( II ) 



There occurred two plagues unknown to the English 

 nation in preceding ages ; namely, a fever affecting the 

 people, and a murrain among animals, called " seitha," 

 being a flux of the bowels. These greatly ravaged the 

 whole of England, and affected both men and animals 

 with great devastation, and consuming the inner parts of 

 the body raged in an indescribable manner (Roger de 

 Hoveden; M. of W.). 



991 Frost extremely severe and long. Crops failed, and 

 famine and pestilence ended the year (Lowe). 



993 and 994 Summers so hot that the corn and fruit dried 

 up (Lowe). 



995 This year appeared a comet (Elfri<?s Annals). 



998 River Thames frozen over for five weeks (Lowe). 



1000 The moon appeared of a bloody colour, to the great 

 terror of them that beheld it. In the summer next 

 following corn failed and cattle died so generally that if 

 there had not been more plenty of fish got than was 

 accustomed to be, the people had been famished in many 

 places. It rained stones (Holinshed). 



March 2Qth. Earthquake throughout the whole of 

 Europe (Old Chronicle). 



1001 Divers kinds of sickness vexed the people, as the 

 bloody flix and the burning agues, so that many died 

 thereof (Holinshed). 



1005 This year was the great famine throughout the English 

 nation, such as no man can remember before so terrible 

 (Elf rids Annals'; Roger de Hoveden ; M. of W.). 



1007 A great famine, caused partly by the bad seasons and 

 partly by the decay of agriculture (Hume). 



1008 A sore tempest, with an outrageous wind, rose 

 (Holinshed ; Roger de Hoveden}. 



1009 Such a wind came as no man before remembered, 

 and beat all the ships to pieces and cast them upon the 

 land (^f. A C.). 



1013 Heavy rains this year (Ingulf us). 



