Historical Events in 1581

Event of Interest

Jan 28 James VI signs 2nd Confession of Faith in Scotland

King of Great Britain James I and VI — King of Great Britain
James I and VI

Mar 25 Portuguese Cortes calls Philip II king of Portugal
Apr 1 Portuguese Cortes subjects himself on Philip II

Knighthood

Apr 4 Francis Drake knighted by Queen Elizabeth I aboard Golden Hind at Deptford

Admiral and Navigator Francis Drake — Admiral and Navigator
Francis Drake

Queen of England and Ireland Elizabeth I — Queen of England and Ireland
Elizabeth I

Apr 15 Cortes van Thomar accepts Philip II as king of Portugal
Jul 14 English jesuit Edmund Campion arrested
Jul 24 States of Holland/Zealand recognized by Wiliam of Orange
Aug 2 Leiden University names Snellius math professor
Oct 15 Commissioned by Catherine De Medici, the 1st ballet "Ballet Comique de la Reine" is staged in Paris

Ivan the Terrible Kills His Son

Nov 16 Tsar Ivan the Terrible attacks his son and heir, Ivan Ivanovich, with a scepter after an argument leading to the latter's death three days later

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