The French Wars of Religion 1559-1598

This Seminar Study provides the reader with a lucid introduction to a complex period of French history. In the second half of the sixteenth century France was racked by religious civil wars and peace was only restored when Henry of Navarre finally converted to Catholicism, deciding - in his immortal phrase - that 'Paris is worth a mass'. _x005F_x000D_ Professor Knecht begins his study by explaining how the Huguenot Church grew out of the evangelicalism of the early sixteenth century and of the failure of Francis I to check the influx of Lutheranism. He goes on to show how the rivalry between leading noble houses developed into political and religious conflict, challenging the assumption that religion was used merely as a cloak for rebellion. He provides a succinct analysis of the wars themselves and considers the ferment of political ideas which they generated. The subject is set in its widest context as the author looks at the effect which the wars had on the French state, economy and society and the author concludes his study by evaluating the extent of France's recovery under Henry IV.