The home and library of John Dee at Mortlake begin to serve as an informal prototype English academy for gentlemen with scientific interests.
During this decade, Humphrey Gilbert produces his proposal for The erection of an achademy in London for educacion of her Maiestes wardes, and others the youth of nobility and gentlemen [sic].
25 July - The Free Grammar School of Queen Elizabeth of the Parishioners of the Parish of Saint Olave in the County of Surrey is established in Tooley Street, London.
2 June - Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk, is executed for treason for his part in the Ridolfi plot to restore Catholicism in England.
11 July - Humphrey Gilbert leads 1500 English volunteers on an expedition to assist the Dutch Sea Beggars in their struggle against Spanish Habsburg rule.
Vagabonds Act prescribes punishment for rogues. This includes actors' companies lacking formal patronage.
Composer Thomas Whythorne writes a Booke of songs and sonetts with longe discourses sett with them, an early example of autobiographical writing in English.
1577
June - Edmund Grindal suspended for refusing to suppress Puritanism.
