French Attack on Calais
Guise opens a rapid French offensive against the Pale of Calais, exploiting weak winter defences around England's last major possession in France.
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1558 in England
Explore 93 historical events and records for England in 1558.
Historical records for England in 1558
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 93 unique records.
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January
French Assault on Calais
French forces open the campaign that leads to the fall of Calais
Calais Lost
The last English possession on the French mainland is lost during Mary's reign
Calais Surrendered
Calais falls and England loses its last mainland French stronghold
Calais Surrendered
Wentworth surrenders Calais after French forces overwhelm the town
Capture of Calais
French forces capture Calais the last major English possession on the French mainland
Capture of Calais
The last major English possession on French soil is taken by the French
Capture of Calais
French forces capture Calais during Mary's final year
Fall of Calais
Guise captures Calais after a short siege, ending more than two centuries of English possession and removing the traditional base for invasions of France.
French Capture Calais
French forces take Calais from England
Loss of Calais
Calais falls to French forces during Mary's final year
Loss of Calais
England loses Calais to French forces during Mary's reign
Rule of Calais Ends
English rule of Calais ends when French forces take the town
Rule of Calais Ends
The last major English possession on French soil is lost
Rule of Calais Ends
English rule of Calais ends after more than two centuries
Surrender of Calais
Calais is surrendered to French forces
Surrender of Calais
Calais falls to France after a rapid winter campaign
Guisnes Falls
French forces capture Guisnes after Calais falls
Guisnes Lost
Guisnes falls after the loss of Calais
Guisnes Surrendered
Grey surrenders Guisnes after prolonged French pressure
Fall of Guines
Guise's forces take Guines after the fall of Calais, eliminating the remaining major English fortified position in the former Pale.
Calais Relief Ordered
Mary's government attempts to respond as French forces attack Calais
Guisnes Defence
Grey defends Guisnes after Calais falls
William Cordell Chosen Commons Speaker
William Cordell becomes Speaker of Mary's final Parliament, which continues sitting into the year of her death.
March
Second Pregnancy Belief
Mary again believes herself pregnant but no child is born
Second Pregnancy Belief
Mary again believes she is pregnant but no child is born
May
Pregnancy Disappointment
Mary's second suspected pregnancy proves false and succession anxiety grows
Second False Pregnancy
Mary's second expected pregnancy proves false and succession anxiety increases
July
English Fleet at Gravelines
English naval support helps Spanish forces near Gravelines
August
Raid on Conquet
Clinton leads English raids against the French coast
Raid on Le Conquet
Clinton commands the English fleet raiding the French coast near Le Conquet
October
Calais Recovery Negotiating Position
Supports instructions requiring English negotiators to press France over Calais and defend English interests in the approaching peace conference.
Cateau Peace Instructions
Authorises detailed instructions for English commissioners negotiating peace with France while the loss of Calais remains a central issue.
Council Discusses Succession
Mary's councillors prepare for Elizabeth's succession as Mary's illness worsens
Health Declines
Mary's health worsens as councillors prepare for succession
Health of Mary I
Mary's health declines sharply in the final months of her reign
November
Elizabeth Recognized
Mary accepts Elizabeth as successor under pressure from her councillors
Elizabeth Recognized
Mary recognizes Elizabeth as successor under pressure from her councillors
Succession
Under pressure from councillors Mary recognizes Elizabeth as her successor
Succession Recognized
The Privy Council recognizes Elizabeth as Mary I's successor
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.