French Wars of Religion 1562 1598 3 To

French Wars of Religion 1562 -1598 #3 To what extent do political authorities influence the course of the Protestant Reformation? #8 Discuss the relationship between politics and religion by examining the wars of religion. French wars of religion and the Thirty Years War

Renewed Religious Struggle • 1 st half of 16 th century – Religious struggle in central Europe • Lutheran want rights an religious freedom • – Peace of Augsburg 2 nd half of 16 th century – Western Europe; • Calvinist wanted recognition • Political Struggle – Catholics “One king, one law, one faith” – Calvinists against absolute monarchies

Politiques held war in check • Politiques – Political unity over religious doctrine – Tolerance and moderation • Compromise (Anglican Church) • Politique ruler – Elizabeth I (England) • NOT Mary I – Rulers were more successful

Wars of Religion • Internal and international conflicts – Protestants vs. Catholics • Political power in France, England, Netherlands • War over religion – French Wars 1562 -1598 – 30 years war 1618 -1648

Struggle for Political Pwer 1. French Protestants (Huguenots) – Prosecute Protestants • HRE Charles V captured King Francis I 2. Protestant propaganda arrests – Edict of Fontainebleau Inquisition for Protestants 3. 3 Weak Kings (Mother: Catherine de Medicis) – Charles IX and Henry III – Goal: Balance aristocrat and king power

Power Struggle for Monarchy • Rise of nation-state, decrease in aristocracy’s power, weak monarchy • 3 Families wanted to bring strong monarchy – The Guises • Most powerful, militant, reactionary, Created the Catholic League – Montmorency (Admiral Coligny) & Prince of Conde • Calvinism (Huguenots)

War began in 1562 • Guise killed Huguenots for worshipping – Huguenots were winning • Henry Navarre – Huguenot – married Charles IX sister • Catherine's Response: St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre – Huguenots killed – Promised to return to Catholicism

Catherine de Medicis St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre

End of the Valois Kings • Henry III turns to Huguenots to defeat Catholic League (Guise Family) – Henry Navarre (Bourbon) his heir Henry IV • What did the new King want? – Peace – Deal with Spain • Wanted France to be Catholic and weak – Religion (switched back and forth) • Edict of Nantes

Was Henry IV a Politique? Edict of Nantes • 1598: Formal Religious Settlement • France Catholic – Religious minorities freedom • Freedom of public worship • Right of assembly • Problem: hot war became cold war – Assassinated by Catholic Fanatic