Duchessina: A Novel of Catherine de' Medici {Young Royals Lit-Based Unit Study}

Catherine de' Medici was orphaned at a young age, raised in a convent, and became a French rule of Italian blood, yet she overcame her obstacles and was one of the longest-reigning queens of the era...

Catherine de' Medici was born to the Medici family of Florence, but both of her parents died shortly after her birth, leaving her as the sole heiress to all of the holdings of the Medici family. When she was only eight years old, the Medici palace in Florence was attacked by an angry mob of Florentines.   Her relatives fled, but left her behind as a hostage.  After the palace was ransacked, she was sent to a convent.

Once the rebellion was ended by Pope Clement VII, a Medici family member, Catherine went to Rome to live with him.  She was betrothed to Henry of Orleans at this time.  He was a second son, and was not intended for the throne, but the dauphin died, leaving him as heir and Catherine destined to be the queen.  The French did not want an Italian queen.

Catherine's husband died in a tournament accident and her eldest son Francis II came to the throne.  In the years that followed, three of her sons served as French kings - Francis, Charles, and Henry.  She served as queen consort alongside them.

Historic References

• Lorenzo de' Medici, also known as Lorenzo the Magnificent, or Il Magnifico, was a magnate, diplomat, politician, the most brilliant of the Medicis, and patron of scholars, artists, and poets. As a patron, he is best known for sponsoring artists such as Botticelli and Michelangelo.
• Michelangelo Buonarroti was an Italian sculptor, painter, architect, and poet of the High Renaissance.  He is best known for his frescoes on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, which include the iconic depiction of the creation of Adam interpreted from Genesis, and for his sculpture of David.
• The Feast of Corpus Christi is a Roman Catholic holiday that celebrates the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ.  The day also commemorates Christ's washing of the disciples' feet, the institution of the priesthood, and the agony in the Garden of Gethsemane.  Two months before the feast, the institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper is observed on Maundy Thursday before Good Friday. 
• Niccolò Machiavelli was an Italian diplomat, author, philosopher and historian, known primarily for his political ideas.  His two most famous philosophical books, The Prince and the Discourses on Livy, were published after his death.  Machiavelli believed that a ruler must be concerned not only with reputation, but also must be positively willing to act unscrupulously at the right times. 
• The House of Medici was an Italian banking family and political dynasty that came to power during the first half of the 15th century.  This bank was the largest in Europe during the 15th century and facilitated the Medicis' rise to political power in Florence, although they officially remained citizens rather than monarchs until the 16th century.  From the Medici family, there were four Catholic popes, two French queens, and the title of Duke of Florence.  Due to their power and interests, the family created an environment in which art flourished, helping to inspire the Italian Renaissance.
• Some historians assert that, "Although presented as generous benefactors of the arts and models of Renaissance virtue and ideals, the Medici family were, in actuality, proponents of corruption and absolute authority over Florence through their manipulation of Renaissance culture by using art as political propaganda, establishing literal and symbolic religious overtones to their rule, and their undoing of humanist and republican ideals."  (The Malevolently Benign Medici)

Our spine novel for this unit study is Duchessina: A Novel of Catherine de' Medici

Get the entire unit in the Young Royals bundle!

Includes seven unit studies covering the entire series. Each unit addresses a historic era from the eyes of a young royal, and these are told in living history format.  Each unit has introductory text, which will give the student basic background information about the topic at hand.

• There are photographs and illustrations, and we have also included primary documents when available.
• After this text, there are featured videos, which augment the background information and help make the topic more accessible for more visual students.
• You will also find a short list of reading books, including a featured novel that the unit builds upon.
• There are vocabulary words, places, and people to identify.
• Reading comprehension, critical thinking questions, and writing assignments are included.
• We add fun with hands-on activities and extra videos to watch that will bring the era to life.

These studies are directed toward upper grades students, but some have resources for younger students so that the whole family can work together. Our family has used unit studies as curriculum for many years, and we hope that your family will enjoy these, too!

Product samples:   Mary, Bloody Mary

Includes:

• Mary, Bloody Mary
• Beware, Princess Elizabeth
• Doomed Queen Anne
• Patience, Princess Catherine
• Duchessina: Catherine De'Medici
• Wild Queen: Mary, Queen of Scots
• Bad Queen: Marie Antoinette