- Jan 22 Ottoman forces take Cairo, capital of the Mamluk Sultanate
5th Council of the Lateran
Mar 16 Pope Leo X holds the last session of the Fifth Council of the Lateran, convoked to restore peace between Catholic rulers and assert the authority of Pope
- Apr 13 Ottoman army occupies Cairo
- May 19 Philip van Bourgondie installed as bishop of Utrecht
- Jun 11 British admiral Sir Thomas Pert reaches Hudson Bay
- Jul 1 1st burning of Protestants at the stake in the Netherlands
- Jul 1 Inquisitor Adrian Boeyens (pope Adrianus VI) becomes cardinal
- Jul 9 Gelderse crowd robber murders population of Asperen
- Aug 15 Seven Portuguese armed vessels led by Fernão Pires de Andrade meet Chinese officials at the Pearl River estuary.
Luther's Ninety-five Theses
Oct 31 Martin Luther sends his Ninety-five Theses to Albert of Brandenburg, Archbishop of Mainz, precipitating the Protestant Reformation