An Owl in the Pope’s Councildetails

Pope John the Twenty Third called a Council at Rome against the Protestants in Bohemia, when the Council was set, the Mass of the Holy Ghost sung, and the Pope placed in his Chair, there came flying in among them an ugly Owl, with an ill-favoured hooting, and set her self upon a cross Beam, just over against the Pope, casting her staring Eyes upon him, whereupon the whole company began to marvel; and whispering each to other, said, Behold the Spirit is come in the likeness of an Owl: The Pope himself blushed at the matter, and began to sweat, fret and fume; and being in great distraction, as looking upon it to be ominous, he dissolved the Council for that time; yet afterward calling another Session; when they were met, in came the Owl as before, still looking stedfastly upon the Pope; whereupon he was more ashamed, saying, That he could no longer abide the sight of her; and commanded her to be driven away; but with all the shouts and hollowings they could make she would not be forced from her place, till with Clubs and Sticks thrown at her she fell down dead among them all. After this a Council was by his Consent Assembled at Constance 1414. in which this Pope for divers Intolerable Villanies, was deposed, and afterward died miserably. Acts and Monum.

(p. 88)