Courts Portrayed

Courts of France

Court of François I: François was born as a cousin to King Louis XII, but due to France's strict Sallic Law as the closest male heir he became Heir Presumptive. François was a man of letters and a great patron of the arts and culture. He invited many great artists to his court, including Leonardo da Vinci. While he was not successful in his miltary pursuits, he left France with a huge legacy of art, learning and architecture.

Court of Henri III: Henri III was born Alexandré-Edouard de Valois, and carried many titles including King of Poland before finally claiming his birthright as King of France upon his brother Charles' death. A ineffective and rather complex leader, days came when he wanted to rule his country and did so with an iron fist, another day might come when he decided to fall into a religious fervour, and yet another day might come when he might want to dress as a woman! Henri was the first of his brothers to break his mother's stranglehold on the French government, using her only when he felt it necessary or convenient.

Courts of England

Henry VIII: Henry Tudor was crowned King at age 18 in 1509. In his earlier years he was an effective and compassionate leader, but he is best known for his series of wives and his strong desire to produce a viable male heir. Henry was also responsible for the dissolution of the monasteries in England and the establishment of the Church of England with himself as the head. Toward his later years Henry feared his court, and became something of a tyrant.

Elizabeth I: Elizabeth Tudor was the second surviving child of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, and the last heir and survivor of the Tudor dynasty. Elizabeth inherited a bankrupt nation full of political and religious strife, and turned it around into one of the world's most powerful countries. Considering herself the mother of her people, she led them into what is still known as England's Golden Age. Elizabeth vowed early in her life to never marry, but rather "married England" in spirit. She stayed true to her vow and died a virgin.