Nostradamus Timeline

December 14, 1503
Michel de Nostredame is born in St. Remy-de-Provence.

1522-25
Nostradamus studies medicine at the university in Montpellier.

1529
Nostradamus begins doctoral studies in medicine at Montpellier Medical School.

Early 1530s
Nostradamus is invited to the home of philosopher Julius-César Scaliger in Agen and works as a healer there.

Circa 1534
Nostradamus marries and has two children.

Circa 1537
Nostradamus's wife and children are infected with the plague and die. His wife's family subsequently sues him for the return of her dowry and his friendship with Scaliger sours.

Circa 1538
After being charged with heresy for an inadvertent remark he made about a church statue, Nostradamus leaves the region rather than stand trial before the Inquisition at Toulouse. He reportedly travels around Italy and other parts of France for a number of years.

1546
Nostradamus treats plague victims in Aix-en-Provence and then goes to Salon-de-Provence to battle another outbreak.

1547
Nostradamus marries Anne Ponsarde and settles in Salon-de-Provence, where the couple go on to have six children.

1550
Nostradamus publishes his first almanac, which contains a general prediction for each month of the year. The almanac is a success and new versions appear annually until Nostradamus' death.

1552
Nostradamus finishes a book about cosmetics and fruit preservatives that is popular when it's published three years later.

1555
The first installment (centuries 1 through 3 and part of 4) of Nostradamus' most ambitious project, "Les Propheties," is published. The remainder of Century 4 along with centuries 5, 6 and 7 are published later that year.

1556
Nostradamus is called to Paris for a consultation with the French queen Catherine de Medici.

1558
Centuries 8, 9 and 10 are published in limited release. It's possible Nostradamus wanted this work more widely distributed only after his death.

1559
King Henry II killed in a jousting accident. Nostradamus' supporters believe the monarch's death was predicted in Century 1, Quatrain 35.

1560s
Nostradamus is named royal physician to French monarchy.

1564
Catherine de Medici visits Nostradamus in Salon-de-Provence. She remains a loyal supporter despite criticism heaped upon Nostradamus by his detractors.

July 1, 1566
Nostradamus is given last rites by Catholic priest. The prophet correctly predicts he'll be dead by the following day.