The Comet this year was first observed by German and Flemish astrologers during the late Summer and Autumn. It was interpreted as an ill omen of the wars which then ravaged Europe. Immediately after the appearance of the Comet, Emperor Albrecht of Germany ravaged the Rhine lands with fire and sword. Afterwards the German astrologers explained the Comet as a warning omen of the death of the Emperor’s son Rudolf, who died within a twelvemonth of his coronation as King of Bohemia. In Flanders the Comet was taken as a heavenly token of the fierce war which followed the bloodstained massacre of 3,000 French soldiers by the enraged people of Flanders. Soon after this came Robert of Artois’ bloody defeat at Coutrai, the famous “Battle of the Spurs,” so called from the thousands of gilt spurs that were taken afterwards from the feet of the slain French cavaliers. 1222 The Comet during this year is recorded by the Chinese astronomers in the months of September and October. During these months, and immediately afterwards, Jenghis Khan, the bloody Mongol conqueror, with his fierce Mongol hordes, was ravaging all China, Persia, India and the Caucasus country as far as the River Don. The Comet was taken as a special omen of the terrible fate of the City of Herat and its surrounding country, where the bloodthirsty conqueror caused to be slaughtered over a million of people. Jenghis Khan, who believed in stars and omens, having been born with bloodstained hands, hailed the Comet as his special Star. Under its rays he extended his immense Empire to its outermost boundaries from the China seas to the banks of the Dniepr in Russia. After the Comet’s disappearance, Jenghis Khan regarded the planets that had crossed its orbit as stars of ill omen, betokening his death, so he set his face backward from his march of conquest, and soon afterwards died in Mongolia. 1145 The Comet appeared over Europe early in Spring. It was seen at Rome in March and April. Inspired by the appearance of the Comet, Pope Eugenius III. called for a crusade against the Moslems. St. Bernard in France took up the cry, and preached a holy war all over France. On Easter Sunday, King Louis VII. of France, his Queen and all his nobles, received the Cross from St. Bernard at Vizelay. In Rome, however, the Comet was taken as a token of the Pope’s downfall. Arnold of Brescia preached against the Pope and aroused the Roman populace against him. The Holy Father had to flee. On the disappearance of the Comet, the Pope returned and excommunicated the Patricians of Rome. Arnold of Brescia was taken and strangled in his cell. Later historians, like Lubienitius, accordingly interpreted the Comet as a sign of warning rather than as an ill omen. 1066