The Marriage of Catherine de Medici

 

From Hektoen International:

In 1530 Pope Clement VII, another uncle of Catherine’s, attacked Florence with 30,000 men. Catherine was released and returned to Rome. Later that month, Francis I arranged the marriage between Catherine and his second son Henry, Duke of Orleans. The promised dowry, consisting of money, jewelry, and four Italian cities was substantial.

The wedding took place in Marseille, France on October 28, 1533. Participants at the wedding remarked that her gown was so richly bejeweled it was impossible to tell its color. That night the king actually watched the couple consummate the marriage and later told the court “each had shown valor in the joust.” Even her uncle the Pope dropped in on them in the morning to see if all was well.

Sadly for Catherine, this “marital bliss” lasted only one year. Her uncle Pope Clement VII died the following year and the new pope refused to recognize Catherine’s substantial dowry, leaving the King of France with a chest empty of Medici gold. Henry was heard to remark, “The girl has come to me stark naked.” The French populace nicknamed her the "Merchant’s Daughter,” and her new husband began his lifelong romantic relationship with the beautiful and confident Diane, which left Catherine rather powerless to intervene. Although she was the love of his life, Diane insisted that Catherine share Henry’s bed to produce heirs. Alas, royal babies were not seen for quite some time.

Upon the death of his older brother in 1536, Henry became the Dauphin of France. Along with the new title, pressure to produce heirs became paramount. Of course, the fault of the couple’s infertility could not possibly be Henry’s. He was French. Obviously, the reason for the lack of infertility must rest with the Italian queen, and talk of divorce began to surface.

At first, Catherine went to King Francis. Throwing herself at his feet sobbing, Catherine told the King that she would stand aside for a new bride that would bear Henry children. Francis, moved to tears declared, “My child, it is God’s will that you should be my daughter and the wife of the Dauphin. So be it.” Catherine received her reprieve, but she feared it would only be temporary. (Read more.)

More HERE. 

 

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