The Nativity of the Late King Charles, written by the astrologer John Gadbury only ten years after the King's execution in 1649 and towards the end of England's only time as a republic, is a fascinating glimpse not only into the history of a divided and revolutionary era but also in the manner that a 17th century astrologer set about his craft. Walking the fine diplomatic line between presenting Charles I as neither tyrant nor martyr, Gadbury addresses his astrology-versed readers in the delightfully humble yet florid language of his day. Constantly begging our forgiveness for his presumption in examining the horoscopes of the illustrious, he doesn't shirk in delivering a suitably barbed comment when it's due. Above all it is illuminating to see how the interpretation of an astrological chart has changed so very little since 1659. Via John Gadbury, humanity, history and astrology have spanned the centuries to reach us today.