Events

• February 27 - The Treaty of Berhick , which would expel the French from Scotland, is signed by England and the Congregation of Scotland
• The first tulip bulb was brought from Turkey to the Netherlands.
• July 6 - Treaty of Edinburgh between England, France and Scotland. The French withdraw from Scotland. This largely ends the "Auld Alliance" between France and Scotland, and ends the wars between England and its northern neighbor.
• August 17 - the Roman Church is overthrown and Protestantism was established as the national religion in Scotland.
• Jean Nicot introduces tobacco in the form of snuff to the French court.
• Solihull School was founded.

Births

• January 1 - Joachim Du Bellay, French poet
• January 17 - Gaspard Bauhin, Swiss botanist (d. 1624)
• August 7 - Elizabeth Báthory, Hungarian serial killer
• August 10 - Hieronymus Praetorius, German composer
• Anton Praetorius, German pastor who fought against torture and witch-craft trials
• Andrea Andreani, Italian artist (possibly in 1540)
• Antonio Il Verso , Sicilian composer
• Giovanni Bernardino Nanino, Italian composer
• Felice Anerio, Italian composer
• Dominicus Corea, King of Kotte of Ceylon

Deaths

• April 19 - Philipp Melancthon, German theologian
• September 29 - Gustav Vasa, King of Sweden
• December 5 - King Francis II of France (b. 1544)
• Mary of Guise, queen of James V of Scotland and regent for her daughter Mary I of Scotland