1130:

Pope Honorius II

Lamberto Scannabecchi was born to a poor family at Fiagnano, Italy, and received an excellent education through the Church. Archdeacon of Bologna, a member of the papal court, cardinal-bishop of Ostia and legate to the Diet of Worms, the diplomatic skills he displayed in helping to settle the lay investiture controversy made him the perfect candidate for the papacy, yet he would not have become pope without the maneuvering of the powerful Frangipani family.

As Pope Honorius II Lamberto made reforms within the church and established peaceful relationships with world rulers.

1542:

Catherine Howard

Catherine had been a bridesmaid in Henry's politically-motivated wedding to Anne of Cleves, at which time the young woman caught the king's eye. Henry had his loveless marriage to Anne anulled and less than three weeks later married Catherine in a private ceremony.

A year or so later Catherine's past relationships came to light, and there was even some gossip that she comitted adultery with her secretary Francis Dereham after her marriage. Henry was incensed and had Parliament pass a bill of attainder that declared it treason for an "unchaste" woman to marry the king. He then had Catherine beheaded in the Tower of London.