St Barts Massacre Flashcards
Who sought reform in France before the massacre?
Briconnet Bishop of Meaux 1516 formed reforming circle of scholars + clerics, disbanded 1525
Jacques d’Etaples published French translation of New Testament in 1523
When did Henry II become King? and what did he do?
Francis died 1547, Henry pursued tough policies against Huguenots, Chambres Ardentes set up to exclusively investigate heresy
1551 Edict of Chateaubriant set more comprehensive ban on prot’s
What was the Placards affair?
1534 Protestant propagandists strongly criticised the role of bishops and the mass across Paris. Threatened church hierarchy + social ritual
How had Huguenot rhetoric become more anti-royalist?
Anti royalist propaganda circulated from Lyon in 1564
Calvin questioned ‘divine authority’ of Kings 1561
What did Catherine de Medici do following Charles IX’s accession in 1560?
She acted as regent
Signed Edict of St-Germain
Jan 1562, official toleration of Huguenots but did not recognise depth of division
Wavered between toleration + aggression, led to fiercely divided court and strong Huguenot movement by 1572
When was the Massacre of Vassy and what did it trigger?
March 1562 worshipping Huguenots murdered triggering French Wars of Religion, many proto-massacres
When was the 2nd edict signed by Catherine?
1570, renewed official toleration of Huguenots, Gaspard de Coligny invited to Court as royal advisor at expense of Duke of Guise whos influence declined
Give 2 examples of hostility and violence that remain in 1571
40 massacred in Rouen for refusing to kneel for the host
Scandal over removal of Gastines Cross in Paris from site of destroyed Huguenot properties
What are some short term causes of the St Barts massacre?
- Coligny in favour of French intervention in Dutch Revolt, Catherine alarmed by prospect of war w/ Spain
- Coligny readmitted to Kings court + rumoured to have considerable influence, angered Catherine + Guise faction
- Wedding of Marguerite to Navarre unpopular among many
- Guise had vendetta against Coligny for murder of Francois of Guise despite Charles clearing Coligny of guilt 1572
What happened during the massacre in August 1572?
24 August members of Kings Guard led by Guise and other Catholic nobles murdered Coligny + other \huguenot leaders assassinated too as 4000 prot troops stationed outside Paris
2000 dead in Paris, Coligny’s body was set ablaze, mutilated + dumped in the Seine
Agnes Le Mercier forced to watch parents killed, baptised in their blood (religious zeal)
Impact of the massacre on Huguenots
Violence spread, 10,000 killed across France + many converted eg. in Rouen numbers fell from 16,500 to 3,000
Huguenots retreat to midi strongholds + La Rochelle, Peace of La Rochelle 1573 restricted Hug rights but largely ignored as staunchly anti-monarchical
Languedoc became state within a state, compulsory toleration granted by Damville + Anjou 1574 (Politiques who advocated religious tolerance in order to restore unity)
What was the Peace of Monsieur? what did it cause?
1576 Duke of Alencon bolsters Huguenots to force Henry III (Charles died 1574) to grant full religious liberties outside of Paris
Catholic zealots horrified so formed Catholic League under Henry Duke of Guise
What happened in 1584?
Anjou died leaving Henry of Navarre as heir, Catholic League strengthens again + resumes civil war
What happened to the monarchy after civil war broke out in 1584?
Henry III + Navarre joined forces to beat Catholic League. Navarre takes throne 1589 after Henry killed by catholic monk. Navarre converts to catholicism 1593 + coronated 1594
What was the Edict of Nantes?
1598, grants toleration to Huguenots across France ending FWoR
