Wars of Religion 1560-1648

Wars of Religion From 1560 to 1648 wars would be fought largely over religious issues Spain sought to squash Protestantism in Western Europe and the spread of Islam in the Mediterranean French Catholics sought to squash the Huguenots The Holy Roman Empire sought to re-impose Catholicism in Germany The Calvinist Netherlands sought to break away from Spanish rule A civil war occurred in England between Puritans and Anglicans Hapsburg- Valois Wars (1519-1559) Treaty of Cateau-Cambresis, 1559- ended the Habsburg-Valois Wars (last purely dynastic wars of the 16th century) These wars had been political in nature- not religious b/c both France and the HRE were Catholic France had kept the Holy Roman Empire from controlling all of Germany, while inadvertently helping Lutheranism spread -France chose the political issue of a possible strong German state on its eastern border as being more important than religious unity in Europe This was a major reason for Germany’s inability to move towards unification early on Spain defeated France for control of Sicily, Naples, and Milan, while Spanish influence was also strong in the Papal States and Tuscany

Spain’s Catholic Crusade Phillip II (1556-98) Like father- Charles V, fanatically sought to re- impose Catholicism in Europe Under Philip Spain became the dominant country in Europe- “Golden Age” The greatest advocate of activist Catholicism in the second half of the 16th century

Philip II & Militant Catholicism First major goal consolidate and secure the lands he had inherited from father Spain, Netherlands, possessions in Italy, and New World Aimed to be a dominant power in Europe New world economy had a lot to do with this Greatest misfortunes in his attempt to crush revolt in Netherlands and his relations with Queen Elizabeth For Philip this meant strict conformity to Catholicism, enforced by aggressive use of the Spanish Inquisition and the establishment of strong, monarchial authority Continued to strengthen monarchy in Spain less dependence on nobles But harder in other territories The importation of silver will have negative consequences through inflation Also, the government imposed a lot of direct and indirect taxes Crucial to understanding Philip II is understanding the importance of Catholicism to the Spanish- heritage of crusading behavior – saw themselves as people divinely chosen to save Catholic Christianity from the Protestant heretics Beat the Turkish in the Mediterranean (Battle of Lepanto- Cyprus, 1571)

The Dutch Revolt Dutch provinces had no real political bond except Philip II, a foreigner who was out of touch Philip wanted to crush Calvinism William of Orange wished to unify the provinces  1576  stand together under William’s leadership, respect religious differences, and demand Spanish leave Union of Utrecht- Northern provinces organized Northern provinces emerged as Dutch Republic, Spanish don’t recognize until 1648 Philip sought to crush the rise of Calvinism in the Netherlands One of the richest areas of Philip’s empire 7 northern provinces were largely Germanic in culture and Dutch speaking, while the French and Flemish-speaking southern provinces were closely tied to France Netherlands had become prosperous through trade due to its location Philip hoped to strengthen control on Netherlands  strongly opposed by the nobles, towns, and provincial states Resentment against Philip increased when the residents of the Netherlands realized that the taxes they paid were being used for Spanish interests Violence erupted in 1566 when Calvinists began to destroy statues and stained glass windows in Catholic churches Philip sent troops to crush the rebellion Spanish leader played on religious differences in Netherlands and tried to split united front To counter this, William of Orange organized seven northern, Dutch-speaking states into a protestant union– Union of Utrecht – determined to oppose Spanish rule Netherlands now divided along religious, geographic, and political lines Struggle dragged on until 1609

Elizabeth After the death of Mary in 1558, Elizabeth (r. 1558-1603) came to the throne Increased prominence of England- leader of Protestant Europe, laid foundations for world empire, and experienced cultural renaissance Religious policy based on moderation and compromise New Act of Supremacy, Catholic legislation removed Will still see backlash from Catholics and Puritans Moved quickly to solve the religious problems she inherited from Mary, who tried to bring England back to Catholicism She wanted to prevent England from being torn apart by religion She changed the wording of supreme governor of realm, as well in all spiritual …. Instead of supreme head of church- trying not to offend Catholics or radical Protestants Very moderate Protestantism- between Lutheranism and Calvinism – avoided overly subtle distinctions or extremes One of Elizabeth’s greatest challenges Catholic cousin Mary, queen of Scots – technically next in line to the English throne Mary ousted from Scotland by rebellious Calvinists nobles in 1568 and fled to England. There Elizabeth placed her on house arrest and for 14 years tolerated her involvement in a number of ill-planned Catholic plots designed to kill Elizabeth and replace her on the throne with Catholic Mary In 1587, Mary became involved in a more serious plot, Elizabeth had her beheaded In the long run, Puritans more dangerous to Anglicanism During her reign Elizabeth managed to keep them in check

Spain vs England Queen Mary (Philip’s Wife) had tried to re- impose Catholicism in England She dies, Elizabeth takes over and changes course Elizabeth helped Protestant Netherlands gain independence from Spain Philip seeks revenge for this as well as the opportunity to make England Catholic Will plan an invasion in 1588 Philip actually requested to marry Elizabeth, but she refused Elizabeth encouraged English seamen to raid Spanish shops and colonies. Sir Francis Drake famous for plundering Spanish fleets loaded with gold and silver from Spain’s New World empires

Spanish Armada Spain’s attempt to invade England ended in disaster Raging storm in the English Channel and very effective British navy Signaled the rise of England as a world naval power The Spanish fleet that finally set sail did not have the ships nor the troops that Philip had planned to send No miracle for the Spanish Although the English and French would continue to wage war for another 16 years, the defeat of the Spanish armada guaranteed for the time being that England would remain a Protestant country. Psychological blow to the Spaniards

French Civil Wars French throne in fragile control of the Catholic Valois family Three French Kings from were dominated by their mother- Catherine de Medici Fought hard to maintain Catholic control in France Developed a reputation for cruelty Between 40-50% of nobles became Calvinists (Huguenots)- many were Bourbons Fighting will begin between Catholics and Calvinists At least 9 wars between 1562 and 1598 After the death of Henry II (killed accidentally in a tournament) in 1559 a power struggle between three noble families for the Crown ensued Catherine ruled for her sons because they were young and incompetent Francis II died after a year in power Charles IX mentally incompetent Henry inefficient Many nobles converted for religious reasons, but many wanted independence from the crown Resulted in the resurgence of feudal disorder in France The Bourbons were next in line to inherit the throne if the Valois did not produce an heir Ultra Catholic Guise family also competed for the throne- strongly anti-Bourbon

St. Bartholomew Day Massacre 1572 Leader of Catholic aristocracy, Henry of Guise, persuaded Catherine de Medici that Huguenots posed threat Catherine de Medici convinced her son of coup and ordered massacre of Huguenot in response “But then you must kill all the Huguenots in France so that none shall be left to reproach me. Kill them all!” Charles IX 20,000 Huguenots killed in a couple months Marriage of Margaret of Valois to Protestant Huguenot Henry Navarre on this day was intended to reconcile Catholics and Huguenots Led to War of Three Henrys 1588-89 Henry III last Valois King- forced by Henry, duke of Guise to make him chief minister Appeared Guise might take throne- Philip II supports Guise, Henry III has the Duke of Guise murdered Henry III assassinated by a monk who was repelled by idea of Catholic king working with a Protestant Catherine supports Bourbons now- Henry of Navarre defeats Catholic League and becomes king of France Valois family now replaced by Bourbon family

Henry IV (Henry of Navarre) First Bourbon King Rise to power ended the French Civil Wars and placed France on path towards absolutism Was a politique (like Elizabeth I) Sought practical political solutions (somewhat Machiavellian in nature) Converted to Catholicism to gain the loyalty of Paris “Paris is worth a mass” Henry IV privately remained Calvinist Avoid ideological based decisions like Philip II Wanted to restore France’s prosperity and economy Welfare of commoners

Edict of Nantes, 1598 Henry IV granted a degree of religious tolerance to Huguenots Permitted Huguenots the right to worship privately Gave Huguenots access to universities, to public office, and the right to maintain 200 towns in west and southwest France for self-protection More like a truce in the religious wars rather than recognition of tolerance Could not worship publically or in Paris at all Edict gave Huguenots more religious protection than any other minority in Europe