Catherine De' Medici

Catherine De' Medici is one of the most notorious figures of the sixteenth century, and lived a remarkable life. Born into the premiere family of Florence, her early years were beset by family tragedy and the complications of Imperial and Papal politics until she married into the French royal family. She had a struggle to establish herself at court but after being Queen Consort, she became hugely important as Queen Mother, trying to keep everything together as France descended into the Wars of Religion, most notoriously with the Saint Bartholomew's Day Massacre. We consider the whole of Catherine's long and dramatic life and consider her place in history.