- Jan 1 Geuzen sets fire to Woudrichem
Battle of Mikatagahara
Jan 25 Battle of Mikatagahara, in Japan; Takeda Shingen defeats Tokugawa Ieyasu
- Jan 28 Articles of Warsaw Confederation are signed, sanctioning freedom of religion in Poland.
- Mar 7 Turkey & Venice sign peace treaty
- Apr 30 The spire of Beauvais Cathedral, France, which made it the tallest human-made monument in the world at the time, collapses (never rebuilt)
- May 9 Polish Parliament selects Duke of Anjou as king
- Jul 6 Córdoba, Argentina, is founded by Jerónimo Luis de Cabrera
- Jul 6 Pacificatie of Boulogne: new peace treaty with huguenots
- Jul 13 Haarlem surrenders after 7 months to Spanish army
- Jul 16 Alva demands submission of Zealand/Holland
Drake's Fleet Returns
Aug 7 Francis Drake's fleet returns to Plymouth after a year spent raiding for Spanish treasure
- Aug 21 Spain begin siege of Alkmaar in the Netherlands
- Oct 9 Don Frederik and the Spanish disband the siege of Alkmaar
- Oct 11 Battle of South Seas - Dutch rebels beat Spanish navy
- Nov 22 The Brazilian city of Niterói is founded
- Nov 29 Don Luis de Requesensy Zuniga succeeds duke of Alva as land guardian of Netherlands
Gregory I
Gregory XIII
Julius II
Julius III
Leo X
Pius V