January 5 William Louis of Nassau becomes governor/viceroy of Drenthe January 27 Vatican opens 7 year trial against scholar Giordano Bruno March 23 English Congressionalist Henry Barrow accused of slander June 28 Earl Mauritius conquerors Geertruidenberg July 25 France's Protestant King Henri IV converts to Roman Catholic December 15 State of Holland grants patent on windmill with crankshaft December 24 Storm hits Texel: 40 ships hit, 500 killed
