"A Woman Named Catherine" begins with the birth of Catherine de Medici in Florence, Italy. The story follows the story of the woman who grew facing immense challenges and threats to her life and achieved nothing less than to rise as Queen of France. Facing an unwelcoming court, this Queen not only controled the fate of France for thirty years, but secured the throne of the fleur de lis for her three sons. As France entered its most dificult period during the wars of Religion, which would not end well until after Catherine's death, Catherine was faced with the challenge of a dead husband and the survival of the ten children she bore for France. Remembered best for her role in the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre, Catherine was responsible for carrying France from the era when the nobles ruled over the King, to a new era of total monarchical rule.