1507

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political events

Maximilian I appoints his daughter Margaret of Austria, 26, guardian of her nephew the archduke Charles, 7, who is betrothed by treaty to the daughter of England's Henry VII. Maximilian makes Margaret regent of the Lowlands to serve until Charles is of age.

The Diet of Constance recognizes the unity of the Holy Roman Empire and founds the Imperial Chamber.

Swedish forces under the command of Ake Hansson Natt och Dag resume their incursion into Denmark (see 1506); a peasant levy puts up stout resistance at Bleckinge, but the Swedes plunder the city of Lycka and its castle before putting it to the torch (see 1510).

Italian adventurer Cesare Borgia is killed March 12 at age 30 while besieging the rebellious count of Lerin at his castle of Viana. Borgia has been fighting in the service of his brother-in-law the king of Navarre, to whose court he fled late last year after making his escape from a Spanish prison where he had been held for 2 years.

human rights, social justice

The Portuguese capture Zafi in Morocco and begin commerce in captive Moors, Berbers, and Jews. Many are women; all are called white slaves.

exploration, colonization

A pamphlet entitled "Cosmographiae Introductio" by German humanist Martin Waldseemüller, 37, gives Amerigo (or Americus) Vespucci credit for discovering the New World and calls it America (see 1504). He suggests that the newly discovered continent be named "from Amerigo the discoverer . . . as if it were the land of Americus or America" ("ab Americo Inventore . . . quasi Americi terram sive Americam"). The name "America" will be applied at first only to the southern continent, but by the end of the century it will be generally applied to the entire Western Hemisphere.

La Prima Navigazione per l'Oceano alle Terre de' Negri della Bassa Ethiopia by Alvise da Cadamosto describes his explorations.

medicine

The sweating sickness that struck London in 1485 strikes again (see 1518).

religion

Pope Julius II proclaims an indulgence to raise money for the rebuilding of St. Peter's. Paid for by rich Christians seeking salvation, the costly project will fuel anger against the Church of Rome (see 1512; Luther, 1517).

literature

Poet and chronicler Jean Molinet dies at Valenciennes in Burgundian Hainaut August 23 at age 72.

art

Painting: Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, who has been making sketches since 1505 of Lisa di Anton, the Neapolitan wife of local businessman-politician Francesco del Giocando, 46. His model leaves in the spring for Calabria on a long business trip with her husband, and the portrait is left incomplete; Madonna with Child and Four Saints by Lorenzo Lotto; St. Mark Preaching in Alexandria by Gentile Bellini, who dies February 23 at age 77 and whose work is completed by his brother Giovanni.

architecture, real estate

Florence's Palazzo Strozzi is completed after 18 years of construction.

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