A moment in history

Who ruled the world in 1531?

13 thrones active across 13 rulers, a snapshot of the 16th century.

1531 was a year of dynastic transition and confessional strife across Europe and Asia. On the 5th of January, Babur, founder of the Mughal Empire, died and was succeeded by his son Humayun. In Germany, Lutheran princes formed the Schmalkaldic League to defend their faith against Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor. At the Battle of Kappel in October, the Swiss reformer Huldrych Zwingli was killed fighting Catholic forces, while in England Henry VIII was recognized as Supreme Head of the Church of England by Convocation.