Marguerite De Valois (1553-1615), daughter of Henri II and Catherine de Medicis, married Henri de Navarre (later Henri IV) in 1572. In 1583 they were separated, and the marriage was annulled in 1599. She then moved to Paris, and became an influential patroness of letters, as well as an author of poetry and memoirs in her own right. She was known affectionately as ‘la reine Margot’, and was the subject of several scurrilous pamphlets.
— Ian Maclean
