CATHERINE DE MEDICIS
1519 - 1589

Catherine was born in Florence. Her Italian name was Caterina de' Medici.

From 1560 - 1574, Catherine ruled France while her son Charles IX was still too young for the job.

The pressing matter in Catherine de Médicis' days was the French Wars of Religion, a series of battles between Huguenots and Catholics. Catherine had her hands full trying to balance the hunger for power of those two groups and to retain the upper hand for the crown at the same time. Luckily for her, Catherine was equipped with a brain.

Besides politics, Catherine was also very good in the art department. Starting in 1563, she designed the gardens of the castle at Chenonceau. Check out the photo.

Château de Chenonceau
 

THE FAMILY OF Catherine de Médicis
Catherine's father was Lorenzo de' Medici, the duke of Urbino.

Her mother was Madeleine de La Tour d'Auvergne.

In 1533, Catherine married Henry, the duke of Orleans. In 1547, her Henry became French King Henry II.

Catherine and Henry had ten children. Three of them, Francis II, Charles IX, and Henry III, became kings of France.

What else?

In 1556, Catherine helps Sampiero Corso.