A Strange and True RELATION Of a Wonderful and Terrible Earthquake, That happened at HEREFORD on Tuesday last, being the First of this present October, 1661.  
Whereby A Church-Steeple and many gallant Houses were thrown down to the ground, and several of the Inhabitants slain; with the terrible Thunderclaps and violent Storm of great Hailstones that then fell, which were about the bigness of an Egg, many Cattle being thereby utterly destroyed as they were feeding in the Field.  
Also, The prodigious and wonderful Apparitions that was seen in the Air, to the great amazement of all Spectators, who beheld two perfect Arms and Hands: In the Right-hand, being grasped a great broad Sword, and in the Left, a Bowl full of Blood, from whence they heard a most strange and loud Voice, to the wonderful astonishing of all present, the fright whereof causing divers Women to fall in Travel, amongst whom the Clerk's Wife, named Margaret Pelmore, fell in labour, and brought forth three Male-childrens, who had all Teeth, and spoke as soon as they were born, and presently after gave up the Ghost and died together, the like having never been known before in any Age!  
The Truth hereof is witnessed by 



Churchwardens.  
Francis Smalman, and  
Henry Cross,    
Peter Philpot. Constable.  
Nicholas Finch, Gent.  
James Tully, Gent.  
George Cox,  
Robert Morris,  
Thomas Welford, etc.    
London, Printed for J. J. 1661.   

A True and perfect Relation of the terrible Earthquake, great Claps of Thunder, and mighty Hailstones, which happened at Hereford, on Tuesday last, the first of this present October, &c,  
B●fore I mention any further concerning this strange and sudden Accident, which hath so lately befallen at Hereford, and that this Re●l and Authentic Tru●h may not seem doubtful, I shall put the Reader hereof in mind to take notice and remember the several Disasters that hath befallen, not long since in, and about London, which I need not here to declare, yet none so wonderful, or worthy of observation as this; but let it not seem strange, for we know, and often read, that the Lord doth sometimes manifest his will unto the World in Wonders and Signs, thereby in some part to show his Omnipotency, and let them know that he is still the Almighty God, and that he sees and knows all our ways, how slight so ever we make thereof: Then how can we praise him sufficiently, when he hear of this strange Disaster that did so lately befall at Hereford, in that he was pleased to keep the like from us here in London, we being as sinful as any: But he that is all Mighty and all Powerful, is also all Goodness and all Merciful, whereon depends the best hopes of all good Christians.  
And now to descend to the subject I was before speaking of, which was of the violent Tempest and terrible Earthquake, etc. that happened at Hereford, be pleased to observe the true Relation thereof, which is thus:  
ON Tuesday last, being the first of this present October, 1661. about 2 of the clock after Noon, there happened a great and violent storm to arise, to the amazing and astonishing of all the inhabitants: The first beginning was with a most terrible Wind, which continued for the space of 2 hours, with such vehemency, that it forced the Tiles off the Houses, insomuch, that none durst come out at their doors; in the midst of which storm, was blown down the Steeple of a Church, and many brave Houses, the falling whereof hath killed some persons, but what they are, or whom we yet know not.  
Then the Air began to be darkened, but suddenly clearing again the people began to look abroad; and so continuing for a while, all assuredly thought the storm to be over, but contrary to their hopes, about 6 and 7 of the clock in the Evening, their Ears were solicited with unwonted Claps of Thunder; and, more to augment their fear, presently fell such Hailstones, that the like was never seen in any Age before, each Hailstone being about the bigness of an Egg, which several Gentlemen of quality affirm, ●ere present in London, who certify, that they destroyed the Cattle in the Field, and did much other harm.  
Then followed a terrible and fearful Earthquake, which continued almost for the space of half an hour, which so amazed the inhabitants▪ that they thought the last Day had been come; and immediately appeared a great brightness, as if it had been Noonday, but was presently overcast with a thick Black● 〈◊〉, out of which appeared a perfect Arms and Hands; in the Right-hand was grasped a great broad sword, and in the left a Cup, or Boul, as they conceived, full of Blood.  
Having glutted their eyes with amazement, and filled their hearts with great fear with beholding these prodigious Apparitions more ●o astonish both them and us, appeared to their eyes a piece of Corn ground, ready to mow, and a Sith lying by, from whence they heard a most strange and loud voice, which sa●d; Woe, ●oe to thee, and to the inhabitants thereof, fo● he cometh that is to come, and ye shall all see him  
At the conclusion of these words, the people made a grievous cry, as indeed they m●ght, a●d many Women that were wi●h Child, through extreme fear, fell in travel, but none so wondered to be taken notice of, as M●● Margaret Pesm●re, the Clerk's W●fe of the To●n who for the space of twenty Weeks, wanting her bodily ●ealth, had sought for cu●e of the Doctors: This Margaret Pelmore at that very instan●●ell in travel, being exceedingly affrighted, and brought forth 3 Male Children, who had all t●eth and spoke as soon as they were born. The first said, The Day is appointed which no Man can shun. The second demanded, Where would be found sufficient alive to b●ry the Dead? And the 3d said Where will there be Corn enough to satisfy the Hungry and n●e●y.  
As s●on as they had spoken these words, they all immediately gave up the Ghost and died, to th' gre●t astonishing and amazing of all present, and the Mother of the said Children doth at this time lie Distracted and raging in such extreme manner that none can tell, as yet, whether she will live or die!  
The truth whereof is witnessed by 



Churchwardens.  
Francis Smalman,  
Henry Cross,    
Peter Philpot, Constable.  
Nicholas Fanch,  
James Tully,  
George Cox,  
John Groom,  
Robert Maurice,  
Thomas Welford:   And divers others.  
FINIS.   

 depiction of earthquake