1484 CE
A year defined by Pope Innocent VIII's bull against witchcraft, the continued Spanish campaign against Granada, and Diogo Cao's second voyage extending Portuguese exploration deeper along the African coast.
Geopolitics & Diplomacy
- Pope Innocent VIII issued the papal bull Summis desiderantes affectibus on December 5, authorizing inquisitors to prosecute witchcraft in Germany and lending papal authority to witch trials.
- Henry Tudor, in exile in Brittany, gathered supporters and planned an invasion of England to claim the throne from Richard III.
Conflict & Security
- Henry Tudor's planned invasion of England was delayed by logistical and financial difficulties, as he gathered men and ships in Brittany for the crossing.
- Richard III fortified his position in England, preparing defenses and gathering loyal forces in anticipation of a Tudor invasion.
Economy & Finance
- The Medici Bank's financial position continued to weaken, with Lorenzo de' Medici increasingly diverting bank resources to support his political activities in Florence.
- The Fugger family increased their involvement in Tyrolean silver and copper mining, building wealth that would make them the foremost bankers in Europe.
Science & Discovery
- Diogo Cao embarked on his second voyage along the African coast, sailing farther south than any European before and reaching Cape Cross in present-day Namibia.
Climate & Environment
- Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration was approximately 273 parts per million, as later confirmed by ice core analysis.
Culture & Society
- The papal bull Summis desiderantes affectibus provided ecclesiastical authorization for the prosecution of alleged witches, laying the groundwork for intensified persecution.
- The Spanish Inquisition under Torquemada continued its campaigns against conversos, conducting investigations and trials in cities across Castile and Aragon.
- The estimated world population was approximately 458 million people.