Date of Graduation
12-2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts in History (MA)
Degree Level
Graduate
Department
History
Advisor/Mentor
Dominguez, Freddy C.
Committee Member
Long, Mary B.
Second Committee Member
Sonn, Richard D.
Keywords
16th Century; Catherine De Medici; France
Abstract
Previous scholarship on Catherine de Medici’s relationship with her children have been male-centric, focusing on her relationships with her sons. This thesis highlights the impact Catherine’s relationship with her children had on domestic and foreign politics from the 1560s to 1580s. In doing this, it will show that familiar relationships in the early modern period were indivisible from political life. This thesis will focus on Catherine’s daughters to address the historiographical gap and will allow for the utilization of Catherine’s own letters. Despite the informality she displays, Catherine’s letters to her children are meant to meet a political goal. The first chapter of this thesis will focus on Catherine’s eldest daughter, Elisabeth of Valois (consort of Philip II of Spain). The second will look at her youngest daughter, Marguerite of Valois (consort of Henri IV of France). The final chapter will focus on Catherine’s “favorite child,” Henri III of France.
Citation
Medrano, E. (2024). The Politicization of Familial Bonds: Catherine de Medici and Her Children. Graduate Theses and Dissertations Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/5535
