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The most powerful woman in 16th-century Europe
Daughter of Lorenzo II, the Medici ruler of Florence—wedded to a French prince by papal decree at the age of fourteen—Catherine became queen consort of France and mother to three French kings who reigned in an era of almost continuous civil and religious strife. Condemned as the epitome of the scheming royal matriarch, her reputation is tainted forever by her role in instigating the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre of Protestants in 1572. She lavished ruinous sums on the building and embellishment of monuments and palaces and masterminded spectacular entertainments that prefigure the splendor of the court of Versailles.
This evocative biography profiles an extraordinary woman as seen through her often controversial role in religion and the arts.
Review Quote
"Powerful women were a striking feature of 16th-century Europe, and this evocative biography paints a vivid portrait of a prime example. Hollingsworth emphasizes that Catherine de’ Medici (1519-1589) was born a significant figure as the only legitimate child of Lorenzo II, ruler of Florence. The author skillfully keeps track of a huge cast of characters as she describes Catherine’s odyssey. With diversions into her generous patronage of the arts and architecture, Hollingsworth concentrates on dynastic politics and France’s gruesome religious war. A widely vilified queen receives a well-researched, mostly admiring biography.” —Kirkus Reviews
Additional Book Details
Pages: | 432 |
Release Date: | July 2, 2024 |
ISBN: | 9781639367016 |
Club ID: | 1429916 |
Format: | Regular Print |