- Jan 16 English parliament passes laws against Catholicism

James I and VI
Knighthood
Apr 4 Francis Drake knighted by Queen Elizabeth I aboard Golden Hind at Deptford

Francis Drake

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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Event of Interest
Nov 19 Tsarevich Ivan Ivanovich dies after being attacked by his father Ivan the Terrible three days earlier

Ivan the Terrible
- Nov 29 Doornik (Tournai) surrenders to Duke of Parma