Catherine de' Medici was born in Florence, Italy in 1519. Catherine had a very trouble childhood, her parents died from a disease when she was very young. This was very difficult for her because she had no one with her. She lived with a nun where they also trained her and raised her. As she got older she was very smart and well educated. In 1533 she married the future Henry II. Her uncle the Pope arranged it. He was king of France at that time. She had ten children from him. After the death of her husband her son Francis II became king at the age of ten. She was known as Queen of France.
Catherine de' Medici's patronage of the arts made a significant contribution to the French Renaissance. She was inspired by King Francis I of France her father in law. After the death of her husband Catherine governed France on behalf of her young sons King Francis II. Catherine de' Medici was a great patron, she helped flourish the Renaissance.
Achievements
Catherine de Medici was a major force in French politics, especially during the thirty years of the Roman Catholic-Huguenot wars. She ruled as a regent to her son and when he reached majority in 1563, Catherine dominated him.
Catherine was a Roman Catholic but when trying to create a balance with religions she sometimes agreed with the Huguenots. By doing this she created a policy of peace between the Catholics and the Protestants.
Under her influence, three of Catherine's sons became kings and she also arranged for her daughter to be married to the King of Spain in 1560.
Catherine had a great interest in architecture and she demonstrated this with her authority over the building of the new wing of the Louvre Museum, the construction of the Tuilleries Gardens, and the building of the Chateau Monceau.
Achievements
Catherine de Medici was a major force in French politics, especially during the thirty years of the Roman Catholic-Huguenot wars. She ruled as a regent to her son and when he reached majority in 1563, Catherine dominated him.
Catherine was a Roman Catholic but when trying to create a balance with religions she sometimes agreed with the Huguenots. By doing this she created a policy of peace between the Catholics and the Protestants.
Under her influence, three of Catherine's sons became kings and she also arranged for her daughter to be married to the King of Spain in 1560.
Catherine had a great interest in architecture and she demonstrated this with her authority over the building of the new wing of the Louvre Museum, the construction of the Tuilleries Gardens, and the building of the Chateau Monceau.