Concerning Comets, Chapter 8
CHAP. VIII.
The History of Comets which have been Observed from the Year 1500. to 1600. with the Events.
A D. 1500. In the MonethMonth of April, a Comet aRockenbachius, Funccius, Mizalduswas observed in the sign of Capricorn, of a fearful magnitude, appearing for above a quarter of a year, and was seen in the day time as well as in the night. And another bLavater, Hevelius, Alstedius.the same year in January, seen also in the Day, for above a week together. Four years after, there hapned a Conjunction of the Superiour Planets, which was attended with a notable Blazing Star almost as light as the Moon, so that people could see to Travel by the light of it. The next year another Comet was seen in April continuing two dayes. And again in August, under Coma Berenices, and near Charles Wain. Remarkable Events attending these Comets were, the death of the Arch Duke of Austria, and of the King of Spain, and of the King of Bohemia, and of the Queen in England. Plague, Famine, and sore Drought lasting from January to November, in some Countries. Prodigious Tempests and Inundations in other places. The Tartars wasted Poland, the Muscovites Lithuania. The Bavaric War also War between the Germans, the Venetians, and French. The Spaniards began their most bloody Butcheries amongst the Indians. The Islands of Hispaniola, Cuba, Iamaica, were exceeding populous, but the cruel Spaniards made them desolate. A Writer of their own confesseth that in a few years time, they killed more then ten hundred thousand Natives, fourteen times told.
A. D. 1513. A Comet appeared in Cancer, cRicciolus ex Petro Surdo, Zanch de operibus Dei. L. 3. C. 2. P. 335.continuing from December to the latter end of Ianuary. The colour various, the stream long, seen all night. This year that great Blazing Star which had put the whole Christian World into a flame, died, viz. Pope Iulius II. The King of Scotland with an Army of sixty thousand invaded England, but he was slain in battel, and (besides three Bishops, twelve Earls, seventeen Lords) many thousands with him. The King of Denmark died. Insurrections in many places in Germany followed. The next year the Popes Legate made a Proclamation in Hungaria, that whatsoever would go out against the Turks should have Indulgences granted them, whereupon a great rabble gathered together, but instead of warring against the Turks, they fell upon their own Countreymen flew seventy thousand of them, amongst which were four hundred of the Nobles. The Turks and Christians …ad a bloody engagement; an hundred thousand of the Turk, best Souldiers were cut off in one day. About this time Armenia was conquered by Selimus, and annexed to the Ottoman Dominions, v. Ricaut of the present state of the Anmenian Church, P. 389.
A. D. 1516. A Comet dMizaldus, P. Jovius.of a Lunar nature, was seen for some dayes. The King of Spain died. The next year Luther began to declare against Indulgences. Soon after which great Commotions and mutations followed throughout all Antichristendome. †v. Purchase Pilgrim, Part, 4. L 8. P. 1577.Now did the merciless Spaniards fall upon the Indians inhabiting the Terra firma, where they murdered above four Millions of Souls. The Sulden of Aegypt was miserably Murdered, and the Mamalucks power (that had kept Aegypt under three hundred years) swallowed up by the Turks.
A. D. 1523. And in the next year also, a Comet appeared. ePraetorius, Rockenbachius, Junctinus, Eckstormius.A fearful Inundation followed, & Earth-quakes. The Sedition of the Rusticks in Germany, in which sixty thousand lives were lost. The King of France was taken Prisoner by Charles V. The Duke of Saxony died. In England, after a great Rain, there followed such an extream Frost, as that many lost their nails, and some died with cold.
A. D. 1527. On the eleventh day of August, a most terrifying fVVolfius, Cent. 16. P. 293. Lavater, Herlicius, Gemma.Comet was seen, of an immense longitude, and bloody colour. The form of it, was like a mans arm holding an huge Sword in his hand with which he was ready to strike. Such terrour and horrour surprized the Spectators of this Prodigy, as that some died away with dread & amazement. gRicciolus.The next year another Comet was seen in Pisces, Jan. 18. There followed a great Dearth in England by reason of extremity of Rain in Seed time; also a Famine in Venice, and in several other places, whereby many perished. And that woful Disease known by the name of the English Sweat, infected all places of the Realm, whereby whole miriads were sent to the Grave. The Duke of Barbon took Rome, and sacked it. The Turks wasted Hungaria. In some places, Armies of Locusts devoured the fruits of the Earth.
A. D. 1530. A hMizaldus, Eckstormius, &c.Comet was observed. And again the next year in August and September, having its motion from the beginning of Leo unto Libra, appearing first in the Morning before Sunrise, afterwards in the evening. Again, iAppianus. Confessio Augustana.the year following from September 26. to October 20. its motion being from Virgo to Scorpio, and at first a southern, but at last a northern Latitude. The body of the Star was three times as big as the Planet Jupiter; the stream exceeding long, pointing to the South-west. The next year in June, in Gemini; the Star somewhat greater then Jupiter, the figure like a long sword. As for the more remarkable Events, attending those Blazing Stars, thus annually appearing, they were such as these. An Earth-quake in Portugal; above a thousand houses were thrown down thereby. A sore Famine in some Countries. A great Flood or Inundation of Waters in the Netherlands, viz. in Holland, Friezland, and Zeland (no Iess then four hundred and four Parishes were drowned;) yea and in Poland: Also at Rome the River Tyber overflowed its Banks. Now did the famous Confession of Ausburg come forth, and the name of Protestant was first known. That Confession was put into the form of a Covenant, subscribed by several of the Electoral Princes, who protested they would abide by the Truth, so did the opposers of Popery come to bear the name of Protestants. The World blazed and flamed out with Wars every where. In the East the Persians and Turks were at variance. Also the Turks made an irruption upon Christendome. Hungaria was full of Troubles. In Helnetia there was an unhappy War, wherein Zuinglius (that Star of the first magnitude) lost his life. In Westphalia, the Munsterian Anabaptists brought all to confusion. In Denmark, the Popish party designing to suppress the Protestants, involved that Kingdome in War and Blood. In Africa, the Kingdome of Tunis was put into a flame by Barbarossa. Great mutations hapned in England which filled the World with discourse and wonderment, for King Henry VIII. cast off the Popes Supremacy, and turned the Monks and Friers out of doors, disposing of the Church-lands to whom he pleased. By all which things it appears, that the Blazing Stars mentioned were not seen for nothing.
A. D. 1538. A Comet appeared in January, kJacobus Fincelius.continuing three weeks. It was seen in the evening (in the sign Pisces) the Blaze 30 degrees in Longitude. The lAppianus. Hallerus.next year a great Comet appeared in Leo, from May 6, to 17. Many things worthy of Remark hapned in this year. Amongst the Napolitans, the Sea was …ried up eight miles; and out of that place there was a most horrendous irruption of fiery flames, and ashes, which falling upon the People living thereabouts, they were miserably destroyed. A terrible Conflagration hapned in Constantinople continuing several dayes. A fiery Summer and a scorching Drought in many places. The King of France came with an Army into Italy. The King of Spains Navy was overcome by Barbarossa. The Duke of Saxony died with grief, and his death occasioned great mutations and miseries in that part of Germany. The Antinomians headed by an obscure and illiterate person (one John Isleb) did now first begin to Blaze in Germany. A principal City in the Countrey of Mexico was almost overwhelmed by a Deluge of boyling water which descended from a Vulcano near unto it.
A. D. 1542, A lRockenbachius, Eckstormius, Ricciolus ex Fromordo & Senerto habet An. 1543.Blazing Star terrible to behold, was seen forty dayes. Three years after that another appeared of a bloody colour. Remarkable Events, were, a great Drought, in England, the lesser Rivers were clean dried up, much Cattle died there for lack of Water. In Silisia and other Countries the Locusts did much harm. The designed Expedition of the Christians against the Turks proved unhappy, a great part of the Christian Army dying by an Epidemical Disease. The latter of these Comets was attended with the first Session of the Council of Trent; Also at the Popes Instigation the Waldenses were destroyed for their Religion, and Popish, Barbarous, Unparalled Cruelties exercised towards them, The next year (viz. A. D. 1546.) Luther died, immediately upon whose death a Cloud of Blood which had been long impending, fell upon Germany, for a fatal War broke out between the Emperour and the Protestant Princes.
A. D, 1556. A Comet in Libra was seen from the beginning of March to April 23. The Colour varied. mHommelius, Camerarius, Bizaras, Histor. Genuens. Kepler, Cardanus, & alii.The body of it shining like an half Moon, the stream near its head more compact, but in the end more rare. Its motion from Virgo through Bootes to the North Pole of the Ecliptick; from thence through Andromeda to Piscis septentrionalis, where it vanished. In the midst of its appearance the motion was most swift, for it dispatched 15 Degrees every day. At the first it was retrograde, but afterwards direct. In the space of four dayes it was removed about 70 Degrees Westward, and 30 Degrees Northward. It moved towards the Planet Saturn, the nearer it came to him, the slower was its motion. nGemma.Its magnitude at its disappearing in a manner equal to what it was at first. This Comet was attended with the death of many Learned and Worthy Men; and with the fiery part of Queen Mary's Persecution. This year also, the Emperour Charles V. did to the amazement of the World, resign his Crown, and betook himself to a Monastery. Such an Inundation hapned at Rome by the River Tybers overflowing, as that a great part of the City was thereby destroyed.
A. D. 1558. A Comet was seen in the Evening under Coma Berenices, of a pale colour, continuing about 30 dayes. oThuanus, Lib. 21. Page 577. Tycho Epist P. 144.Also in May the next year; and in December the year after that. These three years did not pass without such things as were very observable. In England there was such a prodigious Tempest as the like (in respect of circumstances) is seldome mentioned in any History. That year also Queen Mary died, and famous Queen Elizabeth seconded, whereby affairs both in Church and State were strangely altered. The Emperour Charles V. said that Comet was sent to give him notice of his approaching Death. And at the sight of it, made this Pentameter, His ergò indicijs me mea fata vocant. So it hapned, for he died that year, pRicciolus.The next year the Pope died, and no less then fifteen Cardinals, also the King of France, the King of Portugal, the King of Denmark, and many other Princes.
A. D. 1577. This year a notable blazing Star amazed the VVorld for three Moneths together. Those famous Mathematicians Michael Mastlin, Cornelius Gemma, and Tycho Brahe, have written largely and learnedly concerning that Comet. It was seen first on the ninth of November, in the beginning of Capricorn, passing through that sign and Aquarius, to the midst of Pisces. The Star was equal to Venus in magnitude, being a compact solid body, and like a little Moon, shining as the purest Silver. The stream differed in colour from the Star, for it was red and fiery, in breadth five Degrees, and in length thirty. Towards the body of the Star, the rayes were more condensed, but the longer they were distended they appeared to be more scattered and diffused abroad, which argued that the Stream was procreated by some external light penetrating through the body of the Star; and it was observed to be opposite to the Sun, yet so as that the form of it was bending like a Bow, whose convexity was towards the Zenith, and concavity towards the Horizon. Both Gemma and Tycho found that this Comet was higher then the Moon. According to Tycho's observation, the true Diameter of the Star was 368. Mill. Germ. so that its proportion to the Earth was as 3 to 14. The Longitude of the Comets tail he found to be 96 Semidiameters of the Earth. He concluded it was not in the Airy but in the Etherial VVorld, because it did admit of no sensible Parallax. On November 10. the Parallax was 19 12 which was diminished every day until it came to two minutes, and that was a demonstration that the Comet a scended higher and higher. At the first it was distant from the Earth 173 Semidiamiters, but at last 1733. h. e. it ascended as high as the Sun it self. As for Events, the King of Persia died by poyson. The great Turk was slain in Battel, and seventy thousand with him. The King of Portugal would needs venture into Mauritania that so he might restore Mahomed to the Kingdome which his Uncle Aldelmeleck had detruded him from; in that memorable Battel the King of Portugal was slain, and the greatest part of the Nobility with him. Abdelmeleck though he obtained a victory died that day of an Apoplexy, Mahomed was drowned in the Marshes, so that three Kings lost their lives in one day. This year also Novograde in Muscovia (whose Inhabitants were wont to say that nothing was able to oppose God, unless it were great Novograde) was taken, the Conquerour carrying away with him (as its said) *Mordens Geography rectified, P. 122.an 100 VVagons of Gold and Silver.
A. D. 1580. A wonderful Comet appeared this year. It was observed first October 2 having no Coma for several dayes, sc. not till October 9. VVhen on a sudden it appeared with a formidable blaze. The reason of which Maestl…n judgeth to be this. The Sun and the Comet were in opposite signs in the Zodiack, so that at first the Coma ascending directly upwards could not be perceived by men here below, but as the Star receded from the Suns Diameter, the rayes issuing from thence were seen, which were adverse to the Sun, though not in exact Diametrical opposition thereto. Its appearance continued above three Moneths. At first in the Evening at 7h. but November 14. it was seen both in the Morning and in the Evening, until December 6. when it appeared in the Morning only. It was bigger then a Star of the first magnitude, only of a darker colour, and not moving as the fixed Stars, but as the Planets do. At first retrograde and slow in its progress, afterwards swiftly passing through Aries, Pisces, Capricorn, Sagittarius, but towards the end of its appearance, the motion was more remiss, until it became almost stationary, it was as high as the Planet Mercury, or Venus, viz. 157. S. T. There followed an epidemical Disease, which strangely run through all Europe. Also great VVars between the Emperour of Muscovia, and the Suevians and Polanders. The States of Holland united in renouncing obedience and subjection to the King of Spain, and from thence they bear the name of the Ʋnited Provinces. The Christians in Cyprus this year rebelling against …he Turks, were miserably destroyed: tSee Ricaut of the present state of the Greek Churches, P. 91.So that of fourteen thousand Villages of Christians which then were in that populous Island, there now remain but seven hundred.
A. D. 1585. A strange Star appeared qTyco Braheus, Christoph Rothmanuns.from the 8th of October, to the 5th of November, in the Sign of Pisces, having its motion direct through Aries, Taurus, &c. The magnitude equal to Jupiter but affording an obscure cloudy kind of light without any Coma. It was observed to be as high as Saturn.
The next year rRicciolus.the Plague raged in the lesser Asia, Austria and Hungaria. Italy and the low Countries were afflicted with a Famine. In the Countrey near Constantinople, Armies of Locusts devoured the fruits of the Earth. The Queen of Scotland being in England was tried for her life, condemned and beheaded.
A. D. 1590, A Comet appeared from February 23. to March 6. near Piscis Borealis. The blaze very thin and small, and about ten degrees in length. It was by Tycho observed to be as high as the Sun.
As for Events, the Pope Sixtus V. died, and his Successour Ʋrbanus VII. lived but ten dayes after he came to the Popedome, Gregory XIV. succeeded him, but lived not a whole year, the next Pope, viz. Innocentius IX. lived but two Moneths; so that four Popes successively died in little more then a years time. There was a terrible Earthquake this year in Moravia and Austria, whereby many Houses (especially in Vienna) were destroyed. The next Summer there was a sore Drought. A Shepherd in a place in Holland carelesly throwing some fire upon the ground, by reason of the dry season, the ground took fire, and burnt so that the Heavens seemed to flame, nor could the fire be extinguished, until the Sea water was let in upon it. In Paris thirteen thousand persons were famished to death this year.
A. D. 1596. July 9. A Comet of Saturnine aspect appeared in Ʋrsa major, from whence it hastned to Coma Berenices. rBucholzer, Maestlinus & alii.It passed through Cancer, Leo, and Virgo, and there turning aside, became Stationary. Remarkable Events were; a drought and earth quake in divers places. The English burnt the Spanish Fleet. The Turks in Battle overcame the Austrians. This year many great Personages sSr. Richard Bakers Chron. p. 387.died in England, Also tCluverius Hist. P. 753.many famous for Learning in other Countries. Ireland blazed with Tyr Owens Rebellion, nor could that Flame be extinguished without the effusion of much English blood. An exundation of the River Tyber, drowned 1500 persons in Rome, and the City received inestimable detriment thereby.