Realm Collections Blog

The Renaissance period was an era of rebirth in Europe which started in the late Middle Ages in Italy, and subsequently, spread throughout the continent. After the Black Plague devastated most parts of the world in the latter part of the Middle Ages, Europe did not have a choice but to pick up the pieces and build the nation once again. This led to the creation of the different Renaissance movements that revived and developed the arts and sciences.

Many pursued intellectual, social and political evolutions that gave way to the birth of Renaissance men and women. Some of them, considered as the most famous Renaissance personalities, include:

• Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo
• Isabella d’Este (the First Lady of the Renaissance)
• Catherine de Medici who was the major force behind the French throne during the later half of the 16^th century

Catherine de Medici was the wife and queen consort of the French king, Henri II and the mother of the king’s heirs – Francis II, Charles IX and Henri III. She was born as Caterina Maria Romola di Lorenzo de’ Mecion on April 13, 1519 in Florence, Italy to Lorenzo II de Medici, the Duke of Urbino, and Madelaine de la Tour d’Auvergne, a French Bourbon Princess. She came from an influential family in Italy that when she was orphaned before she was even a month old, Cardinal Guilio de’ Medici, the government head of Florence who later became Pope Clement VII, took her in and became her guardian.

When Catherine de Medici reached the age of 14, she married Henri II, the son of King Francis I of France. King Francis I made this arrangement to create alliance with Pope Clement VII and to make political advances against Emperor Charles V. However, Pope Clement VII died a year after Catherine & Henri II’s union which put a hold to King Francis I’s plans. In addition, Catherine was only left with only 100,000 ecus to her name. Thus she was relegated to the background and was not given any political influence over her husband’s reign even after she attained the honor of Dauphiness when Henry II’s elder brother died.

Catherine received little attention from her husband during the first ten years of their marriage because Henry II gave more importance to his mistresses especially the infamous Diane de Poitiers, who was more than 20 years older than him. In addition to this, Catherine was not able to bear him children during this period thus, talks of divorce were even considered during this time. Finally, in 1542 she finally became pregnant and was able to give Henry II a total of nine children until the death of her husband in 1559 due to a jousting accident.

Catherine’s political career began when her son, Francis II, became the crowned king. However, she met several problems along the way especially with the Guises, the meddling family of Mary Queen of Scots who was then the wife of the crowned king. It was by the unfortunate death of Francis II that Catherine was able to oust the Guise family and took sole power of the monarch until her son Charles IX could come of age to rule as king.

Catherine’s biggest problem during her political career was contending with the disputes between the Catholics and French Protestants called the Huguenots. These Wars of Religion went on for 30 years that Catherine along with Duc de Guise resolved to assassinate Admiral Coligny, the Huguenot leader which resulted to the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre leaving hundreds of Huguenots dead.

Catherine continued to keep the French monarchy intact even after the death of Charles IX and with her last son Henri II becoming the crowned king. Due to Henri II’s effeminate ways and practices of dressing up like a woman, Catherine knew that he will not be able to produce heirs for the throne. Thus, she made arrangements for her daughter, Marguerite, to marry Henri of Navarre, a protestant leader who was later on called to the throne. Through Catherine’s efforts before her death in 1589, the French monarchy was saved by the strong leadership of Henri of Navarre and helped start the age of Absolutism in the 17^th century.

Interested in more about this fascinating period of history? Drop by realmcollections.com for a comprehensive collection of historical costumes, memorabilia, and more from the Renaissance and Medieval period.