References are numbered in [brackets], which are listed here. A number after the dot gives the page in the source.

Last updated: 2008 April 30.

1540 January 6 King Henry VIII of England married his 4th wife, Anne of Cleves. [1] January 27 Angela Merici Italian monk/monastery, dies. [1] February 2 George Schenck van Toutenburg governor/viceroy of Frisia/Groningen. [1] February 14 Emperor Charles V enters Ghent without resistance, executes rebels. [1] February 25 Francisco Vásquez de Coronado searches for 7 cities of Cibola México. [1] March 4 Protestant count Philip of Hessen marries second wife. [1] March 19 Court of Holland names Amsterdam sheriff John Hubrechtsz a "heretic". [1] April 29 Emperor Charles V declares all privileges of Gent ended. [1] May 4 Venice and Turkey sign Treaty of Constantinople. [1] May 6 Jean Luis Vives Spanish theory/humanist/reformer, dies at 48. [1] May 22 Francesco Guicciardini Italian historian/President of Romagna, dies at 57. [1] June 24 Henry VIII divorces his 4th wife, Anne of Cleves. [1] July 9 England's King Henry VIII six-month marriage to Anne of Cleves annulled. [1] July 28 Thomas Cromwell King Henry VIII's chief minister, executed. [1] September 27 Society of Jesus (Jesuits) founded by Ignatius Loyola. [1] 1541 January 6 Bernard van Orley Flemish royal painter of Hungary, dies at about 52. [1] February 24 Santiago, Chile founded by Pedro de Valvidia. [1] April 4 Ignatius of Loyola becomes first superior-General of the Jesuits. [1] April 25 Liege flooded after heavy down pour. [1] May 8 Hernando de Soto discovers Mississippi River. [1] May 27 Margaretha duchess of Salisbury, beheaded. [1] September 15 At Brömsebro, the Kings of Sweden and Denmark conclude a treaty of friendship and alliance between their countries. [7] December 24 Andreas R Bodenstein von Carlstadt radical Lutheran, dies at about 61. [1] December 29 Isabella of Poland and King Ferdinand of Austria sign Treaty of Gyalu. [1] 1542 January 10 Gerardus Noviomagus [Gerrit Geldenhauer], Dutch theologist, die at 59. [1] January 21 Parliament passes bill of attainder against Queen Katherine Howard. [1] February 1 Hieronymus Aleander [Girólamo Aleandro], Italian diplomat, dies at 61. [1] February 13 Catherine Howard queen of England/5th wife of Henry VIII, is beheaded. [1] May 21 Hernando de Soto dies while searching for gold, near Mississippi River. [1] September 28 Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo discovers California, at San Diego Bay. [1] December 14 James king of Scotland (1513-42), dies at 30. [1] December 28 Albert Pigge [Pighius] Dutch theologist/astronomer, dies at about 52. [1] 1543 January 3 Juan Cabrillo conqueror of Central America, discoverer of California, dies. [1] February 11 Ahmed Gran sultan of Adal, dies in battle. [1] Battle at Wayna Daga Ethiopian/Portugese troops beat Muslim army. [1] Karel/Henry VIII sign anti-French covenant. [1] March 18 Hernan de Soto observes first recorded flood in America (Mississippi River). [1] May 24 Nicolas Copernicus astronomer, dies in Poland. [1] July 12 England's King Henry VIII weds Catherine Parr (6th and last wife). [1] 1544 January 30 Adrian van Goes becomes land advocate of Holland. [1] April 14 Battle at Carignano French troops under Earl d'Enghien beat Swiss. [1] May 1 Turkish troops occupy Hungary. [1] May 17 Scottish Earl Matthew van Lennox signs secret treaty with Henry VIII. [1] May 23 German emperor Charles V recognizes king Christian III of Denmark. [1] May 29 Jacobus Latomus [Jasques Masson] Belgian inquisitor, dies at about 68. [1] 1545 February 13 Willem of Nassau becomes prince of Orange. [1] February 19 Pierre Brully [Peter Brulius], calvinist minister, burned to death. [1] March 24 German Parliament opens in Worms. [1] April 12 French king François I orders protestants of Vaudois to be killed. [1] December 13 Pope Paul III opens Council of Trente (19th ecumenical council). [1] 1546 February 18 Martin Luther biblical scholar/religious reformer, dies at 62. [1] March 10 Thomas Elyot English diplomat (Boke named the Governor), dies at 46. [1] March 26 Thomas Elyot British diplomat, dies. [1] March 29 Cardinal Beaton English archbishop of Saint Andrews, murdered. [1] 1547 January 13 Earl Henry Howard of Surrey sentenced to death. [1] January 16 Ivan IV the Terrible (17) crowns himself first tsar of Russia. [1] January 19 Henry Howard Earl of Surrey, army commander/poet, beheaded at 29. [1] January 24 Henry Howard Earl of Surrey, executed for treason. [1] January 25 Lieven Algoet Flemish humanist, dies. [1] January 28 9-year-old Edward VI succeeds Henry VIII as king of England. [1] Henry VIII King of England (1509-47), dies at 55. [1] February 3 Russian czar Ivan IV (17) marries Anastasia Romanova. [1] February 20 King Edward VI of England is enthroned following death of Henry VIII. [1] March 30 François I of Valois-Angoulême King of France (1515-47), dies at 52. [1] March 31 Henry II succeeds François I as king of France. [1] April 24 Battle of Mühlberg Emperor Karel V vs ruler Johan F the Brave. [1] May 16 Protestant German monarch surrenders to Karel in Wittenberg. [1] May 19 Monarch Johan Frederik surrenders to Karel. [1] September 2 Hernan Cortes Spanish general defeated Aztec Indians. [1] 1548 January 23 Bernardo Pisano composer, dies at 57. [1] April 1 Sigismund I the Elder, King of Poland, dies at 81. [1] May 11 Great fire in Brielle. [1] July 16 La Paz, Bolivia is founded. [1] December 24 Maximilian of Egmond Dutch count/stadholder of Frisia, dies. [1] 1549 January 19 Barthout van Assendelft first land advocate of Holland, dies. [1] January 28 Elia Levita German-Yiddish writer (Habachur), dies at about 80. [1] February 10 Tomé de Sousa appointed Governor-General of Brazil. [1] March 20 Thomas Seymour of Sudely English Lord Admiral, beheaded. [1] May 27 Lijsbeth Dirksdr Fries antabaptist, drowns. [1] July 17 Jews are expelled from Ghent Belgium. [1] 1550 January 10 First sitting of "Vurige Chamber" in Paris. [1] February 2 English Edward Seymour duke of Somerset, freed. [1] February 7 Giovanni Maria del Monte elected Pope Julius III. [1] March 8 Juan de Dios Port/Sp saint (Brothers of Mercy), dies at 55. [1] March 24 France and England sign Peace of Boulogne. [1] April 2 Jews are expelled from Genoa Italy. [1] April 12 Claude of Lorraine duke of Guise, dies at 53. [1] April 28 Powers of Dutch inquisition extends. [1] April 29 Emperor Charles V gives inquisiters additional authority. [1] December 6 Pieter Coecke van Aelst Flemish painter, dies at 48. [1] 1551 March 9 Emperor Karel appoints son Philip as heir to the throne. [1] April 6 Joachim Vadianus Swiss physician/mayor of Sankt Gallen, dies at 66. [1] April 11 English premier John Dudley appointed duke of Northumberland. [1] April 20 John Dudley becomes English Earl Marshal. [1] May 1 Council of Trente resumes. [1] May 12 San Marcos University in Lima Peru, opens. [1] May 31 Aristotele "Basiano" da Sangallo Italian set designer, dies. [1] December 19 Dutch west coast hit by hurricane. [1] 1552 January 3 Henry II of Bavaria bishop of Utrecht (1524-29), dies at 64. [1] January 11 Johannes Cochlaeus [Dobeneck], German humanist/theologist, dies. [1] January 12 Dutch west coast hit by heavy storm, 100s killed. [1] January 15 France signs secret treaty with German Protestants. [1] January 22 Edward Seymour Duke of Somerset, beheaded for treason. [1] January 23 Second version of Book of Common Prayer becomes mandatory in England. [1] February 15 Dutch coast hit by heavy storm. [1] February 24 Privileges of the Hanseatic League in England are abrogated. [1] April 4 Mauritius van Saksen begins alliance with Karel Anikita Stroganov. [1] April 10 Henri II of France occupies Metz. [1] April 14 Laurentius Andreae [Lars Andersson] Swedish church reformer, dies. [1] April 18 John Leland antiquary, dies. [1] Mauritius of Saksen occupies Linz. [1] April 19 Mauritius of Saksen captures Karel. [1] April 21 Peter Apianus [Bennewitz/Bienewitz] German astronomer, dies at 50. [1] 1553 February 4 Caspar Othmayr composer, dies at 37. [1] February 19 Erasmus Reinhold German mathematician, dies at 41. [1] April 9 François Rabelais French author (Gargantua/Pantagruel), dies at 49. [1] April 29 Flemish woman introduces practice of starching linen into England. [1] May 5 Erasmus Alberus German theologist (Barfüsser Mönche), dies at about 52. [1] May 21 English Lady Jane Grey marries Guildford Dudley. [1] July 19 15-year-old Lady Jane Grey deposed as England's Queen after 9 days. [1] August 12 Pope Julius III orders confiscation and burning of the Talmud. [1] September 4 Cornelia da Nomatalcino monk converted to Judaism, burned at stake. [1] September 8 City of Lichfield, England established. [1] October 21 Volumes of the Talmud are burned. [1] October 27 Michael Servetus Spanish physician burns at stake for heresy. [1] 1554 January 5 Great fire in Eindhoven Netherlands. [1] January 25 Sir Thomas Wyatt gathers an army in Kent, rebels against Queen Mary. [1] February 9 Battle at London Sir Thomas Wyatt defeated. [1] February 11 Lady Jane Grey deposed Queen of England, beheaded after 9 day rule at 17. [1] February 12 Lord Guildford Dudley Jane Grey's husband, beheaded. [1] February 21 Hieronymus Bock German doctor (founder of modern botany), dies. [1] February 23 Henry Grey Duke of Suffolk, Lady Jane Grey's father, executed. [1] March 3 Johan Frederik de Greatmoedige ruler of Saxon (1532-47), dies at 50. [1] 1555 February 9 John Hooper deprived Bishop of Gloucester, burnt for heresy. [1] March 23 Julius III [Giovanni M del Monte], Pope (1550-55), dies at 67. [1] April 9 Marcello Cervini elected Pope Marcellus II. [1] April 12 Johanna de Wanzinnige Queen of Castilie (1504-20), dies at 75. [1] April 17 Siena surrenders for Spanish troops. [1] May 1 Marcellus II [Marcello Cervini] Italian Pope (1555), dies at 53. [1] May 23 Giampietro Caraffa elected Pope Paul IV. [1] May 25 Gemma Frisius Frisian geographer/astronomer, dies at 46. [1] November 21 Georgius Agricola mineralogist, dies in Germany at 61. [1] 1556 January 16 Emperor Karel appoints his son Philip II, king of Spain. [1] January 23 In Shensi Province, China, a magnitude 8.0 earthquake occurs. Worst death toll in history: 830,000 deaths. [1] [53] January 27 Willem of Orange becomes knight of Guilder Flies. [1] February 5 Kings Henri I and Philip II sign Treaty of Vaucelles. [1] February 14 Archbishop Thomas Cranmer declared a heretic. [1] March 19 Lieven van der Maude [Ammonius], South Netherlands poet, dies at 70. [1] March 21 Thomas Cranmer archbishop of Canterbury, burned at stake at 66. [1] March 22 Cardinal Reginald Pole becomes archbishop of Canterbury. [1] March 28 Karel V's son Philip II crowned king of Spain. [1] Origin of Fasli Era (India). [1] April 13 Portuguese Marranos who revert back to Judaism burned by order of Pope. [1] April 18 Luigi Alamanni Italian poet (Flora, Antigone), dies at 61. [1] July 31 Saint Ignatius of Loyola founder of Society of Jesus, dies in Rome. [1] 1557 January 1 Jacques Cartier French explorer (Canada), dies at 65. [1] February 27 First Russian Embassy opens in London. [1] April 9 Michael Agricola Finnish theologist/church reformer/bishop, dies. [1] September 1 Jacques Cartier French explorer, dies (birth date unknown). [1] December 3 First Covenant of Scottish protestants form. [1] December 13 Niccoló Tartaglia Italian mathematician, dies. [1] 1558 January 7 Calais, last English possession in France, retaken by French under Francois, Duke of Guise. [1] January 8 French troops under duke de Guise occupy Calais. [1] January 9 Geneva becomes independent from Berne canton, Switzerland. [1] January 11 Westmunster Church in Middelburg destroyed by heavy storm. [1] February 3 Alfonsus de Castro Spanish theologist (council of Trente), dies. [1] March 5 Smoking tobacco introduced in Europe by Francisco Fernandes. [1] March 13 Jean Fernel French physician/physiologist, dies. [1] March 14 Ferdinand I appointed Holy Roman emperor. [1] March 24 Anna van Buren countess of Egmond/Buren/Lingen, dies. [1] April 4 Czar Ivan IV gives parts of North-Russia to fur traders. [1] April 24 Queen Mary Stuart of Scotland marries French crown prince François. [1] April 26 Jean François Fernel French physician, dies. [1] November 12 Rabbi Shalom Shakna ben Joseph founder of first Polish Yeshiva, dies. [1] November 17 Elizabeth I ascends English throne upon death of Queen Mary. [1] December 29 Charles V, German emperor, buried. [1] Hermann Finck composer, dies at 31. [1] 1559 January 1 Christian III king of Denmark/Norway (1534-59), dies. [1] January 13 Elizabeth I crowned queen of England in Westminster Abbey. [1] January 29 Sir Thomas Pope English politician, benefactor, dies at about 52. [1] February 16 Pope Paul IV calls for deposition of sovereigns supporting heresy. [1] March 14 Jacques d'Auchy Walloon baptist merchant, executed. [1] Storm floods ravage Gorinchem, Dordrecht and Woudrichem, Netherlands. [1] April 2 England/France signs first Treaty of Le Cateau-Cambrésis. [1] April 3 Spain and France signs second Treaty of Le Cateau-Cambrésis. [1] May 10 Scottish Protestants under John Knox uprise against queen-mother Mary. [1] May 13 Excavated corpse of heretic David Jorisz burned in Basel. [1]