The French War
(1562-1598)
By Maria and Jason
Summary
In effect of the French war, Germany and France corrupted. France was torn apart by almost forty years of war(1562-1598). Germany didn't last more than twenty years before they entered another war(thirty years war) but this time it wasn't against France. In the seventeenth century France recovered from their corruption, but Germany didn't.
Cause
The French war was a result of the kings of France(Francis I and Henry II) denying liberty of religion but mainly opposing Calvinism to enter France. During this war there were two sides, the Huguenotes led by King Henry of Navarre, and the Catholic Guise family. The Huguenotes fought for liberty of religion, while the Catholic Guise family fought for not only elimination of Calvinism, but also for control of France.
Main groups
Prince Henry II
At the time that Calvinism and I wanted to spread over France,King Henry the second was the governor. He opposed to the idea (this happened around 1550) A short time after and 1559 King Hnery died in a tournament, leaving behind his wife and three children the oldest being 15.And no one to govern France.
King Henry of Navarre
Henry was born in 1553 and died in 1610. He was considered one of the greatest kings of France and an important role in ending The French war.Born with the beliefs of Calvinism he converted to Catholic to satisfy the wishes of 90% or more of France. During the wars he was to become the leading Hugeonots
Timeline 1562-1598
First War 1562
The first war was started by Francis the Duke of Guise against the hugeonots in the city of Vassy located in North Easter of France.The cause of this outbreak because Guise was passing through Vassy on 1March 1562 his men came across a Protestant congregation and opened fire.
This war lasted up to a decade.
Bartholomew's Day massacre 1572
Ten years after the war in Vassy, Catherine De Medici the queen of France at the time was anxious enough to stop the violence and reach a compromise witht the Hugeonots. So Catherine plans a wedding Margaret and Henry of Navarre who is a Protestant. Her plan was to assassinate the Protestants who attended. Henry escapes making the plan to fail.
1576
The catholic league ( encouraged outside power to support the guise family in over throwing the French Kimg) was formed after Henry converted back after converting to Catholicism worrying the Catholics. The Catholics wanted aid from Spain, Savoy and Rome against the Hugeonots.
1585-1589
It was the eighth and final conflict in series of civil war in France. This war was known as the war of the three Henries. It was between King Hnery of Navarre leader of the Hugeonots, Henry III of France, and Henry of Lorraine also known as Duke of Guise leader of the Catholic League.
The Royalist & Catholic league came together against the Hugeonots by sending Joyeuse into the fields against Navarre. Navarre defeats the Joyeuse, becoming the first victory for the Hugeonots.
Henry III was assassinated by a monk in 1589.Putting Henry of Navarre as the king of France as king Henry the fourth.
Henry of Guise entered Paris where he was prohibited from and planned to assassinate the king and seize the throne but instead the king struck first, having Guise killed by his guards The Forty-Five.
1594
Henry IV entered Paris having possession of his Capital now. Henry then began a program of winning over the support of moderate Catholics with a combination of charm, force, money and also promises. Offering various nobles pensions and positions in exchange for the support.
1598
With the Spanish facing financial problems of their own, the Spanish signed the Treaty of Virvines. Which restored the captured towns to France.
1598
The publication of the Edict of Nantes which was signed by Henry IV, granted the Calvinist Protestants of France substantial rights in the nation. But was still considered essentially Catholic at the time.
But unfortunately until Henri IV's descendent, Louis XIV revoked the Edict of Nantes in 1685.
Outcome
The outcome of the war was that the Protestant won the war. When Henry of Navarre issued the Edict of Nnates allowing the freedom of worship, making the freedom of Hugeonots in some parts of France. Making them able to own Schools and allowed to hold public office in France.
Main Significance
The main significance of the French War of Religion was the religious freedom and the seperation of the church and State. Meaning that the Local churches have no absolute right to do the state's (government) duty which is governing.
Primary Source
At the end of decades of religious strife, Henry IV of France (r. 1589–1610) decreed the Edict of Nantes, granting religious toleration to the French Protestants, known as Huguenots. This is the first time in European history that a Christian ruler permitted civil liberty as well as freedom of worship to a religious minority.