All About Royal Families

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. T...

After the death of her husband Charles the Bold in 1477, Margaret of York settled her court in Mechelen. Mechelen was the richest city of her widowhood. Later the palace was called the Imperial Court because princes and princesses stayed here, as well as the later Emperor Charles V. 👀  Margaret of York Edward IV, King of England, married his sister Margaret to Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy. That's a good thing, because he just became a widower.   👉 She also was the sister of King Richard III of England. Eduard also sees value in it, because he has a rich ally against France. Charles has a daughter from his previous marriage: Mary of Burgundy. She was just eleven years old when Margareta became her stepmother. The two get along well. Margaret of York Source picture: Wikipedia 💥 More history 💥 In 1477, the city of Mechelen bought a patrician house along the Keizerstraat from John of Burgundy, Bishop of Kamerijk and pr...

Cosimo de' Medici was born on June 12th. 1519 in Florence (Italy). Cosimo de'Medici - Source picture: Wikipedia His parents were Giovanni dalle Bande Nere and Maria Salviati. Cosimo was a member of the House of Medici although from a different  brand of the family. In June 1537 Cosimo was recognized as head of the Florence State by  Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. In 1539 he married Eleonora di Toledo, daughter of Don Pedro Alvarez  de Toledo  (Spanish Viceroy of Naples). They had 7 children together. In 1570, after the death of Eleonora, Cosimo married Camilla Martelli.  They had 1 child together. Cosimo I de' Medici died on April 21st. 1574. He was succeeded by  his son Francesco I de' Medici. He was buried in the Medici Chapel @ the Basilica of San Lorenzo in Florence. Legacy Like every de' Medici, Cosimo I was a patron of Art.  He also promoted the Navy of Florence. In Florence there is a big s...