French wars of Religion

By samross
  • Oct 14, 1547

    Reign of Henri II

    Husband to Catherine de Medici, growing power of the House of Guise
  • Oct 14, 1558

    Calais

    Recaptured from the English. A year later Henri II is killed in a tournament accident. Then Charles IX gained the crown where he was completely ruled by his mother Catherine de Medici.
  • Oct 14, 1562

    The Religious Wars

    Hugenots rose up to fight the Catholics, also created a political power. Was important because it showed the fight for religious freedom.
  • Aug 23, 1572

    St. Bartholomew Day Massacre

    Thousands of protestants were killed, Admiral de Coligny was murdered. The Catholics had killed one of the prominent protestant leaders.
  • Oct 14, 1574

    Henri III

    Continued to balance the powers of Protestants and Catholics. Tried to keep things under control.
  • Oct 14, 1576

    Henri de Navarre

    Escapes from the French court taking up the Protestant faith and became the Hugenot leader.

  • War of the Three Henries

    Eigth and final war in the Wars of Religion, Henri Guise led the Catholics and Henri of Navarre led the Huguenots. Henri Guise was assassinated by Henri III, when Huguenots found out, they ran Henri III out of Paris and had him assassinated which brought Henri of Navarre to power.

  • Reign of Henri IV

    Wasn't seen as the king so Catholics made Cardinal de Bourbon as king. 1590, Battle of Irvey tookplace where Henri IV defeated Mayenne. 1593, Henri IV abjured the reformed religion at St. Denis (with the legendary quip: "Paris is well worth a Mass"). 1594, Henri IV is crowned at Chartres.

  • Calais

    Calais falls to Spanish after a brief siege.

  • The Edict of Nantes

    Protestants were given full civil rights and freedom of conscience. Protestants were given towns to live in where they could practice their faith. Many french resented it and the last parliament didn't recognize it until 1600, Eventually Huguenots were seen as a threat.