The first recorded horse race meeting in England is held at Roodee Fields in Chester
Chester is a cathedral city in Cheshire, England, on the River Dee, close to the England–Wales border.
Year in History
Explore the major historical events, famous births, and notable deaths that occurred in the year 1540. This year saw 15 significant events.
16th Century1540s
1540 Timeline
The first recorded horse race meeting in England is held at Roodee Fields in Chester
Chester is a cathedral city in Cheshire, England, on the River Dee, close to the England–Wales border.
Francisco Vázquez de Coronado's expedition sets off from Mexico in search of the Seven Cities of Gold (Cibola)
Francisco Vázquez de Coronado was a Spanish conquistador and explorer who led a large expedition from what is now Mexico to present-day Kansas through what is now parts of the southwestern United...
German Protestant Count Philip of Hessen bigamously marries 2nd wife Margarethe von der Saale, causing a scandal
German Protestant Count Philip of Hessen bigamously marries 2nd wife Margarethe von der Saale, causing a scandal
English King Henry VIII annuls his 6 month marriage to his 4th wife Anne of Cleves, on the grounds of non-consummation a
English King Henry VIII annuls his 6 month marriage to his 4th wife Anne of Cleves, on the grounds of non-consummation and her pre-contract to Francis of Lorraine
English King Henry VIII (49) weds Catherine Howard (16 or 17), his 5th wife
Henry VIII (28 June 1491 – 28 January 1547) was King of England from 22 April 1509 until his death in 1547.
Court of Holland names Amsterdam sheriff John Hubrechtsz a "heretic"
Court of Holland names Amsterdam sheriff John Hubrechtsz a "heretic"
Emperor Charles declares all privileges of Ghent ended
Charles V (24 February 1500 – 21 September 1558) was Holy Roman Emperor and Archduke of Austria from 1519 to 1556, King of Spain (as Charles I) from 1516 to 1556, King of Sicily and Naples from 1516...
Venice and Turkey sign Treaty of Constantinople
Venice and Turkey sign Treaty of Constantinople
Afghan leader Sher Shah Suri crowned ruler of Hindustan
Sher Shah Suri, also known by his title Sultan Adil (lit. 'the Just King'), was the Sultan of Hindustan, as the first Sur Emperor, from 1540 until his death in 1545.
Turkey recognizes John Sigismund Zápolya as vassal king of Hungary
Turkey recognizes John Sigismund Zápolya as vassal king of Hungary
Arequipa is founded in Peru
Arequipa, also known by its nicknames of Ciudad Blanca (Spanish for "White City") and León del Sur (Spanish for "Lion of the South"), is a city in Peru and the capital of the eponymous province and...
Explorer Hernando de Alarcón travels up the Colorado River
Explorer Hernando de Alarcón travels up the Colorado River
Pope Paul III officially recognizes the Society of Jesus (Jesuit) co-founded by Ignatius of Loyola as a religious order
Pope Paul III officially recognizes the Society of Jesus (Jesuit) co-founded by Ignatius of Loyola as a religious order of the Catholic church
Venice and Turkey signs peace
Venice and Turkey signs peace
Holy Roman Emperor Charles V secretly names his son Philip as Duke of Milan, not made public till 1554
Holy Roman Emperor Charles V secretly names his son Philip as Duke of Milan, not made public till 1554
Events
Francisco Vázquez de Coronado's expedition sets off from Mexico in search of the Seven Cities of Gold (Cibola)
Francisco Vázquez de Coronado was a Spanish conquistador and explorer who led a large expedition from what is now Mexico to present-day Kansas through what is now parts of the southwestern United...
German Protestant Count Philip of Hessen bigamously marries 2nd wife Margarethe von der Saale, causing a scandal
German Protestant Count Philip of Hessen bigamously marries 2nd wife Margarethe von der Saale, causing a scandal
English King Henry VIII annuls his 6 month marriage to his 4th wife Anne of Cleves, on the grounds of non-consummation a
English King Henry VIII annuls his 6 month marriage to his 4th wife Anne of Cleves, on the grounds of non-consummation and her pre-contract to Francis of Lorraine
English King Henry VIII (49) weds Catherine Howard (16 or 17), his 5th wife
Henry VIII (28 June 1491 – 28 January 1547) was King of England from 22 April 1509 until his death in 1547.
Court of Holland names Amsterdam sheriff John Hubrechtsz a "heretic"
Court of Holland names Amsterdam sheriff John Hubrechtsz a "heretic"
Emperor Charles declares all privileges of Ghent ended
Charles V (24 February 1500 – 21 September 1558) was Holy Roman Emperor and Archduke of Austria from 1519 to 1556, King of Spain (as Charles I) from 1516 to 1556, King of Sicily and Naples from 1516...
Venice and Turkey sign Treaty of Constantinople
Venice and Turkey sign Treaty of Constantinople
Afghan leader Sher Shah Suri crowned ruler of Hindustan
Sher Shah Suri, also known by his title Sultan Adil (lit. 'the Just King'), was the Sultan of Hindustan, as the first Sur Emperor, from 1540 until his death in 1545.
Turkey recognizes John Sigismund Zápolya as vassal king of Hungary
Turkey recognizes John Sigismund Zápolya as vassal king of Hungary
Arequipa is founded in Peru
Arequipa, also known by its nicknames of Ciudad Blanca (Spanish for "White City") and León del Sur (Spanish for "Lion of the South"), is a city in Peru and the capital of the eponymous province and...
Explorer Hernando de Alarcón travels up the Colorado River
Explorer Hernando de Alarcón travels up the Colorado River
Pope Paul III officially recognizes the Society of Jesus (Jesuit) co-founded by Ignatius of Loyola as a religious order
Pope Paul III officially recognizes the Society of Jesus (Jesuit) co-founded by Ignatius of Loyola as a religious order of the Catholic church
Venice and Turkey signs peace
Venice and Turkey signs peace
Holy Roman Emperor Charles V secretly names his son Philip as Duke of Milan, not made public till 1554
Holy Roman Emperor Charles V secretly names his son Philip as Duke of Milan, not made public till 1554
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened in 1540?
- In 1540, there were 15 significant historical events. Notable events include The first recorded horse race meeting in England is held at Roodee Fields in Chester, Francisco Vázquez de Coronado's expedition sets off from Mexico in search of the Seven Cities of Gold (Cibola), German Protestant Count Philip of Hessen bigamously marries 2nd wife Margarethe von der Saale, causing a scandal.