Death of Edward Clinton
Death of Edward Clinton
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1585 in England
Explore 22 historical events and records for England in 1585.
Historical records for England in 1585
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 22 of 22 unique records.
22Unique records
1 of 1Page
21Named events on this page
12Named people on this page
11Places on this page
January
Neville Denounces Parry
Edmund Neville reports Parry's assassination discussions to the government, giving ministers the evidence they use to open a formal treason investigation.
February
Arrest of William Parry
Parry is arrested for high treason after Neville's accusations and is taken to the Tower, where he writes statements about the alleged assassination design.
March
Execution of William Parry
William Parry is executed after conviction for plotting Elizabeth's death, while continuing to dispute important parts of the prosecution's account.
Act for the Queen's Safety Enacted
Parliament creates a legal process against claimants implicated in attempts on Elizabeth's life, placing Mary's succession prospects under greater danger.
June
North West Passage
English sea captain John Davis sets sail from Dartmouth with 2 ships to search for the Northwest passage linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
August
Nonsuch Cautionary Towns Clause
Receives Flushing, Brill and associated positions as security for eventual Dutch repayment of English military expenditure.
Nonsuch Dutch Alliance Signed
Concludes a formal alliance with the Dutch rebels, openly committing England to support resistance against Spanish rule in the Netherlands.
Nonsuch Troop Commitment
Promises English infantry and cavalry for service in the Netherlands under a senior commander paid by the English crown.
Other events (month unknown)
Assassination of William Orange
William the Silent is assassinated, Elizabeth becomes Protector of The Netherlands
Burial
Buried in the grounds of the parish church
Capture of Antwerp
The Catholics capture Antwerp making England exposed to Catholic invasion & conversion
Capture of Virginia
Founds a colony in Virginia
Death of Philip Sidney
Dudleys nephew is killed during the his uncles campaign in the Low Countries
Execution of Priests
120 priests are executed between 1581-1603
Governor
Appointed Governor of Flushing
Invasion of Netherlands, The
Has 6,000 English troops to aid the United Provinces against Spain
Jesuits and Seminary Priests Act Passed
Parliament orders Jesuit and seminary priests to leave the realm and criminalises specified assistance to their continued missionary activity.
Knighthood
Receives a knighthood from Elizabeth I
Peerage
Created Earl of Northumberland, 9th
Peerage
Created Earl Bedford, 3rd
Reform of Government
Priests can be condemned to death for just being priests
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.