Catherine de Médicis
Catherine de MédicisHer appeasement of the Huguenots, as seen in the siege of La Rochelle, appalled many leading Roman Catholics who formed a League to protect their religion that took control of much of northern France. She had advised her son, King Henry the Eighth, to compromise his beliefs. He did not, being assassinated in 1589.
Catherine died in the same year. That Italian woman’s name was revered and reviled equally by her Church, family and subjects.
King Charles the Ninth
King Charles the NinthAfter La Rochelle, his physical and mental condition weakened drastically. He blamed, alternately, himself and his mother, Catherine, who called him her ‘lunatic son’. He died in 1574 but left behind a book on the topic of hunting.
Duke de Guise
Duke de GuiseHe bec
