1553. Death of Edward VI; his sister, Mary, succeeds to the English throne.
Unsuccessful attempt of the Duke of Northumberland to place his daughter-in-law, Lady Jane Grey, on the throne.
After a stubborn defence by Francis, Duke of Guise, Charles V is compelled to raise the siege of Metz.
Burning of Servetus at Geneva, with Calvin's approval.
1554. Rebellion of Wyatt, in support of Lady Jane Grey's attempt on the crown of England; she is executed.
Queen Mary, of England, marries Philip of Spain.
Regency of Mary de Guise, mother of Mary Stuart, in Scotland.
Astrakhan conquered by Ivan the Terrible.
1555. Peace of Augsburg between the Roman Catholic and Lutheran parties in Germany. See "The Religious Peace of Augsburg," ix, 348.
Persecution of the Protestants begun by Queen Mary in England; burning of Latimer and Ridley.