Henri IV and the Edict of Nantes.

Name three concessions the edict made to the Catholics?

1. No Huguenot to be able to worship in or within 5 miles of Paris. 2. Re-establishment of all catholic rights. 3. Huguenots have to worship catholic holidays.

Name three concessions the edict made to the Huguenots?

1. The establishment of Chambres l'edict - set up in Grenoble, Paris, Bordeaux and Castries. 2. The right for Huguenots to worship freely in the named garrison towns. 3. For Henri to pay the tithes to the parish priests.

How was the edict enforced?

FLEXIBLY

What was the expectation?

Rouen - didn't enforce the edict until 1609.

Did the edict create a state within a state (reasons suggesting so):

1. Chambres l'edict made sure that the Huguenots received justice under the legal system 2. Huguenots were protected in their own garrison towns, protected by the crown 3. Payment from the king to the Calvinist ministers.

Why did Henri issue the Edict of Nantes in 1598?

1. Forced to deal with the protestant demands and increasing opposition 2. He was in a position of strength and wanted to impose a treaty of unification 3. He was persuaded by the threat of civil war 4. He wanted to achieve religious unity

Why was the edict unsuccessful?

1. It was only a temporary ceasefire, only being enforced under Henri IV - 1620s Louis XIII revoked the places de surete as it was dependent on the personal authority of the king. 2. Failed to reform France root and branch - stored up problems for his successors (Conde's rebellion in 1614)

Examples of the flexible enforcement:

1. Picardy was given two additional sites for churches to account for its 10,000 Huguenot population 2. King cracked down on anti Huguenot rhetoric in pamphlets 3. King cracked down on preaching against the edict 4. Jesuits were remitted back into France 5. Huguenots were allowed to build churches despite the terms of the edict in Ablon and Charenton.

Why was the edict a success?

1. Political climate it was enforced in: - the wars had ended meaning any pushed for the restoration of France 2. Henri was in a strong position:- 1598 (Treaty of Vervain, Mercouer surrendering, Catholic league undermined) 1595 (Pope's absolution) 1593 (Henri's abjuration) no alternative monarchs. 3. The edict was acceptable:- covered ground effectively, not like previous religious settlements, attacking areas previously avoided. The catholic faith was seen as dominant (Henri made his support for the catholic church public - 1600 conference of fontainebleu and appointment of old leaguers and prominent converts) , with the Huguenot faith appearing to be marginalized. Huguenots were protected lawfully and physically. 4. Balance of offices - "i appoint on faithfulness" - Sully.

What did Henri do before trying to ratify the edict in the parlaments?

1. Removed the president of the Paris parlament - Seguier - by promoting him to ambassador of Venice 2. Made small concessions on various parts of the edict (seen with Rouen) 3. Removed the chambres l'edict to allow the smooth running of the edict, but it was later reinstated. 4. Called the parlament delegate to a meeting at the Louvre in 1599.

Name two concessions the edict made for peace?

1. That all hostilities between both parties from 1585 were to be forgotten. 2. That all parties should live in peace, with any one who disturbs the peace being punished as peace breakers.

When was the edict ratified by the Paris parlament?

February 1599

What did Henri do at the Louvre meeting in order to make the parlament of Paris ratify the edict?

He conducted a speech consisting of persuasion, charisma, legal argument and threats.

Some were still uncompromising to the reassurance, how did Henri treat those?

He did not react well to those who took an uncompromising view, as seen with his speech the city fathers of Toulouse: "I expect to be obeyed and my edict enforced throughout France!"

How did Henri respond the rebellion of the edict?

He issued a statement, reassuring France "the church is as well situated as it was 100 years ago... Paris was not built in a day... I am doing my duty; I exhort you to do yours."

Explain point four:

He wanted to achieve temporary cease-fire in order to establish relgious unity. This was because a united France would be easier to govern, as it would not mean asserting measures to satisfy both sides of the religious spectrum, without alienating either side.This was a temporary fix, preluding a more permanent settlement, seen in the flexible enforcement of the Edict in Picardy. (Holt agrees)

Explain point two:

In 1598 Henri was in a strong position, he had defeated Spain with the Treaty of Vervains 1598 and had defeated the last leaguer noble Mercoeur. Furthermore, his abjuration in 1593, followed by subsequent pro catholic activities, such as the pope's absolution in 1595, meant he had the majority of France behind him. This meant that he could impose the edict on the Huguenots, to make them conform to his wishes. (Knecht agrees)

Explain point three:

Many Huguenots had lost confidence in Henri during the period in between 1593 and 1597, with Phillipe du pleis Monray leaving court and warning Henri he had "lost the confidence of the Huguenots". This was paired with other prominent Huguenot nobles, such as Le Tremouille and Boullion, resisting involvement in royal activities. In 1597 they refused to partake in the siege of Amiens. This threatened civil war, as it demonstrated the fearlessness of disobeying Henri. Henri had established authority in most of France by this time, meaning that the nobles, who could raise 25000 men which outnumbered Henri, could go to war and defeat Henri, losing all of his established authority. This can be seen in the opposition gaining organisation and self awareness. (Pitts agrees)

What grounds did Rouen finally except the edict on?

That it was designed to eradicate Protestantism "little by little"

Explain point one:

The growing demands of the Huguenot assemblies (1594-1597) were putting increasing pressure on Henri. This is because they were growing in size, with the final one having 200+. This meant that more opposition could outnumber Henri and his forces. The 1597 issued the Cahier de Dolances which set out the grievances, with the threat of not disbanding until they were met in the form of an edict. (Greengrass agrees)

Did the edict create a state within a state? (reasons suggesting not):

The king had to assure the protestants to lay down their arms, therefore had to give legal and physical protection. This was to ensure that they would not cause an uprising. However the protestants protection relied upon the king's cooperation and income, meaning that the king controlled the protection, marginalising the protestants into named towns (Grenoble, Paris, Castres and Bordeaux) and diminishing their power and threat in the long term.

Why didn't Henri publish the edict straight away?

There was widespread catholic opposition to the edict (esp. from devots), along with religious orders and influential people.

What did the parlaments do when Paris ratified the edict?

They followed suit.

Why did brevets support the secret edict?

They were a promise made by the king, meaning that parlament would not have to approve of them.

What was the behaviour of the Huguenots on the enforcement of the edict?

They were angry they had to return the churches and parishes they had acquired during the religious wars, giving them back the the catholic church.

What was the behaviour of the Catholics on the enforcement of the edict?

They were very uneasy about the rights given to the Huguenots, with many starting localized riots and revolts.

CONCLUSION:

Henri brought around religious peace during his reign but not religious unity of France.

How did the edict need to be issued in order to be legally enforceable?

It had to be ratified by the parlaments of France.

Why did Henri want the edict voluntarily ratified?

It would be more likely to stick because it was passed by the people.

What was the Edict of Nantes made up of?

The general edict - 92 articles The secret edict - 56 articles explaining the general articles Two royal brevets (royal letters) supporting the secret articles.