Catherine de' Medici is the Queen of France 1547 - 1563 AD. She's been characterized as a "sinister Queen" with notable interest in the occult arts. Some say she casts Satanic spells and instructs her son in the powers of evil.
For the first ten years of their marriage, King Henry II and Queen Catherine are unable to produce an heir. This sparks rumors of witchcraft, a flame fueled by prevailing beliefs about mystical powers of certain women.
Public opinion considers witches unable to give life, contrasting with the ideological view of women as life-givers. Infertility in a Queen is bad for the kingdom. Catherine herself is not well liked, called "the Italian woman" and worse, by the people.
In the 16th century witch hunts in Europe stoke fears and superstition Usually a woman not well liked, suspected of the black arts, is perfect fodder for the witch-burning fires ... even a Queen.
The King would rather keep company with his mistress, but he does his royal duty. Finally, in 1544, Catherine conceives. She has ten children in all, seven of whom survive to influence history.
Her problems conceiving an heir are now attributed to Henry II's penile deformity. Perhaps it's due to witchcraft. She's thought to be behind the Huguenot persecutions during her sons' reigns, such as the St. Bartholomew's massacre of 1572, in which thousands are killed.
Catherine de Medici is taught by Cosimo Ruggeri, known in France as Côme Ruggieri. He's an Italian astrologer, alchemist, diviner from animal entrails (haruspex) and influential adviser of Catherine de Medici during her regency.
Cosimo is prominent in the folklore of Catherine de Medici. He's reputed as a master of the occult, black magic, and witchcraft. He schools Catherine in astrology and astronomy, which are closely linked in her day as academic activities. They take on an ominous meaning.
The dark background of Cosimo and his status as a favorite of the Queen give rise to ever more sinister rumors. It's said Catherine educates her son, Henry III, in the dark arts, and "the two devote themselves to sorceries scandalous of the age".
Some believe Catherine to be the creator of the Black Mass, a Satanic inversion of the traditional Catholic Mass. The idea is suggested in demonologist Jean Bodin's account in his book De la démonomanie des sorciers (1580). The rest of Catherine's reputation falls to ashes.
Bodin believes he has a reason for literary sniping. He supports the wrong candidate for King. When he shifts alliance to Catherine's son King Henry III, he's snubbed. Henry depends on Catherine's advice, and Bodin's rejection could be blamed on Catherine - or Cosimo.
Either way, Bodin paints them all with the same Satanic brush. His widely read book stirs superstitious gossip and, despite her many contributions to cuisine, arts and culture, her French conflicts prevail and she is yet associated with the demonic realm.
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