Chronicle of Magdeburg (c. early 16thcentury)
DUBIOUS / SUSPECT/ FAKE PROPHECY - Attributed to the Berlin court astrologer Johann Carion (1499-1537), pictured above.
Unfortunately, some Catholic authors researching the Great Monarch prophecies reprint the following prediction from the Magdeburg Chronicle as authentic:
“Of the blood of the Emperor Charles the Great (Charlemagne), and of the Kings of France, shall arise an Emperor named Charles, who shall rule Imperially in Europe, by whom the decayed estate of the Church shall be reformed, and the ancient glory of the Empire again restored.”
This is not an authentic prophecy written by a mystic, and is not even a commentary by a theologian.
This 'prophecy' recorded in the Magdeburg Chronicle is attributed to the Berlin court astronomer, Johann Carion of Bietigheim (1499-1537). - (1)
Astronomy was not separated from astrology in those days, astrology was part and parcel of the same 'science'. Astronomers openly practised astrology and attempted to make predictions regarding events unfolding at the time and would record them in the town historical chronicles where they practised their 'art'. Rulers desperate to know what was coming would pay astrologers to foretell political events. In fact the real life Faust made his living this way. Sometimes astrologers would find interesting astrology predictions from the past and recorded them for posterity, or, even add upon them with their own predictions to please their patrons.
While it is said Johann Carion made some authentic predictions that came true, like predicting a flood and hints at the Protest 'Reformation', he also was seriously wrong on other things. He predicted a second flood, and afraid it would come to pass like the first, his patron the Elector fled to a nearby hill with his whole court. The flood didn't come to pass and the royal court was laughed at by the crowd as they came back to the palace. Carion also believed the Antichrist would be born in 1693 according to certain predictions,(2) which of course didn't happen. So, I don't need to say this, but this is a definite sign of a fake mystic or fake prophecy.
We also have to note, another close contemporary and prediction-publisher named James Maxwell believed Johann Carion applied this prophecy to the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V. (3) Several contemporary scholars did at the time. And, we have to consider the possibility Carion took this prophecy and shaped it to fit Charles V simply by adding the name 'Charles'. He knew of the earlier prophecies of St. Methodius, those attributed to Bl. Joachim di Fiori, and also those of St. Hildegard of Bingen. (4)
Astrologers then were not above making up a prophecy, hoping the ruler mentioned would act upon their positive predictions for the sake of the country.
When Charles V was elected Holy Roman Emperor at the time, great expectations rested on him considering the extent of his kingdoms and empire--reform in society and the Church was greatly needed and hoped for. It is not surprising many thought he could be the Great Monarch and Holy Roman Emperor foretold in the earlier prophecies. An astrologer could become famous if their prediction about a ruler came true.
Charles V was Holy Roman Emperor and Archduke of Austria from 1519 to 1556, which extended his rule from Germany and Austria to the north of Italy. He was King of Spain (Castile and Aragon) from 1516 to 1556, and Lord of the Netherlands as titular Duke of Burgundy from 1506 to 1555. His rule therefore extended through vast territories of Europe, and also included the territories ruled by Spain – Sicily, Naples, Sardinia -- and also the Spanish colonies in the The New World at the time. His personal rule was so vast his was the first collection of realms to be given the phrase: "the empire on which the Sun never sets".
However, we know from historical hindsight that the Great Catholic Monarch of the prophecies has not come yet.
In all, this may not even be Carion's prophecy – he may have recorded an earlier prediction for record's sake. And if it was his, it was written by an astrologer who already had knowledge of other Great Monarch prophecies, so, the prophecy itself is not really original, and, may have been made to fit Charles V at the time. Many prophecies proliferated during his reign as astronomers were trying to figure out what would happen under his rule, or, perhaps tried to profit by their prognostications if they proved right about Charles V.
So, this is not a Great Catholic Monarch prophecy, i.e. from a legitimate mystic, or, even a credible commentary from a theologian.
Return to the Great Catholic Monarch and Angelic Pontiff Prophecy Timeline, click here.
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Footnotes:
Ariel Hessayon, “Gold Tried in the Fire. The Prophet Theaurau John Tany and the English Revolution', Routeledge, (2016)
Jonathan Green, “Printing and Prophecy: Prognostication and Media Change”, University of Michigan Press, 2012, p. 56.
Robert E. Lerner, 'The Powers of Prophecy: The Cedar of Lebanon Vision from the Mongol Onslaught to the Dawn of the Enlightenment', Cornell University Press, 2009, p. 176.
Green, “Printing and Prophecy”, ibid.
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(May 1, 2021)
