Absolutism in France

Causes of the French Wars of Religion Monarchy weakened by wars and a succession crisis Monarchy weakened by wars and a succession crisis Personalities of the boy kings and Catherine de Medicis Personalities of the boy kings and Catherine de Medicis Calvinist noble families vs Catholic kings and French population Calvinist noble families vs Catholic kings and French population Economic depression following the Hapsburg Valois Wars of the earlier century Economic depression following the Hapsburg Valois Wars of the earlier century

The Prophecy of Nostradamus The young lion shall overcome the older one on the field of combat in a single combat; He will pierce his eyes in a cage of gold Two wounds made one, then he dies a cruel death.

The Famous Joust June 30, 1559

The Attending Physicians Ambrose Paret ( Andreas Vesalius

Henry II’s Death Eleven Days Later

Catherine de Medici Virtual ruler of France Virtual ruler of France Instigated the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre August 24, 1572 Instigated the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre August 24, 1572

Marguerite de Valois ( ) Married Henry giving him secure line to throne Failed to produce an heir Lived much of her life under the influence of the Catholic Party Annulment granted in 1599

Henry of Navarre ( ) Religion- a politique who places the good of the state above religious concerns Transition of power – Louis XIII Economy – mercantilist – financed Samuel Champlain's voyages to the New World; encouraged growth of silk industry Infrastructure – roads and bridges (Pont Neuf; 1200 mile canal) Nobility – paid off

Duc de Sully ( ) Chief finance minister for Henry IV encouraged agriculture urged the free circulation of produce promoted stock-raising, drained swamps built roads and bridges, planned a vast system of canals strengthened the French military establishment began the construction of a line of defences on the frontiers.

Edict of Nantes 1598 Grants substantial freedoms to French Protestants (Huguenots) in a largely Catholic nation Grants substantial freedoms to French Protestants (Huguenots) in a largely Catholic nation Replaces religious unity with civil unity Replaces religious unity with civil unity Civil rights accompanies freedom of worship Civil rights accompanies freedom of worship 100 places of safety granted (fortified cities) 100 places of safety granted (fortified cities) Right to bring grievances directly to king Right to bring grievances directly to king Addresses Catholics and Protestants only, not Jews or Muslims (Muslims expelled 1610) Addresses Catholics and Protestants only, not Jews or Muslims (Muslims expelled 1610)

Louis XIII ( ) Started the fashion of wearing wigs by wearing one to conceal baldness Commissioned great artists to decorate his Luxembourg Palace Married 1615; marriage consummated 1619; heir born 1638

Cardinal Richelieu Centralized France’s government Centralized France’s government Goal: “to make the king first in France and France first in Europe” Goal: “to make the king first in France and France first in Europe” Intendants paid by the crown replace nobles of the robe Intendants paid by the crown replace nobles of the robe Reduces the power of the aristocratic military noble families Reduces the power of the aristocratic military noble families  Dueling outlawed  Middle class permitted to purchase titles of nobility  Fortifications of Huguenot and Catholic nobility taken away