Nostradamus: 500 years Later

The life story of Nostradamus unfolds in medieval Europe at the time of the Great Plague and the Inquisition.

Michel de Nostredame (1503-66), later known as Nostradamus, was one of the leading figures of the late French .

As a physician (although his qualifications are dubious) he specialised in the Plague and was thought to be one of the foremost experts. He was also famed as an 'astrologer', although he preferred to call himself a 'star-lover'.

In around 1550 he turned to writing, concentrating on astrology and prophecy. This brought him into great public prominence, and he became particularly influential at the French court.

He published a collection of prophecies in 1555. Each of the four-line verses (called quatrains) is said to foretell a world event at some time in the future.

People have claimed that his works have foretold just about everything from wars, to assassinations and disasters, some people believe he predicted the rise of and September 11th. His cryptic journals continue to inspire controversy just as they did in the 16th century.

He lived in an age of superstition and magic and believed that he could foretell the future, for this he was labeled both a prophet and a heretic.

In this 2-hour examination into his life, we visit his birthplace in France and trace his career as doctor, astrologer, father, and seer.