Category Archives: 16th Century

Historical Facts from 1501 to 1600 CE

May 13, 1559

Posted on May 13, 2020 by Joel Byers

On May 13, 1559, Netherlands Anabaptist leader, David Joris, had his three year old corpse exhumed in Basel. His corpse was then convicted of heresy and burned as punishment. Turns out people with grudges can still act childish and throw stones even after you die. The person with a grudge? His son-in-law Anabaptist leader Nicolas … Continue reading →

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April 27, 1578

Posted on April 27, 2020 by Joel Byers

On April 27, 1578, the Duel of the Mignons happened and claimed the lives of two of the favorite retainers of Henry III of France and two of the favorite retainers of Henry I, Duke of Guise. What was a Mignon? It was a term used for the favorite retainers of Henry III, as these … Continue reading →

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April 24, 1519

Posted on April 24, 2020 by Joel Byers

On April 24, 1519, the envoys of Montezuma II, the Aztec emperor of Mexico, attended the first Easter mass in Central America as guests of Spanish conqueror, excuse me, Spanish colonizer, wait, of Spanish tourist, Hernan Cortes. The Aztecan envoys said the religious ceremony was quaint and filled with quiet dignity. They especially loved how … Continue reading →

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April 13, 1560

Posted on April 13, 2020 by Joel Byers

On April 13, 1560, Giovanni Battista, favorite son of famed Italian mathematician Girolamo Cardano, was beheaded for murdering his wife. Why did he kill her? Because he discovered that their three children weren’t his. When did he let her know that he knew the truth of her infidelity? Just after he fed her some of … Continue reading →

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April 8, 1513

Posted on April 8, 2020 by Joel Byers

On April 8, 1513, Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon landed at what is now called St. Augustine, Florida and claimed all of Florida for Spain. How’d he do this you ask? He stood on the land, planted a flag and yelled ‘DIBS’. The native people already there asked him what he was doing and … Continue reading →

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March 25, 1593

Posted on March 25, 2020 by Joel Byers

On March 25, 1593, Dutch scholar, theologian, and priest, Cornelius Loos recanted his earlier protest against the witchcraft persecution that was being carried out by the Catholic Church in Europe. He wrote a book protesting the witch hunts and questioned the beliefs and morals of the witch hunters. He also questioned the validity of any … Continue reading →

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February 12, 1502

Posted on February 12, 2020 by Joel Byers

On February 12, 1502, Queen Isabella I of Castile issued an edict outlawing Islam in her country. This forced her Muslim subjects to either convert, go to prison, voluntarily leave if they could, or die. Just so all the American conservative Christians understand, this was religious discrimination. Not allowing you to force other people’s children … Continue reading →

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February 7, 1569

Posted on February 7, 2020 by Joel Byers

On February 7, 1569, King Phillip II of Spain formed the Inquisition in South America. The South Americans weren’t expecting it. Yes. This joke’s been used before. It will be used again. Don’t tell me you didn’t expected it.

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October 4, 1582

Posted on October 4, 2019 by Joel Byers

October 4, 1582, was the last day that Italy, Spain, Portugal and Poland made use of the Julian calendar. The very next day, which would jump to October 15, 1582, the four countries adopted and began using the more solar accurate Gregorian calendar. Everybody who had a birthday falling from October 5 to October 15 … Continue reading →

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September 22, 1598

Posted on September 22, 2019 by Joel Byers

On September 22, 1598, English playwright and director Ben Jonson was arrested and indicted for manslaughter for killing one of his actors, Gabriel Spencer, in a duel. Apparently even in 1598, actors and writers couldn’t get along very well. Gabriel Spencer was no saint, as he was known to drink heavily and become very violent … Continue reading →

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