As dauphine, Catherine was expected to provide a future heir to the throne.Knecht, Catherine de' Medici, 29. According to the court chronicler Brantôme, "many people advised the king and the Dauphin to repudiate her, since it was necessary to continue the line of France".Knecht, 29. Divorce was discussed. In desperation, Catherine tried every known trick for getting pregnant, such as placing cow dung and ground stags' antlers on her "source of life", and drinking mule's urine. On January 19, 1544, she at last gave birth to a son, named after King Francis.
As dauphine Catherine was expected to provide a future heir to the throne.Knecht, Catherine de' Medici, 29. According to the court chronicler Brantôme, "many people advised the king and the Dauphin to repudiate her, since it was necessary to continue the line of France".Knecht, 29. Divorce was discussed. In desperation, Catherine tried every known trick for getting pregnant, such as placing ,cow dung and ground stags' antlers on her "source of life", and drinking mule's urine. On January 19, 1544, she at last gave birth to a son, named after King Francis.