Wars of ReligionFrench Wars The Calvinists will be
Wars of Religion/French Wars The Calvinists will be a primary target by Catholic Monarchs Wars of Religion will pit Catholics Against Protestants We will know these Calvinists as Huguenots in France “Big Picture” So. . . these Wars of Religion will really be about Royal Power, and Religious Affiliation
Wars of Religion/French Wars �We will see Religious Wars break out in: �France – which will have, essentially a Civil War among powerful Royal families, contending for the crown, controlled by the Valois Family. �The Netherlands – Where Spain will seek to spread their Catholic footprint, and will be resisted by Calvinist forces.
Wars of Religion/French Wars �Finally, there will be the Thirty Years War. �This will be an incredibly complicated conflict among German States, and will pit both Lutherans and Calvinists against Roman Catholics, supported primarily by Spain. �So, how did we get here, when is this happening, and how is this connected with the Reformation? �All good questions. . .
Wars of Religion/French Wars �How has the Reformation brought us here? �Remember the clear split between Lutherans and Calvinists – about the symbolic nature of God in the Mass vs. Consubstantiation? (Marburg? ) �Remember that in 1555, Lutheranism was legalized by Charles V in the HRE, but Calvinism was illegal? �Remember that the Council of Trent re-energized Roman Catholics, and that the Spanish Inquisition, and the founding of the Jesuits shows the importance of support for Catholicism, and intolerance for those opposed?
Wars of Religion/French Wars Spain vs. Netherlands: 1550 - 1609 French Wars of Religion: 1559 - 1598 Thirty Years War: 1618 1648 What time periods are we talking about?
Wars of Religion/French Wars Intolerance for the “radical nature” of Calvinists Monarchs tend to dictate Religious Affiliation Spain’s attempt to expand a Catholic Empire in Western Europe What do the Wars have in Common? And, the one place that there is no Religious War is England. . .
Wars of Religion/French Wars �A brief word about England. . . �Once Elizabeth I gains the crown, she will do what few leaders in Europe do. . . �She will, as a Politique, be able to create a middle path between Protestant and Catholic forces, (both by equal concession and equal prosecution to both sides. A Politique puts Political Stability over Religious Affiliation. . . �Hence, England under Elizabeth’s Reign (1558 – 1603) will not be ripped apart by Religious Wars.
Wars of Religion/French Wars �Ok. . . so let’s recap. . . �From roughly 1550 – 1648, Europe will be ripped apart by Religious Wars. �These will focus primarily on Calvinists, who seem to represent the greatest threat to the Roman Catholic Church. �Again. . . why are the Calvinists worthy of all of this warfare and hatred? �Recap. . .
Wars of Religion/French Wars �Predestination totally eliminates the core of Roman Catholicism: Original Sin! �Salvation is not earned, contributed to, nor are sins forgiven by the Church officials. �Transubstantiation does not exist, and only the symbolic nature of the “Body and Blood” exists within the mass. �And, there is the Political nature of Calvinists, establishing communities totally separate from the Religious and Economic control of Rome.
Wars of Religion/French Wars �What were the French Wars of Religion? �How about we re-visit the challenges to the power of the Roman Catholic Church prior to 1559 – the “beginning” of the Wars of Religion in France. �Let’s remind ourselves of what we have already witnessed in Europe and how the Roman Catholics felt a bit “on their heels”
Wars of Religion/French Wars � 1517 – got it. . . �Rise of Magisterial Protestantism (Zwingli/Calvin) (1520’s – 1540’s) got it. . . �Henry VIII’s open challenge to the power of the Papacy? (1530’s. . . ) got it. . . (Act of Supremacy) �The Rise of the Jesuits to reaffirm “true” Roman Catholicism. . . got it. . . �The fact that there is a Council of Trent, 18 years where Rome re-affirms the Sacraments, Transubstantiation and the need to people to get their scripture from the Church. . . got it. . .
Wars of Religion/French Wars �So, what do we have in Europe, in France, that will create a climate of conflict. . . �Monarchies will be tied to specific Religious affiliations. �Noble families seeking to be the new Monarchies, running the show. . . may have a different religious affiliation. . . �Remember that Religion also has a huge impact on people’s social and economic lives.
Wars of Religion/French Wars �What do we have in France. . . �France was historically Roman Catholic. �Beginning in the 1520’s, however, Protestantism began to grow in popularity. �How serious are the French about the Challenge of Protestantism. �In 1534, placards (posters) supporting Protestantism were found in many French Cities. One was even posted on the bedroom door of the King, Francis I. �This “Affair of the Placards” lead to intense anti- Protestant sentiment in France.
Wars of Religion/French Wars �In fact, it will be this persecution that will drive John Calvin out of France, and eventually to Geneva. �Ok. . . French Protestants will be called Huguenots. �They will subscribe to the Calvinist belief that the presence of God in the mass is symbolic, not literal, as the Catholics believed.
Wars of Religion/French Wars �France is controlled by a Royal Family, the Valois family. �There are other noble families, that do not have the crown, that are powerful as well. �Henry II, the French King and son of Francis I, is intensely anti-Protestant, and will oppress them. �On June 27, 1551, Henry II issued the Edict of Châteaubriant which sharply curtailed Protestant rights to worship assemble or even to discuss religion at work, in the fields or over a meal. �Think about it: it is essentially illegal for you to be Protestant in France.
Wars of Religion/French Wars �By the 1550’s. Calvin’s Geneva gave Huguenots in France a sense of leadership and power. �What will also happen in France is that there is a huge “conversion” of French Nobility to Calvinism (Huguenots). �Nobles found Political and Economic freedom in Protestantism, and hence the French Royal Family, already “haters” of the Huguenots, now see them as a threat!!!
Wars of Religion/French Wars �Here is where a bizarre accident will cause a great degree of chaos in France. �Henry II’s daughter, (13 years old) is to be married to Phillip II (who will eventually be King of Spain) son of Charles V �Henry II is killed at the wedding celebration, and his heirs, male, are all under 215 years of age. �His wife, Catherine de Medici, will be come the Queen Regent, and most of the rest of this story will revolve around these issues:
Wars of Religion/French Wars �Catherine will be the power behind the throne. �Her sons, all three of them, are not exactly dominant forces, and leave the Monarchy in a position of danger. �There will be Royal Families, both Protestant and Catholic, who would like nothing better than to get the crown.
Wars of Religion/French Wars �Think of this like some Mob Movie: �Here are the “Three Families” that are in contention to the Throne: �Bourbons = Huguenots �Guise = Catholics �Valois = Catherine’s family and the present Monarchs of France. �What will the wars be about? �Essentially, Catherine’s primary concern is to retain power, and she may not only be loyal to Catholicism.
Wars of Religion/French Wars �So, here we area at the beginning of the French Wars of religion. �Catherine de Medici will make various decisions concerning balancing the drive of Catholic power from the Guise family. . . �And, there is the Protestant/Huguenot influence of the Bourbon’s, and how she will have to deal with their “anti-Catholic” beliefs. �Think about the rest of the wars of Religion this way:
How to view the Decisions of Catherine de Medici Is there a Religious aspect to it? What is the situation? What Does Catherine decide? Decision by Catherine What is the outcome/ag reement? Would you classify it as Politique?
How to view the Decisions of Catherine de Medici She wants to retain the crown, and seeks to pacify the Protestants Francis II dies; Catherine has to step in for the next heir, Charles XI She issues the January Edict, granting Huguenots some religious freedom January Edict: 1562 There is an immediate backlash from Guise/Catholics: the Massacre at Vassy It was a Politique move, but was a failed result.
Wars of Religion/French Wars �One last thing about the massacre at Vassy �The Protestants had a moment to ally with Catherine. �Remember that she feared Guise power, and might have allied herself with the Huguenots if they could have helped her secure her fragile crown. �They did not, and that was a lost opportunity for them. �So. . . Catherine was left to make some kind of alliance with the Guise Family. Here, Religion trumps political expediency.
How to view the Decisions of Catherine de Medici Is there a Religious aspect to it? What is the situation? What Does Catherine decide? Saint. Germainen-Laye What is the outcome/ag reement? Would you classify it as Politique?
How to view the Decisions of Catherine de Medici Is there a Religious aspect to it? What is the situation? What Does Catherine decide? St. Bart’s Massacre What is the outcome/ag reement? Would you classify it as Politique?
Wars of Religion/French Wars
Wars of Religion/French Wars
Wars of Religion/French Wars
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