Age of Religious Wars
Chapter 12 European History
Key Topics
War between Calvinist and Catholic in France
The Spanish occupation of the Netherlands
Struggle for supremacy between England and Spain
The devastation of Central Europe during the 30 year war
Renewed Religious Struggle
Late 16-17 century described as the Age of Religious Wars because opposition of
Protestants and Catholics across Europe
Peace of Augsberg (1555)- A regions rule would determine its religion, However it did
not recognize Non Lutheran Protestants
Geneva became a refuge for persecuted protestants and an international school for
protestant leaders
Counter Reformation- A movement within the Rome Catholic Church that sought to
revitalize the church and oppose Protestantism
Baroque Art- 3 dimensional display of life and energy
Politiques- Ruler who urged tolerance and moderation and compromise on religious
matters
French Wars of Religion
Anti-Protestant Measures and the struggle for political power
French Protestants are known as Huguenots. They were persecuted by the French, when
King Charles of Germany / Spain captured Frances King. To pacify King Charles, France
persecutes the Huguenots in the hopes of gaining the freedom of the King of France.
Edict of Fontainebleau—Subjected French Protestants to the inquisition
France remain hostile to the protestants until King Henry of Navarre gains the throne
3 competing fraction for the Kings (Francis II) ear in France
Bourbons- power lays in the south and west
Montmorency-Chatillons- controlled the center of France
Guises- dominate in eastern France / Strongest power and had more influence
over the king due to family connection
Bourbons and Montmorency-Chatillons developed strong Huguenot sympathies
Conspiracy of Amboise (1560) - Bourbons and Montmorency-Chatillons plotted to
kidnap the king of France (Frances II)
Appeal of Calvinism
Huguenots were in important geographic areas and were heavily represented among the
more powerful segments of French society. They wanted to establish sovereignty with in
France.
Catherine De Medicis and the Guises
Catherine mother to 15 year old Frances II becomes the regent of France upon the death
of her husband Henry II. On the death of Frances II her younger son Charles IX becomes
king where she resides as regent. Catherine fears the power of the Guiles family and
sought alliances with the Protestants. She issues the January Edict which allows
protestants freedom to worship publicly outside of towns. Duke of Guise surprised a
protestant congregation at Vassy Champagne and massacred the worshipers. This is the
beginning of the French wars of Religion March 1562
Coligny (leader of the Huguenots) Charles IX most trusted advisor.
Peace of Saint-Germain-en-Laye (1570)
Ended the thirty year war, the crown acknowledging the power of the Protestant nobility,
granted Huguenots religious freedoms within their territory.
Catherine fearing the mounting power of the other two families and protestants she
cultivates the support of the Guise.
The Saint Bartholomew’s Day Massacre
Catherine tried to have Coligny assassinated by a bullet. Fearing the fallout from the
attempt, she convinces King Charles that the Huguenots were attempting to attack Paris
On Saint Bartholomew’s Day August 24, 1572, Coligny and 3000 Huguenots were
massacred in Paris. With in 3days another 20,000 were executed
Protestant Resistance Theory
John Knox- wrote First Blast of the Trumpet against the Terrible Regiment of Women he
declared removal of a heathen tyrant was permissible
Francois Hotman- wrote Franco-Gallia Humanist argument that representative Estate
General held more authority then the French king
Theodore Beza- wrote On the Right of Magistrates over their Subjects permissible for
lower authorities to overthrow tyrannical rulers
Philippe du Plessis Mornay- Defense of Liberty against Tyrants Princes, Nobles and
magistrates are guardians and to take up arms against tyranny in other land
The Rise to Power of Henry Navarre
Henry III sought the middle ground and gained support from a growing body of neutral
Catholics and Huguenots
Peace of Beaulieu May 1576- granted the Huguenots almost complete religious and civil
freedom. It was later recanted because of political pressure of the Catholic League. Both
religious orders pick up arms. Henry Navarre led the Protestant army. (Henry III brotherin-law)
Day of the Barricades –Henry III surprise attack on the Catholic League (Spain
Supported) and failed. Henry then assassinated the Duke and Cardinal of Guise. Reprisal
from the League was fierce causing Henry III to join forces with Henry Navarre. Henry
III was killed; Henry IV (Navarre) is the next successor to the throne. Now there is a
Protestant as king, the League wants France to be Catholic but politically weak so Spain
sends in troops to help achieve this goal in hopes of putting his daughter on the throne.
The French rallied behind their king disbanding the League and outing the Spanish.
Henry IV turns Catholic. Ending the war of religion in France
Edict of Nantes
Proclaimed a formal religious settlement it recognized minor religions in an official
Catholic country
Treaty of Vervins ended hostility between France and Spain
Imperial Spain and the Reign of Philip II
Gold Silver and bullion were being imported from Spain’s colonies in the New World.
The increased wealth and population in large cities in Europe triggered inflation. Their
were fewer jobs, less food, wages stagnated and greater coinage in circulation while
prices increased
The Revolt in the NetherlandsAntoine Perrenot (Cardinal Granvelle) hoped to break the local autonomy of the
Netherlands providences and establish a centralized royal government directed from
Madrid, and religious conformity to Catholic. Granvelle proceeded to reorganize the
Netherlands. William of Nassau (Prince of Orange) & Count of Egmont organized the
Dutch nobility in opposition, which had Granvelle removed from office
The CompromiseA solemn pledge to resist the decrees of Trent and the Inquisition. Margaret (Regent of
Spain) spurred the protesters. Which leads them to call for aid and rebel against Spain,
however the nobility does not support the rebellion.
Duke of Alba is sent to the Netherlands to gain control back. He had several thousand
suspected heretics publicly executed. He then taxed the people of Netherlands to pay for
the suppressing of the revolt.
Pacification of GhentNovember 4 1576 Spanish mercenaries ran amok in Antwerp killing 7000 people in the
streets known as the Spanish fury. Catholic regions and Protestant regions in the
Netherlands unified to oppose Spain, became known as the Pacification of Gent
November 8 1576
Perpetual Edict- provided for removal of all Spanish troops from the Netherlands within
20 days.
Netherlands IndependenceKing of Spain Phillip II declared William of Orange an outlaw. December 1580 William
of Orange publicly denounced Phillip as a Heathen and tyrant and should not be obeyed
known as the Apology. Peace of Westphalia in 1648 – Netherlands is fully recognized
England and Spain 1553-1603
Family Tree- Henry VIII
Mary
3rd Queen
Elizabeth 4th Queen
Edward
1st king
Jane Grey (granddaughter to Henry)
Mary I – reign lasted 5 years
Edward VI died and tried to have Lady Jane Grey to ascend to the throne. However Mary
Tudor was the rightful heir. Grey lasted 9 days then beheaded.
Mary marries Prince Philip II of Spain. Mary had Parliament repeal the Protestant laws.
Mary decreed all of England Catholic and burned Protestant leaders at the stake
Mary dies 1558
Elizabeth I – takes throne 1558
Daughter of Henry and half sister to Mary. Advisor William Cecil. Passed laws for
religious toleration
Act of Supremacy 1559- Repealing all anti-Protestant legislation of Mary Tudor
Phillip II seeks marriage with Elizabeth.
Mary Stuart Queen of Scots seeks England throne her claim Elizabeth is illegitimate and
she is the granddaughter to Henry the VIII sister Margaret.
Deterioration of Relation with Spain
Spanish Duke of Alb 1547 marched troops into the Netherlands; England sees this as a
threat due its close proximity to England. Elizabeth allows pirating of Spanish vessels.
Mary Queen of Scots
Elizabeth executes Mary Queen of Scotts (second cousin) for plotting against the crown.
Mary’s husband is killed by her lover, who is acquitted, and then marries Mary. This
causes outrage from her people. Mary surrenders her throne to her one year old son James
VI, who later becomes Elizabeth’s heir to throne. The pope authorize Spain to invade
England for the killing of Mary who was their hope to turn England Catholic
The Armand
May 30 1587 a 130 ships with 25,000 sailors sent to invade England. Spain wanted the
ships to dock in France before continuing the invasion. France prohibit the ships from
leaving and a fog roles in around the channel giving England the advantage and wins.
Thirty Year War
Preconditions for War
Germany = Holly Roman Empire (pg 408 has map of various religions)
Germany consists of 360 autonomous entities. Each had its own tolls, taxes, coins and
religion, making it difficult to travel and do business
Four Periods of WarBohemian (1618-1625)
Danish (1625-1629)
Swedish (1630-1635)
Swedish-French (1635-1648)
Bohemian Period- (pg 410 for map)
Ferdinand ascends to the throne and wants to return the region to Catholicism. He
revokes the religious freedoms of the Bohemian Protestants. In reaction the Protestant
nobility in Prague throws Ferdinand 3 regents out the window known as “defenestration
of Prague” However they did not die, landed on manure which cushioned their fall.
Ferdinand was managed to subdue the Protestants and re-Catholicize Bohemian
Danish Period- (1625-1629)
Lutheran King Christian IV of Demark picks up the Protestant banner and invades
Germany and loses. Ferdinand then attacks Demark and breaks Protestant resistance.
Issues the Edict of Restitution in 1629- Calvinism is illegal and orders the return of all
church lands acquired by the Lutherans. This causes fear among all Protestants.
The Swedish Periods (1630-1635)
Gustavus Adolohus king of a unified Lutheran nation, bankrolled by France who wishes
to keep the Habsburg armies tied down in Germany. Adolhus won several battles due to a
lighter army and better weapons. However Adolus is killed on the battlefield. The Peace
of Prague in 1635 majority of the Protestants states reached a compromise with
Ferdinand except for the Swedes which plunged them into the fourth war.
The Swedish-French Period (1635-1648)
The French join the war in 1635. The war dragged on for 13 years with Spainish, French
and Swedish soldiers looting Germany. About 1/3 of the German population died as a
direct result of the war
Treaty of Westphalia- (pg 412 map)
The treaty of Westphalia 1648 brought all hostilities within the Holy Roman Empire to an
end. It ends the Edict of Restitution and reasserts the Peace of Augsburg, which allows
each ruler to determine its religion. German princes becomes supreme over their
principalities.