The saga of Catherine de Medici continues with the death of Francis I and the ascension of Henry II and Catherine to King and Queen of France. Sidelined once again while her husband’s focus remained on his mistress, Diane de Poitier and the overly ambitious Guise family her father-in-law warned him about, Catherine could do little but sit quietly and bide her time. After a series of unfortunate events and more of Henry ignoring the sage advice of those around him, Catherine was left widowed and fighting to defend the legacy of her children.

Join us as we track Catherine de Medici’s evolution from powerless pawn and scorned wife to master manipulator. We also discuss the epic prophetic death of Henry II (yes, it really happened!), tease the origins of Mary, Queen of Scots, and lay the ground work for the French Wars of Religion to come.