Greg Jenner is joined in 16th-Century France by Dr Estelle Paranque and comedian Shaparak Khorsandi to learn all about controversial queen Catherine de’ Medici.Catherine’s life was dramatic from the moment she was born: orphaned when she was just a few weeks old, she was brought up by her uncle the Pope, and her childhood was shaped by the tumultuous politics of Renaissance Florence. At fourteen, she was married to the son of the king of France and shipped off to the French court, only to find herself involved in a literal ménage à trois with her teenage husband’s older mistress. But after her husband became king – and even more so after he died and her sons ruled France – Catherine came into her power as queen and later queen mother. And through her children and the marriages she organised for them, Catherine’s influence was even felt beyond the borders of France. She even corresponded with Tudor queen Elizabeth I!This episode traces Catherine’s tumultuous personal and political life from orphaned child to grandmother of Europe, exploring along the way the terror of the French Wars of Religion, and asking whether the dark legend of Catherine 'the serpent queen' is deserved, or whether she has been misunderstood by history.If you’re a fan of scheming queens, scandalous royal love affairs and dramatic religious conflicts, you’ll love our episode on Catherine de’ Medici.If you want more from Shaparak Khorsandi, check out our episodes on Justinian and Theodora and the Ancient Olympics. And for more quality queens, listen to our episodes on Emma of Normandy and Eleanor of Aquitaine.You’re Dead To Me is the comedy podcast that takes history seriously. Every episode, Greg Jenner brings together the best names in history and comedy to learn and laugh about the past. Hosted by: Greg Jenner Research by: Hannah Cusworth Written by: Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow, Emma Nagouse, and Greg Jenner Produced by: Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow and Greg Jenner Audio Producer: Steve Hankey Production Coordinator: Ben Hollands Senior Producer: Emma Nagouse Executive Editor: James Cook
Chapter 1: Who was Catherine de’ Medici and why is she significant?
Uncle Pope. Uncle Pope. Uncle Ken. It's a life of turmoil and of great heartbreaks. What I want people to understand, just for a minute, how lonely Katerina was. Because she's got no brothers and sisters.
No, and it's very important to remember because then when we're going to go through her life and we're going to discuss her later, I want you to remember that she lost everyone she loved or could have loved and she was massively a political pawn.
So when you see a story like Katerin's put on Netflix and portrayed as this mean, scheming person, but you, as a historian, no different. What do you want to say to Netflix?
I would like to say, please hire me.
Very affordable rates. As a historical consultant. So how do you think the Pope, her uncle, Clement VII, secures her future? She's a young woman. She's 11, 12 years old. What do you think the Pope does to make sure she's got a backup plan?
Oh, you know what? I'd like to think that he gives her some money for her independence and self-defense classes. But I've got a horrible feeling that perhaps some bozo is found. Is that am I right?
So to marry off?
Some bozos found to marry her too. Oh, I wish I was wrong.
No, don't wish you were wrong. Because I don't think it's a sad story. I'm sorry. Maybe I'm the only one feeling that.
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Chapter 2: What was Catherine de’ Medici's early life like?
Yeah. Imagine that, wandering around. Oi, Nostradamus, can I have a cup of tea? I wonder what she called him for short. Nostri?
Yeah.
Nostri? Nostri? Damus. Damus. Damus. Nobby.
Nobby. In 1555, Nobby Nostradamus prophesies to his queen. He says, the young lion will overcome the old. In a field of combat, in a single fight, he will pierce his eyes in a golden cage, two wounds in one. He then dies a cruel death. Now, what do you think that sounds like, Shappi?
I think it might. Does it involve horses again?
It does. It's a jousting injury. And that literally happens. Now, I'm not saying Nostradamus is true. He might have just, you know, cold reading, whatever. But supposedly Catherine also dreamed of it. So supposedly she has a nightmare vision that her husband's going to die in a joust. And she begs him not to go in the joust.
He goes in the joust against Montgomery, who injures the king in the first joust.
Yeah, and then he wants a revenge, so he does it again, and this time it goes through his eye.
Yeah, the lance goes through his visor, through his face, through his eye, splinters into the brain, and he... He died in ten days. Henri, her husband, is dead, which means Diane de Poitiers... Out?
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