Rodrigo Borgia’s rise from a Spanish cardinal to Pope Alexander VI was a tale of ambition, desire, and power. His papacy shocked Christendom with open nepotism, notorious affairs, and political intrigue. From the scandalous Banquet of Chestnuts to the ruthless rise of his children, Alexander blurred the line between sacred duty and personal gain, leaving a legacy as one of history’s most infamous popes.

Henry I wasn’t supposed to be king. As the youngest son of William the Conqueror, he was expected to pursue a life of learning—not power. But when opportunity knocked in 1100 after his brother’s sudden death, Henry seized the crown with remarkable speed. Known for his sharp mind and political skill, he issued reforms, defeated rivals, and ruled longer than any king since the Conquest.

On June 11, 1509, 17-year-old Henry VIII married Catherine of Aragon, the Spanish princess who had previously been wed to his late brother, Arthur. Their union began with promise—strengthening England’s alliance with Spain and uniting two respected royal houses. But years later, Catherine’s inability to produce a male heir and Henry’s desire for Anne Boleyn would turn this marriage into the catalyst for England’s break f rom the Catholic Church.

Vannozza dei Cattanei was one of the most influential women of the Italian Renaissance because of her close ties to the Borgias