Key Events of 16th Century Europe

The 16th Century: Key Events

The Reformation and Counter-Reformation

• 1517: Martin Luther posts his 95 Theses on the church door in Wittenberg, marking the start of the Protestant Reformation.
• 1521: Diet of Worms. Charles V meets with Luther, intending for him to recant. He failed.
• 1541: John Calvin creates a theocracy in Geneva. The reformer transformed the Swiss city into an authoritarian regime focused on moral purity.
• Henry VIII separates the Church of England from the Church of Rome because the Pope did not approve his divorce. Anglicanism is created.
• 1545: The Council of Trent is convened. The Catholic Church lays down its doctrine against the Protestants.
• 1563: Reform of the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church made significant reforms and established new religious orders. Examples: Jesuits (founded by Saint Ignatius of Loyola), Pious Schools (founded by Saint Joseph Calasanz).

Scientific Revolution

• 1543: Copernicus establishes the heliocentric theory.
• 1609: Kepler establishes the elliptical path of planets.

Politics and Conflicts

• 1542: Miguel de Cervantes is noted (Context unclear in original text, possibly related to his later captivity in Algiers for 5 years).
• 1555: Peace of Augsburg. Peace between Catholics and Protestants based on the principle of Cuius regio, eius religio (Whose realm, his religion).
• 1558: Death of Charles I of Spain / Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor.
• 1556-1598: Reign of Philip II of Spain.
• 1557: Battle of St. Quentin. Commemorating this battle, fought on the day of Saint Lawrence (August 8th in the original text).
• 1561: Madrid becomes the headquarters of the court and capital of Spain. Spain's previous capitals were Toledo and Valladolid.
• 1572: Saint Bartholomew's Day Massacre. Wars of Religion in France against the Huguenots (Protestants).
• Wars of Religion in England: Mary I (Catholic) against Protestants, Elizabeth I (Protestant) against Catholics.
• Wars of Religion in Flanders. The Low Countries inclined towards Calvinism. Philip II ordered the imposition of the decrees of Trent, leading to the start of the uprising. Governments of Margaret of Parma (natural daughter of Charles I) and the Duke of Alba (whose rule included the 'Council of Troubles').
• 1571: Battle of Lepanto. Spain, united with the Holy See, faces and defeats the Turks, preventing their expansion.
• 1588: The 'Invincible Armada' attempts to conquer England under Philip II against Elizabeth I.
• The Inquisition under Philip II. Philip II extends the Inquisition throughout his empire to maintain religious purity.
• 1598: Edict of Nantes. Religious freedom is established in France under Henry IV. Henry IV converts to Catholicism ("Paris is worth a mass").
• 1598: Death of Philip II.
• 1598-1621: Reign of Philip III. Philip III, interested in theater, painting, and hunting, leaves government largely in the hands of his validos (favorites), such as the Duke of Lerma.
• 1610: Expulsion of the Moriscos from Spain.
• Bankruptcy in Spain. Financial difficulties lead to currency devaluation (e.g., use of vellon coinage instead of gold ducats).