French+Wars+of+Religion

Michelle Liu

**__ The French Wars of Religion __**
 * Francis I attempted to eliminate Protestant faiths, Calvinism grew in kingdom
 * Huguenots (French Calvinists) posed threat to Catholic Valois monarchy


 * Catherine de’ Medici- advocated political stability over religious orthodoxy= politique
 * Protestant nobles- Henry Bourbon- free worship for Huguenot faith
 * Apposed to Valois= Guise family (ultra-Catholics) backing of Jesuits, papacy, Philip II- restore more strongly Catholic king


 * Henry Bourbon married daughter of Catherine de’ Medici= reconciliation
 * Rumors that Protestants plotting to take over government= slaughter of Protestant nobles= St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre- 10,000 French Protestants killed, Henry Bourbon escaped by converting to Catholicism


 * War of the Three Henries:
 * Henry Guise took city of Paris, threatening Valois control
 * Henry III of Valois formed alliance against ultra-Catholics with Henry Bourbon
 * Both Henries invited Guise to palace/assassinated him
 * Monk killed Henry III à Henry Bourbon= ruler of France
 * Converted back to Catholicism


 * Edict of Nantes- allowed Huguenots to practice their religion outside Paris and fortify towns to protect their hard-won liberties