state and condition of euerye yeare, by the
only Kalends of Ianuarie: written by that antient
_learned_ Leopoldus Austriacus, _and others,
for the commoditie of the wise Husbandmen_.
Cap.ij.
And nowe, when the first day of Ianuary shal happen on the Sunday, then
the Winter shall be temperate and good, yet windie, the Spring wet, the
sommer drie, and the Haruest hurtfull throughe windes. So that
victualles shall be reasonable good cheape, plentie of Wines, the good
health & encrease of shéepe and other cattell, and the indifferent
plentie of hony, and the like plentie also of Peason, Beanes, Vetches,
and the herbes and fruites of the Gardens. Also yong men shal die that
yeare, and a discorde to be feared betwéene Kings, or else some
manifest perils to happen to Kings and greate Prelates in aucthoritie,
and that diuers robberies shall be attempted that yeare. And if
controuersies happen betwéen Princes, then a conclusion of peace to be
looked for in that yeare.
And if the firste day of Ianuarie shall happen on the Monday, then
shall the Winter be warme, the Spring very colde, with Snow and Frostes
that season, the Sommer boisterous through winds, and haile oftentimes,
and lande floudes shall be somewhere, and the Haruest very drie. So
that sicknesses shall ensue, throughe which many of the simple sorte
shal then die, and diuers also shall die, throughe the sodaine plague
then happening. Also the likelihoode of greate alteration to ensue, &
that auntient women to mourne, Kings to die, and a greate slaughter to
be feared by the sword. Also small store of wines, the death of Bées,
and little hony that yeare.
And if the firste beginning of the moneth of Ianuarie shal be on
Tuisday, then that Winter shal be long, and much snow in that season,
and the likelihoode of land floudes, throughe the muche raine then
falling, the Spring windie, the Sommer verye wette, and the Haruest
abounding in grosse and rotten humors (so that a moste gréeuous plague
is to be feared, and especially of women, and the likelihoode of many
shipwrackes, and very greate cares and troubles to happen vnto Princes,
with the scarcitie of fruites of the trées: and corne shall be deare,
with the sodaine death of cattel to be feared that yeare. Also wood
shal that yeare be deare, and the likelihoode of fearefull fyres, and
that the plague to be grieuous that yeare. And yet shal there be store
of Peason, Beanes, and Vetches, & plentie of hearbes and floures. Also
there shall be plentie of Hony, Oyle, and wines that yeare.
And when the firste of Ianuarie beginneth on the Wednesday, then shall
the Winter be warme and calme, the Spring wette, and disposed to
sicknesses, the Sommer hote, and the Haruest vnprofitable, so that long
sicknesses are to be feared, & the Quarten Ague with them. Also yong
men shall then be sick, and in ieopardie of death, and women the like,
& in sundrie places shall happen a famine, with a greate brute of
straunge newes. And there is also to be feared the grieuous passions of
the hearte, the ydlenesse of minde, or rather distraught, and the
diseases of the matrice in women. And yet the plentie of Oyle and
Wines, but the scarcitie of corne to be doubted that yeare.
And if the beginning of Ianuarie be on Thursedaye, then shall the
Winter be calme, & temperate, the Spring windie, the Sommer
vnseasonable, and the Haruest drie, so that corne and victualles shall
then be deare, yet store of Oile and Wines that yeare. And there is a
likelihoode of lighte sickenesses to happen vnto the common people, but
more dangerous sicknesses vnto the richer sorte. And the blearednesse
of eies also is to be feared, and that yong children shall then die,
battels procured, and the sedition of souldiours, and an earthquake to
be doubted that yeare. Also great talke of newes shal be in Kings and
Princes houses, and greate perills also be doubted to happen vnto
Princes in that yeare.
And if the firste daye of Ianuarie happen on Fridaye, then shall the
Winter be verie cold and drie, the Spring boysterous and wette, the
Sommer temperate, the Haruest more wette than drie. So that the
blearednesse, and other diseases with the filthinesse of matter running
in the eies is to be feared, and the pinne or web is likewise to be
doubted to happen in that yeare. And yong children shall ther die, and
a likelihoode that young women shall be allured vnto a wanton loue,
throughe the flatterie and great perswasions of men. Also a suspition
of battels to ensue in that yeare, and the plague and robberies then to
happen. Also the plentie of fruites is then promised, althoughe muche
haile fall that yeare.
And if the beginning of Ianuarie happen on Saterdaye, then the Winter
shall be windie and vnstable, the Spring windie, and vnconstant of
weather, the sommer vnstable with manye tempestes, and the Haruest
drie: So that victualls shall be deare, small store of corne, and
little fruite that yeare. Also shéepe shall not well prosper that
yeare, and a likelihoode then of the death of swine, and that woode
shall be deare.
Also there shall be manye tertian agues, and diuers other diseases
rayning among men, so that olde men shall then die, and a likelyhoode
of the death of many men, by the plague. Also many fires shall be
hearde of, little store of Wines, Oyle, and Hony, yet plentie of hay
that yeare.
And if Neweyeares night (being the first night of Ianuarie) shall be
calme and cleare, as withoute winde and raine, then doeth the same
promise a prosperous yeare following.
And if in the same night the winde happen to blowe oute of the East,
then doth the same signifie the death of cattell to ensue that yeare.
And if the same night the winde happen to blowe out of the West, then a
likelyhood of the death of Kinges or Princes to ensue that yeare.
And if in the same night the wind happen to blow out of the South, then
doth the same signifie the death of manye persons to ensue that yeare.
And if in the same night the wind happen to blow out of the North, then
doth the same signifie the small yéelde of all fruites of the earth
that yeare.
¶ Howe to foreknowe the state of the yeare, by the only
rising of the dogge starre, out of the husbandrie
of Diophanes. Cap.iij.
And about the knowledge of this, there is to be considered and noted,
in what signe the Moone shall then be, at the first appearance of the
dogge starre aboue the Earth in our Realme of England, which generally
to be reckened is about the seauenth day of Iuly.
And nowe if the Moone runne then in the signe Aries, at the first
appearance of the Dog starre, it doth after declare the death of
Cattell and much raine. So that small yéelde of corne yet plentie of
Oyle shal be that yeare.
And if the Moone runne then in the signe Taurus, at the first
appearance of the dog starre, then doth it signifie much raine, fogges
and mistes that shal harme much that yeare.
And if the Moone runne then in the signe Gemini, at the first
appearance of the dogge starre, it doth after promise the plentie of
corne and wine and all other fruites of the earth, a yet diseased
yeare, and to be doubted that a King shal then die, and that rebellion
also shall be moued that yeare.
And if the Moone run then in the signe Cancer at the first appearance
of the dog starre, aboue the earth, it doth after threaten drought,
with the great scarcitie of corne to ensue in that yere:
And if the Moone runne then in the signe Leo at the firste sight of the
dogge starre, it after promiseth the plentie both of wines and Oyle,
and the good cheape of corne and other victuals that yeare. And yet to
bée feared the commotions of the common people, and slaughter of the
same to ensue, with an erthquake, and land floudes to happen in that
yeare.
And if the Moone runne then in the signe Virgo, at the first appearance
of the dogge star, it after signifieth the plentie of showers, and the
greate store of fruites of the earth, and the cheapenesse also of
cattell. And yet to be feared, that women shal be deliuered before
their time in that yeare.
And if the Moone runne then in the signe Libra, at the first appearance
of the dogge starre, it after declareth the stirring vp of a king, and
a commotion of the common people. And yet the plentie of fruites of the
trées, although there be a likelyhood of the scarcitie of corne and
oyle in that yeare.
And if the Moone runne then the signe Scorpio, at the first appearance
of the dogge starre, it after declareth the commotion of priests, the
destruction of Bées, and an infectiue aire to ensue that yeare.
And if the Moone runne then in the signe Sagitarius, at the first sight
of the dogge starre aboue the earth, it after signifieth a raynie
yeare, yet fruitefull, and the plentie of corne, and ioy among men. And
yet is to be feared the death of cattell, & the multitude of foules in
that yeare.
And if the Moone runne then in the signe Capricornus at the first
appearance of the dogge star aboue the earth, it after declareth the
commotion of souldiours, and greate store of raine, and yet the plentie
of corne, wines and Oyle, and al other thinges good cheape in that
yeare.
And if the Moone run then in the signe Aquarius, at the first
appearance of the dog star aboue the earth, it after signifieth of a
most likelyhood, the death of a king or Prince, the scarcitie of corne,
and the plentie of such flyes with the long hinder legges, that burne
corne by the touching of it. And yet little raine, with the plague to
ensue in that yeare.
And if the Moone runne then in the signe Pisces, at the first
appearaunce of the dogge starre aboue the earth, it after declareth
much raine, and the death of byrdes. And yet doth it promise a
sufficient store, & laudable plentifulnesse, both of Wines, Oyle, and
corne, but manye persons shall be diseased in that yeare.
¶ Other profitable instructions, right necessarie for husbandmen
to know. Cap.iiij.
And first if the horne of the Ramme (nere his eare) be boxed, the same
doeth tame his fiercenesse. And if his right genitour be trussed vp
before he goeth to couer the Ewe, then doeth he beget an Ewe lambe. And
if the left be thus straite trussed vp, and the righte hanging downe,
then doeth he begette a hée lambe.
And if in the time of the South wind blowing, the Ram doth then couer
the Ewe, he doth after beget a shée lambe.
And if when the North wind bloweth the Ram doth then couer the Ewe,
doth after beget a hée lambe. And of what colour also the vaines shal
be vnder the tongue of the Ewe, suche shal the colour of the skinne of
the lambe be, for if she hath black vaines vnder the tong, then the
Lambe shall be blacke of skin, and if white vaines vnder the tong, then
shall she haue a white lambe: and if of diuerse colours, then the lambe
shal be of diuerse colours on the skin. And that antient Isaac writeth,
that Rams in their yong yeares be of lesser moysture and clammynesse,
than be the sucking lambs, and this is, through their age and qualitie
then ruling.
And therefore the fleshe of yong weathers be better, and ingender
better bloud than the sucking lambes.
And this is héere spoken of such Rammes as be gelded, in that their
moysture and hotenesse is then temperate.
And the wethers ouer old are to be refused in eating, in that they be
then cold and drie without moysture, and they smallye nourish and
hardly disgest.
Also béefe and other fleshe of beastes being olde, be euill to eate,
through the coldenesse and drynesse, and through the lacke of the
moysture and hotnesse. And when the olde Rams in their time to couer
the Ewe, be sooner moued thereto, than the yong Rammes, it doeth then
signifie a good and profitable season to ensue in that yeare, and a
good season and prosperous also for shéepe. But if in the proper time
to couer the Ewe, the yong Rammes be sooner prouoked thereto than the
olde Rams, then doeth followe the greate rotte or murreyne of shéepe in
that yeare.
Also Ewes by drinking of water conceiue the sooner wyth Lambe and of
this the shéepeheardes giue them salte to eate, wherby the more
drinking of water, they may so conceiue with yong, and they are also by
that meanes preserued the healthfuller. And in the Haruest also some
sheapheardes giue them to eate Gourdes seasoned with salt to encrease
their milke, for by that meanes both the milke more plentifully issue
forth of their teates, and the Ewes do sooner conceiue. Also in Sommer
is the colde Northerly water good for them, and in the Haruest the
warme Southerly water good for them.
Also to let shéepe féede in the ende of the day, is greatelye
commended: and if they also stirre but little abrode, the same is
thought very profitable, in that the muche iourneying, and labouring of
them hither and thither, doth so cause them to become leane. Also the
skilful shéepeheards knowe, whiche shéepe will well endure the sharp
winter, and which not, in that vpon some of the shéepes backes (as they
affirme) Ise maye be founde, and vpon othersome none at al. So that by
this may be learned, that such shéepe which be weake, a man can hardely
plucke off the Ise from their backes. And further learne, that those
shéepe whiche haue long tayles, maye hardlier abide the sharpe colde
winter, than those hauing broade tayles: and the shéepe also curled of
haire (do in like sorte) hardlier endure the bitter winter.
And besides these, the number greatly harmeth shéepe, especially if
anye Ewe being with yong happeneth to be alone at that instant, for
that she then with lambe, doeth of the fearefull noyse of the thunder,
deliuer hir yong one before the time. And for a speciall remedie to
saue that vntimely casting of Lambes at such times, the skilfull
shéepeheardes haue found out, that the only driuing of many Ewes
togither, is a sure safegard to them to auoyde this occasion. Besides,
if you will remoue the rot of shéepe, that they die no more, then take
the belly of a Ram, and séeth the same in wine and water togither,
which after mixe with water, and giue the same generallye to all the
shéepe to drinke, for by that meanes shall they againe be recouered of
their disease. And here learne, that the fleshe of shéepe, and other
foure footed beastes, which commonly féede in moyste ground, is euill
to féede vpon, for the harde digestion of the same. Also learne, that
the good shéepe are knowen by their age, as being neyther to olde, nor
yet as Lambes: and by the forme also they are knowen, if so be you
finde them large of body.
And they besides haue much and soft wool, and both thicke & long heare,
especially on the nape, and about the necke, and the like haire on the
belly. And both the health & sicknesse of shéepe may be knowen, if so
be any openeth their eyes, and findeth the vaines within to be redde
and small, which vndoubtedly declareth them to be sound and good: but
it those vaines that appeare white, or redde, and bigge, then those
shéepe are diseased and weake.
And if the shéepe go lustily and boldely by the waye, it is a sure
token that they be sound, but sadly and hanging down the heade, then be
they diseased. These hitherto of the yearely coniectures, and other
rules, only méete for husbandmen to vnderstand and know.
(∵)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transcriber's note:
Scribal abbreviations have been expanded.
Variations in spelling, accenting, and hyphenation have been
retained.
All instances of 'VV' standing in for 'W' have been changed to 'W.'
Table of Contents entries have been regularised to the format
'cap.xij.'
cap.first., comma inserted after 'Aristotle,' "Palladius,
Aristotle, Theophrastus"
cap.first., 'aud' changed to 'and,' "diuided with plightes and
rings."
cap.vij., 'diligeuce' changed to 'diligence,' "care and diligence
of the Bees."
cap.viij., full stop inserted after 'sting,' "or lacketh a sting."
cap.viij., second 'the' struck, "whiche the king carrieth"
cap.viij., comma changed to full stop, "owe vnto him. Yet they
punish"
cap.viij., comma inserted, "lesser of body, yet howsoeuer"
cap.viij., catchwords 'be placed' inserted, "be placed certaine
rulers,"
cap.ix., second 'in' struck, "become gentle in a short time."
cap.ix., 'iu' changed to 'in,' "in the steade of"
cap.ix., 'hoth' changed to 'both,' "to be both euill and"
cap.ix., 'dest' changed to 'best,' "doth he best commende"
cap.x., comma inserted after 'ditches,' "puddels, ditches,
dung-heapes,"
cap.x., 'chéeritrée' changed to 'Chéeri trée,' "Chéeri trée they
greatly hate"
cap.x., 'hat' changed to 'that,' "for that tasting of"
cap.x., 'flonres' changed to 'floures,' "tasting of the floures"
cap.xj., comma inserted after 'swallows,' "to swallows, to
sparrowes, and"
cap.xij., 'spetiall' changed to 'speciall,' "This is a speciall
argument"
cap.xv., full stop inserted after 'agayne,' "or recouered agayne."
cap.xvj., full stop inserted after 'Bees,' "for the Honny Bees."
cap.xvj., 'dwo' changed to 'two,' "two very small and narrowe holes"
cap.xvj., full stop inserted after 'otherwise,' "darke, than
otherwise."
cap.xvij., hyphen changed to full stop, "and face. And one that"
cap.xvij., comma changed to full stop, "greatlye abhorre. Besides,
to be"
cap.xvij., full stop inserted before 'x.,' "the .viij. or .x. day
of"
cap.xvij., 'profftable' changed to 'profitable,' "is very
profitable, and"
cap.xvij., 'beinying' changed to 'beginyng,' "And from the beginyng"
cap.xx., 'controueesie' changed to 'controuersie,' "in this
controuersie"
cap.xxj., 'be' changed to 'bée,' "set forth another bée"
cap.xxj., 'a sunder' changed to 'asunder,' "cutte it asunder."
cap.xxj., 'a sunder' changed to 'asunder,' "be like cut asunder,"
cap.xxij., 'Beees' changed to 'Bees,' "That the Bees sting"
cap.xxij., 'Cap.xxi' changed to 'Cap.xxij.'
cap.xxij., 'placed' changed to 'places,' "on the stinged places."
cap.xxij., 'fouth' changed to 'fourth,' "in his fourth rule"
cap.xxxij., comma inserted after 'water,' "of this yealow water, of
Aloes"
cap.xl., 'ef' changed to 'of,' "Oyle out of Waxe"
conclusion, '(I trust)efullye' changed to '(I truste) fullye,' "I
haue (I truste) fullye satisfied"
conclusion, 'recciue' changed to 'receiue,' "thou mayste receiue
any"
Coniectures cap.j., 'fruietes' changed to 'fruites,' "of fruites
and corne"
Coniectures cap.j., 'yeelde' changed to 'yéelde,' "small yéelde of
the fruites"
Coniectures cap.j., 'trees' changed to 'trées,' "fruites of the
trées be"
Coniectures cap.j., 'than' changed to 'then,' "then in the yere"
Coniectures cap.j., 'tree' changed to 'trée,' "the Lemmon trée"
Coniectures cap.j., 'threa-' changed to 'threaten,' "it doeth after
threaten in the Winter"
Coniectures cap.ij., 'tearefull' changed to 'fearefull,'
"likelihoode of fearefull fyres"