Wars of Religion:the Edict of Nantes pacifies the spirits

First page of the original manuscript of the Edict of Nantes, kept at the National Archives (Paris) • WIKIMEDIACOMMONS

The Edict of Nantes, signed by Henri IV in 1598, granted Protestants a regime of limited tolerance. This was not the first such edict. In 1563, at the end of a year of civil war, the edict of pacification of Amboise had imposed the coexistence of the two religions, the old (Catholic) and the new (Reformed), by imposing the oblivion of the violence and by recognizing the Protestants' right to practice their religion where it already existed, as well as in the suburbs of several cities and on the lands of the great Calvinist lords. The principle established in 1563 served as the basis for subsequent edicts.

Freedom of conscience, freedom of worship

When Henry III died in 1589, Henry of Navarre became King of France. He had no interest in presenting himself as the protector of Protestants. This is the reason why he took several years before granting them a new edict of tolerance. Under pressure from his former co-religionists, Henry IV, who had converted to Catholicism in 1593, ended up signing a new edict of tolerance in April 1598.

The promulgation of the Edict of Nantes was justified by the establishment of peace in the kingdom. The freedom of conscience granted to the Huguenots was accompanied by freedom of worship where it was applied in 1596 and in August 1597, as well as in the suburbs of two towns by bailiwick and among the lords high justiciers. About 700 localities were concerned. The cult remained prohibited in Paris, as well as in the places of residence of the court. Reformers had the right of access to royal offices, schools and charitable institutions. They could also hold synods. By virtue of patents not subject to registration, the king promised to maintain the pastors, the professors of the academies and the regents of the Protestant colleges. It also granted places of safety, for eight years, which were located in the southern "reformed crescent".

Also read:Wars of Religion:Henry IV, a realistic savior

By strictly regulating the number of places of worship, the Edict of Nantes prevented the expansion of Protestantism, while Catholic worship was restored throughout the kingdom. It was abolished by Louis XIV in 1685, after years of persecution against Protestants.