French Wars of Religion

By sasuke
  • Jul 23, 1547

    Reign of Henri

    Reign of Henri II, husband to Catherine de' Medici (1519-1589) and under the thumb of his mistress, Diane de Poitiers. Growing power of the House of Guise. Catherine was a politique, she worried more about power than religion when it came to ruling. She had influence over her husband.
  • Jul 23, 1559

    Henri II killed

    Henri II killed in a tournament accident. This ment his eldest son, Francois II was now in power.
  • Jul 23, 1559

    Reign of Francois II

    Francois was a sickly boy. His mother handeled all affairs of the country. She made alliances with powerful people.
  • Jul 23, 1560

    Reign of Charles II

    When brother died he gained the throne at age 10. Again ruled over completely by his mother.
  • Jul 23, 1562

    Start of Religious Wars

    Catholic oppression of French Protestants reached a boiling point. Protestant "Huguenots" took up arms and formed a political party. About half of all the nobels in France became Protestant and joined the cause. There was about 8 wars total.
  • Aug 23, 1572

    St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre

    Admiral de Coligny (military leader of the Huguenots) is murdered by Catholics along with thousands of other Protestants in Paris and surrounding provinces.

  • The War of 3 Henri's

    Henri III de Valois, Henri de Navarre, Henri de Guise. Henri III had Henri de Guise assassinated. Catherine de Medici dies. Henri III attempts to flee to Henri de Navarre but is assassinated by a monk.

  • Henri IV crowned

    Henri IV was supposed to be crowned king but is denied the right by the Catholics. Charles X is crowned but dies in the next year. Many didnt want him to become king but he still did.

  • Henri IV converts

    Henri converts to Catholicism to remain king. Although he is still secretly Protestant.

  • Edict of Nantes

    Henri administers the Edict of Nantes. The Protestants were recognized as a separate political entity, with their own fortified towns and garrisons (paid for by the crown) to guarantee their security. They were not allowed to go into Paris to worship.