Explore who held power in each world throne this year.

England
Elizabeth I of England
all year
Western Europe

Scotland
Mary, Queen of Scots
all year
Western Europe

France
Francis II of France
until 25 Dec
Western Europe

Spain
Philip II of Spain
all year
Western Europe

Portugal
Sebastian, King of Portugal
all year
Western Europe

Sweden
Gustav I of Sweden
until 9 Oct
Northern Europe

Holy Roman Empire
Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor
all year
Central Europe

Papacy
Pope Pius IV
from 14 Jan
Southern Europe

Ottoman Empire
Suleiman the Magnificent
all year
Eastern Mediterranean

Mughal Empire
Akbar
all year
South Asia

China
Jiajing Emperor of Ming
all year
East Asia

Japan
Emperor Ōgimachi
all year
East Asia

Japan (Shogunate)
Ashikaga Yoshiteru
all year
East Asia