1580 - Political Events

Political Events

Spain and Portugal unite under one crown following the death of Portugal's Cardinal Henrique at Almeirim January 31 (his 68th birthday) after a 2-year reign as king. He has left no designated successor, and Spanish forces under the aging Fernando, duque de Alva, invade his country with help from a fleet under the command of Alvaro de Bazán, marqués de Santa Cruz, 53; they prevail at the Battle of Alcantara near Lisbon August 25, and Spain's Felipe II is proclaimed Portugal's Felipe I. Felipe's wife, Anne of Austria, dies at age 31, having given birth to five children, four of whom died in childhood (see 1581; 1640).

An Irish rebellion supported by the Spanish is suppressed by the English, who pacify the rebels by starving them.

A seventh French civil war between Catholics and Huguenots breaks out but is ended November 26 by the Treaty of Fleix, which confirms earlier treaties granted to the Huguenots (see 1585).

The Moroccan port of Ceuta opposite Gibraltar is occupied by the Spanish, who will hold it until 1688.