Chapter 4 section 2Absolute Monarchy

and France

A. By 1560’s one in ten people in France were French Calvinist Protestants (also known as Huguenots)

1. A large population of the Huguenots consisted of noble families and threatened the Catholic French Monarchy

2. The monarchy adhered to the ideas that all loyal citizens of France should share un, roi, une loi, une foi (one king, one law, one religion)

I. Major Religious Conflict Spreads to France at a High Cost

B. The protestant reformation spread from Germany to France.1. The catalyst of the French Protestants occurred on August 24, 1572: it became commonly known as the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre2. This bloody event was the massacre of almost 70,000 Huguenots at the hand of Catherine de’ Medici, the queen of France.

Painting of the massacre- took place four days after the wedding of the king's sister Margaret to the Protestant Henry III of Navarre (the future Henry IV of France).

3. This was deeper blow to the promise of religious tolerance because the event took place at the wedding of a Catholic and French Calvinist a Protestant.

A Huguenot, on St. Bartholomew's Day, Refusing to Shield Himself from Danger by Wearing the Roman Catholic Badge (1852) is a painting by John Everett Millais.

Propaganda print depicting Huguenot aggression against Catholics at sea. Horribles cruautés des Huguenots, 16th century.

A. In 1593 Henry of Navarre became Henry IV 1. He was able to gain acceptance from France by converting from Protestantism to Catholicismi. “Paris is well worth a Mass”ii. Even though he was a newly affiliated Catholic, Henry didn’t forget his religious roots.

II. Henry IV

Portrait of Henry IV as Hercules slaying the Lernaean Hydra. Painted ca. 1600

In Greek mythology, the Lernaean Hydra was an ancient nameless serpent-like water beast with

reptilian traits that possessed many heads.

2. Even though he was a newly affiliated Catholic, Henry didn’t forget his religious roots. Henry issued the Edict of Nantes, which gave French Protestants (Huguenots) limited freedom of worship and the right to hold office in towns where Protestant was the dominant religion

B. The Edict ended religious wars in France, but declared Catholicism the official religion of France. 1. The Edict also required the Huguenots to support the Catholic Church financially.

Henry IV signing the “Edict”

Edict of Nantes

2. In addition to encouraging religious tolerance, Henry IV also eliminated France’s debt and was able to build a surplus3. He also drained swamps, built roads and canals and encouraged agriculture

Assassination of Henry IV by Gaspar Bouttats

Henry IV was

assassinated in 1640 by a Catholic fanatic

Henry IV’s assassin: François Ravaillac

A. In 1624, Louis XIII appointed Cardinal Richelieu as his chief minister and most trusted adviser

1. Richelieu sought to destroy the power of the Huguenots and nobles, two groups that did not bow to royal authority

2. Despite Louis and Richelieu’s dream of a Catholic France, during the Thirty Years War, Richelieu entered France on the Protestant side, the creation of his Reason of the State, which meant putting social/political/religious issues aside for the betterment of the state (country).

III. Louis XIII and Richelieu

B. Louis and Richelieu died within the same year, leaving Louis XIV, Louis XIII’s son, the heir to France’s crown1. Many consider Louis XIV history’s best example of an absolute monarch2. His famous quote, “L’etat, c’est moi.” meaning “I am the state.”3. Referred to as the “Sun King”

A. Louis demanded to be in charge of all:1. Military 2. Political3. Economic Affairs

B. Louis deprived the nobility of influence1. Built palace outside Paris at Versailles; demanded noble visit

regularly2. Nobles gained prestige being servants at Versailles court

i. Developed new habits of dressing, dining, gamblingii. Grew pooreriii. Louis XIV’s style, ceremony emphasized political importance.

IV. Versailles

Panoramic view of Versailles Palace

Another view of Versailles Palace

Drawing of Versailles

Queen’s Bed Chamber

A. 1685, Louis revoked Edict of Nantes, outlawed Protestantism in France

1. Over 200,000 Huguenots fled- prosperous merchants, artisans which meant the loss of their skills and wealth helped cause financial crisis

2. This was similar to Spain’s expulsion of the Jews and the Muslims

V. Towards the End of Louis XIV’s Life

B. The Battle of Rockroy established France as the possessor of the most powerful army in Europe1. The most costly war, War of Spanish Succession, started when the King of Spain died without an heir2. 1701, England, Netherlands, Holy Roman Empire went to war against France, to prevent the combining forces of France and Spain

C. 1713, after many defeats, Louis accepted the Treaty of Utrecht which said Louis’s grandson got Spanish throne anyway.1. Also said France and Spain could never to be ruled by same monarch2. War benefited England at expense of France, Spain.