Randi describes the era within which Nostradamus lived as an age of civil and religious wars, as well as of heavy censorship. Nostradamus was protected, however, by Catherine de' Medici, Queen of France, and by his support for the aristocracy.
Randi characterizes the time period as one of turmoil, oppression, and repression, yet Nostradamus managed to secure refuge due to his ties with influential figures like Catherine de' Medici and his support for the ruling class.