( 39 ) 



carried through a long circuit of the air, sometimes show- 

 ing as it had borne fire with it and sometimes leaving, a 

 it were, smoke behind it (Holinshed) 



June 12. An eclipse of the sun, which lasted from 

 the third hour till the sixth hour (M. of W.). 



1240 In February appeared a comet, very dreadful to be- 

 hold, for the space of thirty days together. May 7. There 

 chanced a great boisterous wind that sore troubled the 

 sky (Holinshed; M. of W.). 



There was a great sound heard in sundry parts of 

 England at one self time, as if it had been the noise 

 of some mighty mountain that had fallen into the sea 

 (Holinshed). 



1241 October 6. There appeared a right sore eclipse of 

 the sun, very strange to the beholders (Holinshed). 



This year was one of pestilence and disturbance to the 

 kingdom of England (M. of W.). 



1242 November 20. There happened a marvellous tem- 

 pest of thunder and lightning, and therewith followed 

 such an exceeding rain (which continued many days 

 together) that rivers rose on marvellous height ; and the 

 Thames itself, which seldom riseth, or is increased by 

 land floods, passing over the banks drowned all the 

 country for the space of six miles about Lambeth, so that 

 none might get into Westminster Hall except on horse- 

 back (Holinshed). 



1243 Wheat 2S. per quarter (Smith). 



July 26. In the night stars were seen fall from the 

 sky after a marvellous sort, not after the common manner, 

 but thirty or forty at once, so fast one after another, and 

 glancing to and fro that if there had fallen so many very 

 stars, indeed, there would none have been left in the 

 firmament (Holinshed). 



This year, pregnant with storms to the kingdom of 

 England, yet was tolerably fertile and fruitful (M. of W.). 



1244 Wheat 25. per quarter (Smith). 



