I have mentioned the “cunning man” who was also an astrologer. But there was the astrologer in higher practice. Everybody believed in astrology, from the King downwards. The astrologer followed a profession both lucrative and honourable. Sometimes, as in the case of Dr. Nenier of Linford, he was an enthusiast who prayed continually and was in confidential communication with the archangels, being by them enabled to heal many diseases, especially ague, and the falling sickness by means of consecrated rings. When the Civil War began there were astrologers on both sides who prophesied, each for the good of his own cause. Thus, on the Parliamentary side the astrologer prophesied disasters to the Cavaliers and victory to the Roundheads. These predictions became weapons of great weight because people believed them. Butler puts the case in his own way:— “Do not our great reformers use This Sidrophel to forbode news? To write of victories next year, And castles taken yet i’ th’ air? Of battles fought at sea, and ships Sunk, two years hence? the last eclipse? A total o’erthrow given the king In Cornwall, horse and foot, next spring? And has not he point-blank foretold Whats’e’er the close committee would? Made Mars and Saturn for the cause, The Moon for fundamental laws? The Ram, the Bull, and Goat, declare Against the Book of Common Prayer? The Scorpion take the protestation, And Bear engage for reformation? Made all the royal stars recant, Compound and take the covenant?” The most important of the tribe was William Lilly, already mentioned, who wrote on the Roundhead side, publishing his predictions in an almanack called _Merlinus Anglicus_. Towards the close of the Protectorate he had the good sense to see what was coming and to predict the Restoration. When this came he made his almanack loyal to the backbone. Astrology fell somewhat into disrepute after Charles’s return, or perhaps younger men got all the patronage, for Lilly abandoned astrology and took up with medicine.