( 3 ) 



540 June 20. The sun was eclipsed and the stars ap- 

 peared full nigh half an hour after 9 a.m. 



541 A comet appeared in Gaul so bright that the whole 

 heaven appeared to be on fire. Also real blood rained 

 out of the clouds ; and about the same time a certain 

 individual's house was seen to be sprinkled with blood, 

 and a terrible mortality of men followed (M. of W.). 



542 The sun appeared about noondays, all wholly of a 

 bloody colour. The element appeared full of bright 

 stars to every man's sight, continually, for the space of 

 two days together. Grass and herbs in Yorkshire ap- 

 peared to be all stained with blood (Hector Boetius). 



543 September 6. Earthquake felt universally throughout 

 the then known world (Mallet). 



545 Cold so intense in winter that the birds allowed them- 

 selves to be caught (Lowe). 



554 The winter was so severe with frost and snow that the 

 birds and wild beasts could be caught by the hand 

 (M. of W.). 



555 An appearance like that of lances was seen in the air, 

 reaching from the north to the west (M. of W.). 



558 The Danube was quite frozen over (Diigdale). 



A dreadful plague over all Europe, Asia, and Africa 

 (Lowe). 



565 In this year there were seen many signs in the sun and 

 moon (M. of W.). 



567 Fiery spears were seen in the air (M. of W.}. 



580 Fire was seen to run along the heaven (M. of W.). 



642 The cold so intense that the Black Sea was frozen over. 

 Snow in some places drifted to the depth of ninety feet 

 ( Chambers). 



664 Great eclipse of the sun, May 3, about ten of the 

 clock. A great dearth and mortality ensued, both in 

 Britain and Ireland. About this time a sore and grievous 

 pestilence for three years together, consuming a greater 

 number of men than were left alive (Holinshed). 



