Tuesday, March 11, 2008
RANDOM EB POST
CATHERINE DE MEDICI-1519-1589. wife of 1 king, french, and mother of 3, born in florence. daughter of lorenzo de medici, ruler of florence, who machiavelli wrote 'the prince' for orphaned young. sent to convent-14 when married to the duke of orleans1533. afterward henry II. her uncle, pope clement VII(him again) who arranged the marriage w/ frances I. F, still engaged in gaining against charles V. strategic for F and Clem. during F reign, no influence. 10 years, no kids. divorce began to be to be spoken. on hearing of it, cath found a way to beg him that if his son would take another wife, that she be her attendant. france won over, henry reign 1549-1559. cath quiet queen. henry under his mistress, diana of poitier's influence and same after son frances II reigned. FII under spell of mary stuart and cath not one to meddle.
on FII's death, cath regnt during the minority of 2nd son, charles IX and exulted in her new role. king only 10 and the reformation becoming a struggle w/ the old church. cath didn't want to pick sides. for toleration, only goals for her kids and her 3rd and fav son, duke of anjou. she did work to have catholics in power. 30 years war. hugonots defeated. war war war. 3rd son assasinated after her death and the house of valois extinct.
