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Timeline of Comet Sightings
891
Several cultures around the world report seeing a large comet in the skies.
905
The chronicles report a comet seen in the skies at the end of the year.
1066
A comet appeared in the skies and is shown on the Bayeux Tapestry. It is thought to be the same comet that was named after Edmund Halley who accurately predicted its return in 1758.
1095
A comet was seen for several weeks with its tail pointing east.
1106
A comet was seen and reported by several civilisations around the World. Lasting for forty days the comet grew steadily in brightness until finally fading away.
1110
Jun 8
The comet was visible from England for three weeks.
1132
The Chronical of Florence of Worcester mentions the sighting of a comet seen for several days in October.
1145
Return of the comet now named after Edmond Halley who died in 1742 that returns approximately every 75 years.
1178
A report from Gervase, a medieval chronicler at Canterbury, appears to indicate that the Moon was hit by a comet and resulted in flaming debris being ejected into space. Further reports state that people were killed by the debris hitting the Earth. So did the comet hit the Moon or just burn up in the atmosphere?
1222
Return of the comet now named after Edmond Halley who died in 1742 that returns approximately every 75 years.
1264
From the Chronicles of Meaux Abbey came the report of the siting of a comet which was said to return every three hundred years. Rising from the east with more brightness than had ever been seen by a living person.
1301
Return of the comet now named after Edmond Halley who died in 1742 that returns approximately every 75 years.
1337
A comet was seen in the skies of France and was viewed as a bad omen and that war was on the horizon.
1338
A second? comet trailing fire is seen in the skies over Europe.
1378
Return of the comet now named after Edmond Halley who died in 1742 that returns approximately every 75 years.
1456
Return of the comet now named after Edmond Halley who died in 1742. The comet returns approximately every 75 years.
1531
Return of the comet now named after Edmond Halley who died in 1742 that returns approximately every 75 years.
1556
A bright comet was seen and reported by many countries in Europe. As usual, the siting of such an unusual object in the skies was seen as inauspicious and spread fear. This comet has been linked to a similar siting in 1264 but no evidence links the two.
1577
A large comet entered the Solar System and was visible and recorded by many around the World. Chief amongst them was Tycho Brahe who was able to measure the position of the comet. Although his model of the Solar System was wrong his investigations led to the improved understanding of comets.
A Medieval Mystery
There appear to be some strange connections between the fourteenth century Old Wardour Castle and ancient stone circle Stonehenge.
1: Location
Old Wardour Castle appears to be aligned to ancient sites in the Stonehenge landscape.
2: Alignment
Stonehenge is aligned to the Summer Solstice. Old Wardour has a very similar alignment.
3: Size
Could the builders of Old Wardour used mesaurements from Stonehenge to layout the geometrical keep?
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