The French Wars of Religion (1562-1598) were a series of eight conflicts between Protestant and Catholic factions in France lasting 36 years and concluding with the Protestant King Henry IV of France (r. 1589-1610) converting to Catholicism in the interests of peace. Although Protestant forces won the final battles, Catholicism triumphed, and France remained a predominantly Catholic nation.
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Definition
Timeline
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1534Affair of the Placards; anti-Catholic posters appear throughout France, increasing religious tensions.
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1545Massacre of Merindol; Protestants slaughtered by Catholics.
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1560Amboise Conspiracy; Protestant plot to kidnap Francois II uncovered and Protestants executed.
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1562 - 1598French Wars of Religion fought between Catholic and Protestant factions in France.
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1562 - 1563First French War of Religion.
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1562Massacre of Vassy; Catholics slaughter Protestants, start of French Wars of Religion.
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1 Mar 1562The Massacre of Wassy (also known as the Massacre of Vassy) in which the forces under the Catholic Duke of Guise slaughtered Protestant worshippers in the town of Wassy, France. The event began what is now known as the French Wars of Religion.
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1567 - 1568Second French War of Religion.
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1568 - 1570Third French War of Religion.
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23 Mar 1568The Peace of Longjumeau is signed between King Charles IX of France and Catherine de' Medici, ending the second phase of the French Wars of Religion. The peace would not last and was revoked in August, setting off further conflict.
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1572 - 1573Fourth French War of Religion.
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23 Aug 1572The St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre begins in Paris on the eve of the Feast of Saint Bartholomew, during the French Wars of Religion, when Catholic partisans initiate the slaughter of Protestants in the city. The violence spread outwards from Paris, resulting in a death toll of between 5,000 and 30,000.
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1574 - 1576Fifth French War of Religion.
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1576 - 1577Sixth French War of Religion.
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1579 - 1580Seventh French War of Religion.
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1585 - 1589Eighth French War of Religion (War of the Three Henrys).
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1589 - 1598Hostilities continue between Catholic and Protestant factions in France until Henry IV converts to Catholicism and issued the Edict of Nantes, officially ending the French Wars of Religion.
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1598Henry IV of France grants religious freedom for French Prostestants with the Edict of Nantes.
