ACEO, 2.5 x 3.5 inches, watercolor and gouache, October 2007 Marguerite was one of the daughters of Henry II and Catherine de Medici. Various marriage arrangements were considered for her, though she loved Henri of Guise. Her mother could not allow this so it was arranged for Margot (as she was known) to marry Henry of Bourbon (later Henry of Navarre). The union was an attempt to bring peace between the religions - Margot was Catholic, Henry a protestant Huguenot. The ceremony took place in 1572. When asked if she took Henry as her husband, Margot refused to answer - her brother King Charles forced her head down to nod assent. Then six days later the St. Batholomew's Massacre took place, when thousands of Huguenots were murdered by Catholics, many of whom were in Paris for the wedding celebrations. Henry was kept a prisoner until he escaped in 1576 and returned to Navarre. It was another three years before Margot joined him there. They led almost separate lives and both had lovers.In 1582 she returned to France but her scandalous reputation meant she was unwelcome there and also at the court of her husband. Eventually in 1586 she was imprisoned by her brother at Auvergne. In 1589 Henry of Navarre became Henry IV of France and Margot Queen. However Henry was keen to have the marriage annulled and to remarry to gain an heir. The annulment was finally granted in 1599, allowing Margot to keep the title of Queen. She continued to have lovers and also wrote her memoirs which were published long after her death but still caused a sensation. After Henry remarried in 1600 she returned to Paris and lived at court until her death in 1615.