The Conspiracy
Catherine de Medici (1519-1589), queen of France (1547-1559) and mother of the last three Valoiskings of France. She was a major force in French politics during the 30 yearsof Roman Catholic-Huguenot wars and an instigator of the St Bartholomew's DayMassacre . Catherine was born on April 13, 1519, in Florence, the daughter of the Florentineruler Lorenzo de' Medici , called Lorenzo the Magnificent. In 1533 she marriedthe duc d'Orl?ans, who became king of France in 1547 as Henry II . She...