On This Day

Events in History in 1558

  • Jan 7 Calais, last English possession in France, retaken by France
  • Jan 8 French troops under Duc de Guise occupy Calais
  • Jan 9 Geneva becomes independent from Berne canton, Switzerland
  • Jan 11 Westmunster Church in Middelburg destroyed by heavy storm
  • Mar 5 Smoking tobacco introduced into Europe by Spanish physician Francisco Fernandes

Stroganov Family Heads East

Apr 4 Tsar Ivan IV gives the patent to colonize "the abundant region along the Kama River" of North-Russia to the fur trading Stroganov merchant family

Ivan the Terrible
Russian Tsar Ivan the Terrible
  • May 3 Ferdinand I officially appointed Holy Roman Emperor after his brother Charles abdicated in 1556
  • Jul 13 Battle of Gravelines: In France, Spanish forces led by Count Lamoral of Egmont defeat the French forces of Marshal Paul des Thermes at Gravelines
  • Jul 23 Battle of Grevelingen: Lamoraal, Count of Egmont beat France
  • Aug 4 1st printing of Zohar (Jewish Kabbalah)
  • Oct 9 Mérida is founded in Venezuela

Event of Interest

Nov 7 French King Henry II occupies Calais

Henry II
King of France Henry II

Event of Interest

Nov 17 Elizabeth I aged 25, ascends the English throne upon death of her half sister, Queen "Bloody" Mary

Elizabeth I
Queen of England and Ireland Elizabeth I
  • Nov 17 The independence of the Church of England is re-established upon ascension of Elizabeth I to the throne

Event of Interest

Dec 29 Charles V, King of Spain and Holy Roman Emperor, buried in El Escorial, San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Spain

Charles V
Holy Roman Emperor Charles V


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