| content |
| Millennium: | 2nd millennium |
| Centuries: | 15th century - 16th century - 17th century |
| Decades: | 1550s 1560s 1570s - 1580s - 1590s 1600s 1610s |
| Years: | 1580 1581 1582 1583 1584 1585 1586 1587 1588 1589 |
| Categories: | Births - Deaths - Architecture Establishments - Disestablishments |
Events and trends
- The 'Golden Age' of Literature in England began.
- The eighth and last French War of Religion was fought, and that war was ended by the Peace of Vervins and the Edict of Nantes.
- Sir Humphrey Gilbert claimed Newfoundland as England's first overseas colony in 1583.
- Francis Drake had come back from going around the world, bringing back with him many treasures.
- Jesuits arrived in China.
- Queen Elizabeth I of England complained that there were too many "blackamoores" competing with needy English people for places as domestic servants.
