French Wars (1562-1572)
Maddy Russell, Payton Schmitt, and Natalie Hartman
Summary
bartholomew massacre
Duke of Guise
Henry iV at the Battle of Ivry
Cause
Root Cause
The root cause of the French Wars was that the reformation had come to France and it became divided between the catholic and protestant religions causing them to go to war with each other.
Direct Cause
The direct conflict was the St. Bartholomew day Massacre where over 20,000 protestants were killed by catholics which then caused the wars to begin.
Timeline
1562 Forces of Duke of Guise massacre Protestants at Vassy- The Duke of Guise with the troops of Francis killed the Huguenot worshipers and citizens
1563 Treaty of Amboise ends First War- This ended the first War of Religion in France, with the Huguenots having toleration to practice their religion.
1563 Council of Trent closes- Prompted by the protestant reformation and was said to be the counter- reformation
1567-1568 Second War-
1568-1570 Third War
1568 Treaty of Longjumeau- Ended Second War
1569 Peace of St. Germain- Ended the Third War
1572-1573 Fourth War
1572 St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre-over 20,000 protestants were killed by the catholics
1574 Truce ends Fourth War-Religious tolerance was granted to the Huguenots and restricted them to public worship to La Rochelle, Montauban, and Nismes.
Key Figures/Groups
- Huguenots- Protestants
- Henry lll- Married to Catherine de Medici
- Henry of Navarre ( Henry lV)
- Catherine de Medici- Queen of France
- Guise Family- Roman Catholics
Gaspard ll de coligny - admiral of France leader of Huguenots
Outcome
Roman Catholics Won- Henry of Navarre ( protestant ) won and converted to roman Catholicism. The Peace treaty allowed protestants to publicly worship in small towns.
Signifigance
- France was a catholic country
- Protestants were able to publically worship in most
- Huguenots were overall more accepted
Primary Source
Edict of Nantes
Henry, by the grace of God king of France and of Navarre, to all to whom these presents come, greeting:
Among the infinite benefits which it has pleased God to heap upon us, the most signal and precious is his granting us the strength and ability to withstand the fearful disorders and troubles which prevailed on our advent in this kingdom. The realm was so torn by innumerable factions and sects that the most legitimate of all the parties was fewest in numbers. God has given us strength to stand out against this storm; we have finally surmounted the waves and made our port of safety,—peace for our state. For which his be the glory all in all, and ours a free recognition of his grace in making use of our instrumentality in the good work.... We implore and await from the Divine Goodness the same protection and favor which he has ever granted to this kingdom from the beginning....