Cosimo Ruggeri, Catherine de' Medici's Magic man
When we think of the French Renaissance court, we often imagine dazzling balls, glittering jewels, and intricate political games. But behind the silks and masks, the court of Catherine de' Medici had a darker, more mystical side and at the heart of it stood one enigmatic figure: Cosimo Ruggeri. Catherine de' Medici and Cosimo Ruggeri From Florence to France Cosimo Ruggeri (sometimes spelled Ruggieri) was born in Florence in the early 1500s, a time when astrology and alchemy were taken quite seriously, especially among Italy’s elite. He was trained in the esoteric arts: astrology, magic, and possibly even poison-making. His talents caught the eye of Catherine de' Medici, the powerful queen consort of France, who herself had grown up in the mystical atmosphere of the Florentine Medici court. By the mid-16th century, Ruggeri had followed Catherine to France and became her trusted astrologer and advisor. Some even whisper he was something more: a magician in her inner circle. ...