1544

Lore & Background

In India, Maldeo Rathore, King of Marwar, was tricked by counterintelligence spread by Afghan Shah Sher Shah Suri into departing from Jodhpur, leading to the Battle of Sammel, which was won by the Afghan and Mughal armies. In Sweden, the estates swore loyalty to King Gustav Vasa and his heirs, ending the traditional electoral monarchy. Dutch mathematician Gemma Frisius made the first recorded use of a camera obscura to observe a solar eclipse. The Battle of Ceresole was fought on April 11, with French forces defeating the Holy Roman Empire near Turin.

The Fourth Diet of Speyer convened in February. In England, five Roman Catholic priests were executed for involvement in the Prebendaries' Plot. The Battle of Glasgow was fought for control of Scotland. Friedrich II became Elector Palatine upon the death of his brother Ludwig V. King Henry VIII gave royal assent to the Third Succession Act, the amended Treason Act, and the King's Style Act.

The Italian town of Agropoli was sacked by Ottoman raiders. English forces captured Leith and Edinburgh and burned Edinburgh. Blasco Núñez Vela took office as the first Spanish Governor of the Viceroyalty of Peru. The Treaty of Speyer was signed between the Holy Roman Empire and Denmark-Norway.

The allied French and Ottoman navies departed Marseille. The English Navy invaded France while the Holy Roman Empire invaded from the east. The Battle of Serravalle was won by the Holy Roman Empire and Spain. The Ottoman Navy plundered Ischia.

The siege of Saint-Dizier began. The Battle of the Shirts was fought in Scotland. King Henry VIII began the siege of Boulogne. Albert, Duke of Prussia granted land for the University of Königsberg, which was inaugurated.

Saint-Dizier surrendered. Boulogne surrendered. The Peace of Crépy was declared between Charles V and Francis I. Juan Bautista Pastene made landfall in southern Chile and explored the estuary of Valdivia. The Second Siege of Boulogne was unsuccessful for the French.

Rüstem Opuković Pasha became Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire. Crown Prince Yi Ho became King of Korea. Portuguese explorers encountered Taiwan. The earliest mention of the tomato in European literature appeared.

Reader's Guide

The year 1544 is marked by the Battle of Ceresole, the Treaty of Speyer, and the Peace of Crépy. Key figures include King Henry VIII, Charles V, Francis I, and Sher Shah Suri. Events in Asia include the Battle of Sammel and the accession of King Injong of Joseon.

Did You Know?

• The Battle of Sammel was won by Sher Shah Suri's Afghan and Mughal armies against Maldeo Rathore.
• The Peace of Crépy ended the war between Charles V and Francis I, but the war between France and England continued.
• Rats made their first appearance in South America in 1544, arriving in Peru with the black rat.