| January 27 | States of Gelderland accepts Willem van Kleef as viceroy |
| February 24 | King Ferdinand of Austria and King Janos Zapolyai of Hungary sign Peace of Grosswardein |
| April 9 | Danish king Christian III enters Schmalkaldische Union |
| May 26 | Geneve throws out Calvijn |
| June 10 | Catholic German monarchy signs League of Neurenberg |
| June 18 | Treaty of Nice: ends war between Emperor Charles V and King French I |
| July 15 | Peace talks between Karel and King Francois I |
| September 28 | Battle at Preveza: Turkish fleet under Barbarossa beats Spanish |
| December 16 | King Francois I orders renewed pursuit of Protestants |
| December 17 | Pope Paul III excommunicated England's King Henry VIII |
