What Did Medieval People Think of UFOs & Alien Life?

In the West, the Middle Ages was a superstitious time, a time when the lines between reality and fantasy blurred. Dragons, witches, and other mythical creatures were believed to roam the earth, and the skies were filled with unexplained phenomena that often sparked fear and wonder. This article explores how medieval people interpreted these celestial events, pondering whether they were alone in the universe.

Key Takeaways

• Medieval people often interpreted unexplained phenomena as divine messages or omens.
• Various documented sightings of strange aerial objects occurred throughout the Middle Ages.
• Cultural perceptions of UFOs varied significantly between Europe and the East.

Waiting For A Star to Fall

The superstitious nature of medieval Europeans cannot be overstated. In a world where every event had religious significance, even mundane occurrences like a cow dying could be seen as a sign of divine displeasure or witchcraft. The night sky, free from modern light pollution, was a canvas of bright stars, and the movement of celestial bodies influenced everything from agriculture to health practices.

Chronicles from this era are filled with strange tales, including reports of blood rains, fish falls, and even two-headed animals. One of the earliest documented UFO sightings occurred in the 8th century, described in the Annals of L. During a battle in 776, Saxon forces besieging a fortress witnessed a strange object resembling two large flaming shields floating in the sky. Terrified, they abandoned their siege, marking one of the first recorded instances of a UFO sighting.

The Men Who Fell to Earth

In the 13th century, the English chronicler Ralph of Coggeshall recounted a mysterious aerial event in Chronicon Anglicanum, where a shining cross was spotted over London. Another bizarre incident occurred in 816 in France, where a local abbot described aerial ships from a realm called Magonia. According to him, three men and a woman fell from these ships and were nearly stoned to death by townsfolk who believed them to be weather magicians. The abbot intervened, but the fate of the aerial sailors remains unknown.

Written in the Stars

In 1200, monks at the Abbey of St. Albans reported seeing a large silver disc hovering above them, which they interpreted as a miraculous sign from God. Ninety years later, another disc-like object was spotted in North Yorkshire, further fueling the belief in divine portents. Just outside the medieval period, a spectacular celestial event in 1561 over Nuremberg, Germany, was documented in an illustrated news notice, describing a dazzling aerial battle among various shapes and objects.

Lucky Star

The night before the Battle of Hastings in 1066, a comet—likely Halley’s Comet—was seen streaking across the sky. For the superstitious English, this was an omen of change, while the French viewed it as divine support for their conquest. Other notable celestial sightings included a burning wheel during the Battle of Agincourt in 1415 and glowing objects during the First Crusade in 1099.

Interestingly, reports of strange lights in the sky were not limited to Europe. In 1235, Japanese soldiers under General Yasun saw supernatural lights, which became part of local folklore. In China, the statesman Shen Kuo documented UFO sightings in his Dream Pool Essays, describing flying crafts with bright lights and opening doors.

A Spaceman Came Traveling

The Bayeux Tapestry, which depicts the Norman Conquest, also highlights the significance of celestial events. It shows messengers pointing to a comet, emphasizing how medieval people viewed strange cosmic occurrences as omens. Similarly, a 14th-century painting in a Serbian monastery depicts two unidentified flying crafts near Jesus during the crucifixion, suggesting that even religious art was influenced by these mysterious sightings.

Star Lords

Not only common folk experienced these phenomena; even royalty was not immune. In the mid-13th century, a monk named Matthew Paris chronicled a sighting witnessed by King Henry III of England. The glowing object radiated a soft light, sparking discussions at court. A century later, King Charles VI of France was reportedly traumatized by glowing spheres seen in the sky above Paris.

King James IV of Scotland, known for his interest in science and the occult, encountered a bright pulsating light while traveling. Intrigued, he approached the light, which emitted a warm hum. When he reached out to touch it, the object shot up into the sky, leaving the king in awe.

The Fault in Our Stars

Across cultures, sightings of unknown aerial objects were common during the Middle Ages. In China, they were referred to as fireballs, while in India, they were known as vimanas or flying chariots. In Europe, these phenomena were often interpreted as divine messages or omens. Despite the differences in beliefs and interpretations, the fascination with strange lights and hovering objects continues to this day.

The medieval perspective on UFOs and celestial phenomena reveals a rich tapestry of human curiosity and fear. As we continue to explore the skies, the question remains: were medieval people truly alone in the universe?