- Feb 15 Russian troops occupy Polotsk Lithuania
- Feb 18 Huguenot Jean Poltrot de Mere shoots gen Francois De Guise
- Feb 27 William Byrd is appointed organist at Lincoln Cathedral
- Mar 19 Peace of Amboise: Rights for Huguenots
- 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
- Aug 17 King Charles IX of France declared an adult at 13
- 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.