Early Modern
Death of Moctezuma II (1520): The Last Days of the Aztec Ruler
Moctezuma died in Spanish custody during the Mexica uprising; Cuitláhuac succeeded him and the Spaniards fled the city days later.
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
Revolt of the Comuneros (1520–1521): Castile vs Charles V
The royalist victory at Villalar ended the revolt; its leaders were executed and royal authority in Castile was strengthened.
Early Modern
Hurrem Sultan (Roxelana): From Captive to Ottoman Empress
Hürrem became Suleiman's legal wife and political partner, the mother of Selim II and a major founder of charitable institutions.
Early Modern
Stockholm Bloodbath (1520): Christian II's Massacre in Sweden
Around 80–100 people were executed; the massacre provoked a Swedish uprising that ended the Kalmar Union and made Gustav Vasa king.
Early Modern
Suleiman the Magnificent: The Ottoman Empire at Its Zenith
The Ottoman Empire reached its greatest power and prestige, expanding into Hungary, Iraq and North Africa and dominating the Mediterranean.
Early Modern
Field of the Cloth of Gold (1520): Henry VIII Meets Francis I
A spectacular display of friendship that produced few lasting results; within two years England and France were at war.
Early Modern
Battle of Mactan (1521): Lapulapu and the Death of Magellan
Victory for Lapulapu's forces; Magellan and several of his men were killed and the Spanish expedition left Cebu soon afterwards.
Early Modern
Fall of Tenochtitlan (1521): Siege of the Aztec Capital
Spanish and Indigenous allied victory; the Mexica capital was destroyed, Cuauhtémoc was captured and Mexico City was built on the ruins.
Early Modern
Diet of Worms (1521): Luther Defies the Emperor Charles V
Luther refused to recant; the Edict of Worms declared him an outlaw and banned his writings, but it was never fully enforced.
Early Modern
Ottoman Capture of Belgrade (1521): Suleiman's First Conquest
Ottoman victory; Belgrade became an Ottoman stronghold and the gateway for the invasion of Hungary.
Early Modern
Shahnameh of Shah Tahmasp: A Safavid Masterpiece Manuscript
A royal manuscript with 258 paintings was completed, later given to the Ottoman sultan and, in the 20th century, broken up among collections worldwide.
Early Modern
Siege of Rhodes (1522): Suleiman Expels the Knights
Ottoman victory; the Knights Hospitaller surrendered Rhodes on negotiated terms and left the island on 1 January 1523.