France Christianity in the 16th century

saint bartholomew s day massacre, painting françois dubois (born 1529, amiens, picardy)

though not interested in religious reform, francis maintained attitude of tolerance, arising interest in humanist movement. changed in 1534 affair of placards. in act, protestants denounced mass in placards appeared across france, reaching royal apartments. issue of religious faith having been thrown arena of politics, francis prompted view movement threat kingdom s stability. led first major phase of anti-protestant persecution in france, in chambre ardente ( burning chamber ) established within parlement of paris handle rise in prosecutions heresy. several thousand french protestants fled country during time, notably john calvin, settled in geneva.

calvin continued take interest in religious affairs of native land and, base in geneva, beyond reach of french king, regularly trained pastors lead congregations in france. despite heavy persecution henry ii, reformed church of france, largely calvinist in direction, made steady progress across large sections of nation, in urban bourgeoisie , parts of aristocracy, appealing people alienated obduracy , complacency of catholic establishment.

french protestantism, though appeal increased under persecution, came acquire distinctly political character, made more obvious noble conversions of 1550s. had effect of creating preconditions series of destructive , intermittent conflicts, known wars of religion. civil wars helped along sudden death of henry ii in 1559, saw beginning of prolonged period of weakness french crown. atrocity , outrage became defining characteristic of time, illustrated @ intense in st. bartholomew s day massacre of august 1572, when catholic church annihilated between 30,000 , 100,000 huguenots across france. wars concluded when henry iv, former huguenot, issued edict of nantes, promising official toleration of protestant minority under highly restricted conditions. catholicism remained official state religion, , fortunes of french protestants gradually declined on next century, culminating in louis xiv s edict of fontainebleau—which revoked edict of nantes , made catholicism sole legal religion of france. in response edict of fontainebleau, frederick william of brandenburg declared edict of potsdam, giving free passage french huguenot refugees , tax-free status them 10 years.