Feb 15 Russian troops occupy Polotsk Lithuania Feb 18 Huguenot Jean Poltrot de Mere shoots gen Francois De Guise Feb 27 British composer William Byrd is appointed organist at Lincoln Cathedral, Lincoln, England Mar 19 Peace of Amboise: Rights for Huguenots Historic Event Apr 23 Cornerstone laid for El Escorial, new Spanish royal palace commissioned by Philip II, by architect Juan Bautista de Toledo King of Spain Philip II of Spain Apr 30 Jews are expelled from France by order of Charles VI Jul 27 French army recaptures Le Havre Jul 29 League of High Nobles routes King Philip II Historic Event Aug 17 King Charles IX of France declared an adult at 13 King of France Charles IX Aug 30 Jewish community of Neutitschlin, Moravia, expelled Sep 8 Maximilian chosen king of Hungary Dec 4 Council of Trent holds its last session, after 18 years. Last ecumenical council for more than 300 years. 1562 Historical Events by Year 1564