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1570
A contemporary
painting depicts the
entry into Lyon of
Protestant forces in- Elizabeth sent
troops to support
Protestant Huguenots
in their fight against
Catholics in France
1568
England experiences its first
serious quarrel with Spain. In
September, a Spanish fleet
attacks six English ships
illegally slave-trading on the
Spanish Main. In December,
Elizabeth seizes Spanish
treasure destined for the
Netherlands. The Spanish
ambassador is incensed, and
recommends that Spain and
the Netherlands suspend trade
with England in retaliation.1569
A domestic crisis erupts,
precipitated by the arrival in
England of Mary, Queen of
Scots the previous year.
Thomas, Duke of Norfolk
(below) secretly plans to
marry the Scottish queen,
and in autumn is imprisoned
on suspicion of treason.
On 9 November, the
earls of Northumber-
land and Westmor-
land raise rebellion
in the north, calling for
a change in religion and
the formal naming of
Mary as Elizabeth’s
successor. Their
rebellion is suppressed
after a month of action.1566
Work begins on the Royal
Exchange, the brainchild of
merchants Richard Clough
and Sir Thomas Gresham,
who lays its first brick. It
is London’s first purpose-
built financial exchange and
commercial centre, where
merchants and shopkeepers
from England and abroad
carry out their business.
It is formally opened by
Elizabeth in 1571.1564
William Shakespeare
is born in Stratford-
upon-Avon, where he is
baptised in Holy Trinity
Church on 26 April. Little
is known about his life
from 1585 to 1592 – his
so-called ‘lost years’ –
during which he moves to
London. He works as an
actor and playwright for
the Lord Chamberlain’s
Men that performs at
The Theatre and then,
from 1599 until 1613, at
the new Globe Theatre.
He dies in 1616.1570
In February, Pope Pius V
issues the bull Regnans
in Excelsis, excommu-
nicating Elizabeth.
From now on, Catholics
are seen as potential
traitors, and laws against
them become harsher.Pope Pius V, whose bull
issued in 1570 excommu-
nicated Elizabeth and led
to harsh laws against
Catholics in EnglandA gold coin
minted during
Elizabeth’s
reign. The
building of
London’s first
purpose-built
financial
exchange was
begun in 1566