( 38 ) 



there chanced a great drought, continuing by the space of 

 four months or more. On the morrow, after the Feast 

 of St. Martin, and certain days after, the sea burst out 

 with such high tides and tempests of wind that the marsh 

 countries near to the same were drowned up and over- 

 flown ; and besides great herds and flocks of cattle that 

 perished, there was no small number of men lost and 

 drowned. The sea rose continually, inflowing the space 

 of two days and one night without ebbing, by reason of 

 the mighty violence of contrary winds. At Wisbeach, 

 and in villages thereabouts, the people were drowned in 

 great numbers. Also the day before Christmas eve there 

 chanced a great wind with thunder and rain in such ex- 

 treme wise that many buildings were shaken and over- 

 thrown (Holinshed). 



Such a vast inundation of continued rain fell for about 

 three months, as no one recollected having seen before 

 (M. of W.). 



This year also a great many large springs burst out, 

 and unusual streams. And the day after the festival of 

 the blessed Martin, and also the day week after, a violent 

 storm of wind, accompanied by noise as if of thunder, 

 raised up the waves of the sea and caused them to exceed 

 their usual bounds, so that boats were lost and much 

 cattle, and a great number of human beings perished (M. 

 of W.). 



1237 About March i began sore rain and tempestuous 

 weather, whereof ensued great floods as before in the 

 beginning of the year passed, though not doing- so much 

 hurt as before {Holinshed). 



Wheat 3*. 4^. per quarter (Smith). 



1239 For the space of four months together fell exceeding 

 great rain, yet at length it began to hold up about Easter. 

 The beginning of June there appeared early in the morn- 

 ing, certain days together, before the sun was up, a star 

 of a large compass, the which with swift course was 



