Signs and Wonders Signifying Calamity of Certain Countries, Nations, or Great Persons
About the year from the beginning of the world, 3458, Tarquinius, surnamed Superbus, the seventh King of the Romans, was deprived of his kingdom by his subjects, and thrust out by force of arms, and the state of governance altered from the government of one monarch to 2 yearly offices called Consuls. A little before which time, in signification thereof (as historians do write) a dog did speak, and a serpent [reconstructed: did] bark. T. Pliny, book 8, chapter 41.
The year from the beginning of the world, 3538, the light of the sun was so taken away by an [reconstructed: eclipse] seen in Greece, that a man might see the stars as well at midday as at midnight. Shortly afterwards followed the war, called the war of Peloponnese, which continued twenty-seven years. Thucydides.
The year from the beginning of the world, 3698, at Rome, and the country thereabout, blood in stead of water gushed out of the springs, and milk from heaven, like rain. Shortly after followed the war of Carthage against the Romans, which cost the lives of many thousands. Orosius, book 4, chapter 5.
In the year 1452, Constantinople in Greece (where in those days was the Emperor's Palace) was besieged and overcome by the great Turk, called Mahomet the second of that name. When he had gotten the victory, he used most beastly cruelty toward the Christians, both men, women, and children, old and young, rich and poor. The Emperor being slain, his head was set upon a spear, and carried round about the city (the more to grieve his subjects). His wife and daughter, with many noble women, were ravished, and after cut in pieces. All the noble men were slain. The common people were made bond slaves. And many other such like villanies were done, besides the bringing of the whole country of Greece into his own dominion. A little before which time, was seen at Comus, a city in France, toward the sun setting, a great multitude of dogs, carried in the air, and after them droves of diverse kinds of beasts. Also men armed diversely, some with spears and shields, who were pursued by a great army of horsemen, being divided into diverse companies. For the space of three hours the army seemed to be setting forth. At the last came forth a tall and huge man, fearful to behold, sitting upon a terrible horse, seeming to be the Captain of the host. And many such strange things appeared, until night when they could be no more seen.
