Great Calamity

Despite the inscrutability of his writings and the fact that he was only one of a number of court astrologers advising Catherine de' Medici, "Serpent Queen" of France, Nostradamus’s prophecies have found a dedicated audience in the centuries following their publication. How is it that Nostradamus and his writings have such a lasting legacy? This episode brings you the story of Catherine de’ Medici, her occult advisors, and the life and lasting influence of Nostradamus.

Researched, written, and produced by Corinne Wieben with original music by Purple Planet.

Episode sources

Chapters

• 0:00 Pre-roll
• 1:02 Intro
• 4:25 The Serpent Queen
• 10:12 Ruggeri and Bodin
• 15:24 Nostradamus
• 18:52 Conclusion
• 21:53 Outro

Transcript

Pre-roll
You’re listening to Enchanted, a podcast on the history of magic, sorcery and witchcraft. I’m Corinne Wieben. Before we get started, I have an exiciting annoucement. Enchanted’s Patreon patrons will soon have access to subscriber-exclusive monthly minisodes in addition to add-free versions of our regular episodes. The first minisode, premiering later this month, is the story of Diane de Poitiers, who you’ll meet a little later in this episode, and the addiction to drinking liquid gold that may have contributed to her death. Other upcoming minsiodes will feature the story of the Japanese shrine said to have been founded by a dragon, the Italian lake that supposedly features the entrance to Hell, and an epidemic of meowing nuns. If you want access to these stories and more, hop on over to Patreon dot com slash enchantedpodcast or visit enchantedpodcast dot net and click on the “Support Us” button to become a subscriber today. And with that, let’s get on with the show!

Intro
“In the feeble lists, great calamity through America and Lombardy. The fire in the ship, plague and captivity; Mercury in Sagittarius, Saturn warning.”

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck the world in March 2020, some people, searching for order and a sense of predictability, turned to the writings of the famed sixteenth-century seer known as Nostradamus. Best known for his book The Prophecies, published in 1555, Nostradamus was an influential member of the court of King Henry II of France and his queen, Catherine de’ Medici. Catherine, in particular, has garnered a reputation as a fan of the occult, perhaps resulting from her own tenuous position in the French royal court. Nostradamus was not the only astrologer and mystic in Catherine’s court, but her loyal patronage allowed his work to flourish.

It was with this royal patronage in mind that Nostradamus dedicated his prophecies to King Henry, writing: 

It is to a most prudent and most wise Prince that I have dedicated my nocturnal and prophetic calculations, which are composed rather out of a natural instinct, accompanied by a poetic furor, than according to the strict rules of poetry. Most of them have been integrated with astronomical calculations corresponding to the years, months and weeks of the regions, countries and most of the towns and cities of all Europe, including Africa and part of Asia, where most of all these coming events are to transpire. They are composed in a natural manner.

However, Nostradamus also warned the king (and his future readers) that the meaning of his prophecies is difficult—perhaps impossible—to interpret, writing:

Indeed, someone, who would do well to blow his nose, may reply that the rhythm is as easy as the sense is difficult. That, O Most Humane king, is because most of the prophetic quatrains are so ticklish that there is no making way through them, nor is there any interpreting of them.

Despite the inscrutability of his prophecies and the fact that he was only one of a number of court astrologers advising Queen Catherine, Nostradamus’s prophecies have found a dedicated audience in the centuries following their publication. How is it that Nostradamus and his writings have such a lasting legacy? In this episode, I bring you the story of Catherine de’ Medici, her occult advisors, and the life and lasting influence of Nostradamus.

The Serpent Queen
Born in 1519 in Florence, Italy, Catherine de’ Medici entered the world as a member of the illustrious Medici family, destined for a life of privilege as the daughter of the Duke of Urbino. However, fate had other plans. Less than a month after her birth, she was orphaned—her mother succumbed to fever shortly after childbirth, and her father followed a week later. Despite her noble lineage, Catherine’s early life was marked by instability. The King of France, Francis I, insisted that she be brought to the French court. However, her uncle, Pope Leo X, kept her in Florence, first under the care of her grandmother and then her aunt. The death of Pope Leo in 1521 led to a brief interruption of Medici rule in the city, only to be restored when another Medici, Pope Clement VII, ascended to the papacy two years later. However, in 1527, anti-Medici forces overthrew the pope’s representative in Florence, and Catherine was sent to various convents for safekeeping.

The city’s turmoil reached a peak when, in 1529, the forces of the Holy Roman Emperor laid siege to Florence. The city’s citizens, suffering under the blockade, turned their anger towards the ten-year-old Catherine, with some even suggesting that she be executed, stripped, and chained to the walls and some simply saying she should be thrown to the hostile soldiers outside. The siege eventually ended in 1530 when the city surrendered, and Catherine was brought to Rome by Pope Clement, who immediately sought a marriage alliance for her. At the age of fourteen, Catherine married Henry, Duke of Orléans, later to become King Henry II of France, in 1533. This union aimed to strengthen ties between France and the Papal States, countering the power of the Holy Roman Emperor.

Despite her marriage into French royalty, Catherine’s position at court was fraught with challenges. Though she hailed from a prestigious family, she lacked the royal lineage and substantial dowry that often secured influence in the royal court. Moreover, the formidable presence of Diane de Poitiers, Henry’s official mistress, further complicated Catherine’s situation. At 35, Diane, two decades Catherine’s senior, captivated Henry with her beauty, intelligence, and charm, wielding significant influence over him and the court. Henry lavished Diane with titles, lands, and gifts, solidifying her power. The rivalry between Catherine and Diane was both personal and political. Catherine endured the indignity of her husband’s open favoritism but maintained a composed exterior, focusing on her duties and securing her position by bearing ten children. Her primary concern was the future of her sons, necessitating a careful navigation of the power dynamics in the court.

Haunted by her tumultuous past and determined to maintain her power, Catherine reportedly delved into the occult. Her interest in magic, alchemy, and astrology became a notable aspect of her life. The Renaissance era, particularly in Italy, saw a resurgence in mysticism and esoteric sciences. Catherine surrounded herself with astrologers, alchemists, and mystics, seeking their guidance. Among these advisors were the Italian astrologer and alchemist Cosimo Ruggeri, the French Jean Bodin, and the renowned seer Nostradamus.

Catherine’s reliance on these advisors intensified after the tragic death of her husband in 1559. During a joust celebrating the marriage of their eldest daughter to the King of Spain, Henry II was mortally wounded when a lance splintered and a shard pierced his eye. The injury led to sepsis, and the king died shortly after. His death left their sickly fifteen-year-old son, Francis II, to ascend the throne, with Mary, Queen of Scots, as his queen. Catherine, having already banished Diane de Poitiers from court, was wary of Mary’s influence over the young king. But before a struggle for power could ensue, Francis II died in 1560, and his ten-year-old brother, Charles IX, became king. Catherine sent Mary back to Scotland and assumed the role of regent for her young son.

Catherine’s engagement with the occult went beyond personal curiosity; it was a calculated strategy to enhance her authority. By cultivating an image of mystical knowledge and divine insight, she projected an aura of power that helped her navigate the volatile political landscape, particularly during the Wars of Religion, a series of conflicts between Catholics and Protestants that plagued France. Through these tumultuous times, Catherine used every tool at her disposal, including the esoteric, to maintain her grip on power and protect her family’s legacy.

Ruggeri and Bodin
Cosimo Ruggeri, an early confidant and advisor to Catherine de’ Medici, was a figure cloaked in enigma and suspicion. His involvement in the French court highlights the period’s interest in astrology, alchemy, and various arcane practices. Originating from Italy, Ruggeri arrived in France during a time when Catherine, also of Italian descent, sought to consolidate her authority in a court where she was frequently viewed as an unwelcome foreigner. Ruggeri’s specific duties remain a subject of debate, but he is generally recognized as an astrologer and advisor, offering Catherine insights drawn from the stars and other mystical sources. The sixteenth century held astrology in high esteem, often considering it a science. Monarchs and statesmen regularly consulted astrologers for counsel on statecraft, military endeavors, and personal matters. Ruggeri provided horoscopes and astrological interpretations, influencing decisions and shaping policy within the French court.

But Ruggeri’s practices extended beyond astrology, delving into alchemy and necromancy—areas that fascinated and frightened many courtiers. Catherine’s rumored expertise in poisons and her association with Ruggeri fed into the wider European stereotype of Italians as skilled poisoners. This perception intertwined with her reputed use of dark arts. Rather than dismiss this idea, Catherine leaned into this reputation, perhaps heeding the advice of another Italian, Niccolò Machiavelli, who wrote that it “is much safer to be feared than loved,” when it comes to ruling. Ruggeri’s advisory role likely extended to providing insights into the court’s internal dynamics and assisting in the manipulation of factions. His reputed supernatural abilities may have been a tool to intimidate or influence rivals, reinforcing Catherine’s dominion over the court.

Ruggeri was not the only advisor at Catherine’s court with connections to the occult. Jean Bodin, born in 1530 in France, emerged as a pivotal Renaissance thinker, significantly shaping modern political theory and the concept of sovereignty. Educated in law at the University of Toulouse, Bodin was deeply influenced by Renaissance humanism, which encouraged a return to classical Greek and Roman texts and a critical examination of contemporary ideas. In Catherine’s service, Bodin undertook various roles, including legal advisor and diplomat. During the Wars of Religion, which pitted Catholics against Huguenots and splintered France, Bodin’s theories on sovereignty and governance provided a framework for understanding political authority and statecraft. While his political writings earned him renown, Bodin was also deeply engaged in the study of the occult and demonology, reflecting the era’s fascination with the supernatural and the convergence of scientific and mystical thought.

Bodin’s most significant contribution to demonological literature was his 1580 work, On the Demon-Mania of Witches. This treatise delved into the nature of witchcraft, the powers attributed to witches, and the proper legal and moral responses to the perceived threat they posed. Divided into four books, the work drew from classical, biblical, and contemporary sources, arguing for the existence of witches and the necessity of stringent measures against them. Bodin asserted that witches, through pacts with the devil, renounced their ties to God and humanity, becoming agents of chaos and malevolence. His advocacy for harsh judicial measures, including the use of torture and the death penalty, underscored his belief in the seriousness of the threat.

Despite his reputation as a rationalist, Bodin’s demonological writings highlight the complex intellectual climate of the Renaissance. His work straddled the emergent rationalism of the Enlightenment and the lingering belief in the supernatural. Bodin’s fears of witchcraft reflected broader cultural and religious anxieties during a time of upheaval, characterized by religious conflict, the Reformation and Counter-Reformation, and the evolution of early modern statecraft. His emphasis on combating witchcraft was part of a larger endeavor to uphold social and religious order amidst growing uncertainty and unrest.

Nostradamus
In the later years of Catherine de’ Medici’s court, the fascination with the mystical arts was palpable, with the queen mother herself showing a keen interest in astrology and the occult. Yet, among the many advisors and seers she consulted, one figure stands out above the rest: Michel de Nostredame, known to the world as Nostradamus. Born in 1503, Nostradamus displayed an early gift for learning. His academic journey began at the University of Avignon and continued at the University of Montpellier, where he pursued a degree in medicine. His studies were interrupted by an outbreak of the plague, a scourge that he would later confront with innovative treatments, earning him a reputation as a skilled physician.

Despite his medical achievements, Nostradamus is best remembered for his forays into astrology and prophecy. Alongside his medical practice, he penned almanacs that wove together practical health advice and astrological predictions. His most famous work, The Prophecies, published in 1555, consists of a series of cryptic quatrains that purport to foretell future events. The enigmatic nature of these verses allowed for a wide range of interpretations, ensuring their appeal across generations. The success of this work brought Nostradamus to the attention of Catherine de’ Medici. For Catherine, a ruler navigating a kingdom rife with religious and political strife, Nostradamus’s astrological readings and prophecies offered a semblance of control over the uncertain future. Particularly concerned with the fate of her children, Catherine valued Nostradamus’s horoscopes, which seemed to offer guidance in a time of pervasive violence.

One of the most notable instances involved Nostradamus’s forewarning of potential dangers to Catherine’s sons, including predictions of violent deaths. This prophecy struck a chord with Catherine, given the fragile health of her children and the volatile political environment. While the extent of Nostradamus’s actual influence on state affairs remains a matter of speculation, his presence at court reflects the era’s deep-seated fascination with the occult and its perceived power.

Nostradamus’s legacy endures, not only in the realm of popular culture but also as a subject of historical study. His association with Catherine de’ Medici underscores the Renaissance court’s blend of science, mysticism, and politics. This period, characterized by a revival of interest in the esoteric and the mystical, saw rulers like Catherine employ astrologers and seers as instruments of political strategy. The use of astrology and prophecy was not merely a matter of personal belief but a means to assert control, influence public perception, and navigate the complexities of early modern politics.

Conclusion
The enduring allure of Nostradamus’s prophecies and Catherine’s reputed use of the occult highlight the persistent human desire to seek knowledge and certainty in the face of an unpredictable world. While modern interpretations view these occult advisors with skepticism, the story of Nostradamus and his role in the French court offers a window into the ways in which rulers sought to harness the supernatural to bolster their authority and navigate a volitile poltical landscape.

The quatrains of Nostradamus have sparked countless interpretations and adaptations, spanning literature from historical analysis to speculative fiction. His prophecies are frequently referenced in various films, television shows, and music. Documentaries and movies often explore his life and predictions, portraying him as a figure cloaked in mystery and intrigue. This portrayal has contributed to a contemporary mythos surrounding Nostradamus, seamlessly blending historical facts with fictional elements to captivate audiences. His mysterious verses, often seen as glimpses into the future, have been linked to any number of significant historical events, such as the rise of Napoleon, both World Wars, and even the September 11, 2001 attacks. Skeptics claim that his descriptions of calamities, disease, and societal upheaval are often retroactively fitted to match current events—interpreting his quatrains in a way that aligns with known events after they have occurred. This practice is thought to be driven by the human tendency toward apophenia—the perception of patterns in random or unrelated information. However, there is no denying that this connection of his predictions to major events, whether through coincidence or interpretation, has kept Nostradamus’s writings in the public consciousness for over four hundred years.

We can credit the human desire for foresight and understanding, especially in times of crisis, with the ongoing interest in Nostradamus. Prophecies and predictions offer a way to make sense of a chaotic world, and the mystique surrounding Nostradamus’s work is compelling to those who want explanations beyond empirical science and reason. In uncertain times, what wouldn’t we give for a glimpse of the future?

Outro
If you enjoyed this episode, you can subscribe to Enchanted wherever you listen. This episode was produced by me with original music by Purple Planet. You can find them at purple dash planet dot com. If you want to learn more about Nostradamus and Catherine de’ Medici’s reign, be sure to check out the sources link in the show notes. Special thanks to Enchanted’s Patreon patrons for supporting the production of this and every episode. If you want to support Enchanted, please visit patreon dot com slash enchantedpodcast. If you’re looking for a way to support the show that won’t cost you anything, you can always give Enchanted: The History of Magic & Witchcraft a five-star rating on Apple Podcasts, Podchaser, Audible, or wherever you listen and recommend it to your friends. You can get in touch with me via email at enchantedpodcast at gmail dot com or follow on Facebook, Instagram, and Tumblr at enchantedpodcast. As always, for more information and special features, visit enchantedpodcast dot net. I’m Corinne Wieben. Thank you for listening and stay enchanted.