This story is well known, either just as the beheading of John the Baptist or as Salome and the dance of the seven veils. It is portrayed in many works of art, oratorios and operas, and in today's world would be a dead cert for a super injunction. John spoke out against what he believed to be wrong and for that he was put into prison. Herod respected John even though he neither liked or understood his message. Herod made a foolish, rash promise [and don't we all] but at the end of the day John, who expressed doubts, was described by Jesus as a man with greatest faith than anyone.