Explore 88 historical events from 1490–1499.
The Age of Discovery, also known as the Age of Exploration, was part of the early modern period and overlapped with the Age of Sail. It was a period from approximately the 15th to …
Age of Discovery: The Treaty of Tordesillas is ratified by Spain.
Hans Memling was a German-Flemish painter who worked in the tradition of Early Netherlandish painting. Born in the Middle Rhine region, he probably spent his childhood in Mainz. Du…
Hans Memling, German-Belgian painter (born 1430)
A papal bull is a type of public decree, letters patent, or charter issued by the pope of the Catholic Church. It is named after the leaden seal (bulla) traditionally appended to a…
In the papal bull Inter caetera, Pope Alexander VI divides the New World between Spain and Portugal along the Line of De
Hartmann Schedel was a German historian, physician, humanist, and one of the first cartographers to use the printing press. He was born and died in Nuremberg. Matheolus Perusinus s…
Hartmann Schedel's Nuremberg Chronicle, one of the best-documented early printed books, is published.
Girolamo Seripando was an Augustinian friar, Italian theologian and cardinal.
Girolamo Seripando, Italian theologian and cardinal (died 1563)
Justus Jonas, the Elder, or simply Justus Jonas, was a German Lutheran theologian and reformer. He was a Jurist, Professor and Hymn writer. He is best known for his translations of…
Justus Jonas, German priest and academic (died 1555)
Colin Campbell, 1st Earl of Argyll was a medieval Scottish nobleman, peer, and politician. He was the son of Archibald Campbell, Master of Campbell and Elizabeth Somerville, daught…
Colin Campbell, 1st Earl of Argyll, Scottish politician, Lord Chancellor of Scotland (born 1433)
Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor was Holy Roman emperor from 1452 until his death in 1493. He was the penultimate emperor to be crowned by the pope, and the last to be crowned in …
Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor (born 1415)
Pope Alexander VI was head of the Catholic Church and leader of the Papal States from 11 August 1492 until his death in 1503.
Pope Alexander VI (pictured) issued the papal bull Inter caetera, establishing a line of demarcation dividing the New Wo
Christopher Columbus was an Italian explorer and navigator from the Republic of Genoa who completed four Spanish transatlantic voyages in the name of the Catholic Monarchs, opening…
Christopher Columbus sets sail from Palos de la Frontera, Spain.
Pope Alexander VI was head of the Catholic Church and leader of the Papal States from 11 August 1492 until his death in 1503.
Rodrigo de Borja is elected as Head of the Catholic Church, taking the name Pope Alexander VI.
Sabina of Bavaria-Munich was Duchess consort of Württemberg by marriage to Ulrich, Duke of Württemberg.
Sabina of Bavaria, Bavarian duchess and noblewoman (died 1564)
Christopher Columbus was an Italian explorer and navigator from the Republic of Genoa who completed four Spanish-based voyages across the Atlantic Ocean sponsored by the Catholic M…
Spain and Christopher Columbus sign the Capitulations of Santa Fe for his voyage to Asia to acquire spices
On 31 March 1492, the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile, issued the Alhambra Decree, ordering all unconverted Jews to leave t…
The Crown's decision to expel the Jews is announced in Zaragoza, Aragon, to the kingdom's procurators
Christopher Columbus was an Italian explorer and navigator from the Republic of Genoa who completed four Spanish transatlantic voyages in the name of the Catholic Monarchs, opening…
Spain gives Christopher Columbus his commission of exploration
The Alhambra Decree was an edict issued on 31 March 1492 by the joint Catholic Monarchs of Spain, Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon, ordering the expulsion of unconv…
The Edict of Expulsion is officially proclaimed in Castile, requiring all Jewish residents to leave within three months
Andrea Alciato, commonly known as Alciati, was an Italian jurist and writer. He is regarded as the founder of the French school of legal humanists.
Andrea Alciato, Italian jurist and writer (died 1550)
Elizabeth Tudor was the second daughter and fourth child of Henry VII of England and Elizabeth of York.
Elizabeth Tudor, English daughter of Henry VII of England (died 1495)
Wolfgang, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen, was a German prince of the House of Ascania and ruler of the principality of Anhalt-Köthen. He was one of the earliest Protestant rulers in the H…
Wolfgang, Prince of Anhalt-Köthen, German prince (died 1566)
Matteo Tafuri was an Italian philosopher, astrologer and physician, who was famed for his divination, but also was reputed to be a magician who practised demonic arts.
Matteo Tafuri, Italian alchemist (died 1582)
Casimir IV Jagiellon was Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1440 and King of Poland from 1447 until his death in 1492. He was one of the most active Polish-Lithuanian rulers; under him, …
Casimir IV Jagiellon, Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1440 and King of Poland from 1447 (born 1427)
Elizabeth Woodville, known as Dame Elizabeth Grey during her first marriage, was Queen of England from 1 May 1464 until 3 October 1470 and from 11 April 1471 until 9 April 1483 as …
Elizabeth Woodville, Queen consort of England (born 1437)
The Alhambra Decree was an edict issued on 31 March 1492 by the joint Catholic Monarchs of Spain, Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon, ordering the expulsion of unconv…
All remaining Jews are expelled from Spain when the Alhambra Decree takes effect.
On 31 March 1492, the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile, issued the Alhambra Decree, ordering all unconverted Jews to leave t…
The Jews are expelled from Spain: 40,000–200,000 leave. Sultan Bayezid II of the Ottoman Empire, learning of this,…