The French Renaissance

Biographies of Francios I of France, Henry VIII, and other notable Renaissance men of the sixteenth century.

Some of my readers may have noticed that my series over Absolutism never really got off the ground. This is partly because I have been a summertime slacker and partly due to my summer’s reading list. Having stumbled upon Philippa Gregory and Alison Weir’s excellent Tudor novels, I find myself once more enmeshed in the sixteenth century, and the European Renaissance.

Currently I am reading The Serpent and The Moon by HRH Princess Michael of Kent. HRH gives an in depth look a t the rise of Diane de Poiters and Catherine de Medici. (It is interesting to note that Princess Michael is descended from both these amazing women.) I won’t go into the details of The Serpent and The Moon, until I have finished it (be on the look out for another book review) however, reading it has tapped an unknown interest in the French royalty during the sixteenth century.

Since I am pretty much a Tudor/Stewart/Stuart-girl, I haven’t paid much attention to goings on across the Channel. Needless to say, I am quite excited about my upcoming series of articles which will cover the House of Valoise, beginning with François I and his court. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that sixteenth century French history dovetails nicely with that of Scotland and England. In fact, the more I read about François and his rival, Henry VIII, the more I am reminded about high school cliques, and people vying to be the more popular.

The series on French Renaissance History will begin with a who’s who of Western European rulers. I will give a brief overview of various leaders, including the Holy Roman Emperor and Pope. Check back often for more about the French Renaissance!