London, England: Man in a flying object — 11 May 1710
At 2:00 A.M. multiple witnesses saw “a strange comet” which seemed to be carried along
with two black clouds. “After which,” according to the report, “follow’d the likeness of a Man in a Cloud of Fire, with a Sword in his Hand, which mov’d with the Clouds as the other did, but they saw it for near a quarter of an Hour together, to their very great surprise…” The scene was depicted in a woodcut. Fig. 29: Sighting by nightwatchmen in London
Source: The Age of Wonders: or farther and particular Discriptton [sic] of the remarkable, and Fiery Appartion [sic] that was seen in the Air, on Thursday in the Morning, being May the 11th 1710. also the Figure of a Man in the Clouds with a drawn Sword; which pass ‘d from the North West over toward France, with reasonable Signification thereon; and the Names of several Inhabitants in and about the City of London, that saw the same, and are ready to Attest it. Also an Account of several Comets that have appear ‘d formerly in England, and what has happen ‘d in those Years (London: J. Read, 1710?). [British Library, 1104.a.24] Case: W270