near Tubingen, Germany — 5 December 1577
Flying black hats
“Numerous black clouds appeared around the Sun, similar to those we see during major storms; shortly thereafter, other clouds of blood and fire emerged from the Sun, and yet others yellow as saffron. “From these clouds came luminous effects like big, high and broad hats, and the earth itself appeared yellow, bloody, and covered with high and broad hats that took various colors such as red, blue, green, and most of them black. “Everyone can easily understand the meaning of this miracle, and know that God wants men to repent and make penance. May the all-powerful God help all men to recognize Him. Amen”.
Source: Pierre Boaistuau, Histoires Prodigieuses (2nd edition, 1594). Also described in a German broadsheet printed in early 1578: Schrockliche Newe Zeitung/ von dem Wunderzeichen / welches den kurtzverschinenen funfften deB Christmonats /zu Alttorff inn dem Land Wurtenberg istgesehen worden (Strassburg: Bernhard Jobin, 1578), ZB PAS II 15/1. This belongs to J.J. Wick’s collection (Wickiana). Case: W158