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by the roots, and much harm done, as mills with the 

 millers in them, sheepfolds with their shepherds, and 

 ploughmen, and such as were going by the way were 

 destroyed and beaten down. About the same time the 

 sea arose with higher tides than usual by the space of six 

 feet. On Christmas Day, in the night, great thunder and 

 lightning in Norfolk and Suffolk beyond measure (Holm- 

 shed; M. of W.). 



At the time of the equinox the sea overran its natural 

 boundaries by a very great distance (M. of W.). 



1252 On the octaves of the Epiphany chanced an exceed- 

 ing great wind, which did much hurt in divers places of 

 the realm (Holms/ied). 



A great drought prevailed for four months (M. of W.). 



1252 March 13. The new moon was seen, whereas the 

 prime change by natural course should not have been till 

 the sixteenth day following, and for the space of fifteen 

 days that then next ensued the sun, the moon, and the 

 stars appeared of a red colour. And herewith the whole 

 face of the earth seemed as if it had been shadowed with 

 a thick mist or smoke, the wind notwithstanding remain- 

 ing north and north-east. Then began a sore drought, 

 continuing a long time, the which, together with morning 

 frosts and northerly winds, destroyed the fruits and other 

 growing things, which were blasted in such wise that, 

 although at first it was a very forward year and great 

 plenty towards of corn and fruit, yet, by the means afore- 

 said, the same was greatly hindered, and specially in the 

 summer season, when the sun's heat increased and the 

 drought still continued. The residue of such fruits as 

 then remained withered away so that scarce a tenth part 

 was left, and yet there was indifferent store. For if the 

 abundance which the blossoms promised had come for- 

 ward the trees had not been able to have borne the same. 

 The grass was so burned up in pastures and meadows 

 that if a man took up some of it in his hands and rubbed 



