Though she was born into one of the most powerful families of Renaissance Italy, Catherine de’ Medici was never expected to wield real political power. With a childhood shaped by tragedy and a marriage dictated by political expediency, Catherine rose to the throne as queen of France during a turbulent era of religious upheaval, eventually emerging as one of the most influential rulers in the history of continental Europe.

In the six lectures of The Power and Persona of Catherine de’ Medici, you will join Professor William Landon of Northern Kentucky University to explore the impact of an unlikely ruler who established an astonishing political and cultural legacy. As you trace the arc of Catherine’s personal and political life, you’ll learn how, after the death of her husband, King Henry II, she managed to maintain his dynasty through three of her sons.

You’ll discover how her pursuit of peace between the Catholics and Protestants helped to shape the political landscape of 16th-century France. You’ll also see how her diplomatic finesse helped maintain Europe’s balance of power and how her wide-ranging interests influenced French culture in ways that can still be felt centuries later.

Despite an inauspicious childhood, an unhappy marriage, and the religious clashes that challenged both her own authority and that of her children, Catherine de’ Medici emerged as one of the most notable rulers of the Renaissance period. As you’ll discover, Catherine’s intelligence, perseverance, and efforts toward peace within a deeply divided kingdom left a legacy that continues to echo to the present day.