WHO DIED
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 annulled 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.
