From an orphaned childhood spent in prison, to marriage at the age of 14 to Henry Duke of Orleans, who went on to become King Henry II of France. Sounds like a good rags to riches life.

But despite giving him ten children, Catherine discovered that husband Henry preferred dallying with his mistress, Diane de Poitiers, and on top of that most of the ten children later turned out to be corrupt or sickly, although three went on to rule France, including one who went on to marry Mary Queen of Scots. Leonie Frieda has managed to unravel a complex part of 16th century history and turn it into a fascinating study of a truly remarkable woman.

Updated: 09:02 Saturday, June 04, 2005