She was from one of the most influential families of the Renaissance, the Medicis, and mother to three kings, so it's perhaps no surprise that Catherine de' Medici is largely remembered for her astonishing political power. Born on 13 April 1519 in Florence, but orphaned just one month later, Catherine was only 14 when her uncle Pope Clement VII arranged for her to be married to the Duke of Orléans, second son of the King of France. Due to the unexpected death of his elder brother, her husband ascended to the throne in 1547, resulting in Catherine becoming Queen Consort of France. Her son, Francis II, became King aged just 15 after his 40-year-old father died in a jousting accident - beginning Catherine's long-term role as a ruler through her children, where she apparently used 'black magic', poison and massacres to ensure her family remained on the throne.