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• Catherine de' Medici, born on April 13, 1519, was the daughter of Lorenzo II de' Medici, Duke of Urbane, and Madeleine de la Tour d' Auvergne. Both of her parents died within weeks of her birth leaving her to be raised by her grandmother, Alfonsina Orsini, and then by her aunt, Clarissa Strozzi, once her grandmother died. Medici reigned as Queen Consort for Henry II, from 1547 to 1559. After her husband's death she became the Queen Mother to her three sons, Francis II, Charles IX and Henry III.

• Fast Facts

  1. Born: April 13, 1519
  2. Birthplace: Florence, Italy
  3. Died: January 5, 1589
  4. Place of Death: At Chateau de Blois
  5. Coronation: June 10, 1549
  6. Children: Francis II, Elisabeth of Valois, Claude of Valois, Louis, Charles IX, Henry III, Marguerite of Valois, Francois, Duke of Anjou, Victoria of Valois and Joan of Valois

• Timeline

  • April 13, 1519: Born
  • 1533: Married Henry
  • 1544: Gave birth to Francis II
  • June 10, 1549: Coronation
  • 1550: Gave birth to Charles IX
  • 1551: Gave birth to Henry III
  • 1555: Gave birth to Francois
  • 1559: Henry died
  • 1560: King Francis II died
  • 1574: King Charles IX died
  • January 5, 1589: Died
  • 1610: Reburied at Saint-Denis

• St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre

  Many believe that Catherine de' Medici was the cause of the St.Bartholomew's Day Massacre.

  The massacre was a series of events between the Catholics and the Huguenots. It occurred six days after the wedding of the King's sister to Henry of Navarre, a Protestant.

• Related Mahalo Pages

  France | Italy | History of France | History of Italy | Boccaccio

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