Years 1559-1562
Shakespeare's life | contemporary events |
1559 | |
First Parliament of Elizabeth's reign petitions her to
marry; Acts of Uniformity and Supremacy are
passed. Mary, Queen of Scots, assumes the title "Queen of England and Scotland." John Knox founds the Presbyterian Church of Scotland. Calais is confirmed as the possession of France. | |
1560 | |
Publication of the Geneva Bible. George Chapman is born. Henry Chettle is born. Francis II dies. Mary returns to Scotland. | |
1561 | |
Francis Bacon is born. | |
1562 | |
Dec. 2. Margaret, second child of John and Mary Shakespeare, is christened. |
Queen Elizabeth has smallpox. Establishment of the Poor Laws. Beginning of the French civil wars between the Catholics and the Huguenots. Arthur Brooke's Romeus and Juliet published. John Dowland is born. |