Catherine de' Medici (13 April 1519 – 5 January 1589) was an Italian noblewoman born into the Medici family. She was Queen of France from 1547 until 1559, by marriage to King Henry II, and mother of French kings Francis II, Charles IX and Henry III. The years during which her sons reigned have been called "the age of Catherine de' Medici" as she had extensive, if at times varying, influence in the political life of France.Catherine was born in Florence to Lorenzo de' Medici, Duke of Urbino, and Madeleine de La Tour d'Auvergne. In 1533 at the age of fourteen, Catherine married Henry, second son of King Francis I and Queen Claude of France. Catherine's marriage was arranged by her uncle Pope Clement VII. Henry excluded Catherine from participating in state affairs and instead showered favours on his chief mistress, Diane de Poitiers, who wielded much influence over him. Henry's death in 1559 thrust Catherine into the political arena as mother of the frail 15-year-old King Francis II. When Francis II died in 1560, she became regent on behalf of her 10-year-old son King Charles IX and was thus granted sweeping powers. After Charles died in 1574, Catherine played a key role in the reign of her third son, Henry III. He dispensed with her advice only in the last months of her life and outlived her by seven months.
Catherine's three sons reigned in an age of almost constant civil and religious war in France. The problems facing the monarchy were complex and daunting. However, Catherine was able to maintain the monarchy and the state institutions functioning—even at a minimum level. At first, Catherine compromised and made concessions to the rebelling Calvinist Protestants, or Huguenots, as they became known. However, she failed to fully grasp the theological issues that drove their movement. Later she resorted (in frustration and anger) to hard-line policies against them. In return, she came to be blamed for the persecutions carried out under her sons' rule, and in particular, for the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre of 1572, during which thousands of Huguenots were killed both in Paris and throughout France.
Some historians have excused Catherine from blame for the worst decisions of the crown, though evidence for her ruthlessness can be found in her letters. In practice, her authority was always limited by the effects of the civil wars. Therefore, her policies may be seen as desperate measures to keep the Valois monarchy on the throne at all costs and her patronage of the arts as an attempt to glorify a monarchy (whose prestige was in steep decline). Without Catherine, it is unlikely that her sons would have remained in power. According to Mark Strage, one of her biographers, Catherine was the most powerful woman in 16th-century Europe.
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Some of their strengths
Catherine de Medici has many admirable traits.
Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Energetic, Adventurous, Intelligent, Independent, Honest, Intuitive, and Passionate.
Independent and Brave
According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, Catherine de Medici is someone who is an independent, brave, and honest person who approaches life with energy, intuition, passion, and generosity. A person who is charismatic and resourceful.
Active and Precise
Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know Catherine de Medici well know them as someone who can be tough, active, and sharp, like a sword.
Active and Ambitious
According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe Catherine de Medici as someone who is active, ambitious, bold, and courageous.
A person who is driven and organized, is wise with money, who knows how to tell a good story, likes physical activity, and who loves learning.
Communicative and Intelligent
Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, Catherine de Medici is someone who tends to have a desire to communicate with others, either verbally, through written form, or otherwise, and to have a knack for understanding art, beauty, and aesthetics.
They are also someone who is patient, assertive, and who is a natural leader that likes to help others in need.
Independent and Dynamic
According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, Catherine de Medici tends to be someone who is independent, dynamic, and courageous. Who can be positive, energetic, self-reliant, and adventurous, and who can make friends easily.
Some of Catherine de Medici's challenges
While Catherine de Medici has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.
For example, Catherine de Medici can be Impulsive, Self-centered, Aggressive, Short-tempered, Hypocritical, Pleasure-seeking, and Non-confrontational.
Short-tempered and Impulsive
One of Catherine de Medici's key challenges is that they are someone who can come across as short-tempered and impulsive.
Catherine de Medici must also exercise caution as they can be short-tempered and aggressive, and can be excessive and unrealistic, and can have difficulty dealing with responsibility, authority, or criticism.
Impulsive and Aggressive
Catherine de Medici is someone who can be impulsive, aggressive, and confrontational, can have difficulty listening to others, be moody and high strung, have conflict with authority figures, be too judgmental of others, and who can be overindulgent and extravagant.
Aggressive and Domineering
Finally, Catherine de Medici also can be aggressive, impatient, impulsive, and short-tempered.
