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Aug 2, 1536
Institution of the Christian Religion
John Calvin published 1st edition of the Institution of the Christian Religion a book thsat consisted of six chapters that discussed the Ten Commandments. It also included a dedication to the French king Francis I. -
Period: Jan 1, 1560 to
The French Wars of Religion
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Mar 1, 1562
First War of Relgion
After Catherine De Medici seized the de facto power of the Guise’s (which they gained by seizing the young king Francis II’s power and acting as regent) in the conspiracy of Amboise, the Guise’s triggered the First War of Religion between huguenots and those of the catholic faith through the Massacre of Vassy in March of 1562. Said war was ended after one major battle with the Edict of Amboise on March 18,1563, which gave Protestants some rights such as freedom of religion outside of city’s. -
Feb 1, 1563
Gaspard de Coligny
Gaspard de Coligny was a major French Protestant leader. In February of 1563, Francis, the 2nd Duke of Guise, seized Orléans but was assassinated by a Huguenot noble called Poltrot de Méré on the16th; Coligny is blamed for the murder and becomes the political enemy of the House of Guise. He also was a trusted advisor of Charles IX and he negotiated the Peace of St. Germain in 1570. -
Sep 1, 1563
Second War of Religion
Charles IX came of age in 1563. However, Huguenots doubted his intent to remain relatively neutral in the conflict of Catholicism and Calvinism, and paranoia ran rampant among Huguenot ranks, prompting the surprise of Meaux in September 1567, and also a small war (Charles was able to escape this plot to capture him). Though the Huguenots were outnumbered, they enjoyed many successes, eventually prompting the the passage of the Edict of Longjumeau in 1568, ending the second war of religion. -
Mar 13, 1568
The Third War of Religion
Charles IX came of age in 1563. However, Huguenots doubted his intent to remain relatively neutral in the conflict of Catholicism and Calvinism, and paranoia ran rampant among Huguenot ranks, prompting the surprise of Meaux in September 1567, and by extension a small war (Charles was able to escape this plot to capture him). Though the Huguenots were outnumbered, they enjoyed many successes, eventually prompting the the passage of the Edict of Longjumeau in 1568, ending the second war of religi -
Aug 1, 1572
The Fourth War of Religion
Catherine de Médici and Guise plot the downfall of Gaspard de Coligny, which results in the St. Batholemew’s Day Massacre in August of 1572, and thousands of Huguenots are killed in and surrounding Paris.The Prince of Conde and Henry de Navarre are spared but are forced to convert to Catholicism in Octoer of 1572. This event triggers the Fourth War of Religion, which ends with the Edict of Pacification at Boulogne in July of 1573; the document restricted the toleration of Huguenots and limited -
Aug 24, 1572
The Saint Bartholomew's Day Massacre
Catherine de Medici, orders the assassination of Huguenot Protestant leaders in Paris. This began the Fourth civil war and the massacre of Huguenots. -
Jul 2, 1573
Peace of La Rochelle
This peace treaty was signed to truce the fourth religious war. Unsatified by the document, Huguenots formed a Protestant Union, so they can be seen as an independent state. -
Mar 10, 1574
Fighting After Fourth War
The first major outbreak of fighting since the fourth war (though there has been much minor conflict since) occurs, after an agreement between Huguenots and Politiques to revolt. All classes were on all three sides of the conflict, with some nobles, such as Conde and Alencon, supporting Huguenots and Politiques attempting to escape the royal court in order to rally support for the Huguenots, but failing twice. -
May 1, 1574
Charles IX Perishes
Henry of Anjou succeeds the throne, and his mother Catherine de Medici quickly claims the title of regent. Henry leaves his kingdom in Poland and, upon his arrival to France, intends to continue to persecute the Huguenots. In the Letters Patent September 10, Henry pardons anyone who bore arms against the king or left the country without permission, provided they return home and lay down their arms; the Letters Patent of October 13 focuses on religion and provides freedom of conscience, but not f -
May 12, 1574
Henry III
•Henry III ruled from 1574–1589. His flight from Paris on the Day of the Barricades (May 12, 1588) resulted in his inability to maintain order. Henry III decided on December 24, 1588 to order the murders of Henry, the duke of Guise, and his brother Louis, the cardinal of Guise. Henry III and Henry de Navarre later join forces in Paris; In July of 1589, Henry III is wounded and names Navarre as heir to the throne. -
Oct 10, 1575
Attempt to avoid total war.
Henry of Anjou succeeds his brother, and attempts to avoid total war. He attempts to negotiate with a delegation of representatives for Huguenots, with himself representing the strict Catholics. The war actually commences after the negotiations fail, with Huguenots amassing large armies in order to take towns for both sides. The only major battle occurs at Dormans on October 10, 1575. This was where Damville’s younger brother Thoré tries to join him, only to be defeated by Henry of Guise. -
Nov 21, 1575
Truce of Champigny
Catherine and her son Alençon created the Truce of Champigny. Alençon got five security towns, Condé got one, the German troops were paid, and Henry of Navarre was released; however, none of these happened as Condé and Casimir wouldn't accept the terms and two of the security towns refused to admit Alençon's men. The agreement collapsed. Later negotiations produced the Edict of Beaulieu, which granted rights to Huguenots as well as rewards to the leaders of the Huguenots. -
May 1, 1576
The Sixth War of Religion
This war lasts from 1576 to 1577. Henry III does not oppose Protestants, so a Catholic League does so instead, threatening his authority. A royal force tries to retrieve Protestant towns along the Loire, per the League's wishes rather than the king's. La Charité Falls in May 1577. However, Protestants remain at large in the South; the Catholic League has no chance of a victory, leading to the Peace of Bergerac in 1577. It places more limits on Huguenots than before. Leagues are also prohibited. -
Sep 17, 1580
The Seventh War of Religion
1580- 84 The seventh war of religion was brief, with few if any notable battles. During this war, Henry de Navarre, a Protestant, seized Cahors. After which, he and Catherine de Medici signed the Treaty of Nerac, then the Peace of Fleix, and his brother, current king Henry of Anjou, perishes, leaving de Navarre, or a Protestant, next in line for the throne. -
Period: Nov 26, 1580 to
Seventh War of Religion
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The War of Three Henries
This war lasted from 1584 to 1589. It was the bloodiest and the longest civil war. It involved three different parties: the royalists, the Protestants, and the Leaguers, all led by men named Henry. The Treaty of Neumors in 1585 revoked previous edicts, banned garrisons, ordered all Protestants to convert to Catholicism in six months, banned reformed religion, and illegalized Protestants holding royal office. This treaty led to war between the forces. Henry III dies and Navarre gets the throne. -
Navarre and the Catholic League
Navarre wanted to destroy the Catholic league which opposed him. Although he was outmanned and outgunned, he had two advantages over them. He could keep control among the common folk. unlike the leader of the Catholic League, Mayenne. Spain supported the Catholic league with money. The French and Spanish were bitter rivals. Henry defeated the League in 1589 and 1590, and layed siege to Paris. The League collapsed and negotiations started. -
Henry IV declared war on Spain
Henry IV declared war on Spain. Spain had four separate Spanish forces in France at the time. They were originally brought in as money and support for the Catholic League, which was formally disbanded in January of 1595. The war with Spain ended in May of 1598 with the Treaty of Vervins -
Edict of Nantes
Henry Navarre succeeded the throne and gained the name Henry IV; however, he recognized the improbability of acceptance if he ruled as a Protestant leader and therefore converted to Catholicism before being crowned as king in 1594. It granted Protestants full civil rights and established a special court. Law proposed by Henry IV of France. Granted religious liberty to Protes the Huguenots. The edict upheld Protestants and permitted them to hold public worship. -
The War of Devolution
Louis XIV invaded the Spanish Netherlands with plans to take over the country. The war lasted for about a year and ended due to the surrender of France who gave the land back to Spain.
