- Jan 22 Pope Sixtus V decrees "Immense aeterni" (Reformed curia)
- Apr 4 Christian IV succeeds Frederick II as king of Denmark
- May 9 Duke Henri de Guise's troops occupy Paris
- May 12 Catholic League under duke Henri de Guise occupies Paris
- May 13 King Henri III flees Paris
- May 28 Spanish Armada under the Duke of Medina-Sidonia departs Lisbon to invade England
- Jun 19 Spanish Armada heavily destroyed in storm at Coruna
- Jul 11 French King Henri III accept demands of Catholic League
- Jul 21 First engagement between the English fleet and the Spanish Armada off the Eddystone Rocks
- Jul 26 English Admiral John Hawkins knighted for his actions against the Armada
- Jul 29 Duke Farneses troops ready for invasion of England
- Jul 29 The Battle of Gravelines - Spanish Armada damaged and scattered by the English fleet
- Aug 12 Commander of the English fleet Lord Howard of Effingham calls off chase of the Spanish Armada off coast of Scotland
- Aug 12 Radboud Castle on Medemblik harbor in North Holland surrenders to the Spanish army
- Oct 23 Remnants of Medina Sidonia's Spanish Armada returns to Santander
- Dec 23 "The Day of the Dagger" Henry, Duke of Guise, leader of the Catholic League is assassinated by the bodyguards of King Henry III at the Château de Blois