Top 10 Heads That Rolled during the Reign of Henry VIII

Henry VIII was responsible for tens of thousands of executions in his 36-year reign. Only the most prestigious of his subjects met their ends on the block. Which queens, cardinals and top political minds made this list?

What was in Peter the Great's cabinet of curiosities?

In the 17th and 18th centuries, the most fashionable Europeans gazed upon wunderkammern, or cabinets of curiosity. But Peter the Great's collection didn't appeal to those with weak stomachs.

Albert

Albert, the name of two Holy Roman emperors, one king of Belgium, and one reigning prince of Monaco.

Alexander

Alexander, the name of a number of European rulers. Among the more important historically are the following.

Alfonso

Alfonso, the name of a number of rulers of various Spanish kingdoms and of Portugal.

Alfred the Great

Alfred, called Alfred the Great (849–899), king of Wessex, the domain of the West Saxons in the south of England.

Anne

Anne, the name of a number of European queens. Only one of these, Queen Anne of Great Britain, was a ruling sovereign.

Anne Boleyn

Boleyn, Anne (1507–1536), a queen of England. She was the second wife of Henry VIII and the mother of Queen Elizabeth I.

Arthur

Arthur, the legendary British king of about the sixth century who held court at Camelot.

Athelstan

Athelstan, or Aethelstan, (895-940), a king of England, 925-40. On the death of his father, Edward the Elder (son of Alfred the Great), he became king of the West Saxons and Mercians but soon extended his rule over most of England.

Aug. 31: Princess Diana Dies After a Car Crash

A decade ago, this beloved princess was killed in an auto accident while fleeing the paparazzi. Remember the legacy of Princess Diana, her family and her charity work on the 10th anniversary of her untimely death.

Basil II

Basil II (958?–1025), a Byzantine emperor, called the "Bulgar-Slayer." He came to the throne in 976 as coruler with his brother, Constantine VIII, who took little part in governing.

Baudouin

Baudouin I, (1930–1993), the fifth king of the Belgians, the eldest son of Leopold III and Queen Astrid.

Beatrix

Beatrix (1938–), queen of the Netherlands. She became queen in 1980 when her mother, Queen Juliana, abdicated.

Black Prince

Black Prince, the name given Edward, Prince of Wales (1330–1376), the eldest son of Edward II of England.