1521 in History

Burns the papal bull condemning his 95 theses & is excommunicated by Pope Leo X

Pope Leo X wishes for Martin Luther to recant 41 of these theses, which Luther famously refused to do before the Diet of Worms in 1521, thus symbolically initiating the Protestant reformation

Meets Wolsey in Bruges where the terms of a possible alliance are discussed

Wolsey represents England in negotiations with Margaret of Austria for the anti-French alliance.

Discusses an alliance with Emperor Charles V, under instructions from Henry VIII

Reaches Bruges to discuss an alliance with the Emperor Charles V

Wolsey has Buckingham arrested for "compassing" the death of Henry VIII

Wolsey has Buckingham arrested for "compassing" the death of Henry VIII

Despite the agreement at the Diet of Worms that Luther could return home safely, it was privately understood that Luther would soon be arrested and punished. To protect him from this fate, Prince Frederick seized him on his way home and hid him in Wartburg Castle. It was during his time in Wartburg that Luther began his German translation of the Bible

Pope Leo X grants Henry VIII the title Fidei Defensor, Defender of the Faith.

Pope Leo X confers "Fidei Defensor" on Henry VIII, used today by the monarchy. Awarded "Defender of the Faith" for his "Defence of the Seven Sacraments" by Leo X

A bill of attainder against Edward Stafford, Duke of Buckingham, proceeds before his execution for treason.

Authorizes the Treaty of Bruges alliance with Charles V against France, undermining the universal peace system created in 1518.

Captures Mexico City from the Aztecs

Captures Milan

The Turks capture Shabotz

Captures Tenochtitlan from the Aztecs

Pope Leo X grants Henry VIII the title Fidei Defensor, Defender of the Faith.

Conducted from 28 January to 25 May 1521, with the Emperor Charles V presiding. Transfers the hereditary Habsburg lands within the Empire to his brother Ferdinand. Luther is tried before the Emperor at the Diet of Worms & given an Empire ban

On the contrary, we want him to be apprehended and punished as a notorious heretic, as he deserves, to be brought personally before us, or to be securely guarded until those who have captured him inform us, whereupon we will order the appropriate manner of

The Edict of Worms was a decree issued on 25 May 1521 by Emperor Charles V, declaring: For this reason we forbid anyone from this time forward to dare, either by words or by deeds, to receive, defend, sustain, or favour the said Martin Luther.

Those who will help in his capture will be rewarded generously for their good work

proceeding against the said Luther.

Martin Luther's powerful testimony of faith at the Diet of Worms in 1521 made an indelible impression upon the mind of George, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach, who turned his eyes to the new faith earlier than any other German prince or any other member of the House of Hohenzollern

Summoned to appear at the Diet of Worms

The German Princes come out in Luthers favour. Rejects the belief that bread & wine can become the body & blood of Christ. Charles V opens a Diet to discuss what to do with Luther. Challenges the papal claim to be the sole authority on the scriptures

Despite the agreement at the Diet of Worms that Luther could return home safely, it was privately understood that Luther would soon be arrested and punished. To protect him from this fate, Prince Frederick seized him on his way home and hid him in Wartburg Castle. It was during his time in Wartburg that Luther began his German translation of the Bible

Pope Leo X wishes for Martin Luther to recant 41 of these theses, which Luther famously refused to do before the Diet of Worms in 1521, thus symbolically initiating the Protestant reformation

The Papal nuncio at the Diet, Girolamo Aleandro, draws up and proposes the fierce denunciations of Luther embodied in the edict, which permitted anyone to kill Luther without legal consequence

Charles issues the Edict of Worms, declaring Martin Luther an outlaw, banning his writings, and requiring his arrest: "We want him to be apprehended and punished as a notorious heretic"

When Luther eventually reemerged from the Wartburg, the emperor, distracted with other matters, did not press for Luther's arrest. Ultimately, because of rising public support for Luther among the German people and the protection of certain German princes, the Edict of Worms was never enforced in Germany

In December 1521, Jacob Probst, prior of the Augustinian monastery in Antwerp, was the first Luther-supporting cleric to be arrested and prosecuted under the terms of the Worms Edict.

In the Low Countries (comprising modern-day Belgium, Luxembourg, and The Netherlands), the Edict was initially enforced against Luther's most active supporters.

This could be done because these countries were under the direct reign of Emperor Charles V and his appointed regent, Margaret of Austria, Duchess of Savoy (and Charles's aunt).

Charles issues the Edict of Worms, declaring Martin Luther an outlaw, banning his writings, and requiring his arrest: "We want him to be apprehended and punished as a notorious heretic"

When Luther eventually reemerged from the Wartburg, the emperor, distracted with other matters, did not press for Luther's arrest. Ultimately, because of rising public support for Luther among the German people and the protection of certain German princes, the Edict of Worms was never enforced in Germany

Burns the papal bull condemning his 95 theses & is excommunicated by Pope Leo X

The title of Buckingham is made forfeit. Execution of Edward Stafford the Duke of Buckingham for high treason

Executed under a trumped up charge of disloyalty to Henry VIII

Execution of Edward Stafford for high treason

Signs a secret Treaty with Charles V to launch a "great enterprise" against France

English and Imperial representatives negotiate the secret Treaty of Bruges for war against France.

The agreement envisages Henry VIII invading northern France while Charles V attacks French interests elsewhere.

Henry VIII accepts plans for a major war with France in alliance with Charles V.

Pope Leo X confers the title "Fidei Defensor" on Henry VIII

Launches an invasion of Hungary

Burns the papal bull condemning his 95 theses & is excommunicated by Pope Leo X

1st session to negotiate peace with the French

Burns the papal bull condemning his 95 theses & is excommunicated by Pope Leo X

Pope Leo X wishes for Martin Luther to recant 41 of these theses, which Luther famously refused to do before the Diet of Worms in 1521, thus symbolically initiating the Protestant reformation

Henry VIII commits England to an alliance with Charles V against France.

Execution of Edward Stafford the Duke of Buckingham for high treason

Stafford is found guilty & condemned to death for treason

Condemned to death for treason

Execution of Edward Stafford for high treason

Margaret of Austria represents Habsburg interests in Bruges diplomacy.

Wolsey negotiates with Habsburg representatives at Bruges.

Charles V agrees an anti-French alliance with Henry VIII's representatives.

The Treaty of Bruges binds Henry VIII and Charles V to an anti-French alliance.

The agreement prepares the ground for Henry VIII's Great Enterprise against France.

The treaty commits England to war against France in support of the Habsburg position.

Wolsey helps arrange the treaty with Imperial representatives while England moves away from neutrality.

Signs a secret Treaty with Charles V to launch a "great enterprise" against France

English and Imperial representatives negotiate the secret Treaty of Bruges against Francis I of France.

The Treaty of Bruges plans an Anglo-Imperial campaign against Francis I of France.

Signs a secret Treaty with Charles V to launch a "great enterprise" against France

Signs a secret Treaty with Charles V to launch a "great enterprise" against France

Stafford is found guilty & condemned to death for treason

Presides at the trial of Buckingham

Tried before the Emperor at the Diet of Worms & put under the ban of the Empire

Condemned to death for treason

Protects Martin Luther at Wartburg Castle after the Diet of Worms.

Arranges Luther's protective custody at Wartburg Castle.

Death of Edward Stafford, executed

Death of Leo X

Birth of Sixtus V, Felice Peretti di Montalto, in the Papal States

Marks the first organized resistance of the Filipinos against foreign invaders, Raha Lapu-Lapu, a chieftain of Mactan Island, defeats Spanish sailors under Portuguese sea captain and explorer Ferdinand Magellan