Start Date
4-27-2020 9:00 AM
End Date
4-27-2020 10:00 AM
Disciplines
Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies | History | Italian Language and Literature
Subjects
Catherine de Médicis (Queen consort of Henry II King of France : 1519-1589), Women -- History -- 16th century, France -- History -- 16th century -- Historiography
Abstract
Catherine de’ Medici is commonly known and referred to by historians as an “Evil queen”. This paper aims to examine how her reputation has been built upon legend and myth rather than fact. It explores how sixteenth century Europe’s overwhelming patriarchal prejudice and bias, along with an underlying presence of Xenophobia, has influenced the conclusion many historians have made about Medici. Rather, Catherine de’ Medici was a strategic ruler whose goal was to maintain peace at all cost during a religiously trying time. Through the commentary of a sixteenth century anonymous European writer, the paper aims to show that Medici has been a victim of these prejudices, and to show how her evil narrative has been exonerated by many recent historians and authors in the late 20th century, and early 21st century.
Rights
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Persistent Identifier
https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/33113
Included in
Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Commons, History Commons, Italian Language and Literature Commons
Catherine de' Medici: The Crafting of an Evil Legend
Catherine de’ Medici is commonly known and referred to by historians as an “Evil queen”. This paper aims to examine how her reputation has been built upon legend and myth rather than fact. It explores how sixteenth century Europe’s overwhelming patriarchal prejudice and bias, along with an underlying presence of Xenophobia, has influenced the conclusion many historians have made about Medici. Rather, Catherine de’ Medici was a strategic ruler whose goal was to maintain peace at all cost during a religiously trying time. Through the commentary of a sixteenth century anonymous European writer, the paper aims to show that Medici has been a victim of these prejudices, and to show how her evil narrative has been exonerated by many recent historians and authors in the late 20th century, and early 21st century.