1. The French Civil/Religious Wars
The Religious Wars
The French Civil/Religious Wars

2. The French Religious Wars…
France was largest country in Europe
Calvinism spread quickly to the people of France (Calvin himself was French)

3. The Kings of France opposed Calvinism
This includes Francois I
And Henry II (Diane de Poitiers)

4. Calvinism was troubling because of its independence. WHY?
Remember, Calvinism did not respect state authority over religious independence. One’s allegiance was to God

5. In France, persecution of the Huguenots (protestant religions) begins
Many are burned at Stake

6. Henry II dies in a joust—Catherine Medici, his widow, is left with three young sons.
These three kings—Francis—1560, Charles IX 1574, and Henry III, 1589 never have a firm hand on the monarchy

7. There were two sides: The Huguenots, led by the King Henry of Navarre
Vs.
The Catholic Guise family

9. The Huguenots fought for religious liberty

10. The Guises fought to eliminate Calvinism, but they also fought for control of France.

11. Matters came to a head when Henry, King of Navarre came to Paris to marry Margot, daughter of Catherine de Medici, and sister to the King (1572)

12. Catherine de Medici orders that the Huguenot leaders are to be killed (at her own daughters wedding)
Henry of Navarre barely escapes

13. This occurred on St. Bartholomew’s Day
This occurred on St. Bartholomew’s Day. Mob violence broke out as both sides killed each other
Thousands of Huguenots were murdered across France. Hell broke lose as mercenaries were hired to participate in the killing

14. This religious fighting in France was chaotic, with armed bands roaming the countryside and many mini-truces among different areas.

15. The final son, Henry III, of Catherine de Medici was assassinated in 1589.
Now the throne went to the next legal heir, Henry of Navarre—He would now be Henry IV.
Henry had the choice to convert to Catholicism before the Guise family would accept him—he converted in order to gain the throne.

16. He entered Paris, supposedly saying “Paris is worth a Mass”
The Catholics were delighted
The Huguenots were horrified
But Henry took the steps necessary to provide state order and end the French religious wars.

17. Henry did not forget the Huguenots
Henry did not forget the Huguenots. He issued the Edict of Nantes in 1598
This Edict guaranteed civil rights for Huguenots. Paris was off limit to Protestants

18. After these wars, Religion would cease to have a major role in European Warfare
But the memory of the Religious Wars would go a long ways toward bringing about a religious freedom and the separation of church and state