Catherine de Medici became the most influential queen of France, but despite her power... she suffered an incipient life full of pain and disgrace. The feared "Black Queen" was born in Italy and acceded to the French throne after marrying Henry Valois. Her husband became king and was succeeded by his sons. However, despite being queen mother, she would take advantage of her influence and rule over her heirs to the point of ordering a religious battle between Catholics and Protestants that would