Catherine de' Medici was born in Florence, Republic of Florence, on April 13th, 1519. A young Italian noblewoman, Catherine married into the powerful and influential Medici family and rose to become one of the most notable and ruthless figures of 16th-century Europe. Catherine de' Medici died on January 5th, 1589, at Château de Blois, Kingdom of France.

At age 14, Her marriage in 1533 to Henry, the second son of King Francis I of France, marked the beginning of her complex path in French politics. After the death of her husband, King Henry II(a jousting accident), in 1559, Catherine became a formidable queen-mother by guiding her sons, Francis II, Charles IX, and Henry III, through their reigns in an era filled with civil and religious turmoil.

Catherine's era as queen of France from 1547 to 1559 and her subsequent role as queen regent from 1560 to 1563 during Charles IX's rule was marked by her relentless quest for power and influence. Her reign, often called "the age of Catherine de' Medici," was an almost constant civil and religious war.

Initially, Catherine attempted to compromise and make concessions to the Calvinist Protestants, the Huguenots. However, failing to understand the theological issues that drove their movement led her to push impossible policies against them. This shift in strategy culminated in the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre in 1572, a dark chapter in her legacy where thousands of Huguenots were killed, marking her reign with controversy and violence.

Queen Mother Catherine's rule extended beyond politics. During her reign, she used her art patronage to glorify a monarchy whose prestige was declining. Her letters and other correspondence reveal a woman who was both ruthless and pragmatic, making decisions that were often controversial but aimed at preserving the House of Valois.

Despite the criticisms and controversies, Catherine de' Medici's role in maintaining royal authority during a tumultuous period was crucial.

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