Absolutism in France

Causes of the French Wars of Religion

Monarchy weakened by wars and a Monarchy weakened by wars and a succession crisissuccession crisis

Personalities of the boy kings and Catherine Personalities of the boy kings and Catherine de Medicisde Medicis

Calvinist noble families vs Catholic kings Calvinist noble families vs Catholic kings and French populationand French population

Economic depression following the Economic depression following the Hapsburg Valois Wars of the earlier centuryHapsburg Valois Wars of the earlier century

The Prophecy of Nostradamus

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

The Famous Joust June 30, 1559

The Attending Physicians

Ambrose Paret (1510-1590 Andreas Vesalius 1514-1564

Henry II’s Death Eleven Days Later

Catherine de Medici 1519-1589

Virtual ruler of France Virtual ruler of France 1560-15741560-1574

Instigated the St. Instigated the St. Bartholomew’s Day Bartholomew’s Day Massacre August 24, 1572Massacre August 24, 1572

Marguerite de Valois (1553-1615)

Married Henry giving him Married Henry giving him secure line to thronesecure line to throne

Failed to produce an heirFailed to produce an heir Lived much of her life Lived much of her life

under the influence of the under the influence of the Catholic PartyCatholic Party

Annulment granted in Annulment granted in 15991599

Henry of Navarre (1553-1610)

Religion- a politique who places the Religion- a politique who places the good of the state above religious good of the state above religious concernsconcerns

Transition of power – Louis XIIITransition of power – Louis XIII Economy – mercantilist – financed Economy – mercantilist – financed

Samuel Champlain's voyages to the Samuel Champlain's voyages to the New World; encouraged growth of silk New World; encouraged growth of silk industryindustry

Infrastructure – roads and bridges Infrastructure – roads and bridges (Pont Neuf; 1200 mile canal)(Pont Neuf; 1200 mile canal)

Nobility – paid off Nobility – paid off

Duc de Sully (1559-1641)

Chief finance minister for Henry IVChief finance minister for Henry IV encouraged agricultureencouraged agriculture urged the free circulation of urged the free circulation of

produce produce promoted stock-raising, promoted stock-raising, drained swampsdrained swamps built roads and bridges, planned a built roads and bridges, planned a

vast system of canalsvast system of canals strengthened the French military strengthened the French military

establishment establishment began the construction of a line of began the construction of a line of

defences on the frontiers. defences on the frontiers.

Edict of Nantes 1598 Grants substantial freedoms to French Grants substantial freedoms to French

Protestants (Huguenots) in a largely Protestants (Huguenots) in a largely Catholic nationCatholic nation

Replaces religious unity with civil unityReplaces religious unity with civil unity Civil rights accompanies freedom of Civil rights accompanies freedom of

worshipworship 100 places of safety granted (fortified cities)100 places of safety granted (fortified cities) Right to bring grievances directly to kingRight to bring grievances directly to king Addresses Catholics and Protestants only, Addresses Catholics and Protestants only,

not Jews or Muslims (Muslims expelled not Jews or Muslims (Muslims expelled 1610)1610)

Louis XIII (1601-1643)

Started the fashion of Started the fashion of wearing wigs by wearing wearing wigs by wearing one to conceal baldnessone to conceal baldness

Commissioned great Commissioned great artists to decorate his artists to decorate his Luxembourg PalaceLuxembourg Palace

Married 1615; marriage Married 1615; marriage consummated 1619; heir consummated 1619; heir born 1638born 1638

Cardinal Richelieu Centralized France’s governmentCentralized France’s government Goal: “to make the king first in Goal: “to make the king first in

France and France first in Europe”France and France first in Europe” Intendants paid by the crown replace Intendants paid by the crown replace

nobles of the robe nobles of the robe Reduces the power of the Reduces the power of the

aristocratic military noble familiesaristocratic military noble families Dueling outlawedDueling outlawed Middle class permitted to Middle class permitted to

purchase titles of nobilitypurchase titles of nobility Fortifications of Huguenot and Fortifications of Huguenot and

Catholic nobility taken awayCatholic nobility taken away