Capture of London
The barons take London before the arrival of Johns mercenaries
historysearch.co.uk visitor counter—
On this date in world history
May 17 in History
This permanent archive page contains 176 World History Database records for May 17, spanning 1215 to 2025. Recorded topics include Capture of London; Capture of Tower of London; Constitution of England.
Total: 176Events: 148Births: 3Deaths: 11Battles: 12Coronations: 2Countries: 30
Events on May 17
Capture of Tower of London
The Tower of London is held by the royalists
Constitution of England
Henrys regents immediately declared their intention to rule by Magna Carta, which they proceeded to do during Henrys minority
Magna Carta
Henrys regents immediately declared their intention to rule by Magna Carta, which they proceeded to do during Henrys minority
Interregnum
Richard of Cornwall was crowned at Aachen but never established durable authority throughout the Empire.
Mauerbach Consecration
The newly founded Mauerbach Charterhouse was consecrated and settled by Carthusian monks during Frederick's reign.
Papal Legate
Appointed Papal Legate in England, a post renewed annually & made permanent in 1524
Execution
The title of Buckingham is made forfeit. Execution of Edward Stafford the Duke of Buckingham for high treason
Execution
Executed under a trumped up charge of disloyalty to Henry VIII
Treason
Execution of Edward Stafford the Duke of Buckingham for high treason
Marriage
An ecclesiastical court hears Henrys requests for an annulment
Marriage
Wolsey & Warham convene an ecclesiastical court to examine the King's marriage. An ecclesiastical court hears Henry's requests for an annulment
Bill of Attainder
Parliament passes an act of attainder against Anne Boleyn and those accused with her before her execution.
Execution
George Boleyn is executed
Execution
William Brereton os executed
Execution
George Boleyn, Henry Norris, Francis Weston, William Brereton and Mark Smeaton are executed.
Execution
William Brereton is executed. Mark Smeaton is executed. Henry Norriss is executed. George Boleyn is executed. Francis Weston is executed
Execution
Henry Norriss is executed
Execution
Mark Smeaton is executed
Execution
Francis Weston is executed
Marriage
Divorced from Henry VIII
Marriage
Henry VIII's marriage to Anne Boleyn is declared invalid before her execution.
Marriage Annulment
Cranmer annuls Henry VIII's marriage to Anne Boleyn before her execution.
Peerage
Created Duque de Lerma
Transfer of Law Courts Rejected
Parliament declares the proposed transfer of the law courts unlawful.
Transfer of Law Courts Rejected
Parliament declares the proposed transfer of the law courts unlawful.
Levellers
Church is shot with other Leveller mutineers after the Burford rising, marking the destruction of the Levellers' organised support base within the New Model Army
Siege of Northampton
A Parliamentary force under Colonel Reynolds defeats the Levellers
Suppression of Burford Mutiny
Cromwell helps suppress the Leveller-linked mutiny at Burford after army units resist orders and challenge the authority of their commanders.
Siege of Clonmel
Cromwell's troops suffer heavy losses when Hugh Dubh O'Neill's defence traps the attackers at Clonmel.
Siege of Clonmel
ONeill's defence inflicts heavy losses on Cromwell's troops before withdrawing from Clonmel.
Conventicle Act
Baxter's nonconformist circle is threatened by the new law against conventicles.
Conventicle Act
Calamy's Presbyterian ministry is constrained by the Restoration legislation against conventicles.
Conventicle Act
Gives assent to the Conventicle Act forbidding unauthorised religious meetings of more than five people.
Conventicle Act
Cosin backs the Anglican settlement that restricts dissenting religious meetings.
Conventicle Act
Quakers face harsher pressure after Parliament restricts unauthorised religious meetings.
Conventicle Act
The Conventicle Act restricts unauthorised religious meetings outside the Church of England.
Conventicle Act
Sheldon supports stronger enforcement of Anglican uniformity through the Conventicle Act.
Legislation
Clarendon's ministry supports legislation against nonconformist religious assemblies.
Pact of the Vigatans
Bac de Roda signs the Pact of the Vigatans and supports the uprising for Charles of Austria.
Wali of Egypt
Is recognized as Wali after Cairo's political leaders demand his appointment.
Capture of Madrid
Forces Napoleon's forces to the Ebro River where they are defeated at Vittorio. Captures Madrid
Independence of Belgium
Agrees to Leopolds demands that Luxemburg should become part of Belgium
Independence of Great Britain
Agrees to Leopolds demands that Luxemburg should become part of Belgium
The Question of Centralisation in Itself
Publishes an article examining political centralisation and local autonomy in the Rheinische Zeitung.
Home Secretary of Great Britain
Appointed Home Secretary
Relief of Mafeking
Baden-Powell's garrison is relieved after holding Mafeking throughout the longest siege of the war.
Relief of Mafeking
Leads the column relieving Mafeking.
Relief of Mafeking
Helps raise the siege of Mafeking.
Siege of Mafeking
Mafeking is besieged until British relief arrives in May 1900.
British Inquiry Seaman Evidence
Gives evidence about emergency lifeboat 1 and events seen from the boat after Titanic sank.
91st Infantry Brigade Staff Appointment
Serves as brigade major of 91st Infantry Brigade while training New Army formations.
Coalition Government
Asquith & Bonar Law agree a Coaltion
Government
Sends a letter to ministers requesting their resignation for a new wartime coalition
Ministerial Resignation Request
Asks ministers to resign so a new wartime coalition can be created.
Resignation of Fisher
First Sea Lord Fisher resigns & leaves operational contol of the Admiralty to Hamilton
Resignation of Fisher
First Sea Lord Fisher resigns & leaves operational contol of the Admiralty to Hamilton
Wartime Coalition Agreement
Asquith and Bonar Law agree to form a wartime coalition.
Peace
Writes a 2nd letter of peace
Peace
Declares Russia that it will not agree a separate peace with the Central Powers
Democratic Programme
Kerensky records his position on democratic programme in exile.
Prime Minister of Poland
Appointed Prime Minister of Poland, 1st term
Peace Speech
Gives a Reichstag speech claiming Germany seeks peace while demanding equality of rights in armaments.
Arms Embargo
Supports League of Nations efforts to restrict arms shipments to Bolivia and Paraguay during the Chaco War.
Military Socialism
Toro takes power and introduces a reformist military government after defeat in the Chaco War.
Prime Minister of Spain
Appointed Prime Minister of Spain
Resignation of Francisco Largo Caballero
Refuses demands by the communists to break up the marxist POUM & the Government falls
Resignation of Francisco Largo Caballero
Refuses demands by the communists to break up the marxist POUM & the Government falls
Berths at Wolfes Cove 1 mile from Quebec
Berths at Wolfes Cove 1 mile from Quebec
Capture of Landrecies
Captures the Landrecies bridge, a crossing point acros the River Sambre into France
Home Defence
Orders urgent preparations against possible invasion of Britain.
Invasion of France
Launches an attack on the "Bulge" from the north & sth
Invasion of France
Prepares to sever Guderians supply lines at Montcornet but is beaten back
Invasion of France
Wishes to reduce the 2 operational phases to 1. Claims there is little danger of an Allied attack on the northern flank of the "Bulge". Believes France can be broken in a single sweep to the south west
Invasion of France
Moves westward in the direction of the River Sambre
Siege of Montcornet
Prepares to sever Guderians supply lines at Montcornet but is beaten back
Manhattan Project
Vannevar Bush creates the Office of Scientific Research and Development (OSRD)
Manhattan Project
A report by Arthur Compton and the National Academy of Sciences is issued which finds favorable the prospects of developing nuclear power production for military use
National Academy of Sciences
A report by Arthur Compton and the National Academy of Sciences is issued which finds favorable the prospects of developing nuclear power production for military use
Office of Scientific Research and Development (OSRD)
Vannevar Bush creates the Office of Scientific Research and Development (OSRD)
Siege of Kharkov
Strikes at the Barvenkovo salient, as ordered by Hitler
Siege of Kharkov
Timoshenko requests further support from Stalin who just refuses a withdrawal. Kleist counter-attacks & forces Timoshenko back
Siege of Kharkov
Timoshenko requests further support from Stalin who just refuses withdrawal. Kleist counter-attacks & forces Timoshenko back
Siege of Monte Cassino
The Germans begin their withdrawal from the Gustav Line. The French achieve a breakthrough in the Aurunci Mountains
Defence Testimony at Nuremberg
Raeder continued his testimony in defence of his conduct and naval command.
Offensive
An offensive is launched against the United Nations forces in central Korea
Brown v Board Desegregation Ruling
The Supreme Court rules segregated public schools unconstitutional, creating a major civil-rights challenge for the administration.
Prime Minister of Turkey
Appointed Prime Minister of Turkey, 3rd term
Agrarian Reform Law
Castro signs the First Agrarian Reform Law, which expropriates over 1,000 acres of farmlands & forbids foreign land ownership
Debut
Greaves wins his first England cap against Peru, scoring Englands only goal in a 4-1 defeat. Goes on to play 57 times and score 44 goals for England, five fewer than Bobby Charlton but at a much higher rate, remains third in the all-time list of England goalscorers, behind Charlton and Gary Lineker
Legislation
Castro signs the First Agrarian Reform Law, which expropriates over 1,000 acres of farmlands & forbids foreign land ownership
Nationalization
Castro signs the First Agrarian Reform Law, which expropriates over 1,000 acres of farmlands & forbids foreign land ownership
Nationalization
Signs the First Agrarian Reform Law limiting large estates and expropriating land
Reform of Land Ownership
Castro signs the First Agrarian Reform Law, which expropriates over 1,000 acres of farmlands & forbids foreign land ownership
Scoring Record
Goes on to play 57 times and score 44 goals for England, five fewer than Bobby Charlton but at a much higher rate, remains third in the all-time list of England goalscorers, behind Charlton and Gary Lineker
Conference of Paris
The Paris Summit ends after Khruschev walks out, MacMillan spent 2 yrs organising it
Consecration
Consecrates Guildford Cathedral
Guildford Cathedral
Consecrates Guildford Cathedral
Wonderwall
The world premiere of Harrisons film, "Wonderwall"
Venera 6 Atmospheric Descent
Venera 6 transmits pressure, temperature and composition measurements during descent through the Venusian atmosphere.
Public Watergate Hearings
Opens the Senate Watergate Committee's public hearings, beginning months of nationally televised testimony about the burglary, campaign abuses and cover-up.
Senate Watergate Committee
The Senate Watergate committee begins its nationally televised hearings. Attorney General-designate Elliot Richardson taps former solicitor general Archibald Cox as the Justice Department’s special prosecutor for Watergate.
Senate Watergate Committee
The Senate Watergate committee begins its nationally televised hearings. Attorney General-designate Elliot Richardson taps former solicitor general Archibald Cox as the Justice Department’s special prosecutor for Watergate.
Alice in the Cities
Directs Alice in the Cities.
Bombing of Dublin
Protestant car bombs in Dublin kill 22
Earls Court
Performs during Led Zeppelin's major Earls Court concerts.
Earls Court
Begins Led Zeppelin's celebrated run of Earls Court concerts.
Misfits
The Kinks release Misfits.
Housing and Local Government
Speaks in the Commons on housing and local government shortly after taking office.
Diplomatic Proposal at London
British peace proposals transmitted to Argentina
Occupation
Israel & Lebanon sign an agreement for Israeli withdrawal within 3 months
Occupation
Israel & Lebanon sign an agreement for Israeli withdrawal within 3 months
Wings of Desire
Directs Wings of Desire.
First Manchester United FA Cup
Wins his first Manchester United trophy as the club defeat Crystal Palace 1-0 in the final replay.
First Hubble Jupiter Images
Hubble obtains its first detailed observations of Jupiter, including views of the Great Red Spot.
Capture of Kinshasa
Kabila's alliance enters Kinshasa and ends Mobutu's rule.
Kabila Takes Kinshasa
Takes power after ADFL forces enter Kinshasa.
Mobutu Government Overthrown
Rwandan and Ugandan support is crucial to his victory.
President of Zaire
Appointed President of Zaire
Restoration of Country Name
Kabila restores the name Democratic Republic of the Congo after taking power.
STS-84 Mir Crew Handover
Takes over from Jerry Linenger as the American resident and begins a research programme spanning life sciences, materials and station technology.
Election
Israel elects Labor party leader and Former General Ehud Barak as Prime Minister in a landslide, Barak promises rapid progress toward peace
Kargil Operational Briefing
Tauqir Zia briefs Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and senior commanders on the Kargil operation at Ojhri Camp.
Arrest of Sankoh
Sankoh is captured and detained after the RUF hostage crisis
Sankoh Arrested
Foday Sankoh is arrested after violence near his Freetown residence
Arab Summit
II participates in arab summit connected with Jordanian political and historical developments.
2003 FA Cup Final Winning Goal
Scores the only goal as Arsenal defeat Southampton to retain the FA Cup.
Barcelona Champions League Triumph
Guides Barcelona to their second European Cup by defeating Arsenal.
Belletti Champions League Final Winning Goal
Comes off the bench and scores the goal that gives Barcelona a 2-1 victory.
Champions League Final Opening Goal
Heads Arsenal into the lead against Barcelona in the Champions League final.
Champions League Victory
Wins the Champions League with Barcelona against Arsenal.
Eto'o Champions League Final Equaliser
Scores Barcelona's equaliser against ten-man Arsenal late in the second half.
First European Club Title
Earns his first European Cup winners medal.
Unopposed Nomination
Brown becomes the only candidate with sufficient nominations for the Labour leadership.
Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph Repaired
Massimino helps replace an electronics card and restore Hubble's Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph to operation.
2014 FA Cup Final Winning Goal
Scores the extra-time winner as Arsenal defeat Hull City 3-2 in the FA Cup final.
FA Cup Final Equaliser
Scores Arsenal's equaliser against Hull City to take the FA Cup final into extra time.
FA Cup Final Free-Kick Goal
Scores a long-range free kick to begin Arsenal's comeback from two goals down against Hull City.
Boris Johnson Hitler Comparison
Condemns Boris Johnson's comparison between European integration and Hitler's ambitions, calling the analogy irresponsible and damaging to serious referendum debate.
European Peace Argument
Emphasises that European cooperation transformed relations among democratic states after repeated continental wars and should not be compared with coercive empire.
Same-Sex Marriage
Oversees Taiwan becoming the first Asian jurisdiction to legalise same-sex marriage.
DESI Main Survey Starts
Levi directs DESI as its five-year main survey begins mapping millions of galaxies and quasars to track the effect of dark energy across cosmic history.
Gaza Pier Aid Delivery
Supports delivery of UK-funded shelter supplies through the temporary maritime pier serving Gaza.
Russia DPRK Arms for Oil Sanctions
Joins partners in sanctions targeting illicit arms-for-oil cooperation between Russia and North Korea.
2025 FA Cup Final Winning Goal
Scores the only goal as Crystal Palace win the FA Cup for the first time.
Crystal Palace First FA Cup
Guides Crystal Palace to their first FA Cup with a 1-0 final victory over Manchester City.
Eurovision Song Contest
Wins Eurovision for Austria as JJ.
Eurovision Victory
Austria wins Eurovision with Wasted Love.
Births on May 17
Birth of Ruhollah Khomeini
Birth of Ruhollah Khomeini
Birth of Dennis Lee Hopper
Birth of Dennis Lee Hopper
Birth of William Scott Bruford
Birth of William Scott Bruford, later Yes drummer and progressive rock innovator.
Deaths on May 17
Death of Edward Stafford
Death of Edward Stafford, executed
Death of Francis Weston
Death of Francis Weston, executed
Death of George Boleyn
Death of George Boleyn, executed
Death of Henry Norris
Death of Henry Norris, executed
Death of Mark Smeaton
Death of Mark Smeaton, executed
Death of William Brereton
Death of William Brereton, executed
Death at Nagakute
Killed in the fighting at Nagakute
Death at Nagakute
Killed fighting Tokugawa forces during the Battle of Nagakute
Death of Francisco Gomez de Sandoval y Rojas
Death of Francisco Gomez de Sandoval y Rojas, duke de Lerma
Death of Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Perigord
Death of Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Perigord
Proskuryakov Death from Radiation Syndrome
Dies after suffering severe acute radiation syndrome from the dose received during the reactor-hall mission.
Battles on May 17
Battle of Rovine
Resists Ottoman forces under Bayezid I.
Battle of Nagakute
Serves as a leading Tokugawa commander during the campaign
Battle of Nagakute
Fights for Tokugawa Ieyasu during the Battle of Nagakute
Battle of Clonmel
Cromwells 8000 men eventually take the town from its 1000 Irish defenders, but not before they suffer heavy losses
Battle of Clonmel
Cromwells men are trapped by Hugh Dubh ONeill, 2,500 are killed. Cromwell's 8000 men eventually take the town from its 1000 Irish defenders, but not before they suffer heavy losses
Battle of Chotusitz
Prussian victory over Austria, Charles of Lorraine is defeated by Frederick II
Battle of Chotusitz
Prussian victory over Austria, Charles of Lorraine is defeated by Frederick II
Battle of Abbeville
Launches a counterattack in the region of Laon with 80 tanks to destroy the communication of the German armoured troops
Battle of Montcornet
Prepares to sever Guderians supply lines at Montcornet but is beaten back
Battle of Montcornet
Manages to fend off de Gaulles attempt to break off his supply lines
Battle of River Meuse
Ordered by Rundstedt to launch a "reconnaissance in force", undermines Hitler
Battle of River Meuse
Advances as far as Le Cateau
Coronations on May 17
Coronation
Crowned for a 2nd time, in Westminster Abbey. A second coronation is ordered by Pope Honorius III who did not consider that the first had been carried out in accordance with church rites
Coronation
Carries out the 2nd coronation of Henry III