the religious wars the french civil/religious wars
TRANSCRIPT
The Religious Wars
The French Civil/Religious
Wars
Our objectives:
• How did Calvinist beliefs threaten the French monarchy?
• You will learn that religion was not the only reason for the wars…
• Know the events leading up to the St. Bartholomew day massacre.
• Who is a Politique and what were his/her beliefs?
• What did the Edict of Nantes do for France?
Between 1560 (The League of Augsburg) and 1648 Two Major
Wars caused devastation for Europe
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
It must also be considered, that though religion has been cited as the main catalyst for
these wars,ECONOMICS and POLITICAL ALLIANCES were perhaps
equally important
• Therefore, when you hear a person say “I’m not religious because religion has caused so much destruction in history.”
• Say to them, politely, “Don’t blame religion, buddy, it was economics and political alliances that caused many problems.”
The French Religious Wars…
•France was largest country in Europe
•Calvinism spread quickly into France (Calvin himself was French)
In France, a large proportion of the nobility became Protestant
• Like Germany, these nobles wanted the right to choose the religion of their area
• Many towns converted to Protestantism
The Kings of France opposed Calvinism
• This includes Francois I
• And Henry II (Diane de Poitiers)
Lutherans in Germany and Anglicans in England also
opposed the spread of Calvinism—they believed there wasn’t enough room
for another religion. Besides, Calvinism was troubling because of its
independence
Remember, Calvinism did not respect state authority over
religious independence. One’s allegiance was to God
In France, persecution of the Huguenots begins
• Many are burned at Stake
Henry II dies in a joust—Catherine Medici, his widow, is left with three
young sons.
These three kings—Francis—1560, Charles IX 1574, and Henry III, 1589
never have a firm hand on the monarchy
There were two sides:
The Huguenots, led by the King of Navarre and Admiral
ColignyVs.
The Catholic Guise family
During this time, France slid into civil war
The Huguenots fought for religious liberty
The Guises fought to eliminate Calvinism, but they also fought for control of France. Henry III ordered
the assassination of the Duke of Guise
Catherine de Medici, the queen mother, played both sides against
each other.
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)
Thousands of Huguenots flooded Paris to see the marriage of their King
Catherine de Medici orders that the Huguenot leaders are to be killed. Henry of Navarre escapes—but Coligny is murdered.
This occurred on St.
Bartholomew’s Day. Mob
violence broke out as both sides killed each
otherThousands of Huguenots were
murdered across France. Hell broke lose as mercenaries were hired to
participate in the killing
In Rome, the pope was delighted with the murder of the Huguenots.
He ordered a celebration mass. Medals were struck to remember
this Catholic victory.
The Protestants appealed
to Elizabeth of England to invade France.
Elizabeth looked at the events in France with horror. She became
even more determined to prevent this happening in her country.
The French royal family also tried to lure Elizabeth into marriage with one of their members, the younger son of
Catherine, the Duke of Anjou
Wisely, Elizabeth
kept out of the French mess—she focused her aide on the Netherlands revolt—an area where she could have the
most impact
This religious fighting in France was chaotic, with armed bands roaming the countryside and
many mini-truces among different areas.
Gradually, there developed the belief that
nothing justified this everlasting chaos and
war.
This belief was that of a politique
The idea that civil order can accommodate more
than one religion
France looked toward Henry of Navarre to provide the
leadership needed.
If we remember, Henry had barely escaped from the St.
Bartholomew’s Day Massacre
He and Princess Margot never grew close, but she was loyal and supportive.
The final son, Henry III, of Catherine de Medici was
assassinated in 1589.
• Now the throne went to the next legal heir, Henry of Navarre—He would now be Henry IV.
• Henry had the choice to convert to Catholicism before the Guise family would accept him—he converted in order to gain the throne.
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.
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
The Huguenots became less rebellious after the Edict of
Nantes
And Henry IV FORCED toleration on his country
Henry IV became one of
France’s greatest
Kings
He amicably divorced Margot, and married Marie de Medici. They
had several children.
He helped France to rebuild
after the wars and promised
a “Chicken in Every
Pot.”
He brought peace and prosperity for 21 years of his rule.
He never consulted the French Parliament, the Estates
General---Taxes (the taille) were administered directly.
Parliament was not consulted.
Sadly, Henry was assassinated in 1610 by a crazed Catholic
fanatic
Ravellic was the assassin. He was “punished” for his deed.
Marie ruled alone as a
regent for her son, Louis XIII.
Over time, Cardinal Richelieu of France gained great influence
during the childhood and adulthood of
Louis XIII—only dying a year
before Louis did. (1642) Richelieu tried to
maintain the order of Henry IV—he was the de facto ruler for 32
years
The way was paved for France’s greatest absolute
monarch, Louis XIV
These are the things you have just learned in this slide show.
• How did Calvinist beliefs threaten the French monarchy?
• You will learn that religion was not the only reason for the wars…
• Who were the victims of the St. Bartholomew’s day massacre?
• Who is a Politique and what were his/her beliefs?
• What did the Edict of Nantes do for France