THE EUROPEAN WARS OF RELIGION c. 1560-1660

Philip II (r. 1556 – 1598) Son of Charles V Ruled Spanish & Portuguese Empires, Netherlands and Southern Italy. Strongest military power in the world.

El Escorial New royal palace/fortress (and monastery and mausoleum) in shape of grill, reflected Philip’s religious and military convictions.

Catholic Crusade Philip II fanatically seeks to reimpose Catholicism in Europe. Takes on Calvinists in his Netherlands territories. Fights against Protestant England due to Elizabeth I’s support of the Dutch Takes on Muslim Turks power in the Mediterranean.

The Dutch Revolt Calvinist Netherlands resented foreign rule by Spain (both on religious, economic, and political grounds). Philip II sends the Duke of Alva to suppress revolt. 1567-1572 reign of terror killing thousands of rebels. Duke of Alva

The Dutch Revolt 1579, seven northern provinces form Union of Utrecht to continue fight. William I (William of Orange) (1533-1584) (Pictured Left), led 7 provinces against Inquisition and revolt against rule of Philip II. He was assassinated in 1584. Struggle continued to 1609; 12-year truce enacted; Defacto Dutch independence formally recognized in Peace of Westphalia in 1648.

England v. Spain Queen Mary Tudor (Philip’s wife) reimposes Catholicism in England. Alliance with England ends with death of Mary in 1558 and the accession of Elizabeth. Queen Elizabeth I reverses Mary’s edicts Elizabeth helps Protestant Netherlands gain independence from Spain. Philip plots to reimpose Catholicism in England

Elizabeth I Elizabeth I of England (r. 1558-1603) championed Protestant causes in Europe. England was an unlikely foe to Spain (lost possessions in Europe, had no overseas possessions) Elizabeth carefully crafted her image to instill the love of her people. Elizabeth supported the Dutch Revolt and English privateers regularly attacked Spanish colonial shipping.

The Armada, 1588 Philip II attempts to invade England to end Protestant resistance. Fleet attempts to pick up Spanish troops in the Netherlands for invasion. Armada is harassed by smaller, better armed and more maneuverable English fleet

The Armada, 1588 The combination of better English seamanship and bad weather (“the Protestant Wind”) defeated the Spanish. Forced to return home via northern route, half the fleet lost. Marked the beginning of the end of Spanish power; leads to rise of Netherlands, England and France.

The French Wars of Religion - Catholic and Huguenots Despite the spread of Reformation ideas, France remained a largely Catholic nation. Of a total of 16 million (in the late 16th century) 1.2 million embraced Calvinism. A large portion of French nobility were Calvinists. Conflict between the groups led to three decades of civil war on religious and political issues.

Absolute Monarchy and France Main Idea Henry IV, Louis XIII, and Louis XIV strengthened the French monarchy, with Louis XIV setting the example of an absolute monarch for the rest of Europe. Reading Focus How did Henry IV end France’s wars of religion? How did Louis XIII and Cardinal Richelieu strengthen the French monarchy?

Religious War and Henry IV Soon after Protestant Reformation began in Germany, it spread to France 1560s, one in ten French was Huguenot, French Calvinist Protestant Many noble families Huguenots Large number of Protestants threatened Catholic French monarchy Monarchy thought all should share “one king, one law, one religion” Religious conflict a challenge to absolute monarchy

Conflict and a New King Massacre Henry IV In France fighting broke out between Catholics and Huguenots 1572, Catholic queen of France ordered Huguenots in Paris killed Assassins started with nobles in city for Henry of Navarre’s wedding Event became known as Saint Bartholomew’s Day Massacre Violence spread; final Huguenot death toll up to 70,000 Massacre Henry of Navarre denied his religion, escaped death Later in line to be king, but as Huguenot had to fight Catholic troops to claim throne 1593, won acceptance by converting to Catholicism Crowned as Henry IV Explained conversion by saying, “Paris is well worth a mass.” Henry IV

Compromise Progress Henry knew compromise needed to restore peace Edict of Nantes in 1598; gave Huguenots limited freedom of worship Also, right to hold office, rule in 200 cities where in majority Subjects no longer had to follow religion of throne; for French Catholics, ended religious wars, but Catholicism official religion Progress Henry IV then focused on repairing war-torn country Improved financial situation, eliminated debt, built up surplus Created new industries, encouraged agriculture, stimulated trade, drained swamps, built canals, roads Became one of France’s most respected monarchs

Henry II (r. 1547-1559) Henry was a large, powerful man; but a weak-willed king. He persecuted Huguenots. Henry II severely punished them, burning them alive or cutting out their tongues for speaking their Protestant beliefs. Even those suspected of being Huguenots could be imprisoned for life. He was killed in a jousting tournament. http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/de_medici_catherine.shtml

Catherine de’ Medici After Henry II’s death in a jousting match, Catherine used her position as Regent to influence her three sons who would serve as king. Francis II (r. 1559-1560), Charles IX (r. 1560-1574) and Henry III (r. 1574-1589) ruled under the influence of Catherine, but could not stop the spreading Huguenot influence. http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/de_medici_catherine.shtml

Francis II (r. 1559-1560) Charles IX (r. 1560-1574) Henry III (r. 1574-1589) He ascended the throne of France at the age of fifteen after the accidental death of his father, Henry II, in 1559. since he was young, inexperienced, and in fragile health, he delegated his power to his wife's uncles from the noble House of Guise: Francis, Duke of Guise, and Charles, Cardinal of Lorraine.  Unpopular policies caused anger: repression of protestants and cutting budget Feb.-March 1560, violence erupts Dies from ear infection, some suspected poisoning Reign was dominated by the French Wars of Religion, which pitted the Huguenots, while their enemies, later organized into the Catholic League were led by the House of Guise In 1572, after several unsuccessful peace attempts, Charles ordered the marriage of his sister to Henry of Navarre, a major Protestant nobleman and the future King Henry IV of France, in a last desperate bid to reconcile his people. Facing hostility against this policy, Charles allowed the massacre of all Huguenot leaders who gathered in Paris for the royal wedding at the instigation of his mother  King of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth from 1573 to 1575  In 1576, granted many concessions to the Huguenots. His action resulted in the Catholic activist Henry I, Duke of Guise, forming the Catholic League 1588, royal guardsmen murdered the duke and brother, a Cardinal The Duke of Guise had been very popular in France, and the citizenry turned against Henry for the murders. Assassinated in 1589

St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre Open warfare began between the Catholics lead by the Guise family and the Huguenots led by the Bourbon family in 1562. First eight years of fighting ended in 1570. Catherine still feared Huguenot power and ordered their massacre on Aug. 24 1572.

Painting by François Dubois, a Huguenot painter born circa 1529 in Amiens, who settled in Switzerland. Although Dubois did not witness the massacre, he depicts Admiral Coligny's body hanging out of a window at the rear to the right. To the left rear, Catherine de' Medici is shown emerging from the Louvre castle to inspect a heap of bodies.

War of the Three Henrys (1585-89) Following the massacre, Henry of Navarre (a Bourbon) emerged as Huguenots leader. His opponents were the Catholic Guise family and Henry III, the 3rd son of Henry II Both Henry Guise and Henry III were assassinated Henry of Navarre was the only one left with a legitimate claim to the throne. He became Henry IV in 1589.

Henry IV (Henry of Navarre) (r. 1589-1610) First Bourbon king of France. Was a Huguenot, but converts to Catholicism. Brings peace to the warring factions. Issues the Edict of Nantes in 1589, granting limited toleration to the Huguenots.