An age of triumphs, heartbreak and succession crises. Meet the remarkable women who helped shape France between 1483 and 1610. Read the rest on Substack →
Who’s Included in the Women who Shaped 16th Century France Read More »
🌟 Please Join me to welcome guest blogger Susan Abernethy! 🌟 Nothing delights me more than to welcome Susan Abernethy as Wednesday’s guest blogger. Susan is one of the most admired and widely read historical bloggers writing today. Her blog, The Freelance History Writer, has been a trusted treasure trove since 2012. It contains over 500 richly researched
Welcome Susan Abernethy guest blogger Read More »
Catherine of Braganza began to engage more readily in the activities of the Stuart Court following a visit from her mother-in-law, Dowager Queen Henrietta Maria. Henrietta had encouraged her to accept his husband’s infidelities and participate and even organize events. Charles also inspired her to be more involved, just as his mother had done during
Step back in time to the life of Antoinette de Maignelais (1434?–1474) to read a tale of love and intrigue. She was mistress of Duke François II of Brittany (1461-1474). A little-known figure otherwise, her importance lies in her role as the the duke’s favorite and mistress. Their illicit (to our eyes) affair left an
A Tale of Love and Intrigue in Medieval Brittany Read More »
In the tapestry of the French Renaissance, the figure of Anne Malet de Graville stands out as an literary icon of renaissance intellect and literary creativity. Born into the prestigious Norman Malet de Graville family around 1490, Anne’s literary contribution to this a period of the flourishing literary world of her time is now receiving
Renaissance Literary Icon Anne Malet de Graville Read More »
On 27 March 1615, the notorious Reine Margot, Queen of Navarre, much vilified first wife of the great King Henry IV of France, died. At the time of her death, she was the last member of the royal Valois line that had ruled in France since 1328. A Bright, Clever Child Born on 14 May
The Notorious Reine Margot Queen of Navarre Read More »
The 16th century in France saw big changes in intellectual life, culture, religion, and politics, for both women and men. Italian influences brought new ideas in humanism, arts, architecture, and literature. Like men, women writers and thinkers began to explore ideas about the dignity and potential of the individual, reflecting the influence of humanism. At
Women Writers of the French Renaissance Read More »
According to Caroline zum Kolk, “In the long history of the household of the queen of France, the sixteenth century marked a peak: never before or since was its staff so numerous, or was it so deeply involved in life at court.” To give a sense of the size and complexity of the French queens’
The Queens of France’s Households’ in 16th Century Read More »
The Renaissance marriage of Germaine [Germana] de Foix is a perfect example that for centuries, royal women were pawns in power and politics.
Power and Politics in Germaine de Foix’s Marriage Read More »
The Serpent’s Spell by Rae St. Clair Bridgman is a captivating tale of magic spells, a journey and a young hero. It begins with a news report of a fire, then switches to a girl and her cat, then switches again to a boy and his snake taking a train journey from Toronto to Winnipeg. So, it
Magic, Heroism and Journey in The Serpent’s Spell Read More »
When I started Passion for Compasses, I did not expect to discover a medieval eyeopener. Although the subtitle–Medieval Master Builders and their Cathedral Building Plans–intrigued me, I thought I would learn a bit about how medieval architects built the great gothic cathedrals without understanding any of the technicalities. I picked it up from Book Sirens
A Medieval Eyeopener & the Passion for Compasses Read More »
Discover the real lives behind the characters in ‘The Importance of Wives’. Explore the fascinating true stories that shaped this captivating novel.
The Real Lives Behind ‘The Importance of Wives” Characters Read More »
