The Original High Heels

I've been researching the history of high-heeled shoes for a story I'm writing, and my goodness what a fascinating topic!  The following is taken from the Random History blog, which I recommend you visit for much, much more on the evolution of the high heel and how it gained such a sexy rep...

The formal invention of high heels as fashion is typically attributed to the rather short-statured Catherine de Medici (1519-1589). At the age of 14, Catherine de Medici was engaged to the powerful Duke of Orleans, later the King of France. She was small (not quite five feet) relative to the Duke and hardly considered a beauty. She felt insecure in the arranged marriage knowing she would be the Queen of the French Court and in competition with the Duke’s favorite (and significantly taller) mistress, Diane de Poitiers. Looking for a way to dazzle the French nation and compensate for her perceived lack of aesthetic appeal, she donned heels two inches high that gave her a more towering physique and an alluring sway when she walked. Her heels were a wild success and soon high heels were associated with privilege.

Thank you Catherine de Medici!  Many kinksters, myself included, are grateful for your inventiveness.