Birth of Thomas Howard, Fourth Duke of Norfolk
Thomas Howard is born at Kenninghall and later becomes the fourth Duke of Norfolk, the highest-ranking peer implicated in schemes involving Mary, Queen of Scots.
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1538 in England
Explore 49 historical events and records for England in 1538.
Historical records for England in 1538
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 49 unique records.
49Unique records
1 of 2Page
33Named events on this page
16Named people on this page
12Places on this page
March
Death of Thomas Boleyn
Death of Thomas Boleyn
May
Visit to England on 27 May 1538
The Lutherans send a joint delegation from various German cities, including a colleague of Martin Luther, Friedrich Myconius, the delegates arrive in England on 27 May 1538, after initial meetings with the King, Cromwell, and Cranmer, discussions on theological differences are transferred to Lambeth Palace under Cranmers chairmanship
Visit to England on 27 May 1538
The Lutherans send a joint delegation from various German cities, including a colleague of Martin Luther, Friedrich Myconius, the delegates arrive in England on 27 May 1538, after initial meetings with the King, Cromwell, and Cranmer, discussions on theological differences are transferred to Lambeth Palace under Cranmers chairmanship
Health of Henry VIII
Henry VIII is seriously ill
June
Rebellion of Kildares plan an
The Kildares plan an uprising to place Gerald Fitzgerald on the throne of Ireland
Rebellion of Kildares plan an
The Kildares plan an uprising to place Gerald Fitzgerald on the throne of Ireland
July
Death of George Talbot
Death of George Talbot, 4th Earl of Shrewsbury
August
Diplomatic Correspondence
When the Lutheran German delegates sent a letter to the King regarding three items that particularly worried them (compulsory clerical celibacy, the withholding of the chalice from the laity, and the maintenance of private masses for the dead), Tunstall intervenes for the King leading to a dimissal of the Germans concerns, they leave on 1 October having made no substantial achievements
Diplomatic Correspondence
When the Lutheran German delegates sent a letter to the King regarding three items that particularly worried them (compulsory clerical celibacy, the withholding of the chalice from the laity, and the maintenance of private masses for the dead), Tunstall intervenes for the King leading to a dimissal of the Germans concerns, they leave on 1 October having made no substantial achievements
September
Parish English Bibles Ordered
Cromwell orders an English Bible to be placed where parishioners can read it, making vernacular scripture a visible feature of parish churches.
Reform of Government
Royal injunctions are issued ordering the cessation of superstitious worship & rituals. Destruction of shrines
Royal Injunctions
Royal injunctions order an English Bible to be placed in every parish church.
Second Royal Injunctions Issued
New injunctions require every parish to obtain an English Bible and direct clergy to discourage pilgrimages, relic cults and disputed devotional practices.
Shrine of Thomas Becket Destroyed
Royal agents dismantle the shrine of Thomas Becket at Canterbury as the regime attacks a cult associated with resistance to royal authority.
November
Henry Pole Arrested
Henry Pole is arrested for treason during the Exeter conspiracy investigation, largely because of his family connections and alleged knowledge of opposition to Henry VIII.
Arrest of Henry Courtenay, Edward Neville and Nicholas Carew
Cromwell takes the initiative against his enemies, using evidence acquired from Sir Geoffrey Pole under interrogation in the Tower, he imprisons the Marquess of Exeter, Sir Edward Neville, and Sir Nicholas Carew on charges of treason; all are executed in the following months
Arrest of Henry Courtenay, Edward Neville and Nicholas Carew
Cromwell takes the initiative against his enemies, using evidence acquired from Sir Geoffrey Pole under interrogation in the Tower, he imprisons the Marquess of Exeter, Sir Edward Neville, and Sir Nicholas Carew on charges of treason; all are executed in the following months
Edward Neville Arrested in Exeter Conspiracy
Edward Neville is arrested during the treason investigation that targets Henry Courtenay, the Pole family and their political associates.
Henry Courtenay Arrested
Henry Courtenay is committed to the Tower after the government links him to Reginald Pole and to alleged discussions about resistance and the succession.
Henry Courtenay Arrested in Exeter Conspiracy
Henry Courtenay is arrested after being accused of treasonous connections with Reginald Pole and opposition to Henry VIII's religious policies.
Henry Pole Arrested in Exeter Conspiracy
Henry Pole is arrested as the government moves against the Pole family and other nobles suspected of involvement in the Exeter conspiracy.
Margaret Pole Arrested in Exeter Conspiracy Purge
Margaret Pole is arrested during the wider purge of her family after the government alleges links between the Poles and opposition to Henry VIII.
Reformation, The
Shares in the drafting of a proclamation giving Anabaptists and Sacramentaries ten days to get out of the country. Henry personally presides at the trial of John Lambert for denying the real presence
Reformation, The
Henry personally presides at the trial of John Lambert for denying the real presence
Visit to England on 27 May 1538
The Lutherans send a joint delegation from various German cities, including a colleague of Martin Luther, Friedrich Myconius, the delegates arrive in England on 27 May 1538, after initial meetings with the King, Cromwell, and Cranmer, discussions on theological differences are transferred to Lambeth Palace under Cranmers chairmanship
December
Montagu Attainder
Henry Pole is attainted for treason as the crown broadens the Exeter conspiracy case against relatives and associates of Cardinal Reginald Pole.
Exeter Conspiracy Trial
Courtenay is tried by his peers on treason charges centred on correspondence and conversations with members of the Pole family, then condemned to death.
Execution of Edward Neville
Edward Neville is beheaded for treason after being implicated in the political network surrounding the Exeter conspiracy.
Execution of Henry Courtenay
Henry Courtenay is beheaded after being accused of treason and dynastic opposition connected with the Exeter conspiracy.
Defender of the Faith
Pope Paul III excommunicates Henry VIII after the break with Rome and rejection of papal authority.
Excommunication
Excommunicated by Pope Paul III
Reformation, The
At the end of 1538, a proclamation is issued forbidding free discussion of the Sacrament and forbidding clerical marriage, on pain of death
Other events (month unknown)
Alliance Agreement
The King and Cromwell arrange with Lutheran princes to have detailed discussions on forming a political and religious alliance
Birth of John Rogers
Birth of John Rogers near Birmingham, later a Protestant martyr under Mary I.
Deputy
Appointed Deputy of Calais
Evidence in Exeter Conspiracy
Under interrogation, Geoffrey Pole gives evidence about conversations and contacts among his relatives, materially strengthening the crown case against Courtenay and Henry Pole.
Exeter Conspiracy Interrogation
Geoffrey Pole is questioned about contacts among his relatives and Reginald Pole, and his testimony helps the government construct the Exeter conspiracy prosecutions.
Great Bible
Cromwell directs the clergy to provide "one book of the bible of the largest volume in English, and the same set up in some convenient place within the said church that ye have care of, whereas your parishioners may most commodiously resort to the same and read it
Image Reform
Opposes religious images and pilgrim practices.
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.