The French Wars of Religion

This essay is provided only as help and inspiration for your own work.
Please don’t plagiarise, it’s not worth it.

Explain the changing fortunes of the Huguenots in France in the period 1560 – 1589.

During the civil war in France, both the Huguenots and Catholics held the upper hand at intervals. While the terms of a peace treaty could be favourable to one side, another time, the party could gain military initiative. The success of the Huguenots could be put down to financial standing, political power, or something such as popular support.

The Edict of January in 1562 was the first step towards religious toleration and so was positive move for the Huguenots. However, the terms of the Edict were ignored by the Catholics which led to the Massacre at Vassy. Despite the loss of 74 Huguenots lives, the Huguenots benefitted from the public support shown in the aftermath of the massacre. Condé was consequently appointed “protector and defender of the Churches of France”.

However, Condé’s fortune as a respected leader was short-lived as the Triumvirate reached Catherine de Medici and her son before he did. As a result, the Triumvirate forced Catherine and the King to denounce the Huguenots as rebels. This was a failure for the Huguenots as the fighting and its results had become more public. It was also more difficult for them to gain power over the Queen Mother once she had publicly denounced them.

The Peace of Amboise in 1563 failed to stop the fighting as the Huguenots were not satisfied by the terms. The areas assigned for worship were too remote and so the Huguenots lost more lives and military power by continuing the fighting. The way in which Condé and Montmorency were released in order to negotiate the terms for peace with Catherine de Medici shows how the Huguenots gained influence.

This influence dropped dramatically, however, when the Huguenots attempted to seize Charles IX at Meaux. The treasonous behaviour of the Huguenots meant that Catherine de Medici was forced to side with the Guise party. The political desires of the Huguenots had backfired as they lost credibility and power.

Four Huguenot strongholds were identified in the Peace of St Germain in 1570. Freedom of worship was also confirmed. The position of the Huguenots was more favourable as the second war had also signified the erosion of royal authority and the Huguenots in various regions outwardly flaunted it.

After the Massacre of St Bartholomew in 1572, Huguenots refused to accept the Catholic governor, Marshal Biron, due to the outrage at the Massacre. This shows some power that the Huguenots regained after the slaughter as Anjou had to lift the retaliatory siege and leave for Poland.

Although the Peace of La Rochelle in 1573 restricted Huguenot worship, the terms were often ignored by Huguenots. Although their aim was to further their religious freedom and and political influence, the Huguenots no longer felt able to put their faith in the crown since the Massacre of St Bartholomew. This meant the Huguenots lost power and security due to the actions of the crown and the resulting legislation that forced Huguenots to search for different ways in which to control their own matters.

The Peace of Monsieur in 1576 ended a war in the face of great Huguenot power. This was a moment of great fortune for the Huguenots and the Catholics saw the terms of the Edict as a royal capitulation to the Huguenots. A humiliating defeat for the crown meant a rise in power for the Huguenots. An attempt to regain royal authority through the Edict of Blois in 1579 again served to benefit the Huguenots as the Edict highlighted the ridiculous lack of control the Catholic crown exerted.

The death of Alençon-Anjou in 1584 was a moment of power for the Huguenots as the Catholics had no successor – Henry of Navarre was heir presumptive. Although Catholic power was threatened by this idea, Huguenot fortune declined somewhat with the signing of the Treaty of Joinville. As Philip II promised to help the Catholic League in return for help with his own affairs later, the Huguenots were now faced with a larger, more powerful force of Spain as well as the revived Catholic League – now funded by Philip II.

The murder of Henry III and of Duke of Guise in 1589 showed troubles and disagreements within the Catholic side. This only served to help the Huguenots as the Catholics no longer worked together for a common cause and the Huguenots were free to work for their freedom of worship.

The fortunes of the Huguenots varied as the wars progressed. Their standing was dependent not only on their own actions, but also the current Edicts stating to what extent the Huguenots could worship freely. The Catholics could also affect the fortunes of their enemies, not necessarily adversely. The loss of royal control laws beneficial to the Huguenots as they were able to gather areas of support during these times for their religion.

[BACK TO ESSAYS]