On This Day

What Happened in May 1610

Historical Events


MurderAssassination

May 14 Henry IV of France is assassinated by fanatical Catholic François Ravaillac who stabs him to death in the streets of Paris

King Henry IV of France
King
Henry IV of France

Event of interestEvent of Interest

May 15 Parliament of Paris appoints Louis XIII (8) as French King

King of France Louis XIII
King of France
Louis XIII

Famous Birthdays

  • May 18 Stefano della Bella, Italian printmaker (d. 1664)
  • May 24 Giovanni Battista Chinelli, Italian composer, born in Moletolo, Parma, Italy (d. 1677)

Famous Deaths

  • May 11 Matteo Ricci, Italian Jesuit missionary (China), dies at 57

MurderHenry IV of France

May 14 Henry IV, 1st Bourbon King of Navarra (1572-1610) and France (1589-1610), assassinated at 56

King Henry IV of France
King
Henry IV of France
  • May 19 Thomas Sanchez, Spanish theologian (b. 1550)
  • May 27 François Ravaillac, French assassin of Henry IV of France (b. 1578)