Historical Events from This Year 1581
Queen Elizabeth I Knights Francis Drake
Francis Drake received a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth I at a ceremony on the Golden Hind, in recognition of his historic circumnavigation of the globe. This achievement, which lasted from 1577 to 1580, made him the first Englishman to complete the journey and significantly challenged Spanish maritime dominance. The knighthood solidified his reputation as a national hero in England, celebrated for not just his exploration but also for his role in defeating the Spanish Armada.
Continue ReadingNorthern Low Countries Declare Independence
The northern provinces of the Low Countries declared their independence from the rule of Spanish King Philip II in a formal document known as the Plakkaat van Verlatinghe. The declaration was prompted by oppressive governance and the quest for greater religious and civil freedoms in a region marked by significant resistance to Spanish Catholic rule. This act was pivotal in the establishment of the Dutch Republic, setting the stage for the Eighty Years' War against Spain.
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