The legend of Beauty and the Beast dates back a long time. Its folk version is associated with the myth of Cupid and Psyche, but this story has its own interesting features. After all, both main characters, Beauty and the Beast, were real people named Catherine Rafellin and Petrus Gonsalvus.
The first was a beauty at the court of the French king, becoming the favorite of Catherine de Medici. And the second, a man whose face no one saw, was completely covered with hair.
Petrus was born in 1537 in the Canary Islands, his unusual appearance was the result of a genetic defect, which, however, did not affect his mental abilities. Presented to Henry II, Petrus was educated and successfully adapted to palace life.
When Petrus grew up, he spoke three languages, dressed as elegantly as other nobles, and was always surrounded by the king. Catherine de Medici came up with a funny solution: to marry the country’s first beauty to such an unusual man, which was the beginning of the legend of “Beauty and the Beast.”
The unusual family settled on the outskirts of Fontainebleau Park, where their children grew up, some of whom also found service at the king’s court. Later, Petrus and Catherine moved to Italy, where they also found their place at the ruler’s court.
The romance of this tale was very real. Catherine did not leave her husband, even though the Medici did not insist on saving the marriage. Their relationship lasted for 40 years.
Artists of that time took pleasure in depicting Petrus and his family. Even in the Middle Ages, an unusual life could be fulfilling and noteworthy.
