The Biography of Catherine De Medici

Catherine de Medici, Queen consort to France's Henry II, mother of three French Kings and mother-in-law of Mary, Queen of Scots was a formidable woman and bloodthirsty defender of the crown. Born in Florence, Italy in 1519 to the Duke of Urbino and Countess of Boulogne, Caterina Maria Romola di Lorenzo de' Medici entered this world as a political pawn.

In order to further the interests of her uncle, Pope Clement VII, she was married at the age of 14 to the second son of King Frances I of France, who would later become Henry II. Henry II showed very little interest in his wife and preferred to lavish his affections on his mistresses, the most famous being Diane de Poitiers, who would all but rule in his place when Henry was away. For this reason Catherine did not produce an heir to the French throne for 10 years. Henry II even produced an illegitimate daughter with one of his mistresses to publicly prove his virility.

Finally in 1544 a male heir was born and Catherine's ability to give the French court what they needed became quite prolific! She gave birth to a further nine children, six of which survived infancy. When King Frances died in 1549, the lineage to his throne well intact, Catherine Medici took her rightful spot next to her husband as Queen of France.

Catherine spent her years as Queen consort quietly observing. With Diane de Poitiers in Henry's favor, Catherine had little power. It was only upon Henry's death that Catherine got the final say and had de Poitiers exiled. Catherine then became the Queen Mother to her son, Francois II and his wife Mary, Queen of Scots. When Francois died in 1560 at the young age of 16 Catherine became regent for her second son Charles IX, who was only 10 at the time.