Girolamo Savonarola
Girolamo Savonarola (1452 - 1498) was a dominican priest and brief ruler of Florence who was known for religious reformation and anti-Renaissance preaching. Oddly, Lorenzo de Medici, the previous ruler of Florence and patron of many Renaissance artists was both a target of Savonarola's preaching and his patron.
After the overthrow of the Medici in 1494, Savonarola was the sole leader of Florence, setting up a democratic republic. His chief enemies were the Duke of Milan and Pope Alexander VI, who issued numerous restraints against him, all of which were ignored.
In 1497 he was excommunicated and in 1498 he was hung and and burned simultaneously. He was charged with uttering prophecies, sedition, and religious error. Niccolo Machiavelli, author of The Prince witnessed and wrote about the execution. The Medici regained control over Florence.