Marguerite de Valois

by Alexandre Dumas

"Marguerite de Valois" by Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet is a historical novel written in 1845. Set during the French Wars of Religion in 1572 Paris, it follows Marguerite de Valois, daughter of Henry II, whose marriage to Protestant Prince Henri de Bourbon is meant to bring peace. But her mother, Catherine de Medici, schemes to orchestrate the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre. As court intrigues multiply and poisonings follow, Margot begins a dangerous affair with the soldier La Môle while Catherine plots to secure power for her own son.