While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. The last two daughters were twins; one of the twins, Joan, died during the delivery and the other, Victoire, died a few weeks later. Biography. Not interested? A poem by Ronsard, engraved on its base, tells the reader not to wonder that so small a vase can hold so large a heart, since Henry's real heart resides in Catherine's breast.[132]. They finally married on 18 August, but Margaret persisted until the end, she offered no resistance, she gave no assent. Her head was pushed down by her brother as if she were nodding yes and so she became the Queen of Navarre. [134] The end of the Valois dynasty so soon after her death brought a change in priorities. Three of her sons became kings of France, while two of her daughters married kings and one married a duke. In the words of historian R. J. Knecht, "she underestimated the strength of religious conviction, imagining that all would be well if only she could get the party leaders to agree". Her essentially moderate influence was first perceptible during the Conspiracy of Amboise (March 1560), an instance of tumultuous petitioning by the Huguenot gentry, primarily against Guisard persecution in the name of the King. However, he denied ever providing such advice. Many historians have blamed Catherine for the attack on Coligny. Catherine de Medici Catherine delayed her daughters departure as much as she could, but they finally set out of for Spain on 18 November 1559. He remarried to Marie de Medici and had several children by her. Please select which sections you would like to print: Also known as: Caterina de Medici, Catherine de Mdicis, Emeritus Professor of Early Modern History, Royal Holloway and Bedford New College, University of London. WebClarissa Delacroix was born in 1539, the illegitimate daughter of Queen Catherine de Medici of France and King Henry II of Frances boyhood friend Richard Delacroix. He often hid from state affairs, immersing himself in acts of piety, such as pilgrimages and flagellation. Ronsard may be referring to Artemisia, who drank the ashes of her dead husband, which became part of her own body. After the Edict of Beaulieu, they had started forming local leagues to protect their religion. Just six days after the wedding the St. Bartholomews Day massacre a group of assassinations followed by a wave of violence after the Huguenots who were there for the wedding took place. The Guise brothers set about persecuting the Protestants with zeal. [] In short, she was a true daughter of France, having good mind and ability, which she proved by seconding wisely and ably her husband, M. de Lorraine, in the government of his seigneuries and principalities.1. Blunt, 98, 100. Clement summoned Catherine from her beloved convent to join him in Rome where he greeted her with open arms and tears in his eyes. Catherine believing her daughter had died in the forest, while Clarissa never knew who her birth parents were. [119] After Catherine's death, a decline in the quality of French portraiture set in. At the meeting of the Estates, Henry thanked Catherine for all she had done. In this cause, he recruited the great Catholic princes, nobles and prelates, signed the treaty of Joinville with Spain, and prepared to make war on the "heretics". Catherine de Medici was best known for being the queen consort of Henry II of France (154759) and regent of France. Catherines letters were often filled with advice and instructions. [148] Nevertheless, Catherine was never formally accused or prosecuted despite the fact that her reign experienced the greatest number of prosecutions for witchcraft in Italy. In 1568, she was beaten, punched and had her hair pulled out by Catherine and her brother Charles after a secret affair with Henry of Guise.