Saint Simon de Valois de Vexin

Margaret of Valois, born on May 14, 1553, and died on March 27, 1615, was Queen of Navarre from 1572 to 1599 and Queen of France as the consort of Henry IV from 1589 to 1599. She was a daughter of King Henry II of France and Catherine de' Medici, and sister to Francis II, Charles IX, and Henry III. Despite her role in attempts at reconciliation between Catholics and Huguenots, Margaret's marriage to Henry of Navarre faced significant challenges due to political strife and personal infelicity. She was exiled for 20 years under the Catholic League before returning to court in 1605, where she continued to influence cultural life through her writings and patronage. Her legacy includes the famous nickname 'La Reine Margot,' which has been subject to both historical revisionism and fictional embellishments.