Catherine de' Medici : The Life and Times of the Serpent Queen by Mary Hollingsworth 9781800244764

Catherine de' Medici : The Life and Times of the Serpent Queen
£30.00 GBP
£30.00 GBP
Mary Hollingsworth presents a fresh perspective on Catherine de' Medici, arguably the most...
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Description

Mary Hollingsworth presents a fresh perspective on Catherine de' Medici, arguably the most influential woman in 16th-century Europe, in this groundbreaking biography. Drawing upon overlooked primary sources, the author paints a vivid portrait of a misunderstood and unjustly maligned historical figure.

Throughout history, powerful women have often been unfairly judged, but few have suffered such a severe character assassination as Catherine de' Medici. The Italian-born Queen of France and mother to three French monarchs played a crucial role during the country's tumultuous religious conflicts in the latter half of the 1500s. Religious propagandists have long portrayed her as a nefarious schemer who employed witchcraft and poison to eliminate her adversaries, a frivolous spendthrift who squandered vast sums on ostentatious buildings and monuments, and most infamously, the orchestrator of the St Bartholomew's Day massacre in 1572, which saw thousands of Protestants slaughtered by Catholic mobs.

Hollingsworth delves deep into contemporary records, including diplomatic correspondence and Catherine's personal letters, to uncover the truth behind these enduring myths. Her research reveals a woman who ceaselessly strove for peaceful coexistence between Catholics and Protestants, a goal she pursued until her dying day. Far from being a dilettante, Catherine was well-versed in literature and science, and her patronage of the arts resulted in magnificent châteaux, gardens, and priceless artworks. Moreover, her support for the performing arts led to spectacular court festivities that seamlessly blended theatre, music, and ballet, showcasing the splendour of the French royal court.

Product Information:

Book ISBN: 9781800244764
Book Author: Mary Hollingsworth
Book Format: Hardback
Book Imprint: Apollo
Book Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Book Dimensions: 241 x 164 x 42 cm
Book Publication Date: 2024-06-06
Book Pagination: 480 pages, 1x8pp col
Book Weight: 734g
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This is a shop where you might find something you haven’t seen before, and we like to think we’ve got something for everyone. We choose each of our books with care and for a reason. This is because our physical store is small but beautifully formed, holding only around 1200 titles at any one time. We try and recreate the feel of the shop wherever we are online, to reflect our niche categories and personality.

We have an active social media presence and aim to share our story with all our friends. The long-term goal is to build a hub for the books and writers we believe in. Who knows where our adventure will lead but by supporting Sherlock & Pages you’re helping us to add a further layer of magic to our little corner of the world. If you haven’t visited our physical store, one day you might just make a literary pilgrimage down to Somerset.

Our tagline is ‘Long Live the Hedgerows’ and our symbol a hibernating dormouse. If you want to support an independent with a unique character and which will share stories with you for years to come, then choose Sherlock & Pages. The world needs bookshops with soul, for they are ‘citadels of light.’

Reviews

Sherlock & Pages is a little bookshop with a big heart. We are based in Frome, Somerset, England and curate lists of books in the areas we are passionate about – landscape, nature, history, and heritage. In short, the conservation of all we’ve inherited and all we are responsible to pass on. We aim to inspire and be inspired, to form a literary culture of care and passion about this precious planet we call home.

This is a shop where you might find something you haven’t seen before, and we like to think we’ve got something for everyone. We choose each of our books with care and for a reason. This is because our physical store is small but beautifully formed, holding only around 1200 titles at any one time. We try and recreate the feel of the shop wherever we are online, to reflect our niche categories and personality.

We have an active social media presence and aim to share our story with all our friends. The long-term goal is to build a hub for the books and writers we believe in. Who knows where our adventure will lead but by supporting Sherlock & Pages you’re helping us to add a further layer of magic to our little corner of the world. If you haven’t visited our physical store, one day you might just make a literary pilgrimage down to Somerset.

Our tagline is ‘Long Live the Hedgerows’ and our symbol a hibernating dormouse. If you want to support an independent with a unique character and which will share stories with you for years to come, then choose Sherlock & Pages. The world needs bookshops with soul, for they are ‘citadels of light.’

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