Civil War in France

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Civil War in France
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The Valois Family The Beginning of the End

• Henri II was the last powerful Valois
• Three weak sons followed
• Francis II
• Charles IX
• Henri III
• Catherine de Medici controlled the sons
• Was mother to the boys
• Played both sides in the civil war
• Developed a reputation for cruelty

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Chateau de Chambord
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ChambordSPS Vive La France Trip, 2006
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Chambord Tower Detail
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Catherine de Medici
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Francis II and Wife
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The French Civil War (1562-1598) First Stage

• Were two sides
• Guise family led Catholics in North
• Bourbon family led Huguenots in South
• Fighting for the royal inheritance
• Catherine supported Guises in first stage
• St. Bartholomews Day Massacre
• August 24, 1572
• 20,000 Huguenots were killed
• Henri of Navarre, a Bourbon, survived

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St. Bartholomews Day Massacre
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The French Civil War (1562-1598) Second Stage

• Catherine started supporting Bourbons
• Catholic League formed against Bourbons
• Duke of Guise spearheaded league
• Philip II of Spain supported the league
• Henri of Navarre defeated Catholic League
• Henri of Navarre became Henri IV
• Effects of Civil War
• France was left divided by religion
• Royal power had weakened
• Valois family now replaced by Bourbons

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Peter Paul Rubens, Sketch, Triumphal Entry of
Henri IV Into Paris
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Peter Paul Rubens, Final Painting, Triumphal
Entry of Henri IV Into Paris
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Henri IV
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Henri IV of France (r. 1589-1610)

• Ended Spanish interference in France
• Converted to Catholicism
• Did this to compromise and make peace
• Paris is worth a mass
• This was an example of politique
• Politique interests of state come first
• Passed Edict of Nantes in 1598
• Granted religious rights to Huguenots
• Did not grant religious freedom for all

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Religion in France, 1560