Catherine De Medici Research Paper

Catherine de Medici, also known as the 'Black' and 'Serpent Queen' has a reputation as a 'bad girl' in history. This is because society deemed her to be the opposite of what a good mother, wife, and member of the French court would look and act like. While her reputation reflected this opinion, her true nature was always to protect her husband, children, religion, and the future of France, by whatever means possible.

Her reputation stems from the beginning of her marriage to Henry, coming into the French Court as an outsider, her heritage originally being Italian. Soon, her husband's older brother, the heir to the throne, died suddenly. As Henry's promotion of status was extremely beneficial for Catherine, who was, in the eyes of the French Court, a commoner, this led them to believe that Catherine had poisoned him for her own benefit. Her background added to this rumour, as the Medici’s had a family history of poisoning their enemies. Catherine's reputation didn't ease later in her marriage when she was diagnosed as infertile for 10 years. However, after seeking medical help, she was able to have 10 children. However, it was still difficult to regain popularity after. Infertility was also one reason for her being a rumoured witch, lacking a function a pure woman would have. …show more content…
However, this changed after her husband's death. As her children were of a young age, she was able to act as a regent and rule the country through them. Although, multiple political powers had the same idea, namely, the guise family. Through more arranged marriages, Catherine managed to maintain her control and power. This proves Catherine's love of her children, religion, and country and want of power for her

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