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Margaret of Valois

Saint-Germain-en-Laye, 24 May 1553 – Paris, 27 Mar 1615

11 facts3 sources

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About Margaret

Margaret of Valois: Queen Margot of Navarre and France

AI-assisted · edited

The collection records Margaret of Valois as born in 1553 in Saint-Germain-en-Laye and deceased in 1615 in Paris. She was the daughter of Henry II of France and Catherine de’ Medici, placing her within the French royal family. 1234

Margaret served as Queen of Navarre from 1572 to 1599 and as Queen of France from 1589 to 1599. In France, she was the consort of Henry IV, who was also Henry III of Navarre; her union with him is separately recorded in the collection. 56

The collection presents her as a French princess of the Valois dynasty, popularly known as Queen Margot, who became queen consort of Navarre and then of France. 578

Drafted with AI and edited against the collection. Open a citation to see the record, its sources and how certain it is.

Facts and their sources

  • Born24 May 1553, Saint-Germain-en-Layenot verified1 source
  • MarriedHenry IV of Francenot verified1 source
  • TitleQueen Consort of Franceor royal consortnot verified1 source
  • Titleroyal consortor Queen Consort of Francenot verified1 source
  • Died27 Mar 1615, Parisnot verified1 source
  • FatherHenry II of Francenot verified1 source
  • MotherCatherine de' Medicinot verified1 source

A life in time

  1. 24 May 1553

    Born in Saint-Germain-en-Laye

  2. 27 Mar 1615

    Dies in Paris, aged 61

Family

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Parents

Partner

During her lifetime

She lived through 7 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Saint-Germain-en-Laye.

General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.

The 1550s · Margaret is born in Saint-Germain-en-Laye

In the news1545–1552

Plague epidemics devastate the region

Between 1545 and 1552, plague outbreaks caused extreme hardship, leading to deserted towns and citizens walling up infected homes.

At the table

Wine was preferred over water

Because water was considered unhealthy, most people drank fermented beverages like wine, which was often diluted with water. Women were expected to drink less alcohol than men, and their consumption of wine was sometimes cut heavily with water to prevent intoxication.

What people wore

Servant girl's market clothing

A servant girl in Paris in 1586 wore a bonnet covered with a long cloth hood and a bodice that was laced at the front and trimmed with black velvet.

Getting around

Royal travel took weeks to complete

A royal court journey from Paris to Chambord could take three weeks because the procession included thousands of people, animals, and entire households.

What it cost

Agricultural worker daily wage

By 1550, an agricultural worker earned 1 livre per day.

Music

Instruments classified by volume

In the 16th century, instruments were classified by volume: loud instruments like oboes, trumpets, and sackbuts were for outdoor festivals, while quiet instruments like lutes, viols, and spinets were for intimate indoor use.

Daily life

Tall and narrow city housing

Ordinary Paris houses were tall, narrow structures of four or five stories, built with stone foundations, exposed wooden frames, and white plaster facades to prevent fires.