Execution of Mary Queen of Scots
Throws away the death warrant, picked up by Davison who takes it to the Chancellor. Signs Mary Stewarts death warrant
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1587 in England
Explore 50 historical events and records for England in 1587.
Historical records for England in 1587
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 50 unique records.
50Unique records
1 of 2Page
18Named events on this page
13Named people on this page
5Places on this page
February
Cope Imprisoned over Ecclesiastical Bill
Cope is imprisoned after pressing proposals that Elizabeth considers an unacceptable parliamentary intrusion into ecclesiastical government.
Cope Introduces Puritan Church Reform Bill
Anthony Cope introduces a bill and alternative liturgy proposing extensive reform of Church government and worship beyond Elizabeth's settlement.
March
Arrest of Peter Wentworth
Imprisoned for advocating the right of Parliament to discuss matters of State
April
Death of Thomas Bromley
Death of Thomas Bromley
Death of John Foxe
John Foxe dies in London.
Invasion of England
A raid on Cadiz, led by Francis Drake had captured or destroyed some thirty ships and great quantities of supplies, setting preparations back by a year
Piracy
A further twenty merchantmen and armed pinnaces joined forces with the expedition.
Piracy
Queen Elizabeth gave the English privateer, Sir Francis Drake, the command of a fleet whose mission was to inspect the Spanish military preparations, intercept their supplies, attack the fleet and if possible the Spanish ports.
Piracy
The cost of these boats was met by a group of London merchants, whose profits were to be calculated in the same proportions as their investment in the fleet; the Queen, as owner of the four Royal Naval vessels, was to receive 50% of the profits
Piracy
To that end, the Queen put at Drake's disposal four Royal Naval galleons: the Elizabeth Bonaventure, which was under Drake's own command; Golden Lion, captained by William Burroughs; Rainbow, under Captain Bellingham; and Dreadnought under Captain Thomas Fenner.
Piracy
A further twenty merchantmen and armed pinnaces joined forces with the expedition.
Piracy
Queen Elizabeth gave the English privateer, Sir Francis Drake, the command of a fleet whose mission was to inspect the Spanish military preparations, intercept their supplies, attack the fleet and if possible the Spanish ports.
Piracy
The cost of these boats was met by a group of London merchants, whose profits were to be calculated in the same proportions as their investment in the fleet; the Queen, as owner of the four Royal Naval vessels, was to receive 50% of the profits
Piracy
To that end, the Queen put at Drake's disposal four Royal Naval galleons: the Elizabeth Bonaventure, which was under Drake's own command; Golden Lion, captained by William Burroughs; Rainbow, under Captain Bellingham; and Dreadnought under Captain Thomas Fenner.
Piracy
A further twenty merchantmen and armed pinnaces joined forces with the expedition.
Piracy
Queen Elizabeth gave the English privateer, Sir Francis Drake, the command of a fleet whose mission was to inspect the Spanish military preparations, intercept their supplies, attack the fleet and if possible the Spanish ports.
Piracy
The cost of these boats was met by a group of London merchants, whose profits were to be calculated in the same proportions as their investment in the fleet; the Queen, as owner of the four Royal Naval vessels, was to receive 50% of the profits
Piracy
To that end, the Queen put at Drake's disposal four Royal Naval galleons: the Elizabeth Bonaventure, which was under Drake's own command; Golden Lion, captained by William Burroughs; Rainbow, under Captain Bellingham; and Dreadnought under Captain Thomas Fenner.
Piracy
A further twenty merchantmen and armed pinnaces joined forces with the expedition.
Piracy
Queen Elizabeth gave the English privateer, Sir Francis Drake, the command of a fleet whose mission was to inspect the Spanish military preparations, intercept their supplies, attack the fleet and if possible the Spanish ports.
Piracy
The cost of these boats was met by a group of London merchants, whose profits were to be calculated in the same proportions as their investment in the fleet; the Queen, as owner of the four Royal Naval vessels, was to receive 50% of the profits
Piracy
To that end, the Queen put at Drake's disposal four Royal Naval galleons: the Elizabeth Bonaventure, which was under Drake's own command; Golden Lion, captained by William Burroughs; Rainbow, under Captain Bellingham; and Dreadnought under Captain Thomas Fenner.
Siege of Cadiz
A raid on Cadiz, led by Francis Drake had captured or destroyed some thirty ships and great quantities of supplies, setting preparations back by a year
Singeing the King of Spains Beard
A Spanish treasure ship, returning from the Indies, was also captured.
Singeing the King of Spains Beard
Much of the Spanish fleet was destroyed, and substantial supplies were destroyed or captured.
Singeing the King of Spains Beard
Singeing the King of Spain's Beard is the name given in the Bay of Cadiz, by the English privateer Francis Drake against the Spanish naval forces assembling at Cadiz.
Singeing the King of Spains Beard
The damage caused by the English delayed Spanish plans to invade England by more than a year.
Singeing the King of Spains Beard
There followed a series of raiding parties against several forts along the Portuguese coast.
June
Birth of Robert Rich
Birth of Robert Rich, eldest son of Robert Rich, 1st Earl of Warwick and his wife Penelope Devereux, Lady Rich
December
Commander in Chief
He was furthermore given full authority over the navy and army at sea.
Commander in Chief
Howard's commission is signed, requiring Howard "according as there shall be occasion, and wherever and whenever he shall deem it fitting, to invade.
Commander in Chief
Orders were drawn up for Howard to take the fleet to sea.
Commander in Chief
enter, spoil and make himself master of the kingdoms, dominions, lands, islands, and all other places whatever belonging to the said Spaniards".
Other events (month unknown)
Arrest of Anthony Cope
Arrested for introducing a Bill to repeal ecclesiastical laws & a new prayer book
Burial
Buried in Westminster Abbey
Cambridge University
The Privy Council orders Cambridge University to award Marlowe his MA, denying rumours that he intended to go to the English Catholic college in Rheims, saying he had been engaged in unspecified "affaires" on "matters touching the benefit of his country"
Captain
Appointed Captain of the Queens Guard
Capture of London
Founds a colony in Virginia
Casket Letters
Uses the "casket letters" to condem Mary Queen of Scots
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.