Eclipses have occurred throughout history, and some have fascinating stories associated with them. Take the following two tales for example.
A King’s Demise
Perhaps one of the most famous total solar eclipses occurred on August 2, 1133 CE over England. While the totality of an eclipse, the moment when the Moon completely covers the Sun, normally lasts approximately two and a half minutes, this particular eclipse lasted for more than four minutes. The reason for this solar eclipse being so widely remembered is that it coincided with the death of King Henry I of England. Historian William of Malmesbury was quoted as saying that the “hideous darkness agitated the hearts of men.” William turned out to be right in a way. Shortly after King Henry’s death, the country was thrown into chaos and a civil war brewed. Of course, it is only coincidence that the total solar eclipse occurred around the same time as the king’s death, as solar eclipses themselves are a natural phenomenon and not responsible for any negative occurrences. In fact, eclipses have also been linked with positive events as well.
A Sign of Peace
Solar eclipses have been interpreted throughout history in many different ways. It is said that a total solar eclipse brought two warring nations to an agreement of peace. The Greek historian Herodotus tells us that in the fourth century BCE, a border war near present day Turkey and the Halys River raged between the Lydians and the Medes. The war had gone on for over five years, when everything was brought to a halt by a sign from the skies. On May 28, 585 BCE, the sounds of fighting slowly came to a halt as the sky darkened and day turned to night. This was interpreted by both sides as a sign to end the war. In order to seal the agreement, Aryenes, daughter of the king of Lydia, was married to the son of the king of Medes. What the Lydians and Medes failed to realize was this sign from the skies was a total solar eclipse.
What historic event might the next eclipse be tied to for future historians to discover?
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