1529 - Political Events

Political Events

The Ottoman Empire reaches the height of its imperial expansion May 27 as ad-Din Barbarossa completes his conquest of Algeria. Suleiman I arrives at Buda September 3 with 250,000 troops and 300 cannon, taking the city after 6 days. John Zápolya is officially proclaimed king, and the sultan marches against Vienna, slaughtering Hungarians en route. His main army arrives September 27 and lays siege to the city. Vienna's garrison of 20,000 men and 22,000 cavalry is far outmatched, but the Turks have supply problems. Thousands die of cold and hunger. Early-rising Viennese bakers hear the sound of Turkish sappers mining the city's fortifications in preparation for a final assault and alert the defenders. An infantry charge October 14 is driven back, and Suleiman's army returns to Constantinople, taking children home as slaves.

The Peace of Cambrai signed August 5 settles the conflict between France and Spain's Carlos I (the uncrowned Holy Roman Emperor Charles V). Louise of Savoy signs in behalf of François I, who gives up all claims in Italy, Flanders, and Artois and agrees to pay a ransom of 2 million crowns; Margaret of Austria signs in behalf of her nephew Carlos, who renounces any claims to Burgundy. Henry VIII accedes to the treaty August 27.

The Mughal emperor Babar gains victory over the Afghan chiefs of Bihar and Bengal May 6 at the Battle of Ghagra, extending his realm from Kabul to Bengal (see Bengal, 1519).

Chinese scholar-statesman Wang Yangming (Wang Yang-ming) falls ill of a respiratory ailment and coughs himself to death at Nan-en in Kiangi Province at age 57 while en route home, having been sent in June 1527 to suppress a rebellion in Kwangsi Province. The animosity of a rival minister at Beijing (Peking) results in the revocation of his earldom and other hereditary privileges, his two sons are disinherited, his teachings are proscribed, and many who protest this posthumous treatment are dismissed from office or even banished (but see 1567).

The Songhai king Askia Mohammed dies at age 86 after a 36-year reign that has raised the empire to new heights, extending it east of the Niger (see 1517; 1591).