16th century translations of the Bible into Latin and French
During the 16th century, numerous translations of the Bible were made into Latin and French.
The posters incident (1534)
Tracts of an insulting nature to the Catholic Church were put up in Paris, throughout the provinces and even in front of the king’s rooms. The king decided on a...
The Amboise Conspiracy (1560)
Some members of the Reformation movement attempted to seize the king and shield him from the influence of the Guise family.
The Colloquium of Poissy (1561)
In order to avoid a civil war between Catholics and Protestants, Catherine de Medici brought together theologians from both factions. However, the attempt failed.
The massacre of Wassy (1562)
From the protestant point of view the wars of religion began with the massacre of Wassy, whereas from the catholic point of view it was Louis de Condé’s attack on...
The rise of Protestantism in France (1520-1562)
Luther’s ideas began to spread in France from 1520 onwards. The authorities did their best to oppose them. From 1540, under Jean Calvin’s influence, a new Church took shape, but...
Gaspard de Coligny (1519-1572)
Gaspard de Coligny born in the influential Châtillon family, was naturally at the service of the King of France. However, after being made prisoner at the siege of Saint Quentin,...
St. Bartholomew’s Day (24th August 1572)
Charles IX had tried to reconcile the two religious parties, but when this failed, he was driven by the Guise family to authorize the Catholics to assassinate the Protestant leaders; the situation...
The Edict of Nantes (1598)
This was Henri IV’s major achievement : the terms of this edict ensured the peaceful coexistence of Catholics and Protestants and brought a stop to all hostilities in France after 36 years...
Absolute power was contested
Those who are opposed to the ruling of a country by one single person, but believe in a monarchy by contractual agreement are referred to as monarchomaques.
The United Provinces of the Midi
Strongly influenced by Calvinism, a political theory of State government was put into practice in the Midi for about twenty years. In this political system, the power comes from the...
Protestantism after 1562
In the second part of the XVIth century (1562-1598), in spite of persecution and long periods of civil war, the Reformed Churches became well organized. A political system, structured on...
The Reformation in Alsace in 16th century
The Reformation began very early in Alsace and was soon well established. In Strasbourg, it had two characteristics : moderation and an insistence on the Bible study. Martin Bucer’s influence spread...
The Reformation in Montbéliard in 16th century
In the county of Montbéliard, the Reformation was mainly influenced by Luther, but for a while it was influenced by Guillaume Farel.
Alès (Gard)
Alès, in the southern part of the Massif Central, occupies an outstanding geographical position, at the crossroads of the Cévennes, the Rhone Valley and the South of France. The history...
Anduze (Gard)
As from 1560, the Reformation was fully established in Anduze, also named Little Geneva.
Beaumont-lès-Valence (Drôme)
Since the city of Valence was never was given the right to hold services, the Protestants gathered for worship east of Valence, in Beaumont-lès-Valence.
Bordeaux (Gironde)
Protestantism was introduced to this trading port thanks to commerce with Protestant countries, such as England, Flanders and Holland. In 1560, there were some 7,000 Protestants. As in Toulouse, the...
Caen (Calvados)
Lutheran theses were displayed at the Caen university as early as 1533. Towards the end of the century, there were an estimated 10,000 Protestants in the Caen district.