August 24th, 1572 – Madness seized Catholic Paris. The cobbles were stained with Hugenot blood. The carnival of butchery begun by the bell of Saint-Germain l’Auxerrois raged unchecked.

          To her other crimes Catherine de Medici now added the infamy of St Bartholomew’s Eve. Worshipping no god save power she lived only to rule through her tainted offspring.

          None of her children – mad Charles, perverted Anjou, deformed Alencon, or the wanton Margot – trusted the Queen Mother. None loved her. And all France feared her.