As the last legitimate heir to a powerful family, Catherine de Medici was married at only 14 into one of the most powerful royal houses in Europe. The two halves of her story are VASTLY different, and here in Part One, we’re going to tell you about how her only resources were INNER resources – and the character that developed from the circumstances in which she was placed.
Catherine de Medici was born in 1519 into a very powerful and wealthy family, but in rapid succession, her mother and then her father both died, and she was orphaned as an infant. Her childhood was spent being shuffled from one home to another, one convent to another, and educated along the way until, at the age of 11. Finally, she was rescued by Pope Clement VII, a relation, who plucked her from captivity in a convent to his papal palace in Rome, where her education was completed and she entered the next phase of her life: a 14-year-old marriage pawn.
Pope Clement made what he considered a terrific match with Henry of Orleans, the second son of King Francis I of France. For an Italian merchant’s daughter, this was a surprising choice, but she came with property inherited from her mother’s side as well as any Medici connections including the Pope, and a sizable dowry from the Pope (which would never fully be paid.)
Okay! Stability! But when Henry’s older brother died, making Henry the dauphin until King Francis passed away, Henry became King, Catherine his Queen, and his long-time mistress, Diane de Poitiers, smack dab in the middle. Catherine seemed to accept her position, kept her eyes open, her head down, and quietly began building her network of people who saw her as an intelligent woman, but hardly a threat. Catherine had seven children who survived to adulthood, and a Diane de Poitiers-shaped wall between Catherine and Henry.
But, after 26 years of marriage, in 1559, Henry died in a jousting accident. Catherine was widowed, and her oldest son, then 15, took the throne. His wife, Mary Queen of Scots, was by his side, and Catherine’s role going forward had yet to be defined. This is where we had to end Part One. There is a lot of story left, and Catherine is just coming into her power.
TIME TRAVEL WITH THE HISTORY CHICKS
All the rest of the media recommendations will be in the shownotes of Part Two.
For more background on the Medicis, we recommend The Medici by Paul Strathern.
Catherine’s story does cross several previous subjects and giving a listen to them might give you a better sense of not only the world Catherine lived in, but the players in her story that we give just a passing mention to here. (Be kind, these are from our Way Back Machine.)
Mary Queen of Scots (from 2015)
End song: Thank You for Nothing by Vicki Vox
