Biography of
Michel de Nostredame

Starters Overview

Legend

Blue	Events
Red	Events challenged by some authors
Green	Publications

Dates	Events	At that time in France
Before the birth of Nostradamus
	The grandfather converts to Catholicism, and transforms his name from Guy Gasconet to Pierre de Nostre Dame.	During the French-English war that lasted more than a century, (14th c.) the Jews had been accused to be the cause of the plague, disease which killed 40% of the European population over one century. The war comes to an end in 1450.
1496	Nostradamus' parents, Renée de Saint-Reymier and Jaume de Nostre Dame get married. Jaume (Jacques) is a public clerk and a merchant.	Louis XII of the Valois dynasty takes power in 1498 – his spouse is Anne of Brittany The war of Milan is taking place.
1503 to 1521   Childhood
	Birth of Michel de Nostre Dame who will let himself known as Nostradamus. Born in Saint-Rémy de Crau (region of Provence today, vassal country then).
1504	Michel has 6 brothers and sisters. Death of the grandfather on the mother's side. He is said to have taught the art of kabala (Jewish esoteric tradition) to Nostradamus.
	Nostradamus attends school in Avignon.	Louis XII dies in 1515 leaving no offspring. François 1st, a Valois from the region of Angoulême, takes his turn in power.
1519	Avignon school  : Between 16 and 18 years old, he studies classical literature, physics, grammar... just like all educated young people of his age.	Midst of REBIRTH War against Charles Quint (Carlos V) in Italy essentially.
1521	He obtains the diploma of "Masters of Arts" at age 18 after a normal cursus. He is entitled to teach some topics.	In 1520, LUTHER is excommunicated.
1521-29   His 20s There really are two stories during that period: In the first one, which he tells, he wanders throughout the French countryside to study plants. In the other one, related by his admirers, he continues Medical school.
1521	Nostradamus starts medical school.	The plague hits the Southwest of France.
1525	According to some sources, he would have obtained a bachelors of medicine at that time. The plagues hits Montpellier, the university is closed.	A ransom is required for the king François 1st : He is exchanged against his two sons. The plague hits the South starting in 1525.
1528	First meeting with the plague in Bordeaux and Toulouse.	François 1st raises taxes to pay for his two sons 'ransom : Rebellions in France.
1529-1533   Student Nostradamus starts Medical school in Montpellier. This is challenged by some authors.
	Registration in the prestigious medical school of Montpellier.
	Kicked out of the school for the reason of lack of respect to the medical corporation and for having practiced the profession of a pharmacist before his enrolment, which was forbidden. Some contend that he was reinstated, although there is no evidence of this.	Rabelais, well educated theologian and famous writer, older than Nostradamus by some 10 years, joins the same school in 1530. They will become great friends later, but there is no evidence of a contact between the two during the years of college.
	He obtains a medical diploma - this is supposed since there is no evidence of it.	Althought just as well prepared for university as Nostradamus, Rabelais obtains his own diploma in 1534-35 only!
1533-1540   His 30s Nostradamus gets married, has two children, settles as a doctor, does small jobs during his journeys throughout French countryside.
1533	Marriage with Henriette d’Encausse and settling in Agen.
1533-35	Nostradamus practices medicine. He has two children, 1 son and 1 daughter.
	His wife and two children die of the plague.	No epidemics is reported in the Southwest where they live in those years.
1534	Meeting with Rabelais. The two men become friends.
1535	Meeting with the exuberant Scaligiero, a brilliant man who's only error is to be a Protestant and to let everyone know about it. Because of their relationship, Nostradamus has to justify in front of the inquisition.	François 1st closes all prints throughout the country ! Failed attempt of reconciliation between Christians at the Pope's request.
1537	Departure from Agen, probably to get away from the church inquisition.	The Protestants start being persecuted after the "Affaire des Placards".
1538	Inquiry by the inquisition court of Toulouse concerning some statements he would have made with respect to statues of the Virgin Mary. He gets away with it, probably because he is well educated in Catholicism.
1540-1547   His 40s Nostradamus continues his journeys throughout the French countryside and starts a combat against the plague wherever it outbreaks..
1541-44	This period is not well documented : He is thought to have spent his time travelling around Europe  : Vienna, the Southwest of France, Alsace, Bar le Duc, Brittany, and some say even Egypt (!).	Imperial invasion in France (Charles Quint - Carlos V).
1544	Fight against the plague in the Southwest with Louis Serre, thought to be a master in the matter.	François 1st renounces to Savoy, Piedmont, Naples and Flander. He keeps Burgundy. This is known as the "peace of Crepy".
	Publishing of the "Horapollo Hieroglyphs" in which he treats in rhymes of Hieroglyph.
1546	He fights the plague in Aix (South) and then in Salon. Nostradamus is the source of this information.	There is strictly no trace of a Michel de Nostre Dame in the cities' archives where he is supposed to have fought the plague. He probably did not have a diploma and could not be recorded as such.
1547	Fight against the plague in Lyon.
	Marriage with Anne Ponsart Gemelle. Settling in Salon de Provence.	Henry II arrives to the throne, son of François 1st.
1548-1554   Journeys in Italy
1548	Just married, he leaves for a trip to Italy: Venice, Turin, Ancona, Rome, Milan, Pisa...	Protestants repressions
1550	Publishing of the first "Almanac & Prognostics" : Weather forecasts very appreciated by the peasants.
1551	Birth of his oldest daughter: Madeleine.	WARS AGAINST Charles Quint (Carlos V) in Italy among others.
1552	Publishing of the "Treaty of Powders and Jellies". The date is approximate.	Treaty of alliance of "Chambord" with the German Protestants gives an advantage to Henry II over Charles V.
1553	Nostradamus funds the construction of the canal of Durance.
1554-1566  His 50s  : Publishing of the Centuries and one Almanac per year before the year starts.
1554	Birth of his son Cesar – painter and historian, he will write his father's biography, which will help his father's myth to spread around.
1554	Publishing of the "Almanac for the Year 1555", a great commercial success. There will follow one per year.
	Publishing of the 353 first quatrains of the Centuries – editor is Mace Bonhomme, the "Letter to Cesar" stands as a foreword. An original copy of it has remained intact. Over half of the quatrains deal with wars and power.	Henry II alliance with the Pope Paul IV to war against Charles Quint (Carlos V) in Spain.
	Soon after publishing, Nostradamus answers to an invitation of the queen "Catherine de Médicis" to come to the court. For the occasion, he puts together and comments her three sons' birth charts. The legend states that he predicted that all three sons would hold power in turn (meaning they would die prematurely before having children). It came true.
1556	Nostradamus would have stayed in Italy, according to an inscription engraved on the wall of a house in Turin. It's hard to be sure of anything.	Truce of Vaucelle (Vauxelle in the Centuries).
1556	Birth of Charles whose relationship with his father will not be so good. He will become a priest in latter life.	Charles Quint (Carlos V) renounces to his crown.
1557	Birth of his son André.	Edict of Compiègne : "All heretics will be put to death" / Protestant repressions.
1558	Publishing of the second part of the Centuries with "The Epistle to the King Henry II" : Centuries I to VII, the 7th is incomplete with 42 quatrains. The 58 missing ones were never found.
1558	Birth of his daughter Anne.	French victories with the Duke of Guise over the English in Calais.
1558	Publishing of his "Treaty against the Plague and Pestilent fevers ". An English translation was kept intact. The French book was reproduced with the drafts and the English document.	Death of Henry II in summer 1559 during a tournament. This death is said to have been foretold by Nostradamus in the quatrain I-035. François II gets the support of the ultra-Catholics allied with the Duke of Guise. During the year, there is a plot to place the Bourbons in power, known as the Huguenot (French Protestants) plot.
1558	Publishing of the Centuries VIII to X. Some contend that the Epistle to Henry was published only at that time.	Peace of "Cateau-Cambrésis" END OF THE ITALIAN WARS End of the quarrels between the Valois and Hapsburgs.
1561	Birth of his daughter Diane. (There is not much to tell about the females accomplishments in those days in France. They represent before all the burden of their dowry.	Charles IX, brother of François II, is crowned in 1560 Catherine de Médicis will control the power until 1570. 1st war of religion  : Massacre of protestants in Wassy.
		François de Guise is murdered in 1563 by the Protestant Poltrot de Méré while the city of Orleans is besieged.
1564	King Charles IX pays a visit to Nostradamus in Salon de Provence. He grants him for the occasion the title of King's doctor.	Someone named Michel, self claimed to be the son of Nostradamus, publishes a prophetic book under the name of Michel de Nostre Dame. The number of frauds will grow from this point on. The false prophets' technique consisted in modifying an original works to make the writing sticks to the events.
	Death of Michel de Nostre Dame / The legend states that he had known the day and time it would happen..
After his death, a legends begins
1568	Posthumous publishing of the Centuries of the editor Benoît Rigaud. This complete version is thought to be more reliable than what's left of the 1566 one, which could have been modified, although marginally.	In 1567, the second religious war started, and it will lead to the massacre of the Protestants during the St-Barthelemy night in 1572.
1594	Nostradamus' former secretary, Jean-Aimé Chavigny publishes a biography of him. Posthumous publishing of the XI and XII Centuries from manuscripts found in the seer's apartments.	Henry IV (1589-1609) luckily did not die during the Saint-Barthelemy massacre. Protestant and converted to Catholicism for peace sake, he reaches power in 1589 reconciling Protestants and Catholics for a while. Many pretend that Nostradamus predicted this.
1606	"The Vincent Seve Epistle" is presented to Henry IV, on the March, 19 1605 following Nostradamus instructions. His nephew would have remitted throught SEVE a Letter to the king that had predicted his arrival in power.	Henry IV is murdered by Ravaillac in 1609
1614	Cesar writes "Provence Chronicles" inspired by the book of Jean, Michel's brother. He includes a biography of his father.
1701	The Centuries become "non recommended readings" by Louis XIV.	Louis XIV, some type of Saddam Hussein (but much worse) during the 18th Century, gathered all state powers for himself and declared: "I am the state ".
1791	The Nostradamus grave is profaned and excavated in Salon de Provence. The legend states that he had predicted it.	The French revolution was predicted by Nostradamus
1806	Publishing of the "Orvale Prophecies" unduly credited to Nostradamus.	Napoleon ruins Europe
1944	The American liberators fight the Nazis in Europe. Flyers that reproduce a quatrain of the VII Century supposed to announce the end of the Reich is thrown over the enemy. The Nazis had done the same some months earlier to announce that they would dominate the world.	Second world war
	The NOSTRA-MANIA phenomena is developing: For his fans, Nostradamus predicted just about everything.	Vietnam, Kennedy's death, Iran-Iraq war, 9-11, Afghanistan, US-Iraq war, future invasion of Persia, war against China, reign of the Antichrist and soon the end of the world...

Some precisions will be brought on his journeys to Italy since they seem to hold an important meaning.