1506:

Laocoön discovered

The magnificent sculpture of the Trojan priest Laocoön and his sons was discovered on the Esquiline Hill and brought to the Vatican by Pope Julius II.

1526:

Treaty of Madrid

In February of 1525, the Habsburg emperor Charles V captured King Francis I of France during the Battle of Pavia. The emperor held Francis prisoner until this treaty was concluded.

1131:

Valdemar I

Valdemar, King of Denmark, won independence from the Holy Roman Empire. He also gained the approval of the church for the dynastic rule of his family, the Valdemars.

1273:

Joan I

Joan was not only queen consort of France, but mother of King Louis X, King Philip V, and King Charles IV.

1552:

Alberico Gentili

Generally considered the founder of the science of international law, Gentili is also said to have been the first to distinguish between Roman Catholic theology and canon law.

1208:

Peter of Castelnau

Pope Innocent III appointed Peter as a papal legate to the Languedoc, where he organized a league against the Cathars in an attempt to stop the Cathar heresy. Peter was murdered by a knight who was thought to be employed by Raymond VI, Count of Toulouse and leader of the opposition to the Pope's interference. The murder was the spark that ignited the Albigensian Crusade.