FRENCH WARS (1562-1598)
By: Brytney Gray, Shellby Barrington, and Sariah Beal
SUMMARY
The French wars of religion were a period of civil infighting and military operations that were faught between French Catholics and Protestants (also known as Hugenots). This period of time consisted of multiple wars where both sides were assisted from forgein sources. It is agreed between historians that the Massacre of Vassy (1562) began the wars and the Edict of Nontes ended the series of conflicts.
Causes include:
- The financial weakness of the monarchy
- Calvinism and the Roman Catholic Church
- Factional rivalry between major families in France; these families included Montmorency, Guise, and Bourbon
- Economic depression
The Massacre at Vassy
Duc De Guise's servants got into a scuffle with some Hugenots at a service. The fight resulted in the shooting of the Hugenots, a burning down of the church and murder of some people in the congregation. In the end Guise is killed which results in a victory for the protestants.
The Peace given at St. Germain
The cost of keeping the war going was causing financial trouble for the monarchies, who simply couldn't afford it. As a result a peace was given negociated at St. Germain. This peace returned confiscated land to the Hugenots and secured specific towns as strongholds to the Protestants.
St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre
As an attempt to reconcile, the leader of French Protestantism married member of the Catholic royal family. Catherine de' Medici urged all catholic attendees to kill the Protestant wedding guests. This massacre as it is known today was the beginning of the fall of the leading Hugenot leadership.
War of Three Henries
The two kings joined forces against the League to reclaim Paris. When king Henry III was stabbed, he called Navarre to his death bed to claim him as his heir.
The League
The League was a catholic group that defended the religion. It was run by Duc De Guise. He used the league not only for defense but as a political tool.
Edict of Nantes
The Edict of Nantes is known as the end to the conflicts of the French wars of religion. Granted the Hugenots substantial rights in a nation that was still considered Catholic. The Edict seperated civil from religious unity.
KEY FIGURES
MAIN SIGNIFICANCE
The main significance of the French Wars of Religion was both negative and positive for both sides. The Hugenots were granted substantial rights and freedoms yet the hostility toward them still remained. As for the monarchy, it's authority was weakened causing them to lose some respect from the citizens of France.
OUTCOME
It is agreed that the end of this war was the Edict of Nantes. It granted the Hugenots substantial rights. France remained Catholic, but protestism was recognized instead of ignored or frowned upon. The Edict of Nantes seperated religious and civil unity.
PRIMARY SOURCE
This is an entry written by a first hand witness at the St. Bartholomew's day Massacre:
http://www.fordham.edu/Halsall/mod/1572stbarts.asp