Wars of Religion

Wars of Religion : 

Wars of Religion France & Spain

France: 

France 40 Yrs civil war (1562-1598) Wars of Religion “Feudal Rebellion” (nobles, courts, church, towns, provinces, guilds) all vs. king Monarchies (similar to H.R.E.) unified France but slow travel & communication = disunity Results: strong local influences Not attached to Rome - helped Protestants & Turks because hated Hapsburgs

Huguenots in France: 

Huguenots in France Huguenots: French Calvinists = radical Peasants SW France but spread to other areas Francis I & Henry II opposed spread of Calvinism = many Huguenots burned Henry II killed = 3 sons under 15 yrs old Weakened French monarchy Wife Catherine de Medici governs for sons

Huguenots Continued: 

Huguenots Continued France starts to fall apart - no strong control Huguenots vs Catholics for control Religious wars in France begins

3 Major Sides of French Wars of Religion: 

3 Major Sides of French Wars of Religion 1. Huguenots Leaders: Admiral de Coligny & Henry of Bourbon (King of Navarre) Wanted local liberties & drive out popery 2. Catholics Leaders: Guise Family = Duche of Guise & Cardinal of Lorraine Wanted to destroy Calvinism & rule France

3 Major Sides of French Wars of Religion: 

3 Major Sides of French Wars of Religion 3. French Gov’t Leader: Catherine de Medici Caught in middle – refused the Huguenots, but didn’t want Guise Fam. to rule Play Huguenots vs. Catholics doesn’t work

Major Incidents: 

Major Incidents St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre: Leading Huguenots drug from bed after wedding in Paris = 1,000’s killed Coligny killed Henry of Navaare changed religion Stalemate: Truces attempted but neither side trusted the other, fighting cont. Politiques: Said room for both churches = stop fighting because no justification Secular view, believed strong monarchy = peace Henry of Navarre (Crowned Henry IV) not recognized by Catholics = reconverted

Edict of Nantes-Provisions 1598: 

Edict of Nantes-Provisions 1598 A. Protestant nobles worship in homes B. Protestantism in towns where main rel. C. 1 town in each county had to be Protestant D. Protestantism not allowed in Catholic towns or around Paris E. Protestants have civil rights, pub. Office, & entrance to Catholic U’s F. Law chambers both Cath. & Prot. G. 100 towns prot. protect themselves

Cardinal Richelieu: 

Cardinal Richelieu Becomes “real” ruler of France Strengthened France Repealed Edict of Nance w/ Peace of Alais

Spain: 

Spain Phillip II (1556-1598) Very strong Catholic & led Counter-Ref. Wanted to re-Catholicize Europe Protestantism rampant around France Phillip II starts Catholic Crusade (1567-1572) 1567: Inquisition to Netherlands 1569: Put down revolt of Moriscos 1569: Rose up against Eliz. I (Led by Duke of Norfolk)

Spain Continued: 

Spain Continued 1571: Naval battle vs. Turks 1572: France Cath. try to stamp out Huguenots in France * All not permanent success Takes over N. Provinces (Calvinists) = revolt Council of Troubles Phillips retaliation 1,000’s sentenced to death, new heavy taxes, took noble estates = Neth. united

Spain: 

Spain Dutch leader William of Orange (the Silent) Nat’l leader who hated Spain = attacked ships w/ pirates “sea clogs” Neth. torn by anarchy revolution & civil war 1576 overcame religious differences & united to kick Spain out

Elizabeth I’s Role in the Wars: 

Elizabeth I’s Role in the Wars Elizabeth I secretly aids Neth. because of secret plots by Mary of Scots & Don Juan (1/2 brother of Phillip II) wanted to use Netherlands as base to invade England

Prince of Parma: 

Prince of Parma Succeeded Don Juan 1578 Rallies Catholics (S. Prov.) to fight w/ him Union of Utrecht formed 1579 by Protestants in response Declared ind. From Spain & called selves United Provinces of the Netherlands Result: N. Prot. Vs. S. Catholics Elizabeth openly sending aid

Phillip’s Reaction: 

Phillip’s Reaction Phillip creates Spanish Armada 130 ships, 30,000 men & 2,400 pieces artillery Plan: Take straits to England but met by English led by Sir Fancis Drake (200 lighter & faster ships)

Results: 

Results Phillip died 1598 England defeats Spain: nat’l unity/ind., protestantism preserved, Engl. freedom of seas Netherlands signed 12Yr Truce w/ Spain 1609 Netherlands split into Prot. Dutch Neth. & Catholic Spanish Netherlands (Belgium) & as a whole ruined by battles Spain weakened-seas open