Royal Exchange
Elizabeth I opens the Royal Exchange
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1571 in England
Explore 43 historical events and records for England in 1571.
Historical records for England in 1571
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 43 unique records.
43Unique records
1 of 2Page
35Named events on this page
20Named people on this page
9Places on this page
January
April
Christopher Wray Chosen Speaker
Christopher Wray becomes Speaker during a Parliament responding to Catholic conspiracy fears and the papal excommunication of Elizabeth.
June
Execution of John Story
John Story is executed for treason after being abducted from the Low Countries and convicted of supporting Catholic opposition to Elizabeth.
September
Ridolfi Plot
Howard is arrested for his involvement in the Ridolfi Plot
Other events (month unknown)
39 Articles
The Thirty-Nine Articles, finalised in 1571, were to have a lasting effect on religion in the United Kingdom and elsewhere through their incorporation into and propagation through the Book of Common Prayer
39 Articles
The Thirty-Nine Articles, finalised in 1571, were to have a lasting effect on religion in the United Kingdom and elsewhere through their incorporation into and propagation through the Book of Common Prayer
Arrest of Edward Seymour
Released from the Tower of London
Baillie Arrested Carrying Secret Letters
Charles Baillie was arrested at Dover while carrying letters that helped expose the Ridolfi conspiracy.
Barker Implicated In Secret Correspondence
William Barker, one of Norfolk's secretaries, became involved in the inquiry into letters and funds intended for Mary's supporters.
Bishop
Appointed Bishop of Lincoln
Book of Common Prayer
The Thirty-Nine Articles, finalised in 1571, were to have a lasting effect on religion in the United Kingdom and elsewhere through their incorporation into and propagation through the Book of Common Prayer
Book of Common Prayer
The Thirty-Nine Articles, finalised in 1571, were to have a lasting effect on religion in the United Kingdom and elsewhere through their incorporation into and propagation through the Book of Common Prayer
Browne Discovers Hidden Gold Shipment
Thomas Browne found gold and coded letters in a package entrusted to him and reported his suspicions to the authorities.
Cecil Coordinates Investigation Of Plot
William Cecil directed inquiries into secret correspondence and money transfers connected with Mary and Norfolk.
Court Receives Warnings Of Conspiracy
Elizabeth's ministers received intelligence pointing to a foreign-backed plan to depose the queen.
Execution
Beginning of the execution of missionary priests
Exile of Hugh Owen
Forced into exile after the failure of the Ridolfi Plot
Fraudulent Conveyances Act Passed
Parliament targets property transfers deliberately designed to defeat creditors, creating a lasting principle in English law.
Gunpowder Treason Plot
The excommunication of 1570 led to Catholic opposition & the Ridolfi plot
Hawkins Obtains Intelligence From Spain
John Hawkins helped transmit information about the projected conspiracy after gaining the confidence of Spanish contacts.
Herle Helps Decode Plot Correspondence
The prison informer William Herle helped officials uncover the meaning of secret messages carried by Ridolfi's agents.
Higford Questioned About Ciphered Papers
Robert Higford, another Norfolk servant, was interrogated about communications linked to the planned Catholic intervention.
Lord High Steward
Lord Shrewsbury is appointed Lord High Steward (the premier Great Office of State) for the trial of Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk (regarding the Ridolfi plot)
Member of Parliament
Elected Member of Parliament
Norfolk Committed To Tower
In September 1571 the Duke of Norfolk was sent to the Tower of London after the authorities connected him with the plot.
Norfolk Servants Questioned About Money
Investigators questioned the Duke of Norfolk's servants after secret money and letters came to light.
Papal Bull
It becomes a treasonable offense the bring papal bulls into the country
Perrot Pursues FitzMaurice
Perrot becomes Lord President of Munster and conducts sustained operations intended to isolate and capture James FitzMaurice FitzGerald.
Plot
Fails to release Mary Queen of Scots by preparing a relay of horses
Reform of Parliament
The 39 Articles are given full statutory authority by Parliament
Reform of Treason Law
It becomes a treasonable offense the bring papal bulls into the country
Ridolfi Plot
The excommunication of 1570 led to Catholic opposition & the Ridolfi plot
Ridolfi Plot
Forced into exile after the failure of the Ridolfi Plot
Ridolfi Plot
Lord Shrewsbury is appointed Lord High Steward (the premier Great Office of State) for the trial of Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk (regarding the Ridolfi plot)
Smith Examines Norfolk Treason Allegations
Sir Thomas Smith participated in questioning the Duke of Norfolk about his dealings with Mary's supporters.
Speaker of House of Commons
Appointed Speaker of the House of Commons
Statute Restricts Rival Crown Claims
Parliament strengthens treason law against asserting rival rights to the crown, reflecting continuing anxiety over competing succession claims.
Subscription to Articles Required by Statute
Parliament requires many clergy to subscribe to the doctrinal Articles, strengthening legal enforcement of the Elizabethan settlement.
Thirty-Nine Articles Given Statutory Force
The Articles receive stronger legal standing as clerical subscription becomes a condition of ministry and benefice holding.
Trial
Attained & deprived of all lands
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.