Catherine de Medici had a chaotic early life, being orphaned as an infant and shuffled between relatives. She was educated in convent schools in Italy and groomed to be a nun until being married off at age 14 to Henri de Valois to unite the French and Medici houses. She went on to have 10 children with Henri and played an influential role in advising her sons who succeeded him as kings of France. As queen mother, Catherine was devoted to protecting the French monarchy and involved herself extensively in politics and religious conflicts, including the French Wars of Religion.

1. Catherine de Medici Catherine de Medici Queen of France

2. Personal Life: Catherine de Medici had a chaotic personal life. When Catherine was less than a month old her parents Madeleine de la Tour d'Auvergne and Lorenzo de Medici died. For the first year of her life she was shipped around between relatives. At age fourteen she was married to Henri de Valois. Personal life Continued: Later in their life together they had 10 kids. Catherine, though Catholic, was not very religious. She lived a long life and died on January 5, 1589 at The Royal Chateau de Blois in France. She was buried with her husband at Saint Denis Basilica. Catherine cherished her family and everyone close to her

3. Quote About War “If it were not for the trust which I placed in God and in the assurance of your help to keep this kingdom and to serve the king my son, I would feel even worse.” By Catherine de Medici

4. Hello Read it Now Extended Family Tree Her aunt was Clarissa Strozzi. Her grandmother AlfonsinaOrsini. died when Catherine was not even 3. Her mom was Madeleine de la Tour d’Auvergne Her Great uncle, Giovanni Medici was Pope Leo X. Her dad was Lorenzo II de Medici One of her other relatives was Cardinal Giulio de Medici

5. Family Tree Sons Daughters Margot Margot Francois II He died as king. Francois II He died as king. Victoire He died as an infant. Claude She died in 1575. Claude She died in 1575. Elizabeth She died during child birth. Elizabeth She died during child birth. Charles IX He died as king. Charles IX He died as king. Francois-Hercules Francois-Hercules Louis He died as an infant. Louis He died as an infant. Jeanne She died as an infant. Jeanne She died as an infant. Henri II Henri II

6. Education: Catherine de Medici had an unparalleled education making her one of the most intelligent woman of the renaissance. Catherine attended convent schools in Rome and Florence and was studying to become a nun. She entered the convent at age 5. She was well educated and studied art, music, architecture, Greek, Latin, and math. Though she was planning to be a nun, Catherine was removed from the convent at age 14. Catherine would not have made such a good queen if it were not for her wonderful education.

7. Quote About Religion “ When I see these poor folk burnt, bruised and tormented not for thieving and marauding but simply for upholding their own opinions… I am moved to believe there is something in this that passes human reason.” By Catherine de Medici

8. Regal Queen of France Devoted to her Country

9. Catherine de Medici

10. Professional life: Catherine de Medici was a very intelligent woman, but also a very good leader. She was concerned about many things such as wars and religion, but one of her main concerns was keeping the French monarchy in power. In the end she was one of the people who helped save the French monarchy. To do this she married off one of her daughters to the leader of a strong country. Catherine helped her sons rule until they were of a noble age, but even after that she gave them advice and had a strong influence. Catherine and her country fought in many battles such as two civil wars and The Massacre of St. Bartholomew's Day. THe first civil war started in 1562, and Catherine fell in 1563. The second civil war started in 1567, and ended in 1568. The Massacre of St. Bartholomew's Day started in Paris in 1572. It ended later that year. Though it was her sons who were in power, Catherine was a great and powerful leader.

11. Quote About Helping Her Son Rule “Since it has pleased God to deprive me of my elder son, I mean to submit to the Divine will and to assist and serve the King, my second son, in the feeble measure of my experience.” By Catherine de Medici