Edict of St Germain
Jan 17 French regent Catherine de' Medici issues the Edict of St Germain recognizing Huguenots in France
- Jan 18 3rd sitting of Council of Trent opens, convened by Pope Pius IV
- Jan 18 The Council of Trent is reopened by Pope Pius IV for its third (and final) session
- Mar 1 Blood bath at Vassy: Francois de Guise's troops open fire on Huguenot congregation, first event in Wars of Religion
- Mar 9 Kissing in public banned in Naples (punishable by death)
- Mar 15 General Francois de Guise enters Paris
- Apr 30 Jean Ribault and colonists arrive in Florida, the first French colonists in North America
Treaty of Constantinople
Jun 1 Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand I and Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent sign treaty
- Dec 19 Battle at Dreux: Anne de Montmorency & huguenots under Condé captured
Gregory I
Gregory XIII
Julius II
Julius III
Leo X
Pius V