Christine de Pizan was born around 1365. Although she lived in France from a very young age, she was actually born in Venice, Italy. Her father was an Italian professor named Tommaso di Benvenuto da Pizzano (in France his name was changed to Thomas de Pizan). He was invited to become the court physician and astrologer (this was a common dual specialty in the Middle Ages) to Charles V of France. Thomas preceded his family to the royal court in Paris. His wife and daughter, Christine joined him when she was four years old. Their life at court was very happy as he was well compensated and favored by the king. Christine was even presented to the king at his ceremonial palace, The Louvre.
Her writings of life in the court provide a good view of French history in that time period. The only criticism is that she might have painted a more complimentary picture of Charles V than he deserved, due to her personal fondness of the monarch.
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