The Medici Convent in Florence, Italy

In 1526, when Catherine is just seven years old, Clement joins a sort of league with France, England, Florence, and Venice against the eventual Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. But things do not go well for the League of Cognac; soon enough, Imperial troops are sacking Rome. The Pope has to flee, hide, and melt down his papal tiara's to pay his own ransom. And as of course we learned in a previous podcast, while Rome is being sacked, the Florentines take the opportunity to try to restore the Republic. With the help of the Imperial army, they overthrow the Medici.