Year 1505 (MDV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events January–June June 6 – The M8.2–8.8 Lo Mustang earthquake strikes Nepal, causing severe damage in Kathmandu, western Nepal, and some parts of the Indo-Gangetic plain. June 19 – Zhengde Emperor ascends the throne of Ming Dynasty China. June 27 – The future King Henry VIII of England repudiates his engagement to Catherine of Aragon, at his father's command. July–December July 2 – Martin Luther, aged 22, vows to become a monk in a moment of terror, as a result of a close lightning strike during a thunderstorm, near the village of Stotternheim. July – The Kalmar Bloodbath takes place in Kalmar, Sweden. July 17 – Luther enters the monastic life, at an Augustinian cloister in Erfurt. July 24 – Travelling to India, a group of Portuguese explorers sack the city-state of Kilwa in East Africa, killing the king for failing to pay tribute. November 6 – Vasili III succeeds Ivan III, as Grand Prince of Muscovy. December 30 – Érard de La Marck is elected prince-bishop of Liège. Date unknown A Portuguese fleet attacks Kilwa, and then Mombasa. The Portuguese then attempt to monopolize the trade in the east African ports, but are unable to maintain control (by the late 16th century, Swahili groups regain control of several ports from the Portuguese). Portuguese merchants establish factories on the east coast of Africa. Portuguese explorers under Dom Lourenço d'Almeida reach Colombo on Sri Lanka and send envoys to the King of Kotte; they also reach the Comoros. Bermuda is discovered by Spanish explorer Juan de Bermúdez. King Alexander of Poland signs the Nihil novi Act, making Poland a Nobles' Democracy. Poland prohibits peasants from leaving their lands, establishing serfdom. Christ's College, Cambridge, England, is re-founded, receiving its charter from Lady Margaret Beaufort. Judah Abravanel becomes personal physician to the viceroy of Naples. Battle of Achnashellach in Scotland: The Clan Cameron emerges victorious over several other clans. Watch 1505, the earliest known pocket watch, is made at Nuremberg, Germany by Peter Henlein. 1505 (or 1506) – Portuguese explorer Gonçalo Álvares is the first to sight what will later be known as Gough Island in the South Atlantic. Births January 12 – Louis, Count of Stolberg, German nobleman (d. 1574) January 13 – Joachim II Hector, Elector of Brandenburg, Imperial Elector (d.