THE RELIGIOUS WARS:THE RELIGIOUS WARS:The French Wars of The French Wars of

ReligionReligionc. 1562-1589c. 1562-1589

Catholic and Huguenots Catholic and Huguenots

Despite the spread of Reformation ideas, Despite the spread of Reformation ideas, France remained a largely Catholic France remained a largely Catholic nation.nation.

Of a total of 16 million (in the late 16Of a total of 16 million (in the late 16 thth century) 1.2 million embraced Calvinism.century) 1.2 million embraced Calvinism.

A large portion of French nobility were A large portion of French nobility were Calvinists.Calvinists.

Conflict between the groups led to three Conflict between the groups led to three decades of civil war on religious and decades of civil war on religious and political issues.political issues.

Henry II (r. 1547-1559)Henry II (r. 1547-1559)

Son of King Francis I of Son of King Francis I of the Valois line.the Valois line.

Henry married Henry married Catherine de Medici Catherine de Medici fourteen years old. fourteen years old.

When his older brother When his older brother Francis died in 1536 Francis died in 1536 after a game of tennis, after a game of tennis, Henry became heir to Henry became heir to the throne. the throne.

Henry II (r. 1547-1559)Henry II (r. 1547-1559)Henry was a large, powerful man; but a Henry was a large, powerful man; but a

weak-willed king.weak-willed king.Even so, he persecuted Huguenots.Even so, he persecuted Huguenots.Henry II severely punished them, Henry II severely punished them,

burning them alive or cutting out their burning them alive or cutting out their tongues for speaking their Protestant tongues for speaking their Protestant beliefs. Even those suspected of being beliefs. Even those suspected of being Huguenots could be imprisoned for life. Huguenots could be imprisoned for life.

He was killed in a jousting tournament.He was killed in a jousting tournament.

Catherine de’ MediciCatherine de’ Medici

After Henry II’s death in a After Henry II’s death in a jousting match, Catherine jousting match, Catherine used her position as Regent used her position as Regent to influence her three sons to influence her three sons who would serve as king.who would serve as king.

Francis II (r. 1559-1560), Francis II (r. 1559-1560), Charles IX (r. 1560-1574) Charles IX (r. 1560-1574) and Henry III (r. 1574-1589) and Henry III (r. 1574-1589) ruled under the influence of ruled under the influence of Catherine, but could not Catherine, but could not stop the spreading stop the spreading Huguenot influence.Huguenot influence.

St. Bartholemew's Day St. Bartholemew's Day MassacreMassacre

Open warfare began between the Catholics Open warfare began between the Catholics lead by the Guise family and the Huguenots lead by the Guise family and the Huguenots lead by the Bourbon family in 1562.lead by the Bourbon family in 1562.

First eight years of fighting ended in 1570.First eight years of fighting ended in 1570. Catherine still feared Huguenot power and Catherine still feared Huguenot power and

ordered their massacre on Aug. 24 1572.ordered their massacre on Aug. 24 1572.

War of the Three Henrys War of the Three Henrys (1585-89)(1585-89)

Following the massacre, Henry of Following the massacre, Henry of Navarre (a Bourbon) emerged as Navarre (a Bourbon) emerged as Huguenots leader.Huguenots leader.

Henry III attempted to form a Henry III attempted to form a moderate Catholic faction as an moderate Catholic faction as an alternative to the radical Guise faction.alternative to the radical Guise faction.

Conflict erupted between Henry III, Conflict erupted between Henry III, Henry of Navarre and Henry, Duke of Henry of Navarre and Henry, Duke of Guise.Guise.

War of the Three Henrys War of the Three Henrys (1585-89)(1585-89)

Regarding him as a serious threat, Regarding him as a serious threat, Henry III had Henry of Guise Henry III had Henry of Guise assassinated in Dec. 1588.assassinated in Dec. 1588.

Guise faction retaliated and had Guise faction retaliated and had Henry III killed July 1589.Henry III killed July 1589.

Henry of Navarre was the only one Henry of Navarre was the only one left with a legitimate claim to the left with a legitimate claim to the throne. He became Henry IV in throne. He became Henry IV in 1589.1589.

Henry IV (r. 1589-1610)Henry IV (r. 1589-1610)

First Bourbon king of First Bourbon king of France.France.

Was a Huguenot, but Was a Huguenot, but converts to converts to Catholicism.Catholicism.

Brings peace to the Brings peace to the warring factions.warring factions.

Issues the Edict of Issues the Edict of Nantes in 1598, Nantes in 1598, granting limited granting limited toleration to the toleration to the Huguenots.Huguenots.