Christner Foundation

Diane De Poitiers' Book of Days Christner Foundation

The seeds of BOOK OF DAYS were planted during the author's student days at Northwestern by a visiting French professor of intellectual European history. Adroitly he indelibly impressed the capacities of individuals who could and did change the predesignated course of History. Ms. Todd's interest in Diane de Poitiers was at first solely feminine curiosity. How could she, Diane, have so bewitched her lover nearly twenty years younger for so many years? Henri II (58th King of France) was forty years old when felled on the tournament field wearing his mistress's colors! Writing historical fiction, particularly when so heavily biographical as is the BOOK OF DAYS, the author perforce develops a unique relationship with the subject, oneness, or perhaps, better said, it becomes like a good marriage. Respect and understanding are reached. Even though agreement of opinion is not always found, it is fairly expressed in the light of the times in which it occurred. Ms. Todd's pursuit of the 16th century through the aid of the British Museum Library, the Encyclopedia Britannica Research Center, French libraries was painstakingly methodical. Walking side-by-side with a myriad of brilliant and cunning personalities encountered during the twelve year reign of Henri II (1547-1559) divulges sweeping revelations - but, most importantly the author has stumbled upon a well-kept historical secret! History has maligned Diane de Poitiers. Characterized to the world as beauteous, yes, but cold, greedy, manipulative, Diane de Poitiers was but a creature of her age. She was born to rule! With her Bourbon blood she had been educated from infancy onward in the French Court. At fifteen she married one of the most powerful and richest men in France; she became La Grande S¿n¿schal of Normandy. The question asked - and answered - why did she, Diane de Poitiers not become Queen of France.