Catherine de Medici went from prisoner to powerhouse, conquering Europe with ruthless ambition and unmatched cunning.

Her father was Lorenzo de Medici, Duke of Urbino and ruler of Florence and her mother was Madeleine de la Tour d'Auvergne, cousin of Francis I, King of France ... improved the queen’s position ...

The bride’s father-in-law, the king of France ... and a portrait of the queen opulently adorned with jewels and pearls. It is possible that Catherine de’ Medici was the wicked harpy that ...

And Catherine de'Medici, Queen of France, made sure she was informed of the intrigues at court by expressly employing a group of pretty young women to engage in pillow talk with gullible male ...