FRENCH WARS
By Chris and Dani
1562-1572
Summary
1st War (1562-63) The first French religious war began when Duke François de Guise massacred a hundred protestants worshipping in the town of Wassy. The protestants fought back under the guide of Louis de Bourbon. A year later the war was ended by the Aboise Edict of pacification.
2nd War (1567-68)- Huguenots wanted to get rid of the King Charles IX, who was being influenced too much by Cardinal Lorraine. The king found out about their plan however and was able avoid the Huguenots. This still triggered violence from both Catholics and Protestants which was eventually resolved in a peace treaty.
3rd War (1568-70) Peace only held for 5 months before fighting resumed. Set off by Spanish fighting in the Netherlands, the Huguenots wanted to gain alliances. The war was fought with the Spain supporting the Catholics and England helping the Protestants. Another peace treaty was signed but Protestants ended up with the advantage.
4th War (1572-72) On St. Bartholomew's Day, a council of Catholic met and decided to execute Huguenot leaders. This was followed a few days later by a massacre of about 4000 people and expanding into the countryside resulting in 10,000 more. Many Protestants fled the country but fighting still continued in France. The Edict of Boulogne was signed giving Protestants freedom of conscious but only freedom of worship in three towns.
Cause
Root Cause- The Protestant Reformation created tension over power in France between the Protestants and the French.
Direct Cause-
Massacre of Protestants at Wassy
Huguenots attempt to kill King Charles IX
Spanish revolt in the Netherlands
St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre
TIMELINE
March 1, 1562- Massacre at Wassy
March 19, 1563- Amboise Edict of pacification
Fall 1567- Huguenots attempt to kill King Charles IX
September 30, 1567 - Massacre in Nimes
March 23, 1568 - Edict of Longjumeau
August 1, 1570 - Edict signed at Saint-Germain
August 24 1572 - St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre
July 11, 1573 - Edict of Boulogne
St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre
Key Figures and Key Groups
Protastant-
Duke François de Guise
Huguenots
England
Catholic-
Louis de Bourbon
Spain
King Charles IX