The Bath prophecy

Bath was to be destroyed at noon on 30 March 1809 by an earthquake that would make Beacon Hill meet Beechen Cliff, as an old woman claimed an angel had told her. Many people were terrified and crowds left the city, but the hour passed quietly. The tale was said to have begun with two cock-fighters who matched birds named after their walks to fight on Good Friday, and spread their wager in those words.