Catherine de' Medici (l. 1519-1589) was the queen of France, mother of three kings and two queens and, between 1559 and c. 1576, the most powerful woman in France and, possibly, all of Europe. She was the strength behind the French throne for almost 20 years, maintaining the monarchy through the chaos of the French Wars of Religion and political intrigue.
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Definition
Timeline
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1519 - 1589Life of Catherine de' Medici, Queen of France.
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1519 - 1523Catherine de' Medici is raised by others after the death of her parents.
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1523 - 1533Catherine de' Medici is brought up and educated in Rome.
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1533Catherine de' Medici is married to Henry II of France.
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1544 - 1555Catherine de' Medici has ten children with Henry II of France.
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1559Henry II of France dies; is succeeded by his son Francis II.
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1559 - c. 1576Catherine de' Medici is the power behind the French throne through her sons.
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1560Francis II of France dies; is succeeded by his brother Charles IX of France.
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1572Catherine de' Medici supports the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre.
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1574Charles IX dies; succeeded by Henry III.
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1588Henry III eliminates his political opponents; Catherine de' Medici disapproves and her health fails.
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1589Catherine de' Medici dies, probably from pleurisy.
