The%20Religious%20Wars

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The Religious Wars

• The French Civil/Religious Wars

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The French Religious Wars

• France was largest country in Europe
• Calvinism spread quickly to the people of France
  (Calvin himself was French)

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The Kings of France opposed Calvinism

• This includes Francois I
• And Henry II (Diane de Poitiers)

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Calvinism was troubling because of its
independence.WHY?
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In France, persecution of the Huguenots
(protestant religions) begins

• Many are burned at Stake

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Henry II dies in a joustCatherine Medici, his
widow, is left with three young sons.

• These three kingsFrancis1560, Charles IX 1574,
  and Henry III, 1589 never have a firm hand on the
  monarchy

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There were two sides

• The Huguenots, led by the King Henry of Navarre
• Vs.
• The Catholic Guise family

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The Huguenots fought for religious liberty
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The Guises fought to eliminate Calvinism, but
they also fought for control of France.
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Matters came to a head when Henry, King of
Navarre came to Paris to marry Margot, daughter
of Catherine de Medici, and sister to the King
(1572)
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Catherine de Medici orders that the Huguenot
leaders are to be killed (at her own daughters
wedding) Henry of Navarre barely escapes
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This occurred on St. Bartholomews Day. Mob
violence broke out as both sides killed each other

• Thousands of Huguenots were murdered across
  France. Hell broke lose as mercenaries were
  hired to participate in the killing

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This religious fighting in France was chaotic,
with armed bands roaming the countryside and many
mini-truces among different areas.
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The final son, Henry III, of Catherine de Medici
was assassinated in 1589.

• Now the throne went to the next legal heir, Henry
  of NavarreHe would now be Henry IV.
• Henry had the choice to convert to Catholicism
  before the Guise family would accept himhe
  converted in order to gain the throne.

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He entered Paris, supposedly saying Paris is
worth a Mass

• The Catholics were delighted
• The Huguenots were horrified
• But Henry took the steps necessary to provide
  state order and end the French religious wars.

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Henry did not forget the Huguenots. He issued
the Edict of Nantes in 1598

• This Edict guaranteed civil rights for Huguenots.
  Paris was off limit to Protestants

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After these wars, Religion would cease to have a
major role in European Warfare

• But the memory of the Religious Wars would go a
  long ways toward bringing about a religious
  freedom and the separation of church and state