Marguerite De Valois

Memoirs of Marguerite De Valois Queen

Her life was surrounded by the royals of Europe. Marguerite was the daughter of Henry II and Catherine de' Medici. Three of her brothers became kings of France: Francis II, Charles IX and Henry III. Her sister, Elisabeth of Valois, became the third wife of King Philip II of Spain. Marguerite was forced to marry Henry of Bourbon. This alliance would reunite the families and hopefully bring peace between the Catholics and Huguenots. In 1572 when Marguerite was just 19 the marriage took place with the groom remaining outside of the church for most of the wedding since he was not Catholic. Their marriage was a stormy one with both keeping numerous lovers. In 1589 the marriage was dissolved and Marguertie moved to the Left Bank. Forty-three years after her death her memoirs were published. Her readers were scandalized by her promiscuity.