
The Legend of the Spider King & His Astrologer
The Spider King and the Astrologer is a legend from the 15th century. The king was King Louis XI, who ruled France from 1461 to 1483. He was known for his webs of intrigue, earning him the monicker of “The Spider King.” He was also known for his love—and fear—of astrology.
This story recently gained popularity when it was featured in The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene. It’s thought to be true, or at least rooted in truth.
Interestingly, the same story is found in The Misadventures of Nasreddin, a collection of Muslim folktales that trace back to the 13th century. Mind you, this story could have been added to the collection several hundred years later.
The Legend
The problems began when the Spider King’s most trusted astrologer accurately predicted that a lady at court would die in eight days’ time. This filled the Spider King with dread. If the astrologer’s abilities were genuine, he possessed enough power to threaten the king. Even if the astrologer had killed the lady to make his prediction come true, he was just as dangerous.
Determined to rid himself of this potential menace, the Spider King devised a trap. He invited the astrologer to his quarters, secretly instructing his guards to throw the fortune-teller out of a high window on his signal. But as the astrologer entered the king’s chamber, the Spider King decided to test him one last time before carrying out his plan.
“You claim to understand astrology and to know the fate of others,” the king said to the astrologer. “So tell me: how long do you have to live?”
The astrologer, perhaps sensing the king’s intentions, replied calmly, “Your Majesty, I shall die just three days before you do.”
The astrologer’s words struck fear into the king’s heart once again. Fearing for his life, the king provided the astrologer with fine food, comfortable lodgings, and excellent care, hoping to keep him alive for as long as possible.
Similar Stories
If you liked The Spider King and the Astrologer, you might like another story that was featured in the 48 Laws of Power: The Snake, the Farmer, and the Heron. It’s a dark folktale from Africa. The Mongoose and the Farmer’s Wife is a similar story from India.
Or, if you prefer stories with the veneer of truth, you might like Aesop and the Runaway Slave, The Man Who Never Lied, or The Citizen and the Traveller.
Juan Artola Miranda
I am Juan Artola Miranda, a fabulist living in the Mexican Caribbean. My friends know me by the name of my father's father, but that name grew into something bigger, my writing reaching tens of millions of readers. It was too strong for me to control. Artola Miranda is the name of my mother's mother. It's a better name for a fabulist.