Early Modern
Siege of Breda (1624–1625): Spínola and Velázquez's Painting
The Dutch garrison surrendered on honourable terms after about nine months; Spain held Breda until the Dutch retook it in 1637.
Era · c. 1500 – 1800
Early Modern
Voyages of exploration, the Reformation and the age of revolutions that reshaped Europe and the wider world.
Early Modern
Queen Nzinga of Ndongo and Matamba: Resisting Portuguese Angola
Nzinga preserved an independent kingdom in Matamba against Portuguese expansion, made peace with Portugal in 1656 and died as queen in 1663.
Early Modern
New Amsterdam (1625–1664): Dutch Manhattan Before New York
The Dutch surrendered New Amsterdam to an English fleet in 1664, and it was renamed New York.
Early Modern
Siege of La Rochelle (1627–1628): Richelieu Crushes the Huguenots
La Rochelle surrendered after about fourteen months; the Peace of Alès (1629) ended the Huguenots' political and military privileges.
Early Modern
Vasa Warship (1628): Sweden's Great Ship Sinks on Maiden Voyage
The Vasa capsized and sank after sailing about 1,300 metres, killing an estimated 30 people; she was raised almost intact in 1961 and is now a museum ship.
Early Modern
William Harvey and the Circulation of the Blood (1628)
Harvey overturned the Galenic model of the blood and established that the heart drives a continuous circulation, a foundation of modern physiology.
Early Modern
Batavia Shipwreck and Mutiny (1629): Massacre on the Abrolhos
The Batavia was lost and about 110 to 125 survivors were murdered by mutineers; Pelsaert's rescue ship captured the mutineers, and Cornelisz and six others were hanged on 2 October 1629.
Early Modern
Massachusetts Bay Colony (1630): Winthrop and the Puritans
The Winthrop Fleet founded Boston and began the Great Migration that made Massachusetts the leading English colony in New England.
Early Modern
Battle of Breitenfeld (1631): Gustavus Adolphus Defeats Tilly
Decisive Swedish-Saxon victory; Tilly's army was destroyed and Sweden became the leading Protestant power in Germany.
Early Modern
Sack of Magdeburg (1631): Worst Massacre of the Thirty Years' War
Magdeburg was stormed and almost entirely burned; an estimated 20,000 people died, and the atrocity pushed Protestant princes towards Sweden.
Early Modern
Battle of Lützen (1632): The Death of Gustavus Adolphus
Tactical Swedish victory: Wallenstein withdrew, but Gustavus Adolphus and Pappenheim were both killed.
Early Modern
Taj Mahal: How Shah Jahan Built a Tomb for Mumtaz Mahal
A white marble mausoleum and garden complex was completed, becoming the most celebrated monument of Mughal architecture.