She was nicknamed "Black Widow" and "Madame Snake". She was denounced as a “poisoner” and a “warlock.” She is considered the inspirer of the monstrous massacre on St. Bartholomew's Night. But it’s worth looking at the fate of Catherine de’ Medici more or less objectively and impartially – and most of these accusations crumble to dust. "Ruthless poisoner"? But not a single murder of which she is suspected has been proven. Incitement to the St. Bartholomew Massacre? But Catholics, not unreasonably, considered their actions to be forced self-defense. "Black Widow"? But it was thanks to Catherine that the French court acquired its inherent splendor, and French cuisine acquired its sophistication. It was in her service that there was a “Squadron of Girls”, it was she who invented pantaloons and high heels, and introduced the fashion for corsets, ice cream and snuff. This amazing woman was friends with Nostradamus and... was the mistress of her own husband! Having been widowed, she was famous for her strict behavior, but she raised Henry III, who loved dressing up in women’s clothes and had a whole staff of “minions”, and Margarita, the same “Queen Margot”, scandalously known from her early youth for her alcove adventures...