THE doom warning all men to the judgement: Wherein are contained for the most parte all the strange Prodigies happened in the world, with diuers secret figures of revelations tending to mannes stayed conversion towards GOD: In maner of a general Chronicle, gathered out of sundry approved authors by ST. BATMAN professor in divinity. ¶ Imprinted by Ralphe Nubery assigned by Henry Bynneman. Cum privilegio Regali. ANNO DOMINI 1581. To the right Honourable, Sir Thomas Bromley Knight, one of the queens majesties most honourable privy counsel, and Lord chancellor of england. WHereas( right Honourable) all things under heaven, are filled with the presence of GOD by his divine power and gracious government, and that nothing can be hide from his heavenly or supercelestiall view: As saieth the holy Psalmist david in his 139. Psal. Whether shal I go from thy spirit, or whether shall I fly from thy presence? if I ascend into heaven, thou art there, if I lie down in the grave or sink into hell, thou arte there, let me take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the Sea, yet thither shall thine hand lead me, and thy right hand hold me, &c. most manifest is it therefore( right honourable) that whatsoever hath been, is, or shalbe to proceed, either Celestial or terrestrial, can not be without the fore-ordinance and providence of God, who sending these fore-warnings, as instruments to former ages, doth by the like wonderful show of manifest appearance foretell no less dangers to happen among the generations of this last posterity. And finding sundry labours of the learned by a due consideration of such effect, not unprofitably followed, whereby their countries so fore-warned, haue thereby avoyded many dangers, I therfore( right Honourable) vpon sight and search of so many prodigious births, stars of unaccustomed appearance, envenomed airs, from the which proceed pestilence, plague, war, hunger, frenzy, jealousy and heresy, haue no less occasion, than worthy authors in former time, to make or set forth this chronicle of the doom, or warning to Gods Iudgement, thereby to give unto my country the like occasion to beware of some more monstrous plague to follow, than shapes of former view haue expressed, unless some speedy amendment be found in time acceptable unto God. The premises considered, I desire that every one beware rashly to judge of any thing contained in this Chronicle, until the discourse be advisedly perused. And although I aclowledge myself a weak soldier to accomplish so great a work, yet by the means of good armor haue been the better able to avoid the violence of many enemies, as by this collection, translation, and interpretation, may be through reading perceived: The enterprise, battle, and victory hitherto having had good success, requireth honourable ●ssistaunce, which if it please your honour favourably to accept, the protection is yours, the service mine, as becometh loyal obedience to my sovereign, superiors, and equals. Thus( right honourable) I end, commending your estate unto the protection of the most blessed rewarder God almighty, to be your fortification from al evil, in this world godly happiness, and in the world to come endless felicity. Yours at commandment Stepban Batman, in divinity professor. To the gentle Reader. I Haue no doubt( friendly Reader) but thou shalt find many things in these my prodigies, which will seem not so absurd as altogether repugnant to natural reasons: Notwithstanding, I warne thee that thou use not mans reason in searching out Gods works, for the marvelous works of the Lord are great and incomprehensible( as job the man of God confesseth) the which the kingly Prophet david recordeth, not onely in the ninth psalm, that every where he will set out, but also in the 105. psalm doth exhort al the godly to do the like, where he saith: Mirabilium Dei mementote, quae fecit prodigia,& iudicia oris eius, that is, Remember what wonders God hath wrought what strange things he hath done, and the judgements of his mouth. And as all prodigies or strange tokens which depend rather vpon mens opinions than vpon Gods beck, after the maner and superstition of the Romaines, are not to be esteemed, but also to be despised: so those true prodigies which are most assured tokens of Gods wrath and vengeance,& which the falling out of the thing for so many hundred yeares hath declared, with a true and godly mind are to be marked and considered. And lest in these my gatherings thou maiest find lack of credit& authority of the thing, I thought good to add it unto, out of al authors, from whose watchful works set forth long ago, I haue gathered mine: To whose painful study I haue put nothing( as GOD and my safe conscience beareth me witness) saving that whyche I myself haue seen in my time, or haue received of my special friends, men of good credite. It shal be thy part to take well, and in good worth my godly endeavour, which I assure myself tendeth very much to the furthering of Gods great glory, and the salvation of mankind. In laudem viri solertissimi& religiosissimi Stephani Batmanni, jacobi Sanfordi carmen. {αβγδ}: {αβγδ}: {αβγδ}: {αβγδ}, {αβγδ}, {αβγδ}, {αβγδ}, {αβγδ}, {αβγδ}: {αβγδ}. Latinè. DOtibus ingenij varijs Batmanne refulgens Porrigis Angligenis commoda magna pijs. Abdita quae fuerant multis,& sparsa libellis: Summa das vnc sedulitate libro, Qui placet& prodest, qui miscet& utile dulci Qui terret sontes,& facit esse pios: Tunc dum monstra refers raras imitantia formas Dumque tuo mirè plurima mart doces, Monstras quod summum spirent praecordia Phoebum, Qui tibi pro meritis praemia digna dabit? Italicè. Vn Pastor Suegliato in cvi pure resplende L'ardore divino, alla cura eletto deal santo gregge per altrui difetto Cosi errando, ch'il bon odour non scende Alsommo ben ch'ogniun eguale rend Per le Cio è teologiche feed, speranza e carità. vertù, el'amoroso aspetto: Ti mostra, l●tt●r, dal suobel ricetto Vn' opra leggiadra, ●aquat comprende Igran marauigli moderni, è antichi, E cose conform a l'antico zelo, hoar mira l'oggetto o●e giace il vero, Spandi da te gl intelletti nemichi, Inalza' l grido di Batmanno al cielo Da questo infin al' altro Emispero. Gallicè. Quisque l'ardeur divin Excite ton deuoir A tracer le chemin Du celeste scauoir, Et mettre par escript Mainte rare choose, queen nature en sonlict Couua,& desclose. Puisque maint beau devis Qu'en ton liure reluit Rend l'ignoraunt apris, Luy apportant bon fruit: Aures du ceil la gloire, Et apres mort memory. The same to the same sonnet. Al things are natural to God on hye, But here below in every mortal thing, 'gainst natures lore some wonder forth doth spring. In hot and could, and eke in moist, and dry, That by hir broken course men may espy, He will some bane, or blessing on us bring, commanding here, and there, as greatest king. And sith to labours thou thyself dost tie, To profit and to please both eye and mind With many wonders fastened in one band Thou God above the surest prop shalt find, With just desert reward shalt never stand. unless the blessed blast send prosperous wind, And shape thy course unto a patron kind. {αβγδ}. Christopherus Carlilus in laudem Scriptoris. TE Batmanne colo studij venerator auiti Mores coniungis cum pietate graues, Ingenium laudo quo perspicis abdita quaeque, Eruis in lucem quae latuere diu: Eia, age diuulga veterum monumenta virorum, Quae pariant fructum non sine laud bonum. H.H. in praise of the Author. THe Bat is said to shun the beams of glittering Phoebus bright: He shrowdes himself invncoth holes until the darksome night. Lo here a Bat by name, but yet a very Man by kind, To whom a quick and piercing sight dame Nature hath assigned. He loathes to live in lurking holes, he loues to mount on high, He likes with armed bird of jove against the sun to pry: His sight is skill, the sun is truth, his skill the truth hath told, A true discourse of strange events by skill he doth unfold: Whereby immortal famed he hath as guerdon of his pain: The good will of the learned sort is most of all his gain. faults escaped in Printing. In Folio. 44. red, al the places near the city were full of Adders, which the horses in going by, did eat up, In Folio. 52. a stream of foggy thick fire, read. 20000. not 200. Folio. 68. Line. 34. Boleslaus not Bleslaus, Folio. 203. Line. 32. Nawclerus not Newcherus, Folio. 218. Line. 8. profits not prophesies, Folio. 323. Line. 4. vanished not anished, Folio. 332. Line. 17. corpse not cross, Folio. 355. Line. 40. recite not reside, Folio. 357. Line. 14. sunt not sicut, Folio. 423. Line. 18. A brief and general Catalogue of the Authors to this Chronicle. Forth of the old Testament. Out of the new Testament. Amos Prophets.   evangelists& Apostles. Daniel 3. Matthew Esaias 3. mark Ezechiel 2. Luke Hieremias 1. John jonas 4. Paul Moyses 4. Peter Zacharias 1. Iude These folowing as in Lycosthenes his Catalogue appeareth of greek Authors. AElianus de varia historia. Aetius medicus. Appianus Alexandrinus. Aristeas Proconesius. Aristoteles Stagerita. Armenias. Calliphanes. Crates Pergamenus. Diodorus Siculus. Dion Cassius. Dion Nicaeus. dionysius Eritriensis. Dionysius Helicarnasseus. Egesippus judaeus de rebus Iudaicis& bello Parthico. Eusebius Pamphilus Caesariensis. Herodianus Alexandrinus de vitis Imperat. Herodotus Halicarnass. joannes Rhetor. Iosephus judaeus. Isigonus Nicensis. Lucius Piso. Memphodorus. Nicander Colophonius. Nicephorus Callistus de rebus Ecclesiasticis. Oppianus Cilix. Pausanias Caesariensis de rebus in Graecia memorabilibus. Philoponus. Plutarchus Cheronaeus. Polybius Megalopolitanus de rebus Rom. Procopius Gazeus. Socrates& Sozomenus de rebus Ecclesiasticis. Stesichorus Himaeraeus. Strabo Geographus. Theophrastus philosophus. thucydides Atheniensis de bello Poloponnesiaco. Trasimachus de aedificijs. Of latin Authors, long time paste. AElius Spartianus de imperatoribus. Aeneas silvius, vel pus Pontifex. Agathius de bello Gothorum. Albertus Magnus philosophus ac Episcopus Ratisponensis, Aloysius Cadamustris de nauigationibus suis. Ammianus Marcellinus de vitis Caesarum. Antonius Nibrissensis. Antonius Florentinus. Augustinus Niphus. Philo judaeus. Aulus Gellius. D. Aurelius Augustin. Aurelius Cassiodorus. Blondus Foroliuiensis. Bonsinius de reb. Hung. Beda presbyter. Benedictus de Acolitis Cardinalis. Berosus Chaldaeus. Chiarius Taurusicus de Venetorum& Genuensium bello. Conradus à Liechtenauu, quem vocant Abbatem Vrspergensem. Cornelius Balbus. Cornelius Tacitus. Conradus de Meydenberg, mathem.& philosophus. Crispus Salustius. Etterlinus historicus. Eutropius de rebus Romanorum gestis. Fabius pictor. Felix mall olus Tigurinus de Nobilitate. flavius Blondus. Franciscus Irenicus Ettelingiacensis. Franciscus Petrarcha de remedijs fortunae. Fulgentius Ruspensis in Africa episcopus. Galfridus Artin●rius Monentutensis de rebus Britannicis. Gildas Anglus de Anglorum rebus gestis. Guelierinus. G●lie●●nus Terius de bello sacro. Hadrianus Barlandus de gestis Ducum Brabantiae. H●liualdus. Hei●●old●● presbyter de rebus Solanorum. H●rmannus Contractus comes Veringensis& Monachus Santgalensis. Iacobus Bergomas author supplementi Chronicorum. joannes B●he●nus de diuersarum gentium ●●ribus. joannes Iouianus Pontanus. joannes Multiuallis Eusebij continuator. joannes Stella de vitis Pontificum. joannes Thurotz de rebus Hungaricis. I●rnandes de rebus Geticis. Iu●iu● Capitolinus de Imperatoribus. Iulius Caesar. Iulius Obsequens de prodigijs. Iulius Solinus. justinus Trogi Ponpei abbreuiator. Lambertus Schaffnaburgensis Mona●hus, Lucius florus de rebus Romanorum. Luibrandus de rebus, per Europam gestis. Macrobius. M. Coccius Sabellicus. M. Tullius Cicero. Marlianus Patricius de antiq. Rom. Martinus Barletus de vita Scandebergij. Mossaeies. Matthaeus Palmerius Eusebij continuator. Matihias à Michouia de Sarmatia at queen Europaea. Mathiolus Senensis. Merlinus Caledonius. Messald Coruinus. Michael Ricius de regibus diuers●rum. Odoritus de foro julij, de diversis ritibus ac conditionibus huius mundi, liber est manuscriptus. Otho Frifingensis episcopus. Othobertus de prodigiosa saltatione Saxonica. Paulus Orosius de rebus Romanorum. Paulus Venetus. Paulus Vuunefridus Caroli Magni diaconus, de gestis longobardorum. Petrus Martyr. Platina de vitis pontiff. Plinius signior. Plinius junior. Prosper Aquitanus. Quintus Curtius de rebus gectis Alexandri Magni. Raphael Volateranns. Regino Bruniensis monachus. Robertus abbess Montensis Sigeberti continuator. Robertus Gaguinus de regibus Francorum. saxon grammaticus de rebus Danicis. Siffridus presbyter. Sigebertus Gemblacensis. Solinus. Suetonius Tranquillus de vitis imperatorum. Tit. livius Patauinus. Trebellius Pollio. Turpinus Remensius episcopus. Valerius Maximus. Vertomannus de rebus in orient factis. Victor uticensis episcopus de rebus Vandalicis. Vincentius Beliuacensis speculorum author. Vuindichinus Corbiensis Monachus de rebus Saxonicis. A computation of Authors for the most parte living when LYCOSTHENES first gathered his Chronicle. Achilles Grassarus medicus de aliquot Cometis. Albertus Crantzius. Annonius de rebus Franciae. Casparus Bruschius Poeta de episcopatibus ac Monasterijs Germaniae. Casparus Hedio. Casparus Pucerus de diuinationibus Caelius Rhodiginus de lectionibus antiquis. Conradus Gesnerus de Animalibus. Cornelius Grapheus de incendio templi Aniuerpiensis. Culmannus Geppingensis. Eberhardus Schleusinger Phisicus Tigurinus. Franciscus Massarius in 9. Plinij. Franciscus Tarapha de Hispaniae regibus. george. Aemilius Mansfeldensis, de eclypsi lunae anni. 15 Georgij Fabricij ●hemnicensis dereb. Misniacis. Gerhardus Nouiomagus Geldenhaurius de reb. Batauicis. Gulielmus Turnerus de Auibus. Gybertus Longolius de Volatilibus. Hector Boetius Didonatus de Nauigationibus ac Scotorum gestis. Hieronimus Cardanus de subtilitate ac varietatererum. Huldricus Mutius Hugouualdus de Germanorum origine& gestis. Iacobus Mycillus de ruina veteris arcis Heydelbergensis. Iacobus Mylichius in secundum lib. Plinij. Iacobus Rueff de concepiu hoins. Iacobus Stopelius Mummungensis medicus de aliquot cometis. Iacobus Ziglerus Landauus. Ioachimus Camerarius de ostentis. Ioachimus Vadianus de tribus orbis partibus. joannes Annius Viterbiensis de regibus Hispaniae. joannes aventinus de rebus Baiorum. joannes Baleus de scriptoribus Anglicis. joannes Baptista Egnatius de exemplis virorum illustrium Venete urbis. joannes carrion. joannes Cuspinianus de Caesaribus ac Consulibus Roma. joannes Functius. joannes Lucidus de emendationibus temporum. joannes Maior de rebus Scotorum. joannes Nauclerus. joannes Petrus Valerianus de Hieroglyphicis. joannes Sleidanus de rebus sub Caro lo quinto Imperatore gestis. joannes Virdungus Hasfurdensis medicus& Astrologus de aliquot cometis. Iobus Fincelius de miraculis sui temporis. justinus Goblerus de gestis Lubecensium. Lambertus Hortensius de vltraiectinorum rebus gestis. Liliur de rebus Anglicis. Lucilius Veronius Alsatinus de rebus memorabilibus. Lucius Marinaeus Siculus, de Hispaniae regibus. Ludouicus Lauatherus Tigurinus de Cometis. Marcus Fritschius Laubacius de Meteoris. Martinus Cromerus de gestis Polonorum. Martinus Lutherus, de aliquot monstris. mathias Cornax medicus ac phisicus viennensis de quinquenni gistatione vteri. Nicolaus Baselius Naucleri continuator. Michaelus Beutherus de rebus in suo Calendario obseruatis. Nicolaus Prugnerus Astrologus de cometa anni. 1533 Pamphilus Gengenbachius, de Ostentis in Austria visis. Paul. Aemylius de rebus Francorum. Paulus Eberus de rebus Iudaicis. Paulus Fabritius Laubensis de cometa Anni. 1556 Paulus Iunius episcopus Nucerinus. Petrus Appianus, Mathematicus. Petrus Creuserus Astrologus de cometa Anni. 1527 Philippus Melancthon. Polidorus Virgilius de prodigijs& reb. Anglicis. Rauisius Textor Niuernensis. Ricius de regib{us} Hispaniae ac aliorum. Robertus Barns, de vitis Pontificum. Sebastianus Besselmeierus, de obsidione Magdeburgi. Sebastianus Brandus. Sebastianus Munsterus. Simon Porcius, de conflagratione agri Puteolani. Sigismundus Baro, ab Heberstein, derebus Moscouhicis. Theophrastus Paracelsus, de cometa Anni. 1531 Vuernerius Norinbergensis, de cometa Anni. 1506 Vuolfgangus Drechslerus, de rebus Turcarum ac Saracenorum. These authors add as followeth. Summam Anglicanam. Annales Constantinopolitanas. Annales Manuscriptas diue●sorum ac nunquam editorum autorum. Fasciculum Temporum. Misniae. Chronicon. Norinbergense. Chronicon. Poloniae. Chronicon. Brabanciae. Chronicon. Saxoniae. Chronicon. Teutonicorum ordinis. Chronicon. Another Cataloge of learned Doctors and friends, as assistants to the first copy, whereunto are also rehearsed such as deserve remembrance in this his last discourse. Caelius secundus Curio. Conradus Gesnerus medicus Tigurinus. Culmannus Gaeppingensis. Henricus Bullingerus. Henricus Petri Typograph.& senator Bas. Huldricus Merian civis ac senator Basiliens. Iacobus Swinger civis Episcopicellae. joannes Heroldus Hechstettensis. joannes Grel. Ecclesiae minister in agro Basiliens. joannes Oporinus Typograph Basil. joannes Sphyractes iurisconsultus. Ludouicus Lauaterus Tigurinus. Mattheus hang civis Bas. Mattheus Ichihianderus minister ecclesiae Euingen. Nicholaus Geilerus Ludi Basiliensis moderator. Philippus Bechius medicus B●sili. Theob●●dus Lycosthenes Rubeaquesis, verbi dei in agro Bernensi Minister. Andrew Cambina. Andrew thevet of the discourse of the Indians. D. Cooper bishop. George North Gentlem. Grafion in his last Chronicle of England &c. John Stow antiquary. John Securis master of Arte and physic. james Ruffey in his discourse of prodigious births. Lanquet. Meredith Hanmer in Eusebius, Student in divinity. William Chauncie Gent. Thomas Newton Student, in his translation forth of livius Limnius physician. That thou mayst see diligent Reader, how difficult a thing it is to number the yeres past, by a certain reckoning of al times, I haue thought good briefly from diverse chronicles to set down their computations, by the which may be perceived, what a hard thing it is to rehearse them aright in these latter dayes, when the nearer to the time past, from the creation of the world, were to seek of a just number, notwithstanding by the rehearsal, the nearest conjecture may bee found out, until this present year. ¶ These computations must be referred unto those yeares in the which they wrote. ¶ Also a consideration had unto the variety of yeares, for the elder writers contained the whole year in ten months. Alphonsus rex numerat. 6984 Epiphanius Episcopus contra Manichaeos. 5029 Paulus Orosius. 5049 Philo Ebraeus. lib. 2. de mirabilibus scripturae. 5195 Isidorus. 5196 Eusebius Caesariensis in Cronologia. Platina. Vincentius. 5199 joannes Stumphius. 5199 abbess urspergensis. 5201 joannes Nauclerns. 5201 Albumazer Astronomus quem plerique Neoterici putant sequendum esse in astris computandis. 5328 Augustinus. 5353 Iornandes in suis annalibus& joannes Cuspianus in cousin. 5500 Suidas& aliqui Graeci. 5600 Philastrius de hae resibus. 5801 Rab. Naasson in cyclo paschali. 3707 Rabi Leuiben, cvi Gerson prope accedit. R. Abraham in Cabala. 3754 Ebreorum plerique,& Chronica publicata, 3760 John Caryon. 3944 Hieronimus iuxta Ebr. veritatem, Beda. 3952 Hermanus Contractus. 3952 Ioa. Picus Mirandulae princeps. 3958 joan. Lucidus, multique Astronomi. Martinus Lutherus. 3960 Alexander Sculietus. 3960 abbess Vrspengensis. 3962 Paulus Phrigio. 3962 Philip Melanct. 3962 joannes Functius. 3962 Chumanus Flinsbachius 3962 Michael Beuterus. 3962 Panthalion. 3970 Theophilus Theologus ac Antolytum Christianae religionis calumniatorem. 3974 Theod. Bibliander, 9397 Carolus Bouillus. 3989 Iosephus Historicus Ebr. primarius. 4103 Odiaton five Eduicon, Astrologus. 4320. Aurelius Cassiodorus. 4697 Scripturae sanctae calculo exactiore. 3979. ¶ whereas the gathering together of yeares, haue been divided into seven ages, declaring thereby the universal rest& coming of our Lord Iesus Christ to iudgement, I haue thought good to manifest the same as followeth. The first age, from the creation of Adam to the flood of No● which continued yeares. 1659 The second from Noe to Abraham. 292 The third from the birth of Abraham, till the departing of Israel out of egypt. 503 The fourthe from the departing of Israel out of egypt, till the building of the temple. 482 The fifth from the building of the temple, till the captivity of babylon. 414 The sixth from the captivity of babylon, till the birth of our saviour Iesus Christ. 614 The seventh beginning at the birth of our saviour Christ was. 3962 The age of the world this present year of our lord, 1581, is 5543. but after some Authors according to the scriptures, 5555. yeares, six months and ten dayes. The antiquity of england first called Brutaine. BRute entred this island, being the son of silvius the son of Ascanius the son of Aeneas, after the death of his father, a gentle by lineage, and arrived at a place now called Totnes in devonshire the year of the world. 2855. of continuance 2689. the year before Christs nativity. 1108. there he first began to settle himself and his army, until he had subdued diverse mighty people, tal and strong, termed giants, then as King he name this Ile britain, or as some hath written Brutaine, whose race continued in kingly government, until the time of Ferrex and Porrex two brethren, through whose discord and bloody conspiracy the lineage of Brute was extinguished, when this realm, by the space of 616. yeres had been governed: then from the time of Mulmucius Dunwallo the son of Cloten Duke of Cornewale, who was the first King that in this Ile ware a Crown of gold, until Cassibelan that was subdued by the force of Iulius Caesar, fifty year before the birth of Christ, after which victory the Brytaines became tributaries unto the Romaines, and they as conquerors, held the government, until the time of Vortiger King over the Brytaines, which was the year after Christes incarnation 447. shortly after which season, the Brytaines, beside their servitude under the Romaines, were marvelously vexed with the Scots, picts and Danes, nations that both robbed them of their goods, and slew their people, notwithstanding al these grievous plagues, by the means of a time of quietness, that happened in the time of Arthur king over the Brytaines and other whose valiant government many yeares since hath been slenderly esteemed, the said Brytaines became exercisers of lewd lust, ryotting and idleness, which was the cause of their confusion, for God sent such a plague and morrain, as well among beasts, as men, that the living were not sufficient to bury the deade. And through the help of Scottes and picts, the Saxons subdued the Brytaines, in which great dissension, the Danes became a plague unto the saxons: then was discord in every shire, and no man sure what to possess until the time of Edwyne the first Christian king of Northumberland: in whose time there was no general peace, but that the former rage waxed somewhat calmer, and so a lesser violence continued until William Duke of Normandy subdued the whole land, by a general conquest, which was about the year of our lord God. 1066. the fourth day of October being saturday, in the which said year was seen a blazing star, the sequel being considered, these Verses following make relation. A thousand six and sixty year it was, as we do read, When that a Comet did appear and English men lay deade. Of normandy Duke William then to England ward did sail. And conquerde Herolde with his men, and brought this land to bale. The Saxons by the help of Vortiger entred this land, about the year of our Lord 450. and there continued against the Brytaines and Danes, the space of 600. yeares. this last government hath continued without conquest of any other nation from Anno. 1066. until this present year of our lord God .1581. the space of 515. yeares, God grant us happy continuance, with such care to avoyde those offences, for the which God gave over former governments, that we in eschewing their lewd livings, may be evermore defended, not only from the servile sword by conquest, but also and most specially from everlasting captivity. CONSERVA ME DOMINE Ps. 15. blazon or coat of arms Man. Earth. North Elohim. Fire. East. Blessed is the man that maketh the lord his trust and regardeth not the proud, nor such as turn a side to lies. Before the mountaines were made, and before thou hadst formed the Earth and the world even from everlasting thou art. יהוה Psal. 10. 1 WE praise thee O God, we knowledge thee to be thee Lord, 2 Al the earth doth worship thee, the Father everlasting, 3 To thee al Angels cry aloude, the heauens and al the powers therein, 4 To thee Cherubin and Saraphin, continually do cry, 5 Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of sabbath, 6 heaven and Earth are full of the majesty of thy glory, 7 The glorious company of the Apostles praise thee, 8 The goodly fellowship of the Prophets praise thee, The first eight praysings comprehend Creation, in Eden, East. 9 The noble army of Martyres praise thee, 10 The holy Church throughout al the World doth knowledge thee, 11 The father of an infinite majesty, 12 Thy honourable true and only son, 13 Also the holy ghost, the comforter, 14 Thou art the king of glory O Christ, 15 Thou art the everlasting son of the Father, 16 When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man thou didst not abhor the Virgins womb, The second eight comprehend Redemption, Christ suffered his passion at jerusalem, from Eden, Southweast. 1 Gods prescience is in forknowing. 2 His providence in governing. 3 His wisdom in directing. 4 His omnipotency in creating. 5 And his word is the original cause of all. 6 His spirit consisteth in beatifying. 7 His mercy in electing. 8 His iustice in rejecting. 9 His love in reconciling. 17 When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death, 18 Thou didst open the kingdom of heaven to all believers, 19 Thou sittest on the right hand of God, in the glory of the Father, 20 We believe that thou shalt come to be our judge, 21 We therefore pray thee help thy servants, whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood, 22 Make them to be numbered with thy Saints in glory everlasting, 23 O Lord save thy people, and bless thine heritage, 24 govern them and lift them up for ever, These third eight comprehend sanctification, by the spirit is the Church made holy, yet tossed in the sea of persecution, through the vehement blast of violent Errors. 25 Day by day we magnify thee, 26 And we worship thy name ever world without end, 27 Vouchsafe O lord to keep us this day without sin, 28 O Lord haue mercy vpon us, haue mercy vpon us, 29 O Lord let thy mercy lighten vpon us, 30 As our trust is in thee, 31 O Lord in thee haue I trusted, 32 Let me never be confounded. These last eight, the hope of Resurrection, the Communion of Saincts, the forgiveness of sins, the bodies rising unto life everlasting. Spirit. Water. West. Idsus. air. South. Ps. 10. O Lord my God thou hast made thy wonderful works so many that none can count in order to thee thy thoughts towards vs. I would declare and speak of them, but they are more than I am able to express. This last figure of the four Elements representeth the wonderful operation of mans creation, the love of the faithful, their patient sufferance,& the worlds violence. Through diligence look, then be thou sure to find the 32. poyntes, the compass of the wind. The 32. yeares of Iesus manhood sure, and last year when by death, us favour did procure. The four winds, Elements, Complexions, and Seasons, comprehended they are by divine reasons: Forth of this holy song: I haue gathered al this store, to wit, what ever hath been written long before. With Ambrose and Augustine let us learn likewise, continually to praise our God above the skies. Imagine that thou seest, the thing is not in sight, faith shal teach thee then to understand aright. What ever here thou find, give God the praise not me, his only grace it is, that bestoweth this on thee. Exod. 22. Psal. 117. {αβγδ} Me coram alienus, Deus tibi erit Non. Lo ihie lecha Elohim aherim, aal Panai. Hallelu eth Iehouah col goijm, shabbe chuhu col haumim. Ci gauar alienu chasdo veemeth Iehouah leolam halleluah. Rom. 15.21. All nations praise ye the lord, all ye people praise him, for his loving kindness is great toward us, and the truth of the lord endureth for ever, praise the Lord. Elements. Hot and dry the read and yellow hue, Hot and moist the Azured blew. could and moist the white and green, could and dry of earth we deem. Sad colours do proceed. Mixtures. Of earth such substance bodies haue, A show in light, very brave: The rest are airy, this is sure, And yet their colours very pure. do beautify in deed. Motions. As spirit and soul doth strive in man, All vicious facts detest thou than: Least earthy mould be turned to sin, By Airy mind that lets it in. Where virtue beareth sway, Or else thou must decay. Complexions. Which feedeth choler fierce of mind, Sanguine hot and moist by kind: Flegmatike with weakened face, Brings Melancholy forth a place. And what of this let us conclude, By death in grave, al earth doth shroud. Plato. {αβγδ}. i. Solius Dei honos est, esse quadratum, id est perfectum, The honor of God alone, is to be four cornered, that is to say perfect. ¶ The doom, warning to the Iudgement. WHen the most mighty and blessed God, Creator of all things, had finished the universal form and substance of the whole world in most ample and perfect manner, even then presently the subtle Serpent and enemy to mankind, as also of mans salvation, 1 The year of the world before Christ. spake in the pleasant place of Paradise unto Eua, not in a word or two, but used with hir both sly and forcible persuasions,& wanting no artificial inducing, neither left he off after such speech used with hir, but so diversly questioned, that in the end, she doubting of the Commandement of God, was deceived, as more plainly appeareth in the .3. Chapter of Genesis, whereupon God presently took reuenge, and punished this disobedience, in taking away from Adam that shape and resemblance of God, wherewith before he was endued: thereby all mankindes posterity was infected, even with the corruption of sin, and made subject to death and other punishments for sin. cain and Abell were the sons of Adam& eve, the first born of mankind: when either of them of their proper store had brought a sacrifice unto God, the giver of all good things, cain arose against Abell his brother and slew him, because Caines offering was evil, and his brothers good: and therefore being refused of God, became as a Vacabond vpon the earth, the fire of the lord consumed the sacrifice of Abell, a token of his good will and favour, &c. read more concerning these two brethren in the .4. Chapter of Genesis. And it happened that when they were in the field, cain arose against Abell his brother and slew him: then the lord said unto cain, where is Abell thy brother? he said I cannot tell, am I my brothers keeper? and God said, what hast thou done? The voice of thy brothers blood crieth unto me, out of the earth, &c. God visited the iniquity of the people, and overwhelmed the whole world with a flood. After it had reigned full forty dayes continually on the earth with great violence, wherein Noe only was saved, with his wife and children eight souls: also by the mighty ordinance of God, there were preserved in the ark of all kind of living and clean beasts, seven and seven, the Male and the Female, and of unclean beasts a couple or pair, and all manner of fowls that had feathers, and of all creping worms upon the Earth. Beginning in April and ending in September 21. weekes and .3. dayes .5. months and 10. dayes. These went all unto Noah in the ark, by couples, of all flesh in whom was the breath of life, and the lord shut the ark door, then came the flood of waters forty dayes upon the earth, and the water increased, and bare up the ark and prevailed fyftéene cubits high over the Mountaines: thus was destroyed all that ever was upon the Earth. And the waters prevailed upon the Earth an hundred and fifty dayes. After the flood was ceased, when God had restored to Noah and his three sons, Sem, Cham,& japhet, the earth again, and had given them power over all things which the Earth brought forth, he placed in heaven with the clouds in open sight a celestial bow, beset every where with diverse and sundry colours, that all ages might view and behold the same, as a perpetual sign and remembrance of his covenant made with Noah and all posterities after him, and as an assured testimony, that the world after that should never be punished with the like plague of water again. The Philosophers called the rainbow Iris, of the greek onely, none otherwise than for variety of name. In those begun dayes of this world lived Ianus, who first after the general flood taught the people the letters, and the course or order of the stars, with other diverse Artes: he planted Vines, and divided the year according to the moving of the sun: he is said to haue appoynted the twelve months, and the course of the moon. Ianus, some suppose to be Saturne, some to be japhet one of the sons of Noah. And where as he is formed with two faces, it is but an invention, by the which is signified government and Labour. Ianus is said to haue been King of italy, now called Italians, a politic and subtle people, their head city is Rome built long after by Romulus. Here I thought good to make mention of a man deformed, about this time living in italy of great famed, who in respect of his mind, was surely a man, but his body bewrayed him to be most monstrous and deformed, for he bare the shape of a man from the girdle upward, but downward he resembled a horse: It is written that he lived one hundred and twenty years, and that he revived and lived, after that he had thrice yielded to death, as Aelianus reporteth in his ninth book& .16. Chap. De varia Hist. and Volateranus in his .17. book Antropologiae, of the discourse of men. Nimbrot called also Nimrod& Nemrod, which signifieth a rebellious person, a cruel oppressor or tyrant: after he came into the land called Sinhar and there determined to build a city, he laid the foundation of an exceeding great and huge Tower, like to the height and bigness of hills for a token and memorial that the people of Babylon were the first people in the whole world, and the kingdom( then) of all kingdoms, as Berosus in his fourth book maketh mention. But God who overthroweth pride and ambition, destroyed this Tower, by division of diverse languages and speeches, whereof it is called babel, because there was confounded the blot or stain of the whole world, and after dispersed the builders thereof into all coasts of the Earth. Genesis. 10.11. The text, Chap. xi. THen the whole earth was of one language and speech, In the year 130. after the flood. and as they went from the East, they found a place in the land of Shinar,& there they abode. And they said one to an other, Come let us make brick& burn it in the fire. So they had brick for ston, and slime had they in stead of mortar. Also they said, go to, let us build us a city& a tower, whose top may reach unto the heaven, that we may get us a name, The confusion of tongues was a grievous plague of God, against pride& vain glory. least we be scattered vpon the whole earth. But the Lord came down, to see the city& tower, which the sons of men builded. And the Lord said, behold the people is one,& they al haue one language,& this they begin to do, neither can they now be stopped from whatsoever they haue imagined to do: Come on let us go down,& there confounded their language, that every one perceive not an others speech. So the lord scattered them from thence vpon all the earth, and they left off to build the city. Therfore the name of it was called babel, because the lord did there confound the language of all the earth: from thence then did the lord scatter them vpon all the earth. babylon a noble city being set and placed by the river Euphrates, once head of al Caldea or Caldie, of the which great Mesopotamia, and part of Assiria was called babylon, as Plinie writeth: Strabo writeth the city to be builded by Semiramis who did re-edify it, but Nembroth the giant did first begin the work, In breadth .25. yards in height 150. yards after our cubit that containeth half a yard .8. furlongs is an Italian mile which is 1000. place, in a fertile and fruitful soil. The walls of the city were .50. Cubits in breadth,& in height .300. Cubits: the compass of the walls .480. furlongs, the river Euphrates running through the midst of it, being beautified with an .100. gates of brass, many years sithence subject to heathen infidels. It appeareth that unsatiable desire bringeth all to confusion: wherefore old examples are profitable. Saint Augustine in his book of the city of God, and the .8. Chapter saith, that after the destruction of this building of babylon, and confusion of tongues, the most mighty& excellent God brought forth sundry monsters of men, in diuers forms and shapes, whereupon there are reported in Africa to be found, C●●nammij ●og heard kee●●●. Cynnamin●, whom the barbarous people dwelling nearest, do call wild men, or forest raungers among the woods. These haue very great beards, and for safety of their life they bring up and nourish great store of wild Dogges, because that from the beginning of summer until the Winter he half spent, there used to come forth of India such an infinite number of bulls, and wild kine, and others, into their country( the cause whereof is uncertain) whether it be that they fly from other wild beasts pursuing them, or for want of pasture or other forage, or otherwise compelled by impulsion of some secret natural forcible cause, considering that nature is the mother of all miracles and strange events: but these wild men, not being able with their own strength to withstand the wild beasts, they defend themselves with their Dogges, and kill many of them, which they take and eat, some of them while they are yet fresh, and some other they salt, whereon they feed as they need: many other kind of beasts they also eat, with the which they feed their dogges. Spermathophagi, a people that live by fruit and buds of trees in the Spring and summer season, and also by gathering of the like fruit for their preservation they live in the barren season: a senseless people, apt to small service. Hophagi a slyght or slender made people: they resort with their wives and children to fields and woods, where they go up into the trees,& break off the weakest tops of the smallest branches, being so apt and expert by continual practise in climbing of trees, as that( which might seem incredible) they can and do use to leap like Squirrelles, out of one three into an other, and climb the very weakest top springs without danger, by reason of their smallness and lightness: and if their feet chance to slide at any time, they catch hold of the boughs presently with their hands, saving themselves at pleasure from any danger, if it happen them to fall to the ground: thus biting the weakest branches they fill their bellies: these go always naked: their wives and children bee common among them: they fight together for room and places: their weapons were little bats, which they use in fight, ruling over such as they happily overcome: they are for the most parte famished to death, by reason that their sight is weak, which being blind, they shortly after perish and consume to earth. Androginae a people of Africke, People of both kinds membred. which haue in them the office of both natures, as well Male as Female, one of their breasts are like the breast of a man, and the other breast like to a womans, they inhabit vpon the borders of Nasomana, we call them Hermafroditae, that is, people of both kindes. Ichthyophagi people toward the South, they haue the shape of men, Fish eaters. but their living differeth not from the manner of wild beasts: they are a barbarous people under the cost of Troglodita,( dwellers in caues and hollow rocks) in the gulf of Arabia. These fish eaters go all naked, their wives& children be common among them like beasts, regarding neither pleasure nor pain, but such only as is natural: their labour is altogether fishing, an outcast people far from inhabited land: they esteem not things that are moist: they eat their fish half raw, not in respect of quenching their thirst, but of mere sauagenesse, holding themselves contented with that condition of life. They account their chief felicity to want such things as otherwise might in the having of them be more hurtful: they are marvelous patient, in so much as if they see a sword drawn and be strike therewith, they will not give back from stroke& injuries, steadfastly beholding him the harmeth them, without any token at al of anger: they are dumb and cannot speak: al that they do is by signs with their hands, what they want or would haue. Pandorae, these do live, 200. yeares, People endued with long life. and in their youth they haue white hairs, and in their age their hair turneth to a very blackness. moreover a kind of people thece are called Fati or Effationantium which if they happen to commend any thing, or praising the trees to be fairer, or their corn to be full, their infants and young children to be beautiful, their horses courageous, their beasts well fed, A bewitching people. howsoever( presently they die) all which things are not endamaged by any other cause whatsoever: some men writ that in their eyes remaineth also a dangerous and deadly foreloking, bewitching, or overlooking, so the on whom soever they fix their eye, dieth forthwith. It is said also in Illirijs are people that in their anger do look so stearnely on their aduersaries, that with the sight onely they kill them whom they behold, as well men as women, they are said to haue a double sight in their eyes, which who so hath, are said to be an unlucky people. In the country of Ethiopia, there are certain people called Cyneci, they are but few in number, they differ from the rest in their maner of living, so, A doggish or brutish people. they inhabit the woodie places, and groves of the Earth, such as are altogether vnfruteful, having very little store of water: they themselves sleep in the top of trees, for fear of the wild beasts: early in the Morning they go together armed, to such places as the waters haue most recourse, near thereunto hiding themselves among the trees, that when the wild bulls and other beasts, being compelled by extreme heat of the sun,& thereby forced through extreme dryness to come to the Riuers for water, their bellies being laden by immoderate drinking, they may the better come down from the trees, and with weapons of wood which they use to burn and season in the fire, the ends hardened, do pursue the said beasts: othersome of these wild men cast stones and darts, by the which they stay many beasts: and thus having destroyed many, they divide them equally among them, of the which they feed: notwithstanding many of these wild men are slain by such persute( or desperate hunting.) They are very nimble and light of body, swift in running, and of short life, insomuch that the longest liver seeth not above 40. yeares: Their end is not only miserable, but also incredible( as of many is reported) for as they grow in age, there breedeth in their bodies lice having wings, not onely of diverse kindes, but of deformed shape, horrible and loathsome, which first eat out their belly, then their breasts,& so in short time consume the whole body: He that is sick of this disease, at the first he feeleth a certain itch, as it were of a scurf, which maketh him to scratch his body, so that betwixt itching& smarting, at the length the lice having eaten through the flesh, a soul& filthy rotten matter ensueth,& through the bitterness of the disease,& extreme pain therof, with great anguish and woe teareth the flesh of his body with his own nails, after the which there issueth abundance of scrauling worms, as if they were powred forth of some vessel, in such multitude the they can not be destroyed: after this sort they end their wretched life: whether the cause be in the corruption of their meate, or distemperaunce of the air, is not certainly known. Nigritae are al black, yet of a reasonable proportion, these haue their neather lip hanging down as long as their breast, Black Monsters. which is of colour reddish: the inside therof is very soare, as if it were hurt, in so much, as the blood oftentimes is seen: their vpperlippe is of usual bigness as others are, notwithstanding their teeth are always seen, for they are very great, and the two former teeth stricke out further than any of the rest: they themselves suppose the the partching heat doth scorch their lips, wherefore they use to lay saulte on them, by the which they find some ease for a time. Aethiopes, a people in the west part of Aethiopia: also there are of those black men, that haue four eyes: and it is said that in Eripta be found very comely bodied men, notwithstanding they are long necked, and mouthed as a Crane, the other part of the head like a man: also sundry strange and deformed men and women there are, which we omit( because of the faithless credite among men.) In Scithia, a Country of Asia are men called Hippopodes, Hippopodes horse footed. 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, Arimaspi. whereof they be so called, or whereof they took their name, because Arima in the Scithia tongue signifieth one,& the word Spu an eye, we commonly call thē cyclopss( one eyed:) their only meat is flesh of wild beasts, wherefore some call thē Agriophagitae, that is, eaters of wild beasts& fruits that grow of themselves without planting. Gellius in his 9. book and 4. Chapter. Neuri, Neuri. a people whose names and customs are not unlike the Scythians, who assuredly persuade themselves, swearing that yearly for certain days they are turned into Woules, and returning into their former shape become into their own likeness again. Anthropophagi, Anthropophagi. a people that do eat mans flesh, they bring and keep in subiection those which they account the wild among them: they haue no laws, neither is there any judge among them, but live at their own pleasure,& according as their nature leadeth thē: from these men eaters, may be supposed to proceed those wild people, whereof some remain in the north-east parts,& the other in the Southeast parts,& south-west parts of the world, of some termed cannibals, Samoyes or Samoeiden, of the eating of was flesh. I haue thought good to set down a brief rehearsal of these barbarous and wild men, what they do with those people that they in fight overcome, who being taken, are lead into their lodging, for five dayes well entreated after their manner, that is, a woman shal minister to him meate, and if he will, to use hir otherwise, whereby they suppose venerial company:& of their best meats he will become the sooner fat, to be killed as an ox,& so eaten: at the day appointed to this bloody bancket he is brought forth, and after many ceremonies slain, then cut in pieces, his head set on a powle, as a token of victory,& the guts and inward parts eaten of their women being half broiled: the people are al naked,& do most fiithily keep company without regard of any parentage or kindred, saving that some of these kind wear feathers fastened together like short aprons about their midles, and about their heads, as ye may red at large in the antarctic by Andrew thevet. 1558. Cap. 40. Arimphei Arimphaei. a people that dwell under the roots of great trees or hollow hills: they are born bald without any hair, as well men as women, flat nosed, great and long chinnes, their voice or sound is like one tuned note of a Pipe: their apparel is after the maner of the scythians: Pedibus inuersis populi wrylegge●. they eat the fruits of trees only. Ammianus Marcellinus commendeth greatly their iustice and civil manners. Those that dwell in the North partes of Scithia are a people of miraculous swiftness, and yet their feet stand not as ours, but contrary: Gel. in his 9. book and 4. Chap. Also there are certain men which haue no heads, but their eyes, nose, and mouth, are fixed in their breasts, so that their belly is close under the chin, supposed of those people that haunt the seas to be Polantines, who in times past calling Mariners by their names, did in the night season devour them that came a shore. Scipodes and Monomeri, are people having but one foot, without bending their knèe at any time, Scipodes and Cathani. and yet very swift. Plinie reporteth that in the great heat of the year, they lie vpon their backs and with the bigness of their foot they shadow their bodies from the Sun. Cathaini are a kind of people of Scithia, between Gedrosa and the river Indus: they say that no man living but themselves, haue the use or sight in both their eyes, but that all other mortal men are clean void of sight, or else that they see but with one eye, and the other to be blind: they are of colour very white, their eyes are small and little, they are by nature without hair on their faces, their religion is nothing but mere superstition: they worship the Sun and moon, and other fonde creatures, and some of them worship an ox. Satyri Satiri. are four footed beasts, very damgerous, abiding under the Mountaines, from the Esterly winds with the Indeas, formed like unto men, saving that their nether parts are like Goates, rough and hairy over their body, void of all humanity: their chief delight is to be in the solitarye woods, far from the company of men, whom they fly from. Men in the old time honoured such like Monsters as gods of the woods, as were Fauni, Siltani, and Panae: these were thought to rule the fields, groves and woods. The Poets make little difference of thē, using thē one in signification. Of these satires, spake Saint jerome, I saw saith he a little dwarf, with a great crooked nose, and horns growing on his forehead, which was stern or fierce countenaunced to behold, his legs and feet were like the feet of Goates, whom when Saint anthony saw, he crossed and blessed himself; and demanded of him what he was, which answered, I am a living creature, one of those which haunt the woods and groves, whom the Gentiles being blinded, deluded with a vain and foolish error, termed satires. Cinomolgi Cinomolgi. a people that are headed like dogges, whose voices are as the barking of hounds, by the which they do bewray themselves, and in their natures and conditions appear the same that they resemble, Anthapathitae, Anthapathitae. are a people that go vpon their hands and feet, as beasts, having no certain abiding in any one place, but as brute beasts seek their food where they may find it. Pygmae● Pigmaei a people so called for their shortness of stature, said to be a cubit high, they live not past eight yeares, they haue many battels with Cranes, of whom they are often overcome,& sometime eaten up of the Cranes: their wives do bring forth children at five yeares old, and at eight yeares they are past child bearing, by reason of their age: Plinie saith they remain among the Mountaines in India, but according to Strabo they border vpon Africke. In India there is a country drawing towards the East called Pygmea, placed among Mountaines towards the sea, where the Pygmaeis inhabit, the which in stead of horses use rams and Goates, and fight against the Cranes, break their eggs, and tear their nests, fearing least they should multiply or increase. These kind of dwarves of the mountains exceed not in height two foot and four fingers: albeit that many will suppose this to be fabulous, know ye that I regard not fables, but to express a truth, and which doth cause me also to affirm this matter, is, that during the time that I was at Cair, I saw five marvelous little, which went through the city to traffic in Merchaundice, marching faire and foftly, and with a great gravity, and were conducted by two Ianissaries: they were clothed after the fashion of their country: all the people assembled in heaps through the streets to behold them, unraveling to see them so modest and gentle &c. their chief Merchandise is Coral that they buy to deck their wives and children, as also their houses, because these said Pigmaeis are monthly ●roubled with much bleeding: author Andrew thevet, second book, Chap. 40. Astomij are a kind of people without a mouth, Astomij a mouthlesse people. al hairy over their body, and as it were feathered like birds: they live only by wholesome smells, and savours of sweet fruits, which they receive at their nostrils, for they haue not any kind of inward feeding of meate and drink, but only their sustentation is, the smells of fruits, which they bear with them, when they travail far, least their smelling should decay. A little vnsauerie or noisome air doth soon overcome them that they die. Apothami Apothami. are strange creatures abiding in the waters their vpperpart 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, Coromandae. a people without tongues, and yet with their voice, make a dreadful noise, their bodies all hairy, grey eyed like the colour of ice, toothed as dogges. Fanesij Fanesij. be said to be in the North Ocean, their ears are so great, that they use to cover their bodies al over with them. Hymantopodes, Hymantopodes. a kind of people, whose nature is as Adders and Snakes sliding on their bellies. Selenetidae, Selenetidae. a kind of women, who contrary to al other natures of women, do bring forth eggs, out of the which are hatch, creatures of the same kind, fiftéenetimes bigger than us in proportion, as Rauisius Textor of Niuerna reporteth out of Herodotus. towards the innermost parte of the east, there are men without noses, their faces being plain and even, their bodies of an even proportion, some haue their mouths almost closed together, so that they haue no vpper lip, some haue their mouths almost closed in such sort that they are constrained to use a small quill, through the which they draw in that moisture, by the which they are nourished: moreover in the acts of Alexander the great King of Macedonia, we read that in India, were found men which had six heads, and that those never felt any infirmity in their bodies, until the time of death: also of others always naked, hairy, and abiding continually in water: of others that had six fingers on a hand, and six toes on each foot: Of all these writ diverse, as Calliphanes, Higinus Vicensis, Aristeas Proconetius, Memphodorus, Aristotle, Armenius, Herodotus, Plinius, Aulus Gellius, D. Aurelius Augustinus, and some of the latter writers, as johannes Boe●●●s in his books of the customs and manners of diverse Countreys. In Stiria and Vualetia Vualetia. a part of Heluetia there are men grievously vexed with a kind of swelling under their chinnes, like to impostumes in their throats, that they can hardly speak, the weight of the filthy matter so impostumate yieldeth such an vnsauerie smell, that those women which haue children carry them at their backs, for infecting them with so soul a savour: Munster in his book of cosmography. These people are said to come by this grievous swelling by drinking of the snow water that falleth of the mountaines. Here may we also speak of the people Lucumoria, dwelling among the hills, beyond the flood Olbis: these men die every year the 27. of november, which day at Rutheas was dedicated to Saint gregory and in the next spring following, most commonly at the four and twentieth day of april, they rise again like frogs. Or rather the corrupt Earth engendereth frogs whom the foolish people suppose to be transformed,( for that he reciteth not that being frogs, they do after become into their first shape) which we may read also in Sigismonde, baron of Heberstein and Neuperg, in his Commentaries of the affairs of Moscouia. Of four footed beasts. IN like manner almighty God most singular in the framing of all things with beautiful shapes, in compounding and joining sundry partes together agreeable in their kind, among the rest hath made and created extraordinary creatures, as well in the earth, as in the Sea, not determining so much to declare his omnipotency and power, as willing thereby to correct and punish sin, for the amendment of those his Creatures, who having perfect bodies, are nevertheless more deformed than those disingenuity weues which they daily see, among the which kindes are expressed the beasts of the Earth. Bisontes or Danae, bufels, Buffelles. of some called Hartes or dear, much bigger than Oxen, strong& swift, they hau● long ears, horned wide and long as those large Oxen haue that are used to the plough: they haue long beards like unto Goates: and when they are tangled with any snare, or wounded by stroke, so that the blood appears, forthwith they covet to pursue those that do assault and strike them, with such deadly violence that many perish thereby: also in their rage or madness, they run against the trees with so great force, that they break both neck and hart. Of their hides are made the best buff. There are also a kind of Buffels of less proportion, that are used to the yoke, as other cattle are. Stags of India are not much unlike read dear, bigger in body& legs, shag haired before, and also on the hinder parts, resembling a double shape, part of a goat and part of a Stag. Alces Alces. a kind of beasts greater than Stags, being of the colour of grains, with long& harsh hair, their proportion very deformed: some call thē horse Hartes, because they seem of both kindes, broad and great horned with hard and strong branches, as appeareth in the figure: John Harckil. joannes Leporicida. This strange beast is reported to haue been bread in England, of a marvelous fierceness, that whereon he fastened, there was no withdrawing from the pray, whom I may best term a bear dog, foreshowing both shapes which commonly come to pass, heat being kindled twixt contrary kinds. Cerberus of the Stable of Gereon, and Caparus of the Temple Aesculapius, the one would fight against those that his master fought, as a special aid of speedy deliverance, of which kind are many dogges: the other would not let the thief go, that robbed the temple: the like do others also, that by no means will be driven from the plowmans Bottle, or the Hedgers coat, such secret affiance to their maisters is proved, that being beasts in nature, far exceed those that become beasts through lewd demeanour. secrets of Nature Chapter 29. E. Fenton. The Elephant is a beast of great bigness, yet easy to be brought under government, as it appeareth by sundry discourses where as they haue been fortified with engines on their backs, whereon men as in castles were made the more able to encounter the enemy, as reporteth Plinie. Odonta a beast greater than the Elephant, he hath three horns crompled on his head, a head like unto a horse, his colour black: Licosthenes. Rhinoceros a fierce beast enemy to the Elephaunte, whose bigness is also greater, his colour like box, the whole body covered with scales or shells, his legs short, on his nose a kind of straight horn, which is his chief defence. A Camel hath two tuffes on his back, and on his breast, whereon he stayeth himself, when he knéeleth down, he hath four teats, his tail like an ass, his privy members declining backward, all his legs haue their joints, and his feet are cloven. Camelopardus Camelopardus so called, because he resembleth the Camel& libbard. The Ethiopians call it Nabis, a beast having his neck like a horse, his feet like an ox, and his head like a camel, be spotted read, one from another, the Romaines had this beast in great admiration after they saw it first at the plays which were kept at the place in Rome called Cyrcus, where they often beheld the fight of sundry beasts. Pauion Pauion. otherwise Babion, a disingenuity beast in the desartes of India, not altogether so great as an Elephant, whose sight he can abide, although he can not away with other beasts: his chief delight is in apples and other fruit of trees: a very lecherous beast, at the sight of a woman stirred to lust: he hath over his body great abundance of hair, his head is very fearful to behold, having little ears, and a short tail ever turning up, somewhat like the tail of a fox: his feet are like the hands of men, but not answerable to the height of his body: there was one of these beasts brought into germany, in the year of our Lord God 1551. by certain Indians who traveling the Country got much money,( as also in Sweuia.) for the only sight of this Monster, which was after drawn and graven by a skilful Painter of Ausbourgh a city in germany. Panther Panther. which is also called Pardalus, is a beast differing somewhat from the Male Panther, by reason of hir swiftness: she is also spotted, Plinie. As it is said Aristotle wrote, the when this beast is sick, he seeketh mans dung, by eating of the which he is recovered, as also by the same bait taken. This beast is lecherous and taketh kind of the Lion. The tiger, tigris. plenty of which there are in India and Hyrcania: A beast of a fearful swiftness as said Plinie and other writers, namely, Augustinus Aurelius, and Strabo, of late conrad Gesner. Cercopitheci, Cercopithaeci. or tailed Apes, of which one was of a very strange shape, bearing the greatness and form of a man in his limbs& priuityes, in face a wild man, because he was clean covered with hair: no creature can abide longer to stand than he,( man onely excepted:) he loveth Children and women, none otherwise than men of his country. And goeth about when he hath escaped their snares and fetters, to haue to do with them openly, yet is he a wild beast, but of such great industry, that thou wouldest say, some men are not so wise as he. They call those beasts Cephi, Cephi. whos former parte resembleth the fox, and the hinder the Ape, saving their feet are like a man, eared like an owl: and within their belly, they haue another belly like to a swelling when, wherein their whelps lye hidden, until of their own accord they may come forth,& get their food, without the help of their dam, neither do they ever come forth of the bag, but when they take pleasure to suck, of which beast haue written, Aristotle, Philoponus, Aelianus, Plinie, Solinus, Albertus Magnus, and of the new writers Conradus Gesner, &c. Sui, ●●i. a strange beast in the south-west Indians, no less fierce then deformed, not far from the river perfit, so called of the spaniards, who found therein much silver in the year of our Lord. 1534. This beast for the most part remaineth in the waters, and floods, very ravenous, and of a strange manner: besides this, if he or she be pursued of the people in the country, which is for their skin, she taketh hir young ones on hir back,& covering them with hir tail, that is thick& long, saveth herself with running, till by chance she fall into some pit made by the hunters, she seeing herself thus taken, in hir rage killeth hir young ones& maketh such a fearful noise, that the pursuers become very fearful, notwithstanding they are slain: Andrew thevet in his book of the Newfound world and 56. Chapter. Of creping things. BAsiliscus, Basiliscus. or cockatrice, among the crée●ing Creatures, a pestilent Serpent, which chiefly abiding in the deserts of Africke, hath a white spot on his ●eade, as it were a diadem, his head ●s very copped, his mouth il favoured, and his eyes& colour blackish: he is not above a span long, yet his venom is so sharp, that with his breath only, he strangleth any great Serpent: if one do but touch him with a staff he death immediately. Neither doth he wind his body, Plinie, Lucan l●b. 9.& o●●ers. as other Serpents do, but goeth strait and upright in the midst: he maketh trees& herbs to die, and breaketh stones, by the violent force of his poison. Salamander Salamander. somewhat like a Neute or Lizarde, but much bigger, séeldome seen, but in rainy& moist weather: of such a could operation, that he putteth out fire as soon as shée toucheth it, as ice: he may kill men unawares, for if he creep about a tree he infecteth all the fruit with poison,& those which eat thereof he killeth, by a could operation, differing nothing from the poison Aconitum: moreover if he touch a piece of wood, or a crust of bread with his foot,& thereupon be boiled, it is as venomous as if it fel into a well: they take away his venom which eat him. Praester, is a most pestilent Serpent, whose biting maketh men presently mad, and not able to move, it taketh away the hair, so that it falleth off their heads suddenly, the bodies so bytten or stung, fall into an ytch and lask, whereof they die: Lucan in his .9. book, above al other describeth this Serpent. Seps, a little Serpent, and yet by his stinging groweth a sore that doth rot and putrifie the body so suddenly, that in a short season the body dieth: 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 young child in the belly of it, in the time of Claudius Caesar was one such slain. There be also diverse other Serpents, of mighty bigness, and with many heads: also there are Dragons, for the most part in India and Egypt: diverse Authors make mention of them, as Plinie, Aetius Medicus, Nicander, Paulus divinus, and those which writ of the acts of Alexander the great. Of things living in the water. ORca, a fish of a marvelous greatness, an enemy to the fishes called Baleniae, of some termed whirlpools: Plinie reporteth that this Orca is of force to overwhelm a ship, and that a ship boat or small vessel hath been drowned in his eye. In the Emperour Claudius dayes one of these were slain. Alcete, a huge kind of Whale fish near to Iseland, which overthroweth ships: at the sound of a Trumpet, or other loud instrument, he leaveth the ship, as also sometime playing with empty cask, which the Mariners having thrown over board and the mean space they sail away. Physeteres, of these fishes Solinus after Plinie hath written, one of them heaving herself above water will drown a tall ship, by casting forth of hir forehead abundance of water: this kind of Whale gathereth the water in by hir gylles, and then closing the mouth, forceth out the water through a great hole which is in the midst of hir forehead, that with the vehemency thereof, the water so gathered in, mounteth a lofty height, and is thereby able in the falling down to sink a bark or small ship. Loligo, a fish that oftentimes flieth forth of the water, the head between the feet and belly: that which is taken for the blood of this fish, is black as yncke, whose further discourse is to be found in Horace. Lucerna, is a fish, whose tongue is of fiery brightness, who putting it out of his mouth, giveth light in faire nights. Hirci, a fish in the Cyrenaic and Sardon Sea, accompanying commonly with the Delphin: the male kind hath a white crossing over the forehead like a Fillet: The female kind haue on their heads a creaste or comb like to a cock. They are a ravenous kind of fish, praying on men, when they are swimming, or by fowle weather cast into the Sea: they haue a strong breath, which smell they use as an instrument to take others. They shoal after the Sea calf, before any other fish, who by casting forth their breath as a dart, suddenly destroy those fishes. Scolopendra, which Gaza doth translate a hundred feet, like a wild land beast, whosoever toucheth it, shall be presently infected with an itch, as if he were stung with Nettles: they haue been seen of an unaccustomed greatness, their head and tail appearing above the water: they swim like a small bark, whose number of l●gges seem as oars on either side, using their feet as fins: also Theophrastus in Plinie writeth, that the people of Oreti were devoured of those Scolopendra: moreover, if they swallow down a hook, they vomit forth al their bowels until they void the hook, and after sup in their bowels again. Many and strange forms of Whales there are, tusked, horned, and of ugly shapes, fiery eyed, and fearful to behold: some of such unacquainted greatness, that about the very eye is sixetéene or twenty foot compass, their head four square, with a long beard: their hinder parte nothing answerable to the greatness of the head. To know more of this red Plinie, Opianus, and other. Among these is the Crocodile with four feet, which of a little Mole-hil becometh a great mountain, for being first but an egg, he groweth to be twenty cubits long. The four cold moneths of winter he abstaineth from meate, being without a tongue, his belly, back, and tail very long, his scales hard and brown, like Distershels, fierce to those that fear him, and flying from them that hardly pursue him. In sixty dayes he bringeth forth as many eggs, which he keepeth after his kind sixty dayes: his teeth are likewise so many in number, and his age commonly sixetie moneths five yeares, he lurketh near those places where men or cattle come for water, there to devour them. The egyptians honor this fish, and haue ordained holidays in remembrance of him. If he catch any of their children, their parents haue great ioy, supposing they haue done God good service, that such food is accepted of his beast: Such senseless opinions the pagan Gentiles had, of whence proceeded many kinds of devilish superstitions Truly the people of Tentyri, when so ever they took this monstrous beast, did hang him on a tree, beating the body with cudgels, and afterward did eat the flesh: he is found in Nilus, of whence Plinie saith, the Crocodile is found that four footed evil. He layeth his eggs on the ground, remaining al the day, and all the night in the dry land, his eyes like to a swine, his teeth sticking forth as the téethe of a saw: he moveth not his neather jaw, but bringeth his vpper jaw to the nether: his claws are very strong, his skin is as a Target on his back, so strong scaled, that it can hardly be pierced: his eye sight faileth in the water, but is clear and sharp in the twilight. Hippodami, otherwise called horses of the flood, or sea horses: they haue cloven hooues as the ox, their back as the horse, with the like mane and neighing, crompled tailed, the teeth bowing like Bores tusks, diverse properties they haue, the like whereof are found in other fishes. Tritones, Syrenae, and other diuers kindes of Monsters do abide every where, as well on land as on the Sea, in great abundance: which thou shalt find sufficient, by reading Plinie in his 9. book, and in Opianus. Also of later writers, read Franciscus Massarus in his commentary vpon Plinie and others. Of Flying things. SO among monstrous, strange, marvelous, and vnluckye birds, India and the mountains Hyperborij, haue the wynged four footed Griphe, with crooked nails, black on his back, the forepart Purple like, wish white wings, an Eagles beak, fiery eyed, hard to be taken unless the young and unable to fly be stolen away: he buildeth upon high mountaines: he encountereth almost with every beast, and is most of all enemy to horses: he diggeth up gold in desert places among the Bactrians, and driveth away the near comers: he maketh him nests thereof, and to take it away, great companies of men go together to their great peril: he overcometh the Elephants and Dragons, and al beasts saving the tiger, which for his swiftness he cannot seize upon. Onocrotalus, Onocrotalus. a ravenous bird of the Sea, bigger than a swan, and not unlike in body, seldom seen but in solitary places: his head and beak not after the common order or shape of other wild foul, under the neather choule hanging down like a bag: he is a bird of pray as the Cormorant, his breast reddishe and the chowle: his meate is first by remaining in the bag half digested, after which he swalloweth down: his voice is as the neighing of an ass. You may read at large of this bird in Plinie, Albertus, Odoricus of Fruoll the country near adjoining to Venetia, Mathaeolus Senensis, Petrus Martyr, Antonius Nebricensis, Conradus Gesnerus in his third book of the history of birds. Apus, want of feet. Paradicea or Apis, a bird of the greatness of a Thrush, wonderful swift, long feathered, his wings glistering and soft, so orient, that she is not to be fully seen with the eye, for dazzling the sight: no feet, continually fliing,& resteth no where, but vpon some tree, hanging by one of hir bristles tangled to a bough, whereof she hath two long ones in stead of feet: she over flieth any ship vndersaile, be he far off, and will soare round about him. This bird is greatly valued among Princes. The Author of the nature of things writeth, that there be also other birds called the birds of paradise, not because they come from paradise, but for their excellent beauty, wherein they so excel, that they seem to want no colour. They are as big as geese, and their voice is wonderful sweet and pleasant: when they are taken, they cease not to mourn, until they be let go: they inhabit vpon the river Nilus: read Cardanus in his 10. book de Subtilitate, and Gesner in his third book of the history of birds. Phoenix, Phoenix. of the which there is but one in the whole world, said to be in Arabia, about the bigness of an Eagle, about his neck is a circled of the colour of Gold, his other parte Purple, his tail blewe, set with read feathers: his head is beautified with a tuffe of feathers: likewise about the sides of the head. Some men are of this opinion, that no man ever saw him eat meate. he is dedicated to the Sun, he liveth 660. yeres: as he waxeth old, he gathereth spices and gums together, making therof a neast: After which season, by waving himself against the Sun, kindleth a fire, in the which he being consumed, there doth forth of the same ashes, within a certain time appear an other phoenix, who in his ablenesse to fly, carrieth away the old burned neast every whit into a city of Panchaia, only dedicated to the sun. Plinie saith, that there was a Phoenix brought into the city of Rome, by the commandment of Claudius the emperor, in the 800. year of the age and building of the same city. In egypt there is a bird called a Pelican, Pelican. which, when she seeth hir young ones killed of Serpents, she pierceth hir side with hir bill, and recovereth the dead young with hir warm blood: Hierom saith, the Pelican seeing hir young birds slain of the Serpent, they move, strike, and peeke themselves on their breasts, till the blood issuing forth vpon the young be recovered: Volateranus saith, the Pelican to be the same, which Plinie calleth Plateam. Harpyae. Harpiae. are most ravening birds, faced with countenance like a maid, crooked and bending claws: the Poets fain these to be the daughters of Neptune, who is the father of monstrous things: Lib. 9. Virgil hath written of these in his Aeneidos. Gallinae lanatae There are found in a Town called Furch, towards the East, Cocks& hens, whitishe like snow, not covered with feathers, but with wool as are sheep. Odoricus of these mentioneth. Also in the city Queinfu, in the kingdom called Maugi, are found certain hens, which in stead of feathers haue hair like dogs, of black colour: whereof Paulus Venetus 268. This said picture we haue taken forth of Gesner his fourth book of birds. Clakis. In the out Iles of Scotland are brought forth a kind of geese, which the common people report to grow from trees. Hector Boetius thinketh rather these Claki or wild geese do breed forth of wood, that by long continuance are fret with many holes, wherein worms are found, of the which cometh this bird. At Lieth in Scotland, not many yeres past was a ship called the Christopher, the which lying at road three yeares( at Hebride) being brought home and hauled on shore, had all his beams& timber worm eaten: which kind were grown, some to half shape, some whole, and feathered. Also in the North Iles of Scotland there grow on the banks unto the which the Sea floweth trees which show forth a kind of fruit, by many leaves fastened together, in the which is found a worm, which coming to a certain bigness, waxeth from the husk, and if then it fall into the water, shortly ariseth forth a perfect bird. Cardanus, Munster, and others. So it is also a miracle of the calf sparrow found by Mexico, he is no greater than a Humble be, yet he hath very fine feathers, and a long slender beak: he liveth by due, honey, and the juice of flowers. In the month of October, he resting upon one foot, hangeth on a little branch until April, the places being covered, and so he remaineth as dead: when flowers come again, he reviveth, and for that cause they term him the revived sparrow. Some men peradventure will deem this to be a fable: notwithstanding, if Flies revive in ashes, Snaakes in heat, from the cold cherished, caterpillars become Butterflies, and Magots Flies, I doubt not but 〈◇〉 the sober minded will be of this opinion, that no man will set the pen to book, to the intent that all mens eyes must become viewers, to his reproach, not being lunatic or void of sense. And although there are many deformed creatures, more than is here expressed, such by kind is left in Gesner, onely of those, that for the rareness and extraordinary shape, not that they should be gazed vpon, but so conceived of, as it becometh the reformed mind secretly wondering more at sign than at shape, in which so doing thou hast rightly understood my travell for thy benefit, and good will for thy conversion. our country hath a cowardly owl, flanders: the like are in england of three sorts, the barn or house owl, whereof are two kindes, brown and short bodied, with grey feet, whitish spotted, and feathered down the feet: The thyrde, grey and longer faced, with a bend over the forehead after the maner of the new termed forehead cloth that women use to wear: this owl of some is taken for the scritche owl, whose feet be half partend, with two claws before the foot, and two béehinde, as is the parrot. Also of the flitter mouse or Bat, although she fly, yet are hir wings Serpentine: she layeth no eggs, but as the Mouse shée bringeth forth young: besides, she is careful to cherish the old, when not able to fly abroad, and ceaseth not to feed them with their great travail. May not these silly beasts be an example to diuers unthankful persons, which having been brought up of nought, sought the spoil of their maintainers, than to the former discourse of celestial and Terrestrial wonders? This strange herb is said to grow in Tartari near to Euroquilanium. The people of the country do line and face their garments with this fur. Also there was shewed unto me the copy of a strange herb, the 10. day of September, the year of our lord God 1576. by Arthur Edwardes and Daniel silvester two fellow-travelers, the one for Persia, the other for Moscoui, the herb was leaved like to the Coleworte, on the top the form of a lamb, with whose fell was made a fur. Zoroastes, the first king among the Bactrianes, who first found out the Arte magic .400. yeres before the battle of Troia in which year he was comsumed which lightning from heaven: Marcus Fritschius in his Meteoris. Sodoma, Gomorra, Adama, Seboim, and Segor, these Cities for their sins and wickedness were comsumed with fire, brimstone,& Pitch from heaven, in which place afterward a man might find green fruit and clusters of Grapes, faire to be seen, that they would cause or 'allure one to eat, but if one gathered them, they turned into ashes,& raised a smoke as though they burned, whose remembrance, beside Moses, Orosius maketh full memtion of in his first book& 36. chap. out of whose book, being of ancient antiquity, and written in Parchment skins, I haue gathered this in the library of Oschacen, because there the Chapters were far otherwise divided. Cornelius Tacitus likewise in his 21. book speaketh of Zodome and the other Cities, and Solinus after Plinie, besides many other. Sodoma, after it was destroyed with the other Cities from heaven, by that grievous fiery tempest, the wife of Lot, because she looked behind hir, contrary to the will and commandment of the angel, was turned into a pillar of Saulte, whereas hir husband and daughters were preserved from that fearful fire. Genesis Chapter. 19. Abraham, when by the commandment of God he had prepared his son Isaac to be offered for a sacrifice to the lord, and had his sword in hand ready to stay his son, was then forbidden by an angel from heaven, that he should not do it. Genesis 22. Chapter, The river Nilus by the great showers that then fell, overflowed all egypt. Functius. The Sea at Actica, Ogiges i● t●ke for Noah by th●se names following, first Noah. overflowed the whole country, whereby the circuit was greatly impoverished through loss of men, goods& cattle. Authors haue called this deluge the flood of Ogiges, because he rained king at the time. Of this Orosius maketh mention in his first book& 7. Chap. Some fond& falsely suppose this to be Noahs flood. The names of Noah: Dicer, Chaos, Ianus, Coelum, Ogiges, Olibana: Galatinus, reporteth, the wife of Noah, after ancient writers, to be called Vesta, Terra, Tithea, Barthanos, Puerphara. There fell a fire from heaven, and consumed all the sheep, cattle, and servants of job. When his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brothers house, suddenly there came a mighty great wind out of the South and smote the .4. corners of the house, which fell vpon the children and slue them. After which begun plagues, satan went forth from the Lord,& smote job with marvelous sore biles, from the top of the head, to the sole of the foot, as more at large is in the history of job. job. And although God suffered him to be cast down, that was rich in goods( who notwithstanding was richer in virtue) he had never been so happily restored, that first had .7. thousand sheep .3000. camels .500. yoke of Oxen .500. she Asses, and a very great household, so that he was one of the most principal men among all them of the East country: but after his patient sufferance God restored him his children and goods, then had he in his possession .14000. sheep .6000. camels, a thousand yoke of Oxen, and a thousand Asses: he had .vij. sons and .iij. Daughters: the name of the first Ieminah, the second Keziah, the third Kerenhappuch: Diem the day, Cassiam of the earth, Cornu stibij the horn of beauty, that is, clear as the day, for Ieminah: sweet as the Incense, for Keziah: excelling is beauty, for the third: in all the land were none found so faire, as the daughters of job. read more in the first and last Chapters of job. There was a great Earthquake in babylon, in the reign of Sparetus, the seauentéenth King of the assyrians, which did much harm among the people, as also a great terror and fear, Berosus At the Marriage of Iasius Iasius. King of italy, was present jo. of Egypt, which woman alone lived a hundred years longer than Dido, and went almost over all the world, after hir husbands death. In Thessalia was a great and mighty overflowing of water, not onely through showers, but because great abundance of earth choked the Riuers, The flood. by the fall of the water from the Mountaines. And afterward upon an Earthquake which followed, the waters that were penned in between the mountaines, having their course open, ran back again into their Channels. The ancient writers called this the flood of Deucalion, whereof Xenophon maketh mention in his Aequiuoca, Eusebius, Functius. &c. About this time there happened a great fire in Grecia, in the reign of King Phaeton after the earthquake in Thessalia. The lord God appeared to Moyses, as he was keeping sheep of jethro his Father in lawe, Priest of Madian, by his angel, on the Mount Horeb in a bush; The fiery bush. and he saw the bush burn with fire and was not consumed. Of all the residue of the miraculous works of God done by Moyses against pharaoh King of Egypt, which may be called the head wonders of the world, read in Exodus, where at large thou shalt find them effectually placed from the first Chapter of the same book unto the .14. Also of the miraculous feeding of Israell in the wilderness with Manna from heaven. And of water brought forth of the stony rock, of the miraculous battle against Amalech, The brazen Serpent. and of the manifest appearance of the lord on Mount Synai, from whence the lawe was received. read Exodus. 1●. 17. and .19. Chapters. The lord sent fiery Serpentes among the Israelites, when they murmured and rebelled against Moyses, which stung many of them to death, but those which beheld the brazen Serpent that Moyses set up( which was a prefiguration of the coming of Christ) were restored to their former health again. read Numbers, Chapter .21. Corah, Co●ath. Dathan, and Abiram, rebellyng against the lord, were by his divine ordinance swallowed up of the earth, with their Tabernacles and all their substance, and they went quick into Hell with all that they had. And the earth closed upon them, and so they perished from among the congregation, &c. moreover, the fire came out from the lord, and consumed two hundred and fifty men that offered the Incense. Numbers 17. Chapter, also of Aarons Rod that bare almond. ibide. Chap. 17. On the morrow when Moyses entered into the Tabernacle of witness, he found Aarons Rod of the house of levy flourished, and brought for the blossoms and bare almonds. And Moyses brought forth Balaam all the staues from the lord, before all the Children of Israell, that they might see it: and they took every man his staff. Hebr. 2. And the lord said unto Moyses, bring Aarons staff again before the witness, that it may be kept for a token to the children of rebellion, that their murmuring may cease from, least they die, &c. Balaam Balaam. the son of Sephor, taking his journey to curse the people of God, by the persuasion of Balaak King of Moab, was by the way reproved of his ass, which spake unto him plainly, after he had beaten hir for refusing the way, after this manner: What haue I done to thee, why smytest thou me? see this is now the third time, am not I thy beast, on the which thou waste wont to ride on, even until this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? the angel of the lord unknown to Balaam wythstoode the ass, until hir mouth was opened, by the which the Prophet was reproved for his coveting promotion, and the King for his proud presumption. read the book Numeri. 2●. Chapter. God brought the people of Israell and placed them in the wilderness, wilderness, where notwithstanding their traveling forty years, their clothes waxed not old upon them, neither shoes on their feet: they drank no wine nor strong drink, that they might know howe that it was the Lord that so miraculously preserved them: Deuteronomium. 29. Chapter. Iehosua Iehosua. in the first year that he led and ruled the people of Israel, and in the tenth day of the first month being fully determined to carry them to the land of promise, the river of jordan partend in sunder, so that the people of Israell passed clothe on dry land, the nether parte of the river fell downward unto the deade Sea, and the vpper parte grew up like a hill, &c. Iosua Chapter. 3. Hermannus Contractus and Functius in their Chronicles. Of the fall of the walls of Hierico, and the strange victory there had: of his victory over five Kings, of his victory against the assyrians, howe it reigned stones from heaven, and that the sun and moon stood still a whole dayes course, with diverse mighty victories which he by Gods ordinance obtained, read Chapter. 6.10. Iudges the fourthe book, Sabellicus in his fifte book, Eneade first, leaf. 65. Amphiaraus the Prophet, when he fought at Thebes, was swallowed up in an open quaue of the earth, with the Chariot wherein he sat. Propericus lib. 2 The destinies of Amphiaraus Amphiaraus. Chariot quail thee not: likewise in his third book, and thou Eriphila, to the end thou mightest bear the golden arms, Amphiaraus is nowhere, his horses being fallen down. ovid in his third book De Ponto maketh mention of it, and Plutark in his 29. book and .15. Chapter. &c. The year of the world. This year a certain strange thing happened, the river Nilus overflowed& drowned many places: Amenophis the son of Sestor the fourth, Laerthes of Egypt for his wickedness was stricken blind, The yeeres before Christ. the cause was, he threw a dart in mydst of the great flood, who again notwithstanding being warned by the Oracle xj. years after, to wash his eyes with a womans water that had known but one man, he washed them, and recovered his sight: Herodotus. 2. book, and Functius in his Chronicles. In the dayes of Proteus a Priest in Egypt there was a great flood, which they called Pharaos flood, flood. wherein an island name Pharos was overflowed with the waters of Egypt whereof Horace speaketh in his Odes,& Herodotus maketh mention of Protheus: Diodorus in his second book of Antiquities, as also Functius. As Dido Dido. was going to offer hir sacrifice, the wine that was in hir vessel was seen changed into black blood, to the great terror of all that beheld it: whereof Virgil speaketh thus, a fearful thing to be spoken, that the hollow liquour should ware black, and the wine to appear into filthy blood: This Dido was daughter to Belus King of Tyre, and wife to Sichaeus Hercules Priest the first founder of the city of Carthage. 70. yeeres after Rome. Although some haue written that Dido was enamoured on Aeneas, who was .300. year before the foundation of Rome, yet let Virgil sleep or find some other. In a clear and faire season as Ascanius Ascanius. the son of Aeneas fought against Mezentius there appeared on his left hand a glistering brightness shining about him, which did foreshow the victory against his enemies, as it came to pass: dionysius in his second book. Not long belong before the Peloponesian war began, there appeared a 10●●. great Comet Comet. after the sun set, and continued burning .75. dayes, soon after arose such a storm of wind, whose force breaking a piece of a hill blew the same too and fro in the air, till at the last it fell in a city of Thracia called Aegospotamos: the Citizens and people supposed it fell from heaven. Shortly after there fell sharp war in Peloponesia, which continued full .28. years,& in the end was the destruction of al Greece Toward the latter end of this war the Athenians gathered themselves together in that place of Thracia, where they were overcome by sea fight of the Lacedemonians, Lysander being their captain, and lost both their navy and Empire also of graecian land: Casper Beucerus of his Metereologe. Folio. 252. Helias the Thesbite, whilst he dwelled about the hot and partching country of Canith, which is over against jordan, was fed twice every day, of ravens flying too and fro, who brought bread and flesh, wherewith he lived, during which time, there fel no rain vpon the earth, by the space of three whole yeares and six months, 3. book of Kings, and 17. Chapter. The river called Crith, and Cherith, after sundry translations, and not Canith which seemeth to be a Country beside as Licostenes noteth {αβγδ}. Carith a digging up or trenching, called by his swiftness Torrens over against Iordā. Helias, in the sight of ahab king of Israel, and his Prophets which were, 450. reigned .22. yeares and did evil in the sight of the lord, more than all they that were before him, after he had built an altar with 12. stones, and killed a bullock and offered it unto the Lord, and had laid wood thereon and called vpon the name of his God, he cried with a loud voice while the ditch about the sacrifice was a filling with water, and said, Lord God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of jacob, let it be known this day, that thou art God in Israel, and I thy servant, and that I haue done all this, according unto thy word, hear me O Lord, oh hear me, that this people may know, how that thou art the lord God, that thou mayst afterward turn their harts. Then fel down the fire of the Lord and consumed the burnt offering, the wood, the stones, and the earth, and licked up the water that was in the pit: when all the people saw that, they fel vpon their faces, and said, Deut. 12.17. 4. Reg. 10. The Lord is God: Eliah said unto them, Lay hands upon Baals Prophetes, that none of them escape: and they took them, and Eliah brought thē down, unto the brook Cison and slay them there &c .3. Kings .18. Chapter: At the prayers of Heliah, there fel fire from heaven, and consumed two bands of men of Fifties, in each band. 50.4. Kings first Chapter: Also Eliah, divided the waters of jordan with his vpper garment, passed through with Elizeus that followed him, he was taken up into heaven in a fiery Chariot 4. kings .2. Chapter. Remulus Remulus. the son of the king of Tiber, was strike with lightning, ovid, lib. 14. Remulus being well strike in yeares, counterfeited lightning and was killed with a thunderbolt. Aladius silvius the xij. king of the latins, for his wickedness was strike with lightning that he dyed: Eutropius lib. 1. The country about jerico, being barren, by corruption of the waters therein, at the very word of Elizeus not the water only,( but by the principal and highest fountain of all good things) were made sweet& wholesome, those waters and also the ground that was barren became fruitful. As Elizeus went up toward bethel, he was mocked of the children and boyes, for that he was baulde headed, they said come up here thou bald head, come up here thou bald head, and he turned him about, and when he saw them, he cursed them in the name of the Lord. Then came ther two bears forth of the wood, and destroyed 42. of the children: &c. for their vnreuerent misbehaviour done against the good bald old man. Chap. 6. The sons of the Prophetes as they were hewing down wood by jordan, one felling down a tree, the Axe head fell into the water, and he said sorrowfully, alas my Lord, it is borrowed: but the man of God said, where fel it in? and when the place was shewed him, he cut a stick and thrust it in there, then did the iron swim, and he bad him that lost it, take it up, and he took it. The rest that concern this good Prophet, how he bestowed the leprosy on Gehezi and cured the chief Captain of the King of Siria Naamā: and of the restoring of the dead son of the Sunamitish woman to life,& the rest, read the fourth book of the Kings and 2. 3. 4. 6. Chapters. By the means of jonas the prophet, the sea was marvelously troubled, who so soon as he was cast out of the ship into the Sea, the tempest ceased, but he was swallowed up of a mighty fish, in whose belly he lived,& after three dayes he was cast forth safe and whole, and then went and preached repentance to the ninivites: jonas the first and second Chapters. About this time in India chanced a great Earthquake, whereby the mountain Erogo was cloven asunder. Cooper Folio. 34. Amos the Prophet saw the fire consume the great sea and floods. And moreover he saw the Lord God standing vpon a wall, made by line, with a line in his hand, saying I will set a line in the midst of my people Israel, and will pass by them no more, and the high places of Isaac shal be desolate, and the temples of Israel shal be destroyed, and I will rise against the house of jeroboam with the sword: for the rest red Amos the sixth Chapter. In the year that Vziah died, Esay the prophet saw the lord in the clouds of heaven, sitting on a high throne, and lifted up with a marvelous glory, and those things which were under him filled the temple over which the lord sate: from about him were whiuering Seraphins whereof every one had six wings, with two he covered his face, with two his feet, and with two did he fly. They cried also each one to another, on this maner, Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of Hostes, the whole world is full of his glory: read in Esay, the 6. Chapter. Romulus. Romulus and Remus the sons of Rhea, a goddesse of the woods, begotten by Mars, being thrown out into the river of Tiber. by Amulius, preserved ●●69. by a she wolf for a time, and after fostered up by shepherd called Fastulus that found them, whose wife nourished them among hir seruants: These two were not only the first erectours of the city of Rome, but also the first authors of the whole Empire. This Poetical prodigy is set down that the meaning thereof may be more considered, than the effect of so strange a birth: for as it seemeth, Romulus knew not from whence was his Father, and yet could 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 Romulus: but I find a learned father who of late hath more plainly expressed of this discourse. Romulus as the roman stories affirm, the son of Mars, by Ilia the daughter of Numitor, but more verily the son of Amulius his great uncle, who of purpose ravished Ilia in the dark, being a virgin Vestale to haue a quarrel to put hir to death; she being found with child and delivered of two sons, was adiudged to be butted quick, and hir sons to be drowned: this treachery the great uncle wrought to put the right heires to death, that he might the sooner obtain the kingdom. Laurentia the wife of Faustulus the Kings shepherd, because she was a whore, was name of the shepherds Lupa, whereof arose the fable, that the founders of Rome were nourished up by ash wolf. When these children, came after to age, and understanding their stock and beginning, they gathered together a band of shepherds, killed Amulius, restored Numito to his kingdom,& on the mount Palantine where they were brought up, began to build them a city: at the last these two brothers fel at controversy, Numicor. Romulus ended. which should give name to their new begun building, so that Remus was slain, and Romulus name his city Rome, who after a season, in a great tempest suddenly was gone, no man could tel how: he was called afterward Quirinus, under which name the Romains worshipped him as a God: as the Idolatrous Papists haue done the Pope, for Christs Vicar. At Alcmene, the body of Amphitreon being brought to the grave to be butted, was suddenly vanished away, and a ston was found in stead of the corpse: Sabellicus in his first book, eight Chapter, of the notable departure forth of this life, which he took out of Cleomedes, Aristipaleus, plutarch in Romulu●. about the same time Messana was taken by the Spartans: GOD did foreshow that it should so be, by sundry tokens and wonders, for a shield of brass that was fastened to the Image of Diana fel away, and Aristodemus going to make ready his sacrifice to offer unto jupiter Ithomata, the surname of jupiter, the rams of their own accord ran and beate their horns against the altar with such violence that therewith they dyed. Another strange thing happened, al the dogs gathered themselves, and came together into one place, howling and yelling all one night, and after ran with great speed to the tentes of the Lacedemonians: these strange things greatly troubled the mind of Aristodemus, besides this, he dreamed in a fearful vision, it seemed that he saw himself armed, and ready to go into the field to battle, the intrayles of his sacrifices lying upon a table, and that his daughter appeared to him in a black vesture, and shewed him hir breast and hir belly ript asunder, after which again appearing shée drew away the sacrifice from the table, and took from hir father his armor, in stead whereof she put vpon him a white vpper garment, and a crown of gold vpon his head: which vision greatly discomforted Aristodemus, The manner of the funeral set down. being certainelye persuaded that it signified his death to be near at hand, for that the funeral customs among the great men of Messana, was to be covered with white clothes over the dead, and a crown set over them. Pausanias in his fourth book, of the taking of Messana. Functius maketh mention, and likewise Eusebius, whose computation of yeres I do not follow, because it is false. Of the nine sibyls having the gift of prophesy, who are no less to be marveled at, their prophesies being perceived, as followeth in this place their discriptions. SIbilla Agrippa was appareled in a Roseall garment, a woman in yeares, holding hir hand in hir bosom, as unraveling, and with hir left hand pointing downward. Hir prophesy. The invisible word shal be felt, he shal spring as a roote, he shal be dried as a leaf, his oldness shal not appear, his mothers belly shal bee environed, and God shall flourish in everlasting ioy, and he shal be trodden down of men, he shall bee born of his mother as GOD, and shall keep company as a sinner: A certain gentle saw this glory. Sibilla Libica, set out with a green garland, and flowers on hir head, clad in a comely garment, like a cloak, and not very young, saith thus: behold the day will come, and the Lord will lighten the thick darkness, that the knot of the synagogue shal be loosed, and mens lips shal cease, and they shall see the king of the living, and a virgin the lady of the Gentiles shall hold him in hir lap, and he shal reign in mercy,& his mothers belly shal be the balance of all. sibyl of Delphos was before the trojan warres, being clad in a black garment, hir hair bound behind hir head, holding in hir hand a horn, and being young prophesied, A Prophet shal be born without knowledge of his mother, of his Virgin the true son of God. Supplementi Chronicarum lib. 4. sibyl of Phrigia, was appareled in a read garment, having hir arms naked: An old Saturnine face, hard favoured, lose hair spreading behind hyr back, pointing with hir finger: hir prophesy, The highest shall come from above, and shal establish his counsel in heaven, and a virgin shal be spoken of in the valleys of deserts. Sibilla Herophila of the island of Samos, a young woman having a faire breast, hir head being covered with a fine vale or laune, holding hir hand to hir breast saith thus, Behold a rich one shal be born of a poor woman, After Lanquet. and the beasts of Countreys shall worship him, there shall be that shall cry and say praise him in heaven gates. Sibilla of europe, a comely young woman having a high and red coloured face, hir head bound about with a very fine vale, clad in a garment of gold work holding in hir hand a scroll saith thus: He shall come and shall pass over the hills, and waters of heaven, he shall reign in poverty and rule in silence, and shall bee born of a virgin. Sibilla of Persia, attired in a golden garment with a white vale on hir head saith thus: behold thou beast shalt be trodden down, and the lord shal be begotten for the whole world, and a Virgins lap shall bee the salvation of the Gentiles, and his feet shal be for the strength of men, the miserable world shal be felt. Sibilla Religiosa Cumana, of some supposed Erithrea, of the red Sea. A woman shal rise of the stock of the Hebrewes called mary, having a husband name joseph, and the son of God called Iesus, After Iacobus Phillippus Bergomence. shal be brought forth by hir through the holy ghost, without the company of man, and she shall be a virgin before hir birth and after hir birth, and he that shal be born of hir, shal bee true God and Man, and shal fulfil the lawe of the Iewes, and shal put thereto his own law, and his kingdom shal abide for ever, and there shal come upon a voice( saying) this is my well-beloved son hear him, he shal be the resurrection of the deade, and the just sweet course of the lame, and the deaf shall hear, and the blind shall see, and the dumb shal speak, and with five loaves and two fishes many thousands of men shal be satisfied, he shall lay the winds with his words, and shall calm the raging sea, walking vpon the waves, losing men from infirmities, and putting away many griefs. Sibilla Erithrea saith, In the last age God shall bee abased, and Gods offspring shall take flesh vpon him, About this time Ezechias in his extreme sickness was healed by God his life prolonged .15. yeares .2. Kings. 20. the divinity shal bee joined to the humanity, a lamb shall lie in Hay, and God and Man shal be brought up by a maidens diligence, and he shal choose of fishers and castaways the number of twelve. The chiefest occasion why I haue set down these Prophesies is, not for that the holy scriptures do avouch them, but because these foretold that which is manifest true by them. At the siege of Pelusia the soldiers were constrained to raise their camp and depart away, for none other cause, but a number of mice came among them vnwares in the night, gnawed their cords, lines, and leathers, so spoyled their Targets and bows, that being thus disfurnished of their provision they departed thence: Herodotus beareth witness of this, in his second book, and Sabellicus in his third book,& Virgil in his second book of Aeneades. Senacherib king of the assyrians, besieged the city of jerusalem, in the reign of King Hezekias, but God sent an Angel from heaven which destroyed all the strength of his Host, and the chief men that were in the army of the King of Assiria, so that he departed with shane into his own land. The Angel of the lord went out, and smote in the camp of ashur, an hundred fourscore and five thousand, so that when they rose early in the morning, behold they were all deade bodies. So Saneherib King of ashur; departed& went his way, returned and difficult a● ninive. And as he was in the Temple, worshipping Nisroch( his idol God) Adramelech and Sharezer his sons slay him with the sword, and they escaped &c. 4. Kings. 9. Chap. and the 2. book of Kings, wherein the 4, is concluded after variable translations, Chap. 19. At the petition of Ezechias the Sun went back ten degrees, by the degrees whereby it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz, which Dial was set on the top of the stairs that Ahaz had made: and also Hezekia king of Iuda had added to the prolonging of his life fifteen yeares: he was zealous in putting down idolatry. 4. Reg. 8.19. and 20. Chap. Prester the son of Hippomenes, did detest and renounce God, but in the midst of his abomination he was consumed with lightning, Sabelicus. When the Vegentines did invade the territory of the Romaines, whom the Fidenates were said to haue aided, that year was a marvelous drought, that not only there wanted rain, but also the Riuers had scarcely water enough, the natural humour being lost, the fountains were dried up, beasts dyed for want of drink, many were destroyed by the scab or scurf, men infected one another, and first a cruel plague invaded the countrymen& their servants, and afterward the city: there arose vpon that mortality, a manifold superstition, so that no less the minds were hurt than the bodies: every where in all chapels and streets there were made strange& unaccustomed sacrifices,& there sprung up many Priests over al the city, the Elders or Senators taking this very ill, committed the whole matter to the Aediles, that they should take good heed that the sacrifices were made in no other rite or ceremony than before, Sabellicus Aeneades book. 5. leaf. 38. Lycostenes rehearsing again of Romulus, that as he was purging his army at the Marris Coprea, whose sacrifice was, to lead round about a sheep, a Sow& two bulls, Sacrifiae. by which ceremony they thought the host purged from offences against their Gods, was in a shower of rain& a whirlwind carried up into heaven& canonised, as the fabulous report of times past reporteth, not without the admiration of his soldiers: livy in his 1. book,& Plutarch in Romulus& Numa: also Florus his 1. book& 1. Cha. Au. in his 3. book of the city of God,& 15. Chap. Plinie in his 2. book of worthy men, Messala Coruine, of the original of Augustus, Patricius in his 6. book of Topographie, Cap. 9. Sabellicus. 3. book Aenneades, ovid, and others. The same year there was an Eclipse of the Sun, as dionysius writeth in his 2. book of the history of the Romaines. In the eight year of the reign of Numa, a pestilent disease infected italy and Rome: but when all was strike in great heaviness, it is left in writing that a brazen Target fel from heaven into the hands of Numa, which was reported to be sent from the gods, for the safety of the city: After whose likeness, when at the motion of Numa Veturius Mamurius an excellent workman had made eleven mo, Salij the Priests of Mars, were ordained by the king for the keeping of them: livius Plutarch Obsequens, A most grievous plague was spread through the city& al Italy. In the 4. year of the praetorship of Aristaeus at Athens, the 4. year of the 21. Olympiad, there appeared a mighty great Comet in the winter season, the heauens and skies being very clear, the weather sharp and cold, every fift year was held the triumph of the olympiad, wherein were sundry practices used for the defence of the common wealth. in the evening of the day or at the Sun setting, whose light shined over the third part of the firmament, from the west of the Equinoctial toward the South, and when it came to the point of the East, it vanished away: the latter part of that winter following was very dry and windy, especially North: afterward through contrary winds, the waters were raised by the north wind in the gulf of Corinth, but the Southwinde struggling without the gulf, when he drove the surges within the gulf, after certain earthquaks, which overthrew Helice and Bura, Cities of Achata, there happened also a mighty flood which made great spoy●e in the Country. The second year after, the Lacedemonians being overcome and discomfited in one battle at Luctra in Beotia, they never recovered afterward their former power: Gasper Beucer de Meteorologia Folio. 253. The prophet ieremy saw in the clouds uf heaven a read& a seething pot, the read passed too& fro, which signified the Lords watchful diligence: for he said I will watch diligently upon my word, to perform it: again the Lord said to ieremy, what seest thou? he said, I do see a seething pot appearing from out of the North hitherward: then said the lord unto ieremy, Out of the North shal come a plague vpon the dwellers of the land &c. ieremy the .1. Chapter. over the Hil Albanus it rained stones, notwithstanding many scarselye believed it,( came) and were sent to see the place where they had fallen on the earth on a heap. Alba a city near Rome which was builded by Ascanius son of Aeneas. A voice was heard from the top of the Hil, commanding them that the ceremonies of the Albani should be kept with solemn and accustomend manner: whereupon they solemnized nine days, commanding to be kept holy throughout the whole country, whensoever this miracle should be declared, that then the feast to be held nine dayes following. Not long after the Country was vexed with a grievous plague, Hostilius using the sacrifice of Numa, could not obtain the favour of jupiter the plagues ceasing: livius and Iulius Obsequens. Tullus Hostilius was consumed with lightning as he was making sacrifice, for that he abused the Ceremonies and advanced himself to command the Gods, for his dissembling pride God destroyed him: Piso and Plutrach. Tullus Hostilius the third king of the Romaines, he first used 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 took vpon him to sacrifice, at which instant he and his whole house perished, when he had reigned 32. yeares. D. Cooper. Lanquet Folio. 38. Lucius Piso, as Plinie recordeth, wrote that Tullus Histilius was strangled with lightning, because he had not done something, according unto the custom, and would haue fet jupiter himself from heaven with sacrifice: Plutarch, also writeth the same in the life of Numa Pompilius: Solinus Chapter. 2. Lucumo, the son of Demaratus the greek, and the brother of Arunts a ioylye young gentleman, when upon the death of his father at Tarquinij he had sold all his goods, and was gone to Rome, at his coming to Ianiculum he sitting in an open Chariot with his wife, an Eagle soaring down took away his bonnet, and immediately flying over the Chariot with a great noise, as it were sent again in message from heaven, did fitlye put him on again, which seen, Tanaquine a woman skilful in soothsaying, understood that the kingdom was foreshowed to happen unto him by that prodigy: he then through money and industry, attaining to dignity, and also to the familiarity of King Ancus who left him ouerséer for his children, took the kingdom vpon him after the death of Ancus and so governed, as though he had gotten it by right, challenging to himself the name of tarqvinius Priscus, livius, dionysius, Fabius Pictor Obsequens. Cap. 4. Plinie Cap. 4. of worthy men. The wonderful foretoken to Ezechiel from the almighty God, as he was among the prisoners by the river of Cobar, where the havens opened, the fifth day of the fourth month: Behold a stormy wind came out of the North with a great cloud full of fire, which with his glistering lightened all round about, and in the midst of the fire it was al clear, and as it were the likeness of 4. beasts, which were fashioned like a man, saving that every one had 4. faces, and 4. wings, their legs were strait, but their feet were like Bullocks feet,& they glistered like bright brass: under their wings appeared mens hands, and they 4. had their faces and their wings, they were joined by their wings, on to another,& when they went forth, they returned not, but every one went strait forward, and the similitude 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 bullock, 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 said appearance, the besieging of jerusalem,& the great captivity of Israel and the destruction of the people, Chapters fourth and fifth. Seruius Tullius in his childhood sleeping, was seen a fiery brightness 33●●. about his head, which strange sight signified, as Tanaqui the wife of Priscus tarqvinius foretold by hir soothsaying, that he should be king of the Romaines after the death of tarquin: dionysius book 4. livius 1. book& 1. Decade Plinius book 2. Chap. 110. and book, 36, Chap. 27. Valerius Max. 2. book, Chap. 2. Plinius in his 7. book of Famous men. Nabuchodonozo● king of babylon, after he had taken jerusalem, Nabuchodon. with joachim the K. of Iuda into his hand with certain ornaments of the house of God, which he carried away unto the land of Senhar, among the rest Daniel, Ananias, Mi●ael,& Azarias were captives, which Daniel became by the providence of God an interpreter of the kings dreams, after concluding the interpretation, he foretold the universal kingdom to come, after these words: In the dayes of these kingdoms shal the God of heaven set up an everlasting kingdom which shal not perish, and his kingdom shal not bee given over to another people: yea the same shall break and destroy all these kingdoms, but it shal endure for ever: After this Nabuchodonozer caused a golden Image to be made, which was 60. cubits high, and 6. cubits thick, Daniel C. 1. 2. ●. this he caused to be set up in the valley of Dura in the land of babylon, commanding all to worship it, but Sidrak, Misac,& Abednago would not, for the which they were cast into a hot burning oven, notwithstanding the fire did no manner of hurt vpon them, only it consumed those men that put in Sidrak. Misac. and Abednago: then spake Nabuchodonozor, and said, blessed be the God of these, which hath sent his Angel, and defended his servants. Daniel being thrown into the den of Lions( at the commandment of Darius) which were kept hungry, contrary to the expectation of al men, by the providence of God, not only from the fury of the 7. Lions was preserved, but so nourished and fed by the Angel of God, and the prophet Abacuk: but those men which were the causers of Daniels accusation, were commanded by the king to be cast into the Lions den, them, their children,& their wives: so the Lions had the mastery over them, and broke al their bones asunder, or over they came at the ground: Daniel the 6. Chap. Nabuchodonosor, the great and fourth King of babylon, for his pride was driven out of his kingdom, & because his heart was so proud,& his stomach set so fast unto wickedness, was deposed from his kingly throne,& his majesty was taken from him, he was shut from among men, his heart was like a beasts hart, and his dwelling was with the wild Asses: he was fain to eat grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the due of heaven, till he knew that the highest had power vpon the kingdoms of men, and sitteth over them whom he list: his hairs became rough, and covered his flesh, his nails grew like the claws of birds, so that he which before banished many forth of his country, was now exiled himself from all humanity and company: he which with superfluous riotting on delicate fare, was now a guest among beasts: he which before was clothed in purple, was now wrapped in loathsome hair: he that before delighted in balm and precious ointment, was now subject to every shower, continuing the space of seven yeares: Daniel the fifte Chapter. When the war of the Sabines was ended, at which time tarqvinius Priscus was in mind to build vpon the hill Tarpaius a temple to jupiter, which he had vowed in the same battle, and now commanded that other Churches should be put down, that the Temple yard might be free from other religions, and that the birds did signify by their flight, that all chapels, would be hallowed and put down, The temple of the God Terminus alone among al others was vncouered in the top, signifying that bonds& limits are not to be concealed. not signifying that the like should happen to the temple of the God Terminus, which prodigy seemed to portend to the Romaines, the assuredness and stability of al things: there ensued also an other prodigy portending the greatness of their empire, for after that he digged the ground, to lay the foundations of the building that he purposed, there was found in the lowermost part, the head of a man with the face whole, yet sprinkled with fresh water and blood: whereupon the soothsayers being asked what this prodigy might signify, answered that this place should be the head, not only of the roman Empire, but also of the whole world: Plinie the younger, and Iulius Obsequens Chapter fifth. When tarqvinius went about to make the second war against the Romains& to go to Hetruria, there was said to haue appeared a great token, for when as yet tarqvinius reigned at Rome, and all almost brought to an end, the temple of jupiter Capitolinus, whether he were warned, or admonished by the prophesy, or that he otherwise thought good, he commanded that certain Potters of Thuscia, of the nation of the Veians, should make him a Chariot, covered over with wrought and baked earth and not long after he was banished his kingdom: but when the Thuscians had made that Chariot, and put it in the furnace to neal, it happened far otherwise than it commonly chanceth to lome put in the fire: for it is wont to be thickened and grow hard together, the moisture being wrong out, but then it was loosed& swelled up, and grew to that greatness, strength, and hardness, the scarcely by taking away the top of the furnace and pulling down the walls therof, it could by any means be taken out: read 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 astyages the 8. king of the Meedes which Thales M●lesius, among the greeks told long before, as Plinie recordeth book. 2. Chap. 12. in whom notwithstanding the reckoning of the Olimpiades are( I know not by what error) corrupted, Functius in his Chronicles agreeth with me. At Rome& in the fields were daily seen celestial prodigies, as it were thretning the country, immediately Opia, a vestal virgin, which t some call Popilia, others Popilio, being condemned of incest was punished: The year following there was sharp discord at home,& fierce war abroad, the people Equi, took weapons in hand, and the V●i●n made inroads upon the Romaines: livius and Iulius Obsequens. When Xerxes departed from Sardinia to war against the greeks, with a huge army, the sun in the morning was eclipsed: a mere did foal a Hare in his Host: shortly after appeared a Comet, which they name Ceratias, being bended like a horn: there followed immediately a great alteration, among al common wealths over the whole world, for such rare apparent sights 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 strike and torn with lightning, the fire-hearth was overthrown, his weapons were soiled, scortched, and altogether battered: an excellent horse of his was slain, which he was wont to use in the wars, whereupon the interpreters of Prodigies being asked, answered that this signified the winning of castles and strong holds, and the overthrow of most noble personages. The Romaines fought a bloody battle with the Hetrusci. Quintus Fabius the brother of Marcus, twice consul, and then ambassador, being strike with a lance through his breast died: the consul Manlius died in the overthrow,& the Romaines scout was taken: livius& Iu. Obsequens. Ca. 12. When Hippocrates the tyrant was at Athens, and had offered sacrifice, a Kettle being full of flesh and water, and ready to hang over the fire, boiled up without fire, so that the water rā over, which strange forewarning Chilō the Lacedemonian seeing( who by chance was present) first persuaded him the he should not marry a fruitful wife and bring hir to his house, secondly if he had a wife, he should put hir from him, and if he had had a son by hir, he should disinherit him. These are the words of Herodotus lib. 1. Fol. 11. in Clio. And this came to pass in the time of Croesus king of Lydia. When Arceselaus was King, there appeared a white Crow, of whom a grievous answer was given,& immediately the state of the city became a Democratia, that is, a popular state: Bessus when he departed to go to Hesperidae was slain, Heraclides in his policies maketh mention of his reign,& Herodotus lib. 4. A Cow among the Sabines, was brought forth of a wonderful greatness and shape, for which cause, when the soothsayers were asked, answer was made, that that people should haue highest authority which first offered the Cow in sacrifice. wherefore the people of the latins drove the cow to the hil aventinus and opened the cause to the roman Priest, but he being subtle, said, that they ought first to wash their hands in a running river, but while the people of the latins, went down to the river of tiber, the people of the Romaines in their absence sacrificed the Cow, and so they won dominion to their countrymen, but to themselves renown by their deed and counsel: livius and Iulius Obsequens Chap. 6. When Cyrus overcame in battle Croesus King of the Lydians, a child of fire months old, lying in his clouts, is said to haue spoken dystinctlye, by a great and pernicious prodigy, foretelling that his kingdom should be lost. Alexander ab alexander lib. 2. Chap. 31. & lib. 3. Chap. 15. When Croesus King of the Lydians was debating a matter, all the places eat up, as they went to the Pasture, Cressus then immediately sent to the diviners, to ask counsel of the Telmissae, whereof though they received answer, and learned what this strange token ment, yet they told not Cressus of it, by reason that he was taken before they returned back from Sardis, so the Thelmissae had knowledge, that a foreign army should be there present with Cressus, who when he was come he should subdue the inhabitants, because said they the Snake or the Adder is the child of the earth, but the horse an enemy and a stranger: Herodotus 1. book, leaf. 16. Daniel the Prophet of the lord saw in a vision Balthasar the first King of babylon &c. the four winds strove vpon the sea, and four great beasts came up from the Sea, one unlike another: The first was a Lion, and yet had he Eagles wings. I saw that his wings were plucked from him, and he taken away from the earth: so that he stood vpon his feet as a man, and that there was given him a mans hart. The second beast was like a bear, and upon the one side among his teeth in his mouth, he had three great long teeth: And it was said unto him, arise eat up much flesh: Then there was another beast like unto a Leopard, this had wings like to a foul even four upon the back, this beast had four heads, and there was power given him. After this appeared the fourth beast, grim and horrible and marvelous strong, it had great iron teeth, it devoured, and stamped the residue under feet, far unlike the other beasts, for it had ten horns, &c. read the 17. Chapter. In the third year of the reign of Balthasar, Daniel had another vision. A ram stood before a river, having large horns, the one higher thē another, and the highest came up last. I saw that the ram pushed with his horns, against the West, against the North, and against the South &c. read the vision of the goat also, and what they signify Chapter. 8. Balthaser the king, made a great banquet to his thousand Lords, with whom he made great cheer,& when he was drunken with wine, he commanded to bring him the gold& silver vessels, which his father Nabuchodonozer had taken forth of the temple at jerusalem, that the king& his Lords, with his Q.& Concubines, might drink out of thē: So they brought the golden Vessels they drank wine& praised their Idols of gold, silver, copper, iron, wood,& ston, In the very same hour, there appeared fingers, as it had been of a mans hand writing, right over against the candlestick, vpon the plain wall in the Kings palace, and the king saw the palm of the hand that wrote, &c. The superscription was mean, Teckel, Pharesh, his countenance was changed, his thoughts troubled, the joints of his body shoke, wherefore the King cried, to bring his charmers the Caldes,& conjurers of divels, also for the wise men of babylon, but none could give interpretation but Daniel the interpretation of the writing was thus: mean, God hath numbered thy kingdom, and brought it to an end. Tekel, thou art weighed in the balance and art found too light: Pharesh, thy kingdom is dealt in par tes and given to the Medes and Perses: read more in the fift Chapter. Furthermore I haue set down the Hebrew Carects, from the which may be taken the true pronountiation thereof. The letters are placed both ways. אבמ. mean. אבמ. mean. לקח. Tekel. ךיסך● Pharesh. When vpon a sudden, the city Cuma was besieged, of the Dauntes& Vmbrians, & of other bordering round about thē, at which time were gathered together. 50000. footmen and. 18000. horsemen( at one time were so many barbarous people together) suddenly two great riuers Vulturnum and Clanium to the great amazing of the host, Two great riu●rs in the country now called Campania ran back contrary to their former course, at which miraculous sight, they of Cuma hoping of victory went boldly vpon their enemies,& having gotten a convenient place, overthrew the huge host: dionysius Halicarnasaeus in his 7. book, dionysius Eretriensis, and Sabellicus in his 9. book of Aeneades. The second year and the eight month of King Darius the prophet 52●. zachary was sent to call the people to repentance: it followed upon the 24. day of the 11. month, which is the month Sebar, in the 2. year of Dari. I saw by night, and lo, there sat one vpon a read horse and stood stil among the Mirt trees, that were beneath vpon the ground, and behind him were 3. read 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, dwell at ease and are careless, red more hereof in zachary the son of Barachias first Chapter. One Tages in the territory of Tarquinium, when he ploughed and made a deep surrowe, is said to haue heard a voice vpon the sudden, and to haue spoken unto him: he as noted in the books of the etrurians, being a child to look too, but old in wisdom, when he was seen of the herdman, forthwith caused all Hetruria to wonder thereat. Afterward those things were put in writing that he spake, which contained all the manner of divination: Cicero of divination. When Darius besieged the city of babylon, there was a voice heard from the walls, that the city should be taken by the Persians, at such time as a Mule should bring forth young, vpon which divination every man did despair of the taking of the city, until the Mule of Zopirus a Persian had foaled. Rauisius Textor. tarqvinius, when he had sent inhabitants to Signia and Cirseij to be a succour to the city by sea and by land, there appeared a fearful prodigy, for a Snake, crawling out of a wooden pillar, did not only cause fear and flight in the palace, but also struck the Kings mind into a sudden fear, and brought all men in heavy sadness: the Eagles also which haunted the Palace, made their neast wherein their young were suddenly rent in pieces by the violence of Vultures: which they thought to be a foretokening of a mischief at hand, immediately they warred with the Rutilians. Ardea was besieged, & after the heinous offence of tarquin with Lucrecia the kings were banished: but as tarqvinius was going to Gabij as to his kingdom, a dog& a Serpent also spake with express words: livius, Iulius Obseq. Chap. 7. Alexander ab Alexan. lib. 3. Chap 15. In the dead time of the night, a great voice was heard out of the wood of Arsia, which was thought to be the voice of Siluanus: he cried aloude in the army of the Romaines against the Veiantines, the one more of the Hetrusians was in the war slain than there was of the Romaines. livius, Iulius Obsequens Chap. 8. soldiers spears were seen to burn in the Ellement late in the night. There ensued the Sabines third inroad to the country of the Romains, wherein the Consul Posthumius, through his negligence recyeued a great overthrow, the which unless his fellow in office had immediately revenged, the Romans common wealth should haue been in very evil case: Two under Cities of the Romaines, Pometia and Cora, revolted to the Aruncians,& war was made against them: livius and Iulius Obsequens Chap. 9. When the dictatory Aulus Posthumius, fought at the mere Regillus against the latins which had conspired against the Romaines,& that the victory was now in hazard, two young men of lusty courage riding vpon white horses, were seen fighting most valiantly for the safety of the Romaines, whom the dictatory after the victory seeking for worthily to reward them, could not find, whereupon he thought them to be Castor& Pollux: Florus book 1. Chap. 11. Iulius Obsequens Chap. 10. whilst Pizelus the Athenian fought in the battle of Marathon, there was seen a Monster, which when he also saw before him, and seeming to slay him, he continually remained blind. Herodotus: Eusebius recordeth of this fight. There was a great Eclipse of the moon, whereof Ptholome chiefly maketh mention. book. 4 Chap. 9. The Athenians by the conduct of Calymachus, through the counsel of Milciades at Marathon, where Hippias brought the army of the Persians, had that vpper hand, and in the conflict there miscarried, 6300. of the Persians, but of the Athenians. 19. as witness Herodotus and thucydides. There were heard and seen many strange things at Rome, when Quintilius Sulpitius Camerinus, and Spurius Largius Ruffus were Consulles Liuiu●, dionysius, Eutrop. lib. 1. In the temple of womens fortune, built in the latins way 4. mile from the city, in which place Coriolanus being moved& won by his mothers earnest entreaty, withheld himself from the spoil of the city, was an Image of fortune, which is said to haue spoken diuers times. Alex. ab Alexan Chap. 13. At Laodicea upon the coming of Xerxes a Plane tree was changed into an Olife tree. But when he marched his army from Sardinia, the Sun in the morning was eclipsed. Leonides the Lacedemonian fought with the Persians at Thermopile,& the first battle on the sea, was given at Artemiscus, as wrote Herodotus: lib. 7. 8. Dioni. lib. 9. The Prophet Aceratus saw before the temple of Minerua, the holy armor brought forth of the conclave or Vestry, which were to be seen within, and it was a heinous offence for any man to touch them, which strange sight he went to tel thē that were at Delphos when the barbarous people came with all speed to the temple of Minerua, greater things were there shewed then before, for the weapons of Mars, were seen to stand without the Temple, but when the Barbarians came to the Chaple of Minerua which was before the temple, lightning fel from heaven vpon thē,& two knaps of the mountain Parnassus fel down vpon thē,& slay many of them,& there came out of the Chaple of Minerua a great cry& rejoicing, al which commming together the Barbarians were strike in a great fear &c. Hero. lib. 8. of urania. The same year. When Simon of Athens made ready his soldiers against the Cyprians or egyptians,& his army stood on the sea shore, he saw a horrible figure, for he beholded a dog that was provoked to bark,& in barking to haue a very mans voice, wherefore Astiphilus Apossidonian, a man skilful in prophesy,& his Familiar told him that this shape did foreshow his death, after this form. behold also he saw another strange sight, when he did sacrifice to Bacchus: For when the soothsayer according to the custom had slain the sacrifice, a number of Ampes taking the blood, which was congealed vpon the ground, by little& little carried it to Simon,& laying it about his great to, very busilye for a long time were not marked of any: wherefore as soon as Simon espied this marvelous labour of the Ampes, there was present the Priest showing him the liver of the sacrifice without the head, when these things thus happened: Simon for al that took shipping, who could not with credite draw back, from so great a prepared warfare, wherefore upon the sending of .60. ships into egypt, he with the residue scoured the seas, put to flight the kings navy, in which were ships of Phenisia& Cicilir. Afterward he subdued the Cities adjoining, and turned al the huger preparations of this war, against the Egyptians, Plut in Simon. Xerxes the Persian King, when he had prepared a huge army against the Grecians, a mere in his camp foled a Hare, which strange prodigy foreshowed that which ensued: for he which covered the sea with ships, and the earth with soldiers, as a fearful Hare, was forced to retire into his own country, Herodotus in his seventh book of Musis, Valerius Maximus in his first book and sixth Chapter, Sabel, second book Aeuerapsod. Alex. of Alexan second book, Chapter 31. Also Xerxes being on the top of the mountain Athos being next Ida before he set vpon the Athenians to destroy them, a rare and strange prodigy happened sitting at supper, the waiters filled forth wine, which turned into blood more then once or twice, whereupon his Magi or soothsayers, gave him counsel to alter his pretended purpose. Valerius Maximus, in his first book, Chapter. 6. When Themistocles fought in a battle vpon the sea, against king Xerxes, they writ that a very bright flamme gave light from Euleusine and that there was heard also a noise and voice in all the country about Thriasium, as it were of many men( bringing abroad the mysteries of Bacchus, and that from the great number of voices, there was seen a cloud by little and little to mount from the earth, and again to return and fall down upon the Gallies. Others affirmed that Images and sights of armed men, and lifting up their hands in the defence of the Greekes, appeared from Egina, which they conjectured to be the Aearidae, of whom before the fight, with prayer and vow they earnestly besought him, Simonides and Plutarch in Themistocles & so the Greekes through the manhood of Themistocles and of the Athenian Licomedes the Tetarke, being conquerors against the Barbarians, put Xerxes to flight: Authors of this discourse Simonides. There fell from heaven a mighty great ston in the river Aegis, the same year Themistocles, with the blood of a Bull was choked: who by his manhood and policy delivered not onely his own city Athens, but all Greece from the great power, and innumerable army of Xerxes, wherewith he ouerpressed that country, whose army was said to be seauentéen hundred thousand men, others affirm ten hundred thousand, yet was Xerxes driven to fly away in a small boat: nevertheless he was afterward by the unkind Citizens driven to fly, being expelled his country to king Xerxes his enemy, who understanding his cause, Not many such Captaines. sent him afterward with a mighty army against the Athenians, but when he perceived his country in peril, he choose rather to die, than either vnfaithfully to betray that Prince that trusted him, or unnaturally to destroy that country that bread him. Socrates was born presently after Artabanus the King of the Persians died, in whose room succeeded Artaxerxes who was surnamed Longhand, because he was able to reach to his knees, whose surname was Memnon, supposed to be before the incarnation. 485. which computation agreeth not with Licosthines, who reciteth Hermanus Contractus. The Heauens was seen to burn, or as it seemed to be on fire, the same year followed a most grievous pestilence as well among men as beasts, the Aequians received the banished men of the Antiates, contrary to the leagues made with the romans, they made inroads upon the latins, again whom the year following, Quintus Fabius Vibulanus was sent, who before that he made peace with them fought valiantly, but when they had drawn themselves to the Volscians, and the faith of the Anciates began to fail, they with a huge army entering again for spoils sake into the country of the romans, were by Posthumius vanquished and put to flight. livius and Iulius Obsiquens Chapter. 13. The Element seemed again to be all on fire, and other strange things were either seen with the eye, or else made men vainly afraid, for the turning away of which terrors three hollydayes together were appoynted, during the which all the Temples were filled with men and women earnestly desiring Gods peace. war was made with the Aequians against whom furious first fought very unluckily, but Posthumius luckily: the souldiers of the Anciates, by reason of over late aid, were with shane dismissed. And the year following there was a most cruel plague at Rome: livius and Iulius Obsequens Chapter 14. This year the heaven was seen again to burn, and a cow spake. The Aequians letting the latins& the Herutians pass, made hast to Rome to take the city, by reason that the youth were away, which notwithstanding were immediately beset by Lucretius and with a great slaughter discomfited. Veturius wasted the country of the Volscians, whose name also that year was almost abolished: livius and Obsequens. In the year from the building of Rome. 292. according to the reckoning of Orosius, when the second african war began, many strange sights went before: At Rome a cow changed hir lowing into mans speech. In Picaenum it rained stones, in france a wolf took a watchmans sword out of his scabbard: in Sicilia two targets sweat blood, and the harvest folk found bloody ears of corn: among the people Cerites the water ran mixed with blood, which miracle after Valerius Maximus and others, Augustine also book 4. of the city of God, doth affirm, when he saith, even then children born of their mother spake aloude certain words: Serpentes flew: women and hens were turned into the Masculine sex. Vincentius Chap. 40. whose computation notwithstanding is faulty. The earth was sore shaken, a cow spake, and the Element was 4●● seen again to burn, which thing was not believed: the year before, diverse strange sights and fearful voices were seen and heard: it rained flesh which like snow falling from heaven, in great and small gobbets, was caughte of all kinds of birds flying to and fro before it came to the ground, but the residue which fell down, lay a long time abroad in the city and the fields, having neither the colour nor savour changed, contrary to the wont of stale flesh. The Prophets of the country were not able to interpret it: but Sibels books did aduise them to beware of a foreign enemy, and of the seditions of the Citizens. This year the lawe ●erentilla was sought to be paste, touching the making of the Decemuri and chiefly by this occasion there arose dissension between the Gent●emen and the Commons. And the year following, the banished romans and slaves to the number of 4000. under the conduct of Apius Herdonius Sabinus, did set upon the capitol, from whence not without great slaughter of the Citizens, they were driven. livius, Dionysius Obsequens, Chapter. 16. There were wolves seen in the capitol, which dogges chased away, by reason of which prodige the whole capitol was purged with Sacrifice. The Aequians with whom peace was made the year passed, breaking their league, and having Gracchus Chlioeus to their captain, spoyled the country of the latins and of the Tusculans, and pitched their tentes upon the mountain Algidus. 12. miles from Rome Against whom Lucius Minutius going, was unluckily besieged in his tentes,& at length was delivered by Quintus Cincinnatus. The Aequians were vanquished& were made to go under the gallows, two spears or forkes set up, and the third crossed over, under the which the captives in despite were made to go. livy and Iulius Obsequens in his 1●. Chapter. When Marcomirus King of the banished trojans, was on every side vexed with the Gotes or goths in Scithia, and took aduise to seek out some other country to dwell in, when he had made Sacrifice after the manner of the Gentiles, he was warned by Oracle, that he with his should go to that place where the rhine doth fall into the Sea, there to attain to his desired quietness: And that he might be more assured, there came to him hereupon, a certain sorceress Alruna by name, which exhorted him thereunto: and that woman through hir skill brought to pass, that in the night there appeared to King Marcomirus a certain Ghost with three heads, to wit, with the head of a toad, of an Eagle, and of a Lion, and the Eagle said, thy stock Marcomirus shall put me down, and shall tread down the Lion, and kill the toad, whereby he signified the time would come when his posterity should bear dominion over the French, romans and germans, wherefore he left Scithia, came into germany and possessed those places where now is Gelderland or Holland, and they were called of the Saxons, Neomagi, that is new borderers or new neighbours, Chronicles of france Munster book .2. and Functius. There was in italy a vehement Earthquake in the time that Proculus Geganus Macerinus, and Lucius Menenius Lanatus were consuls: there followed such dearth and famine, that many cast themselves into tiber, and were drowned, to avoyde the pain of hunger: A great earthquake again happened when Marcus Cornelius Maluginensis& L. Papirius Crassus were consuls, after which followed a pestilence, joan Functius. In the fourth year of the reign of Archedamus the son of Zeuxidamus King of Sparta, there happened an Earthquake, never before was known the like in the memory of man: the greater parte of Lacedemonia became lost through the gaping Earth, which suddenly became open, wherein sancke both man and beast: the Mountaines of Taygetis wereso shaken that the tops fell down, the whole city was destroyed, among the which, five houses remained, at the fall whereof was a fearful noise: at which time were gathered together children and boyes in a porch or entry a little before the Earthquake, and as it is reported there ran a Hare before them after whom as many as did run were preserved, the rest slain with the fall of the building which was a school house where to the porch joined, and therfore there Sepulchre to this day is called Sismatium: Plutarch in Cimoe. The year following there was a great drought: Plato the Prince of Philosophers was born: Pericles died, after he had governed the Athenians 40. years, Eusebius and Theucidides in his second book. All Sicilia was shaken with a grievous earthquake,& moreover the mountain Aetna by casting out of fire and hot embers, did great harm in the country all about, then also Athalante, a city near to the Locrians, joining to the main land was by a sudden violence of the sea, cut off from the land,& became an island, unpeopled: the plague also invaded& made long time a spoil upon the miserable and wretched remnant of the Athenians. Orosius in his second book,& Vincent in his fourth book and .59. Chapter. Eusebius whose computation I haue not here followed, Contractus and jo. Functius. When the Athenians persuaded by their league friends, had now provided 42●. for the Sicilian warres, and navy of .60. ships, such a stream of member, gie thick fire issued out of the mountain Aetna, as no man could remember, and spoyled some part of the ground of Catina, lying at the foot of Aetna. That violent force of fire is said to haue appeared thrice at that time: when Sicilia began to be inhabited of the Greekes. The sun was Eclipsed, and herewith the sixth war of the peloponnesians ended. Sabel. in his sixth book. 5. Enead, Darius Artaxerxes the son of Xerxes dyed, thucydides writeth in his .4. book. Clitodemus the ancientest of all that haue written the acts of the Athenians in his Athick history saith, when the Athenians had furnished a navy for Sicilia, an infinite number of crows flew to Delphos, broken off pieces of an idol, and pecked off the gold from it, he saith besides, that the crows and owls broke a spear, and whatsoever was made like to harvest fruits, in token of victory: Clitodemus also recounted many other tokens, which stayed the Athenians for going to Sicilia: Pausamus. 10. book. Before the Athenians overthrow in Sicilia, which happened the 92. Olympiad, when Eucleas was praetor at Athens, a Comet was seen in the north parte of heaven, the sun going his Winter compass: Casper Beucer of his Meteorologe. Immediately the Athenians besieged and vanquished the Syracusans, but the Lacedemonians sent aid to the Syracusans, whereupon the Athenians were vanquished, and Nicias with others was slain, thucydides sixth book and Plutarch in Nicia. Immediately after the war of Corsyra, the Winter following a deadly plague began at Athens, which continuing a year after, did greatly consume the wealth of the city. moreover the earth shooke in many places of Greece. At Hyra in the night were fires seen, and in the day time smoke went up, as from a chimney. about the same country were many Earthquakes, which were a let to the Lacaedemonians, desirous to go forward to isthmus, and appointing their journey into the country of Athens. In Euboea about Orobea, a sudden swelling of the Sea overflowed parte of the country and city also, with the destruction of many. At the Ile of Athlanta among the Locrians, was the like flood, which could not be thought to haue happened without an Earthquake. In Sicilia when Charidas captain of the Athenians was slain in fight by the Syracusians, Laches who had the rule of the ships took mile from the Mescenians, in overthrowing their two hands of his enemies, Sabel book 6. Enead third, thucydides and Plutarc, who maketh mention of that war, and Functius. When Lysander fought against the Athenians, in a battle upon ●… he Sea, Plutarch hath left in writing, that Castor and Pollux appeared ●… n his ship on both sides. And some report, that the fall of a ston ●… yd forewarn the event of those things: for as many men do steadfastly believe, a ston of a wonderful greatness fell from heaven to Aegos Potamos, which for many years after was shewed for a miracle. The inhabitants of Cheronesus kéepyng it with great reverence, Plutarch in the life of Lysander, Lysander overcame the Athenians at the river Aegos, in a ship fight, wherein all the power of the Athenians went to wrack. The walls of Athens fell down at the sound of a Trumpet .30. ancients were appoynted to govern the common wealth. A river in the Wood Albanus, without any rain or other cause, which might make the matter not to be marveled at, grew to an unaccustomed depth, and when the Oracle was asked, what this thing portended, answer was given, that they should drain their fields with the water of that Laake, for so should the Veians come under the subiection of the romans, upon whom they had made long and sharp war, and when this was done they won the city of their enemies. The Tarquinians springing up, as new enemies to the romans, spoyled their grounds, which they saw possessed in many warres, of the Volchians at Aucsur, of the Aequians at Lauici, and besides also in the war of the Vaiantines, Valiscians and Capinatines: against whom notwithstanding Aulus Posthumius and Lucius Iulius, going with a power of voluntary soldiers, fought manfully, and shamefully put them to slight: livy lib. 3. Dec. 1. Plutarch in Camil. Cic. de divin. Valerius Maximus lib. 1. Chapter. 6. Iulius Ob●equens Chapter. 18. upon the overcoming of the Veians after a long siege, when the roman Souldiers, in the sacking of the city, went about also to remove the Images of the Goddes to Rome, and one as it were moved with a heavenly spirit, or with a youthful jest, said to the Image of juno, Vis ne Romam●re juno, that is, Wilt thou go to Rome juno, after that the Image had consented, with a Nod, she answered to the great wonder of all men that shée would willingly go: whereupon shée was brought to Rome, to the hill aventinus, as to hir continual seat at the desire of the dictatory, and to hir Camillus did dedicate a Temple. livius book. 5. decade. 1. Lact book 2. Chap. 8. Plutarch, Obsequens, &c. When Brennus King of the french, made hast with a great army to Delphi, to make a general spoil, God immediately shewed to the Barbarians as manifest tokens as ever we knew, for all the ground which the french host did occupy, was for the most parte of the day exceedingly shaken, likewise there was continual Thunder and Lyghtening, which made the French men sore afraid, and could not hear what was told them. And these strange sights sent from heaven, did not make spoil upon one place alone, but also burned that which was near to, both men and armor. There appeared to them also Hyperochus, Laodorus, and Pyrrhus, the ghosts of worthy personages. Some reckon among all these Phylacus that was born at Delphi, there were slain in the battle very many Phocensians, but especially Aleximacus, who in this fight most couragiouslye used the floure of his age, the strength of body, and valiantness of mind, to kill the Barbarians, above the other Greekes: Pausanius in his tenth book. Marcus Ceditius, a mean person told the Tribunes, that in the dead of the night he heard a voice plainer than a mannes, which bid him tell the magistrates, that the French men, the Dutch men,& germans were coming, which as it commonly cometh to pass, was despised by reason of the baseness of the reporter, and because that people was far off, and at that time scarcely known, but under the conduct of Brennus their King, while they were vncircumspect, Rome at length was burned by the french men, but Camillus whom before the people had banished out of the city, at this time did the parte of a good man, as at large thou shalt read in livy and others. For he in dissembling altogether the injury which he had suffered contrary to his desert, leaving an army thereby, upon the sudden set upon the french and germans, in the city, saving the Castle from the siege, and all his country men that were remaining. The city had this overthrow, in the time of Artaxerxes Memnon, and about the same time the Lacedemonians took and spoyled Athens. Alex. ab Alexan, book 3. Chap. 15. Helice and Bura, Cities of Peloponnesus, were swallowed up with a great Earthquake, Eusebius Eutrop. book. 1. the year before was born Aristotle the worthy instructor of Alexander the great, Gell. book 17. Chapter 21. Eusebius Eutrop. Functius. Mauseolus King of Caria dyed this year, for whom his wife Artemisia made a Sepulchre called Mauceolum, which afterward was reckoned by Plinie book 36. Chapter 5. and others among the seven wonders of the world. A great pestilence invaded all Rome, growing not as it is wont of a troublesone temperature, that is, of an unseasonable drought of the Win●… er, or of a sudden heat of the Spring, or of an unmeet moisture of the summer, or of the undigested fogs of fat autumn, or of the corrup●… king air breathed out of the forest of Calabria: this same disease did con●… inually pine the infected away, and those that dyed not, had nothing left ●… ut skin and bone. Marcus Fritschius. At Rome amid the market place, either by shaking of the earth, or by some other violence, there was made a very great hole in the ground, which open quaue no man neither by casting in of earth, nor by any other matter could fill up. Many mens bodies were infected wtth most pestilent vapours issuing from thence,& when they could be cured by no means, and were now in deep despair, by the warning of their Gods they were delivered by the courageous act or deed of Marcus Curtius a hardy Gentleman on horseback. For after that he for the safety of his country, had thrown himself headlong in his armour into the hole, the pestilence immediately seized after the death of many men, livy lib. 7. Dec. 1. Orosius lib. 2. Cha. 5. Obsequens Chap. 20. When Dion of Syracusis being a banished man, made war against dionysius the younger tyrant of Sycilia, they report that Swine farrowed without ears: whereupon dionysius mistrusting his strength, gave t●e certainty to his enemy,& went willingly into banishment: it so stuck in mens minds, that this was the signification of the Prodige, that in sho●t space the ears of the Citizens were free from the hearing of tyranny, Polidor Virgil book 3 of Prodigies. There appeared this year a Comet, in the which the likeness of a Trumpet, was changed into a spear, Plinie his book ●. Chapter. ●5. This is the year in the which Alexander the great was conceived, which may as well be marveled at, for the same night that Alexander was conceived, they reported that Phillip saw in his sleep, that he had thrust down a seal vpon the belly of queen Olimpi●s, wherein was engraven the likeness of a lion, they interpnted, that this dream signified that the Queen Olimpias being great with child by Philip, should bring forth a most mighty king. That year the Illirians were overcome,& immediately sprung up the holy war whereof writeth justinus Lib. 8.& Diodorus Siculus, in the noble acts of king Philip. In the time of Philip king of Macedonia when many here and there waxed rich by stealing away the goods of the Temples, and that there were some which now had opened the Temple of Apollo, Punishment against Church● robbers. and began to dig the place about the hearth and three footed stool, where the Treasure was, the Phocensians through a great Earthquake were exceedingly afraid, and so the Gods foreshowed their punishment vpon church 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 acts of Philip. Anno 14. Fol. 35. There appeared a great opening in the Element, and fire fell down to the earth. Plinie Lib. 2. Chapter. 27. sequel: Occhus recovered egypt, Cyprus and Phoenicia, and took Sydon by Treason. Orosius and Diodorus. Valerius Coruinus Marshall of the field under the grande captain Camillus, pursuing the remnant of the Senones, a people in france, when he alone went forth against Gallus his Challenger, a crow or raven sate upon his Helmet, which took his flight from the east, and in fighting stroke at the face and the eyes of his enemy, whereupon also, when he had overcome him, he was called Valerius Coruinus: livi. 7. book, Dec. 1. Plinie 29 chapter of famous men: Obsequens in his 21 chapter. When the Carthaginenses ran with great violence upon the Greekes their cruel enemies, and that the matter began to come to hot blows, suddenly there were heard fearful thunders from the hills, and lightning falling from heaven, dazzled the eyes of the fighters, afterward, a shower mixed with wind, coming over the Greekes heads, was full in the faces of the Carthaginenses, and now by reason of the exceeding crashing of the Element, the command of the captains could not be heard: in the mean season their Garments became heavy with the reign, and their bows and other instruments and tools were unprofitable, but nothing so much troubled the minds of the africans as that vpon the breaking of the water banks of Crinisius, with the press of the passengers, the deep and violent river began to overflow all places there abouts, that the one could not help the other. lastly Timoleon sent a chosen band against the enemy, that was béefore disordered, and then the multitude of the Carthaginenses filthilye struggling in the mire and water was put to flight, many were overthrown in the very plain, and some were drowned in the depth of the river, ten thousand of the Barbarians were slain in the battle, and among those ten thousand, of the richest and worshipfullest Carthaginenses among the rest. The Carthaginenses in no battle before that time, lost so many men in one conflict, for in other battles they very much used hired soldiers, and they were wont to vanquish, and not to be vanquished. Timoleon taking their Tents, took five thousand Enemies, a thousand breast plates, 10000 Targets, and a greater weight of gold and silver than in respect of the number of soldiers might be believed. The spoils of the africans were sent to Corinth, and with a solemn title dedicated: Sabel. Lib. 3 Aenead. 4 out of plutarch: Timoleon and Diodorus Syculus. When Timoleon passed over to Delphi, and making his prayers, came into the Temple of Apollo and the secret part thereof, there befell him a miracle, for a certain headbande gorgiouslye set out with crownes and tokens of victory, fel down from the presentes that were there hoong up, and inuyroned his head, that he crwoned by God, seemed to be sent before to the exployting of matters, wherefore he having ten ships, seven of Corinth, two of Corcyra, and one of Leucada, he took his voyage, to whom it seemed in the night, when he hoist up sails, and had a prosperous wind, that vpon the sudden the Ellement cloue asunder, and that much and very light fire fell vpon his ship, afterward when a lamp was lifted up, such as they used in mystical sacrifices, and he directed his course toward Italy, whether the mariners or Sea men were bent most of all, it violently rushed against the ground as lightning: plutarch in Timoleon. When Alexander brought his army to the city of Thebes, the Gods sent them tokens and wonders, foreshowing so great a destruction, as there was never the like before, for the mere of Onchestus made a fearful and continual noise, so that the havens and harbours did tremble: Likewise a fountain which is by Ismenus and the walls, where as all the time before it ran with clear and sweet water, vpon the sudden, contrary to al mens hope, it was filled with blood, for the which cause the thebans believed that the Gods did threat destruction to the Macedonians. Then in the city, in the Temple of Ceres a spider spun her web by the face of the Image. The Image also of Minerua surnamed Alalcomenes was burned no man knoweth how, and such other strange things happened. Aelianus in his 12. book of diuers histories. When Lychomachus was praetor of Athens, the 4 year of the 109 Olimpi●d, a comet was seen by the circle of the Equinoctial, a horrible wind followed near unto Corinth, and not long after the Athenians by the counsel of Demosthenes encountering at Cheronea with Philip of Macedonia, were discomfited, and lost two thousand of their countrymen, and with this overthrow, the power and freedom of the Greekes began to quail: Galparus Pucerus, in his book entreating of meteors, that is, of things seen in the Ellement. When a Temple was dedicated to juno Moneta in that place of the city where the house of Manlius was, there followed a prodigy vpon the dedication of the Temple, like to the old wonder of the hill Albanus, for it rained stones, and the day became night, whereupon holy dayes were bidden: neither did the kindreds of the romans make prayers to the Gods only, but also other people their neighbours. That year the people passed judgements against usurers, to whom the aediles appoynted dayes, but the year following, war began with the Samnites a nation very mighty both for their wealth and arms, which war immediately caused an other most grievous war with king Pirrhus and the africans. livius and Iulius Obsequens Chapter 22. Plinie book. 16. and fourth Chapter. At what time Seleuchus departed out of Macedonia with Alexander, when at Pella he did sacrifice to jupiter, the wood laid on the Alter did of it self turn about to the idol, and kindling without fire burned. Pausanias. Lib. 1. In Abisari a country of India, in the time of Alexander the great, it is well known, that there were Dragons brought up, one eighty cubits long, an other a hundred and forty cubits long, as it was reported for a troth, by the ambassadors that the king sent thither, and Onesicritus a writer of wonderful things recordeth this matter: but if it be not likely to be true, it shall not seem a wonder, if thou read that, when Regulus made war in Affrike, the roman soldiers slue with their Engines( whorling of stones) called Balistae, at the river Bagrada a Serpent of 120 foot long, whose skin was after to be seen, whereof afterward I will speak in his place out of Tuberon, livy and other authors. Alexander the great conquered the thebans and utterly destroyed them, passing through Asia with his army, joined battle with the Persians at Granicum and overthrew them, he subdued all the country as he went, even unto Silicia, he slue also Darius with his whole army at Issa, the mother, wife, and the two daughters he friendly entreated. Alexander the son of Philip king of Macedonia a realm in Greece first called Aemathia, now under the turk, became a valiant conqueror, in his childhood brought up by Aristotle, at the age of twenty yeares he enterprised to conquer all the world, first gate Illyria now called Slauonia, subdued Greece, vanquished Darius King of Persia, and had his mother, his wife and daughter prisoners, being of singular beauty, notwithstanding he refused to company with them. A rare virtue to be found. In twelve years he brought the whole world into subiection: it is said that he fell to lascivious life,& afterward was poisoned at babylon, being at his death little above 33. years old, which was afore the incarnation of Christ 322. years, as some writ, whose computation differeth from Licosthenes as appeareth. Alexander king of Macedonia, the valiauntest that ever was, when he fought in India, in brandishing his weapon, he seemed to cast forth a light vpon the Barbarians,& to bear 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 seen contrary to those which appeared before the battle of Leuctra, for then over the Temple gates, the spiders did wave a white web, but a black web a little before Alexander and the Macedonians entred the country. It is said also, that in the country about Athens, it reigned ashes, the year before that Sylla by making war vpon them, did great annoy, whereupon Cassander the son of Antipater, brought home the thebans, which Alexander had now banished, and were fled to Athens, Pausanias in his ninth book. Alexander the Macedonian, did here and there remove his Tentes and his army in Syria, egypt, and in other countreyes, unaccustomed to him, by reason of the difficulty of places: in the day time upon the sudden showers falling down broken off their fear, and by moystning the sand, allayde a drought not usual: and when these were settled, there followed a sweet gale of wind, and a pure air: afterward when the guides had lost their confused limits, and now began to go out of the way, their companions being scattered through ignorance of the place, there appeared ravens or crows flying before them, showing them the way, and staying for them following slowly after, and which is much more to be wondered at, Clisthenes writeth, that in the night time with their noise and cries, they called to them that went astray, to follow the steps of their companions, plutarch in Alexander. As Alexander had a crown set vpon his head being at Sacrifice, and had offered according unto the custom: a certain bird, of the kind of them that are used to the pray, flying by the altar, a ston which by chance he carried in his Talons, fell down and struck him vpon the head. Arrianus in his second book of the noble acts of Alexander the great. There was in those days a great Eclipse of the moon, wherefore Alexander appointed sacrifice to the sun, to the moon, and likewise to Tellus the earth, of which they report the Eclipse is caused: and when Aristander beholded this thing, he affirmed that the Macedonians and Alexander should haue good success, and that where as Alexander was to fight with Darius that month that the entrails of beasts which were opened for sacrifice, promised Alexander the victory: Arrianus book third of the noble acts of Alexander, &c. When Alexander the great overcame Tyre, in war, in the siege or assault of the city there were seen terrible wonders, for in the city, when they began to blow the fire with the bellows, streams of blood ran through the fire, and when the soldiers broke bread in their tents, drops of blood therein suddenly appeared, with which strange token Alexander being afraid, was cheered by Aristande● the Southsaier, who shewed that this concerned them of Tyre, seeing that the blood was within, not without. Sabellicus book. 4. Enead. 4. also Polidor virgil third book. As Alexander was going from Media to babylon, ravens flying aloft, and fighting together, fell in his sight down to the ground, some being sore hurt and almost torn in pieces. As Apolodorus ruler of Babylon was also sacrificing for the king, the liver appeared without a head, and one whom they knew not, having a crown and royal rob, upon the sudden sat him down in the seat of estate, saying that Serapis commanded him so to do, who at the bidding of the Auguries was immediately put to death: Alexander being afraid with these strange tokens, began to suspect the Goddes and men alike, and most of all Antipater, whose son Cassander he taking by the hair, had dashed against the Wall, because he beholding the Barbarians worshipping the King as a young man, lately come from home, had not refrained from loud deriding laughter, Sabel. 6 Enead. And when on a time his tentes were pitched, by a certain violent flood of water, about the second watch of the night, the flood being increased with sudden showers, ran with a swift course over the fields, that it took& carried away many children and women, which hardly followed the army together with the Kings stuff, carriage,& beasts that bare& drew burdens: those also being saved with much a do, which were in the tentes, in losing a great parte of their armor and munition, and very many also as they were going, having store of water, through heat and thirst, and for fear of scarcity to come, they being filled with too much drink, gave up the ghost. Arianus in his sixth book of the acts of Alexander the great. When Alexander lead his army into the country of Cabaz, and had now traveled for two dayes space in cloudy weather& a foul tempest, the third day rising much more cloudy, covered the whole face of heaven with horrible darkness, lightnings flashing out among, there ensuing a crashing with fiery beams, and with a foul tempest dazelyng the eyes, and dismaying the mind of the soldiers, then a thick hail shower vehemently falling, did so annoy the army, that every one in the place where he stood, coueryng himself with his armor fell flat to the ground, some hoong fast to the stems of trees, their limbs in the mean time waxing stiff for cold, and many as they hoong about the trees, looking one to another were found dead: in that wilderness the most part of the army had been destroyed, unless he had gone about from man to man, to encourage them, with much ado lifting up the benumbed bodies from the ground, and wanting strength to continue their journey: and unless at the kings commandment fires had been made immediately over the whole desert, with the which the Souldiers being refreshed, by little and little, felt their footing, and went to their ensigns. Sabel in his sixte book, Aenead. 4. When Alexander the great had pitched his Tentes by the river Oxus, and had set his pavilion with Images, we read in Alexander of Alexandrine first book and twelfth Chapter, that there ran a fountain of oil, which is wonderful to be spoken. Alexander the great entering into India with a great army, after that he was minded to pass over a river,& had now swum over the fourth parte, suddenly there appeared a fearful fortokening, for the river horses termed Hippodami mounting up from the deep gulphes of the water appeared, and took& swallowed up them that were vpon the water, in the sight of the army, whereupon the king being displeased with the Captaines which had brought his army in danger, commanded a hundred and fifty of them to be put into the river, whom the Hippodami devoured. When on a time the Tentes of Alexander the great were fortified by a mere or great standing water, and the soldiers betook them to their night rest, at the first rising of the moon shining, vpon the sudden, Scorpions without number, turning up their stinging tails and going to their accustomend watering, came together to the Tentes: there followed these strange sights a great number of the Serpentes called Cerastae, and of others set with diuers colours, for some had red scales, and some were seen of black and white colour, and some glistering like Gold, there was nothing but hissing among them, which made the Macedonians not a little afraid: but they did set the front of their Tentes full of Bucklers, and held long spears in their hands, with whose armed heads they thrust thorough the hurtful Beasts,& many they slue with fire, which thing put them to a great plunge almost for two houres. And the lesser sort when they had drunk, began to go away, and the greater Serpentes, to the great ioy of the army, went from whence they came. Then about the thyrde hour of the night, when the Macedonians hoped to haue some rest, there came crested Serpentes with two and three heads, as big as pillars, and somewhat taller, which came forth from the dens or Caues of mountains thereby, to drink water, furrowing the ground with their bodies and scales: there came out of their breast three heads with cloven tongues, their eyes sparkling with venom, whose breath was also pestilent, the Macedonians fought with those more than an hour, losing twenty slaves, and thirty soldiers. After the Serpentes were gone, crabs or Lobsters of an unmeasurable greatness, covered as it were with the skins of Crocodiles, came unto their tentes, which Monsters were so hard to be pierced, that no iron could enter them, many were burned and got into the mere, and when the soldiers being in their tentes, thought that they should be no more troubled, behold there came hereupon white lions, to be compared to the great bodies of bulls, and no less late at night great Bores, Lynxes, tigers, and fearful Panters fought with them, and when they were chased away, a kind of bats, as big as Pigeons, did greatly annoy the army. moreover a beast of a strange kind, greater than an Eliphant, did appear, armed with three horns in his forehead, and having a head of a black colour, like a Horse, him do the In●●ans term Odanta and when he had drunk, he beholding the Tents, suddenly set upon the soldiers with great violence, neither was he driven back with the heat of the fire that was before him: at the overthrowing of whom, six and thirty soldiers were slain, and ●3 Fauchenets semiters were quiter marred, and with much ado, at length the beast being deadly wounded, died. There came also Mice of India into the Tents like unto Vultures or Geires, with whose biting, the beasts and cattle in the host died forthwith. The same Alexander saw in egypt burning clouds coming down from heaven as it were Torches, which set the whole field on fire. Bucephalus the horse of Alexander the great King of Macedonia was of a more notable shape and nature than other horses, not so great as the biggest were, he was of a lofty stomach, black heard, headed like a Bul( as Arianus in his fift book of the Acts of Alexander and Aulus Gellius in his fift book of his nights of Attica. chapter ●. haue left in writing) having a white spot, and when he was trimmed with the kings furniture, he would suffer no man to fit vpon his back but Alexander, of which miracle read moreover plutarch in the life of Alexander. Strabo. lib. 15. Curtius 15 and others. It is left in record that the Abderites forsook their country, and left their natural soil, for none other cause, than for the multitude of mice and frogs, which wonderfully on all partes amnoyed the country. Sabel lib. 7. Enead 4. In a certain cave in Vmbria, two thousand armed men were destroyed with Smoke and fire: Tit. livi. lib. 10.& Functius. It rained earth from heaven, and in the army of Appius Claudius many were stricken with Lyghtening. That year the romans fought vnluckilye with the Samnites: the Plague made a wonderful spoil throughout all italy, and especially in Rome. Fabius vanquished the Frenchmen, and put them to flight. Fuluius in Hetruria, fought luckily against the Thuscans: Titus livius, and Iulius Obsequens, Sabel. Enead. 2. When Lysimachus made war against the Heraclians, in the countreys 28●. of Hell●spontus& Cheronesus, the Earth shooke so fearfully that the city of Lysimachia, the 21. year after it was built, fell down for the most part, and that prodigy conserved Lysimachus and his offspring or stock, that was shortly after to come to destruction: and also, all the mischiefs which afterward ensued: for Agathocles the kings son, not long after was poisoned by Arsinoe his mother in law. Sabel Lib. 8. Enead. 4. When the Frenchmen under the conduct of Brennus, were going up to the Hill Parnassus in Greece and went about to spoil the Temple of Delphi where Apollos Oracle was, through an Earthquake caused by devils, a piece of the Hill fell vpon their army, afterward there followed a horrible tempest, lightning, thunder and hail, whereby a great parte of the army was overthrown, that they were driven to surcease their sacrilege: Brennus also being grievously hurt, and not able to suffer the pain of his wound, through impatience slay himself with his Dagger. The like befell to Xerxes the fourth king of the Persians, for he going about to spoil the country of Greece when he had brought a great power of men into the land, and earnestly sought to spoil the Temple of Apollo, came in very great danger, for there rolled down from the mountain vpon his army two stones, and fiery darts with fearful thunder fell from heaven, whereupon they which climbed the hill, as mad men, were from thence cast down headlong, and at that time, by the devils subtlety, there were slain 4000 men, as Trogus writeth, the Delphians being delivered from that mortality, praised Apollo their God, so far forth can the devill among Infidels turn the tempest of the air where he list, to the end he may keep them in error, and false superstition: This writeth Munster and aventine. When Pirrhus was a warfare in Latium, which is the country about Rome, in the sacrifice, the hart did not pant among the entrails, whereupon when it was foretold that there should follow great misery and threats of fortune, Pyrrhus immediately after many overthrows, was driven out of Italy. Alexander Lib. 5. Cap. 25. Among other strange tokens, lightning also overthrew the Image of jupiter in the capitol, whose head was found by soothsayers. Pyrrhus made war against the Romains, whom Curius overcame and chased to Tarentum immediately the Tarentines made war eftsoons against the Romaines desiring aid of the Carthaginians, by their ambassadors, whom notwithstanding the Romaines again overcame. In very many places there ran blood forth of springs: milk dropped out of the clouds like to rain, as it seemed to the people, and moistened the Earth as showers, Vincent lib. 6. Chap. 55 out of Orosius. In Greece when 16. harvest men had sent one of their fellowes to fetch water, he found at the fountain a Serpent who clasping about an Eagle, choked hir, being entangled with very strait wrethings: the harvest man having a sickle hook in his hand, boldly going forward, cut the Serpent asunder, and let the Eagle go free: when afterward vpon the filling of his pot with water, he was returned, he gave every one of his fellowes a cup full to drink, and immediately when he also went about to drink, the Eagle was at hand, which took the cup from his mouth, and cast him far of: whilst the harvest man did marvell hereat, and reproved the Eagle which he knew well, and thought to accuse hir of vnthankefulnesse to his fellowes, he saw them falling down here and there to give up the Ghost, whereupon he perceived that both the water which they had drunk, was infected with poison, and that he was delivered of danger, and very plainly acknowledged the good turn to haue been well bestowed vpon the bird. Crates the Philosopher of Pergamum, hath at large set forth this story, which Stesicorus hath written in greek verse, Holy letters. and hereof Pierius Valerius maketh men●●●n in his .19. book of his Hierogliphes. There were seen ill-favoured and cruel prodigies at Rome, for the Temple of Salus was reaued asunder with a thunderbolt, part of the city wall at the same place was strike from heaven, three wolves before day entering the city, brought in a carcase half eaten, and being afraid of the noise of men, left it scattered abroad in the Market place. At Formia the walls with many flashes of lightning were burned on every side and rent asunder. In the territory of Calenum upon the sudden, a flamme breaking out of an open gashed cave of the earth, burning three dayes and three nights, did parch to ashes five Acres of ground, in consuming utterly the fruitful sap, so that it wasted, not only the corn, but also the trees down to the roote. This year the Pisentines became enemies a fresh, and procured the Romaines against them, livius Obsequens, Orosius, Vincentius lib. 6. Cha. 23. When Sempronius the Consul, lead his army against the Pisentines and that both armies stood directly the one against the other, within the casting of a dart, suddenly with a fearful noise the earth so shoke, that for the amazedness of the miracle, both armies were sore afraid and astonied, but immediately they setting forward to fight, the battle was so fierce, that it may be said, that the earth worthily received the blood of so many men, and trembled with fearful lowing, for that they continued their desperate fight, for al the shaken and dreadeful noise of the earth, in which conflict● notwithstanding, the romans( few of them escaping) had the victory: livius and Iulius Obsequens. Chap 26. There fel milk down from the clouds like rain: Functius in his Chronicles. The Romaines proclaimed war against the Salentines who also being overcome did yield themselves. The city and Citizens of brundisium were taken, and over them they triumphed. Eutropius lib. 2. Cha. 2. Florus lib. 1. Title. 20. The Salentines joined with the Picentines, see more in Cuspinianus. Among many other prodigies blood was seen to spring out of the earth, & milk to fall from heaven, for in many places blood ran out of springs, and milk dropped out of the clouds like unto rain,& fearful showers watered the earth. The same time the Carthaginians when aid was given to the Tarentines against the Romaines, and were reproved of the Senate by the ambassadors, they heaped up a most shameful presumed blemish of league broken vpon perjury: there ensued also a wicked mischief of the Volscientians freed bondslaves against their maisters, which notwithstanding by the conduct of Fabius Gargies were by and by punished. A most cruel pestilence this year invaded the city. Liuiu● and Iulius Obsequens. Chap. 27. At Rome a pillar before Iupiters temple was by the violence of a whirlewynde overthrown, together with a golden Image, vpon which fight, according to the answer given by the soothsayers, al the magistrates as soon as might be resigned their authority. That year a sudden army of the roman being sent into Sicili● drove many to revolt, in the mean season: also the cost of Italy was spoyled by another navy of the Carthaginians, when the mean while Affrica was free from al injury of the enemies. livius and Iulius Obsequens. Chap. 28. After that Attilius Regulus being made Captain of the Romains against the Carthaginensians had with great cruelty overcome his enemies,& had ranged far abroad through their grounds, at length coming to the river of B●grada, he chanced vpon a new& strange conflict worthy of remembrance. There lodged in the river a serpent of an unaccustomed greatness, which when he had slain certain of them that fet Water,& none of thē escaped free, the Consul with crossbows& slings overcame as it were a certain great Pile, his skin that was in length 120 foot,& his iawbones are said to haue been openly hanged up for al men to see, even unto the War of Numance: authors of this thing are Gellius, who followed Tubero, livius, Pl●u& many others: and I wonder at Po●●bius who most diligently wrote of this war, that he spake not a word of this matter:& not many dayes after Attilius took by strong hand the town of Tunes 15. miles from Carthage, where the Consul pitched the tentes of the Romaines, from thence to assault Carthage as it were out of a castle: Sabel●icus lib. 9. of his 4. Aenead, out of livius or rather from the abridgement of Florus, lib. 8. of his second Decade. The river of Tiber swelling up with unaccustomed showers, destroyed all the buildings at Rome, that stood on the plain: and those about the which the water longest stood, fell down, and those that stood in the swift of the stream were also overthrown: upon this spoil which the water made, there followed a more grievous destruction by fire: for that taking very many parts of the City, did consume so much work in one burning, as very many and strange victories were not able to réedify Orosius. lib 4. Ca. 6. Tiber being increased with unaccustomed showers, defaced all the buildings in Rome, that were placed in the plain,& where the water stood long the ground mouldered away,& again, where the force of the stream came, it overthrew the buildings. A greater spoil of fire followed this destruction of water, for the fire ranging in many partes of the city, did consume so much work at one burning, as very many and strange victories could not repair. Orosius. 4. lib. Ca. 6 whose numbers notwithstanding are very much corrupted in the accounting of yeares: The romans that year making peace with thē of Carthage, made war against the Phalisses as Po writeth in his first book and Eutro also, although Orosius thinketh otherwise. At Marcha& Conitana in old time called Picenum, a river rā with blood: in Thuscia the sky burned. At Aremi●ū 3. moons were seen, this writeth Eu. and Cuspinianus in their commentaries vpon Cassiodorus That year the Carthaginians stirred up them of Corssica and Sardinia against the Romaines. Caria& Rhodes were so shaken with an Earthquake, that the great& huge Image of the sun which carries Lindius Lisippus scholar had made in 12. yeares space, which cost .300. talents at the charge of King Demetrius( fel down) Eusebius, Orosius, Vincentius, in his 6. book .40. Chap.& Munste● also writeth hereof, whose accounts notwithstanding are diuers. That year died Demetrius King of Macedonia, whose son Phillip succeeded the 37. in order: Ptolomeus evergetes dyed also, after he reigned in egypt 26. yeares, whom Ptolomeus Philopater succeeded: the Iewes also were overcome, and 60000. armed men of the number were slain Eusebi. Functius. Caius Flaminius and Fuluius being Consuls when they lead their host again the Lumbards, a river which ran through Marcha and Conitana was seen to flow with blood, but when the soothsayers affirmed that the Consuls were unluckily created, by and by they they called them back by their letters: see Plutarch in the life of Marcellus,& Volateran lib. 16. Anthro. The Romaines going against the Frenchmen as polybius writeth in the .2. book against the ●●subrians of whom there were about .50000. fought violently and stoutly: look in Cuspinianus in his Coment. vpon case. where he writeth to the Consuls the 530. year from the building of the city. In Marcha& Conitana, a river ran with blood: among the Thuscans the sky was seen to burn. At Areminum a clear light shone late in the night three moons rose in diverse regions of the heaven. The islands Caria and Rhodes were so shaken with a great Earthquake, that the houses falling down every where, an exceeding great Image fel to the ground: that year Flaminius fought with the Frenchmen& overcame them, but the next year Claudius Marcellus put him again to flight, in taking king Viridomarus prisoner, and among many towns of the Lumbardes, whom he drove to yield, he took also the most flourishing city of Milane. livius and Iulius Obsequens, although other refer this to the .3720. and to the .3742. year of the world. At Saguntum at such time as Hannibal sacked it, among many and continual Prodigies, we read that an infant being almost born of his Mother did return again into his mothers belly, which prodigy was as it were a divination of that which followed, and without doubt it shewed the utter destruction and imminent danger thereof. Alexand. ab Alexandro. Cooper. lib. 2. Chap. 31. When Hannibal ouerran Italy, the temple of Hope, which was in the Hearbe-market, was strike with lightning, which prodigy without doubt did signify the destruction and whole decay of Italy, wherewith both by sea and land the Empire was tossed and turmoiled. Alex. ab Alex. lib. 2. Chap. 4. out of livius lib. 1. dec. 3. When Flaminius fought valiantly against Hanniball, at the lake Trazeminus the souldiers going to fight, there was such an Earthquake, that it overthrew great partes of many Cities, it turned riuers out of their swift course, for it overthrew the high tops of mountains with a great fall, which prodigies although they were very sore, yet none of thē that fought felt them, by reason of the tumult and the noise of their wood weapons. livy in the second book decade. 3. Plutarch in Fabius Maximus, Florius. lib. 2. and others. Caius Flaminius fighting at Trazimenum against Hannibal when he fell from his horse, nothing forbidden by that prodigy, when his standerdbearers said that they could not remove their ensigns from their place, threatened them mischief, unless they would by and by dig them up, but he was punished enough for this rashness, when in that overthrow .6000. Romaines were slain and 200, put to flight. livius second book of the punike war, Cicero in his first book of divination, Valerius in his first book. Chap. 6. Hanniball after his conflict with the romans at Trazimenum going out of his wintering place with his army, after that he went to Hetruria, purposing to win that people unto him by force or good will, and now being come to the top of Appennin hills, suddenly a tempest rising, turned the captain and his army out of his way, for a wind mixed with reign blowing against them, made the army stand still: for when the force of the winds took away the soldiers weapons, or else dashed the body with his whirling against the ground: but when they which were cast down could no more fetch their breath, the winds blowing against them, the storms a while ceased: by and by followed a great thunder, and between horrible cracks of the air there was often lightning, wherefore they being deaf and blind, were al first astonished with fear, whereupon the tempesteous shower being gone, they endeavoured them to pitch the tents: but when they could discern of no certainty, the wind tearing every thing in pieces, and that they yet stood in doubt, such a great hail storm which was congealed by the force of could in the top of the Mountaines did invade the standards, that the soldiers setting aside the work, fel to the ground, rather overwhelmed with their tentes, than covered: in the mean season the limbs of them which lay vpon the ground, were so fastened with the great extremity of cold, that the vntemperatenesse of the air giuing over, with very much ado they recovered themselves from a miserable slaughter. Finally when they endeavouring themselves many ways, began by little and little to march forward, and that very few lights were kindled, they being comforted in mind, remained in that place where they were taken tardy, for two dayes space: afterward when all were unwilling, and as it were besieged, they pitched their tents upon Apeninus, in the mean time many men and many beasts were destroyed with cold, and among these seven Elephants of those which remained of the field fought at Trebaia: Sabellicus, 2. book Aeneads. At Rome in the herb Market: a young child of six months old proclaimed a triumph: also in the ox Market, an ox of his own accord climbed up as far as the third raftering, and from thence cast himself down being afraid of the tumult of the inhabitants. The form of ships were seen in the air: At Lanuium a spear moved himself. A Crow flew into Iunos temple, and did light upon the Goddesse bed in the territory of Amiternum: in many places the form of men were seen a far off in white garments, in Marca and Conitanum it reigned stones: in Sardinia when a horsseman went about the watch upon the wall, the staff which he held in his hand did burn: in Sicilia certain of the soldiers spears were a fire, the sea shore shone full of fire, the souldiers were strike with lightning, and the circle of the sun seemed to be diminished. At Preneste burning Lamps fel from the air. At Arpis a Helmet was seen in the air, the moon was seen to strive with the sun, and in the day time also two moons were seen: at Serete the waters were seen to flow mixed with blood, Hercules fountain ran with bloody spots scattered here and there: At Ancium as the mowers were reaping, the ears of corn fell down bloody, at Faleria the sky seemed to cleave asunder: Mars shaketh his weapon, the Image of Mars in Apius way did sweat at the Images of wolves, at Capua the sky seemed to burn: some men had Goates that bare wool: a Hen was turned into a cock, and a cock into a Hen. The same year did Hannibal besiege Hetruria. The Romaines at the lake Tracimenas were overcome with a bloody battle. livius and Iulius Obsequens, Chap. 31. Vpon the mount aventine at Rome,& at Aritia it rained stones& much blood: out of a very could fountain did flow hot water: in the way called Fornicata which leadeth to the temple, certain men were strike from heaven: that wonderful conflict at canvas followed: a village of Apulia in the which Paulus Emelius was slain, and 400. footmen, with 270. horsemen and more than 3000. Romaines taken, and Hannibal set vpon Campania. livius 3 lib. Decade. Iulius Obsequens. 32. The sea burned, at Sinuessa a Cow brought forth a Colt, which notwithstanding shal not seem wonderful, sith that in Aelianus in his variable history 1. lib. Cap. 29 in the pastures of Necippus tyrant, it is written that an Ewe brought forth neither ram nor Ewe lamb, but a Lion,& it was believed that it did forshew Nicippus tyranny, who then lead a private life. At Lanuuium the Images of juno Sospita ran with blood, it rained stones about that temple, for which shower they kept nine dayes holy, and other Prodigies were purged with great care: that year in france Posthumius with all his army was discomfited. The war of Macedonia was begun. The romans had good success in spain. In Italy they of Campania were slain at come. The Carthaginians were discomfited and put to flight in Lucania. Ther was also made slaughter of the Carthaginians at Nola. The Sardinians were slain by Manlius. livius lib. 23. Obsequens and others. In Apulia a green Date tree was seen to burn: at Mantua the standing water running into the river Mincius appeared bloody: at Rome in the ox Market it rained blood. In the village Istricus such abundance of water suddenly broke out of the earth, that the force thereof rolled away Hogsheades, which by chance lay by. The public porch in the Capitol was strike from heaven, the Temple in Vulcans field, and other, public and private places were strike with lightning. At Preneste the spear of Mars did move of his own accord: in Sicilia a Cow spake, in Marucina a child in his mothers belly cried out jo triumph: At Spoletum a woman became a man, which least any man should refute for a lie, besides livius, who is the Author of this prodigy, when Lici Crassus& Caius Cassius were Consuls, P●inie writeth that it happened that Cassinus daughter under hir parents keeping, became a boy, which by the commandement of the soothsayers was carried into a desert island. Licinius Lucianus wrote, that he saw at Argos Ariston who was called Aristufa, being a virgin and married began in short time to haue a beard and mans members, and after married a wife. At Smirna also the same author writeth 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 Cossitius. There were told at that time other Prodigies besides those which we haue mentioned: at Adria an altar was seen in the air, and about it shapes of men in white garments, some affirmed that they saw armed legions of men of war in Taniculum, and with this report they stirred the city to arms, a swarm of bees was seen to light in the Market place at Rome, and because it was rare, it was taken for a prodigy. Sabellicus lib 3. Chap. 5. out of livius lib. 4, dec. 9. At Lanuuium in the Temple of juno Sospita, crows made their nests, at Calibus it rained chalk: the public Porch, a Nut in Sabina& the common way, the wall and the gate at Gauine was strike from heaven: moreover at Rome also in the very city a second swarm of bees was seen in the Market: armed legions also were seen in Ianiculum, which notwithstanding by and by vanished away when men ran to their weapons: the same year hannibal went to Nola with a great number of soldiers, from the assaulting whereof he being let by Marcellus saw a great slaughter of his men, and was driven out of Campania: The tower Cassilinus was taken, Fabius spoyled S●mnium and took many towns by force. Ciracusa was besieged, war was made against Phillip which was put from his tentes at Appolonia: the Cipions had very good success in spain, and Saguntum was recovered: livius and Obsequens. Titus Graccus the consul made sacrifice with the Lucanians, two Snakes crept out of a privy place, suddenly when they had eaten the liver of the sacrifice which he had offered, they crept into the place from whence they came: when that sacrifice was restored again by the counsel of the Soothsayers, and that diligently the inwards drawn out were kept, they write that again and again the Serpentes went away untouched eating up the liver, wherefore the soothsayers when they had forewarned that that prodigy did concern the Emperour, and had foretold him that he should beware of men lying in corners, yet by no foresighte he could avoyde his imminent death, for being cast down headlong by the deceit of his host, he was slain by a few that lay in wait for him. Valerius Maxi. lib. 1. chap. 6. livi. lib 5. dec. 3. Sabellicus lib. 4. Aeneade. 5. The walls and the Gates of Rome were strike from heaven: At Aritia Iupiters temple was from heaven strike with lightning, shapes of long ships were seen in the river Terracina,& yet there were none. In the temple of jupiter Vicelius which is in the territory Quasanus, was heard a clattering of armor and weapons, and the river at Amiternum rā bloody. syphax king of Numidians fighting for the Carthaginians, was overcome against Massenissa. In Brucie the Consentines and the Thurines which were of the twelve sorts of people which the year before revolted to the Carthaginians, yielded themselves to the people of Rome, livius. Iu. Filthy tempests arose in the mountain Albanus, it rained stones two dayes together, many things were strike from heaven, two Temples in the capitol, a trench in the tentes, and in many places beyond Suesula and two night scouts were slain: a wall and towers and certain other things at Cuma were strike with lightning and almost beaten down. At Reate a huge ston was seen to fly: the Sun was redder than he was wont to be, and appeared bloody in colour: Hannibal took Tarentum by treason, saving the castle. The Romaines spoyled the landers of the Samnites. Hannibal gave the Romaines two bloody battailes, the Romaines besieged and took Ca●ua. Publius and Cneus surnamed Scipios, were in Spain beset with their enemies and slain. Lucius Marcius a gentleman of Rome, when he was a warfare in spain and made an oration to the soldiers, a flamme of happy success twined abouts his head as he was speaking, without feeling, to the great fear of the standards by, with which sight the soldiers being warned to recover their former stoutenesse, after they had slain seven and thirty thousand of their enimyes, and had brought a great number into their subiection, they took two tentes filled with the witches of the Carthaginians. spain was made quiet for a season. Marcellus after that he had taken Ciracusa, returned to Rome with great glory. livius lib. 5 de 3. In the Temple of concord, the Image of victory which was in the top, being strike with lightning and beaten down, stuck at the Images of victory, which were fastened in the temple, and fel not from thence. At Anagnia& Frigelle the wall and the Gates of the city were strike from heaven. In the Market Sudertanum streams of blood did flow for a whole day. At Eretum it rained stones: at Reate a Mule brought forth young. The same year was a deadly fire at Rome, which was kindled by the malice of the Campanians. Marcellus in Campania recovered Salapia. The navy of the Romaines fought unluckily at Sacriportus. Scipio in spain destroyed new Carthage. Marcellus put Hambals army to flight, and a great part of Sicilia was taken. At Tusculum a lamb was ewed with an udder full of milk. The t●●pe of Iupiters Temple was strike with lightning and was almost vncouered. about this time at Anagnia the Earth was strike before the gate, a day and a night a fire burned without any Fuel: at the crosseways of Anagnia in Dianas wood, the birds forsook their nests and the trees. At Terracina in the sea not far from the haven, Snakes of marvelous greatness did play in the water like unto fish. At tarquin a big was farowed having the humane head& face of a man. In the country of Capinate by the wood of Feronia, four Images for a day and a night did sweat much blood. livius Iulius Obsequens chap. 7. Sabellicus. ●. Aeneade. 5. by and by after Valerius Messala spoyled the territory of utica and after long contention a law was made touching the making again of Consuls. In the mountain Albanus, Iupiters Image and a tree near the Temple were strike from heaven, so were the lake at Hostia, the wall at Capua, the Temple of Fortune, and the Wall and a Gate at Sinuessa. The water Albana ran with blood. At Rome within the cel of the Temple Fortis Fortunae, an Image which was in the crown fell of his own accord from the head into the hands. At Piuernum a cow spake: A raven at the full Market flew into a tavern. At Sinuessa a child was born that was of a doubtful kind, between Male and Female. It rained milk. A boy was born with an elephants head. Marcellus encountryng with Hannibal fought first vnluckilye, afterward he put his enemy to flight. Fabius recovered Tarentum. Scipio passed his business prosperously in spain. At Capua two Temples, to wit of Fortune and of Mars, with certain tombs were strike from heaven. Mise did gnaw gold in Iupiters Temple. At Cassinum a great swarm of bees did light in the pleading Courte-house. At Hostia the wall and the gate was strike from heaven. At Cera a raven flew into Iupiters temple. At Wlsunij a lake rā with blood: a grievous plague fel vpon the city and country, which notwithstanding rather turned to long diseases, than deadely. Marcellus went about with all endeavour, either to overthrow the army of the Carthaginians in Italy, or else to drive them out, in a solemn sacrifice wherein he desired to seek out the will of the Gods, in the first sacrifice which fel before the fire the liver was found without an head. The next sacrifice had a double head on the liver, which when they were seen, the soothsayer made answer that he liked not the cowards, because the first appeared maimed and the second too joyful: so Marcellus being warned that he should attempt nothing so rashlye, the night following entering with a few to spy, was beset by his enemies in Brucie and whilst vncircumspectly he sought against hannibal he was slain, being strooken through with a lance. Crispinus being grievously wounded died also: which happened never before, that two Consulles being slain without any famous battle had left the common wealth as naked. livius. Timoleon of Corinth being chosen by his Citizens, to take charge of the common wealth of Siracus●, whilst he departed from Corinth in a hired galley, al the night long a burning torch in the air gave light before whilst he sailed, until he came into italy with al his power. Dio. Sicul. touching the noble acts of Phillip king of macedon in his sixteenth year. Notwithstanding I suspect that in him the names of the Consuls are corrupted. wherefore in the accounting of yeares. I follow aduisedlye this man. At Veia it rained stones. At Minturne a stream of blood ran into the Gate of the Temple of jupiter and the holy wood of Marica. Likewise at Atelle the wall& the gate was strike from heaven. At Capua a wolf in the night entering into the gate tore a watchman in pieces. At Fruzinone a Child was born that was as big as a child of four yeares old. In the Hill aventine in the temple of queen juno was strike from heaven. At the river Meta●rus Hasdruba● with all his army was discomforted by the Romaines: which overthrow the romans slay luj. thousand, of their enemies and took, 5400. and there were 4000. of the Romaines received which were taken by their enemies. livy Chap. 40. At Terracina the Temple of jupiter and Satricas matter Matuta, was strike from heaven. In Iupiters temple two Snakes crept forth of the doors. The Mowers saw the ears of corn bloody. At Cera a pig had two heads, and a lamb Ewed of both kindes. At Alba two suins were seen. At Frigella in the night season a light arose: a cow spake in the fields near to Rome. In Flaminius Theatre Neptunes Altar did sweat wonderfully. The temple of Ceres, of Health, and of Romulus, were strike from heaven. The Lucanians yielded themselves to the people of Rome without any fight. The Cities of the Brutians yielded themselves to the Romaines. The Romaines received King Massinissa into friendship. The Romaines sacked the city Astapa. Scipio compelled the rebellious spaniards to yield. livius, Obsequens, Sabellicus. It rained oftentimes stones from heaven, wherefore when Sibels Oracles were read, The mother of the Gods. it was found that then at length the foreign enemy which should make war against Italy, might be driven out of Italy, if Idea mother of the Gods were brought from Pessinus to Rome. The same year the Romaines fought in vain against Hannibal in Brutia, whilst the plague molested both armies. In spain there arose a new commotion. In italy the Locrians were received of the Romaines. Two suins were seen, and in the night time, lights were seen between whiles. At Secia a torch was seen to reach from the east to the west. At Arrasma a Gate, at Anagnia a great wall in many places was stricken from heaven. At Lanuuium in the Temple of juno Sospita was a crack given with an horrible noise. Scipio passed from sicily a into Affrica and spoiling the country slew the younger Hanno. Sempronius fought against Hann●bal, first unluckily, but afterward luckily, killyng 4000. Carthaginians livius. In the capitol crows did not only tear gold with their bills, but also did eat it. At Ancinum Mice did gnaw a crown of gold. About Capua great multitude of grasshoppers filled the whole country. At Reate a horse colt was foaled with five feet. At Anagnia fire first flew abroad in the air, after was seen in the air a burning torch. At Fruzinone a bow compassed the sun with a slender line. At Arpinum the Earth in a Champion ground sunk down very hollow. When one of the Consuls didde offer the first sacrifice, the liver was found without his head or top, it wanted a piece. In Affrike nere utica, Scipio burned the tentes of the Carthaginians. The romans received many cities revolting to them in Brutia, and they slue Hanniball in the Territory of Crotonum. They overcame Mago, Hannibals Brother, in a bloody battle. They set on fire the Tentes of the league breaker, King syphax and took him prisoner. King Massinissa took Circa the kings city. livius and Iulius Oblequens Chapter the four and twentieth. At come in italy the compass of the sun was seen deminyshed, and it rained stones: in the territory of Veliternum the earth sunk down with great chinckes, and the trees were drawn very deep into the earth. At Arisia the Market place and the vittailyng houses thereabout, likewise at Fruscinone the Wall in certain places, and the Gate of the city, was strike from heaven: in the palace it rained stones. The river of Tiber wonderfully flowed over. Claudius being consul, that year through an exceeding great storm suffered shipwreck. this year also was notable for a great burning, for cheap of corn, A deuinor on the flying of birds. and for the death of Quintus Fabius Maximus, who was Augur two and twenty yeares. Hanniball entred into Affrica. Vermina son to king syphax was with a great slaughter of men discomfited by the Romaines. livius and Obsequens Chapter. 45. trees bare wheat, Plinie lib. 18. chap. 18. Plautus coming from Sarsina a city of Vmbria dieth at Rome: who for want of victuals gave himself to hire to a Baker, to grind at a hand Mill. By Thera one of the Iles called cyclades, appeared an island which afterward was called Hiera. Antiochus after that Scopa was overcome took into his hands the Cities of Siria, and was joined in league with the Iewes. The Romaines gave freedom to the greeks. Eusebius& Functius. In Lucania the element seemed to burn. At privernum in a clear day the sun was bloody. At Lanuuium in the temple of juno 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 child was born doubtful whether he were male or female: Likewise another was found 16. yeres of age of a doubtful sex. At Frisinoua a lamb was Ewed with a swines head. At Sinuessa a big was farowed with a mans head: In Lucania in the common field a Colt was foald with five feet: all things were seen filthy and deformed, nature going astray into strange ofsprings. Yet before all other, the half males were abominable, and were commanded forthwith to be carried or casts into the sea. There followed the war of Macedonia with Phillip. The Frenchmen, the Insubrians, the Cenomani and the Boij, by the the conduct of Hamilcar of Carthage invaded the Countreys adjoining, and set towns on fire. livius lib. 31 and Obsequens Chap. 46. Sabellicus. lib. 6. Aeneade. fift. On the sea banks and vpon the sea between the islands of Cera●●● and Cerasie was a great Earthquake, wherein to the admiration of the sailors suddenly appeared an island in the deep sea, having within it a hot bathe. In Asia also the same Earthquake shoke Rhodes and many other Cities, with the overthrow of many buildyngs, and some Cities it quiter swallowed up, with which Prodigies men being afraid, did understand by him that had beste skill in prophesy, that the Empire of the east should give place to the Romaines, and that the kingdom of the Macedonians should be void. Vincentius lib. 6. Chapter 53. The same year Antiocus overcame Scopa at the river of jordan. livius lib. 4. Decade. 3. At Suessa two Gates and the Wall that was between them was overthrown by Tempest. At Formianum the Temple of jupiter, at Ostia the Temple of jupiter also: at Vileternum the Temple of Apollo were strike with lightning. In Hercules Temple a bush of hair grew up. In Brusie a colt was foalde having five feet, and Chickens hatched with three feet. In Macedonia a laurel or bay tree sprung up in the hinder parte of the ship. this year in Macedonia a cruel sedition arose among the roman soldiers, and Caius Bebius Pauphilus fought unluckily with the Frenchmen and Iusubrians The Carthaginians brought first to Rome the stipendary silver or Tribute. From heaven were strike the high way at Veia in italy. At Lauinum the house of judgements, and Iupiters Temple: at Ardea Hercules Temple: at Capua the Wall, the towers, the Temple called Alba: At Aretium the sky was seen to burn: at Velitre the earth cloue and sunk down exceedingly for the space of three Acrées of ground: at Suessa a lamb was Ewed with two heads: also a pig there varoed, having the shape of a mans head. The circle of the sun was seen to be diminished: for the cause of which prodigies men fell to prayer for one day, and the Consulles did sacrifice. And that year Flaminius fought luckily in the entrance of Epirus, against Phillip King of Macedonia: Thessalia which is near to Macedonia was vexed by the Romaines through their league friends the Etolians and the Athamanians: Lucius Quintus Flaminius the Consuls brother in a fight vpon the Sea took Euboea, and al the sea cost. The Achaians were received into friendship by the Romaines. And the conspiracy concerning the discharging of the pledges of Carthage was discovered and oppressed. livius and Iulius Obsequens. chap. 48. At Rome the Temple of vulcan and Summanus, and at Frigelle the Wall and the town Gate were strike from heaven. At Frusinona in the night season a light arose: at Asculum a lamb was Ewed with two heads and five feet. At Formia two wolves entering the town, did tear certain in pieces that they met. At Rome a wolf came not only into the city but also into the Capitol:( the sequel.) In france the romans fought luckily, Cornelius overcame the Nisubrians which were in armor against the romans. Minutius carrying away his army to Genua and beginning war with the Ligurians, took the towns Clastidium, Litubium, likewise Selelate, and Cerdiciates which yielded unto him, and joined to the roman empire all the Towns on this side the river Po, saving Botet which belongeth to the Frenchmen& Iliats which belong to the Ligurians: livius and Iulius Obsequens. Chap. 29. The year that Mithridates king of Pontus was born, who afterward amnoyed the Romaines with war, there appeared a Comet of a wonderful greatness fourescoure dayes together, whereof Vincent in his sixth book, Chapter 100. maketh mention: the year following the samaritans did much mischief to the Iewes, which at large Iosephus describeth, lib. 12. chap. 3. livius Iulius a Gentleman of Rome going a warfare against the Sabines, was slain with lyghtnyng, together with his horse. The Temple of Feronia in Capena, a town by Rome, was strike from heaven,( that is consumed by Tempest.) At the Temple of Moneta two spear heads did burn. A wolf entering in at the gate Esquelina, when he had run up and down in the Market place, and over the most part of the city, in the tuscan street, afterward in Meleau street, he escaped almost untouched through the gate Capena. These Prodigies were appeased with greater sacrifices. Hanniball in vain making war in Affrique, for fear of the Romaines fled away and came unto Antiochus king of Syria making war again the Romaines. The Boieans oppressed Marcellus in Hetruria: the Romaines spoyled the Boieans and Subrians with fire and sword. Phillip was discomfited and put to flight in Thessalia, livius& Iulius Obsequens chap. 5. When the Frenchmen overcame the Romaines in fight, and that they took the city ( Rome) they report that the augurs crooked staff called Lituus was lost, which staff they used in pointing the quarters of the firmament in the divination: afterward they found him deep in the ashes untouched with the fire, whereas the other were wasted and marred. Plutarch in the life of the Romaines. At Rome in the judgement house, and in the place where they choose officers, and in the capitol, drops of blood were seen: it rained earth the head of vulcan burned. At Interramnae milk ran by streams. At Areminum free born children were brought forth without eyes and nose, in Picenum a child was born without hands and feet: In Adrians ground it rained stones. Those prodigies by the decree of the Bishops, were purged, and Sacrifice was made for 9 dayes: In france Lucius Valerius Flaccus being the Consuls deputy, about milan joined battle with the Frenchmen, with the Insubrians, and with the Boyans, who with their captain Dorulacus passed over the river Po to move the Insubrians. Marcus Portius Cato triumphed over spain, Titus Sempronius first overcame the Sempronians with a doubtful battle, but at last he was overcome with a notable slaughter of his. In Macedonia Titus Quintus brought forth the garrisons of the Romaines. livius and Iulius Obsequens chap. 91. There were exceeding great and grievous Earthquakes, and mighty waters, whereupon the river Tiber overflowed the plain places of the city. about the gate Frumentana certain buildings fell down, the gate Celimontana was strike with lightning, and the wall about in many places was also strike from heaven. At Arcia, Lanuuium, and at the Hil Auenine it rained stones. At Capua a great multitude of wasps flew into the Market place, and restend on the temple of Mars which carefully were gathered together and burned: by reason of these Prodigies there was nine dayes sacrifice, and the city was purged. The Ligurians brought Minutius into extreme peril, and were scarcely delivered by the industry of the Numidians. Antiochus by the egging of Hanniball made war against the Romains, and in spain al things were luckily brought to pass: livius and Iulius Obsequens. chap. 52. At Rome the Earth quaked eight and thirty days, and for that cause, for fear and selfishness they kept holy many dayes: Aediles were officers in Rome, whose office was to s●e to the maintenance of Temples. &c. there were set in the capitol Chariots gilded over, and Marcus Tutius and Publius Iunius being Aediles set in twelve, with a gilded shield, and that for to forfeit that was taken from usurers. A fire being begun in the Oxe-Market, burned the houses day and night which fell into tiber and all the shops with wears of great price were burned. livius lib. 5. Decade. 4. Sabellicus. lib. 6. Aeneade. 5. At Picenum a goat brought forth at once six Kiddes. At Aretium a boy was born with one hand. At Amiternum it rained earth. At Formia the Gate and the Wall were strike with lightning. An ox spake these words. Roma tibi cave, that is: Rome take heed too thyself: by reason of this and other Prodigies men fell to prayer, and they which did soothsay, by lookyng in the bowels of beasts commanded, that the ox should carefully be kept and nourished: the river of Tiber running with a more violent course than ever before, overthrew in Rome two Bridges and many buildings, chiefly about the gate Flumentaena: A great ston without rain and without any Earthquake fell down from the capitol into the street Iugarium and slay many. In the fields every where ouerflown, the cattayle were carried away, and farms were greatly spoyled. Quintus Mutius in the territory of Pisa, joining in battle with the Ligurians slew nine thousand of his enemies, and compelled the residue being scattered abroad and fled to their tentes to yield. The country of the Boians was on every side spoyled by the Romaines. In both Spaines things came well to pass, the Romaines fought luckily against the people Vectoles and them of Toledo. King Antiocus broken into Hellespont with a great army. livius and Iulius Obsequens. chap. 53. Two tamed Oxen in Carinae, Carinae. which were certain houses within the Temple of Tellus made like the hulles of ships, clymbed on a ladder vpon the tiles of the house, which the soothsayers commanded to be burned alive, and their ashes to be cast into tiber: At Terrasina and Amiternum it rained stones for a season: at Minturnum a city in Campania the Temple of jupiter and the shops about the Marketplace were strike with lightning. At Vulturnum in the entrance of the river two ships strike with lightnyng were burned, for which Prodigies fasting was appoynted to Ceres, likewise nine dayes sacrifice, and prayer was made a whole day together. That year Publius Quintius fought luckily against the Ligurians his most cruel enemies, in killing certain thousands of them: almost two months after Publius Cornelius joining in battle with the army of the Boians slew two M. eight hundred of his enemies, took 3040. ensigns 124. Horsemen, 1230.& horses. Attillius overthrew Naupactum, a town of Acaia, now called Lepanthum. The romans fought luckily in a shipfight with Eumenes and the Captaines of King Antiochus. livius and Iulius Obse Chapter 54. The sun the fift day before the Ides of june was eclipsed. Marcus Fritschius. The Temple of juno Lucina, was so strike with lightning that the top and the two leaved gates were brought out of fashion, in the places near adjoining many things were strike with thunder stones: at Nurcia in a clear weather, shewres of rain arose, and two men were slain. At Tusculum it reigned earth: At Reat a Mule brought forth a fool( who naturally bringeth never forth any) hereupon prayer was made by ten Boyes, and ten Virgines, whose Parents, both Fathers and Mothers were living: Aemillius Rigillus fought luckily that year against Antiochus: and Scipio took Antiochus prisoner. Liu and Iuh. Obsequens. Chap. 55. In the day time, between three and four of the clock darkness arose: in the Hill aventine it rained stones, which was purged with nine dayes sacrifice: In spain the romans had good success in the war. There was made nine dayes sacrifice because it reigned stones in Marcha and Conitana: and fires flashing from heaven many ways, did with a light blast burn many mens Garments: Iupiters temple in the capitol was strooken with Lightning: In Vmbria a child born, having both kindes the members of man and woman, of that bigness as commonly the age were of twelve yeares, and was killed at the commandment of the soothsayers. The Frenchmen which passed over the Alpes into Italy were repulsed without any battle. The league with Antiochus was agreed vpon, and the Thracians didde greatly annoy the romans. livi. and juli. Obsequens Cap. 56. In Sicilia to the great wonder of al men, the stony and desert island of Vulcan first appeared which belched flames forth of the top. That year Quintus Fuluius Flaccus being praetor, the principal officers at that time did discomfite 2300 men. Gracchus in the further spain compelled many towns to yield unto him: Posthumius in the hithermost spain fought luckily also against the enemy, and Gracchus did there also conquer many towns: livi. and juli. Obse. 57. Chap. The year that Mithridates was born, and the same year also that he took rule in hand, which was 569 after Rome was built, a comet at both times did so shine, for 80. dayes, that all the sky seemed to be on a fire, for with his greatness he occupied the fourth part of the heauens, and with his brightness he surpassed the clearness of the sun, and when he rose and went down, he was seven or eight hours a rising and going down, justin. and Vincent. Lib. 6. Cap. 100. the Mathematicians and those that were skilful in Oracles did prophesy that this star did forshew the greatness of Mithridates in warlike affairs. In the plays at Rome which Pub. Cor. Kethegus, and Aulus Posthumus Albinus did make, an Apple tree moving too and fro in the place called Circus, which was a place in Rome where they behealde plays and Games, fell down against the Image of Polencia and overthrew it, with which schruple of conscience the Elders being moved, thought good to put one day more to the plays, and to erect two Images for one, and to guilt one new. Gneus Manlius triumphed over the Gallogretians, and brought up the wanton behaviours of them of Asia, in spain, almost about the same time the Portingales and the Biscanes were put to the sword, livi. and juli. Obse. Cap. 58. In Vulcans Temple yard for two dayes,& in Concords temple yard for two dayes also it rained blood. In Sicilia appeared a new island by the Sea side. Hanniball was poisoned in Bithinia: the Biscanes were subdued. Scipio and Philipomenes most famous captains dyed. livi. book 39 Obse. Cap. 59. By a stormye tempest a great slaughter was made in Rome, which overthrew the brazen Images in the Capitol. It overthrew the Images in the greatest circled with the pillars. It overthrew and broken down certain pynacles of the Temples: A Mule with three heads was sold at Triate. Apollos Temple at Cageta was strike with lightning. In Vulcanes and concords Temple yearde it rained blood. The spears of Mars didde move of themselves. At Lanuuium the Image of juno Sospita did weep,( water distilled forth as tears from the Idols eyes, L●●●tina was a God●es among the romans in whose Temple were sold all things pertai●ing to Sepultur●s and ●uner●●s. no parte of the rest moist) Libitina was not suffyciente for the pestilence that followed, according to Sibillas Oracles: they fell to prayer when it had not rained six monthes. The Ligurians were overcome in battle, and were discomfited. The plague invaded Rome and other towns, which did so much waste the city, that scarcely an army could be gathered to go into Sardinia against the revolting of them of Corsica: for six monthes it never rained. livius and Iulius Cap. 6. By the Riuers of aeolus, fire being raised up by a blast of wind, there appeared an island which is now called Hira and not long after, Auerne a most noble city of france was taken. John captain and Bishop of the Iewes, made war against Hircanus, and requiring of the romans the lawe of friendship, was by the Senates decree reckoned among their friends, not long after, people were brought to dwell at Narbon. This doth Eusebius writ, whose computation of years notwithstanding, we follow not. At Rome with continual showers and lightning, certain Images were cast down, and al about many buildings were shaken. In Iupiters idol closet the heads of other panime Gods turned themselves about with an earthquake. The Wool with the coverings which were set before jupiter fell down: The Mice did gnaw Oliues at the Table: The romans triumphed over the Biscaines: things fell luckily out in spain, and the romans fought prosperously with the Ligurians. livius and Iulius Obseque. Cap. 61. Very many places were set on fire about the market place in Rome, The Temple of Venus was burned down to the ground: The fire of Vesta that was in the inner part of the house and always burned, was now quenched. A virgin at the commandment of Marcus Emilius high bishop, was whipped, who said that prayers should be no more used for them that were slain: In spain and Histria the romans had prosperous battles, livi. and Iul● Obse. Cap. 62. In the Territory of Christuminum a city of italy, a great ston fell from heaven into the lake or pool of Mars. In the Territory of Rome a boy was born with a body dreadful to behold: A snake with four feet was seen: At Capua many buildings in the market place were strike with tempest: At Puicolis two ships were burned with the stroke of lightning: When at Rome in the day time a wolf had entered the Gate Collina, he escaped through the gate Esqueli●a, with the great ruffeling of them that followed. By reason of those prodigies, the Consuls offered great Sacrifices. And there was Prayer made for one day about all the beds made of the Paynims in their temples, to the honour of their Gods. The romans spoyled the grounds of the Histrians, Iulius and Manlius assaulted the town Nesacium: Mutilia and Faberia two cities were utterly destroyed: In Sardinia things fell happily out to the romans: The Ilienses and the Ligurians were overcome. In the city Crustuminum a bird which they call Sangualis a kind of Eagle, carried away the holy ston with his Bill. The secret cause of these things are not discovered. An ox spake in Campania: At Syracusis a wild Bull covered a brazen cow,& cast his seed vpon her, in the city Crustuminum, in the very place where prayer was made: In Campania an ox was appoynted to be fed by the Commons. The prodigy of Syracusis was purged by sacrifices, the soothsayers showing them what Gods they should pray unto: the bishop died that year, livi and juli. Obse Cap. 62. When the Consuls had offered sacrifices for victory, the liver that was found in the beasts belly was withered: Cornelius returning from the mountain Albanus, was taken in his limbs, and dyed at the Water of Cuni. Petellius fighting against the Ligurians, was slain. At Gabia a burning torch was seen in the sky. At Gabia also Apollos Temple, and many private buildings, at Grauiscaya the Wall, and the Gate were strike with tempest, the Senatoures commanded those Prodigies to be purged as the Bishops thought good. The Ligurians were overcome of the Romaines. And Sempronius brought them of Sardinia in subiection, livius, Iulius Obsequens Cap. 64. &c. The plague was so sore among men and beasts, that there was not sufficient to bury the dead. The Biscaines were discomfited and the Bastarnians( a most fierce people) by the means of Persa the son of Philip, were overcome without any fight, or any enemy. livi. juli. Obs. Cap. 65. Oros. Lib. 9. Cap. 29. Cuspinianus vpon Cassiodorus. When Quintus Fuluius Flaccus brought out of the temple of juno Lucinia marble tiles to the temple of Fortuna Equestris, which was built by the stony theatre, strait way they were wonderfully carried thither again, as men thought, for Religions sake. Alexan ab Alexan. Lib. 1. Cap. 13 Vale. Max. Lib. 1. Cap. 2. livi. Lib. 2. Dec. 5. Lactan. Lib. 2. Cap. 8. of his divine Institutions, Fuluius Sabel. Lib. 5. Cap. 25. of the entiquities of the city and others. In Veios a city in Hetruria, a Boy was born with two heads: at Sinuessa a boy was born with one hand: At Oxinum a girl was born with teeth: In the day time in fair weather, a bow bent was seen over the market place in Rome and three suins also gave light: the same night at Lanun um many burning torches glyded up and down in the Element. At Caere an ancient city of Tussia, a Snake with a mane appeared, beset with golden spots: in the territory of Campania an ox spake: and among the Sabines happened a great Earthquake, the same year the Carthaginians conspired against the romans, with the cities of Greece, by the procurement of Persius: livi.& Obs. Cap. 66. At Lanuuium the show of a great navy appeared in the air: At privernum black wool sprung out of the ground: in Veios it reigned stones: At Promptium every place was covered with clouds of grasshoppers: In the place which was called Ager Gallicus, where the plough went, fish came out from under the clods: by reason of these prodigies, they preached the books of prophesy, and prayer was made to purge these strange happes: In the country of Etolia, which is in Greece, there arose cruel seditions, by reason of great debt that men did owe: Persius prepared war against the romans: In Liguria and in the Territory of Statellatum, there was a conflict at the town Caristum, where 10000 men were slain by the romans, livius and Obse. Cap. 67. At Saturnia it rained blood in the town for three dayes: at Calacia an ass with three heads was foled: a Bull with five kine were slain with one stroke of lightning: At Oxilum it reigned earth: by reason of these prodigies prayer was appoynted for one day, and men kept holy day: The grounds of the Issensians were this year miserably spoyled, and nothing at that time was done of the romans worthy of remembrance. livi. and juli. Obse. Cap. 68. When Antiochus made provision to go the second time into egypt, through all jerusalem for forty dayes together were seen in the air horsemen running too and fro, having Gounes of gold, and spears, as it were armed bands, their horses ran in order, they met hand to hand, their bucklers moved, and there were a number of men with helmets and drawn sword, there was casting of darts and Gorgets, gilded armor, and coats of mail of all sorts, 2 Machabes Cap. 5. and forthwith jerusalem was miserable spoyled. moreover this year, if we give credite to Plini Libro 2, Cap. quarto, a maid child became a boy, being under the keeping of her parents, and at the commandment of the soothsayers she was carried into a desert island. Castor and Pollux in the second battle of Macedonians, at the lake of Iuturna, were seen to wash away the sweat of their horses, when their temples which were near the head of the lake, lay open of their own accord, Lactan. Lib. 2. of the beginning of error, chapped. 8. and Vale. Lib. 1. Cap. 6. Parag. 3. livy describeth a great destruction Lib. 2. Dec. 1. moreover in the same battle, they sitting on white horses, are said in the night time to haue met Publius Vatinius coming to Rome showing that King Perses was vanquished and taken that day which a few dayes after the letters of Paulus taught to be true. Lactan. Lib. 2. of the beginning of error, Lib. 2. from the building of the city, 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 torch was seen in the Element. A Cow spake at Minturna at that time the Element seemed to be on fire. At Triato it rained stones. At come in the Castle, the Image of Apollo wept for three dayes and three nights together. At Rome in the temple of Fortune a snake with a mane was seen of man. A date tree grew up in the temple yearde: it rained blood in the day time. At Frigelli in the house of Lucius Atreus, a spear which he had bought for his son, being a soldier, burned in the day time more than two hours, so that notwithstanding, the fire wasted away no parte of it: by reason of these prodigies, after prayer made, they used great sacrifises about all the closerts of the Gods. The king Perseus fought luckily in Thrace, overcoming the Troians, and subduing the Illirians. livius, Iulius Obse. Cap. 69. In the end of summer, the moon was altogether Eclipsed, whereof of plutarch in the life of Paulus Emilius doth entreat with many words. Sulpitius Gallus Marshall of the field, afterward consul, did first among the romans foretell this Eclipse, in yielding the cause thereof, Plinie lib. 2. Cap. 12 And this Eclipse happened as we may conjecture by livy& Plinie the fourth day of September. At Rome certain places, both sacred and profane were strike with lightning. At Anagnia, it rained earth. At Lanuuium a burning torch was seen in the Element. At Calacia in the common field for three dayes and two nights it ran blood. Gentius king of Illiria, and Perseus king of Macedonia were overcome. Obse. Cap. 70. In many places of Campania it reigned earth. In the territory of the city of Preneste it rained blood. At Veios wool grew on the trees. At Terracina in the temple of Minerua, three Women which sate working, were killed with lightning. At the place of Libitina in a brazen Image of a Gentleman at arms, water ran a long time out of the mouth and foot. The french Ligurians were discomfited, the assemblies for the election of officers were made most ambitiously, and for this cause the Senate healed the Sessions in the capitol. A kite flying took a Weasell out of Iupiters chancel, and let him fall among the senators as they sate together. about the same time the Temple of Health was strike with Lightning: in the the hill at Rome, where Romulus temple stood, blood sprung out of the earth. At Lanuuium a burning torch was seen in the Element in the night time, and many buildings were grievously shaken with tempest. At Sidicinum a town of Italy a boy was born with four hands, and four feet. Rome was paved, and peace was at home and abroad. Obsequens Chapter. 71. At Rome the plague and famine was so grievous, that the people being led by sibyls Oracles, sate working about the cross ways and chapels, as it may be thought, to cut of the great plague and famine. In the Temple of the house of Gods two leaved Gates in the right time opened of their own accord, and wolves appeared in the mountain of Rome called Exquilia, and on the Hill where Romulus Temple stood wolves also appeared, and were chased too and fro. The city being purged with Sacrifice, no grievous things happened. Iulius Obsequens Chapter. 7●. Machabeus and those which were with him fighting against Timotheus had manifest help from heaven, for five men appeared on horseback. &c. afterward an other time, they going to fight against Licias, a horseman going before them, appeared in a white vesture brandishing his spear, in golden armor. 2. Mac. 10.33. At Capua in the night season the sun was seen. In the territory of Stellatum part of a flock of Wethers was killed with lightning. At Terracina a triple twin three boyes in one were born. At Formia two sons were seen in the day time. heaven burned. At Concium a man was burned by the beams that came out of a looking glass. At Gabia it rained milk. In the palace many places were strike down with lightning. A Swan fell down vpon the temple of Victory, and scaped the hands of them that went about to take her. At privernum a Woman child was born without a hand. In Cephalenia a number were seen to sing in the element. It rained Earth, houses were overthrown with a stormy tempest, and slaughter was made in the fields. It lightened often. At Pisaurum the form of the sun did shine in the night. At Care a pig was farrowed with a mannes hands and feet, and Boyes were born with four feet and four hands. At Fornesie an ox breathed a flamme of fire out of his mouth, and yet it hurt him not. livi. and juli Obse chapped. 7. At Anagnia in the night time the Element was on fire, many buildings were strike with fire. At Frusinone an ox spake. At Re●te a Mule was foled having three heads. Gneus Octauius being sent ambassador into Siria, through Licia, was slain in a college by the tutor of Antiochus being a child. Iulius Obse. chapped. 74. In the capitol the Temple of jupiter and the places adjoining were shaken with a stormy tempest. The covering of the high bridge with the pillars, was cast into Tiber. In Flaminius play house, the porch between Iunos Temple, and the Temple of Fortune was strike, and many buildings more adjoining were destroyed. When a Bull was led to Sacrifice, by reason of the same he fell down. The Dalmatians were overcome by them of Scordona. Iu i●s O●sequens chapped. 75. The consul Posthumius going into his province, when he made offering, found not in many beasts which he sacrificed the top of the liver, and going onward, seven dayes after was brought s●ck to Rome, and dyed. At Consa Weapons were seen to fly in the air, and many places were spoyled with lightning. The Frenchmen and Portingales didde gréeuouslye annoy the romans by war. Obsequens chapped. 76. At Turbine a pillar was violently overthrown in the field before Iupiters Temple, together with a Golden En●●gne, when the soothsayers made answer that the Magistrates and the Priestes should die, all the Magistrates resigned their offices. At Arisia men fell to prayer because it rained stones. At Rome in many places the shapes of gowns were seen, which deceived the eyes of thē which came nere. In Po●tingal● the romans had interchaungeable hap, but in france they sought luckily. Obse. chapped. 77. At Rome the palace and the chapel was burned with a huge fire, and of two Bay trees, one amid the fire was untouched and shal be. Pseudophilippus was overcome. juli. Obs chapped. 78. In the ●ere six hundred and seven, a Comet blazed for two and thirty dayes together. Casparus Bucerus in his Meteorologie. moreover the same year Andricus Pseudophilippus invaded Macedonia, and overcame and put to flight Publius Iuuencus being a praetor. Ptolomeus E●ergetes king of egypt, who for his deformity of body was called Phiscon, succeeded in the place of Ptolomeus Philometer dying at this time. At Amiternum a boy was born with three legs and one hand. At Rome and at the places near adjoining many buildings were strike with lightning. At cairo brooks of blood ran out of the earth, and in the night season the Element and the Earth seemed to burn. At Fruzinone Mice didde gnaw the holy gold. At Laniuu●um between the hours of three and five, two circles of two colours enuiron●● the sun, the one read, the other white, and when Carthage was besieged, Hasdruball played the barbarous tyrant towards the captives of the Romaines, and not long after Emilianus sacked Carthage, Chapter. 79. Obsequens. When the romans made war against the Acheans and king Aristonicus, the idol of Apollo Cumanus is said to haue wept for four days space, with which prodigy, the soothsayers being afraid, when they thought to haue cast that idol into the Sea, the old men of Cuma letted it, although it was manifest that this prodigy did foreshow good lucke to the Persians,& to Antiochus. Augustine 5. book of the city of God, and Vincentius Lib. 6. Cap. 8●. At Amiterne a boy was born with three legs. At Caura streams of blood ran out of the earth. When the Salassians gave the Romaines an overthrow, the Decemuiri said that they found in Sybils Oracles, that as often as they were to make war with the romans, they should do Sacrifice in the marches of their country, Obsequens Cap. 80. King Mithridates that year took babylon as witnesseth Eutropius lib. 4. When at Rome there was a famine and pestilence, the Decemuiri fell to prayer. At Luna a child of both kindes was born, and at the bidding of the soothsayers, called Auruspices was carried into the Sea. They of Luna died so sore of the plague, that the carcases lying every where in the streets, there were not sufficient sound to bury them. In Macedonia the army of the romans was sore shaken, and it had a hard match with Viriatus. Obsequens Cap 81. At Prenest and in Cephalonia standards were seen to fall from heaven. The mountain Aetna threw out great store of fire: the prodigy was purged with forty greater Sacrifices than were commonly used. The year was quiet, after that Viriatus was overcome. When at Lanuuium they beheld birds to divine what should happen, certain young soul fleeing out of a cadge into the Wood Laurentin● were not found. At Terracina M. Claudius being praetor, was burned with lightning a shipboorde. The pool Fucinus overflowed on every s●de the space of five miles. At Rome in Graecostasis and in the place where the Magistrates were chosen it ran blood. In Exquiliae which is a mountain at Rome, where watch was kept, a colt was foaled with five feet. Many buildings also were strike down with lightning. Hostilius Mancinus when he went into spain in the war of Numantia, a city of Biscay saw and heard cruel Prodigies. For when he did sacrifice at Lanuuium, young birds being put out of the Cadge flew into the nert Wood, and were seen no more, with which prodigy he being nothing fraide, when he had took sh●pping, without seeing any thing, heard a voice crying Mane Mancine, Mancine mane, that is Tarry Mancinus, Tarrye Mancinus, whereat he was afraid: and when he went to Genua, he saw a Serpent of a huge greatness: but despising all these foretokens and warnings, when he came into the field he matched a number of calamytyes with a shameful Truce, and also with a bloody yielding. Welneare all the city of Rhegium was consumed with fire, without any token to be seen of mannes deceit, or negligence. A bonde Woman bare a man child with four feet, four hands, four eyes, four ears, and two privy members. In the hote baths at Puteoli a city of Campania, the brooks ran with blood. many buildings were cast down with Lightning. The man child at the bidding of the soothsayers, called Aruspices, was burned, and his ashes cast into the Sea. The Acheians slue the army of the romans. The mountain Aetna burned more fiercely than it was wont. At Rome a man child was born without any fundament. At Bononia trees bare corn. A Scriche owl was now first heard in the capitol, and afterward about the city, which bird for a reward offered, a Fowler took, and being burned, the ashes were cast into the river of Tiber. An ox spake. things came ill to pass at Numantia, the army of the R●manes was overcome. Obsequens, Vincentius book 6. chapped. 8●. In Amiternum the sun was seen in the night, and his light appeared for a season. An ox spoken, and was fed at the common charge. It rained blood. At Anagnia a bonde mans Cote fell on a fire, and when the fire was out no sign of any burning was seen. At the capitol in the night season a bird gave pitiful groans like a man. In the Temple of queen juno a Genowa●s Targe was strike with lightning. The fugitives war began in Sicilia. Italy was grievously oppressed with the conspiracy of bondmen. Tiberius Gracchus in making of laws was slain. It is left in writing that Tiberius Gracchus the same day he lost his life made no account of certain tokens of ill luck, for both at home and in the capitol, tokens of ill lucke were foreshowed him, for going out of his house, in hitting his left foot unawares against the threshold, he struck his great to out of joint, and crows did cast little pieces of tiles from the eaues of the house before his feet. In the roman Lake there ran streams of blood. At Luna the earth for the space of four acres sunk down, and by and by the hollow place became a standing pool. At Ardea it rained earth. At Minturna a wolf tare a Watcheman in pieces, and in the broil he escaped. A Scriche owl was seen at Rome, and an other bird unknown. In queen Iunos Temple the two leaved Gates being shut for two dayes, an infantes voice was heard. targets were spotted with fresh blood. A Woman child was born with four feet. In the territory of the city Ferentinum, a child of both kindes was born, and cast into the river. Twenty and seven Virgins singing went about the city. In Italy many thousands of Bondmen which had conspired, were hardly taken and put to death. In Sicilia the fugitives slue the armies of the romans. Numantia was destroyed. At Reate a Mule with five feet was Foled. At Rome in the field Cortasis, it rained milk. A wolf and a dog fighting together at Hostia were killed with lightning. A flock of sheep in Apulia, and the praetor of the people of Rome were slain with one flash of Lightning. At Terracina in fair weather the sail of a ship was strike with Lightning, and cast into the water, and the fire consumed all that was there. Publius Crassus Fighting against Aristonicus was slain. The Image of Apollo wept for four dayes. The Prophecies foretold the destruction of Greece, then the romans fell to Sacrifice, and they offered gifts in the Temple. The country of Phrigia was gotten again. Attalus bequeathed Asia to the romans in his will. When Antiochus King of Syria fought with a huge army, swallows builded their nests in his Tentes, but he not passing vpon that prodigy, joined in battle and was slain by the Parthians. At the dissension of Marcus Fuluius Flaccus Triumvir, in making of laws, two black Snakes creeping by into the Cell of Minerua did portend a civil murder. When King Mithridates didde solemnlye do Sacrifice to Ceres in Bosphares, an earthquake rose so suddenly, that there followed a great destruction both in city and country, and not long after, Castor lieutenant to Mithridates at Phanagorium, in killing the kings friends, possessed the Castle, and set over the four sons of Mithridates to the roman Garrisons: Mithridates being in a great rage for so heinous an offence, slue many of his own friends, and his son Exipodrus, and immediately Phameyus an other son of his, overcame him in battle, and his Daughters giuing him poison, therewith ended his life. Many things were strike with Lightning both without Rome and within. At Frusinone a bonde woman bare a boy with two heads. A burning torch was seen in the air, and the voice of a Scrich owl was heard in Rome. At Caere it reigned blood, and a cock was found having syue feet. Antiochus king of Syria, and Phaartes king of the Parthians, made war one against another, and matters in egypt were far out of frame, for Ptolomeus evergetes being hated of his subiectes for his extreme cruelty, the romans burning his palace, he fled privily into Cyprus, and when the people had given the kingdom to his Sister Cleopatra, whom he had put from him, in lying forciblye with her Daughter, and marrying her, being in his fury he slue in Cyprus his son which he had by her, and sent his head, hands, and feet to the Mother. Obsequens Chapter. 8●. At Rome in the night season certain Temples were shaken in the capitol, and in the places adjoining many buildings were overthrown with Lightning. The Hill Aetna in Sicilia, did cast through an earthquake the fire far abroad from the top, and the Sea was hote as far as the island Lipaera, and in burning certain ships, it killed many mariners with the vapour, it scattered abroad and slue a great number of Fishes, which they of Lipara greedily desiring to eat, they so pined away with the corruption of their Belly, that a new plague invaded the island, which prodigy the soothsayers( called Aruspices) said that it portended the sedition which fell out not long after. corn grew vpon trees. It rained oil and milk at Veios a city of He●uria. A scriche owl was seen in the capitol. At Arpinum it rained stones for three dayes. It is written that in Africa huge swarms of locusts, which being by the wind driven into the Sea, and by the surges cast a land, with an intolerable stench and a deadly vapour, did at Cyrena a famous city of Affrike, cause a grievous murrain among cattle, and such a plague among men, that there dyed eight thousand persons. Fregella a noble city in Italy, which conspired against the romans was destroyed. The Ligurians and Sallians were put to the sword. At Rome in Grecostasis it rained blood. At Crotona a flock of sheep, a dog, and three sheapheardes, were strike dead. At Satura a cow had a calf with two heads. There was a hurly-burly at Rome, while Gracchus made laws. At Forum Vessanum a child of both kindes was born, and was cast into the Sea. In france three suins, and three moons were seen. A cow brought forth a calf with two heads. A scrich owl appeared in the capitol, and a chain was wasted with fire. The Sallians and the people of savoy and Dalphin● were overcome. A flock of wolves dispersed the limits which Caius Gracchus set up for the division of Fields. Gracchus was slain on the hill aventine. A child of both kindes of eight yeres old was found in the fields nere Rome, and was carried to the Sea. 27. virgines sing in the city. Obsequens chapped. 94. Cato being consul and offering sacrifice, the cowards were consumed, and the head of the liver could not be found. It rained milk. The Earth didde roar and quake. A swarm of bees lighted in the market place. Sacrifice was made according to Sybils Oracles. The same year three suins were seen, as Plinie in his second book and thyrtéenth Chapter doth writ. That year Eutropius writeth that the romans brought people to inhabit Narbon in france, at which season Quintus Martius and Marcus Portius were Consuls, in the six hundred and three and thirtieth year after the building of Rome, where according to the Computation of Glareanus we are to read six hundred thirty and six, or according to Cuspinian,( who always disagréeeth from him the space of one year) six hundred thirty and five. many places in Rome, and near adjoining, were strike with Lightning. The spears of Mars moved in the palace. At privernum the Earth sunk down, and became a deep hole for the space of seven Acres. At Saturnia a child of both kinds of ten years old was found and drowned in the Sea, twenty and seven Virgines went about the city and purged it with songs: the residue of the year was peaceable. Celius Metellus was declared captain by the romans, against the Dalmatians, who overcame them and triumphed. Eutrop. book. 4. Appian in Illirico. The Ile of Rhodes was shaken with an Earthquake, and at Colossus a huge Image that was seuentie Cubits high fell down. The battle of jugurth began wherein jugurth fighting against the romans, was taken. Eusebius Hircanus after one yeares siege razed Samaria flat to the ground, which now was revolted from the Iewes. Pompeius Elnius a Gentleman of Rome, when from the plays at Rome he returned into Apulia, in the fields of Stellatum, his Daughter, a young maiden, sitting on Horseback, was strike with lightning, and killed: when her garments were taken off, her tongue was found standing out of her lower partes, as if the fire had entred in at her mouth, whereupon answer was made that it foreshowed infamy to Virgins and Gentlemen, because the trapping of the horse were scattered abroad. three vestal Virgines born of a very good house, with certain Gentlemen of Rome, were at one time punished for inceste. The Temple of Venus Verticordia was now first builded. In the night season, a light was seen in the Element, that it seemed to be day. Plinius lib. 2. Cap. 33. At this time Siria began to be in uproars, and so remained till it was under the gouernmente of the romans. The mountain Albanus was seen to burn in the night. A tabernacle case and an Image were strike from heaven. The alter of Salus was broken in the midst. In Lucania and privernum the earth gaped very wide. In france the Element seemed to burn The Cimbrians and germans passed the Alpes, and made a foul slaughter of the Romaines and their League friends. It rained blood and milk, Plinius book 2. chapped 56. aventinus affirmeth, that at this time, being the six hundred and fortyth year 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 air, which undoubtedly did foreshow the calamities that ensued, for not long after, the Cimbrians and the germans howled with horrible war. The people Ambrones with their king Celeus, Teutobochus and Bolus, passing over the rhine, did no small harm to the romans. The greatest part of the city of Rome was burned, with the Temple of matter magna. It rained milk for three dayes, and the city was purged with greater Sacrifices. The battle of jugurth began. A bird that set houses a fire,& a scritche owl were seen in Rome: In Latomia a straight prison at Syracuse in Sicilia, one man did eat an other. According to sibyls Oracles, sacrifice was made in the Ile Cimolia by thirty fréeborne Children that had their father and mother alive, and so many virgines, many thousands of men through the great rising of the river of Po, and the standing water by Aretinum were destroyed. It rained milk twice. At Nurcia a twin was born of a free Woman, the one a girl having all her members whole, the other a boy, having his belly open before, so that his bowels were seen, the same was born with his hinder part closed up, and crying out dyed. The romans fought luckily against Iugurtha. Obsequens, Chapter. 100. Marcus Tullius Cicero was born the third day of the month of january a hundred and three yeares before the birth of Christ. Gellius book, 15. chapped. 28. the Prodigious Lightning that happened at his birth, see in Frytschius book entreating of high matters. War began between the romans& the Cimbrians whereupon Aurelius Scaurus was taken by the Cimbrians, and slain by King Bolus. At Amiternum a bonde woman bare a boy that said Aue, which is to say, All hail, Be thou glad, or Rest thou merry. In the territory of Perusia, and at Rome, in certain places it rained milk. Among many things strike with Lightning, at Atella a mannes four fingers were cut off, as it were with an edge tool. silver coin didde melt with a flash of Lightning. In the fields near Trebula a woman that was married to a citizen of Rome, was strike with lightning and slain. A rumbling was heard in the air, a pillar was seen to fall from heaven: and it rained blood at Rome. In the day time a burning torch was seen fleeing in the air. In the Temple of Lares, a flamme of fire pierced the ridge to the wind beam, without doing any harm. Cepio the consul 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 plays were begun, while the Trumpeter blew, black Snakes environed the altar, and when he ceased, they crope away, the next day they coming again, were killed with stones. The temple gates being opened, the wooden Image of Mars was found standing vpon his head. The Portingales slue the army of the romans. A Shrich owl was seen without the city at Trebula: an ox spake, at Mintusca: in the temple, an Image which stood with his head vncouered, was found covered. At Nuceria an elm being overthrown with the wind, rose of his own accord, and his roote fastened in the earth. At L●cania it rained milk, and at Luna blood. At Terraminum a dog spake. Weapons were seen in the Element in the East and the west, and they in the west were overcome. By the answer of the soothsayers the people offered money to Ceres and Proserpina: 27. Virgins singing offered gifts. At Luna in the day time a star appeared from three of the clock till seven. The country was spoyled in Thurin by fugitives and revolts. Thurin a province in France. The Cimbrians passing the Alpes went through spain and spoyled it, and joined themselves with the germans: A wolf entred the city with a flash of lightning. Vultures were found dead vpon a tower: the third hour of the day the eclipse of the Sun darkened the light. A swarm of bees did light before the temple of Salus. In that place where officers were chosen, it rained milk. At Picena three suins were seen. About the river Vulcinus in Italy, a flamme was seen to rise out of the earth,& to reach to the element. In Lucania two lambs were ewed with horse feet, the one having an apes head. In the land of the Tarquines milk ran out of the earth, the answer of the soothsayers: 2. Images of olive tree were made in armor& set up,& they fel to prayer. In Macedonia the Thracians were subdued. When Caius Marius fought against the enemy, two vultures continually appeared about his army before the battle, Vultures birds of a ravening kind. & followed him, being known by their iron chains: when the Souldiers had taken these birds, and taken off the chains, they let them go again, whereupon the vultures as joyful met the soldiers as it were their acquaintance, wheresoever they went out of their tents, as it seemed to bring them some good thing,& when many prodigies had happened, some were common: but news was brought from Ameri,& from Tuderitum, cities of italy, that in the night time burning spears& targets at first running up and down, were seen in the Element, afterward rushing one against another, they strove together as men do that are fighting, at length the one part flying away, the other following, they all went toward the west. At that time, Bathabaces coming from Pessinunt being the priest of Magna matter, told that the Gods in the Temple speaking to him out of the chancel, foretold the victory of the battle. A plague on Rome itself. In the year since Rome was built 652. when Quintus Lactatius Catulus and Aulus Maricius, but it seemeth better to be red Caius Mayius, were Consuls, the river of Tiber swelling with unaccustomed showers of rain, rose so high, that it overthrew all the buildings of Rome, and whilst it had spoyled the greatest part of the city, a fire, no man knoweth how, consumed many partes of the same, and not onely made a miserable spoil of men and houses, but also did so consume infinite treasures of wealth& riches, that very many foreign victories could not bring so much to the city, 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 rained stones in Thuscia: Decemviri, ten Noble men to govern the common wealth. the city was purged with sacrifice at the bidding of the soothsayers, the ashes of the burned sacrifice was thrown into the sea by the Decemviri, and for nine dayes the Magistrates and free Citizens with a solemn pomp said their devotion about all their temples. The spears of Mars moved of their own accord in the palace. It rained blood about the river of Auien. A swarm of bees lighted on a chapel in the ox market. In france in the tentes a light shone in the night. At Arisia a free born child was environed with a flamme, and not burned. Iupiters Temple being shut up, was strike with Lightning, the purging whereof, because Aemilius Potensis the soothsayer had first shewed, he had a reward while the others held their peace, because he did portend a destruction to them and to their Children. The romans overcame the Pirates in Sicilia. Marius put the germans to the sword. The short shields moved of themselves with a rattling, and the servant of servilius Cepio in the Temple of Matrideo, yielded himself, and was carried over Sea, to the end he should never return to Rome again: the city was purged by a Gote led throu●he the city with his horns on fire, and turned out of Neuias Gate and so let go. It rained durts on the mountain aventine: the further spain was appeased when the Portingales were overcome. The Cimbrians were overcome. Caius Marius with his army came to Mosa a river called the Maze between Brabant and Luke, Nausa and Hessen, which were called Sicambri, of which he was conqueror. The people of Rome received this so joyful and happy tidings of the liberty of italy and the freed Empire, as Plinius and Lucius Florus do writ, in sending letters to the praetor, by the gods Castor and Pollux. moreover at the very same time there happened in those warres of the people of Rome a prodigy unto the Romaines At Nuceria in Iunos wood, an elm after that his top was cut off, because he hoong over the Altar, was restored of himself, so that forthwith he flourished: after which time the majesty of the people of Rome rose again, which before was spoyled with many overthrows. At Tarquinie an old town of Campaine, a burning tortch was seen al about which suddenly fell down. In Marca and Conitana an Earthquake overthrew many houses, and certain were thrust up from the foundation, and hoong sidelong. A clattring of armed weapons was heard from underneath. The feet of golden Chariots in the Market place did sweat. The revolts or fugitives were in Cicilia slain in battle. At the suins going down: a burning Buckler ran sparkeling from the west to the East. Plinie lib. 7. At Rome Marius slay the chief Magistrates in the Market place. Plutarch, Orosius, Eutropius, Valerius Maximus, lib. 3 chap. 2. A screech owl was seen in Rome, whereupon the city was purged: with rain and Tempest many buildings were overthrown, and many places were strike with lightning. At Lanuuium in the Temple of juno Sospita, in the goddesse Chamber drops of blood were seen. At Nursia the holy Temple was overthrown with an Earthquake. The Portingals rebelling were subdued. When Sextius tribune of the people did obstinately make a lawe against the will of his fellow officers concerning division of ground to the people, two crows in number flying aloft, so fought together after the assembly of the people, that they were torn in pieces with their bills and talents. The soothsayers hereupon made answer, that sacrifice should be made to Apollo, and to give over the lawe which was made. A dreadful noise did seem to be carried to heaven from underneath the Earth, which foreshowed scarcity and fain: the people offered coin, the Matrons treasure, and the Virgins gifts unto Ceres and Proserpina. Song was made by seven and twenty Virgines to purge the city. Two Images of cypress wood were set before queen juno. In portugal the Romaines fought luckily. A screech owl was seen in the capitol over the Images of the Gods. And a Bull was offered which fell down deade. many buildings were overthrown with lightning. The spears of Mars did move in the Palace. At the plays in the Theatre did rain white chalk, which did foreshow store of corn, and a seasonable time. It thundered in clear weather. At the Temple of Apollo whilst the Decemviri did sacrifice, the liver was found without a head. They which did sacrifice found a snake at the altar. Likewise a child of both kindes was cast into the sea At the place in Rome where men beheld their plays, among the soldiers Darts fire was spread after a strange manner: the spaniards were overcome with many battailes. They fel to prayer in Rome because a child of both kindes was found which was cast into the Sea. At Fisirnum an horrible noise of the earth was heard, the principles of the Wall were overthrown every where without Earthquake, which did foreshow civil discord. At Nurcia the Image of jupiter was turned about to the left side: seven and twenty virgines which purged the city with sacrifice, set Images of Cipres before queen juno The Biscanes, the meed, and the people about Troy were subdued. A wolf entering the city was slain in a private mannes house: a screech owl was killed in the capitol. Many buildings were strike down with lightning The golden Images of jupiter with the head and pillar were overthrown. At Fesule it rained blood. At Aresinum ears of wheat grew at a womans nose, the same woman vomited Wheate-cornes, and the city was( after their Heathenish maner) purged, ptolemy king of egypt died at Cyrenae and left the Senate and the people of Rome his heir. At Caere it rained milk. At Lebadia Eutichides going to the Temple of jupiter Trophonius took away the brazen table wherein were written those things which concerned the affairs of the romans. Many living things were slain, with the blast of lightning. At Venafrum the earth cloue and sunk deep down. Vultures feeding vpon a dead dog were slain by other Vultures, and were eaten by Vultures. A lamb with two heads was Ewed. A boy was born with three hands and three feet, and the spears of Mars did move in the palace. At Vrbine a child of both kindes was born who was afterwards drowned in the sea: there was peace both at home and abroad. There was sacrifice for nine dayes among the Volscians: it rained stones. At Vulsinij a town in tuscan, which afterward was destroyed with lightning, the new moon went suddenly down and appeared not again until the next day at three a clock. A girl was born deade with two heads, four feet, four hands, and two privities. A strange bird flying vpon houses did set them on fire being seen& slain. Among the people of italy called Vestini at a manor house it rained stones: a burning torch appeared in the air, and all the air seemed to be on fire: the earth ran with blood and congealed. Dogges every where did gnaw stones and tiles of houses. At Fesele a great multitude was seen in the day time to walk by flocks between the graues, with mourning wéedes and pale faces. The Princes of spain which rebelled were put to death by Nasica, and their Cities overthrown. At Rome and thereabouts many places were spoyled with lightning. A bond servant brought forth a boy with one hand. At Frigelle the temple of Neptune was opened in the night: when the entrails of a Male calf were drawn out, two little calves were found in his belly. At Aretium a brazen Image of mercury did sweat. In Lucania a flamme of fire environed a flock of sheep, when they were grazing, and in the night time in the Pinfolde also, and yet those sheep had no hurt. At Carseoli there ran a violent stream of blood. wolves entred the city. At Pr●neste wool flew up and down. In Apulia a Mule brought forth. At Rome in the Temple of Apollo a kite was taken. When Herenius the consul did twice sacrifice, the head of the liver was missing: at nine dayes sacrifice a supper being set before the goddesse, a dog eat it up before it was tasted. At Vulcinia early in the morning at the break of day, a flamme was seen to shine in the Element. When they met together the forepart of the flamme shining like Iron, seemed to come down from heaven,& with the parting therof the tops of the flamme appeared. All was happily purged with procession, for all the year was quiet at home and abroad. Ptolomeus Auletes by reason of his mothers tyranny was sent for home into the kingdom of egypt by his subiectes. Antiochus Griphus Siria was slain by Herodians ambushment. A screech owl was taken in the Temple of Fortuna Equestris, which dyed between mens hands. At Fesule a fearful noise was heard out of the Earth. A boy was born of a bondewomanne, without the hole of nature through the which the moisture passeth. A woman was found with two privy members, A burning Torch appeared in the Element. An ox spake. A swarm of bees lighted upon the top of a private mans house. At Volaterrae there ran a stream of blood. At Rome it rained milk. At Arretium two children of both kindes were found. A cock Chicken was hatched with four feet: Many places were strike with lightning: Men fel to prayer. The people offered money to Ceres and Proserpina. 27. Virgines singing did purge the city. In Macedonia the nation of the Medes did bloudilye spoil the province. Seleucus the son of Griphus fought with his uncle Zynzicenus for the sovereignty of Syria and overcame and slew him in the battle. At last he was driven out of his kingdom by his cousin Germaine, and was burned in the palace. At what time L. Martius and Sex. Iulius were Consuls, in the territory of Modona two hills ran together, assailing one another with a great noise, and going back, and a flamme and smoke went out between them, with which meeting together of the two mountaines all the farm houses were beaten down, and many cattle that were between were killed. At the beginning of the warres that the Remaines held with the people Marsi a woman called Alappe brought forth an Elephant, and a certain bondwoman a Serpent. Rauisius Textor out of Alexand. ab Alexandro in his second book Chap. 3●. When Libius Troso and P. tarqvinius made laws, at what time the war of italy begun, many prodigies appeared to the city, at the sun rising a round ball of fire mounted up from the North part of the Element with a great noise. At Aretium as men were breaking of bread, blood ran out from amid it. Among the people of italy called Vestim it rained stones and shards for seven days. At Aenaria a flamme of fire breaking out of a gaping of the Earth, mounted up to the Element: about Rhegium parte of the city and of the Wall was overthrown by an Earthquake. near the city Spatetium a ball of fire of a golden colour fell to the ground, and thereupon being waxed greater he was seen to be carried from the earth eastward, and covered the greatness of the same, and in the castle the Image of Apollo did sweat. The temple of piety at Flaminius theatre being shut up, was strike with lightning. Sylus slue the romans at the plays: when the latins drove their cattle and herds out of the fields into the city, men were murdered every where, and the herds of cattle became so mad, that in destroying their owners they imagined of war against some enemy, and weeping with many passions, they foretold what calamity should happen. And forthwith through inward causes the war between allies did arise in italy, and Drusus Tribune of the people was slain at his houses, and no man knew by whom. The Picentines, the Vestines, the Marsians, the Peligians, the Marucians, the Samnites, and the Lucanians, thinking privily to play the revolters, slay Asculum. Q. servilius sent to them as proconsul and ambassador, and immediately shutting fast the Gate of the city they cruelly cut the throats of all the Citizens of Rome: A horrible murder. Vicentius in his sixth book Chap. 96. in whom the computation of yeares varie very much. The same year before war between allies was made against the Romaines, all living creatures subject to mans use, as dogs, horses, asses, oxen, and what living creature soever, and beasts that before were subject to men at that time suddenly waxed wild,& forgetting their tamenesse, did leave their houses, and wandered abroad with great spoil, and could not only abide other men to come near them, but also their own maisters, not without destruction and peril. Metella Cecillia restored the Matrons of Rome to their former honor, which were defiled with filthy and foul services of the body: for she dreamed that a bitch had whelps under the Image of the goddesse juno Sospita, and that the litter was purged by prayer made, and she said moreover that it seemed to hir in hir dream that the Goddesse fled a way and was hardly entreated by hir prayers, because hir temples were filthily defiled. The Picentines after a barbarous sort tormented the Romaines: mischief was kindled every where in italy. Lucilius Lupus by despising the religion, was slain in the field, and lost his army, when he found not the head of the liver in the entrails. In the time of Sylla it is written that dogs and other living creatures of that kind did with a miserable howling give mournful voices, which Prodigies did betoken the civil war which ensued. Lucius Sylla when he going to Samos would bring his army against Nola, took counsel of his country Gods, touching the fortune of his fight, wherefore when he offered sacrifice, he beheld a Snake creeping out from one part of the Altar, whereupon he asked Posthumius the soothsayer what it portended, who answered, that he should courageously set vpon the tents of his enemies, which he did, and obtained the victory: and this was the foundation of his future power. When Sylla did on a time sacrifice, the liver of the beast was said to haue born the shape of a crown of Laurel in his uttermost parte, which was a marvelous foretokening of his ensuing happiness. After that Lucius Cornelius Silla had carried his army out of italy, very many tokens were sent from heaven to Mithridates king of Pontus about Pergamum a famous city of Asia the less: but especially a crwoned Image of victory, which the Citizens of Pergamum let down vpon him from above with certain Engines, when the Image had almost touched his head, he broke in sunder,& the crown fel down from the Theatre vpon the ground, broken to small pieces: which thing stroke a fear in the common people, and made Mithridates not a little sorrowful, notwithstanding that at that time things came to pass better than he hoped for, for he whilst the Romaines intercepted Asia, and the kings were expelled out of Bythinia and Capadocia, he restend at Pergamum, distributing his riches, his Lordships and kingdoms among his friends, and one of his sons recovered his former government in Pontus& Bosphorus beyond Maeotis without any letting him. Another of his sons called Ariarathes, subdued with a great army Thrace and Macedonia: and other Captaines having great armies brought other places under his dominion. Of the which Archelaus being exceeding mighty by sea( for he was admiral) brought the islands Cyclades into his subiection, and subdued all the rest which are between Malea and Eubaea, whereupon he enticed all the people to revolt from the greeks, from Athens to Thessalia. Pompeius Sylo being carried in triumph into the Town Bouianum which he had taken, shewed to his enemies the lucke of victory, because the triumph was commonly brought into the city conquering, and not into the city conquered: in the next conflict he lost his army, and himself slain. Prodigies appeared to Mithridates, going about to make war against his league friends. For in Stratopidum where the Consul was wont to sit, crows slew a Vulture in gobbing him with their bills: upon the same place a great star came from heaven. The shape of the goddesse Isis was seen to strike with lightning. When Mithridates kindled the wood of the Furies, a great laughter was heard, but noting was seen. When at the commandment of the soothsayers he sacrificed a virgin to the furies. A laughter rising out of the maidens throat troubled the sacrifice. The navy of Mithridates in Th●ssalia was by the Romaines lost in battle, when Cinna and Marius through the civil war were sore at variance. At Rome in the tentes of Cneius Pompeius the element seemed to fall down, weapons and Images were strike with lightning, souldiers were slain, and Pompe● himself being blasted dyed. The people tore his head in pieces, drew his body with a hook, because in the civil war he would not help his country being in peril, when he had the highest rule and exceeding great power. When Sylla assaulted The Ha●en of Athens. Piraeum, one of his soldiers carrying stones and turf to build a bulwark, was killed with lightning. The soothsayer made answer, because the head of him that was slain lay towards the town, that it did signify that the Romaines through long labour would enter and haue the victory. Not long after Athens and Piraeum the haven were taken by Silla, when Ilium was burnt by Caius Fymbria, when the Temple of Minerua was set on fire, among the ruins a very ancient Image stood untouched, and did foreshow hope of the towns restitution. In the territory of Modona two Mountains met together assailing one another with great noise and going back, a flamme of fire and smoke issuing out from them to the Element, with which meeting of the two mountaines, all the farm houses were destroyed, and much cattle that was between was flaine. That year the war between allies waxed hot, which I wote not whether it were more bloody to the country of italy than the civil war was: and in that war Licius Cornelius Sylla when in the territoritie of Nola he offered sacrifice, before his tent or pavilion, suddenly a Snake looked out from one parte of the altar, which being seen, at the exhortation of Posthumus the soothsaier he forthwith fronted forward his army and took the strong tentes of the Samnites, which victory was a token of his great and mighty power that was to come. even as Cneyus the consul did fear a token of evil lucke, so also could he not avoyde it, for by the Image of Apollo having his head broken of himself,& so fastened in the ground that he could not be pulled up, he being at variance with Cinna his fellow in office, presumed in his mind that thereby his destruction was signified, into the which through fear of the prodigy he fell with the sorrowful end of his life. Comdus the Centurion is said to haue been a miracle in the war against the people Marci, because he carried a cup vpon his helmet, sometime raising a flamme, sometimes putting it out. When the first civil war hoong over the Romaines heads, a fire suddenly appeared upon the spears which scarcely could be quenched: three C●●●tors bringing their young into the high way tore them in pieces, and that which remained after the dismembering they carried to their nest. Mice did gnaw gold in the Temple: of those a she Mouse being taken, brought forth five Male Mice in a trap, and she eat three of them. A clang of trumpets was heard in the air. Sylla after one or two encountrings with king Mithridates, when now he hastened into Italy with a great army, the inhabitants of the places, as he went, brought bound unto him a living creature called a satire, that was found a sleep and so taken, having a mans mouth and favour as he is commonly painted, and being with him, he was demanded( not in one tongue) what he was, but using many skilful men in diverse tongues for this purpose, he is said only to haue made a noise, and a sharp voice proceeded from being, him a mean between bleating and neighing. Sylla being moved with some touch of conscience, commanded him to be let go, appointing certain to carry him into a desert: the same year also certain other Prodigies were seen, for a Mule brought forth, and a woman bare a Viper in stead of a child. The Earth did move so horriblye in Rome that in certain places it altogether altered the face of the ground: about the .400. year after the building of the capitol, it was consumed with fire. At such time as Sylla offered sacrifice about Tarentum where he took shipping, the uttermost parte of the liver was seen having the form of a Crown of Laurel with two beries hanging at it. The day before he entred Campant● two Goates of a wonderful greatness were seen to fight together at the mountain Ephaeus, and doing all things that commonly happen to men in fighting, now striking, now warding: and the vision was such, that by little and little rising up from the Earth on every side, it vanished away in the air, very like dark shows: afterward it vanished clean away, and not long after when Marius the younger and Vrbanus were Consulles, who brought a great army, Sylla when neither he set in order his army nor his troops, made his enemies fly, using hand to hand the strength of his manlinesse and the violence of his boldness, and putting 7000. to the sword, he shut up Norbanus within the city of Capua. In Syllas time between Capua and Vulturnum a great noise of ensigns and armor was heard with a horrible clamour, so that for many dayes two battailes seemed to meet: men considering inwardly the strangeness of the thing, the steps of the horses and men, and grass new trodden down and shrubs also, did conceive that it portended a wonderful great war. At Clucinum in Hetruria a married wife brought forth a serpent alive, which being cast into a river at the bydding of the soothsayers, swam against the stream. Lucius Sylla after the fifth year returning conqueror into Italy, was a great terror to his enemies. The keeper of the Capitol burnt it in one night: through the cruelty of Sylla there was a foul banishmente of noble men: a hundred thousand men were said to be destroyed in the Italia● and civil wars. Plinie in his tenth book chapter xxj. doth writ that a house Cock did speak this year in the territory of Ariminum at Galerius farm: the same maketh mention that a marvelous strange thing happened at such time as Lepidus was made consul at Rome at the intercession of Pompey, which was the cause of much variance in the city, second book, Chapter five and thirtieth. The acts of Sylla were disannulled. Catullus was banished italy, and going about in vain to make war in Sardini● dyed. When Dedius Lelius was Pompeis ambassador, to whom prodigy was shewed at Rome, he saw two Snakes in his wives bed which crept the one one way the other another way, and sitting nere to Pompey in his pavilion, a Sparrow lighted upon his head. In spain fighting against Sertorias he was slain among the foragers. Obsequeus Chapter. 1●. At Triate the holy Temples were shaken with Earthquake both in town and country, the stones wherewith the Market place was paved were driven up: bridges were broken: the waterbancks were overthrown into the river: there was great noise heard from under the ground, and a few dayes after those things that were shaken fell down. When a great ston rolled as if he had been alive, he stood vnmoueable on the falling of a rock. Sertorius in spain destroyed the army of the Romaines. They had diverse conflicts against the Medes. When Lucullus being about to fight with king Mithridates did set his army in battle ray, and that on both sides, and that the token of sight was given, without any judgement going before, a great fiery body slyd out between the two hostes, the air suddenly breaking asunder. That body was very like to a hogshead, but in colour to silver that is on fire, wherefore the sudden fear of the prodigy broke off the battle on both sides. Plutarch in the life of Lucullus hath written, that it happened about Otrie a place of Frigi●. This prodigy appeared to Sertorius leading his army in spain the horsemans Targets in the uttermost parte, and their Darts,& the breasts of their horses, seemed bloody, which Sertorius did interpret to bided him good lu●ke, because the uttermost face is commonly stained with the enemies blood, all his fights had good success. When Mithridates did besiege Casicum. Proserpina in the next season seemed to say to Aristagoras who bare the highest office, that she made herself ready to be a trumpeter against Trumpeters: the next day the wind overthrew the towers of the enemies. An ox that was appointed to be offered, did swim down from the mountains to the navy of the enimyes, and offered himself to be slain at the Altar. Many things were strike down with lightning. In a clear day Vargonteius Pompeius was killed from heaven. A burning beam wretched from the west to the Element: all Spoletum was shaken with an erthquake, and sundry buildings fell down: among other things it is reported two yeares before in the capitol( a she wolf or a strumpet) that gave Remus and Romulus suck, was strike with lightning, and the Image of jupiter with the pillar was overthrown, whereupon the soothsayers made answer, that it should be set up again in the Market place. The letters were melted in the brazen tables of the lawe. After these Prodigies the wicked conspiracy of Catelin began. When Catelin was overcome in the territory of Pistorium he that overcame him brought bundles of laurel into the province, and there being hardly handled by the Dardani, he lost his army and fled away. It appeared that he portended victory to his enemies when he brought unto him laurel, that was worn in token of victory, which he should haue put in the Capitol. wolves were seen in the city: lamentable howling of dogges were heard in the night: the Image of Mars did sweat: lightning ranged over all the city, which overthrew many Images of the Gods& slew men. The city was purged. By reason of Pompeius Dictatorship, there was a great sedition in the city. Obsequens. 122. where the names of the Consuls be very false written. When Caius Iulius Caesar bare chief rule in portugal, a notable horse very fierce& proud, having the houses of his foreféete cloven, and almost like to a mans fingers was foled, which being brought forth by him, he bred up with great care, and the soothsayers said that he signified that his owner or master should haue the Empire of al the earth. Caesar first mounted vpon his back, who would suffer none other to sit him, whose Image also he afterward dedicated before the temple of Venus Gemtrix after which time Caesar growing in exceeding hope when he was Consul, returning out of portugal made laws for the people. Pomper after he had subdued armoniac, Capadocia, Paphlagonia, Choleis, Iberia, Albania, Syria, Cilicia, Mesopotamia, judea, and Arabia, triumphed, when he had twice before triumphed for winning of spain and Affrica. At which time he brought into the common treasure of gold and silver, in money and plate twenty thousand talents, which if they were common talents, amounted to twenty hundred thousand pounds: if they were the great talents. 27. hundred, and 26. thousand. 641. pounds between shillings and four pence, besides that was given to the soldiers which had served in his wars, whereof may be gathered the wonderful riches of the Romains, and what followed of the haughty mind of pompey after such victory, entering unto Sanctum Sanctorum, that is, into the choir and secret place of the Temple, wherein was placed the ark of covenant, vpon what occasion, rather of presumption taking the place equal to his glory, for which presumption there followed immediately the alteration of his fortune, and not long after, he was slain within the sight of the Temple. Lanquet Folio. 84. Manleus, Folio. 180. A rehearsal which were accounted the two nobilities among the romans. In the Field by bodily valiance: From the university advanced by learning By birth of long succession: By office of kingly progression. These are honourable, where the king chooseth, learning advanceth, birth succeedeth, and election alloweth. Of counterfeit gentility when Catelin troubled their prosperity: The churl by his goods, the lecherour for his lust, The oppressor by information, the thief by office without satisfaction. To a fool authority, to the vnlerned fidelity, to the Ipocrits liberality, to an oppressor liberty, these be the overthrow of common wealths and increasers of misery. The whole day being clear before, about xj. a clock it grew dark night, afterward the light was restored,& houses were overthrown with the force of whirlwind, the bridge overthrown, and many a man fel headlong into Tiber. In the fields many trees were blown up by the roots. The Portingales and the Galecians were overcome. When Marcus Licius Cassius was in hand to led his army from Corrae against the Parthians, a black cote armour was delivered him, where as commonly a golden or a purple cote was given to thē that went into the field: the soldiers being sorrowful& saying nothing assembled together at the second ward, who after the old custom should haue run together with a shout& merry countenance, one of the two Eagles would scarcely be pulled away from the Primi Pilus which was a Captain in the fore ward, the other being drawn out with very much ado, went to the contrary part& turned herself. wherefore in the slaughter the chiefest legions were slain, many ensigns were lost, and an infinite number of the Romaines were miserable murdered. When Crassus at such time as Caesar past into britain overcame the Barbarians in battle,& lead his army against the Parthians, Beware of covetousness. with a desire to get money, he being at Zeugma by Euphrates, horrible prodigies happened, for a golden Eagle( for so is she called that had a very little tabernacle wherein she was placed) which was carried fastened to a very long staff in al the armies that were gathered by muster, the lower part of which was very sharp so that it might be fastened in the ground, that Eagle I say would not with Crassus pass over the river Euphrates, but sticked to the Earth even as if she had grown there, until a multitude that stood about pulled hir up, and she by force followed. moreover, the bridge before al past over, was broken, whereupon he fighting immediately against king Orades was slain with his son Crassus and well near all his army, and was shamefully scorned of the Parthians, who thrust gold into the mouth of his carcase. When Marcus Crassus going to the Parthians passed over Euphrates, disdain not warnings. he despished many prodigies: when also a tempest rising took the standard from the standard bearer, and drowned it in a gulf, and could not pass over by reason of a dark storm of rain, he obstinately persevering in his purpose, together with his son and his army was destroyed. It rained wool and brick as Plinie writeth in his second book Chapter. 56. By the castle Carisanum where a year after Titus Anius Milo was slain, the civil war began, which with great dissension and preparation was prepared. When Caesar had taken in hand deadely weapons against pompey many other Prodigies also appeared, for in the Temples of the Gods the Images turning about of their own accord at antioch and Ptolom●●s made a soldiers shoute and a great crashing of armor. At Pergamum in the secret Temples a sound was heard. At Trallis a city of India, in the temple of victory under the graven Image of Caesar between the fastening of the stones we read that a Date three of a full greatness grew out, by the which it appeared that the divine power did favour the glory of Caesar, and would not stay the error of pompey. When Cn. Pompeius fighting against Caesar departed from Pyrrachiu● he heard that lightning did betoken harm unto him, swarms of bees did cover the standeedbarers, an ox that was to be sacrificed fled from the Altar, a certain clear flamme seemed to go from his tentes to Caesars army: which Prodigies did foretell the fall of pompey fighting against Caesar. A Mu●e brought forth a foal, which signified the discord of the citizens, the decay of good men, the alteration of laws, and the filthy ravishing of matrons. A burning fire wherewith the greatest part of the city was destroyed was accounted a prodigy. There were mighty spears in Pompers army. Ponpei the day before the battle, was seen to be received in his Theatre with a great and joyful clapping of the hands, and not long after being overcome in battle was slain in egypt. When Iulius Caesar fought against pompey, it is evident that his army was almost overthrown by a stony storm of hail, in whose tents as it is written, the weapons points burned of themselves: and shortly after king juba returning to Scipio and Labienus with three legions, 800. horse men. 20. elephants, and with a huge number of light harnised soldiers, restend not far from their tents. Caesar putteth his enemies to flight, and afterward his ships were burned at Leptis. That deadly fight that was made at Pharsalia was foreshowed by many tokens, for in ●llis a city of Pelopenes●● the Image of victory which was in the temple of Minerua being from the gateward, did of itself turn to the gate, the same day that the battle was. At Antiochia in Syria twice in one day so great a shoute was heard, that al the people rā to the walls. At Ptolemais in the temple many drums were heard. At Padua when Cor. Valerius sat him down to practise his divination by the flying of birds, at first sight turning about to his company said, now true men fall to work, immediately falling to his divination again, lept up which a mad voice crying out oftentimes, Vincis Caesar that is, thou ouercommest Caesar. When that thing made the standards by in a maze, he taking the Crown off his head, said that he would not put him on again before that which he had said was verified. livy writeth that this so happened. Plinie saith that the noise of two armies fighting came to the understanding of the Diuinor, sitting on the hills at Padua, who presumed to affirm for this, that either the frame of the World should shortly be dissolved, or else Caesar should fight with Pompey: about the time that the battle was at Pharsalia Cassius vpon his sudden coming burned ●5. of Caesars ships, our the which M. Pompeius was ruler at Messana, and Messana had come under the subiection of the enemy, if one bringing news of the battle of Pharsalia had not come in good time into the island. The Eagels of the tenth legion seemed to give down to the son of Cn. Pompeius the lightnings which they held, and to fly aloste again. whereupon the young pompey was overcome, and in fleeing was slain. When Iulius Caesar had now left Rauenna one of a notable greatness sitting not far off appeared playing vpon a Pipe made with needs, to hear whom when besides shepherds many soldiers also drew near, and among them a certain hunter, taking from one his trumpet he leaped into the river, and with a strong breath beginning to sound, went over to the further bank. Then said Caesar, let us go whither the marvelous shows of the Gods and the iniquity of our enemies do call vs. The hazard is cast: Tranquillus writeth of this horrible vision. Plutarch recordeth that the night before Caesar passed over Rubicen he dreamed that he seemed suddenly to rauishe his Mother, which dream others writ did happen to him in spain at what time he was quaestor, and that the interpreters did tel him that the time should come, when the earth( which is the Mother of all) should be under his dominion: but what marvelous sight soever he saw, it is not so notable as those were which were done or reported to haue been about the city. For it is written that it rained blood, that the Images of the Gods did sweat, that many places were strike with lightning, and that a Mule had a colt. And Caesar going from Rubicen to Triminum took the town by force, and thither came to him the tribunes of the people that were driven out of the city, who being seen among the soldiers, stirred greatly the minds of the soldiers to revengement. Caesar entred Rome with four triumphs: was created consul the fourth time and continual dictatory, taking on him the monarchy of the whole Empire, having subdued pompey in spain at Munda, after which battle Caesar finished those civil warres which during the space of five yeares troubled the whole world. And for as much as in all respects of nature he wanted not the singular courage which became so great a conqueror, I haue set down his Picture from his own coin then used, which who so will not credite, repair to the author to see that which long time butted in the earth is now come to light. sundry coins had Caesar, as appeareth in the book tituled The treasure of Hubertus Goltzius &c. of gold, silver, and brass, which if time permit hereafter, thou shalt see a rare discourse. On whatsoever coin thou seest the letters thus set C.P.M.D. ter. Caesar, Pontifex, Maximus, dictatory, ter. after such sort the most antiquities were coined. Also the reason how these coins come to light, is by the more héedefulnesse of men now than in times paste, that finding vnacccustomed places of burials haue sought and found as now is set forth. At Rome three suins were seen which by little and little met in one circle. And among other strange shows that happened in the world, an ox spake in the fields near to Rome, saying to the Ploughmanne, that he laboured in vain, for shortly you shall not want corn but men. immediately Anthony made war against Caesar Augustus. When the Romaines after many worthy acts had determined to honor Caesar as a God, at a day appointed when he should be honoured he coming into the Senate did sacrifice, but in the sacrifice which he offered the heart was missing, whereupon although the soothsayer had said that it foreshowed good lucke to Caesar, yet it happened otherwise, for when he came into the place where the senators sate, to receive his decréede honour, he receiving 33. wounds died. Caesars murder was signified before by many strange wonders, for the weapons of the God Mars which at that time he kept after the custom of the forefathers, made a noise, Dion Nicaeus in caesar. certain wonderful tokens and Prodigies went before the death of Iulius caesar, for perchance it is unmeet in so great a calamity to make mention of strange lightning, of the great noises that in the night were hard in many places, and of the solitary birds that came into the Market place of Rome. But Strabo the Philosopher writeth, that very many fiery men appeared, and that there was a soldiers servant from whose hand rose a great flamme, which they that beholded thought that the man should be burned, but after that it was out, it was manifest that he had no harm. moreover when caesar offered sacrifice, the heart of the beast sacrificed could no where be found, which doubtless was a horrible prodigy, for it is certain that no living creature can be without a heart. Furthermore many haue written that a Prophecier told him that in the Ides of March he should take heed of a great danger. That day when caesar went into the Senate he bid that Philosopher good morrow, and cavilling with him, said, the Ides of march are come: to whom he answered with a low voice, they are come indeed, The Ides are the eight dayes following the first five dayes in certain monthes. but they are not yet past. The day before supping with Marcus Lepidus, when sitting at the Table he subscribed certain letters according to his manner, there arose a certain discourse which death was best: he preventing them all with a great shout answered, a death vnloked for. Afterward he sleeping by his wife,( as the custom is) al the doors of his Chamber and windows were opened, he being sore troubled with a great noise and the light, for the moon did shine, perceived that Calfurnia was in a deade sleep, and uttered in hir sleep uncertain voices and quauering sighs, for she thought that he wept whom she embraced slain in hir arms. Some do say that this vision did not happen to the woman, but as livy recordeth, before Cesars house a certain chapel appeared like to a handesome and comelye tomb, and set out according to the decree of the Senate. Calfurnia in hyr dream seeing this pulled down, seemed to lament and weep exceedingly, wherefore when the day broke, she besoughte caesar vpon hyr knees that if it might be he would not go forth, or at least would defer the Senate: but if he made a small account of hyr dreams, he should inquire the event of the thing, by other divinations and sacrifices: Plutarch in the life of Caius caesar. Among the chief& notable prodigies some do reckon a blazing star of a horrible greatness which appeared seven days after his death with an exceeding brightness and great fear to all men: moreover the light of the Sun was beset with a dimness, for al that year the globe of the sun was pale and rose without brightness, and sent from it a weak and slender heat, whereupon ensued vntemperatnesse of the air, and an exceeding rawness of al kind of fruit. Plutarch in the life of caesar. Plinie in his second book Chap. 30. When by the lawe Iulia inhabitants were brought to Capua to build up farm houses, they overthrew very ancient monuments, and they were the more desirous to do it, because in searching they found certain vessels of old work. In a table of brass in a tomb( wherein Capis the builder of Capua was said to be butted) was found this sentence written in great letters and words, whensoever the bones of Capis should bee vncouered, it should come to pass that the son of Iulius shall bee slain by the hand of his kinsfolk, and immediately should be revenged with the great destruction of Italy Which thing least a man might think it fabulous and feigned, Cornelius Balbus Caesars most familiar friend recordeth. Not many days before, the flocks of horses which in passing over the river Rubicon he had consecrated, and had let go at large without a kéeher, he had found to abstain from their Pasture most wilfully, and wept exceedingly. And the soothsayer warned him that he should beware of danger that should not pass the Ides of March. And the day before those Ides, a great bird called Regaliolus between whom and the Eagle is great hostility, came into Pompeis Senatehouse with a little branch of laurel, whom birds of diverse kindes pursued out of the next wood, and there tare him in pieces, but that night before he was murdered, he seemed in his sleep to fly above the clouds,& otherwhile to shake hands with jupiter. And Calfurnia his wife imagined that the top of the house fell down, and that hir husband was slain in hyr lap, and suddenly hir bed Chamber door opened of himself. A hundred dayes before his death lightning fel by his statue or Image in the Market place, and broke his capital letter C. for his name written over: the same day that he went into the capitol, letters were delivered him, that bewrayed his imminent death, which when he was slain, were found in his hand not yet opened. Caius Octauius by the testament of his father Caesar, at brundisium made himself one of Iulius stock. And when the third hour of the day he entred into Rome with a huge multitude about him, the Sun being shut within a small compass of pure and clear element in the circle of the uttermost line, in maner as the bow is wont to bend in the clouds, he environed it. At the plays of Venus Genetrix which he made before the college, a blazing star rising under the North star, at xj. of the clock turned al mens eyes unto the beholding therof, which star because it appeared at the places of Venus, it liked him to consecrate the royal crown, to jul. worthy of divine remembrance. The constancy of Cae. having suffered many things through the monstrous malice of Ant●o. being Consul was stout to resist. Ther were many erthquaks. Ther were many things strike with lightnings vpon the sea, by the force of a whirlwind an Image which M. Cicero by the decree of the people had set up before the chauncel of Minerua the day before he went into banishment, having his members scattered lay flat on his face, his shoulder, his arms, and his head were broken, which did portend no good to Cicero. Tables of brass were pulled out of the Temple of Faith with a whyrlewinde. The two leaved Gates of the Temple of Opes were broken, trees were pulled up by the roots, and many houses were overthrown. A burning torch in the Element seemed to go westward. A notable star seemed to burn for seven days. three suins did shine, and about the lower sun a crown like unto an ear of wheat gave light into the city, and afterward the sun being brought into one circled, the light was faint for many monthes. In the Temple of Castor certain 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 country. Howling of Dogs was heard in the night time before the house of Lepidus high bishop thereby the great butchery of others did foreshow foul infamy to Lepidus. At Hostia a shoal of fish was left upon the shore by the ebbing of the Sea. The river of Po overflowed, and coming to his course again, left on dry land a great number of Vipers. After this the civil wars grew between Caesar and Antony. octavianus Augustus after he had made league with Antony and Lepidus against the murderers of Iulius before he came to Rome with his army, many strange things were seen, by the which their great power and most grievous fall was shewed, for in Lepidus sight a snake twined about the sword of a certain Centurion, and a wolf entering into the camp, came into the Tent of Lepidus being at supper, and embracing the Table, shewed his exceeding great power, but difficult in keeping it. But in Antonius sight there appeared a ditch flowing all about with milk: and harmony was heard in the the night, which signified great pleasure of the mind, and by reason of it deadly destruction: but as soon as Caesar had made league with them both: An Eagle stood vpon his Tent, and immediately slue two crows flying unto him, which went about to pull the feathers off his wings. Wherefore it foreshowed his victory over them both. Furthermore Xiphilinus in the breviary of Dion, recounteth that many sulphuroous things are at large recited by Dion, which were seen in the times of Augustus Caesar and Antony, and specially at that time when Brutus and Cassius went about to recover the lost liberty of the romans against Caesar and Anthony: where Xiphilinus sheweth this one, wherein he thinketh that the alteration of things was signified, to wit, that certain riuers in Italy ran to contrary sides, and that some did clean dry up. After that Brutus and Cassius enjoining their Camps together, made hast into Europe from Abidus, a terrible strange show appeared to Brutus in the dead of the night: He sate alone in his pavilion being very pen●●ue touching the event of the war, and now perchance had settled his mind to think somewhat of that matter, while he was thus careful of his own business he perceived that one came in unto him, and turning about to the noise( for there was not much light, he thought that he saw the Image of an ouglye body stand by him) Brutus was moved at the horrible sight of the spirit, yet he was so bold as to ask him what God or man he was, moreover what he would haue? I am( said he in a hollow voice) thy naughty angel Brutus: A city in Thessalia. thou shalt see me at Philippi: then Brutus not being afraid said, I will see thee, and thereupon that sight vanished away. Brutus asking of the Boyes that were in the Tentes, whether they save any coming or going out, when they denied both, he full of marvel gave himself to rest. The next day as soon as he awaked, he told Cassius of that strange show, he leaning to the reasons of Epicurus didde despise it as vain and of no estimation. And they not staying long, within two dayes past their armies into Europe, about Nigrites and Aenus, as Appianus writeth, next from Aenus unto the Hill Serius, who subdued with the continual course of victory all places that lay between. Norbanus being almost beset by his enemies, went from his Garrison, and some notable overthrow had been received, unless Antony had holpen. At Rome wolves ran up and down in the Market place, which are beasts not accustomend to the city. A child new born spake. Some of the Images of the Gods did sweat, others did bleed, vain voices were heard, and clashing of weapons, running of horses, and no man saw any horse. It rained stones, and certain strange things were said to be seen about the sun. three suins rising at at once joined together in one, whereupon propheciers were sent for forth of Hetruria, one of which said that the common wealth should fall again to a kingdom, and that all men as in times past should be subject, saving himself alone, and so staying his breath dyed. When honours were appoynted for caesar and the Empire against Antony, double entrails appeared to him offering sacrifice, good luck following him. When Cayus Pansa was Consul, the Image of Antonius on horseback fell down at his house. A barbed horse running a place in his sight fell down. One of the people with the blood running from the Sacrifice gave his hand to one that departed sprinkled with blood, which prodigies were deadly, who immediately fighting against Antony was wounded to death. shows of weapons and dearth were seen rising from the earth to the Element with a great noise. The standards of the legion which Pansa left for the help of the city, seemed to be covered with Spiders as with long mouldinesse. In Cesars tents at the break of day, an Eagle lighted on the top of his tent vpon the canvas, afterward being stirred up by lesser birds flying about him, went out of sight. A voice was heard at Apollos Oracle. In the winter the wolves were mad: in summer no grain was cut down. When they which had served a whole year in the city, did earnestly desire the consulship for caesar, a terrible tumult was at Rome: when caesar brought his army into the fields of Mars six Vultures appeared to him: when he went up into the Pulpette to speak unto the people, and was created consul, six Vultures appeared to him again, which gave sign to him as to Romulus being about to build a new city by divination of birds. When caesar, Antony, and Lepidus were reconciled, there was a foul banishment of the noblemen. three suins were seen. Plinie Book. 2. Cha. 31. Ocauianus overcame the murderers of Iulius, which slue themselves, and were destroyed with the same bodkins with the which they slue Iulius. At Trallis the earth sanck down with an erthquake: the Indians sent Ambassadors to Augustus, requesting his friendship. Augustus made Calabria and the Frenchmen tributary,& disfranchised the Syzicenians. Before the war the was made by Octauus against Antony an owl flew in the city to the Temple of concord, afterward to the residue, in which also he restend. With the fires of Aetna many Cities that were near to were consumed with a horrible burning. A dragon with two heads was seen in Hetruria, being 85 foot long, which when he had spoyled many places, was strike with lightning. The Image of Antony that was placed over the hill Albanus, being of ston, bled much, by and by began the war of caesar with Antony all whose provision was better than the others, which two when for 4 dayes space they had fought together at Actium, where now Nicapolis is, Antonies soldiers were overcome. At Rome a Mule brought forth at the 12 gates. A Sextines bitch being dead, was drawn away by a dog. It was so light at midnight, that men rose to their work, as though it had been day. In the territory of Mutinia the Image of Marians victory looking towards the South, of himself turned toward the North, at four a clock when these things were purged with sacrifices. three suins were seen about the third hour of the day, which by and by were drawn into one compass. When the latins didde sacrifice vpon the hill Albanus blood sprung out of the ground and from Iupiters thumb. Cassius and Brutus made war in the provinces to the spoil of the romans league friends. It was noted to haue been as a prodigy, that Publius Tissius the praetor by reason of dissension put his fellow out of office, and dyed within a year, for it is manifest that none that took away his fellowes office lived a year: and those took it away, to wit, Lucius Iunius Brutus the consul, from tarqvinius Collatinus: Tiberius Gracchus from Marcus Octauius Cecinna: Publius tarqvinius from Publius Marullus: Tully from Brutus and Cassius going about to make war against caesar and Antony In the camp of Cassius a swarm of bees did light. The place at the bidding of the soothsayers was shut up, a trench being cast within. A great number of Vultures and of other great foul which fed upon dead carcases, flue to the army. When a Boy was carried in pomp for the worship of victory, he fell out of the Pageant. At the sacrifice the Officer set overthwartly the garland of Bay vpon the bundles of rods. When Brutus soldiers went into the field, an Aethiopian met them in the gate, whom the soldiers slue. Cassius and Brutus were slain. That year in the which Marcus Vipsanus Agrippa was consul, with Lucius ●aiu●( whom other called Caninius Gallus.) many strange things were spoken of in the city, but specially that very many Delphines striving together died at Alpi. a town of Affrica, that in the same town it rained blood, and it is written that the same immediately was brought by the birds into diuers quarters. Furthermore, that brought great pleasure to Octauius, which happened to Liuia, which was the Wife of caesar for an Eagle cast a white hen into her bosom, which carried a Laurel branch whereon there were berries. Which thing for as much as it seemed to signify some great matter: Liuia had great care of the hen, and set the laurel, which when it grew, it served to make them garlands of bay which triumphed after their gotten victory. The same year Antony came out of Siria into Italy by reason of Sextus war, who gave Caesar a great overthrow, Herod in judea took jerusalem, and spent the rest of the year in subduing the province. Before the war of Antony with Caesar, it is certain there were wonderful strange shows, for it is manifest that Pisaurus a city not far from Hawdria, where Antony brought people to inhabit, was clean swallowed up with gaping of the earth. At Alba a certain stony Image of Antony did sweat many dayes, and when certain men dried him he ceased not to sweat. At Patrae while Antony was there, A city in ●chaia. the Temple of Hercule being strike with lightning fell on fire. At Athens after the giants fight, Bac●hus was overthrown with the force of the wind, and fell into the Theatre: Collossa. The same tempest overthrew the great Images of Eumenes and Attalus which were at Athens being assigned unto Antony and which more is, those alone among many other were overthrown. moreover also the ship of Cleopatra which was called Antoni●s had a horrible token, for when swallows had built their nests under the stern, others came after them, which driving out the first by force, destroyed their nests. Caesa● brought into his subiection the Iapidians, the Dalmatians, A country in the realm o● Naples called Callabria. and the Panonians. In the war against Caesar and Antony, Marcus saw other horrible prodigies, and besides others, a certain Eagle full of bees, and also he saw the arm of a certain Tribune of the soldiers suddenly flowing with a wonderful sweetness of a Rosiall smell, which when many had wiped away, yet it ceased not they record also, that two Eagles in the middle space between both the armies met before the battle and fought together, which when they saw all gone to the fight, there was heard suddenly between them a silence: it is a very great matter& almost incredible. They say notwithstanding that the Eagle which came on Brutus side gave back, and fled away, immediately followed the most unhappy overthrow of Brutus after which he slue himself: This witnesseth Publius Volumniu● the Philosopher, who at the beginning went a warfare with Brutus, and out of the same Plutarch. In those dayes beyond Tiber, a fountain of oil ran out of an 3●●● inn, and for a whole day ran with a very great stream. At this time the true Empire of Augustus began, in the which the civil Warres were ended wherefore the Snate added to Octauius the term of Augustus, for his success and happiness in exployting of matters. This gathers Functius out of Orosius, Eusebius and others, who notwithstanding in the computation of yeares do wonderfully disagree as well here as in other places. There was a great Earthquake in judea, wherein 30000 men were lost. Iosephus book 1. chapped. ●7. of the jewish war. When that Antony and Cleopatra were vanquished and put to flight at Accium, the kingdom of egypt came into the dominion of Augustus and was made a province to the romans. In egypt a shower not only of water but also of blood fell from heaven, in which country not so much as due fell before. moreover, a Dragon of wonderful greatness, as soon as the egyptians saw him, by and by hissed wonderfully. stars also were seen, which the Greekes call comets: the likeness of dead men appeared, and the Images of the Gods were heavy, finally the egyptians God Apis, yielded great and miserable bellowinges, and shed great plenty of tears. The same year Octauius Caesar overcoming Antony, subdued all egypt, made it Tributarye, and appoynted Cornelius Gallus to govern it, he triumphed over the egyptians at Rome, and set the ornaments of queen Cleopatra in the Temple. When Marcus Antonius had in vain challenged to a single combat Caesar, against whom he made war: the same night after, when it was now almost midnight, and all were hushed, he being exceeding careful and pensive by reason of the fear of that which should happen, suddenly they report that certain harmonies of al kind of instruments were heard, and also the shoute as it were of certain companies making a noise with singing and satirical dancing, and they say that this was from the middle of the city to that gate which was by Caesars Tentes: at length that company was seen to go out through this gate with a great shoute, and immedyately Antony being past all hope, when in vain he sought to haue his servant Erus to slay him, he cruelly killed himself. After that Octauius Caesar was surnamed Augustus, suddenly in the night season he had no small provision: for Tiber in smooth and plain places of the city rose so high, that men might row in them, vpon which thing the propheciers foretold that caesar should more and more increase,& that the city should altogether be in his subiection. Wherefore Augustus didde those things more cheerfully and diligently which concerned the Empire, as though it had been given him by the consent of the Gods and men. In the time of Augustus caesar a whale 20 foot broad, but thrice so long, and in al things saving the head, being very like a woman, was brought out of the ocean sea into the country of Lions in france. In the time of Augustus reign a certain woman called Fausta, one of the common people of Ostia, brought forth two boyes and two girls, which without doubt did portend the famine which followed. under the hill Apeninus at the farm of Liuia, the wife of caesar, the earth trembled with a great moving. A torch appeared burning in heaven from the South to the North,& made in the night season a light like unto the day. The tower of Cesars Gardens, at the gate Caulina, was strike with lightning. The germans being circumvented by the ambushmentes of the romans, were grievously vexed under Marcus Lolius being ambassador. Drusus the brother of Tiberius being sent against the frenchmen which inhabit beyond the adjoin, in taking all things that came in his way, went as far as the river Albis, where a certain woman of no common greatness is said to haue met him, and thrice to haue said: Whether goest thou covetous and unsatiable Drusus, thou canst not see all these things by thy destiny, wherefore depart, for the end of thy life and of all thy business is at hand. Wherefore Drusus although he returned as warily as could be, yet he fell sick and dyed by the way. In Germany in the Tentes of Drusus aswarme of bees lighted vpon the pavilion of Hostilius Rutilius Marshall of the field, so that it embraced a cord stretching out, and a lance pitched up before the tent. A great multitude of the romans was subdued by an ambushment. ¶ The second part of the chronicle, warning to the general iudgement, and coming of our lord Iesus, beginning from the birth of Christ, until this present year of our Lord God. 1581. WHen Augustus was Emperour, often and every where, more than was tofore accustomend, appeared strange prodigies, as well in the Firmament as on the earth. The Astrologers, Propheciers, and Sacrificers being asked, and the Oracles of authors being inquired what might thereby ensue, answered: That nature should bring forth a Prince, and Lord of the earth: The romans referred this to Augustus the wiser sort did interpret it of Christ the King of the living, and lord of the world. The wonderful strange appearances more than accustomend in these latter dayes, do also foretell some great alteration to follow. Zacharia a righteous and godly priest of the Lord, when he had done Sacrifice to the Lord in the Temple at jerusalem he saw the angel of the lord standing at the right side of the Altar, who told him that his prayers were heard, which he had made unto God, and that his barren wife Elizabeth, should bring forth unto him a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And many of the Children of Israell shall he turn to the lord God: for he shall go before in his sight, in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hartes of the Fathers to the Children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just men: to make a people ready to the Lord. Then zachary said unto the angel: whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife is of great age. &c. I am gabriel that stand in the presence of God: and am sent to speak unto thee, and to show thee these glad tidings, and behold thou shalt be dumb and not able to speak, until the day that these things be performed. &c. This son of Zachari was called John Baptist which afterward for reproving Herod king of jury because he married his Brothers wife, was beheaded. Iosephus calleth the dancing Flyrtes name Salomen, the mothers name Herodias, wife unto Philip that was king of Itruria, brother unto herod king of galilee. Pontius Pilate was then Lieutenaunte of jury, in the 15. year of the reign of Tiberius the Emperor. Mar. 6. Luk. 1.2. When Iesus Christ the everlasting and coequal Son of God, the saviour of the world, did put on our mortal nature, and was born of the Virgin Mary at Bethleem a city of david, the 43. year of the Emperour Augustus the eight day of the kalends of januarij, at which day, at that time as Plinie saith was the shortest time of the year, which the learned do call Hiemale Solstitium, So must christian preachers in the time of ignorance instruct the people. the angels of GOD appeared to the Sheapheardes in galilee, as they were watching their flocks in the night, who spake unto them being strike with fear( for the heavenly brightness) in these words: Be not afraid, I bring you tidings of great ioy, that shall come to all people, that is, that unto you is born this day in the city of david, a saviour, which is Christ the Lord: and take ye this for a sign, ye shall find the child swaddled and laid in a cretche: And strait way there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly Souldiers, lauding God,& saying, Glory be to God in the high heauens, and peace in earth,& towards men good will, at which time doubtless all the Oracles and worshippers of the gentle Gods held their peace and ceased, as witnesseth Strabo, plutarch, and well near all others. The year that Christ our saviour was born, the xiij. day( as Vincentius maketh mention in his 7. book, chap. 91.) the Magi, or wise men coming out of Persia, Chaldea, and Saba, went to jerusalem, guided by a most bright star, and offered to the King of the Iewes, Gold, Franconcense and myrrh, at the wonder of which thing, not onely Herod and the inhabitants of jerusalem, but also all judaea was moved. And this star as Fulgentius hath left in writing, was severed from the other, and had his place not in the firmament with the lesser stars, nor with the planets, but in the air next to the Earth, he held his place. Tiberius Horse in a conflict of the War seemed sundry times to breath flames fiery out of his mouth, the same was afterward emperor, Anno Do●● a riotous, subtle, and evil man. Eusebius. There were great Earthquakes at Rome a great flood overthrew the Bridge of Tiber by which overflowing men might haue rowed thorough the city for seven dayes, when Herod was dead of the dropsy, having his body full of lice, his privy members rotted, from whence scrauled filthy vermin, the cramp benumbed all the sinews of his body: Such was the tragical end of Herod, Herod raigne● 37 yeres. suffering just punishment for the Babes destroyed in Bethleem, practised purposely for our saviours sake, after whose death an Angel came to joseph in sleep, as he remained in egypt& commanded that he should return together with the child and his mother into jury in as much as they were dead which sought the childs life. Christ was carried into egypt the 3. year after his birth. Math 2. His Son Archelaus was by Augustus set in his place,& there were made 4. tetrarches, officers or ruler unto whom was committed the government of the fourth part of a realm to either. Euseb. Book. 2. Chap. 10. The sixth year after Christ his birth, joseph came out of egypt: hearing that Archelaus did reign in the place of Herod he feared to go to Ierusalen,& went to galilee, Math. 2 the 48. year of Augustus. There was an Eclipse of the sun the tenth year. Immediately following, Augustus banished Archelaus king of the Iewes, to Vienna a city of france. judaea is committed to four Rulers. So cruel a famine invaded Rome, that the Emperour commanded the families of fencers, and all strangers, and a great number of servants, saving physicians and teachers, to be thrust out of the city. In Cipres very many Cities were overthrown with Earthquakes, Lollius overcame the germans. Tiberius Caesar made the Vindales and those which bordered vpon Thracia, roman provinces. The same Iesus christ went up with his Parentes to jerusalem, at the feast of the Easter passover, Luke 2. and was found disputing among the doctors, both hearing them and posing them, and all that heard him marveled at his understanding and answers: what other thing he did until the 30. year of his life, the evangelists make no mention. This year among diuers prodigies, there appeared a Comet. Quintilius Varrus was slain by the germans, Arminius being their captain: For after that Manilius in his first book, hath shewed that Comets do portend insurrection and wars both abroad& at home, he addeth an example, saying, Et foedere rupto, cum fera ductorem rapuit Germania Varrum, infecit queen trium legionum sanguine campos, arserunt toto passim minitantia Mundo lumina. As with broken league when fierce germany slue captain Varrus,& stained the field with the blood of three legions, lights threatening the whole world, every where afire. About the end of octavianus Augustus government, a certain Woman of the common people of Ostia, called Fausta, brought forth four Children, two boyes, and two girls, after which strange sight, a great famine followed. Augustus Caesar finished his life at Nola a town in Italy, the 76. year of his age, and was buried at Rome in the field Marcius, whose death was of the Senate greatly lamented. Licost. Lanquet. When Sextus Pompeius and Lucius Apuleius were Consuls, to weet in the year after Rome was built seven hundred sixty and six, al the sun seemed unto men to fail, and a great part of the Element seemed to burn, fiery beams fell from heaven, and bloody Comets also were seen. When the people fell to prayer because of Augustus sickness, the Senate house was found shut up, and a Scriche owl lighting thereon sang, And the Lightning which fell upon the Image of Caesar standing in the capitol, put out the first letter of Caesars name, whereupon the soothsayers made answer, that the next day he should be partaker of some divinity: and thus they conjectured, because the first Letter thereof, to weet C among the latins signified a hundred, the other parte in the Hetrurian speech s●gnified God: wherefore the same day or the next Augustus dyed, yet not without suspicion of poison given him the fifty and sixth year of his Imperial government, Eusebius. If he died in the sixteenth year of Christ then must his yeares of being Emperor be fifty eight, if( as Eusebius saith) fifty six then dyed Caesar the 14. year: notwithstanding some affirm that he died in the 12. year of Christ. The great ouers●ght of diuers Authors, is a hindrance to later writers. The river Tiber overflowed the city of Rome, to the great ruin and overthrow of buildings, after which ensued great mortality. Cooper. Thyrtéene Cities sell down with an earthquake, as Ephesus, Magnesia, Sardis, Mosthene, Megaechyero, caesarea, Philadelphia, Himolus, Temis, Cyme, Myrrhina, Apollonia, Dyahyrcania: wherefore the year following Claudius Tiberius Nero Caesar alured many kings to him by flattery which he would not suffer to return, among which he commanded Archelaus of Capadocia to be called, whose kingdom became a province, and caused Masaca a most noble city, to be called Ces●ria, after Licosthenes the twentieth year from Christs birth. It is written of this Tiberius that he was virtues politic. Vices. mischievous, cruel, Fortunate. covetous and deceitful, Well Learned. feigning to do that he would not. And Eloquent. Ipocriticall. And whereas of certain of his council he was persuaded to leave exactions of his people, he answered that it was the office of a good shepherd to shear his sheep and not to pill them. This is that Emperour of whom it is written, that he put to death a Smith, who had invented to make glass flexible, that is to abide the hammer, laying to his charge that if he should live and teach other, gold and silver should nothing be set by. Policronicon book. ●. Plinie book. 11. Cha. 44. reciteth that Tiberius Caesar saw more clearelye in the dark than in the light, so that when he awaked in the night he discerned plainly those things that were about him: his life was so disordered by giuing himself to banqueting and filthy pleasures two whole dayes and a night, that his soldiers, for Claudius Tiberius Nero, called him Claudius Biberius Nero. Stage players were banished out of Italy, and Rome established a decree, that where by the means of former resort, horrible whoredom began to increase, to the great debasing of sundry states, that no woman whose Grandefather or husband had been a Gentleman of Rome, should openly gain by the filthy misusing of her body: there also increased in Rome through such unlawful assemblies so great dissimulation and flattery, that Tiberius going out of the Senate used to say, O men ready to servitude and Bondage. In Rome fifty thousand men were hurt and slain with the fall of a Theatre, as they were beholding the Games of Swordeplayers, for which misfortune Attilius that set forth those plays, was banished. Through everich sufferance and setting at nought former examples, the like mischiefs too often happen. The fifteenth year of Tiberius, Vitellius the procurator of Siria was sent from Tiberius to aid Herod Antipas against Aretas, joseph Antiq. book .19. chapped. 7.8. About this time John Baptist preached in judaea, and pointed Christ with the finger, he baptized Christ in jordan, he reprehended herod for marrying his Brothers wife, he was beheaded in prison at the castle Matherunta by the commandment of Herod. Herod had to wife the Daughter of Aretas king of Arabia, the which he dismissed, and married Herodias, for which cause Herod and Aretas afterward warred one against the other, in the which battle Herodes host was utterly foiled, as it was thought for a plague for beheadding John Baptist Euse. Book .1. chapped. 12. Math. 4. The thyrtith year of Christ was the first year of his preaching, after he was baptized, then led into the wilderness, fasted forty dayes& forty nights, where John beholding him, said, Behold the lamb of God: the which when Andrew heard, he followed him. John. 1. the next day Iesus found Philip, and said, follow me. The third day there was a marriage in Cana of galilee there Christ wrought the first miracle by turning water into wine. John. 2. The Iewes passover was at hand, then Iesus went up to jerusalem and drove the buyers and sellers forth of the Temple, he choose his Apostles. &c. The second year of his preaching, he came to his own country, where he did not many miracles because of their unbelief, Math. 13. Herod was desirous to see him, this herod beheaded John Baptist, after which the war before mentioned happened. Iesus went hence into the wilderness, he and his Disciples went into the Land of Genazereth through Bethsaida, Mat. 14.15. tyre and Sidon to Ierusalen at the feast of Pentecost he wrought many miracles,& preached many Sermons. The 3. year again to Ierusale to the feast of dedication, it was Winter, and he walked in the Temple in Salomons porch: After he passed jordan and came to Bethanie where he raised Lazarus the sixteenth day of march, joh. 10. that was four days dead. The nineteenth day, being six dayes before the passover, he returneth from the desert of Ephraim to Bethani,& suppeth with Lazarus The 0 day was palm Sunday, so called because the multitude took branches of palm trees& went to meet Iesus coming to Ierusalen, that evening he returned to Bethinia. Math 21. Mark. 11. The 12. day coming out of Bethinia, he cursed the fig tree, in the evening he goeth out of the city, the two and twentieth day in the morning he passed by the withered fig tree. That night Christ supped in Bethinia, in the house of Simon the Leper, and two dayes after was the feast of passover. The 23. day Iudas coveted to betray him. The 24. day Christ celebrated the Iewes passover, afterwards his own, called the Lords Supper: he washeth the Disciples feet: he goeth out into mount olivet: he prayeth, he sweateth blood: he is taken, he is brought to Cayphas, Peter denieth him. Math. 26. Marc. 14. luke. 22. John. 18. Eusebius. The French record of those that gave sentence against Christ. AND they took Iesus and led him to Caiphas the high priest, where the Scribes and elders were assembled: Math. 26. Ma. 27. Mar. 15. John. 17. when the morning was come, all the chief priestes and Elders of the people took counsel against Iesus, to put him to death. After an old record written in the French, the names and Sentences of the elders are expressed that gave iudgement against Christ, and because it disagréeeth not from the evangelical truth, I haue thought good, alleging the author, orderly to express the same. And brought him bound and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the deputy. Simon Leprosus. By what Law do men judge a man, banished of company? Dadon. 2. I know not to what end the laws are given, when their causes be not kept. Achias. 3. Men ought to inform the causes of the evil doer, before they put him to death. Nathan. 4. It appertaineth to the law of God and man, not to judge any man with his proper ill deed, and therefore what evil hath this man done. Zemias. 5. Wherefore is the law kept, if the integrity or fullness be not kept? Loth. 6. Although we fain outwardly to be hardy, Note this. notwithstanding it is accused in counsel. Gamaliel 7. The Law punisheth no man but Transgressors for whom the lawe is made, that he be condemned by his own proper fact, if he be a transgressor, and not by our fury. joseph of Aramathia. 8. Oh how pitiful is the thing, that a man findeth not in a town some man to defend the Innocent. Nicodemus. 9. John. 19.7. Our Lawe iudgeth it a man before it hath heard him, and knoweth what he hath done? Caiphas. 10. otherwise called joseph, high priest when Christ suffered next after Simon. Mat●. 26.57. You know nothing, and think not that it is convenient that one man die for the people, and that all the people perish not. Chihiris. 11. Mat. 27.25. Albeit that he be just, notwithstanding he shal be put to death, for the people are troubled through his words. Then answered all the people and said, his blood be on us and our children. Mesrahim. 12. That wealth is not necessary unto the Land, by the which the people is moved to murmur. Rezen. 13. A man feigned is perilous to the Land, therefore he shall be taken from the people. Arscad 14. If he be just or unjust, for that he is differing to the customs of our Ancestors, or for that his doctrine is not agreeable to our customs, we will not suffer him. Bouimes. 15 If he be just we will live honestlye with him and if he be unjust, we will throw him from vs. Sadoch. 16. And if he be not just, neither unjust, wherefore do we long abide to condemn him to death, or to put him to exile? Zeras 17. He is honest and juster than that he should be put to death, or sent unto the Emperour. josaphat. 18. That he be bound with chains of iron secretly. Iabell. 19. Let us make peace that he be not against us, and if he will not do our pleasure, he shall be punished. Pontius Pilate, the Deput. Art thou the King of the Iewes? hearest thou not how many things they lay against thee? And he answered him to never a word. &c. When he was set down to give iudgement, Math. 27.13. his wife sent to him, saying, haue thou nothing to do with that just man, for I haue suffered many things this morning in my dream by reason of him. But the chief Priestes and the Elders had persuaded the people, that they should ask Barrabas and destroy Iesus: they stripped Iesus in the common hall, they put vpon him a purple rob in scorn of him, they set a crown of thorns vpon his head, Ma●. 27: Ma●. 15. ●u●● 23. john. 19. Ma●●. 27 3 4. they mocked him, they spit vpon him, they whipped him, they forced him to bear his cross, they having fastened his body with nails, gave him eysell and gaule to drink,& to show their deadly malice, they pierced his hart with a spear: read more in the 4. evangelists. But when he rose again they were amazed. Thē when Iudas which betrayed him saw that he was condemned, he repented himself,& brought again the ●0. peers of silver to the chief priestes and elders, saying, I haue sinned betraying the innocent blood. And they said: what is that to us, see thou to that. And he cast down the silver pieces in the temple& departed and went& hanged himself. &c. Of the kind of silver come then used, as old Authors affirm, among diuers rare monuments I bought a piece, and as some do suppose, the like to the for the which our saviour Iesus Christ was sold, called by the name of a Gerah or cycle, whereof are 2. sorts the old used in the time of Esdras as appeareth by the carects thē used among the Hebrews differing from the later carocts, the other in the time the Simon the Son of Boethus the father in law of king Herod was high priest of the Iewes when Christ was born, the which cycle after v●shillings the ounce is in value xx. v. but it hath been half an ounce, now consumed through age& rubbing to be made bright. Melancton in his book of prayers fol. 52. That same piece of money called the cycle which the cities of the Hebrews used, To be seen in the custody of M. Aske●a good member in this common wealth. The other I haue though●● good to set down to the open view of my country. doth as it were figuratively describe the rightful offices& functions of ecclesiastical persons, vpon the one side whereof was stamped the flourishing rod of Aaron, which admonished them to teach pure doctrine& sound religion of gods own sacred institution: On the other side was stamped a cup filled with franconcense of Saba, which giveth to understand, that they should offer their prayers to God, as new incense: howbeit, before others Christ our high priest the son of the eternal father doth these things. The just proportion of the cycle, which as yet remaineth in my custody. And for as much as the most part of the world in these dayes understand not what maner of Carects were then used, for that the difference is great, and far unlike, I haue thought good to set down an Alphabet, to the end that wheresoever the like are, or hereafter may be seen, they be not taken for any other, because the Saracen are not much unlike the foresaid Hebrai. Per Vrbanum Vuyss. Tigurinum. Samech. Num. Mem. lame. Caph. Iod. Teth. heath. Zain. Vau. He. Daleth. Ghimel. Beth. Aleph. Tau. Schin. Ress. Cof. Zadi. Pe. Hain. Hebrew alphabet Math. 26. Iudas Iscarioth being one of the twelve, was the first Apostata that fell from the truth in Christ, he sold his master for thirty pieces of silver. ¶ The prophecy of Christ, touching the destruction of jerusalem, figuratively foretold by the prophet david of Israels punishment in the wilderness, Psalm. 95. as also that grievous plague that ensued the Iewes violence to Iesus Christ. Math. 24. WO be to them which are with child, and give suck in those dayes( saith Christ) but pray that your flight be neither in Winter, nor on the sabbath day, for then shall be great tribulation, such as was not from the beginning of the world unto this time, neither shall be. Vpon the solemn dayes of Easter, there were gathered together at jerusalem out of all judea, to the number of three hundred millions, and there shut up as it were in prison, saying: It was requisite that destruction due for their desert, drawing nigh, by the just iudgement of God, should apprehend them vpon those dayes( being as it were shut up in prison) in the which they before had drawn the saviour and benefactor of al men, the anointed of God, unto his passion. A million is ten thousand. Iosephus. Bel. Iud. Book. 7. chapped. 17. saith, that the just number came to seven and twenty hundred thousand people. The number of thē that perished by sword and famine are said to be a hundred and ten Millions, Ann. Dom 73 forty yeres just after the passion of Christ. Luke. 19. besides the seditious and théeuish raueners betrayed one by another, and slain after the winning of the city. The number of the captives was fourscore and seuentéene thousand. ¶ A brief rehearsal of the signs foreshewing the wars. A Comet like a sword enduring the space of a whole year over the City, then followed a tumult or bloody mischief among themselves. A light in the Temple in the night time, the space of half an hour. A cow calved a lamb, in the midst of the temple. A great Gate opening itself, of brass, in the Inner Temple, that twenty men could scarce shut, about the sixth hour. The one and twentieth day of may a divell in the form of a man appeared, after which Monstrous acts cruel murtherings ensued. An army of soldiers in the clouds. A commotion in the air. A voice was heard in the Temple that said, let us go hence. One Iesus the son of Ananias, four yeres before the warres, cried continually wo, wo, al about jerusalem. On the first day of a certain month when at Rome there were many in sejanus house, which was Consul with Tiberius, who seemed daily more and more with great arrogancy to advance himself, a bed set in his haul where he was saluted, through the multitude of the sitters on broke, and a Cat coming out of the middle past his way. When sejanus came into the iudgement haul, after the sacrifice was done and the divination taken, by the demeanour of birds, no prosperous foul, but Crows, flying about, soong, and afterward they were seen to fly to his house and sit vpon it. Out of sejanus Image came smoke after the head was cut off, add afterward a great Serpent crept out, and when suddenly another head was set vpon the same Image, a cord was found bound about the neck of the same Image. When M. Iulius, or Iunius as others would haue it, and L Norbanus Balbus were Consuls, in the year after Rome was built. 771. on the first day of a certain month there was no small prodigy, whereby the death of Germanicus seemed after a sort to be foretold. For that day Norbanus the consul who always endeavoured to sound the Trumpet, and was diligently exercised therein, at the break of day when there was already a great multitude of men at his house he began to sound the trumpet, which thing made them all afraid as though the consul had warned to the battle. And they were the more afraid, because the Image of Ianus fel down, A prophecy that after nine yeares Rome sore deeayed. and because certain oracles at that time were uttered for Sybils, whereat all men were greatly moved: and in these oracles it was said, that it should come to pass that when thrice three hundred yeares were paste, civil seditions, and siberiticall madness should be stirred up among the Romaines When Lucius Claudius was Emperor, C●mulodunum supposed Colch●●ter. in britain, now England, the Image of victory that was at Camulodunum suddenly turned backward as though he would give place to the enemy, after which suddenly a rebellion was made: there were slain of the islanders, of the Romains and of their league friends .70000. When the Captaines which followed Polynices were at a feast, a certain Eagle soaring down, carried up aloft the weapon of Amphyaraus and by and by let it fall: when they fought the next da●, Amphiaraus together with his chariot was swallowed up: and this is written in Trisimachus in his third book of buildings. whilst Christ bowing his head, yielded up the Ghost to his Father, as as it appeareth by the evangelists, from six a clock till nine the sun lost his brightness: which at that time was against nature, for first the eclipse lasted three whole houres: moreover it could not be natural, because the moon was at that time fouretéene dayes old, and therfore full, and thē in the east, when the sun was in the west. Wherefore dionysius Areopagita is reported to haue said at Athens, either the world shall perish, or the God of nature doth suffer. moreover at that time by the testimonies of heathen writers, as Eusebius reconeth, there was an earthquake, not only in judea but also in Bethinia, in the city of Nicena, very many buildings fel down, and as Flegon the reckner of the Olympiades writeth, there was so great an Eclipse of the sun, that the day was turned into night, and the stars were seen in the Element, stones did cliue asunder, deade men went out of their graues, the vale of the Temple which was before Sanctum Sanctorum, did rent from the top to the foot, and perhaps also the vale that hoong before the Temple Gate, which Iosephus saith, was set there to cover the Gates, was rent asunder with the innermost, for in the Gospel of the Nazarets it is red, that the The beam over a door. transom of the temple that was of an exceeding greatness was broken, and that there were voices heard in the air, saying( let us abide here no longer) Petrus Comestor and Vincentius in his eight book Chapter 45. and Flegon a most ancient writer of the Olimpiads. A letter of Lentulus that was pronounced in judea to the Senate of Rome. THere appeared in these dayes a man, and yet he is here, who is of great virtue and power, name christ Iesus, whom the Gentiles call a prophet of power, and his Disciples term the son of God, raising the deade, and healing al infirmities. He is a man of a taule stature, not too big, and goodly to behold, having a reverend countenance, that the beholders may love and fear: the hair of his head hath the colour of a filbert or hazel nut that is not yet ripe, and plain almost to the ears, As the stater is in the deep but from the ears downward, it curleth and is more blackishe and dark and more shining, and waggeth with the wind vpon the shoulders, having a parting amid his head, according to the maner of the Nazarites: he hath a plain and a very smooth forehead, with a face without any wrinkle or spot, whom a reasonable redness doth beautify: there can no fault be found with his nose and mouth, he hath hair enough in his beard, and young, of one colour, not long, but two forked in the midst: he hath a meek and a simplo look, his eyes are gray and clear: in reproving he is terrible, Or of a fiery redness. in admonishing gentle and loving, he is cheerful, with a gravity who was never seen to laugh, but to weep he hath, in the stature of his body he is well set, and upright, having hands and arms goodly to behold: in speech he is grave, of few words and modest, beautiful among the children of men. Another letter of Pilate to Claudus Tiberius. Pontius Pilatus to Claudius Tiberius greeting. OF late it chanced that I tried that the Iewes through envy did put to death, by a cruel condemnation themselves,& their posterity: for when their fathers had a promise that their God would send them his holy son by a virgin, which worthily should be called their king, him in my presence he sent into judea, whom when they saw to haue restored blind men their sight, to haue healed the sick of the palsy, to haue cleansed lepers, to haue driven out divels, to haue raised the deade, to haue commanded the winds, to haue walked dry foot vpon the waters of the sea,& to haue wrought many other wonders,& that al the people of the Iewes said that he was the son of God, the chief Priestes bare envy against him. wherefore they delivered him unto me, and making many lies vpon him, they said that he was a magician and did contrary to their lawe. I thought it to be so, wherefore I delivered him too bee whipped, as they would, who crucified him, and set keepers at his sepulchre, but he for all the wardings of the soldiers arose the thyrde day: and so wicked a mind the Iewes did bear against him, that they gave money to the keepers that they should say that his disciples took away his body. But they being not able to hold in that which was done, witnessed that he did rise, and that they saw a vision of Angels, and received money of the Iewes. The Picture of Christ, found among antiquity of brass, aunswearable to the report aforesaid, for the which I haue caused this to be set down, to none other end, than as a worthy monument among diverse strange effects, of no less worthiness, than other coins of Emperors, which was supposed a coin usual among the Christians in the primitive Church. A brief rehearsal of those Emperors, in whose time Iesus Christ was born, and so consequently till the time of Constantinus the first Christian Emperour, for that they were helpers to the grievous persecutions of the Christians, as more at large after this Cataloge is expressed: appeareth that were of like authority in government. 1 Augustus caesar in whose time Christ was born: who had to wife Iulia Augusta, Genitrix orbis. 2 Tiberius, in whose time Christ suffered. 3 Nero caesar, the first mover of persecution against the Christians: who had to wife Octauia Augusta and Pompeia. 4 Vespasianus caesar Aug. P.M. the subduer of jury, who had to wife Domicillae Aug. 5 Titus caesar Vespasianus, the destroyer of jerusalem. 6 Domitianus caesar Aug. the second persecutor. 7 Traianus Aug. Germ. P.M. the third persecutor of Christians, who had to wife Plotina Augusta. 8 M. Aurelius caesar Aug. Mouers of the fourth persecution against the Christians. Antonius Aug. Mouers of the fourth persecution against the Christians. 2 M. Aurelius caesar Aug. Mouers of the fourth persecution against the Christians. Antonius Aug. Mouers of the fourth persecution against the Christians. The Wife of M. Aurelius had to name Faustina Augusta, and Diua Faustina Pia. 10 severus Pertinax Aug. Mouers of the fifth persecution against the Christians. Bassianus Antoninus. Mouers of the fifth persecution against the Christians. 11 severus Pertinax Aug. Mouers of the fifth persecution against the Christians. Bassianus Antoninus. Mouers of the fifth persecution against the Christians. 12 Maximus pus, 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 Sallustia, 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 last persecution against the Christians, the wife to Maximianus, Eutropia Aug. Maximianus Aug. mouers of the tenth and last persecution against the Christians, the wife to Maximianus, Eutropia Aug. 17 Dioclesianus Aug. mouers of the tenth and last persecution against the Christians, the wife to Maximianus, Eutropia Aug. Maximianus Aug. mouers of the tenth and last persecution against the Christians, the wife to Maximianus, Eutropia Aug. After these tyrants and their queens followed Constantinus Caesar the first Christian Emperor, who had to wife Pijssima ac venerabilis Domina nostra Helena Augusta, matter Domini nostri victoris, semper Augusti, Auia Constantini& Constanti, Beatissimorum ac florentissimorum principum. Author Hubertus Goltzius in his treasure of Antiquities. paul, who yet had to name Saule, when he had received letters from the high Priest, by whose authority he might lead captive to jerusalem those that believed in Christ, whilst with the officers he made hast to Damascus,( where was a great number of believers) suddenly being strike from heaven, by a force from heaven, he heard a voice crying to him from heaven 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 help of his men carried to Damascus: where for three dayes and three nights he neither eat nor drunk any thing, until by Gods help Ananias had restored his sight, for then fell as it were meddles from his eyes, and receiving his sight he turning was made a vessel of election. Caius Caligula son of Germanicus Emperour, when of mere pride he would haue divine honors given him, and had put on the garment of the Gods, he caused a temple also to be made him in the city, and a house in the capitol, to the end he might dwell together with jupiter, but being wrath afterward because the second place was given him dwelling with jupiter, he built him another temple in the place,& when he went about to change the Image of jupiter Olympius into his own likeness, he could not do it, because the vessel that was provided to bring him over, was strike with lightning and broken. moreover as often as he went to touch that Image, great laughter was heard: such great ioy was made at his election, that within three moneths there were 150000. sacrifices offered to the Gods. This man at his first beginning was commendable, after became full of mischief, for the which he was slain. When Claudius Emperour of the Romaines had chosen by adoption Nero the son of Agrippina,& afterward made him his son in law in matchyng him with his daughter,( least the brethren might seem to be matched in marriage) there was a great prodigy. For the Element seemed wonderfully to burn. A Comet appeared, and it rained blood, and lightning fel from heaven vpon the standards of the praetorian soldiers, and the Temple of jupiter the Conqueror opened of himself. Immediately Claudius the Emperour through the procurement of Agrippina was poisoned by a witch called Locusta, and afterward one dyed of every sort of thē that bare office. The Phoenix was seen in egypt, which was thought to betoken the death of Tiberius Caesar for the year following he fel sore sick: to whom Caiu●( fearing least he should recover) gave no meate when he required it: because he affirmed that he wanted heat, covering him with a great many clothes he choked him. An island of thirty furlongs in length appeared in the sea, which was never seen before: in a sedition. 30000. Iewes were slain in the dayes of unleavened bread, and parte of them were driven out of the City by Claudius. three suins appeared at once, and forthwith they joined al in one: there was a great famine in Rome. In england for certain dayes the Sea seemed blood, and by and by the roman garrison was slain by the islanders, who suddenly rebelled. The same month that Claudius Caesar was poisoned, a Comet appeared a long season, the tomb of his father Drusius was strike with lightning: when he did sacrifice, the head of the beasts liver was missing, which they record was a most sure token of peril to ensue: so also the Prince Caius when he did sacrifice, the head in the liver was missing, which foreshowed the peril that shortly ensued. When Nero Emperour of the Romaines had slain his mother Agrippina, amid the sacrifice for Agrippina by the decree of the Senate, the sun was altogether eclipsed, so that the stars were seen. moreover the Elephants which drew Augustus chariot, entering into the place where they beheld plays, when they came so far as where the Senators sate, they would go no further but stood stil,( and which a man may most of all conjecture to haue happened by Gods will,) the supper which was brought unto him was altogether burned with lightning, as if some harpy had taken away his meate. There was a great Earthquake at Rome, and the sun was seen eclipsed. Capua and Nuceria two under Cities were furnished with old soldiers. The Tributes were made more easy, and a decree of the Senate was made concerning the setting out of shows in the province. When Lucius Fonteius Capito and Vipsa were Consuls, a boy of eight yeres old, went between noon and night 45000. paces, Iulius Solinus Chap. 6. Also there happened an Eclipse of the sun the day before the kalends of May. A play every five yeares was begun after the manner of the greek exercise, and was called Neroneum: whilst the plays were set out a Comet appeared, and they judged that this signified the change of the king, whereupon when Rubellius Plautus was thought of all men to be king, Nero gave him counsel that with his wife Antistia and his familiars he should go into Asia, to the land that was left him by his ancestors: wherefore in those dayes the overmuch desire of sensuality brought Nero in infamy and danger. Before Neros table fell lightning, wherefore two yeares after, Nero to the end he might behold the likeness of Troy being a fire, burned the most parte of the city of Rome, using vnséemely behaviours while the city was on fire, to the great impoverishing of the Citizens. In the time of Nero the Emperour the ocean sea seemed blood, and the likeness of mens bodies were left on the shore. The Image of victory at Camulodunum a city of england was turned back, as if he should give place to the enemy. Supposed Colchester in Essex. Women in england being troubled as it were with a prophetical fury said that destruction was at hand, so that the islanders lived in hope, and the old privy-councillors in fear. Laodicea, Hieropolis and Calosse Cities of Asia fell down with Earthquake. Prodigies of sundry kindes, and a Comet appeared for six months, contrary to the custom of Comets which commonly are not seen so long a time. Before also under Claudius was seen a Comet and three suns, which without doubt did portend that three within short space should strive together for the certainty of the empire. And I think after the same sort, that that huge Comet did signify not only sedition, but a change in the roman Empire, and chiefly the lamentable destruction of the kingdom of the Iewes. Albinus the governor of judaea dieth, and Cestius Florius succéedeth, under whom the Iewes rebelled against the Romaines. One called Iesus, the son of Ananias, a man of the Country, four yeres before the warres of jerusalem, when the city was in peace and plenty, vpon the feast of the tabernacles he began suddenly to cry out: A voice from the east, a voice from the west, a voice from the 4. winds, a voice over jerusalem and the Temple, a voice over Bridegroomes and over brides, a voice over the Temple: And without ceasing day and night going from street to street, he cried thus, until that certain of the chiefest sort being offended at it, as a thing that boded no good, took the fellow and beate him well. But he speaking nothing for himself, nor entreating them to hold their hands, without any fear repeated the same words, whereupon he being brought before the judge of the Romains was at his bidding torn to the bones with whippings, neither did he entreat or shed tears, but often repeating the former words with a great passion and clamour added besides Wo, Wo, be to jerusalem. The year that Nero lost his certainty, the conceive trees and the Meadows removed out of their places. Peter and paul in the first persecution of the Christians were coroned with martyrdom the third day of the kalends of july. The first persecution o● the Church. This Nero adopted into the Empire by Claudius who married his Mother Agrippina although he were brought up by the reverend& wise Seneca, yet by the inevitable corruption of his nature, he became horrible vicious, in so much as he caused himself to be gelded, and cut in the form of a woman and so to be abused, and by his cruelty caused his own Mother to be slain, and the city of Rome to be burned, in the mean time playing on a harp, and signifying the destruction of Troy, finally he being hated of all men, was slain in a cave whereinto he fled, when he was but 32. yeares old, and had reigned 14. yeares, in the 57. year after the incarnation of Christ. D. copper. Before the death of Sergius Galba when town by town sacrifice was slain and offered, a Bull being amazed with the blow of an Axe, and breaking that wherewith he was tied, did set vpon his waggon, and al bewrayed it with his leg. The Mathematicians were that year banished out of Italy Titus Vespasianus was by his Father made ruler of judea, as Iosephus writeth in his sixth book, Chap. last. When Otho silvius Emperour of the Romaines made war against Vitellius, they report besides other prodigies which then happened, that a bird of a notable greatness was seen for many dayes, such a one as never was seen before: wherefore Otho when nevertheless he joined in battle with Vitellius there were slain on both sides in the conflicts at Cremona 40000. men. When Vitellius was Emperour there appeared unlucky prodigies, for there appeared a blazing star, and the moon seemed to be twice eclipsed, contrary to the appointed time, for she was darkened the fourth and the seventh day. moreover at one time in the east and in the west two suins were seen, of the which, the one weak and pale,& the other strong and clear. There were found also in the Capitol many and great steps of certain gods, which seemed to descend from the thence: and the soldiers reported which that night did watch, that the Temple of jupiter did open of itself with a great noise, and that for that cause many of the keepers were sore afraid and astonied. moreover when the soldiers of Vitellius and Vespasian fought in a most bloody battle for the Empire of Rome, vpon the taking of Alienus the traitor who had taken the city of Cremona, during the fight not only the moon was eclipsed, but also appeared black and contrary to hir common custom bloody. Before Vitellius Emperour of the Romaines fought against the Vespasian soldiers, whilst he did sacrifice and preached to his soldiers, a great number of Vultures rushed down, and tore in pieces the bowels of the sacrifice, and almost thrust the Emperour himself beside his chair of estate, or his Tribunal seat. moreover when at Vienna he sat in his judgement seat, cruel Prodigies also appeared, which did show that an exceeding destruction was at hand, for a cock sitting vpon the Princes head and shoulders, was a great terror to all men: moreover filthy birds flew over, and so many that almost they caused darkness. The destruction of the city of jerusalem was shewed by many tokens and Prodigies, and not by tokens only, but also by a Prophetical voice, that men might haue repented, and the cruel reuengement of wicked offences might haue been avoided if they had appeased God, unless, obstinacy had bead madness, and madness the forgetfulness of all things, that they being unmindful of pity and iustice fell blindfolde and headlong into their own destruction. A star in form of a sword appeared in the Element hanging over the city on the day of unleavened bread, which was the 8. of April at the 9. hour of the night, about the greatest Altar of the temple, so great a light did shine that it was thought to haue been day. The same day when a Cow was drawn to the Altar she calved amid the temple. The brazen gate of the innermost temple whose door xx. men at once must thrust open, being shut fast with iron locks, and a brazen bar, opened of itself the 6. hour of the night: and the 1●. day of the Calends of june, armed men were seen in the air to wander in diverse quarters of the Element,& to pass along vpon the clouds. On whitsun even at night the priests going to the innermost temple, to do sacrifice, they first perceived a certain crashing, and thereupon a voice, was uttered thereby. ( Let us get us from hence.) Albeit there be some which say that this happened at the time in the which Christ suffered. One Iesus the son of Ananias a mean man of the Country, when he came to a solemn sacrifice in the which shepherds cottages were set up in the temple, being suddenly strike with a prophetical spirit, began to cry out, as he did certain yeres past, a voice from the East, a voice from the west, a voice from the 4. winds, a voice over Ierusalen& the temple, a voice over bridgromes& over brides, and a voice over al the people: he crying out in this sort both day and night went about the city,& often being beaten of those that could not abide his speech, as boding something to the city, he did it nevertheless. whereupon he being brought before the roman judge,& being torn with a whip even to the bones, he did neither entreat, nor shed one tear with his punishment, but only had this in his mouth, wo, wo, be to jerusalem: and when Albinus who then was judge asked what he ment or why he was so peevish, he made no answer, wherefore Albinus judged him a fool and let him go. For 7. yeares together he never went to any man, but being as it were given to prayer said thus continually, wo, wo, be to jerusalem, neither became he hoarse, through his continual plaining and bewailing: finally, vpon the besieging of the city by the Romaines, when he went about the walls crying out, wo be to the city, wo be to the temple, wo be to all the people, it came to pass that he added this too otherwise than he was wont, wo be to me also, and with those words he being violently strike with a ston by the enemy fel down dead. Titus after he had taken and burned jerusalem, and for the most part destroyed it, leaving a garrison in the country there about, went as far as Euphrates. There was a blazing star called Acontias,( which hath the name of the likeness of a Dart) whereof the Emperour Titus hath written in a notable verse in his 5. Consulship, and this was the last day that he was seen. Plinie in his second book. three Cities in Cyprus fel down in an earthquake,& a great pestilence was a year following, so that for many days there were numbered almost. 10000. dead men, immediately to wit in the year of our Lord. 80. after Vaspasian had furnished certain under Cities with people, he dyed of the flix in his own manor place near to the Sabines, in the 69. year of his age, after whom Titus was chosen Emperour. Before the death of Vespasian the elder there appeared a Comet, and the tomb of Augustus the Emperour opened of itself. The mountain or the hill Vesuuius being broken in the top did cast out such flames of fire, that it burned the Countreys adjoining, and many cities with the people: the year following Titus called Musonius Rufus home from banishmente, and Rome was sore spoyled with fire. Titus the Emperour fell sick, and dyed in that manor place where his Father did, to wit the year of his age two and forty: and concerning the hurtful horrible,& more prodigious burning of the Hill Vesuuius which happened in the time of Titus Vespasian, read Xiphilinus at large in the life of Vespasian. The second persecution of the Church in the time of Domitian the Emperour whose beginning was mild, but afterward stern and cruel. Monuments Per joan. Fox. Thepetion the elder ruler of the Gymnosophistes, commanded an elm tree to salute Appolonius Tianeus, whom she saluted with a distinct voice, but small and womanish: Philostratus in the life of Appolonius. Cronicarum saith 35. Many tokens and strange things were at Rome and in all the world: Domitianus was slain in the Palace, and was vnnobly carried by the Carriers of the deade to his grave in the year of his age. 36. and the fifteenth of his Empire,& his Targets and Images were every where in Rome cast to the ground, and the people trod upon them in reproach. The same year that Cocceius Nerua the thirteenth emperor of the roman Empire dyed and was butted in sallust Gardens, The praise of the roman Heathen. there was an Eclipse of the sun. Aurelius Vict. and Eutrop. After him reigned the Emperour trajan, whom Nerua adopted, which was of such excellent goodness, that afterward as often as an Emperor was chosen: the people were wont always to wish that he might be so happy as Augustus and so good as trajan. The third persecution. When Clemen● the third Pope of Rome, had continued from Domitian until the third year of trajan, he was banished by him, and sent into an island, where he found 2000. Christians condemned to cut Marble, who lacking water, he beate the ground with his right foot, from whence forthwith sprung a fountain. Elia, Merhina, Pitanae& Cyme, four Cities of Asia, were overthrown with an earthquake,& two of Greece, to wit Opus& Orita, were destroyed the year following, whereupon in the year after Christ. 110. trajan going about to persecute the Christians, Simon the son of Cleopas who held the bishopric at jerusalem was crucified, after whom succeeded justus. three Cities of Galatia were destroyed with an Earthquake. At Rome Pantheon which was the temple of all the Gods was burned with lightning, That year trajan triumphed over the Dacians& Scythians, he subdued Dacia: after the conquest of Decibalus, a province was made beyond the river Danubius in those quarters which now the people called Taiphali and Victohali and Terungiti do possess. At Antioch was such an horrible Earthquake that the Mountains being pulled asunder fel down, in some places the riuers suddenly turned their course,& in some place they were consumed or dried up, moreover many Cities were so shaken that they were almost quiter destroyed, but most of all Antioch, where a great number of people perished with the fall of houses,& among them Pedo the Consul. trajan being warned of a cerraine Angel which shewed himself unto him, in a goodly mans shape, at the beginning escaped away openly, and for many dayes in the which this sear held him, he kept himself in Hippodromo a place where horse were coursed: afterward at the beginning of the Spring the Parthian war began again. Lightning went before this Earthquake, and there blewe great and strange winds, then followed an exceeding great lowing of the earth, afterward the sea roared horribly. The earth began to be lifted up on high, houses were lifted up and cast down on the earth, then the nation of the Iewes, whilom Gods familiars, now more miserable for their opinions, took weapons in hand throughout the roman Empire, they rebelled against the Romains, they believed that their messiah was to come, which as yet that most unhappy people looked for. They had some hope in the Christians who being worshippers of one God, were then diversely punished by the Romaines. In Affrica about Cyrene, they suddenly without any difference set vpon the Romaines and Greekes that worshipped the heathen gods, and not being content with the murder, they began to eat mans flesh. They being embrued with their entrails the blood yet running out,& covered with their skins, they did cut many asunder through the middle to the head, they cast many to beasts to be devoured, they enforced other to fight together with naked swords, so that there were slain in that fury more than 20000. men by the weapons of the Iewes: likewise a great murder was committed in egypt. Nicomedia was overthrown with an Earthquake, and a great parte also of the city of Nice, for the restoring of which Hadrian gave of the common treasure. And the war was made against the Saromatae, which are the Russes, Tartarians and Muscouites. Adrianus the Emperour carried people into Affrica to inhabit Cities which the Iewes had spoyled. again Nicomedia was overthrown with an Earthquake and very many buildings in the city of Nice were overthrown. Hadrian the Emperour carried very many people into Affrica, to inhabit the Cities which the Iewes had spoyled, and the year following Hadrian made laws for the Athenians, according to the books of Draco, Solon, and the residue. Nicopolis and caesarea Cities of Palestine fell down with an Earthquake. Anthinous a very noble and beautiful young man dyed in egypt, who after that Hadrian the Emperour had honourably butted him, he rekoned him among the GODDES. There was a city called after his name. many and diverse overthrows, partly from heaven, partly rising by the injury of men, did distain the certainty or government of Antoninus surnamed pus emperor of the Romaines, for there was a cruel famine and a great Earthquake, whereby Rhodes and other famous places were horribly shaken. And there was a great fire in Rome which consumed. 340. watered houses or environed with water. Nerbo in france, Antiochia and the iudgement house of Carthage, at that time were burned. Tiber with his unaccustomed increase overflowed al places. There was born a child with two heads. In Arabia there was seen a serpent with a mane like a horse, which devoured half of himself from the tail upward. four wild Lions in Arabia gave themselves willingly to be taken. A woman at one birth was delivered of five children: so evil disposed was that time, that whatsoever misfortune happened it was imputed wholelye to Christian religion. When Antonius pus Emperor of the roman, did reign, a little before his death in Bithinia and in hellespont there was a very horrible Earthquake, wherewith as very many other Cities were sore troubled, so chiefly it overthrew Cyzicum flat to the ground, and the temple of that city, of all the greatest and goodliest buildings, is reported to haue fallen down. And the pillars of that Temple were four fathom thick and fifty cubits high, every one of them being made of one ston. This writeth Dion, Nicaeus and Xiphelinus in the life of Antonius. Furthermore they report that at the same time in a clear and calm sea, the surges came out of the sea Mediteraneum to the top of a mountain that was far off from it,& cast the foam a very great way vpon the main land: the history of Palermo. In the year of the foundation of Rome. 720. and two and fortieth of the age of Marcus Aurelius and two yeares before he took possession of the Empire, the twentieth day of August about the going down of the Sun, in the realm of sicily in the city of Palermo( a port of the sea) there chanced a perilous wonder: whilst they of Palermo were celebrating a great feast, with much ioy, that they had vanquished the navy of the Numidians: the Pirates dividing their booty, were prevented by the magistrates of the city, who commanded the whole spoil to be laid up, till the warres were finished, &c. when al the people were returned home unto their houses to supper,( for it was in the summer time) there appeared a huge monster in the city in this form: he seemed to be of the length of three cubits, his head was bald, so that his skull did appear: he had no ears save only two holes in his neck whereby men judged that he heard: he had two writhen horns like a goat, his right arm was longer than his left, his hands were like the feet of horses, without throat, his shoulders and his head were both of one hight, his shoulders shone as doth the scales of fishes, his breast was al rough of hair, his face in all things was like unto a man, save that he had but one eye which was in the midst of his forehead, in his nose there was but one nostril, from the middle downward there was nothing seen, because it was all covered: he sat on a Chariot with four wheels, which was drawn with four beasts, that is, two Lions before, and two bears behind: no man could tel whereof the chariot was made, yet was it not unlike to other: within the chariot stood a great cauldron with ears, wherein the Monster was, it wandered up and down in the city from one gate to another, casting forth sparkles of fire. This brought the people in a marvelous fear, the most parte ran to the Temples of jupiter, Mars, and Februa &c. The Monster came to the palace where the Pirates were, and cut one of the Lions ears off, and with the blood thereof wrote on the palace gate which was shut RA. S.P.I.P. which signifieth, R. Reddite, A. Aliena, S. Si vuitis, P. Propria, Ian place, P. Possidere: Render unto others that which is theirs, if thou in quiet wilt possess thine own: the Monster went the same night forth of the city, unto an high Hill called Lamicia, and there stood the space of three dayes, the Lions and bears roared, breathing out dreadful flames, to the great astonishment of the Citizens. And last of all, after many other hideous facts, from the Monster came such lightning, that it burned both the palace where the rovers were, and also their goods: red more of this in the Dial of princes, &c. When Lucius Aurelius Commodus did sacrifice at Athens, a fire seemed in the element to go from the east to the west. Vologesus King of the Parthians spoyled certain provinces of the Romaine●, anon after the Romaines took Seleucia. The same time at Prema Crosses were seen to sweat tears, Hogs and Dogges defiled the church, which turned them in fear of Gods displeasure, for they could scarcely be driven away from the side of the Altar: and there were seen wolves in the suburbs howling in flocks, and with horrible snarling to haue striven with screech owls: these vnluckye tokens all men judged to concern the bishop, wherefore the fourteenth day before his death he being at Goslaria according to his custom would not refrain from drinckes nor blood letting. Wherefore being taken with the most grievous disease of the flix, and consumed even to the bones, being yet vnmindeful of his health, he handled the business of the common wealth, M. Antonius even to the last hour of his departing. There was a great persecution in Asia wherein beside infinite others, we red that Policarpus, Pionius, The fourth persecution. & Iustinius the Philosopher were crwoned with martyrdom, when Marcus Antonius emperor of the Romaines encountered the Quades with a great battle, great store of rain and fire fell from heaven among them as they were fighting, of whom some were refreshed with good and fresh water, and some were clean burned with fire, but the fire did not touch the romans, and if by chance it were among them, it was by and by quenched: neither did the rain help the Quades, but did puff them up, none otherwise than oil doth. In the time of Antoninus the Emperour, immediately after the cruel persecutions of the Christians, there was an huge Earthquake, and the often overflowings of diuers riuers were seen many times: After these followed a great pestilence, which far abroad spoyled many provinces, and chiefly Italy, which it so wasted, that every where farm houses and grounds lay without tyllmen and dwellers. To conclude, there was no rest in any place from the war: But throughout all the East, Illyria, Italy and France the war waxed marvelous hote: a huge swarm of locusts immediately followed the former pestilence, wherewithal the grounds in diuers countries were amnoyed. Marcus Aurelius the brother of Antoninus, and the Emperour making war in germany and Russia, were in danger through overmuch drought: the soldiers were driven away with often lightning, and with fiers falling from heaven. After the death of Aurelius and Antoninus the Emperour, Smirna a city of Asia fel down with a great Earthquake, for the repairing whereof, ten yeares tribute was forgiven them. So great a plague followed in Rome, that well nere the host of the Romains was clean destroyed. There was so great a pestilence throughout the whole world, that the roman armies were almost brought to an utter destruction. moreover earthquakes and overflowings of waters did afflicte mankind and the whole world, that unless Marcus Aurelius and Antoninus pus the 16. Emperour of the romans, had happened to redress these mischiefs, the roman Empire had been overthrown. moreover locusts hurtful to the ground, didde feed vpon meadows and fields. In those dayes the seasons were most daungerous and very Climatericall. We read in Herodian, that in the time of Commodus Stars were seen all the day long, and that some did stretch in length, hanging as it were in the midst of the air, which was a token of a cloud not kindled but droven together: for it seemed kindled 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 virtue. thereupon arose the civil warres, five Emperours being slain in one yeares space, three in the field, to wit, Didius, julianus, Pescenius Niger, and Albinus, two by treachery or guile, to wit, Comodus and Pertinax. At Rome lightning fell vpon the capitol, and a great fire increasing, the library and all the houses near it were burned. three yeares after Comodus the Emperour slay many. And immediately, to wit, in the year of our Lord. 195. in the house of Vesti●ianus he also was strangled. There appeared certain prodigies in the Element: again stars in the day time continually appeared. moreover, all kindes of living creatures not keeping their nature were brought forth with a prodigious figure of their body, and with disagréeing members: and as this exceeding heinous matter made men to sorrow for the present, so for the time to come it made all afraid with a most wicked divination, for whereas there were no showers nor clouds, but only a small earthquake went before, whether it were with the fall of lightning in the night time, or whether it were of some fire, as it were rubbed out in the moving of the earth, the whole temple of Peace vpon the sudden was consumed with fire, which work alone truly was the greatest of all that was in the city, &c. The day before julianus the Emperour was slain by the Persians, when in the night he rose to sacrifice, he saw fire descend from heaven, and when he asked the propheciers what it meant, they made answer that he should defer his departure at least for one day which he did not so much despise as he was compelled to do, by reason that his victuals didde fail him, for his corn was lost by shipwreck: but the fire falling from heaven didde always signify destruction and great misery, whether it was because it came from those causes, or because it was engendered of corrupt vapours, the armies were grievously amnoyed, and the people dyed. The same day that Pertinax dyed the Sacrificer not onely missed the heart of the Beast sacrificed, but also the liver. three dayes before Aelius Pertinax the emperor of the romans was slain, he seemed in a vision to see a man in a pond, that greatly troubled him with a sword, and the same day that he was slain they say the images which commonly appear in the apple of mens eyes, were not seen in his eyes, and when he offered sacrifice at the temple of Lares, the Sacrifice seemed still to be quenched, whereas the fat calves were wont to be in a flamme,& as it is said beforee, the hart& head was not found in the Sacrifice. moreover the stars by the sun appeared in the day time very bright the day before he dyed. When after the death of the Emperour Pertinax, julianus by subtlety and craft had gotten the roman empire, and that the Citizens rose seditiously against him& besought the help of others against a tyrant and a manqueller, the first day of Ianuarie vpon the sudden there was seen three stars about the sun, so bright, that all men said they signified julianus destruction, which came to pass, for by Albinus who had the government of england, by severus who had the government of Poeonia, and by Niger who had the government of Syria, the common wealth was delivered from julianus Tyranny, who was a grievous enemy to the Christians. When severus was Emperour, an Eagle which lighted vpon a Soldyers Image, although she were chased away, The fifte persecution of the Christians. stood still thereon till she was taken, and the bees wrought their combs vpon the soldiers ensigns, and chiefly on the Images of Niger. Immediately the romans fought at Ciz●cum, where severus Captaines overcame& slue Aemilianus, moreover in the streights of nicaea& Cyus there was a great& a diuers conflict, wherein Nigers souldiers in a bloody battle overcame the Souldiers of severus. The third battle was made at Pila in Cilicia, wherein the Souldiers of severus triumphed over the soldiers of Niger. While he was Emperour, also a sudden fire was seen in the air towards the North, that many thought that it would burn the whole city,& many that the heaven was on fire, because in fair weather, The country nere to Venice. rain much like to due and of a silver colour, fell down in Frioli, with the water whereof brazen money being touched over, seemed silver for 3. dayes. Immediately the civil war of the Emperor severus with Albinus Caesar began, wherein the army of the romans received a great overthrow. In the hill Boebius( otherwise called Veseuus) there was an exceeding great fire, and in it so great a lowing, that it was heard as far as Capua: red more in Xephelinus, in the life of severus. In the 10. year of the certainty of severus, an exceeding great Whale arrived to that haven which they call Augustus,& was there taken, the portraiture of which Whale being brought to the Amphitheatre, swallowed up or did contain 50. bears, such seemed the greatness of the fish to be. moreover at Rome a comet was seen for many dayes, and the opinion was that he portended some great mischief. Platianus for his notable licentiousness and cruelty was slain. When severus Emperor of the romans went into britain, a lightning fell vpon his Image, which stood at that gate through the which he lead forth his army, and which lay towards the way to England ward, or towards England,& blotted out 3. letters of his name, wherefore severus, as the wise men had foretold, never returned out of britain. When on a time Diadumenus the son of Macrine the emperor walked in the fields, an Eagle took away his cap, which he put vpon the head of an Image of a certain King. Immediately Opilius Macrinus Praefectus Praetorij chief officer about the Emperour, as captain of his guard, after the death of Bassianus, with his son Diadumenus held the empire fouretéene monthes only, and both were slain by the army. A little before Antonius Caracalla Emperor of the romans was slain by those that were about him, the leaves of the liver in the Sacrifice of the beast were closed,& as he went out through the gate, a Lion( whom he had brought up, and whom he admitted to his table and bed, and otherwhile kissed openly) took 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 fire took all the inner part of the Temple of Serapis, wherein notwithstanding the sword alone wherewith Antonius slue his brother Geta was burned, all things else being saved from the injury of the fire. Plays at Rome. moreover at Rome when the plays Circenses were made or were in hand, the Image of Mars which had on him a triumphing garment fell down, which although perchance it be less marveled at, yet this is much more worth the noting, because the soldiers of Pracinus were overcome, after they saw a jay chattering exceedingly on the top of an Obilisk, looking toward them all, Which is a great square ston with sundry cubits and suddenly with one voice as though they had forethought it, they began to cry thus together, Maritalis aue Martialis: oportune te vidimus, to wit, Martialis al hail Martialis, we haue seen thee in good time. And this came to pass not for the seeing of the jay, which erst was called Martialis, but because in him as it were with a certain heavenly blast he saluted Martialis who was hired to murder Antonius. When Macrinus was Emperor, a star was seen for many nights, from the west stretching to the Sun rising, The sixth persecution raised by Maximinus for the hatred he had to the house of Alexander, in which time Origine wrote a book de Marty●io. wherefore Macrinus being twice shamefully overcome in battle against Artabanus, was compelled to buy peace with a great sum of money,& immediately there arose an other war among the romans, not with barbarous motions, but a civil war, wherein the Souldiers began to make an uproar, because Macrinus was not gentle& courteous to thē, and because he gave them not so much pay as others had given them. Amon us a christian Philosopher of Alexandria, is said to haue had an ass, being a beast of all other most blockish, a hearer of his wisdom as witnesseth Suidas in Volaterrane, book 13. chapped. 3. Anthrop. There was so great an Eclipse of the Sun, that it made the day as dark as the night. That year Gordianus the younger being a boy of 13. yeres old, was coupled to the empire, and when the Maximini were slain by the soldiers at Aquileta, these two being created by the Senate, in the Sedition of the soldiers were slain not long after, who had to name Cupienus& Albinus, and when they were dead Gordianus was Emperor nine yeres, the younger of that name. When Gordianus was prince, the sun was so notably eclipsed, that by reason of great darkness vpon the earth, nothing could be done at al without light: and in his reign there was so sore an earthquake, that certain Cities through a sudden gaping of the earth were swallowed up, together with the people. Capitolinus recordeth this, which I marvel Eusebius hath overslipped, who diligently doth entreat of these strange things. When tidings came of the death of Gordianus, the Senate appoynted Marcus to be Emperour, a man of singular gravity and wisdom, who a few dayes after he took rule in hand dyed. In the time of the emperor Decius( a grievous Tyrant against the Christians) when after diuers Persecutions Decius was come to Ephesus amid the city he builded a temple, compelling all under pain of death to do sacrifice to Idols, and so great a fear invaded al men, that the son denied the Father, and the friend his fellow: in the same city seven chief gentlemen of the Emperours palace, to wit, Maximinus, Marcus, Martinianus, dionysius, Seraphion, John and Constantine despising the idols, and keeping themselves close at home, fell to fasting and prayer, and being accused to Decius, they divided their patrimony among the poor, whereupon they taking advice together, withdrew themselves to the mountain Celion and determined there to hid themselves until the end of the persecution, whom one served which bewrayed to others the fury of Decius, and brought them bread, wherewith they being refreshed and speaking together in heaviness, as God would haue it, fell a sleep. Decius commanded the mouth of the cave to be stopped, to the end they might end their dayes with hunger and thirst. The bodies of these Martyrs thus shut up in a cave, were raised by God to confute the error risen among some that denied the resurrection of the dead, who afterward spake to the Emperour Theodosius, and many others, and witnessing the resurrection, they slept in peace. Betwixt the second and last year of Decius unto the three hundred ninety and sixth year of Christ, at which season Theodosius was Emperor, is a hundred forty and four years, the supposed time that these above 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 guilty. Cronicarum. 2. The mountain Aetna commonly called Mount Gibel( to be wondered at for his burnings, seing it is full of a monstrous matter, which is engendered of moist nourishment) burned wonderfully after the martyrdom of saint Agatha of Catina a city of Sicilia, at that time in the which the Greekes possessed Sicilia. thucydides recordeth three ouerflowinges of the fire of Aetna of the which after Strabo, Orosius and Eutropius, read also Sebastian Monster in his work of cosmography. In all Countreys cruel monsters of nature went before the persecution of Valerianus, The eight persecution. for many dayes the earth lay wrapped up as it were in darkness, 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 buildings with the inhabitants, through a sudden gaping of the Earth, were swallowed up, and many men dyed with overmuch fear: but Asia was chiefly subject to this plague: Rome was shaken, and Affrica and in very many places the earth gaped exceedingly: the Sea upon the sudden overwhelmed cities by the Sea cost, thereupon a pestilence arose but it rained chiefly at Rome and in Achaia, where five thousand died in a day. 12. Abuses in the life of man noted out of cyprian in those dayes. 1 Sapiens sine operibus. A wise man without good works, 2 Senex sine religione. An old man without religion. 3 Adolescens sine obedientia. A young man without obedience. 4 dives sine eleemosyna. A rich man without alms. 5 Foemina sine pudicitia. A woman shameless. 6 Dominus sine virtute. A guide without virtue. 7 Christianus contentiosus. A Christian man contentious. 8 Pauper superbus. A poor man proud. 9 Rex iniquus. A King unrighteous. 10 Episcopus negligens. A Bishop negligent. 11 Plebs sine disciplina. People without discipline. 12 Populus sine lege. People without Law. There were many& exceeding great earthquakes,& darkness for many dayes: likewise an exceeding great pestilence afflicted Rome and diuers other places. When Aurelianus the Emperor imagined a new persecution against the christians, being never the better for the lightning which fel down by him& his company, but sent letters and commandement to destroy the Christians, at last his own company slue him between Constantinople& Heraclia, the mover of the nine persecutions against the christians. The tenth and last persecution against the christians, lasted ten yeares in extreme tyrannies, more grievous than before, among the which were burned in one temple twenty thousand martyrs Arabians, phrygians, Miletians, Armenians in Europe, as in france, spain, britain, now called england. Through an horrible Earthquake at tyre and Sidon many buildings fell down and an innumerable company of people were slain. The same year in the month of March the Easter week, churches were overthrown, and there was a great persecution of the christians. At Daphnes the pleasant and ambitious manor place, within the suburbs of Antioch, there was born in the time of the Emperor Constantius a monster horrible to be seen and spoken of, to wit, a child with two mouths, two teeth, and a beard, with four eyes,& with two very short ears. Constantinus the great fighting against Maxentius, who for his loose life and cruelty was vehemently bent again the people, beholding in the air a banner of the cross, heard this voice, {αβγδ} In hoc vince, that is, In this overcome, when he was in his journey by a vision in the night, he saw the sign of the cross in the Element, shining like fire, and an angel thereby saying on this wise: Constantine in this sign thou shalt overcome, wherewith being greatly comforted, he shortly vanquished the army of Maxentius who greatly persecuted the christians. About this time in Lateran at Rome a hand was seen without any body, which wrote vpon the wall, al men seeing and reading it, these words, hody venenum Ecclesiae infusurus, that is, this day he will poison the Church: and this happened that day that Constantine the great gave Pope silvester Lateran the palace of the Romish church, Which was the house of a consul so called. the city of Rome, and the provinces of Italy this writeth Malleolus in his book de nobilitate. Constantinus Magnus the son of Constantine, born in britain, was there proclaimed Emperour, after the decease of his father. He maketh Licinius who married his sister, his fellow Emperour. At the same time Maxentius played the tyrant at Rome, and Maximius in the east, he saw in the air the sign of the cross, who fully persuaded himself to fight against the tyrants, and in the behalf of Christian Religion: he foiled Maxentius vpon the river Tiber: Liciniu● overcame Maximinus, they ioyntlye published edicts in the behalf of the Christians, in the end Licinius rebelling against him, Constantinus overcame him, ruled alone, restored peace unto the whole world, gave money unto the Church, delivered the Bishops from paying tax or tribute,& wrote unto Alexander bishop of Alexandria& to Arrius the heretic, exhorting them to unity. When he was three score and five year old, he dyed, after he had reigned thirty and one: he deferred his baptism unto his last end, purposing fully to haue it in jordan where Christ was baptized. The Donation that is fathered vpon him, is but a mere fable in the judgement of the best writers. Meredith Hanmer reciting Eusebius The coin that Constantine used, in the one side thereof had expressed the carat or figure in the sign of Victory, which crossed figure also Magne●tius bare in his coin after this manner, who was afterward vanquished by Constantine and put to flight, in which battle were slain fifty and four thousand fighting men, whereby the puissant romans were greatly weakened: this Magnentius when he saw he could not prevail, he wounded his brother Desiderius, slue many of his friends, and lastly killed himself. About the year of our Lord three hundred twenty and three, Arrius a Priest being cast out of the church, raised up a pestilent heresy, and spread it very far abroad: a Comet went before this heresy. O what mischief comes to that country where there is found a lecherous Prince, a proud nobility, false Officers, and wilful Subiects. three things be the spoil of a common wealth: A covetous King, a negligent Pastor, and an idle subject. Where Law is without love, obedience without furtherance, Religion without temperance, there of necessity followeth disturbance: thus writeth Pencerus in his book of divination. An earthquake overthrew many Cities: Constantius subdued the people France, and brought them to peace. The impiety of Arrius bolstered by Constantius, was persecuted with Banishmentes, imprisonments, and diuers manners of afflictions, first by Athanasius, afterward by other Bishops. About the year of our lord. 341. the death of the Emperour Constantinus was foreshowed by a blazing star, which of no common greatness gave light for certain months. Orosius in his seventh book, Chap. 19. Eutrop in his eleventh book. Niphus writeth that the emperor dyed in the year of our Lord. 324. This blazing star did portend the lamentable war and the commotion which followed the Princes death. There was an Eclipse of the sun, and an earthquake overthrew many Cities. The romans made war against the Persians to their grievous loss. An Earthquake overthrew many Cities in the East, and the horrible heresy of Arrius was utterly extinguished, and by the mighty providence of God, the sooner, because he going to ease himself of natural excrements, his guts fell out: of the which he dyed. An Earthquake shooke chiefly antioch and the East parts for a year together: the counsel of the Arrians was healed at antioch, wherein the Nicen counsel was condemned. Neo Caesaria was overthrown into the Sea with an Earthquake, saving a church. sapour King of the Persians doth persecute the Christians afresh. Dirachium fell with an Earthquake, it made Rome nodde for three dayes and three nights, and it grievously troubled very many Cities of Campania. There was a great Eclipse of the sun, that year the Christians had a miserable conflict in the night season with the Persians at Singara: the Persians besieged Nicibis, and took Bizabde and Amida. The high Bishop of jerusalem dyed. The second counsel of Nice assembled by the Aryans against the Christians, was this year broken up by an Earthquake. For eudoxus as Functius recordeth in time Bishop of Germanicia a city in Cylicia, after the death of Leoncius took the seat of the Bishop of the Church of Antioch, and openly brought into the Church the Heresy of Arius in opressing the right believers. moreover when Constantius the Emperor was absent, and made war in the west parts, eudoxus dealt privily with the noble men of the palace that the synod of Bishops might be assembled at Nice hoping that it might come to pass that the Arrians being assembled in this meeting together with one consent would condemn that confession which before was set forth in the same city, and that from thenceforth by process of time, the former conclusion being taken away, under the name of the faith of Nice this latter might be in estimation, but God who hath a care of his Church, did soon cut off this mischief, for when the Bishops were come together, and were ready to entreat of the matter, so great an Earthquake shooke the whole city of Nice on every side, that a great part of the building fell down, and many of the inhabitants were slain, with which misfortune of the city, the strangers being sore afraid, every man went to his home. Nicomedia was quiter overthrown with an earthquake, and some of the Cities adjoining were troubled therewith. Paulinus Bishop of Triues being in banishment in Phrigia dyed. There was a great persecution of the faithful, in the which the true faith was condemned. Very wool mixed with reign fell out of the clouds. Athanaricus king of the goths, persecuted the christians even in his own kindred. hilarius Bishop of poitiers, and Eusebius bishop of Versella died. hilarius a noble Christian, a great enemy of the Arrians who set forth twelve books of the trinity, notwithstanding his twice banishment, was the first among the catholics that set forth hymns and Verses, and there followed a great famine in Phrigia. Nicomedia and part of the city of Nice fell with an earthquake. When the Iewes at the motion& bidding of Iul●anus were now desirous to restore the Temple at jerusalem, they say that there arose a huge Earthquake, which is said to haue been so horrible, that with the shaking therof it cast stones from the very foundations, it loosed the buildings that were nere too,& slue a great number of men with the fall of houses: moreover when immediately they tried to build it again, a fire sparkling out from the very foundation, and likewise an other hanging over in the air, is said to haue consumed more than the earthquake: moreover the fire falling from heaven did quickly bring to ashes their hammers, their graving tools, their hews, Ares, Hatchets, and what thing soever the workmen brought thither meet for building, which fire burned fiercely a whole day: besides this, there was an other miracle, for the night following the Iewes garments themselves were marked with signs of the cross, fashioned like beams of the sun, wherefore all had their Garments as it were garnished with stars& set out by the skill and cunning of weaving: and when this was seen the next day, they went about to wash away and wipe out the marks of the cross, but they prevailed not. again a grievous Earthquake upon this cast out and scattered the rest of the stones from the foundation. And also a certain cruel storm arising, carried the lime up into the air, whereof there was an infinite quantity, and dispersed it all abroad, likewise the fire which suddenly crept up from the lower parts, did in a moment also consume an infinite number of people. When julianus Apostata the Emperour went unto Thrace, when he came to the mountains of that country, at that time when the stars called Virgilae went down, after the vintage, the vines sprung up with buds and fresh Grapes, and a due out of the air was so spread vpon him and his company, that every drop vpon their garments represented the form of a cross: moreover by the unripe Grapes was signified prodigiouslye his untimely and short empire, Nota. and the cross didde portend that the doctrine of the Christians was heavenly, and that all men ought to be marked therewith. When julianus the Apostata going about to make offering slue a solemn sacrifice, the sign of the cross, environed with a crown, is said to haue appeared therein, which made them not a little afraid that attended vpon him, suspecting that the power of Christ and our doctrine should last for ever, because the crown was a sign of victory, and the Circular form taking his beginning on every side and ending in itself, did portend that it should haue no end. There was an Earthquake over all the world, the Sea ran over the banks and the Cities of Sicilia and of many islands, and innumerable people were destroyed. Procopius who at Constantinople took rule in hand by force, dyed at Phrigia, and very many that took his parte were slain and vanished. Damassus was ordained Bishop of the romish Church and immediately certain Bishops appoynted ursinus, he with his complices invaded Sicinum, by whom the people that took Damasus parte, assembling together, most cruel murders of diuers sexes were committed. Most substantial authors do testify that there was in the times of Valentinianus and Va ens the Emperors, almost in al the world an exceeding great Earthquake, wherein was this to be noted, that the water being floong away, the depth of the sea lay open, and what valleys and mountains therein lay or had not seen the sun, were then discovered, with the same violence ships were removed even vpon the houses of Alexandria. Amianus Marcelinus saw one forespent with age, removed 2000. paces of by Methone, a city of Peloponesus now called M●done. That year Valens made war vpon Procopius, who exercised tyranny in Bithinia. hail of a wonderful greatness falling at Constantinople slue many men and beasts, likewise wool mixed with rain at Atrebate, fell out of the clouds. When Valens Emperour of the romans made war against Procopius, there fell an exceeding great hail very like to huge stones, a grievous earthquake did very much harm in diuers places, and Nice a city in Bithinia, was therewith quiter overthrown, and not long after, when there arose another earthquake, it did the like to Cerma, a city of Hellespont. al these things were tokens of the trouble of the church, of the which Nicephorus maketh mention: the year following Hartanaricus King of the goths persecuting the christians, slue very many of them,& drove them from their own dwellings to the romans. Vincentius book. 15. Chap. 51. There appeared a comet, and there was an earthquake almost over al the world, which made the sea pass his bounds,& destroyed the Cities of Sicilia& of many islands,& innumerable people besides: that year Valentinianus the Emperor overcame the Saxons in the country of France. When Valentinianus the Emperor was in the city Sabaria, an owl sate upon the top of his bathe crying heavily and yellinglye: the Emperour was present, wherefore there were some which cast stones, and shot at her, and although they leuiled at her they could not drive her away, wherefore not long after, and scarcely a day, he suddenly died. There were other tokens but they were common, and this of all was the most evident. In the time of Theodosius the Emperor there appeared a terrible sign in the Element in all points like to a pillar, and that year Gregorius Nazianzenus the Bishop died. A star at the cocks croy arising in the North and shining like the day star, at first appeared bright, within twenty dayes vanished away: at that time great abundance of crackling hail fell down for two dayes together and destroyed beasts and trees. The Lumbards after their captains were dead made themselves a King, to wit Algemon the son of Aron. The Temple of Serapis in Alexandria was pulled down by the decree of the Emperor Theodosius. When Theodosius was Emperour, there were seen strange and unwonted sights, which did portend mischéefes to the world to ensue, for first vpon the sudden there appeared a strange star in the element at midnight shining bright nere the day star, about that circled which is called Zodiacus, shée gave not much place to the day star, because shée was great and shining by reason of her glittering beams, and a great number also of other stars by little and little drew near her, if a man had seen that sight, he would haue compared it to a swarm of bees, which flee round about their captain, and that light which came from them all as it were from the violent dashing of the one against the other, mixed together and became one flamme, and shining with a certain terror, became altogether like a great and horrible two edged sword, for where as the other stars were seen altogether( and one) and that alone which first was seen didde appear altogether as a pummell to a handle, and after a sort did yield all the brightness of the first star appearing even as the match burning in a Candle, so the flamme went upward, which when it had appeared sword like, or rather expressing or representing the form of a sword for forty dayes, it vanished away: at the same time also two mens bodies were seen the one in Siria, exceeding in greatness the nature of man, the other in egypt being of an incredible short stature: he that appeared in Syria, grew in length five cubits, and a hand breadth, although his feet didde not answer in proportion the rest of the greatness of his body, for they were crooked inward, and his name was Antonius, but he that was in egypt was so short, that he was very like a Partridge, in whom notwithstanding was so much wisdom as was required in a handsome man, his voice shewed him apt to sing, his speech did show the notable worthiness of his mind, the greatest of these two was 25. year old, and the least was near about that age. There appeared in the Element a sign like a hanging dove and burning for 30. dayes. At the city of antioch in the night season there appeared an image in a womans apparel wandering aloft in the air, of a huge greatness, and of a countenance so fell, that it made the beholders exceedingly afraid, that running up and down in the air, over the streets of the city, with a whip making a great sound, did beat the air, from whence came such a noise as they are wont to make which stir wild beasts to anger and fury, when they make show of them to the people: and immedyatelye the same month, there arose a great and a bloody sedition in that city, by reason of a tribute that Theodosius had extraordinarily levied. At this time there was a great& a wonderful earthquake, which without doubt exceeded al the former in greatness, swiftness, and continuance of time, for it lasted six months, and ceased not at times, but shooke al things with a continual moving, and that almost throughout the whole world, in so much that not only in the city of Constantinople the Towers fell down headlong, and the Wall in dyvers places was broken, but also all the buildings which wree about Chirsonesus, which they call Macromiches, fell quiter down, and in every place innumerable buildings of great works and Temples fell to wrack: this Earthquake also touched Alexandria in egypt but being more forcible at antioch didde chiefly break in pieces the most gorgeous works the were to be seen, and there happened innumerable chances, not only by land, but also by sea, for in some place the earth chincking swallowed up many streets in towns and Villages in the country, in some places great welspringes suddenly dried up, in some places also the water ran plentifully, where before there was wont to be none, there were many trees pulled up by the roots, together with the stem or bodies, many small heaps were made or suddenly became great mountains: the Sea passing his limits cast out like a sling dead fishes of huge greatness: many islands together with their inhabitants were drowned, and at this day are not to be seen. The waves of the Sea rolling away in heaps, the ships were seen to stand amid the Sea on dry land. Bythinia, Hellespont, both Phrigia, and the greatest part of the east felt very much loss by this Earthquake: as it hath been said it also invaded many countreys of the west, and when it had continued a long season, it didde not endure to spoil with that vehemency as it began, but by little and little it gave over his violent until it altogether ceased. The destruction was this: the inhabitants of Constanti●ople being exceedingly afraid; and fearing the fall of the buildings, left the walls, and made their abode without the city in the field together with the Emperor Theodosius& the patriarch Proclus, praying continually,& beseeching God to be merciful to them& deliver the world from that imminent calamity: and when vpon a time by the rage of that quaking the earth as it were waving was dashed together, and men through fear were afraid that it should be pulled up from the very foundation, and all men being given to prayers and supplications wept together, and from the bottom of their heart cried out for Gods mercy, then there followed a miracle contrary to all mennes opinion, which exceeded all reason and fear, for suddenly in the sight of all men, by a certain divine power, a boy from among them was drawn up into the air even to heaven, so that now he was not seen, who heard a heavenly voice, wherein the angels didde praise GOD, and when he had learned that voice, again he came down through the air the same way he ascended up, and told the Bishop Proclus and the Emperour, and all the people that were at prayer and singing hymns to God, that he heard Angels singing these words: Sanctus Deus, Sanctus fortis, Sanctus immortalis, miscrere nostri: that is, Holy God, Holy strong, Holy everlasting haue mercy upon vs. Which when Proclus understood, by and by he commanded it to be sung after the same sort, and forthwith the earthquake stayed& altogether ceased. Furthermore the Emperor Theodosius& among the women Pulcheria worthy to be highly esteemed of all men, being strike with so great a miracle, by& by decréede by the Emperors constitution, that this heavenly hymn should be sung over al the world,& from that time the church of Christ received it,& doth not only use it every day, but also with a full mouth doth set it first of al at the beginning of every verse& praise of God. The boy that discharged the ministry of these words, immediately departed this life, and was butted in the great church, which hath the name of Peace, and that place in the which he was taken up, was afterward called {αβγδ}, that is Diuina exaltatio, to wit, the heavenly lifting up, lying toward the South parte, in the city of Constantinople. In the year of Algimundu the first king of Lumbardy a certain strumpet brought forth at one birth 7. boyes, and cast thē into a pond to be slain, which when king Algemundus by chance found out, he saved one of them, being drawn out with his spear,& delivered him to a nurse, to be brought up with all diligence, who had to name Lamitius, and when he was come to mans estate, for the greatness of his wit, after the death of Algemundus he succeeded him in the kingdom. In the reign of the Emperor Theodosius, in the third year of the confulship of Arcadius and the second of Honorius, in the East parts in the province of Palestine at a castle of Emaus there was born a perfit boy divided from the navel upward, so that he had two breasts, and two heads and every one his senses, one did eat and drink, and the other did not eat: one slept and the other watched, sometimes they slept together, they played one with an other, and both wept and struck one another: they lived almost two yeres one died and the other ouerliued four dayes. Constantinople fearing the wrath of GOD, fire shining terriblye on a cloud, turned to repentance and escaped. Ruffinus master of the field in the East rebelling was slain by Stillico. Gyldo earl of Affrica rebelling, drew from the romans their accustomend stipend, whom not long after Sullico killing, brought Affrica to her former subiection. There was an Earthquake for many dayes, the Element seemed to burn: After Theodocius the great, Arcadius was made Emperour of the east, and the Visigothes and the huns spoyled the provinces of the romans with many inroads. There fell great hail at Constantinople and in the suburbs the 30. day of September and the fourth day after the hail, Eudoxia the Empresse dyed, as Socrates writeth in his tripartite history. At Rome a woman of a giants greatness born of parentes of a mean stature made many to marvel. The vandals by the conduct of Croscus, ranging over France destroyed many Cities and churches. Gainas that most valiant scythian, who invaded the Empire of the romans with a great army, when he went about to sack and utterly to destroy Constantinople because Arcadius Emperor of the romans would not build therein a Temple for the Arrians: a star representing a Sword did portend that ambushment, which was exceeding shining( the like of whom was never written of before to haue appeared) he shined over the city and almost touched the very earth from the top of the element. That year when Rome was besieged and spoyled by the goths, Alaricus being their captain, so great a murder was committed, as no age knew the like sithe the World began that star also having the shape of a sword, forewent that destruction, for not only the soldiers were slain, nor these mischiefs were in one part of the World, but all mankind was hewed in pieces, and all Europe went to wrack, no small part also of Asia was brought to confusion, and a very great part of Affrica, but chiefly that which was tributary and subject to the romans, for the sword of the barbarous enemies didde mow a great multitude, and famine and pestilence and flocks of wild beasts consumed the rest. Furthermore great Earthquakes didde quiter cast to the ground Cities and houses, and brought many to inevitable destruction. In many places also the earth cleaving asunder, became a speedy and a voluntary sepulchre for the inhabitants. moreover, the fylthinesse of rain water, with other fiery droughtes, and with some the fall of lightning caused a diverse and an unsufferable calamity. Furthermore, in many places hail was seen to fall bigger than stones that one may cast with his hand, weighing about eight pound wayghte. To conclude, the abundance of snow, and extremitye of cold destroyed many, whylste others lived in other quarters. All which things did sufficiently preach before hand Gods heavy displeasure, all which to recounte one after another were too hard for a man to do. Besides all this there was so great an Eclipse of the sun, that the stars were seen even at noon day, after which there followed such a drought, that after a strange sort many men, and other living Creatures dyed, and when the sun failed, a certain shining appeared also in the element, bearing the form of a crest of an Helmet, or Sugerloafe, broad beneath, and sharp towards the top, which some ignorant men called a Comet, and a bearded star, for nothing that was in it was like a Comet, neither had it a beardye brightenesse, nor was it in any point like a star, but seemed to be of itself as it were the flamme of some great candle, neither didde any of his beams bear the form of any star: his moving also was diverse, for that light began to move on that side where the sun ariseth by the Aequinoctium, and going away from thence by little and little, by the last star which is placed in the tail of the bear, healed his course to the west, and after he had ranged over the Element more than four Monthes, he vanyshed away. sometime his top was so long and so sharp, that it exceeded the manner of a Helmet, but sometime it drew to the measure thereof: it also yielded other monstrous shows, by the which it swerved from the nature of wonted and common appearances: He began first to appear from midsummer almost till the end of autumn. This miracle also foreshowed great Warres, and wonderful death of men. And hereupon there began to be Earthquakes, which without doubt could not be compared with them that were before. With the Earthquake also fire falling from heaven, as if it broke asunder, cut off men from all hope of safety, yet it didde them no harm, for Gods goodness by sending a strong wind, and by scattering the fire on every side cast it into the Sea: then a man might see a new sight, the surges themselves, even as it were certain regions of the Sea, to burn exceedingly until that the flamme was clean quenched in the Water. When in many places of the Earth there were such great Earthquakes, the céelinges and coueringes of the houses seemed to be pulled asunder one from another, with so great a noise and crashing, that they which were within in their houses did plainly behold the element with their eyes, and after this maner of breaking they were again so fitly joined together, that they gave no man any signification of so strange a thing: the same also happened in many places to ships and pauementes of houses. certain Garners didde choke them that dwelled underneath them, with the corn that abundantly& suddenly fel upon them through the open chinckes, and again the earthquake did close the flood so well, that men doubted from whence the corn came which made such a murder. moreover there were also other harms of this kind, and after a strange sort which did sufficiently declare that they did not proceed of any natural cause( as the doting followers of the greek superstition do say) but were sent upon men as scourges of Gods heavy displeasure: many men surely saw at that time that those things happened through Gods wrath, John Baptist. for so open a wrong that was offered to that most worthy John, the Light of the church, for a man might see Eudoxia the Emperours wife( which then happened to die) to be made worms meate, and to move the Coffin wherein she was put, God showing hereby the commotion which by her was stirred up in the church. Cassiodorus writeth also that the goths that year spoyled Rome, Blondus, Haloander and others: albeit Functius and some others think otherwise. After the death of Arcadius the Emperor the earth at Eutica made a lowing for 7. dayes. Stillico aspiring the kingdom of Honorius the Emperour through his son Tucherius, bread destruction to the common wealth, sometimes bringing in barbarous nations into his country, and sometimes cherishing them by his consent, whereupon their cruelty, and chiefly of the vandals, raged in france, more than it was wont. On the sea shore at utica in Affrik, a Giants tooth was found so great, that if it had been cut in pieces to the quantity of our teeth, it would haue made a hundred. When the vandals made inroads into France, the french men encountering them slay their King Modigisilus with 20000 of the vandals. When a certain jew for gainsake had been often times baptized in many churches of heretics, and at last also with the same intent came to be baptized at the Churches of the true Christians, the Water of the font suddenly vanished away, and when again Water was brought and the Font filled again, then again the water vanishing away made show of Gods power, and of the Iewes vnfaythfulnesse. Honorius brought the Churches to peace. After that Athanulphus king of the Visigothes was slain by his own company Sigericus began to reign. Certain of the west part reckoning the common year, the last year of the Decenoua cycle for Embolismus which is the adding of a day to the year,& through this erring, in celebrating of easter, were by a divine miracle brought to the truth, for in a certain church of Italy, where yearly on the sabbath of holy Easter in the hour of baptism Water was wont to come down from heaven, and by and by to return of itself, no conduit or pipe to convey it up into, appearing, now the Water running not out for the space of a whole day and a night, deceived them that didde celebrate Easter sooner than they ought, that is, the seventh day of the kalends of april. And vpon that day that Easter should be kept, at the hour of baptism the Water flowing according as it was wont shewed that Easter should be kept the ten Calends of May. A Comet was seen until the month of September, on which day all the Iewes were banished out of Alexandria, through the faction of Cyrillus the Bishop. whereupon there arose many and wicked murders. Heraclianus by the counsel of Sabinianus preparing in afric a navy of 4700. Vessels arrived at Rome, who being shamefully put to flight by Marinus, and going to Carthage in a shippe-boate, was slain by his soldiers. It is worthy remembrauce which happened this year to the Iewes inhabiting Crete. A certain seducer whom some thought to haue ben a wicked spirit, wandered about that island a whole year, saying stil that he was Moses who in time past brought up the Israelits out of egypt, through the read Sea, and that he was sent again to bring the dispersed Israelites to their land: and the miserable Iewes lead with false hope too soon believed the seducer, who left all their goods to others, and at a time appointed, all with their children and wives followed the seducer that went before them. They came to a certain rock that did hang over the sea, and their false Moses commanded them that wraping their clothes about them like a footeball, they should turn of the rock into the sea. They doing as he willed them without any tarrying, many falling vpon the sharp edges of stones dyed, many being swallowed up with the water were punished for their folly, and many more had been cast away, unless Christian men that were a fishing had taken ashipborde certain of them that were in danger in the Sea, and were near their death. When these were lusty again, they returning to their acquaintance, opened unto them how they were beguiled, and in what danger they were, This h●llithe M●yses may be likened to the counterfeit Peter of Rome whose clemency is superstition, and his mercy murder. whereupon they being mad for anger, sought false Moyses to put him to death, who being no where to be found, made them suspect that he was a spirit of error, accustomably appearing in mans shape, that he might the better bring to effect that he desired. Many of the Iewes of Crete being moved with this so great a destruction, were turned to the faith of Christ. A Comet appeared, and a few dayes after at Tolosa it ran blood. Gisericus besieged Hippo a city of Affrike and the thyrde month of the siege, saint Augustine the Bishop departed this life. Diaco. in his first book. In this city S. Austen was born. When at Constantinople for four monthes the earth waued up and down with an Earthquake, in the sight of all them that were at prayers, one by the power of GOD was lifted up into the air. pirates spoyled Sicilia every where. When at Rome Xystus the Pope was dead, lo the first succeeded him in the sea. A Comet was seen continually for many dayes, and there was an Earthquake in the East. Attila king of the huns calling Bleda his Brother and Consort, afflicted a great parte of Italy with war, spoyled many worthy cities, and at length after he had assembled the banished men, they were put in the Sea at Venice. There were almost continual Earthquakes, and very many sights were seen in the Element. In the evening Northward, the Element was as red as fire, having clearer strikes mingled in the fiery redness, fashioned like spears. The moon was Eclipsed: a Comet appeared, and many other horrible things. And the year following Attila king of the huns being aided by Walametes King of the Ostrogothes, and by Ardaricus king of the Gepidians, and by other Natitions, went out of Pannonia, and soon after set vpon the empire of the west. over the island of britain, there appeared a star of a wonderful greatness to whose beam didde hang a Ball of fire, like to a Dragon, out of whose mouth proceeded two beams, the one of which stretched beyond france, but the other reaching toward ireland, did end in six little beams. The saxons after the death of their king Aurelius Ambrosius being free from the covenant of their league, invaded the Cities and Promontoryes, and spoyled all places from Albania as far as york. In the second year of the empire of lo, there was so great an Earthquake and rumbling, that in many places many buildings fell down, and well near all antioch was shaken. That destruction was the reward of the mischiefs that followed, because the Citizens being estranged from Gods laws were cruelly minded like beasts, and were haunted with all blind fury of doting madness, for the foreste earthquake of all that invaded that city was five hundreth and six yeares after the building of that city, the fourteenth day of the month of September, the fourth hour of the night, and from that Earthquake which happened in the time of trajan three hundred forty and seven yeares, for the one afflicted Rome when in the one hundreth twenty and nine year that city used her laws as a free common Wealth, and the other oppressed antioch in the time of lo, in the five hundreth and sixth year, as it hath been found out in the Learned, and almost it overthrew all the houses whereas it was most populous, so that there was in it no desert or any place inhabitable or made light of. It was most royallye set out by reason of the ambitious liberality of many Princes, who haue endeavoured howe to excel one an other in costly building, and haue strouen to surpass one another in glory: wherefore both the houses of the Emperour fell down, others escaped the peril together with the bath adjoining, which delivered the city from his former discommodity, because that the other baines or baths had hurt it with their overflowing. moreover the porches that stood before the Emperors houses were cast down, and the Tetrapulum that were set vpon them: Note in Architecture for 4. stadii. furthermore the towers and certain porches standing vpon them, before the doors where horses were coursed, fell down likewise, and in the old city it touched neither house nor porch, it shooke besides the baths of trajan, severus& Adrian, likewise very many buildings& the porch which is called Ostracina,& also that which was called Nimphean, all which at large John the Rhethorician in his histories hath set forth. By reason of this earthquake& for the houses pulled down, they report that the Emperour did forgive that city a thousand Tallentes of gold of their yearly Tribute, and that he gave a great sum of money to repair common houses. At that time also Thrace, Hellespont, all Ionia, and the islands which are called cyclades were shaken, many buildings in Cuidus and Cous fell down, but at Constantinople, and in the province of Bithinia there endured mighty showers, water continually falling down from heaven in maner of riuers, for three or four dayes. The mountains became plain, exceeding great Villages through the deluge were no more seen. Great waters standing. Through the great plenty of soil and filth in certain Moores there became islands, as it happened in Boaue, which is by Nicomedia, many other things happened besides: there were also sights seen in the Element, for a cloud was seen for forty dayes having the shape of a trumpet. At which time also it rained ashes at Constantinople, the clouds being turned into fire, which ashes lay vpon the tiles almost a handbroade thick, the which was a most evident token of the burning that was at hand, wherefore they all going out of the city with trembling, appeased God with prayer, saying that God would abolish all things with a fiery rain: at last when God was turned to mercy, and the flamme quenched, the horrible ashes fell to the ground. Hereof Procopius of Cesaria doth also make mention, writing that this fire began at the mountain Pebius, from whence, when it was waxed great, being driven aloft with a violent wind it fell down vpon that place where it ceased, and perchance after it was so driven aloft in the air, God cast it vpon those places which were to be punished: when the moving of the earth which we haue spoken of, did invade them, the Emperour lo fearing himself, pitched his tabernacles about Saint Mamant, refraining to enter the city for six months, and by that means thinking that he should avoid Gods wrath, there followed a pernicious or mortal burning of the city of Constantinople Maioranus the Emperour lead his army into Affrica against the Vandalles. A city in portugal now callen Merida. Thodoricus being afraid of the tidings, leaving Emerita went again into france and laying peace apart, and raging with murder, spoyled and burned Churches, Cities and towns. In the fourth year of the Emperour lo at Tholosa a city in France, out of the middle therof blood ran a whole day, with a very great stream, which the goths took for a sore warning, or a token of destruction. The next year Theudimar put to the sword the Sireni and the Scyri, for the revengement of his slain brother. The 6. year of the Emperour lo, when a certain Painter went about to trick out our saviour, according to the likeness of jupiter, all his hand dried up. Vincent. book 21. Chap. 25. out of Sigebertus, who notwithstanding setteth down that this was done in the year 463. severus at Rauenna, was by Ricimer made Emperour of the west, in france farm houses flocks of sheep and many other things were strike with lightnings, and two young men were found with their bodies joined together with the fire. Iord●nis in his book of the Annals, and Cuspimanus in the Consuls. The eleventh year of the Emperour lo at Vienna in Austria certain temples and Palaces fel down with an horrible Earthquake. And wolves and other wild beasts wandering al the year long through the City devoured men. moreover the Kings palace being consumed with fire from heaven, vpon holy Easter day, made many afraid. When Vterpendragon king of the Britaines was deade, Arthur his son was advanced to his kingdom( called the most Christian king of the Britaines,) who ware on his head a Helmet of gold, wherein a Dragon was graven: he caused a shield of gold called Pridwine to be carried before him, wherein was seen painted the Image of Gods mother: moreover he caused his spear called Ron( which was long and great, In those dayes the Brytaines being but very weak in the Christian faith, used much enchauntment to the which too many trusted. and fit to spoil) to be carried with him wheresoever he went: and it is said that he had, and carried with him a sword, called Caliborne, with which he used to fight: he ordained the order of the round table, whereunto were none admitted, but those which were of Princely lineage, or of incomparable strength. After twelve victorious battles he finished his life,& is butted at Analon now called Glastenburie. His principal Court was Winchester. H●mericus king of the vandals in the Consulship of Theodoricus& Venantius did very sharply assail the Christians, in which persecution many had their tongs mangled, and some had them quiter cut off, which notwithstanding being cured by Gods divine power, did speak even without tongs, as Sigebertus and Marcellinus. At this time the tyrant Honorichus the eight year of his reign ended his life with a death miserable enough, but most worthy of so great a wickedness, for not only his body was rotten and swollen up with worms, but also the partes of his body seemed to carry him to the grave. There appeared in the element diuers tokens and strange Comets. Theodo●ic●● king of the Ostrogotes issuing out of Messea and going into Italy, met twice with Ordoaces King of Italy and put him to flight, and closing him in at Papia, did there besiege him three yeares. When Eoricus king of the Vigotes was dead, Alaricus his son did succeed him in the kingdom. In Minias a river in spain fishes were taken, Minius. in whose scales the coin of that year was as it had been engraven, the same year Felt e●● and Feua kings of the Rugians went about to thrust the Herules out of the Country, whom Odoaser vanquished and flew, and almost defaced the nation of the Rugians. When Deuterus a Bishop of the Arians at Constantinople baptized one Barba,& distinguishing the trinity amiss said. I baptize thee Barba in the name of the Father through the son in the holy Ghost ( Baptizo te Barba in nomine patris per filium in spiritu sancto) the water vanished away. moreover in those dayes, there appeared in Affrica Gods revengement vpon an Arian called Olympius, who whilst he washed his body in bathing water, belching out certain unworthy and blasphemous words, touching the holy belief and the trinity, there came suddenly a fiery dart from heaven which visibly burned him. Neocesaria fell with an earthquake. At Alexandria many of both kindes being possessed with a spirit or divell suddenly barked like Dogs. Vitalianus Ruler of the North, usurped against Anastasius. The huns called Baber, passing through the straightes of the Caspian Sea, spoyled armoniac, Capadocia, Gallatia and Pontus. Anastasius born of a base parentage, became Emperour of the East, but he falling into heresies, did many injuries to the right believers, and distayned the honour of the Empire, with the corruption of the Eutichian herezie, wherefore he deserved Gods revengement, who being strike with lightning dyed. In the seventh year of the Empire of justinus Caesar, the nine and twentieth day of May at noon tide, an Earthquake together with a quauering boiling being at antioch and shaking the very Foundation of the city, made it ill favoured and dreadful, and what notable thing soever was in it, it cast to the ground: besides this destruction there was a lightning, so that those mischances seemed to divide misery among themselves, for the earthquake and the shaking made flat with the ground a great part of the city, and if that spoil left any thing untouched, the fire hanging over consumed, and after a marvelous sort brought it into ashes. again antioch suffered most grievous Earthquakes, when afterward it got due care or provision by justinian and was called Theopolis, that is the city of God, every one of the Citizens writing the name of Christ over his door, by that means drove away the Earthquake, when God had commanded a certain religious man in an Oracle to writ these words over their doors, Christus nobiscum, state: that is, christ is with us, stand ye. King Totila persecuting for Christ his sake Benedictus the younger a man famous for his holiness, when he went about to burn him with his Cell, he put him into a hote furnace or oven, who being vnhurte, yea his garments untouched, he came out the next day. The goths besieged Rome for a whole year, and Vitiges stirreth up Cosroes king of the Persians against the romans, Procopius book .2. of the Persian war. In the Mone●h of December a Comet was seen in Sagittarius, then in Italy war was made with the goths, which nation at length Narces by the help of the Lumbardes utterly destroyed. When Narces made war against Edualde king of the Brentians, in Lumbardy, and chiefly in the partes of Liguria certain signs upon the sudden appeared miraculouslye on the Houses, doors, Crosses, Vessels or garments, which if any went about to wash away, they more and more appeared: immedyatelye after this followed a horrible plague which cruelly spoyled on every side, but the year following, there began to grow about mennes privities or in other delicate places, Kernels like a nut or a Date, after which immediately there followed an intolerable heat of Agues, so that in three dayes the sick dyed, but if any had escaped three dayes, he had hope to live, and in all places there was mourning, in all places there was weeping, for the rumour of the common people was, that they which fled away should avoyde that disease: the houses were left without inhabitants, dogges alone keeping the house, the Cattayle only remained in the pastures without any shepherd: a man might see this day houses full of men, and the next day they all flying away, every place to be very silent. The children and the sons fled away, leaving the dead bodies of their parentes unburied: the parents forgetting their fatherlye love, forsook their children frying with heat: if by chance pity moved any man to bury his neighbour, he himself remained unburied and whilst he was about the burial he dyed: a man might see the world brought to his ancient silence: there was no voice in the country, no whistling of sheapheardes, no beasts lying in weight to devour, no damage in house found. corn being ouer-ripe was untouched, the vineyards were vngathered when Winter came, both day and night a company of wandering folkes made a noise, there was heard of many as it were the noise of men of war, there appeared no steps of men coming, there was seen no murderer, and yet the carcases of the deade were innumerable, sheapheardes places were turned to burial places, and mennes dwellings became places for the beasts to fly unto. In diuers places of france there were diuers tokens, there appeared a Comet vpon holy Easter day, the Element was seen to burn, very blood fell out of clouds vpon mens Garments. Cosroes king of the Persians the fourth time invaded the lands of the romans and was put back by Bellisarius. Bellisarius being general in the Persian war, made a city in Sisauranum to yield. There was an universal Earthquake over all the World, wherein among other cities Epidamnus also, which now is called Dirrhachium, sustained very much damage, and likewise Corinth which standeth in the country of Greece, and Anazarba which is the head city of Cilicia suffered the like, which cities the Emperor justinian restored with a great sum of money, while he was Emperor: Foelix also a city of the Edescenians, beyond the river Euphrates which is exceeding great and populous& in the province of the Obscaenians, who was much afflicted with the wonderful overflowing of the river Scirtus, which runneth by it, that when it shoke down, and drew with it many houses, it carried away and drowned an infinite number of men: whom after that the water had forcibly taken away, immediately like unto a violent stream that groweth after a rain, running through the middle of the city, vanished away, which evil when it ceased, a Table of Marble appeared in holy written Letters signifying this: {αβγδ}. Saltabit civi saltum saltator acerbum. that is, A dancer shal dance an ill dance for the Citizens. There was seen in the same time a certain woman of the Giauntes kind, exceeding the stature of any man, hir breadth also did answer hir length in proportion. Hartabanes delivered Affrica and Carthage from the tyranny of Gontharis. Bellisarius was chosen again to be ruler in the Italian war. The Herulians overcame the slavonians at the river Ister. In Thrace the Sea flowing up four mile long swallowed up many people. Totilas besieged Rome. They which were possessed suffered exceeding hunger. The goths also forcibly besieged Placentia, who sustained so grievous hunger, that they did eat one another,& through this necessity they were constrained to yield to Totilas. There was a great Earthquake at Constantinople. Totilas took Rome the third part of the wall was cast down, the city was desolate, which Bellisarius entred and fortified. There were oftentimes earthquaks at Constantinople and else where: the river of Nilus in egypt, did so overflow as it did never before, the huns and Totilas played the ancients in italy and Illiria, which miserable spoyled as far as Epidamnus. The flowers, the berries, and the fruit of the tree which is called Elder, were transformed into the flowers, berries, and fruit of the Vine, as Sigebertus writeth. The slavonians entering into the lands of the romans slew them, and at last at Constantinople, they were driven to fly. There were cruel Earthquakes in Greece in Beccia and Achaia: the greek Criseas was lastly shaken, very many places and Cities were swallowed up, in diuers places the earth being drowned sunk under foot, and again in some places great openings of the earth closed up, and in some places the earth gaped continually. Alboinus King of Lumbardie, by the help of justinian fought with the Gepidiens, slay their king Chunimundus, and almost put out the name of the Gepedes. A certain boy in the East, son of a Iewe, when he was brought to this, by his companions the sons of Christians, in the church of the Virgin mary to receive the sacrament of Christ our saviour, was for that by his father cast into a burning furnace, whom the Christians thence drew forth without any harm. At Constantinople a synod was assembled against the madness of Theodorus, Narses with a great army entered and overcame the goths at Tagina. An Earthquake shoke Constantinople for forty dayes. The Frenchmen having Bucelinus their captain, slue the Herulians at Parma, and Dagisteus vanquished Bucelinus. There appeared the form of a lance in the element, from the North to the west, Bucelinus and Amingus captains of france, A ruler of two places. were miserable slain by Narces. When Modardus of Nouum, Comum, and of Turne● dyed, the Element opened, and heavenly lights did shine forth two houres space: this writeth Sigibertus in his Chronicles. Lotharie king of france subdued with 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 journey. There were very many Prodigies, there were huge Earthquakes, dashings together and gapings of the earth, wonderfully burning of stars, and ouerflowyng in the Sea, which ran up into Thrace, almost four mile. And a blind whelp did certain strange things he gave every man his own, and shewed with signs certain secret things. An Earthquake afflicted Constantinople for ten dayes and nights. The city Berito fell down with an Earthquake, the island of Cous, was shaken, that year Lotharie challenged unto him the third part of the reuinewes of Churches. There appeared many tokens, many signs, in the sun and moon, Italy and chiefly Liguria was troubled with a miserable plague. The kingdom was again divided among the sons of Lotari king of france. There was seen fiery spears in the Element, portending the breaking of the Lumbards into Italy. That year Etherius, Auitatus, and Medicus, lay in wait to kill justinian and were slain. At London in england, trees seemed to be a fire. At york fountains ran blood. In Kent a boy laughed in his mothers belly. Which prodigies were very truly expounded by Merline, against the English Saxons: witnes●e hereof is Bale. blood is said to fall from heaven, when at that time the Lumbards having Albuinus there captain entred Italy, where afterward they held the kingdom more than 200. yeares. In Italy there were seen fiery battailes in the Element from the which fell blood, and afterward for many dayes through continual rain Tiber swelled so great, that with great slaughter of the people, it drowned the lowest places of Rome, and likewise in certain other Cities. Leuigialdus King of the goths subdued the Cities and countries of spain rebelling. The Lumbardes with a huge multitude, with their sons, with their wives, and other barbarous nations under their king Albuinus entred italy, by way of Sirmium a city of the lower Panonia,& possessed it. There were heard sounding trumpets in the Element. In those dayes there were most troublesone times, saint gregory thought that the end of the world was near and that that greatest day of Christ was at hand. The Lumbards without any letting them invaded Italy. Paul● the patriarch of Aquilea fled away, the Churches of christ were overthrown, Priestes were slain, and monks were hanged vpon crosses by their feet: Deacons had their heads cut off, the common people and husbandmen were slain, because they would not worship the consecrated head of a goat offered to their Goddes, and eat of the flesh offered to their Goddes, saving Rauenna and Rome. Italy was brought under the empire of the Lumbardes, which at this day they commonly call Lumbardy. In that war which the Romaines made against the Persians very many Prodigies portending the ensuing destruction of the Romaines were seen. A Bull newelye calved was seen in the beginning of the war, out of whose neck appeared two heads, the Romaines overcame the Persians in a great conflict about Segarthon. King Heribertus dyed. between the spaniards and the Frenchmen there arose a great contention touching the kéepyng of Easter day. The third year of Tiberius Constantinus the Emperour, there arose again at antioch an exceeding great Earthquake, which shooke the public and private houses, even to the very foundations, and yet did not overthrow them to the ground. And all Daphne( made as it were the work thereof at sundry times) fel down. Leonogildis in the beginning of his reign drove the Sweuions out of spain, and overcame Andeca their king. A fire was seen to run up and down in the element. Hormisda king of the Persians making inroads upon the provinces of the Romaines was shamefully overcome by the Romaines: he published a decree, that the king of the Persians should not go forth any more to fight by himself, because the force of the Romaines might not be diminished. The fourth year of Tiberius Constantinus wolves entred the city of bordeaux, and fearing no man, devoured the dogges, immediately the Lumbardes passing the Alpes did grieuouslye annoy Rome, and the captains of the Lumbards did set vpon france, and the Lumbardes strove together with diverse kindes of fight. At Turon blood ran out of broken bread. Mumulus being put in the place of Amatus vanquished the Lumbardes at their return: the people Auares took Sermium. Tiberius the Emperour fell mad, and not long after dyed. The empire was foretold Mauricius by many tokens from heaven. For when late in the night, he was occupied in Gods service, and offered incense in the high church of our Lady, which was so called by justinian among them of Antioch: the vail wherewith the holy table was covered, fell on a fire, so that Mauricius being driven to amazedness was thereat afraid, and gregory being the Hierarch or holy ruler of that city which there stood present, said that that was some divine thing,& did betoken new and high matters: and when upon a time Mauricius was in the East, Christ appeared to him evidently and manifestly, and besoughte him to reuenge the injuries offered him, which surely was a true divination of his Empire, for of whom should christ ask reuengemente, but of an Emperour, and of him that was so devout towards him. moreover, those which brought him( the said Emperour) into the world, recount of him other things worthy of remembrance. For his father told him about the time he was begotten, that there appeared to him in his fléepe an exceeding great vine, which grew and spread out at his Chamber door, bringing forth al kind of ripe clusters of Grapes hanging all about: but his mother in the time of his birth said, that there came out of the earth a certain strange and a diverse sweet smell, and said moreover( which is a fable of old women, and to me almost incredible) that that which is called Empusa, other call it Gilo, Hobgoblin or the fairy, took the child out of the Chamber, as it were to devour him, yet could do him no harm, moreover that A man so called. Simeones which made his abode upon a pillar near Antioch being given to do so many good works as scarcely none other did, and most famous for all kind of virtues, did not only speak, but did also many things by the way of divination, which didde note or betoken his Empire. The same year John Mystaco ruler of the east, vanquished the Persians at the river Nimphias. In France Clodoue the Kings youngest son was slain, when his stepmother Phridegundis bare rule. The people of Auares coming to Constantinople, made a covenant that the Romaines should pay them yearly the stipend of 100000. pound of gold. There was a great deluge chiefly at Venice,& in Liguria the first of October, and great thunder, and there followed a grievous plague at Rome, through the stink of Serpents cast vpon the shore. In the river Nilus there were seen living creatures, both male and female, which as far as the flanks had mans shape, and being adjured by God, they stayed to be seen from the morning till nine of the clock. The Lumbardes, make Atheris son of Dep●on their king, who was called flavius, of whom afterward kings were termed Flauij. In france Fredigundis and hir adulterer Laudrichus master of the horsemen caused the king to be slain at Cala, returning from hunting in the night season. Caianus overthrew Sigipon. In Italy and chiefly at Rome there arose cruel tempest, wherefore the Lumbardes besieging Rome, and being sore afraid with the continual raging and force of whirlwinds, were compelled to remove their siege, and there followed so great a boundaunce of water, that well almost innumerable men and beasts perished through italy, and especially at Rome. through the corruption of deade carcases, there followed a pestilence of which Pelagius the Bishop dyed, after he had held his bishopric eleven yeares. When for a month space, a Comet had appeared, many Princes dyed, and eight yeares after Machomet, the great prophet of God as said the saracens, who gave laws to the saracens, was born in Arabia. The son of Hormilda, after his Father was taken, invaded the kingdom of the Persians. The romans also were overcome by the Persians. everich rain caused great overflowings, in such sort that all men said, the last day of iudgement was at hand, for the destruction was so great, that none could remember to haue been more grievous sithence the world began. A great Dragon also in a manner of a strong beam, with an innumerable number of Serpentes went through Tiber into the Sea, by the which the beasts of the sea, being strangled and cast on the shore, corrupted the air with their rottenness. The year following Hormisda king of the Persians whom the Persians made blind, was slain by his son Coldroe, which fled to the emperor Mauris, and by his manhood he vanquished the Persians. The same time the river of Tiber, did so break over the banks at Rome, that flowing over the walls of the city, it occupied an exceeding great parte of the country, and overthrew many houses: Of the stink also, there followed a very grievous plague, which they called Inguinaria, which was so great that it also killed the Pope Pelagius, and every where very many houses in Rome stood empty. When king Agilulphus was king over the Lumbardes there came a great number of grasshoppers into the territory of Trident, which were greater than others be: all these eat up the grass and corn of the field: and this year was a great drought from the month of Ianuarie, to the month of September, and there was great scarcity of corn, so that many dyed of hunger. In france a certain man felling down trees in a wood, was so pestered with flies, that two yeares he was mad. Afterward under the habit of religion he shewed himself a false Prophet, after that a magician, and after that he cured sick persons, and said that he was Christ, and commanded himself to be honoured for him, he stroke like an enemy, those that would not worship him together with the people which in great numbers cloue unto him, yet afterward he was slain by a certain faithful man, and so his followers were dispersed. This year Recharetus king of the Vicegothes, spoyled the borders of the Romaines, the goths came to union of the catholic Faith, and Hianus again invaded Thrace. By reason of the exceeding drought going before, the fall of the multitude of locusts wasted the fruits of al the fields, and hereof in Italy came a wonderful famine. When the same Aginulphus reigned, in the month of Ianuarie there appeared a blazing star morning and evening for a whole month, in the which month also John archbishop of Rauenna died, and Euendux at Trident, and at the same time, more than 2000. of the Boyoarians were all slain whilst they set vpon the slavonians, whom Cachanus came to help. A certain Senators son of Rome, was created by the people of Rome, the chiefest commander of Italy, against the Lumbardes, which office was not before. Ag●nulphus made peace with Cachanus king of the Hunes requiring the same by his ambassadors from Panonia. After that gregory the Pope who being a Deacon, took the government of the sea of Rome after Pelagius, had ordained a seven shaped or fashioned litany, within the space of one hour while he prayed to God, 80 of them suddenly falling to the ground gave up the ghost, again Agenulphus slay the ancient slavonians at Ister, and doth enrich his Souldiers with a huge pray, Caianus maketh peace with Agenulphus the Lumbarde. At Constantinople a boy was born with four feet, and another having two heads, which prodigies did betoken adversity to those places where they were born. Thassilo being appointed king of the Baiorians, by Childebertus and overcoming the slavonians triumphed. The sun from the East to the west was diminished to one third part of him, the Lumbardes breaking in vpon the Hil Cassinus made spoil of all things in Italy. Gallicanus succeeded the Senators son of Rome that was deade, and made peace with the Lumbardes. There were seen at this time many and horrible prodigies, which portended the future calamities of Mahomet, which as this year was born in Arabia, for the self same year a Comet was seen at Constantinople, horrible to behold. moreover Guntranus dyed, and by his testament Hildebert his brother succeeded him. Many prodigies went a little before the death of Mau. K. of the Romains, for at first an exceeding great Comet was seen shining for many dayes: In Thrace the same time, a woman brought forth a child altogether monstrous,& an offence to nature, for he lacked eyes, eyelids,& eyebries, neither had he just form& likeness in the rest of the constitution of his body, for he had neither hands nor arms,& at his thigh there grew& hung down the tail of a fish: which monster when Mauricius the Emperor saw, he commanded it to be slain& immediately he kist the sword,& the mother which brought forth the monster, for as much as hir fault wrought nothing in this strange miracle, was discharged of crime: thē also the best of the Emperors horses, and the goodliest to behold with his golden furniture, vpon the sudden fel down& burst in sunder,& in the streets of the suburbs of the imperial city, other monsters also were born: to wit, a boy having 4. feet,& another having 2. heads, but they both were cut in pieces. The 19. year of the Empire of Mauricius when Mena bare rule in egypt, there were also certain monsters seen in the river of Nilus, for after the ruler came to Delta( this place is famous among the egyptians, taking name of the form of the letter)& early in the morning went to the river side, suddenly a certain man bringing with himself a horror, came out of the channel of the river like to a Giant, in countenance having a grave look, a brown hair& sprinkled with hoare hairs, a great breast showing in his back& arms a valiantness,& showing himself to be seen as far as the shore, when sometimes he lept up above the water, but hiding the rest of his body under the water as though he had been a shamed, covered the secrets of nature. When the captain beholded him, he solemnly again& again adjured him, if he were a devil to go out of sight,& to get himself to a desert, but if he were some creature, he adjured him that he should not go out of sight before he had satisfied all men with his strange presence: wherefore the living creature( for I dare not call him a man) stood stil a long time, being bound with the adjuration& let al men see him. The 3. day after in the morning, another living creature also in the form of a woman( for nature shewed it sufficiently) came out of the water. For the mildness of hir countenance, the length of hir hair, the constitution of the rest of hir body, hir hair partly folded, partly lose,& hir goodly favor shewed hir to be a woman, but hir hair was somewhat black, hir face white, hir nose reasonable,& hir fingers seemly, hir lips tender, hir breasts round& smooth,& hir dugs seemed to the beholder a little to appear: the river hide the other parts of a woman, putting away the secret parts from the beholders, as from those which had not received secret orders. Wherefore the captain& his company fed their eyes with that sight, till the sun going down, at which time those living creatures also entred into the innermost parts of the river, when they had shewed themselves to be seen without speaking any word, for with domb silence they appeared to their louers. Of all these unlucky tokens the Emperour gathered by this conjecture, a grievous end of all things, and at that time he was sore troubled with the fear of that which fell out, because that they which diligently haue written histories, haue left in writing, that those monstrous shows were never good to the common wealth. Not long after Priscus& Commentiolus, Rulers of the Countries of Europe, by breaking that peace which by a certain subtlety they had made with Chaganabat, the Prince privily commanding it, passed over Ister in ships,& as soon as they arrived to Vimenacium, which is an island standing in the river of Ister,& afterward suddenly met with Barbarians& certain others, in the space of a month, in many battailes, they slue above. 30000. of the Abarians, Gepides& the Sclauonians,& took more than 1500. of them,& when they had gotten such a victory, as almost never any was known to haue had of his enemies, they went back, or returned. There appeared so many Prodigies as never before, by the which the miseries to come were foreshowed, or there was seen a very bright Comet in the month of September,& november, whereupon that year Mauritius the Emperour was slain by Phocas,& afterward Pope Bonifacius the third with great contention obtained that Rome should be called& accounted the head of the churches. When Gregory Agilulphus made peace with Theodoricus K. of France, a most grievous plague spoyled Rauenna& those which inhabited the sea cost,& the year following, it so spoyled the whole territory of Verona, that one half of the people was not left alive, Paulus Wanefri. li, 4. ca. 15 Ther appeared a bloody sign in the Element, like a bloody spear,& the light appeared clear to all men al the night long,& grievously afflicted Theodopertus K. of France, that was in the field against Clotarie his cousin germaine. The year following captain Agilul which succeeded Farualdus at Spoletum died. When Theodopert K. of France bare rule, whilst the French fighting with the Saxons had made a bloody slaughter, at Tisinum in the high church of S. Peter the Apostle, Peter a singer was strike with lightning, Pau. Wanefridus Longabardus li. 4. ca. 32. In the month of April& May, there appeared a star in the Element which we call a Comet,& the same year severus patriarch of Aquilca departed: the same year afterward in the month of Nouem.& Decem. a Comet again appeared,& the same time when Candidianus was ded, Epipha: was created patriarch,& so at that time the Romains began to haue two Patriarkes. When Lotharius and Theodoricus fought together in battle, 30000 mon were slain: in the conflict the angel of the lord was seen holding a naked sword over the people. When Mauricius the Emperour was slain, the Persians and the huns made a spoil in the provinces of the Romaines. The coat without seam of our Lord Iesus Christ, made by the blessed Virgin mary, which by lot fel to one of the souldiers, at this time of Phocas the Emperour was found by the Bishops gregory of Antioch, Thomas of jerusalem, and John of Constantinople, uncorrupt and without bleamish, not far from jerusalem, at the city Zaphat, laid up there in a Marble tomb, which being had in great price, and carried to jerusalem there enclosed in a chest of ivory, they report that this coat after the taking of the city of Constantinople, came into the hands of the Turkes. Chronicorum. lib. 6. Folio. 149. There appeared a Comet for a month, then Cosdras king of the Persians sacked jerusalem, Polidor Virgil in his third book of prodigies. this year also the Persians spoyled all Palestine, they carried away zachary the patriarch with his ornaments and people. Sigebertus and Functius, do refer this to the year of Christ. 615. Sigebertus the son of Dagobert king of france, said when he was Christened, the people being silent, Amen. There was a grievous Earthquake in Palestine, and a sign was seen in the Element having the form of a sword, which stood 30. dayes Southward, whereby men thought was signified the power of the saracens. between the Romaines and the saracens there arose a war that could not be appeased. King Dagobart bet down the Idolatrous slavonians. Cadwallo or Cadwaline king of the Brytaines, by the help of Penda tyrant of the Mercians revolted from the people of Northumber, Edwine died in the overthrow. again at Antioch about the third hour of the night there suddenly arose a great shaking and a rising of the earth, with a great noise, and thrust up the whole city, from the very foundation:& as it did overthrow the buildings, that were lifted up aloft, so did it overthrow in the lower places those buildings which deeply stayed vpon the foundation, so that al the buildings of the holiest church were cast down right, and the Hemisphere alone remained in his place. Which Euphaemius the Bishop had builded of the rafters taken out of the wood dedicated to Daphne, when the Earthquake made a grievous destruction in the time of justinus, for it was decayed in the North part, with other shakings of the earth, and therfore it had rafters to hold it up, those rafters then with a great and vehement moving were so overthrown to the ground, that the Hemisphere was restored to his place, like a certain rule. moreover many buildings being shaken in that part of the city, which is called Ostrasine, fel down: and that building also which doth answer his name called {αβγδ}. i Psephion: likewise those buildings which in the mother tongue are name Brycia, and besides the church of our lady which was near unto it, where the middle of the porch alone was wonderfully preserved, al the towers also in the plain, were wonderfully spoyled with other walls, saving the bulwarks alone were untouched &c. there were slain at that time with the fall of the buildings. 6000. persons. Greg. Bish. of the city was saved contrary to al hope, for al the house& the dwelling wherein he made abode fel down, neither did any escape that danger but he &c. A wonderful storm at Constantinople, spoyled the fields and the Gardens adjoining pulling up the trees and herbs. The saracens invaded Affrike, drove away gregory the tyrant, and made it tributary. Rodolphe duke of the Toringens, denying tribute, was vanquished by Sigibertus king of Austracia, and was compelled to pay tribute. A fiery ston, as it were a mass of glowing iron flying came from the west, and many saw a huge Dragon. The years following Lintholphus the Duke rebelled against Otho his Father. The earl Adelbertus was slain: the Hungarians spoyled Norica, france, and Italy. The eleventh year of the empire of Constance, it rained Ashes, whereupon Constantinople was in a great fear, fire sell from heaven, and by and by a most grievous plague for the space of three summer Monthes made great mortality. There was seen also in very deed a wicked angel going about the city, who as often as he stroke the houses of the inhabitants with a hunting staff, so many men the same day died. Constance the Emperor after he had sent a commander into Italy, he resisted the Church of God, when Martin the Pope withstood the Emperor Constantine, he being by him driven into banishment died, and the Bishops seize was void for fourteen Moneths. The rising of superstition, The fall of Religion, The liberty of errors, The freedom of the Churchmen or clergy. daniel. 8. And after their kingdoms, transgression& sin invading and coming vpon them, there shall stand a king mighty in face, and understanding ridels,& his power shalbe strengthened, Deut. 13. Esay. 11. Mat. 14. and not in his own power and might, and he shall corrupt marvelous things. And he shall prosper and do, and shall corrupt strong things, and the people which are holy, and he shall be after his own opinion, and deceit shalbe directed and prosper in his hand. And he shall be exalted in his own heart, and in his prosperity he shall corrupt many,& he shall resist the prince of all princes, and shall be consumed without hand, whom the lord Iesus shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the appearance of his coming, even him whose coming is, after the working of satan with all lying power, and signs and wonders, and with all deceaueablenesse of unrighteousness among them that perish, because they received not the love of the truth, that they might bee saved. &c. There was an Eclipse of the sun at 10. a clock the fifte day of the kalends of May, in the seventh indiction. A cruel pining sickness and a pestilence invaded england, the archbishop Deus dedit, God gave, dyed. Constance for his tyranny towards godly Priestes, and for his brothers death being hated of his subiectes went to Rome, the Emperour Constantinus took many of the Lumbards, he besieged Beneuentum and their King Grimwaldus grievously wasted his army. The fourth year of the Emperour Constantine: there appeared in the Element in the month of March a rainbow& a fire of such a horrible greatness, the men cried out& said, that the last day of the world was at hand: that year a great plague of men,& a morain of cattle afflicted Ticinum. And the saracens breaking in vpon the borders of the Romans, spoiled al places& took Cizicum. The 5. year of the same Emperor, there was in Italy such rain& thunder that the lightning alone slue men and beasts. moreover there was such abundance of rain, that men could neither threshe, nor put the corn in their Garners, whereof it came to pass that through the rain, grain grew up again and came to ripeness. From August forward for 3. whole moneths, a fearful star pierced the element with his beams, appeared at the sun rising until the sun went down, after which followed a great plague in the east parts, the element to the great terror of the beholders seemed to burn for 10. days,& immediately a blazing star appeared for 3. Months,& there fel from heaven continual rain and horrible thunder, the like whereof was never heard in the memory of man, for the avoiding of which, Theodatus oftentimes appoynted the people to pray,& he after a solemn sort followed the multitude. Theodatus died to the great sorrow of the city, the 4. year of his papacy, and was butted in Vaticā Donus after him got the Sea. The saracens wearied Licia and Cilicia with war, a great plague afflicted Ticinum: grasshoppers flew in great swarms, through Siria and Mesopotamia The year following Balinicus the cunning builder came to Rome, from Heliopolis a city of Siria, who found out the sea fire, which afterward the romans using, burned the ships of the saracens. In the time of Constantine the 4 Emperor, immediately after the sixte general counsel of Constantinople the moon was eclipsed, and almost at the same time the sun was eclipsed, nere about ten of the clock of the day, the fift day of the Nones of May, and immediately there followed a most grievous pestilence, which in three months made such a spoil, that even the fathers with the sons,& the brothers with the sisters, being so by couples put on the bears, were at Rome carried to bury. In like sort also it spoyled at Ticinum in such sort that all the Citizens fled to the tops of mountaines, and herbs and shrubs grew in the Market place,& in other streets of the city. moreover the same year Muhamas the Amiras or king of the saracens died, after whom Gyreth his son took the government. Constantinus removed Heraclius and Tiberius being both brothers, from the society of the Empire, and began to reign with Tiberius his son. The 16. year of the said Constantine the fiery hill Vesuuius in the kingdom of Naples in time past renowned for the goodness of wine, always casting out smoke and fire, as Aetna doth in Cicilia, burned a fresh. A great multitude of the egyptians entering Affrica did almost utterly overthrow Carthage that was spoyled before. Egfridus king of the Nordouimbrians was slain by the Picts, The Picts, the Scots, and the Britons, vexed the Englishmen, and recovering their liberty which in time past they lost by the Englishmen, they spoyled a great part of England. There appeared a horrible star about the feast of Christs birth, about the orb of the stars called Vergil● which continued day and night till twelfe-tide. Benedictus Bishop of Rome died, in whose place John the fift of that name succeeded. Pepin and martin dukes of the Austracians, were overcome by Ebroyne, and martin contrary to faith and promise was slain. When Perthareth king of the Lumbards was dead, Chumperth his son succeeded in the kingdom. When Edrith King of england was deade, strange kings of other Nations for the space of 4. yeares spoiled& wasted the kingdom of england. There was a deluge in the borders of Venice and Liguria,& other countreys of Italy the like whereof is not thought to haue been sithence the time of Noy. Mens houses became ditches,& there was a great death of men and beasts,& the high ways& paths were quiter destroyed, and the river Athesis grew so high, that the walls of the city Verona on the one side were overthrown: this overflowing was the first day of november: moreover there was such thunder and lightning, the like whereof was not wont to be in summer time. Tiber also at Rome grew so great that the water thereof ran over the walls and overflowed the country all abroad, then through the channel of the same river, a dragon of a wonderful greatness with a great number of Serpentes, passing through the city went to the Sea, immediately after this overflowing ther followed a most grievous plague, which they call Inguinaria that destroyed the people in such numbers, that of a multitude inestimable, a very few remained. The 9. year of the Emperor justinian the sun was eclipsed the thyrde hour of the day, so that certain stars through their brightness might be seen of all men in the element. justinian the Emperor went about to weaken the sixth holy synod, and endeavoureth in vain to thrust out of the church Pope Sergius who herein resisted him. There was a great earthquake in Siria, Constantinus the 23. pope died, after whom succeeded in the papacy gregory the second, according to Platina, Sigibert, and others. But there be some who following Blondus do appoint Stephan the second. pippin also dyed the same year, who left his son Carolus surnamed Martellus heir of his kingdom. The saracens besieging Constantinople were afflicted with could, famine and pestilence, but when the siege was raised, the saracens ships were drowned with a prodigious hail, so that but ten alone escaped. In the fift year of lo in Campania a country of Italy there fell down from heaven burnt wheat, barley and pulse, as it were rain, and the year following Charles subdued the Saxons, Rigubertus bishop of rheims was put from his seat by Charles, even as Eucherius Bishop of Orleans was, because he would give no aid against Reginfred. There appeared two Comets, and for this cause chiefly worthy of remembrance, because the one went before the sun rising, the other followed his going down. gregory the Pope, the second of that name, after sixteen yeres died, after whom the third of that name a Sirian born, succeeded. The Cazarians rose against the saracens and made a great slaughter of them, Eudo sent forth saracens out of spain. There was fire seen in the Element, Luitprandus king of the Lumbardes besieged Rome, through which fear gregory the Pope sent for help to Charles the son of Pepin. The saracens invaded france again, and possessed Au●nion by treason, Martellius took the city by force,& chased away Athinus king of the saracens. about this time died Frideswida, a holy maid, born at oxford, the Daughter of Duke Didamus, whom king Algarus secretly loved but not honestly. following her to the city of oxford, the maid hasting to save her virginity, entred the city, after whom the Gates shut fast of themselves, and the king was strooken blind, not able farther to pursue, notwithstanding at the prayer of the Maiden, his sight was restored so that the king ever after durst follow no more Maids to oxford. There be some countries in the world, that if the Magistrates should be so handled, there would be very few found that had their s●ght, from whose evil ensample, the inferior sort are become abominable. Policron Book. 5. Chap. 24. There was a huge Earthquake at Constantinople, the seventh day of the kalends of november, which overthrew Temples and Monasteries, and this quaking lasted a whole year. Pope lo dyed the fourteenth day of the kalends of july after whom Zacharias succeeded. When Constantine was Emperour ashes fell from heaven. Constantinus the fourth day of the Nones of november, took by force Constantinople and put out the eyes of Artabazdus& his two sons. The Huns in 7. dayes journey and with so many armies entering into Scithia, recovered Panonia again. There appeared a Comet in Siria after which followed a great plague, which by little and little invaded all the islands of the Sea, and al Greece. It is a marvelous thing, and worth the noting, which Functius singularly reciteth to haue happened in this time. holy prince of the saracens at Damascus sent in banishmente Peter archbishop of that place, having his tongue cut off, to the furthermost Arabia to Eudemon because that he freely reproved the saracens, and Maniches, of their error. One Peter a scribe of the saracens hearing this, with a stout courage withstood the saracens, that he might deserve the crown of martyrdom. For when at that time he lay sick of a grievous disease, he sent for the chiefest of the Arabians to come unto him, whom coming according unto their custom, when they were wont to receive of him before their reckninges of their tribute, he spake unto after this sort, Albeit it be apparent enough to me, that you my friends are infidels, yet because that you haue vouchsafed to visit me in my sickness, I desire and beseech G●d with my heart, to yield you a large reward, and I will haue you to be witnesses of my will, which I now make, and I earnestly beseech you, that you receiving this precept with your ears, would lay it up in the bottom of your harts, and daily think vpon it, and this it is, whosoever believeth not in the Father, the son, and the holy Ghost, a divine trinity in unity, of one substance, he is deade in soul, and worthy of everlasting punishment. Such a one I confess your false prophet Mahomet to be, whom I nothing doubt to be the forrunner of Antichrist. Depart you, then depart you I call heaven and earth to witness for you, from his most wicked trifles and fables, for this I counsel you, least together with him ye be punished for ever. The A●abians being strike with the straungenesse of the thing, and supposing that the man doted, and through féeblenesse had lost the use of reason, made then little account of him, speaking these words through vnsensiblenesse, or rather madness. And when not long after he recovered his former health, he cried out with a louder voice than ever he did before, that Mahomet was accursed, that his writing was full of fables, and that all they that did obey him and believe in him, should perish under an everlasting curse, and when he had proclaimed this often and openly, he was forciblye taken by the saracens that were made to hear him, and was beheded, and became( as he wished,) the martyr of Christ. The fifte year of the Emperour Constantine in Calabria, Cicilia, and in certain other places, there appeared little Crosses upon mens garments, and vpon the biles of Temples, as it were marked with oil, And that year followed an horrible pestilence which began in Cicilia, and afterward by little and little invaded all the islands of the Sea, and all Greece. And Cachis king of the Lumbardes, whilst he vpon league broken went about to vex Rome was not only repressed by Pope zachary but also coming to Rome with his wife and Children, through his persuasion became a monk. An Earthquake did grievously molest Palestine, chiefly the holy city, a pestilence spoiled the city of Constantinople, the saracens invade Cipres with a navy. In france Pepin doth persecute his Brother Gr●●on, going about to entrap him. The eleventh year of Constantine the Emperour there was a terrible Earthquake wherewith some Cities fell quiter down, some were partly overthrown, some were carried from hilly places to a Champion country, more than six miles, whole and safe together with their walls and inhabitants. In Mesopotamia also the earth cloue asunder for the space of two mile, and an other earth very white and sandye rose up from the bottom, and out of that came a beast like a Mule untouched speaking with a mans voice, and uttering( the invasion of a Nation from the wilderness against the Arabians.) In france in the night time there was seen a great fiery sign in the Element, to wit a fiery bowl, on the south side declining from the borders of france to the quarters of Lumbardy. Theodosiopolis and Mittilene were recovered by Constantine, Stephan the Pope choosing Pepin to help him against Aistulphus overcame the Lumbards in Italy,& besieged their king Muruha at Papia. There was an earthquake in Palestine in Siria. The next year after this, to wit the eightéenth year of Constantine, it happened that certain Magi, wise men of the Persians called Marophori fell to so great madness, that they persuaded themselves and other fools light of belief, if in selling all their substance( to what use they gathered their money,& whether it were given to poor folkes or not, it is not known) they would cast themselves naked from the walls of the city, then without stay they should fly up into heaven: very many miscarried through this péeuishnesse, and at length sixteen of the chiefest being slain by the Prince of the saracens, this madness ended. When the Pope Stephan was deade paul the first succeeded in the Sea of Rome. Pepin doth valiantly break asunder the Munitions of the Saxons and after a great slaughter he made them tributary. The kingdom of northumberland this year fell to decay. Osowlcas King thereof being oppressed by a conspiracye in his house dyed immediately. Astulphus king of the Lumbards who went about to make the romans his tributaries, being strike with lightning died, after he had reigned 3●. yeres. The sun was eclipsed the 18. day of the kalends of September at 9. a clock, the next year also, the day before the nones of june, at six a clock. immediately Pepin King of france died at Paris and paul the pope also. Constantine being overcome by the Vulgarians lost many noble men with their armies, the Arabians invaded armoniac. There appeared a blazing star in the East for ten days, an other in the west for one and twenty dayes. Chilpingus of Auerne. and Amingus of poitiers, both earls, encountering with the Souldiers of Pepin, were slain with many besides. The 22. year of the Emperour Constantine there was a great frost from the kalends of October until february, wherewith the Sea of Pontus for 1000 miles space by reason of the vehement coldness of the ice, was become as hard as a ston, having thirty Cubits from the ouershewe to the bottom, a snow also of twenty cubits thick covered it, so that therewith the sea was made firm and gone upon, but in the month of february the ice cloue in dyvers pieces like hills. This year also stars seemed to fall from heaven, whereupon men being feared with the wonder, thought that the end of the world was at hand. A Comet appeared in the East: the Bulgarians killing their governors, make Zeletis their Duke, who being vanquished in a grievous conflict by Constantine, was slain by his own men,& Paganus was put in his place. Stars seemed again to fall from heaven, there ensued a great drought, Constantinus invading the bulgarians by Sea, suffered shipwreck, wherein he lost many thousand men. The Turkes again starting abroad, fought with the Arabians. The 35. year of Constantinus when the Saxons besieged the Castle of Heresburch, the glory of God appeared to al men over the Church, to wit, in 2. shields flaming with a bloody colour making certain thanksgivings in the air as in the war, and immediately king Charles coming into Saxony broke asunder their fortifications, victory was gotten of the Lumbards and al Italy was subdued, the Pope granted him authority to choose the Pope, and to order the apostolic seat, and the dignity of the Patriarkeship. The same year Constantinus leading his army against the Bulgarians died of a miserable death and wailing. Charles the great first king of france& after Emperor of the romans, as faith our histories, was séemly of body, fierce in countenance, his stature was 8. of his feet in length, which was very large, nere to 11. foot of our measure, broad backed, clean bellied, big arms& thighs, he was a fierce& skilful soldier,& very strong in al his lims, his face 18 inches compass breadth& length, his nose half a foot long, his forehead a foot broad, his eyes were like a lions, round& sparkling, so that on whom he frowned he greatly feared, his eye brows were half a foot long over each eye, the girdle wherewith he was gird was 8 foot long, besides the which hung down, a big& short beard the depth of a foot: he cut asunder with one blow having his own sword, an armed soldier sitting vpon his horse, from the head to the saddle: he could stretch forth with his hands at one time together 4. horseshooes, he could also list up from the ground on the palm of his hand an armed man standing upright, he was very liberal in giuing, sound in iudgement, and eloquent in speech. Author Speculum Vincentij Histon. About the same time, there was a Giant captain over 20000. saracens, that came against the Christians, he was as strong as 4●. men, his stature twelve cubits, his face a foot and a half broad, his Nose a foot long, his whole hand from the wrest to the top of the fingers, three foot, his arms four cubits, notwithstanding his greatness, and great strength, he was after sunderye assaults overcome by Roulande a valiant young Gentleman of france, by policy. It is said, that the Emperour having intelligence of this giant, that no sooner four or six armed men assailed him, but he would with smiling countenance take them all up under his arms, and carry them clean away from the place, went to Naugeris to see him. Vincentius. The same time when the Frenchmen made war in spain with ill success, the day before the Kalends of February, the seuentéenth day of the moon, the Sun was eclipsed about noon tide, when three dayes before the moon had suffered the like: the same night armies of men appeared in the Element, and the Star of mercury was seen the sixteenth day of the kalends of april. Amid the sun there was a certain black spot. Charles the great King of france being warned by an Oracle, as he said, subdued an exceeding great part of spain in the which war Pampilonia, Osca, Lucema and other Cities notable for their riches, were taken, rather by Gods help than mans, as Turpinus seemeth to signify. immediately the saracens coming out of Affrique and having Aquilandus their captain, challenged to themselves that country, and Charles again recovered that province, And at Bay●n a city of Gasconi they fought vpon challenge, and on sides, with changeable fortune, now up, now down, finally they sought together with all might and main, and there were slain in that battle fifty thousand Christians, and among those Milo Auglerius the father of Roulande. It rained blood, which also is said to haue come forth of the Earth, there were also many other prodigies spoken of. At this time at Constantinople or as others writ, in the long walls of Thrace, a certain man digging, found a Coffin of ston, which when he had made clean and opened, he found a mans body therein, and letters glued or fastened to the Coffin containing these words, Christus nascetur ex virgin Maria,& credo in eum, sub Constanti●o& Irene imperatoribus: O soliterum me videbis. Christ shall be born of the virgin mary, and I believe in him, in the time of the Emperours Constantine and Irene, O sun thou shalt see me again and the same year that these things were found Irene with her son Constanstine began to reign ten yeares. The Saxons rebelled, whom Charles the great King of france vanquished, and they delivered him 4500. seditious persons, who put in sureties. The sun was eclipsed the fifteenth day of the Kalends of October, at two a clock, and crosses appeared on mens garments, Charles the great persecuted with an exceeding great army the rebels going through germany to the borders of Baioaria. Charles came into france, to whom also Baioaria became subject. In the time of Brithricus king of the Britaines it rained blood, which falling on mennes clothes, appeared like crosses, not long after the Danes first arrived in the Ile called Portlande, and greatly vexed the Britons. It is left in writing, that in a clear and calm weather wood fell out of the Element vpon the territory of Fusingentum. Moyses Amiras dyed, after whom Aaron his brother, bare rule over the saracens. Charles king of france coming to Rome made war against Heregishius duke of Beneuentum. War arose between the frenchmen and the Auarians. There happened at Rome a very great and unaccustomed overflowing of Tiber, wherein the river water like unto a violent stream after rain, ran very far abroad through the gate Flaminta,( which now is called Porta populi) with a great slaughter of men and spoil of goods: men passed through a great part of the city in boats, by the which at the Popes bidding meate was given to the poor folkes that could not come abroad, and the wanted all other help: the houses of the city& the herds of cattayle were violently carried away: that deluge did not only hurt at the present, but was the cause also that the year following there was great dearth of corn at Rome. Adrian the Pope comforted the city in this distress, he gave much relief to many, that that misery might the less be perceived: he amended the walls and towers of the city that were overthrown with the forces of the water. This year also in february an earthquake did shake Constantinople, and Irene depriveth her son of the empire, and reigned alone. The war of the huns began, which continued almost 8. yeres. The Arabians set vpon cypress. That year in the which Irene the Empresse, after that the Empire was taken from her, abusing her womanishe sorrow, deprived her son Constantine of his eyes and Empire, and Charles the king overcame the Saxons with a grievous conflict, the sun was darkened for 17 days. There was an Earthquake in Creta and in Sicilia: likewise there was an other forcible earthquake at Constantinople: and in spain Barcilona being restored to the saracens was besieged of the Souldiers of Charles. whilst the Emperor Charles the great was at Spoletum the day before the kalends of May, the second hour of the night, the earth trembled grievously, the covering or roof of S. Peters church at Rome fel down. In Italy, Germany, france,& about the rhine, many cities& villages were therewith afflicted, by reason of the mildness of the winter season, there followed a pestilence, about this time the Empire was removed from the east to the west, Gerardus duke of Bauaria encountering in Panonia with the bavarians was slain, the Iles called Baleares by the help of the french, were defended from the saracens. The third year of the Empresse Irene in the month of july, there was a sharp horefrost, and twice frozen against nature, but nothing hurt the fruits. And the same year they which revolted from the Emperor of Constantinople came again into favour,& Pepin was appointed king of Italy. The third year of the Emperor Charles the great, the moon was thrice darkened& the Sun once, and armies of a wonderful greatness were seen in the air. Nicephorus by deceit setteth vpon the Empire of the west, driving Irene into a monastery. The people Abotriti receive the land of the Saxons, beyond the river Albis, of Charles, to dwell vpon. In Italy the cities Ostona and Luceria that thought not well of Charles, did yield. The sun was eclipsed the third day of the Ides of february, at 6. of the clock. There arose a great& a privy grudge between Godfrey King of the Normans and Charles the great. Egino Bishop of Constance died. The Saxons rebelling continually being al this time vanquished were driven to receive the Romish religion. Charles the son of Charles the Emperour vanquished the people Betheman● rebelling against him,& slue Leith their duke. The 8. year of Charles the Emperor, the day before the kalends of february, the moon being 17 dayes old, the sun was eclipsed at noon tide, the sun& the moon being in the 25 part of Aquarius: likewise the 4 day before the kalends the moon was eclipsed,& the same night there appeared armies of a wonderful greatness,& the sun stood in the 12. part of Pisces,& the moon in the 11. part of Virgo: moreover the star of Mercury the 16. day before the kalends of april, was seen in the sun, as it were a little spot, yet black a little above the middle center of the same star, but he could not be marked because he first went in or came out, the clouds letting the sight: likewise the xj. day of the kalends of September, the moon was eclipsed the third hour of the night, the sun being in the 5. part of Virgo,& the moon in the 5. part of Pisces,& so from September of the year past, until September of the year following the moon was thrice darkened,& the sun once. Nicephorus Emperor of the east, violently taking away Theophania from her husband, matched her with his son Stauracius, in whose marriage that wicked person corrupted 2. honest virgins. In Britain or England Eardulphus king of the Nordouimbrians was driven out of his country and kingdom, Gotherike the Dane subdued the Abrotrites. The Sun was eclipsed the 7. day of the Ides of june: likewise the same year the sun was eclipsed the day before the kalends of December, at 3. a clock, Pepin the son of Charles the great dyed. King Charles the son of Charles died, and the emperor sent Hatto the bishop to Constantinople. The Bulgarians vanquished the romans at the river Strimonium, and took Sardica. Nicephorus the Emperour being overcome by the Bulgarians dyed. grasshoppers flying by flocks out of Affrique did grievously annoy Italy, Hemingus King of the Danes died, after whom two strove together for the kingdom, and made a battle, in the which 1000 Dane: were slain The sun was eclipsed in the 12 part of Taurus, the 4. day of May. Mahammad Amiras encountered with his brother Habdale, by whom he being overcome, suffered him to reign with him against his will, and through this war the kingdom of the saracens was for certain yeares dismembered. michael the Emperour being vanquished by the Bulgarians, resigned his empire, and choose him a monks life, and lo was chosen in his place to be Emperour, who in the east reigned 8. yeares. When Charles the great the most unconquerable Emperor of the romans lay at the point of death, the sun was darkened and the moon waxed pale, there was also an exceeding great Earthquake, and a little before his death there was seen a dreadful Comet with many other strange prodigies that were seen and heard in diuers places. moreover the same year there grew a bloody war between the sons of Goterike King of denmark. The bridge of the river of rhine, which the Emperour for ten whole yeres together was a building with a marvelous work of Timber,( at Mogunce) was casually consumed with fire in three hours. This year continually rain marred the corn, and kept it from riping, whereupon it did rot in the fields: the overflowing of waters in autumn spring did let the sowing: A cruel pestilence of men and a morrayne of beasts ensued. Cloamir king of the Abrodites, and Lupus King of the Vascons being condemned to die, were banished by the Emperor Lewis, and in dyvers countreys there was an exceeding famine. This year was famous for prodigies& strange sights: at Thurin a turf of a foot& half long, being suddenly lifted up into the air, was found whole from the place the space of 25. feet. In the borders of Saxony and Misnia the earth swelled up like to a great pile,& it rose by the mere Aonseum as it were a rampire or bulwark the space of three mile: the winter was longer than it was wont. The greatest riuers of france and Germany, as Danubius, Renus, Albis, and Sequana, were very hard frozen, and wanes and carts went too and froe upon the ice as vpon firm land more than three hundreth dayes. King Lothary was sent by his Father into Italy to set things in order. unwonted prodigies did terrify mens minds. At Aquisgrane the Princes house trembled, in Frizatium a Lordship of Saxony there were 23. villages burned with lightning. Lightning fell from heaven in a quiet calm weather otherwise than it was wont. Houses were strike with lightning, and men and beasts were slain: it hailed stones about the returning of the summer. In summer in burgundy a piece of ye fifteen foot long, 7. foot broad, and two foot thick, fell from the Element. In the territory of Tullium, at a manor house called Commerciacum a girl of twelve yeres old, after that she had received the holy communion of the priest at Easter, abstayned first 12. monthes from bread, afterward for three yeres from all meate and drink, and afterward she did as before. Lothary was crwoned Emperour by pope paschal. At Franckeforde there were held assemblies, at the which Lewis king of france and Miligast& Celeadrogus kings of the Wilzeans were also present. When paschal the Bishop of the Romish church occupied the Sea, there was a great earthquake in his last year: many farm houses and other houses also were burned from heaven, men and beasts were killed with the stroke of lightning, corn was spoyled with hail, and among it stones of a huge weight fell down,& there followed the prodigies, an exceeding great pestilence of men. When Popileus king of Polande infamous of life and manners, didde oftentimes wish in his life to be devoured of rats, at last Mice set upon him, making good cheer, well tippled, crowned with garlands, smered with sweet ointments, and overcome with surfet& excess: which rats came from the dead carcases of his Vncles by the Fathers side, which he and the queen his Wife had poisoned. For rats of a huge greatness being come forth leaped vpon the feasting tyrant, and his wife and sons, and bit them cruelly, his guard could not drive them away, because when men were weary, the rats continued day and night without any weariness. Burning fires were made, and Popileus his Wife and sons were placed amidst them, but for all that the rats passing through the fire ceased not to gnaw the Manqueller. At last they went to an other Element. Popileus murderer of his Fathers brother; was with the rest carried to a deep standing water, notwithstanding the rats continually followed them and made holes in the Vessels, in so much that the water entering in, they were in danger of drowning, wherefore the mariners fearing to be drowned, brought the vessel to shore, when an other company of rats meeting them, and joining with the former, did more grievously annoy them. When this was seen, the defenders knowing it to be Gods vengeance, fled all away, and Popileus having none to defend him, got him to a high tower in Crusuieza, where the mice with a swift course ascending, destroyed& devoured the two boyes, the wife,& the wicked Popileus. behold there is no power or counsel against the Lord, small creatures and weak Rats didde miserable consume Popileus even as Lice which are worms less than Rats, brought Arnolphus the Emperor even to his death, eating up his flesh and entrails, the physicians nothing profiting, in leaving only his gristles and bones. hail of a wonderful greatness falling in france slue much cat-tail& many men. The year following Pope Eugenius the second of that name died, when only he had ruled the Romish church 40. dayes, in whose room gregory the fourth succeeded. In Vascouia it rained corn, like unto wheat, but the grains were shorter, in other places great heaps of wheat, and of all kind of grain were found in the fields, which if cattle tasted, by and by they died: flower was made therof, but it vanished away in the hand. In the night season there were heard voices of folkes laughing and playing, and confused noises: there was besides continual showers in a place otherwise marshie, therfore what earth soever was cast out in the day time, in the night the ground falling in again sunk down. The Italian army of Lewis the Emperour was conveyed into Affrike by Sea, who joining in battle with the africans slue a great number of them. An Earthquake shaked Aquisgrane, In the which year some writ, that the conspiracy of the Emperours sons and the Nobles began against their Father: the saracens coming from Affrike into Italy, spoiled the Vatican at Rome. The 19 year of Lewis the Emperor the sun and the moon were eclipsed. And the same year Lewis the emperour was forsaken and betrayed by his own company and brought under his sons power. wherefore at the bidding of the bishops he laid his weapons aside, and was shut into a monastery to do penance, but the year following he being loosed again, taking weapons in hand and the empire, compelled his son Lotharie to return into Italy. At Turin in france, a tree 40. foot hye and ●4. foot thick removed of it self to an other place. In Saxony for certain miles, the earth swelled up like a bulwark or mount. The earth shooke grievously with which trembling, manor houses and country building were burned with fire from heaven. Stones mixed with hail were thought to fall from heaven. The last year which went before the spoil of Italy, a monstrous hail fell suddenly from heaven in france before the returning of the sun in summer, in which hail a lump of frozen ice was found 12 foot long, 6 foot broad, and ● foot thick, but some men thought that these strange sights did not so much portend the destruction of Maura, as the ungodly deed of Lothary, who taking his Father Lewis by craft, bound him like an enemy, neither could he allege any other excuse for his wicked act, than that Charles who afterward was surnamed the Bald, was presented before him in honour. When Lewis the Emperour ruled, a Comet appeared in the sign of Libra: the Normanes spoyled the island Walachia and required Tribute. The 25. year of Lewis the Emperor, a Comet appeared in the sign of Aries& for certain days very many sparks of fire like stars were seen to run up and down in the Element, and the same year Lewis the Emperor was reconciled to his son Lothary coming to him under safeconduit, who received of his Father the dignity of the empire, and the crown of the kingdom. There was an Eclipse of the sun the 4. day of the nones of May, at 9 of the clock,& the same year Lewis the Emperor died. The eleventh of the kalends of june, there arose a hot war between the bretheren, touching the division of the kingdom. Drusco king of the picts was by Knedus vanquished and slain, and the kingdom of the Picts turned to the Scots. At Witzburge the head of ancient france the earth trembled twenty times: Men, beast,& the fields were sore amnoyed with hail, whyrlewindes, and strange unseasonable weather. The Temple of Saint Elian was blasted with sudden lightning the first of the Nones of june, the fire compassing the Timberworke by little and little consumed the whole. Lothary the son of Lewis when he was chosen Emperour of the romans, was overcome by his brothers, who also aspired to the empire. The second year of the Emperour Lotharie there appeared a Comet in the sign of Aquarius, and the same year three Brothers being at variance about the loss of the kingdom, a field was fought in the Lordship of Antisiodore, at the manoure house called Fontanedum, where so great a slaughter was made on both sides, that no age can remember that so great a slaughter was made of the frenchmen, for their force at that time was so abated, that they were compelled to defend their borders from foreigners. They report at this time that there were seen two Circles about the sun in the city of Paderburne, of the which the innermost did contain the greatness of the Church, the uttermost the breadth of the city. They were not scarcely vanished away, but there arose a great fire, and well near all the city with the Church was miserable burned, and the noon day was turned into night. The Normans spoyled flanders and many other places: so grievous a famine wasted Germany, that the Parentes devoured their own children to kill their hunger. About the end of the Empire of Lothary who was duke of Saxony, a certain woman brought forth a monstrous birth, to wit, in the shape of a man and a dog, having their bodies perfitly joined together, the back being firmly fastened to the back. Immediately the Emperours death ensued. The fifteenth year of the empire of Lothary there was a huge earthquake, the air was strangely distempered, whyrlwinds, hail, tempest, and great lightning fel from heaven on diuers countries, to the great discommodity of al men, certain men also were consumed with lightning, their Garments notwithstanding being untouched: and this year the Emperour dividing his kingdom between his sons, renounced the world& became a monk, and Lewis his son being before anointed king by Pope Sergius began to rule. At Treuere in the high church and the Cathedrall place of the Bishop a dog was seen thrice in his seat, which suddenly vanished away. At Mogunce the first day of Ianuarie was a great earthquake, which overthrew the Temple of Saint urban, and the walls of the city in diuers places. The 2. year of Lewis Emperor of the romans, at Colone the 17. of the kalends of October, when at the rising of a tempest the people fled to the cathedrall Church of S Peter, suddenly a lightning like to a fiery dragon, cloue& pierced the church, and destroyed 3. men in sundry places with one stroke, and also left six other half dead with the same violence. This year a devill miserable afflicted the city of Mogunce for three yeares: this revolt and runagate spirit didde many miracles, he shewed many juggling tricks, and greatly amnoyed the inhabitants: first being an idle Ghost he was seen of no man, but cast stones at men, and knocked at their doors: afterward that pestilent and wicked angel lurking under the shape of a man, gave answers, bewrayed thefts, and being accused he defamed every body, he raised up discord and privy hatred, by little and little he kindled and set on fire Garners and cottages: but he happened to be more troublesone to one, than to others, he was always by his side wheresoever he went, and burned his house, and to the end that he might stir up all his neighbours to kill the innocent, the wicked forger of lies auaunted that this place was infamous, and accursed for his wickedness, the man was driven to abide abroad, for he was forced to leave his house, as though he had been detested of all the night walking spirites, and to the end that he might satisfy the Neighbors, he carried a hot iron in his hands, wherewith for as much as he was not hurt, he proved himself guiltless: yet notwithstanding that same foul and wicked Goblin or devill burned in the fields his corn being laid in shockes,& when he daily more& more proceeded to be spiteful, the men of the country were driven to open the matter to the bishop of Mogunce, priestes being sent, purged and cleansed the fields and ferme houses with holy and solemn prayers: at first he held in his wicked and troublesone mind, and wounded certain with stones, but being charmed with divine charms,& coniured with effectual supplications, at length held his peace,& was seen no where. When the priests were gon, an other pestilent spirit came again, saying, whilst these shaueling priestes were murmuring I know not what, I lurked under a priestes surplice, naming him, who through my persuasion the last night had to do with his hosts daughter: and when he had told this, in making a great howling, the idle Ghost departed out of those quarters,& left the places being thoroughly purged,& vanished away into the thin air. That year the french sent for Lewis king of Germany to come home into france by reason of Charles cruelty, who being overcome by Charles returned back with great shane. The winter was long and sharp contrary to his custom, there fel bloody snow, the gulphe of the Sea Adriatik where Venice standeth was frozen,& the merchants went too and fro from the main land to the city with Slides, Horses and wanes laden with wears. This year Lotarie falling into adultery was miserable punished by the Pope. There was a great earthquake, and a comet was seen: king Lothary the brother of Lewis the Emperour dyed, and Charles king of france invaded his kingdom. Michel Emperour of the Greekes falling mad, slue his friends. At this time hail and lightning happening oftener than they were wont, made many afraid, which destroyed corn, men& beasts. S. Peters Church at Wo●mes was burned with lightning, the walls were made flat to the ground. The thyrde day of the nones of December at one a clock the earth shooke. The computation is referred to the variety of Authors, or else it must be another Lotharye. Whilst Lothary King of France made hast to go to Rome to Pope Adrian to reconcile himself unto him, after a counterfeit confession he and his were admitted to the holy communion, but the same year all they which received the Eucharist with him rashly, and with a false mind, died miserable,& Lothary also died at Placentia in his returning. The 4. of the Ides of August, clouds in the air like armies encountered together with brandishing spears on fire. grasshoppers almost over al france feeding on the corn& shrubs, brought those people to miserable famine: war was made by Lewes Germanicus against the slavonians with a diverse event. The nintenth year of Lewes the Emperour at Brixia in Italy blood is said to haue rained from heaven three dayes and three nights. Innumerable grasshoppers again greater than the other spoyled France, having as it were hard scaled coverings over their wings, six feet, and two teeth, harder than a ston, flying in companies as men embattelled, sending their Captaines with a few, one days journey before, to a place called M●●e●, as who would say, give place to the multitude that is coming. About nine a clock they coming to the place provided, and there looking for the Suns rising, for the space of one day they covered the air, darkening the very sun beams: they spoyled all the greenness in herbs and trees, occupying the space of four or five miles every day: they coming as far as the narrow Britanish or English seas with 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 rottenness and corrupt smell. An extreme famine ensuing, caused many to die through hunger, that almost the third parte of men was consumed in france The year solowing the winter was sharper and longer than it was wont: there was snow and frost from first the day of november, until the day& night were of one length in the spring. So at the beginning of summer this year, in germany grasshoppers greater than the ordinary, as big as a mans thumb, coming from the East to seek foreign soode, flew towards the west, with so great a noise of their wings, that they were thought to be other birds, and shadowed the Sun for the space of five miles. The people beheld them, and were afraid least they should cover their ground. They overshadowed their harvest with a dreadful cloud, burning many things with their touching, gnawing al things with their biting, the barks of trees also, and the gates and doors of houses. It is left in writing, that they eat in one day the growth of ●5●. Acres: they went in one day twenty miles through the air, set in order, and as it were in battle array, they lighting vpon the Earth, made their settling as if it had been tentes, the Captaines with a few went before the army one days journey, as it were to get fit places for them to light on: the same hour in the which the day before the sorerunners came, the next day after all the host was present before the suins rising, they removed not from the place where they lighted: again when the sun was up they joined together in companies. Varro writeth, that in afric grasshoppers by sitting on houses bare down a city, such was the multitude that they haue past over long seas, continuing their flight many dayes. The people of germany for fear of want, was driven to fly for remedy at Gods hands, this same year, there was an extreme hunger through al germany and italy. The Normans requiring Tribute from the kingdom of Lewes King of germany were most grieuouslye slain and overcome by his army. There appeared a Comet redder than the ordinary, and there happened a sudden and an exceeding overflowing of water in many places: this year a very cruel plague killed many men, scarcely the third part of the people survived that cruel pestilence. There was a sudden overflowing by rain, at a village called Aschopruna in the Lordship of Nita, the fifth of the Nones of july late in the night, it overwhelmed beasts and cattle, it drowned 88. persons in their bed men, women and children, it overthrew houses, garners, storehouses, trees by the roots, and Churches, so that not one footestep appeared therof: the carcases of the deade being carried with the rain water were found vpon the borders of another Lordship. This year was a cruel murrain among cattle, chiefly about rhine where in the territory of worms not far from Ingelheim, in the Lordship of Walshun, al the dogs of the country assembled together, as it oftentimes cometh to pass, to eat carrion. Afterward, in one day, they went away together in one company out of those quarters, no man knew whether a live or deade, neither could they find afterward the step of any. Charles the bald, falling sick at Mantua died by taking poison of his physician Zedechias a jew, and his son Lewes surnamed Balbus the second reigned. The Sun at nine a clock of the day was so darkened that the Stars appeared soon in the sky. Lewes king of France dyed the same year, who was surnamed Balbus,& left his wife great with child, whereof in the kingdom of france arose most grievous dissensions. In a wood of france called Carbonaria were slain more than 9000. Normans. The third of the Calends of Ianuarie, the Earth shoke at Mogunce,& afterward the fifteenth Calends of February. This year a blazing Star was seen. Immediately the Normans joining with the Danes committed miserable murder almost over al france. In the month of may there appeared a Comet. Immediately the Hungarians oftentimes made inroads into germany and spoyled it. this Comet as many judged, signified the loss of king Lewes eyes the son of Boson, which immediately followed, for Berengarius Emperor of Italy put out his eyes at Verona. There were seen fiery Torches in the air, and stars glisteryng and running too and fro in the air, whereupon not long after the Hungarians entering italy with an army, gave and took many a deadelye blow, and the Comet appeared redder than before, and there followed many exceeding great floods chiefly in saxony. Hatto bishop of Mogunce by whose deceit in time past Adelbertus dyed, when by the persuasion of conrad the Emperour he went about to kill henry Duke of saxony, three dayes after being deprived of his purpose was slain by a stroke of lightning. The Winter was not only strangely but wonderfully cold. Rodolph Duke of burgundy died, leaving three sons. lo the sixth of that name was chosen Pope of Rome, who only sat in his popedom seven months and fifteen dayes. The sixteenth of the kalends of march in the morning about cocks crow, until the break of day, there were seen over all the face of the element bloody armies, in a certain country of france, and the month following the huns began to spoil France, burgundy, and Aquitaine. At the beginning of the popedom of John the eleventh, a fountain of blood ran abundantly at Genoa, which prodigies did truly foreshow that miserable calamity which shortly after ensued, for the saracens coming out of afric with a great navy, did with great trouble and dissembling invade Italy. They besieged and took Genoae, they slew at the first entry the defenders: they cruelly cut many mens throats,& drew them out of the Churches and corners, they did put maidens, matrons,& young boyes a shipborde, and carried them into afric. Ther be some which writ, that the men children returned afterward into their country, but they show not by what chance. At the same time the Hungarians, as Platina writeth, were spoyled of their Italian pray by the Marsi and thereupon was every one slain. When lo sate the 117. Pope of Rome, the left hand of a certain man that was cut off, was restored to him in his sleep, almost a year after, upon which foretoken of a miracle, as it were a bloody line was marked about the joint. The sun was darkened in fair weather, but it sent forth as it were bloody beams, through the house windows. King henry died the same year, after whom his son Otho ruled. The sun again for certain dayes appeared as if it bled, and immediately there followed sudden diseases of many men, and strange kindes of sicknesses. Berengarius the fourth, with Albert his son, invaded the tyranny in italy. There appeared Comets for fourteen nights, about Constance a city of the vpper germany, and immediately ensued a murrain among cattle: the war of the Hungarians with the Baywarians began, wherein the Hungarians were overcome. Pope lo the seventh dyed, after whom succeeded Stephen the eight. Hugh king of Italy by the help of the Emperor of Rome vanquished the saracens and burned the navy. King Otho besieged Brisac and spoyled Alsacia. There happened a great Earthquake the sixteenth Calends of may. Otho the great entred france, and immediately Bertolphus, Duke of the Bayoarians dyed. Abderam king of the saracens was in Spain overcome by Ramirus in the field. In Italy a Comet of a wonderful greatness appeared, portending the famine which ensued. In Italy also a ston of marvelous greatness, being cast from heaven in a thunder and a troublesone tempest, caused the beholders to wonder exceedingly: the same year in many places Churches were shaken with a strong tempest. Priestes of both orders were killed with lightning, and very many strange sights horrible to be spoken were shewed. When there was very great ado in Italy, for the diverse 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 star from heaven, with a vehement deal of rain, and the sign of a bloody cross appeared on the sudden upon many mens garments, which strange shows of things were interpnted to portend some notable calamity to the clergy. John the wickedest of all the Bishops which were at that time, dyed the ninth year of his popedom, other add four yeares and ten months more. Benedictus which was chosen in his place, was cast out of his Apolike Sea. Otho being angry with the Romaines, would not hear the ambassadors which were sent from the city to desire forgiveness, but began to spoil all places about the city like an enemy, with the which terror the city being subdued, restored lo, and Otho made the Citizens swear, that they should change none of those things which the Emperor had appointed in the Popes affairs. Benedictus after he had been Pope six months, was disgraded, whom Otho afterward carried away with him into germany, least being left at Rome, he might be cause of some commotion. lo the eight of that name, who by the means of Otho was created Pope, and was cast out of the faction of John the 1●. was restored in the Empire of the same Otho and dyed the first year of his Popedom, wherein this was notable, that in restoring him, the law of making the Pope went from the people and the clergy to the Emperour. There happened an earthquake, and a Comet appeared. The year following king Lotharie the brother of Lewes dyed, and Charles king of france invaded his kingdom. Crosses appeared on mens garments, some were foul like leprosy. this year there was a great famine in the world, and Hatto surnamed Bunosus bishop of Mogunce, who before was Abbot of Fulda, seeing poor men oppressed with great hunger, assembled very many in a barn and burned them: for he said that they did not differ much from mice, which eat up corn,& are profitable for nothing. But God suffered not such great tyranny unrevenged, for he commanded the mice to invade him by companies and day and night to afflict him, and they made hast to devour him, but he flying to a certain tower, which stood in the midst of the rhine( this is called the Rats tower having this name of the like event) thinking that he should be safe in the midst of the rhine, from the biting of the Rats, which for al that did not avail him. For innumerable rats came swimming through the Rhen● to execute gods just iudgement, which the wretch acknowledging, at length died among the rats. Some do writ that the mice also defaced his name vpon the walls, and did gnaw it out of the adultery. Authors do varie, in the year that this was done, but we find in the Chronicles of the monastery of Fulda and of the Archbishoppes of Mogunce, that this happened, whilst he was bishop of Mogunce the eleventh month of William duke of Saxony, in the year from our salvation, restored us through christ. 969. in the which year by this troublings of Rats and Mice, he dyed and was buried in Saint Albons Church. The sun was eclipsed the eleventh of the kalends of December, and the year following, a certain token of a fiery colour appeared in the element, Otto overcame the greeks in Calabria and made them tributary. Otho the younger drove the saracens out of italy. The 2. year of the Emperor Otho the 2. there was great frost from the first day of november, until March, then there appeared a Comet at the village called Rhegium which is called Calua, the same year king Edgar ended his life. The sixth year of the Emperour fredrick the second of that name, arms of fire were seen in the Element for a whole night the fifth of the kalends of november, wherefore immediately the Emperour went about to bring to the Empire of Rome Apulia, and Calabria provinces of Italy depending vpon the law of the greeks kingdom, chiefly by reason of the affinity which he had with the Emperour of the greeks, by his wife Theophania. The greeks being wrath with Otho, because he had invaded their provinces, getting them an aid of the saracens, encountered with the Emperour in battle at Calabria, wherein almost al the army of the romans was quiter destroyed. The Emperour desirous to escape by swimming, was taken of the Mariners unknown, and was delivered by a friend of his called Sclauo. At this time a Comet appeared, after which ensued famine, pestilence and Earthquake, the which Earthquake shoke Beneuentum and Capua. Otho the Emperour fainting through weariness and grief of mind, dyed at Rome, and the nobles were at variance about the choosing of the Emperour, yet at last, Otho the third his son was chosen. The sixth year of the Emperour Otho the third of that name, ther was often overflowing of diuers riuers: the summer after was extreme hot, whereupon the corn was partched up, and a great famine ensued. Too much snow fel down. In Albania it rained corn from heaven, some also reported that it rained little fishes from heaven in saxony. The vandals set twice vpon saxony. But the year following Duke Charles taking rheims, took the Archbishop, And Laudunum was brought in subiection. whom king Hugh installed, and certain nobles, and the year following he died, after whom his son Otho succeeded in the Dukedom of Lorainge. Fire rose out of the river of rhine, and burned the manor places that were nere thereto, the same year Theophania the Empresse and Charles Duke of lorraine dyed, and Otho the son of Charles succeeded him. The year following at rheims a Si●ode was assembled, and the emperor Otho the third did besiege Brandburge. Widerolphus Bishop of Stausbourgh whom notwithstanding others call Wilderoldus, when he had succeeded Baldus in the bishopric, the seuententh year of his bishopric,( for they err that writ him to haue ruled only .ij. yeres) after he had consecrated or hallowed the monastery of Zelizi standing vpon the river of Ri●e, by Gods secret counsel and judgement was the xij. day of july devoured by Rats,( even as Hatto the Archbishop of Mogunce was) and was butted in the monastery of Ebershminster, which he loved exceeding well, and very bountifullye enriched: that year Otho the third entering Italy besieged Rome, and worthily punished Crescentius and the seditious persons. The sixteenth year of Otho the third, were many prodigies seen, for there happened an exceeding great Earthquake. A Comet appeared the nineteenth of the Calends of Ianuarie. about nine a clock the element opening, a burning Torch did shine vpon the Earth with a long train like a brightness, in so much that not only they which were in the fields, but also they which were within the doors were strike with that so great a shining as with lightning breaking in. In the which opening of the element vanishing by little and little, there was seen as it were the form of a serpent having his head increasing, with blew feet. The year following Crescens a Senators son of Rome put gregory the third out of his popedom, a Saxon born and the Emperors kinsman, and for money bestowed upon diverse, he procured John Bishop of Placentia in despighte of the Emperor to be made Pope. Which when Otho the Emperour understood, he entred Italy with a great army, and making hast to the city, met in the field with Crescentius, whom he overcame, took prisoner, and after long vexation he caused him to be hanged before the city, and put out Iohns eyes that was unlawfully made Pope. There is a matter to be marveled at, that at Rome in the church of Lateran where the tomb of silvester the second Pope of Rome doth stand, that tomb through the dashing of the bones together, and by sweeting, is said always to haue foretold the death of the Popes, ever sithence that he in time past was put in it. How this silvester the second by the divels means got the popedom read the Historiographers. About this time the plague was so grievous that more were accounted deade than alive, which calamity a fountain of most wholesome Water turned into blood at that time did declare in Lorraine. Pope silvester dyed whom John the nintéenth succeeded. The third year of the Emperour henry the second, the first of October, a Comet horrible to behold, and casting out flames on every side was seen in the south parte. When Duke Otho was dead, the dukedom of Lorraine was given to earl Godfrey the son of Godfrey. A great famine vexed not only al Europe but well near al the world. The war which was called Bellum Sacrum ensued. this most unlucky war lasted for many yeares, and was made to the great loss of all christendom. Almost al the nations of the world were by the ears among themselves. There were slain on both sides, kings, Princes, Dukes, and men innumerable, much blood was spilled. The cardinal Benedictus de Acolitis describeth this war. The seventh year of henry the second the son was eclipsed the ij. hour of the day. The Turkes took jerusalem. The Hungarians were turned to Christian religion. In the Lordship called Bruhesar at a manner house termed Alfrid a fountain ran blood for 25. dayes and infected the brook running thereby in the sight of all men. The same year Guillerius King of england dyed, likewise Pope Sergius the fourth whom Benedictus the eight succeeded. When Pascal was Pope of Rome the river Trena for a whole day ran not a mile, but as though he had turned his course an other way did so leave that part of the channel for the space of four and twenty houres, that men went too and fro vpon the dry sand, but afterward it began to run again as it did before. Likewise a sow farrowing brought forth a big with a mans face, a cock with four feet was hatched. There followed in England and Ireland great commotions, and in normandy fields were fought in diverse places. The ninthe year of the emperor henry the second in Lorraine by the hill Castrilocum a little spring of very wholesome Water turned to blood. The moon appeared bloody, and the earth did shake prodigiously. A burning torch like a Tower was seen to burn with a great noise in the Element. The Sea overflowed further than ordinary, and drowned certain cities, with a great destruction of men. famine and Pestilence afterward ensued, and such a number of men dyed, that almost more dyed than were left alive. At that time Stephen king of Pannonia by the counsel and persuasion of his wife Scylla embraced the faith of Christ. The saracens spoiling al Palestine, jerusalem was by and by taken. The tenth year of the emperor henry the second, in a certain parish of saxony one Othoperdus leading a dance in a churchyard with eighteen of his companions. 15 men and three women and offending godly ears with filthy songs, was cursed by a certain priest, and danced and soong without ceasing, with his company, for a whole year: no rain fel vpon thē, neither did could, heat, hunger thirst, or weariness annoy them: their apparel and shoes were not worn out, and they sunk into the ground, first to the knees, afterward to the thighs. The year being ended, a Priests daughter with two others by and by dyed: all the rest slept continually for three nights, some of which afterward dyed, but the residue gave witness of this matter with the trembling of their lims. Othoperdus himself left this written, who was one of them. Vincentius in his nineteenth book Chapter tenth, out of Guilarin. Aunto. Tome second Chapter fourth, book 19. The same year Bleslaus made war with the Saxons and Sweno King of denmark invaded England. He subdued Northumberland and Mersia. About England the Ocean Sea without any cause known, grew wonderfully, not long after the island was brought into the subiection of the Danes. Many men were slain with marvelous hail and Lightning. When Ethelred King of england was deade, edmund took the government of the kingdom. The fifteenth year of the Emperour henry the second, a Comet more wonderful than ordinary appeared for four moneths, like a great beam. The Emperour again lead his army against the Polanders. A Sow farrowed a big, having the shape of a mans face, there ensued a pestilent year. Geroslaus Duke of Russia lastly set vpon Poland, who being vanquished by Boeslanus returned home with a great slaughter of his men. In the Emperour henry the seconds time, was found at Rome, the body of Pallas the Giant unconsumed, whereon was found a wound of four foot and a half: his body passed in height the walls of Rome at the head of so strange a carcase was found a lamp burning, that might not be quenched with wind, neither with moisture: on his tomb were written in English thus: Pallas Euanders son, whom with spear Turnus overcome, that Knight did to death, lieth buried here. Wilhelde Regibus, the Author of Policronicon, Ranulph Higden, monk of Chester, in his sixth book, Chapter. 21. At the writing of this strange wonder, I imagined that the most part of men in this our feeble age would give small credite. Notwithstanding I haue thought good to set down among my strange reports that I haue found written long ago, with such likelihood from the verity, as may peradventure stay the rash iudgement of many, to credite at their choice. In the first book of the Kings and seauentéenth, is written of one Golliah a Philistian of the hight of six Cubits and a hand breadth: I would be certified by which of the Cubits he was measured, it seemeth to me that all measures haue proceeded from the hebrews to the Grecians, to the latins, &c. among al nations until this day. If so then it may be granted the Hebrew measure to be the first, then do I find, every Hebrew Cubit to contain nine foot, which six Cubits amounteth too, after our measure of eighteen inches, which is a foot and a half, to the full length of eighteen shepherds, that maketh goliath his hight. 54. foot, beside the hand breadth. In the same Chapter is also set forth his harness, as his shirt of Male called a Habergeon, that weighed 5000. Cycles, which is 2500. ounces, the Iron of his spear, 600. Cycles, 300. ounces, beside his helmet: his Bootes of brass. If then the weight of a shirte of Male was 208. pound weight and more, the shaft of his spear as big as a weavers cloth beam, whose compass is 28. or 30. inches, keeping proportion, after Al●: Durerius, of measures, framing a hand to hold such a staff,& thereto a proportionable body, these things considered. I refer iudgement to the well disposed, yet notwithstanding for the further trial, to my great cost, I haue to show the bones of men of such strange greatness, and teeth, some found in this Ile, others from other countries, that when this published may not receive credite, if the written verity be disliked, my Monuments then look for small acception. Also in the testament of Iuda, our father jacob slay the Giant Beelisa king of al kings, who was mighty and huge, of stature. 12. cubits: it is said also the he slay the Giant anchor with a ston of 60. pound weight: first his horse & after the Giant, with another ston of three talents, supposed 600. weight from of a wall, being pursued of the Giant. 1. Reg. 17. Iudas religion. Pal. Thess. 5. After Iuda said the God of my fathers, being merciful, and full of compassion, knew that I sinned through ignorance, for the Prince of error had beguiled me,& I overthrew myself as a fleshly man, and being corrupted with sin, knew not mine infirmity, but thought myself to be invincible. Know ye therfore my sons, that two spirits do await vpon a man, that is to wit, the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. And in the midst between them is set the spirit of understanding of the mind, whose property is to incline which way it listeth &c. authors G. Alle● B. of Exce second book, Chap. 8. Folio. 11●. Rob. Grosted. B of Lin. Art. Gol. in his third book Chapter. 20. The great Hercules of Libia was said to haue three rows of teeth, in the city of Tigena. At such time as Sartorius was Captain of the roman army in the country, there was a grave opened, and the bones measured were in length 70. cubits after the latins, Antonius Sabellicus in his Aeneades. The ●6. year of the Empire of henry the second, in Frizeland whilst Theodoricus the earl son of Arnulphus of Gaunt subdued the Frizelanders for the revengement of his father which was slain of them, the Emperor sent Duke Godfrey to subdue him. There was heard a voice in the conflict, no man knoweth from whence it came, which cried often( fugite fugite, fly fly) whereupon when al fled away, the host was chased by a few Frizelanders. There happened a great Earthquake the fourth Ides of May, the same year at the Popish Feria sexta Herebertus Archbishop of Colone dyed, whom Pilagrinus succeeded, Rodolphus king of burgundy, moved with the pride of the Burgonians, was in mind to give the kingdom of Burgony to the Emperour henry, but being overcome with the feigned good will of the Burgonians, was wythdrawen from his purpose, The twentieth year of the Emperour henry the second, when at Aquisgran● there was held for certain dayes a general synod, suddenly there was such a drought and unseasonable weather, that many fainted& dyed through too much heat, many beasts also suddenly pearished. The pavements and Marble pillars did sweat so much that on every side water ran down wonderfully. The sun was eclipsed the thyrde of the kalends of January at six of the clock, conrad Emperour of the Romaines, set vpon the Western france, who drove out from thence Odon Duke of Campania that had invaded that kingdom. Pope John the twentieth dyed, whom bennet the ninth succeeded. The 15. year of the Emperor conrad the 2. there was seen in the Element between the south and the east quarter a fiery beam, of a wonderful greatness, which running by the sun now going down, seemed to fall vpon the Earth, the signs whereof might be seen a long time: and the same year the Emperor conrad making speed with a great army subdued those that thought to rebel, he cast certain bishops into prison, and when the Bishop of Milane had scaped away by flight, the Emperour caused the suburbs of Milane to be burned. Kuonegundis the Empresse the fifth of the Nones of March, and Herman Duke of Swedon, son of the Empresse Gilela died. And Peter the nephew of Stephen by his sister a cruel man, was made king of hungary. When conrad the Emperour came into Italy to subdue those that thought to rebel, vpon whitsunday there was such grievous thunder and lightning that some fell mad and some dyed. The sun was eclipsed the cleauenth of the kalends of September, and the same year the Dukes conrad and Albero dyed. Likewise Reginbaldus Bishop of Spire. The third year of the Emperour henry the third, whilst Benedictus the ninth sat in the Sea of Rome, in the Lordship of Brachaten by Torney, a multitude of Snakes meeting together fought a venomous battle: many being slain on both sides, the parte vanquished flying away hid themselves in a hollow tree, but the other part following in manner of conquerors, made a noise about them with hissing, until that men burned them all, laying fire round about. The same year Peter king of hungary was banished of his people, for which thing the Boemians were subdued by the Emperour: the year following henry king of france dyed. Vincentius. But Sigisbertus Gemblacensis doth refer this to the year of Christ. 1059. The fourth year of the Emperour henry the third, a Comet appeared having long and flaming hairs, which when Elmerus Elmerus a very holy man at that time saw, he is reported to haue said, thou art come to bewail for many matyrdomes, it is not long sithence I saw thee, but now I behold thee much more terrible, threatening destruction to this country. henry the Emperor entering into hungary overthrew two very populous Cities, he subdued many unto him,& restored the king. The Empresse Gisela died the sixteenth of the Calends of March, and was butted at Spire. Peter king of hungary was by his people deprived of his kingdom,& again the Emperour restored him to the king in displacing abbess. The fifth year of the Emperour henry the third, in the borders of Normandy and britain, ther was a strange sight seen, in one, or rather in two women, there were ij. heads, four arms, al the rest was twin unto the navel, and beneath al was ungle, it did eat, laugh, speak, it wept,& hungered together: the one kept silence: it did eat with both mouths, but it disburdened at one fundamente: when the one was deade the other survived almost three yeres, carrying the deade one until she fainted with the burden and the stink of the carcase. It was thought also of some, and left in writing, that in this same Monster was set before mens eyes the figure of England and normandy, which Countreys although they were asunder, yet were they under one soueraigntye, of which interpretation more at large red Vincent in his six and twentieth book Chapter 38. out of Guilerinus, but matthew Palmerius hath referred this to the year of christ. 1061. Pope Nicholas the second dyed, after whom succeeded Alexander the second: the year following there was a great famine and lamentable Pestilence throughout the world. When henry the third of that name was Emperour of Rome, in England a certain soothsaying Witch was carried away by the devil, Nota. which being drawn after him upon his horse with a horrible cry, he carried away up into the air, the cry of which old woman was heard for certain houres almost four miles in that country. Emma the mother of Edward king of England purged herself by fire, being falsely accused of adultery, of whom rea Pollidor. The Historians writ, that it must needs be counted a monstrous thing, that Pope Benedictus the ninth was seen after his death to wander up and down in a horrible shape, having a body like a bear, a tail like an ass: he being asked why he fell into this transformation, it is said that he answered, Nota. I wander up and down in this shape, because in my popedom I lived as a beast without lawe. Nauclerus and Platina. There happened a great Earthquake about Constancia standing by the mere Accronia, the third of the Ides of October. Godfrey persecuted Duke Adelbertus that spoyled his country, and sending a multitude slue him being found with a few, and Godfrey was made Duke by the Emperour. About the end of the Empire of Henry the thyrde Emperour of the romans a Sow farrowed a pig like in form to a mans head. A hen hatched a Chicken with four legs: And a certain Gentleman in the Court of the same Emperour, whilst at a superfluous banquet he eat and drunk overmuch was an the sudden beset with innumerable Mice and rats, and being long time vexed by them, driven to fly, and afterward carried by ship to the sea, did so little avail, that at last he was devoured of the rats pursuing him to the great danger of the Mariners: Faelix Malleolus in his book of nobility Chap. 26. The same year 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 earl with an infinite multitude of Saxons were slain by the Luticians and vandals. As earl Godwing sat at the table with King Edward, the sō of Egelrade, it happened one of the cupberers to stumble, and recover again, so that he did shed none of the drink: whereat Godwine laughed and said, now one brother hath sustained the other, with which words the king calling to mind his brothers death that was slain by Godwine beholded the earl, saying, so should my brother Godwine haue holpen me, ne had Godwine been. Godwin then fearing the kings displeasure to be newly kindled, after many words in excusing himself said: so might I safely swallow this morssell of bread, as I am guiltless of the deed, but as soon as he had received the bread, forthwith he was choked. D, Cooper. Cron. Folio. 196. Stones of a marvelous greatness mixed with hail, fel from heaven, and many were killed with lightning. Pope Stephen dyed, and John without Cannons was through brides chosen in his place. conrad the Emperours son Duke of Bauaria dyed. In Poland a blazing star for certain dayes appeared, whom immediately the same year the death of Casimerus ensued. In Frizeland the Emperor henry taking certain Castles, bridled the Frizlanders from rebellion. The sixth of the Ides of february there was an Earthquake and lightning about Constantia, and immediately the plague waxed marvelous hot. Hanno Bishop of Agrippa, of Colin surnamed Agrippina, by the endeavour of certain Princes of the kingdom, took away king henry by force from his mother the Empresse with his lance and other badges of the Empire, and brought him to Colin. At Constantia at the lake or moore of Acronium, two children man and woman were born, with two heads, four arms, and four feet, having all their lims perfect, but their bodies joined about the navel. The bishop of Colin, by making a faction, took away the king by slight, and afterward governed the kingdom. A Coment long appeared at the feast of Easter throughout all the world: about fourteen nights after diverse mischiefs ensued, for the same year Wiliam earl of Normadie, killing king Herold assailed the greater britain which is now called England, and all the country being brought into subiection, and the Normans being there placed, he therein became king and governed. The year following the King of the Romaines henry the third, some call him the fourth, taking to wife Bertha the daughter of Otho of Italy, did celebrate the marriage at Triburie, which was a town not far from Fanchford, at this day a village. But Pope gregory the seventh sending often for the King excommunicated him. And as it is said Rodolph Duke of the almains was created king by the certain Princes,& when not long after he was slain in public battle, and Herman Prince of Lorraine was set in his place, he not long after was slain, by the former unfaithful friends. At Siracusia in Sicilia there happened an horrible Earthquake, which so shoke the city, that many buildings fell down, a Church also fel down at service time, and slay almost all the ment that were in it. The Hungariaus pretended rebellion against their king Salomon, the Marques Vdo took Brandenburg, from the vandals. Kanutus king of denmark invaded England. The sixth of the kalends of february two pillars of a golden colour on the right and the left hand rose with the sun, and a Raynebowe the night before was seen about the cocks crow. There was made a conspiracy of the Princes, against henry the fourth Emperour of germany. The Pope gregory the seventh did accurse such as used Simonye, and removed married Priestes from their divine office. While Harold King of denmark made war against Harquine, and that they were on both sides ready to fight, a dart was seen over their heads, to run up and down in the air, with a wonderyng and doubtful course, and seemed to search a fit place to give a wound, which miracle when al men beholded with a great wonder, and not knowing what so wonderful a thing might portend, suddenly the fall of it turned the danger( which all men suspected,) upon Harguines head alone, who was overthrown and slain by the deadelye wound of that Dart. When henry the Emperor had held at worms a counsai●e of 24. Bishops that were gathered together, not long after on palm sunday about six a clock in faire weather a star appeared. henry the Emperour did deadly hate Pope gregory the seventh called Hildebrand, he undid that he had done in the counsel held at worms, and abjured the Pope: contrariwise Hildebrand did excommunicate the Emperour: whereupon a deadly war grew between the Emperour and the Pope. The .5. year of the Emperour henry the fourth, there was an Earthquake with a grievous lowing the sixth of the kalends of April, the first hour of the night, portending perchance the great mischief that was spoken of throughout the world, concerning the Emperours war against the Pope, wherewith all Italy was spoyled on every side. moreover the same year Nicephorus, after Michael Emperour of the East was overcome, held the Empire over the greeks, with his three sons. Boleslaus being a banished man in hungary, and falling mad, was devoured of his own dogs. Monsters appeared in the Element, there was seen an host of horsemen running too and fro, whose footsteps notwithstanding by no means could be perceived. henry in the mean time, made his abode in Italy,& going again to Rome pitched his tentes where he did before, at the west gate of the castle of Saint Peter, and Rome was taken the fourth of the Nones of june. The popish Feria sexta, before the eighth of whitsuntide, at which time Pope gregory being shut up into the castle of Crescentiu● which then was commonly called the house of Theodoricus, awaited to see how the matter would fall out, but the king making his fortifycation vpon the Hill Palatine, lost many of them which he had put in garrison, by reason of the unaccustomed heat of the summer: but the same plague destroyed others also. grasshoppers spoyled Russia. Alexius deprived Nicephorus of his kingdom, and thrust him into a monastery, and he became Emperour of the greeks: the Romaines received again their Emperor henry and thrust Hildebrande out of his popedom. In England under William Conqueror king of the same country, there was so great an Earthquake that many buildings fel down on al sides, in which year after henry king of france was in arms against the English, and the country was spoyled on both sides, and the Cities and castles were taken. The 30. year of the Emperor Henry the 4. an exceeding deluge did much harm in many places, for in Italy there was so great an overflowing, that the very rocks being fret down therewith destroyed many manor places with their fall. The same year housbyrdes, as bullocks, hens, and geese. &c. withdrawing themselves from houses became al wild, of which thing also Austin book 3. of the city of God maketh mention. When gregory the 7. was dead, Victor the third succeeded in the popedom. The order of the Carthusian Friers at this time began, by the means of one Bruno of Coline. In the province of Wales called Ros, was found the Sepulchre of gavin,( who was the sisters son of Arthure king of the Britaines) being in length fourteen foot, the one and twentieth year of the reign of Will●am conqueror. If in those dayes men were of such great stature, much more greater was goliath and the Ekemimes who didde so far exceed the Children of Israell, that they seemed but as grasshoppers. The three and thirtieth year of Henry the emperor there was a great pestilence, and chiefly in the west part of Loraigne, were many being infected with saint Anthonies fire and rotting, and having their limbs eaten black like coals, there was made a great slaughter of men. William Rufus succeeded his father William in the kingdom of England, but certain byshops making a conspiracy against him, stirred up his brother Robert against him, whom notwithstanding he vanquished and put to slight, and made league with his brother. The top of the Tower at Sarisbury was quiter overthrown with the force of lightning. exceeding great swarms of strange flies flew about in many countreys. The same year in England there was so great an overflowing of water through the abundance of rain, the like whereof none could remember: immediately the winter after, Osmunde nor the Founder● but the am●●der or repayrer. riuers were so frozen, that horses, wagons and wanes might pass over them: and immediately the year following, to wit the seventh year of king William, by reason of the tribute which he had set in Normandy tillage failed, and a great famine ensued, whereunto a plague and morrain being joined, took away an infinite number of men and beasts. There was in england the 3. of the Ides of August, a huge earthquake, which made all the realm afraid with the dreadful miracle: with that earthquake huge buildings partly fell down, partly sunk: there ensued scarcity of fruits, and very slow riping of corn, that the harvest was not scarce inned at saint Andrewes tide. A fyerye dart was seen flying in the element from the South to the North, the first of August at the first hour of the night. Vratislaus King of Bohemia falling from his horse died, whom his Brother conrad succeeded. Brisitislaus Duke of Bohemia spoyled Silecia, and at this time the Englishe men had dyvers conflicts with the Scottes, Northumberlanders and Welchemen. again with a great whyrlewynde there happened also an earthquake at midnight, the fourth of the Ides of September, in many and dyvers Countreys: the day before the nones of april about the morning very many stars were seen to fall from heaven upon the earth, among which one exceeding great star fell to the earth: when one in france In france. did greatly wonder,& had poured out water vpon the place where it seemed to fall, he more marveled that smoke with a hissing noise should issue forth from thence. In the county of Namucum many tasted bread that was baked in ashes as it were stainde with blood, and the same year many were sick of the disease called S. Antonies fire, having their lims as black as coals. Vincentius but Sigibertus doth refer this to the year of christ. 1095. At the city Laudunum a certain woman guiltye of murder, and therefore also put in the fire, felt no burning at all, but the fire being spent shée remained vnhurte, of which thing the Aduersaries saying that the wood was the cause, didde interpret amiss, and again they kindling the fire about her with better wood, it nothing prevailed, wherefore the woman coming out of the fire was not only unhurt in her flesh, but also in her garments, and was carried away with rejoicing of al the people,& a few dayes after she ended her life. Sigebertus Gemblacensis describeth this history more at large. The same year was a great whyrling together of lightning in the air, and a shaking of Cities on the earth. The first day of the Ides of October, at Ibiceltumba a thunderbolt fell from heaven, which gave the side of the tower so great a blow, that it stooped to the earth wonderfully, it also cast down an exceeding great beam along the church, and the head of christ crucified hanging thereat, carved. together with the right hand and the foot: there followed and ensued an horrible stench. There were moreover exceeding great winds coming from the Southeast, the sixteenth of the kalends of november, which at London cracked& broken down more than 600. houses: the Churches were dashed against the houses, and walls against walls. A fiery dart was seen to fly in the air from the South to the North the first day of August at one a clock at midnight: that year Pope urban the second restored the decrees of Hildebrande. which before were disannulled. In france and germany a great part of the people died of the plague. At the beginning of October for 8 dayes a Comet appeared in the west, and with over great floods harvest fowing was hindered, whereupon ensued barrenness of all corn, great famine& pestilence. The same year the army of the christians entering the borders of the pagan infidels fought luckily with their enemies. Henry the Emperour returned into Germany, and at Mogunce in the assembly of the empire he entreated of peace. The 5. of the kalends of October in the night time, the Element seemed to burn in many places, and the murrain of cat-tail ensued, and the corn was corrupted with overmuch rain and blasting. At the besieging of antioch the Christians were so weakened for the want of al things, that in a great and excellent army vnneath 100 good horses could be found. The order of the Premonstratensians and immediately of the Cysterciensians was appoynted. A sect. The tenth year of William the 2. king of england there appeared a Comet the first day of October for 15. days, shooting out his greater beard towards the east, and the lesser toward the Southeast. There appeared also other stars, as it were casting out darts one against another. And that year anselm the light of england flying the darkness of errors, went to Rome( to become more blind.) Monocerote the unicorn, among strange beasts one of the rarest, bodied like the horse, short and round footed like the Elephant after the bigness, tailed like the goat, a fierce neighing, one horn in the midst of his forehead of two cubits long, blackish next the head, and towards the top graye and white. In the mountains of judea, he hath been seen among other beasts. The Indians call this Beast Cartazonon, of his greatness and courage, seldom taken, of colour much like the wild ass, the forepart more deeper coloured than the hinder parte, on the back as the read déere, read like the Weasell, and white bellied. In Mecha a city of Arabia where the Sepulchre of Mahomete is, are the horns of diuers Vnicornes kept, as jewels of singular virtue, one of the which is three cubits long. In the kingdom of Basmam, under the great Cham, are many Vnicornes, not much less than the Elephante, between either is continual enmity, so that by cruel fight as well the one as the other is slain, the victory commonly happening to the unicorn, which is called among the Hebrewes {αβγδ} Reem, which holy letters signify Vnicornem, of some interpnted to be the Rhinoceros because he hath one horn also, which standeth on the top of his Shoulders, but not on the forehead, and therefore much ouersighte hath been among Writers, to take the one for the other, being far unlike: notwithstanding many suppose there is no such beast. conrad Gesner at large allegeth sufficient proof, in the praise of Abraham, when Balak required Balaam to curse Israell, he said: GOD hath brought him out of egypt, his strength is as an unicorn Reemim {αβγδ} His beauty also is as the first born ox, and his horns as the horns of Vnicornes, with the same shall he push Nations together, even unto the ends of the world. O lord howe glorious are thy works. &c. An unwise man doth not know this, and a fool will not understand it, &c. Chalde, {αβγδ} Dischon, Itali. Alicorno or otherwise Leocorno, Galli. Licorne: Hispani. Vnicornio: Angli. unicorn, German. Einhorn. Illyrij, Gednorozech. Albertu● saith that the unicorn is of such courageous fierceness, that he feareth nothing, neither other beasts swiftness, nor their strength. The only way to subdue him is, to set a maiden virgin, as a bait, unto the which by a secret in Nature he is alured, in some such place where provision is made to take him, whom no sooner he espieth, but trotting forward on he settleth himself close by the virgin, on whose lap he layeth his head, and falling a sleep, is in the mean time prevented from returning back, and so taken. The virtue of his horn is to expulse venom forth of the stomach, by taking a grain of the powder thereof in Wine: also the horn put into Wine, and the wine presentelye drunk, cureth the fever, if a dram be taken in pure salet oil and given to any that hath surfeyted either by eating or drinking, it presently cleanseth the stomach and cureth the body: it is good against al venom. One was given to the Sultan at Mecha as a jewel of wonderful value, about the year of our lord 1100. Plinie. Albert. Gesner. book 1. Folio. 7●3. The unicorn going to the river to drink, first stirreth the water with his horn, from the which corruption of vap●●r avoideth, after whom followeth diuers sorts of beasts to drink. In the Ile Madagascar there are beasts with one horn, of two kinds, the one cloven footed called Orix or the wild ass, the other round hooued as the Horse. andrew thevet chapped. 23. Siracusa was shaken with an earthquake, wherewith the greatest Church fell down, and slue a number of people. Gulbertus and Vrbanus which strove for the popedom, by dying made an end of their contention, and paschal was taken in the place of urban the second. anselm archbishop of canterbury was banished. Baldwine succeeded his brother Godfride in the kingdom of jerusalem. Among many other prodigies they affirm that a Comet of a wonderful greatness then appeared, which immediately was seen in the west at the suins going down. Histories record, that many and great mischiefs ensued. Ericus king of denmark with his wife Boltilda being desirous to see the holy land, dyed by the way, in the island of Cyprus. Henry the first, King of england, succeeded William Rufus his brother. At this time lived Herluca a holy woman of Baeoaria in a certain college of Augustine Nunnes, fifteen mile beyond the Abbey, she being accustomend to be present at the night méetinges and secret counsels of the supernal and infernal, was wont to tell( as A●entinus the Historian recordeth) that those that were cursed, were tormented in the hottest flamme of all. A certain Priest also like unto one that were a dying, lay for three dayes in Saxony, when he came to himself again, he revealed that Hildebrande, Rodolph, and Herman the tyrants were punished in hell with everlasting torments. False Prophets, false Apostles, and false Priests, at that time sprung up, which deceived the people with a counterfeit religion: they made many signs and wonders, and began to sit in Gods temple,& to be extolled above all that which is worshipped. see more of these in the Author cited, for there were at that time most perilous times, almost like unto ours. Strange sights happening often made mens mindes afraid, the Element was seen oftentimes to burn, the sun and the moon were often eclipsed otherwise than they were wont, very many stars were seen to fall from the Element to the ground, burning torches, fiery darts, flying fire were oftentimes seen in the air, likewise new stars, swarms of Butterflies, little fiery and strange worms flew in the air, which took away the light of the sun in maner of clouds. Churches, houses, cottages, men, beasts, the fields, pulse, fruit, and corn were wasted with lightning, hail, winds and whyrlewinde: fiery battles, troops of Horsemen, bands of footmen, Cities, sword, Glaues, bloody weapons, were seen in the element, and fought together: men report that there were riuers of blood, when bread was put into the oven to be baked, a man breaking the bread by chance, found drops of running blood: and abbess doth testify, that at spire blood ran out of bread. An everlasting sign vpon the sudden claue to mens garments,( he tells not what it was) a woman going with child two yeares, brought forth a man child that spake. There were disingenuity births brought forth, both men and beasts with two heads: house foul, Pecockes, hens and goose, went from Villages, farms, Cities and houses, into woods, where they abiding became wild. It is written in the chronicles, that a wolf had eaten thirty men. Al these prodigies came to pass in the time of the Emperour Henry the fourth, all good plain, just, noble, and simplo men haue left us in writing, that the empire of Antichrist then began: the whole world was then out of frame with the storms of war: mankind was every where wrapped in the whyrlewindes of Weapons, they of the East and west fought together, all men afflicted one another with wounds. The Normanes, the french, the germans, the Saxons, the Hungarians, the Italians, the Englishe, the west Christians, were even worn out with variance among themselves and with civil war: The Greekes and the Armenians, the Turkes and the Arabians, the spaniards and the saracens, the Asians and the africans, met together with mortal ensigns. jerusalem was twice taken and twice destroyed. There were great floods, and much barrenness, dearth of corn, famine, and pestilence, men were tormented with strange diseases, with fire, with flamme, with invisible heat, and dyed without any mark of burning. The 49. year of henry the 4. the Emperour, on christmas even there was a huge Earthquake at jerusalem▪ and the same year the inhabitants of jerusalem vanquished a great number of the Infidels with a glorious victory. moreover two orbs appeared, like the sun in shape and light, giuing forth beams of all colours like the rainbow. King Henry doth persecute the Emperor his father: after two months siege he took and sacked Norenburge. The fiftieth year of Henry the fourth Emperour, the first day of the Nones of february, a Comet was seen for a day, from 3 a clock till 9. as it were a cubit distant from the sun, not long after, to wit in the first day of the Ides of february at Barum in Italy, stars were seen in the Element in the day time; sometimes as it were running together, and sometime as it were falling to the ground. The same year after the taking of Norenburge when the Emperour Henry made a licentious spoil throughout Alcatta, he was puffed up with the success thereof, for entering into the city of the Rubiaquentians,( which is my sweetest country) and then was mighty in number of citizens and armorie, whilst his guard made a more havoc in the city than it became strangers, he being ouerlayde with the Weapons of the citizens and droven to flight with his men, lost his crown, his standard with the Eagle, another standard set with red and yellow colour, and his golden Apple and sceptre, and afterward vpon peace made contrary to his faith, he spoyled and burnt the town, and left it in ashes, as Anonius( who describeth the life of henry) writeth. The Sea overflowed the banks otherwise than he was wont, 2●. paces other writ 100. paces. Fluentinus the Bishop, being moved with these prodigies, doubted not to affirm that Antichrist was born, with which preaching paschal being moved, went into Hetruria, and commoning with him at Florence vpon that matter, when it appeared that the man did lean to none other reason, than that he might seem to be the author of some great matter, only admonished him using this preaching, to leave of his rash enterprise. privy hatred began between Colomannus and Almundus being brothers: Henry the fift Emperor of Germany entering flanders against Ruber● besieged Bresburg. In the East many signs and wonders were seen in the Element. For 40. dayes and more, a black Comet was seen about the beginning of the night to draw his beard in length, and again from the sun rising until three o'clock, the sun seemed to haue on each side a sun of like greatness, but inferior in brightness. moreover a rainbow was seen about the sun set with his colours, and the same Hugh of S. Ademar fighting with the army of the Tyberiadenses& them of Damascus, was deadly hurt, and yet he died conqueror, in which conflict many were slain on both sides. Boamandus returning out of france into Apulia with a huge army, and whilst he made hast into Siria leaving behind him a son of the same name died, the army of the Turkes spoiling the country of the Edissans, sought with Tancred. When Henry the first was king of england, a Comet appeared for certain dayes in Normandy, not long after two full moons were seen, the one in the East, the other in the west. This year because Electus the Emperour hindered them that went to jerusalem, he was fought withal by Boemundus▪ with whom lest he should suffer more grief, he made league or least it might be the worse for him. henry King of england overcame in battle his Brother Robert Duke of Normandy, and subdued Normandy. The year that Philip King of france and anselm archbishop of Canterburye died, in the parish of Leedes a sow brought forth a pig having a mannes face, and in another place there was a Chicken found with 4. feet: immediately many fell sick of S. Antonies fire, having their limbs as black as coals. In the month of june a comet appeared, turning his beams to the south: many conjectured that these prodigies did portend the future expedition of King Henry towards Italy, which by and by followed, to appease the discord which was between the clergy and laity, of which thing Vincent: doth writ at large Book 27. chapped. 10. The Abbot of Vsperg Nawcherus. The city of Rotenburg by Necharum fel with an Earthquake, which afterward in the year of our Lord 1270. was again restored by Albert earl of Hohenburg. In england a double boy was born, so divided from the buttocks to the vpper partes, that he had two heads, and two whole bodies as far as the rayns, with their arms, who being christened, survived three dayes. Boleslaus King of Polande vanquished the Pomerans,& slue 40000 of them. Vdalricus Duke of Saxony dyed, for whose goods that were left, a contention arising, armed many Dukes against the Emperour. The seventh year of the Emperor Henry the fift, in the month of june the wheat, the corn and trees being burned with fire from heaven, cut away all hope of their fruit, certain woods were so dried, that they kindled with their natural heat, and there followed a grievous& long sickness among men, with the flix, and a most deadly pestilence. Henry the Emperour subdued the Saxons. Sigifridus Palatinus was now received into the Emperours favour: peace was made between the Bohemians and Polonians. When Henry the fift was Emperour, in the territory of Heminianum and Flaminium and also at Rauenna and Parma Cities of Italy, blood rained in the fields and within the walls the first day of the Ides of june. Vincentius. The same year the Venetians with a strong army sailing to Dalmatia, and robbing Sibinicum, took many Cities. In the Lordship Brachacentis about Tornei there fell such abundance of snow the ninth of the kalends of May, that it broken down Woods. In the the first of the Ides of november, in the suburbs of antioch in the night season the earth gaping swallowed up many Towers and many houses near too, with the inhabitants. And at that time Baldwine King of jerusalem together with Rogerius earl of antioch took their voyage against the Turkes. When Henry the fift Emperour of Rome fought with the Saxons at the wood Quelfica, the eleventh day of february the Castle of the Empresse Goslaria was strike with lightning, and the Emperours Target and Sword were burned. On Easter day the Element cleaving wide asunder, sent about a bright shining, which when it had lasted a whole hour, it shewed in the middle the Image of the cross of a Golden colour, and when again he was to go into Italy, to ask the diadem of the Pope, a Comet appeared six monthes, being the messenger of his calamities and dangers. That year while henry again encountered with the Saxons, he was overthrown in the field by Hogier a worthy soldier, but on the Saxons side the Bishop of Holberstade who was general dyed. The dukedom of Ostfranke was granted to the Bishop of Wirtzburg brother of the Duke of Zeadon by the Emperour conrad. The first hour of the night fiery armies appeared in the element from the North to the East, afterward they being dispersed over all the Element for the most part of the night made the beholders to marvel exceedingly. henry the emperor by reason of sedition left germany and went to abide at Rome, hereupon the affairs in germany grew to a desperate point. A counsel was healed in Rome at lateran. In the month of Ianuarie the thyrde of the Nones in certain places there happened so grievous an Earthquake that the partes of certain Cities fell with the Churches. moreover the river Mosa now called the Maze by the Abbey which is called Sustula as it were hanging in the air, was seen to leave his foundation or bottom. This year the city of Leod●um was gréeuouslye spoyled, for in the month of may the fifte of the Nones of the same whilst they said evening prayer in the great Church, suddenly a thunder with an exceeding great Earthquake overthrew all the ground, and the lightning entering in at the left side of the church, cast down on every side great pieces of mortar from the Wall, afterward entering the Tower it cleue asunder many partes of the beams, there followed an intolerable stink, in so much that with sweet smells of spices and guns it could scarcely be driven away: likewise the 7. of the Ides of june about nine a clock, a cloud of rain suddenly breaking from the mountain, which is called Roba●t● hell, didde so destroy that part of the city that lay under it, that it overthrow many houses, and spoyled great store of corn, and slue a mother embracing her two children in her arms, and eight other men. When they rung at service, whilst one was washing a boyes head, his hands became all bleedye. The first of the kalends of june also, about six a clock a most mighty whyrlewind and a darkness covered the city,& a cloud breaking out violently, did so overthrow all the covering of the great church, that it lay open for the rain, and wet the pauemente, immediately lightning entering from the part of the North, slue a certain clerk, reading in a pulpit behind the alter of the Saints Cosina and D●mi●n,& an other praying before the Crucifix: the thyrde going out of the Churches register house being nere the church in the very entrance of the church, was strooken also. It slue likewise a lay man before the door. The vij. of the Ides of july, from three a clock till nine, 4 whyrlewindes compassed the city al about, from the four quarters of heaven: a wind also thundered with great violence, and washed the city with much rain. The 3. of the Nones of August at the beginning of the night, when thunder was heard every where, and that it lightened often, the whyrlewind was so cruel at the city Leodium, that men being lifted up from the pauementes, filled the Churches with a sorrowful company, who all the night bent themselves to prayer, but earlye in the morning so great a fire did beset them with so great a flamme, that al were afraid least they should be burned from above: after this a great whyrlewinde breaking forth of the west, seemed somewhat to darken the fire, and again the fire( as it were conqueror) waxed hote again with the flamme, and again the whyrlewinde returning, it lay close for a while, and the third time the fire waxed hote again, and lastly being nevertheless overcome with the whyrlewinde, it quenched. This sight did wonderfully fear the beholders from the sun rising until three a clock. Then unaccustomed hail and ice in the month of june afflicted dyvers places of Germany. On Easter day the light of the Sun surpassed her wonted light, and a cross appeared therein. A Sow brought forth a pig in france with a mans face. A cock chick was hatched with four feet. Winter was intolerable cold, and immediately ensued famine and moraine of wild and house cattle. Innumerable birds fighting in the air fell down dead to the ground. In Italy the Earth quaked so dreadfully for forty dayes, that a certain manor house, through the vehement moving was removed to another place. At the same time Ortus Veneris a town not far from Luna a city of Hetruria was builded with much Marble by the Genowais against the Pisans, and became an under city of the Genowais. The Pisans took the islands Baleares. Boleslaus King of Polande, made war with the Pomeranes, and Baldwine the second King of jerusalem succeeded his uncle. A certain Monster was born at Namutum, to wit, a child having two heads, as well double in kind, as in other things, but single in the frame of his body. The third of the Ides of December when the stars shone at midnight in faire wether, the moon was eclipsed,& was almost a whole hour spread over with many colours, but chiefly with a bloody colour, she being in a narrow compass. The 1●. of the kalends of Ianuarie at one a clock in the night, armies of fire were seen in the element turning from the North to the East. afterward they being dispersed over all the Element, for the most part of the night, they made the beholders to wonder and marvell: And the year Pope paschal dyed, whom John chancellor of the Romish church succeeded, whom they name Gelasius. Baldwinus the second king of jerusalem died. It rained blood. One washing anothers head, found his hand embrewed with blood, the earth shooke, cities& houses were euerthrowne in the night time, they that were a sleep were shaken forth of their beds, much thunder& lightning made men afraid. At Leodium vpon the sudden, in calm wether a whyrlewind arising, slue with lightning three priestes that were at evening prayer in the church: the day before the Assention it overthrew the town walls and houses, and a pestilent stink ensued. clouds being loosed and powring down like riuers covered houses, cottages, and Beasts, with Water. bloody clouds were seen: a cross also and a man shining white was seen in the element, whereupon they believed that the destruction of the world would come. It is written in the books called Fa●t● which were calendars of holidays among the romans, that such prodigies did foreshow civil war. read the Chronicles of the Bot●ns set forth by aventinus, for those things which followed. A huge fire in the East part about the morning cast forth flames for six hours, until that a whyrlewinde coming from the west quenched it with abundance of rain. When the Christians continually failed which passed over by Sea from Europe, Baldwinus assembled many that believed in Christ from beyond jordan, which together with his, he caused to inherit jerusalem. Burdunus the popes enemy being taken at Sutria was banished by Calixtus. Baldwinus the second king of jerusalem took Gazi king of the Turkes and vanquished and took the king of Damascus. There happened many and diuers prodigies every where, the number of which cannot be remembered: among the rest this happened, that in the month after whitsuntide, a sharp frost afflicted the earth, wherewith trees and vines were wonderfully hurt. There were also seen many sights in the Sun and the moon, in the Lordship of Duleset. A boyes knee did swell exceedingly, which when it was opened there fel out grayns of wheat, barlye and oats. The Emperor Henry the fift subdued the rebellious Holanders. An exceeding famine did wonderfully afflict Poland and the countries adjoining. The Winter was sharper than it was accustomend, and over rough and cruel with heaps of snow, in so much that many through the fervent cold gave up the ghost, and in ponds fish was destroyed with ice. There ensued through the unseasonableness of the air a great plague among men, and morrayne among cat-tail. The Winter again was very sharp, and the famine was so great through the scarcity of fruits, that many perished for hunger and want. In Albania a poor Woman brought forth a Monster with two bodies, the eyes looking awayward, and body joined to the other, before stood the likeness of a man, having the whole body and Member of a man, but behind the face of a dog, having likewise the whole property of the body and limbs. In the village called Brachbant, a woman brought forth at one birth four Boys: In the parish of Geblacce whilst a certain householder mixed corn together for his scant and grinded it for his household, in the grinding the flower seemed altogether to burn, with a black stynche. That year the Emperour Henry the fourth, put from him his wife Matylda, the daughter of Henry King of england. And not long after he dyed of the disease called Dracunculus and Baldwine King of jerusalem being before taken by the saracens vpon the pain of his ransom was delivered forth of prison. An earthquake almost overthrew the city of Tyre, with a great slaughter of the people: The year following Pope Honorius the ●. died, after whom Innocentiu● the second succeeded. Mathias palm. henry the first after many troublesone disquiets by the means of anselm archbishop of canterbury and the clergy, the one for depriving of married priestes, the other for investing of Byshoppes, had on a time three terrible visions: The first was, of a great multitude of husband men of the country, which appeared to fly upon him with their mattocks and instruments, requiring of him his debt which he didde owe unto them. The second, he saw a great number of Souldiers and harnessed men so come fiercelye vpon him. In the thyrde he saw a company of Prelates and Churchmen threatening him with their Bishops staues, and fiercely approaching vpon him, whereupon( being dismayed) in all hast, he ran and took his sword to defend himself& finding there none to strike, taking pause of this vision, he revealed the same to his physician( name Grimbald) who admonished the King, by repentance, alms, and amendmente of life, to make some amends to God and to his country, whom he had offended, which three vows being made, the next year following passing the long seas into England not without some dangerous tempest, with his Daughter Maltilde, remembering his promise, he no sooner arrived, but first he released the commons of a tax called Danegylt, which his father and brother before had renewed. Secondly he went to saint Edmundes bury, where he bestowed great benefits on the Churchmen. Thyrdelye he procured Iustice to be administered more rightly throughout the realm. Polichr●●icon: Io●nalensis and Polydorus, alleged by John Fox in the acts and Monuments. The Ocian overflowed the main land, and suddenly drowned a great part of flanders, Holande, and Freezelande, in destroying a number of men and beasts. In england the earth quaked so horriblye, that buildings fell down every where: the failing of the sun and moon, which the Greekes call Eclipsis, happened at this time wonderfully. The fire breathing out in many places through the chinckes of the earth for certain dayes could be quenched neither with Water nor any other matter. There was an exceeding wind the fifte of the kalends of november, which overthrew Towers and many buildings: Henry. 1. and this year henry the first King of england ended his dayes, leaving Stephan the french, his Nephew by the Sisters side, his Successoure. The war was begun afreshe by Boeslaus with the league breaking Russus. There was so great a drought, that a greater hath not been in the memory of man, for in diuers countreys the riuers that bare Vessels were so dried, that men might go through their channels dry shod. In france also fountains and wells were quiter dried, and many on every side dyed for lack of drink only. Lotharius made his second voyage into Italy. Magnus king of Norway having his eyes put out by Harrolde, was deprived of his kingdom. We red of one name joannes de Temporibus which as affirmeth the most old histories, lived 361. yeres, seruant he had been to Char●e● the great, and in the voyage of Stephan king of england died. Policro. book 7. John Fox in the acts and Monuments. Folio 259. In Italy at a place name Tarantum now called Taranto, an old man became young again, and changed his skin as the Snake doth, who became so young, that he was not known of them with whom he had been familiar, and when he had lived after that fyftye yeares, he became so old again, that he seemed withered like the roots of trees. The like was known to be of a very truth, by the admiral of spain called Don Fadrigo, who passing in his youth through a place called La Riota, heard there of a man that was so young in show as though he had been but 15. yeares old, who notwithstanding had ouerliued all his posterity. strange sights were often seen in the Element at this time, and the crashing of civil Weapons made a thunder: false Prophets deceived the people with feigned miracles: they went about to slay the Iewes. Saint Barnard saved them, he admonished them by a heavenly Oracle, that they should abstain from them, least we should accuse God of lying, who promised that he would save the remnant of them. It rained flesh, Comets were seen, and the Element was a fire. A wolf devoured thirty men. Roger after he had set vpon the sovereignty of Calabria and Apulia, he took in the field Pope Innocent the second, and making with him peace, after a sort obtained of him to be crowned. By reason of a dissension growing between the pope and Lewis king of france the french church grew out of order,( or was troubled.) It was reckoned in place of a prodigy, that very many small worms were to be seen in many countries, flying not far from the earth, so that they might be touched with ones hand or with a stick, equal to Flies in greatness, but longer, of whom the number was so great that they occupied almost a mile in breadth, and three miles in length, and with their thickness they seemed to darken the light of the sun: by which prodigious sight, some interpnted that that voyage which 4 yeres after was made to jerusalem was figured, and there ensued an intolerable pestilence of men,& murrain of Beasts, through the corruption of the air, whereupon such living things were then brought forth, as after dying increased the vnseasonablenes of the air. It is reported also that there appeared tokens in the element,& that boules of fire were seen in diuers places, and afterward hide themselves in some other part of the element: many did interpret that they were Angelical powers which drew men to the holy voyage for the pope at the counsel of Claremont stirred up the frenchmen. Peter the Hermit a spaniard born, stirred up other nations and shewed himself to be their leader, affirming that a letter was sent to him from heaven, which exhorted nations to that voyage. When conrad King of the romans and Lewis King of france with certain Princes of france and Germany were now making their voyage to the holy land, about the evening it thundered on the side of a hill with a great tempest, and behold at midnight a water falling down with great violence, drew all things that were amid the valley, both men and beasts into the Sea, the residue went to Constantinople, afterward to the arm of saint George: and Lewis King of france directing his army to jerusalem lost a great parte of his army, and the men of King conrad perished through hunger and thirst, and the King with his stronger men returned into Greece, the other army of the same appointment passing by Sea, at the request of the King of Galitia took lisbon the chief city of portugal before inhabited by the saracens and afterward by the Christians. war arose between the Brothers Dukes of Russia, wherein Stephan the sun of Gisa king of Hungary did help Isassauus who wearied the rest of his brothers with war. Emanuel Emperour of Constantinople did treacherously handle conrad the Emperour of Germany& his company, mixing lime with flower, whereof his army miserably died, when conrad the third Emperor of the roman& Lewis king of france went into Asia with a great host, cruel prodigies were seen, by the which dyvers discommodities of the war were foretold, for vpon an evening a very thick cloud covering the pavilions, did greatly annoy them. Furthermore al the wings of the Butterflies that flue abroad, appeared so sprinkled with blood, as if it had rained blood, which the king and other Princes seeing conjectured that they were called out to very great labours,& danger of death, neither did the conjecture deceive them, for not long after, when night was near, there was heard by the mountain side a crashing of thunder,& a sound of tempest, and at midnight a violent stream of rain water breaking down washed away in a moment and drove into the Sea whatsoever was in the valley. At Landunum the 3. of the Nones of july, when it thundered, the monks being at service in the Monastery of S. Vincent two of them being suddenly strike with lightning gave up the Ghost, some being touched or feared with so great peril fell sick, and after long sickness died. The lightning burned the Alter cloth, and pierced the vestry( and burned all their relics) in other places also the lightning slue men and Beasts. At the same time it is certain that it lightened at jerusalem in the Temple of the Lord,& at the mountain olivet. In the territory of Geb●num a wolf unlike to other in greatness of body and fierceness through his madness tore in pieces in the sight of men 30. persons of diuers ceres and age, the same year D●mascus was besieged and token by the frenchmen and germans which also was spoyled before by the saracens. Norad●uus after the departure of the Emperour and the kings besieged antioch. There was an eclipse of the moon the ●. of the kalends of april about ●. of the clock at night, after which immediately ensued boisterous winds: for 4. days together there was seen& heard oftentimes thunder, and lightning whereby in the territory of Vernium by Gaunt, a certain Priest while he said mass being strike with lightning died. At Rhomes a certain clerk died in the same tempest. The second year Lewis king of france, when he had fought valiantly in Palestine against the saracens, and now had appointed to retourn into france chaunsing vpon the ships of the Greekes was taken. The Pope Eugenius the third returning into Italy fought with the romans with a variable event. Raymundus Prince of Antioch going out against the Turkes the first of August, many of his men were taken prisoners and slain, and they lying in wait for him, he also was miserably murdered, the Turkes carrying about his head, took almost all places or Cities which were under him saving antioch. When the earth was very hard frozen in Winter a turf of a very great length and breadth being suddenly pulled from the Earth, was removed far off to an other place, and the year following the queen of jerusalem favouring the Infidels more than was reason, was the author of many miseries in the holy land, against whom King Baldwin her son arose, and taking the fortifications was at last suffered to enter jerusalem: The city Reatina after a long siege was destroyed by Rogerius King of Sicilia. There was an earthquake in the part of Italy, after whom duke fredrick the first his Nephew succeeded, surnamed Barbarosla. Rogerius King of Sicilia died, even as Baldwinus king of jerusalem, who left his life the fifte of the Kalends of October. The Massamutes, which some call the Moabites, after they had usurped the kingdom of Mauritane and hanged the King, and also killing the King of Bulga, they invaded his kingdom, and they threatened to invade Sicilia, Apulia, and Rome also. Robert of Botua a man full of all wickedness, being kindled with the spirit of Gealosye, when he had commanded a certain man, his most familiar, together with his wife to be shut up in a little house to be burned, there appeared as it were three goodly children in the house being on fire, and the man and the Woman remained unhurt amidste the flamme which flew over their heads in maner of a light shining cloud. The sun for a whole day was darkened the first day of October. In burgundy there chanced an Earthquake on a night which overthrew many buildings. The Pope Anastasius the 4. died, Henry Duke of normandy was anointed king of England by Theobaldus Archbishop of Canterbury, and the year following Lewis king of france was friend with Henry of Normandy with whom he had made war. In the reign of Henry the ●. king of England, the first day of October, almost for 3. hours there were seen 3. circles about the Sun, which oftentimes vanishing away there was seen ●. suins, by which prodigy, the falling out of the King& Thomas Becket Archbishop of canterbury was thought to be foreshowed. moreover there appeared in the moon the sign of the cross, and immediately Albertus a soldier of Belnacum, a most holy man suffered martyrdom for the faith of Christ. And fredrick the Emperour besieged Milan almost for 7. yeres, and destroyed it. Vitales michael Duke of Venice took Vlricus patriarch of Aquileia in the field,& 700. of the Gentlemen of Forum julij now called Frioll, and made them of Frioll tributary. The Emperour fredrick Barbarosla besieged Milan which yielded unto him. There was a great snow& a could unaccustomed whereupon there ensued a plague& a dry summer. At Rome the river of Tiber exceedingly overflowed, by means whereof many things on every side were spoyled to mens great loss,& the same year William king of Sicilia razed flat to the ground the city of Barū saving the Temple dedicated to Saint Nicholas: Of other of whose exploits done this year, read Sigisbertus. The third Calends of june, the Popish Feria quarta, on Assention even about noon tide, almost for half an hour, a circled of a great breadth appeared about the sun, which sun was of a fiery and blew colour. William the first begotten son of King henry of England dyed, henry 2. and was butted ae reading at the feet of his great grandfather King henry. There often happened in normandy in the month of july lightning and Tempest, whereupon in many places the harvest was lost, and men being strike with lightning dyed. There ensued abundance of rain, which began amid the month of August, letting the Inning of corn, and the sowing ensuing, of which continual floods that lasted a long time, many towers and Churches, and old walls fel in normandy and England. Radulphus de Fulgerijs, in a certain conflict took Eudo viscount of Ponehait and for this cause the greatest part of the Brytains choose the earl Conauus Duke of britain, saving John Dolens, who as yet as much as lay in him resisted Conauus and his coadjutors. In the month of September there were seen three suins together, in as clear weather as might be, and a few dayes after in the same month three moons, and in the moon that stood in the middle, a white cross, whereupon the doctors, and the skilfullest searchers of natural things, being sent for from the university of Paris and Bononia, and of Venice also, did interpret the prognostication, signifying that there should arise a discord between the Cardinals in choosing the Pope, and also of the Princes electors, in choosing of the Emperour: neither did the event deceive those wise men: for not song after, against Pope Alexander, four other were chosen, not without a great sedition of the people, and it continued seuentéene yeares, and there followed also many Earthquakes, whereby not only Cities and castles, but also whole Countreys were shaken, and were in diverse places quiter overthrown. Canutus the son of Waldamar the great, after he had fought with his kinsmen Sweno and Waldamar for the kingdom of denmark, there were seen many tokens in the Element to●… the North, as it were fiery Torches, and the likeness of mans bloude●…ning: neither did these wonders deceive them, for by and by king 〈…〉 spoyled the country of the Wagians, and al places every where were●…led with the war. Vpon a Saterdaye before the octaves of Easter, in Abrincati●… farm or house, which is called Landa Aronis about noon tide, a 〈…〉 whirlwind as it were rising out of the Earth, wrapped about al 〈…〉 that were next it, and took them away. At last there stood vprigh●●…taine pillar of a red and blewe colour, under the whirlewinde●…ding upward, and therewith heard as it were arrows and lau●… dashyng against the pillar, albeit it appeared not to the beholders, wh●… gave the stroke, and in the whirlwind which stood still, there appeared as it were diverse kindes of birds flying unto it, there ensued by and by in the same manor place, a Pestilence among the folkes, among whom the Lord himself dyed, and not onely in that place, but in many places of normandy and of the Countreys adjoining, the Pestilence this year made a great spoil. That year the Milliners again rebelled, whom Fredericke the Emperour again besieging made to yield, and in the mean season, he fortified Laud● with walls. The Agarenians putting Auforsius the emperor of spain, to flight, took again the city Almaria in spain by siege, with soundrye castles which they had lost. The moon was eclipsed, and immediately the queen of france wife of King Lewes the daughter of the emperor of spain, ended hir dayes in whose place the King matched himself with Adela, the daughtor of Theobaldus. Fredericke the emperor after he had won Millai●e overthrew also the towns or castles of Papia and Placentia and made almost all Lumbardy subject unto him. Sweno the third King of Seland●a being driven forth of his realm by Canutus, after three yeares exile, was brought into his kingdom again by henry lo Duke of saxony. There happened an Earthquake the first of January in the Lordship of Constantine, at the castle of Saint laud about one a clock. This year in the month of May, peace was made between the Kings henry of England and Lewes of france, in renewing their former covenants. Phillip brother of Lewes King of france dyed. Constantia also queen of france dyed in childbyrth, leaving hir daughter alive, for whose sake she hastened hir death. In the month of june in britain the less, to wit in Recel it rained blood, and there it ran down from the banks of a certain fountain, and also it ran out of bread. William King of Sicilia, going out of Sicilia into Apulia with a great army, and putting Robert Debaseuila with his complices to flight recovered the Cities and castles which revolted from him. There was a grievous famine and Pestilence. Ramaldus De Castilio of antioch whilst he vncyrcumspectlye entering into the country of the Agarenians, many of his men were slain and taken, and he himself taken prisoner. At Senone on Goodfryday, when Pope Alexander was at mass, there was a horrible darkness, and whilst the Lectorer red aloude the passion of the lord, and came to this place Consummatum est. It is finished, there fell such a wonderful lightning, and there was so great a crack of thunder that Alexander forsaking the altar and the Lectorer omytting the passion and all they which were present thought good to provide for themselves by flying away: at which time also the archbishop of Colen, the bishops of Padeborne Minda and Munster, and henry Duke of saxony, besieged the castle of Arnesbach, because the earl henry had committed many things against them all, and kept his brother being a child, in prison where he dyed, the castle was taken and overthrown, and henry bannyshed, yet afterward coming in favour again, he recovered the castle, which after his death he bequeathed to the Church of Colen, which at this day holdeth al the Lordship of that ancient nobility. Bolestauus king of Polana subdued the Brytenians( with war.) The eight day of august in the bishopric of Dolon, it rained blood. That year the vandals war was again valiantly made by Waldamar by the help of henry lo Duke of saxony. In the lordship of Ruthen a certain Tempest corrected the people with a grievous scourge: and wild wolves, took away young children from their Mothers breasts, and cruelly devoured them. The Valentians breaking their Faith with King henry, robbed and spoyled the country that was promised them. Richard of Humbar King Henries Conestable calling together the barons of Normandy and britain in the month of august took the castle of cumber in britain. There appeared in the west two suins of a fiery colour, one of the which was great, the other little, and they were as it were joined together, and afterward asunder, lastly, they appeared far one from another, and this was vpon Christmas even, in the octaves of whitsuntide. There was a vain entreaty of peace at Vilcasme, between the Kings of England and france, they went away without any conclusion, and with inward grudge they prepared to the field, and they made great spoil on both sides with fire and sword. The first of the month of September there were seen at once in the west three Suns, and two houres after, when two were gone he which was middlemost went down alone: in like sort the year following three moons appeared. An Earthquake overthrew many cities& churches, towns, and villages, and the gaping of the earth swallowed up many thousands of men, and covered most part of the buildings in the fall. The same year also in Sicilia the city Cathana before one of the clock was overthrown, with the which Erthquake the Bishop& the clergy( the Abbot of Miletum with 40. monks and about 1500. of the common people suddenly perished, many castles also in the island were shaken at that instant, in parte also beyond the Sea, a great part of the Christians and paynim perished with Earthquake: many Cities were overthrown: Antioch and jerusalem trembled,& the same year the king of England sent for saint Thomas to come home from exile, and he established peace as he had promised the Pope, and Lewes king of france. The romans destroy utterly Alba: a certain Priest, in a part of denmark which is called Alfse, A notable mystery against the real presence flesh and blood in the chalice, a figure of the destruction of men, and not their salvation, then where is their virtue of transubstantiation: this being turned the priest knew not how or which way. standing at the Altar, when he had lifted up the chalice, being about to take the host, behold there was seen in the* Chalice the form of flesh and blood: he being strike with fear, after he had brought the Chalice to the Bishop and the clergy to be seen, the Bishop protested that there hung grievous trouble over the church, and that the blood of Christian people should be spilled, which in short space also came to pass, for scarcely fouretéene dayes after the army of the slavonians breaking into the country, took al places, overthrew Churches, and brought al the people into bondage, and whosoever resisted they persecuted with fire and sword. There were exceeding Earthquakes and huge floods in germany. The same time also Callina a city in Sicilia was shaken with an Earthquake, and was so overthrown, that a great number of men perished therein. The king of denmark invaded Rugia and put down idolatry. Menardus the first bishop of Liuonia was made Bishop by Pope Alexander the third. The Kings of England and france making peace at twelfetide were atoned. Many Earthquakes shoke diverse provinces, and chiefly Syria and Sicilia, in which many Cities stood bending, and some fel, making a great slaughter. The bones of a certain giant in england were discovered by scouring of the Water, the length of whose body was fifty foot. Saledinus slew Calypha the egyptian his sovereign, and obtained his kingdom, the Florentines vanquished them of Sena. at Ascianum, Canutus sometime King of england and denmark, was canonised a Saint,( and that is a wonder, where the divell makes men as fast as the Pope makes Saints,) The first day of Ianuarie there were heard many thunders, and diverse places holy and profane, were strike with cruel lightning, and the same year and day following, Thomas of canterbury was crwoned with martyrdom for Christian religion and the confession of sound doctrine( that is to say, for a little treason against the king, and as for his doctrine at that time was no resistance) whereupon the year following Pope Alexander canonised him a Saint, hereof all England became servile to the Pope. The fiery Hil of Etna, burned again, at which time the fall of the houses made such a noise, through an exceeding Earthquake, that al the priests of Saint Agatha were slain with the fall of the same. At this time Pope Alexander treading under his feet the Emperour fredrick the first, who otherwise was called Barbarosla, and treading upon his neck he said, it is written. supper aspidem& Basiliscum ambulabis& conculcabis Leonem& dra onem, Thou shalt walk over the asp and the Baselisk,& shalt tread down both the Lion and the Dragon, and so at length he abused him. again Fredericke said, that he shewed that humility, not to Alexander but to Peter, whereunto Alexander answered & mihi,& Peter, To me, and to Peter, and so peace was made between the emperor and the Pope, but I know that Robert Abbot of Mount the continuer of Sigebert of Gemblaca and Stumphius, do refer this to the year of christ 1177. The sun was eclipsed at six of the clock, the first of the Ides of September. The war of Emanuel Emperor of Constantinople, with the Sultan began about the feast of whitsuntide. The Lumbards& chiefly the Milliners assailed the Emperour Fredericke with a great host, who being in the city of Papia, scarcely escaped flying away. On saint Andrewes day at night there was a mighty wind, and that day and in the even there appeared a light coming in the morning from the east to the west, vpon which day the Christians fought with the Infidels, at Saint Georges de Ramula. There was this year in summer and autumn a great drought whereupon seeds and plants in the fields, and corn and haye, for the most part was destroyed. The Ocean English Sea grew so high, that it swallowed up many men. This year Saladinus king of egypt assailed Guido King of Ierusalen with a very fierce battle, and did wonderfully afflict all the Christian common wealth. The heretics Angenenses despisers of the Sacraments,& detesters of matrymonie, assembled together about Tholosa, with whom divines and men skilful in the Scripture, of which Peter legate was the chief, meeting, brought them to a better pass. The fifteenth of the kalends of September, after eight a clock on a sunday at night the moon was eclipsed: there ensued an extreme cold Winter, wherein the Snow continued until the purification of the virgin mary. There were also great floods of Water, and chiefly at the city of main and Angue in france, where it broke the bridges and carried away innumerable houses, with a great number of men. Emanuel Emperour of Constantinople revenged himself of Soliman at Iconium by whom before he was put to flight. Soliman also being now set vpon with a great army, was so discomfited, that he left the city of Iconium, almost without soldiers. this year about michaelmas there were two or three Earthquaks in England, K. henry. 2. in which year also there was great discord between the King of England and his sons, for the castle of Clareual, which belonged to the inheritance of Angue, and Richard earl of Poiters, privily assented unto it. King henry the elder sent his army into britain and besieged the tower of Rhedon and took it, and burning it they built it again and fortified it. moreover the earl of britain burned a great parte of the city, and the abbey of saint George and Becherell the castle of roland de Diuam. In the province of Kemens in Wales, a young man name Cicilius Elkarhar, and of some long legged Cicill. being a great time visited with sickness, was at the length assaulted with toads: his kinsemenne and friends defending him, slew many of those soul vermin, nevertheless they grew and increased so fast, that they were fain to put him into a Coffen of wood, and hoist him up to the top of a tree, paring away the boughs to hinder the creeping up of the toads: nevertheless they ceased not till they had eaten him to the bones: authors, Giraldus Cambrensis Itinerarij, and John stow. this happened in the time of King henry the second. In mid february there was an Earthquake in Gotlande, and in the april following the moon was eclipsed. There arose a discord between Phillip King of france, and Phillip earl of flanders, for the earldom of Veromanenum The Emperor fredrick made henry his son ruler over the Citizens of Italy. Bela the third king of hungary and of Boemia, taking Vlademirus Duke of Halike, sent Andrew his son which seized the dukedom of Halike. The sun was eclipsed, and there ensued a great Pestilence in Poland and Rusland. When Pope Lucy the third was deade, Vrbane the fourthe succeeded him in the Sea of Rome. this year the winter was very hot, whereof it came to pass that the fruits of the Earth waxed sooner ripe than they were wont, for harvest was in May, and Vintage in August. The Sun was eclipsed on Saint John Baptist day, the sixth hour of the day. Baldwinus king of jerusalem with many noble men were taken by Saladine king of Asia and Syria. In england a cross appeared in the element about noone-tyde, when richard King of england and Phillip of france prepared war against Saladine. this year after the death of the Emperour Frededericke Barbarosa, henry the sixth his son succeeded him in the empire. The Colliners and other rebelled. Luneburge a city of Germany and Berna a city of Vchtland( at this day of the helvetians) were builded. There was a great eclipse of the sun. Saladinus after his long persecution of the Christians and murders committed died at Damascus, and his kingdom was divided by his sons, wherefore Saphandinus the brother of Saladine, being grieved because that Saladinus had left him no part of his kingdom, drove his sons out of the kingdom, and he alone rained afterward. henry the Emperour receiving money of richard king of England, levied an army and went into Apulia, and assaulted Salerne. A perpetual peace was confirmed between the Polanders and the Hungarians, whereupon Russia yielded to the Polanders. In the Lordship of Belloacum, between the mountain Claurum and Compennium there fel so much rain, with thunder, lightning and tempest, that the like was never heard of, for four square stones as big as eggs, falling down from the element, mixed with rain, did utterly destroy fruit trees, Vines, and corn. manor houses also in many places, were destroyed and burned with lightning. ravens also of huge greatness flying in the air, from place to place, were seen to carry in their bills quick and burning coals, with which they set houses on fire. The same day also, in the bishopric of Laudunum, a certain castle about Clauemounte was quiter destroyed with lightning, and the same year the Emperor henry subdued to his Empire all Apulia, Calabria and Sicilia, which fel to him by the right of his wife. In the month of March there were sudden and exceeding floods of water in many places, which destroyed houses, overthrew towns, slue most of the inhabitants that dwelled in them. The same year Phillip Augustus Deodatus King of france married to wife Mary daughter of the Duke of Morauia, Boemia,& Marques of Histria. henry lo Duke of Branswike and Luneburg dyed vpon Saint Sextus day, after whom succeeded his son henry who also was count Palatine of rhine. through the violence of a storm risen, stones with rain fel from heaven. henry the Emperour sent aid to the Christians in Syria, who afterward the year following vpon the death of henry returned home. Wherefore the Christians which remained in Syria, being destitute of all help, utterly lost the Lordship of that province: war also arose between conrad Duke of Sweue, and Bertholdus Duke of Zeringe, wherein conrad dyed. By the procuremente of henry the Emperour, Frederick the Emperours son crying in his Cradle, was appointed king of the Romaines. many Prodigies at this time were recorded in chronicles. The quaking of the Earth the fourth of the Nones of may afflicted the whole earth, and overthrew Cities, houses, cottages, and Churches. At Longiona a lordship of Bauaria which belongeth to Boemia with the Hillye part of the wood Hersinia, the Earthquake continued a year& six months, so that the inhabitants were constrained to leave their houses,& abide abroad in heat and cold. At Vermendesium a certain soldier that was dead revived, and foretold many notable things to many men, and afterward also he lived without meate and drink a long season. In france about midsummer, dew in the night falling from heaven, exceeded the sweetness of honey, and in the month of july a great storm arose, and stones of such a greatness fel from heaven, that through their violence from Hemblack, as far as the monastery of Chale and to the places adjoining, they destroyed not onely corn and Vines, but the woods also, and mens gorgeous houses. And the same year in the month of july Philip Augustus Deodatus King of france, contrary to the opinion of all men, and to the Kings decree, restored the Iewes to their former state at Paris, and grieuouslye persecuted the Churches of God. There arose a great Earthquake at noontide, which for certain days together, shoke many buildings, in Poland and the Countreys adjoining which thing almost vnhearde of in these Countrys, was accounted a prodigy. The same year Constantinople was taken by the french and Venetians. Alexiu Emperour of Constantinople being driven out of his realm fled to Hal●k to the Emperour of Rome. The Emperour Phillip son of Barbaro●. spoiled Alsaise and destroyed certain fortresses of Rhubiaquen and of the castle of Fereburg, which is in the town, he broke the walls, and spoyled all places with fire and sword as elsewhere we haue noted more at large in the description of the city of Rubiaquen. The thirtieth day of the month of may, there was an Earthquake wherein was heard a terrible voice, but nothing was seen. A great parte also of the city of Achon with the kings Palace fell down. Tyre was almost overthrown, Archas a very strong town, almost fell to the ground, the greatest parte of tripoli fel down, and a great number of men were strangled. After this Earthquake followed a great barrenness of the ground. In foreign Countreys there was a great famine, and a horrible pestilence followed the famine. Pope Innocent the third excommunicated twice the Emperor Phillip, and deprived him of his imperial majesty, and absolved his subiects. A horrible Tempest in many places destroyed the corn and the Vines. Phillip the Emperour pursueth with his army Otho whom Pope Innocent the third choose against him, and besieged him at Cullen, but Otho in a certain conflict which he had with the Culleners, escaping by flight got him to the king of England. Phillip subdued the Colleners,& was crwoned K. by the Archbyshoppe of Aquisgranne, The L●tuanians whose name at this time was first known, entred into Russia with a great army, but they went away conquered. In germany conrad Archbishop of Harbepol●, was slain by his servants. The day before the kalends of march, there was an eclipse of the sun, the fifth hour of the day, and the month following. Adela Mother of King Phillip dyed, who was butted in burgundy, by his father Theobaldus in the month of December there were many floods hurtful to many places of Italy and france, which not only broke the bridges, but the beams of houses also, and overthrew many houses and pillars of stones. John the brother of Richard Duke of Normandy and king of england, going out of england made war against Phillip king of france, and by reason of the plague among the soldiers, there was truce made for two yeares. On Saint Nicholas day in france, there were hard great thunders, through the violence of which, many buildings holy and profane were set on fire, and overthrown with lightning. There followed a wonderful and a huge flood of water. The same year Satellia a very strong city was taken and spoyled by the paynim, Phillip the son of Barbarosla the Emperour of germany was slain at Babenburge, in whose place Otho the fourth was appointed, who only was Emperour four yeares, and he taking to wife the daughter of Phillip, drew unto him great parte of Germany. There appeared in Poland a great Comet in the month of May which lasted eighteen dayes, and passed about in his course over Polande Tanais and Russia, and stretching his tail over the west,& signifying the coming of the Tartarians. southhampton the year following, the nation of the Tartarians unknown till that day, having slain as it was reported david their own king, came from under the mountaines of India, many nations of the North drawn unto thē, and went to the Poluci which other call the goths, they grievously afflicted many with many battailes, the one and the other Sarmacia, the Poluci and the Russi were banished by the Tartarians, and in a great overthrow Conradus Crispus son of henry Barbatus, duke of Vratislauium was slain. In the province of colen and in the Dioces of Munster, at a place in friesland called Leidan, in the month of May, three Crosses appeared in the air, one white towards the North, another of the same colour towards the South, but the third set forth with a middle colour, having the figure or form of a man hanging upon it, having the arms lifted up and stretched out with the fastening of nails in the hands and the feet, and his head bending to one side, and this cross was the middlemost between two other Crosses. The same time in a certain place of Frislande there appeared a cross of blewe colour by the sun, likewise there was seen one altogether like unto this, but a while after in the Dioces of Traiectum, and immediately the Christians took in hand great voyages against the saracens for the defence of the Christian Faith. Vinc. in his 31. book Chap. 73. Otho the Emperour died, and immediately Fredericke was established in the Empire. Conradinus the Sarazen, king of jerusalem and Syria, miserably slue all the Christians remaining at jerusalem. In England and other Countreys adjoining, there were seen many prodigies, for there appeared a Comet of a huge greatness, the earth shoke wonderfully, there were heard many thunders with a great crashing of the Element, which for as much as they are heard but seldom in England, and that in summer season, thereof it cometh to pass that as often as they happen, they are reckoned as prodigies: likewise continual showers of rain, with such great blasts of wind, that houses were overthrown, and the sea went further abroad than it was wont, it rained all the spring time in Polande, whereupon so great a famine afflicted them of the country, that a great part of the people perished with hunger and pestilence. There were this year great commotions and tumults of war in england under King henry the third of that name, of the which read Polidor Virgil in his 16. book of the English history,& lily in his Cronolog. Philip king of france departed this life, leaving Lodouicus his son to succeed him: the Emperour Fredericke was deprived of his imperial dignity by Pope Honorius, whereupon there grew hote war. A cruel Comet was seen over all france, the order of the friar Minors was made and established by Pope Honorius. Damiata was lost again by the negligence of the soldiers. Waldamar king of denmark, being laid in wait for, was taken by henry earl of Swerne. A little before the death of Honorius the third, the earth did shake sore vpon the Alpes among the Saluians, that 5000. men were bruised to death with the fall of houses: great pieces of rock also were pulled from the side of the hills, and fell down into the valleys underneath, that were well inhabited, to the great destruction of men and cattle. Lewes Duke of Bauare was made King Henries protector and tutor by the electors. henry Barbatus Duke of Vratislaue rebelled at Lenskone, and the peace was to small purpose. There arose an exceeding tempest of winds, a storm and flashing of lightning, and a crashing of thunder, which every where set on fire and overthrew many houses, moreover, there arose such sea floods( of the Sea) in Frizeland the like whereof were not since Noas time, which spread over al the ground by the sea side of friesland and Halderia,& al the méery& marishe ground. Albis& Visurgis two riuers in Germany, were so overflown, that their course could not be seen. Then there perished many thousands of men, and cattle without number. While the rich and great men of that place gave themselves to delicacy and pleasure without any other care, they were carried away and swallowed up with sudden tempest. And it was the 10. day day of february when this tempest broke asunder all the pillars& banks made for defence of the water course, and brought in the raging Sea amid the land. That year Vladislaus being chased to Leskonogie, by Vdalislaus Othos son, was spoyled of the kingdom of the greater Poland. Francis the patron of the barelegged Friers, about this time was canonised a Saint by Pope gregory the ninth. At this time many Prodigies did forshew the miseries ensuing, a great plague and morrain reigned vpon men and beasts, all riuers were hard frozen, and at length being thawed with the heat of the spring, they overthrew cottages, garners, bridges, walls, and trees. In Rathstadium a Town on the Alpes which lie to the country of Germany called Noricum, and termed of the inhabitants Taurum, a child was born with horns, whose crying and weeping was heard fourteen days before he was born. In the country of Fruxinum towards the South, a great number of field Mice vpon the sudden spoyled the harvest, and did eat up even to the roots, the corn, grass, and haye, whereupon the inhabitants being driven from thence, were compelled to change that cursed place, and the husbandmen were driven to forsake their old dwellings. The third of the Nones of july, the sun, by the moons coming between was hide for two houres together. The moon was seen with six corners stretching out towards the East. The day before the Nones of October also, the moon taking away the Sun beams by hir settling between, the stars did shine at noon dayes, as in the night. Many other such prodigies and strange tokens are recorded in the Chronicles There ensued factions, deceits, mischiefs, murder, civil war, through the which all heavenly and worldly things were confused together. The Christian common wealth was crazed with mischievous discord, and became a pray for a few mens lust. look in the Chronicles of the Boyans which aventinus most diligently handleth. The Sun was greatly eclipsed. The year following Pope gregory the ninth, when he had held his seat 14. yeares dyed, after whom Celestinus the fourth succeeded in the papacy: the partes taken of the Gybelines for the Emperour, and of guelphs for the Pope beginning at this time in Italy, were the cause of many miseries. The Bishop of colen was taken by the Emperour. In England was a great dearth and pestilence, so that many of the poorer sort for want of food perished. corn was very scarce. It is said, that Walter Gray, Archbishop of york kept corn five yeres,& doubting the long keeping therof, made it away by exchange to his farmers for new after harvest, but would spare none to satisfy the poores need. It fortuned, that when men came to the stacks, which stood not far from Ripon, to take the sheaves to threshe, suddenly appeared from betwixt the sheaves heads of worms, toads, and Serpents, and a voice was heard that said, as if it had been spoken among the vermin, Lay no hands on the corn, for the Archbishop and all that he hath is the divels: the voice and the sight so amazed the comers, that a wall was made about the corn, and so set on fire, least the venomous worms should haue gone forth, and poisoned other places Anto. Math. Paris. John Stow, in his Chronicle. Folio 264. In the woods of saxony towards denmark in a desert, certain Monstrous beasts were taken, on the top of a rock in a thicket, having almost in all points the shape of a man, of which the female dyed, with the biting of dogs, and the wounds given by hunters, and the male being taken became tame, and went other while upright vpon his hinder feet, he learned to speak but very unperfectly, and not many words, he had a small voice like a goat, he had no reason, and was ashamed to be séeene to ease himself, &c. he desired to company with women, and openly assayed at the time of his lust, not sparing any, whatsoever they were. Albertus Magnus, and out of him Gesner in his second book of his history of living creatures with four feet. In saxony there was seen a Comet by the North pole, which cast forth his beams between the East& the South, directing them rather to the East. The year following the K. of the Tartars making an inroad into Polad, with a great army, burned and killed every where, afterward taking his journey into Morauia, he miserable afflicted it for three yeares. In England when henry the 3. reigned, in the month of Ianuarie a Comet appeared fearful to behold, almost for 30. days together,& this year K. Hē-went into Wales with an army against david who taking& punishing the Authors of the sedition, brought Wales into his subiection. The same year also Isabel wife to the Emperor Fred: and sister to Henry died, at which time also ther was an eclipse of the sun. Pope gregory the 9. died, in whose place Celestinus the 4. was chosen, as some Historiographers record. Fredericke assaulted Fauentia, Parma and Bononia, very strong Cities of Italy, and removed the university of Bononia to Parma. Bathy king of the Tartarians entering into Polonia with great force spoyled, burned, and slay every where. A great Hil in burgundy parting from a mountain, and straightening the valleys slue many thousand of men& cattle. moreover running along for many miles destroyed about 5000. men, and at length after al things were spoyled, he returned wonderfully to the other mountaines. wherefore the year following the Sarmatians, coming without their limits with a huge multitude, did first set vpon the provinces of Greece, with murder& common spoil,& thereupon playing the robbers throughout Panonia, they came against the Germans as it were a thick storm of rain, and did great destruction to those provinces. Celestinus the 4. Pope of Rome died,& in his place Pope Innocent the fourthe was chosen. Hugh a Christian child was crucified by the Iewes in england, in contempt of our saviour christ and reproach of Christians, for which wicked act many of the Iewes were partly slain, and partly put to flight. In the Dioces of Lancolne, there was a woman of noble birth, well favoured and beautiful, which was married to a rich man, and did bear him children, who also got another gentlewoman with child, which bare three sons by hir, one after another, or ever it was known. The womens names were Hauisia and Lucia: this said woman was of both kindes, and thereby as well able to get children as to conceive, whereby she became not only a Mother, but also a Father, John stow in his Chronicle. Folio 270. and Vesper in his conjectures in the thirtieth year of henry the third. In england the earth shoke dreadfully, and many houses fel down, which thing, as it is wont to happen seldom in an island, so it was accounted at that time a great prodigy, but in france it made a more grievous spoil. The year following Lewes king of france made stout war in egypt against the saracens. William Longsparta went into Asia with chosen soldiers. Alexander Prince of Scotland dyed. A Comet was seen in germany for certain months. The wind more vehement then it was wont, overthrew woods, houses, cottages, and trees, and did great harm to men and beasts. In faire weather pavilions were strike with lightning, when at the mountain Attinum, the Florentines and the Pisans joined together in battle. A Monster in the territory of Verona was soaled of a mere having four feet and a mans head, at whose noise, crying, and confused sound of a voice like unto a child, one dwelling thereby in the country, and being astonied with the strange sight, in drawing forth his sword slue the Monster, for the which cause he being brought to iudgement, and being asked concerning the Monsters birth, and the causes of his coming, he answered that he did it only for the horror and the abomination of the thing, which heard he was clear of al suspicion. In england the Sea rose higher than it was wont: there appeared a great Comet, and oftentimes high buildings were strike from heaven, which strange sights immediately the death of Walter Archbishop of york followed, a man of great virtue, who had been Bishop forty yeres. The Genoways joining with the Pisans with an armed navy besieged Venice, and spoyled their ships and sea casts. A young man of Friburge in Misnia, to the end that he might obtain his love, was brought by a magician to a desert place of a house, and when the inchaunter did show unto that desperate lover the likeness of the maid which he loved, he retching out his hand unto it, was dashed against the wall by a wicked spirit, and was miserable slain, whose carcase also was cast against the magician with so great a violence, that he lay a long time half dead. This horrible example of punished lust, to fear foolish young men, suffered the priest recordeth, who lived in the time of the Emperour Albert the first. That year Bala the fourth king of Hungary made war against Ochacarus king of Boemia and being vanquished by him fled to Hamburgh. In Italy Guido Nouellus was made Duke of Florens. The followers of the Guelfes forsook Florence and Florence became subject to Manfred. A star, which the Greekes call Cometa, appeared of a notable greatness above three moneths, and the very same night that Pope Vrbane the fourth of that name dyed it went out. Bondogodar the Solda● subdued the Christians in Syria there ensued a sharp plague, whereof men and beasts dyed. In Pruscia the crucifix or cross carriers had ill lucke, who were quiter destroyed by the Barbarians The Russians made inroads into Poland. Massonia was spoyled by the Lituanians and the Brussians. Charles went out of france with his host, and overcoming Manfred king of Sicilia, he possessed the kingdom of Naples: two yeres after the Africans past over into Spain, and made great slaughter, and at length were put to flight and slain in Hetruria: also there was raised a great commotion, and diuers conflicts were made. three yeres after the Comet Banduca king of babylon and Assiria invaded armoniac with a huge host, he sacked Antioch, and made a great slaughter of the Christians. see more hereof in Pontanus writing in his Commentaries vpon the hundred sentences of ptolemy. At Basil through an outrageous flood of the river Birsus the towns men had much harm. henry Bishop of Basil, and Rodolph of Habspurg, after long variance took weapons in hand, wherefore civil was arose in the city, in the which the factions of gentlemen did grow, but the Psitasi took the Bishops part, of which sedition read more at large in Stomphius in the Chronicles of Swizerland. About this time a Goose of a monstrous form was hatched, which Alberte recordeth that he saw, having two necks, four feet, and wings on his back, that he seemed one Goose carrying another, it lived not long. In the country of Cracouia( as it is written by Martin Cromer in his 9. book of his history of Poland) an honest matron called Margaret the wife of the earl Verboslaus brought forth at one birth 6. boyes alive, the 20. day of Ianuarie. And the sixth day of December in the twilight, astrange and a notable brightness shaped like a cross, gave light down, not only vpon the city, but vpon all the country about. At Calissa 8. dayes after the feast of the birth of Christ, a Cow brought forth a Calf with ij. dogs heads and teeth, and seven calves feet, but the biggest head was set in his place, and the lesser at the tail, birds and dogges did abhor his carcase. In Silecia in the Lordship called Machalanum, and between the riuers Odra& Nissa it was said to haue rained blood three dayes: there broke out a cruel war again between Boleslaus Duke of Poland and Calissa,& the Saxons or the Marquesses of Brandburg. Sulentia was sacked and burned, and al the summer that year through continual rain and strange floods of water much harm was done, not only to corn, but also to sheep and cattle, villages and towns. In England after an earthquake, wherewith many houses fel, it rained blood in Wales, as a deadly forwarning to that nation, with whose blood not long after the country was every where embrewed under Lewelin Grifin who made new seditions in england and joined himself with the French. In Germany near the town of Lauffenburg in the borders of Swizerland standing by the river of rhine, there was born a child having his hands and feet like a Goose, with a hideous head. The river of rhine by reason of extreme rain, did so rise that passing his channel, he carried away on every side many things in the champion or plain country. At Basil it broke the bridge, and there were drowned about a hundreth men through the force of the stream: by the violence of hail about the mountain Borsetium in Switzerland, not only the seeds of the earth, and plants, but also sheep and cattle were hurt. In the territory of Cracouia a boy being toothed the same day he was born, spake distinctly and plainly,& when he was christened he lost both his teeth, and the use of his speech,& another boy being but half a year old, soretolde in the City of cracovie, that the Tartarians would come& cut off the heads of the Polanders and being demanded whether he knew this from above,& that this mischief also hung over his head, he answered that it is manifest enough, that this should happen twelve yeares after. This year was the Silesiā war, the country of Polesia and Prusia was spoiled by the Massontans and Cutanians, afterward the Emperor Rodolph, made war with the Boemians. In Poland, about cracovie, there appeared on that midnight in the which the year began, a shining sky having a clear and pleasant light for a short time, afterward it is left in writing, that fishers took a disfigured divell, in a certain stour( which is a mighty gathering together of waters, from some narrow lake of the sea) and when their net was cast in, at the first draft the fishers drew 3. little fishes, in the ij. draft nothing, but the net wrapte up, lastly in the third draught, they drew up a horrible Monster, with a Goates head, and eyes shining like fire, whereupon they were all afraid and ran away, and that ghost plunged himself under the ice, and running up and down in the stour made a terrible noise and sound, and many men being blasted by him, had filthy ulcers. This year dyed Boleslaus Pudicus king of Poland. Likewise Boleslaus pus D. of Calissa. And also Boleslaus calvus or Rogatra duke of Legn●cium. Oto●arus the second King of Boeme through the treason of his men was slain in Austria after he had joined battle with Rodolph the Emperour and Ladislaus King of hungary. In Argoia a province in Swicerland a noble matron brought forth a Lion, a most fierce beast, which John Stumphius writeth, came to pass in the year of Christ. 1278. Albeit other Historians do refer this to an other time. That year when John the one and twentieth Pope of Rome was deade, Nicholas the fourth was chosen in his place: war began between Rodolph the Emperour and Otacarus King of Boeme, and in the fields of Austria, beyond the river Danubius, there was a bloody battle, and Rodolph became conqueror through the manhood of the Swesians and Alsatians, and Otocarus fighting manfully dyed. The sun was eclipsed when the moon had suffered the same three dayes before, and the Star of mercury was seen amid the sun as it had been a black spot. At the same time Charles the great returning Conqueror forth of Spain lay in wait for him. The Emperour gave the Pope Romandiola, and the certainty of Rauenna, who published Bertholdus ursinus his nephew earl Romandiola, and the Pope kept to himself the Senators office. It is left in writing that there appeared to Alphonsus king of arragon the second of this name a golden cross, in the Church of ( Ouitum) without any mans workmanship, that year the king through the helping army of Charles the great overcoming the saracens, spoiling the borders of the Austurians, made Lysborne a city in portugal subject to his Dominion. When a prebend of the church of Thurin did preach to the Pope at the tombs of the Martyrs that were the patrons of the church, a ston violently broke in pieces, without any stirring it, and is said to haue made so great a sound and noise, that all the people being strike with a fear trembled, as if the Arches of the church should haue fallen. The same year the third of October the greatest parte of Thuringe was consumed with fire, and moreover through the dissensions of the Citizens, in a sedition of the people, the city was wonderfully spoyled by taxes of the Church men, or excommunications. The same year when at Traiectum a city in Flanders, both& men women lead a wanton dance vpon a bridge, and despised and scorned a Priest which reproved them for so doing, the bridge breaking down, they fell headlong into the river Mose, and about two hundred of them were swallowed up through Gods vengeance, who were punished for contempt of their religion, and for their lightness. They report that the river of Tiber at Rome swelled so high, that the washing of the river covered the high Alter four foot and more, in Pantheon, which now is the Church of the blessed virgin, and of all saints: Pope Nicholas the fourth of that name, the third year of his popedom and the eight month dyed, after whom succeeded martin the fourth. Hamburg a town of Saxony was for the most part consumed with fire: the year following the germans destroyed Pisa. In the popedom of martin the fourth, a Noble woman that was the Popes necessary, brought forth a hairy boy, having hands and feet like a bear, with which monstrous birth the Pope being sore troubled, commanded all the Images of bears which by chance were in her house to be put out, for a manifest argument of imagination conceived by her in conception. This Monster happened the first year of Pope martin, at which time there was taken a Fish in the Coasts of Tyrrhenia at a place called Centum cell having the perfect shape of a lion, who being drawn out of the Sea, houled like a man: he was brought to the Pope to see, who then by chance was in the old city: the Pope and all the people were astonied to see so strange a shape of a beast. But I see that the common people are thus persuaded, that nothing is born in any part of nature, which may not be seen in the Sea. The Genowais and they of Luca were made free by the emperor. The Tartarians invaded Panonia, spoiling every place as far as Pestum. The Sicilians not abiding the pride and lasciviousness of the french, by the means of John Prochitius( who was made an instrument for this feat by Peter king of Arragon) slue all the french in one night at the ringing of a Bell. At Frioll the same time the Frenchemenne were slain. In Italy there was a most grievous earthquake wherewith many buildings on every side were overthrown flat to the ground: the earthquake lasted in his shaking for certain dayes. Pope Boniface was then at treat, who fearing the fall of the houses, Consider that here the Pope was afr●dde. commanded a cottage to be built him of very slender stuff, in an open Court before the house, that he might not much fear the fall, and so remained abroad for many dayes. thereupon appeared a Comet of a notable greatness, in other partes of Italy. The Venetians at that time, or surely not long before or after, when truce was expired, which for certain yeares they had made with the Genowais, immediately they furnish their navy to keep the Lordeship of the Sea: the Pisans being vanquished by the Genowais in a battle vpon the Sea, lost fifty Gallies and twelve thousand men. The Tartarians again invaded Panonia, and spoyled all places as far as Pestus. While Charles king of france invaded spain with an army, and made war with Peter king of arragon, a swarm of great flies of diuers colours assailing the frenchmen slue them with their stings, as it had been with sword: moreover, they being oppressed with many other miseries, and despairing of their victory, went away, and in their journey every where they dyed in troops, among whom Charles himself fainting, being carried in a Litter died at Ampure: Lucius Marineus a Sicilian, writeth this in his eleventh book of the Kings of spain. In the Territory of Constance a woman brought forth a Lion with a mans head. Rodolphe the Emperor earl of Habspurg took by his Souldiers the Castles of Clancks and Wilber in Abbacella Tubertall, and the hold of Wyberg in Turtal against the Abbot William of Sangalla. This year the, of the Nones of april, on which day at that time Easter fell, a deep Snow covered the ground,& strange hail spoyled the corn. The day before the Nones of September the ground shooke, vpon the Alpes which lie towards the country of Germany called Rheti●um there were 15 Castles, Forts and holds overthrown, and a famine afflicted the Boeans. There appeared in the element a Comet, that was a token of a great destruction that followed, and shewed the affliction of the Christians. It is written that the Iewes stealing away the Christians holy host, scorning it and beating it in a mortar with a pestle, there came out blood from it( if this be true, or the author superstitious.) The Iewes at Norenberg and in East france were destroyed with fire and sword. The Scottes aspiring their liberty by their captain Vallaceus, thrust the Englishe men out of Scotlande▪ and took from them their holds and towns. A Comet appeared again this year wherein the Pope healed his jubilee, there were diuers commocions in Italy▪ a great multitude rising in flanders handicrafts men, and men of base estate, left the french,& being become lords of the province, they overcame the great army, and most cruelly slue them. Pope Boniface the 8. of that name, by the help of Philip king of france was taken at Anania by Scart● of Columna& cast into prison, whom notwithstanding the Citizens of Anania delivered; dayes after. The Emperour Albert gathered a great army in Switzerlande against the Hollanders. This year the first of December a strong wind overthrew Cottages and houses: there ensued very calm weather, and unaccustomed heat, so that in the month of Ianuarie trees bare leaves: afterward there was a great flood of Water. In Italy there arose the factions of the Albes and the Nigres, as before of the Guelfes and the Gibelines. Stomphius in his Chronicles doth again make mention of a Comet, which as he wrote, did portend the great spoil that was made afterward in flanders. There appeared a Comet for three moneths towards the North. This year the river Danub●us at Reginburg through eating of the earth with his surges, bent his course towards the North, by making of a great pile of ston, Timber and stems of Trees being driven to his former channel. When Pope Boniface the eyghth was deade, Benedictus the eleventh succeeded, who absolved Philip le beau King of france, that Celestinus had excommunicated. Edward the fourth king of england subdued Scotlande over which he made Odomar Valentinianus, earl of Penbroke, ruler. A Comet again appeared in the week of Christes passion, after which there followed a plague almost throughout al the world. The court of Rome was removed to Auinion in france. Venceslaus king of Bohemia was slain at Olomuntium. The sun was eclipsed the third of the Ides of february, the sun and the moon being in the five and twentieth part of Aquarius and the fourth of the kalends of march the moon was eclipsed, and the same night the appeared in there Element Armies of a wonderful greatness. again the twelfth of the kalends of September there was an eclipse of the moon the ●. hour of the night. The same year before the murder of Albert King of the romans( who being wounded at Russa a river nere to Vindonissa and the town of Bruckergoue, by the wile or deceit of John Rodolphe his brothers son died in a womans lap that followed the war) a knight of the court being on horseback& strike with wasps, lept from his horse& escaped, but the horse was slain with the wasps, and the Gentleman coming to Badena a town of Ergone at this day famous for the assemblies of the swissers declared his ill luck to Albert which when he going from his place endeavoured to shun, was slain by the said ambushment: not long after, the same year the knights of S. John recovered the Rodes from the saracens. A fiery flamme continually burning passed along the element. The Emperour Henry the 7. entred Italy took al Lumbardy,& was crwoned at milan with an Iron crown. The Hungarians were excommunicated by Clement the fift, because they had not received Charles. Donaldus a Duke of the Iles, provoking robert le bruise king of Scots into the field was taken. About this time in the territory of Florence a boy was born with two bodies, four arms, and about the privities he was so knit together, that he had but ●. legs, and this child as men said lived but few dayes. There appeared a Comet for 14 dayes, which departed from the North to the South, beside the mou●ng of Mars. Milechius vpon the 2 book of P●inies natural history. That year Florence was besieged, also the English men encountered robert le bruise, and his Scots at Estriualiis, where in a strong battle the Scots had the victory, and diuers English Nobles were slain, and of common souldiers supposed fifty thousand. A great famine for three whole yeres grievously afflicted Lituania and the Countreys adjoining. A Comet fearful to behold burned three moneths together, which after the death of Henry the 7. betokened a civil war, in the which Lewis of Bauaria and fredrick of Austria were chosen at once by the variable voices of the Electors, and strove together for the Empire eight yeares, until that fredrick was taken in the field, and Lewis alone held the empire: while he reigned immediately two other started up, the one in the year of our Lord 1337. the other two yeares after: There followed these, besides a cruel pestilence, a deadly dissension among the Electors, who being stirred up by Pope Clement, deposed Lewis& created Charles the fourth, and immediately after he was removed, they choose Guntherus earl of Scuuartzburg, which thing caused new hurly burly, and again they ran to weapons, yet not long after Guntherus being poisoned, yielded the empire to Charles. There appeared three moons in the Element, the same year Philip king of france died. At a village in a valley of the uppermost part of the river Arnus called Tertaneum, a Monster was born having two boyes joined together at the navel, who on the one side had his members and two weak thighs, but on the other side there was but one vnperfite thigh, and he lived a day. When Lewis king of france was dead, John his son, being yet a Boy, succeeded for twenty dayes, after whom Philip the brother of Lewis reigned five yeares. The same year also Pope John the 〈◇〉. of that name was chosen Pope, when the seat had been empty for two yeres and three months. In the first day of june there was a terrible earthquake in Germany, and the 5. day of the same month there was seen a read circled about the sun, and near it there appeared two Crosses standing out, and the same year throughout all the imperial cities of Sinedon, there were cruel fiers, floods of Water, robberies and seditions. In england the sun appeared as blood, and continued six houres, shortelye after the Scottes invaded the borders. There broke out a great stream of fire from four deep holes of the mountain Aeanc: the fire thereof was fearful to behold in the night, neither did it shine as other fire: and in the day it burned dim, no otherwise than kindled sulphur, of which matter the mountain is full. The ancients writ much of this mountain, but specially Strabo, who affirmed that he had been at the top of the mountain, and had diligently considered all things, some say that there are marvelous alterations in the top of it, for otherwhile it belcheth out a flerie stream, otherwhile a flamme of fire or duskish smoke: moreover this is much to be marveled at, touching the heat of that fire, that it can be allayed with no cold, nor cold can be dissolved by that heat, for the uppermost part of the mountain is full of ashes, which in the Winter are covered with snow, and the highest part of the hill is plain, and doth comprehend in compass about 20. furlongs, that is half a german mile, which is a mile and a half English, in the middle whereof there riseth a little hill of ashes from whence sometimes fire and sometime smoke doth breath: in the night season fire is seen on the top of the hil, but commonly in the day time a duskish smoke ascendeth: yet in our time when the combustible matter was thought to be spent or consumed by the fire, nothing was seen to assende from the mountain but a dim vapour. The sun and the moon were eclipsed, the same year the Greekes invading the germans stirred up a great war, which the yeares following was oftentimes renewed. The Pisans took Peter of Corbona the false Bishop( whom the emperor Lewis passing into Germany left at Pisa) and sent him to Pope John then abiding at Auinion to whom he confessing his error, with much entreaty obtained his life, until that 3 year after he being kept in an honest prison died. The seventh of the kalends of Iulie continual lightninges,& scorching flashes made men afraid, and slue many, villages& towns were purged with sacrifises and offerings. There were great floods of Water. The same year at Constancia by the mere Acronium for the hurting and ill handling of Christians nine Iewes were slain with the sword, six drowned, and twelve burned. The river Arnus rose wonderfully with continual rain, and overthrew three Bridges at Florens, with part of the walls of the city, and the buildings that stood next the river, to the exceeding fear of the Citizens. The year following Pope John 22. and Philip king of france together with the Venetians prepared a navy for the defence of the Gree●es, wherewith they overcame and discomfited the Turkes. There were fishes or Whales or of some other kind of such a greatness which arrived to Lubec out of the sea, that many of them were in length 20. foot, some eighteen foot, and some 24 foot: and this was reckoned and observed as a prodigy, as if it portended something. At Hamburge about the same time there was a sedition and no small stir, because that the churchmen being against the Magistrates would after their opinion and will correct and punish all whoredom, which controversy notwithstanding( and strife) the Bishop of Breme ended. There appeared a fearful Comet for four moneths, to whom there came an other which gave light with this more than three moneths, to wit june, july, and August,& besides it is written that it rained blood: moreover a great number of grasshoppers at that time broke out of the east parts, which had six wings,& were armed with teeth shining like pearls, they took away the light of the sun in maner of clouds, they occupied 35. miles in length& ten in breadth, they cut the air as it were in battle ray, they pitched their pavilions vpon the ground, their forerunners choosing a fit place for thē to light in, went before the legions one days journey, which being divided into bands went forward at the sun rising, so that about 9. of the clock they pitched vpon the ground, and when victual failed them they went farther: they were forced through the coldness of winter to hid themselves,& to return again in summer. four yeares after, flocks of storks, of Iayes, of crows, of daws, and the like birds, devoured thē which three summers had fed vpon the leaves of trees, corn and Haye, throughout all Ge●many: they were in vain driven away with noise made in the air and with bells. Rotuuilla a noble city and famous for the consistory of the empire, was pitifully burned and spoiled with lightning, although there were but 60. men only destroyed with the storm. The plague at Norenberg consumed many thousand men. A Comet or a bearded star was seen again in the element: the Englishe overcame the french, and slue 33000, a victoryous battle. The Scottes rebelled against the Englishe. There died at Florence of the plague 16 thousand and in the country thereabouts it raged extremely. The spaniards slue in the kingdom of Granata two hundred thousand saracens. The cold was so great in winter, that the noses and fingers of the crucifiers or cross carriers warfaring in Liuonia. were fretted off with the frost. At Constacia by the mere Acronium there was a grievous and deadly sedition of the Citizens against the Magistrate. At Norenbu●g four hundreth houses were wholly burned. In the grievous and fierce battle of the Venetians with the Genowais when as they were in fight vpon the Sea, it is said that a great number of crows fought together over the navy one against another,& that one side was so oppressed that the feathers and the spilled blood sprinkled the gallies of the Venetias. and moreover, that one of their rowers going out of his galley into the next, was taken and devoured of a great fish. The Venetias being vanquished the Genowais at Corsica submitted themselves and theirs to the Archbishop of milan In the month of September young ravens were found vnfeathered in the neast, which aventinus in the affairs of Bauaria supposed was observed in place of a great prodigy. In the town called Veldcirk situate not far from the mere Acronium, fire fell from heaven into the streets, but when the towns men beholded it with great fear and astonishmente, it went up again from the earth to the element not doing any harm, as S●o nphius in his Chronicles recordeth. There was this year a grievous famine in Swead n, but chiefly in Switzerlande, Vpon the day of the conversion of S. paul, a great earthquake shooke 134● Germa●ye wherewith many villages& Castles fell down, likewise stones mixed with rain fell out of the air: moreover the same day with a great earthquake many public and private houses fell at Venice some learned atoneside fearful to behold, and among these, the towers of Churches in a place or two: afterward the earth was shaken more or less 15. dayes, whereof it happened that almost all women with child that were then in the city, were delivered before their time, and after this a noisome pestilence which they called Ingu●naria, invaded the people, the force of the disease was so deadly, that of all the number of them that were sick, scarselye the 100. person escaped death: yet it was said to begin first in Scuhia, afterward it raged along the costs of the Sea Pontus and Hellespont, and at length through Greece and Illiria it crope into Italy. Sab. in his eyghth book, Ene. 90. Gu●lterus called Duke of Athens, held the Soueraigntye of Florence for ten moneths, and there played the tyrant: Angelus Acciolus delivered the Florentines. Philip king of france did confiscate the usurers goods. A great vapour coming from the northpart, to the great fear of the beholders was seen in the Element, and fell vpon the earth: and the same year certain small beasts in great number fell from the element in the east, through whose corruption and stench, there ensued a cursed plague, which for three yeares together reigned almost over the whole world, for first it creeping into Asia went every where among the Indians,& was so vehement in England and al Countreys, that scarcely the tenth of one hundreth remained alive, and many places were quiter forsaken: at Florence it took away six thousand men. In germany this year the plague made so great a spoil and through all Europe, the like whereof no man hath red in histories to haue been among men. Iewes were defamed for it, that they had been causers of it by poisoning of fountains, and therefore they were burned every where, some were found as the authors of all enchantments, and met together in spain about their sorcery, likewise about the murdering of many children, about the falsification of debts by writings,& money, whereupon the people being in a rage drew them all to punishment. The Iewes were burned in many places, and when they saw they could not escape, they shut themselves within their houses, and burned themselves together with the places adjoining. It is said that at Mogunce the fire grew so great hereby, that the great bell in the Church of S. Quintine didde melt with the fire. There were also found little bags in fountains full of poison, wherefore the fountains and wells were stopped, and in place of well water, men used river and rain water. Many of the Iewes also were christened, few for the love of God, but rather for fear of punishment, the Cities of the empire pulled down Iewes houses, and of the stones of them& of their Churcheyards, they built Towers and walls. To conclude all places were full of stir and business, by reason of the Iewes. The eight of the kalends of february in Noricum on that side it is joined with Panonia, Illiricum, Dalmatia, Carinthia and Histria, there was a great earthquake in the evening which lasted forty dayes, and the earth was strangely shaken, and rare things were shewed. Moraui and the uppermost Bocaria felt it: it is recorded among the Acts of that year, the there were 6. Cities& Castles which were overthrown, men and beasts were stain, walls churches, and houses were overturned, whole Cities fell down, Cities were swallowed up, and much ground also: manor houses were cast down, and very many living things that were within them were slain, the gaping of the earth that ensued partly remained, partly swallowed up all things, the earth so closing again that no tokens appeared. moreover fifty men and more milking kine at their farms, being killed with their Kine, became stiff, and their bodies through the vapour of the Earth were turned into Images of fault, among the people Carine. conrad of Medenburg a notable Philosopher, and a Mathematician of that time recordeth, that he and the chancellor of Austria beheld these Images. Immediately a most cruel pestilence made a spoil over the whole world, the most part of men died, vnneth the fourth part survived, and men being suddenly taken away by the infection died forthwith, Boyes and girls telling wonderful things of death gave up the ghost, Villages and farms were brought to desolation, some attributed this to Gods wrath, the commons believed the Iewes had poisoned the fountains for the destruction of the Christian people, wherefore in many villages& towns the Iewes were burned. The Writers of this time recount that above twelve thousand Iewes suffered cruel punishment in the said Countreys. This year also in the city of London the plague was so vehement, that in a place called the Charterhouse yard were butted of the better sort of people 6000 persons. The Buessarians commonly called the Penitentiaries, a wicked and a superstitious kind of men at that time suddenly appeared, sometimes 500. otherwhile ●000. men: women made hast to see them: they went two by two from town to town, and having their vpperpartes naked as far as the navel, they cruelly scourged themselves, so many dayes as every one was yeares old: It rained blood also in these dayes, and streams ran thereof. At Kelhaim by the river of Danubius there broke out a violent stream of blood, which according to the skilful in the secrets of nature, is nothing else but a clammye or moist vapour, and that being mixed with an earthye and fiery breath turneth red. At this time for the remembrance of the thing, there is there a church of ston to be seen which hath his surname of holy blood. Villacum a city of Germany fell down with an Earthquake, and in Panonia and Italy many Cities hung at one side, in the which many buildings fell down. Philip king of france died, and his son John the first succeeded him in the kingdom. When the jubilee was held at Rome, scarselye the tenth of a thousand survived the pestilence: In oxford shire nere Chepingnorton was found a Serpent having two heads and two faces like women, one face attired after the new fashion that was then used, and the other like the old or accustomend maner, the wings were like a bat or flindermouse. That year King Edwarde the third had a great victory on the Sea against the spaniards, Gunthar earl of Schwartzburg being made emperor was poisoned at Frankeforde. A Comet appeared in the North in December, and when it was out, there followed grievous tempests of winds, and a beam was seen in the Element to slide along, having the forepart afyre. Lewis the son of Philip king of Varentum, after he had obtained the kingdom of Apuli● against Lewis king of Panonia& was anointed at Naples by a Legate in the name of pope Clement he took his kingly government. Furthermore this year Frignanus the son of Mastinus begotten of a whore, whilst his father went to Belsamum a town in Germany to recreate himself, after the conspiracy was made among the citizens became Lord of the city,& shut out the great dog his father with al his other sons, but the Dog having aid of others, assembled his army, besieged the city, and after many assaults at length took it, and put his son Frignanus to death, with the other seditious citizens. That year is said to be in England a dry summer, of some referred to the year following: there ensued great dearth of corn. A flamme spreading far abroad in the element between the west and the South, after the suins going down,& showing a terrible burning, at length with a great noise rushed against the element. Likewise the year following a flamme was seen in the Element vpon the sudden going from the north to the south: almost an endless number of grasshoppers appeared in A●frique& Cipres, which feeding vpon the sap of herbs and trees made a great barrenness of corn: there was that year a great eclipse of the sun. viscount John ruler of milan, and a very warlike tyrant dyed. Marinus Falceianus Duke of Venice when he sought to usurp the dukedom and to rule the common wealth as he list, was beheaded, which was a worthy end for his enterprise. Vpon S. Lukes day the evangelist, there was a horrible earthquake in Germany, in the which also basil was ten times most gréeuouslye shaken,& about a 11 a clock at night the Cathedrall church and many other buildings of the city fel down in diuers places, in the which about 100 men were presently slain. There arose also( to the end that this one calamity might not be alone) a deadly burning of the city, which when by no means it might be quenched, for certain dayes the devouring flamme as though it had conspired the destruction of the citizens, did great harm to the city on every side. Leichstall a town but two miles distant trom basil fell down at the same time with many churches thereabouts, and within the space of certain miles there fell down diuers Castles, at Homberg two, at Telsberg three, at Wartenberg, Farnsperg, Gilgenberg, Munchensperg, Lewenberg, Her●enberg, Mersperg, Tiersten, Lewenstien, Bischosten, Wildensten, Newenstein, Engenstein, Rhienstene, Birszecke, Haggenbach, Brombach, Froburg, Hasselburg, Landoser, Munstrall, Stienbrun, Buttingen, Hertwiller, Dorneck, Pfefficken, Buren, Lantscrone, Munchenstein, Waldeck, Berenfels, &c. In spain and chiefly at civil and Corduba very many houses also fell down with the earthquake: the Englishe men overcame the french nere to P●ris and they took John their king with Philip his son innkeepers: this act is referred to the year 1356. as some writ. moreover the same year at Norenberg a Bull was ordained and established by Charles the 4. Edwarde Prince of Wales took John King of france and his young son Philip prisoners, with the victory over sixty thousand Frenchemenne, the Prince having not much above the number of eight thousand soldiers. The german law was appoynted by Casimere in the Castle of cracovie. There were great floods of water in Scotlande. Lewis of Bronswik and of Luneburg died. At Constancia by the mere Accronium the plagne made a wonderful spoil for a whole year: the Castle of Wosserburg situate not far from Constancia was spoiled. A second pestilence was in London and over the whole land for the most part, in which time dyed Henry Duke of Lancaster. A final peace was concluded between the kings of england and of Fra●nce on this condition that king Edward should haue to his proper possession the countries of gascoigne and Guian, poitiers, Limosin, Beleuile, Exanctes, Cales, Guine● and diuers other Lordships, towns, Castles, and all the lands to them belonging, without knowledging of any sovereignty, obeisance, homage or subiection for the same, and that the king of France should pay for his ransom 30000. scutes. mighty tempests of wind did overthrow towns, stéeples, and houses in the south part of england About the year 36. of Edward the third King of england, Simon Islip archbishop of canterbury did establish a decree, that more should not be given to Priestes for their yearly stipend, than three pound, 6 shillings 8. pence, which caused many of them to steal: so likewise the unadvised making of Ministers without consideration of livings and place of service, is the cause of as lewd offences, to the great grief of the Learned, and slander of the Church. Through the cruel drought of this year there was so great scarcity of haye in Germany, that the most part of horse and cattle dyed for hunger, and part was saved( with much ado) with straw drawn from the houses. Furthermore the winter of this year was so cold, that well near all the Meeres and stowres in Switzerlande were covered with ice, and the water Fowle seeking for food even in the streets of Towns, were taken by the inhabitants. That year three kings came into england, namely the french king, the King of Cyprus, and the King of Scottes, but the french king fell sick at London whereof he died. In August so great a number of grasshoppers flew through Switzerlande that they covered all the country like snow& hurt the fruits of the field: the same year Leopoldus Duke of Austria bringing into germany 400●0 English men besieged Argentine& stirred them up in vain against the swissers. Stomphius. Switzerland was shaken on every side with deadly Earthquakes to the great fear and horror of all men, and basil was gréeuouslye shaken again with the violence therof. The first of july and five dayes after, a strange circled was seen about the sun, over which appeared two crosses of a red colour: that year Schaffhucia a city of Switzerlande was burned with a terrible fire, wherein there perished about seuentie persons. The thyrde parte of the city was scarcely left free from the extremity of the fire. The Genowais for certain disworship done to them, invaded& spoyled the country of Cipres and conquered the city of Famagusta. They constrained also their king Petrine to pay unto them a great tribute the space of certain dayes. Diuers entreaties of peace were made between the king of england and france by mean of the Bishop of Rome but none was concluded. The Element was seen often to burn all the night long: a bearded star did shine: the Emperor Charles the 4. departed this life: there ensued great calamities in the Cities of italy: the Florentines didde for the most part revolt from the Pope. many wonderful sicknesses fell among the people, as well in italy as in england, whereof they dyed meruaylouslye, great ruffeling also fell between the borderers of England and Scotland. At Posnania the high church with the tower joining unto it was strike from heaven on the right side, so that the top being broken asunder,& a corner of the town, the lightning pierced into the kings chapel through a little cleft in the roof,& leaving other things untouched, it broke in pieces only the Images of king Premislaus& his wife Rixa. This year in Poland& Posnania the plague made a marvelous spoil. Zemouitus duke of Masouia was cursed because he had not punished such as spoiled the goods of the church. Iaroslaus afterward died. In Switzerlande many places were spoyled with the overflowing of diuers riuers, and the river of rhine swelled so big, that through his violence he carried away two arches of the Bridge at basil, and did greatly hurt the Cities of the Lower germany. The same year an inestimable Multitude of grasshoppers in the month of August coming from the East did spoil almost all france, which were greater than the other grasshoppers,& had 6 wings, and it is wonderful to be spoken, how in maner of marching souldiers they passed through the air in distinct order, or lighting vpon the ground pitched their tentes: the captains with a few other, went one daies journey before the host, as to provide fit places for the multitude: about nine of the clock the captains restend where they came the day before, neither did they remove from the place they took, until the sun rose again, then went they in their companies that a man might see the discipline of war in small creatures: they eat up the corn, which was so wasted by them, that it seemed to be consumed with a great tempest: they occupied 4. or 5 miles the space of one dayes journey, and they came as far as the British sea, covering the vpper face of the earth, whereinto as God would haue it, they were driven with a violent blast of wind, and carried into the deep were drowned, but by the working and flowing of the Ocean they being cast a-land, filled the sea shore,& there was such great heaps of them, as it had been mountains, and through their stench& corruption the air was so infected, that it bread a forcible plague among the people nere adjoining, whereof many died. A great famine oppressed Italy for two yeres. Prince Edward of England a valiant parsonage died in the flower of his cheualrie: also king Edward the 3. king of England ended his life the year 1377. the 22. of june. The. day of june there was a great and dreadful earthquake in Switzerl●n●, where also a few dayes after there was seen a great circled about the sun fearful to behold: there followed diuers kinds of war, famine, and mischievous floods on every side, which did great harm to the inhabitants. There arose many floods in Switzerland: The river Birsus did so swell, that in the flesh market the Citizens were carried in boats from house to house. About this time( although some said the same year) guns were first invented by a monk in Germany. moreover, Munster writeth that Achilles Gassaru● a doctor of physic, and a most diligent Hystorian wrote unto him that guns were in use about the Sea of norway in the year of christ 1354. and that the first inventor and Authoure of them was an Alcumist called Bertholdus Schwartz a monk: surely he found out a marvelous work, which the sharpest wits of times past could not invent, and which some judge to be heavenly and very necessary, but some devilish and very deadly: first they lean to these arguments: it is manifest that by reason of avarice, wickedness, and cold charity, the number of the wicked cannot be kept under by laws, and that no man can go safe, no not a mile, for a little before the invention of guns the assembly and factions of wicked men began to sack and spoil in many places the labours of good men, neither could any overthrow the Castles of those thieves and Robbers from the mountains where they kept themselves, without the help of guns, wherefore very many do amiss condemn the inuentoure of guns, without the which good men cannot live in safety, nor cities could be so mighty and rich, seeing that occupiers could not exercise merchandise, which are the chiefest parte of mighty and great cities: wherefore let the enemies to guns cease to despise Gods gifts, unless a man think a Dogges open mouth and his tooth made to bite meet to be condemned, and unless a man judge that the horns in an ox, are not the good work of the Creator: but no man that is well in his wits will condemn these kind of partes given to living creatures by nature in place of Weapon, wherefore those men condemn the abuse, as also in an ox and a mad dog it were better the horns and the teeth were away. But what Creature is it which the wicked do not abuse? Some do simplye condemn this invention as devilish and hellish, than the which nothing at any time hath been invented under heaven more horrible, and which the wickeddest sort as Turkes& Tartarians, the common plagues of the World, do use for the destruction of the good and godly. Here no magnanimity, no strength of body, no subtlety in war, no weapons, no Castles of ston do profit: those ston spitting, iron spitting, and fire spitting torments do break, batter, and overthrow all things, and bring them to nought: one stroke taketh away one hundreth, or two hundreth men set in battle ray, be they never so well fenced with iron. This Almayne gift was sent to the venetians when the Genowais being shut up in Clugia were besieged by the Venetians. There are dyvers kinds of guns, which at this day are called Amasone, Basilisce, Luscinie, Quartanae commonly Cartune Dracones, Serpentes, Faulcones, great and little, also Cannons, Culueringes, Demies, Minions, Baces, and such like. In england an Earthquake suddenly arose, wherewith many buildings fell: this year ensued a deadly sedition in the time of richard the second king of England●: all the west grew in civil hatred: all England was wonderfully afflicted with the pestilence,& a great commotion raised by Wat Tiler, jack Straw and others. There were burned sundry places, the savoy, and the places with the records of the city, but William Waleworth mayor seeing the king abused, in Smithfield suddenly stroke Wat Tile● on the head, and thrust him in with his Dagger, and brought the King into the city, the rebels being therewith amazed, in short time fled away where many of the chief were afterward executed, and William Walworth was by the king made knight: it is said the cause of this commmocion rose by the means that the king ordained that every person of the age of fourteen yeres should pay 4. pence to the king, there were gathered together of the common people to the supposed number of 60000 persons, red John stow in his summary. moreover 32. of the rebels as they were entering the savoy being gotten down into a wine seller drank so much sweet Wines that they not able to come forth, tarried so long until the door was fastened up with the whorling together of wood and stones,( as it should appear of the defendants) there, and in such sort remained for the space of 7. dayes, no help being to deliver thē although they were heard, they there died: likewise at the spoil of the new Temple, there also they became so drunk, that one violently killed an other, whereby may be perceived the just reuenge of God against wilful& obstinate malefactors. There were also great commotions in flanders for the new taxes that the earl Lewis set vpon marchants, there arose deadly strife, not without mutual hatred between Pope Vrbane the 6. and 13. french Cardinals for the choosing of the Pope which they thought not to be well made. The same year was a general earthquake the 21 of May, at one of the clock after noon, by means whereof much harm happened, and the Saturdaye after at three a clock in the Morning, was a trembling of the Water, rather to be termed a Waterquake, that made the Ships in the havens to totter and réele and those which road nere together were thereby greatly bruised. John Stow. The year following there arose a new begon sedition, by one John Ball a priest, and John Wraw Priest, which did rise at Meldenhall and greatly troubled the Commons and the Citizens of London: who being taken were after hanged. picked shoes, high heads, and long tailed gowns, with women riding aside first used in England brought into this land at such time as king richard the second married Anne the daughter of Viselaus king of Bohemia. Their picked shoes were tied with silver guilt chains to their knees, the noble women used high attirings above their heads picked, and long train gowns, before which time women were used to ride astride as men do. The Scots took york vpon the river of tweed▪ spoiled& burnt it: afterward they were by the Kings army driven thence, yet after followed greater attempts, but the Scots gained little thereby. The third of May there was an earthquake about midnight in Engl●nde. The King with a great army entered Scotlande the Scottes fled, and the King( richard the second) burned the country and returned. The 18. of January there was an other earthquake, there followed among the Londoners a great fear of the french King coming to invade the land, which enterprise came to small effect. A maner of exhalation in likeness of fire appeared in the night time, in many parts of England in the month of november and December,& went with men as they went,& stayed as they did, sometime like a wheel, sometime like a barrel, sometime like a long timber log or beam, and sometime in other shapes, but when many went together then it appeared farther off. The same year in lent was a head of earth at oxford by arte of necromancy( as it was reported) that at a time appoynted spake these 3. words, and after left of speaking, the words be these: first, Caput decidetur, that is, The head shall be cut off the second, Caput eleuabitur, The head shall be lift up: thirdly, Pedes eleuabuntur supper Caput, The feet shall be lifted above the head: there followed a sedition in Oxford among the schollers, and a dislike of the kings government by a few, so that 40000. were stirred up by Thomas of Woodstocke Duke of gloucester, the earls of warwick of derby and Nottingham. red John Stow. 1387. The year that the peace was made between the Venetians and the Genowais who again had taken weapons in hand, the very same day that the peace was concluded, a child was born having 1. thighs and arms and lived until that he was christened. Leopoldus Duke of Austria being vanquished by the swissers died with great stoutness. Galiatians viscount of milan after baron of ●ouis was slain. A great pestilence in the North: in a short time at york were buried xj. hundreth people. Vpon the day of the nativity of our Lord God was seen in the river of Thames a Dolphine fish floating and mounting close to the Bridge, foreshowing peradventure the tempests that followed shortly after, or else the disturbance of the Citizens which shortly through the kings displeasure they came into the 15. year of Richard the second. Stow in his summary fol. 241. There appeared a star which is called Veru, slender enough, with his beard and beams stretching upward, and his head hanging downward. The Astronomers said that this was the worst which commonly appeared among other Comets, but because it appeared not in the morning but in the evening, it signified that those things should lately come to pass which commonly ensued: perchance the same is it which Gaguinus in his 9. book of the kings of france hath written to haue appeared in the North in the time of Charles the 6. king of France. The same year the 22. day of March, a grievous earthquake shooke Switzerlande. The 7. yeres peace between the dukes of Austria& the swissers was lengthened to 20 yeres, and the year after there was an overthrow of sigismond king of Hungary with the french. In Gallia Belgica not far from the city Leodium. it is reported for certain that that was done, which Eneas silvius who afterward was called Pope pus, did put in writing: in Europe a falcon had made her a neast either vpon a tree or in a rock, and hatching her eggs, shée gréedilye looked for her young, ravens coming over her, thrust her off her Neast, in breaking and devouring her eggs: the herdmen beheld it being near to and marked the fearful falcon flying away: the next day after,( a wonder to be spoken) the fashions and the ravens as it were from al parts of the world assembled, the one holding the Northside, the other the South, in setting their armies in array, and as though they had been capable of reason, they set some in order to keep the Wings of the battle, others to lead the main shoal marching forward: they fought a cruel fight in the air, wherein when sometime the ravens, sometime the fashions retired, and again recovering their strength, gave the onset afreshe, the whole field underneath was covered with Feathers and carcases: at last the fashions had the victory, who not only fought sharply with their bills, but also with their talons, and left not one of the ravens alive, whereupon not long after, when two strove 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 variance between them concerning the Pope) they two came with their host to fight in the same place. John Duke of burgundy did help the one in the field, the other parte the people of Leodium took, they encountered together in the field, and with great contention on both sides there was fought a deadly and bloody battle, wherein at length Duke John being conqueror slue 30000. of the enemies. That year through the abundance of waters at Bury the church was overflowed therewith, and at Newmarket it threw down walls of houses, and men hardelye escaped drowning: this flood happened in the month of October. The year following died queen Anne, wife to king richard. On Newyeares day, near unto bedford, a very deep water which can betwixt the towns of Swelston and Hareleswod, stood suddenly still and divided itself the space of three miles, the bottom remaining dry, which wonder foretold the trouble that followed of the falling away of the people from the king. A blazing star was seen at the same time with beams of most fervent fire. A certain Priest arrayed al in white, came out of the Alpes into Italy, bringing with him a number clothed also, whom Bonifacius bishop of Rome dispersed, he burned the Priest that was their leader. Lanquet, Cooper, Folio. 259. A Prior and eight Friers were hanged at tyburn for treason. The Church of Rome in these dayes could hid no longer hir travail of bringing forth horrible monsters, Sects, Heresies, schisms, and Discords, proceeding of hyr first begotten furies. John the twelfth the bastard of Pope Sergius begotten on Marosia the Harlot, in whose time a fountain in Genoa flowed with blood, there followed not only a huge slaughter of people, as before is mentioned. 935. by the africans, saracens, and Hungarians, but also in Rome between Hugh Albertus to the disquiet of the Citizens. Adrian the fourth an Englishman, called Nicholas Breakespeare the son of one Dan Robert a monk of Saint Albons, going to Agnania to denounce the excommunication against the Emperour Fredericke, after he had tarried there a few dayes, walking forth with some of his company to cool him, drinking of a certain spring of water, forthwith a fly did enter into his mouth, and stuck so fast to his throat, that he was choked. 1159. coelestine the third by a made marriage between henry the sixth Emperour and Constance a Nun of Panormia, dispossessed Tancred King of Sicilia, whereupon followed bloody wars, and great division every where, in so much that this was written against Rome, rejoice oh ye mother, because the Conduits of al treasures on the earth are opened, that mountaines and whole riuers of money might flow into thy hands: rejoice vpon the iniquity of the sons of men, because thou art rewarded with so many mischiefs: rejoice vpon thine assistant company Lady dissension, who hath burst loose from the pit of bottomless Hel, that shee might heap vpon thee many gubs of gold. Thou hast that which thou dost thirst after: because thou hast daunted the world by the malice of mankind, not by holy religion. Men are hated and drawn unto hir, not by devotion or pure conscience, but by treachery& working mischiefs manifold, and the deciding of controversies gotten with blood This bedlam Pope caused Fredericke the Emperor to stoop while he with his foot spurned off his crown. 2198. Boniface the eight, this good face by a fraud persuaded coelestine the fifth to resign his popedom, which being done, not contented therewith, cast him in prison, where simplo coelestine died. This is that Pope of whom it is commonly said: He entred like a Fox, he rained like a Lion, he dyed like a dog, he gave sentence, that unless kings would receive their kingdoms at his hand, they should be accursed: for his horrible mischiefs, in the end he was set vpon a young horse with his face to the horse tail, and forced to ride a galloppe, till he was almost out of breath, afterward imprisoned where he dyed. 130●. Peter Thomacel a young youth of twenty yeares old, called Pope Boniface the ninth, this Pope took the first fruits of abbeys, and great churches, at length it came to personages, &c. a sweet bait, from a sour device, pinching them that nipped others, by devised offerings to relics, stocks, and stones: the 'vice being abolished, the plague remaineth, with no less violence, than as if there were that is not: so that fleece is become so not through careless security, It is come from Rome to britain having visited other countries by the way. but by the Gospel finding so little charity, that the same plague which overthroweth idolatry, will hinder verity. In this Popes time, through covetousness and simony, usury waxed so rank in Rome as saith Theodoricus, that it was counted no sin. Many other vices were committed. Also a marvelous plague was in Rome, in which season the Pope sold diverse benefice to one man, and when they had no money, he took household stuff, horses, hogs, sheep, and al maner of grain, nothing came amiss that was worth money, he kept the jubilee at Rome, Anno. 1400. where many strangers were robbed, and great Ladies ravished by the peasants of the Popes Court: he died of the cholicke and ston. 1404. In the Church of the Iacobines in Geneua, at the place called the Palace, in the year of our redemption 1401. against the iniquity of these aforesaid Popes and the rest was found this picture printed by james Iacore of the city of Taurinum in Peedmont, together with the latin verses which were put thereto, to show that God hath not at this time alone through his infinite goodness breathed into the heartes of some, to know that the Pope and all popery, came from this horrible and monstrous beast, to wit the Prince of the bottomless pit infernal. judicabit judices judex 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 quails estis Quid in hoc judicio dicere potestis Idem erit dominus judex, actor, testis. The general judge, will judge us all, The Popish honor shall nothing avail, Be he either Bishop or cardinal. Him his deserts shall damn and glory quail. Then shal it nought avail thee thyself to sense, neither ought to answer, nor to reply, Ne seat apostolic iudgement to use, He guilty shal be damned, no man shal say why Weigh ye wretches, who and what ye are, What in this doom, can you vouch or deny? When God is judge, witness and plaintiff at bar. The divell appeared at Danburie in Essex, vpon the day called Corpus Christi, in the likeness of a Gray friar, who entering the church raged very insolently, whereby the Parishioners were marvelously feared: the same hour with a Tempest of whirlwind and thunder, the top of the steeple was broken down, half the Chancel shaken and scattered abroad. Shortly after sir Roger Claringdon Knight the Bastard son( as it was said) of Edward the black Prince, and with him his squire, and a young man were beheaded, and eight Friers brought to open iudgement were condemned and hanged, that published King richard to be alive. read more in the summary of Chronicles. There appeared an excellent Comet, and it was seen towards the west, immediately when the Sun was gone down, beyond our horizon. And the year following Tamerlan the cruelest tyrant that ever was, raged in the East parts, and committed such a slaughter of Turkes and saracens of both kindes, that with their heads alone he made a wall. D. Malleolus of Thurin in his book which he entitled of nobility. Of this Comet Montanus thus writeth: and least that those things which are very far from our memory should always be recorded, before that Tamyris or that Tamerlan king of the Scithiaus and Parthians, with innumerable power invaded Asia, going into far Countreyes, a huge Comet was seen in the East Angle of the heauens, which went towards the sun rising, not long after almost the destruction of all Asia ensued him. this history Camerarius writing of strange sights doth trimlye describe. A Comet was seen in the element. Galeatius Duke of Milan continuing yet the war by his Captaines against the Florentines, died at Malignanum a town in the territory of Milan. Richard Scrope Archbishop of york for treason against king henry the fourth, was at york beheaded, and his Scottish confederates discomfited for that time. Among the Sabines a calf was brought forth with two heads, in the territory of Picenum a child was born with six teeth. Then the Turkes began every where to take our holds, Polidor virgil in his third Prodig. In england a great frost began in December, and lasted fifteen weeks, which destroyed all the small birds. The year 1408. edmund holland earl of Kent was made Admiral of the sea, who landing in britain, besieged the castle of Briake and wan it: but with an arrow he was there wounded to death: there followed a rebellion, which was some disturbance to the Common wealth. read Lanquet, Cooper, John Stow. A girl was born with two heads, four arms, so many hands 14●● and feet, in the North part of Boearia at a place called Sandersdorph, between the riuers Danubius and Alemanus, the ninth of the kalends of April. In Switzerland there came so great a number of strange foul, that the Suns light was covered with their wings, whereof darkness ensued: Ladislaus king of Apulia that year after he had besieged, the hold of Adrian he set vpon Rome. A strange Tempest of wind and rain, the first of the Nones of August at two of the clock in the afternoon at Micena overthrew in the Cathedrall Church two towers with seven bells: vpon the covering the hail cracked the tiles: in the houses, the windows and gates: vpon hills, and in Gardens, the whirlwind pulled up trees by the roots. The river Albis and Trebisa, took away the uttermost parte of the Bridge, men might row in the streets as far as the Frierie of saint Francis The year after the counsel of Constance began. About this season a marvelous heap of discords were made manifeste, to the great disquiet of the Princes then being, through the disturbance of the pontifical jurisdiction, whose discord caused many persons to decline from them: for at that time at Constance was held a general counsel, at which time three Popes strived for the popedom. The first was John, whom the Italians set up. The second was gregory whom the Frenchmen allowed. The third was Benedict, whom the spaniards placed. such was the known practices of the Romish sea unto the world, that diverse learned grave fathers by figures of deformed shapes expressed their abominable seditions, schisms, murders, conspiracies and treasons. Among many of the which behold one, not to laugh at their folly, but to warn thee from sin, least a greater plague appear for disobedience. It is said that sibyl prophesied long ago, that hemp should be errors destruction: find Emor, and know the place from whence error began, and is until this day descended. Gene. 34. mark the soil where hemp doth grow, which maketh Cable, Cloth, and Twine, of the which paper some say is made, thē peradventure it is Printing, by which al abominations ar so speedily revealed. Hir supposed words are these. Miserable shal that time be, when hemp shal destroy thee. {αβγδ}. Number. 23. Deut. 33. Ezech. 29. Dani. 14. The Lion, and the Dragon both, do Albions ensign bear, Supporters of a Kingly badge, most fit for them to wear. To serve as show of valiant mind, two laws they represent, For God and man, too rule them by, their own by due discent. If Iuda did the Lion bear, and Dan the Dragon fel, Then judge who worthy ought to haue, that rules them both so well, For he whose heart once pierced was, hath fixed his feet most sure, In right of Albions worthy grace, for ever to endure. The lightsome sun, the truth foretells, which gives the Lion light, And tells the Dragon what is past, by show of Stars in night. Exod. 6. Psalm. 90. Who now must serve a worthy queen, as satan servde the Lord until the time that Iesus comes, all nations to accord. The Holy figure. Emor an ass( evil Studious of Iudgement a Supplanter Who road on the ass he the prevails by truth. Zichem Who lusted in evil: he that neglected virtues. Dina over whom is iudgement: over him that defileth the Church spoiling hir of hir virginity, by wicked ordinance, and carnal phantasy, which shall be supplanted by the only verity. jacob The divell alleged scripture, but error hath mistaken the Truth. There was a notable eclipse of the sun the sixth Popish Feria after Corpus Christi day. John Hus coming out of Boemia( a maintayner of the truth against the Pope,) contrary to his safe-conduit& faith given him by Sigismondus king of hungary, was burned at Constance, after he had made confession of his faith the sixth day of july, and his scholar jerome of prague was made a martyr in the same place the thirtieth day of May. Lewes the Dolphin departed this life, after whom his brother John succeeded. The one and twentieth day of july which 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 city got themselves to the mountains, as it were to a place of safety, and some into the woods and fields. The duke of Sau●● made peace with the Walletians. In england Sir John Oldcastle knight lord Cobham was hanged in chains, and after brent as an heretic, in the Monuments of Martyres: said to be hanged& brent in thickets field, besides saint galls, as saith D. Cooper. The fourthe of December the river of Rheno did overflow so much with abundance of rain, that it overthrew with violence the Bridges of Lofenburge and Bris●g, and in Hellanele it rent asunder thirty Cities and villages, to the great destruction of men and beasts. The roman Empire made war against the Boemians as heretics, having the Tigurians and some other Cities of Switzerland their helpers. The thirteenth of the kalends of December, in the night the ocean suddenly overflowed, the winds raising the surges and storms, it covered all South holland with water: beasts and men perished, there were drowned above seven hundred villages and parishes, with Churches, colleges, Monasteries, Priestes, and monks. Vpon the going of sigismond into Boemia with a great host, the castle of Zolere besieged for a whole year by the C●ties of the Empire, was yielded and destroyed. The war grew between the Dukes of Bauaria. The river of Tiber overflowed exceedingly, immediately the general counsel was appointed to be held at Papia, and afterward was removed to Sena. The four and twentieth of july the river of rhine rose so high, that at Basil upon the Bridge, a man might wash his hands in the stream, where also it carried away the buyldyngs of the Bridge, edified with great piles of stones, and ran over the walls of the lesser Basil. That year the Citizens of Basil went to Lewes count Palatine of rhine, with a thousand chosen soldiers, against the Marques of Baden. The seven and twentieth day of September, about midnight, was a terrible Earthquake, which continued the space of two houres. The Duke of britain forsook the Englishmen and allied him with the Dolphin, Lanquet, Cooper. The winter was without could, and about the feast of S. Nicholas, trees& corn did flourish. The year following there was a very grievous plague. The Venetians make league with the Florentines, Carnignola revolted to the Venetians. In england was very unseasonable weather, for by continual raining from Easter to michaelmas tide, the harvest of corn was greatly hindered, it followed, that the Englishmen besieged the city of orleans continuing the time of which siege, the noble and valiant Sir Thomas Montague was slain by a great misfortune, whose death was the beginning of all misery to the Englishemenne, for after this mishap, they lost by little and little all their possessions in France. Cooper. in henry the sixth his reign. The thirteenth of December Basil again was so shaken with an Earthquake, that it overthrew to the ground not only the tiles of houses from the roof, but also a great parte of the chimneys, and rent asunder diverse buildings in the city. Afterward through abundance of Snow certain buildings in germany were overthrown to the ground. That year Joan a maiden of twenty yeares of age, taking weapons in hand, did not only defend Charles the seventh King of france against the Englishe and Burgonians, and at length being taken by the Englishe, she was burned at Rone. The river Albis this year overflowed twice. The sixth of the Calends of March, the river at Misena ran over the bridge, which flood lasted four dayes. again the eleventh of the Calends of August a great abundance of rain falling from heaven, caused all the bridge to overthrow and cast down the walls towards the South: that violence of water lasted five dayes. There is mention made of these floods in the Vandalia of Cratius and in the Misnian discourses of George Fabricius of Chimnicke. The same year was a great Eclipse of the sun: Paulus Guinisius, being taken by the deceit of his men, was brought to the Duke of Milan, who together with his sons was pined away by long imprisonment. The navy of Milan being provided at Genoa, fought also in the cost of Genoa, and the Venetians and Florentines had the vpper hand, xj. long ships being taken in the flying away. At Wila a town of Turgauia a calf with two heads was brought forth,& for many dayes was hanged up at the gates of the same town, to be seen. The same year there was so great a famine in Turgauia, that they gave the Citizens leave to eat flesh upon fasting dayes, contrary to the Popes laws and ceremonies, to the end they might the sooner reconcile their stomachs barking for hunger, whereupon also they of Constantia fed daily one thousand seven hundred persons of Turgauia with common alms. In Poland a bright Comet appeared in the night, more than three months bending his flamme towards the west, and that year king Vratislaus dyed. In Germany there followed scarcity of corn for four yeres. The counsel of Basil began. The king of hungary being made Emperor of Rome was this year crwoned by Pope Eugenius. moreover this year there appeared a wonder which Aeneas silvius writeth of in his Europe In the territory of Bononia very many small Antes climbed up vpon a dry Pearetrée to feed, there came after them no small number of greater Antes which partly slue them and partly cast them down: almost two houres after there arose so great a number of small Antes, that all the field seemed to be covered with a black host: they came all beset in companies, and environing the stem of the tree on every side, began by little and little to creep up: when the greater Antes perceived that their enemies were at hand, they clustering together above, a waited the fight, armies met together and joined in battle, the greater with sharp nipping slue the lesser on every side, and in short space they slue them, that there grew underneath vpon the ground, at the roote of the Pearetrée, no small heap of them falling down and dying: but when the lesser Antes stuck stiffly unto it, twenty or more did together beset one of their enemies, and fighting before and behind, struck him through with their stings every where: at length the greater being overcome and all slain, they were worthily punished for their rash battle which they first began. These were done in the sight of many of the romish church, when Pope Eugenius the fourth held Peters chair, who being a Venetian born, stirred great uproar in Rome, by persecuting the predecessors of Pope Martin, hoping thereby to haue gotten great sums of money, by means of which his lewdenesse he was driven to fly Rome for a time unto Florence, and at his return, he( as Illiricus saith in his catalogue) caused Thomas Redonius a white friar, a famous preacher to be burned at Rome, 1436. because he earnestly reproved the pride, riot and unjust cursings of the Pope: this Pope to overthrow the counsel of Basil did summon another at Ferrara. And after at Florence through his means, Ladislaus king of hungary came to miserable destruction, for breaking his league made to Amurathes the great turk: Pageant of Popes in his sixth book. This antike devise began, as a scorn of their hellish government, with many verses of deep reproach, which I ommitte here in this work, for that other Authors haue touched it sufficiently: onely the coin set down, thereby more plainly to express their folly. Pasquillus. again in Germany the river Albis overflowed his banks the eight of the Calends of july, to the great slaughter of many men and cattle. The patriarch John Vitellescus took Rome and al the land of the church, whereupon the Genowayes despising Phillip, set themselves at liberty. The Genowayes sent Alphonsus( whom they had taken) to Phillip of Milan, who freely sent him away. This year was a great frost, that such merchandise as came to the Thamis mouth, was carried to London by land. This frost endured from the fifteenth of november until the tenth of february, which was ten weeks. After ensued the death of John Duke of Bedford, regent of France, who was worthily buried in rouen, after whose decease al things went backward with the Englishmen in france In Switzerland near the castle of Mellingen, in the river of Rusa, the inhabitants saw a stream of blood break forth. There followed a plague throughout Switzerland, which in short space at Tigure took away about three thousand men, and in other places in the same country there arose cruel Fiers, and other miseries. Sigismond King of hungary and Emperour of Germany, when he entred Vlmes with a great solemnity, the same day a certain kind of fishes of hungary, unknown in germany, was brought by the Fishermen to the Emperour: the Emperor wondered, saying, these are the very inhabitants of the kingdom of hungary, which come in companies to meet us, and require us to come into our kingdom. And when the Emperour was gone from thence, the fishes vanished away, and were never seen afterward in germany: but Sigismond that year vpon a Monday the 29. of December dyed. There appeared a Comet in Poland. This year at the Counsel of Basil, Pope Faelix the fifth was created against Eugenius the fourth. At Constance by the mere Acronium within ten months, four hundred men dyed of the plague. In Switzerlande in the Cathedrall church of Thurike, the twelfth of September, which was the Dedication of that Church, there was heard a great noise and clange, but nothing was seen: there followed the Tygurian war with the Switentians and Glaronencians. An Earthquake spoyled Polande, hungary, and Boemia. Alphonsus king of arragon took Naples, and expelling Renatius got the kingdom of Apulia. Ladislaus king of hungary, by the help of Huniades overcame the Turkes, and the year after the Turkes slue him. In this time a Comet was seen, at the stay of the sun in summer, which made mens mindes afraid, portending destruction, war, and misery to follow. In Boiaria mildew, a mischief to corn, blasted the wheat: caterpillars an accursed worm were seen, which eat of the leaves and blossoms of trees, and left the trees ill-favoured to behold. At Rome the fifteenth of the kalends of October the Bridge of Tiber fel down, and 560. men were drowned, which came thither to see the plays which Nicholas contrary to the decree of the counsel of Constance had set out. In the territory of Basil, about the Lazerhouse of Saint james near the city, a great clashing of armour, and men fighting, and a warlike shoute was heard for thirty nights together, and no man was seen, wherefore two months after Lewes the Dolphin breaking in with a great host of Armenians, to dissolve the counsel of Basil, fought with the swissers a most bloody battle, in that same place where the noise in the night was heard before. The same year in the midst of August, there fel intolerable and great snow for more than three dayes, upon the mountaines and pastures: many cattle dyed through cold: Basil was again shaken with an Earthquake the thirtieth of november being saint Andrewes day. The river Albis overflowing the day before the Ides of march, destroyed many manor places, and carried away flocks and herds out of the fields. The. 7. day of April the Sea was in such a rage, that it broke in behind Dordrak it fret asunder, made breaches, and found out a very free entry into the land: it destroyed men, fields, towns, and villages: there were then drowned sixteen parishes, and there perished about a hundred thousand men, together with their cattle and substance. Dordroh felt thē no small loss. The Emperour Frederick the third proclaimed war against the swissers to whom the Cities of the Empire, because the whole matter concerned the house of Austria and not the Empire, denied aid. The same year the Art and excellent skill of Printing was found out in germany, a notable gift of God, wherewith it pleased that divine grace, thereby no less to further religion, than all the Studies of Artes and Sciences. The seven and twentieth day of Ianuarie about Zophingen, Lentsburg, Zurikesee& Auranke, at midnight there was seen a shining clearness as at noon day, for the space of an hour, with grievous thunder, fearful leames of lightning, and strong blasts of winds, and immediately darkness followed. The first of Ianuarie in the town of Surksee, when people betime in the morning went to church, they found in the churchyard, and also in two houses much clotted blood. The third of Ianuarie in Eberseg a monastery near to Surkesee, in the morning there lay about the monastery a great number of deade carcases, and when this fearful thing was known, they vanished away. Likewise in the month of july, ceetaine of Swi●en, about twenty going out of the town of Zug. to harm the Thurians. The bird called Meropes, a Bée-eater came to two of the chiefest, and continually gobbing on their heads, went about to rest hir there, who forciblye casting hir away, and at length killing hir, they went towards the mountain. The Thurians lying in wait, set vpon them two and slay them. At the end of this year upon the Twesdaye after the birth of christ, at Basil, the river Birsus did so violently overflow the city, that in the fish Market it carried away six houses with much goods. In Germany, about Saint Georges day, through continual snow, by the space of ten dayes all places were so covered with hard ice, that the weather was as hard as an extreme cold Winter, which notwithstanding( a wonder to be a spoken,) did not hurt the fruits of the earth. The same year war began between Albert Marques of Brandeburg, and the Citizens of Nerenberg, wherein the Princes defended the Marques, and the Cities of the Empire the Citizens of Norenberg. There were committed on both sides very many slaughters, much robbery, and deadelye burning. Naples in Campania that noble and ancient city, which whilom height Parthenope, suffered an horrible Earthquake, wherein certain thousands of men perished and sustained grievous loss: in Sweueland and chiefly about augsburg a great hail, about Saint Matthews day, did twice in the day do great harm, for as much as the stones were far greater than Hen eggs. The war in Switzerland began between the Duke of savoy and the Citizens of Friburgh. The city of Rinfield was taken by craft by the nobles of Austria. Cassimire King of Poland was crwoned king upon the feast of John Baptist, and Christierinus earl of Aldenburgh, was chosen King of denmark and Norway. And the year following the Tartarians invaded Polonia and Russia. The fourth of the kalends of September, the sixth hour of the day, there was an eclipse of the sun, Alphonsus king of arragon, Apulta, and Sicilia, being wearied with more than three months siege of Plumbinum a city by the sea side, when he had lost many of his men, and the rest were for the most parte faint with labour and heat, fearing the army or host of the Florentines that was at hand, broke up his siege, and brought all his army near Rome. Francis the son of Floria captain of the Milainers army, overcame the Venetians host, in the which there were almost fifteen thousand fighting men not far from the river of Addua by Karaua●e sinum. The Earth was grievously shaken in more places than one, whereunto was added the most threatening Preaching of Robert a friar of the order of Minor observants: he told the the people of Rome and other people of Italy that God was angry with them, with whose prophetical voice, as sent from heaven, all Rome was troubled and very many other Cities besides, in which, prayers were appointed to pacify Gods wrath. Amadus Duke of savoy who at the counsel of Basil was chosen Pope, being moved with the authority of the Emperour Frederick, for common quietness sake, forsook that honor and got him to a monastery, whereby the schism that had now continued ten yeares, was taken away. The Tartarians spoyled Polia and Russia while the Polanders were busied in the war of Volachia. A horsse-colt in the year jubilee did foal,& whilst he foaled in a great assembly of the people standing by dyed before the gate of Vrbetel which lieth towards Rome: the colt was of both kindes: immediately the town was taken by james Picenus in the war of Sena, and there was much blood spilled in the battle on every side, and many were banished for ever. The English were vanquished by the French at Formianum, all normandy after thirty yeares returned again to the dominion of the French. The English were driven out of Aquitaine. The noble Science of Printing was about this time found in Germany at Magunce by Cuthembergus a Knight, or rather John Faustus, as saith doctor Cooper in his Chronicle: One Conradus an almain brought it into Rome, William Caxton of London Mercer brought it into England about 1471. in henry the sixth, the seven and thirtieth of his reign: in Westminster was the first Printing. Mogunce is a famous city in germany called Ments, not two, but one city, the authors disagree in the surname, a matter of no great importance. Before that Constantinople, was by the most cruel Turkes assailed by Sea and land, it was known for a surety that at Comum a city of the furthermost part of france, when the sun was going down, a great number of Dogges ran through the air, after which herds of diverse cattle, shows of footmen, first of light harneys, afterward there followed men with staues and Targets, and the horsemen being divided into troops did follow in a great army set in order, and almost for three houres made the show of an army or host coming, of which prodigy Alexander ab Alexandro doth writ at large in his third book Chapter. 15. The same year the Hungarians, Boemians and Moraui●ns besieged the Emperour Fredericke in the new city of Austria, and took from him their king Lanislaus. There were diverse prodigies spoken of. Among the Sabines in february, it was reported that a Cow brought forth a calf with two heads. At Rome it rained blood, at Venice gate and in Liguria flesh. The same time in the territory of Picen, a child was born with six teeth, with a face of a strange greatness, a token of the great misery which afterward ensued. There arose a conspiracy of certain soldiers in Austria, with the which for ten yeares Austria was wonderfully vexed. At Erith within twelve miles of London were taken four wonderful fishes, whereof one was called Mors Marina the second a Swordefishe, the other two were Whales. There followed a fleet of Frenchmen that landed at Sandwich and spoyled the Town with great cruelty. D. Cooper reporteth this to be in the year following the five and twentieth year of king henry the sixth. Notwithstanding there followed in few yeres after many controversies and battles, as the battle at Northampton, the battle at Wakefielde, and the battle at saint Albones. read Stow. between Florence and Sena at a town which they call Cassia, the sixth year after the jubilee, there were seen clouds, twenty Cubits high from the Earth tost together with a wonderful force of wind to fight, and the one drove away the other, and oftentimes by changing their course those which had driven away were driven away: in the mean season with a great and incredible violence of wind the tops of the houses were driven up in the air, walls were cast down, and great Stones were removed from their place, very old Oli●● trees and very auntiente bodies of oaks were pulled up by the roote and broken in pieces, men and beasts were carried and drawn up into the air. Aeneas silvius in his description of Europe, Chapter fifty four. In the month of june a Comet was seen for a month in the east, in the fifteenth degree of Cancer in the month of August: a great force of winds overthrew many manor and farm houses, in the territory of Florence and Volatera, and overthrew the town Cassian for the most part. All the Cities of Campania, of the Samnites, of Apule, and of the Poloniens, with many towns were destroyed and utterly overthrown with the earthquake. Mahomet Emperour of the Turkes leading his army against the Christians, was put to flight and from his tentes at Taurinum a town which is now called Alba, situated in that place where the river Sauus and Danubius meet. At the lake Benacus not far from Salodinum a mountain did cleave very wide down to the bottom. A Comet which they call Niger was seen for a month in june, in the twentieth degree of Pisces At Venice certain Senators sons were condemned for unlawful brybing for offices. Alfonsus king of arragon and Sicilia▪ preparing a navy of thirty Gallies for the bringing of banished men to Genoa, discomfited his aduersaries. Petrus de Monte Bishop of Brixia dyed at Rome. Ladislaus King of hungary while he prepared him to marry, was poisoned Christiernus king of denmark added the kingdom of Swetia to his dominion. King Cassimer taketh Mariburg. In november at Portland, not far from the town of Weymouth was seen a cock coming out of the sea, having a great comb vpon his head, choaled long and read, whose legs seemed half a yard long: he stood on the Water and did crow three times, and every time turned about and beckoned with his head toward the North, the South, and the west: he was coloured like the pheasant, and so vanished away: shortly after this, there followed spoil of the Kings subiectes by the Frenchmen at Sandwiche. At Fowey in devonshire deadly discord fell among the nobility. Reginalde peacock Bishop of Chichester, supposed an heretic for translating the holy Scripture into English, is forced to make recantation at Pauls cross. By one of his books called the Donet of Christian Religion, it appeareth the man was in a great forwardness toward the truth, only for fear of the Archbishops displeasure and of his life, he forsook Christ and followed the Pope. After this was Bloreheath field, in which deadly fight of al sorts of people many perished. upon the day of the Purification of the virgin, there appeared three suins, every one showing a several light, which closed altogether in one. The earl of warwick fled from Saint Albones to the earl of March, of which strange troubles read John Stow in the latter end of king Henry the sixth. There arose a great and a cruel Tempest at Venice, wherein a strange whirlwind drowned many ships, almost with the Arsenal, which is a place for the ships safe road: and the same year Mahomet Emperour of the Turkes, driving away Thomas Paleolagus and carrying his brother with him, took Peloponesus. and when he had taken and slain king Trapizentius, he got Pontus. And the year following the Genowais choosing Prosper Adurnus to be their Prince, revolt from the french. In Polande the less, vpon a day when the sun was going down, the Image of Christ crucified, with a Sword was seen to pass along in the air from the west to the South, for more than two hours. The head or the scalp of Saint Stanillaus is said to haue sweat at diuers times whilst he was carried about in a superstitious precession. This year there followed under the Duke Borouoius Scrininus grievous robberies throughout Polande. The Citizens of Gauni spoyled Sambra, and Pomerania was afflicted with much aduersitye. There also ensued the bloody battle made by the Polanders at Puscum and many other misfortunes. The fifte of December about eleven of the clock at night, in the kingdom of Naples, Apulia and Beneuentum, there happened so great an earthquake, that Churches, palaces, and many other buildings were thrown down, to the great slaughter of men and beasts. The 7. of August at Walesia in Switzerland there was a great& a strange overflowing of the river Rodanus, which did much harm on every side to the inhabitants of that country, and did not only tear the Bridges, but also carried them quiter away. The same year at Tygure 24. houses were burnt. At Rome three suins were seen, which troubled many mens minds: the same year George scanderbag a man famous for the feats of war, overthrew the Turkes with a great slaughter, that violently ran upon him. This George scanderbag Prince of Epiro was son to the lord John Castrioth, the which possessed the part of Albania that was called Emathia and Tumenestia. and the mother of scanderbag was name Voisaua: she was daughter to the Prince of Pollogo, which is a parte of Macedonia. Amorathe Ottomanno Emperor of the Turkes having long time vexed the coasts of Albania, John Costrioth not able to defend made peace with him, and for hostages delivered his sons, which were Repossio, Stanilla, Constantino and this scanderbag, who had to name George: but when this tyrant Amorath caused him in his youth to be circumcised, he gave him the name of scanderbag which in our speech is lord Alexander: being afterward instructed, he became so valiant in all martiall enterprises, that at the age of nintéene yeres he was ordained Sangiacco which is to say a conductor of sundry bands of five thousand horse, then ●asla, that is general. he so prospered, that the turk had him 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 men, there came thither a Tartar of a great stature and exceeding force, and challenged to fight with any man in all the Turkes court: after that many had refused, by the means of great report that was made of his victories, and how that he had slain many that encountered him, scanderbag desired leave of his prince that he might fight with the said Tartarian, who with much ado obtained licence, and slue the Champion: after few yeares espying his time, he fled from the turk, entred Croia displaying his ensign,( an Eagle sable on a field Gules) destroyed the Turkes, and so proceeded until he had fréede his country. He was of a goodly stature, and fair and well bodied, of good complexion, able to endure al kind of travail: he was wise, circumspectly, of a deep mind, liberal, just, gentle, and merciful: he ended many worthy Victories against the Turkes: he died at the age of three score and three yeres in Anno. 1467. Commentaries of the Turkes, second book, Andrew Cambine. Fraunces the son of Sfortia Duke of milan died: by reason of the death of the Duke of milan, war arose in Italy, for at Florence whilst the chief of the city were at strife for honour, the common people conspired and took parts, some with Peter Medices the son of Cosmus, others with Luca Pitius: wherefore they ran to their weapons immediately. When Luca Pitius and Peter Medices were reconciled between themselves, many Gentlemen were driven out of the city. In German war arose between the Dukes of Brunswik and the Cities called the hance. Seditious and civil warres spoyled england. King Edward the fourth through the help of the duke of Clarence, the year following, the 12. day of September pursuing his resistantes, vanquished the earl of warwick, Marques montague on Galdemor heath, nere Barnet ten miles from London. This battle was done on Easter day the 14 of april. There was slain about three thousand men: after followed the battle at Tewk●sburie, and then followed the violent death of King henry the sixte, murdered in the Tower. At Rome in the beginning of june, there fel hail of unaccustomed greatness, whose stones weighed twelve ounces, and this year Mahomet Emperour of the Turkes set upon Euboia with a great navy of ships and a thousand Horsemen, and won by assault Calcis a city in Greece. The thirtieth day of june Mathias king of Panonia afflicted the Bohemians with a grievous battle. In france there arose hot war between Lewis and Charles Duke of Burgundy. In certain places of Germany hail stones fell to the ground which were bigger than Goose eggs, by the which Cities, corn, and plants in the fields had much harm. That year the king of portugal passed over into Barbary with a great navy, and wan by assault Tinga and Argilla. A woman at Brixia and another at Papia brought forth cats, and the very same year the 15. day of August there was a great earthquake in the city of Brixia at two a clock in the morning, which was so fearful, that the Citizens were in doubt of the fall of the houses and walls, in which year there fell much hail there, and in many other places, greater than Ostrege eggs, which be commonly 20 inches in compass. At Be●na in Italy a woman child was born with one head, two hinder partes of the body and so many members. There appeared a Comet in the beginning of the year about the 21. day of Ianuarie, sparkling out fire, which turned with long and black hears weastwarde, whose body was first about the beginning of Libra, afterward it bent itself to the North and continued 80 dayes, but before he was spent, another appeared, whose bush seemed fiery, and to be placed in the sign of Aries and streatchte out his tail eastward. The year following there followed an incomparable drought and pestilence, and most bloody war happened in many places. This year Charles Duke of Lorain● died of the plague at Naus, but Charles Duke of burgundy hearing of his death, assayeth to win Loraigne with the sword. Not long after Visonus Cassanus king of Parthia and armoniac going to the river Euphrates to the end to invade Asia, encountering in battle with Mahomet king of the Turkes, did so fight, as one that gave and took a great overthrow, for two most mighty Armies, and two valiant Captaines fought twice together in few dayes. The same time Alfonsus king of portugal passing into Affrica with a sufficient navy, took by force two Cities Tyngis and Argilla, and subduing the cost Tingitana, annexed it to his empire. And Charles Duke of burgundy made so sharp war against certain Nobles and the people that bordered vpon his country, that he raised war for many yeares, which of late was kindled by his death, and he was slain at Naus the sixte of Ianuarie, on which day and year also they writ that the Duke of milan was slain in a Church, Pontanus hath described this Comet not only in his Commentaries vpon the one hundreth sentences of ptolemy, but also in most learned verse together with those things which ensued. Eberhardus Schlewsinger, a philosopher of Tigure hath also interpnted it in his little book of Comets. In the summer the Woods were set on fire, by reason of drought and overmuch heat, and riuers were so dried, that men might go to Danubius in Hungary. james king of Cipres died and left behind him a son, being an infant, under the name of whose gardianship the Venetians possessed the kingdom of Cipres. On Peter and Paules day the Apostles, which was the 29. of july, many buildings in Germany with extreme winds were overthrown to the ground. And at Auspurg Saint Vldrichs Temple was overthrown, wherein the Priest with thirty others was slain. This so great a violence of wind, did not only rend trees and Woods with other things in Germany but also breaking into Hungary from the rhine, didde much harm at home and abroad to the people of that country. Charles Duke of burgundy besieged Nussia. Lewis King of france first made league with the swissers against Charles Duke of burgundy. Peter de Haggenbauh a knight, being for his tyranny accused at Brysag, was disgraded,& afterward as he deserved beheaded. Nere to Verona a woman child was born, with two privities, two bellies and four arms, the parents carried this Monster a long time through the cities of italy for gains sake. Bartholomeus Pergamus a most noble Duke died the same year. Charles Duke of burgundy took Loraigne, Ferdinandus the great, King of spain, with Alfonsus king of portugal. The two kings Mathias and Vladislaus made peace between the Hungarians and the Bohemians: chronicle of Polande. Cracoue was deformed with a notable fire. Edwarde King of england being sent for into france by Charles Duke of burgundy entred in friendship with Lewis king of france& made league with him. grasshoppers and the great rising of the river Isula did spoil al Poland. This same year in Franconia and near to the wood Ottonica, there was a young man a Taberer called John Behen, a man unlearned and a shepherd, Niclashausen. Sect. at a village called Niclashausen, who getting many followers, and devising a certain counterfeit religion, began to teach the unsteadfast people, that the life of the clergy was reproachful, and to God abominable, and taxes and tallages, rents, revenues, tithes, and tributes were not to bepayde, that all waters and woods were free for all men: mane other things also he spread among the people, and said that the virgin Mary revealed them unto him: wherefore a great number of the common people followed him, and it was commonly believed, that the man was taught from above( by God) because he had learned no letters: he disputed with priestes, neither would he give over his opinion, affirming it to be Gods doctrine: the people which commonly delighteth in new things did flock to him on every side, and that shepherd vpon holy dayes in a great assembly of people made a long sermon in despite of the clergy. It is reported that at one Sermon there drew unto him above thirty thousand persons, handy crafts men out of their shops, the ploughman from the plough tail, maidens from the rock and distaff, as ravished with a certain divine power, without the knowledge and against the will of their parentes, Maisters and instructors, they went strait to Nicholas Hanson. The fellowship of towns and Villages offered wax Torches: private men, golden rings, ornaments for the head, bracelets and money: and maids commonly offered one of the locks of their hear. But Rodolph Bishop of Herbipola, thinking due season to prevent the creeping of this doctrine, vpon a day when none of his Disciples was about him, by sending of espials he commanded him to be taken and brought to Wi●●sburg, and to be cast in prison, and to be condemned and burned as an heretic, after whose death this pilgrimage of men and women ceased, and the Byshops of Herbipola and Mogunce shared between them the gifts that the vnskilfull people had offered. The star of Venus being more goodly to behold than shée was wont, was seen to run along in the Element. Grashoppe●s ranging through Italy did utterly waste the Fields about Brixia, whereupon there arose a great pestilence throughout Italy, that at Venice there died above 3000 men. Alfonsus Duke of Calaber together with fredrick Duke of Vibe● vanquished the Florentines and spoyled all abroad their Cities with fire and sword. This year in Englan●e was a great dearth, and also a great death of people at London, and in diuers other places of the realm. The same year the second of the Ides of july, the moon was eclipsed, and the fourth of the kalends of August, almost all the light of the sun was hidden in like sort, which made the vnskilfull in astronomy exceedingly to wonder and fear. The Venetians being entangled with the grievous war of Hetruria, and being vexed with the great army of Otnomanus, made war in Macedonia and Frioll, to the great detriment of the common wealth, and the open peril of all Italy. John Philip Maria Duke of milan after he had lost 8000 of his men, sought unluckily with Robert Seuerina general of king Ferdinandus. The Winter was rough and extreme, through much rain and continual showers. While John king of arragon set vpon diuers Cities in spain with a great army, a great number of diuers Serpentes being driven through cold came out of the woods and hills adjoining, and crope to the Tentes and Pauilyons of the soldiers, and although the Serpents of a wonderful greatness were among men, yet they did them no harm in the Tentes, being oppressed with extreme cold. wolves also in flocks set often times vpon the soldiers, going not far from their Tentes. moreover the Water of many fountains, which the Souldiers used in their Tentes, being infected with the exhalation and corrupt vapours of the Marish and Meeres that were thereby, were the cause of the sudden death of diuers Gentlemen. lastly a very dreadful voice and much like a mans, was heard almost every night, which portending nothing but horror and heaviness, stroke the stoutest Souldiers into a great fear. In diuers places of Switzerlande there appeared in the air armies of men fighting very fiercely: within certain months after there were dyvers kinds of Crosses, and fiery bowls, which falling to the ground left tokens behind them for many to behold, which is recorded in the chronicles of basil. for the common remembrance thereof. The same year the swissers joining hand to hand, or encountering at the river Tysinus with the Duke of milan, who about S. Martins day had brought out 15000 chosen Horsemen and footmen, in killing 14000 of the Millainers they became not only conquerors but also obtained and got a most rich booty. In Arabia there was seen a Comet like a very sharp beam, and as it were set with diuers points with the form of a Sythe. The same year the Turkes invaded al Carinthia, the crucifiers or Crossecarriers made war against the Polander s, in Hungary the league was renewed betwixt Mathias and Vladislaus. In the Ile of Creta now Candi, as Coccius Sabellicus writeth in his first book of his Eni. Rapsod 1. on that side which lieth toward the South whilst certain workmen drew up by the roots the stem of a huge tree, to make ship timber, they found a mannes head buried in the Earth as big as a wine Hogs head, and when unskilfully men had rashelye handled it, muldring through rotten oldenesse, it by and by turned to dust, but the teeth being of a marvelous greatness were carried to the governors of the island, making show that the thing was true, one of which teeth being sent to Venice, is even at this day in a mannes houss there to be seen for a miracle. This year the Turkes invaded Apulia by Sea, they won Lidrutum by Sedge, and brought great misery to the inhabitants of Calabria through the most daungerous overflowing of the river of rhine: the buildings of all the Bridges were overthrown that belonged to these Cities of the rhine, Schaffucia, Keysarstula, Lafenburg, Secking, and Ringfield, and at basil three arches were carried from the Bridge. This year there was no wind over all Germany and great abundance of victual: Iayes and Pies in great number fighting together in the air for certain miles, made show of that war which the Frenchmen made with the English. King Edward making great provision for war into france ended his life: Stow Aecolampadius was born in Germany, who afterward became a learned divine. When richard the thyrde was king of england, by means of civil discord, as the Chronicles declare, one Henry Baneste● servant to the Duke of Buckingham then being( whom he had tenderly brought ●p, and unto whom the Duke committed himself in his distress) upon a large proffer in proclamation made by the king, betrayed his Lord: it so came to pass shortly after, that his son and heir fell mad and died in a Bores sty, his eldest daughter was strooken with leprozie, his second son was taken lame, his youngest son was drowned in a puddle, and Banester himself was arraigned for murder, hardly escaping, and had no reward as he hoped,& thus like a faithless caitiff, as a just reuenge was plagued. Martin Luther which properly signifieth Swan, was born in Germany who after became a profound Doctor and preacher of the word of God as other Authors more at large affirm. Vpon S. Georges day, to with the 1●. of March, all places were so darkened by reason of the suins Eclipse, that the day light now failing, candles were lighted in Cities and towns: hens( but abroad diuers kind of Fowles) got them to their accustomend places of night rest, and this Eclipse lasted for a quarter of an hour, after which immediately there followed a great scarcity of all things, famine, and hurtful tumults on every side. Pope Sextus the 4. died, after whom Innocentius the eight succeeded. At Wallesia in Switzerlande there dyed of the plague in a very short space. 1400. Richard the third raising an army to withstand Henry earl of Richemonde, the night before the battle that was fought at Bosworth in Leicestershire the 22. of August, in his sleep he had a fearful dream, wherein to him it seemed that he saw deformed Images like terrible devils, which pulled and haled him, not suffering him to take any rest, which strange vision greatly apalled his former courage: notwithstanding his hope of victory, he was slain as a rebel and carried to Leicester like a hog. In the dominion of the county Palatine of the rhine, not far from Hidelberg in a village called Rorbach, there was born a twin of both kinds being fastened back to back. Maximilian the son of Henry was crowned King of romans, Albert duke of Bauaria, took Rentzburg a very strong city of Germany, situate by the river Danubius. A child with two heads was born at Padua, wherein there was no foul thing to be seen, but the excess of nature. There were all things more filthy in a boy, which in those dayes was born at Venice, having his mouth many ways, and besides many things foul to be spoken: he had his genitals growing to his neck, and for this cause they like not to bring him abroad( and as oftentimes it cometh to pass, that all things which deceive the ears and the eyes are reckoned for strange wonders in the mindes of those which be scrupulous) The report went commonly abroad that a hen laid an egg at the Apostles church that crew like a Cock, which is unhappy lucke, immediately when the owner of her was dead, which lay somewhat sick, and when the hen was killed, they said, that an egg was found nere to her, wherein was begun the shape of a cockatrice: others affirmed that the basilisk is brought forth of the house of a manqueller, whom the cock had hatched with continual brooding, but these things are believed of the common people as though it were not manifest that that evil were not peculiar to Affrique, and not in all Affrike as some do writ, but only at Cirenaica At Padua the earth shooke horriblye, and with that quake the church of our Lady belonging to the Friers Carmelites fell down, and the affairs of Italy at this time stood at this stay, when in the east and the west and in the North foreign Nations were vexed with great commotions, and I wote not whether more grievously also than of late in Italy, about Siria Baiazetus Othomanus did greatly annoy with war the country of king Meruphiticus and twice within a year in the borders of both realms the Barbarians fought a battle, and both conflicts were troublesone to the Turkes. Maximilian was taken and besieged by treason at Bridges but in short space at the coming of his Fathers army, he was delivered. The kingdom of Granado was gotten by the spaniards, and the saracens were driven out By Lucerne a noble town of ●●e swissers, at a farm which is called Emmen a monstrous cock was hatched of an egg, whose Image we haue borrowed of the gatherings of Sebastian Brand A great number of strange foul appeared at Turgoia, and at other places of Switzerland. the strong Castle of Isteten which standeth in Clettgoia, was besieged by Alicuuic● prince of Sultz. Mazimilian king of the romans being taken by his men in flanders was delivered immediately by his father fredrick Emperour of the romans. When james the fourth king of Scots who began to reign in the year of our salvation ●4●9. sent ambassadors to the king of france, and james Ogylf● who was brought up in the university of Aberdon was chief among them, they were driven cross over with a tempest to the Sea coasts of norway, where vpon the hills they saw hairy men running up and down, such as wild men are reported to be: they being demanded of the inhabitants what they were, answered that they were beasts in mans shape, hating men deadly: in the day time they did them no harm, but fled from them, in the night in flocks they set vpon farms, and murdering men devoured them: they also broken open doors, for they were so strong that they pulled up by the roots a tree of a reasonable growth, and slipping the Boughs and branches of great trees from the bodies, they fought together, wherefore at that time they making great fierce all about, and setting men to watch, they past the night without harm: when the morning came, and the wind was good, they went to france where their journey lay, as Cardanus in his first book of the variety of things and fourth Chapter hath left in writing. The Winter of this year was so hard and Snowy, as no man could remember the like: the Snow lay vnmolten until the beginning of summer in certain places about Cities, and the gulf was frozen about the city of Venice as far as the Sea with so deep an ice, that men went afoote and by Chariot to the city from the village called Margaria and other places thereabout. The Weather cleared for many moneths, after the fall of the snow, Water was carried about to be sold( as the maner is) in boats, but it being frozen with extreme cold, was cut asunder with hatchets that it might be sold rather by the valuation of the eye, than by measure. Marishe and Sea fowls were taken in fens, and lesser Cattayle dyed every where through intolerable cold. Italy at that time was in quiet, having peace on all sides, when the venetians through the Sea grew in a new fear. The navy of Ottomannus when it was not lookte for entering out from the straightes of Hellespont and passing along by the cost of Greece, stayed with great ruffeling not far from Corcira, and not long after king Baiozetis marching by land with a huge army came to Epirus. Mathias king of Hungary and Bohemia died of the disease called Apoplexia, the loss of sense. Pontanus doth city a witness, who affirmed that a ram was brought unto him vnboweled, who had his entrails and bowels doubled. There was this year a Comet and an Eclipse of the sun, after which a Moraine of beasts ensued. In the assembly at Norenburg the cities of the empire took Licus and Albert Dukes of Bauaria, who before took Reutzburg a city of the empire, and compelled them to restore it again to their confederacie. Vladislaus son of Casimerus King of Poland was chosen king of Hungary. The seventh of november at Suntgoia in the limits of the vppermoste Alcatia near to Eusheimum a town well known through the iudgement of the empire or Consistorye of Ferdinandus king of the romans and of hungary, a ston fell to the ground out of the clouds with a great noise of the Element, weighing four hundreth pound weight and a half, who being afterward digged up, and hanged up aloft in the church of the same town, is to be sèene at this day for a miracle. After the middle of December in Polande three suins were seen at noon dayes, there appeared a Comet after the suins going down, for the space of two moneths: and this year Hansh● and the Emperor Maximilian were overthrown by Vladislaus king of Hungary. Casimerus king of Polande died. A great part of the city of cracovie lying towards the west was burned by a casual fire, and a cruel murrain and rot of cat-tail and sheep went through Poland. Before that the worthy Laurence Medices, a prince never enough to be praised for the manifold qualities of his mind, died at Florence: these things in a maner went before his death, although other things also were commonly spoken of. The first of the Nones of april almost at the third hour of the day iij. dayes before Laurence gave up the Ghost, a woman I know not what she was, whilst she heard one preach in the church that is called Maria Nouella, being suddenly afraid& astonied, rose among the throng of the people, and running up and down like a mad woman crying fearfully, said: Ho, ho, my countrymen, do you not see this raging Bull which overthroweth to the ground this great church with his syery horns: moreover the night before when the sky upon the sudden was overcast with clouds, the top of that great Cathedrall church which hath the excellentest roof( for the wonderful workmanship) in all the world, was strike with lightning, so that certain great shivers were thrown down, and chiefly on that side which lieth to the house of the Medices, and with a certain horrible force& violence great Marble stones were slong down, and the same night that Laurence died a star shining brighter than it was wont, hung over the manor house without the city where he was drawing on to the death, at that very moment of time was seen to fall down and to go out, whereby they knew for a surety afterward that he was departed. moreover, it was said that burning torches ran up for three nights together from the hills of Pesula vpon that Church where the bodies of the house of the Medices are butted, somewhat to haue sparckled and immediately to haue vanished away: What say you to this also? that a couple of the Noblest lions didde so fiercely fight together in the den where they were commonly kept, that the one was very sore hurt, the other slain: at Aretum also vpon the Castle there were said two flames to haue burned like Castor and Pollux, and Politian hath written likewise that a shée wolf howled terribly under the walls. At Rome a twin was born, having both the bodies joined together, back to back,& the hands and face standing away ward, which lived but a few dayes: Not long after a maiden brought forth a boy that was half a dog, which Prodigyes doubtless did signify the murders and wickedness which afterward followed in the time of Pope Alexander the sixte. At Berheld in the dominyon of the most noble Prince elector Palatine, at a farm or manor place, not far from Hydelberg, the 14. of the kalends of Ianuarie there was born a twin having one Breast fastened to an other, and bound together with one band of the navel hanging down. At Rubiacum in a very ancient town of Alsatia, The author of this book was born there. ( where conrad Licosthenes was born) when the Bishop of Strausburg his Steward( which hath in his own right by the gift of Dagobert king of france this town as well as the country adjoining, which they call Munus Datum) for that he gave a naughty reckoning, was arraigned of life and death, and that the time of iudgement was at hand, his friends and kinsfolk made such suit to the Bishop, that they obtained of him that the man should be discharged, but the counsel and the Senate of Rubiacum understood of this too late, for he was hanged the same day the messenger came, yet notwithstanding because that it was done contrary to the Byshoppes mind, and at that time unknown to the judge, by the commandment of the Senate the executioner took him off the Gallows and brought him with great mourning and weeping of the Citizens, with the procession of the monks of S. Fraunces from the place of punishment, and was very honestlye butted in the Churchyearde: there were seen at that time for eight dayes by them that dwelled nere the place, and chiefly those which inhabited the village Pfaffenheim and in the night season, dyvers sights about the gallows, and about the top and foot of the gallows there were not only lights alone, but also flames breaking out of the earth, and other things besides, which M. conrad pelican oftentimes told me. The same year while Maximilianus reigned alone, there was committed a great murder by the germans upon the french, at the saulte Wiches in Burgundy: about this time the foul scab called the French pocks began, then rare in Italy and france, now common in England. One special thing is to be noted that happened in england within the compass of five yeares, in Anno. 1490. a great dearth in those dayes was reported to be, wheat being then sold for twenty pence the bushel, after which followed strife between the King of england& france about the aid of the Britones. The year Anno 1492. wheat was sold for six pence the bushel, bay salt three pence the bushel, white Salt of Nantwiche at six pence the bushel, white hearing at nine shilling the barrel, gascoigne wine at six pound the Tonne, and so of other victual. The year following Perkin Warbeck which by the counsel of Margaret of burgundy name himself richard of york. king Edwardes son, first ariuing in kent and afterward in other places, greatly troubled the common wealth: read stow: so that by this it seemeth that the sudden cheapness is answerable to the old proverb, After sweet meate sour sauce, it is not good in prosperity to be unmindful of adversity. In Rotwill a town of Germany situate by the wood Hircinia, a child was born with two heads, four hands and two feet. At cracovie in the month of September a woman dwelling in that street which hath the name of the holy Ghost, brought forth a dead child, at whose back there claue a live Serpent gnawing and feeding vpon the deade carcase. And another woman at a manor place nere the city which is called black, about the twelfthe of the kalends of november, brought forth a Monster that was like in all poyntes to a mannes shape, saving that his neck and ears were like a Hare, and having one great gut that went over all the belly, and breathing with an open mouth. This year the emperor fredrick died, they had one or two conflicts with the Turkes that made a great spoil. cracovie was burned with a horrible fire: The Tartarians spoyled Podolia and Voliuia. There was seen a great number of excellent fashions flying together nere Pfird, which was accounted a prodigy, because this bird is as it were solitary, and doth for the most part abhor the fellowship and conversation of them of his kind. The interpretation of this prodigy was written by Sebastian brand, to Maximilian the most mighty king of the romans. Nere worms, on the right side of the river of rhine at a manor house called Bi stad which standeth between worms and Benshaime, a Woman brought forth a Monster the fourth of the Ides of September in this shape: they were ij girls having their bodies whole, but their foreheads were joined together looking one upon an other. Those M. Munster writeth in his cosmography, An. 1501. that he saw at Mogunce, and affirmed that they were at that time six year old: they were constrained to go together, to sleep and rise together, and when one went forward, the other went backward: their noses did almost touch, their eyes could not see forward, but of one side, because their foreheads didde cleave together a little above their eyes: they lived till they were ten yeares old, and then when one dyed, and was cut from her that survived, the other not long after died also either through the wound which she had in her head, or rather of the stench of the wound, and corrupt rottenness that was in the brain: the cause of this Monster was this, two Women spake together, one of which was with child, and the third coming upon the sudden knocked both their heads together as they were talking, wherewith the woman with child being afraid made a token of the knock in her child. This year the turk prepared a great host against the Christians, wherefore in the assembly at worms there was held a counsel touching the defence of germany. At Rome in the river of tiber a monster was sound with a mannes body, an Asses head, one of whose hands was like a mans, but the other like an Elephants foot, one of his feet was as the foot of an Eagle, the other resembled an other Beast: he had a womans belly trimlye set out with breasts and his body was covered all over with Scales, saving his belly and his breast, having in his hindewarde partes an old mans head bearded, and an other besides spitting out flames like a Dragon. This monster is said to be taken up out of the river of Tiber bodied like a man, the head of an ass, one hand as a man, the other round, one foot like an Eagle, the other like an ox, round bellied as a woman, and one breast, his body scaled, at the Fundament a head deformed, from whence grew out an other ill favoured shape: The learned in Germany wrote earnestly against the Pope, the like occasion was given to other countreys, sithence which time the popish kingdom hath greatly decayed. There was a hind of a notable and unaccustomed greatness given to Maximilian king of the romans, which Sebastian Brand learnedly described in Dutche and latin verse. In Sunigota a most fruitful country of Germany in a village called Lancer a pig was farrowed with one head, four ears, two eyes, and two tongues, eight feet, and a body joined together from the head to the navel but partend asunder behind. In a certain Village or Lordship which belongeth to the bishopric of Strausburg called Swgenheim two miles from Stra●sburg, there was found a Gosling in an egg of a monstrous form, with two heads, and two tongues, one neck, four feet, two of which stood in that place where in other the wings came forth, but the other appeared about the rump, where also was a double Foundamente, and two wings stood about the neck. At the same time and place also, a pig was farrowed with seven feet, almost like to the feet of a Goose. A certain woman called Aemilia being married to a certain Citizen of Ebulum after she had been married twelve yeres became Aem●lius and afterward keeping company with men, exercised mens trades, and married a wife having his dowry restored her, at the commandment of Ferdinandus king of Sicill as the Enlarger of Eusebius Chronicle recordeth. The same year V●adulau● king of hungary after he had diuorsed from him Beatrix of arragon obtained for money of the Pope to marry an other, matching with the Wife of Valco. Daughter to the lord of Gaudola. between Caezena and Bertonorium in Italy the thyrde hour of the day, the fifte of the kalends of february, three stones of a burnt colour fell out of the element with a horrible noise: There went before the fall of these a great dynne, and as it were a rattling of matter falling down. There were some which believed that it was one ston, but that it broken asunder in the fall, not only Letters privily sent to Venice of this strange sight didde signify it, but also a parte of this ston of a burnt colour was brought forth to many that would see it, albeit the sense neither of the ears neither of the eyes, was of so great force among the learned as Antiquitye, which witness is like a prodigy. It is left in writing that sometime in Thrace by the river Egos a ston like a Chariot fell out of the Element which Anaxagoras Clazomemus a man of a deep wit said before that it would fall. about the same time a new kind of sickness begaune to be common over all Ita●● a year before the coming of the french, and therefore as it is thought, it was called Gallicus Morbus, for it is not manifest( as far as I can perceive) where it took first his beginning: a filthy infection and which no age before hath proved after diuers pains, bushes didde infect the body, which growing to very filthy ulcers, mennes bodies were defiled more than can be said. The disease called Elephantiasis a kind of Leprozye, worse than the Leprozie itself, cannot be compared to this disease, and which of all is most miserable, the disease continued for many yeares, a few for the number of the diseased dyed, but much more fewer were clear of the said sickness, and not onely Italy felt this mischief, but Germany, Dalmatia, and all the Coasts of Macedonia and Greece, almost the twentieth part of men had trial of this disease. In england at Bartholmewtyde in Bedfordshire at the town of saint needs fell hail stones that were measured eighteen inches about: after this tempest the troublesone time of Perkin Werbeck began anew to vex the common wealth In the Lordship of Dirlistorf the sixte day of December, which is dedicate to S. Nicholas bishop, there was born a boy, in body well compact, yet his arms and legs were not answerable, by reason of Natures defect, for he wanted altogether the right hand, and in that place where the thumb commonly standeth, there appeared a fleshy swelling or such like, which lived above sixty yeres. In the Lordship of Werdenberg there was born a monster of the woman kind, with ●. heads, 4 arms, with one breast and belly, and 2. feet: that year Eberhardus the younger Duke of Wittenberg was banished, and Vlricus his brothers son was set in his place. A monstrous calf with two heads, the one before the other behind the neck, was brought forth at cracovie. The summer following the Tartarians spoyled Polande,& the league of the Hungarians, Polonians,& Valecians, was made against the Turkes. It is left in writing that a german woman called Dorothe, brought forth at two births twenty sons, at the one nine, at the other eleven, which whilst she was with child, by reason of the great weight, was wont to stay up her great belly, hanging down to her knees, with a roller that lapped about her neck and shoulders, as John Fraunces Picus, earl of Mirandula hath written in his commentaries upon the second Hymn, who hath gathered out of the Monuments of the ancients, that the women of egypt brought forth also at once eight children, and that one of them at four births brought forth thirty sons. And he reciteth out of the history of a certain Bishop of Neocomus that one called Antonia in the territory of Mutina, now called M●dona a city of Italy, brought forth forty sons, when she was forty yeres old, and oftentimes at one birth 3. and 4. In Al●atia not far from Taberne, there appeared in the element a bulls head with staring eyes, between whose horns there shone a star of an unaccustomed greatness. The sequel: the war of Maximilian with the swissers began, which at large is set out in the swissers chronicles. At Lucerne in Switzerlande the ●1. day of May a fiery Dragon of a Monstrous shape was seen, with open ears as big as a caulf, and eight cubits long, to fly to the bridge of the river Russus. In the month of july Maximilian King of the Romaines breaking into Switzerland with a great army, did miserable spoil the Town ●ngadinum, with fire and sword, some of the swissers made hast to Merona and some of them spoyled Hegoia. In Poland there appeared a Comet of a dreadful greatness for eighteen dayes in the North under the sign of capricorn, and this year the Tartarians spoyled Russea and Polonia The goods of the Iewes were spoy●ed by the soldiers that were marked with a cross. The castle of cracovie was burned with casual fire. And the Russe made war against the Lutener. Albis a river in Germany grew so high the eleventh of the Calends of September, that at Mis●n● in the womens market men were carried in small boats: one of the greatest Arches of the bridge was overthrown with water, in many places in germany marks of our Lords cross, and for a token of the lords passion, suddenly appeared vpon the garments of bodies of men and women. whereupon many judged that it signified the alteration of faith and religion, and drops of blood from heaven. Cooper. The 2●. of june, not far from Tigure in Switzerlande hail of a marvelous greatness did not only hurt the fields and the vines, but also overthrew to the ground wild beasts, herds and cattle of diverse kindes,& men also: the 22. of june going before, chiefly about the Cities Berna, Solodorum, and Biela. hail fel in a great tempest that were bigger than Hens eggs. The Winter of this year was extreme, that birds of the air, and beasts harbouring in woods, were numbed with could, and many of them dyed. moreover the summer about Saint Iohns tide was so hot, that it scorched and withered trees, and sundry fruits of the earth, and here and there set woods on fire. Elizabeth queen of England died, wife to king henry the seventh. In the end of March one Godwyne a monk of sheen murdered the Prior of the same house in a cellar. This year there was so great a droughte, that from whitsuntide to the latter Lady day in September there fell no rain. In the lordship of Gossowe, not far from Tygure in Switzerlande, an honest woman brought forth two Boyes with one body joined together in the knot of the navel with four hands and four feet. In Germany again there appeared crosses on mens garments and in white bread: in Bauaria about the town of Vilsec there was seen a great Dragon with a crown spitting out fire: in Hash● a child was born with his lims in good proportion, saving that he wanted altogether ears, eyes, and nostrils, and in his face he had a mouth only. That year the league of countrymen commonly called, their Bundschouch, raised up in German● and specially about Spires a great sedition against the Lords. Pope pus the fourth dyed, in whose room was placed Iulius the second, a better soldier than a Priest. Phillip Prince of flanders, when he had married Joan the daughter of Elizabeth queen of Castil by Ferdinandus, and that he departing with hir out of flanders, made hast to spain, with a navy of certain ships, a vehement storm arose, through the winds blowing contrary. The navy for a season being tost by the Sea, was at the last scattered abroad by the exceeding violence of the wind, having the vpper hand, and some of the ships arrived to the English coasts, the Admiral with two other being driven to the western part of the island, arrived to a haven of Weimouth, but the king being carried by the violence of the waves, got into a cock-boat& was carried a shore. This tempest was commonly reckoned as a prodigy, when the violence of the wind which stirred up the sea, pulled down from a pinnacle of Saint Pauls Church in London a brazen Eagle, which being fastened to the spire, did declare the blast of the wind, by his easy moving, by which fall it broken another Eagle that was the sign of a shop near too, hereupon scrupulous observers of strange sights, were persuaded that Maximilian the Emperour, who bare the Eagle, should haue some great loss, as without doubt it was to lose his son Phillip, which came to pass the year foloing, for the plainer trial hereof John Stow in his summary writeth thus. Folio. ●06. This year through great tempest of wind, being at the southweast, which began the fifteenth day of Ianuarie,& continued till the 2. of the same month, Phillip king of Castil and his wife were weather-driuen into England as they were passing toward spain, who were honourably received by the earl of Arundale at the kings appointment with three hundred horses, al by torch light, this tempest that the king of Castil had, was strange to many men, because the violence of the wind, had blown down the Eagle of brass from the spire of Paules Church, and in the falling, the same Eagle broke and battered the sign of the black Eagle in Paule● churchyard, that time being but low houses, where now is the school of Paules The same year the Duke of Gelderland rebelling, was besieged at Arnhem and became subject to the Emperor. The people of Granata was compelled to embrace the faith of Christ. Maximilian vpon the taking of Posoniu prisoner, drew the rebellious Hungarians to his side and made peace. Lewes King of france broke league and entered Lumbardy. A Comet appeared in August between the North and the East, under the greater bear, glistering bright and possessing the sign of lo& Virgo who did prognosticate the death of the most noble Prince and Duke Philip, son of the Emperour Maximilian king of Castil and of Austria, and burgundy, and also the war of Maximilian with the Venetians and french. Afterward that year the city of Methone was taken by Baiazetus and a great navy of the Christians was sent against the Turkes, there grew a hote civil war between Baiazetus, and his son Selimus. In Italy the year that it appeared the Frenchmen took Lewis Sfortia Duke of Milan,& those events did nearest ensue the Comet, wherefore men thought good chiefly to signify them. In Germany not long after there arose the bavarian war, and immediately the Venetian war grew hot, wherein what diverse changes there were, what overthrows the Italians and the french sustained, what affections kings had, Histories do declare. This year the 14. of September, a very grievous Earthquake for eighteen dayes together shaking the wall of the city of Constantinople to the seaward overthrew it, with all the houses that were near to it, and filled the ditch full of Rubbish, and made it plain with the ground, it destroyed the castle wherein the Emperours treasure in five strong towers were kept, and a notable house wherein the Lions are enclosed, and so shoke the Conduit pipes, which being made with exceeding great labour and cost do carry the water into the city from the river Danubius, through mountaines and long iourneies, that they could not be repaired with great treasure, and the arm of the Sea, lying between Constantinople and Pera made such a great noise with the violence of the Earthquake, that the Sea cast the water over the walls into both Cities, and the custom house standing by the walls of the city fel whole into the sea, that there appeareth no token of it: likewise a great part of the leaden tower at Pera fell down. At Galliopolis a very strong castle was rent in pieces, and no house there remained whole: it is reported that there were slain in Constantinople at that time. 13000. men. Sequel. Iulius the second Bishop of the Romish Church, brought into subiection the Cities which the Venetians held before. Lewis the twelfth king of france vanquished the Venetians, and took many cities of Italy. The war of Valachia began with Sigismond king of Polande. In England vpon the death of henry the seventh, henry the eight succeeded. Bassil the Moscho took the great city of Plescoue. At barn in Switzerland four Friers of the preaching order were burned for heresy, and for religion, devised by unlawful arte. Maximilian the Emperour took Verona, Padua, Teruitium, and many other Cities from the Venetians. It is certain that the bird called Onacrotalus, much bigger than a Swan going before Maximilian king of the Romaines in al voyages, did appoint as it were a place for his pavilions, whereupon this bird being very tame, was maintained many yeares, with due food, for the hope of all good, in the Emperors Court, which chiefly he choose for himself, which bird being very old, Culmanus of Gepping, a man very well learned, witnesseth in his epistle to Gesner was openly fed at Machlin. There fel from heaven, to the great wonder and astonishment of all men, about 1200. stones, in a field butting vpon the river Abdua, one of these( as Cardanus writeth in his book of the variety of things) weighed 120. pound weight, another 60. pound weight: many of them were brought to French noble men for a miracle, whose colour was like yrō,& in hardness passed, the smell being like Brimstone. There was before at 3. a clock a great fire in the element. The noise of the stones falling down was heard at 5. a clock, that it is a wonder that so great a mass could be held up in the air two houres. The sequel. The city of Milan in whose borders the stones fell, was never more grieved with taxes, fire, famine, sieges, and pestilence, than it was at this time. Great Earthquakes shooke Florence, Venice, Rauenna, Friol and many other places in Italy, to the great terror of the inhabitants. And the same year the French recovered Mirandula▪ and Modena was delivered to Maximilian Bononia revolted from the Pope. The spaniards got tripoli in Affrica. The Tartarians of Tauricum spoyled Lutin as far as Vilna. At milan on a faire clear day, the stars were seen in the Element twinkling wonderfully. Immediately the same year the French were driven out of Rome. At R●uenna a Monster was born with a horn on his head, he had wings, no arms, one foot, as a bird of the pray, an eye on his knee,& both kinds Ypsilon amid his breast, and the form of the cross. Some did interpret the horns, pride, the wings lightness, and vnstedfastnesse of mind, the want of arms lack of good works, a foot for the pray, robbery, usury, and all kind of covetousness. The eye on the knee, the bending of the mind only to earthli things: both kinds. Zodomerie or buggery, and that for these vices I●aly should be beaten down with the sword,& that the King of France should not do it of his own power, but that only it was gods scourge. But Ypsilon and X. were tokens of safety, for Y is a figure of virtue, wherefore if they had recourse to virtue, and to the cross of Christ, they should haue a more desired refreshyng and peace, from these troubles and afflictions. This haue I read in John Multi Vallis,& Gasper Hedio, in the history Synopsis after Sabellicus, continued until our time. I haue seen another portraiture of the like Monster, but somewhat differing, and not answering the first in al points, with the interpretation set out in verse, which also I thought good to add too in this place: sequel. In Italy after diverse uproars the Pope got Rauenna. The French counsel was held at Turon, which notwithstanding was continued at Lions. The same year at augsburg▪ a virgin of 40. yeares old, whilst shée said that she lived without meate and drink for many moneths, in the which she affirmed with an oath that she never slept, she so deceived not only the common people, but also the Emperour himself Maximilian, and many Princes of the roman Empire, that after they had kept hir, and diverse times tried hir, they believed of a truth that she was lead and fed by the spirit of God: but when not long after the craft which lay hidden was discovered, she leaving hir country of augsburg fled into Switzerlande, and at Friburgh in Vchtland she was drowned, as she was worthy. There was brought to Emanuel king of portugal the first day of May out of India a Rhinocerot alive, of a boxen and wormish colour, covered with shells like Targets, of the bigness of an Elephant, having yet shorter thighs, and armed on every side, a living creature scarcely seen before in that country: he was beholden as a miracle not only of the inhabitants, but of al them that dwelled near too. At Colmer an imperial town in Alsatia, standing by the river Illus, a man child was born, out of whose breast there did hang down as far as the knees, another body of a whole man of the same kind, perfect in all his limbs, having his head fastened in the others body. In Zarzanum a noble village in Italy the fifth of the Ides of march there was seen a Monster of a strange greatness, which Caelius Rhodiginus setteth out at large, in his 24. book of ancient readings, it was a child with two heads, wherein many wonderful things were to be seen: first he was as big as a child of four months old, and his lims were perfect and aunswearable to his tallness, both faces were fully like one to another, the hairs vpon their head were long and blackish, between both heads behind the shoulders the third hand rose up, but it was no bigger than the ears, and unperfect, the rest of the body was altogether well compact, and without any foul spot: the next day after he was brought to Rhodiginum, and because it was a thing to be noted, they thought good to send him to a spanish Duke thereby who was the kings lieuetenaunte: they were driven to vnbowel him being dead, for avoiding stink, and in it there appeared another wonder, the hart was single as it is commonly, but the liver was double, as the milt, for we believe Aristotle who saith that in this bowel there is sometimes a dubling, but for this kind of Monsters, a marvelous, notwithstanding a natural reason is commonly alleged by those that haue skill. The sequel: this year Italy by the means of the storm of warres thundering aloft, was spoyled all abroad for many yeares following, and through the burning of inward discord, it suffered on every side many discommodities. The day before the Ides of Ianuarie, in the duchy of Wittenberg, about the third hour of the day, three suins were seen in the element, the middlemoste of which surpassed the residue in greatness, in all these there appeared the form of a bloody and fiery sword. The first of the Ides of January, about eight at night at Rotfielde a famous city of Germany, which is renowned for the consistory and iudgement of the Empire, the sun was seen in a horrible form, which the semicircles of a diverse and sundry colour environed, and the tenth of Ianuarie and the seauentéenth of March, were seen again: but the eleventh of Ianuarie and the seauentéenth of March, three moons were seen, all whose significations and prognostications were set forth for all the world to view, by james Stoppel▪ doctor of Artes and physic, and physician at Memig. The same year, the Swedon faction in germany which they called Dearmonquontzen, stirred up the Duke of Wittenberg, A Iewe called Pfefferkorn was burned at Hal● in saxony, because he had profaned the Eucharist. The Polanders slay above. 40000. muscovites. At the river Boristhenes. Smolenske a very strong castle of Luten, was betrayed to the Moscho. The Sophy overcame the Turkes with a great slaughter in armoniac the less. Emanuel King of portugal, set out at lisbon a play and fight of the Elephante with the Rhinocerot, a sight worthy admiration and never seen in that country, wherein notwithstanding the Elephante had the overthrow. Munster in his fifth book of Cosmography. In Germany there was seen a man of full age which had another head growing out of his navel, and did eat meate also according as the other did. james Ruoff maketh mention of him, in his book of mans conception, of whom I haue borrowed that I may, which thou seest. That year Francis the french King making peace with the swissers, gave them seven hundred thousand Crownes, in giuing them besides certain Captayneshippes, and promised them yearly pensions. This year was such a frost in england, that the river Thames being greatly frozen, did bear carts and passengers over from Westminster to Lambeth. There followed the May following a great insurrection of young persons and prentices of London against aliens, of the which diverse were put to execution. This was called evil May day, read more in Cooper, and stows Chronicle. When at Reutsburgh standing by the river Danubius the Iewes were cast out of the synagogue, and a Church was erected in the honor of the blessed Virgin, which they call the Church of Faire mary, immediately the germans which dwelled not far of, came thither very much a pilgrimage. Many daily drew thither together, who being taken as it were with a fury and madness, leaving their own things behind, brought with them to the Church that which they handled at home. A Carpenter labouring at his house, when he wished that he was at Reutsburgh, to salute mary, taking by chance the tool which then came to hand, and being besides himself, betook him to his legs, and could by no means be withdrawn from his purpose: so the lockier with his file or other tool: the joiner with his Mallet: the Shoemaker with his naule: the wife with hir distaff or with hir Poragepotte, the maid seruant with hir Triuet and Pitcher, and others with other things, with which they were then occupied, many of them not knowing the way, ran fasting for certain miles. The infirmities of the diseased were there healed, the blind received their sight, the deaf their hearing, the lame saluted at their departure,& the dead were brought to life again. This pilgrimage lasted eight yeares, and afterward it came to eight. read more hereof in Sebastian frank, in the exploits of Emperours where he hath painted out this pilgrimage, no less learnedlye, than trimly. When I in the year of our Lord. 541. was in the Court of Lewis palsgrave of the Rhine, at the assemblies there held, being then the divines secretary or Scribe, for the appointed communication in the affairs of religion, I scarcely saw the shadow of so famous a pilgrimage, the Church was at that time purged of all those tools with the which before time it was out with the bountifulness of the worshippers, yet I understood that a great deal of trash, with a great number of waynes, at the commandment of the Senate was removed away by the Citizens, by reason of let and narrowness of the place. The six and twentieth day of june, the townsmen of Norking had a great loss, for a tempestuous winter rising, and a grievous earthquake meeting with it, overthrew the parish Church dedicated to Saint Emaran, and within the walls of the city and without, for two mile abroad, it overthrew 200. houses and stables, but in woods and orchards it pulled up trees by the roots without number. The other higher buildings, which were not overthrown by the force of the wind, were for the most parte very soare shaken, and thereby became the weaker. Through the cruel violence of the hail, all places about rhine were spoyled, whereupon immediately ensued a grievous famine and also a great scarcity of all things. Many dyed in England of the sweeting sickness, and especially about London, which sickness also vexed diverse people afterward. Cooper. In Saxony upon christmas day about the abbey of Vinari● at midnight in clear weather, there was seen a cross of a read colour in the Element. That year Martin Luthers conclusions against the Popes pardons were set forth, whereupon there arose much dissension in Chrystes Church. A bill was put up by John lincoln, to a Preacher at the spittle name doctor Bele the year of our Lord 1517. the Twesdaye in the Easter week, who when he came into the Pulpit read it in this wise. To all you the worshipful lords and Maisters of this city that will take compassion over the poor people your neighbours, and also of the great importable hurts, losses and hinderaunces, whereof proceedeth extreme poverty to all the Kings subiectes that inhabit within this city and suburbs of the same, So it is that the aliens and strangers eat the bread from the poor fatherless children, and take living from all the Artificers, and the intercourse from all deceipts, whereby their poverty is so much increased, that every man bewayleth the misery of others: for men of occupation be brought to beggary, and merchants to neediness: wherefore the premises considered, the redress must be if the commons knit and unite to one part. As the hurt and danger grieveth al men, so must all men set to their willing power for rememedye, and not suffer the said Aliens so highelye in their wealth, and the natural born men of this Region to come to confusion. Of this letter was more written, but there and in that place not published. In Germany in France, in Spain, in denmark their orders for strangers are thus: No sufferance of dwelling to buy and sell, except he be denizen, and none made denizen, but first he is known to use such trade, as the native inhabitants be not by his freedom hindered: then as he is denizen thereby free to occupy, so is he not permitted to any other Religion, than the Prince alloweth under whom he is sworn on pain of his head and loss of goods. These laws seen too and executed, make such men afraid to nominate the goods of false and disloyal subiectes, deceipts and others, at one time 10. 12. 20. 30. thousand pounds in goods by exchange to be the only riches of one man, where in very deed such Denizens become prodigious thieves, such subiectes Monstrous devourers, both of the Prince and commons, when the goods so said belong to sundry 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 wealths: then what careth the stranger to loose his ten thousand to gain fifty thousand. Thus while the subject watcheth to deceive his Prince and country born neighbour, the stranger prying in hope of discord to rob the merchant,& so one Monster deceiving another there ensueth no small hurt to common wealths. A new kind of disease, called the sweat or the English pestilence rained in England, Brabant and a great part of Germany, which disease was so strange that the physicians themselves could not tell what to make of it. Trauenus a river of the lower Germany, did so overflow, that at Lubeck, it carried away much stuff from the place Pestorium Pratum, and did much harm in overflowing of Sellers and shops, At Tigure in Switzerland about the kalends of Ianuarie, one of both kindes was born, having near his navel a great lump of raw flesh, and a little beneath the member of a woman, and in his place a mans. There came out of savoy into Switzerlande one of full age, of perfect favor, having all his lims well compact, out of whose belly yet notwithstanding, there hung down an other body of a man, so that the head only and arms alone were missing. The man carried about this lump, to the great admiration of the people, drawing together on every side, and making a gain of his marvelous body in diverse Countreys. At Vienna in Austria in the month of September diverse kind of prodigies were seen in the element. For the first day of the same month, from three a clock till five in the after noon, the sun with a double circle. The fourth day about one a clock, there was seen a burning Torch. The fifth of Ianuarie about the sun rising there were seen three suins, with a rainbow of diverse colours. The sixth day about three a clock in the afternoon, the sun was seen with two great circles. The Philosophers called the greatest Halo, the sixth day about nine a clock at night: the moon was marked with a cross, and closed in with a circle, which had a greater Sunny circle in the uppermost part. The seventh day about the break of day there were seen three suins. Philosophers call them Parahelios: from six until seven a clock, there was seen a rainbow with a three double moon, which prodigies with their images were sent by Pamphilus Gengenbach to king Charles and published through germany. At Wiffenburgh by the river of rhine at noon dayes the Citizens hard a great and horrible noise, and a meeting together of weapons sounding in the air, whereupon many being astonied with fear, taking also their weapons in hand, drew together, supposing that enemies had besieged the city. When the Emperour Charles the fifth was crwoned at Aquisgrane, there was seen a circle about the sun with a rainbow. Christiernus the second king of denmark and Norway, when Steno was slain got Swezia, cruelly afflicted Holmes and immediately he was driven through fear to leave his kingdom and to fly to germany. This Danishe Christerne committed so heinous murder in Stocholme,( as Munsterus recordeth) against the inhabitants there, as no tyrant besides was in the world, that for the time became so bloody a Monster. read George North in his Collection of the Kings of Swetia, out of Sebastian Munster. This year was a great Pestilence in London and other places, Stow. At Erdford in Germany there were seen two suins,& a burning beam of a wonderful greatness in the Element, which falling down upon the ground destroyed many places. Turning from thence into the air, it put on a round form. The year following the turk entering Hungari● with a great army, took Alba Greca by treason. Luther being accused of heresy in the assembly at worms, defended himself before the roman Empire with the testimonies of the Gospel. The soldiers of the emperor Charles the fifth took not only the castle of Milan, but the city also, driving away the French. There happened at Milan the 28. of june, a horrible chance, there was over the Arch of the castle gate the tower of jupiter, not only very strong for the defence, but also very goodly to behold, for in the front therof, besides other ornaments, there were placed Marble Images of their auowers or defending Saints exquisitely engraven, with the arms of the Dukes of the house of Sf●tia▪ who builded that huge work. And when by chance there were kept within the tower for the use of Guns, many vessels of Brimstone in powder, a lightning stroke it from heaven, and cutting the wall, kindled the fiery matter, whose violence did not only overthrow the tower from the foundation, but the walls also, and beate down to the ground the Castle Chambers and other apurtenaunces, that were near too: and stones flying about slue the two governors of the castle walking in the Court, who a little before( as the manner was) met together in the chapel by the gate to salute the idol Virgin mary: they slue also other of the soldiers which walked there to take the air( for it was summer and in the evening.) They broke other mens heads, breasts, thighs, arms, and legs, in so much that of 200. soldiers scarcely twelve escaped that grievous misfortune, neither was the noise of so great a fall unknown to the city, which was shaken with so strong an Earthquake that it made many greatly afraid, least it would al fall down with that violence, vpon the calming whereof when the vehement heat of the lightning was seen towards the castle, people without number running thither together found all the Court which before the castle was very large, covered with stones, and they wondered at certain stones, such as ten yoke of Oxen could scarcely move from their place, which were cast more than 500. paces, and also that the foundations of the tower being pulled up stood over above the gate, and that the top therof was seen beneath, neither did they think that this happened without Gods appointment. When Adrian Pope of Rome went into the palace chapel to do solemn Ceremonies, upon Christes birth day, the transom of the gate of that chapel which was of Marble fell down immediately after his going in, and slue some of his guard, to his great fear. That year after the taking of Rhodes CAIAR BAIVS immediately dyed, after whom Acomathes Bassa succeeded in the government. In diverse places of Turingia the fields and valleys were wonderfully spoyled by a great numbers of Rats, The city of Milan was vexed with a sore pestilence, whereof dyed fifty thousand, within the space of four moneths: that year the Bishops of Rome condemned the Lutherans, and as it appeareth afterward sent ambassadors to Germany about the same. A calf monk, a terrible Monster was born at Watersoder●● a mile from Friberg a village belonging to the lordship of Cellen at a Farmers house called Stecker, of which Monster master Martin Luther hath set forth his opinion: we know also that a Pygge-prieste was farrowed with a bald Crown in saxony vpon Easter day. about harvest in the kingdom of Granata, a great number of castles, holds and Cities were swallowed up into the Earth. And at Naples, in the feast of Saint Gallus there was such an extreme tempest of weather, that it broke asunder castles, holds, and great buildings on every side. The fifth of the kalends of november in the kingdom of Naples a Comet appeared, and the element by often lightning, thunder, and fiery beams, falling to the Earth, seemed to be a fire, the Earth trembled, and there followed by the breaking of the cloud so great a flood, that it carried away for 3●. Italian miles stones from the mountaines, weighing six hundred hundred weight, with houses and castles, with fifteen thousand and fifty three houses and castles, and with an infinite number of men, herds, and cattle. At Rome the third of the Ides of november, on the greater bank there was seen a Monster of the sea, of the female kind, with breasts, and a hairy head more liker an ox than a man, with dogges ears. That year the Ile of Rhodes was yielded to solomon Emperour of the Turkes, in the month of Ianuarie, to the great loss and miserable lamentation of al christendom. When in Panonia as( Fincelius writeth) a man of the country in the night time was carried in a cart, by reason the day was spent, he was driven to ly al the night in the fields, who being awaked out of his sleep and nought, saw in the air two Princes fighting together, the one a tal and strong body, the other of a lesser stature, but wearing on his head a kingly Diadem, the other being greater and stronger overcame and slue him, and taking the crown from his head dashed it against the ground, that it broke in pieces. three yeares after Lewes King of hungary was discomfited and put to flight, in a conflict had with the Turkes, who also carried about in his body an unlucky prodigy, for when he was born he had no skin upon his body, but the flesh was raw, that the physicians were fain by arte to make a skin over his body whereby was thought that the loss of his kingdom was signified. The ●orenamed Christe●… King of denmark and his wife Isabel, being driven out of his realm by his uncle Frederick Duke of Holstade and his own subiects,( for his notable cruelty) came into England and were honourable received and entertained of the King( a soul example of clemency, to such a one as used prodigious cruelty.) At Tigure in Switzerland the sixth of the Nones of May there were seen three suns at once, and also diverse Circles in the Element: and the same year the Citizens of Tygure, casting all idols out of their Churches, ordained a new reformation of the gospel throughout all their dominion. Villachium a town in Germany was cruelly burnt with fire, and one half of Labachium was deformed with a vehement fire also. At Hage in Holland, the women by reason of the exaction of custom raised up a deadly sedition. At a village in the wood of Hersinia not far from Kuiebis, a Monstrous child was born, of the male kind, in whose body about the breast, another body besides hung down to the knees, having all their lims perfect, his head alone being enclosed in the others body. This Monster came to mans age and was seen in all quarters for a miracle, and was at Strausbu●gh at the mart about the feast of John Baptist 1555. and the year following when I wrote this, he was with us at Basil, at Saint Martins mart. Before the death of Lewes King of hungary, there were seen in hungary two suins on either side the sun, which without doubt signified, that three Kings should fight for a kingdom, to wit Ferdinandus, John, and the turkish emperor. job Fincelius. In saxony in the month of May, a rainbow appeared in the night over Locha. A child at Wittenburg was born headelesse, and another with the feet backward. The same year the wise Frederitke Duke of saxony dyed. There was seen a circle called Halo about the sun, of a great bigness, which was almost like a rainbow. In august the sun for certain dayes appeared in the element as a fiery globe. The same year there were raised in Germany horrible Commotions( the like never before heard of) by husbandmens servants, in Alsatia, Sweuia, Francia, Thuringia and in those Countreys which border vpon rhine, their commotions were repressed with great power, and arms of Princes, so that almost within three monthes there were above an hundred thousand bowers or countrymen slain even like beasts. In Muthansen a town of During, one Thomas Monetarius a Preacher, taught that he would restore the fallen estate of the church, and did avaunt privately that there were revelations shewed him by God, and that Gedeons sword was committed unto him, to overthrow the tyranny of the wicked, he brought out in companies a great number of the common people together, and bid them to sack noble mens houses, and to rob the goods of Monasteries, but whilst the armies of the common people made a spoil every where without order, the Princes of saxony 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 four and twentieth of february Francis the french king was taken at Pauie, by the soldiers of the emperor Charles the fifth. A notable example taken forth of George cavendish that happened among those which sought the ouerthow of religious houses, and not the reformation in religion. THomas Wolsey Cardinal, and Archbishop of york, at such time as he was determined to erect his new college at oxford, obtained licence and authority of Pope Clement the seventh( I know not by what false and untrue suggestion) to suppress about 40. holy Monasteries, of good famed, and bountiful hospitality, wherein the king being his great help, neither bishop nor temporal lord in this realm durst say any word to the contrary: in the execution of which business, five persons were his chief instruments, who on a time made a demand, to the Prior and covent of the monastery of Dauntry being a noble house, for occupying of certain of their grounds, but the Monks refusing to satisfy their request, straightway they picked a quarrel against the house, and gave information to the cardinal against them, who taking a small occasion, commanded the abbey to be dissolved, and to be converted to his new college, about Anno 1525. But what punishment hath since ensued at Gods hand,( and what gap was there left open that the king might not do, as well as his subject) and what is yet like too follow, partly ourself haue seen, and partly we may fear what was to come: of these five persons, two fell at discord between themselves, and the one slew the other, for the which the suruiuer is hanged, the third person drowned himself in a woll, the fourth being well known and valued worth two hundred pounds, became in three yeares so poor that he begged to his dying day, and the fifth called doctor Allane, being chief executer of al this wicked doings, was cruelly maimed in Ireland, even at such time as he was a Bishop. The Cardinal falling after into the kings grievous displeasure, was deposed and dyed miserable in the abbey at Leicester the eight and twentieth of november 1530.( here is the end and fall of pride and arrogancy of men exalted by fortune to dignity, for I assure you, in his time, he was the haughtiest man,( in all his misunderstandings) alive, having more respect to the honor of his person, than he had to his spiritual profession, wherein should be shewed all meekness, humility and charity &c.) The college which he ment to haue made so glorious a building came never to effect. And Pope Clement himself, by whose authority these houses were thrown down to the ground, was after enclosed in a daungerous siege, by the force of the Duke of Borbone, within the castle of saint Angel in Rome, by the swissers. The city of Rome was pitifully sacked, and himself hardly escaped with his life. An old verse in English. That realm or kingdom, shal ever decay Where their clergy bears no sway. If Gods spell be the best among Christian kings Haue regard to the clergy above al things. These are rather pastures for divels than for sheep, where there is no feeding of sheep, but pride of men, there is no succession to Peter but to Constantine for every man is his vickar, whose place he supplieth, and whom he followeth in manners: and Hieronimus saith, it is no easy matter to stand in the place of Peter and paul, and to possess the chair of them that reign with Christ, for hereof it is said: They are not the sons of Saints which possess the places of saints, but which exercise their works. Alas, as there was in the roman empire in times past, a most filthy Gulphe of riches, so is there at this day in the Court of Rome: covetousness is grown, the law is fallen from the Priest, and vision from the Prophet, and counsel from the Elders: the keys of the church lie in the abuse and bondage of Simony and Ambition, for the Vices of the Courtyers can scarcely be hidden and denied: Rome is the swallow of wickedness: again, as the Prophets in times past spake of jerusalem▪ as Christ speaketh to B●●dget saying: in times past righteousness dwelled in Rome and her Princes were Princes of peace, but now it is turned into dross, and her Princes are manquellers: O Rome if thou knewest thy days thou wouldst surely weep and not laugh. Onus Eccle. chapped. 19. viij.§. iij.§. At Tugu in Switzerlande the twentieth day of Iulie, a Tower of Gonpouder was strike with Lightning, which brought great destruction to the city. So likewise in the month of September, a Lightning falling from heaven, and striking at basil a Tower full of many vessels of Gonpouder, in the twinkling of an eye broke it, and cast down great and small stones into the city, not without the grievous hurt of all those things that were nere to: there were slain twelve or between men and certain cattle which at that time were in the field by the Tower, and some houses being strike with square stones of the Tower, felt no small damage, the vineyards nere unto were on the sudden so shorne, that a man would think the wines had been pared and cut with hooks. The league of the Millainers the French, the English, Venecians, and of all the cities of Lumbardie was made against the Emperour Charles the fifte. When Lewis king of Hungary was slain by the Turkes. John Vaiuola of Zepusium entred into the kingdom of Hungary Sigismond King of Polande coming to Dansk punished the seditious persons, and restored the priestes to their former dignity. Great death in London and Dearth over all england, with such scarcity of corn, that for the want of bread many perished. Doctor copper. John Stow. Not far from Kauffburin a noble town in Sweden, 3. suins were seen, with diuers circles in the Element. There was in england another sweeting sickness also at London. At that time there were carried about every where diuers prophecies, by the which was gathered that that should be a year of marvelous strange things: there was also a prodigy reported of, to wit, that there was heard a noise in the Element, as it were of armed men meeting together, and not long after when folkes went to pray to Saints Churches, according as the superstition was, the sun appeared shut in on every side with a great cloudy circled in faire weather, which prodigies when some( as every man had his mind affencted) did refer to kings and Monarchs: there were afterward some others who affirmed that they did peculiarlye portend the doubtful state of the affairs of Vitraiectum, and the marvelous commotions and interchaungeable course of things that happened this year, of which Lambert Hortensius Montfortius hath written at large and learnedly in his third book of the Vltraiectine exploits. swarms of grasshoppers were brought out of turkey into Polande, with the great violence of winds blowing al about, which had four gray and golden wings, these being hurtful no less to men than to Beasts left a plague behind thē. There were seen besides in many places 2. by Suns environed with a double rainbow. job Fincelius. The eleventh of October in the morning about ●. of the clock in the part of Westria where the count Palatine of the rhine is lord, many saw a terrible Comet which continued one hour& a quarter, he rose in the East ascending towards the southweast, most of all to be seen Northerly, he was of a great length with a bloody yellow colour, his top had the form& shape of a bending arm, in whose hand was seen a sword of a huge greatness, as it were of one that was a striking, at the point of the sword and on both sides the edge there appeared three reasonable great stars, but that which did shine at the point was greater than the other ij: there was seen coming from these darkish beams in form of a hairy tail, on the sides from the top to the bottom there were seen beams fashioned like spears and small swords coloured like fresh blood, among which were mens faces having hairy heads and beards coloured like a dim cloud, these did move and shine with so great dread and horror, that many of the beholders were said to be almost dead for fear. The famous Astrologer Peter Creuisser scholar of the notable Astrologer John Leightenberg hath interpnted this Comet. sequel. There ensued the tyranny of the Turkes, and the most cruel invasions of enemies with the spill●ng of blood on every side. The city of Rome was besieged, taken, sackte, and spoyled by the emperors army, under the conduct of the Duke of Burbone▪ the Pope was compelled to take for his refuge the Castle of Saint Angelo and yielded himself to the Emperours souldiers, but the Emperour for his singular clemency set him free, and restored him to his former dignity that he might provide for the common quietness of all christendom. Some writ that his enemies didde ransom him for forty thousand Crownes. The 19 day of july at Ausburg there rose a great tempest, the haylestones whereof being of an accustomend greatness, made a great and a deadly spoil at home and abroad. There was seen the 〈◇〉 of june in faire weather a circled about the sun that was full like a raynebow. The 17. of the kalends of june, at Tigure the mother City of Switzerland, there were seen many suins at once,& about them 3. circles. The same year there followed in Switzerlande a country otherwise well stored with sheep and cat-tail, an unwonted dearth, and so great lack of flesh that they sent for Béeues out of hungary, and the year following the civil War of the Tygurins and of others their confederates waxed hote against the five Lordeships of the swissers. In the year of our Lord God 528. a common soldier falling sick by chance in a city of saxony delivered a bag full of money to his host to keep, certain dayes after when he recovered, he required the bag, the wife of the host being a covetous woman loth to forego so great a pray, taketh aduise with her husband whether she should restore the money or not: they concluded together that the woman should deny it to be left there, the soldier asked for his own, which she stoutly denied, and feigned that she wondered at the souldiers impudency, daring to require any thing, when he had given nothing to keep, and most spitefully railed against the soldier: the soldier being overcome with the gréeuousnesse of the matter, answered against the womans vntroth, wherefore the husband as it were in the wives defence, thrust the soldier forth of doors, who being without, greatly moved with the wickedness of his host, drew his sword as it were violently to set vpon him,& breaking open the door, the host besought help of his neighbours, and made complaint that his house was assaulted, the Sergeants aresting the soldier, carried him to prison because he had done open violence: A few dayes after the counsel of the town had the hearing of the brawl, it was evident that the house was openly assaulted, wherefore sentence was given that the soldier should be put to death, and when the day of iudgement was now at hand, the divell appeared to the soldier in the prison, showing him what sentence the Iudges would give, and promised that he would deliver him out of this danger, under the condition that he would give himself unto him: the soldier stoutly answered, that he would rather die, though he were innocent. When the devill with many words had heaped up his danger and yet could not turn the Souldiers mind, at length he promised his deliverance without any condition: When thou comest, said he, to be arraigned, say that thou art ignorant of matters in Law, and that thou wantest a Lawyer, I will stand there in a blew cap set out with Feathers, wherefore make request that they would bid me to plead thy cause. The soldier which seemed to do this without any ungodliness, said that he would follow this counsel. The next day after he was brought to his arraignment, and the pleader was there present in his blew cap: when the plaintiff besought that the soldier might be put to death, for common violence, the soldier answered, that he being ignorant of matters in Lawe, would beseech their Worships that they would vouchsafe to hear this his advocate or Atorney, to plead for him: the Iudges granted it, the divell did then learnedly argue according to the Law, that he should not be put to death, by whom the beginning of strife and tumult did not arise: he said that the soldier was violently thrust out and spoyled by his host, he commanded the bag of money to be sought for, and shewed the place where it was: the Host stiffly denied it, adding moreover cruel and deadly wishes, that the devil might take body and soul of him if he had done it, when sundry times he had repeated this kind of vile wishing, the devill calling upon the Lawyer putting his argument apart, took hold of the host and drawing him amid the guild hall, carried him through a middle window, with a great noise, to the great fear of all men: the body of the host was never found after. By this Example God punisheth perjury. Man●ius fol. 193. There was born a child which had no arms at all, being very well proportioned in other parts of his body, when he came to 20. yeres of age I saw that his feet did the duty of hands, in taking, cutting, putting to his mouth, and also playing at Cards and dice, which also an other could do with his mouth and his chin. A Woman also of the same agility was seen at Franckeford situate by the river Menu in the year of Christ 1556. who having no hands at all, took a pen in hir feet, and did not only writ exceeding well, but also was able to handle the distaff, spin, tell money, and do all fine work with her toes. When the city of Vltraiectum was distressed with a grievous siege, there was seen a cruel strange sight in the Element, which struck the townsmen into a great fear, and put the Enemies in hope to get the town, for there appeared a terrible sign of the Burgonian cross in the Element over the town of a yellowish colour, fearful to behold, and because it was the badge of the house of burgundy they did thus interpret it on both sides, that the town in short space should belong to the dukedom of burgundy, yet there were some among the Hattenians which expounded it far otherwise. The ninth of Ianuarie about ten of the clock at night there was seen a great gaping of the Element, which Iouianus Pontanus hath learnedly described. Nere Esseling there was a Monster born, to wit, a child with one head, having four ears, four arms, two thighs, and four feet. The assemblies of the kingdom of the realm of Germany were held at Spire, concearning matters of faith,& warlike policies against the Turks. A rainy Somnier this year did miserably spoil every where all things growing upon the earth. At the feast of S. matthew the Apostle, in the beginning of the night at Vratislau the top of the Tower of saint Elizabeth with a great pile of Timber, and a main mass of Copper and tin, wherewith it was covered, sel to the ground with a great violence of wind, of which Tempest read more in job Vincelius. At basil the 4. of june the river Birsus, which hath his passage through the city for many commodities did so swell and arise with continual showers or breach of a cloud, that in breaking on every side, strong buildings of timber work, it was able to carry lighters and botes in the city, and filled all that part of the city which was in the plain, and the houses also as far as their law house, to their great damage, for the remembrance of which flood, in the town market and at the entrance of the Burgmaisters law house, a brazen Table was set up with an inscription. At spire a Bishop city in Germany which is situate by the rhine a Fisherman was awaked by a monk, to carry the same monk with his Bretheren at midnight over the Rhe●e in his Cockbote, the Fisherman being overcome with the money that was promised him, made ready his boat, Illusion. and taking the monks aborde carried them amid the rhine, but when a cruel tempest arose, the ferry man being afraid of his life, and craving Gods help, was al to be beaten by the monks,& at length by Gods help he came to the shore, but the monk and his fellowes by and by vanished away in the mariners sight,& the poor Fisherman being almost dead, at the break of day was led home by his boy and died the same day. This Illusion George Sabine of Brandeburg hath largely set out in his second book of Ele●● or sorrowful sonnets. In the month of Ianuarie a monstrous serpent with seven crwoned heads like a Dragon, whose form this Image with the greatness doth express, was brought first out of turkey to Venice and afterward given to Fraunces the french king, and for the rareness was valued at 6000 ducats. At Rome the eight of October through a great and sudden flood in the city, and in the Field( chiefly of Florus) men did so miscarry, that many also were in doubt of the safety of their life. So the fourth of july the river Bi●su● going beyond his bounds did much harm to the city and to thē that dwelled nere. At Croneberg a child was very plainly heard to cry in his mothers belly, as Finceliu● writeth. The same year a Comet was seen in Germany, Italy, and france, the sixte day of August, and first he appeared certain dayes in the morning before the suins rising, afterward he followed the sun, and was seen about three weeks in the evening a●ter the suins going down until the third day of September, his course was through Cancer, Virgo and Libra, where he ceased to be seen, neither did he appear any more afterward. Not long a●ter in October war began in Switzerland, the seditious country men used great cruelty every where in germany. In Lombardy there was found such plenty of wolves, that it was not easy to travell, by reason that many were devoured, and because they could be taken with no wil●ss, it was judged a punishment of Gods vengeance. Stomphius. A cruel flood overwhelmed the places by the sea side, in Braband, holland and flanders, and well near all Sealande, the water banks being broken, and the Sea and riuers overflowing every where, to the great destruction of men& all things,& not only villages but towns also of flanders and Sealande were past over in river boats. Men report that all Seas at that time rose so strangely, that they flowed three or four foot over the banks: and it is certain that there were very few in Sealand whom this so cruel a tempest took not vpon the sudden. If so sudden and great a deluge had come in the night, there is no doubt but it would haue swallowed up very many thousands of men. The same year at Machlin Margaret the daughter of the Emperour Maximilian died, the one and thyrtith year of her age. At Rome beside the great thunders and often lightning there fell so great abundance of water from heaven, that men were afraid least they should perish with a second flood. Through the violence of the river of Tiber breaking in, public and private houses fell down, the cruel force of this tempest took forciblye with it and carried into the channel of the river buildings also which were three or four bricks thick, if any clymbed up to the tops of high houses, to the end to save their life, the violence of the winds threw them down, and cast them into the water of Tiber to be swallowed up: in the lowest places of the city the water was three and thirty or six and thirty foot deep, whereof it came to pass that the water consumed above 3000 bushels of wheat which then was in the city, besides wine vessels which swam in the water the wine being shaken out, and besides very many other most precious things, This year the Emperour and the Popes army won Florence by assault. The turk breaking into Austria was put to flight by the germans. hail of no common greatness fell from heaven the fourth of September at basil, with whose violence vines were so hurt that that year, there was exceeding great scarcity of Wine. The same year there was a grievous controversy between the Citizens of basil and Solodor and thereupon war grew for their limits, which notwithstanding was ended by other confederate Cities of Switzerland. At the age of 49. John Oecolampadius head Minister of the church of basil and of the renewed gospel yielded godlily and holily his spirit to God, being diseased of the pain of an imposthume, and left Oswald Miconius a man very famous for his learning, holiness and innocency of his life, his successor in the church of basil. In the city of Vlisbone or Luxborne 1400 houses were overthrown, and about six hundreth so shaken that they were ready to fall: all the churches were cast to the ground, as it were heaps of stones. This earthquake came by fits seven or eight times in a day, the people forsook the city and went into the fields. A great pestilence rose by means of the vapours of this earthquake. A blazing star appeared in Germany, Italy and france, toward the west, three weeks together in the month of August. The turk came into hungary intending to conquer Vienna but he was overthrown by the captains that were left in the Garrisons, and a great number of Turkes taken and slain. In the Sea Coasts of Holland a fish was cast up on the shore, that was in length sixty eight foot, in the thickness thirty foot, the yawning of his mouth was between foot wide. The French kings mother died. The King of Polonia vanquished Vauoida the Turkes tributarye and the Valachians. D. copper. At Vlisco ne in portugal diuers kindes of fiery and bloody tokens were seen in the Element and drops of blood fel out of the clouds to the earth. The same year in England king henry the eight had his clergy sworn from the Bishop of Rome& was proclaimed supreme head over his dominions as well in causes ecclesiastical as temporal, by the which Christian decree, the Pope was not a little displeased. All kings Christian ore head over the Church to defend the same, but not to diminish the office, for the Church hath power to rule by the word, as the king by the sword, without the which, small obedience will be to the word, little to the king, and less to the Minister. For true preaching and good counseling is spiritual correcting, likewise the robbing of Gods church is diminishing the livings of the Clergy by ungodly patrons craftily crept in, keeping back some special portion,( to the great hindrance of learning) from learned pastors, in whose stead they thrust into cure such, whose want of learning is the cause of much strife and dissension: therefore in steed of liberality, Sacrilege and Simony is the spoil of the ministery, by too much ouertaxing those that are poor already. Of three prodigious thieves by the which Common wealths are disquieted. A beggarly thief robbeth by the high way for need, and yet for the fact deserveth punishment, because all men are bound by the laws of God to labour. A slanderous thief, through envy at his neighbours prosperity, belieth the truth, and speaketh evil of the godly by taking away their good name as a reuenge of his malice. The covetous thief is he, that abuseth laws in a common wealth, for his private commodity, a betrayer of the innocent, a robber of the fatherless, and an increaser of beggars. These three drone bees do suck up bread, beef,& beer, 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 laws hold but bought and sold, there farewell reason. In the book entitled Ghostly counsel, by a german religious, Vesper Swoll. In Switzerlande at a certain village which in their mother tongue they call Gossaw, nere to Grouing, a disingenuity child was born the 26 day of August, to wit, with two heads, three arms, and so many feet. There arose in Switzerlande sharp civil warres, they encountered together with deadly weapons nere the monastery of Capel, where the Citizens of Tigure with their men, had a great overthrow, wherein Hulricus Zwinglius fighting for his country and religion was slain. At Ausburg a woman brought forth three Monsters, first a mans head wrapped in a Caule: secondly, a Serpent with two legs, which had a great head like unto a pike, the body and feet of a frog, and the tail of a Lizarde: thirdly, a pig whole in all parts. Oecolampadius, a preacher at basil of singular learning. A horrible Monster of no common wildness, having ●. feet, a mans head bearded& combed, Eagles feet, hands almost like to a Lions paws, a dogs tail, and his body of a dark yellow colour somewhat shining, in the year of our salvation 1531 was taken in the Lordship of the bishop of Salisburg in a forest which they call Hanesberg▪ for he did fly mens sight and hide himself in corners in the dark where he might: at length when he could neither be compelled nor alured to take meat, he died for hunger in few dayes. Not far from Oenepont( as job Fincelius hath noted) there was seen these Images, an Eagle standing vpon an hill, and not fearing: three other Images as enemies met him, over against: the first of which was a Camel looking up, and having a flamme round about him: the other a wolf vometing a flamme out of his mouth, being likewise beset with a flaming circled: him followed a lion, by whom a man in armor standing at the entry of the Mountains, did flatteringly stroke his mane, and again the Lion seemed to flatter him, reaching out his foot as though he would leap. Casper Pucer. Not far from Isena a town of Thuringia, there were seen in the air an old tree, and a man on horseback carrying an other tree with green leaves, whom a hound followed, and afterward a great and a black cross nere a Village which was as it were set afire with lightning. Fincelius. In the month of September a Comet was seen again in Virgo, and in the house of Mercury for certain weeks, two houres in the morning before the sun rising, and in the East part which lasted 3. whole moneths, the flamme was very terrib●e, for in greatness and continuance he surpassed the other Comet which we saw the year past. The famous Doctor of physic Achilles Gas●aru● and John Virdingus Hastrodus a notable Astrologer hath described and interpret this Comet. There were seen at Venice the 11. of april, the second hour of the day 3. faire and bright suins, with two rainebowes, not which poyntes descending, but opposite of the sun, the first of which soon gave over, the other being little, stood still amid the Element, more than two houres, the one as it were a crown, the other as it were a half circled, being of like distance from the plain of the Earth, contrary to the manner of others: but the suins were so bright that they could not be beholden, like to that which was in the middle: but he which stood at the left hand of the sun appeared toward the South very clear, greater and brighter, but he which was on the right side and lay northward was less, and not so shining, notwithstanding in the end we perceived that he more increased in such sort notwithstanding, that both seemed to fail at once, both of them stretched out very great beams through the element to the Earth, the colour of all declined to redness. The 7. of the kalends of May in Switzerland about the Sun rising was seen a white and a crystalline circled, and the same year war was begun with very great preparation against the Turkes, notwithstanding in vain, John Duke of saxony Elector of the empire died, Stomphius& Functius in Chron. In many countreys there were seen Dragons flying in the air in flocks covered with crowns, and having pigs snoutes otherwhile the number of 400. flue together, job Fincelius in his book of the miracles after the springing again of the gospel. They of Munster in Westfalia in fair weather beholded one in armour sitting on horseback. A Woman great with child in Germany being stirred up with madness joined with love slue her husband asleep, and eat up his left side with his arm as far as his thigh the same night, and kept the residue of his body powdered with salt for an other time: not long after she brought forth a Twin, but for her cruel fact, the like whereof was never heard, she being shut up in perpetual prison was compelled there to spend hir life in sorrow and hunger. In the kingdom of babylon about the Radubians whom they call Palicasti, the seventh day of M●rche a child was born of a Woman of base estate called Rechiena, having a goodly favour and his eyes and teeth shining contrary to nature, and the same hour that he was born, not only the Elements but the powers of heaven were stirred& gave fearful Tokens. For at midnight the sun appeared with unaccustomed brightness, as at noon days, which afterward became so dark that( which was no less miraculous) it was not seen for a whole day in Babilō. afterward it was seen again with diuers kinds of stars of a strange figure wandring too and froe in the element: but over the house where the Boy was born, besides other tokens, fire from heaven also was seen to fall down and consume men, and the day following the sun being Eclipsed, and a sore tempest of the air risen, it rained pearls from heaven. The third day a fiery Dragon was seen to fly about babylon▪ there appeared besides a new mountain exceeding other mountains in height, which immediately was divided into two partes, in the middle whereof there was sound a pillar, wherein these words were engraven in the greek tongue, Hora nativitatis venit, ac instat Mundi fini●. The day of birth cometh, and the end of the world is at hand: and the thirteenth hour of his birth the voice of one crying was heard in the air Parate corda vestra ad excipiendum, ac beati qui custodium verbum eius. Prepare your hartes to receive, and blessed bee they which keep his word. And after that the child had lived two moneths, he lifting up his voice like an old man, said that he was the son of GOD, and when he was demanded what the signs foregoing didde betoken, he answered, that the pearls falling from heaven, didde signify the people which didde swear to his words, and the flying Dragon his aduersaries. He cured al diseases, he restored to the blind their sight, and raised the dead to life with his word, and when he said that he was the interpreter of the holy Scriptures and hidden mysteries, he was worshipped and honoured for God throughout all babylon, against the laws of the country. This haue I translated out of the Letter of Magnus Meisinus of Rhodes which he wrote not only to the souldiers of his calling, but also to all princes of the Christian faith, to the end they might take heed that mankind were not deceived by false prophets, Sathans crafts and juggling against Gods word. In a village of Sweueland which in their mother tongue is called Christantzhoue●, situate not far from the town of Isula a boy of 7. yeres old fel oftentimes into a trance, who coming to himself after many torments of the body, shakings of the breast, and sweats, in a great assembly of all men, and to their wonder, recited certain things that were revealed to him from above,& he said that he was forced by Gods commandment, that he being now a boy,& setting al peril of life apart, should utter to the people Gods truth, who hitherto had refused the warnings of the Elders by Gods word. Wherefore he told the people not publiquelye but in private houses, not boy like, but with great gravity, many things of GOD, of his workmanship, Iustice, grace, long suffering likewise of Iesus Christ, whose passion he was able to recite in order from the lords Supper even to the end: he called the people standing about his bed( where he lay) to repentance, saying that the day of the last judgement was even at hand, and that he knew this by a star of three beams which he told them he had seen, among which the first of the beams which was of a red colour signified war, and a most bloody slaughter of men. The second, which was of a white colour, a great pestilence among people, which scarcely the third person could escape. The third, which was of a yellow colour, whose signification he would not reveal. he envy wonderfully against Priestes, because they offered again Christ crucified in the mass, being once offered for the sins of the people, and sold him but for four half pence: When he had detested the worshipping of all Idols, loftiness, pride, whoredom, adultery, drunkenness, and other heinous offences, by the which man sinneth against Gods holy lawe, he began to exhort them that stood by him, to the love of their neighbour, to humanity, bountifulness and meekness, yet among other things he spewed out deadly poison while he spake many things against the holy trinity and merit of our saviour christ, touching intercession of the virgin mary touching the darkness between hell, and the habitation of the godly, and many other things by the which accursed satan( to the end he might deceive the simpler sort) poureth out deadly poison by the means of a most innocent child under the pretence of the truth. A strange thing, no less miraculous, also is set down to happen in the city 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 said Condemnatus sum: after these words read respond mihi which was that he was damned for his living: it might peradventure craftily be done by an illusion for the fearing of their idolatrous religion to be diminished,& thereby to account their Chanon an heretic, for some taste of the truth. Otherwise I refer this strange hap to the consideration of the wise godly,& learned: In the Primer of salisbury use, printed. An, 1432. In the month of july a great Comet gave light spreading his flamme toward the suins going down in winter, so long that he occupied about 8. degrees, it was white and gave a flamme of a wonderful length like a sword, as a long staff, and in Milechius iudgement he was properly {αβγδ},( a sword) Nicholas Brugurus and Achilles Gassarus physicians did interpret him. Schiltachium a town in Germany iij. dayes before Easter was set on fire and quiter consumed by the divels wiles and a witches service. The divell for a season having conversation with that old Vixen Whore was was seen by no other, albeit oftentimes he spake to many,& diuers times he wandered with a Taber in the town through the streets, and was heard of all men, and not long after, the witch being sound to be the instrument of so great a wickedness was cast into a burning fire at Oberdorfe. At milan the eleventh of December, there was such great hail and so often thunder and lightning in most extremity, that men as madds ran up and down through fear and superstition: yet the prodigy was greater at Padua than at milan. In the judgement of Cardanus these portended the fear of war, and the loss or damage by new tributes, if no other more terrible token were joined thereto: for such things are not contrary to nature, but only without the state of time. In the lower Germany by reason of too much rain, there arose cruel floods over all the country about antwerp, which spoyled all things far abroad: immediately there arose a fearful fire in antwerp, wherewith the church of S. Maries was destroyed, which Cornelius Grapheus hath written in a trim verse. At Episcopizella a town of Turgraue in Switzerlande when a Hare great with young was vnboweled, there was found in her belly a Leueret with one head and body, but with four ears and eight feet, four of which stood in their place, but the other four appearing on the back, did represent as it were another hare. In Switzerlande the eightéenth of july a white and crystalline circled like a rainbow was seen about the sun in fair weather: almost at the same time there appeared at Clauenna a very fair maiden to a priest under the false pretence of the virgin Mary, which notwithstanding being begotten with child by a man of such great holinesse, at length bewrayed the deceit, but the priest as he was worthy, being put into a burning fire, suffered punishment for his great impietye. Nere to Episcopizella a famous town of Turgone, the 26. of november by reason of a grievous Earthquake the river Siterus, which in their country speech they call Diesitter, being let with a little hill, by the shaking of the Earth near the usual passage became a Lake, and did much harm, until being eaten asunder by the force of the water, the river returned to his former channel. The 17. day of july and somewhat after, a Comet with a long tail was seen at Lubick and the year following that virtuous and peaceable king fredrick ended his life. And this is worthy to be remembered which justinus Goblerus hath noted in his second book of the exploits of them of Lubik: the king being deade when his body noynted with balm and wrapped in linen was closed up in a pitched Coffin, his body notwithstanding didde avoyde so much blood, that they were driven to receive it in Vessels. When these things contrary to nature happened in a deade carcase, GOD without doubt would signify something by such a strange sight, as it were by a manifest outward line, to wit, that horrible plague and murder, which not long after happened and ensued for manifold miseries, wars, and seditions, were afterward in those quarters& at Lubeck moreover the same year the Turkes broke into Hungary and Austria. In the month of December Basi●l was shaken with three earthquakes. At Salodor in Switze●land there was a great dissension about religion, and hereupon there was made a new confederacie of certain worships and Cities to defend the faith. The 25. of May was taken between London and greenwich two great fishes called Horlepooles, both a male& a female. The archbishop of canterbury name William Warham deceased. The seventh day of September was the Lady Elizabeth Daughter to King Henry the eight born at greenwich between three and four of the clock in the afternoon, whose government is a spectacle to foreign nations, and shall be a great wonder to the posterity. Claraualla a city in france being strike with lightning about noontide, did burn so extremely, that in the space of three houres it was consumed, with the church, Castle, and Lawhouse, where when the Citizens sought their safety by flying away, they were hurt for the most parte, and when many could not fly through the Gate of the city, they falling down headlong from the wall into the town ditch died miserably. In Polande there were many and deadly floods wherewith both city and country were spoyled. At cracovie and in those countreyes adjoining there was great abundance of water which destroyed many mens labours and grounds. The kingdom of denmark was troubled with war, wherein also they of Lubeck were entangled. Barbarossa drove Altz●chenus King of Tunis out of his realm and spoyled and took his kingdom. At Sleswic a town of Holsatia the third of june in faire weather there were seen diuers kindes of living Creatures in the element, to wit, a great number of lions meeting together on all quarters, with an armed man on horseback with a lance: There were seen also a head without a body set out with an Emperours crown, afterward the head of a Bore with tusks, and two Dragons spitting out fire: a red cross, Cities, and Castles burning here and there, an Eagle and a lion lying nought having a crown on his head, whose eyes a cock pickte out with his bill, and at length severed his whole head from his body. There appeared afterward a unicorn and a peacock without feet, which by and by was turned into a Dragon, of which thing read more at large in job Fincelius in his miracles. In the town of Seckingen situated by the rhine side, three mile beyond Basil●, there was born a twin having their bodies joined together, who by reason of the Mothers grievous pains being in travail lived not long. The third day of july( as afore said, but more at large by a second author) in the town of Scheswic in the South, in fair weather there were seen in the air Lions running together from diuers places to a conflict, and by them a horseman in harness brandishing a deadly spear: not far from the horseman lay a mans head without a body, having on an imperial diadem: a little while after there was seen a Bores head tusked, and two Dragons belching out fire: afterward there appeared the platform of a very great city standing by a great water, besieged with an army by Sea and by land, and over this was a cross of a bloody colour turning by little and little into black: likewise an other horseman came out in a fiery colour, wearing an imperial diadem on his head, whom a spare horse followed. afterward in a large plain there appeared two burning castles near to a high hill, to the which stoocke a great Eagle hiding the half of his body behind the side of the hill: there appeared also certain young Eagles of a bright white colour, likewise the head of a lion lying upright, having a crown upon his head, a cock striking and digging the head with his Bill until it was loose and fell from the body, and so vanished away, the body remaining a long time to be seen. There stood by also other lions, and by the Bores head there was a unicorn which by little and little turned into a Dragon, and there were very many creatures of form and greatness not usual. There burned a Castle upon an high rock beset with two hostes, and there was seen a whole country full of many towns, Castles, and Villages, but immediately all that quarter where these things stood, was set on fire and burned, and the great ruins filled up the great water, the Towers only appearing. In that place where before the great city was seen, at the banks of the great Water stood a camel, as if he had drunk. This writeth Gasparus Pucerus in his Tetratoscopia. At this time began The rising of Religion, The liberty of the gospel, The fall of Superstition, The bondage of the Church. The Pope was proclaimed universal Vicar of christ on earth, the year of our Lord God 605. then began the birth of the Popish supremacy, from which time until Anno Domini. 1534.& the 26. year of King henry the 8. was clearly banished forth of England his error. But note the prophesies that belonged to his heresy, in Stella clericorum, the Popes Priestes became makers of God, when they said Iste qui creavit me, dedit mihi creare se: qui creavit me sine me creature mediant me, that is: He that made me, gave me power to make him, and he that made me without me, is made by the means of me: this strange prodigy no less wonderful in heaven, then miraculous on earth, Quicunque desiderat primatum in terra, inueniet cōfusionē in caelo. Christostom opere imperfecto in Math. Homil. 36. author Wil. Chauncie in his book of the rooting out of the Romish supremacy. Phocas the Emperour gave the name of universal bishop to Boniface the first usurper over other Churches, after Lanquet 608. about which time many strange Monsters of the Sea were seen of sundry people the space of half a day. The coin used in the time of pus Quintus, whose money was better than his religion( notwithstanding he excelled many others in virtue, although superstitious) is here set down. The scutcheon declareth his gentility to bee Gen. 3. between the serpent and eve, we plainly see, The two keys crossed, a power in heaven and Hel, With the triple Crown kingdoms to excel. The show of two faces, of Peter and paul, A sign of that truth which bewrayeth all His subtle devises now brought to light Declareth all his interest and right. To be the devil who ever say nay, Apoca. 18. And God hath found Adam, though eve be astray. If the pot can make the Potter, antichrist can make a God: God made the world by his word, yet not that man can create any thing by the same word, not so much as one hair white or black. Antichrist can neither make fish, foul, nor beast, and yet he will make God. If you that be Christians will haue no fellowship with Antichrist, set a bible in your window, and he will not abide, book of the Discloseng of Antichrist. In Polande there were very great floods, other Countreys throughout Europe lacking rain. The Anabaptistes, a vile sect, took the monastery in Westfalia●. Huldrike Duke of Wirttenberg was restored by Phillip landgrave of Hesse against Ferdinandus. henry King of england revolted from the Pope, when fredrick King of Scaudia was deade, the kingdom was toste with dyvers cruel warres. The Anabaptistes in Munster at the commandment of their prophet John Alcide( a tailor) gathered 4000 together, and ministered the supper of the Lord after their fashion, but by Gods providence not long after they were put to death. On the even of the nativity of Christ, at Stasforde, which is a town in saxony, the devil, as Fincelius writeth, came in mans shape to the parish Priest of that place, called Laurence Donar, being at confession, beseeching him that he would also hear his confession: he being admitted, belched horrible blasphemies against God, but being ouerlaide with the word of God, was driven to depart. At Milan when francis Sfortia the second was deade, in the day time there was seen a dim star in the element, wherefore when Sfortia was deade without sons, the rule of the city went to the Emperour Prince conrad, the state of things being changed. In the dukedom of Wittenberg, after that the hostis in an inn had set before hir guests at Supper pigs flesh that was hurt by a mad dog: they which had tasted it, suddenly falling into the like fury biting one another, tore themselves in pieces. Vpon S. Gyles day at Olsten a town of Sylecia, there happened a horrible tempest, which job Fincelius in his miracles doth perfectly paint out. At Bremopirg a city of Marchia, as Fincelius noteth, a child was so born, that having a skin hanging loose about his body, he was thought to be clad in a Dutch soldiers cloak. In Lusatia not very far from the Town of Iubin, on whitsun Monday about two of the clock in the afternoon in fair weather, ther were seen Hostes of men in the element marching from the North to the South, and there were heard in the Element the noise of war and of men fighting. They report that about Alexandria after a prodigious hail, there appeared a strange kind of birds, and surely not without and event answerable, for that wretched city was vexed so many ways, so many kind of Barbarous people, she tries, and saw the Gazigians and Metauaistians people unknown to us, neither yet when now the 20. year is ended, there is any hope of better fortune. over Vinaria there was seen in the element in fair weather three fiery sun beams, and the day before the city of Munster was taken, there was seen on a clear day in the Element a cross, and a sword drawn, hanging over the city. At Kesuvil in Turgania, a woman brought forth at one birth ● boyes which were all christened. The eight of the kalends of August in Switzerlande about Tygure, there was a great and cruel tempest of weather, all places in the air did shine with fire: there were heard horrible thunders, there fell down vpon the ground flames of no common greatness, with the which at Bula Lotstot and Graslikon near Adelfing, five houses were quiter destroyed. In the month of july in the town of Swelwic, while the people before dinner were at Church, a great light suddenly appeared, and the lightning slue two, and overthrew to the ground with his violence,& vehemency of exhalation about thirty persons, which notwithstanding through Gods goodness were saved beyond mans expectation, some mens garments also were burned, their bodies being vnhurte. This year Munster was delivered from the disloyal Anabaptists. The duke of Milan dyed Charles the Emperour took Tunis in afric. The Citizens of Berre deprived the Duke of savoy of his dukedom. At a town in spain, the seventh day of february, about the second hour of the night, as Fincelius recordeth, out of others, there were seen in a cloudy and rainy weather, two young men armed, meeting together with their swords, one of which had in his left hand a Target, bearing an Eagle with this inscription, Regnabo, but the other had a shield with this inscription Regnau●, but when they had fought together he which had the Eagle overthrew his enemy, and became conqueror, as Fincelius writeth: but we read that the like thing happened in the year of Christ 1556. where of I will speak hereafter in his place. Hernan Lopes de Castanneda Cronicler to the King of Porting●le in the eight book of his chronicle, recordeth that Nuno de Acuna being Viceroy and governor of the portugal Indians in the year of our Lord 153. there was a man that all other marveled at because it was avouched by very great proof and witness, that he had then lived 340. yeares: he remembered when that city was not builded, being one of the greatest forces of the Indies He had grown young again four times, quitting himself of his hoare hairs and wrinkles, and having new teeth and gums, whom when the viceroy saw, the hair of his head and beard, being but little, was black, and calling for a physician, commanded him to feel his pulse who found him as strong as if he had been a very young youth. this man in his youth had been a gentle, and afterward became a Moore, he was born in the kingdom of Vengala, and affirmed that he had at times about seven hundreth wives, some of which dyed, and others he had put away. The King of portugal was told of this man, who maketh reckoning of him, and his Armadas( which are great and mighty ships, which traffic to the Indies) did yearly bring him certain tidings that he was alive, and( as they say) he is yet: so that he is now at this present above three hundred three score and ten yeres old. moreover the same Cronicler saith that at that time that Nuno de Acuna was governor there, there was in the City of Vengala another man a Moore, whom they called Xequepir, born in a country called Xeque, that was by report three hundred yeares old, and all they that knew him, affirmed it, because he hath great tokens and witness thereof. This More was held of others as holy, for his hard and abstinente life, and the Portingales had great friendship and acquaintance with him: and albeit the Chronicles ar not so true, that nothing is written in them but is most assured,& that I can very hardly believe it: yet there are many witnesses in portugal and Castile which saw it, and knew it was certain and true. In these things there are some secret mysteries which we understand not nor comprehend. This is recorded in the book entitled Iardin du Flores Curiosas, Imprinted at Antwerp, Anno Domini. 1575. The first day of April in Sicilia the mountain Etna being shaken with an Earthquake, cast out so great abundance of fire, that all places were spoyled al abroad for the space of six miles, but chiefly the monastery of Saint lo, which was quiter destroyed. In that part of Sa●matia which they of later time call at this day Podolia, so great a number of grasshoppers was brought a land with the great violence of wind from the sea Euxinus, that they eat up all the corn in every place. There ensued a great plague and murrain of men and beasts. From the time that the league of Schmalkadia was made, these Images were seen to shine in the air, which were judged to figure the end of the league: first there was seen a man on horssebacke after whom husbandmen armed with clubs succeeded, secondarily there appeared a huge tower by the water side, and not far from it, a man drawing water, whom at last a great Dragon pursued: the two first shows some vanished away, but the other were long to be seen. Of these writeth Gasper Pucerus. The same year Charles the Emperour besieging Marcilia, was repulsed through the pestilence. The king of portugal got a great part of India. Not far from Tygure a child was born altogether like unto him which six yeares paste was born also in Switzerland at the village of Gossue, to wit, with one body, two heads, three hands and three feet. That year there followed great fiers in Switzerland which did much mischief. Stumphius Author. At frankford, standing by the river Viadrus, a maiden being possessed by the devil, did devour the coin of Marchia a whole month together, and at length pings. At a manor place or farm standing not far from the town of Wortzen, situated by the river Molda, there was born a child without legs. The moon was eclipsed the 24. of May, which George Emilius of Mansfeld hath described in a learned verse. The seventh of the kalends of june, at four of the clock in the afternoon, the old castle of Haydelberg where in times past Rubert King of the Romaines difficult, was strike with lightning, in the which there were about four hundred vessels of Gunnepouder: it overthrew the castle at once, it tore certain buildings of the new castle, and did great hurt and damage to the city of Heydelberg. This tempest hath james Mysillus in a learned verse. The day before the Ides of December the Popes castle standing by the Bridge Aelius when it was set on fire by a blast of lightning, it can not be told what hurt it did then to the next buildings and the Gardens within the walls. The first day of february, there was seen an Eagle in Italy flying through the air, which carried in his right foot a bottle, and in his left a serpent wrapped up together, whom a great number of pies followed. The same time also the Burgundian cross was seen in the element with diverse colours. job Fincelius in his miracles. At Rome there was heard a Tempestuous thunder, contrary to the season of the year. In the vpper Germany there arose a great and unseasonable flood of water. The mountain Aetna burned again, at which time a fiery mass of a wonderful greatness, made of kindled sulphur, fell down from the top of Aetna, with a great noise, which tumbled down not quickly, but scattering abroad out of the air, having the ouershew same what thickened, and burned( as I haue heard) hills, woods, stones, and rocks, and two villages,( for the mountain containeth many villages) and finally the top of the Hill through the continual flames falling down on one side, the hole became greater, the Ball of fire which is manifest to haue been kindled sulphur, appeared in the day time to the beholders dead or dusky, but in the night altogether fiery and dreadful. There was heard also continual thunder for many dayes, which made men afraid: and not only Sicilia but also a parte of Calabria was covered with the burnt and black ashes, and all the Element was ouercaste with the noisome smoke which they that inhabit those Countreyes can testify. The fire was held in many yeres, in which time many kinds of good trees grew up at the foot of the mountain, the Citizens of Catana also sat in great quietness, but when the violence of the fire broke out, and Vulcan went about to amend his workehouse, all things about the mountain were grievously hurt, trees, woods, men, and beasts. The Philosophers do yield a natural reason for this fire burning so wonderfully, through the counsel of the Princes of Germany war was in vain taken in hand against the turk, the Sea in the kingdom of Naples was dried up the space of eight Italian miles. A Comet appeared in Ianuarie in the sign of Pisces, through Germany in the evening toward the west, which lifted up his tail towards the west. Immediately in May, another appeared towards the west in Taurus, not far from the Dragons head, which lifted his beard towards the South. Basil was shaken with a great earthquake, which notwithstanding did then no harm to the townsmen. That year following was a very great heat, which continued from march until the birth day of christ. fountains and very great Riuers were dried up, houses and woods were set on fire by the heat of the sun, the Vintage was very rich through good Wine. In france between Papenberg and the wood of Thuringia the sixteenth of Ianuarie a star of a wonderful greatness was seen in the element, which by little and little spreading into the air took the form of a whitishe circle, whereof afterward through a great violence of the wind flames were raised vpon the earth,& did burn only those things which otherwise are not commonly consumed with deuouryng flames, as speareheades, chains, and Byttes of horses, with such like, otherwise it hurt no man nor set a fire any building. job Fincelius. The country about Puteoli a city in Campania, was so shaken with great Earthquakes almost for two yeares together, that there remained in it no whole house nor building which was not ready to fall: but in the year of our lord 15●8. the fourth and fifth of the kalends of October the earth shoke both day and night. The sea went back almost 200. paces, in which place they which dwelled near too, took a great number of Fishes, and sweet waters were seen to spring very fast up. At length the third of the kalends of October, a great piece of ground( which lieth between the foot of the Hil which the inhabitants call Barbarous and the sea by Auernus, seemed to lift itself up, and to be like a mountain suddenly rising. The same day the second hour of the night this heap of Earth belched out, as it were with an open mouth, great fiers with great noise, and pumises and stones, and such abundance of foul ashes, that it covered the houses of Puteoly, lay over the grass, broken trees, and turned into ashes the Grapes growing within six miles compass, it slue birds also and many beasts, and they of Puteoly fled away in the dark with their wives and children, and with great murning and lamentation got them to Naples: the ashes hereof through the force of the exhalation was cast almost 60. miles, and( which may seem a wonder) near the quaue it fel down dry, but for mire and Mose: but which surpasseth al admiration, the mountain about the quaue was seen made up in one night of pumises and ashes more than the height of a thousand paces( which is a mile) wherein there were many holes or issues, of which, two now remain, one by the sea shore which runneth out to Auernus, the other in the middle of the mountain. A great part of Auernus was covered with ashes, those baths renowned for so many hundred yeares, and which gave health to so many diseased, lie butted up with ashes. This fire continued afterward for certain months, notwithstanding with some space between. There was one born, and grew to the perfect stature of man having two heads and four shoulders, so that one head was before, the other behind, of a wonderful likeness one to another: they were both bearded and looked one vpon another, their appetite to meate was alike, their hunger alike, their voice very like, they had one desire to the same wife, the which he had, and had the same way of voiding excrements, and he was thirty yeares old when he came to Basil. I saw also the like Monster in Bauaria, the year of Christ. 1541. it was a woman of six and twenty yeares of age with two heads, one of which notwithstanding was very deformed: when she got hir living by begging from door to door, she was commanded( by reason of women with child) to depart out of the country, in giuing hir money to pay hir charges. In Germany every where in the air there were seen armed men, sword, and funerals, but towards the west there appeared a star of no common greatness with bloody rains, and by him a bloody cross and a standard banner flying in the air. Before the first setting out of the landgrave, a very honest man the sheriff of Schmalkalde( as Gasperus Fuserus in the book of divinations hath left in writing,) saw in the night as it were before him, these shows: An old man sleeping at the table with his head hanging down, and near to him a Lion vpon a form, and in the same Parlour a great number of men in long garments; taking counsel about the Lion, against which at length the Lion rising with his fore feet, as it were to set vpon them, lept from the form, they making a circle set themselves against the Lion, and stabbed him, flying at him with their daggers, and at length casting a stool vpon him, they cut off his tail, but not long after struggling from under the stool, he recovered his tail again, where through the fear( as it were) of the Lion, those men departed out of the Parlour, and the Lion leping vpon the form, went to his former place: afterward when diverse times again they going in and out, did as it were take counsel to kill the Lion, he being angry, flew upon them violently, which crying out, and for fear stretching their arms to the sleeping old man, he arose, and lifting up his head, manaced the Lion by shaking his right hand: which seen, the Lion went back, and oftentimes looking to the old man, and leaping vpon the form, turned to the figure of christ, standing and preaching, before whom when these men lay prostrate, as asking and obtaining forgiveness, they anished vaway together with the other appearances. In May appeared a blazing star. And at the same time dyed Isabel the Emperors wife. D. Cooper. Also in May the same year the eight day the Citizens of London mustered at the miles end in bright armor, with coats of white silk and chains of gold, passing through the city to S. james through the field, and came home through Holberne. many dyed of hote burning agues, and of the lax, in all partes of the realm An. 1541. after some. In flanders in the month of October, from two of the clock in the afternoon till four, it rained blood: in Switzerland in the month of of May there appeared a Comet turning his dark& duskish tail towards the south. In a village called Feigenstall, under the government of the Bishop of Ister▪ one Huldrike Newessesser dwelling there, when a long time he was troubled with diverse pains and torments in his body, at length he felt with his hand between the skin and the flesh an Iron nail, and held it until it was cut out by a chirurgeon. Notwithstanding he being not eased of his pain, the grief seemed so greatly to oppress him, that he wanting the grace of God, fell into such a fransie, as he would haue cut his own throat, yet was restrained by his friends till the feast of S. matthew following, when he bored his throat, yet the wound seemed not so, as there followed present death, although after the wicked fact he lived not long. But being dead and opened by the chirurgeon, in his stomach were found ●. strange knives,& a piece of wood: moreover there was in his belly a long piece of Iron four square, whose uttermost parte was sharpened in two sides, and two other pieces of Iron, covered with rust, to the which there was knit a hair of a mans head. At Milan a cow brought forth a calf with two heads, he had two perfect heads with tongue, teeth, eyes,& cares, but the heads were joined together in the nape, the one a bulls head, the oath a Cowes head. That year the kingdom was transposed to the Emperous son, which had a wife, and the French received many discommodities, as the calf didde signify labour and the sex betokened the ill lucke and flight of many Captaines, and the loss of Cities without assault, and castles and provinces without war. This writeth Cardanus in his fouretéenth book Chap. 7. At Hemnitium the 25 of june, there was a great Earthquake, wherewith many houses were shaken. In certain places of Germany the 25. of December, a very bright Star was seen, before the break of day in the moon, out of which the day following two Stars appeared& gave a bending light of great brightness. this year a child was born at Hassia with two heads turned towards the back, whose faces standing one against the other, beheld each other with a threatening countenance. There was an E●rthquake again the 14. of December in germany. wherewith many houses were shaken. Cardanus hath written that he saw a man, who in the year of our Lord .1540. being condemned to die, and being twice strike with a club, the engine also called a crane falling vpon him, was saved in the presence of the people of the Town of Chasteau Nouueau near the river of Leir in france He foretold this should come to pass before he was carried forth, and being at the place of execution, from that day which was the eight and twentieth of november, he went in Pilgrimage vpon the vow, yet being hurt he hardly escaped. The like also is reported to haue happened at Coronagium about thirty yeares paste: the thing is there painted, and so great a prodigy is ascribed to the blessed virgin. The causes of this prodigy if thou desire to know, read them in Cardan in his fourteenth of the variety of things. Chap. 76. The summer of this year was parching and dry, more than many summers were before, there was great scarcity of Hay and Pot herbs and other things growing, by reason of great heat, although there was store of very good wine every where, even in places of least account, and reasonable good store of wheat. Many judged the Comet seen that year was the cause of the heat and drought, as also the great eclipse of the sun which happened at the beginning of summer, the seventh day of april, whose beginning was before the suins rising, and lasted two whole houres after the Sun was up. At prague in Boemia, the kings castle that was built and beautified, at the exceeding great charges of the Kings of Boemia, together with the cathedrall church was burned, and there were many fiers in many places, and many were punished as setters of houses on fire. In england the latter end of this year was great burning agues and flixes, whereof many dyed, and such droughte, that wells and small Riuers were dried up, and many cattle dyed for lack of Water. The salt Sea Water flowed above London Bridge. John Stow. This year was a sedition in the city of Gaunte which Charles the fifth appeased by putting the Authors of the sedition to the sword, and taking away diverse privileges of the city, built there a castle for a a place of defence to keep them in awe. At the same time there was held an assembly at worms of Princes and bishops of germany, among whom at such time there was communication of matters of Religion, and chiefly disputation touching original sin, and treaty of true iustifycation. At Friburge there was a twin born the nineteenth of february joined together from the breast, as far as the the navel. In the dukedom of Millan, about twenty Dogges meeting together at a place called Alexandria, and martching as it were soldiers, and running very fast to Millan ward, did set upon men and beasts in great rage, and tore in pieces what so ever they met. In germany near to Albderschuuiler not far from the town Landauium, in the Vintage time. There was found bearded Grapes which first were sent for a present to Lewes Duke elector of Bauaria, and afterward in the assembly at Spire they were seen as a miracle of King Ferdinandus and the princes of the empire, and there they were liuelye expressed after this sort by henry Vogther an excellent Painter. In the Ile of Sardinia the same night that the emperor Charles the fifth took shipping to go to Barbary, at the town of Lagra a cow brought forth a calf with two heads. About three a clock in the afternoon there appeared two by suins, the sun stood as it were a Centre, two bright circles didde enuirone it: in the compass of the innermost circle there didde shine on both sides, a by sun, as it were at the uttermost limit of a line drawn through the Centre of the sun, and passing through the same to cut it in two several partes. The outward circled or changeable bow in colour of the rainbow, and in the form of a hook, turning his horns towards the North, did indent or cut in the uttermost. It is well known what joinings together of Kings and Princes, and what Commotions there followed. In germany near a Village called Malsch not far from the imperial town of Spire, there was found in a betide, a reed having fifteen ears of corn trimlye set out, without any sowing. A weavers wife at Friburge a city of Misnia, in Saint Francis street brought forth a twin, joined together in the forepartes of the body, and embracing one the other, the nintéenth of the kalends of february. There followed a sudden cheapness of corn vpon a great dearth, for when the third of the Calends of August, a bushel of wheat was sold for a flemish gyldren, and half, within seven dayes it was sold for less than half a gyldren. The same year the worthy Duke henry dyed at Dresdah the fifteenth of the kalends of September, and was butted in Saint Maries Church at Friburg. In Switzerlande a valley was sore shaken with an Earthquake, and streams of very stinking sulphur ran on the plain to the Hill Apeninus which notwithstanding continued not. The same year William Rogendorfe following Cazianer, betrayed the Germaine soldiers to the Turkes, Buda was in vain assaulted: a great fire rising at prague did great harm to king Ferdinandus. About this time, a new trade of dancing of Galliardes vpon five paces, and vauting on horses,( whereof some after learned to break their necks) was brought into this realm by Italians who not many yeares before had this term in scorn of the Englishe that they were very good ashes, meaning their readiness to every light exercise and toy, which shortly was exercised commonly of all young men, and the old( peradventure more comelye) fashion left, which caused a speech in disdain that England was like a jakes, ready to receive every mans filth, and this was said for suffering so many people of all nations, to dwell, inhabit, and use what religion they would for gain, whereas in every country else, whatsoever he be that cometh to dwell shall be sworn to the Prince or tarrieth not, neither is suffered to buy or sell, &c. read Lanquet, doctor Cooper, Allens and others. In Grafton his Chronicle. In the dukedom of Wittenberg, there was born a twin having their bodies knit together as far as the Nauil. In the same Country there were seen horrible shapes in the Element, among which also there were rods or torches carried too and fro with a very swift moving. The fourteenth of june at Buda with a very strong tempest the top 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 cross, which had his neck bowing and bending to one side, even as the Image of the son of God is painted taken from the cross, that hardly for the wrinesse of his mouth meate could be put in: he had also overthwart and bending thighs, which although sometimes they were sundered, notwithstanding of their own accord they came to their former shape: he lived for a time at Vienna in Austria. At the end of September there was seen in many places a great number of grasshoppers as it were a cloud, which at the beginning lacking wings, had afterward four, who eating up one field immediately flying from thence went to another, consuming all that grew upon the ground, saving that they could not so much hurt the vines: the territory of Milan felt this misery. In like sort that kind of grasshoppers breaking into Sile●● out of Poland, in the month of november, did the like or also greater harm to the ground, which at the beginning of October making a great spoil not far from Torga in Misnia, and at a town called Oschewitz or Oscitium, left behind them a foul stink, which greater foul could not abide. At length in the cold of autumn they pined away& were food for swine. Historians writ that such plagues do light on mens grounds trimmed& vntrymmed, but yet never without the betokening of evil,& iudgement of Gods wrath. This year it rained blood in the diocese of Munster at the castle of Sasenburg not far from Warendorf. In Frizeland there sprung up a new diuellishe prophet, name George davie terming himself Gods nephew, and spake in what tongue soever, with beasts and birds, taking food of them: he affirmed that heaven was clean empty, and that he was sent to this end, to choose children by adoption to be coheirs of the kingdom of heaven, and babbled many other most foolish and vain things. This year the Turkish warres was in vain. The war between Maurice and John Frederick Duke of saxony, was after a sort appeased. Henry Duke of Brundeswike made war against John Frederick Duke of saxony, and was driven out of his dominion. Great pestilence in London this year, and therfore michaelmas term was adjourned to Saint Albons. The eight of the Ides of february at five a clock in the morning at Caffehuse in Switzerland two women children were born with two heads, four arms, and so many feet several, but with one massy or whole body from the neck to the Nauil, the string of the Nauil hanging down underneath. A great number of grasshoppers driven into Misnia and Marchia did much harm to the fields on every side. That same came to pass also at that time in the country about Luca, where so great a number was found, that in some places, job Fincelius hath noted, they being clustered together lay more than a Cubit high. The fourth of the Nones of May, not far from Pfortzheim, belonging to the Marques of Baden, at a village called Zessenhusen, between four and five of the clock in the afternoon a great Comet was seen, that was bigger that a millstone to see too, which stretched out his tail towards the North, from whence a fire descending to the earth like a Dragon, drunk clean up the brook that was next unto it,& from thence flying into a field, consumed a great parte of corn, and mounting up again left behind him horrible tokens of these things to be seen. This year chanced four eclipses, one of the sun the 23. of Ianuarie, and three of the moon. John Stow. In the Village of Rinach not far from Basil a woman brought forth a twin, having both bodies joined together over the Nauil, with 4. arms, yet from the loins he had two feet, he was a male, he is trimely set out by Sebastian Munster in his Cosmography, from whence also Stomphius hath taken him into his work of Chronicles. In flanders vpon the day of the conversion of S. paul,( although there be some which writ at cracovie) there was born a child of honest and gentle parentes, very hedious and horrible to behold, with flaming and sparkling eyes, having a mouth and nostrils standing out with the form of a horn, a back rough with dogs hairs, Apes faces appearing in his breasts where his dugs should stand, Cats eyes under the navel, cruel, and currish dogs heads at both elbows and knees, looking forward, the form of toes feet, a tail bending upward and turning again crooked at the end an ell long: he is said to haue lived four houres after he was born, and at length( after he had uttered these words, Vigilate, dominus deus vester aduentat, that is, watch, your lord is a coming) to haue dyed. Gasperus Puce● and Munster in his Cosmography. A great number of Butterflyes, the third of August entred the fields about Basil, whereof it came to pass, that all things being then eaten up, there was no grass found in the fields for the food of cattle, and this rage of Butterflies was chiefly about Minchensten, Arleshim, Tornac, Ronac, Pfeffenhen, Villages. This year there was cruel war almost through Europe. The Smalaudians rebel against Gustan, and by the help of the King of france they were brought into subiection. The castle of grain who was betrayed to the Turkes, the Emperour Charles subdued. The Duke of Iuliake set upon the french in the lower germany. The french by help of the swissers in picardy did help to victual the town of Landersey against the Emperour, and also subdued the country of Litzelburg. William Duke of Cleue taking part with the french disquieted Charles the Emperour in Brabrand and besieged Antwerp. this year king henry won Bulleine from the french king. &c. The fifth of the Ides of april at Glaron a town in Switzerlande well known, at eleven a clock before noon, in very fair weather, there was seen a white and crystalline circle to go amid the sun, for four houres together, whose entry from the right hand to the left a piece of a rainbow didde occupy, with his elemental colours. The seventh of april at eight a clock in the after noon, in fair weather, there was seen a prodigy in the element, at will a City in Turgane, to wit, the moon did shine, in the fullness whereof did shine a white cross. At milan in the month of Ianuarie, as Cardanus recordeth, ther was born a woman child with two heads, and all the rest of the body in good proportion. This year the Frenchmen troubled the cost of England, showing themselves before the Ile of Wighte, pool, and other places, as setting some soldiers alande in Sussex afore Brighthamsted, but at the burning of the Beacons the Englishmen came down so fast, that the French made hast to their ships. The nintéenth of july the Maryrose a goodly ship, not far from Portsmouth, was drowned, with Sir George Carowe captain and many gentlemen and soldiers, the King being then at Portsmouth. The earl of Hertforde was sent into Scotlande with an army of twelve thousand men, destroying diverse towns, and putting many Scottes to the Sword. In many places of Germany, as Fincelius recordeth, a great number of grasshoppers ouerlaide the fields, they were of a shape not usual, to wit, hooded like monks, mixed with a dark yellow and a duskishe colour. At Hedelberg standing by the river Neccarus, on whitsun sunday was born two boyes joined together, having two bodies closed by the belly part, two heads, four hands and feet, whose mother was called catherine●: and Gasper Besler saith they were christened, one called John the other jerome, and lived a day and a half: when they were dead, they found in the belly but one hart. At Nissa a town of Silecia, there fell hail of wonderful greatness, whereby the fields of that country were spoyled every where. So also the sixteenth day of june, after a black cloudy weather, there arose a tempest and such abundance of hail, that in Su●goia from the town of Bruntrut as far as the rhine, it so beate down the corn in the Fields, and the Grapes in the vineyards, that the Vines were quiter marred, and in the fields there was no straw left for the cattle: the next day it didde no less harm at Brigoria and in the dominyon of the Marques of Baden, and the third day in the miry valley. There followed a great dearth of al things, and at Basili their measure of Wine was sold for 6. halfepence, Three pyntes English. & 2. bushels of wheat was sold for. French crowns and a half, about fifteen shillings. The fift of the Kalends of September, at Strausburg the mother city of Alsatia, there was born a woman child with a horrible and monstro●s head, and wide open in the uppermost part, with a broad mouth, with ox eyes, and Eagles nostrils. That year the Emperour Charles took Turin by assault, and burnt it, he brought the Duke of Cleue to obedience, in getting the dukedom of Gelderland. By the treason of the Marques of Quissa, the army of Charles was slain at Carniola. Henry King of england made sharp war vpon the french which landed in the Ile of Wight and slue many. &c. The Emperor Charles by his spaniards got the kingdom of Afrike. On Witson Monday in Silecia these things were seen, as Casparus Pucerus recordeth, a bear led from the East an host of men furnished for the field, whom a Lion with a power of armed men encountered from the west: between both Armies there appeared a very bright Star, immediately they meeting, fought so sharply together the blood seemed plentifully to distil from their wounded bodies, and the carcases of the murdered seemed to fall down dead: during the fight an Eagle was seen from a high rock to shake his wings, soaring over the army of the lion: when the field was fought, as though the conflict had been broken of, the Lion again appeared among his Souldiers, but the shape of the bear was seen no where, the carcases lay along and scattered where the other army was, by whom there stood goodly and reverent old men with gray hears: when the battle was ended, the Lion withdrew his army to the west, where one riding on a fair white horse, returned from his army to the place of fight, and set vpon his horse a young man in armor that stood there, and went towards the East accompanied, whereupon with the other appearances he vanished away. In Saxony in the month of february a child was born with a grisly look, having a whole body and well compact, but all his l●mmes were bruised, torn and loose, saving that his head was copped like a Sugerlofe, and as it were set out with a Turkish cap. In Polande the 29. of march about 8. a clock in the Morning there was cast a fearful lightning from heaven, which made all Polande afraid: immediately there appeared three read crosses in the element, among which a soldier in harness fought with a flaming sword against the army that was against him, and overcame it, and afterward the conqueror was devoured of a hideous Dragon: by and by there appeared a great gaping or opening in the whole element almost for an hour: There appeared at the last three Raynebowes with their colours, upon the which there sate a winged angel, whom all men might see for half an hour, who notwithstanding afterward vanyshed away with the rest in the continual concourse of the clouds: this writeth Fincelius in his book of miracles, after the Gospels rising up again. The seventh day of August about eleven of the Clock at afternoon, a fearful tempest happened over the city of Machlin, the like whereof was never scarcely heard of, for by reason of a Thunder the city was in such a fear, that most men thought that the latter iudgement was at hand, or that the city should be destroyed, for there followed that fearful cracking of the clouds, a cloudye lightning, and an intolerable monstrous stink, neither did any man know what was done, but those that were taken with the Tempest and with death, until at length a rumour ran in the city, that the Lightning had strike the Sand Gate, where there were laid up eighty Vessels of gunpowder, whose sudden setting on fire made so great a confusion in the city, that no man didde ever see a more wonderful sight: The Sandegate was destroyed in the twinkling of an eye, and beaten into small pieces, and not only the Foundations of the tower, but also the Stones of the walls near too were pulled up from the Foundation, and scattered over all the city, and which more is, the ditch water was vpon the sudden dried up with the force of the heat of the kindled gunpowder: wherefore the next day in the morning there were found all about that place as it was thought three hundred deade carcases, and one hundred and fifty sore hurt: there was also found a woman in that Tempest who going to shut her chamber window lost her head vpon the sudden, and there were some playing at cards in an house who were quiter slain, saving the wife which went into the cellar to fetch beer: there was found also a man hid in a cave, who coming out three dayes after, asked whether the World stood yet or not. To conclude, it was a miserable sight to see that goodly city so pitifullye spoyled and deformed, there was almost no church in the city which was not grievously shaken, and the houses nere to were quiter overthrown, the whole streets were beaten down. At Rotwill a town of Germany well known, when diuers did spitefully rail at the gospel, and many professing that they should be saved through faith alone in Iesus Christ went out of the city, and left their goods, the devil to the great fear of the Citizens, was seen to walk in the city, and it was to be feared least that deadly enemy of mankind, and cunning crafts master in a thousand wil●ss, as he did elsewhere, would set the city on fire. In the city of Argelia through the violence of a Tempest, the head of a great engraven Image was overthrown in the Castle, which was like to the Duke of Saxony. The hot baths of Fideren in Pretigoia, were so spoyled with much rain, and breaking of a cloud, that all things being taken away with much labour, the fountain could scarcely be found. The same year henry Duke of Brunswic seeking to recover his ancient dominion, was taken and slain by the Duke of Saxony and the Lantgraue of Hesse. The same year a woman of Vienna in Austria called Margaret daughter of Wolfegang Karlinger a citizen of Vienna but wife of George Wolczer an inn keeper, dwelling at that time at the sign of the red crab, being great with child, when before Bartholmewtide she felt the child struggle and stir itself till saint Lukes day, being pained with throws, she sent for her mother and the wives that they might be with her in due season, which when they came in the presence of the Midwife, she was vpon delivery, but being in very extreme pangs there was heard a certain cracking, which declared the child was hurt, after which crack the childes liveliness could no more be perceived: in the mean season shée began to haue sore labour, and milk aboundauntlye filled her breasts, wherefore the Woman carrying a burden not to be avoyded, and suffering grievous pains, continued half alive half deade, even until the year of our lord 1549. having continually a rotten flux, but after that they had in vain tried all remedies by Surgeons and the Doctors, at length in the year of our lord 1550 the tenth of november at twelve a Clock at noon, vpon making an incision a little above the navel, rotten matter avoyded, and in the right side by drawing of the right Muskell they drew out the child half rotten in the mothers belly: The mother in process of time was well healed, so that she had her ordinary course of body afterward. All this story worthy the reading, was written by mathias Cornax, Doctor of physic at Vienna to Ferdinandus King of hungary and Bohemia. The 18. day of february martin Luther left this life 1546. a godly and learned preacher. In Acke● a town of Saxony by the river Albis two children were seen growing together by their hips on one side, where the hips are fastened to the huckle bone, in such sort that the right arm ouercompasse● the left, as if they had embraced each other. In the lower Panonia the Element opened for the space of an hour, from whence fell great abundance of fire to the ground, and vpon the fire was seen a black ox which pissed fire. In Hungary in the presence of all men blood ran out of grapes. Fincelius. In denmark this year not far from Coppen Hagen a famous town, a Sea Fish was taken, headed like a man, but blackishe like a Negro, and in his apparel like a monk, for he ware a cowl about his neck, and his habit was set out with certain pictures: in the place of arms& hands he had fins fit to swim withall, and the lower part, to wit the tail, was like a fish three elles long, after he was taken he lived three dayes,& was sent to the king of denmark for a miracle, but I believe it is the same that Caspar Pu●erus in his book of divinations, and job Fincelius in his miracles haue set down in the year of Christ 1550. whom notwithstanding we haue red in his description to be taken .1546. Before the german war which the Emperour Charles the fifte made against the Duke of Saxony and his confederates, as Marcus Fritschiu● in his Meteorologicall matters recounteth, a child was born at a Village in Franci●, who after he was delivered of his Mother, there lay a knife in his belly, whose point appeared, and by little and little was drawn out: all men judged that it signified civil war,& the falling out of Citizens among themselves, who afterward drew their Swords as it were against their bowels. At Esling a city of Germany very well known, a Maiden, daughter of John Vlmer called Margaret by name, through a grievous sickness and extreme pains of the belly did so swell, that the greatness of her belly was seen of many to cover her face, and in compass to be more than ten handbreadths: she said that she fed diuers kind of living Creatures in her belly, whereas notwithstanding she did neither eat nor drink, but only was refreshed with Pothicarie confections and smell of herbs and flowers. There were heard by those that stood by her bed where she lay, the voices of diuers living creatures, the crowing of cocks, the cackling of hens, the noise of geese, the barking of Dogs, the bleating of sheep, the grunting of Swine, and which is more, the bellowing of Cattayle, and neighing of Horses, and the cries of many living creatures, far exceeding a mans voice in greatness, with the which is said, she was continually tormented, and with intolerable stirring pained: she brought out of her worms and Serpents of a marvelous greatness, about 50. in number, to the end she might make the Miracle to be believed: wherefore when the report of that thing waxed rife, not onely in towns, but also abroad in Villages and places adjoining, and immediately almost throughout all Germany so great a hugeness of the maiden was beheld daily of many strangers, with no less compassion than wonder, and was enriched with many gifts, many physicians and Surgeons were asked counsel of, and at length also the physicians of the Emperour Charle● the fift, and of Ferdinandus king of the romans and Hungary came thither, accompanied with certain Nobles and Gentlemen, who notwithstanding found therein no deceit: but when the disease had continued almost four yeares, and that it seemed that her griefs grew more and more, the Magistrate of the city( whether moved through pity or ill suspicion I know not) sending for the maidens parentes, asked them whether through the counsel of the physicians by making an incision they desired to haue their Daughter delivered of so great torments, to whom the father a simplo and a harmless man made answer, that he was willing to haue his Daughter committed to Gods goodness and lawful remedies of physicians, but the Mother being guilty of the misfact, would not haue them attempt any thing to her Daughters danger, and which more is, she said that she would pray that Gods vengeance might light upon him if they slue her young daughter. There were also some sent unto the diseased to call to remembrance that they many times besought help of physicians, and that therfore they were now present to the end they might either assuage by some means the extremity of the sickness, or else by Gods help might quiter take it away, but she being first suborned by her mother, answered that she would suffer with a patient mind, without any physic, the extremity of the sickness, and the cross that God had laid vpon her, until it pleased the goodness of God to deliver her, when now by four yeres by God only she had overcome all the cruelty of the disease: but the Magistrate of Esting being better content with her Fathers answer, sent at length a Doctor of physic with three chirurgeons,& a Midwife, to search the maidens belly by incision. They came into the chamber, where they found her swollen and bound with clouts, they drew away the coverings from her crying, they applied their tool, and found her belly made by hand with great skill stuffed up with pillows, and other light matter, with diuers bows with which her belly was made round wherefore when this was pulled off by the Midwife they saw the maiden stark naked with as well a compact and as faire a body as might be: when now the deceit was discovered, the Parentes with the Daughter, and al they which were accessary( with whom in the night, while others were asleep she made good cheer, and consumed those gifts which the beholders brought) were carried to prison and afterward put to the rack. The belly was brought to the Lawhouse, and for a miracle was beheld and kept by the Burghomesters and the maids mother being a witch and put to the rack confessed that she did al these things through Sathans persuasion and help, which were done for four yeres past for gains sake, If Pinders wife and her counte●●eit Daughter had had for the like filthy device such punishment, the Iustice had rece●●ed commendation. wherefore she being condemned by the sentence of the judge, had her neck first broken, and afterward was openly burned, but the Daughter having her cheeks first burned through with a hote iron, was shut within a wall, and was condemned there to abide in perpetual prison, the Father who took upon his oath that he was deceived by his Wife and daughter even until that day that this heinous and wicked fact was discovered, they fréelye dismissed, but some being taken which were guiltless, were commanded to depart to their dwellings, and some were punished for the greatness of their offence. I haue thought good to reckon this among the prodigies of this year, not because it is a prodigy indeed, but because it may seem prodigious, that a subtle old woman overcome with desire of gain, was able by Sathans persuasion, to make fools for four yeres together, not of the ignorant and vnskilfull people only, but of Princes and Magistrates, and at length of all germany, from whence afterward the vain report thereof was spread into other countreys: whereby a man shall learn not only the wil●ss of satan, six of all lies, but the slothfulness well near of all magistrates in weighty matters, and chiefly in abolishing the works of the divell, whereof it cometh to pass that the blind guide doth easily hide all truth from such as are plunged into too much security and in place therof doth thrust the vain counterfeit show of lies. The 27. of april being Tewseday in Easter week, William Foxle● potmaker for the mint in the tower of London, fel asleep,& so continued sleeping& could not be wakened by pricking, cramping, and other attempts, till the first day of the next term, which was full 14 dayes& 15. nights, the cause of this so strange sleeping could not be known, otherwise than that he himself thought to haue slept but one afternoon and night: the kings physician and the king with other did examine him, but found no matter of any apparance in sleep otherwise than before expressed. The same year in july An Askew&. other godly martyrs were burned in Smithfielde for the testimony of the gospel, which I. S. either for fear of hoped time to come setteth not down or else that he doth not yet know that they died for denying the popish Sacrament. Henry Howard earl of Surry was beheaded. And the 18. day of Ianuarie next following deceased king Henry the eight, when he had reigned 37. yeres 9. moneths and odd dayes, and was butted at Windsoure. At basil on a widows ground dwelling in the suburbs of S. Albon there was found a wheat straw that had 7 ears, of the which that which was in the top did far excel the other in greatness. This year when martin Luther was now dead, the 18. of february, the Emperour Charles the fift breaking into Germany with a Spanish army whilst he pretended to chastise the disobedience of certain princes, robbed the country by diuers subtleties, and gave the spoil to the Souldiers. The tenth of february at Belgerne a town of Misnia and in the places nere about, in the night season there appeared a great opening of the Element by the north pole, that did shine read for two hours, and cast rays to the earth: there were seen also the same time 3. great beams of diuers colours wandring up and down in the clouds. King Henry the eight died and his son Prince Edwarde reigned king. The 24. of april at Halberstate in saxony there was seen a boule of a black colour going with a great violence, from amid the moon towards the North. The sailors of Hambrough the 15 of December at Midnight saw a burning boule like the sun going with great speed to the South, which gave so great a heat with his beams, that the mariners could not abide it, but falling vpon their face were also afraid of the burning of their ship. This doth job. Fincelius recite in his miracles, after the rising again of the gospel. In Switzerlande there were seen in the air two armies, and two lions grievously fighting together, the one of which bit off the others head, moreover there stretched out in length a white cross, in the end whereof was a rod like to a fan. The 12. of april this year the sun for three dayes appeared in the Element in the afternoon like a boule of fire, in so much that the stars also appeared. At louvain the 7 of the Ides of april a twin was born, having two several bodies, but joined together in one head: of these maketh mention Gaspar Pucerus. The 24. of april, not only in saxony, Thuringia and Misnia, but also in Switzerland the Sun was seen, not with a heavy or sad, but with a bloody cheer, almost for 4 whole houres, to the great astonishment of many which day when I had noted in my history calendar, I found out afterward that the same day John fredrick Prince of Saxony that most holy and constant governor in the faith, was taken in a bloody slaughter by the Emperor at Milberg. The same time at certain places in Germany as Fincelius writeth, the Images of the cross were seen on mens garments. At Ploa a town of Witlande a monstrous child was born, for in him appeared neither back nor belly, saving that his entrails about his breast hung far down, he bent his feet towards his head, he had his navel in the ham of the left leg, and he had a pointed head like a Sugerlofe. about this time of Carolus Quintus the Emperour, there happened a marvelous strange alteration in nature no less wonderful then most assured true: a young Gentleman of noble parentage, in the Court of the Emperour, where he the said Gentleman deflowered a young Gentlewoman, whom he loved exceedingly, was notwithstanding his love towards her for the rash fact committed to prison, where looking for none other but the rigour of the Lawe, which among the germans is severe punishment( namely death) the Gentleman languishing the night in deadly grief of mind, became through fear so altered the next morning, that being brought forth to the execution was not known of his kéepers, nor of any other. This strange altered creature being brought before the Emperour, his youthful face wan and pale, his fresh coloured hear turned into gray as if he had been a man of great yeares, his beard slauered and filthy with driueling, the Emperour beholding so strange and sudden a sight, supposed the strange hap to be but a shift, for the safeguard of the Gentleman to put some other in his place, the matter examined it was found manifest that the said strange alteration come through an ouernatured fear, whose majesty being astonied at the sight thereof pardonned the offender, and remitted his offence, esteeming the fear for the fact a sufficient punishment. Leuine Lemme in his book translated by T. Newton Touchestone of Complexions. The first of October in saxony in the morning about the rising of the sun there was seen in the Element a hearse of one dead covered with black cloth having a cross of read colour laid thereupon, before whom there went and followed men in mourning apparel, making such a noise and sound with their Trumpets, that the sound was easily heard of the inhabitants, and whilst this was, there appeared also a soldier in armor fearful to behold, who drawing his sword cut a white cloth in sunder, and afterward, that which was left he tore in two pieces with his hands, and lately with the residue he vanished out of mens sight. At the town of Bitterfeld a calf was found in the field with mans eyes, nostrils and ears, having his head shaven, and as it were covered with Vermilian, in mouth and breast like a calf, having his former legs like a calf, and his hinder like a man, and very short, but both were partly hoved like a calf, and partly towed and fingered like a man, which fingers were under the hoof, and hung out severally: this Monster Gaspar Puceru describeth in his book of Teratascopia. So in Caelius Rhodiginus we red that by the Town Siberis 1●. miles from Rome a shepherd called Crathis by his often companying with a Gote( which is foul and filthy to be spoken) begot a Gote with a mans head much like his father, the rest like the Dame, on whom afterward the head gote being jealous vpon occasion offered, assayed him violently with his horns, lying vpon the ground, an●●●ounding his fellow( in louekind) with many blows slue him. Caelius in 〈◇〉 25. book and 32 chapped. of ancient readinges. At Micena the Cathedral Church the fift of the Kalends of june, was stricken with lightning, at ●. a clock in the afternoon, the Towers, the roof of the church and the belles were burnt, when that day they had given thankes, and the Channons and priestes had sung therein and Deum laudamus, for the taking of John fredrick 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 about three of the Clock in the afternoon, in faire weather a bloody rod and red cross was seen in the air almost for three whole houres, and over the top of the cross an Eagle sored with her wings, and the same year the counsel of Trent was continued by the Cardinals and Bishops of the romish court. An Interim of the new Pope was proclaimed at Ausburg to the overthrow of Germany. At Sasa in the month of May the sun shining very bright, had about it two fiery boules, moving themselves here and there, the greater of which at last so covered the sun, that he appeared altogether like Iron. In certain places of Saxony there was seen fire falling from the Element vpon the ground and vpon Cities. job Fincelius. A Woman born at Argeria went accompanied with her husband to Lypsia to a village called Oberstorf between Mansfielde and Sangarhuse, who began to be pained with throws, whereupon shée brought forth a girl, a fair child and a goodly to behold, saving that there appeared on her back red spots as broad as a joachim groat, and when the child had lived fourteen dayes, her head so grew, that daily she was laden with a greater swelling, until also hir eyes being quiter hidden with the flesh growing about, she could see nothing, wherefore the fifte month after when she was yet alive, the compass of her head was measured with a thread, which contained in compass twenty& four inches: This writeth job Fincelius of the miracl● after the rising again of the gospel. This year was the rising in devonshire, for the which four captains of that Sedition were hanged, drawn and quartered at Tyborne. The 18. of the kalends of may between six and seven a clock, at Mysena, a child was born with the skull divided in the sorehead, with one thigh, without lips, having in the place of his mouth a little hole, and maimed in the rest of his body. In Aurelian woods in france, which I take to be the foreste of Arden, was found a beast called Lynx, which is much like a wolf having many spots which in very short space devoured so many men that the dwellers by being amazed with fear of danger kept themselves within doors, and durst not come abroad. The ninth day of february there was a small Earthquake at basil. The tenth of february there was seen in Saxony a fire in the element, falling vpon certain cities. In Saxony there were seen again in the Element two armies at Quende●burg fighting fiercely together, there were also other kindes of prodigies seen in the air. Marcus Fritschius in his Meteores. At Rosenfield in the dukedom of Wittenberg, the three and twentieth day of January, first when the moon was now full, and contrary to Nature, of a bloody colour, there was seen in it the Image of a blackish arm, with the hand stretched out, and when shée had recovered hir natural brightness, shée was seen again with three blackishe beams, crossing overthwart as it were a straight line. afterward when as these vanished away, there was suddenly seen a Burgondine black cross: and lastly over the moon there appeared on both sides of her two other moons but much less. This year in Saxony Charles the emperor fought a lucky battle: and the Spaniards afflicted Germany. Fraunces the French king died, whom his son Henry the second of that name succeeded: so upon the death of king henry the eight king of england, Edwarde succeeded being yet but a child, as before is said. certain honest men of Bru●swik when they travailed in the night they saw the moon environed with a goodly show which is called Halo, and by her two by moons, and that the moon didde turn four times about, afterward they beheld a fiery lion by the by moons, and an Eagle picking hir own breast. After these succeeded an horrible show of burned Cities, and about them Camels: the figure of christ hanging on the cross, with the two thieves, and about it a company of men, as if it were of the Apostles. The last show of all was most terrible: a cruel man stood threatening with his drawn sword, to strike a maiden which stood before him, in show of one making humble entreaty,& seemed weeping to make request upon hir knees that she might not be strike. The like to these were also seen else where. The authors of all these are, Gaspar Pucerus, in his Teratoscopia, and job Fincelius. These also are published throughout all Germany with a godly Exhortation to repentance, by Nicholas Melder and Flaccus Illiricus. In Panonia when Vipers and Lizerdes grew in mens bodies, a great number of men for want of remedy died in great pain and torment. At length some being set in the sun vomited the Serpentes, feeling the natural heat, and were delivered: there was also found a great number of Serpentes in the houses, which with clubs and fire were set upon by the inhabitants: one of the Serpentes in the behalf of the rest, is reported to haue said these words in a mannes voice: Nihil efficietis contra vltionem divinam pugnantes. Ye shall bring nothing to pass striving against Gods vengeance. The authors of this are these, job Fincelius, Frances Bebeckius, and Giles Aquila, who haue written hereof. In a town of Voytlande in fair weather in the Morning, as job Fincelius writeth, there was seen a tall man attired and set out like a Prince of germany, over whom on the one side there appeared a lion, and on the other a lamb, who embracing one another, shewed in gesture and countenance tokens of love: There also appeared a garland in the clouds, which the Prince went about to take but in vain, and the sword which was long seen under his feet, with the pummell standing upright, he took and cast about and flourished three or four times, until the whole sight was butted in the clouds, job Fincelius. At Munda a town in Saxony vpon S. Vrsulas day, a man unknown with fearful countenance, clad in filthy Garments, carrying a staff, without a cote, running up and down in the streets with a loud voice crying repentance, did exhort men to embrace the word of God, and to detest the worshipping of Idols. Peuce● doth witness that he saw this year children new born like apes to look too, and full of hear like bears over their back, and moreover which held their tongues out, and as it were hanging down like calves newly killed. Nere to Brunswik much blood ran out of a fountain. In the uppermost Alsatia not far from Colmar a city of the empire, there fell out of the Element vpon the ground a great number of frogs and toads, which being first destroyed with clubs and bats by the inhabitants of that place, afterward least the air should be infected therewith, at the commandment of the Magistrate they were gathered in a heap by the Hangmen, and Tanners, and cast into a ditch. That year died the Pope before called Alexander Farnezius, in whose place Iulius the thyrde succeeded. There was born a boy not far from Tygure in the lordship of Kiburg● in the parrishe of Wisnang and in the Village of Tellurge the 26 day of may, which was the Sunday before the Ascention of the lord about the twelfth hour of the night, his parentes being called John Walker and Barbara Sax●r, this boy was christened by Henry Mesicommer curate of the place, and was called Hen●y, his increase or growth in his infancy and boyes age was a wonder to all men, for whereas at this time he was only but six yeares old, yet he grew so high as one of fourteen yeres of age: he had a great and a strong voice: his Genitales were as big as ones of twenty, and were full of hear, neither didde he yet seace to grow. Being but five yeres old he carried great burdens, as a reasonable sack of wheat which our men call a bushel, and is almost four times as much as the bushel of the old romans: he was able also to threshe in the barn, and to guide the plough as well as a man: his wit was yet childish, and his Parentes didde not exceed the measure of a mean stature. Most of the Citizens of Tygure at that time knew this to be true, and many beheld the boy being brought by his father to be seen. It is said that about the time of John earl of Holande, there was a Giant whose name was Nicholas whose greatness of body was unto all men in admiration, his stature so high, that men( as they say) might stand under his arms, his shoe easily received the feet of four exceeding big men, and he so feared the Children going to school, with the greatness of his members, that they durst not but go backwards and a far off looking vpon him. Hadrianus Barlandus in the Chronicles of holland, and printed in English. 1557. In Carinthia not far from the towns of Clagdenfort and Villac the 10 of the kalends of april before palm sunday, it rained very good corn from heaven, which was gathered by the inhabitants of the country, and employed for mans sustenance. On palm Sunday at three a clock in the afternoon, in the dominion of the Duke of Brunswik there were seen two by Suns, for a large circled environing the Sun did represent on both sides a by sun as it were with a straight line, and a long beam of the same colour sharp at both ends pierced through the three suins. The 25 of May, between the hours of eleven,& one in the afternoon, was an earthquake of a quarter of an hour long at Blechingly, at Go●stone, Tytsey, Rigate and other places. The 10 of july following, the first fall of English money, and also an other sweeting sickness whereof many dyed. The third of August in the Dominion of the abbot of Vrcium in the village of Rieden 3. miles from Knafburin a town of Swedon, a Smiths wife brought forth a twin in all parts perfit, but joined together in the belly as far as the neck, which after they were born, were longer than three quarters of the Sweadon ell. There were seen the 1● day at Lipsia in Misnia 3. boules of fire which many students and famous men beheld, as Marcus Fritschius writeth. between Noringburg, Fichtuuang and Aucltzbaech the third of the Ides of August in fair weather the sun was seen of changeable colour, and vpon the same a vessel full of blood, about an eagle set out with spread wings and changeable colours, but wanting feet: and a little beneathe there was seen a rainbow, and by the same a horseman which in one hand lead a horse, in the other a white hound. The 7. day of the kalends of july in Germany nere the village of B●rtholdszdorf not far from the town of Coburg on a pear tree was found ripe pears, and on the pears blossoms, as though new pears should haue been yielded vpon the old the same year. In Saxony at Tribinium the ●9 of july not far from Wittenberg, the very mart of the Muses and all good learning, there were seen many prodigies in the Element, for there was an apparent show of an heart, and the Armies of men fighting together on both sides, and meeting with shouts whose blood like rain fell to the ground. The sun was seen in a dreadful shape, who also at that time seemed to be cloven in two partes, and on the one side to bend to the earth. The 12 of the kalends of july, at Wittenberg there was seen a bloody sword and an engine of war laid vpon wheels in the Element, as writeth job Fincelius. At the same place about the feast of S. John the Baptist, between the houres of 6. and 9. in fair weather, a black cross was seen with a dart turning in the forepart like a hook. The same year in Saxony between Hall and Mespurg in the month of june, there was found a fountain in a meadow, out of which there ran blood, which notwithstanding being taken up into hands changed into yelowish colour. In a town of Mysia a townesman in the night time going through the churchyard saw a grave suddenly swelling up, out of which he heard a voice plainly speaking Vae Vae, Vae urbi, Wo, Wo, Wo be to the city, whereupon the man being suddenly amazed fel down. job Fin. In the Sea Baligicum not far from Hafnia, Gaspar Pucerus in his book of Teratoscopia affirmeth, a fish was taken with a mans face, his head shaven about like a monks crown, having scales on his body, like unto a Friers cowl: perhaps it is the same whereof we haue written before in the year of Christ, 549. In Siemia a village in the lesser Polande, situate 12. miles from the town of Gloganu when bread was cut at the Table, al the table was filled with drops of blood running from the bread. In the Lordship or dominion of the prince Elector, in the day of the visitation of Mary in the Village of Horchsham and in the Valley of Zelliu, a woman child was born monstrous to behold without eyes and ears having a broad and open mouth, a body torn& wounded every where,& in many of hir members like to one that were fleane. In Germany about the village of Rikenslaw was taken a Pigeon having four feet and two fundementes. About this time one at milan in Italy whose name Cardanus favoured for his estimation, about one a clock at midnight where he accustomably laid his cloak, had sparkles of fire spattering out from the scape, and again when it was taken away and laid down again, they broke out again, whereupon he was strike with a double fear. Within fifteen dayes after, he being accused of witchcraft or poisoning, his friends entreating for his life went willingly( through their persuasion) into banishment. This writeth Cardanus book 14. chapped. 69. of the vanity of things. This year Pope Paulus the third died, after whom Iulius the third succeeded. In february Maideburg at the commandment of the Emperour Charles the 5 was for 15. moneths besieged by Maurice D. of saxony, and Albert the younger Duke of Brandeburg, and immediately vpon the pacification of them of Maindenburg contrary to all mens expectation, the war was turned against Charles the author thereof, wherefore Charles who now reioyced in his great certainty, being beset by his enemy at Oenepont, scarcelye escaped by flying away. The 10 day of Ianuarie at Murtpurg in Hassia there arose a great flood●, whereby in many places ston bridges were quiter overthrown and carried away. The 13. of Ianuarie there arose a vehement tempest in many places of Germany with many showers, much lightning and thunder, in so much that many among whom it happened supposed that the day of the last iudgement was at hand. The 28 of january there were seen at lisbon in portugal in the element bloody rods, and fearful fires, it rained blood also, and there was so great an earthquake kindled, that it vehemently shooke and overthrew ●00 houses, in which shaking 1000 men perished. At Creutzburg, an honest Citizen, his house being strike with lightning, he sitting at the Table was slain by the same together with his dog that lay at his feet, but a young child standing nere the father was not hurt. The 2 day of march at Magdeburg in the morning about 7 of the clock there were seen 7. rainbowes, and in the evening 3. moons, of which the first that was the moon in deed, did shine over the city of Magdeburg, but the other being bloody, over the village of Desdorf, the third and the same bloody over the new city. At Wittenberg in Saxony the 12 of the kalends of april there were seen 3 Suns with changeable circles in the element, Greekes call them Parelia, which we may English by Suns. In many places of Germany there appeared bloody prodigies. In Saxony it sprung blood, even as it did in france. moreover at Kitting, Bosphor, and in the places nere to Fraunc●, before the feast of Pentecost a great abundance of water breaking out of the clouds, did suddenly oppress men and beasts, and destroyed the whole town of Brundurghus, swallowing up many men, the bridge of Kitting was carried away, and the foundations moved, all things in that place swimming in the water, where without doubt all things had perished, unless by breaking of the town walls the water had found his passage, yet it clean overthrew five houses. At Bosphor it thundered and lightened above thirty claps it set the town on fire, and comsumed the greater part. At Rotolse the violence of rain water overthrew 3. houses, and took away men and beasts, in the lesser Necker it carried away five houses with six children and certain cattayle: at Specfort it took away fifteen men in destroying there many buildings: At Pabenberg it overthrew seven houses, and did great harm to the fields and Vineyards, which deluge job Fincelius doth entreat of more at large in his miracles. The 28 day of february at antwerp a famous mart of the lower germany there were seen three suins with diverse& sundry circles, whose description I haue thought good to set down. In the month of May in Thuring between Got& Isenac through the continual showers of rain, riuers grew up so suddenly in the Lordship of Theutleb, that they overthrew five cottages and destroyed the farmer and his three Sons. In england there hath oftentimes happened a more great loss of men and cat-tail than this, or such like, and yet not spoken of at all. Not long before the confederacie of the Princes of Germany with the French king, about three houres after the suins rising the one and twentieth of March there were seen two by suins, which almost excelled the sun through the brightness: they were knit together in unity with a changeable bow, coloured like a rainbow, and turning Westward, whom two other followed, shaped like horns, much less and narrower, but having the same colours, and meeting together in the uttermost rundell. One of them turning his horns to the sun, the other turning them away, and stretching thē towards the west was seen more than an houres space, the euente shewed what ensued. Gaspar Pucer in his Metereolog. In the month of May there fell in Ioachimes valley a place in Germany, and in Slacenwald very many& violent showers, which made such spoil in the mines that it could not be valued. The like floods happened at the river Albis, and else-where, for the riuers grew so exceedingly every where, that no man could remember that the like happened in that place before. this year the Sea broke in at Sandwiche, in so much that it overflowed all the Marshes there about, beside Woolwich, and beyond Saint Kathrens. At Witstad which is a village belonging to the lordship of Megalopyrg, in the whitsun holy dayes the husbandmen in a tavern or victualling house gave themselves to drink, among the which a woman of the country spake reproachfully against God, and abusing his name with a wonderful maliparte and unshamefast boldness, did curse and scorn the divine majesty, whereupon suddenly the divell carried hir aloft through a window, wherewith al that saw it were strike in a great fear, and when many ran out of the doors, looking what would come of it, they saw the woman for a season waving in the air, and afterward to be cast down headlong to the ground dead, and hir neck broken. At Micena a woman child( as Fincelius writeth) five dayes before she was born, cried aloude in hir mothers belly, the fifteenth of the kalends of november, she lived half a year, and dyed of bushes, out of which there ran blood. There ensued a Pestilence for two yeares. The same year two by moons were twice seen. The first, the twelfth of the kalends of April, the other, the thirteenth of the Calends of Ianuarie. There followed hereupon the warres of the Emperour. In saxony the devil being transformed in the night season into sundry shapes, was seen in the streets knocking at sundry mens doors and gates, and whilst he was sometimes heard, as it were to go with a cross to church, sometimes to shed tears, and bewail like a mourner, it cannot be said how much he deceived men. A calf with two heads was brought forth in the month of December in Schim at a village which they call Long near to Friburge. At Damenwald a manor house in Marchia near Wodstocke a Farmers wife brought forth a monster which Fincelius describeth. Al the childs body was of a bright Bay, his head had horns, his eyes were great and hanging out, he had no nose, his mouth broad a span long, amid which appeared a white tongue and four square he had no neck, for his head grew close to his shoulders, all his body was puffed up, and full of wrinkles, his arms did stick in his loins, his feet were slender, and from his navel there hung down to his feet a kind of loose bowel. In a Village of Thuring a cow brought forth a calf with seven feet having a lump of flesh hanging down from his side. At the same place there arose a vehement Tempest, which spoiled the corn far abroad, and there was much lightning. There also fel down out of the Element a burning bowl, which lay upon the ground, to the great fear of all men. There was seen a very disingenuity beast brought out of India by certain, for gains sake into germany, which beast they call a Pauion or Babion a filthy beast, and was carried about to be seen for money, his body rough, his head Ape-like, dreadful, his ears short: he had four feet cloven betwixt the fingers and tooes, a short tail showing his hinder parts. Gesner. At Bern in Switzerland a colt was seen with five feet. And at Basil one lead about an ox with five feet. This year henry the second King of france being in league with Maurice Duke elector of saxony. Albert Marques of Brandenburg, and certain other Princes of germany, broken into Germany with a great host to defend the liberty thereof against the spaniards& to deliver the Princes that the Emperour had taken prisoners, by which means the counsel of Trent broke up. In Sommersetshiere near the town of Bruton was calved a calf with two heads, which bred a great grief to the owner of that strange sight, being an honest Townesmanne, called Goffe. In the which town, for that I was born, I haue thought good to reci●e the antiquity thereof. As authors affirm by auntiente record, one of the earls of cornwall, and Oxenforde name Algarus, first founded the abbey, after which foundation, the town increased in buildings and inhabitants, about the year of our lord God. 1043. at such time when Edwarde the son of Egelred was King of england three and twenty yeares before the Conquest, about five hundred one and forty yeares continuance. Bruton lieth north and south, with a fair street west, thereto joining other streets. It hath a fair Market cross of ston with six pillars, within the which are seats of the said ston, which cross was builded by Ely, the last Abbot there. The Parish Church is beyond the river Brue of Bruham, from whence the river falleth West: the abbey and the town standeth in Selwood, in the which abbey were placed first monks, and after Chanons, diverse of the Moynes were buried there, a people which came in with William Conqueror and were of nobility: over the river are two Bridges to pass with carriage between the Parish church, the abbey that was, and the town, the one having three Arches, the other a bow Bridge of such Art and making, as being once decayed will hardly be made again. The abbey was suppressed Anno. 1538. then called abbess Monasterij beatae Mariae, the first of April. Authors Lanquet, Leyland, the Register of the suppression Anno 30 of King henry the eight. Since which time, there was a school house, where many times Schollers profited in learning, to the honor of the place, and profit of youth, supposed now very much decayed, the more haue the hinderers to answer before God. about the town of Claggendorfe, standing by Villachus upon a Sondaye it rained wheat from heaven, for two houres together, and almost for six miles great plenty thereof covered the earth like snow a hand breadth thick, it was grounded and made good bread. The third of August, was born a marvelous strange Monster. At a place called Middleton, eleven miles from Oxford a woman brought forth a child, which had two perfect bodies from the navel upward, and were so joined together at the navel, that when they were laid in length, the one head and body was Eastward, and the other west, the legs for both bodies grew out at the midst where the bodies joined, and had but one issue for the excrement of both the bodies: they lived eighteen dayes, and when they were opened, it appeared they were women children. John Stow. The eight of August there were taken about Quinborough three great fishes called Dolphins, or by some called Rigges, and the week following were six more taken and brought to London, and there sold, the least of thē was greater than a horse. At Grauesende the seventh of October were two whirlpools taken, fishes of a great bigness, and drawn above London Bridge. The sequel of these Monsters happened the second year following, in which season, that virtuous and noble Prince King Edward the sixth dyed, of the age of sixteen yeares, the sixteenth day of july, when he had reigned six yeares and five months, after whose death followed great and unquiet troubles, not so much for the suppression of commotion, as cruel persecution for the gospel. &c. upon Bartholmewday being on a Sunday, in holland there arose a great tempest, wherein there fel haylstones of diuers forms, one weighing a pound weight, some of the stones were like the sun, some like a garland o●●ares of corn, and others had other shapes, who afterward being melted with the heat of the sun, yielded a very stinking smoke, wherewith all the air was infected, and many living creatures died. The 16 day of September there was an earthquake at basil, yet not great: about six of the clock at the afternoon, and the same year dyed more than 1000 men of the plague. In the month of Ianuarie many things were destroyed with the floods of diuers riuers. At Iena the river Sala overthrew many houses, and drouned men and beasts. In flanders a town was quiter destroyed. The river Moenus at Fronhus nere Markburg drouned many things, and overthrew bridges in Hassia a country of Germany chiefly renowned for the setting forth of the gospel. At Witzenhus the third day after the feast of the three kings, a man child was born with two heads, two necks, and a body very well compact with the other members. A mere at Martisbirg was seen to run with b●ood more than once: in france it rained blood and flesh. In many towns of Misnia and chiefly at Mulde there were earthquakes which shooke many buildings. Ioachims valley quaked also, wherein many things fell. between Binge a town famous for the death of the Father in law of the Emperour Drusus Augustus, and Mogunce, there was never before in that cost, seen so great a number of strange Flindermice flying fast in one flock, that with the moving of their wings they shadowed the Suns light, made darkness at noonetyde, and quiter covered the ground of that bishopric. Great discord fel in Germany between the Emperour and the states, as well in causes of religion, as for politic government. The 9. of May, at five a clock at afternoon to wit the very same day that the Duke of saxony was set at liberty from the Emperours captivity, a sudden tempest arose at Wittenberg stones fel from heaven, and after much lightning the portcullises at the castle gate were cast down with lightning and broken in very small pieces. At Bonne a town well known in the low country, and standing by the river of rhine sour miles from Cullen, the 17. of the kalends of june a Cow brought forth a calf with two heads joined together, two bodies, two tails and three eyes. In the month of june at Schoufield the sun arising in the morning appeared like a Pitcher, of some called an earthen steane, powring out blood vpon the earth, through whom passed two beams overthwart. At Mechlin in flanders the sixteenth of the kalends of march, about three a clock at afternoon, the Sun appeared fearful to behold, first with a blewe and after with a bloody colour, and with a great circle, with a rainbow. The hills or Mountaines called Suditi in the twylighte the twelfthe of the kalends of march, were shaken with an Earthquake together with the places adjoining, which also the town of Misena felt somewhat. The same year above. 2000. men died of the pestilence, a woman in hir sickness sweat blood in the upward part of hir body. Friberg was shaken with an Earthquake. In the street Vicarium, a young man stood five year in one place, his steps being also printed in the ground, the sixth year he began to sit, he was foolish and seldom quiet,& turned away mens sight. The same year he dyed of the plague. George Fabritiu● of Kemnic hath left this written in his Misnian matters of the town of Friberg. Germany. At Windensbach which is a mile from Schlenfing a Monster was born of a woman like a child, without feet, in a place whereof it had a point coming down ward, and from the thighs also, it had sharp points standing out, and of this job Fincelius maketh mention, in his miracles, after the rising again of the Gospel. With us at Basil, in a very great plague, the servant of a Cooper dwelling in Spali street fel sick of the plague, who dyed and was laid forth, and in the mean season his fellowes talking together of his burial, within a space he recovered himself again, and not knowing where he was, for they had put him into a dark corner of the house, he cried out as well as he could oh how could is the country where I am, oh the stove is not well heat, where I poor wretch perish for extreme cold. The household hearing the hoarse and unknown cry, being afraid, for they servants thynking some concavity spirit was in the Chamber, durst not enter the Chamber. The poor fellow crept out of the corner to his bed, and taking the pillow in his hand, laid it under his head vpon the ground, and afterward his fellows became more hardy, and coming into the Chamber found him alive again, and so recovered, that of erward he had wife and children. The like also, in a manner happened in the lesser Basil about ninetéene yeares past, where a girl of fourteen yeares of age, which dwelled in the vine ward, dying of the plague, was laid out, sowed up, and prepared to be butted: and when she was carried sorthe in the Coffin, where she had lain many houres in the coldeste time of the year she recovered again, and was put in hir bed, and spake boldly, and lived after many yeares, she said that she had been deade in deed, and saw diverse torments of Hel, the pains of sinners, and certain which she knew very well, and which also she name, who were there sore tormented, whereas notwithstanding at the time they were yet living: Illusions. she added moreover certain other things very like to oldewiues tales, whereupon at the commandment of the wise Magistrate shée was commanded to silence, least the vnconstaunte people might be with trystes misseled. In a city which is situate at the foot of the Mountaines which ptolemy called Sudites at the entry of the uppermost Lusatia, called Budecina, two miles from the head of the river Sueuus, the thirteenth of August, about Sun setting, when a piece of a cloud was pulled away, and fel down, and with his swift course had overwhelmed the valleys full of fish, filled the Channels, and broken the banks, the water finding a course ran into the river Sueuus thereby who suddenly being increased hereby and risen up so high, as no Chronicles make mention of the like, when it ran w th great violence down from high hills, for the space of two miles, what Bridges soever, houses and Gardens were near to the bank, it quiter destroyed and made even with the ground, and left no manner of token of house or Garden, and took away, and drowned at once thirty men near the town, and the rest scaped to the hills that were thereby: it was said, that in that coast there were drowned a hundred persons: within eight days after there followed such great whirlwinds, that they pulled up, and threw down, very strong buildings even from the very foundation, and cast down a great number of tall and high trees, pulling them up by the roots, or wrythed them about, or as it were riued them in the midst. And eight dayes before the nativity of christ, the element seemed to descend, and to be often a fire, and immediately the high church was strike with a fearful lightning, all the winter the plague was very grievous. Earthquakes, which as histories do specify do always signify great Warres and deadly seditions, the very same year the mountains Sudites, and the towns built upon them did feel, not one or two, but many and continual, the houses trembling as it were at the vehement blasts of wind. Thus writeth Gaspar Pucerus in his Meteorologe. This year in the most bloody war of the Emperour Charles with Henry the second King of france, Ternau a very strong town in picardy was besieged by Charles in May, and afterward at length was taken in june. Mete● yielded to the french, was besieged in vain by Charles, the Souldiers dying for could in the winter. Albert Marques of Brandeburg made fierce war against the Norimbergers and the Bishops of Herb●pole and Bomberc. Sesa in Italy being long besieged by the Emperour, was delivered thereof by reason of the Turkes lying in wait for the kingdom of Naples. At basil the 23 of Ianuarie about eight of the clock at night, the moon was enclosed in a great circled like a rainbow, which lasted for ●. whole hours, there followed immediately great snow and could. The river of rhine the 19 of june through many showers did so exceed his channel, that it did much harm, not onely to corn and pasture, but to many Cities by the river side. basil was in some danger which standeth full vpon the rhine, whilst the violence of the raging river didde touch the walls of the lesser city, and touched almost the fishmarket of the greater basil, yet most of all Newburg The same time also Rubiac was in danger of a great flood: by the means of that great overflowing Fishes were taken in meadows and Sellers, the violence of the flood being past. Not far from Norenberg a cabbage grew having 16. heads upon one stock: so likewise hath these later yeres been seen in england of most sorts of herbs, flowers and fruits, very many strange and prodigious forms, who do represent unto all the world that God doth as well show his miraculous work in the small herbs as in great trees, beasts, or men: notwithstanding let all Christians observe this rule, that whensoever any of these happen, they are manifest tokens of troublous times and discords, for nature growing out of course doth tell what the reward of sin shalbe, virgil Foelix qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas, A happy man is he that can the cause of things perceive. The fift of june it rained blood at Erforde. At Coburge betwixt 5. and 6. of the clock at afternoon diuers kinds of men were seen in the element in faire weather, and afterward armies of men fighting, and an Eagle with her wings displayed. At Luneburg a child was born with awry mouth, from whence came a cloven or double tongue, the like Monster was there born the year before. At Herbesleb a village of Thuring the twentieth of march, a twin was born with three bellies together, and as it were bound in one with a fleshye swadlebande embracing one another about the middle. They were Christened and two houres after gave up their ghost to God. In the month of july two Serpents were seen in the Element biting one another with their tails folded in, between which ther appeared a bloody cross. When Madeburg was sharply besieged, after the feast of Easter the sun was seen bright a little after his rising, and environed with a great milky circled, this circled did four half rainebowes pierce, partend with very exquisite colours as the nature is, after these had appeared they vanished away within half an hour, and the sun recovering his natural light, went his accustomend course. On palm sunday even in the morning, between seven and eight, there appeared three suins in the sight of all men, the middle of which was very bright colour, but both the Collaterals were read and bloody, and when these were gone down as it waxed night, three moons were seen, this made men much more afraid, because those things which happened in the night, are commonly in nature seen more dreadful. Their colours cannot be described because they were diverse and uncertain. The uttermost moons in the end were changed into blood, and vanished away. But she which stood in the middle continued keeping hir natural brightness. because these things happen upon certain natural causes, the Astronomers can discuss of them, we neither affirm nor disafirme this to be a prodigy, but let every man judge as he will. But at that time when Duke Anhald, George Bishop of Mersburg, a man of great name, slept in the lord at Wittenberg, in the night season there was seen in the Element a red cross. And in the month of September, there was seen in the castle the shape of a man flaming or a fiery man to walk up and down. In a farm of Thuring by Vnster, a woman brought forth a toad with a tail long and strange to behold. The seven and twentieth of October in the castle of Wittenberg there were seen in the night, for three houres together, as it were three men clad in cloaks walking up and down in the Princes Court, and sometimes leaning. In the month of December, the sun arose bright in the morning, having on both sides bows very well coloured. There were heard in the field of saxony warlike shouts and fearful noises of men, buskling together for certain dayes and nights, before the Princes met there together in arms, and that a most bloody slaughter was made, as job Fincelius testifieth, writing of the miracles of his time. The sixth of july king Edward of England dyed being of the age of 16. yeres, at greenwich, when he had reigned six yeares, five months, and odd dayes, and was buried at Westminster, a prince of such towardness in virtue and learning, and all godly gifts, as seldom hath been the like. After whose regiment followed under queen mary a grievous eclipse in the Church, by the absence of the gospel, for the which diverse were burned& made away, that were found resisters of the popish jurisdiction. sir Thomas W●at rose in Kent with many gentlemen, and came to London, and being taken, was as rebel put to death the eleventh of April, being beheaded on the tower Hil, and after quartered. The thirteenth of the Calends of july at Zichist, a village in Misnia▪ not far from Pernahun, a Child was born with two heads, having all his lims perfect. In the month of july, before the fight of saxony, at Wittenberg, there appeared many times a light in the castle chamber, without any thing seen. At Lypsia the eight of july it rained blood. The day before the fight, two of the tents of Maurice Duke of saxony, the one wherein he used to dine, the other wherein his meate was dressed, all the other being vnhurte, were overthrown to the ground by a Tempest of wind, as Fincelius writeth. Maurice Prince of saxony, and elector of the roman Empire, when he now persecuted( by the help of his neighbours) Albert Marques of Brandburg dealing very extremely with fire and sword in diverse places of Germany, encountering stoutly with him in the diocese of Hildesham, and discomfiting and putting to flight his host, and taking 68. standards of his enemies, at length in that overthrow through the stroke of a gun which he took on the right side, dyed stoutelye. The third day after, in the same fight Charles and Phillip Dukes of Brunswike, the sons of henry and Fredericke Duke of Luneburg dyed. There were many forewarnings of so great a calamity. The rage of Dogges, wherewith they strove even to the death, dreadeful noises in the air, drops of blood vpon herbs and trees, cries of men and bayings of horses, heard at midnight in that field where the conflict was, likewise howling in towns in the night season. In the castle of Perlin, the head fel off from the graven Image of Mauricius without any violence used, he also seemed in the night time, to an honest man 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 clouds, blood began to run from him by lit- and little, afterward sparkles of fire flue from his body, at last he vanished away by piecemeale. job Fincelius in his miracles after the rising again of the Gospel. The cost which lieth along the river Albis, the sixteenth of the Kalends of September, between seven and eight in the evening felt a most grievous earthquake, wherewith the tops of houses made such a noise, as though all things had fallen down upon them from above. Gasper Peucer writeth that he saw in the year of our Lord 1553. a calf fearful and horrible to behold, looking like a cat, having a great swelling hanging from under his jaw, long like a Bladder, white and soft, his hair was black like a Dogges, his stones were of no common greatness, like unto them of a ram, double codded. At Stetin a Monster was born having this form: in the place of his head was a deformed lump movable, as the entrails of a sheep, in the place of one of his ears stood an arm, in the place of the face, curled locks like to cats hair, and sticking thereon like the spawn of a Pike, through which beneath there appeared glassy bright little eyes, his mouth was a very small hole without lips, his nose little, and without a neck: the other arm grew out of his side, but ther was no likeness of breast nor of back, he was of no kind, his arms and long feet had houfe, whole bone through, without joints, elbows, and hams, his hands and feet tender, and hanging down as it were twice broken, like unto crooked and bending claws. This monster describeth job Fincelius. In Ianuarie at the town of Brutzan, so at Misen, two by suins were seen the eight of the Ides of Ianuarie, which by and by were covered in a dark cloud, George Fabricius in his Misnian Notes. The first day of february at Cathalan a city in france, after the mustering of the army, or view, which the King of france commanded at that place to be made, there was seen a wonderful sight above the moon, for a great kindling of fire, rising from the east parte and turning to the west, laid itself against the moon, in manner of a very great torch: this fire raged with a great noise often casting out flaming sparkles into the air, no otherwise than a smith doth at such time when he intendeth to forge hot Iron. The nintéenth of february, at Nebra two Images of a cross, of a red colour were seen in the element, but the same day at Griesseas a town of Thuring, amidst the sun which then shined very bright there appeared a red cross, which with greatness covered the whole body of the sun, and on both sides a huge beam with diverse circles in the element. job Fincelius in his miracles. The ninth of april at Zultzselt which is three miles from Schuminforte, a town of the Empire, in the night two several moons were seen, and not long after a village was burned. In Bauaria and Countreys adjoining, diverse kindes of suins were seen with certain circles in the element, first at Ingolstad, the sixth of march between eight and nine of the clock in the forenoon, two suins were seen, with a rainbow, even as also at Norenburg the three and twentieth day of March, at which time the memorial of the passion of Iesus Christ is celebrated, about one a clock at afternoon, at which time notwithstanding, another bow towards the west, and the sun shut within Cristaline circles did appear for three houres, with a beam stretched out to a full length. afterward all these things were seen at Ratisbona.& Renisburgh, in another form, whose beginning was at one a clock at afternoon, the operation between two and three, and the end at four. The suins gave out long beams of one side like a Comet, the middle-moste towards the north, but the Collateralles to the east and the West. In may at five a clock in the afternoon, in diverse Cities of germany there appeared in the element diverse kind of crosses, in likeness of a Burgundian cross of a white colour, but yet knit together after a sort. The three and twentieth day in the twilight, two suins were seen near the sun, environed all about as it were with a rainbow. At Schalun a town in france very well known for Marshiall affairs, the sixth of the Ides of march, between six and eight of the clock in the afternoon, there appeared about the moon a burning fire, making a great noise, wherein there seemed to be the point of a lance tournyng from the east to the west, and casting out flames on every side. The six and twentieth of May, as Marcus Fritchius writeth in his Meteors, it rained blood not far from a town of Germany called Dunckelspuel. The eleventh of june as the same author writeth, in the village of Blech five miles from Norenburge, a bloody rod was seen in the sun, with stars, or round bowls of Azure, after whom there followed a great troupe of horsemen, with standards of Azure, fighting fiercely together in the air almost for two houres: there was such a show of things in the Element at that time, that many thought that the day of the last doom was at hand. The same year the thirteenth of june at Iene, at five a clock in the afternoon the sun was seen of a bloody colour, to whom bowls of fire running together in great number from the South and north-east to the Northweast, did darken his brightness. But afterward two beams of a read colour were seen overthwart the sun, of which more at large red job Fincelius. The 23. of july at Milan there besel a strange thing, whereat also Cardanus himself was present. james Philippus Cernuscus commanded a privy to be digged in the earth, and to be vawted. When it was finished, he commanded it to be shut up: ●0. dayes after he opened it, and commanded that the wooden arches should be taken out, a workman went down by a ladder, when he came to the middle of the ladder he fell down deade, when the master saw that he came not again, he also went down,& when he came thither he by and by fel down, the standards by sent the third, who when he was amid the ladder said, be of good cheer for I will bring out the rest, but when his head was under the vault he by and by fell down deade, the fourth also fel down deade, the fifth which was called Matto,( which signifieth in their language a fool) a very strong fellow, went down, but his head did not fail him, and with his hook he drew up one of the deade, whereupon he being the more emboldened returned and went down thither, so that he went down under the vault, who immediately fel down: they perceiving that he yet had breath drew him out by little and little and recovered him, yet he remained dumb till the suins rising the next day. This is more to be wondered at, that the privy went down as far as a spring, and the house standeth in a hen yard against the hot sun over against the vitayling house of the hospital. At the commandment of the Magistrates it was vncouered, and safely from the mouth of the cave they beheld the water, they put in a dog by a spring, and he was drawn out half deade: because there appeared no certain cause, there were some that thought that there was a Cockatrix in it. Two monthes after, when an old woman was butted at Cachiarella, which is a farm near the city of Millan. X. M. P. they found two Cheastes full of cloth& linen, that were hidden almost thirty yeres before, for fear of warres, which when they had opened and preached diligently, they found nothing corrupted, but as many as were present or else that handled them or afterward those things that were hidden in the chests, they dyed within three daies. This doth Cardane himself describe in his first book Chap. 9. The four and twentieth of july about ten of the clock at night in the uppermost palatine ship of the rhine, in the air appeared at the wood of Bohem two men in harness, the one of them was in quantity of body bigger than the other, having a bright star at his navel, and a fiery swords in his hand, against whom he of smallest stature sighting fiercely, fell down, so that he could scarcely stay himself from the ground, and a chair being brought to the Conqueror, he sat him down, who sitting for a season ceased not very often to threaten more grievous revengement with his conqueryng hand and sword, to him that was conquered lying at his feet, until that both, as well he which overcame, as also he which was vanquished, vanished out of the air. The fifth of august at nine a clock at night near to Stolpen, in the southpart of the Element there was seen armies of soldiers, making a great shoute and running together with dreadful weapons, which always when they made an end of fighting, a great abundance of flaming fire breaking out, took away their appearance from the sight of the beholders, of this prodigy if you please, read more at large job Fincelius. The seven and twentieth of August at Tigure in Switzerland, one walls was broken vpon the wheel, because he had robbed one near to will, a town in Turgone crows or Choffes so assailed him, that he was constrained to resist the force, and lay down his burden, this was openly red, as the manner is when he was carried to execution. In the afternoon, half a mile from Micena towards the west in the month of October many flocks of Bats were abroad in the fields for two dayes, whereas that living creature doth not gather in flocks, and commonly flieth not abroad but in the evening. Licostenes had a house cat in Basil, which did kittle Monstrous Cats of three several cats joined together, and after eating hyr kitlings against nature was for the same drowned. perhaps these were cruel forewarnings of his private and domestical griefs, for the same year when he went about to print his Apopthegms going out of his study the one and twentieth of December he was taken with an extreme palsy, whereby by little and little he shrinking to the ground, did so lose at one moment, not only his voice, but the right part of his body, and all the feeling and moving thereof, from the head to the heel, his sight and hearing only excepted, that he could not utter one word for twelve dayes nor stand vpon his feet, nor move one finger out of his bed for three moneths: his lims seemed to be turned, not into wood, but into very hard stones, whilst the blood of the diseased part through the coldness of the humours and the obstructions of the nerves and passages was so cold and hardened, that they could not scarcely at length be made warm. At Friberg in Misnia at noon tide, the Image of our Lord Iesus Christ, was seen sitting vpon a rainbow, notably set out in his natural colours, as Fincelius hath written in his miracles, after the rising again of the Gospel. At Rekow, a manor house in Pomeran near to Rug by the entry of the river Viander, a mere brought forth a colt, with a deformed head, having where the eyes should stand reddish spots, hanging ears, such as Hounds haue, growing to the skin in the lower part, his mouth was also monstrous with turning lips, as it were two little ladles put together, that the mere could not give him suck, his neck was wrythed and hollow, set out with diverse colours as it were chains, his mane was plaited full of wreaths, when he neyghed, a great horse was thought to neigh, and if by chance any gentleman came near him, he stirred his whole body and beat the ground, as if he had been mad, and would run violently vpon them, he stood upright making a terrible neyghing, he could abide townsmen and Countreymen whom he suffered freely to come unto him, his skin was tough and full of hair, in the place of his tail stood up a huge crest, even when the colt was deade. His fore feet were, one, like a mans, the other, none at al, but only a maimed foot, his hinder feet were like horse feet, he lived for three days, and afterward was put in the ground and covered, job Fincelius, after the rising again of the Gospel. In the month of August in suffolk at a place by the sea side, al of hard ston and pebble, called in those parts a shelf, lying between the town of Ortford and Alborne whereas never grew grass, nor any earth was ever seen, there chanced in this barren place, suddenly to spring up without any tillage or sowing, great abundance of Pease, whereof the poor( being notably vexed at that time, with the lack of necessary food) gathered( as men judged) above a hundred quarters, yet remained some ripe and some blossoming, as many as ever ther were before, to the which place road the Bishop of Norwich, and the Lord Willoughby, with others in great number, who found nothing but hard rocky stones, the space of three yards, under the roots of the Peason. About this time was brought to lin a monstrous fish of 9. foot in length, having within it much white& clear fat,& being eaten it proved to be wholesome meate, in taste like red déere, the like fish before not seen, neither was known, the name or nature thereof. The beginning of October fel such rain, that for the space of six dayes, men might row with boats in Saint Georges field, the water came into Westminster Hall, also into the palace of Westminster and into Lambeth Church, that men might row about the Church and bishops place, with a whirrie. The event. The 16. day of October Doctor Ridley, and Doctor Latimer were burned at Oxford for the maintenance of the Gospel, the rest of the effects follow in the next year. John Stow. jerom Cardane a man of great learning hath written that a whales head being drawn out of the sea at Genoa, lay long vpon the shore, which was so great, that the space between the vpper jaw and the neather, contained nintéene paces,( so many yards) and in Cardanes judgement nothing was signified by this monster, but that Cyrna being lost, the head should remain, the body being comsumed: for Genoa by reason of the Lordship, and littleness of it, supplieth the place of the head, Cyrna of the body. If they had in due time interpnted this forewarning, they might haue fortified their castles against the Turkes navy, which happened a year after, whereby they might neither haue lost the island nor spent so much money, now hereby al Europe grew in fear and also became in danger, for as al these things seem superstitious, yet these strange sights joined with natural prudency may be observed very profitably for the common wealths preservation. For the head of so great a sea Monster could not be cut off, either by a greater sea Monster, or by a gun or any other chance, but if so be it were slain at once by some chance or violence, and that the neck being writhen asunder, the body should consume and the head be left, how cometh it to pass, that the head did not first putrefy or consume? or howe could the neck be broken of, which in the Whales kind is not much less then the head so that fishes are said to want a neck. To conclude in such vnkouth coasts, what singular force drove the head to Genoa? nothing but a mind that knew destiny in due season distributing every token for every chance. This writeth Cardanus in his fourteenth book Chap. 74. of the variety of things. There was seen a prodigy near the town of Zoped which Fincelius described, the Sun arose bloody, over whom stood a gorgeous house which was burned at both sides of the sun, there stood upright a high pillar, like to the pillars of Hercules, as are commonly pointed( which take name of two Mountaines standing in the utmost cost of spain and afric which Hercules commanded to be set in that place, as a sign of victory against thieves) and the pillars were coloured like the rainbow, yet were they not arched but stood upright, whose baces seemed to touch the ouershewe of the ground, and to spread themselves far abroad. The next day the sun rose in the morning with a changed colour somewhat pale, the house as before stood very bright and shining, the Pyllers also shewed themselves again imbracyng the sun in the middle, but not so plainly as it did at the first day. And they were seen in the air, but no more to touch the ground. At Rome in the hospital or place where fatherless children are cherished, as Cardanus hath written, all the girls which were in number about 7. became possessed, neither any of them for two yeres space could be governed, whereo●re the cause may come of the exhalation of the place, or of the water, for the water doth change hears and humours: it may also be a deceit. So the same Cardan doth witness that he knew a man who being a boy, counterfeyted for six yeres and more that he saw the devill, to the end he might live more at liberty, and make men to marvel at him, and also followed his unbridled pleasure. Many things happen among men, but if one with a constant mind do consider with himself, he shall easily smell out that all such things are vain and full of deceit: but who doubteth to be possessed with a divell or to be mad is not vain? 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 harmless age doth grow to a wicked example, so they which ought to bear rule in religion shall be given over to a reprobate sense, whereupon they being accursed, shall not onely be hissed at and scorned, but also shall be damned. This writeth Cardanus in his fourteenth book, 76 Chapter of the variety of things. Not far from barn in Switzerlande the wife of John Gislinger a Preacher in the Lordship of barn, when she had brought forth a twin, within a year after she brought forth five children, to wit, three Sons and two daughters, but if it seem to any impossible, let him read the learned commentaries of Francis Picus Mirandula vpon his second hymn, and he shall find that one Dorothie a german woman brought forth in italy at two births 20 sons, and at another 30. whereof mention is made before in their place. At Stettium it happened that a child being born was christened in the night, which after a direful maner was against the Curate that was about to christen him, by turning of his body, by crying out and diuers gestures, that he made all the standards by afraid, at length the Pastor making fervent prayer to God christened the child, he had vpon the top of his head a lump of flesh bearing the Image of a read snail in the neck: he had a fleshly tail like a rat, but whitish, like unto the skin without hears: his head was deformed, and his eyes stood out, of whom also job Fincelius writeth in his miracles after the rising again of the gospel. In Mysnia a child was born without a head, having the form of eyes standing in his breast, of whom the same noteth Fincelius, also a cock with three legs which ran very swift. The tenth of february at Vinaria two by moons were seen, the ●●. of february in the village of Pfeffelbach by Vi●ar as Fincelius recordeth this monster was born of a sheapheardes wife, a boy without a mannes face, in place thereof he had smooth flesh, saving that he had two great eyes unlike one the other standing out, not placed in the holes, horrible to behold: in the place of his forehead, a point of flesh hanging out which stood upright, it had a hanging chin, a little hole in the place of his mouth wherewithal the beholders were sore afraid, neither was he christened, but forthwith butted. At H●lberstad the eightéenth of february, it happened that a lamb was yoened with a round head, with three eyes, three mouths, two noses, with hanging ears to his backward, like to dogges ears, but( which is to be counted a great prodigy in his three mouths he had a great eye greater than the other, and there he put forth a long tongue, he lived one day with continual crying, job Fincelius. The thirteenth of march in Thuring, a sword was seen in the Element. There were a great number of butterflies about Friberg in Misnia, about the month of june, which stained plants, leaves of trees, and linen clothes, with bloody spots, son also affirmed that it rained blood, as George Fabricius writeth of the town of Friberg. In Germany a Gote had a horn growing out of his side: and also seven miles from August, a calf was there seen with two heads, four eyes, 2. on the forehead, and 2 vpon his sides. The 6. of june at Vinar, in a ditch going about the Castle, a fountain of blood was seen for three whole dayes. At Erdford a fountain was turned into blood. moreover a little spring standing between Vinar and Erdforde, which in An. 1524 before the war of the countrymen, was turned into blood, which cruel prodigy appeared again bloody, the 12 and 13 of june as Fincelius writeth. The 12 of june at Neher in Thuring, this wonderful thing happened which Fincelius describeth unto us, a shoemakers wife dwelling there had for three dayes painful labour, that she was driven to use 3. Midwiues, at length she brought forth a dead child, but in her throws and delivery when the child was half appearing, a great noise and terrible sound was heard like a gun in her belly being in labour,& great falmes of fire broke forth with the child, and burned great blisters vpon his buttocks, it scorched the midwiues cheeks, called Katherine Heggenwald, and the flames scattered abroad over al the stove, filling all the house with a sulphurous smell. One Saint Stephans day, in the village of Freywerg not far from Adorfe, a town in Voulande▪ a smiths Wife brought forth a child with two heads, four hands, and so many feet, without any secret bewraying the sex or kind in whose place notwithstanding it had a na●●. In the month of December at Rosow at a manor house in Pomeran, which standeth but a mile from Pasewalck a woman brought forth a horrible Monster, his body was like a calf, his head smooth and round like a boule, after the likeness of an Ape, his chin hairy, his tongue hanging out; his soreféete were without nails, having only little round knobs, his hinder feet like an ox, his tail was without joints, bonye and not stirring. The 29 day of December between 0 and ●● at night, there arose an exceeding tempest, and the thunder and lightning was so cruel that in V●nilande and in many other cities it quiter destroyed a Church, and diuers houses: moreover the same day in Misnia certain Villages and Castles were strike with lightning. In Bohemia from the town of prague almost throughout all Silecia, for the space of eighteen miles or thereabout, hail didde very much harm. In Marchia not far from Regemont, a mere brought forth a monstrous Colt, having the skin gagged every where, hanging breeches and a doublet cut, like to the fashion of the Launceknightes, as writeth job Fincelius. A terrible example of Gods severe punishment vpon a certain priest in Kent, name Nightingale, person of Crondale besides Canterburye, who upon shrove Sondaye, which was about the thyrde day of the said month of March, began to make a sermon to his Parishioners, taking his theme out of the words of Saint John, He that saith he hath no sin is a liar, and the truth is not in him. &c. After an impertinent entering into this text, he said: now maisters and neighbours rejoice and be merry, for the prodigal son is come home, for I know that the most parte of you be as I am, for I know your hartes well enough, and I shall tel you what hath happened. This week past I was before my Lord cardinal pools Grace, and he hath made me as clean from sin, as I was at the Font ston, and on Thursedaye last being before him, he hath appoynted me to notify( I thank him for it) the same unto you, and I will tell you what it is: and so reading the Popes Bull of pardon that was sent into england, he said, he thanked God that ever he had lived to see that day, adding moreover that he believed that by virtue of that Bul, he was as clean from sin, as that night that he was born: immediately as he so said he fell down out of the Pulpit, and nouer stirred hand nor foot: lo the end of wilful resisting Gods holy ordinance: Monuments of martyrs▪ the tenth book Follio 1731. It is better to trust in the lord GOD than in man, whose arm is flesh, and power cut off by death. At Genoa among the Allobroges a monster was born of a french woman, which was a token of matter abounding, that monster had two faces, that is, she was Bifrons, like as antiquity painted Ianus: that which hung on both sides was puffed up, the entrails came out at the back, and that which did hang out at the lower part of the belly was the liver coming out from the secrets. This monster was of both kinds, on the right side male, on the left side female, the thighs which were apart were broken and pulled from the Mother when she was in travail. This year in england before harvest, wheat was sold for four marks the quarter, malt at 44 shillings the quarter, rye at 40 shillings the quarter, and Peaze at 46 shillings the quarter: but after harvest wheat was sold for five shillings a quarter, malt for six shillings eight pence, Rye at three shillings and four pence, and in the country wheat was sold for four shillings the quarter, that is six pence the bushel, Maulte for four shillings and eight pence, and in some place a bushel of rye was sold for a pound of candles, which was four pence. This sudden plenty foretold the abundant grace which was to come vnloked for, and unlikely also among the people so soon to happen. Callis was as suddenly lost the first of Ianuarie. The eleventh of Ianuarie at Ausburg toward the mountains the Element opened, and seemed as it were to be cloven asunder, whereupon many thinking that the latter day of judgement was at hand, yielded themselves to Gods mercy, and the same day about nine of the clock at night at Mickhas in Bauaria there arose such an extreme tempest that it put out the lights that were in the houses, and one fiery brightness in the Element gave them light almost for three houres. At Ausburg not long after there followed cruel robberies in the city, for a Cutlers wife in hope of a very large pray felled in her house a merchant man with a Gun, and immediately her maid cut his throat. The day before the common post slue a certain officer with a gun before the gates of the city, the thirteenth day of the month another thrust through a Butcher with his sword, on which day also Holtzach and Wisnig were burned. The 15 day the keeper of S. Katherines Wood being strike with a gun dyed. The 7 day a Goldsmiths seruant drouned himself,& the same night many were wounded even to the death. In Algo● a country of Sweadon not far from Loengen, the Saturday after the birth of Christ, there arose a great thunder and lightning, by the which one house was consumed. The third hour of the night the Element cleaving did void out so much fire, that many men for certain houres being in danger of their life for fear and dread, lost the use of their tongue and voice. The same day also in Bohemia and in Silecia through a cruel tempest of weather many men and cat-tail were slain, and many houses and churches were beaten to the ground. In other countreyes of Germany there were Cities set on fire and for the most part consumed with fire from heaven. It rained blood, and the Images were seen in the Element devouring a man in armor. Not far from Lipsia a child was born with two heads, 4 hands, and so many feet but with one body alone. The day before the Nones of Ianuarie in Germany, at a village belonging to the byshoppricke of Diling called Oberhansen a cow brought forth a calf that had but the two hinder feet, yet of so great swiftness that running with the body nought, he surpassed all other calves one foot. In the county of Boetz near to an hold of the same name, the 19 of the kalends of February, from four a clock in the afternoon till 7. there was a cruel tempest, much thunder and ligh●ning, at last there fell down vpon the ground a mighty deal of fire from heaven with a great noise, and burned many things on every side. There were seen also in the clouds armies of footmen and horsemen fighting on both sides. There appeared at the beginning of march, An. 1556. a Comet almost half as big as the moon, with hears not very long, nor abiding in a place but flaming like fire, as in torches while the wind bloweth, it was dim, reddish, and thick: the fift day of march it was by the middle of Libra, but the ninth day it was in the north pole: wherefore it declined 65 partes from the east to the west, and 30 from the South to the North, then it rained continually, and when the rain seaced it appeared not. In Germany it appeared till the middle of april. From the end of march, there followed continual fair weather until the 27 of april, and so much heat, that the constitution of the time was like the month of june. In the Astrologers iudgement it signifieth strife concerning the laws, by reason of the colour of the hears, and the moving, and also pestiferous diseases, namely in Germany and Panonia, Asia, and Greece, and among the northern nations▪ In the Ile of Madagascar called by the Portugales S. Laurence, among sundry strange herbs, woods, beasts and Fishes, there is a strange bird made like a Puttocke or ravenous foul, the bill like a hawk, but thicker, ears hanging down like a spaniel, very full of feathers of a white silver shining colour, only the feathers on the head blackish, they call this bird Pa, in the Persian tongue P●e or Lege, this foul liveth by devouring Serpentes: I thought good to set down this report, because the like in this our Europa is not to be found, Andrew thevet. Chapter 23. Fol. 45. The third of march in the town of Bergerdorf a monster was brought forth after a sort like a calf, he had six feet, two heads and an Arse, the heads were severed in length, the one of which seemed to look toward the east, the other toward the west, three feet to the form of the one, and 3 to the other. In the month of april Rossana a city of Astopia, was terribly shaken with a grievous Earthquake, to the great hurt of the inhabitants, with the violence whereof many buildings fell down in the Countries nere too for thirty miles space. But the tenth day of this month there was a dreadful Earthquake at Constantinople, where it is reported to haue continued three whole dayes, it cast down many Towers, it didde great harm to the church called Saint Sophia, and to the Gate of Hadrionopolis. The thyrde day after which was the thirteenth of the same month, a star of a huge greatness was seen nere the moon, which almost it seemed to touch. This Earthquake with the rest, Valentine Nuberie of Norenberg hath described. In America among the savage people, there is a bird called Toucan, of the greatness of a Pigeon, of the which there are 2 kinds, over the back& toward the head black, saving that about the tail and breast the feathers are yellow about 4 fingers broad as well in breadth as in length, the yellow is most bright shining and excellent, at the end of the tay●e there are little Feathers, as red as blood, the wild men take the skin of that parte that is yellow, with the which they garnish their Sword sheathes, Hats, and other trinkets: the bill of this bird is greater and longer than the body. Among some of these birds, there are a sort more beautiful then Parats, of whose feathers the Americans make great choice. An. The●et. Cha. 47. Folio. 91. In diuers places of Switzerlande in the city of basil, and the fields about it, the 12 of May and the day following within the lordship of barn, not far from the town of Dun, dew fell from heaven that was sweeter then honey, which also oftentimes came to pass before, yet namely in france▪ the year of our Lord 1598, there followed a murrain among cat-tail, which doth commonly go with it. The fourteenth 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 june a great swarm of grasshoppers spoiled certain quarters of the Lower Germany. Fincelius. At basil a boy was born hideous to behold, having a body well enough compact, but he had a rough hairy head, more like unto a dog, a cat, or an Ape, than a man, he lived about an hour and a half. At Aldenburg a town in Misnya the ninth day of august, a great Tempest arising, brought the towns men in exceeding great danger of their lives, upon which day also a child was born and there christened as Fincelius hath written, who diuers times before he was born cried aloude in his mothers belly, to the great astonishmente of all men. The second day of September, at five a clock in the morning, at Locarne, a whyrlewinde without a storm coming from the South parte, didde so cast down the Castle Wall, which stood on the one side of Locarne, that through the fall thereof part of the houses nere to was cast down. The same day about two of the clock at afternoon the Element was so overcast with dark clouds, that the day seemed to be quiter taken away, but not long after, fearful thunder& lightning with so much rain followed, that none that was alive could remember that he ever saw the like, because that nothing in mennes houses was left free from the damage thereof: it continued from two a clock until it was six: in the mean season violent floods and streams, running from the hills nere too, made a show of great Riuers, the noise whereof being put to the fearful sound of the rain and storm, didde so much astonish mennes minds, that they thought that all things should by and by perish. The fifte day of September at Custerin, a little town in Marchia at nine a clock at night, there appeared every where in the element innumerable flames of fire, but amid the Element there were seen two fiery beams and at last a voice was heard from above, but no figure seen, saying: Vae, Vae Ecclesiae, Wo, Wo be to the Church, job Fincelius in the miracles of his time. The 24 of july a Cow brought forth a deformed Monster in the village of Clesdorf 3. miles distant from Pabenberg, which Fincelius also described, he had four feet like a calf, his head like a man, a black beard, two mens ears, indifferent well heard, likewise a mans breast with dugs, the monster was brought forth at the farm of a noble woman, a widow. So Volaterranus writeth that a child was born of a woman, begotten by a dog, having a mans shape in the vpper part, but the lower parte the full form of a dog, and to purge the sin he was brought to the Pope, of which matter Cardanul maketh memtion, book .14. Chap. 64. of the variety of things. In Switzerlande the monday after the feast of saint Gallus not far from the town of Winterthur in the river of Thesus, they report that there were seen a cross, and the arms of burgundy set out, and as it were engraven by nature. At Bobatsha a city in Hungary the vj. day of October before the Sun rising, there was seen in the air a singular combat of two naked boyes, but armed with Targets and sword, wherein he which had the Target with the spread Eagle, seemed so to overthrow the other fenced with turkish armour, that his body appeared to be wounded with many stroke, and to fall to the earth out of the clouds. At the same time& place also there was seen a bow in the element set out with his natural colours, and two suins on both sides of him. In the month of December not far from Ausbarg, a bear was seen in the element fighting with a Lion. At Wittenberg in Saxony there were seen two by suns, a crooked cloud party coloured with blew and read stretched out like a rainbow, and as it were with equal disstance environed the earth, but the sun being compassed on both sides with thee by suins seemed to be of a pale and sad countenance. In the town of S. Gallus in Switzerland, Peter Besler born at Rotmunde, being the Seruant of a Citizen dwelling not far from the City of saint Gallus, an ungodly and rash young man, and very much given to drunkenness when upon the Sondaye, which by the old church was dedicate to Saint trinity, the one and twentieth day of may, he was gone to the town of Sangall with his companions, there to make merry, he being peuish through over much Wine( as commonly such vile persons are wont to do at feasts or Banquets) he made a stir and railed at his Companions and at length after diuers kinds of blasphemies against God, he added this moreover: if I serve my master hereafter, I betake my body and soul to the divell, but when he had stayed al the night in the city, in the morning having digested his surfet, he somewhat called to remembrance what he had said and done the night before, when he found no other means to find himself, then to return unto his masters work which before he had cursed, being now gone forth of the city, not far from his maisters house, a man fearful to behold, and clad in black array, spoken to him with these words: Go to, good fellow, I am now ready to take that which is my right, and which was given me yesterday, which spoken taking the fellow by the hand amazed with fear and horror, and altogether astonied cast unto the ground, and vanished away: but not long after the most miserable young man being found by the neighbours having his hands and feet drawn together, was brought to a lodging, where after the use of all his limbs was taken away, and keeping his bed he he most miserably past the dayes of his life with no less grief of mind then body. At basil, was seen a man having on both hands six fingers. And a hen chicken that had four feet. The first day of november at Tundorfe, about four a clock in the Morning a potters wife was delivered of a horrible Monster: from the crown of the head to the midrife, he was like a man but his mo●th 〈…〉 out like a dogges, he had a frowning face, but from 〈…〉 downward, was destitute of the other partes of mannes 〈…〉 ●cended downward in form of pyramids, in the point having the likeness of a wrinkled tail of a sow, but on his back bone there was the form of a navel standing out as it were a tail: the sex of this monster didde not appear, for there were found no tokens of any thing. The fourth of December a man child was born at basil without any ears, in whose place he had only two holes, which notwithstanding were so shut up, that he could hear nothing, the child lived sickelye till the month of August, at whose beginning he dyed with many griefs. At Ausburg between basil and Rinfelde, there were found Hens with geese feet. At basil about the feast of Easter a child was born with such cloven and open nostrils, that his brain was very easily seen from thence. And the fift of the kalends of May about 9. of the clock at night in fair weather, a circled, which the Philosophers call Halo, appeared about the moon, and lasted for two houres. The ● of the Kalends of August in certain villages of Suntgoia between the town of Eusbeim and basil, and also the 13 of the kalends of the same month, suins were seen in fair and clear weather. The seventh of the Ides of August, with us at Basil, a man child was born with a body well enough framed or compact, but without a neck, having his eyes of no common greatness, as they were placed in his forehead, and he wanted the vppermoste parte of his head: behind his head he had a big hole, out of the which hole there ran out some blood, whereupon immediately after he was born, he ended his life. These are the prodigies and strange sights( studious Reader) which at this time I thought good to note in very few words, in adding those things as far forth as my reading did afford, which immediately followed, to the end that thou mightest more plainly perceive, that they were the certain prognostications of alterations, changes, and calamities, and the true tokens of Gods wrath, that every man being thereby become more wary and prudent through other mens harms, and perceiving that God is angry with the world, and threatening the destruction thereof, may haue greater occasion to appease him with repentance& innocency of life: Our everlasting lord Iesus christ, is to be desired and earnestly to be entreated of us, that through his intercession he would mitigate his Fathers wrath, renew in us a new heart, increase our faith, and for ever preserve his church, which he hath redeemed with his own blood, from all the crafts and subtleties of satan and of the corrupt world. Amen. The seventh day of july within a mile of Nottingham, was a marvelous great tempest of thunder,& it came through two towns, it beate down all the houses and churches, and divided the stones each from other: also the belles were cast to the outside of the churchyard, and some of the webs of lead 00 foot into the field, and writhen about like leather: also six acres of meadow ground betwixt the two towns was taken up and torn to dust, and seen flying in the air, and never known farther where it became. The carts were torn and cast about also. Betwixt these two towns ran the river of Trent where the tempest followed the river one thousand foot, and took up the water with the mad in the bottom, scattering the same against trees, a quarter of a mile. Also there were Trees pulled up by the roots, and cast from their growing twelve score, and some of them were more than two loads a piece. Also a child was by the same violent Tempest taken forth of a mannes hands and about thirty foot lifted up into the air, at the fall whereof the arm of the child was broken, of the which he dyed, with five or ●●xe other men nere thereabout that were slain, neither flesh nor skin perished. There came also a little before the Tempest some haylestones that were in compass about fifteen inches. Stow in his abridgement. In Ianuarie in diuers places of Saxony, Misnia, and Bohemia, were horrible tempests of wind, rain, thunder and lightning, which did much harm,& especially about churches. The same month at Vitodure a town● miles from Schurike in Heluetia, fire appeared in one of the stéeples of the church, and made such a noise, 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 month, and also the 14 day. The 26. of february died fredrick Palsegraue of the rhine and Elector. The 21. day of march at oxford Thomas Cranmer, who had been Archbishop of Canterbury, a learned and worthy man, was for maintaining of the gospel, burned at oxford, as writeth D. Cooper in his Chronicle after Lanquet,& John Fox more at large in the monuments of martyrs. This winter the quartan agues continued, called the pestilent agues so the many Gentlemen but chiefly husbandmen died, by the means whereof, the corn stood on the ground for want of workmen 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 be gotten. war proclaimed in france, many Englishe men died at saint Quintines of the plague, Callis also was lost, a famous place for the defence of the Englishe navy, the french King took the same into his possession from whose posterity it was long before won. queen Mary died the 17 of november 1558. when she had reigned five yeres four moneths, and twelve dayes. The same day dyed cardinal pool. read Cooper, Stow, Grafton, and the Monuments of martyrs. The Flying Stingroh was seen in the South Seas, about this season fashioned like a serpent, the wings like the bat, prickleboned like the thornback, headed as a serpent, whose flight continueth no longer then his wings are wet: this fish oftentimes will settle on the Rocks. Gesner. It is supposed that when he flieth, he is pursued of other fishes to be devoured who settling far from the shore, through vnablenesse of flight, death. ¶ To thee O lord God, everlasting, invisible, Omnipotent, King of kings, and lord of lords, be glory and Dominion for ever and ever: thy penitent Creature in the name and Congregation of the faithful S. B. subject in this church of england craveth happy foelicitie in Iesus christ our lord Amen. most mighty, eternal, and everlasting GOD, the Father of our lord Iesus christ, from whom all good gifts do come, bend toward us thy people of england, thine ear to hear our Supplication, thine eye to our walking, thy grace to our offending, that we feeling thy daily defendinges, may evermore become so faithful in thy promises, so loving in mercies, so plentiful in charitable doings, that all the world may witness our christian Obedience in thy holy spirit, through the which our spirites being certified, we may walk before thee in this our transitorye Mansion, as hereafter we shall, that trust in thee, walk in the land of the living: hear my humble Supplication O lord GOD, which I pronounce before thy divine majesty, in this my book tituled The doom, warning to thy Iudgement, not that it excelleth the worthier labours of the more Learned, or that I reach by such title to equal my labour with thy most holy Testament, containing the Lawe of thee, and of thy son Iesus Christ my only and alone saviour: But for as much as thy free mercy and grace hath given me such perseverance, whereby, to the bestowing of the same, thy holy angel first assisting, it becometh me to the benefit of my country to publish, not as mine but thine: Therefore most gracious judge receive the same again, with the increase thereof, and finding none so worthy the gain of this my labour, do dedicate the same unto thy divine majesty, constantly believing the acception thereof, with such increase of riches towards me, as no kingdom is comparable, which collection, translation, and addition, thou knowest O Lord God from whom they were, on whom they are bestowed, and to what end, thy wonderful and miraculous acts do declare. give grace, most holy Father, to all that shall read the same, that they may perceive to what end thy gracious goodness hath pretended this work as a fragment among other most holy edictions, to warn this later age, by the coming and daily appearing of unaccustomed prodigies, to be the onely foretoken of mans destruction for sins, as in the time of old, hayles, fires from heaven, thunderinges, Eclipses, blazing stars, elemental shows of armies, raining of blood, milk, stones, earth, figures of dead bodies, and instruments of war, besides dreadful voices, after sundry manners: On the Earth deformed shapes both of men, birds, beasts, and fishes after which of every of these death of princes, alteration of kingdoms, transmutations of religion, treasons, murders, theft, inceste, whoredom, idolatry, usury, reuenge, persecution, sword, fire, famine, hunger, death and damnation, presently followed. O mighty, high and most gracious God, which hast defended thy church of England: from the tyranny of superstitious Rome, and hast set a virgin queen to be thy handmaid and officer in thy church, through whom without the aid of man, by thy only providence, she hath brought forth the child of truth, the word of thy dearly beloved son Iesus Christ: bless her majesty O Lord God, with such an ardent zeal of thee, that never any transitory hope of other conjoining may enter her royal mind, otherwise than to the setting forth of thy glory: Good lord bless her that she be not hurt by hypocrisy, alured by flattery, nor persuaded by tyranny: give her the zeal of david the strength and courage of samson, 2. Reg. 17. Iud. 14. 2 Reg. 5. judith 1.13. Hester 7. Luke. ●. the wisdom of Salomon the heart of judith, the love of Hester, the grace of the blessed Virgin Mary, that she may bring forth the happy increase of al those virtues, by the which thy church and congregation is both comforted and relieved. Thus most merciful Lord God and celestial father, which knewest before I pretended, my pretence, grant thy gracious furtherance to this my labour, with the same increase of well liking, as thou likest in the increasing by thy grace and heavenly assistance, let the same be received under the banner of thine incomprehensible defence against all whosoever( in running after follies) resist thy truth: bless me O Lord with thy heavenly grace in the congregation of the faithful, the as our works be begon so they may likewise end in thee, faith in religion to thee, loyalty in submission to our queen Elizabeth {αβγδ} God hath sworn her fullness Concord among the nobility, uxor. Aaronis Exod 6. uxor Lachariae Luke. 4. and true dealing in brotherly amity, then thy forewarninges shall be unto us a shield from discord, a salve for sinners, and to souls and bodies life everlasting: to the which bring us good lord, according to thine acccustomed goodness in christ Iesus our Lord and saviour: to whom with thee and the holy Ghost, three persons and one God, be honour and glory in thy kingdom over worlds. So be it. The first in the old Testament Gods kingdom. For as much as Elizabeth the Wife of Aaron the first priest, and daughter to Aminadab, of whom was begotten Eleazar which begot Pinneas who were the first that withstood the enemies of GOD to their great glory: And that Elizabeth the wife of zachary the high priest in jerusalem of the lineage of Abia, on whom he begot John the Baptist, The first in the new testament Christes kingdom. which was the first that preached Iesus Christ, became enemy to the hypocrisy of the Iewes, and loathsome life of the Gentiles, and thereby gat him great glory: Vouchsafe our royal queen the Daughter of King Henry the eight may be a maul to popery, and a Light to Gods truth, The first after the bewraying of Idolatrous church. The Kingdom of the holy-Ghost. establishing the law of christ begon by her noble Father: Let her majesty then be assured, although not the wife of Aaron nor of zachary,( but of Iesus christ) who having conceived saith by the goodness of God, that she shall be able to depart with glory, to her immortal comfort, so that her highnesse be continually zealous as Phinees, just as John Baptist, look next for the coming to iudgement, that these three victories may be in one kingdom. and constant with Stephan in the truth, and shal prevail with judith, over all the romish rabble, to the extoling of her royal state: a worthy queen on earth, a blessed Saint in heaven, unto whom God grant here happy dayes, and in the World to come endless felicity. ¶ When we received these things which follow, somewhat to late, from my friends, yet I caused them to be translated, and haue put them hereunto, albeit they may be referred to the Monsters which were seen in the world after the confusion of Tongues, thereunto annexing forth of Manlius diuers strange effects. THese like were found not long since by portugal ships, in an island that standeth in the mid way to Calicoute, where the North star cannot be seen: They are men with two arms and two hands in the right side, they haue Asses ears, a mannes face, the right Thigh like a Horse, the other like a man: they haue much hear about their privities, in the rest of their bodies they haue none: they run and leap like hartes, they are very cruel and witless: their Women are like them, and they are after that kind fair of skin, and haue very good skill in workmanship of silk and gold, they bring forth young twice in the year. In certain places of Arabia are these monsters. They haue three eyes, a Nose and a great mouth, two very large and round ears, every arm hath two hands, the males also hath two such great breasts, that they cannot well cover them: they wear Beasts skins: they go without any Hose and shoes, neither haue they any Toes on their feet: they are called Sterlochi, they haue not in vain a great mouth for they be very great eaters, glottons, and devourers, they eat flesh half sudden, they drink no Wine nor Water, they are great fighters, and continually they make war with them that border upon them. Their King payeth Tribute to the great Cane. In the partes of Ethiopia there are men well proportioned, saving that they haue but one leg, with a very great foot with the shadow whereof when the sun cometh to the South, they lying upon the ground save themselves from the heat: when they should walk, they leap, neither can they do otherwise, they speak as we do in their tongue, they are very good jewellers, and sell their jewels to the merchants of armoniac, receiving of them corn to live by, they are men of a great strength and live two hundreth yeares: their women are very fair, and common to every one, which when they are great with child, refuse carnal copulation with any. In the Alpes of egypt are these deformed creatures. They haue faces, arms, and feet, tike to a mans, with two long breasts, in other partes like to Camels: when they haue brought forth their young they carry them vpon their back or loins, they live in the woods, they live at the uttermost not above thirty yeres, neither do they bring forth past once or twice, they run swift, their males are excellent fishers, and are very cruel and outrageous to their wives, they always carry their own king upon their shoulders in a wooden couch, and greatly worship him. In the partes of Ethiop towards the North, such are found which haue a goodly body of a man, two arms, two thighs, and mens feet, but on their shoulders they haue a dogges head standing out: they lead a mans life, and work cunningly diverse things with thréedes of silk and gold, which they send to the great Cane: they laugh not, nor weep, they exercise great merchandise of Margarits or pearls, of Carbuncles and of other goodly stones: their king is tributary to the great Cane, and the tribute is paid with things of silk and gold. In the East ocean such gross women be found. They are long necked, and against nature they haue their arms joined to their thighs, they haue also legs, but feet of another form, they are higher before than behind, and haue the tail of an ass, they go out once with four children, two of which they kill, the other they bring up: they haue great store of milk, whereof they make cheese to live by, the males be like the females, but be less in their belly and breasts. Among many valleys in Tartaria are found strange Monsters: they haue a long neck above their breasts, and a head in manner of a gripe or Griffin, in the breast two eyes, a nose and a mouth, two wings of diverse colours in their flanks, arms and legs like a mans: they dwell in watery places because they live by fish, they fly heavily, as geese do, the feathers of their wings are fit for great lords in making of arrows, they fight chiefly with the great Cane,& Preter John, they are very fierce creatures, and mennes mortal enemies, they cast poison out of their mouth, when they are even upon taking, as a last defence for their safet●e. In the parte of the new world, which the King of portugal not long ago found out to the northward, the name of which place is Sancta Crux this kind of men was found, they haue a dogges head hairy with long ears, the middle parte of their body and arms, are like a mans, their thighs are like as Horses be, their houffes like a Buffel, they wear skins, they speak not, but bark mig●tily, they are great theeues, and live by johann, they are called Baratriae. They make war continually with the islanders adjoining, and devour men wheir they may haue them, when they haue them not they eat other living things. In the regions in time pass, of great Tamerlaen centaurs of this form were found, from the middle upward they haue a mans body and face, saving that in place of arms they haue two short arms, like a toad, in the head are dogges ears, with three great locks growing on both sides, and on the middle of his chin: in their flanks are mans arms with fingers, the rest are like a horse: they run swift, if they embrace any, they wring him so hard, that they break him to pieces, they live onely by Elephants, they are friends to men and women, because they do them no harm. In the Ile of Taprobana such humane creatures are found misshapen, They haue short thighs, Hye shoulders, a slender neck, a very great head, with one eye alone in the forehead, they seek for pearl and the like goodly things. They are cruel and savage people, neither can a man know the female from the male, but when they are great with child: they go naked and live by wild fruits: dew is their drink: they want ears, yet is their hearing sharp: a kind of Hornets do much trouble them, for which cause they hid themselves in the sand, until the Hornets fly by them to other islands. In the furthest parts of Syracan are men altogether of such shape, having a Cranes neck, a head with eyes and nose like a man, a bill or beak,& Chaules as cocks haue, they are clad in skins, they are tyllers of the ground, thee haue great war 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 bill. They drink no Wine, they which die in the war are reckoned as saints, and their wives are seen no more of other men. Vpon certain islands of the Caspian Sea, there are found such Lions: They haue a mans face, but they are wild& fierce, they live by johann, they swim vpon and under 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 deserts of L●bia there are found women which haue breasts hanging down to their knees, they lack the use of speaking, but yet they cry or skrike vehemently, they live at home with men, they run swiftly, so that they can take wild beasts in running, which they eat. They are between white& black, to wit of a Russet colour: they want hairs, saving that from their knees down they are like satires, cloven footed as a cow or Bull: they are strong, and quickly hold fast with their hands that they take, their head is thick of hair, they are misshapen in body& face, they laugh willingly, especially in the presence of men. In the woods of Asia are such called Monopoli, they haue no head, but a face in their breast, they go naked, covering onely their privities with a vail, they cover themselves with a great cap by reason of the suns great heat. They gather Pepper, and barter it with the merchants of Mecha, and the ware which they haue for it they send to the Antipodes. They are very continent and modest men, neither are they ever heard to utter an ill word: they are very upright, and haue a good conscience, according to their law. In the A●pes of Aff●icke are found these monstrous creatures: they are altogether of a brown yellow colour, having a mannes face in their breasts, thighs like an ox, feet like a man, tail like a fox, udders like a goat, a back like a camel, a long neck, and on the top thereof a round bunch, with two lieges ears, they haue a beard like a goat, they live by herbs and roots, and are very wild: while they are little, men use to eat them, which the great men in authority do use, but when they are old, they are hard of dssgestion: they are better than Goates with vs. This year in the month of june 1561. the fourth day of the same, between four and five a clock in the afternoon, the steeple of Paules in London was fired by a Tempest of lightning, and burst forth( as it did seem to the beholders) two or three shepherds beneath the rouffe, and so brent round about in the same place, that the top with the cross fel off, and lighted on the Southside of Paules church, and then the Spire brent downward like a Cresset or Beacon, to the stoneworke and the Belles, and downward toward the body of the church, so vehemently, that within the space of four houres the same steeple, and the four great rouffes of the church, so much as was timber, of the neather Iles of the same, were utterly consumed and brent to Ashes, to the great terror and fear of the beholders, but specially to the inhabitants of the city of London. D. Cooper. Stow. The event, as appeareth, by the subtle means of the Duke of Guies that then was, with a confederacy among the Scottes, July to haue made a Conquest over england, was by the wisdom of hir majesty and privy counsel dispersed, by sending in time soldiers for the defence therof. Therefore God grant that england be not a sleep in security, and forget that treachery, if so, then beware least spain and Scotland gain not a monarchy. Lanquet enlarged by D. Cooper and the Commentaries of france in the seventh book. Folio. 10. This year in england were many Monstrous births, as in March a mere brought forth a foal with one body, being in good proportion, and two heads, having a long tail growing out right like a horn between the same two heads. Also a sow farrowed a pig with four legs, like to the arms of a man child, with hands and fingers, snout and ears disfigured. about april a sow farrowed a pig which had two bodies, eight feet, and but one head: many calves and lambs were monstrous: and one calf had a coller of skin growing about his neck, like to a double ruff, which to the beholders seemed strange and wonderful. Yet not so disingenuity as the double ruffs that at that time were worn and used. The four and twentieth of May a Monstrous child was born at Chichester in Sussex, the head, arms, and legs, like unto an Anatomy the breast and belly monstrous big, from the Nauil, as it were along string hanging about the neck, a great coller of flesh and skin growing like to the ruff of a shirt or neckercheffe coming up about the ears playting or foulding. Stow Sequel. great preparation to newhaven, a soon surrender, and a quick discharge: where began a great plague, to the loss of many good soldiers. On the Saterdaye next following, the one and twentieth day after the nativity, a great tempest of wind and thunder happened in the town of Leicester, which vncouered fourteen bays of houses, and ouertourned many. The french assembling out of france for the recovery of newhaven, after which the city of London being infected with the plague from the first of Ianuarie. 1562. until the last of December 1563. there dyed in the city and liberties twenty thousand three hundred seuentie two: and of out Parishes together, total three and twenty thousand six hundred three score and odd persons. The eight of july in the morning happened a great Tempest of lightning and thunder, where through a woman and three Kine were slain in covent Garden, near to Charing cross. At the same time in Essex a man was torn all in pieces, as he was carrying Haye, his barn born down, and his hay brent, both ston and trees, were rent in many places marvelously. There was in September an Earthquake in lincoln, and Northampton shire and in other places. Stow. In December from the first day to the twelfth, was such great lightning and thunder, and especially on the twelfth day, at night from eight of the clock till it was paste nine, that the like was not seen, by any man then living. A monstrous fish was driven on shore at Grimsbius in lincolnshire, in length nintéene shepherds, his tail fifteen foot broad, and six yards between his two eyes. The English Marchannts vpon occasions left their traffic at antwerp, and went to Emden in West Frizland &c. Doctor Cooper. Among strange fishes the Arnndelle of the south sea is as strange, which being pursued of greater fishes as long as his broad fins remain wet, he flieth as a bird. The one and twentieth of December, began a frost, which continued so extremely, that on Newyeares even people went over and along the Thames on the ice, from London Bridge to Westminster, and people played on the Ice at the foot ball, as one land: after few dayes, they set marks and shot too and fro, diverse both men and women stood and beheld: notwithstanding the fifth day of Ianuarie at night, was no Ice to be seen between London Bridge and Lambeth, but that all men might row at their pleasure, which sudden thowe, caused such great floods and high waters, that it bare down many Bridges, and houses, and drowned many people in England especially in york shire, when Owes Bridge was born away and other. The six and twentieth day of Ianuarie being friday, at night, were two tides in the space of two houres at London, on the morrow was likewise two,& two at night, on sunday likewise were two tides in the morning, and at night but one, as orderly it had been accustomend. There were in two nights and a day, eight tides. This year Ferdinando the Emperour dyed, and there was kept for him in Pauls Church, the third day of October. 1564. a solemn exequie or funeral. Many fiery impressions were seen in the air in October, all the north partes of the element, seemed to be covered with flames of fire, proceeding from the north-east and north-west, towards the midst of the firmament: where for the most parte of an hour it stayed and descended Weastwarde, and all the same night, being the next after the change of the moon, seemed almost as light as if it had been day. The sixteenth day of july, about nine of the clock at night, began a terrible tempest of lightning and thunder, with showers of hail, which continued until three of the clock in the morning. In the which Tempest much harm was done in and about Chelmesforde in Essex, as by destroying of five hundred Acres of corn, the beating down of all the glass windows on the East side of the same towns, and of the west and Southside of the church: the beating of the Tiles off their houses, throwing down diverse barns and attorneys, with the batlementes of the Church, &c. The Haylestones being measured, were found to be six inches about: At the same time, was much harm done in many places of this realm, as at Leedes, Crambrooke at dover in Kent. In flanders began discord, for Religion, which Brabant, holland, and zealand after felt. The eight day of December, there arose a great storm and Tempest of wind, by whose rage the Thames and Seas overwhelmed diverse persons, and the West gate of the Church of Saint Paules which is commonly shut, between the which is a brazen pillar, was violently blown open. The great Onel began to rebel in Ireland. The King of Scottes was shamefully murdered, the reuenge whereof remaineth in the mighty hand of God Anno. 1566. on shrove monday being the tenth of february in the morning, by name henry Stuert Lord of Darneley. &c. seven Aldermen dyed within the space of ten months. A town in Wales called Owsester about the space of twelve miles from shrewsbury, in two houres was near consumed, to the great loss of the people, goods, and buildings. read more hereof in John Stow. The seauentéenth day of may by casualty of fire, in the town of Milnall in suffolk eight miles from Newmarket, to the number of seven and thirty Houses, besides barns, Stables, and such like, were utterly burnt and consumed in the space of two houres: John Stow. In flanders between antwerp and Macline, in a village called Vbalen, a child was born which had two heads and four arms: it seemed two maids joined together and yet had but two legs: There followed the preparation of Duke Alua. of whom those places can witness very well of his coming by the pitiful spoil of antwerp, and the rest of that country afterward. The eight and twentieth of March htroughe vehement rain and Tempest of winds, many vessels on the river of Thames with two Tylt boats, before Grauesende were sunk and drowned, The six and twentieth of june deceased Thomas young archbishop of york. The eleventh of October were taken in suffolk, at Durham Bridge near unto Itswich, great and monstrous fishes, some of them containing in length seven and twenty foot, some four and twenty, others one and twenty foot, and the least were in length seuentéene foot. The same year the five and twentieth of Ianuarie, there appeared in the Element over the town of Caffa at ten of the clock in the night, a shining cross with a star in the top, and a moon at the lower end, retiring immediately after it began to be day, without being seen any more at that time. The year following the earls of northumberland and Westmerland rebelled, with many others, to the great disquiet of a peaceable queen and hir majesties Commons. upon monday being the thirteenth of november the Rebels went to Durham with their Banners displayed, and to get the more credite, among the favourers of the Romish Religion, they had a cross, with the Banner of the five wounds: As soon as they were entred Durham they went to the Minster and tore the bible, Communion books and other such as there were, read more John Stow not only of the troublesone times in the north, but also in Scotland. In france in Prouence at Arles, was a strange child hairy, having the navel where the nose should stand, and his eyes in the place of the mouth, the mouth in the chin. civil discord followed with a hideous spoil of their own people. Comment. in his eight book, Folio. 110. This was also a troublesone year, for among many monsters there was hanged a Bul, without hid and horns, the five and twentieth of May, at the bishop of London his palace gate, in Pauls church yard, which came from Rome, by some calf of that brood, wherein was contained many treasons against the queens majesty, for the which one John Felton was executed: God turn that péeuishe minded people once. The event. A conspiracy in norfolk, where shortly after the conspirators were executed at Norwich. The way to keep england in obedient service of God, is learned of the Germans, who having constituted the lawe of the Gospel, added thereto, that whatsoever degree did not accept it, the same should not after say, there was no lawe to put them to the sword as pestilent heretics, but having transgressed the law, they felt the sword and dyed for heresy. If in England be no lawe to execute a papist for his religion, what doth the Gospels reformation, howe can he be sound to his Prince, that hateth hir religion? howe can his religion maintain hir majesties dominion? for soothe in flattery of words called Ipocrisie, in dissembling his religion called heresy. Till that this be better reformed look for no peaceable tranquillitie, but rather that it breed a grieuouser tyranny, from the which God defend this our realm and country. In bedford town and there abouts the fifth of October 1570. by the abundance of rain, fell such floods, that many perished, not only there, but also on this side in the high ways being overflowed as they traveled. D. Cooper. The seauentéenth of february at a place called Kinnaston, near Marcleche Hill in the county of hereford, was seen the ground to open, and certain rocks, with a piece of ground, removed and went forward, the space of three dayes, making at the first a terrible noise, as it went on the earth: it removed itself between six of the clock in the evening& seven. The next morrow it removed forty paces, carrying great trees, and sheep coats, some sheep coats with three score sheep in them, some trees fel into the chincks and were swallowed, other that grew on the same ground, grow as firmly on a Hill, and some that stood east stand west, and those that stood west stand east. The depth of the hole, where it first broke out, is thirty foot, the breadth of the breach is eight score shepherds, and in length about twenty score shepherds: it overthrew Kinnastone chapel, also in the high ways, be removed nigh a hundred shepherds, with the trees of the Headgroues. The ground in all is six and twenty Acres, and where tillage ground was there is pasture left in place, and where was pasture, there is tillage ground gone upon it. The ground as it removed, drove the earth before it, and at the lower parte overwhelmed the ground, so that now it is grown to a very great hill of twelve fathom heyghe. It removed from Saterdaye till monday at night following and so standeth stil. On Thursday, being the eleventh day of november, at ten of the clock in the night, at a city in Italy called Ferrara until two a clock in the morning, there happened fourteen Earthquakes, wherewith many houses were overthrown. The Fridaye following also, it shooke thrice, but the same night there appeared a grievous darkness, after followed vehement winds, with the following of such increased storms and tempests, that it overthrew the castle and the Byshops house, twelve Monasteries and other Churches: diverse nobles and common people were by the fall of buildings slain, the cries in the night of so many voices was heard far of, to the great sorrow of the inhabitants. It is thought there perished near the number of two thousand people. The Printer of this book in Englishe, THOMAS PVRFOOTE. many Witches were executed in Essex that had wrought Monstrous cruelties in killing of children and cattle. This year no Prodigies known of in England, but the two and twentieth ●●●● day of September deceased John jewel bishop of Sarisburie, in his life time a most eloquent and diligent Preacher, but a far more painful and Studious writer: A shield for the Protestaunte and a maul 'gainst the Papist, as works remaining beareth witness, whereby his famed shal never die. Also the same year was great rejoicing of a victory had against the Turkes. The first day of june D. story Arch heretic, and traitor to his country, was executed at Tyborne. The Protestantes this year made an Oration to the french king, for the better and more quiet possessing of the gospel. But it was so dissembled, that shortelye after appeared vnkindelye murders by the papists called catholics. read the Commentaries translated by Thomas Tymme. The thirteenth day of December, the year 1560. at Vienna and Austria there was an Earthquake, and a great Tempest, and fearful lightning, Towers, Houses, and the Cathedral Church of Saint Stephen was burnt with lightning. The air was seen to burn a long time, as a certain noble man of Vindelicke in his letters did declare. The year of our lord 1561. the thyrde day after the feast of the birth of christ there appeared over Fridemounte, and all the borders of Switzerlande, about two houres afore day, the air being very clear, a great red fire, in manner whole together, but that white furrows or strakes came between, and it stretched out long and broad, almost about the space of a Furlong, but in length three or four times as much. So that unto many it seemed as it were very strange and daungerous. this wonderful sight was seen at Zurich, Glarona, Sangale, Constance, Aczon, Venice, and Switzerlande. I suppose that the same gleaming or fiery vapour was at that time seen in england, which at the first time of the appearing was taken for a prodigy, but since which time by the means of often appearance slenderlye set by. The principal Euente, the horrible treasons, untruths and murders began in the kingdom of france. conrad Bolonesus. The 27. of December, between the town of Tubinga, in the dukedom of wittenberg, and the village of Iesingham, which is two miles distant from Tubinga, suddenly in a certain field, there appeared a gulf, which was six and thirty foot deep, twenty foot broad, and above the earth, no more than a common pit, round of compass, containing of depth in water nine foot &c. Also it is said that it rained blood about the same time in very many places of Germany. this year in england was a great frost, sharp and cold air, yielding such thick mist that it gathered as frozen ye upon the boughs of trees so thick, that such was the wayghte thereof that it broke many small trees and boughs, there was also much Snow. Of a wonderful appearance in the air at Mount Pellier in the kingdom of france. The fifth day, of may the Weather being fair and clear, was in a moment changed through mighty whirlwinds, entermingled with hail of a wonderful greatness, of the which hail some weighed two pound wayghte, some more, after which so strange hail, it lightened, thundered, and became a grievous tempeste, through the which a village called Saint John de Vedas, was overthrown: this Tempest continued the space of four houres, the hail broke the ridges of houses, and with the abundance of rain it overflowed all the Sellers, shops and other low places: the tempest being ceased and the weather cleared, was heard a marvelous noise over the church( where sometime much superstition had been used) called saint Peters, which he that wrote the book being maruellouslye transformed into an ass, was so ouerloaden with heresy, that he supposed the tempests cause to come of the Protestauntes, which undoubtedly was far otherwise. In the clear air appeared the likeness of a man, holding upon his shoulders the figure of the round world, on the top of which was a cross. Also there was about the said figure, beams like the suins, shining very clear, a voice was heard which said Vigilate& Orate, watch and pray. The said figure did manyfestlye appear in the open sight of all people the space of one hour, or thereabout, and then vanished away, Don Francisco de Mendosa, one that never writ lye. this year they of Harlame in holland prevailed against the Albanistes. A great famine at Sanxerre in france, so that the people lay staruyng in the streets and perished through hunger. read more in the Lamentable Discourse so entitled Anno Domi. 1573. great Contention in the low Countreys not onely for the defence of true Religion, but most especial against their Magistrates, so that there followed much bloudshedde. about this time the bowers after called Malcontens, rose against such soldiers as had robbed them, the reuenge whereof is yet doubtful, &c. The six and twentieth of february between four and six of the clock in the afternoon, great Earthquakes happened in the Cities of york, Worcester, Gloucester, bristol, hereford and in the Countreyes about, so that in many places the shaking of the earth greatly amazed the people, &c. On Easterdaye which was the third of april was disclosed the congregation of Anabaptistes Dutchmen, in a house without the bars of Aldgate at London, whereof eight and twenty were taken, and imprisoned, and four of them recanted at Paules cross the fifteenth of May. 1575. The seauentéenth day of may about midnight, the reverend Father in God, Matthew Parker Doctor of divinity, Archbishop of canterbury, left this life at Lambeth, a person of singular virtue, desirous to know all Artes and Sciences that appertained to such his dignity, and also a great preferrour and daily chearisher of those in whom he espied any towardness in learning and qualities. this reverend Father by virtue of commission from our sovereign queen hyr majesty, didde cause to be diligently gathered many books of antiquity, which through default of heed taking, when the religious houses of the Popish were suppressed, their Libraries were almost utterly spoyled, to the great hurt and hindraunce of learning. Among whose books remained, although the most parte according to the time, yet some worthy the view and safe keeping, gathered within four yeares, of divinity, astronomy, history, physic, and others of sundry Artes and Sciences( as I can truly avouch, having his Graces commission whereunto his hand is yet to be seen) six thousand seven hundred books, by my only travail, whereof choice being taken, he most gratiouslye bestowed many on Corpus Christi college in Cambridge. I was not the only man in this business, but others also did their good wills. this alone was a rare work, beside many other his good deeds, God fortify those that are living, to be no less careful for the preservation of learning. A wonderful appearance in the air of armed men, over the city of Posen in Polonia, the first day of Ianuarie, about one of the clock at night began an Earthquake, which greatly amazed the people, but first appeared a great cloud like unto an high tower, the which cloud did divide asunder in the midst, in the which appeared an Angel in a white vesture, having in one hand a sword, in the other a rod, and cried with a loud voice, two times, Wo, wo, and therewith vanished away. After this appeared an army, with a white Eagle over them, and over against another army, over whom hovered a black Eagle, these two armies hasting together made a great shouting, pushing, hewing and striking, even as if it had been indeed vpon the Earth. The army with the black Eagle got the victory and overthrew him under feet, in so much that the very drops of blood seemed to fall upon the Earth in the said conflict. The people that beheld the same, were terrified in such sort, that many women with child fell in travail, and sundry faint hearted men dyed presently. The fifteenth of november great fiery impressions appeared in the Elemen as well over England as flanders. A number of flies in Seuerne by Tewkesburie, and byttels came swarming down the river, that for four dayes the mill dams were stopped by the wonderful heaps of those flies: this happened in february. The xij. day of november an vggly monster was born at Arnheim a Town in Gelderland, whose father being a common blasphemer of God, and a drunkard, in the time of his wives being with child( who sought by means to withdraw hir husband from his evil custom) did curse and wish that she might bear the devil, the woman very unadvisedly said, I would I might bear a divell, so should I once be rid of this wo and misery, &c. not long after she brought forth, a wonderful Monster. As soon as the neighbours and Midwife were come, shée began for very great pains to cry out fearfully,& not long after was delivered, but suddenly the Monster ran under the bed. The proportion of his body and lims was as followeth, being seen of many both men and women: a rough body hairy and black, except his belly which was like a swan, the two feet like bullocks, clawed, his eyes shined like fire and were very great, he had a mouth like to a stork or Crane, black, a tail like an ox, two bending horns on his head, in stead of hands claws like a hawk. After this hideous Monster was thus seen, to the great fear of many, among them it was smothered to death between two beds. In London there was shewed a wonderful work of God, upon a blasphemous cursing woman in Woodstreete, that came to buy towe, who did forswear that she had paid for it, taking God to witness,& was for such hir falsehood strike with sudden pangs of death, that she most miserable dyed. upon the Mountaines of Chartrousse the last day of October, in the element a strange figure appeared, showing itself three several times: In the body very like to a man, and as it seemed headed like a boar, feet and hands like to an Eagle. At every time the said monstrous shape stayed half an hour, the said sight was espied by diverse of the nobility of France. Among many great voices this was heard, He that made me shortly shall destroy me. covetousness will pluck me up by the roots. The people ill in learning, seeketh and will bring to pass in short time, my ruin fully and vnuiolably: after which words he vanished away. In this present year, in the month of february, The Bascha of Ofen didde send to the Begerlebek unto Temeswar( a city of hungary situated near to the mountaines of Transyluia, otherwise called Sibenburgen, by the river Thames) a thousand four hundred Centners of gunpowder, to furnish the Vaynode of Sibenburgen doubtelesse to the intent of the great undoing and destruction of the Christians: but by God his marvelous providence, the said powder, without mannes knowledge howe, became on fire, and the said town, castle, men, and all that was therein were violently torn and rent in pieces: moreover the huge roaring of the powders force in the air, by the sudden casting up of Towers, Houses, Horssemen and all whatsoever greatly amazed the habitauntes or near dwellers there about, who hasting thither, found a marvelous gulf of water, where the city stood, and of such a marvelous déepenesse, that passeth common report. The sum of the powder so suddenly set on fire, was said to be eight and fifty lasts, and eight hundreth weight, for every Centnere containeth a hundreth wayghte, which is a Firkine, and four and twenty Firkines makes a last. this town and castle of Tamesware, stood about eight Dutche miles northerly from the city Taurunum, called in high Dutch Grieckish Weysenburge, where the notable river Sanus falleth into Danubius, one the Southeside of it. The spoil of antwerp by the Duke of Alua for their pride and hoped security, is left for others to beware, and at large to be red in a book Printed 1576. with a Prodigious Picture of all the Nobles of flanders pitiouslye spoyled by a cruel tyrant, under whose feet they lie dismembered, this Picture was for a while set up in the new made castle at antwerp, and after was defaced. At Tawnton a town in Somersetshire, the ninth day of november, was born a man child with one head, unto which was joined from the Nauil downward, two bodies, that is, four buttocks thighs and legs. On the seauentéenth day of march being Midlent Sondaye. The inhabitants of the town called the cross in Cheshire not far from norwich being at the hearing of Gods divine service between the houres of ten and eleven of the clock in the forenoon of the same day, there arose a mighty great wind not continuing the space of half an hour before it was noised in the church that the town was on fire. The terroure of which tidings so amazed the people, that notwithstanding their great endeavours to save their goods, as houses yet there was burned 40 with kitchens, barns and Stables, into Ashes: There was seen a fyerye flamme, in quantity a yard every way, where it touched houses it presently consumed them, and also their goods whatsoever, &c. read more in the book entitled the declaration of the lamentable loss. &c. richard Perine. In june was seen in London a mere having a colt, brought from the Parrishe of Emley, in the county of Worcester the twentieth day of june, the mere being two and twenty yeares old foled such a colt, as forthwith gave milk, which after my coming to London, I saw the same. The euente is referred to GOD, who as it appeareth by the discourse of a covetous Woman name Mistris Dauson, which went about to take away the house of the poor man, who in the right thereof spent almost all that he had, and being out of hope to recover the goods that he had spent, this abundance of milk continually flowing from the colt, was for the time a great cherishing of the said poor man. A strange and terrible wonder happened in the parrishe church of Bongay, a town not far from norwich in a great Tempest of violent rain, lightning and Thunder, the like hath seldom been seen. On Sundaye the fourth day of August, this Tempest began at Blythborow, and there a black dog suddenly seen in the church, slue a man and a boy, and scorched other on the skin, with a sulphurous stench, and breaking the church window suddenly setteled at Bongaye, not far distant, where in the shape of a black Dog also, he gripped a man that he was suddenly drawn together, and shrunk up as it were a piece of leather scorched in a hote fire, the man although he was in so strange a case dyed not, but supposed to recover his life, though not limbs, great marks remained in the church door like rasinges, with many other harms. The Copy written to the Printer by Abraham Fleming. This season a sharp skirmish was fought in flanders between the States and Don John Duke of Austria. The 27 of march in the North, at the town called patrick Brumton nere to Richemonde, began a violent wind, that overthrew cottages, trees, barns, and Haistackes, the steeple of the Church riven from the top to the battlementes, and shortly fell to the ground, the fall whereof spoyled a great parte of the church, three belles which hung in the Steeple were cast out into the churchyard, and neither of them broken: the lightninges were also very grievous, with many daungerous flashings, and overthrowing of hedges, consuming all kind of grain in their barns to the great hindrance of many. The sequel: The town of Naas in the county of Kildare was very much spoyled with fire by the wild irish, and also diuers of the inhabitants was slain. This same year the fourth, fifth, and sixth day of January was the assizes holden at oxford, where was arraigned and condemned Rowland Ienkins Bookebinder of oxford for his seditious tongue: this lenkins being there araygned, there came a great number to hear his cause tried( for that he was said to be known of many for a very wicked enemy to the gospel) and so soon as iudgement proceeded against him, This sudden plague foreshowed Gods heavy displeasure, for delaying punishment ●n such wilful papists. there arose amidste the people such a damp or mist, that so filled their heads, as many seemed to be smoldered, very few escaped that were not taken at that instant. The Iuroures dyed, presently the lord Baron sickened there, name sir Roger Beli master Weineman, Sir William Babington Iustice of the Shire, master sergeant Baram iustice of the assize, master Doile high sheriff, master Hart under sheriff, with diuers others: for there died in oxford three hundred persons, that sickened there, and there dyed in other places two hundred and odd persons, so that the whole number that died from the sixte day of January to the twelfth day of August was five hundred and ten persons, many of these bled till they died. By the means of this so sudden a plague, and at such a place, as also of those manner of personnes, sunderye mindes conjectured diuers ways, but howsoever, when the lord pleaseth, things more strange do come to pass. One John fox an Englishe man of Woodbridge in suffolk, sailor, by the force of turkish Gallies taken at Sea, and carried prisoner to Alexandria, a city of the Turkes, where he and others remained prisoners ●4 yeres, was by a skilful policy delivered( being the chief author thereof himself) to the free discharge of 266, captives from the bondage, they slue their kéepers, they manned a galley, and so ventured the Seas from their enemies, that in short time every man went unto his own country, as appeareth by sufficient testimony more at large in the book tituled a Discourse of the delivery of two hundred three score and six Christians from under the turkish tyranny. Printed in Anno. 157●. This year was the discovery of Mexico in the west India, and of the great city China. The tenth day of february in the country of Swaben about eight persons being Citizens, and Citizens sons, whose names were these that follow, jacob Hermans, Adam Giebens, John Keyfell, George Kempell, Peter Hersdorf, Hermon Fron simon Hendrikes, John Wagenar, being wickedly disposed, did resort to the house of a taverner, whose name was Antonye Hage, upon a Sondaye morning, where they drinking themselves drunken, began to blaspheme GOD, and to scoff at the host of the house that seemed to warn them from their drunkenness and persuaded them to go to the church to hear the preaching, at which they not only continued mocking, but also exceeding in their drunkenness, suddenly came in among them, in the likeness of a companion the divell, who drinking to them set all their mouths in such a fire, that these drunkards became not only amazed thereat, but also were after a lamentable sort strangled to death. In Piemount the tenth of Ianuarie 1578. in the Town of Chierie was born a hideous monster the length of a mans arm from the middle, all of dark green colour except the right leg that was of red colour, behind the head hung down a long piece of flesh to the buttocks like a bag, about his neck the fashion of a Friers cowl, on the head five horns, each somewhat longer than four fingers, the legs standing the contrary way with the knees backward, the hands and feet as claws, this was born of parentes well thought of, the Father a doctor, &c. Whether this Monster foreshowed the monstrous preparation on the Popes behalf then begon by the King of spain, as a prepared conquest of some country, the k●●●s being backward, turned all their secret mischief against the Lord and his anointed to folly, Veritas non querit angulos. The first of August being Lammas day, the skirmish between the States of flanders and Don John of Austria there issued forth of Lorain four thousand Horsemen spaniards, and seven thousand footmen, the States through the help of Englishmen had the better, the spaniards for that time put to flight. In Italy at a country town called Alfac in the dukedom of Ferrara, ther was dwelling a maid name Ida, about the age of 77 yeares, never suspected by the inhabitants for any stain or dishonestye, she was at this age married to one George, of the age of 60. yeres. Being married about 12. moneths, shée was found with child to the great admiration of many: at the last shée was delivered of a man child, having three arms, three legs and very terrible to behold, he had three faces, as it were in one head, and in the one of his hands a bloody cross: In the night time there was a shining light about the child, and about his head a bloody sun and a half moon. There resorted to see this strange child a very great multitude, among which pressed a blind maid of the a●●●f fifteen yeres, that was born blind, who by the touching of this said monster was presently healed, and had her perfect sight: and another that was born dumb, at the sight of the child was restored to his speech. Some said it was an illusion of the devill: Some said it was done by sorcery or witchcraft. The child at the last opened his mouth, and said: You vnbeleeuers great plagues shall fall on you all, O wo that you received life: he said moreover that in the year one thousand five hundred eighty and eight the world shall stand in so extreme a state, that the people which live in those dayes shall tremble and quake for fear, and having ended these words he departed and spewed forth flames of fire, in so much that the standards by were hurt and scorched therewith, whereupon ensued such a pestilence, that in three dayes there died 8. of the beholders: they carrying the Child to the burial, it suddenly vanished from them, no man knew which way. This child was born the 17 day of Ianuarie. The king of portugal being of lusty young courage, If thievery be odious an il●ssion is p●stiferous, let every man be content with that he hath. and about 23 yeares of age, levied an army to the number of 40. thousand in all: with this power, and in his own person, accompanied with a great number of nobility, he departed out of his country the fourteenth day of july towards Barbary to Fanos where he met with the black king. Thus Marching forwards, he arrived before Alcasar Kiber: but meeting together with 70. thousand horsemen, and 40000 footmen, whereof 0 thousand were horsemen shot, and ten thousand footmen gunners, besides others, the fourth day of August Maluca with his Mores overcame the young king with all his power, so that scarce one hundred escaped alive, as also the chief nobility of portugal slain, this event followed the blazing Comet or star. The three Wels at Newnam Regis in the county of warwick were found out in the whitsun week, by one Clement daws that was sore hurt with a hatchet on the arm, he going to one of the springs washed his hurt arm, and was in few dayes perfectly whole, sithence which time many haue resorted to the said wels,& haue been recovered, one especial effect is that the water doth turn wood into ston. A strange child born in Manchester one tewseday being the fourth day of August, without a head, and the belly open, so that the bowels might be seen. This year the Irish, troubled the English in Ireland, with some murder. There is also a prodigious rehearsal of a Monster born at Angiers in france, brought forth by a whore, with seven heads, eared like a dog, footed like a toad, it was reported that a voice was heard very loud which said: I haue before hand song these songs covertly, but the effect being come, shall open the same clearly, whipped with the divine whip, not willing it, to provide best in that behalf, shall be least sorrowful therefore, wherefore I say that these words do signify the wrath of God, and that none hath faith in him, Many haue seemed to scan this matter, take heed it be not a deep illusion of the devill, but yet be warned. Of two Children born in Dutchelande in the city of Lutsolof, the first day of july. The one chyldes head was copped like a bishops mytre, the rest of the body in good proportion, saving where the hands should be, grew forth of the right arm the shape of a sword, and forth of the left hand the form of a rod, of blackishe colour, it lived the space of three dayes,& most wonderfully spake as followeth: Be the warres of men not yet done? make peace, make peace in all countreyes, for the lord will come and punish the earth with sword and rod, as my hands do represent. And also the child said: amend you in all countreyes, for there will such a mortality come, yea such a sudden death, that one shal say unto an other, oh brother where haue you been that you are not yet dead? The second child had two heads on one perfect body, the one head swarte coloured, the other natural. This other child lived also three dayes, it did continually cry: the Father of these children had to name Baltus Maler, and the mother Katherine, forty yeares of age. A sudden plague fell among the people, whereof very many dyed near there about. In August the eleventh day the Town of Polatzko was taken, a hold in Mesco, by the borders of Letto, by the king of Polonia, who dealt well with the captives. At Gaunt in the lower Germany toward the end of August there was a sudden tempest of lightning and thunder, in the which was seen a horrible Dragon flying with many ravens that had long tails, they didde bear away and tear asunder much linen cloth, which the inhabitants having laid forth to whiteing, some was so knit together, that hardelye it could be loosed again: and also a maid, a cow, with tubbes, and such like trumpery was so carried away, that they were never seen after. The first battayling of the Malecontentes against the catholics and the Protestantes. The fift of Ianuarie in the parish of Eglisham at Aberwick in the county of northumberland was born a monstrous child having two heads, and two ears like a horse, joined together in the hinder parte of the two faces, a double body, that is two joined in one, two arms, two legs. The Fathers name John urine a lewd minstrel or Idle vagabond, the child was born dead: The event, a warning to a wicked Father of amendemente, of Subiectes for doubling with religion, of Officers for dissembling the lawe and iustice, to Princes, that they beware while they profess the gospel, they yet suffer false religion, which causeth the subject to be wavering minded, and doubting in whom he shall believe, the Officer and Magistrate not respecting which end go forward, so they live. Thus taking hold by hypocrisy, the King and the Commons are in great misery, the King is flattered, the poor are oppressed, and the nobility deceived without foresighte, in time the King shall answer for the truth, the Commons for their obedience, and the Nobility for Clergies mayntaynaunce. The ●5. day of Ianuarie about 9 of the clock in the afternoon, a great and horrible Tempest arose, over the city of prague in Bohemia, first a violent wind that blew the Tiles so fast from the houses, that few durst come forth of their doors: There was blown down three Stéeples of Churches, Saint Barbara, Saint Peter▪ and of our Lady, the falling whereof broke down ninetéene houses, and slue six persons: the air was very dark, which once cleared, the people began to look abroad. In the evening about five of the clock it thundered and hailed very fiercelye, some of the hail weighed three quarters of a pound, the rest less, presently followed an earthquake of half an hour, after the which a clear brightness, as if it had been day: At twelve of the clock at night appeared a black cloud, forth of the which was seen two arms and hands, in the right hand as it had been a sword, and in the left hand a boule of blood poured out after this appeared a piece of corn ground ready to be reaped, and a cycle lying by, from whence was heard a voice, Wo, wo, to the earth, and to the inhabitants thereof, for he cometh that is to come, and all people shall see him at the hearing of these words the people made a grievous cry, and many women through fear, fell in travail of Children, among the which there was in the same city, the town clerks wife called Margaret, of the age of fifty and nine yeares, who for the space of 25 weeks for want of bodily health, sought the skill of physicians, notwithstanding she could not be eased of her grief, but fel in labour of child, and brought forth three several children, having all teeth, as if they had been three year of age, which said children lived but twenty and four hours. The 6 day of april, being Wednesday, about 6 of the clock in the afternoon was felt a sudden earthquake, which lasted not the full of half a minute, for the which thanked be God: through vehement shaking it might haue sunk, and utterly perished the inhabitants as well young as old: this earthquake shooke the most places of holland, Zelande, and england. The sixte day of april about five of the clock in the afternoon at which time the dreadful earthquake was felt generally in england, in like case it happened over al Flaunde●s. In the evening following over the town of antwerp& Gelderland there was seen in the Element a fearful sign of a huge and great army well furnished, standing in battle ray bent to the onset, immediately after about ten of the clock a burning light appeared in the air from the north, continuing a long season, as if the element should haue been consumed, whereat the people marvelously amazed, submitted themselves unto God. In Gelderlande was seen in the Element two men in bright armor addressed forward the one against the other with swords& targets, on the one side a great Eagle, and on the other a lion mounted, on the foreféete a fiery gleaming light, either of these seemed to set the one against the other. After this there appeared a company of armed men eagerly assaying each other, so that it also appeared, both armies vanquished, so that not one escaped alive. In may about the eightéenth day, was seen between Bodman and Foye in Cornewale in the air a foggy or thick mist out of the which appeared a Castle with flags and Streamers, standing in the Sea: this vanished suddenly away. near unto the same place appeared an Argusey with her whole tackling, and hir sails full with the wind, made her way on the southside of the castle, trimmed also with pendents, banners and flags. After this an other Argusey and three or four smaller Vessels long like Gallies, all in warlike sort: then there appeared small clouds to the number of twelve, which were turned into castles, and so following in a row vanished away, yet others appeared in their place after an hour and more. Among many rehearsals of Gods almighty workinges for warning us, by the which we are admonished to take heed of vowing solemnly to God. Be it known that nere the age of one and twenty yeres, myself, was miraculouslye preserved from drowning, in the which extremity I felt my conscience touched with my former vow promised, and seized not until I had performed the same unto God, whose gracious furtherance wrought spéedilye the effect: since which time I calling upon the lord in other troubles, I find his accustomend hearing by my deliverance. Not long after at Leedes in Kent where I then dwelled, a glowing light, like unto a quick coal appeared at my beds feet, at the sudden sight whereof I was as well in doubt as afraid, taking view thereof twice or thrice, to the end I would not be deceived of that appearance, and desiring Gods assistance from evils, it vanished away. Shortly after I was in present danger to haue been slain in the house of him whom I took to be my friend, laying to my charge such matter as I was innocent of, being only his surmise, which afterward was confessed by himself: he then was in wealth, but howe he dyed, if his name were known, it would be soon espied. The Lo d● is on my side, Psal 118. I will not fear what man doth unto me, the lord taketh my part with them that help me, therefore shall I see my desire vpon mine enemies: Not many yeres after it happened me to fall into the 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 partly his old malice died, I trust penitent: an other being stroocken in a dropsy confessed with tears his attempted wrongs, and died, I trust a good Christian: the third desired forgiveness, and said that he never had just occasion against me, but only affection.( from which God deliver all Christians) There happened to me in Kent also, a sudden fire on the house wherein I then dwelled, so that the house was consumed to the ground, whether because before that time I greatly reproved Witcherye of those that then were suspected, or for my secret sins against God, from the which no flesh is clear, Psal. ●●. I appeal before the throne of thy most magni●●cent grace, saying with the prophet david: Who can tell howe oft he offendeth: O cleanse me from my secret faults. two other whom I name not, for reproving them of their manifest whoredom, it is well known, that if grace to repent be as far from them, as that wealth they once possessed, they can not die without shane in the world, and vengeance of God. Also after the howling of dogges, crowing of hens, and such like trumpery in Anno, 1580. the two and twentieth day of May, then newly recovered of a continuing sickness, the lord delivered me from a fraternal danger, desperately attempted, after the which I fell into a pining sickness, and hardly escaped, in the which time of sickness an other secretly sought mine undoing, whose enterprise had the same effect, that his suit deserved. Thus being perplexed on every side, as a plague to renew my sorrows, one whom of charity I entertained, robbed me of my goods and fled, I pray God he fly hereafter as fast from sin. To conclude, a shameless Epicure drowned in wilful boldness, hath done his parte by shameful slanderous words, for that I reproved him of whoredom, pretended fornication, suspected theft, approved lying,& oppression, whom God cleanse from so many devils if it be his will, or otherwise, grant me patience to suffer in the truth: whereunto I say, The Lord hath chastened and corrected me: but he hath not given me over unto death, for when, and as often as I had occasion, in the midst of my preaching to the congregation, al the while I was so occupied, I never felt any sickness, a manifest token of Gods assistance, who aid me ever in true obedience, and brotherly charity to God, to my Prince, and to my country. On Thurseday in the morning about six of the clock the eight and twentieth of july, a sudden tempest fell over Kennington by Lambeth. where in a pasture ground joining on the high way, were strike dead by the said tempest, two geldings, their hair sindged or half burned, their bodies swollen and stiff, and four elm trees razed on the sides as if the rind of the trees had been torn with hooks: the tempest I heard, and the horses I saw. Mackline in flanders was taken of the Protestantes, but covetousness holdeth nothing long. The thirteenth day of june, about six of the clock in the morning at Shipweth within Bother Barony in northumberland, fell a strange hail, with lightning and thunder, in likeness of sword, Crosses, Mattocks, dead mens heads, and toads: although this report may seem doubtful, as it chanced without hurt, so may all pretended evils be prevented before harm. In Kent the Earthquake was felt twice. Vpon Brodwels down in Somersetshire were seen men first in black, and after in armour, that after thrice appearing vanished away. Also chickens hatched, did presently crow in Wiltshire. And a Gosling with four legs. Many other things there are spoken of which I omit for want of sufficient testimony. As the black cock that crowed in a womans lap at bristol. hounds in the air barking at Blonsdon in Wiltshire, with many other: Not that I think them untrue, because such like hath heretofore happened, but they are too slenderly printed, and without some one especial Author. ●580 The seauentéenth of june in yorkshire in Blonsdon Parrishe, there dwelled a rich Gentleman, unto whom came a poor man( as he passed by) that asked relief, but he gave him in stead of reward sharp& threatening words. The morrow after fel a great thunder and lightning continuing two houres, then followed a darkness, which also lasted one hour and a half, at the which the people were in great fear: In a very short season, followed thunder and lightning, so vehement, that the people became more fearful: in all which tempest there was no great hurt, only the same rich covetous Gentlemans barn was consumed with the corn to the ground, the rest of other mens buildings vnhurte. The same day of the tempest, was delivered an aged woman, who had to name Alice Perin of the yeres of 80. being the day before in great pain, of a strange monster: whose head was like to a salad or head piece, the face somewhat formal, onely the mouth long as a Rat, the fore parte of the body like unto a man, having eight legs, and the one not like the other, a tail in length half a yard, like to the tail of a Rat. A strange sickness followed, termed a Gentle warning, for that it was as a vehement ague, for the time fiery hot: And many bled both forth of the stomach and nose, yet God be thanked few dyed thereof: the Author of the monster: Thomas Nicholas. This year a great and assured hope of the Popish religion was looked for, as appeareth by dishonest libels, set on posts against the Professors of the gospel. Their practise against the nobility, their begging of benefice at Rome of the Pope, to their hoped displacing of godly Preachers in england: their assembly in ireland( whereof were executed by the Lord Gray, ●06. persons rebelles, and seauentéene hanged, a few reserved) their crafty challenge to dispute, onely open appearance was absent. These locusts swarmed abroad& seduced some, and the brood of the same crew assuredly hoping their day of victory, gaped for the blood of Abel, to possess the wealth of cain, as appeareth by their banner or chief ensign, Pro Christo& Ecclesia, da mihi virtutem contra hostes tuos: The enemy of christians supposeth himself the friend of christ, forgetting, that whosoever despiseth the truth, which is the Gospel, despiseth christ the ordayner thereof. The eightéenth of Ianuarie . 15●0. The Englishe Copy is 1581 so reckoned of the germans, who begon their year the day of the Lords nativity, At a marriage feast solemnized at Rostorfe, a mile from the Town of Melwing in Germany, between one james Crauisen an honest townsman,& Margaret Henslers, &c. There happened a strange wonder béetwéene the sister of the bridegroom, the daughter of a husbandman, of the age of fourtéen yeares,& the daughter of hir brothers master, who had to name Anne, daughter to George Vauramites Gentleman. This young Gentlewoman disdaining that the poor mans daughter did wear a silk vpper body on hir petticoat, fel into diuers scornings at hir attiring, saying, can thy father cloth thee thus, and seem so poor? she answered my brother bestowed this on me, to do him honesty at his marriage: God knoweth who shall wear it out, how long I shall owe it, and when I shall put it on again. And although we be poor in goods, I trust God will make us rich in spirit. The young Gentlewoman boasted of hir jewels and friends, so long, till the daughter of Simon Franiken took hir leave. The third day after both these young Damsels fel sick and dyed: The young Gentlewomans apparel so stuncke of sulphur, and became so detestable in stink, that they caused the chamber to be walled in, so that none might come to thē any way. The other, having been laid forth for dead 22. hours, hir mother coming to take hir last farewell of hir daughter, earnestly beholding hir, the dansel by little& little revived, hir colour waxed read,& hir countenance chéereful, and she spake to hir mother as followeth: My most déere mother, why haue you sinned so sore against God? you haue made me sorrowful many times, but be you content, God hath forgiven all, for I am sent as a messenger to you, and within 5. dayes I shal return again. There were present the Minister of the place, and other honest persons, unto whom she said, I shal return to the place I come from, where I shal live in al peace, but there are dangerous times at hand, and great punishments, and so departed this life: the rest I omit that the printed copy hath, referring the credite unto the well disposed, for that I know the greater parte will scarce believe that that they see: the chief Author Eiriat Schilichtenberger, being superintendant of Melwing. In Huntingtonshire at Fennestanton the three& twentieth of September, a strange monster was born. The tenth of October appeared a blazing star out of the South, bushing toward the East, which was nightly seen diminishing of his brightness, until the one and twentieth of the same month. There followed some business about the heresy of the Family of love. A Proclamation against them and their heresy in print sufficiently confuted: notwithstanding a few words of the opinion that some of them haue of Christofer victual their Serapion Dog, or one of the whelps of Pluto, that his blood was mingled with Christes blood: and other some faide, that he was better than Christ. I haue twice reproved this Simon Magus as appeareth, for the which he was not ashamed to call me blasphemous Bateman: but whether this be blasphemy from the mouth of his well willers, let all Christians judge, if with Iudas he be not paste recovery. The lord God of heaven and earth either convert him, or rid the common wealth of him, for he daily doth great harm. There are diuers that in outward face seemed to be Christian subiects, who by no means may here C. V. gaine-saide, neither is the number few that is infected with this heresy. These are referred to the last yeares acts. In february the first day, at Chichester in the county of Sussex was born in the suburbs a monstrous child of liltle shape of body, trussed together, the head very great, bigger than the body, the body in compass 9. inches, the arm an inch long, and two inches about the face, of indifferent favour, on the cheek and chin the likeness of a black beard, the legs wanted thighs, the toes crooked. The mother of this misshapen child an adulteress name Annis fig. Veritatis simplex Oratio. THe universal and eternal God, defend this realm of england from al such calamities as the like prodigies in other Countreys forshewed, and give such grace of amendmente by these and other merciful forewarning, that every one amending by the other, these foresightes may turn to the overthrow of all conspiracies, and to the comfort of all true hearted Christians, for the Gospels furtherance, the queens majesties continuance, the unity of nobility, and the commons prosperity, to the which O everlasting God grant in Iesus christ, with the holy Ghost, assistance now and ever. Special notes of examples, and first of punished perjury. WHen one at Sygnia had forsworn himself for certain mines in the town of Schueberg, they said that the vault roof of the Senate house or Guild hall did cleave as it is now to be seen, and afterward no mettall was found in the mines: and I hear that cost is bestowed in vain vpon the repairing of those mines, Manlius. Antonius the fellow of Augustus the emperor was a mighty lord, he possessed Asia, Greece, and egypt, he had almost as much as the Emperour of turkey: And yet by reason of his everich covetousness, he was not content with that riches, so that he moved unnecessary warres, and when they took no good success, he slew himself. When Bulgarus demanded a covetous Prince, by what means he lost his riches: he answered by covetousness and drunkenness: so we also overthrow ourselves with covetousness and drunkenness, neither haue we greatness of mines, nor money. flanders. I knew, saith Manlius, two Canons very filthy covetous men, one of them left behind him 30000 gilders, he had the gout, and was so miserable covetous, that if at any time he would assuage the great pains which he suffered by his diseaze, he commanded a basin full of gold Gilders to be brought him, in which he thrust his hands, and therewithal delighted himself, in the exceeding great pains and torments of his body. And when he dyed, he made the Bishop of Treuere and another prince his heires, which gave the Canons poor kinsman but 3000. gilders, and the rest they partend among themselves: so the filthy wretch did well bestow his niggardnesse, and left his substance to others that were more wealthy, which he had spared through filthy avarice. The other being as miserable. read Manlius. The Pope doth make great gain by religion, Emperours and Kings do coin their money of gold and silver, but the Pope doth coin his money of all creatures, of pardons, ceremonies, Masses, Sacraments, meats, penance, keys, and many such like, but of baptism alone he could make no merchandise, because infants are born naked and poor, and therefore they haue nothing to set to sale. A comfort against the divels temptations. WHen at Friburge in Misnia, a very godly and reverend old man lay sick of a grievous disease, and was now at the point of death, vpon a time he being left alone, the devil came to him, attired like a bishop, and greatly vexed the miserable old man that was even in the agony of death, going about to compel him by force to tell him all the faults that he had committed in his whole life: For the devil having Paper and ink, would haue written them all: but when the godly man had a long time earnestly withstood him with the holy Scriptures, and was not persuaded, and that the divell did vehemently urge that narration, at length the good old man said: forasmuch therefore as thou wilt haue me to do this, to tell thee mine offences one after an other, writ then, and begin after this sort, seemen mulieris conteret caput serpentis, that is, The seed of the woman shall break the Serpents head: the divell hearing this, cast down his paper and ink, and leaving a great stink behind him, fled away, and that godly old man a little after dyed quietly, in a good confession, Manlius. The saying of Capnio concerning the alteration of governments. QVando duplicantur lateres, tunc venit Moyses, that is, When the bricks be doubled then cometh Moyses: when burdens be over grievous, then Empires be changed, and punishments come. When the alteration of the Empires doth happen. QVando numeri degenerant in sonos: that is to say, When numbers or measures do grow out of kind into sounds: that is to say, When virtue is extinguished, then also the Magistrates and people do fail, as it came to pass under Henry the fourth, when the empire of Germany was overthrown. A good Example against wicked Blasphemers, of what estate soever they be. AT Stondon a little village 20. miles from London, not far from the high way to Cambridge, where for a time the writer hereof did abide, avoiding the great plague that then was in London and also in Cambridge, a Gentleman that was name master Barington, whose wife was afterward married in Cambridge to one master Carington, and of her also he( the author of this prodigy) heard the same: the said Gentleman Barington, was a great swearer, and did customablye use great oaths, specially by the blood of our lord, and vpon a sunday or else a festival holy day, he went forth on hunting or hawking, and nothing spéeding after his mind, he came unto an alehouse, at a thorough faire called Puckrych, 5. miles from Ware, in the high way to Cambridge, the one side of the which thoroughfare was in the said parish of Stondon, where the Gentleman was, and called for drink, and anon he began to swear after his unhappy custom, saying, by Gods blood this day is unhappy,& within a while after in swearing so, he bled at the nose and therewith more and more vexed, he began to rail and blaspheme the name of God, in swearing passion, wounds, flesh, nails, blood and body, till at the last he fell farther to bleed at the ears, at the eyes, at his wrists, the joints of his hands, and of al his body, at the Nauil and fundament, in marvelous great quantity and streams of blood, loathsomelye blearing out his tongue in a fearful manner as black as pitch, so that no person durst come nere him: this continued till the divell and death had made an end of him: on the morrow they laid thē body on a cart, carrying it to Stondon: the body bleeding after a strange sort, was buried in the high way. A manifest token of Gods heavy displeasure against swearers and abusers of the sabbath. In the island of Iseland there are 3. very high mountains, the tops of which are very white with snow,& from the top toward the foot issueth fire, the first which lieth towards the west is called Heccla, the other Mons Crisis, the third Helga▪ that is, holy, &c. When Hecla rageth, he maketh a noise like horrible thunder, he casteth out huge stones, he vomiteth out brimstone, he doth cover the earth al about so far with the ashes that he avoideth, that it cannot be inhabited for the space of 20. mile. They which desire to search out the nature of so great a burning,& for the cause come nere the burning, some one hole vpon the sudden swalloweth them alive, for there are many so covered with ashes that no man can sufficiently beware of them,& also thereby fire issueth out, which doth consume water, but it doth not burn flax: that place of some is thought to be the prison of unclean souls, for the Ice being sundered and cast into many small pieces, doth for eight months fleet about the island, and dashing against the Sea shore in great heaps, doth with his rubbing against the rocks make a horrible sound, representing a miserable wailing and howling of mans voice, which maketh the ignorant sort believe, that the souls of men are there tormented with cold. There are found Spirites showing themselves manifest to do mens work, but especially the likeness of such as be drowned or slain by some other violent chance, do meet with many of their acquaintance so manyfestlye, that by giuing them their hand, they be embraced of those that knew not their death, as if they were living, neither is the error perceived before the sight vanish away: they being demanded of their acquaintance and friends touching their going home, they say with great wailing that they go to mount Heccla, and by& by they vanish away. At Frankeforde by Odera there was a maid, which whatsoever she took in hyr hands, turned into silver, which she did eat. Vpon a time a piece was taken out of hyr hands and sent to the Prince and to Melancthon also, who recordeth the same by Manlius in his common places. In Italy a maiden being possessed by the devil, although she could speak no latin: yet being asked of Lazarus Bonamicus a reader in the university of Bologna which was the best verse in Virgil: which the devil knew and answered by hir. Discite justitiam moniti& non temnite divos. that is: learn iustice when you warned are, and not the Gods despise. Not many yeares before was the like woman in the dukedom of Luneburge, ignorant of the latin and greek tongue: yet being possessed by the devil, she could speak perfectly the latin and greek tongue. Manlius Folio. 40. Not many yeres paste in Bohemia, a ghost appeared to one that was a sleep, and said: arise and go with me: he being not afraid boldly answered: I will not go with thee. The second night he returned, and so also the third, saying: arise let us go, he answered I will not. Then said the Ghost, unless thou arise, thou shalt repent it: he being afraid of himself arose. he lead him into a plain and open field,& when he was there, the ghost asked him, what seest thou? he answered, I see on the one side a great army as it were of Turkes: what seest thou more? on the other side a small number as it were of Christians ready to fight: and what besides? I see the victory to be on the Christians side. Then said the ghost: These things shall shortly so come to pass as thou hast seen, and so he vanished away. Manlius Fol. 32. certain learned men in the counsel of Basil, where almost al the best learned and excellentest men being at that time were assembled for recreation sake, went to a grove without the city, friendly to confer of the controversies of that time: as they were going they heard by chance a little bird singing most sweetly in manner of a Nightingale: at the first they marveled at the sweetness of his voice, and they knew not what birds song it was, being not able to discern it from the song of other birds: And going near the grove, they came to the tree where sate a little bird, they determined with a common consent to go unto hyr. Then one that seemed stouter than the rest, spake to the bird with these words: I adjure thee in the name of Iesus christ to tell us what thou arte? He made answer that he was a damned soul, and appointed to be there until the latter day, and then to suffer everlasting punishment, and that there was no deliverance for him. When they had thus said, he flew from the tree, crying out in the Dutch tongue: O ewig o ewig wit ist das ein lange zeit, that is: O how long and unmeasurable is everlastingness. I judge it was a devil abiding in that place. All they that were present at that conjuration, fel sore sick and not long after dyed. Fol. 33. Examples howe God wonderfully defended his children by Angels. Of a Boy at Cygnea a city in germany. MElancthon reported that he knew of a surety by a substantial and credible person, that in a village near to the city of Cignea a certain woman commanded hir son to fetch home the cattle that were feeding by a woods side, and when the Boy had stayed somewhat too long, there fell a great snow that covered all the hills thereabouts, night drew on, neither could the boy pass those hills: the day following the parentes being no more careful for their cattle, but for the life of their son, looked for his coming, neither could they by reason of the depth of the snow pass those hills to seek their son. The third day they going forth to seek their boy, they found him sitting in an open place of the wood, where there was no snow, who smiled vpon his parentes as they came: and the boy being asked why he returned not home, answered that he looked when it should be night, not knowing that a day was already past, neither had he felt any annoy or Tempest of the snow. And when he was further asked whether he had eaten any thing? he answered, that there came a man unto him who gave him bread and cheese. So doubtless this boy was saved by Angels in the middle of Winter, and without doubt that man was an angel that gave the boy bread and cheese. Manlius Folio. 17. Of Grineus. WHen Melancthon with others was on a time at Spires, Faber preached, and spake many shameful things touching transubstantiation& the worshipping of the consecrated bread. Which when Grineus had heard, he came to him when his Sermon was done, and said that for as much as he had heard his Sermon concerning the Sacrament, he was desirous to speak with him privately about that matter, which when Faber heard, he answered with courteous words and friendly countenance, that this day was of him most desired, that he should speak with Grineus, especially concerning such matter, and bid him home to his house. The next day after Grineus suspecting no thing amiss went his way, who returning to them, said, that to morrow he should dispute with Faber: But in the mean time he practising to entrap Grineus, went to a noble man and opened to him the whole matter, and at length he obtained that this noble man commanded, that the Burgmaisters should cast Grineus in prison. When they had scarcely begun dinner, there came an old man to the place where they dined and sent for Melancthon to come and speak with him at the door, asking him for Grineus, whether he were within? to whom he made answer that he was, he said moreover that he was in danger, which if he would avoid he should fly forthwith, which when he told Grineus,& counseled him to flee, he did as he was willed. Melancthon, D. Cruciger, and he arose from the table, went out, their servants followed, and Grineus went in the middle. They had not passed four or five houses, but by and by the sergeants were where they lodged, seeking for Grineus and when they found him not there, they proceeded no further, being either bidden to search there onely, or not knowing them, or otherwise desirous to do no cruelty. He asked many whether they knew this man: being desirous to give him thanks for this good turn, but none could tel him of him, what he was, neither could he ever see him after, I think verily that this man was an Angel. When they had brought Grineus to the rhine▪ he took a boat and passed over in safety, Manlius Fol. 17. master Spangeberg Pastor of Northuse, going with his children to a Bathe, spent there certain houres in washing, and when he and his children were gone out of the Bathe, the ston by and by fel down. The heavenly father hath witnessed that he is careful for us, and that in deed Angels are kéepers of our children, parentes and kinsfolk, and that he doth save and keep al our substance by his ministers. Theodor Gaza had a farm in Campania, which belonging to a bnfice that Pope Nicholas gave him, when in that farm the husbandman had digged up an earthen pot, wherein were the bones of the dead, there appeared to him a Ghost, commanding him again to bury the pot wherein the bones were, adding these words, unless he butted the bones again, his son should die: for it was an old custom, not onely among the Gentiles, but also among the Iewes, that every one should be buried in their dwelling: whereby it may be conjectured, that those were the bones of the body of a Farmer dwelling in the place many yeres before, or else of him the owed that farm. When the husbandman made none account hereof, his son not long after in the night was slain, as it is possible for the divell to kill a man( namely forsaken of God:) not many dayes after the Ghost returned, showing the husbandman, that he would slay his other son, unless he laid up the bones, and buried them honestly. The Farmer warned by his former loss, seeing also his other son to fall sick, told the matter to Theodor Gaza who went with him to the farm, and in the place where the husbandman took out the earthen pot, they again made a grave& butted the pot with the bones: when the bones were put in the former place, immediately the husbandmans son recovered. This story Theodor Gaza oftentimes told many of his friends, and added this verse: Sient aliquid manes, laethum non omnia finite: That is, Spirites are somewhat, Death endeth not all things. Tritenhemius Abbot of Spaheim in Germany, was a great magician, when by chance in a iorny he came to an inn that was not well furnished, as Pirchaimerus told Manlius, some said unto him in jest, My lord Abbot, provide us a good dish of fish, he did but only knock at the window, and immediately there came one bringing a dish of boiled Pikes well dressed, folio. 38. Philip Melancthon reporteth that he heard of Christopher gross, and Sigismond Gellin, credible men, of a maiden of Bononia that was conversant among men two yeares after hir death, but when she was bid to feasts, she was seen to take but little meate. upon a time as she was dancing among other maids, there was present by chance an other magician, who said to the standards by, this pale maiden is dead, how, answered they. is she dead seeing thou seest hir go? behold said he I will show you, he going to hir, took from under hir right shoulder a charm paper, which taken away, she fell down, and remained as a corpse: that charm was put there by an other magician: so the divell carried about this body all that time, folio. 40. One attired insumptuous apparel, with a Piper and a Harper, came oftentimes to an honest mannes house at Thubera near to Rotenburg, and there danced& made good cheer, under the colour to mary the good mans daughter of the house, an honest maid. He affirmed also, that he was a Gentleman born, and that he had in far countries very many castles, farms, Parishes, and other such like, and that he wanted nothing, that a man could desire in this world, but a well mannered or honest wife. The unreasonable f●●te of the guest with his companions, disliked the good man, who denied him his daughter, which was no gentle woman, and willed him to depart: but the guest with his two companions was so troublesone to the good man, that diverse times about the evening, he returned to his brauerye, and went about to bring his purpose to pass: but at last the good man, by many conjectures smelling the guile and deceit, sent for the Minister of Gods word, of that place, to come unto him, with whom in the presence of that strange guest, he had conference of sundry places of the holy Scripture, which communication the guest and his two companions taking in ill part, said, that there were many other merry conceits, and pleasant jests, 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 holy Scripture: where unto the householder, being sufficiently strengthened, against the assaults of satan, answering, used these words unto them, depart you knaves, that lye in wait for our life,& haue nought to do with me nor mine which God hath lent me, for we haue been baptized and redeemed by the precious blood of our lord Iesus Christ, which will save and defend us, against your devilish assaults and suttleties: after he had said this, that wicked one with his companions, leaving behind him an intolerable stink and the carcases of three men that were hanged in the stove, vanished away with a great noise, so this good householder was delivered and defended, together with his family. After that Troy was destroyed, the nephew of Priamus passed over to Hellesponte and inhabited the places about the marshes Maotides, M●nster. Folio. 76. & made them a king: And when the goths provoked them many times to fight, who inhabited not far from them, and were not strong enough to resist, Marcomirus their king taking counsel with the rest of the rulers of his people was minded to leave that country; to wit Scythia, and to find out a new seat where they might be quieter. And when they had done sacrifice after the manner of the Gentiles, he was warned by a certain oracle that he should go to that place with his people, where the rhine falleth into the sea, there to attain his desired quietness: And to the end he might be more assured, there came by chance a sorceress, called Alrun● of whom he asked counsel, and she exhorted him to the same. This woman so wrought by hyr arte, that in the night there appeared to king Marcomirus a certain sight or vision with three heads, to wit, with the head of an Eagle, of a toad, and a Lion: And the Eagle said: Thy stock Marcomirus shall overcome me, and shall tread down the Lion, and shal kill the toad. In which words he signified, that in time to come his posterity should haue the soueraignlie over the french, the Romaines, and Germaynes: which came to pass as Munster recordeth. At Pisa a most ancient city of Hetruria, Munster Fol. 196. is a very goodly churchyard, environed with a wast and a close gallery, the Earth whereof is able to waste a mans body in four and twenty houres, and to turn it into itself. Earth of the like nature is said to be in a churchyard at Paris. In a certain place, a Doctor of physic curing diseases with good success, was ashamed to be ignorant in any thing, wherefore he had recourse to the devil, of whom being enclosed in a glass, he asked aduise concerning doubtful matters, through which ungodliness of his he left great substā●e to his children, so that when their Father was dead, they possessed above ●6000. Florens: he would haue repented before his death, but he began to rage like ajax,& always called vpon this counsellor of his, and spake horrible blasphemy against the holy ghost, in which rage at last he departed out of this life: Manfius Folio. 4. A certain man escaped three tyraunts, Caligula, Claudius and Nero, the persecutors of many godly men: He being asked how he escaped so many tyrants, sith he had been a Courtier. answered Iniurias accipiendo,& insuper gratias agendo. By receiving injuries, and moreover by giuing of thankes, This is Court doctrine, the exercise of patience for vnthankefulnesse, which exercise God requireth of vs. Manlius in his book Folio. 234. A proverb: After the gift, thankes waxeth cold. Da, capius, queras, plurima, pauca, nihil. give much, take little, ask nothing Manlius Fol. 610. A note concerning oppression in both Churches. THere be that will carry fire in one hand, and water in the other, they will play Ait, Aio: Nega●, Nego: they leave truth, Iustice, and equity, and play the Englishe Collier, who first met king henry the sixth his soldiers, and was beaten of them, for that he said he served King Edward the fourth, next he met King Edward the fourth his soldiers, and was beaten of them, for that he said he served King Henry the sixth: afterward he met a third hand of men, to whom he answered he served the devil, who when they bid him be gone in the divels name, he said so he would: quoth he, I haue been beaten of Henries men& Edwards men, for answering that I served the one and then the other, and now I haue said I serve the devil I go without danger. If papistry be to be rejected for their errors, and the Gospel hindered by slender regard, to what law shall men become obedient. He is happy that hath not a Nimrod a Nero, or a Naaman, a tyrant to control him, an ill neighbour to accuse him, nor thankless people that will not believe him. Vesper Manleus. Domitian the brother of Titus, and son of Vespasian, was the thirteenth Emperour of the Romaines in the beginning of his certainty he was daily wont to take one secret hour to himself wherein he did nothing else but catch flies, and stick them with a bodkin: from whom when vpon 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 his brother: he was accounted more sober in his youth: but immediately he fell to great vices, to lechery, slothfulness, and cruelty, and slew many of his Nobles, and many he banished: yet he restored very many most godly buildings consumed with fire, but all onely under his title, and without any memory of the first Author: he ministered Iustice diligently and carefully, and caused the Libraries that were burned to be repaired with great cost, in sending men to Alexandrî● to copy out new books: at length by false crimes, he got himself so much hatred, that almost he abolished his father and mothers name, and grew to that madness, that he commanded himself to be called, written, and worshipped as Lord and God, finally, Gods vengeance falling vpon him, his men slew him in his Chamber, but his carcase without any honor was carried by the Béeremen, and butted that year of his age 35. of his empire ●5. His stature: he was tall, of modest countenance, and very read, great eyes, moreover faire, chiefly in his youth. When the Locrentians fought against the Crotoniensians, an Eagle fleeing over, Cornelius Agrippa. 54 brought the lucky sequel of victory. As Hiero was going to the battle an Eagle vpon the sudden lighting on his Target, gave token that he should be King. At the birth of Alexander the great, two Eagles sitting on the house al the day, did portend or bided him the lucke of a double Empire, to weet of Asi. and Europe. Laelius, Pompei● ambassador in spain was slain among heardmen: that destiny a hawk fleeing over his head is said to haue foretold him, and of the hawk( a foreshewer of death or strife) ovid recordeth. Odimus accipitrem, quia semper vivit in armis, that is: The hawk we hate, because he stil doth live in war. When Liui● was great with child with Tiberius, shée took an egg from a Hen, and kept it so long warm in hir bosom, that she hatched a Cock chicken, which became a goodly combed Cock: whereupon the soothsayers interpnted, that the boy that was to be born should be a king, or Ruler. Cicero writeth, that at Thebaida the cocks crowing al the night long, did forshewe the Boetians their victory against the Lacedemonians: which the Augurers or soothsayers did thus interpret, because that bird being conquered holdeth his peace, but if he overcome he croweth. A Snake creeping into the palace, did foreshow tarqvinius his fall. Two Snakes were found in the bed of Sempronius Gracchus: whereupon it was told him by the soothsayer, that if he did let go the male or the female, he or his wife should shortly die: He preferring his wives life before his own, slue the male and let the female go, and within few dayes after he dyed. In the foundation of the city of Rome the head of a man was found with the face whole, which did presage the greatness of the Empire, and gave name to the capitol. The soldiers of Brutus fighting against Octauius and M. Antonius, found at the gate of their tentes a Negro, whom although they slue forthwith as an augury or divination of ill Fortune, yet they fought with ill success, and both the Captaines Brutus and Cassius came to destruction. To meet a monk is commonly accounted vnluckye, and the rather if it be in the morning, because that kind of men liveth for the most 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, must be a good coniecturer or diuinour of similitudes, and a curious searcher of the affairs of those princes and provinces which were at that time: for such care haue the heavenly creatures of Princes, people and provinces, or Countreyes alone, that they are taught and admonished by the stars, by wonders and strange sights, more than by other things. And if in time past some such thing or the like hath appeared, a man ought to consider it, and what followed thereupon, and according to the same or the like to foretell, for one token may be like another, and the like expoundeth the like. So, strange tokens haue gone before the birth, or the death of many worthy men and Kings: as Cicero declareth of Midas, into whose mouth Antes or moths carried wheat cornes when he was afléepe, which was a good and lucky token of great riches. So when Plato was asleep in his Cradle, bees sat on his mouth, which foreshowed the sweetness of his speech. Before Hecuba brought forth Paris, she dreamed that she was delivered of a burning torch which didde set troy and all Asia on fire. Phalaris Mother thought many times that the Image of MERCVRIE did power out blood vpon the ground, wherewith the whole house was overflown. One master George work, a fellow then in the queens college in Cambridge, after he was Vickar of Harowe on the Hil,( which thing he said to be true, in a merchants house in London, which was his special friend, and sent for him to give counsel unto the same person.) reporteth that a young man that was apprentice used to swear for his common oath, by the bones of GOD, or by Gods bones: And it came to pass that he was taken with a great and marvelous sickness, so that no physic nor medicine could help him, but that he lay pining in his bed so long, until the flesh of his arms, body, and legs, didde divide in sunder, as if he had been slytte with a knife: whereby the very bones appearing, made known the just punishment of God against impious blasphemers of his precious body. And shortelye after the young man through diligent persuasion, became patient and so dyed. When the kings of the Scythians understood that Darius was in very great want, they sent unto him a Heralde with these presentes, to wit, a bird, a Mouse, a frog, and five arrows. The Persians asked him which brought the presents, what they signified: he said that he had none other commandment but to return very spéedilye, when he had delivered them: Notwithstanding he bid the Persians if they were skilful, to interpret what those gifts ment: when the Persians heard this, they took aduise among themselves, and the opinion of Darius was, that the Scythians would yield themselves, and their land and water unto him, conjecturing it by this means, because the mouse is bred in the ground, and lived by the same that men do, and the frog is fostered in the water, but the bird is likened to a horse, and by giuing the arrows, because they seemed to yield themselves. But Gobria▪ one of the seven, that put down the Magi, did conjecture that these gifts had this meaning: wherefore he said, oh ye Persians. unless ye become as birds and fly up into the air, or as Mice and go under the ground, or as frogs leap into standing Waters, ye shall not return from whence ye came, being slain by these arrows, and truly he hit the nail on the head. HERODOTVS, GESNERE, Folio, 826. About forty yeares paste at Lipsia, a wicked fellow at a Village near thereto called Colegarien, slue a householder and his wife, with their children, and taking their money fled away. afterward when he was taken and should be executed at Lypsia, he said that he sat almost three dayes in the dark under the Steares, without meate or drink, and took advisement with himself, whether he should committe that murder or not, and withhelde himself a long time from so great a wickedness: but he said at length he heard a voice whispering, fac, fac, far, fort, far fort, with the which voice he was wickedly inspired and stirred up to go forward. That doubtless was the voice of the devil. When he had committed this heinous offence he could not fly: so afterward he was executed. Manlius. Manlius received from a friend of his letters out of Austria in the which was a horrible example of the divels rage, for in a certain monastery, the Monckes alured to them the daughters and the wives of such as dwelled near unto them, and deflowered them, and they slue them so deflowered. When the fact was discovered, the Monckes were taken. That monastery was not far from Vienna. The punishment is not rehearsed. ALPHONSVS DIAZIVS who in the year of our lord 1546 slue his brother John DIAZIVS at Nexburg in Bauaria for the onely profession of the gospel, when the said ALPHONSVS was in the Popes court, bearing office there as a judge in matters of life and death. afterward in the year of our Lord 1551. he slue himself at the counsel of Trent, he was found to haue hung himself at his Mules neck. At Winshem in germany there was one that had committed diverse murders many yeares before, and also had cut asunder certain women great with child: but at length it happened, that about Easter he bought three calves heads, and put them in a bag, which was knit in manner of a net: when he went so through the streets, he seemed to as many as beheld him to carry mens heads all bloody: the matter was told to the Senate, and immediately Sergeants were sent to apprehend him: being brought to the guild Hall, and asked where he got those mens heads, he answered that he bought them in the Shambles: wherefore the Butcher being sent for, affirmed that he sold him calves heads, and not mens heads: The Senate being strike in a maze about this matter, thought that this portended no good, and commanded him to be carried to prison, and to be examined by torture, or sharp punishment: being he so examined, immediately confessed the murders he had committed. afterward the heads were taken out of the bag, which again had the form of calves heads. Manlius. When the deade or murdered body of Iulius Caesar was burned, his Image was seen in the fire depainted with so great skill, that the places of all his wounds might be seen bloody. Then the whole city stood astonied, and among the rest Anthony, saying that he wished himself rather to haue been slain, than such a man, whose virtue had been most excellent. There were set forth tragedies, in which with exclamation these words were uttered. mean seruasse vt essent qui perderent? Is it meet that I should save them that sought my destruction? The people being warned by these sights, immediately sought out the authors of the murder, whereupon within two yeares, all they that were guilty of the murder of Iulius Caesar, yea they that fled away, were slain. Folio. 218. Manlius. The worthiness of prophetical figures, and of their endless warnings. VPon the fourteenth day of the first month( March) I was by the great flood called tigris, Daniel, 10. Nisan. march. apocalypse 1. & lifting up mine eyes, I looked, and beheld a man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded up with fine gold of Arabia, his body was like the Chrisolite ston, his face( to look upon) was like lightning, his eyes as the flamme of fire, his arms and feet were like as if it had been a very faire glistering mettall, Or glowing b●asse. but the voice of his words was like the voice of a multitude: the third year of king Cyrus of Persia. Mutations to come, as those which are paste. The man which he saw was christ, purity, girt with truth, his clear shining body, the virginal chastity: his flaming eyes, the sharpness of faith by the which all other, were, are, and shall be lightened: his arms and legs like glistering mettall, or fiery gloowing brass, the strength of the word, the force of iustice, which who so regardeth not on earth, shal in body and soul be as the glowing mettal ever consuming but never consumed, where the fire of intolerable violence shall for evermore torment them. I turned me lifting up mine eyes, and looked, and behold, zachary. 6. Apoca. 7. there came four Chariots, out from betwixt two hills, which hills were of brass: in the first chariot were red horses, in the second Chariot were black horses, in the third chariot white horses, in the fourthe chariot were horses of diverse colours, and strong: Then spake I and said unto the angel that talked with me, oh lord what are these? The angel answered and said unto me, these are the four winds of the heaven, which be comforts to stand before the ruler of all the earth. That with the black horses went into the land of the North. And the white followed them, and the speckled horses went forth toward the south These horses were very courageous and strong, and went out, and sought to go and to take their journey, over the whole Earth. And he said get you hence, go through the world. Then cried he upon me, and spake unto me saying: behold these that go toward the North, shall still my wrath in the North country. The four Chariots may signify the swiftness of mischiefs to overcome the earth: the two hills of brass, the kingdoms of the infidels, and of the false Chriscians: I say Mahomet and the Pope: The red horses bloody persecution, for the testimony of the lamb: Black horses, the darkness of times in the which the world being amazed through great persecutions, shall be turned into palpable errors, and then shal be plenty of earthy victual, but barennesse of the word of truth. After cometh white horses: then shall the church be seen to prevail, and the Princes that fear the lord, because the balance of equity hath measured the time, which is the crwoned king of glory, which king of glory is the lord of power Iesus christ. The speckled Horses the changeable truths that shal be between kings and Princes, whose unquenchable lusts shall be forced to follow the black horses, till the wind of fleshly treasons be diminished by the breath of God: then shall these speckled worldlings return to the south, where or from whence the greatest Christian kingdoms shall be perfitted, which as yet are so spotted with that roman Leopard that hardly it will appear recoverable. three things will spoil Christian religion: first the forgetfulness of benefits which we haue received by the Gospel: secondly the security which now raineth every where, lastly the wisdom of the world, which will comprehend al things in a certain order, and help the common peace with wicked counsels. wherefore let us pray diligently, that God will keep us and our posterity, in the knowledge of his Gospel, that it may always be taught in our Churches with fruit. Manlius had an aunt, an honest matron dwelling at Hidelberge, who told him and others, that after the death of hir husband she sat alone great with child by the fire, where when she sat sorrowfully, there came down the Steares a long& a tal monk of the order of Saint francis, and with him hyr late butted husband, who came together to the fire, the husband saluted the wife and bid the monk go into the stove, saying that he had many things to talk with his wife: when the monk was gone in, he began to speak of the restitution of a certain debt, and of other things: when he had used long communication, he bid the wife to give him hir hand, she being afraid would not at the first, but at length being persuaded she did, and he taking hir by the hand, did so burn it, that the hand became as black as a coal, and so he left hyr and went his way. this she told many times. Manlius and many other saw the same. forth of Iacobus Rueffi chirurgeon of Tigur, in his book De conceptu,& generatione hoins, &c. Printed at Francofort. 1580. There was one born which had no arms at all yet touching the residue of his body, he bare a very good shape. I also saw him use his feet as hands, in taking, cutting, and putting to his mouth, and also in playing at cards and Dice, which another also could do, with his mouth and chin. There was one also born and grew to a perfect stature of a man, saving only a twin in the head and shoulders, so that one head was plainly to be seen behind another, and the one very like the other, their beards and eyes stood directly one against the other, their desire of meate was alike, their hunger alike, their voice very like, they had one desire to the wife which they had, and also to avoyde their excrements, this monster was above thirty yeares old when I chanced to see him. At the manor of Aspley two mile beyond Woborne in Bedfords●●●re the ground very strangely turned wood into ston, after that the wood had been driven or butted in the said ground twelve or sixteen months, of the wood so turned into ston there is to be seen. dominic of the order of friar Preachers, a spaniard born in Callorega, his mother in hyr sleep saw that she had brought forth a little whelp which bare a burning brand in his mouth, and when he was issued forth of hyr womb he brent all the world, &c. On a time dominic passing over a river going to Tolouse, let fall his books into the Water, the thyrde day a Fisher cast his hook, and in stead of a fish he caughte hold of Dominickes books and drew them up dry, as though that they had touched no Water at all, &c. Also of friar FRAVNCIS the Italian, in the Alcaron of barefoot friars it is written, the divell witnesseth that by the mouth of a certain woman it was declared, that christ made intercession to his Father, to grant toward the end of the world, that francis might bear his cross for the remission of the sins of the people: when Saint Fauncis desired christ a great pardon for the sins of the people, christ bad him ask what he would and it should be granted him, for he was ordained to be the light of the gentiles. If Francis writ this or any other, to the setting forth of his life: judge Christian reader whether those words are not blasphemy or not. It is written that francis had his twelve Apostles: namely these: Peter Cathany, John of the chapel, Phillip Long, friar Barber, friar Giles, Bernhard of Cleue, Angel Camred, John of saint Constance, Barnard of the five valleys, friar morris, friar Sabatines, friar silvester, Their own comparison. holy religious persons are like holy wolves, for they never go abroad but for great necessity, for Francis is better than the Apostles, for the Apostles left but their ships, and francis left his clothes, wherefore he might rightly say I haue forsaken al and followed thee. He bare five wounds vpon him, which he kept from bleeding, but vpon Maundy Thursday at night, This discourse is more at large in Alcarō and Legend. and all good friday he would put nothing in them, but suffer them to bleed for the love of Christ, that he might suffer with him. having now touched two of the Popes saints and monstrous miracles reported, of whom we hardly find an agréemente, and yet superstitious, I hope the taught in GOD, will be advised that they make not them saviours of their souls, that so hardly were unable to guide their own bodies, who notwithstanding might be better men and not altogether so Idolatrous and superstitious as hath been written of them: for that one saith, dominic and francis, perceiving that Byshoppes, Priestes, and monks( being as lords of the world) were given more to maintain war with Princes, than to preach the word of God, professed to forsake wholly the world, and give them only to preaching, whose holy pretenced purpose their followers in process of time turned to most devilish superstition, Cooper forth of Lanquet Folio. 117. If Francis and dominic were so superstitious as it is written, and yet Sainctes in respect of the rest that should haue been more holy, what a horrible time of darkness did remain? Among the rehearsalles of so many prodigies and strange appearaunces, one enterprise begun in the year of our lord God, 1160. is not to be omitted. Pope Alexander the third, to the setting forth of his ecclesiastical authority of universal jurisdiction, decreed, that none should be taken for Saincts, Why Paul was set before Peter, because the sword by force was preferred before reconciliation. but those which( the beast) had canonised and solemnly saincted, by virtue of the romish Bull, which Bull was a leaden seal, on the one side the figure of Pa●le and Peter, and on the other side the name of the Pope then in authority: which seal was fastened unto parchmente wherein was written the authority of the Pope, and the holinesse of his sanctified Sainctes, commanding all reverence thereto, on pain of the great curse by book, Bel, and candle: by the which new trinity was signified a manifest forgetting of the true trinity God the father, God the son, and God the holy ghost: for in the mean time while they were worshipping the great idol, and new made God, they forgot the true and living God: thus running from one error into many mischiefs, they became not onely despisers of the most holy lawe, but also had delight in others, whose frantic brains became as wilful as they, turning the glory of God into the similitude of a calf that eateth Hay, not onely so by false worshipping of Images in stocks and stones, but more impudentlye accepted a leaden Bull, whom they fed so fat, and clothed so bravely, and enriched with such abundance, that in a short space he made them calves in recompense of their labours, subdued their kingdoms, displaced their clergy, and stew their subiects: neither Dagon, Bel, Astaroth, and Beelzebub was more honoured nor highlyer esteemed, until verity could not suffer no longer the government of such impiety. Before all this came to light, the foresaid Pope canonised Thomas Becket Archbishop of canterbury a Saint, Anno. 1166. Hugh of lincoln bishop, 1215. friar dominic. friar Francis, friar Anthony of Padua, these sancted 1227. edmond Archbishop of canterbury. 1244. Thomas Bishop of Hartford, 1316. so that from the time that the Popes began first to Canonize Sainctes, until the reign of Pope John the 22. there were found by their Catalogue in the compass of 217. yeares. 5555. saincted Emorites or romish Asses. whether Sainctes in heaven or divels in Hel, let those report that haue and do use them as intercessors, mediators, and advocates, whose selfewilled opinions without authority of Christian religion, will bring all their intentions to an utter confusion. Authors, Thomas Beacon, Fasciculus temporum, John wickliff, John Bale, Peter martyr, martin Bucer, martin Luther, John calvin and others. O daughter of babylon, Psalm. 137. wasted with misery: yea happy shall he be that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us: Blessed shall he be that taketh thy children, and throweth them against the stones. The Pope received yearly out of england of every man Peter-pence, which coin is worth half a Cruicger, or there abouts: so that the Englishemen did truly report, that the Pope received yearly out of england above 9. tons of gold: and King Adolphe is said to haue set a tax upon his kingdom. Manlius. There was one Adolphus that was Emperor of almain, and reigned seven yeares, he was unfortunate in all things that he went about, poverty pincheth as well Princes as poor men. and therewith so needy and poor, that when he had received of Edwarde the first of that name, then King of England, 100000. marks to aid him ag●●●●●e the French King, he spent the money vpon his hou●holde, and had 〈◇〉 w●erewith to fulfil his promise when time required. doctor Coo●… 〈◇〉. fol. 230. King Edwarde the third commanded that Peter-pence should be no more gathered, nor paid to Rome: all that had twenty pennyworth either of goods or cattle, at Lammas day did pay that penny. This secret pillage, increased to a marvelous sum. Anno. 1264. the eight and thirtieth year of the reign of King Edwarde the third. Among a wonderful heap of strange reports, I find, that from the year of our redemption, until Anno domini 1455. a rehearsal of 1●. evangelists, called quaternals, now brought to light, bewraith the mystery of their iniquity, and the down-fall of Romish cruelty. christ first instituted 12. Apostles, among the which are four special Writers, which had to name evangelists, that is, recorders of joyful tidings, the approved acts and deeds of Christ. matthew whereto are assigned the Angel to matthew mildness. mark whereto are assigned the lion to mark boldness. Luke whereto are assigned the Bull to Luke diligence John whereto are assigned the Eagle to John. eloquence. As by these verses following, is more plainly uttered. The Angels by swiftness, from God do declare, That lo, the Heart, biddeth us take care, With Taurus the Bull, on shoulders to try, The pray with the Eagle mounting on high. By imitation after many yeares spent four more appeared by the Church consent Anno domini. 414. Ambrose to Ambrose the Bull, No presumption the body of Christ to bear. jerome jerome the Lion, Augustine Augustine the Angel, So long as they followed christ every where. gregory gregory the Eagle, These being mixed, as well with the traditions of the Elders, as with the lively word of God, became such as their works do witness, famous men, and worthy of true report, yet had they their errors. Then followed from Anno. 1108. until. 1418. other four canonised evangelists, by the virtue of locupletall jurisdiction. Abusers of the word of God. dominic of spain with a star in his forehead: a light to lighten the Gentiles, whereof proceeded the glory of the flies of jezabel. Francis the Italian Seraphin, bearing the print of the five wounds, through erroneous simplicity brought many to iniquity. Thomas ●●quine in Apulia, bearing a dove on his shoulders, by the which was sign●fied the conference with angels, and preparing to the harvest, enriching of churches, dignities of prelates,& spoil of many men. Vincent of Valentia bearing the badge of the iudgement of God, hath judged their superstition, displaced their errors, and so confounded their devises: as it is a scourge to popery, so will it be a Scorpion to counterfeit christianity without speedy amendment. Then came the holy Pope urban the sixth, after the dissension with Clement the seventh, and applied to haue the clergy of england under full obedience, whose request was denied of the Englishmen by Parliament, and there agreed upon, that the Pope should haue no jurisdiction beyond the limits of the Ocean sea. Notwithstanding the Bishops at that time played the traytors, and took upon them to pay tribute. Thus the true Church of Christ hath been evermore vexed of the unjust steward, sithence which time he was called to account in what sort he bestowed his maisters goods. The Lord or master is God, his goods are the holy ordinances contained in both testaments: the steward is the Pope and all false Prelates: the caller to account is Truth. hypocrisy and error fly, committing the goods of his master unto the hands of his debtors, which is mankind, whose sensuality and pleasures being filled with the letter, and not with the spirit, take that that serveth their turn& leave the rest. Thus their counterfeit holiness patched with carnal invention, haue they made for a show of their religion, with the enriching of idol Temples, by the goods gotten from many and poor man, therefore said to be in their generation more wiser than the children of Light: Lo, here is expressed the child of darkness, a foe to Christians, an enemy to God, and a killer of souls: the said thief stolen goods will be a heavy witness against them before God: even their own traditions, the preferring whereof on earth will be their refusal from heaven, through the virtue of the holy ghost the true touchstone of the lawe, Chronicorum lib. 5. Lanquet. Alcaron of barefoot Friers, Bale and Beacon, with other Authors. The report of strange numbers of Mice in the Marshes of Deingie hundred in South minster in the county of Essex, which began about Alhallowntide, Anno. 1580. whose continuance did not only devour the grass, but also stenched the ground, whereby many cattle by grassing among them, dyed. Many opinions haue been concerning the coming of these Mice, and also devises for the destroying of them, but whereas there hath appeared very many strange owls, enemies unto Mice, daily devouring them, I cannot conjecture otherwise, than a forewarning from God, to take heed of some undermining nation and swift warlike people, that pretend more than is suspected. What hath followed, consider of sir R. Cordall master of the rolls in May, doctor Wilson one of the Secretaries to the queens majesty, besides other personages of reverend calling, whose bodies are gone to the grave, and their spirits to rest. The same year the one and twentieth day of April diuers Nobles of France were royally entertained, vz: the Prince of Dolphin, Marshal Cossey, Monsieur Corrage, Monsieur Lansac, Lamotefenelle the President, and Monsieur Pinart, with others. The two and twentieth of May in London was to be seen a Dutchman of an unaccustomed proportion for this age: His 〈◇〉 ●thony 〈…〉 his 〈…〉 rea●che ●●●yardes 〈◇〉 quarter. his height was 7. foot and ten inches: he was of good stature from the knees upward, his legs and feet being set by over pressing, grew crooked through leaping or such like exercise, otherwise his proportion required the height of eight foot. To conclude, let be considered diligent Reader, the happiness of time, the peaceable government, the lenity, clemency, and mercy of a jewel joined unto God, placed on earth, a King in government, a mother in mercy, a charitable nurse in charity, the sound head of Englandes prosperity, for the which, seeing that many Kings and renowned personages haue been largely set forth by writing, their acts extolled to the ski●s, when peradventure their virtues reached scarce half way thither, I am now determined in this my conclusion, to commend the worthiness of queens and noble Dames of times paste governors and assistants, over this our now called england, by whose means as large commendations as ●nto kings appeareth, accepting the small number, for the multitude of queens, in the respect of Kings. I haue preached, said John Bale, P●●t●●chus, Boccacius, Bergomas, Textor,& Lander of Bonony, which all wrote of the virtues and worthy acts of women. But among them all I haue found no counsels so necessary to the common wealth of our christianity, as in the book entitled, A godly meditation, compiled in French by Lady Margaret queen of Nauarre, and translated into Englishe by the Quéens majesty in hir young yeres. I deny it not but excellent things they haue uttered,& matters of wonderful wisdom concerning moral virtues: But these most highly respect the kingdom of faith,& regiment of the soul, which Iesus Christ the eternal son of God, from heaven by his doctrine& death, so busily sought to clear. Many grave sentences had they concerning private causes: But universally these are for all sorts of people( the fruitful labours of virtuous Princes, penning down those heavenly harmon●es as bare witnesses of their busy labouring to the mount of immortality) high, low, healthy, sick, rich, poor, learned and unlearned, that mindeth 〈…〉 freedom by Christs deadly sufferings, or to be delivered from hel, 〈…〉 and the divell, by the price of his precious blood. Consider, 〈…〉 and under the sky, hath had more noble women, nor of more 〈…〉 g●●ces( ●or the which the remnant ought to be thankful) than 〈…〉 r●●lm of ●ol●●●i, both in the dayes of the Britaines, and since the 〈…〉 ●●●●xons obtained it by the valiant conquest. ●… e● the wife of Locrinus, the second King of britain, being unlawfully divorced from him for the pleasure of an whore, ●●●●/ 1084 whom he long before had kept, tried it with him by dint of sword, had the victory, and reigned after him as king the space of fifteen yeares, till hir son Maddan was of lawful yeares. Cordilla the daughter of King Leyer, and least of all hir sisters, as hir father was deposed and exiled out of his land, she received comfort, and restored him again to his princely honor, and reigned alone after his death 5. yeares, the year of the world. 1358. the year before Christ. 805. Cambra the daughter of King Belyne, and wife to Ant●no● then king of France did not onely exceed in Beauty, but also in wisdom, insomuch that she instructed the nob●e men howe to build Cities, castles, and other strong holds, she taught the common people more comely manners,& the women a most séemly decking of their heads. She made the civil laws, which vpon hir name were called Leges Sycambrorum. She taught them to sow flax& hemp, to water it, dry it, dress it, spin it, and wave it, and fashion it to al maner of use for the body, the year of the world, 3563. before Christ 400. Martia the wife of King Guythelyne, a Lady beautiful, wise and learned in all the liberal Sciences invented things wonderful by the high practise of hir wit. After the death of hir husband she reigned 7. yeares as King, till Sycilius hir son came to age. She redressed the common wealth, reformed the gross manners of the people, and made most honest laws called of hir name Leges Martianae, the year of the world 3607. before christ 356. Nicanor in the wisdom, learning, and comely manners of his wife Constantia the daughter of King Eliodorus, did not only help hir brother Geruntius in sea battle against the King of Orchades, but also sent his most dear son Priamus into britain, to haue the self same bringing up, the year supposed before christ. 177. The Scottish King Finnanus, thought his princely honor most gloriously increased, when he had obtained Agasia the daughter of King Blegabridus, to be coupled in marriage with Drostus his son, for the manifold graces that he beheld in hir, although the said ungracious Drostus in spite of the Brytaines did afterward use hir most wickedly. Bundwica, a woman both high of stature and stomach, also of most noble lineage among the Brytaines, perceiving the havoc which the Romaines daily made in the land, with great pvissance of worthy warriors, she invaded them, slew them, hung up their Captaines, and followed the remnant of them to the very Alpes of Italy, where at the last by reason of daily labours she sickened, and so dyed, even the very glory of women, saith Ponticus Verunnius. Voada the first wife of K. Aruiragus( a woman of wonderful force and heart) strongly armed herself, hir two daughters, and five thousand women of the Bryttanish blood, in battle against the furious fierce Romains, to suppress their tyranny and execrable filthiness in abusing maids, wives, and widows, but as she beholded the victory vpon their side( because she would not come under their captivity) she poisoned herself and so dyed. Voadicia hir younger daughter afterward escaped the hands of the said Romaines,& with a mighty power of the Brytaines entred into the Ile of Man, and in a nights battle slue of them a wonderful number, destroying their forts and holds, notwithstanding at the last onsette being taken, she was beheaded, hir elder sister being married to king Marius. Athildus the daughter of the said King Marius, was also a most noble Woman, whom the French king Marcomrius married for the only natural gifts and sciences which she had above other women, and had seven sons by hir. Claudia Rufina a noble britain, witty and learned, both in greek and latin, having to husband one Aulus Rufus a learned knight, a Poet of Bonony and a Philosopher of the Stoical sort, is much commended of Martialis the Poet, for the Epigrams and Poems which she then compiled in both tongues. Emerita, the sister of king Lucius, which is called the first Christian King, 4250/ 289 a Lady most faithful and virtuous, for constantly affyrming the verity of Christ, suffered most tyrannous death, and was burned in the fire. Helena Flauia, the daughter of King Coilus, and mother to great Constantine the Emperour, was a woman of singular beauty and learning. None could be found like hir in the artes liberal, neither yet in the fine handling of many instruments of music: she excelled al other in the diuers speeches of Nations, specially in the hebrew, greek, and latin: She made a book of the providence of God, an other of the mortality of the soul, with certain greek poems, Epistles, and diuers other treatises. Constantina hir daughter, was also a woman of most excellent gifts, had she not in the end declined to the detestable sect of the Arians, by certain hipocritish Priestes. 4348/ 387 Vrsula Cynosura, the flourishing daughter of Dionothus, the Duke of Cornewal, was so nobly brought up in al liberal Discipline, that Conanus the King of little britain, desired hir to wife, and as she went thitherwarde with a 1●000. Brytaines wives more and Virgines, by chance of weather, and violence of Sea-rouers, both she and they perished by the way. Anna the sister of Aurelius Ambrosius K. of the Britaines,( who was afterward married to Lotho, the King of the picts) and Anne the twin sister of King Arthur, are of Writers magnified for their diuers and excellent graces. 4504/ 543 Morganis a woman of incomparable love towards hir parents and country, so secretly and wisely conveyed the body of King Arthure the most worthy governor of the Brytaines, that the English Saxons could never come to it to do their violence thereon. Hermelinda rising of the English Saxons blood, for hir excellent beauty and noble behaviour, became the wife of Cunibertus the King of Lumbardi●. Hylda, a noble woman, both godly, wise, and learned, not onely disputed in the open synod at Streneshalt in the North country, among the Prelates, concerning their new found out celebration of easter, and their crown shaving, with other ceremonies, but also wrote a treatise against Bishop Agilber● a French man, the busiest among them. The three daughters of King Alphred, Elphleda, Elfritha and Ethelgor● were expert in the liberal Sciences. Ale●●● the wife of King Henry the second, was learned also,& wrote 〈◇〉 c●●ls●●s to Pope coelestine the third, and also to King John hir youngest son. Ioanna the youngest daughter of the said King Henry, so much delighted in good letters, that before she should be married to King William of Cicil, she caused hir father to sand over two learned men 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 coming thither, the one of those Englishemen was made bishop of Panorme, and the other bishop of Syracusa in recompense of their labours. Margaret the noble mother of King Henry the seventh, so plenteously minded the preferment of Sciences, and going forward of learning, that she builded in Cambridge for the same purpose the colleges of Christ, and of saint John the evangelist, and gave lands for their maintenance: as queen Elizabeth did afore to the queens college there, &c. Long were it to rehearse the exceeding number of noble women, which in this land of britain or realm of england, haue excelled in so many singular virtues, as no realm country, or dominion, may more be advanced vpon the earth. Concerning the worthiness of our sovereign queen, hir singular gifts in learning, diversity of tongs, princely magnanimity adorned with the jewel of all jewels,( Gods Gospels amity) doth far more singularly set forth hir majesties renown, than al the costly gems in the world, to the beseeming of corporal feture. Let all Englishe Christians therefore make hearty supplication unto God the father of our Lord Iesus Christ for the continual preservation of hir royal majesty, who being by Gods appointment our defender in earth from al superstitious tyranny, may evermore be defended by Gods omnipotency here, and in the world to come enjoy happy felicity, to whom with the father, son, and holy ghost, be all honor and glory for ever. FINIS.