Concerning Comets, Chapter 7
CHAP. VII.
A further Account of Comets, appearing from the Year of our Lord 1200. unto the Year 1500. with the most observable Events attending them.
A D. 1200. A Comet appeared in 15 of Scorpio. Its motion was contrary to the order of the signs in the Zodiack. cCardanus ex Haly Ben Rodoan. Calvisius.It was of a rotund figure, and in magnitude three times bigger then the morning Star, giving as much light as a fourth part of the Moon useth to do. This year was attended with Commotions in Alsatia, and almost all the upper Germany. There were also great mutations amongst the Vascons, whose Kingdome was swallowed up and divided by the Kings of Castell and Arragon. Philip the King of France was excommunicated by the Pope. He at first made light of the Popes Bull, ejected the Bishops who adhered to the Popes interest. But the next year, being afraid lest the Pope should cause tumults and miseries in his Kingdome, he complied with him. The Bohemians and Thuringians had bloudy Contests the next Year.
A. D. 1211. A Comet was seen in the MonethMonth of May, near to the Arctick Pole, continuing for the space of 47 dayes, in the evening the tail pointed eastward, and in the morning westward. dMichov, Hist. Polon. Funccius.Soon after which the Tartars (who were before an unknown Nation) made a doleful irruption upon Poland. The Russians coming in to their succour, were cut off by a lamentable slaughter. There were Wars between the Turks and the Moors. The Sarazens betaking themselves to their ships were vast multitudes of them drowned. Two hundred thousand of them were slain. The Popes Thunderbolt set the Empire on fire, and so it did England, where also there was great trouble by reason of a Welch rebellion. Moreover, about this time the Albigensos were again cruelly persecuted and slaughtered by the bloody Papists.
A. D. 1214. (or as others 1215.) cHistor Eccles. Cent. 13. Cap. 13. Boethius, Calvisius.In the MonethMonth of March a terrible Blazing Star was seen, both preceding and following the Sun every day, which caused many in those dayes to think that there were two Comets at the same time. This was attended with a Persecution in Germany; in Starsborough eighty persons were for their Religion burnt to death by the Papists. A general Council sat at Rome wherein were 412 Bishops and more then a thousand of inferiour Clergymen. Whatever the Blazing Star in the sky had, so many Blazing stars being in Conjunction at Rome, must needs have a malignant influence upon the World. The times in England were now most doleful by reason of King John his ill management of affairs. His tyranny caused the Lords to take up Arms; to be avenged on whom, King John, Acheronta movebat, moved the Pope to appear on his side, who immediately sets his Bull a roaring; The English Lords affrighted with the bellowing of the Pope's Excommunication, request the King of France to come in to their Assistance, so that the Land became a stage of Rapine, bleeding under the devouring miseries which must needs follow, when two merciless Armies were in its bowels. †See Sr. Richard Bakers Chronicle.Several things accounted disastrous hapned. 1. Hugh de Bones coming to aid King John with threescore thousand men out of Britain, and Flanders, were all drowned in the Sea. 2. Coming to Walpool in Norfolk, he was careful to obtain a guide to himself, with some few, that he might go over the Fords where it was passable, but took no care of the multitude which followed him, so that they all perished in the water, which disaster filled King John with much anguish of mind, that he fell sick and died. Yet some write that he was poysoned by a Monk, they year after the Blazing Star last mentioned was seen. The King of Scotland died. The Spaniards slew two hundred thousand Moors.
A. D. 1217. A Southern Comet appeared in the latter end of this year, a little after Sun set, fHist. Eccl. uhi supra. Calvisius.It gradually declined Westward. In form being like to a Broom, reaching almost to the midst of the sky. Remarkable Events which followed were such as these. Wars between England and France, the French being notably worsted. The Emperour Otho died. The King of Castell as he was playing at Ball, a Tile hapned to fall upon his head, whereby he was killed. The Sarazens destroyed all the Christians in Jerusalem. The next year, there was a dreadful inundation, so as that all Frisia was overwhelmed therewith, and no less then an hundred thousand souls perished in the waters.
A. D. 1223. A terrible Comet appeared. gParis Hist. Angl. P. 305. Nauclerus.Presently after which the French King died. The King of Denmark was treacherously surprized by Suerinus. A great Commotion hapned in Poland by reason of Henricus Barbatus his rebellion. The Emperour Frederick being provoked by the Pope, marched with an Army into Italy, and had probably driven the Pope out of Rome, had not John the King of Jerusalem interposed and reconciled the difference. Trythemius saith, that this year there was a general Murrain amongst Cattle, so that a third part of them died.
A. D. 1240. A Comet hAlbertus Magnus Meteoreol, L. 1. Tract. 3. C. 5. Paris vbi supra P. 506.was observed near the Pole, pointing South-east. It was seen in February, and continued six Moneths. iPolydor, Virgil, Lycosthenes, & alii.Writers speak of another Blazing Star: appearing the next year for thirty dayes together in January, of a diresul Aspect. Remarkable Events were, the King of Denmark died. The Tartars miserably wasted Russia. They came over the Ice into Poland, and got the victory over an Army that was raised to oppose them. From whence they went to Cracovia; and burned down all before them. Also in Silesia and Bohemia they caused great desolations. The Empire was put into a strange hurly burly. For the Emperour had no less then seven Armies to defend himself. The Pope and He were at daggers drawing; the Pope resolving to call a Council of such as liked him best, whether the Emperour would or no; He (i. e.) the Emperour) surprized the Bishops Navy as they were transporting themselves to the Council, sunk three of their Ships, took twenty of them, and the Bishops in them became his Prisoners. The Pope immediately died with grief and vexation. Another remarkable thing was, that a great Mountain in Burgundy was by an Earth quake removed, whereby five thousands of Country People, living in the Villages were overwhelmed, and killed in a moment.
A. D. 1254. A Comet kRockenbachius, Alstedius, & alii.of immense magnitude appeared for several Moneths together. There followed terrible and prodigious Tempests. Wars between the Genevenses and the Venetians. The cross-bearing-Army took such a course to convert the Russians to the Faith, as was never taught them by Christ or his Apostles, for with fire and sword they fell upon them, and made them promise that they would be Christians. The Emperour and the Pope being at variance, the Emperour died suddenly, not without suspition of Poyson by the Popes procurement. The Pope himself died within a year. The new Pope made a great disturbance in Italy, but his Army was shamefully overcome. A Rebellion brake forth in Frisia. There were great troubles and commotions in Saxony.
A. D. 1264. A mighty Comet was seen this year, in the sign of Taurus, continuing for three Moneths, viz. from July to October 7. Its motion was retrograde. For at first it appeared before the Morning Star, but at last after it. lPalaeologus, Palmerius, & alii. Wolfius habet anuum 1263. Appendix ad Hist. Matth. Paris P. 967. habet annum 1265. Hoc anno (ait) apparuit Cometa notabilis, ut nullus tunc vivens, viderit talem. Zuinger Vol. 5. Lib. 4. Page 1423. Calvisius.The stream was long and broad, appearing before the body of the Star was seen. When that came above the Horizon, it extended it self Westward over the one half of the Heavens. It was observed by the Writers living in that age, that that Blazing Star disappeared the very night in which the Pope died. Other Remarkables attending this Comet were these; The Earl of Angiers did at the Popes instigation remove out of France, and fell upon Sicily, causing the King there to be treacherously killed. Armenia was all in a flame, by means of Banducar (the King of Babylon) his coming upon them. Hetruria was in an uproar. Spain was set upon by the Sarazens, who slow and were slain in great multitudes. England blazed with Civil Wars. It would make this Discourse too voluminous, if we should expatiate particularly upon the strange and amazing revolutions which hapned there, as well as in other parts of the World about this time.
A. D. 1268. An horrendous Blazing Star mCardanus, Ricciolus.was seen, which was attended with these Remarkables. The Suldan of Aegypt fell upon Antioch, slew no less then seventeen thousand Christians there, and made an hundred thousand of them Captives. Mondavus the King of Portugal renounced his Christianity, and became a professed Infidel, and raised a cruel Persecution against the Christians. In Scotland there were fearful destructions made by horrible winds, which Cardan thinks were the special evils portended by this Comet.
Historians nQuos citat Hevelius in libro supra a laudato. Alstedius.have noted that in the latter end of this and the beginning of the next Century, Blazing Stars (some of them of an horrendous magnitude and direful aspect) appeared every year, for seven or eight years together, viz. A. D. 1298, 99. 1300, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. in the last of which years the destroying Angel was let loose upon the World, the Plague raging and killing in all Countries and Nations. But the great and stupendous providence attending these Heraulds of Heaven, whereby the World was thus loudly and frequently Alarmed, was the rising of the Turkish Power united in and under the Ottomanical Family: So that in those dayes the second Apocalyptical Wo (and it was a Wo indeed to the Christian World) began to be poured forth. The huge and horrid Armies of the Turks, whereby Christendome (as it is called) hath been miserably wasted, and the Eastern Churches made most desolate, are set forth oMede in locum.in the Revelation, by that of an Army of Horsemen, consisting of two hundred thousand thousand, which are prepared to kill the third part of men, Rev. 9. 15, 16. Now was the time when this Army being furnished with Instruments of death, out of whose mouths issueth fire and smoak and Brimstone, began to do their woful Execution.
A. D. 1313, A great Northern pLycosthenes, Funccius & Buntingus habent annum 1312.Comet appeared fourteen dayes, having its motion towards the South. The next year a qWolfius, Camerarius, & alii.Comet was seen blazing in Virgo for six Moneths together. And in the rLavater, Herlicus.year after that, another Blazing Star appeared in December. Thad. Hagecius sIn dialexi de nova stella, P. 56.writes that the year 1315. was attended with two Comets, the one of which was in the Arctick Circle, the other near unto Mars, and in the same sphere with that Planet. Remarkable Events which attended these Blazing Stars, were, the Emperour being poysoned by a wicked Monk, a Civil War broke out in Germany about a successour to the Crown, which continued for eight years together, to the unspeakable misery of the Countries subject to the Emperour. It rained all the Summer tFunccius, Calvisius, ut lateat nullum tempus famis ecce CVCVLLVM.long a terrible Famine and Plague followed, so that a third part of all creatures living perished. In Portugal and the Countries thereabouts, the Famine lasted for three years. In some places men were killed that others might eat them. In the City of Erford eight thousand persons died with hunger. The Scots went with a Fleet into Ireland, wasting the Countrey with fire and sword. A dismal blow was given to England; For King Edward IId. raised an Army consisting of an hundred thousand to fight the Scots, who not having half that number in their Army, by a Stratagem routed the English Army, killing an Earl, several Lords, seven hundred Knights and Esquires, and about fifty thousand common Souldiers.
A. D. 1337. Two Comets were seen this year at the same time uLavater, Funccius, Calvisius Lycosthenes.one of which appeared in the sign Taurus, for the space of four Moneths, and before that was gone, another was seen, which continued blazing with the former, for three Moneths. wNiceph. Greg. Hist. Rom. L. 11.It was not a Crinite but a Barbate Star. It was first seen in the feet of Pegasus, the Coma (or Beard) extending it self very broad and pointing towards the East. Observable consequents whereof, were, the death of the King of Sicily. In the East there were great stirs about a Successour to the Imperial Crown. Wars between the Turks and Thracians, who were miserably slain, and thirty thousand carried into captivity at once. In some places a prodigious cold Winter so as that the Cross bearing Army had their Noses and Fingers frozen. A formidable Army of Locusts devoured Bohemia, Austria, and other Countries: The breadth of which Army was twenty eight miles, the length of it could not be found: when they flew they darkened the Air, as if the Heavens had been covered with a cloud.
A. D. 1340. A Comet in form like a Sword, appeared in the MonethMonth of March, near unto Spica Virginis, xLavater, Palmerius, Praetorius, Eckstormius.moving forward every day one Degree, until it came to the sign Lee, and there it vanished. This year Andronicus the Emperour died. A terrible Plague raged in Italy; War between England and France, wherein the French were egregiously worsted, their Navy burnt and broken by the English. The next year the Turks caused Poland, Moravia, Hungaria, to become miserable stages of Rapine, Blood, and Fire. An Earth-quake in Burgundy, removed two Mountains which fell upon the People thereabout. A prodigious Tempest and destructive Flood hapned in other parts.
A. D. 1347. In the MonethMonth of August, a Comet appeared in Taurus, continuing sixty dayes. yLavater; Ricciolus. Calvisius.Many things worthy of remark hapned this year. For the Scots invading England with an Army, fifteen thousand of them were slain by the English, and their King taken Prisoner. There was a general rising of the People in Aragon. The Emperour as he was hunting a Bear fell off his Horse and quickly died. The King of Sicily was strangled by his Queen in his sleep. A sweeping Plague lasting for the space of six years, went through the World. It came out of Asia into Europe this year, There died in the City of Lubeck ninety thousand, in Avinion an innumerable multitude; In England nine parts of ten died throughout the Land. Above fifty seven thousand in the City of Norwich. So fearful was this Besome of Destruction, as that a third part of Mankind was not left a live upon the face of the Earth. Alstedius *Chronol. Chap. 25. P. 174.(a grave and learned Author) Writes, that this Plague swept away no less then a Million, two hundred and forty four thousand four hundred & forty four Monks which (though strange) yet considering that the World did then swarm with Monks is not impossible to be true.
A. D. 1351. A zLavater, Lycosthenes.Northern Comet appeared in December. Some aSchosserus, Eckstormius.Authors speak of Blazing Stars seen in the two following years also. These Prodigies were attended with fearful Tempests, Drought, Famine, and Plague, especially in Italy. VVars in Germany, and a devouring Army of Locusts in Asia, and in Africa. Fearful burnings and desolations in many places, occasioned by lightning.
A. D. 1362. A fearful Comet appeared bEckstormius, Hevelius, ex Hist. Pol. Praetorius, & Alstedius habent annum, 1363.in the Evening on the eleventh of March, in the sign Aquarius, being ninety Degrees in length, pointing Eastward, and continuing for the space of three Moneths. Things which followed, were, the Pope and the King of France both died within a year. VVars and great troubles in many places e, g. between the King of Castel, and of Arragon, the Earl of Holland, and the Gildrians, the King of Cyprus and the Sarazens. In Poland a Famine prevailed, and a violent Plague throughout all Britain.
A. D. 1375. A Comet appeared cLycosthenes, Rockenbachius.Soon after which the Emperour Charles the IV. died. Great tumults in Cracovia; a VVar in Thuringia lasting two years. Wickliffs Doctrine was condemned in England. Seventeen Towns in Flanders were drowned. The French took the Isle of Wight, burn Hasting, &c. Prince Edward died.
A. D. 1380. (which year was famous for the first invention of Guns) A Comet dRockenbachius, Alstedius.appeared in Aquarius, continuing three Moneths. And eIdem, Bonfin ius, Eckstormius.another (or the same) appeared again within two years, Remarkable Events, were, a terrible Plague. The death of the King of France, and of the King of Hungaria. Locusts in Germany. A prodigious Rebellion hapned in England. The Kings Collector behaving himself rudely, was knocked in head by one whom he had affronted and inraged, whereupon no less then an hundred thousand of the rabble rout gathered together, and siezed upon the Tower of London, in which was the King and Queen, and caused the Lord Chancellour, Lord Treasurer, Lord Chief Justice, and others to be barbarously flain.
A. D. 1304. A blazing Star in form fLavater, Lycosthenes.like a spit (which Astronomors are wont to look upon as most unhappily ominous) with the head downward, and the Coma or Blaze pointing upwards, was seen in the West, moving Northward. This year the Pope died, and the next year the Duke of Austria. The King of Arragon as he was hunting, beheld a VVolf (or rather a Devil in the same likeness) of a prodigious magnitude, at the sight whereof he was frighted to death. About that time, all the Jews in Germany were either killed or banished. Wickliffs Doctrine began to enlighten Germany. Troubles arose between the Germans and the Italians. The gCluverus.Turks being informed that the Christians were at great variance amongst themselves, came with an Army of two hundred thousand, under Bajazet, and obtained a fatal and remarkable Victory over the Europeans. About this time the Duke of Lancaster made such an interest in England, as to cause King Richard to be deposed from his Throne, and after he had resigned the Crown, to be privately murdered by bloody Villains.
A. D. 1400. In the hHerlicius, Praetorius, &c.Spring time a Comet was seen. But the next iHistoria Bizantina.year in February, the whole VVorld was amazed with the sight of a fiery and flaming Comet in form like a Lamp, whose Blaze was four Cubits in length. The light of it was so great, as that it obscured the Stars, and overcame the darkness of the night as long as it was above the Horizon. It continued until the Sun entred into Libra. The consequents of this Blazing Star, were no less prodigious, then the Comet that appeared. kAlsted.In divers places the Plague raged, and other grievous Diseases before that time unheard of. Great Rivers were dried up. It would make this Discourse too voluminous, particularly to enumerate all the fatal and memorable accidents which hapned by reason of VVars in many Countries Our English lv. Sr. R. Bakers Chron.Chronologers, say, that this Blazing Star was portentous of that effusion of Blood in Wales and Northumberland, which followed quickly after. A very prodigious thing hapned the same year in Danbury in Essex; the Devil in the shape of a Grey Fripr, entring the Church put the People into a lamentable fright, and in the same hour with a Tempest of Whirlwind and Thunder, the top of the Steple was broken down and half the Chancel scattered abroad. In Bohemia, John Huss standing up in defence of Wickliffs Doctrine, no small Commotions were occasioned thereby. But that which most amazed the World, was, Tammerlain came out of Asia, with an huge Host. He overcame the Turkish Emperour, and used him like a slave. He called himself the Anger of God, and waster of the Earth; and indeed he made the Earth to swim in blood.
A. D. 1432. A total mChr. Polon.Solar Eclipse was attended with a small Comet. The next year another great Comet of a red and fiery aspect, was was seen. nFunccius Alstedius.It continued blazing all night long; nor was it extinct for a quarter of a year together. Remarkable Events, were, a Dearth of six years continuance. oCalvisius,An Inundation throughout all Germany, in Thuringia 40 Villages perished in that Flood, also several Towns in Bohemia. In the Spring time there was a great Snow continuing for 40 dayes together, so that Beasts & Birds perished in great m…ltitudes. Hunger brought the wild Bea…s upon the Towns, either to kill or to be killed. A flame of War was kindled between the Duke of Saxony and the Prince of Brand…nburg. France was sorely distressed. The King of Portugal and the King of Poland died. The Duke of Venice, was beheaded. The Pope had like to have been …oned to death, being forced to disguise himself, and so to flee out of Rome.
A. D. 1419. pFunccius, Camerarius, &c.A Comet appeared. This year Albert the Emperour died. Great commotions were in the Empire by reason of the Turks; And Wars between the English and the French. The M…rshal of France was burnt for Sorcery. The King of Bohemia died. A bloody Rebellion broke forth in Spain. The Council at Basil deposed the Pope, and chose a new one, which caused a notable Schisme amongst the worshippers of the Beast, some adhering to the old Pope, and others to the new one. The next year was famous for the first Invention of the Art of PRINTING, by John Guttenberg a Goldsmith in Strasburg.
A. D. 1444. About midsummer qPraetorius, Rockenbachius.a Blazing Star was seen in Leo. The King of Hungaria, with a great multitude of Christians was slain in Battle with the Turks. The King of France and the Helvetians fall out. Tumults hapned in England. Amurathes the Turkish Emperour being distressed by the King of Hungaria, (who had at the perswasion of the Cardinal Julianus, violated his Covenant with Amurathas) prayed to God for help, vowing that if God would give him the victory, he would betake himself to a Monastery; Which after the Victory he accordingly performed, and resinged his Crown to another, whereby great commotions in the Turkish Empire, and the burning of Adrionople was occasioned. The next year, a terrible inundation of waters hapned in the Netherlands, so as that above an hundred thousand persons lost their lives in that flood, besides an infinite multitude of Cattle.
A D. 1450. A Comet was seen this Summer, appearing a little after Sun-set, in form like a Sword moving from the West towards the East. rRicciolus ex Franz. Hist. L. 5. C. 21.The Moon being at the full, this Comet is reported to cause it to suffer an Eclipse, (I do not remember that I have read the like of any Comet) whence the Turks were not a little astonished, at the beholding of it. Remarkable events, were, The Turkish Emperour died. The Eastern parts flamed with VVar. Constantinople was taken by the Infidels. The Empire was embroyled with civil Discords. Also Jack Cade his mad Rebellion in England hapned in this year, when divers Nobles of the Land were murthered. The French taking advantage from the troubles in England seize upon all the English Territories there, leaving nothing to the English but Calice. This year Naples was shaken with an Earth quake, and thirty thousand persons were destroyed by that Earth quake, in places adjacent.
A D. 1456. A Comet appeared in Cancer, and another in Leo, extending it self over two of the sFunccius, Calvisius, &c. Sed alii habent annum, 1457.Coelestial Signs (h. e. 60 degrees.) This Blazing Star was attended with a direful Earthquake in Italy, by means whereof thirty thousand persons lost their lives, also a great Plague. Bloody VVars between the Turks and the Hungarians. That brave Prince of Transilvania, Hunniades, after he had destroyed two hundred of the Turks ships, and in one Battle slain forty thousand of them, died. The young King of Hungaria, on the day appointed for his Marriage, died suddenly. One of Hunniades his Sons being then a Prisoner, and expecting Sentence of death, was set a liberty, and chosen King, so that there was a sudden and stupendous alteration of affairs. Scanderbegs Wars and the great Commotions caused thereby, were about this time.
A D. 1460. A notable Comet was seen. tPraetorius, Rockenbachius, Funccius.The King of France, and the King of Scotland died. Cracovia was laid waste with Fire and Sword. In England the Duke of York aspiring to the Throne, headed an Army, designing to depose the King, but was himself slain. His Son the Earl of March, put in for the Crown, between whom and King Henry VI. there was this year the bloodiest Battel fought that ever was known in England. No less then thirty seven thousand English-men were slain in one day. The Earl gets the Crown, and the King was kept Prisoner in the Tower, A Civil War began in France.
A. D. 1470. A marvellous Comet appeared this year. That great Mathematician Regiomontanus (whom uIn Schol. Ma…am.Peter Ramus calls the glory of Germany) was accurate in observing that Prodigy, in all its motions, from whom Mizaldus hath given an exact description of it. The body of the Star, did at first seem small, but on a sudden it grew to a wondrous magnitude, and then again decreased. Sometimes of a white, otherwhile of a flame like aspect. The Blaze wIn Cometogr. Lib. 1. Cap. ult.was at the first appearance, and a little before it disappeared short, but after it had been seen forty dayes, the length of it was above fifty degrees. Its duration was the space of eighty dayes. At first it could be seen only in the morning, at last only in the evening, in the middle of its duration it might be seen all the night long. Its motion (which was alwayes retrograde) at its beginning and ending was slow, but in the midst of its circuit was swift, even so as to dispatch 40 degrees in one natural day. It passed from Virgo through Bootes, the Dragon, Ʋrsa minor, the feet of Cepheus, breast of Cassiopea, Andromeda, Pisces, Serpentarius, until it came to the Whale, where by reason of Occasus Heliacus, it disappeared. The Blaze did continually point at the Gemini. In the same night presently after Sun set it would point to the East, near midnight to the South, after midnight to the West, a little before Sun rise to the North. As for Events, There followed a very great Drought of three years continuance; so that in Hungaria, the great River Danaw (which is the greatest River in Europe) might be waded over; such horrible winds in Germany as blew down many Houses. A terrible Plague, in which many were deserted of their Relations, that so they might escape with their own lives. The cruel Wars of the Duke of Burgundy, which continued until his death, Also Wars between the Hungarians and the Polanders, and in the East between the Persians and the Turks. This year, the King of England, Henry VI. was Murdered by the bloody hands of the Duke of Glocester.
A. D. 1477. A Caerulean dark coloured Comet was seen. xEberus, Buntingus, Eckstormius, &c. AlstediusThe Emperour Charles V. used to say that that Blazing Star was portentous of his Grandfathers Death, who fell amongst others that were slain in that Battle fought before Nance this year. It was a fatal year to many other Princes. A direful Plague followed, and such heat and drought, as that great Rivers were dried up; and not only Fruit Trees were destroyed, but whole Forrests were set on fire by the scorching heat of the Sun. A terrible Plague followed.
A. D. 1491. A Comet appeared in the evening yMizaldus, Praetorius ex Walteri Observationibus, Funccius.a little after Sun-set. The Star small, but the Stream long, extending it self Eastward in direct opposition to the body of the Sun. Immediately after which the Turks overcame Dalmatia, and Slavonia. There was also a great Mortality both amongst Men and Cattle. The Pope and the King of Poland died this year. The King of Portugal was killed by a fall from his Horse. The next year the new World (as it useth to be called) viz. that part of the World which now bears the Name of America was discovered by Christopher Columbus.