Events
January–March
* January 6
Events Pre-1600
* 1066 – Following the death of Edward the Confessor on the previous day, the Witan meets to confirm Harold Godwinson as the new King of England; Harold is crowned the same day, sparking a succession crisis that will ...
– American-born British citizen Elihu Yale
Elihu Yale (5 April 1649 – 8 July 1721) was a British Americans, British-American Colonialism, colonial administrator.
Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Yale lived in America only as a child, and spent the rest of his life in England, Wales, a ...
, for whom Yale University
Yale University is a Private university, private Ivy League research university in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701, Yale is the List of Colonial Colleges, third-oldest institution of higher education in the United Stat ...
in the U.S. is named, completes his term as the first leader of the Madras Presidency
The Madras Presidency or Madras Province, officially called the Presidency of Fort St. George until 1937, was an administrative subdivision (province) of British India and later the Dominion of India. At its greatest extent, the presidency i ...
in India
India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...
, administering the colony on behalf of the East India Company
The East India Company (EIC) was an English, and later British, joint-stock company that was founded in 1600 and dissolved in 1874. It was formed to Indian Ocean trade, trade in the Indian Ocean region, initially with the East Indies (South A ...
, and is succeeded by William Gyfford
William Gyfford was an English factor and Agent of Madras from 3 July 1681 to 8 August 1684 and the President of Madras from 26 January 1685 to 25 July 1687.
William Gyfford was associated with the East India Company's factory at Madras right ...
.
* January 8
Events Pre-1600
* 307 – Emperor Huai of Jin, Sima Chi becomes emperor of the Jin dynasty (266–420), Jin dynasty in succession to his brother, Emperor Hui of Jin, Sima Zhong, despite a challenge from his other brother, Sima Ying.
* 871 ...
– Almost 200 people are arrested in Coventry
Coventry ( or rarely ) is a City status in the United Kingdom, cathedral city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands (county), West Midlands county, in England, on the River Sherbourne. Coventry had been a large settlement for centurie ...
by English authorities for gathering to hear readings of the sermons of the non-conformist Protestant minister Obadiah Grew
Obadiah Grew (1 November 1607 – 22 October 1689) was an English nonconformist minister.
Life
Grew was born at Atherstone, Warwickshire on 1 November 1607, the third son of Francis Grew and Elizabeth Denison. He was baptised the same day at the ...
* February 4
Events Pre–1600
* 211 – Following the death of the Roman Emperor Septimius Severus at Eboracum (modern York, England) while preparing to lead a campaign against the Caledonians, the empire is left in the control of his two quarrellin ...
– A treaty is signed between Brandenburg-Prussia and the indigenous chiefs at Takoradi
Sekondi-Takoradi ( ) is a city in Ghana comprising the twin cities of Sekondi and Takoradi. It is the capital of Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan District and the Western Region of Ghana. Sekondi-Takoradi is the region's largest city as well as ...
in what is now Ghana
Ghana, officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country in West Africa. It is situated along the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean to the south, and shares borders with Côte d’Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, and Togo to t ...
to permit the German colonists to build a third fort on the Brandenburger Gold Coast.
* February 6
Events Pre-1600
* 590 – Hormizd IV, king of the Sasanian Empire, is overthrown and blinded by his brothers-in-law Vistahm and Vinduyih.
* 1579 – The Diocese of Manila is erected by papal bull, with Domingo de Salazar appointe ...
– Catholic James Stuart, Duke of York
Duke of York is a title of nobility in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. Since the 15th century, it has, when granted, usually been given to the second son of List of English monarchs, English (later List of British monarchs, British) monarchs ...
, becomes King James II of England
James II and VII (14 October 1633 – 16 September 1701) was King of England and Monarchy of Ireland, Ireland as James II and King of Scotland as James VII from the death of his elder brother, Charles II of England, Charles II, on 6 February 1 ...
and Ireland
Ireland (, ; ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe. Geopolitically, the island is divided between the Republic of Ireland (officially Names of the Irish state, named Irelan ...
, and King James VII of Scotland
James II and VII (14 October 1633 – 16 September 1701) was King of England and Ireland as James II and King of Scotland as James VII from the death of his elder brother, Charles II, on 6 February 1685, until he was deposed in the 1688 Glori ...
, in succession to his brother Charles II (1660–1685), King of England, Scotland, and Ireland since 1660
Events
January–March
* January 1
** At daybreak, English Army Colonel George Monck, with two brigades of troops from his Scottish occupational force, fords the River Tweed at Coldstream in Scotland to cross the Anglo-Scottish ...
. James II and VII reigns until deposed, in 1688
Events January–March
* January 2 – Fleeing from the Spanish Navy, French pirate Raveneau de Lussan and his 70 men arrive on the west coast of Nicaragua, sink their boats, and make a difficult 10 day march to the city of Ocota ...
.
* February 20
Events Pre-1600
*1339 – The Milanese army and the St. George's (San Giorgio) Mercenaries of Lodrisio Visconti clash in the Battle of Parabiago; Visconti is defeated.
*1472 – Orkney and Shetland are pawn (law), pawned by Norway to S ...
– René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle
René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle (; November 22, 1643 – March 19, 1687), was a 17th-century French explorer and North American fur trade, fur trader in North America. He explored the Great Lakes region of the United States and Canada ...
, intending to establish a colony near the mouth of the Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the main stem, primary river of the largest drainage basin in the United States. It is the second-longest river in the United States, behind only the Missouri River, Missouri. From its traditional source of Lake Ita ...
, lands with 200 surviving colonists at Matagorda Bay
Matagorda Bay () is a large Gulf of Mexico bay on the Texas coast, lying in Calhoun and Matagorda counties and located approximately northeast of Corpus Christi, east-southeast of San Antonio, south-southwest of Houston, and south-southea ...
on the Texas
Texas ( , ; or ) is the most populous U.S. state, state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. It borders Louisiana to the east, Arkansas to the northeast, Oklahoma to the north, New Mexico to the we ...
coast, believing the Mississippi to be near. He establishes Fort St. Louis.
* February
February is the second month of the year in the Julian calendar, Julian and Gregorian calendars. The month has 28 days in common years and 29 in leap years, with the February 29, 29th day being called the ''leap day''.
February is the third a ...
–March – Morean War
The Morean war (), also known as the Sixth Ottoman–Venetian War, was fought between 1684–1699 as part of the wider conflict known as the "Great Turkish War", between the Republic of Venice and the Ottoman Empire. Military operations ranged ...
(part of the Great Turkish War
The Great Turkish War () or The Last Crusade, also called in Ottoman sources The Disaster Years (), was a series of conflicts between the Ottoman Empire and the Holy League (1684), Holy League consisting of the Holy Roman Empire, Polish–Lith ...
): The Ottoman ''serasker
''Serasker'', or ''seraskier'' (; ), is a title formerly used in the Ottoman Empire for a vizier who commanded an army.
Following the suppression of the Janissaries in 1826, Sultan Mahmud II transferred the functions of the old Agha of the Ja ...
'' Halil Pasha invades the Mani Peninsula
The Mani Peninsula (), also long known by its medieval name Maina or Maïna (), is a geographical and cultural region in the Peloponnese of Southern Greece and home to the Maniots (), who claim descent from the ancient Spartans. The capital ci ...
, and forces it to surrender hostages.
* March 28
Events Pre-1600
* AD 37 – Roman emperor Caligula accepts the titles of the Principate, bestowed on him by the Senate.
* 193 – After assassinating the Roman Emperor Pertinax, his Praetorian Guards auction off the throne to Did ...
– An attack on a Mughal Empire envoy, Khwajah Abdur Rahim, outside of the Maratha fortress at the Bijapur Fort
The Bijapur Fort (Vijapur kote) is located in the Bijapur city in Bijapur District of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bijapur fort has a plethora of historical monuments of architectural importance built during the rule of Adil Shahi dynasty.
...
in India leads to a siege of the city by the forces of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb
Alamgir I (Muhi al-Din Muhammad; 3 November 1618 – 3 March 1707), commonly known by the title Aurangzeb, also called Aurangzeb the Conqueror, was the sixth Mughal emperors, Mughal emperor, reigning from 1658 until his death in 1707, becomi ...
. The siege lasts for 15 months before Bijapur surrenders.
* March
March is the third month of the year in both the Julian and Gregorian calendars. Its length is 31 days. In the Northern Hemisphere, the meteorological beginning of spring occurs on the first day of March. The March equinox on the 20 or 2 ...
– Louis XIV of France
LouisXIV (Louis-Dieudonné; 5 September 16381 September 1715), also known as Louis the Great () or the Sun King (), was King of France from 1643 until his death in 1715. His verified reign of 72 years and 110 days is the List of longest-reign ...
passes the ''Code Noir
The (, ''Black code'') was a decree passed by King Louis XIV, Louis XIV of France in 1685 defining the conditions of Slavery in France, slavery in the French colonial empire and served as the code for slavery conduct in the French colonies ...
'', allowing the full use of slaves in the French colonies.
April–June
* April 16
Events Pre-1600
* 1457 BC – Battle of Megido – the first battle to have been recorded in what is accepted as relatively reliable detail.
* 69 – Defeated by Vitellius' troops at Bedriacum, Roman emperor Otho commits suicide.
* ...
– Wara Dhammaraza becomes the new King of Arakan on the western coast of Burma
Myanmar, officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar; and also referred to as Burma (the official English name until 1989), is a country in northwest Southeast Asia. It is the largest country by area in Mainland Southeast Asia and ha ...
upon the death of his brother, Thiri Thuriya.
* April 23
Events Pre-1600
* 215 BC – A temple is built on the Capitoline Hill dedicated to Venus Erycina to commemorate the Roman defeat at Lake Trasimene.
*599 – Maya king Uneh Chan of Calakmul attacks rival city-state Palenque in so ...
– The coronation of King James II of England
James II and VII (14 October 1633 – 16 September 1701) was King of England and Monarchy of Ireland, Ireland as James II and King of Scotland as James VII from the death of his elder brother, Charles II of England, Charles II, on 6 February 1 ...
(and his Queen Consort, Mary of Modena
Mary of Modena (; ) was List of English royal consorts, Queen of England, List of Scottish royal consorts, Scotland and Ireland as the second wife of James VII and II. A devout Catholic, Roman Catholic, Mary married the widower James, who was t ...
) takes place at Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey, formally titled the Collegiate Church of Saint Peter at Westminster, is an Anglican church in the City of Westminster, London, England. Since 1066, it has been the location of the coronations of 40 English and British m ...
.
* May 7
Events Pre-1600
* 351 – The Jewish revolt against Constantius Gallus breaks out after his arrival at Antioch.
* 558 – In Constantinople, the dome of the Hagia Sophia collapses, twenty years after its construction. Justinian I im ...
– Morean War
The Morean war (), also known as the Sixth Ottoman–Venetian War, was fought between 1684–1699 as part of the wider conflict known as the "Great Turkish War", between the Republic of Venice and the Ottoman Empire. Military operations ranged ...
– Battle on Vrtijeljka: Advancing Ottoman forces prevail over defending Venetian
Venetian often means from or related to:
* Venice, a city in Italy
* Veneto, a region of Italy
* Republic of Venice (697–1797), a historical nation in that area
Venetians might refer to:
* Masters of Venetian painting in 15th-16th centuries
* ...
irregulars, on a hill in the Sanjak of Montenegro
The Sanjak of Montenegro ( Montenegrin and sr-cyr, Санџак Црне Горе, Sandžak Crne Gore; , literally Sanjak of the Black Mountain) was a province (sanjak) of the Ottoman Empire in the Balkan Peninsula roughly corresponding to moder ...
.
* May 11
Events Pre-1600
* 330 – Constantine the Great dedicates the much-expanded and rebuilt city of Byzantium, changing its name to New Rome and declaring it the new capital of the Eastern Roman Empire.
*868 – A copy of the Diamond Sūtr ...
– The Killing Time
The Killing Time was a period of conflict in Scottish history between the Presbyterian Covenanter movement, based largely in the southwest of the country, and the government forces of Kings Charles II of England, Charles II and James II of En ...
: Five Covenanter
Covenanters were members of a 17th-century Scottish religious and political movement, who supported a Presbyterian Church of Scotland and the primacy of its leaders in religious affairs. It originated in disputes with James VI and his son C ...
s in Wigtown
Wigtown ( (both used locally); ) is a town and former royal burgh in Wigtownshire, of which it is the county town, within the Dumfries and Galloway region in Scotland. It lies east of Stranraer and south of Newton Stewart. It is known as "Scotl ...
, Scotland, notably Margaret Wilson
Margaret Anne Wilson (born 20 May 1947) is a New Zealand lawyer, academic and former Labour Party politician. She served as Attorney-General from 1999 to 2005 and Speaker of the House of Representatives from 2005 to 2008, during the Fifth ...
, are executed for refusing to swear an oath declaring King James of England, Scotland and Ireland as head of the church, becoming the ''Wigtown martyrs
The Wigtown Martyrs or Solway Martyrs, Margaret Maclauchlan and Margaret Wilson, were Scottish Covenanters who were executed by Scottish Episcopalians on 11 May, 1685 in Wigtown, Scotland, for refusing to swear the Oath of Supremacy declaring ...
''.
* June 11
Events Pre-1600
* 173 – Marcomannic Wars: The Roman army in Moravia is encircled by the Quadi, who have broken the peace treaty ( 171). In a violent thunderstorm emperor Marcus Aurelius defeats and subdues them in the so-called "miracle ...
– Monmouth Rebellion
The Monmouth Rebellion in June 1685 was an attempt to depose James II of England, James II, who in February had succeeded his brother Charles II of England, Charles II as king of Kingdom of England, England, Kingdom of Scotland, Scotland and ...
: James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth
James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth, 1st Duke of Buccleuch, (9 April 1649 – 15 July 1685) was an English nobleman and military officer. Originally called James Crofts or James Fitzroy, he was born in Rotterdam in the Netherlands, the eldest ill ...
, illegitimate son of King Charles II of England
Charles II (29 May 1630 – 6 February 1685) was King of Scotland from 1649 until 1651 and King of England, Scotland, and King of Ireland, Ireland from the 1660 Restoration of the monarchy until his death in 1685.
Charles II was the eldest su ...
, Scotland
Scotland is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It contains nearly one-third of the United Kingdom's land area, consisting of the northern part of the island of Great Britain and more than 790 adjac ...
and Ireland
Ireland (, ; ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe. Geopolitically, the island is divided between the Republic of Ireland (officially Names of the Irish state, named Irelan ...
, lands at Lyme Regis
Lyme Regis ( ) is a town in west Dorset, England, west of Dorchester, Dorset, Dorchester and east of Exeter. Sometimes dubbed the "Pearl of Dorset", it lies by the English Channel at the Dorset–Devon border. It has noted fossils in cliffs and ...
with an invasion force brought from the Netherlands, to challenge his uncle, James II, for the Crown of England.[ ]
* June 16
Events Pre-1600
* 632 – Yazdegerd III ascends the throne as king (''shah'') of the Persian Empire. He becomes the last ruler of the Sasanian dynasty (modern Iran).
*1407 – Ming–Hồ War: Retired King Hồ Quý Ly and his son K ...
– A lunar eclipse
A lunar eclipse is an astronomical event that occurs when the Moon moves into the Earth's shadow, causing the Moon to be darkened. Such an alignment occurs during an eclipse season, approximately every six months, during the full moon phase, ...
is observed in the evening by François-Timoléon de Choisy
François-Timoléon de Choisy (; 16 August 1644 – 2 October 1724) was a French abbé, writer, and member of the Académie Française. He is known for his memoirs, historical and religious writings, and travel accounts. His posthumously publish ...
, amongst others, onboard his ship in the vicinity of Madagascar. The ship was at a latitude of 37 degrees 40 minutes, and the eclipse was not visible from Europe.
* June 20
Events Pre-1600
* 451 – Battle of Chalons: Flavius Aetius battles Attila the Hun. After the battle, which was inconclusive, Attila retreats, causing the Romans to interpret it as a victory.
* 1180 – First Battle of Uji, startin ...
– Monmouth Rebellion
The Monmouth Rebellion in June 1685 was an attempt to depose James II of England, James II, who in February had succeeded his brother Charles II of England, Charles II as king of Kingdom of England, England, Kingdom of Scotland, Scotland and ...
: James, Duke of Monmouth
James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth, 1st Duke of Buccleuch, (9 April 1649 – 15 July 1685) was an English nobleman and military officer. Originally called James Crofts or James Fitzroy, he was born in Rotterdam in the Netherlands, the eldest ill ...
declares himself at Taunton
Taunton () is the county town of Somerset, England. It is a market town and has a Minster (church), minster church. Its population in 2011 was 64,621. Its thousand-year history includes a 10th-century priory, monastic foundation, owned by the ...
to be King, and heir to his father's Kingdoms as James II of England and Ireland, and James VII of Scotland.
July–September
* July 6
Events Pre-1600
* 371 BC – The Battle of Leuctra shatters Sparta's reputation of military invincibility.
* 640 – Battle of Heliopolis: The Muslim Arab army under 'Amr ibn al-'As defeat the Byzantine forces near Heliopolis (Egy ...
– Monmouth Rebellion
The Monmouth Rebellion in June 1685 was an attempt to depose James II of England, James II, who in February had succeeded his brother Charles II of England, Charles II as king of Kingdom of England, England, Kingdom of Scotland, Scotland and ...
: In the Battle of Sedgemoor
The Battle of Sedgemoor was the last and decisive engagement between forces loyal to James II and rebels led by the Duke of Monmouth during the Monmouth rebellion, fought on 6 July 1685, and took place at Westonzoyland near Bridgwater in S ...
, the last pitched battle
A pitched battle or set-piece battle is a battle in which opposing forces each anticipate the setting of the battle, and each chooses to commit to it. Either side may have the option to disengage before the battle starts or shortly thereafter. A ...
fought on English
English usually refers to:
* English language
* English people
English may also refer to:
Culture, language and peoples
* ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England
* ''English'', an Amish ter ...
soil, the armies of King James II of England
James II and VII (14 October 1633 – 16 September 1701) was King of England and Monarchy of Ireland, Ireland as James II and King of Scotland as James VII from the death of his elder brother, Charles II of England, Charles II, on 6 February 1 ...
defeat rebel forces under James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth
James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth, 1st Duke of Buccleuch, (9 April 1649 – 15 July 1685) was an English nobleman and military officer. Originally called James Crofts or James Fitzroy, he was born in Rotterdam in the Netherlands, the eldest ill ...
, and capture the Duke himself shortly after the battle.
* July 15
Events Pre-1600
* 484 BC – Dedication of the Temple of Castor and Pollux in ancient Rome
* 70 – First Jewish–Roman War: Titus and his armies breach the walls of Jerusalem. ( 17th of Tammuz in the Hebrew calendar).
* 756 &ndas ...
– James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth
James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth, 1st Duke of Buccleuch, (9 April 1649 – 15 July 1685) was an English nobleman and military officer. Originally called James Crofts or James Fitzroy, he was born in Rotterdam in the Netherlands, the eldest ill ...
, is executed at Tower Hill
Tower Hill is the area surrounding the Tower of London in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. It is infamous for the public execution of high status prisoners from the late 14th to the mid 18th century. The execution site on the higher gro ...
, London, England.
* August 11
Events Pre-1600
* 3114 BC – The Mesoamerican Long Count calendar, used by several pre-Columbian Mesoamerican civilizations, notably the Maya, begins.
* 2492 BC – Traditional date of the defeat of Bel by Hayk, progenitor and foun ...
– Morean War
The Morean war (), also known as the Sixth Ottoman–Venetian War, was fought between 1684–1699 as part of the wider conflict known as the "Great Turkish War", between the Republic of Venice and the Ottoman Empire. Military operations ranged ...
: The 49-day Siege of Coron Siege of Coron can refer to:
* Siege of Coron (1533–1534) by the Ottoman Empire
* Siege of Coron (1685) by the Republic of Venice
See also
* Battle of Coron (1793)
{{Disambig ...
ends with the surrender and massacre of its garrison by the Venetians.
* August 25
Events Pre-1600
* 766 – Emperor Constantine V humiliates nineteen high-ranking officials, after discovering a plot against him. He executes the leaders, Constantine Podopagouros and his brother Strategios.
* 1248 – The Dutch cit ...
– The Bloody Assizes
The Bloody Assizes were a series of trials started at Winchester on 25 August 1685 in the aftermath of the Battle of Sedgemoor, which ended the Monmouth Rebellion in England.
History
There were five judges: Sir William Montague ( Lord Chief B ...
begin in Winchester
Winchester (, ) is a City status in the United Kingdom, cathedral city in Hampshire, England. The city lies at the heart of the wider City of Winchester, a local government Districts of England, district, at the western end of the South Downs N ...
: Lord Chief Justice of England
The Lord or Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales is the head of the judiciary of England and Wales and the president of the courts of England and Wales.
Until 2005 the lord chief justice was the second-most senior judge of the English an ...
George Jeffreys tries over 1000 of Monmouth's rebels and condemns them to death or transportation.
* September 14
Events Pre-1600
*AD 81 – Domitian became Emperor of the Roman Empire upon the death of his brother Titus.
* 786 – "Night of the three Caliphs": Harun al-Rashid becomes the Abbasid caliph upon the death of his brother al-Hadi. Bir ...
– Morean War
The Morean war (), also known as the Sixth Ottoman–Venetian War, was fought between 1684–1699 as part of the wider conflict known as the "Great Turkish War", between the Republic of Venice and the Ottoman Empire. Military operations ranged ...
: The Republic of Venice
The Republic of Venice, officially the Most Serene Republic of Venice and traditionally known as La Serenissima, was a sovereign state and Maritime republics, maritime republic with its capital in Venice. Founded, according to tradition, in 697 ...
defeats an Ottoman army at Kalamata
Kalamata ( ) is the second most populous city of the Peloponnese peninsula in southern Greece after Patras, and the largest city of the Peloponnese (region), homonymous administrative region. As the capital and chief port of the Messenia regiona ...
.
* September 29
Events
Pre-1600
* 61 BC – Pompey the Great celebrates his third triumph for victories over the pirates and the end of the Mithridatic Wars on his 45th birthday.
* 1011 – Danes capture Canterbury after a siege, taking Ælfheah ...
– The first organised street lighting is introduced by the city of London
London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...
in England
England is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is located on the island of Great Britain, of which it covers about 62%, and List of islands of England, more than 100 smaller adjacent islands. It ...
, as Edward Hemming begins carrying out his contract to be paid for lighting an oil lamp
An oil lamp is a lamp used to produce light continuously for a period of time using an oil-based fuel source. The use of oil lamps began thousands of years ago and continues to this day, although their use is less common in modern times. The ...
"at every tenth house on main streets between 6 PM and midnight between September 29 and March 25" on nights in the autumn and winter without adequate moonlight.
October–December
* October 22
Events Pre-1600
* 451 – The Chalcedonian Creed, regarding the divine and human nature of Jesus, is adopted by the Council of Chalcedon, an ecumenical council.
* 794 – Japanese Emperor Kanmu relocates his empire's capital to H ...
– Louis XIV of France issues the Edict of Fontainebleau
The Edict of Fontainebleau (18 October 1685, published 22 October 1685) was an edict issued by French King Louis XIV and is also known as the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes. The Edict of Nantes (1598) had granted Huguenots the right to prac ...
, which revokes the Edict of Nantes
The Edict of Nantes () was an edict signed in April 1598 by Henry IV of France, King Henry IV and granted the minority Calvinism, Calvinist Protestants of France, also known as Huguenots, substantial rights in the nation, which was predominantl ...
and declares Protestantism
Protestantism is a branch of Christianity that emphasizes Justification (theology), justification of sinners Sola fide, through faith alone, the teaching that Salvation in Christianity, salvation comes by unmerited Grace in Christianity, divin ...
illegal, thereby depriving Huguenot
The Huguenots ( , ; ) are a Religious denomination, religious group of French people, French Protestants who held to the Reformed (Calvinist) tradition of Protestantism. The term, which may be derived from the name of a Swiss political leader, ...
s of civil rights. Their Temple de Charenton-le-Pont is immediately demolished and many flee to England, Prussia and elsewhere.
* November 8
Events Pre-1600
* 960 – Battle of Andrassos: Byzantines under Leo Phokas the Younger score a crushing victory over the Hamdanid Emir of Aleppo, Sayf al-Dawla.
* 1278 – Trần Thánh Tông, the second emperor of the Trần dyn ...
(October 29 O.S.) – The Edict of Potsdam
The Edict of Potsdam () was a proclamation issued by Frederick William, Elector of Brandenburg and Duke of Prussia, in Potsdam on 29 October 1685, as a response to the revocation of the Edict of Nantes by the Edict of Fontainebleau. It encouraged ...
is issued by Frederick William, Elector of Brandenburg
Frederick William (; 16 February 1620 – 29 April 1688) was Elector of Brandenburg and Duke of Prussia, thus ruler of Brandenburg-Prussia, from 1640 until his death in 1688. A member of the House of Hohenzollern, he is popularly known as "th ...
in response to France's Edict of Fontainebleau, welcoming the Protestant Huguenots of France to resettle in eastern Germany in Brandenburg. The French Colony of Magdeburg The French Colony of Magdeburg () was a separate and independent community that existed from 1685 to 1808 in the city of Magdeburg. It co-existed, without any clear boundaries, with the citizens of the city and with the somewhat later colony of Ger ...
is established on December 1 in Saxony as a community separate from Magdeburg
Magdeburg (; ) is the Capital city, capital of the Germany, German States of Germany, state Saxony-Anhalt. The city is on the Elbe river.
Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor, Otto I, the first Holy Roman Emperor and founder of the Archbishopric of Mag ...
.
* November 11
Events Pre-1600
* 308 – At Carnuntum, Emperor ''emeritus'' Diocletian confers with Galerius, '' Augustus'' of the East, and Maximianus, the recently returned former ''Augustus'' of the West, in an attempt to end the civil wars of th ...
– Morean War
The Morean war (), also known as the Sixth Ottoman–Venetian War, was fought between 1684–1699 as part of the wider conflict known as the "Great Turkish War", between the Republic of Venice and the Ottoman Empire. Military operations ranged ...
: The Republic of Venice
The Republic of Venice, officially the Most Serene Republic of Venice and traditionally known as La Serenissima, was a sovereign state and Maritime republics, maritime republic with its capital in Venice. Founded, according to tradition, in 697 ...
captures the fortress town of Igoumenitsa
Igoumenitsa () is a coastal city in northwestern Greece. It is the capital of the regional unit of Thesprotia.
Igoumenitsa is the chief port of Thesprotia and Epirus, and one of the largest passenger ports of Greece, connecting northwestern Main ...
from the Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman Empire (), also called the Turkish Empire, was an empire, imperial realm that controlled much of Southeast Europe, West Asia, and North Africa from the 14th to early 20th centuries; it also controlled parts of southeastern Centr ...
, and razes it to the ground.
* December 3
Events Pre-1600
* 915 – Pope John X crowns Berengar I of Italy as Holy Roman Emperor (probable date).
1601–1900
* 1775 – American Revolution: becomes the first vessel to fly the Continental Union Flag (precursor to the " St ...
– King Charles XI of Sweden
Charles XI or Carl (; ) was List of Swedish monarchs, King of Sweden from 1660 until his death, in a period of History of Sweden, Swedish history known as the Swedish Empire (1611–1721).
He was the only son of King Charles X Gustav of Sweden ...
issues an order banning Jews
Jews (, , ), or the Jewish people, are an ethnoreligious group and nation, originating from the Israelites of History of ancient Israel and Judah, ancient Israel and Judah. They also traditionally adhere to Judaism. Jewish ethnicity, rel ...
from settling in Sweden, particularly in the capital at Stockholm
Stockholm (; ) is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in Sweden by population, most populous city of Sweden, as well as the List of urban areas in the Nordic countries, largest urban area in the Nordic countries. Approximately ...
"on account of the danger of the eventual influence of the Jewish religion on the pure evangelical faith."
* December 10
Events Pre-1600
*1317 – The Nyköping Banquet: King Birger of Sweden treacherously seizes his two brothers, dukes Valdemar and Erik, who are subsequently starved to death in the dungeon of Nyköping Castle.
* 1508 – The Leag ...
– In what is now Thailand
Thailand, officially the Kingdom of Thailand and historically known as Siam (the official name until 1939), is a country in Southeast Asia on the Mainland Southeast Asia, Indochinese Peninsula. With a population of almost 66 million, it spa ...
, King Narai
King Narai the Great (, , ) or Ramathibodi III ( ) was the 27th monarch of Ayutthaya Kingdom, the 4th and last monarch of the Prasat Thong dynasty. He was the king of Ayutthaya Kingdom from 1656 to 1688 and arguably the most famous king of the ...
of Ayutthaya
Ayutthaya, Ayudhya, or Ayuthia may refer to:
* Ayutthaya Kingdom, a Thai kingdom that existed from 1350 to 1767
** Ayutthaya Historical Park, the ruins of the old capital city of the Ayutthaya Kingdom
* Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province (locall ...
signs a treaty with representatives of France at Lopburi
Lopburi (, , ) is the capital city of Lopburi Province in Thailand. It is about northeast of Bangkok. It has a population of 58,000. The town ('' thesaban mueang'') covers the whole ''tambon'' Tha Hin and parts of Thale Chup Son of Muea ...
, allowing Roman Catholic
The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics worldwide as of 2025. It is among the world's oldest and largest international institut ...
missionaries to preach the Gospel
Gospel originally meant the Christianity, Christian message ("the gospel"), but in the second century Anno domino, AD the term (, from which the English word originated as a calque) came to be used also for the books in which the message w ...
and exempting Thai Catholics from work on Sunday, as well as appointing a special court to settle disputes between Thai Christians and non-Christians.
Date unknown
* The Chinese army of the Qing dynasty attacks a Russian post at Albazin, during the reigns of the Kangxi Emperor and the dual Russian rulers Ivan V of Russia and Peter I of Russia. The event leads to the Treaty of Nerchinsk in 1689.
* Adam Baldridge founds a pirate base at Île Sainte-Marie, Madagascar.
* Alice Molland becomes the last known person in England to be sentenced to death for witchcraft, in Exeter.
* The Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow in the State of New York is constructed by the original Dutch settlers (later to become famous as the site of the rampage of the "Headless Horseman" spirit in the novel ''The Legend of Sleepy Hollow'').
Births

* January 1 – Joseph Burroughs, English minister (d. 1761)
*
January 6
Events Pre-1600
* 1066 – Following the death of Edward the Confessor on the previous day, the Witan meets to confirm Harold Godwinson as the new King of England; Harold is crowned the same day, sparking a succession crisis that will ...
– Manuel de Montiano, Spanish colonial administrator (d. 1762)
* January 7
** Jonas Alströmer, Swedish pioneer of agriculture and industry (d. 1761)
** George Clifford III, Dutch banker and gardener (d. 1760)
* January 9 – Tiberius Hemsterhuis, Dutch philologist and critic (d. 1766)
* January 24 – Giuseppe Alessandro Furietti, Italian Catholic cardinal (d. 1764)
*
February 6
Events Pre-1600
* 590 – Hormizd IV, king of the Sasanian Empire, is overthrown and blinded by his brothers-in-law Vistahm and Vinduyih.
* 1579 – The Diocese of Manila is erected by papal bull, with Domingo de Salazar appointe ...
– Sir John Rushout, 4th Baronet, England (d. 1775)
* February 8 – Charles-Jean-François Hénault, French writer and historian (d. 1770)
* February 9 – Francesco Loredan, Doge of Venice (d. 1762)
* February 10 – Aaron Hill (writer), English dramatist and miscellaneous writer (d. 1750)
* February 12 – George Hadley, English lawyer and amateur meteorologist (d. 1768)
* February 23 – George Frideric Handel, German composer (d. 1759)
* February 24 – Hieronymus Pez, Austrian historian (d. 1762)
* March 2 – Moses Williams (antiquarian), Welsh scholar (d. 1742)
* March 11
** William Flower, 1st Baron Castle Durrow, Irish politician (d. 1746)
** Jean-Pierre Nicéron, French encyclopedist (d. 1738)
* March 12 – George Berkeley, Irish philosopher (d. 1753)
* March 13 – Johann Paul Schiffelholz, German Baroque composer (d. 1758)
* March 17 – Jean-Marc Nattier, French painter (d. 1766)
* March 18 – Ralph Erskine (preacher), Scottish churchman (d. 1752)
* March 24 – John Fane, 7th Earl of Westmorland, British politician (d. 1762)
* March 26
** Germain Louis Chauvelin, French politician (d. 1762)
** Johann Alexander Thiele, German painter (d. 1752)
* March 27 – Simon Hatley, English sailor (d. 1723)
* March 31 – Johann Sebastian Bach, German composer (d. 1750)
* April 4 – Claude Sallier, French librarian (d. 1761)
* April 18 – Jacques-Pierre de Taffanel de la Jonquière, Marquis de la Jonquière, French admiral, colonial administrator (d. 1752)
* April 24 – Cosimo Imperiali, Italian cardinal (d. 1764)
* April 30 – Hermann Friedrich Teichmeyer, German botanist (d. 1746)
* May 4 – Akdun, Chinese Manchu statesman (d. 1756)
* May 6 – Sophia Louise of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Prussian queen consort (d. 1735)
* May 19 – Neri Maria Corsini, Italian Catholic priest and cardinal (d. 1770)
* June 6 – Spencer Phips, Acting governor of the Province of Massachusetts Bay (d. 1757)
* June 10 – Harry Grey, 3rd Earl of Stamford, English peer (d. 1739)
*
June 11
Events Pre-1600
* 173 – Marcomannic Wars: The Roman army in Moravia is encircled by the Quadi, who have broken the peace treaty ( 171). In a violent thunderstorm emperor Marcus Aurelius defeats and subdues them in the so-called "miracle ...
– Thomas Wedgwood III, English potter, father of Josiah Wedgwood (d. 1739)
* June 14 – Princess Charlotte Wilhelmine of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, countess by marriage of Hanau-Münzenberg (d. 1767)
* June 23 – Antonio Bernacchi, Italian opera singer (d. 1756)
* June 24 – Hans von Lehwaldt, German general (d. 1768)
* June 30
** John Gay, English writer (d. 1732)
** Dominikus Zimmermann, German Rococo architect, stuccoist (d. 1766)
* July 3 – Sir Robert Rich, 4th Baronet, British cavalry officer (d. 1768)
* July 22 – Henrik Magnus von Buddenbrock, Swedish general, noble (d. 1743)
* July 28 – Richard Newport (MP) (d. 1716)
* August 6 – Martin Bouquet, French Benedictine monk and historian (d. 1754)
* August 7 – Claude Lamoral, 6th Prince of Ligne, Austrian field marshal (d. 1766)
* August 8 – Claude Joseph Geoffroy, brother of Étienne François Geoffroy (d. 1752)
* August 15 – Jacob Theodor Klein, German scholar (d. 1759)
* August 18 – Brook Taylor, English mathematician (d. 1731)
* September 2 – Christiane Charlotte of Nassau-Ottweiler, Countess, later Landgravine of Hesse-Homburg (d. 1761)
* September 3 – Charles Powlett, 3rd Duke of Bolton (d. 1754)
* September 4 – Johann Adolf II, Duke of Saxe-Weissenfels (d. 1746)
*
September 14
Events Pre-1600
*AD 81 – Domitian became Emperor of the Roman Empire upon the death of his brother Titus.
* 786 – "Night of the three Caliphs": Harun al-Rashid becomes the Abbasid caliph upon the death of his brother al-Hadi. Bir ...
– Didier Diderot, French craftsman (d. 1759)
* September 16 – Daniel Gottlieb Messerschmidt, German scientist (d. 1735)
* September 17
** Joshua Allen, 2nd Viscount Allen, Irish politician (d. 1742)
** Charles August, Prince of Nassau-Weilburg, Prince of Nassau-Weilburg (1719-1753) (d. 1753)
** Robert Marsham, 1st Baron Romney, British politician (d. 1724)
** Uvedale Tomkins Price, British politician (d. 1764)
* September 20 – Giuseppe Matteo Alberti, Italian Baroque composer and violinist (d. 1751)
*
September 29
Events
Pre-1600
* 61 BC – Pompey the Great celebrates his third triumph for victories over the pirates and the end of the Mithridatic Wars on his 45th birthday.
* 1011 – Danes capture Canterbury after a siege, taking Ælfheah ...
– George Brudenell, 3rd Earl of Cardigan (d. 1732)
* October 1 – Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor (d. 1740)
* October 13 – Henri François Le Dran, French surgeon (d. 1770)
* October 15 – Diederik van Domburg, 23rd Governor of Zeylan, during the Dutch period in Ceylon (d. 1736)
* October 21 – George Forbes, 3rd Earl of Granard, English Royal Navy admiral (d. 1765)
* October 26 – Domenico Scarlatti, Italian composer (d. 1757)
* October 28 – Hans Gram (historian), Danish historian (d. 1748)
* October 31 – John Murray, 2nd Earl of Dunmore, Scottish soldier and peer (d. 1752)
* November 3 – François Roettiers, Flemish engraver, medallist, painter, sculptor (d. 1742)
* November 5 – Peter Angelis, French painter (d. 1734)
* November 7
** Jared Eliot, Connecticut farmer, author on horticulture (d. 1763)
** Georg Lenck, German musician (d. 1744)
* November 10 – Duncan Forbes, Lord Culloden, Scottish politician, judge (d. 1747)
*
November 11
Events Pre-1600
* 308 – At Carnuntum, Emperor ''emeritus'' Diocletian confers with Galerius, '' Augustus'' of the East, and Maximianus, the recently returned former ''Augustus'' of the West, in an attempt to end the civil wars of th ...
** Florida Cevoli, Italian Capuchin Poor Clares, Capuchin Poor Clare (d. 1767)
** Jean Charles de Saint-Nectaire, French general (d. 1771)
* November 15 – Balthasar Denner, German artist (d. 1749)
* November 17 – Pierre Gaultier de Varennes, sieur de La Vérendrye, French Canadian military officer (d. 1749)
* November 24 – Princess Dorothea of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Beck, German noble (d. 1761)
* November 25 – Eiler Hagerup d.e., Norwegian bishop (d. 1743)
* November 29 – John Willes (judge), English lawyer (d. 1761)
* December 6 – Marie Adélaïde of Savoy, wife of Louis, Dauphin of France, Duke of Burgundy (d. 1712)
* December 8 – Johann Maria Farina, Italian-born German perfumier (d. 1766)
* December 12 – Lodovico Giustini, Italian composer (d. 1743)
* December 17 – Thomas Tickell, minor English poet and man of letters (d. 1740)
* ''date unknown''
** Henri-Guillaume Hamal, Walloon musician and composer (d. 1752)
** Antoinette Larcher, French engraver (d. unknown)
** Aldegonde Jeanne Pauli, banker in the Austrian Netherlands (d. 1761)
** Mary Read, English-born pirate (d. 1721)
** Marie Wulf, Danish Pietist leader (d. 1738)
Deaths

* January 2 – Sir Harbottle Grimston, 2nd Baronet, Harbottle Grimston, English politician (b. 1603)
* January 13 – Daniello Bartoli, Italian Jesuit priest (b. 1608)
*
February 6
Events Pre-1600
* 590 – Hormizd IV, king of the Sasanian Empire, is overthrown and blinded by his brothers-in-law Vistahm and Vinduyih.
* 1579 – The Diocese of Manila is erected by papal bull, with Domingo de Salazar appointe ...
– King
Charles II of England
Charles II (29 May 1630 – 6 February 1685) was King of Scotland from 1649 until 1651 and King of England, Scotland, and King of Ireland, Ireland from the 1660 Restoration of the monarchy until his death in 1685.
Charles II was the eldest su ...
, Scotland and Ireland (b. 1630)
* February 11 – David Teniers III, Flemish painter (b. 1638)
*
February 20
Events Pre-1600
*1339 – The Milanese army and the St. George's (San Giorgio) Mercenaries of Lodrisio Visconti clash in the Battle of Parabiago; Visconti is defeated.
*1472 – Orkney and Shetland are pawn (law), pawned by Norway to S ...
– Sophie Amalie of Brunswick-Lüneburg, Danish queen (b. 1628)
* February 24
** Archduchess Isabella Clara of Austria, Austrian archduchess (b. 1629)
** Charles Howard, 1st Earl of Carlisle, English politician and military leader (b. 1629)
* March 6 – Sir Thomas Spencer, 3rd Baronet, English Member of Parliament (b. 1639)
* March 7 – Giles Hungerford, English politician (b. 1614)
* March 9 – Carpoforo Tencalla, Swiss-Italian Baroque painter of canvases and frescoes (b. 1623)
* March 11 – Klara Izabella Pacowa, politically active Polish court official (b. 1631)
* March 17 – Sir Richard Bulkeley, 1st Baronet, Irish politician (b. 1634)
* March 19 – René-François de Sluse, Walloon mathematician (b. 1622)
* March 22 – Emperor Go-Sai of Japan (b. 1638)
* March 25 – Nicolas Robert, French painter (b. 1614)
* March 30 – Friedrich Casimir, Count of Hanau-Lichtenberg (1641–1680) and Hanau-Münzenberg (1642–1680) (b. 1623)
* March 31 – Juan Hidalgo de Polanco, Spanish composer (b. 1614)
* April – Adriaen van Ostade, Dutch painter and engraver (b. 1610)
* April 5 – Samuel Sandys (Royalist), Samuel Sandys, English politician (b. 1615)
* April 14 – Thomas Otway, English dramatist (b. 1652)
*
May 11
Events Pre-1600
* 330 – Constantine the Great dedicates the much-expanded and rebuilt city of Byzantium, changing its name to New Rome and declaring it the new capital of the Eastern Roman Empire.
*868 – A copy of the Diamond Sūtr ...
– Margaret Wilson (Scottish martyr) (b. c. 1667)
* May 25 – Sir John Marsham, 1st Baronet, English politician (b. 1602)
* May 26 – Karl II, Elector Palatine (b. 1651)
* June 10 – Henry Goring (1646–1685), Henry Goring, English politician (b. 1646)
*
June 16
Events Pre-1600
* 632 – Yazdegerd III ascends the throne as king (''shah'') of the Persian Empire. He becomes the last ruler of the Sasanian dynasty (modern Iran).
*1407 – Ming–Hồ War: Retired King Hồ Quý Ly and his son K ...
– Anne Killigrew, English poet and painter (b.
1660
Events
January–March
* January 1
** At daybreak, English Army Colonel George Monck, with two brigades of troops from his Scottish occupational force, fords the River Tweed at Coldstream in Scotland to cross the Anglo-Scottish ...
)
* June 26 – John Evelyn (Parliamentarian), John Evelyn, English politician (b. 1601)
* June 30 – Archibald Campbell, 9th Earl of Argyll, Scottish peer (b. 1629)
*
July 6
Events Pre-1600
* 371 BC – The Battle of Leuctra shatters Sparta's reputation of military invincibility.
* 640 – Battle of Heliopolis: The Muslim Arab army under 'Amr ibn al-'As defeat the Byzantine forces near Heliopolis (Egy ...
– Nicholas Pedley, English politician (b. 1615)
*
July 15
Events Pre-1600
* 484 BC – Dedication of the Temple of Castor and Pollux in ancient Rome
* 70 – First Jewish–Roman War: Titus and his armies breach the walls of Jerusalem. ( 17th of Tammuz in the Hebrew calendar).
* 756 &ndas ...
–
James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth
James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth, 1st Duke of Buccleuch, (9 April 1649 – 15 July 1685) was an English nobleman and military officer. Originally called James Crofts or James Fitzroy, he was born in Rotterdam in the Netherlands, the eldest ill ...
, illegitimate son of
Charles II of England
Charles II (29 May 1630 – 6 February 1685) was King of Scotland from 1649 until 1651 and King of England, Scotland, and King of Ireland, Ireland from the 1660 Restoration of the monarchy until his death in 1685.
Charles II was the eldest su ...
(beheaded) (b. 1649)
* July 28 – Henry Bennet, 1st Earl of Arlington, English statesman (b. 1618)
* August 8 – Giovanni Battista Salvi da Sassoferrato (b. 1609)
* September 1 – Leoline Jenkins, Welsh lawyer and diplomat (b. 1625)
* September 5 – Francis North, 1st Baron Guilford (b. 1637)
* September 9 – Richard Ingoldsby, English politician (b. 1617)
* September 17 – Arthur Spry, English politician (b. 1612)
* September 24 – Gustaf Otto Stenbock, Swedish soldier and politician (b. 1614)
* October 1 – Kanō Yasunobu, Japanese painter of the Kanō school of painting, during the Edo period (b. 1614)
* October 3
** Juan Carreño de Miranda, Spanish artist (b. 1614)
** Johann Heinrich Roos, Dutch painter (b. 1631)
* October 12
** Christoph Ignaz Abele, Austrian jurist (b. 1628)
** Gerard Brandt, Dutch historian (b. 1626)
* October 23 – Yamaga Sokō, Japanese philosopher (b. 1622)
* October 29 – Anne Wharton, English poet (b. 1659)
* October 30 – Michel Le Tellier, French statesman (b. 1603)
* November 4 – Girolamo Grimaldi-Cavalleroni, Italian Catholic cardinal (b. 1597)
* November 7 – Sir William Maynard, 1st Baronet, English politician (b. 1641)
* November 9 – Louis Armand I, Prince of Conti (b. 1661)
* November 18 – George Courthope, English politician (b. 1616)
* November 28
** Maffeo Barberini (1631–1685), Maffeo Barberini, Prince of Palestrina (b. 1631)
** Nicolas de Neufville de Villeroy, Marshal of France (b. 1598)
* December 12 – John Pell (mathematician), John Pell, English mathematician (b. 1610)
* ''date unknown'' – Nalan Xingde, Chinese poet who became a scholar and officer in the Imperial Bodyguard (b. 1655)
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:1685
1685,