a great bignesse, and drawn aboue London Bridge. The sequele of these Monsters hapned the second yere folowing, in which season, that ver∣tuous and noble Prince King Edward the sixth dyed, of the age of sixtéene yeares, the sixtéenth day of Iuly, when he had raigned sixe yeares and fiue monethes, after whose death folowed greate and vnquiet troubles, not so

much for the suppression of commotion, as cruell persecution for the Gos∣pell. &c.

Vppon Bartholmewday being on a Sunday, in Holand there arose a great tempest, wherin there fel haylstones of diuers forms, one waying a pound waight, some of the stones were like the Sunne, some like a Gar∣lande o••••ares of Corne, and others had other shapes, who afterwarde bée∣ing molten with the heate of the Sunne, yéelded a verye stinking smoke, wherewith all the ayre was infected, and many liuing creatures died.

The 16 daye of September there was an earthquake at Basill, yet not greate: about sixe of the clocke at the afternoone, and the same yeare dyed more than 1000 men of the plague.

In y^e moneth of Ianuarie many things were destroied with the floods of diuers riuers. At Iena the Riuer Sala ouerthrew many houses, and drou∣ned men and beastes. In Flaunders a Towne was quite destroyed. The ri∣uer Moenus at Fronhus nere Markburg drouned many thinges, and ouer∣threw bridges in Hassia a countrey of Germany chéefely renowmed for the setting forth of the Gospell. At Witzenhus the third daye after the feaste of the thrée kinges, a man childe was borne with two heades, two necks, and a body very well compact with the other members.

A méere at Martisbirg was séene to runne with b••ood more than once: in Fraunce it rayned blood and flesh. In many townes of Misnia and chéefely at Mulde there were earthquakes which shooke many buildings. Ioachims valley quaked also, wherein many things fell.

[illustration]

Betwéene Binge a towne famous for the death of the Father in law [ 1552] of the Emperour Drusus Augustus, and Mogunce, there was neuer before in that coast, séene so great a number of strange Flindermice flying fast in one flocke, that with the mouing of their winges they shadowed the Suns light, made darkenesse at noonetyde, and quite couered the grounde of that Bishoprick. Great discord fel in Germany betwéene the Emperour and the

states, as wel in causes of religion, as for politike gouernement.

The 9. of May, at fiue a clocke at afternoone to witte the very same day that the Duke of Saxonie was set at liberty from the Emperours Captiui∣tie, a sodaine tempest arose at Wittenberg stones fel from heauen, and after much lightning y^e Percullices at the castel gate were cast down with light∣ning and broken in very smal péeces.

At Bonne a town wel knowen in the low Countrey, and standing by the riuer of Rhene soure myles from Cullen, the 17. of the Calendes of Iune a Cow brought forth a Calfe with two heades ioyned togither, two bodies, two tailes and thrée eyes.

In the moneth of Iune at Schoufield the sun arising in the morning ap∣peared like a Pitcher, of some called an earthen steane, powring out bloud vpon the earth, through whom passed two beames ouerthwart.

At Mechlin in Flaunders the sixtéenth of the Calendes of Marche, a∣bout thrée a clocke at afternoone, the Sun appeared feareful to behold, first with a blewe and after with a bloudy colour, and with a great cyrcle, with a Rainebow.

The Hils or Mountaines called Suditi in the twylighte the twelfthe of the Calendes of Marche, were shaken with an Earthquake togyther with the places adioyning, whiche also the towne of Misena felt some∣what.

The same yeare aboue. 2000. men died of the pestilence, a woman in hir sicknesse swet bloud in the vpward part of hir body.

[ 1552] Friberg was shaken with an Earthquake. In the stréete Vicarium, a yong man stoode fiue yeare in one place, his steps being also printed in the grounde, the sixth yeare he beganne to sit, he was foolish and seldome quiet, & turned away mens sight. The same yeare he dyed of the plague. George Fabritiu•• of Kemnic hathe lefte this written in his Misnian matters of the towne of Friberg.

* 4.7At Windensbach which is a myle from Schlenfing a Monster was borne of a woman like a childe, without féete, in a place whereof it had a poynte comming downe warde, and from the thyghes also, it had sharpe poynts standing out, and of this Iob Fincelius maketh mention, in his myracles, after the rising again of the Gospel.

With vs at Basil, in a verye greate plague, the seruaunt of a Cooper dwelling in Spali stréete fel sicke of the plague, who dyed and was layde forth, and in the meane season his fellowes talking togither of his burial, within a space he recouered himselfe againe, and not knowing where he was, for they hadde put him into a darke corner of the house, he cryed out as well as he coulde oh how coulde is the Countrey where I am, oh the stoue is not wel heate, where I poore wretche perish for extreame colde.

The householde hearing the hoarse and vnknowen cry, being afraide, for they seruauntes thynking some noughtie spirite was in the Chamber, durst not enter the Chamber. The poore felow crept out of the corner to his bed, and taking the pillowe in his hande, layde it vnder his head vpon the grounde, and afterwarde his felowes became more hardye, and comming into the Chamber founde him aliue againe, and so recouered, that af er∣ward he had wife and children. The like also, in a manner happened in the lesser Basil about ninetéene yeares past, where a gyrle of fourteene yeares of age, which dwelt in the vine warde, dying of the plague, was layde out, sowed vp, and prepared to be buried: and when she was caryed sorthe in the Coffin, where she hadde layne manye houres in the coldeste tyme of the yeare she recouered againe, and was put in hir bed, and spake bold∣ly, and liued after many yeares, she said that she had bin deade in déede, and saw diuerse torments of Hel, the paines of sinners, and certaine which she knew very wel, and which also she named, who were there sore tormēted, whereas notwithstanding at y^e time they were yet liuing:* 4.8 she added more∣ouer certaine other things very like to oldewiues tales, wherevpon at the commaundemente of the wise Magistrate shée was commaunded to sylence, leaste the vnconstaunte people myghte be wyth trystes misseled.

In a Citie which is situate at the foote of the Mountaines whych Pto∣lome [ 1552] called Sudites at the entry of the vppermost Lusatia, called Budecina, two myles from the heade of the Riuer Sueuus, the thirtéenth of August, a∣bout Sun setting, when a péece of a cloud was pulled away, and fel down, and with his swift course had ouerwhelmed the vallyes full of fishe, filled the Channels, and broke the banckes, the water finding a course ran into the riuer Sueuus thereby who sodainly being increased hereby and risen vp so high, as no Chronicles make mention of the like, when it ran w th great violence downe from high Hils, for the space of two miles, what Bridges soeuer, houses and Gardens were neare to the bancke, it quite destroyed and made euen with the grounde, and left no manner of token of house or Garden, and toke away, and drowned at once thirtie men neare the Towne, and the rest scaped to the Hilles that were thereby: it was saide, that in that coaste there were drowned a hundred persons: within eight days after there followed such gret whirlewinds, that they pulled vp, and threw down, verye strong buildings euen from the very foundation, and caste downe a greate number of tall and high trées, pulling them vppe by the rootes, or wrythed them aboute, or as it were riued them in the middest. And eighte dayes before the natiuitie of Christe, the Elemente séemed to descende, and to be often a fire, and immediatelye the hyghe Churche was stricken wyth a feareful lightning, all the winter the plague

was very gréeuous. Earthquakes, which as histories do specifie do always signifie great Warres and deadly seditions, the very same yere the Moun∣taynes Sudites, and the Townes builte vppon them did féele, not one or two, but many and continuall, the houses trembling as it were at the ve∣hement blastes of wynde. Thus writeth Gaspar Pucerus in his Meteoro∣loge.

This yeare in the most bloody warre of the Emperour Charles with Henry the second King of Fraunce, Ternau a very strong Towne in Picar∣die was besieged by Charles in May, and afterwarde at length was taken in Iune. Mete•• yéelded to the Frenche, was besieged in vayne by Charles, the Souldiers dying for cold in the winter. Albert Marques of Brandeburg made fierce warre agaynst the Norimbergers and the Bishops of Herb••pole and Bomberc. Sesa in Italy being long besieged by the Emperour, was de∣liuered thereof by reason of the Turkes lying in wayte for the kingdome of Naples.

[ 1553] At Basill the 23 of Ianuarie about eight of the clocke at nighte, the Moone was enclosed in a great circle like a rainebowe, which lasted for ••. whole howers, there followed immediately greate Snowe and cold.

The Riuer of Rhene the 19 of Iune through many shoures did so ex∣céede his channell, that it did much harme, not onely to Corne and pasture, but to many Cities by the riuer side. Basill was in some daunger whiche standeth full vpon the Rhene, whilest the violence of the raging riuer didde touche the walles of the lesser Citie, and touched almost the fishmarket of the greater Basill, yet most of all Newburg The same time also Rubiac was in daunger of a greate floode: by the meanes of that greate ouerflowing Fishes were taken in Meddowes and Sellers, the violence of the flood be∣ing past.

Not farre from Norenberg a cabage grewe hauing 16. heades vppon one stocke: so likewise hath these later yeres bene séene in Englande of moste sortes of hearbes, flowers and fruites, verye manye straunge and prodigi∣ous formes, who doe represent vnto all the world that God doeth as well shew his miraculous worke in the small hearbs as in great Trées, beasts, or men: notwithstanding let all Christians obserue this rule, that whenso∣euer any of these happen, they are manifest tokens of troublous times and discordes, for nature growing out of course doeth tell what the rewarde of sinne shalbe,* 4.9 Foelix qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas, A happye man is hee that can the cause of thinges perceiue.

The fift of Iune it rayned blood at Erforde. At Coburge betwixt 5. and 6. of the clock at afternoone diuers kinds of men were séene in the elemente in faire weather, and afterwarde armies of men fighting, and an Eagle with her winges displayed.

At Luneburg a chylde was borne with awrie mouth, from whence

came a clouen or double tong, the like Monster was there borne the yeare before.

At Herbesleb a village of Thuring the twentith of Marche, a twinne was borne with thrée bellyes togither, and as it were bounde in one wyth a fleshye swadlebande imbracing one another aboute the myddle. They were Christened and two houres after gaue vppe theyr Ghoste to God.

In the moneth of Iuly two Serpents were séene in the Element by∣ting one another with their tailes foulded in, betwéen which ther appeared a bloudy Crosse.

When Madeburg was sharpely besieged, after the feaste of Easter the sunne was séene bright a litle after his rising, and inuironed with a great milky circle, this circle did foure halfe rainebowes pearce, parted with very exquisite colours as the nature is, after these had appeared they vanished away within halfe an houre, and the Sunne recouering his na∣tural light, went his accustomed course.

On Palme Sonday euen in the morning, betwéene seauen and eight, there appeared thrée Sunnes in the sight of all men, the middle of whyche was very bright colour, but both the Collaterals were red and bloudy, and when these were gone downe as it waxed night, thrée Moones were séene, this made men much more affraid, because those thinges which happened in the night, are commonly in nature seene more dreadfull. Their colours cannot be described bycause they were diuerse and vncertaine. The vtter∣most moones in the ende were chaunged into bloude, and vanished awaye. But she whiche stoode in the middle continued kéeping hir natural bright∣nesse. Bycause these thinges happen vppon certaine naturall causes, the Astronomers can discusse of them, we neither affirme nor disafirme this to be a prodigie, but let euery man iudge as he wil.

But at that time when Duke Anhald, George Bishop of Mersburg, a man of great name, slepte in the Lorde at Wittenberg, in the nighte sea∣son there was séene in the Element a redde Crosse. And in the moneth of September, there was séene in the Castel the shape of a man flaming or a fiery man to walke vp and down.

In a farme of Thuring by Vnster, a woman brought forth a toade with a tayle long and straunge to behold.

The seauen and twentith of October in the Castel of Wittenberg there were séene in the night, for thrée houres togither, as it were thrée men clad in cloakes walking vp and downe in the Princes Court, and sometimes leaning.

In the moneth of December, the Sunne arose bright in the morning, hauing on both sides bowes very wel coloured.

There were hearde in the fielde of Saxonie warlike shoutes and

feareful noyses of men, buskling togither for certaine dayes and nightes, before the Princes mette there togither in armes, and that a most bloudye slaughter was made, as Iob Fincelius testifieth, writing of the myracles of his time.

The sixth of Iuly king Edward of England dyed being of the age of 16. yeres, at Greenewich, when he had raigned sixe yeares, fiue monethes, and odde dayes, and was buryed at Westminster, a prince of such towardnesse in vertue and learning, and all godly giftes, as seldome hath bene the like. Af∣ter whose regiment followed vnder Quéen Marie a grieuous eclipse in the Church, by the absence of the Gospell, for the which diuerse were burned & made awaye, that were founde resisters of the Popishe iurisdiction. Syr Thomas W••at rose in Kent with many gentlemē, and came to London, and being taken, was as rebel put to death the eleauenth of April, being behea∣ded on the tower Hil, and after quartered.

The thirtéenth of the Calends of Iuly at Zichist, a village in Misnia▪ not far from Pernahun, a Child was borne with two heads, hauing all his lims perfect.

In the moneth of Iuly, before the fight of Saxonie, at Wittenberg, there appeared many times a light in the Castell chamber, without anye thyng séene. At Lypsia the eight of Iuly it rained bloud. The day before the fight, two of the tents of Maurice Duke of Saxonie, the one wherein he vsed to dine, the other wherein his meate was drest, all the other being vnhurte, were ouerthrowne to the grounde by a Tempest of winde, as Fincelius writeth.

Maurice Prince of Saxonie, and elector of the Romaine Empire, whē he nowe persecuted (by the helpe of his neyghbours) Albert Marques of Brandburg dealing very extreamely with fire and sworde in diuerse places of Germany, encountring stoutely with him in the Diocesse of Hildesham, and discomfiting and putting to flight his hoste, and taking 68. standerds of his enimies, at length in that ouerthrowe throughe the stroke of a Gunne whiche he toke on the righte side, dyed stoutelye. The third day after, in the same fight Charles and Phillip Dukes of Brunswike, the sonnes of Henrie and Fredericke Duke of Luneburg dyed. There were many forewarnings of so great a calamity. The rage of Dogges, wherewith they stroue euen to the deathe, dreadeful noyses in the ayre, drops of bloude vpon Hearbes and trées, cryes of men and bayings of horsses, hearde at midnight in that fielde where the conflict was, likewise houling in townes in the night season. In the Castel of Perlin, the heade fel off from the grauen Image of Mauricius without any violence vsed, he also séemed in the night time, to an honest mā to be in a burning house: This writeth George Fabricius of Kemned, in his Misman matters.

Before the death of Maurice in a village of Thymigra, the Image of a tall man appeared in the cloudes, bloud beganne to runne from him by lit- and little, afterward sparcles of fire flue from his body, at last he vanished away by piecemeale. Iob Fincelius in his myracles after the rising againe of the Gospel.

The coast which lyeth along the riuer Albis, the sixtéenth of the Ka∣lends of September, betwéene seauen and eight in the euening felt a most grieuous earthquake, wherewith the toppes of houses made suche a noyse, as thoughe all things hadde fallen downe vppon them from a∣boue.

Gasper Peucer writeth that he sawe in the yeare of oure Lord 1553. a Caulfe fearefull and horrible to beholde, looking like a Catte, hauing a greate swelling hanging from vnder his iawe, long like a Bladder, white and softe, hys hayre was blacke like a Dogges, hys stones were of no common greatenesse, like vnto them of a Ramme, double codded.

At Stetin a Monster was borne hauing thys forme: in the place of his [ 1554] head was a deformed lumpe moueable, as the entrailes of a shéepe, in the place of one of his eares stoode an arme, in the place of the face, curled locks like to Cattes haire, and sticking thereon like the spaune of a Pike, thro∣ughe which beneath there appeared glassie brighte little eyes, his mouthe was a very smal hole without lippes, his nose little, and without a necke: the other arme grew out of his side, but ther was no likenesse of breast nor of backe, he was of no kind, his armes and long féete had houfe, whole bone through, without ioyntes, elbowes, and hams, his handes and féete tender, and hanging down as it were twice broken, like vnto crooked and bending clawes. This monster describeth Iob Fincelius.

In Ianuarie at the Towne of Brutzan, so at Misen, two by Sunnes were séene the eighte of the Ides of Ianuarie, whyche by and by were couered in a darke cloude, George Fabricius in his Misnian Notes.

The firste daye of Februarie at Cathalan a Citie in Fraunce, after the mustering of the armye, or viewe, whiche the King of Fraunce com∣maunded at that place to be made, there was séene a wonderfull sighte aboue the Moone, for a greate kindling of fire, rysing from the Easte parte and turning to the weast, laide it selfe against the Moone, in manner of a verye greate Torche: this fire raged wyth a greate noyse often casting out flaming sparckles into the ayre, no other∣wyse than a Smythe doeth at such time when he entendeth to forge hotte Iron.

The nintéenth of Februarie, at Nebra two Images of a Crosse, of a redde colour were séene in the Elemente, but the same daye at Griesseas a Towne of Thuring, amiddest the Sunne whiche then shined verye bryghte there appeared a redde Crosse, whyche wyth greatenesse coue∣red the whole bodye of the Sunne, and on bothe sides a huge beame wyth diuerse Cyrcles in the Elemente. Iob Fincelius in hys myra∣cles.

The ninth of Aprill at Zultzselt whych is thrée myles from Schumin∣forte, a Towne of the Empire, in the nighte two seuerall Moones were séene, and not long after a village was burned.

In Bauaria and Countreys adioyning, diuerse kindes of Sunnes were séene wyth certaine cyrcles in the Elemente, firste at Ingolstad, the sixth of Marche betwéene eight and nine of the clocke in the forenoone, two Sunnes were séene, with a Rainebow, euen as also at Norenburg the thrée and twentith day of March, at which time the memoriall of the passion of Iesus Christ is celebrated, aboute one a clocke at afternoone, at whyche tyme notwithstanding, another bowe towardes the west, and the Sunne shut within Cristaline cyrcles did appeare for thrée houres, with a beame stretched out to a ful length. Afterwarde all these things were séene at Ra∣tisbona. & Renisburgh, in another forme, whose beginning was at one a clock at afternoone, the operation betwéene two and thrée, and the ende at foure. The Sunnes gaue out long beames of one side lyke a Comet, the middle-moste towardes the Northe, but the Collateralles to the Easte and the West.

In Maye at fiue a clocke in the afternoone, in diuerse Cities of Ger∣manye there appeared in the Elemente diuerse kinde of crosses, in likenesse of a Burgundian Crosse of a white coloure, but yet knitte togither after a sorte. The thrée and twentith daye in the twylight, two Sunnes were séene neare the Sunne, inuironed all about as it were wyth a Raine∣bow.

At Schalun a Towne in Fraunce verye well knowen for Marshiall affayres, the sixth of the Ides of Marche, betwéene sixe and eighte of the clocke in the afternoone, there appeared aboute the Moone a burning fire, making a great noyce, wherein there séemed to bée the poynte of a launce tournyng from the Easte to the Weste, and casting out flames on euerye side.

The sixe and twentith of May, as Marcus Fritchius wryteth in his Me∣teors, it rained bloud not farre from a Towne of Germany called Dunc∣kelspuel.

The eleauenth of Iune as the same Authour writeth, in the vilage of Blech fiue miles from Norenburge, a bloudye rodde was séene in the sunne, with starres, or round bowles of Azure, after whom there followed

a great troupe of horsemen, with standerds of Azure, fighting fiercely togi∣ther in the ayre almost for two houres: there was such a shewe of things in the Element at that time, that many thought that the day of the last doome was at hand.

The same yeare the thirtéenth of Iune at Iene, at fiue a clocke in the af∣ternoone the Sunne was séene of a bloudy colour, to whom bowles of fire running togither in greate number from the South and Northeast to the Northweast, did darken his brightnesse. But afterward two beames of a red colour were séene ouerthwart the Sunne, of which more at large read Iob Fincelius.

The 23. of Iuly at Milan there besel a strange thing, whereat also Car∣danus himselfe was present. Iames Philippus Cernuscus commaunded a priuy to be digged in the earth, and to be vawted. When it was finished, he commaunded it to be shut vp: ••0. dayes after he opened it, and commaū∣ded that the woodden arches should be taken out, a workeman went down by a ladder, when he came to the middle of the ladder he fell downe deade, when the maister saw that he came not againe, he also went down, & when he came thyther he by and by fel downe, the standers by sent the third, who when he was amidst the ladder saide, be of good cheare for I will bring out the rest, but when his heade was vnder the vaute he by and by fell downe deade, the fourth also fel downe deade, the fifth whiche was called Matto, (which signifyeth in their language a foole) a very strōg felow, wēt down, but his head did not fayle him, and with his hooke he drewe vp one of the deade, whervpon he being the more imboldened returned and went down thither, so that he went down vnder the vaute, who immediately fel down: they perceyuing that he yet hadde breath drewe him out by little and little and recouered him, yet he remained dumbe till the Sunnes rising the next daye. This is more to be wondered at, that the priuie wente downe as farre as a spring, and the house standeth in a Henne yarde agaynste the hotte Sunne ouer againste the vitayling house of the Hospitall. At the commaundemente of the Magistrates it was vncouered, and safely from the mouth of the Caue they behelde the water, they put in a dogge by a spring, and he was drawen out halfe deade: bycause there appe∣red no certaine cause, there were some that thought that there was a Coc∣katrix in it. Two monthes after, when an olde woman was buried at Ca∣chiarella, whiche is a Farme neare the Citie of Millan. X. M. P. they found two Cheastes full of cloth & linnen, that were hidden almost thirtie yeres before, for feare of warres, whiche when they had opened and searched di∣ligently, they found nothing corrupted, but as many as were present or els that handled them or afterward those things that were hiddē in the chests, they dyed within thrée daies. This doeth Cardane himselfe describe in his first booke Chap. 9.

The foure and twentith of Iuly aboute ten of the clocke at nighte in the vppermost palatine ship of the Rhene, in the ayre appeared at the wood of Bohem two mē in harneis, the one of them was in quantity of body big∣ger than the other, hauing a brighte star at his Nauill, and a fierye swords in his hande, against whome he of smallest stature sighting fiercely, fell downe, so that he coulde scarsely stay himself from the ground, and a chaire being brought to the Conqueror, he sat him down, who sitting for a season ceased not very often to threatē more grieuous reuengement with his cō∣queryng hande and sworde, to him that was conquered lying at his féete, vntill that both, as wel he which ouercame, as also he whiche was van∣quished, vanished out of the ayre.

The fifth of Auguste at nine a clocke at nighte neare to Stolpen, in the southpart of the Element there was séene armies of souldiours, makyng a great shoute and running togither with dreadfull weapons, whiche al∣wayes when they made an ende of fighting, a great aboundaunce of fla∣ming fire breaking out, toke awaye their appearaunce from the sight of the beholders, of thys Prodigie if you please, reade more at large Iob Fin∣celius.

The seauen and twentith of August at Tigure in Switzerland, one Wallis was broken vpon the whéele, bycause he hadde robbed one neare to Wil, a Towne in Turgone Crowes or Choffes so assayled him, that hée was constrayned to resiste the force, and laye downe his burden, this was openlye redde, as the manner is when he was carried to exe∣cution.

In the afternoone, halfe a myle from Micena towardes the weaste in the moneth of October many flockes of Bats were abroade in the fields for two dayes, whereas that liuing creature doth not gather in flockes, and commonly flyeth not abroade but in the euening.

Licostenes had a house cat in Basil, which did kittle Monstrous Cats of thrée seuerall Cattes ioyned togither, and after eating hyr kitlings a∣gainste nature was for the same drowned. Perhappes these were cruell forewarnings of his priuate and domesticall griefes, for the same yeare when he went about to Printe his Apopthegms going out of his studie the one and twentith of December he was taken with an extreame palsie, whereby by little and little he shrinking to the grounde, did so lose at one moment, not only his voyce, but the right part of his body, and all the fée∣ling and mouing thereof, from the heade to the héele, his sighte and hearing only excepted, that he could not vtter one word for twelue dayes nor stande vpon his féete, nor moue one finger out of his bedde for thrée moneths: his lims séemed to be turned, not into wood, but into very hard stones, whilest the bloud of the diseased part through the coldenesse of the humours and the obstructions of the nerues and passages was so colde and hardened, that

they could not scarsely at length be made warme.

At Friberg in Misnia at noone tide, the Image of our Lord Iesus Christ, was séene sitting vpō a rainbow, notably set out in his natural colours, as Fincelius hath written in his myracles, after the rising againe of the Go∣spel.

At Rekow, a manour house in Pomeran neare to Rug by the entry of the riuer Viander, a Mare brought forth a Colte, with a deformed head, hauing [ 1554] where the eyes shold stand reddish spottes, hanging eares, such as Hounds haue, growing to the skin in y^e lower part, his mouth was also monstrous with turning lips, as it were two little ladles put togither, that the Mare coulde not giue him sucke, his necke was wrythed and hollow, set out wyth diuerse colours as it were chaines, his mane was platted ful of wreathes, when he neyghed, a great horsse was thought to neigh, and if by chaunce a∣ny gentleman came neare him, he stirred his whole body and beat y^e groūd, as if he had bin mad, and woulde run violently vpō them, he stoode vpright making a terrible neyghing, he coulde abide townesmen and Countreymē whom he suffered fréely to come vnto him, his skin was toughe and ful of haire, in the place of his taile stoode vp a huge crest, euen when the colt was deade. His fore féete were, one, like a mans, the other, none at al, but only a maymed foote, his hinder féete were like horsse féete, he liued for thrée days, and afterward was put in the grounde and couered, Iob Fincelius, after the rising again of the Gospel.

In the moneth of August in Suffolke at a place by the sea side, al of harde stone and pibble, called in those parts a shelfe, lying betwéene the towne of Ortford and Alborne whereas neuer grew grasse, nor any earth was euer séene, there chaunced in this barren place, sodainely to spring vp without a∣ny tillage or sowing, great aboundaunce of Pease, wherof the poore (being notably vexed at that time, with the lacke of necessarie foode) gathered (as menne iudged) aboue a hundred quarters, yet remayned some ripe and some blossoming, as many as euer ther were before, to the which place rode the Bishop of Norwich, and the Lord Willoughby, wyth others in great number, who found nothing but hard rockie stones, the space of thrée yards, vnder the rootes of the Peason. About this time was broughte to Linne a monstrous fish of 9. foote in length, hauing within it much white & cleare fat, & being eaten it proued to be holesome meate, in taste like redde déere, the like fish before not séene, neither was known, the name or nature thereof. The beginning of October fel such raine, that for the space of sixe dayes, men might rowe with boates in Saint Georges field, the water came into Westminster Hall, also into the Pallace of Westminster and into Lam∣beth Church, that men might row about the Church and Bishoppes place, with a whirrie. The euent.

The 16. day of October Doctor Ridley, and Doctor Latimer were burned at Oxford for the maintenaunce of the Gospel, the rest of the effects folow in the next yeare. Iohn Stow.

Ierom Cardane a man of great learning hath written that a whales heade being drawen out of the sea at Genoa, lay long vpon the shore, which was so greate, that the space betwéene the vpper iaw and the neather, con∣tayned nintéene paces, (so many yards) and in Cardanes iudgemente no∣thing was signifyed by this monster, but that Cyrna being loste, the heade shoulde remaine, the body being cōsumed: for Genoa by reason of the Lord∣ship, and littlenesse of it, supplyeth the place of the heade, Cyrna of the body. If they had in due time interpreted this forewarning, they might haue for∣tifyed their Castels against the Turkes nauie, which happened a yere after, whereby they mighte neither haue lost the Iland nor spente so muche mo∣ny, now hereby al Europe grew in feare and also became in danger, for as al these things séeme superstitious, yet these strāge sights ioined with natural prudencie may be obserued very profytably for the common wealthes pre∣seruation. For the heade of so great a sea Monster coulde not be cut off, ey∣ther by a greater sea Monster, or by a Gunne or any other chaunce, but if so be it were slaine at once by some chaunce or violence, and that the necke being writhen asunder, the body shoulde consume and the head be left, how commeth it to passe, that the heade did not first putrify or consume? or howe coulde the necke be broken of, which in the Whales kind is not much lesse then the head so that fishes are saide to want a necke. To conclude in suche vnkouth coasts, what singular force droue the head to Genoa? nothing but a minde that knewe desteny in due season distributing euery token for euery chaunce. This writeth Cardanus in his fourtéenth booke Chap. 74. of the varietie of things.

There was séene a prodigie neare the Towne of Zoped which Fin∣celius described, the Sun arose bloudy, ouer whom stoode a gorgeous house which was burned at both sids of y^e sun, there stoode vpright a high Piller, like to the pillers of Hercules, as are commonly pointed (which take name of two Moūtaines standing in the vtmost coast of Spaine and Affricke whi∣che Hercules commaunded to be set in that place, as a signe of victorie a∣gainst théeues) and the Pillers were coloured like the Rainebow, yet wer they not arched but stoode vpright, whose baces séemed to touch the ouer∣shewe of the grounde, and to spreade themselues far abroade. The nexte daye the Sunne rose in the morning with a chaunged coloure some∣what pale, the house as before stoode verye bryghte and shyning, the Pyllers also shewed themselues agayne imbracyng the Sunne in the middle, but not so playnelye as it dydde at the firste daye. And they were séene in the ayre, but no more to touche the ground.

At Rome in the hospital or place where fatherlesse children are cherished, as Cardanus hath written, all the gyrles which were in number about 7. became possessed, neither any of them for two yeres space coulde be gouer∣ned, whereo••re the cause may come of the exhalation of the place, or of the water, for the water doth change heares and humoures: it may also be a de∣ceit. So the same Cardan doth witnesse that he knewe a man who being a boye, counterfeyted for sixe yeres and more that he sawe the Deuill, to the end he might liue more at libertie, and make men to maruaile at him, and also followed his vnbrideled pleasure. Many thinges happen among men, but if one with a constant minde doe consider with himselfe, he shall easily smell out that all such thinges are vayne and full of deceyte: but who doub∣teth to be possessed with a diuell or to be mad is not vayne? I would to God it were: wherefore if this happened without counterfeiting, it declared the lewdenesse of times to come, and of prelates, for as harmelesse age doeth growe to a wicked example, so they whiche ought to beare rule in religion shall be geuen ouer to a reprobate sence, wherevpon they being accursed, shall not onely be hissed at and scorned, but also shall be damned. This writeth Cardanus in his fourtéenth Booke, 76 Chapter of the variety of thinges. [ 1551]

Not farre from Berne in Switzerlande the wife of Iohn Gislinger a Preacher in the Lordship of Berne, when she had broughte forth a twinne, within a yere after she brought forth fiue children, to wit, thrée Sons and two daughters, but if it séeme to any impossible, let him reade the learned commentaries of Francis Picus Mirandula vpon his second Hymne, and he shall finde that one Dorothie a Germane woman brought forth in Italye at two byrthes 20 sonnes, and at another 30. whereof mention is made be∣fore in their place.

At Stettium it happened that a chylde being borne was christened in the night, which after a direfull maner was against the Curate that was about to christen him, by turning of his body, by crying out and diuers ge∣stures, that he made all the standers by afrayde, at length the Pastor ma∣king feruent prayer to God christened the childe, he had vpon the toppe of his head a lumpe of fleshe bearing the Image of a red snayle in the neck: he had a fleshly tayle like a Ratte, but whitish, like vnto the skinne withoute heares: his head was deformed, and his eyes stoode oute, of whome also Iob Fincelius writeth in his Myracles after the rising agayne of the Gos∣pell.

In Mysnia a chyld was borne without a head, hauing the forme of eyes standing in his brest, of whom the same noteth Fincelius, also a cocke with thrée legges which ran very swift.

The tenth of Februarie at Vinaria two by Moones were séene, the ••••. of Februarie in the village of Pfeffelbach by Vi••ar as Fincelius recordeth

this monster was borne of a sheapheardes wife, a boy without a mannes face, in place thereof he had smooth fleshe, sauing that he had two great eyes vnlike one the other standing out, not placed in the holes, horrible to be∣holde: in the place of his forehead, a point of flesh hanging out which stoode vpright, it had a hanging chin, a little hole in the place of his mouth where∣withal the beholders were sore afrayd, neither was he christned, but forth∣with buried.

At H••lberstad the eightéenth of Februarie, it happened that a Lambe was yoened with a round head, with thrée eyes, thrée mouthes, two noses, with hanging eares to his backward, like to dogges eares, but (which is to be counted a great prodigie in his thrée mouthes he had a great eye greater than the other, and there he put forth a long tongue, he liued one daye with continuall crying, Iob Fincelius.

The thirtéenth of Marche in Thuring, a sworde was séene in the Ele∣ment. There were a great number of butterflies about Friberg in Misnia, about the moneth of Iune, which stained plants, leaues of trées, and linnen clothes, with bloody spots, sonne also affirmed y^t it rained blood, as George Fabricius writeth of the towne of Friberg.

In Germany a Gote had a horne growing oute of his side: and also seuen miles from August, a Calfe was there séene with two heads, foure eyes, 2. on the forehead, and 2 vpon his sides.

The 6. of Iune at Vinar, in a ditche going about the Castle, a Fountayne of blood was séene for thrée whole dayes. At Erdford a fountain was turned into blood. Moreouer a little spring standing betwéene Vinar and Erdforde, which in An. 1524 before the warre of the countreymen, was turned into blood, which cruell prodigie appeared agayne bloody, the 12 and 13 of Iune as Fincelius writeth.

The 12 of Iune at Neher in Thuring, this wonderfull thing happened which Fincelius describeth vnto vs, a shoemakers wife dwelling there had for thrée dayes painefull labour, that she was driuen to vse 3. Midwiues, at length she brought forth a dead childe, but in her throwes and deliuerie when the childe was halfe appearing, a great noise and terrible sound was heard like a gun in her belly being in labour, & great falmes of fyre brake forth with the childe, and burned great blisters vpon his buttockes, it scor∣ched the midwiues chéekes, called Katherine Heggenwald, and the flames scattered abroade ouer al the Stoue, filling all the house with a sulphurous smell.

One Saint Stephans day, in the village of Freywerg not farre from Adorfe, a Towne in Voulande▪ a Smithes Wife broughte forth a childe with two heads, foure handes, and so many féete, withoute anye secrete bewraying the sexe or kinde in whose place notwithstanding it hadde a na∣••••.

In the Moneth of December at Rosow at a manour house in Pomeran, whiche standeth but a myle from Pasewalck a woman brought forth a hor∣rible Monster, his body was like a Calfe, his head smooth and rounde like a boule, after the likenesse of an Ape, his chin heary, his tongue hanging out; his soreféete were without nayles, hauing only little round knobs, his hin∣der féete like an Oxe, his tayle was without ioyntes, bonye and not stir∣ring.

The 29 day of December betwéene 0 and •••• at nighte, there arose an excéeding tempest, and the thunder and lightning was so cruell that in V••ni∣lande and in many other cities it quite destroyed a Church, and diuers hou∣ses: Moreouer the same day in Misnia certayn Villages and Castles were stricken with lightning.

In Bohemia from the towne of Prage almost throughoute all Silecia, for the space of eightéene miles or thereaboute, hayle didde verye muche harme.

In Marchia not farre from Regemont, a Mare broughte forth a monstrous Colt, hauing the skinne gagged euery where, hanging bréeches and a dublet cut, like to the fashion of the Launceknightes, as writeth Iob Fincelius.

A terrible example of Gods seuere punishment vpon a certayne priest in Kent, named Nightingale, Parson of Crondale besides Canterburye, who [ 1555] vppon shroue Sondaye, whiche was aboute the thyrde daye of the sayde moneth of March, began to make a sermon to his Parishioners, taking his Theame out of the wordes of Saint Iohn, He that sayth he hath no sinne is a Lyer, and the truth is not in him. &c. After an impertinent entring into this Texte, he sayde: Nowe maisters and Neighboures reioyce and be merrye, for the prodigall sonne is come home, for I knowe that y^e moste parte of you be as I am, for I knowe your hartes well ynough, and I shall tel you what hath happened. This wéeke past I was before my Lord Cardinall Pooles Grace, and he hath made me as cleane from sinne, as I was at the Font Stone, and on Thursedaye last being before him, he hath appoynted me to notifie (I thanke him for it) the same vnto you, and I will tell you what it is: and so reading the Popes Bull of pardon that was sent into Englande, he sayde, he thanked God that euer he had liued to sée that daye, adding moreouer that he beléeued that by vertue of that Bul, he was as cleane from sinne, as that night that he was borne: immediate∣ly as he so sayd he fell downe out of the Pulpit, and nouer stirred hand nor foote: Loe the ende of wilfull resisting Gods holy ordinance: Monuments of Martirs▪ the tenth Booke Follio 1731. It is better to truste in the Lorde GOD than in manne, whose arme is fleshe, and power cutte off by death.

At Genoa among the Allobroges a monster was borne of a frenche woman, which was a token of matter abounding, that monster had two faces, that is, she was Bifrons, like as antiquitie painted Ianus: that whiche hong on both sides was puft vp, the entrailes came out at the backe, and that which did hang out at the lower part of the belly was the liuer cōming oute from the secrets. This monster was of both kinds, on the right side male, on the left side female, the thighes which were apart were broken and pulled frō the Mother when she was in trauaile.

[ 1556] This yere in Englande before haruest, Wheate was solde for foure markes the quarter, Malte at 44 shillings the quarter, Rie at 40 shillings the quarter, and Peaze at 46 shillings the quarter: but after haruest wheat was solde for fiue shillings a quarter, Mault for sixe shillinges eight pence, Rye at thrée shillings and foure pence, and in the Countrey Wheate was solde for foure shillinges the quarter, that is sixe pence the bushell, Maulte for foure shillinges and eight pence, and in some place a bushell of Rie was solde for a pounde of Candels, which was foure pence. This sodaine plenty foretolde the aboundant grace which was to come vnloked for, and vnlike∣ly also among the people so soone to happen. Callis was as sodainly lost the first of Ianuarie.

The eleuenth of Ianuarie at Ausburg toward the mountaynes the Element opened, and seemed as it were to be clouen asunder, wherevppon manye thinking that the latter day of Iudgemente was at hande, yéelded themselues to Gods mercye, and the same day about nine of the clocke at nighte at Mickhas in Bauaria there arose such an extreame tempest that it put out the lightes that were in the houses, and one fierie brightnesse in the Element gaue them light almost for thrée houres. At Ausburg not long af∣ter there followed cruell robberies in the Citie, for a Cutlers wife in hope of a very large praye felled in her house a marchant man with a Gun, and immediately her maid cut his throte. The day before the common post slue a certayn officer with a Gunne before the gates of the Citie, the thirtéenth daye of the moneth another thrust through a Butcher with his sworde, on which daye also Holtzach and Wisnig were burned. The 15 day the kéeper of S. Katherines Wood being stricken with a Gunne dyed. The 7 daye a Goldsmiths seruant drouned himself, & the same night many were woun∣ded euen to the death.

In Algo•• a countrey of Sweadon not farr from Loengen, the Saturday after the byrth of Christ, there arose a greate thunder and lightning, by the which one house was consumed. The third houre of the night the Element cleauing did voyde out so much fire, that many men for certayn houres be∣ing in danger of their life for feare and dreade, lost the vse of their tongue and voice. The same day also in Bohemia and in Silecia through a cruell tempest of weather many men and cattaile were slaine, and many houses

and churches were beaten to the ground.

In other countreyes of Germany there were Cities set on fyre and for the most part consumed with fyre from heauen. It rained blood, and the I∣mages were séene in the Element deuouring a man in armour. Not far frō Lipsia a chylde was borne with two heades, 4 hands, and so many féete but with one body alone.

[illustration]

The day before the Nones of Ianuarie in Germany, at a vi∣lage belonging to y^e byshoppricke of Di∣ling called Oberhan∣sen a cowe broughte forth a Calfe y^t had but the two hinder féete, yet of so great swiftnesse that run∣ning with the body vprighte, he surpas∣sed all other calues one foote.

In the Countie of Boetz neare to an holde of the same name, the 19 of y^e ka∣lends of February, from foure a clocke in the afternoone til 7. there was a cru∣ell tempest, much thunder and ligh••∣ning, at last there fell downe vpon the ground a mightie deale of fyre from heauen with a great noyse, and burned many thinges on euery side. There were séene also in the cloudes armies of footemen and horsemen fighting on both sides.

There appeared at the beginning of Marche, An. 1556. a Comet al∣most halfe as bigge as the moone, with heares not verye long, nor abiding in a place but flaming like fyre, as in torches while the winde bloweth, it was dimme, reddish, and thick: the fift day of Marche it was by the mid∣dle of Libra, but the ninth day it was in y^e north pole: wherfore it declined 65 partes from the east to the weast, and 30 from the South to the North, then it rayned continually, and when the raine seaced it appeared not. In

Germany it appeared till the middle of Aprill. From the ende of Marche, there followed continuall fayre weather vntil the 27 of Aprill, and so much heate, that the constitution of the time was like the moneth of Iune. In the Astrologers iudgement it signifieth strife concerning the lawes, by rea∣son of the colour of the heares, and the moouing, and also pestiferous disea∣ses, namely in Germany and Panonia, Asia, and Greece, and among the Nor∣therne nations▪

In the Ile of Madagascar called by the Portugales S. Laurence, among sundrye straunge hearbes, Woodes, beastes and Fishes, there is a straunge byrde made like a Puttocke or rauenous Foule, the bill like a Hauke, but thicker, eares hanging downe like a Spaniell, verye full of feathers of a white siluer shining colour, only the feathers on the head blackish, they cal this byrde Pa, in the Persian tongue P••e or Lege, this foule liueth by deuou∣ring Serpentes: I thought good to set downe this report, because the lyke in this our Europa is not to be founde, Andrew Theuet. Chapter 23. Fol. 45.

The third of Marche in the towne of Bergerdorf a monster was brought forth after a sort like a calfe, he had sixe féete, two heades and an Arse, the heads were seuered in length, the one of which séemed to looke towarde the Easte, the other towarde the weast, thrée feete to the forme of the one, and 3 to the other.

In the moneth of Aprill Rossana a Citie of Astopia, was terribly sha∣ken with a gréeuous Earthquake, to the great hurte of the inhabitauntes, with the violence whereof many buildinges fell downe in the Countries nere too for thirtie myles space. But the tenth daye of this moneth there was a dreadful Earthquake at Constantinople, where it is reported to haue continued thrée whole dayes, it caste downe manye Towers, it didde great harme to the Churche called Saint Sophia, and to the Gate of Ha∣drionopolis.

The thyrde daye after which was the thirtéenth of the same moneth, a Starre of a huge greatnesse was séene nere the Moone, which almost it sée∣med to touch. This Earthquake with y^e rest, Valentine Nuberie of Noren∣berg hath described.

In America among the sauage people, there is a byrde called Toucan, of the greatnesse of a Pigeon, of the which there are 2 kinds, ouer the backe & toward the head black, sauing that about the taile and brest the feathers are yellow about 4 fingers brode as well in breadth as in length, the yellowe is most bright shining and excellent, at the end of the tay••e there are little Feathers, as read as blood, the wilde men take the skinne of that parte that is yellow, with the which they garnishe their Sword sheathes, Hats, and other trinkets: the bill of this byrd is greater and longer than the body. A∣mong

some of these byrdes, there are a sorte more bewtifull then Parats, of whose feathers the Americans make great choyse. An. The••et. Cha. 47. Folio. 91.

In diuers places of Switzerlande in the Citie of Basill, and the Fieldes about it, the 12 of May and the daye following within the Lordshippe of Berne, not farre from the Towne of Dun, dewe fell from heauen that was swéeter then honey, which also oftentimes came to passe before, yet namelye in Fraunce▪ the yere of our Lord 1598, there followed a murrain a∣mong cattaile, which doth commonly go with it.

The fourtéenth of may, nere to Schapus at the Village of Herblingen it rained blood. Some denied that it was so, but the thing was found out true, by them that sought for it.

The 2. of Iune a great swarme of Grashoppers spoiled certayne quar∣ters of the Lower Germany. Fincelius.

At Basill a Boye was borne hideous to beholde, hauing a bodye well ynough compacte, but hée had a rough hearye heade, more like vnto a Dogge, a Catte, or an Ape, than a manne, he liued aboute an houre and a halfe.

At Aldenburg a Towne in Misnya the nynth daye of Auguste, a [ 1556] great Tempest arising, brought the townes men in excéeding great daun∣ger of their liues, vppon whiche daye also a Childe was borne and there christened as Fincelius hath written, who diuers tymes before he was borne cryed aloude in his mothers bellye, to the great astonishmente of all men.

The seconde daye of September, at fiue a clocke in the morning, at Locarne, a whyrlewinde withoute a storme comming from the South parte, didde so cast downe the Castle Wall, whiche stoode on the one syde of Locarne, that through the fall thereof part of the houses nere to was cast downe. The same daye aboute two of the clocke at afternoone the Ele∣ment was so ouercast with darke cloudes, that the daye séemed to be quite taken away, but not long after, feareful thunder & lightning with so much raine followed, that none that was aliue could remember that he euer saw the like, because that nothing in mennes houses was lefte frée from the domage thereof: it continued from two a clocke vntill it was sixe: in the meane season vyolent floodes and streames, running from the hilles nere too, made a shewe of great Riuers, the noyse whereof being putte to the fearefull sounde of the rayne and storme, didde so much astonishe mennes myndes, that they thoughte that all thinges shoulde by and by perishe.

The fifte day of September at Custerin, a little Towne in Marchia at nyne a Clocke at nighte, there appeared euerye where in the Elemente

innumerable flames of fire, but amidst the Element there were séene two fierye beames and at laste a voyce was hearde from aboue, but no figure séene, saying: Vae, Vae Ecclesiae, Wo, Wo be to the Church, Iob Fincelius in the myracles of his time.

[illustration]

The 24 of Iuly a Cow brought forth a deformed Monster in the vilage of Clesdorf 3. miles distant from Pabenberg, which Fincelius also described, he had foure féete like a Calfe, his head like a man, a black beard, two mens eares, indifferent well heared, likewise a mans brest with dugges, the monster was brought forth at the farme of a noble woman, a widowe. So Volaterranus writeth that a childe was borne of a woman, begotten by a Dogge, hauing a mans shape in the vpper part, but the lower parte the ful forme of a dogge, and to purge the sinne he was brought to the Pope, of which matter Cardanul maketh mētion, Booke .14. Chap. 64. of the varie∣ty of thinges.

In Switzerlande the monday after the feast of Sainte Gallus not far frō the town of Winterthur in the riuer of Thesus, they report y^t there were séene a crosse, and the armes of Burgondy set out, and as it were engrauen by nature.

At Bobatsha a Citie in Hungary the vj. daye of October before the Sun rising, there was séene in the ayre a singular combate of two naked boyes, but armed with Targets and Swordes, wherein he whiche had the Tar∣get with the spread Eagle, séemed so to ouerthrowe the other fenced with Turkishe armoure, that his bodye appeared to be wounded with manye strokes, and to fall to the earth out of the cloudes. At the same time & place

also there was séene a bow in the element set out with his natural colours, and two sunnes on both sides of him.

In the moneth of December not far from Ausbarg, a Beare was séene in the element fighting with a Lion.

At Wittenberg in Saxony there were séene two by suns, a crooked cloude partie coloured with blew and red stretched out like a rainebow, and as it were with equall disstance inuironed the earth, but the sun being compas∣sed on both sides with the by Sunnes seemed to be of a pale and sad coun∣tenaunce.

In the towne of S. Gallus in Switzerland, Peter Besler born at Rot∣munde, being the Seruant of a Citizen dwelling not far from the City of Sainte Gallus, an vngodlye and rashe yong man, and verye muche gy∣uen to dronkennesse when vppon the Sondaye, whiche by the olde church was dedicate to Saint Trinitie, the one and twentith daye of Maye, hée was gone to the Towne of Sangall with his Companyons, there to make merry, he being peuish through ouer muche Wine (as commonlye suche vyle persons are wont to doe at Feastes or Banquets) he made a styrre and rayled at his Companions and at length after diuers kinds of blasphe∣mies againste God, he added this moreouer: if I serue my Maister here∣after, I betake my body and soule to the Diuell, but when he had stayed al the night in the Citie, in the morning hauing digested his surfet, he some∣what called to remembraunce what he had said and done the night before, when he founde no other meanes to finde hymselfe, then to retourne vnto his Maysters worke which before he hadde cursed, béeing nowe gone forth of the Cittie, not farre from his maisters house, a manne feare∣full to beholde, and cladde in blacke araye, spoke to him with these wordes: Go to, good fellowe, I am nowe readye to take that which is my right, and which was giuen me yesterdaye, whiche spoken taking the fellow by the hande amased with feare and horrour, and altogether a∣stonyed cast vnto the grounde, and vanished awaye: but not long after the moste myserable yong man being founde by the Neighboures hauing his handes and féete drawne together, was brought to a lodging, where after the vse of all his Limmes was taken awaye, and kéeping his bedde hée he most miserablye past the dayes of his life with no lesse greife of minde then bodye.

At Basill, was séene a man hauing on both handes sixe fingers. And a henne chicken that had foure féete.

The firste daye of Nouember at Tundorfe, aboute foure a clocke in the Morning a potters wife was deliuered of a horrible Monster: from the crowne of the head to the midrife, he was like a man but his mo••th〈…〉〈…〉 out like a dogges, he hadde a frowning face, but from〈…〉〈…〉 downewarde, was destitute of the other partes of mannes 〈…〉〈…〉 ••∣cended

downewarde in forme of Piramides, in the poynte hauing the lykenesse of a wrinckled tayle of a Sowe, but on his backe bone there was the forme of a Nauill standing out as it were a Tayle: the sexe of this monster didde not appeare, for there were founde no tokens of any thing.

The fourth of December a man childe was borne at Basill withoute anye eares, in whose place he had onelye two holes, whiche notwithstan∣ding were so shutte vppe, that he coulde heare nothing, the Chylde liued sickelye till the moneth of August, at whose beginning he dyed with many griefes.

[ 1557] At Ausburg betwéene Basill and Rinfelde, there were found Hens with Géese féete.

At Basill about the feast of Easter a childe was borne with suche clouen and open Nostrels, that his braine was very easily séene from thence. And the fift of the kalendes of May abont 9. of the clocke at night in fayre wea∣ther, a circle, which the Philosophers call Halo, appeared about the Moone, and lasted for two houres.

The •• of the Kalends of August in certaine villages of Suntgoia betwéene the Towne of Eusbeim and Basill, and also the 13 of the kalends of the same moneth, sunnes were séene in fayre and cleare weather.

The seuenth of the Ides of August, with vs at Basil, a man chylde was borne with a bodye well ynough framed or compact, but withoute a necke, hauing his eyes of no common greatnesse, as they were placed in his foreheade, and he wanted the vppermoste parte of his heade: be∣hinde his heade he hadde a bigge hole, out of the which hole there ran oute some blood, wherevpon immediatelye after he was borne, he ended his life.

These are the prodigies and strange sightes (studious Reader) which at this time I thought good to note in very few wordes, in adding those thinges as far forth as my reading did aford, which immediately followed, to the end that thou mightest more plainly perceiue, that they were the cer∣tain prognostications of alterations, changes, and calamities, and the true tokens of Gods wrath, that euery man being thereby become more wary and prudent through other mens harmes, and perceiuing that God is an∣gry with the world, and threatning the destruction thereof, may haue grea∣ter occasion to appease him with repentance & innocencie of life: Our euer∣lasting Lorde Iesus Christe, is to be desired and earnestly to bée entreated of vs, that through his intercession hée woulde mittigate his Fathers wrath, renewe in vs a newe harte, encrease oure Fayth, and for euer preserue his Churche, whiche he hath redéemed with his owne blood, from all the craftes and subtelties of Sathan and of the corrupte Worlde. Amen.

The seuenth day of Iuly within a mile of Nottingham, was a mar∣uailous great tempest of thunder, & it came through two Townes, it beate down all the houses and churches, and deuided the stones eche from other: also the belles were caste to the outside of the churchyarde, and some of the webbes of leade 00 foote into the fielde, and writhen about like leather: al∣so sixe acres of Medowe grounde betwixte the two townes was taken vp and torne to dust, and séene flying in the ayre, and neuer knowne farther where it became. The Cartes were torne and cast about also. Betwixt these two Townes ranne the Riuer of Trent where the tempest followed the Riuer one thousande foote, and tooke vp the water with the madde in the bottome, scattering the same agaynst Trées, a quarter of a mile. Al∣so there were Trees pulled vp by the rootes, and caste from their growing twelue score, and some of them were more than two lodes a péece. Also a Chylde was by the same vyolente Tempest taken forth of a mannes hands and aboute thyrtie foote lyfted vp into the ayre, at the fall whereof the arme of the Chylde was broken, of the whiche hée dyed, with fyue or ••••xe other menne nere thereaboute that were slayne, neyther fleshe nor skinne perished. There came also a little before the Tempest some haylestones that were in cōpasse about fiftéene inches. Stow in his abridge∣ment.

In Ianuarie in diuers places of Saxony, Misnia, and Bohemia, were horrible tempests of winde, rayne, thunder and lightning, which did much harm, & especially about churches. The same moneth at Vitodure a town•• miles frō Schurike in Heluetia, fire appeared in one of y^e stéeples of y^e church, and made such a noyse, that all the people resorted thether to quench it, and when they came thether no fire appeared. This happened twice the fourth day of that moneth, and also the 14 day.

The 26. of Februarie died Frederike Palsegraue of the Rhene and Elector.

The 21. day of Marche at Oxforde Thomas Cranmer, who had bene [ 1557] Archbishop of Canterbury, a learned and worthye man, was for mayntay∣ning of the Gospell, burned at Oxforde, as writeth D. Cooper in his Chro∣nicle after Lanquet, & Iohn Fox more at large in the monumentes of Mar∣tirs.

This winter the quartane agues continued, called y^e pestilent agues so y^e many Gentlemen but chéefely husbandmen died, by the meanes whereof, the corne stoode on the ground for want of workemen in many places and also (one thing to be marked) such a company of Priestes dyed, that a great number of parishes in diuers places were vnserued, and no Curates to bée gotten.

Warre proclaymed in Fraunce, many Englishe men died at Sainte Quintines of the plague, Callis also was lost, a famous place for the

defence of the Englishe Nauie, the Frenche King tooke the same into his possession from whose posteritie it was long before wonne.

[ 1558] Quéene Mary died the 17 of Nouember 1558. when she hadde raigned fiue yeres foure moneths, and twelue dayes. The same daye dyed Cardi∣nall Poole. Reade Cooper, Stow, Grafton, and the Monuments of Mar∣tirs.

[illustration]

The Flying Stingroh was séene in the South Seas, aboute thys season fashioned like a ser∣pent, the wings like the Batte, prickle∣boned like y^e thorne∣backe, headed as a Serpente, whose flighte continueth no longer then his wings are wet: this fishe oftentimes wil settle on the Rocks. Gesner. It is suppo∣sed that when he fli∣eth, he is pursued of other fishes to be de∣uoured who setling far from the shore, through vnablenesse of flight, dieth.

¶ To thee O Lorde God, Euerlasting, Inui∣sible, Omnipotent, King of Kinges, and Lorde of Lordes, be Glorie and Dominion for euer and euer: thy penitente Creature in the name and Congregation of the faythfull S. B. Subiecte in this Churche of Eng∣lande craueth happye foelicitie in Iesus Christe our Lorde Amen.

MOste mightie, Eternall, and euerlasting GOD, the Father of oure Lorde Iesus Christe, from whome all good gifts doe come, bende towarde vs thy people of Englande, thyne eare to heare our Supplication, thine eye to our walking, thy grace to our offending, that wée fée∣ling thy daylye defendinges, maye euer∣more become so faythfull in thy promises, so louing in mercies, so plentifull in chari∣table doinges, that all the Worlde maye witnesse our Christyan Obedience in thy holye Spirite, through the which our spirites béeing certifyed, wée maye walke before thée in this our transitorye Mansion, as hereafter wée shall, that trust in thée, walke in the Lande of the liuing: Heare my humble Supplication O Lorde GOD, whiche I pronounce before thy Diuine Maiestie, in this my Booke tituled The Doome, warning to thy Iudge∣ment, not that it excelleth the worthier laboures of the more Learned, or that I reache by suche title to equall my laboure with thy most holye Te∣stament, contayning the Lawe of thée, and of thy Sonne Iesus Christ my onelye and alone Sauioure: But for as muche as thy frée mercye and grace hath giuen me such perseueraunce, whereby, to the bestowing of the same, thy holy Angell fyrst assisting, it becommeth me to the benefite of my Countrey to publishe, not as myne but thine: Therefore moste grati∣ous Iudge receiue the same agayne, with the increase thereof, and finding

none so worthie the gayne of this my laboure, doe dedicate the same vnto thy diuine Maiestie, constantly beléeuing the acception thereof, with suche encrease of riches towards me, as no kingdome is comparable, which col∣lection, translation, and addition, thou knowest O Lord God from whome they were, on whome they are bestowed, and to what ende, thy wonderfull and miraculous actes doe declare. Geue grace, most holy Father, to all that shall reade the same, that they may perceiue to what end thy gracious good∣nesse hath pretended this worke as a fragment among other moste holy e∣dictions, to warne this later age, by the comming and dayly appearing of vnaccustomed prodigies, to be the onely foretoken of mans destruction for sinnes, as in the time of olde, hayles, fires from heauen, thunderinges, E∣clipses, blasing starres, Elementall shewes of armies, raining of blood, milke, stones, earth, figures of dead bodyes, and instrumentes of warre, be∣sides dreadfull voyces, after sundrye manners: On the Earth deformed shapes both of men, byrdes, beastes, and fishes after which of euery of these death of princes, alteration of kingdomes, transmutations of religion, trea∣sons, murthers, thefte, inceste, whoredome, Idolatrie, vsurie, reuenge, per∣secution, sworde, fyre, famine, hunger, death and damnation, presently fol∣lowed. O mightie, high and moste gratious God, whiche hast defended thy Churche of England: from the tirannie of supersticious Rome, and hast set a virgine Quéene to be thy handmayd and officer in thy Churche, through whome without the ayde of man, by thy only prouidence, she hath brought forth the child of truth, the word of thy dearely beloued sonne Iesus Christ: Blesse her maiestie O Lord God, with such an ardent zeale of thée, that ne∣uer any transitorie hope of other conioyning may enter her royall minde, otherwise than to the setting forth of thy glory: Good Lorde blesse her that she be not hurt by hipocrisie, allured by flattery, nor perswaded by tiranny: Giue her the zeale of Dauid the strength and courage of Sampson,* 4.10 y^e wise∣dome of Salomon the harte of Iudith, the loue of Hester, the grace of the blessed Virgin Mary, that she may bring forth the happy increase of al those vertues, by the whiche thy Churche and congregation is both comforted and relieued. Thus most mercifull Lord God and celestiall father, whiche knewest before I pretended, my pretence, graunt thy gracious furtherance to this my labour, with the same increase of well liking, as thou likest in y^e increasing by thy grace and heauenlye assistaunce, let the same be receiued vnder the banner of thine incomprehensible defence againste all whosoe∣uer (in running after follies) resist thy truth: Blesse me O Lord with thy heauenly grace in the cōgregatiō of y^e faythful, y^e as our workes bée begon so they may likewise ende in thée, faith in religion to thée, loyaltie in sub∣mission to our Queene Elizabeth 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 God hath sworne her ful∣nesse Concord among the Nobilitie,* 4.11 and true dealing in brotherly amitie, then thy forewarninges shall be vnto vs a shielde from discorde, a salue for

sinners, and to soules and bodies life euerlasting: to the whiche bring vs good Lorde, according to thine acccustomed goodnesse in Christe Iesus oure Lord and Sauiour: to whom with thée and the holye Ghost, thrée persons and one God, be honour and glory in thy kingdome ouer worlds. So be it.* 4.12

For as much as Elizabeth the Wife of Aaron the firste Prieste, and daughter to Aminadab, of whom was begotten Eleazar which begat Pin∣neas who were the firste y^t withstoode the enemies of GOD to their great glorye:

And that Elizabeth the wife of Zacharie the high priest in Ierusalem of the linage of Abia, on whome he begat Iohn the Baptist,* 4.13 whiche was the firste that preached Iesus Christ, became ennemie to the hipocrisie of the Iewes, and loathsome lyfe of the Gentiles, and thereby gatte him greate glory:

Vouchsafe our royall Quéene the Daughter of King Henry the eight may be a Maule to Poperie, and a Light to Gods truth,* 4.14 establishing y^e law of Christe begon by her noble Father: Let her Maiestie then be assured, al∣though not the wife of Aaron nor of Zacharie, (but of Iesus Christe) who hauing conceiued saith by the goodnesse of God, that she shall be able to de∣parte with glorye, to her immortall comforte, so that her highnesse be con∣tinually zealous as Phinees, iust as Iohn Baptist,* 4.15 and constant with Ste∣phan in the truth, and shal preuaile with Iudith, ouer all the Romishe rable, to the extolling of her roiall state: a worthie Quéene on earth, a blessed Saint in Heauen, vnto whome God graunt here happye dayes, and in the World to come ende∣lesse felicitie.

¶ VVhen we receiued these thinges whiche follow, somewhat to late, from my friendes, yet I caused them to be translated, and haue put them here∣vnto, albeit they may be referred to the Monsters whiche were seene in the Worlde after the confusion of Tongues, therevnto annexing forth of Man∣lius diuers straunge effectes.

THese like were found not long since by Portingale Shippes, in an Ilande that standeth in the midde waye to Calicoute, where the North Starre cannot be séene: They are menne with two armes and two handes in the righte side, they haue Asses eares, a mannes face, the righte Thigh lyke a Horse, the other like a manne: they haue muche heare about theire priuities, in the rest of their bodyes they haue none: they runne and leape like hartes, they are verye cruell and witlesse: their Women are lyke them, and they are after that kinde fayre of skinne, and haue very good skill in workemanshippe of silke and Golde, they bring forth yong twise in the yere.

In certayne places of Arabia are these monsters. They haue thrée eyes, a Nose and a greate mouth, two verye large and rounde eares, euerye arme hath two handes, the males also hath two suche greate Breastes, that they cannot well couer them: they weare Beasts skinnes: they goe withoute anye Hose and Shooes, neyther haue they anye Toes on theyr Féete: they are called Sterlochi, they haue not in vaine a greate mouth for they bée verye greate eaters, glottons, and deuou∣rers, they eate fleshe halfe sodden, they drinke no Wine nor Water, they are greate fighters, and continuallye they make warre with them that border vppon them. Their King payeth Tribute to the greate Cane.

In the partes of Ethiopia there are men well proporcioned, sauing that they haue but one legge, with a verye great foote with y^e shadowe whereof

when the Sunne commeth to the South, they lying vppon the grounde saue themselues from the heate: when they shoulde walke, they leape, nei∣ther can they doe otherwise, they speake as we doe in theyr tong, they are verye good Iewellers, and sell theyr Iewels to the Marchauntes of Ar∣menia, receiuing of them corne to liue by, they are men of a great strength and liue two hundreth yeares: their women are verye fayre, and common to euery one, which when they are great with child, refuse carnal copulati∣on with any.

In the Alpes of Egipt are these deformed creatures. They haue faces, armes, and féete, tike to a mans, with two long breastes, in other partes like to Camels: when they haue brought forth their yong they carrye them vpon their back or loynes, they liue in the woods, they liue at the vttermost not aboue thirtie yeres, neyther do they bring forth past once or twice, they run swift, their males are excellent fishers, and are verye cruell and outra∣geous to their wiues, they alwayes carrye theyr owne king vppon their shoulders in a wodden couch, and greatly worship him.

In the partes of Ethiop towardes the North, suche are founde whiche haue a goodly body of a man, two armes, two thyghes, and mens féete, but on their shoulders they haue a dogges head standing out: they leade a mans life, and worke cunningly diuerse things with thréedes of silke and golde, which they sende to the great Cane: they laugh not, nor wéepe, they exercise great marchandise of Margarits or pearles, of Carbuncles and of other goodly stones: their king is tributarie to the great Cane, and the tribute is paide with things of silke and golde.

In the East Occean suche grosse women be founde. They are long necked, and against nature they haue their armes ioyned to their thyghes, they haue also legges, but féete of another forme, they are higher before thā behinde, and haue the tayle of an Asse, they goe out once with foure childrē, two of which they kill, the other they bring vppe: they haue greate store of milke, whereof they make Chéese to liue by, the males be like the females, but be lesse in their belly and breastes.

Among many valleys in Tartaria are founde straunge Monsters: they haue a long necke aboue their breastes, and a heade in manner of a Grype or Griffin, in the breast two eyes, a nose and a mouth, two wings of di∣uerse colours in their flanckes, armes and legges like a mans: they dwel in watery places because they liue by fishe, they flye heauily, as Géese do, the feathers of their wings are fit for greate Lordes in making of Arrowes, they fight chiefely with the great Cane, & Preter Iohn, they are very fierce creatures, and mennes mortall enimies, they cast poyson out of theyr mouth, when they are euen vppon taking, as a laste defence for theyr safet••e.

In the parte of the newe worlde, whiche the King of Portingale not long agone founde out to the Northwarde, the name of whyche place is Sancta Crux this kinde of men was founde, they haue a dogges heade hairy with long eares, the middle parte of theyr bodye and armes, are like a mans, their thighes are like as Horses bée, their houffes like a Buffel, they weare skins, they speake not, but barke mig••tily, they are great theeues, and liue by rauine, they are called Baratriae. They make war continu∣allye wyth the Ilanders adioyning, and deuoure menne wheir they maye haue them, when they haue them not they eate other lyuing things.

In the regions in time passe, of greate Tamerlaen Centaures of thys forme were founde, from the middle vpwarde they haue a mans bo∣dye and face, sauing that in place of armes they haue two short armes, like a toade, in the head are dogges eares, with thrée great lockes growing on both sides, and on the middle of his chinne: in their flanckes are mans armes with fingers, the rest are like a horsse: they runne swifte, if they im∣brace anye, they wring him so harde, that they breake him to péeces, they liue onely by Elephants, they are friends to men and women, bicause they do them no harme.

In the Ile of Taprobana such humaine creatures are found mishapen, They haue shorte thyghes, Hye shoulders, a slender necke, a verye greate heade, with one eye alone in the forehead, they séeke for pearle and the like goodly things. They are cruel and sauage people, neyther can a man know the female from the male, but when they are great with child: they goe na∣ked and liue by wilde fruites: deaw is their drincke: they want eares, yet is their hearing sharpe: a kind of Hornets do much trouble them, for whyche cause they hide themselues in the sande, vntil the Hornets flye by them to other Ilands.

In the furthest parts of Syracan are mē altogither of such shape, hauing a Cranes necke, a heade with eyes and nose like a man, a byll or beake, & Chaules as Cockes haue, they are clad in skinnes, they are tyllers of the grounde, thee haue greate warre with the Griffins, so that there perisheth a great number on both sides: their women are like to them onely lacking chaules and haue a broader byll. They drinke no Wine, they which die in the warre are reckned as Saintes, and their wiues are séene no more of o∣ther men.

Vpon certaine Ilandes of the Caspian Sea, there are founde suche Lions: They haue a mans face, but they are wilde & fierce, they liue by ra∣uine, they swimme vpon and vnder the water as Otters or Beuers: many Historians haue made mention of them, and especially Solynus writeth of them in the wonders of the world.

In the desarts of L••bia there are founde women whyche haue breasts

hanging downe to their knées, they lacke the vse of speaking, but yet they crye or skrike vehemently, they liue at home with men, they runne swift∣ly, so that they can take wilde beastes in running, which they eate. They are betwéen white & black, to wit of a Russet colour: they want haires, sa∣uing that from their knées downe they are like Satyres, clouen footed as a Cowe or Bull: they are strong, and quicklye holde faste wyth theyr handes that they take, theyr heade is thicke of hayre, they are mishapen in body & face, they laugh willingly, especially in the presence of men.

In the wooddes of Asia are suche called Monopoli, they haue no head, but a face in their breaste, they goe naked, couering onely their priuities with a vaile, they couer themselues with a great cap by reason of the suns great heate. They gather Pepper, and barter it with the Marchauntes of Mecha, and the ware which they haue for it they sende to the Antipodes. They are verye continent and modest men, neither are they euer heard to vtter an ill worde: they are very vpright, and haue a good conscience, accor∣ding to their law.

In the A••pes of Aff••icke are founde these monstrous creatures: they are altogither of a browne yellowe colour, hauing a mannes face in theyr breastes, thighes like an Oxe, féete lyke a Manne, tayle like a Foxe, vdders like a Goate, a backe like a Cammel, a long necke, and on the toppe thereof a rounde bunche, with two Pygges eares, they haue a bearde like a Goate, they liue by Hearbes and rootes, and are verye wilde: whyle they are little, menne vse to eate them, whiche the greate men in authoritie do vse, but when they are olde, they are harde of dssgestion: they are better than Goates wyth vs.

This yeare in the moneth of Iune 1561. the fourth daye of the same, betwéene foure and fiue a clocke in the afternoone, the Steple of Paules in London was fiered by a Tempest of lightning, and burst forth (as it dyd séeme to the beholders) two or thrée yardes beneath the rouffe, and so brent rounde aboute in the same place, that the top wyth the Crosse fel off, and lighted on the Southside of Paules Churche, and then the Spire brent downwarde like a Cresset or Beacon, to the stoneworke and the Belles, and downewarde towarde the bodye of the Churche, so vehemently, that within the space of four houres the same Stéeple, and the four gret rouffes of the church, so much as was timber, of the neather Iles of the same, were vtterly consumed and brent to Ashes, to the greate terror and feare of the beholders, but specially to the inhabitaunts of the Citie of London. D. Coo∣per. Stow.

The euent, as appeareth, by the subtil meanes of the Duke of Guies that then was, with a confederacy among the Scottes, wholye to haue made a Conquest ouer Englande, was by the wisedome of hir maiestie and pri∣uie counsell dispearsed, by sending in time Souldiours for the defence ther∣of. Therefore God graunte that Englande be not a sléepe in securitie, and forget that treacherie, if so, then beware least Spaine and Scotland gaine not a Monarchie. Lanquet enlarged by D. Cooper and the Commentaries of Fraunce in the seuenth booke. Folio. 10.

[ 1562] This yeare in Englande were manye Monstrous byrthes, as in March a Mare broughte forth a Foale with one bodye, being in good proportion, and two heades, hauing a long tayle growing out right like a horne be∣twéene the same two heades. Also a sowe farrowed a Pigge with foure legges, like to the armes of a man Childe, wyth handes and fingers, snoute and eares disfigured.

Aboute Aprill a Sowe farrowed a Pigge whiche had two bodyes, eight féete, and but one head: many Calues and Lambes were monstrous: and one Caulfe hadde a coller of skinne growing aboute his necke, like to a double ruffe, whiche to the beholders séemed straunge and wonderful. Yet not so Monsterous as the double Ruffes that at that time were worne and vsed.

The foure and twentith of May a Monstrous child was borne at Chi∣chester in Sussex, the heade, armes, and legs, like vnto an Anatomy the brest and belly monstrous bigge, from the Nauil, as it were along string han∣ging about the necke, a greate coller of fleshe and skinne growing like to the ruffe of a shirt or neckercheffe comming vp aboute the eares playting or foulding. Stow Sequel.

Greate preparation to Newhauen, a soone surrender, and a quicke dis∣charge: where beganne a greate plague, to the losse of manye good Soul∣diours.

On the Saterdaye nexte following, the one and twentith day after the [ 1563] natiuitie, a greate tempeste of winde and thunder happened in the towne of Leicester, whiche vncouered fourtéene Bayes of houses, and ouertour∣ned many. The Frenche assembling out of Fraunce for the recouerye of Newhauen, after whiche the Citie of London being infected with y^e plague from the firste of Ianuarie. 1562. vntil the last of December 1563. there dy∣ed in the Citie and liberties twentie thousand thrée hundred seuentie two: and of out Parishes togither, totall thrée and twenty thousand sixe hundred thrée score and odde persons.

The eighte of Iuly in the morning happened a greate Tempest of lightning and thunder, where through a woman and thrée Kine were slaine in Couent Garden, neare to Charing Crosse. At the same tyme in Essex a man was torne all in pieces, as hée was carrying Haye, hys

Barne borne downe, and his hay brent, both stone and trées, were rent in many places maruellously.

There was in September an Earthquake in Lincolne, and Northamp∣ton shiere and in other places. Stow.

In December from the first day to the twelfth, was such great light∣ning and thunder, and especially on the twelfth day, at night from eight of the clocke til it was paste nine, that the like was not séene, by anye man then liuing.

A monstrous fishe was driuen on shore at Grimsbius in Lincolneshire, in length nintéene yardes, his tayle fiftéene foote broade, and sixe yards be∣twéene his two eyes. The English Marchannts vpon occasions left theyr trafficke at Antwerpe, and went to Emden in West Frizland &c. Doctor Cooper.

Among straunge fishes the Arnndelle of the south sea is as straunge, which being pursued of greater fishes as long as his broade fins remayne wet, he flyeth as a byrd.

The one and twentith of December, began a frost, which continued [ 1564] so extreamely, that on Newyeares euen people wente ouer and along the Thames on the yce, from London Bridge to Westminster, and people played on the Ice at the foote ball, as one land: after fewe dayes, they sette markes and shot too and fro, diuerse both men and women stoode and behelde: not∣withstanding the fifth day of Ianuarie at night, was no Ice to be séene be∣twéene London Bridge and Lambeth, but that all men might row at theyr pleasure, which sodaine thowe, caused such great floudes and high waters, that it bare downe many Bridges, and houses, and drowned many peo∣ple in England especially in Yorke shire, when Owes Bridge was borne a∣way and other.

The sixe and twentith day of Ianuarie being Fryday, at night, were two tydes in the space of two houres at London, on the morrowe was like∣wise two, & two at night, on Sonday likewise were two tydes in the mor∣ning, and at night but one, as orderly it had bin accustomed. There were in two nights and a day, eight tides.

This yeare Ferdinando the Emperour dyed, and there was kepte for him in Pauls Church, the third day of October. 1564. a solemne exequie or funeral.

Many fiery impressions were séene in the ayre in October, all the north partes of the Elemente, séemed to be couered wyth flames of fire, procée∣ding from the Northeast and Northwest, towardes the middest of the firmamente: where for the moste parte of an houre it stayed and dis∣cended Weastwarde, and all the same nighte, being the nexte after the chaunge of the Moone, séemed almoste as lyghte as if it hadde bene day.

The sixtéenth day of Iuly, about nine of the clocke at night, beganne a terrible tempest of lightning and thunder, with showres of hayle, whyche continued vntil thrée of the clocke in the morning. In the which Tempest much harme was done in and about Chelmesforde in Essex, as by destroy∣ing of fiue hundred Acres of corne, the beating downe of all the glasse win∣dowes on the East side of the same towns, and of the Weast and South∣side of the church: the beating of the Tiles off their houses, throwing down diuerse Barnes and Chimneys, with the batlementes of the Church, &c. The Haylestones being measured, were founde to be sixe ynches aboute: At the same time, was much harme done in many places of thys realm, as at Leedes, Crambrooke at Douer in Kent.

In Flaunders began discorde, for Religion, whych Brabant, Hollande, and Zeland after felt.

The eyght day of December, there arose a greate storme and Tem∣pest of winde, by whose rage the Thames and Seas ouerwhelmed diuerse persons, and the West gate of the Church of Saint Paules whiche is com∣monly shut, betwéene the which is a brasen Piller, was violently blowen open. The great Onel began to rebel in Ireland.

[ 1566] The King of Scottes was shamefully murdered, the reuenge wherof remayneth in the mightie hande of God Anno. 1566. on Shroue monday being the tenth of Februarie in the morning, by name Henrie Stuert Lord of Darneley. &c.

Seauen Aldermen dyed wythin the space of tenne monethes. A Towne in Wales called Owsester aboute the space of twelue myles from Shrewesburie, in two houres was neare consumed, to the greate losse of the people, goods, and buildings. Reade more hereof in Iohn Stow.

The seauentéenth daye of Maye by casualtie of fire, in the Towne of Milnall in Suffolke eyghte myles from Newmarket, to the number of seauen and thirtie Houses, besydes Barnes, Stables, and suche like, were vtterly burnt and consumed in the space of two houres: Iohn Stow.

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In Flaunders betwéene Ant∣werpe [ 1567] and Macline, in a village called Vbalen, a Chylde was borne whiche hadde two heades and four armes: it séemed two mayds ioyned togither and yet hadde but two legges: There fol∣lowed the prepara∣tion of Duke Al∣ua. of whom those places can witnesse very well of his cō∣ming by the pitiful spoyle of Antwerpe, and the reste of that Countrey af∣terward.

The eighte and twentith of March [ 1568] htroughe vehement rayne and Tempest of windes, manye vessels on the Riuer of Thames wyth two Tylt Boates, before Grauesende were sunke and drowned, The sixe and twentith of Iune deceased Thomas Yong Archebyshoppe of Yorke.

The eleauenth of October were taken in Suffolke, at Durham Bridge neare vnto Itswich, great and monstrous fishes, some of them con∣tayning in length seauen and twentie foote, some foure and twentie, others one and twentie foote, and the least were in length seuentéene foote.

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The same yere the fiue and twentith of Ianuarie, there ap∣peared in the Elemēt ouer the Towne of Caffa at tenne of the clocke in the nighte, a shining Crosse with a starre in the toppe, and a Moone at the lower ende, rety∣ring immediately af∣ter it begā to be day, without being séene anye more at that time.

[ 1568] The yeare folo∣wing the Earles of Northumberlande and Westmerlād rebelled, with many others, to the great disquiet of a peaceable quéene and hir Maiesties Com∣mons. Vppon Mon∣daye being the thir∣téenth of Nouember the Rebels went to Durham with their Banners displayed, and to get the more credite, among the fauourers of the Romish Religion, they hadde a Crosse, with the Banner of the fiue woundes: As soone as they were entred Durham they wente to the Minster and tore the Byble, Com∣munion bookes and other suche as there were, Reade more Iohn Stow not onelye of the troublesome tymes in the Northe, but also in Scot∣land.

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In Fraunce in Pro∣uence at Arles, was a strāge child hairy, hauing the Nauill where the nose shold stande, and his eyes in the place of the mouth, the mouth in the chinne. Ciuil dis∣cord folowed with a hideous spoyle of theyr owne people. Comment. in hys eighte Booke, Folio. 110.

This was also [ 1570] a troublesome yeare, for among manye monsters there was hanged a Bul, with∣out hide and hornes, y^e fiue and twentith of May, at the bishop of London his palaice gate, in Pauls church yarde, which came from Rome, by some Calfe of that broode, wherein was contayned manye treasons againste the Quéenes maiestie, for the whiche one Iohn Felton was executed: God turne that péeuishe minded people once. The euent. A conspiracie in Norffolke, where shortly after the conspi∣rators were executed at Norwich. The way to kéepe Englande in obediente seruice of God, is learned of the Germans, who hauing constituted the lawe of the Gospel, added therto, that whatsoeuer degrée did not accept it, y^e same should not after say, there was no lawe to put them to the sword as pesti∣lent Heretickes, but hauing transgressed the law, they felt the sworde and dyed for heresie. If in England be no lawe to execute a Papiste for his reli∣gion, what dothe the Gospels reformation, howe can he be sounde to hys Prince, that hateth hir religion? howe can his religion maintaine hir ma∣iesties dominion? for sooth in flatterie of wordes called Ipocrisie, in dissem∣bling his religion called Heresie. Till that this be better reformed looke for no peaceable tranquillitie, but rather that it bréede a grieuouser Tyrannie, from the which God defende thys oure Realme and Coun∣trey.

In Bedforde Towne and there aboutes the fifth of October 1570. by the aboundaunce of raine, fell suche floudes, that many perished, not onelye there, but also on this side in the high wayes being ouerflowed as they tra∣uelled. D. Cooper.

The seauentéenth of Februarie at a place called Kinnaston, neare Marcleche Hill in the Countie of Hereforde, was séene the grounde to o∣pen, and certaine Rockes, wyth a péece of grounde, remoued and wente forewarde, the space of three dayes, making at the firste a terrible noyse, as it wente on the earthe: it remoued it selfe betwéene sixe of the clocke in the euening & seauen. The next morrow it remoued fortie paces, carrying great trées, and shéepe coates, some Shéepe coates with thrée score shéepe in them, some trées fel into the chincks and were swallowed, other that grew on the same grounde, growe as firmelye on a Hill, and some that stoode Easte stande Weast, and those that stoode Weaste stande Easte. The deapth of the hoale, where it firste brake out, is thirtie foote, the breadth of the Breache is eighte score yardes, and in length aboute twentie score yardes: it ouerthrewe Kinnastone Chappel, also in the highe wayes, be remoued nygh a hundred yardes, wyth the trées of the Headgroues. The grounde in all is sixe and twentie Acres, and where Tyllage ground was there is pasture left in place, and where was pasture, there is tillage groūd gone vppon it. The grounde as it remoued, droue the Earthe before it, and at the lower parte ouerwhelmed the grounde, so that nowe it is growen to a verye greate Hyll of twelue fadome heyghe. It remoued from Saterdaye tyll Mondaye at nighte following and so stan∣deth stil.

[ 1570] On Thursday, being the eleuenth day of Nouember, at ten of the clocke in the nighte, at a Citie in Italy called Ferrara vntill two a Clocke in the morning, there happened fourtéene Earthquakes, wherewyth manye houses were ouerthrowen. The Fridaye following also, it shooke thrice, but the same nighte there appeared a grieuous darkenesse, after follo∣wed vehemente Windes, wyth the followyng of suche encreased stormes and Tempestes, that it ouerthrewe the Castel and the Byshops house, twelue Monasteries and other Churches: diuerse nobles and com∣mon people were by the fall of buildings slayne, the cryes in the nighte of so manye voyces was hearde farre of, to the greate sorrowe of the inha∣bitauntes. It is thought there perished neare the number of two thousand people. The Printer of thys Booke in Englishe, THOMAS PVR∣FOOTE.

Manye Witches were executed in Essex that had wroughte Monstrous cruelties in killing of children and cattel.

This yere no Prodigies known of in England, but the two and twen∣tith* 4.16 daye of September deceased Iohn Iewel Bishoppe of Sarisburie, in his life time a moste eloquente and diligent Preacher, but a farre more paine∣full and Studious writer: A Shielde for the Protestaunte and a Maule gainst y^e Papist, as workes remayning beareth witnesse, wherby his fame shal neuer dye. Also the same yeare was great reioysing of a victorie had a∣gainst the Turkes.

The first day of Iune D. Storie Arch Heretike, and traytor to his Coun∣trey, was executed at Tyborne.

The Protestantes this yeare made an Oration to the Frenche Kyng, for the better and more quiet possessing of the Gospell. But it was so dissembled, that shortelye after appeared vnkindelye murders by the Papistes called Catholikes. Reade the Commentaries translated by Thomas Tymme.

The thirtéenth daye of December, the yeare 1560. at Vienna and Austria there was an Earthquake, and a great Tempest, and fearefull lightning, Towers, Houses, and the Cathedral Church of Saint Stephen was burnte with lightning. The ayre was séene to burne a long tyme, as a certayne noble manne of Vindelicke in his letters did de∣clare.

The yeare of oure Lorde 1561. the thyrde daye after the Feaste of the byrthe of Christe there appeared ouer Fridemounte, and all the borders of Switzerlande, aboute two houres afore daye, the ayre being verye cleare, a greate redde fire, in manner whole to∣gyther, but that white furrowes or strakes came betwéene, and it stretched out long and broade, almoste aboute the space of a Fur∣long, but in lengthe thrée or foure tymes as muche. So that vnto manye it séemed as it were verye straunge and daungerous. Thys wonderfull sighte was séene at Zurich, Glarona, Sangale, Con∣stance, Aczon, Venice, and Switzerlande. I suppose that the same gleaming or fierye vapoure was at that tyme séene in Englande, whyche at the fyrste time of the appearing was taken for a Prodigie, but since whiche time by the meanes of often appearaunce slenderlye sette by. The principall Euente, the horrible treasons, vntruthes and murders beganne in the Kingdome of Fraunce. Conrade Bolo∣nesus.

The 27. of December, betwéene the town of Tubinga, in the Duke∣dome of Wittenberge, and the village of Iesingham, which is two myles distaunte from Tubinga, sodaynely in a certaine fielde, there appea∣red a goulfe, whiche was sixe and thirtie foote déepe, twentie foote broade,

and aboue the earthe, no more than a common pitte, rounde of com∣passe, contayning of deapth in water nine foote &c. Also it is sayde that it rayned bloude aboute the same tyme in verye manye places of Ger∣many.

[ 1572] Thys yeare in Englande was a greate froste, sharpe and colde ayre, yéelding suche thicke miste that it gathered as frozen yee vppon the boughes of Trées so thicke, that suche was the wayghte thereof that it brake manye small trées and boughes, there was also muche Snow.

[ 1573]

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Of a wonderful appearaunce in the ayre at Mount Pel∣lier in the kingdome of Fraunce. The fifth daye, of Maye the Weather beeyng fayre and clear, was in a momente chan∣ged throughe mygh∣tye whirlewindes, entermingled wyth Hayle of a wonder∣full greatenesse, of the whyche Hayle some waighed two pounde wayghte, some more, after whyche so straunge Hayle, it lightned, thundered, and be∣came a grieuous tē∣peste, throughe the whiche a village cal∣led Saint Iohn de Vedas, was ouerthrowen: this Tempest continued the space of foure houres, the Hayle brake the ridges of houses, and wyth the aboundaunce of rayne it ouerflowed all the Sellers, Shoppes and other low places: the Tempeste being ceased and the weather clea∣red, was hearde a maruellous noyse ouer the Churche (where sometime much superstition hadde bene vsed) called Sainte Peters, whiche he that wrote the Booke being maruellouslye transformed into an Asse, was so o∣uerloaden with heresie, that he supposed the Tempestes cause to come of

the Protestauntes, whiche vndoubtedlye was farre otherwise. In the cleare ayre appeared the likenesse of a manne, holdyng vppon hys shoul∣ders the figure of the rounde Worlde, on the toppe of whyche was a Crosse. Also there was aboute the sayde figure, beames like the Sunnes, shyning verye cleare, a voyce was heard whyche sayde Vigila∣te & Orate, Watche and Praye. The sayde figure dydde manyfestlye appeare in the open sighte of all people the space of one houre, or there∣aboute, and then vanished awaye, Don Francisco de Mendosa, one that ne∣uer writ lie.

Thys yeare they of Harlame in Hollande preuayled againste the Albanistes. A greate famine at Sanxerre in Fraunce, so that the peo∣ple laye staruyng in the Stréetes and perished throughe hunger. Reade more in the Lamentable Discourse so entituled Anno Domi. 1573.

Greate Contention in the lowe Countreys not onely for the de∣fence [ 1574] of true Religion, but moste especiall againste theyr Magi∣strates, so that there followed muche bloudshedde. Aboute thys tyme the Bowres after called Malcontens, rose againste suche soul∣diours as hadde robbed them, the reuenge whereof is yet doubte∣full, &c.

The sixe and twentith of Februarie betwéene foure and sixe of the [ 1574] clocke in the afternoone, greate Earthquakes happened in the Cities of Yorke, Worcester, Gloucester, Bristowe, Hereforde and in the Coun∣treyes aboute, so that in manye places the shaking of the Earthe greate∣lye amazed the people, &c.

On Easterdaye whiche was the thirde of Aprill was disclosed the congregation of Anabaptistes Dutchmen, in a house without the Barres of Aldgate at London, whereof eighte and twentie were taken, and im∣prisoned, and foure of them recanted at Paules Crosse the fiftéenth of May. 1575.

The seauentéenth daye of Maye aboute midnighte, the Reuerende Father in God, Matthew Parker Doctor of Diuinitie, Archbishop of Canterburie, lefte this life at Lambeth, a person of singular vertue, desi∣rous to knowe all Artes and Sciences that appertained to suche hys dig∣nitie, and also a greate preferrour and daylye chearisher of those in whome he espyed anye towardnesse in learning and qualities. Thys re∣uerende Father by vertue of commission from oure soueraigne Quéene hyr Maiestie, didde cause to be diligently gathered many bookes of Anti∣quitie, whiche throughe default of héede taking, when the religious houses of the Popish were suppressed, their Libraries wer almost vtterly spoyled, to the great hurt and hindraunce of learning.

Among whose Bookes remayned, althoughe the moste parte according to the tyme, yet some worthy the viewe and safe kéeping, gathered wythin foure yeares, of Diuinitie, Astronomie, Historie, Phisicke, and others of sundrye Artes and Sciences (as I can truely auouche, hauing his Graces commission wherevnto his hande is yet to be séene) sixe thousand seauen hundred Bookes, by my onelye trauaile, whereof choyse being taken, he most gratiouslye bestowed many on Corpus Christi Colledge in Cambridge. I was not the onlye man in this businesse, but others also did theyr good willes. Thys alone was a rare worke, besyde manye other his good déedes, God fortify those that are liuing, to be no lesse careful for the preser∣uation of learning.

[ 1575] A wonderfull appearaunce in the ayre of armed men, ouer the Cittie of Posen in Polonia, the firste daye of Ianuarie, aboute one of the clocke at nighte beganne an Earthquake, whiche greatelye amazed the people, but firste appeared a greate cloude like vnto an high Towre, the whyche cloude did deuide asunder in the middest, in the whiche appea∣red an Angel in a white vesture, hauing in one hande a sworde, in the o∣ther a rodde, and cryed with a loude voyce, two times, Wo, wo, and therewyth vanished awaye. After thys appeared an armye, wyth a white Eagle ouer them, and ouer againste another armye, ouer whom houered a blacke Eagle, these two armyes hasting togither made a greate shouting, pushing, hewing and striking, euen as if it had bene indéede vpon the Earth. The armye wyth the blacke Eagle gotte the victorye and ouerthrewe hym vnder féete, in so muche that the very drops of bloude séemed to fall vppon the Earth in the sayde conflicte. The people that behelde the same, were terrifyed in such sort, that manye wo∣men with childe fell in trauayle, and sundrye fainte harted men dyed pre∣sently.

The fiftéenth of Nouember great fierie impressions appeared in y^e Ele∣men as wel ouer England as Flaunders.

A number of Flyes in Seuerne by Tewkesburie, and byttels came swar∣ming downe the riuer, that for foure dayes the Mil dams were stopped by the wonderful heapes of those flyes: this happened in Februarie.

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The xij. day of Nouem∣ber an vggly monster was borne at Arnheim a Town in Gelderland, whose father being a common blasphe∣mer of God, and a drūkard, in the time of his wiues be¦ing with child (who sought by meanes to withdrawe hir husbande from hys e∣uill custome) did cursse and wishe that she might beare the Diuel, the woman very vnaduisedly said, I woulde I might beare a Diuell, so should I once be rid of this wo and misery, &c. not long after she broughte forth, a wonderfull Monster. As soone as the neighbours and Midwife were come, shée begā for very gret pains to cry out fearfully, & not lōg after was deliuered, but sodainely the Monster ranne vnder the bed. The proportion of his bo∣dy and lims was as followeth, being séene of many both men and women: a roughe bodie hairie and blacke, except his belly which was like a swan, the two féete like Peacockes, clawed, his eyes shined like fire and were ve∣ry great, he had a mouth like to a Storke or Crane, blacke, a tayle like an Oxe, two bending hornes on his heade, in steade of handes clawes like a Hauke. After this hideous Monster was thus séene, to the greate feare of manye, among them it was smoothered to deathe betwéene two beddes.

In London there was shewed a wonderfull worke of God, vppon a blasphemous curssing woman in Woodstreete, y^t came to buy towe, who did forsweare y^t she had paide for it, taking God to witnesse, & was for such hir falshoode stricken with sodaine pangs of deathe, that she moste miserably dyed.

Vppon the Mountaines of Chartrousse the laste daye of October, in the Elemente a straunge figure appeared, shewing it selfe thrée seue∣rall tymes: In the bodye verye lyke to a Manne, and as it séemed hea∣ded like a Boare, féete and handes like to an Eagle. At euery time the said

monstrous shape stayed halfe an houre, the saide sighte was espyed by di∣uerse of the nobilitie of France. Among many great voyces this was heard, He that made me shortly shall destroy me. Couetousnesse wil pluck me vp by the rootes. The people ill in learning, seeketh and will bring to passe in short time, my ruine fully and vnuiolably: after whiche wordes he vanished away.

In this present yeare, in the moneth of Februarie, The Bascha of Ofen didde sende to the Begerlebek vnto Temeswar (a Citie of Hunga∣rie scituated neare to the mountaines of Transyluia, otherwise called Sibenburgen, by the Riuer Thames) a thousande foure hundred Centners of Gunpouder, to furnishe the Vaynode of Sibenburgen doubtelesse to the intente of the greate vndoing and destruction of the Christians: but by God his maruellous prouidence, the sayde pouder, wythout mannes knowledge howe, became on fire, and the sayde Towne, Ca∣stell, Menne, and all that was therein were violentlye torne and rente in péeces: moreouer the huge roaring of the pouders force in the ayre, by the sodayne casting vppe of Towers, Houses, Horssemen and all what∣soeuer greately amazed the habitauntes or neare dwellers there aboute, who hasting thyther, founde a maruellous goulfe of water, where the Citie stoode, and of suche a maruellous déepenesse, that passeth com∣mon report. The summe of the pouder so sodainelye sette on fire, was sayde to be eighte and fiftie lastes, and eighte hundreth waighte, for e∣uery Centnere contayneth a hundreth wayghte, whiche is a Firkine, and foure and twentie Firkines makes a laste. Thys Towne and Ca∣stell of Tamesware, stoode aboute eighte Dutche myles Northerlye from the Citie Taurunum, called in high Dutch Grieckish Weysenburge, where the notable Riuer Sanus falleth into Danubius, one the Southeside of it.

The spoyle of Antwerpe by the Duke of Alua for their pryde and ho∣ped securitie, is lefte for others to beware, and at large to be redde in a Booke Printed 1576. wyth a Prodigious Picture of all the Nobles of Flaunders pitiouslye spoyled by a cruell Tyraunte, vnder whose féete they lye dismembred, thys Picture was for a whyle sette vppe in the newe made Castell at Antwerpe, and after was de∣faced.

[ 1576] At Tawnton a Towne in Somersetshire, the ninth daye of Nouember, was borne a man Childe wyth one heade, vnto whiche was ioyned from the Nauil downewarde, two bodies, that is, foure buttockes thighes and legs.

[ 1577] On the seauentéenth daye of Marche being Midlent Sondaye. The inhabitauntes of the Towne called the Crosse in Cheshire not far from Nor∣wiche

being at the hearing of Gods deuine seruice betwéene the houres of tenne and eleuen of the clocke in the forenoone of the same daye, there a∣rose a mightie great winde not continuing the space of halfe an houre be∣fore it was noysed in the Churche that the towne was on fyre. The ter∣roure of whiche tidinges so amazed the people, that notwithstanding their great endeauours to saue their goodes, as houses yet there was burned 40 with Kitchins, Barnes and Stables, into Ashes: There was séene a fyerye flame, in quantitie a yarde euerye waye, where it touched houses it presentlye consumed them, and also their goods whatsoeuer, &c. Reade more in the Booke entituled the declaration of the lamentable losse. &c. Ri∣charde Perine.

In Iune was séene in London a Mare hauing a Colte, brought from the Parrishe of Emley, in the Countie of Worcester the twentith day of Iune, the Mare being two and twentie yeares olde foled such a Colte, as forthwith gaue mylke, whiche after my comming to London, I sawe the same. The euente is referred to GOD, who as it appeareth by the discourse of a Couetous Woman named Mistris Dauson, whiche wente aboute to take away the house of the poore manne, who in the right thereof spente almoste all that hée hadde, and béeing oute of hope to recouer the goodes that he had spent, this aboundance of milke continu∣allye flowing from the Colte, was for the time a greate cherishing of the sayde pore man.

A straunge and terrible wonder happened in the parrishe churche of Bongay, a Towne not farre from Norwiche in a greate Tempest of vyo∣lente rayne, lightning and Thunder, the like hath seldome bene séene. On Sundaye the fourth daye of August, this Tempest beganne at Blyth∣borow, and there a blacke Dogge sodaynelye séene in the Churche, slue a manne and a Boye, and scorched other on the skinne, with a sulphurous stenche, and breaking the Churche Windowe sodaynelye setteled at Bongaye, not farre distaunte, where in the shape of a blacke Dog also, he griped a manne that he was sodaynelye drawne together, and shrunke vp as it were a péece of leather scorched in a hote fyre, the man although he was in so straunge a case dyed not, but supposed to recouer his lyfe, though not limmes, great markes remayned in the Churche dore lyke ra∣singes, with many other harmes. The Copy written to the Printer by A∣braham Fleming.

This season a sharpe skirmish was fought in Flaunders betwéene the States and Don Iohn Duke of Austria.

The 27 of Marche in the North, at the Towne called Patrike Brum∣ton [ 1577] nere to Richemonde, beganne a vyolent winde, that ouerthrewe Cota∣ges, Trées, Barnes, and Haistackes, the Stéeple of the Church riuen from

the toppe to the battlementes, and shortly fell to the ground, the fall where∣of spoyled a greate parte of the Churche, thrée belles whiche hong in the Steeple were caste out into the Churchyarde, and neyther of them bro∣ken: the lightninges were also verye gréeuous, with many daungerous flashings, and ouerthrowing of hedges, consuming all kinde of graine in their Barnes to the great hinderaunce of many. The Sequele: The Towne of Naas in the Countye of Kildare was verye muche spoyled with fyre by the Wilde Irishe, and also diuers of the inhabitaunts was slayne.

This same yere the fourth, fifth, and sixth daye of Iulye was the Assises holden at Oxforde, where was araigned and condemned Rowland Ienkins Bookebinder of Oxforde for his seditious tongue: this lenkins being there araygned, there came a great number to heare his cause tried (for that hée was said to be knowne of many for a very wicked enemie to the Gospell) and so soone as iudgement procéeded against him,* 4.17 there arose amidste the people suche a dampe or miste, that so filled their heads, as many séemed to be smoldered, very few escaped that were not taken at that instaunte. The Iuroures dyed, presently the Lorde Baron sickned there, named sir Roger Beli maister Weineman, Sir William Babington Iustice of the Shire, maister sergeant Baram iustice of the Assise, maister Doile high sherife, Maister Hart vnder Sherife, with diuers others: for there died in Oxforde thrée hundered persons, that sickned there, and there dyed in other places two hundered and odde persons, so that the whole number that died from the sixte daye of Iulye to the twelfth day of August was fiue hundered and tenne persons, manye of these bledde till they died. By the meanes of this so sodayne a plague, and at suche a place, as also of those manner of personnes, sunderye mindes coniectured diuers wayes, but howe∣soeuer, when the Lorde pleaseth, thinges more straunge doe come to passe.

One Iohn Foxe an Englishe man of Woodbridge in Suffolke, Sayler, by the force of Turkishe Gallies taken at Sea, and carried prisoner to Alexandria, a Citie of the Turkes, where he and others remayned priso∣ners ••4 yeres, was by a skilfull policie deliuered (being the chéefe Authour thereof himself) to the frée discharge of 266, Captiues from y^e bondage, they slue their kéepers, they manned a Gallie, and so ventured the Seas from their enemies, that in shorte time euerye manne wente vnto his owne Countrey, as appeareth by sufficiente testimonye more at large in the Booke tituled a Discourse of the deliuerie of two hundered thrée score and sixe Christians from vnder the Turkishe tyrannye. Printed in Anno. 157••.

This yere was the discouerie of Mexico in the Weaste India, and of the great Citie China.

The tenth daye of Februarie in the countrey of Swaben about eighte persons being Citizens, and Citizens sonnes, whose names were these that followe, Iacob Hermans, Adam Giebens, Iohn Keyfell, George Kem∣pell, Peter Hersdorf, Hermon Fron Symon Hendrikes, Iohn Wagenar, being wickedly disposed, did resorte to the house of a Tauerner, whose name was Antonye Hage, vppon a Sondaye morning, where they drinking themselues dronken, beganne to blaspheme GOD, and to scoffe at the Hoste of the house that séemed to warne them from their Dronkennesse and perswaded them to goe to the Churche to heare the preaching, at whiche they not onelye continued mocking, but also excéeding in their Dronkennesse, sodaynelye came in among them, in the likenesse of a companyon the Diuell, who drincking to them sette all their mouthes in suche a fyre, that these Drunkardes became not onelye amazed thereat, but also were after a lamentable sorte strangled to death.

In Piemount the tenth of Ianuarie 1578. in the Town of Chierie was borne a hideous monster the length of a mans arme from the middle, all of darke gréene colour except the right legge that was of redde colour, behind the heade hong downe a long piece of fleshe to the Buttockes like a bagge, about his neck the fashion of a Friers cowle, on the head fiue hornes, each somewhat longer than foure fingers, the legges standing the contrarye waye with the knées backwarde, the handes and féete as clawes, this was borne of parentes well thought of, the Father a Doctour, &c. Whether this Monster foreshewed the monstrous preparation on the Popes behalfe then begon by the King of Spayne, as a prepared conquest of some Countrey, the k••••••s being backward, tourned all their secrete mischiefe agaynst y^e Lord and his annointed to follye, Veritas non querit angulos.

The firste of August being Lammas day, the skirmish betwéene the States of Flaunders and Don Iohn of Austria there issued forth of Lorain foure thousande Horsemen Spanyardes, ond seuen thousande footemen, the States through the helpe of Englishmen had the better, the Spaniardes for that time put to flight.

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In Italy at a countrie Towne called Alfac in y^e Dukedome of Ferrara, ther was dwelling a maid named Ida, aboute the age of 77 yeares, neuer suspec∣ted by the inhabitantes for any stayne or dishonestye, she was at this age maried to one George, of the age of 60. yeres. Being mari∣ed aboute 12. moneths, shée was found with child to y^e great admiration of many: at the laste shée was de∣liuered of a manne chylde, hauing thrée armes, thrée legges and very terrible to beholde, he hadde thrée fa∣ces, as it were in one head, and in the one of his hands a bloody crosse: In y^e night tyme there was a shyning lighte aboute the Childe, and aboute his heade a bloodye Sunne and a halfe Moone. There resorted to sée this straunge Chylde a verye greate multitude, among whiche pressed a blynde Mayde of the a••••••f fiftéene yeres, that was borne blind, who by the touching of this sayd mon∣ster was presentlye healed, and hadde her perfecte sighte: and another that was borne dumme, at the sighte of the Chylde was restored to hys spéeche. Some sayde it was an illusion of the Deuill: Some sayde it was done by sorcerye or witchcrafte. The Chylde at the laste opened hys mouth, and sayde: You vnbeleeuers greate plagues shall fall on you all, O wo that you receiued life: he sayde moreouer that in the yere one thou∣sande fiue hundered eightie and eight the worlde shall stand in so extreame a state, that the people which liue in those dayes shall tremble and quake for feare, and hauing ended these wordes he departed and spued forth flames of fyre, in so muche that the standers by were hurte and scorched therewith, wherevpon ensued such a pestilence, that in thrée dayes there di∣ed 8. of the beholders: they carying the Child to the burial, it sodainly va∣nished from them, no man knew which way. This childe was borne the 17 day of Ianuarie.

The king of Portingale béeing of lustye yong courage,* 4.18 and aboute [ 1578] 23 yeares of age, leuied an armye to the number of 40. thousande in all: with this power, and in his owne person, accompanyed with a great num∣ber of Nobilitie, he departed out of his countrey the fourteenth day of Iuly towardes Barbary to Fanos where he met with the black king. Thus Mar∣ching forwardes, he ariued before Alcasar Kiber: but méeting togeather with 70. thousande horsemen, and 40000 Footemen, whereof 0 thou∣sande were horsemen shot, and tenne thousande footemen gunners, besides others, the fourth daye of August Maluca with his Mores ouercame the yong king with all his power, so that scarce one hundered escaped aliue, as also the chéefe Nobilitie of Portingale slaine, this euent followed the blasing Comet or starre.

The thrée Wels at Newnam Regis in y^e countie of Warwike were found [ 1579] out in the Whitson wéeke, by one Clement Dawes that was sore hurte with a hatchet on the arme, he going to one of the springs washed his hurt arme, and was in few dayes perfectly whole, sithence whiche time manye haue resorted to the sayd wels, & haue bene recouered, one especiall effect is that the water doth turne wood into stone.

A straunge Childe borne in Manchester one tewseday being y^e fourth day of August, without a head, and the belly open, so that the bowels might be séene.

This yere the Irish, troubled the English in Ireland, with some mur∣ther.

There is also a prodigious rehearsall of a Monster borne at Angiers in Fraunce, brought forth by a whore, with seuen heads, eared like a dogge, footed like a Toade, it was reported that a voyce was hearde verye loude whiche sayde: I haue before hand song these songes couertly, but the ef∣fecte being come, shall open the same clearely, whipped with the deuine whippe, not willing it, to prouide best in that behalfe, shall be leaste sor∣rowfull therefore, wherefore I say that these words do signifie the wrath of God, and that none hath faith in him, Many haue séemed to scan this matter, take héede it be not a déepe illusion of the Deuill, but yet bée warned.

Of two Children borne in Dutchelande in the Citie of Lutsolof, the firste daye of Iuly. The one chyldes heade was copped like a Bishoppes mytre, the rest of the body in good proportion, sauing where y^e hands should be, grew forth of the right arme the shape of a sworde, and forth of the lefte hande the forme of a rodde, of blackishe colour, it liued the space of thrée dayes, & most wonderfully spake as followeth: Be the warres of men not yet done? make peace, make peace in all countreyes, for the Lorde will come and punishe the earth with sworde and rodde, as my handes do re∣present. And also the childe sayde: Amende you in all countreyes, for

there will such a mortalitie come, yea such a sodayne death, that one shal saye vnto an other, oh brother where haue you bene that you are not yet dead? The seconde chylde had two heades on one perfect body, the one heade swarte coloured, the other naturall. This other childe liued also thrée dayes, it did continually crye: the Father of these children hadde to name Baltus Maler, and the mother Katherine, fortye yeares of age. A sodaine plague fell among the people, whereof verye manye dyed neare there a∣boute.

In August the eleuenth day the Town of Polatzko was taken, a hold in Mesco, by the borders of Letto, by the king of Polonia, who delt well with the Captiues.

[ 1579] At Gaunt in the lower Germany towarde the end of August there was a sodayne tempest of lightning and thunder, in the whiche was séene a hor∣rible Dragon flying with many rauens that had long tayles, they didde beare away and teare asunder much linnen cloth, which the inhabitaunts hauing layde forth to whiting, some was so knitte togither, that harde∣lye it coulde be loosed agayne: and also a Mayde, a Cowe, with tubbes, and such like trumperie was so caried awaye, that they were neuer séene after. The firste battayling of the Malecontentes againste the Catholiques and the Protestantes.

The fift of Ianuarie in the parrish of Eglisham at Aberwick in y^e coun∣tie of Northumberlande was borne a monstrous child hauing two heades, and two eares like a horse, ioyned together in the hinder parte of the two faces, a double body, that is two ioyned in one, two armes, two legs. The Fathers name Iohn Vrine a lewde Minstrell or Idle vagabonde, the child was borne dead: The euent, a warning to a wicked Father of amende∣mente, of Subiectes for doubling with religion, of Officers for dissembling the lawe and iustice, to Princes, that they beware while they professe the Gospell, they yet suffer false religion, which causeth the subiecte to be wa∣uering minded, and doubting in whome he shall beléeue, the Officer and Magistrate not respecting which ende goe forwarde, so they liue. Thus ta∣king holde by hipocrisie, the King and the Commons are in great miserye, the King is flattered, the pore are oppressed, and the Nobilitie deceyued without foresighte, in tyme the King shall aunswere for the truth, the Commons for their obedience, and the Nobility for Clergies mayntay∣naunce.

The ••5. daye of Ianuarie about 9 of the clock in the afternoone, a greate and horrible Tempest arose, ouer the Citie of Prage in Bohemia, fyrste a vyolente winde that blew the Tiles so fast from the houses, that few durst come forth of their dores: There was blowne downe thrée Stéeples of Churches, Saint Barbara, Saint Peter▪ and of our Lady, the falling wher∣of brake downe ninetéene houses, and slue sixe persons: the ayre was verye

darke, which once cleared, the people beganne to looke abrode. In the Euening aboute fiue of the clocke it thundered and hayled verye fierce∣lye, some of the hayle wayed thrée quarters of a pounde, the reste lesse, presentlye followed an earthquake of halfe an houre, after the whiche a cleare brightnesse, as if it had bene daye: At twelue of the clocke at nighte appeared a blacke cloude, forth of the whiche was seene two armes and handes, in the right hand as it had bene a sworde, and in the lefte hande a boule of blood poured out after this appeared a péece of corne grounde rea∣dye to be reaped, and a cicle lying by, from whence was hearde a voyce, Wo, wo, to the earth, and to the inhabitantes thereof, for he commeth that is to come, and all people shall see him at the hearing of these words the people made a gréeuous crye, and manye women through feare, fell in trauayle of Children, among the whiche there was in the same Citie, the towne Clarkes Wyfe called Margaret, of the age of fiftie and nine yeares, who for the space of 25 wéekes for wante of bodilye health, sought the skill of Phisitions, notwithstāding she could not be eased of her gréefe, but fel in labour of childe, and brought forth thrée seuerall children, hauing all téeth, as if they had bene thrée yere of age, which said children liued but twentie and foure howers.

The 6 daye of Aprill, being Wednesday, about 6 of the Clocke in the afternoone was felte a sodayne earthquake, which lasted not the full of halfe a minute, for the whiche thanked be God: through vehement shaking it might haue sunk, and vtterly perished the inhabitantes as well yong as olde: this earthquake shooke the most places of Holand, Zelande, and Eng∣lande.

The sixte day of Aprill about fiue of the clocke in the afternoone at which time the dreadful earthquake was felt generally in Englande, in like case it hapned ouer al Flaunde••s. In the euening following ouer the town of Ant∣werpe & Gelderland there was séene in y^e Element a feareful signe of a huge and great armie well furnished, standing in battayle ray bent to the onset, immediately after about ten of the clock a burning light appeared in y^e aire from the north, continuing a long season, as if the Elemente shoulde haue bene consumed, wherat the people maruellously amazed, submitted them∣selues vnto God.

In Gelderlande was séene in the Element two men in bright armour addressed forwarde the one against the other with swords & targets, on the one side a great Eagle, and on the other a Lyon mounted, on the foreféete a fierie gleaming light, either of these séemed to set the one against the other. After this there appeared a company of armed men egerly assaying eche o∣ther, so that it also appeared, both armies vanquished, so that not one esca∣ped aliue.

In Maye aboute the eightéenth daye, was séene betwéene Bodman and

Foye in Cornewale in the ayre a foggie or thick mist out of the which appea∣red a Castle with Flagges and Streamers, standing in the Sea: this vanished sodaynelye awaye. Neare vnto the same place appeared an Argusey with her whole tackling, and hir Sayles full with the wind, made her way on the southside of the castle, trimmed also with pen∣dents, banners and flagges. After this an other Argusey and thrée or foure smaller Vessels long like Gallies, all in warlike sorte: then there appea∣red small cloudes to the number of twelue, whiche were turned into Ca∣stels, and so following in a rowe vanished awaye, yet others appeared in their place after an hower and more.

[ 1580] Among many rehearsals of Gods almightie workinges for warning vs, by the which we are admonished to take héede of vowing solemnely to God. Be it known that nere the age of one and twentie yeres, my self, was miraculouslye preserued from drowning, in the whiche extremitie I felte my conscience touched with my former vowe promised, and seased not vn∣till I had performed y^e same vnto God, whose gratious furtherāce wrought spéedilye the effecte: since which time I calling vppon the Lorde in other troubles, I finde his accustomed hearing by my deliueraunce. Not long after at Leedes in Kent where I then dwelled, a glowing light, like vnto a quicke cole appeared at my beddes féete, at the sodayn sight whereof I was as well in doubt as afrayd, taking vew thereof twice or thrice, to the ende I woulde not be deceiued of that appearance, and desiring Gods assistance from euils, it vanished away. Shortly after I was in present daunger to haue bene slayne in the house of him whome I tooke to be my friende, lay∣ing to my charge such matter as I was innocēt of, being only his surmize, which afterwarde was confessed by himselfe: he then was in wealth, but howe he dyed, if his name were knowne, it woulde be soone espied. The Lo d•• is on my side,* 4.19 I will not feare what man doth vnto me, the Lorde taketh my part with them that helpe me, therefore shall I see my desire vpon myne enemies: Not many yeres after it happened me to fall into y^e hands of inconstant men, whose double dealings I referred to God: & one of them was stroocken blind, after much molesting me, which when he had disclosed partlye his old malice died, I trust penitent: an other being strooc∣ken in a dropsey confessed with teares his attempted wronges, and died, I trust a good Christian: the thirde desired forgiuenesse, and sayde that he ne∣uer had iust occasion agaynst me, but only affection. (from which God deli∣uer all Christians) There happened to me in Kent also, a sodayn fire on the house wherin I then dwelled, so that the house was consumed to y^e ground, whether because before that time I greatlye reproued Witcherye of those that then were suspected, or for my secrete sinnes agaynste God, from the whiche no fleshe is cleare,* 4.20 I appeale before the throne of thy moste magni∣••••cent grace, saying with the prophet Dauid: Who can tell howe ofte hee

offendeth: O clense mee from my secreate faultes. Twoo other whom I name not, for reprouing them of their manifest whoredome, it is wel kno∣wen, that if grace to repent be as farre from them, as that wealth they once possessed, they can not dye without shame in the worlde, and vengeaunce of God. Also after the howling of dogges, crowing of hennes, and suche like trumpery in Anno, 1580. the two and twentith day of May, then new∣ly recouered of a continuing sicknesse, the Lorde deliuered me from a fra∣ternall danger, desperately attempted, after the which I fell into a pining sicknesse, and hardly escaped, in the which time of sicknesse an other secret∣ly sought mine vndoing, whose enterprise had the same effect, that his sute deserued. Thus being perplexed on euerye side, as a plague to renue my sorrowes, one whome of charitie I entertained, robbed me of my goods and fled, I pray God he flye hereafter as fast from sinne. To conclude, a shamelesse Epicure drowned in wilfull boldenesse, hath done his parte by shamefull slaunderous wordes, for that I reproued him of whoredome, pretended fornication, suspected theft, approued lying, & oppression, whom God clense from so many Deuils if it be his will, or otherwise, graunt me patience to suffer in the truth: wherevnto I say, The Lord hath chaste∣ned and corrected me: but hee hathe not giuen me ouer vnto death, for when, and as often as I had occasion, in the middest of my preaching to the congregation, al the while I was so occupied, I neuer felt any sicknesse, a manifest token of Gods assistance, who aide me euer in true obedience, and brotherly charitie to God, to my Prince, and to my Countrey.

On Thurseday in the morning about sixe of the clocke the eighte and twentith of Iuly, a sodain tempest fell ouer Kennington by Lambeth. where in a pasture grounde ioyning on the high way, were stricken dead by the said tempest, two geldings, their haire sindged or half burned, their bodies swollen and stiffe, and foure Elme trées raced on the sides as if the rinde of the trées had béene torne with hookes: the tempest I hearde, and the hor∣ses I sawe.

Mackline in Flaunders was taken of the Protestantes, but couetous∣nesse holdeth nothing long.

The thirtéenth day of Iune, about sixe of the clocke in the morning at Shipweth within Bother Barony in Northumberlande, fell a straunge hayle, with lightning and thunder, in likenesse of Swordes, Crosses, Mattocks, dead mens heads, and Toades: althoughe this reporte may séeme doubtful, as it chaunced without hurte, so may all pretended euilles be preuented be∣fore harme.

In Kent the Earthquake was felt twice.

Vpon Brodwels down in Somersetshire were séene men first in blacke, and after in armor, that after thrice appearing vanished away. Also chic∣kins hatched, did presently crowe in Wiltshire. And a Gosling with foure

legges. Many other things there are spoken of which I omitte for wante of sufficient testimony. As the blacke Cocke that crowed in a womans lappe at Bristow. Houndes in the aire barking at Blonsdon in Wiltshire, with many other: Not that I thinke them vntrue, bycause such like hathe heretofore hapned, but they are too slenderly printed, and without some one especiall Author.

* 4.21The seauentéenth of Iune in Yorkeshire in Blonsdon Parrishe, there dwelt a riche Gentleman, vnto whome came a pore man (as he passed by) that asked reléefe, but he gaue him in steade of reward sharpe & threatning wordes. The morrow after fel a great thunder and lightning continuing two houres, then followed a darkenesse, whiche also lasted one houre and a halfe, at the which the people were in great feare: In a very short season, folowed thunder and lightning, so vehement, that the people became more fearefull: in all whiche tempest there was no greate hurte, onelye the same riche couetous Gentlemans Barne was consumed with the Corne to the grounde, the rest of other mens buildings vnhurte. The same daye of the tempest, was deliuered an aged woman, who hadde to name Alice Pe∣rin of the yeres of 80. being the day before in great pain, of a strange mon∣ster: whose head was like to a sallet or head péece, the face somewhat for∣mall, onely the mouth long as a Rat, the fore parte of the body like vnto a man, hauing eight legges, and the one not like the other, a taile in length halfe a yard, like to the tayle of a Rat. A strāge sicknesse folowed, termed a Gentle warning, for y^t it was as a vehement ague, for the time fierie hot: And many bled both forth of the stomacke and nose, yet God be thāked few dyed thereof: the Author of the monster: Thomas Nicholas. This yere a greate and assured hope of the Popish religion was looked for, as appeareth by dishonest Libelles, set on postes againste the Professors of the Gospell. Their practise againste the Nobilitie, their begging of Benefices at Rome of the Pope, to their hoped displacing of godlye Preachers in Englande: their assembly in Irelande (wherof were executed by the Lord Gray, ••06. persons rebelles, and seauentéene hanged, a fewe reserued) their craftie chalenge to dispute, onely open appearance was absent. These locustes swarmed abroade & seduced some, and the broode of the same crew assured∣ly hoping their daye of victorie, gaped for the bloud of Abel, to possesse the wealth of Caine, as appeareth by their banner or chiefe Ensigne, Pro Christo & Ecclesia, da mihi virtutem contra hostes tuos: The enimie of chri∣stians supposeth himselfe the friend of Christe, forgetting, that whosoeuer despiseth the Trueth, whiche is the Gospel, despiseth Christe the ordayner thereof.

[illustration]

The eightéenth of Ianuarie .15••0.* 4.22 so reckoned of the Ger∣maines, who begon their yere the day of the Lords natiuitie, At a marriage feaste solemnized at Ro∣storfe, a mile from y^e Town of Melwing in Germany, betwéen one Iames Crauisen an honest townsmā, & Margaret Hēslers, &c. There hapned a strange wonder bée∣twéene the sister of y^e bridegrome, y^e daugh¦ter of a husbandmā, of the age of fourtéen yeares, & the daugh∣ter of hir brothers Maister, who had to name Anne, daugh∣ter to George Vau∣ramites Gentleman. This young Gentlewoman disdayning that the poore mans daughter did weare a silke vpper bodie on hir peticote, fel into diuers scornings at hir attyring, saying, can thy father clothe thée thus, and séeme so poore? she answered my brother bestowed this on me, to do hym honestie at his marriage: God knoweth who shall weare it out, how long I shall owe it, and when I shall put it on againe. And althoughe wée bée poore in goodes, I truste God will make vs rich in spirite. The yong Gen∣tlewoman boasted of hir Iewels and friendes, so long, til the daughter of Simon Franiken tooke hir leaue. The thirde day after bothe these yong Damsels fel sicke and dyed: The yong Gentlewomans apparel so stuncke of sulpher, and became so detestable in stincke, that they caused the chamber to be walled in, so that none might come to thē any way. The other, hauing bin laid forth for dead 22. hours, hir mother cōming to take hir last farewel of hir daughter, earnestly beholding hir, the Damsel by little & little reui∣ued, hir colour waxed red, & hir countenance chéereful, and she spake to hir mother as foloweth: My most déere mother, why haue you sinned so sore a∣gainst God? you haue made me sorrowful many times, but be you content,

God hath forgiuen all, for I am sent as a messenger to you, and wythin 5. dayes I shal returne againe. There were present the Minister of the place, and other honest persons, vnto whome she said, I shal returne to the place I come from, where I shal liue in al peace, but there are dangerous times at hand, and greate punishements, and so departed this life: the reste I o∣mitte that the printed copy hath, referring the credite vnto the well dispo∣sed, for that I knowe the greater parte wil scarce beléeue that that they see: the chiefe Author Eiriat Schilichtenberger, being superintendent of Mel∣wing.

In Huntingtonshire at Fennestanton the thrée & twentith of Septem∣ber, a strange monster was borne.

The tenth of October appeared a blazing Starre out of the South, bu∣shing toward the East, which was nightly séene diminishing of his bright∣nesse, vntill the one and twentith of the same moneth. There followed some businesse about the heresie of the Family of Loue. A Proclamati∣on againste them and their heresie in print sufficiently confuted: notwith∣standing a fewe wordes of the opinion that some of them haue of Christo∣fer Vitell their Serapion Dog, or one of the whelps of Pluto, that his blood was mingled with Christes bloud: and other some faide, that he was better than Christ. I haue twice reproued this Simon Magus as appeareth, for the which he was not ashamed to call me blasphemous Bateman: but whe∣ther this be blasphemy from the mouth of his well willers, let all Christi∣ans iudge, if with Iudas he be not paste recouery. The Lorde God of hea∣uen and earth either conuert him, or rid the common wealth of him, for hée dayly doth gret harme. There are diuers that in outward face séemed to be Christian subiects, who by no meanes may here C. V. gaine-saide, neither is the number few that is infected with this heresie. These are referred to the laste yeares actes.

[illustration]

In Februarie the firste day, at Chichester in the Countie of Sussex was borne in the suburbes a monstrous chylde of liltle shape of body, trussed to∣gether, the head verye great, bigger than the body, the body in compasse 9. inches, the arme an inche long, and two inches about the face, of indifferēt fauour, on the chéeke and chin the likenesse of a blacke beard, the legs wan∣ted thighes, the toes crooked. The mother of this mishapen child an adulte∣resse named Annis Figge.

Veritatis simplex Oratio.

THe vniuersall and eternall God, defende this realme of Englande from al such calamities as the like prodigies in other Countreys forshewed, and geue such grace of amendmente by these and other mercifull forewar∣ning,

that euery one amending by the other, these foresightes may turne to the ouerthrowe of all conspiracies, and to the comforte of all true hearted Christians, for the Gospels furtheraunce, the Quéenes Maiesties conti∣nuaunce, the vnitie of Nobilitie, and the commons prosperitie, to the whi∣che O euerlasting God graunt in Iesus Christe, with the holy Ghost, assi∣stance nowe and euer.

Special notes of examples, and first of punished periurie.

WHen one at Sygnia had forsworne himselfe for certayne mines in the Towne of Schueberg, they saide that the vault roofe of the Senate house or Guild Hal did cleaue as it is now to be séene, and afterward no mettall was founde in the mines: and I heare that cost is bestowed in vaine vpon the repayring of those mines, Manlius.

Antonius the fellow of Augustus the Emperoure was a mightie Lorde, he possessed Asia, Greece, and Egipt, he had almoste as much as the Emperour of Turkie: And yet by reason of his ouermuche couetousnesse, he was not content with that riches, so that he moued vn∣necessary warres, and when they tooke no good successe, hée slewe himselfe.

When Bulgarus demaunded a couetous Prince, by what meanes hée loste his riches: he answered by Couetousnesse and Drunkennesse: so wée also ouerthrowe our selues with Couetousnesse and Drunkennesse, ney∣ther haue we greatnesse of mines, nor money. Flaunders.

I knewe, saith Manlius, two Canons very filthy couetous men, one of them lefte behinde hym 30000 gilders, he hadde the gowte, and was so miserable couetous, that if at any time he woulde assuage the great paines whiche he suffered by his diseaze, he commaunded a bason full of gold Gil∣ders to be brought him, in which hée thruste his handes, and therewithall delighted himselfe, in the excéeding great paines and torments of his bo∣dy. And when he dyed, he made the Bishop of Treuere and another prince his heires, which gaue the Canons pore kinsman but 3000. gilders, and the rest they parted among themselues: so the filthy wretche did well bestowe his niggardnesse, and lefte his substaunce to others that were more weal∣thy, whiche he had spared through filthy auarice. The other being as mise∣rable. reade Manlius.

The Pope doth make great gaine by religion, Emperours and Kings do coine their money of Golde and siluer, but the Pope doth coine his mo∣ney of all creatures, of pardons, ceremonies, Masses, Sacraments, meates, penance, keyes, and many such like, but of Baptisme alone he could make

no merchandize, bicause infants are borne naked and poore, and therefore they haue nothing to set to sale.

A comforte against the Diuels temptations.

VVHen at Friburge in Misnia, a very godly and reuerend olde manne lay sicke of a grieuous disease, and was nowe at the point of death, vpon a time he being lefte alone, the diuel came to him, attyred lyke a By∣shop, and greatly vexed the miserable olde man that was euen in the ago∣ny of death, going about to compell him by force to tell him all the faultes that he hadde committed in his whole life: For the Diuel hauing Paper and Incke, woulde haue written them all: but when the godly man had a long time earnestly withstoode him with the holye Scriptures, and was not perswaded, and that the Diuell did vehemently vrge that narration, at length the good olde man saide: forasmuche therefore as thou wilte haue me to doe this, to tell thée mine offences one after an other, write then, and beginne after this sorte, Semen mulieris conteret caput serpentis, that is, The seede of the woman shall breake the Serpents head: the Diuell hearing this, cast downe his paper and incke, and leauing a greate stincke behynde him, fledde awaye, and that godly olde man a little after dyed quietly, in a good confession, Manlius.

The saying of Capnio concerning the alteration of Gouernements.

QVando duplicantur lateres, tunc venit Moyses, that is, When the Brickes be doubled then commeth Moyses: when burdens be ouer grieuous, then Empires be chaunged, and punishments come.

When the alteration of the Empires doth happen.

QVando numeri degenerant in sonos: that is to saye, When numbers or measures doe growe out of kinde into soundes: that is to say, When Vertue is extinguished, then also the Magistrates and people doe faile, as it came to passe vnder Henry the fourth, when the Empyre of Germany was ouerthrowen.

A good Example against wicked Blasphemers, of vvhat estate soeuer they be.

AT Stondon a little vilage 20. miles from London, not far frō y^e high way to Cambridge, where for a time the writer her∣of did abide, auoiding the great plague that then was in Lō∣don and also in Cambridge, a Gentleman that was named mayster Barington, whose wife was afterwarde maryed in Cambridge to one mayster Carington, and of her also he (the authour of this prodigie) hearde the same: the sayd Gentleman Barington, was a greate swearer, and did customablye vse great othes, specially by the blood of oure Lorde, and vpon a Sonday or else a festiuall holy day, he went forth on hū∣ting or hauking, and nothing spéeding after his mind, he came vnto an ale∣house, at a thorow faire called Puckrych, 5. miles from Ware, in the high way to Cambridge, the one side of the which thorowfare was in the sayde parrish of Stondon, where the Gentleman was, and called for drinke, and a∣non he began to sweare after his vnhappy custome, saying, by Gods blood this day is vnhappy, & w^tin a while after in swearing so, he bled at the nose and therewith more and more vexed, he began to raile and blaspheme the name of God, in swearing passion, woundes, flesh, nayles, blood and body, till at the last he fell farther to bléede at the eares, at the eyes, at his wrests, the ioynts of his hands, and of al his body, at the Nauil and foundament, in maruailous great quantitie and streames of blood, loathsomelye blea∣ring out his tongue in a fearefull manner as black as pitche, so that no per∣son durst come nere him: this continued till the Diuell and death had made an ende of him: on the morrow they layde thē body on a carte, carying it to Stondon: the body bléeding after a strange sort, was buryed in the high way. A manifest token of Gods heauie displeasure againste swearers and abu∣sers of the Saboth.

In the Iland of Iseland there are 3. very high mountains, y^e tops of which are very white with snowe, & from the top towarde the foote issueth fire, y^e first which lieth towardes y^e weast is called Heccla, y^e other Mons Crisis, the third Helga▪ that is, holy, &c. Whē Hecla rageth, he maketh a noise like hor∣rible thūder, he casteth out huge stones, he vomiteth out brimstone, he doth couer the earth al about so far with y^e ashes y^t he auoideth, y^t it cannot be in∣habited for the space of 20. mile. They which desire to search out y^e nature of so gret a burning, & for y^e cause come nere y^e burning, some one hole vpon the sodayne swalloweth them aliue, for there are many so couered w^t ashes that no man can sufficiētly beware of them, & also thereby fire issueth out, which doth consume water, but it doth not burne flaxe: that place of some

is thoughte to be the prison of vncleane soules, for the Ice being sundered and caste into manye small péeces, doth for eighte monethes fléete aboute the Ilande, and dashing againste the Sea shore in greate heapes, doeth with his rubbing againste the rockes make a horrible sounde, represen∣ting a miserable wayling and howling of mans voyce, whiche maketh the ignoraunte sorte beléeue, that the soules of men are there tormented with colde. There are founde Spirites shewing themselues manifest to doe mens worke, but especially the likenesse of suche as be drowned or slaine by some other violente chaunce, doe méete with manye of theyr acquain∣taunce so manyfestlye, that by giuing them theyr hande, they be imbraced of those that knewe not theyr deathe, as if they were liuing, ney∣ther is the error perceyued before the sighte vanishe awaye: they being demaunded of their acquaintaunce and friendes touching theyr going home, they say with great wayling that they go to mount Heccla, and by & by they vanish away.

At Frankeforde by Odera there was a mayde, whyche whatsoeuer she tooke in hyr handes, turned into siluer, whyche she dyd eate. Vp∣on a tyme a péece was taken out of hyr handes and sente to the Prince and to Melancthon also, who recordeth the same by Manlius in his com∣mon places.

In Italy a mayden being possessed by the Diuel, althoughe she coulde speake no latine: yet being asked of Lazarus Bonamicus a reader in the Vniuersitie of Bologna whiche was the best verse in Virgil: whiche the di∣uel knew and aunswered by hir.

Discite iustitiam moniti & non temnite diuos.

that is:

Learne iustice when you warned are, and not the Gods dispise.

Not manye yeares before was the like woman in the Dukedome of Luneburge, ignoraunt of the Latine and Gréeke tong: yet being possessed by the Diuel, she coulde speake perfectly the Latine and Gréeke tongue. Manlius Folio. 40.

[illustration]

Not many yeres paste in Bohemia, a Ghoste appeared to one that was a sléep, and sayde: arise and go with me: he be∣ing not afraide bold∣ly aunswered: I wil not goe with thée. The seconde nighte he returned, and so also y^e third, saying: arise let vs go, he an∣sweared I wil not. Then said y^e Ghost, vnlesse thou arise, thou shalt repent it: he being afrayde of himselfe arose. Hée led him into a plaine and open field, & whē he was there, the Ghoste asked him, what séest thou? he aunswered, I sée on the one side a great armie as it were of Turkes: what séest thou more? on the other side a smal number as it were of Christians readye to fighte: and what besides? I sée the victorie to be on the Christians side. Then sayde the Ghoste: These things shall shortly so come to passe as thou haste séene, and so he vanished away. Manlius Fol. 32.

Certaine learned men in the counsel of Basil, where almost al the best learned and excellentest men being at that time were assembled for recrea∣tion sake, went to a groue without the Citie, friendly to confer of the con∣trouersies of y^t time: as they were going they heard by chance a lyttle byrde singing most swéetly in manner of a Nightingale: at the firste they mar∣uelled at the swéetenesse of his voyce, and they knewe not what Byrdes song it was, being not able to discerne it from the song of other byrds: And goyng neare the groue, they came to the Trée where sate a little Byrde, they determined wyth a common consente to goe vnto hyr. Then one that séemed stouter than the reste, spake to the Byrde wyth these wordes: I adiure thée in the name of Iesus Christe to tell vs what thou arte? He

made aunswere that he was a damned soule, and appointed to be there vn∣til the latter day, and then to suffer euerlasting punishment, and that there was no deliuerance for him. When they had thus saide, he flewe from the trée, crying out in the Dutch tong: O ewig ô ewig wie ist das ein lange zeit, that is: O how long and vnmeasurable is euerlastingnesse. I iudge it was a Diuel abyding in that place. All they that were present at that coniurati∣on, fel sore sicke and not long after dyed. Fol. 33.

Examples howe God wonderfully defended his children by Angels. Of a Boy at Cygnea a Citie in Germanie.

MElancthon reported that he knew of a surety by a substan∣ciall and credible person, that in a village neare to the Ci∣tie of Cignea a certaine woman commaunded hir sonne to fetch home the Cattel that were féeding by a wooddes side, and when the Boy had stayed somewhat too long, there fell a great snowe that couered all the Hils thereaboutes, night drewe on, neyther coulde the boy passe those Hils: the day following the parentes being no more careful for their cattel, but for the life of theyr sonne, loked for his comming, neither coulde they by reason of the deapth of the snowe passe those Hils to séeke their sonne. The third day they going forth to séeke their boy, they found him sitting in an open place of the wood, where there was no snowe, who smyled vpon his parentes as they came: and the boy being asked why he returned not home, aunswered that he loo∣ked when it should be night, not knowing that a day was already past, nei∣ther had he felt anye annoy or Tempest of the Snowe. And when he was further asked whether he had eaten anye thing? he aunswered, that there came a man vnto him who gaue him breade and Chéese. So doubtlesse this boy was saued by Angels in the middle of Winter, and without doubte that man was an Angell that gaue the boy bread and chéese. Manlius Fo∣lio. 17.

Of Grineus.

WHen Melancthon with others was on a time at Spires, Faber prea∣ched, and spake many shameful thinges touching transubstātiation & the worshipping of the consecrated bread. Which whē Grineus had heard, he came to him when his Sermon was done, and said that for as much as he had hearde his Sermon concerning the Sacrament, he was desirous to speake with him priuately about that matter, whiche when Faber hearde, he aunsweared with curteous words and friendly countenaunce, that this daye was of him most desired, that he should speake wyth Grineus, especi∣ally concerning suche matter, and bid him home to his house. The next day after Grineus suspecting no thing amisse went his way, who returning to them, saide, that to morrowe he shoulde dispute with Faber: But in the meane time he practising to entrap Grineus, wente to a noble manne and opened to him the whole matter, and at length he obtayned that this noble man commaunded, that the Burgmaisters shoulde caste Grineus in prison. When they had scarsely begun dinner, there came an olde man to the place where they dined and sent for Melancthon to come and speake with hym at the dore, asking him for Grineus, whether he were within? to whome he made aunswere that he was, he saide moreouer that he was in daunger, whiche if he woulde auoide he shoulde flie forthwith, which when he tolde Grineus, & counselled him to flée, he did as he was willed. Melancthon, D. Cruciger, and he arose from the table, went out, their seruauntes followed, and Grineus went in the middle. They had not passed foure or fiue houses, but by and by the sergeauntes were where they lodged, séeking for Grine∣us and when they founde him not there, they procéeded no further, beyng either bidden to search there onely, or not knowing them, or otherwise de∣sirous to do no crueltie. He asked manye whether they knew this man: be∣ing desirous to giue him thanks for this good turne, but none could tel him of him, what he was, neyther coulde he euer sée him after, I thinke verily that this man was an Angel. Whē they had brought Grineus to the Rhe∣ne▪ he toke a boate and passed ouer in safetie, Manlius Fol. 17.

Maister Spangeberg Pastor of Northuse, going with his children to a Bathe, spent there certaine houres in washing, and when he and hys chyldren were gone out of the Bathe, the Stone by and by fel downe. The Heauenly father hath witnessed that he is careful for vs, and that in déede Angels are kéepers of our children, parentes and kinsfolke, and that hée doeth saue and kéepe al our substance by his ministers.

Theodor Gaza had a Farme in Campania, whiche belonging to a be∣nefice that Pope Nicholas gaue him, when in that Farme the husbandmā

had digged vp an earthen pot, wherin were the bones of the dead, there ap∣peared to him a Ghost, commaunding him againe to bury the potte wher∣in the bones were, adding these words, vnlesse he buried the bones againe, his sonne shoulde die: for it was an olde custome, not onely among the Gentiles, but also among the Iewes, that euery one shoulde be buryed in their dwelling: whereby it may be coniectured, that those were y^e bones of y^e body of a Farmer dwelling in y^e place many yeres before, or else of him y^e owed that Farme. When the husbandman made none accompt hereof, his sonne not long after in the night was slaine, as it is possible for the di∣uell to kill a man (namely forsaken of God:) not manye dayes after the Ghost retourned, shewing the husbandman, that he woulde slay his other sonne, vnlesse he layd vppe the bones, and buryed them honestly. The Far∣mer warned by his former losse, séeing also his other son to fall sicke, tolde the matter to Theodor Gaza who went with him to the Farme, and in y^e place where the husbandman tooke out the earthen pot, they againe made a graue & buried the pot with y^e bones: whē y^e bones were put in the former place, immediately the husbandmans sonne recouered. This storie Theo∣dor Gaza oftentimes tolde many of his friendes, and added this verse:

Sient aliquid manes, laethum non omnia finit:

That is,

Spirites are somewhat, Death endeth not all things.

Tritenhemius Abbot of Spaheim in Germany, was a greate Magitian, when by chaunce in a iorny he came to an Inne that was not well furni∣shed, as Pirchaimerus tolde Manlius, some sayde vnto hym in ieste, My Lorde Abbot, prouide vs a good dishe of fishe, he did but only knocke at the window, and immediatly there came one bringing a dish of boyled Pikes wel dressed, folio. 38.

Philip Melancthon reporteth that he heard of Christopher Grosse, and Sigismond Gellin, credible men, of a maiden of Bononia that was con∣uersant among men two yeares after hir death, but when she was bid to feastes, she was séene to take but little meate. Vppon a time as she was dauncing among other Maydes, there was present by chaunce an other Magitian, who said to the standers by, this pale maiden is dead, how, an∣swered they. is she dead séeing thou séest hir goe? beholde saide he I will shewe you, he going to hir, tooke from vnder hir right shoulder a charme paper, which taken away, she fell downe, and remained as a corpse: that charme was put there by an other Magitian: so the diuell carried aboute this body all that tyme, folio. 40.

One attyred insumptuous apparel, with a Piper and a Harper, came oftentymes to an honest mannes house at Thubera neare to Rotenburg, and there daunced & made good chéere, vnder the colour to marry the good mans daughter of the house, an honest maide. He affyrmed also, that he was a Gentleman borne, and that he had in farre countries very many Castels,

Farmes, Parishes, and other such like, and that he wanted nothing, that a man coulde desire in this worlde, but a wel manered or honest wife. The vnreasonable f••••te of the guest with his companions, disliked the good man, who denied him his daughter, which was no gentle womā, and willed him to depart: but the guest wyth his two cōpanions was so troublesome to the good man, that diuerse times about the euening, he returned to his braue∣rye, and went about to bring his purpose to passe: but at last the good man, by manye coniectures smelling the guyle and deceite, sent for the Minister of Gods worde, of that place, to come vnto him, with whom in the presēce of that strange guest, he had conference of sundry places of the holy Scrip∣ture, whiche communication the guest and his two companions taking in ill part, sayde, that there were manye other mery conceites, and pleasaunt iestes, with the which feasters might be made merry, rather than with the exposition of the Scripture, and desired them to trouble them no further with the holye Scripture: where vnto the housholder, being sufficientlye strengthned, against y^e assaultes of Sathan, aunswering, vsed these words vnto them, depart you knaues, that lie in wayte for our life, & haue nought to doe with me nor mine whiche God hath lent me, for we haue bene bap∣tized and redéemed by the precious bloude of our Lorde Iesus Christ, whi∣che will saue and defende vs, against your Diuellish assaultes and suttle∣ties: after he had sayde thys, that wicked one with his companions, leauing behinde him an intollerable stincke and the carcasses of thrée men y^t were hanged in the Stoue, vanished awaye with a greate noyse, so this good housholder was deliuered and defended, togither with his familie.

After that Troy was destroyed, the nephue of Priamus passed ouer to Hellesponte and inhabited the places about the marishes Maotides,* 4.23 & made them a king: And when the Gothes prouoked them manye times to fighte, who inhabited not far from them, and were not strong ynoughe to resiste, Marcomirus their king taking counsel with the rest of the rulers of hys people was minded to leaue that Countrey; to witte Scythia, and to finde out a newe seate where they might be quieter. And when they hadde done sacrifice after the manner of the Gentiles, he was warned by a cer∣taine oracle that he should go to that place with his people, where the Rhe∣ne falleth into the sea, there to attaine his desired quietnesse: And to the end he might be more assured, there came by chance a Sorceresse, called Alru∣n•• of whome he asked counsel, and she exhorted him to the same. This wo∣man so wroughte by hyr arte, that in the nighte there appeared to Kyng Marcomirus a certaine sighte or vision with thrée heades, to witte, wyth the heade of an Eagle, of a Toade, and a Lion: And the Eagle saide: Thy stocke Marcomirus shall ouercome me, and shall treade downe the Lion,

and shal kil the Toade. In which words he signifyed, that in time to come hys posteritie shoulde haue the soueraignlie ouer the Frenche, the Ro∣maines, and Germaynes: whyche came to passe as Munster recor∣deth.

At Pisa a most auntient Citie of Hetruria,* 4.24 is a verye goodly Churche∣yarde, enuironed wyth a wast and a close Gallerie, the Earth whereof is able to waste a mans body in foure and twentie houres, and to turne it in∣to it selfe. Earth of the like nature is saide to be in a Churchyarde at Pa∣ris.

In a certain place, a Doctor of Phisick curing diseases with good successe, was ashamed to be ignoraunt in any thing, wherfore he had recourse to the Diuel, of whom being inclosed in a glasse, he asked aduise cōcerning doubt∣ful matters, through which vngodlinesse of his he left gret substā••e to hys children, so that when their Father was dead, they possessed aboue ••6000. Florens: he woulde haue repented before his death, but he beganne to rage like Aiax, & alwayes called vpon this counseller of hys, and spake horrible blasphemie agaynst the holy ghost, in whych rage at last he departed out of this life: Manfius Folio. 4.

A certaine man escaped thrée tyraunts, Caligula, Claudius and Nero, the persecutours of many godly mē: He being asked how he escaped so ma∣ny tyrauntes, sith he had bene a Courtier. Aunswered Iniurias accipiendo, & insuper gratias agendo. By receyuing iniuries, and moreouer by giuing of thankes, This is Court doctrine, the exercise of patience for vnthanke∣fulnesse, whiche exercise God requireth of vs. Manlius in hys booke Folio. 234.

A prouerbe: After the gifte, thankes vvaxeth colde.

Da, capius, queras, plurima, pauca, nihil.

Giue much, take little, aske nothing Manlius Fol. 610.

A note concerning oppression in both Churches.

THere be that wil carry fire in one hand, and water in the other, they wyl playe Ait, Aio: Nega••, Nego: they leaue Trueth, Iustice, and Equitie, and playe the Englishe Collier, who firste mette Kyng Henrie the sixth hys souldiours, and was beaten of them, for that he sayde

he serued King Edward the fourth, nexte hée met King Edward the fourth his souldiors, and was beatē of them, for that he said he serued King Hen∣ry the sixth: afterwarde he met a third hand of men, to whome he aunswe∣red he serued y^e diuel, who when they bid him be gone in y^e diuels name, hée said so he woulde: quoth he, I haue bin beaten of Henries men & Edwards men, for aunswering that I serued the one and then the other, and nowe I haue saide I serue the Diuel I go without daunger. If Papistrie bée to be reiected for their errors, and the Gospel hindered by slender regarde, to what law shall men become obedient. He is happy that hath not a Nim∣rod a Nero, or a Naaman, a tyrant to controll him, an ill neighbour to ac∣cuse him, nor thanklesse people that wil not beléeue him. Vesper Manleus.

Domitian the brother of Titus, and sonne of Vespasian, was the thir∣téenth Emperour of the Romaines in the beginning of his soueraintie he was dayly wont to take one secreate houre to himselfe wherein he did no∣thing else but catch flies, and sticke them with a bodkin: from whom when vpō a time he came forth, he was asked whether there was any body with Cae•••• or no: he answered in iest no body not so much as a fly, he was also more like Nero and Caligula, than his father Vespalian or hys brother: he was accompted more sober in his youth: but immediately he fell to greate vices, to leachery, slouthfulnesse, and crueltie, and slewe many of his No∣bles, and many he banished: yet he restored very many moste godly buil∣dings consumed with fire, but all onely vnder his title, and withoute anye memorie of the firste Author: he ministred Iustice diligently and careful∣ly, and caused the Libraries that were burned to be repaired with greate cost, in sending men to Alexandrî•• to coppy out newe bookes: at length by false crimes, he got himselfe so much hatred, that almoste he abolished hys father and mothers name, and grewe to that madnesse, that he commaun∣ded himself to be called, written, and worshipped as Lord and God, finally, Gods vengeaunce falling vpon him, his men slewe him in his Chamber, but his carcasse without any honor was carryed by the Béeremen, and bu∣ried y^t yere of his age 35. of his Empyre ••5. His stature: he was tall, of mo∣dest countenaunce, and very red, great eies, moreouer faire, chiefly in his youth.

When the Locrentians foughte againste the Crotoniensians, an Eagle fléeing ouer,* 4.25 broughte the lucky sequele of victorie.

As Hiero was going to the battayle an Eagle vpon the sodaine ligh∣ting on his Target, gaue token that he shoulde be King.

At the birth of Alexander the great, two Eagles sitting on the house al the day, did portend or bode him the lucke of a double Empire, to wéete of Asi. and Europe.

Laelius, Pompei•• Embassador in Spaine was slaine among heardmē: that destiny a Hawke fléeing ouer his heade is saide to haue foretolde him,

and of the Hawke (a foreshewer of death or strife) Ouid recordeth.

Odimus accipitrem, quia semper viuit in armis,

that is:

The hawke we hate, bycause he stil doth liue in war.

When Liui•• was greate with Childe with Tiberius, shée tooke an egge from a Hen, and kept it so long warm in hir bosome, that she hatched a Cock chickē, which became a goodly cōbed Cock: whervpō the southsaiers interpreted, that the Boye that was to be borne shoulde bée a Kyng, or Ruler.

Cicero writeth, that at Thebaida the Cockes crowing al the nyghte long, did forshewe the Boetians theyr victorie againste the Lacedemonians: whyche the Augurers or Southsayers did thus interprete, bycause that byrde beyng conquered holdeth his peace, but if he ouercome he cro∣weth.

A Snake créeping into the Palaice, did foreshewe Tarquinius hys fall.

Two Snakes were founde in the bedde of Sempronius Gracchus: whervpon it was tolde hym by the southsayer, that if he did let go the male or the female, he or his wife shoulde shortly dye: He preferring his wiues life before his owne, slue the male and let the female goe, and within few dayes after he dyed.

In the foundation of the Citie of Rome the heade of a man was foūd with the face whole, which did presage the greatnesse of the Empire, and gaue name to the Capitoll.

The souldiours of Brutus fighting against Octauius and M. Antoni∣us, founde at the gate of their tentes a Negro, whome althoughe they slue forthwyth as an augury or diuination of ill Fortune, yet they fought with ill successe, and both the Captaines Brutus and Cassius came to destru∣ction.

To méete a Moncke is commonly accoumpted vnluckye, and the ra∣ther if it be in the morning, bycause that kinde of men liueth for the moste part by Mortuaries or dead mens deuotions, as Vultures or Cormorants do by carrion.

He which is an interpreter of monstrous things, Prodigies, and wonders, muste be a good coniecturer or diuinour of similitudes, and a cu∣rious searcher of the affayres of those princes and prouinces whiche were at that time: for suche care haue the heauenly creatures of Princes, people and prouinces, or Countreyes alone, that they are taughte and admoni∣shed by the Starres, by wonders and straunge sightes, more than by o∣ther things. And if in time past some suche thing or the like hath appeared,

a man ought to consider it, and what followed therevpon, and according to the same or the like to foretell, for one token maye be like another, and the like expoundeth the like. So, straunge tokens haue gone before the byrth, or the deathe of manye worthye menne and Kings: as Cicero declareth of Midas, into whose mouthe Antes or Mothes carryed wheate cornes when he was afléepe, whiche was a good and luckye token of greate riches. So when Plato was asléepe in his Cradle, Bées satte on hys mouthe, whiche foreshewed the swéetenesse of his spéeche. Before Hecu∣ba broughte sorth Paris, she dreamed that she was deliuered of a burning Torche whyche didde sette Troye and all Asia on fire. Phalaris Mother thoughte manye tymes that the Image of MERCVRIE did po∣wer out bloude vpon the grounde, wherewith the whole house was o∣uerflowen.

One Maister George Werke, a fellowe then in the Quéenes Col∣ledge in Cambridge, after he was Vickar of Harowe on the Hil, (whyche thing he saide to be true, in a Marchauntes house in London, whiche was his special friend, and sent for him to giue counsaile vnto the same person.) reporteth y^t a yong man that was Prentice vsed to sweare for his common othe, by the bones of GOD, or by Gods bones: And it came to passe that he was taken wyth a greate and maruellous sickenesse, so that no phi∣sicke nor medicine coulde helpe hym, but that hée laye pyning in hys bed so long, vntill the fleshe of hys armes, bodye, and legges, didde de∣uide in sunder, as if he hadde bene slytte wyth a knyfe: whereby the ve∣rye bones appearing, made knowne the iuste punishment of God against impious blasphemers of hys pretious bodye. And shortelye after the yong manne throughe diligente perswasion, became patiente and so dyed.

When the kings of the Scythians vnderstoode that Darius was in very greate wante, they sente vnto him a Heralde wyth these presentes, to wit, a Byrde, a Mouse, a Frogge, and fiue arrowes. The Persians asked hym whyche broughte the presents, what they signifyed: he saide that he hadde none other commaundemente but to returne verye spéedilye, when he had deliuered them: Notwithstanding he bidde the Persians if they were skilfull, to interprete what those giftes ment: when the Persians hearde thys, they toke aduise among themselues, and the opinion of Darius was, that the Scythians woulde yéelde themselues, and their lande and wa∣ter vnto hym, coniecturing it by thys meanes, bycause the mouse is bredde in the grounde, and liued by the same that men doe, and the Frogge is fostered in the water, but the Byrde is lykened to a horsse, and by giuing the arrowes, bycause they séemed to yéelde themselues. But Gobria▪ one of

the seauen, that put down the Magi, did coniecture that these giftes had this meaning: wherefore he saide, oh yée Persians. vnlesse yée become as byrdes and flye vppe into the ayre, or as Mice and go vnder the grounde, or as Frogges leape into standing Waters, yée shall not returne from whence yée came, beyng slayne by these Arrowes, and truelye hée hytte the nayle on the heade. HERODOTVS, GESNERE, Fo∣lio, 826.

About fourtie yeares paste at Lipsia, a wicked fellowe at a Village [ 1540] neare thereto called Colegarien, slue a householder and his wife, with their children, and taking their money fledde awaye. Afterwarde when he was taken and shoulde be executed at Lypsia, he sayde that he satte almoste thrée dayes in the darke vnder the Steares, without meate or drincke, and toke aduisement with himselfe, whether he shoulde committe that mur∣der or not, and withhelde himselfe a long time from so greate a wicked∣nesse: but hée saide at length he hearde a voyce whispering, fac, fac, far, fort, far fort, with the whiche voyce he was wickedly inspired and stirred vp to go foreward. That doubtlesse was the voyce of the Diuel. When he had committed this haynous offence he could not flye: so afterward he was executed. Manlius.

Manlius receiued from a frend of his letters out of Austria in the which was a horrible example of the Diuels rage, for in a certaine Monasterie, the Monckes allured to them the daughters and the wiues of such as dwelt neare vnto them, and defloured them, and they slue them so defloured. When the fact was discouered, the Monckes were taken. That Mona∣sterie was not farre from Vienna. The punishmente is not rehear∣sed.

ALPHONSVS DIAZIVS who in the yeare of our Lorde 1546 slue his brother IOHN DIAZIVS at Nexburg in Bauaria for the onely profession of the Gospell, when the sayde ALPHONSVS was in the Popes Courte, bearing office there as a Iudge in matters of lyfe and deathe. Afterwarde in the yeare of our Lord 1551. he slue himselfe at the Counsell of Trent, he was founde to haue hung himselfe at his Mules necke.

At Winshem in Germanye there was one that hadde committed diuerse murders many yeares before, and also had cut asunder certaine womenne greate wyth Chylde: but at length it happened, that aboute Easter he boughte thrée Calues heades, and put them in a bagge, whiche was knitte in manner of a nette: when he wente so throughe the Stréetes, he séemed to as manye as behelde hym to carrye mens heades all bloudie: the matter was tolde to the Senate, and immediately Serge∣ants were sent to apprehende him: being broughte to the Guylde Hall,

and asked where he got those mens heades, he aunswered that he boughte them in the Shambles: wherefore the Butcher being sent for, affirmed that he solde him Calues heades, and not mens heades: The Senate being stricken in a maze aboute thys matter, thoughte that thys portended no good, and commaunded hym to be carryed to prison, and to bée exa∣myned by torture, or sharpe punishmente: being he so examined, imme∣diately confessed the murders he had committed. Afterwarde the heades were taken out of the bagge, which againe had the forme of Calues heads. Manlius.

When the deade or murdered bodye of Iulius Caesar was burned, his Image was séene in the fire depainted with so greate skill, that the places of all his woundes mighte be séene bloudie. Then the whole Citie stoode astonied, and among the reste Anthony, saying that he wished himselfe ra∣ther to haue bin slaine, than such a man, whose vertue had bene most excel∣lent. There were set forth tragedies, in whiche with exclamation these wordes were vttered. Mene seruasse vt essēt qui perderent? Is it meete that I shoulde saue them that sought my destruction? The people being war∣ned by these sightes, immediately soughte out the Authours of the murder, wherevpon wythin two yeares, all they that were giltye of the murder of Iulius Caesar, yea they that fled away, were slaine. Folio. 218. Manli∣us.

The worthinesse of prophetical figures, and of their endlesse vvarnings.

VPon the fourtéenth day of the first moneth (March) I was by the great floude called Tygris,* 4.26 & lifting vp mine eyes, I looked, and behelde a man clothed in linnen, whose loynes were gyrded vppe with fine golde of Arabia, hys bodie was like the Chrisolite stone, hys face (to loke vppon) was like lightning, hys eyes as the flame of fire, hys armes and féete were like as if it had bene a verie faire glistering mettall,* 4.27 but the voyce of his wordes was lyke the voyce of a multitude: the thirde yeare of Kyng Cyrus of Persia.

Mutations to come, as those whiche are paste. The man whyche hée sawe was Christe, puritie, gyrte with Trueth, hys cleare shyning bo∣dye,

the virginall Chastitie: hys flaming eyes, the sharpenesse of Faythe by the whyche all other, were, are, and shall be lightned: hys armes and legges lyke glistering mettall, or fierye gloowing brasse, the strength of the worde, the force of iustice, which who so regardeth not on earth, shal in body and soule be as the glowing mettal euer consuming but neuer consumed, where the fire of intollerable violence shall for euermore torment them.

I turned me lifting vppe myne eyes, and loked, and beholde,* 4.28 there came foure Chariots, out from betwixte two Hilles, whyche Hilles were of brasse: in the first Chariote were redde Horsses, in the seconde Cha∣riot were blacke horsses, in the third Chariote white horsses, in the fourthe Chariote were horsses of diuerse colours, and strong: Then spake I and sayde vnto the Angell that talked wyth mée, oh Lorde what are these? The Angell aunsweared and sayde vnto me, these are the foure windes of the heauen, whiche be comfortes to stande before the ruler of all the Earthe. That with the blacke horsses wente into the lande of the North. And the white followed them, and the speckled horses wente forth to∣warde the Southe These horses were verye coragious and strong, and wente out, and soughte to goe and to take theyr iorney, ouer the whole Earth. And he sayde gette you hence, goe throughe the worlde. Then cryed hée vppon mée, and spake vnto mée saying: Beholde these that goe toward the North, shall still my wrathe in the North Coun∣trey.

The foure Chariots maye signifye the swiftnesse of mischiefes to ouer∣come the earth: the two Hilles of brasse, the kingdomes of the Infidelles, and of the false Chriscians: I say Mahomet and the Pope: The redde hor∣ses bloudie persecution, for the testimonie of the Lambe: Black horsses, the darkenesse of times in the whiche the worlde being amased through greate persecutions, shall be turned into palpable errours, and then shal be plen∣tie of Earthie victuall, but barennesse of the worde of trueth. After com∣meth white horsses: then shall the Churche be séene to preuayle, and the Princes that feare the Lorde, bycause the ballaunce of equitie hath mea∣sured the time, whiche is the crowned king of glorie, whiche king of glorie is the Lorde of power Iesus Christe. The speckled Horses the chā∣geable truthes that shal be betwéene kings and Princes, whose vnquench∣able lustes shall be forced to followe the blacke horsses, till the winde of fleshlie treasons be deminished by the breathe of God: then shall these speckled worldlings returne to the Southe, where or from whence the greatest Christian kingdomes shall be perfitted, whiche as yet are so spot∣ted with that Romane Leopard that hardlye it will appeare recouerable. Thrée things will spoyle Christian religion: firste the forgetfulnesse of be∣nefits

which we haue receiued by y^e Gospel: secōdly y^e securitie which now rayneth euery where, lastly the wisedome of y^e world, which wyl cōprehēd al things in a certain order, and help the common peace with wicked coun∣sayles. Wherfore let vs pray diligently, that God wil kéepe vs and our po∣steritie, in the knowledge of his Gospel, that it may alwayes be taught in our Churches with fruite.

Manlius had an Aunte, an honest Matrone dwelling at Hidelberge, who tolde hym and others, that after the death of hir husbande she satte a∣lone greate wyth Childe by the fire, where when she satte sorrowfully, there came down the Steares a long & a tal Moncke of the order of Saint Frauncis, and wyth hym hyr late buried husbande, who came togither to the fire, the husbande saluted the wife and byd the Moncke goe into the Stoue, saying that he had many things to talke wyth hys wyfe: whē y^e Monke was gone in, he began to speake of the restitution of a certaine det, and of other things: when he had vsed long communication, he bid the wife to giue him hir hande, she being afrayde woulde not at the firste, but at length being perswaded she did, and he taking hir by the hande, did so burn it, that the hande became as blacke as a Coale, and so he lefte hyr and went his way. Thys she tolde many times. Manlius and many other sawe the same.

Forthe of Iacobus Rueffi Chirurgion of Tigur, in his Booke De conceptu, & generatione hominis, &c. Printed at Francofort. 1580.

There was one borne whiche hadde no armes at all yet touch∣ing the residue of hys bodye, hée bare a verye good shape. I also sawe hym vse hys féete as handes, in taking, cutting, and putting to hys mouth, and also in playing at Cardes and Dice, whiche another also coulde doe, wyth his mouth and chyn.

There was one also borne and grew to a perfect stature of a manne, sauing only a Twinne in the heade and shoulders, so that one heade was plainely to be séene behinde another, and the one verye lyke the other, their beardes and eyes stoode directly one against the other, theyr desire of meate was alyke, theyr hunger alike, theyr voyce verye like, they hadde one desire to the wife whiche they had, and also to auoyde their excrementes, this monster was aboue thirtie yeares old when I chaunced to sée him.

At the Manour of Aspley two myle beyonde Woborne in Bed∣fords••••••re the grounde verye straungely turned Woodde into Stone, af∣ter that the Woodde hadde bene driuen or buried in the sayde grounde twelue or sixtéene monethes, of the Woodde so turned into Stone there is

to be séene.

Dominicke of the order of Frier Preachers, a Spaniarde borne in Callorega, hys mother in hyr sléepe sawe that she hadde broughte forthe a little whelpe whyche bare a burnyng brande in his mouthe, and when hée was issued forthe of hyr wombe he brente all the worlde, &c.

On a time Dominicke passing ouer a Riuer goyng to Tolouse, lette fall his Bookes into the Water, the thyrde daye a Fisher caste his hooke, and in steade of a Fishe hée caughte holde of Dominickes Bookes and drue them vppe drye, as thoughe that they hadde touched no Water at all, &c. Also of Fryer FRAVNCIS the Italian, in the Alcaron of barefoote Fryers it is written, the Diuell witnesseth that by the mouthe of a certayne womanne it was declared, that Christe made intercession to hys Father, to graunte towarde the ende of the Worlde, that Frauncis mighte beare hys Crosse for the remission of the sinnes of the people: when Saint Fauncis desired Christe a greate pardon for the sinnes of the people, Christe badde hym aske what he woulde and it shoulde be graunted him, for he was ordayned to be the light of the gen∣tiles. If Francis writ this or any other, to the setting forth of his life: iudge Christian reader whether those wordes are not blasphemie or not. It is writtē that Frauncis had his twelue Apostles: namely these: Peter Catha∣ny, Iohn of the Chappel, Phillip Long, Frier Barber, Frier Giles, Bernhard of Cleue, Angel Camred, Iohn of Sainte Constance, Barnard of the fiue valleis, Frier Morice, Frier Sabatines, Frier Siluester,* 4.29 holy religious persōs are like holye woulfes, for they neuer go abroade but for great necessitie, for Francis is better than the Apostles, for the Apostles left but their ships, and Frauncis left his clothes, wherefore he mighte rightly saye I haue for∣saken al and followed thée. He bare fiue woundes vpon him, which he kept from bléeding, but vpon Maundy Thursday at night,* 4.30 and all good Frydaye he woulde put nothing in them, but suffer them to bléede for the loue of Christ, that he mighte suffer with hym.

Hauing nowe touched two of the Popes Saintes and monstrous Myracles reported, of whome we hardlye finde an agréemente, and yet superstitious, I hope the taughte in GOD, will be aduised that they make not them sauiours of theyr soules, that so hardly were vn∣able to guyde their own bodies, who notwithstanding might be better mē and not altogyther so Idolatrous and superstitious as hath bene written of them: for that one sayeth, Dominicke and Frauncis, perceyuing that By∣shoppes, Priestes, and Monkes (beyng as Lordes of the worlde) were giuen more to maintaine warre with Princes, than to preache the worde of God, professed to forsake whollye the worlde, and giue them onelye to preaching, whose holie pretēced purpose their folowers in processe of time

turned to most diuellish superstition, Cooper forth of Lanquet Folio. 117. If Francis and Dominicke were so superstitious as it is written, and yet Sainctes in respect of the rest that should haue bene more holy, what a hor∣rible time of darkenesse did remayne?

[ 1160] Among the rehearsalles of so many prodigies and straunge appearaun∣ces, one enterprice begunne in the yeare of our Lorde God, 1160. is not to be omitted. Pope Alexander the third, to the setting forth of his Eccle∣siasticall authoritie of vniuersall Iurisdiction, decréed, that none shold be ta∣ken for Saincts,* 4.31 but those which (the beast) had canonized and solemnely saincted, by vertue of the Romishe Bull, whiche Bull was a leaden seale, on the one side the figure of Pa••le and Peter, and on the other side the name of the Pope then in aucthoritie: whiche seale was fastned vnto parchmente wherein was written the aucthoritie of the Pope, and the holinesse of his sanctified Sainctes, commaunding all reuerence thereto, on paine of the greate cursse by Booke, Bel, and Candel: by the which new Trinitie was signified a manifest forgetting of the true Trinitie God the father, God the sonne, and God the holy Ghoste: for in the meane time while they were worshipping the great Idoll, and new made God, they forgate the true and liuing God: thus running from one error into many mischiefes, they became not onely despisers of the most holy lawe, but also had delight in o∣thers, whose frantike braines became as wilful as they, turning the glorie of God into the similitude of a Calfe that eateth Hay, not onely so by false worshipping of Images in stockes and stones, but more impudentlye ac∣cepted a leaden Bull, whome they fed so fat, and clothed so brauely, and en∣riched wyth suche abundance, that in a shorte space he made them Calues in recompence of their laboures, subdued their kingdomes, displaced theyr Cleargie, and stewe their subiects: neither Dagon, Bel, Astaroth, and Beel∣zebub was more honored nor highlyer estéemed, vntill veritie coulde not suffer no longer the gouernement of suche impietie. Before all this came to light, the foresaide Pope canonized Thomas Becket Archbishop of Can∣terburie a Saint, Anno. 1166. Hugh of Lincolne Bishoppe, 1215. Frier Do∣minicke. Frier Francis, Frier Anthony of Padua, these sancted 1227. Ed∣mund Archbishop of Canterburie. 1244. Thomas Bishop of Hartford, 1316. so that from the time that the Popes beganne firste to Canonize Sainctes, vntil the raigne of Pope Iohn the 22. there were found by their Catalogue in the compasse of 217. yeares. 5555. saincted Emorites or Romishe Asses. whether Sainctes in Heauen or Diuels in Hel, let those reporte that haue and doe vse them as intercessors, mediators, and aduocates, whose selfe∣willed opinions without authoritie of Christian religion, will bring all their intentions to an vtter confusion. Authors, Thomas Beacon, Fascicu∣lus temporum, Iohn Wickliffe, Iohn Bale, Peter Martir, Martine Bucer,

Martine Luther, Iohn Caluine and others. O daughter of Babilon,* 4.32 wasted with miserie: yea happy shall hee be that rewardeth thee as thou haste serued vs: Blessed shall he be that taketh thy children, and throweth them againste the stones. The Pope receiued yearely out of Englande of euery man Peter-pence, which coine is worth halfe a Cruicger, or there a∣boutes: so that the Englishemen did truely reporte, that the Pope receiued yearely out of Englande aboue 9. tunnes of Golde: and King Adolphe is saide to haue set a taxe vppon his kingdome. Manlius.

There was one Adolphus that was Emperor of Almaine, and raigned seauen yeares, he was vnfortunate in all things that he went aboute,* 4.33 and therewith so néedy and pore, that when he hadde receiued of Edwarde the firste of that name, then King of England, 100000. markes to aide him a∣g••••••••••e the French King, he spent the money vpon his hou••holde, and had 〈◊〉〈◊〉 w••erewith to fulfill his promise when time required. Doctour Coo∣•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉. fol. 230.

King Edwarde the thirde commaunded that Peter-pence shoulde bée no more gathered, nor paide to Rome: all that had twentie peniworth ey∣ther of goods or cattell, at Lammas day did pay that peny. This secrete pil∣lage, increased to a maruelous summe. Anno. 1264. the eighte and thirtith yeare of the raigne of King Edwarde the thirde.

Among a wonderfull heape of strange reportes, I finde, that from the yere of our redemption, vntill Anno domini 1455. a rehearsall of 1••. Euan∣gelists, called quaternals, nowe brought to light, bewraith the mistery of their iniquitie, and the down-fall of Romish crueltie. Christe fyrste in∣stituted 12. Apostles, among the which are foure speciall Writers, whiche had to name Euangelistes, that is, recorders of ioyfull tydings, the appro∣ued actes and déedes of Christ.

• Mathew whereto are assigned the Angel to Mathew mildenesse.
• Marke whereto are assigned the Lyon to Marke boldnesse.
• Luke whereto are assigned the Bull to Luke diligence
• Iohn whereto are assigned the Eagle to Iohn. eloquence.

As by these verses following, is more plainely vttered.

The Angels by swiftnesse, from God do declare, That Leo, the Heart, biddeth vs take care, With Taurus the Bull, on shoulders to trye, The pray with the Eagle mounting on hie.

By imitation after many yeares spent Foure moe appeared by the Church consent Anno domini. 414.

Ambrose	to	Ambrose the Bull,	No presumption the body of Christ to beare.
Hierome	Hierome the Lion,
Augustine	Augustine the Angel,	So long as they followed Christe euery where.
Gregorie	Gregorie the Eagle,

These being mixed, as wel with the traditions of the Elders, as with the liuely worde of God, became such as their workes do witnesse, famous men, and worthy of true reporte, yet had they their errors.

Then followed from Anno. 1108. vntil. 1418. other foure canonized Euangelists, by the vertue of locupletall iurisdiction.

* 4.34Dominicke of Spaine with a Starre in his forhead: a light to lighten the Gentiles, whereof procéeded the glorie of the flyes of Iezabel.

Francis the Italian Seraphin, bearing the print of the fiue wounds, through erronious simplicitie brought many to iniquitie.

Thomas ••••quine in Apulia, bearing a Doue on his shoulders, by y^e which was sign••fied the conference with Aungelles, and preparing to the Haruest, enriching of churches, dignities of prelates, & spoile of many men.

Vincent of Valentia bearing the badge of the iudgement of God, hath iudged their superstition, displaced their errors, and so confounded theyr deuises: as it is a scourge to Poperie, so wil it be a Scorpion to counterfait Christianitie without spéedy amendment.

Then came the holy Pope Vrban the sixth, after the dissention wyth Clement the seauenth, and applyed to haue the Cleargie of Englande vn∣der full obedience, whose request was denyed of the Englishmen by Par∣liament, and there agréed vppon, that the Pope shoulde haue no iurisdicti∣on beyond the limites of the Ocean sea. Notwithstanding the Bishops at that time played the traytors, and tooke vppon them to pay tribute. Thus y^e true Church of Christ hath bin euermore vexed of the vniust steward, si∣thence which time he was called to accompt in what sorte he bestowed his maisters goods. The Lord or Maister is God, his goods are y^e holy ordinā∣ces contained in both testaments: the Stewarde is the Pope and all false Prelates: the caller to accompte is Truth. Hipocrisie and error flye, com∣mitting the goodes of his Mayster vnto the handes of his debtors, whych is mankinde, whose sensualitie and pleasures being filled with the letter, and not with the spirite, take that that serueth their turne & leaue the rest. Thus their counterfaite holynesse patched with carnall inuention, haue they made for a shewe of their religion, with the enriching of Idoll Tem∣ples, by the goodes gotten from many and poore man, therefore saide to be

in their generation more wiser than the children of Light: Lo, here is ex∣pressed the childe of Darkenesse, a foe to Christians, an enimie to God, and a killer of soules: the said théefe stollen goodes will be a heauie witnesse a∣gainste them before God: euen their owne traditions, the preferring wher∣of on earth will be their refusall from Heauen, thorough the vertue of the holy Ghoste the true touchstone of the lawe, Chronicorum lib. 5. Lanquet. Alcaron of barefoote Friers, Bale and Beacon, with other Authors.

The reporte of strange numbers of Mice in the Marshes of Deingie [ 1581] hundred in South minster in the Countie of Essex, whiche beganne aboute Alhallowntide, Anno. 1580. whose continuaunce did not onelye deuoure the grasse, but also stenched the grounde, whereby many cattell by grassing a∣mong them, dyed. Many opinions haue béene concerning the comming of these Mice, and also deuises for the destroying of them, but whereas there hathe appeared very many strange Owles, enimies vnto Mice, dayly de∣uouring them, I cannot coniecture otherwise, than a forewarning from God, to take héede of some vndermining nation and swift warlike people, that pretend more than is suspected. What hath followed, consider of sir R. Cordall Maister of the Rolles in May, Doctoure Wilson one of the Secretaries to the Quéenes Maiestie, besides other personages of reue∣rend calling, whose bodyes are gone to the graue, and their spirits to reste.

The same yeare the one and twentith day of April diuers Nobles of France were roially entertained, vz: y^e Prince of Dolphin, Marshal Cossey, Monsieur Corrage, Monsieur Lansac, Lamotefenelle the President, and Monsieur Pinart, with others.

The two and twentith of May in London was to be séene a Dutchman of an vnaccustomed proportion for this age:* 4.35 his height was 7. foote and ten inches: he was of good stature from the knées vpwarde, his legs and feete béeing set by ouer pressing, grew crooked through leaping or such like exer∣cise, otherwise his proportion required the height of eight foote.

To conclude, let be considered diligent Reader, the happinesse of time, the peaceable gouernment, the lenitie, clemency, and mercie of a iewel ioy∣ned vnto God, placed on earth, a King in gouernment, a mother in mer∣cie, a charitable Nurce in charitie, the sounde head of Englandes prosperi∣tie, for the whiche, séeing that manye Kings and renowmed personages haue bin largely set forth by wryting, their actes extolled to the ski••s, when peraduenture their vertues reached scarce halfe way thither, I am nowe determined in this my conclusion, to commend the worthinesse of Quéenes and noble Dames of times paste gouernors and assistants, ouer this oure nowe called Englande, by whose meanes as large commendations as ••n∣to Kinges appeareth, accepting the small number, for the multitude of Quéenes, in the respect of Kings. I haue searched, said Iohn Bale, P••••t••••∣chus,

Boccacius, Bergomas, Textor, & Lander of Bonony, which all wrote of the vertues and worthy actes of women. But among them all I haue founde no counsailes so necessarie to the common wealth of our Christia∣nitie, as in the booke entituled, A godly meditation, compiled in French by Lady Margaret Quéene of Nauarre, and translated into Englishe by the Quéens Maiesty in hir yong yeres. I deny it not but excellent things they haue vttered, & matters of wonderful wisdom concerning morall vertues: But these most highly respect the kingdom of faith, & regimēt of the soule, which Iesus Christ the eternall son of God, from Heauen by his doctrine & death, so busily sought to cléere. Many graue sentences had they concerning priuate causes: But vniuersally these are for all sortes of people (the fruit∣full laboures of vertuous Princes, penning down those heauenly harmo∣n••es as bare witnesses of their busie laboring to y^e mount of immortality) high, low, healthy, sicke, rich, pore, learned and vnlearned, that mindeth 〈…〉〈…〉 freedome by Christs deadly sufferings, or to be deliuered from hel, 〈…〉〈…〉 and the diuell, by the price of his pretious bloude. Consider, 〈…〉〈…〉 ••e vnder the skie, hathe hadde more noble women, nor of more 〈…〉〈…〉 g••••ces (••or the which the remnant oughte to be thankefull) than 〈…〉〈…〉 r••••lm of ••ol••••••i, both in the dayes of y^e Britaines, and since the 〈…〉〈…〉 ••••••••xons obtained it by the valiant conquest.

•…•…e•• the wife of Locrinus, the seconde King of Brytaine, bée∣ing vnlawfully diuorced from him for the pleasure of an whore,* 4.36 whome he long before had kept, tryed it with him by dint of Sworde, had the vi∣ctorie, and raigned after him as king the space of fiftéene yeares, til hir son Maddan was of lawfull yeares.

Cordilla the daughter of King Leyer, and least of all hir sisters, as hir father was deposed and exiled out of his lande, she receiued comforte, and restored him againe to his princely honor, and raigned alone after his death 5. yeares, the yere of the worlde. 1358. the yeare before Christ. 805.

Cambra the daughter of King Belyne, and wife to Ant••no•• then king of France did not onely excéede in Beauty, but also in Wisdome, insomuch that she instructed the nob••e men howe to builde Cities, Castels, and other strong holds, she taught the common people more comly maners, & the wo∣men a most séemly decking of their heads. She made the ciuil laws, which vpon hir name were called Leges Sycambrorum. She taughte them to sowe flaxe & hemp, to water it, dry it, dresse it, spin it, and weaue it, and fashion it to al maner of vse for y^e body, the yere of y^e world, 3563. before Christ 400.

Martia the wife of King Guythelyne, a Lady beautiful, wise and lear∣ned in all the liberall Sciences inuented things wonderfull by the hyghe practise of hir witte. After the death of hir husbande she raigned 7. yeares as King, til Sycilius hir sonne came to age. She redressed the common

wealth, reformed the grosse maners of the people, and made moste honest laws called of hir name Leges Martianae, the yere of the worlde 3607. be∣fore Christe 356.

Nicanor in the wisedome, learning, and comely manners of his wife Constantia the daughter of King Eliodorus, dydde not only helpe hir bro∣ther Geruntius in sea battaile against the King of Orchades, but also sente his most deare sonne Priamus into Britaine, to haue the selfe same bringing vp, the yeare supposed before Christe. 177.

The Scottish King Finnanus, thought his princely honor most glori∣ously increased, whē he had obtained Agasia the daughter of King Blega∣bridus, to be coupled in marriage with Drostus his son, for the manifolde graces that he behelde in hir, althoughe the saide vngratious Drostus in spite of the Brytaines did afterward vse hir moste wickedly.

Bundwica, a woman both hygh of stature and stomacke, also of moste noble linage among the Brytaines, perceyuing the hauocke which the Ro∣maines dayly made in the land, with great puissance of worthy warriors, she inuaded them, slewe them, hung vp their Captaines, and followed the remnant of them to the very Alpes of Italy, where at the laste by reason of daily labours she sickned, and so dyed, euen the very glorie of women, saith Ponticus Verunnius.

Voada the first wife of K. Aruiragus (a woman of wonderful force and heart) strongly armed hir selfe, hir two daughters, and fiue thousande wo∣men of the Bryttanish blood, in battel against the furious fierce Romains, to suppresse their tyrannie and execrable filthinesse in abusing maydes, wi∣ues, and widows, but as she beheld the victory vpon their side (bycause she woulde not come vnder theyr captiuitie) she poysoned hir selfe and so dyed.

Voadicia hir yonger daughter afterwarde escaped the handes of the sayde Romaines, & with a mightie power of the Brytaines entred into the Ile of Man, and in a nights battaile slue of them a wonderfull number, destroying theyr Fortes and holdes, notwythstanding at the laste onsette being taken, she was beheaded, hir elder sister being marryed to Kyng Marius.

Athildus the daughter of the sayde King Marius, was also a moste noble Woman, whom the French Kyng Marcomrius marryed for the on∣ly natural giftes and sciences which she had aboue other women, and had seauen sons by hir.

Claudia Rufina a noble Brytaine, witty and learned, both in Gréeke and Latine, hauing to husband one Aulus Rufus a learned Knighte, a Poet of Bonony and a Philosopher of the Stoical sort, is much commēded of Mar∣tialis the Poet, for the Epigrams and Poems which she then compiled in

both tongues.

Emerita, the sister of Kyng Lucius, which is called the firste Christi∣an King,* 4.37 a Lady moste faithfull and vertuous, for constantly affyrming the veritie of Christ, suffered moste tyrannous death, and was burned in the fire.

Helena Flauia, the daughter of King Coilus, and mother to greate Constantine the Emperour, was a woman of singular beautie and lear∣ning. None coulde be founde like hir in the artes liberall, neither yet in the fine handling of many instruments of Musicke: she excelled al other in the diuers spéeches of Nations, specially in the Hebrewe, Gréeke, and La∣tine: She made a Booke of the prouidence of God, an other of the mortali∣tie of the soule, with certaine Gréeke Poemes, Epistles, and diuers other treatises.

Constantina hir daughter, was also a woman of most excellent gifts, had she not in the ende declined to the detestable sect of the Arians, by cer∣taine hipocritish Priestes.

* 4.38Vrsula Cynosura, the florishing daughter of Dionothus, the Duke of Cornewal, was so nobly brought vp in al liberall Discipline, that Cona∣nus the King of little Brytaine, desired hir to wife, and as she went thither∣warde with a 1••000. Brytaines wiues more and Virgines, by chaunce of weather, and violence of Sea-rouers, bothe she and they perished by the way.

Anna the sister of Aurelius Ambrosius K. of the Britaines, (who was afterwarde marryed to Lotho, the King of the Pictes) and Anne the twin sister of King Arthur, are of Writers magnified for their diuers and excel∣lent graces.

* 4.39Morganis a woman of incomparable loue towardes hir parents and countrey, so secreatly and wisely conueyed the body of King Arthure the moste worthy Gouernor of the Brytaines, that the English Saxons could neuer come to it to do their violence thereon.

Hermelinda rysing of the English Saxons bloud, for hir excellent beu∣tie and noble behauior, became the wife of Cunibertus the King of Lum∣bardi••.

Hylda, a noble woman, bothe godly, wise, and learned, not onely dis∣puted in the open Synode at Streneshalt in the North countrey, among the Prelates, concerning their newe founde out celebration of Ester, and their crowne shauing, with other ceremonies, but also wrote a treatise againste Bishop Agilber•• a French man, the busiest among them.

The three daughters of King Alphred, Elphleda, Elfritha and Ethel∣gor•• were expert in the Liberall Sciences.

Ale•••••• the wife of King Henry the second, was learned also, & wrote 〈◊〉〈◊〉 c••••ls••••s to Pope Celestine the third, and also to King Iohn hir yon∣gest

sonne.

Ioanna the yongest daughter of the said King Henry, so much deligh∣ted in good letters, that before she shoulde be married to King William of Cicil, she caused hir father to send ouer two learned mē of England, Walter, and Richard, with a french Doctor called Petrus Blesensis to instruct him in them, specially in the Arte of Versifying. And at hir comming thither, the one of those Englishemen was made Bishoppe of Panorme, and the other Byshop of Syracusa in recompence of their laboures.

Margaret the noble mother of King Henry the seauenth, so plenteou∣sly minded the preferment of Sciences, and going forwarde of learning, that she builded in Cambridge for the same purpose the Colledges of Christ, and of Sainct Iohn the Euangelist, and gaue lands for their maintenance: as Quéene Elizabeth did afore to the Quéenes Colledge there, &c.

Long were it to rehearse the excéeding number of noble women, whi∣che in this lande of Brytaine or Realme of Englande, haue excelled in so many singular vertues, as no realme Countrey, or dominion, maye more be aduaunced vpon the earth. Concerning the worthinesse of our Soue∣raigne Quéene, hir singular giftes in learning, diuersitie of tongs, prince∣lie magnanimitie adorned with the Iewell of all Iewels, (Gods Gospels amitie) doth farre more singularly set forth hir Maiesties renowme, than al the costly gemmes in the world, to the beséeming of corporall feture. Let all Englishe Christians therefore make harty supplication vnto God the father of our Lord Iesus Christ for y^e continual preseruation of hir royall Maiestie, who being by Gods appointment our defender in earth from al superstitious tyranny, may euermore be defended by Gods omnipo∣tencie here, and in the world to come en∣ioy happy felicitie, to whom with y^e father, sonne, and holy ghost, bée all honor and glo∣rie for euer.

FINIS.

Notes

• * 1.1

  1 The yeere of the world be∣fore Christ.
• * 1.2

  Beginning in April and en∣ding in Septē∣ber 21. weekes and .3. dayes .5. monethes and 10. dayes.
• * 1.3

  In the yeere 130. after the floud.
• * 1.4

  The confusion of tongues was a grieuous plague of God, against pride & vaine glorie.
• * 1.5

  In breadth .25. yards in height 150. yards after our cubit that containeth half a yard .8. fur∣longs is an Ita∣lian mile whi∣che is 1000. pace,
• * 1.6

  C••••nammij ••og heard kee∣••••••.
• * 1.7

  People of both kinds mēbred.
• * 1.8

  Fish eaters.
• * 1.9

  People indued with long life.
• * 1.10

  A bewitching people.
• * 1.11

  A doggish or brutish people.
• * 1.12

  Black Mōsters.
• * 1.13

  Hippopodes horse footed.
• * 1.14

  Arimaspi.
• * 1.15

  Neuri.
• * 1.16

  Anthropo∣phagi.
• * 1.17

  Cap. 40.
• * 1.18

  Arimphaei.
• * 1.19

  Pedibus inuer∣sis populi wry∣legge••.
• * 1.20

  Scipodes and Cathani.
• * 1.21

  Satiri.
• * 1.22

  Cinomolgi.
• * 1.23

  Anthapathitae.
• * 1.24

  Pigmaei
• * 1.25

  Astomij a mouthlesse people.
• * 1.26

  Apothami.
• * 1.27

  Coromandae.
• * 1.28

  Fanesij.
• * 1.29

  Hymātopodes.
• * 1.30

  Selenetidae.
• * 1.31

  Vualetia.
• * 1.32

  Buffelles.
• * 1.33

  Alces.
• * 1.34

  Iohn Harckil.
• * 1.35

  Camelopardus
• * 1.36

  Pauion.
• * 1.37

  Panther.
• * 1.38

  Tygris.
• * 1.39

  Cercopithaeci.
• * 1.40

  Cephi.
• * 1.41

  ••••i.
• * 1.42

  Basiliscus.
• * 1.43

  Plinie, Lucan l••b. 9. & o••••ers.
• * 1.44

  Salamander.
• * 1.45

  Onocrotalus.
• * 1.46

  Apus, want of feete.
• * 1.47

  Phoenix.
• * 1.48

  Pelican.
• * 1.49

  Harpiae.
• * 1.50

  Lib. 9.
• * 1.51

  Gallinae lanatae
• * 1.52

  Clakis.
• * 1.53

  This straunge Hearbe is sayde to grow in Tartari neare to Euroquila∣nium. The people of the Countrey do line and face their garments with this fur.
• * 1.54

  Ogiges i•• t••ke for Noah by th••se names following, first Noah.
• * 1.55

  Iob.
• * 1.56

  Iasius.
• * 1.57

  The floud.
• * 1.58

  The fierie bushe.
• * 1.59

  The Brasen Serpent.
• * 1.60

  Co••ath.
• * 1.61

  Hebr. 2.
• * 1.62

  Balaam.
• * 1.63

  Wildernesse,
• * 1.64

  Iehosua.
• * 1.65

  Amphiaraus.
• * 1.66

  The yeere of the worlde.
• * 1.67

  The yeeres be∣fore Christ.
• * 1.68

  Floud.
• * 1.69

  Dido.
• * 1.70

  Ascanius.
• * 1.71

  10••••.
• * 1.72

  Comet.
• * 1.73

  Deut. 12.17. 4. Reg. 10.
• * 1.74

  Remulus.
• * 1.75

  Chap. 6.
• * 1.76

  Romulus.
• * 1.77

  ••••69.
• * 1.78

  Numicor. Romulus en∣ded.
• * 1.79

  The manner of the funerall set downe.
• * 1.80

  After Lanquet.
• * 1.81

  After Iacobus Phillippus Bergomence.
• * 1.82

  About this time Ezechias in his extreame sicknesse was healed by God his life prolon∣ged .15. yeares .2. Kings. 20.
• * 1.83

  Sacrifiae.
• * 1.84

  Euery fift yeare was held the triumph of the Olympiade, wherin were sundry practi∣ses vsed for the defence of the common wealth.
• * 1.85

  Alba a Citie neare Rome which was buil∣ded by Ascani∣us sonne of Aeneas.
• * 1.86

  33••••.
• * 1.87

  Nabuchodon.
• * 1.88

  Daniel C. 1. 2. ••.
• * 1.89

  The temple of the God Ter∣minus alone among al o∣thers was vn∣couered in the top, signifying that bondes & limittes are not to be con∣cealed.
• * 1.90

  The letters are placed both wayes.
• * 1.91

  Two great ri∣u••rs in the Countrey now called Cāpania
• * 1.92

  52••.
• * 1.93

  The same yere.
• * 1.94

  Simonides and Plutarch in Themistocles
• * 1.95

  Not many such Captaines.
• * 1.96

  4••••
• * 1.97

  42••.
• * 1.98

  Punishment a∣gainst Church•• robbers.
• * 1.99

  28••.
• * 1.100

  Holy letters.
• * 1.101

  The mother of the Gods.
• * 1.102

  A deuinor on the flying of byrdes.
• * 1.103

  Aediles were officers in Rome, whose office was to s••e to the mainte∣naunce of Temples. &c.
• * 1.104

  Carinae.
• * 1.105

  L••••••tina was a God••es among the Romanes in whose Tem∣ple were sold all thinges pertai∣••ing to Sepul∣tur••s and ••une∣r••••s.
• * 1.106

  The secre•• cause of these things are not discouered.
• * 1.107

  Thurin a Pro∣uince in France.
• * 1.108

  Vultures birdes of a rauening kinde.
• * 1.109

  A plague on Rome it selfe.
• * 1.110

  Decemviri, ten Noble men to gouerne the common wealth.
• * 1.111

  A horrible murder.
• * 1.112

  The Ha••en of Athens.
• * 1.113

  Beware of couetousnesse.
• * 1.114

  Disdaine not warnings.
• * 1.115

  The Ides are the eight dayes folowing the first fiue dayes in certaine monthes.
• * 1.116

  A Citie in Thessalia.
• * 1.117

  A Citie in ••∣chaia.
• * 1.118

  Collossa.
• * 1.119

  A Countrey in the Realme o•• Naples called Callabria.
• * 1.120

  3••••••
• * 1.121

  So must chri∣stian preachers in the time of ignoraunce in∣struct the peo∣ple.
• * 1.122

  Anno Do••••
• * 1.123

  Herod raigne•• 37 yeres.
• * 1.124

  Math 2.
• * 1.125

  Luke 2.
• * 1.126

  Math. 4.
• * 1.127

  Iohn. 2.
• * 1.128

  Math. 13.
• * 1.129

  Mat. 14.15.
• * 1.130

  Ioh. 10.
• * 1.131

  Math 21. Mark. 11.
• * 1.132

  Math. 26. Ma. 27. Mar. 15. Iohn. 17.
• * 1.133

  Note this.
• * 1.134

  Iohn. 19.7.
• * 1.135

  Mat••. 26.57.
• * 1.136

  Mat. 27.25.
• * 1.137

  Math. 27.13.
• * 1.138

  Ma••. 27: Ma••. 15. ••u•••• 23. I••hn. 19. Ma••••. 27 3 4.
• * 1.139

  To be seene in the custodie of M. Aske••a good member in this commō welth. The other I haue though•••• good to set down to the o∣pen viewe of my Countrey.
• * 1.140

  Math. 26.
• * 1.141

  Psalm. 95.
• * 1.142

  Math. 24.
• * 1.143

  Ann. Dom 73 forty yeres iust after the passi∣on of Christ. Luke. 19.
• * 1.144

  A prophecie that after nine yeares Rome sore deeayed.
• * 1.145

  C••mulodunum supposed Col∣ch••••ter.
• * 1.146

  The beame o∣uer a doore.
• * 2.1

  As the stater is in the deepe
• * 2.2

  Or of a firie rednesse.
• * 3.1

  Supposed Col∣chester in Essex.
• * 3.2

  The first perse∣cution o•• the Church.
• * 3.3

  Cronicarum saith 35.
• * 3.4

  The praise of the Romaine Heathen.
• * 3.5

  M. Antonius
• * 3.6

  The fourth persecution.
• * 3.7

  The fifte pers••∣cution of the Christians.
• * 3.8

  The countrey nere to Venice.
• * 3.9

  Plays at Rome.
• * 3.10

  VVhich is a great square stone with sun∣dry cubits
• * 3.11

  The sixt perse∣cution raised by Maximinus for the hatred he had to the house of Alex∣ander, in which time Origine wrote a booke de Marty••io.
• * 3.12

  The eight per∣secution.
• * 3.13

  VVhich was the house of a Consull so cal∣••ed.
• * 3.14

  Nota.
• * 3.15

  Iohn Baptist.
• * 3.16

  This h••llithe M••yses may be likened to the counterfeite Peter of Rome whose clemen∣cie is superstiti∣on, and his mercye mur∣ther.
• * 3.17

  In this Citie S. Austen was borne.
• * 3.18

  Note in Archi∣tecture for 4. stadii.
• * 3.19

  Great waters standing.
• * 3.20

  A Citie in Por∣tingale now callen Merida.
• * 3.21

  In those dayes the Brytaines being but very weake in the Christian faith, vsed much en∣chauntment to the which too many trusted.
• * 3.22

  Minius.
• * 3.23

  A ruler of two places.
• * 3.24

  A man so called.
• * 3.25

  Daniell. 8.
• * 3.26

  Deut. 13. Esay. 11. Mat. 14.
• * 3.27

  The computa∣tion is referred to the varietie of Authors, or else it must be another Lo∣tharye.
• * 3.28

  And Laudunū was brought in subiection.
• * 3.29

  1. Reg. 17. Iudas religion. Pal. Thess. 5.
• * 3.30

  Elmerus
• * 3.31

  Nota.
• * 3.32

  Nota.
• * 3.33

  Osmunde nor the Founder•• but the am••••∣der or repay∣rer.
• * 3.34

  In Fraunce.
• * 3.35

  Carued.
• * 3.36

  A Secte.
• * 3.37

  Henry. 1.
• * 3.38

  Henrie 2.
• * 3.39

  A notable mi∣sterie againste the reall pre∣sence flesh and bloud in the chalice, a figure of the destru∣ction of men, and not their saluation, then where is their vertue of tran∣substātiatiō: this being turned the priest knew not how or which way.
• * 3.40

  K. Henrie. 2.
• * 3.41

  Consider that here the Pope was afr••dde.
• * 3.42

  134••
• * 3.43

  It is come frō Rome to Bry∣taine hauing visited other Countryes by the way.
• * 3.44

  14••••
• * 3.45

  Gene. 34.
• * 3.46

  Number. 23. Deut. 33. Ezech. 29. Dani. 14.
• * 3.47

  Exod. 6. Psalm. 90.
• * 3.48

  Niclashausen. Sect.
• * 3.49

  The Authour of this Booke was born there.
• * 4.1

  Illusion.
• * 4.2

  At the age of 49.
• * 4.3

  Gen. 3.
• * 4.4

  Apoca. 18.
• * 4.5

  Three pyntes English.
• * 4.6

  If Pinders wife and her coun∣te••••eit Daugh∣ter had had for the like filthye deuice such pu∣nishment, the Iustice had re∣ce••••ed cōmen∣dation.
• * 4.7

  Germany.
• * 4.8

  Illusions.
• * 4.9

  Virgill
• * 4.10

  2. Reg. 17. Iud. 14. 2 Reg. 5. Iudith 1.13. Hester 7. Luke. ••.
• * 4.11

  Vxor. Aaronis Exod 6. Vxor Lachariae Luke. 4.
• * 4.12

  The first in the old Testament Gods King∣dome.
• * 4.13

  The first in the new testament Christes king∣dome.
• * 4.14

  The firste after the bewraying of Idolatrous Churche. The Kingdom of the holy-Ghost.
• * 4.15

  Looke next for the com∣ming to iudge∣ment, that these three vic∣tories maye be in one king∣dome.
• * 4.16

  ••••••••
• * 4.17

  This sodayne plague fore∣shewed Gods heauie displea∣sure, for delay∣ing punishmēt ••n such wilfull P••pists.
• * 4.18

  If theeuerie be odious an il••s∣sion is p••stife∣rous, let euerye man be con∣tent with that he hath.
• * 4.19

  Psal 118.
• * 4.20

  Psal. ••••.
• * 4.21

  ••580
• * 4.22

  The Englishe Copy is 1581
• * 4.23

  M••nster. Folio. 76.
• * 4.24

  Munster Fol. 196.
• * 4.25

  Cornelius Agrippa. 54
• * 4.26

  Daniel, 10. Nisan. Marche. Apocalips 1.
• * 4.27

  Or glowing b••asse.
• * 4.28

  Zacharie. 6. Apoca. 7.
• * 4.29

  Their owne comparison.
• * 4.30

  This discourse is more at large in Alcarō and Legend.
• * 4.31

  VVhy Paul was set before Peter, bycause the sworde by force was pre∣ferred before reconciliation.
• * 4.32

  Psalm. 137.
• * 4.33

  Pouertie pin∣cheth as wel Princes as poore men.
• * 4.34

  Abusers of the worde of God.
• * 4.35

  His 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••¦thony〈…〉〈…〉 his 〈…〉〈…〉 rea••che ••••••¦yardes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 quarter.
• * 4.36

  ••••••••/1084
• * 4.37

  4250/289
• * 4.38

  4348/387
• * 4.39

  4504/543