Religious developments 1498-1610

Question 1

Religious makeup of France in 1498

Answer 1

All Catholic, united under “one king, one faith, one law”

Question 2

Religious makeup of France in 1559

Answer 2

Protestant numbers peak

10% Protestant, 90% Catholic
More importantly 1/3 of the nobility

Question 3

Religious make up of France in 1610

Answer 3

Protestants and Catholics are co-existing but tensions remain under the surface. 7-8% Protestant.

Question 4

Francis I: Cercle de Meux

Answer 4

A group of humanists seeking to reform the Catholic Church from within.

Initially supported by Francis I: creates ambiguity regarding the monarchy’s stance on religion (John Calvin even dedicated a book to Francis I).

Question 5

Francis I: Burning of Louis de Berquin

Answer 5

1528 - An example of the radical Sorbonne burning a humanist who Francis had protected while Francis was in captured by the Hapsburgs.

Shows increased tensions and the need for a strong ruler to control religious tensions.

Question 6

Francis I: Affair of the Placards

Answer 6

1534 - Protestants in Paris put up placards attacking Catholicism, transubstantiation and even the monarchy.

Protestantism seen as the religion of rebels, marks increase in tensions and persecution.

Question 7

Henry II: Chambre Ardente

Answer 7

1547 - Increases religious persecution

Question 8

Francis I/Henry II:Calvin in Geneva

Answer 8

1540s - John Calvin begins producing french, Calvinist literature from Geneva and actively sending missionaries into France to convert people.

Increases Protestantism in the population to 10% and 1/3 of the nobles by 1559.

Question 9

Charles IX: The Edict of January and the Massacre of Vassy

Answer 9

1562 - The edict of January gives legal recognition to Huguenots. Paris parlement only passes the Edict after a remonstrance to the Queen mother and a ‘lit de justice by Charles IX’. Shows religious divisions.

The massacre of Vassy shows these divisions becoming violence as The Duke of Guise leads a group to kill Huguenots discovered worshipping in breach of the Edict of Janurary. Starts the First War of Religion.

Question 10

Charles IX: The first four Wars of Religion

Answer 10

1) 1562-3
2) 1567-8
3) 1568-70
4) 1572-3

Question 11

Charles IX: The Massacre of St. Bartholomew’s day

Answer 11

August - October 1572
Over 5,000 Huguenots massacred in Catholic mob violence. Charles claims responsibility. Causes death and convertion of many Huguenots but radicalises the survivors causing the emergence of resistance theories

Question 12

Henry III: The next three Wars of Religion

Answer 12

5) 1573-6
6) 1577
7) 1586-98

Question 13

Henry III: The Catholic League

Answer 13

1570s and 80s