Historical Background; Romeo and Juliet

  • Plane Discovery

    Mathematician John Napier dedicates his "Plaine Discovery of the Whole Revelation of St. John" to King James VI, predicts end of the world in 1688 or 1700
  • Sweden

    Having already inherited the throne of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth through his mother, Catherine Jagellonica of Poland, Sigismund III of the House of Vasa is crowned King of Sweden, succeeding his father John III of Sweden.
  • Navarra

    Henry IV is crowned king.
  • Prague

    Fleming Pieter Stevens appointed royal painter of Rudolf II (Prague)
  • Venice

    The Italian Painter Jacopo Robusti ("Tintoretto") dies. His dramatic paintings made him a baroque precursor.
  • Phillippines

    Philip II recognized the rights and privileges of the local nobles and chieftains in the Philippines, which paves way to the creation of the Principalía (i.e., elite ruling class of native nobility in Spanish Philippines)
  • Spain

    King Henry IV of France declares war on Spain
  • Theater

    William Shakespeare's play "Romeo and Juliet" is thought to have been first performed. Officially published early 1597.
  • Theory

    Astronomer Johannes Kepler has an epiphany and develops his theory of the geometrical basis of the universe while teaching in Graz
  • London

    "Romeo and Juliet" premiere.
  • Church

    Catholic League disbanded
  • Spain

    King Phillip II devalues Spanish currency