1571
| Years: 1568 1569 1570 - 1571 - 1572 1573 1574 | |
| Decades: 1540s 1550s 1560s - 1570s - 1580s 1590s 1600s | |
| Centuries: 15th century - 16th century - 17th century | |
- January 11 - Austrian nobility is granted Freedom of religion.
- January 23 - The Royal Exchange opens in London.
- Crimean Tartars from the Ottoman Empire seize and burn Moscow, capitol of Russia.
- Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School founded in Horncastle
- October 7 Battle of Lepanto - Spanish, Venetian, and Papal naval forces under Don John of Austria defeat the Turkish fleet of Ali Monizindade Pasha.
- February 15 (possibly) - Michael Praetorius, German composer (perhaps born in 1572)
- December 27 - Johannes Kepler, German astronomer
- Gabrielle d'Estrée, mistress of French king, Henri IV