Unit 3: The Edict of Nantes

Author Bio: Author - Henry IV of France (1553-1610) was raised a Protestant, he became heir to the French throne through his marriage to Margaret of Valois, but was challenged during a time of religious strife. Despite converting to Catholicism after becoming king of France in 1589, weary of war and religious turmoil, Henry IV issued the Edict of Nantes to foster religious tolerance.

Date/Context: The conflicts in France between Protestants and Roman Catholics due to the spread of Calvinism and increased tolerance of Huguenots was the Wars of Religion from 1562-1598. These were ended in an uneasy peace until Henry Navarre, a Huguenot, became heir to the French throne. This then led to the War of Three Henrys. This war was ended with Henry of Navarre’s embrace of Roman Catholicism and the granted religious toleration of Huguenots through the Edict of Nantes.

Summary: Called for the Catholic faith to be restored and reestablished anywhere the exercise of their faith had been interrupted. Henry wanted no more disputes among his subjects, the Edict gave Huguenots the freedom to practice their beliefs without being disturbed. It also forbid the practice of the Huguenots beyond the mountains, in Paris, or within the five leagues.

Key Quotations: 

• “We permit those of the so-called Reformed Religion to live and abide in all the towns and districts of this our Realm...free from inquisition, molestation, or compulsion to do anything in the way of religion…”