William Parron

Who is William Parron?

William Parron was an Italian astrologer, who worked for Henry VII of England, from 1498 to 1503. An author of almanacs and prognostications, he produced also in 1499 De astrorum vi fatali, a private printed prediction for Henry, and engaged in investigative work on the background of Perkin Warbeck.

He was printed by Wynkyn de Worde and Richard Pynson; his almanac is said to be the first printed in English. The one for the year 1500 survives. His prediction that Henry’s queen would live to age 80 backfired when she died young, and he left the court.