French Wars
1562-1572
Summary
Prince De Condé put his forces in strategic locations and made contracts with Protestant leaders in Germany, England for money and troop. Because the permanent Royal Forces were located along the Hapsburg boundaries, the leader of France, Catherine De' Medici, was forced to use the Guise family for assistance. The Guise family asked for help from the Pope and Phillip II of Spain. The Protestant Army was well dug-in and efforts to regain towns were inefficient. The Catholics captures Condé, and forced the Protestant Army to Orléans, which would later be overtaken.
Cause
The main event that started French Wars was the Massacre of Huguenots in Vassy, France, in 1562. The massacre of the Huguenots was committed by the servants of the Guise family, members of the Roman Catholic Church.
Course
1562 Forces of Duke of Guise massacre Protestants at Vassy
1563 Treaty of Amboise ends First War
1567-1568 Second War
1568-1570 Third War
1568 Treaty of Longjumeau ends Second War
1569 Peace of St. Germain ends Third War
1572-1573 Fourth War
1572 St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre
Outcome
The massacre of Bartholomew started the ending of the war in 1972. The Huguenots were granted freedom of religion and Civil Rights, but their church faded in France.
Key Figures/Groups
Condé- Protector of the churches
Guise Family- Important family in the Roman Catholic Church
Cathryn De Medici- Queen of France and sided with The Roman Catholic Church
Catholics- Against the Huguenots
Huguenots- People forced to defend themselves
Cardinal De Lorraine- Commander of the Royal Forces
Main Signifigance
The main significance of these conflicts was to settle a conflict between two religions. the conflict was as all conflicts went at that time period, the Catholics were mad that the Protestants changed their religion and wanted payback.