Evaluate whether European authorities exercised religious tolerance during the 16th century

Yes they exercised religious tolerance.

Explanation:

Religious tolerance means people allowing other people to think or practice other religions and beliefs they want. It means the right to freedom of worship.

It took about 150 years after the Peace of Westphalia for most Europeans even to grasp the concept of religious tolerance.

The doctrine of religious toleration started as a result of the war between the Catholic Hapsburgs and newly Protestant nations like Sweden under Gustavus Adolphus which happened as early as the 16th century. During this period, the rulers decided to eradicate religious sentiments.