Events in year of 1542
- 01-21Parliament passes bill of attainder against Queen Katherine Howard
- 06-27Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo claims California for Spain
- 07-12French troops under Maarten van Rossem occupies Flanders
- 07-21Pope Paul III begins inquisition against Protestants (Sactum Officium)
- 08-02French troops leave Flanders
- 08-23Rabbi Joseph Caro completes his commentary of Tur Code
- 08-24Conquistador Francisco de Orellana returns to Spain
- 09-28Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo discovers California, at San Diego Bay
- 10-07Explorer Cabrillo discovered Catalina Island off California coast
- 11-22Spain delegates "New Laws" against slavery in America
- 11-24Battle at Solway Moss: English beat Scottish King James
People born in year of 1542
- 02-22Santino Garsi: Composer
- 06-15Richard Grenville: English parliament leader / Vice-Admiral (Roanoke)
- 06-24Juan de la Cruz [de Yepes]: Spanish Carmelet / poet / Saint
- 07-06Elisabeth van Nassau: Daughter of Willem / Juliana van Stolberg
- 10-04Roberto Bellarmino: Italian theologist / diplomat
- 10-14Abul-Fath Djalal-ud-Din: 3rd Mogol Emperor of India (1556-1605)
- 10-15Djalalud-Din Mohammed Akbar: Emperor of India (1556-1605)
- 12-07Mary Stuart: Queen of Scotland (1560-1587)
People died in year of 1542
- 01-10Gerardus Noviomagus [Gerrit Geldenhauer]: Dutch theologist, die at 59
- 02-13Catharine Howard: Queen of England / 5th Wife of Henry VIII, beheaded
- 05-21Hernando de Soto: Dies while searching for gold near Mississippi River
- 06-19Leo Jud[ae]: Swiss pastor / church Reformer
- 10-27Abraham ben Avigdor: Rabbi / Author (commentary on Tur)
- 12-14James: King of Scotland (1513-42), dies at 30
- 12-28Albert Pigge [Pighius]: Dutch Theologist / astronomer, dies at about 52
Events in year of 1543
- 02-11Battle at Wayna Daga: Ethiopian / Portugese troops beat Moslem army
- 02-11Karel / Henry VIII sign anti-French covenant
- 07-01England and Scotland sign Peace treaty of Greenwich
- 07-07French troops invade Luxembourg
- 08-05French and Turkish troops occupy Nice
- 09-03Cardinal Beaton replaces Earl Arran as regent for Mary of Scotland
- 09-06French and Turkish fleet occupies Nice
- 09-07Duke Willem of Gulik surrenders to Emperor Charles V
- 09-12Treaty of Venlo: Duke Willem of Gulik and Emperor Charles V
People born in year of 1543
- 01-18Alfonso Ferrabosco: Composer
- 03-07Johan Casimir: Count of Rhine (occupied Gent)
- 10-23Juan de la Cueva: Spain -- Dramatist
People died in year of 1543
- 01-03Juan Cabrillo: Conqueror of Cen America, discoverer of California
- 02-11Ahmed Gran: Sultan of Adal, dies in battle
- 05-24Nicolas Copernicus: Astronomer, dies in Poland
- 06-27Agnolo Firenzuola [Giovannini]: Ital Monk (De golden ezel)
Events in year of 1544
- 01-30Adrian van Goes becomes land advocate of Holland
- 05-01Turkish troops occupy Hungary
- 05-17Scot Earl Matthew van Lennox signs secret treaty with Henry VIII
- 05-23German Emperor Charles V recognizes King Christian III of Denmark
- 07-14English troops attack The Canal
- 08-17Imperial / English armies occupy Saint-Dizier France
- 09-18Charles V of Germany and Francis I of France sign Peace of Crepy
- 09-30King Henry VIII draws his armies out of France
- 11-10Antwerps Painter John Matsys banished
People born in year of 1544
- 03-11Torquato Tasso: Italy -- Renaissance poet (Aminta, Apologia)
- 05-24William Gilbert: Essex, England -- Physicist (researcher into magnetism)
- 11-27Ascanio Trombeti: Composer
- 12-23Anna: Duchess of Saxson / Wife of Prince Willem of Orange (1561-71)
People died in year of 1544
- 05-29Jacobus Latomus [Jasques Masson]: Belgian inquisitor, dies at about 68
- 08-28Alardus Aemstelredamus: Priest / humanist, dies at about 53