Catherine de' Medici

Set against the backdrop of religious conflict in sixteenth-century Europe, Catherine de' Medici was a powerful and influential figure who played a central role in French politics and court life. As queen and mother to three kings, she was a patron of the arts and a shrewd political strategist, with a reputation rooted in both cultural patronage and political intrigue. Mary Hollingsworth's biography offers an engaging and authoritative exploration of her complex life and enduring legacy.