Erotic art was in high demand, and the wealthy sought paintings, drawings, and engravings with erotic content. Erotic literature also flourished during this period, and many authors of erotica were of noble birth.
Marguerite de Navarre, sister of King Francois I of France, wrote "Heptameron." Brantome, who grew up at her court, delighted his readers with "Lives of Gay Women," published in 1614. The book was a series of tales gathered at the courts of Charles IX, Henry III and Mary Stuart.