In the archives of Metz, Father Vignier discovered the following remarkable entry: "In the year 1436, Messire Phlin Marcou was Sheriff of Metz, and on the 20th day of May of the aforesaid year came the maid Jeanne, who had been in France, to La Grange of Ormes, near St. Prive, and was taken there to confer with any one of the sieurs of Metz, and she called herself Claude; and on the same day there came to see her there her two brothers, one of whom was a knight, and was called Messire Pierre, and the other 'petit Jehan,' a squire, and they thought that she had been burnt, but as soon as they saw her they recognized her and she them.
— from The Unseen World, and Other Essays by John Fiske

When you find toad's spawn, you may be sure that frog's spawn has been about for some time, for frog's spawn is always to be found rather earlier in the year.
— from A Book of Nimble Beasts: Bunny Rabbit, Squirrel, Toad, and "Those Sort of People" by Douglas English

1875 The third Reduction—Co-operative Colliery—The demand for better Houses—The fourth Reduction Early in the year the Association was called upon to face another reduction in wages.
— from A History of the Durham Miner's Association 1870-1904 by John Wilson