History Trivia - Oliver Cromwell becomes lord protector of England, Scotland and Ireland.

December 16

882 Marinus I was elected Roman Catholic pope, replacing the murdered John VIII.

955 Ottaviano (age 18), the only son of Duke Alberic II of Spoleto, who ruled Rome, became Pope John XII when his father ordered his election. John's pontificate lasted nine years. 1

431 Henry VI of England was crowned King of France at Notre Dame in Paris. Though young Henry had been proclaimed king at age ten months, it was not until he was ten years old that he was officially crowned at Notre Dame Cathedral.

1485 Catherine of Aragon, Spanish princess and first wife of Henry VIII was born.

1631 Mount Vesuvius, Italy erupted, destroying 6 villages & killing 4,000.

1653 Parliamentarian general Oliver Cromwell became lord protector of England, Scotland and Ireland.