1562-1572 French Wars of Religion
(Website funded by Laura and Eli)
Summary
The French Wars of 1562-1572 contained four wars beginning with the first war Duke François de Guise murdering hundreds of protestants. Louis de Bourbon(Prince of Conde) lead the Protestants to fight and then captured the city of Orleans. War then continued to spread and eventually ended with the amboise of Edict of Pacification being negotiated by Conde and the High Constable of Montmorency. The 2nd war began in 1567 due to the Huguenots fearing the influence that Cardinal of Lorraine had over the new adolescent king. The Huguenots attempted to overthrow the Cardinal also known as the meaux surprise. It did not succeed by later many towns in France were taken over by Protestants. Many atrocities are committed and Catholics are massacred which then prompts an attack by the Catholics. The royal troops win, and a peace treaty is reached. This peace treaty lasted just three months and soon the third war began. Events outside of the country such as the revolts of subjects of Philip II. The protestants and the catholics both received foreign aid, but the protestants allied with Prince of Orange and Queen Elizabeth of England. The Catholics allied with The King of Spain. The battles provided 2 big victories for the Catholics, but the Protestants then won the battle of Arnay-Le-Duc. More fighting continued but then King Charles IX agreed to provide Civil Tolerance. 1572 is the start of the 4th war which then continued until 1773
Cause
Direct Cause: Tensions were high in France between Protestants and Catholics and Duke Francious de Guise massacred hundreds of Protestants attending a religious service, starting the war
Course:
March 1563- Fall 1567: Relative peace
1567-1568: Second war, Huguenots start war by capturing a few towns. War ends with the Edict of Longjumeau
March 1568-August 1568- Short period of peace caused by the Edict of Longjumeau
1568-1570: 3rd War starts in September. Many battles fought in Poitou, Saintonge, and Guyenne.
March 13th 1569- Major battle won for Catholics In Jarnac
October 3rd 1569- Another important battle won by Catholics in Moncontour
June 1570- Battle of Arnay-Le-Duc won by Protestants
1570- Edict of St Germain is signed, ending the third war
1572- Beginning of 4th War
Key Figure/ Groups
Huguenots- Also known as Protestant Calvinism, a group that joined the reformation
Duke Francios de Guise- A Catholic who Massacred hundreds of Protestants, starting the 8 wars of religion
King Charles IX- Violent leader to ordered for the genocide of thousands of Protestants
Conde and Colingy- Main leaders of the Protestant army
Prince of Orange and Elizabeth of England- provided foreign aid to the protestants
King of Spain, Pope and Duke of Tuscany- provided foreign aid to the Catholics
Martin Luther- Brought Lutherism to France
Outcome
Main Significance
Secondary Source
The document explains the family tree of Duke Francious De Guise. Duke Francious plays an important role in the war because his order to massacre hundreds of Protestants lead to the beginning of the French Wars of Religion. His action shows the tensions between Protestants and Catholics finally getting to the point of war.