The French Wars of Religion (1562-1598)
The reason for the French wars in the 16th century was religion. The French kings disliked the Calvinists, and tried to rid France of them, but they were unsuccessful. The Huguenots were made up of all levels of social status, from artisans to nobility. Somewhere around 40%-50% of the French nobility became Huguenots. Because so many of the nobles were converting, the monarchy was in trouble, and felt the pressure.
There were many more Catholics than the Calvinists. King Henry II died from an accident, and his line of sons were very weak, who were even pushed around by their mother, Catherine de’ Medici. She was able to have influence among the Catholics who wanted to get rid of the Huguenots. Both the Catholic and the Huguenot sides were full of radicals who were not in the mood at all for compromises. The Guise family led the ultra-Catholics who absolutely hated the Huguenots. The Guise familial had many loyal friends throughout France, and were able to use a patronage system in order to fund large armies to fight the Huguenots. They even got support from the papacy as well as the Jesuits. There were alternate reasons for the wars besides religion. Many people in small cities and villages had grown tired of the monarchial power, and so they took the opportunity to revolt and rebel. Since many of the nobility were Calvinists, they also went alongside the common people to oppose the crown. Because of these wars, the progress of the territorial state was slowed down, and many people no longer were loyal to the crown, but to their religious beliefs. Many people would have rather seen the fall of France if they could pursue their religion than not follow their religion and have Franc prosper. There was a group, however, called the politiques, who decided that no religion was more important than government and politics. Eventually, these politiques were able to pull out a win, but still with great loss to both sides.
There were many more Catholics than the Calvinists. King Henry II died from an accident, and his line of sons were very weak, who were even pushed around by their mother, Catherine de’ Medici. She was able to have influence among the Catholics who wanted to get rid of the Huguenots. Both the Catholic and the Huguenot sides were full of radicals who were not in the mood at all for compromises. The Guise family led the ultra-Catholics who absolutely hated the Huguenots. The Guise familial had many loyal friends throughout France, and were able to use a patronage system in order to fund large armies to fight the Huguenots. They even got support from the papacy as well as the Jesuits. There were alternate reasons for the wars besides religion. Many people in small cities and villages had grown tired of the monarchial power, and so they took the opportunity to revolt and rebel. Since many of the nobility were Calvinists, they also went alongside the common people to oppose the crown. Because of these wars, the progress of the territorial state was slowed down, and many people no longer were loyal to the crown, but to their religious beliefs. Many people would have rather seen the fall of France if they could pursue their religion than not follow their religion and have Franc prosper. There was a group, however, called the politiques, who decided that no religion was more important than government and politics. Eventually, these politiques were able to pull out a win, but still with great loss to both sides.
Course of the Struggle
In Vassy, in 1562, the duke of Guise made a decisive move to massacre a congregation of Huguenots. This is what ultimately began the wars. The Huguenots were able to defend themselves well during the 1560’s. They had small armies, but they were very good in the defensive mode, so that they couldn’t be beat.
August of 1572 marked a dark time for the Huguenots. This was the Saint Bartholomew’s Day Massacre. It seemed as if the Catholics and Calvinists were at peace because of the marriage of Charles IX’s sister to Henry of Navarre, who was the son of the queen of Navarre, who had brought Calvinist ideas into her kingdom. This marriage symbolized the unity of Catholicism and Calvinism, or so it seemed. Because of the wedding, many Huguenots made the journey to Paris. Guise was worried about this many Huguenots, and so he convinced his mother, Catherine de’ Medici to allow him to take out the Huguenot leaders while they were in reach.
It began on August 24, 1572 when some of the big Huguenot leaders were killed by the king’s guard. Then violence and terror broke out, and for 3 days, the Catholics brutally attacked and murdered the Huguenots. Over 3,000 Huguenots were killed, but Henry was able to live because he swore to turn to Catholicism. In Vassy, in 1562, the duke of Guise made a decisive move to massacre a congregation of Huguenots. This is what ultimately began the wars. The Huguenots were able to defend themselves well during the 1560’s. They had small armies, but they were very good in the defensive mode, so that they couldn’t be beat.
The Huguenots were able to muster up some strength and make a brief recovery. In 1576, the Catholics created a “Holy League”, which was designed to completely eliminate all heresy. They also intended to replace the current French king, Henry III, with Henry of Guise. Then came the turnaround in the war. The War of the Three Henries which lasted from 1588-1589 was when Henry of Guise was payed by Philip II of Spain to take the French throne from Henry III. Instead, however, Henry III assassinated the duke of Guise and joined forces with Henry of Navarre, who was still a Calvinist. They then were able to destroy the Holy League and take back the city of Paris. Then, in 1589, monk who was unhappy with the Protestants decided to kill Henry III. After that, Henry of Navarre took the throne, but realized he would not last as a Calvinist, so he converted to Catholicism. Because of his conversion, with his coronation in 1594, the French Wars of Religion were over.
There were still problems, however, until the Edict of Nantes was issued in 1598, which said that Catholicism was the official religion of France, but that the Huguenots were allowed to worship in certain parts of each district. They also received political privileges, such as the right to hold public office. This edict was only issued because of the political need, not because of an actual conviction.
August of 1572 marked a dark time for the Huguenots. This was the Saint Bartholomew’s Day Massacre. It seemed as if the Catholics and Calvinists were at peace because of the marriage of Charles IX’s sister to Henry of Navarre, who was the son of the queen of Navarre, who had brought Calvinist ideas into her kingdom. This marriage symbolized the unity of Catholicism and Calvinism, or so it seemed. Because of the wedding, many Huguenots made the journey to Paris. Guise was worried about this many Huguenots, and so he convinced his mother, Catherine de’ Medici to allow him to take out the Huguenot leaders while they were in reach.
It began on August 24, 1572 when some of the big Huguenot leaders were killed by the king’s guard. Then violence and terror broke out, and for 3 days, the Catholics brutally attacked and murdered the Huguenots. Over 3,000 Huguenots were killed, but Henry was able to live because he swore to turn to Catholicism. In Vassy, in 1562, the duke of Guise made a decisive move to massacre a congregation of Huguenots. This is what ultimately began the wars. The Huguenots were able to defend themselves well during the 1560’s. They had small armies, but they were very good in the defensive mode, so that they couldn’t be beat.
The Huguenots were able to muster up some strength and make a brief recovery. In 1576, the Catholics created a “Holy League”, which was designed to completely eliminate all heresy. They also intended to replace the current French king, Henry III, with Henry of Guise. Then came the turnaround in the war. The War of the Three Henries which lasted from 1588-1589 was when Henry of Guise was payed by Philip II of Spain to take the French throne from Henry III. Instead, however, Henry III assassinated the duke of Guise and joined forces with Henry of Navarre, who was still a Calvinist. They then were able to destroy the Holy League and take back the city of Paris. Then, in 1589, monk who was unhappy with the Protestants decided to kill Henry III. After that, Henry of Navarre took the throne, but realized he would not last as a Calvinist, so he converted to Catholicism. Because of his conversion, with his coronation in 1594, the French Wars of Religion were over.
There were still problems, however, until the Edict of Nantes was issued in 1598, which said that Catholicism was the official religion of France, but that the Huguenots were allowed to worship in certain parts of each district. They also received political privileges, such as the right to hold public office. This edict was only issued because of the political need, not because of an actual conviction.