[1] [2] In this foure and thirtith yeare of king Edward, men and cattell were destroied in diuerse places of this realme,Strange woonders. by lightening and tempest; also houses were set on fier and burnt, and manie strange and woonderfull sights seene. ¶The same yeare Edward prince of Wales married the countesse of Kent, which before was wife vnto the lord Thomas Hol|land: and before that, she was also wife vnto the erle of Salisburie, and diuorsed from him, and wedded to the same lord Holland. She was daughter vnto Ed|mund earle of Kent, brother to king Edward the se|cond, that was beheaded in the beginning of this kings reigne, as before yée haue heard. And bicause the prince and shee were within degrees of consan|guinitie forbidden to marrie, a dispensation was gotten from the pope to remooue that let. In this yeare also was a great death of people (namelie of men,A great death. for women were not so much subiect thereto.) This was called the second mortalitie, bicause it was the second that fell in this kings daies.