1539

1539 was a year of the 16th century marked by religious conflict, imperial expansion, and continued exploration. It occurred against the backdrop of the Reformation in Europe and the widening reach of European powers into the Americas and Asia.

In England, the Parliament enacted the Act of Six Articles, affirming traditional Catholic doctrines within the Church of England and restricting further reform. The same year saw the publication of the Great Bible, prepared under Miles Coverdale, which became the first English Bible widely authorized for public use in churches and helped standardize liturgy and scripture readings.

In the Indian subcontinent, Humayun of the Mughal Empire suffered a major setback when Sher Shah Suri defeated him at the Battle of Chausa in June 1539. Humayun was forced to retreat, and a period of Sur dynasty rule followed in northern India until Humayun’s restoration later in the century.

Across the Atlantic, Spanish exploration continued in the Americas. Hernando de Soto began his expedition to the southeastern region of North America, landing in Florida in 1539 and moving inland to explore present-day parts of the southern United States. His journey contributed to the early European understanding of complex indigenous societies and the geography of the region.

These developments occurred amid ongoing imperial rivalries and religious debates that shaped political and religious landscapes in Europe, Asia, and the Americas during the broader era of early modern state-building and exploration.