1559

Henry II Killed in a Joust

June 30, 1559

Celebrating the peace with Spain, Henry II of France took part in a joust against his captain Gabriel de Montgomery and took a splinter through the visor. He lingered for ten days in agony while Catherine de Medici watched. Their sickly sons would stumble through the French Wars of Religion.

More from 1559 Renaissance

In context

Also in 1559 (5 other events on record)

Peace of Cateau-Cambresis · Europe · Politics
Index of Forbidden Books Published · Europe · Religion
John Knox Returns to Scotland · Europe · Religion
Elizabethan Religious Settlement · Europe · Religion
Madrid Becomes Spanish Capital · Europe · Politics

Before and after in Europe

Before: 1558: Moscow Begins the Livonian War
After: July 6, 1560: Treaty of Edinburgh

Before and after in Politics

Before: November 17, 1558: Elizabeth I Crowned
After: July 6, 1560: Treaty of Edinburgh

Era

Renaissance (1501–1650), one of 715 events from that era on Saeculum.