Execution of Henry Pole
Henry Pole is beheaded for treason after the government links him with Catholic opposition and the Exeter conspiracy.
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1539 in England
Explore 71 historical events and records for England in 1539.
Historical records for England in 1539
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 71 unique records.
71Unique records
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21Named events on this page
8Named people on this page
7Places on this page
January
February
Nicholas Carew Arrested for Treason
Nicholas Carew is arrested after being implicated in alleged treasonous discussions connected with conservative court opposition and the Exeter conspiracy.
March
Execution of Nicholas Carew
Nicholas Carew is beheaded after conviction for treason arising from alleged involvement in the Exeter conspiracy.
April
Parliament
Opening of Henry VIIIs 7th Parliament
Great Bible
The first edition of The Great Bible is a run of 2,500 copies begun in Paris where the printed sheets are seized by the French authorities on grounds of heresy (since relations between England and France were somewhat troubled at this time), publication is completed in London in April 1539
Great Bible Authorised
The Great Bible receives royal authorisation for church use, providing the first officially approved English Bible intended for widespread parish access.
Reformation, The
The first edition of The Great Bible is a run of 2,500 copies begun in Paris where the printed sheets are seized by the French authorities on grounds of heresy (since relations between England and France were somewhat troubled at this time), publication is completed in London in April 1539
May
Reformation, The
The House of Lords creates a committee with a religious balance of conservatives and reformers to examine and determine doctrine
Act of Six Articles
A Parliamentary committee is established to examine doctrine and the Duke of Norfolk presents six questions for the House to consider, which pass as the Act of Six Articles reaffirming a traditional view of the Mass, the Sacraments and the priesthood
Act of Six Articles
A Parliamentary committee is established to examine doctrine and the Duke of Norfolk presents six questions for the House to consider, which pass as the Act of Six Articles reaffirming a traditional view of the Mass, the Sacraments and the priesthood
Legislation
A Parliamentary committee is established to examine doctrine and the Duke of Norfolk presents six questions for the House to consider, which pass as the Act of Six Articles reaffirming a traditional view of the Mass, the Sacraments and the priesthood
Legislation
The Churches are ordered to display a copy of the English Bible. Tha Act of Six Articles of the Protestant faith is passed
Reform of Bible Use
The Churches are ordered to display a copy of the English Bible. Tha Act of Six Articles of the Protestant faith is passed
Reformation, The
A Parliamentary committee is established to examine doctrine and the Duke of Norfolk presents six questions for the House to consider, which pass as the Act of Six Articles reaffirming a traditional view of the Mass, the Sacraments and the priesthood
Reformation, The
A Parliamentary committee is established to examine doctrine and the Duke of Norfolk presents six questions for the House to consider, which pass as the Act of Six Articles reaffirming a traditional view of the Mass, the Sacraments and the priesthood
Reformation, The
The Six Articles confirm the conservative interpretation of doctrines such as the real presence, clerical celibacy, and the necessity of auricular confession, the private confession of sins to a priest. The Duke of Norfolk notes that the Lords committee into religious doctrine had not agreed on anything and proposes that the Lords examine six doctrinal questions, which form the basis of the Six Articles
Six Articles, The
The Duke of Norfolk notes that the Lords committee into religious doctrine had not agreed on anything and proposes that the Lords examine six doctrinal questions, which form the basis of the Six Articles
Six Articles, The
The Six Articles confirm the conservative interpretation of doctrines such as the real presence, clerical celibacy, and the necessity of auricular confession, the private confession of sins to a priest
Greater Monasteries Dissolution Act
Parliament confirms the surrender and transfer of larger religious houses, accelerating the end of monastic institutions across England.
June
Act of Six Articles
Opposes conservative doctrine in the Act of Six Articles.
Six Articles Act
The Six Articles Act enforces conservative doctrine within the Church of England under royal supremacy.
Six Articles, The
The Six Articles Act passes Parliament at the end of June, forcing Latimer and Nicholas Shaxton to resign their dioceses given their outspoken opposition to the measure
July
Resignation of Bishops of Salisbury & Worcester
The Bishops of Salisbury & Worcester resign
Resignation of Hugh Latimer
Resigns after opposing the Act of Six Articles.
Resignation of Hugh Latimer
Resigns his bishopric rather than accept the Six Articles.
Legislation
The Act of Proclamations is passed
Rebellion of Rebels in Bellahoe
Lord Leonard Grey defeats the Kildare faction of ODonnell & ONeill
Rebellion of Rebels in Bellahoe
Lord Leonard Grey defeats the Kildare faction of ODonnell & ONeill
Reform of Royal Proclamations
The Act of Proclamations is passed
September
Reform of Church Governance
Instructs the clergy detail weddings, baptisms & burials in Parish Registars
Birth of Walter Devereux
Birth of Walter Devereux
Great Bible
The king asks his Archbishop to write a new preface for the Great Bible, an English translation of the Bible
Reformation, The
The king asks his Archbishop to write a new preface for the Great Bible, an English translation of the Bible. Henry becomes displeased with the results of the Six Articlles Act and its promulgators; the ever-loyal Cranmer and Cromwell are back in favour
Reformation, The
Henry becomes displeased with the results of the Six Articlles Act and its promulgators; the ever-loyal Cranmer and Cromwell are back in favour
Reformation, The
Henry becomes displeased with the results of the Six Articlles Act and its promulgators; the ever-loyal Cranmer and Cromwell are back in favour
Six Articles, The
Henry becomes displeased with the results of the Six Articlles Act and its promulgators; the ever-loyal Cranmer and Cromwell are back in favour
Six Articles, The
Henry becomes displeased with the results of the Six Articlles Act and its promulgators; the ever-loyal Cranmer and Cromwell are back in favour
Six Articles, The
Henry becomes displeased with the results of the Six Articlles Act and its promulgators; the ever-loyal Cranmer and Cromwell are back in favour
October
Marriage
Cromwell oversees the talks and a marriage Treaty to Anne of Cleves is signed
November
Execution of Hugh Faringdon
Hugh Faringdon is hanged, drawn and quartered after conviction for treason during the final suppression of Reading Abbey.
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.