Germany — September 1157
Three suns, three moons
Lunar halo, mock moons, sundogs and crosses of light are represented in this medieval book. Fig. 51: Phenomena in Germany The text reads: “In the month of September, there were seen three suns in a clear sky [and more than two hours after the disappearance of the other two, the middle sun disappeared as well— Schedel]. And a few days later, in the same month, three moons [were seen], and in the moon that stood in the middle, a white cross. Whereupon the Doctors and the most skillful searchers of natural things, being sent for from the universities of Paris, Bononia [Bologna] and Venice, did interpret the prognostication, signifying that there should arise a discord between the Cardinals in choosing the Pope […] “There were seen many signs in the sky towards the North, as it were fiery torches and the likeness of reddish human blood. Neither did these wonders deceive them, for King Suenus [Sven III of Denmark] spoiled the country of the Wagians and all places were spoiled by war.”
Source: Hartmann Schedel, Liber Chronicarum (Nuremberg, 1493), fol. 203v; Lycosthenes, op. cit., 413-414. Case: W496