| February 3 | Henry of Navarre (future Henry IV) escapes from Paris |
| February 5 | Henry of Navarre abjures Catholicism at Tours |
| April 27 | Peace of Beaulieu and Paix de Monsieur |
| May 14 | Dutch Council of State replaced by Council of Beroerten |
| May 23 | Tycho Brahe given Hveen Island to build Uraniborg Observatory |
| May 29 | Spanish army under Mondragon conquerors Zierik sea |
| July 2 | Muitende Spanish soldiers conquer Zierik Sea |
| July 26 | Muitende Spanish troops conquer Aalst |
| October 12 | Rudolf II succeeds Maximilian II as arch duke of Austria |
| October 19 | Dutch provinces begin consultation about Spanish existence |
| October 20 | Spanish troops occupies and plunder Maastricht |
| November 4 | Spanish defeat Walloons and take Antwerp Belgium |
| November 8 | Pacificatie of Gent: 17 Dutch provinces signs anti-Spanish covenant |
