- Jan 5 Great fire in Eindhoven, Netherlands
- Jan 12 Bayinnaung crowned King of Burma, goes on to assemble the largest empire in the history of Southeast Asia
- Jan 25 Sir Thomas Wyatt gathers an army in Kent, rebels against Queen Mary
- Jan 25 Founding of the city of São Paulo in Brazil
- Feb 9 Battle at London: Sir Thomas Wyatt defeated and his rebellion against Queen Mary crushed
- Feb 12 Queen of England for nine days, Lady Jane Grey is executed for treason
- Nov 30 England reconciles with Pope Julius III