In June 2012, the Associated Press reported that on the territory of the Fontainebleau castle, restorers found a hairpin belonging to the Queen of France, Catherine de Medici (reign of 1547 - 1559). This is a very important historical find, because the Queen’s personal items are few.
In the favorite residence of many French kings - the castle of Fontainebleau, located 60 km from Paris, restoration work was carried out. In search of more ancient buildings, archaeologists have dug up a courtyard adjacent to the inside of the Henry IV section.
Surprise awaited researchers in the ruins of a formerly public restroom. In the cesspool, glass, the remains of ceramic dishes, and jewelry were found: a cross, a gold medallion with the image of St. Mary and a hairpin.
According to the preserved monogram in the form of two cross letters "C", which designate the name Catherine (Catherine), and fragments of white and green enamel on the monogram, experts quickly identified the owner of the hairpin. As you know, white and green are considered the colors of Catherine de Medici.
The daughter of Lorenzo Medici (Duke of Urbino) and the wife of Henry II are known for their love of luxurious jewelry. But despite this, very few items belonged to the French queen. After the death of Catherine de Medici in 1589, most of the collection was lost.
Of the jewelry depicted in her portraits, only two things have survived to our time. This is a miniature portrait medallion and a gold pendant with emeralds, but there is no personal monogram of Catherine de Medici on them. Therefore, the find of French archaeologists is of great historical importance.
As it turned out a golden nine-centimeter hairpin in a latrine - remains a mystery. The French queen could not be in a public toilet.
Fontainebleau castle keeper Vincent Droghe suggests that most likely the queen's hairpin was stolen and then lost or thrown into a cesspool for some reason. It is also possible that Catherine de Medici presented her personal accessory to one of the servants for a good job.
